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1.
It has long been recognised that steroids can have both organisational and activational effects on the reproductive neuroendocrine axis of many species, including the sheep. Specifically, if the ovine foetus is exposed to testosterone during a relatively short 'window' of in utero development (from approximately day 30-90 of a 147 day pregnancy) the neural mechanisms regulating gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion become organised in a male-specific manner. In post-natal life the consequences of foetal androgen exposure are sexually differentiated responses of the GnRH neuronal network to activation by factors such as photoperiod and ovarian steroid hormones. Studies in the gonadectomized lamb have demonstrated that elevated concentrations of oestrogen (E) are unable to trigger a preovulatory-like GnRH surge in the male and the androgenized ewe lamb. Further, these animals have markedly reduced sensitivity to the inhibitory actions of progesterone on tonic GnRH release compared with normal ewes. The reasons for these abnormal steroid feedback mechanisms may reside in sexually dimorphic inputs to the GnRH neurone, including those from oestrogen-receptive neurones in the arcuate nucleus that synthetize the neuropeptide, neurokinin B (NKB). The consequences of in utero androgen exposure are reflected in a progressive and dramatic impairment of fertility in the ovary-intact ewe.  相似文献   

2.
Post-natal growth in live mass and in body dimensions with age is described in a captive herd of eland Taurotragus oryx, using the von Bertalanffy growth equations. Asymptotic live mass of males (575 kg) was 45% higher than the value for females (316 kg). Asymptotic body dimensions were also higher in males, girth by 27%, height at withers by 13% and body length by 9%, these data illustrating the sexually dimorphic nature of growth in eland. In winter, body growth rates were significantly lower than in the summer, but these variations are not apparent from theoretical von Bertalanffy growth curves. A combination of linear measurements is described for the prediction of live mass.  相似文献   

3.
《African Zoology》2013,48(2):287-293
Sexual size dimorphism in the medium-sized lizard Oplurus cuvieri cuvieri, which is endemic to the dry deciduous forest of Madagascar, is presented. Adults are sexually dimorphic in body size, head size, and tail length. Males have a greater snout–vent length (SVL), head depth, head width, jaw length, tail length and body mass than females. Juvenile males have greater annual SVL growth rates than juvenile females, contributing to adult sexual size dimorphism. Moreover, the rates of increase in head depth and width differ significantly between the sexes after reaching maturity so that adult males have larger heads for a given body size than adult females. I suggest three proximate mechanisms that may cause sex-related differences in adult head size of O. c. cuvieri based on natural selection; to reduce intersexual food competition, sexual selection involving mate acquisition in males, and ontogenetic change of allometry to improve reproductive output in females.  相似文献   

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5.
OBJECTIVE: To measure intraocular pressure (IOP) and progesterone concentrations in cats and to examine their reproductive organs to determine whether reproductive status affects IOP in cats. ANIMALS:75 sexually intact domestic shorthair cats scheduled to be neutered, including 28 males, 21 females not in estrus, 13 females in estrus, and 13 pregnant females. PROCEDURES: Applanation tonometry was conducted to measure IOP and radioimmunoassay was used to determine progesterone concentrations. Reproductive organs were examined at time of surgery. RESULTS: The IOP in female cats that were in estrus was significantly higher than IOP in female cats that were not in estrus. Progesterone concentrations significantly affected IOP in pregnant cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In cats, IOP is affected by changes in reproductive status. Such changes should be considered when interpreting tonometry results in this species.  相似文献   

