Structural and functional changes in rat uterus induced by neonatal androgenization.

Fetal or neonatal androgen exposure has a programming effect on ovarian function inducing a polycystic ovarian syndrome-like condition. Its effects on uterine structure and function are poorly studied. The aim of this work was to characterize the temporal course of changes in the rat uterine structure induced by neonatal exposure to aromatizable or not aromatizable androgens.

Pathophysiological and molecular considerations of viral and bacterial infections during maternal-fetal and -neonatal interactions of SARS-CoV-2, Zika, and Mycoplasma infectious diseases.

During pregnancy, a series of physiological changes are determined at the molecular, cellular and macroscopic level that make the mother and fetus more susceptible to certain viral and bacterial infections, especially the infections in this and the companion review. Particular situations increase susceptibility to infection in neonates. The enhanced susceptibility to certain infections increases the risk of developing particular diseases that can progress to become morbidly severe.

Neonatal androgenization in rats affects oocyte maturation.

Androgens are relevant in order to achieve a normal growth and maturation of the follicle and oocyte, since both excess and absence of androgens may affect the correct ovarian function. The current study analyzes the impact of neonatal androgenization in the first ovulation and oocyte maturation in response to exogenous gonadotrophin stimulation. Neonatal rats were daily treated with testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or vehicle during follicle assembly period (days 1 to 5).

Distribution of sperm antigen 6 (SPAG6) and 16 (SPAG16) in mouse ciliated and non-ciliated tissues.

The cilia and flagella of eukaryotic cells serve many functions, exhibiting remarkable conservation of both structure and molecular composition in widely divergent eukaryotic organisms. SPAG6 and SPAG16 are the homologous in the mice to Chlamydomonas reinhardtii PF16 and PF20. Both proteins are associated with the axonemal central apparatus and are essential for ciliary and flagellar motility in mammals.

First ovarian response to gonadotrophin stimulation in rats exposed to neonatal androgen excess.

This study analyzes the effects of neonatal androgenization on follicular growth and first ovulation in response to gonadotrophins, using a model of exogenous stimulation or the use of subcutaneous ovary grafts in castrated animals to replace the hypothalamus-pituitary signal. Neonatal rats (days 1-5) were treated with testosterone, dihydrotestosterone or vehicle. At juvenile period, rats were stimulated with PMSG, hCG (alone or combined) or used as ovarian donors to be grafted on castrated adult female rats.

Ovarian follicular dynamics after aromatizable or non aromatizable neonatal androgenization.

The effects of neonatal testosterone or dihydrotestosterone exposure on ovarian follicular dynamics were analysed at prepubertal, pubertal or adult age in Wistar rats. Both androgens induced a transitory increase on follicular endowment that was partially corrected at puberty. At adult age testosterone prevented ovulation, without significant modifications on follicular dynamics.

Neonatal testosterone exposure induces early development of follicular cysts followed by sympathetic ovarian hyperinnervation.

This study analysed the temporal association between ovarian cyst development induced by neonatal androgenisation and sympathetic innervation. Neonatal rats (postnatal Days 1 to 5) were treated with testosterone or dihydrotestosterone and the effects were evaluated at postnatal Days 20, 40, 90 or 180. Ovulation rate, number of cystic follicles and density of sympathetic fibres were analysed.

Involvement of the oestrogenic receptors in superior mesenteric ganglion on the ovarian steroidogenesis in rat.

Oestradiol (E(2)) is a key hormone in the regulation of reproductive processes. The aims of this work were a) to examine the distributions of oestrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ in the neurons of the superior mesenteric ganglion (SMG) in the oestrus stage by immunohistochemistry, b) to demonstrate whether E(2) in the SMG modifies progesterone (P(4)), androstenedione (A(2)) and nitrite release in the ovarian compartment on oestrus day and c) to demonstrate whether E(2) in the ganglion modifies the activity and gene expression in the ovary of the steroidogenic enzymes 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-HSD). The ex vivo SMG-ovarian nervous plexus-ovary system was used.

Prepubertal estrogen exposure modifies neurotrophin receptor expression in celiac neurons and alters ovarian innervation.

Estradiol is a key hormone in the regulation of reproductive processes acting both on peripheral organs and sympathetic neurons associated to reproductive function. However, many of its regulatory effects on the development and function on the sympathetic neurons have not been completely clarified. Sympathetic neurons located in the celiac ganglion projects to visceral, vascular and glandular targets, and contribute to ovarian innervation, being the main source of sympathetic fibers.

Echinococcus granulosus: the establishment of the metacestode is associated with control of complement-mediated early inflammation.

In this work we studied the evolution of early inflammation, complement activation and parasite survival/death along the establishment phase of Echinococcus granulosus metacestode. Using a chamber model of infection in mice, we examined cell infiltration and C3 deposition on individual parasites during their development from protoscoleces to cystic forms. We found that the intensity of the initial inflammation decreased around undamaged but not around damaged parasites: at 43dpi undamaged parasites were mostly associated with poor/mild inflammation while damaged parasites with a strong inflammation.

Involvement of nitric oxide on kainate-induced toxicity in oligodendrocyte precursors.

The vulnerability of oligodendrocytes to excitatory amino acids may account for the pathology of white matter occurring following hypoxia/ischemia or autoimmune attack. Here, we examined the vulnerability of immature oligodendrocytes (positively labeled by galactocerobroside-C and not expressing myelin basic protein) from neonatal rat spinal cord to kainate, an agonist of excitatory amino acid receptors that induces long-lasting inward currents in immature oligodendrocytes. In particular, we studied whether kainate toxicity was linked to the endogenous production of nitric oxide.

Intrinsic neurons in the mammalian ovary.

Mammalian ovarian function is under endocrine and neural control. Although the extrinsic innervation of the ovary has been implicated in the control of both ovarian development and mature function, it is now clear that, from rats to humans, the ovary is endowed with a network of intrinsic neurons displaying diverse chemical phenotypes. This article describes the presence of these intrinsic neurons in the ovary of different mammalian species, and discusses the possible functions that they may have in the regulation of ovarian physiology.