Castration Research Articles

Forecasting maximum formwork pressure for self-compacting concrete using ARX-Laguerre machine learning model

Forecasting the maximum pressure exerted by cast-in-place self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a major concern for formwork designers, researchers, and site engineers to accurately design the bearing capacity of the formwork and control the casting rate for safe and fast construction. This article aims to utilize the ARX-Laguerre model, which is a data-driven model to forecast the maximum form pressure. A laboratory instrumented setup was used to cast a 2-m column using SCC made with two different types of cement. A pressure system consisting of four sensors was used to document the pressure during casting. The data were sent to the cloud at every 1-min interval for real-time monitoring. The data were used to develop the model. The results demonstrated that forecasting with the ARX-Laguerre model is highly accurate. The model can forecast the maximum pressure exerted by SCC with less complexity. The model performance was also found to be consistent with insignificant differences between actual experimental results and predicted results. With a recursive and straightforward representation, the resulting model, known as the ARX-Laguerre model, ensures the parameter number reduction. Providing fast prediction of the maximum pressure. The model enables formwork designers to forecast the form pressure to design safe formwork and also helps to control the casting rate when SCC is used.

Effects of Multiple Batches of Stripped Eggs on the Reproductive Performances of Heterobranchus longifilis

Studying the effects of multiple batches of stripped eggs contributes to the sustainability and viability of aquaculture practices by improving our understanding of reproductive performance and informing best practices in breeding programs, hence, the need to investigate on the effects of multiple batches of stripped egg on reproductive performances of Heterobranchus logifilis became necessary. The aim was to provide valuable information for decision-making processes in aquaculture operations. Nine brood stocks of H. longifilis (6 male & 3 female) with average body weight of 2.3 kg and average length of 64.2 cm where carefully selected for the study. Six matured males were sacrificed for the removal of testis without hormonal inducements. The milt collected from the six males were pulled together and divided into twelve portions each diluted with 2ml of normal saline solution. Three female brood stocks where separately induced at single dosage of 0.5ml/kg body weight and allowed for a period of 10 hours before stripping. Stripping of eggs from each brood stock where in four batches, each batch measured 50g and labeled A, B, C & D. 3g of eggs containing approximately 2000 oocytes (eggs) where measured out from each batch and mixed with the diluted milt and incubated in a 2 x 1 x 10cm3 of water in a concrete pond at temperature of 26oC in three replicates. The result revealed that the reproductive performances considered in this study decreased as the batches of stripped eggs increased from 1- 4 batches. The first batch of stripped eggs produced 90.17 ± 0.44%, 97.78±0.86%, 89.48 ±1.08% fertilization, hatchability and survival respectively, while the least batch of stripped eggs (batch 4) produced the least value of fertilization (5.83 ± 1.69%); 45.00±4.90% hatchability and survival value of 5.59 ± 0.61%. Sequel to the findings of the present study, the least batch of stripped eggs should be avoided for use in fertilization since the unhatched or dead eggs has some detrimental effects on the fertilized eggs including fry at the hatchery level.

(066) A Low Androgen State Impairs Erectile Function by Suppressing EPAC1 in Rat Corpus Cavernosum Penis

Abstract Introduction The relationship among exchange proteins activated by cAMP 1(EPAC1), androgen and erectile function is still unknown. Objective To explore whether EPAC1 expresses in penile corpus cavernosum of rats and how EPAC1 affects erectile function under low androgenic conditions. Methods Thirty 8-week-old healthy male rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=5): sham operation (sham), castrated, castrated + testosterone replacement (castrated + T), sham + EPAC1 over-expression lentivirus (sham + EPAC1), castrated + empty lentivirus vector (castrated + empty vector), and castrated + EPAC1. Four weeks after the operation, the lentivirus vectors carrying the EPAC1 gene were injected into the corpus cavernosum penis tissues of the sham + EPAC1 and castrated + EPAC1 groups (1×108TU/ml, 20 μl per rat). A week after injection, the ratio of maximum intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure (ICPmax/MAP) and the levels of serum testosterone (T), nitric oxide (NO), the active form of ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA-GTP), protein kinase B (AKT), phospho-AKT (p-AKT), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phospho-eNOS (p-eNOS), p-AKT/AKT, p-eNOS/eNOS and EPAC1 levels were measured. Results EPAC1 is primarily located in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells in the rat corpus cavernosum penis. In comparison to the sham group, the T, ICPmax/MAP and NO levels of the castrated group were notably reduced (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, the RhoA-GTP concentration in the castrated + EPAC1 group was reduced in comparison with the castrated + empty vector group (p < 0.01). Compared with the castrated + empty vector group, the p-AKT/AKT, EPAC1 and p-eNOS/eNOS levels in the castrated + EPAC1 group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Conclusions Androgen deficiency can suppress EPAC1 expression in the penile corpus cavernosum of rats, while the up-regulation of which can improve the erectile function of castrated rats. Disclosure Yes, this is sponsored by industry/sponsor: This study was supported by the Research Foundation of the Department of Human Resources and Social Security of Sichuan Province of Returned Scholars grant 2019-76. Clarification: No industry support in study design or execution.

