The role of medial prefrontal neurons in social dominance and competitive success in groups of male mice

The importance of estrogen receptor α (ERα) for the regulation of bone mass in males is well established. ERα mediates estrogenic effects both via nuclear and membrane-initiated ERα (mERα) signaling. The role of mERα signaling for the effects of estrogen on bone in male mice is unknown. To investigate the role of mERα signaling, we have used mice (Nuclear-Only-ER; NOER) with a point mutation (C451A), which results in inhibited trafficking of ERα to the plasma membrane. Gonadal-intact male NOER mice had a significantly decreased total body areal bone mineral density (aBMD) compared to WT littermates at 3, 6 and 9 months of age as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). High-resolution microcomputed tomography (µCT) analysis of tibia in 3-month-old males demonstrated a decrease in cortical and trabecular thickness in NOER mice compared to WT littermates. As expected, estradiol (E2) treatment of orchidectomized (ORX) WT mice increased total body aBMD, trabecular BV/TV and cortical thickness in tibia compared to placebo treatment. E2 treatment increased these skeletal parameters also in ORX NOER mice. However, the estrogenic responses were significantly decreased in ORX NOER mice compared with ORX WT mice. In conclusion, mERα is essential for normal estrogen signaling in both trabecular and cortical bone in male mice. Increased knowledge of estrogen signaling mechanisms in the regulation of the male skeleton may aid in the development of new treatment options for male osteoporosis.

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The possible protective role of curcumin on the toxic effect of nicotine in the lung of adult male mice

The Egyptian Journal of Histology ◽

10.1097/01.ehx.0000419782.06184.46 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 805-811

Author(s):

Dorria A.M. Zaghloul ◽

Esam Salah Kamel ◽

Hekmat O. Abd el-Aziz ◽

Mohammed A. Mahmoud

Keyword(s):

Toxic Effect ◽

Adult Male ◽

Protective Role ◽

Male Mice

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Kindlin-2 in Sertoli cells is essential for testis development and male fertility in mice

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-021-03885-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Xiaochun Chi ◽

Weiwei Luo ◽

Jiagui Song ◽

Bing Li ◽

Tiantian Su ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sertoli Cells ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Nuclear Translocation ◽

Hippo Pathway ◽

Reproductive Organs ◽

Male Reproduction ◽

Barrier Structure ◽

Male Mice ◽

Sperm Development

AbstractKindlin-2 is known to play important roles in the development of mesoderm-derived tissues including myocardium, smooth muscle, cartilage and blood vessels. However, nothing is known for the role of Kindlin-2 in mesoderm-derived reproductive organs. Here, we report that loss of Kindlin-2 in Sertoli cells caused severe testis hypoplasia, abnormal germ cell development and complete infertility in male mice. Functionally, loss of Kindlin-2 inhibits proliferation, increases apoptosis, impairs phagocytosis in Sertoli cells and destroyed the integration of blood-testis barrier structure in testes. Mechanistically, Kindlin-2 interacts with LATS1 and YAP, the key components of Hippo pathway. Kindlin-2 impedes LATS1 interaction with YAP, and depletion of Kindlin-2 enhances LATS1 interaction with YAP, increases YAP phosphorylation and decreases its nuclear translocation. For clinical relevance, lower Kindlin-2 expression and decreased nucleus localization of YAP was found in SCOS patients. Collectively, we demonstrated that Kindlin-2 in Sertoli cells is essential for sperm development and male reproduction.

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Development-Dependent Plasticity in Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide Neurons in the Infralimbic Cortex

Cerebral Cortex Communications ◽

10.1093/texcom/tgab007 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Stuart A Collins ◽

Ipe Ninan

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide ◽

Cortical Plasticity ◽

Male Mice ◽

Infralimbic Cortex ◽

Membrane Excitability ◽

Gabaergic Transmission ◽

Intestinal Polypeptide

Abstract The onset of several neuropsychiatric disorders including anxiety disorders coincides with adolescence. Consistently, threat extinction, which plays a key role in the regulation of anxiety-related behaviors, is diminished during adolescence. Furthermore, this attenuated threat extinction during adolescence is associated with an altered synaptic plasticity in the infralimbic medial prefrontal cortex (IL-mPFC), a brain region critical for threat extinction. However, the mechanism underlying the altered plasticity in the IL-mPFC during adolescence is unclear. Given the purported role of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide expressing interneurons (VIPINs) in disinhibition and hence their potential to affect cortical plasticity, we examined whether VIPINs exhibit an adolescence-specific plasticity in the IL-mPFC. We observed an increase in GABAergic transmission and a decrease in excitability in VIPINs during adolescence. Male mice show a significantly higher VIPIN-pyramidal neuron GABAergic transmission compared with female mice. The observed increase in GABAergic transmission and a decrease in membrane excitability in VIPINs during adolescence could play a role in the altered plasticity in the adolescent IL-mPFC. Furthermore, the suppression of VIPIN-mediated GABAergic transmission in females might be relevant to sex differences in anxiety disorders.

