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Reproduction in Domestic Animals =... Oct 2022In this study, uterine blood flow area (BFA) has been evaluated for the first time using power Doppler ultrasound (PD) as a marker of endometritis in mares and jennies....
In this study, uterine blood flow area (BFA) has been evaluated for the first time using power Doppler ultrasound (PD) as a marker of endometritis in mares and jennies. The uterine BFA in healthy mares was greater in oestrus than in diestrus (p < .001). However, differences in endometrial blood flow between oestrus and diestrus were not observed in mares with endometritis. The uterine blood flow in healthy jennies is not affected by the oestrus cycle. Both species showed an increase in endometrial BFA in pathological uterine conditions compared to controls. BFA was a good marker of endometritis with an area under curve (AUC) (estrus:0.94 (p < .001) diestrus:0.98 (p < .001) in mares and AUC (0.91 (p < .0001) in jennies. The results of this preliminary study suggest that PD ultrasound in combination with computerized image analysis has the potential to be a very useful tool in the diagnosis of endometritis.
Topics: Animals; Endometritis; Endometrium; Equidae; Female; Horse Diseases; Horses; Uterus
PubMed: 35467047
DOI: 10.1111/rda.14132 -
Nutrients May 2023The plant (TC), traditionally known as guduchi or giloy, is used for a number of health conditions as a nutritional supplement and rejuvenation medicine. Its...
The plant (TC), traditionally known as guduchi or giloy, is used for a number of health conditions as a nutritional supplement and rejuvenation medicine. Its nutritional supplementary products are traditionally recommended for a wide range of health issues, including diabetes, menstruation discomfort, fever, obesity, inflammation, and more. Unfortunately, there has not been extensive research into its effectiveness in treating or managing insulin resistance, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, hormonal imbalance, and metabolic syndrome-associated polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Consequently, the present study was designed to induce insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hormonal abnormality, hyperglycemia, and menstrual disturbance of PCOS using dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in mice and study the effect of oral TC extracts on these factors by using ancient and modern technologies. During the 21-day study, 6 mg/100 g/day of DHEA was given to female mice. Levels of glucose, insulin, lipids, and hormones were estimated. In addition to being seen with the naked eye, the morphological and microscopic changes were also observed on histology slides. The study outcomes show that pretreatment with TC preparations significantly improved biochemical and histological abnormalities in female mice. Diestrus phase was only observed in DHEA-treated animals, while cornified epithelial cells were present in TC-treated mice. Pretreatment with TC satva showed significant ( < 0.001) reductions in body weight compared to placebo. Fasting blood glucose, 1-h OGTT, and 2-h OGTT levels were all significantly lower in TC satva- and oil-treated animals in comparison to the disease control group ( < 0.001). Treatment with TC extracts resulted in a normalization of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone levels ( < 0.05). Treatment with TC extract improved lipid profiles ( < 0.001), LH/FSH ratios ( < 0.01), fasting insulin levels ( < 0.001), HOMA-IR ( < 0.001), HOMA-Beta ( < 0.001), and QUICKI ( < 0.001). Both macroscopic and microscopic alterations were seen to be restored after TC extract treatment. After being treated with TC satva, oil, and hydroalcoholic extract, the severity of PCOS decreased by 54.86%. These findings lead us to the conclusion that TC extracts and satva as nutritional supplements are useful for treating PCOS and associated symptoms. It is recommended that additional research be conducted to determine the molecular mechanism of action of TC nutritional supplements on PCOS-related changes in metabolic profiles. We also recommend further clinical studies to explore the clinical efficacy and effectiveness of TC nutritional supplements in treating and/or managing PCOS.
Topics: Female; Humans; Mice; Animals; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Insulin Resistance; Tinospora; Insulin; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Glucose; Lipids; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Blood Glucose; Body Mass Index
PubMed: 37242122
DOI: 10.3390/nu15102238 -
British Journal of Pharmacology Jan 2023Kcnq-encoded K 7 channels (termed K 7.1-5) regulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contractility at rest and as targets of receptor-mediated responses. However, the...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Kcnq-encoded K 7 channels (termed K 7.1-5) regulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contractility at rest and as targets of receptor-mediated responses. However, the current data are mostly derived from males. Considering the known effects of sex, the oestrous cycle and sex hormones on vascular reactivity, here we have characterised the molecular and functional properties of K 7 channels from renal and mesenteric arteries from female Wistar rats separated into di-oestrus and met-oestrus (F-D/M) and pro-oestrus and oestrus (F-P/E).
