Les états de veille sont composés d’états cérébraux distincts, corrélés avec différents comportements et caractérisés par des oscillations spécifiques observables dans le potentiel de champ local (Local Field Potential, LFP). Bien que les différents états cérébraux et leur signature dans le LFP aient été caractérisés, les mécanismes cellulaires sous-jacents restent à ce jour peu connus. Des changements des propriétés de neurones uniques seraient corrélés avec, et pourraient participer à la génération de ces changements d’états cérébraux. L’activité coordonnée et synchronisée de neurones facilite certains processus cognitifs tels que la mémoire. L’hippocampe joue un rôle essentiel dans les mémoires spatiale et épisodique, et dans l’hippocampe, CA3 est important pour la formation d’associations facilitant l’encodage rapide de la mémoire. De plus, les informations provenant du cortex entorhinal, du gyrus denté, et de CA3 même sont comparées et intégrées dans CA3 avant d’être transmises à CA1. Lors de périodes de repos, le LFP hippocampique présente une activité large et irrégulière (Large Irregular Activity, LIA), ponctuée par des oscillations plus rapides, les sharp-wave ripples, jouant un rôle dans la consolidation de la mémoire. Lors de périodes exploratoires, le LFP hippocampique oscille aux fréquences theta (6-12 Hz) et gamma (30-100 Hz). Les cellules pyramidales (CP) de CA3 jouent un rôle important dans chacun de ces états ; elles sont nécessaires pour les sharp wave lors de périodes de repos, et les oscillations gamma lors de comportements exploratoires. Dans le but d’étudier les modulations intracellulaires des CP de CA3, nous avons réalisé des enregistrements de patch-clamp en configuration cellule entière chez l’animal éveillé. Nous avons associé ces enregistrements avec des mesures du diamètre pupillaire et de la vitesse de locomotion de l’animal, ainsi qu’avec l’enregistrement de l’activité oscillatoire du LFP dans l’hippocampe. Nos résultats montrent que certaines CP de CA3 sont sensibles à la modulation intracellulaire lors de différents rythmes hippocampiques, et ont tendance à diminuer leur potentiel de membrane moyen, leur excitabilité, leur variance et leur décharge de potentiel d’action lors des oscillations theta par rapport aux périodes de LIA. De futures études permettront de déterminer si ces changements sont dus à des changements d’entrées synaptiques et/ou de neuromodulateurs. Ces modulations pourraient jouer un rôle dans l’émergence des rythmes oscillatoires du LFP, et permettre à CA3 de réaliser différentes fonctions mnésiques à différents moments. / Wakefulness is comprised of distinct brain states, correlated with different behaviors and characterized by specific oscillatory patterns in the local field potential (LFP). While much work has characterized different brain states and their LFP signatures, the underlying cellular mechanisms are less known. Changes in single cell properties are thought to correlate with and possibly result in these changes in brain state. Synchronized and coordinated activity among distributed neurons supports cognitive processes such as memory. The hippocampus is essential for spatial and episodic memory, and within the hippocampus, area CA3 is important for rapid encoding of one-trial memory. Additionally, CA3 is the site where information from the entorhinal cortex, dentate gyrus, and CA3 itself is compared and integrated before output to CA1. During quiet wakefulness, the hippocampal LFP displays large irregular activity (LIA) punctuated by sharp-wave ripples, which play a role in memory consolidation. During exploratory behaviors, hippocampal LFP oscillates at both theta and gamma frequencies. CA3 pyramidal cells (PCs) play an important role in each of these brain states; they are necessary for both sharp waves during quiet wakefulness and for gamma oscillations during exploratory behavior. We explored the changes that occur in the intracellular dynamics of CA3 PCs during changes in brain state, by using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from CA3 PCs in awake head-fixed mice. We combined those recordings with measurements of pupil diameter, treadmill running speed and LFP recordings of oscillatory activity. Our findings show that some CA3 PCs are prone to intracellular modulation during brain rhythms, and tend to decrease their average membrane potential, excitability, variance and output firing during theta as compared to LIA. Future studies will demonstrate whether these effects are due to changes in synaptic and/or neuromodulatory inputs. This modulation at the single-cell level in CA3 could play a role in the emergence of oscillations, and underlie the ability of CA3 to perform different memory functions during different brain states.