6.
1. Pineal and neurohypophysial arginine vasotocin (AVT) and mesotocin (MT) were measured in White Leghorn hens, cockerels and castrated males treated with either testosterone propionate (TP) or oestradiol benzoate (EB) (n = 10/group). The lighting regimen was 14 h light: 10 h dark, supplied by natural diffused sunlight and incandescent bulbs. 2. Both AVT and MT were detected in the pineal gland of all the chickens. 3. There was no significant effect of either sex or treatments on pineal MT. 4. Females had about 4 times more pineal AVT than males, regardless of their treatment. There was no effect of the treatments on pineal AVT in the males. 5. No sexual difference in neurohypophysial AVT was detected, but the neurohypophysis of the castrated males treated with EB contained less AVT than the neurohypophysis of the intact males. 6. Intact males had about twice as much MT in the neurohypophysis as females. Castrated males treated with either TP or EB had similar concentrations of neurohypophysial MT, which were lower than that of the intact males, but higher than that of the females.  相似文献   

7.
Whereas sexual differentiation is considered as the onset of differentiation of the male or female gonads, mounting evidence indicates that sex differences in developmental programming are established as early as the zygotic stage. Genetic and epigenetic differences between the sexes might govern how each responds to shifts in their early environment, including in the uterus or culture dish, as in the case of in vitro cultured pre-implantational embryos. Even if no differences are evident between the sexes at birth, divergent conceptus responses to surrounding changes, such as maternal diet and exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC), such as bisphenol A (BPA), might predispose one sex over the other to later adult-onset diseases, otherwise termed developmental origin of health and disease (DOHaD). Overall, males subjected to less than optimal in utero conditions tend to be at greater risk for various diseases, including neurobehavioural disorders. As the placenta is the primary nutrient acquisition and communication organ between the dam and foetus, its ability to adapt rapidly to environmental shifts might buffer the conceptus against environmental insults. The placenta of one sex over the other might possess greater ability to respond to environmental fluctuations. In utero environmental changes, including maternal nutrient excess or reduction or exposure to the EDC, BPA, might govern sex-dependent behavioural alterations. In sum, this review examines the evidence to date that male and female zygotes and conceptuses diverge in their responses to shifting environmental conditions and whether these contrasting sexually dimorphic responses underpin later DOHaD outcomes, namely neurobehavioural changes.  相似文献   

8.
The epididymis of two species of domestic birds, the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus), duck (Anas platyrhynchos), and of domestic and feral guinea-fowl (Numida meleagris) was studied during the three main phases of the reproductive cycle (prepuberal, sexually mature and active, and sexually mature but inactive or resting) with a view to identifying major histological and ultrastructural changes associated with and distinctive for each phase. Rete testis cells accumulated numerous variably sized lipid droplets in all birds, as well as large heterogeneous and lipofuscin-containing dense bodies in the guinea-fowl, during the resting but not in the other phases. The principal or Type III cells of the connecting and epididymal ducts exhibited profound structural changes, including, but not limited to, rarefied cytoplasm, inconspicuous and general loss of sparsely granular endoplasmic reticulum, loss of secretory vesicles in the drake, and an enhanced and conspicuous presence of lipid droplets in the guinea-fowl. The rete cells appeared to be less sensitive than the Type III cells to a reduced level or absence of lumenal androgens. These phase-dependent changes may help to prevent or minimize discrepancies in the interpretation of the normal structure of the epididymis in birds during the sexually active phase, as distinct from the other two phases and their intermediate phases.  相似文献   

9.
The copulatory behavior and the parvocellular vasotocin (VT) system of the nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) are sexually dimorphic in the Japanese quail. Embryonic administration of estradiol benzoate (EB) induces an organizational effect determining the disappearance of such a dimorphism (male shows behavior and cerebral phenotype of the female). The VT parvocellular system can therefore be considered an accurate marker of the sexual differentiation of brain circuits and a very sensitive indicator of the activity of estrogen-like substances on neural circuits. To test this hypothesis we administered diethylstilbestrol (DES), a powerful synthetic xenoestrogen, genistein (GEN), a phytoestrogen produced by soy, and bisphenol A (BPA). After 3 days of incubation, quail eggs were injected with vehicle, EB, DES, GEN or BPA. Administration of BPA caused an early blockage of development and no further analyses were done on the BPA groups. At puberty, the copulatory behavior of EB- or DES-treated male quail was totally abolished, whereas only the highest doses of GEN determined a significant decrease of the behavior. After the tests, the animals were sacrificed and perfused. The fractional area (FA) covered by VT immunoreactivity was analyzed in BST, medial preoptic nucleus, and lateral septum by computerized image analysis. The FA was significantly reduced after treatment with EB, DES and GEN at high doses. These results confirm that the sexually dimorphic VT system of the Japanese quail is a sensible indicator of the effects of xenoestrogens at the level of the central nervous system.  相似文献   

