During pregnancy, the basal activity is increased in both of our major stress response systems: the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. At the same time, the reactivity towards stressors is reduced. These alterations sustain maternal and fetal homeostasis, and are involved in the regulation of gestational length. Although the feto-placental hormone synthesis produces the main endocrinological changes, also the central nervous system undergoes adaptation. Together, these profound adjustments have been suggested to make women’s mental health more vulnerable during pregnancy and postpartum period. The aim of this thesis was to examine factors connected to physiological stress responses during the late pregnancy in relation to pain, labour onset, emotional reactivity, and mental health. The first study examined the pain and sympathetic response during cold stress, in relation to time to delivery. Women with fewer days to spontaneous delivery had lower sympathetic reactivity, while no pain measure was associated with time to delivery. In the second study, acoustic startle response modulation was employed to study emotional reactivity during late gestation, and at four to six weeks postpartum. The startle response was measured by eye-blink electromyography, while the participants watched pleasant and unpleasant pictures, and positive and negative anticipation stimuli. A significant reduction in startle modulation by anticipation was found during the postpartum assessment. However, no startle modulation by pleasant, or unpleasant, pictures was detected at either time-point. The serum level of allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid implied in pregnancy-induced hyporeactivity, was analysed in relation to self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression. Although the participants reported low levels of depression, the women with the highest depression scores had significantly lower levels of serum allopregnanolone. There was no correlation between allopregnanolone and anxiety scores. In the fourth study, the cortisol awakening response was compared between women with depression during pregnancy, women with depression prior to pregnancy, and women who had never suffered from depression. No group differences in cortisol awakening response during late pregnancy were found. The results are in line with the previously described pregnancy-induced hyporesponsiveness, and add to the knowledge on maternal stress hyporeactivity, gestational length, and maternal mental health.

In sheep, large ovarian antral follicles grow in waves with a periodicity of every 4 to 5 days; each wave is initiated by a peak in serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). In the present thesis, follicular data and hormone estimations acquired from daily ultrasonography and blood samples, respectively, were used to study mechanisms regulating the number of follicular waves per estrous cycle. Using additional approaches such as implants releasing estradiol-17â and or progesterone, immunization against gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), and injections of GnRH, the role of pulsed luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion and FSH peaks in follicular wave emergence and growth and the dependency of FSH peaks on pulsed GnRH secretion, were studied in sheep. The viability of aged follicles was also addressed.<p> The results of the present studies showed that ewes with three or four waves per cycle had cycles of the same length. The inter-wave interval was longer for the first and the last or ovulatory wave of the cycle in three compared to four wave cycles. The length of the lifespan and regression phase of the largest follicle of a wave declined across the cycle as FSH peak concentration and amplitude decreased. The maximum follicular diameter of the largest follicle growing in the first wave and the last or ovulatory wave of the cycle was greater compared to other waves of the cycle. Treatment of anestrous ewes with estradiol releasing implants alone completely abolished pulsed LH secretion and suppressed follicular wave development; however, FSH secretion was only minimally affected and the pool of small follicles was not affected. When pulsed secretion of LH was restored by frequent injections of GnRH, follicular waves were re-established. Treatment of anestrous