Search

Es va utilitzar el mètode del transsecte lineal per comptar ocells en quatre hàbitats urbanitzats de la ciutat de Windhoek (Namíbia). La majoria dels recomptes es van fer entre juliol i octubre, en el període 2012-2014. Es van seleccionar 12 transsectes amb una longitud total de 86 km aproximadament en llocs que representaven els principals hàbitats urbans: zones residencials (centre de la ciutat, suburbis en terres baixes, suburbis en terres altes i perifèria de la ciutat), camps d'esport i una moderna zona industrial. En total es van registrar 80 espècies d'ocells (excloent-ne els visitants paleàrtics). Es van calcular les densitats de població lineals i la dominància de totes les espècies. Sis espècies es van classificar com a dominants: pardal comú, bulbul d'ulls vermells, teixidor emmascarat meridional, colom rialler, estornell comú i ocell ratolí dorsiblanc. L'abundància numèrica acumulada d'aquestes espècies comprèn el 54,2 % de totes les espècies reproductores. El grup d'espècies dominants va variar notablement entre els diferents transsectes. Els granívors van ser el gremi alimentari més important, amb més de la meitat de tots els ocells de Windhoek. Els frugívors (26 %) van ser més nombrosos que els insectívors (19 %). Els ocells que nien en arbres i/o arbustos van representar dues terceres parts del total d'ocells. Sorprenentment, es van registrar poques diferències en l'estructura dels gremis d'alimentació i nidificació entre els quatre hàbitats urbans. L'avifauna de Windhoek presenta una estructura de dominància similar a la d'altres ciutats i pobles del sud d'Àfrica, on dominen els pardals, els coloms, els bulbuls i els ocells ratolins. Els granívors són el principal gremi d'alimentació. Al llarg del gradient urbà, la riquesa d'espècies disminueix i l'abundància d'ocells augmenta cap al centre de la ciutat.

Both cuculiform and piciform species can be used as bioindicators and, to a lesser extent, as umbrella species. A territory mapping method was employed in 2015 to assess their population densities in a riparian forest on the Zambezi River near Katima Mulilo, NENamibia. The forest, c. 280 ha in surface area, was partly transformed by human settlement and croplands. A total of 9 cuculiform and 6 piciform species were recorded. Population densities (male’s territories per 100 ha) were assessed as follow: Diederick, Klaas’s and Jacobin Cuckoo — each one with 1.1, African Emerald and African Black Cuckoo — each one with 0.7, Red-chested Cuckoo — 0.4; Senegal Coucal — 4.3, White-browed and Coppery-tailed Coucals — each one with 0.7; Bearded Woodpecker — 1.8, Golden-tailed Woodpecker — 1.1, Cardinal Woodpecker — 0.4; Black-collared Barbet — 5.7, Crested Barbet — 0.7, and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird — 1.8. Both cuculiform and woodpecker species avoided built-up areas in the man-modified riparian forest, while all barbet species appeared to prefer them. Chrysococcyx cuckoos are not territorial in respect to Cuculus/Clamator cuckoos. The latter ones are, however, territorial in respect to other species from the same genera. Coucals display territorialism in regard to members of other species of the genus Centropus.

Densitat de població i estructura d’una comunitat d’ocells reproductors en un hàbitat suburbà del sistema de drenatge de Cuvelai, al nord de Namíbia En un suburbi (100 ha aproximadament) d’Ongwediva es van registrar un total de 30 espècies d’ocells reproductors el 2018. L’índex de diversitat de Shannon va ser de 2,01. L’estudi va revelar que Passer domesticus suposa gairebé la meitat de totes les parelles reproductores (36,4 parelles / 10 ha). Els granívors són, amb gran diferència, el grup més nombrós segons l’alimentació, amb el 77,5 % de tots els ocells reproductors. Els ocells que nien en edificis només estan representats per dues espècies, però constitueixen gairebé la meitat (49,9 %) de tots els ocells reproductors. En comparació amb altres ciutats del sud d’Àfrica, el nombre d’espècies d’ocells reproductors d’Ongwediva és baix, tot i que es compensa amb altes densitats de població d’algunes espècies.

The line transect method has been employed to assess species diversity, population densities and community structure of birds breeding in a mosaic of Kalahari Woodland and farmland, NE Namibia. The transect, 4.5 km long, was surveyed in 2014 and 2015. The total annual rainfall in 2014 was much higher than in 2015 (427 mm vs. 262 mm).In total, 40 breeding species in 2014, and 46 in 2015 were recorded. Six species were dominant in 2014 (Cape Turtle Dove, Laughing Dove, Emerald-spotted Dove, Blue Waxbill, and White-browed Scrub Robin) and only three species in 2015 (Cape Turtle Dove and Blue Waxbill and Yellow-fronted Canary). Although the cumulative dominance in 2014 almost doubled that in 2014, the Community Index in both years was almost identical. Also diversity indices and evenness index were very similar in both years compared. Granivorous birds were the most numerous feeding guild. Their contribution was similar in 2014 and 2015 (46.7% vs. 43.4%). Two other feeding guilds, insectivores and frugivores, comprised together more than 50% in both years. The number of bird species and species diversity were not influenced by the differential rainfall. However, contrary to expectations, population densities of most bird species (at least the more numerous ones) were higher in the year with lower than in the year with higher rainfall. The number of species and species diversity was similar in the farmland and in neighbouring Kalahari Woodland in a pristine stage. However, population densities of most species were lower in the farmland than in the pristine woodland.

Large baobabs are regarded as key plant species in the savannah biome. In this study their role in shaping the avian community has been evaluated. The territory mapping method has been employed to quantify the avian breeding community in the town Outapi (ca. 130 ha), Northern Namibia, well-endowed with large baobabs. A total of 29 breeding bird species were recorded. The alien House Sparrow was by far the most numerous species comprising 48.4% of all breeding birds. The Blue Waxbill and African Palm Swift were also classified as dominant species, comprising together 17.4%. Granivores were by far the most numerous feeding guild, comprising 77.2% of all birds breeding, while the insectivores comprised only 11.8%. Birds nesting in/on buildings comprised 52.7%, those nesting on trees/shrubs – 42.0%. The population densities of many bird species (e.g. doves from the genus Stepropelia, bulbuls, weavers) were comparatively low. Such a situation could have been caused by the exceptionally high population density of the Pied Crow. In the study area, there were 15 breeding pairs and about 100–150 non-breeding individuals. The baobabs may provide them with a feeding resource in the form of the sweet fruits. The crows, as nest predators, feed also on the eggs and nestlings of other birds. Doves seem to be especially prone to such predation, as their nests are easily to detect and destroy. As a result, they have to breed in low density. This in turn, may release other dominant granivores in the study area, namely sparrows. They are not vulnerable to crow nest predation, as their nests are usually well-concealed under eaves and in holes of buildings.

Diversitat i densitats de població d’ocells coraciformes en un bosc de rivera de Zambeze L’any 2015 es va utilitzar un mètode de mapatge del territori para avaluar la densitat de població de les espècies de coreciformes que es reprodueixen en un bosc de ribera del riu Zambeze, prop de Katima Mulilo, al NE de Namíbia. El bosc, d’unes 280 hectàrees de superfície, està parcialment transformat per assentaments humans i terres de conreu. S’hi van registrar un total de 13 espècies y 42 parelles reproductores. S’hi van establir les densitats de població següents (parelles per 100 ha): alció capgris 4,3; alció gegant africà, alció garser i alció del Senegal 1,1 cadascun; blauet malaquita 0,7; alció estriat 0,4; abellerol frontblanc 1,4; abellerol petit 1,1; gaig blau de clatell verd 0,7; gaig becgròs africà 1,1; puput africana 0,7; puput arbòria verda 1,1, i puput arbòria simitarra 0,4. Dades publicades a GBIF (Doi: 10.15470/s9rlud).

During the years 1996-2001, the line transect method has been employed to assess the species composition, dominance structure and relative abundance of birds resident in traditional farmlands, in the lowlands (10 transects with the total length of 43.9 km) and foothills (10 transects with the total length of transects 46.5 km) of Lesotho, southern Africa. This has been done to show the role of this farming in biodiversity conservation. A total of 76 resident species have been recorded in farmlands of Lesotho, 62 species in the lowlands and 53 species in the foothills. In the lowland farmlands the dominant group was composed of 6 species, namely the Prinia, Cape Bunting, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Cape Canary, Neddicky and Common Quail (35.8 %); in the foothills the group was composed 5 species: Karoo Prinia, Cape-turtle Dove, Laughing Dove, Cape Bunting and Cape Canary (35.9 %). Eighteen species bred in significantly different densities in lowlands and foothills. While insectivorous birds were more numerous in the lowland than foothill, the reverse was true with granivorous birds. Those two guilds comprised together 78% and 83% in the lowland and foothill respectively. The proportion of species in each guild was similar. In the lowland farmland the following eight species were more common that in the foothill farmlands, while in foothill farmland 10 species were more numerous than in lowland farmland. Species diversity and evenness were strikingly high and similar in lowlands and foothills, although Sorensen Similarity Index between these two areas was low (I = 0.44). Both species diversity and structure of dominance in avian communities in Lesotho farmlands indicate that the traditional farming play a positive role in biodiversity conservation.

In April 2013, a transect c. 1100 km long with 100 points arranged in 5 sections was designed in northern Namibia between Ruacana Watefall (W) and Kongola (E) to study avian diversity in relation to gradual changes in precipitation (c.350 mm in W to c.600 mm in E). In total, 81 bird species were recorded in all 100 points, but in particular section, the numbers were low, ranging from 22 to 38 species. In overall, the most frequent and most numerous (dominant) were the following species: Cape Turtle Dove, Blue Waxbill, Grey-headed Sparrow, Laughing Dove and Fork-tailed Drongo. Together they comprised 42.2% of all individuals recorded. All of them, except for the Fork-tailed Drongo, were granivores. Only nine species were recorded in ten or more points. Besides the above-mentioned dominant species, the following other were in this group: Black-chested Prinia, Black-throated Canary, Pied Crow and White-browed Scrub Robin. In particular section the number of dominant species ranged from 5 to 7, without a gradient. Two species, the Cape Turtle Dove and Blue Waxbill, remained dominant in all five sections. The Laughing Dove and Fork-tailed Drongo – in four sections, and the Grey-headed Sparrow – in three sections. Although, no gradient in species diversity, evenness, and dominance structure was recorded, significant differences between two most western and two most eastern sections were apparent. Two species were more frequent and numerous in the eastern than in the western sections: White-browed Scrub Robin and Cape Turtle Dove; while the following species were more frequent and numerous in the western than the eastern sections: African Palm Swift, Black-chested Prinia, Black-throated Canary, Blue Waxbill, Grey-headed Sparrow and Pied Crow.

Abundància i estructura comunitària d’ocells nidificants a la sabana arbrada del Kalahari utilitzada com a pastura Es va fer servir el mètode del transsecte lineal per avaluar l’índex lineal d’abundància i l’estructura comunitària d’ocells nidificants a la sabana arbrada del Kalahari utilitzada com a pastura per al bestiar. Es van definir quatre seccions d’un transsecte al llarg de diversos camins que travessen la finca. Cada secció tenia una longitud de 2,5 km i es va estudiar tres vegades els anys 2014 i 2015. Es van registrar un total de 47 espècies d’ocells en el transsecte, però només de 25 a 31 en una secció específica d’aquest. A la zona inalterada contigua de sabana arbrada del Kalahari, el nombre d’espècies d’ocells registrats en el transsecte de 12 km de longitud va ser molt més alt (n = 88), des de 35 fins a 53 en seccions concretes (cadascuna d’1,2 km de longitud). A la secció específica, el nombre d’espècies dominant va oscil·lar de 5 a 7 i la dominància acumulada en cada secció va ser similar, amb una variació del 53 al 56%, mentre que l’índex de dominància comunitària va oscil·lar de 0,23 a 0,35. Les espècies més nombroses van ser la tórtora del Cap i la tortoreta d’ales maragda, dominants en totes les seccions i que en conjunt constitueixen el 28 % de tots els ocells nidificants. La comunitat d’ocells de la sabana arbrada del Centre de Desenvolupament de la Ramaderia (LDC) de Sachinga no difereix de la que hi ha a la zona inalterada contigua pel que fa a diversitat d’espècies ni homogeneïtat. Tanmateix, difereix de manera significativa pel que fa a la riquesa d’espècies, la proporció de grups ecològics principals i l’índex lineal d’abundància d’espècies concretes. Aquestes diferències poden obeir principalment a l’estructura de la vegetació forestal, que és molt més densa a Sachinga que a la sabana arbrada contigua inalterada (no utilitzada com a pastura per al bestiar). La frondositat d’aquesta vegetació pot haver estat causada per l’elevada pressió de la ramaderia. Dades publicades a GBIF (Doi: https://doi.org/10.15470/rova7r)

Five snake, four lizard, nine amphibian (all anurans) and three fish species were recorded in the Apline grasslands of the Sehlabathebe National Park, South-Eastern Lesotho, Southern Africa. They include rare, threatened and endemic species, some of which are restricted to the Drakensberg / Maloti region. The following species were recorded: snakes Lamprophis aurora, L. fuscus, Hemachatus haemachatus, Bitis arietans, B. atropos; lizards Trachylepsis punctatissima, Tropidosaura montana, Pseudocordylus melanotus, Afroedura nivaria; amphibians (anurans) Xenopus laevis laevis, Bufo gariepensis nubicolus, Cacosternum striatum, Amietia dracomontana, A. angloensis, A. fuscigula, A. umbraculata, Strongylopus fasciatus, Semnodactylus wealii; fishes Labeobarbus aeneus, Pseudobarbus quathlambae and Oncorhynchus mykiss. Species with high conservation priorities include: Lamprophis fuscus, Tropidosaura cottrelli, Pseudocordylus spinosus, Amietia umbraculata, A. drakomontana, Strongylopus fasciatus and Pseudobarbus quathlambae.

A total of 117 bird species has been recorded in Sehlabathebe National Park, south-east Lesotho, consisting of 29 vagrants, 18 visitors and 70 breeding and probable breeding residents. For each species status was determined and abundance roughly estimated. Quantitative studies on breeding bird communities were carried out by means of the line transect method on four transects with the total length ca 30 km in the park and on two transects with the total length of ca 20 km outside the park. In the park, dominant species were represented by the Stonechat Saxicola torquata, Ayres’ Cisticola Cisticola ayresii, Yellow-rumped Widow Euplectes capensis and Wailing Cisticola Cisticola lais. Outside the park dominants were represented by Cape Weaver Ploceus capensis, Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus, Cape Canary Serinus canicollis, Common Quail Coturnix coturnix, Stonechat, Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis and Drakensberg Siskin Pseudochloroptila symonsi. Characteristic, high-altitude species in the park included Drakensberg Siskin, Mountain Pipit Anthus hoeschi, Orange-breasted Rockjumper Chaetops auriantius, Banded Martin Riparia cincta and Sentinel Rock Thrush Monticola explorator. Species such as the Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis, Sicklewinged Chat Cercomela sinuata, Mountain Chat Oenanthe monticola, Thick-billed Lark Galerida magnirostris, Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio, Alpine Swift Apus melba Cape Sparrow, Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus, Red Bishop Euplectes orix and Golden Bishop Euplectes afer were absent or occurred in very low densities in the park, although they are widespread and common in the Maluti/Drakensberg grasslands (including areas neighbouring to the park). The lack of trees and shrubs for nesting, the lack of cultivated fields as feeding places and competition with related species both for food and nesting sites, may partly play a role in this regard.

