Hormonal Parameters Research Articles

Increase in Serum Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (IL-1ra) Levels after Wheelchair Half Marathon Race in Male Athletes with Spinal Cord Injury.

Exercise increases the serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which in turn stimulates the production of various inflammatory cytokine antagonists, such as interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) are at high risk of inflammatory conditions. This study compared the effects of wheelchair half marathon on the immune system of male athletes with CSCI and those with thoracic/lumber spinal cord injury (SCI). Neutrophil count, IL-1ra, IL-6, and various endocrine parameters were measured before, immediately and 1 h after the race in five CSCI and six SCI who completed the wheelchair marathon race. The percentage of neutrophils was significantly higher in CSCI immediately and 1 h after the race, compared with the baseline, and significantly higher in SCI at 1 h after the race. IL-6 was significantly higher immediately and 1 h after the race in SCI, whereas no such changes were noted in IL-6 in CSCI. IL-1ra was significantly higher at 1 h after the race in both SCI and CSCI. The race was associated with an increase in IL-1ra in both CSCI and SCI. These findings suggest wheelchair half marathon race increases IL-1ra even under stable IL-6 status in male CSCI individuals, and that such post-race increase in IL-1ra is probably mediated through circulatory neutrophils.

Seminal calbindin 2 level in azoospermia and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and its correlation with seminal and hormonal parameters.

We aimed to assess seminal calbindin 2 (CALB 2) expression in men with different semen parameters as well as its correlation with reproductive hormones in azoospermic patients and different semen parameters in oligoasthenoteratozoospermic patients. CALB 2 is also known as calretinin and 29 kDa calbindin. This prospective study was performed on 96 cases from the andrology outpatient clinic divided into 3 groups as follows: group 1 including 32 non obstructive azoospermic (NOA) patients, group 2 including 32 patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT), and Group 3 including normozoospermic individuals as controls. Semen analysis and estimation of seminal CALB 2 concentrations by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique were performed for all participants. Reproductive hormones were measured in nonobstructive NOA patients. The mean seminal CALB 2 level was higher in OAT patients compared to NOA patients and controls (7.8 ± 1.30 ng/ml, 7.3 ± 0.80 and 7.4 ± 1.0, respectively). Furthermore, the study had shown strong positive correlations between CALB 2 and sperm normal forms in controls and OAT patients. In contrast, there was no significant correlation between seminal CALB 2 and any of the reproductive hormones measured in NOA patients. Seminal CALB 2 may play a role in increasing the abnormal forms in OAT patients.

Effect of ketogenic diet and hypocaloric Mediterranean diet on metabolic and endocrine parameter in women suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

ABSTRACT PCOS is the most prevalent female endocrine disorder and is characterized by polycystic ovaries, hyperandrogenism, and protracted anovulation. In PCOS, obesity, low-grade chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance (IR) frequently coexist. The Mediterranean diet (MD) and Ketogenic diet act as an anti-inflammatory eating plan that is high in complex carbohydrates, fiber, and monounsaturated fat, whereas the Keto diet is high in fat content. PCOS is associated with obesity, low-grade chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalances. The aim of the present study was to measure the metabolic and endocrine effects of a ketogenic and hypocaloric Mediterranean diet in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. For this purpose, 80 participants were divided into two groups. Group 1 was on the ketogenic diet and Group 2 was on the Mediterranean diet for 9 weeks. The result of the present study showed that significant weight was reduced among the keto group (−10.9 kg) as compared to the Mediterranean group (−5.1 kg). Total cholesterol and Low-Density Lipoprotein among the keto group was 181. 5 ± 22.2 and 85.3 ± 16.2 U/L whereas, in the Mediterranean group 190.3 ± 22.7 and 91.3 ± 15.9 U/L were observed. Blood glucose levels among the Keto and Mediterranean groups reduced significantly 83.47 ± 5.81 and 91.7 ± 5.8 (mg/dl). C-peptide, LH, and FSH also improved more significantly as compared to the Mediterranean group respectively. This study revealed that a ketogenic diet is superior to a hypocaloric Mediterranean diet for lowering Triglyceride, Cholesterol, LDL, blood glucose, insulin, C peptide, HOMA-IR, LH/FSH, Serum Albumin, Facilitating Hormone, and Sex hormone-binding globulin levels. Females having PCO may improve health with the ketogenic diet

Impact of 2.5 mg versus 5 mg letrozole co-treatment in an antagonist protocol for IVF: a retrospective study.

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two different doses of letrozole (2.5 mg and 5 mg daily) in an antagonist protocol for infertile women with normal ovarian reserve. This retrospective cohort study included infertile women who underwent in vitro fertilization treatment with letrozole co-treatment at doses of 2.5 mg and 5 mg from 2007 - 2021 at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital (Shanghai, China). The control group comprised infertile women who received gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist alone. The primary outcome was the cumulative live birth rate, while secondary outcomes included follicular phase endocrine parameters, ovarian stimulation outcomes, pregnancy outcomes, and the incidences of maternal and neonatal complications. Baseline and follow-up data were compared between the groups using ANOVA for normally distributed variables, the Kruskal-Wallis test for non-normally distributed variables, and the Chi-square test for categorical variables. A total of 422 participants were enrolled in the study, with 211 women in the antagonist group, 109 women in the 2.5 mg letrozole co-treatment group, and 102 women in the 5 mg letrozole co-treatment group. Letrozole co-treatment significantly suppressed oestradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations from stimulation day 5 and onwards, while increasing luteinizing hormone levels on stimulation day 5 and trigger day. The effect was more pronounced with a 5 mg dose of letrozole compared to a 2.5 mg dose (P < 0.05). Administration of 5 mg letrozole reduced the gonadotropin dose (P < 0.05) without negatively affecting the number of oocytes retrieved and subsequent embryo parameters (P > 0.05). The analysis of cumulative live birth rates showed rates of 29.4% in the letrozole 5 mg group, 27.5% in the letrozole 2.5 mg group, and 33.6% in the control group, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). There were no reported pregnancy complications in the two letrozole groups. Additionally, there were no significant differences among the three groups in terms of gestational age and birth weight for both singleton and twin births. This study indicates that the administration of letrozole in an antagonist protocol, at both 2.5 mg and 5 mg dosages, results in comparable clinical outcomes.

Thyroid ultrasound and its ancillary techniques.

Ultrasound (US) of the thyroid has been used as a diagnostic tool since the late 1960s. US is the most important imaging tool for diagnosing thyroid disease. In the majority of cases a correct diagnosis can already be made in synopsis of the sonographic together with clinical findings and basal thyroid hormone parameters. However, the characterization of thyroid nodules by US remains challenging. The introduction of Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (TIRADSs) has improved diagnostic accuracy of thyroid cancer significantly. Newer techniques such as elastography, superb microvascular imaging (SMI), contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and multiparametric ultrasound (MPUS) expand diagnostic options and tools further. In addition, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is a promising tool to improve and simplify diagnostics of thyroid nodules and there is evidence that AI can exceed the performance of humans. Combining different US techniques with the introduction of new software, the use of AI, FNB as well as molecular markers might pave the way for a completely new area of diagnostic accuracy in thyroid disease. Finally, interventional ultrasound using US-guided thermal ablation (TA) procedures are increasingly proposed as therapy options for benign as well as malignant thyroid diseases.

Effects of GLP1RAs on pregnancy rate and menstrual cyclicity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis and systematic review

PurposeThis study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists on pregnancy rate, menses, anthropometric and hormonal parameters in PCOS patients.MethodsWe conducted searches of the published literature in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science up to September 2022. Data from randomized controlled trials were obtained to assess the effects of GLP1RAs in PCOS women. Weighted mean difference, standardized mean difference, and risks ratio were employed for effect size estimation using a random-effects model.ResultsA total of 840 patients with 469 individuals in GLP1RAs group and 371 individuals in control group from 11 RCTs were included. GLP1RAs usage was associated with an improvement in natural pregnancy rate (RR: 1.72, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.43, P = 0.002, I2 = 0%) and menstrual regularity (SMD: 1.72, 95% CI 0.60 to 2.85, P < 0.001, I2 = 95.6%). There were no statistically significant differences in total pregnancy rate, IVF pregnancy rate between two groups, but total PR elevated in a short time after GLP1RAs as shown in subgroup analysis. Randomization to GLP1RAs treatment was associated with great improvement in HOMA-IR, BMI, WC, SHBG and a slight reduction in TT compared to control group. A decrease in TBF was seen in European population. GLP1RAs monotherapy was not superior to metformin when it came to fT, DHEAS, FAI.ConclusionsPrescription of GLP1RAs improves natural pregnancy rate, menstrual cyclicity and insulin sensitivity, anthropometrics, hormonal indexes in PCOS women.

Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis type) severity shows inverse correlation with semen parameters and testosterone levels.

Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been reported to be at an increased risk of infertility and sexual dysfunction. Although the relationship between them remains unclear, IBD severity is suspected to affect hormone levels and fertility. To analyze the impact of IBD severity on semen parameters and sex hormone levels in ulcerative colitis-type IBD (UC-IBD), we conducted a cross-sectional study involving 120 patients with UC-IBD in Adam Malik General Hospital, Medan, Indonesia. The patients were classified into three groups based on the Mayo score for UC, followed by a comparison of various semen and hormone parameters among these groups. In addition to the cross-sectional analysis, a simple correlation test was conducted irrespective of the patient grouping. Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were found to decline significantly with an increase in IBD severity. Without classifying patients with IBD into subgroups, the Mayo score showed negative correlations with sperm concentration ( r = -0.375, P < 0.0001), rapid progressive motility ( r = -0.660, P < 0.0001), free testosterone ( r = -0.732, P < 0.0001), and total testosterone ( r = -0.721, P < 0.0001), and positive correlations with immotile sperm ( r = 0.660, P < 0.0001), abnormal morphology ( r = 0.657, P < 0.0001), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG; r = 0.278, P = 0.002). Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology declined significantly with the severity of IBD. This study suggests a significant negative impact of IBD severity on semen quality and sex hormones.

Abstract 18080: Pediatric Sex Detection Through AI-Enabled ECG Analysis: Evaluating Accuracy and the Influence of Pubertal Development

Introduction: Biologic sex and hormonal concentrations shape ECG parameters due to sex hormone effects on cardiac function. AI-enabled ECGs have previously been shown to accurately predict patient sex in adults and correlate with sex hormone levels. Aims: We aimed to test the ability of AI-enabled ECGs to predict pediatric patient sex and explore the influence of pubertal development. Methods: Two AI-enabled ECG models were created using a convolutional neural network trained on pediatric 10-second, 12-lead surface ECGs. The first model was trained de novo using pediatric data. The second model used transfer learning from a previously validated adult data-derived algorithm. We analyzed the first ECG from 89,063 pediatric patients (aged &lt;19 years) recorded from 1988-2022, and divided the cohort into training, validation, and testing datasets. Subgroup analysis was performed on prepubertal (0-7 years), pubertal (8-14 years), and post-pubertal (15-18 years) patients. Results: The cohort consisted of 46.6% males, with 21,434 prepubertal, 26,300 pubertal, and 41,329 post-pubertal children. No significant performance difference was observed between the two models. Both models demonstrated 81% accuracy and an overall AUC of 0.91 in the testing cohorts, with high discriminatory ability in post-pubertal teenagers (AUC = 0.98). (Figure 1) Conclusions: AI-ECG predicts pediatric patient sex with varying performance across pubertal stages. The highest discriminatory ability is observed post-puberty, decreasing in pubertal and prepubertal children. The results suggest hormonal and physiological changes during puberty may influence cardiac electrophysiology measurably. More research is required to interpret CNN-predicted sex discordance with actual sex and its implications for future cardiovascular risk.

Cardiovascular risk in Cuban adolescents and young adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

BackgroundHyperandrogenism and supraphysiologic glucocorticoid replacement may lead to subclinical atherosclerosis in people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and predispose the development of cardiovascular diseases from an early age.ObjectivesTo determine if cardiometabolic risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis are more frequent in patients with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) and if there is an association with clinical, hormonal and treatment of 21OHD.Material and methodsA descriptive prospective cross-sectional study exploring clinical variables, biochemical, hormonal variables, endothelial dysfunction (flow-mediated dilation < 5%) and carotid intima media thickness (≥ 95 percentile in adolescents and ≥ 75 percentile in adults) and epicardial fat. Adolescents and young patients with 21OHD were compared with controls matched by age, sex, body mass index and Tanner stage.ResultsForty four subjects (22 with CAH), 36 (82%) females, with a mean age of 17.1 ± 5.5 years (range 10–30 years) were included. Family history revealed diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia with high frequencies in both groups. The blood pressure was similar in both groups. Blood glucose levels were lower and triglycerides higher in patient (both p < 0.01). Epicardial fat was similar between groups and in patients with CAH it was related to cholesterol levels ​​(r = 0.679, p < 0.01), time since CAH diagnosis (r = 0.462, p = 0.03) and glucocorticoid dose (r = 0.499, p = 0.04). Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) had a tendency to be increased in patients (p = 0.07) and was directly related to 17-hydroxyprogesterone (r = 0.510, p = 0.018), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.444, p = 0.04) and the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index (r = 0.507, p = 0.01). Endothelial dysfunction was not different between groups.ConclusionsSome cardiometabolic risk factors were increased in patients with CAH and were associated with clinical, hormonal and treatment parameters of CAH. Cardiometabolic risk should be evaluated regularly in patients with CAH.

Nutritional Intervention in Cushing's Disease: The Ketogenic Diet's Effects on Metabolic Comorbidities and Adrenal Steroids.

a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) is associated with improvement of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. We aimed to evaluate the effects of a VLCKD in patients with Cushing's disease (CD) as adjunctive therapy to treatment for the primary disease. we evaluated clinical, hormonal and metabolic parameters in 15 patients with CD and 15 controls at baseline after 1 week and 3 weeks of VLCKD and, further, after 2 weeks of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD). after 5 weeks of diet, a significant decrease in BMI (p = 0.002), waist circumference (WC) (p = 0.024), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.015), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.005), ACTH (p = 0.026), cortisone (p = 0.025), total cholesterol (p = 0.006), LDL cholesterol (p = 0.017), triglycerides (p = 0.016) and alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.008) and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol (p = 0.017), vitamin D (p = 0.015) and oral disposition index (oDI) (p = 0.004) was observed in the CD patients. A significant decrease in BMI (p = 0.003), WC (p = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.025), diastolic (p = 0.007) blood pressure and total cholesterol (p = 0.026) and an increase in HDL cholesterol (p = 0.001) and oDI (p < 0.001) was observed in controls. the current study confirms that a ketogenic diet is effective in improving metabolic disorders in CD and shows that a nutritional approach may be combined with conventional CD therapy in order to improve metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities.

Effectiveness of Myoinositol alone or in Companion with Metformin in Improving Hormonal, Metabolic, and Clinical Features of PCOS Women

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) referring to a syndrome that is recognized as a life-course disease and has both metabolic and reproductive signs; main pathophysiological cause includes insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and oxidative stress state. The study aimed to assess the impact of combining Myoinositol and Metformin, the main insulin-sensitizing drugs, on improving clinical, metabolic, and hormonal parameters in females with PCOS. A clinical trial that was prospective, randomized, and comparative on 54 patients (aged 18-40 y) are divided into three groups: group1 patients allocated to receive Myo-inositol(4g), group2 patients assigned to receive Metformin(1g) and group3 patients assigned to receive Myo-inositol(4g) + Metformin(1g) all for three months. Baseline and post-intervention fasting blood samples were collected to evaluate hormonal, metabolic parameters, and oxidative stress biomarkers. Metformin and Myoinositol together lead to a significant drop free testosterone (P = 0.002), LH (P 0.003), LH to FSH ratio(P=0.004), FSI (P 0.012), the HOMA IR (p 0.019), hirsutism score (p=&lt;0.001) and acne score (p= 0.003), besides substantial increase in GPX (P 0.02). Meanwhile, Myoinositol supplement causes a substantial drop in free testosterone (p=0.013), FSI (P 0.02), and HOMA – IR (P value=0.025) also a substantial rise in GPX (P=0.005). Combining Myoinositol with metformin results in improving clinical, metabolic, hormonal parameters, as well as oxidative indicators for PCOS females.

Impact of Fasting on Patients With Cancer: An Integrative Review.

Patients with cancer often pursue nutrition as an avenue to positively impact their care management and disease outcomes. Nutritional interventions are increasing in popularity, especially intermittent fasting as an adjunct to chemotherapy. However, limited research is available on the impact of intermittent fasting on patients with cancer. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, and CINAHL databases. 514 articles were identified from the three databases. Seven studies remained after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The seven studies included in this review examined fasting compliance, malnutrition, therapy side effects, endocrine parameters, quality of life measures, and cancer outcomes. Data suggest overall good compliance, no malnutrition, minimal side effects, a trend toward improved endocrine parameters, unchanged quality of life (QOL), and mixed results for cancer outcomes. Intermittent fasting as an adjunct to chemotherapy in normal-weight patients with cancer has potential as a safe, tolerable, and feasible nutritional intervention that could positively impact treatment outcomes and QOL. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these findings and determine what future role intermittent fasting may play in cancer management.

Effects of myoinositol vs. metformin use on hormonal parameters according to the duration of treatment in women with PCOS: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Effects of myoinositol vs. metformin use on hormonal parameters according to the duration of treatment in women with PCOS: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Evaluation of the relationship between Angiopoietin like protein-3 levels and clinical, biochemical and hormonal parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome

Evaluation of the relationship between Angiopoietin like protein-3 levels and clinical, biochemical and hormonal parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome

SGLT-2 inhibitors enhance the effect of metformin to ameliorate hormonal changes and inflammatory markers in a rat PCOS model.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine, reproductive, and metabolic disorder affecting females. The management of PCOS is challenging and current interventions are not enough to deal with all consequences of this syndrome. We explored the beneficial effect of combined sodium glucose co transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i); (empagliflozin) and metformin on hormonal and metabolic parameters in an animal model of PCOS and insulin resistance (IR). Forty adult female Wistar rats divided into five groups: control, PCOS-IR, PCOS-IR treated with metformin, PCOS-IR treated with empagliflozin, and PCOS-IR treated with combined metformin and empagliflozin. Single modality treatment with metformin or empagliflozin yielded significant improvement in body mass index, insulin resistance, lipid profile, sex hormones, inflammatory markers, and ovarian cystic follicles. Combined metformin with empagliflozin expressed further significant improvement in sex hormones, inflammatory markers with disappearance of ovarian cystic follicles. The superior significant improvement with combined treatment over the single modality was in line with significant improvement in the ovarian AMPKα-SIRT1 expression.

The relationship between anthropometric and metabolic risk factors and testicular function in healthy young men.

This study investigated the relationship of anthropometric and metabolic risk factors with seminal and sex steroidal hormone parameters in a screened population of healthy males. The participants were healthy young men without chronic or congenital diseases. The body composition parameters that we investigated were measured weight, height, and waist circumference (WC), as well as bioelectrical impedance analysis. Semen samples were analyzed for semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and morphology, seminal pH, and liquefaction time. Biochemistry analysis, including glucose and lipid metabolism parameters, was conducted on fasting blood samples. Testicular volume was calculated separately for each testis using ultrasonography. Body mass index exhibited an inverse association with total sperm count. WC showed negative correlations with numerous seminal parameters, including sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm morphology, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. The basal metabolic rate was associated with seminal pH, liquefaction time, and sperm motility. WC, fat mass percentage, and triglyceride levels exhibited negative correlations with sex hormone binding globulin. The measures of glucose metabolism were associated with a greater number of seminal parameters than the measures of cholesterol metabolism. C-reactive protein levels were inversely associated with sperm concentration and total sperm count. Anthropometric and metabolic risk factors were found to predict semen quality and alterations in sex steroidal hormone levels.

The Impact of Nutritional Therapy in the Management of Overweight/Obese PCOS Patient Candidates for IVF.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common female endocrine disorder, and it has two main pathological aspects: reproductive and metabolic. Overweight/obesity is a risk factor in terms of adverse effects during hormone stimulation, a reduced response to ovulation induction regimens, reduced success of IVF, and an increased risk of obstetric complications. To resolve this vicious cycle of pathological events, weight loss and lifestyle modifications are promising strategies. Among these possible approaches, the consumption of a very-low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) or Mediterranean diet (MD) represents a valid option. In our study, 84 obese/overweight PCOS patients were recruited to evaluate the effects induced by the VLCKD and MD on weight, hormonal, and metabolic parameters. BMI decreased significantly among the VLKCD patients compared to the MD patients (both presenting p values < 0.0001 at 90 and 120 days), and a significant reduction in body circumference was observed. At the same time, HOMA index values statistically decreased for the VLCKD patients compared to those on the MD (p value < 0.001 at 90 days and p value < 0.05 at 120 days), and this phenomenon was also observed for AFC at 90 and 120 days (both p values < 0.001) and AMH at 90 days (p value < 0.05). Interestingly, the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) incidence was statistically lower in the VLKCD patients compared to the MD patients (p < 0.001). We state that these dietary regimes may improve anthropometric parameters (such as BMI) and women's reproductive health, restore menstrual regularity, and reduce the risk of OHSS. Regarding the different nutritional therapies, the results suggest that the VLCKD is an optimal choice for entry into IVF, especially in terms of the time range in which these results are achieved.

Effects of Olea europaea L. Polyphenols on the Animal Welfare and Milk Quality in Dairy Cows.

Here, we evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation with an Olea europaea L. extract on the animal welfare and milk quality of dairy cows. Thirty Italian Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in the mid-lactation phase (90 to 210 days) were blocked into experimental groups based on parity class (namely, primiparous (P) (n = 10), secondiparous (S) (n = 10) and pluriparous (PL) (n = 10)) and received, for 60 days, Phenofeed Dry® at 500 mg/cow/day. Milk and blood samples were collected before the start of the treatment (T0), subsequently every 15 days (T1-T4) and at 45 days after the end of treatment (T5). In the serum, glucose and triglycerides, stress, the thyroid, lactation and sex hormones were measured; in the milk, lysozyme content as well as the fatty acid profile were assessed. In the whole animal, the enriched feed helped to maintain hormonal parameters in the physiological range while producing hypoglycemic (T4 vs. T0, for P and PL p < 0.001) and hypolipidemic effects (T4 vs. T0, for P p < 0.001 and for PL p < 0.01). At the milk level, it resulted in a reduction in total fat (T5 vs. T0, for P, S and PL p < 0.001) and in the saturated fatty acids (SFAs)/monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) ratio paralleled by an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (T5 vs. T0, for P, S and PL p < 0.001), protein content (lysozyme (T4 vs. T0, for P and PL p < 0.001)) and lactose (T5 vs. T0, for P, S and PL p < 0.001). Thus, the inclusion of natural bioactive molecules such as O. europaea L. polyphenols in the dairy cow diet may help to improve animal welfare and milk quality.

Shaped by you: The effect of social partner on cortisol and behavior during adolescence in a female rodent

AbstractAdolescence is a sensitive phase when cues from the social environment can shape consistent individual differences in behavioral and hormonal profiles, but the effect of the social partner on these phenotypes is not well‐understood, especially for females. We therefore aimed to investigate whether the age class and sex of the housing partner affect social behavior and cortisol concentrations in female guinea pigs during adolescence and estimate the repeatability of cortisol concentrations in this life stage. Female guinea pigs were housed upon weaning for 4 weeks with either an adult female, adolescent female, or adolescent male. Social behavior was observed in the home enclosure and a preference test and social interaction test were carried out at the end of the experiment. Cortisol concentrations (baseline and response to a challenge) were measured prior to the start of the experiment and 2 and 4 weeks after pair formation. We hypothesized that the social partner would affect behavior and cortisol concentrations. We found that females housed with an adult female were less aggressive and more consistently displaced by their housing partner than females housed with an adolescent female. Sex of the housing partner did not affect focal female behavior. Regarding hormones, baseline cortisol concentration was neither significantly repeatable nor significantly affected by the housing partner. However, cortisol responsiveness was highly repeatable both 1 h and 2 h after the onset of a challenge. The age class of the housing partner affected cortisol responsiveness, with higher cortisol concentrations measured at 1 h in females housed with an adult female. These results indicate that adolescent female guinea pigs exhibit consistent individual differences in cortisol responsiveness while retaining plasticity to adjust to cues from the social environment. Taken together, we show in a female rodent that the social environment can significantly shape behavioral and endocrine parameters during adolescence.

Comparison of Various Blood Vacuum Tubes Brand for Clinical Chemistry, Hormonal, Hematology, and Hemostasis Parameters

Link of Video Abstract: https://youtu.be/O7-fCHyvGo4 Background: Laboratory tests are integral to the medical decision-making process. Blood vacuum tubes need to be validated to increase the analytics quality. This study aimed to compare various vacuum tube brands that use serum clot activator and serum separator tube (SST) for clinical chemistry and hormonal parameters, K3EDTA anticoagulant for hematological parameters, and citrate for hemostasis parameters. Methods: The comparative study was carried out cross-sectional in the Department of Clinical Pathology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Public Hospital, on June 20, 2020. There were 20 subjects for each type of tube. The control tube was BD Vacutainer®, and the test tubes were Samplix®, VACUETTE®, Vacusera®, and YCHD. Results: Underfilling was the most common problem in preanalytical observation. This problem for citrate tubes was most frequently found in Vacusera® tubes. The possible cause of underfilling is the expiration date, which was close to the date of the experiment. There was a significant difference in PT results (p &lt;0.0001) in the Vacusera® citrate tube. All tube brands had no significant differences in all clinical chemistry, hormonal, and hematological parameters (P&gt;0.05). After 24 hours at room temperature, the results of hematological parameters showed statistically significant differences in MCV and hematocrit parameters, while other parameters were still within the CV limit of the instrument. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in the results of clinical chemistry, hormonal, and hematological parameters for all tube brands. A hematology parameters test should be done immediately as the delay may affect the MCV and hematocrit parameters.