The goal of this project is the development of artificial ion channels that can be actuated by light and thus controlled efficiently. Our artificial system is composed of two regions: the gate and the body part. The gate part is based on light-responsive azo groups while the body part is formed by calix[4]resorcinarene. Key of controlling mechanism is the conformational change between cis and trans isomers, which is translated into movement of the gate. Light-gated artificial ion channels are aimed at eliminating of the stochastic mechanism of artificial ion channels. Such a reversible photocontrol should be a powerful tool for using artificial ion channels as the basis for the development of new pharmaceuticals and drug delivery systems, as photoswitches, and in the field of microfluidics.

The goal of this project is the development of artificial ion channels that can be actuated by light and thus controlled efficiently. Our artificial system is composed of two regions: the gate and the body part. The gate part is based on light-responsive azo groups while the body part is formed by calix[4]resorcinarene. Key of controlling mechanism is the conformational change between cis and trans isomers, which is translated into movement of the gate. Light-gated artificial ion channels are aimed at eliminating of the stochastic mechanism of artificial ion channels. Such a reversible photocontrol should be a powerful tool for using artificial ion channels as the basis for the development of new pharmaceuticals and drug delivery systems, as photoswitches, and in the field of microfluidics.

Astrocytes are the most abundant non-neuronal cells in vertebrate brains. Although Drosophila melanogaster has fewer astrocytic cells relative to neuronal and other glial cell populations, they, like vertebrate astrocytes, are located in synaptic regions, organized into exclusive, minimally-overlapping domains, and play developmental roles in synaptogenesis. But, do Drosophila astrocytes have parallel roles in the regulation of synaptic signaling? Preliminary electron microscopic (EM) data indicates that astrocytic processes are located at a greater distance, on average, from Drosophila synapses than they are from vertebrate synapses, thus raising questions about their capacity to alter synaptic signals. Do astrocytic cells and processes occupy stereotyped synaptic regions across repeating segmental structures and across individuals? In the studies presented here, we have addressed these questions directly in the ventral nerve cord (VNC) of the third-instar larva. We collected the first whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from Drosophila astrocytes. These indicate that intrinsic membrane properties, such as low membrane resistance, high capacitance, a hyperpolarized resting potential relative to neurons, a passive current-voltage relationship, coupling to other astrocytic cells, and an absence of voltage-gated currents, are shared between astrocytes of highly divergent species. Next, we optogenetically activated of a group of glutamatergic pre-motor neurons and showed that astrocytes respond with a glutamate transporter current that is mediated by Eaat1, and that acute, pharmacological and chronic, genetic blockades of this transporter have subsequent effects on the decay of post-synaptic motor neuron currents. Then, we used three-dimensional EM to locate the pre-motor glutamatergic neurons that were activated in the physiological study and measured the distance from each presynaptic site to the nearest astrocytic process. We found that these distances vary 100-fold even along a single neurite and that these structures are rarely in direct contact, but that no synapse is positioned greater than one micron from an astrocytic process. Thus, it is in this anatomical configuration that the regulation of post-synaptic currents by Eaat1 occurs. Finally, we generated a library of single, fluorescently-labeled astrocytes that were co-labeled with fiduciary landmarks, and used this library to compare the placement of astrocyte cell bodies and arbors across VNC segments and individuals. We found substantial variation in the gross shape, size, and territory covered by astrocytes, and conclude that their neuropil domains are not reliably stereotyped. Given the consistent placement of neuronal connectome elements, this indicates that signals of a specific synapse are not regulated by a designated astrocyte. Together, these findings reveal new functional parallels between Drosophila and vertebrate astrocytes. These findings argue for the relevance and applicability of mechanistic discovery in Drosophila astrocytes, and set the stage for further inquiry into the genetic determinants of astrocyte morphology and physiology.

