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Dardente H, Lomet D, Robert V, Lasserre O, Gonzalez AA, Mialhe X, Beltramo M. Photoperiod, but not progesterone, has a strong impact upon the transcriptome of the medio-basal hypothalamus in female goats and ewes. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 588:112216. [PMID: 38556161 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Photoperiod is the main environmental driver of seasonal responses in organisms living at temperate and polar latitudes. Other external cues such as food and temperature, and internal cues including hormones, intervene to fine-tune phasing of physiological functions to the solar year. In mammals, the medio-basal hypothalamus (MBH) is the key integrator of these cues, which orchestrates a wide array of seasonal functions, including breeding. Here, using RNAseq and RT-qPCR, we demonstrate that molecular components of the photoperiodic response previously identified in ewes are broadly conserved in does (female goats, Capra hircus), with a common core of ∼50 genes. This core group can be defined as the "MBH seasonal trancriptome", which includes key players of the pars tuberalis-tanycytes neuroendocrine retrograde pathway that governs intra-MBH photoperiodic switches of triiodothyronine (T3) production (Tshb, Eya3, Dio2 and SlcO1c1), the two histone methyltransferases Suv39H2 and Ezh2 and the secreted protein Vmo1. Prior data in ewes revealed that T3 and estradiol (E2), both key hormones for the proper timing of seasonal breeding, differentially impact the MBH seasonal transcriptome, and identified cellular and molecular targets through which these hormones might act. In contrast, information regarding the potential impact of progesterone (P4) upon the MBH transcriptome was nonexistent. Here, we demonstrate that P4 has no discernible transcriptional impact in either does or ewes. Taken together, our data show that does and ewes possess a common core set of photoperiod-responsive genes in the MBH and conclusively demonstrate that P4 is not a key regulator of the MBH transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugues Dardente
- INRAE, CNRS, Université de Tours, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France.
| | - Didier Lomet
- INRAE, CNRS, Université de Tours, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Vincent Robert
- INRAE, CNRS, Université de Tours, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | | | - Anne-Alicia Gonzalez
- MGX-Montpellier GenomiX, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Xavier Mialhe
- MGX-Montpellier GenomiX, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094, Montpellier, France
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Chang J, Xu Y, Fu Y, Liu J, Jiang D, Pan J, Ouyang H, Liu W, Xu J, Tian Y, Huang Y, Ruan J, Shen X. The dynamic landscape of chromatin accessibility and active regulatory elements in the mediobasal hypothalamus influences the seasonal activation of the reproductive axis in the male quail under long light exposure. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:197. [PMID: 38373887 PMCID: PMC10877898 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10097-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In cold and temperate zones, seasonal reproduction plays a crucial role in the survival and reproductive success of species. The photoperiod influences reproductive processes in seasonal breeders through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, in which the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) serves as the central region responsible for transmitting light information to the endocrine system. However, the cis-regulatory elements and the transcriptional activation mechanisms related to seasonal activation of the reproductive axis in MBH remain largely unclear. In this study, an artificial photoperiod program was used to induce the HPG axis activation in male quails, and we compared changes in chromatin accessibility changes during the seasonal activation of the HPG axis. RESULTS Alterations in chromatin accessibility occurred in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) and stabilized at LD7 during the activation of the HPG axis. Most open chromatin regions (OCRs) are enriched mainly in introns and distal intergenic regions. The differentially accessible regions (DARs) showed enrichment of binding motifs of the RFX, NKX, and MEF family of transcription factors that gained-loss accessibility under long-day conditions, while the binding motifs of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily and BZIP family gained-open accessibility. Retinoic acid signaling and GTPase-mediated signal transduction are involved in adaptation to long days and maintenance of the HPG axis activation. According to our footprint analysis, three clock-output genes (TEF, DBP, and HLF) and the THRA were the first responders to long days in LD3. THRB, NR3C2, AR, and NR3C1 are the key players associated with the initiation and maintenance of the activation of the HPG axis, which appeared at LD7 and tended to be stable under long-day conditions. By integrating chromatin and the transcriptome, three genes (DIO2, SLC16A2, and PDE6H) involved in thyroid hormone signaling showed differential chromatin accessibility and expression levels during the seasonal activation of the HPG axis. TRPA1, a target of THRB identified by DAP-seq, was sensitive to photoactivation and exhibited differential expression levels between short- and long-day conditions. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that trans effects were the main factors affecting gene expression during the seasonal activation of the HPG axis. This study could lead to further research on the seasonal reproductive behavior of birds, particularly the role of MBH in controlling seasonal reproductive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianye Chang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Yanglong Xu
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Yuting Fu
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Danli Jiang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Jianqiu Pan
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Hongjia Ouyang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Wenjun Liu
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Jin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yunbo Tian
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Yunmao Huang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
| | - Jue Ruan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China.
| | - Xu Shen
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
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Mohanty B. Pesticides exposure and compromised fitness in wild birds: Focusing on the reproductive endocrine disruption. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 199:105800. [PMID: 38458691 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Exposure of pesticides to wildlife species, especially on the aspect of endocrine disruption is of great concern. Wildlife species are more at risk to harmful exposures to the pesticides in their natural habitat through diet and several other means. Species at a higher tropic level in the food chain are more susceptible to the deleterious effects due to sequential biomagnifications of the pesticides/metabolites. Pesticides directly affect fitness of the species in the wild causing reproductive endocrine disruption impairing the hormones of the gonads and thyroid glands as reproduction is under the influence of cross regulations of these hormones. This review presents a comprehensive compilation of important literatures on the impact of the current use pesticides in disruption of both the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axes particularly in birds addressing impacts on the reproductive impairments and overall fitness. In addition to the epidemiological studies, laboratory investigations those provide supportive evidences of the probable mechanisms of disruption in the wild also have been incorporated in this review. To accurately predict the endocrine-disruption of the pesticides as well as to delineate the risk associated with potential cumulative effects, studies are to be more focused on the environmentally realistic exposure dose, mixture pesticide exposures and transgenerational effects. In addition, strategic screening/appropriate methodologies have to be developed to reveal the endocrine disruption potential of the contemporary use pesticides. Demand for adequate quantitative structure-activity relationships and insilico molecular docking studies for timely validation have been highlighted.
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Manocchio F, Bravo FI, Helfer G, Muguerza B. Cherries with Different Geographical Origins Regulate Neuroprotection in a Photoperiod-Dependent Manner in F344 Rats. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:72. [PMID: 38247496 PMCID: PMC10812723 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13010072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The photoperiod is the main environmental cue that drives seasonal adaptive responses in reproduction, behavior, and metabolism in seasonal animals. Increasing evidence suggests that (poly)phenols contained in fruits can also modulate seasonal rhythms. (Poly)phenol-rich diets are associated with an improvement in cognitive function and neuroprotection due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. However, it is unknown whether cherries affect neuroprotection in a photoperiod-dependent manner. To test this, F344 rats were exposed to L6 (6 h light/day), L12 (12 h light/day) and L18 (18 h light/day) photoperiods and fed a standard chow diet supplemented with either a control, lyophilized cherry 1 or cherry 2 with distinctive phenolic hallmarks. Physiological parameters (body weight, eating pattern index (EPI), testosterone, T4/T3) and hypothalamic key genes (Dio2, Dio3, Raldh1 and Ghrh) were strongly regulated by the photoperiod and/or fruit consumption. Importantly, we show for the first time that neurotrophs (Bdnf, Sod1 and Gpx1) in the hippocampus are also regulated by the photoperiod. Furthermore, the consumption of cherry 2, which was richer in total flavonols, but not cherry 1, which was richer in total anthocyanins and flavanols, enhanced neuroprotection in the hippocampus. Our results show that the seasonal consumption of cherry with a specific phenolic composition plays an important role in the hippocampal activation of neuroprotection in a photoperiod-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Manocchio
- Nutrigenomics Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C Marcel·lí Domingo s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain; (F.M.); (B.M.)
- Nutrigenomics Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, C/Marcel·lí Domingo s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- Center of Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology (TecnATox), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Francisca Isabel Bravo
- Nutrigenomics Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C Marcel·lí Domingo s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain; (F.M.); (B.M.)
- Nutrigenomics Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, C/Marcel·lí Domingo s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- Center of Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology (TecnATox), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Gisela Helfer
- School of Chemistry and Biosciences, University of Bradford, Richmond Road, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Begoña Muguerza
- Nutrigenomics Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C Marcel·lí Domingo s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain; (F.M.); (B.M.)
