scholarly journals Corticosterone secretion in tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus): Influential factors and conservation applications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lindsay Erin Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
Monitoring Tool ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Corticosterone Secretion ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sphenodon Punctatus ◽  
Gravid Females

<p>Animals are regularly exposed to environmental, social and physiological challenges. In reaction to these challenges, individuals adjust their physiology and behaviour to maintain essential processes and optimise fitness. The most widely used indicators of physiological stress in vertebrates are glucocorticoid hormones (corticosterone (CORT) or cortisol), which are commonly referred to as ‘stress hormones’. The use of CORT as a tool to understand how individuals respond to natural or human-caused challenges is central to stress physiology research. Here, I investigated intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with CORT secretion, CORT secretion as an indicator of physiological response to challenges/stressors, and the value of CORT secretion as conservation tool in an iconic protected reptile (the tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus).  A capture-restraint time series revealed a significant CORT response over a 24 h period in male and female (non-gravid and gravid) tuatara. Baseline CORT and the CORT response to capture and restraint (i.e. a standardised capture-stress protocol) were similar between sexes; however, female reproductive condition was correlated with CORT secretion in that higher baseline CORT and a lower CORT response were observed in gravid females. An observational study incorporating data across a wide range of ambient temperatures (from four island sites) confirmed that body temperature (Tb) is positively correlated with baseline CORT in gravid females only, and revealed a positive correlation between the CORT response and higher Tb in all adults. A supporting experimental study showed that acute ambient temperature increase (in which mean Tb reached 21.4±0.4°C) elicits a significant CORT response to capture-restraint in gravid females. These results confirmed that gravid females are not secreting CORT maximally during nesting, but actively modulate secretion. An inter-island comparison of CORT secretion (for four populations) revealed that baseline CORT secretion was similar among populations during the non-breeding and breeding seasons; however, the CORT response to capture-restraint varied significantly among populations. Inter-population variation in testosterone (T) was observed in males (but not females) and was positively linked with increased baseline CORT from the non-breeding season to the breeding season, suggesting male reproductive activity may drive seasonal change of baseline CORT. Significant correlations were observed between the CORT response to capture-restraint (but not baseline CORT) and habitat elements of latitude, tuatara density and seabird abundance and 2) demogenetic factors of sex ratio and genetic diversity. The measurement of CORT as a physiological monitoring tool indicated that short- and long- term dynamics of CORT secretion in tuatara are not altered through translocation to a new island, as the acute CORT response remained stable throughout exposure to cumulative stressors and long-term dynamics of CORT secretion in translocated populations simultaneously mirrored those in source populations.  These findings deliver the most detailed study of CORT secretion patterns in tuatara to date. Moreover, as the first study to apply CORT secretion data as an conservation physiology monitoring tool in tuatara, these results serve as a baseline reference for future research and monitoring of conservation efforts.</p>

scholarly journals Corticosterone secretion in tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus): Influential factors and conservation applications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lindsay Erin Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
Monitoring Tool ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Corticosterone Secretion ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sphenodon Punctatus ◽  
Gravid Females

<p>Animals are regularly exposed to environmental, social and physiological challenges. In reaction to these challenges, individuals adjust their physiology and behaviour to maintain essential processes and optimise fitness. The most widely used indicators of physiological stress in vertebrates are glucocorticoid hormones (corticosterone (CORT) or cortisol), which are commonly referred to as ‘stress hormones’. The use of CORT as a tool to understand how individuals respond to natural or human-caused challenges is central to stress physiology research. Here, I investigated intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with CORT secretion, CORT secretion as an indicator of physiological response to challenges/stressors, and the value of CORT secretion as conservation tool in an iconic protected reptile (the tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus).  A capture-restraint time series revealed a significant CORT response over a 24 h period in male and female (non-gravid and gravid) tuatara. Baseline CORT and the CORT response to capture and restraint (i.e. a standardised capture-stress protocol) were similar between sexes; however, female reproductive condition was correlated with CORT secretion in that higher baseline CORT and a lower CORT response were observed in gravid females. An observational study incorporating data across a wide range of ambient temperatures (from four island sites) confirmed that body temperature (Tb) is positively correlated with baseline CORT in gravid females only, and revealed a positive correlation between the CORT response and higher Tb in all adults. A supporting experimental study showed that acute ambient temperature increase (in which mean Tb reached 21.4±0.4°C) elicits a significant CORT response to capture-restraint in gravid females. These results confirmed that gravid females are not secreting CORT maximally during nesting, but actively modulate secretion. An inter-island comparison of CORT secretion (for four populations) revealed that baseline CORT secretion was similar among populations during the non-breeding and breeding seasons; however, the CORT response to capture-restraint varied significantly among populations. Inter-population variation in testosterone (T) was observed in males (but not females) and was positively linked with increased baseline CORT from the non-breeding season to the breeding season, suggesting male reproductive activity may drive seasonal change of baseline CORT. Significant correlations were observed between the CORT response to capture-restraint (but not baseline CORT) and habitat elements of latitude, tuatara density and seabird abundance and 2) demogenetic factors of sex ratio and genetic diversity. The measurement of CORT as a physiological monitoring tool indicated that short- and long- term dynamics of CORT secretion in tuatara are not altered through translocation to a new island, as the acute CORT response remained stable throughout exposure to cumulative stressors and long-term dynamics of CORT secretion in translocated populations simultaneously mirrored those in source populations.  These findings deliver the most detailed study of CORT secretion patterns in tuatara to date. Moreover, as the first study to apply CORT secretion data as an conservation physiology monitoring tool in tuatara, these results serve as a baseline reference for future research and monitoring of conservation efforts.</p>

