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Zhang X, Wei Y, Li X, Li C, Zhang L, Liu Z, Cao Y, Li W, Zhang X, Zhang J, Shen M, Liu H. The Corticosterone–Glucocorticoid Receptor–AP1/CREB Axis Inhibits the Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Expression in Mouse Granulosa Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012454. [PMID: 36293309 PMCID: PMC9604301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012454] [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: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Under stress conditions, luteinizing hormone (LH)-mediated ovulation is inhibited, resulting in insufficient oocyte production and excretion during follicular development. When the body is stressed, a large amount of corticosterone (CORT) is generated, which will lead to a disorder of the body’s endocrine system and damage to the body. Our previous work showed that CORT can block follicular development in mice. Since LH acts through binding with the luteinizing hormone receptor (Lhcgr), the present study aimed to investigate whether and how corticosterone (CORT) influences Lhcgr expression in mouse ovarian granulosa cells (GCs). For this purpose, three-week-old ICR female mice were injected intraperitoneally with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). In addition, the treatment group was injected with CORT (1 mg/mouse) at intervals of 8 h and the control group was injected with the same volume of methyl sulfoxide (DMSO). GCs were collected at 24 h, 48 h, and 55 h after PMSG injection. For in vitro experiments, the mouse GCs obtained from healthy follicles were treated with CORT alone, or together with inhibitors against the glucocorticoid receptor (Nr3c1). The results showed that the CORT caused a downregulation of Lhcgr expression in GCs, which was accompanied by impaired cell viability. Moreover, the effect of the CORT was mediated by binding to its receptor (Nr3c1) in GCs. Further investigation revealed that Nr3c1 might regulate the transcription of Lhcgr through inhibiting the expression of Lhcgr transcription factors, including AP1 and Creb. Taken together, our findings suggested a possible mechanism of CORT-induced anovulation involving the inhibition of Lhcgr expression in GCs by the CORT–Nr3c1–AP1/Creb axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yinghui Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Chengyu Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Liangliang Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zhaojun Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yan Cao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Weijian Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiying Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jiaqing Zhang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Ming Shen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (H.L.)
| | - Honglin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (H.L.)
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Zhao F, Wei QW, Li BJ, Weng QN, Jiang Y, Ning CB, Liu KQ, Wu WJ, Liu HL. Impact of adrenocorticotropin hormone administration on the endocrinology, estrus onset, and ovarian function of weaned sows. Endocr J 2022; 69:23-33. [PMID: 34456194 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej21-0184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress affects the reproductive health of mammals; however, the impact of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) level elevation during chronic stress on the reproduction of weaned sows remains unclear. In this study, nine weaned sows with the same parturition date were randomly divided into control group (n = 4) and ACTH group (n = 5). Each group received intravenous administration of ACTH three times daily for 7 days. Blood samples were collected every 3 h after injection. A radioimmunoassay was used to measure the concentrations of cortisol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17β (E2) in the blood. Estrus was determined according to changes in the vulva and the boar contact test. The mRNA expressions of glucocorticoid receptor, FSH receptor, LH receptor (LHR) in the corpus luteum (CL) were detected by qRT-PCR. The results showed that ACTH administration substantially delayed the initiation of estrus and the pre-ovulatory LH peak. The sows of control group ovulated within 10 days and the ovulation rate was 100%, while it was 60% in the ACTH group. Two sows of ACTH group showed pseudo-estrus. The E2 concentrations significantly decreased in the ACTH group at 36 h, 42 h and 66 h of the experimental period. The P4 concentrations in the ACTH group significantly decreased at 132, 138, and 147 h of the experimental period. ACTH significantly reduced the LHR mRNA expression in CLs. In conclusion, long-term repeated ACTH administration affects the endocrinology, estrus onset, and ovarian function of weaned sows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zhao
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop and Animal Integrated Farming, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - Quan-Wei Wei
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Bo-Jiang Li
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Qian-Nan Weng
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yi Jiang
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Cai-Bo Ning
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Kai-Qing Liu
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Wang-Jun Wu
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Hong-Lin Liu
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
