Hyperthyroidism keeps immunoglobulin levels but reduces milk fat and CD11b/c cells on early lactation.

Thyroid hormones influence mammary gland differentiation and lactation by binding to thyroid hormone receptors. Hyperthyroidism disrupts pregnancy and lactation, affecting offspring growth and milk production. Despite maternal milk is a vital source of bioactive compounds and nutrients for newborns, it is unclear whether hyperthyroidism alters its composition, mainly immune factors.

Placental leukocyte infiltration accompanies gestational changes induced by hyperthyroidism.

In Brief: The endocrine and immunological disruption induced by hyperthyroidism could alter gestation, placenta, and fetal development. This study suggests an immunological role of thyroid hormones in gestation.

Abstract: Thyroid dysfunctions lead to metabolic, angiogenic, and developmental alterations at the maternal-fetal interface that cause reproductive complications.

Desmoglein-4 Deficiency Exacerbates Psoriasiform Dermatitis in Rats While Psoriasis Patients Displayed a Decreased Gene Expression of DSG4.

Desmogleins are involved in cell adhesion conferring structural skin integrity. However, their role in inflammation has been barely studied, and whether desmoglein-4 modulates psoriasis lesions is completely unknown. In this study, we assessed the impact of desmoglein-4 deficiency on the severity of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced skin inflammation and psoriasiform lesions.

Pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) expression in the male tract of Wistar rats.

Pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) expression has been described in many organs as showing neurotrophic, anti-angiogenic, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and pro-cell survival properties. However, references to its activity in the male reproductive system are scarce. We aimed to characterize the expression of PEDF in the male reproductive tract of Wistar rats by using RT-PCR, western blot and immunostaining and also evaluate the effect of flutamide in PEDF expression.

Simultaneous activation of PLA2 and PLC are required to promote acrosomal reaction stimulated by progesterone via G-proteins.

The acrosome reaction (AR) is a special exocytotic process promoted by signal transduction pathways studied in many laboratories. Progesterone (P4) is one of the trigger molecules proposed. Upon the binding of P4 to its receptor, several molecules could be activated, including G-proteins, phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), and phospholipase C (PLC).

Progesterone receptor availability in mouse spermatozoa during epididymal transit and capacitation: ligand blot detection of progesterone-binding protein.

The goals of the present study were to determine the availability of progesterone (P4) receptor (P4r) in mouse sperm during maturation and capacitation and to make the first steps toward a characterization of P4r. It has been proposed that P4 is able to induce an acrosomal reaction (AR) by using a membrane P4r. This induction was verified in sperm isolated from the cauda epididymis (fully mature) when incubated in specific conditions that capacitate sperm.