Abundance of estrogen receptors involved in non-canonical signaling in the dog testis

With estrogen regulation of the reproductive system, G-protein-coupled membrane estrogen receptor (GPER) and estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) are implicated. Non-canonical receptors can bind estrogens such as environmental and pharmacological chemicals. These compounds induce rapid non-genomic pathways or receptor interaction including autoactivation. Testicular tumors occur in dogs more frequently than in other domestic animals. Also, in recent decades there were increased occurrences of various tumor types in dogs. Using qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry procedures in the present study, there was determination of abundance pattern of GPER, ERRα, β and γ in dog tests when there were intratubular germ cell tumors. There was quantitation of estradiol, cyclic GMP and calcium ions (Ca2⁺). There were changes (P < 0.01; P < 0.001) in GPER, ERRα and β in both mRNA transcript and protein abundances including less (P < 0.001) co-abundance of ERRγ mRNA transcript and protein. Receptors were mainly located in Leydig cells with there being receptor delocalization to the cell cytoplasm or occasionally detections in the seminiferous tubule epithelia, especially of testicular tumor tissues. There were also greater estradiol (P < 0.05) and lesser cGMP and Ca2⁺ concentrations in testicular tumor tissues indicating there was a disrupted sex steroid milieu and tumor cell metastasis. Results from the present study provide further evidence that ERRγ has marked actions in testicular germ cell tumor initiation and development and in further structural-functional disruptions of dog testis. Concomitantly, abundance pattern of GPER and ERRs, relative to concentrations of cGMP and Ca2⁺, may be an additional indicator of intratubular germ cell tumors in dogs.

Senescence and adiponectin signaling - Studies in canine testis

BACKGROUND

The meaning of senescence for tissue physiological and pathological conditions is poorly known. Based on initial reports especially proteins and mechanisms that regulate this process are necessary to be determinate.

METHODS

The main aim of the study was to investigate the presence of senescent cells in canine testicular tissue (mixed breed testes; n = 60) in relation to adiponectin signaling. In detail, new information on the senescence cell number, as well as senescence and adiponectin signaling mechanisms in cryptorchid and germ cell tumor testes were provided with the use of immunohistochemical and colorimetric analyses.

RESULTS

Comparison of immunohistochemical results, in cryptorchid and tumor testes revealed increased number of senescent cells (p16 and γH2AX markers). Increased expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptor 1, as well as extracellular signal-activated kinase (ERK1/2) in pathological testes were detected. In addition, decreased cholesterol and increased testosterone levels in tumor testis were found.

CONCLUSION

The present study is the first to demonstrate the presence as well as the differences that exist in senecent cell number in mixed breed dog testes with cryptorchidism and germ cell tumor. Altered expression of adiponectin signaling and ERK1/2 signaling pathways together with altered cholesterol and testosterone levels reflect important senescence role in disturbed functions of canine testis. Moreover, the application of studied here senescence regulating molecules for detection and prevention against pathologies of the male gonad should be furtherly considered.

The annual population dynamics of gastrointestinal nematodes in breeding sheep of the Silesian Foothills, southern Poland

The study was carried out on an organic farm. The flock of the sheep (27 individuals) was naturally infected by parasites. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of infection with gastrointestinal nematodes. There were found species of 3 nematode families: Trichostrongylidae (Trichostrongylus spp., Ostertagia sp., Nematodirus spp., Cooperia spp., Haemonchus contortus); Strongylidae (Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides papillosus, Chabertia ovina) and Ancylostomatidae (Bunostomum sp.). Three nematode genera were dominant in parasite infection: Trichostrongylus, Ostertagia and Nematodirus. The prevalence of sheep infection with gastrointestinal nematodes were nearly 100%. The main species were Trichostrongylus spp. (59.2%) and Ostertagia sp. (46%).

[The influence of treatment on the course of experimental Fasciola hepatica infection and weight gains in sheep]

The course of Fasciola hepatica infection was studied by the coproscopical methods in two farms of Southern Poland. The extensity of infection reached between 84 to 94 per cent. The experimental studies has been done on 54 lambs at the average weight of 21.50 kg. The lambs were divided in 3 groups with 18 lambs in each. In the first group were non-infected animals; second group was infected with 200 metacercaria and treated with Fasinex (10 mg/#kg body weight) 6 weeks after infection. The third group was infected with 200 metacercaria, but has not been treated with Fasinex. The best results were obtained in the first group. In this group the weight gain was about 4 kg (14.7 per cent) higher comparing with the group third (infected, non-treated) group. The weight gain of group two (infected and treated) was 2.42 kg (11.0 per cent) higher as in group third group.