Interplay of hormones and metabolite excretion with fern pattern prove saliva as a potent indicator of male reproductive status in Kangayam breed cattle.

Kangayam cattle are one of the drought breeds in India with distinct attributes. Agricultural transformation has led to a decline in many pure-breed indigenous cattle, including the Kangayam breed. Hence, a study on the reproductive physiology of male Kangayam breed cattle is necessary to disentangle problems in the area of livestock improvement. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum hormones and bio-constituents and ascertained the potential of saliva as an indicator of the reproductive status of Kangayam cattle (Bos indicus). The present study confirms that cholesterol was higher in intact males and lower in prepubertal and castrated males. Testosterone levels were also higher in intact males than in castrated or prepubertal males. Hence, it can be inferred that high cholesterol levels contribute to active derivatization of testosterone in intact males. In contrast, reduced cholesterol availability leads to decreased testosterone synthesis in castrated and prepubertal males. Furthermore, it is reasonable to speculate that testosterone could have influenced salivary fern patterns in intact males, and thus, fern-like crystallization in the saliva was apparent. The unique salivary compounds identified through GC-MS across various reproductive statuses of Kangayam males may advertise their physiological status to conspecifics. In addition, the presence of odorant-binding protein (OBP) in saliva further supports its role in olfactory communication. This study attested to a posssible interlink between gonadal status and serum biochemical profiles. The salivary fern pattern revealed in this study can be used as a predictive tool, and the presence of putative volatiles and OBP adds evidence to the role of saliva in chemical communication.

Upregulation of Cyp19a1 and PPAR-γ in ovarian steroidogenic pathway by Ficus religiosa: A potential cure for polycystic ovary syndrome.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Quite a few plants are in use to treat female infertility and associated problems. Availing the cues from traditional knowledge, phytochemical studies and ethnopharmacological evidences, the aphrodisiac plant Ficus religiosa (F. religiosa) is widely in use to cure infertility in women. For instance, the juice of leaf and aerial root of F. religiosa is reported to normalize the dysregulated menstrual cycle in women. Besides, it is believed that regular circumambulation of F. religiosa during the early hours of the morning helps women in alleviating infertility which could be attributed to the potential phytovolatiles released from F. religiosa. However, the evidences for therapeutic potential of F. religiosa in treating female infertility are arbitrary and mostly anecdotal. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was aimed at examining if extracts of fresh and/or dry leaf of F. religiosa would cure polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in the rat model. METHODS: Rats were divided into seven groups; control (Group I), PCOS-induced (P.O, Letrozole -1 mg/kg BW for 21 days) and untreated (Group II), PCOS-induced and treated with the leaf extracts of F. religiosa (Groups III-VI), and, PCOS-induced and treated with pioglitazone (Group VII). The estrous intervals, body and organ weights (ovary and uterus), and serum hormones (testosterone, luteinizing hormone [LH], estrogen, and progesterone) were measured, and the expression of Cyp19a1 (aromatase), and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) were assessed in the experimental rats. The levels of 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD), 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17ß-HSD), and antioxidants (MDA, GSH, GPx, SOD, and CAT) were also quantified. Besides, the putative volatile compounds in the esterified leaf extracts were identified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). RESULTS: Letrozole treatment induced irregular estrous and altered weight of organs and hormonal milieu, which were reverted to normal in leaf extracts-treated PCOS-induced rats. Remarkably, fresh leaf treatment up-regulated Cyp19a1and PPAR-γ and increased the levels of 3ß-HSD and 17ß-HSD. We found 3-acetoxy-3-hydroxy-propionic acid in fresh and dry leaf extracts, which we attribute to efficacy of the extracts in alleviating PCOS. CONCLUSION: Put together, our findings suggest the leaves of F. religiosa as potential in alleviating PCOS, mainly due to the presence of putative volatile molecules. Further screening of the leaves of F. religiosa is recommended to identify other key molecules and to develop a systematic therapeutic intervention for PCOS.