10.
Many environmental contaminants can interact with the endocrine system, thereby potentially disrupting the reproductive fitness of individuals. In avian species, the egg-yolk is a major route for excretion of lipophilic compounds by the adult female bird and embryos are exposed to contaminants that have been deposited in the eggs. The reproductive and neuroendocrine system of Japanese quail undergoes sexual differentiation during embryo development. The phenotypic sex, including sex-specific adult behavior, is hormonally imprinted already before hatching. The sexual differentiation of the brain in quail is sensitive to estrogens and the presence of estrogen results in a female phenotype. The relatively low concentration of estrogens in male embryos, on the other hand, results in a male behavioral phenotype. The behavior of male quail can be demasculinized by estrogen exposure during the period of sexual differentiation, and estrogen-exposed males are not able to display a male-typical behavior as adults. Also, differentiation of the reproductive organs is sensitive to hormones during embryogenesis, and an excess of estrogens can for instance induce persistent morphological changes in the reproductive organs of females. Our research has focused on effects in adult birds after embryonic estrogen exposure. We have studied sexual behavior and other reproductive variables in adult quail after in ovo injection of known and suspected estrogenic compounds. Synthetic estrogens and insecticides, such as o,p'-DDT altered the development of the neural system and resulted in demasculinization of male quail. In females, o,p'-DDT caused morphological changes of the oviduct and egg laying was reduced. Our studies suggest that the neural system and the female reproductive system of avian embryos are very sensitive to the effects of chemicals with estrogenic activity.  相似文献   

11.
OBJECTIVE: To identify factors (eg, familiarity, sex, neutering status, and time of year) associated with aggression between domestic ferrets and test a method for reducing aggression when introducing ferrets. DESIGN: Prospective trial. ANIMALS: 56 healthy domestic ferrets. PROCEDURE: To identify variables associated with aggression, pairs were placed in an enclosed area and observed. To test whether increasing familiarity would decrease aggression when introducing ferrets, pairs of ferrets were housed in separate cages next to each other or in separate rooms for 2 weeks prior to introduction. RESULTS: 49 of 82 pairs of strangers fought, but 31 cage mate pairs did not. Time of year had no apparent effect. Pairs consisting of 2 neutered females or 2 sexually intact males were significantly more likely to fight than were pairs consisting of a neutered female and a sexually intact male. Pairs caged next to each other for 2 weeks prior to introduction were no less likely to fight than were control pairs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that familiarity, sex, and neutering status are important determinants of aggression between ferrets. If unfamiliar neutered ferrets are introduced, then pairing 2 males or a male and female would likely result in the lowest levels of aggression. However, neutered females and sexually intact males are not indiscriminately aggressive, as a neutered female can be paired with a sexually intact male without resulting in aggression. Caging ferrets next to each other for 2 weeks does not decrease aggression when the ferrets are introduced.  相似文献   