- Nutrigenomics Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, C/Marcel·lí Domingo s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- Center of Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology (TecnATox), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
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5
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Yang P, Wang G, Jiang S, Chen M, Zeng J, Pang Q, Du D, Zhou M. Comparative analysis of genome-wide copy number variations between Tibetan sheep and White Suffolk sheep. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:986-993. [PMID: 34865600 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2021.2007937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The DNA copy number variations (CNVs) are widely involved in affecting various kinds of biological functions, such as environmental adaptation. Tibetan sheep and White Suffolk sheep are two representative indigenous and exotic breeds raised in Sichuan, China, and both of them have many contrasting biological characteristics. In this study, we employed high-throughput sequencing approach to investigate genome-wide CNVs between the two sheep breeds. A total of 11,135 CNV regions (CNVRs) consisting of 6,488 deletions and 4,647 duplications were detected, whose length ranged from 1,599 bp to 0.56 Mb with the mean of 4,658 bp. There were 281 CNVRs segregated between Tibetan sheep and White Suffolk sheep, and 18 of them have been fixed within both breeds. Functional analyses of candidate genes within the segregating CNVRs revealed the thyroid hormone signaling pathway and CTNNB1 gene that would be responsible for differential biological characteristics of breeds, such as energy metabolism, seasonal reproduction, and litter size. Furthermore, the segregating CNVRs identified in this study were overlapped with many known quantitative trait loci that are associated with growth, testis weight, and reproductive seasonality. In conclusion, these results help us better understanding differential biological characteristics between Tibetan sheep and White Suffolk sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinggui Yang
- Institute of Plateau Animals, Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Gaofu Wang
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing, China
| | - Shihai Jiang
- Institute of Plateau Animals, Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Minghua Chen
- Institute of Plateau Animals, Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- Institute of Plateau Animals, Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Pang
- Institute of Plateau Animals, Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Dan Du
- Institute of Plateau Animals, Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingliang Zhou
- Institute of Plateau Animals, Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, Chengdu, China
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6
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Haigis AC, Vergauwen L, LaLone CA, Villeneuve DL, O'Brien JM, Knapen D. Cross-species applicability of an adverse outcome pathway network for thyroid hormone system disruption. Toxicol Sci 2023; 195:1-27. [PMID: 37405877 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid hormone system disrupting compounds are considered potential threats for human and environmental health. Multiple adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) for thyroid hormone system disruption (THSD) are being developed in different taxa. Combining these AOPs results in a cross-species AOP network for THSD which may provide an evidence-based foundation for extrapolating THSD data across vertebrate species and bridging the gap between human and environmental health. This review aimed to advance the description of the taxonomic domain of applicability (tDOA) in the network to improve its utility for cross-species extrapolation. We focused on the molecular initiating events (MIEs) and adverse outcomes (AOs) and evaluated both their plausible domain of applicability (taxa they are likely applicable to) and empirical domain of applicability (where evidence for applicability to various taxa exists) in a THSD context. The evaluation showed that all MIEs in the AOP network are applicable to mammals. With some exceptions, there was evidence of structural conservation across vertebrate taxa and especially for fish and amphibians, and to a lesser extent for birds, empirical evidence was found. Current evidence supports the applicability of impaired neurodevelopment, neurosensory development (eg, vision) and reproduction across vertebrate taxa. The results of this tDOA evaluation are summarized in a conceptual AOP network that helps prioritize (parts of) AOPs for a more detailed evaluation. In conclusion, this review advances the tDOA description of an existing THSD AOP network and serves as a catalog summarizing plausible and empirical evidence on which future cross-species AOP development and tDOA assessment could build.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Cathrin Haigis
- Zebrafishlab, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Lucia Vergauwen
- Zebrafishlab, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Carlie A LaLone
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, USA
| | - Daniel L Villeneuve
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, USA
| | - Jason M O'Brien
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Dries Knapen
- Zebrafishlab, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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Pereira PDC, Henrique EP, da Costa ER, Falcão ADJ, de Melo MAD, Schneider MPC, Burbano RMR, Diniz DG, Magalhães NGDM, Sherry DF, Diniz CWP, Guerreiro-Diniz C. Molecular Changes in the Brain of the Wintering Calidris pusilla in the Mangroves of the Amazon River Estuary. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12712. [PMID: 37628893 PMCID: PMC10454129 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Migrant birds prepare differently to fly north for breeding in the spring and for the flight to lower latitudes during autumn, avoiding the cold and food shortages of the Northern Hemisphere's harsh winter. The molecular events associated with these fundamental stages in the life history of migrants include the differential gene expression in different tissues. Semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) are Arctic-breeding shorebirds that migrate to the coast of South America during the non-breeding season. In a previous study, we demonstrated that between the beginning and the end of the wintering period, substantial glial changes and neurogenesis occur in the brain of C. pusilla. These changes follow the epic journey of the autumn migration when a 5-day non-stop transatlantic flight towards the coast of South America and the subsequent preparation for the long-distance flight of the spring migration takes place. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the differential gene expressions observed in the brains of individuals captured in the autumn and spring windows are consistent with the previously described cellular changes. We searched for differential gene expressions in the brain of the semipalmated sandpiper, of recently arrived birds (RA) from the autumnal migration, and that of individuals in the premigratory period (PM) in the spring. All individuals were collected in the tropical coastal of northern Brazil in the mangrove region of the Amazon River estuary. We generated a de novo neurotranscriptome for C. pusilla individuals and compared the gene expressions across libraries. To that end, we mapped an RNA-Seq that reads to the C. pusilla neurotranscriptome in four brain samples of each group and found that the differential gene expressions in newly arrived and premigratory birds were related with neurogenesis, metabolic pathways (ketone body biosynthetic and the catabolic and lipid biosynthetic processes), and glial changes (astrocyte-dopaminergic neuron signaling, astrocyte differentiation, astrocyte cell migration, and astrocyte activation involved in immune response), as well as genes related to the immune response to virus infections (Type I Interferons), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF, and NF-κB), NLRP3 inflammasome, anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10), and cell death pathways (pyroptosis- and caspase-related changes).
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Douglas Corrêa Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Campus Bragança, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, PA, Brazil; (P.D.C.P.)
| | - Ediely Pereira Henrique
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Campus Bragança, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, PA, Brazil; (P.D.C.P.)
| | - Emanuel Ramos da Costa
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Campus Bragança, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, PA, Brazil; (P.D.C.P.)
| | - Anderson de Jesus Falcão
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Campus Bragança, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, PA, Brazil; (P.D.C.P.)
| | - Mauro André Damasceno de Melo
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Campus Bragança, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, PA, Brazil; (P.D.C.P.)
| | | | | | - Daniel Guerreiro Diniz
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
- Laboratório de Microscopia Eletrônica, Seção de Hepatologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém 66093-020, PA, Brazil
| | - Nara Gyzely de Morais Magalhães
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Campus Bragança, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, PA, Brazil; (P.D.C.P.)
| | - David Francis Sherry
- Department of Psychology, Advanced Facility for Avian Research, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6G 1G9, Canada
| | - Cristovam Wanderley Picanço Diniz
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Cristovam Guerreiro-Diniz
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Campus Bragança, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, PA, Brazil; (P.D.C.P.)
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Liu J, Xu Y, Wang Y, Zhang J, Fu Y, Liufu S, Jiang D, Pan J, Ouyang H, Huang Y, Tian Y, Shen X. The DNA methylation status of the serotonin metabolic pathway associated with reproductive inactivation induced by long-light exposure in Magang geese. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:355. [PMID: 37365488 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09342-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Domestic geese are seasonal breeders and have the lowest reproductive capacity among all poultry species. Magang geese is a topical short-day breeder, short photoperiod exposure stimulates its reproductive activity while long photoperiod inhibits. To explore epigenetic change that could influence reproductive activity, we performed whole genome bisulfite sequencing and transcriptome sequencing in the hypothalamus at three reproductive stages during long-light exposure in male Magang geese. RESULTS A total number of 10,602 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified among three comparison groups. We observed that the vast majority of DMRs were enriched in intron regions. By integrating the BS-sequencing and RNA-seq data, the correlation between methylation changes of CG DMRs and expression changes of their associated genes was significant only for genes containing CG DMRs in their intron. A total of 278 DMR-associated DEGs were obtained among the three stages. KEGG analysis revealed that the DMR-associated DEGs were mainly involved in 11 pathways. Among them, the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway was significantly enriched in both two comparisons (RA vs.RD and RD vs.RI); the Wnt signaling pathway, apelin signaling pathway, melanogenesis, calcium signaling pathway, focal adhesion, and adherens junction were significantly enriched in the RA vs. RI comparison. In addition, the expression level of two serotonin-metabolic genes was significantly altered during reproductive axis inactivation by the methylation status of their promoter region (TPH2) and intron region (SLC18A2), respectively. These results were confirmed by Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP), pyrosequencing, and real-time qPCR, indicating that serotonin metabolic signaling may play a key role in decreasing the reproductive activity of Magang geese induced by long-light exposure. Furthermore, we performed a metabolomics approach to investigate the concentration of neurotransmitters among the three stages, and found that 5-HIAA, the last product of the serotonin metabolic pathway, was significantly decreased in the hypothalamus during RI. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals that the methylation status of the serotonin metabolic pathway in the hypothalamus is associated with reproductive inactivation, and provided new insight into the effect of DNA methylation on the reproductive regulation of the hypothalamus in Magang geese.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Yanglong Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Yushuai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510275, China
| | - Jinning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510275, China
| | - Yuting Fu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Sui Liufu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Danli Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Jianqiu Pan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Hongjia Ouyang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Yunmao Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
| | - Yunbo Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
| | - Xu Shen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
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9
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Liu S, Claude H, Yong SJ, Chen D. Association of maternal depression and hypothyroidism with infant gastroschisis: a population-based cohort study in Canada. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7540. [PMID: 37161036 PMCID: PMC10170067 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34090-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastroschisis has increased globally over recent decades, and this increase has not been explained by identified risk factors. We conducted a population-based study of infants born in Canada, 2004-2020. We used "winter" months (i.e., September through June) and northern areas of residence as indicators of less sunlight/less active lifestyle, while "summer" (i.e., July and August) and southern areas were considered as reference. Rate of gastroschisis for infants conceived in winter (3.4 per 10,000) was higher than for infants conceived in summer (2.2 per 10,000; p < 0.001). Exposure to winter, and northern area, hypothyroidism, substance or tobacco uses and depressive disorder were initially identified as risk factors for gastroschisis. There was a significant interaction between women < 24 years of age and 2-month conception intervals (rate ratio (RR): 1.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-1.70). The association of maternal depression (mean ratio 2.19, 95% CI 0.87-3.50, p = 0.001) with infant gastroschisis was mediated by hypothyroidism (mean ratio 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07, p < 0.001), whereas substance use, hypothyroidism, tobacco smoking and gestational diabetes showed 5.5-, 3.1-, 2.7-, and 1.2-fold associations, respectively, with maternal depression. In contrast to the summer conception interval of low gastroschisis risk, an elevated risk of gastroschisis spans the other ten months in association with higher levels of stress adaptation, thermoregulation and metabolism, reproduction, and growth effector hormones. Our findings suggest that periconception depression with mediation by hypothyroidism, may play a causal role in offspring gastroschisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiliang Liu
- Centre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Hughes Claude
- Reproductive Health Center of Excellence and Therapeutic Science and Strategy Unit, IQVIA & Department of OB-GYN, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shin Jie Yong
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Dunjin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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10
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Liu LP, Li MH, Zheng YW. Hair Follicles as a Critical Model for Monitoring the Circadian Clock. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032407. [PMID: 36768730 PMCID: PMC9916850 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Clock (circadian) genes are heterogeneously expressed in hair follicles (HFs). The genes can be modulated by both the central circadian system and some extrinsic factors, such as light and thyroid hormones. These circadian genes participate in the regulation of several physiological processes of HFs, including hair growth and pigmentation. On the other hand, because peripheral circadian genes are synchronized with the central clock, HFs could provide a noninvasive and practical method for monitoring and evaluating multiple circadian-rhythm-related conditions and disorders among humans, including day and night shifts, sleep-wake disorders, physical activities, energy metabolism, and aging. However, due to the complexity of circadian biology, understanding how intrinsic oscillation operates using peripheral tissues only may be insufficient. Combining HF sampling with multidimensional assays such as detection of body temperature, blood samples, or certain validated questionnaires may be helpful in improving HF applications. Thus, HFs can serve as a critical model for monitoring the circadian clock and can help provide an understanding of the potential mechanisms of circadian-rhythm-related conditions; furthermore, chronotherapy could support personalized treatment scheduling based on the gene expression profile expressed in HFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
- Correspondence: (L.-P.L.); (Y.-W.Z.)
| | - Meng-Huan Li
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
| | - Yun-Wen Zheng
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, South China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, China
- Department of Medicinal and Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Japan
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 234-0006, Japan
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Correspondence: (L.-P.L.); (Y.-W.Z.)