Reproductive success requires considerable energy investment. Research has shown that some adipokines, i.e. the hormones produced in adipose tissue, affect reproductive functions by influencing all structures of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Apelin is a recently identified member of the adipokine family. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the gene and protein expression of the apelin system (the apelin hormone and the apelin receptor, APJ) in the anterior (AP) and posterior (PP) pituitary lobes of the domestic pig during different phases of the oestrous cycle (days 2 to 3, 10 to 12, 14 to 16, and 17 to 19) and in early pregnancy (days 10 to 11, 12 to 13, 15 to 16, and 27 to 28). It was also assumed that apelin participates in the regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion and influences Akt, MAPK/Erk1/2, and AMPK signalling pathways in the AP during the oestrous cycle. Apelin, APJ mRNAs and proteins were detected in both pituitary lobes. Apelin was identified in gonadotropes, somatotropes, lactotropes, and thyrotropes. The study also revealed that apelin and APJ mRNA/protein levels fluctuate during the oestrous cycle and early gestation. Apelin affects basal, GnRH- and/or insulin-stimulated gonadotropin secretion in some phases of the cycle, as well as the phosphorylation of Akt, MAPK/Erk1/2, and AMPK proteins in AP cells. These findings suggest that apelin may be produced locally in the pituitary and that this gland is receptive to apelin's action. The study also suggest that apelin may influence female reproductive functions by controlling the release of LH and FSH from AP cells, and that it affects Akt, MAPK/Erk1/2, and AMPK signalling pathways., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The pituitary belongs to the most important endocrine glands involved in regulating reproductive functions. The proper functioning of this gland ensures the undisturbed course of the oestrous cycle and affects the female's reproductive potential. It is believed that visfatin, a hormone belonging to the adipokine family, may regulate reproductive functions in response to the female's metabolic state. Herein we verified the hypothesis that suggests a modulatory effect of visfatin on the anterior pituitary transcriptome during the mid-luteal phase of the oestrous cycle., Results: RNA-seq analysis of the porcine anterior pituitary cells revealed changes in the expression of 202 genes (95 up-regulated and 107 down-regulated in the presence of visfatin, when compared to the non-treated controls), assigned to 318 gene ontology terms. We revealed changes in the frequency of alternative splicing events (235 cases), as well as long noncoding RNA expression (79 cases) in the presence of the adipokine. The identified genes were associated, among others, with reproductive system development, epithelial cell proliferation, positive regulation of cell development, gland morphogenesis and cell chemotaxis., Conclusions: The obtained results indicate a modulatory influence of visfatin on the regulation of the porcine transcriptome and, in consequence, pituitary physiology during the mid-luteal phase of the oestrous cycle., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Previously, we demonstrated the expression of visfatin in porcine reproductive tissues and its effect on pituitary endocrinology. The objective of this study was to examine the visfatin effect on the secretion of steroid (P 4 , E 2 ) and prostaglandin (PGE 2 , PGF 2α ), the mRNA and protein abundance of steroidogenic markers (STAR, CYP11A1, HSD3B, CYP19A1), prostaglandin receptors (PTGER2, PTGFR), insulin receptor (INSR), and activity of kinases (MAPK/ERK1/2, AKT, AMPK) in the porcine corpus luteum. We noted that the visfatin effect strongly depends on the phase of the estrous cycle: on days 2-3 and 14-16 it reduced P 4 , while on days 10-12 it stimulated P 4 . Visfatin increased secretion of E 2 on days 2-3, PGE 2 on days 2-3 and 10-12, reduced PGF 2α release on days 14-16, as well as stimulated the expression of steroidogenic markers on days 10-12 of the estrous cycle. Moreover, visfatin elevated PTGER mRNA expression and decreased its protein level, while we noted the opposite changes for PTGFR. Additionally, visfatin activated ERK1/2, AKT, and AMPK, while reduced INSR phosphorylation. Interestingly, after inhibition of INSR and signalling pathways visfatin action was abolished. These findings suggest a regulatory role of visfatin in the porcine corpus luteum., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Visfatin (VIS) is a hormone belonging to the adipokines' group secreted mainly by the adipose tissue. VIS plays a crucial role in the control of energy homeostasis, inflammation, cell differentiation, and angiogenesis. VIS expression was confirmed in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis structures, as well as in the uterus, placenta, and conceptuses. We hypothesised that VIS may affect the abundance of proteins involved in the regulation of key processes occurring in the corpus luteum (CL) during the implantation process in pigs. In the present study, we performed the high-throughput proteomic analysis (liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, LC-MS/MS) to examine the in vitro influence of VIS (100 ng/mL) on differentially regulated proteins (DRPs) in the porcine luteal cells (LCs) on days 15-16 of pregnancy (implantation period). We have identified 511 DRPs, 276 of them were up-regulated, and 235 down-regulated in the presence of VIS. Revealed DRPs were assigned to 162 gene ontology terms. Western blot analysis of five chosen DRPs, ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 1 (ADAMTS1), lanosterol 14-α demethylase (CYP51A1), inhibin subunit beta A (INHBA), notch receptor 3 (NOTCH3), and prostaglandin E synthase 2 (mPGES2) confirmed the veracity and accuracy of LC-MS/MS method. We indicated that VIS modulates the expression of proteins connected with the regulation of lipogenesis and cholesterologenesis, and, in consequence, may be involved in the synthesis of steroid hormones, as well as prostaglandins' metabolism. Moreover, we revealed that VIS affects the abundance of protein associated with ovarian cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, as well as CL new vessel formation and tissue remodelling. Our results suggest important roles for VIS in the regulation of ovarian functions during the peri-implantation period., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The peri-implantation period is a critical time during pregnancy that mostly defines the overall litter size. Most authors agree that the highest percentage of embryo mortality occurs during this time. Despite the brevity of the peri-implantation period, it is the most dynamic part of pregnancy in which the sequential and uninterrupted course of several processes is essential to the animal's reproductive success. Also then, the maternal uterine tissues undergo an intensive remodelling process, and their energy demand dramatically increases. It is believed that apelin, a member of the adipokine family, is involved in the control of female reproductive functions in response to the current metabolic state. The verified herein hypothesis assumed the modulatory effect of apelin on the endometrial tissue transcriptome on days 15 to 16 of gestation (beginning of implantation)., Results: The analysis of data obtained during RNA-seq (Illumina HiSeq2500) of endometrial slices treated and untreated with apelin (n = 4 per group) revealed changes in the expression of 68 genes (39 up-regulated and 29 down-regulated in the presence of apelin), assigned to 240 gene ontology terms. We also revealed changes in the frequency of alternative splicing events (397 cases), as well as single nucleotide variants (1,818 cases) in the presence of the adipokine. The identified genes were associated, among others, with the composition of the extracellular matrix, apoptosis, and angiogenesis., Conclusions: The obtained results indicate a potential role of apelin in the regulation of uterine tissue remodelling during the peri-implantation period., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Visfatin/NAMPT (VIS), the hormone exerting a pleiotropic effect, is also perceived as an important factor in the regulation of reproductive processes and pregnancy maintenance. Previous studies confirmed its involvement in the control of porcine pituitary and ovary function. In this study, we hypothesized that VIS may affect the global transcriptome of luteal cells and thus regulate the functioning of the ovaries. Illumina's NovaSeq 6000 RNA sequencing was performed to investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and long non-coding RNAs (DELs) as well as the occurrence of differential alternative splicing events (DASs) in the porcine luteal cells exposed to VIS (100 ng/mL) during the implantation period. The obtained results revealed 170 DEGs (99 up- and 71 downregulated) assigned to 45 functional annotations. Moreover, we revealed 40 DELs, of which 3 were known and 37 were described for the first time. We identified 169 DASs events. The obtained results confirmed a significant effect of VIS on the transcriptome and spliceosome of luteal cells, including the genes involved in the processes crucial for successful implantation and pregnancy maintenance as angiogenesis, steroidogenesis, inflammation, cell development, migration, and proliferation.

