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Animals
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Advances of Endocrinology in Animal Reproduction
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Advances of Endocrinology in Animal Reproduction

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 12335

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Stefan Björkman

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departments of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Interests: pig reproduction; endocrinology; porcine health management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Hilde Aardema

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department Population Health Sciences, University of Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
Interests: farm animal reproduction; mother-and-offspring endocrinology
Dr. Lluis Ferré-Dolcet

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Clinica Veterinaria Privata San Marco, 35030 Veggiano, Italy
Interests: small animal reproduction; endocrinology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, the amount of environmental contaminants (e.g., organic and inorganic contaminants in soil, air, water, food, packing materials, etc.) that animals are exposed to has increased due to increased industrialization, urbanization, and climate change. Further, intensive breeding (e.g., for litter size, growth performance, milking performance, etc.) and the use of hormones for controlling reproduction have increased the metabolic demands of animals. All of these factors have negative effects on fertility and offspring characteristics.

The aim of this Special Issue is to focus on the effects of endocrinology, endocrine disruptors, exogenous hormones, and metabolism on male and female fertility. Specifically, we aim to elucidate the effects on semen quality, oocyte quality, embryonic and fetal development during pregnancy, as well as on neonatal health and survival.

We will examine these topics in a scientific, clinical and health context regarding production animals, companion animals and wildlife animals.

Dr. Stefan Björkman
Dr. Hilde Aardema
Dr. Lluis Ferré-Dolcet
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • offspring
  • neonatal
  • pregnancy
  • maternal
  • endocrinology
  • endocrine disruptors
  • exogenous hormones
  • metabolism
  • fertility