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Une brève stimulation du Noyau Sous-thalamique (STN) dans la tranche des ganglions de la base induit une réponse polysynaptique de longue durée dans ses cibles : Substantia Nigra Pars reticulata (SNr), GP (Globus Pallidus). Cette réponse consiste en un courant NMDA suivi d'un barrage de courant excitateurs de type AMPA qui génère des bouffées de potentiels d'action. La même stimulation dans des branches provenant de souris déplétée en dopamine génère aussi des réponses complexes de plus longue durée. Leur seuil de déclenchement étant 2 à 3 fois plus faibles et ne peuvent dans certains cas se réverbérer. Afin de comprendre les mécanismes sous-sous-jacents dans le STN, nous avons étudié la réponse de ces neurones. en contrôle de courtes réponses sont enregistrées tandis qu'en conditions "parkinsoniennes" cette réponse est considérablement augmentée. Nous proposons qu'un réseau glutamatergique est présent dans le STN et est sous le contrôle négatif des récepteurs dopaminergiques / Single pulse stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus (STN) induces a polysynaptic response in the Basal Ganglia Slice in its targets : Substantia Nigra Pars Reticulata (SNr), Globus Pallidus (GP). This response consists of a slow NMDA current with superimposed AMPA transients which generate burst of action potential. The same stimulation in slices depleted in dopamine generates complex response of longer duration. The threshold is also lowered (2-3 times) and in some cases this response reverberates. Theses bursts of synaptic activities could be generated spontaneously. In order to understand the mechanisms, we recorded the evoked response in the STN. In control, only short responses are recorded whereas in "Parkinsonian" conditions, the polysynaptic response is increased. We propose that a polysynaptic network of dopaminegic receptors

Interstitial cystitis (IC)/painful bladder syndrome (PBS) is a functional visceral disorder characterized by increased bladder activity and chronic pelvic pain in the absence of a pathobiological condition. Enhanced sensory transduction of peripheral bladder afferents is hypothesized to contribute to the pain and mechanical hypersensitivity of IC/PBS patients. The aim of this thesis is to test the hypothesis that purinergic receptors, including ionotropic P2X and metabotropic P2Y, are important for sensory transmission in bladder afferent neurons and may be involved in bladder hypersensitivity after bladder tissue insults. Electrophysiological, single cell RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry techniques were performed in bladder afferent neurons from naïve and bladder inflamed mice to test the hypothesis. In Chapter 2, I characterized the distribution and function of P2X receptors in thoracolumbar (TL) and lumbosacral (LS) dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons innervating the urinary bladder, and found that LS and TL bladder neurons have differential purinergic signaling and distinct membrane electrical properties. In Chapter 3, I examined the sensitization of bladder afferent neurons and the plasticity of P2X receptor function in a mouse model of chemical induced bladder inflammation. P2X-mediated signals in LS and TL bladder neurons after bladder inflammation were enhanced compared with those in saline-treated controls, suggesting the importance of P2X in bladder hypersensitivity associated with cystitis. In Chapter 4, the modulation of P2Y on P2X function and the co-localization of P2Y and P2X were examined in bladder sensory neurons. It has been found that P2Y2 receptor enhances bladder sensory neuron excitability and facilitates the response of homomeric P2X2 receptor to the purinergic agonist (ATP). The present study provides evidence that LS and TL mouse bladder sensory neurons exhibit distinct P2X signaling, and the function of P2X receptors could be facilitated during bladder inflammation and modulated by activation of P2Y2 receptor, indicating an involvement of P2X and P2Y2 receptors as mechano- and chemosensors in bladder sensory transmission under normal conditions and in bladder hypersensitivity associated with inflammation.

