Oxytocin and vasopressin have been associated with social interaction and affiliative behaviour in animals. Additionally, vasopressin is known to affect socially aggressive behaviour. In addition, serotonin has an association with aggressive behaviours. The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate oxytocin, vasopressin and serotonin concentrations in the plasma of horses of different breeds, sexes

Approximately 90% of beef cattle on feed in the U.S. receive at least one anabolic implant, which results in increased growth, efficiency, and economic return to producers. However, the complete molecular mechanism through which anabolic implants function to improve skeletal muscle growth remains unknown. This study had two objectives: (1) determine the effect of polyamines and their precursors on

The blood-brain barrier regulates transport of molecules that convey global energetic status to the feeding circuitry within the hypothalamus. Capillaries within the median eminence (ME) and tight junctions between tanycytes lining the third ventricle (3V) are critical components of this barrier. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that altering plane of nutrition results in the structural reorganization

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of high ambient temperature on rabbit feed consumption, growth, viability, and fecundity, as well as the morphology and endocrine function of gonadal and adrenal cells. Adult does and their offspring were kept at either a comfortable (20oC; control) or high (36oC) temperature throughout pregnancy and up until weaning of pups. Doe mortality and

Hair is one widely employed alternative matrix for endocrine studies. Not only can it maintain hormone content during storage for long periods of time, its collection induces little to no stress. Noninvasive techniques have broadened the opportunities for endocrine research, particularly regarding wild animals. Despite its advantages, many sources of variation may affect the steroid concentration found

Considering that recumbency can lead to a change in localization, detectability of distinct margins and thus measurement of the organs and reconstruction quality, it is of value to evaluate the effect of positioning on the objective evaluation of abdominal organs in computed tomography (CT). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of patient decubitus on adrenal gland CT biometry

The objective of this project was to determine the effects of sustained hyperprolactinemia for 7 or 20 d on mammary development in late-pregnant gilts. On day 90 of gestation, gilts were assigned to one of 3 groups to receive intramuscular (IM) injections of (1) canola oil (CTL, n = 18) until day 109 ± 1 of gestation; (2) a dopamine receptor antagonist, domperidone (0.5 mg/kg of body weight [BW]) until

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a negative energy balance during the first third of gestation on metabolic, endocrine, and pregnancy recognition parameters in 2 beef cattle breeds adapted to semiextensive conditions. Seventy-five lactating Parda de Montaña and 40 Pirenaica multiparous cows rearing calves were synchronized and timed artificial inseminated (TAI) on day 76 postpartum

This study describes steroid profiles in equine plasma before and after ACTH stimulation. In human medicine, other steroids have been shown to have a more pronounced reaction to an ACTH stimulation test than cortisol. This study aimed to determine if the same was true for the horse. A total of 11 clinically healthy horses were selected for this study. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid plasma samples

Behavioral expressions and biochemical composition of body exudates are significantly altered in concert with the endocrine status, which are all clear indicators of physiological conditions of animals. In this study, we sought to infer about the reproductive physiological status of Kangayam cattle (Bos indicus) by analyzing behaviors, endocrine pattern, and body exudates and further to discover estrous

Canine hypoadrenocorticism (CHA) is a life-threatening condition that affects approximately 3 of 1,000 dogs. It has a wide array of clinical signs and is known to mimic other disease processes, including kidney and gastrointestinal diseases, creating a diagnostic challenge. Because CHA can be fatal if not appropriately treated, there is risk to the patient if the condition is not diagnosed. However

This study provides an integrative description of candidate gene expression across tissues involved in calcium (Ca) metabolism during the egg laying cycle, using the well-defined model of Ca supply as fine or coarse particles of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Plasma and tissue samples were collected from hens at the peak of laying at 0 to 1, 9 to 10, and 18 to 19 h postovulation (PO). After mRNA preparation

The objectives of this study were to determine the plasma profile of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and its association with the formation of supplementary corpus luteum (CL) and plasma progesterone concentrations in embryo transfer Hokkaido native pony recipient mares. Blood samples and transrectal ultrasound examination of the reproductive tract were carried out weekly from the day of ovulation

The kidney of miniature pigs has been considered the most likely potential kidney source for patients needing kidney transplantation. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is involved in regulating the growth of miniature pigs and inducing growth of kidneys. There are evidences showing that the SNPs in the 3′UTR of a gene may affect the gene expression by affecting the binding to a miRNA target site

Circulating concentrations of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) can indicate fertility in various animals, but the physiological mechanisms underlying the effect of AMH on fertility remain unknown. We recently discovered that AMH has extragonadal functions via its main receptor, AMH receptor type 2 (AMHR2). Specifically, AMH stimulates the secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of an immunomodulatory feed ingredient during post-weaning on growth and cortisol concentrations of beef heifers. Commercial Angus heifers (n = 72) from 2 AI sires were blocked (n = 9) by BW and randomly assigned to one of 2 pens per block. Each pen (4 heifers/pen) per block was randomly assigned to either one of 2 treatments, Celmanax (CEL)

Over the last few years, oxytocin (OT) administration to investigate the role of the oxytocinergic system in the social behavior of dogs has become of more and more interest. To date, the most common OT administration method for dogs is the intranasal spray commonly used for humans. Due to the different nasal conformation of dogs and the unpleasantness of the procedure, most dogs need to be restrained

Critical illness due to sepsis is a major global health concern associated with a high burden of mortality and cost. Glucocorticoid dysregulation in human sepsis is associated with poorer outcomes. This study examines glucocorticoid metabolism in septic canine patients to delineate elements of cellular dysregulation in common with critically ill humans and explore potential differences. This was a

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) describes a group of risk factors, including obesity and insulin dysregulation (hyperinsulinemia and/or insulin resistance), that can lead to the development of the debilitating hoof disease laminitis. Although the underlying mechanisms of EMS are not fully understood, a genetic component has been reported, and an 11 guanine polymorphism located at the FAM174A gene has

The illegal administration of glucocorticoids in livestock is problematic and identification of pathways in which these hormones are involved is critically important, and new direct or indirect biomarkers should be identified. In this work, glucocorticoid transcriptional effects on some genes involved in the glucose metabolism were studied in the bovine liver. This study was conducted on adult Charolais

The endometrium undergoes cyclical changes during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. These alterations are controlled by various factors, including cytokines. The current study aimed to screen the effect of several chemokines (CCL2, CCL4, CCL5, CCL8, CXCL2, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL12) on endometrial stromal and endothelial cells. Real-time PCR analysis revealed mRNA expression of all examined chemokines

Age, neurodegenerative disorders, and dysfunction of insulin secretion may be correlated with increased systemic concentrations of acute phase markers. Thus, the study aimed to determine the effect of age, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), and insulin dysregulation (ID) associated with PPID, on markers of the acute phase reaction. Twenty-nine mix-breed horses of both sexes were classified

Zymosan is a cell wall component of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and produces severe inflammatory responses in mammals. When zymosan is peripherally injected in mammals, it induces several behavioral and physiological changes including anorexia and hyperthermia. However, to our knowledge, behavioral and physiological responses to zymosan have not yet been clarified in birds. Therefore, the purpose

Being overweight or obese represents an important health issue in humans and pets. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the salivary proteome of overweight beagles after induced weight loss in order to better understand the physiological changes involved in this process. Five overweight/obese neutered males of pure breed beagles were evaluated. During the three-month period of weight

The action of glucocorticoids on target tissues is regulated by the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors (codified by the NR3C1 and NR3C2 gene, respectively). Moreover, the prereceptor system, represented by the hydroxysteroid 11-beta dehydrogenases (HSD11Bs), catalyzes the interconversion from active glucocorticoids into inactive compounds. This study aimed to determine whether the expression

Hypocalcemia is a common finding in critically ill equine patients. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) helps to maintain calcium homeostasis in hypocalcemic patients by promoting renal calcium reabsorption and bone resorption. Increased serum PTH concentrations have been reported in critically ill people and animals, including horses and foals. It is unknown whether increased secretion of PTH is associated

Increased adipose mass can cause insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This phenomenon is related to adipocyte-secreted signaling molecules that affect glucose balance, such as fatty acids, adiponectin, leptin, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and resistin. Among these hormones, leptin and resistin play important roles in regulating weight and glucose metabolism. Leptin and resistin

Kisspeptin, encoded by Kiss1 gene expressing neurons in the hypothalamus are requisite for fertility and now appear critical in the regulation of energy balance. Kisspeptin neurons, particularly those in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), receive information directly and indirectly from a diverse array of brain regions including the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, amygdala, interpeduncular nucleus, hippocampus

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are the final common conduit from the central nervous system in the reproductive axis, controlling luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion from the gonadotropes of the anterior pituitary. While it is generally accepted that undernutrition inhibits GnRH/LH secretion, the central mechanisms that underlie the link between energy balance and reproduction remain

