Analysis of spatial and temporal expression patterns of bone morphogenetic protein family members in the rat uterus over the estrous cycle.

Recent studies have demonstrated that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play fundamental roles in female fertility. This is particularly evident in terms of the ovary. One major question that is just beginning to be addressed is the role of BMPs in the non-pregnant uterus. To help fill this gap, we used in situ hybridization to investigate the expression of BMP family members in the rat uterus over the estrous cycle. We found that the endometrial/uterine cycle is accompanied by the expression of several components of the BMP pathway - including ligands, receptors and antagonists. The mRNAs encoding BMP receptors are expressed in the epithelial (BMP-RIA, -RIB and -RII), periluminal stroma (BMP-RIA and -RII) and smooth muscle cells (BMP-RIA and -RII). The expression of all three receptors showed clear cyclic variations. The mRNAs encoding BMP ligands were highly expressed in the periluminal stroma (BMP-2 and -7) and glandular epithelium (BMP-7). The expression of BMP-2, but not BMP-7, was cyclical. Notably, the periluminal stroma expressed noggin mRNA. In the blood vascular system, BMP-4, -6 and -RII mRNAs were expressed in myometrial endothelial cells. Interestingly, follistatin, noggin, and BMP-4, -6 and -7 mRNAs were expressed in eosinophilic leukocytes, suggesting unexpected roles for eosinophil-derived BMPs in uterine function. We conclude that BMP ligands, receptors and antagonists are expressed in spatially and temporally restricted patterns that are consistent with a physiological role for these regulatory molecules in promoting uterine cellular processes including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis during the cycle.

Effects of serotonergic drugs on lateralized aggression and aggressive displays in Anolis carolinensis.

Previous work demonstrated that the brains of many reptiles, including the American chameleon Anolis carolinensis (A. carolinensis), are functionally 'split'. Because the left eye in this species projects predominantly to the right hemisphere, and vice versa, inferences about lateralized brain functioning can be made in A. carolinensis by observation of eye use during behavioral encounters. Using this model, past work suggested that territorial aggression in Anolis is under the preferential control of the right hemisphere, and that acute stress or chronic alcohol exposure selectively reduces right hemisphere mediated territorial aggression. In addition, drugs which increase serotonin (5-HT) in the synaptic cleft inhibit aggressive responding in anoles in both hemispheres. The current experiment examined whether or not the administration of the serotonin agonists 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamine) tetralin (8-OHDPAT), quipazine, or meta-chlorophenylbiguanide (mCPBG) alter territorial aggression in Anolis. Nine adult socially isolated male A. carolinensis underwent a series of behavioral trials during which an antagonistic male was introduced into the cage. Once stable responding was initiated, all subjects were injected in a semi-randomized crossover manner with the following agents, (1) lactated Ringer's, (2) the 5-HT2 agonist quipazine (1.5 mg/kg and 3.0 mg/kg), (3) the 5-HT1 agonist 8-OHDPAT (83 mg/kg), and (4) the 5-HT3 agonist mCPBG (3.0 mg/kg and 9 mg/kg). Twenty minutes post injections, the male intruder was reintroduced into the subject's cage. Several behaviors were recorded, including: (1) the time to the first aggressive response, (2) the number of aggressive episodes mediated by the left eye or right eye, and (3) changes in skin color and posture. Aggressive responding was virtually eliminated in all subjects injected with 8-OHDPAT. On the other hand, one-way ANOVA found that both the 9 mg/kg dose of mCPBG (P=0.007), and the 3.0 mg/kg dose of quipazine (P=0.035), selectively decreased territorial aggression mediated by the left eye/right hemisphere compared to lactated Ringer's controls, but had no effect on aggression mediated by the right eye/left hemisphere. Although 8-OHDPAT inhibited aggression, injected subjects developed phenotypic displays of aggressive coloring/posturing, such as blackening of the eye spot and a raising of the neck crest. These results suggest that aggressive action can be differentiated from phenotypic displays that accompany aggression by a 5-HT1 agonist. They also indicate that there is an asymmetrical effect of 5-HT2/5-HT3 serotonin agonists on hemispheric mediation of aggression in this species.

Shank length for determining sex in chukars.

Shank length measurement of greater than or equal to 60 mm for males and less than 60 mm for females was used to predict sexes in male and female chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) at 8, 10, 12, 20, 32, and 64 weeks of age. Growth of the shank is nearly complete at 10 weeks of age, whereas growth of body tissue continues to about 20 weeks of age. The best prediction of sexes was made at 10 weeks of age with an accuracy of about 95%. At 10 weeks of age, the accuracy for predicting males was higher than for females (98.5% vs 93%). At 64 weeks of age, best accuracy of sexes was made using a shank measurement of greater than or equal 61 mm for males and less than 61 mm for females. This technique to differentiate between sexes requires only a single shank measurement taken at 10 weeks of age and provides the grower and avian biologist with a reliable way of separating sexes for purposes of marketing, restoration, or selection of breeders at early ages.

Diabetes patient education: the state of the art.

In the relatively short time it has existed, the Diabetes Care and Resource Center has helped to decrease hospital length of stay for the person with diabetes from 9.1 to 7.4 days and to decrease hospital readmissions. Patients, physicians, and the community have been extremely supportive of the program and the increase in staff and patient morale promotes a positive approach to a chronic condition. With the increased emphasis on cost containment and prevention, it would seem that a multidisciplinary approach to diabetes is an ideal way to meet these goals.

The effect of photoperiod and feed restriction on semen production in the turkey.

In Experiment 1, 72 yearling Broad Breasted White Turkey males were induced to molt under either stimulatory (16L:8D) or nonstimulatory (8L:16D) light used concurrently with a short period of feed and water deprivation, and followed by periods of daily feed restriction (50% of full feed). One-fourth of the males wer killed at intervals of 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks and their testes weighed. In Experiment 2, 40 yearling Broad Breasted White males were killed at 2-week intervals during an 8-week period of 8 hr light per day followed by a 10-week period of 16 hr light per day. Testes were removed, weighed, and fixed in Bouin's solution for histological preparation. In Experiment 1, birds kept under 16 hr light and given different periods of feed and water deprivation, followed by 8 weeks of feed restriction, failed to terminate semen production, although their testes were reduced substantially in size and function. Other groups of males given 8 hr light per day with concurrent regimens of feed deprivation and daily feed restriction, terminated semen production within 4 weeks. When returned to 16 hr light, the testes were twice as heavy as those of males kept in production during the entire test. In Experiment 2, the testes of birds induced to molt under 8 hr light per day regressed by 73% and 89%, respectively, after 4 and 8 weeks of exposure. When given 16 hr light per day, some spermatogenic activity was noted at 4 weeks, and complete spermatogenesis, with maximum semen production, occurred after 6 weeks. There was evidence that a successful rejuvenation of the testes requires a period of complete quiescence.