Decrease In Cortisol Concentrations Research Articles

PSVIII-9 Effects of growth implants and timing of vaccination on calf immunity and growth performance

Abstract This study assessed calf growth performance and blood parameters of beef calves under different growth implants and timing of vaccination protocols. Crossbreed beef calves (n = 59) were stratified by birth body weight (BW) and age (41 ± 5.2 kg of BW and 70 ± 8 d of age) and randomly assigned in a split-plot design with implant strategy as the main plot and timing of vaccination as the subplot. The main plot (treatment) consisted of 3 implant strategies: 1) Synovex C (SC; n = 20; 100 mg progesterone/10 mg estradiol benzoate, or 2) Synovex One Grower (SG; n = 19; 150 mg trenbolone acetate and 21 mg estradiol benzoate; or 3) no implant (CON; n = 20). Subplot treatments were the timing of vaccination booster against bovine respiratory disease pathogens on 1) weaning (WV; n = 29) or 2) 7-d post-weaning (PWV; n = 30). Cow-calf pairs were treated alike in a single pasture during the pre-weaning phase, receiving the same vaccine (Bovi-Shield Gold One Shot and Ultrabac 7) on d 0 (implantation day) and booster time (WV or PWV). After weaning (approximately 187 d of age), calves were allocated in a single pen receiving ad libitum hay until d 60 post-weaning. Body weight and blood were collected on d 0, weaning, d 0 and 28 relative to vaccination booster, and d 60 post-weaning. Blood was collected to determine insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), cortisol, and leptin concentrations and to perform a complete blood cell count. WV calves had decreased cortisol concentrations on booster day and 28 d post-vaccine (P = 0.01). Regardless of implant treatment, calves tended to have decreased IGF-1 concentrations 28-d post-vaccine booster (P = 0.09). An effect of treatment (P < 0.01) was detected for lymphocyte counts, with CON having greater concentrations vs. SG and SC calves. A treatment × timing of vaccination (P < 0.01) interaction was detected for monocyte counts, where SG-PWV calves had the greatest concentrations. A treatment effect (P < 0.02) was observed for eosinophil percentage, where SG had reduced percentages than CON, while SC was intermediate. An effect of treatment was detected for leptin (P < 0.01), with SG calves having the least, CON being intermediate, and SC the greatest concentrations. From d 0 to 60 d post-weaning, SG tended to have greater ADG (P ≤ 0.07) compared with CON, while SC was intermediate. On d 28 and d 35 post-weaning, calves implanted with SG were heavier (P ≤ 0.04) than the CON but not than SC. In summary, this study demonstrates that growth implants and timing of vaccination significantly affect both physiological parameters and growth performance in beef calves. Implanting calves with Synovex One Grower resulted in improved growth performance.

Increasing GSH-Px Activity and Activating Wnt Pathway Promote Fine Wool Growth in FGF5-Edited Sheep.

Fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) plays key roles in promoting the transition from the anagen to catagen during the hair follicle cycle. The sheep serves as an excellent model for studying hair growth and is frequently utilized in various research processes related to human skin diseases. We used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate four FGF5-edited Dorper sheep and only low levels of FGF5 were detected in the edited sheep. The density of fine wool in GE sheep was markedly increased, and the proportion of fine wool with a diameter of 14.4-20.0 μm was significantly higher. The proliferation signal in the skin of gene-edited (GE) sheep was stronger than in wild-type (WT) sheep. FGF5 editing decreased cortisol concentration in the skin, further activated the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and regulated the expression of Wnt signaling pathways containing Wnt agonists (Rspondins, Rspos) and antagonists (Notum) in hair regeneration. We suggest that FGF5 not only mediates the activation of antioxidant pathways by cortisol, which constitutes a highly coordinated microenvironment in hair follicle cells, but also influences key signals of the Wnt pathway to regulate secondary hair follicle (SHF) development. Overall, our findings here demonstrate that FGF5 plays a significant role in regulating SHF growth in sheep and potentially serves as a molecular marker of fine wool growth in sheep breeding.