12.
Influence of zearalenone on reproductive system cell proliferation in gilts   总被引:1,自引:0,他引:1  
Zearalenone (ZEA) is a macrocyclic lactone, estrogenic, diet-depending and fusaric micotoxin, which is produced on many kinds of cereals and feeds in the favourable conditions of humidity and temperature. The structure of ZEA is similar to the structure of estrogens and it enables binding to the estrogenic receptors. The stimulation of protein synthesis in the cells of the reproductive system, which causes intensification of cell proliferation, is one of the effects of ZEA actions. Oedema and vulva reddening are the clinical, external signs of ZEA intoxication in pigs. The aim of this study was to designate the degree of reproductive cell proliferation after low doses of ZEA were applied per os in sexually immature gilts with simultaneous monitoring of zearalenone and alpha-zearalenol levels in peripheral blood. The following were observed in the gilts examined fluctuations of zearalenone and alpha-zearalenol levels in blood, which were connected with entero-hepatic circulation and also numerous histopathological changes in ovarian follicle structure. These changes were present in the reproductive system of sexually immature gilts with a big contribution of PCNA-positive cells. The studies show that zearalenone application in sexually immature gilts caused ovarian follicle atresia and apoptoso-like changes in granule cells. Intensified cell proliferation, which was expressed with the growth of PCNA index, was observed in uterus and oviduct.  相似文献   

13.
Prolonged restriction of dietary energy delays onset of puberty, disrupts cyclicity in sexually mature animals, and lengthens the postpartum anestrous period in domestic ruminants. One important mechanism by which energy restriction impairs reproductive activity seems to be suppression of the increase in LH pulse frequency that is necessary for growth of ovarian follicles to the preovulatory stage. Under-nutrition apparently inhibits pulsatile secretion of LH by reducing LHRH secretion by the hypothalamus. The ability of an animal to sustain a high-frequency mode of pulsatile LH release is related to its metabolic status. Mechanisms linking metabolic status to LHRH secretion have not been fully characterized. Changes in body fat have been associated with changes in reproductive activity, but it is unlikely that body fat per se regulates LHRH secretion. It is possible that pulsatile LHRH release is regulated by specific metabolites and(or) metabolic hormones that reflect nutritional status. Alternatively, availability of oxidizable metabolic fuels, such as glucose and nonesterified fatty acids, may influence activity of neurons that control LHRH release. Our understanding of how the central nervous system transduces information about nutritional status into neuroendocrine signals that control reproduction in cattle and sheep is limited by a lack of information concerning the nature of neurons controlling LHRH release in these species.  相似文献   

14.
Homeobox (HOX) proteins are known for their critical role in body shape formation and tissue differentiation of developing vertebrate embryos. Recent research has shown that HOX proteins have many physiological roles such as cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and cell differentiation in adults, as well as the development of the vertebrate nerve and reproductive system. This study was conducted to determine the possible physiological functions and expression intensities of HOXA10, HOXA11, HOXB6 and HOXC6 proteins in the male reproductive system (testes, epididymis and deferens ducts), which are important for the continuity of some specific cat breeds in different age ranges. In the study, a total of 18 testicular tissues were used, divided into two groups: less than 6 months (immature) and more than 1 year (mature). Tissue samples were then subjected to immunohistochemical staining with protein-specific antibodies examined in the study. In the findings obtained in the research; it was observed that HOXA10, HOXA11, HOXB6 and HOXC6 produced different intensities of immunolocalization in the epididymis and ductus deferens layers in the immature and mature testicular cells. In addition, it was found that HOXA10 immunoreaction was also seen in some vascular endothelial cells. As a result, it was concluded that the HOX proteins could contribute to the physiological functions of testes, epididymis and ductus deferens and affect male fertility.  相似文献   

