Progesterone concentration in defatted milk of dairy cows in early pregnancy.

Progesterone concentrations have been measured in defatted milk of British Friesian cows of four herds during the oestrus cycles (other than short cycles) immediately before artificial insemination (AI) at oestrus and immediately after AI (in non-pregnant cows), and during early pregnancy. Differences in mean progesterone concentrations between herds were significant (P less than 0.05) on all days within the day 10-18 period after AI, both in pregnant and in non-pregnant, inseminated cows but were not significant between pregnant and non-pregnant cows within herds until day 17 or 18. It is concluded that up to this time (that of luteolysis in non-pregnant cows) undefined factors, variable among herds, can have a much greater influence on the rate of progesterone secretion by corpora lutea and consequent progesterone concentration in plasma and milk than does the presence of conceptuses. Maximum mean progesterone concentration reached during early pregnancy in two herds did not differ significantly; it was reached in the 11-15-day period in one herd but not until 46-50 days in the second. Mean progesterone concentration declined after day 90.     

Concentrations of luteinising hormone and progesterone in pregnant and non-pregnant heifers

An experiment was conducted to determine if concentrations of luteinising hormone or progesterone were different in pregnant or non-pregnant heifers for seven days before and 20 days after a successful or non-successful insemination. Heifers with an oestrous cycle length of 18 to 24 days only were used and they were bled at 08.00, 16.00 and 24.00 each day for seven days before and for 20 days after insemination with thawed semen (treatment 1) or semen diluent (treatment 2). Animals allocated to treatment 3 had the embryo nonsurgically flushed from the uterus at days 10 to 12 while animals allocated to treatment 4 were inseminated with semen diluent and then had a viable embryo transferred to the uterus between days 10 and 12. All animals were slaughtered between 19 and 21 days after insemination and pregnancy rate determined. There were no differences in basal luteinising hormone levels between treatments. Blood concentrations of progesterone were not different before insemination and for 16 days after insemination for pregnant (11 out of 15) and non-pregnant heifers (14) allocated to treatments 1 and 2. Between days 17 and 20, progesterone concentrations declined in non-pregnant heifers. Transfer of an embryo to non-pregnant heifers on day 10 to 12, did not affect progesterone concentrations, but non-surgical flushing of the embryo caused a decline in blood concentrations of progesterone. It was concluded that basal blood concentrations of luteinising hormone and progesterone, in samples taken three times daily were not different in pregnant or non-pregnant heifers before and for 16 days after insemination.     

Changes in Blood Glucose,Plasma Non-esterified Fatty Acids and Insulin in Pregnant and Non-pregnant Goats

The blood glucose and the plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and insulin concentrations were estimated in jugular blood samples from 18 Alpine×Beetal and Sannen×Beetal goats during pregnancy and compared with samples from non-pregnant goats and from goats during the periparturient period. The blood glucose levels in the pregnant goats rose to a peak of about 60±1.36 mg/ml at 42–56 days and then declined to about 46±2.37 mg/ml at 112–126 days. In non-pregnant goats, the blood glucose levels were significantly (p<0.01) higher than in pregnant goats, except between days 42 and 70 (59±1.36 mg/ml). On the day of kidding, the levels declined significantly (p<0.01), increasing again thereafter. The plasma NEFA concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant goats from days 56 to 126. The NEFA concentration increased on the day of kidding, followed by a transient fall by day 3. The plasma insulin concentration was usually higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant goats, except between days 56 and 70 and from day 126 onwards. The insulin concentration fell late in pregnancy, but there was a transient increase 2 days after parturition. The blood glucose and plasma NEFA concentrations can be used as indices of nutritional status during pregnancy in goats.     

Experimental studies on the stimulation of prenatal development in swine by PMSG treatment in early pregnancy. 2. Analytic studies of hormones in young sows after PMSG treatment on the 11th day of pregnancy

Tens gilts received 400 I.U. of Pregmagon on the 11th day of pregnancy (day of KB2 = 1 day of pregnancy), while 8 sows were used as controls. Blood was sampled 4 times a day between the 11th and 25th day of pregnancy, with an indwelling catheter being used. Progesterone, oestradiol-17 beta, and luteinising hormone were radio-immunologically determined. The hormone profiles of pregnant sows were found to differ unambiguously from those of non-pregnant animals for both concentrations and frequencies. They were indicative of close correlations and time links of gonadotrophic and steroid hormones in early pregnancy and in oestrus. PMSG treatment in pregnancy resulted in increase in the oestradiol-17 beta concentration and attenuation in pulsatile luteinising hormone release at the time of implantation. Progesterone concentrations in peripheral blood were not affected by PMSG injection.     

不同泌乳相关激素和生长因子对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞增殖的影响

本研究旨在探讨不同泌乳相关激素和生长因子对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞增殖的影响及其与细胞外基质主要成分层黏连蛋白的关系。将正常的荷斯坦泌乳期奶牛乳腺上皮细胞进行体外培养,在未包被或包被层黏连蛋白的条件下,以MTT法检测催乳素(PRL)、牛生长激素(GH)、类胰岛素生长因子-1(IGF-Ⅰ)、类胰岛素生长因子-2(IGF-Ⅱ)对细胞增殖作用的影响。在层黏连蛋白包被条件下,进行血清恢复的同时添加不同泌乳相关激素和生长因子,GH、IGF-Ⅰ有促进细胞增殖的作用(P<0.05),PRL、IGF-Ⅱ有维持细胞存活的作用(P<0.05);无血清时,几种激素和生长因子单独添加均无明显促增殖效应(P>0.05)。无基质条件下,与血清联合使用时,PRL、GH、IGF-Ⅰ、IGF-Ⅱ均对细胞生长有不同程度促进作用(P<0.05);无血清时,仅IGF-Ⅰ使细胞增殖速率显著加快(P<0.05)。层黏连蛋白作为培养基质对于体外培养的泌乳乳腺上皮细胞生长速度没有显著促进作用,但有利于PRL和IGF-Ⅱ发挥促存活作用。PRL、GH、IGF-Ⅰ、IGF-Ⅱ对细胞增殖和存活有促进作用,但需要与血清中其他成分协同才能充分发挥作用,其中IGF-Ⅰ促增殖能力最强。     

陆川猪和大白猪胰岛素样生长因子2基因对生长性状的效应分析

试验旨在探讨陆川猪和大白猪胰岛素样生长因子2(insulin-like growth factor-2,IGF2)基因多态性与生长性状的关系,以期为猪生产性状标记辅助选择侯选基因的选择提供理论依据。采用PCR-SSCP技术,在陆川猪和大白猪群体中检测到了1个SNP位点,并将这个SNP位点与生长性状进行关联分析。结果表明,IGF2基因对陆川猪和大白猪初生重、平均日增重影响均显著(P<0.05),对断奶重的影响在大白猪上显著(P<0.05),在陆川猪上不显著(P>0.05),可作为用于育种实践的分子遗传标记。     

Effect of genistein on IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 in young and aged female rat ovary

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of genistein (GEN) on expression of insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP‐1) in young and aged rat ovary. Forty young female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (200 ± 20 g) and forty aged female SD rats (490 ± 20 g) were selected and according to weight, they were divided into the following five groups with eight animals in each: negative control group (NC), low‐dose group (L), middle‐dose group (M), high‐dose group (H) and positive control group (PC). GEN group received GEN of 15, 30, 60 mg/kg respectively. It lasted 30 days. Concentrations of serum hormones, IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gene and protein expressions of IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 were determined by real‐time PCR and Western blot respectively. Compared with NC, GEN significantly increased oestradiol‐17β(E₂) level in aged rat, reduced luteinizing hormone (LH) level in young and aged rat. Serum levels of IGFBP‐1 in young rats were significantly higher in GEN groups (p < 0.05). mRNA and protein expression levels of IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 were positively correlated with GEN dose. GEN could significantly reduce the ratio of IGF‐1/IGFBP‐1 of aged rats. Multivariate Cox regression analysis result showed IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 levels significantly correlated with GEN dose. We speculate that there is an association between the addition of GEN and expression of IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1, and the relationship between them is different in young and aged rat.     

Periparturient endocrine and metabolic changes in healthy cows and in cows affected by mastitis

Transition from pregnancy to lactation in dairy cows involves considerable metabolic adaptation. Additional stress is incurred during infections such as periparturient mastitis. Multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows kept under normal production conditions (n = 15) were used to evaluate changes in circulating metabolite and hormone concentrations from 5 days before to 5 days after calving. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) profiles were also monitored. Marked time-related changes were observed for plasma thyroid hormone, IGF, cortisol, insulin, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations but not for plasma leptin. A decrease in IGF-II concentration and maximal intensity of the putative IGFBP-1 band occurred at parturition. When compared with the five healthy cows,low IGF-II levels were prolonged to day 2 post-partum in five cows with Escherichia coli-associated mastitis. However, marked decreases in IGFBP-2 band intensity were evident only in two of the four cases examined. Individual total ligand (IGF-I + IGF-II) concentration and IGFBP pattern prepartum were largely regained 5 days post-partum in all cows. Hormone and metabolite concentrations in the two cows with Staphylococcus aureus-associated mastitis were very similar to those in the five healthy cows. Plasma thyroxine (T4) was lower 2 days prepartum in the cows, which later developed Gram-negative mastitis. Multiregression analysis showed that variance in T4 concentration was significantly and independently associated with triiodothyronine (T3) and IGF-I positively and with cortisol negatively (R2 = 0.648). This study confirms the close inter-relationship between the thyroid hormone and IGF axes in cattle and indicates possible effects of Gram-negative mastitis infection on IGF-II metabolism.     

Inhibitory effect of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-7 (IGFBP7) on in vitro angiogenesis of vascular endothelial cells in the rat corpus luteum

Angiogenesis in the developing corpus luteum (CL) is a prerequisite for establishment and maintenance of an early pregnancy. To explore the physiological significance of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-7 (IGFBP7) in the developing CL, the effects of IGFBP7 on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA)- and luteinizing hormone (LH)-induced in vitro tube formation were tested using isolated luteal microvascular endothelial cells (LECs). Capillary-like tube formation of LECs and their proliferation were stimulated by both VEGFA and LH. IGFBP7 treatment suppressed VEGFA- or LH-induced tube formation. The proliferation and migration of LECs, and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 were inhibited by IGFBP7. Furthermore, IGFBP7 attenuated VEGFA-enhanced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA expression and prostaglandin E₂ secretion. These findings suggest the possibility that luteal IGFBP7 secretion may suppress the stimulatory effect of VEGFA on angiogenesis in the early CL.     

Endocrine Changes after Mating in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Llamas and Alpacas

Plasma concentrations of oestradiol-17ß, progesterone, 15-keto–dihydro–PGF_2α and luteinizing hormone (LH) were monitored in llamas and alpacas after mating with an intact male. Concentrations of LH and PGF_2α metabolite were high immediately after copulation. Ovulation occurred in 92% of the animals. The first significant increases in progesterone were recorded on day 4 after mating. In non-pregnant animals the lifespan of the corpus luteum was estimated to be 8–9 days. Luteolysis occurred in association with the release of PGF_2α. In pregnant animals, a transient decrease in progesterone concentrations was observed between days 8 and 18 in both species. No significant changes in PGF_2α secretion were registered during this period. Oes– tradiol–17ß concentrations were high on the day of mating, declined to low values on day 4, and started to increase again on day 8. Peak values after luteolysis in non-pregnant animals were significantly higher than those registered in pregnant ones. Furthermore, concentrations of oestradiol-17ß were elevated for a longer period in non–pregnant than in pregnant animals. The results suggest that progesterone from the corpus luteum exerts a negative influence on follicular activity in pregnant animals by reducing oes– tradiol-17ß secretion.     

