Plasma T3 Research Articles

Plasma antioxidant and hepatic enzymes activity, thyroid hormones alterations and health status of liver tissue in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to lufenuron

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of lufenuron as new practical pesticide on the health of one important fish species in aquaculture, common carp. The LC50 of lufenuron after 96 h was 1.089 mg/L in juvenile common carp (48 ± 4.25 g in weight). Behavior and mortality were investigated during the acute toxicity. The fish showed loss of equilibrium, erratic and lateral swimming and motionless. To determine the chronic effects of lufenuron, the fish distributed into 8 tanks as two treatments (4 tanks per treatment). They were exposed to 0 (control) and lufenuron (0.1 mg/L; 10% LC50-96 h concentration) and sampled at 7th and 21st days for blood biochemical analyses and at 21st day foe liver histopathological examinations. Plasma total protein and globulin levels of the lufenuron-exposed fish decreased significantly compared to the control fish. Lufenuron exposure increased plasma ALP, ALT and AST activities compared to the control group. Sampling time and lufenuron exposure had interaction effect on the plasma LDH activity. The plasma LDH activity of the lufenuron-exposed fish increased after 7 days exposure compared to the control group, but showed no significant difference compared to the control group after 21 days. The plasma T3 level declined in the lufenuron-exposed fish without significant changes in the plasma T4 levels. The plasma SOD activity in the lufenuron-exposed fish increased compared to the control group at the first sampling time, but there was no significant difference in the plasma SOD activities of the lufenuron-exposed and control fish after 21 days. Lufenuron exposure and sampling time had no independent or interaction effects of the plasma CAT activities. Plasma TBARS levels of the lufenuron-exposed fish had no significant difference compared to the control group after 7 day, but significantly increased after 21 days lufenuron exposure. Hepatocyte necrosis, melanomacrophage aggregates and sinusoidal space expansion were observed in the liver samples of the lufenuron-exposed fish.

Nonthyroidal Illness Syndrome Across the Ages.

In conditions of acute illness, patients present with reduced plasma T3 concentrations without a concomitant rise in TSH. In contrast, plasma concentrations of the inactive hormone rT3 increase, whereas plasma concentrations of T4 remain low-normal. This constellation of changes, referred to as nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS), is present across all ages, from preterm neonates and over-term critically ill infants and children to critically ill adults. Although the severity of illness strongly correlates with the severity of the NTIS phenotype, the causality of this association remains debated, and pathophysiological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In the acute phase of illness, NTIS appears to be caused predominantly by an increased peripheral inactivation of thyroid hormones, in which reduced nutritional intake plays a role. Current evidence suggests that these acute peripheral changes are part of a beneficial adaptation of the body to reduce expenditure of energy and to activate the innate immune response, which is important for survival. In contrast, in more severely ill and prolonged critically ill patients, an additional central suppression of the thyroid hormone axis alters and further aggravates the NTIS phenotype. Recent studies suggest that this central suppression may not be adaptive. Whether treatment of this central component of NTIS in prolonged critically ill patients, with the use of hypothalamic releasing factors, improves outcome remains to be investigated in large randomized control trials.

A Preliminary Study on the Effects of Hyperosmotic Stress on Plasma Levels of Thyroid Hormones in Male Catfish, Clarias gariepinus

Male air-breathing catfish, Clarias gariepinus were exposed to hyperosmolar mannitol solution (250 mM) to determine its effect on the plasma levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) during the winter, spring, summer and autumn seasons. During the winter season, hyperosmolar mannitol solution significantly increased the plasma levels of T4 throughout the duration of exposure, whereas the plasma T3 levels significantly increased only at 12-48 h. During the spring season, significant decreases in the plasma levels of T4 were observed only at 12 and 48 h, and significant increases in the plasma levels of T3 were observed only at 6-24 h. During the summer season, the plasma levels of T4 significantly increased at 6 h and decreased at 24-48 h, while the plasma levels of T3 significantly increased only at 6 and 24 h. During the autumn season, the plasma levels of T4 significantly increased at 6, 12 and 48 h and the plasma levels of T3 significantly decreased at 6, 24 and 48 h. These results indicate the season-dependent and differential effects of the hyperosmolar mannitol solution on the plasma levels of thyroid hormones in Clarias gariepinus.

