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Pereira M, Smiley KO, Lonstein JS. Parental Behavior in Rodents. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2022; 27:1-53. [PMID: 36169811 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-97762-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Members of the order Rodentia are among the best-studied mammals for understanding the patterns, outcomes, and biological determinants of maternal and paternal caregiving. This research has provided a wealth of information but has historically focused on just a few rodents, mostly members of the two Myomorpha families that easily breed and can be studied within a laboratory setting (including laboratory rats, mice, hamsters, voles, gerbils). It is unclear how well this small collection of animals represents the over 2000 species of extant rodents. This chapter provides an overview of the hormonal and neurobiological systems involved in parental care in rodents, with a purposeful eye on providing information known or could be gleaned about parenting in various less-traditional members of Rodentia. We conclude from this analysis that the few commonly studied rodents are not necessarily even representative of the highly diverse members of Myomorpha, let alone other rodent suborders, and that additional laboratory and field studies of members of this order more broadly would surely provide invaluable information toward revealing a more representative picture of the rich diversity in rodent parenting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Pereira
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Kristina O Smiley
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology & Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Joseph S Lonstein
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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Kaminska B, Czerwinska J, Bogacka I, Chojnowska K, Smolinska N, Dobrzyn K, Kiezun M, Zaobidna E, Myszczynski K, Nowakowski JJ, Kaminski T. Sex- and season-dependent differences in the expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 298:113575. [PMID: 32739435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Adiponectin, a product of the Adipoq gene, is an adipocyte-derived protein hormone of the cytokine family and the most abundantly expressed adipokine. Adiponectin and its receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 (collectively referred to as the adiponectin system) are widely expressed in the central nervous system and other tissues, which suggests that this hormone has pleiotropic effects. Adiponectin could also play a role in the modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) hormonal regulatory axis. There is a general scarcity of data on the adiponectin system in wild animals where annual changes in reproductive activity are linked with fluctuations in the activity of the HPA axis. The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) could be an interesting and suitable model for investigating the above processes. We hypothesized that the expression of the adiponectin system in the tissues of the beaver HPA axis is sex- and season-dependent. The study was performed on adult animals harvested during three different stages of reproductive activity: April ('breeding'), July ('post-breeding') and November ('pre-breeding'). The expression of the adiponectin system was confirmed in all branches (mediobasal hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal cortex) of the HPA axis in both sexes and during all periods of reproductive activity. The expression of Adipoq, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 was generally dependent on sex and the period of the reproductive season. The expression of adiponectin system genes was particularly pronounced in the adrenal cortex. These findings suggest that the adiponectin system in the Eurasian beaver could link reproductive processes with stress responses and energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Kaminska
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland.
| | - Joanna Czerwinska
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - Iwona Bogacka
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Chojnowska
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - Nina Smolinska
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - Kamil Dobrzyn
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - Marta Kiezun
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - Ewa Zaobidna
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - Kamil Myszczynski
- Department of Botany and Nature Protection, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Lodzki 1, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - Jacek J Nowakowski
- Department of Ecology & Environmental Protection, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Lodzki 3, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Kaminski
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
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Chojnowska K, Czerwinska J, Kaminski T, Kaminska B, Kurzynska A, Bogacka I. Leptin/leptin receptor system in the regulation of reproductive functions and stress response in the European beaver. Curr Zool 2018; 65:197-203. [PMID: 30936909 PMCID: PMC6430972 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoy030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The European beaver (Castor fiber L.) is the largest free-living rodent in Eurasia. The present work aimed to determine sex- and season-related changes in leptin receptor (Ob-R) expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal/adrenal axes and uterus of beavers during breeding- (April), post-breeding- (July), and pre-breeding- (November) periods. The expression of Ob-R gene and protein was found in all analyzed tissues. The expression of Ob-R mRNA remained constant in the hypothalamus of both sexes during the analyzed stages. Sex- and season-related changes were found in the pituitary gland; the greatest level was observed in July in both sexes. The same expression pattern was noted in the testis, whereas in the ovary a lack of seasonal changes was found. In uterine tissues, the greatest expression occurred in November. The impact of season was also demonstrated in the adrenal cortex. In females, a higher Ob-R transcript level was noted in April, while in males, an increased mRNA abundance was noted in November than July. Our study suggests that in the beaver, leptin acting via the Ob-R can be an important endocrine factor engaged in the regulation of reproductive functions and stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Chojnowska