ewes with implants releasing estradiol and progesterone, decreased FSH peak amplitude and abolished LH pulses and follicular waves; the size of the pool of small follicles increased. Immunization against GnRH in anestrous ewes abolished pulsatile LH secretion and suppressed follicular wave emergence; however, FSH peaks continued to occur for several weeks. In cyclic ewes, creating an LH pulse frequency typical of the follicular phase, during the luteal phase of the cycle by giving GnRH, increased maximum diameter of the largest follicle in a wave and serum concentrations of estradiol and progesterone. The enhanced growth of follicles in a wave blocked the next expected FSH peak and its associated follicular wave. Decreasing LH pulse frequencies lower than the minimal frequency seen in the luteal phase, by implants releasing progesterone, did not affect the growth of follicular waves.<p> It was previously demonstrated that treatment of non-prolific WWF ewes with Prostaglandin F2á (PGF2á) and medroxy progesterone acetate (MPA) increased the ovulation rate by adding ovulations from the penultimate wave in addition to the final wave of the cycle; however, fertility was not improved. In the last study of my thesis, we collected follicles, with an extended lifespan, from the penultimate wave of the cycle in ewes given the PGF2á and MPA treatment. We compared their quality with follicles from the final wave of the cycle by looking at the expression of markers of follicular development. The results showed that theca cells of follicles from the final wave had significantly higher mRNA expression for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) compared to follicles from the penultimate wave. Granulosa cells of follicles from the final wave had significantly higher mRNA expression for connexion 43 (Cx43) compared to follicles from the penultimate wave. Protein expression for Cx43, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Factor VIII was greater in follicles from the final compared to the penultimate wave.<p> We concluded from the present studies that: 1) the mechanism that makes a three wave or four wave cycle is unclear; 2) some level of pulsatile LH secretion is required for an FSH peak to trigger emergence of follicular waves in anestrous ewes; 3) progesterone enhances the inhibitory effects of estradiol on FSH secretion in anestrous ewes, suppressing specifically FSH peak amplitude; 4) an endogenous rhythm may exist that drives the peaks in FSH secretion independent of secretory products from the follicles growing in a wave and pulsed GnRH secretion; 5) follicular waves in ewes, when exposed to an LH pulse frequency similar to the follicular phase, during the luteal phase of the cycle, when serum progesterone concentrations are high, can grow and function like ovulatory follicles growing in the follicular phase of the cycle; 6) expression of some markers of vascularization/ angiogenesis, gap-junctional communication and cell proliferation, appeared to be decreased in follicles from the penultimate compared to the final wave of an estrous cycle, when the lifespan of follicles from the penultimate wave was extended such that they were present in the ovary with follicles from the final wave of the cycle.

Einfluss des Wachstumsfaktors Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) auf das Follikelwachstum beim Weißbüschelaffen (Callithrix jacchus) Aus dem Veterinär-Physiologisch-Chemischen Institut der Veterinärmedizinischen Fakultät der Universität Leipzig Eingereicht im September 2010 (86 S., 16 Abb., 9 Tab., 225 Lit., 4 S. Anhang) Schlüsselwörter: Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I), Granulosazellen, Steroidhormone (Östradiol, Progesteron), Gonadotropine (FSH, hCG) In der vorliegenden Studie wurde die Rolle von IGF-I und das Zusammenwirken mit den Gonadotropinen (FSH, hCG) auf die Sekretion der Steroidhormone (Progesteron, Östradiol) kultivierter Granulosazellen von 13 Weißbüschelaffen untersucht, um zu prüfen, ob und wie weit IGF-I die Sekretion und Reifung der Granulosazellen beeinflusst. Für die in vitro-Experimente wurden Zellkulturen mit Granulosazellen kleiner ( 0,5 - 1 mm) und präovulatorischer Follikel ( > 2 mm) von Ovarien am 7. Tag der Follikelphase verwendet. Vor jedem Versuch wurde das Wachstum der Follikel durch zwei Ultraschalluntersuchungen kontrolliert. Während