The discovery of the kisspeptin (Kp) system stirred a burst of research in the field of reproductive neuroendocrinology. In the last 15 years the organization and activity of the system including its neuroanatomical structure, its major physiological functions, and its main pharmacological properties were outlined. To this endeavor, the use of genetic tools to delete and to restore Kp system functionality

In goats and sheep from temperate and subtropical latitudes, the breeding season lasts from early autumn to late winter, whereas the anestrous season lasts from late winter to late summer. In prepubertal or post-partum females, the durations of the quiescent periods depend mainly on the season of parturitions and of nursing duration. In both situations, the ovulatory activity starts only during the

Pubertal onset in the ewe is subject to a multitude of physiological and environmental constraints. As seasonal breeders, sheep rely on decreasing photoperiod to enter puberty and the subsequent breeding periods, hindering production. The initiation of puberty defines the reproductive yield of the ewe, and as such is a critical factor influencing production outcomes. Currently, the misconception that

Central administration of adrenomedullin (AM), a 52–amino acid peptide, is associated with anorexigenic effects in some species, including rodents and chickens. However, the associated hypothalamic mechanisms remain unclear and it is unknown if this peptide exerts satiety-inducing effects in other avian species. The objective of this study was thus to investigate AM-induced anorexigenic effects in

Prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) increases food intake in birds, whereas it is a potent satiety factor in rodents and fish. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of central injection of PrRP on feeding behaviors and hypothalamic physiology in juvenile Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Intracerebroventricular injection of 1,692 pmol of PrRP increased food intake for the first 90 min

We aimed to elucidate the effects of PGE2 and PGF2α on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine oocytes. First, cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured in the media supplemented with or without PGE2, PGF2α, and PGE2 plus PGF2α for the final 24, 12, or 6 h of culture. Then, the cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured in the absence or presence of a PG endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) enzyme (NS398) inhibitor

Maternal nutrient restriction (NR) causes small for gestational age (SGA) offspring, which exhibit a higher risk for metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Fetal skeletal muscle is particularly sensitive to maternal NR, which impairs muscle mass and metabolism. Using a 50% NR treatment from gestational day (GD) 35 to GD 135 in sheep, we routinely observe a spectral phenotype of fetal weights within the NR

Obesity and metabolic disorders are associated with systemic low-grade chronic inflammation, both in humans and animals. The aim of the study is to assess the effects of obesity and hyperinsulinemia on individual components of the acute-phase reaction in equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) horses. Eight mixed-breed EMS and 6 control, age-matched horses of both sexes were included in the study. Animals

The timing of pubertal attainment in gilts is a critical factor for pork production and is an early indicator of future reproductive potential. Puberty, defined as age at first standing estrus in the presence of a boar, is brought about by an escape from estrogen inhibition of the GnRH pulse generator, which allows for increasing LH pulses leading to the onset of cyclicity. The biological mechanisms

The aim of the present study was to measure salivary cortisol concentrations of horses before and after hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stimulation by means of liquid chromatography-tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and an immunoassay (cELISA) for method comparison. Nine clinically healthy horses participated in the study. An ACTH stimulation test was performed. Saliva samples were collected

This study examines the influence of administering testosterone at the end of the mating season, on the responses (morphometric and functional) of ram and buck sperm to freezing-thawing. Five rams were administered 25 mg testosterone propionate (TP) subcutaneously in 2 mL of olive oil twice per week (Monday and Thursday) from October 1 to 31; 5 bucks received exactly the same but from November 1 to

Adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ secreting several adipokines, especially adiponectin, that play an important role in regulating insulin function in the body of mammals. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the association between abdominal fat deposit, insulin resistance, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), and adiponectin (AG) gene expression in broiler

Work during the last decade has led to a novel hypothesis for a question that is half a century old: how is the secretory activity of GnRH neurons synchronized to produce episodic GnRH secretion. This hypothesis posits that a group of neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) that contain kisspeptin, neurokinin B (NKB), and dynorphin (known as KNDy neurons) fire simultaneously to drive each GnRH pulse.