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Etchevers L, Belotti EM, Díaz PU, Rodríguez FM, Rey F, Salvetti NR, Ortega HH, Amweg AN. MC2R/MRAP2 activation could affect bovine ovarian steroidogenesis potential after ACTH treatment. Theriogenology 2021; 174:102-113. [PMID: 34425302 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Stressors activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, reducing fertility by interfering with the mechanisms that regulate the timing of events within the follicular phase of the estrous cycle. In the HPA axis, melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) mediates responses to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in concert with melanocortin receptor accessory protein 2 (MRAP2). The aims of the present study were: (1) to evaluate the effects of ACTH administered in cows in the preovulatory period on the expression of the MC2R/MRAP2 complex in the dominant follicle; and (2) to analyze the involvement of Extracellular signal Regulated Kinase 1 (ERK1) signaling in the activation of MC2R and the expression of key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of glucocorticoids (GCs) in the dominant follicle. To this end, 100 IU ACTH was administered to Holstein cows from a local dairy farm during pro-estrus every 12 h for four days until ovariectomy, which was performed before ovulation. Protein immunostaining of MC2R was higher in the dominant follicles of ACTH-treated cows (p < 0.05). Also, Western blot analysis showed higher activation of the ERK1 signaling pathway in ACTH-treated cows (p < 0.05). Finally, immunohistochemistry performed in the dominant follicles of ACTH-treated cows detected higher expression of CYP17A1 and CYP21A2 (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the bovine ovary is able to respond locally to ACTH as a consequence of stress altering the expression of relevant steroidogenic enzymes. The results also confirm that the complete GC biosynthesis pathway is present in bovine dominant follicle and therefore GCs could be produced locally.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Etchevers
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias Del Litoral (ICiVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - E M Belotti
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias Del Litoral (ICiVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - P U Díaz
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias Del Litoral (ICiVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - F M Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias Del Litoral (ICiVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - F Rey
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias Del Litoral (ICiVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - N R Salvetti
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias Del Litoral (ICiVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - H H Ortega
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias Del Litoral (ICiVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - A N Amweg
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias Del Litoral (ICiVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Rahayu FK, Dwiningsih SR, Sa'adi A, Herawati L. Effects of different intensities of exercise on folliculogenesis in mice: Which is better? Clin Exp Reprod Med 2021; 48:43-49. [PMID: 33648044 PMCID: PMC7943351 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2020.03937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Exercise is a risk factor for infertility in women. However, research on the effects of different intensities of exercise on folliculogenesis has not yielded clear results. This study was conducted to analyze the effects of differences in the intensity of exercise on folliculogenesis in mice. Methods Nineteen female BALB/c mice (age, 3–4 months; weight, 13–25 g) were randomly divided into four groups: control, mild exercise, moderate exercise, and high-intensity exercise. The mice in the exercise groups engaged in swimming, with additional loads of 3%, 6%, or 9% of body weight, respectively. There were five swimming sessions per week for 4 weeks, with a gradually increasing duration every week. At the end of the treatment, ovarian extraction was carried out and hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to identify folliculogenesis. Results There were significant differences in the number of total follicles between the control and moderate-exercise groups (p=0.036) and between the mild- and moderate-exercise groups (p=0.005). The mean number of primary follicles was higher in the moderate-exercise group than in the mild-exercise group (p=0.006). The mean number of secondary, tertiary, and Graafian follicles did not differ significantly among groups (p≥0.05). However, the number of total follicles and follicles in each phase tended to increase after exercise, especially moderate-intensity exercise. Conclusion Exercise of different intensities affected the total number of follicles and primary follicles. The number of follicles of each phase tended to increase after exercise. Moderate-intensity exercise had better effects than other intensities of exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fitri Kurnia Rahayu
- Midwifery Education Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Sri Ratna Dwiningsih
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Ashon Sa'adi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Lilik Herawati
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
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Gingrich J, Pu Y, Upham BL, Hulse M, Pearl S, Martin D, Avery A, Veiga-Lopez A. Bisphenol S enhances gap junction intercellular communication in ovarian theca cells. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 263:128304. [PMID: 33155548 PMCID: PMC7726030 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) is necessary for ovarian function, and it is temporospatially regulated during follicular development and ovulation. At outermost layer of the antral follicle, theca cells provide structural, steroidogenic, and vascular support. Inter- and extra-thecal GJIC is required for intrafollicular trafficking of signaling molecules. Because GJIC can be altered by hormones and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), we tested if any of five common EDCs (bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and triphenyltin chloride (TPT)) can interfere with theca cell GJIC. Since most chemicals are reported to repress GJIC, we hypothesized that all chemicals tested, within environmentally relevant human exposure concentrations, will inhibit theca cell GJICs. To evaluate this hypothesis, we used a scrape loading/dye transfer assay. BPS, but no other chemical tested, enhanced GJIC in a dose- and time-dependent manner in ovine primary theca cells. A signal-protein inhibitor approach was used to explore the GJIC-modulatory pathways involved. Phospholipase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors significantly attenuated BPS-induced enhanced GJIC. Human theca cells were used to evaluate translational relevance of these findings. Human primary theca cells had a ∼40% increase in GJIC in response to BPS, which was attenuated with a MAPK inhibitor, suggestive of a conserved mechanism. Upregulation of GJIC could result in hyperplasia of the theca cell layer or prevent ovulation by holding the oocyte in meiotic arrest. Further studies are necessary to understand in vitro to in vivo translatability of these findings on follicle development and fertility outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Gingrich
