Induced ovulation of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) using a combination of a gonadotrop‐releasing hormone analogue and domperidone

The effects of an intraperitoneal hormone injection of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist (D‐Ala⁶, Pro⁹‐NEt GnRHa) alone or in combination with a dopamine antagonist, domperidone (DOM), on ovulation induction in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco were tested. The hormone treatments were as follows: 6 mg kg⁻¹ body weight (BW) of carp pituitary extract as a positive control, GnRHa 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg kg⁻¹ BW and a combination of GnRHa and DOM as follows: 10 μg+5 mg, 20 μg+10 mg, 40 μg+20 mg and 80 μg+40 mg kg⁻¹ BW. Physiological saline (0.7% NaCl) was used as a negative control. Significant differences in the ovulation ratio, latency period and ovulation index (OI) were observed among treatments (P<0.05). The combination of GnRHa and DOM at doses of 40 μg+20 mg kg⁻¹ BW had higher values of the ovulation ratio and OI, and a shorter latency period compared with other treatments. The highest OI in GnRHa treatments was only 56.67%, suggesting a dopaminergic tone on gonadotropin secretion in this fish at the pre‐ovulatory stage. Therefore, ovulation can be successfully induced in yellow catfish with 40 μg kg⁻¹ GnRHa+20 mg kg⁻¹ DOM without affecting the egg quality.     

Methodology for the study of the hypothalamic-pituitary hormone secretion in cattle

Studies on the neuroregulatory mechanisms on the secretion of anterior pituitary (AP) hormones in domestic animals are important because nearly all complex physiological and metabolic processes are regulated by the AP hormones. To examine them, this article considers in vivo approaches such as the techniques of intrahypothalamic injection, intracerebroventricular injection, push-pull perfusion, and microdialysis, which have been employed in our own research group for the study in cattle. Also, in vitro approaches such as bovine AP cell culture and the AP explants superfusion system are described. This article clarifies the potential of neuroendocrine study techniques in cattle.     

雌雄半滑舌鳎脑垂体基因表达差异研究

为研究半滑舌鳎雌雄个体大小和生长速度差异悬殊的分子机理,采集来自同一亲本、同一发育阶段的半滑舌鳎雄鱼和雌鱼脑垂体,分别与Affymetrix的斑马鱼基因芯片杂交,筛选差异表达基因。芯片杂交结果显示二者共有1 051个基因检测到明显的杂交信号,其中上调基因486个,下调基因561个。进一步比较雄鱼和雌鱼杂交信号的比值(Ratio值),有39个基因的Ratio值小于0.6或大于1.5,其中sh3gl1b、meis2.1、acta1、Noxa、slc25a5这5种上调基因和col1a2、klf7、acta2这3种下调基因可能与半滑舌鳎雌雄生长差异相关。这一结果为深入研究半滑舌鳎雌雄性别分化与生长调控机制提供了新思路。     

南方鲇垂体的超微结构

应用透射电镜技术,对产卵前、后性成熟野生雌性南方鲇垂体的超微结构进行研究.结果表明:南方鲇垂体呈背腹型,由神经垂体和腺垂体两部分组成.神经垂体具A1、A2和B型神经分泌纤维以及两种类型的脑垂体细胞.腺垂体观察到了8种类型分泌细胞即:促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)细胞、催乳激素(PRL)细胞、生长激素(GH1、GH2)细胞、促性腺激素(GTH)细胞、促甲状腺激素(TSH)细胞、黑色素细胞刺激激素(MSH)细胞和首次在鱼类报道的大型泡状细胞.产卵前、后ACTH细胞超微结构变化明显,参与促进卵母细胞的最后成熟和排卵活动;GTH细胞产卵前、后均存在激素合成和分泌等不同的生理状态,与卵母细胞的发育、成熟和排卵有关;首次在南方鲇观察到了两种超微结构差异明显的GH细胞,具有不同的生理功能,GH1细胞与卵母细胞的成熟及排卵有关,GH2细胞与生长有关.SL细胞由于数量少,未在垂体中间部观察到.     

