Uncertainty in macroeconomic policy-making: art or science?

Uncertainty is pervasive in economic policy-making. Modern economies share similarities with other complex systems in their unpredictability. But economic systems also differ from those in the natural sciences because outcomes are affected by the state of beliefs of the systems' participants.

Differential regulation of gene expression and release of FSH and prolactin by long day and sulfamethazine in chicks.

In several avian species long day exposure results in plasma elevation of gonadotropins and prolactin (PRL). We examined the early (12-72h) effects of photostimulation on mRNA transcripts and plasma levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and PRL in three-week old cockerels. In addition, the neuroendocrine influence of the compound, sulfamethazine (SMZ), known to enhance light-induced gonadal development in chicks, was studied when applied with or without long-day photostimulation.

Somatotropin response in vitro to corticosterone and triiodothyronine during chick embryonic development: Involvement of type I and type II glucocorticoid receptors.

Corticosterone (CORT) can stimulate growth hormone (GH) secretion on embryonic day (e) 12 in the chicken. However, CORT failed to induce GH secretion on e20 in a single report, suggesting that regulation of GH production changes during embryonic development. Secretion in response to CORT during embryonic development is modulated by the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T(3)) and thyroxine (T(4)).

Exposure duration to long day lengths associated with the expression of photorefractoriness in turkey breeder hens.

In addition to inducing egg production, exposure to long days concomitantly activates processes that eventually result in photorefractoriness (PR) and cessation of egg production. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the duration of exposure to long days that result in these processes. In each of 3 experiments, we subjected Large White turkey breeder hens to long days (16 or 18 h per day) for differing lengths of time from initial photostimulation and then returned them to a photoperiod (12L:12D) that provided sufficient, but decreased, photoperiodic drive to support egg production but not induce PR.

Gonadotrophin-inhibitory hormone receptor expression in the chicken pituitary gland: potential influence of sexual maturation and ovarian steroids.

Gonadotrophin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), a hypothalamic RFamide, has been found to inhibit gonadotrophin secretion from the anterior pituitary gland originally in birds and, subsequently, in mammalian species. The gene encoding a transmembrane receptor for GnIH (GnIHR) was recently identified in the brain, pituitary gland and gonads of song bird, chicken and Japanese quail. The objectives of the present study are to characterise the expression of GnIHR mRNA and protein in the chicken pituitary gland, and to determine whether sexual maturation and gonadal steroids influence pituitary GnIHR mRNA abundance.

The effect of heat stress on ovarian function of laying hens.

Reproductive failure associated with heat stress is a well-known phenomenon. The mechanism involved in this failure is not clearly understood. In order to test a possible direct effect of heat stress on ovarian function, 36 White Leghorn laying hens were housed in individual cages in 2 temperature- and light-controlled rooms (n = 18).

Potential role of thyroid hormones and prolactin in the programming of photorefractoriness in turkey hens.

The domestic turkey hen is a seasonal breeder, requiring a period of short days to establish photosensitivity and a long day length to initiate egg production. The reproductive season is then limited by the onset of photorefractoriness (PR), which causes a decline, and then termination, of egg laying. In passerine birds, PR is programmed early in the reproductive season by the presence of thyroid hormones and a long photoperiod.

Identification of dopamine, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-I, and vasoactive intestinal peptide neurones activated by electrical stimulation to the medial preoptic area of the turkey hypothalamus: a potential reproductive neuroendocrine circuit.

The neural and neurochemical substrates regulating reproduction in birds remain vaguely defined. The findings that electrical stimulation in the medial preoptic area (ES/MPOA) or intracerebroventricular infusion of dopamine (DA) stimulated luteinising hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) release in female turkeys, led to the suggestion that ES/MPOA might help to clarify the DA circuitry regulating LH and PRL. We used c-fos mRNA and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity as measured by double in situ hybridisation/immunocytochemistry (ISH/ICC) to determine which group/subgroup of DA neurones was activated following unilateral ES/MPOA.

Pituitary progesterone receptor expression and plasma gonadotrophin concentrations in the reproductively dysfunctional mutant restricted ovulator chicken.

Female mutant restricted ovulator (RO) chickens of the White Leghorn strain carry a naturally occurring single nucleotide mutation in the very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) gene. Due to this mutation, RO hens fail to express a functional VLDLR protein on the oocyte membrane, which results in an impaired uptake of circulating yolk precursor macromolecules. Mutant RO hens subsequently develop hyperlipidemia and generally fail to lay eggs due to follicular atresia.

Seasonal and photoperiodic regulation of secretion of hormones associated with reproduction in Magang goose ganders.

This study examined the reproductive endocrine profile under natural and artificial photoperiods in Magang goose ganders. Group 1 ganders (n=8) served as non-treated controls and were exposed to natural photoperiod throughout the experiment from 13th January to 17th December 2004. Group 2 ganders (n=8) were exposed to 18 h long daily photoperiod for 60 days from 13 January till 15 March 2004 and again to 16 h photoperiod for 75 days till 10th October 2004, and the 11h short photoperiod in the remainder periods of the experiment.

Lack of effects of atrazine on estrogen-responsive organs and circulating hormone concentrations in sexually immature female Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

The widely used herbicide, atrazine, has been reported to exhibit reproductive toxicity in rats and amphibians. The present studies investigate toxicity of atrazine in Japanese quail and its ability to influence reproduction in sexually immature females. Atrazine was administered in the diet at concentrations from 0.

Effects of atrazine on sexual maturation in female Japanese quail induced by photostimulation or exogenous gonadotropin.

The herbicide atrazine has gained recent attention for its reported effects on reproduction in amphibians. The present study examined the putative effects of atrazine during sexual maturation in the photostimulated female Japanese quail. Furthermore, the effects of atrazine on birds administered exogenous gonadotropin (pregnant mare serum gonadotropin [PMSG]) were investigated.

Expression of hypothalamic GnRH-I mRNA in the female turkey at different reproductive states and following photostimulation.

In birds, changes in hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I) content and release are correlated with reproductive stages. This study examined the distribution and expression level of GnRH-I mRNA in anatomically discrete hypothalamic nuclei throughout the turkey reproductive cycle and following photostimulation. GnRH-I mRNA expression was determined using in situ hybridization in non-photostimulated (NPS), egg-laying (LAY), incubating (INC) and photorefractory (REF) hens.

Exogenous leptin advances puberty in domestic hen.

The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of recombinant chicken leptin administered to fed ad libitum and feed-restricted immature chickens of a layer strain on ovarian development and the timing of sexual maturity. In the first experiment 11-week-old pullets (77 days of age) fed ad libitum were injected daily with leptin at four dose levels (4, 16, 64 and 256 microg/kg body weight) until sexual maturity (lay of the first egg). Leptin treatment at the highest dose significantly (P<0.

Comparison of the ability of the three endogenous GnRHs to stimulate release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in chickens.

It is well established that GnRH can stimulate the release of LH and FSH in mammals. Two GnRHs have been found in the chicken hypothalamus, cGnRH-I and -II. There is controversy as to whether either peptide can stimulate release of FSH in birds.

Thyroid hormone and prolactin profiles in male and female turkeys following photostimulation.

The turkey hen, a photosensitive bird, will become photorefractory (PR) during the reproductive cycle and will cease laying despite a stimulatory day length. This response is thought to be "programmed" by hormonal events early in the reproductive cycle. The turkey tom, in contrast, produces semen for extended periods and has not been shown to exhibit PR.

Effects of calorie restriction on reproductive and adrenal systems in Japanese quail: are responses similar to mammals, particularly primates?

The benefits of calorie restriction (CR) have been established across a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate species. Although the effects of CR on lifespan in birds have not been examined, it is clear that CR has beneficial effects on reproductive, metabolic, and physiological function in adult poultry. We examined the effects of CR in Japanese quail, a rapidly maturing avian model, on reproductive endocrine and neuroendocrine systems.

The anterior pituitary gland: lessons from livestock.

There has been extensive research of the anterior pituitary gland of livestock and poultry due to the economic (agricultural) importance of physiological processes controlled by it including reproduction, growth, lactation and stress. Moreover, farm animals can be biomedical models or useful in evolutionary/ecological research. There are for multiple sites of control of the secretion of anterior pituitary hormones.

Atrazine and the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis in sexually maturing precocial birds: studies in male Japanese quail.

The herbicide atrazine is a putative endocrine disruptor. The present studies investigated the effects of atrazine in male Japanese quail during sexual maturation. Atrazine was administered for two weeks in the diet or systemically to birds under long photoperiods.

Effect of a single short-term reduction in photoperiod on photorefractoriness in turkey hens.

In a prior study, we reported that a high proportion of hens in a winter-laying flock became relatively photorefractory (rPR) early in the reproductive cyand that successive short-term reductions in photoperiod in such hens each initially depressed egg production but then caused a rebound in rate of lay to briefly exceed that of hens that did not exhibit rPR. The present study was conducted to assess rPR in a summer-laying flock and to determine whether a single short-term reduction in day length early in the reproductive cycle might enhance egg production and delay the onset of absolute photorefractoriness (aPR). Control hens received a photoperiod of 16L:8D throughout the experiment.

Sulfamethazine advances puberty in male chicks by effecting a rapid increase in gonadotropins.

A sulfonamide, sulfamethazine (SMZ) has been shown to have a robust, progonadal effect. The mechanism of action of SMZ, however, is unknown. Our hypothesis is that the compound may act centrally and/or at the level of the pituitary.

Modulation of in vitro DNA synthesis in the chicken ovarian granulosa cell follicular hierarchy by follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.

Folliculogenesis in domestic hens appears to be controlled by numerous factors, particularly the gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The involvement of LH in follicular steroidogenesis has been described in some detail; however, the specific role of FSH has remained elusive. In 3 experiments, the effects of ovine (o)- or chicken (c)-derived FSH (oFSH, cFSH) or LH (oLH, cLH) were evaluated on in vitro DNA synthesis [3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) incorporation], indicative of cellular proliferation, of granulosa cells from F1, F3, or F5-6 preovulatory follicles.

Attenuation by leptin of the effects of fasting on ovarian function in hens (Gallus domesticus).

Thirty-four-week-old laying hens received injections of recombinant chicken leptin to assess the role of leptin in avian ovarian function. In the first experiment, the hens (n=60) were divided into three groups: (i). fed ad libitum; (ii).

Photoresponsiveness of turkey breeder hens changes during the egg-laying season: relative and absolute photorefractoriness.

Photosensitive species undergo neuroendocrine changes during a reproductive season that cause them to gradually become unresponsive to a photoperiod that initially stimulated reproduction. They may first become relatively photorefractory (rPR), when they will cease egg laying only if photoperiod is reduced, and then absolutely photorefractory (aPR), when they will cease laying despite long day length. Our objective was to test the photoresponsiveness of breeder turkey hens during egg production at various times following photostimulation and to relate photoresponsiveness to rPR and aPR as well as plasma levels of prolactin (PRL) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Immunohistochemical localization of chromogranin A in gonadotrophs and somatotrophs of the turkey and chicken pituitary.

In the course of producing monoclonal antibodies to turkey prolactin, three monoclonal antibodies to turkey chromogranin A (CgA) were also produced, apparently arising from minor contamination of the turkey prolactin immunogen with peptide fragments of CgA. The identity of the antigen recognized by these antibodies was established by tandem mass spectrometry de novo sequencing of seven tryptic peptides from a turkey pituitary protein purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. These peptides showed high homology with distinctly separate regions of mammalian and ostrich CgA, and in silico cloned chicken CgA sequences.