Thyroid status of female rhesus monkeys and preliminary information on impact of perchlorate administration

Thyroid status was assessed in adult female rhesus monkey breeders at the California National Primate Research Center at the beginning of the breeding season. The 95% confidence intervals for thyrotropin (TSH), thyroxine (T(4)) and triiodothyronine (T(3)) (n = 66-80) were similar to those previously reported in smaller samples of macaque monkeys. Based on human criteria, 10 of 80 monkeys (12%) were hypothyroid (TSH > 2.0 μIU/mL). Because hypothyroxinaemia can be a risk factor in pregnancy, T(4) status was compared with past breeding history, breeding outcome for that season and general health records in a subset of 42 breeders. Age, weight and parity did not differ between monkeys in the lowest T(4) quartile as compared with those in the upper three quartiles. However, T(4) concentrations were significantly associated with the number of missed menstrual cycles during the previous breeding season. In additional work, three healthy lactating rhesus monkeys were given three different doses of environmental contaminant and thyroid iodine uptake inhibitor, ammonium perchlorate (0.006, 0.34, 12.8 mg/kg/day, respectively) in food for two weeks. Thyroid status variables (TSH, T(4), T(3), thyroid radioactive iodine uptake) were then measured. In the monkey receiving the highest perchlorate dose, iodine uptake was suppressed relative to baseline. The study shows the availability of tools to study thyroid status in rhesus monkeys, the variability of thyroid status in the breeder colony and the potential ability of environmental factors to influence thyroid status.     

The effect of aging on the mineral status of female mice

To clarify the effect of aging on the mineral status of female mice, mineral concentrations in their tissues were determined. Five 2-mo-old, five 6-mo-old, and five 10-mo-old female B10BR mice were fed a commercial diet. Iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium concentrations in the blood, liver, kidney, heart, brain, lung, and spleen of the mice were determined using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Iron concentrations in the liver, kidney, heart, brain, and spleen increased with age. Significant differences were detected between mice 2 and 6 mo of age and between mice 2 and 10 mo of age. Zinc concentrations in the heart and lung decreased significantly with age. Zinc concentrations in the heart and lung of 10-mo-old mice were significantly lower than those of 2-mo-old mice. It is noteworthy that the copper concentration in the brain of 10-mo-old mice was markedly higher compared with that of younger mice. Calcium accumulation was apparent in the kidney of mice at 10 mo.     

The neural impact of cognitive training

Tracing the connections from brain functions to education is a major goal of modern neuroscience. By providing insights into the abilities and constraints of the learning brain, neuroscience can help to explain why some learning environments work while others fail. The results presented here provide the first insights into neuropedagogy of reasoning.     

The effect of whole-body vibration training and conventional strength training on performance measures in female athletes

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of regular whole-body vibration (WBV) training on lower body strength and power. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III softball athletes (n = 9) completed the 9-week protocol as part of their off-season strength and conditioning program. The athletes were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Week 1, pretesting included 3 repetition maximum (3RM) back squat, standing long jump (SLJ), and vertical countermovement jump (VCMJ). Phase I training (weeks 2-4) consisted of either WBV training (group 1) or conventional strength training (CST, group 2). The primary programmatic difference between WBV and CST was the inclusion of WBV sets after squat sets. Posttesting (3RM squat, SLJ, VCMJ) occurred at week 5. Phase II training (weeks 6-8) consisted of either WBV training (group 2) or CST (group 1). Posttesting was repeated at week 9 after the completion of phase II. Three 2 × 2 mixed factorial analyses of variance were computed. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between groups or between groups and testing period for the SLJ, VCMJ, and estimated 1RM back squat. Increases (p < 0.05) were observed in SLJ, VCMJ, and back squat from pretest to posttest 1. Back squat increased (p < 0.05) from posttest 1 to posttest 2. All the athletes experienced significantly greater (p < 0.05) percent changes from pretest to posttest 1 for SLJ and VCMJ. These results indicate that the inclusion of WBV as part of an off-season strength and conditioning program has no apparent benefit over CST methods for collegiate softball players.     

