Role of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Related Therapeutic Strategies in Central Post-Stroke Pain.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is vital for synaptic plasticity, cell persistence, and neuronal development in peripheral and central nervous systems (CNS). Numerous intracellular signalling pathways involving BDNF are well recognized to affect neurogenesis, synaptic function, cell viability, and cognitive function, which in turn affects pathological and physiological aspects of neurons. Stroke has a significant psycho-socioeconomic impact globally.

Serum progesterone and oxytocinase, and endometrial and luteal gene expression in pregnant, nonpregnant, oxytocin, carbetocin and meclofenamic acid treated mares.

Our objectives were to examine changes in endometrial and luteal gene expression during estrus, diestrus, pregnancy and treatments to induce luteolysis and putatively induce luteostasis. Groups were: Diestrus (DIEST), Estrus (ESTR), Pregnant (PREG), Oxytocin (OXY), Carbetocin (CARB), and Meclofenamic acid (MFA). Blood was obtained from day (D)12 to D15 for measurement of oxytocinase, also referred to as leucyl-cysteinyl aminopeptidase (LNPEP) and progesterone.

Endometrial and luteal gene expression of putative gene regulators of the equine maternal recognition of pregnancy.

Our understanding of the temporal changes in endometrial and luteal gene transcripts related to the actions of oxytocin and prostaglandin during early equine pregnancy is incomplete. Additionally, the role of oxytocinase, also known as Leucyl-cystinyl aminopeptidase (LNPEP), during early pregnancy in mares has not been previously investigated. Luteal and endometrial biopsies were obtained on Day (D)8, D10, D12 and D15 post-ovulation in pregnant (PREG) and diestrus (DIEST) mares for real-time qPCR.

Testis-Specific Isoform of Na-K ATPase and Regulation of Bull Fertility.

An advanced understanding of sperm function is relevant for evidence-based male fertility prediction and addressing male infertility. A standard breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) merely identifies gross abnormalities in bulls, whereas selection based on single nucleotide polymorphisms and genomic estimated breeding values overlooks sub-microscopic differences in sperm. Molecular tools are important for validating genomic selection and advancing knowledge on the regulation of male fertility at an interdisciplinary level.