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Van Loh BM, Yaw AM, Breuer JA, Jackson B, Nguyen D, Jang K, Ramos F, Ho EV, Cui LJ, Gillette DLM, Sempere LF, Gorman MR, Tonsfeldt KJ, Mellon PL, Hoffmann HM. The transcription factor VAX1 in VIP neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus impacts circadian rhythm generation, depressive-like behavior, and the reproductive axis in a sex-specific manner in mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1269672. [PMID: 38205198 PMCID: PMC10777845 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1269672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) within the hypothalamus is a key brain structure required to relay light information to the body and synchronize cell and tissue level rhythms and hormone release. Specific subpopulations of SCN neurons, defined by their peptide expression, regulate defined SCN output. Here we focus on the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) expressing neurons of the SCN. SCN VIP neurons are known to regulate circadian rhythms and reproductive function. Methods To specifically study SCN VIP neurons, we generated a novel knock out mouse line by conditionally deleting the SCN enriched transcription factor, Ventral Anterior Homeobox 1 (Vax1), in VIP neurons (Vax1Vip; Vax1fl/fl:VipCre). Results We found that Vax1Vip females presented with lengthened estrous cycles, reduced circulating estrogen, and increased depressive-like behavior. Further, Vax1Vip males and females presented with a shortened circadian period in locomotor activity and ex vivo SCN circadian period. On a molecular level, the shortening of the SCN period was driven, at least partially, by a direct regulatory role of VAX1 on the circadian clock genes Bmal1 and Per2. Interestingly, Vax1Vip females presented with increased expression of arginine vasopressin (Avp) in the paraventricular nucleus, which resulted in increased circulating corticosterone. SCN VIP and AVP neurons regulate the reproductive gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and kisspeptin neurons. To determine how the reproductive neuroendocrine network was impacted in Vax1Vip mice, we assessed GnRH sensitivity to a kisspeptin challenge in vivo. We found that GnRH neurons in Vax1Vip females, but not males, had an increased sensitivity to kisspeptin, leading to increased luteinizing hormone release. Interestingly, Vax1Vip males showed a small, but significant increase in total sperm and a modest delay in pubertal onset. Both male and female Vax1Vip mice were fertile and generated litters comparable in size and frequency to controls. Conclusion Together, these data identify VAX1 in SCN VIP neurons as a neurological overlap between circadian timekeeping, female reproduction, and depressive-like symptoms in mice, and provide novel insight into the role of SCN VIP neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke M. Van Loh
- Department of Animal Science and the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Alexandra M. Yaw
- Department of Animal Science and the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Joseph A. Breuer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Brooke Jackson
- Department of Radiology and Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Duong Nguyen
- Department of Animal Science and the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Krystal Jang
- Department of Animal Science and the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Fabiola Ramos
- Department of Animal Science and the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Emily V. Ho
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Laura J. Cui
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Dominique L. M. Gillette
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Lorenzo F. Sempere
- Department of Radiology and Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Michael R. Gorman
- Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Karen J. Tonsfeldt
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Pamela L. Mellon
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Hanne M. Hoffmann
- Department of Animal Science and the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Chen Y, Chen J, Tang Y, Zhang Q, Wang Y, Li Q, Li X, Weng Z, Huang J, Wang X, Liu S. Difference of Precocious Puberty Between Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Shanghai School-Aged Girls. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:839895. [PMID: 35392135 PMCID: PMC8979840 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.839895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compared the incidence rates and clinical features of precocious girls before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among Shanghai school-aged girls, and explored the potential mechanisms. METHODS This cross-sectional study collected medical data about precocious girls between 2016 and 2020 from Shanghai Children's Medical Center. Data of inpatient precocious girls from March to August in 2016-2019 (n=246) and 2020 (n=237) were collected. Subjects with abnormal brain and pituitary gland MRI reports, other endocrine diseases or chronic diseases were excluded. Finally, 209 precocious girls were included in the 2016-2019 group and 191 precocious girls were include in the 2020 group. Monthly incidence rates and clinical features were compared between before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Linear regression models were used to examine the associations between biomarkers to explore the potential mechanisms. RESULTS Monthly incidence rates of precocious puberty in outpatient girls from March to December 2020 (0.44-1.36%) and in inpatient girls from March to August 2020 (27.04-47.83%) were higher than those in 2016-2019 (0.30-0.52% and 10.53-18.42%, respectively). Serum concentrations of GnRH were higher in the 2020 group than in the 2016-2019 group (2.81 vs 1.99 mg/L). Serum concentrations of MKRN3 (1.02 vs 1.93 ng/ml) and ghrelin (0.38 vs 0.88 ng/ml) were lower in the 2020 group than in the 2016-2019 group. Moreover, the serum concentration of ghrelin was positively associated with the serum concentration of MKRN3 [β=0.891 (95% CI, 0.612, 1.171); p<0.001]. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest an increased incidence of precocious puberty during the COVID-19 pandemic among Shanghai school-aged girls, which may be associated with decreased serum concentrations of MKRN3 and ghrelin, and indicated ghrelin as a potential regulatory mechanism of puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianyong Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yijun Tang
- Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianwen Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yirou Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qun Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zihan Weng
- Department of Information Technology, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ju Huang
- Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiumin Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiumin Wang, ; Shijian Liu,
| | - Shijian Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Children Health Advocacy Institute, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiumin Wang, ; Shijian Liu,
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Eissa MM, Ahmed MM, Abd Eldaim MA, Orabi SH, Elbaz HT, Mohamed MA, Elweza AE, Mousa AA. Methanolic extract of Chlorella vulgaris protects against sodium nitrite-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats. Andrologia 2020; 52:e13811. [PMID: 32897594 DOI: 10.1111/and.13811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate the protective potential of Chlorella Vulgaris (CV) extract against the reproductive dysfunction induced by sodium nitrite toxicity. Forty-five male Wistar albino rats were assigned into five groups (n = 9). Control group received normal saline orally for 3 months, CV-treated: administered CV extract (70 mg/kg.BW) orally for 3 months, sodium nitrite-treated: received sodium nitrite (80 mg/kg.BW) orally for 3 months, co-treated: simultaneously received CV along with sodium nitrite treatment, orally, daily for 3 months, and CV-pre-treated: pre-treated with CV extract for 4 weeks followed by simultaneous treatment with sodium nitrite and CV extract for additional 8 weeks. Treatment with sodium nitrite significantly decreased serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations, sperm count, motility, and viability. Besides, it decreased testicular superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities while increased malondialdehyde concentration. This effect of sodium nitrite was associated with degenerative, necrotic, vascular, and inflammatory changes in testicular tissues. Treatment of sodium nitrite-intoxicated rats with CV in co-treated and pre-treated groups significantly prevented sodium nitrite-induced alterations of sperm parameters, hormonal concentrations, testicular oxidative-antioxidant status, and histological architecture. This study indicates that CV extract ameliorates the reproductive dysfunction induced by sodium nitrite toxicity via improving reproductive hormonal levels and testicular antioxidant activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai M Eissa
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt
| | - Mohamed M Ahmed
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt
| | - Mabrouk A Abd Eldaim
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Menoufia University, Sheben Elkom, Egypt
| | - Sahar H Orabi
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt
| | - Hamed T Elbaz
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt
| | - Mostafa A Mohamed
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Menoufia University, Sheben Elkom, Egypt
| | - Ahmed E Elweza
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Mousa
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt
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He Y, Li Q, Su M, Huang W, Zhu B. Acetylshikonin from Zicao exerts antifertility effects at high dose in rats by suppressing the secretion of GTH. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 476:560-565. [PMID: 27264949 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.05.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Zicao is being highlighted as a promising Chinese medicine due to all the beneficial effects that have been associated with its use. Unfortunately, studies on the toxicity of Zicao in different species are still missing and should be carried out. In this study, we investigated whether Acetylshikonin (AS) from Zicao has an anti-fertility effect through mating experiments and explored its underling mechanism. Sprague-Dawley rats received no treatment or were treated with 120, 360 or 1080 mg/kg AS extract by intragastric administration for 2 weeks. The rat pregnancy rate of the 1080 mg/kg dose group was significantly decreased relative to control group, while it recovered after a month of drug withdrawal, which indicated that the effect of antifertility is reversible. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in rat were significantly decreased by AS. The secretion of FSH in rat anterior pituitary cells was decreased but the synthesis was not affected. AS reduced the number of developing follicle and mature follicle in rat ovarian cortical. Maybe all of these resulted from AS decreased the expression of synaptotagmin-1 and SNAP-25 which were the critical proteins of exocytosis. Our data suggested that AS at high dose can suppress the ability of pregnancy of the rats through decreasing serum FSH and LH levels by affecting exocytosis process of gonadotropic hormone (GTH).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu He
