Supplementation of dietary vitamins,protein and probiotics on semen traits and immunohistochemical study of pituitary hormones in zinc-induced molted broiler breeders

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin E and vitamin C, probiotics mixture and protein level and their combination on semen quality and immunohistochemical study of some pituitary hormones in male broiler breeders. One hundred and eighty male broiler breeders 65 weeks old were divided into six groups by completely randomized design. The birds were subjected to zinc-induced molt by mixing zinc oxide at the rate of 3000 mg/kg in the feed. After molting, one group was fed control diet (CP16%). The other groups were fed vitamin E (100 IU/kg), vitamin C (500 IU/kg), probiotics (50 mg/L of drinking water), protein (CP14%) and combination of these components. These treatments were given for five weeks. After the feeding period, semen samples were taken and analyzed for semen volume, sperm concentration, motility and dead sperm percentage. Pituitary samples were collected from three birds per replicate and were processed for immunohistochemical study. The results of semen quality parameters revealed that semen volume and sperm motility were significantly high in the vitamin E fed group, while the dead sperm percentage decreased significantly in the vitamin C group. The morphometric analysis revealed that compared to other groups, vitamin E caused a significant increase in the size and area of FSH, LH gonadotropes and lactotropes. These results showed that vitamin E alone may play some role in the enhancement of semen quality and growth of gonadotropes and lactotropes.     

Mood and metabolic consequences of sleep deprivation as a potential endophenotype’ in bipolar disorder

It has been commonly recognized that circadian rhythm and sleep/wake cycle are causally involved in bipolar disorder. There has been a paucity of systematic research considering the relations between sleep and mood states in bipolar disorder. The current study examines the possible influences of sleep deprivation on mood states and endocrine functions among first-degree relatives of patients with bipolar disorder and healthy controls. Blood samples were taken at two time points in the consecutive mornings at predeprivation and postdeprivation periods. Participants simultaneously completed the Profiles of Mood States at two time points after giving blood samples. Plasma T3 and TSH levels increased after total sleep deprivation in both groups. Sleep deprivation induced TSH levels were reversely associated with depression–dejection among healthy controls. A paradoxical effect was detected for only the first-degree relatives of the patients that changes in plasma cortisol levels negatively linked to depression–dejection and anger–hostility scores after total sleep deprivation. Plasma DHEA levels became correlated with vigor-activity scores after sleep deprivation among first-degree relatives of bipolar patients. On the contrary, significant associations of depression–dejection, anger–hostility, and confusion–bewilderment with the baseline plasma DHEA levels became statistically trivial in the postdeprivation period. Findings suggested that first-degree relatives of patients with bipolar disorder had completely distinct characteristics with respect to sleep deprivation induced responses in terms of associations between endocrine functions and mood states as compared to individuals whose relatives had no psychiatric problems. Considering the relationships between endocrine functions and mood states among relatives of the patients, it appears like sleep deprivation changes the receptor sensitivity which probably plays a pivotal role on mood outcomes among the first-degree relatives of patients with bipolar disorder.     

绝经后女性内源性性激素及血脂水平与乳腺癌的关系

目的:探讨绝经后女性内源性性激素及血脂水平与乳腺癌的关系以及作为预测指标的可行性。方法:收集2011年7月—2014年6月期间手术治疗的绝经后女性乳腺癌患者274例(乳腺癌组)与同期因其他疾病收治的非乳腺疾病的绝经后患者279例(对照组);比较两组间性激素与血脂水平的差异,分析可能的乳腺癌预测指标。结果:乳腺癌组的雌二醇(E2)与睾酮(T)水平明显高于对照组(均P0.05),其他性激素与血脂指标两组间差异均无统计学意义(均P0.05)。分层分析显示,随E2与T水平升高,乳腺癌发病率增加,其中E2水平对乳腺癌的预测有较好的敏感性和特异性,受试者操作特征(ROC)曲线下面积(AUC)为0.730(95%CI=0.649~0.811),但T水平的预测作用不明显。结论:E2与T水平与绝经后女性乳腺癌有关,其中E2水平可作为预测因子之一,但尚未达到良好或者优秀标准。     

(Neuro-)endocrinology of epithelial hair follicle stem cells

The hair follicle is a repository of different types of somatic stem cells. However, even though the hair follicle is both a prominent target organ and a potent, non-classical site of production and/or metabolism of numerous polypetide- and steroid hormones, neuropeptides, neurotransmitters and neurotrophins, the (neuro-)endocrine controls of hair follicle epithelial stem cell (HFeSC) biology remain to be systematically explored. Focussing on HFeSCs, we attempt here to offer a "roadmap through terra incognita" by listing key open questions, by exploring endocrinologically relevant HFeSC gene profiling and mouse genomics data, and by sketching several clinically relevant pathways via which systemic and/or locally generated (neuro-)endocrine signals might impact on HFeSC. Exemplarily, we discuss, e.g. the potential roles of glucocorticoid and vitamin D receptors, the hairless gene product, thymic hormones, bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and their antagonists, and Skg-3 in HFeSC biology. Furthermore, we elaborate on the potential role of nerve growth factor (NGF) and substance P-dependent neurogenic inflammation in HFeSC damage, and explore how neuroendocrine signals may influence the balance between maintenance and destruction of hair follicle immune privilege, which protects these stem cells and their progeny. These considerations call for a concerted research effort to dissect the (neuro-)endocrinology of HFeSCs much more systematically than before.     

