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Li Y, Jia Y, Hou W, Wei Z, Wen X, Tian Y, Bai L, Wang X, Zhang T, Guo A, Du G, Ma Z, Tan H. De novo aging-related NADPH diaphorase positive megaloneurites in the sacral spinal cord of aged dogs. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22193. [PMID: 38092874 PMCID: PMC10719289 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49594-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated aging-related changes in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) in the spinal cord of aged dogs. At all levels of the spinal cord examined, NADPH-d activities were observed in neurons and fibers in the superficial dorsal horn (DH), dorsal gray commissure (DGC) and around the central canal (CC). A significant number of NADPH-d positive macro-diameter fibers, termed megaloneurites, were discovered in the sacral spinal cord (S1-S3) segments of aged dogs. The distribution of megaloneurites was characterized from the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) into the superficial dorsal horn, along the lateral collateral pathway (LCP) to the region of sacral parasympathetic nucleus (SPN), DGC and around the CC, but not in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar segments. Double staining of NADPH-d histochemistry and immunofluorescence showed that NADPH-d positive megaloneurites co-localized with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) immunoreactivity. We believed that megaloneurites may in part represent visceral afferent projections to the SPN and/or DGC. The NADPH-d megaloneurites in the aged sacral spinal cord indicated some anomalous changes in the neurites, which might account for a disturbance in the aging pathway of the autonomic and sensory nerve in the pelvic visceral organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinhua Li
- College of Physical Education and Sports Rehabilitation, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
- Department of Anatomy, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
| | - Yunge Jia
- Department of Anatomy, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
- Department of Pathology, Heji Hospital Affiliated of Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, 040611, Shanxi, China
| | - Wei Hou
- Department of Anatomy, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
- Department of Neurology, Suizhou Central Hospital, Wuhan, 441300, China
| | - Zichun Wei
- Department of Anatomy, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaoxin Wen
- Department of Anatomy, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of Anatomy, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
| | - Lu Bai
- Department of Anatomy, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinghang Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
| | - Anchen Guo
- Laboratory of Clinical Medicine Research, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Guanghui Du
- Department of Urology, Tongji Medical College Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhuang Ma
- College of Physical Education and Sports Rehabilitation, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
| | - Huibing Tan
- Department of Anatomy, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases of Liaoning Province, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China.
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Costagliola A, Liguori G, Nassauw LV. Neuronal control of the vagina in vertebrates: A review. Acta Histochem 2023; 125:151988. [PMID: 36566584 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2022.151988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND At present, there is an increased interest in the vaginal microbiome. It is believed that microbes play equally important roles in the vagina, including the modulation of neuronal pathways, as in the gut. However, in man as well as in animals, the vagina is the least well-studied part of the female reproductive system. The vagina, a fibromuscular tract, having two main functions, i.e., childbirth and sexual intercourse, is mainly innervated by the pudendal nerve and the pelvic splanchnic nerves (the uterovaginal nerve plexus) containing sympathetic, parasympathetic and nociceptive nerve fibers. Innervation density in the vaginal wall undergoes significant remodeling due to hormonally mediated physiological activity. Knowledge about expression and function of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters in the vaginal fibers is incomplete or not established. Most research concerning the neuroregulation of the vagina and the function and expression of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters, is performed in several vertebrate species, including large farm animals, rodents, domestic fowl and lizards. METHODS This review summarizes, on a bibliographic basis, the current knowledge on vaginal innervation and function of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters expressed in vaginal nerve fibers in several vertebrate species, including humans. The presence and role played by the local microbioma is also explored. CONCLUSION A thorough knowledge of the vaginal innervation is necessary to unravel the putative communication of the vaginal microbiome and vaginal nerve fibers, but also to understand the effects of vaginal pathologies and of administered drugs on the neuroregulation of the vagina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Costagliola
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino, 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Liguori
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino, 1, 80137 Naples, Italy; Department of Prevention, ASL FG, Foggia, Italy.
