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Contents The aim of this study was to compare the plasma profiles of 15-ketodihydro-PGF2α (PGM) in healthy neonates of three different species from birth until the third week of life. Twenty-four horse foals, 12 donkey foals, and 9 calves were studied. Blood samples were collected at 10, 20 and 30 min after birth, at 3, 24 and 72 h after birth, and at 7, 10, 17 and 21 days of life. All mothers experienced normal gestation lengths and normal, spontaneous deliveries. All newborns were judged mature and viable. Hormone concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in horse foals 20 and 30 min after birth compared to later samples, and at 10 min in donkey foals compared to later samples (p < 0.05). In calves, higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of PGM were observed 10, 20, 30 min and 3 hours from parturition compared to later samples. These findings may be related to increased fetal placental unit production during parturition, while the relatively high PGF2α levels in the days after parturition may be connected with their role in completing organ maturation. Despite the existing differences between these species, the statistical analysis did not discover significant differences in PGM profiles during the first 3 weeks of life in donkey, horse and cattle newborns. The low levels observed 10 days after birth are possibly due to a fast completion of maturational development in these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hormonal changes during early neonatal life play a major role in the physiological processes underlying the maturation of several organs. Since prostaglandins and cortisol are associated with fetal organ system maturation, the aim of this study was to evaluate 15-ketodihydro-PGF2α (PGM) and cortisol plasma concentrations during the first 21 days after birth in foals born by either spontaneous (24 foals) or low-dose oxytocin (OT)-induced parturition performed after at least 320 gestational days (25 foals) since induction is often considered to be a cause of prematurity. After spontaneous birth, the PGM concentration was significantly (P <0.05) higher at 20 and 30min compared to samples taken several hours or days later, while induced foals showed significantly (P <0.05) higher concentrations at 10, 20, and 30min. Regarding differences between the two groups, the plasma concentration of PGM was significantly higher 10 (P <0.01), 20 (P <0.05), and 30 (P <0.05)min and 3h (P <0.05) after birth in induced foals compared to foals born by spontaneous parturition. It is difficult to determine whether the higher initial PGM concentrations in induced foals is related to higher uterine or fetal PGM release induced by exogenous OT stimulation. Cortisol plasma levels in both groups were higher at birth (P <0.05) compared to the later sampling times. No differences were observed between the two groups indicating that the induction protocol used does not seem to result in premature foals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Native PGF2α and its analogs have been used in the horse mare to manipulate ovarian activity, primarily as luteolytic agents to induce estrus. Despite numerous studies on the effects of these luteolysins in the mare, to date only a single investigation has been conducted in the jenny. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of the corpus luteum (CL) to a single dose of PGF2α given 3 days (72h) after ovulation and to establish the plasma progesterone (P4) profile from pre-treatment to post-treatment ovulation in the Martina Franca donkey. Twenty-two jennies were ultrasonographically monitored and treated 72h after the detection of ovulation with 0.075mg i.m. of R-cloprostenol. From the day of ovulation until ovulation post-treatment, blood was collected daily for P4 determination by enhanced luminescence immunoassay. All the jennies except one, exhibited behavioral signs of PGF2α-induced estrus within 4 days of treatment lasting 5.4±1.16 days. Post-treatment ovulation was also hastened, reducing the interovulatory interval (9.6 days). In response to treatment, plasma P4 concentrations fell to estrus levels and then remained constant until the next ovulation in all but the non-responding animal. Our findings indicate that PGF2α treatment on Day 3 post-ovulation causes the functional regression of the CL in the jenny, reflected both by the rapid induction of estrus and ovulation and by an abrupt drop in circulating P4 concentrations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Many hormones are involved in the regulation of male reproductive functions, controlling sexual behavior, and influencing sexual arousal, the onset of erection and ejaculation, and the post-ejaculatory detumescence. The aims of this study were to analyze the plasma concentrations of 15-ketodihydro-PGF2α (PGFM), LH, testosterone (T), oestrone sulphate (OS), and cortisol (C) in relation to sexual stimulation and to evaluate the possible correlations among circulating hormones and between hormones and semen characteristics in the donkey stallion. Thirteen sexually experienced Martina Franca jackass of proven fertility were enrolled and