Proneurogenic actions of follicle-stimulating hormone on neurospheres derived from ovarian cortical cells in vitro.

Background: Neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) from extra-neural origin represent a valuable tool for autologous cell therapy and research in neurogenesis. Identification of proneurogenic biomolecules on NSPCs would improve the success of cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Preliminary data suggested that follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) might act in this fashion.

Current Advances in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapies Applied to Wounds and Skin, Eye, and Neuromuscular Diseases in Companion Animals.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered a very promising alternative tool in cell therapies and regenerative medicine due to their ease of obtaining from various tissues and their ability to differentiate into different cell types. This manuscript provides a review of current knowledge on the use of MSC-based therapies as an alternative for certain common pathologies in dogs and cats where conventional treatments are ineffective. The aim of this review is to assist clinical veterinarians in making decisions about the suitability of each protocol from a clinical perspective, rather than focusing solely on research.

Determination of the appropriate concentration of sodium alginate used for in vitro culture of cat preantral follicles in a serum-free medium containing FSH, EGF and IGF-I.

Culture of domestic cat preantral follicles can be a suitable technology to assist oocyte conservation strategies in the family Felidae. This research was aimed to comparatively analyse cat preantral follicular development of follicles directly seeded on growth surface or encapsulated in 0.5 or 1% of sodium alginate in a serum-free medium containing FSH, EGF and IGF-I.

Spheroids Spontaneously Generated In Vitro from Sheep Ovarian Cortical Cells Contain Integrating Cells That Exhibit Hallmarks of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells.

Cell spheroids are inducible or spontaneously generated cell aggregates produced in vitro that can provide a valuable model for developmental biology, stem cell biology, and cancer therapy research. This investigation aimed to define the cellular identity of spheroids spontaneously generated in vitro from sheep ovarian cortical cells cultured under specific serum-free conditions. Spheroids were characterized during 21 days of culture by morphometric evaluation, detection of alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, gene expression analyses of stemness transcription factors and several lineage markers, immunolocalization analyses, as well as assessment of self-renewal and differentiation potential.

Corticoadrenal and Cardiorespiratory Responses to Administration of Propofol Combined with Dexmedetomidine or Ketamine in Rabbits.

Anesthetic protocols may influence adrenal function. Effective methods for modulating stress are desirable to minimize secondary effects during the perioperative period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the administration of propofol with dexmedetomidine or ketamine on corticoadrenal function and heart and respiratory rates.

[Azathioprine-induced hepatotoxicity in a patient with Crohn's disease].

Immunosuppressive drugs are among the pharmacological groups with the most theoretical potential to induce adverse reactions, including hepatic reactions. We report the case of a 35-year-old patient with Crohn's disease treated with azathioprine for steroid dependence which, after a hepatic biopsy, was diagnosed with nodular regenerative hyperplasia secondary to this treatment.

[Neurocysticercosis in Murcia (Spain)].

Introduction: Neurocysticercosis (NC) is the most prevalent parasitic infection in the CNS. Its frequency in our environment has increased with migratory movements. The clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with NC attended in a third level hospital in an area with a high prevalence of immigrant have been analyzed.

Seasonal endocrine changes and breeding activity in mediterranean wild ruminants.

The methods of assisted reproduction commonly used in domestic animals are currently being applied to non-domestic species. This is because of the limitation of maintaining the genetic variability in the wild, as it occurs in wild ruminants of the Mediterranean Basin. Despite the apparent progress of the technology, success of the offspring to grow and become healthy adult individuals has remained low in wild species.

Influence of age on the relationship between annual changes in horn growth rate and prolactin secretion in the European mouflon (Ovis gmelini musimon).

Annual variations in the growth of horns, and their correlation with seasonal changes of testicular size, and prolactin (PRL) and melatonin secretion were monitored in six pubertal mouflon rams living in their original latitude (40 degrees N). Mouflons born and maintained under captive conditions were classified in two age classes: sub-adult (2 years; n=3) and adult (> or =3 years; n=3). The rate of horn growth was greater (P <0.

Cellular localization and changes in expression of prolactin receptor isoforms in sheep ovary throughout the estrous cycle.

The actions of prolactin (PRL) on target cells depend on the type of prolactin receptor (PRLr) predominantly expressed, particularly whether the long PRLr isoform is expressed. The aims of this study were to determine the cellular localization and the changes in expression of long and short PRLr isoforms in sheep ovary throughout the estrous cycle. Long and short PRLrs were localized mostly in the same ovarian cells.

Effect of constant-release melatonin implants and prolonged exposure to a long day photoperiod on prolactin secretion and hair growth in mouflon (Ovis gmelini musimon).