Automatic monitoring of neural activity with single-cell resolution in behaving Hydra

The ability to record every spike from every neuron in a behaving animal is one of the holy grails of neuroscience. Here, we report coming one step closer towards this goal with the development of an end-to-end pipeline that automatically tracks and extracts calcium signals from individual neurons in the cnidarian Hydra vulgaris. We imaged dually labeled (nuclear tdTomato and cytoplasmic GCaMP7s) transgenic Hydra and developed an open-source Python platform (TraSE-IN) for the Tracking and Spike Estimation of Individual Neurons in the animal during behavior. The TraSE-IN platform comprises a series of modules that segments and tracks each nucleus over time and extracts the corresponding calcium activity in the GCaMP channel. Another series of signal processing modules allows robust prediction of individual spikes from each neuron’s calcium signal. This complete pipeline will facilitate the automatic generation and analysis of large-scale datasets of single-cell resolution neural activity in Hydra, and potentially other model organisms, paving the way towards deciphering the neural code of an entire animal.

Adult Outcome After Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome: Diagnosed and Assigned Female in Infancy.

This patient, now in her 40s, was evaluated because of genital ambiguity and diagnosed with pAIS in infancy based upon elevated testosterone and gonadotropin levels and significantly reduced binding affinity of the androgen receptor. Such reduced binding is consistent with a structural abnormality of the receptor protein precluding expected activity of the androgen receptor. Based on this information and counseling, her parents chose a female sex assignment. She had clitoral recession and testes removal as an infant and neovaginal surgery using a distal ileum segment at age 11 years and was begun on estrogen therapy at age 12 years. She is being reported now to point out that the data known at her birth provided as specific information to guide sex assignment and genital surgery as is currently available. More importantly, long-term outcome data is very positive showing clear female gender identity, successful marriage of more than 20 years, excellent social relationships including family and friends, an active social life. Since this diagnosis is lifelong, it is inevitable that there will be reminders, hopefully rare, that may be traumatizing. Unfortunately, in this patient, such reminders have been related to access to health care.

Cisplatin Toxicity Causes Neutrophil-Mediated Inflammation in Zebrafish Larvae.

Cisplatin is an antineoplastic agent used to treat various tumors. In mammals, it can cause nephrotoxicity, tissue damage, and inflammation. The release of inflammatory mediators leads to the recruitment and infiltration of immune cells, particularly neutrophils, at the site of inflammation. Cisplatin is often used as an inducer of acute kidney injury (AKI) in experimental models, including zebrafish (Danio rerio), due to its accumulation in kidney cells. Current protocols in larval zebrafish focus on studying its effect as an AKI inducer but ignore other systematic outcomes. In this study, cisplatin was added directly to the embryonic medium to assess its toxicity and impact on systemic inflammation using locomotor activity analysis, qPCR, microscopy, and flow cytometry. Our data showed that larvae exposed to cisplatin at 7 days post-fertilization (dpf) displayed dose-dependent mortality and morphological changes, leading to a decrease in locomotion speed at 9 dpf. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (il)-12, il6, and il8 increased after 48 h of cisplatin exposure. Furthermore, while a decrease in the number of neutrophils was observed in the glomerular region of the pronephros, there was an increase in neutrophils throughout the entire animal after 48 h of cisplatin exposure. We demonstrate that cisplatin can have systemic effects in zebrafish larvae, including morphological and locomotory defects, increased inflammatory cytokines, and migration of neutrophils from the hematopoietic niche to other parts of the body. Therefore, this protocol can be used to induce systemic inflammation in zebrafish larvae for studying new therapies or mechanisms of action involving neutrophils.