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

20 pages, 6381 KiB  
Article
The Photoperiod Regulates Granulosa Cell Apoptosis through the FSH-Nodal/ALK7 Signaling Pathway in Phodopus sungorus
by Yan Qi, Hui-Liang Xue, Yun-Jiao Zheng, Yun-Fei Yin, Wen-Lei Xu, Jin-Hui Xu, Ming Wu, Lei Chen and Lai-Xiang Xu
Animals 2022, 12(24), 3570; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12243570 - 16 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1489
Abstract
The photoperiod regulates the seasonal reproduction of mammals by affecting the follicle development, for which the granulosa cells provide nutrition. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were raised under different photoperiods to study the ovarian status [...] Read more.
The photoperiod regulates the seasonal reproduction of mammals by affecting the follicle development, for which the granulosa cells provide nutrition. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were raised under different photoperiods to study the ovarian status and explore the potential mechanism of the follicle development mediated by the FSH-Nodal/ALK7 signaling pathway. Compared with the moderate daylight (MD) group, the short daylight (SD) group exhibited a significant decrease in the ovarian weight and increase in the atretic follicle number and granulosa cell apoptosis, whereas the long daylight (LD) group showed an increase in the ovarian weight, the growing follicle number, and the antral follicle number, but a decrease in the granulosa cell apoptosis. Based on these findings, the key genes of the Nodal/ALK7 signaling pathway controlling the granulosa cell apoptosis were studied using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. In the SD group, the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration significantly decreased and the Nodal/ALK7/Smad signaling pathways were activated, while the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PIK3)/Akt signaling pathway was inhibited. The BAX expression was significantly increased, while the Bcl-xL expression was significantly decreased, leading to an increase in the caspase-3 activity, the granulosa cell apoptosis, and ovarian degeneration. However, in the LD group, the FSH concentration significantly increased, the Nodal/ALK7/Smad signaling pathway was inhibited, and the PIK3/Akt signaling pathway was activated. Taken together, our results indicate that the photoperiod can regulate the apoptosis of the granulosa cells by regulating the concentration of FSH, activating or inhibiting the Nodal/ALK7 signaling pathway, thereby affecting the ovarian function. Our research provides an important theoretical basis for understanding the photoperiod-regulated mechanisms of the mammalian seasonal reproduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Endocrinology in Animal Reproduction)
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16 pages, 2811 KiB  
Article
Variation in Hypothalamic GnIH Expression and Its Association with GnRH and Kiss1 during Pubertal Progression in Male Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta)
by Hira Zubair, Muhammad Saqib, Muhammad Noman Khan, Shazia Shamas, Shahzad Irfan and Muhammad Shahab
Animals 2022, 12(24), 3533; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12243533 - 14 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1860
Abstract
Modulation of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion across postnatal development in higher primates is not fully understood. While gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) is reported to suppress reproductive axis activity in birds and rodents, little is known about the developmental trajectory of GnIH expression in [...] Read more.
Modulation of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion across postnatal development in higher primates is not fully understood. While gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) is reported to suppress reproductive axis activity in birds and rodents, little is known about the developmental trajectory of GnIH expression in rhesus monkeys throughout the pubertal transition. This study was aimed at examining the variation in GnIH immunoreactivity (-ir) and associated changes among GnIH, GnRH, and Kiss1 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus of infant, juvenile, prepubertal, and adult male rhesus monkeys. The brains from rhesus macaques were collected from infancy until adulthood and were examined using immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR. The mean GnIH-ir was found to be significantly higher in prepubertal animals (p < 0.01) compared to infants, and significantly reduced in adults (p < 0.001). Significantly higher (p < 0.001) GnRH and Kiss1 mRNA expression was noted in adults while GnIH mRNA expression was the highest at the prepubertal stage (p < 0.001). Significant negative correlations were seen between GnIH-GnRH (p < 0.01) and GnIH-Kiss1 (p < 0.001) expression. Our findings suggest a role for GnIH in the prepubertal suppression of the reproductive axis, with disinhibition of the adult reproductive axis occurring through decreases in GnIH. This pattern of expression suggests that GnIH may be a viable target for the development of novel therapeutics and contraceptives for humans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Endocrinology in Animal Reproduction)
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16 pages, 4345 KiB  
Article
Integrative Analysis of miRNA-mRNA in Ovarian Granulosa Cells Treated with Kisspeptin in Tan Sheep
by Tianshu Dai, Xiaolong Kang, Chaoyun Yang, Shan Mei, Shihao Wei, Xingru Guo, Ziming Ma, Yuangang Shi, Yuankui Chu and Xingang Dan
Animals 2022, 12(21), 2989; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12212989 - 30 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1349
Abstract
Kisspeptin is a peptide hormone encoded by the kiss-1 gene that regulates animal reproduction. Our studies revealed that kisspeptin can regulate steroid hormone production and promote cell proliferation in ovarian granulosa cells of Tan sheep, but the mechanism has not yet been fully [...] Read more.
Kisspeptin is a peptide hormone encoded by the kiss-1 gene that regulates animal reproduction. Our studies revealed that kisspeptin can regulate steroid hormone production and promote cell proliferation in ovarian granulosa cells of Tan sheep, but the mechanism has not yet been fully understood. We speculated that kisspeptin might promote steroid hormone production and cell proliferation by mediating the expression of specific miRNA and mRNA in granulosa cells. Accordingly, after granulosa cells were treated with kisspeptin, the RNA of cells was extracted to construct a cDNA library, and miRNA-mRNA sequencing was performed. Results showed that 1303 expressed genes and 605 expressed miRNAs were identified. Furthermore, eight differentially expressed miRNAs were found, and their target genes were significantly enriched in progesterone synthesis/metabolism, hormone biosynthesis, ovulation cycle, and steroid metabolism regulation. Meanwhile, mRNA was significantly enriched in steroid biosynthesis, IL-17 signaling pathway, and GnRH signaling pathway. Integrative analysis of miRNA-mRNA revealed that the significantly different oar-let-7b targets eight genes, of which EGR1 (early growth response-1) might play a significant role in regulating the function of granulosa cells, and miR-10a regulates lipid metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis by targeting HNRNPD. Additionally, PPI analysis revealed genes that are not miRNA targets but crucial to other biological processes in granulosa cells, implying that kisspeptin may also indirectly regulate granulosa cell function by these pathways. The findings of this work may help understand the molecular mechanism of kisspeptin regulating steroid hormone secretion, cell proliferation, and other physiological functions in ovarian granulosa cells of Tan sheep. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Endocrinology in Animal Reproduction)
