scholarly journals Hair Cortisol, Testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Their Ratios in Stallions as a Retrospective Measure of Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal and Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Gonadal Axes Activity: Exploring the Influence of Seasonality

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2202
Author(s):  
Sergi Olvera-Maneu ◽  
Anaïs Carbajal ◽  
Jaume Gardela ◽  
Manel Lopez-Bejar
Keyword(s):  
Influencing Factor ◽  
Stress Hormones ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ◽  
Stress Physiology ◽  
Hair Cortisol ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Wide Range

The monitoring of stress physiology includes studying a wide range of endocrinological mechanisms, which can be assessed using multiple tissue samples. This study aimed to evaluate the seasonal variations of hair C, T and DHEA-S in horses for a whole year, as well as to assess the variations between seasons of C/DHEA-S and T/C ratios as a retrospective measure of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis activity. Ten pure-breed Menorca stallions were included in the study. The hair samples were collected approximately every two months following the shave-reshave method caudally to the sternum. After a methanol-based extraction, samples were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay for cortisol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. Following our findings, we detected that cortisol, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were significantly affected by seasonality, with the highest values of cortisol during summer and the lowest values of testosterone during spring. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate concentrations were increased in autumn compared to the other studied periods. Additionally, the studied hormone ratios showed variations between seasons. To conclude, season should, therefore, be considered when assessing sexual and stress hormones in stallion hair, since this variable can be a potential influencing factor and led to misinterpretations.

scholarly journals Atypical experiences of captive chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) are associated with higher hair cortisol concentrations as adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. 170932 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Jacobson ◽  
H. D. Freeman ◽  
R. M. Santymire ◽  
S. R. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Human Interaction ◽  
Continuous Measure ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Social Deficits ◽  
Hair Cortisol ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insight Into

Experiences during early development are influential on the lives of human and non-human primates into adulthood. The population of captive chimpanzees in the USA can provide insight into this relationship, as collectively they have experienced a wide range of exposure to both conspecifics (those raised in natal groups) and humans (those raised as personal pets or performers). Our study investigated chimpanzee exposure to humans using a continuous measure of categorization, the chimpanzee–human interaction index, and the relationship between this experience and cortisol concentrations in adulthood. Historical records and hair samples were collected from 60 chimpanzees which were socially housed in 13 zoos and sanctuaries. We found that more human exposure throughout the life of a chimpanzee was associated with higher hair cortisol concentrations in adulthood. Sex was also a significant factor affecting cortisol concentration, with male chimpanzees having higher cortisol concentrations than female chimpanzees. These results build upon the extensive literature about aversive effects of atypical social histories for chimpanzees and emphasize to managers the importance of monitoring potential negative health consequences and social deficits these individuals may exhibit.

scholarly journals Examining the Relationship Between Hair Cortisol With Stress-Related and Transdiagnostic Subclinical Measures

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Torrecilla ◽  
Neus Barrantes-Vidal
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Hair Cortisol ◽  
Stress Buffering ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
As Stress ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) provide a retrospective examination of long-term cortisol production as a measure of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning, one of the major neural systems implicated in mediating the effects of stress on mental illness. However, evidence about the relationship between HCC with stressors and symptoms is scattered. In the present study, we aimed to examine the association between HCC and a wide range of stress-related and transdiagnostic subclinical measures in a sample of non-clinical young adults with a wide distribution of schizotypy.Methods: A total sample of 132 non-clinical young adults recruited at college and technical schools oversampled for schizotypy scores were assessed on distal and proximal stressful experiences, appraisals of stress, traits and symptoms of the affective, psychosis and dissociation spectrums, as well as stress-buffering measures, and provided 3 cm-hair samples.Results: No significant associations were found between HCC and any of the stress-related and subclinical measures. Only suspiciousness and disorganization showed a trend for a positive association with HCC but the magnitude was small.Conclusions: The present findings support previous studies indicating an overall lack of concordance between a broad range of stress-related and (sub)clinical phenotypic measures with hair cortisol. This study examined for the first time the relationship of HCC with the non-clinical expression of the psychosis spectrum, that is, schizotypy, which complements previous studies on clinical high risk and established psychosis and offers a promising strategy for studying possible HPA dysfunctions characterizing the subclinical psychosis continuum without the confounds associated to clinical psychosis.

