-
Biology May 2021Estrous cycle is one of the placental mammal characteristics after sexual maturity, including estrus stage (ES) and diestrus stage (DS). Estrous cycle is important in...
Estrous cycle is one of the placental mammal characteristics after sexual maturity, including estrus stage (ES) and diestrus stage (DS). Estrous cycle is important in female physiology and its disorder may lead to diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian carcinoma, anxiety, and epilepsy. In the latest years, effects of non-coding RNAs and messenger RNA (mRNA) on estrous cycle have started to arouse much concern, however, a whole transcriptome analysis among non-coding RNAs and mRNA has not been reported. Here, we report a whole transcriptome analysis of goat ovary in estrus and diestrus periods. Estrus synchronization was conducted to induce the estrus phase and on day 32, the goats shifted into the diestrus stage. The ovary RNA of estrus and diestrus stages was respectively collected to perform RNA-sequencing. Then, the circular RNA (circRNA), microRNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), and mRNA databases of goat ovary were acquired, and the differential expressions between estrus and diestrus stages were screened to construct circRNA-miRNA-mRNA/lncRNA and lncRNA-miRNA/mRNA networks, thus providing potential pathways that are involved in the regulation of estrous cycle. Differentially expressed mRNAs, such as , , and , and differentially expressed miRNAs that play key roles in the regulation of estrous cycle, such as miR-21-3p, miR-202-3p, and miR-223-3p, were extracted from the network. Our data provided the miRNA, circRNA, lncRNA, and mRNA databases of goat ovary and each differentially expressed profile between ES and DS. Networks among differentially expressed miRNAs, circRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs were constructed to provide valuable resources for the study of estrous cycle and related diseases.
PubMed: 34070240
DOI: 10.3390/biology10060464 -
Journal of Dairy Science Mar 2021Our objective was to investigate the lipid content of uterus, blood plasma, and milk at early, mid, and late diestrus. Lactating cows (n = 30) had the estrous cycle and...
Our objective was to investigate the lipid content of uterus, blood plasma, and milk at early, mid, and late diestrus. Lactating cows (n = 30) had the estrous cycle and ovulation synchronized by administration of exogenous hormones. Cows were blocked by parity and assigned randomly to receive transcervical uterine flushing and biopsy on d 5 (early diestrus), 10 (mid diestrus) or 15 (late diestrus) of the estrous cycle. Flushing and endometrial biopsy were performed in the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum. The recovered flushing was used for analyses of lipid composition by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and the biopsy was used for investigation of lipid droplet abundance in endometrial cryosections using a neutral lipid fluorescent dye. In addition, blood and milk samples were collected from all cows on d 5, 10, and 15. All blood samples were used to measure the concentration of progesterone in plasma, and all milk samples were used to determine milk composition. Subsamples of blood plasma and milk were also used to evaluate the composition of fatty acids and oxylipins using the same methodology used for uterine flushing samples. The abundance of lipid droplets in the endometrium increased 1.9-fold from d 5 to 10, and 2-fold from d 10 to 15. Concentration of long-chain fatty acids and oxylipins in uterine flushing were, on average, 2.2 and 2.5 times greater in samples collected on d 15 compared with those collected on d 5 and 10. These differences were not observed in blood and milk, suggesting that accumulation of fatty acids and oxylipins in the uterus is regulated locally. In addition to concentration, the profile of individual fatty acids and oxylipins in uterine lumen changed substantially during diestrus. The main categories with increased abundance at late diestrus were mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and oxylipins derived from arachidonic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. In conclusion, fatty acids and oxylipins accumulate in the uterine lumen during diestrus and might work as a mechanism to supply these lipids to the developing conceptus at late diestrus, when the onset of elongation occurs and substantial synthesis of biomass and cell signaling by lipid mediators are required.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Diestrus; Endometrium; Fatty Acids; Female; Lactation; Lipid Droplets; Milk; Oxylipins; Pregnancy; Uterus
PubMed: 33455794
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19196 -
Psychoneuroendocrinology Jul 2022The increased susceptibility of women to stress and trauma-related disorders compared to men suggests a role for ovarian hormones in modulating fear and anxiety. In both...
