Expression of messenger RNA coding for 5-HT receptor, alpha and beta adrenoreceptor (subtypes) during oestrus and dioestrus in the bovine uterus

Serotoninergic and adrenergic receptors (5-HTR and AR) are involved in the regulation of uterine contractility. The objective of this study was to compare mRNA levels of 5-HTR(1A), 5-HTR(1B), 5-HTR(1D), 5-HTR(1F), 5-HTR(2A), 5-HTR(2B), 5-HTR(2C), 5-HTR(4) and alpha(1A), alpha(1B), alpha(1D), alpha(2AD), alpha(2B), alpha(2C), and beta(1), beta(2), beta(3)-AR in oestrus and dioestrus, and at three uterine locations (tip, middle and base) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Uterine specimens consisting of endometrium and myometrium including vessels and serosa were collected from cows in oestrus (n = 10) and dioestrus (n = 15) respectively. Levels of 5-HTR and AR mRNA were expressed relative to the geometric mean of ribosomal RNA (18S), ubiquitin and glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase by the mean values of geNorm algorithm. 5-HTR(1A), 5-HTR(2C) and beta(3)-AR mRNA could not be detected in uterine tissues. The mRNA levels of 5-HTR(1F) and 5-HTR(2B) were lower (P < 0.05), but of 5-HTR(4) were higher (P < 0.05) in oestrus than in dioestrus. The mRNA levels of alpha(1A)-AR, alpha(2AD)-AR, alpha(2B)-AR were lower (P < 0.05), but of alpha(2C)-AR and beta(2)-AR were higher (P < 0.05) in oestrus than dioestrus. The mRNA levels of 5-HTR(1B) and 5-HTR(1D) (oestrus) and of alpha(2AD)-AR (dioestrus) differed among uterine locations (base > middle > tip; P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of 5-HTR and AR (subtypes) in bovine uterus was associated with cycle activity and varied according to uterine location. Additional studies on protein level will be carried out in order to elucidate the role of these receptor families on uterine contractility, which may then help to clarify clinical relevance.     

Differential response of cull cow muscles to the hypertrophic actions of ractopamine-hydrogen chloride

Ractopamine-HCl (RAC) is a beta-adrenergic agonist with variable effects on cattle performance and carcass variables. Cull cows fed RAC (200 mg . head(-1) . d(-1)) demonstrate an increased size of type I and II muscle fibers that does not translate into a larger ribeye area. The objective of this study was to examine the dose-dependent effects of RAC on cull cow muscle morphometrics. Eighty-eight cull beef cows representing 2 breed types (n = 44 each) were fed 0, 100, 200, and 300 mg . head(-1) . d(-1) of RAC for the last 28 d of a 54-d feeding period. On d 54, cows were slaughtered, and samples of the LM and semimembranosus muscle (SM) from 16 randomly selected carcasses (n = 4 per treatment) were taken for measurement of beta (2)-adrenergic receptors and type I, IIA, and IIX myosin heavy chain (MyHC) gene expression. Twenty-four hours postmortem, LM, SM, infraspinatus (INF), and vastus lateralis samples from 40 randomly selected carcasses (n = 10 per treatment) were obtained and frozen for immunohistochemical analysis. Muscle fiber cross-sectional area and diameter, MyHC isoform expression, and fiber-associated nuclei numbers were measured. Ractopamine dosage exhibited differential effects on muscle morphometrics and MyHC gene expression. Muscle fiber cross-sectional area and diameter were increased (P < 0.05) by RAC in INF type I and IIA fibers and SM type IIA fibers. Ractopamine increased (P < 0.05) MyHC type IIX mRNA and tended to increase (P < 0.10) beta(2)-adrenergic receptors in the SM; a change in mRNA abundance was not detected for either gene in the LM. Treatment with RAC decreased (P < 0.05) fiber-associated nuclei numbers in the INF, vastus lateralis, and LM but did not affect (P > 0.05) MyHC or beta-adrenergic receptor expression. These results indicate that cull cow feeding programs may consider supplementing RAC as a means of adding value to cuts within the chuck, such as the INF.     

