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Divari S, Cuccato M, Fanelli A, Cannizzo FT. Development of a droplet digital PCR assay to detect illicit glucocorticoid administration in bovine. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271613. [PMID: 35839236 PMCID: PMC9286227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are often used illegally in food-producing animals for the growth promotion of livestock animals. In accordance to official chemical methods for glucocorticoid detection, an animal is declared as non-compliant when a residue is identified in the sample. Neverthless, growth promoting molecules can often escape identification due to their rapid elimination or due to the use of non-detectable new generation drugs. Therefore, an indirect screening method able to detect the biological effect of long-term administration of low doses of dexamethasone and prednisolone on livestock has been developed to support official methods. As already described, FKBP5 (FKBP prolyl isomerase 5) expression in bovine thymus is regulated by glucocorticoids, and this specific regulation can be exploited in an indirect screening assay. In the present study, male veal calves and young bulls were considered in three different trials in which estradiol, dexamethasone, and prednisolone were administered alone or in combination with Revalor-200 subcutaneous pellets. Thoracic thymus was sampled from all animals and molecular analysis was performed. A duplex droplet digital PCR assay with EvaGreen® was employed to detect the target gene expression using absolute quantification. The developed droplet digital PCR assay was precise, showing intra- and inter-assay mean coefficient of variation values of about 6.16% and 3.17%, respectively. It was also highly specific (100%) with Youden’s index of 76.92% and 53.57% applied to veal calves and young bulls, respectively. The lowest detection limit in which the target gene expression level was kept constant, was 0.05 ng/μl of cDNA with 1 copies/μL and 0.5 copies/μL for target and reference gene, respectively. This study establishes the basis for using a digital PCR-based assay as an efficient test to identify animals illegally treated with glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Divari
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Matteo Cuccato
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Antonella Fanelli
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
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Benedetto A, Pezzolato M, Beltramo C, Audino V, Ingravalle F, Pillitteri C, Foschini S, Peletto S, Bozzetta E. Real-time PCR assay for detecting illicit steroid administration in veal calves allows reliable biomarker profiling of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) archival tissue samples. Food Chem 2020; 312:126061. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.126061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Adamo S, Pigna E, Lugarà R, Moresi V, Coletti D, Bouché M. Skeletal Muscle: A Significant Novel Neurohypophyseal Hormone-Secreting Organ. Front Physiol 2019; 9:1885. [PMID: 30670984 PMCID: PMC6331439 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Adamo
- Section of Histology & Medical Embryology, Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Interuniversity Institute of Myology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eva Pigna
- Section of Histology & Medical Embryology, Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Interuniversity Institute of Myology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosamaria Lugarà
- Section of Histology & Medical Embryology, Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Interuniversity Institute of Myology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Moresi
- Section of Histology & Medical Embryology, Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Interuniversity Institute of Myology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Dario Coletti
- Section of Histology & Medical Embryology, Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Interuniversity Institute of Myology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR 8256-INSERM ERL U1164, Biological Adaptation and Aging B2A, Paris, France
| | - Marina Bouché
- Section of Histology & Medical Embryology, Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Interuniversity Institute of Myology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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You X, Xu M, Li Q, Zhang K, Hao G, Xu H. Discovery of potential transcriptional biomarkers in broiler chicken for detection of amantadine abuse based on RNA sequencing technology. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2019; 36:254-269. [PMID: 30650025 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2018.1562232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify candidate transcriptional biomarkers so as to provide a new method for monitoring amantadine residues during the feeding of broiler chicken. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and bioinformatic analyses were conducted to examine the transcriptomic changes and screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in broiler chicken breast muscle and liver tissues treated with amantadine. The results indicated that a total of 170 DEGs were screened from broiler chicken breast muscle tissues after amantadine was fed. Among the genes, 120 were up-regulated and 50 were down-regulated. The gene ontology (GO) terms for these genes mainly existed in the areas of hydrolase activity, immune reaction and chemokine activity. The significantly enriched pathways in the Kyoto Encyclopedia for Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were in phagosomes, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), lysosomes and extracellular matrix (ECM) receptors. From the broiler chicken liver tissues, 172 DEGs were screened, among which 116 were up-regulated and 56 were down-regulated. The GO terms of these DEGs were related to functions such as catalytic activities, metabolic activities, oxidation-reduction activities, immune reactions and cofactor binding. The significantly enriched KEGG pathways existed in metabolism, CAM, ECM receptor reaction and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450. According to the fold-change (FC), significance levels, functional annotations and possible biological processes of DEGs, 11 and 9 candidate DEGs related to amantadine treatment were further screened from broiler chicken breast muscle and liver tissues, respectively. In addition, the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) verification showed exactly concordant results with the RNA-seq data. Principal components analysis (PCA) on the qRT-PCR data resulted in the separation of treated samples from the control samples in both tissues. The results provided a basis for identification of transcriptional biomarkers for detecting amantadine residues in broiler chicken breast muscle and liver tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyong You
- a School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering , Anyang Institute of Technology , Anyang , Henan , China
| | - Meijuan Xu
- a School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering , Anyang Institute of Technology , Anyang , Henan , China
| | - Qiong Li
- a School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering , Anyang Institute of Technology , Anyang , Henan , China
| | - Kunpeng Zhang
- a School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering , Anyang Institute of Technology , Anyang , Henan , China
| | - Guizeng Hao
- a School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering , Anyang Institute of Technology , Anyang , Henan , China
| | - Huaide Xu
- b College of Food Science and Engineering , Northwest A & F University , Yangling , Shanxi , China
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Zhang Z, Zhao LD, Johnson SE, Rhoads ML, Jiang H, Rhoads RP. Oxytocin is involved in steroid hormone-stimulated bovine satellite cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2019; 66:1-13. [PMID: 30195176 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Sex steroid hormones are used in the meat industry due to their ability to regulate muscle hypertrophy. However, the mechanisms underlying their action are not fully elucidated. Recent reports demonstrate that steroid hormones increase oxytocin (OXT) expression in skeletal muscle, indicating that OXT may play a role in satellite cell activity. This hypothesis was tested using steroid hormones (17β-estradiol [E2]; trenbolone acetate [TBA]), tamoxifen (TAM), OXT, and atosiban (A: OXT receptor inhibitor) applied to bovine satellite cells (BSCs) to investigate BSC regulation by OXT. Oxytocin alone increased fusion index (P < 0.05) but not BSC proliferation. Oxytocin reduced (P < 0.05) apoptotic nuclei and stimulated migration rate (P < 0.05). Similarly, E2 and TBA increased (P < 0.05) BSC proliferation rate, fusion index, and migration and decreased (P < 0.05) apoptotic nuclei. 17β-Estradiol or TBA supplemented with A had lower (P < 0.05) BSC proliferation rate, fusion index, and migration and more (P < 0.05) apoptotic nuclei compared with E2 or TBA alone. Furthermore, OXT expression increased (P < 0.05) in E2 or TBA-treated proliferating BSC. Oxytocin, E2, and TBA increased (P < 0.05) MyoD and MyoG expression in proliferating BSC. During BSC differentiation, OXT expression increased (P < 0.05) with E2 or TBA treatments. MyoG expression increased (P < 0.05) in OXT, E2, and TBA compared with control. However, A, OXT + A, TAM, TAM + OXT, E2 + TAM, E2 + A, and TBA + A decreased (P < 0.05) MyoG expression during BSC differentiation. These results indicate that OXT is involved in steroid hormone-stimulated BSC activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhe Zhang
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Lidan D Zhao
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Sally E Johnson
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Michelle L Rhoads
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Honglin Jiang
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Robert P Rhoads
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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Starvaggi Cucuzza L, Biolatti B, Scaglione FE, Cannizzo FT. Role of FKBP51 in the modulation of the expression of the corticosteroid receptors in bovine thymus following glucocorticoid administration. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2018; 62:10-15. [PMID: 28886589 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to study the transcriptional effects of glucocorticoids on corticosteroid hormone receptors, prereceptors (11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 and 2, 11β-HSD1 and 2), and chaperones molecules regulating intracellular trafficking of the receptors (FKBP51 and FKBP52) in thymus of veal calves. Moreover, the expression of FKBP51 and FKBP52 gene were investigated in beef cattle thymus. In the cervical thymus of veal calves, dexamethasone administration in combination with estradiol decreased FKBP51 expression (P < 0.01). The same treatment increased mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) (P < 0.01) and 11β-HSD1 expression (P < 0.05) compared to control group in the cervical thymus of veal calves. The thoracic thymus of veal calves treated with dexamethasone and estradiol showed a decrease of FKBP51 (P < 0.05), FKBP52 (P < 0.05), glucocorticoid receptor (P < 0.05), and MR expression (P < 0.05) compared to control group in the thoracic thymus of veal calves. The gene expression of FKBP51 decreased both in cervical (P < 0.01) and thoracic thymus (P < 0.01) of beef cattle treated with dexamethasone and estradiol. In addition, also prednisolone administration reduced FKBP51 expression in the cervical thymus (P < 0.01) and in the thoracic thymus of beef cattle (P < 0.01). The gene expression of FKBP52 increased only in the cervical thymus following dexamethasone administration (P < 0.01). The decrease of FKBP51 gene expression in thymus could be a possible biomarker of illicit dexamethasone administration in bovine husbandry. Moreover, so far, an effective biomarker of prednisolone administration is not identified. In this context, the decrease of FKBP51 gene expression in thymus of beef cattle following prednisolone administration could play an important role in the indirect identification of animals illegally treated with prednisolone.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Starvaggi Cucuzza
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
| | - B Biolatti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
| | - F E Scaglione
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
| | - F T Cannizzo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Turin, Italy.
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Starvaggi Cucuzza L, Biolatti B, Divari S, Pregel P, Scaglione FE, Sereno A, Cannizzo FT. Development and Application of a Screening Method of Absolute Quantitative PCR To Detect the Abuse of Sex Steroid Hormone Administration in Male Bovines. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2017; 65:4866-4874. [PMID: 28525721 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b00852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A methodology for the absolute quantification of regucalcin gene through quantitative PCR was set up to confirm that the decrease of regucalcin gene expression in the testis is an effective biomarker for tracing sex steroid hormone treatment in bovine husbandry. On the basis of TaqMan technology, an external standard curve was generated. Using in vivo experiments, a ROC curve was developed to calculate the criterion value, specificity, and sensitivity for this potential biomarker. Then, regucalcin gene expression was assessed in veal calves and beef intended for human consumption. In 11 of 54 calves and in 5 of 70 beef cattle the regucalcin gene was expressed under their respective cutoff. Additionally, a mild decrease of regucalcin protein expression was revealed by immunohistochemistry in subjects tested positive via qPCR. These preliminary results suggest that this transcriptomics test may be employed as a novel diagnostic screening tool, improving significantly the overall efficacy of food control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Starvaggi Cucuzza
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin , Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Bartolomeo Biolatti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin , Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Sara Divari
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin , Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Paola Pregel
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin , Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Frine E Scaglione
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin , Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Alessandra Sereno
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin , Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Francesca T Cannizzo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin , Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