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
RT-qPCR, immunocytochemistry, proximity ligation assay and wire myography were performed in renal and mesenteric arteries. Circulating sex hormone concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Whole-cell electrophysiology was undertaken on cells expressing K 7.4 channels in association with G-protein-coupled oestrogen receptor 1 (GPER1).
KEY RESULTS
The K 7.2-5 activators S-1 and ML213 and the pan-K 7 inhibitor linopirdine were more effective in arteries from F-D/M compared with F-P/E animals. In VSMCs isolated from F-P/E rats, exploratory evidence indicates reduced membrane abundance of K 7.4 but not K 7.1, K 7.5 and Kcne4 when compared with cells from F-D/M. Plasma oestradiol was higher in F-P/E compared with F-D/M, and progesterone showed the converse pattern. Oestradiol/GPER1 agonist G-1 diminished K 7.4 encoded currents and ML213 relaxations and reduced the membrane abundance of K 7.4 and interaction between K 7.4 and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), in arteries from F-D/M but not F-P/E.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
GPER1 signalling decreased K 7.4 membrane abundance in conjunction with diminished interaction with HSP90, giving rise to a 'pro-contractile state'.
Topics: Male; Rats; Female; Animals; Rats, Wistar; Mesenteric Arteries; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; Myography; Estradiol
PubMed: 36085551
DOI: 10.1111/bph.15947 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... May 2023The use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has been widely reported for reproductive imaging in humans and animals. This review aims to analyze the utility of CEUS... (Review)
Review
The use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has been widely reported for reproductive imaging in humans and animals. This review aims to analyze the utility of CEUS in characterizing canine reproductive physiology and pathologies. In September 2022, a search for articles about CEUS in canine testicles, prostate, uterus, placenta, and mammary glands was conducted on PubMed and Scopus from 1990 to 2022, showing 36 total results. CEUS differentiated testicular abnormalities and neoplastic lesions, but it could not characterize tumors. In prostatic diseases, CEUS in dogs was widely studied in animal models for prostatic cancer treatment. In veterinary medicine, this diagnostic tool could distinguish prostatic adenocarcinomas. In ovaries, CEUS differentiated the follicular phases. In CEH-pyometra syndrome, it showed a different enhancement between endometrium and cysts, and highlighted angiogenesis. CEUS was shown to be safe in pregnant dogs and was able to assess normal and abnormal fetal-maternal blood flow and placental dysfunction. In normal mammary glands, CEUS showed vascularization only in diestrus, with differences between mammary glands. CEUS was not specific for neoplastic versus non-neoplastic masses and for benign tumors, except for complex carcinomas and neoplastic vascularization. Works on CEUS showed its usefulness in a wide spectrum of pathologies of this non-invasive, reliable diagnostic procedure.
PubMed: 37238045
DOI: 10.3390/ani13101615 -
BMC Veterinary Research Sep 2023Aldosterone represents an important target of heart failure therapy and may be a valuable indicator of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity. However, its...
BACKGROUND
Aldosterone represents an important target of heart failure therapy and may be a valuable indicator of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity. However, its assessment might be challenging because of the effect of individual factors. In a recent study, intact female dogs showed the highest value of urinary aldosterone-to-creatinine ratio (UAldo:C) compared to other sex categories. In humans and rodents, an influence of progesterone has been reported by several studies. To our knowledge, the relationship between aldosterone and progesterone has not yet been investigated in dogs. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate this relationship in sexually intact Chihuahua females, measuring both hormones twice in the same bitch, that is in anoestrus when progesterone concentrations are baseline and in dioestrus when they are high.
RESULTS
The study population consisted of 14 sexually intact Chihuahua bitches. Serum progesterone (34.06 (21.17-44.90) vs. 0.19 [0.13-0.38] ng/ml; P < 0.001) and urinary aldosterone (9886.98 ± 5735.22 vs. 5005.72 ± 2127.73 pg/ml; P = 0.01) were significantly higher in dioestrus compared to anoestrous. Urinary aldosterone-to-creatinine ratio was higher in dioestrus compared to anoestrus (4.16 [3.17-6.80] vs. 3.39 ± 1.64 µg/g), but it did not reach the statistical significance (P = 0.056). Serum progesterone showed a moderate positive correlation with urinary aldosterone (ρ = 0.638, P < 0.001) and UAldo:C (ρ = 0.516, P = 0.005).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study suggest the existence of a progesterone-aldosterone relationship in canine species, indicating that sex and phase of reproductive cycle should be taken into account when interpreting aldosterone concentrations. Further studies are needed to confirm these results on a larger canine population and to identify the underlying mechanisms in this species.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Dogs; Female; Aldosterone; Progesterone; Creatinine; Prospective Studies; Diuretics; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Cardiotonic Agents
PubMed: 37670293
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03704-2 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2023Despite the prevalent expression of freezing behavior following Pavlovian fear conditioning, a growing body of literature suggests potential sex differences in defensive...
Despite the prevalent expression of freezing behavior following Pavlovian fear conditioning, a growing body of literature suggests potential sex differences in defensive responses. Our study investigated how female defensive behaviors are expressed in different threat situations and modulated by the estrous cycle. We aimed to compare freezing and flight-like responses during the acquisition and retrieval of fear conditioning using two distinct unconditioned stimuli (US) in two different spatial configurations: (1) electrical footshock (FUS) in a small, conventional enclosure with a grid floor, and (2) a predator-like robot (PUS) in a spacious, open arena. Fear conditioning with FUS showed no substantial differences between male and female rats of two different estrous cycles (proestrus and diestrus) in the levels of freezing and flight. However, when PUS was employed, proestrus female rats showed significantly more flight responses to the CS during both acquisition and the retrieval compared to the male and diestrus female rats. Taken together, our findings suggest that hormonal influences on the choice of defensive strategies in threat situations are significantly modulated by both the type of US and the spatial configuration of the environment.
Topics: Rats; Female; Male; Animals; Conditioning, Classical; Estrous Cycle; Fear; Proestrus; Behavior, Animal
PubMed: 38017045
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47591-x -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jun 2020Since in the mare and other animal species such as bitches and cats, the endometrial cell pattern varies depending on the phase of the estrous cycle, the aim of this...
Since in the mare and other animal species such as bitches and cats, the endometrial cell pattern varies depending on the phase of the estrous cycle, the aim of this study was to describe and quantify the endometrial cytological (EC) findings in cycling jennies. EC of eight nonpregnant jennies by cytobrush (CB) at diestrus (day 1 and day 14) and estrous (day 21) were evaluated. All slides were stained with Wright´s stain and microscopically examined at both 400× and 1000× magnification. Seven high-power fields (400×) were assessed in each smear and the endometrial epithelial cells and neutrophils (PMNs) were counted. Endometrial epithelial cells were classified as intact, distorted or fragmented and, on the basis of the presence of dense groups, in monolayer or single clusters. Cytoplasmic characteristics, such as vacuolation or streaming and size, form, position of nuclear characteristics, including karyorrhexis, were recorded. Background aspect, as clear, proteinaceous, or debris, was also considered. In general, sampling by CB provided a yield of cells and clumped endometrial epithelial cells in many smears, being more abundant in estrus than early and late diestrus. Individual endometrial epithelial cells, during estrous, presented a columnar morphology, ciliated or not ciliated and basal nuclei. During diestrus phase, endometrial epithelial cells presented a more cuboidal ciliated or not ciliated morphology. Moderate amount of proteinacious material and red blood cells (RBC) was also observed. Non variation in the percentage of PMNs during diestrus was obtained, but lower and segmented PMNs in CB smears were shown in estrous. This study provides new insights on the physiological changes of endometrial epithelial cells in cycling jennies during the estrus cycle. The CB technique represents a suitable and adequate method for endometrial evaluation, taking into account cytological and/or cytopathological purposes also in jennies.
PubMed: 32575538
DOI: 10.3390/ani10061062 -
Reproduction in Domestic Animals =... Dec 2023Vascularization and the control of luteal and endometrial development are regulated by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)...
