The aim of this study was to detect the seasonal expressions of oxytocin (OT), oxytocin receptor (OTR), extracellular signal-regulated kinase1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and phospho-ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) in the epididymis of the wild ground squirrels (Citellus Dauricus Brandt) during the breeding season and non-breeding season. Histological results showed that size, weight, cell number and lumen diameter of epididymis underwent acute seasonal changes, which were all peaked in the breeding season. Immunohistochemical results suggested that strong staining of OT, OTR, ERK1/2, and pERK1/2 were observed in the epithelial layer in the whole epididymis, along with intense OT and OTR signal in smooth muscle cell (Smc) in caudal epididymis in the breeding season. The protein expression levels of OTR, ERK1/2, and pERK1/2 in the epididymis were higher in the breeding season than those of the non-breeding season. Besides, hormone assay revealed that there was no significant serum concentration of OT in these two periods, while epididymal concentration showed higher value in the breeding season. In summary, the identified localization and local concentration of OT in the epididymis in the wild ground squirrel suggested that epididymis may assume as a source of OT, and OT could act via OTR to activate ERK1/2 signaling to regulate seasonal epididymal functions.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113391 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
North American avian species that migrate in flocks show greater long-term non-breeding range shift rates.
Mov Ecol
January 2025
School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK.
Background: Many species are exhibiting range shifts associated with anthropogenic change. For migratory species, colonisation of new areas can require novel migratory programmes that facilitate navigation between independently-shifting seasonal ranges. Therefore, in some cases range-shifts may be limited by the capacity for novel migratory programmes to be transferred between generations, which can be genetically and socially mediated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMercury exposure in an endangered songbird: influence of marsh hydrology and evidence for early breeding impairment.
Ecotoxicology
January 2025
Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Songbird reproductive success can decline from consuming mercury-contaminated aquatic insects, but assessments of hydrologic conditions influencing songbird mercury exposure are lacking. We monitored breast feather total mercury (THg) concentrations and reproductive success in the U.S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnderstanding the relative contributions of environmental, behavioural and social factors to reproductive success is crucial for predicting population dynamics of seabirds. However, these factors are often studied in isolation, limiting our ability to evaluate their combined influence. This study investigates how marine environmental variables, foraging behaviour and social factors (divorce), influence reproductive success in little penguins () over 13 breeding seasons.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGenomes and integrative genomic insights into the genetic architecture of main agronomic traits in the edible cherries.
Hortic Res
January 2025
College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
Cherries are one of the economically important fruit crops in the Rosaceae family, genus. As the first fruits of the spring season in the northern hemisphere, their attractive appearance, intensely desirable tastes, high nutrients content, and consumer-friendly size captivate consumers worldwide. In the past 30 years, although cherry geneticists and breeders have greatly progressed in understanding the genetic and molecular basis underlying fruit quality, adaptation to climate change, and biotic and abiotic stress resistance, the utilization of cherry genomic data in genetics and molecular breeding has remained limited to date.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReproductive strategies in loggerhead sea turtle : polyandry and polygyny in a Southwest Atlantic rookery.
PeerJ
January 2025
Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Laboratório de Genética e Evolução Molecular, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil.
Sea turtles are highly migratory and predominantly inhabit oceanic environments, which poses significant challenges to the study of their life cycles. Research has traditionally focused on nesting females, utilizing nest counts and mark-recapture methods, while male behavior remains understudied. To address this gap, previous studies have analyzed the genotypes of females and hatchlings to indirectly infer male genotypes and evaluate the extent of multiple paternity within populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!