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Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2024Several variables influence the serum concentration of thyroid hormones in dogs, including breed, age, drugs, and concurrent diseases. However, data regarding the...
BACKGROUND
Several variables influence the serum concentration of thyroid hormones in dogs, including breed, age, drugs, and concurrent diseases. However, data regarding the interaction between thyroid function and the estrous stage of female dogs are limited.
HYPOTHESIS
Estrous stage may influence thyroid function in German Shepherd dogs.
METHODS
Longitudinal, observational, non-randomized cohort study. The dogs were monitored during the complete estrous cycle, and different stages were determined by vaginal cytology. Two blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of each stage to analyze the following: total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (fT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (fT3), canine thyrotropin (cTSH), progesterone, 17-β-estradiol, triglycerides, and cholesterol concentrations. Hematological and biochemical evaluations were performed at the beginning and end of the study period.
ANIMALS
Seventeen German Shepherds were included, of which 7 were bred during the study period. One dog was excluded for estrus interruption and another for suspected hypothyroidism.
RESULTS
Serum concentrations of T4, fT4, and fT3 were negatively correlated with age. Total thyroxine demonstrated significant changes in serum concentrations between estrous stages, with higher concentrations in estrus and diestrus. Total thyroxine concentrations were positively correlated with progesterone concentrations and negatively correlated with 17-β-estradiol concentrations. Free thyroxine did not show significant variations but was positively correlated with progesterone concentrations. Canine TSH concentrations were positively correlated with 17-β-estradiol concentrations. No significant differences in thyroid hormones and cTSH concentrations were observed between diestrus during pregnancy and pseudopregnancy.
CONCLUSIONS
Different stages of estrus can influence the measurement of TT4 in female dogs.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Dogs; Animals; Female; Thyroxine; Triiodothyronine; Thyroid Gland; Cohort Studies; Progesterone; Thyroid Hormones; Thyrotropin; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Estradiol
PubMed: 38093496
DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16959 -
Genes To Cells : Devoted To Molecular &... Dec 2023A simple method for producing pseudopregnant mice supports pup production. In this study, pregnant ICR were obtained mice without mating with vasectomized mice via...
A simple method for producing pseudopregnant mice supports pup production. In this study, pregnant ICR were obtained mice without mating with vasectomized mice via administration of mouse Kisspeptin-10 (mKp-10) and transferring blastocysts to the uterus. Blastocyst transfer after mKp-10 administration to mice with gapping and reddish pink vagina resulted in 65.2% (15/23) pregnancies, and 39.1% (34/87) of the transferred blastocysts showed full-term growth. Vaginal smears were observed for accurate estrus cycle determination, and subsequent administration of mKp10 to mice during the estrus stage and blastocyst transfer resulted in 95.2% (20/21) pregnancies and 50.7% (104/205) birth rates. Regarding 2-cell transfer after administration of mKp-10, 100% (8/8) of the mice became pregnant, and 45.0% (36/80) of the embryos were born. Administration of mKp-10 to mice during the estrus stage is a convenient way to generate pseudopregnant mice.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Mice; Animals; Pseudopregnancy; Mice, Inbred ICR; Uterus; Estrus
PubMed: 37886801
DOI: 10.1111/gtc.13077 -
American Journal of Reproductive... Nov 2023Decidualization is critical to the establishment of mouse normal pregnancy. The fibroblast-like stromal cells in the process form polyploid multinucleated cells. Aurora...
RESEARCH QUESTION
Decidualization is critical to the establishment of mouse normal pregnancy. The fibroblast-like stromal cells in the process form polyploid multinucleated cells. Aurora kinase B (Aurora B) has previously been shown to regulate polyploidy in various cells. However, whether Aurora B regulates the formation of decidual cell polyploidization and its regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood.