Paraventricular alpha1- and alpha2-adrenergic receptors mediate hindbrain lipoprivation-induced suppression of luteinizing hormone pulses in female rats

Acute central lipoprivation suppresses pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) release and increases blood glucose levels through noradrenergic input to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in female rats. The present study was conducted to identify adrenergic receptor subtypes involved in central lipoprivation-induced suppression of pulsatile LH secretion and increases in plasma glucose levels in female rats. Acute hindbrain lipoprivation was produced by injection into the fourth cerebroventricle (4V) of 2-mercaptoacetate (MA), an inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation, in estradiol-implanted ovariectomized rats. Two min before MA injection, alpha1-, alpha2- or beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist was injected into the PVN. Injection of MA into the 4V suppresses pulsatile LH release in PVN vehicle-treated rats, whereas pretreatment of animals with injection of alpha1- or alpha2-adrenergic antagonist into the PVN blocked the effect of the 4V MA injection on LH pulses. beta-Adrenergic antagonist did not affect MA-induced suppression of LH pulses. The counter-regulatory increase in plasma glucose levels after 4V MA injection was also partially blocked by pretreatment with alpha1- and alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonists. These results suggest that alpha1- and alpha2-adrenergic receptors in the PVN mediate hindbrain lipoprivation-induced suppression of LH release and counter-regulatory increases in plasma glucose levels in female rats.     

Beta-adrenergic receptor activity in ponies with recurrent obstructive pulmonary disease.

Pulmonary function measurements were made in control ponies and in ponies with recurrent obstructive pulmonary disease (principals) during clinical remission and during an attack of acute airway obstruction. The ponies were given beta-adrenergic antagonists and agonists to determine the role of beta receptors in recurrent obstructive pulmonary disease, and to determine the subtypes of beta receptors mediating bronchodilation in ponies. Aerosol administration of the beta antagonists, propranolol (beta 1 and beta 2), atenolol (beta 1), and butoxamine (beta 2) decreased dynamic compliance (Cdyn) and increased pulmonary resistance (RL) in the principal ponies during airway obstruction, but were without effect when the ponies were in clinical remission. Intravenous administration of atropine reversed the effect of atenolol on Cdyn and RL, but was without effect on the decrease in Cdyn and increase in RL observed after butoxamine administration. The beta antagonists did not affect airway function in the control ponies. The effect of beta blockade on Cdyn and RL suggests beta-adrenergic activation in the central and peripheral airways of principal ponies, mediated through both beta 2- and beta 1-adrenergic receptors. The aerosol beta agonists, isoproterenol (beta 1 and beta 2), and clenbuterol (beta 2) attenuated histamine-induced airway obstruction to a similar extent in control ponies that were given histamine IV. In addition, the beta 1 antagonist, atenolol, did not attenuate the bronchodilation observed with isoproterenol. We concluded that, although beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors exist in pony airways and are activated during acute airway obstruction, bronchodilation in response to beta agonists in ponies seems to be mediated primarily by beta 2-adrenergic receptors.     