Neural Mechanisms Underlying the Impact of Psychological Resilience on Psychosocial Stress Responses

Background: High psychological resilience (HR) could protect individuals from psychosocial stress and thereby make individuals less vulnerable to depression and anxiety; however, the underlying neural mechanism remains to be investigated.Methods: The Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST) was administered to participants of 59 healthy individuals with HR and 56 individuals with low psychological resilience (LR) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning. Cortisol concentrations and subjective stress levels were collected across the MIST. Repeated measures analyses of variance were conducted to measure the group differences in subjective and cortisol stress responses. Two‐sample t‐tests were conducted to detect the group differences in stress‐related brain activation and functional connectivity (FC).Results: The LR group exhibited an increase in cortisol concentration after the MIST, whereas the HR group exhibited a decrease in cortisol concentration after the MIST. The LR group exhibited higher activation in the left anterior insula and lower FC between the left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and the right temporal pole (TP) (all pFWE < 0.05). Mediation analyses revealed that the left anterior insula mediates the relationship between psychological resilience and depression and the left OFC–right TP FC mediates the relationship between psychological resilience and anxiety.Conclusions: Findings highlight that the anterior insula and OFC–TP FC could be the critical neural mechanism underlying the interaction between psychological resilience and psychosocial stress. Moreover, higher anterior insula activation and lower OFC–TP FC could be the crucial neural mechanism of individuals with low psychological resilience developing into depression/anxiety when experiencing daily psychosocial stressors.

The Influence of Complexes of Machine and Free Weights Exercises on the Level of Power Training of Athletes in Strike Fighting in Horting

Purpose. To study the peculiarities of influence of power training loads including machine and free weights exercises on the development of maximum muscle strength of athletes in horting and on their level of training in strike fighting. Methods. We examined 40 sportsmen aged 20±1,2 engaged in horting. The study took place at the stage of specialized basic training and lasted 3 months. All participants were divided into 2 groups, 20 athletes in each group. Group 1 used machine exercises and group 2 used free weights exercises (barbells, dumbbells). The effectiveness of the proposed exercises in the specified modes of muscle activity was evaluated by the indicators of maximum strength development and level of training in strike fighting in horting. Biochemical analysis of cortisol concentration was used to assess their adaptive and compensatory reactions to a physical stimulus. Results. The research results showed that using machine exercises in conditions of anaerobic-glycolytic mode of energy supply contributed to the growth of average group indicators of maximum strength development by 44,8 % (р<0,05) in group 1 athletes. The same indicators increased by 45,1 % (p <0,05) in group 2 athletes who used free weights exercises on the background of anaerobic-alactate mode of energy supply. The special strike training results in horting showed that the most pronounced increase in the number of kicks with maximum force for 15 s was by 30,4 % (р<0,05) in group 2 athletes (according to the results of 3 control exercises). Group 1 athletes also showed positive dynamics, but with almost 4,5 times lower progression. At the beginning of the study group 2 athletes demonstrated decrease in cortisol concentration by 18,8 % (р<0,05), and group 1 athletes increased this indicator by 10.3% compared to the state of rest. The results revealed at the end of the study indicated that this hormone did not change its parameters in response to a physical stimulus. Conclusion. Using free weights exercises contributed to positive changes in control indicators of strike training in horting, despite almost identical increase in maximum strength parameters in both group athletes. Despite the compensatory reaction manifestations in response to power loads in the conditions of anaerobic-alactate mode of energy supply at the beginning of the study, we observed the process of long-term adaptation at the end of the study.

Neuroendocrine Biomarkers of Herbal Medicine for Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a medical condition involving persistent sadness and loss of interest; however, conventional treatments with antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy have limitations. Based on the pathogenesis of MDD, treatments using herbal medicines (HM) have been identified in animal studies. We conducted a systematic review of clinical studies to identify neurobiological outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness of HM in treating MDD. A meta-analysis was performed by searching nine databases from their inception until 12 September 2022, including 31 randomized controlled trials with 3133 participants, to examine the effects of HM on MDD using neurobiological biomarkers and a depression questionnaire scale. Quality assessment was performed using a risk of bias tool. Compared to antidepressants alone, HM combined with an antidepressant significantly increased concentrations of serotonin (SMD = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.24-2.68, p < 0.00001, I2 = 97%), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (SMD = 1.38, 95% CI: 0.92-1.83, p < 0.00001, I2 = 91%), and nerve growth factors (SMD = 2.38, 95% CI: 0.67-4.10, p = 0.006, I2 = 96%), and decreased cortisol concentrations (SMD = -3.78, 95% CI: -4.71 to -2.86, p < 0.00001, I2 = 87%). Although HM or HM with an antidepressant benefits MDD treatment through improving neuroendocrine factors, these findings should be interpreted with caution because of the low methodological quality and clinical heterogeneity of the included studies.

