Determination of Metal Contamination in Seafood from the Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Sea Metal Contamination in Seafood

WOS: 000432327500006Seafood is one of the most important components of a healthy diet due to its composition. With the Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Sea, Turkey has substantial sources of seafood. Seas are highly impacted by environmental pollution. Among these, heavy metal pollution has long been recognized as a serious problem for seafood. As heavy metals cannot be degraded, they are deposited, assimilated or incorporated in water, sediment and aquatic animals. By these properties, they can be transferred to humans through the food chain especially by the consumption of fish and shellfish. The aim of this study is to determine the concentrations of Cd, As, Pb and Hg levels in selected fish species and marine animals from all of the 4 seas of Turkey by using the ICP-MS technique, and to compare the results with the legislations safe limits. For this purpose, 13 different fish species, mussels and shrimps have been obtained from the Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. According to the results, metal concentrations decrease in the order As>Pb>Hg>Cd. In all the seas, the same order was found. Statistically significant differences were observed in the metal levels between fish species and the shellfish in all regions. Except for the two samples, all the results was found compatible with the Turkish Food Codex and European Commission Regulation limits. Arsenic levels were detected between 0,076-4,230 mg/kg within the samples. Cadmium levels were detected as higher than the limits in two samples obtained from the Mediterranean Sea, Scophthalmus maximus and Mullus barbatus species as 0,076 mg/kg and 0,064 mg/kg, respectively. The highest and the lowest levels of mercury and lead were measured as 0,005-0,405 and 0,015-0,405 mg/kg, respectively. The results obtained from this study revealed that, except for a few cases, the selected heavy metal concentrations in most samples were below the limits. Also, besides the mussels and the shrimps, there was no single type of fish that was consistently high in all metals. The examined seas and the seafood were found to be safe for human consumption

Effects of ovarian pathologies and uterine inflammations on adenomyosis in bitches

Background: Adenomyosis is a non-neoplastic condition, characterized by the presence of endometrial glands or cells in the myometrium. Adenomyosis is defined by post-operative microscopic examination of uterine tissue and a rarely seen infertility problem in bitches. The process of transformation of healthy uterus into adenomiotic uterus is still a mystery. We aimed to determine role of ovarian pathologies and uterine inflammations on pathogenesis of uterine adenomyosis in bitches. Cases: After ovariohysterectomy, the uteri were fixed and processed by routine methods. Sections were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin, Masson's trichrome and Periodic-Acid-Schiff and immunohistochemically; with p53 protein, Ki-67, -smooth-muscle actin, cytokeratin-CK 8, 14, 19 antibodies, estrogen and progesterone receptors by Avidin-Biotin-Complex-Peroxidase method. Histopathologically, 7 of the collected tissue samples (n = 38) were diagnosed as adenomyosis. There were unilateral (n = 6) or bilateral (n = 1) adenomyosis in which endometrial glands had broken through the myometrium, and in some cases there were fibromyoma, inflammation, papillary hyperplasia and cysts in glands. Vaginal fibroma, fibromyoma and benign mix tumor (n = 1), simple carcinoma (n = 3), carcinosarcoma (n = 3) in mammary gland were determinated histopathologically. In addition to these findings, follicular cysts (n = 4), parovarian cyst (n = 1), adenocarcinoma and Rete ovarii adenoma were diagnosed in some ovaries. The CK 19 was scored at endometrial glands (n = 2) positively and also, muscle fibers were stained positively with -smooth-muscle actin antibody (n = 7). Discussion: Adenomyosis is an infertility problem in adult dogs and is hard to detect with routine gynecological examinations. Adenomyosis can be seen unaccompanied by other gynecological problems such as endometritis or leiomyomas, while mammary tumors with adenomyosis have been previously reported in women and in only one case of a bitch. Little is known of the interrelationships between gross pathological and endocrine features of ovarian cysts in bitches. Due to the local hormonal imbalance, most of these ovarian tumors and cystic structures might be accompanied with uterine-vaginal and mammary gland pathologies, cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra, adenomyosis, vaginal fibroma and mammary tumors. The hyperestrogenic metabolic state may promote both the invagination process and the overall spreading of adenomyosis into the myometrium. Adenomyosis is often associated with polyps, anovulation, hyperplasia without cytological atypia, and uterine leiomyoma which are produced by hyperestrogenic states. Prolactin appears to induce adenomyosis in mice and hyperprolactinemia may cause myometrial degeneration/weakness and subsequent endometrial invasion in the presence of ovarian steroids in women. Premature decline in progesterone, a problem ensues with prolactin release which can promote hyperprolactinemia or endogenous prolactin release. In addition to hormonal problems, uterine infections, immune factors and their products like cytokines and inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress and free radical metabolism also might have roles in the occurrence of adenomyosis. In the present study, four of seven adenomyotic uterine tissues had inflammation and 3 of 7 cases had pre-inflammatory changes. Changes in uterine tissues may increase cell infiltration and proliferation as well as the activity of immune cells which may promote development of adenomyosis in bitches. It is therefore possible that a defect in the p53 tumor suppressor gene may play an important role in the de novo neoplastic transformation of adenomyosis. In conclusion, adenomyosis can be observed bilaterally or unilaterally in dogs. Tissue damage under the influence of inflammation or hormonal disturbances might have a role in the occurrence of uterine adenomyosis. © 2018 Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. All rights reserved.Indian Council of Agricultural ResearchPreliminary version of this article is accepted for poster presentation (PW27 - The evaluation of cell differentiation markers in dog adenomyosis) in 18th International Congress on Animal Reproduction (ICAR) 26-30 June 2016, Tours, France

