Interaction between melatonin and follicle-stimulating hormone promotes in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on the in vitro culture of goat preantral follicles. Ovarian fragments were cultured for 7 d in α-minimum essential medium (α-MEM⁺) containing melatonin (100, 250, 500, or 1,000 pM), FSH (50 ng/mL), or a combination of the 2 hormones and further analyzed by histology and transmission electron and fluorescent microscopy. The results showed that after 7 d of culture, tissues cultured in α-MEM⁺ alone or supplemented with FSH alone, melatonin (500 and 1,000 pM), or the combination of FSH and melatonin (1,000 pM) maintained percentages of normal preantral follicles similar to the fresh control. In contrast to the noncultured tissues, the percentage of developing follicles was increased under all culture conditions after 7 d (P < 0.05). The addition of 1,000 pM melatonin associated with FSH to the culture medium increased follicular and oocyte diameters compared with α-MEM⁺ alone after 7 d of culture (P < 0.05). Ultrastructural and fluorescent analyses confirmed the integrity of follicles cultured with 1,000 pM of melatonin plus FSH for 7 d. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the interaction between melatonin and FSH maintains ultrastructural integrity and stimulates further growth of cultured caprine preantral follicles.     

Distribution of the neurokinin-1 receptor in equine intestinal smooth muscle

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Tachykinins have profound effects on equine intestinal motility, but the distribution of the neurokinin receptors (NKRs) through which they act is unknown. This study reports the distribution of one of these receptors, the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R), in smooth muscle throughout the equine intestinal tract. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the distribution of the NK1R, based upon mRNA expression, in smooth muscle of different regions of the equine intestinal tract. METHODS: Nine regions of the intestinal tract were sampled in 5 mature horses. Total RNA was isolated from smooth muscle and reverse transcribed; NK1R mRNA was then quantified using real-time PCR. RESULTS: NK1R mRNA was found at all levels of the sampled intestinal tract. The smooth muscle of the proximal small intestine and the ventral colon exhibited the highest level of NK1R mRNA expression in the equine intestinal tract. CONCLUSIONS: Tachykinins probably affect intestinal contractility and propulsion in the proximal small intestine and in the ventral colon.     

绵羊PRLR基因内含子9和外显子10多态性与产羔数的关系研究

本研究采用PCR-SSCP技术对绵羊催乳素受体(PRLR)基因内含子9和外显子10部分核苷酸多态性及其与小尾寒羊、中国美利奴(新疆型)绵羊多胎品系、肉用品系、体大品系、萨福克、无角陶赛特、中国美利奴(新疆型)和德国肉用美利奴产羔数间的关系进行了分析。结果发现:①在绵羊PRLR基因内含子9的第259 bp处,存在C→T转换,BB基因型的小尾寒羊平均产羔数分别较AA和AB基因型提高0.81和0.87只(P0.05);②在绵羊PRLR基因外显子10的第304 bp处存在一个G→A转换,该突变导致PRLR基因第387位氨基酸残基由Glu突变为Lys,并使中国美利奴(新疆型)多胎品系中AB基因型的平均产羔数较AA和BB基因型增加0.58和0.80只(P0.05);③在绵羊PRLR基因外显子10第571、585和606bp处分别存在G→A、C→G和C→T突变;其中前2处突变分别导致PRLR基因的第476位氨基酸由Ala突变为Thr,第480位氨基酸由Ser突变为Arg。其中第571 bp处突变导致小尾寒羊AB基因型的平均窝产羔数显著高于AA基因型的窝产羔数,增加0.8只(P0.05)。以上结果提示,PRLR基因可能是控制小尾寒羊和中国美利奴(新疆型)绵羊多胎品系产羔数的主效基因或与之存在紧密的遗传连锁。     

A role for Toll-like receptor 4 in the host response to the lung infection of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in mice

Although a Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (Yptb) lung infection model has been developed to study Y. pestis pathogenesis, it is still necessary to establish a new animal model to mimic the pathophysiological features induced by Y. pestis infection. Here, we provide a new lung infection model using the Yptb strain, IP2777, which displayed rapid spread of bacteria to the liver, spleen, and blood. In addition, we examined whether TLR4 is involved in Yptb-induced pathogenesis in the lung infection model of mice we generated. Following lung infection of WT and TLR4-deficient mice with the Yptb strain IP2777, the survival rate, bacterial colonization, histopathology, and level of cytokines and chemokines in the lung, spleen, liver, and blood were analyzed. TLR4-deficient mice had a lower survival rate than WT mice in response to Yptb lung infection. Although the bacterial colonization and pathology of the lung were comparable between WT and TLR4-deficient mice, those of the spleen and liver were more severe in TLR4-deficient mice. In addition, the levels of TNF-α and CXCL2 in the liver and IL-6 and CXCL2 in the blood were higher in TLR4-deficient mice than in WT mice. Our results demonstrate that TLR4 is necessary for optimal host protection against Yptb lung infection and TLR4-deficient mice may serve as a better genetic model of Yptb infection for mimicking Y. pestis infection.     

