Bisphenol A disrupts granulosa cell function

Because of its widespread use and potential adverse biological effects, bisphenol A (BPA) represents one of the most studied endocrine-disrupting compounds. Within the reproductive system, ovarian granulosa cells have been documented as a target of BPA action, but no consensus has been reached about functional modifications induced by BPA. On these bases, we studied the potential disrupting effects of BPA on the main granulosa cell functional activities, also taking into account a potential interference with the ovarian angiogenic process. Ovarian granulosa cells were isolated from porcine follicles and cultured in the presence or absence of BPA at different concentrations for 48 h. Cell proliferation was studied by measuring adenosine triphosphate content. Progesterone (P4) and estradiol 17β (E2) production was determined by radioimmunoassay. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) output was quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Redox status was monitored by measuring superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, and by determining the activities of the scavenging enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase by colorimetric methods. Granulosa cell proliferation as well as redox status resulted unaffected by BPA. Concentrations of E2 were stimulated by the lower BPA concentration, whereas they were inhibited by the larger doses tested. P4 output was decreased by all BPA concentrations. To the contrary, VEGF production was stimulated. Data indicate that BPA can interfere with reproductive activity by affecting granulosa cell steroidogenesis in vitro; furthermore, BPA can exert a promoting effect on the ovarian angiogenic process by increasing VEGF output in pigs. A disruption of this finely tuned process seems particularly relevant because of the risk of uncontrolled neovascularization.     

Granulosa cell tumour: An interesting case in a pregnant mare

This report describes the successful management of a pregnant 14‐year‐old seven‐eighths Thoroughbred mare with an ovarian granulosa cell tumour. The mare initially presented with unilateral ovarian enlargement whilst being managed for artificial insemination, demonstrating normal ovarian function with ovulation from the contralateral ovary leading to conception. The mare subsequently re‐presented with stallion‐like behaviour at 3.5 months gestation and ovarian suppression was evident. The mare maintained her pregnancy and delivered a live colt foal at term. Ovariectomy was performed 3 months post foaling and the mare regained cyclic activity 9 months post surgery. The mare then conceived and became pregnant once more. The diagnostic and therapeutic challenges during pregnancy are discussed.     

Cellular localization of Visudyne® as a function of time after local injection in an in vivo model of squamous cell carcinoma: an investigation into tumor cell death

Objective To evaluate the effects of time on cellular localization of Visudyne^® after local injection. Animals Twenty athymic nude mice. Procedures A squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell line (A‐431) was injected into right and left dorsolumbar subcutaneous tissue of each mouse, representing treatment (T) and control (C) tumors. In experiment 1 (Exp 1; n = 10) and 2 (Exp 2; n = 10), the T tumors received a local injection of Visudyne^® (0.1 mg/cm³), and C tumors received an equal dose of 5% dextrose in water (D5W). Mice were randomly subdivided into two groups (A and B; n = 5 per group). Mice in Exp 1A and B were sacrificed 1 and 30 min after local injection, respectively. Experiment 1A and B tumors were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy to determine drug localization. Experiment 2A and B tumors were exposed to LED illumination 1 and 30 min after injection, respectively, and evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine ultrastructural tumor cell damage. Results Fluorescence was detected within the cytoplasm of T tumors in both Exp 1A and B. Significance was detected in fluorescence intensity between T1 min vs. T30 min (P = 0.03) and between T1 min and C1 min tumors (P = 0.01), respectively. Tumors in Exp 2A and B demonstrated evidence of apoptotic cell death. Conclusions Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated higher Visudyne^® concentration within SCC cytoplasm of 1 min compared with 30‐min tumors. Transmission electron microscopy results revealed that tumors treated by photodynamic therapy (PDT) within 30 min of local injection undergo cellular apoptosis.     