The increased susceptibility of women to stress and trauma-related disorders compared to men suggests a role for ovarian hormones in modulating fear and anxiety. In both humans and rodents, estrogen and progesterone have been shown to influence fear learning during acquisition, expression, and extinction. Recently, we showed that allopregnanolone (ALLO), a progesterone (PROG) metabolite and GABA receptor potentiator, confers state-dependent contextual fear when infused into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of male rats. In order to determine whether estrous cycle-related fluctuations in circulating PROG confer state-dependent contextual fear in female rats, animals received Pavlovian fear conditioning during an estrous cycle phase when PROG was either low (late diestrus) or high (late proestrus). After conditioning, animals were tested for contextual fear in either the same or different estrous cycle phase. Subjects conditioned in diestrus and tested in proestrus showed lower levels of contextual fear compared to subjects conditioned and tested in the same estrous cycle phase (either diestrus or proestrus), suggesting a state-dependent effect of estrous cycle phase on fear learning. This state dependence was asymmetric, however, as animals trained in proestrus and tested in diestrus exhibited high levels of contextual fear. In ovariectomized (OVX) females treated acutely with either PROG or vehicle, state dependence was not observed. These results suggest that the hormonal state in diestrus may play a role in conferring state dependence to conditioned fear in naturally cycling female rats but not in an OVX model.
Topics: Animals; Conditioning, Classical; Estrogens; Estrous Cycle; Fear; Female; Humans; Male; Progesterone; Rats
PubMed: 35489312
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105776 -
Zoology (Jena, Germany) Dec 2023Reproduction in female mammals is characterized by major changes in steroid hormone concentrations, which can be linked to fluctuations in energy expenditure (EE)....
Reproduction in female mammals is characterized by major changes in steroid hormone concentrations, which can be linked to fluctuations in energy expenditure (EE). Estradiol and cortisol can increase EE and metabolic rates (MRs), but knowledge on MR changes during the estrous cycle and gestation is scarce for many species. This also applies to the domestic guinea pig, a species exhibiting an exceptional estrous cycle among rodents. In this study, MRs were measured through oxygen (O) consumption in female guinea pigs during different reproductive stages. Mean O consumption over 2.5 h, resting metabolic rate (RMR, lowest and most stable O consumption over 3 min), body mass, fecal estrogen and progesterone, and saliva cortisol concentrations were measured in twelve female guinea pigs in a repeated measurements design during diestrus, estrus, and the second trimester of gestation. In estrus, body mass was significantly lower and estrogen and cortisol concentrations were significantly higher compared to diestrus and gestation. Mean O consumption and RMR both were significantly increased in estrus compared to diestrus. Additionally, a positive effect of body mass on MRs detected during diestrus and gestation was not found during estrus. Mean O consumption was also higher during gestation compared to diestrus, and a significant increase in cortisol concentrations during the 2.5-h MR measurement was recorded. The results indicate that estrus in guinea pigs is energetically demanding, which probably reflects catabolic effects of estrogens and cortisol that uncoupled MRs from body mass. Knowledge on the energetic requirements associated with different reproductive stages is important for future physiological and behavioral studies on female guinea pigs.
Topics: Guinea Pigs; Female; Animals; Hydrocortisone; Reproduction; Estrogens; Estradiol; Progesterone; Mammals
PubMed: 37931560
DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2023.126132 -
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Jan 2016Pyometra is a commonly occurring uterine disease in cats that often leads to loss of breeding potential and, in some cases, can be life threatening. An increased... (Review)
Review
PRACTICAL RELEVANCE
Pyometra is a commonly occurring uterine disease in cats that often leads to loss of breeding potential and, in some cases, can be life threatening. An increased incidence of cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and pyometra is seen with age. Most queens present with uterine lesions after 5-7 years of age (average 7.6 years, range 1-20 years). Clinical signs most commonly occur within 4 weeks of the onset of oestrus in queens that are either mated, spontaneously ovulate or are induced to ovulate (mechanical stimulation or hormone induction). The disease is most often observed in dioestrus.
CLINICAL CHALLENGES
Queens with pyometra often go undiagnosed as there may be few or only very mild clinical signs and laboratory changes. For example, the classic sign of mucopurulent bloody vulvar discharge often goes unnoticed. Abdominal ultrasound is the best tool for diagnosis of pyometra and for monitoring response to therapy.
PATIENT GROUP
Classically, middle-aged/older nulliparous intact queens present with pyometra. However, so-called 'stump pyometra' can occur if ovarian tissue is left behind during ovariectomy or ovariohysterectomy (ovarian remnant syndrome). Queens treated with exogenous steroid hormones such as high doses of megestrol acetate or medroxyprogesterone acetate for oestrus prevention can also develop CEH and pyometra.
EVIDENCE BASE
There has been little published to date on CEH, endometritis and pyometra in the queen and most of the currently available information has been extrapolated from studies carried out in the bitch. The queen and the bitch have very different reproductive physiology; thus, further research and investigation into the precise aetiopathogenesis of these disease processes of the uterus in the queen is warranted.
