scholarly journals Pregnancy Changes the Response of the Vomeronasal and Olfactory Systems to Pups in Mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinta Navarro-Moreno ◽  
Maria Jose Sanchez-Catalan ◽  
Manuela Barneo-Muñoz ◽  
Rafael Goterris-Cerisuelo ◽  
Maria Belles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Piriform Cortex ◽  
Vomeronasal Organ ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Bed Nucleus ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Pup Retrieval ◽  
Olfactory Systems ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Pregnancy Hormones

Motherhood entails changes in behavior with increased motivation for pups, induced in part by pregnancy hormones acting upon the brain. This work explores whether this alters sensory processing of pup-derived chemosignals. To do so, we analyse the expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) in the vomeronasal organ (VNO; Egr1) and centers of the olfactory and vomeronasal brain pathways (cFos) in virgin and late-pregnant females exposed to pups, as compared to buttons (socially neutral control). In pup-exposed females, we quantified diverse behaviors including pup retrieval, sniffing, pup-directed attack, nest building and time in nest or on nest, as well as time off nest. Pups induce Egr1 expression in the VNO of females, irrespective of their physiological condition, thus suggesting the existence of VNO-detected pup chemosignals. A similar situation is found in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) and posteromedial part of the medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTMPM). By contrast, in the medial amygdala and posteromedial cortical amygdala (PMCo), responses to pups-vs-buttons are different in virgin and late-pregnant females, thus suggesting altered sensory processing during late pregnancy. The olfactory system also shows changes in sensory processing with pregnancy. In the main olfactory bulbs, as well as the anterior and posterior piriform cortex, buttons activate cFos expression in virgins more than in pregnant females. By contrast, in the anterior and especially posterior piriform cortex, pregnant females show more activation by pups than buttons. Correlation between IEGs expression and behavior suggests the existence of two vomeronasal subsystems: one associated to pup care (with PMCo as its main center) and another related to pup-directed aggression observed in some pregnant females (with the BSTMPM as the main nucleus). Our data also suggest a coactivation of the olfactory and vomeronasal systems during interaction with pups in pregnant females.

DIE AUSSCHEIDUNG VON TESTOSTERON UND EPITESTOSTERON BEI FRAUEN AM ENDE DER SCHWANGERSCHAFT

1969 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-585
Author(s):  
K. Schollberg ◽  
E. Seiler ◽  
J. Holtorff
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Excretion ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Female Foetus ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Normal Women ◽  
In Pregnancy

ABSTRACT The urinary excretion of testosterone and epitestosterone by women in late pregnancy has been studied. The mean values of 22 normal women in pregnancy mens X are 12.9 ± 9.2 μg/24 h in the case of testosterone and 16.1 ± 16.2 μg/24 h in the case of epitestosterone. Both values do not differ significantly from those of non-pregnant females. The excretion values of mothers bearing a male foetus (17.3 ± 8.9 μg/24 h) are higher than those of mothers with a female foetus (6.4 ± 4.8 μg/24 h). The difference is statistically significant with P = 0.01.

Active and resting behaviour of virgin and pregnant females ofGlossina morsitans morsitansWestwood (Diptera: Glossinidae) in the laboratory

1982 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Rowcliffe ◽  
L. H. Finlayson
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Glossina Morsitans Morsitans ◽  
Glossina Morsitans ◽  
Clear Preference ◽  
Resting Sites ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Resting Behaviour ◽  
Visual Contrast ◽  
Light Gradient

AbstractActivity in virgin and pregnant females ofGlossina morsitans morsitansWestw. was very low and mostly took the form of short bursts of flight. Recently-fed virgins and females in early and mid-pregnancy were least active. In late pregnancy, activity increased and more walking occurred. In all classes of females, activity was least around midday, but the V-shaped curve became less pronounced as parturition approached. There was evidence of a slight preference for black over white surfaces whenlandingbut a clear preference for blackrestingsites. Virgin females preferred to alight and rest on vertical surfaces at the borders of areas of visual contrast; pregnant females preferred to alight and rest on horizontal surfaces and showed no attraction to regions of contrast. In a horizontal light gradient, pregnant females selected lighter resting sites as the day progressed. In late pregnancy, there was an increasing tendency to rest in darker sites. Increasing the temperature in the light gradient caused an increase in activity around 34°C and a switch to photonegative behaviour. After larviposition, the females became strongly photopositive even at high temperature (38°C), but after a feed they reverted to the ‘normal’ photonegative response to high temperature.

scholarly journals Delirium, caused by suspending treatment of hypothyroidism

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-34
Author(s):  
Alejandro Hernández-Sandí ◽  
David Quirós-Baltodano ◽  
Michelle Oconitrillo-Chaves
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Multiple Factors ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Abrupt Discontinuation ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Levothyroxine Treatment

Delirium, or acute confusional syndrome, is a set of symptoms whose care involves not only psychiatry, but also many other medical specialties. Being as how the syndrome is caused by multiple factors, it is important to recognize each risk factor affecting the patient in order to anticipate and prevent it. In case of diagnosis, identifying and treating the root cause that triggered is important, given that it has a high rate of comorbidity and an elevated cost of medical care. We describe a case where a patient with hypothyroidism began suffering from delirium due to an abrupt discontinuation of levothyroxine treatment. Previously, the patient was seemingly healthy. After the medical treatment was interrupted, sensory processing and behavior were altered, and symptoms fluctuated, for a short period of time, showing disorientation and memory and language impairment.