The impact of soy products,isoflavones, and Lactobacillus acidophilus on iron status and morphological parameters in healthy female rats

BackgroundIsoflavones and probiotics are two major factors involved in bone health. Osteoporosis and disturbances in iron (Fe) levels are common health problems in aging women. This study aimed to analyze how soybean products, daidzein, genistein, and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) affect Fe status and blood morphological parameters in healthy female rats.MethodsA total of 48 Wistar rats aged 3 months were randomly divided into six groups. The control group (K) received a standard diet (AIN 93 M). The remaining five groups received a standard diet supplemented with the following: tempeh flour (TP); soy flour (RS); daidzein and genistein (DG); Lactobacillus acidophilus DSM20079 (LA); as well as a combination of daidzein, genistein, and L. acidophilus DSM20079 (DGLA). After 8 weeks of intervention, blood samples of the rats were collected for morphological analysis, whereas tissue samples were collected and kept at −80 °C until Fe analysis. Red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, platelets (PLTs), red cell distribution width, white blood cells, neutrophils (NEUT), lymphocytes (LYM), monocytes, eosinophils (EOS), and basophils were measured for blood morphological analysis. Fe concentrations were determined using flame atomic spectrometry. For statistical analysis, an ANOVA test for significance at the 5 % level was used. The relationship between tissue Fe levels and blood morphological parameters was determined using Pearson’s correlation.ResultsAlthough no significant differences were observed in the Fe content between all diets, the TP group showed significantly higher levels of NEUT and lower levels of LYM than the control group. Compared with the DG and DGLA groups, the TP group showed a dramatically higher PLT level. In addition, the RS group showed significantly higher Fe concentrations in the spleen compared with the standard diet. Compared with the DG, LA, and DGLA groups, the RS group also showed significantly higher Fe concentrations in the liver. Compared with the TP, DG, LA, and DGLA groups, the RS group showed dramatically higher Fe concentrations in the femur. Pearson’s correlations between blood morphological parameters and Fe levels in tissues were observed, especially a negative correlation between the Fe level in the femur and the NEUT concentration (−0.465) and a strong positive correlation between the Fe level in the femur and the LYM concentration (0.533).ConclusionSoybean flour was found to increase Fe levels in rats, whereas tempeh may alter anti-inflammatory blood parameters. Isoflavones and probiotics did not affect Fe status in healthy female rats.     

The impact of football training on motor development in male children

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of football school program and physical education curriculum on changes in the motor abilities of 7- and 8-year-old boys. The study included a sample of 180 boys divided into group 1 (7-year-old boys), subdivided to experimental (n = 40) and control (n = 50) groups, and group 2 (8-year-old boys), subdivided to experimental (n = 40) and control (n = 50) groups. Experimental groups included children attending three training units of football training over a 9-month period, in addition to the conventional physical education curriculum. Control groups included children attending only conventional physical education curriculum. All study subjects underwent testing with a battery of 12 motor tests at the beginning and at the end of the study. Results obtained by discriminative canonic analysis showed no statistically significant between-group difference in motor abilities at the beginning of the study. However, significant differences in favor of experimental groups were recorded at the end of the study. Favorable changes in all motor variables were observed in both experimental and control groups of children from the initial through the final state. These changes were more pronounced in experimental groups. Analysis of variance for difference variables (final to initial measurement) indicated programmed education in the form of football training in addition to regular physical education curriculum to predominantly influence the development of aerobic endurance, agility, speed and flexibility in 7-year-old boys, and of explosive strength, aerobic endurance, flexibility and speed in 8-year-old boys. In the latter, football training led to the formation of a motor complex integrating explosiveness, speed, coordination, endurance and flexibility as a general motor factor determining future quality development in football.     

