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Heliyon Mar 2024Perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) encompasses neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as hot flashes and depression, which are associated with alterations in the 5-HTergic neural...
Perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) encompasses neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as hot flashes and depression, which are associated with alterations in the 5-HTergic neural pathway in the brain. However, the specific changes and mechanisms underlying these alterations remain unclear. In this study, ovariectomized mice were used to successfully establish a perimenopause model, and the changes in the expression of 5-HT and its receptors (5-HT1AR and 5-HT2AR) across 72 brain regions in these ovariectomized mice were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Although both 5-HT and 5-HT1AR were widely expressed throughout the brain, only a limited number of regions expressed 5-HT2AR. Notably, decreased expression of 5-HT was observed across almost all brain regions in the ovariectomy (OVX) group compared with the Sham group. Altered expression of both receptors was found within areas related to hot flashes (the preoptic area) or mood disorders (the amygdala). Additionally, reduced oestrogen receptor (ER)α/β expression was detected in cells in the raphe nucleus (RN), an area known to regulate body temperature. Results showed that ERα/β positively regulate the transcriptional activity of the enzymes TPH2/MAOA, which are involved in serotonin metabolism during perimenopause. This study revealed the changes in 5-HT neuropathways (5-HT, 5-HT1AR and 5-HT2AR) in perimenopausal mice, mainly in brain regions related to regulation of the body temperature, mood, sleep and memory. This study clarified that the expression of oestrogen receptor decreased in perimenopause, which regulated the transcription levels of TPH2 and MAOA, and ultimately led to the reduction of 5-HT content, providing a new target for clinical diagnosis and treatment of perimenopausal diseases.
PubMed: 38510058
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27976 -
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) Mar 2024SARS-COV-2 has many presenting signs including a number of typical and atypical symptoms. However, having the enormous capacity of mutation, the virus is changing its...
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
SARS-COV-2 has many presenting signs including a number of typical and atypical symptoms. However, having the enormous capacity of mutation, the virus is changing its genetic pattern continuously, giving rise to newer and rarer manifestations. Here, the authors report a case of adult COVID-19 along with features of hypothermia which is relatively rare and has future implications in clinical perspective.
CASE PRESENTATION
The patient presented with hypothermia and indicative symptoms of COVID-19 during admission. Comorbidities were assessed, potential differentials were ruled out thorough appropriate clinical examination and investigations. Insulation with a blanket and room heater was used to stabilize the normal body temperature (98.6°F) in the hospital setting, during this period vitals (Blood pressure, Pulse rate and oxygen saturation) were assessed regularly. On the sixth day of hospital admission, he was discharged from the hospital with advice.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
COVID-19 virus can enter into brain through olfactory tract and may cause dysfunction in the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus containing warm sensitive neurons directly or via cytokine-induced release of prostaglandin E2 from endothelial cells, which acts through a paracrine mechanism that may provoke hypothermia in our case.
CONCLUSIONS
This case highlights a rare presentation of COVID-19 infection that has not been thoroughly explored. The authors believe the case report holds particular importance especially in dealing with COVID-19 cases in both clinical and home settings.
PubMed: 38463048
DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000001709 -
Hormones and Behavior May 2024The neuropeptides arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) are key regulators of social behaviour across vertebrates. However, much of our understanding of how...
The neuropeptides arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) are key regulators of social behaviour across vertebrates. However, much of our understanding of how these neuropeptide systems interact with social behaviour is centred around laboratory studies which fail to capture the social and physiological challenges of living in the wild. To evaluate relationships between these neuropeptide systems and social behaviour in the wild, we studied social groups of the cichlid fish Neolamprologus pulcher in Lake Tanganyika, Africa. We first used SCUBA to observe the behaviour of focal group members and then measured transcript abundance of key components of the AVP and OXT systems across different brain regions. While AVP is often associated with male-typical behaviours, we found that dominant females had higher expression of avp and its receptor (avpr1a2) in the preoptic area of the brain compared to either dominant males or subordinates of either sex. Dominant females also generally had the highest levels of leucyl-cystinyl aminopeptidase (lnpep)-which inactivates AVP and OXT-throughout the brain, potentially indicating greater overall activity (i.e., production, release, and turnover) of the AVP system in dominant females. Expression of OXT and its receptors did not differ across social ranks. However, dominant males that visited the brood chamber more often had lower preoptic expression of OXT receptor a (oxtra) suggesting a negative relationship between OXT signalling and parental care in males of this species. Overall, these results advance our understanding of the relationships between complex social behaviours and neuroendocrine systems under natural settings.