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11
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Słupczyńska M, Jamroz D, Orda J, Wiliczkiewicz A, Kuropka P, Król B. The Thyroid Hormone and Immunoglobulin Concentrations in Blood Serum and Thyroid Gland Morphology in Young Hens Fed with Different Diets, Sources, and Levels of Iodine Supply. Animals (Basel) 2022; 13:ani13010158. [PMID: 36611766 PMCID: PMC9817894 DOI: 10.3390/ani13010158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the level (1, 3, and 5 mg I/kg) and source of iodine (KI, Ca(IO3)2, and KIO3) on thyroid hormone and immunoglobulin concentrations in the blood serum of laying hens alongside a histological picture of the thyroid. In the first, birds were fed grain-soybean meal mixtures, and in the second, two kinds of diets based on corn-soybean or corn-soybean-rapeseed meal were applied. In the experiments, we determined the levels of the blood serum thyroid hormones fT3 and fT4, as well as the morphological structure of the thyroid gland. In the second experiment, the concentration of immunoglobulins in blood serum was assayed. In both experiments, no influence of iodine source on thyroid hormone concentration was observed. However, increasing the iodine level in the full mixture and adding rapeseed meal in both experiments caused an increase in fT3 concentration. Increasing I-addition in both experiments led to a decrease in thyroid gland follicle diameter. Rapeseed meal inclusion (at a level of 10%) to the complete hen mixture led to an increase in thyroid gland follicle diameter. Applying KIO3 as an iodine source in both experiments caused a decrease in the thyroid gland height of follicle epithelial cells. Immunoglobulin concentrations in the serum were not affected by experimental factors. The results suggest that the methodologies of studies on the bioavailability of minerals and the corresponding analytical methods require unification. The lack of such standardization makes it impossible to engage in a satisfactory discussion of the results and exchange experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Słupczyńska
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Dorota Jamroz
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Janusz Orda
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Andrzej Wiliczkiewicz
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Piotr Kuropka
- Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Barbara Król
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
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12
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Transcriptome analyses of nine endocrine tissues identifies organism-wide transcript distribution and structure in the Siberian hamster. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13552. [PMID: 35941167 PMCID: PMC9360046 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16731-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Temperate zone animals exhibit seasonal variation in multiple endocrine systems. In most cases, peripheral organs display robust switches in tissue involution and recrudescence in mass. Our understanding of the molecular control of tissue-specific changes in seasonal function remains limited. Central to this problem is the lack of information on the nucleic acid structure, and distribution of transcripts across tissues in seasonal model organisms. Here we report the transcriptome profile of nine endocrine tissues from Siberian hamsters. Luteinizing hormone receptor expression was localized to gonadal tissues and confirmed previous distribution analyses. Assessment of the prolactin receptor reveal relatively high abundance across tissues involved in reproduction, energy, and water homeostasis. Neither melatonin receptor-1a, nor -1b, were found to be expressed in most tissues. Instead, the closely related G-protein coupled receptor Gpr50 was widely expressed in peripheral tissues. Epigenetic enzymes such as DNA methyltransferase 3a, was widely expressed and the predominant DNA methylation enzyme. Quantitative PCR analyses revealed some sex- and tissue-specific differences for prolactin receptor and DNA methyltransferase 3a expression. These data provide significant information on the distribution of transcripts, relative expression levels and nucleic acid sequences that will facilitate molecular studies into the seasonal programs in mammalian physiology.
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13
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Xu Z, Chen S, Chen W, Zhou X, Yan F, Huang T, Wang Y, Lu H, Zhao A. Comparative Analysis of the Follicular Transcriptome of Zhedong White Geese (Anser Cygnoides) with Different Photoperiods. Poult Sci 2022; 101:102060. [PMID: 36049293 PMCID: PMC9441338 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The laying performance of geese is mainly determined by follicular development and atresia, while follicular status is regulated by photoperiod. To understand the effect of photoperiod on the development of goose follicles, artificial light was used to change the photoperiod. In this study, ten healthy 220-day-old Zhedong white geese (Anser Cygnoides) with similar body weights and similar reproductive start times were reared for 60 days under long photoperiod (15 L:9 D) and short photoperiod (9 L:15 D) artificial light with the intensity controlled at 30 lux, and follicles were collected. Follicle development was analyzed by observing the morphology of follicle tissue, the localization of autophagosomes and autolysosomes, and the expression levels of apoptosis-related protein factors. Small white follicles (SWFs) were selected for RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of the transcriptome. Under a long photoperiod, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and Caspase-3 were expressed in the granulosa cell layer and oocytes, respectively. LC3 and Caspase-3 protein expression was increased in SWF and large white follicles (LWFs), and there were more autophagosomes and autolysosomes in granulosa cells. RNA-seq found 93 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the short-photoperiod group, including 55 upregulated DEGs and 38 downregulated DEGs, distributed in 37 gene ontology categories. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes-enriched signaling pathways revealed 5 pathways enriched in upregulated DEGs, including protein digestion and absorption, ECM-receptor interaction and regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, and 4 pathways enriched in downregulated DEGs, such as fatty acid biosynthesis. Ten differentially expressed genes related to extracellular matrix and fatty acid metabolism (THBS2, COL12A1, MRC2, TUBA, COL1A1, COL11A1, HSPG2, FABP, MGLL, and OLAH) may be involved in the photoperiod regulation of follicle development in Zhedong white geese. The differentially expressed genes screened in this study will provide new ideas to further understand the molecular mechanism underlying photoperiod-mediated regulation of follicle development in Zhedong white geese.
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14
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Moralia MA, Quignon C, Simonneaux M, Simonneaux V. Environmental disruption of reproductive rhythms. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 66:100990. [PMID: 35227765 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.100990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Reproduction is a key biological function requiring a precise synchronization with annual and daily cues to cope with environmental fluctuations. Therefore, humans and animals have developed well-conserved photoneuroendocrine pathways to integrate and process daily and seasonal light signals within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. However, in the past century, industrialization and the modern 24/7 human lifestyle have imposed detrimental changes in natural habitats and rhythms of life. Indeed, exposure to an excessive amount of artificial light at inappropriate timing because of shift work and nocturnal urban lighting, as well as the ubiquitous environmental contamination by endocrine-disrupting chemicals, threaten the integrity of the daily and seasonal timing of biological functions. Here, we review recent epidemiological, field and experimental studies to discuss how light and chemical pollution of the environment can disrupt reproductive rhythms by interfering with the photoneuroendocrine timing system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Azélie Moralia
- Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France
| | - Clarisse Quignon
- Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France
| | - Marine Simonneaux
- Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France
| | - Valérie Simonneaux
- Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France.
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15
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Orije JEMJ, Raymaekers SR, Majumdar G, De Groof G, Jonckers E, Ball GF, Verhoye M, Darras VM, Van der Linden A. Unraveling the Role of Thyroid Hormones in Seasonal Neuroplasticity in European Starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris). Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:897039. [PMID: 35836548 PMCID: PMC9275473 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.897039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid hormones clearly play a role in the seasonal regulation of reproduction, but any role they might play in song behavior and the associated seasonal neuroplasticity in songbirds remains to be elucidated. To pursue this question, we first established seasonal patterns in the expression of thyroid hormone regulating genes in male European starlings employing in situ hybridization methods. Thyroid hormone transporter LAT1 expression in the song nucleus HVC was elevated during the photosensitive phase, pointing toward an active role of thyroid hormones during this window of possible neuroplasticity. In contrast, DIO3 expression was high in HVC during the photostimulated phase, limiting the possible effect of thyroid hormones to maintain song stability during the breeding season. Next, we studied the effect of hypothyroidism on song behavior and neuroplasticity using in vivo MRI. Both under natural conditions as with methimazole treatment, circulating thyroid hormone levels decreased during the photosensitive period, which coincided with the onset of neuroplasticity. This inverse relationship between thyroid hormones and neuroplasticity was further demonstrated by the negative correlation between plasma T3 and the microstructural changes in several song control nuclei and cerebellum. Furthermore, maintaining hypothyroidism during the photostimulated period inhibited the increase in testosterone, confirming the role of thyroid hormones in activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. The lack of high testosterone levels influenced the song behavior of hypothyroid starlings, while the lack of high plasma T4 during photostimulation affected the myelination of several tracts. Potentially, a global reduction of circulating thyroid hormones during the photosensitive period is necessary to lift the brake on neuroplasticity imposed by the photorefractory period, whereas local fine-tuning of thyroid hormone concentrations through LAT1 could activate underlying neuroplasticity mechanisms. Whereas, an increase in circulating T4 during the photostimulated period potentially influences the myelination of several white matter tracts, which stabilizes the neuroplastic changes. Given the complexity of thyroid hormone effects, this study is a steppingstone to disentangle the influence of thyroid hormones on seasonal neuroplasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmien E. M. J. Orije
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sander R. Raymaekers
- Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gaurav Majumdar
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Geert De Groof
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Elisabeth Jonckers
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gregory F. Ball
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Marleen Verhoye
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Veerle M. Darras
- Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annemie Van der Linden
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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16
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Kashash Y, Smarsh G, Zilkha N, Yovel Y, Kimchi T. Alone, in the dark: The extraordinary neuroethology of the solitary blind mole rat. eLife 2022; 11:78295. [PMID: 35674717 PMCID: PMC9177142 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
On the social scale, the blind mole rat (BMR; Spalax ehrenbergi) is an extreme. It is exceedingly solitary, territorial, and aggressive. BMRs reside underground, in self-excavated tunnels that they rarely leave. They possess specialized sensory systems for social communication and navigation, which allow them to cope with the harsh environmental conditions underground. This review aims to present the blind mole rat as an ideal, novel neuroethological model for studying aggressive and solitary behaviors. We discuss the BMR's unique behavioral phenotype, particularly in the context of 'anti-social' behaviors, and review the available literature regarding its specialized sensory adaptations to the social and physical habitat. To date, the neurobiology of the blind mole rat remains mostly unknown and holds a promising avenue for scientific discovery. Unraveling the neural basis of the BMR's behavior, in comparison to that of social rodents, can shed important light on the underlying mechanisms of psychiatric disorders in humans, in which similar behaviors are displayed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Kashash
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Grace Smarsh
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.,School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Noga Zilkha
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yossi Yovel
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tali Kimchi