AUDIENCE
This review is aimed at clinicians working in small animal practice, especially those in countries where surgical sterilisation is not practised as commonly as in the United States, Canada or Australasia, and who will therefore see a greater proportion of intact queens.
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Endometrial Hyperplasia; Female; Hysterectomy; Ovariectomy; Pyometra
PubMed: 26733546
DOI: 10.1177/1098612X15623114 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Mar 2021The reproductive physiology of canids is unique compared to other mammalian species. Specifically, the reproductive cycle of female canids is characterized by extended... (Review)
Review
The reproductive physiology of canids is unique compared to other mammalian species. Specifically, the reproductive cycle of female canids is characterized by extended periods of proestrus and estrus followed by obligatory diestrus and protracted ovarian inactivity (anestrus). Although canid reproduction follows this general pattern, studies have shown variations in reproductive biology among species and geographic regions. Understanding of these differences is critical to the development of assisted reproductive technologies including estrus induction, gamete rescue, and embryo production techniques for canid conservation efforts. This review summarizes current knowledge of canid reproduction, including estrus cyclicity, seasonality, and seminal traits, with the emphasis on species diversity. The application of reproductive technologies in wild canid conservation will also be discussed.
PubMed: 33804569
DOI: 10.3390/ani11030653 -
Biomolecules Jun 2023Among female rats, some individuals show estrus cycle-dependent irritability/aggressive behaviors, and these individual rats may be used as a model for premenstrual...
Among female rats, some individuals show estrus cycle-dependent irritability/aggressive behaviors, and these individual rats may be used as a model for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). We wanted to investigate if these behaviors are related to the estrus cycle phase containing moderately increased levels of positive GABA-A receptor-modulating steroids (steroid-PAM), especially allopregnanolone (ALLO), and if the adverse behavior can be antagonized. The electrophysiology studies in this paper show that isoallopregnanolone (ISO) is a GABA-A-modulating steroid antagonist (GAMSA), meaning that ISO can antagonize the agonistic effects of positive GABA-A receptor-modulating steroids in both α1β2γ2L and α4β3δ GABA-A receptor subtypes. In this study, we also investigated whether ISO could antagonize the estrus cycle-dependent aggressive behaviors in female Wistar rats using a resident-intruder test. Our results confirmed previous reports of estrus cycle-dependent behaviors in that 42% of the tested rats showed higher levels of irritability/aggression at diestrus compared to those at estrus. Furthermore, we found that, during the treatment with ISO, the aggressive behavior at diestrus was alleviated to a level comparable to that of estrus. We noticed an 89% reduction in the increase in aggressive behavior at diestrus compared to that at estrus. Vehicle treatment in the same animals showed a minimal effect on the diestrus-related aggressive behavior. In conclusion, we showed that ISO can antagonize Steroid-PAM both in α1β2γ2L and α4β3δ GABA-A receptor subtypes and inhibit estrus cycle-dependent aggressive behavior.
Topics: Rats; Female; Animals; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, GABA-A; Aggression; Estrus; Pregnanolone
PubMed: 37371597
DOI: 10.3390/biom13061017 -
Toxicological Sciences : An Official... May 2023Phthalates are found in plastic food containers, medical plastics, and personal care products. However, the effects of long-term phthalate exposure on female...
Long-term exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, and a mixture of phthalates alters estrous cyclicity and/or impairs gestational index and birth rate in mice.
Phthalates are found in plastic food containers, medical plastics, and personal care products. However, the effects of long-term phthalate exposure on female reproduction are unknown. Thus, this study investigated the effects of long-term, dietary phthalate exposure on estrous cyclicity and fertility in female mice. Adult female CD-1 mice were fed chow containing vehicle control (corn oil) or 0.15-1500 ppm of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), or a mixture of phthalates (Mix) containing DEHP, DiNP, benzyl butyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, and diethyl phthalate. Measurements of urinary phthalate metabolites confirmed effective delivery of phthalates. Phthalate consumption for 11 months did not affect body weight compared to control. DEHP exposure at 0.15 ppm for 3 and 5 months increased the time that the mice spent in estrus and decreased the time the mice spent in metestrus/diestrus compared to control. DiNP exposure (0.15-1500 ppm) did not significantly affect time in estrus or metestrus/diestrus compared to control. Mix exposure at 0.15 and 1500 ppm for 3 months decreased the time the mice spent in metestrus/diestrus and increased the time the mice spent in estrus compared to control. DEHP (0.15-1500 ppm) or Mix (0.15-1500 ppm) exposure did not affect fertility-related indices compared to control. However, long-term DiNP exposure at 1500 ppm significantly reduced gestational index and birth rate compared to control. These data indicate that chronic dietary exposure to phthalates alters estrous cyclicity, and long-term exposure to DiNP reduces gestational index and birth rate in mice.
