Browsing by Subject "Maturation"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Embargo
    An endangered species living in an endangered ecosystem: Population structure and growth of European eel Anguilla anguilla in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon
    (2022-01-13) Barcala, Elena; Romero García, Diego; Bulto, Cristina; Boza, Cristina; Peñalver, José; María-Dolores, Emilio; Muñoz, Pilar; Sanidad Animal
    Mediterranean coastal habitats constitute a nonmarginal fraction of the overall continental habitats of the European eel. It has been suggested that the recovery of the eel global stock may depend closely upon the contribution of Southern European and North African countries within the Mediterranean basin, therefore It is essential to know all the aspects related with its biology and populations dynamic to ensure that the European Commission conservation plan works in this habitats. The aims of this study were to ascertain the structure of the endangered A. anguilla populations in the Mar Menor and obtain essential data for future management plans in the Mediterranean catchment area. In total, 1151 wild fish were caught by local fishermen in 2015–2016 and 2016–2017, and their biological traits were determined. Our findings show that the Mar Menor’s A. anguilla population consists of resident females (1:0.008, female:male), yellow and silvering individuals (56.56% and 43.27% respectively), with a mean age of 3 years. The traditional view of long-lived eels with low growth rates does not fit the picture of Mediterranean eel populations. The effect of fishing techniques used, and the eutrophication processes noted during the study period are also discussed.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Expression of neuropeptides and their receptors in the developing retina of mammals
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2003) Bagnoli, P.; Dal Monte, M.; Casini, G.
    The present review examines various aspects of the developmental expression of neuropeptides and of their receptors in mammalian retinas, emphasizing their possible roles in retinal maturation. Different peptidergic systems have been investigated with some detail during retinal development, including substance P (SP), somatostatin (SRIF), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), opioid peptides and corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF). Overall, the developmental expression of most peptides is characterized by early appearance, transient features and achievement of the mature pattern at the time of eye opening. Concerning possible developmental actions of neuropeptides, recent studies imply a role of SP in the modulation of cholinergic neurotransmission in early postnatal rabbit retinas, when cholinergic cells participate in the retinal spontaneous waves of activity. In addition, the presence of transient SRIF expressing ganglion cells and recent observations in SRIF receptor knock-out mice indicate variegated roles of this peptide in the development of the retina and of retinofugal projections. Furthermore, VIP and PACAP exert protective and growth-promoting actions that may sustain retinal neurons during their development, and opioid peptides may control cell proliferation in the developing retina. Finally, a peak in the expression of certain peptides, including VIP, NPY and CRF, is present around the time of eye opening, when the retina begins the analysis of structured visual information, suggesting important roles of these peptides during this delicate phase of retinal development. In summary, although the physiological actions of peptides during retinal development are far from being clarified, the data reviewed herein indicate promising perspectives in this field of study.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Influence of two different competition models on physical performance in under-13 basketball players: analysis considering maturity timing
    (MDPI, 2023-11-08) Arede, Jorge; Leite, Nuno; Birrento Aguiar, Ricardo André; García Angulo, Francisco Javier; Pino Ortega, José; Ortega Toro, Enrique; Actividad Física y Deporte
    The rules of team sport have been influenced by professional competitions without considering all the factors that differentiate children and adolescents from adults. The aim of this study was to analyse the performance of kinematic variables in two different types of tournaments and the influence of somatic maturation on performance in young basketball players. Thirty-seven under-13 male basketball players (age = 12.91 0.57 years) were selected by four southeast Spanish teams to participate in two different tournaments. On the first day, the tournament was played according to the rules of the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) for under-14 players, and on the second day, the tournament was played according to modified rules (Modified Tournament). In this tournament, the height of the basket was lowered to 2.90 m; the three-point line was a rectangle that was 4 m from the basket.The following kinematic variables were analysed: Acceleration (n), Deceleration (n), Maximum Acceleration Speed (km/h), Maximum Deceleration Speed (km/h), Acceleration Meters Covered (m), Deceleration Meters Covered (m), Number of Sprints (n), Sprint Meters Covered (m), Maximum Sprint Speed, and Player Load (n). The results showed no significant differences in player performance between the tournaments. However, significant differences in performance (p < 0.05) were found in players at different stages of maturation. Early maturity players showed the best performance in the kinematic variables in both tournaments; because of this, there should be a modification of the rules and organisation of competitions by bio-banding. It can be concluded that there were no significant differences in the kinematic variables between the two tournaments. However, when comparing maturation timing, there tends to be a group effect.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    LncRNA RUNX1-IT1 is downregulated in gastric cancer and suppresses the maturation of miR-20a by binding to its precursor
    (Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2023) Bao, Lei; Du, Boxiang; Guo, Yunhu; Zhang, Huaguo; Mao, Zhongqi
    Background. RUNX1-IT1 has been characterized as a tumor suppressive long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in several types of cancer but not gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to explore the role of RUNX1-IT1 in GC. Methods. The expression of RUNX1-IT1, microRNA (miR)-20a precursor and mature miR-20a in GC and healthy tissues donated by GC patients (n=62) were measured by RT-qPCR. Correlation analysis was performed by linear regression. The expression of mature miR-20a and miR-20a precursor in cells with overexpression of RUNX1-IT1 was also determined by RT-qPCR. Cell invasion and migration were evaluated by Transwell assays. Results. RUNX1-IT1 was downregulated in GC. Across GC tissues, RUNX1-IT1 and mature miR-20a were inversely correlated. However, RUNX1-IT1 and miR-20a precursor were not closely correlated. RUNX1- IT1 and miR-20a precursor were predicted to interact with each other, and overexpression of RUNX1-IT1 in GC cells decreased the expression levels of mature miR20a. Transwell assay showed that the enhancing effect of miR-20a on cell invasion and migration was reduced by overexpression of RUNX1-IT1. Conclusions. RUNX1-IT1 may suppress the GC cell movement by inhibiting the maturation of miR-20a
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Reproductive physiology of the boar: what defines the potential fertility of an ejaculate?