The pituitary gland is a key endocrine gland in all classes of vertebrates, including mammals. The pituitary gland is an important component of hypothalamus-pituitary-target organ hormonal regulatory axes and forms a functional link between the nervous system and the endocrine system. In response to hypothalamic stimuli, the pituitary gland secretes a number of hormones involved in the regulation of metabolism, stress reactions and environmental adaptation, growth and development, as well as reproductive processes and lactation. In turn, hormones secreted by target organs at the lowest levels of the hormonal regulatory axes regulate the functions of the pituitary gland in the process of hormonal feedback. The pituitary also responds to other peripheral signals, including adipose-tissue-derived factors. These substances are a broad group of peptides known as adipocytokines or adipokines that act as endocrine hormones mainly involved in energy homeostasis. Adipokines, including adiponectin, resistin, apelin, chemerin, visfatin, and irisin, are also expressed in the pituitary gland, and they influence the secretory functions of this gland. This review is an overview of the existing knowledge of the relationship between chosen adipose-derived factors and endocrine functions of the pituitary gland, with an emphasis on the pituitary control of reproductive processes.

Visfatin (VIS), also known as nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Recently, VIS has been also recognized as an adipokine. Our previous study revealed that VIS is produced in the anterior and posterior lobes of the porcine pituitary. Moreover, the expression and secretion of VIS are dependent on the phase of the estrous cycle and/or the stage of early pregnancy. Based on this, we hypothesized that VIS may regulate porcine pituitary function. This study was conducted on anterior pituitary (AP) glands harvested from pigs during specific phases of the estrous cycle. We have shown the modulatory effect of VIS in vitro on LH and FSH secretion by porcine AP cells (determined by ELISA). VIS was also found to stimulate cell proliferation (determined by Alamar Blue) without affecting apoptosis in these cells (determined using flow cytometry technique). Moreover, it was indicated that VIS may act in porcine AP cells through the INSR, AKT/PI3K, MAPK/ERK1/2, and AMPK signaling pathways (determined by ELISA or Western Blot). This observation was further supported by the finding that simultaneous treatment of cells with VIS and inhibitors of these pathways abolished the observed VIS impact on LH and FSH secretion (determined by ELISA). In addition, our research indicated that VIS affected the mentioned processes in a manner that was dependent on the dose of VIS and/or the phase of the estrous cycle. Thus, these findings suggest that VIS may regulate the functioning of the porcine pituitary gland during the estrous cycle.

Recent studies have demonstrated that visfatin participates in the regulation of female reproduction. Due to the lack of data concerning the level of visfatin in the ovarian follicles of pigs, one of the most economically important livestock species, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression and localisation of visfatin and the follicular fluid concentration in the ovarian follicles of prepubertal and mature gilts. We also aimed to examine the in vitro effects of gonadotropins (LH, FSH), insulin, progesterone (P 4 ), oestradiol (E 2 ), prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) and F 2α (PGF 2α ) on visfatin levels. In the present study, we have demonstrated that visfatin expression is dependent on the maturity of the animals and the stage of ovarian follicle development. Visfatin signal was detected in individual follicular compartments from primordial to antral follicles and even in atretic follicles. We have shown that the expression of visfatin in granulosa cells was higher than in theca cells. The level of visfatin is upregulated by LH, FSH, E 2, and P 4 and downregulated by insulin, while prostaglandins have modulatory effects, dependent on the dose and type of ovarian follicular cells. To summarise, our research has shown that visfatin is widely expressed in the ovarian follicles of prepubertal and mature pigs, and its expression is regulated by gonadotropins, insulin, steroids, and prostaglandins, suggesting that visfatin appears to be an important intra-ovarian factor that could regulate porcine ovarian follicular function., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Visfatin/NAMPT creates a hormonal link between energy metabolism and female reproduction. A recent study documented visfatin expression in the ovary and its action on follicular cells; however, the expression of visfatin in luteal cells is still unknown. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate the transcript and protein expression of visfatin as well as its immunolocalization in the corpus luteum (CL) and to examine the involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) in the regulation of visfatin level in response to LH, insulin, progesterone (P 4 ), prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) and F 2α (PGF 2α ). Corpora lutea were harvested from gilts on days 2-3, 10-12 and 14-16 of the estrous cycle and on days 10-11, 12-13, 15-16 and 27-28 of pregnancy. The current study demonstrated that visfatin expression depends on hormonal status related to the phase of the estrous cycle or early pregnancy. Visfatin was immunolocalized to the cytoplasm of small and large luteal cells. Moreover, visfatin protein abundance was increased by P 4 , and decreased by both prostaglandins, while LH and insulin have modulatory effects, depending on the phase of the cycle. Interestingly, LH, P 4 and PGE 2 effects were abolished in response to the inhibition of ERK1/2 kinase. Thus, this study demonstrated that expression of visfatin in the porcine CL is determined by the endocrine status related to the estrous cycle and early pregnancy and by the action of LH, insulin, P 4 and prostaglandins via activation of the ERK1/2 pathway., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Reproduction in females is an energetically demanding process. We assumed that adiponectin (ADPN), known for its role in energy balance maintenance, is also engaged in the regulation of uterine steroidogenesis in the pig. We determined the impact of ADPN alone or in combination with insulin (INS) on testosterone (T), estrone (E 1 ) and estradiol (E 2 ) secretion by porcine endometrium and myometrium, uterine expression of CYP17A1 and CYP19A3 genes, and endometrial abundance of P450 C17 and P450 AROM proteins during the peri-implantation period and the oestrous cycle, using radioimmunoassay, qPCR, and Western Blot, respectively. During pregnancy, in the endometrial explants from days 10-11, ADPN decreased CYP17A1 gene expression, P450 C17 protein abundance and T secretion, whereas increased E 1 secretion. On days 12-13 of pregnancy, ADPN decreased CYP17A1 and CYP19A3 expression, P450 C17 and P450 AROM protein abundance and E 1 secretion, but stimulated T secretion. On days 15-16 of pregnancy, ADPN decreased P450 C17 protein accumulation but enhanced CYP19A3 expression and E 1 secretion. On days 27-28 of pregnancy, ADPN increased CYP17A1 and CYP19A3 mRNA content and T secretion in this tissue and decreased P450 C17 content. ADPN effect on myometrial explants was dependent on stage of gestation or oestrous cycle. Moreover, INS treatment modulated basal and ADPN-affected steroidogenic enzymes gene and protein expression and steroids secretion. The results obtained indicate that ADPN may affect processes required for successful implantation such as steroidogenesis. ADPN and INS were also shown to modulate each other action, which indicates that the proper course of uterine steroidogenesis may be dependent on both hormones' interaction., Competing Interests: Competing interests None of the authors of the above manuscript has declared any conflict of interest which may arise from being named as an author on the manuscript. The authors declare no financial or personal competing interests that may influence data interpretation or presentation of information in relation to this manuscript., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

It is well known that the body's metabolism and reproduction are closely related. Chemerin (CHEM) is one of many biologically active proteins secreted by the adipose tissue involved in the regulation of the energy homeostasis of the organism. In the present study, RNA-sequencing was performed to investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and alternatively spliced (AS) transcripts in the cultured porcine endometrium exposed to chemerin for 24 hours (CHEM; 400 ng/mL) collected during the implantation period (15-16 days of gestation). High-throughput sequencing of transcriptomes was performed on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform (Illumina, USA). In the current study, among all 130 DEGs, 58 were upregulated and 72 were downregulated in the CHEM-treated group. DEGs were assigned to 73 functional annotations. Twelve identified lncRNAs indicated a difference in the expression profile after CHEM administration. Additionally, we detected 386 differentially AS events encompassed 274 protein-coding genes and 2 lncRNAs. All AS events were divided into five alternative splicing types: alternative 3' splice site (A3SS), 5' splice site (A5SS), mutually exclusive exons (MXE), retention intron (RI), and skipping exon (SE). Within all AS events, we identified 42 A3SS, 43 A5SS, 53 MXE, 9 RI, and 239 SE. In summary, CHEM affects the transcriptomic profile of the porcine endometrium, controlling the expression of numerous genes, including those involved in the cell migration and adhesion, angiogenesis, inflammation, and steroidogenesis. It can be assumed that CHEM may be an important factor for a proper course of gestation and embryo development., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Society for the Study of Reproduction. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

In this study, aims were to evaluate orexin A (OXA) effects on mRNA abundance of important enzymes involved in prostaglandin production, such as cyclooxygenase 2 (PTGS2), microsomal PGE 2 synthase-1 (PTGES), PGF 2α synthase (PGFS) and carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1), as well as prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) and F 2α (PGF 2α ) culture medium concentrations for endometrial and myometrial explants. Tissues were collected from gilts during specific phases of the estrogenic cycle or early gestational period. There were greater concentrations of PGE 2 with OXA treatments of endometrial tissues collected on days 12-13 and 27-28, as well as PGF 2α on days 10-11 of the gestational period. The PGF 2α concentrations were less in tissues collected on days 27-28 of the gestational period. The OXA treatments resulted in lesser concentrations of PGE 2 from myometrial tissues collected on days 10-11 and greater PGF 2α on days 10-11 of the gestational period and 10-11 of the estrogenic cycle. Effects of OXA may occur due to actions at PTGS2, PTGES, PGFS and CBR1 genes because mRNA abundances for proteins encoded by these genes were affected by OXA. Results indicate there is an OXA effect on mRNA abundances and prostaglandin culture medium concentrations of uterine tissue collected at different stages of the gestational period or estrogenic cycle using different doses of OXA. It, therefore, is concluded OXA may affect de novo synthesis and secretion of PGE 2 and PGF 2α in the uterus of pigs., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Visfatin appears to be an energy sensor involved in the regulation of female fertility, which creates a hormonal link integrating the control of energy homeostasis and reproduction. This study evaluates the expression levels of visfatin gene and protein in selected areas of the porcine hypothalamus responsible for gonadotropin-releasing hormone synthesis: the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) and preoptic area (POA), and visfatin concentrations in the blood plasma. The tissue samples were harvested from gilts on days 2-3, 10-12, 14-16, and 17-19 of the estrous cycle, and on days 10-11, 12-13, 15-16, 27-28 of pregnancy. Visfatin was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of cells creating both studied hypothalamic structures. The study demonstrated that visfatin gene and protein expression in MBH and POA depends on hormonal status related to the phase of the estrous cycle or early pregnancy. Blood plasma concentrations of visfatin during the estrous cycle were higher on days 2-3 in relation to other studied phases of the cycle, while during early pregnancy, the highest visfatin contents were observed on days 12-13. This study demonstrated visfatin expression in the porcine hypothalamus and its dependence on the hormonal milieu related to the estrous cycle and early pregnancy.

This study determined the effect of orexin B (OXB) on the porcine endometrial transcriptome during the embryo attachment phase. Microarray analyses of gene ontology (GO), biological pathways, networks and differentially expressed genes (DEG) were performed. Orexin B influenced the expression of 887 genes (fold change > 1.2; p < .05): 620 genes were up-regulated, and 267 were down-regulated. The analysis of the relationship between DEG revealed that OXB interacts with genes linked with processes such as cell hormone binding, regulation of hormone levels, lipid transport, steroid metabolic processes, the apoptotic signalling pathway and the acute inflammatory response, which are pivotal for reproductive success. Orexin B played a bivalent role in the early-pregnant uterus by limiting the pregnancy outcome, promoting embryo development, suppressing the immune system and, consequently, preventing embryo rejection. These findings suggest that OXB could be responsible for the proper course of gestation by adapting litter size to the metabolic status of the maternal organism., (© 2020 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

