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Tang B, Hao Y, Wang C, Deng Z, Kou Z, Zhou H, Zhang H, Fan F, Wang K, Wang D. Biological characteristics of pregnancy in captive Yangtze finless porpoises revealed by urinary metabolomics†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:808-818. [PMID: 38169437 PMCID: PMC11017131 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis a.) are an endemic and critically endangered species in China. Intensive captive breeding is essential for understanding the biology of critically endangered species, especially their pregnancy characteristics, knowledge of which is crucial for effective breeding management. Urine metabolomics can reveal metabolic differences, arising from physiological changes across pregnancy stages. Therefore, we used the urinary metabolomic technology, to explore urinary metabolite changes in pregnant Yangtze finless porpoises. A total of 2281 metabolites were identified in all samples, which including organic acids and derivatives (24.45%), organoheterocyclic compounds (20.23%), benzenoids (18.05%), organic oxygen compounds (7.73%), and phenylpropanoids and polyketides (6.48%). There were 164, 387, and 522 metabolites demonstrating differential abundance during early pregnancy, mid pregnancy, and late pregnancy, respectively, from the levels observed in nonpregnancy. The levels of pregnenolone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, and tetrahydrocortisone were significantly higher during all pregnancy stages, indicating their important roles in fetal development. The differential metabolites between nonpregnancy and pregnancy were mainly associated with amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. Moreover, metabolic activity varied across pregnancy stages; steroid hormone biosynthesis was predominant in early pregnancy, and amino acid biosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism were predominant in mid pregnancy and late pregnancy, respectively. Our results provide new insights into metabolic characteristics in the Yangtze finless porpoises' urine during pregnancy, and indicate that the differential levels of urine metabolites can determine pregnancy in Yangtze finless porpoises, providing valuable information for the husbandry and management of pregnant Yangtze finless porpoises in captivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Tang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yujiang Hao
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- National Aquatic Biological Resource Center, NABRC, Wuhan, China
| | - Chaoqun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- National Aquatic Biological Resource Center, NABRC, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengyu Deng
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- National Aquatic Biological Resource Center, NABRC, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhangbing Kou
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Haojie Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haobo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Fan
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- National Aquatic Biological Resource Center, NABRC, Wuhan, China
| | - Kexiong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- National Aquatic Biological Resource Center, NABRC, Wuhan, China
| | - Ding Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- National Aquatic Biological Resource Center, NABRC, Wuhan, China
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Camel ( Camelus spp.) Urine Bioactivity and Metabolome: A Systematic Review of Knowledge Gaps, Advances, and Directions for Future Research. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315024. [PMID: 36499353 PMCID: PMC9740287 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315024] [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: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Up to the present day, studies on the therapeutic properties of camel (Camelus spp.) urine and the detailed characterization of its metabolomic profile are scarce and often unrelated. Information on inter individual variability is noticeably limited, and there is a wide divergence across studies regarding the methods for sample storage, pre-processing, and extract derivatization for metabolomic analysis. Additionally, medium osmolarity is not experimentally adjusted prior to bioactivity assays. In this scenario, the methodological standardization and interdisciplinary approach of such processes will strengthen the interpretation, repeatability, and replicability of the empirical results on the compounds with bioactive properties present in camel urine. Furthermore, sample enlargement would also permit the evaluation of camel urine's intra- and interindividual variability in terms of chemical composition, bioactive effects, and efficacy, while it may also permit researchers to discriminate potential animal-intrinsic and extrinsic conditioning factors. Altogether, the results would help to evaluate the role of camel urine as a natural source for the identification and extraction of specific novel bioactive substances that may deserve isolated chemical and pharmacognostic investigations through preclinical tests to determine their biological activity and the suitability of their safety profile for their potential inclusion in therapeutic formulas for improving human and animal health.
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Exploration of urinary metabolite dynamicity for early detection of pregnancy in water buffaloes. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16295. [PMID: 36175438 PMCID: PMC9523026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20298-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Early and precise pregnancy diagnosis can reduce the calving interval by minimizing postpartum period. The present study explored the differential urinary metabolites between pregnant and non-pregnant Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during early gestation to identify potential pregnancy detection biomarkers. Urine samples were collected on day 0, 10, 18, 35 and 42 of gestation from the pregnant (n = 6) and on day 0, 10 and 18 post-insemination from the non-pregnant (n = 6) animals. 1H-NMR-based untargeted metabolomics followed by multivariate analysis initially identified twenty-four differentially expressed metabolites, among them 3-Hydroxykynurenine, Anthranilate, Tyrosine and 5-Hydroxytryptophan depicted consistent trends and matched the selection criteria of potential biomarkers. Predictive ability of these individual biomarkers through ROC curve analyses yielded AUC values of 0.6–0.8. Subsequently, a logistic regression model was constructed using the most suitable metabolite combination to improve diagnostic accuracy. The combination of Anthranilate, 3-Hydroxykynurenine, and Tyrosine yielded the best AUC value of 0.804. Aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, Tryptophan metabolism, Phenylalanine and Tyrosine metabolism were identified as potential pathway modulations during early gestation. The identified biomarkers were either precursors or products of these metabolic pathways, thus justifying their relevance. The study facilitates precise non-invassive urinary metabolite-based pen-side early pregnancy diagnostics in buffaloes, eminently before 21 days post-insemination.
