Interplay Between Thyrotroph Morphometry and Circulating Thyroid Hormones in Lactating and Non-Lactating Female Camels (Camelus dromedarius).

IF 2.3 2区 农林科学 Q2 VETERINARY SCIENCES
Shaukat Ali Shaukat Jaspal, Muhammad Mubashar Shaukat, Robina Shaukat, Tahmina Shaukat, Abdul Majeed Cheema, Rifat Ullah Khan, Shabana Naz, Babar Maqbool, Caterina Losacco, Naila Chand, Ibrahim A Alhidary
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Abstract

This study investigated the morphometric characteristics of adenohypophyseal thyrotrophs and circulating thyroid hormone profiles in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in relation to age and lactation status. Clinically healthy Brela breed camels were divided into lactating female, and non-lactating female groups across two age categories (5-10 years and ≥11 years), with fifty animals per group. Blood samples were collected before slaughter and pituitary glands were collected post-slaughter and processed for immunohistochemical detection of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) using anti-porcine TSHβ antibody, while morphometric measurements of thyrotrophs were conducted through image analysis. Plasma concentrations of TSH, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) were quantified using validated ELISA and enzyme immunoassay kits. Group differences were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc comparisons, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Morphometric analysis revealed that lactating female camels exhibited significantly higher thyrotroph counts compared with non-lactating counterparts, whereas non-lactating females displayed larger cell and nuclear dimensions. Age influenced these patterns, with older camels showing hypertrophied thyrotrophs but reduced functional plasticity compared to younger animals. Plasma hormone assays demonstrated that non-lactating camels had higher TSH and T4 concentrations, while lactating camels maintained elevated T3 levels, suggesting enhanced peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 during milk production. Additionally, younger camels exhibited higher T3 concentrations than older animals, indicating age-related decline in thyroidal activity. These findings highlight the dynamic regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in camels, demonstrating how lactation and age shape thyroidal morphology and function to meet diverse physiological demands. These findings not only broaden the comparative endocrinology of underexplored species but also provide physiopathological insights relevant to farm animal management, lactation efficiency, and adaptive metabolism in harsh environments.

哺乳期和非哺乳期雌性骆驼甲状腺营养形态测定与循环甲状腺激素的相互作用
本研究研究了单峰骆驼(Camelus dromedarius)腺垂体促甲状腺激素和循环甲状腺激素的形态特征与年龄和泌乳状态的关系。将临床健康的布雷拉骆驼分为哺乳期母骆驼组和非哺乳期母骆驼组,每组50只,按5-10岁和≥11岁两种年龄分类。屠宰前采集血液,屠宰后采集垂体,采用抗猪TSHβ抗体进行促甲状腺激素(TSH)免疫组化检测,通过图像分析对促甲状腺激素进行形态计量学检测。采用经验证的ELISA和酶免疫分析试剂盒定量测定血浆TSH、三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)和甲状腺素(T4)浓度。组间差异分析采用单因素方差分析和事后比较,p < 0.05为统计学显著性。形态计量学分析显示,哺乳期雌性骆驼的甲状腺功能计数明显高于非哺乳期雌性骆驼,而非哺乳期雌性骆驼的细胞和细胞核尺寸更大。年龄影响了这些模式,与年轻的动物相比,年龄较大的骆驼表现出甲状腺肥大,但功能可塑性降低。血浆激素检测显示,非泌乳骆驼的TSH和T4浓度较高,而泌乳骆驼的T3水平维持在较高水平,表明泌乳期间外周T4向T3的转化增强。此外,年轻骆驼的T3浓度高于年老骆驼,表明甲状腺活动与年龄有关。这些发现强调了骆驼下丘脑-垂体-甲状腺轴的动态调节,说明了哺乳期和年龄如何塑造甲状腺的形态和功能,以满足不同的生理需求。这些发现不仅拓宽了未开发物种的比较内分泌学,而且为农场动物管理、泌乳效率和恶劣环境下的适应性代谢提供了相关的生理病理见解。
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来源期刊
Veterinary Sciences
Veterinary Sciences VETERINARY SCIENCES-
CiteScore
2.90
自引率
8.30%
发文量
612
审稿时长
6 weeks
期刊介绍: Veterinary Sciences is an international and interdisciplinary scholarly open access journal. It publishes original that are relevant to any field of veterinary sciences, including prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disorder and injury in animals. This journal covers almost all topics related to animal health and veterinary medicine. Research fields of interest include but are not limited to: anaesthesiology anatomy bacteriology biochemistry cardiology dentistry dermatology embryology endocrinology epidemiology genetics histology immunology microbiology molecular biology mycology neurobiology oncology ophthalmology parasitology pathology pharmacology physiology radiology surgery theriogenology toxicology virology.
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