Rumination Time and Physical Activity Monitoring, Milk Yield Changes Around Estrus and First Service Pregnancy Rate in Dairy Cows Assigned to Voluntary Waiting Period

YAZLIK, Murat Onur/0000-0002-0039-5597WOS: 000444016700003In high milk-yielding dairy cows, the energy balance challenges in early lactation and impact reproductive performance often affects estrus intensity, duration and detection. This study determined the role of a voluntary waiting period on rumination time, physical activity and milk yield changes during the peri-estrus period in the first service and further fertility in high-yielding dairy cows. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate a relationship between voluntary waiting period and estrus-related parameters. This study was conducted on 145 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows aged 2 to 6 years of age. Cows were assigned a short voluntary waiting period, 45 to 70 day in milk (SVWP; n=73), and the long voluntary waiting period, 71 to 95 day in milk (LVWP; n=72). Rumination time, physical activity and milk yield changes around estrus in the first service were detected by an automated monitoring system. Artificial insemination procedures were performed between 45 to 70 days in milk for SVWP and 71 to 95 days in milk for LVWP. The barn's daily temperature and humidity index (THI) was recorded throughout the study period and was <72. Basal rumination time were significantly lower in SVWP (376.82 +/- 74.58 min/clay) than LVWP group at the day of estrus (352,07 +/- 68.90 min/day) (P<0.01). First service pregnancy rate was 23.72% and 38.46% in short and long voluntary waiting period, respectively (p<0.05). Physical activity intensity and milk yield changes were similar among groups during the peri-estrus period and on the day of estrus. The results indicated that the short voluntary waiting period was associated with the lower basal rumination time around estrus and lower first service pregnancy rate

Association among lipopolysaccharide, the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, follicular growth, and transcription factors in spontaneous bovine ovarian cysts

PEKCAN, MERT/0000-0003-3084-125XWOS: 000504519700013PubMed: 31677486The aim of this study was to investigate some of the growth and transcriptional factors originating from oocytes and granulosa cells in follicular fluid and to identify the relationships between the basic blood metabolite-metabolic hormones and intrafollicular lipo-polysaccharide (LPS) concentrations. Thirty cows included in the study were allocated into 2 groups comprising 15 cows with healthy preovulatory follicles (cyclic cows) and 15 cows with confirmed cystic follicles. The ovaries and uteri of all cows were assessed by transrectal ultrasonographic examination. Blood serum samples were collected at 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 d after calving for analysis of nonesterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, insulin, glucose, IGF-1, ACTH, and cortisol. Ovaries and uteri were examined using transrectal ultrasound. Vaginal discharge was evaluated on the same days. Follicular fluid was also aspirated on days 35-55 from the healthy preovulatory follicles and cystic follicles using a transvaginal ovum pickup method. The densitometric levels of inhibin-a, growth and differentiation factor (GDF-9), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-6), and GATA-4 and GATA-6 proteins were analyzed by the Western blotting technique; the concentrations of antimullerian hormone (AMH), IGF-I, estradiol-17 beta (E2), and progesterone (P4) were determined by ELISA; and the concentrations of LPS in the follicular fluid were measured by the Limulus amebocyte lysate test. The serum insulin, ACTH, and cortisol concentrations were higher in cystic cows than cyclic cows, but serum IGF-I concentrations were lower in cystic cows. The IGF-1 concentrations of cystic follicular fluids were lower, whereas AMH levels were significantly greater than those of healthy preovulatory follicular fluids. The cystic follicles had significantly lower expression levels of GDF-9, BMP-6, GATA-4, and GATA-6; in contrast, inhibin-alpha expression and LPS concentrations were significantly higher than in healthy preovulatory follicles. The proportion of pathologic vaginal discharge within 25 d postpartum in cystic cows were higher than in the cyclic group. In conclusion, it is suggested that intrafollicular dysregulation of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, growth, and transcriptional factors is affected by high intrafollicular LPS concentrations and systemic metabolic changes and these disturbances may be responsible for the generation of ovarian cysts. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [1090643]This work was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, Turkey (TUBITAK) (Project number: 1090643)

Associations between leptin, body condition score, and energy metabolites in Holstein primiparous and multiparous cows from 2 to 8 weeks postpartum

PEKCAN, MERT/0000-0003-3084-125X; YAZLIK, Murat Onur/0000-0002-0039-5597WOS: 000403793400004The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum leptin and body condition score (BCS) during the postpartum period in Holstein cows. We also explored the potential associations with other metabolic traits and fertility parameters. Primiparous and multiparous cows were subjected to leptin analysis on calving day. Starting at the second week postpartum, cows underwent seven weeks of weekly monitoring of serum concentrations of NEFA, BHB, leptin, cholesterol, AST, and bilirubin. During study, BCS changes were recorded, and the genital tract was assessed by ultrasonography and some fertility parameters were evaluated. During the study period, primiparous cows showed a lower mean BCS (P < 0.05). Leptin concentrations between calving and 8 weeks postpartum were higher in multiparous cows than primiparous cows (P < 0.001). Between postpartum weeks 2 and 8, primiparous cows showed higher concentrations of NEFA, BHB, and AST and lower cholesterol concentrations. Multiparous cows showed greater largest follicle diameters and ovulated earlier. Primiparous cows showed higher intervals of calving-to-first insemination and calving-to-conception, more insemination indices for the conception. Improved cow metabolic and reproductive performance was associated with lower concentrations of NEFA, BHB, and AST; higher concentrations of leptin and cholesterol; and greater BCS change during the early postpartum period. Delayed ovarian activity in primiparous cows might be caused by lower postpartum concentrations of leptin and cholesterol

Characterization of transforming growth factor beta superfamily, growth factors, transcriptional factors, and lipopolysaccharide in bovine cystic ovarian follicles

The process of transformation of growing bovine follicles into cysts is still a mystery. Local expression of proteins or factors, including transforming growth factor 13, growth factors, and transcription factors, plays a central role in mammals. Therefore, in abattoir-derived cystic ovarian follicles and follicular fluid, the role of some transforming growth factor superfamily proteins, insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and GATA-4 and GATA-6, were investigated. The relationship between intrafollicular lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and etiopathogenesis of ovarian cysts was also assessed. Data on the preovulatory follicle and the largest follicle (F1) were compared. The number of intrafollicular LPS-positive samples and LPS concentrations were higher in cysts. Immunohistochemical staining was mildly positive for IGF-1, inhibin alpha, and GATA-4 in thecal cells. Staining for anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), growth differentiation factor-9, bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6), and GATA-6 was insufficient for their quantitation, and oocytes could not be stained for any of the proteins tested in the cystic follicles. Expression of BMP-6, inhibin alpha, and IGF-1 was moderately higher in granulosa cells of F1 follicles, and all the proteins were moderately expressed in granulosa cells in preovulatory follicles. However, loss of GATA-6 staining was significant in F1 follicles. Intrafollicular progesterone, IGF-1, and AMH concentrations in cysts and F1 follicles were significantly higher than those in preovulatory follicles. Western blot analyses revealed that follicular fluid inhibin-a was strongly expressed, whereas expression of growth differentiation factor-9, BMP-6, GATA-4 and GATA-6 was lower in cysts than in preovulatory follicles. Also, high intrafollicular AMH concentration and low BMP-6 expression were closely associated with cystic degeneration and atresia. In conclusion, immunohistochemical loss of BMP-6 and GATA-6 in the granulosa cells together with high intrafollicular LPS levels may play important roles in disruption of the ovulatory mechanism and steroidogenic reactions in type 2 cyst. Also, high intrafollicular AMH concentration along with low BMP-6 expression may be used as indicators of the bovine degenarative ovarian follicles. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved