Four experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that RF-amide related peptide 3 (RFRP3) negatively regulate the secretion of LH in mares. In Exp. 1, mares received native gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) continuously at a rate of 20 microgram/h, delivered subcutaneously using Alzet osmotic pumps during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. Mares were treated with i.v. bolus injections of 0, 500 and 1,000 microgram eRFRP3 on days 4, 6 and 8 of cycle. Mean concentrations of LH in the peripheral circulation averaged 1.2 +/- 0.2 ng/mL and did not differ among groups before or following RFRP3 treatment. In Exp. 2, pituitary venous effluent was sampled for characterization of episodic release of LH. Mares received either saline or eRFRP3 (250 microgram) i.v. every 10 min for 6 h beginning 2 h after onset of sampling. At hour 6, each mare was challenged with 1 mg GnRH. Neither mean ICS concentrations of LH (1.3 +/- 0.2 ng/ml), nor frequency (3.6 +/- 0.55 episodes/h), amplitude (0.2 +/- 0.03 ng/ml), or duration (36.3 +/- 3.5 min) of individual secretory episodes, differed between groups before or after eRFRP3 treatment. Area under the GnRH-induced LH curve (arbitrary units) also did not differ between control and RFRP3 treated mares (175.9 +/- 11.4 vs. 192.6 +/- 10.6). In Exp. 3, winter anovulatory mares (n=6) were treated continuously for 7 d with GnRH (100 microgram/h) to stimulate synthesis of LH and increase circulating concentrations of LH to values similar to the breeding season. The ICS was catheterized for blood sampling and mares were treated with saline or RFRP3 (5 mg) in a replicated Latin square design. Treatment with RFRP3 failed to alter ICS mean concentration of LH (0.95 +/- .03 ng/ml). Finally in Exp. 4, mares in the follicular phase of the estrous cycle were assigned randomly to receive either saline (n=3) or 10 microgram/kg BW of oRFRP3 (n=3) in a single injection. No effect on mean concentration of LH was observed. In contrast to observations in birds and other mammals, results of the current experiments fail to provide evidence for functional activity of eRFRP3 or oRFRP3 in regulating LH release in the mare.

The physiological mechanisms through which nutrition mediates its effects in controlling reproduction are not well characterized. Both neural and endocrine components have been implicated in the communication of nutritional status to the central nervous system. Leptin, a hormone synthesized and secreted mainly by adipocytes, is heavily involved in this communication network. The objectives of studies reported herein were 1) to determine the effects of short-term restriction of nutrients on circulating leptin, leptin gene expression in adipose tissue, and leptin receptor (LR) gene expression in the adenohypophysis of ovariectomized cows; and 2) to investigate the responsiveness of the hypothalamic-adenohypophyseal (AP) axis of fasted and non-fasted cattle to leptin. Studies demonstrated that circulating concentrations of leptin and leptin gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue are decreased by fasting. Although 2 to 3 days of fasting did not affect patterns of release of luteinizing hormone (LH), cerebroventricular infusions of leptin increased mean circulating concentrations of LH in fasted, but not normal-fed cows, without affecting frequency or amplitude of pulses of LH. In vitro studies were conducted to determine whether the in vivo effects of leptin could be accounted for at the hypothalamic and/or AP levels. Leptin did not affect the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from hypothalamic-infundibular explants from either normal-fed or fasted cattle. Moreover, leptin did not affect the basal release of LH from bovine AP cells or AP explants from normal-fed cows. However, leptin induced a higher basal release of LH from AP explants of fasted cows and increased GnRH-stimulated release of LH from AP explants of normal-fed cows. Results demonstrate that leptin acts directly at the AP level to modulate the secretion of LH, and its effects are dependent upon nutritional status. Cellular mechanisms associated with the increased responsiveness of gonadotropes to leptin in fasted cows were investigated. Expression of LR and suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3) in the adenohypophysis did not account for the increased responsiveness of fasted cows to leptin. Therefore, although leptin clearly stimulates the hypothalamic-gonadotropic axis in nutrient-restricted cattle, it is unclear why cattle maintained under neutral or positive energy balance are resistant to leptin.

