Call number: LD2668 .T4 1984 P44 / Master of Science

Reproductive neuroendocrine activity and appetite are modulated at the hypothalamus by both nutritional status and photoperiod in the seasonal animal. The objectives of this work were (1) to measure circulating hormones and/or metabolites that relay information about peripheral nutritional status to the hypothalamus, (2) to identify which hypothalamic neuropeptides and receptors that are responsive to photoperiodic and nutritional feedback and (3) to establish which changes in peripheral signals and/or hypothalamic neuropeptides are associated with alterations in the activity of the reproductive neuroendocrine axis. Three main experiments were carried out. The first experiment (Chapter 1) utilised a 2 x 2 design to examine the separate and interactive effects of photoperiod and food restriction on hypothalamic neuropeptide and receptor mRNA expression and on GnRH/LH secretion. In the second experiment (Chapter 2), two components of nutritional status, BC and increased food intake were investigated since both are positively related to reproductive performance in sheep. In the final experiment (Chapter 3) the approach was to use an exogenous treatment to artificially raise plasma insulin in an attempt to "drive" some of the foregoing effects. Collectively these studies have lead to the first localisation AgRp, MCH, orexin, Mc3R, Mc4R gene expression in the ovine hypothalamus. They indicate that circulating insulin and leptin are major factors relaying information about nutritional status to the hypothalamus. In addition, they have dissociated BC and food intake as signals to the hypothalamus. Moreover these studies have provided no evidence that NPY, AgRp, POMC, MCH and ObRb play a role in driving seasonal changes in appetite and gonadotrophin secretion. However they do suggest NPY-ergic and melanocortin pathways are important in maintaining appetite/bodyweight/energy homeostasis or restoring energy balance following perturbation. Furthermore the results show that changes in nutrient-sensitive hypothalamic neuropeptide and receptor gene expression may not necessarily lead to alterations in the activity of the reproductive neuroendocrine axis. However, they do indicate that increased NPY biosynthesis during food restriction may be involved in the inhibition of pulsatile GnRH/LH release.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Science, 1998. / Corrigenda inserted behind title page. Copies of author's previously published articles inserted. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 193-210).

Corrigenda inserted behind title page. Copies of author's previously published articles inserted. Bibliography: leaves 193-210. This study investigated whether estrogen could modulate the proteins associated with calcium transport (eg calcium binding protein, calbindin D28k) in the intestinal tissue during sexual maturation of laying hens. The first study investigated the temporal and spatial expression of estrogen receptors (ER) and calcium binding protein in jejunal tissue. Findings indicated the potential of estrogen to induce calbindin D28K in the intestinal tissue, from which it can be concluded that estrogen may increase calcium absorption and consequently calcium retention. It was shown that the amount of estrogen normally present in the reproductive system is sufficient for the normal capacity of egg and eggshell production. Egg production and shell quality were significantly reduced by phytoestrogen. It is recommended that the concentration of phytoestrogen in poultry diets be investigated in more detail as it may act as an anti-nutritive factor and affect metabolism and productivity.

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Corrigenda inserted behind title page. / Copies of author's previously published articles inserted at end. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 193-210). / xxii, 210 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Investigates whether estrogen modulates the proteins associated with calcium transport (eg calcium binding protein, calbindin D28k) in the intestinal tissue during sexual maturation of laying hens. Studies the temporal and spatial expression of estrogen receptors (ER) and calcium binding protein in jejunal tissue. Findings indicated the potential of estrogen to induce calbindin D28K in the intestinal tissue, from which it can be concluded that estrogen may increase calcium absorption and consequently calcium retention. Shows that the amount of estrogen normally present in the reproductive system is sufficient for the normal capacity of egg and eggshell production. Egg production and shell quality are significantly reduced by phytoestrogen. It is recommended that the concentration of phytoestrogen in poultry diets be investigated in more detail as it may act as an anti-nutritive factor and affect metabolism and productivity. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Science, 1999

Addendum pasted onto front end-paper. / Bibliography: leaves 176-216. / x, 216 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / The aim of this project is to determine why LR3IGF-1 has such divergent effects in two different species. The study investigates the endocrine regulation of IGF-I and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in the pig and determines the effects of IGF-I and LR3IGF-I treatment on porcine IGF-I and IGFBP-3 expression at the gene and protein level. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1997

Orientador: Jose Luiz Moraes Vasconcelos / Banca: Ky Garrett Pohler / Banca: Gustavo Resende Siqueira / Banca: Ocilon Gomes de Sá Filho / Resumo: Os hormônios metabólicos IGF-1, GH e leptina são alterados de acordo com o status nutricional dos animais. O objetivo desse trabalho foi determinar as concentrações desses hormônios em vacas paridas e novilhas Nelore entre 12 e 16 meses de idade e seus efeitos na reprodução nos experimentos do Capítulo 2. No Capítulo 3, vacas primíparas, multíparas e novilhas Nelore de dois anos foram suplementadas ou não com milho moído durante o protocolo de IATF até o diagnóstico de gestação com o intuito de avaliar a alteração nos hormônios metabólicos e seus impactos na reprodução. No Capítulo 4, multíparas Nelore de duas fazendas foram suplementadas ou não com virginiamicina adicionada ao sal mineral. Em todos os experimentos as fêmeas foram submetidas a protocolos de IATF e colocadas com touro até o fim da estação de monta, sendo que apenas nos experimentos do Capítulo 3, as fêmeas receberam segunda IATF caso estivessem vazias antes da entrada dos touros. No experimento 1 do Capítulo 2 e no experimento 1 do Capítulo 3 houve efeito linear positivo da concentração de IGF-1 no dia da inseminação na probabilidade de prenhez a IATF. Em todos os experimentos realizados, também houve efeito linear positivo da concentração de IGF-1 no dia da inseminação na probabilidade de prenhez ao final da estação de monta, exceto no experimento 2 do capítulo 2. A concentração de IGF-1 no diagnóstico de gestação apresentou efeito linear negativo na probabilidade de prenhez em quatro estudos. O efeito do GH ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The metabolic hormones IGF-1, GH and leptin change according to nutritional managmentof the herd. The aim of these trials was to measure the concentration of these metabolic hormones in 12-16 months old Nellore heifers and multiparous cows and associate with the reproduction performance in experiments of Chapter 2. In Chapter 3, 2-years old heifers, primiparous and multiparous Nellore cows received or not ground corn starting in the begginning of TAI protocol until pregnancy check on day 30 to associate with metabolic hormones and reproduction. In Chapter 4, multiparous Nellore cows of two farms were supplemented or not with virginiamycin in mineral salt and the association with metabolic hormores and reproduction was evaluated. In all studies TAI was performed and bulls stayed from 7 days after TAI until the end of breeding season, except on trials of Chapter 3, which second TAI was performed in open cows before being exposed to bulls. In experiment 1 of Chapter 2 and experiment 1 of chapter 3 there was a linear positive effect of IGF-1 concentration on day of insemination on TAI pregnancy rate. In all trials, IGF-1 concentrations on insemination had a linear positive effect on pregnancy rate in the end of breeding season, except in experiment 2 of chapter 2. The IGF-1 concentrations on pregnancy rate had a linear negative association with TAI pregnancy rate in 4 studies. Concentraions of GH and leptin had no consistent association with reproduction rates. Corn supplementation did not alter TAI pregnancy rate, but tended to improve pregnancy rate on second AI and increased final pregnancy rate in primiparous cows, reduced final pregnancy rate in multiparous cows and increased weaning rate of primiparous calves supplemented with corn. Virginiamycin supplementation did not increase TAI and... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor