Expression of chemerin and its receptors in the ovaries of prepubertal and mature gilts

Recent studies have demonstrated that chemerin participates in the regulation of female reproductive function at the level of the ovaries. Due to the lack of data concerning the presence of the chemerin system (chemerin and its receptors: CMKLR1, GPR1, CCRL2) in the ovaries of pigs, one of the most economically important livestock species, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression and localization of chemerin and its receptors in the ovaries of prepubertal and mature gilts. We also aimed to examine the concentrations of chemerin in the follicular fluid of prepubertal and mature animals. In the present study, we have demonstrated the expression patterns of chemerin system components in the porcine follicles of different sizes of prepubertal and mature animals, as well as in corpora lutea of mature gilts during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. The obtained results suggest that the expression of chemerin system components is influenced by the reproductive stage, cell type, and the hormonal status of gilts (the estrous cycle/pregnancy). We have also presented the localization of the chemerin system components in various ovarian structures, and also showed changes in the concentration of chemerin in the follicular fluid of pigs. The presented findings not only confirm that chemerin is produced locally in the porcine ovary but they also demonstrate that chemerin directly affects ovarian cells, as confirmed by the presence of chemerin receptors in all ovarian structures. Therefore, chemerin appears to be an important intra‐ovarian factor that could regulate ovary function in pigs.     

Higher insulin, triglycerides, and blood pressure with greater trunk fat in Tanner 1 Chinese

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate the body fat distribution pattern in prepubertal Chinese children and to investigate the relationship between central fat distribution and specific biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. Research Methods and Procedures: The study was conducted in an urban Mainland Chinese (Jinan, Shandong) sample of children using a cross‐sectional design. Pubertal status was determined by Tanner criteria. Measurements included weight, height, waist circumference, DXA measures of total body fat and trunk fat; fasting serum measures of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol; and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Multiple regression models were developed with the biomarkers of cardiovascular risk factor as the dependent variables, and adjustments were made for significant covariates, including sex, age, height, weight, waist circumference, total body fat, trunk fat, and interactions. Results: A total of 247 healthy prepubertal subjects were studied. After co‐varying for age, weight, height, and extremity fat (the sum of arm fat and leg fat), girls had greater trunk fat than boys (p < 0.0001, R² for model = 0.95). Insulin and triglyceride were positively related to central fat measured by DXA‐trunk fat (p < 0.05) but not related to the waist circumference. In the blood pressure model, waist circumference was a significant predictor of both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, while DXA‐trunk fat was associated with diastolic blood pressure only. Significant interactions between sex and trunk fat, and sex and total fat, were found in relation to diastolic blood pressure. Discussion: In prepubertal Chinese children, greater trunk fat was significantly associated with higher insulin and triglyceride in boys and girls and was associated with higher diastolic blood pressure in boys only.     

Latent class analysis of a series of 717 patients with vitiligo allows the identification of two clinical subtypes

Non‐segmental vitiligo (NSV) is an enigmatic disease with various clinical courses. To empirically identify underlying subtypes of NSV, we performed latent class analysis (LCA) of 717 consecutive patients with NSV seen between 2006 and 2012 and were analyzed. Median age was 32 yrs (14–45), median age at NSV onset was 18 yrs (8–32), and median NSV duration 5 yrs (0.75–78.5). A two‐class model showed the best fit. Of the 717 patients, 280 (39%) belonged to LC1 and 437 (61%) to LC2. LC1 patients had high probabilities for early disease onset (<12 yrs), halo nevi, family history of premature hair greying, Koebner phenomenon, previous episodes of repigmentation, and family history of vitiligo. By contrast, LC2 patients were characterized by a late disease onset (after or at the age of 12 yrs, median age of 30 yrs) and acrofacial localization without any lesions on trunk or limbs. These two LCA classes (LC1, ‘prepubertal onset’; LC2, ‘post‐pubertal onset’) may help refining results from genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) and allow a more accurate genotype–phenotype correlation and help defining more directed treatment protocols.     

Obesity and Overweight Prevalence in Polish 7‐ to 9‐Year‐Old Children

Objective: Secular trend in childhood obesity is a well‐known phenomenon, and it is important to monitor it in cross‐sectional studies. The study aim was to estimate prevalence of obesity and overweight in Polish 7‐ to 9‐year‐old children and to compare the results with a French study based on the same protocol. Research Methods and Procedures: The study was conducted in 2001 according to the protocol of the European Childhood Obesity Group. Height and weight were measured, and BMI was calculated to define nutritional status in a randomly selected group of 2916 (1445 girls and 1471 boys) primary school children. Obesity and overweight were estimated according to International Obesity Task Force references with curve for obesity and overweight passing through 30 and 25 kg/m² at age 18, respectively. Results: Overweight (including obesity) was found in 15.4% of Polish children (in 15.8% of girls and 15.0% of boys) and obesity in 3.6% (3.7% of girls and 3.6% of boys) compared with 18.1% of overweight and 3.8% of obese children in French study. There was no significant difference in nutrition status between Polish and French children except for higher frequency of overweight in French 9‐year‐old boys. The same trend of decreasing overweight through age classes was observed in both populations. Discussion: The prevalence of obesity and overweight (including obesity) in prepubertal children estimated in two European countries according to the same protocol and using the same references showed little differences between the two populations despite higher prevalence of obesity in Polish than French adults.     

