Leptin: a possible metabolic signal affecting reproduction

Since its discovery in 1994, leptin, a protein hormone synthesized and secreted by adipose tissue, has been shown to regulate feed intake in several species including sheep and pigs. Although a nimiety of information exists regarding the physiological role of leptin in rodents and humans, the regulation and action of leptin in domestic animals is less certain. Emerging evidence in several species indicates that leptin may also affect the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. Leptin receptor mRNA is present in the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus of several species, including sheep. In rats, effects of leptin on GnRH, LH and FSH secretion have been inconsistent, with leptin exhibiting both stimulatory and inhibitory action in vivo and in vitro. Evidence to support direct action of leptin at the level of the gonad indicates that the leptin receptor and its mRNA are present in ovarian tissue of several species, including cattle. These leptin receptors are functional, since leptin inhibits insulin-induced steroidogenesis of both granulosa and thecal cells of cattle in vitro. Leptin receptor mRNA is also found in the testes of rodents. As with the ovary, these receptors are functional, at least in rats, since leptin inhibits hCG-induced testosterone secretion by Leydig cells in vitro. During pregnancy, placental production of leptin may be a major contributor to the increase in maternal leptin in primates but not rodents. However, in both primates and rodents, leptin receptors exist in placental tissues and may regulate metabolism of the fetal-placental unit. As specific leptin immunoassays are developed for domestic animals, in vivo associations may then be made among leptin, body energy stores, dietary energy intake and reproductive function. This may lead to a more definitive role of leptin in domestic animal reproduction.     

Experimental studies on the impact of an increased dose of anionic salts on the metabolism of dairy cows

Summary

This study was initiated to investigate the influence of a daily dose of anionic salts (AS) above the valid upper limit at present on metabolism of dairy cows. Eleven non‐pregnant and non‐lactating Holstein‐Friesian crossbred cows with a permanent rumen cannula were used in a study with a controlled feeding design. The initial daily dose was 2500 meq/day, which resulted in a Dietary Cation Anion Difference (DCAD) of ‐211 meq/kg dry matter. Every seven days, the daily dose was raised by 500 meq. If a cow stopped eating, the application of AS was stopped and these cows were monitored over the next seven days. On day 30 another batch of hay, having the same DCAD but higher concentrations of minerals and energy, was fed. Blood and urine samples were taken to monitor acid‐base balance and calcium concentrations. Acid‐base balance was strongly influenced by AS. Blood pH dropped steadily and reached values around 7.23. Urine pH dropped quickly below 6 and remained at that level regardless of the increased dosage of AS. Net acid base excretion (NABE) fell continuously with the increase of the dosage of AS and reached values below ‐200 mmol/l. Calcium concentrations in the serum were nearly stable, but those in urine increased sharply and remained on an elevated level with increasing doses of AS. A few days before the individual cow's refusal of feed intake, calcium excretion in urine decreased. The majority of cows stopped eating while consuming a diet containing 3500 to 4000 meq AS except two animals who consumed up to 6000 meq/day AS but they received the better hay in the second half of the treatment period. In this time pH in blood increased slowly. NABE remained stable on a low level at ‐100 mmol/l. The results showed that with an increasing amount of AS fed the risk of clinical acidosis increased. The decreasing urine concentrations of calcium indicate a breakdown of the compensation capability of the single cow. Besides the dose of AS fed, the quality of the feed stuff might be another factor concerning the tolerance of cows against AS.     

Purine Alkaloids and their Metabolism in Camellia Sinensis and Related Species简

Caffeine,theobromine and theophylline are the major purine alkaloids found in Camellia sinensis.Theacrine was detected in a special Chinese tea plant named kucha （Camellia kucha）.With tracer experiments,the metabolism pathway of these purine alkaloids has mostly been explored.The isolation and cloning of the genes encoding enzymes in the related pathway made it possible to develop methods to control caffeine level in tea products via transgenic technique.Further study on the kucha species would be helpful to obtain materials for processing naturally caffeine-less tea.However,there is still a long way to go in this direction such as sensory improvement of products prepared using leaves of kucha.     

Metabolism of energy substrates of in vitro and in vivo derived embryos from ewes synchronized and super ovulated with norgestomet and porcine follicle stimulating hormone

The synchronization and ovulatory responses of Sangsari cross bred ewes and metabolism of energy substrates in 8-cell stage embryos to hatched blastocysts stage produced in vitro or in vivo were investigated. Ewes were assigned randomly to receive 37.5 IU of porcine follicle stimulating hormone (FSH-P) daily for the 3 days preceding implant removal (Day 0). Synchronization of estrus was carried out using a 1.5 mg norgestomet (Crestar) ear implant for 12 days. Ewes in estrus were mated two to three times with rams of proven fertility. At the time of first mating each ewe was administered 1000 IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) to induce ovulation. Surgical embryo recovery was performed on Days 4 and 6 after onset of estrus (Day 0) and recovered embryos were subjected to comparative metabolism studies with in vitro derived embryos at the same stage of development. The number of corpora lutea (CL), unovulated follicles and overall ovarian activity were recorded for each ewe during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. While the pattern of oxidation was similar among in vitro and in vivo derived embryos, a low pyruvate to lactate ratio was the preferred substrate of embryos derived in vitro. A high level of production of CO2 and lactate resulted from a stress response to the suboptimal culture environment. The first marked increase in the metabolism of glucose by ovine embryos was detected in compact morula stage, but there was no significant increase in the oxidation of glucose after the morula stage. Two different concentrations of glucose were compared, but this did not affect metabolism. However, the rate of incorporation and metabolism of glucose tended to be higher at the 0.56 mmol/L glucose dosage.     