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12 pages, 2211 KiB  
Article
BMP6 Promotes the Secretion of 17 Beta-Estradiol and Progesterone in Goat Ovarian Granulosa Cells
by Shuaifei Song, Wenfei Ding, Hui Yao, Lei Wang, Bijun Li, Yukun Wang, Xue Tang, Yiyu Zhang, Deli Huang, Dejun Xu and Zhongquan Zhao
Animals 2022, 12(16), 2132; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12162132 - 19 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1400
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of BMP6 on the function of goat ovarian granulosa cells (GCs). The results showed that the exogenous addition of BMP6 did not affect the EdU-positive ratio of ovarian GCs and had no significant [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of BMP6 on the function of goat ovarian granulosa cells (GCs). The results showed that the exogenous addition of BMP6 did not affect the EdU-positive ratio of ovarian GCs and had no significant effect on the mRNA and protein expression levels of the proliferation-related gene PCNA (p > 0.05). Meanwhile, BMP6 had no significant effect on the cycle phase distribution of GCs but increased the mRNA expression of CDK4 (p < 0.05) and CCND1 (p < 0.01) and decreased the mRNA expression of CCNE1 (p < 0.01). Moreover, BMP6 had no significant effect on the apoptosis rate of GCs and did not affect the mRNA expression levels of apoptosis-related genes BAX, BCL2, and Caspase3 (p > 0.05). Importantly, BMP6 upregulated the secretion of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) in ovarian GCs (p < 0.01). Further studies found that BMP6 inhibited the mRNA expression of 3β-HSD and steroid synthesis acute regulator (StAR) but significantly promoted the mRNA expression of the E2 synthesis rate-limiting enzyme CYP19A1 and the P4 synthesis rate-limiting enzyme CYP11A1 (p < 0.01). Taken together, these results showed that the exogenous addition of BMP6 did not affect the proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis of goat ovarian GCs but promoted the secretion of E2 and progesterone P4 in ovarian GCs by upregulating the mRNA expressions of CYP19A1 and CYP11A1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Endocrinology in Animal Reproduction)
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14 pages, 1587 KiB  
Article
Reproductive Hormones Mediate Intestinal Microbiota Shifts during Estrus Synchronization in Grazing Simmental Cows
by Donglin Wu, Chunjie Wang, Huasai Simujide, Bo Liu, Zhimeng Chen, Pengfei Zhao, Mingke Huangfu, Jiale Liu, Xin Gao, Yi Wu, Xiaorui Li, Hao Chen and Aorigele Chen
Animals 2022, 12(14), 1751; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12141751 - 07 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1679
Abstract
To study shifts in the intestinal microbiota during estrus synchronization in ruminants, we characterized the intestinal microbiota in grazing Simmental cows and the possible mechanism that mediates this shift. Fourteen postpartum Simmental beef cows were synchronized beginning on day 0 (D0) with a [...] Read more.
To study shifts in the intestinal microbiota during estrus synchronization in ruminants, we characterized the intestinal microbiota in grazing Simmental cows and the possible mechanism that mediates this shift. Fourteen postpartum Simmental beef cows were synchronized beginning on day 0 (D0) with a controlled internal release device (CIDR), and cloprostenol was injected on D9 when the CIDR was withdrawn. Synchronization ended with timed artificial insemination on D12. Serum and rectal samples harvested on D0, D9, and D12 were analyzed to assess the reproductive hormones and microbiota. Reproductive hormones in the serum of the host were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The microbiota was characterized using 16S rRNA sequencing of the V3–V4 hypervariable region, alpha diversity and beta diversity analyses (principal coordinate analysis, PCoA), cladogram of the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis, and microbiota function analysis. Levels of the reproductive hormones, except gonadotropin-releasing hormone (p > 0.05), shifted among D0, D9, and D12 (p < 0.05). Decreased community diversity (Chao1 and ACE) was observed on D12 compared with D0 (p < 0.05). The beta diversity (PCoA) of the microbiota shifted markedly among D0, D9, and D12 (p < 0.05). The LEfSe analysis revealed shifts in the intestinal microbiota communities among D0, D9, and D12 (p < 0.05 and LDA cutoff >3.0). The KEGG pathway analysis showed that carbohydrate metabolism, genetic information and processing, the excretory system, cellular processes and signaling, immune system diseases, and the metabolism were altered (p < 0.05). Reproductive hormones (especially estradiol) were correlated with the alpha diversity indices, beta diversity indices, and an abundance of biomarkers of the shifting intestinal microbiota (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the structure, composition, and function of the intestinal microbiota were shifted during estrus synchronization in a grazing Simmental cow model, and these shifts were mediated by reproductive hormones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Endocrinology in Animal Reproduction)
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10 pages, 3139 KiB  
Article
Liver Receptor homolog-1 Regulates Apoptosis of Bovine Ovarian Granulosa Cells by Progestogen Receptor Signaling Pathway
by Dejun Xu, Xiaohan Jiang, Yukun Wang and Shuaifei Song
Animals 2022, 12(9), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12091213 - 08 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1532
Abstract
The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the function of LRH-1 on GCs and the mechanisms involved. Here, LRH- was highly expressed in the bovine GCs of atretic follicles. Treatment with 50 μM of LRH-1 agonist (DLPC) significantly induced the expression [...] Read more.
The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the function of LRH-1 on GCs and the mechanisms involved. Here, LRH- was highly expressed in the bovine GCs of atretic follicles. Treatment with 50 μM of LRH-1 agonist (DLPC) significantly induced the expression of LRH-1 (p < 0.05). In particular, LRH-1 activation blocked the progestogen receptor signaling pathway via downregulating progesterone production and progestogen receptor levels (p < 0.05), but had no effect on 17 beta-estradiol synthesis. Meanwhile, LRH-1 activation promoted the apoptosis of GCs and increased the activity of caspase 3 (p < 0.05). Importantly, upregulating the progestogen receptor signaling pathway with progestogen could attenuate the LRH-1-induced proapoptotic effect. Moreover, treatment with progestogen decreased the activity of the proapoptotic gene caspase 3 and increased the expression of antiapoptotic gene Bcl2 in LRH-1 activated GCs (p < 0.05). Taken together, these results demonstrate that LRH-1 might be dependent on the progestogen receptor signaling pathway to modulate bovine follicular atresia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Endocrinology in Animal Reproduction)
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Review

