Bioacoustics as a tool to monitor the estrus cycle in a female slow loris ( Nycticebus sp.)

Oviductal environment affects preparation of gametes for fertilization, fertilization itself, and subsequent embryonic development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oviductal fluid and the possible involvement of deleted in malignant brain tumor 1 (DMBT1) on IVF in porcine and equine species that represent divergent IVF models. We first performed IVF after pre-incubation of oocytes with or without oviductal fluid supplemented or not with antibodies directed against DMBT1. We showed that oviductal fluid induces an increase in the monospermic fertilization rate and that this effect is canceled by the addition of antibodies, in both porcine and equine species. Moreover, pre-incubation of oocytes with recombinant DMBT1 induces an increase in the monospermic fertilization rate in the pig, confirming an involvement of DMBT1 in the fertilization process. The presence of DMBT1 in the oviduct at different stages of the estrus cycle was shown by western blot and confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis of ampulla and isthmus regions. The presence of DMBT1 in cumulus–oocyte complexes was shown by western blot analysis, and the localization of DMBT1 in the zona pellucida and cytoplasm of equine and porcine oocytes was observed using immunofluorescence analysis and confocal microscopy. Moreover, we showed an interaction between DMBT1 and porcine spermatozoa using surface plasmon resonance studies. Finally, a bioinformatic and phylogenetic analysis allowed us to identify the DMBT1 protein as well as a DMBT1-like protein in several mammals. Our results strongly suggest an important role of DMBT1 in the process of fertilization.

Download Full-text

n-Butyl Benzyl Phthalate Exposure Promotes Lesion Survival in a Murine Endometriosis Model

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073640 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 3640

Author(s):

Pooja Sharma ◽

Jo-Yu Lynn Lee ◽

Eing-Mei Tsai ◽

Yu Chang ◽

Jau-Ling Suen

Keyword(s):

Chronic Exposure ◽

Low Dose ◽

Estrogenic Activity ◽

Estrus Cycle ◽

Endometriotic Lesion ◽

Multiparametric Flow Cytometry ◽

Butyl Benzyl Phthalate ◽

Environmental Endocrine Disruptors ◽

Lesion Growth ◽

Gynecological Disease

Endometriosis is an inflammatory and estrogen-dependent gynecological disease associated with exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors. n-Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), a ubiquitous plasticizer, has weak estrogenic activity, and exposure to BBP is associated with endometriosis. We aimed to elucidate the immunomodulatory effect of BBP on endometriosis development. We previously established a surgery-induced endometriosis-like murine model. In the present study, we exposed those mice to BBP 10 days prior to surgery and 4 weeks after surgery at physiologically relevant doses to mimic human exposure. Chronic exposure to BBP did not promote the growth of endometriotic lesions; however, the lesion survival rate in BBP-treated mice did increase significantly compared with control mice. Multiparametric flow cytometry showed that BBP exposure did not affect the homeostasis of infiltrated immune subsets in lesions but did enhance CD44 (adhesion marker) expression on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). Blocking CD44 interactions locally inhibited endometriotic lesion growth. Immunofluorescence results further confirmed that CD44 blocking inhibited pDC infiltration and reduced the frequency of CD44+ pDCs in endometriotic tissues. BBP also disrupted the estrus cycle in these mice. This study suggests that chronic exposure to low-dose BBP may promote survival of endometriotic tissue through CD44-expressing pDCs.

Download Full-text

The effects of the estrus cycle and citalopram on anxiety-like behaviors and c-fos expression in rats

Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior ◽

10.1016/j.pbb.2014.06.002 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 124 ◽

pp. 180-187 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Aslıhan Sayin ◽

Okşan Derinöz ◽

Nevzat Yüksel ◽

Selda Şahin ◽

Hayrunnisa Bolay

Keyword(s):

Estrus Cycle ◽

Fos Expression

Download Full-text

A rodent model of human dose-equivalent progestin-only implantable contraception

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology ◽

10.1186/s12958-021-00729-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Heather C. M. Allaway ◽

