1
|
Determination of Annual Plasma Hormone Levels Associated with Reproduction in Long-Day Breeding Domestic Geese. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082363. [PMID: 34438820 PMCID: PMC8388741 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In domestic birds, breeding practices and optimisation of the microenviroment and nutrition ensure egg production throughout the entire year. However, domestic geese experience an annual cycle of reproductive quiescence and recrudescence. Thus, patterns of reproductive hormones related to the initiation and termination of the breeding–laying period between the sexes seems to be especially important. This paper presents annual patterns of prolactin (PRL), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), testosterone (T), progesterone (P4), and estradiol (E2) in ganders and female geese. Long-day breeding Zatorska geese kept in controlled commercial conditions experienced periods with elevated plasma PRL levels in both sexes post-breeding and during the second half of the breeding–laying period. Increased plasma PRL levels by the end of the breeding–laying period were detected earlier in ganders than in female geese. Annual patterns of thyroid hormones (THs) were partially in agreement with existing theories on the specific role of THs in termination of breeding, which is permissive rather than causal. It may be suggested that ganders terminate their breeding–laying period one month earlier than female geese. These results may be useful in the manipulation of the endocrine axis to extend the duration of seasonal hatching egg production. Abstract This paper examines the dynamics of circulating hormone changes connected with reproduction in geese during the annual period related to gonad morphometry. One hundred geese were examined. The levels of prolactin (PRL), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), testosterone (T), progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) were estimated. In both sexes, PRL level patterns fit a quadratic trend with elevations in the post-breeding and the second half of the breeding–laying periods. During these periods, differences in the PRL level between sexes were noted. In ganders, increased PRL levels during the laying period occurred earlier compared to in female geese. Cubic trends for T and E2 in ganders and quadratic for T, P4, and E2 in female geese were observed. PRL was negatively correlated with T in both sexes and with P4 and E2 in female geese. A higher level of T3 and variation in T4 in ganders with a quartic trend in ganders vs. a quadratic in female geese were noted. Patterns of PRL, T, and E2 suggested that the breeding–laying period in ganders may be shorter than in female geese. These findings will be used to explore experimental manipulations of the endocrine axis to increase synchronisation of both sexes.
Collapse
|
2
|
Gumułka M, Hrabia A, Avital-Cohen N, Andres K, Rozenboim I. The effect of parachlorophenylalanine treatment on the activity of gonadal and lactotrophic axes in native Polish crested chickens stimulated to broodiness. Poult Sci 2020; 99:2708-2717. [PMID: 32359608 PMCID: PMC7597406 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2019.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Brooding behavior, a common characteristic of native breeds of the domestic chicken, is marked by elevated prolactin (PRL) levels, which is necessary for incubation and connected with changes in hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis activity. Evidence indicates the serotoninergic system is a potent modulator of PRL secretion. The objective of this study is to investigate whether blocking serotonin synthesis with parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) prevents incubation behavior in native Polish crested chickens. In addition, we examined the effect of PCPA on the gene expression of the gonadal and lactotrophic axes. Birds were stimulated to broodiness by artificial eggs in nests. At 34 wk of age (April: spring period), the hens were divided into 2 groups (14 hens in each group): control and PCPA-treated (50 mg/kg BW) group. After 5 wk of treatment, the artificial eggs were removed from the nests. Egg production, incubation activity, and levels of plasma ovarian steroids progesterone (P4), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and PRL were examined. At the end of the experiment (45 wk of age, June: summer period), ovarian characteristics and mRNA gene expression of gonadal (gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH] I, luteinizing hormone [LH] ß, follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] ß) and lactotrophic (vasoactive intestinal peptide [VIP], PRL) axes were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Incubation activity was observed in the hens of both groups but with lower frequency in PCPA-treated birds. Moreover, the PCPA group had a higher cumulative egg production than the controls. During the first six and 8 wk of the experiment, levels of P4 and E2, respectively, were similar in both groups, but all concentrations increased in the PCPA-treated hens after this period. In addition, increased GnRH-I, LHß, and FSHß and decreased VIP mRNA expression was observed in the PCPA group compared with the controls. There were no differences in PRL mRNA expression, the PRL level, and ovarian morphometry between the 2 groups. These results indicate that blockage of serotonin synthesis by PCPA does not effectively prevent incubation in native Polish crested chickens. However, treatment with PCPA increased gonadal axis activity and improved reproductive performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Gumułka
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Anna Hrabia
- Department of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Nataly Avital-Cohen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Krzysztof Andres
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Israel Rozenboim