(247) A Rat Model for Bipolar Androgen Therapy is Evaluated for Its Effects on Erectile Dysfunction after Castration

Abstract Introduction Prostate cancer (PCa), an androgen-dependent tumor and one of the most prevalent cancers in males, has traditionally been treated with androgen suppression. In recent years, bipolar androgen treatment (BAT) has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for men with metastatic castrate-resistant PCa. The control of testosterone (T) between castration and supraphysiological levels inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells and slows the progression of cancer. Furthermore, while there has been prior research between T and erectile function, there is no evidence linking BAT and erectile dysfunction (ED). Objective The purpose of the current investigation was to determine if BAT therapy was effective in treating ED in a castration-prone rat model. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats (n=30) were randomly divided into four groups: 1) Control, 2) Control rats-received BAT treatment, 3) castrated Rats, and 4) castrated rats-received BAT treatment. The rats were castrated by making bilateral scrotal incisions. A subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate (250 mg/kg/week, intramuscular) was administered four weeks following castration. Four weeks after the initial dose, the second dose of the medication was given in the same manner. By stimulating the cavernous nerve, the intracavernosal pressure (ICP) to mean arterial pressure (MAP) ratio and total ICP were determined. Corpus cavernosum (CC) strips were used as in vitro preparations for evaluating the relaxant and contractile responses. Nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) protein expression was analyzed using Western blotting. Using Masson trichrome staining, the location of the smooth muscle in relation to the collagen was identified. Results Castrated rats' prostate weight was reduced when compared to uncastrated rats (P< 0.001). Compared to controls and castrated rats, BAT marginally boosted prostate weight reduction. The ICP/MAP ratio and total ICP for 7.5 V were lowest in castrated rats (P< 0.001 vs. controls). BAT enhanced ICP/MAP and total ICP responses (P<0.01 vs. castrated rats). In vitro, endothelium-dependent acetylcholine-induced relaxation at 1 nM (P 0.05 vs controls), endothelium-independent sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation at 1 nM (P 0.01 vs controls), electrical field stimulation-induced relaxant response at 20 Hz (P<0.05 vs. controls) and sildenafil-induced relaxation at 10 M (P 0.05 vs controls) were all reduced in the CC strips from the castrated group. Additionally, the castrated group showed increased neurogenic contractile response at 40 Hz and the contractile response to phenylephrine at 1 mM (P 0.001 vs. controls). The variations in the relaxation and contractile responses were returned by BAT. The smooth muscle cell-to-collagen ratio and nNOS and eNOS protein expression were both markedly reduced in castrated rats, though BAT reversed these modifications. Conclusions The results of the study show that BAT improves neurogenic relaxation, endothelium relaxation, sildenafil-induced relaxing of the CC, and changes in penile morphology after castration. BAT might be a cutting-edge therapeutic approach for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer who have an ED route. Disclosure No.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals that glial cells integrate homeostatic and circadian processes to drive sleep–wake cycles

The sleep–wake cycle is determined by circadian and sleep homeostatic processes. However, the molecular impact of these processes and their interaction in different brain cell populations are unknown. To fill this gap, we profiled the single-cell transcriptome of adult Drosophila brains across the sleep–wake cycle and four circadian times. We show cell type-specific transcriptomic changes, with glia displaying the largest variation. Glia are also among the few cell types whose gene expression correlates with both sleep homeostat and circadian clock. The sleep–wake cycle and sleep drive level affect the expression of clock gene regulators in glia, and disrupting clock genes specifically in glia impairs homeostatic sleep rebound after sleep deprivation. These findings provide a comprehensive view of the effects of sleep homeostatic and circadian processes on distinct cell types in an entire animal brain and reveal glia as an interaction site of these two processes to determine sleep–wake dynamics.

Risk factors for tick attachment in companion animals in Great Britain: a spatiotemporal analysis covering 2014-2021.

