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Inada K. Neurobiological mechanisms underlying oxytocin-mediated parental behavior in rodents. Neurosci Res 2024; 207:1-12. [PMID: 38642676 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Parental behavior is essential for mammalian offspring to survive. Because of this significance, elucidating the neurobiological mechanisms that facilitate parental behavior has received strong interest. Decades of studies utilizing pharmacology and molecular biology have revealed that in addition to its facilitatory effects on parturition and lactation, oxytocin (OT) promotes the expression of parental behavior in rodents. Recent studies have also described the modulation of sensory processing by OT and the interaction of the OT system with other brain regions associated with parental behavior. However, the precise neurobiological mechanisms underlying the facilitation of caregiving behaviors by OT remain unclear. In this Review, I summarize the findings from rats and mice with a view toward integrating past and recent progress. I then review recent advances in the understanding of the molecular, cellular, and circuit mechanisms of OT-mediated parental behavior. Based on these observations, I propose a hypothetical model that would explain the mechanisms underlying OT-mediated parental behavior. Finally, I conclude by discussing some major remaining questions and propose potential future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kengo Inada
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-2-3 Minatojima minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan.
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Zheng J, Baimoukhametova D, Lebel C, Bains JS, Kurrasch DM. Hypothalamic vasopressin sex differentiation is observed by embryonic day 15 in mice and is disrupted by the xenoestrogen bisphenol A. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2313207121. [PMID: 38753512 PMCID: PMC11126957 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313207121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular region (AVPPVN) mediate sex-biased social behaviors across most species, including mammals. In mice, neural sex differences are thought to be established during a critical window around birth ( embryonic (E) day 18 to postnatal (P) day 2) whereby circulating testosterone from the fetal testis is converted to estrogen in sex-dimorphic brain regions. Here, we found that AVPPVN neurons are sexually dimorphic by E15.5, prior to this critical window, and that gestational bisphenol A (BPA) exposure permanently masculinized female AVPPVN neuronal numbers, projections, and electrophysiological properties, causing them to display male-like phenotypes into adulthood. Moreover, we showed that nearly twice as many neurons that became AVP+ by P0 were born at E11 in males and BPA-exposed females compared to control females, suggesting that AVPPVN neuronal masculinization occurs between E11 and P0. We further narrowed this sensitive period to around the timing of neurogenesis by demonstrating that exogenous estrogen exposure from E14.5 to E15.5 masculinized female AVPPVN neuronal numbers, whereas a pan-estrogen receptor antagonist exposed from E13.5 to E15.5 blocked masculinization of males. Finally, we showed that restricting BPA exposure to E7.5-E15.5 caused adult females to display increased social dominance over control females, consistent with an acquisition of male-like behaviors. Our study reveals an E11.5 to E15.5 window of estrogen sensitivity impacting AVPPVN sex differentiation, which is impacted by prenatal BPA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zheng
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, CalgaryT2N 1N4, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, CalgaryT2N 1N4, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, CalgaryT2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Dinara Baimoukhametova
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, CalgaryT2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, CalgaryT2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Catherine Lebel
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, CalgaryT2N 1N4, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, CalgaryT2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, CalgaryT2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Jaideep S. Bains
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, CalgaryT2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, CalgaryT2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Deborah M. Kurrasch
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, CalgaryT2N 1N4, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, CalgaryT2N 1N4, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, CalgaryT2N 1N4, Canada
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Hidalgo-Figueroa M, Salazar A, Romero-López-Alberca C, MacDowell KS, García-Bueno B, Bioque M, Bernardo M, Parellada M, González-Pinto A, García-Portilla MP, Lobo A, Rodriguez-Jimenez R, Berrocoso E, Leza JC. Association of Prolactin, Oxytocin, and Homocysteine With the Clinical and Cognitive Features of a First Episode of Psychosis Over a 1-Year Follow-Up. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 26:796-807. [PMID: 37603404 PMCID: PMC10674080 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyad051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical debut of schizophrenia is frequently a first episode of psychosis (FEP). As such, there is considerable interest in identifying associations between biological markers and clinical or cognitive characteristics that help predict the progression and outcome of FEP patients. Previous studies showed that high prolactin, low oxytocin, and high homocysteine are factors associated with FEP 6 months after diagnosis, at which point plasma levels were correlated with some clinical and cognitive characteristics. METHODS We reexamined 75 patients at 12 months after diagnosis to measure the evolution of these molecules and assess their association with clinical features. RESULTS At follow-up, FEP patients had lower prolactin levels than at baseline, and patients treated with risperidone or paliperidone had higher prolactin levels than patients who received other antipsychotic agents. By contrast, no changes in oxytocin and homocysteine plasma levels were observed between the baseline and follow-up. In terms of clinical features, we found that plasma prolactin and homocysteine levels were correlated with the severity of the psychotic symptoms in male FEP patients, suggesting that they might be factors associated with psychotic symptomatology but only in men. Together with oxytocin, these molecules may also be related to sustained attention, verbal ability, and working memory cognitive domains in FEP patients. CONCLUSION This study suggests that focusing on prolactin, oxytocin, and homocysteine at a FEP may help select adequate pharmacological treatments and develop new tools to improve the outcome of these patients, where sex should also be borne in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Hidalgo-Figueroa