153 Comparison of cortisol concentrations between traditional group therapy and equine assisted psychotherapy for substance use disorder residential treatment patients

Equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is emerging as an effective supplemental substance use disorder (SUD) treatment due to documented improvements in treatment retention, patient-therapist alliances, and patient communication skills within the therapeutic environment. Benefits are attributed to decreased cortisol concentrations associated with horse interaction during the therapy process, however, there is limited research on stress parameters related to EAP during SUD recovery. Due to the prolific nature of this disorder, there is an urgency in exploring effective treatment options for SUD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate concentrations of cortisol in SUD patients within a residential treatment program participating in EAP compared with those participating in traditional group therapy. Salivary cortisol samples were collected from 2 sample populations of young adults: A) residential SUD patients (n = 18) before and after 2 successive weeks of EAP-supplemented therapy sessions and B) residential population of SUD patients (n = 5) before and after 2 successive weeks of traditional group therapy sessions. The impacts of treatment, week of sampling, and treatment by week interactions were analyzedusing a mixed linear model in SAS. Significance level was set at 0.05. No significant impacts of therapy type (P = 0.74), week of sampling (P = 0.69), or any week by treatment interactions (P = 0.86) on patient cortisol concentrations were observed over the 2 week period. Results indicate that despite the therapeutic environment moving to an outdoor setting and the inclusion of exercise in the form of horseback riding within the EAP sessions that EAP did not introduce additional stress responses reflected in the cortisol measures than that seen within the traditional therapeutic setting. As such, EAP presents an opportunity to offer an alternative therapeutic experience where traditional approaches may have faltered, however, further research is needed looking at a larger sample population and additional physiological measures to determine the complete physiological impact this therapy has on SUD patients in comparison to other forms of therapeutic interventions.

Effect of early vs. late maturing sire lines and creep feeding on the cortisol response, intestinal permeability, and growth performance of nursery and finishing pigs.

A total of 21 litters (11 early and 10 late maturing Duroc × DNA 241) resulting in 241 pigs were used in 170 d trial to determine the effect of sire lines selected for either early or late maturing growth rates and creep feeding on the cortisol concentration, intestinal permeability, and growth performance of nursery and finishing pigs. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with main effect of Duroc sire line (early or late maturing) and creep feeding (with or without). Creep feed was provided for 14 d prior to weaning. After weaning (approximately 21 days of age; initially 6.4kg), no interactions were observed for blood cortisol. However, blood cortisol levels were increased (P = 0.011) in late maturing pigs compared to early maturing pigs. A lower percentage (P < 0.001) of early maturing pigs lost weight 3 d post-weaning compared to late maturing pigs. Likewise, early maturing pigs had improved (P < 0.001) ADG and ADFI during the first 3 d in the nursery and also had increased ADFI (P < 0.001) from d 2 to 14 in the nursery. Creep feeding had no effect on initial nursery performance. On d 7, after a 2h fast, a subsample of pigs was administered an oral gavage of lactulose and mannitol dissolved in distilled water. No differences by sire line, creep feeding, or their interactions were observed in lactulose:mannitol ratio. For overall nursery growth performance, an interaction was observed for ADG (P = 0.007) and ADFI (P < 0.001), with creep feed providing a benefit in late maturing pigs, but not in early maturing pigs. Early maturing pigs had poorer G:F (P < 0.001) than late maturing pigs. For overall finishing performance, an interaction was observed for ADG (P = 0.037) and ADFI (P = 0.007), with creep feed providing a benefit in late maturing pigs, but not in early maturing pigs. This resulted in an interaction for final BW (P = 0.005), with late maturing pigs that did not receive creep feed having decreased market weights (P ≤ 0.003) compared to the other treatments. In summary, early maturing pigs had decreased cortisol concentration at weaning and improved ADG and ADFI until approximately 100kg, at which point late maturing pigs began to exhibit greater ADG. Late maturing pigs had improved G:F from 46 d of age until market. Interestingly, creep feeding late maturing pigs resulted in increased d 170 weight compared with providing no creep feed, whereas creep feed did not impact early maturing pigs (sire line × creep feed interaction, P < 0.005).

RESPOSTAS HORMONAIS INDUZIDAS POR EXERCÍCIOS À ADMINISTRAÇÃO DO HMB: UMA REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA E META-ANÁLISE

ABSTRACT Introduction: The β-hydroxy β-methyl butyrate (HMB) is an amino acid leucine metabolite with several ergogenic benefits. It is known that it can benefit testosterone and cortisol concentration in athletes. However, no systematic review and meta-analysis has focused on the effects of HMB supplementation on testosterone and cortisol in trained athletes. Objectives: The meta-analysis evaluates the effect of HMB supplementation on testosterone and cortisol in trained athletes and verifies conflicting results between studies. Methods: A systemic review was performed in Scopus, Medline, and Google scholar databases of articles published until August 2021. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias and assess the quality of the studies. Random effects model, weighted mean difference (WMD), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate the overall effect. Results: Although the meta-analysis showed that HMB consumption does not alter cortisol and testosterone concentration, subgroup analysis based on exercise type exhibited a significant decrease in cortisol concentration in resistance training exercises (P&lt;0.05) and a significant increase in testosterone concentration in combined aerobic and anaerobic sports (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that HMB supplementation in athletes can reduce cortisol concentration in endurance exercise and increase testosterone concentration in combined aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies – Investigating the results.

Di-n-Butyl Phthalate and Its Monoester Metabolite Impairs Steroid Hormone Biosynthesis in Human Cells: Mechanistic In Vitro Studies.

The widespread environmental contaminant di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) has been linked with reduced testosterone levels and adverse reproductive health outcomes in men. However, the underlying mechanisms of these anti-androgenic effects and the potential effects on other classes of steroid hormones remain to be elucidated. Here, we conducted mechanistic studies in human adrenocortical H295R cells exposed to 1–500 µM of DBP or its metabolite, mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), for 48 h. Quantification of steroid hormones in the cell medium by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that both phthalates significantly decreased testosterone, androstenedione, corticosterone, and progesterone levels, in particular after dibutyryl-cyclic-AMP stimulation of steroidogenesis. Western blot analysis of key steroidogenic proteins showed that DBP induced a dose-dependent decrease of CYP11A1 and HSD3β2 levels, while MBP only significantly decreased CYP17A1 levels, indicating that the compounds affect early steps of the steroidogenesis differently. Both DBP and MBP exposure also lead to a dose-related decrease in HSD17β3, the enzyme which catalyzes the final step in the testosterone biosynthesis pathway, although these effects were not statistically significant. Interestingly, DBP increased the cortisol concentration, which may be due to the non-significant CYP11B1 increase in DBP-exposed cells. In contrast, MBP decreased cortisol concentration. Moreover, the analysis of superoxide generation and quantification of the protein oxidation marker nitrotyrosine demonstrated that DBP induced oxidative stress in H295R cells while MBP reduced protein nitrotyrosine levels. These findings confirm the anti-androgenic effects of DBP and MBP and reveal several differences in their toxicological mechanisms, with possible implications for future research on phthalate toxicity.

Characterization of the Interrenal Gland and Sexual Traits Development in cyp17a2-Deficient Zebrafish.

Unlike the Cytochrome P450, family 17, subfamily A, member 1 (Cyp17a1), which possesses both 17α-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activities involved in the steroidogenic pathway that produces androgens and estrogens, Cytochrome P450, family 17, subfamily A, polypeptide 2 (Cyp17a2) possesses only 17α-hydroxylase activity and is known essential for the synthesis of cortisol. Besides with expressed in testes and ovaries, where the cyp17a1 is mainly expressed, cyp17a2 is also expressed in the interrenal gland in fish. Until now, the roles of cyp17a2 in fish, especially in sexual traits development and hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis, are poorly studied. To investigate the roles of Cyp17a2 in teleosts, the cyp17a2-null zebrafish was generated and analyzed by us. The significantly decreased cortisol concentration was observed both in the cyp17a2-deficient males and females at adult stage. The interrenal gland enlargement, increased pituitary proopiomelanocortin a (pomca) expression, decreased locomotion activity and response to light-stimulated stress were observed in cyp17a2-deficient fish. Intriguingly, the cyp17a2-deficient males were fertile and with normal breeding tubercles on the pectoral fin, but females were infertile, deficient in genital papilla and with decreased gonadosomatic index (GSI). The increased progesterone (P4), 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) in the cyp17a2-deficient males and females were observed. The increased concentration of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) was observed in cyp17a2-/- females and cyp17a2-/- males, respectively. By examining the ovaries development of cyp17a2-deficient fish at 3 months postfertilization (mpf), we observed that the oocytes were over-activated. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that Cyp17a2 is indispensable for production and physiology of cortisol, and cyp17a2-deficiency resulted in diminished cortisol but accumulated P4 and DHP, which may result in the over-activated oocytes in cyp17a2-deficient females.