Vascularization and the control of luteal and endometrial development are regulated by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during pregnancy. In this study, the mRNA and protein expression levels of HIFs (HIF1A, HIF2A and HIF3A) and VEGF in goat uterine and ovarian tissues during various stages of pregnancy were evaluated. A total of 42 Hair goats were used and were allocated into six groups, namely embryo-positive (G1), early pregnancy (G2), mid-term pregnancy (G3), late pregnancy (G4), oocyte-positive group (G5) and diestrus group (G6). The mRNA expression of the examined genes was evaluated by RT-qPCR, and protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). In caruncles, HIF1A mRNA expression was greater in G1, G2 and G4 than in G3 (p < .05). HIF1A and HIF2A expression was greater in G1 than in G5 (p < .05). In cotyledons, HIF1A, HIF2A and HIF3A mRNA expression was greater in G2 and G3 compared to G4 (p < .05). In luteal tissue, HIF1A mRNA expression was greater in G1 and G2 than in G3 and G4 (p < .05). In the immunohistochemical examination, HIF1A, HIF2A, HIF3A and VEGF immunoreactions were detected in uterine and luteal tissues. Findings suggest that HIFs and VEGF are involved in the regulation of ovarian functions as well as the processes of implantation and placentation.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Animals; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Goats; Angiogenesis; Corpus Luteum; Uterus; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; RNA, Messenger
PubMed: 37776186
DOI: 10.1111/rda.14482 -
Reproductive Biology Jun 2023We investigated the role of protein kinase c (PKC) -α and -β during the ovarian follicular dynamics using estrous cycle, gonadotropin-induced ovulation, and antral...
We investigated the role of protein kinase c (PKC) -α and -β during the ovarian follicular dynamics using estrous cycle, gonadotropin-induced ovulation, and antral follicle culture, 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD)-induced premature ovarian failure (POF) in the SD rat models. We found the higher activity of PKC during the proestrus stage along with expression of PKC-α during the estrus and metestrus stages of the estrous cycle while PKC-β expression was increased during the diestrus, proestrus, and estrus stages. In response to pregnant mare gonadotropin (PMSG)-induced follicular recruitment and ovulation, the phosphorylated (Thr-642) PKC-β was increased. PKC activity inhibition by hispidin during the proestrus stage resulted in decreased antral follicles and corpus luteum. Treatment with hispidin resulted in the downregulation of granulosa cell (GC) biomarker, follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) expression in the cultured pre-antral follicle. During the forskolin-induced luteinization of human granulosa cells, the expression level of PKC-α and β (I and II) was decreased. In the POF condition, the activity of total PKC and the expression levels of PKC-α and β (I and II) were increased. Immunostaining depicted ubiquitous expression of PKC-α in the ovary during the estrous cycle and POF conditions. Taken together, we conclude the association of PKC-α and -β (I and II) during ovarian follicular dynamics where the expression level of PKC-α is increased, but the expression level of PKC-β (I and II) is suppressed in the POF condition in the SD rat model.
Topics: Animals; Female; Rats; Gonadotropins; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency; Protein Kinase C beta; Rats, Sprague-Dawley
PubMed: 36934663
DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2023.100754 -
Heliyon Nov 2022Obesity and associated liver disease are a growing public health concern. Pharmacological agents to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are limited. FGF21, a hormone...
OBJECTIVE
Obesity and associated liver disease are a growing public health concern. Pharmacological agents to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are limited. FGF21, a hormone secreted by the liver and potent metabolic modulator, is a promising therapeutic target for this indication with several analogs currently in clinical development. However, concerns about a negative effect of FGF21 on female fertility have not been fully addressed.
METHODS
After induction of obesity, female C57BL/6N mice received a 7-day course of subcutaneously administered FGF21. Control groups received either high-fat diet (HFD) or a normal diet (ND). The mothers were then mated with lean males for 12 weeks. The estrous cycle was recorded for two weeks after breeding. The metabolic phenotype, liver steatosis and reproductive organs were assessed at sacrifice 14 weeks after treatment.
RESULTS
A short-course treatment of FGF21 leads to weight reduction during treatment but has no long-term impact on liver steatosis. A treatment with FGF21 leads to a reduction in the number of pregnancies (0 vs 1, = 0.019) and no viable pup was born to a mother previously treated with FGF21. The FGF21 treatment affected the number of cycles (1 vs 3, = 0.048) and amount in diestrus (54 vs 75%, = 0.008) 12 weeks after the treatment. Additionally, the number of corpora lutea (0.8 vs 3.0, = 0.016), and mature follicles (0 vs 1, = 0.037) was reduced compared to the ND group while uterine histology remained unaffected.
CONCLUSION
A short-term treatment with FGF21 has a long-term effect on female fertility in mice. This represents a potential safety concern for FGF21 analogs currently in clinical development. Reproductive health outcomes should be included in upcoming clinical trials.
PubMed: 36406708
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11490