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Psychobiology Area, Department of Psychology, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | - Alejandro Salazar
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain
- Department of Statistics and Operational Research, University of Cádiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
- The Observatory of Pain, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Cristina Romero-López-Alberca
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain
- Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment Area, Department of Psychology, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | - Karina S MacDowell
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Borja García-Bueno
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miquel Bioque
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d’investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPs), Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit (BCSU), Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Bernardo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d’investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPs), Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit (BCSU), Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mara Parellada
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, IiSGM, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana González-Pinto
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario de Alava, BIOARABA, EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - M Paz García-Portilla
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Servicio de Salud del Principado de Asturias (SESPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Antonio Lobo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Psychiatry, Universidad de Zaragoza, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Roberto Rodriguez-Jimenez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12)/Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Berrocoso
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Psychobiology Area, Department of Psychology, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | - Juan C Leza
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
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Sánchez-Lafuente CL, Romay-Tallon R, Allen J, Johnston JN, Kalynchuk LE, Caruncho HJ. Sex differences in basal reelin levels in the paraventricular hypothalamus and in response to chronic stress induced by repeated corticosterone in rats. Horm Behav 2022; 146:105267. [PMID: 36274499 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Repeated exposure to the stress hormone corticosterone results in depressive-like behaviours paralleled by the downregulation of hippocampal reelin expression. Reelin is expressed in key neural populations involved in the stress response, but whether its hypothalamic expression is sex-specific or involved in sex-specific vulnerability to stress is unknown. Female and male rats were treated with either daily vehicle or corticosterone injections (40 mg/kg) for 21 days. Thereafter, they were subjected to several behavioural tasks before being sacrificed to allow the analysis of reelin expression in hypothalamic nuclei. The basal density of reelin-positive cells in males was significantly higher in the paraventricular nucleus (19 %) and in the medial preoptic area (51 %) compared to females. Chronic corticosterone injections increased the immobility time in the forced swim test in males (107 %) and females (108 %) and decreased the exploration of the elevated plus maze in males (34 %). Corticosterone also caused a significant decrease in the density of reelin-positive cells in males, in both ventrodorsal (37 %) and ventrolateral (32 %) subdivisions of the paraventricular nucleus, while not affecting females. Moreover, in the paraventricular nucleus of males, 30 % of the basal reelin-positive cells co-expressed oxytocin while only 17.5 % did in females, showing a positive correlation between reelin and oxytocin levels. Chronic corticosterone did not significantly affect co-localization levels. For the first time, this study shows that there is a sexually dimorphic subpopulation of reelin-positive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus that can be differentially affected by chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Josh Allen
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Jenessa N Johnston
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Lisa E Kalynchuk
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Hector J Caruncho
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
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5
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López-Gutiérrez MF, Mejía-Chávez S, Alcauter S, Portillo W. The neural circuits of monogamous behavior. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:978344. [PMID: 36247729 PMCID: PMC9559370 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.978344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The interest in studying the neural circuits related to mating behavior and mate choice in monogamous species lies in the parallels found between human social structure and sexual behavior and that of other mammals that exhibit social monogamy, potentially expanding our understanding of human neurobiology and its underlying mechanisms. Extensive research has suggested that social monogamy, as opposed to non-monogamy in mammals, is a consequence of the neural encoding of sociosensory information from the sexual partner with an increased reward value. Thus, the reinforced value of the mate outweighs the reward value of mating with any other potential sexual partners. This mechanism reinforces the social relationship of a breeding pair, commonly defined as a pair bond. In addition to accentuated prosocial behaviors toward the partner, other characteristic behaviors may appear, such as territorial and partner guarding, selective aggression toward unfamiliar conspecifics, and biparental care. Concomitantly, social buffering and distress upon partner separation are also observed. The following work intends to overview and compare known neural and functional circuits that are related to mating and sexual behavior in monogamous mammals. We will particularly discuss reports on Cricetid rodents of the Microtus and Peromyscus genus, and New World primates (NWP), such as the Callicebinae subfamily of the titi monkey and the marmoset (Callithrix spp.). In addition, we will mention the main factors that modulate the neural circuits related to social monogamy and how that modulation may reflect phenotypic differences, ultimately creating the widely observed diversity in social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Wendy Portillo
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, Mexico
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6