Topics: Mice; Female; Animals; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Birth Rate; Phthalic Acids; Periodicity
PubMed: 36929940
DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad030 -
Animal Reproduction Science Oct 2020The aim was to study number, volume, apoptosis of corpora lutea (CL), and serum P concentrations in early, middle, and late diestrus of dogs. Thirty-six bitches were...
The aim was to study number, volume, apoptosis of corpora lutea (CL), and serum P concentrations in early, middle, and late diestrus of dogs. Thirty-six bitches were ovari-hysterectomized (OVX): Early Diestrus (Group [G]1; OVX 20 days after end of estrus [DEH]); Mid-diestrus (GII; OVX between 21 and 40 days after DEH), and Late-diestrus (GIII; OVX between 41 and 60 days after DEH). Before OVX a blood sample was collected to quantify P. After OVX, the number of CL (NCL) was recorded, CL measured using both ultrasonography (US) and caliper (CAL), and the volume (mm) was calculated. Based on abundances of caspase-3, apoptotic luteal cells were detected. Bitches in early-diestrus had greater P concentrations than bitches in mid- and late-diestrus (23.52 ± 3.78 and 10.86 ± 3.88 ng/mL; P < 0.05). The NCL, cumulative USCLV, and CALCLV were similar among diestrus stages (P > 0.30). Bitches with CL (≥5) had twice the serum P concentrations as bitches with CL1-2 and CL3-4 (22.71 ± 3.70 and 10.97 ± 4.06 ng/mL; P < 0.05). There were correlations between P concentrations with USCLV, CALCLV, and NCL (r = 0.64, r = 0.67, r = 0.44; P < 0.0001). When serum P concentrations were adjusted for stages of diestrus, however, there were only correlations during early diestrus. The percentage of apoptotic cells was greater in GIII compared with GI and GII (13.75 ± 2.26 % compared with 4.5 ± 0.68 % and 4.6 ± 1.5 %, respectively; P < 0.05). As days of diestrus increased, number of apoptotic cells increased, and serum P concentrations decreased.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Corpus Luteum; Diestrus; Dogs; Female; Progesterone
PubMed: 32947187
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106591 -
Theriogenology Mar 2023Our objectives were to examine changes in endometrial and luteal gene expression during estrus, diestrus, pregnancy and treatments to induce luteolysis and putatively...
Our objectives were to examine changes in endometrial and luteal gene expression during estrus, diestrus, pregnancy and treatments to induce luteolysis and putatively induce luteostasis. Groups were: Diestrus (DIEST), Estrus (ESTR), Pregnant (PREG), Oxytocin (OXY), Carbetocin (CARB), and Meclofenamic acid (MFA). Blood was obtained from day (D)12 to D15 for measurement of oxytocinase, also referred to as leucyl-cysteinyl aminopeptidase (LNPEP) and progesterone. Luteal biopsies were obtained on D12 and D15 and an endometrial biopsy on D15. Real-time RT-PCR was performed for the following genes: PGR, ESR1, OXTR,OXT, LNPEP, PTGS2, PTGFR, PLA2G2C, PTGES, SLC2A4, and SLC2A1. Regarding serum LNPEP, PREG and OXY (p-value<0.001) had higher concentrations than DIEST mares. Endometrial PTGES expression was higher (p-value <0.04) in DIEST, PREG and OXY than other groups. Endometrium from ESTR had increased expression of OXT (p-value < 0.02) compared to MFA and OXY mares. Carbetocin treatment: decreased serum progesterone and LNPEP; increased endometrial PLA2G2C; decreased endometrial PTGES; and decreased luteal aromatase and PTGES. Treatment with MFA: decreased endometrial PLA2G2C, increased endometrial PTGES; and resulted in less OXTR and OXT luteal abundance on D12 compared to D15. Endometrial and luteal expression of LNPEP is affected by physiologic stage and treatment and is involved in luteal function and pregnancy recognition pathways through effects on oxytocin and prostaglandin synthesis in the horse.
Topics: Pregnancy; Horses; Animals; Female; Oxytocin; Progesterone; Meclofenamic Acid; Cystinyl Aminopeptidase; Corpus Luteum; Gene Expression; Endometrium
PubMed: 36549183
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.10.019