scholarly journals Composing the Early Embryonic Microenvironment: Physiology and Regulation of Oviductal Secretions

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Saint-Dizier ◽  
Jennifer Schoen ◽  
Shuai Chen ◽  
Charles Banliat ◽  
Pascal Mermillod
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Mammalian Embryos ◽  
Production Techniques ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Molecular Components ◽  
Oviductal Fluid

The oviductal fluid is the first environment experienced by mammalian embryos at the very beginning of life. However, it has long been believed that the oviductal environment was not essential for proper embryonic development. Successful establishment of in vitro embryo production techniques (which completely bypass the oviduct) have reinforced this idea. Yet, it became evident that in vitro produced embryos differ markedly from their in vivo counterparts, and these differences are associated with lower pregnancy outcomes and more health issues after birth. Nowadays, researchers consider the oviduct as the most suitable microenvironment for early embryonic development and a substantial effort is made to understand its dynamic, species-specific functions. In this review, we touch on the origin and molecular components of the oviductal fluid in mammals, where recent progress has been made thanks to the wider use of mass spectrometry techniques. Some of the factors and processes known to regulate oviductal secretions, including the embryo itself, as well as ovulation, insemination, endogenous and exogenous hormones, and metabolic and heat stress, are summarized. Special emphasis is laid on farm animals because, owing to the availability of sample material and the economic importance of fertility in livestock husbandry, a large part of the work on this topic has been carried out in domestic animals used for dairy and/or meat production.

scholarly journals Hexapod Assassins’ Potion: Venom Composition and Bioactivity from the Eurasian Assassin Bug Rhynocoris iracundus

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 819
Author(s):  
Nicolai Rügen ◽  
Timothy P. Jenkins ◽  
Natalie Wielsch ◽  
Heiko Vogel ◽  
Benjamin-Florian Hempel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Systemic Reactions ◽  
Venom Composition ◽  
Assassin Bug ◽  
Molecular Components ◽  
First Time ◽  
Tissue Digestion

Assassin bug venoms are potent and exert diverse biological functions, making them potential biomedical goldmines. Besides feeding functions on arthropods, assassin bugs also use their venom for defense purposes causing localized and systemic reactions in vertebrates. However, assassin bug venoms remain poorly characterized. We collected the venom from the assassin bug Rhynocoris iracundus and investigated its composition and bioactivity in vitro and in vivo. It caused lysis of murine neuroblastoma, hepatoma cells, and healthy murine myoblasts. We demonstrated, for the first time, that assassin bug venom induces neurolysis and suggest that it counteracts paralysis locally via the destruction of neural networks, contributing to tissue digestion. Furthermore, the venom caused paralysis and melanization of Galleria mellonella larvae and pupae, whilst also possessing specific antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, but not Listeria grayi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A combinatorial proteo-transcriptomic approach was performed to identify potential toxins responsible for the observed effects. We identified neurotoxic Ptu1, an inhibitory cystin knot (ICK) toxin homologous to ω-conotoxins from cone snails, cytolytic redulysins homologous to trialysins from hematophagous kissing bugs, and pore-forming hemolysins. Additionally, chitinases and kininogens were found and may be responsible for insecticidal and cytolytic activities. We demonstrate the multifunctionality and complexity of assassin bug venom, which renders its molecular components interesting for potential biomedical applications.

scholarly journals Pan-American Lancehead Pit-Vipers: Coagulotoxic Venom Effects and Antivenom Neutralisation of Bothrops asper and B. atrox Geographical Variants

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Lachlan A. Bourke ◽  
Christina N. Zdenek ◽  
Edgar Neri-Castro ◽  
Melisa Bénard-Valle ◽  
Alejandro Alagón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Factor X ◽  
Clotting Factors ◽  
Bothrops Asper ◽  
Species Specific

The toxin composition of snake venoms and, thus, their functional activity, can vary between and within species. Intraspecific venom variation across a species’ geographic range is a major concern for antivenom treatment of envenomations, particularly for countries like French Guiana that lack a locally produced antivenom. Bothrops asper and Bothrops atrox are the most medically significant species of snakes in Latin America, both producing a variety of clinical manifestations, including systemic bleeding. These pathophysiological actions are due to the activation by the venom of the blood clotting factors Factor X and prothrombin, thereby causing severe consumptive coagulopathy. Both species are extremely wide-ranging, and previous studies have shown their venoms to exhibit regional venom variation. In this study, we investigate the differential coagulotoxic effects on human plasma of six venoms (four B. asper and two B. atrox samples) from different geographic locations, spanning from Mexico to Peru. We assessed how the venom variation of these venom samples affects neutralisation by five regionally available antivenoms: Antivipmyn, Antivipmyn-Tri, PoliVal-ICP, Bothrofav, and Soro Antibotrópico (SAB). The results revealed both inter- and intraspecific variations in the clotting activity of the venoms. These variations in turn resulted in significant variation in antivenom efficacy against the coagulotoxic effects of these venoms. Due to variations in the venoms used in the antivenom production process, antivenoms differed in their species-specific or geographical neutralisation capacity. Some antivenoms (PoliVal-ICP, Bothrofav, and SAB) showed species-specific patterns of neutralisation, while another antivenom (Antivipmyn) showed geographic-specific patterns of neutralisation. This study adds to current knowledge of Bothrops venoms and also illustrates the importance of considering evolutionary biology when developing antivenoms. Therefore, these results have tangible, real-world implications by aiding evidence-based design of antivenoms for treatment of the envenomed patient. We stress that these in vitro studies must be backed by future in vivo studies and clinical trials before therapeutic guidelines are issued regarding specific antivenom use in a clinical setting.