der Kultur wurden drei Inkubationsintervalle von je 48 h durchgeführt. Die Zellen wurden mit IGF-I allein oder in Kombination mit FSH bzw. hCG stimuliert. Zum Teil wurden die Gonadotropine auch zur Prästimulation verwendet. Das Signifikanzniveau der Hormoneffekte lag bei p<0,05. Bei den Granulosazellen kleiner Follikel lässt sich durch die alleinige Gabe von IGF-I nur am Ende der Kultur (144 h) eine signifikante Erhöhung der Progesteronsekretion feststellen. Bei einer Kombinationsgabe von IGF-I und FSH findet sich schon am Anfang (48 h) ein signifikanter Einfluss auf die Sekretion von Progesteron und Östradiol. Bei der Progesteronsekretion ist der Effekt der Kombination signifikant höher als bei Einzelgabe beider Hormone. Dagegen ist bei der Östradiolsekretion der Effekt der Kombination zwar nicht höher als bei einer alleinigen Gabe von FSH, aber die Zellen reagieren wesentlich schneller auf IGF-I, wenn sie zusammen mit FSH stimuliert werden. Keine signifikante Wirkung in der Steroidhormonsekretion ruft die Hormonkombination IGF-I und hCG im Vergleich zur alleinigen Gabe der beiden Hormone hervor. Bei dem Vergleich beider Gonadotropine ist eine signifikante Erhöhung der Steroidhormonsekretion nur bei alleiniger Gabe von FSH zu beobachten. Bei den Experimenten mit Prästimulationen (FSH oder hCG) lässt sich nur bei der FSH-Prästimulation mit einer nachfolgenden Kombinationsgabe von hCG und IGF-I eine signifikante Erhöhung der Steroidhormonsekretion feststellen. Dies bedeutet, dass FSH die kleinen Granulosazellen auf die Wirkung von hCG sensibilisiert, wobei IGF-I diesen Vorgang unterstützt. Im Gegensatz zu den kleinen Follikeln lässt sich bei den Granulosazellen der präovulatorischen Follikel ein signifikanter Effekt von verschiedenen Hormonstimulationen schon früh beobachten. Durch alleinige IGF-I-Gabe lässt sich bereits am Anfang der Kultur (48 h) eine signifikante Erhöhung der Steroidhormonsekretion feststellen. Eine Kombinationsgabe von IGF-I und der Gonadotropine (FSH oder hCG) zeigt, dass die Kombination mit FSH zu einer signifikanten Erhöhung beider Steroide im Vergleich zur Kontrolle führt. Dagegen zeigt sich bei einer Kombination von IGF-I und hCG eine signifikante Erhöhung der Steroidhormonsekretion schon ab 48 h sowohl im Vergleich zur Kontrolle als auch zur alleinigen Gabe dieser Hormone. Bei der Untersuchung des Effekts beider Gonadotropine (FSH oder hCG) ist schon ab 48 h ein signifikanter Effekt auf beide Steroidhormone zu erkennen. Beide Gonadotropinprästimulationen (FSH oder hCG) mit nachfolgender Hormonkombination (hCG und IGF-I) führen bei den Granulosazellen der präovulatorischen Follikel zu einer signifikant geringeren Steroidhormonsekretion im Vergleich zur Gabe von hCG und IGF-I ohne Prästimulation. Die Zellen reagieren offenbar in dieser Art und Weise, um eine mögliche übermäßige Steroidgenese, und somit eine pathologische Situation, zu verhindern. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt, dass IGF-I bei den kleinen und präovulatorischen Follikeln unterschiedliche Wirkungen hervorruft. Es scheint, dass IGF-I die Sekretion von Progesteron und Östradiol auf unterschiedliche Art und Weise beeinflusst, und dass die Granulosazellen der Weißbüschelaffen erst während der Follikelentwicklung die Fähigkeit erwerben, auf IGFI entsprechend zu reagieren. Die Ergebnisse zeigen weiterhin, dass IGF-I bei den Granulosazellen der kleinen Follikel eine eher unterstützende Rolle für die Gonadotropine spielt, und dass IGF-I mit den Gonadotropinen bei der Reifung und der Differenzierung der Follikel mitwirkt. Möglicherweise spielt IGF-I auch während der Entwicklung und des Wachstums des präovulatorischen Follikels sowie bei der Regulierung der Progesteronsekretion eine Rolle. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse unterstützen die Hypothese, dass IGF-I zusammen mit hCG die Zelldifferenzierung bei den Granulosazellen der präovulatorischen Follikel fördert. Außerdem kann vermutet werden, dass bei den Granulosazellen der präovulatorischen Follikel IGF-I zusammen mit FSH in unabhängiger Weise wirkt. Abschließend kann gesagt werden, dass ein Zusammenwirken zwischen den Gonadotropinen und IGF-I in Bezug auf die Bildung des präovulatorischen Follikels und die darauffolgende Ovulation existiert, dies gilt es auch bei pathologischen Situationen der Follikelreifung und Ovulation zu berücksichtigen.

