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Satué K, Fazio E, Damiá E, Barbiera G, Medica P, Cravana C. Effect of age on androgens pattern in cyclic mares. Res Vet Sci 2024; 173:105276. [PMID: 38677075 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105276] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Androgens are produced in both sexes. In females produced by the adrenal gland and the ovaries they play a crucial role in regulating ovarian function, estrogen synthesis and follicular growth. Age leads to a reduction in androgen concentrations, although, at present, these mechanisms are not elucidated in mares. The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of testosterone (T), androstenedione (A4) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in mares of different ages. Blood samples were drawn from seventy cyclic Spanish Purebred mares belonging to five age groups: 3-5 years, 6-9 years, 10-13 years, 14-16 years and > 16 years. The concentrations of T, A4 and DHEA were determined by EIA, validated specifically for horses. Mares aged 3-5, 6-9 and 10-13 years had higher T concentrations (P < 0.05) than mares aged >16 years, and mares aged 6-9 years had also higher concentrations than those 14-16 years old (P < 0.05). A4 concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) in mares >16 years old when compared with those of other age groups. DHEA concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) in mares 14-16 years and > 16 years old when compared with those of other age groups. DHEA was positively correlated with T (r = 0.61; P < 0.05) and A4 (r = 0.51; P < 0.05). Age induces reduction in androgens' synthesis in physiologically cyclic Spanish Purebred mares. These physiological variations must be duly considered for a correct and objective interpretation of the analytical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katiuska Satué
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Esterina Fazio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Elena Damiá
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Pietro Medica
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Cristina Cravana
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, 98168 Messina, Italy
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Gao Y, Zhao G, Song Y, Haire A, Yang A, Zhao X, Wusiman A. Presence of leptin and its receptor in the ram reproductive system and in vitro effect of leptin on sperm quality. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13982. [PMID: 36187750 PMCID: PMC9521348 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptin is a 16 kDa hormone encoded by obese (OB) gene in adipocytes. This molecule not only regulates energy metabolism but also plays a role in the reproduction of mammals. Leptin and its receptor (OBR) have been found in male reproductive systems of human, bovine, equine and pig. The effects of leptin on sperm quality vary widely from different research findings. However, the presence of leptin and its receptor in the ram reproductive system and the in vitro effect of leptin on sperm quality have not reported yet. In the present study, we found that the OB was highly expressed in primary and secondary spermatocytes of the testes, OBR was highly expressed in secondary spermatocytes of the testes. The expressions of OB were in stereocilia of epididymis and in columnar cells of epididymal caput and cauda, the expressions of OBR were in columnar cells of epididymis and in stereocilia of epididymal corpus and cauda. The presence of both OB and OBR in testes, epididymis and sperm were confirmed through RT-PCR, immunolocalization and Western blot analyses. The RT-qPCR results indicated OB and OBR had higher expression levels in epididymal sperm than that of the ejaculated sperm in rams. When sperm were treated with 5 ng/mL leptin, the progressive motility (P < 0.01), straight-line velocity (VSL) (P < 0.05), average path velocity (VAP) (P < 0.05), membrane mitochondrial potential (MMP) (P < 0.01) and viability (P < 0.05) significantly increased, while DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly decreased compared to the control (P < 0.01), and the other semen parameters such as acrosome integrity and acrosome reaction rate had no significant changes between groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, this is probably the first report describing localization of leptin and its receptors in the reproductive system of rams and their effects on sperm quality parameters. Our findings suggest that 5 ng/mL leptin treatment enhanced sperm motility, viability and MMP, and decrease DFI and ROS without obvious influence on the acrosome reaction in ram sperm. The potential mechanisms may be related to leptin's ability to reduce the oxidative stress and apoptosis of sperms and improve their mitochondrial function and energy supply, therefore, to maintain the physiological homeostasis of the sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gao
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agriculture University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China,Department of Reproductive Medicine, Zhuozhou Hospital of Hebei Province, Zhuozhou, Hebei, China
| | - Guodong Zhao
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agriculture University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yukun Song
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agriculture University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Aerman Haire
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agriculture University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ailing Yang
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agriculture University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xi Zhao
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agriculture University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Abulizi Wusiman
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agriculture University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
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Voluntary Energy Intake and Expenditure in Obese and Lean Horses Consuming ad libitum Forage. J Equine Vet Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Abo El-Maaty AM, Mohamed AH, Abu-Aita NA, Morgan HM. Markers for Predicting Overweight or Obesity of Broodmares. J Equine Vet Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Seminal plasma hormonal profile of Arabian stallions that are classified ‘good’ or ‘poor’ for semen freezing. ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apjr.2016.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Martin-Gimenez T, de Blas I, Aguilera-Tejero E, Diez de Castro E, Aguirre-Pascasio CN. Endocrine, morphometric, and ultrasonographic characterization of neck adiposity in Andalusian horses. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2016; 56:57-62. [PMID: 27088603 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) can be diagnosed by hormonal measurements; however, it would be important to find simpler measurements that allow easy identification of affected or at risk individuals. In horses, the dorsal neck region is one of the most frequent anatomical sites for fat deposition and neck obesity has been linked to EMS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of hormonal markers of obesity (leptin) and insulin resistance (insulin) with morphometric and ultrasonographic neck measurements in Andalusian horses. Plasma leptin and insulin concentrations were measured by RIA in 127 Andalusian horses. Neck circumferences (NC) were measured at 3 equidistant locations at 25%, 50%, and 75% of neck length (NC-25%, NC-50%, and NC-75%). At the same 3 locations, subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT-25%, SFT-50%, and SFT-75%) was measured ultrasonographically. In the population under study, a tendency to adiposity was confirmed by the elevated plasma leptin levels (7.47 ± 5.03 ng/mL). However, plasma insulin concentrations (4.05 ± 3.74 μIU/mL) were within normal range in most horses. Our results indicate that NC showed significant sexual dimorphism and did not correlate well with hormonal measurements. Ultrasonographic assessment of fat thickness at the base of the neck (SFT-75%) was significantly correlated with both plasma leptin and insulin and did not show differences between males and females. Thus, in the search for a single objective parameter which can be used in large populations, SFT-75% is a potential candidate and may be a meaningful parameter to predict EMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Martin-Gimenez
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - I de Blas
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - E Aguilera-Tejero
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - E Diez de Castro
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - C N Aguirre-Pascasio
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Kumar P, Saini M, Kumar D, Jan M, Swami DS, Sharma R. Quantification of leptin in seminal plasma of buffalo bulls and its correlation with antioxidant status, conventional and computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) semen variables. Anim Reprod Sci 2016; 166:122-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2016.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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