Browsing by Subject "Allometrie"

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Geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede in der Fötalentwicklung beim Schwein
(2007) Häußler, Susanne; Claus, Rolf
Basic mechanisms of sexual differentiation in higher mammals are well established. The development of the testes is controlled by genetic mechanisms and initiated by the Y-chromosome. Further differentiation of the ?Anlagen? is performed by the presence of testicular androgens but requires no specific signal in females (basic femaleness). Speculation exists during the fetal development of pigs, because androgens are also measurable in female fetuses. In addition, the male gonad is able to synthesize remarkably high levels of estrogens. The aim of the present study was to follow up concentrations of steroids in peripheral plasma throughout fetal development, starting with week 6, and in particular to analyze changes in testicular cell populations (spermatogonia, Leydig cells) and to correlate them with testicular androgens, estrogens, 19-nortestosterone and cortisol. The expression of steroid converting enzymes such as 11beta-HSD 2 and aromatase as well as receptors were determined by immunocytochemistry and quantitative PCR. Altogether each of the stages of gestation (weeks 6, 10, 13, and 15 of pregnancy) was represented by 4 sows, so that a total of 158 fetuses were collected. Testicular steroid synthesis (testosterone, estradiol) could be demonstrated as early as week 6, but was independant of gonadotropine. 19-nortestosterone, which is formed during estrogen synthesis, was detected in amniotic fluid using a new established enzymeimmunoassay in this study. Aromatase activity clearly correlated with a wave-like pattern of cell development. Therefore the activity was elevated both during an alternating rise of Leydig cells or spermatogonia mitosis. During the rise of spermatogonia development Leydig cells remained quiescent and during the Leydig cell mitosis spermatogonia remained inactive. An increased aromatase activity was observed both during the rise of spermatogonia and Leydig cell mitosis, and in consequence an elevated concentration of estradiol was found. But during an increased Leydig cell formation aromatase expression and thus estradiol synthesis was taken over by spermatogonia. It is therefore reasonable to resume that estrogens are important mitogenic signals as it was also found earlier in mature boars. The expression of glucocorticoid receptors by spermatogonia could be demonstrated for the first time in fetal pig testes. As also shown for other tissues, its likely role in testes is the differentiation of new cells. This important role also explains the expression of the enzyme 11beta-HSD 2 both by Leydig cells and spermatogonia. This enzyme is a well known fine-tuning mechanism which indicates cortisol and thus the ligand for the glucocorticoid receptor. Its expression in parallel to the rise of estrogens suggests a dependancy on estrogens. Investigating this was, however, not the topic of the present study. The demonstration of androgens both in blood plasma and amniotic fluid in female fetuses seems to contradict the principle of basic femaleness. It was shown however, that concentrations of testosterone in males increase up to 2.01 ng/ml plasma during the main period of sexual differentiation whereas female levels remain at 0.2 ng/ml so that it is simply the concentration which decides where the male differentiation does occur. It can not be ruled out, however, that low concentrations in female fetuses may have an effect on follicular differentiation, as was also demonstrated in mature sows. At the same time androgens could have a mitotic effect caused by insulin-like growth factors (IGF I + II). Thus the present investigation was able to clarify of several new mechanisms and basic data of fetal pig development. Further confirmation of the mechanisms suspected in this study may be served by an aromatase inhibitor.
Wachstum und Wachstumsregulation beim Schwein
(1995) Weiler, Ulrike; Claus, Rolf
The endocrine regulation of growth was studied in wild and domestic pigs by systematic measurements of growth hormone (GH), IGF-I (Insulin-like growth factor-I), insulin and steroid hormones. In some of the studies measurements of osteocalcin were included to monitor the anabolic activity of osteoblasts under different physiological situations. The following results were obtained. Age dependent changes in the secretion of GH- und IGF-I were studied in growing boars, barrows and gilts and compared to growth parameters. IGF-I reflected age dependent changes in the growth potential and were closely correlated with daily gain and protein accretion. Osteocalcin concentrations were always correlated to IGF-I, the age dependent decrease, however, was more pronounced for osteocalcin than for IGF-I, reflecting the allometric predominance of skeletal growth in very young pigs. Osteocalcin concentrations were always correlated to IGF-I, the age dependent decrease was more pronounced for osteocalcin than for IGF-I, reflecting the allometric predominance of bone growth in very young pigs. Additionally a clear rhythm of IGF-I secretion was obvious with a period length of two to three weeks. This rhythm was similarly found for cortisol secretion and peripheral osteocalcin and might be related to allometric growth phenomena, as described for skeletal growth in other species. Regulation of GH-secretion includes interactions with hormones involved in the regulation of reproduction. At the pituitary level such interactions were demonstrated for Gn-RH and GH-RH. Gonadal steroids directly influence the release of GH and IGF-I secretion. The analysis of physiological situations as well as application studies revealed that testosterone had only a minor effect on both hormones. In contrast, low concentrations of estradiol clearly stimulated GH- and IGF-I secretion as well. Further increasing estradiol concentrations were still stimulatory for IGF-I but inhibited GH-secretion. Progesterone tended to lower both, GH and IGF-I secretion. Additionally Large White, Meishan and European wild boar were studied for differences in growth performance and the endocrine regulation during the first year of life. The studies revealed, that the high growth potential of LW is related both, to high levels of anabolic IGF-I and concomitantly low levels of catabolic cortisol. In Meishan and wild boars cortisol levels were high, but in Meishan boars additionally high concentrations of gonadal steroids were measured, which may explain the higher growth rate in MS when compared to wild boars. IGF-I concentrations were even higher in wild boars than in LW. Thus it is assumed that selection for growth potential led to a concomitant change in the level of catabolic glucocorticoids. The influence of the season and photoperiod on endocrine parameter, food intake and growth was investigated in wild and domestic boars. A seasonal influence on IFG-I secretion was obvious in wild and LW boars, but not in Meishan boars. It was further proven by the application of a reverse light programme that the pattern is mainly due to the influence of the photoperiod. In the wild boar three distinct metabolic periods were obvious, which were also found in domestic pigs, but less pronounced. In addition to the photoperiod food intake and food composition modulate GH and IGF-I secretion in the pig. Several experiments revealed, that IGF-I secretion is predominantly influenced by the energy supply and only to a lower extend by protein and tryptophane content of the ration.