NR4A1在猪卵巢黄体中的作用探讨

通过分析NR4A1在猪卵巢黄体中的表达与定位,探讨其在猪黄体发育与退化中的潜在作用。获取猪发情周期不同阶段卵巢组织,分离黄体(早期、中期和晚期),应用放射免疫法检测孕酮和雌二醇浓度,应用蛋白免疫印迹法检测NR4A1、CYP17A1和cleaved-Caspase-3的表达,应用免疫组织化学方法检测NR4A1和cleaved-Caspase-3的定位。结果:晚期黄体(白体)的孕酮水平显著低于早期和中期,雌二醇水平显著高于早期和中期(P0.05);早期黄体(红体)与中期黄体的NR4A1表达量无显著差异,而晚期黄体(白体)中NR4A1显著低于早期和中期(P0.05);CYP17A1在早期黄体与中期黄体无显著差异,晚期黄体显著上升;cleaved-Caspase-3在中期黄体中表达最低,而在晚期黄体中最高(P0.05)。此外,整个黄体发育与退化过程中,NR4A1主要在黄体类固醇生成细胞的细胞质中表达,而cleaved-Caspase-3在包括黄体类固醇生成细胞的所有细胞中均有表达。结果提示:猪卵巢黄体发育与退化过程中,NR4A1的蛋白表达趋势与孕酮水平一致,NR4A1可能参与调控猪黄体组织中孕酮的合成代谢,为深入研究NR4A1参与猪卵巢机能调控提供理论依据。     

奶牛NR1D1基因的真核表达载体构建、表达谱及其在卵巢组织的定位

旨在克隆奶牛核受体亚家族1 D组成员1(nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group D member 1,NR1D1)基因的蛋白编码序列(coding sequence, CDS),构建其真核表达载体，预测分析NR1D1基因的生物学功能，并检测该基因的组织表达谱及其在卵巢组织的表达分布。本研究以5头健康的24月龄雌性奶牛为试验动物，PCR扩增带有同源臂的奶牛NR1D1基因CDS区全长片段，利用同源重组法将目的片段连接至线性化的pcDNA3.1-Puro-N-3HA空载体，构建重组质粒，利用酶切、PCR及测序对重组质粒进行鉴定。结合质粒测序结果，利用生物信息学软件预测分析该基因的生物学功能。将鉴定正确的质粒转染至HEK293T细胞，利用实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)与Western blotting技术检测NR1D1基因在mRNA与蛋白水平的表达。此外，利用qPCR检测奶牛NR1D1基因的组织表达谱，并利用免疫组织化学技术检测NR1D1蛋白在奶牛卵巢组织的表达分布。结果，成功获得带有同源臂的奶牛NR1D1基因的CDS区全长片段(1 884 bp),酶切、PCR及...     

神经生长因子及其受体在雌性动物生殖器官中的表达

神经生长因子(never growth factor,NGF)属于神经营养因子家族成员,是最早被发现的一种神经营养因子,与其受体TrkA或p75结合后在神经细胞的生长、发育、修复及功能发挥中具有重要的作用。近年来有研究发现,NGF对例如生殖系统、内分泌系统、循环系统和免疫系统等也有一定的调节作用。论文就NGF及其受体在雌性动物卵巢、输卵管及子宫中的表达与作用进行综述。     

猪NR1H3基因可变剪接体的克隆及表达特性研究

旨在克隆猪NR1H3基因的可变剪接体,并预测编码蛋白的结构与功能,研究其转录本的表达特性。本试验以马身猪为研究对象,采用RT-PCR及克隆测序技术对猪NR1H3基因CDS区进行扩增和克隆,采用生物信息学方法分析NR1H3蛋白的生物学特性,采用qRT-PCR技术检测NR1H3基因在心、肝、脾、肺、肾、胃、小肠、股二头肌、腰大肌和皮下脂肪组织中的表达谱及在脂肪组织中的发育性表达规律。结果表明,本研究成功克隆出猪NR1H3基因的两个转录本NR1H3-1和NR1H3-2,其中NR1H3-2为新发现的转录本(MN082630),其CDS区全长1 203bp,编码的蛋白质含400个氨基酸,属于中性不稳定蛋白;与NR1H3-1相比,NR1H3-2缺失了长度为95bp的第9外显子,编码的蛋白质NR1H3-2比NR1H3-1少了一个肝X受体的配体结合结构域;氨基酸的相似性分析发现,猪NR1H3蛋白氨基酸序列与北大西洋小须鲸、山羊、绵羊、抹香鲸、长江江豚等物种的相似性较高。NR1H3-1和NR1H3-2在所检测组织中均有表达,且在不同组织间的表达量具有显著差异(P0.05);NR1H3-1转录本在小肠中表达量最高,其次是脾、肝、股二头肌等,在心脏中表达量最低;NR1H3-2则在肝中表达量最高,其次是脾、小肠、胃和股二头肌等,在心脏中表达量最低。在各组织中(除小肠、心、肺),NR1H3-2的表达量均高于NR1H3-1,其中在肝和皮下脂肪组织中,NR1H3-2的表达量极显著高于NR1H3-1(P0.01),在胃中差异达显著水平(P0.05)。随着日龄的增加,皮下脂肪组织中NR1H3-1和NR1H3-2的表达量整体呈上升趋势,推测该基因对猪的脂肪沉积有调控作用。本试验成功克隆了猪NR1H3基因的两个可变剪接体,并推测其对猪脂质代谢及脂肪生成具有重要的生理作用。     

