scholarly journals New Insights Into the Role of β-NGF/TrKA System in the Endometrium of Alpacas During Early Pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela E. Barraza ◽  
Luciana M. Sari ◽  
Silvana A. Apichela ◽  
Marcelo H. Ratto ◽  
Martin E. Argañaraz
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Uterine Horn ◽  
South American ◽  
South American Camelids ◽  
High Affinity Receptor ◽  
Ngf Signaling ◽  
Extraembryonic Membranes

One striking reproductive feature in South American camelids is that more than 90% of gestations are established in the left uterine horn (LUH). This phenomenon could be related to a differential vascular irrigation of the LUH. An increase of vascularization in llama endometrium was observed after systemic administration of Beta Nerve Growth Factor (β-NGF), a neurotrophin present in the uterus and placenta of various mammals that is involved in pregnancy development. We hypothesized that the β-NGF signaling pathway is related to embryo implantation in the LUH in camelids. The aim of this study was to characterize the spatial expression of β-NGF and its high-affinity receptor, TrKA, between LUH and right uterine horn (RUH) of non-pregnant (NP) and early pregnant alpacas (15 and 30 days of gestation, 15 and 30P, respectively). In addition, β-NGF, TrKA, and Vascular Endothelium Growth Factor A (VEGFA) temporal gene expression patterns and counting of blood vessels were evaluated among groups. The β-NGF and TrKA were localized in the luminal, glandular, and vascular epithelium of the alpaca uterus and in the embryonic membranes of the 30-days-old conceptus. β-NGF and TrKA immunosignal were stronger in 15P females than that of NP and 30P. In addition, TrKA signal was higher in the LUH luminal epithelium of NP and 15P alpacas than that of NP-RUH and 15P-RUH. β-NGF mRNA relative abundance was higher in the 30P-RUH than that of NP-RUH; whereas TrKA mRNA abundance only differed between 15P-RUH and NP-LUH. VEGFA mRNA relative abundance was higher in NP females compared to the LUH of 15P and 30P alpacas, and lower to their right counterparts. The number of vessels per field was higher in 15P than that of 30P. A positive correlation was observed between the number of vessels per field and β-NGF immunosignal in 15P-LUH. In contrast, the area occupied by vessels was higher in 30P alpacas than of NP and 15P females. The changes of β-NGF/TrKA expression pattern in the peri-implantation endometria between LUH and RUH and their localization in the extraembryonic membranes support the implication of the neurotrophin during implantation and pregnancy development in South American Camelids.

scholarly journals Acceleration of TAA-Induced Liver Fibrosis by Stress Exposure Is Associated with Upregulation of Nerve Growth Factor and Glycopattern Deviations

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5055
Author(s):  
Catalina Atorrasagasti ◽  
Flavia Piccioni ◽  
Sophia Borowski ◽  
Irene Tirado-González ◽  
Nancy Freitag ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Growth Factor ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Liver Damage ◽  
Neurotrophin Receptor ◽  
P75 Neurotrophin Receptor ◽  
Nerve Growth ◽  
Fibrotic Process ◽  
Ngf Signaling

Liver fibrosis results from many chronic injuries and may often progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In fact, up to 90% of HCC arise in a cirrhotic liver. Conversely, stress is implicated in liver damage, worsening disease outcome. Hence, stress could play a role in disrupting liver homeostasis, a concept that has not been fully explored. Here, in a murine model of TAA-induced liver fibrosis we identified nerve growth factor (NGF) to be a crucial regulator of the stress-induced fibrogenesis signaling pathway as it activates its receptor p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), increasing liver damage. Additionally, blocking the NGF decreased liver fibrosis whereas treatment with recombinant NGF accelerated the fibrotic process to a similar extent than stress challenge. We further show that the fibrogenesis induced by stress is characterized by specific changes in the hepatoglycocode (increased β1,6GlcNAc-branched complex N-glycans and decreased core 1 O-glycans expression) which are also observed in patients with advanced fibrosis compared to patients with a low level of fibrosis. Our study facilitates an understanding of stress-induced liver injury and identify NGF signaling pathway in early stages of the disease, which contributes to the established fibrogenesis.

scholarly journals Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Human Embryo Implantation: Clinical Implications

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
Xi Guo ◽  
Hong Yi ◽  
Tin Chiu Li ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Huilin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Recurrent Miscarriage ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Angiogenic Factor ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well-known angiogenic factor that plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes. VEGF also contributes to the process of embryo implantation by enhancing embryo development, improving endometrial receptivity, and facilitating the interactions between the developing embryo and the endometrium. There is a correlation between the alteration of VEGF expression and reproductive failure, including recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent miscarriage (RM). In order to clarify the role of VEGF in embryo implantation, we reviewed recent literature concerning the expression and function of VEGF in the reproductive system around the time of embryo implantation and we provide a summary of the findings reported so far. We also explored the effects and the possible underlying mechanisms of action of VEGF in embryo implantation.

scholarly journals Llama and Alpaca Management in Germany—Results of an Online Survey among Owners on Farm Structure, Health Problems and Self-Reflection

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Saskia Neubert ◽  
Alexandra von Altrock ◽  
Michael Wendt ◽  
Matthias Gerhard Wagener
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
South American ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
South American Camelids ◽  
Feeding Management ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
On Farm

An online survey of llama and alpaca owners was used to collect data on the population, husbandry, feeding, management measures and health problems. A total of 255 questionnaires were evaluated. In total, 55.1% of the owners had started keeping South American camelids within the last six years. The majority managed small farms with fewer than 15 animals (66.4% of 250 farms). More than half of the participants stated that they kept the camelids as hobby animals (64.3%), although they used them for wool production (55.7%) and/or for breeding (51.8%). Vaccination and deworming were carried out on more than 80% of the farms. The most common diseases occurring on the farms were endo- and ectoparasites. A total of 55.3% of the owners estimated their own knowledge of South American camelids as good, 14.5% as very good. In contrast, more than half of the owners agreed little or not at all with the statement that veterinarians generally have sufficient knowledge about South American camelids. Further research is needed to include veterinarians’ perspectives and thus optimise animal husbandry.

4-Hydroxyestradiol improves mouse embryo quality, epidermal growth factor-binding capability in vitro and implantation rates

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuria Hernández ◽  
Marta López-Morató ◽  
Mario J Perianes ◽  
Soledad Sánchez-Mateos ◽  
Vanessa Casas-Rua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Epidermal Growth Factor ◽  
Embryo Quality ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Endometrial Cells ◽  
Epidermal Growth ◽  
Binding Capability

Abstract Embryo implantation in the uterus is a critical step to achieve success following ART. Despite favorable uterine conditions, a great number of good quality embryos fail to implant, often for reasons that are unknown. Hence, improving the implantation potential of embryos is a subject of great interest. 4-Hydroxyestradiol (4-OH-E2), a metabolic product of estradiol produced by endometrial cells, plays a key role in endometrial–embryonic interactions that are necessary for implantation. Nonetheless, the effects of 4-OH-E2 on embryos obtained in vitro have not been yet described. This study was designed to determine whether culture media enriched in 4-OH-E2 could improve the quality and implantation rate of embryos obtained in vitro, using both in vitro and in vivo models. We also analyzed its effects on the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-binding capability of the embryos. Our results showed that the presence of 4-OH-E2 in the culture media of embryos during the morula to blastocyst transition increases embryo quality and attachment to endometrial cells in vitro. 4-OH-E2 can also improve viable pregnancy rates of mouse embryos produced in vitro, reaching success rates that are similar to those from embryos obtained directly from the uterus. 4-OH-E2 improved the embryos’ ability to bind EGF, which could be responsible for the increased embryo implantation potential observed. Therefore, our results strongly suggest that 4-OH-E2 is a strong candidate molecule to supplement human IVF culture media in order to improve embryo implantation. However, further research is required before these findings can be translated with efficacy and safety to fertility clinics.

Effects of Maternal Diabetes on Fetal Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein MRNAs in the Rat

1995 ◽  
Vol 147 (2) ◽  
pp. R5-R8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randal D. Streck ◽  
Veeraramani S. Rajaratnam ◽  
Renata B. Fishman ◽  
Peggy J. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Maternal Diabetes ◽  
Limb Bud ◽  
Insulin Like Growth Factor ◽  
Igf Binding Proteins ◽  
Increased Risk

ABSTRACT Matemal diabetes is associated in humans and rats with an increased risk for fetal growth abnormalities and malformations. Therefore, the effect of maternal diabetes on expression of genes that regulate fetal growth and differentiation is of considerable interest. Developmental growth is regulated in part by the expression and availability of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). Postnatal expression of a subset of the IGFs and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) has been demonstrated to be regulated in response to diabetes and other metabolic conditions. We used in situ hybridization to analyze the effect of maternal diabetes, induced by streptozotocin (STZ) prior to mating, upon prenatal rat IGF and IGFBP mRNA expression. At gestational day (GD) 14, the most striking effect of maternal diabetes on fetal IGF/IGFBP gene expression was a marked increase in the abundance of IGFBP-1 mRNA within the liver primordia of fetuses isolated from diabetic dams compared to age-matched controls. This upregulation cannot be entirely due to the approximately one-half-day delay in fetal development (based on limb bud staging) associated with maternal diabetes, as there was no gross difference in the level of IGFBP-1 mRNA between GD13 and GD14 control fetal livers. In contrast, the fetal mRNA expression patterns of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-2, -3, -4, -5 and -6 were not grossly altered by maternal diabetes. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that IGFBP-1 produced within the fetal liver and secreted into fetal circulation may play a role in regulating rat fetal growth.

scholarly journals Trouble in Paradise? A comparison of 1953 and 2005 benthonic foraminiferal seafloor assemblages at the Ibis Field, offshore eastern Trinidad, West Indies

2006 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Nutrient Enrichment ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
South American ◽  
Sufficient Time ◽  
Phytoplankton Primary Production ◽  
Environmental Perturbations ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Shrimp Farms

Abstract. Foraminiferal communities are not static, but change in response to environmental perturbations. Given sufficient time, the change will be recorded in the total (live+dead) seafloor assemblage, from which valuable information regarding environmental trends can be obtained by re-sampling assemblages at the decadal scale.The seafloor assemblage in the 5 km × 6 km Ibis Field, off southeast Trinidad, first surveyed in 1953, was re-examined in 2005. The fauna had changed markedly between the surveys. Overall increases in the proportional abundances of Uvigerina subperegrina, Ammonia pauciloculata/Rolhausenia rolhauseni and Pseudononion atlanticum indicate an increase in nutrient supply that apparently killed off Cibicidoides pseudoungerianus and Miliolinella subrotunda, and reduced the relative abundance of Hanzawaia concentrica, but did not affect the relative abundance of Cancris sagrai. As shown by similar 1953 and 2005 planktonic/benthonic foraminiferal ratios, the increased nutrient supply impacted on both surface and bottom waters.Of the six most abundant species in 2005, five showed the same general biogeographical distributions within the field in 1953 and 2005. However, whereas the proportional abundance of Uvigerina subperegrina in 1953 increased southwards, in 2005 it increased northwards.Trinidad cannot be the source for the nutrient enrichment: the island lies down-current from the Ibis Field. Sources must therefore be sought up-current and to the southeast, in the Amazon, Essequibo and Orinoco river basins, or along the South American shoreline. It is speculated that the nutrient enrichment may be a consequence of increased phytoplankton primary production associated with nitrogen-rich run-off from South American sugarcane plantations, or from flushing of organic carbon from poorly regulated sewage systems or shrimp farms in South America.

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