The olfactory sense is of utmost importance for honeybees, Apis mellifera. Honeybees use olfaction for communication within the hive, for the identification of nest mates and non-nest mates, the localization of food sources, and in case of drones (males), for the detection of the queen and mating. Honeybees, therefore, can serve as excellent model systems for an integrative analysis of an elaborated olfactory system. To efficiently filter odorants out of the air with their antennae, honeybees possess a multitude of sensilla that contain the olfactory sensory neurons (OSN). Three types of olfactory sensilla are known from honeybee worker antennae: Sensilla trichoidea, Sensilla basiconica and Sensilla placodea. In the sensilla, odorant receptors that are located in the dendritic arborizations of the OSNs transduce the odorant information into electrical information. Approximately 60.000 OSN axons project in two parallel bundles along the antenna into the brain. Before they enter the primary olfactory brain center, the antennal lobe (AL), they diverge into four distinct tracts (T1-T4). OSNs relay onto ~3.000-4.000 local interneurons (LN) and ~900 projection neurons (PN), the output neurons of the AL. The axons of the OSNs together with neurites from LNs and PNs form spheroidal neuropil units, the so-called glomeruli. OSN axons from the four AL input tracts (T1-T4) project into four glomerular clusters. LNs interconnect the AL glomeruli, whereas PNs relay the information to the next brain centers, the mushroom body (MB) - associated with sensory integration, learning and memory - and the lateral horn (LH). In honeybees, PNs project to the MBs and the LH via two separate tracts, the medial and the lateral antennal-lobe tract (m/lALT) which run in parallel in opposing directions. The mALT runs first to the MB and then to the LH, the lALT runs first to the LH and then to the MB. This dual olfactory pathway represents a feature unique to Hymenoptera. Interestingly, both tracts were shown to process information about similar sets of odorants by extracting different features. Individual mALT PNs are more odor specific than lALT PNs. On the other hand, lALT PNs have higher spontaneous and higher odor response action potential (AP) frequencies than mALT PNs. In the MBs, PNs form synapses with ~184.000 Kenyon cells (KC), which are the MB intrinsic neurons. KCs, in contrast to PNs, show almost no spontaneous activity and employ a spatially and temporally sparse code for odor coding. In manuscript I of my thesis, I investigated whether the differences in specificity of odor responses between m- and lALT are due to differences in the synaptic input. Therefore, I investigated the axonal projection patterns of OSNs housed in S. basiconica in honeybee workers and compared them with S. trichoidea and S. placodea using selective anterograde labeling with fluorescent tracers and confocal- microscopy analyses of axonal projections in AL glomeruli. Axons of S. basiconica-associated OSNs preferentially projected into the T3 input-tract cluster in the AL, whereas the two other types of sensilla did not show a preference for a specific glomerular cluster. T3- associated glomeruli had previously been shown to be innervated by mALT PNs. Interestingly, S. basiconica as well as a number of T3 glomeruli lack in drones. Therefore I set out to determine whether this was associated with the reduction of glomeruli innervated by mALT PNs. Retrograde tracing of mALT PNs in drones and counting of innervated glomeruli showed that the number of mALT-associated glomeruli was strongly reduced in drones compared to workers. The preferential projections of S. basiconica-associated OSNs into T3 glomeruli in female workers together with the reduction of mALT-associated glomeruli in drones support the presence of a female-specific olfactory subsystem that is partly innervated by OSNs from S. basiconica and is associated with mALT projection neurons. As mALT PNs were shown to be more odor specific, I suppose that already the OSNs in this subsystem are more odor specific than lALT associated OSNs. I conclude that this