Photoperiod is an important signal involved in the timing and co-ordination of many processes such as growth and reproduction in salmonids. Both growth and reproduction appear to be controlled by endogenous rhythms, which under natural conditions, is entrained by the seasonal changes in daylength, that is accurately reflected by the diel pattern of melatonin. This thesis investigates the influence of photoperiod on growth and reproduction in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and examines the effect on plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). These studies aim to further our scientific understanding of the endocrine mechanisms controlling growth and reproduction and transfer this knowledge to commercial trout farming practices. Studies at fry (<5g) and fingerling (>25g) stages investigated the effect of exposure to constant long-days (LD18:6) and constant light (LL) on growth performance. In all experiments, there was a significant growth enhancing effect following exposure to extended light regimes relative to those under ambient or constant short-day photoperiods. Growth enhancement appeared to be caused through direct photo-stimulation or a phaseshift in an underlying endogenous rhythm dependent on the timing of photoperiod application. Measurement of plasma IGF-I accurately reflected growth rate during juvenile development. Furthermore, a clear autumnal increase in IGF-I was observed that was apparently up-regulated by long-day photoperiods. Additionally, it was shown that melatonin implants significantly reduced growth rate below that of unimplanted controls irrespective of photoperiod, but did not reduce circulating IGF-I levels suggesting that elevated melatonin levels masked the perception of daylength but did not act directly on the somatotropic axis to control growth. As size or one of its correlates (growth rate, energy balance or nutritional status) is regarded as an important determinant of the ability to undergo puberty, the interaction of natural (SNP) and advancing (ADV: long-short day) photoperiods with growth, IGF-I and reproduction was investigated in virgin female broodstock. Under SNP 63% of the population attained maturity while only 29% spawned in the ADV regime. Under SNP both size and growth rate in late spring/early summer appeared to determine whether an individual may initiate maturation. Conversely, under ADV, condition factor appeared to be a better predictor. A complete seasonal relationship between plasma IGF-I, daylength and temperature was demonstrated for the first time in rainbow trout under natural conditions, and provides direct evidence for the relationship between maturation and IGF-I. IGF-I levels showed a negative correlation with testosterone as fish initiated maturation. Furthermore, IGF-I levels accurately reflected growth rate prior to the initiation of vitellogenesis, suggesting that IGF-I may provide an endocrine signal between the somatotropic and reproductive axes that nutritional status, growth rate and/or size is sufficient to initiate maturation. In addition, maturing individuals under both photoperiods typically expressed higher circulating IGF-I levels than those that remained immature and may reflect a greater opportunity for IGF-I to act on the pituitary to stimulate gonadotropin production. In this sense, the observation of elevated levels for 3 months under SNP compared to only 1 month under ADV may reflect a reduction in the window of opportunity to initiate maturation under advancing photoperiods and hence explain the reduction in fish spawning. Finally, using a commercially available ELISA kit provided evidence of a possible detection method for measurement of a leptin-like peptide as absolute levels differed significantly between mature and immature fish. This provides preliminary evidence for a possible involvement of a leptin-like peptide in rainbow trout reproduction and energy homeostasis. Given the above evidence of a growth enhancing effect of photoperiod in covered systems, the transfer of constant light (LL) regimes to uncovered commercial trout farming practices was also examined. The application of LL regimes during either fry grow-out in tanks using floating lights or ongrowing to harvest size during winter in cages using submersible lights was investigated. In all trials conducted, the exposure to LL in autumn significantly enhanced winter growth rate and feeding efficiency by up to 30% and 25% respectively relative to those maintained under ambient light. Furthermore, the effect of light intensity was clearly shown to be an important requirement in successfully applying photoperiod regimes onto the ambient photoperiod in order to enhance commercial production in "uncovered systems". These studies clearly indicate the importance of photoperiod in influencing growth and reproduction in rainbow trout. Furthermore, the use of plasma IGF-I as an indicator of growth provides a practical tool for studying growth-photoperiod-reproduction interactions in this species. However, further studies are necessary to further our understanding of the endocrine pathways governing physiological mechanisms, especially growth and reproduction. Overall, this work has provided important information to improve both scientific understanding and commercial development although it is clear that substantial research is still required.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Göteborg : Göteborgs universitet, 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Submitted by RAFAEL SILVEIRA CARVALHO null (rafaelcarvalho28@hotmail.com) on 2017-12-14T17:40:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Rafael Carvalho.pdf: 836357 bytes, checksum: 0aee1415ea86903f46e6a546c7ae32bb (MD5) / Rejected by ROSANGELA APARECIDA LOBO null (rosangelalobo@btu.unesp.br), reason: Solicitamos que realize uma nova submissão seguindo as orientações abaixo: problema 1: o arquivo submetido deve, obrigatoriamente, estar em formato PDF. Seu arquivo está em word. Assim que tiver efetuado essa correção submeta o arquivo, em PDF, novamente. Agradecemos a compreensão. on 2017-12-14T18:52:31Z (GMT) / Submitted by RAFAEL SILVEIRA CARVALHO null (rafaelcarvalho28@hotmail.com) on 2017-12-14T20:27:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Rafael Carvalho.pdf: 836357 bytes, checksum: 0aee1415ea86903f46e6a546c7ae32bb (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Lucia Martins Frederico null (mlucia@fca.unesp.br) on 2017-12-19T10:39:55Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 carvalho_rs__me_bot_int.pdf: 836357 bytes, checksum: 0aee1415ea86903f46e6a546c7ae32bb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-19T10:39:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 carvalho_rs__me_bot_int.pdf: 836357 bytes, checksum: 0aee1415ea86903f46e6a546c7ae32bb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-11-10 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Para entender melhor a influência da nutrição na eficiência reprodutiva de vacas Nelore lactantes, utilizou-se o seguinte experimento: 593 primíparas, 423 secundíparas e 893 multíparas Nelore lactantes foram sincronizadas com 38,3 ± 0,4 DPP, utilizando protocolo de IATF à base de P4/E2, e inseminadas 49,2 ± 0,3 DPP. Trinta dias após IATF foi realizado DG para ressincronização das vacas não gestantes, e 30 dias após termino da EM um segundo DG foi realizado. O ECC das vacas foi avaliado no parto, na IA e no DG. O peso corporal das matrizes foi mensurado na IA e no DG, e o peso corporal dos bezerros no desmame. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue de 535 vacas (sendo, 38% de primíparas, 24% de secundíparas e 38% de multíparas) após o parto (21 ± 0,4 DPP), na IA e no DG para dosagem das concentrações séricas de IGF-I e BHB, por ELISA. Os dados do experimento foram analisados através do programa SAS® 9.4 (SAS Inst., Cary, NC). O efeito de DPP sobre o ECC se comportou de maneira diferente de acordo com a paridade, em que as secundíparas e as multíparas começaram a se recuperar entre 20 e 60 DPP e as primíparas seguiram perdendo ECC até 80 DPP (P < 0,0001). Um maior ECC ao parto melhorou os resultados reprodutivos durante a EM, em diferentes intensidades de acordo com ECC e com a paridade (P < 0,05). Não foi identificado o efeito da alteração de ECC entre o parto e a IA nos resultados da primeira IATF (P > 0,26). Maior ECC na inseminação melhorou a taxa de prenhez à primeira IATF, independente da paridade (P < 0,08). Houve efeito positivo do aumento do ECC pós-IATF na taxa de prenhez à primeira IATF (P < 0,07), exceto em multíparas com ECC ≥ 2,75 na IA, onde houve efeito quadrático com baixa variação dos resultados (P < 0,02). As concentrações séricas de IGF-1 influenciaram de forma quadrática em primíparas no pós-parto e IA, em secundíparas no DG e em multíparas na IA a taxa de prenhez à primeira IATF (P < 0,05). As concentrações séricas de BHB demonstraram ter baixa influência na probabilidade de prenhez à primeira IATF. A alteração negativa do ECC das vacas nos primeiros 80 DPP, independente do ECC no parto ou paridade, aumentou o peso dos bezerros no desmame (P < 0,05). Adequado ECC ao parto, por si só, não foi capaz de garantir altos índices produtivos em todas as situações, no entanto demonstrou ser fundamental para garantir boa eficiência dentro do sistema de cria, devido à dificuldade em se ganhar ECC no pós-parto. / This experiment was developed to better understand how nutrition can influence the reproductive efficiency of suckled Nelore cows. Cows, 593 primiparous, 423 second parity and 893 multiparous were assigned at 38.3 ± 0.4 days postpartum to an estrus synchronization + fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocol, then inseminated at 49.2 ± 0.3 days postpartum. Thirty days after FTAI, an initial pregnancy diagnosis (PD) was performed via transrectal ultrasound to identify non-pregnant cows for resynchronization, which was followed by a second PD 30 days after the end of the breeding season. The body condition score (BCS) of cows was evaluated at calving, at artificial insemination (AI) and at initial PD. Body weight of the cows was measured at AI and at PD, and the body weight of