Electronic Library of Scientific Literature
Electronic Library of Scientific Literature
Volume 31 / No. 1 / 1997
R. C. Baumrucker, V. Štrbák
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pen, U.S.A.;
Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 833
06 Bratislava, Slovakia
The 5th International Symposium on Hormones and Bioactive Substances in Milk took place in Smolenice Castle near Bratislava, Slovakia on October 7-12, 1996. Current knowledge, opinions and perspectives of various aspects were presented and thoroughly discussed at the meeting by the representatives of science and industry from 17 countries. A significant progress in the expanding field was again noted and recent development in specific areas as reviewed in six scientific sessions has been summarized by the organizers. We are also pleased to announce that as the result of unanimous decision of the International Organizing Committee the 6th International Symposium on Hormones in Milk will be held in 1999 again in Smolenice Castle.
pp. 5-8
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A.M. Mastro, M.F. Picciano
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
Department of Nutrition, The Pennsylvania State University, University
Park PA 16802, USA
Prolactin (PRL) is an immunoregulatory molecule. We previously reported that milk-PRL passes to the circulation of the neonatal rat and plays a role in neonatal immune system maturation. Neonatal rats that had ingested PRL-poor milk (bromocriptine treatment of the dam) from days 2-5 of life, showed changed patterns of immune system development. In order to rule out the possibility that these changes were due to reduced milk intake rather than to milk-PRL, in this current study we varied neonatal milk intake by adjusting litter size to 6 or 12 pups. At day 10, splenocytes and thymocytes were: 1. tested for in vitro proliferation to the mitogens phytohemagglutinin or to concanavalin A; 2. stained with monoclonal antibodies to surface differentiation antigens and analyzed by flow cytometry. We found that reduced milk intake (litter size of 12) led to decreased mitogen responsiveness, the opposite of what was seen after ingestion of PRL-poor milk. However, a reduction in milk had no significant affect on expression of surface differentiation antigens. Therefore, the changes in neonatal immune development following ingestion of PRL-poor milk cannot be attributed to a decrease in total milk volume.
Key words: Lymphocytes – Malnutrition – Milk – Neonatal immunity
– Prolactin – Splenocytes – Thymocytes
pp. 9-13
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T. Mitsuma, N. Rhue, Y. Hirooka, M. Kayama, Y. Yokoi, Y. Mori, J. Ping, K. Adachi, T. Wago, M. Ohtake, J. Takagi, T. Nogimori, J. Sakai
The Fourth Department of Internal Medicine;
Department of Laboratory Medicine;
First Department of Physiology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi,
Aichi 480-1 1, Japan;
Department of Internal Medicine, Konans Howa Hospital, Koana, Aichi, Japan
Iodide transporter/symporter (NIS) was identified immunohistochemically in rat tissues using specific antipeptide serum. Anti-NIS serum was raised in New Zealand white rabbits immunized with a conjugate of synthetic NIS peptide (39-53) with bovine serum albumin. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed by avidine-biotin complex method. NIS immunoreactivity was visualized in the thyroid gland, gastric and small intestine mucosa, anterior pituitary, adrenal medulla, pancreatic islets, kidney, choroid plexus and several brain and spinal cord nuclei. When using antiserum preincubated with synthetic NIS peptide (39-53) or rat thyroid homogenate containing NIS, no significant stain of the thyroid gland was detected. These findings suggest that NIS is widely distributed and that the method used is suitable for studying the distribution of NIS in rats.
Key words: Iodide Transporter/Symporter – Rat – Immunohistochemistry
– Organ Distribution
pp. 15-18
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M.G.P. Gallardo, S.R. Chiocchio, J.H. Tramezzani
Instituto de Neurobiologia, Serrano 669, (1414) Buenos Aires, Argentina
Catecholestrogens (CE), natural metabolic products of 17ß-estradiol
and estrone, were assayed in anterior and posterior pituitary lobes and
in the median eminence of the rat. The highest CE values were found in
the median eminence and the lowest in the anterior pituitary. The CE concentrations
in pars nervosa and pars intermedia of the posterior pituitary were quite
similar. No sexual difference in the CE content was found in median eminence,
anterior and posterior pituitary lobes. The highest CE concentrations were
found in the median eminence and pars intermedia of lactating rats.
