scholarly journals Effect of Blockage of the Ducts of the Vomeronasal Organ on LH Plasma Levels during the “Whitten Effect” in Does

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Kenneth Kurt Booth ◽  
Edward Cottington Webb
Keyword(s):  
Blood Plasma ◽  
South African ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Vomeronasal Organ ◽  
Physiological Saline ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Oestrus Cycle ◽  
Tonic Level

Eighteen mature, nonpregnant, and indigenous South African does were randomly divided into two groups to test if their vomeronasal organs exert an influence on LH plasma levels during a Whitten effect experimental trial. Does in the treatment (VNO ablated) group had their vomeronasal organs rendered nonfunctional by cauterization of the nasoincisive duct under surgical anesthesia. Does in the control group had their nasal civities irrigated with physiological saline under surgical anesthesia. All does were synchronized into oestrus and introduced to bucks one day prior to their expected second oestrus cycle. Successful matings were recorded. Timely blood samples were collected during each of the five days before and five days after buck introduction. Blood plasma concentrations of estradiol and LH were determined by radioimmunoassay. Analysis of variance between groups demonstrated that the does in the VNO ablated group did not demonstrate any interest in mating, did not become pregnant, and did not demonstrate the primary increase in tonic plasma levels of LH that is necessary for ovulation to occur. By contrast, all of the does in the control group demonstrated successful matings, became pregnant, and demonstrated typical primary tonic level increases and preovulation surges in LH. Thus, it was concluded that the vomeronasal organ modulates the primary increase in tonic levels of LH and thus influences ovulation that occurs during the Whitten effect in South African indigenous does.

scholarly journals Alterations in lipid profile upon uterine fibroids and its recurrence

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Narine M. Tonoyan ◽  
Vitaliy V. Chagovets ◽  
Natalia L. Starodubtseva ◽  
Alisa O. Tokareva ◽  
Konstantin Chingin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Blood Plasma ◽  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Uterine Fibroids ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cholesterol Esters ◽  
Plasma Samples ◽  
Diagnostic Models ◽  
First Time

AbstractUterine fibroids (UF) is the most common (about 70% cases) type of gynecological disease, with the recurrence rate varying from 11 to 40%. Because UF has no distinct symptomatology and is often asymptomatic, the specific and sensitive diagnosis of UF as well as the assessment for the probability of UF recurrence pose considerable challenge. The aim of this study was to characterize alterations in the lipid profile of tissues associated with the first-time diagnosed UF and recurrent uterine fibroids (RUF) and to explore the potential of mass spectrometry (MS) lipidomics analysis of blood plasma samples for the sensitive and specific determination of UF and RUF with low invasiveness of analysis. MS analysis of lipid levels in the myometrium tissues, fibroids tissues and blood plasma samples was carried out on 66 patients, including 35 patients with first-time diagnosed UF and 31 patients with RUF. The control group consisted of 15 patients who underwent surgical treatment for the intrauterine septum. Fibroids and myometrium tissue samples were analyzed using direct MS approach. Blood plasma samples were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography hyphened with mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS). MS data were processed by discriminant analysis with projection into latent structures (OPLS-DA). Significant differences were found between the first-time UF, RUF and control group in the levels of lipids involved in the metabolism of glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, lipids with an ether bond, triglycerides and fatty acids. Significant differences between the control group and the groups with UF and RUF were found in the blood plasma levels of cholesterol esters, triacylglycerols, (lyso) phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins. Significant differences between the UF and RUF groups were found in the blood plasma levels of cholesterol esters, phosphotidylcholines, sphingomyelins and triacylglycerols. Diagnostic models based on the selected differential lipids using logistic regression showed sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 86% for the diagnosis of first-time UF and 95% and 79% for RUF, accordingly. This study confirms the involvement of lipids in the pathogenesis of uterine fibroids. A diagnostically significant panel of differential lipid species has been identified for the diagnosis of UF and RUF by low-invasive blood plasma analysis. The developed diagnostic models demonstrated high potential for clinical use and further research in this direction.

