ORCID Profile
0000-0003-1724-2551
Current Organisations
University of Melbourne
,
Deakin University
,
Monash University
,
La Trobe University
,
Nofima AS
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Publisher: The Endocrine Society
Date: 07-2006
DOI: 10.1210/EN.2005-1328
Abstract: The placenta transports substrates and wastes between the maternal and fetal circulations. In mice, placental IGF-II is essential for normal placental development and function but, in other mammalian species, maternal circulating IGF-II is substantial and may contribute. Maternal circulating IGFs increase in early pregnancy, and early treatment of guinea pigs with either IGF-I or IGF-II increases placental and fetal weights by mid-gestation. We now show that these effects persist to enhance placental development and fetal growth and survival near term. Pregnant guinea pigs were infused with IGF-I, IGF-II (both 1 mg/kg·d), or vehicle sc from d 20–38 of pregnancy and killed on d 62 (term = 69 d). IGF-II, but not IGF-I, increased the mid-sagittal area and volume of placenta devoted to exchange by approximately 30%, the total volume of trophoblast and maternal blood spaces within the placental exchange region (+29% and +46%, respectively), and the total surface area of placenta for exchange by 39%. Both IGFs reduced resorptions, and IGF-II increased the number of viable fetuses by 26%. Both IGFs increased fetal weight by 11–17% and fetal circulating amino acid concentrations. IGF-I, but not IGF-II, reduced maternal adipose depot weights by approximately 30%. In conclusion, increased maternal IGF-II abundance in early pregnancy promotes fetal growth and viability near term by increasing placental structural and functional capacity, whereas IGF-I appears to ert nutrients from the mother to the conceptus. This suggests major and complementary roles in placental and fetal growth for increased circulating IGFs in early to mid-pregnancy.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2014
Publisher: No publisher found
DOI: 10.1111/ARE.12609}
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 10-2010
DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.110.157297
Abstract: Preecl sia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome that causes substantial maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The etiology is incompletely understood, and there is no clinically useful screening test. Current metabolomic technologies have allowed the establishment of metabolic signatures of preecl sia in early pregnancy. Here, a 2-phase discovery/validation metabolic profiling study was performed. In the discovery phase, a nested case-control study was designed, using s les obtained at 15±1 weeks’ gestation from 60 women who subsequently developed preecl sia and 60 controls taking part in the prospective Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints cohort study. Controls were proportionally population matched for age, ethnicity, and body mass index at booking. Plasma s les were analyzed using ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A multivariate predictive model combining 14 metabolites gave an odds ratio for developing preecl sia of 36 (95% CI: 12 to 108), with an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.94. These findings were then validated using an independent case-control study on plasma obtained at 15±1 weeks from 39 women who subsequently developed preecl sia and 40 similarly matched controls from a participating center in a different country. The same 14 metabolites produced an odds ratio of 23 (95% CI: 7 to 73) with an area under receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.92. The finding of a consistent discriminatory metabolite signature in early pregnancy plasma preceding the onset of preecl sia offers insight into disease pathogenesis and offers the tantalizing promise of a robust presymptomatic screening test.
Publisher: American Physiological Society
Date: 03-2007
DOI: 10.1152/AJPENDO.00320.2006
Abstract: Appropriate partitioning of nutrients between the mother and conceptus is a major determinant of pregnancy success, with placental transfer playing a key role. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) increase in the maternal circulation during early pregnancy and are predictive of fetal and placental growth. We have previously shown in the guinea pig that increasing maternal IGF abundance in early to midpregnancy enhances fetal growth and viability near term. We now show that this treatment promotes placental transport to the fetus, fetal substrate utilization, and nutrient partitioning near term. Pregnant guinea pigs were infused with IGF-I, IGF-II (both 1 mg·kg −1 ·day −1 ) or vehicle subcutaneously from days 20–38 of pregnancy (term = 69 days). Tissue uptake and placental transfer of the nonmetabolizable radio analogs [ 3 H]methyl-d-glucose (MG) and [ 14 C]aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) in vivo was measured on day 62. Early pregnancy exposure to elevated maternal IGF-I increased placental MG uptake by % ( P = 0.004), whereas each IGF increased fetal plasma MG concentrations by 40–50% ( P 0.012). Both IGFs increased fetal tissue MG uptake ( P 0.048), whereas IGF-I also increased AIB uptake by visceral organs ( P = 0.046). In the mother, earlier exposure to either IGF increased AIB uptake by visceral organs ( P 0.014), whereas IGF-I also enhanced uptake of AIB by muscle ( P = 0.044) and MG uptake by visceral organs ( P = 0.016) and muscle ( P = 0.046). In conclusion, exogenous maternal IGFs in early pregnancy sustainedly increase maternal substrate utilization, placental transport of MG to the fetus, and fetal utilization of substrates near term. This was consistent with the previously observed increase in fetal growth and survival following IGF treatment.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 08-1997
DOI: 10.1093/OXFORDJOURNALS.MOLBEV.A025826
Abstract: The application of microsatellites in evolutionary studies requires an understanding of the patterns governing their evolution in different species. The finding that homologous microsatellite loci are longer, i.e., containing more repeat units, in human and in other primates has been taken as evidence for directional microsatellite evolution and for a difference in the rate of evolution between species. However, it has been argued that this finding is an inevitable consequence of biased selection of longer-than-average microsatellites in human, because cloning procedures are adopted to generate polymorphic and, hence, long markers. As a test of this hypothesis, we conducted a reciprocal comparison of the lengths of microsatellite loci in cattle and sheep using markers derived from the bovine genome as well as the ovine genome. In both cases, lification products were longer in the focal species, and loci were also more polymorphic in the species from which they were originally cloned. The crossing pattern that we found suggests that interspecific length differences detected at homologous microsatellite loci are the result of biased selection of loci associated with cloning procedures. Hence, comparisons of microsatellite evolution between species are flawed unless they are based on reciprocal analyses or on genuinely random selection of loci with respect to repeat length.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-2011
DOI: 10.1038/OBY.2010.279
Abstract: Our aims were to investigate whether men who fathered small for gestational age (SGA) infants themselves had lower birthweight, were more likely to be obese, have central adiposity and elevated blood pressure in adult life compared with men who fathered non-SGA infants. A total of 2,002 couples participating in the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) study were enrolled in early pregnancy and pregnancy outcome data collected prospectively. SGA was defined as birthweight 102 cm. Logistic regression was used to compare rates of obesity, and central adiposity between men who fathered SGA infants compared with those with non-SGA infants and the final model was adjusted for maternal and paternal confounders. The men who fathered an SGA infant (209 (10.4%)) themselves had lower mean birthweight (3,291 (530) g vs. 3,472 (584) g, P < 0.0001), were more likely to be obese (50 (24.8%) vs. 321 (18.3%), adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.50, 95% confidence interval 1.05-2.16, adjusted for maternal and paternal factors) and to have central adiposity (52 (25.1%) vs. 341 (19.2%), adjusted OR 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.20) compared with men who fathered a non-SGA infant. Elevated paternal blood pressure was not associated with SGA. In conclusion, we report a novel relationship between paternal obesity/central adiposity and birth of an SGA infant, which appears to be independent of maternal factors associated with fetal growth restriction.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2007
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLACENTA.2006.04.006
Abstract: Successful placental development and the associated changes to the decidual vasculature during early pregnancy are critical to pregnancy outcome. This study utilised immunohistochemistry to provide a photomicrographic account of trophoblast invasion, as well as the changes in the uterine vasculature in the decidua from days 5.5 to 10.5 of murine pregnancy. The pattern of trophoblast invasion during this time is particularly interesting because, unlike in humans, murine trophoblast giant cells (TGCs) do not invade the endometrium in idually but remain in close contact with the expanding giant cell layer. Therefore, trophoblast cells are unlikely to play a direct role in remodelling the maternal vessels in early to mid pregnancy. Nevertheless, the decidual vessels appear to undergo extensive angiogenesis and remodelling to form a network of dilated vessels that presumably maximize placental blood supply. Importantly, the vessels closest to the conceptus lacked a smooth muscle layer throughout early pregnancy and therefore cannot strictly be described as spiral arterioles. TGCs may secrete molecules that can act to induce these vascular changes. Here we show that insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) is expressed throughout early pregnancy in the entire conceptus including trophoblast cells, supporting its role in promoting early placental growth. In addition, the co-localisation of IGF-II and both IGF receptors in the developing blood vessels and/or adjacent stromal cells in the mesometrial, but not in the anti-mesometrial, decidua suggest that IGF-II, upon binding to one of these receptors, may play a role in both decidual angiogenesis and placental differentiation.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLACENTA.2009.12.008
Abstract: Workshops are an important part of the annual meeting of the International Federation of Placenta Associations (IFPA). At IFPA Meeting 2009 erse topics were discussed in twelve themed workshops. Topics covered included: immune response to pregnancy signaling between fetus and placenta bioactive lipids in placenta placenta in agricultural species epigenetics and placentation trophoblast deportation glucocorticoids and placental function endothelium placental transport genes and placenta uteroplacental blood flow and placental stem cells. This report is a full summary of the various topics covered.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 10-06-2016
DOI: 10.1111/ARE.12807
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.FSI.2014.06.010
Abstract: Oyster farming is one of the most important aquaculture industries in the world. However, its productivity is increasingly limited by viral disease and we do not yet have management practices, such as protective vaccination, that can control these disease outbreaks. Hence, in the current study we investigated the expression of known anti-viral genes in oysters (Crassostrea gigas) in response to primary and secondary encounter with a virus associated molecular pattern (dsRNA), and tested whether a common form of epigenetic gene regulation (DNA methylation) was associated with the expression of these anti-viral genes. Injection of dsRNA into the adductor muscle resulted in the rapid and transient expression of virus recognition receptors (TLR & MDA5), whereas several anti-viral signalling (IRF & SOC-1) and effector (PKR & viperin) genes were still up-regulated at one week post primary challenge (p 0.05). These results collectively suggest that C. gigas does not have an enhanced anti-viral gene response (immune-priming) to secondary dsRNA challenge and that the sustained up-regulation of anti-viral signalling and effector genes following primary challenge is unlikely to be associated with upstream DNA methylation levels.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLACENTA.2009.04.006
Abstract: Common pregnancy complications are associated with impaired placental development. This study aimed to characterise the ontogeny of structural correlates of rabbit placental function, its expression of genes encoding components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), as well as 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta-HSD2) mRNA since these are known to be expressed by the placenta and are associated with pregnancy complications, including preecl sia and intrauterine programming. Placentae were collected at gestational age (GA) 14, 21 and 28 (term=32 days). Gene expression was analysed using real time PCR and placental structures were quantified via image analyses. The volume densities and volumes of trophoblast, fetal capillaries, maternal blood space, surface density and surface area of trophoblast all progressively increased, while the arithmetic mean barrier thickness of trophoblast decreased across gestation. Maternal plasma renin activity (PRA) was positively correlated with volumes of trophoblast and maternal blood space, surface density and surface area of trophoblast. Placental renin mRNA declined ( downward arrow62% P<0.01) across gestation and was negatively correlated with maternal PRA (GA0), fetal and placental weights, placental angiotensin type 1 and 2 receptors (AT(1)R and AT(2)R) mRNA and volume of trophoblast. AT(1)R mRNA expression was increased by 92% (P<0.001) across gestation. AT2R mRNA expression was approximately 81% (P<0.01) greater at GA14 compared to GA21. Placental 11beta-HSD2 mRNA expression was approximately 74% greater (P<0.01) at GA21 than GA14, but by GA28 was similar to that at GA14. These data show that changes in placental gene expression are associated with key events in placental and fetal development, indicating that the rabbit provides a good model for investigations of pregnancy perturbations that alter the RAS or programme the fetus.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 07-03-2015
DOI: 10.1111/ARE.12415
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 08-2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.JRI.2011.02.004
Abstract: In healthy pregnancy reactive oxygen species and antioxidants remain in balance and DNA damage is repaired effectively. However, pregnancy is an inflammatory state exhibiting increased susceptibility to oxidative stress such that this balance can be easily disrupted. Increased DNA damage has been shown to be involved in many pathological states including pregnancy complications. Modern lifestyles including exposure to pollutants, poor diet, and lack of exercise cause excess inflammation, oxidative stress, and ultimately DNA damage. There is a growing body of literature providing evidence that these lifestyle changes are increasing our risk of infertility, miscarriage, and late-gestation pregnancy complications. Moreover, baseline DNA damage rises with age and couples in developed societies are delaying childbirth, placing them at further risk. In order to understand the effect of lifestyle and DNA damage on pregnancy health we require large prospective studies, with the collection of s les prior to conception and endpoints of time-to-pregnancy, early pregnancy loss, and late-gestation maternal and fetal health.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.JRI.2010.12.010
Abstract: Preecl sia is often considered as simply a maternal disease with variable degrees of fetal involvement. More and more the unique immunogenetic maternal-paternal relationship is appreciated, and also the specific 'genetic conflict' that is characteristic of haemochorial placentation. From that perspective, pre-ecl sia can be seen as a disease of an in idual couple with primarily maternal and fetal manifestations. The maternal and fetal genomes perform different roles during development. Heritable paternal, rather than maternal, imprinting of the genome is necessary for normal trophoblast development. Large population studies have estimated that 35% of the variance in susceptibility to preecl sia is attributable to maternal genetic effects 20% to fetal genetic effects (with similar contributions of both parents), 13% to the couple effect, less than 1% to the shared sibling environment and 32% to unmeasured factors. Not one of these large population studies focussed on the paternal contribution to preecl sia, which is demonstrated by (1) the effect of the length of the sexual relationship (2) the concept of primipaternity versus primigravidity and (3) the existence of the so-called 'dangerous' father, as demonstrated in various large population studies. It is currently unknown how the father exerts this effect. Possible mechanisms include seminal cytokine levels and their effect on maternal immune deviation, specific paternal HLA characteristics and specific paternal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in particular in the paternally expressed genes affecting placentation. Several large cohort studies, including the large international SCOPE consortium, have identified paternal SNPs with strong associations with preecl sia.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2008
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLACENTA.2007.12.002
Abstract: Placental insufficiency is thought to be a key factor in many cases of intrauterine growth restriction which complicates about 6% of pregnancies in western countries. Understanding the molecular control of placental and fetal growth is essential to identifying diagnostic and therapeutic targets to improve pregnancy success. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II gene ablation or maternal food restriction reduce tissue and circulating IGF abundance in the fetus, placenta and mother and are associated with both placental and fetal growth restriction. Conversely, in vivo treatment of the pregnant guinea pig with IGF-I or IGF-II from early to mid pregnancy increases fetal weight and enhances placental transport near term. IGF-II, and an IGF2R specific analogue, enhanced placental structural differentiation, whereas IGF-I altered maternal body composition. These outcomes demonstrate endocrine roles within the mother for both IGFs, as well as autocrine aracrine effects of IGF-II in enhancing placentation and pregnancy success. Therefore, factors that alter placental expression of IGF-II, or maternal circulating IGF-I or IGF-II in early pregnancy may affect placental exchange function late in gestation when the demands of the fetus escalate. IGF-II within the fetus may also signal its nutrient demands to the placenta to improve its function to suit. Therefore each IGF of endocrine and local origin has important, but distinct, roles in placental development and function.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 02-2013
DOI: 10.1111/ARE.12133
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 05-2010
DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0B013E3283369F1E
Abstract: Previously, we have shown that adult offspring from hypertensive rabbits develop hypertension. We aimed to determine the effects of mild (+15 mmHg) and moderate (+25 mmHg) increases in maternal blood pressure and plasma renin activity on placental differentiation and expression of components of the renin-angiotensin system and 11[beta]-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 mRNA in rabbits. Placentas were collected from normotensive (sham), mild (2-kidney-1-cellophane wrapped 2K-1W) and moderate (2-kidney-2-cellophane wrapped 2K-2W) hypertensive groups at gestational age of 14, 21 and 28 days. Placental gene expression was quantified by reverse transcriptase-PCR, and morphometry was assessed by videoimage analyses of placental sections. Fetal weight was similar between groups across gestation. In the 2K-1W group at gestational age day 14, fetal-to-placental weight ratio was increased (approximately 34%) as were volumes of fetal capillaries ([up arrow]56%) and maternal blood space at gestational age day 21 ([up arrow]55%) compared with sham (all P < 0.05). In the 2K-2W group, fetal-to-placental weight ratio was increased at gestational age day 21 (approximately 25% P < 0.01) with an accompanying reduction in placental weight, and at gestational age day 28, volume density of fetal capillaries was increased (approximately 22% P < 0.05). Placental renin mRNA was lower in both the 2K-1W (approximately 88%) and 2K-2W (approximately 98%) groups at gestational age day 28 (all P < 0.01). Placental 11[beta]-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 mRNA was lower in the 2K-1W (approximately 36%) and 2K-2W (approximately 31%) groups at gestational age day 14 and greater (approximately 36%) in the 2K-2W group at gestational age day 21 (all P < 0.01). Associations between placental AT1R and AT2R mRNA and placental differentiation were disturbed by hypertension. Mild and moderate maternal hypertension differentially alters placental structure and gene expression that may affect placental functional capacity and contribute to programming of hypertension in offspring.
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2017
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 1991
DOI: 10.1071/WR9910451
Abstract: The eastern barred bandicoot, Perameles gunnii, formerly occurred widely in Victoria and Tasmania. Because it is endangered in Victoria, clarification of its conservation and taxonomic status in Tasmania is important. We observed the distribution and relative abundance of Perameles gunnii in nine localities in Tasmania. Comparisons of trappability in three localities s led in March 1985 and October- November 1989 showed no decline in relative abundance. P. gunnii were more abundant in November 1989 than on two previous occasions at one location. However, six other localities where P. gunnii were abundant in 1985 showed little evidence of P. gunnii activity in 1989. Spotlighting and trapping efforts, together with anecdotal information, suggest a decline in the status of P. gunnii in the Tasmanian Midland region. The reduction of these populations could be a feature of normal demographic fluctuation or could be indicative of a real decline in the status of P. gunnii. Long-term studies to monitor seasonal and annual abundance changes in Tasmania would be useful for the management of the dwindling Victorian population, and are needed to fully determine the status of Tasmanian populations for conservation and management purposes.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-06-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-020-67405-8
Abstract: Salmonid alphavirus infection results in pancreas disease causing severe economic losses for Atlantic salmon aquaculture. Knowledge about genes and pathways contributing to resistance is limited. A 54 K SNP panel was used to genotype 10 full-sibling families each consisting of ~ 110 offspring challenged with salmonid alphavirus subtype 3. Relative heart viral load was assessed at 4- and 10-weeks post-infection using quantitative PCR. A moderate genomic heritability of viral load at 4 weeks (0.15–0.21) and a high positive correlation with survival (0.91–0.98) were detected. Positions of QTL detected on chromosome 3 matched those for survival detected by other studies. The SNP of highest significance occurred in the 3′ untranslated region of gig1 , a fish-specific antiviral effector. Locus B of immunoglobulin heavy chain mapped to an area containing multiple SNPs with genome-wide association. Heart mRNA-seq comparing parr from families with high- versus low-genomic breeding value, and matching s le genotypes for SNPs, identified two eQTL for salmonid alphavirus load. Immune genes associated with trans-eQTL were numerous and spread throughout the genome. QTL regions contained several genes with known or predicted immune functions, some differentially expressed. The putative functional genes and variants identified could help improve marker-based selection for pancreas disease resistance.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-11-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-020-77580-3
Abstract: White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) causes major worldwide losses in shrimp aquaculture. The development of resistant shrimp populations is an attractive option for management of the disease. However, heritability for WSSV resistance is generally low and genetic improvement by conventional selection has been slow. This study was designed to determine the power and accuracy of genomic selection to improve WSSV resistance in Litopenaeus vannamei . Shrimp were experimentally challenged with WSSV and resistance was evaluated as dead or alive (DOA) 23 days after infestation. All shrimp in the challenge test were genotyped for 18,643 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Breeding candidates (G 0 ) were ranked on genomic breeding values for WSSV resistance. Two G 1 populations were produced, one from G 0 breeders with high and the other with low estimated breeding values. A third population was produced from “random” mating of parent stock. The average survival was 25% in the low, 38% in the random and 51% in the high-genomic breeding value groups. Genomic heritability for DOA (0.41 in G 1 ) was high for this type of trait. The realised genetic gain and high heritability clearly demonstrates large potential for further genetic improvement of WSSV resistance in the evaluated L. vannamei population using genomic selection.
