The molecular mechanisms by which animals integrate external stimuli with internal energy balance to regulate major developmental and reproductive events still remain enigmatic. We investigated this aspect in the marine bristleworm, Platynereis dumerilii, a species where sexual maturation is tightly regulated by both metabolic state and lunar cycle...
Gender dysphoria (GD) in children and adolescents is a condition that is characterized by an incongruence between the assigned and experienced gender. Despite the diversity in clinical presentation, literature demonstrates that GD might lead to poor mental health and high rates of co-occurring psychopathology. Due to the overlap of physical aspects...
Successful reproduction is a fundamental physiological process which relies on the integration of sensory cues of attraction with appropriate emotions and behaviors and the reproductive axis. However, the factors responsible for this integration remain largely unexplored. Using functional neuroimaging, hormonal and psychometric analyses, we demonst...
Immunocastration (vaccination against boar taint) is an alternative method to prevent boar taint without the need for surgical castration. This study investigates the evolution of boar taint compounds in serum and fat, serum steroid compounds as well as behavior in immunocastrated pigs from 3 sire lines: 15 stress positive Belgian Piétrain (BP), 20...
Immunocastration (vaccination against boar taint) is an alternative method to prevent boar taint without the need for surgical castration. This study investigates the evolution of boar taint compounds in serum and fat, serum steroid compounds as well as behavior in immunocastrated pigs from 3 sire lines: 15 stress positive Belgian Pietrain (BP), 20...
Background: Both biodegradable and non-biodegradable peptide-loaded implants are already developed for the long-term treatment of patients, thereby reducing the frequency of drug administration. To further improve peptide formulation, extending the scope of implant-based drug delivery systems towards other polymers and processing techniques is high...
Several methods have been proposed to advance the onset of the breeding season in horses. Most of them are based on the exposure to an artificial lighting period combined with hormonal treatments. Mares exposed to an artificial photoperiod are most often housed indoors where the ambient temperature is often higher than the outside temperature. Mare...
Reproduction is fundamental for the survival of all species and requires meticulous synchronisation of a diverse complement of neural, endocrine and related behaviours. The reproductive hormone kisspeptin (encoded by the KISS1/kiss1 gene), is now a well-established orchestrator of reproductive hormones, acting upstream of gonadotrophin releasing ho...
Published in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
Species survival is dependent on successful reproduction. This begins with a desire to mate, followed by selection of a partner, copulation and in monogamous mammals including humans, requires emotions and behaviours necessary to maintain partner bonds for the benefit of rearing young. Hormones are integral to all of these stages and not only media...
Published in Irish Veterinary Journal
BackgroundDrivers of change in dairy herd health management include the significant increase in herd/farm size, quota removal (within Europe) and the increase in technologies to aid in dairy cow reproductive management.Main bodyThere are a number of key areas for improving fertility management these include: i) handling of substantial volumes of da...