Higher Caloric Exposure in Critically Ill Patients Transiently Accelerates Thyroid Hormone Activation.

The inflammatory response of critical illness is accompanied by nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS). Feeding has been shown to attenuate this process, but this has not been explored prospectively over time in critically ill patients. To explore the impact of calorie exposure on NTIS over time in critically ill patients. Mechanically ventilated patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) were randomized to receive either 100% or 40% of their estimated caloric needs (ECN). Thyroid hormones were measured daily for 7 days or until intensive care unit discharge or death. Mixed level regression modeling was used to explore the effect of randomization group on plasma triiodothyronine (T3), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), as well as the T3/rT3 ratio. Thirty-five participants (n=19 in 100% ECN; n=16 in 40% ECN) were recruited. Adjusting for group differences in baseline T3/rT3 ratio, the parameters defining the fitted curves (intercept, linear effect of study day, and quadratic effect of study day) differed by randomization group (P = 0.001, P = 0.01, and P = 0.02 respectively). Plots of the fitted curves revealed that participants in the 100% ECN group had a 54% higher T3/rT3 ratio on postintervention day 1 compared with the 40% ECN group, a difference which attenuated over time. This was driven by a 23% higher plasma T3 and 10% lower plasma rT3 levels on postintervention 1. Higher caloric exposure in NTIS patients transiently attenuates the drop of the plasma T3/rT3 ratio, an effect that is minimized and finally lost over the following 3 days of continued higher caloric exposure.

Chronic thiamethoxam exposure impairs the HPG and HPT axes in adult Chinese rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus): Docking study, hormone levels, histology, and transcriptional responses

Thiamethoxam has emerged as an environmental contaminant detected in aqueous environments, and its endocrine-disrupting effect at chronic exposure in teleosts remains unknown. In the present study, a docking experiment and an in vivo test were integrated to systematically explore the toxic mechanisms of thiamethoxam in fish. Histological analysis, plasma VTG and hormone level (E2, 11-KT, T3 and T4) determinations, and HPG and HPT gene expression quantification were performed after Chinese rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) was exposed to thiamethoxam (0, 0.5, 5, and 50 μg/L) for 90 days. According to the docking study, thiamethoxam had different interactions with ERα, AR and TRα via hydrogen bonding. A decrease in body length and plasma T4 was observed in both genders. The histological damage in liver and delayed gonadal development were observed in both genders at 50 μg/L thiamethoxam treatment. In males, the following HPG axis genes were upregulated: gnrh and cyp19b in the brain; vtg and cyp19a in the liver; and cyp17 and cyp19a in the gonad. In females, erɑ in the liver was significantly upregulated with 0.5 μg/L thiamethoxam treatment, and cyp17 in the gonad was upregulated with all treatment. The suppression of cyp19a, gnrh, cyp11a, and ttr was observed at the concentration of 5 μg/L in the female liver. Taken together, the endocrine system of Chinese rare minnow might be disrupted after chronic exposure to thiamethoxam.

Environmental heterogeneity affects seasonal variation in thyroid hormone physiology of free-living arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii)

Thyroid hormones (TH) are key regulators of metabolism that could play an important role in altering physiology and energy allocation across life-history stages. Here, we examine seasonal TH dynamics from 345 plasma samples collected from 134 free-living arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii (Richardson, 1825)) across three consecutive years (2014–2016). We also examine whether unbound levels of triiodothyronine (free T3) in plasma are correlated with total T3levels and total thyroxine (T4) levels, and whether fecal T3metabolite levels correlate with plasma TH levels. We found significant differences in plasma TH levels across stages of the annual cycle, but these differences were highly inconsistent across years. However, within a given time period, pregnant females had lower free T3levels compared with lactating females. We also found that although free T3was correlated with both total T3and total T4in plasma, fecal T3was not positively correlated with plasma TH levels. Given the lack of consistent differences across life-history stages, we suggest environmental heterogeneity may be the primary driver of TH dynamics, masking any potential endogenous seasonal rhythms in TH secretion. We urge caution in the use of fecal T3metabolites as a proxy for circulating levels and encourage further research to understand the observed discrepancy.

Investigations on Modulating Effect of Vanadium Supplementation on Growth and Metabolism Through Improved Immune Response, Antioxidative Profile and Endocrine Variables in Hariana heifers

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of vanadium (V) supplementation on growth, metabolism, antioxidant, and immunological and endocrine variables in Hariana heifers. Eighteen indigenous Hariana heifers (body weight 130.0 ± 3.0 kg; age 10.0 ± 2.0 months) were randomly blocked into three groups, each comprising of six animals. All the animals were on same dietary plan except that the respective groups were additionally supplemented with 0.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg of V/kg dry matter (DM), during the experimental period of 90 days. There was a linear increase (p < 0.05) in mean DMI and ADG in 5.0 mg of V/kg DM-supplemented group. However, the feed efficiency remained unaffected. Although no effects (p > 0.05) of V supplementation were observed on hemato-biochemical attributes, the mean plasma V concentration showed dose-dependent increase (p < 0.001) on V supplementation. The activity of SOD was significantly higher (p < 0.001), whereas mean values of LPO decreased linearly (p < 0.05) in V-supplemented groups. Plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) also increased linearly (p < 0.05) in V-supplemented groups. Plasma IgG levels increased linearly (p < 0.05). Plasma IGF-1 concentrations showed significant effect (p < 0.05) of V supplementation. Plasma T4 concentration increased linearly (p < 0.05). The results suggest that V supplementation may play a role in modulating the immunity and antioxidant status of growing Hariana heifers. Graphical Abstract.

A Redox-Inactive Derivative of Tocotrienol Suppresses Tumor Growth of Mesothelioma Cells in a Xenograft Model.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. We focused on the anticancer activity of tocotrienol (T3) and have reported that a new redox-inactive T3 derivative (6-O-carboxypropyl-α-tocotrienol; T3E) exerts stronger inhibitory effects on MM cell growth than that of T3 in vitro. Furthermore, we have revealed some mechanisms of T3E that are involved in anti-MM effects. However, the effect of T3E in vivo remains unclear. In this study, we compared the plasma concentrations of T3E to that of T3 using mice to clarify differences in pharmacokinetics. Blood was sequentially collected after oral administration of T3 or T3E, and plasma concentrations were analyzed by HPLC. The area under the plasma T3 and T3E concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC0-24 h) of T3E was two times higher than that of T3. In addition, we evaluated the effect of T3E oral administration on tumor growth using a xenograft model of mice that were transplanted with human MM cells (H2052 cell line). Tumor volume was significantly reduced without body weight loss in mice orally administered 150 mg/kg T3E once per 2 d for 10 d, which suggests that T3E has potential anti-MM effects.

Short communication: Feeding a rumen-degradable amino acid affects plasma thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations

Our previous published work demonstrated that feeding rumen-degradable valine to late-lactation dairy cows increased milk production compared with control-fed cows, with a response that was equivalent to that of recombinant bovine somatotropin. To further elucidate the response mechanism, we hypothesized that thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are important regulators of basal metabolism, may be involved. Previous short-term studies have demonstrated increased milk production when feeding iodinated casein. Eight multiparous Holstein dairy cows (255 ± 26.4 d in milk) were blocked by milk yield (34.1 ± 8.25 kg/d) and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments using a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods (7 d for dietary adaptation and 14 d for data collection). Treatments were control (CON), a single injection of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST), and synthetic valine fed at 40 (V40) or 80 (V80) g/cow per day. Cows were fed a total mixed ration with a distillers dried grains carrier fed at 113.4 g/d containing no valine or added valine. Blood samples were collected twice during wk 2 and 3 of each period for T3 and T4 analysis. Concentrations of T4 (3.28, 3.90, 3.98, and 3.87 µg/dL for CON, rbST, V40, and V80, respectively) were increased for cows receiving rbST, V40, and V80 compared with CON cows. Concentrations of T3 (125.7, 140.7, 148.8, and 139.7 ng/dL) were increased for cows receiving rbST, V40, and V80 compared with CON cows, with cows receiving V40 having the highest T3 concentrations. In conclusion, feeding rumen-degradable valine increases plasma T4 and T3 concentrations, which would explain the mechanism leading to increased milk production.

Reproductive and Productive Efficiency of Maghrebi Dairy She-Camels Fed Diets Supplemented with Zinc-Methionine.

This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of dietary zinc-methionine (Zn-Met) supplementation during 3months prepartum up to 9months postpartum on reproductive performance, blood biochemical, and milk production of lactating she-camels besides growth performance of their calves. Twenty pregnant Maghrebi she-camels (439.49 ± 11.57kg; 3-5 parties) were divided into four similar groups. Animals were fed the basal diet (G1) or the basal diet supplemented with Zn-Met at levels of 30mg (G2), 40mg (G3), and 50mg (G4)/kg diet. Results revealed that IgA, IgM, and IgG concentrations in colostrum, monthly milk yield, and lactation period were significantly increased in Zn-Met-supplemented groups. Milk contents of fat, ash, and total solids improved (P < 0.05) in G4 as compared with other groups. Pre- and postpartum Zn, T3, T4, P4, and E2 concentrations in plasma and milk Zn level were higher (P < 0.05) in all Zn-Met-supplemented groups. Postpartum first estrus interval, number of services/conception, days open, pregnancy rate, duration of placental drop, and calving interval improved (P < 0.05) in G4. Weaning weight and average daily gain of calves were enhanced all in Zn-Met-supplemented groups. Conclusively, the inclusion of Zn-Met especially at a level of 50mg/kg diet, 3months prepartum up to 9months postpartum, led to better productive and reproductive performance, immunity of she-camels, and growth performance of their offspring.

Metabolic disorder induces fatty liver in Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicas fed a full plant protein diet and regulated by cAMP-JNK/NF-kB-caspase signal pathway

A 10-week growth trial was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing dietary fishmeal with plant proteins on nutrition metabolism, immunity, inflammation and apoptosis responses in liver tissues of Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicas (initial body weight = 10.42 ± 0.01 g). Two isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated. A basal diet containing 54% fishmeal (FM), whereas another diet was prepared by totally replacing FM with a plant protein blend (PP) composed with soybean protein concentrate and cottonseed protein concentrate. Although essential amino acids, fatty acids, and available phosphorus had been balanced according to the FM diet profile, the significantly lower growth performance, metabolic disorder, and fatty liver symptom were observed in the PP group. Compared with the FM group, fish in the PP group showed significantly lower plasma free EAA level and PPV. Glucose metabolism disorder was expressed as the uncontrollable fasting glycolysis and pyruvate aerobic oxidation at postprandial 24 h with significantly up-regulated GK, PK and PDH genes expression, which potentially over-produced acetyl-CoA as the substrate for protein and lipid synthesis. Significantly reduced plasma GLU, but increased GC level, along with very significantly reduced liver GLY storage could be observed in the PP group. Plasma TG and hepatic NEFA contents were significantly decreased, but the hepatic TC content was very significantly increased in the PP group, in addition, hepatocyte vacuolation appeared. The significantly up-regulated cholesterol synthesis gene (HMGCR) expression but down-regulated bile acid synthesis gene (CYP7A1) expression could be the main reason for the fatty liver induced by cholesterol accumulation. The reduced plasma IgM content accompanied by the up-regulated mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL1β) and activated apoptosis signals of liver tissues were found in the PP group. The hyperthyroidism (higher plasma T3 and T4) and the accelerated energy metabolism rate decreased the growth performance in the PP group. The activated p65NF-kB may promote the hepatocytes apoptosis via the extrinsic pathway (caspase8/caspase3). Simultaneously, a “self-saving" response could be observed that activated cAMP promoted the lipolysis/β-oxidation process and up-regulated gene expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 via promoting CREB expression, further inhibited the over-phosphorylation of JNK protein, which might impede the intrinsic apoptosis pathway (caspase9/caspase3). In conclusion, the nutrient and energy metabolic disorder induced fatty liver related to the cholesterol accumulation in Japanese seabass fed full PP diet, which was under the regulation by cAMP-JNK/NF-kB-caspase signaling pathway. The hemostasis phosphorylation of JNK protein protected the liver tissues from more serious damage.

Short and long-term effects of bisphenol S (BPS) exposure during pregnancy and lactation on plasma lipids, hormones, and behavior in rats

Bisphenol S (BPS) has replaced bisphenol A (BPA), a known non-persistent endocrine disrupting chemical, in several products. Considering that little is known regarding BPS effects, especially during critical windows of ontogenetic development, and that BPA, which is quite similar to BPS, is know to be transferred to the offspring via the placenta and milk, in the present study we investigated the behavioral, biochemical and endocrine profiles of Wistar rats born from dams that were BPS-exposed [groups: BPS10 (10 μg/kg/day), BPS50 (50 μg/kg/day)] during pregnancy and lactation. Due to the non-monotonic dose-response effect of bisphenol, the data of both BPS groups were directly compared with those of the controls, not to each other. Males and females were analyzed separately. At weaning, male BPS50 offspring had hypotriglyceridemia and hyperthyroxinemia, whereas BPS50 females showed higher 25(OH)D levels. At adulthood, BPS offspring of both sexes had lower food intake. BPS males showed lower visceral adiposity. BPS50 females had smaller fat droplets in brown adipocytes. BPS males showed higher anxiety and higher locomotor activity, while BPS10 females showed lower exploration. During a food challenge test at adulthood, BPS males consumed more high-fat diet at 30 min. BPS10 females initially (at 30 min) consumed more high-fat diet but, after 12 h, less of this diet was consumed. BPS50 males had hypertriglyceridemia and lower plasma T3, while BPS females showed lower plasma T4. BPS10 females had lower progesterone, whereas BPS50 females had higher plasma 25(OH)D. Maternal BPS exposure has adverse effects on the triacylglycerol, hormones levels and behavior of the progeny. Furthermore, the increased preference for the fat-enriched diet suggests an increased risk for obesity and its health consequences in the long term.

Determination of thyroid hormones in human hair with online SPE LC–MS/MS: Analytical protocol and application in study of burnout

Thyroid hormones (THs) play a key role within the endocrine system. Incorporated biomarkers in hair can reflect endogenous excretion patterns over several months. We present an online solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (online SPE-LC–MS/MS) method for quantification of THs in human hair and test it in the volunteers suffering from different severity of burnout symptom. THs were extracted from 7.5 mg hair by methanol incubation. Extracts were analyzed with LC–MS/MS in positive electrospray ionization mode. Burnout symptoms were assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). THs levels were determined in 208 hair samples from adults and related to individual MBI-GS score. Intra- and inter-day coefficients of variance were between 3.1% and 10.2%. The recoveries of this method were between 88.5% and 102.1%. Hair T4 levels correlated significantly with total and free T4 in plasma. Participants with high degree of burnout had significantly higher hair T4 levels and lower T3/T4 ratio compared to those with no or moderate degree of burnout. A trend towards higher hair T3 levels was observed in subjects with high burnout score. Hair T4 levels showed a significant positive relationship with MBI-GS score, whereas no significant correlation emerged for hair T3 levels. The negative correlation between T3/T4 ratio and MBI-GS score was also significant. We have developed an online SPE-LC–MS/MS method for measurement of THs in human hair, allowing high analytical specificity and sensitivity. The novel finding of hair THs levels from individuals suffering from chronic stress in burnout underscores the relevance of this method for medical and psychological research.

Organic Zn and Cu interaction impact on sexual behaviour, semen characteristics, hormones and spermatozoal gene expression in bucks (Capra hircus)

The reproductive performance during the transition from prepubertal to pubertal stage was evaluated in Osmanabadi breed bucks supplemented with organic Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu). A total number of 40 bucks aged 20 weeks were randomly assigned to 10 groups (each n = 4). The control group was maintained with basal diet, without any additional mineral supplementation. The treatment groups were supplemented with graded doses of organic Zn (Zn 20 mg, Zn 40 mg and Zn 60 mg), Cu (Cu 12.5 mg, Cu 25 mg and Cu 37.5 mg) and a combination of Zn + Cu (Zn 20 mg + Cu 12.5 mg, Zn 40 mg + Cu 25 mg and Zn 60 mg + Cu 37.5 mg), respectively for a period of 26 weeks (up to the age of 46 weeks). Sexual behaviour and scrotal biometry were recorded periodically. Blood and semen samples were collected and processed for LH estimation in blood plasma, and testosterone, T3 and T4 hormones in the seminal plasma. The mounts with ejaculation were observed earlier (P < 0.05) in the treatment bucks (from 38th week of age) than the control group (43rd week onwards). A positive correlation was observed between blood plasma LH and testosterone with total mounts (r = 0.31, P < 0.05; r = 0.51, P < 0.01) and mounts without ejaculation (r = 0.40, P < 0.01; r = 0.52, P < 0.01). A negative correlation between T4 with sperm number per ejaculation (r = −0.31, P < 0.05) and sperm concentration (r = −0.35, P < 0.05) had been noticed. Different doses of minerals showed positive interaction (P < 0.05) with sperm functional and behavioural characteristics. The spermatozoal gene expression of ODF2 and ZCCHC6 were significantly influenced by the mineral supplementation in all doses. The ZCCHC6 gene expression was positively correlated with testosterone (r = 0.50, P < 0.001) and sperm number per ejaculation (r = 0.42, P < 0.001), and ODF2 gene with T3 hormone (r = 0.34, P < 0.05). The present study indicates that the diet supplemented with organic trace minerals cause intense sexual behaviour, enhancement in sperm number per ejaculate, total motility, spermatozoal genes expression and altered LH, testosterone and T4 hormones.

EFFECT OF USING MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAVES ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF JAPANESE QUAIL

A total number of eighty four unsexed 7 day old Japanese quail chicks were randomly divided into among four 4 dietary treatments with 3 replicate (7 birds), assigning experimental unit to investigate the effect of feeding Japanese quail chicks on diets containing different levels of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) on productive performance, blood constituents, hormones, antioxidant indices, immunity parameters and carcass characteristics. Dietary treatments were: The first group (control) fed a basal diet, while the other three groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 3, 5 and 7 g of MOL / kg diet during the experimental period until 6 weeks age. Results showed that treated groups had significantly greater body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, improved feed conversion and increased significantly percentage of dressing and internal organs as well as higher values of nutrients digestibility than the control group. All treatments increased significantly (P<0.05) some blood constituents: RBCs, Hb and PCV, WBCs, plasma total protein, albumin, Ca, HDL, GPX,GSH, SOD, TAC, IgG, and T4 hormones, while plasma cholesterol, total lipids, LDL, AST, ALT and glucose were decreased. There was no effect on phosphorus (P) compared to control. It could be concluded that adding Moringa oleifera leaves at levels of 3, 5 and 7 g of MOL/kg diet improved productive performance, nutrients digestibility, blood constituents, hormones, antioxidant indices, immunity parameters and carcass characteristics

Bee pollen and propolis as dietary supplements for rabbit: Effect on reproductive performance of does and on immunological response of does and their offspring

To evaluate the effect of bee pollen (BP) and/or propolis (Pro) supplementation on rabbit does, 64 nulliparous NZW rabbits does were distributed among eight groups (eight animals/group). One unsupplemented group was the control; the other seven groups were supplemented, respectively, with zinc bacitracin (ZnB) at 100mg, BP at 150 and 300mg, Pro at 150 and 300mg, BP+Pro at 150 and 300mg of each three times/week, day after day continuously along eight parities. The BP300, Pro300 and BP+Pro150 groups had higher body weight of litter at birth and number of kids born alive. The BP supplementation at 150mg increased plasma total protein and albumin than the control group. The BP or Pro at 150mg decreased plasma T3 than the other groups except for BP+Pro150. The ZnB group had significantly greater T3 /T4 ratio compared to BP, Pro and BP+Pro at 150mg. The BP+Pro150 group had less ALT than the control; BP300 and Pro 300mg resulted in lower plasma AST than the groups Pro150 with or without BP and the control group. The plasma alkaline phosphatase of BP at 150 or 300mg and BP+Pro150 was significantly greater than that of the Pro150 group. The BP+Pro300 group had higher WBCs than the other groups. In contrast, the lymphocytes were greater in the Pro and BP+Pro300 groups than in BP, Pro and BP+Pro at 150mg. The groups supplemented with BP and BP+Pro at 150 and 300mg had significantly greater SRBCs of doe rabbits and their offspring compared to the control and the ZnB group. The BP at 300mg increased the serum albumin and α1 -globulin than the control group. The Pro300 group had greater serum α2 -globulin and β-globulin than the control group. The total globulin was significantly greater for the 300mg propolis-supplemented groups than the control.

Combined effect of heat and nutritional stress on superovulation of Malpura ewes in a semi-arid region

Sheep reared in hot semi-arid environments are generally exposed to heat and nutritional stress in some seasons of the year, which affects both production and reproduction. To assess the effect of high ambient temperature and feed scarcity on superovulation, 16 adult Malpura ewes were randomly divided into two groups of 8 animals each. G1 (control) was kept under a shed and offered a maintenance diet, and G2 (combined stress) was subjected to both nutritional (30% less of maintenance diet) and heat (38–44 °C for 6 h/day) stress. Ewes were superovulated without estrus synchronization by a combination of single injection of 200 IU eCG and 8 injections of FSH (Folltropin-V) at 12-h intervals in tapering doses of 5 mg/kg body weight, starting from the day 7 of natural estrus. eCG was given with the first injection and PGF2α (10 mg) was given with the second last FSH injection. G2 increased respiration rate and rectal temperature (P < 0.01), and blood urea level (P < 0.05), whereas it decreased average daily gain, plasma T4 concentration (P < 0.01) and body weight (P < 0.05). Plasma estradiol level was lower (P < 0.05) in G2 ewes as compared to control (G1) ewes. However, the number of ewes showed a superovulatory response (88 vs 66% ewes ≥ 3 corpus luteum), ovulation rate (8.75 vs 5.88) and embryo production (5.5 vs 3.9) decreased, and the number of large follicles (anovulation) increased (1.0 vs 2.14) in G2 ewes. G2 had a comparable effect on the superovulatory response compared to control ewes although physiological changes occurred as an adaptive mechanism to stress. Therefore, the well-adapted cyclic sheep of the semi-arid region may be used for superovulation despite the stressful condition of heat exposure and nutritional insufficiency.

Gene Expression Program Underlying Tail Resorption During Thyroid Hormone-Dependent Metamorphosis of the Ornamented Pygmy Frog Microhyla fissipes.

Thyroid hormone (T3) is essential for vertebrate development, especially during the so-called postembryonic development, a period around birth in mammals when plasma T3 level peaks and many organs mature into their adult form. Compared to embryogenesis, postembryonic development is poorly studied in mammals largely because of the difficulty to manipulate the uterus-enclosed embryos and neonates. Amphibian metamorphosis is independent of maternal influence and can be easily manipulated for molecular and genetic studies, making it a valuable model to study postembryonic development in vertebrates. Studies on amphibian metamorphosis have been largely focused on the two highly related species Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis. However, adult X. laevis and X. tropicalis animals remain aquatic. This makes important to study metamorphosis in a species in which postmetamorphic frogs live on land. In this regard, the anuran Microhyla fissipes represents an alternative model for developmental and genetic studies. Here we have made use of the advances in sequencing technologies to investigate the gene expression profiles underlying the tail resorption program during metamorphosis in M. fissipes. We first used single molecule real-time sequencing to obtain 67, 939 expressed transcripts in M. fissipes. We next identified 4,555 differentially expressed transcripts during tail resorption by using Illumina sequencing on RNA samples from tails at different metamorphic stages. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that 11 up-regulated KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways and 88 Gene Ontology (GO) terms as well as 21 down-regulated KEGG pathways and 499 GO terms were associated with tail resorption. Our findings suggest that tail resorption in M. fissipes and X. laevis shares many programs. Future investigations on function and regulation of these genes and pathways should help to reveal the mechanisms governing amphibian tail resorption and adaptive evolution from aquatic to terrestrial life. Furthermore, analysis of the M. fissipes model, especially, on the changes in other organs associated with the transition from aquatic to terrestrial living, should help to reveal important mechanistic insights governing mammalian postembryonic developments.

Food restriction decreases thermoregulation in the silky starling Sturnus sericeus (Aves: Passeriformes)

The capacity of small birds to sustain periods of food shortage largely depends on their ability to adaptively regulate expenditure in response to reduced food supply. To investigate changes in thermoregulation during periods of food restriction, we measured changes in the body mass, basal metabolic rate (BMR), organ mass, thyroid hormone levels, and several physiological and biochemical markers, of silky starlings (Sturnus sericeus) subject to 16 days food restriction. Birds in the control group were provided with food ad libitum whereas those in the food restriction (FR) group were provided with half of the usual quantity of food. Oxygen consumption was measured using an open–circuit respirometry system. Mitochondrial state-4 respiration and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity in the liver and pectoral muscle were measured with a Clark electrode. The concentrations of T3 and T4 in plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay. Starlings in the FR group had lower body mass and BMR compared to the control group. Starlings in the FR group also had lower state-4 respiration and COX activity in the liver and muscle, and lower T3/T4 ratio in plasma, relative to the control group. BMR was positively correlated with body mass, state-4 respiration and COX activity, in liver and muscle tissue. These results indicate that silky starlings can decrease their energy metabolism during periods of food shortage by making a suite of adjustments from the organismal to the biochemical level. These morphological, physiological and biochemical responses could be adaptations that allow starlings to adjust to seasonal changes in food abundance, such as the typically lower food abundance over winter.

Influence of in Ovo Administration of Some Water-Soluble Vitamins on Hatchability Traits, Growth, Carcass Traits and Blood Chemistry of Japanese Quails

Abstract A total of 450 fertile Japanese quail eggs were used to determine the impacts of in ovo administration of water-soluble vitamins (C, B6 and B12) on the growth performance, carcass traits, hematological and biochemical blood parameters as well as the immune response of Japanese quails. On the 7th day of incubation, the eggs were allocated to five groups: un-injected, 0.1 ml/egg saline, 1 mg/egg vitamin C, 150 µg/egg vitamin B6 and 20 µg/egg vitamin B12. The percentage of early embryonic mortality was increased (P≤0.001) in all treated groups versus the control group. Chicks that hatched from eggs injected with 1 mg/egg vitamin C exhibited a significantly greater (P≤0.05) live body weight (LBW) than those from the control and saline groups. During 0–2 weeks of age, the chicks hatched from eggs injected with vitamins displayed better feed conversion than the positive or negative controls. In ovo injection of vitamins had no significant effect on all carcass traits. In ovo injection with vitamins C, B6 and B12 increased plasma total protein and its fractions compared with the control. Plasma levels of total lipids and cholesterol were decreased in chicks hatched from eggs injected with 1 mg/egg vitamin C, 150 µg/egg vitamin B6 or 20 µg/egg vitamin B12 compared with those hatched from control eggs. Plasma T3 and T4 were increased in chicks hatched from eggs injected with vitamin C, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. The relative weights of the bursa of Fabricius and thymus were significantly (P=0.002 or 0.003) increased in the birds hatched from eggs injected with vitamins compared with those in the control or saline group. Thus, in ovo injection of vitamins C, B6 and B12 improved the blood profile and immune response of Japanese quail.