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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17
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Dardente H, Simonneaux V. GnRH and the photoperiodic control of seasonal reproduction: Delegating the task to kisspeptin and RFRP-3. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13124. [PMID: 35384117 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Synchronization of mammalian breeding activity to the annual change of photoperiod and environmental conditions is of the utmost importance for individual survival and species perpetuation. Subsequent to the early 1960s, when the central role of melatonin in this adaptive process was demonstrated, our comprehension of the mechanisms through which light regulates gonadal activity has increased considerably. The current model for the photoperiodic neuroendocrine system points to pivotal roles for the melatonin-sensitive pars tuberalis (PT) and its seasonally-regulated production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), as well as for TSH-sensitive hypothalamic tanycytes, radial glia-like cells located in the basal part of the third ventricle. Tanycytes respond to TSH through increased expression of thyroid hormone (TH) deiodinase 2 (Dio2), which leads to heightened production of intrahypothalamic triiodothyronine (T3) during longer days of spring and summer. There is strong evidence that this local, long-day driven, increase in T3 links melatonin input at the PT to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) output, to align breeding with the seasons. The mechanism(s) through which T3 impinges upon GnRH remain(s) unclear. However, two distinct neuronal populations of the medio-basal hypothalamus, which express the (Arg)(Phe)-amide peptides kisspeptin and RFamide-related peptide-3, appear to be well-positioned to relay this seasonal T3 message towards GnRH neurons. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the cellular, molecular and neuroendocrine players, which keep track of photoperiod and ultimately govern GnRH output and seasonal breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugues Dardente
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, France
| | - Valérie Simonneaux
- Institute for Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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18
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Yamada S, Horiguchi K, Akuzawa M, Sakamaki K, Shimomura Y, Kobayashi I, Andou Y, Yamada M. Seasonal variation in thyroid function in over 7,000 healthy subjects in an iodine-sufficient area and literature review. J Endocr Soc 2022; 6:bvac054. [PMID: 35528829 PMCID: PMC9070835 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvac054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Context Seasonal variation in thyroid function, especially serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels, in healthy subjects remains unclear. Methods We examined thyroid function, including serum FT3 and FT4 levels, in healthy Japanese subjects using data of more than 7,000 health check-up participants and applied the analysis of means with transformed ranks (ANOMTR) to compare each month. In addition, we reviewed reports published in the last 2 decades. Results The median serum thyrotropin (TSH) level was the highest in January (1.61 mIU/L), and the lowest in May (1.16 mIU/L). ANOMTR revealed that serum TSH levels are high in winter and low in summer. Conversely, the median serum FT3 level was higher in July than in other months, and the ANOMTR plot demonstrated serum FT3 levels to be significantly higher in summer and lower in winter. In contrast, serum FT4 levels were more consistent throughout the year, but statistically, those in February and March, October, and November were higher than those in other months. ANOMTR revealed variations in serum FT4 levels to be small through the year but biphasic. Conclusions Taken together with previous reports, our study demonstrated seasonal changes in the serum TSH levels to be high in winter in the northern hemisphere; however, the serum FT3 differed among countries, and those of Japanese, an iodine-sufficient country, were high in summer. In contrast, FT4 levels were more consistent. These changes should be taken into account to precisely evaluate thyroid function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayaka Yamada
- Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Horiguchi
- Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Masanobu Yamada
- Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
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19
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Rousseau K, Dufour S, Sachs LM. Interdependence of Thyroid and Corticosteroid Signaling in Vertebrate Developmental Transitions. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.735487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-embryonic acute developmental processes mainly allow the transition from one life stage in a specific ecological niche to the next life stage in a different ecological niche. Metamorphosis, an emblematic type of these post-embryonic developmental processes, has occurred repeatedly and independently in various phylogenetic groups throughout metazoan evolution, such as in cnidarian, insects, molluscs, tunicates, or vertebrates. This review will focus on metamorphoses and developmental transitions in vertebrates, including typical larval metamorphosis in anuran amphibians, larval and secondary metamorphoses in teleost fishes, egg hatching in sauropsids and birth in mammals. Two neuroendocrine axes, the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal axes, are central players in the regulation of these life transitions. The review will address the molecular and functional evolution of these axes and their interactions. Mechanisms of integration of internal and environmental cues, and activation of these neuroendocrine axes represent key questions in an “eco-evo-devo” perspective of metamorphosis. The roles played by developmental transitions in the innovation, adaptation, and plasticity of life cycles throughout vertebrates will be discussed. In the current context of global climate change and habitat destruction, the review will also address the impact of environmental factors, such as global warming and endocrine disruptors on hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal axes, and regulation of developmental transitions.
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20
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Dardente H, Migaud M. Thyroid hormone and hypothalamic stem cells in seasonal functions. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2021; 116:91-131. [PMID: 33752829 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2021.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Seasonal rhythms are a pervasive feature of most living organisms, which underlie yearly timeliness in breeding, migration, hibernation or weight gain and loss. To achieve this, organisms have developed inner timing devices (circannual clocks) that endow them with the ability to predict then anticipate changes to come, usually using daylength as the proximate cue. In Vertebrates, daylength interpretation involves photoperiodic control of TSH production by the pars tuberalis (PT) of the pituitary, which governs a seasonal switch in thyroid hormone (TH) availability in the neighboring hypothalamus. Tanycytes, specialized glial cells lining the third ventricle (3V), are responsible for this TH output through the opposite, PT-TSH-driven, seasonal control of deiodinases 2/3 (Dio 2/3). Tanycytes comprise a photoperiod-sensitive stem cell niche and TH is known to play major roles in cell proliferation and differentiation, which suggests that seasonal control of tanycyte proliferation may be involved in the photoperiodic synchronization of seasonal rhythms. Here we review our current knowledge of the molecular and neuroendocrine pathway linking photoperiodic information to seasonal changes in physiological functions and discuss the potential implication of tanycytes, TH and cell proliferation in seasonal timing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugues Dardente
- PRC, INRAE, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France.
| | - Martine Migaud
- PRC, INRAE, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
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21
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Boufermes R, Belhocine M, Amirat Z, Khammar F. Assessment of Testicular Lhcgr mRNA Expression Correlated with Testis and Seminal Vesicle Activities in the Libyan jird ( Meriones libycus, Rodentia: Muridae) during Breeding Season Compared with Nonbreeding Season. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020320. [PMID: 33514013 PMCID: PMC7912399 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The breeding periods of desert rodents should be favorable to the survival of small young, conditioned by the availability of food that occurs in the Libyan jird biotope during the long photoperiod and the high temperatures. The Libyan jird (Meriones libycus) were caught in their natural biotope in the Saharan desert in Algeria and showed a seasonal cycle of the testis activity, characterized by the highest peak during spring (the breeding season) and the lowest activity was registered during autumn and winter (nonbreeding season). Lhcgr mRNA expression is increased in autumn and decreased in spring. This expression varied in an opposite manner to testicular and seminal vesicle structures. Abstract The Libyan jird (Meriones libycus, 1823) is a wild desert rodent that is a seasonal breeder species adapted to breed when the environmental conditions can satisfy the energy and hydrous requirements of pregnant and nursing females to ensure that births occur at the most favorable time of the year. We assessed gene expression of testicular luteinizing hormone receptor (Lhcgr) correlated to testis activity. The expression of Lhcgr was evaluated using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR and the testis activity by a histological method in adult male Libyan jirds during the nonbreeding and breeding seasons. Our results showed that Lhcgr mRNA expression increased in autumn during the nonbreeding season and decreased in spring during the breeding season. This expression varied in contrast to testicular structure or function and plasma testosterone levels. These results help to elucidate this desert rodent’s seasonal sexual activity, which is correlated with central regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radia Boufermes
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23000, Algeria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +213-559-853-861
| | - Mansouria Belhocine
- Laboratory of Sciences and Technology of Animal Production, Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University of Mostaganem, Mostaganem 27000, Algeria;
| | - Zaina Amirat
- Arid Lands Research Laboratory, Department of Population and Organisms Biology, Faculty of Biology, Houari Boumediene University of Sciences and Technology (USTHB), Algiers 16111, Algeria; (Z.A.); (F.K.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Benyoucef Benkhedda University of Algiers I, Algiers 16000, Algeria
| | - Farida Khammar
- Arid Lands Research Laboratory, Department of Population and Organisms Biology, Faculty of Biology, Houari Boumediene University of Sciences and Technology (USTHB), Algiers 16111, Algeria; (Z.A.); (F.K.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Benyoucef Benkhedda University of Algiers I, Algiers 16000, Algeria
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22
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Renthlei Z, Hmar L, Kumar Trivedi A. High temperature attenuates testicular responses in tree sparrow (Passer montanus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 301:113654. [PMID: 33129830 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The majority of birds use environmental cues to time their reproduction. Photoperiod is the most dominant cue, but other environmental factors may play a critical role in successful reproduction. Some previous studies show the effect of temperature on the timing of nest building and reproduction. Here we tested if the temperature can modulate the reproductive responses of tree sparrows. Three experiments were performed on adult male birds. In experiment 1, birds (n = 5/group) were exposed to either high (30 ± 2 °C) or low temperature (20 ± 2 °C). Change in body mass, bill color, and testes volume was recorded every 30 days. In experiment 2, a similar temperature protocol was followed, but birds were euthanized after 30 days. In experiment 3, birds were first exposed to SD (8L:16D) for 30 days but either with high (30 ± 2 °C) or low temperature (20 ± 2 °C). After 30 days, birds were exposed to LD (14L:10D), but half of the high-temperature birds were moved to low temperature, and half of the low-temperature birds were moved to high temperature. After 30 days, all birds were euthanized. In experiment 2 and 3 immediately after euthanization birds, blood samples were collected, serum was used for hormone assay. mRNA levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone-β (Tshβ), type 2 deiodinase (Dio2), type 3 deiodinase (Dio3), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) were measured in hypothalamic tissue. Results from experiment 1 show that high temperature attenuates the testicular responses and accelerates the timing of regression. Experiment 2 shows that on day 30, testicular responses are similar, but reproductive genes express differentially in two groups. Experiment 3 shows that exposure to high temperatures during the photosensitive stage affects the testicular response at the poststimulatory state. Together, these findings suggest that high temperature modulates reproductive responses of tree sparrow.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lalruatthara Hmar
- Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, 976004, India
| | - Amit Kumar Trivedi
- Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, 976004, India.