C型利钠肽及其受体在水牛卵泡中的表达分析

为了探明C型利钠肽（C-type natriuretic peptide,CNP）及其受体（natriuretic peptide receptor,NPR）在水牛卵泡中的表达模式,本研究首先采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测水牛卵巢中利钠肽家族主要成员A型、B型、C型利钠肽（ANP、BNP、CNP）及其Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型受体（NPR1、NPR2）的mRNA表达情况,然后利用免疫组化技术对水牛卵泡中CNP及NPR2蛋白进行定位,最后利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测颗粒细胞和卵丘细胞中CNP及NPR2的mRNA表达规律。结果显示,水牛卵巢主要表达CNP及NPR2,且在各级卵泡中均有表达,其中,CNP主要在壁层颗粒细胞中表达,NPR2主要在卵丘细胞中表达;颗粒细胞上CNP mRNA表达水平显著高于卵母细胞周围的卵丘细胞（P<0.05）,而卵丘细胞上NPR2 mRNA表达水平显著高于颗粒细胞（P<0.05）。综上所述,在利钠肽主要家族成员和受体中,CNP和NPR2在水牛卵巢中呈现强表达,CNP主要在壁层颗粒细胞中表达,而NPR2主要在卵母细胞周围的卵丘细胞中表达。     

维生素A和维生素K3对产蛋后期蛋鸡卵巢繁殖基因表达和抗氧化功能的影响

试验旨在研究维生素A和维生素K3对产蛋后期蛋鸡卵巢繁殖基因表达和抗氧化功能的影响。采用3×3试验设计，维生素A添加量为0、7000、14000IU/kg，维生素K3添加量为0、2.0、4.0 mg/kg。选取1 080羽88周龄罗曼粉蛋鸡，随机分为9组，每组8个重复，每个重复15羽。预试期2周，正式试验期8周。结果表明：与0 IU/kg维生素A相比，添加7 000、14 000 IU/kg维生素A增加了卵巢中骨形态发生蛋白15和骨形态发生蛋白受体1B的mRNA相对表达量（P<0.05），降低了卵巢中总超氧化物歧化酶（T-SOD）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）活力以及核因子E2相关因子2和GSH-Px1 mRNA相对表达量（P<0.05）；添加2.0 mg/kg维生素K3上调了卵巢中激活素受体I型和促卵泡激素受体的mRNA相对表达量（P<0.05）；维生素A和维生素K3对血清中孕酮含量、卵巢繁殖基因雌激素受体1、抗氧化基因GSH-Px3的mRNA相对表达量以及卵巢中GSH-Px、T-SOD有显著交互作用。由此可见，添加7 000、14 000 IU/kg维生素A可...     

褪黑素膜受体MT1与MT2在妊娠期奶山羊卵巢中表达特点

褪黑素(melatonin)是松果腺分泌的一种神经内分泌激素,主要通过其膜受体(MR)的介导参与调控动物生理节律、季节性繁殖和卵巢功能等生理过程。melatonin的高亲和性膜受体分为MT1和MT2两种亚型,本试验采用RT-qPCR和Western blot方法研究了MT1和MT2在妊娠期奶山羊卵巢中的表达特点。结果表明,MT1和MT2在妊娠不同阶段奶山羊卵巢中都有表达,并表现为相同的表达模式,妊娠中期表达水平最高,妊娠前期和妊娠中期表达水平极显著高于妊娠后期(P0.01)。MT1和MT2在不同妊娠期奶山羊卵巢中的表达特点与黄体的功能一致,提示褪黑素可能通过MT1和MT2的介导对妊娠期奶山羊黄体功能发挥调节作用。     

伊犁鹅产蛋前后各期卵巢转录谱的构建及卵泡发育相关基因的分析

【目的】构建产蛋前后各期伊犁鹅卵巢转录组文库,结合生物信息学分析揭示不同产蛋期伊犁鹅卵巢组织差异表达基因,并鉴定出影响鹅卵巢发育的关键基因,为伊犁鹅的繁殖调控提供理论参考。【方法】选择处于开产期（KL组）、产蛋期（CL组）及休产期（XL组）的伊犁鹅各4只,屠宰后取其卵巢组织,用于构建卵巢转录组文库。通过新基因挖掘、基因差异表达、基因注释以及蛋白互作网络分析筛选出与鹅卵泡发育相关的候选基因;随机挑选8个差异表达基因,应用实时荧光定量PCR验证其表达情况。【结果】伊犁鹅卵巢组织学结果表明,在开产期时,伊犁鹅卵巢表面有大量初级卵泡,而产蛋期卵巢则显示出卵泡的层级性,在休产期卵巢中可观察到卵泡出现向内凹陷、闭锁的现象。通过转录组测序（RNA-Seq）,从构建的12个伊犁鹅卵巢cDNA文库中获得有效读数57 811 186~85 328 377条,Q30值均>93.38%,每个样品所产的测序读数于鹅参考基因组上的比对率在82.79%~89.24%。在卵巢中注释的新基因共有1 112个,单核苷酸多态性（SNP）位点总数为1 642 273~2 425 069个;SNP和插入缺失（InDel）均主要注释于内含子区域;各时期的可变剪切类型主要集中为最后1个外显子可变剪切（TSS）及第1个外显子可变剪切（TTS）。在KL vs CL、XL vs CL及XL vs KL组中分别有337、1 136和525个差异表达基因,共有差异表达基因为α2A肾上腺素能受体（ADRA2A）、表皮蛋白（CP）、非转移性黑色素瘤糖蛋白B （GPNMB）及α-1-抗胰蛋白酶样（LOC106033756）。GO功能富集分析发现,差异表达基因主要富集在肽基酪氨酸磷酸化的正调控、细胞黏附及质膜外侧等过程。KEGG通路富集分析发现,差异表达基因主要显著富集于神经活性配体-受体相互作用、ECM-受体相互作用及类固醇生物合成等。结合蛋白互作网络分析,筛选到与鹅卵巢发育相关的潜在调控因子Bruton’s酪氨酸激酶（BTK）、血小板源性生长因子受体α（PDGFRA）、整合素β3（ITGB3）等。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,RNA-Seq结果准确可靠。【结论】本研究揭示了产蛋前后各期伊犁鹅卵巢组织中的基因表达差异,筛选到影响伊犁鹅卵巢发育的神经活性配体-受体相互作用、ECM-受体相互作用、类固醇生物合成等重要通路与BTK、PDGFRA和ITGB3等关键候选基因,为了解鹅卵巢组织调控产蛋性能的分子机制提供了理论支撑。     

牛磺鹅去氧胆酸对糖皮质激素受体激活效应

探讨牛磺鹅去氧胆酸(TCDCA)对糖皮质激素受体(GR)的激活效应,采用免疫荧光术检测NR8383细胞内GR的表达及不同浓度TCDCA对NR8383细胞核移位的影响,采用实时荧光定量PCR法分析了TCDCA对AA大鼠FLS细胞中由GR产生的VCAM-1和COX-2mRNA表达的影响,采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)分析了TCDCA对AA大鼠FLS细胞中由GR介导的VCAM-1蛋白表达的影响。结果表明,TCDCA可以极显著性(P<0.01)的激活NR8383细胞内的GR受体,且在加入GR的特异性抑制剂RU486之后,GR受体的荧光值显著下降,表明RU486阻断了TCDCA对GR受体的激活作用。而TCDCA组和DEX组间无显著性差异(P>0.05);TCDCA可以抑制VCAM-1及COX-2的表达量。由此进一步证明TCDCA是通过GR受体发挥抗炎和免疫调节作用。     

神经生长因子及其受体在动物卵巢上的研究进展

神经生长因子(nerve growth factor,NGF)及其受体(TrkA和p75)是广泛存在于动物体内的多功能蛋白,是神经营养因子家族中最早发现也是目前研究最清楚的因子。NGF与其受体结合不仅作用于神经系统,对其他系统也具有重要调节作用,其中包括生殖系统。NGF及其受体在动物卵巢的膜细胞、间质细胞、等级卵泡和黄体上均有不同程度的表达,并对卵泡的生长,发育和排卵起一定的作用。本文就NGF及其受体在动物卵巢上的研究进展作一综述。     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein     

Avian brood parasitism — a growing research area in behavioral ecology (part Ⅱ)

正We are pleased to publish the second special issue on avian brood parasitism and to be responsible guest editors for the two special issues of Chinese Birds (Vol. 3, No. 4, 2012 and Vol. 4, No. 1, 2013), entitled "Avian Brood Parasitism - A Growing Research Area in Behavioral Ecology". The first issue was published in December 2012. The goal of the two special issues is to publish accumulated knowledge and some of the recent developments in     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -