Systemic and intrafollicular components of follicle selection in mares
Mares are superb models for study of follicle selection owing to similarities between mares and women in relative follicle diameters at specific events during the follicular wave and follicle accessibility for experimental sampling and manipulation. Usually only one major follicular wave with a dominant follicle (DF) greater than 30 mm develops during the 22 to 24 d of the equine estrous cycle and is termed the primary or ovulatory wave. A major secondary wave occasionally (25%) develops early in the cycle. (Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology)
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - December 21, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: O.J. Ginther Source Type: research
Relationship between serum adiponectin concentration, body condition score, and peripheral tissue insulin response of dairy cows during the dry period
The aim of the present study was to describe the relationship between serum adiponectin concentration and peripheral tissue insulin response in dairy cows with a variable body condition score (BCS) during the dry period. Cows were selected at the beginning of the dry period based on BCS (BCS3.75, n = 5). Animals were followed from the beginning of the dry period by weekly blood sampling and assessment of BCS and backfat thickness. Weekly blood samples were analyzed for adiponectin concentration using a bovine specific ELISA. (Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology)
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - December 16, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: J. De Koster, C. Urh, M. Hostens, W. Van den Broeck, H. Sauerwein, G. Opsomer Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research
Short Communication: Relationship between serum adiponectin concentration, body condition score and peripheral tissue insulin response of dairy cows during the dry period
The aim of the present study was to describe the relationship between serum adiponectin concentration and peripheral tissue insulin response in dairy cows with a variable body condition score (BCS) during the dry period. Cows were selected at the beginning of the dry period based on BCS (BCS 3.75, n = 5). Animals were followed from the beginning of the dry period by weekly blood sampling and assessment of BCS and backfat thickness. Weekly blood samples were analyzed for adiponectin concentration using a bovine specific ELISA. (Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology)
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - December 16, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: J. De Koster, C. Urh, M. Hostens, W. Van den Broeck, H. Sauerwein, G. Opsomer Source Type: research
G Protein-Coupled Receptor 34 in Ovarian Granulosa Cells of Cattle: Changes during Follicular Development and Potential Functional Implications
Abundance of G protein-coupled receptor 34 (GPR34) mRNA is greater in granulosa cells (GC) of cystic vs. normal follicles of cattle. The present experiments were designed to determine if GPR34 mRNA in GC changes during selection and growth of dominant follicles in cattle as well as to investigate the hormonal regulation of GPR34 mRNA in bovine GC in vitro. In Exp. 1, estrous cycles of non-lactating cows were synchronized and then ovariectomized on either day 3-4 or 5-6 after ovulation. GPR34 mRNA abundance in GC was 2.8- to 3.8-fold greater (P 8 mm) estrogen-inactive dominant follicles than in large estrogen-active follicl...
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - December 11, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: L.J. Spicer, L.F. Sch ütz, J.A. Williams, N.B. Schreiber, J.R. Evans, M.L. Totty, J.N. Gilliam Source Type: research
The impact of flutamide on prostaglandin F2 α synthase and prostaglandin F2α receptor expression, and prostaglandin F2α concentration in the porcine corpus luteum of pregnancy
Recently we have indicated that flutamide-induced androgen deficiency diminished progesterone production in the porcine CL during late pregnancy and before parturition, as a sign of functional luteolysis. In pigs, the main luteolytic factor is prostaglandin F2 α (PGF2α), which acts via specific receptors (PTGFRs), and its biosynthesis is catalyzed by prostaglandin F2α synthase (PGFS). The current study investigated the impact of flutamide on luteal PGFS and PTGFR expression, as well as intraluteal PGF2α content during pregnancy in pigs. (Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology)
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - December 11, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: M. Grzesiak, K. Knapczyk-Stwora, M. Slomczynska Source Type: research
Glucogenic treatment creates an optimal metabolic milieu for the conception period in ewes
This study determined the influence of a short-term glucogenic nutritional treatment on circulating concentrations of glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and urea, and on their correspondent levels in follicular fluid (FF) collected 12 h after the end of the treatment. After estrous synchronization with intravaginal progestagen-impregnated sponges, 20 Sarda ewes were randomly allocated into two experimental groups (GLU and WAT) and, from day 7 to day 10 (day 0 = day of sponge removal), the GLU group was gavaged with a glycogenic mixture, whereas the WAT group was gavag...
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - December 11, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: C. Porcu, V. Pasciu, S. Succu, E. Baralla, M.E. Manca, E. Serra, G.G. Leoni, M. Dattena, G.C. Bomboi, G. Molle, S. Naitana, F. Berlinguer Source Type: research
Feline hypersomatotropism and acromegaly tumorigenesis: A potential role for the AIP gene
Acromegaly in humans is usually sporadic, however up to 20% of familial isolated pituitary adenomas are caused by germline sequence variants of the aryl-hydrocarbon-receptor interacting protein (AIP) gene. Feline acromegaly has similarities to human acromegalic families with AIP mutations. The aim of this study was to sequence the feline AIP gene, identify sequence variants and compare the AIP gene sequence between feline acromegalic and control cats, and in acromegalic siblings. The feline AIP gene was amplified through PCR using whole-blood genomic DNA from 10 acromegalic and 10 control cats, and three sibling pairs affe...
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - December 6, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: C.J. Scudder, S.J. Niessen, B. Catchpole, R.C. Fowkes, D.B. Church, Y. Forcada Source Type: research
Molecular cloning, tissue distribution, and pharmacologic characterization of melanocortin-4 receptor in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) plays a pivotal role in the mediation of leptin action on food intake and energy expenditure in mammals. The MC4R has also been identified in several teleosts, and its importance in the regulation of fish energy homeostasis is emerging. We herein reported on the molecular cloning, tissue distribution, and pharmacologic characterization of MC4R in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), an economically and ecologically important fish. We showed that grass carp MC4R (ciMC4R) consisted of a 981 bp open reading frame encoding a protein of 326 amino acids, highly homologous (>95%) to several teleo...
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - November 20, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: L. Li, Z. Yang, Y.-P. Zhang, S. He, X.-F. Liang, Y.-X. Tao Source Type: research
Molecular cloning, tissue distribution, and pharmacological characterization of melanocortin-4 receptor in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) plays a pivotal role in the mediation of leptin action on food intake and energy expenditure in mammals. The MC4R has also been identified in several teleosts and its importance in the regulation of fish energy homeostasis is emerging. We herein reported on the molecular cloning, tissue distribution, and pharmacological characterization of MC4R in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), an economically and ecologically important fish. We showed that grass carp MC4R (ciMC4R) consisted of a 981 bp open reading frame encoding a protein of 326 amino acids, highly homologous (>95%) to several teleos...
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - November 20, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: L. Li, Z. Yang, Y.-P. Zhang, S. He, X.-F. Liang, Y.-X. Tao Source Type: research
A novel method for assessing chronic cortisol concentrations in dogs using the nail as a source
Cortisol, a glucocorticoid secreted in response to stress is used to assess adrenal function and mental health in clinical settings. Current methods assess cortisol sources that reflect short-term secretion that can vary with current stress state. Here we present a novel method for the extraction and quantification of cortisol from the dog nail using solid phase extraction coupled to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Validation experiments demonstrated accuracy (r = 0.836, P (Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology)
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - November 16, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Z. Mack, H.B. Fokidis Source Type: research
Plasma transport of ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol and their 25-hydroxylated metabolites in dairy cows
In cattle there are 2 significant forms of vitamin D: ergocalciferol (ERG) from fungi on roughage and cholecalciferol (CHO) from vitamin supplements or endogenous synthesis in the skin. The hypothesis of the present study is that vitamin D from the 3 sources is transported in different plasma fractions in the body. This is hypothesised to explain the lower efficiency of ERG compared to CHO in securing a sufficient plasma status of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and explain the inefficient excretion of dietary CHO into milk compared to endogenous CHO. (Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology)
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - November 15, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: L. Hym øller, S.K. Jensen Source Type: research
Sunlight exposure increases Vitamin D sufficiency in growing pigs fed a diet formulated to exceed requirements
Traditional confinement practices limits exposure to sunlight and Vitamin D synthesis, and vitamin insufficiency occurs even with dietary supplementation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of limited sun exposure on serum concentration of vitamin D and the expression of vitamin D synthesizing enzymes in the liver and kidney of pigs on a vitamin D sufficient diet. White-pigmented grower pigs (29.7 ± 2.3 kg) fed 15% CP diet ad libitum providing>1200 IU vitamin D3/kg of feed were exposed to sunlight for 1 h each day at solar noon for 14 d at the spring equinox (March pigs, n=10) or summer solstice (June pigs,...
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - November 10, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: B.M. Alexander, B.C. Ingold, J.L. Young, S.R. Fensterseifer, P.J. Wechsler, K.J. Austin, D.E. Larson-Meyer Source Type: research
Involvement of salsolinol in the suckling-induced oxytocin surge in sheep
The objective of the present study was to verify the hypothesis that salsolinol is involved in the mechanism that generates the oxytocin surge that occurs during suckling. Thus, a structural analogue of salsolinol, 1-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline (1MeDIQ), known to antagonize some of its actions, was infused into the third ventricle of the brain of lactating sheep nursing their offspring. (Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology)
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - November 9, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: K. G órski, T. Misztal, E. Marciniak, M.K. Zielińska-Górska, F. Fülöp, K. Romanowicz Source Type: research
Immunometabolic parameters in overweight dogs during weight loss with or without an exercise program
This study was conducted to evaluate biomarkers of immunometabolic health in relation to changes in physical activity and adiposity. Client-owned overweight dogs participated in a 12-wk intervention based on caloric restriction combined with a training program (fitness& diet (FD) group, n = 8), or caloric restriction alone (diet-only (DO) group, n = 8). Physical activity was monitored by accelerometry. All dogs were fed the same diet and achieved similar weight loss. (Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology)
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - November 9, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: A.D. Vitger, B.M. Stallknecht, J.E. Miles, S.L. Hansen, A. Vegge, C.R. Bj ørnvad Source Type: research
Involvement of salsolinol in suckling-induced oxytocin surge in sheep
The objective of the present study was to verify the hypothesis that salsolinol is involved in the mechanism that generates the oxytocin surge that occurs during suckling. Thus, a structural analogue of salsolinol, 1-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline (1MeDIQ), known to antagonize some of its actions, was infused into the third ventricle of the brain of lactating sheep nursing their offspring. (Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology)
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - November 9, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: K. G órski, T. Misztal, E. Marciniak, M.K. Zielińska-Górska, F. Fülöp, K. Romanowicz Source Type: research
