1,721,016 research outputs found
Kisspeptin in the early postpartum of the dairy cow.
No full textRecently, a new molecule, kisspeptin (Kp), and in particular Kisspeptin 10 (Kp10), was implicated in stimulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. The aim of this study was to evaluate circulating Kp10 levels in the early post–partum period of the dairy cow. Blood samples were collected from 40 dairy cows, at 10 (T10), 12 (T12), 14 (T14) and 16 (T16) days after calving. Progesterone (P4) levels were evaluated using ELISA, and levels of oestrogens (E2) and Kp were evaluated using a radio‐immunologic method. After an initial plateau, Kp10 significantly increased at T14 and decreased at T16. The P4 and E2 mean serum values remained in the physiological range. It is likely that Kp10 enhanced hypothalamic GnRH release as well as pituitary gonadotropin secretion, thus promoting follicular growth and the increase in E2 levels, which might have further enhanced Kp10 release through a positive feedback loop. To our best knowledge, this is the first report on the range of Kp10 blood concentration during the early post–partum period in the dairy cow. The results of our study will increase our current understanding of the complex neuro‐endocrine crosstalk underlying the resumption of ovarian cyclicity in the dairy cow
Colica intestinale del cavallo. Ruolo eziopatogenetico degli oppioidi endogeni
No full textEquine colic, or acute abdominal pain, is one of the most common clinical emergencies. The high frequency is influenced by anatomical structures and physiological characteristics. Intestinal colic can interfere with reproductive function in both male and female. The sperm production could be endanged for a long period in stallion. The colic management could be very difficult in the mare during pregnancy; abdominal pain can induce prernature delivery or abortion in late pregnancy. Our work is based on clinical trials and molecular study to evaluate the presence of opioidergic receptor (MOR) equine caecum, collected from healty horses. The aim of the clinical research is to evaluate the efficacy of the pharmacological treatment with calcium and naloxone (CaNx) in 37 horses affected by intestinal colic. In horses with mild or medium colic, intestinal motility started quikly, while there was a delay in horses with severe colic. All subjects presented an increased sensory depression for 1-2 h or more; this may be related to the increase of EOPs subsequent to tissutal displacement. The expression of MOR has been evaluated by RT-PCR in equine caecurn. The expected 441 bp amplified size fragment was obtained. Our clinic preliminary study demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of CaNx to restore normal motility of the gut in horses affected by intestinal colic. The clinical findings and the molecular evaluation of MOR confirm the hypothesys of a pathogenetic role of EOPs in intestinal colic and suggest a new therapeutic approach for this syndrome
The abundance and localization of heat shock proteins (HSP)-60, -70, and -90 in the oviductal ampulla of hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas) during the menstrual cycle
Full text linkThe presence of HSPs in female reproductive and their relationship with the steroid hormone fluctuation have been
reported in several mammals but not in non-human primates. The present research dealt with the oviductal expression and
localization of the more studied HSPs (60, 70, and 90) as well as the morphological changes in the Hamadryas baboon
(Papio hamadryas) during the follicular, preovulatory, and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Therefore, western blots,
histomorphological, and immunohistochemical analyses were carried out. The results of western blot analysis displayed
the lowest HSP expression in the luteal phase. The histomorphology showed that the mucosal epithelium consisted of
undifferentiated cuboidal cells in follicular and luteal phases and well-distinguishable columnar ciliated and non-ciliated
cells during the preovulatory phase. Immunohistochemistry evidenced that the mucosal epithelium contained cytoplasmic
and nuclear HSP60, 70, and 90 immunostaining in the follicular and luteal phases. During the preovulatory phase, the nonciliated
cells showed: (i) cytoplasmic HSP60; (ii) nuclear and cytoplasmic HSP90. Ciliated cells showed cytoplasmic and
ciliary HSP70 and ciliary HSP90. The stromal cells and myocytes of muscular layer displayed a decreased cytoplasmic
HSP60 in the preovulatory phase and nuclear and low cytoplasmic HSP70 throughout the menstrual cycle. Nuclear HSP90
decreased in ampulla stromal cells and the follicular phase myocytes. These findings indicate that the expression pattern
of HSP60,70, and 90 is related to the morphofunctional features of the baboon oviductal ampulla during the menstrual
cycle and could represent a referent point for further studies in the oviduct of Primates
DNA sexing in Humboldt Penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) from feather samples
No full textHumboldt Penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) show little sexual dimorphism, and although males are usually heavier and larger than females, sexing by direct observation may be difficult, especially in young subjects. In this paper we evaluate the utility of the molecular approach, for sexing impuberal Humboldt Penguins from feathers. Firstly, a PCR test was used employing primers that amplify the homologous region of the CHD-W gene, unique in female, and the CHD-Z gene, occurring in the two sexes. The analysis of the PCR products showed a band of 370 bp in males and two bands of 370 and 380 bp in females. Additionally, to confirm these results, the PCR products were digested with HaeIII and Asp700 for RFLP analysis. Male PCR products showed two bands (310 and 60 bp) after digestion with HaeIII, and a unique band (370 bp) using Asp700, while all fragments obtained from females resolved into three bands using both HaeIII (380, 310 and 60 bp) and Asp700 (370, 270 and 110 bp), confirming the previous PCR sex determination. Results from these two different DNA-based tests were in accordance, in all cases, with sexes checked by preliminary cloacoscopy. Thus, it was found that the PCR method from feather samples alone is sufficient, reliable and without any risks for a rapid sexing in Humboldt Penguin. This non-invasive sexing technique can be useful at any age to verify the sex ratio in field populations and for gender identification in ex situ conservation programs
Distribution of the μ-opioid receptor in the mare oviduct during oestrus an anoestrus
No full textThe μ-opioid receptor (MOR) is the primary site of action of several endogenous opioid peptides modulating Ca2+ channel. In the oviduct Ca2+ maintains ciliary beat and regulates movement of isthmus lumen. The present research investigated the expression of the MOR in the oviduct of mares during oestrus and anoestrus. Tissue fragments were fixed in 4% (w/v) paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin wax. 4 mm thick de-waxed sections were incubated with a primary rabbit polyclonal antibody against the third extra-cellular loop of the mouse MOR. Immunohistochemical visualisation was obtained using the ABC-DAB procedure. Immunoblotting analysis was performed to confirm the primary antibody specificity. Ciliated (CCs) and non-ciliated (NCs) cells showed MOR in the apical region which displayed a different staining intensity along the oviduct during the two sexual stages. During the anoestrus numerous isthmus CCs expressed intra-nuclear immunostaining Infundibulum and ampulla immunoreactive NCs increased during the oestrus. Stromal cells expressed MOR in the isthmus. MOR positive myocytes were differently arranged along the oviduct and were more stained in oestrus. The different MOR expression along the oviduct and during anoestrus and oestrus could depend on the roles of oviduct segments and may reflect stage-dependent functional changes
Treatment of ovarian follicular cysts in dairy cows with epidural GnRH and calcium – naloxone administration
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