Advanced maternal age has been shown to influence follicular and luteal dynamics in bovine ovary resulting in reduced fertility. The overall objective of the four studies presented in this thesis is to identify the maternal age-associated transcriptional changes in granulosa cells of the dominant follicles during follicle development. In the first study, mRNA expression levels of housekeeping genes were measured by real–time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in granulosa cells of dominant follicles and FSH-stimulated follicles to select and validate suitable reference genes for relative gene expression analyses during maternal and follicular aging. Stability of six reference genes (GAPDH, ACTB, EIF2B2, UBE2D2, SF3A1 and RNF20) was analyzed using GeNorm, DeltaCT and NormFinder programs and comprehensive ranking order was determined based on these programs. Geometric mean of multiple genes (UBE2D2, EIF2B2, GAPDH and SF3A1) was more appropriate reference control than individual genes for the comparison of relative gene expression among dominant and FSH-stimulated follicles during maternal and/or follicular aging studies. In the second study, maternal age-associated changes in the transcriptome of granulosa cells recovered at the time of selection of the dominant follicle from aged (n=3) and young cows (n=3) were determined by EmbryoGENE bovine oligo-microarrays (EMBV3, Agilent Technology). The mRNA expression of five transcripts (CYP19A1, PCNA, GJA1, TPM2, and VNN1) was confirmed in a different set of granulosa cell samples by RT-qPCR to validate microarray data. A total of 169 genes/isoforms were differentially expressed (≥ 2-fold-change; P ≤ 0.05) in aged cows vs. young cows. These transcripts revealed inefficient 1) control of gonadotropins, and gonadotropin-induced changes in the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix, 2) lipid metabolism and steroidogenesis 3) cell proliferation, cell cycle control and intercellular communication, and 4) higher oxidative stress responses in aged cows vs. young cows. In the third study, changes in the transcriptome of granulosa cells of the preovulatory follicle 24 h after LH treatment from aged (n= 3) and young (n=3) were determined. A total of 1340 genes were expressed differentially (≥ 2-fold change; P ≤ 0.05) in aged cows vs. young cows. The mRNA expression of five transcripts (RGS2, PTGS2, TNFAIP6, VNN1, NR5A2 and GADD45B) was confirmed in a different set of granulosa cell samples to validate microarray data. These transcripts were related to delayed 1) response to LH treatment 2) cellular differentiation and luteinization and 3) progesterone synthesis. Intra-follicle levels of progesterone were lower (P < 0.05) in aged cows compared to young and mid-aged cows. The fourth study compared the aged-associated changes in the transcriptome of granulosa cells during follicle development from the time of dominant follicle selection to preovulatory stage (24 h after LH). In comparison to young cows, aged cows expressed fewer differentially expressed genes/isoforms (1206 vs. 2260, respectively) at ≥ 2-fold-change (P ≤ 0.05) in the granulosa cells of the preovulatory (24 h after LH treatment) vs. the dominant follicle at selection. These transcripts in aged cows were related to late and inefficient 1) organization of cytoskeleton and cytoplasm, 2) differentiation, 3) lipid and cholesterol metabolism, 4) proliferation and 5) higher response to oxidative stress and free radical scavenging in the preovulatory follicles vs. the dominant follicle at selection. In conclusion, maternal age-alters the gene expression of granulosa cells of the dominant follicles during follicle development and results in a compromised follicular environment.

No description available.

No description available.

More than half of all cases of breast cancer occur among women without any known risk factors. More research is needed on suspected risk factors in order to refine current breast cancer screening tools. The objectives of this thesis were: to determine the breast cancer risk associated with known risk factors (ethnicity, family history, breast biopsy, age at menarche, age at first birth, alcohol, HRT, and BMI), suspected risk factors (smoking, second-hand smoke exposure, smoked/grilled foods, and NSAID use), and to examine the above associations according to tumour receptor status, histologic grade, and menopausal status, with potential confounders also considered. This thesis project was conducted within the framework of the Molecular Epidemiology of Breast Cancer study, a case-control study of women in Vancouver, BC and Kingston, ON, with 1140 cases and 1169 controls recruited from 2005-2010. Information was collected from a detailed questionnaire. Cases and controls were similar in terms of age at menarche, age at first birth, smoking history, second-hand smoke exposure, lifetime smoked/grilled food consumption, HRT, and BMI. Among cases, there were significantly less Europeans and more Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino subjects compared to controls. Cases were more likely to have a first degree relative with breast cancer, as well as a previous benign breast biopsy. Alcohol consumption and past NSAID usage was higher among controls. The level of education completed was higher among controls. Cases were also more likely to be postmenopausal. Family history was associated with breast cancer risk (OR=1.59, CI=1.30-1.94), as was BMI (OR=1.28, CI=1.05-1.58 for overweight and OR=2.28, CI=1.35-3.86 for obese class II). Second-hand smoke was also found to be associated with breast cancer risk (OR=1.42, CI=1.02-1.97 for individuals with a less than 10 pack-year smoking history). Due to reduced sample size with stratification and marginally significant results, it is not possible to draw definitive conclusions regarding pathology sub-types. In summary, these results provide support for the association between several risk factors and breast cancer risk. More research is needed to ascertain how receptor status, histologic grade, and menopausal status affect these associations. / Thesis (Master, Community Health & Epidemiology) -- Queen's University, 2011-08-15 19:43:06.689

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2010.