Inhibin immunoneutralization by antibodies raised against synthetic peptide sequences of inhibin α subunit: effects on gonadotrophin concentrations and ovulation rate in sheep

1990 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. M. Wrathall ◽  
B. J. McLeod ◽  
R. G. Glencross ◽  
A. J. Beard ◽  
P. G. Knight
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Synthetic Peptide ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Antigenic Properties ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
The Mean

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted to explore the effectiveness of synthetic peptide-based vaccines for active and passive autoimmunization of sheep against inhibin. In the first experiment, adult Romney ewes (n = 20) were actively immunized against a synthetically produced peptide that corresponded to the N-terminus of the α-subunit of bovine inhibin (bIα(1–29)-Tyr30). This peptide was conjugated to tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) to increase its antigenic properties. Control groups comprised non-immunized (n = 10) and PPD-immunized (n = 10) ewes. Primary immunization (400 μg conjugate/ewe) was followed by two booster immunizations (200 μg conjugate/ewe), given 5 and 8 weeks later. Following synchronization of oestrus using progestagen sponges, ovulation rates were assessed by laparoscopy. Weekly blood samples were taken throughout the experiment. All inhibin-immunized ewes produced antibodies which bound 125I-labelled bovine inhibin (Mr 32 000), and ovulation rate in inhibin-immunized ewes (2·15 ± 0·22; mean ± s.e.m.) was significantly (P<0·01) greater than in both non-immunized (0·90 ± 0·23) and PPD-immunized (1·20 ± 0·13) control groups. Immunization against the peptide, but not against PPD alone, resulted in a modest rise in plasma FSH, with mean levels after the second boost being significantly (P<0·025) higher (22%) than those before immunization. Moreover, when blood samples were taken (2-h intervals) from randomly selected groups of control (n = 7) and inhibin-immunized (n = 7) ewes for an 84-h period following withdrawal of progestagen sponges, the mean plasma concentration of FSH during the 48 h immediately before the preovulatory LH surge was 37% greater (P< 0·025) in immunized than in control animals. However, more frequent blood sampling (every 15 min for 12 h) during follicular and mid-luteal phases of the oestrous cycle revealed no significant differences between treatment groups in mean plasma concentrations of FSH. In addition, neither mean concentrations of LH nor the frequency and amplitude of LH episodes differed between immunized and control ewes. However, the mean response of LH to a 2 μg bolus of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, given during the luteal phase, was significantly (P<0·05) less in immunized than in control ewes. These findings indicate that active immunization of Romney ewes against a synthetic fragment of inhibin can promote a controlled increase in ovulation rate, but this response cannot be unequivocally related to an increase in plasma levels of FSH. In the second experiment, passive immunization of seasonally anoestrous ewes (mule × Suffolk crossbred; n = 6 per group) against inhibin, using an antiserum raised in sheep against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the N-terminus of the α-subunit of human inhibin promoted a rapid (<3 h), dose-dependent rise in plasma levels of FSH which remained increased (2·5-fold; P<0·001) for up to 30 h. Plasma concentrations of LH, however, were unaffected by treatment with the antiserum. It is deduced from this observation that, even in the seasonally anoestrous ewe, the ovary secretes physiologically active levels of inhibin, which exert an inhibitory action on the synthesis and secretion of FSH. Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 124, 167–176

PROLACTIN IN MAINTENANCE OF THE CORPUS LUTEUM OF EARLY PSEUDOPREGNANCY IN THE GOLDEN HAMSTER

1981 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. H. HARRIS ◽  
B. D. MURPHY
Keyword(s):  
Single Dose ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Golden Hamster ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Progesterone Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Blood Samples

The role of prolactin in the maintenance of the corpus luteum of pseudopregnancy was studied in the golden hamster. Nine groups of seven to fourteen animals each received 1 mg bromocriptine at 11.00 h on days 1, 2 or 3 of pseudopregnancy (three groups for each day). On each day of treatment with bromocriptine, one group of hamsters was injected with bovine prolactin 4 h before bromocriptine, and one group received prolactin 4 h before bromocriptine for three consecutive days following treatment with bromocriptine. One group received bromocriptine only. These nine groups were compared with a control group of animals given 0·85% saline instead of bromocriptine and prolactin. Peripheral blood samples were taken from all hamsters at 11.00 h on days 3, 4, 5 and 6 of pseudopregnancy and plasma levels of progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay. Luteolysis, indicated by a decline in progesterone level by 24 or 48 h after treatment with bromocriptine, occurred in all hamsters given bromocriptine alone, whether it was administered on day 1, 2 or 3. Pretreatment with a single dose of prolactin did not mitigate the bromocriptine-induced fall in progesterone. In the majority of cases, pretreatment with prolactin plus daily doses of prolactin maintained the progesterone at levels not different from saline-treated hamsters. These data suggest that prolactin is a necessary luteotrophin during early pseudopregnancy without which luteolysis ensues.

scholarly journals Plasma Concentrations of Matrilysins MMP-7 and MMP-26 as Diagnostic Biomarkers in Breast Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1436
Author(s):  
Barbara Maria Piskór ◽  
Andrzej Przylipiak ◽  
Emilia Dąbrowska ◽  
Iwona Sidorkiewicz ◽  
Marek Niczyporuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Proteolytic Enzymes ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Diagnostic Utility ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Advanced Stages ◽  
Disease Study

Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of proteolytic enzymes involved in the maintenance of a proper structure of extracellular matrix (ECM). Matrilysins (MMP-7 and MMP-26) are members of the MMPs group that show promise as potential breast cancer (BC) markers. The aim of the study was to evaluate plasma levels of MMP-7, MMP-26 and CA 15-3 individually and in combination and assess the diagnostic utility of studied matrilysins in patients with BC. The study group consisted of 120 patients with BC, and the control group consisted of 40 subjects with benign breast cancer and 40 healthy women. Concentrations of MMP-7 and MMP-26 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and CA 15-3 by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Plasma levels of MMP-7 were significantly higher in the BC group than in the control group. Concentrations of MMP-26 and CA 15-3 were highest in stages II and IV of the disease. The highest diagnostic sensitivity was observed in stages III and IV BC for the combination of all tested markers (92.5%). The highest diagnostic specificity was noted for all tested parameters combined in the BC group (95.0%). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for the combination of markers (MMP-7+MMP-26+CA 15-3) was the largest (0.9138) in stages III and IV. Individual marker analysis showed that MMP-7 had the highest AUC (0.8894) in advanced stages of the disease. Study results indicate that MMP-7 could be used as an additional marker that would improve the diagnostic utility of CA 15-3 in early stages of BC. Therefore, the combined assessment of MMP-7 and MMP-26 with CA 15-3 might be useful in determining disease progression. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether matrilysins show promise as potential markers for improving the diagnosis of BC.

Imatinib Plasma Levels and Its Correlation with Response in Chronic-Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Experience of One Centre.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 4284-4284
Author(s):  
J. Valentin Garcia. Gutierrez ◽  
Jesús Odriozola ◽  
Pilar Herrera ◽  
Javier Lopez ◽  
Maria Calbacho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Treatment Optimisation ◽  
Number Of Patients

Abstract Abstract 4284 Introduction Imatinib (IM), 400 mg/d. induces durable responses in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in chronic phase (CP). However, although IM-biodisponibility is fairly good, its plasma levels are variable and can not be predicted. Recently, these plasma concentrations have been related both to the dose being administrated and to the cytogenetic and molecular responses. Thus, Imatinib pharmacokinetics could be an issue towards treatment optimisation in CML patients. Recent studies suggest that therapeutic IM plasma levels should be above 1040 ng/dl. Aims To evaluate the association between IM dose and throughout plasma levels with different clinical outcomes. Results In this study, we looked for an association between plasma concentrations and clinical outcomes in 16/86 CML chronic phase patients who did not achieve optimal responses following the European Leukemia Net guidelines (ELN) (table 1). Patients with optimal responses and treated with the same standard doses were also analysed as a control group. Patients receiving doses above 400 mg showed throughout plasma levels considered as appropriate. In 7 of 16 patients (47.5%) not achieving optimal responses (ELN criteria), plasma levels were below the supposed therapeutic ranges. We have found no evidence for a correlation between clinical risk factors at diagnosis and the measurement of optimal plasma levels. Conclusions IM plasma levels are well correlated with IM dose administrated in the patients studied. In almost 50% of patients who did not achieve optimal responses, IM plasma levels were under the ranges considered therapeutic. Probably these are the patients who may benefit of a dose increase. Obviously, to learn more about the practical value of these measurements a longer follow up with a larger number of patients is needed. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals The feeding route (enteral or parenteral) affects the plasma response of the dipetide Ala-Gln and the amino acids glutamine, citrulline and arginine, with the administration of Ala-Gln in preoperative patients

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerdien C. Melis ◽  
Petra G. Boelens ◽  
Joost R. M. van der Sijp ◽  
Theodora Popovici ◽  
Jean-Pascal De Bandt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
High Availability ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Plasma Response ◽  
Enteral Administration ◽  
Plasma Arginine ◽  
Arginine Concentration

Enhancement of depressed plasma concentrations of glutamine and arginine is associated with better clinical outcome. Supplementation of glutamine might be a way to provide the patient with glutamine, and also arginine, because glutamine provides the kidney with citrulline, from which the kidney produces arginine when plasma levels of arginine are low. The aim of the present study was to investigate the parenteral and enteral response of the administered dipeptide Ala-Gln, glutamine, citrulline and arginine. Therefore, seven patients received 20 g Ala-Gln, administered over 4 h, parenterally or enterally, on two separate occasions. Arterial blood samples were taken before and during the administration of Ala-Gln. ANOVA and a pairedttest were used to test differences (P<0·05). Ala-Gln was undetectable with enteral administration, whereas Ala-Gln remained stable at a plasma concentration of 268 μmol/l throughout parenteral infusion and rapidly decreased towards zero after infusion was stopped. The highest level of glutamine was observed with parenteral infusion of the dipeptide, although enteral infusion also significantly increased plasma levels of glutamine. The highest plasma response of citrulline was observed with the enteral administration of the dipeptide, although parenteral administration also increased plasma levels of citrulline. Plasma arginine increased significantly with parenteral infusion, but not with enteral administration of Ala-Gln. In conclusion, administrations of Ala-Gln, parenteral or enteral, resulted in an increased plasma glutamine response, as compared with baseline. Interestingly, in spite of the high availability of citrulline with enteral administration of the dipeptide, only parenteral infusion of Ala-Gln increased plasma arginine concentration.

scholarly journals The Effects of Formaldehyde on Cytochrome P450 Isoform Activity in Rats

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Xu ◽  
Huaqiao Tang ◽  
Qian Rong ◽  
Yuanli Zhang ◽  
Yinglun Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome P450 ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Parameters ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Indoor Pollutant ◽  
Carcinogenic Effects

Formaldehyde (FA) is an occupational and indoor pollutant. Long-term exposure to FA can irritate the respiratory mucosa, with potential carcinogenic effects on the airways. The effects of acute FA poisoning on the activities of CYP450 isoforms CYP1A2, CYP2C11, CYP2E1, and CYP3A2 were assessed by determining changes in the pharmacokinetic parameters of the probe drugs phenacetin, tolbutamide, chlorzoxazone, and testosterone, respectively. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, low FA dose (exposure to 110 ppm for 2 h for 3 days), and high FA dose (exposure to 220 ppm for 2 h for 3 days). A mixture of the four probe drugs was injected into rats and blood samples were taken at a series of time points. Plasma concentrations of the probe drugs were measured by HPLC. The pharmacokinetic parameters t1/2, AUC(0-t), and Cmax of tolbutamide, chlorzoxazone, and testosterone increased significantly in the high dose versus control group (P<0.05), whereas the CL of chlorzoxazone and testosterone decreased significantly (P<0.05). However, t1/2, AUC(0-t), and Cmax of phenacetin decreased significantly (P<0.05), whereas the CL of phenacetin increased significantly (P<0.05) compared to controls. Thus, acute FA poisoning suppressed the activities of CYP2C11, CYP2E1, and CYP3A2 and induced the activity of CYP1A2 in rats. And the change of CYP450 activity caused by acute FA poisoning may be associated with FA potential carcinogenic effects on the airways.

scholarly journals Dietary Intake and Plasma Levels of Choline and Betaine in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna C. Hamlin ◽  
Margaret Pauly ◽  
Stepan Melnyk ◽  
Oleksandra Pavliv ◽  
William Starrett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lower Plasma ◽  
One Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Positive Correlations

Abnormalities in folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism have been reported in many children with autism. Because inadequate choline and betaine can negatively affect folate metabolism and in turn downstream methylation and antioxidant capacity, we sought to determine whether dietary intake of choline and betaine in children with autism was adequate to meet nutritional needs based on national recommendations. Three-day food records were analyzed for 288 children with autism (ASDs) who participated in the national Autism Intervention Research Network for Physical Health (AIR-P) Study on Diet and Nutrition in children with autism. Plasma concentrations of choline and betaine were measured in a subgroup of 35 children with ASDs and 32 age-matched control children. The results indicated that 60–93% of children with ASDs were consuming less than the recommended Adequate Intake (AI) for choline. Strong positive correlations were found between dietary intake and plasma concentrations of choline and betaine in autistic children as well as lower plasma concentrations compared to the control group. We conclude that choline and betaine intake is inadequate in a significant subgroup of children with ASDs and is reflected in lower plasma levels. Inadequate intake of choline and betaine may contribute to the metabolic abnormalities observed in many children with autism and warrants attention in nutritional counseling.

Primary Headaches: Reduced Circulating β-Lipotropin and β-Endorphin Levels with Impaired Reactivity to Acupuncture

Cephalalgia ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Facchinetti ◽  
G. Nappi ◽  
F. Savoldi ◽  
A. R. Genazzani
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Chronic Headache ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Primary Headache ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Primary Headaches ◽  
Chinese Acupuncture ◽  
Daily Chronic Headache

Eleven patients affected by common migraine (CM), eleven affected by daily chronic headache (DCH), and eight healthy volunteers were studied. Plasma levels of β-endorphin (βEP), β-lipotropin (βLPH), ACTH and cortisol were measured in basal conditions and after traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA). Basal βLPH and βEP plasma levels (pg/ml) in the DCH patients (57.6 ± 9.5 and 16.8 ± 2.5, respectively; M ± SE) were lower than those found in the controls (83.6 ± 13.7 and 26.0 ± 6.1; p < 0.001), while those found in the CM cases showed intermediate values (75.3 ± 12.0 and 24.4 ± 5.8). ACTH and cortisol concentrations in both the CM and DCH patients were in the same range as those of the control group. TCA caused an increase in βLPH and βEP plasma concentrations in the control group (βLPH: 117 ± 16.9; βEF: 44.6 ± 6.7). Opioid plasma levels, however, remained unmodified after TCA in both the CM and DCH groups. ACTH plasma levels remained stable after TCA in all three subject groups. Patients suffering from primary headache are characterized by low βLPH and βEP plasma levels and by a poor reactivity of circulating opioids to non-stressful stimuli.

scholarly journals Effects of Exposure to Aflatoxin G1 on the Plasma Biochemical Factors and Histopathological Properties of Renal Tissue in Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-134
Author(s):  
Touraj Zamir-Nasta ◽  
◽  
Arash Ahmadi ◽  
Moein Yazdkhasti ◽  
Mona Pazhouhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Biochemical Analysis ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Renal Tissue ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Aquaporin 1 ◽  
Histopathological Studies ◽  
Sodium And Potassium

Background: Among aflatoxins, the subtype aflatoxin G1 is one of the most toxic, commonly found in cereals, legumes, dairy and non-alcoholic beers. Aflatoxins have been known as nephrotoxic compounds. In this study, changes in the expression of aquaporin-1, the histopathology of renal tissue and plasma biochemical factors after exposure to aflatoxin G1 were investigated in mice. Methods: Twenty-four adult male mice (weighing 20±2 g) were divided into four groups of six. The control group received the vehicle (0.2 ml) and the three experimental groups were injected intraperitoneally with aflatoxin G1 at 20 μg/kg for 7, 15 or 35 days, respectively. On days 7, 15 and 35, blood samples were drawn from the mice for biochemical analysis of plasma and the kidney tissues were sampled for real-time PCR and histopathological studies. Results: The real PCR results showed a reduction in aquaporin-1 expression in the experimental groups compared to those in the controls (P<0.05). Also, the plasma concentrations of urea and creatinine were significantly increased in the experimental groups compared to those in the controls (P<0.05). Also, the serum sodium and potassium levels had decreased significantly compared to the controls (P<0.05). Various damages were observed in the ureters and glomeruli among the experimental groups compared to those in the controls. Conclusion: Aflatoxin G1 had adverse effects on the renal tissue by reducing the expression of aquaporin-1. Subsequently, there were biochemical manifestations in the serum, consisting of changes in the concentrations of urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium, confirming the histopathological toxicity of aflatoxin G1.

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