Topics: Animals; Oxytocin; Arginine Vasopressin; Male; Female; Cichlids; Social Behavior; Brain; Cystinyl Aminopeptidase; Receptors, Vasopressin; Behavior, Animal; Social Dominance
PubMed: 38452613
DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105521 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2024Molecular and physiological determinants of the timing of reproductive events, including the pre-ovulatory LH surge and seasonal fluctuations in fertility, are...
Molecular and physiological determinants of the timing of reproductive events, including the pre-ovulatory LH surge and seasonal fluctuations in fertility, are incompletely understood. We used the -deficient duper mutant to examine the role of this core circadian clock gene in Syrian hamsters. We find that the phase of the LH surge and its stability upon shifts of the light: dark cycle are altered in duper mutants. The intensity of immunoreactive PER1 in GnRH cells of the preoptic area peaks earlier in the day in duper than wild type hamsters. We note that GnRH fibers coursing through the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) contact vasopressin- and VIP-immunoreactive cells, suggesting a possible locus of circadian control of the LH surge. Unlike wild types, duper hamsters do not regress their gonads within 8 weeks of constant darkness, despite evidence of melatonin secretion during the subjective night. In light of the finding that the duper allele is a stop codon in , our results suggest important neuroendocrine functions of this core circadian clock gene.
PubMed: 38444761
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1351682 -
Behavioural Brain Research May 2024Testosterone (T), estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), and androgen receptor (AR) play a significant role in the regulation of paternal behavior. We determined the effects of...
Testosterone (T), estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), and androgen receptor (AR) play a significant role in the regulation of paternal behavior. We determined the effects of deprivation of paternal care on alterations in paternal behavior, T concentrations in plasma, and the presence of ERα and AR in the medial preoptic area (mPOA), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), medial amygdala (MeA), and olfactory bulb (OB), as well as the corticosterone (CORT) concentrations in plasma caused by deprivation of paternal care in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). Twenty pairs of gerbils were formed; the pups were deprived of paternal care (DPC) in 10 pairs. In another 10 pairs, the pups received paternal care (PC). Ten males raised in DPC condition and 10 males raised in PC conditions were mated with virgin females. When they became fathers, each DPC male and PC male was subjected to tests of paternal behavior on day three postpartum. Blood samples were obtained to quantify T and CORT concentrations, and the brains were removed for ERα and AR immunohistochemistry analyses. DPC males gave less care to their pups than PC males, and they had significantly lower T concentrations and levels of ERα and AR in the mPOA and BNST than PC males. DPC males also had higher CORT concentrations than PC males. These results suggest that in the Mongolian gerbil father's absence causes a decrease in paternal care in the offspring, which is associated with alterations in the neuroendocrine mechanisms that regulate it.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Humans; Gerbillinae; Receptors, Androgen; Septal Nuclei; Estrogen Receptor alpha; Paternal Behavior; Preoptic Area; Fathers; Corticosterone
PubMed: 38432301
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114928 -
Theriogenology Apr 2024To understand better the role that kisspeptin plays in regulating seasonal and estrous cycle changes in the mare, this study investigated the number, location and...
Characterizing the relationship between gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), kisspeptin, and RFamide related peptide 3 (RFRP-3) neurons in the equine hypothalamus across the estrous cycle and in the anovulatory seasons.