INTRODUÇÃO: A lesão medular isquêmica continua sendo uma complicação devastadora das intervenções cirúrgicas na aorta torácica descendente e aorta toracoabdominal. Relatos das diferenças de desfechos clínicos neurológicos entre os gêneros após lesões cerebrais isquêmicas e traumáticas têm levantado o interesse nas influências hormonais, bem como gerado outros estudos buscando a comprovação dos efeitos neuroprotetores do estradiol e da progesterona. Nossa hipótese foi a de que a administração aguda de 17beta-estradiol ou de progesterona seria capaz de prevenir ou atenuar a lesão medular isquêmica causada pela oclusão transitória da aorta torácica descendente proximal. OBJETIVO: Analisar os efeitos na medula espinhal da administração aguda de 17?-estradiol ou de progesterona em modelo experimental de isquemia-reperfusão medular por oclusão transitória da aorta torácica descente proximal de ratos machos. MÉTODOS: Ratos machos, da linhagem wistar, foram divididos aleatoriamente em 3 grupos para a administração de 280ug/Kg de 17beta-estradiol (n=12) ou de 4mg/Kg de progesterona (n=8) ou do veículo de infusão (grupo controle) (n=12), 30 minutos antes da oclusão transitória da aorta torácica descendente por 12 minutos. A confirmação da oclusão efetiva aórtica deu-se por meio da monitorização contínua da pressão arterial média distal com o uso de cateter colocado na artéria caudal dos animais (mantida em 10mmHg). A oclusão da aorta torácica descendente deu-se por meio do posicionamento de um cateter de Fogarty no. 2, passado no sentido caudal, via dissecção da artéria carótida comum esquerda do animal. A função locomotora dos animais foi avaliada no 1o, 3o, 5o, 7o, e 14o dia pós-operatório. No 14o dia pós-operatório, os animais, após anestesia profunda, foram sacrificados e tiveram suas medulas espinhais retiradas para análise histológica e imunohistoquímica. RESULTADOS: Houve comprometimento significativo da função locomotora inicialmente nos 3 grupos de estudo, com recuperação parcial da mesma ao longo do período de observação, não havendo diferença entre os grupos durante o período de observação. A análise histológica da substância cinzenta evidenciou escassos neurônios viáveis e importante vacuolização celular nos 3 grupos de estudo no 14o dia. A análise imunohistoquímica da substância cinzenta medular com anticorpos anti-Bcl2 e anti-anexina V foi similar nos 3 grupos. Houve marcação positiva de necrose celular com o iodeto de propídio, sendo a mesma semelhante nos 3 grupos estudados. CONCLUSÃO: A administração aguda de estradiol ou de progesterona, 30 minutos antes da oclusão transitória da aorta descendente proximal de ratos machos não foi capaz de prevenir ou atenuar a lesão medular isquêmica, até o 14o dia de observação, do ponto vista funcional ou histológico / BACKGROUND: Spinal cord ischemic injury remains a dreadful complication following thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic interventions. Reports on gender-related neurological outcomes after ischemic and traumatic brain injuries have raised interest in hormonal influences, and have generated studies into neuroprotective effects of estrogen and progesterone. We hypothesized that the acute pre-operative administration of estradiol or of progesterone would prevent or attenuate spinal cord ischemic injury induced by transitory occlusion of the proximal descending thoracic aorta. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the spinal cord effects of the acute administration of 17beta-estradiol or of progesterone in a spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion model. METHODS: Male rats were divided to receive 280ug/Kg of 17beta-estradiol (n=12) or 4mg/Kg of progesterone (n=8) or vehicle (control group) (n=12) 30 minutes before transitory occlusion of the proximal descending thoracic aorta, mean distal arterial blood pressure was maintained at 10mmHg during 12 minutes. Hind limb motor function was assessed at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after reperfusion. At the 14th day, a segment of the thoracolumbar spinal cord was harvested and prepared to histological and imunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: There was an important hind limb motor function impairment initially in the 3 study groups, with