scholarly journals The “female effect” positively affects the appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviour and testosterone concentrations of Alpine male goats under subtropical conditions 

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 337-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
CarrilloE ◽  
Meza-HerreraCA ◽  
Olán-SánchezA ◽  
Robles-TrilloPA ◽  
LeyvaC ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Metal Mesh ◽  
Northern Mexico ◽  
Reproductive Management ◽  
Female Effect

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible action of the “female effect” by evaluating if exposure to estrogenized females would affect sexual behaviour and testosterone concentrations while affecting the length of the reproductive season of Alpine bucks in northern Mexico (26°N). In January, two experimental groups were formed: (i) treated males (MH; n = 8) kept in a pen aside to another pen with four estrogenized females during four weeks; pens were separated by a metal mesh, and (ii) control males (GC; n = 8) which had no contact with any female during the same period. At the end of the study, an appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviour test was performed by exposing males from both groups to estrogenized females. Besides, serum concentrations of testosterone were quantified in each male on days 0 and 28. On day 0 the serum levels of testosterone were similar in both groups (217 ± 86 vs 320 ± 89 ng/dl in MH and GC respectively; P > 0.05). However, on day 28, serum testosterone levels favoured to the MH group (164 ± 56 vs 49 ± 18 ng/dl; P = 0.06). With respect to the consummatory (80%) and appetitive (62%) sexual behaviour, the best reproductive performance was depicted by the MH group with respect to the GC group (P < 0.05). Results obtained confirm a positive action of the “female effect” upon behavioural, reproductive, and endocrinological outcomes, while extending the breeding season of Alpine male goats. These findings should be relevant in the design of clean, green, and ethical reproductive management strategies in goat production systems and potentially important to the animal industry.  

The contribution of corticosterone and testosterone to the suppression of serum LH in hyperprolactinaemic adult male rats with pituitary transplants

1987 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. A. Weber ◽  
M. P. Ooms ◽  
J. T. M. Vreeburg
Keyword(s):  
Adult Male ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Male Rat ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Testosterone Secretion ◽  
Accessory Sex Glands ◽  
Serum Lh ◽  
Stimulation Of

ABSTRACT The effects of hyperprolactinaemia on serum levels of LH were investigated in adult male rats of the R × U strain. Hyperprolactinaemia was induced by three pituitary grafts under the kidney capsule, transplanted on day 0 of each experiment. Special attention was paid to the contribution of prolactin-stimulated testes, adrenals and corticosterone. In experiment 1, hyperprolactinaemia significantly reduced the serum concentrations of LH in intact rats. In spite of a significant increase in the serum levels of corticosterone, serum testosterone was not significantly affected by hyperprolactinaemia. The weights of both the adrenals and accessory sex glands were significantly increased at autopsy. In experiment 2, treatment with 10 mg corticosterone s.c. daily from day 14 to day 28 after pituitary grafting significantly reduced serum levels of both LH and testosterone. The suppression of testosterone in the hyperprolactinaemic corticosterone-treated animals was significantly less than in the corticosterone-treated control animals. The weights of the accessory sex glands were significantly increased in the hyperprolactinaemic animals. In experiment 3, rats were adrenalectomized and half of them were substituted with corticosterone. Serum testosterone levels significantly increased in both hyperprolactinaemic adrenalectomized rats and in adrenalectomized corticosterone-treated animals without any significant effect on serum LH. Again the weights of the accessory sex glands were significantly increased in the hyperprolactinaemic animals. In experiment 4, rats were adrenalectomized, gonadectomized and corticosterone treated on day 0 and then implanted with a 2, 1·5 or 1 cm silicone elastomer capsule containing testosterone. On day 28 after pituitary grafting, LH levels were significantly suppressed in animals with a 2 or 1·5 cm testosterone implant. The weights of the accessory sex glands were not increased in the hyperprolactinaemic animals. These results show that in the male rat the inhibitory effects of hyperprolactinaemia on serum LH levels may be due to (1) increased sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to the negative feedback action of testosterone by prolactin and by the prolactin-stimulated corticosterone secretion and (2) stimulation of testicular testosterone secretion by prolactin, which can also explain the increased weights of the accessory sex glands. Even in the presence of high serum concentrations of corticosterone, stimulation of testicular testosterone secretion by prolactin was observed. J. Endocr. (1987) 113,111–116

scholarly journals Reproductive management strategies to reduce postpartum anestrus in dual-purpose cattle

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan González-Maldonado ◽  
Miguel J. García-Winder ◽  
Jaime Gallegos-Sánchez ◽  
Camelia A. Herrera-Corredor ◽  
Gustavo Sosa-Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Productive Efficiency ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Reproductive Management ◽  
Dual Purpose Cattle ◽  
Postpartum Weight