Endometriose é uma patologia que vem recebendo cada vez mais atenção da comunidade científica devido à importância de suas manifestações clinicas e à sua alta prevalência. Suas principais manifestações clínicas incluem dismenorréia, dispareunia, infertilidade e dor pélvica crônica. Entre mulheres inférteis, 30-60% apresentam diagnostico de endometriose. Entre os mecanismos que envolvem a patogênese da endometriose e infertilidade, encontram-se alterações na foliculogênese, anovulação, síndrome do folículo não roto, diminuição da reserva ovariana e anormalidades de fase lútea. Sabe-se que endometriose apresenta componente hereditário, por isso tem se buscado polimorfismos envolvidos. Como a doença está associada com defeitos na fase lútea, resolvemos estudar um polimorfismo do hormônio luteinizante (LH) nessas pacientes. O V-LH (hormônio luteinizante com polimorfismo Trp8Arg - Ile15Thr) ocorre devido à troca polimórfica de triptofano por arginina no códon 8 e de isoleucina por treonina no códon 15 (Trp8Arg e Ile15Thr) no exon 2 da subunidade β do LH. Esse polimorfismo acarreta aumento da bioatividade do hormônio in vitro, mas possui metade da meia vida do LH selvagem. Realizamos um estudo prospectivo transversal. O grupo em estudo foi constituído por 50 mulheres inférteis com endometriose e o grupo controle por 50 mulheres férteis sem a doença. Realizou-se o diagnóstico de endometriose no grupo em estudo e excluiu-se seu diagnóstico no grupo controle durante a laparoscopia, momento no qual foi coletado sangue periférico. As mutações nos códons 8 e 15 foram analisadas por PCR. Sete (14%) pacientes no grupo de estudo e 6 pacientes no grupo controle apresentavam o polimorfismo V-LH. Essa diferença não foi estatisticamente significativa OR 1,19 (CI 95% 0,31-4,67). Assim, apesar de endometriose e infertilidade apresentarem um componente de insuficiência lútea, o V-LH não parece fazer parte desta patogênese.

No description available.

Endometriose é uma patologia que vem recebendo cada vez mais atenção da comunidade científica devido à importância de suas manifestações clinicas e à sua alta prevalência. Suas principais manifestações clínicas incluem dismenorréia, dispareunia, infertilidade e dor pélvica crônica. Entre mulheres inférteis, 30-60% apresentam diagnostico de endometriose. Entre os mecanismos que envolvem a patogênese da endometriose e infertilidade, encontram-se alterações na foliculogênese, anovulação, síndrome do folículo não roto, diminuição da reserva ovariana e anormalidades de fase lútea. Sabe-se que endometriose apresenta componente hereditário, por isso tem se buscado polimorfismos envolvidos. Como a doença está associada com defeitos na fase lútea, resolvemos estudar um polimorfismo do hormônio luteinizante (LH) nessas pacientes. O V-LH (hormônio luteinizante com polimorfismo Trp8Arg - Ile15Thr) ocorre devido à troca polimórfica de triptofano por arginina no códon 8 e de isoleucina por treonina no códon 15 (Trp8Arg e Ile15Thr) no exon 2 da subunidade β do LH. Esse polimorfismo acarreta aumento da bioatividade do hormônio in vitro, mas possui metade da meia vida do LH selvagem. Realizamos um estudo prospectivo transversal. O grupo em estudo foi constituído por 50 mulheres inférteis com endometriose e o grupo controle por 50 mulheres férteis sem a doença. Realizou-se o diagnóstico de endometriose no grupo em estudo e excluiu-se seu diagnóstico no grupo controle durante a laparoscopia, momento no qual foi coletado sangue periférico. As mutações nos códons 8 e 15 foram analisadas por PCR. Sete (14%) pacientes no grupo de estudo e 6 pacientes no grupo controle apresentavam o polimorfismo V-LH. Essa diferença não foi estatisticamente significativa OR 1,19 (CI 95% 0,31-4,67). Assim, apesar de endometriose e infertilidade apresentarem um componente de insuficiência lútea, o V-LH não parece fazer parte desta patogênese.