partial improvement along time, but no difference was detected between groups during de observational period. Gray matter analysis showed scarce viable neurons and a marked cellular vacuolation in all three groups, but the number of viable neurons per section areas was not different between study groups at day 14th. Immunostaining of the spinal cord gray matter with antibodies anti-Bcl2 and anti-annexin V was similar among the 3 study groups. There was positive staining for the necrotic marker propidium iodide, with all groups presenting a similar staining pattern. CONCLUSION: We found that a single-dose administration of estradiol or of progesterone, 30 minutes before transitory occlusion of the proximal descending thoracic aorta of male rats, was not able to prevent spinal cord ischemic injury through analysis of functional and histological outcomes at 14 days of observation

Os perfis longitudinais dos metabólitos dos esteróides sexuais, progesterona e estrógenos, e dos glicocorticóides foram analisados para 22 eventos (gestação, parto e lactação) de 8 jaguatiricas mantidas em cativeiro. Três eventos foram oriundos da Transferência de Embrião (TE) e foram comparados àquelas que gestaram por fertilização natural. As análises estatísticas demonstraram haver diferenças altamente significativas para metabólitos de progesterona na fase inicial (P<0001) e média (P< 0,007) da gestação, bem como, no período da lactação (P<0,0015). As análises descritivas sugeriram uma atividade ovariana para a espécie no período de lactação, uma vez detectado picos de metabólitos de estrógenos para alguns eventos. Foi realizado ainda, um estudo do comportamento materno de 3 fêmeas através do sistema de vídeo-monitoramento dos primeiros meses da lactação (n=3989,5 horas observadas). A espécie em cativeiro despendeu mais tempo cuidando do seu filhote e descansando durante o dia, entrando na caixa de abrigo entre 5:00h e 8:00h (61,3%) e nela permanecendo por um tempo médio de 8 horas seguidas. Outras análises comportamentais sugerem que o estresse é um fator preponderante na determinação do sucesso da criação do filhote. A variável comportamental executada pela fêmea de entrar e sair da caixa por repetidas vezes foi associada ao estresse, sendo possível avaliar a resposta da adrenal pela secreção dos glicocorticóides e realizar sua validação fisiologicamente. Espera-se desta forma, contribuir para uma mudança no quadro bastante crítico da população em cativeiro, considerando a baixa taxa de natalidade e a alta taxa de mortalidade dos filhotes, principalmente, no seu primeiro mês de vida. / The longitudinal profiles of the sexual steroid\'s metabolites, progesterone and estrogen, and glucocorticoids were analyzed for 22 events (pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding) of 8 ocelots kept in captivity. Three events came from the Embryo Transfer (TE) and were compared against the ones that were gestated by natural fertilization. The statistical analysis demonstrated that the differences were highly significative during the initial (P<0001) and middle stages (P< 0,007) of pregnancy and lactation (P<0,0015) periods for the progesterone metabolites. The descriptive analysis suggests a ovarian activity for the species during the lactation period, once detected the estrogen metabolites peaks during some events. A study was also performed, concerning the maternal behavior of 3 female through video-monitoring of the first months of lactation (n=3989,5 hours observed). The species that were kept in captivity spent more time resting and caring the puppy, entering it\'s shelter between 5:00h and 8:00h (61,3%) and there staying during 8 hours average. Other behavior analysis suggests that the stress level is a predominant fact in the success of the establishment of the puppy. A behavior variable performed by the female, by entering the shelter for a repeated number of times was linked to the stress level, being possible to assess the adrenal response by the secretion of glucorticoids and perform it\'s phisiological validation. It is expected by this means, a contribution for a change in the critical scene of the population that is kept in captivity, considering the puppies\' low birth rate and high mortality rate, specially during it\'s first months.