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Sarma SN, Thomas PJ, Naz S, Pauli B, Crump D, Zahaby Y, O'Brien JM, Mallory ML, Franckowiak RP, Gendron M, Provencher JF. Metabolomic profiles in relation to benchmark polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and trace elements in two seabird species from Arctic Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:112022. [PMID: 34506783 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
While exposure of birds to oil-related contaminants has been documented, the related adverse effects this exposure has on Arctic marine birds remain unexplored. Metabolomics can play an important role to explore biologically relevant metabolite biomarkers in relation to different stressors, even at benchmark levels of contamination. The aim of this study was to characterize the metabolomics profiles in relation to polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and trace elements in the liver of two seabird species in the Canadian Arctic. In July 2018, black guillemots (Cepphus grylle) and thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia) were collected by hunters from a region where natural oil seeps occur in the seabed near Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, Canada. A total of 121 metabolites were identified in liver tissue samples using reversed phase and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry platforms to detect non-polar and polar metabolites, respectively. Sixty-nine metabolites showed excellent repeatability and linearity and were used to examine possible effects of oil-related contaminants exposure (PACs and trace elements). Metabolites including 3-hydroxy anthranilic acid, adenine, adenosine, adenosine mono-phosphate, ascorbic acid, butyrylcarnitine, cholic acid, guanosine, guanosine mono-phosphate, inosine, norepinephrine and threonine showed significant differences (more than two fold) between the two species. Elevated adenine and adenosine, along with decreased reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio, highlighted the potential for oxidative stress in murres. Lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase activity assays also confirmed these metabolomic findings. These results will help to characterize the baseline metabolomic profiles of Arctic seabird species with different foraging behaviour and trace element burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sailendra Nath Sarma
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Philippe J Thomas
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Shama Naz
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ottawa University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bruce Pauli
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Doug Crump
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Yasmeen Zahaby
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jason M O'Brien
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mark L Mallory
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada
| | | | - Michel Gendron
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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Fasoli S, Ferlizza E, Andreani G, Sandri C, Dondi F, Isani G. Noninvasive sampling method for urinalysis and urine protein profile in captive giraffes. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021; 33:25-34. [PMID: 33243090 PMCID: PMC7758703 DOI: 10.1177/1040638720975370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Urinalysis could be helpful to investigate the health status of giraffes held in captivity using noninvasive methods to avoid animal handling or anesthesia. We collected 52 voided urine samples from 20 giraffes of different ages, sexes, and subspecies from the ground. To evaluate potential interference by soil contaminants, a pilot study was performed using 20 urine samples obtained from 10 cows. All bovine and 29 giraffe samples were subjected to routine urinalysis including urine specific gravity (USG). All samples were analyzed for urine total protein (uTP), urine creatinine (uCrea) concentration, and urine protein-to-urine creatinine ratio (UPC). Urinary proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. No significant differences were determined between free-catch and urine sampled from the ground in cows. Giraffe urine was pale-yellow, with alkaline pH (>8.0) and a mean USG of 1.035 ± 0.013. The uTP, uCrea, and UPC expressed as median (range) were 0.20 (0.08-0.47) g/L, 2.36 (0.62-5.2) g/L, and 0.08 (0.05-0.15), respectively. SDS-PAGE allowed the separation of protein bands with different molecular masses, including putative uromodulin at 90 kD, putative albumin at 64 kD, and putative immunoglobulin heavy and light chains at 49 kD and 25 kD, respectively. Urine collection from the ground appears to be a reliable technique for urinalysis and urine electrophoresis in giraffes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Fasoli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Enea Ferlizza
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Giulia Andreani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Camillo Sandri
- Parco Natura Viva–Garda Zoological Park, Veterinary Department, Bussolengo, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesco Dondi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Gloria Isani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
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Fasoli S, Andreani G, Dondi F, Ferlizza E, Bellei E, Isani G. Urinary Reference Values and First Insight into the Urinary Proteome of Captive Giraffes. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1696. [PMID: 32961670 PMCID: PMC7552697 DOI: 10.3390/ani10091696] [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: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Urinalysis is widely recognized to be a useful tool in routine health investigations, since it can diagnose numerous pathologies. Considering the paucity of knowledge concerning giraffes, urine from 44 giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) (18 males and 26 females, from 3 months of age to 21 years of age) underwent routine urinalysis, 1D-electrophoresis, and protein identification using mass spectrometry, with the aim of identifying the urinary reference values and the urine proteome. The urine specific gravity (USG), urine total proteins (uTP), urine creatinine (uCr), and urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) reference values, reported as the median, and lower limit (LL) and upper limit (UL), were 1.030 (1006-1.049), 17.58 (4.54-35.31) mg/dL, 154.62 (39.59-357.95) mg/dL, and 0.11 (0.07-0.16), respectively. Mass spectrometry, together with electrophoresis, revealed a pattern of common urinary proteins; albumin, lysozyme C, and ubiquitin were the most represented proteins in the giraffe urine. It has been hypothesized that these proteins could act as a defense against microbes. Moreover, in giraffes, urinalysis could be a valid tool for gauging renal function and physiological status changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Fasoli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (S.F.); (F.D.); (G.I.)
| | - Giulia Andreani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (S.F.); (F.D.); (G.I.)
| | - Francesco Dondi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (S.F.); (F.D.); (G.I.)
| | - Enea Ferlizza
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Elisa Bellei
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Transplant Surgery, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine Relevance, Proteomic Lab, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy;
| | - Gloria Isani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (S.F.); (F.D.); (G.I.)
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