Antimicrobial and Prebiotic Activity of Lactoferrin in the Female Reproductive Tract: A Comprehensive Review

Women’s intimate health depends on several factors, such as age, diet, coexisting metabolic disorders, hormonal equilibrium, sexual activity, drug intake, contraception, surgery, and personal hygiene. These factors may affect the homeostasis of the internal environment of the genital tract: the vulva, vagina and cervix. This equilibrium is dependent on strict and complex mutual interactions between epithelial cells, immunocompetent cells and microorganisms residing in this environment. The microbiota of the genital tract in healthy women is dominated by several species of symbiotic bacteria of the Lactobacillus genus. The bacteria inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and inflammatory processes by virtue of direct and multidirectional antimicrobial action and, indirectly, by the modulation of immune system activity. For the homeostasis of the genital tract ecosystem, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory peptides, as well as proteins secreted by mucus cells into the cervicovaginal fluid, have a fundamental significance. Of these, a multifunctional protein known as lactoferrin (LF) is one of the most important since it bridges innate and acquired immunity. Among its numerous properties, particular attention should be paid to prebiotic activity, i.e., exerting a beneficial action on symbiotic microbiota of the gastrointestinal and genital tract. Such activity of LF is associated with the inhibition of bacterial and fungal infections in the genital tract and their consequences, such as endometritis, pelvic inflammation, urinary tract infections, miscarriage, premature delivery, and infection of the fetus and newborns. The aim of this article is to review the results of laboratory as well as clinical trials, confirming the prebiotic action of LF on the microbiota of the lower genital tract.

Viral-Like Particles Are Associated With Endosymbiont Pathology in Florida Corals Affected by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) was first documented in 2014 near the Port of Miami, Florida, and has since spread north and south along Florida’s Coral Reef, killing large numbers of more than 20 species of coral and leading to the functional extinction of at least one species, Dendrogyra cylindrus. SCTLD is assumed to be caused by bacteria based on presence of different molecular assemblages of bacteria in lesioned compared to apparently healthy tissues, its apparent spread among colonies, and cessation of spread of lesions in individual colonies treated with antibiotics. However, light microscopic examination of tissues of corals affected with SCTLD has not shown bacteria associated with tissue death. Rather, microscopy shows dead and dying coral cells and symbiotic dinoflagellates (endosymbionts) indicating a breakdown of host cell and endosymbiont symbiosis. It is unclear whether host cells die first leading to death of endosymbionts or vice versa. Based on microscopy, hypotheses as to possible causes of SCTLD include infectious agents not visible at the light microscopy level or toxicosis, perhaps originating from endosymbionts. To clarify this, we examined corals affected with SCTLD and apparently healthy corals using transmission electron microscopy. Endosymbionts in SCTLD-affected and apparently healthy corals consistently had varying degrees of pathology associated with elongated particles compatible in morphology with filamentous positive single-stranded RNA viruses of plants termed anisometric viral-like particles (AVLP). There was apparent progression from early to late replication of AVLP in the cytoplasm of endosymbionts adjacent to or at times within chloroplasts, with morphologic changes in chloroplasts consistent with those seen in plant cells infected by viruses. Coral host cell pathology appeared limited to massive proliferation and lysis of mucus cells. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that SCTLD is a viral disease of endosymbionts leading to coral host death. Efforts to confirm the presence of a virus associated with SCTLD through other means would be appropriate. These include showing the presence of a virus through molecular assays such as deep sequencing, attempts to grow this virus in the laboratory through culture of endosymbionts, localization of virus in tissue sections using immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization, and experimental infection of known-virus-negative corals to replicate disease at the gross and microscopic level.

Histopathological Effects of NaCl Overconcentration in the Gills and Internal Organs of Cyprinus carpio L.

