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Frontiers in Microbiology 2022The physiological state of the host affects the gut microbes. The estrus cycle is critical to the reproductive cycle of sows. However, the association between gut...
The physiological state of the host affects the gut microbes. The estrus cycle is critical to the reproductive cycle of sows. However, the association between gut microbes and animal estrus is poorly understood. Here, high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) non-targeted metabolome technology were used to study the estrous cycles in Diannan small ear pigs. Significantly different gut microbiota and metabolites of sows at estrous and diestrus were screened out and the correlation was analyzed. We found that the intestinal microbial composition and microbial metabolism of Diannan small ear sows were significantly different at diestrus and metestrus. The abundances of , , , , , , and in intestinal microorganisms of Diannan small ear sows at metestrus are significantly higher than that at diestrus. Propionic acid, benzyl butyrate, sucrose, piperidine, and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) were significantly enriched at metestrus compared with diestrus, which were involved in the energy metabolism-related pathways and activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. At diestrus and metestrus, differential microbiota of , , , , and differential metabolites of piperidine, propionic acid, and benzyl butyrate, sucrose, 4-methyl catechol, and AICAR exist a certain degree of correlation. Therefore, , , and may have a potential role at metestrus of the Diannan small ear sows. AICAR may be apotential marker of estrus Diannan small ear sows feces, but further studies about the specific mechanism are needed. These findings provide a new perspective for sows production management and improving sows reproductive performance.
PubMed: 35516431
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.826881 -
Behavioural Brain Research Feb 2018Females are an under-represented research model and the mechanisms through which sleep loss impairs cognition are not clear. Since levels of reproductive hormones and...
Females are an under-represented research model and the mechanisms through which sleep loss impairs cognition are not clear. Since levels of reproductive hormones and the estrous cycle are sensitive to sleep loss and necessary for learning and memory, we hypothesized that sleep deprivation impacts learning and memory in female mice by interfering with the estrous cycle. We used the object recognition task to assess learning and memory in female mice during separate phases of the estrous cycle and after sleep loss. Mice in metestrus/diestrus attended to sample objects less than mice in proestrus/estrus during object acquisition, the first phase of the object recognition task. Subsequently, during the recognition phase of the task, only mice in proestrus/estrus displayed a preference for the novel object. Sleep deprivation for 12h immediately before the object recognition task reduced time attending to sample objects and novel object preference for mice in proestrus/estrus, without changing length of the estrous cycle. These results show that sleep deprived mice in proestrus/estrus had learning deficits and memory impairments, like mice in metestrus/diestrus. Since sleep deprivation did not disrupt the estrous cycle, however, results did not support the hypothesis. Cognitive impairments due to acute sleep loss were not due to alterations to the estrous cycle.
Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Estrous Cycle; Female; Learning; Memory; Metestrus; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Proestrus; Sleep Deprivation
PubMed: 29180134
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.11.033 -
Behavioral Neuroscience Oct 2022The ability to remember sequences of events is fundamental to episodic memory. While rodent studies have examined sex and estrous cycle in episodic-like spatial memory...
The ability to remember sequences of events is fundamental to episodic memory. While rodent studies have examined sex and estrous cycle in episodic-like spatial memory tasks, little is known about these biological variables in memory for sequences of events that depend on representations of temporal context. We investigated the role of sex and estrous cycle in rats during training and testing stages of a cross-species validated sequence memory task (Jayachandran et al., 2019). Rats were trained on a two four-odor sequence memory task delivered on opposite ends of a linear track. Training occurred in six successive stages starting with learning to poke in a nose-port for ≥ 1.2 s; eventually demonstrating sequence memory by holding their nose in the port ≥ 1 s for in-sequence odors and < 1 s for out-of-sequence odors. Performance was analyzed across sex and estrous cycle (proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus), the latter being determined by cellular composition of a daily vaginal lavage. We found no evidence of sex differences in asymptotic sequence memory performance, similar to humans performing an analogous task (Reeders et al., 2021). Likewise, no differences in sequence memory performance were found across the estrous cycle. Some caveats are that males acquired out-of-sequence trials faster during training with a 3-odor sequence, but this apparent advantage did not carry over to the 4-odor sequence. Additionally, males had shorter poke times overall which seem consistent with a decreased overall response inhibition because they occurred regardless of sequence demands. Together, these results suggest sex and estrous cycle are not major factors in sequence memory capacities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Animals; Estrous Cycle; Estrus; Female; Humans; Male; Metestrus; Proestrus; Rats; Spatial Memory
PubMed: 35254840
DOI: 10.1037/bne0000508 -
Neurobiology of Stress Sep 2023Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent psychiatric disorders, affecting approximately 18% of the United States population. Evidence indicates that central oxytocin...
Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent psychiatric disorders, affecting approximately 18% of the United States population. Evidence indicates that central oxytocin mediates social cognition, social bonding, and social anxiety. Although it is well-established that oxytocin ameliorates social deficits, less is known about the therapeutic effects of oxytocin in non-social contexts. We hypothesized that positive effects of oxytocin in social contexts are attributable to intrinsic effects of oxytocin on neural systems that are related to emotion regulation. The present study investigated the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) oxytocin administration (i.e., central action) on anxiety- and depression-like behavior in C57Bl/6J mice using non-social tests. Male and female mice received an ICV infusion of vehicle or oxytocin (100, 200, or 500 ng), then were tested in the elevated zero maze (for anxiety-like behavior) and the tail suspension test (for depression-like behavior). Oxytocin dose-dependently increased open zone occupancy and entries in the elevated zero maze and reduced immobility duration in the tail suspension test in both sexes. Oxytocin decreased anxiety and depression-like behavior in male and female mice. The observed effect of oxytocin on anxiolytic-like behavior appeared to be driven by the males. Given the smaller anxiolytic-like effect of oxytocin in the female mice and the established interaction between oxytocin and reproductive hormones (estrogen and progesterone), we also explored whether oxytocin sensitivity in females varies across estrous cycle phases and in ovariectomized females that were or were not supplemented with estrogen or progesterone. Oxytocin reduced anxiety-like behavior in female mice in proestrus/estrus, ovariectomized females (supplemented or not with estrogen or progesterone), but not females in metestrus/diestrus. Additionally, oxytocin reduced depression-like behavior in all groups tested with slight differences across the various hormonal statuses. These results suggest that the effect of oxytocin in depression- and anxiety-like behavior in mice can be influenced by sex and hormonal status.
PubMed: 37706061
DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100567 -
Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE Aug 2021The current methodology establishes a reproducible, standardized, and cost-effective approach to monitoring the estrous cycle of female Sprague Dawley (SD) adolescent...
The current methodology establishes a reproducible, standardized, and cost-effective approach to monitoring the estrous cycle of female Sprague Dawley (SD) adolescent rats. This study demonstrates the complexity of hormonal cycles and the broad spectrum of understanding required to construct a reliable and valid monitoring technique. Through an in-depth examination of principal experimental design and procedural elements, this description of the cycle and its fundamental principles provides a framework for further understanding and deconstructs misconceptions for future replication. Along with an outline of the sample collection process employing vaginal lavage, the procedure describes the mechanism of data categorization into the four-stage model of proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus. These stages are characterized by a new proposed approach, utilizing the 4 categorizing determinants of vaginal fluid condition, cell type(s) present, cell arrangement, and cell quantity at the time of collection. Variations of each stage, favorable and unfavorable samples, the distinction between cyclicity and acyclicity, and graphic depictions of the collected categorizing components are presented alongside effective interpretive and organizational practices of the data. Overall, these tools allow for the publication of quantifiable data ranges for the first time, leading to the standardization of categorization factors upon replication.
Topics: Animals; Estrous Cycle; Female; Humans; Metestrus; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rodentia; Vaginal Douching
PubMed: 34515690
DOI: 10.3791/62884 -
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 -
Transplantation Oct 2023Uterus transplantation (UTx) is one of the potential methods to cure absolute uterine factor infertility of transgender. However, this mostly comes with many...
BACKGROUND
Uterus transplantation (UTx) is one of the potential methods to cure absolute uterine factor infertility of transgender. However, this mostly comes with many technological challenges.
METHODS
Left inguinal UTx was performed in 13 castrated male rats. End-to-end anastomosis of donor common iliac vessels to recipient femoral vessels was used for transsexual UTx. Sampling was performed on day 30 after transplantation. Grafts were used to analyze the histological changes. TUNEL assay was applied to stain the apoptotic cells. Immunological rejection was judged by flow cytometry.
RESULTS
Six uteri, 4 ovaries, and 4 upper vaginas were found at day 30 posttransplantation. Similar histological changes to proestrus, estrus, and diestrus of female rats were examined in the transplanted uteri. The histological changes of transplanted vaginas showed similarity to proestrus, estrus, and metestrus of the female rats. Follicles of different stages and corpus luteum with distinct morphological appearances were also observed. The TUNEL assay revealed a higher apoptosis of granulosa cells in transplanted ovaries compared with normal ovaries.
CONCLUSIONS
A rat model of transsexual unilateral inguinal uterine transplantation in castrated rats was established, which will provide a reference for bilateral transsexual UTx in animals and genetically 46 XY individuals who wish to become real women through transsexual UTx.
Topics: Humans; Rats; Female; Male; Animals; Uterus; Tissue Donors
PubMed: 37122083
DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000004599 -
The Journal of Headache and Pain Jul 2023Migraine is more prevalent in females, raising the possibility that sex and gonadal hormones modulate migraine. We recently demonstrated that minimally invasive...
BACKGROUND
Migraine is more prevalent in females, raising the possibility that sex and gonadal hormones modulate migraine. We recently demonstrated that minimally invasive optogenetic spreading depolarization (opto-SD) elicits robust periorbital allodynia. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that opto-SD induced migraine-like pain behavior is worse in females and varies during the estrus cycle.