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Yong Pu
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Brad L Upham
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Madeline Hulse
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sparrow Health System, Lansing, MI, 48912, USA
| | - Sarah Pearl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sparrow Health System, Lansing, MI, 48912, USA
| | - Denny Martin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sparrow Health System, Lansing, MI, 48912, USA
| | - Anita Avery
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sparrow Health System, Lansing, MI, 48912, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Almudena Veiga-Lopez
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA; Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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Wei Y, Li W, Meng X, Zhang L, Shen M, Liu H. Corticosterone Injection Impairs Follicular Development, Ovulation and Steroidogenesis Capacity in Mice Ovary. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9121047. [PMID: 31795468 PMCID: PMC6941055 DOI: 10.3390/ani9121047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Researchers have hitherto established hundreds of animal stress models. However, these models have some limitations due to the complexity in operation and large differences between individual animals. In particular, there are few stress models that are specifically applied in mammalian ovaries. In this study, using intraperitoneal injection of cortisol/corticosterone (CORT), we successfully established a stress model that acts on the ovarian function. Our data showed that CORT inhibits ovarian and follicular development and blocks ovulation. The establishment of this model might provide a living platform for studying ovarian stress in future research. Abstract The aim of this study is to establish an ovarian stress model, and to investigate the effects of stress on follicular development. Our data showed that continuous intraperitoneal injection of CORT successfully created a stressful environment in the ovary. To assess the effects of CORT on ovarian functions, 80 three-week-old ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) female mice were randomly divided into control group and treatment group. All mice were injected intraperitoneally with pregnant horse serum gonadotropin (PMSG). At the same time, the treatment group were injected with CORT (1 mg/mouse) at intervals of 8 h; while the control group was injected with same volume of methyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Blood, ovaries, or ovarian granulosa cell samples were collected at 24 h, 48 h, and 55 h after PMSG injection. The results showed that, compared with the control group, CORT-injected mice revealed a significant decrease in ovulation rates, ovarian weight, ovarian index, the number of secondary follicles and mature follicles, levels of estrogen and progesterone, and mRNA expression of steroid synthase-related genes. Collectively, our findings clearly demonstrated that CORT injection could represent an effective practice to simulate stresses that inhibit ovarian functions by reducing follicular development and ovulation.
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Zhao F, Wu W, Wei Q, Shen M, Li B, Jiang Y, Liu K, Liu H. Exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone affects genome‐wide DNA methylation and transcriptome of corpus luteum in sows. FASEB J 2018; 33:3264-3278. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801081rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zhao
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and BreedingCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyNanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Wangjun Wu
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and BreedingCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyNanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Quanwei Wei
- Laboratory of Animal ReproductionCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyNanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Ming Shen
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and BreedingCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyNanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Bojiang Li
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and BreedingCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyNanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Yi Jiang
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and BreedingCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyNanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Kaiqing Liu
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and BreedingCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyNanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Honglin Liu
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and BreedingCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyNanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
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The multiple adrenocorticotropic hormone injections significantly alters hepatic proteome in growing pigs. Livest Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Sarcoptes scabiei alters follicular dynamics in female Iberian ibex through a reduction in body weight. Vet Parasitol 2017; 243:151-156. [PMID: 28807285 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Normal development of the ovarian cycle is a key factor in ensuring female reproductive success. Sarcoptes scabiei has been shown to induce changes in host physiology, although the effects of this mite on the female reproductive cycle are still unknown. In an attempt to clarify this issue, the number of ovarian structures (primary follicles, secondary follicles, Graaf follicles, corpus luteum and corpus albicans) in female Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) affected by sarcoptic mange was explored by histological analysis of samples taken from 102 females selectively harvested in the Sierra Nevada Natural Space, southern Spain. The effect of mange status, body weight (corrected for age), age and year of sampling on the number of ovarian structures was assessed using generalized linear models. Our results provide evidence that sarcoptic mange alters follicular dynamics through a reduction in host body weight, whose main consequences are noted in follicular maturation and ovulatory capacity.
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