Objective: To share technical aspects and recommendations to improve the reproductive and productive efficiency of dual-purpose cattle. Design/Methodology/Approach: A review of scientific articles published in journals was carried out to show the importance of some factors that limit reproduction, as well as to identify management strategies to increase the reproductive potential in dual-purpose cows. Results: The duration of postpartum anestrus is reduced by weaning calves at a few days or weeks of age, restricting suckling to short periods of the day, delaying suckling, and exposing cows to a bull during postpartum. On average, the combined effect of delayed suckling and exposure of cows to a bull reduces postpartum anestrus to less than 50 d and the calving-conception interval to 84 days. Milk production and calf weight gain also are improved without affecting postpartum weight changes in cows. Study Limitations/Implications: Extensive management of dual-purpose cattle reduces the intensive use of some reproductive biotechnologies commonly applied in other animal production systems. Findings/Conclusions: Improvement in the reproductive efficiency of dual-purpose cattle can be achieved by reducing the postpartum anestrus by using reproductive management strategies and minor modifications to common management practices.

scholarly journals Low serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone in Albanian female patients with allergic disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Violeta Lokaj-Berisha ◽  
Besa Gacaferri Lumezi ◽  
Naser Berisha
Keyword(s):  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Allergic Diseases ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Subject Selection

AbstractEvidence from several unrelated animal models and some studies conducted in humans, points to the immunomodulatory effects of androgens on various components of the immune system, especially on allergic disorders. This study evaluated the serum concentrations of sex hormones in women with allergy. For this purpose, blood samples were obtained from 78 participants in order to detect serum IgE concentrations, total testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and DHEA-S. The majority of the subjects (54) in the study were consecutive patients with doctor-diagnosed allergic pathologies: 32 with allergic rhinitis, 10 with asthma and rhinitis, and 12 with skin allergies. In addition, 24 healthy volunteers were included in the research as the control group. The average age of the subjects was 32.54 years (SD ± 11.08 years, range between 4–59 years). All participants stated that they had not used any medical treatment to alleviate any of their symptoms prior to taking part in the research. They all underwent skin-prick tests for common aero-allergens, which was used as criterion for subject selection. Hence, the subjects were selected if they reacted positively to at least one aero-allergen. Their height and weight were measured in order to calculate the BMI. As a result, statistically significant differences between controls and allergic women in serum concentrations of androgens (testosterone, p = 0.0017; DHEA-S, p = 0.04) were found, which lead to the conclusion that the concentration of total serum testosterone and DHEA-S was lower in female patients with allergic diseases compared to controls.

Serum concentrations of testosterone throughout pregnancy in rats

1982 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Bridges ◽  
R. B. Todd ◽  
C. M. Logue
Keyword(s):  
Post Partum ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Diurnal Variations ◽  
Serum Prolactin ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
Pregnant Rat ◽  
Microcolumn Chromatography

Testosterone concentrations in serum of rats bled throughout pregnancy and post partum were measured using Celite microcolumn chromatography and a radioimmunoassay for testosterone. Mean serum levels of testosterone ranged from about 170 to 340 pmol/l during the first 10 days of pregnancy. Significant increases in concentrations of testosterone in serum of pregnant rats were found on days 12, 15 and 18 of gestation. The highest testosterone concentrations occurred on days 18 and 20 of pregnancy when mean levels were 3228 and 3685 pmol/l respectively. Testosterone levels declined before parturition on day 22 (mean = 1449 pmol/l and declined further after parturition (mean = 315 pmol/l). In order to determine whether serum testosterone concentrations varied during the day in the pregnant rat, samples were collected at 6-h intervals on days 6–7 and 14–15 of gestation. Diurnal variations in serum testosterone concentrations were not evident during early or late pregnancy, unlike the rhythmic changes in serum prolactin levels found at these times during early pregnancy. The possible sources of the increased titres of serum testosterone during the second part of gestation in rats are discussed.

scholarly journals Legumes increase grassland productivity with no effect on nitrous oxide emissions

2019 ◽  
Vol 446 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 163-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlete S. Barneze ◽  
Jeanette Whitaker ◽  
Niall P. McNamara ◽  
Nicholas J. Ostle
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Grassland Productivity