semen was collected through an artificial vagina. Plasma samples were collected at 12, 9, 6 and 3 min before oestrous jenny exposure, at the first erection in the mating arena in the presence of an oestrous jenny, during ejaculation, at dismounting, 3, 6, 9 and 12 min after ejaculation in box, and then every 10 min during the following 50 min. PGFM showed an increasing trend with significant differences between the pre-ejaculatory and post-ejaculatory period, suggesting a role of this hormone in the control of ejaculation. LH showed a significantly higher concentration at ejaculation compared to last samples, while T showed significantly higher levels at erection, ejaculation and dismounting, probably for its influence on these processes and on sexual behavior. Finally, OS did not show any difference in the period of observation, while C presented a significant increase only 22 minutes after erection. The only hormonal correlation found was a positive one between LH and T at erection and dismounting, while T and OS were positively correlated with total and progressive motility, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The increased ultraviolet radiation (UV) due to the altered stratospheric ozone leads to multiple plant physiological and biochemical adaptations, likely affecting their interaction with other organisms, such as pests and pathogens. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and UV-B treatment can be used as eco-friendly techniques to protect crops from pests by activating plant mechanisms of resistance. In this study, we investigated plant (Lactuca sativa) response to UV-B exposure and Funneliformis mosseae (IMA1) inoculation as well as the role of a major insect pest, Spodoptera littoralis. Lettuce plants exposed to UV-B were heavier and taller than non-irradiated ones. A considerable enrichment in phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and carotenoid contents and antioxidant capacity, along with redder and more homogenous leaf color, were also observed in UV-B-treated but not in AMF-inoculated plants. Biometric and biochemical data did not differ between AMF and non-AMF plants. AMF-inoculated plants showed hyphae, arbuscules, vesicles, and spores in their roots. AMF colonization levels were not affected by UV-B irradiation. No changes in S. littoralis-feeding behavior towards treated and untreated plants were observed, suggesting the ability of this generalist herbivore to overcome the plant chemical defenses boosted by UV-B exposure. The results of this multi-factorial study shed light on how polyphagous insect pests can cope with multiple plant physiological and biochemical adaptations following biotic and abiotic preconditioning., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Although low-income countries have recently seen an exponential flourishing of digital health initiatives, the landscape is characterised by a myriad of small pilots that rarely reach scaling, sustainability and wide adoption. The case of Burkina Faso represents an exception where a digital health initiative initially conceived to improve the diagnosis of sick children under 5 has supported millions of consultations. Technical aspects such as interoperability, standardisation, and adaptation to the existing infrastructure were considered as they are prerequisites for scaling; so was the demonstration of the health impact and affordability of the initiative. Beyond those factors which are largely documented in the literature, the experience in Burkina Faso showed that the positive outcome was also determined by the support of numerous stakeholders. A vast network of stakeholders from the Ministry of Health to child caregivers is involved and each of them could have either blocked or promoted the digital health initiative. Thanks to an extensive, time-consuming and tailored stakeholder strategy, it was possible to avoid potential blockages from multiple actors and gain their engagement., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

The hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis has specific functions, mostly related to metabolic activities, cell differentiation, and development. To the authors' knowledge, there are no studies about thyroid hormone (TH) concentrations in foals affected by perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS). Hence, the aims of the study are (1) to evaluate plasma TH concentrations (T3 and T4) in healthy foals during the first 7 days of life; (2) to evaluate plasma TH concentration (T3 and T4) in critically ill foals affected by PAS during the first 7 days of hospitalization; and (3) to compare TH concentrations between surviving and nonsurviving critically ill foals. Forty-five Standardbred foals were enrolled in this prospective observational study: 21 healthy foals (group 1) and 24 foals affected by PAS (group 2). Jugular blood samples were collected within 10 minutes from birth/admission and every 24 hours for 7 days (t0-t7). TH concentrations were analyzed by RIA. In both groups, T3 concentration was significantly lower at t4, t5, t6, and t7 compared with t1 (P < 0.05), and T4 concentration was significantly higher at birth than at all other time