87 OVARIAN RESERVE, EMBRYO PRODUCTION, AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH ANTI-MÜLLERIAN HORMONE (AMH) IN HOLSTEIN COWS

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 136
Author(s):  
J. Verstegen ◽  
A. Rozner

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a small peptide hormone that has been associated with ovarian follicular reserve in humans and in some animal species including bovine. Profiles of AMH, as well as the relationship between serum AMH to oocyte number and in vivo embryo production, were evaluated in Holstein cows. AMH levels were determined in 15 unstimulated cows at monthly intervals for 4 months and in 394 male and 399 female developing Holstein animals from birth to adulthood. Also, AMH was measured in 41 heifers at the time of ovum pick-up (OPU) and 125 heifers at the time of embryo flushing. Superovulation was induced before OPU or embryo flushing using a modified Ovsynch protocol with 4 days of decreasing FSH (Pluset H®, MOFA Global, Verona, WI, USA). Blood samples were collected using serum tubes and spun within 2 h. The samples were stored at –20°C until evaluated for AMH using the AMH-Bovine specific immunoassay® (MOFA Global). AMH levels in males and females peaked at 2 months of age and then decrease as they reached adulthood. The average AMH level of adult cows was stable for each of the 4 monthly measurements, with a high correlation between all values per animal (r2 = 0.9077; P < 0.01), suggesting that AMH levels are consistent for at least 4 consecutive months. However, AMH levels were lowest during the summer months, suggesting a seasonal change in AMH secretion. Animals repeatedly ovarian stimulated showed decreasing AMH levels (509 ± 295, 299 ± 210, 211 ± 119) with subsequent stimulations. There was also a significant decrease in the number of embryos recovered (5.7 ± 4, 2.2 ± 1.9; P = 0.02); however, the number of oocytes was not altered by multiple stimulations (9.9 ± 9.8, 8.1 ± 6.2; P = 0.57). Because AMH and embryo numbers decreased after multiple stimulations, the first AMH value and results of the first OPU or embryo flush were used for the correlation of AMH to the number of oocytes or embryos. Animals were separated into 3 AMH categories: low (<100), normal (100–400), and high (>400 pg mL–1). High AMH OPU animals had significantly higher numbers of oocytes than the normal or low AMH groups (13.8 ± 9.2, 9.2 ± 5.3, 5.6 ± 3.9; P = 0.001). High AMH flushed animals had significantly higher numbers of embryos than animals with low AMH (10.9 ± 8.0, 5.7 ± 5; P = 0.002). Statistical analyses were performed using Statview 5. Differences were determined using Student's t-test; P < 0.05 was considered significant. In conclusion, AMH serum concentrations are consistent over multiple months; however, blood should not be taken for animal selection by AMH after ovarian stimulations have begun and should be interpreted with caution during the summer months. AMH is highly associated with superovulation response and oocyte and embryo production and should improve efficiency of multiple-ovulation embryo transfer.

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (11) ◽  
pp. 833-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordana Mandic-Gajic

Background/Aim. The relationship between alcoholism and depression is observed in clinical trials. The factors which could predict persistence of secondary depression after alcohol withdrawal are not enough explored on admission. The differences between depressed (DA) and non-depressed (NDA) alcoholics regarding the degrees of severity of withdrawal, severity of depression and the intensity of cognitive dysfunctions were explored on admission to investigate possibility of prediction of the development of secondary depression in alcoholics. Methods. A group of primary male alcoholics (n=86) was recruited during inpatient treatment. After 4 weeks alcoholics were divided in the DA group (n=43) and NDA (n=43) group according to the score on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Clinical assessment of withdrawal, scoring on the Alcohol Dependency Severity Scale- ASD, and scoring on the Mini Mental Scale-MMSE were performed in all the participants on admission. The differences between the groups were tested by the Student's t-test. Results. The DA group showed the significantly higher severity of depression, higher levels of alcohol withdrawal symptoms and cognitive dysfunctions than the NDA group on admission. Conclusion. The specific group of depressive alcoholics was shown to be characterized by the higher severity of alcoholism and depression on admission, which could predict prolonged, secondary depression. Early detection and concurrent therapy of secondary depression could improve the treatment, and reduce the relapse of alcoholism.