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Sanetra AM, Palus-Chramiec K, Chrobok L, Lewandowski MH. Electrophysiological complexity in the rat dorsomedial hypothalamus and its susceptibility to daily rhythms and high-fat diet. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:4363-4377. [PMID: 35796742 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) in amongst the most important brain structures involved in the regulation of feeding behaviour and metabolism. In contrast to other hypothalamic centres, its main role is related to the circadian rhythmicity of food intake and energy homeostasis; both reported to be disrupted in obesity. In modern world, overweight and obesity reached global epidemic proportions. Thus, not only is it important to study their negative implications but also the mechanism responsible for their development. Here, we exposed rats to short-term (2-4 weeks) high-fat diet (HFD)-not long enough to induce obesity. Next, we performed electrophysiological patch-clamp recordings ex vivo from neurons in the DMH either during the day or at night. Our results showed a day-to-night change in the firing frequency of DMH cells, with higher activity during the dark phase. This was abolished by HFD consumption, resulting in a decreased threshold for action potential generation during the day and therefore increased electrical activity at this phase. We propose this electrophysiological disturbance as a mechanism for the induction of abnormal daytime feeding, previously observed for HFD-fed animals, which might in turn contribute to the development of obesity. In addition, we provide an electrophysiological characteristic of DMH neurons with a separation into three anatomically and functionally distinct subpopulations, namely, the compact part, separating the structure into the ventral and dorsal divisions. Our study is the first to show electrophysiological complexity of the DMH with its sensitivity to diet and daily rhythms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Magdalena Sanetra
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Palus-Chramiec
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Lukasz Chrobok
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland.,School of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Marian Henryk Lewandowski
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
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7
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Hidalgo-Figueroa M, Salazar A, Romero-López-Alberca C, MacDowell KS, García-Bueno B, Bioque M, Bernardo M, Parellada M, González-Pinto A, García Portilla MP, Lobo A, Rodriguez-Jimenez R, Berrocoso E, Leza JC. The Influence of Oxytocin and Prolactin During a First Episode of Psychosis: The Implication of Sex Differences, Clinical Features, and Cognitive Performance. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 25:666-677. [PMID: 35353882 PMCID: PMC9380712 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyac023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 3% of the population suffers a first episode of psychosis (FEP), and a high percentage of these patients subsequently relapse. Because the clinical course following a FEP is hard to predict, it is of interest to identify cognitive and biological markers that will help improve the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of such events and to define new therapeutic targets. Here we analyzed the plasma oxytocin and prolactin levels during an FEP, assessing their correlation with clinical and cognitive features. METHODS The oxytocin and prolactin in plasma was measured in 120 FEP patients and 106 healthy controls, all of whom were subjected to a clinical and neuropsychological assessment. Most patients were under antipsychotics. Statistical analyses aimed to identify factors associated with the FEP and to search for associations between the variables. This study is preliminary and exploratory because the P-values were not corrected for multiple comparisons. RESULTS FEP patients had less oxytocin, more prolactin, and a poor premorbid IQ, and they performed worse in sustained attention. Male patients with higher prolactin levels experienced more severe psychotic symptoms and required higher doses of antipsychotics. Low oxytocin was associated with poor sustained attention in women, whereas low oxytocin and high prolactin in men correlated with better performance in sustained attention. CONCLUSION Low oxytocin, high prolactin, and poor premorbid IQ and sustained attention are factors associated with an FEP, representing potential therapeutic targets in these patients. These biological factors and cognitive domains might play an important role during a FEP, which could help us to develop new strategies that improve the outcomes of this disorder and that should perhaps be gender specific.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cristina Romero-López-Alberca
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain,Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment Area, Department of Psychology, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain
| | - Karina S MacDowell
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Borja García-Bueno
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miquel Bioque
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Institut d’investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPs), Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit (BCSU), Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Bernardo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Institut d’investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPs), Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit (BCSU), Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mara Parellada
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, IiSGM, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana González-Pinto
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario de Alava, BIOARABA, EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - María Paz García Portilla
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Department of Psychiatry, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Servicio de Salud del Principado de Asturias (SESPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Antonio Lobo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Department of Medicine and Psychiatry, Universidad de Zaragoza, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Roberto Rodriguez-Jimenez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Department of Psychiatry, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12)/Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Berrocoso
- Correspondence: Esther Berrocoso, PhD, Neuropsychopharmacology Psychobiology Research Group, Psychobiology Area, Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, 11510 Cádiz, Spain ()
| | - Juan C Leza
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain,Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), IUINQ, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - CIBERSAM
