Exogenous oxytocin aids in the transcervical passage of an AI pipette into the uterus of ewes, and it may be an effective adjunct to sheep AI procedures. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of oxytocin on variables that may affect fertility. The results of this study indicate clearly that oxytocin dilates the cervix in ewes (Exp. 1) without affecting the movement of sperm to the oviducts (Exp. 3) or fertilization rate (Exp. 9). Oxytocin probably binds to uterine and cervical receptors (Exp. 6) and stimulates uterine tetany (Exp. 2) and prostaglandin release (Exp. 5). Because of the irregular arrangement of smooth muscle in the sheep cervix (Exp. 4), uterine tetany may physically dilate the cervix. Also, prostaglandin synthesis, primarily PGF2, may be involved in a chemical softening of the cervix. Most likely, a combination of uterine contractions and cervical softening allow dilation and transcervical passage of an AI pipette. Although oxytocin does not affect sperm transport (Exp. 3) or fertilization (Exp. 9), fertility after transcervical AI is decreased (Exp. 8). Cervical manipulation seems to decrease fertility, but the mechanism is unclear. Therefore, a greater understanding of the physiology of the sheep cervix is necessary before oxytocin-induced cervical dilation can be implemented with nonsurgical AI procedures in sheep. / Ph. D.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 189-210). Also available on the Internet.

När förlossningsprogressen går långsamt fram eller stannar av helt kan barnmorskan använda sig av läkemedlet Oxytocin® för att framkalla tätare och mer intensiva värkar och på så sätt uppnå progress i förlossning. Oxytocin® är ett potent läkemedel som när det används felaktigt kan ge allvarliga komplikationer för mor och barn. I Sverige togs nationella riktlinjer för oxytocinbehandling vid värksvaghet fram år 2011. Barnmorskan har även lokala riktlinjer att förhålla sig till i sitt dagliga arbete. Studier har visat att oxytocinbehandling sker på ett ostrukturerat sätt i Sverige. Syftet med studien var att undersöka Sveriges förlossningsklinikers PM följsamhet till de nationella riktlinjerna framtagna år 2011 gällande oxytocinbehandling vid värksvaghet. Studien utgjordes av en kvantitativ, komparativ metod med en deskriptiv ansats, där urvalet resulterade i insamlade data från 43 av landets 44 förlossningskliniker. Ett instrument för dataanalys framtogs där samtliga PM jämfördes mot den text som var formulerad i de nationella riktlinjernas föreslagna PM och presenterades genom deskriptiv statistik. Resultatet visade på en variation i följsamhet i de lokala PM:en till de nationella riktlinjerna. Fem klinikers PM överensstämde med de nationella riktlinjernas PM på samtliga punkter. Ytterligare fyra klinikers PM överensstämde på alla punkter förutom gällande riktlinjer kring dokumentation. Knappt två tredjedelar av klinikerna överensstämde till 75 procent eller mer av de punkter som jämfördes i instrument för dataanalys. Ett fåtal klinikers följsamhet var 25 procent eller lägre. Vidare ansågs varken de nationella eller lokala riktlinjerna vara reviderade utifrån den senaste forskningen och evidensen. Studiens slutsats var att kliniker bör se över sina riktlinjer gällande oxytocinbehandling vid värksvaghet för att kunna erbjuda födande kvinnor i Sverige en jämlik och patientsäker vård.

Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur interpersonell beröring från en anställd, i form av ett handslag, förändrar kundens uppfattning av shoppingupplevelsen. Vidare ämnar studien att väcka intresse för ämnet likväl som att ge rekommendationer för vidare forskning av det taktila sinnets och den interpersonella beröringens betydelse i marknadsföringssammanhang. Metodik: Studien är utförd genom en kvantitativ undersökningsmetod med ett deduktivt angreppssätt. Ett teoretiskt ramverk presenteras, utifrån vilket hypoteser i sin tur har formulerats. För att kunna testa de framtagna hypoteserna har ett fältexperiment utförts på Teknikmagasinet i Kalmar. Utifrån analyser av resultaten har generella slutsatser dragits, vilka ligger till grund för rekommendationer för framtida forskning inom ämnet sinnesmarknadsföring med fokus på det taktila sinnet och interpersonell beröring. Resultat: Studiens resultat visar vidare att interpersonell beröring, i form av ett handslag, påverkar shoppingupplevelsen på ett positivt sätt. Detta har dock ej kunnat säkerställas statistiskt. Resultaten visar vidare att ett handslag är en generellt accepterad form av interpersonell beröring inom social serviceinteraktion. Detta öppnar upp för möjligheten att implementera gesten i detaljhandelssammanhang, särskilt i interaktion mellan individer av manligt kön. / Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how interpersonal touch, in the form of a handshake from an employee, changes the customers evaluation of the shopping experience. Furthermore, this study intends to raise an interest for the subject as well as give recommendations for further research on the importance of both the tactile sense and interpersonal touch within the marketing context. Methodology: This study has been conducted through a quantitative research method, with a deductive approach. A theoretical framework is presented, from which hypotheses has been formulated. In order to test the formulated hypotheses, a field experiment has been conducted at Teknikmagasinets store in Kalmar. Based on the analysis of the results, general conclusions were drawn which is the basis of our recommendations for further research within the subject of sensory marketing, focusing on the tactile sense and interpersonal touch. Findings: The results of the study show that interpersonal touch, in the form of a handshake, affects the shopping experience in a positive way, although this is not statistically significant. The results further show that a handshake is a generally accepted form of interpersonal touch in social service interactions. This opens up for the possibility of implementation of the gesture within retail contexts, particularly within interactions between individuals of the male sex.

Considerable psycho-physiological research on empathy examines biological structures such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA-axis) and oxytocin systems as efficacious methods for strengthening positive emotional responses. This study recruited 76 adult participants (54 female, 23 male) for the purpose of evaluating the effects oxytocin and fiction reading have on empathetic responses. Participants completed a measure of trauma and received either intranasal oxytocin, a story created to induce emotional responses, or a neutral non-fiction story. Stressors were counterbalanced as a family or non-family stimuli to assess changes in stress response measured by salivary cortisol and heart rate variability. Results supported existing research stating that heart rate variability (HRV) is a more sensitive measure of stress. HRV statistically significantly interacted between type of stressor and PTSD symptomology (1, 70) = 5.018, p = .028, η2 =0.06. Scores on the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) indicated there were increases in empathy across time, but were not impacted by exposure to stress or treatment condition. Trauma was identified as a statistically significant factor on heart rate variability F(1, 70) = 8.39, p = .005, η2 = .10. Treatment condition did not impact cortisol levels across time F(2, 71) = .2.532, p = .087, η2 = .11. Taken together, these results suggest support for the use of biomarkers in measuring the rate of stress and recovery for those with and without trauma. These findings suggest potential avenues for translational research and implications for theory and practice.

The magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) of the hypothalamus project axons from the supraoptic nucleus to the posterior pituitary gland, where they secrete either oxytocin or vasopressin into the circulation. Oxytocin is important for delivery at birth and is essential for milk ejection during suckling. Vasopressin primarily promotes water reabsorption in the kidney to maintain body fluid balance. The profile of oxytocin and vasopressin secretion is principally determined by the pattern of action potentials initiated at the cell bodies in the hypothalamus. MNCs principally secrete hormones from terminals in the pituitary, but the secretion also occurs from their dendrites in the supraoptic nucleus, where they diffuse and affect the neighbouring cells. Mechanisms controlling the oxytocin and vasopressin secretion from MNCs have been extensively studied over the last decades and it is assumed that the relationship between Ca2+ signalling, secretion from dendrites, and the firing patterns is essential in understanding the magnocellular neurosecretory system. In this project, we combine mathematical analysis and experimental measurements of Ca2+ activity of MNCs of transgenic rats expressing an arginine vasopressin-enhanced green fluorescent protein (AVP-eGFP) or oxytocin-monomeric red fluorescent...