Extraction of DNA from a Wide Range of Objects by Treatment with Ammonium Salts

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 98-106
Author(s):  
E.I. Levitin ◽  
B.V. Sviridov ◽  
O.V. Piksasova ◽  
T.E. Shustikova
Keyword(s):  
Dna Extraction ◽  
Dna Isolation ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Cell Wall Disruption ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Salt ◽  
Mammalian Blood ◽  
Plasmid Extraction ◽  
Two Hybrid

Currently, simple, rapid, and efficient techniques for DNA isolation from a wide range of organisms are in demand in biotechnology and bioinformatics. A key (and often limiting) step is the cell wall disruption and subsequent DNA extraction from the disintegrated cells. We have developed a new approach to DNA isolation from organisms with robust cell walls. The protocol includes the following steps: treatment of cells or tissue samples with ammonium acetate followed by cell lysis in low-salt buffer with the addition of SDS. Further DNA extraction is carried out according to standard methods. This approach is efficient for high-molecular native DNA isolation from bacteria, ascomycetes, yeast, and mammalian blood; it is also useful for express analysis of environmental microbial isolates and for plasmid extraction for two-hybrid library screening. express method for DNA isolation; ammonium salt treatment (в русских ключевых такой порядок), osmotic breakage of cells This study was financially supported by the NRC "Kurchatov Institute"-GOSNIIGENETIKA Kurchatov Genomic Center.

scholarly journals Tissue-specific evaluation of suitable reference genes for RT-qPCR in the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander P Young ◽  
Carmen F Landry ◽  
Daniel J Jackson ◽  
Russell C Wyeth
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Reference Genes ◽  
Lymnaea Stagnalis ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Pond Snail ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Systematic Assessment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Suitable Reference

Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is a robust technique for the quantification and comparison of gene expression across multiple tissues. To obtain reliable results, one or more reference genes must be employed to normalize expression measurements among treatments or tissue samples. Candidate reference genes must be validated to ensure that they are stable prior to use in qPCR experiments. The pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis) is a common research organism, particularly in the areas of learning and memory, and is an emerging target for qPCR experimentation. However, no systematic assessment of reference genes has been performed in this animal. Therefore, the aim of our research was to identify stable reference genes to normalize gene expression data from a variety of tissues in L. stagnalis. We evaluated a panel of seven reference genes across six different tissues in L. stagnalis with RT-qPCR. The genes included: elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1α), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), beta-actin (ACTB), beta-tubulin (TUBB), ubiquitin (UBI), prenylated rab acceptor protein 1 (Rapac1), and a voltage gated potassium channel (VGKC). These genes exhibited a wide range of expression levels among tissues. The stability of each of the genes was consistent when measured by any of the standard stability assessment algorithms: geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and RefFinder. Our data indicate that GAPDH and EF1α are highly stable in the tissues that we examined (central nervous system, tentacles, lips, penis, foot, mantle) as well as in pooled analyses. We do not recommend VGKC for use in RT-qPCR experiments due to its relatively low expression stability. Our results were generally congruent with those obtained from similar studies in other molluscs. Given that a minimum of two reference genes are recommended for data normalization, we suggest GAPDH and EF1α are a strong option for multi-tissue analyses of RT-qPCR data in Lymnaea stagnalis.

scholarly journals Early life adversity and the epigenetic programming of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-333 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Adrenal Function ◽  
Early Life Adversity ◽  
Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Epigenetic Programming ◽  
Social Adversity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Nonhuman Species

We review studies with human and nonhuman species that examine the hypothesis that epigenetic mechanisms, particularly those affecting the expression of genes implicated in stress responses, mediate the association between early childhood adversity and later risk of depression. The resulting studies provide evidence consistent with the idea that social adversity, particularly that involving parent-offspring interactions, alters the epigenetic state and expression of a wide range of genes, the products of which regulate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function. We also address the challenges for future studies, including that of the translation of epigenetic studies towards improvements in treatments.

scholarly journals PSIII-13 Preliminary assessment of the impact of liver abscess presence on stress-related physiological parameters associated with well-being in feedlot cattle