The effect of fatigue and training status on firefighter performance

Firefighting is a strenuous occupation that requires optimal levels of physical fitness. The National Fire Protection Association suggests that firefighters should be allowed to exercise on duty to maintain adequate fitness levels. However, no research has addressed the effect of exercise-induced fatigue on subsequent fire ground performance. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to determine the effect that a single exercise session had on the performance of a simulated fire ground test (SFGT). Secondarily, this study sought to compare the effect of physical training status (i.e., trained vs. untrained firefighters) on the performance of an SFGT. Twelve trained (age: 31.8 ± 6.9 years; body mass index [BMI]: 27.7 ± 3.3 kg·m(-2); VO2peak: 45.6 ± 3.3 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) and 37 untrained (age: 31.0 ± 9.0 years; BMI: 31.3 ± 5.2 kg·m(-2); VO2peak: 40.2 ± 5.2 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) male career firefighters performed a baseline SFGT. The trained firefighters performed a second SFGT after an exercise session. Time to complete the SFGT, heart rate, and blood lactate were compared between baseline and exercise SFGT (EX-SFGT) conditions. In the trained firefighters, time to complete the SFGT (9.6% increase; p = 0.002) and heart rate (4.1% increase; p = 0.032) were greater during the EX-SFGT compared with baseline, with no difference in post-SFGT blood lactate (p = 0.841). The EX-SFGT time of the trained firefighters was faster than approximately 70% of the untrained firefighters' baseline SFGT time. In addition, the baseline SFGT time of the trained firefighters was faster than 81% of the untrained firefighters. This study demonstrated that on-duty exercise training reduced the work efficiency in firefighters. However, adaptations obtained through regular on-duty exercise training may limit decrements in work efficiency because of acute exercise fatigue and allow for superior work efficiency compared with not participating in a training program.     

The impact of aging on innate and adaptive immunity in the human female genital tract

Mucosal tissues in the human female reproductive tract (FRT) are primary sites for both gynecological cancers and infections by a spectrum of sexually transmitted pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), that compromise women''s health. While the regulation of innate and adaptive immune protection in the FRT by hormonal cyclic changes across the menstrual cycle and pregnancy are being intensely studied, little to nothing is known about the alterations in mucosal immune protection that occur throughout the FRT as women age following menopause. The immune system in the FRT has two key functions: defense against pathogens and reproduction. After menopause, natural reproductive function ends, and therefore, two overlapping processes contribute to alterations in immune protection in aging women: menopause and immunosenescence. The goal of this review is to summarize the multiple immune changes that occur in the FRT with aging, including the impact on the function of epithelial cells, immune cells, and stromal fibroblasts. These studies indicate that major aspects of innate and adaptive immunity in the FRT are compromised in a site‐specific manner in the FRT as women age. Further, at some FRT sites, immunological compensation occurs. Overall, alterations in mucosal immune protection contribute to the increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI), urogenital infections, and gynecological cancers. Further studies are essential to provide a foundation for the development of novel therapeutic interventions to restore immune protection and reverse conditions that threaten women''s lives as they age.     

The impact of training schedules on the sleep and fatigue of elite athletes

In any sport, successful performance requires a planned approach to training and recovery. While sleep is recognized as an essential component of this approach, the amount and quality of sleep routinely obtained by elite athletes has not been systematically evaluated. Data were collected from 70 nationally ranked athletes from seven different sports. Athletes wore wrist activity monitors and completed self-report sleep/training diaries for 2 weeks during normal training. The athletes also recorded their fatigue level prior to each training session using a 7-point scale. On average, the athletes spent 08:18?±?01:12?h in bed, fell asleep at 23:06?±?01:12?h, woke at 6:48?±?01:30?h and obtained 06:30?±?01:24?h of sleep per night. There was a marked difference in the athletes’ sleep/wake behaviour on training days and rest days. Linear mixed model analyses revealed that on nights prior to training days, time spent in bed was significantly shorter (p?=?0.001), sleep onset and offset times were significantly earlier (p?<?0.001) and the amount of sleep obtained was significantly less (p?=?0.001), than on nights prior to rest days. Moreover, there was a significant effect of sleep duration on pre-training fatigue levels (p?≤?0.01). Specifically, shorter sleep durations were associated with higher levels of pre-training fatigue. Taken together, these findings suggest that the amount of sleep an elite athlete obtains is dictated by their training schedule. In particular, early morning starts reduce sleep duration and increase pre-training fatigue levels. When designing schedules, coaches should be aware of the implications of the timing of training sessions for sleep and fatigue. In cases where early morning starts are unavoidable, countermeasures for minimizing sleep loss – such as strategic napping during the day and correct sleep hygiene practices at night – should be considered.     

The influence of a male's dominance status on female choice in Syrian hamsters

This study evaluated the importance of dominance status on mate selection in Syrian hamsters. In one experiment, sexually receptive females were allowed to choose between tethered males which differed in status. The choice was consistently in favor of the dominant male. The female spent more time in lordosis in the presence of the dominant male. The dominant also obtained a significantly greater number of intromissions. A second experiment investigated whether prior familiarization was essential to permit a female to express mating preferences in a situation where she was free to interact with three males. Again, the dominants were most often preferred and obtained greater sexual access to the female. Prior familiarization or extensive contact with the males was not necessary to support the female's selection of the dominant as a mating partner. The choice occurred quickly, generally within 5 min after contacting the males. Although females did mate with the subordinates, this typically occurred late in the tests. The significance of these data with respect to mate choice and probable paternity effects are discussed.     