The effect of corpus luteum on hormonal composition of follicular fluid from different sized follicles and their relationship to serum concentrations in dairy cows

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of the presence or absence of corpus luteum on hormonal composition of follicular fluid (FF) from different sized follicles and their relationship to serum concentrations in dairy cows.MethodsOvaries were collected from 30 clinically healthy adult female cows (Holstein Friesian) 4–7 years of age with clinically normal reproductive tracts after slaughtering. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein before slaughter from each cow. The stage of the cycle in the cows was determined postmortem. The ovaries collected from per cow were classified with corpus luteum (CL⁺) and without corpus luteum (CL⁻). FF was aspirated from small (3-5 mm), medium (6-9 mm), and large (10-20 mm) follicles in CL⁺ and CL⁻ ovaries. Serum and FF samples were analyzed for estradiol-17β, progesterone, testosterone, T₃ and T₄ concentrations.ResultsResults demonstrated that the FF concentrations of estradiol-17β, progesterone and testosterone in different sized follicles categories (small, medium and large follicles in CL⁺ and CL⁻ ovaries) were significantly higher (P≤0.05) when compared with the serum. The FF concentrations of estradiol-17β and testosterone in same follicle size categories in CL⁺ and CL⁻ ovaries were also significant (P<0.05). Indeed, concentrations of these hormones in the CL⁻ ovaries were higher than those of the CL⁺ ovaries. However, there was a statistically significant difference between medium and large follicles for progesterone concentration in CL⁺ and CL⁻ ovaries (P<0.05). There was a significant correlation between concentration of hormones in serum and FF with increased follicular diameter.ConclusionsThese results indicated that the levels of hormonal composition in the FF were related to follicular size and interestingly to the presence or absence of a corpus luteum. Indeed, the corpus luteum locally affects neighboring follicular compositions during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle in dairy cows.     

Sex differences in anxiety and depression clinical perspectives

Sex differences are prominent in mood and anxiety disorders and may provide a window into mechanisms of onset and maintenance of affective disturbances in both men and women. With the plethora of sex differences in brain structure, function, and stress responsivity, as well as differences in exposure to reproductive hormones, social expectations and experiences, the challenge is to understand which sex differences are relevant to affective illness. This review will focus on clinical aspects of sex differences in affective disorders including the emergence of sex differences across developmental stages and the impact of reproductive events. Biological, cultural, and experiential factors that may underlie sex differences in the phenomenology of mood and anxiety disorders are discussed.     

甲状腺素片补充治疗对慢性肾脏疾病患者甲状腺激素水平的影响研究

目的 探讨小剂量甲状腺素补充治疗对慢性肾脏疾病患者的甲状腺激素水平、营养不良及左心功能的影响.方法 湖南省人民医院2013年2月至2015年2月间收治的慢性肾脏疾病患者210例,A组为eGFR＜ 15mL ·(min·1.73m2)-1的患者(n=70),B组为15＜ eGFR＜30mL·(min·1.73m2)-1的患者(n=70),C组为30 ＜eGFR ＜60mL·(min·1.73m2)-1的未透析患者(n=70).选择同期本院体检的正常人群为正常对照组(D组,n =70).收集4组患者血液、生化临床资料,检测游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(free triiodothyronine,FT3)、游离甲状腺素(freethyroxine,FT4)、促甲状腺激素(thyroid stimulating hormone,TSH)、C反应蛋白(C reactive protein,CRP)、左心室射血分数(left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF)及左心室质量指数(Left ventricular mass index,LVMI),并计算主观综合性营养评估法(subjective global assessment of nutritional act,SGA)等指标.每组根据甲状腺激素水平分为正常组Ⅰ、异常组Ⅱ,观察各组间各指标差异,再给予异常组小剂量甲状腺激素干预后观察各项指标改变.结果 A、B、C组FT3均显著低于D组(P＜0.05),低T3综合征的发生率随eGFR下降而升高;正常组Ⅰ与异常组Ⅱ相比,ALB、CRP、SGA、LVEF、LVMI比较有显著差异(P＜0.05);异常组的FT3与eGFR、SGA、ALB、LVEF呈显著正相关(r=0.912,P＜0.001;r =0.721,P＜0.001;r =0.810,P＜0.001;r=0.903,P＜0.001);FT3与CRP、LVMI呈负相关(r=-0.981,P＜0.001;r=-0.442,P＜0.001);异常亚组给予小剂量甲状腺素治疗后FT3及LVEF较治疗前明显改善(P＜0.05),治疗后eGFR水平只有C2组患者有提高(P＜0.05).结论 甲状腺素水平下降与肾功能严重程度相关,以血清FT3水平降低为主;低水平FT3与营养、左心功能有显著相关性;予以小剂量的甲状腺激素治疗后的低T3及亚临床甲减者的左心收缩功能有提高,中度肾功能损伤的患者eGFR有提高.     

Preferences for symmetry in faces change across the menstrual cycle

Symmetry in human male faces may be a cue to heritable fitness benefits and is found attractive. Preferences for facial masculinity, another proposed marker of genetic quality, have been found to vary in ways that may maximise evolutionary relevant benefits and masculinity is found to be of increased attractiveness at peak fertility across the menstrual cycle. Here we show that women prefer more symmetric faces at peak fertility (Study 1) and that such shifting preferences may be potentially strategic preferences as we found them to occur only for judgements concerning short-term relations and when women already had a partner (Study 2). Such preferences potentially indicate a strategy that maximises the quality of extra-pair/short-term partners or a quality dependent response to hormones. Such strategic preferences for symmetry may support the role of symmetry in signalling potential good-gene benefits.