Although prostaglandins (PG) and oxytocin are crucial mediators of uterine contractility, their receptor-mediated effects during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and labour are not fully understood. The aim of this thesis was to elucidate the functional expression of EP, FP, TP and oxytocin receptors in isolated human myometrium relative to myocyte mRNA and signal transduction pathways. Myometrial samples were obtained from consenting non-pregnant and pregnant donors. Functional techniques were used to determine isometric muscle contractions. Primary uterine myocytes and fibroblasts were cultured at term to identify stimulated changes in calcium (Ca2+), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and mRNA. Myometrial strips exhibited spontaneous contractions, which were most active midcycle under oestrogenic conditions. At this time intrinsic contractility and responsiveness to uterotonins decreased towards the fundus. PGE2 produced bellshaped responses with predominant utero-relaxant effects mediated via the EP2 subtype. Although activity was partially restored by PGE2 through EP3/1 receptors, tissue excitation was more pronounced at FP, TP and oxytocin receptors. Despite high FP mRNA expression, the lower segment uterus was particularly responsive to U46619 and oxytocin at term pregnancy. Even so, Ca2+ mobilisation by oxytocin was greater via principal release from intracellular stores. Incubations with atosiban, progesterone and a rho-kinase inhibitor reduced oxytocin-stimulated Ca2+ transients. EP2 also attenuated oxytocic effects but this appeared to be mediated through cAMP rather than Ca2+ signalling pathways. With advancing labour, intrinsic myogenic activity declined in parallel with oxytocin desensitisation. However, TP-induced contractions were continued in the lower parturient uterus. These findings demonstrate that PG and oxytocin receptor expression are regulated in a hormone-dependent temporal and spatial manner. EP2-mediated cAMP formation appears to promote uterine quiescence, whilst TP receptors may control muscle tonus during parturition. These receptors and their messenger systems represent effective tocolytic targets for uterine hypercontractile disorders, such as dysmenorrhoea and preterm labour.

No description available.

<p>Understanding how genes affect behavior is critical to develop precise therapies for human behavioral disorders. The ability to investigate the relationship between genes and behavior has been greatly advanced over the last few decades due to progress in gene-targeting technology. Recently, the Tet gene family was discovered and implicated in epigenetic modification of DNA methylation by converting 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). 5hmC and its catalysts, the TET proteins, are highly abundant in the postnatal brain but with unclear functions. To investigate their neural functions, we generated new lines of Tet1 and Tet3 mutant mice using a gene targeting approach. We designed both mutations to cause a frameshift by deleting the largest coding exon of Tet1 (Tet1Δe4) and the catalytic domain of Tet3 (Tet3Δe7-9). As Tet1 is also highly expressed in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), we generated Tet1 homozygous deleted ESCs through sequential targeting to compare the function of Tet1 in the brain to its role in ESCs. To test our hypothesis that TET proteins epigenetically regulate transcription of key neural genes important for normal brain function, we examined transcriptional and epigenetic differences in the Tet1Δe4 mouse brain. The oxytocin receptor (OXTR), a neural gene implicated in social behaviors, is suggested to be epigenetically regulated by an unknown mechanism. Interestingly, several human studies have found associations between OXTR DNA hypermethylation and a wide spectrum of behavioral traits and neuropsychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorders. Here we report the first evidence for an epigenetic mechanism of Oxtr transcription as expression of Oxtr is reduced in the brains of Tet1Δe4-/- mice. Likewise, the CpG island overlapping the promoter of Oxtr is hypermethylated during early embryonic development and persists into adulthood. We also discovered altered histone modifications at the hypermethylated regions, indicating the loss of TET1 has broad effects on the chromatin structure at Oxtr. Unexpectedly, we discovered an array of novel mRNA isoforms of Oxtr that are selectively reduced in Tet1Δe4-/- mice. Additionally, Tet1Δe4-/- mice display increased agonistic behaviors and impaired maternal care and short-term memory. Our findings support a novel role for TET1 in regulating Oxtr expression by preventing DNA hypermethylation and implicate TET1 in social behaviors, offering novel insight into Oxtr epigenetic regulation and its role in neuropsychiatric disorders.</p> / Dissertation

