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Heat Shock Proteins are chaperones primary involved in the repair of cellular damages induced by temperature. The harmful effect of temperature on the male gonad is well known, on the contrary knowledge on the effects of the environment on semen quality are still insufficient. The aim of this paper was to learn more about the role of HSPs and the environment in modulating the physiology of equine male gonads. We showed a detailed analysis of equine semen characteristic and the expression level of three HSPs (60-70-90) over a one-year period analyzing the effects of temperature and humidity and the correlation among the different variables. We showed also that the interpretation of results depends strongly on the way in which data are assembled and analyzed, therefore we compared results obtained from three different ways of grouping: according to single months, to weather seasons and to mare reproductive periods. Results showed that the expression of the three HSPs is correlated to the environment through temperature and humidity and that it reaches the highest level in the breeding season and in summer. We found also that HSPs expression is correlated to some variables describing the quality of equine semen (concentration) and the kinetic of spermatozoa (total motility-MOT, %, average path velocity -VAP, μm/s- and lateral head displacement -ALH, μm). No correlation was found between HSPs expression and the mitochondrial membrane potential; while viability and HSP90 expression resulted positively correlated. The month-by-month analysis evidenced that in February equine semen has the highest kinetic characteristics (increased linearity –LIN, %-, straightness –STR, % -and average path velocity -VAP, μm/s) with the highest number of motile, progressive motile and rapid cells. These results may have a great impact in the comprehension of functional aspects of the physiology of equine semen and may have potential implications for breeders who want to understand the period (and/or month) of the year in which equine semen reaches the best characteristics with increased chances for better results in reproductive practice. • The level of HSP60, 70,90 expressed on equine spermatozoa changes during the year. • In equine spermatozoa, HSPs expression is correlated to environmental temperature. • During the year, HSP60,70,90 expression is correlated to equine semen quality. • In summer and in the breeding season HSPs reach the highest level of expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Whether a mammal reproduces seasonally or continuously depends mostly on the environment and its effects on the endocrine pattern. Although the dog was the first species to have been domesticated, little information is available on the changes in reproduction that have occurred since. In this study, we evaluated whether environmental stimuli can act as modulators of male gonadal activity in the dog at the latitude of Bari (Italy). Therefore, for 1 year, serum and seminal testosterone (T) concentrations, together with seminal parameters, were recorded monthly and evaluated in relation to environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, and photoperiod. We found that, in temperate regions, the annual serum T profile is not affected by environmental conditions, whereas seminal T profile peaks in October and reaches its nadir in April. The percentage of progressive motile spermatozoa is also dependent on environmental cues. The results support the intuitive idea that recorded data require a proper analysis to be meaningful. In fact, we found that, in the dog, environmental changes appear to affect male gonadal physiology, and this is clear when recorded data are analyzed monthly; in contrast, pooling data into seasonal groups hides monthly environmental variations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Leptin has been proven to be crucial in the ovulatory process. Aims of this study are to assess the expression of leptin receptor (Ob-R) in the ovaries of queens at estrus and to evaluate the capability of leptin in modulating ovarian contractility in vitro. Right ovaries underwent immunoblot analysis. Left ovaries were mounted in an organ bath under physiological condition and exposed to murine leptin (10-6 M). Immunoblot analysis showed that the queen ovary expresses leptin receptor at estrus. Leptin at the dose of 10-6 M significantly reduced the contractile activity of the ovary. The presence of ovarian Ob-R and leptin inhibitory effects on ovarian contractility suggest leptin implication in the modulation of ovarian activity, as well as in ovulatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body mass index and early complications following knee replacement. Five hundred and twenty-seven patients who underwent primary knee replacement were recruited. All these patients were subjected to a pre-operative assessment and follow-up at 6 weeks and 1 year following surgery. Any complication occurring during this period was recorded. Complications were grouped into systemic and local, minor and major. 12.1% ( N = 64) patients had an early complication following knee replacement surgery; 9.2% ( N = 48) patients had a major complication. Overall BMI did not seem to influence significantly the rate of complication with a P-value of 0.338. A stronger correlation was found between the surgeon and presence of complication with a P-value of 0.004. BMI has a weak correlation to early complications following joint replacement surgery. The operating surgeon seems to have a stronger correlation to early complications as compared with BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body mass index and early complications following knee replacement. Five hundred and twenty-seven patients who underwent primary knee replacement were recruited. All these patients were subjected to a pre-operative assessment and follow-up at 6 weeks and 1 year following surgery. Any complication occurring during this period was recorded. Complications were grouped into systemic and local, minor and major. 