Roger A. Pierson ◽

Jesse Invik ◽

Susan A. Bloomfield

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Ovarian Function ◽

Virgin Female ◽

Rodent Model ◽

High Dose ◽

Corpora Lutea ◽

Average Dose ◽

Estrus Cycle ◽

Human Dose ◽

Dose Dependent

Abstract Background Long-acting, reversible contraceptives (LARC; progestin only) are an increasingly common hormonal contraceptive choice in reproductive aged women looking to suppress ovarian function and menstrual cyclicity. The overall objective was to develop and validate a rodent model of implanted etonogestrel (ENG) LARC, at body size equivalent doses to the average dose received by women during each of the first 3 years of ENG subdermal rod LARC use. Methods Intact, virgin, female Sprague-Dawley rats (16-wk-old) were randomized to 1 of 4 groups (n = 8/group) of ENG LARC (high-0.30μg/d, medium-0.17μg/d, low-0.09μg/d, placebo-0.00μg/d) via a slow-release pellet implanted subcutaneously. Animals were monitored for 21 days before and 29 days following pellet implantation using vaginal smears, ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), saphenous blood draws, food consumption, and body weights. Data were analyzed by chi-square, non-parametric, univariate, and repeated measures 2-way ANOVA. Results Prior to pellet implantation there was no difference in time spent in estrus cycle phases among the treatment groups (p > 0.30). Following pellet implantation there was a dose-dependent impact on the time spent in diestrus and estrus (p < 0.05), with the high dose group spending more days in diestrus and fewer days in estrus. Prior to pellet insertion there was not an association between treatment group and estrus cycle classification (p = 0.57) but following pellet implantation there was a dose-dependent association with cycle classification (p < 0.02). Measurements from the UBM (ovarian volume, follicle count, corpora lutea count) indicate an alteration of ovarian function following pellet implantation. Conclusion Assessment of estrus cyclicity indicated a dose-response relationship in the shift to a larger number of acyclic rats and longer in duration spent in the diestrus phase. Therefore, each dose in this model mimics some of the changes observed in the ovaries of women using ENG LARC and provides an opportunity for investigating the impacts on non-reproductive tissues in the future.

Download Full-text

Serial Discrimination Reversal in a Slow Loris (Nycticebus)

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1975.36.3.713 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 713-714 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nancy Kalish-Landon ◽

Richard A. Maier

Keyword(s):

Optimal Level ◽

Capuchin Monkey ◽

Discrimination Reversal ◽

Slow Loris ◽

Reversal Problem ◽

Highly Evolved

A Slow Loris was tested on a serial discrimination reversal problem, reaching an optimal level of performance after 9 reversals. Thus, the ability of the Prosimian Primate was roughly comparable to that of the more highly evolved Squirrel and Capuchin monkey.

Download Full-text

Removal of mouse ovary fat pad affects sex hormones, folliculogenesis and fertility

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1530/joe-16-0174 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 232 (2) ◽

pp. 155-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Hong-Hui Wang ◽

Qian Cui ◽

Teng Zhang ◽

Lei Guo ◽

Ming-Zhe Dong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Antral Follicle ◽

Large Mass ◽

The Body ◽

Reproductive Capacity ◽

Estrus Cycle ◽

Fat Pad ◽

Organ Protection ◽

Fat Storage ◽

Overweight Women

As a fat storage organ, adipose tissue is distributed widely all over the body and is important for energy supply, body temperature maintenance, organ protection, immune regulation and so on. In humans, both underweight and overweight women find it hard to become pregnant, which suggests that appropriate fat storage can guarantee the female reproductive capacity. In fact, a large mass of adipose tissue distributes around the reproductive system both in the male and female. However, the functions of ovary fat pad (the nearest adipose tissue to ovary) are not known. In our study, we found that the ovary fat pad-removed female mice showed decreased fertility and less ovulated mature eggs. We further identified that only a small proportion of follicles developed to antral follicle, and many follicles were blocked at the secondary follicle stage. The overall secretion levels of estrogen and FSH were lower in the whole estrus cycle (especially at proestrus); however, the LH level was higher in ovary fat pad-removed mice than that in control groups. Moreover, the estrus cycle of ovary fat pad-removed mice showed significant disorder. Besides, the expression of FSH receptor decreased, but the LH receptor increased in ovary fat pad-removed mice. These results suggest that ovary fat pad is important for mouse reproduction.

Download Full-text