Chaperonin as the normal controls and pathological anti-stress response in the human reproductive system

2016 ◽  
pp. 126-129
Author(s):  
M. Makarenko ◽  
◽  
D. Hovsyeyev ◽  
L. Sydoryk ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Stress Proteins ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Intercellular Signaling ◽  
Toll Like Receptors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Protein Functions ◽  
And Function

Different kinds of physiological stress cause mass changes in the cells, including the changes in the structure and function of the protein complexes and in separate molecules. The protein functions is determined by its folding (the spatial conclusion), which depends on the functioning of proteins of thermal shock- molecular chaperons (HSPs) or depends on the stress proteins, that are high-conservative; specialized proteins that are responsible for the correct proteinaceous folding. The family of the molecular chaperones/ chaperonins/ Hsp60 has a special place due to the its unique properties of activating the signaling cascades through the system of Toll-like receptors; it also stimulates the cells to produce anti- inflammatory cytokines, defensins, molecules of cell adhesion and the molecules of MHC; it functions as the intercellular signaling molecule. The pathological role of Hsp60 is established in a wide range of illnesses, from diabetes to atherosclerosis, where Hsp60 takes part in the regulation of both apoptosis and the autoimmune processes. The presence of the HSPs was found in different tissues that are related to the reproductive system. Key words: molecular chaperons (HSPs), Toll-like receptors, reproductive function, natural auto antibody.

Modern prevention and active longevity programs on the basis of disruptive domestic technologies: positive experience and prospects for application

2020 ◽  
pp. 66-73
Author(s):  
A. Simonova ◽  
S. Chudakov ◽  
R. Gorenkov ◽  
V. Egorov ◽  
A. Gostry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personalized Medicine ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Laboratory Diagnostics ◽  
Positive Experience ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Integrated Program ◽  
Long Term Experience ◽  
Early Detection And Prevention

The article summarizes the long-term experience of practical application of domestic breakthrough technologies of preventive personalized medicine for laboratory diagnostics of a wide range of socially significant non-infectious diseases. Conceptual approaches to the formation of an integrated program for early detection and prevention of civilization diseases based on these technologies are given. A vision of the prospects for the development of this area in domestic and foreign medicine has been formed.

To the 70th anniversary of World Meteorological Organization. Scientific and technical cooperation of Hydrometeorological Center of the USSR/Russia in the Programs of World Meteorological Organization

2020 ◽  
pp. 117-138
Author(s):  
S.V. Borshch ◽  
◽  
R.M. Vil’fand ◽  
D.B. Kiktev ◽  
V.M. Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Monitoring ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
World Meteorological Organization ◽  
70Th Anniversary ◽  
Technical Level ◽  
Technical Cooperation ◽  
Wide Range

The paper presents the summary and results of long-term and multi-faceted experience of international scientific and technical cooperation of Hydrometeorological Center of Russia in the field of hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring within the framework of WMO programs, which indicates its high efficiency in performing a wide range of works at a high scientific and technical level. Keywords: World Meteorological Organization, major WMO programs, representatives of Hydrometeorological Center of Russia in WMO