Ticks are an important driver of veterinary health care, causing irritation and sometimes infection to their hosts. We explored epidemiological and geo-referenced data from > 7 million electronic health records (EHRs) from cats and dogs collected by the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) in Great Britain (GB) between 2014 and 2021 to assess the factors affecting tick attachment in an individual and at a spatiotemporal level. EHRs in which ticks were mentioned were identified by text mining; domain experts confirmed those with ticks on the animal. Tick presence/absence records were overlaid with a spatiotemporal series of climate, environment, anthropogenic and host distribution factors to produce a spatiotemporal regression matrix. An ensemble machine learning spatiotemporal model was used to fine-tune hyperparameters for Random Forest, Gradient-boosted Trees and Generalized Linear Model regression algorithms, which were then used to produce a final ensemble meta-learner to predict the probability of tick attachment across GB at a monthly interval and averaged long-term through 2014-2021 at a spatial resolution of 1km. Individual host factors associated with tick attachment were also assessed by conditional logistic regression on a matched case-control dataset. In total, 11,741 consultations were identified in which a tick was recorded. The frequency of tick records was low (0.16% EHRs), suggesting an underestimation of risk. That said, increased odds for tick attachment in cats and dogs were associated with younger adult ages, longer coat length, crossbreeds and unclassified breeds. In cats, males and entire animals had significantly increased odds of recorded tick attachment. The key variables controlling the spatiotemporal risk for tick attachment were climatic (precipitation and temperature) and vegetation type (Enhanced Vegetation Index). Suitable areas for tick attachment were predicted across GB, especially in forests and grassland areas, mainly during summer, particularly in June. Our results can inform targeted health messages to owners and veterinary practitioners, identifying those animals, seasons and areas of higher risk for tick attachment and allowing for more tailored prophylaxis to reduce tick burden, inappropriate parasiticide treatment and potentially TBDs in companion animals and humans. Sentinel networks like SAVSNET represent a novel complementary data source to improve our understanding of tick attachment risk for companion animals and as a proxy of risk to humans.

Sex and Cross-Sex Testosterone Treatment Alters Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate Acid Toxicokinetics and Toxicodynamics in Rats.

Γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is widely abused due to its sedative/hypnotic and euphoric effects. In recent years, GHB use has witnessed a notable rise within the LGBTQ+ community. GHB is a substrate of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) and exhibits nonlinear toxicokinetics, characterized by saturable metabolism, absorption, and renal reabsorption. This study investigates the impact of exogenous testosterone administration on GHB toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, exploring the potential of MCT1 inhibition as a strategy to counteract toxicity. Ovariectomized (OVX) females and castrated (CST) male Sprague Dawley rats were treated with testosterone or placebo for 21 days. GHB was administered at two doses (1000 mg/kg or 1500 mg/kg i.v.), and the MCT1 inhibitor AR-C 155858 (1 mg/kg i.v.) was administered 5 min after GHB (1500 mg/kg i.v.) administration. Plasma and urine were collected up to 8 h post-dose, and GHB concentrations were quantified via a validated LC/MS/MS assay. Sleep time (sedative/hypnotic effect) was utilized as the toxicodynamic endpoint. Testosterone treatment significantly affected GHB toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics. Testosterone-treated CST rats exhibited significantly lower renal clearance, higher AUC, and increased sedative effect, while testosterone-treated OVX rats demonstrated higher metabolic clearance. AR-C 155858 treatment led to an increase in GHB renal and total clearance together with an improvement in sedative/hypnotic effect. In conclusion, exogenous testosterone treatment induces significant alterations in GHB toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, and MCT inhibition can serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for GHB overdose in both cisgender and transgender male populations.

Evaluation of the anti-androgenic and cytotoxic effects of benzophenone-3 in male Sprague-Dawley rats