Author(s):  
Dilson Borges Ribeiro Junior ◽  
Jeferson Macedo Vianna ◽  
André de Assis Lauria ◽  
Emerson Filipino Coelho ◽  
Francisco Zacaron Werneck

Abstract The aims of this study were: 1) to evaluate the sports potential of young basketball players; 2) to identify variables that discriminate sports potential assessed by coaches; 3) to verifythe relationship between classification of the multidimensional profile of athletes and classification of the sports potential by coaches. Sixty-two young basketball players aged 15.6±1.1 years from U-15 (n = 24) and U-17 (n = 38) categories participated in the study. A test battery was applied to evaluate sports potential indicators: 1) anthropometric; 2) physicomotor; 3) psychological;4) skills;5) socio-environmental;6) maturational and 7) sports potential.Clusteranalysis was performed in three groups: high, medium and low potential. Student’s t-test was used for the comparison between athletes evaluated by the coach as excellent and the others and the Chi-Square test to verify the relationship between sports potential classifications. It was observed that in the high-potential group, athletes were chronologically older, with higher % predicted adult height (PMS), competitive and determined sports orientation, higher body size, lower skinfold summation, and greater physicomotor performance. In comparison with other athletes, high-potential basketball players presented higher stature, wider wingspan,longer limb length, greater predicted adult stature and higher Z score of the % PMS. It could be concluded that the multidimensional approach was useful for the evaluation of the sports potential of young basketball players, requiring the use of multidimensional variables, in addition to coaches’ opinion regarding the potential of their athletes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (8) ◽  
pp. 746-752
Author(s):  
T. Ruane-O’Hora ◽  
D. O’Malley ◽  
M.M. Buckley ◽  
F. Markos

The shear-stress sensor function of vascular glycocalyx heparan sulphate and hyaluronic acid was investigated in vivo by assessing flow-mediated dilation before and after their removal. Heparinase III exposure (100 mU·mL−1 for 20 min;n = 6) did not significantly affect flow-mediated dilation of the iliac, from 0.42 ± 0.08 mm (mean ± SEM) to 0.34 ± 0.07 mm after (P = 0.12; paired Student’s t test) for a statistically similar increase in shear stress; 18.24 ± 4.2 N·m−2 for the control and 15.8 ± 3.6 N·m−2 for the heparinase III experiment (P = 0.18). Hyaluronidase exposure (0.14–1.4 mg·mL−1 for 20 min; n = 8) also did not significantly reduce flow-mediated dilation of the iliac, which averaged 0.39 ± 0.08 mm before and 0.38 ± 0.09 mm after (P = 0.11) for a statistically similar increase in shear stress; 11.90 ± 3.20 N·m−2 for the control and 9.8 ± 3.33 N·m−2 for the hyaluronidase experiment (P = 0.88). Removal of both heparan sulphate and hyaluronic acid was confirmed using immunohistochemistry. Neither the heparan sulphate nor the hyaluronic acid components of the glycocalyx mediate shear-stress-induced vasodilation in conduit arteries in vivo.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-289
Author(s):  
María Vicent ◽  
Cándido J. Inglés ◽  
Ricardo Sanmartín ◽  
Carolina Gonzálvez ◽  
María del Pilar Aparicio-Flores ◽  
...  

This study analyses the relationship between the perfectionism dimensions, i.e. Self-Oriented Perfectionism-Critical (SOP-C) and Self-Oriented Perfectionism-Striving (SOP-S), and affect and the Big Five traits of personality in a sample of 804 Spanish students aged 8 to 11 (M  = 9.57; DE = 1.12). Student’s t test, Cohen’s d index and logistic regression analysis were used. The high SOP-C group scored significantly higher than their peers having low SOP-C on Negative Affect and Neuroticism, and lower on Positive Affect, Agreeableness, Consciousness and Openness to Experience. To the contrary, students with high SOP-S scored significantly higher on all adaptive dimensions (i.e. Positive Affect, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Consciousness and Openness to Experience), and lower on Negative Affect and Neuroticism. Effect sizes were small for most of statistically significant differences. These findings were also supported by regression analysis. Results are discussed in light of the debate on the adaptive or maladaptive nature of Self-Oriented Perfectionism.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
E. Moura ◽  
C. Esteves-Pinto ◽  
M.P. Serrão ◽  
I. Azevedo ◽  
M. Vieira-Coelho