Effect of Estradiol-17β on protein synthesis and degradation rates in fused bovine satellite cell cultures

Although androgenic and estrogenic steroids are widely used to enhance muscle growth and increase feed efficiency in feedlot cattle, their mechanism of action is not well understood. Further, in vivo studies indicate that estradiol (E2) affects muscle protein synthesis and/or degradation, but in vitro results are inconsistent. We have examined the effects of E2 treatment on protein synthesis and degradation rates in fused bovine satellite cell (BSC) cultures. Additionally, to learn more about the mechanisms involved in E2-enhanced muscle growth, we have examined the effects of compounds that interfere with binding of E2 or insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 to their respective receptors on E2-induced alterations in protein synthesis and degradation rates in BSC cultures. Treatment of fused BSC cultures with E2 results in a concentration-dependent increase (P < 0.05) in protein synthesis rate and a decrease (P < 0.05) in protein degradation rate. The pure estrogen antagonist ICI 182 780 suppresses (P < 0.05) E2-induced alterations in protein synthesis and degradation in fused BSC cultures. The G-protein coupled receptor (GPR)-30 agonist G1 does not affect either synthesis or degradation rate, which establishes that GPR30 does not play a role in E2-induced alterations in protein synthesis or degradation. JB1, a competitive inhibitor of IGF-1 binding to the Type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR-1), suppresses (P < 0.05) E2-induced alterations in protein synthesis and degradation. In summary, our data show that E2 treatment directly alters both protein synthesis and degradation rates in fused BSC cultures via mechanisms involving both the classical estrogen receptor (ER) and IGFR-1.     

两种免疫增强制剂对早期断乳仔猪红细胞免疫功能的影响

选取28日龄断奶的三元[杜×(大×长)]杂交仔猪15头,平均初始体重为(5.22±0.89)kg,随机分为3组:活性卵白组、活性酵母组和对照组,每组5头。对照组饲喂基础日粮,两个处理组在相同的基础日粮中分别口服卵白制剂及酵母制剂,剂量为10 mL/只,连续服用10 d。应用红细胞C3b受体花环(Erythrocyte C3bR,E-C3bR)试验和红细胞免疫复合物花环(ErythrocyteICR,E-ICR)试验,探讨两种免疫增强制剂在服药不同时间对断乳仔猪红细胞免疫功能的影响。结果显示,活性卵白组和活性酵母组的E-C3bRR和E-ICRR在服药后第1周、第2周都极显著的高于对照组(P<0.01),并于第2周达最高值。服药后第3周活性卵白组的E-C3bRR和E-ICRR均维持在较高水平,与对照组差异极显著(P<0.01);而活性酵母组呈现明显下降趋势,与对照组无明显差异。结果表明,活性卵白组较活性酵母组具有更加持续稳定的红细胞免疫促进功能。     

Aglepristone decreases proliferation in progesterone receptor-positive canine mammary carcinomas

Background: Progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist aglepristone (RU534) has been used successfully for pregnancy termination and therapy of pyometra, vaginal tumors, and mammary hyperplasia in bitches and queens. All of these conditions share with canine mammary carcinomas the expression of PR. Objectives: To study the effect of RU534 on proliferation and apoptosis in canine mammary carcinomas in relation to PR expression. Animals: Twenty‐seven nonspayed bitches with mammary carcinomas were treated with either 2 doses of 20 mg/kg RU534 (n = 22, RU534‐treated group) or oil placebo (n = 5, control group) on days 1 and 8. Methods: Tumor samples were collected before (day 1) and after (day 15) treatment for immunohistochemistry. PR expression, proliferation index (PI), and apoptotic index (AI) were determined using antibodies against PR, Ki67, and cleaved lamin A/C antigens, respectively. The effect of treatment on these parameters was analyzed. Results: Differential expression of PR between day 1 (59.1% PR‐positive tumors) and day 15 (36.4% PR‐positive tumors) was observed in RU534‐treated tumors exclusively. After RU534 treatment, mean PI was significantly decreased in PR‐positive but unchanged in PR‐negative RU534‐treated tumors. A reduction of ≥20% in PI was found in 61.5% of RU534‐treated tumors with PR expression. Conversely, no effect on AI was observed after RU534 treatment. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Neoadjuvant RU534 treatment had PR expression‐related inhibiting effects on proliferation of canine mammary carcinoma cells.     

Trade-off expression of melatonin receptor subtypes (Mel1a and Mel1b) and androgen receptor in lung of a tropical bird,Perdicula asiatica

The role of circulatory steroid hormone along with melatonin in lung of any seasonally breeding bird has never been explored so far. This could be interesting because steroid hormones are immunosuppressive while melatonin is immunostimulatory in nature. In our present study, we report the effect of exogenous melatonin and testosterone on expression of melatonin receptor subtypes (Mel_1a and Mel_1b) and androgen receptor in lung of a tropical bird Perdicula asiatica. Birds were collected from vicinity of Varanasi and acclimatized in laboratory with sufficient food and water. The birds were treated with melatonin and testosterone at dose of 25 µg/100 g B.wt./day and 1 mg/100 g B.wt./day, respectively, for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, the birds were sacrificed and lung tissue and blood sample were collected for immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis and hormonal assay. Testosterone treatment increased circulatory testosterone and upregulated expression of androgen receptors whereas downregulated expression of melatonin receptor subtypes Mel_1a and Mel_1b. Melatonin administration increased peripheral melatonin and upregulated expression of melatonin receptor subtypes Mel_1a and Mel_1b while downregulated androgen receptor. Thus, our results suggest that a trade-off relationship between melatonin and testosterone exists in regulation of their receptors in lung of Perdicula asiatica.     

动物鲜味受体的研究进展及其基因表达调控

动物的鲜味受体包括代谢型谷氨酸受体(m GluR)和味觉受体异源二聚体(T1R1/T1R3),是C型G蛋白偶联受体,N末端捕蝇草模块(VFT)区域可与鲜味配体结合,识别鲜味。本文主要论述了鲜味受体的研究进展、鲜味识别转导机制及鲜味受体基因的表达调控等,以期为相关研究提供参考。