The aims of this study were to examine whether mouflons exposed to constant long and short day photoperiods are able to exhibit an annual cycle of hair growth and moult, and prolactin (PRL) secretion. Mouflon ewes were assigned to three groups of treatment. Ewes were maintained, either under natural photoperiod (control, n = 9), or received a series of subcutaneous melatonin implants from December to April (n = 8), or were exposed to a constant long day photoperiod (16-h light:8-h dark; 16L:8D) during 18 months (n = 7).

Influence of epidermal growth factor on mammalian oocyte maturation via tyrosine-kinase pathway.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been reported to promote different functions in mammalian ovaries, including oocyte maturation. The aim of the present study was to establish: that EGF influences oocyte maturation in ovine and equine, that a tyrosine kinase-dependent intracellular mechanism mediates EGF effect and, that EGF-R receptor is detectable in ovarian follicles by immunohistochemistry methods. Selected ovine and equine oocytes were aspirated from 2-5 mm (ovine) or 25 mm (equine) follicles and cultured in TCM 199 for 22 (ovine) or 36 hours (equine).

Influence of epidermal growth factor on mammalian oocyte maturation via tyrosine-kinase pathway.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been reported to promote different functions in mammalian ovaries, including oocyte maturation. The aim of the present study was to establish: that EGF influences oocyte maturation in ovine and equine, that a tyrosine kinase-dependent intracellular mechanism mediates EGF effect and, that EGF-R receptor is detectable in ovarian follicles by immunohistochemistry methods. Selected ovine and equine oocytes were aspirated from 2-5 mm (ovine) or 25 mm (equine) follicles and cultured in TCM 199 for 22 (ovine) or 36 hours (equine).

Nocturnal variation of prolactin secretion in the Mouflon (Ovis gmelini musimon) and domestic sheep (Ovis aries): seasonal changes.

Seasonal changes in nocturnal prolactin secretion and their relationship with melatonin secretion were monitored in wild (Mouflon, Ovis gmelini musimon) and domesticated sheep (breed Manchega, Ovis aries). Two groups of eleven adult females each, were maintained outdoors under natural photoperiod. Plasma concentrations of prolactin and melatonin were determined during the summer and winter solstices and the autumn and spring equinoxes.

Effects of bromocriptine administration during the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle on prolactin and gonadotrophin secretion and follicular dynamics in merino monovular ewes.

Two experiments using Spanish Merino ewes were conducted to investigate whether the secretion of prolactin during the follicular phase of the sheep oestrous cycle was involved in the patterns of growth and regression of follicle populations. In both experiments, oestrus was synchronized with two cloprostenol injections which were administered 10 days apart. Concurrent with the second injection (time 0), ewes (n = 6 per group) received one of the following treatments every 12 h from time 0 to 72 h: group 1: vehicle injection (control); group 2: 0.

Development of a long-term serum-free culture system for immature granulosa cells from diethylstilboestrol-treated prepubertal rabbits: influence of androstenedione and fibronectin on FSH-induced cytodifferentiation.

Granulosa cells from diethylstilboestrol-treated prepubertal rabbits were cultured for 6 days in M199 with FSH (1-100 ng ml(-1)) in uncoated or fibronectin-coated plates with or without androstenedione to define the time course profile of oestradiol and progesterone secretion, and the possible modulator role of androstenedione and fibronectin during FSH-induced rabbit granulosa cell differentiation. Every 48 h, cultures were photographed and samples of medium were collected and assayed by ELISA for oestradiol and progesterone. FSH increased oestradiol secretion in a dose-dependent manner.

Differences on post-thawing survival between ovine morulae and blastocysts cryopreserved with ethylene glycol or glycerol.

Embryos were collected on Days 5 and 6 after breeding to investigate the effectiveness of ethylene glycol (ETG) and glycerol (GLY) as cryoprotectants of sheep morulae and blastocysts and to determine their optimum stage of development for cryopreservation. Only excellent (grade 1) and good (grade 2) embryos (196 morulae and 188 blastocysts) were incubated in increasing concentrations of GLY or ETG and submitted to a slow-freezing and quick-thawing procedure. Both cryoprotectants were removed using 0.

Effects of LH administration at the end of an FSH superovulatory regimen on ovulation rate and embryo production in three breeds of sheep.

In 3 experiments, 168 ewes of Manchega (n = 72), Churra (n = 62), and Merina (n = 34) breeds were used to test the hypothesis that administration of pure LH, coincident with progestogen removal during superovulation with FSH, causes an increase in the ovulation rate and number of embryos. This administration of LH can further interact with genotype, resulting in breed differential response. In each experiment, the animals were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments.

Light control of the duration of the daily melatonin signal under long and short days in the Soay ram. Role of inhibition and entrainment.

Light acts in two ways to control the duration of the nocturnal melatonin rhythm. It inhibits the production of melatonin from the pineal gland and it entrains the underlying circadian rhythm generators located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei. To investigate the role of these two mechanisms under long and short days, four experiments were carried out using groups of adult Soay rams (n = 6-8).