Histomorphological changes between short and long days in ovary guanacos (Lama guanicoe)

This is the first morpho-histological comparison of guanaco ovaries between reproductive (long-days) and non-reproductive (short-days) seasons, and oestrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) detection. Different stages of follicle development were found in the cortical area, but no corpus luteum was detected. The size and frequency of antral follicles and large atretic follicles were higher in long-day ovaries than short-days, consistent with ovarian activity in this season. Differential expression of ERα and ERβ was observed in follicles at different stages of development between short and long days. These data reveal histological and molecular differences between reproductive and non-reproductive seasons of guanaco ovaries.     

Therapeutic Efficacy of Zinc Sulphate Used in Clustered Model Treatment in Alleviating Zinc Deficiency in Cattle and Its Effect on Hormones,Vitamins and Production Parameters

A survey was conducted in 10 districts of northern India. Significant deficiency of zinc was observed in soil, fodders and (cattle) serum samples. The animals showed typical signs of zinc deficiency, namely stiff gait, swelling of hocks and knees, subcutaneous fluid accumulation, rough coat, etc. of variable intensity. A clustered model therapeutic trial was conducted and zinc-deficient cattle were divided into three groups. Group A was provided with mineral mixture containing zinc sulphate. Group B was given mineral mixture without zinc sulphate and group C was given no mineral mixture. Significant improvement (p < 0.01) was observed in the haemoglobin (Hb), total white blood cells (WBC) and total erythrocyte count (TEC) levels at the 7th day of treatment in the animals of group A. Significant improvement in enzyme serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) was observed in group A animals at the 7th day, while improvement in asparatate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) was observed after 21 days of treatment. Regarding hormones, significant improvement was observed in thyroxine (T₃) and triiodothyronine (T₄), oestrogen and progesterone in group A animals within 14 days of treatment. The values of vitamin A showed a highly significant (p < 0.01) improvement within 7 days of treatment in group A animals and that of vitamin E on the 21 st day of treatment. The milk yield of lactating cattle and body weight of growing calves in group A showed highly significant (p < 0.01) increases at about 14 and 30 days, respectively. It is concluded that zinc sulphate supplementation is highly effective in alleviating zinc deficiency and improving various biochemical and production parameters in cattle. The clustered model treatment provides a better indicator of the most limiting element under field conditions where simultaneous deficiency of various minerals is prevalent.     

In vitro effects of 2-methoxyestradiol on canine tumour cells

The in vitro antiproliferative, apoptotic and cell‐cycle effects of 2‐methoxyestradiol (2ME₂), an endogenous oestrogen metabolite, were investigated using a variety of canine tumour cell lines. The cells were cultured under standard conditions and incubated with varying concentrations of 2ME₂. Inhibition of tumour cell proliferation was evaluated using a tetrazolium‐based colorimetric assay. DNA content analysis was performed using propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. Cytologic analysis with Leukostat staining solution and Hoechst 33342 staining and Annexin V‐fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) fluorescence were used to quantify cell‐cycle distribution and apoptosis induction. Tumour cell proliferation was inhibited by 50% at concentrations of 2ME₂ ranging from 0.88 to 7.67 µM, depending on the cell line tested. Profound G₂/M phase arrest, an increase in binucleate cells and induction of apoptosis were observed in all cell lines tested, in a dose‐dependent manner. Based on these results, this compound has potential as an agent for the treatment of canine cancer and warrants further investigation. The canine lymphoma cell line, 1771, was inhibited at concentrations that may be achievable in vivo.     

Molecular expression and identification of caprine estrogen receptor gene 1 for fertility status in bucks

Estrogen and its receptors are essential for sexual development and reproduction. Oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a nuclear receptor activated by the hormone oestrogen. In male, ERα is encoded by the gene ESR1 (oestrogen receptor1) responsible for better fertility. ESR1 is involved in the reabsorption of luminal fluid during the transit of spermatozoa from the testis to the head of the epididymis which is important for their survival and maturation during epididymal storage. The absence of ESR1 leads to reduced epididymal sperm content, reduced sperm motility and fertilizing ability. The present study was undertaken to investigate the expression and presence of ESR1 gene in fertile and low-fertile male goat breeds. We identified ESR1 gene through various molecular tools. Genotyping was carried out by high resonance melting analysis using Roche Light Cycler 480(LC-480) system and found three different genotypes. Genotypic frequency-AA (blue-0.67), BB(Red-0.2), AB(Green-0.08) with allele frequency A(0.71 and B (0.29). The predominance of this gene in head of epididymis in fertile bucks was confirmed by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. From the results, we corroborated that the present study provides a useful and effective way to predict male fertility in goat breeds, which in turn increases the percentage of fertility in flock leading to more number of offspring in a kidding season.     

双氢睾酮通过调控孕酮、雌二醇和细胞凋亡参与绵羊子宫功能

旨在探究双氢睾酮（dihydrotestosterone,DHT）是否通过调节孕酮（progesterone,P₄）、雌二醇（oestrogen,E₂）和细胞凋亡参与影响绵羊子宫功能,以揭示其在绵羊生殖生理中的潜在作用。本试验以1.5岁左右的雌性小尾寒羊为试验动物,检测卵泡期、黄体期和妊娠期子宫中DHT合成酶和雄激素受体（androgen receptor,AR）的表达变化。随后,体外培养绵羊子宫内膜上皮细胞,并用DHT （10^-10~10^-7 mol·L^-1）和AR拮抗剂氟他胺（Flu,10^-8 mol·L^-1）处理（n=3）。通过酶联免疫吸附试验、细胞免疫荧光、蛋白质印迹法和实时荧光定量PCR检测P₄和E₂水平、合成酶和受体表达。此外,还检测经DHT和Flu处理后,绵羊子宫内膜上皮细胞中凋亡因子Bcl-2相关X蛋白（Bcl-2-associated X protein,Bax）、B细胞淋巴瘤蛋白2（B cell lymphoma protein 2,Bcl-2）、半胱天冬酶3（caspase 3,CASP3）和活化半胱天冬酶3（active-caspase 3,Act-CASP3）的表达变化。结果表明,绵羊子宫不同时期DHT的合成和AR的表达存在差异,妊娠期子宫DHT合成及AR表达显著低于卵泡期和黄体期（P<0.05）。10^-10~10^-7 mol·L^-1DHT处理后,P₄合成酶表达显著上调（P<0.05）,在10^-8~10^-7 mol·L^-1 DHT时P₄合成显著增加（P<0.05）,在10^-10~10^-8 mol·L^-1 DHT时孕酮受体蛋白表达显著增加（P<0.05）,但10^-7mol·L^-1 DHT时孕酮受体蛋白表达显著下降（P<0.05）;在10^-8~10^-7 mol·L^-1 DHT时E₂相关合成酶显著减少,并且E₂水平显著下降（P<0.05）,在10^-9和10^-7 mol L^-1 DHT时E₂受体ERα蛋白显著下调（P<0.05）,在10^-10~10^-7 mol·L^-1 DHT时ERβ和GPER显著增加（P<0.05）。经Flu处理后部分解除DHT对P₄和E₂的调控。此外,10^-10~10^-7 mol·L^-1 DHT显著促进子宫内膜上皮细胞凋亡（P<0.05）。本研究证实DHT至少部分通过AR调节P₄和E₂合成及受体表达,影响细胞凋亡,参与调节子宫功能,这为进一步阐明雄激素参与调节子宫功能提供了新的基础和相关数据。     

山莨菪碱加微量雌激素对奶牛催情的观察研究

本研究应用盐酸山莨菪碱（１５０ｍｇ）及微量的雌激素（４ｍｇ）对１～４胎９０天以上未出现发情的不孕奶牛４５例进行催情，其有效率为７１．１１％（３２／４５），其中卵巢静止为６０％（１５／２５），持久黄体８５％（１７／２０）。同时还发现用上述两种药物处理的１０例患牛的血清孕酮含量在注射后的１２０小时以内均有程度不同的下降；当血清孕酮最低峰值＜１．０ｎｇ／ｍｌ时临床呈现发情征象的持久黄体牛为８３．３％（５／６）；卵巢静止为１００％（４／４）。５例仅用微量雌激素（４ｍｇ）注射的患牛孕酮含量虽有变化但临床上均不出现显性发情征状。初步证明：盐酸山莨菪与微量雌激素协同可对奶牛有明显的催情作用。     

