Weight per se influences body mass regulation differently in male and female mice

Numerous factors are involved to maintain a stable body mass (BM). We hypothesize that also weight per se can influence BM regulation. Male and female mice (FVB) were sham operated or implanted with a metabolic inert load weighing 2% (LO) or 10% (HI) of initial BM. BM, energy intake (El) and energy expenditure (EE) were measured. The artificial weight load influenced BM regulation gender specifically. In males, BM was reduced by 3-5% in HI when compared to SO and LO; EI was unchanged. In females, BM development was similar in all groups; EI was increased by 7 and 12% in LO and HI, respectively, when compared to SO. We conclude that the coupling of EI and EE seems to be tighter in females than in males in order to keep a stable BM.     

Augmented LPS responsiveness in type 1 diabetes‐derived osteoclasts

Bone abnormalities are frequent co‐morbidities of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and are principally mediated by osteoblasts and osteoclasts which in turn are regulated by immunologic mediators. While decreased skeletal health in T1D involves alterations in osteoblast maturation and function, the effect of altered immune function on osteoclasts in T1D‐associated bone and joint pathologies is less understood. Here T1D‐associated osteoclast‐specific differentiation and function in the presence and absence of inflammatory mediators was characterized utilizing bone marrow‐derived osteoclasts (BM‐OCs) isolated from non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a model for spontaneous autoimmune diabetes with pathology similar to individuals with T1D. Differentiation and osteoclast‐mediated bone resorption were evaluated along with cathepsin K, MMP‐9, and immune soluble mediator expression. The effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a pro‐inflammatory cytokine cocktail, and NOD‐derived conditioned supernatants on BM‐OC function was also determined. Although NOD BM‐OCs cultures contained smaller osteoclasts, they resorbed more bone concomitant with increased cathepsin K, MMP‐9, and pro‐osteoclastogenic mediator expression. NOD BM‐OCs also displayed an inhibition of LPS‐induced deactivation that was not a result of soluble mediators produced by NOD BM‐OCs, although a pro‐inflammatory milieu did enhance NOD BM‐OCs bone resorption. Together these data indicate that osteoclasts from a T1D mouse model hyper‐respond to RANK‐L resulting in excessive bone degradation via enhanced cathepsin K and MMP‐9 secretion concomitant with an increased expression of pro‐osteoclastic soluble mediators. Our data also suggest that inhibition of LPS‐induced deactivation in NOD‐derived BM‐OC cultures is most likely due to NOD osteoclast responsiveness rather than LPS‐induced expression of soluble mediators. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 349–361, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

ANTHROPOMETRIC DETERMINANTS OF ROWING ERGOMETER PERFORMANCE IN PHYSICALLY INACTIVE COLLEGIATE FEMALES

The aim of the study was to evaluate anthropometric characteristics as determinants of 500 m rowing ergometer performance in physically inactive collegiate females. In this cross-sectional study, which included 196 collegiate females aged 19-23 years not participating in regular physical activities, body mass (BM), body height (BH), length of upper limbs (LA), length of lower limbs (LL), body mass index (BMI), slenderness index (SI), and the Choszcz-Podstawski index (CPI) were measured and a stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed. Participants performed 500 m maximal effort on a Concept II rowing ergometer. BM, BH, LA, LL, and the BMI, SI and CPI indices were found to be statistically significant determinants of 500 m performance. The best results (T) were achieved by females whose BH ranged from 170 to 180 cm, with LA and LL ranging from 75 to 80 cm and 85 to 90 cm, respectively. The best fitting statistical model was identified as: T = 11.6793 L_R – 0.1130 L_R² – 0.0589 L_N² + 29.2157 CPI² + 0.1370 LR·LN - 2.6926 LR·CPI – 211.7796. This study supports a need for additional studies focusing on understanding the importance of anthropometric differences in rowing ergometer performance, which could lead to establishing a better quality reference for evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness tested using a rowing ergometer in collegiate females.     