Introduction:The efficacy of antidepressants has been linked in part to their ability to reduce activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; however, the mechanism by which antidepressants regulate the HPA axis is largely unknown. Recent research has demonstrated that endocannabinoids can regulate the HPA axis and exhibit antidepressant potential.Aim:The purpose of this study was therefore to evaluate the effect of chronic administration of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) on the adrenal gland of mice.Methods:Delta9-THC (10 mg/kg, 1 THC:1 chremophor:18 saline) or vehicle (CT, 1 chremophor:18 saline) was administered i.p. for 10 days to C57Bl6 mice aged 15 weeks. At the end of the study rats were placed in metabolic cages. Noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (AD) levels in samples and tissues were evaluated by HPLC-ED. Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA followed by Student's t test. Results are presented as mean±SEM.Results:Treatment with delta9-THC did not produce changes in mice weight (CT: 25±1; delta9-THC: 24±1 g, n=5-6) but produced a significant reduction in adrenal gland weight (CT: 1.4±0.2; delta9-THC: 0.6±0.1* mg, n=5-6, *P˂0.01). However, treatment with delta9-THC did not produce significant changes in NA and AD adrenal content (NA: 7.5±2.1, 5.3±0.6; AD: 14.1±1.1, 11.1±2.1 nmol, CT and delta9-THC respectively, n=5-6) or in NA and AD urine levels (NA: 0.88±0.06, 1.18±0.17; AD: 0.64±0.07, 0.81±0.09 nmol/24h, CT and delta9-THC respectively, n=5-6).Conclusion:Chronic treatment with delta9-THC reduces adrenal gland weight in mice. These results suggest that endocannabinoids may act directly at the adrenal gland to regulate the HPA axis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Jerónimo ◽  
Anabela Malho Guedes ◽  
Gloria del Peso ◽  
Ana Paula Silva ◽  
Rafael Selgas ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Peritoneal protein loss (PPL) is associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD). Controversial results have been published about the effect of paricalcitol in PPL among PD patients. This study intends to analyze the relationship between paricalcitol and PPL in PD. Methods: In a retrospective study, prevalent PD patients were divided into 2 groups: “with paricalcitol” and “without paricalcitol”. X2-test, Student’s t test, Pearson correlation coefficient and Logistic Regression analysis were applied. Results: Eighty-two patients were included. PPL was lower among patients medicated with paricalcitol (5.17 ± 1.71 vs. 6.79 ± 2.10 g/24 h, p = 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, paricalcitol and dialysate/plasma ratio of creatinine (D/P creatinine) were independently related to PPL (OR 4.270 [1.437–12.684], p = 0.009 and OR 0.205 [0.064–0.659], p = 0.008, respectively), adjusted for diabetes. Conclusion: Paricalcitol and D/P creatinine were independently related to PPL. Paricalcitol may have an effect on PPL in PD patients


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 304 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Rozner ◽  
J. Verstegen

The relations between serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), oocyte numbers, and in vivo embryo production in Holstein heifers were evaluated. The AMH levels of 15 unstimulated cows were followed at weekly intervals during their oestrous cycles and monthly for 4 months. Forty-one superovulated heifers were evaluated at ovum pick-up (OPU) performed 20 h after cystorelin administration, and 125 others were evaluated at embryo recovery. Animals were followed over 3 consecutive cycles induced using a modified Ovsynch protocol with 4 days of FSH (Pluset H, Minitube of America, Verona, WI, USA). Blood samples were collected in serum tubes and spun within 2 h. The samples were stored at –20°C until evaluation using the Minitube of America AMH-bovine specific immunoassay (AMH Fertility Assay™). The statistical analyses (ANOVA and data correlation) were performed using Statview 5 with P < 0.05. Serum AMH ranged from 43 to 960 pg mL–1. The average AMH level of all cows was stable during the oestrous cycle and for each of the 4 monthly measurements. There was a high correlation between all values per animal (r2 = 0.9077; P < 0.01), suggesting that AMH levels are consistent during the cycle and for at least 4 consecutive months. Animals that were repeatedly stimulated showed decreasing AMH levels (509 ± 295, 299 ± 210, 211 ± 119) and a decrease in recovered embryos (7.4 ± 4, 5.6 ± 3.8, 4.2 ± 3.2; P = 0.02). The number of oocytes was not altered by multiple stimulations (10.4 ± 9.8, 11.3 ± 6.2, 8.5 ± 7.6; P = 0.75). As AMH and embryo numbers decreased after multiple stimulations, only the first AMH value and results of the first OPU or flush were used to establish following correlation. Serum AMH showed a positive correlation to the number of oocytes (r2 = 0.245) and embryos collected (r2 = 0.27).When separated into AMH categories, low (<100), normal (100–400), and high (>400 pg mL–1), high-AMH OPU animals yielded significantly higher numbers of oocytes than the animals in the normal or low AMH groups (13.8 ± 9.2 v. 9.2 ± 5.2 and 5.6 ± 3.9; P = 0.001). Flushed animals with high AMH levels had significantly higher numbers of embryos than those with low AMH (10.9 ± 7.9 v. 5.7 ± 5; P = 0.002). Comparison of the first AMH value to the average number of oocytes or embryos collected over the course of 3 collections/animal showed a positive correlation to the average number of oocytes/collection from individual OPU donors (r2 = 0.436) and a positive correlation to the average number of embryos/collection from individual donors (r2 = 0.176). When separated into AMH groups, high-AMH flushed animals had significantly higher numbers of embryos than the normal- or low-AMH animals (9.3 ± 3.1 v. 5.7 ± 3.4 and 4.5 ± 2; P = 0.0001). As OPU animals with low AMH were used only once, average oocyte/collection data was not available for this category. A significant difference was observed between the high- and normal-AMH categories (12 ± 3.6 v. 7 ± 2; P = 0.0001). Circulating AMH is stable over time in unstimulated animals but decreases in repetitively stimulated animals. Anti-Mullerian hormone is highly associated with superovulation response and oocyte and embryo production, and its use should improve animal selection to achieve improve efficiency of multiple-ovulation embryo transfer.


Author(s):  
Ana Mᵃ Castillo-Canalejo ◽  
Sandra Mᵃ Sánchez-Cañizares ◽  
Luna Santos-Roldán ◽  
Guzmán Antonio Muñoz-Fernández

Food markets are becoming popular as new spaces for recreation, and this research aims to discover the motivations driving the tourists that visit these markets. Factorial analysis, cluster analysis and Student’s t-test were applied on 456 surveys from two food markets in Córdoba (Spain). Three motivational factors were obtained: Gastronomic experience and novelty; hedonism and leisure; and the relationship of the experience with work. Segmenting and analyzing the profile of the tourist may help economic agents develop new strategies for the tourism management of a destination and more accurate marketing and branding strategies that target specific customers with a niche message. The study could help develop products that align with tourists’ motives to increase satisfaction and loyalty.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-87
Author(s):  
Yolanda Dávila Pontón ◽  
Alejandro Reyes Reyes ◽  
Aracelis Calzadilla Núñez ◽  
Víctor Patricio Díaz Narváez ◽  
Robert Utsman ◽  
...  

This study aimed to establish the relationship between empathy and personality styles in medical students, considering the differences by gender. The participants were 278 students of the medical career of the Universidad del Azuay, Ecuador. They were evaluated using the Jefferson empathy scale and the Millon Index of Personality Styles. Relationships between empathy and personality styles were examined using Pearson's correlation coefficient and hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, for comparisons by gender and educational levels; with both Student's t test and analysis of variance used respectively. Results indicated that the factor structure of the empathy scale is invariant between men and women, noticing gender differences in care with compassion and total empathy, with women presenting a higher mean. Differences are observed by educational level, where the general empathy in the first three years grows progressively, and then slightly decrease. In conclusion,  female students present a mean score of total empathy greater than men, with differences of empathy according to educational level


2012 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Higuchi ◽  
Naoya Takahashi ◽  
Motoi Shiotani ◽  
Suguru Sato ◽  
Atsushi Ohta ◽  
...  

Background To date, bronchial diverticula have generally been treated as a pathological condition associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), although only a limited amount of published information is available on the relationship between bronchial diverticula as depicted by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and airflow limitations. Purpose To evaluate the relationship between airflow limitations and main bronchial diverticula in the subcarinal region using spirometry and thin-section MDCT. Material and Methods A total of 189 consecutive adult patients were retrospectively evaluated based on spirometry and thin-section MDCT of the chest. All examinations were performed at our institution between June and October 2008. The study group included 70 women and 119 men with a mean age of 65 years (range 19–86 years). The relationship between the FEV1% and bronchial diverticula in the subcarinal region was analyzed (Student's t-test). Results The indications for conducting the examinations were pulmonary diseases (82 patients), cardiovascular diseases (22), extrapulmonary malignancies (74), and other conditions (11). A total of 84/189 (44.4%) patients showed bronchial diverticula, and the FEV1% of 70/84 (83.3%) patients was above 70. The FEV1% of patients with lesions ranged from 26.0 to 97.8 (mean 76.8), whereas the range was 28.1–94.4 (mean 73.7) in those without lesions. There was no significant association between the FEV1% and the presence of subcarinal bronchial diverticula ( P > 0.05). Conclusion Our data demonstrate that thin-section chest CT commonly demonstrates main bronchial diverticula in the subcarinal region in patients without airflow limitations. We propose that the presence of a small number of tiny bronchial diverticula under the carina may not be a criterion for the diagnosis of COPD.


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