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Fu J, Zhang G, Xu P, Guo R, Li J, Guan H, Li Y. Seasonal Changes of Thyroid Function Parameters in Women of Reproductive Age Between 2012 and 2018: A Retrospective, Observational, Single-Center Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:719225. [PMID: 34539571 PMCID: PMC8443767 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.719225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid function can be influenced by external stimuli such as light and temperature. However, it is currently unknown whether there is seasonal variation of thyroid function in women of reproductive age. Adequate thyroid function in reproductive-aged women is necessary for optimal fetal-maternal outcomes. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the seasonal changes in levels of thyrotropin (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and TSH index (TSHI) in women of reproductive age. METHODS A large retrospective study was conducted that included women aged 20-49 years who visited our outpatient or checkup center between 2012 and 2018. Thyroid function was measured using the automated immunochemiluminescent assay kit. Subjects with overt thyroid dysfunction, pregnancy, thyroid disease, cancer, and severe infectious or psychological disease were excluded. Seasonal differences of thyroid function were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test or the analysis of means with transformed ranks. Spearman's correlation was performed to evaluate the association between thyroid function parameters and age. A subset of 181 subjects was included in the longitudinal analyses. Differences in thyroid function between summer and winter were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS A total of 48,990 women with a median age of 39 years were included. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was lower in summer but higher in winter (5.6% vs. 7.0%, p < 0.05). The TSH, FT3, and FT4 levels and TSHI reached a peak in winter, while they declined to trough in summer. The TSH concentrations (r = 0.044, p < 0.001) and TSHI (r = 0.025, p < 0.001) were positively correlated with age, whereas FT3 (r = -0.073, p < 0.001) and FT4 (r = -0.059, p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with age. The associations of thyroid parameters with age were similar between subjects with positive thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and those with negative TPOAb. In the matched longitudinal analysis of 181 subjects, no differences were detected in the thyroid parameters between summer and winter. CONCLUSIONS This retrospective single-center study showed that thyroid hormone levels and central sensitivity to thyroid hormones are influenced by age and seasonal fluctuations among women of reproductive age, while their impact on reproductive health remains to be elucidated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinrong Fu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guofeng Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Pei Xu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiarong Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haixia Guan
- Department of Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Haixia Guan, ; Yushu Li,
| | - Yushu Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Haixia Guan, ; Yushu Li,
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Korf HW, Møller M. Arcuate nucleus, median eminence, and hypophysial pars tuberalis. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 180:227-251. [PMID: 34225932 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-820107-7.00015-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The arcuate nucleus (ARC) is located in the mediobasal hypothalamus and forms a morphological and functional entity with the median eminence (ME), the ARC-ME. The ARC comprises several distinct types of neurons controlling prolactin release, food intake, and metabolism as well as reproduction and onset of puberty. The ME lacks a blood-brain barrier and provides an entry for peripheral signals (nutrients, leptin, ghrelin). ARC neurons are adjacent to the wall of the third ventricle. This facilitates the exchange of signals from and to the cerebrospinal fluid. The ventricular wall is composed of tanycytes that serve different functions. Axons of ARC neurons contribute to the tuberoinfundibular tract terminating in the ME on the hypophysial portal vessels (HPV) and establish one of the neurohumoral links between the hypothalamus and the pituitary. ARC neurons are reciprocally connected with several other hypothalamic nuclei, the brainstem, and reward pathways. The hypophysial pars tuberalis (PT) is attached to the ME and the HPV. The PT, an important interface of the neuroendocrine system, is mandatory for the control of seasonal functions. This contribution provides an update of our knowledge about the ARC-ME complex and the PT which, inter alia, is needed to understand the pathophysiology of metabolic diseases and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Horst-Werner Korf
- Center for Anatomy and Brain Research, Institute for Anatomy, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Morten Møller
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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25
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Szpręgiel I, Wronska D. The role of photoperiod and melatonin in the control of seasonal reproduction in mammals. ROCZNIKI NAUKOWE POLSKIEGO TOWARZYSTWA ZOOTECHNICZNEGO 2020. [DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0014.6071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
<b>Melatonin secreted by pineal cells is a hormone whose biosynthesis is coordinated by neurons of the master clock located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), characterized by the generation of a 24-hour rhythm. In many species of mammals, fluctuations in melatonin secretion affect reproductive functions, e.g. by regulating the frequency and amount of pulsatile secretion of hypothalamic and gonadotropic hormones. Seasonal breeding is a common adaptive strategy among mammals, allowing them to reproduce during the periods of the year that are most favourable for the later survival and growth of the offspring. This type of reproduction is characteristic of sheep, with winter reproductive activity, and hamsters, with summer reproductive activity. In these animals, melatonin synthesis is largely regulated by the photoperiod, which indirectly influences the period of reproductive activity or passivity. The aim of this study was to gather available knowledge on melatonin as a key element controlling seasonal reproduction. The paper presents the general shape of the circadian rhythm and the neuroendocrine mechanism regulating animal reproduction depending on the variable photoperiod. The collected results suggest that melatonin, kisspeptins, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), sex hormones and thyroid hormones participate in the regulation of seasonal reproduction in mammals. </b>
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Szpręgiel
- University of Agriculture in Krakow Faculty of Animal Sciences Department of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology
| | - Danuta Wronska
- University of Agriculture in Krakow Faculty of Animal Sciences Department of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology
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26
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Xia Q, Di R, He XY, Wei CH, Chu MX. Expression analysis of DIO2, EYA3, KISS1 and GPR54 genes in year-round estrous and seasonally estrous rams. Arch Anim Breed 2020; 63:451-460. [PMID: 33473370 PMCID: PMC7810231 DOI: 10.5194/aab-63-451-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression characteristics of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis-related candidate genes, DIO2, EYA3, KISS1 and GPR54, were analyzed in year-round estrous rams (small-tail Han sheep, STH) and seasonally estrous rams (Sunite sheep, SNT) using qPCR. The results were as follows: DIO2 was mainly expressed in pituitary, and KISS1 was specifically expressed in hypothalamus in the two groups. However, EYA3 and GPR54 were widely expressed in the cerebrum, cerebellum, hypothalamus, pituitary, testis, epididymis, vas deferens and adrenal gland tissues in both breeds, with significant differences in the cerebellum, hypothalamus, pituitary, testis and vas deferens tissues. We speculated that DIO2 and KISS1 may have positive roles in different regions in ram year-round estrus. Moreover, the expression patterns of EYA3 and GPR54 suggested that they may regulate the estrous mode of ram via testis and vas deferens. This is the first study to systematically analyze the expression patterns of HPG axis-related genes in rams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Xia
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Ran Di
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Xiao-Yun He
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Cai-Hong Wei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Ming-Xing Chu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
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27
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Tolla E, Stevenson TJ. Photoperiod-induced changes in hypothalamic de novo DNA methyltransferase expression are independent of triiodothyronine in female Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 299:113604. [PMID: 32866475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Many temperate zone animals engage in seasonal reproductive physiology and behavior as a strategy to maximise the propagation of the species. The hypothalamus integrates environmental cues and hormonal signalling to optimize the timing of reproduction. Recent work has revealed that epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, vary across seasonal reproductive states. Multiple hormones act in the hypothalamus to permit or inhibit reproductive physiology, and the increase in thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) has been implicated in the initiation of breeding in many species. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of T3 on the photoperiod-dependent regulation of reproductive physiology and hypothalamic DNA methyltransferase enzyme expression in female Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). We tested the hypothesis that T3 in short days (SD) would stimulate hypothalamic Rfrp3 and de novo DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) expression in female Siberian hamsters. 10 weeks of SD lengths induced a decrease in body and uterine mass. Hamsters maintained in SD were found to express lower levels of GnRH, Rfrp3, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b. Two weeks of daily T3 injections did not affect body mass, uterine mass, Gnrh, Rfrp3, Dnmt3a or Dnmt3b expression in neuroendocrine tissues. SD significantly lowered Tshβ mRNA expression and T3 reduced Tshβ in LD hamsters. Our data indicate sex-dependent effects of T3 for the neuroendocrine regulation of seasonal reproduction in hamsters.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Tolla
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - T J Stevenson
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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28
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Salamon A. Factors affecting the production of double-yolked eggs. WORLD POULTRY SCI J 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/00439339.2020.1830011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Attila Salamon
- MTA-ELTE Comparative Ethology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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29
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Paus R, Ramot Y, Kirsner RS, Tomic-Canic M. Topical L-thyroxine: The Cinderella among hormones waiting to dance on the floor of dermatological therapy? Exp Dermatol 2020; 29:910-923. [PMID: 32682336 PMCID: PMC7722149 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Topical hormone therapy with natural or synthetic ligands of nuclear hormone receptors such as glucocorticoids, vitamin D analogues and retinoids has a long and highly successful tradition in dermatology. Yet the dermatological potential of thyroid hormone receptor (TR) agonists has been widely ignored, despite abundant clinical, cell and molecular biology, mouse in vivo, and human skin and hair follicle organ culture data documenting a role of TR-mediated signalling in skin physiology and pathology. Here, we review this evidence, with emphasis on wound healing and hair growth, and specifically highlight the therapeutic potential of repurposing topical L-thyroxine (T4) for selected applications in future dermatological therapy. We underscore the known systemic safety and efficacy profile of T4 in clinical medicine, and the well-documented impact of thyroid hormones on, for example, human epidermal and hair follicle physiology, hair follicle epithelial stem cells and pigmentation, keratin expression, mitochondrial energy metabolism and wound healing. On this background, we argue that short-term topical T4 treatment deserves careful further preclinical and clinical exploration for repurposing as a low-cost, effective and widely available dermatotherapeutic, namely in the management of skin ulcers and telogen effluvium, and that its predictable adverse effects are well-manageable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Paus
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Centre for Dermatology Research, University of Manchester & NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester, UK
- Monasterium Laboratory, Münster, Germany
| | - Yuval Ramot
- Department of Dermatology, Hadassah Medical Center, The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Robert S. Kirsner
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Marjana Tomic-Canic
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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30
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Hanlon C, Ramachandran R, Zuidhof MJ, Bédécarrats GY. Should I Lay or Should I Grow: Photoperiodic Versus Metabolic Cues in Chickens. Front Physiol 2020; 11:707. [PMID: 32670092 PMCID: PMC7332832 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