Effects of physiological and social challenges in different seasons on fecal testosterone and corticosterone in male domestic geese (Anser domesticus)

We investigated the reliability of the non-invasive approach of measuring steroid hormones from feces in the domestic goose (Anser domesticus), a mainly herbivorous bird with a short gut passage time (2–3 h). Groups of eight outdoor-housed male domestic geese were subjected to three different experiments, injection of either GnRH analogue or ACTH, or ”social stimulation” by confrontation with two alien males or females. These experiments were replicated in three different seasons, in spring, during peak reproductive activity, in summer, during long-day photorefractoriness and postnuptial molt, and in fall, during sexual reactivation. GnRH stimulation resulted in significant increases of mean response and peak fecal testosterone metabolites (TM) in spring and fall. Response TM concentrations excreted in spring were generally higher than in summer and fall. Social confrontation with two females, but not with two males, increased mean and peak TM in all seasons. In general, ACTH treatment resulted in a proportionally higher increase of fecal corticosterone metabolites (BM) than GnRH did in fecal TM (80- to 140-fold vs 6- to 8-fold). ACTH significantly increased mean and peak BM in all seasons. Social confrontation with two males significantly increased fecal BM in spring, but confrontation with two females increased fecal BM in fall. Our results indicate that determining steroids from feces is a generally valid approach. However, the sensitivity of the method may vary between different hormones and results may differ between seasons. BM results seemed more sensitive and seasonally robust than did TM. Received: 22 December 1999 / Received in revised form: 26 January 2000 / Accepted: 27 January 2000     

Estrogen receptor regulation of pulmonary alveolar dimensions: alveolar sexual dimorphism in mice

Female rats and mice have smaller and, per body mass (BM), more alveoli and alveolar surface area (Sa) than males of their respective species. This sexual dimorphism becomes apparent about the time of sexual maturity. It is prevented in rats (not tested in mice) by ovariectomy at age 3 wk. In female mice, estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and ER-beta are required for formation of alveoli of appropriate size and number. We now report the average volume of an alveolus (va) and the number of alveoli per body mass (Na/BM) were not statistically different between ER-alpha(-/-) and wild type (wt) males. However, the combination of a larger value for va and a smaller value for Na/BM, though neither parameter achieved a statistically significant intergroup difference, resulted in a statistically significant lower Sa/BM in ER-alpha(-/-) males compared with wt males. In ER-beta(-/-) males, va was bigger and Na/BM and Sa/BM were lower compared with wt males. Wt males had larger alveoli and lower Na/BM and Sa/BM than wt females. The wt sexual dimorphism of va, Na/BM, and Sa/BM was absent in ER-alpha(-/-) mice. Alveolar size did not differ between ER-beta(-/-) females and males but Na/BM and Sa/BM were greater in ER-beta(-/-) females than in ER-beta(-/-) males. The results in male mice, with prior findings in female mice, 1) demonstrate estrogen receptors have a smaller effect on alveolar dimensions in male than female mice, 2) show ER-alpha and ER-beta are required for the sexual dimorphism of alveolar size, and 3) show ER-alpha is needed for the sexual dimorphism of body mass-specific alveolar number and surface area.     

Beak marks on butterfly wings with special reference to Japanese black swallowtail

Birds are believed to be one of the principal predators of butterflies. The beak marks (BMs) left on the butterfly wings are useful indices of bird predation. We performed 84 collections in grasslands and woodlands during 2002–2006 in Ito, Shizuoka prefecture, and collected 893 specimens belonging to 48 species. In general, the larger was the body size the higher was the BM rate. There were two peaks in the BM rate and the peaks were higher by 13–14 % in autumn than in spring in both grasslands and woodlands. During 2007 and 2008, capture-mark-recapture surveys were conducted 82 times in a flight path of black swallowtail butterflies (BSBs). A total of 443 BSB were individually marked and released at a site 400 m away from the flight path after examining for BM, degree of wing damage, body size, sex and species. The BM% of BSB ranged from 40 to 46 %, which was the highest among the observed butterflies. The recapture rate was negatively correlated with the BM rate suggesting that the avian predation was strong enough to affect the survival rate of BSB adults. In addition, the BM rate showed a delayed positive response to BSB density in the previous month. Variation in the BM rate was analyzed with a multivariate model; it indicated that month and wing length were significant explanatory variables. In addition, the highest BM rate was observed at an intermediate wing size. These results strongly suggested that variation in the BM rate was caused by variation in avian life history and predator size. All the evidence suggested that an appreciable predation pressure by birds operated on BSB adult populations.     