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17 pages, 1569 KiB  
Review
Sow Nutrition, Uterine Contractions, and Placental Blood Flow during the Peri-Partum Period and Short-Term Effects on Offspring: A Review
by Moniek van den Bosch, Nicoline Soede, Bas Kemp and Henry van den Brand
Animals 2023, 13(5), 910; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13050910 - 02 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1891
Abstract
The birth process is a crucial event for piglet survival. Along with increasing litter sizes, not only has the duration of parturition increased, but placental blood flow per piglet has reduced and placental area per piglet has become smaller, making these piglets more [...] Read more.
The birth process is a crucial event for piglet survival. Along with increasing litter sizes, not only has the duration of parturition increased, but placental blood flow per piglet has reduced and placental area per piglet has become smaller, making these piglets more susceptible for hypoxia. Diminishing the risk of piglet hypoxia by either reducing the total duration of parturition or increasing fetal oxygenation may reduce the incidence of stillbirth and early post-partum mortality. This review discusses options to do so by nutritionally supporting the sow in the final pre-partum period, after discussing the role of uterine contractions and placental blood flow. Providing sufficient energy seems to be a logical first step, but also other nutrients needed for uterine contractions, such as calcium, or enhancing uterine blood flow by using nitrate seem promising. These nutrient requirements may depend on litter size. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Endocrinology in Animal Reproduction)
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