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Majumdar G, Yadav G, Singh NS. Photoperiodic physiology of summer breeding birds and a search for the role of eye. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2024; 23:197-212. [PMID: 38038950 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00505-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Photoperiod regulation of gonadal cycles is well studied and documented in both birds and mammals. Change in photoperiod is considered as the most effective and important cue to time the initiation of the annual physiological cycles in birds. Approaching of long days (as observed in summer months), signal long-day breeding birds to initiation reproduction and other related functions. Birds and other non-mammalian vertebrates use the extraocular photoreceptors which may be present in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) or associated regions to measure the photoperiodic time and so are different from mammals where only the eyes are lone photoreceptive organs. The downstream signaling involves thyroid responsive genes playing a crucial role in mediating photoperiodic signals in both birds and mammals. Role of eyes in the avian seasonal cycle has been a questionable issue with evidences both favoring and negating any role. We propose that morphological as well as physiological data argue that retinal photoreceptors can participate in gonadal cycle, at least in the quail and duck. The present review details the studies of photoneuroendocrine control of gonadal axis in birds and review evidences to decipher the role eyes in photoperiodic mediated physiologies in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Majumdar
- Department of Zoology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211002, India
| | - Garima Yadav
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211002, India
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Andrabi M, Upton BA, Lang RA, Vemaraju S. An Expanding Role for Nonvisual Opsins in Extraocular Light Sensing Physiology. Annu Rev Vis Sci 2023; 9:245-267. [PMID: 37196422 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-vision-100820-094018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
We live on a planet that is bathed in daily and seasonal sunlight cycles. In this context, terrestrial life forms have evolved mechanisms that directly harness light energy (plants) or decode light information for adaptive advantage. In animals, the main light sensors are a family of G protein-coupled receptors called opsins. Opsin function is best described for the visual sense. However, most animals also use opsins for extraocular light sensing for seasonal behavior and camouflage. While it has long been believed that mammals do not have an extraocular light sensing capacity, recent evidence suggests otherwise. Notably, encephalopsin (OPN3) and neuropsin (OPN5) are both known to mediate extraocular light sensing in mice. Examples of this mediation include photoentrainment of circadian clocks in skin (by OPN5) and acute light-dependent regulation of metabolic pathways (by OPN3 and OPN5). This review summarizes current findings in the expanding field of extraocular photoreception and their relevance for human physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutahar Andrabi
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; ,
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Brian A Upton
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; ,
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Richard A Lang
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; ,
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Shruti Vemaraju
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; ,
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Cao X, Zhang G, Liu S. Cell adhesion function was altered during the seasonal regression of the seminiferous epithelium in the mink species Neovison vison. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad190. [PMID: 37282598 PMCID: PMC10276646 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Minks are seasonal breeders whose seminiferous epithelium undergoes regression through massive germ cell death, leaving only Sertoli cells and spermatogonial cells in the tubules. However, the molecular mechanisms that control this biological process remain largely unknown. This study describes a transcriptomic analysis of mink testes at various reproductive stages (active, regressing, and inactive). A comparison of seminiferous epithelium at different stages of reproduction shows that cell adhesion is altered during regression. In addition, genes and proteins involved in forming the blood-testis barrier (BTB) were examined in sexually active and inactive minks. The seminiferous epithelium in the testes of sexually inactive minks expressed occludin, but this expression was not discernibly observed in the testes of sexually active minks. There was no discernible expression of CX43 in the seminiferous epithelium in the testes of sexually inactive minks, but CX43 was expressed in the testes of sexually active minks. During the regression process, we observed a remarkable increase in the expression levels of Claudin-11, which is associated with Sertoli-germ cell junctions. In conclusion, these findings suggest a loss of Sertoli-germ cell adhesion, which may regulate postmeiotic cell shedding during testicular regression in mink.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Zhao Wu Da Road No. 306, Hohhot 010018, China
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot 010018, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Yanzhu Zhu
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaodong Cao
- School of pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonmous Region, China
- School of pharmacy New Drug Safety Evaluation Research Center, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonmous Region, China
| | - Guanhua Zhang
- Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Comprehensive Inspection and Testing Center of chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Shuying Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Zhao Wu Da Road No. 306, Hohhot 010018, China
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot 010018, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture, Hohhot 010018, China
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Effect of pre-hatch incubator lights on the ontogeny of CNS opsins and photoreceptors in the Pekin duck. Poult Sci 2022; 101:101699. [PMID: 35176701 PMCID: PMC8857459 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.101699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Incubated eggs with and without light had no effect on post-hatch production. Light does not influence the ontogeny of retinal rod and cone photoreceptors. Brain OPN4 mRNA is increased the later stages of embryonic development.