Blood serum concentration of lipids and lipoproteins and body composition

The purpose of this study is the analysis of the relationship of blood serum apolipoprotein E (apoE), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and high-density and low-density lipoproteins (HDL, LDL), with body mass index (BMI), relative body surface area (RBSA) and body muscle (BM) and body fat (BF). The subjects are males and females aged 14-16 (adolescent age group 1: n1M = 141, n1F = 151) and 18-25 (young adult group 2, n2M = 16, n2F = 46). Significant correlations of serum TG and HDL with somatometric indicators were not observed. In the female samples, TC content directly correlates (p < 0.05) with BF (r1 = 0.164; r2 = 0.418) and negatively correlates with BM (r1 = -0.165; r2 = -0.352). The blood serum concentration of apoE is significantly correlated with body composition in adolescent females (for BF r1 = -0.168; for BM r1 = 0.266; p < 0.05); in males 14-16 years old, the both correlations have a significance level p < 0.06. In young adult females TC and LDL content negatively correlates with RBSA (r2 = -0.386 and -0.377 respectively; p < 0.05) and positively correlates with BMI (r2 = 0.413 and 0.415 respectively; p < 0.05). Adolescent females and young adult females have opposite relationships between FC and apoE concentration. In females 14-15 years old apoE concentration decreases as FC increases. In females 16-17 the correlation disappears, and in older females apoE concentration and FC increase together.     

Weigh and see—Body mass recordings versus body condition scoring in European zoo elephants (Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus)

Regular body mass (BM) monitoring plays a key role in preventative health care of zoo animals. In some species, including African (Loxodonta africana) and Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), the process of weighing can be challenging, and alternative methods such as visual body condition scoring (BCS) have been developed. We investigated the temporal development of both parameters regarding correlation patterns between them, and their suitability as monitoring measures in dependence of an elephant's life stage. While BM is more suitable in calves and juveniles under the age of 8 years, both BM and BCS are considered equally reliable in adult elephants. In elephants over the age of 40 years, BCS might be more suitable for assessing the physical status. Independent of species and sex, juvenile zoo elephants grow in BM nearly linearly with age, and reach a higher BM at an earlier age compared with conspecifics of free-ranging and semi-captive populations in the countries of origin. The BCS typically remains constant during this life stage, seemingly unaffected by growth. In adult animals, breeding females have a lower BM and BCS than nonbreeders, and BM and BCS typically indicate fluctuations in the same direction. In geriatric elephants (>40 years) a drop in BCS occurs commonly, while BM may even increase in this life stage. We recommend regular body mass recording in zoo elephants to enhance our knowledge of body mass development and allow the formulation of objective practical recommendations. BCS presents a valuable and simple tool for complementary monitoring of an elephant's condition, especially in adult and geriatric individuals.     

Expanding the body mass range: associations between BMR and tissue morphology in wild type and mutant dwarf mice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">David</Emphasis> mice)

We sought to identify associations of basal metabolic rate (BMR) with morphological traits in laboratory mice. In order to expand the body mass (BM) range at the intra-strain level, and to minimize relevant genetic variation, we used male and female wild type mice (C3HeB/FeJ) and previously unpublished ENU-induced dwarf mutant littermates (David mice), covering a body mass range from 13.5 g through 32.3 g. BMR was measured at 30°C, mice were killed by means of CO₂ overdose, and body composition (fat mass and lean mass) was subsequently analyzed by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), after which mice were dissected into 12 (males) and 10 (females) components, respectively. Across the 44 individuals, 43% of the variation in the basal rates of metabolism was associated with BM. The latter explained 47% to 98% of the variability in morphology of the different tissues. Our results demonstrate that sex is a major determinant of body composition and BMR in mice: when adjusted for BM, females contained many larger organs, more fat mass, and less lean mass compared to males. This could be associated with a higher mass adjusted BMR in females. Once the dominant effects of sex and BM on BMR and tissue mass were removed, and after accounting for multiple comparisons, no further significant association between individual variation in BMR and tissue mass emerged. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Regulation of bone marrow cell survival in short-term cultures: a new macrophage function