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 12-2011
DOI: 10.1001/ARCHPEDIATRICS.2011.796
Abstract: To examine whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in VEGFA (-2578 C/A and +936 C/T) associate with small-for-gestational-age (SGA) pregnancies and to identify their effects on first-trimester placental VEGFA expression. Multicenter prospective cohort study. Adelaide, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 3234 nulliparous pregnant women, their partners, and their infants. The SNPs in the parent-infant trios and first-trimester placentae (n = 74) were genotyped. Placental VEGFA messenger RNA expression was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Small for gestational age was defined as a birth weight less than the 10th customized birth weight percentile adjusted for maternal height, weight, parity, and ethnicity and for gestational age at delivery and infant sex. Uterine and umbilical artery Doppler was performed at 20 weeks' gestation, and resistance indices greater than the 90th percentile were considered abnormal. Of 2123 pregnancies, 1176 (55.4%) were uncomplicated and 216 (10.2%) had SGA infants. Neonatal VEGFA +936 C/T SNP associates with SGA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.6 95% CI, 1.0-2.3), SGA with abnormal Doppler findings (aOR, 3.5 95% CI, 1.8-7.1), lower birth weight (P = .006), customized birth weight percentile (P = .049), and abnormal uterine artery Doppler findings (OR, 2.5 95% CI, 1.2-5.4). Maternal VEGFA +936 C/T associates with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler findings (OR, 1.5 95% CI, 1.1-2.2). VEGFA +936 CT+TT first-trimester placentae have 36% lower VEGFA messenger RNA expression compared with CC (P = .045). Neonatal VEGFA +936 C/T associates with SGA, and the association is stronger for SGA with abnormal uterine or umbilical artery Doppler findings. The SNP also associates with reduced first-trimester placental VEGFA expression, suggesting that it may have a role in the pathogenesis of SGA. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: ACTRN12607000551493.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2011
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-11-2006
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2052.2006.01531.X
Abstract: There is considerable scope for genetic improvement of cultured blacklip abalone Haliotis rubra in Australia using molecular marker-assisted, selective-breeding practices. Such improvement is dependent on the availability of primary genetic resources, such as a genetic linkage map. This study presents a first-generation linkage map of H. rubra, containing 122 microsatellite markers typed in a single full-sib family. These loci mapped to 17 and 20 linkage groups for the male and female respectively, and when aligned, the consensus map represented 18 linkage groups. The male linkage map contained 102 markers (one unlinked) covering 621 cM with an average intermarker spacing of 7.3 cM, and the female map contained 98 markers (eight unlinked) covering 766 cM with an average intermarker spacing of 9.8 cM. Analysis of markers informative in both parents showed a significantly higher recombination rate in the female parent, with an average male-to-female recombination ratio of 1:1.45 between linked pairs of markers. This linkage map represents a significant advancement in the genetic resource available for H. rubra and provides a framework for future quantitative trait loci mapping and eventual implementation of marker-assisted selection.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-03-2018
DOI: 10.1111/MEC.14526
Abstract: Populations of broadcast spawning marine organisms often have large sizes and are exposed to reduced genetic drift. Under such scenarios, strong selection associated with spatial environmental heterogeneity is expected to drive localized adaptive ergence, even in the face of connectivity. We tested this hypothesis using a seascape genomics approach in the commercially important greenlip abalone (Haliotis laevigata). We assessed how its population structure has been influenced by environmental heterogeneity along a zonal coastal boundary in southern Australia linked by strong oceanographic connectivity. Our data sets include 9,109 filtered SNPs for 371 abalones from 13 localities and environmental mapping across ~800 km. Genotype-environment association analyses and outlier tests defined 8,786 putatively neutral and 323 candidate adaptive loci. From a neutral perspective, the species is better represented by a metapopulation with very low differentiation (global F
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-2005
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 27-03-2017
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-2014
DOI: 10.1007/S11033-014-3625-4
Abstract: A total of 137,629 contigs generated via de novo transcriptome assembly from resistant and susceptible lines of rohu (first generation) raised against aeromoniasis were further analyzed in terms of defence-related genes. Out of 1,939 contigs showing homology to genes involved in immune processes, 1,866 were further categorised into different functional subgroups. Comparative analysis revealed five genes for the first time in any carp species out of which apolipoprotein h, septin 4 isoform 3 and septin isoform cra_c were identified for the first time in fish. Differential expression analysis of ten genes viz., heat shock proteins (Hsps) (Hsp30, Hsp70 and Hsp90), serum lectin isoform 1 (SLI1), linker histone H1M (LHH1M), NAD(P)H quinone 1 (NQO1), zona pellucida 2 (ZP2) and three unknown genes that were highly up-expressed in first generation resistant line fish from mRNA-seq coverage data, was carried out using susceptible and resistant in iduals of the second generation selected populations in eight different tissues viz. liver, kidney, intestine, gill, brain, spleen, skin and muscle using qPCR. Significant up-regulation in Hsp90, NQO1, C_116914 and C_22454 in specific tissues of resistant line and variable expression in Hsp30 and LHH1M genes in different tissues of both lines were noticed. The expression of Hsp70 was lower in many tissues of the resistant line than in susceptible line rohu. The expression of ZP2, SLI1 and C_94589 genes was not significantly different in terms of fold difference between the two lines. Differentially expressed genes need further characterisation to explore their role in resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection in rohu.
Publisher: Bioscientifica
Date: 03-08-2009
DOI: 10.1677/JOE-09-0131
Abstract: Fetal growth is restricted in primiparous pigs (gilts) compared with dams who have had previous pregnancies (sows), as in other species. In gilts, daily maternal porcine GH (pGH) injections from day 25 to 50 of pregnancy (term ∼115 day) increase fetal growth and progeny muscularity, and responses in sows are unknown. Whether feeding the β 2 -adrenergic agonist ractopamine during this period increases progeny growth rates in either parity and fetal responses in gilts, have not been investigated. We hypothesised that fetal and placental growth and fetal muscle development would be increased more by maternal pGH and/or ractopamine during early–mid pregnancy in gilts than sows, since fetal growth is restricted in gilts causing lower birth weights. Large White×Landrace gilts and sows were injected daily with water (controls) or pGH (∼15 μg/kg per day), or were fed 20 ppm ractopamine, between day 25 and 50 of pregnancy. Maternal pGH increased litter average fetal weight (11%, P =0.007) and length (3%, P =0.022), but not placental weight, at day 50 of pregnancy, irrespective of parity, and had the greatest effects in the heaviest fetuses of each litter. Maternal ractopamine increased average fetal weight (9%, P =0.018), but not length. Muscle fiber diameter was increased by pGH in heavy littermates and by ractopamine in median littermates. Similar fetal growth responses to pGH and ractopamine in gilts and sows suggest that these hormones increase fetal nutrient availability similarly in both parities. We therefore predict that sustained pGH treatment will increase progeny birth weight, postnatal growth and survival, in both sows and gilts.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-04-2007
DOI: 10.1186/1297-9686-39-3-267
Abstract: This study represents the first attempt at an empirical evaluation of the DNA pooling methodology by comparing it to in idual genotyping and interval mapping to detect QTL in a dairy half-sib design. The findings indicated that the use of peak heights from the pool electropherograms without correction for stutter (shadow) product and preferential lification performed as well as corrected estimates of frequencies. However, errors were found to decrease the power of the experiment at every stage of the pooling and analysis. The main sources of errors include technical errors from DNA quantification, pool construction, inconsistent differential lification, and from the prevalence of sire alleles in the dams. Additionally, interval mapping using in idual genotyping gains information from phenotypic differences between in iduals in the same pool and from neighbouring markers, which is lost in a DNA pooling design. These errors cause some differences between the markers detected as significant by pooling and those found significant by interval mapping based on in idual selective genotyping. Therefore, it is recommended that pooled genotyping only be used as part of an initial screen with significant results to be confirmed by in idual genotyping. Strategies for improving the efficiency of the DNA pooling design are also presented.
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 07-2009
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 09-09-2021
DOI: 10.3389/FMARS.2021.640504
Abstract: Quantifying the level of population connectivity within and between geographically separated single-species deep-water fisheries stocks will be vital for designing effective management plans to preserve such populations. Despite this, stock structure in many fisheries is still poorly described and, at best, subject to precautionary management. Here we use rapidly evolving mitochondrial genes and microsatellite markers to investigate population connectivity patterns in commercially targeted Hyperoglyphe antarctica populations between four seamounts within the Tristan da Cunha Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). We find little evidence of population genetic structure between fished populations, with both mtDNA and microsatellite markers showing that there is low genetic population ersity (reflecting substantial gene flow) across the four seamounts. We also find little genetic differentiation between H. antarctica across the wider Southern Hemisphere. Such results support the role for coordinated management of all four populations across the seamounts, and potentially including stocks associated with Australia and New Zealand, with expansion of the fishery clearly having the potential to substantially impact the source of recruits and therefore wider population sustainability.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 09-2020
Abstract: Survival and growth of developing salmonids are negatively affected by low oxygen levels within gravel nests in natural streams, and hypoxic stress is often experienced by farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) within hatcheries. Exposure to hypoxia during early development may have long-lasting effects by altering epigenetic marks and gene expression in oxygen regulatory pathways. Here, we examine the transcriptomic response to low dissolved oxygen (DO) in post-hatch salmon reared continuously in 30%, 60% or 100% DO from fertilization until start of feeding. RNA sequencing revealed multiple differentially expressed genes, including oxygen transporting hemoglobin embryonic α subunit (hbae) and EGLN3 family hypoxia-inducible factor 3 (egln3) which regulates the stability of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α). Both hbae and egln3 displayed expression levels inversely correlated to oxygen concentration, and DNA methylation patterns within the egln3 promoter were negatively associated with the transcript levels. These results suggest that epigenetic processes are influenced by low oxygen levels during early development in Atlantic salmon to upregulate hypoxia-response genes.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1071/MF18330
Abstract: Clarifying population structure of fish stocks is important for the sustainable exploitation of fisheries, along with informing collection of founder broodstock for the genetic improvement of aquaculture programs. Using 16 microsatellite DNA markers, the most comprehensive genetic survey to date (1297 in iduals from 49 s le collections) of the population structure and genetic ersity of wild Australian barramundi (Lates calcarifer) was undertaken. The results point to the existence of two distinct genetic stocks (east and west) with isolation by geographic distance (IBD), and a central region of admixture between the stocks, located in an area where a historic land bridge once connected northern Australia with Papua New Guinea. Global levels of population differentiation were moderate (fixation index, FST=0.103, P& .001) and IBD was identified as a factor influencing population structure across the s led region. There was also evidence of temporal stability of population genetic structure over a period of 25 years. This study provides valuable information for improving programs of translocation, restocking and captive breeding for both the wild barramundi fishery and the aquaculture industry.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-1993
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-1994
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2006
DOI: 10.1016/J.MCP.2005.08.002
Abstract: A novel method was developed to enable accurate and high-throughput measurement of cattle DNA concentration using quantitative competitive PCR, with sheep DNA as competitor. While quantitative competitive PCR has been used extensively for the quantification of specific RNA or DNA molecules, they have required development of internal standards with matching primer binding sites and similar lification efficiencies to the target molecule. To develop such as assay can constitute a significant work-up. Instead, by utilizing the tendency of microsatellites developed in one species to lify homologous loci across closely related species removes the need for internal standard development. Two cattle microsatellite markers were identified that produced distinct sheep specific peaks in an electropherogram. A standard graph was plotted for various dilutions of a cattle standard and a constant amount of sheep competitor. The sheep DNA, which is co- lified with the cattle template in the PCR reaction served as the internal standard. The cattle DNA concentration of an unknown s le was determined by relating the ratio of sheep to cattle PCR product peaks to the standard curve. The standard deviation between replicate measurements of cattle DNA was 0.52 ng/microl using this method.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2002