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang Y, Székely T, Zhang Z, Que P. Prolactin concentrations predict parental investment and nest survival in a free-living shorebird. Horm Behav 2020; 119:104633. [PMID: 31785284 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The hormonal milieu that exists during reproduction is one of the key factors influencing the trade-off between reproductive investment and self-maintenance. Much previous work in birds has focused on prolactin as a physiological mediator since prolactin is involved in the onset and maintenance of parental care. However, how prolactin relates to reproductive success in terms of altering parental behavior in wild bird populations is not fully understood. Here, we report prolactin concentrations in breeding Kentish plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus), a small shorebird with variable mating systems and parental care, as an ecological model of mating system evolution. Throughout the breeding season, we estimated the circulating prolactin concentrations in male and female plovers during incubation. In addition, we monitored parental behavior and determined the fate of nests. We found that prolactin concentrations decreased during incubation but increased with clutch completion date. In addition, males and females with high prolactin concentrations spent more time on incubation than those with low prolactin concentrations. Importantly, higher prolactin concentrations in either males or females predict higher nest survival. Our results suggest that prolactin is an indicator of parental behavior in a wild shorebird population, although additional studies including experimental manipulation of prolactin concentrations are necessary to verify this relationship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Wang
- Health Science Centre, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Tamás Székely
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Zhengwang Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Pinjia Que
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Sciences and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen R, Guo RH, Zhu HX, Shi ZD. Development of a sandwich ELISA for determining plasma prolactin concentration in domestic birds. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2019; 67:21-27. [PMID: 30660024 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to establish a sandwich ELISA for the determination of prolactin (PRL) concentrations in the plasma of domestic fowls. The assay uses a recombinant goose PRL as the reference standard, expressed in a eukaryotic system, and as the antigen for raising a polyclonal antibody in rabbit. This rabbit anti-goose PRL polyclonal antibody was used for coating the wells of the ELISA plate, and its biotinylated form served as the detection antibody. An avidin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase was used to bind the detection antibody and to catalyze the chromogenic reaction using 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine as the substrate. The assay showed a linear relationship between the optical density and concentration of the standard PRL in the 0 to 12.5 ng/mL range, and the assay was sensitive to a concentration as low as 0.39 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-assay CVs were <7% and 11%, respectively. The response curves of the serially diluted plasma samples from goose, duck, and chicken exhibited similar parallel relationships to that observed for the reference standards. Consistent with previous findings, the assay effectively detected differences in PRL concentration in plasma samples from chicken, duck, and goose at various reproductive stages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, Jiangsu, China
| | - R H Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, Jiangsu, China
| | - H X Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, Jiangsu, China
| | - Z D Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tierney KB, Welsh PO, Mills M, Nason S, Barreda DR, Paszkowski CA. Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and wastewater ponds, Part II: Developmental, physiological, morphological and behavioural effects of ingestion of secondary clarified effluent water. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2017; 143:336-343. [PMID: 28434758 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Rather than migrating, mallard ducks may choose to overwinter in northern cities on open-water thermal refuges, such as municipal wastewater treatment ponds, which in Edmonton, Canada, stay ≥10°C during frigid winter months. Refuging mallards spend appreciable time daily on these ponds and hydrate using secondary clarified municipal wastewater (SCEW). We aimed to determine if SCEW ingestion affected mallard health. To this end, we gavaged newly hatched mallards (domesticated Pekin strain) over their first month with SCEW, as well as water representing negative and positive controls (municipal tap water, and the primary active ingredient from birth control pills, 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2), respectively). The gavage of SCEW did not affect mass of the body, liver, spleen or heart, but was associated with small increases in beak and wing chord length. In the positive control, EE2 gavage caused similar responses, but also increased tarsus and phallus length. The increases likely owed to the stimulatory effects of estrogenic substances on bone and phallus development. For the biotransformation enzyme CYP2H1, gene expression was numerically increased by both SCEW and EE2. In terms of behavior, SCEW and EE2 gavage reduced two infrequently detected behaviours, pecking and resting alone. Our results suggest that SCEW ingestion would be unlikely to cause any overt health effects in adults, but may evoke subtle, covert effects nevertheless.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K B Tierney
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9.