- Department of Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cerebral Vascular Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qisen Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cerebral Vascular Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meiling Su
- Department of Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cerebral Vascular Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wendong Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cerebral Vascular Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Banghao Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cerebral Vascular Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Xia L, Hou S, Ren X, Wang Z. Effects of thioglycolic acid on in vivo oocytes maturation in mice. PLoS One 2011; 6:e23996. [PMID: 21909408 PMCID: PMC3164699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Accepted: 07/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thioglycolic acid (TGA) is widely used in the hairdressing industry, which mostly caters to women. Recently, TGA has been reported to impair several organs, especially reproductive ones such as testes and ovaries. The reproductive toxicity of TGA on females has become an issue that cannot be neglected. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In the present work, superovulated female mice were percutaneously treated with different doses of TGA (37.81, 75.62, and 151.25 mg/kg). The mice were sacrificed to collect ovulated oocytes, whose numbers were counted and compared. Immunofluorescence-stained oocytes were observed under a confocal microscope to investigate the effects of TGA on spindle morphology, distribution of cortical granules (CGs), and parthenogenetic activation. The number of ovulated oocytes was decreased by TGA. The ovulated oocytes in the 151.25 mg/kg TGA group were significantly less than in the control and in the 37.81 mg/kg TGA groups. The ovulated oocytes in the 75.62 mg/kg TGA group were less than in the 37.81 mg/kg dose group. Abnormal spindle configuration in vivo was also induced by TGA. The spindle areas in the 75.62 and 151.25 mg/kg TGA groups were significantly larger than in the control and 37.81 mg/kg TGA groups. The parthenogenetic activation of ovulated oocytes in vitro was inhibited as well. The percentage of activated oocytes in the 75.62 and 151.25 mg/kg TGA groups was significantly lower than in the control and 37.81 mg/kg TGA groups. The percentage in the 151.25 mg/kg TGA group was also less than in the 75.62 mg/kg group. CG distribution was not affected by TGA. CONCLUSION Mice were percutaneously treated with TGA. Consequently, the number of ovulated oocytes decreased, abnormal spindle configurations were induced, and the parthenogenetic activation of ovulated oocytes was inhibited. CG distribution was not affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xia
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shaoying Hou
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaomei Ren
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhuoran Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Westergaard LG, Erb K, Laursen SB, Rasmussen PE, Rex S, Westergaard CG, Andersen CY. Concentrations of gonadotrophins and steroids in pre-ovulatory follicular fluid and serum in relation to stimulation protocol and outcome of assisted reproduction treatment. Reprod Biomed Online 2004; 8:516-23. [PMID: 15151712 DOI: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)61097-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In this prospective, randomized study, concentrations of gonadotrophins and steroids in pre-ovulatory follicular fluid (FF) and serum were related to type of stimulation protocol as well as to the outcome of assisted reproduction in 280 women subjected to the long protocol gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist pituitary down-regulation and ovarian stimulation with either human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) or recombinant FSH. In the women treated with HMG, concentrations of LH, FSH, oestradiol and androstenedione in FF were significantly higher, and those of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and progesterone significantly lower, than in the women treated with recombinant FSH (rFSH). More women became pregnant and delivered in the HMG than in the rFSH group. These differences, however, were not statistically significant. Concentrations of FSH in serum and of FSH and LH in FF were significantly higher in conception than in non-conception cycles, whereas all other hormone concentrations in FF and serum were similar. The present study demonstrates that the pre-ovulatory follicular fluid hormone profile is significantly influenced by the gonadotrophin preparation used for ovarian stimulation, and suggests that ovarian stimulation with HMG results in an intra-follicular hormone profile more similar to that characterizing conception cycles than stimulation with rFSH. However, as the present data represent means of FF hormone profiles, they do not allow the conclusion of a direct correlation between the intra-follicular concentration of a certain hormone and the ability of the corresponding embryo to implant and establish an ongoing pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G Westergaard
- Fertility Clinic, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
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