    (Elsevier, 2024-04-18) Rodríguez Martínez, Heriberto; Martínez Serrano, Cristina A.; Álvarez Rodríguez, Manuel; Martínez, Emilio A.; Roca, Jordi; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    Despite decades of research and handling of semen for use in artificial insemination (AI) and other assisted reproductive technologies, 5-10% of selected boar sires are still considered sub-fertile, escaping current assessment methods for sperm quality and resilience to preservation. As end-product, the ejaculate (emitted spermatozoa sequentially exposed to the composite seminal plasma, the SP) ought to define the homeostasis of the testes, the epididymis, and the accessory sexual glands. Yet, linking findings in the ejaculate to sperm production biology and fertility is suboptimal. The present essay critically reviews how the ejaculate of a fertile boar can help us to diagnose both reproductive health and resilience to semen handling, focusing on methods -available and under development- to identify suitable biomarkers for cryotolerance and fertility. Bulk SP, semen proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) have, albeit linked to sperm function and fertility after AI, failed to enhance reproductive outcomes at commercial level, perhaps for just being components of a complex functional pathway. Hence, focus is now on the interaction sperm-SP, comparing in vivo with ex vivo, and regarding nano-sized lipid bilayer seminal extracellular vesicles (sEVs) as priority. sEVs transport fragile molecules (lipids, proteins, nucleic acids) which, shielded from degradation, mediate cell-to-cell communication with spermatozoa and the female internal genital tract. Such interaction modulates essential reproductive processes, from sperm homeostasis to immunological female tolerance. sEVs can be harvested, characterized, stored, and manipulated, e.g. can be used for andrological diagnosis, selection of breeders, and alternatively be used as additives to improve cryosurvival and fertility.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Supplementation of bovine follicular fluid during in vitro maturation increases oocyte cumulus expansion, blastocyst developmental kinetics and blastocyst cell number.
    (2019-01-14) Lopes, Jordana S; Canha-Gouveia, Analuce; París-Oller, Evelynne; Coy Fuster, Pilar; Coy Fuster, Pilar; Fisiología
    Bovine follicular fluid (bFF) is the natural milieu for oocyte growth and development. However, its value as supplementation to in vitro maturation medium is still questioned due to inconsistent results. In this study we hypothesized that adding 10% of follicular fluid as well as heat treating it to inhibit the complement system, would produce higher quality embryos. To do so, experiments were conducted to compare the effect of bFF and heat-treated bFF (bFFin) on oocyte competence assessed by different parameters such as nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, IVF efficiency, in vitro embryo development and embryo survivability post-vitrification. No differences on nuclear maturation nor cortical granules migration were observed but differences were found on oocyte’s cumulus cell expansion, with bFF group having the highest increase (79.0±3.7%). bFFin had a negative impact on IVF efficiency (58.6±3.2%), but no differences were found between bFF (62.9±3.2%) and control (72.8±3.0%). Although the cleavage and blastocyst rate were similar between groups, the day 6 embryo development rate was higher in bFFin group, suggesting an accelerated developmental kinetics. Hatched blastocysts from the bFF group showed a higher cell count than the control group (241.3±20.1 and 185.8± 10.0, respectively), and bFFin embryos showed values in between (214.9±14.0). No difference on survivability post-vitrification was found between groups, although the blastocyst stage had a significant impact on the survival rate across all groups. In conclusion, using bFF as supplementation to maturation medium showed a higher benefit when comparing to the standard supplementation by having oocytes with higher cumulus expansion rate, faster development of embryos and higher number of cells per embryo. Inactivation of bFF lowered IVF efficiency but didn’t compromise blastocyst development and quality.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    The relative age effect on the selection of young athletes and the performance of Brazilian futsal teams
    (Universidad de Murcia. Servicio de publicaciones, 2022) Leonardi, Thiago José; Kunrath, Caito André; Silva, Isabela Freitas da; Rucco, Gabriel da Silva; Aires, Hannah; Berger, Artur Goulart; Cardoso, Marcelo Francisco da Silva
    Objetivo: El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar el efecto de la edad relativa en la selección de los atletas jóvenes y el rendimiento de los equipos de fútbol sala. Métodos: Se recopiló la fecha de nacimiento de 2.676 jóvenes atletas (femeninos: n=292; masculinos=2.384) que jugaban en las categorías Sub-9 a Sub-20 de fútbol sala brasileño. Los atletas fueron categorizados en base al cuartil y al semestre de nacimiento. La posición final de los equipos en el torneo fue categorizada como finalista, semifinalista y no semifinalista. Se aplicó la prueba chi-cuadrada, el V de Cramer y los modelos de regresión logística multinómica. Resultados: Los datos apoyaron la hipótesis sobre la tendencia a seleccionar atletas que nacieron en los primeros meses del añoen equipos masculinos, pero no se observó lo mismo en equipos femeninos. Además, sólo los atletas de la categoría Sub-13 que nacieron en el primer semestre del año presentaran un 50% de posibilidades de estar entre los finalistas del torneo cuando se comparan con sus compañeros. Aplicaciones prácticas: La edad relativa tuvo efecto en el equipo de atletas masculinos jóvenes, pero tal efecto no se asoció con el rendimiento positivo de los equipos de fútbol sala, excepto para la categoría Sub-13. Por lo tanto, se recomienda a los entrenadores de atletas jóvenes valorar otros factores en el momento para seleccionar y componer sus equipos dentro del contexto evaluado aquí