Impact of diet-induced maternal obesity on the reproductive capacity of F1 female offspring and the early development of the second generation.

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of maternal obesity on the reproductive capacity of the female offspring (F1) and on the early development of the second generation (F2). To this end, rats were fed either standard (SD) or cafeteria (CD) diet. CD rats and their offspring were divided into 2 groups: rats with 18% and ≥25% overweight (CD18 and CD25, respectively) and offspring from CD18 and CD25 rats (OCD18 and OCD25, respectively).

Intestinal alterations and mild glucose homeostasis impairments in the offspring born to overweight rats.

The gut plays a crucial role in metabolism by regulating the passage of nutrients, water and microbial-derived substances to the portal circulation. Additionally, it produces incretins, such as glucose-insulinotropic releasing peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like derived peptide 1 (GLP1, encoded by gcg gene) in response to nutrient uptake. We aimed to investigate whether offspring from overweight rats develop anomalies in the barrier function and incretin transcription.

Diet-induced maternal obesity and overnutrition cause a decrease in the sperm quality of the offspring.

The present work aimed to study the changes caused by maternal obesity and overnutrition in both the quality and function of spermatozoa of the offspring. To this end, female rats received either a standard or cafeteria diet from 22 days of age until the weaning of their offspring, and the male offspring from rats fed the standard and cafeteria diet (OSD and OCD respectively) were used. Different endpoints in the offspring, as body weight, weight gain, and glycemia were recorded and the testes were removed at 60 days of age.

3-Methylcholanthrene impacts on the female germ cells of rats without causing systemic toxicity.

We have previously shown that daily exposure to the environmental pollutant 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) alters the ovarian function by affecting follicle growth and ovulation. To extend our findings, the aims of this work were to study the effects of daily and non-daily exposure to 3MC on oocyte morphology and integrity and the meiosis process. To this end, immature female rats were daily (0.

Impact of maternal overweight on the sexual maturity of male offspring in rats.

The aims of the present work were to study the effect of maternal overweight on both the count and quality of sperm of the offspring and to assess whether this maternal condition is able to alter testicular integrity and spermatogenic process. To this end, male offspring from rats fed a standard (OSD) or cafeteria (OCD) diet were used. Body and testis weight, length, preputial separation and ano-genital distance (AGD) were recorded and testes were removed at 60 days of age.

Changes in the expression of genes involved in the ovarian function of rats caused by daily exposure to 3-methylcholanthrene and their prevention by α-naphthoflavone.

Daily exposure to low doses of 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) during the pubertal period in rats disrupts both follicular growth and ovulation. Thus, to provide new insights into the toxicity mechanism of 3MC in the ovary, here we investigated the effect of daily exposure to 3MC on selected ovarian genes, the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and the level of epigenetic remodeling of histone post-transcriptional modifications. Immature rats were daily injected with 3MC (0.

Maternal Overweight Disrupts the Sexual Maturation of the Offspring.

The aims of the present work were to study the effect of maternal overweight and obesity on the ovarian reserve, follicular development, and ovulation of the offspring and to assess whether this maternal condition alters oocyte integrity. To this end, female offspring from rats fed standard (OSD) or cafeteria (OCD) diet were used. Body weight, vaginal opening, and estrous cycle were recorded and ovaries were obtained on the day of the second estrus.

The systemic and gonadal toxicity of 3-methylcholanthrene is prevented by daily administration of α-naphthoflavone.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) on sexual maturity and the ability of α-naphthoflavone (αNF) to prevent this action. To this end, immature rats were daily injected intraperitoneally with 3MC (0.1 or 1mg/kg) and/or αNF (80mg/kg).

Regulation of the ovarian oxidative status by leptin during the ovulatory process in rats.

Leptin exerts both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the ovulatory process. In this study, we investigated whether these opposite effects involve changes in the oxidative status in response to different levels of leptin. To this end, we performed both in vivo and in vitro assays using ovaries of immature rats primed with gonadotropins to induce ovulation.

Leptin is an anti-apoptotic effector in placental cells involving p53 downregulation.

Leptin, a peripheral signal synthetized by the adipocyte to regulate energy metabolism, can also be produced by placenta, where it may work as an autocrine hormone. We have previously demonstrated that leptin promotes proliferation and survival of trophoblastic cells. In the present work, we aimed to study the molecular mechanisms that mediate the survival effect of leptin in placenta.

Neuropeptide Y regulates the leptin receptors in rat hypothalamic and pituitary explant cultures.

The aim of this work was to investigate whether the expression of leptin receptors (OBR) in the hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) axis is regulated by the orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) during ovulation. To this end, we performed in vitro assays, using cultures of both hypothalamic and anterior pituitary explants from immature rats primed with gonadotropins to induce ovulation. In hypothalamic explants, protein expression of both the long and short OBR isoforms was increased by the presence of NPY at 100-500 ng/ml and at 300-500 ng/ml, respectively.

Ovarian signalling pathways regulated by leptin during the ovulatory process.

Leptin, a protein secreted by different tissues, is able to exert both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the ovulatory process. Thus, we investigated whether these opposite effects involve changes in the ovarian signalling pathways in response to different levels of leptin. To this end, we performed both in vivo and in vitro assays using immature rats primed with gonadotrophins to induce ovulation.

Different levels of leptin regulate different target enzymes involved in progesterone synthesis.

Objective: To study the effects of different doses of leptin on the expression of proteins involved in P synthesis, such as steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc), and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD).

Design: Experimental studies.

Setting: Research laboratory.

Daily treatment with α-naphthoflavone enhances follicular growth and ovulation rate in the rat.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor and the first protein involved in a variety of physiological and toxicological processes, including those of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. AhR has been found in the ovary of many species and seems to mediate the ovarian toxicity of many environmental contaminants, which are AhR ligands. However, the role of AhR in the ovarian function is unknown.

Seasonal changes in ovarian steroid hormone concentrations in the large hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) and the crying armadillo (Chaetophractus vellerosus).

Knowledge of armadillo reproductive physiology is essential for developing ex situ and in situ assisted reproductive techniques for propagating and/or controlling populations of these animals. The present study included assessment of fecal sex steroids by radioimmunoassay, determining reproductive status via monitoring ovarian activity (in the wild) and therefore reproductive status, in wild females of the large hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) and the crying armadillo (Chaetophractus vellerosus) in the southern hemisphere. Plasma and fresh fecal progesterone concentrations were not significantly correlated in either species.

Hyperandrogenism alters intraovarian parameters during early folliculogenesis in mice.

This study aimed to investigate how hyperandrogenism affects early folliculogenesis. Hyperandrogenism was induced in prepuberal female BALB/c mice by daily s.c.

Periconceptional alcohol consumption-induced changes in embryonic prostaglandin E levels in mouse organogenesis: modulation by nitric oxide.

The mechanisms of the teratogenic effects of maternal alcohol consumption remain unclear. The aim of the present work was to study the organogenic PGE(2) levels and the modulation of PGE(2) levels by NO after periconceptional alcohol ingestion. Female mice were intoxicated with a 10% ethanol in drinking water before pregnancy and up to day 10 of gestation.

Prolactin inhibits oocyte release after gonadotropin stimulation in the rat: putative mechanism involving ovarian production of beta-endorphin and prostaglandin.

Objective: To evaluate whether prolactin (PRL) is able to inhibit ovulation induced with exogenous gonadotropins in the rat and whether this effect could be mediated by the ovarian production of beta-endorphin, prostaglandin, and nitric oxide (NO).

Design: Controlled in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Setting: Academic research laboratories.

Hepatic arachidonic acid metabolism is disrupted after hexachlorobenzene treatment.

Hexaclorobenzene (HCB), one of the most persistent environmental pollutants, can cause a wide range of toxic effects including cancer in animals, and hepatotoxicity and porphyria both in humans and animals. In the present study, liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, hepatic PGE production, and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) activity were investigated in an experimental model of porphyria cutanea tarda induced by HCB. Female Wistar rats were treated with a single daily dose of HCB (100 mg kg(-1) body weight) for 5 days and were sacrificed 3, 10, 17, and 52 days after the last dose.

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in tumoral and non-tumoral epithelia from bladder cancer patients.

We have previously demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) is elevated in the urine from bladder cancer patients. As the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) produces high NO output, the aim of this study was to examine iNOS expression and activity in tumoral (BT) and non-tumoral bladder tissue (NT). iNOS expression was determined by Western blot in 42 BT, 22 NT, and 4 normal bladders (normal B).

Effect of the pretreatment with prolactin on the distribution of immunoreactive beta-endorphin through different ovarian compartments in immature, superovulated rats.

Beta-endorphin and prolactin (PRL) are natural inhibitors of ovulation via central and peripheral mechanisms, but their possible interactions within the ovary are still unknown. The aims of the present study were to determine the gene expression and the topographic distribution of beta-endorphin, and the possible changes evoked by the pretreatment with PRL on the ovarian beta-endorphin localization in immature, superovulated rats. Prepuberal female Wistar rats weighing 60-70 g were superovulated with 20 IU equine gonadotrophins and, 48 h later, 20 IU human chorionic gonalotropin (hCG).