Orientador: José Luiz Morais Vasconcelos / Banca: Ciro Moraes Barros / Banca: José Buratini Junior / Banca: Mario Binelli / Banca: Paula de Carvalho Papa / Resumo: O objetivo desse experimento foi avaliar a histomorfometria uterina, a expressão gênica endometrial de ER, PR, OTR, COX-1 e COX-2, e a expressão protéica de ER e PR (porcentagem de núcleos positivos e intensidade de coloração dos núcleos positivos, em unidades arbitrárias [UA], à imunohistoquímica) em vacas em anestro ao longo do desenvolvimento da onda folicular. Vacas Nelore primíparas em anestro pós-parto foram avaliadas diariamente por ultrassonografia ovariana, visando acompanhar o desenvolvimento folicular, e submetidas à histerectomia quando o folículo dominante atingiu o diâmetro de 7,0 mm (FP; n = 4), 8,5 mm (FM; n = 4) ou 10,0 mm (FG; n = 4). Um grupo adicional (PRO; n = 4) consistiu em vacas submetidas a remoção de bezerros (RB; 48 h) quando o folículo dominante atingiu o diâmetro de 9,5 mm e histerectomizadas ao final da RB. Os dados foram analisados pelo PROC GLM do programa SAS. A concentração sérica de estradiol no dia da histerectomia foi maior nas vacas do grupo PRO em relação aos demais grupos (FP: 0,7 pg/mL; FM: 0,8 pg/mL; FG: 1,1 pg/mL; PRO: 2,9 pg/mL; P < 0,05). Não houve efeito de grupo (P > 0,1) nas variáveis histomorfométricas e na expressão gênica endometrial de ER, PR, OTR, COX-1 e COX-2. As vacas do grupo PRO apresentaram maior intensidade de coloração dos núcleos positivos para ER nas células epiteliais glandulares superficiais (FP: 75,9 UA; FM: 75,2 UA; FG: 71,5 UA; PRO: 88,5 UA), intensidade de coloração dos núcleos positivos para PR nas células epiteliais glandulares profundas (FP: 70,2 UA; FM: 73,1 UA; FG: 69,2 UA; PRO: 85,7 UA) e porcentagem de núcleos positivos para PR no estroma subepitelial superficial (FP: 58,2%; FM: 58,0%; FG: 57,3%; PRO: 63,4) em relação às vacas dos demais grupos (P < 0,05). As vacas dos grupos FG e PRO apresentaram maior porcentagem de núcleos positivos para ER no estroma... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the uterine histomorphometry, gene expression of ER, PR, OTR, COX-1 and COX-2, and protein expressions of ER and PR (percentage of positive nuclei and staining intensity of positive nuclei, in arbitrary units [AU], at immunohistochemistry) in anestrous cows throughout the development of a follicular wave. Primiparous postpartum anestrous Nelore cows were evaluated daily by ovarian ultrasonography and submitted to hysterectomy when the dominant follicle reached the diameter of 7.0 mm (FP; n = 4), 8.5 mm (FM; n = 4), or 10.0 mm (FG; n = 4). An additional group (PRO; n = 4) consisted in cows submitted to temporary weaning (TW; 48 h) when the dominant follicle reached 9.5 mm and hysterectomized at the end of TW. Data were analyzed by PROC GLM of SAS. Serum concentration of estradiol at the day of hysterectomy was greater in cows from PRO group than in cows from the other groups (FP: 0.7 pg/mL; FM: 0.8 pg/mL; FG: 1.1 pg/mL; PRO: 2.9 pg/mL; P < 0.05). There were no effects of group (P > 0.1) on histomorphometrical variables and on endometrial gene expression of ER, PR, OTR, COX-1, and COX-2. Cows from PRO group had greater staining intensity of ER-positive nuclei in shallow glandular epithelium (FP: 75.9 AU; FM: 75.2 AU; FG: 71.5 AU; PRO: 88.5 AU), staining intensity of PR-positive nuclei in deep glandular epithelium (FP: 70.2 AU; FM: 73.1 AU; FG: 69.2 AU; PRO: 85.7 AU), and greater percentage of PR-positive nuclei in shallow subepithelial stroma (FP: 58.2%; FM: 58.0%; FG: 57.3%; PRO: 63.4%) than cows from the other groups (P < 0.05). Cows from FG and PRO groups had a greater percentage of ER-positive nuclei in deep subepithelial stroma than cows from the other groups (FP: 76.0%; FM: 76.4%; FG: 83.6%; PRO: 86.1%; P < 0.05). In the other endometrial areas, the protein expressions of ER and PR were similar among groups. We concluded that in anestrous... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor