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Annals of the New York Academy of... Apr 2005During reproductive maturation of the female red crab, Charybdis feriatus, the oocytes rapidly accumulate 110- and 78-kDa major polypeptides. Although the hepatopancreas...
During reproductive maturation of the female red crab, Charybdis feriatus, the oocytes rapidly accumulate 110- and 78-kDa major polypeptides. Although the hepatopancreas expresses a high level of vitellogenin (CfVg) mRNA, tissue proteins and secreted proteins of the hepatopancreas consist of only small polypeptides. In addition to the 8.0-kb transcripts, many smaller mRNAs specific to the CfVg gene can be detected. These results suggest that the hepatopancreas also produces smaller CfVg transcripts for small CfVg subunits. Using an RT-PCR cloning approach, a population of the small cDNA clones were isolated. Determining the DNA sequence of these clones revealed that these transcripts were most likely the result of alternative splicing and/or alternative expression of the CfVg gene. In vitro treatment of the hepatopancreas fragments with low levels of farnesoic acid stimulated the expression of CfVg.
Topics: Alternative Splicing; Animals; Brachyura; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Vitellogenesis; Vitellogenins
PubMed: 15891008
DOI: 10.1196/annals.1327.008 -
Nutrients Jul 2021Caffeine, a methylxanthine derived from plants, is the most widely consumed ingredient in daily life. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the effects of caffeine...
Caffeine, a methylxanthine derived from plants, is the most widely consumed ingredient in daily life. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the effects of caffeine intake on essential biological activities. In this study, we attempted to determine the possible anti-aging effects of long-term caffeine intake in the intestine of an aged model. We examined changes in intestinal integrity, production of vitellogenin (VIT), and mitochondrial function after caffeine intake. To evaluate intestinal aging, actin-5 (ACT-5) mislocalization, lumenal expansion, and intestinal colonization were examined after caffeine intake, and the levels of vitellogenesis as well as the mitochondrial activity were measured. We found that the long-term caffeine intake (10 mM) in the L4-stage worms at 25 °C for 3 days suppressed ACT-5 mislocalization. Furthermore, the level of autophagy, which is normally increased in aging animals, was significantly reduced in these animals, and their mitochondrial functions improved after caffeine intake. In addition, the caffeine-ingesting aging animals showed high resistance to oxidative stress and increased the expression of antioxidant proteins. Taken together, these findings reveal that caffeine may be a potential anti-aging agent that can suppress intestinal atrophy during the progression of intestinal aging.
Topics: Actins; Aging; Animals; Animals, Genetically Modified; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caffeine; Intestines; Mitochondria; Models, Animal; Oxidative Stress; Vitellogenesis
PubMed: 34444677
DOI: 10.3390/nu13082517 -
Comparative Biochemistry and... Aug 2002Juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were exposed to the synthetic estrogen 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE(2)) through injection (1, 10, 25 and 50 microg EE(2)/g... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were exposed to the synthetic estrogen 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE(2)) through injection (1, 10, 25 and 50 microg EE(2)/g fish/week) and via water exposure (1, 10 and 100 ng EE(2)/l). After seven (injection and water exposure) and 14 days (only for water exposure), blood and plasma vitellogenin concentrations were quantified using indirect endpoints, i.e. plasma alkaline-labile phosphorus (ALP), plasma protein and plasma calcium. In addition, the relative gonad (GSI) and liver weight (HSI) were recorded. Actual plasma vitellogenin concentrations were measured with an enzyme immunoassay. Only fish injected with 50 microg EE(2)/g fish had a significantly higher gonad weight. No concentration-dependent changes in the HSI were detected in fish exposed via the water, but a significant dose-dependent increase of the HSI was observed in fish injected with EE(2). Exposure of rainbow trout to EE(2) had a significant effect on all tested plasma parameters. Plasma protein, phosphoprotein and calcium concentrations were significantly higher after two weeks exposure to 100 ng EE(2)/l. Fish injected with 10, 25 and 50 microg EE(2)/g fish exhibited increased plasma protein concentrations after 1 week. Compared to the controls, plasma ALP and calcium levels were significantly higher in all injected fish. A significant and positive correlation was observed between all three plasma parameters and between these indirect parameters and the actual plasma vitellogenin concentrations. These findings indicate that both the plasma ALP and the plasma calcium assay have a similar sensitivity as that of available antibody-based assays (EIA), at least in EE(2) exposure studies, and thus these assays can provide a rapid, simple and cost-effective alternative to available immunoassays.
Topics: Animals; Ethinyl Estradiol; Oncorhynchus mykiss; Vitellogenesis; Vitellogenins
PubMed: 12223204
DOI: 10.1016/s1532-0456(02)00111-4 -
General and Comparative Endocrinology Sep 2020The African bonytongue (Heterotis niloticus) is an excellent candidate for fish farming because it has outstanding biological characteristics and zootechnical...
Identification and structural characterization of the factors involved in vitellogenesis and its regulation in the African Osteoglossiforme of aquacultural interest Heterotis niloticus (Cuvier, 1829).
The African bonytongue (Heterotis niloticus) is an excellent candidate for fish farming because it has outstanding biological characteristics and zootechnical performances. However, the absence of sexual dimorphism does not favor its reproduction in captivity or the understanding of its reproductive behavior. Moreover, no molecular data related to its reproduction is yet available. This study therefore focuses on the structural identification of the different molecular actors of vitellogenesis expressed in the pituitary gland, the liver and the ovary of H. niloticus. A transcriptomic approach based on de novo RNA sequencing of the pituitary gland, ovary and liver of females in vitellogenesis led to the creation of three transcriptomes. In silico analysis of these transcriptomes identified the sequences of pituitary hormones such as prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and their ovarian receptors (PRLR, FSHR, LHR). In the liver and ovary, estrogen receptors (ER) beta and gamma, liver vitellogenins (VtgB and VtgC) and their ovarian receptors (VLDLR) were identified. Finally, the partial transcript of an ovarian Vtg weakly expressed compared to hepatic Vtg was identified based on structural criteria. Moreover, a proteomic approach carried out from mucus revealed the presence of one Vtg exclusively in females in vitellogenesis. In this teleost fish that does not exhibit sexual dimorphism, mucus Vtg could be used as a sexing biomarker based on a non-invasive technique compatible with the implementation of experimental protocols in vivo.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Aquaculture; Base Sequence; Computer Simulation; Female; Fishes; Liver; Mucus; Ovary; Prolactin; Protein Structure, Secondary; Receptors, Cell Surface; Vitellogenesis; Vitellogenins
PubMed: 32535172
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113532 -
Archives de Biologie 1952
Topics: Amphibians; Animals; Ovum; Vitellogenesis
PubMed: 14944283
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of Endocrinology Jan 2001GH, as its name suggests, is obligatory for growth and development. It is, however, also involved in the processes of sexual differentiation and pubertal maturation and... (Review)
Review
GH, as its name suggests, is obligatory for growth and development. It is, however, also involved in the processes of sexual differentiation and pubertal maturation and it participates in gonadal steroidogenesis, gametogenesis and ovulation. It also has additional roles in pregnancy and lactation. These actions may reflect direct endocrine actions of pituitary GH or be mediated by its induction of hepatic or local IGF-I production. However, as GH is also produced in gonadal, placental and mammary tissues, it may act in paracrine or autocrine ways to regulate local processes that are strategically regulated by pituitary GH. The concept that GH is an important modulator of female reproduction is the focus of this review.
Topics: Animals; Autocrine Communication; Corpus Luteum Maintenance; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Growth Hormone; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Lactation; Liver; Mammals; Mammary Glands, Animal; Oogenesis; Ovary; Ovulation; Placenta; Pregnancy; Puberty; Receptors, Somatotropin; Reproduction; Uterus; Vertebrates; Vitellogenesis
PubMed: 11139766
DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.1680001 -
Parasitology Jul 2014A study has been carried out to investigate whether the action of triclabendazole (TCBZ) against Fasciola hepatica is altered by inhibition of P-glycoprotein...
Disruption of vitellogenesis and spermatogenesis by triclabendazole (TCBZ) in a TCBZ-resistant isolate of Fasciola hepatica following incubation in vitro with a P-glycoprotein inhibitor.
A study has been carried out to investigate whether the action of triclabendazole (TCBZ) against Fasciola hepatica is altered by inhibition of P-glycoprotein (Pgp)-linked drug efflux pumps. The Sligo TCBZ-resistant fluke isolate was used for these experiments and the Pgp inhibitor selected was R(+)-verapamil [R(+)-VPL]. In the first experiment, flukes were initially incubated for 2 h in R(+)-VPL (100 μ m), then incubated in R(+)-VPL+triclabendazole sulphoxide (TCBZ.SO) (50 μg mL-1, or 133·1 μ m) until flukes ceased movement (at 9 h post-treatment). In a second experiment, flukes were incubated in TCBZ.SO alone and removed from the incubation medium following cessation of motility (after 15 h). In the third experiment, flukes were incubated for 24 h in R(+)-VPL on its own. Changes to the testis tubules and vitelline follicles following drug treatment and following Pgp inhibition were assessed by means of light microscope histology and transmission electron microscopy. Incubation of the Sligo isolate in either R(+)-VPL or TCBZ.SO on their own had a limited impact on the morphology of the two tissues. Greater disruption was observed when the drugs were combined, in terms of the block in development of the spermatogenic and vitelline cells and the apoptotic breakdown of the remaining cells. Sperm formation was severely affected and abnormal. Large spaces appeared in the vitelline follicles and synthesis of shell protein was disrupted. The results of this study support the concept of altered drug efflux in TCBZ-resistant flukes and indicate that drug transporters may play a role in the development of drug resistance.
Topics: ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B; Animals; Anthelmintics; Benzimidazoles; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Resistance; Fasciola hepatica; Fascioliasis; Female; Male; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Spermatogenesis; Testis; Triclabendazole; Vitellogenesis
PubMed: 24889697
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182014000377 -
Animal Reproduction Science Jan 2021Methyl farnesoate (MF), a de-epoxidized form of juvenile hormone (JH) Ⅲ in insects, may regulate developmental processes such as reproduction and ovarian maturation in...
Methyl farnesoate (MF), a de-epoxidized form of juvenile hormone (JH) Ⅲ in insects, may regulate developmental processes such as reproduction and ovarian maturation in crustaceans. Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1) is a target response gene for the methoprene-tolerant (Met) protein that is a component of the JH signaling pathway in insects. In the present study, Es-Kr-h1 was cloned from E. sinensis and characterized to ascertain whether JH/MF signaling in insects is conserved in crustaceans. The findings with molecular structure analysis indicated Es-Kr-h1 contains seven zinc finger motifs (Zn2-Zn8) commonly conserved in other crustaceans, but the Zn1 motif was not detected to be present. The PCR results indicated that relative abundance of Es-Kr-h1 mRNA transcript in the hepatopancreas was greatest in the Stage Ⅱ, followed by the Stage Ⅳ ovarian developmental categories. The relative abundance of Es-Kr-h1 mRNA transcript in vitro was greater after MF addition to the hepatopancreas, however, not the ovarian tissues. The results from in vivo and eyestalk ablation experiments indicated the relative abundance of Es-Kr-h1 mRNA transcript was greater after MF treatment and bilateral eyestalk removal in the hepatopancreas, however, not ovarian tissues. Notably, there were effects of MF on relative abundance of Es-Kr-h1 mRNA transcript pattern. The Es-Kr-h1 protein, therefore, may be involved in MF-mediated vitellogenesis resulting from the response to Es-Met in E. sinensis, and the JH/MF signaling pathway is potentially conserved in crustaceans.