DOI: 10.1071/ZO01072
Abstract: Genetic identification of in idual animals from remotely collected DNA s les provides an alternative approach for the collection of data on populations of elusive or rare species. In this study we used DNA isolated from field-collected faecal s les to estimate the size of a population of common wombats (Vombatus ursinus) surviving in suburban Melbourne parkland. A pilot study revealed that microsatellite genotypes obtained from DNA in faeces were often incorrect, but that by carrying out three replicate polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) for each s le, we were able to reliably identify in iduals. We conducted a mark-recapture study using the Mh-jackknife model to estimate the size of the wombat population at Mt Lofty Reserve, and identified 17 in iduals - 10 males and seven females. The interpolated population size estimate was 19 with a 95% confidence interval of 18-32. The distribution of in idual wombats' scats provided information on ranging behaviour. The genotypic database obtained was used to identify five of the in iduals as putative immigrants, suggesting that the population is not isolated from others in a series of reserves along the Yarra River. However, the lack of a detectable female bias in immigration differs from our previous findings in continuous populations of this species. The level of genetic variation at the five loci analysed was also inconsistent with long-term isolation of the population.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.JRI.2009.04.011
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine if women with preecl sia or delivering small for gestational age (SGA) babies are more likely to have a short duration of sexual relationship compared with those who have uncomplicated pregnancies. In a prospective cohort study, 2507 nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies were interviewed at 15+/-1 weeks gestation about the duration of their sexual relationship with the biological father. Short duration of sexual relationship (< or =6 months, < or =3 months, or first intercourse) was compared between women with preecl sia (N=131) or SGA babies (N=263) and those with uncomplicated pregnancies (N=1462). Short duration of sexual relationship was more common in women with preecl sia compared with uncomplicated pregnancies (< or =6 months 14.5% versus 6.9%, adjusted odds ratio [adjOR] 1.88, 95% CI 1.05-3.36 < or =3 months 6.9% versus 2.5%, adjOR 2.32, 95% CI 1.03-5.25 first intercourse 1.5% versus 0.5%, adjOR 5.75, 95% CI 1.13-29.3). Although the total number of semen exposures was lower in SGA, SGA was not associated with a shorter duration of sexual relationship. On post hoc analysis, the subgroup of SGA with abnormal uterine artery Doppler at 20 weeks (N=58) were more likely to have had a short sexual relationship compared with controls (< or =6 months adjOR 2.33, 95% CI 1.09-4.98 < or =3 months adjOR 3.22, 95% CI 1.18-8.79 first intercourse adjOR 8.02, 95% CI 1.58-40.7). We conclude that compared to uncomplicated pregnancies, short duration of sexual relationship is more common in women who develop preecl sia and women with abnormal uterine artery Doppler waveforms who deliver an SGA baby.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2006
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLACENTA.2006.01.015
Abstract: Genomic imprinting is a remarkable process that causes genes to be expressed or repressed depending on their parental-origin. Imprinted genes play important roles in prenatal growth and organ development. Postnatally, imprinted genes can contribute to the regulation of metabolic pathways and behaviour associated with the control of resources. One of the most important sites of imprinted gene action is the placenta. During this workshop at the 11th meeting of the International Federation of Placenta Associations/European Placenta Group held in Glasgow, a series of short talks were presented providing an overview of the evolution, function and mechanisms of imprinting in mammals with particular reference to the placenta. In addition, epigenetic control of trophoblast development and function were considered. This report summarises the contributions to the workshop.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-2015
DOI: 10.1111/JWAS.12239
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-03-2021
DOI: 10.1111/RAQ.12528
Abstract: Ectoparasitic salmon lice ( Lepeophtheirus salmonis ) present a major challenge to Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) aquaculture. The demand for effective louse control has produced erse management strategies. These strategies essentially impose novel selection pressures on parasite populations, driving the evolution of resistance. Here we assess the potential for salmon lice to adapt to current prevention and control methods. Lice have evolved resistance to at least four of five chemical therapeutants, and use of these chemicals has declined significantly in recent years. The industry has shifted to alternative non‐chemical approaches, yet lice may adapt to these as well. Early research suggests that phenotypic variation exists in the louse population upon which non‐chemical selection pressures could act and that this variation may have a genetic basis. From the existing evidence, as well as an examination of evolutionary processes in other relevant parasite and pest systems, we conclude that the evolution of non‐chemical resistance is an emergent concern that must be considered by the industry. We recommend areas for focused research to better assess this risk. It is also important to determine whether phenotypic shifts in response to non‐chemical selection may shift the ecological niche of the parasite, as this may have cascading effects on wild salmon populations. We also recommend further research to identify strategy combinations that have antagonistic selective effects that slow louse evolution and those with synergistic effects that should be avoided. Greater understanding of evolutionary processes can inform aquaculture policies that counteract the rise of resistant parasite populations.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2013
Publisher: Bioscientifica
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1530/REP.1.01203
Abstract: The efficiency of cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is poor in livestock with ~5% of transferred cloned embryos developing to term. SCNT is associated with gross placental structural abnormalities. We aimed to identify defects in placental histology and gene expression in failing ovine cloned pregnancies to better understand why so many clones generated by SCNT die in utero . Placentomes from SCNT pregnancies ( n = 9) and age matched, naturally mated controls ( n = 20) were collected at two gestational age ranges (105–134 days and 135–154 days term = 147 days). There was no effect of cloning on total placental weight. However, cloning reduced the number of placentomes at both gestational ages (105–134 days: control 55.0 ± 4.2, clone 44.7 ± 8.0 and 135–154 days: control 72.2 ± 5.1, clone 36.6 ± 5.1 P 0.001) and increased the mean in idual placentome weight (105–134 days: control 10.6 ± 1.3 g, clone 18.6 ± 2.8 g and 135–154 days: control 6.6 ± 0.6 g, clone 7.0 ± 2.0 g P 0.02). Placentomes from cloned pregnancies had a significant volume of shed trophoblast and fetal villous hemorrhage, absent in controls, at both gestational age ranges ( P 0.001) that was shown to be apoptotic by activated caspase-3 immunoreactivity. Consequently, the volume of intact trophoblast was reduced and the arithmetic mean barrier thickness of trophoblast through which exchange occurs was altered ( P 0.001) at both gestational age ranges in clones. In addition, cloning reduced placental expression of key genes in placental differentiation and function. Thus, cloning by SCNT results in both gross and microscopic placental abnormalities. We speculate that trophoblast apoptosis, shedding, and hemorrhage may be causal in fetal death in ovine clones.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-1995
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 31-07-2014
DOI: 10.1007/S10126-014-9591-Y
Abstract: Abalone (Haliotis) are economically important molluscs for fisheries and aquaculture industries worldwide. Despite this, genomic resources for abalone and molluscs are still limited. Here we present a description and functional annotation of the greenlip abalone (Haliotis laevigata) transcriptome. We present a focused analysis on the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) family of genes with putative functions affecting temperature stress and immunity. A total of ~38 million paired end Illumina reads were obtained, resulting in a Trinity assembly of 222,172 contigs with minimum length of 200 base pairs and maximum length of 33 kilobases. The 20,702 contigs were annotated with gene descriptions by BLAST. We created a program to maximise the number of functionally annotated genes, and over 10,000 contigs were assigned Gene ontologies (GO terms). By using CateGOrizer, immunity related GO terms for stressors such as heat, hypoxia, oxidative stress and wounding received the highest counts. Twenty-six contigs with homology to the HSP70 family of genes were identified. Ninety-one putative single-nucleotide polymorphisms were observed in the abalone HSP70 contigs. Eleven of these were considered non-synonymous. The annotated transcriptome described in this study will be a useful basis for future work investigating the genetic response of abalone to stress.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.FSI.2013.10.026
Abstract: Disease is caused by a complex interaction between the pathogen, environment, and the physiological status of the host. Determining how host ontogeny interacts with water temperature to influence the antiviral response of the Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas, is a major goal in understanding why juvenile Pacific oysters are dying during summer as a result of the global emergence of a new genotype of the Ostreid herpesvirus, termed OsHV-1 μvar. We measured the effect of temperature (12 vs 22 °C) on the antiviral response of adult and juvenile C. gigas injected with poly I:C. Poly I:C up-regulated the expression of numerous immune genes, including TLR, MyD88, IκB-1, Rel, IRF, MDA5, STING, SOC, PKR, Viperin and Mpeg1. At 22 °C, these immune genes showed significant up-regulation in juvenile and adult oysters, but the majority of these genes were up-regulated 12 h post-injection for juveniles compared to 26 h for adults. At 12 °C, the response of these genes was completely inhibited in juveniles and delayed in adults. Temperature and age had no effect on hemolymph antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). These results suggest that oysters rely on a cellular response to minimise viral replication, involving recognition of virus-associated molecular patterns to induce host cells into an antiviral state, as opposed to producing broad-spectrum antiviral compounds. This cellular response, measured by antiviral gene expression of circulating hemocytes, was influenced by temperature and oyster age. We speculate whether the vigorous antiviral response of juveniles at 22 °C results in an immune-mediated disorder causing mortality.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-02-2012
DOI: 10.1007/S10126-012-9433-8
Abstract: Expressed genes and polymorphisms were identified in lines of rohu Labeo rohita selected for resistance or susceptibility to Aeromonas hydrophila, an important bacterial pathogen causing aeromoniasis. All animals were grown in a common environment and RNA from ten in iduals from each line pooled for Illumina mRNA-seq. De novo transcriptome assembly produced 137,629 contigs with 40× average coverage.Forty-four percent of the assembled sequences were annotated with gene names and ontology terms. Of these, 3,419 were assigned biological process terms related to "stress response" and 1,939 "immune system". Twenty-six contigs containing 38 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found to map to the Cyprinus carpio mitochondrial genome and over 26,000 putative SNPs and 1,700 microsatellite loci were detected. Seventeen percent of the 100 transcripts with coverage data most indicative of higher-fold expression(>5.6 fold) in the resistant line pool showed homology to major histocompatibility (MH), heat shock proteins (HSP)30, 70 and 90, glycoproteins or serum lectin genes with putative functions affecting immune response. Forty-one percent of these 100 transcripts showed no or low homology to known genes. Of the SNPs identified, 96 showing the highest allele frequency differences between susceptible and resistant line fish included transcripts with homology to MH class I and galactoside-binding soluble lectin, also with putative functions affecting innate and acquired immune response. A comprehensive sequence resource for L. rohita, including annotated microsatellites and SNPs from a mixture of A. hydrophila-susceptible and -resistant in iduals, was created for subsequent experiments aiming to identify genes associated with A. hydrophila resistance.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 11-2011
DOI: 10.1095/BIOLREPROD.111.093369
Abstract: The placenta is the intermediary between the mother and fetus, and its primary role is to provide for the appropriate growth of the fetus. A suboptimal in utero environment has been shown to differentially affect the health of offspring, depending on their sex. Here we show that excess maternal glucocorticoids administered in midgestation (Day 20, 0.5 gestation in the spiny mouse) for 60 h, have persisting effects on the placenta that differ by fetal sex, placental region, and time after glucocorticoid exposure. Dexamethasone (DEX) exposure altered placental structure and mRNA expression from male and female fetuses both immediately (Day 23) and 2 wk posttreatment (Day 37). The immediate consequences (Day 23) of DEX were similar between males and females, with reductions in the expression of IGF1, IGF1R, and SLC2A1 in the placenta. However, by Day 37, the transcriptional and structural response of the placenta was dependent on the sex of the fetus, with placentas of male fetuses having an increase in GCM1 expression, a decrease in SLC2A1 expression, and an increase in the amount of maternal blood sinusoids in the DEX-exposed placenta. Female placentas, on the other hand, showed increased SLC2A1 and MAP2K1 expression and a decrease in the amount of maternal blood sinusoids in response to DEX exposure. We have shown that the effect of a brief glucocorticoid exposure at midgestation has persisting effects on the placenta, and this is likely to have ongoing and dynamic effects on fetal development that differ for a male and female fetus.
