Deciphering The Consequences Of Yolk Testosterone Metabolism In Birds, 2019 Illinois State University
Deciphering The Consequences Of Yolk Testosterone Metabolism In Birds, Nicole A. Campbell
Theses and Dissertations
Maternal steroids transferred to eggs can elicit permanent effects on various aspects of offspring phenotype. Although, testosterone was thought to be a key mediator of maternal effects in birds, we now know that vertebrate embryos actively regulate their exposure to maternal testosterone through steroid metabolism, suggesting testosterone metabolites may elicit the observed phenotypic effects. To address the role steroid metabolism plays in mediating yolk testosterone effects, we used European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) eggs to characterize the timing of testosterone metabolism and determine whether etiocholanolone, a prominent testosterone metabolite in avian embryos, is capable of influencing early embryonic development. Tritiated testosterone …
Responses Of Bovine Pituitary Transcriptome Profiles To Consumption Of Toxic Tall Fescue And Forms Of Selenium In Vitamin-Mineral Mixes, 2019 University of Kentucky
Responses Of Bovine Pituitary Transcriptome Profiles To Consumption Of Toxic Tall Fescue And Forms Of Selenium In Vitamin-Mineral Mixes, Qing Li
Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences
The first goal of the current research was to determine whether gene expression profiles differed between whole pituitaries of growing beef steers grazing pastures containing high (HE) or low (LE) amounts of toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue. The global (microarray analysis) and selected targeted (RT-PCR) mRNA expression patterns of pituitaries collected from beef steers (BW = 266 ± 15.5 kg) that had been randomly assigned to undergo summer-long grazing (89 to 105 d) of either HE (0.52 ppm ergot alkaloids) or LE (< 0.03 ppm ergot alkaloids) pastures were compared. Gene expression data were subjected to one-way ANOVA. The pituitaries of HE steers had 542 differentially expressed genes, and the pattern of altered gene expression was dependent on treatment. Targeted RT-PCR analysis corroborated these findings, including decreased expression of DRD2, PRL, POU1F1, GAL, and VIP and that of POMC and PCSK1, respectively. Canonical pathway analysis (Integrated Pathway Analysis, IPA) identified HE-dependent alteration in signaling of additional pituitary-derived hormones, including growth hormone and GnRH. In conclusion, consumption of endophyte-infected tall fescue alters the pituitary transcriptome profiles of steers in a manner consistent with their negatively affected physiological parameters. The second goal of this project was to test the hypothesis that sodium selenite (ISe), SEL-PLEX (OSe), vs. a 1:1 blend (MIX) of ISe and OSe in a basal vitamin-mineral (VM) mix would differentially alter pituitary transcriptome profiles in growing beef steers (BW = 183 ± 34 kg) commonly grazing an endophyte-infected tall fescue (HE) pasture. Steers were randomly selected from herds of fall-calving cows grazing HE pasture and consuming VM mixes that contained 35 ppm Se as either ISe, OSe, or MIX forms. Steers were weaned, depleted of Se for 98 d, and subjected to summer-long common grazing of a 10.1 ha HE pasture containing 0.51 ppm ergot alkaloids. Steers were assigned (n = 8) to the same Se-form treatments on which they were raised. Selenium treatments were administered by daily top-dressing 85 g of VM mix onto 0.23 kg soyhulls, using in-pasture Calan gates. Pituitaries were collected at slaughter and changes in global (microarray) and selected (RT-PCR) mRNA expression patterns determined. The effects of Se treatment on relative gene expression were subjected to one-way ANOVA. The form of Se affected the expression of 542 annotated genes. Integrated Pathway Analysis found a canonical pathway network between prolactin and POMC/ACTH/ α-MSH synthesis-related proteins, and that mitochondrial dysfunction was a top-affected canonical pathway. Targeted RT-PCR analysis found that the relative abundance of mRNA encoding prolactin and POMC/ACTH/ α-MSH synthesis-related proteins was affected by the form of Se, as were mitochondrial dysfunction-related proteins OSe steers appeared to have a greater prolactin synthesis capacity vs. ISe steers through decreased dopamine receptor D2 signaling, whereas MIX steers had a greater prolactin synthesis capacity and release potential by increasing TRH concentrations than ISe steers. OSe steers also had a greater ACTH and α-MSH synthesis potential than ISe steers. We conclude that form of Se in VM mixes affected genes responsible for prolactin and POMC/ACTH/α-MSH synthesis, and mitochondrial function in pituitaries of growing beef steers commonly grazing an HE pasture. The third goal was to test the hypothesis that sodium selenite (ISe), SEL-PLEX (OSe), vs. a 1:1 blend (MIX) of ISe and OSe in a basal vitamin-mineral (VM) mix would differentially alter selenoprotein profiles in pituitaries and livers of growing beef steers commonly grazing an endophyte-infected tall fescue (HE) pasture (i.e., the same steers used in Goal 2). The effects of Se treatment on relative gene expression were subjected to one-way ANOVA. The mRNA content of 6 selenoproteins in the pituitary was affected by Se treatments, along with two selenoprotein P receptors, whereas the expression of two selenoproteins was altered in the liver. We conclude that the change in selenoprotein gene expression in pituitaries indicates that OSe steers have a greater potential capacity to manage against oxidative damage, maintain cellular redox balance, and have a better quality control of protein-folding in their pituitaries than ISe steers. The change in selenoprotein gene expression by the liver indicates that MIX steers have a greater redox signaling capacity and capacity to manage oxidative damage than ISe steers.
Of Course, Humans Are Not Unique!, 2019 University of Vienna
Of Course, Humans Are Not Unique!, Bernard Wallner
Animal Sentience
This commentary focuses on the question of the uniqueness of humans in comparison to other species and on the false assumption that single arguments support logical conclusions. Comparative analysis of genetic data in humans and nonhuman primates regarding the dopaminergic system of the subcortical mesolimbic reward system highlights homologous traits shared and modified by the process of evolution. Such an analytical approach is more relevant than claims of uniqueness.
Population Health Of Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma Maculatum) In Created Vernal Pools: An Integrative Approach, 2019 West Virginia University
Population Health Of Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma Maculatum) In Created Vernal Pools: An Integrative Approach, Alice R. Millikin
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Habitat creation is an important tool for conservation to counteract habitat loss and degradation. Vernal pools are susceptible to destruction due to limited detection, protection, and regulation. These wetlands provide fishless breeding habitat for many amphibian species including spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) in eastern North America. Determining whether created vernal pool habitat is successful is often determined by demographic data of colonizing populations. I suggest that hormone levels, population genetics, and disease prevalence can improve our understanding of population health in created habitat. The goal of this dissertation was to assess the health of spotted salamander larvae in …
Associations Between Income, Acculturation, Country Of Origin, And Type Ii Diabetes Among African Immigrants To Ontario, Canada, 2019 Walden University
Associations Between Income, Acculturation, Country Of Origin, And Type Ii Diabetes Among African Immigrants To Ontario, Canada, Girma Aman Goshe
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Diabetes has become a longstanding public health challenge around the world. Over the last 3 decades, the number of people with Type II diabetes (T2DM) has grown to an epidemic level in Canada. Prior research indicated African immigrants residing in Ontario, Canada experienced a 2-4 times higher prevalence of T2DM than Canadian-born individuals. The social determinants of health theoretical framework guided this study assessing the relationship of the risk factors with T2DM. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed using the 2007-2014 Canadian Community Health Survey data. The random sample included 1,526 African immigrants residing in Ontario, Canada. Descriptive, bivariate, and …
The Acute Effect Of Propanil On Reproductive Hormones, Ovarian Gene Expression And Splenic Cells In C57bl/6 Female Mice, 2019 West Virginia University
The Acute Effect Of Propanil On Reproductive Hormones, Ovarian Gene Expression And Splenic Cells In C57bl/6 Female Mice, Malia Danielle Berg
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Earlier evidence indicates exposure to propanil, a post-emergent herbicide used on rice and wheat fields, increases the number of antibody-secreting cells (ASC) in the spleen of mice after immunization with heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae (HKSP, 2x108 CFU). Interestingly, an intact hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is required for this immune response assessed on day 7-10 after immunization in female mice. Hence, an overarching premise is that propanil arbitrates the connection between the reproductive and immune system by altering the concentration of hormones involved in the HPG axis, which may then affect the populations of splenic cells. Hypotheses were tested with C57Bl/6 female …
The Relationship Between Seasonal Breeding And Deiodinase Expression In The Green Anole Lizard, 2019 Minnesota State University, Mankato
The Relationship Between Seasonal Breeding And Deiodinase Expression In The Green Anole Lizard, Hyejoo Kang
All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects
Reproductive physiology and behavior is mainly regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis. Interestingly, abnormal levels of thyroid hormone (TH) results in the delayed onset of puberty and affects gonadal function of adults by altering HPG axis activity. Seasonally breeding animals undergo drastic hormonal and behavioral changes between breeding and non-breeding seasons. Green anole lizards (Anolis carolinensis), similar to other seasonally breeding animals, have increased sex steroid hormones, larger gonads, upregulated gonadal steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mRNA and increased reproductive behavior during the breeding compared to non-breeding seasons. Relatively less is known regarding the regulation of gonadal TH in seasonal …
Morphological And Functional Evidence Of Sexual Dimorphism In The Retrochiasmatic Area Population Of Nk3r-Containing Neurons In Sheep, 2019 West Virginia University
Morphological And Functional Evidence Of Sexual Dimorphism In The Retrochiasmatic Area Population Of Nk3r-Containing Neurons In Sheep, Justin A. Lopez
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Neurokinin B (NKB) and kisspeptin are critical for fertility and potent stimulators of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in sheep. We previously demonstrated that administration of NKB receptor (NK3R) agonist, senktide, within the retrochiasmatic area (RCh) resulted in surge-like release of LH and increased expression of kisspeptin neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of female lambs. We concluded that NKB-responsive neurons in the RCh stimulate GnRH secretion by inducing kisspeptin release from neurons in the ARC.
We have demonstrated morphological and functional evidence of sexual dimorphism in NKB-NK3R signaling in ovine RCh. RCh senktide administration resulted in …
Beta-Cell Β1 Integrin Deficiency During Second Transition Stage Of Fetal Pancreas Development On Islet Growth, 2018 The University of Western Ontario
Beta-Cell Β1 Integrin Deficiency During Second Transition Stage Of Fetal Pancreas Development On Islet Growth, Phyo Win
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
β1 integrin has been shown to be important for pancreatic beta-cell growth and functioning. Congenital and postnatal studies have shown beta-cell mass reduction with β1 integrin knockout (β1KO). Using an inducible cre recombinase (CreERT) expressed from the mouse insulin promoter (MIP) crossed to a line in which Itgb1 (β1 integrin encoding gene) was flanked by loxP sites (MIP-CreERT+; β1itg designated as MIPβ1KO), we examined the in vivo temporal role of beta-cell β1 integrin effect on islet growth during the second transition stage of pancreas development.
Prenatal MIPβ1KO mice displayed decreased beta-cell area, mass, density and proliferation. In addition, a decrease …
Targeting Neuropeptides To Bone Fractures For Accelerated Healing, 2018 Purdue University
Targeting Neuropeptides To Bone Fractures For Accelerated Healing, Nicholas A. Young, Jeffery J. Nielsen, Philip S. Low
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium
In patients over the age of 65 especially, bone fractures represent a significant disease burden. Non-invasive drug therapies are not available for bone fractures which represents a problem for this population. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP), two neuromodulator peptides in the glucagon superfamily, have demonstrated positive regulation of osteoblast proliferation and activity. Using acidic oligopeptides, we have developed ligands that target to and accumulate at fracture sites. These targeting ligands can be synthesized in sequence with bone anabolic peptides to minimize off target effects and increase potency at the fracture site to create safer and …
Developmental Exposure To Xenoestrogens: Effects On The Mouse Mammary Gland Development And Response To Estrogen, 2018 University of Massachusetts Amherst
Developmental Exposure To Xenoestrogens: Effects On The Mouse Mammary Gland Development And Response To Estrogen, Durga Kolla
Masters Theses
Humans experience ubiquitous exposures to estrogenic environmental chemicals from food, personal care products, and other industrial and consumer goods. Bisphenol A (BPA), a well-studied xenoestrogen, is known to alter development of estrogen-sensitive organs including the brain, reproductive tract, and mammary gland. Bisphenol S (BPS), which has a similar chemical structure to BPA, is also used in many consumer products, but its effects on estrogen-sensitive organs in mammals has not been thoroughly examined. In our study, pregnant CD-1 mice were orally exposed to BPS or ethinyl estradiol (EE2, a positive control for estrogenicity) from gestational day 9 through postnatal day (PND) …
Regulation Of Juvenile Hormone Synthesis By 20-Hydroxyecdysone In The Yellow-Fever Mosquito, Aedes Aegypti, 2018 Florida International University
Regulation Of Juvenile Hormone Synthesis By 20-Hydroxyecdysone In The Yellow-Fever Mosquito, Aedes Aegypti, Maria Areiza
FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In Aedes aegypti, development and reproduction are regulated by juvenile hormone III (JH). This master regulatory hormone is synthesized by the corpora allata (CA), a pair of endocrine glands with neural connections to the brain. JH titers are largely determined by the rate of biosynthetic activity of the CA and are regulated by inhibitory and stimulatory factors. Like JH, the ecdysteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) is a key hormonal regulator and has been proposed as an allatoregulator in other insects. However, its part in the regulation of JH biosynthesis of mosquitoes was unknown. The specific aims of this dissertation were to …
The Effect Of Ethanol On Skeletal Muscle Endocrine Function And The Novel Myokines Myonectin And Irisin, 2018 East Tennessee State University
The Effect Of Ethanol On Skeletal Muscle Endocrine Function And The Novel Myokines Myonectin And Irisin, Kendra Hagood
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of death and disability globally and can lead to diseases such as alcoholic skeletal myopathy. Skeletal muscle is the largest organ in the human body and functions to regulate whole-body energy homeostasis. Additionally, skeletal muscle can function as an endocrine organ via secretion of myokines. Two myokines, myonectin and irisin, present a wide range of effects upon metabolism, inflammation, and tissue survival- signaling. We hypothesized that chronic alcohol consumption will result in reduced circulating myonectin and irisin levels. Mice were fed an ethanol-containing or control diet for 10 days or 6 weeks. Tissues …
The Effect Of Alcohol Consumption On Adipokine Secretion, 2018 East Tennessee State University
The Effect Of Alcohol Consumption On Adipokine Secretion, Ashley Degroat
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD) is caused by excessive alcohol consumption and is a leading cause of liver related mortalities, with currently no treatments available. The goal of this project was to establish the effect of alcohol consumption on adipose tissue-derived secreted factors, adiponectin and C1q TNF Related Proteins 1-3 (CTRP1-3). We propose that excessive alcohol consumption will reduce circulating levels of adiponectin and CTRPs 1-3. Mice were fed a Lieber-Decarli control or alcohol diet for 10-days with a gavage (NIAAA model) or 6-weeks with no gavage (chronic model). Serum and adipose tissue were collected and CTRPs 1-3 and adiponectin …
Markers Of Cardiometabolic Risk And Thyroid Dysfunction In U.S. Adolescents: Nhanes Iii, 2018 Illinois State University
Markers Of Cardiometabolic Risk And Thyroid Dysfunction In U.S. Adolescents: Nhanes Iii, Jonathan Austin
Theses and Dissertations
The global prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its associated components (high fasting glucose, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, and low HDL) have increased over the past few decades. In addition, abnormal thyroid hormone levels have been found to manifest in a cascade of metabolic dysfunction, which may be linked to MetS in youth. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to investigate the association between MetS, its components, and markers of thyroid function in a nationally-representative sample of adolescents. METHODS: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1988-1994) collected data on the components of metabolic syndrome and thyroid …
The Impact Of Insulin Dysregulation On Protein Metabolism In Horses, 2018 University of Kentucky
The Impact Of Insulin Dysregulation On Protein Metabolism In Horses, Caroline Margot Marcelle Loos
Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences
Insulin plays a vital role in whole-body metabolism and provides a major anabolic stimulus for cellular signaling pathways, including those involved in the metabolism of glucose and protein. Consequently, insulin dysregulation (ID) is known to alter molecular signal transduction in insulin-sensitive tissues such as skeletal muscle, thereby disrupting glucose metabolism and compromising protein synthetic capacity. Our first objective was to induce ID in healthy horses by administering dexamethasone (DEX), a potent glucocorticoid, for 21 days. We evaluated the effects on insulin-stimulated muscle protein signaling components involved in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. DEX-induced ID reduced insulin-stimulated activation of …
Incidence Of Second Malignancy In Patients With Papillary Thyroid Cancer From Surveillance, Epidemiology, And End Results 13 Dataset, 2018 Ohio State University - Main Campus
Incidence Of Second Malignancy In Patients With Papillary Thyroid Cancer From Surveillance, Epidemiology, And End Results 13 Dataset, Mayumi Endo, Jessica Liu, Marcelle Dougan, Jennifer Lee
Faculty Publications
Increased risk of second primary malignancy (SPM) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has been reported. Here, we present the most updated incidence rates of second primary malignancy from original diagnosis of PTC by using the data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results. In this cohort, 3,200 patients developed SPM, a substantially higher number than in the reference population of 2,749 with observed to expected ratio (O/E) of 1.16 (95% CI; 1.12–1.21). Bone and joint cancer had the highest O/E ratio of 4.26 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.33–7.15) followed by salivary gland (O/E 4.15; 95% CI 2.76–6.0) and acute lymphocytic …
Oral Glucose Insulin Secretion Test For Identifying Patients With Insulin Resistance, 2018 Walden University
Oral Glucose Insulin Secretion Test For Identifying Patients With Insulin Resistance, David Kershner
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Insulin resistance is an increasing public health issue with the current literature, suggesting reduced sensitivity of insulin leads to adult onset diabetes and associated downstream pathologies that reduce life expectancy. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the ability of the Oral Glucose Insulin Secretion Test (OGIST) to identify insulin resistance and examine differences in the insulin sensitivity based on gender, age, and ethnicity. This study was supported by the insulin resistance theory which focuses on the reduced ability of insulin to bind to the cellular insulin receptor, reducing the sensitivity of insulin. The OGIST lab results of …
Characterization Of Vitellogenesis In The Bonnethead Shark Sphyrna Tiburo, 2018 University of North Florida
Characterization Of Vitellogenesis In The Bonnethead Shark Sphyrna Tiburo, Adrien Kathleen Mowle
UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Vitellogenin (Vtg) is a precursor to yolk-proteins produced in the liver of many invertebrates and non-mammalian vertebrates; its synthesis is stimulated by the hormone estradiol (E2). This study is the first to characterize vitellogenin synthesis in a placental viviparous elasmobranch, the yolk-sac placental bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo. This study focused on determining where and when Vtg is produced, as well as what hormonal factors regulate Vtg production. The liver was confirmed as the site of Vtg production via immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactivity was also observed within granulosa cells of ovarian follicles; further experimentation is needed to determine if this is indicative …
Examining The Effects Of Interleukin-6 On Appetite Regulatory Peptides In Lean And Obese Sedentary Males, 2018 Wilfrid Laurier University
Examining The Effects Of Interleukin-6 On Appetite Regulatory Peptides In Lean And Obese Sedentary Males, Greg L. Mckie
Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)
Acute moderate-intensity exercise transiently suppresses appetite via fluctuations in the appetite-regulatory peptides acylated ghrelin (AG), peptide tyrosine-tyrosine3-36 (PYY3-36), and active glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Importantly, these effects do not lead to compensatory changes in energy intake in normal weight or obese individuals, highlighting the potential for exercise to induce acute energy deficits. One potential mechanism for these effects is increased post-exercise plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, as IL-6 has demonstrated appetite-inhibitory effects in animal and cell culture models. Given obesity is characterized by a state of chronic low-grade inflammation and associated with upregulated IL-6, this study sought to …