scholarly journals The Effect of Metoclopramide on the Lower Oesophageal Sphincter in Late Pregnancy

1978 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Brock-utne ◽  
T. G. B. Dow ◽  
S. Welman ◽  
G. E. Dimopoulos ◽  
M. G. Moshal
Keyword(s):  
Normal Control ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Lower Oesophageal Sphincter ◽  
The Other ◽  
Obstetrical Anaesthesia ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Gastric Contents

The effects of intravenous metoclopramide (Maxolon) on the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) were studied in three groups of patients, one group being normal control and the other two being pregnant females, one without heartburn and the other with. Metoclopramide increases the LOS pressure 20.5, 15.2 and 10.2 cm H2 O respectively (p<0.005, p<0.005 and p<0.05). These findings suggest that for patients undergoing elective or emergency obstetrical anaesthesia, intravenous metoclopramide may help reduce the incidence of regurgitation of gastric contents.

scholarly journals From Pheromones to Behavior

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 921-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Tirindelli ◽  
Michele Dibattista ◽  
Simone Pifferi ◽  
Anna Menini
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Reproductive Physiology ◽  
Vomeronasal System ◽  
Standard View ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Pheromonal Communication ◽  
Olfactory Systems ◽  
Molecular Aspects ◽  
Main Olfactory System ◽  
And Behavior

In recent years, considerable progress has been achieved in the comprehension of the profound effects of pheromones on reproductive physiology and behavior. Pheromones have been classified as molecules released by individuals and responsible for the elicitation of specific behavioral expressions in members of the same species. These signaling molecules, often chemically unrelated, are contained in body fluids like urine, sweat, specialized exocrine glands, and mucous secretions of genitals. The standard view of pheromone sensing was based on the assumption that most mammals have two separated olfactory systems with different functional roles: the main olfactory system for recognizing conventional odorant molecules and the vomeronasal system specifically dedicated to the detection of pheromones. However, recent studies have reexamined this traditional interpretation showing that both the main olfactory and the vomeronasal systems are actively involved in pheromonal communication. The current knowledge on the behavioral, physiological, and molecular aspects of pheromone detection in mammals is discussed in this review.

The effects of sensory processing and behavior of toddlers on parent participation: A pilot study

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaina DaLomba ◽  
Mary Frances Baxter ◽  
Patricia Fingerhut ◽  
Anne O’Donnell
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Parent Participation ◽  
And Behavior

scholarly journals Synaptic Zinc Enhances Inhibition Mediated by Somatostatin, but not Parvalbumin, Cells in Mouse Auditory Cortex

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 3895-3909
Author(s):  
Stylianos Kouvaros ◽  
Manoj Kumar ◽  
Thanos Tzounopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Cortex ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Frequency Tuning ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Cortical Inhibition ◽  
Gabaergic Neurotransmission ◽  
Quantal Size ◽  
And Behavior

Abstract Cortical inhibition is essential for brain activity and behavior. Yet, the mechanisms that modulate cortical inhibition and their impact on sensory processing remain less understood. Synaptically released zinc, a neuromodulator released by cortical glutamatergic synaptic vesicles, has emerged as a powerful modulator of sensory processing and behavior. Despite the puzzling finding that the vesicular zinc transporter (ZnT3) mRNA is expressed in cortical inhibitory interneurons, the actions of synaptic zinc in cortical inhibitory neurotransmission remain unknown. Using in vitro electrophysiology and optogenetics in mouse brain slices containing the layer 2/3 (L2/3) of auditory cortex, we discovered that synaptic zinc increases the quantal size of inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission mediated by somatostatin (SOM)- but not parvalbumin (PV)-expressing neurons. Using two-photon imaging in awake mice, we showed that synaptic zinc is required for the effects of SOM- but not PV-mediated inhibition on frequency tuning of principal neurons. Thus, cell-specific zinc modulation of cortical inhibition regulates frequency tuning.

The plasma pattern of growth hormone in conscious rats during late pregnancy

1990 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Carlsson ◽  
S. Edén ◽  
J.-O. Jansson
Keyword(s):  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
Fourfold Increase ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Basal Plasma ◽  
Analysis Computer ◽  
Plasma Gh

ABSTRACT The plasma GH levels of female rats during late pregnancy were determined using an automatic method for repetitive blood sampling from conscious animals. The plasma GH patterns were analysed by a pulse analysis computer program (PULSAR). The mean plasma GH levels were about twofold higher in pregnant females on days 15, 18 and 22 of gestation than in age-matched non-pregnant females. The basal plasma GH levels were also increased, while there was no change in GH pulse amplitude or frequency. The augmentation of GH release was even more pronounced on day 20 of gestation, with a fourfold increase in mean plasma GH levels compared with those in non-pregnant females. This increase reflected an increase in both basal plasma GH levels and GH pulse amplitude, but there was no increase in pulse frequency. In female rats that delivered on day 22 of gestation, the basal and mean plasma GH levels increased during parturition. Pregnant females consistently responded to multiple i.v. infusions of 1 μg human GH-releasing factor analogue (hGRF(1–29)-NH2) given at 45-min intervals on day 18 of gestation. Both basal and GRF analogue-stimulated plasma GH levels were undetectable after hypophysectomy of pregnant rats. The present study demonstrates an increase in basal plasma GH levels during late pregnancy and a marked increase in both basal plasma GH levels and GH pulse amplitude on day 20 of gestation. Furthermore, hypophysectomy of pregnant rats results in undetectable GH levels, indicating that the high levels of GH during pregnancy are derived from the pituitary. Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 124, 191–198

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