Sexual Dimorphism in Metabolic Responses to Western Diet in Drosophila melanogaster

Obesity is a chronic disease affecting millions of people worldwide. The fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) is an interesting research model to study metabolic and transcriptomic responses to obesogenic diets. However, the sex-specific differences in these responses are still understudied and perhaps underestimated. In this study, we exposed adult male and female Dahomey fruit flies to a standard diet supplemented with sugar, fat, or a combination of both. The exposure to a diet supplemented with 10% sugar and 10% fat efficiently induced an increase in the lipid content in flies, a hallmark for obesity. This increase in the lipid content was more prominent in males, while females displayed significant changes in the glycogen content. The strong effects of the diets on the ovarian size and number of mature oocytes were also present in females exposed to diets supplemented with fat and a combination of fat and sugar. In both males and females, the fat body morphology changed and was associated with an increase in the lipid content of fat cells in response to the diets. The expression of metabolism-related genes also displayed a strong sexually dimorphic response under normal conditions and in response to the sugar and/or fat-supplemented diets. Here, we showed that the exposure of adult fruit flies to an obesogenic diet containing both sugar and fat allowed studying sexual dimorphism in metabolism and the expression of genes regulating metabolism.

Morphometrical study of the reproductive tract in Boran (Bos indicus) heifers in Ethiopia

Boran breed is the most suitable type of cattle breed for arid and semi-arid regions of Ethiopia due to their adaptive characteristics. Understanding their reproductive anatomy is important for successful reproductive management and has many implications for the application of assisted reproductive technology, and interpretation of physiological changes at different stages of their reproductive cycle. In this study, data of the anatomical structures of the reproductive organs of 20 Boran heifers were measured and characterized at different stages of reproduction. The mean (±SE) length (L) of the vagina, cervix, and body of uterus were 13.17±2.98 cm, 7.19±1.28 cm, and 6.70±1.08cm, respectively. The mean (±SE) length of the right uterine horn and oviduct was 18.47 ±2.54 and 18.17 ±1.27cm, respectively and that of the left were 18.05±2.73 and 17.45±1.80 cm, respectively. The mean ±SE weight (W) of right and left ovaries were 2.44±1.51 gm and 2.44±1.51 gm, respectively. The mean ±SE Length x Width x Thickness of the right ovary was 2.10±0.59 x 1.75±0.35 x 0.83±0.36 and that of the left was 1.97±0.41 x 1.58±0.29 x 0.67±0.33 cm. The mean (±SE) weight of the whole reproductive organ (without the vulva) was 301.35±66.34gm. The ovarian size was influenced by the presence of the corpus luteum(CL) usually larger with its presence.

Loss of ASPM Disrupts Female Folliculogenesis in Mice

Background: The abnormal spindle-like, microcephaly-associated (ASPM) gene is a causative gene of autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) 5 in humans, which is characterized by a reduction in brain volume. It was previously reported that truncated ASPM proteins in transgenic mice caused major defects in the germline, a severe reduction in ovary weight and the number of follicles accompanied by reduced fertility. However; it remains unknown whether a loss of ASPM induces abnormal ovarian function, resulting in female infertility. Methods: In order to assess the ovary function, we examined vaginal smear cytology from the age of 7 weeks to 100 weeks in CAG-mediated Cre-loxP conditional Aspm-/- knockout mice and control female mice. In addition, we evaluated the ovarian size, fibrosis ratio and the number of follicles (primordial, primary, secondary, antral and atretic follicles) in mice from 15 weeks to 100 weeks old by image analyses. Mann-Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The size of the ovary was significantly reduced in Aspm knockout mice at 15-20 weeks, 40-50 weeks and 70-80 weeks old. compared with the control mice. Furthermore, at all stages, we found a severe decrease in the number of developing follicles at 10-15 weeks, 40-50 weeks and 70-80 weeks old, accompanied by disrupted cyclic changes of vaginal cytology. Conclusion: The results showing that folliculogenesis was significantly decreased and associated with abnormal vaginal cytology in Aspm knockout female ovaries suggested that ASPM might play an important role in the folliculogenesis and estrous cyclicity of the postnatal ovary.

MAP3K4 Kinase Activity Dependent Control of Mouse Gonadal Sex Determination†

Sex determination requires the commitment of bipotential gonads to either a testis or ovarian fate. Gene deletion of the kinase Map3k4 results in gonadal sex reversal in XY mice, and transgenic re-expression of Map3k4 rescues the sex reversal phenotype. Map3k4 encodes a large, multi-functional protein possessing a kinase domain and several, additional protein-protein interaction domains. Although MAP3K4 plays a critical role in male gonadal sex determination, it is unknown if the kinase activity of MAP3K4 is required. Here, we use mice expressing full-length, kinase-inactive MAP3K4 from the endogenous Map3k4 locus to examine the requirement of MAP3K4 kinase activity in sex determination. Although homozygous kinase-inactivation of MAP3K4 (Map3k4KI/KI) is lethal, a small fraction survive to adulthood. We show Map3k4KI/KI adults exhibit a 4:1 female-biased sex ratio. Many adult Map3k4KI/KI phenotypic females have a Y chromosome. XY Map3k4KI/KI adults with sex reversal display female mating behavior, but do not give rise to offspring. Reproductive organs are overtly female, but there is a broad spectrum of ovarian phenotypes, including ovarian absence, primitive ovaries, reduced ovarian size, and ovaries having follicles in all stages of development. Further, XY Map3k4KI/KI adults are smaller than either male or female Map3k4WT/WT mice. Examination of the critical stage of gonadal sex determination at E11.5 shows that loss of MAP3K4 kinase activity results in the loss of Sry expression in XY Map3k4KI/KI embryos, indicating embryonic male gonadal sex reversal. Together, these findings demonstrate the essential role for kinase activity of MAP3K4 in male gonadal sex determination.

Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in a Domestic Yak

Owners of a juvenile domestic yak elected bilateral ovariectomy to prevent future reproduction. The yak was noted to be healthy at presentation. Both ovaries were removed using a laparoscopic approach as follows: after induction and maintenance of general inhalant anesthesia, 15 degrees Trendelenburg positioning was required to view the ovaries. Ovariectomy was conducted within a surgical time of 50 minutes. Due to the small ovarian size, portal enlargement was not necessary for removal. Mild hemorrhage from the left ovarian pedicle was controlled with application of a vessel-sealing device. Postoperative complications were not encountered during hospitalization. At 12 months following surgery, the yak was healthy, and the owner was highly satisfied with the procedure. The described approach was successful for performing laparoscopic ovariectomy in a juvenile yak. Positioning for surgery was similar to other small ruminant species. Further case enrollment is needed to optimize the surgical approach and better describe clinical outcomes.

Stringency in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) criteria and application in clinical study recruitment

Background: In this manuscript, we review the various criteria used to diagnosis PCOS, and discuss how the specific diagnostic criteria used can impact recruitment for PCOS studies. PCOS is a common diagnosis, but with a number of differing definitions. We were interested in addressing these differing stringencies and application in clinical trial, such as our group’s PCOS diet study.Methods: For our study on the effects of diets to alter insulin resistance, we adopted the one using more stringent criteria, consisting of biochemical abnormalities, menstrual abnormalities, insulin resistance and abnormal ovarian size and structure. Our study actively recruits from PCOS clinics in the Bay Area. We reported number of women successfully recruited using our PCOS diagnosis stringency, and how these numbers differ from women referred to PCOS clinics in the Bay Area. We also report the reasons patients did not fit our diagnosis criteria to shed insight into how diagnosis differ between healthcare professionals.Results: To our surprise, the vast majority of subjects seen in the tertiary referral PCOS center at UCSF did not qualify for the study.Conclusion: The definition of PCOS may be important in study design, and can impact the ability to recruit for the study.Trial registration: Date of registration: June 20, 2014, NIH ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02190097

Massive Ovarian Enlargement with Multiple Cysts Mimicking Ovarian Neoplasm and Primary Hypothyroidism

Background: Cystic enlargement of ovaries may develop due a large number of causesand may need surgical intervention. Moreover, some ovarian cysts arise due to endocrinedisorders & do not require surgery. We report an unusual case of massive enlargement ofovaries with multiple cysts in a girl with severe hypothyroidism. Morphologic features ofcysts on ultrasonography and clinical features of hypothyroidism with elevated TSH levelfacilitates diagnosis of multiple ovarian cysts and hypothyroidism. Case presentation: A 23-year-old unmarried woman presented with abdominal enlargement,pain and moderate anemia. Abdominal ultra sonogram revealed huge enlargement of theovaries with multiple large cysts. She was admitted in a hospital, treated with blood transfusionand laparotomy was decided. She was referred to us in a private clinic. On further evaluation, she had features of hypothyroidism with high TSH level and abdomino-pelvic ultrasoundrevealed enlarged ovaries with multiple large thin-walled cysts and mild ascitis. Conservativemanagement with thyroxin replacement therapy was given and after 3 weeks of thyroxine(T4) therapy, follow-up abdominal ultrasound showed significant reduction in ovarian size.After 4 months of thyroxine therapy, ovarian size normalized, cysts disappeared completelyand there was significant improvement of patient’s condition and she became euthyroid. Conclusion: This case report highlights the rare association between hypothyroidism andmulticystic ovarian enlargement. It is necessary to keep in mind the possibility ofhypothyroidism in the differential diagnosis of adult patients with ovarian enlargement andmultiple cyst formation in order to prevent unnecessary ovarian surgery. Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2018; Vol. 33(1) : 78-81

Stringency in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) criteria and application in clinical study

Background: In this manuscript, we review the various criteria used to diagnosis PCOS, and discuss how the specific diagnostic criteria used can impact recruitment for PCOS studies. PCOS is a common diagnosis, but with a number of differing definitions. We were interested in addressing these differing stringencies and application in clinical trial, such as our group’s PCOS diet study. Methods: For our study on the effects of diets to alter insulin resistance, we adopted the one using more stringent criteria, consisting of biochemical abnormalities, menstrual abnormalities, insulin resistance and abnormal ovarian size and structure. Our study actively recruits from PCOS clinics in the Bay Area. We reported number of women successfully recruited using our PCOS diagnosis stringency, and how these numbers differ from women referred to PCOS clinics in the Bay Area. We also report the reasons patients did not fit our diagnosis criteria to shed insight into how diagnosis differ between healthcare professionals. Results: To our surprise, the vast majority of subjects seen in the tertiary referral PCOS center at UCSF did not qualify for the study. Conclusion: The definition of PCOS may be important in study design, and can impact the ability to recruit for the study.