Evaluating insulin secretagogues in a humanized mouse model with functional human islets.

Objective: To develop a rapid, easy and clinically relevant in vivo model to evaluate novel insulin secretagogues on human islets, we investigated the effect of insulin secretagogues on functional human islets in a humanized mouse model.

Materials/methods: Human islets were transplanted under the kidney capsule of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice with immunodeficiency. Human islet graft function was monitored by measuring non-fasting blood glucose levels.

Environmental, genetic and social factors affecting the expression of estrus in beef cows.

Genetic, social and environmental factors affecting behavioral estrus were evaluated in Angus (n = 10), Brahman (n = 10) and Senepol (n = 10) cows during a PGF2alpha synchronized estrus and subsequent spontaneous estrus. Cows were equally stratified by breed to two groups of 15. Both groups were pre-synchronized with a modified two-injection PGF2alpha protocol.