While photoperiod has been generally accepted as the primary if not the exclusive cue to stimulate reproduction in photoperiodic breeders such as the laying hen, current knowledge suggests that metabolism, and/or body composition can also play an influential role to control the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal (HPG)-axis. This review thus intends to first describe how photoperiodic and metabolic cues can impact the HPG axis, then explore and propose potential common pathways and mechanisms through which both cues could be integrated. Photostimulation refers to a perceived increase in day-length resulting in the stimulation of the HPG. While photoreceptors are present in the retina of the eye and the pineal gland, it is the deep brain photoreceptors (DBPs) located in the hypothalamus that have been identified as the potential mediators of photostimulation, including melanopsin (OPN4), neuropsin (OPN5), and vertebrate-ancient opsin (VA-Opsin). Here, we present the current state of knowledge surrounding these DBPs, along with their individual and relative importance and, their possible downstream mechanisms of action to initiate the activation of the HPG axis. On the metabolic side, specific attention is placed on the hypothalamic integration of appetite control with the stimulatory (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone; GnRH) and inhibitory (Gonadotropin Inhibitory Hormone; GnIH) neuropeptides involved in the control of the HPG axis. Specifically, the impact of orexigenic peptides agouti-related peptide (AgRP), and neuropeptide Y (NPY), as well as the anorexigenic peptides pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), and cocaine-and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) is reviewed. Furthermore, beyond hypothalamic control, several metabolic factors involved in the control of body weight and composition are also presented as possible modulators of reproduction at all three levels of the HPG axis. These include peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) for its impact in liver metabolism during the switch from growth to reproduction, adiponectin as a potential modulator of ovarian development and follicular maturation, as well as growth hormone (GH), and leptin (LEP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlene Hanlon
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Ramesh Ramachandran
- Center for Reproductive Biology and Health, Department of Animal Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Martin J. Zuidhof
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Majumdar G, Yadav G, Hamaide J, Coussement L, De Meyer T, Verhoye M, Vanden Berghe W, Van Der Linden A, Balthazart J. Molecular correlates of hypothalamic development in songbird ontogeny in comparison with the telencephalon. FASEB J 2020; 34:4997-5015. [PMID: 32052887 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902477r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Development of the songbird brain provides an excellent experimental model for understanding the regulation of sex differences in ontogeny. Considering the regulatory role of the hypothalamus in endocrine, in particular reproductive, physiology, we measured the structural (volume) and molecular correlates of hypothalamic development during ontogeny of male and female zebra finches. We quantified by relative quantitative polymerase chain reaction (rqPCR) the expression of 14 genes related to thyroid and steroid hormones actions as well as 12 genes related to brain plasticity at four specific time points during ontogeny and compared these expression patterns with the expression of the same genes as detected by transcriptomics in the telencephalon. These two different methodological approaches detected specific changes with age and demonstrated that in a substantial number of cases changes observed in both brain regions are nearly identical. Other genes however had a tissue-specific developmental pattern. Sex differences or interactions of sex by age were detected in the expression of a subset of genes, more in hypothalamus than telencephalon. These results correlate with multiple known aspects of the developmental and reproductive physiology but also raise a number of new functional questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Majumdar
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Garima Yadav
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Julie Hamaide
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Louis Coussement
- Biobix: Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim De Meyer
- Biobix: Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marleen Verhoye
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling (PPES), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Annemie Van Der Linden
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jacques Balthazart
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, GIGA Neuroscience, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
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32
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Morris KM, Hindle MM, Boitard S, Burt DW, Danner AF, Eory L, Forrest HL, Gourichon D, Gros J, Hillier LW, Jaffredo T, Khoury H, Lansford R, Leterrier C, Loudon A, Mason AS, Meddle SL, Minvielle F, Minx P, Pitel F, Seiler JP, Shimmura T, Tomlinson C, Vignal A, Webster RG, Yoshimura T, Warren WC, Smith J. The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response. BMC Biol 2020; 18:14. [PMID: 32050986 PMCID: PMC7017630 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-020-0743-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) is a popular domestic poultry species and an increasingly significant model species in avian developmental, behavioural and disease research. RESULTS We have produced a high-quality quail genome sequence, spanning 0.93 Gb assigned to 33 chromosomes. In terms of contiguity, assembly statistics, gene content and chromosomal organisation, the quail genome shows high similarity to the chicken genome. We demonstrate the utility of this genome through three diverse applications. First, we identify selection signatures and candidate genes associated with social behaviour in the quail genome, an important agricultural and domestication trait. Second, we investigate the effects and interaction of photoperiod and temperature on the transcriptome of the quail medial basal hypothalamus, revealing key mechanisms of photoperiodism. Finally, we investigate the response of quail to H5N1 influenza infection. In quail lung, many critical immune genes and pathways were downregulated after H5N1 infection, and this may be key to the susceptibility of quail to H5N1. CONCLUSIONS We have produced a high-quality genome of the quail which will facilitate further studies into diverse research questions using the quail as a model avian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina M Morris
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Matthew M Hindle
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Simon Boitard
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31326, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - David W Burt
- The John Hay Building, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, The University of Queensland, QLD, St Lucia, 4072, Australia
| | - Angela F Danner
- Virology Division, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Lel Eory
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Heather L Forrest
- Virology Division, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - David Gourichon
- PEAT Pôle d'Expérimentation Avicole de Tours, Centre de recherche Val de Loire, INRAE, 1295, Nouzilly, UE, France
| | - Jerome Gros
- Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Cedex 15, Paris, France
- CNRS URA3738, 25 rue du Dr Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - LaDeana W Hillier
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, 4444 Forest Park Blvd, St Louis, MO, 63108, USA
| | - Thierry Jaffredo
- CNRS UMR7622, Inserm U 1156, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, Sorbonne Université, IBPS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Hanane Khoury
- CNRS UMR7622, Inserm U 1156, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, Sorbonne Université, IBPS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Rusty Lansford
- Department of Radiology and Developmental Neuroscience Program, Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Christine Leterrier
- UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE, CNRS, Université François Rabelais, IFCE, INRAE, Val de Loire, 37380, Nouzilly, Centre, France
| | - Andrew Loudon
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, 3.001, A.V. Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Andrew S Mason
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Simone L Meddle
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Francis Minvielle
- GABI, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Patrick Minx
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, 4444 Forest Park Blvd, St Louis, MO, 63108, USA
| | - Frédérique Pitel
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31326, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - J Patrick Seiler
- Virology Division, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Tsuyoshi Shimmura
- Department of Biological Production, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-8-1 Harumi-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8538, Japan
| | - Chad Tomlinson
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, 4444 Forest Park Blvd, St Louis, MO, 63108, USA
| | - Alain Vignal
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31326, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Robert G Webster
- Virology Division, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Takashi Yoshimura
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Wesley C Warren
- Department of Animal Sciences, Department of Surgery, Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Bond Life Sciences Center, 1201 Rollins Street, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Jacqueline Smith
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
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Nabi G, Hao Y, Liu X, Sun Y, Wang Y, Jiang C, Li J, Wu Y, Li D. Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis Crosstalk With the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis and Metabolic Regulation in the Eurasian Tree Sparrow During Mating and Non-mating Periods. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:303. [PMID: 32547486 PMCID: PMC7272604 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproduction is an energetically costly phenomenon. Therefore, to optimize reproductive success, male birds invest enough energetic resources for maintaining well-developed testes. The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in birds can crosstalk with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, thus orchestrating both the reproduction and metabolism. However, until now, how the free-living birds timely optimize both the energy metabolism and reproduction via HPT-axis is not understood. To uncover this physiological mechanism, we investigated the relationships among body mass, testis size, plasma hormones including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), metabolites including glucose (Glu), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), uric acid (UA), diencephalon mRNA expressions of type 2 (Dio2) and 3 (Dio3) iodothyronine deiodinase enzymes, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), gonadotropin-releasing hormone I (GnRH-I), and gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) in a male Eurasian tree sparrow (ETS, Passer montanus). We found significantly larger testis size; elevated diencephalon Dio2 and TRH mRNA expressions, plasma T3, and UA levels; and significantly lowered Glu, TG, and TC levels during mating relative to the non-mating stages in male ETSs. However, Dio3, TSH, GnRH-I, and GnIH mRNA expression did not vary with the stage. Furthermore, life-history stage dependent variation in plasma T3 had both direct effects on the available energy substrates and indirect effects on body mass and testis size, indicating a complex regulation of metabolic pathways through the HPT- and HPG-axes. The identified differences and relationships in mRNA expression, plasma T3 and metabolites, and testis size in male ETSs contribute to our understanding how free-living birds adjust their molecular, endocrinal, and biochemical features to orchestrate their reproductive physiology and metabolism for the maintenance of well-developed testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Nabi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yinchao Hao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Functional Laboratory, Experimental Center for Teaching, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xuelu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yanfeng Sun
- Ocean College, Hebei Agricultural University, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Juyong Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuefeng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Dongming Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- *Correspondence: Dongming Li
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Lormant F, Cornilleau F, Constantin P, Meurisse M, Lansade L, Leterrier C, Lévy F, Calandreau L. Research Note: Role of the hippocampus in spatial memory in Japanese quail. Poult Sci 2019; 99:61-66. [PMID: 32416848 PMCID: PMC7587872 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Japanese quail is a powerful model to characterize behavioral, physiological, and neurobiological processes in Galliformes. Behavioral tests have already been adapted for quail to assess memory systems, but despite the pivotal role of the hippocampus in this cognitive process, its involvement in spatial memory has not been demonstrated in this species. In this study, lesions were created in the hippocampus of Japanese quail, and both lesioned and control quail were tested for spatial and cue-based learning performances. These hippocampal lesions specifically impacted spatial learning performance, but spared learning performance when birds could solve the task using their cue-based memory. These findings, thus, highlight that the hippocampus plays a crucial role and is essential for spatial declarative memory. Future studies could aim to elucidate the cellular or molecular mechanisms involved in this form of memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flore Lormant
- INRA, UMR 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France CNRS, UMR 7247, F-37380 Nouzilly, France Université François Rabelais, F-37041 Tours, France; IFCE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Fabien Cornilleau
- INRA, UMR 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France CNRS, UMR 7247, F-37380 Nouzilly, France Université François Rabelais, F-37041 Tours, France; IFCE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Paul Constantin
- INRA, UMR 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France CNRS, UMR 7247, F-37380 Nouzilly, France Université François Rabelais, F-37041 Tours, France; IFCE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Maryse Meurisse
- INRA, UMR 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France CNRS, UMR 7247, F-37380 Nouzilly, France Université François Rabelais, F-37041 Tours, France; IFCE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Léa Lansade
- INRA, UMR 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France CNRS, UMR 7247, F-37380 Nouzilly, France Université François Rabelais, F-37041 Tours, France; IFCE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Christine Leterrier
- INRA, UMR 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France CNRS, UMR 7247, F-37380 Nouzilly, France Université François Rabelais, F-37041 Tours, France; IFCE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Frédéric Lévy
- INRA, UMR 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France CNRS, UMR 7247, F-37380 Nouzilly, France Université François Rabelais, F-37041 Tours, France; IFCE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Ludovic Calandreau
- INRA, UMR 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France CNRS, UMR 7247, F-37380 Nouzilly, France Université François Rabelais, F-37041 Tours, France; IFCE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France.