The 2 structurally related peptides, neuropeptide FF (NPFF) and neuropeptide AF (NPAF), are encoded by the NPFF gene and have been identified as neuromodulators that regulate nociception and opiate-mediated analgesia via NPFF receptor (NPFFR2) in mammals. However, little is known about these 2 peptides in birds. In this study, we examined the structure, tissue expression profile, and functionality

Puberty is a complex biological event that requires maturation of the reproductive neuroendocrine axis and subsequent initiation of high-frequency, episodic release of GnRH and LH. Nutrition is a critical factor affecting the neuroendocrine control of puberty. Although nutrient restriction during juvenile development delays puberty, elevated rates of body weight gain during this period facilitate pubertal

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of heat stress in late gestation independent of maternal reduced feed intake on performance, blood hormones and metabolites, and immune responses of dairy calves from birth through weaning. A total of 30 multiparous Holstein cows at 45 d before expected calving were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) thermal neutral (CL, n = 10) conditions

Cows at the beginning of lactation often do not meet their energy needs by feeding and therefore mobilize body fat, which produces ketone bodies, including β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). They are nevertheless usually inseminated around 60 d postpartum, when they are still in this characteristic period of energy deficit. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of negative energy balance on embryo

Cumulus cells have an important role to play in the final preparation of the oocyte before ovulation. During the final phase of follicular differentiation, FSH levels are low and LH maintains follicular growth; however, it is not known if at that time LH has an influence on cumulus cells inside the follicle. In humans, LH is often inhibited to avoid a premature ovulatory LH surge. This procedure provides

Public interest in the welfare of domestic dogs has increased in recent years. Dogs under human care should experience as little stress as possible, and it is necessary to measure and quantify their levels of stress. Stress parameters that can be measured noninvasively may help to identify the poor welfare of animals. This review aimed to determine whether and under what conditions the hormone cortisol

In pigs, luteolytic sensitivity to PGF-2α (=LS) is delayed until d 13 of the estrous cycle. Although the control of LS is unknown, it is temporally associated with macrophage (MAC; which secretes tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) infiltration into the corpora lutea (CL), and previous studies have shown that TNF-α induces LS in porcine luteal cells (LCs) in culture. This study was designed to explore the

The specific expression profile and function of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in mammalian ovarian follicles, especially during the atresia process, are unclear. In this study, genome-wide deep circRNA sequencing was applied to screen circRNAs in healthy and early atretic antral follicles in pig ovaries. A total of 40,567 distinct circRNAs were identified in follicles, among which 197 circRNAs (108 upregulated

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate and compare the accuracy of transabdominal ultrasonography and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) assay in the diagnosis of twin pregnancies in ewes and to evaluate the utility of the PAG assay for predicting fetal gender in singleton pregnancies. The animals in the study consisted of 179 pregnant ewes. The number of fetuses in the ewe was determined

Hair cortisol has been demonstrated to reflect hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity (including Cushing's disease and stress) in several species. We hypothesized that hair cortisol concentrations are increased in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) compared with healthy adult horses and that this difference is magnified in the fall, when circulating adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)

In small ruminants, testosterone and prolactin plasma concentrations show circannual fluctuations as an adaptation mechanism to their seasonal breeding behavior. Sperm resistance to the freezing-thawing process shows seasonal fluctuation throughout the year, with lower sperm freezability at the beginning of the breeding season when prolactin and testosterone levels reach their maximum concentration

High ambient temperature exhibits a retrograde effect on buffalo reproduction because of heat stress. Moreover, melatonin is known to regulate reproductive changes in seasonally reproductive animals by binding to high affinity, G protein-coupled receptors. The MTNR1A gene is a prime receptor, mediating the effect of melatonin at the neuroendocrine level to control seasonal reproduction. In sheep, the

The effect of short-term administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or natural progesterone (P4) during ovarian stimulation with FSH on oocyte recovery was investigated in Santa Inês ewes. Ewes were treated with an intravaginal sponge containing MPA for 6 d; GnRH was applied 36 h after sponge removal and FSH was given in 3 injections (40, 24, and 16 mg, respectively) every 12 h after (D0,

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenges are frequently performed in repetition when evaluating stress or welfare in animals. To our knowledge, the repeatability of ACTH challenges in cattle, although fundamental to further studies of this type, has not yet been the subject of research. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of ACTH challenges in fattening bulls

The main goal of this study was to examine the utility of measuring systemic concentrations of steroid hormones, namely progesterone (P4) and estrone sulfate (E1S), for monitoring the progression of porcine pregnancy and predicting sow fertility. There were 3 subsets of artificially inseminated (AI'd) sows used in the present experiments: (i) animals sacrificed on gestational day 20 (gd20; n = 16)