奶牛乳腺中4F2hc基因的表达模式及亮氨酸对其表达的调控研究

为了研究4F2hc在奶牛乳腺中的表达模式及调控方式，进一步明确氨基酸在奶牛乳腺上皮细胞中的跨膜转运过程，本研究采用Western blotting和实时荧光定量PCR技术检测了4F2hc在泌乳期和干奶期奶牛乳腺组织中的表达变化；在体外培养的泌乳期奶牛乳腺上皮细胞中添加亮氨酸，采用Western blotting和实时荧光定量PCR技术检测其对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞中4F2hc表达的影响；采用雷帕霉素抑制剂抑制mTOR信号通路，使用Western blotting方法检测mTOR信号抑制后奶牛乳腺上皮细胞中4F2hc表达以及乳蛋白合成的变化。结果显示，在泌乳期的奶牛乳腺组织中4F2hc的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均显著或极显著高于干奶期（P<0.05，P<0.01）；在体外培养的奶牛乳腺上皮细胞中添加亮氨酸可以极显著提高乳腺上皮细胞中4F2hc的mRNA和蛋白质表达水平（P<0.01）；亮氨酸刺激可以激活细胞内的mTOR信号通路（P<0.05），而雷帕霉素处理则可以显著抑制mTOR信号分子的磷酸化并极显著抑制亮氨酸诱导的4F2hc的表达（P<0.05，P<0.01），进而极显著抑制β-Casein的合成（P<0.01）。以上研究结果表明，4F2hc基因的表达与奶牛乳腺的泌乳活性之间呈正相关，亮氨酸可以通过激活mTOR信号通路来调节4F2hc基因的表达，进而影响乳蛋白的合成。     

奶牛乳腺炎模型的建立及炎症相关因子基因mRNA转录水平的分析

旨在探讨金黄色葡萄球菌（S.aureus）型和大肠杆菌（E.coli）型乳腺炎奶牛乳腺组织的炎症相关因子基因的mRNA转录水平。将10⁵ CFU·mL^-1的S.aureus和E.coli经乳导管分别注入奶牛乳房,在感染第7天采用活体无菌手术法采集乳腺组织,并采用组织HE染色和免疫荧光法进行乳腺炎模型的鉴定;利用qPCR分别检测了2个诱导组和对照组奶牛乳腺组织的趋化因子家族（CCL2、CCL8、CXCR1、CXCL2和CXCL13）、补体因子（CFI和CFB）、自噬调节因子DEPP1和白细胞介素受体IL21R共9个基因的mRNA转录水平。结果显示：与对照组相比,TLR4/NF-κB炎症相关信号通路中的关键分子（TLR4、NF-κB和TNFα）在2个诱导组乳腺组织中的蛋白表达水平均极显著上调（P<0.01）;结合HE染色结果,表明本试验成功构建了2种类型的奶牛乳腺炎活体模型。mRNA转录水平的检测结果表明,与对照组相比,7个基因（CCL2、CCL8、CXCR1、CXCL2、CFI、CFB和IL21R）在2个诱导组乳腺组织中的mRNA转录水平均极显著上调（P<0.001）,CXCL13的mRNA转录水平仅在S.aurues诱导组乳腺组织中极显著上调（P<0.01）;DEPP1的mRNA转录水平在2个诱导组中均极显著下调（P<0.01）。此外,CCL2、CCL8、CXCR1、CFI和IL21R共5个基因在E.coli诱导组中的mRNA转录水平均极显著高于S.aureus组（P<0.01）。S.aureus和E.coli感染均可导致奶牛产生严重的临床乳腺炎症状,并促使上述炎症相关基因的mRNA转录水平在乳腺组织中发生变化,以应对乳腺炎症的发生与发展过程;趋化因子CCL2等5个基因在E.coli诱导组中的mRNA转录水平显著高于S.aureus诱导组,解释了E.coli常常能引起急性乳腺炎,而S.aureus可引起慢性乳腺炎的原因。上述结果可为深入研究不同类型乳腺炎的分子调控机制提供参考。     

Gene expression and hormonal regulation of adiponectin and its receptors in bovine mammary gland and mammary epithelial cells

Although the functions of adiponectin, a differentiated adipocyte‐derived hormone, in regulating glucose and fatty acid metabolism are regulated by two subtypes of adiponectin receptors (AdipoRs; AdipoR1 and AdipoR2), those in ruminants remain unclear. Therefore we examined the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of adiponectin and its receptors in various bovine tissues and mammary glands among different lactation stages, and the effects of lactogenic hormones (insulin, dexamethasone and prolactin) and growth hormone (GH) on mRNA expression of the AdipoRs in cultured bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC). AdipoRs mRNAs were widely expressed in various bovine tissues, but adiponectin mRNA expression was significantly higher in adipose tissue than in other tissues. In the mammary gland, although adiponectin mRNA expression was significantly decreased at lactation, AdipoR1 mRNA expression was significantly higher at peak lactation than at the dry‐off stage. In BMEC, lactogenic hormones and GH upregulated AdipoR2 mRNA expression but did not change that of AdipoR1. In conclusion, adiponectin and its receptor mRNA were expressed in various bovine tissues and the adiponectin mRNA level was decreased during lactation. These results suggest that adiponectin and its receptors ware changed in mammary glands by lactation and that AdipoRs mRNA expression was regulated by different pathways in BMEC.     