female-specific subsystem allows the worker honeybees to respond adequately to the enormous variety of odorants they experience during their lifetime. In manuscript II, I investigated the ion channel composition of mALT and lALT PNs and KCs in situ. This approach represents the first study dealing with the honeybee PN and KC ion channel composition under standard conditions in an intact brain preparation. With these recordings I set out to investigate the potential impact of intrinsic neuronal properties on the differences between m- and lALT PNs and on the sparse odor coding properties of KCs. In PNs, I identified a set of Na+ currents and diverse K+ currents depending on voltage and Na+ or Ca2+ that support relatively high spontaneous and odor response AP frequencies. This set of currents did not significantly differ between mALT and lALT PNs, but targets for potential modulation of currents leading to differences in AP frequencies were found between both types of PNs. In contrast to PNs, KCs have very prominent K+ currents, which are likely to contribute to the sparse response fashion observed in KCs. Furthermore, Ca2+ dependent K+ currents were found, which may be of importance for coincidence detection, learning and memory formation. Finally, I conclude that the differences in odor specificity between m- and lALT PNs are due to their synaptic input from different sets of OSNs and potential processing by LNs. The differences in spontaneous activity between the two tracts may be caused by different neuronal modulation or, in addition, also by interaction with LNs. The temporally sparse representation of odors in KCs is very likely based on the intrinsic KC properties, whereas general excitability and spatial sparseness are likely to be regulated through GABAergic feedback neurons. / Der Geruchssinn ist für die Honigbiene, Apis mellifera, von größter Bedeutung. Honigbienen kommunizieren olfaktorisch, sie können Nestgenossinnen und koloniefremde Honigbienen aufgrund des Geruchs unterscheiden, sie suchen und erkennen Nahrungsquellen olfaktorisch, und Drohnen (männliche Honigbienen) finden die Königin mit Hilfe des Geruchssinns. Deshalb dient die Honigbiene als exzellentes Modell für die Untersuchung hochentwickelter olfaktorischer Systeme. Honigbienen filtern Duftmoleküle mit ihren Antennen aus der Luft. Auf diesen Antennen sitzen Sensillen, die die olfaktorischen sensorischen Neurone (OSN) beinhalten. Drei verschiedene olfaktorische Sensillen existieren bei Arbeiterinnen: Sensilla trichoidea, Sensilla basiconica und Sensilla placodea. In diesen Sensillen sind olfaktorische Rezeptorproteine auf den Dendriten der OSN lokalisiert. Diese Duftrezeptoren wandeln die Duftinformationen in elektrische Informationen um. Die Axone von ca. 60.000 OSN ziehen in zwei Bündeln entlang der Antenne in das Gehirn. Bevor sie das erste olfaktorische Gehirnzentrum, den Antennallobus (AL), erreichen, spalten sie sich in vier distinkte Trakte (T1-T4) auf. Im AL verschalten sie auf 3.000-4.000 lokale Interneurone (LN) und auf etwa 900 Ausgangsneurone des AL, die Projektionsneurone (PN). Die axonalen Endigungen der OSN bilden mit Neuriten der PN und LN kugelförmige Strukturen, die so genannten Glomeruli. Die OSN aus den vier Trakten T1-T4 ziehen in vier zugehörige glomeruläre Cluster. LN verschalten die Information unter den AL Glomeruli, PN leiten olfaktorische Informationen zu den nächsten Gehirnstrukturen, den Pilzkörpern und dem lateralen Horn, weiter. Die Pilzkörper werden als Zentrum für sensorische Integration, Lernen und Gedächtnis gesehen. Die PN, die den AL mit dem Pilzkörper und dem lateralen Horn verbinden, verlaufen in Honigbienen parallel über zwei Bahnen, den medialen und den lateralen Antennallobustrakt (mALT/lALT), aber in entgegengesetzter Richtung. Dieser duale olfaktorische Signalweg wurde in dieser Ausprägung bisher nur in Hymenopteren gefunden. Interessanterweise prozessieren beide Trakte Informationen über die gleichen Düfte. Dabei sind mALT PN duftspezifischer und lALT PN haben höhere spontane Aktionspotentialfrequenzen sowie höhere Aktionspotentialfrequenzen in Antwort auf