| | - P O Welsh
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
| | - M Mills
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
| | - S Nason
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
| | - D R Barreda
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
| | - C A Paszkowski
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11455 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dishon L, Avital-Cohen N, Malamud D, Heiblum R, Druyan S, Porter T, Gumułka M, Rozenboim I. In-ovo monochromatic green light photostimulation enhances embryonic somatotropic axis activity. Poult Sci 2017; 96:1884-1890. [DOI: 10.3382/ps/pew489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
|
7
|
Endocrine Disruption and In Vitro Ecotoxicology: Recent Advances and Approaches. IN VITRO ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY - CONCEPTS, APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 157:1-58. [DOI: 10.1007/10_2016_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
8
|
Griffith SC, Crino OL, Andrew SC, Nomano FY, Adkins-Regan E, Alonso-Alvarez C, Bailey IE, Bittner SS, Bolton PE, Boner W, Boogert N, Boucaud ICA, Briga M, Buchanan KL, Caspers BA, Cichoń M, Clayton DF, Derégnaucourt S, Forstmeier W, Guillette LM, Hartley IR, Healy SD, Hill DL, Holveck MJ, Hurley LL, Ihle M, Tobias Krause E, Mainwaring MC, Marasco V, Mariette MM, Martin-Wintle MS, McCowan LSC, McMahon M, Monaghan P, Nager RG, Naguib M, Nord A, Potvin DA, Prior NH, Riebel K, Romero-Haro AA, Royle NJ, Rutkowska J, Schuett W, Swaddle JP, Tobler M, Trompf L, Varian-Ramos CW, Vignal C, Villain AS, Williams TD. Variation in Reproductive Success Across Captive Populations: Methodological Differences, Potential Biases and Opportunities. Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon C. Griffith
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Ondi L. Crino
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Samuel C. Andrew
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Fumiaki Y. Nomano
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Elizabeth Adkins-Regan
- Department of Psychology and Department of Neurobiology and Behavior; Cornell University; Ithaca NY USA
| | - Carlos Alonso-Alvarez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC) - CSIC-UCLM-JCCM; Ciudad Real Spain
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales - CSIC; Madrid Spain
| | - Ida E. Bailey
- School of Biology; University of St Andrews; St Andrews, Fife UK
| | | | - Peri E. Bolton
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| | - Neeltje Boogert
- School of Psychology; University of St Andrews; St Andrews, Fife UK
| | - Ingrid C. A. Boucaud
- CNRS UMR 9197 NeuroPSI/ENES; Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne; Saint-Etienne France
| | - Michael Briga
- Behavioural Biology; University of Groningen; Groningen The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Mariusz Cichoń
- Institute of Environmental Sciences; Jagiellonian University; Cracow Poland
| | - David F. Clayton
- Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology; Queen Mary University of London; London UK
| | | | - Wolfgang Forstmeier
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Ornithology; Seewiesen Germany
| | | | - Ian R. Hartley
- Lancaster Environment Centre; Lancaster University; Lancaster UK
| | - Susan D. Healy
- School of Biology; University of St Andrews; St Andrews, Fife UK
| | - Davina L. Hill
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| | - Marie-Jeanne Holveck
- Institute of Biology; University of Leiden; Leiden The Netherlands
- Biodiversity Research Centre; Earth and Life Institute; Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL); Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium
| | - Laura L. Hurley
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Malika Ihle
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Ornithology; Seewiesen Germany
| | - E. Tobias Krause
- Department of Animal Behaviour; Bielefeld University; Bielefeld Germany
- Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry; Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut; Celle Germany
| | - Mark C. Mainwaring
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney NSW Australia
- Lancaster Environment Centre; Lancaster University; Lancaster UK
| | - Valeria Marasco
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| | - Mylene M. Mariette
- CNRS UMR 9197 NeuroPSI/ENES; Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne; Saint-Etienne France
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Geelong VIC Australia
| | - Meghan S. Martin-Wintle
- Conservation and Research Department; PDXWildlife; Portland OR USA
- Applied Animal Ecology; Institute for Conservation Research; San Diego Zoo Global; Escondido CA USA
| | - Luke S. C. McCowan
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Maeve McMahon
- Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology; Queen Mary University of London; London UK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| | - Ruedi G. Nager
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| | - Marc Naguib
- Behavioural Ecology Group; Department of Animal Sciences; Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Nord
- Department of Biology; Lund University; Lund Sweden