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 188-189
Author(s):  
Faith Baier ◽  
Temple Grandin ◽  
Terry Engle ◽  
Lily Edwards-Callaway
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Thermography ◽  
Liver Abscess ◽  
Serum Cortisol ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Feedlot Cattle ◽  
Infrared Analysis ◽  
Hair Cortisol ◽  
Liver Abscesses ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Liver abscesses can affect cattle performance, though the impact on well-being is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between liver abscess presence and stress-related parameters in feedlot cattle. Three hundred and sixty-three feedlot steers (675 ± 2.3 kg) that were enrolled in a nutrition feeding experiment were allocated to one of three groups based on the liver abscess score assigned after slaughter. The liver abscess scoring groups were: no liver abscess presence (NLA; n = 316); mild liver abscess presence (MLA; n = 21) and severe liver abscess presence (SLA; n = 24). Two animals were unable to be assigned liver abscess scores. Two days prior to slaughter, at the time of weighing, hair samples were collected from the right rump of each animal and analyzed for cortisol concentrations. Additionally, during restraint, infrared thermography was used to quantify eye temperatures and a mobility score was assigned to each animal upon chute exit. During slaughter, exsanguination blood was collected from 115 of the 363 animals and analyzed for serum cortisol concentrations. Cattle were blocked by nutrition feeding treatments and data were analyzed using analyses of variance to determine differences in outcome variables between liver abscess score groups. All animals were included in the infrared analysis and 115 animals were included in the serum and hair cortisol analyses. Infrared thermography (P = 0.55), hair cortisol (P = 0.96), and serum cortisol (P = 0.21) were similar across all liver abscess scores. All animals exhibited normal mobility, thus these values were not included in the analysis. The data indicate that under the conditions of this experiment, liver abscesses did not impact measured stress-related outcomes. Additional research is necessary to understand the impact of liver abscess presence on other stress-related parameters associated with well-being in cattle.

64 CRYOPRESERVATION OF CAT OVARIAN TISSUE BY VITRIFICATION

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Galiguis ◽  
C. E. Pope ◽  
M. C. Gómez ◽  
C. Dumas ◽  
S. P. Leibo
Keyword(s):  
Ethylene Glycol ◽  
Dimethyl Sulfoxide ◽  
Ovarian Tissue ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Cortical Tissue ◽  
Rock Inhibitor ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Preantral Follicles ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Chi Square Analysis

The cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is linked to a wide range of possible applications, from oocyte harvesting to allo- and xenotransplantation. These procedures have significant potential for the preservation of valuable genetic material and endangered-species conservation. The objectives of the present study were to (1) compare viability of preantral follicles obtained from fresh v. vitrified feline ovarian cortex, (2) evaluate the effect of apoptotic inhibitors (ROCK inhibitor v. glutathione) on viability of follicles from vitrified samples, and (3) determine the optimal inhibitor concentration for follicle viability. In Experiment 1, 5 × 5 × 1 mm cortical tissue samples were obtained from excised cat ovaries and assigned to either the fresh control or vitrification group. Fresh samples were processed through a 230-micron-pore dissection strainer to collect preantral follicles. Follicles were then stained in Trypan blue to determine membrane integrity and survival rates. Vitrification samples were first equilibrated in 7.5% dimethyl sulfoxide and 7.5% ethylene glycol at ~22°C and then in vitrification solution consisting of 20% dimethyl sulfoxide, 20% ethylene glycol, and 0.5 M sucrose. They were then vitrified on a thin, perforated, metal strip (Cryotissue, Kitazato Biopharma, Fujinomiya, Japan). Samples were later warmed in 1.0 M sucrose at 38°C. Follicles were then collected and assessed for survival. In Experiment 2, follicles were collected from samples vitrified/warmed in cryo-media supplemented with either 3 × 104 nM ROCK inhibitor or 6 nM glutathione. Follicles from samples vitrified/warmed without inhibitor treatment were used as controls. In Experiment 3, tissue samples were vitrified/warmed in cryo-media supplemented with 0, 2, 6, or 10 nM glutathione before follicle viability was determined. Data were evaluated by chi square analysis. In Experiment 1, 637 and 340 follicles were collected from fresh and vitrified samples, respectively. Overall, survival was higher in freshly collected follicles when compared to those from the vitrified group (67 v. 18%, respectively; P < 0.05). Evaluation of apoptotic inhibitors was determined through collection of 314, 354, and 506 follicles from inhibitor-free, ROCK inhibitor, and glutathione-treated media, respectively. Follicles from samples vitrified in inhibitor-free media and in ROCK inhibitor survived at a lower rate than those from glutathione-treated samples (10 and 13% v. 18%, respectively; P < 0.05). In Experiment 3, a total of 539, 641, 625, and 632 follicles were collected from samples treated in 0, 2, 6, and 10 nM glutathione, respectively. There were no statistical differences in follicle survival among the 0, 2, and 6 nM groups. However, follicles treated in 10 nM glutathione survived at a higher rate than those vitrified/warmed in the absence of glutathione (20 v. 14%; P < 0.05). In summary, viability of preantral follicles from ovarian cortical tissue was significantly reduced by vitrification. Despite this, tolerance of such follicles to cryopreservation was improved by vitrifying and warming in cryo-media containing 10 nM glutathione. Partially funded by the LSU/ACRES Collaborative Project.

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