Perinatal wool follicle attrition coincides with elevated perinatal circulating cortisol concentration in Merino sheep

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 748 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Toland Thompson ◽  
M. L. Hebart ◽  
N. M. Penno ◽  
P. I. Hynd
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Skin Surface ◽  
Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Secondary Follicle ◽  
Plasma Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Wool Follicle

The development of the follicle population in Merino sheep skin was studied from 30 days pre-partum to 112 days post-partum in single- and twin-born Merino lambs. The total number of primary follicles estimated from primary follicle density and skin surface area did not change over this period, while secondary follicle number increased to Day 28 post-partum in singles and Day 56 post-partum in twins. Twins had 14% fewer total follicles than singletons (P < 0.001), largely reflecting a bodyweight (hence estimated skin surface area) difference of 10%, with little difference in total follicle density (P > 0.05). Immediately post-partum there was a 36% decrease (P < 0.0001) in the secondary to primary follicle ratio (S/P) of the twin lambs, while a small non-significant decrease (7%; P > 0.05) occurred in the single lambs. This attrition coincided with a surge in plasma cortisol concentration that commenced ~12 days before birth and persisted for 6–12 days post-partum. The surge in plasma cortisol concentration occurred in both single and twin lambs, commencing on Day 138 of gestation; however, the peak cortisol concentration and the period over which cortisol remained elevated was greater in twin lambs than in singletons (P < 0.001). This study confirms a previous finding of a perinatal reduction in S/P ratio in Merino sheep. The reduction was greater in twin lambs than in singletons but the follicles of twins recovered rapidly so that there was little difference in final S/P ratio between birth types after Day 30 post-partum. The postnatal follicle reduction followed the perinatal surge in plasma cortisol concentration and appeared to reflect the magnitude of the cortisol surge in that twins, which displayed a higher peak cortisol concentration, had a greater reduction in active follicles than singletons.

Intrauterine growth restriction delays surfactant protein maturation in the sheep fetus

2010 ◽  
Vol 298 (4) ◽  
pp. L575-L583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Orgeig ◽  
Tamara A. Crittenden ◽  
Ceilidh Marchant ◽  
I. Caroline McMillen ◽  
Janna L. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Surfactant Protein ◽  
Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Plasma Catecholamine ◽  
Fetal Sheep ◽  
C Protein ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Plasma Cortisol Concentration ◽  
The Impact

Pulmonary surfactant is synthesized by type II alveolar epithelial cells to regulate the surface tension at the air-liquid interface of the air-breathing lung. Developmental maturation of the surfactant system is controlled by many factors including oxygen, glucose, catecholamines, and cortisol. The intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) fetus is hypoxemic and hypoglycemic, with elevated plasma catecholamine and cortisol concentrations. The impact of IUGR on surfactant maturation is unclear. Here we investigate the expression of surfactant protein (SP) A, B, and C in lung tissue of fetal sheep at 133 and 141 days of gestation (term 150 ± 3 days) from control and carunclectomized Merino ewes. Placentally restricted (PR) fetuses had a body weight <2 SD from the mean of control fetuses and a mean gestational PaO2<17 mmHg. PR fetuses had reduced absolute, but not relative, lung weight, decreased plasma glucose concentration, and increased plasma cortisol concentration. Lung SP-A, -B, and -C protein and mRNA expression was reduced in PR compared with control fetuses at both ages. SP-B and -C but not SP-A mRNA expression and SP-A but not SP-B or -C protein expression increased with gestational age. Mean gestational PaO2was positively correlated with SP-A, -B, and -C protein and SP-B and -C mRNA expression in the younger cohort. SP-A and -B gene expression was inversely related to plasma cortisol concentration. Placental restriction, leading to chronic hypoxemia and hypercortisolemia in the carunclectomy model, results in significant inhibition of surfactant maturation. These data suggest that IUGR fetuses are at significant risk of lung complications, especially if born prematurely.

ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE AND CORTICOTROPHIN RELEASE IN MAN

1960 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. SHUSTER
Keyword(s):  
Antidiuretic Hormone ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Release Factor ◽  
Similar Increase ◽  
Rapid Infusion ◽  
Experimental Procedure ◽  
Plasma Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Corticotrophin Release Factor ◽  
Patients With Diabetes

SUMMARY Plasma cortisol concentrations increased after injections of nicotine. This increase was variable and was no greater than that seen after substitution of normal saline for nicotine. Plasma cortisol concentrations did not increase after nicotine in patients with hypopituitarism and after inhibition of corticotrophin release with triamcinolone. It is concluded that the increased plasma cortisol concentration after injection of nicotine was due to non-specific pituitary stimulation associated with the experimental procedure and not due to any direct effect of the nicotine. Nicotine resulted in a similar increase in plasma cortisol in four patients with diabetes insipidus. Neither rapid infusion of hypertonic mannitol nor ingestion of ethanol had a consistent effect on the plasma cortisol concentration. It is therefore concluded that the antidiuretic hormone is not the 'corticotrophin release factor' in man.

Seasonal variation in plasma cortisol concentration during pregnancy and the puerperium

1980 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUDITH M. BAKER ◽  
SHEILA L. HANDLEY ◽  
GILL WALDRON ◽  
T. LESLIE DUNN
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Plasma Cortisol Concentration

PLASMA CONCENTRATIONS OF CORTISOL IN HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED AND SODIUM CHLORIDE-ADAPTED GOLDFISH (CARASSIUS AURATUS L.)

1974 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 377-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
JACQUELINE PORTHÉ-NIBELLE ◽  
BRAHIM LAHLOU
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Carassius Auratus ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Control Fish ◽  
Chloride Solutions ◽  
Sodium Chloride Solutions ◽  
Plasma Cortisol Concentration

SUMMARY Plasma cortisol concentrations, measured by competitive protein-binding, were examined in intact and hypophysectomized goldfish (Carassius auratus L.) adapted to fresh water or to 210 mm-sodium chloride solutions. The mean plasma cortisol concentration of freshwater-adapted fish (6·6 ± 1·8 (s.e.m.) μg/100 ml plasma) increased after stress and intraperitoneal injections of mammalian corticotrophin. Hypophysectomy resulted in a reduction in plasma cortisol concentration to about 2 μg/100 ml plasma. Transfer of fish to sodium chloride solutions caused rapid, but transitory increases in the plasma cortisol concentrations in intact, but not in hypophysectomized fish. After 3 days in the sodium chloride solution the cortisol levels were similar to those of control fish kept in fresh water. The plasma concentrations of this corticosteroid in goldfish appear to be unrelated to external salinity, although a 'mineralocorticoid' action of the hormone cannot be excluded.

ADRENOCORTICAL FUNCTION TESTS IN DOGS WITH HYPERFUNCTIONING ADRENOCORTICAL TUMOURS

1979 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. MEIJER ◽  
A. A. M. E. LUBBERINK ◽  
A. RIJNBERK ◽  
R. J. M. CROUGHS
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Concentration ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Adrenocortical Function ◽  
Plasma Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Function Tests ◽  
Lysine Vasopressin ◽  
Adrenocortical Tumours ◽  
Adrenocortical Tumour

The response has been studied in nine dogs with hyperadrenocorticism due to adrenocortical tumours to the administration of dexamethasone, insulin, lysine-vasopressin and tetracosactide by measuring the changes in plasma cortisol concentration. Administration of dexamethasone did not produce a decrease in the plasma concentration of cortisol in any of these dogs. Administration of insulin caused slight increases in the plasma concentration of cortisol in four out of eight dogs. Lysine-vasopressin increased the plasma concentration of cortisol in eight out of nine dogs, three responded supranormally. Eight out of the nine dogs responded to tetracosactide administration, three responded supranormally. It is concluded that in the dog, in contrast to man, the lysine-vasopressin test cannot be used to differentiate between pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism and hyperadrenocorticism due to an adrenocortical tumour. Apparently pituitary ACTH is not completely depleted in dogs with hyperfunctioning adrenocortical tumours.

Personality, Physique and the Adrenocortical Response to a Psychological Stress

1967 ◽  
Vol 113 (499) ◽  
pp. 601-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Bridges ◽  
M. T. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Stress ◽  
Emotional Response ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Urinary Catecholamine ◽  
Catecholamine Excretion ◽  
Plasma Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Adrenocortical Response

There have been a number of studies attempting to quantify anxiety under stress, using biochemical measures such as plasma Cortisol concentration and urinary catecholamine excretion as concomitants of the emotional response. A limitation of some of this work has been the lack of predictable and adequate stresses studied, which have included disturbing interviews (Bliss et al., 1956), admission to hospital and anticipation of operation (Mason, 1959), stressful films (Levi, 1965) and hypnotically induced anxiety (Persky et at., 1959).

The effect of castration on plasma cortisol level and time budget in farmed guanaco calves (Lama guanicoe)

2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 214-214
Author(s):  
B. Zapata ◽  
K. Fuentes ◽  
C. Bonacic ◽  
B. González ◽  
J.L. Riveros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Plasma Cortisol Level ◽  
Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Routine Procedure ◽  
Male Aggression ◽  
Lama Guanicoe ◽  
Plasma Cortisol Concentration

Castration is a routine procedure for male farm animals. The ethics of castration are widely debated because the procedure may potentially result in pain and distress. The indications for early castration in farmed guanacos are: 1) prevention of aberrant behaviour in human-imprinted males, 2) elimination of inter-male aggression, so that males may be housed together or with females, 3) avoidance of accidental breeding (Fowler, 1998). In addition, it has been argued (Molony and Kent, 1997) that to study the pain response to castration is ethically acceptable as the overall welfare of the animal is improved by the procedure. Guanaco farming has been recently established in South America, and there is therefore little information available on how guanacos respond to castration. The purpose of this study was to assess pain in farmed guanacos. The hypothesis was that pain experienced by guanacos due to castration may be displayed in behavioural and physiological changes, as has been reported in lambs, calves and piglets. The study was carried out in 2001 on four-month-old farmed male guanaco. Changes in plasma cortisol concentration and the frequency of specific daytime behavioural postures and activities following castration are reported.

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