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Mechanisms contributing to the competitive success of the invasive fruit flyBactrocera invadensover the indigenous mango fruit fly,Ceratitis cosyra: the role of temperature and resource pre-emption

Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata ◽

10.1111/j.1570-7458.2009.00897.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 133 (1) ◽

pp. 27-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Ivan Rwomushana ◽

Sunday Ekesi ◽

Callistus K.P.O. Ogol ◽

Ian Gordon

Keyword(s):

Fruit Fly ◽

Mango Fruit ◽

Competitive Success ◽

Ceratitis Cosyra

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Transient sex-related changes in the mice hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis during the acute phase of the inflammatory process

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1155/s0962935193000183 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 123-127 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

T. Daneva ◽

E. Spinedi ◽

R. Hadid ◽

M.-C. Jacquier ◽

M. Giacomini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Difference ◽

Acute Phase ◽

Hpa Axis ◽

Plasma Levels ◽

Potential Role ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Male Mice ◽

Plasma Acth ◽

Endogenous Sex Hormones

The potential role of endogenous sex hormones in regulating hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function was investigated after a single injection of endotoxin in adult (8 week old) BALB/c mice of both sexes. The effect of LPS on plasma ACTH, corticosterone (B), testosterone and oestradiol (E) levels and on anterior pituitary (AP) ACTH and adrenal B contents at different times after treatment was studied. The results indicate that: (a) basal B but not ACTH plasma levels were significantly higher in female than in male mice; (b) LPS significantly increased both ACTH and B plasma levels over the baseline 2 h after injection, both hormone levels being higher in female than in male mice; (c) although plasma ACTH concentrations recovered the basal value at 72 h after LPS in animals of both sexes, plasma B levels returned to the baseline only at 120 h after treatment; (d) E plasma levels significantly increased 2 h after LPS and returned to the baseline at 72 h post-treatment, in both sexes; (e) at 2 h after LPS, testosterone plasma levels significantly decreased in male mice and increased in female mice, recovering the baseline level at 120 and 72 h after LPS, respectively; (f) AP ACTH content was similar in both sexes in basal condition and it was significantly diminished 72 h post-treatment without sex difference; whereas AP ACTH returned to basal content 120 h after LPS in males, it remained significantly decreased in females; (g) basal adrenal B content was higher in female than in male mice, and it significantly increased in both sexes 2 h post-LPS, maintaining this sex difference. Whereas adrenal B returned to basal content 72 h after treatment in male mice, it remained significantly enhanced up to 120 h post-LPS in female animals. The data demonstrate the existence of a clear sexual dimorphism in basal condition and during the acute phase response as well as in the recovery of the HPA axis function shortly after infection.

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Aggression, and the Acquisition and Function of Social Dominance in Female Anolis Carolinensis

Behaviour ◽

10.1163/156853996x00396 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 133 (15-16) ◽

pp. 1265-1279 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Cliff H. Summers ◽

Thomas J. Andrews

Keyword(s):

Social Interactions ◽

Site Selection ◽

Social Dominance ◽

Anolis Carolinensis ◽

Resource Acquisition ◽

Male Courtship ◽

Body Color ◽

Courtship Display ◽

And Function

AbstractFemale green anoles, Anolis carolinensis, were paired in terraria to investigate behavioral components of social interaction. Resources (perching sites, prey, and males as potential mates) were limited to assess their importance to cohabiting females. During interaction, paired females exhibited aggressive social behavior which contributed to the development of dominant-subordinate relationships. Dominant status and its relationship to differential resource acquisition was defined primarily by frequency of displacement of another female. Along with displacement, dominant females also had increased frequency of assertion displays, challenge displays, attacks and biting (Figs 1 & 2). Subordinate females were displaced more often and assumed submissive postures. No differences were found between dominant and subordinate females for perch site selection, body color or in prey capturing latency or success (Figs 3 & 4). Perch site elevation was not different between dominant and subordinate females, but was significantly lower than males. The color of paired females was not different unless males were present, in which case dominant females were darker. Paired females also respond differently to courtship display (Fig. 5). Dominant females responded with displays significantly more often than subordinate females to male courtship, indicating receptivity. The role of dominant-subordinate relationships among female A. carolinensis may include courtship and reproductive success as an important component, with consequences for the outcome of aggressive and reproductive social interactions with males.

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