The impact of ecological variability on the reproductive endocrinology of wild female African elephants

Non-invasive endocrine methods enable investigation of the relationship between ecological variation and ovarian activity and how this impacts on demographic processes. The underlying physiological factors driving high variation in inter-calving intervals among multi-parous African elephants offer an interesting system for such an investigation. This study investigates the relationship between Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI), an ecosystem surrogate measure of primary productivity, and fecal progestin concentrations among wild female elephants. Matched fecal samples and behavioral data on reproductive activity were collected from 37 focal individuals during the two-year study. Linear mixed models were used to explore the relationship between fecal 5alpha-pregnane-3-ol-20-one concentrations and the independent variables of NDVI, calf sex, female age, gestation day, and time since last parturition. Among both non-pregnant and pregnant females, fecal 5alpha-pregnane-3-ol-20-one concentrations were significantly correlated with time-specific NDVI indicating a strong relationship between ecological conditions and endocrine activity regulating reproduction. In addition, the age of a female and time since her last parturition impacted hormone concentrations. These results indicate that the identification of an individual's reproductive status from a single hormone sample is possible, but difficult to achieve in practice since numerous independent factors, particularly season, impact fecal hormone concentrations. Regardless of season, however, fecal 5alpha-pregnane-3-ol-20-one concentrations below 1 microg/g were exclusively collected from non-pregnant females, which could be used as a threshold value to identify non-pregnant individuals. Collectively the information generated contributes to a better understanding of environmental regulation of reproductive endocrinology in wild elephant populations, information salient to the management and manipulation of population dynamics in this species.     

The effect of prenatal photoperiodic history on the postnatal endocrine status of female lambs

Postnatal photoperiodic experience plays a pivotal role in determining the timing of ovarian activity in female lambs. This study examines whether a photoperiodic history gained while in utero is able to influence this timing.Pregnant Soay ewes were maintained in either long days (n = 7, 18 h light : 6 h dark; group PLD) or short days (n = 12, y h light : 18 h dark; group PSD) from 25 days of gestation. At birth, female lambs (n = 8 per group) were transferred to long days for 10 weeks, and then placed under short days until the end of the experiment at 38 weeks of age. Blood samples were collected from lambs on the day of birth and three times weekly for the duration of the study and the resulting plasma assayed for progesterone and prolactin.Although both gestational photoperiods produced, at best, abbreviated periods of ovarian activity, lambs born to ewes which experienced long days during gestation (group PLD) exhibited elevated plasma progesterone concentrations significantly earlier (P < 0.05) than lambs born to ewes exposed to short days during gestation (group PSD) (mean ± SEM, 193 ± 17 versus 244 ± 14 days for PLD and PSD groups, respectively. Plasma prolactin concentrations in newborn lambs born between late December and early April were not affected by the ambient photoperiod, but reflected the artificial daylength experienced by their mothers during gestation. Lambs born to ewes maintained under long days during gestation (group PLD) had significantly higher prolactin concentrations on the day of birth than lambs born to ewes maintained under short days during gestation (group PSD) (45 ± 5.4 ng/ml versus 7 ± 3.7 ng/ml respectively, P < 0.001). The mean birth weight, rate of live weight gain and live body weight of lambs at the end of the experiment did not vary significantly between treatment groups. These results suggest that the ovine foetus is sensitive to photoperiodic information prior to birth, and develops a photoperiodic history which, under the present experimental conditions, modulates the subsequent endocrine status of the neonatal lamb.     

Iron status and the female athlete

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most prevalent micronutrient deficiency disorder in the world. In the developed world, the greatest prevalence of ID and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) occurs in premenopausal women. Premenopausal women experience ID and IDA due to inadequate consumption of dietary iron coupled with iron losses through physiologic processes such as menstruation. Further, female athletes may experience an elevated risk of ID and IDA, as hepcidin, a peptide hormone that inhibits iron absorption and sequesters iron in the macrophage, may rise in response to physical activity. Declines in physical and cognitive performance have been demonstrated in female athletes with ID and IDA. Performance decrements are attenuated as iron status improves. This review will focus on iron status in female athletes, and will include a review of nutritional countermeasures to prevent ID and IDA.     