促性腺激素释放激素在不同品种母牛垂体中的免疫组化定位

为了掌握促性腺激素释放激素（GnRH）及其受体在不同品种母牛垂体中的变化规律,采用免疫组化SP染色法分别对广西沼泽型水牛、摩拉杂交水牛、荷斯坦奶牛、广西本地黄牛垂体中GnRH的分布表达进行对比研究。结果表明,不同品种母牛垂体中均发现有呈棕黄色或黄褐色的GnRH阳性物质存在,经Image-Pro Plus 6.0软件统计发现,摩拉杂交母水牛的GnRH免疫阳性细胞较其他3个品种的大（P〈0.05）,而平均光密度值介于荷斯坦母奶牛和广西本地母黄牛之间（P〉0.05）。在神经垂体中仅发现GnRH免疫阳性纤维,而未发现GnRH免疫阳性细胞;在腺垂体远侧部的细胞均呈GnRH免疫反应阳性,阳性物质主要分布在腺垂体远侧部嫌色细胞和嗜色细胞胞质内。说明GnRH对腺垂体激素分泌的调节可能是直接通过神经调节,而神经垂体可能只是GnRH调节过程的通路。     

绵羊MTNR1a基因mRNA表达量的季节性差异

本试验分别于春分、夏至、秋分和冬至4个节气,随机选择体况良好体重相近的蒙古羊8只,外科手术取下丘脑、垂体组织样品,采用RT-PCR方法对其褪黑素受体MTNR1a基因表达进行半定量分析.结果表明:绵羊MTNR1a基因表达存在明显的季节性节律,下丘脑MTNR1a基因表达量在夏至时最低,秋分时最高,春冬季节相近;垂体MTNR1a基因表达量在秋分时最低,夏至时最高,春冬季节也相近.     

血管活性肠肽在皖西白鹅下丘脑与垂体中的分布

【目的】对青春期和休产期皖西白鹅下丘脑和垂体中血管活性肠肽的分布与表达进行研究。【方法】采集青春期和休产期皖西白鹅的下丘脑和垂体,应用免疫组织化学PV-9000二步法并结合DAB显色技术,对血管活性肠肽的免疫反应阳性分布进行定位,并用Image-Pro Plus 6.0软件分析阳性区域的累积光密度值。【结果】血管活性肠肽免疫反应阳性细胞主要分布于青春期和休产期皖西白鹅下丘脑的弓状核、室旁核、内侧核、视上核、乳头体内侧核等处及腺垂体中;休产期皖西白鹅下丘脑和垂体中的血管活性肠肽的累积光密度值显著高于青春期。【结论】血管活性肠肽可能对皖西白鹅的休产状态有一定的调控作用。     

Diagnostic orientation values for ACTH and other parameters for clinically healthy donkeys and mules (insulin,triglycerides, glucose,fructosamines, and ɣ-GT)

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction is the most prevalent endocrine disease in horses. Although donkeys and mules may also be affected, only a few data have been published. Reference values for diagnostic parameters, such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), are especially scarce or even lacking. Therefore, in the present study, available data from the literature have been verified and completed to facilitate a reliable diagnosis. Clinical inspections and haematological and biochemical examinations were carried out four times in a three-month interval (February to November) in 44 donkeys and 31 mules. Data from clinically healthy animals were used as an orientation. Plasma ACTH concentrations showed seasonal changes in both animal groups. However, it was generally higher in donkeys than mules. Although blood glucose (EDTA plasma) showed no difference between groups, serum insulin concentrations were consistently higher in donkeys. Serum fructosamine levels were slightly higher in mules, whereas, in some cases, serum triglyceride levels were considerably higher in donkeys. Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase showed a striking peak in mules in August, whereas the remaining gamma-glutamyltransferase values were lower compared to donkeys. By comparing donkeys and mules, the present work reveals differences in various blood parameters which should be considered for diagnoses and future studies.     

The role of neurokinin A and its receptor in the regulation of prolactin secretion by the anterior pituitary of cyclic pigs

In pigs, plasma prolactin concentration markedly changes during the oestrous cycle and the regulation of its secretion is very complex. The contribution of neurokinins in this process has not been sufficiently delineated. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of neurokinin A (NKA) on prolactin synthesis and secretion in cyclic gilts. The expression of NKA precursor (Ppta) and receptor (Tacr2) genes as well as NKA and TACR proteins content in the porcine pituitaries (days 2–3, 9–10, 12–13, 15–16 and 19–20 of the cycle) was determined. Furthermore, the in vitro influence of NKA on the expression of prolactin (Prl), dopamine receptor (D2r), TRH receptor (Trhr) genes and prolactin secretion by the porcine pituitary cells (days 9–10, 15–16 and 19–20 of the cycle) was assessed. The expression of Ppta and Tacr2 as well as NKA and TACR proteins in the pituitary tissue has been changing throughout the oestrous cycle. NKA affected in vitro the expression of studied genes and prolactin secretion depending on the stage of the cycle, dose of NKA and/or duration of the cell incubation. Altogether, the study indicates that NKA is engaged in the modulation of prolactin secretion in the pig during the oestrous cycle.