points (P < 0.01). No differences were found in TH concentrations at admission between surviving (n = 20) and nonsurviving (n = 4) foals. Statistical comparison between healthy and PAS foals divided into age groups showed significantly lower TH concentrations at t0 in PAS foals <12 hours old at admission (P < 0.01). In conclusion, PAS may cause lower T3 and T4 concentrations in affected foals than in age-matched healthy foals, as reported for other systemic illnesses, such as sepsis and prematurity. TH concentrations showed no prognostic value, which maybe due to the small number of nonsurviving foals in this study. Further studies are needed to find out if thyroid replacement therapy could be useful in the treatment of critically ill foals affected by PAS., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to compare the plasma profiles of 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2α) (PGM) in healthy neonates of three different species from birth until the third week of life. Twenty-four horse foals, 12 donkey foals, and 9 calves were studied. Blood samples were collected at 10, 20 and 30 min after birth, at 3, 24 and 72 h after birth, and at 7, 10, 17 and 21 days of life. All mothers experienced normal gestation lengths and normal, spontaneous deliveries. All newborns were judged mature and viable. Hormone concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in horse foals 20 and 30 min after birth compared to later samples, and at 10 min in donkey foals compared to later samples (p < 0.05). In calves, higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of PGM were observed 10, 20, 30 min and 3 hours from parturition compared to later samples. These findings may be related to increased fetal placental unit production during parturition, while the relatively high PGF(2α) levels in the days after parturition may be connected with their role in completing organ maturation. Despite the existing differences between these species, the statistical analysis did not discover significant differences in PGM profiles during the first 3 weeks of life in donkey, horse and cattle newborns. The low levels observed 10 days after birth are possibly due to a fast completion of maturational development in these species., (© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

The transition from intra- to extrauterine environment represents a very delicate phase, in which the successful coordination of maturation is strictly connected with several hormonal changes during the last weeks of gestation and at parturition. While the peripartal endocrinology in the mare has been deeply investigated, the peripartal hormonal changes in the jenny need further evaluation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the mean 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2α) (PGFM), cortisol (C), progesterone (P4), and 17β-estradiol (E2) levels during the peripartal period in this species. Ten Martina Franca jennies, with normal gestational length and parturition, were enrolled. From each jenny, blood was collected twice a day from 10 d before to 7 d after parturition and from the plasma obtained PGFM, C, P4 and E2 were analyzed by RIA. Higher, constant PGFM concentrations were observed in the pre-foaling days compared to the decreasing levels detected the days after delivery, as previously observed in the mare. During the whole period of observation no significant differences in plasma C levels were detected. In contrast to the mare, P4 has always been detectable and the highest level found at -2.5 days was significantly different compared to samples obtained between -10 and -4.5 days and between 1.5 and 7 days after foaling. Finally, E2 showed higher concentrations before foaling, with the highest values between -3 and -1.5 days, decreasing only one day before foaling. A positive correlation was found between PGFM and P4, during the last 4 days of gestation, while a positive correlation between PGFM and E2 was observed during the prepartum. Despite some similarities with the mare exist, differences have been found in P4 and E2 profiles, underlining once more the differences in the physiology of this two species., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A field study was undertaken to investigate plasma protein electrophoresis (PPE) and serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations at 1, 3 and 7 days of age in foals born by oxytocin-induced (group A, n =17) or spontaneous (group B, n =12) parturition. The putative diagnostic role of PPE and SAA in four septicaemic foals was also examined. At birth, beta-gamma-globulins were higher in group B, and then increased in both groups, probably due to colostrum intake. At day 3, no significant differences between the groups were detectable. In both groups, SAA values increased from day 0 to day 3, then decreased at day 7. Septicaemic foals had decreased concentrations of many electrophoretic fractions (probably reflecting decreased colostrum intake and circulating bacterial proteases) and an increased SAA concentration. It was concluded that both PPE and SAA concentrations vary with age and type of foaling and may be useful in the early diagnosis of neonatal septicaemia.