Labeling PIEZO2 activity in the peripheral nervous system.

Sensory neurons detect mechanical forces from both the environment and internal organs to regulate physiology. PIEZO2 is a mechanosensory ion channel critical for touch, proprioception, and bladder stretch sensation, yet its broad expression in sensory neurons suggests it has undiscovered physiological roles. To fully understand mechanosensory physiology, we must know where and when PIEZO2-expressing neurons detect force.

PIEZO1 transduces mechanical itch in mice.

Itch triggers scratching, a behavioural defence mechanism that aids in the removal of harmful irritants and parasites. Chemical itch is triggered by many endogenous and exogenous cues, such as pro-inflammatory histamine, which is released during an allergic reaction. Mechanical itch can be triggered by light sensations such as wool fibres or a crawling insect.

The mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo2 mediates sensitivity to mechanical pain in mice.

The brush of a feather and a pinprick are perceived as distinct sensations because they are detected by discrete cutaneous sensory neurons. Inflammation or nerve injury can disrupt this sensory coding and result in maladaptive pain states, including mechanical allodynia, the development of pain in response to innocuous touch. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the alteration of mechanical sensitization are poorly understood.

Deep anestrous mares under natural photoperiod treated with recombinant equine FSH (reFSH) and LH (reLH) have fertile ovulations and become pregnant.

The most common equine breeding practice to decrease the time to the first ovulation of the year is to use artificial lights starting December 1 in the Northern Hemisphere. It can take 60-90 d for this lighting regimen to induce a fertile ovulation. The success rate for pharmaceutical compounds to carry out the same process has been variable.