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology; University of Tromsø; Tromsø Norway
| | - Dominique A. Potvin
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research; University of Western Ontario; London ON Canada
| | - Nora H. Prior
- Zoology Department; University of British Columbia; Vancouver BC Canada
| | - Katharina Riebel
- Lancaster Environment Centre; Lancaster University; Lancaster UK
| | - Ana A. Romero-Haro
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC) - CSIC-UCLM-JCCM; Ciudad Real Spain
| | - Nick J. Royle
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation; University of Exeter; Penryn UK
| | - Joanna Rutkowska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences; Jagiellonian University; Cracow Poland
| | - Wiebke Schuett
- Zoological Institute; University of Hamburg; Hamburg Germany
| | - John P. Swaddle
- Biology Department; Institute for Integrative Bird Behaviour Studies; The College of William and Mary; Williamsburg VA USA
| | | | - Larissa Trompf
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Claire W. Varian-Ramos
- Biology Department; Institute for Integrative Bird Behaviour Studies; The College of William and Mary; Williamsburg VA USA
| | - Clémentine Vignal
- CNRS UMR 9197 NeuroPSI/ENES; Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne; Saint-Etienne France
| | - Avelyne S. Villain
- CNRS UMR 9197 NeuroPSI/ENES; Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne; Saint-Etienne France
| | - Tony D. Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences; Simon Fraser University; Burnaby BC Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Vistoropsky Y, Heiblum R, Smorodinsky NI, Barnea A. Active immunization against vasoactive intestinal polypeptide decreases neuronal recruitment and inhibits reproduction in zebra finches. J Comp Neurol 2016; 524:2516-28. [PMID: 26801210 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Neurogenesis and neuronal recruitment occur in adult brains of many vertebrates, and the hypothesis is that these phenomena contribute to the brain plasticity that enables organisms to adjust to environmental changes. In mammals, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is known to have many neuroprotective properties, but in the avian brain, although widely distributed, its role in neuronal recruitment is not yet understood. In the present study we actively immunized adult zebra finches against VIP conjugated to KLH and compared neuronal recruitment in their brains, with brains of control birds, which were immunized against KLH. We looked at two forebrain regions: the nidopallium caudale (NC), which plays a role in vocal communication, and the hippocampus (HC), which is involved in the processing of spatial information. Our data demonstrate that active immunization against VIP reduces neuronal recruitment, inhibits reproduction, and induces molting, with no change in plasma prolactin levels. Thus, our observations suggest that VIP has a direct positive role in neuronal recruitment and reproduction in birds. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2516-2528, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Vistoropsky
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Ra'anana, 43107, Israel
| | - Rachel Heiblum
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Ra'anana, 43107, Israel
| | - Nechama-Ina Smorodinsky
- Department of Cell Research & Immunology, The George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 61391, Israel
| | - Anat Barnea
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Ra'anana, 43107, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Smiley KO, Adkins-Regan E. Relationship between prolactin, reproductive experience, and parental care in a biparental songbird, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2016; 232:17-24. [PMID: 26602378 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Revised: 11/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hormonal systems have long been thought to play an important role in stimulating the onset of parental behavior, a critical component of reproductive success in a variety of taxa. Elevations in the peptide hormone prolactin (PRL) have been repeatedly positively correlated with the onset and maintenance of parental care across vertebrate species. A causal role for PRL in parental care has been established in several mammalian species, but less evidence for a causal role of PRL and parental care exists in birds. The zebra finch, a socially monogamous, biparental songbird, is an exceptionally useful animal model to study parental care and other close social relationships. Both sexes share parental care equally, exhibit the same parental behaviors, and show a marked improvement in breeding success with experience. We hypothesize that PRL is critically involved in the expression of zebra finch parental care and predict that circulating PRL levels will increase with breeding experience. To begin testing this, we measured plasma PRL concentrations in 14 male-female zebra finch pairs (N=28) across two breeding cycles, using a repeated measures design. PRL was measured in the birds' first, reproductively inexperienced, breeding cycle beginning at courtship and extending through chick fledging. PRL was measured again during the birds' second, reproductively experienced, breeding cycle, beginning with egg laying until chick fledging. We found that plasma PRL is significantly elevated from non-breeding concentrations during late incubation and early post-hatch care and that this elevation is greater in the reproductively experienced cycle compared to the inexperienced cycle. Findings of this study will be used to inform hypotheses and predictions for future experimental manipulations of PRL during parental care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina O Smiley