Abstract Aims Grasslands are important agricultural production systems, where ecosystem functioning is affected by land management practices. Grass-legume mixtures are commonly cultivated to increase grassland productivity while reducing the need for nitrogen (N) fertiliser. However, little is known about the effect of this increase in productivity on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in grass-legume mixtures. The aim of this study was to investigate interactions between the proportion of legumes in grass-legume mixtures and N-fertiliser addition on productivity and GHG emissions. We tested the hypotheses that an increase in the relative proportion of legumes would increase plant productivity and decrease GHG emissions, and the magnitude of these effects would be reduced by N-fertiliser addition. Methods This was tested in a controlled environment mesocosm experiment with one grass and one legume species grown in mixtures in different proportions, with or without N-fertiliser. The effects on N cycling processes were assessed by measurement of above- and below-ground biomass, shoot N uptake, soil physico-chemical properties and GHG emissions. Results Above-ground productivity and shoot N uptake were greater in legume-grass mixtures compared to grass or legume monocultures, in fertilised and unfertilised soils. However, we found no effect of legume proportion on N2O emissions, total soil N or mineral-N in fertilised or unfertilised soils. Conclusions This study shows that the inclusion of legumes in grass-legume mixtures positively affected productivity, however N cycle were in the short-term unaffected and mainly affected by nitrogen fertilisation. Legumes can be used in grassland management strategies to mitigate climate change by reducing crop demand for N-fertilisers.

Changes in growth rate and thyroid- and sex-hormones blood levels in rats under sub-chronic lithium treatment

2006 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 243-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
M S Allagui ◽  
N Hfaiedh ◽  
C Vincent ◽  
F Guermazi ◽  
J-C Murat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Lithium Treatment ◽  
Lithium Carbonate ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Antagonistic Effect ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Vaginal Mucosa ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Dose Dependent

Lithium therapy, mainly used in curing some psychiatric diseases, is responsible for numerous undesirable side effects. The present study is a contribution to the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying lithium toxicity. Male and female mature rats were divided into three batches and fed commercial pellets: one batch was the control and the second and third batches were given 2 g (Li1) and 4 g (Li2) of lithium carbonate/kg of food/day, respectively. After 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, serum levels of free tri-iodothyronine (FT3), thyroxine (FT4), testosterone and estradiol were measured. Attention was also paid to growth rate and a histological examination of testes or vaginal mucosa was carried out. In treated rats, a dose-dependent loss of appetite and a decrease in growth rate were observed, together with symptoms of polydypsia, polyuria and diarrhea. Lithium serum concentrations increased from 0.44 mM (day 7) to 1.34 mM (day 28) in Li1 rats and from 0.66 to 1.45 mM (day 14) in Li2 rats. Li2 treatment induced a high mortality after 14 days, reaching 50-60% in female and male animals. From these data, the LD50 (14 days Li2 chronic treatment) was calculated to be about 0.3 g/day per kilogram of animal, leading to Li serum concentrations of about 1.4 mM. A significant decrease of FT3 and FT4 was observed in treated rats. This effect appeared immediately for the highest dose and was more pronounced for FT3, resulting in an increase of the FT4/FT3 ratio. In males, testosterone decreased and spermatogenesis was stopped. Conversely, in females, estradiol increased in a dose-dependent manner as the animals were blocked in the diestrus phase at day 28. This finding supports a possible antagonistic effect of lithium on the estradiol receptors.

Dietary and serum vitamin D and preeclampsia risk in Chinese pregnant women: a matched case–control study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Xue-min Huang ◽  
Yan-hua Liu ◽  
Han Zhang ◽  
Yuan Cao ◽  
Wei-feng Dou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Matched Case ◽  
Matched Case Control Study ◽  
Control Study

Abstract The effect of vitamin D (VD) on the risk of preeclampsia (PE) is uncertain. Few of previous studies focused on the relationship between dietary VD intake and PE risk. Therefore, we conducted this 1:1 matched case-control study to explore the association of dietary VD intake and serum VD concentrations with PE risk in Chinese pregnant women. A total of 440 pairs of participants were recruited during March 2016 to June 2019. Dietary information was obtained using a 78-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 were measured by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were plotted to evaluate the dose-response relationship of dietary VD intake and serum VD concentrations with PE risk. Compared with the lowest quartile, the ORs of the highest quartile were 0.45 (95%CI: 0.29-0.71, Ptrend = 0.001) for VD dietary intake and 0.26 (95%CI: 0.11-0.60, Ptrend = 0.003) for serum levels after adjusting for confounders. In addition, the RCS analysis suggested a reverse J-shaped relationship between dietary VD intake and PE risk (P-nonlinearity = 0.02). A similar association was also found between serum concentrations of total 25(OH)D and PE risk (P-nonlinearity = 0.02). In conclusion, this study provides evidence that higher dietary intake and serum levels of VD are associated with the lower risk of PE in Chinese pregnant women.

scholarly journals The Effect of Bilateral Nephrectomy on Renalase and Catecholamines in Hemodialysis Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6282
Author(s):  
Magda Wiśniewska ◽  
Natalia Serwin ◽  
Violetta Dziedziejko ◽  
Małgorzata Marchelek-Myśliwiec ◽  
Barbara Dołęgowska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Pressure Regulation ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Monoamine Oxidase Activity ◽  
Normal Kidney ◽  
Bilateral Nephrectomy ◽  
Arterial Blood