犬低分化鳞状细胞癌的病理特点

运用病理组织学方法,观察了3例犬低分化鳞癌的病理特点,结果显示,在犬低分化鳞状细胞癌组织中,癌细胞类似于棘细胞、基底细胞,癌组织中形成癌腔,在一些癌腔内可见角化不全细胞,无癌珠形成。癌腔是低分化鳞状细胞癌的病理特点之一,可作为诊断低分化鳞状细胞癌的依据。     

内质网应激介导的胰岛β细胞凋亡研究进展

胰岛β细胞具有十分发达的内质网(ER),并且对应激非常敏感。多种原因都会使ER的稳态被破坏,引起未折叠蛋白反应(UPR)以及Ca^2+稳态失衡,进一步诱发内质网应激(ERS)。适度的ERS有利于恢复其稳态,过度的ERS会导致ER功能受损,并进一步诱导胰岛β细胞凋亡,从而介导糖尿病的发生、发展。因此,对生理及病理条件引发的ERS进行分析,探讨ERS介导的胰岛β细胞凋亡,可为糖尿病的深入研究奠定理论基础。     

中药添加剂降低牛奶中体细胞作用的功效试验

乳汁中体细胞增高,是奶牛隐性乳腺炎的主要指标,用传统中兽医理论组方,针对奶牛隐性乳腺炎,配制了一种具有清热解毒、通经活络和提高乳房抵抗力及免疫功能的中药添加剂——"降体细胞中药添加剂",并对奶牛隐性乳腺炎病例进行了降低体细胞的治疗试验。结果显示,其一个疗程(7d)对奶牛隐性乳腺炎病例降低体细胞功能的有效率为83%,略高于市售产品对照组80%的有效率。因为是纯中药配方,可作为市售同功效但泌乳期禁用药物的替代产品。     

粉纹夜蛾培养细胞对家蚕微孢子虫的吞噬及与孢壁蛋白的关系

解明家蚕微孢子虫(Nosema bombycis,Nb)入侵宿主细胞的相关因素,有助于深入研究Nb对家蚕的侵染机制。利用激光共聚焦显微镜观察Nb孢子接种粉纹夜蛾(Trichoplusiani,Tn)培养细胞48h后孢子的分布状态和培养细胞的生长情况,并对接种Nb孢子后的Tn培养细胞培养物总蛋白进行SDS-PAGE分析,证实经0.2mol/LKOH预处理的Nb孢子可以被Tn培养细胞所吞噬。对Nb孢子孢壁蛋白的SDS-PAGE分析显示,Nb孢子经KOH预处理后,大小为80kD和12kD的孢壁蛋白带缺失或明显减弱,30kD的孢壁蛋白带丰度降低。推测KOH预处理使Nb孢子部分孢壁蛋白被分解(部分或完全)或使蛋白结构发生变化,由此影响了Nb孢子与Tn培养细胞的相互作用关系,有利于Tn培养细胞对Nb孢子的吞噬。     

复合益生菌菌液对奶牛产奶量和肠道菌群的影响

为了研究复合益生菌菌液对奶牛产奶量、乳品质量、牛群健康和肠道菌群的影响,选择20头条件相近的健康奶牛随机分为试验组和对照组,采用菌液与饲料混合的方法饲喂牛群,考察其对奶牛产奶量,肠道菌群乳品质量和牛群健康的影响。结果表明,食用复合益生菌液的每头牛比对照组平均每天可以多产2.9kg牛奶,提高产奶量14.8%,差异极显著(P0.01),经济效益显著;复合益生菌菌液可以促进肠道菌群调整,使有益菌-主要是乳酸菌成为优势菌群,并可以抑制霉菌和降解霉菌毒素,降低牛乳中体细胞数,预防隐性乳腺(房)炎。     

鹿茸干细胞体外培养技术的研究

利用消化酶消化法,用DMEM培养基对鹿茸干细胞进行了体外培养,分别从原代培养、传代、冻存、以及复苏等几个环节进行了试验。摸索鹿茸干细胞合适的体外培养条件,为鹿茸的各项相关研究打基础。结果表明,用透明质酸酶和胶原酶对组织样进行消化,然后用10%DMEM培养基进行培养细胞生长效果较好。适宜培养条件是37℃、5%CO2最大饱和湿度。