During the estrous cycle median eminence CE showed maximal values in the
morning of the proestrus, while anterior pituitary CE showed a decrease
in the afternoon of the proestrus. Posterior pituitary lobe CE content
did not change throughout the stages of the estrous cycle.
Ovariectomy decreased CE content in the anterior pituitary but did not
change the CE content in pars nervosa and pars intermedia of the posterior
pituitary lobe. Estrogen therapy in ovariectomized animals increased CE
content in pars nervosa.
In the lactating rats, the separation of mothers from their pups for 4
h increased CE content in the posterior lobe and showed no variations in
the anterior lobe. When pups were replaced and allowed to suckle for 5
and 30 min, CE content decreased in both the anterior and posterior pituitary
lobes. Pars nervosa CE varied with suckling in the same way as the whole
posterior lobe did. Pars intermedia and median eminence, both of which
exhibited high CE values in the lactating rats, showed no CE variations
in the model of separation/suckling.
Parallel studies of COMT activity showed no variations in any model and
in any pituitary lobe except anterior pituitary during the estrous cycle:
COMT activity at Diestrus 2 was significantly low.
The results obtained suggest that the CE are involved in the hormonal changes
taking place in rat sexual cycle and lactation.
Key Words: Catecholestrogens – Pituitary – Estrous cycle – Castration
– Lactation – Rat
pp. 19-28
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M. Kajta, A. Wojtowicz
Laboratory of Animal Endocrinology and Tissue Culture, Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 30-060 Krakow, Poland
Female Wistar rats, displaying a regular 4-day oestrus cycle, were killed
in succession every 2 or 3 h on the day of pro-oestrus until ovulation.
The population of preovulatory ovarian follicles was isolated and cultured
for 24 h in Eagle's medium or in this medium supplemented with testosterone,
or progesterone or aromatase inhibitor (CGS 16949A, Ciba-Geigy). In collected
media the released steroids were estimated.
The follicles isolated in the morning and afternoon secreted predominantly
oestradiol and androgens. In the evening a fall in oestradiol and androgen
levels was observed, whereas progesterone production rose, reaching a peak
value at 20.00 h. Addition of progesterone suppressed oestradiol release
at 18.00 h. CGS 16949A inhibited oestradiol secretion in all the cultures
investigated and in some of them also affected progesterone secretion.
The presence of testosterone in control cultures changed the progesterone
release and stimulated oestradiol production at 20.00 h and 22.00 h, i.e.
during oestradiol decline.
These results suggest that the fall in oestradiol production is initiated
by the lack of aromatizable androgens and this is followed by a suppression
of aromatase activity. The role of progesterone as an inhibitor of the
aromatase enzyme system is very probable.
Key words: Preovulatory Follicles – Estradiol – Progesterone
– Testosterone – Aromatase Inhibitor – in vitro Culture
pp. 29-36
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P.D. Broulik
3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Charles University, Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
The castration of male mice results in osteopenia which is a suitable model for evaluating the effect of thiazides on bone. The bones of castrated mice were characterized by a decrease of ash weight, bone density and calcium and phosphate bone content. When such castrated mice were treated with high dose of hydrochlorothiazide (2 mg/day/mouse) the changes in bone density and bone mineral concentration resulting from the castration were prevented. Our data indicate a beneficial effect of long-term thiazide administration on bone mineral content in male mice which is dose dependent.