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
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8
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Reilly MP, Kunkel MN, Thompson LM, Zentay A, Weeks CD, Crews D, Cormack LK, Gore AC. Effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on hypothalamic oxytocin and vasopressin systems. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 337:75-87. [PMID: 34018699 PMCID: PMC8606018 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) perturb hormonal systems. EDCs are particularly problematic when exposure happens in the fetus and infant due to the high sensitivity of developing organisms to hormone actions. Previous work has shown that prenatal polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure disrupts hypothalamic development, reproductive physiology, mate preference behavior, and social behaviors in a sexually dimorphic manner. Based on evidence that EDCs perturb social behaviors in rodents, we examined effects of PCBs on the neuropeptides oxytocin (OXT) and vasopressin (AVP) that are involved in regulating these behaviors. Rats were exposed prenatally (gestational days 16 and 18) to the weakly estrogenic PCB mixture Aroclor 1221 (0.5 or 1 mg/kg), to estradiol benzoate (EB, a positive control), or to the vehicle (3% dimethyl sulfoxide). In adult (~P90) brains, we counted immunolabeled oxytocin and vasopressin cell numbers in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus. EDCs did not change absolute numbers of oxytocin or vasopressin cells in either region, although there were some modest shifts in the rostral-caudal distribution. Second, expression of genes for these nonapeptides (Oxt, Avp), their receptors (Oxtr, Avpr1a), and the estrogen receptor beta (Esr2), was determined by qPCR. In the PVN, there were dose-dependent effects of PCBs in males (Oxt, Oxtr), and effects of EB in females (Avp, Esr2). In the SON, Oxt, and Esr2 were affected by treatments in males. These changes to protein and gene expression caused by prenatal treatments suggest that transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms play roles in mediating how EDCs reprogram hypothalamic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P. Reilly
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - M. Nicole Kunkel
- Department of Psychology The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Lindsay M. Thompson
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Andrew Zentay
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Connor D. Weeks
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - David Crews
- Department of Psychology The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712,Department of Integrative Biology The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Lawrence K. Cormack
- Department of Psychology The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712,Institute for Neuroscience; The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Andrea C. Gore
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712,Department of Psychology The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712,Institute for Neuroscience; The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712,Corresponding author: Andrea C. Gore, PhD, , University of Texas at Austin Telephone: 512-471-3669, 107 W. Dean Keeton, C0875 Fax: 512-471-5002, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
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Yang H, Fu L, Luo Q, Li L, Zheng F, Wen J, Li C, Luo X, Zhao Z, Xu H. Identification and validation of key miRNAs and miRNA-mRNA regulatory network associated with uterine involution in postpartum Kazakh sheep. Arch Anim Breed 2021; 64:119-129. [PMID: 34084910 PMCID: PMC8131964 DOI: 10.5194/aab-64-119-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are widely expressed in different mammalian tissues and
exert their biological effects through corresponding target genes. miRNA
target genes can be rapidly and efficiently identified and screened by
combining bioinformatics prediction and experimental validation. To
investigate the possible molecular regulatory mechanisms involving miRNAs
during uterine involution in postpartum ewes, we used Illumina HiSeq
sequencing technology to screen for the number and characteristics of miRNAs
in faster uterine involution and normal uterine involution group. A total of
118 differentially expressed miRNAs, including 33 known miRNAs and 85 new
miRNAs, were identified in the hypothalamic library, whereas 54 miRNAs,
including 5 known miRNAs and 49 new miRNAs, were identified in the uterine
library. Screening with four types of gene prediction software revealed 73
target genes associated with uterine involution, and subsequently, GO
annotation and KEGG pathway analysis were performed. The results showed
that, in the hypothalamic–uterine axis, uterine involution in postpartum
ewes might primarily involve two miRNA-target gene pairs, namely,
miRNA-200a–PTEN and miRNA-133–FGFR1, which can participate in GnRH signal
transduction in the upstream hypothalamus and in the remodeling process at
the downstream uterus, through the PI3K–AKT signaling pathway to influence
the recovery of the morphology and functions of the uterus during the
postpartum period in sheep. Therefore, identification of differentially
expressed miRNAs in this study fills a gap in the research related to miRNAs
in uterine involution in postpartum ewes and provides an important reference
point for a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms
underlying the regulation of postpartum uterine involution in female
livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Rongchang 402460, Chongqing, China.,Immunology Research Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Rongchang 402460, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Fu
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Rongchang 402460, Chongqing, China
| | - Qifeng Luo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Rongchang 402460, Chongqing, China
| | - Licai Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Rongchang 402460, Chongqing, China
| | - Fangling Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Rongchang 402460, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiayu Wen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Rongchang 402460, Chongqing, China
| | - Chenjing Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Rongchang 402460, Chongqing, China
| | - Xingxiu Luo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Rongchang 402460, Chongqing, China
| | - Zongsheng Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China
| | - Huihao Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Rongchang 402460, Chongqing, China
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Su Z, Miao B, Xu MQ, Yang MJ, Fei SJ, Zhang JF. Protective effect of microinjection of glutamate into hypothalamus paraventricular nucleus on chronic visceral hypersensitivity in rats. Brain Res 2020; 1747:147048. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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