12.1% ( N = 64) patients had an early complication following knee replacement surgery; 9.2% ( N = 48) patients had a major complication. Overall BMI did not seem to influence significantly the rate of complication with a P-value of 0.338. A stronger correlation was found between the surgeon and presence of complication with a P-value of 0.004. BMI has a weak correlation to early complications following joint replacement surgery. The operating surgeon seems to have a stronger correlation to early complications as compared with BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body mass index and early complications following total hip replacements. Five hundred and fifty patients who underwent primary total hip replacement were recruited. All these patients were subjected to a pre-operative assessment and follow-up at 6 weeks and 1 year following surgery. Any complications occurring during this period were recorded. Complications were grouped into systemic and local, both subdivided into minor and major depending on the risk involved. Fifty-six patients (10.2%) had an early complication following hip replacement surgery. Forty-four patients (8%) had a major local complication. Overall, there did seem to be a weak correlation between BMI and the rate of complications, with a p value of 0.104. A correlation was also found between the surgeon and presence of complications with a p value of 0.736. There is a weak correlation between BMI and early complications following hip replacement surgery, and there also seems to be a correlation between the operating surgeon and early complications, but this is not statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptin is a Ob gene product secreted mainly by adipose tissue. Several reports showed leptin production by other tissue including the ovary. The action of leptin is mediated upon binding to its receptor widely expressed in reproductive tissues in different species. In fact, there are growing evidences that leptin plays an important role in the modulation of reproductive functions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate in the queen, the expression of leptin receptor during the functional ovarian cycle and pregnancy. We found that the ovaries of the queen express leptin receptor in all the examined phases. The highest leptin receptor expression was found in the luteal phase (pseudopregnancy, pregnancy) compared to other phases of the cycle (anestrus, proestrus, estrus). The variations in the expression of leptin receptor suggest a likely implication of leptin in the modulation of ovarian activity, in the examined species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Endogenous opioid peptides (EOP) are molecules affecting many biological functions influencing productive and reproductive performance. They increase in stress conditions and interact with specific opioidergic receptors (OR): delta, kappa and mu. Several studies in other animal species suggest that they can also affect sperm cell motility. In fish the ionic external environment modulates the increase of intracellular calcium ion that is required to activate sperm motility after spawning. In mammals OR are functionally associated to calcium channels and in fishes calcium is highly required for fish sperm activation. In this study the presence of OR on spermatozoa of two Perciform fish, the sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo, family Sparidae) and the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, family Moronidae) was investigated; the two species were chosen for their importance in Mediterranean aquaculture. The analysis by indirect immunofluorescence evidenced the presence of OR on sperm cells of these fishes. Delta, kappa and mu opioid receptors appeared differently localized on the surface of the sperm cells of sharpsnout seabream and European sea bass. Opioidergic receptors on fish spermatozoa could be a new target for reducing stress associated to captivity reproduction in fish farms by EOP antagonists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The presence of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) was investigated in the mare oviduct during oestrus and anoestrus, by means of immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Immunoblotting analysis showed that the MOR protein is expressed as 65, 50 and 30kDa forms in the infundibulum and ampulla both in oestrus and anoestrus, while the 30kDa form is absent in the isthmus. Moreover, different levels of expression were observed along the ampulla in the two periods examined. Immunohistochemistry revealed MOR in the mucosal epithelium, stromal cells, myocytes and blood vessels. Ciliated cells expressed MOR in the apical cytoplasm and, except for the isthmus of oestrous mares, also in the nucleus. Non-ciliated cells showed MOR only in the isthmus segment during oestrus. Stromal cells showed different immunoreactivity along the oviduct segments and during the oestrous and anoestrous phases. The myosalpinx displayed immunostained myocytes in the intrinsic musculature of the ampulla and in the extrinsic and intrinsic musculature of the isthmus without significant differences between anoestrus and oestrus. Blood vessels expressed MOR in endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells in the isthmus myosalpinx of oestrous mares only. In conclusion, these findings show diverse MOR expression in the three segments constituting the oviduct, as well as changes in MOR expression linked to the mare''s physiological condition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Contents The μ-opioid receptor (MOR) is expressed in bovine, human, equine and canine oocytes, and in seasonal breeders, it is expressed with higher intensity during the anoestrous phase. Supplementation of in vitro maturation (IVM) medium with opioid agents, agonists or antagonists, was shown to affect oocyte maturation in several species such as rat, bovine and equine. This study reports the effects of supplementing IVM medium with naloxone (Nx), an opioid antagonist, on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation rate of oocytes recovered from anoestrous bitches. Cytoplasmic maturation was examined in terms of mitochondrial (mt) distribution. In order to confirm the receptor-mediated action of Nx, in oocytes of anoestrous bitches, MOR expression was analyzed by Western blot. Cumulus–oocyte complexes, recovered from the ovaries of bitches in anoestrous, were cultured in vitro and Nx was added at the concentrations of 1 × 10−6, 1 × 10−8 and 1 × 10−10 m. The rate of oocytes resuming meiosis after culture in presence of 1 × 10−6 m Nx (29%) was significantly higher than that of oocytes of control group (12%; p < 0.05). However, treatment with Nx did not affect mt distribution pattern. In denuded oocytes and in corresponding cumulus cells, a doublet of 65 and 50 kDa was observed. We conclude that, in oocytes of anoestrous bitches, MOR is expressed and Nx significantly improves nuclear maturation rate. Further studies should be performed to elucidate the expression of other opioid receptors, such as δ and κ, and possible interactive effects of their antagonists on canine oocyte maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]