LncRNA LOC102176306 plays important roles in goat testicular development.

Long ncRNAs regulate a complex array of fundamental biological processes, while its molecular regulatory mechanism in Leydig cells (LCs) remains unclear. In the present study, we established the lncRNA LOC102176306/miR-1197-3p/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PPARGC1A) regulatory network by bioinformatic prediction, and investigated its roles in goat LCs. We found that lncRNA LOC102176306 could efficiently bind to miR-1197-3p and regulate PPARGC1A expression in goat LCs.

Effect of rifaximin on gut-lung axis in mice infected with influenza A virus.

Gut-lung axis injury is a common finding in patients with respiratory diseases as well as in animal model of influenza virus infection. Influenza virus damages the intestinal microecology while affecting the lungs. Rifaximin, a non-absorbable derivative of rifamycin, is an effective antibiotic that acts by inhibiting bacterial RNA synthesis.

Arginine infusion rescues ovarian follicular development in feed-restricted Hu sheep during the luteal phase.

The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms of arginine (Arg) on follicular development of acute feed-restricted ewes during the luteal phase. From day 6 of the estrous cycle, 24 multiparous Hu sheep were randomly assigned into three groups: control group (a maintenance diet; n = 6), feed restriction group (0.5 maintenance diet, saline infusion; n = 9) and Arg treatment group (0.

Effect of PPARGC1A on the development and metabolism of early rabbit embryos in vitro.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PPARGC1A) is a central regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolism, and its expression is closely related to embryo development. To gain insights into the possible mechanisms of PPARGC1A during early embryogenesis, the development potential, mitochondrial biogenesis, and the culture medium metabolomics of embryos were evaluated when PPARGC1A overexpressed or suppressed in rabbit zygotes. Results showed that different PPARGC1A levels in rabbit zygotes could affect blastocyst percentage, and the expressions of mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic-related genes, as well as the glutathione and adenosine triphosphate levels during early embryo development.

Suppression of miR-1197-3p attenuates HO-induced apoptosis of goat luteinized granulosa cells via targeting PPARGC1A.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PPARGC1A) acts as a powerful coactivator of many transcriptional factors that relate to granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis. In this study, the miRNAs mediating goat follicular atresia and luteinized granulosa cell (LGC) apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide (HO) via PPARGC1A were investigated. Our results showed that miR-1197-3p targeted PPARGC1A was predicted by bioinformatics algorithm and verified by luciferase reporter assay.

The effects of neuromedin S on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in male pigs in vitro.

Evidence has shown that neuromedin S (NMS) and its receptor (NMU2R) are expressed in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and testis of pigs. To determine the potential mechanisms of NMS, we systematically investigated the direct effects of NMS on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis of male pigs in vitro. We initially confirmed that NMU2R distributed in isolated hypothalamic cells, anterior pituitary cells and Leydig cells using immunocytochemistry.

Expression of Hippo signaling pathway components in Hu sheep male reproductive tract and spermatozoa.

Hippo signaling pathway is essential for tissue development and homeostasis, while its specific role in male reproductive tract development is still unclear. The objective of this study is to elucidate the localization and expressions of key Hippo pathway components (MST1/2, LATS1/2 and YAP1) in male reproductive tract (testis, epididymis, and ductus deferens) of prepubertal (3-month-old) and postpubertal (9-month-old) Hu sheep, as well as in the cauda epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa. Results showed that the Hippo pathway proteins were diversely localized in male reproductive tract portions, and most of their expression levels increased during sheep testicular maturation.

Effects of neuromedin B on steroidogenesis, cell proliferation and apoptosis in porcine Leydig cells.

Neuromedin B (NMB), a mammalian bombesin-related peptide, has numerous physiological functions, including regulating hormone secretions, cell growth, and reproduction, by binding to its receptor (NMBR). In this study, we investigated the effects of NMB on testosterone secretion, steroidogenesis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis in cultured primary porcine Leydig cells. NMBR was mainly expressed in the Leydig cells of porcine testes, and a specific dose of NMB significantly promoted the secretion of testosterone in the primary Leydig cells; moreover, NMB increased the expression of mRNA and/or proteins of NMBR and steroidogenic mediators (steroidogenic acute regulatory (STAR), CYP11A1, and HSD3B1) in the Leydig cells.

Cloning and mRNA expression of NPB and its effect on hormone secretion of the reproductive cells in the pig.

Neuropeptide B (NPB) is an endogenous ligand for the orphan G protein-coupled receptors NPBWR1 (GPR7) and NPBWR2 (GPR8). Some reports have investigated the role of NPB in the regulation of feeding, energy metabolism and hormone secretion in many species. However, few papers reported the physiological function of NPB in the pig.

Distribution of the pig gastrin-releasing peptide receptor and the effect of GRP on porcine Leydig cells.

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is a mammalian bombesin (BN)-like peptide which plays a role in a number of important physiological functions via its receptor (gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, GRPR) in most animals. However, little is known about the gene encoding GRPR and its functions (especially reproduction) in pigs. In this study, we first cloned and analyzed the pig GRPR cDNA.

Metabonomics Approach to Assessing the Modulatory Effects of Kisspeptin-10 on Liver Injury Induced by Heat Stress in Rats.

The protective effects of Kisspeptin on heat-induced oxidative stress in rats were investigated by using a combination of biochemical parameters and metabonomics. Metabonomic analyses were performed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in conjunction with multivariate and univariate statistical analyses. At the end point of the heat stress experiment, histological observation, ultrastructural analysis and biochemical parameters were measured.

The effects of kisspeptin-10 on serum metabolism and myocardium in rats.

Kisspeptin is a peptide encoded by the Kiss 1 gene and is also called metastin. Previous studies have generally focused on several functions of this peptide, including metastasis, puberty, vasoconstriction and reproduction. However, few studies have focused on the cardiac functions of kisspeptin.

Effects of on steroidogenesis and apoptosis in goat luteinized granulosa cells.

During goat follicular development, abnormal expression of nuclear respiratory factor 1 () in granulosa cells may drive follicular atresia with unknown regulatory mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of on steroidogenesis and cell apoptosis by overexpressing or silencing it in goat luteinized granulosa cells (LGCs). Results showed that knockdown of expression significantly inhibited the expression of and , which are involved in sex steroid hormones synthesis, and led to lower estrogen levels.

Cloning and expression patterns of neuromedin U and its receptors in pigs.

Neuromedin U (NMU) is a highly conserved neuropeptide that performs a variety of physiological functions in animals via neuromedin U receptor-1 (NMUR1) and neuromedin U receptor-2 (NMUR2). In this study, we cloned the pig NMU, NMUR1 and NMUR2 genes. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that the pig NMU cDNA encoded the amino acids Phe-Leu-Phe-Arg-Pro-Arg-Asn-NH2 at the C-terminus and that the NMU receptors, which are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), contained the seven transmembrane domains typical of GPCRs.

Postnatal developmental of Neuromedin S and its receptor in the male Xiaomeishan pig reproductive axis.

Neuromedin S (NMS) has been identified as an endogenous ligand for FM-3/GPR66 and FM-4/TGR-1 which are NMU receptors NMUR1 and NMUR2, respectively. The NMS molecule is present in some peripheral tissues and the central nervous system (CNS), and it had been documented that NMS has fundamental and important roles in multiple physiological functions and processes such as circadian rhythm, energy balance, feeding behavior, stress responses and reproduction. The possible role of NMS in sexual development postnatally, however, is still obscure.

Effect of PGC-1α overexpression or silencing on mitochondrial apoptosis of goat luteinized granulosa cells.

During goat follicular development, abnormal expression of peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) in granulosa cells (GCs) may contribute to follicular atresia with unknown regulatory mechanisms. In this study, we investigate the effect of ectopic expression or interference of PGC-1α on cell apoptosis of goat first passage granulosa cells (FGCs) in vitro. The results indicate that PGC-1α silencing by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in goat FGCs significantly reduced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number (P < 0.

Age-associated and tissue-specific expression of osteopontin in male Hu sheep reproductive tract.

Osteopontin (OPN) is indispensable in mammalian reproduction, but the role of OPN in male reproductive tract and fertility remains unclear. The objective of this study is to elucidate the function of OPN by unveiling the localization and expression of OPN in the reproductive tract (testis, epididymis, and ductus deferens) of male Hu sheep in different ages (10-days, 4-months, and 8-months). To accomplish this, the localization, mRNA and protein expression patterns of OPN in all samples were investigated.

Neuromedin B and Its Receptor: Gene Cloning, Tissue Distribution and Expression Levels of the Reproductive Axis in Pigs.

Neuromedin B is one member of a family of bombesin-like peptides, which performs a variety of physiological functions via their receptor (NMBR) in most mammals. However, the genes encoding NMB and NMBR and their functions especially reproduction of the pigs are currently not fully understood. To research the physiological functions of NMB, we cloned and analyzed the NMB and NMBR genes, and systematically investigated the expression levels of NMB and NMBR mRNA using relative real-time PCR and the distribution of NMBR by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Cloning and distribution of neuropeptide W and its receptors in pigs.

Neuropeptide W (NPW), a novel hypothalamic peptide, is an endogenous ligand for the orphan G protein-coupled receptors GPR7 (NPBWR1) and GPR8 (NPBWR2). Although several studies have implicated NPW in the regulation of feeding and energy metabolism in many species, the precise physiological function of NPW in pigs remains unclear. In this study, we cloned and sequenced NPW, GPR7, and GPR8 cDNA from pigs.

Cloning of neuromedin B and its receptor in the rabbit and generating a polyclonal antibody to the neuromedin B protein.

Neuromedin B (NMB) is a highly conserved bombesin-related neuropeptide found in mammals. Neuromedin B (NMB) executes its effect by binding to the cell surface receptor, neuromedin B receptor (NMBR). In this study, we cloned the rabbit NMB and NMBR genes.

Developmental changes in the role of gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) and its receptors in the reproductive axis of male Xiaomeishan pigs.

Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), a key regulator of vertebrate reproduction, was identified in the Japanese quail in 2000, and RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3) was found to be a mammalian GnIH ortholog. To further determine its role in the reproductive system of male Xiaomeishan pigs, we systematically investigated changes in GnIH and its receptors (GPR147 and GPR74) during the development of the reproductive axis of male pigs. We also investigated the direct effect of RFRP-3 on the synthesis and secretion of testosterone in Leydig cells in vitro.

Heat-stress-induced metabolic changes and altered male reproductive function.

Heat stress can cause systemic physiological and biochemical alterations in living organisms. In reproductive systems, heat stress induces germ cell loss and poor quality semen. However, until now, little has been known about such a complex regulation process, particularly in the perspective of metabolism.

Effects of central and peripheral administration of neuropeptide s on the level of serum proinflammatory cytokines in pigs.

Objectives: The recently discovered neuropeptide S (NPS) and its cognate receptor represent a novel system of neuromodulation and are involved in many physiological and pathological processes. NPS has been implicated in the regulation of proinflammatory cytokine secretion in the pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) of pigs in vitro. In this study, we tested the hypothesis whether either central or peripheral injection of NPS would stimulate the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines in pigs.

The effects of RFRP-3, the mammalian ortholog of GnIH, on the female pig reproductive axis in vitro.

RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3) has been proposed as a key inhibitory regulator of mammalian reproduction. To further determine the potential mechanisms and sites of action of RFRP-3, we systematically investigated the direct effect of RFRP-3 on the female pig reproductive axis in vitro. Initially, we confirmed that G protein-coupled receptor 147 (GPR147) was distributed in isolated hypothalamic, anterior pituitary and ovarian granulosa cells, suggesting that RFRP-3 could act on these cells in vitro.

Development of an epitope-based competitive ELISA for the detection of antibodies against Tibetan peste des petits ruminants virus.

Aims: To develop an effective diagnostic kit, based on a competitive ELISA-based system (cELISA), for detecting serum antibody against peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV).

Methods: Epitope peptides of the nucleocapsid (N) protein of Tibetan PPRV were synthesized chemically and injected into rabbits to prepare hyperimmune antisera. Test sera were incubated simultaneously with hyperimmune antisera and added to the wells of ELISA plates coated previously with recombinant N protein.