The Adipokines in Domestic Animal Reproduction: Expression and Role in the Regulation of Ovarian Function

Currently, it is clear that female reproduction is regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary-ovary axis, which produces many hormones that control reproductive stages. It is therefore important to have knowledge of new regulators/hormones controlling reproduction in domestic animals. In female animals, energy metabolism and fertility are tightly connected, and reciprocally regulated. The adipose tissue is well known to be implicated in the secretion of several hormones, such as the adiponectin, resistin, chemerin, visfatin, vaspin and apelin, the so-called adipokines or “adipose tissue-derived hormones”. Many reports indicate that adipokines regulate the ovarian follicles’ development, the onset of puberty and/or ovulation. This chapter summarizes that several adipokines are expressed in the ovary and that they can regulate ovarian physiology such as the steroid hormone production, cell proliferation, apoptosis and oocyte maturation in different domestic animals like pigs, cows, goats, ewes, chickens and turkeys

Anti-Apoptotic Effect of Apelin in Human Placenta: Studies on BeWo Cells and Villous Explants from Third-Trimester Human Pregnancy

Previously, we demonstrated the expression of apelin and G-protein-coupled receptor APJ in human placenta cell lines as well as its direct action on placenta cell proliferation and endocrinology. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of apelin on placenta apoptosis in BeWo cells and villous explants from the human third trimester of pregnancy. The BeWo cells and villous explants were incubated with apelin (2 and 20 ng/mL) alone or with staurosporine for 24 to 72 h. First, we analysed the dose- and time-dependent effect of apelin on the expression of apoptotic factors on the mRNA level by real-time PCR and on the protein level using Western blot. Next, we checked caspase 3 and 7 activity by Caspase-Glo 3/7, DNA fragmentation by the Cell Death Detection ELISA kit and oxygen consumption by the MitoXpress-Xtra Oxygen Consumption assay. We found that apelin increased the expression of pro-survival and decreased proapoptotic factors on mRNA and protein levels in both BeWo cells and villous explants. Additionally, apelin inhibited caspase 3 and 7 activity and DNA fragmentation in staurosporine-induced apoptosis as also attenuated oxidative stress by increasing extracellular oxygen consumption. The antiapoptotic effect of apelin in BeWo cells was mediated by the APJ receptor and mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK1/2/MAP3/1) and protein kinase B (AKT). The obtained results showed the antiapoptotic effect of apelin on trophoblast cells, suggesting its participation in the development of the placenta

Inheritance of dorsal colouration in the genus Bombina.

Płazy bezogonowe są grupą, w której występuje zadziwiające zróżnicowanie barwy co więcej mają zdolność do zmiany odcienia ciała w zależności od wielu czynników. Celem tej pracy jest zbadanie mechanizmów dziedziczenia i powstawania polimorfizmu barwy grzbietu u kumaków. W pracy przedstawiono strukturalne podstawy powstawania barw i wzorzystości, za które odpowiedzialne są komórki barwnikowe tworzące skórną jednostkę chromatoforową.Opisano hormonalne mechanizmy odpowiadające za stosunkową szybka zmianę ubarwienia. Następnie skupiono się na rozmaitej roli ubarwienia w obronie przed drapieżnikami, termoregulacji oraz ochronie przed promieniowaniem UV. Dodatkowo pełni ważną rolę w komunikacji wewnątrzgatunkowej i wyborze siedliska. Niekiedy sygnały wizualne mogą zostać w różny sposób odebrane, w zależności od zdolności percepcji odbiorcy. Przedstawiono także wyniki krzyżówek mieszańców międzygatunkowych Bombina bombina i Bombina variegata pokolenia F2 w pięciu rodzinach, które wskazują na monogenowe dziedziczenie ubarwienia grzbietowego. W przyszłości jednak należałoby rozszerzyć dotychczasowe badania, aby móc w pełni poznać mechanizmy powstawania polimorfizmu barwy grzbietu kumaków i pogłębić dotychczasową wiedzę na temat tego zjawiska.Anurans are a group in which there is remarkable colour diversity and they have the ability to change the colour hue of the body in response to many factors. The aim of this paper is to study the mechanisms of inheritance and the formation of dorsal colouration polymorphism in the genus Bombina. Firstly, presented is the structural basis of colour formation, for which responsible are the specialised cells chromatophores, arranged into dermal chromatophore units. Described is also the hormonal mechanisms responsible for the relative rapid change of colouration. Then focused on the multiple role of colour pattern in predator avoidance, thermoregulation and UV protection. Moreover, it is important in intraspecific communication and habitat selection. However, visual cues could be perceived in different ways, depending on the capacity of perception of the receiver. The next chapter presents phenotypic proportions in the crosses of Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata of F2 generation in five families, which suggest monogenic inheritance of dorsal colouration polymorphism in the fire- and yellow-bellied toad. However, in the future, it would be necessary to extend the current examines in order to fully understand the phenomenon of polymorphism and expand the present knowledge about the genetic basis this variation