scholarly journals Seminal Plasma: Relevant for Fertility?

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4368
Author(s):  
Heriberto Rodriguez-Martinez ◽  
Emilio A. Martinez ◽  
Juan J. Calvete ◽  
Fernando J. Peña Vega ◽  
Jordi Roca
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Inorganic Ions ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Dna And Rna ◽  
Model Animal ◽  
Sexual Glands ◽  
Species Specific

Seminal plasma (SP), the non-cellular component of semen, is a heterogeneous composite fluid built by secretions of the testis, the epididymis and the accessory sexual glands. Its composition, despite species-specific anatomical peculiarities, consistently contains inorganic ions, specific hormones, proteins and peptides, including cytokines and enzymes, cholesterol, DNA and RNA—the latter often protected within epididymis- or prostate-derived extracellular vesicles. It is beyond question that the SP participates in diverse aspects of sperm function pre-fertilization events. The SP also interacts with the various compartments of the tubular genital tract, triggering changes in gene function that prepares for an eventual successful pregnancy; thus, it ultimately modulates fertility. Despite these concepts, it is imperative to remember that SP-free spermatozoa (epididymal or washed ejaculated) are still fertile, so this review shall focus on the differences between the in vivo roles of the SP following semen deposition in the female and those regarding additions of SP on spermatozoa handled for artificial reproduction, including cryopreservation, from artificial insemination to in vitro fertilization. This review attempts, including our own results on model animal species, to critically summarize the current knowledge of the reproductive roles played by SP components, particularly in our own species, which is increasingly affected by infertility. The ultimate goal is to reconcile the delicate balance between the SP molecular concentration and their concerted effects after temporal exposure in vivo. We aim to appraise the functions of the SP components, their relevance as diagnostic biomarkers and their value as eventual additives to refine reproductive strategies, including biotechnologies, in livestock models and humans.

scholarly journals Mammary gland 3D cell culture systems in farm animals

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Finot ◽  
Eric Chanat ◽  
Frederic Dessauge
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
3D Cell Culture ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Cell Culture Systems

AbstractIn vivo study of tissue or organ biology in mammals is very complex and progress is slowed by poor accessibility of samples and ethical concerns. Fortunately, however, advances in stem cell identification and culture have made it possible to derive in vitro 3D “tissues” called organoids, these three-dimensional structures partly or fully mimicking the in vivo functioning of organs. The mammary gland produces milk, the source of nutrition for newborn mammals. Milk is synthesized and secreted by the differentiated polarized mammary epithelial cells of the gland. Reconstructing in vitro a mammary-like structure mimicking the functional tissue represents a major challenge in mammary gland biology, especially for farm animals for which specific agronomic questions arise. This would greatly facilitate the study of mammary gland development, milk secretion processes and pathological effects of viral or bacterial infections at the cellular level, all with the objective of improving milk production at the animal level. With this aim, various 3D cell culture models have been developed such as mammospheres and, more recently, efforts to develop organoids in vitro have been considerable. Researchers are now starting to draw inspiration from other fields, such as bioengineering, to generate organoids that would be more physiologically relevant. In this chapter, we will discuss 3D cell culture systems as organoids and their relevance for agronomic research.

scholarly journals Internal exposure dynamics drive the Adverse Outcome Pathways of synthetic glucocorticoids in fish

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Margiotta-Casaluci ◽  
Stewart F. Owen ◽  
Belinda Huerta ◽  
Sara Rodríguez-Mozaz ◽  
Subramanian Kugathas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Power ◽  
Adverse Outcome ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Internal Exposure ◽  
Adverse Outcome Pathway ◽  
Conceptual Tool ◽  
Fish Model ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract The Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework represents a valuable conceptual tool to systematically integrate existing toxicological knowledge from a mechanistic perspective to facilitate predictions of chemical-induced effects across species. However, its application for decision-making requires the transition from qualitative to quantitative AOP (qAOP). Here we used a fish model and the synthetic glucocorticoid beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) to investigate the role of chemical-specific properties, pharmacokinetics, and internal exposure dynamics in the development of qAOPs. We generated a qAOP network based on drug plasma concentrations and focused on immunodepression, skin androgenisation, disruption of gluconeogenesis and reproductive performance. We showed that internal exposure dynamics and chemical-specific properties influence the development of qAOPs and their predictive power. Comparing the effects of two different glucocorticoids, we highlight how relatively similar in vitro hazard-based indicators can lead to different in vivo risk. This discrepancy can be predicted by their different uptake potential, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles. We recommend that the development phase of qAOPs should include the application of species-specific uptake and physiologically-based PK/PD models. This integration will significantly enhance the predictive power, enabling a more accurate assessment of the risk and the reliable transferability of qAOPs across chemicals.