DESIGN
Establish decidualization model of mouse primary endometrial stromal cells in vitro. Construct pseudopregnancy mouse models and delayed-activation mouse models. Detect Aurora B and polyploidization related genes in mouse uteri treated by Aurora B specific inhibitor Barasertib and CPT.
RESULTS
In this study, we found that Aurora B was strongly expressed in endometrial stromal cells after implantation. Additionally, Aurora B was remarkably up regulated in the stromal cells of oil-induced deciduomoa and in vitro decidualization. As an Aurora B specific inhibitor, Barasertib significantly inhibits the mRNA expression of Prl8a2, a marker of mouse decidualization. Furthermore, the protein levels of p-Plk1, Survivin and p-Cdk1 were inhibited by Barasertib. CPT-induced DNA damage suppressed Aurkb (encodes Aurora B) expression, thus resulting in polyploidization.
CONCLUSION
Our data shows that Aurora B is expressed in decidual stromal cells of implantation sites and plays a key role for mouse decidualization. The protein of Plk1, Survivn, and Cdk1 may participate in formation of decidual cell polyploidization during mouse decidualization.
Topics: Animals; Female; Mice; Pregnancy; Aurora Kinase B; Decidua; Embryo Implantation; Polyploidy; Stromal Cells; Uterus
PubMed: 37881124
DOI: 10.1111/aji.13793 -
Endocrinology Sep 2023Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) facilitates the migration of mast cells (MCs) into the involuting mammary gland. As GnRH is also expressed in the ovary, we...
Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) facilitates the migration of mast cells (MCs) into the involuting mammary gland. As GnRH is also expressed in the ovary, we examined changes in ovarian MCs. MCs in the ovary were mainly in interstitial tissue and their number increased during the estrous cycle to produce 2 peaks, one at diestrus 2 (20:00 hours) and another at proestrus (17:00 hours). Laser microdissection demonstrated that GnRH mRNA is expressed throughout ovarian tissues (corpora lutea, follicles, and interstitial tissues). GnRH immunoreactivity was also ubiquitous, but MCs were the most strongly immunostained. Analysis of GnRH mRNA in the ovary showed it to fluctuate similarly to the variation in MC number during the estrous cycle, and MCs also expressed GnRH. Local administration of a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) into the hemilateral ovarian bursa increased MCs in the administered ovary. MC number and GnRH mRNA were significantly lowered in the pregnant ovary. Prolactin administration suppressed the normal peaks in MC number in the ovary at both diestrus and proestrus. By contrast, a dopamine agonist, administered when prolactin was elevated during pseudopregnancy, increased ovarian MC number. Furthermore, prolactin inhibited GnRHa-induced peritoneal MC migration in a Transwell assay. These data clearly demonstrate that ovarian MC number is regulated positively by local GnRH expression and negatively by prolactin. The suppressive effect of prolactin on GnRH and MCs would be part of its luteotrophic action.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Animals; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Ovary; Prolactin; Mast Cells; RNA, Messenger
PubMed: 37797313
DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad144 -
Autophagy Jan 2024ACTB: actin beta; AREG: amphiregulin; ATP6V0A4: ATPase, H transporting, lysosomal V0 subunit A4; Baf A1: bafilomycin A; BSA: bovine serum albumin; CLDN1: claudin 1;...
ACTB: actin beta; AREG: amphiregulin; ATP6V0A4: ATPase, H transporting, lysosomal V0 subunit A4; Baf A1: bafilomycin A; BSA: bovine serum albumin; CLDN1: claudin 1; CTSB: cathepsin B; DEGs: differentially expressed genes; E: 17β-estradiol; ESR: estrogen receptor; GATA2: GATA binding protein 2; GLA: galactosidase, alpha; GO: gene ontology; HBEGF: heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor; IGF1R: insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor; Ihh: Indian hedgehog; ISH: in situ hybridization; LAMP1: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1; LCM: laser capture microdissection; Le: lumenal epithelium; LGMN: legumain; LIF: leukemia inhibitory factor; LIFR: LIF receptor alpha; MSX1: msh homeobox 1; MUC1: mucin 1, transmembrane; P: progesterone; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PCA: principal component analysis; PPT1: palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1; PGR: progesterone receptor; PSP: pseudopregnancy; PTGS2/COX2: prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2; qPCR: quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction; SP: pregnancy; TFEB: transcription factor EB.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Proteostasis; Hedgehog Proteins; Autophagy; Uterus; Epithelium; Cyclooxygenase 2; Blastocyst; Lysosomes
PubMed: 37584546
DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2023.2247747 -
International Journal of Fertility &... Aug 2023Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is defined as implantation and development of an embryo outside of the uterine tissue. Women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART),...
