La suplementación de los piensos de las conejas con EPA y DHA mejora el perfil insaturado de los ácidos grasos de la leche y sus parámetros reproductivos

Se ha valorado la influencia del enriquecimiento de las dietas de conejas reproductoras con ácidos grasos poliinsaturados de cadena larga (AGPI) de origen animal (EPA y DHA) durante 2 ciclos sobre sus parámetros reproductivos y la composición de su leche. Un total de 124 conejas se alimentaron desde la recría hasta el segundo destete con dos dietas isofibrosas, isoenergéticas e isoproteicas formuladas con dos fuentes de grasa distintas. El grupo control (C;n=62) recibió un pienso con un 3% de grasa mezcla mientras que el del grupo experimental (P;n=62) contenía un 6% de un suplemento con un 50% de extracto etéreo concentrado en DHA y EPA a partir de aceite de salmón atlántico (Optomega-50, Optivite International Ltd., Barcelona, España)

Alpha-tocopherol affects gene expression patterns of rabbit cumulus complexes and reduces apoptosis rate during in vitro maturation

Oxidative stress compromises oocyte developmental competence during in vitro maturation (IVM). Antioxidants such as vitamin E may avoid this imbalance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a-Tocopherol (α-TocOH) on the relative mRNA abundance of genes involved in cumulus expansion (GJA1, PTGS2), cell cycle and viability (AKT1), cell cycle regulation and apoptosis (Tp53, CASP3) and antioxidant response (SOD2, GPX1, CAT) in rabbit cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) in vitro matured. The apoptosis index in cumulus cells (CCs) and the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) released by the COCs in maturation media were also assessed. For these purposes, COCs from follicles ≥1mm were recovered, selected and in vitro-matured for 16h (38ºC, 5% CO2) in a medium containing TCM-199 (Sigma, Madrid, Spain) with 0.3% bovine serum albumin (Sigma, Madrid, Spain) and 10 ng/mL Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) (Sigma, Madrid, Spain) supplemented with 0, 100, 200 or 400 μM α- TocOH (Sigma, Madrid, Spain), named as 0E, 100E, 200E and 400E groups, respectivel

Credit and business cycles’ relationship : evidence from Spain

This study provides evidence on the interaction between business and credit cycles in Spain during the period 1970–2014. The paper works on three analyses: the cycle turning points are identified; the main features of credit and business cycles are documented; and in both cycles the causal relationship is assessed. We find differences in the features of the business and credit cycle phases, which lead to a scant degree of synchronization over time. The lack of synchronization might be a sign that the cyclic interaction could be non-contemporaneous. Our results reveal that there is causation. A significant lagged rela- tionship between business and credit cycles is found; specifically, fluctuations of the business cycle lead fluctuations of the credit to non-financial corporations and a lag exists with respect to the fluctuations of the credit to households. We also examine episodes of credit boom and credit crunch. In the period 1970–2014, Spanish credit booms did not involve deeper business cycle contractions and credit crunches were not associated with deeper and longer business cycle contractions. These differences are related with the great importance of the real estate sector in Spain.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

a-Tocopherol modifies the expression of genes related to oxidative stress and apoptosis during in vitro maturation and enhances the developmental competence of rabbit oocytes

The developmental competence of in vitro maturation (IVM) oocytes can be enhanced by antioxidant agents. The present study investigated, for the first time in the rabbit model, the effect of adding a-tocopherol (0, 100, 200 and 400 mM) during IVM on putative transcripts involved in antioxidant defence (superoxide dismutase 2, mitochondrial (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), catalase (CAT)), cell cycle regulation and apoptosis cascade (apoptosistumour protein 53 (TP53), caspase 3, apoptosis-related cysteine protease (CASP3)), cell cycle progression (cellular cycle V-Akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homologue 1 (AKT1)), cumulus expansion (gap junction protein, alpha 1, 43 kDa (GJA1) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (prostaglandin G/H synthase and cyclo-oxygenase) (PTGS2)) and metabolism (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)). Meiotic progression, mitochondrial reallocation, cumulus cell apoptosis and the developmental competence of oocytes after IVF were also assessed. Expression of SOD2, CAT, TP53, CASP3 and GJA1 was downregulated in cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) after IVM with 100 mM a-tocopherol compared with the group without the antioxidant. The apoptotic rate and the percentage of a non-migrated mitochondrial pattern were lower in COCs cultured with 100 mM a-tocopherol, consistent with better-quality oocytes. In fact, early embryo development was improved when 100 mM a-tocopherol was included in the IVM medium, but remained low compared with in vivomatured oocytes. In conclusion, the addition of 100 mM a-tocopherol to the maturation medium is a suitable approach to manage oxidative stress and apoptosis, as well as for increasing the in vitro developmental competence of rabbit oocytes

Identificación de beta-NGF en el plasma seminal purificado de conejo y localización de su receptor de alta afinidad (TRKA) en el tracto reproductor masculino

En el plasma seminal (PS) de algunas especies, tanto de ovulacion inducida como espontanea, se ha descrito la presencia de un factor inductor de la ovulacion (FIO) (Adams y col., 2005). Recientemente se ha descubierto que se trata del factor de crecimiento nervioso (NGF) (Ratto y col., 2012), cuyo precursor es el pro-NGF que tiene un peso molecular -60 kDa y varias isoformas en el rango entre 16-60 kDa (Paoletti y col., 2006). Ademas, se ha descrito la presencia del receptor de alta afinidad de esta proteina (TrkA) solo en prostata, testiculo y glandula seminal del tracto reproductor de conejo (Maranesi y col., 2015), pero no en otras importantes estructuras con un papel esencial en la produccion de PS y en la espermatogenesis. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue localizar por inmunohistoquimica el receptor TrkA en la glandula bulbouretral y en el epididimo e identificar por espectrometria de masas (MALDI-TOF) la presencia de esta proteina, en una fraccion purificada del PS del conejo, que previamente habia sido identificada por western blot (WB)

Identificación de beta-NGF en el plasma seminal purificado de conejo y localización de su receptor de alta afinidad (TRKA) en el tracto reproductor masculino

En el plasma seminal (PS) de algunas especies, tanto de ovulacion inducida como espontanea, se ha descrito la presencia de un factor inductor de la ovulacion (FIO) (Adams y col., 2005). Recientemente se ha descubierto que se trata del factor de crecimiento nervioso (NGF) (Ratto y col., 2012), cuyo precursor es el pro-NGF que tiene un peso molecular -60 kDa y varias isoformas en el rango entre 16-60 kDa (Paoletti y col., 2006). Ademas, se ha descrito la presencia del receptor de alta afinidad de esta proteina (TrkA) solo en prostata, testiculo y glandula seminal del tracto reproductor de conejo (Maranesi y col., 2015), pero no en otras importantes estructuras con un papel esencial en la produccion de PS y en la espermatogenesis. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue localizar por inmunohistoquimica el receptor TrkA en la glandula bulbouretral y en el epididimo e identificar por espectrometria de masas (MALDI-TOF) la presencia de esta proteina, en una fraccion purificada del PS del conejo, que previamente habia sido identificada por western blot (WB)

Maternal nutritional restriction modulates placental VEGF immunolocalization and fetoplacental development in the rabbit

Maternal nutritional disorders during pregnancy can modify placental vascularization and therefore, fetal development. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of a feed restriction of 60% of the nutritional requirements during pregnancy on fetoplacental development, placental efficiency (fetal/placental weight) and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the rabbit. Multiparous pregnant rabbits were fed ad libitum (C; n = 17) or food restricted (R021, n = 25) from day (D) 0 to D21. On D28, 11 dams were euthanized to study fetoplacental features and the rest (n = 31) were used to assess perinatal survival and birth weight. Immunohistochemical studies of paraffined placentae (ABC method) was performed for VEGF. No differences were found in the number of viable fetuses between C and R021 groups (11.6 ± 2.9 vs. 12.0 ± 2.0). However, fetuses of C group showed higher size (thoracic diameter: 20.5 ± 2.8 vs. 19.1 ± 1.8 mm, occipital-nasal length: 29.0 ± 1.4 vs. 27.9 ± 1.4 mm); total weight (39.2 ± 7.3 vs. 34.7 ± 5–9 g), and separated head and body weights (9.1 ± 1.5 vs. 8.1 ± 1.1 and 29.3 ± 6.0 vs. 25.6 ± 4.8 g, respectively) than R021 (p < 0.05). Placental efficiency was lower in R021 than in C group (p < 0.05). VEGF was mainly immunolocalized in endothelial cells in labyrinth zone in both groups being slightly intensive in C group. Mean number of born alive per doe (10.4 ± 3.0 vs. 12.3 ± 3.1) and their weight (59.1 ± 9.8 vs. 56.4 ± 6.8 g) were similar between groups. In conclusion, maternal feed restriction seems to modulate VEGF expression, placental efficiency and fetal development in the rabbit. These effects were not reflected in a low body weight at parturition. (Funds by AGL2015-65572-C2.

Maternal nutritional restriction modulates placental VEGF immunolocalization and fetoplacental development in the rabbit

Maternal nutritional disorders during pregnancy can modify placental vascularization and therefore, fetal development. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of a feed restriction of 60% of the nutritional requirements during pregnancy on fetoplacental development, placental efficiency (fetal/placental weight) and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the rabbit. Multiparous pregnant rabbits were fed ad libitum (C; n = 17) or food restricted (R021, n = 25) from day (D) 0 to D21. On D28, 11 dams were euthanized to study fetoplacental features and the rest (n = 31) were used to assess perinatal survival and birth weight. Immunohistochemical studies of paraffined placentae (ABC method) was performed for VEGF. No differences were found in the number of viable fetuses between C and R021 groups (11.6 ± 2.9 vs. 12.0 ± 2.0). However, fetuses of C group showed higher size (thoracic diameter: 20.5 ± 2.8 vs. 19.1 ± 1.8 mm, occipital-nasal length: 29.0 ± 1.4 vs. 27.9 ± 1.4 mm); total weight (39.2 ± 7.3 vs. 34.7 ± 5–9 g), and separated head and body weights (9.1 ± 1.5 vs. 8.1 ± 1.1 and 29.3 ± 6.0 vs. 25.6 ± 4.8 g, respectively) than R021 (p < 0.05). Placental efficiency was lower in R021 than in C group (p < 0.05). VEGF was mainly immunolocalized in endothelial cells in labyrinth zone in both groups being slightly intensive in C group. Mean number of born alive per doe (10.4 ± 3.0 vs. 12.3 ± 3.1) and their weight (59.1 ± 9.8 vs. 56.4 ± 6.8 g) were similar between groups. In conclusion, maternal feed restriction seems to modulate VEGF expression, placental efficiency and fetal development in the rabbit. These effects were not reflected in a low body weight at parturition. (Funds by AGL2015-65572-C2.

Improvements in the conception rate, milk composition and embryo quality of rabbit does after dietary enrichment with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

This work attempts to confirm the effect of an enriched diet with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) trying to mitigate the reproductive performances issues such as low conception rate of primiparous rabbits. A total of 127 does were fed ad libitum throughout their two first cycles with two diets with different fat sources: mixed fat in the control and salmon oil in the enriched one, with 3.19 g/100 g (n=63 does) and 28.77 g/100 g (n=64 does) of n-3 of the total fatty acid, respectively. Feed intake was similar between groups ( P>0.05). Plasma progesterone concentration was higher in the enriched females than in control ones at 7 (30.9 ± 2.18 v. 23.9 ± 2.30 ng/ml, respectively; P= 0.029) and 14 (38.7 ± 2.18 v. 28.2 ± 2.30 ng/ml, respectively; P=0.001) days of first gestation. Considering both cycles, reproductive parameters of mothers (fertility, duration of gestation and prolificacy) and litter parameters (weight at parturition and weaning, mortality and average daily gain (ADG) of kits during lactation) were similar in both groups. However, individual measurements of neonates of enriched group improved 5.87%, 7.10% and 18.01% ( P 0.05), but embryo apoptosis rate was higher in control group than in enriched one (31.1 ± 4.56% v. 17.1 ± 3.87%, respectively; P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary PUFA enrichment from the rearing and throughout two productive cycles improved plasma progesterone during pregnancy, fertility, milk fatty acid profile and neonates development of primiparous supporting the beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation in rabbit does

Characterization of beta-Nerve Growth Factor-TrkA system in male reproductive tract of rabbit and the relationship between beta-NGF and testosterone levels with seminal quality during sexual maturation

b-Nerve Growth Factor (b-NGF) is a neurotrophin which acts through its receptors TrkA and p75, performing important actions in male reproductive physiology and its presence in seminal plasma (SP) has been related to male fertility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the gene expression profile and the immunolocalization ofb-NGF and its high-affinity receptor TrkA in sex organs in rabbits during sexual maturation period.b-NGF concentration for both SP and blood plasma (BP) and BP testosterone levels were determined as well as the seminal parameters during such period. Ten New Zealand White x California young rabbits were trained to semen collection since 20 weeks of age and routinely done once a week with two ejaculations per session. At 22 and 37 weeks of age, semen collection was carried out three times a week and seminal parameters were evaluated. Four males were randomly assigned and slaughtered in each age (n¼8); sex organs (prostate, bulbourethral glands and epididymis) were dissected and collected to determineb-NGF and TrkA gene expression and immunolocalization. SP and BP were also taken at each semen collection session to evaluateb-NGF concentration, and testosterone levels were also assessed in BP. The highestb-NGF mRNA expression was observed in prostate compared to bulbourethral glands and epididymis. These two last tissues showed residualb-NGF mRNA expression and limited localization of the neurotrophin. The prostate epithelial cells and lumen were strongly stained with regard to the other sex organs indicating that immunolocalization ofb-NGF rely mainly in the prostate. TrkA gene expression was lower but constant and differentially immunolocalized in the sex organ tissues. Finally,b-NGF concentration in SP and BP remained unchanged in accordance to age, while some seminal characteristics such as sperm concentration, percentage of live sperm and mass and progressive motility were enhanced as endowed by BP testosterone variation.b-NGF and its cognate TrkA receptor are expressed and immunolocalized in the male reproductive tract in the two ages studied, independently of the circulating levels of testosterone andb-NGF