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Differential expression and immunoreactivity of thyroid hormone transporters MCT8 and OATP1C1 in rat ovary. Acta Histochem 2019; 121:151440. [PMID: 31561916 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2019.151440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) regulate several physiological processes in female mammals, many of which are related to reproduction such as steroidogenesis in the ovary, oocyte and granulosa cells maturation, follicular development and differentiation, and ovulation. THs actions require the presence of THs transporters to facilitate their cellular uptake and efflux. MCT8 and OATP1C1 are the principal THs transporters. The aim of the present study was to determine the gene expression and cellular localization of MCT8 and OATP1C1 in the rat ovary during the diestrus-II cycle phase. Ovaries of virgin adult rats were histologically processed. Reverse Transcription-PCR and immunohistochemistry analyses for MCT8 and OATP1C1 were done. MCT8 gene expression level was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) than that of OATP1C1 in the rat ovary. MCT8 and OATP1C1 were found in all types of ovarian cells but with different immunoreactivity. MCT8 showed stronger immunoreactivity in tertiary and Graafian follicles, corpus luteum and blood vessels, whereas OATP1C1's immunoreactivity was stronger in stroma cells, tunica albuginea, and blood vessels. Our results provide evidence that THs and their transporters are both necessary for ovarian function and that any alteration in these transporters could interfere with reproductive processes such as ovulation and steroidogenesis, compromising fertility.
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Valle S, Das C, Meddle SL, Deviche P. The effect of food restriction on the regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in male house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 282:113196. [PMID: 31163182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Seasonal activation of the vertebrate hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and gonadal development is initiated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone-I (GnRH) release from the hypothalamus. In photoperiodic species, the consistent annual change in photoperiod is the primary environmental signal affecting GnRH cell activity, including changes in the synthesis and secretion of this neuropeptide. Non-photoperiodic environmental cues such as energy availability also influence HPG axis activity, but the mechanisms mediating this influence, in particular on the GnRH system, are unclear. Understanding how the neuroendocrine system integrates environmental information is critical in determining the plasticity and adaptability of physiological responses to changing environments. The primary objective of this study was to investigate GnRH-mediated changes in HPG axis activity and gonadal development in response to energy availability in a wild bird. We hypothesized that negative energy balance inhibits HPG axis activity by affecting GnRH secretion. Moderate food restriction for several weeks in male house finches, Haemorhous mexicanus, decreased body condition and inhibited photoinduced testicular growth compared to birds fed ad libitum. Food restriction did not affect plasma luteinizing hormone (LH; a correlate of GnRH release) or plasma testosterone, but it enhanced the plasma LH response to an injection of the glutamatergic agonist, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). Thus, food restriction may decrease photoinduced HPG axis activation by acting centrally, in particular by attenuating the release of accumulated GnRH stores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley Valle
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA.
| | - Chandrima Das
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA
| | - Simone L Meddle
- The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK
| | - Pierre Deviche
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA
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Red light at night permits the nocturnal rise of melatonin production in horses. Vet J 2019; 252:105360. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.105360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Laine VN, Verhagen I, Mateman AC, Pijl A, Williams TD, Gienapp P, van Oers K, Visser ME. Exploration of tissue-specific gene expression patterns underlying timing of breeding in contrasting temperature environments in a song bird. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:693. [PMID: 31477015 PMCID: PMC6720064 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6043-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seasonal timing of breeding is a life history trait with major fitness consequences but the genetic basis of the physiological mechanism underlying it, and how gene expression is affected by date and temperature, is not well known. In order to study this, we measured patterns of gene expression over different time points in three different tissues of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal-liver axis, and investigated specifically how temperature affects this axis during breeding. We studied female great tits (Parus major) from lines artificially selected for early and late timing of breeding that were housed in two contrasting temperature environments in climate-controlled aviaries. We collected hypothalamus, liver and ovary samples at three different time points (before and after onset of egg-laying). For each tissue, we sequenced whole transcriptomes of 12 pools (n = 3 females) to analyse gene expression. RESULTS Birds from the selection lines differed in expression especially for one gene with clear reproductive functions, zona pellucida glycoprotein 4 (ZP4), which has also been shown to be under selection in these lines. Genes were differentially expressed at different time points in all tissues and most of the differentially expressed genes between the two temperature treatments were found in the liver. We identified a set of hub genes from all the tissues which showed high association to hormonal functions, suggesting that they have a core function in timing of breeding. We also found ample differentially expressed genes with largely unknown functions in birds. CONCLUSIONS We found differentially expressed genes associated with selection line and temperature treatment. Interestingly, the latter mainly in the liver suggesting that temperature effects on egg-laying date may happen down-stream in the physiological pathway. These findings, as well as our datasets, will further the knowledge of the mechanisms of tissue-specific avian seasonality in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika N. Laine
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), P.O. Box 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Irene Verhagen
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), P.O. Box 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - A. Christa Mateman
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), P.O. Box 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Agata Pijl
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), P.O. Box 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tony D. Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Phillip Gienapp
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), P.O. Box 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kees van Oers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), P.O. Box 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel E. Visser
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), P.O. Box 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Qiao H, Jiang S, Xiong Y, Fu H, Zhang W, Wang Y, Gong Y, Jin S, Wu Y. Integrated analysis of differentially expressed microRNAs and mRNAs to screen miRNAs and genes related to reproduction in Macrobrachium nipponense. 3 Biotech 2019; 9:327. [PMID: 31406649 PMCID: PMC6689314 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-019-1847-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Female Macrobrachium nipponense has the characteristic of short sexual maturity during the breeding season, which can increase breeding risk and lead to prevalent female individual miniaturization. In this study, we characterized micro (mi)RNA-seq data of the eyestalk (E) and cerebral ganglia (B) of female M. nipponense during breeding and non-breeding seasons. A total of 393 and 189 differentially expressed miRNAs (DE miRNAs) were identified in BSE vs. NBSE and BSB vs. NBSB, respectively. The most abundant up- and down-regulated DE miRNAs were miR-124, miR-14, and miR-7. Enrichment analysis showed that DE miRNA target genes were mainly involved in 'metabolic process' and 'binding', and were associated with 'neurohormonal regulation' and 'photoreceptor activity' signaling pathways. Integrated analysis of miRNA-mRNA expression showed that the most abundant DE miRNAs were miR-14 and miR-278 in BSE vs. NBSE and BSB vs. NBSB, respectively. Four pairs of DE miRNAs and their corresponding target annotated genes were selected from the DE miRNA-mRNA interaction network (bmo-miR-316-5p/opsin protein, ame-miR-125/skeletal muscle actin 8, dmo-miR-278/sugar transporter, and tca-miR-3885-5p/5-HT1 receptor). Gene expression analysis of these four pairs in different ovary development stages showed their potential regulatory roles in ovary maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Sufei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yiwei Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongtuo Fu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yabing Wang
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongsheng Gong
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shubo Jin
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081 People’s Republic of China
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Zhu HX, Hu MD, Guo BB, Qu XL, Lei MM, Chen R, Chen Z, Shi ZD. Effect and molecular regulatory mechanism of monochromatic light colors on the egg-laying performance of Yangzhou geese. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 204:131-139. [PMID: 30954314 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Photoperiodic control is essential for manipulating the reproductive performance of avian species. This study was conducted to assess the neuroendocrine mechanisms that regulate reproductive functions of Yangzhou geese when there are different monochromatic light colors from light emitter diode (LED) sources. A flock of geese was divided into four groups with white, red, blue, and green light treatments being imposed. The results indicated that peak laying rates and reproductive performance were greater in geese treated with white or red as compared with blue or green light treatments. The fertilization rate of eggs and hatchability of fertilized eggs were greater with the white or red as compared with blue or green light treatments. There was a greater abundance of OPN5, Dio2, c-Fos, and GnRH-I mRNA in the hypothalamus earlier in the treatment period and abundances of these hypothalamic factors were greater with the white or red light treatments. Abundances of pituitary LH beta and FSH beta mRNA increased at a lesser rate with the blue or green light treatments and were in greater abundances with the white or red light treatments. The lighting regimen also resulted in photo-refractoriness with there being greater abundances of GnIH, VIP, and PRL mRNA with the use of white or red light treatments. The results indicate that the use of white or red monochromatic lights while imposing a long photoperiod of 11 h daily could result in sustaining functions of the reproductive system of Yangzhou geese for considerably longer times, thus, resulting in greater egg-laying performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- H X Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210014, China; Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - M D Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210014, China; Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - B B Guo
- College of Engineering, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210031, China
| | - X L Qu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210014, China; Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - M M Lei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210014, China; Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - R Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210014, China; Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - Z Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210014, China; Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - Z D Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210014, China; Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China; Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
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Murphy BA. Circadian and Circannual Regulation in the Horse: Internal Timing in an Elite Athlete. J Equine Vet Sci 2019; 76:14-24. [PMID: 31084748 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Biological rhythms evolved to provide temporal coordination across all tissues and organs and allow synchronization of physiology with predictable environmental cycles. Most important of these are circadian and circannual rhythms, primarily regulated via photoperiod signals from the retina. Understanding the nature of physiological rhythms in horses is crucially important for equine management. Predominantly, they have been removed from exposure to their natural environmental stimuli; the seasonally changing photoperiod, continuous foraging and feeding activity, social herd interactions, and the continuous low-intensity exercise of a grassland dweller. These have been replaced in many cases with confined indoor housing, regimental feeding and exercise times, social isolation, and exposure to lighting that is often erratic and does not come close to mimicking the spectral composition of sunlight. Man has further altered seasonal timing cues through the use of artificial lighting programs that impact reproductive behavior, breeding efficiency, and the development of youngstock. Understanding how these new environmental cues (some stronger and some weaker) impact the internal physiology of the horse in the context of the natural endogenous rhythms that evolved over millennia is key to helping to improve equine health, welfare, and performance, now and into the future. This review provides an overview of the field, highlights the recent discoveries related to biological timing in horses, and discusses the implications that these findings may have for the production and management of the elite equine athlete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara A Murphy
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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Tian F, Liu S, Shi J, Qi H, Zhao K, Xie B. Transcriptomic profiling reveals molecular regulation of seasonal reproduction in Tibetan highland fish, Gymnocypris przewalskii. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:2. [PMID: 30606119 PMCID: PMC6318897 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5358-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Tibetan highland fish, Gymnocypris przewalskii, migrates from Lake Qinghai to its spawning grounds every summer. This seasonal reproduction is critically regulated by intrinsic and extrinsic signals. However, the molecular mechanisms that process environmental oscillations to initiate the seasonal mating are largely unknown. RESULTS A transcriptomic analysis was conducted on the brain and gonad of male and female G. przewalskii in reproductive and nonreproductive seasons. We obtained 2034, 760, 1158 and 17,856 differentially expressed genes between the reproductively active and dormant female brain, male brain, ovary and testis. Among these genes, DIO2 was upregulated in the reproductively active brain and gonad of both males and females. Neuroactive ligand-receptor genes were activated in male and female brain. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that retinol metabolism was uniquely stimulated in reproductively active males. Genes involved in GnRH signaling and sex hormone synthesis exhibited higher expression levels in brain and gonad during the reproductive season. A co-expression network classified all the genes into 9 modules. The network pinpointed CDC42 as the hub gene that connected the pathways in responsible for modulating reproduction in G. przewalskii. Meanwhile, the sex pheromone receptor gene prostaglandin receptor was identified to link to multiple endocrine receptors, such as GnRHR2 in the network. CONCLUSIONS The current study profiled transcriptomic variations between reproductively active and dormant fish, highlighting the potential regulatory mechanisms of seasonal reproduction in G. przewalskii. Our data suggested that the seasonal regulation of reproduction in G. przewalskii was controlled by the external stimulation of photoperiodic variations. The activated transcription of neuroendocrine and sex hormone synthesis genes contributed to seasonal reproduction regulation in G. przewalskii, which was presumably influenced by the increased day-length during the breeding season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Tian
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Qinghai Province Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Sijia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Qinghai Province Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jianquan Shi
- The Rescue and Rehabilitation Center of Naked Carps in Lake Qinghai, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Hongfang Qi
- The Rescue and Rehabilitation Center of Naked Carps in Lake Qinghai, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Qinghai Province Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China.