Endometriose é uma patologia que vem recebendo cada vez mais atenção da comunidade científica devido à importância de suas manifestações clinicas e à sua alta prevalência. Suas principais manifestações clínicas incluem dismenorréia, dispareunia, infertilidade e dor pélvica crônica. Entre mulheres inférteis, 30-60% apresentam diagnostico de endometriose. Entre os mecanismos que envolvem a patogênese da endometriose e infertilidade, encontram-se alterações na foliculogênese, anovulação, síndrome do folículo não roto, diminuição da reserva ovariana e anormalidades de fase lútea. Sabe-se que endometriose apresenta componente hereditário, por isso tem se buscado polimorfismos envolvidos. Como a doença está associada com defeitos na fase lútea, resolvemos estudar um polimorfismo do hormônio luteinizante (LH) nessas pacientes. O V-LH (hormônio luteinizante com polimorfismo Trp8Arg - Ile15Thr) ocorre devido à troca polimórfica de triptofano por arginina no códon 8 e de isoleucina por treonina no códon 15 (Trp8Arg e Ile15Thr) no exon 2 da subunidade β do LH. Esse polimorfismo acarreta aumento da bioatividade do hormônio in vitro, mas possui metade da meia vida do LH selvagem. Realizamos um estudo prospectivo transversal. O grupo em estudo foi constituído por 50 mulheres inférteis com endometriose e o grupo controle por 50 mulheres férteis sem a doença. Realizou-se o diagnóstico de endometriose no grupo em estudo e excluiu-se seu diagnóstico no grupo controle durante a laparoscopia, momento no qual foi coletado sangue periférico. As mutações nos códons 8 e 15 foram analisadas por PCR. Sete (14%) pacientes no grupo de estudo e 6 pacientes no grupo controle apresentavam o polimorfismo V-LH. Essa diferença não foi estatisticamente significativa OR 1,19 (CI 95% 0,31-4,67). Assim, apesar de endometriose e infertilidade apresentarem um componente de insuficiência lútea, o V-LH não parece fazer parte desta patogênese.

Abstract The prevalence of the isolated ultrasonographic finding of polycystic ovaries (PCO) in the Finnish population and among women with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM) and changes in the present carbohydrate metabolism were investigated in the present study. One aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the recently discovered variant type LH (v-LH) in PCOS and to compare patient cohorts from Finland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. In addition, this study attempted to evaluate the nature of the ovarian streoidogenic response of women with PCOS to exogenously administered human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), human menotrophin (hMG) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The effect of metformin on ovarian steroidogenesis was also studied. The prevalence of PCO was significantly higher in younger (≤ 35 years, 21.6%) than among older women (in ≥ 36 years, 7.8%). The overall prevalence of PCO in Finnish women was 14.2%. Women with previous GDM revealed a high prevalence of PCO (39.4%). The carrier frequency of the v-LHb allele in the entire study population was 18.5%. The frequency of the v-LH carrier was significantly lower in obese PCOS subjects in the Netherlands (2.0%) and Finland (4.5%). Women with previous GDM had impaired insulin sensitivity and β-cell function. They also had higher adrenal androgen secretion than the control women. Women with PCO and previous GDM had marked hyperinsulinemia which was not explained by obesity. Obese PCOS women achieved peak peripheral serum T concentrations at 48 hours after a hCG injection, preceded by peak levels of 17-OHP and E2 at 24 hours. In contrast, all steroids measured in the control women reached their maximum serum concentrations at 96 hours. HMG stimulated the production of ovarian androgens more efficiently than a urinary FSH after pituitary suppression with a gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa). In conclusion, the prevalence of PCO is common in healthy Finnish women and even more common in women with a history of GDM. The ultrasonographic appearance of PCO may be a predictive factor with regards abnormal glucose tolerance during and after pregnancy and, these women should therefore be advised as to possible consequences. The high overall frequency of the v-LH allele in women in general and its low frequency in obese PCOS patients suggests that v-LH plays a role in reproductive functions and may counteract the pathogenesis of PCOS in obese individuals. The differences observed in steroid responses to hCG between normal and PCOS women might be explained by higher theca cell activity or mass in polycystic ovaries. Women with PCOS did not show a distinctly exaggerated steroidogenic response to hMG or FSH administration compared with control women. FSH administration also resulted in increased A and T production.

Submitted by Nathália Faria da Silva (nathaliafsilva.ufv@gmail.com) on 2017-07-13T19:10:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 252293 bytes, checksum: 1c80e8f3e74d50c3ed9b81b7885cf440 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-13T19:10:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 252293 bytes, checksum: 1c80e8f3e74d50c3ed9b81b7885cf440 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-02-13 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / O experimento foi conduzido no Setor de Caprinocultura do Departamento de Zootecnia da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da administração de hormônio liberador de gonadotrofina (GnRH) e hormônio luteinizante (LH) sobre a indução e sincronização da ovulação em cabras em anestro sazonal com estro induzido pelo acetato de medroxiprogesterona (MAP). Foram utilizadas 45 cabras lactantes (30 da raça Alpina e 15 da raça Saanen), com idade variando entre 2 e 6 anos, peso corporal médio de 55,25 ± 12,96 kg, escore de condição corporal de 2,91 ± 1,05 e produção leiteira de 1,11 ± 0,63 kg. Os animais foram sincronizados pela inserção de esponjas intravaginais contendo 60 mg de MAP por nove dias, administração de 200 UI de gonadotrofina coriônica eqüina (eCG) e 37,5 μg de PGF 2α no 7o dia, por via intramuscular (IM). Após a sincronização, os animais foram aleatoriamente divididos em três tratamentos com 15 animais cada. Os animais do T1 (controle) receberam 1 mL de solução salina, os do T2 receberam 5 mg do LH e os do T3, 12,5 μg do GnRH, por via IM nas 24 horas após a retirada xdas esponjas. A inseminação artificial (IA) foi realizada às 24 e 36 horas, após a retirada das esponjas, com sêmen fresco e diluído. A ovulação foi monitorada por exames ultra-sonográficos, via transretal, em intervalo de quatro horas até a detecção da ovulação, tendo início 12 horas após a retirada das esponjas. A gestação foi confirmada por exame ultra- sonográfico, via transretal, 25, 40 e 60 dias após a inseminação. Os parâmetros avaliados não diferiram entre os animais das duas raças. A percentagem de animais em estro encontrada neste experimento foi de 100,0; 73,3 e de 66,6%, e o intervalo da retirada da esponja ao início do estro foi em média de 34,8 ± 10,4; 29,3 ± 3,2 e de 31,5 ± 3,0 horas para os animais do tratamento-controle, LH e GnRH, respectivamente, não diferindo entre os tratamentos. A duração do estro também, não diferiu entre os três tratamentos. O intervalo médio da retirada da esponja à ovulação foi de 46,6 ± 9,3; 52,1 ± 5,1 e de 41,6 ± 8,7 horas para o tratamento-controle, LH e GnRH, respectivamente, com diferença entre os animais do tratamento LH e GnRH (P<0,01). A ovulação após as injeções ocorreu em média 21,3 ± 8,6; 26,8 ± 4,1 e 22,3 ± 13,3 horas, para o tratamento-controle, LH e GnRH, respectivamente, não havendo diferença entre os tratamentos. Houve diferença do intervalo do início do estro à ovulação para os animais do tratamento LH e GnRH em relação aos do controle (P<0,05). As taxas de gestação não diferiram entre os animais de todos os tratamentos, apesar de ser observada uma alta taxa de perda embrionária entre 25 e 40 dias de gestação nos animais do tratamento LH e GnRH. / The experiment was conducted in the section of Dairy Goat of Department of Animal Science of Federal University of Viçosa, with the objective to evaluate the effect of the administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) on the induction and synchronization of ovulation in does out of the breeding season with estrus induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Forty five does were used (Alpine, n = 30 and Saanen, n = 15) with aged between 2 and 6 years, an average body weight of 55. 