ABSTRACT Benzophenone-3 (BP-3, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, oxybenzone) is one of the most widely used types of benzophenone organic sunscreen. However, this compound is a potentially harmful toxicant. The aim of this study was 2-fold to: (1) utilize a Hershberger bioassay in vivo in castrated male Sprague-Dawley rats to investigate the anti-androgenic activities of BP-3, and (2) use in vitro a methyl tetrazolium assay to compare the toxicity between Leydig cells (TM3 cells) and mouse fibroblast (NIH-3T3) cell lines. In the Hershberger assay, rats were divided into 6 groups (each of n = 7): a vehicle control, negative control, positive control, PB-3 low (40 mg/kg), BP-3 intermediate (200 mg/kg), and BP-3 high (1000 mg/kg)-dose. The weight of the ventral prostate was significantly decreased at BP-3 doses of 200 or 1,000 mg/kg/day. In addition, the levator anibulbocavernosus muscle weights were also significantly reduced at BP-3 doses of 40, 200, or 1,000 mg/kg/day. In the MTT assay, the viability of NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblast cells was within the normal range. However, the TM3 mouse testis Leydig cell viability was significantly lowered in a concentration-dependent manner. Therefore, data indicate that BP-3 might exert in vivo anti-androgenic and in vitro cytotoxic effects in cells associated with the male reproductive system compared to normal non-reproductive cells. Abbreviation: BP-3: benzophenone-3; CG: Cowper’s gland; DMEM: Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium; DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide; GP: glans penis; LABC: levator anibulbocavernosus muscle; MTT: methyl tetrazolium; NC: negative control; PC: positive control; SV: seminal vesicle; TP: testosterone propionate; VC: vehicle control; VP: ventral prostate

Male animal sterilization: history, current practices, and potential methods for replacing castration.

Sterilization and castration have been synonyms for thousands of years. Making an animal sterile meant to render them incapable of producing offspring. Castration or the physical removal of the testes was discovered to be the most simple but reliable method for managing reproduction and sexual behavior in the male. Today, there continues to be global utilization of castration in domestic animals. More than six hundred million pigs are castrated every year, and surgical removal of testes in dogs and cats is a routine practice in veterinary medicine. However, modern biological research has extended the meaning of sterilization to include methods that spare testis removal and involve a variety of options, from chemical castration and immunocastration to various methods of vasectomy. This review begins with the history of sterilization, showing a direct link between its practice in man and animals. Then, it traces the evolution of concepts for inducing sterility, where research has overlapped with basic studies of reproductive hormones and the discovery of testicular toxicants, some of which serve as sterilizing agents in rodent pests. Finally, the most recent efforts to use the immune system and gene editing to block hormonal stimulation of testis function are discussed. As we respond to the crisis of animal overpopulation and strive for better animal welfare, these novel methods provide optimism for replacing surgical castration in some species.

Racism is not about “race”

Unfamiliar individuals are viewed with suspicion across the entire animal kingdom. This makes evolutionary sense, as outsiders may carry unfamiliar pathogens against which one has not yet developed immune defenses. In humans, the unfamiliar-pathogens idea has been dismissed on the grounds that people do not shun microbe-sharing contact with ethnic outgroups (other “races”) more than they do with ingroups. Reanalyzing the same public data on which such claims are based—6500 participants from China, India, USA, and UK—here I show that (1) people do behave as though the parasites of unfamiliar individuals were more dangerous, and (2) strangers’ ethnicity matters when, and only when, it is a proxy for unfamiliarity. This implies that racism could be tamed by acquainting our children with fellow humans of all shapes and colors, so that everyone in the world looks like family.

Hamartoma affecting ampullary electroreceptors and epitheliotropic lymphoma in a captive electric eel Electrophorus varii

Few reports are available describing lesions in captive electric eels Electrophorus spp. This report describes 2 types of cutaneous proliferative lesions (i.e. hamartoma and neoplasm) in a captive electric eel. Ampullary electroreceptor hamartomas appeared grossly as 2 discrete, smooth, pink, spherical, cutaneous masses measuring 6 and 18 mm in diameter. Histologically, hamartomas were composed of predominately spindle cells that were separated into lobules by a peripheral rim of polygonal cells. Spindle cells were arranged in vague streams and occasionally whorls within a myxomatous matrix. Polygonal cells arranged in variably sized trabeculae and cords within a pre-existing fibrovascular stroma surrounded the streams of spindle cells. Admixed with the polygonal cell population were multiple mucous glands and alarm cells, similar to those seen in normal regions of epidermis. Histochemical stains confirmed similar components in the normal ampullary electroreceptor as in the hamartomas. Lymphoma was also present, appearing grossly as patchy pitting, erythematous, and thickened areas of the skin affecting the entire animal. Lymphoma was diffusely infiltrating and expanding the epidermis, oral mucosa, and branchial mucosa up to 1.5 mm in thickness. It was composed of an unencapsulated, well-demarcated, moderately cellular neoplasm composed of lymphocytes arranged in small dense sheets and clusters that separated and effaced epidermal cells. This is the first report of lymphoma in an electric eel, and the first report of ampullary electroreceptor hamartoma in any animal species.

Screening of Inhibitory Effects Lanosterol on Butyrylcholinesterase, Acetylcholinesterase and Carbonic Anhydrase Enzymes

In this study, for the first time, the antiglaucoma and anticholinergic properties from lanosterol were appraised and researched using different bioanalytical methods and compared with standards. Lanosterol is the compound from which entire fungal and animal steroids are derived. Moreover, is a tetracyclic triterpenoid. Lanosterol is a component in over-the-counter ophthalmic products to prohibit cataracts. The inhibition effects of lanosterol were tested against the butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), carbonic anhydrase I and II (CA I and II) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which are associated with some global diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and glaucoma. Lanosterol were trialed for the inhibition of BChE, AChE, hCA I and II enzymes and indicated efficient inhibition profiles with Ki values in the range of 61.77±22.32 nM against hCA I, 101.11±49.74 nM against hCA II, 2.03±1.21 nM against acetylcholinesterase and 8.39±2.92 nM against butyrylcholinesterase.

European Paediatric Surgeons' Association Survey on the Adherence to EAU/ESPU Guidelines in the Management of Undescended Testes.

The aim of this study was to assess the adherence to the European Association of Urology (EAU)/European Society for Pediatric Urology (ESPU) 2016 guidelines in the management of undescended testes (UDT). An online questionnaire was sent in 2023 to members of the European Paediatric Surgeons' Association (EUPSA). Among 157 members, 46 and 44% perform orchidopexy before 12 and 18 months, respectively. In total, 92% recommend conservative management of retractile testes and 58% offer close follow-up. In case of nonpalpable testes, 78% favor laparoscopy and 18% ultrasonography. If a peeping testicle is identified at laparoscopy, 76% perform a single-stage orchidopexy. In case of a high testicle, a staged procedure is preferred (84%). Management of blind-ending spermatic vessel is heterogenous with a majority ending the operation, followed by exploration of the inguinal canal and removal of the testicular nubbin with optional fixation of the contralateral testis. Only a minority recommends hormonal therapy to improve fertility potential in bilateral UDT. A majority (59%) discuss testis removal in UDT in postpubertal boys. In addition, 77% declare following the EAU/ESPU guidelines. Unawareness of guidelines was the most common reason cited for nonadherence. International guidelines were found to have the greatest influence on clinical practice; however, personal experience and institutional practice seem to play an important role. Most recommendations of the EAU/ESPU guidelines are being followed by EUPSA members; however, personal and institutional practice impact decision making. Hormonal therapy in bilateral UDT, management of vanishing testes, and UDT in postpubertal boys could be improved.

Effects of testosterone replacement on lipid profile, hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cognitive performance in castrated wistar rats.

Androgen deficiency is associated with multiple biochemical and behavioral disorders. This study investigated the effects of testosterone replacement and Spirulina Platensis association on testosterone deficiency-induced metabolic disorders and memory impairment. Adult male rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups and received the following treatments for 20 consecutive days. non-castrated rats received distilled water. Castrated group received distilled water. Testosterone treated group: castrated rats received 0.20 mg of testosterone dissolved in corn oil by subcutaneous injection (i.p.). Spirulina co-treated group: castrated rats received 0.20 mg of testosterone (i.p.) dissolved in corn oil followed by 1000 mg/kg of Spirulina per os. Data showed that castration induced an increase in plasma ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase (PAL), cholesterol, and triglycerides level. Castrated rats showed a great elevation in SOD and CAT activities and MDA and H2O2 levels in the prostate, seminal vesicles, and brain. Testosterone deficiency was also associated with alteration of the spatial memory and exploratory behaviour. Testosterone replacement either alone or with Spirulina combination efficiently improved most of these biochemical parameters and ameliorated cognitive abilities in castrated rats. Testosterone replacement either alone or in combination with Spirulina improved castration-induced metabolic, oxidative, and cognitive alterations.