Research on the Economic Organization Environmental Impact

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 599-601
Author(s):  
Dan Paul Stefanescu ◽  
Oana Roxana Chivu ◽  
Claudiu Babis ◽  
Augustin Semenescu ◽  
Alina Gligor
Keyword(s):  
Economic Activity ◽  
Economic Organization ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Environmental Implications ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Material Environment ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Harmful Effects

Any economic activity carried out by an organization, can generate a wide range of environmental implications. Particularly important, must be considered the activities that have a significant negative effect on the environment, meaning those which pollute. Being known the harmful effects of pollution on the human health, the paper presents two models of utmost importance, one of the material environment-economy interactions balance and the other of the material flows between environmental factors and socio-economic activities. The study of these models enable specific conditions that must be satisfied for the economic processes friendly coexist to the environment for long term, meaning to have a minimal impact in that the residues resulting from the economic activity of the organization to be as less harmful to the environment.

Long-term Effects of Triazol Growth Regulators on Stem Elongation of Rhododendron and Kalmia

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 436E-436
Author(s):  
Martin P.N. Gent
Keyword(s):  
Dose Response ◽  
Growth Regulator ◽  
Stem Elongation ◽  
Spray Application ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Potted Plants ◽  
Response Coefficient ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Second Year

The persistence of effects of paclobutrazol or uniconazol on stem elongation was determined for several years after large-leaf Rhododendron and Kalmia latifolia were treated with a single-spray application of these triazol growth-regulator chemicals. Potted plants were treated in the second year from propagation, and transplanted into the field in the following spring. The elongation of stems was measured in the year of application and in the following 2 to 4 years. Treatments with a wide range of doses were applied in 1991, 1992, or 1995. For all except the most-dilute applications, stem elongation was retarded in the year following application. At the highest doses, stem growth was inhibited 2 years following application. The results could be explained by a model of growth regulator action that assumed stem elongation was inversely related to amount of growth regulator applied. The dose response coefficient for paclobutrazol was less than that for uniconazol. The dose that inhibited stem elongation one-half as much as a saturating dose was about 0.5 and 0.05 mg/plant, for paclobutrazol and uniconazol, respectively. The dose response coefficient decreased exponentially with time after application, with an exponential time constant of about 2/year. The model predicted a dose of growth regulator that inhibited 0.9 of stem elongation immediately after application would continue to inhibit 0.5 of stem elongation in the following year.

Chinese Medicine Protein and Peptide in Gene and Cell Therapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinlu Feng ◽  
Zifei Yin ◽  
Daniel Zhang ◽  
Arun Srivastava ◽  
Chen Ling
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Cell Therapy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Past ◽  
Promising Strategy ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Gene And Cell Therapy ◽  
Proteins And Peptides

The success of gene and cell therapy in clinic during the past two decades as well as our expanding ability to manipulate these biomaterials are leading to new therapeutic options for a wide range of inherited and acquired diseases. Combining conventional therapies with this emerging field is a promising strategy to treat those previously-thought untreatable diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has evolved for thousands of years in China and still plays an important role in human health. As part of the active ingredients of TCM, proteins and peptides have attracted long-term enthusiasm of researchers. More recently, they have been utilized in gene and cell therapy, resulting in promising novel strategies to treat both cancer and non-cancer diseases. This manuscript presents a critical review on this field, accompanied with perspectives on the challenges and new directions for future research in this emerging frontier.

Positive Emotion in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 297-311
Author(s):  
Ilana Seager ◽  
Douglas S. Mennin ◽  
Amelia Aldao
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Positive Emotion ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Emotional Dysfunction ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Future Work

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a debilitating condition characterized by excessive, pervasive, uncontrollable, and paralyzing worries about a wide range of future situations. Individuals with this condition frequently find themselves stuck in worry and tension cycles in futile attempts at reducing uncertainty and increasing control. GAD has been associated with substantial impairments in functioning and reduced quality of life. GAD remains poorly understood, and the long-term efficacy and end-state functioning resulting from treatment are weaker compared to other anxiety disorders. Some treatments (e.g., emotion regulation therapy, acceptance-based behavioral therapy) have improved efficacy, partly by targeting emotional dysfunction. Basic psychopathology research has focused on identifying the role of negative affect in GAD, so little is known about how positive affect is experienced and regulated in this disorder. This is particularly important in light of the overlap of this condition with major depressive disorder, which is characterized by low or suppressed positive emotion. Developing such an understanding is essential to further improve the efficacy of emotion-based treatments. This chapter reviews current and future directions in the study of positive affect in GAD. The chapter reviews the nascent research on positive affect and GAD, then illustrates dimensions of future work.

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