The involvement of macrophages (M phi) in the regulation of bone marrow (BM) cell survival in short-term cultures was studied. We developed a system to measure the survival of fresh BM cells in vitro, by evaluating 111indium (111In) release from prelabeled BM cells. 111In release was proportional to cell death and inversely related to the number of trypan blue excluding cells. Upon 24 hr of culture in conventional medium, more than 50% of BM cells died. In order to investigate whether BM cell death could be reduced by coculture with other cell types, 111In-labeled BM cells were incubated for 24 hr with peritoneal M phi, thymocytes (THY), or polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and then assayed for their survival. We found that coculture of BM cells with M phi dramatically increased BM survival, whereas THY or PMN consistently failed to enhance BM survival. The ability to promote BM cell survival, here designated nurse activity, represented a novel function of M phi and was further characterized. The stage of activation of M phi did not influence their nurse activity, since M phi elicited in vivo by proteose-peptone, thioglycollate, or Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, as well as resident M phi unstimulated or activated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide, equally sustained survival of BM cells. BM-derived M phi (adherent cells from BM cultures maintained in 20% L-cell-conditioned medium for 14 days) were equally effective in exerting nurse activity. Moreover, nurse activity was also exerted across the histocompatibility barriers. Supernatants from M phi cultures or killed M phi were ineffective. We propose that the nurse effect of M phi on BM is a primitive function that may play an important role in the development of the hemopoietic system.     

Bone marrow neutrophil aging in sickle cell disease mice is associated with impaired osteoblast functions

Bone loss is a common complication in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). The mechanism(s) of bone loss in SCD subjects has not been fully investigated, and there are no targeted therapies to prevent or treat compromised bone health in this population. Recent studies showed that depletion of gut microbiota with antibiotics significantly reduced the number of aged neutrophils, thereby dramatically improved the inflammation-related organ damages in SCD mice. Since neutrophils, abundantly present in bone marrow (BM), regulate bone cells, and BM neutrophils, induced by inflammatory cytokines, are associated with a low number of osteoblasts (OBs), we hypothesize that neutrophil aging in the BM of SCD mice impairs OB function. Flow cytometry analysis showed BM neutrophil aging was significantly increased in SCD mice that was reduced with antibiotic treatment. In vitro co-culture of calvarial OBs from control (Ctrl) mice with BM neutrophils from Ctrl or SCD mice showed that BM neutrophils from SCD mice inhibit OB function but was rescued when neutrophils were from antibiotic-treated SCD mice. In summary, there is an accumulation of aged neutrophils in BM from SCD mice that may contribute to impaired OB function, and antibiotic treatment is able to partially rescue impaired OB function by decreasing neutrophil aging in the BM of SCD mice.     

Non-homologue pairing and spontaneous meiotic interchanges in Drosophila melanogaster females

Spontaneous interchange between the X chromosomes and the C(2L) autosomal compound in their centromeric regions was studied in y/XY;C(2L);C(2R) and In(1)dl-49+BM1/XY;C(2L);C(2R) Drosophila melanogaster females. These females were mated with F(2L)/F(2L);C(2R) males. Interchange occurrence was recorded as the appearance of an F1 individual with a half-translocation of either X . 2L or Y . 2L type. 37 interchanges were recovered in y/XY and 67 in In(1)/XY females. The majority of the interchanges were of meiotic origin. The interchanges were mainly C(2L)-XY; the most frequent type of half-translocation was Y . 2L;dl-49+BM1. Inversion increased about 5-fold the interchange frequency. In the course of C(2L)-XY interchange, the other X chromosome and C(2R) compound regularly paired and disjoined. In y/XY females, 8 crossover half-translocations of meiotic origin were recovered. The results obtained indicate that meiotic pairing between the X's and C(2L) occurred in the females examined. According to our estimates, XY-C(2L) pairing is associated with interchange in the heterochromatic centromeric regions with a frequency of 10(-3). The recovery of crossover half-translocations supports the chromocentral model of non-homologous pairing and allows us to assume that a chromosome may simultaneously pair with a homologue and a non-homologue. The disjunction pattern of this trivalent depends on its structure in each particular case. The chromosome-segregation pattern resulting from spontaneous interchanges was similar to that resulting from radiation-induced interchanges in the immature oocytes described by Parker. This similarity suggests that non-homologue pairing occurs in the immature oocytes too. The non-homologue-pairing pattern established by the interchange test conformed well with that previously established in y/XY and In(1)XY females by the distribution test.     

Seasonal changes in thermogenesis and body mass in wild Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Seasonal adjustments in body mass (BM), nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) and several physiological, hormonal, and biochemical markers were measured in wild-trapped Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) from Inner Mongolia, China. Sexual differences were detected in BM, NST, brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass, and mitochondrial protein content. BM and NST in males were higher in winter (January) and spring (May) than in summer (August), and BM of females was also the highest in winter, but NST remained relatively constant throughout the year. Cytochrome c oxidase activity and mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) content in BAT were enhanced in winter in males or females, respectively. Serum leptin concentration was the lowest in winter and positively correlated with BM and body fat mass but was negatively correlated with BAT UCP1 content. These data suggest that wild Mongolian gerbils do not depend on a decrease in BM, but instead increase their thermogenic capacity to cope with cold stress. Leptin may be involved in the seasonal regulation in energy balance and thermogenesis in field Mongolian gerbils.     