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: American Physiological Society
Date: 04-2010
DOI: 10.1152/AJPREGU.00202.2009
Abstract: Maternal hypertension associated with renal disease is a common pregnancy complication. Previously, we have shown in a rabbit model of mild hypertension that offspring from hypertensive mothers have increased blood pressure as adults. In human pregnancy, hypertension has been associated with decreased utero-placental blood flow. The aim of this study was to determine placental blood flow (PBF) in mild (2-kidney-1-wrapped 2K-1W) and moderate (2-kidney-2-wrapped 2K-2W) rabbit models of maternal hypertension. We hypothesized that PBF would be inversely related to the severity of the hypertension. PBF and renal blood flow (RBF) were measured using microspheres on day 28 of a 32-day gestation, in normotensive (sham), 2K-1W, and 2K-2W hypertensive groups. Mean arterial pressure (MAP, ∼7 mmHg, P 0.05) was increased, and RBF (∼35%, P 0.05) was reduced in the 2K-1W and 2K-2W (MAP ∼20 mmHg, P 0.01 RBF ∼53%, P 0.05) groups compared with the sham group. In the 2K-1W group, PBF fell by ∼12% ( P = 0.08) and fetal-to-placental weight ratio increased by ∼12% ( P 0.01) compared with the sham group, reflecting an increase in the functional capacity of the placenta to deliver nutrients to the fetus. In the 2K-2W group, PBF decreased ∼51% ( P 0.05) compared with the sham group, without changes in placental efficiency. Thus, in late gestation, placental blood flow was significantly reduced in the moderate hypertension group, without accompanying changes in fetal or placental weight or placental efficiency. In contrast, mild hypertension resulted in an increase in placental efficiency, without significant changes in placental blood flow. These findings suggest that mild and moderate hypertension may alter placental delivery of nutrients via differing mechanisms dependent upon the severity of the hypertension.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2022
Publisher: The Endocrine Society
Date: 09-2007
DOI: 10.1210/EN.2007-0411
Abstract: In early pregnancy, the concentrations of IGFs increase in maternal blood. Treatment of pregnant guinea pigs with IGFs in early to midpregnancy enhances placental glucose transport and fetal growth and viability near term. In the current study, we determined whether exogenous IGFs altered placental gene expression, transport, and nutrient partitioning during treatment, which may then persist. Guinea pigs were infused with IGF-I, IGF-II (both 1 mg/kg·d) or vehicle sc from d 20–35 of pregnancy and killed on d 35 (term is 70 d) after administration of [3H]methyl-d-glucose (MG) and [14C]amino-isobutyric acid (AIB). IGF-I increased placental and fetal weights (+15 and +17%, respectively) and MG and AIB uptake by the placenta (+42 and +68%, respectively) and fetus (+59 and +90%, respectively). IGF-I increased placental mRNA expression of the amino acid transporter gene Slc38a2 (+780%) and reduced that of Igf2 (−51%), without altering the glucose transporter Slc2a1 or Vegf and Igf1 genes. There were modest effects of IGF-I treatment on MG and AIB uptake by in idual maternal tissues and no effect on plasma glucose, total amino acids, free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol concentrations. IGF-II treatment of the mother did not alter any maternal, fetal or placental parameter. In conclusion, exogenous IGF-I, but not IGF-II, in early pregnancy increases placental transport of MG and AIB, enhancing midgestational fetal nutrient uptake and growth. This suggests that early pregnancy rises in maternal circulating IGF-I play a major role in regulating placental growth and functional development and thus fetal growth throughout gestation.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-01-2016
DOI: 10.1111/JWAS.12246
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-1999
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 05-2019
Abstract: Stress during early life has potential to program and alter the response to stressful events and metabolism in later life. Repeated short exposure of Atlantic salmon to cold water and air during embryonic (E), post-hatch (PH) or both phases of development (EPH) has been shown to alter the methylome and transcriptome and to affect growth performance during later life compared to untreated controls (CO). The aim of this study was to investigate how the transcriptome of these fish responds to subsequent acute stress at the start feeding stage, and to describe methylation differences that might steer these changes. EPH treated fish showed the strongest down-regulation of corticotropin releasing factor 1, up-regulation of glucocorticoid receptor and 3-oxo-5-alpha-steroid 4-dehydrogenase 2 gene expression and a suppressed cortisol response 3 hr after the acute stress, differences that could influence hormesis and be affecting how EPH fish cope and recover from the stress event. Growth hormone 2 and insulin-like growth factor 1 were more strongly down-regulated following acute stress in EPH treated fish relative to E, PH and CO fish. This indicates switching away from growth toward coping with stress following stressful events in EPH fish. Genes implicated in immune function such as major histocompatibility class 1A, T-cell receptor and toll-like receptor also responded to acute stress differently in EPH treated fish, indicating that repeated stresses during early life may affect robustness. Differential DNA methylation was detected in regions mapping & bases from genes differentially responding to acute stress suggesting the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms. Stress treatments applied during early development therefore have potential as a husbandry tool for boosting the productivity of aquaculture by affecting how fish respond to stresses at critical stages of production.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-01-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-020-57786-1
Abstract: Pancreas disease caused by salmonid alphaviruses leads to severe losses in Atlantic salmon aquaculture. The aim of our study was to gain a better understanding of the biological differences between salmon with high and low genomic breeding values (H-gEBV and L-gEBV respectively) for pancreas disease resistance. Fish from H- and L-gEBV families were challenged by intraperitoneal injection of salmonid alphavirus or co-habitation with infected fish. Mortality was higher with co-habitation than injection, and for L- than H-gEBV. Heart for RNA-seq and histopathology was collected before challenge and at four- and ten-weeks post-challenge. Heart damage was less severe in injection-challenged H- than L-gEBV fish at week 4. Viral load was lower in H- than L-gEBV salmon after co-habitant challenge. Gene expression differences between H- and L-gEBV manifested before challenge, peaked at week 4, and moderated by week 10. At week 4, H-gEBV salmon showed lower expression of innate antiviral defence genes, stimulation of B- and T-cell immune function, and weaker stress responses. Retarded resolution of the disease explains the higher expression of immune genes in L-gEBV at week 10. Results suggest earlier mobilization of acquired immunity better protects H-gEBV salmon by accelerating clearance of the virus and resolution of the disease.
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-08-2015
Publisher: American Physiological Society
Date: 2005
DOI: 10.1152/AJPREGU.00360.2004
Abstract: Small size at birth has been associated with an increased risk of central obesity and reduced lean body mass in adult life. This study investigated the time of onset of prenatally induced obesity, which occurs after maternal feed restriction, in the guinea pig, a species that, like the human, develops substantial adipose tissue stores before birth. We examined the effect of maternal feed restriction [70% ad libitum intake from 4 wk before to midpregnancy, then 90% until day 60 gestation (term ∼69 days)] on fetal growth and body composition in the guinea pig. Maternal feed restriction reduced fetal (−39%) and placental (−30%) weight at 60 days gestation and reduced liver, biceps muscle, spleen, and thymus weights, relative to fetal weight, while relative weights of brain, lungs, and interscapular and retroperitoneal fat pads were increased. In the interscapular depot, maternal feed restriction decreased the volume density of multilocular fat and increased that of unilocular fat, resulting in an increased relative weight of interscapular unilocular fat. Maternal feed restriction did not alter the relative weight of perirenal fat or the volume density of adipocyte populations within the depot but increased unilocular lipid locule size. Maternal feed restriction in the guinea pig is associated with decreased weight of major organs, including liver and skeletal muscle, but increased adiposity of the fetus, with relative sparing of unilocular adipose tissue. If this early-onset obesity persists, it may contribute to the metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunction that these offspring of feed-restricted mothers develop as adults.