scholarly journals Impact of gastrointestinal differences in veterinary species on the oral drug solubility, in vivo dissolution, and formulation of veterinary therapeutics

ADMET & DMPK ◽  
2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn N. Martinez ◽  
Mark G. Papich ◽  
Raafat Fahmy
Keyword(s):  
Species Differences ◽  
Oral Dosage ◽  
Oral Drug ◽  
Fluid Composition ◽  
In Vitro Test ◽  
Drug Solubility ◽  
Drug Solubilization ◽  
Species Specific

Many gaps exist in our understanding of species differences in gastrointestinal (GI) fluid composition and the associated impact of food intake and dietary composition on in vivo drug solubilization. This information gap can lead to uncertainties with regard to how best to formulate pharmaceuticals for veterinary use or the in vitro test conditions that will be most predictive of species-specific in vivo oral product performance. To address these challenges, this overview explores species-specific factors that can influence oral drug solubility and the formulation approaches that can be employed to overcome solubility-associated bioavailability difficulties. These discussions are framed around some of the basic principles associated with drug solubilization, reported species differences in GI fluid composition, types of oral dosage forms typically given for the various animal species, and the effect of prandial state in dogs and cats. This basic information is integrated into a question-and-answer section that addresses some of the formulation issues that can arise in the development of veterinary medicinals.

scholarly journals SSB facilitates fork substrate discrimination by PriA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Yin Tan ◽  
Piero R. Bianco
Keyword(s):  
Catalytic Efficiency ◽  
Maximum Effect ◽  
Replication Forks ◽  
Replication Process ◽  
Replication Restart ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
The Right ◽  
Gene 32

AbstractPriA is a member of the SuperFamily 2 helicase family. Its role in vivo is to reload the primosome onto stalled replication forks resulting in the restart of the previously stalled DNA replication process. SSB is known to play key roles in mediating activities at replication forks and it is known to bind to PriA. To gain mechanistic insight into the PriA-SSB interaction, a coupled spectrophotometric assay was utilized to characterize the ATPase activity of PriA in vitro in the presence of fork substrates. The results demonstrate that SSB enhances the ability of PriA to discriminate between fork substrates 140-fold. This is due to a significant increase in the catalytic efficiency of the helicase induced by DNA-bound SSB. This interaction is species-specific as bacteriophage gene 32 protein cannot substitute for the E.coli protein. SSB, while enhancing the activity of PriA on its preferred fork, both decreases the affinity of the helicase for other forks and decreases catalytic efficiency. Central to the stimulation afforded by SSB is the unique ability of PriA to bind with high affinity to the 3’-OH placed at the end of the nascent leading strand at the fork. When both the 3’-OH and SSB are present, the maximum effect is observed. This ensures that PriA will only load onto the correct fork, in the right orientation, thereby ensuring that replication restart is directed to only the template lagging strand.

scholarly journals Botanicals: a natural approach to control ascaridiosis in poultry

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 711 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. SYMEONIDOU ◽  
E. BONOS ◽  
K. MOUSTAKIDIS ◽  
P. FLOROU-PANERI ◽  
E. CHRISTAKI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Losses ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Ascaridia Galli ◽  
Natural Approach ◽  
The Past ◽  
Poultry Products ◽  
Anthelmintic Efficacy ◽  
Anthelmintic Drugs

Parasites (protozoa, helminthes, arthropods) represent a main threat for poultry worldwide. Among helminthes, nematodes constitute the most important group of parasites of poultry. The nematode Ascaridia galli, the cause of ascaridiosis in poultry, is one of the most important and prevalent parasites, resulting in serious economic losses, associated with the treatment cost, the decreased feed efficiency, and the poor egg and meat production. During the past few decades the indiscriminate use of anthelmintic drugs has generated several cases of resistance in helminthes in poultry, situation which is coupled with the severity of residues in poultry products. For this reason, nowadays attention has been drawn to the use of botanicals in poultry diet, due to their anthelmintic properties. Furthermore, the dietary use eco-friend ly of these plant derived substances compared to conventional synthetic anthelmintic drugs is considered as a natural and ecofriendly approach by the consumers. The focus of the present review is to recapitulate the studies, both in vivo and in vitro, that have demonstrated the anthelmintic efficacy of various dietary botanicals in controlling poultry ascaridiosis.

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