Urinary volatile metabolomics as a viable alternative diagnostic tool for polycystic ovary syndrome: An exploratory hypothesis.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic disorder prevalent globally. Female infertility cases are also on the increase during the recent times which almost matches with the increasing incidence of PCOS. The NIH-USA-defined symptoms for clinical confirmation of PCOS include oligo-ovulation, elevated androgen level and presence of cysts in the ovary. Therapeutic approaches to PCOS require confirmatory diagnostics such as measurement of hormones and ultrasound scan of the ovary, which are in part, invasive. Conversely, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are present in body fluids (urine, feces, saliva, etc.) and exhaled breath are reported to be endogenously altered in diseased state, which may be indicative of diseases including cancer. We hypothesize that the hindered metabolic state in PCOS condition would conditionally alter the VOCs that eventually are excreted in urine, which may offer a template to develop a viable and non-invasive diagnostic tool.

Squalene is a potential endocrine modulator in rat: A proof-of-principle study with 3-methylcholanthrene-induced toxicity.

Oestrus urine was proved as a potential endocrine modulator in alleviating the toxicity induced by 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) in male rats. We, in this study, aimed to prove the attributing potential of toxicity alleviation to squalene, an oestrus-specific pheromone in rats. A single dose of 3-methylcholanthrene (25 mg/kg BW, i.p.) was administered to male Wistar rats with concurrent exposure to squalene sprayed in bedding material (Group III). Group II rats did receive 3-MC treatment but did not expose to squalene. Group I rats were intact control neither administered 3-MC nor sprayed with squalene. In consequence of 3-MC toxicity, liver and testes weights were increased and the components of blood cells (RBC and WBC count, Hb level) and testosterone concentration were significantly reduced in Group II rats. Moreover, sperm count was reduced and antioxidants (testes and epididymis) were significantly altered. Exposure to squalene in Group III rats comparatively normalised all the variable components towards baseline and reorganised the histological architecture of reproductive tissues that were exacerbated with 3-MC toxicity. This study ultimately proved squalene as a potent molecule in alleviating the toxicity induced by 3-methylcholanthrene.

A correlation of fecal volatiles and steroid hormone profiles with behavioral expression during estrous cycle of goat, Capra hircus.

Chemical signals (both volatile and non-volatile) form the major communication channels in animals. These signals are transferred mainly through excretory sources to facilitate inter-individual communication. In particular, the reproductive cycle of female mammals, including goats, exhibits significant changes in the constituents of their excretory products, and female mammals also express different behavioral patterns. We propose that feces is one of the important sources of chemo-signals in goats. However, the behavioral patterns and analysis of excretory sources based on chemical communication have not yet been studied in the Indian goat, Capra hircus. To validate our hypothesis, we analyzed the behavioral patterns and the volatiles and steroid hormone profiles in the feces samples of female goats during the estrous cycle. Here, we synchronized the estrous cycle in six female goats and obtained feces samples. The samples were extracted with dichloromethane and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A portion of the sample was used for hormone assay to confirm the phases in the estrous cycle. Induction of she-goats into estrus was detected from the vaginal swelling, mucus discharge, restlessness, reduced milk secretion, bellowing, bleating, frequent urination, standing heat, allowing the male to mount, mounting on other females and teasing of males. The repeated male behaviors viz., flehmen, mounting, penile protrusion, body rubbing, dominance over other males and finally coitus with estrus female by male goats were observed. Analysis of volatiles revealed a total of twenty-four compounds combining all the phases in the estrous cycle. Among those, some of the volatile compounds and two antioxidants (ascorbic acid and vitamin E) were estrus-specific. Based on the fecal steroid analysis, higher level of estradiol during estrus and higher level of progesterone during post-estrus were observed. The behavioral patterns of female and male goats combined with qualitative differences in the volatile compounds and the two antioxidants rendered the estrus identifiable. Furthermore, the fecal steroid analysis also supported the detection of hormonal status during the estrous cycle. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report correlating the behavior with volatiles and hormones in the feces samples from female Indian goats. It is concluded that the volatile pattern and hormone profile in feces, supported by specific behavioral patterns, should be considered a better modality of non-invasive estrus detection in goats.