Multiploid CD61+ Cells Are the Pre-Dominant Cell Lineage Infected during Acute Dengue Virus Infection in Bone Marrow

Depression of the peripheral blood platelet count during acute infection is a hallmark of dengue. This thrombocytopenia has been attributed, in part, to an insufficient level of platelet production by megakaryocytes that reside in the bone marrow (BM). Interestingly, it was observed that dengue patients experience BM suppression at the onset of fever. However, few studies focus on the interaction between dengue virus (DENV) and megakaryocytes and how this interaction can lead to a reduction in platelets. In the studies reported herein, BM cells from normal healthy rhesus monkeys (RM) and humans were utilized to identify the cell lineage(s) that were capable of supporting virus infection and replication. A number of techniques were employed in efforts to address this issue. These included the use of viral RNA quantification, nonstructural protein and infectivity assays, phenotypic studies utilizing immunohistochemical staining, anti-differentiation DEAB treatment, and electron microscopy. Cumulative results from these studies revealed that cells in the BM were indeed highly permissive for DENV infection, with human BM having higher levels of viral production compared to RM. DENV-like particles were predominantly observed in multi-nucleated cells that expressed CD61+. These data suggest that megakaryocytes are likely the predominant cell type infected by DENV in BM, which provides one explanation for the thrombocytopenia and the dysfunctional platelets characteristic of dengue virus infection.     

Biochemical Indices and Life Traits of Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta) from Cape Verde Islands

The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is an endangered marine reptile for whom assessing population health requires knowledge of demographic parameters such as individual growth rate. In Cape Verde, as within several populations, adult female loggerhead sea turtles show a size-related behavioral and trophic dichotomy. While smaller females are associated with oceanic habitats, larger females tend to feed in neritic habitats, which is reflected in their physiological condition and in their offspring. The ratio of RNA/DNA provides a measure of cellular protein synthesis capacity, which varies depending on changes in environmental conditions such as temperature and food availability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the combined use of morphometric data and biochemical indices as predictors of the physiological condition of the females of distinct sizes and hatchlings during their nesting season and how temperature may influence the physiological condition on the offspring. Here we employed biochemical indices based on nucleic acid derived indices (standardized RNA/DNA ratio-sRD, RNA concentration and DNA concentration) in skin tissue as a potential predictor of recent growth rate in nesting females and hatchling loggerhead turtles. Our major findings were that the physiological condition of all nesting females (sRD) decreased during the nesting season, but that females associated with neritic habitats had a higher physiological condition than females associated with oceanic habitats. In addition, the amount of time required for a hatchling to right itself was negatively correlated with its physiological condition (sRD) and shaded nests produced hatchlings with lower sRD. Overall, our results showed that nucleic acid concentrations and ratios of RNA to DNA are an important tool as potential biomarkers of recent growth in marine turtles. Hence, as biochemical indices of instantaneous growth are likely temperature-, size- and age-dependent, the utility and validation of these indices on marine turtles stocks deserves further study.     

Terminal phase males stimulate ovarian function and inhibit sex change in the protogynous wrasse Thalassoma duperrey

Under experimental conditions, the probability of sex change in the protogynous wrasse Thalassoma duperrey is determined largely by an individual's relative size within a social group. Natural populations, however, contain two distinct male phenotypes that may also play a role in regulating sex change. To investigate potential effects of male phenotype, the ability to change sex, ovarian histology and serum estradiol-17 beta levels were examined in females maintained under controlled social settings. Large females housed with smaller or larger terminal phase males had significantly larger gonadosomatic indices than females housed singly, with other females or with smaller initial phase males. Similarly, ovaries of females housed with terminal phase males showed no histological evidence of sex change, whereas large females from other social groupings were in advanced stages of sex change. These results demonstrate terminal phase males inhibit sex change regardless of their size relative to the female. Furthermore, gonadosomatic indices, ovarian histology, and serum estradiol-17 beta levels of females housed with terminal phase males indicate normal ovarian function whereas ovaries of other treatment groups appear quiescent or are undergoing sex change. Consequently, terminal phase males may be required for normal ovarian development which may, in turn, inhibit sex change in T. duperrey.