METHODS
Single or repeated opto-SDs were induced in male and female adult Thy1-ChR2-YFP transgenic mice. Von Frey monofilaments were used to test periorbital mechanical allodynia. Mouse grimace was also examined under increasing light intensity to quantify spontaneous discomfort and light-aversive behavior. Vaginal smears were obtained for estrus cycle staging at the end of behavioral testing.
RESULTS
A multi-variable regression analysis was performed using a male and female cohort to test the effect of independent variables on periorbital allodynia. Opto-SD predicted lower periorbital thresholds as compared with sham stimulation (p < 0.0001). Additionally, female sex predicted lower periorbital thresholds compared with males (p = 0.011). There were significant interactions between opto-SD and time (interaction p = 0.030) as animals tended to recover from opto-SD allodynia over time, and between sex and time (p = 0.020) as females tended to take longer to recover. Proestrus, estrus (PE) and metestrus, diestrus (MD) stages were combined to represent high versus low circulating estradiol relative to progesterone, respectively. Multi-variable regression revealed an effect of estrus cycle (p = 0.015) on periorbital thresholds. In the sham group, PE had lower thresholds than MD. However, there was no interaction between opto-SD and the estrus cycle (p = 0.364). Grimace scores were also examined at incremental light intensities. There was an effect of opto-SD (p < 0.0001), light intensity (p = 0.001) and estrus cycle (p = 0.024) on grimace without interaction among them (three-way ANOVA).
CONCLUSIONS
Female sex and estrus stages with high circulating estradiol relative to progesterone lower trigeminal pain thresholds and augment photosensitivity. In females, opto-SD increased pain behavior and photosensitivity irrespective of the estrus stage.
Topics: Rats; Male; Mice; Female; Animals; Hyperalgesia; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Progesterone; Depression; Optogenetics; Estrus; Migraine Disorders; Pain Threshold; Phenotype; Estradiol
PubMed: 37464297
DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01621-1 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Scholar... Jan 2016The term "uterosomes" was first used to classify extracellular membrane vesicles released into the uterine luminal fluid. These extracellular vesicles (EVs), varying in... (Review)
Review
The term "uterosomes" was first used to classify extracellular membrane vesicles released into the uterine luminal fluid. These extracellular vesicles (EVs), varying in sizes, fit the classification of exosomes and microvesicles on the basis of size, the presence of the CD9 biochemical marker, and lateral orientation of the membrane. Uterosomes appear to be formed by the apocrine pathway, similar to other reproductive EVs. In the murine system, the protein cargo carried by uterosomes includes glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked and transmembrane proteins and these are hormonally regulated, appearing at high levels during proestrus/estrus and only marginally present at diestrus /metestrus. Uterosomes have been shown to deliver proteins in their cargo to sperm, with a functional impact, and are thought to participate in promoting sperm capacitation. Further studies are warranted, particularly those aimed at identifying the contents of their cargo during the estrus and menstrual cycle and the role they play n sperm maturation.
Topics: Animals; Estrous Cycle; Estrus; Exosomes; Female; Fertilization; Humans; Male; Metestrus; Organelle Biogenesis; Proteins; Reproduction; Sperm Maturation; Spermatozoa; Uterus
PubMed: 26709901
DOI: 10.2741/s451 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2022Accurate determination of estrus is essentially required for efficient reproduction management of farm animals. Buffalo is a shy breeder and does not manifest overt...
Comparative Proteome Profiling of Saliva Between Estrus and Non-Estrus Stages by Employing Label-Free Quantitation (LFQ) and Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)-LC-MS/MS Analysis: An Approach for Estrus Biomarker Identification in .
Accurate determination of estrus is essentially required for efficient reproduction management of farm animals. Buffalo is a shy breeder and does not manifest overt signs of estrus that make estrus detection difficult resulting in a poor conception rate. Therefore, identifying estrus biomarkers in easily accessible biofluid such as saliva is of utmost interest. In the current study, we generated saliva proteome profiles during proestrus (PE), estrus (E), metestrus (ME), and diestrus (DE) stages of the buffalo estrous cycle using both label-free quantitation (LFQ) and labeled (TMT) quantitation and mass spectrometry analysis. A total of 520 proteins were identified as DEPs in LFQ; among these, 59 and four proteins were upregulated (FC ≥ 1.5) and downregulated (FC ≤ 0.5) during E vs. PE, ME, and DE comparisons, respectively. Similarly, TMT-LC-MS/MS analysis identified 369 DEPs; among these, 74 and 73 proteins were upregulated and downregulated during E vs. PE, ME, and DE stages, respectively. Functional annotations of GO terms showed enrichment of glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, endopeptidase inhibitor activity, salivary secretion, innate immune response, calcium ion binding, oocyte meiosis, and estrogen signaling. Over-expression of SERPINB1, HSPA1A, VMO1, SDF4, LCN1, OBP, and ENO3 proteins during estrus was further confirmed by Western blotting. This is the first comprehensive report on differential proteome analysis of buffalo saliva between estrus and non-estrus stages. This study generated an important panel of candidate proteins that may be considered buffalo estrus biomarkers which can be applied in the development of a diagnostic kit for estrus detection in buffalo.
PubMed: 35754844
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.867909