15.
Endocrine disrupters are exogenous compounds thought to mimic the action of estrogen or other hormones and influence endocrine activity in the body (Juberg, 2000). These chemicals have adverse effects not only in the reproductive system but also in the central nervous system during development and throughout life. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of environmentally persistent and widespread halogenated hydrocarbons. It has been reported that PCBs are potential neurotoxicants. Endosulfan is an organochlorine insecticide that is extensively used to control pests in vegetables, cotton, and fruits. To determine the effect of 2, 2', 4, 4', 5, 5',-hexachlorobiphenyl(2, 4, 5-HCB) and endosulfan on embryo nervous system, we isolated neural stem cells from rat brain at embryonic day 17. Isolated neural stem cells showed pluripotenty. Stem cells could differentiate into neurons and glia. Neurite formation in endosulfan and 2, 4, 5-HCB treated cells. And it appeared to be decreased as compared with that in untreated cells. In order to know the neuro-toxic mechanisms of 2, 4, 5-HCB and endosulfan in neuronal stem cells, we investigated mitogen-activated protein kinase activity (MAPK) and gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Endosulfan decreased the MAPK activity in dose dependent manner. Endosulfan and 2, 4, 5-HCB inhibited GJIC compared to the untreated cell by scrape loading dye transfer (SL/DT). 2, 4, 5-HCB and endosulfan decreased the expression of connexin 43 in dose dependent manner. These results indicated that 2, 4, 5-HCB and endosulfan may inhibit differentiation and proliferation of neural stem cells and gap junctional intercellular communication which play a crucial role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis.  相似文献   

16.
Two gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors (GnRH-Rs) have been characterized in chickens to date: cGnRH-R-I and cGnRH-R-III, with cGnRH-R-III being the predominant pituitary form. The purpose of the present study was to first validate a novel antibody for the specific detection of cGnRH-R-III and second, using this antibody, detect changes in cGnRH-R-III protein levels in the pituitary gland of male and female chickens during a reproductive cycle. The localization of cGnRH-R-III within the anterior pituitary gland was also determined. Western blotting of pituitary extracts and transiently transfected COS-7 cell lysates revealed that our antibody is highly specific to cGnRH-R-III protein. Similarly, when used in immunocytochemistry, this antibody specifically detects cells expressing cGnRH-R-III and not cGnRH-R-I. Western blot analyses of chicken pituitary gland homogenates show that cGnRH-R-III protein levels are significantly greater in sexually mature birds than in immature birds or birds at the end of a reproductive cycle (P < 0.0001). A similar pattern was observed for both males and females. Additionally, the antibody was able to detect cGnRH-R-III in cells along the periphery of the cephalic and caudal lobes of the anterior pituitary where the cells containing the gonadotropins are located. In summary, we successfully validated a novel antibody to cGnRH-R-III and showed levels of cGnRH-R-III protein in the pituitary fluctuate with respect to the reproductive status in both male and female chickens.  相似文献   

17.
A sex determination method using DNA extracted from feces has been developed for sika deer (Cervus nippon). We determined a partial sequence of the amelogenin gene of sika deer, which exists on both X and Y chromosomes with a deletion region on the Y chromosome. Based on the sexually dimorphic sequences, we designed a pair of primers which could amplify DNA fragments the lengths of which are different between males and females. PCR products were detected in 34 out of 37 fecal samples collected from captured deer and the sexes estimated by the present method were perfectly matched with the actual sexes.  相似文献   

18.
Exogenous leptin was given intraperitoneally to five male and five female mice at 0.2-0.3 mg/kg/day for 3 days. The plasma glucose and thyroxine concentrations as well as the hepatic and kidney enzyme activities were determined. The hepatic glycogen phosphorylase activity was suppressed by leptin treatment in the male mice. The other parameters were not significantly influenced by exogenous leptin, but there was a trend towards increased gluconeogenesis and glycogen storage due to leptin treatment. Enzyme activities of glucose and fat metabolism as well as the responses to leptin administration were sexually dimorphic. Discriminant analysis separated the control and the leptin-injected males and females to four distinct groups. Leptin seems to have minor but widespread effects on the energy metabolism of a nonmutant rodent. In nature, one function of leptin could be carbohydrate preservation.  相似文献   

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N6-甲基腺苷(N6-methyladenosine,m6A)修饰是指mRNA中腺苷酸(A)的第六位氮原子处发生甲基化,m6A修饰是生物mRNA中最广泛存在的内部修饰.m6A修饰通过调节RNA代谢、稳定性、翻译、降解以及选择性剪接来发挥生物学功能,在细胞分化、生物节律、生殖生理、肿瘤发生等方面起到调控作用.本文综述了目...  相似文献   

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