25 ± 12.96 kg, body condition score of 2.91 ± 11.05 and milk yield of 1.11 ± 0.63 kg. The animals were synchronized by insertion intravaginal sponges impregnated with 60 mg of MPA) for nine days, associated with 200 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and 37.5 μg of cloprostenol in the 7th day. After the synchronization, the animals were randomly allotted in three treatments with 15 animals each. The animals of treatment 1 (control) received 1 mL of saline solution, treatment 2 received 5 mg of LH and T3 received 12.5 μg of GnRH, by intramuscular injection, 24 hours after the removal of the intravaginal xiisponges. Artificial insemination was done at 24 and 36 hours after the sponge removal, with fresh and diluted semen. The ovulation was monitored by transrectal ultrasound at 4 hours interval until the detection of ovulation, beginning 12 hours after the sponge removal. Gestation was confirmed with the aid of transrectal ultrasound on the 25, 40 and 60 days after the AI. The evaluated parameters did not differ between the two breeds of animals. The percentage of animals in estrus observed in this experiment was of 100.0, 73.3 and 66.6% and the interval from sponge removal to estrus was of 34.8 ± 10.4; 29.3 ± 3.2 and of 31.5 ± 3.0 hours for the control, LH and GnRH treatments, respectively, not observing difference among the treatments. There was no difference for the estrus length among animals of the three treatments. The average interval from sponge removal to ovulation was of 46.6 ± 9.3, 52.1 ± 5.1 and of 41.6 ± 8.7 hours for the control, LH and GnRH treatments, respectively. There was difference (P<0,01) between LH and GnRH treatments. Ovulation after injections occurred on average 21.3 ± 8.6, 26.8 ± 4.1 and 22.3 ± 13.3 hours, for the control, LH and GnRH treatments respectively, not observing difference among the treatments. There was difference (P<0.05) from the beginning of estrus to ovulation for LH and GnRH treatments in relation to control. Gestation rates did not differ among the treatments, despite the high rate of embryonic loss observed between 25 and 40 days of gestation in the animals of LH and GnRH treatments.

Although exocytosis is the major mechanism by which cells secrete products into their environment, little is known about the mechanism of this fundamental process. Previous studies on the regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) exocytosis have used intact cells exclusively. It is not possible, however, to determine the precise requirements for exocytosis in intact cells since the cytosol is not directly accessible. Permeabilization of the plasma membrane allows experimental manipulation of the intracellular milieu while preserving the exocytic apparatus. The diameter of the atoxin pores (2-3 nm) allowed the exchange of small molecules such as ATP while larger cytosolic proteins such as lactate dehydrogenase were retained. Because of the slow exchange of small molecules through a-toxin pores a protocol was developed which combines prolonged pre-equilibration of the permeabilized cells at 0°C before stimulation with strong Ca²⁺ buffering. Under these conditions an increase in the [Ca²⁺]free stimulated a 15-20 fold increase in LH exocytosis (EC₅₀ pCa 5.5). After 12-15 minutes the rate of exocytosis declined and the cells became refractory to Ca²⁺. At resting [Ca²⁺]free (pea 7), cAMP stimulated a rapid, 2 - 3 fold, increase in LH exocytosis. cAMP caused a modest enhancement of Ca²⁺-stimulated LH exocytosis by causing a left shift in the EC₅₀ for Ca²⁺ from pCa 5.6 to pCa 5.9. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) synergistically enhanced cAMP-stimulated LH exocytosis, an effect which was further augmented by increasing the [Ca²⁺]free· Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was found to stimulate cAMP production in intact pituitary cells. Since previous studies have shown that GnRH activates PKC and stimulates a rise in cytosolic [Ca²⁺]free, these results suggest that a synergistic interaction of the cAMP, PKC and Ca²⁺ second messenger systems is of importance in the mechanism of GnRH-stimulated LH exocytosis. When permeabilized cells were equilibrated for prolonged periods in the absence of MgATP, Ca²⁺-stimulated LH exocytosis declined. The time course of the decline closely followed the leakage of intracellular ¹⁴C-ATP. Addition of MgATP rapidly restored full Ca²⁺-stimulated LH exocytosis. Ca²⁺-, cAMP-, and PMA-stimulated LH exocytosis were all dependent on millimolar MgATP concentrations (EC₅₀ 1 .5-3 mM). It has been postulated that PKC is a mediator of Ca²⁺- stimulated exocytosis. Several findings in the present study argue against this hypothesis. Firstly, PMA and Ca²⁺ had additive effects on LH exocytosis at all [Ca²⁺]free· Secondly, PMA was able to stimulate further LH release from cells made refractory to high [Ca²⁺]free· Thirdly, the PKC inhibitor staurosporine did not inhibit Ca²⁺-stimulated LH exocytosis under conditions in which it inhibited PMAstimulated exocytosis. Fourthly, in cells desensitized to PMA by prolonged exposure to a high PMA concentrations, Ca²⁺-stimulated LH exocytosis was not inhibited. And finally, Ba²⁺+ was able to stimulate LH exocytosis to a maximal extent similar to Ca²⁺ despite the fact that Ba²⁺+ is an extremely poor activator of PKC. Since Ba²⁺+ is also a poor activator of calmodulin, this latter result implies that calmodulin does not mediate the effect of Ca²⁺. In agreement with this, the calmodulin inhibitor calmidazolium did not inhibit Ca²⁺-stimulated LH exocytosis. Since GTP-binding proteins have been implicated in regulated exocytosis in other cell systems, the effects of guanine nucleotides on LH exocytosis were examined. At resting cytosolic [Ca²⁺]free (pea 7), the GTP analogues GTPyS and GMPPNP stimulated LH exocytosis with similar potencies (EC₅₀ 20-50 μM). Additional experiments indicated that the effects of these GTP analogues could not be explained by activation of either PKC alone or cAMP-dependent protein kinase alone. In the presence of both PMA and cAMP, GMPPNP did not stimulate a further increase in the rate of LH exocytosis, suggesting that the stimulatory actions of guanine nucleotides may be mediated by the combined activation of PKC and generation of cAMP, as a result of activation of signal-transducing G proteins. In contrast, pretreatment of cells with GTPyS at low [Ca²⁺]free markedly inhibited subsequent responses to Ca²⁺, cAMP, PMA, and cAMP plus PMA. This inhibitory effect required lower GTPyS concentrations than the stimulatory effect (IC₅₀ 1-10 μM), and was not observed with GMPPNP. These findings indicate the involvement of a distinct guanine nucleotide-binding protein in exocytosis at a site distal to second messenger generation.

Two experiments were conducted to determine efficacy of GnRH analogs, Cystorelin (CYS, gonadorelin diacetate tytrahydrate) and Factrel (FAC, gonadorelin hydrochloride), for use in beef timed AI synchronization. In Experiment one 342 beef cows from 7 herds were assigned CYS or FAC treatment as part of the Ovsynch protocol (GnRH d 0 and 9, Lutalyse d 7). Cattle treated with FAC had greater tendency (P=.09) to be pregnant at d 45. One individual herd demonstrated FAC-treated cows had more pregnancies at day 45. In Experiment two, 18 beef cows received either CYS or FAC as part of the Ovsynch protocol, intensive blood samples, from time -30 to 525 min post GnRH, were collected at each GnRH injection. Ultrasounds were conducted daily over the course of the protocol. A treatment by phase interaction (P=.03) was found for the time to maximum LH concentration, where CYS-treated follicular cows had a shorter interval than did FAC treated follicular or luteal cows. The duration of detectable LH response showed a treatment by phase interaction (P = .02) where follicular and luteal CYS-treated cows had shorter interval than follicular or luteal FAC-treated cows. The variables maximum LH concentration, and area under LH curve did not differ. Cows treated with CYS had more (P=.02) non-dominant follicles. In Experiment three, 16 ewes randomly received either CYS, FAT or Fertagyl (FER; gonadorelin diacetaate tytrahydrate), and FAT's induced LH maximum concentration occurred sooner (P=.02) than CYS. We conclude that either product may be used in beef cows without compromising fertility. / Master of Science