Key words: Castration – Male Mice - Bone Density – Hydrochlorothiazide
pp. 37-40
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E.L. Gregoraszczuk
Laboratory of Animal Endocrinology and Tissue Culture, Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-060 Krakow, Ingardena 6, Poland
The size and number small (Sc) and large (Lc) luteal cells and the steroids they secrete were determined in porcine corpora lutea (CL) collected on days 1-3, 8-10 and 14-16 of the estrus cycle. The cells were separated with the aid of Ficoll linear gradient. The size of Sc increased in middle-luteal phase (MLP) in comparison with early luteal phase (ELP) and retained consistent value until the end of the luteal phase (LLP). Lc increased in size with advancing luteal phase, their number per CL being greater in MLP than in ELP but decreased in LLP. In contrast, the number of Sc decreased in MLP in comparison with ELP and did not change in LLP. At the initial luteal phase the majority of small cells did not show any histochemical reactivity for delta5-3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase which then increased with luteal phase progress. Lc collected during ELP showed 5.7 times higher androgen secretion than Sc. A decrease of androgen secretion by Lc was observed as the luteal phase progressed but it was three times higher in Sc than in Lc collected during LLP. Both types of luteal cells produced estradiol even without the addition of substrates. Endogenous estradiol content was always higher in Lc than in Sc. Moreover, estradiol secretion by both cell types was higher in LLP than in MLP and ELP. These findings suggest that the view on granulosa origin of Lc and theca origin of Sc as raised by others may be oversimplified. In appears that Sc most likely undergo hypertrophy, but retain their prior phenotype and also that some Lc gradually dedifferentiate to Sc as the corpus luteum ages.
Key words: Porcine Corpus Luteum – Small and Large Luteal Cells
– Steroid Secretion – Progesterone – Androgens – Estradiol – Tissue Culture
pp. 41-46
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B. Kos-Kudla, Z. Ostrowska, B. Marek, N. Ciesielska-Kopacz, D. Kajdaniuk, M. Kudla, B.Buntner
1st Department of Pathophysiology and Clinical Biochemistry, Clinic of Internal Diseases and Allergology, Silesian Academy of Medicine, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
Forty one patients (21 women and 20 men aged 35 to 45 years), with bronchial asthma were divided into two groups: those treated with glucocorticoids (with an equivalent daily dose of 8 mg prednisone) and those receiving no glucocorticoid preparations. The control group consisted of 27 healthy volunteers. The diurnal rhythm of serum melatonin, ACTH and cortisol was evaluated in all subjects. It was found that the dysfunction and reduced reactivity of the pituitary-adrenal axis in asthmatics receiving chronic glucocorticotherapy was accompanied by suppressed melatonin rhythm.
Key words: Melatonin – ACTH – Cortisol – Diurnal Rhythm – Glucocorticotherapy
– Bronchial Asthma
pp. 47-54
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Z. Ostrowska, E. Swietochowska, K. Zwirska-Korczala, B. Buntner, B. Marek, M. Pardela, M. Drozdz
1st Department of Pathophysiology and Clinical Biochemistry,
2nd Department of General and Vascular Surgery, Silesian Academy of Medicine,
41-800 Zabrze, Poland
The majority of obese persons have hyperinsulinemia and disturbances in the secretion of melatonin, catecholamines and pituitary, thyroid, adrenal and gonadal hormones. These hormones play an important role in the regulation of collagen metabolism either by acting directly or by influencing IGF-I production. This study aimed at ascertaining whether, and to what degree, the changes in the concentration of hormones listed above as well as in the concentration of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) affect the metabolism of collagen as evaluated indirectly from the measurement of propeptides of type I (PICP) and type III procollagen (PIIINP) in blood serum and hydroxyproline in urine. The study compared 30 women with extreme obesity before and three to five years after jejunoileostomy with 20 healthy women of reproductive age. All non-operated obese women showed significantly increased concentration of serum insulin, IGF-I, melatonin, norepinephrine, free triiodothyronine, estradiol, total and free testosterone, PICP, PIIINP and urinary excretion of hydroxyproline, while the levels of epinephrine, progesterone and SHBG were significantly decreased. Changes in the level of the examined markers of collagen metabolism correlated positively with the concentration of insulin, IGF-I and sex hormones, while the correlation with epinephrine, cortisol and thyroid hormones was negative. All women who were treated previously by jejunoileostomy showed a decreased of body mass to regular values, normalization of hormonal disturbances and normal collagen metabolism. The obtained results show that the increased collagen metabolism observed in extremely obese women is caused indirectly by altered endocrine activity.
Key words: Collagen Metabolism – Insulin – Melatonin – Norepinephrine
– Epinephrine – Cortisol – Thyroid Hormones – Sex Steroid Hormones – Extremely
Obese Women – Jejunoileostomy
pp. 55-62
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