Coexpression of adrenomedullin and its receptor component proteins in the reproductive system of the rat during gestation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adrenomedullin (ADM), a novel vasorelaxant peptide, was found in human/rat ovaries and uteri. Plasma ADM level increases in pregnant women and pregnant rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The gene expression levels of <it>Adm </it>and its receptor components - <it>Crlr</it>, <it>Ramp1</it>, <it>Ramp2 </it>and <it>Ramp3</it>, the ADM peptide concentration and localization in the rat female reproductive system during gestation were studied by real-time RT-PCR, EIA and immunohistochemical techniques.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mRNAs of <it>Adm </it>and its receptor component and ADM were differentially distributed between implantation sites and inter-implantation sites of the pregnant uterus. The day on which vaginal sperm were found was taken to be pregnancy day 1. The <it>Adm </it>mRNA levels in the implantation sites of the uteri in mid- (day 12) and late pregnancy (day 17) were more than 10-fold higher than those in nonpregnancy, pre-implantation (day 3) or early (day 7) pregnancy. ADM was localized in the endometrial stroma with increased immunoreactivity from nonpregnancy to pregnancy. The ADM level and the mRNA levels of <it>Adm</it>, <it>Crlr</it>, <it>Ramp2 </it>and <it>Ramp3 </it>in the corpus luteum all increased in late pregnancy compared with early pregnancy. The gene expression of <it>Adm </it>and it receptor components and intense immunostaining of ADM were also found in the oviduct during pregnancy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The gene expressions levels of <it>Adm </it>and its receptor components - <it>Crlr, Ramp1, Ramp2 </it>and <it>Ramp3</it>, and ADM peptide concentration exhibited a spatio-temporal pattern in the rat female reproductive system during gestation and this suggests that ADM may play important roles in gestation.</p

Adrenomedullin in rat follicles and corpora lutea: expression, functions and interaction with endothelin-1

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adrenomedullin (ADM), a novel vasorelaxant peptide, was found in human/rat ovaries. The present study investigated the interaction of ADM and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in follicles and newly formed corpora lutea (CL) and the actions of ADM on progesterone production in CL during pregnancy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The peptide and gene expression level of adrenomedullin in small antral follicles, large antral follicles and CL was studied by real-time RT-PCR and EIA. The effect of ADM treatment on oestradiol production in 5-day follicular culture and on progesterone production from CL of different pregnant stages was measured by EIA. The interaction of ADM and ET-1 in follicles and CL at their gene expression level was studied by real-time RT-PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the rat ovary, the gene expression of <it>Adm </it>increased during development from small antral follicles to large antral follicles and CL. In vitro treatment of preantral follicular culture for 5 days with ADM increased oestradiol production but did not affect follicular growth or ovulation rate. The regulation of progesterone production by ADM in CL in culture was pregnancy-stage dependent, inhibitory at early and late pregnancy but stimulatory at mid-pregnancy, which might contribute to the high progesterone production rate of the CL at mid-pregnancy. Moreover, the interaction between ADM and ET-1 at both the production and functional levels indicates that these two vasoactive peptides may form an important local, fine-tuning regulatory system together with LH and prolactin for progesterone production in rat CL.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>As the CL is the major source of progesterone production even after the formation of placenta in rats, ADM may be an important regulator in progesterone production to meet the requirement of pregnancy.</p

Growth-differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) in the uterus: its identification and functional significance in the golden hamster

Transforming growth factor-beta superfamily regulates many aspects of reproduction in the female. We identified a novel member of this family, growth-differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8) in the 72 h post coital uterine fluid of the golden hamster by proteomic techniques. Uterine GDF-8 mRNA decreased as pregnancy progressed while its active protein peaked at 72 h post coitus (hpc) and thereafter stayed at a lower level. At 72 hpc, the GDF-8 transcript was localized to the endometrial epithelium while its protein accumulated in the stroma. Exogenous GDF-8 slowed down proliferation of primary cultures of uterine smooth muscle cells (SMC) and endometrial epithelial cells (EEC). In addition, GDF-8 attenuated the release of LIF (leukaemia inhibiting factor) by EEC. As for the embryo in culture, GDF-8 promoted proliferation of the trophotoderm (TM) and hatching but discouraged attachment. Our study suggests that GDF-8 could regulate the behavior of preimplantation embryos and fine-tune the physiology of uterine environment during pregnancy

Development of auditing in Malaysia: Legal, political and historical influences

This work investigates the role and contribution of external auditing as practised in the Malaysian society during the forty year period from independence in 1957 to just before the onset of the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997.It applies the political economic theory introduced by Tinker (1980) and refined by Cooper & Sherer (1984), which focuses on the social relations aspects of professional activity rather than economic forces alone.In a case study format where qualitative data was gathered mainly from primary and secondary source materials, the study found that the function of auditing in the Malaysian society in most cases is devoid of any essence of mission; instead it is created, shaped and transformed by the pressures which give rise to its development over time.The largely insignificant role that it serves is intertwined within the contexts in which it operates

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

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A study of the relationship between the pituitary gland and natural sex reversal in the ricefield eel, Monopterus albus (Zuiew)

published_or_final_versionZoologyMasterMaster of Philosoph