This study aimed to determine the effect of orexin B (OXB) on the global expression pattern and the relationships among differentially expressed genes (DE-genes) in the transcriptome of myometrial explants during the early implantation period in the pig (day 15 of pregnancy). The changes in the transcriptome profile of the porcine myometrium were investigated using the Porcine (V2) Two-colour Gene Expression Microarray, 4 × 44. An analysis of the data from the microarray experiment revealed that 1540 DE-genes were affected by OXB, of which 1135 exhibited fold changes (FC) greater than 1.2 (P < 0.05). Among these, 576 genes were up-regulated and 559 genes were down-regulated. Among the affected biological processes in the myometrial tissue, 76 were enhanced and 31 were suppressed. Furthermore, the differential expression of nine genes, related to the regulation of reproductive functions and metabolic homeostasis, was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. A functional analysis of the relationships between DE-genes indicated that OXB interacts with the genes involved in the processes such as the inflammatory response, the response to interleukin-6, cytokine receptor activity, the regulation of cell activation, growth factor receptor binding, lipid modification and the steroid metabolic process. An analysis of DE-genes and their functional relationships suggests that OXB could be involved in the mechanisms such as the regulation of cell proliferation and development, inhibition of contractility, regulation of programmed cell death, and the development of blood vessels, all of which facilitate implantation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Chemerin belongs to the group of adipocyte-derived hormones known as adipokines, which are responsible mainly for the control of energy homeostasis. Adipokine exerts its influence through three receptors: Chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1), G protein-coupled receptor 1 (GPR1), and C-C motif chemokine receptor-like 2 (CCRL2). A growing body of evidence indicates that chemerin participates in the regulation of the female reproductive system. According to the literature, the expression of chemerin and its receptors in reproductive structures depends on the local hormonal milieu. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effect of prostaglandins E 2 (PGE 2 ) and F 2α (PGF 2α ) on chemerin and chemerin receptor (chemerin system) mRNAs (qPCR) and proteins (ELISA, Western blotting) in endometrial tissue explants collected from early-pregnant gilts. Both PGE 2 and PGF 2α significantly influenced the expression of the chemerin gene, hormone secretion, and the expression of chemerin receptor genes and proteins. The influence of both prostaglandins on the expression of the chemerin system varied between different stages of gestation. This is the first study to describe the modulatory effect of PGE 2 and PGF 2α on the expression of the chemerin system in the porcine uterus during early gestation.

In pigs, early gestation is the most critical period deciding about the reproduction success, and it depends on many processes, involving a significant number of genes and their products. Myometrium was found to be an important source of factors pivotal for a proper course of gestation. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of orexin A (OXA) on the porcine transcriptome, and the determination of relationships among differentially expressed genes (DEG) in the porcine myometrium during implantation using microarray technology. The analyses of gene ontology (GO), DEG assays, biological pathways and networks were performed. OXA affected the expression of 461 genes with fold-change values greater than 1.2 (p < 0.05). The expression of 260 genes were up-regulated and 201 down-regulated in the OXA-treated myometrium. Twelve genes were selected for qPCR validation of differential expression based on their known role in angiogenesis, immune processes, steroid hormone signaling and prostaglandins synthesis. The analysis of relationship between DEG indicated that OXA interacts with genes involved in the inflammatory response, cytokine binding, cytokine activity, interleukin production, leukocyte migration, angiogenesis and embryonic hemopoiesis. The presented results suggest that OXA may play a key role in ensuring optimal conditions for implanting embryos., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Chemerin (CHEM) may act as an important link integrating energy homeostasis and reproductive functions of females, and its actions are mediated by three receptors: chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1), G protein-coupled receptor 1 (GPR1), and C-C motif chemokine receptor-like 2 (CCRL2). The aim of the current study was to compare the expression of CHEM and its receptor (CHEM system) mRNAs (quantitative real-time PCR) and proteins (Western blotting and fluorescent immunohistochemistry) in the selected areas of the porcine hypothalamus responsible for gonadotropin-releasing hormone production and secretion: the mediobasal hypothalamus, preoptic area and stalk median eminence during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. Moreover, plasma CHEM concentrations were determined using ELISA. The expression of CHEM system has been demonstrated in the porcine hypothalamus throughout the luteal phase and follicular phase of the oestrous cycle, and during early pregnancy from days 10 to 28. Plasma CHEM levels and concentrations of transcripts and proteins of CHEM system components in the hypothalamus fluctuated throughout pregnancy and the oestrous cycle. Our study was the first experiment to demonstrate the presence of CHEM system mRNAs and proteins in the porcine hypothalamus and the correlations between the expression levels and physiological hormonal milieu related to the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy.

Comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanism of the implantation process in pigs is crucial for reproductive success. The endometrium plays an important role in regulating the establishment and maintenance of gestation. The goal of the current study was to determine the effect of adiponectin on the global expression pattern of genes and relationships among differentially expressed genes (DE-genes) in the porcine endometrium during implantation using microarrays. Diverse transcriptome analyses including gene ontology (GO), biological pathway, networks, and DE-gene analyses were performed. Adiponectin altered the expression of 1286 genes with fold-change (FC) values greater than 1.2 ( p < 0.05). The expression of 560 genes were upregulated and 726 downregulated in the endometrium treated with adiponectin. Thirteen genes were selected for real-time PCR validation of differential expression based on a known role in metabolism, steroid and prostaglandin synthesis, interleukin and growth factor action, and embryo implantation. Functional analysis of the relationship between DE-genes indicated that adiponectin interacts with genes that are involved in the processes of cell proliferation, programmed cell death, steroid and prostaglandin synthesis/metabolism, cytokine production, and cell adhesion that are critical for reproductive success. The presented results suggest that adiponectin signalling may play a key role in the implantation of pig.

Four new species of feather mites belonging to three different genera of the family Pteronyssidae are described from passerine birds of South Africa: Pteroherpus africanus sp. n. from the garden bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus (Desfontaines) (Pycnonotidae), Pteroherpus cysticolae sp. n. from the wing-snapped cisticola Cisticola ayresii Hartlaub (Sylviidae), Pteronyssoides promeropis sp. n. from the Gurney's sugarbird Promerops gurneyi Verreaux (Promeropidae), and Sturnotrogus creatophorae sp. n. from the wattled starling Creatophora cinerea Menschen (Sturnidae). A brief review of recent publications on the taxonomy of the family Pteronyssidae is given.