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Adkins-Regan
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Matson KD, Riedstra B, Tieleman BI. In ovo testosterone treatment reduces long-term survival of female pigeons: a preliminary analysis after nine years of monitoring. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2016; 100:1031-1036. [PMID: 26924119 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.12469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Early exposure to steroid hormones, as in the case of an avian embryo exposed yolk testosterone, can impact the biology of an individual in different ways over the course of its life. While many early-life effects of yolk testosterone have been documented, later-life effects remain poorly studied. We followed a cohort of twenty captive pigeons hatched in 2005. Half of these birds came from eggs with experimentally increased concentrations of testosterone; half came from control eggs. Preliminary results suggest non-random mortality during the birds' first nine years of life. Hitherto, all males have survived, and control females have survived better than testosterone-treated ones. Despite inherent challenges, studies of later-life consequences of early-life exposure in longer-lived species can offer new perspectives that are precluded by studies of immediate outcomes or shorter-lived species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K D Matson
- Resource Ecology Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - B Riedstra
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - B I Tieleman
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Avital-Cohen N, Heiblum R, Rosenstrauch A, Chaiseha Y, Mobarkey N, Gumułka M, Rozenboim I. Role of the serotonergic axis in the reproductive failure associated with aging broiler breeder roosters. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2015; 53:42-51. [PMID: 26051791 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2015.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2014] [Revised: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive failure associated with aging is a well-known phenomenon. However, the mechanism by which this failure occurs in broiler breeder roosters is still unclear. A previous study conducted in our laboratory, comparing young and aging broiler breeder roosters, demonstrated an elevation in hypothalamic vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary prolactin (PRL) gene expression accompanied by a deterioration of gonadal axis function. This resulted in a decrease in semen-quality variables as roosters aged. The objective of this study was to examine the involvement of the serotonergic axis in the age-associated reproductive failure in broiler breeder roosters. Cobb roosters aged 64 wk were divided into 3 groups (n = 20 each): parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) administration, active immunization against chicken VIP, and controls. At 69 wk of age, each group was divided into 2 equal subgroups: 1 received ovine PRL and the other served as controls. Weekly semen volume, concentration and motility, and plasma testosterone, estradiol, and PRL concentrations were examined. At the end of the experiment, roosters were euthanized, testes were weighed, and hypothalamus and pituitary were removed to assay the expression of genes encoding hypothalamic GnRH-I, pituitary FSH, pituitary LH, hypothalamic VIP, and pituitary PRL. Both PCPA administration and active immunization against chicken VIP significantly increased testis weight, semen volume, sperm concentration, ejaculation grade, plasma testosterone level, and GnRH-I, FSH and LH gene expression compared with controls (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, a decrease in plasma estradiol and PRL concentrations and VIP and PRL gene expression was observed in PCPA- and VIP-immunized birds compared with controls (P ≤ 0.05). Administration of PRL in all groups decreased gonadal axis function and semen-quality variables (P ≤ 0.05). Collectively, these results suggest that the increasing expression levels of the serotonergic axis in aging broiler breeder roosters inhibit proper gonadal function and reproductive performance. This article establishes for the first time the inhibitory role of serotonin on reproduction in aging roosters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Avital-Cohen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
| | - R Heiblum
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - A Rosenstrauch
- Department of Life Sciences, Achva Academic College, MP Shikmim 79800, Israel
| | - Y Chaiseha
- School of Biology, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - N Mobarkey
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - M Gumułka