The Pekin duck is a valuable agricultural commodity globally and in the United States. Pekin ducks are seasonal breeders; they are sensitive to light and thus, research on the neuroendocrine and behavioral responses are needed to maximize production and to improve their welfare. There is compelling evidence that specific wavelengths of light may adversely alter the growth and welfare of meat (grow out) ducks. However, despite a birds’ dependence upon light, in commercial poultry hatcheries, incubators almost exclusively hold eggs in the dark. Therefore, our objective was to determine the effects of lighting on the expression of retina photoreceptors (RPs) and deep brain photoreceptors (DBPs) during duck embryological development. Two groups of ducks were raised with and without light over 21 d from egg laying, embryonic day 0. Brain and retinal tissues were collected at embryonic days 3, 7, 11, 16, and 21 of a 24 d incubation period. qRT-PCR was performed on RPs (OPN1LW, OPN2SW, OPN1SW, MAFA, RHO, and RBP3) and the DBP OPN4M from retinal and brain samples, respectively. We find that the presence and absence of light during pre-hatch incubation, had no influence on the expression of any retinal photoreceptor. However, a late embryological increase in DBP OPN4M expression was observed. Taken together, the impact of light during pre-hatch incubation does not impact the overall post-hatch production. However, future directions should explore how OPN4M pre-hatch activation impacts Pekin duck post-hatch development and growth.
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Kang SW. Central Nervous System Associated With Light Perception and Physiological Responses of Birds. Front Physiol 2021; 12:723454. [PMID: 34744764 PMCID: PMC8566752 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.723454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental light that animal receives (i.e., photoperiod and light intensity) has recently been shown that it affects avian central nervous system for the physiological responses to the environment by up or downregulation of dopamine and serotonin activities, and this, in turn, affects the reproductive function and stress-related behavior of birds. In this study, the author speculated on the intriguing possibility that one of the proposed avian deep-brain photoreceptors (DBPs), i.e., melanopsin (Opn4), may play roles in the dual sensory-neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus, midbrain, and brain stem for the behavior and physiological responses of birds by light. Specifically, the author has shown that the direct light perception of premammillary nucleus dopamine-melatonin (PMM DA-Mel) neurons is associated with the reproductive activation in birds. Although further research is required to establish the functional role of Opn4 in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), dorsal raphe nucleus, and caudal raphe nucleus in the light perception and physiological responses of birds, it is an exciting prospect because the previous results in birds support this hypothesis that Opn4 in the midbrain DA and serotonin neurons may play significant roles on the light-induced welfare of birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong W. Kang
- Department of Poultry Science, Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
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Ontogeny of OPN4, OPN5, GnRH and GnIH mRNA Expression in the Posthatch Male and Female Pekin Duck ( Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) Suggests OPN4 May Have Additional Functions beyond Reproduction. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041121. [PMID: 33919914 PMCID: PMC8070892 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG) is known to be regulated by daylength through the deep brain photoreceptor (DBP) system. The post-hatch ontogeny is not known for any of the DBPs. We set out to determine the ontogeny of OPN4 and OPN5 gene expression relative to GnRH and GnIH using qRT-PCR. Brains and serum were collected from five drakes and five hens on the day of hatching (Day 0) and again at 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 19, 25 and 31 weeks of age and analyzed by qRT-PCR. Hen and drake serum was assayed for circulating levels of estradiol and testosterone, respectively. Data were analyzed between sexes over time using a repeated measures two-way ANOVA. Interestingly, the results show that on the day of hatching (Day 0), ducks showed adult-like levels of relative OPN4, but not OPN5, gene expression. During week 10, DBP levels increased, achieving highest relative expression levels at week 19 that maintained through week 31, typically peak fertility in ducks. GnRH mRNA levels increased following the DBP expression at the onset of puberty, and gonadal steroids increased after GnRH at week 14 while estradiol preceded testosterone. GnIH mRNA levels did not appreciably change during the time course of this experiment. These observations suggest that OPN4 may be active during the peri-hatch period and may have physiological roles beyond puberty and fertility.
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Porter L, Porter A, Potter H, Alenciks E, Fraley S, Fraley G. Low light intensity in Pekin duck breeder barns has a greater impact on the fertility of drakes than hens. Poult Sci 2018; 97:4262-4271. [DOI: 10.3382/ps/pey289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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