Diurnal dynamics of stress and mood during COVID-19 lockdown: a large multinational ecological momentary assessment study.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in severe disruption to people's lives as governments imposed national ‘lockdowns’. Several large surveys have underlined the detrimental short- and long-term mental health consequences resulting from this disruption, but survey findings are only informative of individuals' retrospectively reported psychological states. Furthermore, knowledge on psychobiological responses to lockdown restrictions is scarce. We used smartphone-based real-time assessments in 731 participants for 7 days and investigated how individuals’ self-reported stress and mood fluctuated diurnally during lockdown in spring 2020. We found that age, gender, financial security, depressive symptoms and trait loneliness modulated the diurnal dynamics of participants' momentary stress and mood. For example, younger and less financially secure individuals showed an attenuated decline in stress as the day progressed, and similarly, more lonely individuals showed a diminished increase in calmness throughout the day. Hair collected from a subsample (n = 140) indicated a decrease in cortisol concentrations following lockdown, but these changes were not related to any of the assessed person-related characteristics. Our findings provide novel insights into the psychobiological impact of lockdown and have implications for how, when and which individuals might benefit most from interventions during psychologically demanding periods.

Stressor-Induced Temporal Cortisol Deficiency as a Primary Trigger for Adaptation to Stress.

Background: Inconsistencies in measurements of cortisol response to stress have caused disagreements in the direction of the change in cortisol concentrations immediately after the onset of stress. Researchers typically observe increased cortisol levels in response to a stressor, perceiving occasional decreases as a sign of possible disorders. Reports indicate the relative ease of standardizing a physical stressor compared with a mental stressor, and cross-stressor adaptation is observable only in elite athletes. Methods: We investigated the cortisol response to top-intensity physical exertion by analyzing the course of the cortisol response, the changes in this response resulting from adaptation to intense exercise, and the possible convergence between the cortisol changes and body fat content. We examined 16 male athletes, members of the Polish National Rowing Team, competing in the World Rowing Championships, in top form, of an average training experience of seven years. The measurements were performed before and after the training camp preparatory to the Championships. We performed the measurements before and after the training camp preparatory to the Championships. Results: Before the camp, the athletes consistently reacted to the exertion test with a decrease in cortisol concentration and elevated cortisol levels after rest compared with baseline. After the camp, the post-exertion cortisol decrease as well as the post-rest cortisol elevation was much smaller and less consistent. Conclusions: The transient decrease in cortisol concentration at the onset of stress thus represents a physiological reaction, and the stress response counteracts the resulting cortisol deficiency to support cortisol availability during stress. Adaptation to stress enhanced this counteracting effect by (1) increasing the baseline cortisol concentration and (2) speeding up the response to its decline. This enhanced effect was boosted by adipose tissue.

Acute effects of mindfulness-based intervention on athlete cognitive function: An fNIRS investigation

Background/ObjectivesMindfulness-based intervention (MBI) as a psychological treatment is adopted in the sports field, but its effect during competition has not been explored. This study investigated the acute effect of a brief MBI on athletes’ cognitive function after a 45-min, lab-based soccer protocol. MethodsIn a single-blind randomized counter-balanced crossover design, 17 male soccer players completed two main trials—an MBI trial and a control trial. The MBI trial was provided with a brief MBI after 45-min exercise; the control trial was instead assigned a travel-related audio to listen to at that time. In each main trial, cognitive function (i.e., Stroop task for inhibition; Corsi-block tapping task for working memory), salivary cortisol, blood lactate and mental fatigue were measured at baseline (pretest) and after the intervention (posttest). The cerebral oxygenation status was recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy during the cognitive function test. ResultsThe brief MBI improved working memory performance in terms of both reaction time (pre vs. post, P = 0.02, d = 0.71) and accuracy (pre vs. post, P = 0.009, d = 0.58), supported by eliciting increased oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Whereas a slightly better cognitive performance for MBI trial than control trial at posttest (P = 0.37, d = 0.32) accompanied by a lower oxyhemoglobin concentration. A lower mental fatigue level (P = 0.05, d = 0.6) and lower cortisol concentration (P = 0.04, d = 0.65) were observed in the MBI trial than in the control trial after the intervention at posttest. The decreased cortisol concentration correlated with increased inhibition performance in the MBI trial. ConclusionThe acute effect of MBI on athletes’ mental fatigue and cortisol concentration was detected, and the beneficial effect on working memory was preliminarily supported. In general, MBI is recommended to be adopted at half-time of a soccer game.

Response of rams to electroejaculation following the administration of oxytocin and cloprostenol with or without GnRH

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of administering prostaglandin (250 μg cloprostenol) and oxytocin (10 UI) or a GnRH agonist (4.2 μg buserelin acetate) on rams' physiological responses to electroejaculation and the ejaculate's characteristics. The study was performed with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, according to whether it used oxytocin and prostaglandin (OXPGF) or GnRH. Therefore, there were four treatments: GControl = saline; GOXPGF = administration of PGF2α and oxytocin; GGnRH = administration of GnRH; administration of GOXPGF + GnRH = GnRH and PGF2α + oxytocin. An interaction between the hormonal treatments in the heart rate occurred: while the heart rate decreased when using OXPGF alone (control: 113.7 bpm vs. GOXPGF: 103.5 bpm, pooled SEM; P = 0.02), it did not modify when applying both treatments simultaneously and administering GnRH (GGnRH: 109.1 bpm vs. GOXPGF + GnRH: 111.5 bpm respectively, pooled SEM = 4.5). The respiratory rate also decreased with the administration of OXPGF (38.7 vs. 46.3 with and without OXPGF, pooled SEM = 10.0, P = 0.003). Administering OXPGF also tended to decrease the temperature (38.77 °C vs. 38.94 °C, with and without OXPGF, respectively, pooled SEM = 0.06; P = 0.056). Blood glucose increased with the administration of OXPGF from 58.7 mg/dL to 62.4 mg/dL (pooled SEM = 1.3, P = 0.014) and varied with time. CK concentrations increased from 641.8 mg/dL to 881.7 mg/dL (pooled SEM = 50.6) with the administration of OXPGF. GnRH administration decreased cortisol concentration from 7.3 ng/mL to 2.1 ng/mL (pooled SEM = 1.4; P = 0.04). The treatments had no effects on the time required for EE, the pulse at which the animals began and ended the ejaculation, or the vocalizations emitted during EE. There were no effects in any evaluated sperm variable. The research concluded that the administration of oxytocin and analogs of PGF2alpha decreased the stress response to electroejaculation, as well as administering GnRH agonist was slightly effective as it only decreased cortisol concentration. Also, these treatments, either alone or combined, did not affect the characteristics of the ejaculate collected.

A field trial comparing four oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on controlling cautery dehorning pain and stress in calves

The purpose of this study was to compare the analgesic effect of four nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) administered as a single, standardized, oral dose in dairy calves at the time of cautery dehorning. The NSAIDs investigated have pharmacokinetic properties in cattle that produce persistent plasma concentrations that may provide prolonged analgesia with the added practicality of a simple administration regimen. One hundred and eighty-five Holstein calves aged approximately 50 d old were either sham dehorned (n = 31) or cautery dehorned following oral administration of carprofen (n = 31), firocoxib (n = 31), flunixin meglumine (n = 30), meloxicam (n = 31) or placebo (n = 31) in a randomized, controlled trial. A standard dose of 2.0 mg/kg was administered to all calves receiving an oral NSAID. All calves received local anesthesia prior to actual or sham dehorning. Cortisol concentrations, heart rate, mechanical nociception thresholds, ocular and dehorning area temperatures, and average daily gains were evaluated. A linear mixed-effects model with repeated measures was used for statistical analysis. Administration of oral meloxicam, flunixin meglumine, and firocoxib at 2.0 mg/kg resulted in decreased cortisol concentrations compared to placebo-treated controls for the first 24 h postdehorning (AUEC0–24) (P = 0.03). Moreover, firocoxib, flunixin meglumine, and meloxicam attenuated the maximum cortisol concentrations compared to placebo-treated calves (P = 0.04, P= 0.02). In calves treated with flunixin meglumine, cortisol concentrations was reduced at 4 h (P = 0.04) and 8 h (P = 0.02). In addition, analgesic administration was associated with changes in ocular and dehorning area temperature differences (P = 0.09). Carprofen and meloxicam reduced heart rates during the entire study period (P = 0.003). Although a treatment effect (P < 0.0001) was observed in the determination of mechanical nociception threshold among all treatment groups, meloxicam expressed marginally significant effects (P = 0.09) among NSAID treated groups dehorned. A single dose of oral meloxicam, flunixin meglumine, or firocoxib administered at 2.0 mg/kg reduced the acute stress response associated with cautery dehorning. However, carprofen administration was associated with increased cortisol concentrations and dehorning area temperatures for the initial 24 h. Given the changes in pain and stress outcome variables assessed in this study, NSAIDs should be administered at the time of dehorning.

Endocrine Effects of Repeated Hot Thermal Stress and Cold Water Immersion in Young Adult Men.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of repeated hot thermal stress and cold water immersion on the endocrine system of young adult men with moderate and high levels of physical activity (PA). The research was conducted on 30 men aged 19–26 years (mean: 22.67 ± 2.02) who attended four sauna sessions of 12 min each (temperature: 90−91°C; relative humidity: 14–16 %). Each sauna session was followed by a 6-min cool-down break during which the participants were immersed in cold water (10−11°C) for 1 min. Testosterone (TES), cortisol (COR), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and prolactin (PRL) levels were measured before and after the sauna bath. The participants’ PA levels were evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Serum COR levels decreased significantly (p < .001) from 13.61 to 9.67 µg/ml during 72 min of sauna treatment. No significant changes (p >.05) were noted in the concentrations of the remaining hormones: TES increased from 4.04 to 4.24 ng/ml, DHEA-S decreased from 357.5 to 356.82 µg/ml, and PRL decreased from 14.50 to 13.71 ng/ml. After sauna, a greater decrease in COR concentrations was observed in males with higher baseline COR levels, whereas only a minor decrease was noted in participants with very low baseline COR values (r =−0.673, p <.001). Repeated use of Finnish sauna induces a significant decrease in COR concentrations, but does not cause significant changes in TES, DHEA-S, or PRL levels. Testosterone concentrations were higher in men characterized by higher levels of PA, both before and after the sauna bath.

PSV-40 Effects of regrouping and administrations of meloxicam and chromium on plasma cortisol concentrations and behaviors in dairy calves

Abstract This study investigated effects of regrouping and oral meloxicam and chromium administration on growth performance, blood cortisol concentrations, and behaviors in dairy calves. Fifty Holstein calves (average age 196 ± 24.7 days, average body weight 198kg ± 32.7 kg) were equally divided into five groups: no regrouping with lactose monohydrate administration (NL), regrouping with lactose monohydrate administration (GL), regrouping with Cr administration (GC), regrouping with meloxicam administration (GM), and regrouping with both meloxicam and Cr administration (GMC). Blood was collected before regrouping and at 3h, 9h, 24h, 1w, and 2w after regrouping. Behaviors have been monitored from d1 to d7. Regrouping did not affect average daily gain (ADG), and the administrations of both meloxicam and chromium increased (P &amp;lt; 0.02) ADG compared to NL group during 2 weeks. Regrouping increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) plasma cortisol concentrations in GL group, and both meloxicam and chromium and its combination treatments decreased cortisol concentrations compared to GL group at 24h, but not at other times. Regrouping increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) fight, duration of eating time, head bunt, drinking time, and standing time behaviors in GL group at d1, d2, d2, d3, and d4 respectively. Regrouping also increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) displacement at eating place in GL group from d3 to d6, but this effect was not significant (P &amp;lt; 0.05) at d7. In conclusion, regrouping caused elevation of plasma cortisol concentrations and abnormal behaviors. Meloxicam, chromium, and/or its combined administrations improved growth performance and reduced circulating cortisol concentrations in regrouped dairy calves, suggesting a feasible strategy to alleviate regrouping stress.

Effect of humor training on stress, cheerfulness and depression in patients with coronary artery disease and refractory angina pectoris