Antioxidant mediated ameliorative steroidogenesis by Commelina benghalensis L. and Cissus quadrangularis L. against quinalphos induced male reproductive toxicity.

Quinalphos (QP) is speculated to cause endocrine disruption through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by oxidative stress (OS). Exposure of QP decreased testosterone level considerably which resulted in reduced viable sperms in mice. The QP induced toxicity is initiated by the formation of free radicals as it is evidenced from the increased Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and diminution of antioxidant enzymes in testicular tissue. Increased serum cholesterol and reduced testicular cholesterol indicated the inhibition of cholesterol transport and biosynthesis in testicular tissues. Lack of cholesterol in testicular tissue impaired the steroidogenesis by down-regulating the expression of StAR protein, Cytochrome P450, 3ß-HSD and 17ß-HSD leading to reduced testosterone level. Treatment of Commelina benganlensis (CBE) and Cissus quadrangularis (CQE) significantly recovered the alterations in antioxidant profiles as well as increased LPO, thereby recovering the decreased mRNA expression levels of intermediate enzymes. However, CQE effectively protected the OS and prevented the inhibition of steroidogenesis thereby preventing male infertility.

(E)-3-(4-Methyl-phen-yl)-1-(1,3-thia-zol-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one.

In the title chalcone, C(13)H(11)NOS, derived from the condensation of p-tolualdehyde and 1-(1,3-thia-zol-2-yl)ethanone, the olefine group has a trans configuration. No classical hydrogen bonding is present in the crystal structure.

Synthesis, stereochemistry and in vitro antimicrobial evaluation of novel 2-[(2,4-diaryl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-ylidene)hydrazono]-4-phenyl-2,3-dihydrothiazoles.

2-[(2,4-Diaryl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-ylidene)hydrazono]-4-phenyl-2,3-dihydrothiazoles (3a-3k) have been synthesized by the cyclization of 2-[(2,4-diaryl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one thiosemicarbazones with phenacyl bromide and characterized by analytical (melting point and elemental analysis) and spectral (IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, D(2)O exchange, NOESY and mass) techniques. The novel Hantzsch products (3a-3k) were screened for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities against some selected microorganisms. Structure activity relationship (SAR) for the reported compounds was studied by comparing their MIC values with standard drugs (Streptomycin and Amphotericin B). The results show that 3e against Escherichia coli and Cryptococcus neoformans3i against Bacillus Subtilis, 3b against Aspergillus flavus, and 3k against Rhizopus sp. were found to show significant growth inhibition.

Ethyl 4-[2-(3,5-dimethyl-4-oxo-2,6-diphenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-2-oxoeth-yl]piperazine-1-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C(28)H(35)N(3)O(4), the piperidine ring adopts a boat conformation while the piperazine ring adopts a chair conformation with an equatorial orientation of the phenyl groups. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the benzene rings is 74.14 (8)°. The mol-ecular conformation is stabilized by a weak intra-molecular C-H⋯N inter-action and the crystal packing is stabilized by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O inter-actions.

1H and 13C NMR spectral assignments of some novel 2,4,6,8-tetraaryl-3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one derivatives.

The (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of 2,4,6,8-tetraaryl-3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-ones (1-2), oximes (3-8) and O-benzyl oximes (9-12) were recorded. The chemical shifts were unambiguously assigned using 1D and 2D NMR spectral data. The results clearly indicate that the compounds exist in chair-boat conformation with equatorial and axial orientation of the aryl groups in the chair and boat forms, respectively. Since the molecules are flexible and dynamic in solution, the chair and boat forms are mutually interconvertible. In 3-12, because of the effect of oximation/oximination, all the protons in the heterobicyclic systems gave distinct signals except the benzylic protons of the boat form. In all synthesized compounds, the aryl group protons at C-6,8 are shielded by the aryl groups at C-2,4 and therefore appear in the lower frequency region than the aryl groups at C-2,4.