calves taken at weaning. Blood samples were collected from 535 cows (38% of primiparous cows, 24% of second parity cows and 38% of multiparouscows) after calving (21 ± 0.4 days postpartum) at AI, and at initial PD. Concentrations of IGF-I and BHB were measured by ELISA assay. Data were analyzed using SAS® 9.4 (SAS Inst., Cary, NC). There was an effect of days postpartum on BCS by parity, where the nadir of curve occurred between 20 and 60 days postpartum in second parity cows and multiparous cows, but the primiparous cows continued to lose BCS up to 80 days (P < 0.0001). Greater BCS at calving positively impacted the reproductive results during the breeding season at different levels based on score and parity (P < 0.05). Positive changes in BCS between calving and AI did not improve pregnancy rate of the first FTAI (P > 0.26), however, increased BCS at AI improved pregnancy rate at the first FTAI (P < 0.08), except in multiparous cows with BCS ≥ 2,75, where there was a quadratic effect with low variation of results (P < 0.02). There was a positive correlation between BCS between AI and PD and pregnancy rate at the first FTAI, regardless of parity (P < 0.07). Serum concentration of IGF-1 influenced the pregnancy rate at first FTAI quadratically in primiparous cows at postpartum and AI, in second parity cows at PD and in multiparous cows at AI (P < 0.05). Serum BHB concentration had a lowly influenced on the probability of pregnancy at the first FTAI. 27 Negative BCS change in cows in the first 80 days postpartum, regardless of BCS at calving or parity, increased calf weight at weaning (P < 0.05). Adequate BCS at calving is the best predictor of improved reproductive results vital to ensuring efficiency within a cow-calf operation as it is more difficult to gain BCS during the early postpartum period, however it cannot guarantee high reproductive success in all situations. / 2016/01325-9

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-02-05Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:46:13Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 machado_ma_dr_jabo.pdf: 454873 bytes, checksum: f0e2d02e3267e96118f80b1075dda8c3 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A presente pesquisa foi desenvolvida com o objetivo de avaliar os prováveis efeitos do fator de crescimento semelhante à insulina I (IGF-I) sobre a maturação in vitro (MIV), nuclear e citoplasmática, de oócitos caninos retirados de ovários de cadelas. Os complexos cumulus oócitos (COCs) foram maturados in vitro em meio SOF (“synthetic oviductal fluid”). Foram utilizadas 40 cadelas submetidas ovario-histerectomias para esterilização cirúrgica ou para o tratamento de piometra. As doadoras foram classificadas em grupos conforme raça, faixa etária, condição reprodutiva e fase do ciclo estral. Os COCs (n=1474) foram liberados dos folículos pela técnica de fatiamento dos ovarios e maturados por 72 horas, exceto o grupo M0 (momento zero). O meio de cultivo base, foi o SOF, suplementado ou não com o IGF-I. Foram selecionados apenas COCs classificados como grau 1 para a MIV. Os COCs foram distribuidos em três grupos / This study was performed to identify the possible effects of insulin-like growth factor-i (IGF-I) on in vitro maturation (IVM) evaluated by nuclear and cytoplasmic of bitch cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) matured in vitro in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) medium. For this purpose ovaries were collected from 40 bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy for neutering or due to pyometra. The donors females were classified into groups based on breed, age, reproductive status and stage of the estrous cycle. The COCs (n=1474) were released from the follicles by slicing the ovaries and matured in vitro for 72 hours in the base culture medium SOF supplemented or no with IGF-I. Only grade 1 COCs were used for IVM, and were divided into three groups: M0 (zero collection time), C (SOF) and E (SOF + IGF-I). After incubation period, the maturation of the nucleus was examined by staining the oocytes with Hoechst 33342 and the cytoplasmic maturation by means of Lens culinaris agglutinin. The M0 group also was examined to cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation with the same staining dyes. From all females donors were collected 35.21, 39.69, 39.83 and 39.2% COCs per bitch were collected from mongrel, adult (>10 months), multiparous, and diestrus females, respectively (P<0.05). The percentage of degenerated oocytes was very high in the total sum (74.0%) and amongst experimental groups (M0=59.43; C=75.44; E=80.52%) with significant statistical differences (P<0.05) between them. And from all groups only 3.02% oocytes reached MI (M0= 2.83; C=4.19; E=2.10%). Alike nuclear meiotic resumption the cytoplasmic maturation rates were low, 15.83% in the total and 12.90 (M0); 25.58 (C); E (8.69%)...(Complete abstract, click electronic access below)