To understand better the role that kisspeptin plays in regulating seasonal and estrous cycle changes in the mare, this study investigated the number, location and interactions between GnRH, kisspeptin and RFRP-3 neurons in the equine hypothalamus. Hypothalami were collected from mares during the non-breeding season, vernal transition and various stages of the breeding season. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry was used to label the neuropeptides of interest. GnRH cells were observed primarily in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), while very few labeled cells were identified in the pre-optic area (POA). Kisspeptin cells were identified primarily in the ARC, with a small number of cells observed dorsal to the ARC, surrounding the third ventricle (3V). The mean number of kisspeptin cells varied between animals and typically showed no pattern associated with season or stage of estrous cycle, but a seasonal difference was identified in the ARC population. Small numbers of RFRP-3 cells were observed in the ARC, ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH). The mean number of RFRP-3 cells appeared higher in pre-ovulatory animals compared to all other stages. The percentage of GnRH cell bodies with kisspeptin appositions did not change with season or stage of estrous cycle. The percentage of kisspeptin cells receiving inputs from RFRP-3 fibers did not vary with season or stage of estrous cycle. These interactions suggest the possibility of the presence of an ultra-short loop feedback system between these three peptides. The changes in RFRP-3 neurons suggest the possibility of a role in the regulation of reproduction in the horse, but it is unlikely to be as a gonadotropin inhibitory factor.
Topics: Horses; Animals; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Kisspeptins; Seasons; Neuropeptides; Hypothalamus; Estrous Cycle; Neurons
PubMed: 38432143
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.02.027 -
Annals of the New York Academy of... Apr 2024This review consolidates current knowledge on mammalian parental care, focusing on its neural mechanisms, evolutionary origins, and derivatives. Neurobiological studies... (Review)
Review
This review consolidates current knowledge on mammalian parental care, focusing on its neural mechanisms, evolutionary origins, and derivatives. Neurobiological studies have identified specific neurons in the medial preoptic area as crucial for parental care. Unexpectedly, these neurons are characterized by the expression of molecules signaling satiety, such as calcitonin receptor and BRS3, and overlap with neurons involved in the reproductive behaviors of males but not females. A synthesis of comparative ecology and paleontology suggests an evolutionary scenario for mammalian parental care, possibly stemming from male-biased guarding of offspring in basal vertebrates. The terrestrial transition of tetrapods led to prolonged egg retention in females and the emergence of amniotes, skewing care toward females. The nocturnal adaptation of Mesozoic mammalian ancestors reinforced maternal care for lactation and thermal regulation via endothermy, potentially introducing metabolic gate control in parenting neurons. The established maternal care may have served as the precursor for paternal and cooperative care in mammals and also fostered the development of group living, which may have further contributed to the emergence of empathy and altruism. These evolution-informed working hypotheses require empirical validation, yet they offer promising avenues to investigate the neural underpinnings of mammalian social behaviors.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Female; Male; Parenting; Brain; Mammals; Social Behavior; Neurons; Maternal Behavior
PubMed: 38426943
DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15111 -
ELife Feb 2024Sexual bonds are central to the social lives of many species, including humans, and monogamous prairie voles have become the predominant model for investigating such...
Sexual bonds are central to the social lives of many species, including humans, and monogamous prairie voles have become the predominant model for investigating such attachments. We developed an automated whole-brain mapping pipeline to identify brain circuits underlying pair-bonding behavior. We identified bonding-related c-Fos induction in 68 brain regions clustered in seven major brain-wide neuronal circuits. These circuits include known regulators of bonding, such as the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, paraventricular hypothalamus, ventral pallidum, and prefrontal cortex. They also include brain regions previously unknown to shape bonding, such as ventromedial hypothalamus, medial preoptic area, and the medial amygdala, but that play essential roles in bonding-relevant processes, such as sexual behavior, social reward, and territorial aggression. Contrary to some hypotheses, we found that circuits active during mating and bonding were largely sexually monomorphic. Moreover, c-Fos induction across regions was strikingly consistent between members of a pair, with activity best predicted by rates of ejaculation. A novel cluster of regions centered in the amygdala remained coordinated after bonds had formed, suggesting novel substrates for bond maintenance. Our tools and results provide an unprecedented resource for elucidating the networks that translate sexual experience into an enduring bond.
