Mesh-like vascular changes in copper deficiency-induced rat cardiomyopathy

The pathological effects of copper deficiency (COD) are well known. However, the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy resulting from COD remains unclear. In this study, aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of COD-induced cardiomyopathy by examining the morphology of the cardiovascular system in copper-deficient rats using histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Changes detected in the myocardium and interstitium were consistent with those reported for COD. Morphological changes included mesh-like changes in the capillary endothelial cells that appear to be a novel finding in COD-induced cardiomyopathy. These changes are hypothesized to result from abnormal vascular remodeling following damage to the basement membrane and due to the mechanical effects of myocardial contractions. Although cardiomyopathy may be associated with microcirculatory disorders arising from these lesions, further investigations are necessary to demonstrate a causal relationship between the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy and the contribution of these lesions to disease progression.     

AR regulates porcine immature Sertoli cell growth via binding to RNF4 and miR-124a

Sertoli cells are the only somatic cells in the seminiferous epithelium which directly contact with germ cells. Sertoli cells exhibit polarized alignment at the basal membrane of seminiferous tubules to maintain the microenvironment for growth and development of germ cells, and therefore play a crucial role in spermatogenesis. Androgens exert their action through androgen receptor (AR) and AR signalling in the testis is essential for maintenance of spermatogonial numbers, blood–testis barrier integrity, completion of meiosis, adhesion of spermatids and spermiation. In the present study, we demonstrated that AR gene could promote the proliferation of immature porcine Sertoli cells (ST cells) and the cell cycle procession, and accelerate the transition from G1 phase into S phase in ST cells. Meanwhile, miR-124a could affect the proliferation and cell cycle procession of ST cells by targeting 3′-UTR of AR gene. Furthermore, AR bound to the RNF4 via AR DNA-binding domain (DBD) and we verified that RNF4 was necessary for AR to regulate the growth of ST cells. Above all, this study suggests that AR regulates ST cell growth via binding to RNF4 and miR-124a, which may help us to further understand the function of AR in spermatogenesis.     

Immunohistochemical expression of HER - 2 and Ki - 67 in granulosa cell tumor in bitches

Granulosa cell tumour, an ovarian neoplasm of stromal origin, is an important tumour related to oestrogenic dominance syndrome and cystic endometrial hyperplasia–pyometra complex. In order to analyse ovarian tumour´s malignant potential, immunohistochemical markers can be used, such as anti-HER2 and anti-Ki-67. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of immunohistochemical markers HER-2 and Ki-67 in granulosa cell tumour from bitches´ ovaries. In HER-2 immunomarker analysis using the HercepTest^® method, most tumours were classified as 2+ (moderate labelling). Concerning Ki-67 immunomarker, only one case was described as having a high proliferative index. An association was found between immunostained cell percentage by anti-HER-2 antibodies and high pleomorphism, represented by the pattern of follicular/trabecular tumour arrangement. There was no correlation between anti-Ki-67 and anti-HER-2 antibody immunostaining intensities, probably due to only one case with a high Ki-67 index. With an effective protocol for HER-2 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical identification in granulosa cell tumours in bitches, it was possible to characterize this neoplasm proliferation profile.     

The influence of progesterone and prostaglandin F2α on decorin and the adhesion of caruncular epithelial cells of bovine placenta at early-mid pregnancy—Part II

One of the most important processes determining the proper course of gestation and its physiological termination in cows is the adhesion of epithelial cells allowing for direct contact of maternal and foetal parts of the placenta. Throughout pregnancy, placental cells are under strict hormonal control, which among others regulates the concentration and activity of specific proteins participating in the extracellular matrix remodelling of foetal membranes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of progesterone and prostaglandin F_2α on the adhesion of epithelial cells at early-mid pregnancy in cows. Additionally, the impact of selected hormones on anti-adhesive properties of decorin was evaluated. Caruncular epithelial cells were isolated from healthy cows during pregnancy, immediately after slaughter. Primary cell cultures derived from the 2nd and 4th month of gestation were used in the experiments. The viability of cells was assessed by MTT assay. The adhesion of cells to fibronectin was measured spectrophotometrically. The activity of metalloproteinases was confirmed by the metalloproteinase assay. Progesterone (10^–5 and 10^–7 mol/L) and prostaglandin F_2α (10^–4_, 10^–5 and 10^–7 mol/L) increased the viability of bovine caruncular epithelial cells in the 2nd month of pregnancy. The treatment with prostaglandin F_2α significantly reduced the number of adherent cells from the 2nd month of gestation at the doses of 10^–4 and 10^–5 mol/L. Both progesterone and prostaglandin F_2α were shown to have an effect of decorin resulting in both a decrease in metalloproteinase activity and an increase in adhesion of cells to fibronectin.     

Induction of oestrus by administering Inhibin antiserum along with equine chorionic gonadotropin in anoestrous bitches

As dogs experience oestrus only once or twice a year, it is necessary to establish an effective method of oestrous induction for efficient breeding. In the present study, we evaluated inhibin antiserum (IAS) on oestrous induction in anoestrous females. Bitches were administered 0.5 ml/kg IAS or a mixture of 50 IU/kg equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and 0.5 ml/kg IAS and 500 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administered 7 days after the mixture injection. As a control, bitches received 50 IU/kg eCG, with 500 IU hCG administered 7 days after eCG injection. Blood-tinged vaginal discharge, vulvar swelling, plasma progesterone concentrations and ovarian follicular development were assessed from day 0 to day 14. IAS alone injection did not induce oestrus in bitches at the anoestrous stage. Conversely, vulvar swelling, blood-tinged vaginal discharge and an estimated luteinizing hormone (LH) surge appeared on days 3–7, days 3–6 and days 7–9 after the IAS+eCG mixture injection, respectively, in all five bitches at the anoestrous stage. The average number of developing and ovulated follicles in bitches administered IAS+eCG was 8.8 and 9.6 respectively. A single eCG injection followed by hCG induced oestrous signs, with an average of 8.3 developing follicles and 4.5 ovulated follicles. This study revealed that IAS alone did not induce oestrus, but when IAS was used in combination with eCG, it induced oestrus and promoted a considerable number of ovulations in anoestrous dogs.     

单宁酸对猪卵母细胞体外成熟及胚胎发育能力的影响

研究旨在探讨单宁酸对猪卵母细胞体外成熟质量及其胚胎发育能力的影响。在猪卵丘卵母细胞复合体（COCs）体外成熟培养液中添加不同浓度（0、1、10、100 μg/mL）单宁酸培养42 h后,检测COCs的扩散程度和卵丘细胞扩散指数,统计COCs的体外成熟率,检测成熟卵母细胞内谷胱甘肽（glutathione,GSH）、活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）和生长分化因子9（growth differentiation factor 9,GDF9）的水平,并统计孤雌激活及体外受精胚胎48和168 h的卵裂率、囊胚率及囊胚总细胞数。结果显示,与对照组相比,10 μg/mL单宁酸组卵丘细胞扩散指数显著提高（P<0.05）,100 μg/mL单宁酸组显著降低（P<0.05）;1和10 μg/mL单宁酸组卵母细胞成熟率差异不显著（P>0.05）,100 μg/mL单宁酸组卵母细胞成熟率显著降低（P<0.05）;1和10 μg/mL单宁酸组GSH和GDF9水平显著提高（P<0.05）,ROS水平显著降低（P<0.05）。孤雌胚胎和体外受精胚胎发育能力结果显示,与对照组相比,各单宁酸组卵裂率差异不显著（P>0.05）,10 μg/mL单宁酸组孤雌胚胎囊胚率及体外受精胚胎囊胚率显著提高（P<0.05）,100 μg/mL单宁酸组孤雌胚胎囊胚细胞数及体外受精胚胎囊胚细胞数均显著低于其他各组（P<0.05）。以上结果表明,10 μg/mL单宁酸可通过提高卵丘细胞扩散能力及GSH和GDF9水平、降低卵母细胞内ROS水平,改善猪卵母细胞成熟质量,提高孤雌胚胎及体外受精胚胎的发育能力。     

Interrelationship of soil moisture and temperature to sylvatic plague cycle among prairie dogs in the Western United States

Plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is a flea-borne disease that is endemic in areas throughout the world due to its successful maintenance in a sylvatic cycle, mainly in areas with temperate climates. Burrowing rodents are thought to play a key role in the enzootic maintenance as well as epizootic outbreaks of plague. In the United States, prairie dogs (Cynomys), rodents (Muridae), and ground squirrels (Spermophilus) are susceptible to infection and are parasitized by fleas that transmit plague. In particular, prairie dogs can experience outbreaks that rapidly spread, which can lead to extirpation of colonies. A number of ecological parameters, including climate, are associated with these epizootics. In this study, we asked whether soil parameters, primarily moisture and temperature, are associated with outbreaks of plague in black-tailed prairie dogs and Gunnison's prairie dogs in the Western United States, and at what depth these associations were apparent. We collected publicly available county-level information on the occurrence of population declines or colony extirpation, while historical soil data was collected from SCAN and USCRN stations in counties and states where prairie dogs have been located. The analysis suggests that soil moisture at lower depths correlates with colony die-offs, in addition to temperature near the surface, with key differences within the landscape ecology that impact the occurrence of plague. Overall, the model suggests that the burrow environment may play a significant role in the epizootic spread of disease amongst black-tailed and Gunnison's prairie dogs.     

Production and Identification of Clone Sheep Using Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Donor Cell

In order to obtain the cloned sheep using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells（BMSCs）as the donor cells,the BMSCs of sheep were chosen and reconstructed embryos were built to transfer.10 published microsatellite markers were chosen,and the DNA samples from clone sheep,donor cells and surrogate ewes were amplified,and the relationship of father-son（RCP）was analyzed using the Quantity One for genotyping.The results showed that the reconstructed embryos were successfully built for electric fusion using sheep BMSCs as nuclear donor,and making nuclear transplantation into enucleated mature oocytes of which the fusion rate was 80.62%.20 surrogate ewe were chosen to be implanted with the reconstructed embryos at morula stage by implant surgery,and 5 lambs were born and only 3 were survived.The genotype of cloned sheep was in line with the dornor cell and the RCP were more than 99.999%.In conclusion,the first clone sheep were obtained successfully by using BMSCs as a nuclear donor in this experiment.