Seasonal Variation of Melatonin Concentration and mRNA Expression of Melatonin-Related Genes in Developing Ovarian Follicles of Mares Kept under Natural Photoperiods in the Southern Hemisphere.

This study investigated the seasonal variations in mRNA expression of FSH (), LH () receptors, melatonin ( and ) receptors, melatonin-synthetizing enzymes ( and ) and melatonin concentration in developing follicles from mares raised in natural photoperiods. For one year, ultrasonographic follicular aspiration procedures were performed monthly, and small (<20 mm), medium (20 to 35 mm) and large (>35 mm) follicles were recovered from five mares. One day before monthly sample collections, an exploratory ultrasonography conducted to record the number and the size of all follicles larger than 15 mm.

Urinary Angiotensinogen-Melatonin Ratio in Gestational Diabetes and Preeclampsia.

A large research portfolio indicates that an activated renal renin-angiotensin system or a deficit on melatonin is associated with several cardiovascular pathologies. In this observational clinical study, we hypothesized that alterations in urinary melatonin or angiotensinogen levels may be altered in two common conditions, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Our study's primary objective was to assess melatonin and angiotensinogen as novel disease biomarkers detectable and quantifiable in the urine of pregnant women with or without pregnancy complications.

Melatonin regulates maternal pancreatic remodeling and B-cell function during pregnancy and lactation.

The endocrine pancreas of pregnant rats shows evident plasticity, which allows the morphological structures to return to the nonpregnant state right after delivery. Furthermore, it is well-known the role of melatonin in the maintenance of the endocrine pancreas and its tropism. Studies indicate increasing nocturnal serum concentrations of maternal melatonin during pregnancy in both humans and rodents.

Short-term changes in handgrip strength, body composition, and lymphedema induced by breast cancer surgery.

Purpose: This study investigated short-term changes in body composition, handgrip strength, and presence of lymphedema in women who underwent breast cancer surgery.

Methods: Ninety-five women participated in a cross-sectional study, divided into two groups: Control (n=46), with healthy women, and Experimental (n=49), with women six months after breast cancer surgery. The Experimental Group was subdivided into right total mastectomy (RTM, n=15), left total mastectomy (LTM, n=11), right quadrant (RQ, n=13), and left quadrant (LQ, n=10).

[Effect of cigarette smoke exposure during pregnancy and lactation of rats and the offspring on the serum and morphometric parameters].

Purpose: to investigate the effect of cigarette smoke exposure on body and tissue weight gain, serum parameters and milk yield during pregnancy and lactation in rats, and the impact on offspring from birth toil young adulthood.

Methods: 40 Wistar pregnant rats were randomly divided into: CG - not exposed to cigarette smoke and sacrificed at the end of pregnancy; CL - not exposed to cigarette smoke and sacrificed at the end of lactation; FG - exposed to cigarette smoke and sacrificed at the end of pregnancy; FL - exposed to cigarette smoke and sacrificed at the end of lactation. The offspring were separated by gender and divided according to their mothers' groups.