This study aimed to assess the toxic effect of the overconcentration of salt (NaCl) in farmed common carp fish, Cyprinus carpio L. in floating cages in Al-Saqlawiyah Rgion in Iraq. The salt was used at 13.8% which led to fish mortality reached to 70% through 96 hours of exposure. The fishes exhibited lethargy during 10 minutes with abnormal nervous signs and imbalance swimming with progressive decreases in opercular movement frequency. The gills appeared as cooked gill lesion with excessive mucus secretion and congestion in the hepatic, gastrointestinal and kidney tissues. Microscopical examination of gills showed hyper trophy in both pillar cells and mucus cells, variable in severity code of both epithelial hyperplasia and occlusion of lamellar space as well as epithelial cells lifting had been determined and vacuolar degeneration in hepatic cells with severe multifocal infiltration of inflammatory cells and necrosis in liver. Histopathological analysis of kidneys revealed interstitial nephritis while in the intestine, the microscopic examination exhibited hydropic degeneration of mucoid cells, hyperplasia of enterocytes and desquamation of the epithelial cells of villi. The conclusion of this study was that histopathological analysis can be used as biological indicators for evaluation of effects of NaCl overconcentration in fish organs.

Lophiosilurus alexandri, a sedentary bottom fish, adjusts its physiological parameters to survive to hypoxia condition.

We investigated blood gas, hematological and biochemical parameters and gill morphology and morphometry of Lophiosilurus alexandri juveniles submitted to hypoxia for 48 hours followed by recovery for 48 hours. A total of 48 juveniles (360.0 ± 141.6 g) were distributed among eight tanks (120 L) and subjected to hypoxia condition (water with dissolved oxygen at 2.12 ± 0.90 mg L− 1) or normoxia (at 5.60 ± 0.31 mg L− 1). Blood gas values (pH, PvCO2, PvO2, sO2, HCO3−, stHCO3− and base excess) in hypoxia were significantly different from normoxia, while lactate and the electrolytes (K+, Na+, Cl−, Ca2+ and HCO3−) there was no significant change among treatments. The erythrocytes differed significantly between hypoxia and normoxia at 24 h of recovery, while for hemoglobin and hematocrit there were no significant differences. There was a significant difference in glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol for both normoxia and hypoxia, while plasma protein remained unchanged. All gill components (epithelial cells, erythrocytes, pillar cells, mucus cells, chloride cells, undifferentiated cells, and blood capillary lumen) differed significantly between hypoxia and normoxia. A reduction in the length of the primary lamella was observed in the hypoxia and recovery treatments, when compared to normoxia. The secondary branchial lamella showed no significant difference for both treatments. In general, juveniles of L. alexandri adapted well to hypoxia exposure for 48 h, as they were able to adjust most of their physiological variables to survive this stress condition and return to normoxia within 48 h.

Estrous Performance of Etawah Crossbred Goats Following Different Estrous Synchronization Methods

The objective of the research was to determine the estrous profile of Etawah Crossbred goats after estrous synchronization with different methods. Eighteen does aged 12-24 month old were divided in three groups to receive estrous synchronization treatments (T1 = 14 days intravaginal implant of 60 mg of progesterone (MPA), T2 = two times injection of 5 mg PGF2α (lutalyse) in 11 days interval, and T3 = 10 days of intravaginal implant of 60 mg of progesterone (MPA) + injection of 5 mg PGF2α 48 hours before removal) with six replications. The parameters consisted of estrous behaviour, changes in size and colour of vulva, and duration of estrus when the number of superficial and keratin cells were dominating in the vaginal mucus cell. Data from estrous behaviour and score of vulvar colour was analyzed using Kurkal Wallis test, while onset of estrus, size of vulva slit and estrous duration was analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan test. The result showed that estrous behaviour and changes in color and size of vulva were not significantly different, but estrous duration was significantly different. Estrous duration in T1 (31.30 hour) and T2 (31.10 hour) was significantly longer than that of T3 (11.36 hour). It is concluded that different methods of estrus synchronization affected estrous quality equally but it affected the estrous duration differently based on vaginal mucus cells. Treatment implant vaginal sponge content progesterone for 14 days and double injection of PGF2α with 11-day interval given longest estrous duration.

Mulberry (Morus atropurpurea) Supplementation Relieve Constipation in Mice Based on Gut Microbiota Regulation

Objectives Mulberry (Morus atropurpurea) has long been used to treat gastro-intestinal ailments; however, the functional basis of its therapeutic effects remains unclear. Methods The aim of this study was to measure the effects of mulberry (administered by gavage) on diphenoxylate-induced constipation in mice and elucidate the mechanisms underlying these effects using constipation and physicochemical indexes, histological morphology and 16S rDNA amplicon analysis of fecal microbiota. Sixty Kunming mice were randomly divided into the following six groups (n = 10 per group): normal control, constipation model, positive control, and low-, mid- and high-dose mulberry groups. After 14 days of treatment, constipation was induced over 5 days and measurements were conducted. Results The results show that mulberry treatment prevented constipation by increasing the fecal water content, shortening the first red fecal defecation time, promoting gastric evacuation, and increasing the gastric-intestinal transit rate (P < 0.05). Compared with the constipation model group, the mulberry-treated groups showed decreased aquaporin gene expression (Aqp3, Aqp4, Aqp8 and Aqp9), decreased serum levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters (nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal peptide) (P < 0.05), and increased serum levels of excitability neurotransmitters (acetyl choline, substance P, and motilin). The histological morphology of the colon showed that mulberry treatment increased the number of mucus cells (P < 0.05). Mulberry treatment also increased the concentrations of acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric and isovaleric acids (P < 0.05), increased the abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in feces, and decreased the abundance of Helicobacter and Prevotellaceae in feces. Conclusions Our findings indicate that mulberry consumption effectively prevents constipation in mice and is a promising therapeutic candidate for constipation. Funding Sources We acknowledge the Applied Research & Development Special Foundation of Guangdong Province (No. 2015B020234006), the Science and Technology Plan Project of Guangdong Province (No. 2017A050501022).

Transdifferentiation of Mucus Cells into Ciliated Cells in the Quail Oviducte (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) II- Estroprogestative Treatment, Follow-up of Progestogenic Treatment

Transdifferentiation is the process by which a cell that is not stem cell is differentiated into another cellular type without a dedifferentiation step. Transdifferentiation of secretory cells into ciliated cells was studied in ovariectomized quail oviduct after stimulation with Estroprogestatif and progesterone treatments. Cytological technique was applied. Semi thin sections realized in the blocks were observed and photographed by the Ultraphot II ZEISS. Estroprogestatif treatment (estradiol benzoate: 20ug +progesterone: 1mg/day) during six days induces differentiation of almost all epithelial cells into secretory cells. When this treatment is followed by progesterone alone during six days, about 50% of secretory cells transdifferentiation into ciliated cells. Following these treatments, neither DNA replication nor mitosis seems necessary for transdifferentiation of secretory cells into ciliated cells in quail oviduct.

Degeneration of the olfactory epithelium in the Anguilid eels by hormone treatment

While the olfactory cue hypothesis has been proposed for spawning migration of silver eels, it has been shown that olfactory cells and associated mucus cells degenerate in male and female eels after hormonally induced sexual maturation. However, the degeneration of the olfactory organ could be a real event in the sequence of maturation, or may be an unnatural side effect of the hormone treatment itself. We morphologically and histologically examined the olfactory rosettes of hormone-untreated and hormone-treated (mixture of hCG and PG) giant mottled eel (Anguilla marmorata) and Japanese eel (A. japonica). The olfactory rosette from all the hormone-treated specimens significantly degenerated at various degeneration levels even in sexually immature specimens, indicating the side effect of the hormone-treatment. However, a sexually immature non-hormone treated female A. marmorata (87.4 cm TL, 199.4 g BW, at less advanced maturity) had slightly degenerated olfactory rosette. Further studies should focus on conducting natural degeneration of the olfactory rosette during the sexual maturation in tropical eels.