Soybean isoflavone reduces the residue of zearalenone in the muscle and liver of prepubertal gilts

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of isoflavone (ISO) against zearalenone (ZEA) residues in the muscle and liver tissues of prepubertal gilts. Seventy 75-day-old, prepubertal, female pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, 26.5 ± 0.60 kg) were allocated randomly to seven diet treatments for 21days as follows: one control group (fed the basal diet) and six groups fed the basal diet with the addition of either 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg ZEA plus either 0, 300 or 600 mg/kg ISO. The results showed that the diet with 2.0 mg/kg ZEA added caused an increase of ZEA residue level in muscle tissue (P < 0.05), and that the addition of both 0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg ZEA increased the residue level of ZEA in the liver of prepubertal gilts (P < 0.05). Addition of 600 mg/kg ISO to 2.0 mg/kg ZEA-contaminated diet decreased the ZEA residue level in liver tissue (P < 0.05), and the addition of 300 or 600 mg/kg ISO to the 2.0 mg/kg ZEA-contaminated diet decreased the residue levels of ZEA in muscle tissue (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis demonstrated that feeding ZEA to prepubertal gilts increased their protein expression of 3α/3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD; P < 0.05), and that the addition of 300 or 600 mg/kg ISO to the 2.0 mg/kg ZEA-contaminated diet decreased the protein expression of 3α/3β-HSD (P < 0.05), compared with the addition of 2.0 mg/kg ZEA alone. The results demonstrated that muscle and liver tissues retain residual ZEA when pigs are fed a diet contaminated with high concentrations of ZEA, and that the concentration of ZEA in muscle and liver tissues increased with increased amounts of ZEA in the feed. In diets contaminated with high levels of ZEA, the addition of ISO may accelerate the biotransformation and degradation of ZEA and its metabolites, and reduce the residues of ZEA in liver and muscle tissues of prepubertal gilts.     

Aromatase excess syndrome presenting with prepubertal gynecomastia in an Egyptian child with type 1 neurofibromatosis

A romatase excess syndrome (AEXS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by prepubertal gynecomastia, it responds well to medical treatment. In the absence of prompt suspicion, it can expose the patient to the risk of unnecessary surgical intervention. Up to our best knowledge, the association between AEXS and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) was not reported before. Here, we describe a AEXS presenting with prepubertal gynecomastia in an Egyptian child with NF1 that improved with aromatase inhibitors.     

Follicle stimulating hormone secretion and compensatory ovarian hypertrophy in prepubertal ewes

A study was conducted to determine the effect of unilateral ovariectomy (ULO) on follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion and compensatory ovarian hypertrophy in prepubertal ewes. Thirty-three ewe lambs were allotted according to age and weight to a control (C) or ULO group. In the C group, a sham ovariectomy was performed on day 0 and both ovaries were removed on day 7. In the ULO group, one ovary was removed on day 0 and the remaining ovary was removed on day 7. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein via venipuncture at 0, 6, 12 and 24 hours after the time of sham surgery or ULO (day 0). Subsequent samples were collected daily until day 7, and all samples were assayed for FSH and LH. Unilateral ovariectomy increased (P<0.01) ovarian weight and follicular fluid weight; however, lyophilized ovarian weight was similar for both groups. Within the ULO group, removal of the ovary having the largest follicle(s) did not prevent an increase in ovarian weight or follicular fluid weight of the remaining ovary. Unilateral ovariectomy had no effect on the total number of follicles (1 to 6 mm) per ovary; however, the number of large (5 to 6 mm) follicles per ovary was increased (P<0.05) following ULO. By 12 hours after ULO there was a transient increase (P<0.05) in the circulating concentrations of FSH. Circulating concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) were either low or undetectable in these prepubertal ewes and no LH response was observed following ULO. These results indicate that compensatory ovarian hypertrophy in ULO prepubertal ewes is accompanied by a transient rise in circulating FSH concentrations.     

Oxidative status and serum leptin levels in obese prepubertal children

The prevalence of obesity in children has increased dramatically over the last 20-30 years in developed countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative and antioxidant status and any correlation with leptin in obese prepubertal children. A cross-sectional study was made of healthy children from ten elementary schools in the province of Elazig, Eastern Turkey. Blood samples were drawn from children comprising obese and control groups, on a visit to their school in the morning after an overnight fast. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.03 +/- 4.09 kg/m(2) in the obese group and was 17.51 +/- 2.33 kg/m(2) in the control group. Mean plasma leptin concentration was significantly higher in the obese children. Homocysteine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also significantly higher in the obese group. In contrast superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly decreased in the obese group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, in prepubertal obese children oxidative stress was increased and MDA and homocysteine levels were well correlated with serum leptin level and BMI. In contrast with the increase in oxidative stress, antioxidant activities of SOD and glutathione peroxidase were decreased in obese prepubertal children.     

Maintenance of multiple corpora lutea in superovulated-prepubertal heifers following hysterectomy

Fourteen 6-mo-old crossbred heifers were used to study the effects of hysterectomy on corpora lutea (CL) function in prepubertal heifers. A series of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) injections were given to induce multiple ovulations. Five d after the last injection of FSH, all animals were laparotomized, number of CL were recorded and the uteri were removed from six heifers. Blood samples were taken from all 14 animals at 28-d intervals over a 224-d period and serum progesterone concentrations were measured. Signs of behavioral estrus were not observed in the superovulated-hysterectomized (SO-H) heifers but estrous avtivity was observed in all superovulated-intact (SO-I) heifers. All heifers were slaughtered at 13 to 14 mo of age and ovaries were collected and observed for multiple corpora lutea (MCL). Four of six SO-H heifers had MCL, while the SO-I heifers had no more than one CL per ovary. In the SO-I heifers, MCL present at surgery regressed within 28 d as indicated by lack of serum progesterone at this time. The overall mean serum progesterone of SO-H heifers was higher (P<0.01) than SO-I heifers. These results suggest that MCL induced in prepubertal heifers were functional for approximately 224 d in the absence of the uterus.