Correlation of fibroblast growth factor 21 serum levels with metabolic parameters in Japanese subjects

Objects : Since serum level of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been implicated as a potential biomarker for the early detection of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, we examined how FGF21 serum levels are correlated with metabolic parameters in Japanese subjects. Methods : FGF21 levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Spearman’s correlation and multiple stepwise regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between serum FGF21 and other factors. A Mann-Whitney U test was performed between the normal and high groups for triglycerides and systolic blood pressure (BP) respectively. Results : By univariate correlation analysis, serum FGF21 levels were significantly associated with triglyceride levels, systolic BP, diastolic BP, pulse pressure, body mass index (BMI), age, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels, and total cholesterol levels. Multiple regression analysis (adjusted for age, gender, and BMI) showed that serum FGF21 levels were independently and significantly associated with triglyceride levels and systolic BP. Serum FGF21 levels were significantly higher in subjects with high triglyceride levels and high systolic BP compared with those who had normal triglyceride levels and normal systolic BP respectively. Conclusions : This study found that FGF21 levels might be a biomarker for some metabolic disorders associated with metabolic syndrome

Fetal Age Estimation of Hokkaido Sika Deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) Using Ultrasonography During Early Pregnancy

In sika deer, the normal method of estimating fetal age, based on fetal weight, is not applicable during the early pregnancy period. The objective of the present study was to describe the growth and development of sika deer fetuses and to establish a method for fetal age estimation during early pregnancy using ultrasonography. Five captive female Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) were observed for estrus and mated (day 0) with an intact male. At two- or three-day intervals, fetuses were observed by rectal ultrasonographic scans until 59-61 days of gestation. The straight crown-rump length (SCRL), curved crown-rump length (CCRL), head length (HL), trunk depth (TD) and heart rate (HR) of the fetuses were measured. Linear regression equations were computed for each measurement together with fetal age. Analyses were conducted after transformation to a natural logarithm for SCRL and CCRL. All equations were significant (P<0.001), with SCRL becoming measurable earlier (day 20) than the others and yielding the best correlation (Days= -2.08+14.15 LnX: X=SCRL, Ln=natural logarithm). Therefore, we concluded that a precise estimation of fetal age in early gestation is best performed using SCRL measurements