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Berio E, Divari S, Starvaggi Cucuzza L, Biolatti B, Cannizzo FT. 17 β-estradiol upregulates oxytocin and the oxytocin receptor in C2C12 myotubes. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3124. [PMID: 28382233 PMCID: PMC5376115 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The endocrinology of skeletal muscle is highly complex and many issues about hormone action in skeletal muscle are still unresolved. Aim of the work is to improve our knowledge on the relationship between skeletal muscle and 17β-estradiol. Methods The skeletal muscle cell line C2C12 was treated with 17β-estradiol, the oxytocin peptide and a combination of the two hormones. The mRNA levels of myogenic regulatory factors, myosin heavy chain, oxytocin, oxytocin receptor and adipogenic factors were analysed in C2C12 myotubes. Results It was demonstrated that C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes express oxytocin and its receptor, in particular the receptor levels physiologically increase in differentiated myotubes. Myotubes treated with 17β-estradiol overexpressed oxytocin and oxytocin receptor genes by approximately 3- and 29-fold, respectively. A decrease in the expression of fatty acid binding protein 4 (0.62-fold), a fat metabolism-associated gene, was observed in oxytocin-treated myotubes. On the contrary, fatty acid binding protein 4 was upregulated (2.66-fold) after the administration of the combination of 17β-estradiol and oxytocin. 17β-estradiol regulates oxytocin and its receptor in skeletal muscle cells and they act in a synergic way on fatty acid metabolism. Discussion Oxytocin and its receptor are physiologically regulated along differentiation. 17β-estradiol regulates oxytocin and its receptor in skeletal muscle cells. 17β-estradiol and oxytocin act in a synergic way on fatty acid metabolism. A better understanding of the regulation of skeletal muscle homeostasis by estrogens and oxytocin peptide could contribute to increase our knowledge of muscle and its metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Berio
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin , Grugliasco , Torino , Italy
| | - Sara Divari
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin , Grugliasco , Torino , Italy
| | | | - Bartolomeo Biolatti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin , Grugliasco , Torino , Italy
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Cannizzo FT, Pegolo S, Pregel P, Manuali E, Salamida S, Divari S, Scaglione FE, Bollo E, Biolatti B, Bargelloni L. Morphological Examination and Transcriptomic Profiling To Identify Prednisolone Treatment in Beef Cattle. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2016; 64:8435-8446. [PMID: 27741397 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b02996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In livestock production corticosteroids are licensed only for therapy; nevertheless, they are often illegally used as growth promoters. The aim of this study was to identify morphological or biomolecular alterations induced by prednisolone (PDN) in experimentally treated beef cattle, because PDN and its metabolites are no longer detectable by LC-MS/MS methods in biological fluids. Moreover, PDN does not induce any histological alterations in the thymus, different from dexamethasone treatments. Therefore, a marker of illicit treatment for this growth promoter could be useful. Eight male Italian Friesian beef cattle were administered prednisolone acetate 30 mg day-1 per os for 35 days, and seven beef cattle represented the control group. Six days after drug withdrawal, the animals were slaughtered. Morphological and morphometric modifications were evaluated in the epididymis and testis, whereas transcriptomic changes induced by PDN administration were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at different sampling times and in skeletal muscle and testis sampled at slaughtering. In the epididymis, spermatozoa number decreased in PDN-treated animals, and in some cases they were totally absent. Correspondingly, in the testis of treated animals, down-regulation for serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK11) gene expression was detected (p < 0.01). DNA microarray analysis revealed a total of 133 differentially expressed genes in skeletal muscle and testis, and 907 and 1416 in PBMCs after 33 days of treatment and at slaughtering, respectively. Histological investigations on epididymal content could represent a promising marker for PDN treatment in beef cattle and could be used as a screening method to identify animals worthy of further investigation with official methods. Moreover, the clear transcriptomic signature of PDN treatment evidenced in PBMCs supported the possibility of using this matrix to monitor the illicit treatment in vivo during ranching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca T Cannizzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino , Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Sara Pegolo
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, Università di Padova , Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Paola Pregel
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino , Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Elisabetta Manuali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche , Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sonia Salamida
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche , Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sara Divari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino , Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Frine E Scaglione
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino , Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Enrico Bollo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino , Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Bartolomeo Biolatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino , Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Luca Bargelloni
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, Università di Padova , Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
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Starvaggi Cucuzza L, Biolatti B, Sereno A, Cannizzo FT. Regucalcin Expression as a Diagnostic Tool for the Illicit Use of Steroids in Veal Calves. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2015; 63:5702-5706. [PMID: 26016660 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b01337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
It has been previously demonstrated that sex steroid hormone treatment down-regulates regucalcin gene expression in the accessory sex glands and testis of prepubertal and adult male bovines. The aim of this study was to investigate whether low doses of sex steroid hormones combined with other drugs significantly affect regucalcin gene expression in the accessory sex glands and testis of veal calves. The regucalcin expression was down-regulated in the bulbo-urethral glands of estrogen-treated calves, whereas it was up-regulated in the prostate of estrogen-treated calves. Only the testis of androgen-treated calves showed a down-regulation of the regucalcin expression. Thus, the administration of sex steroid hormones, even in low doses and combined with other molecules, could affect regucalcin expression in target organs. Particularly, the specific response in the testis suggests regucalcin expression in this organ as a first molecular biomarker of illicit androgen administration in bovine husbandry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Starvaggi Cucuzza
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (Turin), Italy
| | - Bartolomeo Biolatti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (Turin), Italy
| | - Alessandra Sereno
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (Turin), Italy
| | - Francesca T Cannizzo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (Turin), Italy
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Regal P, Blokland MH, Fente CA, Sterk SS, Cepeda A, van Ginkel LA. Evaluation of the discriminative potential of a novel biomarker for estradiol treatments in bovine animals. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2015; 63:370-378. [PMID: 25485694 DOI: 10.1021/jf503773u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The endogenous occurrence of natural hormones obstructs the application of classical targeted methods as confirmatory options. In the case of estradiol, the ultimate confirmation of its exogenous administration relies on gas chromatography coupled to combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C/IRMS). A serum dipeptide composed of pyroglutamic acid and phenylalanine was identified as a potential biomarker of estradiol treatments in adult cows. To evaluate its potential to pinpoint suspicious samples, samples from prepubertal females under different estrogenic treatments have been analyzed. The results confirmed the up-regulation of the dipeptide in adult bovines. The 2-week-old females exhibited short-lasting responses only in a few animals. The 6-month-old female showed a delayed but clear increase on the biomarker level. The composition of the anabolic preparations, the dose, and/or the administration route are possible additional reasons for the reduced response in young animals. A comparison to previous results reported by various researchers is included.
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Regucalcin expression in bovine tissues and its regulation by sex steroid hormones in accessory sex glands. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113950. [PMID: 25415588 PMCID: PMC4240664 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Regucalcin (RGN) is a mammalian Ca2+-binding protein that plays an important role in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Recently, RGN has been identified as a target gene for sex steroid hormones in the prostate glands and testis of rats and humans, but no studies have focused on RGN expression in bovine tissues. Thus, in the present study, we examined RGN mRNA and protein expression in the different tissues and organs of veal calves and beef cattle. Moreover, we investigated whether RGN expression is controlled through sex steroid hormones in bovine target tissues, namely the bulbo-urethral and prostate glands and the testis. Sex steroid hormones are still illegally used in bovine husbandry to increase muscle mass. The screening of the regulation and function of anabolic sex steroids via modified gene expression levels in various tissues represents a new approach for the detection of illicit drug treatments. Herein, we used quantitative PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses to demonstrate RGN mRNA and protein expression in bovine tissues. In addition, estrogen administration down-regulated RGN gene expression in the accessory sex glands of veal calves and beef cattle, while androgen treatment reduced RGN gene expression only in the testis. The confirmation of the regulation of RGN gene expression through sex steroid hormones might facilitate the potential detection of hormone abuse in bovine husbandry. Particularly, the specific response in the testis suggests that this tissue is ideal for the detection of illicit androgen administration in veal calves and beef cattle.
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