| | - Luc Van Nassauw
- Laboratory of Human Anatomy & Embryology, Department ASTARC, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
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André GI, Firman RC, Simmons LW. The effect of genital stimulation on competitive fertilization success in house mice. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Castro J, Harrington AM, Chegini F, Matusica D, Spencer NJ, Brierley SM, Haberberger RV, Barry CM. Clodronate Treatment Prevents Vaginal Hypersensitivity in a Mouse Model of Vestibulodynia. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:784972. [PMID: 35118009 PMCID: PMC8803747 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.784972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionImproved understanding of vestibulodynia pathophysiology is required to develop appropriately targeted treatments. Established features include vulvovaginal hyperinnervation, increased nociceptive signalling and hypersensitivity. Emerging evidence indicates macrophage-neuron signalling contributes to chronic pain pathophysiology. Macrophages are broadly classified as M1 or M2, demonstrating pro-nociceptive or anti-nociceptive effects respectively. This study investigates the impact of clodronate liposomes, a macrophage depleting agent, on nociceptive signalling in a mouse model of vestibulodynia.MethodsMicroinjection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) at the vaginal introitus induced mild chronic inflammation in C57Bl/6J mice. A subgroup was treated with the macrophage depleting agent clodronate. Control mice received saline. After 7 days, immunolabelling for PGP9.5, F4/80+CD11c+ and F4/80+CD206+ was used to compare innervation density and presence of M1 and M2 macrophages respectively in experimental groups. Nociceptive signalling evoked by vaginal distension was assessed using immunolabelling for phosphorylated MAP extracellular signal-related kinase (pERK) in spinal cord sections. Hyperalgesia was assessed by visceromotor response to graded vaginal distension.ResultsCFA led to increased vaginal innervation (p < 0.05), increased pERK-immunoreactive spinal cord dorsal horn neurons evoked by vaginal-distension (p < 0.01) and enhanced visceromotor responses compared control mice (p < 0.01). Clodronate did not reduce vaginal hyperinnervation but significantly reduced the abundance of M1 and M2 vaginal macrophages and restored vaginal nociceptive signalling and vaginal sensitivity to that of healthy control animals.ConclusionsWe have developed a robust mouse model of vestibulodynia that demonstrates vaginal hyperinnervation, enhanced nociceptive signalling, hyperalgesia and allodynia. Macrophages contribute to hypersensitivity in this model. Macrophage-sensory neuron signalling pathways may present useful pathophysiological targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Castro
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Andrea M. Harrington
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Fariba Chegini
- Musculoskeletal Neurobiology Laboratory, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Dusan Matusica
- Pain and Sensory Neurobiology Laboratory, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Nick J. Spencer
- Visceral Neurophysiology Laboratory, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Stuart M. Brierley
- Visceral Pain Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Rainer V. Haberberger
- School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Christine M. Barry
- Musculoskeletal Neurobiology Laboratory, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Christine M. Barry,
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André GI, Firman RC, Simmons LW. The effect of baculum shape and mating behavior on mating-induced prolactin release in female house mice. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Male genitalia are subject to rapid divergent evolution, and sexual selection is believed to be responsible for this pattern of evolutionary divergence. Genital stimulation during copulation is an essential feature of sexual reproduction. In mammals, the male intromittent genitalia induces a cascade of physiological and neurological changes in females that promote pregnancy. Previous studies of the house mouse have shown that the shape of the baculum (penis bone) influences male reproductive success and responds to experimentally imposed variation in sexual selection. Here, we test the hypothesis that the baculum is subject to sexual selection due to a stimulatory function during copulation. We selected male and female house mice (Mus musculus domesticus) from families with breeding values at the extremes of baculum shape and performed two series of experimental matings following which we examined the concentration of prolactin in the blood of females either 15 (“early”) or 75 (“late”) min after ejaculation. Our results provide evidence of a mating-induced release of prolactin in the female house mouse early after ejaculation, the level of which is dependent on an interaction between the shape of the baculum and male sexual behavior. Our data thereby provide novel insight into the mechanism(s) of sexual selection acting on the mammalian baculum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo I André
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Renée C Firman
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Leigh W Simmons
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
