EXPRESSION OF MU OPIOID RECEPTOR AND PROOPIOMELANOCORTIN ON SPERM AND FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT

The aim of this study was to demonstrate that POMC and the mu opioid receptor (MOR) were expressed in swine reproductive tract and swine spermatozoa. We found that the sow female reproductive tract expresses both POMC and MOR mRNA and MOR protein but, interestingly, the semen shows the highest expression level for both genes and also the highest MOR protein expression. The presence of POMC and MOR (opioid precursor/opioid receptor) transcripts suggests a local synthesis of opioids that could have paracrine and/or autocrine influences during some crucial points of reproduction such as fertilization and pregnancy. Key words: opioid precursor, opioid receptor, reproduction, swin

Stress and mu opioid receptor in the management of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) aquaculture

The growing consumption of aquaculture products requires always new techniques to increase the production yield. Generally, the intensification of aquaculture practices is associated with a stress level rise of bred fishes. Sensitivity to stress, leading to disease, reduced growth and mortality, is higher in larvae than in adult fish. The stress induced effects can be reduced acting on opioid receptors. In this light we evaluated the efficacy of naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, directly added to the water during Sparus aurata larval development. We found that in larvae subjected to artificial induced stressors, such as overcrowding, reduced pH, increased temperature and salinity, naloxone was useful to decrease the negative effects caused. In this Research highlight we discuss the finding of our recent study and research advancements

Catecholamine plasma levels, IFN-γ serum levels and antibodies production induced by rabies vaccine in dogs selected for their paw preference.

To explore the possible role of the sympathetic nervous activity in the asymmetrical cross-talk between the brain and immune system, catecholamine (E, NE) plasma levels, IFN-y serum levels and antibodies production induced by rabies vaccine in dogs selected for their paw preference were measured. The results showed an association between the direction of behavioural lateralisation and both epinephrine levels and immune response in dogs. Different kinetic of epinephrine levels after immunization was observed in left-pawed dogs respect to both right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs. The titers of anti-rabies antibodies were lower in left-pawed dogs than in right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs. Similarly, the IFN-y serum levels were lower in left-pawed dogs respect to the other two groups. Taking together, these findings showed that the left-pawed group appeared to be consistently the different group stressing the fundamental role played by the sympathetic nervous system as a mechanistic basis for the crosstalk between the brain and the immune system

Expression of heat shock proteins 60, 70, 90 in equine granulosa cells

It is well known that heat shock proteins (HSPs) are not only mediators of heat stress but also regulators of cell proliferation (1) differentiation (2) and apoptosis (3). During the equine..