Master of Science / Department of Human Nutrition / Weiqun Wang / Exercise has been previously reported to lower cancer risk through reducing circulating IGF-1 and IGF-1-dependent signaling in mouse skin cancer models. This study is to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which exercise might impact IGF-1 pathway regulated by p53 and p53-related proteins in mouse skin epidermis. Female SENCAR mice were pair fed an AIN-93 diet with or without 10-week treadmill exercise at 20 m/min for 60 min daily. Animals were topically treated with TPA or vehicle control 2 hours before sacrifice and the target proteins in the epidermis were assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Under TPA or vehicle treatment, MDM2 was significantly reduced in exercised mice compared with sedentary control. Meanwhile, p53 was significantly increased. In addition, p53 transcription target proteins p21, IGFBP-3, and PTEN were elevated in response to exercise. An interaction between exercise and TPA was observed on the decrease of MDM2 and increase of p53, but not p53 down-regulated proteins. Taken together, exercise appears to activate p53 by reducing MDM2 suppression, resulting in enhanced expression of p21, IGFBP-3 and PTEN that might further induce a negative regulation of IGF-1 pathway and therefore contribute to the observed cancer prevention by exercise in this mouse skin cancer model.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-02-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:31:21Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 tapparo_af_me_sjrp.pdf: 812527 bytes, checksum: aac6f17be2c6552511dcaa2c2bd79c32 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Atualmente, as culturas celulares são consideradas uma das ferramentas mais importantes na virologia. Os meios de cultura utilizados na manutenção destes sistemas não oferecem capacidade às células de adsorver e se multiplicar em matrizes plásticas sem a adição suplementar de soro fetal bovino (SFB). Entretanto, o uso do SFB não é aconselhável devido às variações encontradas entre os lotes, o alto grau de proteína animal e a possibilidade da presença de agentes infecciosos. Além dos aspectos sanitários, existe o aspecto ético em relação à obtenção deste produto biológico. Com o aumento dos ensaios in vitro a quantidade estimada de produção de soro fetal bovino no mundo é de aproximadamente 500.000 litros/ano, isto significa, mais de 1.000.000 de fetos bovinos sacrificados para obtenção de SFB. O objetivo deste estudo foi cultivar as células CER (chicken embryo related) em diferentes meios de cultura: M-VSFM, 293- SFMII, VP-SFM, VP-SFM AGT, Glasgow, Leibovitz 15, adicionados de 2mg/ml ou 5mg/ml de IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor) e verificar a possibilidade das estirpes virais Lukert e Farangher de se adaptarem neste sistema. Nesta cultura a expressão da fibronectina e da laminina (LB1 e LB2) foram dectadas por imunofluorescência e imunoperoxidase indireta, respectivamente. As monocamadas de células CER foram infectadas pela estirpe Lukert e Farangher, sendo a m.o.i (multiplicidade de infecção) utilizada de 1.0. Após três passagens, o RNA viral foi extraído para determinar as substituições genéticas. A região hipervariável do gene VP2 foi amplificada por RT/PCR. Para confirmar as mutações, os produtos da PCR foram seqüênciados e comparados com as seqüências de VDIB publicadas no GenBank. Os resultados demonstraram que o meio VP-SFM e 5µg/mL de IGF-1 aplicado às culturas foi o melhor para a adaptação direta do cultivo das monocamadas... / Currently, the cell culture are considered one of the tools most important in the virology. The culture medium used in the maintenance those systems do not offer capacity to the cells of attachment and if spread in plastic surfaces without the supplementary addition of foetal bovine serum (FBS). However, the use FBS is not advisable due to batch-tobatch variation in composition, the high animal protein content, and the possibility of the presence of infectious agents. Beyond the sanitary aspects, exists the ethical aspect in relation to the attainment of this biological product. With the increase of in vitro assays the amount of FBS produced in the world is estimated at approximately 500.000 litres/year, this carry in 1.000.000 bovine fetuses sacrified for FSB attainment. The aim of this study was to adapt the CER cells (chicken embryo related) on different medium: M-VSFM, 293-SFMII, VP-SFM, VP-SFM AGT, Glasgow, Leibovitz 15, supplemented by 2mg/ml or 5mg/ml IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor) and to verify the possibility the Lukert and Farangher viral strain adapted in this system. The expression of the fibronectin and laminin (LB1 and LB2) were detected by immunofluorescence and indirect immunoperoxidase, respectively. The CER cells monolayer had been infected by Lukert and Farangher strain, being the m.o.i (infection multiplicity) used of 1.0. After three passages, viral RNA was isolated to determine the genetic changes. The hypervariable regions of the VP2 gene was amplified by RT/PCR. To confirm the genetic changes, PCR products were sequenced and compared to the sequences of the GenBank published VDIB strain.The results had demonstrated that the medium VP-SFM and 5µg/mL IGF-1 applied to the cultures was optimum for the direct adaptation of the culture of the monolayers without addition of FBS. In relation the detection of the extracellular protein, the fibronectin was induced... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-27T13:40:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-02-03. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2016-09-27T13:45:18Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000870579.pdf: 703160 bytes, checksum: f55637ae1394eb036e933d15f2866a88 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / The present experiment evaluated differences in age and weight at puberty between Nellore heifers (260±34 kg; 12±1 months old) treated with saline (n=15) or recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST; n=16) every 14 days from 12 until 22 months of age or until puberty attainment. Additionally, we assessed the effect of rbST in subcutaneous fat thickness, plasma GH, IGF-I, leptin, glucose, insulin, and pregnancy in the first breeding season. All heifers were maintained on the same pasture and exposed to a teaser bull with a neck-marker device. Heifers body weight and subcutaneous backfat thickness were obtained every two months, ovaries were evaluated by ultrasound and blood samples collected every 14 days to monitor the presence of CL and plasma hormones concentration. There was no effect of treatment (p≥0.05) on age and weight at puberty or pregnancy in the first breeding season. The backfat thickness between the 12th and 13th rib was not affected by treatment (p≥0.05), however the rump backfat thickness was lower in rbST heifers at 18 and 22 months (respectively, p=0.04; p<0.01). Treatments had no effect (p≥0.05) on weight gain, plasma glucose, GH and IGF-I. The diameter of the largest follicle was smaller in animals of the saline group at 12 months of age (p=0.01) and was correlated with plasma IGF-I in the rbST group (r=0.13; p=0.05). In the saline group, leptin concentration was higher at 12.7 (p=0.02), 13.4 (p=0.01), 14.3 (p=0.04) and 16.2 (p=0.03) months, and insulin concentration was increased at 20.1 months of age (p=0.06). In summary, prolonged treatment with rbST did not change the weight or age at puberty, plasma glucose, GH and IGF-I, however it decreased subcutaneous fat and insulin, increased leptin concentration. It was demonstrated that treatment with rbST did not affect pregnancy in the first breeding season. / FAPESP: 2012/143687

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / J. Ernest Minton / Enteric disease and immune challenge are processes that have detrimental effects on growth performance of young swine. The current study tested the hypothesis salmonellae-induced enteric disease would perturb the endocrine growth axis in a serovar dependent fashion. Specifically, we evaluated effects of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (Typhimurium) and serovar Choleraesuis (Choleraesuis) on critical regulatory components of growth in young swine. Weaned pigs were housed 2 per pen with ad libitum access to feed and water in a 14 d experiment. Pigs were then repeatedly fed either 10[superscript]8 CFU Choleraesuis or 10[superscript]8 Typhimurium in dough balls, with control pigs receiving dough without bacteria. Bacteria were re-fed twice weekly. Rectal temperatures were monitored daily from d 0 to7 and ADFI was measured through d 14. Pigs were weighed and samples of serum were obtained for circulating IGF-I on days 0, 7, and 14. At the conclusion of the study, samples of semitendinosus muscle and liver were obtained and subsequently assayed for IGF-I, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-5 mRNA. Rectal temperatures were elevated in pigs given Choleraesuis pigs from d 2 through d 7 (P < 0.05) when compared to control pigs and pigs fed Typhimurium. Pigs receiving Choleraesuis had substantially decreased feed intake on days 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, and 10 (P < 0.01), with a trend for reduction on d 5 (P = .08), and they experienced an approximate 25% reduction in BW compared to control and Typhimurium pigs by the conclusion of the study. Pigs given Choleraesuis also experienced marked reductions in circulating IGF-I on d 7 (P < 0.01 vs. control and Typhimurium) with reductions of lesser magnitude on d 14 (P = 0.07 vs. control and P < 0.05 vs. Typhimurium). Treatment tended to affect liver IGFBP-3 mRNA (P = 0.08), where expression tended to be elevated in Typhimurium and Choleraesuis pigs. In contrast, IGFBP-3 mRNA relative abundance was increased (P < 0.03) in pigs given Typhimurium versus control pigs. Muscle IGF-I mRNA was reduced in Choleraesuis pigs compared to control and Typhimurium (P < 0.05). Treatment tended to affect muscle IGFBP-3 mRNA (P = 0.10), where Choleraesuis had numerically less relative abundance than controls. Oral inoculation of growing pigs with Choleraesuis disrupted feed intake and BW gain, and this was accompanied by decreases in circulating IGF-I and reduced muscle expression of mRNA for IGF-I and IGFBP-3.