Angina pectoris refractory to conventional medical treatment is acommon phenomenon in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Many of these patients suffer from depression and generate substantial costs in the healthcare system. Therefore, the development of new therapeutic concepts is of particular importance. This study investigated whether professional, structured humor training has apositive effect on the symptoms of patients with treatment refractory angina pectoris. Between 2013 and 2014 a total of 35patients with stable CAD were included. Enrolment was possible if patients suffered from treatment refractory angina pectoris (Canadian Cardiovascular Society, CCS gradesII-IV) despite optimal antianginal medication and exhaustion of options for myocardial revascularization. Previously, 25.8% of the patients had had amyocardial infarction. In this study, aprofessional humor coaching was conducted with aduration of 7weeks. In order to evaluate the effects of the coaching, the following examinations were performed before and after the intervention: exercise stress test (treadmill), hair segment cortisol analysis, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Trier Inventory for the Assessment of Chronic Stress (TICS) and the State-Trait-Cheerfulness Inventory (STCI). Out of the 35initially recruited patients 31 completed the study. The mean age was 65.5 years and 94.5% were female. There was asignificant improvement in cheerfulness (STCI, pre 23.3 ± 5.4, post 27.5 ± 5, p = 0,03). This effect was even stronger in asubgroup analysis in which only female patients were included (pre 23.6 ± 5.5, post 27.7 ± 4.6, p = 0.003). The results of the BDI showed aremarkable improvement in the pre-post analysis (pre 14.6 ± 8.1, post 11.0 ± 6.5, p = 0.064). Analyzing only the female patients, this difference became significant (pre 13.1 ± 6.4, post 9.9 ± 4.6 p = 0,037). The hair segment investigations showed that patients who had ahigher cortisol level in the beginning (>25.percentile, n = 22) showed asignificant reduction of the cortisol concentration (pre 6.54 pg/mg, 3.78-12.12 pg/mg, post 3.65 pg/mg, 2.82-7.68 pg/mg, p = 0.029). Patients with refractory angina pectoris and stable CAD benefit from aprofessional humor coaching. This effect was shown in a)asignificant decrease in cortisol concentrations in the hair segment analysis, b)an improvement in cheerfulness in the STCI and c)asignificant difference in the BDI between pre-post values.

Comparison of Complex Versus Contrast Training on Steroid Hormones and Sports Performance in Male Soccer Players

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a complex versus a contrast training regimen with steroid hormones and the performance of soccer players. MethodsThirty-six professional male soccer players were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: complex training (n = 12; body mass index [BMI], 22.95 ± 1.76 kg/m2), contrast training (n = 12; BMI, 22.05 ± 2.03 kg/m2), and control (n = 12; BMI, 22.27 ± 1.44 kg/m2). Players from the complex and contrast groups were trained for 6 weeks (3 d/wk). The complex group performed 4 different exercises, each composed of strength (80% of 1 repetition maximum [RM]) and power components alternately. The contrast group performed the same strengthening exercises alternately at different intensities (40% and 80% of 1 RM). All players were tested for free testosterone, cortisol, vertical jump, 20-m sprint, and agility T-test at the baseline and after 6 weeks of training. ResultsA 3 × 2 mixed analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in time effect (P ≤ .05), whereas a nonsignificant difference was found in the group effect for all outcome variables. group × time interaction was significant in all the variables (P < .01) except cortisol (P = .28). ConclusionComplex training showed greater improvement in physical performance and free testosterone concentration compared with contrast training, whereas both types of training decreased cortisol concentration in a similar fashion.

Seasonal variation in salivary cortisol but not symptoms of depression and trait anxiety in pregnant women undergoing an elective caesarean section

ObjectivesSeasonal changes in mood and behaviour are commonly reported in the general population but considerably less is known regarding seasonality and pregnancy. This study investigated the relationship between seasons and depression and anxiety symptoms, salivary cortisol concentrations, custom birthweight centiles (CBWC) and placenta weight for pregnant women living in South Wales. MethodsThis study utilised data from the longitudinal Grown in Wales (GiW) cohort. Women were recruited at the presurgical elective caesarean section (ELCS) appointment, when they provided saliva samples and completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and trait subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Data on birthweight and placental weight was extracted from medical notes. Seasonal data was available for 316 participants. ResultsNo association was identified between seasons and EPDS (p = .178), STAI scores (p = .544), CBWC (p = .683) or placental weight (p = .857). Significance was identified between seasons and salivary cortisol concentration (p<.001), with highest levels in autumn and winter. Adjusted linear regression identified spring (B=−.05, p=.007, 95% CI −.09, −.01) and summer (B=−.06, p = .001, 95% CI −09, −.02) compared to autumn, and spring (B=−.05, p=.009, 95% CI −.09, −.01) and summer (B=−.06, p=.002, 95% CI −.10, −.02) compared to winter to be associated with decreased cortisol concentrations. ConclusionThis study found no association between season and maternally-reported mental health symptoms, birthweight by CBWC or placental weight but did between season and term salivary cortisol. This finding will have implications for studies that do not account for seasonality when using salivary cortisol as a biomarker.