The role of biospectroscopy and chemometrics as enabling technologies for upcycling of raw materials from the food industry

It is important to utilize the entire animal in meat and fish production to ensure sustainability. Rest raw materials, such as bones, heads, trimmings, and skin, contain essential nutrients that can be transformed into high-value products. Enzymatic protein hydrolysis (EPH) is a bioprocess that can upcycle these materials to create valuable proteins and fats. This paper focuses on the role of spectroscopy and chemometrics in characterizing the quality of the resulting protein product and understanding how raw material quality and processing affect it. The article presents recent developments in chemical characterisation and process modelling, with a focus on rest raw materials from poultry and salmon production. Even if some of the technology is relatively mature and implemented in many laboratories and industries, there are still open challenges and research questions. The main challenges are related to the transition of technology and insights from laboratory to industrial scale, and the link between peptide composition and critical product quality attributes.

GHB toxicokinetics and renal monocarboxylate transporter expression are influenced by the estrus cycle in rats

BackgroundThe illicit use and abuse of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) occurs due to its sedative/hypnotic and euphoric effects. Currently, there are no clinically available therapies to treat GHB overdose, and care focuses on symptom treatment until the drug is eliminated from the body. Proton- and sodium-dependent monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs (SLC16A) and SMCTs (SLC5A)) transport and mediate the renal clearance and distribution of GHB. Previously, it has been shown that MCT expression is regulated by sex hormones in the liver, skeletal muscle and Sertoli cells. The focus of the current study is to evaluate GHB toxicokinetics and renal monocarboxylate transporter expression over the estrus cycle in females, and in the absence of male and female sex hormones.MethodsGHB toxicokinetics and renal transporter expression of MCT1, SMCT1 and CD147 were evaluated in females over the estrus cycle, and in ovariectomized (OVX) female, male and castrated (CST) male rats. GHB was administered iv bolus (600 and 1000 mg/kg) and plasma and urine samples were collected for six hours post-dose. GHB concentrations were quantified using a validated LC/MS/MS assay. Transporter mRNA and protein expression was quantified by qPCR and Western Blot.ResultsGHB renal clearance and AUC varied between sexes and over the estrus cycle in females with higher renal clearance and a lower AUC in proestrus females as compared to males (intact and CST), and OVX females. We demonstrated that renal MCT1 membrane expression varies over the estrus cycle, with the lowest expression observed in proestrus females, which is consistent with the observed changes in GHB renal clearance.ConclusionsOur results suggest that females may be less susceptible to GHB-induced toxicity due to decreased exposure resulting from increased renal clearance, as a result of decreased renal MCT1 expression.

Effect of Sex and Cross-Sex Hormone Treatment on Renal Monocarboxylate-Transporter Expression in Rats.

Proton- and sodium-dependent monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs/SMCTs) are determinants of renal clearance through the renal reabsorption of monocarboxylate substrates. Prior studies with intact females and males, ovariectomized females and castrated males have revealed the hormonal regulation of renal monocarboxylate-transporter expression, prompting investigation into the regulatory role of individual hormones. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of exogenous sex and cross-sex hormones on renal MCT1, MCT4, CD147 and SMCT1 mRNA and membrane-bound protein expression. Ovariectomized (OVX) females and castrated (CST) male Sprague Dawley rats received estrogen and/or progesterone, testosterone, or a corresponding placebo treatment for 21 days prior to kidney collection. The quantitative measurement of mRNA and membrane-protein levels were conducted using qPCR and Western blot. Quantitative analysis revealed the combination estrogen/progesterone treatment reduced membrane MCT1 and 4 expression and increased SMCT1 expression, while testosterone administration increased MCT1 membrane-protein expression. Correlation analysis indicated that plasma 17β-estradiol was negatively correlated with MCT1 and MCT4 membrane expression, while testosterone was positively correlated. In contrast, SMCT1 membrane expression was positively correlated with 17β-estradiol and progesterone concentrations. MCT1, MCT4, CD147 and SMCT1 renal expression are significantly altered in response to female and male sex hormones following sex and cross-sex hormone treatment in OVX and CST rats. Further studies are needed to understand the complex role of sex hormones, sex hormone receptors and the impact of puberty on MCT/SMCT regulation.