一氧化氮信号途径参与草地早熟禾耐镉机制的研究

为探究信号分子一氧化氮（Nitric Oxide,NO）对镉（Cadmium,Cd）胁迫下草地早熟禾（Poa pratensis）的调控机理,揭示草地早熟禾耐镉机理,本试验采取根施1000 μmol·L^-1氯化镉（Cadmium chloride hemidihydrate,CdCl₂·2.5H₂O）及叶面喷施NO合成酶抑制剂（L-硝基精氨酸甲酯（L-NAME））、硝酸还原酶抑制剂（钨酸钠（Tungstate））、NO清除剂（4-羧基苯-4,4,5,5-四甲基咪唑-1-氧-3-氧化物（cPTIO））处理草地早熟禾叶片,研究不同处理对草地早熟禾幼苗叶片生长及抗氧化酶活性、光合色素含量、丙二醛（Malondialdehyde,MDA）、游离脯氨酸、内源NO含量的影响。研究发现,镉胁迫下草地早熟禾内源NO含量增加,添加一氧化氮清除剂、一氧化氮合酶抑制剂、硝酸还原酶抑制剂可增加超氧化物歧化酶（Superoxide Dismutase,SOD）、过氧化氢酶（Catalase,CAT）、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（Ascorbate peroxidase,APX）活性,降低过氧化物酶（Peroxidase,POD）活性,增加叶绿素a、叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素、丙二醛含量,降低脯氨酸（Proline,Pro）含量、叶片相对含水量（Relative Water Content,RWC）和干物质量（Dry matter content）。结果表明,一氧化氮合酶途径可能是早熟禾合成NO的主要途径,内源NO可通过调节抗氧化酶活性、光合色素含量、游离脯氨酸含量等途径缓解镉胁迫。     

Detection and Pharmacokinetics of Etoricoxib in Thoroughbred Horses

Etoricoxib, a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2, is used in the treatment of many inflammatory diseases and dental pain in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of etoricoxib in horses. Six horses weighing an average of 475 ± 25 kg were administered a single oral dose of etoricoxib at 1 mg/kg body weight. The results show that the drug reached a maximum concentration of 505.2 ± 67.8 ng/mL in 48 minutes after administration. The elimination half-life was calculated to be 10.20 ± 1.30 hours. Mass spectrometric analysis confirmed that etoricoxib is metabolized in horses via the oxidation of its 6′-methyl group to form a hydroxyl methyl etoricoxib which can further be oxidized to form either an acid or be glucuronidated. In addition, the 1′-N terminal of 6′-hydroxymethyl metabolite is oxidized to form the corresponding 1′-N oxide metabolite. The present results have clearly demonstrated that etoricoxib is mainly excreted in urine as metabolites. From these data, it is also possible to postulate a detection time for the metabolites which in turn can assist in the control of illegal use of the drug in horse racing.     

Effect of scrapie incubation on the concentrations of plasma amino acids and L-lactate in infected lambs

Three groups of two weeks old growing lambs differing in PrP genotype were orally inoculated with scrapie and maintained under defined conditions until disease endpoint. Plasma concentrations of free alanine and serine, but not L-lactate increased during the final 6 months of the disease. At the same time, plasma concentrations of several essential and non-essential free amino acids decreased linearly, indicating reduced feed intake and are consistent with, but occurring before establishment, of cachexia. These observations are consistent with those reported previously from studies on cattle infected with BSE and with the hypothesis that scrapie may effect peripheral tissue metabolism.     

天祝天然草地3种有毒植物提取物对粘虫的生物活性

测定了3种有毒植物露蕊乌头,铁棒槌和马先蒿的4种溶剂的提取物对粘虫的杀虫活性。结果表明：露蕊乌头甲醇、乙醇提取物对粘虫均具有一定的触杀活性,LC50分别为3．63、5．79g／L;露蕊乌头甲醇提取物,马先蒿丙酮提取物和铁棒槌甲醇提取物对粘虫的胃毒活性表现较强,杀虫活性LC50分别为2．13,2．82和3．22g／L,马先蒿和铁棒槌的石油醚提取物对粘虫无胃毒活性。3种植物的4种溶剂的提取物对粘虫均表现出一定的拒食活性,其中甲醇提取物的拒食活性都较高,露蕊乌头甲醇提取物对粘虫的拒食活性明显高于其他提取物,当质量浓度达到0．2g／mL时,拒食率为97．6％。而3种植物石油醚提取物的拒食活性均较差。     

几种苯甲酰基脲类杀虫剂大面积地面喷雾防治赤松毛虫

１９９７～１９９８年春秋两季于河北省青龙县用杀铃脲、除虫脲和灭幼脲３号大面积地面低量喷雾防治赤松毛虫Ｄｅｎｄｒｏｌｉｍｕｓｓｐｅｃｔａｂｉｌｉｓ总面积达１６６６ｈｍ２,防治后平均虫口减退率达９５％,有效并持续地控制了松毛虫的危害。防治对林分内的有益生物种群无不良影响。