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André GI, Firman RC, Simmons LW. Baculum shape and paternity success in house mice: evidence for genital coevolution. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20200150. [PMID: 33070728 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual selection is believed to be responsible for the rapid divergence of male genitalia, which is a widely observed phenomenon across different taxa. Among mammals, the stimulatory role of male genitalia and female 'sensory perception' has been suggested to explain these evolutionary patterns. Recent research on house mice has shown that baculum (penis bone) shape can respond to experimentally imposed sexual selection. Here, we explore the adaptive value of baculum shape by performing two experiments that examine the effects of male and female genitalia on male reproductive success. Thus, we selected house mice (Mus musculus domesticus) from families characterized by extremes in baculum shape (relative width) and examined paternity success in both non-competitive (monogamous) and competitive (polyandrous) contexts. Our analyses revealed that the relative baculum shape of competing males influenced competitive paternity success, but that this effect was dependent on the breeding value for baculum shape of the family from which females were derived. Our data provide novel insight into the potential mechanisms underlying the evolution of the house mouse baculum and lend support to the stimulatory hypothesis for the coevolution of male and female genitalia. This article is part of the theme issue 'Fifty years of sperm competition'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goncalo I André
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, 6009 Western Australia, Australia
| | - Renée C Firman
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, 6009 Western Australia, Australia
| | - Leigh W Simmons
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, 6009 Western Australia, Australia
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André GI, Firman RC, Simmons LW. The coevolution of male and female genitalia in a mammal: A quantitative genetic insight. Evolution 2020; 74:1558-1567. [PMID: 32490547 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Male genitalia are among the most phenotypically diverse morphological traits, and sexual selection is widely accepted as being responsible for their evolutionary divergence. Studies of house mice suggest that the shape of the baculum (penis bone) affects male reproductive fitness and experimentally imposed postmating sexual selection has been shown to drive divergence in baculum shape across generations. Much less is known of the morphology of female genitalia and its coevolution with male genitalia. In light of this, we used a paternal half-sibling design to explore patterns of additive genetic variation and covariation underlying baculum shape and female vaginal tract size in house mice (Mus musculus domesticus). We applied a landmark-based morphometrics approach to measure baculum size and shape in males and the length of the vaginal tract and width of the cervix in females. Our results reveal significant additive genetic variation in house mouse baculum morphology and cervix width, as well as evidence for genetic covariation between male and female genital measures. Our data thereby provide novel insight into the potential for the coevolutionary divergence of male and female genital traits in a mammal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo I André
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, 6009, Australia
| | - Renée C Firman
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, 6009, Australia
| | - Leigh W Simmons
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, 6009, Australia
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Sharma H, Ji E, Yap P, Vilimas P, Kyloh M, Spencer NJ, Haberberger RV, Barry CM. Innervation Changes Induced by Inflammation in the Murine Vagina. Neuroscience 2018; 372:16-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Barry CM, Ji E, Sharma H, Yap P, Spencer NJ, Matusica D, Haberberger RV. Peptidergic nerve fibers in the urethra: Morphological and neurochemical characteristics in female mice of reproductive age. Neurourol Urodyn 2017; 37:960-970. [DOI: 10.1002/nau.23434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christine M. Barry
- Anatomy and Histology, College of Medicine and Public health; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
- Centre for Neuroscience; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
| | - Esther Ji
- Anatomy and Histology, College of Medicine and Public health; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
- Centre for Neuroscience; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
| | - Harman Sharma
- Anatomy and Histology, College of Medicine and Public health; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
- Centre for Neuroscience; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
| | - Pauline Yap
- Anatomy and Histology, College of Medicine and Public health; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
- Centre for Neuroscience; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
| | - Nicholas J. Spencer
- Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
- Centre for Neuroscience; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
| | - Dusan Matusica
- Anatomy and Histology, College of Medicine and Public health; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
- Centre for Neuroscience; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
| | - Rainer V. Haberberger
- Anatomy and Histology, College of Medicine and Public health; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
- Centre for Neuroscience; Flinders University; Adelaide Australia
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