金雀异黄素对雌性大鼠体内促性腺激素及胰岛素样生长因子表达的影响

本试验旨在研究金雀异黄素(genistein,GEN)对雌性大鼠体内促性腺激素及胰岛素样生长因子表达的影响。选取40只SD雌性大鼠[体重(200±20)g],随机分为5组,分别为阴性对照(NC)组、GEN低(L)、中(M)、高剂量(H)组及阳性对照(PC)组,每组8只,NC组灌胃花生油(其他组灌胃试剂以此为溶剂);L、M、H组分别灌胃15、30、60 mg/(kg BW·d)GEN,PC组灌胃己烯雌酚0.5 mg/(kg BW·d)。试验期30 d。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测血清中卵泡刺激素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)、胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)、胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-1(IGFBP-1)含量;实时定量PCR法检测卵巢IGF-1、IGFBP-1 mRNA表达水平。结果表明:与NC组比较,试验组血清中FSH、LH含量有升高趋势,但差异不显著(P0.05),作用效果与PC组一致;试验组血清IGF-1含量略有降低,但差异不显著(P0.05),PC组显著降低(P0.05);试验组血清IGFBP-1含量显著或极显著升高(P0.05或P0.01),PC组显著升高(P0.05);试验组卵巢组织中IGF-1、IGFBP-1 mRNA表达水平均升高,其中M、H组显著升高(P0.05),与PC组变化一致。由此可见,GEN能够提高雌性大鼠血清FSH、LH含量、降低血清IGF-1含量、提高血清IGFBP-1含量,同时提高卵巢中IG FBP-1、IG F-1 mRNA的表达水平,这些指标协同作用于卵巢,能够促进卵泡的成熟,调节卵巢功能。     

Cytokines, Growth Factors and Prostaglandin Synthesis in the Uterus of Pregnant and Non-pregnant Bitches: The Features of Placental Sites

Uterine tissue from pregnant bitches was investigated by qualitative RT-PCR for the gene expression of local factors potentially important for the implantation of canine embryos. For this purpose, 10 bitches identified as being at the time of implantation or early placentation by means of ultrasonography before ovariohysterectomy (days 20–35, n = 10) provided tissues for comparison to tissue collected in a previous study and identified as early pregnant (n = 10) or non-pregnant (n = 4) by embryo flushing after ovariohysterectomy (days 10–12 after mating; Schäfer-Somi et al. 2008 ). Uterine tissue was excised from the middle of the left horn from early pregnant and non-pregnant animals, including from interplacental and placentation sites. The following genes were investigated: CD-4, -8; cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, -2; granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF); hepatocyte growth factor (HGF); insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, -2; transforming growth factor (TGF) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α; interferon (IFN)-γ; interleukin (IL)-1β, -2, -4, -6, -8, -10, -12; leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and leptin. Gene expression for CD-8, COX-1, TGF-β, HGF, IGF-1, IL-2, -4,-10, IFN-γ and LIF were detected in the pre-implantation uterus, and all except IL-2 and -10 were still detectable during the implantation and placentation stage. During implantation, mRNA for IGF-2 and GM-CSF were additionally detected. The dioestrous uterus differed from the pregnant uterus because of the absence of CD-8, IL-4 and IFN-γ and the expression of CD-4, TNF-α and IL-6. The results suggest that IL-4, IFN-γ, CD-8, GM-CSF and IGF-2 are regulated in a pregnancy-specific manner and that GM-CSF and IGF-2 probably have growth supporting and immune modulating functions during implantation of the canine embryo.     

Endometrial gene expression in primiparous dairy cows at the end of the voluntary waiting period is affected by nutrition: Total mixed ration vs increasing levels of herbage allowance

The study postulated that differential nutritional management during the early lactation period would be reflected in endometrial expression of genes related to embryo growth at the end of the voluntary waiting period. Thus, the effect of the combined use of total mixed ration (TMR) and grazing under different herbage allowances during the first 75 days post‐partum (DPP) on endometrial gene expression was evaluated in primiparous dairy cows. Cows were blocked by body weight, age and body condition score and randomly assigned to three grazing treatments: high (HA, 30 kg DM per cow per day), medium (MA, 15 kg DM per cow per day) and low (LA, 7.5 kg DM per cow per day) herbage allowance (mixed pasture, 2,600 kg DM per ha) plus 8 kg DM of supplement or TMR (55% forage, 45% concentrate) fed ad libitum (TMR) from calving to 75 DPP. At 57 DPP, cows were synchronized for oestrus (day 0, 68 DPP) and at day 7, endometrial biopsies were obtained. The nutritional treatment did not affect insulin, IGF‐1 and leptin concentrations on days 0, 4 or 7. Expression of IGF1, IGFBP3, IGFBP4, ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 mRNA was significantly affected by the nutritional treatment. Endometrial IGF1 and IGFBP4 mRNA were twofold greater in TMR and HA than MA and LA cows. Expression of IGFBP3 and ADIPOR1 mRNAs was greater in TMR and HA than MA cows, but did not differ from LA cows. All groups had greater expression of ADIPOR2 mRNA than MA cows. This study provided solid evidence of the importance of nutritional management during early lactation on uterine environment at the end of the voluntary waiting period. The greater expression of genes related to embryo growth and uterine function (IGF system, progesterone and adiponectin receptors) in cows fed diets maximizing energy intake suggests a favourable environment for embryonic growth, which may explain the improved reproductive performance of cows in good energy balance.     

Fluorometric detection of platelet activating factor receptor in cultured oviductal epithelial and stromal cells and endometrial stromal cells from bovine at different stages of the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy.

During the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy, the oviduct and uterus undergo a variety of morphological and physiological modifications in which the platelet activating factor receptor (PAF-R) plays an important role. PAF-R levels were quantified in bovine oviductal epithelial and stromal cells and endometrial stromal cells at days 2 to 4, 12, and 20 of the estrous cycle and during early pregnancy. Cells were grown in vitro and their intracellular PAF-R concentration was measured by flow cytometry using a polyclonal anti-PAF-R antibody system. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in the portion of PAF-R-positive oviductal epithelial and stromal cells was detected in both non-pregnant and pregnant cattle on days 2 to 4 in comparison to day 12 and 20. In endometrial stromal cells derived from day 20 pregnant bovine, a significant increase (P < 0.05) in PAF-R staining was observed in comparison to the day 20 non-pregnant and days 2 to 4 or 12 pregnant and non-pregnant animals. The PAF-R was detected in oviductal cells by using immunoblotting and immuno-gold postembedding method. Positive binding of the anti-PAF-R antibody was found on the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm. We concluded that the increased PAF-R concentration measured in cultured oviductal epithelial and stromal cells of cyclic and pregnant heifers on days 2 to 4 was hormonally regulated. The increased PAF-R in endometrial stromal cells on day 20 of pregnant heifers was a pregnancy-specific effect and may mediate a local increase in endometrial vascular permeability known to precede the implantation.     

灌胃左旋甲状腺素(L-T4)对妊娠小鼠胎盘中DIO3基因表达及胚胎数的影响

旨在探究小鼠胚胎发育过程中DIO3的表达模式和灌胃左旋甲状腺素(L-T4)对孕鼠胎盘中DIO3基因表达和胚胎数的影响,以期为研究妊娠期母体甲状腺激素异常提供基础数据.本研究以6周龄健康昆明小鼠(雌鼠70只,雄鼠35只)为试验对象.雌鼠经适应性饲养1周后,腹腔灌胃10 U PMSG(溶于0.3 mL生理盐水),正常饲喂4...     

Concentration of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in bovine peripheral blood during pregnancy

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is a hemopoietic cytokine with a primary role in placental physiology. Gene expression of M-CSF in the bovine endometrium shows a temporal upward trend during early and mid pregnancy. This study determined the plasma M-CSF levels during pregnancy using ELISA. In experiment 1, to investigate the relationship between the concentration of M-CSF in peripheral blood and pregnancy, the plasma M-CSF levels were determined in 125 pregnant and 21 non-pregnant Japanese Black cows. The pregnant animals were divided into nine groups based on the month of pregnancy. An ELISA for bovine M-CSF established previously was used according to the authors' instructions. In experiment 2, the plasma M-CSF level was determined to investigate the temporal changes in its concentration in the peripheral blood during pregnancy. In experiment 1, the plasma M-CSF level varied from month to month during pregnancy; the mean level in the first-month of pregnancy was significantly higher than those in the third and last months of pregnancy and non-pregnancy (P<0.05). In experiment 2, the plasma M-CSF level varied with the day of pregnancy (P<0.05). The mean level of plasma M-CSF decreased gradually until 6 weeks of pregnancy; it appeared to increase during weeks 7-9, then varied with several small peaks until 27 weeks of pregnancy and finally decreased gradually until parturition. These results suggest that the plasma M-CSF level may be related to changes in the uterus and placenta as pregnancy progresses.