einen Duftreiz. Im Pilzkörper verschalten PN auf Kenyon Zellen (KC), die intrinsischen Neurone des Pilzkörpers. KC sind im Gegensatz zu PN fast nicht spontan aktiv und kodieren Informationen auf räumlicher und zeitlicher Ebene mit geringer Aktivität. Man spricht von einem so genannten "sparse code". Im ersten Manuskript meiner Doktorarbeit habe ich untersucht, ob die Unterschiede in der Spezifität der Duftantworten zwischen mALT und lALT PN zumindest zum Teil auf Unterschieden im sensorischen Eingang beruhen. Ich habe die axonalen Projektionen der OSN der S. basiconica in Honigbienen untersucht und mit den Projektionen von OSN in S. trichoidea und S. placodea verglichen. Dazu wurden die OSN in den S. basiconica anterograd mit Fluoreszenzmarkern gefärbt und mit mittels konfokaler Mikroskopie untersucht und quantifiziert. Die Axone von OSN aus S. basiconica ziehen präferentiell in das T3 Glomerulus Cluster, die Axone der anderen beiden Sensillentypen zeigen keine Präferenz für ein spezielles Cluster. Es wurde bereits gezeigt, dass die Glomeruli des T3 Clusters von mALT PN innerviert werden. Interessanterweise fehlen S. basiconica und Teile der T3 Glomeruli in Drohnen. Deshalb habe ich untersucht, ob die T3 Reduzierung in Drohnen mit einer Reduzierung der mALT Glomeruli einhergeht. Retrograde Färbungen der mALT PN in Drohnen zeigten, daß die Zahl der mALT Glomeruli in Drohnen gegenüber Arbeiterinnen deutlich reduziert ist. Die Präferenz der OSN der S. basiconica für das T3 Cluster und die reduzierte Anzahl von mALT Glomeruli in Drohnen weisen auf ein arbeiterinnenspezifisches olfaktorisches Subsystem hin, welches aus S. basiconica, T3 Glomeruli und einer Gruppe von mALT PN besteht. Da die mALT PN duftspezifischer als lALT PN sind, vermute ich, dass auch die OSN, die auf mALT PN verschalten, duftspezifischer antworten als OSN die auf lALT PN verschalten. Daraus schließe ich, daß dieses Subsystem den Arbeiterinnen ermöglicht, passend auf die enorme Breite an Duftstoffen zu reagieren, die diese im Laufe ihres arbeitsteiligen Lebens wahrnehmen müssen. Im zweiten Manuskript meiner Doktorarbeit habe ich die Ionenkanalzusammensetzung der mALT PN, der lALT PN und der KC in situ untersucht. Mein Ansatz stellt die erste Studie dar, die die Ionenkanäle von Neuronen in der Honigbiene unter Standardbedingungen an einer intakten Gehirnpräparation untersucht. Mit diesen Messungen versuche ich die potentiellen bioelektrischen Grundlagen für Unterschiede in der Informationskodierung in mALT PN, lALT PN und Kenyon Zellen zu ergründen. In PN konnte ich eine Gruppe von Na+ Ionenkanälen und Na+ abhängigen, Ca2+ abhängigen sowie spannungsabhängigen K+ Ionenkanälen identifizieren, die die Grundlagen für hohe, spontane Aktionspotentialfrequenzen und hohe Duftantwortfrequenzen schaffen. Diese Ströme unterschieden sich nicht grundsätzlich zwischen m- und lALT PN. Jedoch wurden potentielle Ziele für neuronale Modulation gefunden, welche zu unterschiedlichen Aktionspotentialfrequenzen zwischen PN der beiden Trakte führen könnten. Im Gegensatz zu den PN wurden in Kenyon Zellen in der Relation sehr starke K+ Ionenströme gemessen. Diese dienen sehr wahrscheinlich der schnellen Terminierung von Duftantworten, also dem Erzeugen des zeitlichen "sparse code". Außerdem wurden Ca2+ abhängige K+ Kanäle gefunden, die für Koinzidenzdetektion, Lernen und Gedächtnis von Bedeutung sein können. In der Gesamtsicht folgere ich aus meinen Ergebnissen, dass die Unterschiede in der Duftspezifizität zwischen m- und lALT PN überwiegend auf deren sensorischen Eingängen von unterschiedlichen Populationen von OSN und der Verarbeitung über lokale Interneuronen im AL beruht. Die Unterschiede in der Spontanaktivität zwischen mALT und lALT basieren sehr wahrscheinlich auf neuronaler Modulation und/oder Interaktion mit LN. Die zeitliche Komponente des "sparse code" in KC entsteht höchstwahrscheinlich durch die intrinsischen elektrischen Eigenschaften der KC, wohingegen die generelle Erregbarkeit und der räumliche "sparse code" mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit auf der Regulation durch GABAerge Neurone beruht.