Background/Aims: Renalase is an enzyme with monoamine oxidase activity that metabolizes catecholamines; therefore, it has a significant influence on arterial blood pressure regulation and the development of cardiovascular diseases. Renalase is mainly produced in the kidneys. Nephrectomy and hemodialysis (HD) may alter the production and metabolism of renalase. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of bilateral nephrectomy on renalase levels in the serum and erythrocytes of hemodialysis patients. Methods: This study included 27 hemodialysis patients post-bilateral nephrectomy, 46 hemodialysis patients without nephrectomy but with chronic kidney disease and anuria and 30 healthy subjects with normal kidney function. Renalase levels in the serum and erythrocytes were measured using an ELISA kit. Results: Serum concentrations of renalase were significantly higher in post-bilateral nephrectomy patients when compared with those of control subjects (101.1 ± 65.5 vs. 19.6 ± 5.0; p < 0.01). Additionally, renalase concentrations, calculated per gram of hemoglobin, were significantly higher in patients after bilateral nephrectomy in comparison with those of healthy subjects (994.9 ± 345.5 vs. 697.6 ± 273.4, p = 0.015). There were no statistically significant differences in plasma concentrations of noradrenaline or adrenaline. In contrast, the concentration of dopamine was significantly lower in post-nephrectomy patients when compared with those of healthy subjects (116.8 ± 147.7 vs. 440.9 ± 343.2, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Increased serum levels of renalase in post-bilateral nephrectomy hemodialysis patients are likely related to production in extra-renal organs as a result of changes in the cardiovascular system and hypertension.

scholarly journals Association of Serum Levels of Zinc, Copper, and Iron with Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 548
Author(s):  
Chia-Wen Lu ◽  
Yi-Chen Lee ◽  
Chia-Sheng Kuo ◽  
Chien-Hsieh Chiang ◽  
Hao-Hsiang Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Serum Zinc ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Model Assessment ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Metabolic Factors ◽  
Homeostatic Model Assessment

The association between serum concentrations of zinc, copper, or iron and the risk of metabolic syndrome are inconclusive. Therefore, we conduct a case-control study to explore the relationship between serum levels of zinc, copper, or iron and metabolic syndrome as well as each metabolic factor and insulin resistance. We enrolled 1165 adults, aged ≥ 40 (65.8 ± 10) years in a hospital-based population to compare the serum levels of zinc, copper, and iron between subjects with and without metabolic syndrome by using multivariate logistic regression analyses. The least square means were computed by general linear models to compare serum concentrations of zinc, copper, and iron in relation to the number of metabolic factors. The mean serum concentrations of zinc, copper, and iron were 941.91 ± 333.63 μg/L, 1043.45 ± 306.36 μg/L, and 1246.83 ± 538.13 μg/L, respectively. The odds ratios (ORs) of metabolic syndrome for the highest versus the lowest quartile were 5.83 (95% CI: 3.35–10.12; p for trend < 0.001) for zinc, 2.02 (95% CI: 1.25–3.25; p for trend: 0.013) for copper, and 2.11 (95% CI: 1.24–3.62; p for trend: 0.021) for iron after adjusting for age, sex, personal habits, body mass index, and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance. Additionally, the serum zinc, copper, and iron concentrations increased as the number of metabolic factors rose (p for trend < 0.001). This was the first study to clearly demonstrate that higher serum levels of zinc, copper, and iron were associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome and the number of metabolic factors independent of BMI and insulin resistance.

scholarly journals Nanotechnology and Reproductive Management of Farm Animals: Challenges and Advances

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1932
Author(s):  
Nesrein M. Hashem ◽  
Antonio Gonzalez-Bulnes
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Biological Molecules ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Reproductive Management ◽  
Livestock Farming Systems ◽  
Reproductive Disease ◽  
Nutritional Strategies

Reproductive efficiency of farm animals has central consequences on productivity and profitability of livestock farming systems. Optimal reproductive management is based on applying different strategies, including biological, hormonal, nutritional strategies, as well as reproductive disease control. These strategies should not only guarantee sufficient reproductive outcomes but should also comply with practical and ethical aspects. For example, the efficiency of the biological- and hormonal-based reproductive strategies is mainly related to several biological factors and physiological status of animals, and of nutritional strategies, additional factors, such as digestion and absorption, can contribute. In addition, the management of reproductive-related diseases is challenged by the concerns regarding the intensive use of antibiotics and the development of antimicrobial resistant strains. The emergence of nanotechnology applications in livestock farming systems may present innovative and new solutions for overcoming reproductive management challenges. Many drugs (hormones and antibiotics), biological molecules, and nutrients can acquire novel physicochemical properties using nanotechnology; the main ones are improved bioavailability, higher cellular uptake, controlled sustained release, and lower toxicity compared with ordinary forms. In this review, we illustrate advances in the most common reproductive management strategies by applying nanotechnology, considering the current challenges of each strategy.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document