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: No publisher found
DOI: 10.1111/ARE.12807}
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-12-2021
Abstract: Transformation of conventional 2D platforms into unusual 3D configurations provides exciting opportunities for sensors, electronics, optical devices, and biological systems. Engineering material properties or controlling and modulating stresses in thin films to pop‐up 3D structures out of standard planar surfaces has been a highly active research topic over the last decade. Implementation of 3D micro and nanoarchitectures enables unprecedented functionalities including multiplexed, monolithic mechanical sensors, vertical integration of electronics components, and recording of neuron activities in 3D organoids. This paper provides an overview on stress engineering approaches to developing 3D functional microsystems. The paper systematically presents the origin of stresses generated in thin films and methods to transform a 2D design into an out‐of‐plane configuration. Different types of 3D micro and nanostructures, along with their applications in several areas are discussed. The paper concludes with current technical challenges and potential approaches and applications of this fast‐growing research direction.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLACENTA.2010.01.009
Abstract: The placenta has arisen relatively recently and is among the most rapidly evolving tissues in mammals. Several different placental barrier and structure types appear to have independently evolved common functional features. Specific patterns of gene expression that determine placental development in humans are predicted to be accompanied by specific profiles of epigenetic modification. However, the stratification of epigenetic modifications into those involved in conserved aspects of placental function, versus those involved in ergent placental features, has yet to begin. As a first step towards this goal, we have investigated the methylation status of a small number of gene-specific methylation events recently identified in human placenta, in a panel of placental tissue from baboon, marmoset, cow, cat, guinea pig and mouse. These represent disparate placental barrier types and structures. In this study we hypothesized that specific epigenetic markings may be associated with placental barrier type or function, independent of phylogeny. However, in contrast to our predictions, the majority of gene-specific methylation appears to track with phylogeny, independent of placental barrier type or other structural features. This suggests that despite the likelihood of epigenetic modification playing a role in the functioning and evolution of different placental subtypes, there is no evidence for an involvement of the gene-specific methylation profiles we have identified, in specifying these differences. Further studies, examining larger numbers of epigenetic modifications across phylogeny, are required to define the role of specific epigenetic modifications in the evolution of distinct placental structures.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-09-2022
DOI: 10.1111/RAQ.12733
Abstract: Disease and parasitism cause major welfare, environmental and economic concerns for global aquaculture. In this review, we examine the status and potential of technologies that exploit genetic variation in host resistance to tackle this problem. We argue that there is an urgent need to improve understanding of the genetic mechanisms involved, leading to the development of tools that can be applied to boost host resistance and reduce the disease burden. We draw on two pressing global disease problems as case studies—sea lice infestations in salmonids and white spot syndrome in shrimp. We review how the latest genetic technologies can be capitalised upon to determine the mechanisms underlying inter‐ and intra‐species variation in pathogen arasite resistance, and how the derived knowledge could be applied to boost disease resistance using selective breeding, gene editing and/or with targeted feed treatments and vaccines. Gene editing brings novel opportunities, but also implementation and dissemination challenges, and necessitates new protocols to integrate the technology into aquaculture breeding programmes. There is also an ongoing need to minimise risks of disease agents evolving to overcome genetic improvements to host resistance, and insights from epidemiological and evolutionary models of pathogen infestation in wild and cultured host populations are explored. Ethical issues around the different approaches for achieving genetic resistance are discussed. Application of genetic technologies and approaches has potential to improve fundamental knowledge of mechanisms affecting genetic resistance and provide effective pathways for implementation that could lead to more resistant aquaculture stocks, transforming global aquaculture.
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-06-2020
DOI: 10.1111/RAQ.12456
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 07-10-2016
DOI: 10.1111/ARE.12609
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 2004
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2012
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-2005
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-11-2008
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2052.2008.01773.X
Abstract: The objective of this study was to identify QTL for growth rate in the blacklip abalone Haliotis rubra using selective DNA pooling. Three full-sibling families of H. rubra derived from crosses of wild broodstock were used. DNA was extracted from the largest and smallest 10% of progeny and combined into two pools for each phenotypic tail. The DNA pools were typed with 139 microsatellites, and markers showing significant differences between the peak height ratios of alleles inherited from the parents were in idually genotyped and analysed by interval mapping. A strong correlation (r = 0.94, P < 0.001) was found between the t-values from the analysis of pools and the t-values from the analysis of in idual genotypes. Based on the interval mapping analysis, QTL were detected on nine linkage groups at a chromosome-wide P < 0.01 and one linkage group at a chromosome-wide P < 0.05. The study demonstrated that selective DNA pooling is efficient and effective as a first-pass screen for the discovery of QTL in an aquaculture species.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2008
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2013
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-11-2010
DOI: 10.1111/J.1471-0528.2010.02737.X
Abstract: To identify clinical and ultrasound variables associated with the birth of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants by customised centiles, subclassified according to whether their mothers were normotensive or developed hypertensive complications. Prospective, multicentre cohort study. Participating centres of the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) study in Auckland, New Zealand, Adelaide, Australia, Manchester and London, UK, and Cork, Ireland. The 3513 nulliparous participants of the SCOPE study. Women were interviewed at 15 ± 1 weeks, and had ultrasound growth measurements and umbilical and uterine Doppler studies at 20 ± 1 weeks. Variables associated with SGA infants were identified using logistic regression. Small for gestational age (i.e. a birthweight of less than the tenth customised centile), normotensive-SGA and hypertensive-SGA. Comparison groups for statistical analyses were non-SGA, normotensive non-SGA and hypertensive non-SGA. Among 376 (10.7%) SGA infants, 281 (74.7%) were normotensive-SGA and 95 (25.3%) were hypertensive-SGA. Independent risk factors for normotensive-SGA were low maternal birthweight, low fruit intake pre-pregnancy, cigarette smoking, increasing maternal age, daily vigorous exercise, being a tertiary student, head and abdominal circumference of less than the tenth centile and increasing uterine artery Doppler indices at the 20-week scan. Protective factors were: high green leafy vegetable intake pre-pregnancy, and rhesus-negative blood group. Risk factors for hypertensive-SGA were conception by in vitro fertilisation, previous early pregnancy loss and femur length of less than tenth centile at the 20-week scan. Risk factors for infants who are SGA by customised centiles have been identified in a cohort of healthy nulliparous women. A number of these factors are modifiable however, further studies are needed to replicate these findings.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 1999
DOI: 10.1071/EA98061
Abstract: The genetic relationships between an abandoned population of mohair-style, fibre-producing goats from the remote semi-arid Faure Island, Western Australia and 3 modern breeds of Angora goats (Australian, southern African and Texan) were investigated. Faure Island goats originated from stock introduced in the 1890s, reputedly from South Africa. Farmed Faure goats were abandoned on the island about 1918, but their fine mohair fleece has since generated commercial interest within the Australian mohair industry. Nineteen microsatellite loci were used to compare Nei’s genetic distance between and variation within the breeds. Faure Island goats are more similar to southern African and Texan Angoras than to Australian Angoras. Genetic variability was lower in Australian Angoras than in Faure Island, southern African and Texan Angoras (lowest proportion of polymorphic loci, mean heterozygosity and mean number of alleles). Current Faure Island mohair-style goats are more closely related to modern southern African Angora goats than to traditional Australian Angora goats, while the reduced variability in the latter may have resulted from inbreeding. These results have implications for the genetic improvement of fibre-producing goats and for the conservation of genetic material from island populations of goats.
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2014
Publisher: Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.
Date: 2014
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2008
DOI: 10.1071/MF07175
Abstract: Blue-eye trevalla (Hyperoglyphe antarctica), blue warehou (Seriolella brama) and silver warehou (Seriolella punctata) from the family Centrolophidae are three commercially important species in the Australian fishery. These species are currently managed as single stocks. We tested the hypothesis that patterns of phenotypic structuring in these species reflect underlying genetic stock structure using an analysis of mitochondrial DNA control region sequences. The analysis revealed high levels of haplotype ersity within populations. The most common haplotypes for the species occurred in all geographical locations s led. For S. brama, although structuring was not significant after Bonferroni correction, differences between two sites were sufficient to warrant caution in the management of fishery zones for this species. There were also some indications of structuring when sites were grouped into common regions. Demographic analysis suggested that S. brama might have had a history of population bottlenecks followed by sudden population expansion, potentially contributing to genetic structuring in the fishery. No structuring was detected for H. antarctica and S. punctata. The present study highlights the need for, and the utility of, multiple sources of information, that is, genetic, phenotypic, behavioural and ecological, when managing marine fisheries and the need to take a cautionary approach to the interpretation of genetic data for fisheries management.
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-10-2023
DOI: 10.1111/RAQ.12866
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 09-07-2019
Abstract: Cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS) caused by piscine myocarditis virus is a major disease affecting the Norwegian Atlantic salmon industry. Three different populations of Atlantic salmon from the Mowi breeding program were used in this study. The first 2 populations (population 1 and 2) were naturally infected in a field outbreak, while the third population (population 3) went through a controlled challenged test. The aim of the study was to estimate the heritability, the genetic correlation between populations and perform genome-wide association analysis for resistance to this disease. Survival data from population 1 and 2 and heart atrium histology score data from population 3 was analyzed. A total of 571, 4312, and 901 fish from population 1, 2, and 3, respectively were genotyped with a noncommercial 55,735 Affymetrix marker panel. Genomic heritability ranged from 0.12 to 0.46 and the highest estimate was obtained from the challenge test dataset. The genetic correlation between populations was moderate (0.51–0.61). Two chromosomal regions (SSA27 and SSA12) contained single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with resistance to CMS. The highest association signal (P = 6.9751 × 10−27) was found on chromosome 27. Four genes with functional roles affecting viral resistance (magi1, pi4kb, bnip2, and ha1f) were found to map closely to the identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs). In conclusion, genetic variation for resistance to CMS was observed in all 3 populations. Two important quantitative trait loci were detected which together explain half of the total genetic variance, suggesting strong potential application for marker-assisted selection and genomic predictions to improve CMS resistance.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-03-2004
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 29-06-2011
DOI: 10.1021/PR2002897