- Department of Swine and Small Livestock Breeding, Institute of Animal Breeding, Agricultural University of Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - I Rozenboim
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Christensen D, Vleck CM. Effects of age and reproductive experience on the distribution of prolactin and growth hormone secreting cells in the anterior pituitary of a passerine. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2015; 222:54-61. [PMID: 26119185 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 06/04/2014] [Revised: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Plasma prolactin (PRL) is released from lactotrophs in the anterior pituitary. As plasma PRL levels rise during incubation in domestic fowl, the number of lactotrophs (PRL-immunoreactive, PRL-IR cells) increases while the number of growth hormone secreting cells, somatotrophs (GH-IR cells), declines. We measured plasma PRL levels using radioimmunoassay (RIA) and examined the distribution of lactotrophs and somatotrophs in the anterior pituitary of breeding and nonbreeding zebra finches of known ages with and without prior breeding experience using fluorescent immunohistochemistry (IHC). Plasma PRL levels were higher in breeding than in nonbreeding birds, regardless of age, sex, or previous breeding history. PRL-IR cells were localized primarily, but not exclusively, to the cephalic aspect of the anterior pituitary (AP) and along the ventral margin. Birds with prior reproductive experience had more PRL-IR cells than birds with no prior reproductive experience and breeders had slightly higher PRL-IR cell counts than did nonbreeders, but there was no correlation between the number of PRL-IR cells and plasma PRL levels. GH-IR cells were concentrated in the caudal aspect of the AP with some cells in the cephalic lobe, but numbers did not differ between any of the groups studied. An increase in PRL-IR cells corresponded with an increase in GH-IR cells. An increase in lactotroph number with reproductive experience in zebra finches may facilitate future reproductive events by allowing for more robust PRL secretion and increased reproductive success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debora Christensen
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
| | - Carol M Vleck
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gumułka M, Rozenboim I. Effect of breeding stage and photoperiod on gonadal and serotonergic axes in domestic ganders. Theriogenology 2015; 84:1332-41. [PMID: 26318228 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 07/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Reduction in reproductive potential of ganders with progress in seasonal breeding is a known problem in commercial geese production. The role of changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-gondal axis and testis functions in this process is not clear. This article presents studies on the hypothalamic (GnRH-I, vasoactive intestinal peptide), pituitary (LHβ, prolactin [PRL], PRL receptor [PRLR]), testis (PRLR) axis messenger RNA (mRNA) expression during different stages of the breeding period and photoperiodic conditions. Testis mass; histologic and functional (testosterone [T]) parameters; and plasma concentrations of T, LH, and PRL were evaluated. We collected (six times) samples from 2-year-old ganders (n = 48) maintained in short day (10L:14D) during the period from November to July. Moreover, in the peak of sexual activity (March), an additional group was on exposure (6 weeks) to long day (LD; 16L:8D). During the first half of reproduction (January, March; photosensitive period), GnRH-I (1.9 vs. 0.3 relative quantity [RQ]) and LHβ (3.0 vs. 0.7 RQ) mRNA transcript expression and concentrations of T (1.9-2.9 vs. 0.3 ng/mL), LH (13.6-7.4 vs. 0.7 ng/mL) were found to be higher (P < 0.05) than at the end of breeding (July). With progress in breeding, marked elevation (P < 0.05) in PRL (22.0-387.1 ng/mL) concentration related to similar changes in vasoactive intestinal peptide (0.9-3.0 RQ) and PRL mRNA abundance (1.3-11.5 RQ; May, July) was observed. However, testis PRLR mRNA increased (P < 0.05) only at the end of reproduction (1.2 RQ) compared to the peak of sexual activity (0.4 RQ; March). Furthermore, changes in mRNA transcript expression of the lactotrophic axis were accompanied with reduction of testis weight (left: 11.1-5.8 g), spermatogenesis (spermatogenic index: 5.4-3.0), and steroidogenesis (T: 24.8-1.3 ng/g testis), which may suggest their pivotal inhibitory modulation role in the regression of seasonal reproductive activity in ganders. The LD conditions (similar to spring-summer) resulted in earlier peripheral changes in T (0.9 vs. 1.8 ng/mL), LH (1.1 vs. 3.8 ng/mL), and PRL (296.1 vs. 161.2 ng/mL) concentrations than in short day, and this may be related to the advance in the timing of the sexual activity failure observed under natural light regimes. The lack of differences in gonadal and lactotrophic axis mRNA expression after LD treatment suggested a regulation based on the posttranslational mechanisms or modification of transcript or protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Gumułka
- Department of Swine and Small Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Israel Rozenboim
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gumułka M, Rozenboim I. Breeding period-associated changes in semen quality, concentrations of LH, PRL, gonadal steroid and thyroid hormones in domestic goose ganders (Anser anser f. domesticus). Anim Reprod Sci 2015; 154:166-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Revised: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
16
|
Avital-Cohen N, Heiblum R, Argov-Argaman N, Rosenstrauch A, Chaiseha Y, Mobarkey N, Rozenboim I. Age-related changes in gonadal and serotonergic axes of broiler breeder roosters. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2013; 44:145-50. [PMID: 23411011 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Revised: 01/01/2013] [Accepted: 01/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Fertility of domestic roosters decreases at ≈ 50 wk of age. In a previous study on aging white leghorn roosters, low fertility was accompanied by low levels of both hypothalamic vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary prolactin (PRL) mRNA expression; however, their role in aging broiler breeder rooster reproduction is still unclear. In this study we compared reproductive activities of young (35-wk-old) and aging (73-wk-old) broiler breeder roosters. Weekly semen volume; concentration and ejaculation grade; and concentrations of plasma testosterone, estradiol, and PRL were examined. Every other week, 10 roosters from each group were euthanized, their testes weighed, and hypothalamus and pituitary removed to determine mRNA expression of hypothalamic GnRH-I, pituitary FSH, pituitary LH, hypothalamic VIP, and pituitary PRL. Aging roosters had significantly lower testis weight and semen volume, sperm concentration, ejaculation grade and plasma testosterone and low hypothalamic GnRH-I, pituitary FSH, and pituitary LH mRNA expression than young roosters (P ≤ 0.05). Aging roosters had higher concentrations of plasma estradiol and PRL and higher hypothalamic VIP and pituitary PRL mRNA expression than young roosters (P ≤ 0.05). We suggest that PRL, which is known to inhibit the gonadal axis, and its releasing factor, VIP, play an important role in the reproductive failure associated with age in broiler breeder roosters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Avital-Cohen
- Department of Animal Science, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mobarkey N, Avital N, Heiblum R, Rozenboim I. The Effect of Parachlorophenylalanine and Active Immunization Against Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide on Reproductive Activities of Broiler Breeder Hens Photostimulated with Green Light1. Biol Reprod 2013; 88:83. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.112.103697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
|
18
|
Post-hatch oral estrogen in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata): Is infertility due to disrupted testes morphology or reduced copulatory behavior? Physiol Behav 2010; 101:13-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2009] [Revised: 03/11/2010] [Accepted: 04/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
19
|
Rochester JR, Millam JR. Phytoestrogens and avian reproduction: Exploring the evolution and function of phytoestrogens and possible role of plant compounds in the breeding ecology of wild birds. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2009; 154:279-88. [PMID: 19559809 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2009] [Revised: 06/19/2009] [Accepted: 06/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Phytoestrogens are secondary plant compounds, which can act to mimic estrogen and cause the disruption of estrogenic responses in organisms. Although there is a substantial body of research studying phytoestrogens, including their mechanisms of estrogenic effects, evolution, and detection in biological systems, little is known about their ecological significance. There is evidence, however, that an ecological relationship involving phytoestrogens exists between plants and animals-plants may produce phytoestrogens to reduce fecundity of organisms that eat them. Birds and other vertebrates may also exploit phytoestrogens to regulate their own reproduction-there are well known examples of phytoestrogens inhibiting reproduction in higher vertebrates, including birds. Also, common plant stressors (e.g., high temperature) increase the production of secondary plant compounds, and, as evidence suggests, also induce phytoestrogen biosynthesis. These observations are consistent with the single study ever done on phytoestrogens and reproduction in wild birds [Leopold, A.S., Erwin, M., Oh, J., Browning, B., 1976. Phytoestrogens adverse effects on reproduction in California quail. Science 191, 98-100.], which found that drought stress correlated with increased levels of phytoestrogens in plants, and that increased phytoestrogen levels correlated with decreased young. This review discusses the hypothesis that plants may have an effect on the reproduction of avian species by producing phytoestrogens as a plant defense against herbivory, and that birds may "use" changing levels of phytoestrogens in the vegetation to ensure that food resources will support potential young produced. Evidence from our laboratory and others appear to support this hypothesis.
Collapse
|