Background: A number of conditions are associated with laminitis in horses, such as corticosteroid administration, equine Cushing’s syndrome and equine metabolic syndrome. In common to these conditions are disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism and importantly, the development of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is seen when the insulin-responsive glucose transport proteins (GLUTs) that are largely responsible for glucose disposal in tissues such as skeletal muscle begin to fail. Aims: 1. The aim of this thesis was to determine the relationship between disturbed carbohydrate metabolism and laminitis in horses and test the hypothesis that impaired glucose uptake in the hoof lamellae is involved in the pathogenesis of laminitis, by investigating the mechanisms that control glucose uptake in hoof lamellae. 2. Having determined that glucose uptake in the hoof occurs independently of insulin, the hypothesis was re-examined, with the aim of determining the effects of hyperinsulinaemia, in the absence of cortisol manipulation, dietary modification, or hyperglycaemia on lamellar integrity in the hooves of healthy ponies. Methods: 1. An in vitro lamellar explant model was used to investigate the effects of insulin on glucose uptake in hoof lamellae. The β-adrenoceptor (β-AR) populations in equine lamellae were characterised using the radioligand binding technique and the glucose uptake response to stimulation with a potent β-AR agonist (l-isoprenaline) in the hoof was investigated. Further, the mRNA expression of both GLUT1 and GLUT4 in lamellar tissue was determined via PCR analysis. 2. Clinically healthy ponies were randomly allocated to either treatment (n = 5) or control (n = 4) groups. Treatment involved a prolonged (72 h) euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp technique while control ponies received an equivalent volume infusion of 0.9% saline. Ponies were euthanased at the onset of Obel grade 2 laminitis (treatment) or at 72 hours (controls). Lamellar tissue was obtained from all ponies and analysed via gelatin zymography, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Results: 1. The predominant β-AR subtype in lamellae was the β2-AR (90%), with β1-AR expression less abundant (10%). Furthermore, stimulation with l-isoprenaline inhibited glucose uptake by up to 30% in lamellae. This is consistent with the known effects of isoprenaline in other species and tissues, and supports the hypothesis that stimulation with adrenaline could result in reduced glucose uptake in hoof lamellae, suggesting a possible mechanism by which impaired glucose metabolism may be involved in laminitis. Glucose uptake in lamellar explants was not affected by either acute (10-120 min) or long-term (24 h) stimulation with porcine insulin. These results do not support a glucose deprivation model for laminitis, in which reduced insulin sensitivity results in impaired glucose uptake in the hoof. Further, exposing lamellar explants to increasing concentrations of glucose resulted in a GLUT saturation point indicative of predominantly insulin-independent GLUT1 proteins. GLUT1 mRNA expression was strong in brain, coronary band and lamellar tissue and weak in skeletal muscle in control animals and was similar in ponies with insulin-induced laminitis. In contrast, mRNA expression of the insulin-dependent GLUT4 was strong in skeletal muscle and was either absent or barely detectable in coronary band and lamellar tissue. These results are consistent with a predominantly GLUT1-mediated glucose transport system, and suggest that it is unlikely that the GLUT4 gene plays a substantial role in glucose uptake in the hoof. 2. Treated ponies all developed laminitis within 55.4  5.5 hours, while no laminitis occurred in control ponies. Insulin-induced laminitis indicated elongated, collapsed secondary epidermal lamellae (SEL), as well as enlarged and increased numbers of basal cell nuclei, mitotic figures and increased keratinisation in SELs. However, in contrast to the histological appearance of tissue obtained from oligofructose-induced laminitis, basement membrane disintegration was not a major finding. There was no increase in either active or latent forms of MMP-2 or -9 in lamellar homogenates obtained from ponies with insulin-induced laminitis compared with controls, except in one pony that demonstrated increased MMP-2 activity, which was euthanased five days after developing laminitis. Conclusions: Collectively, the research outlined in this thesis indicates that glucose uptake in the equine hoof is independent of insulin, utilising a predominantly GLUT1-mediated glucose transport system. However, a more complete understanding of the metabolic processes within equine hoof lamellae would involve further characterising the effects of other hormones, such as cortisol and IGF-1 on glucose transport, as these results indicate a possible role for adrenaline in reducing glucose uptake in lamellar tissue. Nevertheless, the results presented in this thesis do not support a glucose deprivation model for laminitis, in which reduced insulin sensitivity results in impaired uptake of glucose into hoof lamellar tissue. This research demonstrates that prolonged hyperinsulinaemia induces laminitis in normal ponies, independent of changes in blood glucose concentration. Preliminary studies investigating the pathophysiology of insulin-induced laminitis suggest the possible involvement of increased cellular proliferation and inflammation, rather than MMP activation. However, the exact mechanism by which hyperinsulinaemia induces laminitis awaits further investigation.