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Street 1A, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Joanna Czerwinska
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Street 1A, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Kaminski
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Street 1A, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Barbara Kaminska
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Street 1A, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Kurzynska
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Street 1A, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Iwona Bogacka
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Street 1A, Olsztyn, Poland
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Seasonal differences in the testicular transcriptome profile of free-living European beavers (Castor fiber L.) determined by the RNA-Seq method. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180323. [PMID: 28678806 PMCID: PMC5498055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The European beaver (Castor fiber L.) is an important free-living rodent that inhabits Eurasian temperate forests. Beavers are often referred to as ecosystem engineers because they create or change existing habitats, enhance biodiversity and prepare the environment for diverse plant and animal species. Beavers are protected in most European Union countries, but their genomic background remains unknown. In this study, gene expression patterns in beaver testes and the variations in genetic expression in breeding and non-breeding seasons were determined by high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. Paired-end sequencing in the Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencer produced a total of 373.06 million of high-quality reads. De novo assembly of contigs yielded 130,741 unigenes with an average length of 1,369.3 nt, N50 value of 1,734, and average GC content of 46.51%. A comprehensive analysis of the testicular transcriptome revealed more than 26,000 highly expressed unigenes which exhibited the highest homology with Rattus norvegicus and Ictidomys tridecemlineatus genomes. More than 8,000 highly expressed genes were found to be involved in fundamental biological processes, cellular components or molecular pathways. The study also revealed 42 genes whose regulation differed between breeding and non-breeding seasons. During the non-breeding period, the expression of 37 genes was up-regulated, and the expression of 5 genes was down-regulated relative to the breeding season. The identified genes encode molecules which are involved in signaling transduction, DNA repair, stress responses, inflammatory processes, metabolism and steroidogenesis. Our results pave the way for further research into season-dependent variations in beaver testes.
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Prepro-orexin and orexin expression in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axes of free-living Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber L.) depends on season. J Mammal 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyx041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Czerwinska J, Chojnowska K, Kaminski T, Bogacka I, Smolinska N, Kaminska B. Orexin receptor expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes of free-living European beavers (Castor fiber L.) in different periods of the reproductive cycle. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2017; 240:103-113. [PMID: 27664717 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Orexins are hypothalamic neuropeptides acting via two G protein-coupled receptors in mammals: orexin receptor 1 (OX1R) and orexin receptor 2 (OX2R). In European beavers, which are seasonally breeding animals, the presence and functions of orexins and their receptors remain unknown. Our study aimed to determine the expression of OXR mRNAs and the localization of OXR proteins in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/gonadal (HPA/HPG) axes in free-living beavers. The expression of OXR genes (OX1R, OX2R) and proteins was found in all analysed tissues during three periods of beavers' reproductive cycle (April, July, November). The expression of OXR mRNAs in the beaver HPA axis varied seasonally (P<0.05). The levels of OX1R mRNA also differed between the sexes (P<0.05). In the mediobasal hypothalamus, OX1R transcript content increased in pregnant females in April (P<0.05) and OX2R expression increased in males in July (P<0.05). In the pituitary and adrenals, OX1R mRNA levels were relatively constant in females and peaked in July in males (P<0.05), whereas the OX2R was most highly expressed in males in November and in females in April (P<0.05). In gonads, OX1R expression did not fluctuate between seasons or sexes, but transcript levels were elevated in the testes in November and in the ovaries in July (P<0.05). In turn, OX2R mRNA levels varied between the sexes (P<0.05) and were higher in females (July and November) than in males (P<0.05). The circannual variations in OXR mRNA levels in HPA and HPG axes suggest that the expression of these receptors is associated with sex-specific changes in beavers' reproductive activity and their environmental adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Czerwinska
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Physiology, Oczapowskiego 1A Street, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Chojnowska
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Physiology, Oczapowskiego 1A Street, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Kaminski
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Physiology, Oczapowskiego 1A Street, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Iwona Bogacka
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Physiology, Oczapowskiego 1A Street, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Nina Smolinska
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Physiology, Oczapowskiego 1A Street, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Barbara Kaminska
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Physiology, Oczapowskiego 1A Street, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
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Chojnowska K, Czerwinska J, Kaminski T, Kaminska B, Kurzynska A, Bogacka I. Leptin plasma concentrations, leptin gene expression, and protein localization in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes of the European beaver ( Castor fiber ). Theriogenology 2017; 87:266-275. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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