Topics: Animals; Brachyura; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Gene Expression Regulation; Juvenile Hormones; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; Signal Transduction; Vitellogenesis
PubMed: 33249353
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106653 -
General and Comparative Endocrinology Jan 2020Thyroid hormone (TH) is involved in regulating the reproduction of vertebrates. Its physiological action in the target tissues is due to the conversion of TH by...
Thyroid hormone (TH) is involved in regulating the reproduction of vertebrates. Its physiological action in the target tissues is due to the conversion of TH by iodothyronine deiodinases. In this study, we aimed to clone and characterize type 2 (sdDio2) and type 3 (sdDio3) of the sapphire devil Chrysiptera cyanea, a tropical damselfish that undergoes active reproduction under long-day conditions, and to study the involvement of THs in the ovarian development of this species. When the cDNAs of sdDio2 and sdDio3 were partially cloned, they had deduced amino acid sequences of lengths 271 and 267, respectively, both of which were characterized by one selenocysteine residue. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) revealed that both genes are highly expressed in the whole brain, and sdDio2 and sdDio3 are highly transcribed in the liver and ovary, respectively. In situ hybridization analyses showed positive signals of sdDio2 and sdDio3 transcripts in the hypothalamic area of the brain. Little change in mRNA abundance of sdDio2 and sdDio3 in the brain was observed during the vitellogenic phases. It is assumed that simultaneous activation and inactivation of THs occur in this area because oral administration of triiodothyronine (T3), but not of thyroxine (T4), upregulated mRNA abundance of both genes in the brain. The transcript levels of sdDio2 in the liver and sdDio3 in the ovary increased as vitellogenesis progressed, suggesting that, through the metabolism of THs, sdDio2 and sdDio3 play a role in vitellogenin synthesis in the liver and yolk accumulation/E2 synthesis in the ovary. Taken together, these results suggest that iodothyronine deiodinases act as a driver for vitellogenesis in tropical damselfish by conversion of THs in certain peripheral tissues.
Topics: Animals; Female; Gene Expression Profiling; Hypothalamus; Iodide Peroxidase; Ovary; Perciformes; Phylogeny; RNA, Messenger; Thyroid Hormones; Tissue Distribution; Tropical Climate; Vitellogenesis
PubMed: 31469997
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113264 -
Tissue & Cell Feb 2012Aiming to better understand folliculogenesis, this study evaluated cell death and proliferation of ovarian cells, besides cathepsin-D expression in Prochilodus argenteus...
Aiming to better understand folliculogenesis, this study evaluated cell death and proliferation of ovarian cells, besides cathepsin-D expression in Prochilodus argenteus captured in two sites of the São Francisco River downstream from the Três Marias Dam, Brazil. In the site immediately following the Dam (S1), low levels of dissolved oxygen were registered in the rainy period. The water temperature was higher in the São Francisco River immediately after the confluence with the Abaeté River (S2), regardless of the period. In S1, the ovaries showed smaller oocytes, high caspase-3 enzymatic activity and apoptosis, lower cells in proliferation and GSI, as well as a lesser quantity of cathepsin-D when compared to females captured from S2. Regarding relative frequency of ovarian structures, in the dry period, only oogonia and perinucleolar oocytes were found in fish ovaries from both sites. On the other hand, in the rainy period, the relative frequency of oogonia and perinucleolar oocytes decreased and the vitellogenic oocytes increased in S2. Postovulatory follicles were observed only in S2, whereas atretic follicles occurred at a higher frequency in S1. Our results showed that apoptosis, cell proliferation and cathepsina-D evaluation can be used as biomarkers of environmental impact.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Caspase 3; Cathepsin D; Cell Proliferation; Female; Fishes; Oocytes; Ovarian Follicle; Reproduction; Vitellogenesis
PubMed: 22153985
DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2011.11.002