Distribution of muscarinic receptor subtypes and interstitial cells of Cajal in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy dairy cows

OBJECTIVE: To describe the distribution of muscarinic receptor subtypes M(1) to M(5) and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy dairy cows. SAMPLE POPULATION: Full-thickness samples were collected from the fundus, corpus, and pyloric part of the abomasum and from the duodenum, ileum, cecum, proximal loop of the ascending colon, and both external loops of the spiral colon of 5 healthy dairy cows after slaughter. PROCEDURES: Samples were fixed in paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. Muscarinic receptor subtypes and ICCs were identified by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Staining for M(1) receptors was found in the submucosal plexus and myenteric plexus. Antibodies against M(2) receptors stained nuclei of smooth muscle cells only. Evidence of M(3) receptors was found in the lamina propria, in intramuscular neuronal terminals, on intermuscular nerve fibers, and on myocytes of microvessels. There was no staining for M(4) receptors. Staining for M(5) receptors was evident in the myocytes of microvessels and in smooth muscle cells. The ICCs were detected in the myenteric plexus and within smooth muscle layers. Distribution among locations of the bovine gastrointestinal tract did not differ for muscarinic receptor subtypes or ICCs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The broad distribution of M(1), M(3), M(5), and ICCs in the bovine gastrointestinal tract indicated that these components are likely to play an important role in the regulation of gastrointestinal tract motility in healthy dairy cows. Muscarinic receptors and ICCs may be implicated in the pathogenesis of motility disorders, such as abomasal displacement and cecal dilatation-dislocation.     

中国荷斯坦奶牛CCR5基因克隆、生物信息学及表达分析

试验旨在克隆中国荷斯坦奶牛CC趋化因子受体5(C-C chemokine receptor type 5,CCR5)基因,对其进行生物信息学分析,并探究CCR5基因在奶牛炎性和健康组织中的表达水平。采用PCR技术扩增并克隆荷斯坦奶牛CCR5基因CDS区全长序列,连接pMD18-T载体并转化大肠杆菌DH5α感受态细胞,通过蓝白斑方法筛选阳性克隆并测序,对序列进行相似性比对及系统进化树构建;应用多种在线生物信息学软件对其编码蛋白进行分析,并利用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测CCR5基因在健康和炎症奶牛乳腺组织中的表达情况。结果显示,中国荷斯坦奶牛CCR5基因CDS区全长1 059 bp,编码352个氨基酸。相似性和遗传进化分析结果显示,奶牛CCR5基因与绵羊的遗传距离最近,高达96.0%,与鸡遗传关系最远,为61.0%,且在不同物种之间CCR5基因高度保守。中国荷斯坦奶牛CCR5蛋白分子质量为40.235 ku,理论等电点(pI)为9.30,为疏水性蛋白但不是分泌蛋白,主要存在于细胞质内;在CCR5蛋白二级结构中α-螺旋和无规则卷曲分别占51.14%和32.95%,三级结构模型预测结果与二级结构一致。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,CCR5基因在健康奶牛乳腺组织中的表达量极显著低于炎性奶牛乳腺组织(P<0.01),提示其可能参与奶牛乳腺炎的发生过程。本试验结果为进一步研究奶牛CCR5蛋白的功能提供了理论依据,对探究奶牛CCR5基因在奶牛乳腺炎中的调控功能等具有重要意义。