Abstract: Being born small for gestational age (SGA) confers increased risks of perinatal morbidity and mortality and increases the risk of cardiovascular complications and diabetes in later life. Accumulating evidence suggests that the etiology of SGA is usually associated with poor placental vascular development in early pregnancy. We examined metabolomic profiles using ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) in three independent studies: (a) venous cord plasma from normal and SGA babies, (b) plasma from a rat model of placental insufficiency and controls, and (c) early pregnancy peripheral plasma s les from women who subsequently delivered a SGA baby and controls. Multivariate analysis by cross-validated Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) of all 3 studies showed a comprehensive and similar disruption of plasma metabolism. A multivariate predictive model combining 19 metabolites produced by a Genetic Algorithm-based search program gave an Odds Ratio for developing SGA of 44, with an area under the Receiver Operator Characteristic curve of 0.9. Sphingolipids, phospholipids, carnitines, and fatty acids were among this panel of metabolites. The finding of a consistent discriminatory metabolite signature in early pregnancy plasma preceding the onset of SGA offers insight into disease pathogenesis and offers the promise of a robust presymptomatic screening test.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2009
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2011
DOI: 10.1111/J.1538-7836.2011.04494.X
Abstract: Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is a prothrombotic and anti-angiogenic glycoprotein expressed in the placenta. A functional single nucleotide polymorphism in the TSP-1 gene (TSP-1 A2210G) is a risk factor for familial premature myocardial infarction. Small for gestational age (SGA) infants are at increased risk of coronary artery disease in adult life and common genetic factors may underlie both conditions. We investigated the association of TSP-1 A2210G in SGA infants and their parents. The 3234 nulliparous pregnant women, their partners and babies were recruited in Adelaide and Auckland to a prospective multicenter cohort study. Amongst 2123 Caucasian women, 216 (10.2%) delivered an SGA infant, defined as birth weight < 10th customized centile adjusted for maternal height, weight, parity and ethnicity, as well as gestational age at delivery and infant sex. Uncomplicated pregnancies served as controls (n = 1185). DNA extracted from peripheral/cord blood or buccal swabs was genotyped using Sequenom MassARRAY. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare the odds of SGA between the genotype groups adjusting for potential confounders. Paternal (adjOR, 1.4 95% CI 1.0-2.0) and neonatal (adjOR, 1.8 95% CI, 1.1-2.7) TSP-1 A2210G associates with SGA. The maternal polymorphism approaches significance for an association with SGA (adjOR, 1.3 95% CI, 0.9-1.9). Maternal TSP-1 A2210G associates with a reduced maternal birth weight adjusted for gestational age at delivery (P = 0.03). The TSP-1 A2210G polymorphism, which is a risk factor for myocardial infarction, is associated with SGA pregnancies, suggesting that this polymorphism may associate with the risk of vascular disorders across the life course.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-01-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2008
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2008
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLACENTA.2008.01.009
Abstract: In guinea pigs, maternal insulin-like growth factor (IGF) infusion in early-pregnancy enhances placental transport near-term, increasing fetal growth and survival. The effects of IGF-II, but not IGF-I, appear due to enhanced placental labyrinthine (exchange) development. To determine if the type-2 IGF receptor (IGF2R) mediates these distinct actions of exogenous IGF-II in the mother, we compared the impact of IGF-II with an IGF-II analogue, Leu(27)-IGF-II, which only binds the IGF2R. IGF-II, Leu(27)-IGF-II (1mg/kg per day.sc) or vehicle were infused from days 20-38 of pregnancy (term = 67 days) and placental structure and uptake and transfer of [(3)H]-methyl-D-glucose (MG) and [(14)C]-amino-isobutyric acid (AIB) and fetal growth and plasma metabolites, were measured on day 62. Both IGF-II and Leu(27)-IGF-II increased the volume of placental labyrinth, trophoblast and maternal blood space within the labyrinth and total surface area of trophoblast for exchange, compared to vehicle. Leu(27)-IGF-II also reduced the barrier to diffusion (trophoblast thickness) compared to vehicle and IGF-II. Both IGF-II and Leu(27)-IGF-II increased fetal plasma amino acid concentrations and placental transfer of MG to the fetus compared to vehicle, with Leu(27)-IGF-II also increasing AIB transport compared with vehicle and IGF-II. In addition, Leu(27)-IGF-II increased fetal weight compared to vehicle. In conclusion, maternal treatment with IGF-II or Leu(27)-IGF-II in early gestation, induce similar placental and fetal outcomes near term. This suggests that maternal IGF-II in early gestation acts in part via the IGF2R to persistently enhance placental functional development and nutrient delivery and promote fetal growth.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-1996
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-294X.1996.TB00293.X
Abstract: Predation by the red fox Vulpes vulpes is believed to be threatening the little penguin Eudyptula minor on Phillip Island in Victoria. Polymorphism at seven microsatellite loci was examined to estimate the extent of differentiation between Phillip Island and mainland populations of V. vulpes. Loss of alleles has occurred on Phillip Island where foxes first appeared approximately 88 years ago compared with mainland populations. Genetic differentiation between the Phillip Island and mainland populations was high. The relatively high differentiation found between the two populations could be due to either low migration rates, the effect of the composition of founder animals or both effects. Further ecological and historical information about the populations is needed to explore the likely significance of these effects.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2007
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLACENTA.2007.05.009
Abstract: The human first trimester placenta experiences a low oxygen environment. The hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) mediate the response to low oxygen, inducing genes such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II. Interestingly, IGF-II has been shown to promote placental growth and function. Currently, the interaction between oxygen, IGF-II and HIFs in the regulation of trophoblast behaviour are unclear. Murine implantation sites from days 5.5-10.5 were collected for immunohistochemical analyses. Use of the hypoxia marker pimonidazole indicated that the early mouse implantation site is exposed to low oxygen levels similar to those seen in the early human placenta. HIF-1alpha protein immunostaining was also observed in the implantation site. Culturing murine ectoplacental cones in decreasing oxygen concentrations (20%, 5% and 1% O(2)), either with or without the addition of IGF-II, induced complex responses by trophoblasts in terms of their migration and differentiation. Following 3 days exposure to low oxygen there was reduced EPC outgrowth, reduced Igf2 and increased Tpbp mRNA levels, suggesting commitment to the spongiotrophoblast lineage. In addition, Hif-1alpha mRNA levels were decreased, whilst Hif-2alpha mRNA was unchanged. This decrease in Hif-1alpha may be due to the observed increase in antisense (as) Hif-1alpha mRNA levels in 1% cultures. Furthermore, expression of Hif-2alpha and the HIF target genes: asHif-1alpha, Vegf and Slc2a1 were reduced under low oxygen with the addition of IGF-II. In conclusion, Hif-1alpha and Hif-2alpha are differentially regulated by oxygen and IGF-II in cultured trophoblast cells and asHif-1alpha may mediate the response to prolonged hypoxia in murine trophoblasts.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 16-07-2010
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-1994
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2001
DOI: 10.1071/ZO01033
Abstract: This study sought to investigate the potential for gene flow and dispersal between three s led populations of urban Melbourne foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Five highly polymorphic canine microsatellites were used to investigate the population structure of foxes. The dispersal of 14 foxes, captured and radio-collared as cubs, were monitored periodically over two years. Dispersal estimates for males and females were also calculated from published regression equations that related social group density to dispersal distance. Genetic differentiation between urban populations was greater than between more widely spaced rural populations and was also greater than that found between San Remo and Phillip Island populations, which are separated by a water barrier. A deficiency of heterozygotes was detected in the total Melbourne population, but not at any of the field sites. Mean dispersal distances after 24 months (male = 3.5 km, female = 2.0 km) compared well with published accounts of dispersal in British cities. Dispersal distance estimates for female foxes from all sites were lower than straight-line distance for all but one site. Both the genetic and ecological data suggest a restricted ability for foxes to disperse between sites within urban Melbourne.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-06-2004
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2005
DOI: 10.1016/J.GHIR.2005.01.002
Abstract: Blood IGF-I concentrations are persistently elevated throughout pregnancy in humans and guinea pigs and may regulate substrate partitioning between mother and conceptus. In the guinea pig, liver and adipose tissue have recently been suggested to contribute to the increased levels of circulating IGF-I in mid-pregnancy, but whether this persists in late pregnancy in undernutrition is not known. Therefore the effect of pregnancy and undernutrition on circulating IGF-I and hepatic expression of IGF-I in late gestation in the guinea pig was examined. Female guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) were fed ad libitum throughout pregnancy or 70% of ad libitum intake for 28 days prior to and throughout pregnancy (term is 69 d). Non-pregnant animals were maintained for 88 days on the same diets. Plasma IGF-I was measured by RIA after molecular sieving chromatography at low pH. Abundances of IGF-I and beta-actin mRNA in maternal liver were quantified by digoxigenin-ELISA after RT PCR. Late pregnancy increased both the concentration of IGF-I protein (p<0.001) in plasma and the relative abundance of liver IGF-I mRNA (p<0.001) in ad libitum fed, but not in feed restricted pregnant guinea pigs. The concentration of IGF-I protein in plasma correlated positively with the relative abundance of IGF-I mRNA in liver overall (p<0.002), suggesting the liver as a major source of endocrine IGF-I in late pregnant guinea pigs. This study demonstrates that hepatic expression of IGF-I remains elevated during late pregnancy in the well fed guinea pig, which is in contrast to that observed in other non-human species.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.FSI.2013.02.020
Abstract: Ceruloplasmin is an acute phase protein found to be activated by the host immune system during stress conditions. The ceruloplasmin gene has been reported in several teleosts and here we characterize the gene and test its association with resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila in rohu, Labeo rohita. A ceruloplasmin mRNA sequence of 3355 base pairs (bp) was derived (GenBank ID: JX010736). The coding sequence (CDS) comprised of 3276 bp that coded for 1092 amino acids. Alignment results showed the greatest similarity with zebrafish followed by channel catfish sequence, and a phylogenetic tree constructed on the basis of amino acid sequences showed that rohu shares a common clade with these two species. In the ontogeny study, the expression of ceruloplasmin was detected at 9 h post-fertilization onwards, and a strong level of expression was detected at 24 h (38-fold) and 15 days (34-fold) post-fertilization. The ceruloplasmin transcripts were evident in liver, spleen, stomach and heart. Expression was undetectable in gill, brain, eye, skin, muscle, intestine, anterior and posterior kidney tissues. Expression of ceruloplasmin after A. hydrophila infection was up-regulated 6 h post-challenge and was modulated until 15 days post-challenge. The level of ceruloplasmin was also compared in rohu selectively bred for higher growth and disease resistance. The gene showed a 4.58-fold higher level of expression in resistant line over susceptible line rohu selected based on family challenge test survival to A. hydrophila. Serum ceruloplasmin levels in three year classes of rohu selected for higher growth showed a positive correlation (0.49 ± 1.11) with survival against challenge with A. hydrophila. The estimated heritability was also found to be quite high (0.50 ± 0.22) for this parameter. Thus, ceruloplasmin could be one of the useful marker traits for selection against A. hydrophila resistance in fish.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.ANTIVIRAL.2014.08.010
Abstract: Viruses belonging to the family Malacoherpesviridae currently pose a serious threat to global production of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. Hemolymph extracts from C. gigas are known to have potent antiviral activity. The compound(s) responsible for this broad-spectrum antiviral activity in oyster hemolymph have not been identified. The objective of this study was to identify these antiviral compound(s) and establish whether hemolymph antiviral activity is under genetic control in the Australian C. gigas population. Hemolymph antiviral activity of 18 family lines of C. gigas were assayed using a herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and Vero cell plaque reduction assay. Differences in anti-HSV-1 activity between the family lines were observed (p<0.001) with heritability estimated to be low (h(2)=0.21). A glycoprotein that inhibits HSV-1 replication was identified by resolving oyster hemolymph by native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and assaying extracted protein fractions using the HSV-1 and Vero cell plaque assay. Highest anti-HSV-1 activity corresponded with an N-linked glycoprotein with an estimated molecular mass of 21kDa under non-reducing SDS-PAGE conditions. Amino acid sequencing by tandem mass spectrometry revealed this protein matched the major hemolymph protein, termed cavortin. Our results provide further evidence that cavortin is a multifunctional protein involved in immunity and that assays associated with its activity might be useful for marker-assisted selection of disease resistant oysters.
Publisher: No publisher found
DOI: 10.1111/ARE.12133}
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 04-2010
Abstract: Piglet neonatal survival and postnatal growth and efficiency are positively related to birth weight. In gilts, daily maternal porcine ST (pST) injections from d 25 to 100 (term approximately 115 d), but not d 25 to 50, of pregnancy increase progeny birth weight. Daily maternal pST injections from d 25 to 50 increase fetal weight at d 50 in gilts and sows. We therefore hypothesized that daily pST injections from d 25 to 100, but not d 25 to 50, of pregnancy would increase birth weight similarly in both parities. Landrace x Large White gilts and sows were uninjected (controls) or were injected daily with pST (gilts: 2.5 mg/d sows: 4.0 mg/d, each approximately 15 microg of pST/kg per day) from d 25 to 50 or 100 of pregnancy. Litter size and BW were recorded at birth, midlactation, and weaning. Dams were followed through the subsequent mating and pregnancy. Maternal pST injections from d 25 to 100, but not d 25 to 50, increased mean piglet birth weight by 11.6% in sows (P <or= 0.001) and by 5.6% in gilts (P = 0.008). Both pST treatments decreased litter size by approximately 0.6 live-born piglets (each P 0.1) the weaning-remating interval, conception rate, or subsequent litter size. Greater pST-induced birth weight increases in sows than in gilts may mean that underlying metabolic or placental mechanisms for pST action are constrained by maternal competition for nutrients in rapidly growing gilts.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2004
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 17-01-2014
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 17-10-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2013
Publisher: No publisher found
DOI: 10.1111/JWAS.12239}
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 24-06-2020
DOI: 10.3390/MD18060331
Abstract: Seaweed is an important food widely consumed in Asian countries. Seaweed has a erse array of bioactive compounds, including dietary fiber, carbohydrate, protein, fatty acid, minerals and polyphenols, which contribute to the health benefits and commercial value of seaweed. Nevertheless, detailed information on polyphenol content in seaweeds is still limited. Therefore, the present work aimed to investigate the phenolic compounds present in eight seaweeds [Chlorophyta (green), Ulva sp., Caulerpa sp. and Codium sp. Rhodophyta (red), Dasya sp., Grateloupia sp. and Centroceras sp. Ochrophyta (brown), Ecklonia sp., Sargassum sp.], using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS). The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total tannin content (TTC) were determined. The antioxidant potential of seaweed was assessed using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, a 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) free radical scavenging assay and a ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Brown seaweed species showed the highest total polyphenol content, which correlated with the highest antioxidant potential. The LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS tentatively identified a total of 54 phenolic compounds present in the eight seaweeds. The largest number of phenolic compounds were present in Centroceras sp. followed by Ecklonia sp. and Caulerpa sp. Using high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) quantification, the most abundant phenolic compound was p-hydroxybenzoic acid, present in Ulva sp. at 846.083 ± 0.02 μg/g fresh weight. The results obtained indicate the importance of seaweed as a promising source of polyphenols with antioxidant properties, consistent with the health potential of seaweed in food, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 1993
DOI: 10.1071/ZO9930423
Abstract: Allozyme variation at 18 presumptive loci among 15 species of Australo-Papuan passerines was used to clarify the affinities of the aberrant genera Toxorh hus, Oedistoma, Timeliopsis and Epthianura, all conventionally associated with honeyeaters (Meliphagidae). Both distance-based and discrete-state phylogenetic analyses were performed on the data. The analyses corroborated results from DNA-DNA hybridisation studies that Toxorh hus and Oedistoma are not honeyeaters, but in fact are related to the berrypeckers and flowerpeckers Melanocharis and Dicaeum. Oedistoma iliolophus was found to be more closely allied to Melanocharis than to Toxorh hus. This result is consistent with generic separation of O. iliolophus from Toxorh hus, contrary to groupings interpreted from DNA-DNA hybridisation data. Timeliopsis was identified as a typical honeyeater despite the atypical form of its tongue. Epthianura was also aligned with the honeyeaters but, contrary to analysis by DNA-DNA hybridisation, only as a sister-group of the core honeyeater assemblage.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-03-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2004
DOI: 10.1016/J.THROMRES.2004.06.038
Abstract: The placenta is the highly specialised organ of pregnancy that supports the normal growth and development of the fetus. Growth and function of the placenta are precisely regulated and coordinated to ensure the exchange of nutrients and waste products between the maternal and fetal circulatory systems operates at maximal efficiency. The main functional units of the placenta are the chorionic villi within which fetal blood is separated by only three or four cell layers (placental membrane) from maternal blood in the surrounding intervillous space. After implantation, trophoblast cells proliferate and differentiate along two pathways described as villous and extravillous. Non-migratory, villous cytotrophoblast cells fuse to form the multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast, which forms the outer epithelial layer of the chorionic villi. It is at the terminal branches of the chorionic villi that the majority of fetal/maternal exchange occurs. Extravillous trophoblast cells migrate into the decidua and remodel uterine arteries. This facilitates blood flow to the placenta via dilated, compliant vessels, unresponsive to maternal vasomotor control. The placenta acts to provide oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, whilst removing carbon dioxide and other waste products. It metabolises a number of substances and can release metabolic products into maternal and/or fetal circulations. The placenta can help to protect the fetus against certain xenobiotic molecules, infections and maternal diseases. In addition, it releases hormones into both the maternal and fetal circulations to affect pregnancy, metabolism, fetal growth, parturition and other functions. Many placental functional changes occur that accommodate the increasing metabolic demands of the developing fetus throughout gestation.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-12-2011
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2006
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.CRYOBIOL.2014.01.002
Abstract: This study investigated factors important to the development of the liquid nitrogen (LN) vapor sperm cryopreservation technique in farmed greenlip abalone Haliotis laevigata, including (1) cryoprotectant agent (CPA) toxicity (2) cooling temperature (height above LN surface) (3) thawing temperature (4) sperm to egg ratio and (5) sugar supplementation, using sperm motility, fertilization rate or integrity otential of sperm components and organelles as quality assessment indicators. Results suggested that among the single CPAs evaluated 6% dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) would be the most suitable for sperm cryopreservation in this species. The highest post-thaw sperm motility was achieved with the sperm that had been exposed to LN vapor for 10min at 5.2cm above the LN surface, thawed and recovered in 60 and 18°C seawater bathes, respectively after at least 2h storage in LN. The highest fertilization rates were achieved at a sperm to egg ratio of 10,000:1 or 15,000:1. Addition of 1% glucose or 2% sucrose produced significantly higher post-thaw sperm motility than 6% Me2SO alone. Among the three cryoprotectant solutions further trialled, 6% Me2SO+1% glucose produced the highest fertilization rate of 83.6±3.7%. Evaluation of sperm has shown that the addition of glucose could significantly improve the sperm plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential. These results demonstrated a positive role of glucose in the improvement of sperm cryopreservation in farmed greenlip abalone.
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-2001
DOI: 10.1046/J.0962-1083.2001.01312.X
Abstract: Each summer Adélie penguins breed in large disjunct colonies on ice-free areas around the Antarctic continent. Comprising > 10 million birds, this species represents a dominant feature of the Antarctic ecosystem. The patchy distribution within a large geographical range, natal philopatry and a probable history of refugia, suggest that this species is likely to exhibit significant genetic differentiation within and among colonies. We present data from seven microsatellite DNA loci for 442 in iduals from 13 locations around the Antarctic continent. With the exception of one locus, there was no significant genic or genotypic heterogeneity across populations. Pairwise FST values were low with no value > 0.02. When all colonies were compared in a single analysis, the overall FST value was 0.0007. Moreover, assignment tests were relatively ineffective at correctly placing in iduals into their respective collection sites. These data reveal a lack of genetic differentiation between Adélie penguin colonies around the Antarctic continent, despite substantial levels of genetic variation. We consider this homogeneity in terms of the dispersal of in iduals among colonies and the size of breeding groups and discuss our results in terms of the glacial history of Antarctica.
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-04-2007
DOI: 10.1051/GSE:2007003
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 23-04-2015
DOI: 10.3390/JMSE3020175
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2017
Publisher: No publisher found
Publisher: The Endocrine Society
Date: 05-2005
DOI: 10.1210/EN.2004-1260
Abstract: Growth factors secreted by the female reproductive tract promote development of the preimplantation embryo and potentially act as epigenetic determinants of postimplantation developmental competence and pregnancy outcome. In a comprehensive embryo transfer study in mice, we examined the late gestational and postnatal effects of embryo exposure to the cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), identified as a key physiological regulator of cell number and viability in mouse and human blastocysts. Embryo development in culture in the absence of GM-CSF restricted fetal growth, accelerated postnatal growth, and increased adult body mass and adiposity in offspring compared with in vivo-grown embryos, especially in males. Addition of GM-CSF to embryo culture medium increased the proportion of transferred embryos that generated viable progeny and alleviated the effects of in vitro culture on fetal and postnatal growth trajectory but did not prevent programming of adult obesity. Placental morphogenesis was modified by embryo culture, which inhibited development of labyrinthine exchange tissue and adversely altered some structural correlates of placental transfer function. GM-CSF reversed the effect of culture on labyrinthine growth and increased the surface area of placental trophoblast available for nutrient exchange. These findings indicate that the detrimental influence of embryo culture on fetal viability and growth may be largely mediated through altered placental morphogenesis and can be alleviated by GM-CSF. This demonstrates that embryonic exposure to GM-CSF is essential for normal placental development and fetal growth.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-12-2013
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 19-11-2009
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-03-2006
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLACENTA.2010.01.001
Abstract: Most research on the developmental origins of health and disease has implicated poor nutrition in the fetus, most often conferred by deficiencies in maternal nutrition, as an important causal factor that programmes offspring physiology for adult disease. Emerging evidence implicates interactions between genes and the environment that may help to explain why poor growth before birth is associated with a variety of adult onset diseases that appear in different in iduals of the same birthweight. However, it is underappreciated that the placenta, particularly trophoblast invasion, is key to health of both the mother and child in both the short and long term and that the role of the father is more important than perhaps ever expected. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is but one of a continuum of several pregnancy complications that may be related and that may reflect the long term health of both parents and offspring. These include preecl sia, pre-term birth and gestational diabetes, as well as IUGR. Polymorphisms in genes that regulate how the placenta invades maternal tissues, differentiates and functions and how the mother adapts to pregnancy have been identified as candidates that confer risk to pregnancy success. Potentially, pregnancy provides a window that gives clues to modifiable risk factors that should be addressed early to ameliorate late adult disease. Placentation and trophoblast invasion and its inhibitors in other species may provide new ideas for understanding what goes wrong in human pregnancy. Placentologists and clinicians may usefully collaborate to identify factors that predict risk for pregnancy complications and poor health later in life.
Publisher: No publisher found
Date: 2017
Publisher: No publisher found
No related grants have been discovered for Nicholas Robinson.