Kisspeptin in the early post–partum of the dairy cow

Recently, a new molecule, kisspeptin (Kp), and in particular Kisspeptin 10 (Kp10), was implicated in stimulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. The aim of this study was to evaluate circulating Kp10 levels in the early post–partum period of the dairy cow. Blood samples were collected from 40 dairy cows, at 10 (T10), 12 (T12), 14 (T14) and 16 (T16) days after calving. Progesterone (P4) levels were evaluated using ELISA, and levels of oestrogens (E2) and Kp were evaluated using a radio‐immunologic method. After an initial plateau, Kp10 significantly increased at T14 and decreased at T16. The P4 and E2 mean serum values remained in the physiological range. It is likely that Kp10 enhanced hypothalamic GnRH release as well as pituitary gonadotropin secretion, thus promoting follicular growth and the increase in E2 levels, which might have further enhanced Kp10 release through a positive feedback loop. To our best knowledge, this is the first report on the range of Kp10 blood concentration during the early post–partum period in the dairy cow. The results of our study will increase our current understanding of the complex neuro‐endocrine crosstalk underlying the resumption of ovarian cyclicity in the dairy cow.     

Noninvasive measurements of ovarian activity in Beira antelope (Dorcatragus megalotis)

As the natural habitat of more and more species becomes depleted, captive breeding programmes have become established to bring species back from the brink of extinction. Monitoring the reproductive status of an individual is essential in order to improve breeding success. Traditional methods have involved stressful blood sampling, and thus noninvasive methods have been proven to be reliable alternatives for monitoring reproductive function in both captive and free‐ranging animals. Subsequently, noninvasive methods have become an invaluable tool in longitudinal studies and conservation efforts, as animals can be observed without, or minimal human contact. The Beira antelope is a small antelope endemic to the northern part of the Horn of Africa. Population numbers of the Beira have been declining over the last few decades due to habitat fragmentation. We show here that the reproductive cycle of female Beira antelopes can be monitored noninvasively, by using faecal samples to analyse oestrogen (fEM) as well as progestagen (fPM) metabolites. The profiles of fPM and fEM of both females showed regular cyclic patterns in which the follicular and luteal phases could be distinguished. The overall mean cycle length is 22 days (range: 21–25 days), with a mean length of the follicular phase of 6 days (range: 4–7 days) and a mean length for the luteal phase being 15 days (range: 12–16 days). The suitability of these noninvasive techniques should assist in optimizing breeding efforts of this endemic small antelope in captivity. Being noninvasive, this method could also be a useful tool for monitoring reproductive function in the dwindling wild populations.     

Expression of oestrogen receptor,androgen receptor and progesterone nuclear receptor in sheep uterus during the oestrous cycle

Oestrogen, androgen and progesterone are involved in the regulation of uterine physiological functions, with the participation of the following proteins: oestrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR) and progesterone nuclear receptor (PGR). In this study, we used immunohistochemistry to detect the localization of ERα, ERβ, AR and PGR in sheep uterus. Additionally, we used real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and Western blot technique to analyse their expression profiles at different stages of sheep oestrous cycle in the endometrium and myometrium. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that ERα, ERβ, AR and PGR were present in sheep uterus in oestrus, mainly in the uterine luminal epithelium, stroma, gland and myometrium. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction results showed that in the endometrium, ERα expression level was highest in oestrus. ERβ and PGR, instead, were highly expressed in pro‐oestrus. In the myometrium, ERα was highly expressed in both oestrus and pro‐oestrus, and ERβ was highly expressed in oestrus and dioestrus. Progesterone nuclear receptor expression was highest in oestrus, followed by metoestrus. In the endometrium, both receptors ERα and ERβ were abundant in pro‐oestrus, while the maximum AR protein content was found in oestrus. At this stage of the oestrous cycle, PGR protein concentration in the myometrium was significantly lower than those observed in other stages. These results suggest that these receptors are important for sheep reproductive function, as their expression at mRNA and protein levels exhibits particular time‐ and tissue‐specific profiles along the oestrous cycle.