The impact of endurance exercise training on left ventricular systolic mechanics

Although exercise training-induced changes in left ventricular (LV) structure are well characterized, adaptive functional changes are incompletely understood. Detailed echocardiographic assessment of LV systolic function was performed on 20 competitive rowers (10 males and 10 females) before and after endurance exercise training (EET; 90 days, 10.7 +/- 1.1 h/wk). Structural changes included LV dilation (end-diastolic volume = 128 +/- 25 vs. 144 +/- 28 ml, P < 0.001), right ventricular (RV) dilation (end-diastolic area = 2,850 +/- 550 vs. 3,260 +/- 530 mm2, P < 0.001), and LV hypertrophy (mass = 227 +/- 51 vs. 256 +/- 56 g, P < 0.001). Although LV ejection fraction was unchanged (62 +/- 3% vs. 60 +/- 3%, P = not significant), all direct measures of LV systolic function were altered. Peak systolic tissue velocities increased significantly (basal lateral S'Delta = 0.9 +/- 0.6 cm/s, P = 0.004; and basal septal S'Delta = 0.8 +/- 0.4 cm/s, P = 0.008). Radial strain increased similarly in all segments, whereas longitudinal strain increased with a base-to-apex gradient. In contrast, circumferential strain (CS) increased in the LV free wall but decreased in regions adjacent to the RV. Reductions in septal CS correlated strongly with changes in RV structure (DeltaRV end-diastolic area vs. DeltaLV septal CS; r2 = 0.898, P < 0.001) and function (Deltapeak RV systolic velocity vs. DeltaLV septal CS, r2 = 0.697, P < 0.001). EET leads to significant changes in LV systolic function with regional heterogeneity that may be secondary to concomitant RV adaptation. These changes are not detected by conventional measurements such as ejection fraction.     

The influence of training status on oxidative stress in young male handball players

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Although exercise-induced oxidative stress receives considerable scientific attention, there is still little information available regarding exercise-induced...     

Effects of training on iron status in cross-country skiers

Haematological changes were studied in cross-country skiers during a 33-week training season (7 h a week). The daily amounts of training were calculated from the duration and the intensity of the exercise and then used to estimate training responses associated with a first order transfer function. The profile of system training responses (STR) was determined by convolution between the amounts of training and a first-order transfer function. Linear regressions were used to determine correlation coefficients between STR and iron status indices. Among the values for the time constants of decay, the one giving the best fit between STR and iron status indices was chosen. A relationship was noted between on the one hand STR and changes in serum ferritin concentration ([FERR]) and on the other hand STR and change in mean cell volume (MCV). The [FERR] was decreased and MCV was increased by training. It is suggested that a decrease in [FERR] could have been related to a decrease in total body iron stores. However, large and rapid changes in [FERR] could not have been a reflection of changes in total body iron stores. Equilibrium between [FERR] and total body iron stores could have been temporarily altered by the effects of training. Moreover, iron stores did not seem to have been sufficiently depleted to restrict erythropoiesis. The MCV increased slightly in response to intense training suggesting that training enhances the proportion of young erythrocytes.     

The effect of aging on the mineral status of female SAMP1 and SAMR1

The effect of aging on the status of macrominerals and trace elements in tissues was studied using two strains (SAMP1 and SAMR1) of senescence accelerated mouse. Two-month-old, 6-mo-old, and 10-mo-old female SAMP1 and SAMR1 mice were fed a commercial diet. Iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, sodium, and potassium concentrations in blood, liver, kidney, brain, and tibia of the mice were determined. The copper concentration in the brain was significantly increased with age in SAMP1 and SAMR1. In addition, the brain copper levels in SAMP1 were significantly higher than that in SAMR1 at respective ages. The calcium concentration in the kidney was significantly increased with age, but the copper and phosphorus concentrations significantly decreased with age in SAMP1 and SAMR1. In the liver of SAMR1, all minerals measured in this study except for sodium and potassium were significantly decreased with age. In addition, all mineral concentrations in the liver of 2-mo-old mice in SAMR1 except for copper and sodium were markedly higher than those in SAMP1 of the same age. These results suggest that the genetic factor is related to the age-associated mineral changes in tissues.