| | - Baosheng Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, College of Ecol-Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, China.
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Wang YJ, Jia GX, Yan RG, Guo SC, Tian F, Ma JB, Zhang RN, Li C, Zhang LZ, Du YR, Yang QE. Testosterone-retinoic acid signaling directs spermatogonial differentiation and seasonal spermatogenesis in the Plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae). Theriogenology 2019; 123:74-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Zhu H, Liu X, Hu M, Lei M, Chen Z, Ying S, Yu J, Dai Z, Shi Z. Endocrine and molecular regulation mechanisms of the reproductive system of Hungarian White geese investigated under two artificial photoperiodic programs. Theriogenology 2019; 123:167-176. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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45
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Simonneaux V. A Kiss to drive rhythms in reproduction. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 51:509-530. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Simonneaux
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et IntégrativesCNRSUniversité de Strasbourg Strasbourg France
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Cipolla-Neto J, Amaral FGD. Melatonin as a Hormone: New Physiological and Clinical Insights. Endocr Rev 2018; 39:990-1028. [PMID: 30215696 DOI: 10.1210/er.2018-00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 305] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin is a ubiquitous molecule present in almost every live being from bacteria to humans. In vertebrates, besides being produced in peripheral tissues and acting as an autocrine and paracrine signal, melatonin is centrally synthetized by a neuroendocrine organ, the pineal gland. Independently of the considered species, pineal hormone melatonin is always produced during the night and its production and secretory episode duration are directly dependent on the length of the night. As its production is tightly linked to the light/dark cycle, melatonin main hormonal systemic integrative action is to coordinate behavioral and physiological adaptations to the environmental geophysical day and season. The circadian signal is dependent on its daily production regularity, on the contrast between day and night concentrations, and on specially developed ways of action. During its daily secretory episode, melatonin coordinates the night adaptive physiology through immediate effects and primes the day adaptive responses through prospective effects that will only appear at daytime, when melatonin is absent. Similarly, the annual history of the daily melatonin secretory episode duration primes the central nervous/endocrine system to the seasons to come. Remarkably, maternal melatonin programs the fetuses' behavior and physiology to cope with the environmental light/dark cycle and season after birth. These unique ways of action turn melatonin into a biological time-domain-acting molecule. The present review focuses on the above considerations, proposes a putative classification of clinical melatonin dysfunctions, and discusses general guidelines to the therapeutic use of melatonin.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Cipolla-Neto
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Pal S, Verma R, Kumar J, Haldar C. Photoperiod modulates oestrogen status, insulin interposed glucose uptake and connexin-43 in testes of golden hamster, Mesocricetus auratus. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2018.1548874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sriparna Pal
- Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Rakesh Verma
- Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Jitendra Kumar
- Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Chandana Haldar
- Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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Hicks A, Healy E, Sandeman N, Feelisch M, Wilkinson T. A time for everything and everything in its time - exploring the mechanisms underlying seasonality of COPD exacerbations. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2018; 13:2739-2749. [PMID: 30233164 PMCID: PMC6130531 DOI: 10.2147/copd.s146015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Across Europe, COPD affects 23 million people leading to annual health care costs of ~€25.1 billion. This burden is particularly severe during winter months in association with the peak incidence of exacerbation events. Seasonal variation in the health status of patients with COPD places additional and often critical pressure on already strained health care resources. COPD exacerbations are characterized by worsening day-to-day symptoms of an individual and often triggered by respiratory infections, but the process by which this occurs in a seasonal fashion is likely to be multifactorial. In this review, we discuss recent population studies that highlight the impact of seasonality in COPD and review the proposed biological mechanisms underlying this. An appraisal of the role of the host susceptibility and response, environmental triggers and the biology of respiratory pathogens is detailed. The impact of each aspect is considered, and an integrated model of the context for the whole individual and society in general is explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Hicks
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton - Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK, .,Southampton NIHR Respiratory Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK, .,National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (NIHR CLAHRC) Wessex, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK,
| | - Eugene Healy
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton - Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK,
| | - Natasha Sandeman
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton - Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK,
| | - Martin Feelisch
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton - Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK, .,Southampton NIHR Respiratory Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK,
| | - Tom Wilkinson
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton - Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK, .,Southampton NIHR Respiratory Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK, .,National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (NIHR CLAHRC) Wessex, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK, .,Wessex Investigational Sciences Hub, University of Southampton - Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
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Sun J, Hui C, Xia T, Xu M, Deng D, Pan F, Wang Y. Effect of hypothyroidism on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and reproductive function of pregnant rats. BMC Endocr Disord 2018; 18:30. [PMID: 29793475 PMCID: PMC5968710 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-018-0258-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to detect changes in hormone levels in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with hypothyroidism, and identify differences in the pregnancy and abortion rates of female adult rats. The potential role of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) as the link between the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and reproductive function regulated by thyroid hormones was also investigated. METHODS Female SD rats (n = 136) were causally classified into two groups: the normal-drinking-water group (n = 60) and the 0.05% propylthiouracil-drinking-water group (PTU 2 mg/kg/day, n = 76) to establish an adult rat model of hypothyroidism (6 weeks). Female and male rats at a ratio of 1:2 were used to establish a hypothyroidism pregnancy model. GnRH mRNA and GnRH receptor (GnRHR) expression in rats was detected using real time quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS The abortion rate differed significantly between the hypothyroidism pregnancy group and the normal pregnancy group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the distribution of the GnRHR among the five nuclei (hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus, hypothalamic anterior nucleus, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and ventral premammillary nucleus) of the hypothalamus and ovary (P > 0.05). Hypothyroidism had no significant effect on GnRH mRNA expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in the four groups (normal control group, normal pregnancy group, hypothyroidism pregnancy group, and hypothyroidism group) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Hypothyroidism had an adverse impact on pregnancy in rats and may affect the distribution of pituitary GnRHR, whereas it did not obviously affect the distribution of GnRHR in the nuclei of the hypothalamus and ovary. Hypothyroidism had no effect on GnRH mRNA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianran Sun
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022 Anhui China
| | - Cancan Hui
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022 Anhui China
| | - Tongjia Xia
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022 Anhui China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022 Anhui China
| | - Datong Deng
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022 Anhui China
| | - Faming Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics,School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University,81Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032 Anhui China
| | - Youmin Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022 Anhui China
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Liu L, Chen Y, Wang D, Li N, Guo C, Liu X. Cloning and expression characterization in hypothalamic Dio2/3 under a natural photoperiod in the domesticated Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 259:45-53. [PMID: 29154946 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Dio2/3 gene is related to the photoperiodic response in mammals and plays an important role in the development of gonadal organs and seasonal breeding. Our previous studies have reported synchronous variations in the gonadal mass and photoperiodical transition around the summer solstice in a wild Brandt's vole population, a species with striking seasonal breeding. To investigate the role of the Dio2/3 gene in the control of seasonal breeding in this species, we cloned and characterized its expression levels by high-throughput Real-Time PCR during the period around the summer solstice. We selected a domesticated strain to ensure similar development of samples. The synchronous variation pattern between the Dio2/3 expression levels and gonadal mass around the summer solstice supports the prediction that the Dio2/3 gene plays an important role in the seasonal transition in this species. We suggest that the observed photoperiod response may be triggered by differences in the day length rather than the absolute daylength in this species. However, the similar Dio2/3 gene expression patterns but inconsistent gonadal mass patterns between the domesticated strain and the wild strain in the samples collected on Sep 8th, an absolute nonbreeding stage in the wild, lead us to speculate that the core function of the Dio2/3 gene should be restricted in response to the photoperiod rather than factors directly regulating gonadal development, and this laboratory strain could be used as an animal model to test the mechanism of environmental adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Liu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China; Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Chen
- College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China; Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dawei Wang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Guo
- College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
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