Topics: Male; Humans; Animals; Grassland; Brain Mapping; Arvicolinae; Basal Forebrain; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
PubMed: 38381037
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.87029 -
Development, Growth & Differentiation Apr 2024The vertebrate telencephalic lobes consist of the pallium (dorsal) and subpallium (ventral). The subpallium gives rise to the basal ganglia, encompassing the pallidum...
The vertebrate telencephalic lobes consist of the pallium (dorsal) and subpallium (ventral). The subpallium gives rise to the basal ganglia, encompassing the pallidum and striatum. The development of this region is believed to depend on Foxg1/Foxg1a functions in both mice and zebrafish. This study aims to elucidate the genetic regulatory network controlled by foxg1a in subpallium development using zebrafish as a model. The expression gradient of foxg1a within the developing telencephalon was examined semi-quantitatively in initial investigations. Utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 technique, we subsequently established a foxg1a mutant line and observed the resultant phenotypes. Morphological assessment revealed that foxg1a mutants exhibit a thin telencephalon together with a misshapen preoptic area (POA). Notably, accumulation of apoptotic cells was identified in this region. In mutants at 24 h postfertilization, the expression of pallium markers expanded ventrally, while that of subpallium markers was markedly suppressed. Concurrently, the expression of fgf8a, vax2, and six3b was shifted ventrally, causing anomalous expression in regions typical of POA formation in wild-type embryos. Consequently, the foxg1a mutation led to expansion of the pallium and disrupted the subpallium and POA. This highlights a pivotal role of foxg1a in directing the dorsoventral patterning of the telencephalon, particularly in subpallium differentiation, mirroring observations in mice. Additionally, reduced expression of neural progenitor maintenance genes was detected in mutants, suggesting the necessity of foxg1a in preserving neural progenitors. Collectively, these findings underscore evolutionarily conserved functions of foxg1 in the development of the subpallium in vertebrate embryos.
Topics: Animals; Cerebral Cortex; Forkhead Transcription Factors; Gene Regulatory Networks; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Telencephalon; Zebrafish; Zebrafish Proteins
PubMed: 38378191
DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12917 -
Cell and Tissue Research May 2024The natriuretic peptide (NP) family consists of cardiac NPs (ANP, BNP, and VNP) and brain NPs (CNPs) in teleosts. In addition to CNP1-4, a paralogue of CNP4 (named...
The natriuretic peptide (NP) family consists of cardiac NPs (ANP, BNP, and VNP) and brain NPs (CNPs) in teleosts. In addition to CNP1-4, a paralogue of CNP4 (named CNP4b) was recently discovered in basal teleosts including Japanese eel. Mammals have lost most Cnps during the evolution, but teleost cnps were conserved and diversified, suggesting that CNPs are important hormones for maintaining brain functions in teleost. The present study evaluated the potency of each Japanese eel CNP to their NP receptors (NPR-A, NPR-B, NPR-C, and NPR-D) overexpressed in CHO cells. A comprehensive brain map of cnps- and nprs-expressing neurons in Japanese eel was constructed by integrating the localization results obtained by in situ hybridization. The result showed that CHO cells expressing NPR-A and NPR-B induced strong cGMP productions after stimulation by cardiac and brain NPs, respectively. Regarding brain distribution of cnps, cnp1 is engaged in the ventral telencephalic area and periventricular area including the parvocellular preoptic nucleus (Pp), anterior/posterior tuberal nuclei, and periventricular gray zone of the optic tectum. cnp3 is found in the habenular nucleus and prolactin cells in the pituitary. cnp4 is expressed in the ventral telencephalic area, while cnp4b is expressed in the motoneurons in the medullary area. Such CNP isoform-specific localizations suggest that function of each CNP has diverged in the eel brain. Furthermore, the Pp lacking the blood-brain barrier expressed both npra and nprb, suggesting that endocrine and paracrine NPs interplay for regulating the Pp functions in Japanese eels.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Natriuretic Peptides; CHO Cells; Cricetulus; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Paracrine Communication; Ligands; Anguilla; Endocrine System
PubMed: 38369645
DOI: 10.1007/s00441-024-03873-y