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Aniballi C, Elmi A, Govoni N, Bulla T, Canelli E, Casalini A, Bacci ML, Ventrella D. Influence of age and seasonality on boar seminal plasma steroids quantification: A preliminary study. Vet World 2023; 16:2150-2157. [PMID: 38023267 PMCID: PMC10668552 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2150-2157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Seasonal changes, especially temperature and photoperiod, are well-known determining factors of swine reproductive capacity, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of age and seasonal variations on boar seminal plasma steroids (dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], cortisol [CORT], and testosterone [TEST]) over 1 year. Materials and Methods Four commercial hybrid adult boars (Large White × Duroc), aged between 12 and 44 months, were repeatedly evaluated at the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences of the University of Bologna. Daily temperature and light hours relating to the collection date were considered for each observation within the four astronomical seasons: Winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Hormones were quantified using radioimmunoassay. The association between seasonal factors and hormone concentrations was evaluated using linear regression models. Univariate models were estimated for each hormone to assess the influence of the independent variables; two multivariate models were assessed to evaluate the effect of temperature and daylight hours, including boar and season factors. Results Age significantly affected all analyzed hormones (CORT p < 0.0001; DHEA p < 0.0001; and TEST p < 0.0001). The highest average levels were found for each hormone during summertime, suggesting a positive correlation between steroid concentrations with temperature and light hours. Conclusion The results of this study support the hypothesis that the increase in external temperature and light hours is somehow associated with higher levels of steroid concentrations in the seminal plasma of in-housed boars. These findings may help further investigate seasonal fluctuations in reproductive outcomes, which are well-known for porcine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Aniballi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Alberto Elmi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Nadia Govoni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Tiziana Bulla
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Belle Arti, 41, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Canelli
- Swine Practitioner, PBA s.r.l., Via Gerole, 1, 26861, Fombio, LO, Italy
| | - Antonio Casalini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Domenico Ventrella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
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Pawlicki P, Koziorowska A, Koziorowski M, Pawlicka B, Duliban M, Wieczorek J, Płachno BJ, Pardyak L, Korzekwa AJ, Kotula-Balak M. Senescence and autophagy relation with the expressional status of non-canonical estrogen receptors in testes and adrenals of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) during the pre-rut period. Theriogenology 2023; 198:141-152. [PMID: 36586352 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The roe deer bucks represent a spontaneous model to study the synchronized testicular involution and recrudescence cycles. However, cellular processes and hormonal control of steroidogenic glands are scarcely known. For the present study testes and adrenal glands obtained from roe deer during the pre-rut season were used. We aimed to determine (i) senescence and autophagy involvement in testis atrophy (immunohistochemical analysis for tumor suppressor protein encoded by the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A; p16 and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3; LC3, respectively), (ii) the size of the adrenal cortex and medulla (morphometric analysis), (iii) G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) and estrogen-related receptors (ERRs; type α, β, and Y) distribution and expression (qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses) and (iv) serum testosterone and estradiol levels (immunoassay ELISA). This study revealed pre-rut characteristics of testis structure with the presence of both senescence and autophagy-positive cells and higher involvement of senescence, especially in spermatogenic cells (P < 0.05). In the adrenal cortex, groups of cells exhibiting shrinkage were observed. The presence of ERRs in cells of the seminiferous epithelium and interstitial Leydig cells and GPER presence distinctly in Leydig cells was revealed. In adrenals, these receptors were localized in groups of normal-looking cells and those with shrinkage. Morphometric analysis showed differences in cortex width which was smaller (P < 0.05) than that of the medulla. A weak immunohistochemical signal was observed for ERRβ when compared to ERRα and ERRγ. The mRNA expression level of ERRα and ERRγ was lower (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) while ERRβ was higher (P < 0.001) in adrenals when compared to testes. mRNA GPER expression was similar in both glands. In the pre-rut season, the testosterone level was 4.89 ng/ml while the estradiol level was 0.234 ng/ml. We postulate that: (i) senescence and autophagy may be involved in both reinitiation of testis function and/or induction of abnormal processes, (ii) hormonal modulation of testis inactivity may affect adrenal cortex causing cell shrinkage, (iii) ERRs and GPER localization in spermatogenic cells and interstitial cells, as well as cortex cells, may maintain and control the morpho-functional status of both glands, and (iv) androgens and estrogens (via ERRs and GPER) drive cellular processes in the testis and adrenal pre-rut physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Pawlicki
- Center of Experimental and Innovative Medicine, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Redzina 1c, 30-248, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Koziorowska
- College of Natural Sciences, Institute of Material Engineering, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, 35-310, Rzeszow, Poland; College of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rzeszów, Pigonia 1, 35-310, Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Marek Koziorowski
- College of Natural Sciences, Institute of Material Engineering, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, 35-310, Rzeszow, Poland; Department of Animal Physiology and Reproduction, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, 35-310, Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Bernadetta Pawlicka
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionism, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Michal Duliban
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jarosław Wieczorek
- Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Internal Animal Diseases, University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059, Krakow, Poland
| | - Bartosz J Płachno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Laura Pardyak
- Center of Experimental and Innovative Medicine, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Redzina 1c, 30-248, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna J Korzekwa
- Department of Biodiversity Protection, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Kotula-Balak
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Preclinical Sciences, University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Kraków, 30-059, Krakow, Poland.
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Samir H, ElSayed MI, Radwan F, Hedia M, Hendawy H, Hendawy AO, Elbadawy M, Watanabe G. An updated insight on testicular hemodynamics: Environmental, physiological, and technical perspectives in farm and companion animals. Vet Res Commun 2022; 47:323-345. [DOI: 10.1007/s11259-022-10022-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
In all organs, control of blood flow is important but might be particularly critical for testicular functions. This is because of the very low oxygen concentration and high metabolic rate of the seminiferous tubules, the physiological temperature of the testis, and its location outside the abdominal cavity. Many factors affect the characteristics of TBF in farm and companion animals, such as environment (thermal and seasonal effects) and physiological (species, breeds, age, body weight, and sexual maturity). Thermal environment stress has detrimental effects on spermatogenesis and consequently has more serious impacts on both human and animal fertility. Numerous studies have been performed to assess TBF in different animal species including bulls, rams, bucks, alpacas, stallions, and dogs with varied results. Hence, assessment of TBF by Doppler ultrasonography is of great importance to estimate the effect of high environment temperature on testicular functions. Also, differences observed in the TBF may result from different technical aspects such as the identification of the segment of the testicular artery to be examined. In the current review, we focused on the imperative roles of TBF in various animal species. Besides, we discussed in detail various factors that could affect TBF. These factors can significantly modify the TBF and thus should be considered when establishing reference values in farm animals for better clinical diagnosis. The information provided in this review is valuable for researchers and veterinarians to help them a better understanding of testicular hemodynamics for the proper evaluation of breeding soundness examination in males.
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Raitiere MN. The Elusive "Switch Process" in Bipolar Disorder and Photoperiodism: A Hypothesis Centering on NADPH Oxidase-Generated Reactive Oxygen Species Within the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:847584. [PMID: 35782417 PMCID: PMC9243387 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.847584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most striking and least understood aspects of mood disorders involves the "switch process" which drives the dramatic state changes characteristic of bipolar disorder. In this paper we explore the bipolar switch mechanism as deeply grounded in forms of seasonal switching (for example, from summer to winter phenotypes) displayed by many mammalian species. Thus we develop a new and unifying hypothesis that involves four specific claims, all converging to demonstrate a deeper affinity between the bipolar switch process and the light-sensitive (photoperiodic) nonhuman switch sequence than has been appreciated. First, we suggest that rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in both human and nonhuman plays a key role in probing for those seasonal changes in length of day that trigger the organism's characteristic involutional response (in certain animals, hibernation) to shorter days. Second, we claim that this general mammalian response requires the integrity of a neural circuit centering on the anterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Third, we propose that a key molecular mediator of the switch process in both nonhumans and seasonal humans involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) of a particular provenance, namely those created by the enzyme NADPH oxidase (NOX). This position diverges from one currently prominent among students of bipolar disorder. In that tradition, the fact that patients afflicted with bipolar-spectrum disorders display indices of oxidative damage is marshaled to support the conclusion that ROS, escaping adventitiously from mitochondria, have a near-exclusive pathological role. Instead, we believe that ROS, originating instead in membrane-affiliated NOX enzymes upstream from mitochondria, take part in an eminently physiological signaling process at work to some degree in all mammals. Fourth and finally, we speculate that the diversion of ROS from that purposeful, genetically rooted seasonal switching task into the domain of human pathology represents a surprisingly recent phenomenon. It is one instigated mainly by anthropogenic modifications of the environment, especially "light pollution."
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin N Raitiere
- Department of Psychiatry, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Portland, OR, United States
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Elmi A, Govoni N, Zannoni A, Bertocchi M, Bernardini C, Forni M, Ventrella D, Bacci ML. Testicular Melatonin and Its Pathway in Roe Deer Bucks ( Capreolus capreolus) during Pre- and Post-Rut Periods: Correlation with Testicular Involution. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11071874. [PMID: 34201764 PMCID: PMC8300110 DOI: 10.3390/ani11071874] [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: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The roe deer is a small wild ruminant, very common in Europe and Asia; adult specimens are sexually active only during summer, in very short timeframes. Peculiarly, males, also known as bucks, produce spermatozoa only in this period, with a subsequent morph-functional testicular involution. In seasonal breeders, melatonin plays a pivotal role by converting light information and controlling the testicular hormonal function and, recently, its local production within testes has been described in other species. The aim of the present work was to study testicular melatonin and its synthesis pathway in roe deer during the pre-rut (June–July) and post-rut (August–September) periods, and correlate it with morph-functional testicular changes. Samples were opportunistically obtained from hunted specimens according to the local hunting calendar. The results also seem to suggest a local melatonin production in this species, but no correlations with testicular involution parameters were highlighted, probably due to the very short sampling timeframe. More studies are necessary to understand the role of melatonin in the testicular cycle and provide more information regarding the interesting reproductive physiology of this species. Abstract Roe deer are seasonal breeders with a complete yearly testicular cycle. The peak in reproductive activity is recorded during summer, the rutting period, with the highest levels of androgens and testicular weight. Melatonin plays a pivotal role in seasonal breeders by stimulating the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonads axis and acting locally; in different species, its synthesis within testes has been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological melatonin pattern within roe deer testes by comparing data obtained from animals sampled during pre- and post-rut periods. Melatonin was quantified in testicular parenchyma, along with the genetic expression of enzymes involved in its local synthesis (AANAT and ASMT) and function (UCP1). Melatonin receptors, MT1-2, were quantified both at protein and gene expression levels. Finally, to assess changes in reproductive hormonal profiles, testicular dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was quantified and used for a correlation analysis. Melatonin and AANAT were detected in all samples, without significant differences between pre- and post-rut periods. Despite DHEA levels confirming testicular involution during the post-rut period, no correlations appeared between such involution and melatonin pathways. This study represents the first report regarding melatonin synthesis in roe deer testes, opening the way for future prospective studies in the physiology of this species.
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