BACKGROUND
Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is defined as implantation and development of an embryo outside of the uterine tissue. Women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART), particularly frozen embryo transfer (FET), are in high-risk populations for EP. , fibroblast growth factor-2 , and Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor genes are involved in the endometrial receptivity pathway, leading to normal eutopic implantation; Although, their relevance in the tubal pregnancy after FET is unknown. We aimed evaluation of and expression fold as endometrial receptive markers in the EP patients following the FET cycle.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A case-control study was conducted on ten patients (five EP patients and five women in the pseudo-pregnancy group, as the control samples). Pseudo-pregnancy group was established in women who were candidates for hysterectomy for benign diseases. Fallopian tube biopsies and corresponding endometrial tissues from these patients were taken during the hysterectomy. However, the fallopian tube and endometrial tissues of EP patients were obtained during salpingectomy. The mRNA expressions of and genes in the fallopian tube and endometrial tissues were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.
RESULTS
MUC1 mRNA expression level in the endometrium of the case group was higher than in the control group (P=0.04); however, its mRNA expression in the fallopian samples of the case group in comparison with the control group was significantly decreased (P=0.001). The mRNA expression level was not significantly different between the case and control endometrium, whereas its expression was significantly increased in the case fallopian samples compared with the control ones (P=0.001). The same pattern was observed for mRNA expression level in the fallopian samples of the case group but was significantly reduced in the endometrial samples in comparison with the control samples (P=0.03).
CONCLUSION
and gene mRNA expression changes may explain the embryo rejection from the uterus and the establishment of a receptive phenotype in fallopian cells.
PubMed: 37577906
DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2023.1972252.1390 -
Molecular Medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) Jul 2023Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental disorder that negatively impacts mothers and infants. The mechanisms of vulnerability to affective illness in the...
BACKGROUND
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental disorder that negatively impacts mothers and infants. The mechanisms of vulnerability to affective illness in the postpartum period remain largely unknown. Drastic fluctuations in reproductive hormones during the perinatal period generally account for triggering PPD. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the PPD-like behaviors induced by the fluctuations in hormones has rarely been reported.
METHODS
We utilized hormones-simulated pseudopregnancy (HSP) and hormones-simulated postpartum period (HSPP) rat models to determine how drastic fluctuations in hormone levels affect adult neurotransmission and contribute to depressive-like behaviors. The electrophysiological response of CA1 pyramidal neurons was evaluated by whole-cell patch clamping to identify the hormone-induced modulations of neurotransmission. The statistical significance of differences was assessed with One-way ANOVA and t-test (p < 0.05 was considered significant).
RESULTS
Reproductive hormones withdrawal induced depressive-like behaviors and disturbed the balance of excitatory and inhibitory transmission in the pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus. Molecular analyses revealed that the blunted Wnt signaling might be responsible for the deficits of synaptic transmission and behaviors. Activation of Wnt signaling increased excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus. Reactivation of Wnt signaling alleviated the anhedonic behaviors and abnormal synaptic transmission.
CONCLUSIONS
Restoring Wnt signaling in the hormones-simulated postpartum period rat models remediated depression-related anhedonia symptoms and rebalanced the excitation/inhibition ratio by collectively enhancing the plasticity of GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses. The investigations carried out in this research might provide an alternative and prospective treatment strategy for PPD.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Rats; Animals; Depression, Postpartum; Wnt Signaling Pathway; Hippocampus; Synaptic Transmission; Hormones
PubMed: 37491227
DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00697-4 -
Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE Jul 2023For successfully maintaining pregnancy with embryo transfer or artificial insemination, female recipient mice must be induced into a pseudopregnant state. Female mice...
For successfully maintaining pregnancy with embryo transfer or artificial insemination, female recipient mice must be induced into a pseudopregnant state. Female mice are traditionally paired overnight with vasectomized males, and the following morning, the presence of a copulation plug is assessed. To increase the efficiency of producing pseudopregnant females, a cervical manipulation technique has been standardized to be used in combination with non-surgical embryo transfer or artificial insemination techniques in mice. The blunt end of a small plastic rod is inserted vaginally to contact the cervix and is vibrated for 30 s by contact with a trimmer. The procedure is quick and does not require anesthesia or analgesia. This technique increases the reliability and predictability of producing pseudopregnant females and entirely eliminates the requirement for vasectomized males. For CD1 mice, the efficiency of pseudopregnancy induction using cervical manipulation was 83% for females in estrus (N = 76) but only 38% of females in estrus were plugged by vasectomized males (N = 24). Artificial insemination in CD1 mice was performed by estrus synchronization with hormones, cervical manipulation, and the uterine transfer of sperm. Artificial insemination recipients receiving cervical manipulation (N = 76) had a pregnancy rate of 72% and an average litter size of 8.3 pups. This method can also be used to produce pseudopregnant females for non-surgical embryo transfer. Therefore, inducing pseudopregnancy by cervical manipulation is a convenient and efficient alternative to mating with a vasectomized male when performing non-surgical assisted reproduction techniques. Using cervical manipulation provides 3Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement) benefits for assisted reproduction techniques by reducing the number of animals required and eliminating the necessity for surgically altered males.
Topics: Pregnancy; Male; Mice; Female; Animals; Pseudopregnancy; Reproducibility of Results; Semen; Embryo Transfer; Insemination, Artificial
PubMed: 37486140
DOI: 10.3791/65477 -
The Veterinary Record Sep 2023There is limited information on the epidemiology of canine mammary tumours. This study aimed to estimate the incidence and risk factors for mammary tumours in UK bitches.
BACKGROUND
There is limited information on the epidemiology of canine mammary tumours. This study aimed to estimate the incidence and risk factors for mammary tumours in UK bitches.
METHODS
A nested case-control study was conducted within VetCompass to estimate the frequency and risk factors for clinically diagnosed mammary tumours during 2016 (VetCompass study). A second case-control study explored further breed associations for cases confirmed histopathologically compared to the VetCompass controls (laboratory study). Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between risk factors and mammary tumours.
RESULTS
The incidence of mammary tumours was 1340.7/100,000 per year (95% confidence interval: 1198.1-1483.3). A total of 222 clinical cases (VetCompass study) and 915 laboratory cases (laboratory study) were compared to 1515 VetCompass controls in the two analyses. In the VetCompass study, Springer and Cocker Spaniels, Boxers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Lhasa Apsos had increased odds of developing mammary tumours. Neutering was associated with reduced odds, while odds increased with increasing age and a history of pseudopregnancy. In the laboratory study, increasing age was associated with greater odds of mammary tumours, and the breeds most at risk were similar to those identified in the VetCompass study.
LIMITATIONS
The timing of neutering was not consistently available. Comparing laboratory cases to VetCompass controls provided only exploratory evidence for the breed associations identified.
CONCLUSIONS
The study provides an update on the frequency of canine mammary tumours.
Topics: Female; Animals; Dogs; Case-Control Studies; Dog Diseases; Risk Factors; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal; United Kingdom
PubMed: 37231594
DOI: 10.1002/vetr.3054