Special Issue "Animal Endocrinology and Medicine Research"

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2021.

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Francois-Rene Bertin
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton, Qld, Australia
Interests: insulin dysregulation; adrenocorticotropic hormone; metabolism; endocrinology; hormonal disorders; laminitis; inflammation; obesity; equine; diagnosis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am excited to invite you to contribute to this special issue on Animal Endocrinology that I have the honour of editing for Animal.

Endocrinology has become a dominant field in veterinary medicine with the documentation of new disorders in many domestic and wildlife species. Disorders initially described in human medicine have now been documented in many animals with both similarities and specificities. Comparative endocrinology has benefited both animals and humans as it has allowed a better understanding of hormonal diseases and their pathophysiology.

This Special Issue will take a One-Medicine approach to endocrinology focusing on animal studies unravelling pathophysiology of endocrine disorders, improving their diagnosis and enhancing their management in all animal species. 

Dr. Francois-Rene Bertin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • endocrinology
  • insulin
  • endocrine pancreas
  • diabetes
  • thyroid
  • parathyroid
  • hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis
  • sex hormones
  • obesity
  • metabolism

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Article
The Effect of Egg Laying on Feather and Plasma Corticosterone Concentrations in Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Hens
Animals 2021, 11(7), 1892; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11071892 - 25 Jun 2021
Viewed by 444
Abstract
Phenological differences in energy demand (i.e., reproductive status) might influence the measurement of corticosterone. The objective of this study was to compare corticosterone concentrations in feathers (FCORT) and plasma (PCORT) for turkey hens before and during egg laying. Secondary feathers 1 and 3, [...] Read more.
Phenological differences in energy demand (i.e., reproductive status) might influence the measurement of corticosterone. The objective of this study was to compare corticosterone concentrations in feathers (FCORT) and plasma (PCORT) for turkey hens before and during egg laying. Secondary feathers 1 and 3, and a plasma sample were collected from 50 hens at 30 weeks (before egg laying) from two purebred lines. The hens were reexamined during lay (45 weeks) to collect regrown feathers and plasma samples. Corticosterone concentrations were measured using an ELISA. Linear mixed models were used to assess the effect of genetic line (A vs. B) and period (pre-lay vs. lay) on FCORT and PCORT levels. An increase in FCORT during lay was detected for line B (p < 0.0001), but not line A (p = 0.3076). An increase in FCORT during lay was detectable in both feather types, but there was a difference between secondary 1 and 3 in FCORT concentration within each line studied. Conversely, PCORT decreased between the pre-lay and lay periods for both lines, although the decrease was more substantial for line A (p < 0.0001). Differences in metabolic investment in egg production between the two genetic lines may explain the different FCORT response during lay. The results from this study provide insight into how periods of high energy demand may influence corticosterone which should be considered when interpreting results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Endocrinology and Medicine Research)
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Article
Non-Invasive Measurement of Thyroid Hormones in Domestic Rabbits
Animals 2021, 11(5), 1194; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051194 - 21 Apr 2021
Viewed by 452
Abstract
Thyroid hormones are essential for metabolism, energy homeostasis and reproduction. Hormones can be measured in various biological source materials: blood, feces, urine, saliva and others. The aim of our study was to verify usefulness of thyroid hormone analysis in the urine and feces [...] Read more.
Thyroid hormones are essential for metabolism, energy homeostasis and reproduction. Hormones can be measured in various biological source materials: blood, feces, urine, saliva and others. The aim of our study was to verify usefulness of thyroid hormone analysis in the urine and feces of the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domesticus), comparing them with the serum analyses. Samples were collected from 27 does in the age of 12–14 weeks. Total thyroxine (tT4), total triiodothyronine (tT3), free thyroxine (fT4) and free triiodothyronine (fT3) were tested using the radioimmunological method in serum, feces and urine. The highest concentration of tT4 was found in feces (104.72 ± 59.52 nmol/mg) and the lowest in urine (3.03 ± 3.11 nmol/mL). The highest tT3 concentration was found in blood serum (3.19 ± 0.64 nmol/L) and the lowest in urine (0.31 ± 0.43 nmol/L). The highest concentration of fT4 was observed in feces (43.71 ± 4.79 pmol/mg) and the lowest in blood serum (14.97 ± 3.42 pmol/L). The statistically highest concentration of fT3 (28.56 ± 20.79 pmol/L) was found in urine, whereas the lowest concentration of this hormone was found in feces (3.27 ± 1.33 pmol/mg). There was a positive and statistically significant correlation between serum and urine fT3 (r = 0.76) and a high positive correlation between serum and feces fT3 concentration (r = 0.62). Correlations between concentrations of other thyroid hormones between serum, urine and feces were found to be insignificant. The results suggest that fT3 can be accurately and reliably measured in the feces and urine of the domestic rabbit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Endocrinology and Medicine Research)
Article
Changes Associated with the Peri-Ovulatory Period, Age and Pregnancy in ACTH, Cortisol, Glucose and Insulin Concentrations in Mares
Animals 2021, 11(3), 891; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030891 - 20 Mar 2021
Viewed by 530
Abstract
Although there are many hormonal changes associated with reproduction, the effects of ovulation and early pregnancy on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and insulin concentrations are poorly described. We hypothesise that both ovulation and early pregnancy will alter ACTH and insulin concentrations in healthy mares. [...] Read more.
Although there are many hormonal changes associated with reproduction, the effects of ovulation and early pregnancy on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and insulin concentrations are poorly described. We hypothesise that both ovulation and early pregnancy will alter ACTH and insulin concentrations in healthy mares. Eighteen mares showing no clinical signs suggestive of, or laboratory findings consistent with, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction PPID and insulin dysregulation (ID) are enrolled. ACTH, cortisol, insulin and glucose concentrations are measured over their peri-ovulatory period, as determined via ultrasounds and progesterone concentrations. The mares are grouped by age and gestation status, and a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA is used to determine the effects of age and early pregnancy, along with the peri-ovulatory period, on analyte concentrations. No significant effect of age, ovulation or early pregnancy is detected on the mares’ cortisol, insulin or glucose concentrations; however, there is a significant effect of early pregnancy and ovulation on ACTH concentrations (p = 0.04 and p = 0.04 respectively). ACTH concentrations change around ovulation and with early pregnancy. Therefore, knowledge of a mare’s reproductive status might be beneficial when interpreting ACTH concentrations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Endocrinology and Medicine Research)
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Article
The Influence of Skin Thickness on Flash Glucose Monitoring System Accuracy in Dogs with Diabetes Mellitus
Animals 2021, 11(2), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020408 - 05 Feb 2021
Viewed by 643
Abstract
A flash glucose monitoring system (FGMS) has been validated for use in diabetic dogs. However, it is unknown whether skin thickness affects FGMS measurements. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether FGMS accuracy is affected by skin thickness. Fourteen client-owned diabetic [...] Read more.
A flash glucose monitoring system (FGMS) has been validated for use in diabetic dogs. However, it is unknown whether skin thickness affects FGMS measurements. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether FGMS accuracy is affected by skin thickness. Fourteen client-owned diabetic dogs on insulin treatment were prospectively enrolled in the study. The dogs were divided into two groups according to their ultrasound-measured skin thickness: dogs with skin thickness < 5 mm (Group 1) and dogs with skin thickness > 5 mm (Group 2). On days 1, 7 and 14, glucose curves were obtained simultaneously using the FGMS and a validated portable blood glucose meter. Paired measurements were used to calculate the mean bias and to determine accuracy according to ISO 15197:2013 criteria. The mean bias was significantly inversely correlated (p = 0.02; r = −0.6) with the mean skin thickness. Clinical accuracy was observed only in Group 2, with 99% of the results in zone A + B of the Parkes consensus error grid analysis. In conclusion, skin thickness seems to affect FGMS measurements, and the device is accurate in dogs with thicker skin (>5 mm); in dogs with thin skin (<5 mm), the clinical accuracy is low, and the results should be interpreted with caution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Endocrinology and Medicine Research)
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Article
Estradiol-17β Pharmacokinetics and Histological Assessment of the Ovaries and Uterine Horns following Intramuscular Administration of Estradiol Cypionate in Feral Cats
Animals 2020, 10(9), 1708; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091708 - 21 Sep 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 651
Abstract
The control of feral cats (Felis catus) in Australia is a key biological conservation issue. Male cats are more difficult to control than female cats. Collared and tagged female cats displaying estrous behavior have been considered as a way to lure [...] Read more.
The control of feral cats (Felis catus) in Australia is a key biological conservation issue. Male cats are more difficult to control than female cats. Collared and tagged female cats displaying estrous behavior have been considered as a way to lure male cats and reveal their locations. As female cats are seasonal breeders, artificial induction of estrous behavior following the administration of a long-acting estrogen could improve their use for this purpose. Estradiol cypionate was intramuscularly administered to nine entire non-pregnant female feral cats, of unknown estrous status, at 0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 mg/kg. Mean peak serum concentrations of estradiol-17β were 365 pg/mL (0.1 mg/kg), 1281 pg/mL (0.3 mg/kg), and 1447 pg/mL (0.5 mg/kg). The time-course of estradiol-17β concentrations after various doses of estradiol cypionate was assessed using non-compartmental and non-linear mixed-effects methods. At the highest-studied dose (0.5 mg/kg), the 50th percentile of estradiol-17β concentrations exceeded 0.1 ng/mL for 11.8 days, and 0.05 ng/mL for 14.6 days. The duration increased with increasing dose. No signs of toxicity were noticed in any cat during the study. This information will be useful to ongoing studies that are investigating ways to reduce the abundance of feral cats in Australia, especially adult male cats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Endocrinology and Medicine Research)
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Article
Mirtazapine Reduces Adipocyte Hypertrophy and Increases Glucose Transporter Expression in Obese Mice
Animals 2020, 10(8), 1423; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081423 - 14 Aug 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 873
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome is known to engender type 2 diabetes as well as some cardiac, cerebrovascular, and kidney diseases. Mirtazapine—an atypical second-generation antipsychotic drug with less severe side effects than atypical first-generation antipsychotics—may have positive effects on blood glucose levels and obesity. In our [...] Read more.
Metabolic syndrome is known to engender type 2 diabetes as well as some cardiac, cerebrovascular, and kidney diseases. Mirtazapine—an atypical second-generation antipsychotic drug with less severe side effects than atypical first-generation antipsychotics—may have positive effects on blood glucose levels and obesity. In our executed study, we treated male high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6J mice with mirtazapine (10 mg/kg/day mirtazapine) for 4 weeks to understand its antiobesity effects. We noted these mice to exhibit lower insulin levels, daily food efficiency, body weight, serum triglyceride levels, aspartate aminotransferase levels, liver and epididymal fat pad weight, and fatty acid regulation marker expression when compared with their counterparts (i.e., HFD-fed control mice). Furthermore, we determined a considerable drop in fatty liver scores and mean fat cell size in the epididymal white adipose tissue in the treated mice, corresponding to AMP-activated protein kinase expression activation. Notably, the treated mice showed lower glucose tolerance and blood glucose levels, but higher glucose transporter 4 expression. Overall, the aforementioned findings signify that mirtazapine could reduce lipid accumulation and thus prevent HFD-induced increase in body weight. In conclusion, mirtazapine may be useful in body weight control and antihyperglycemia therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Endocrinology and Medicine Research)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

1. Anti-obesity and hyperglycemic effect of mirtazapine by decreasing adipocyte hypertrophy and increasing glucose transporter expression in obese mice

Abstract: Metabolic syndrome is involved in the development of diabetes and cardiac, cerebrovascular, and kidney diseases. Mirtazapine is clinically used as an atypical second-generation antipsychotic drug with less severe side effects than atypical first-generation antipsychotics; however, reports have indicated that mirtazapine may affect blood glucose levels and obesity. Therefore, we investigated the antiobesity effects of mirtazapine in male C57BL/6J mice on a high-fat diet (HFD). Mice treated with mirtazapine (10 mg/kg per day for 4 weeks) exhibited reduced body weight, liver and epididymal fat pads, daily food efficiency, insulin levels, serum triglyceride levels, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, and fatty acid regulation marker expression (fatty acid synthase) compared with HFD control mice. Dissection of mirtazapine-treated mice revealed a marked reduction in average fat cell size of epididymal white adipose tissue fatty and liver scores, paralleling the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) expression. These results indicated that mirtazapine prevented the effect of the HFD on the rate of accretion in body weight by reducing lipid accumulation. Notably, glucose tolerance and blood glucose levels in mirtazapine-treated animals with higher GLUT4 expression were lower than those in HFD-fed mice. Mirtazapine may serve as a body weight control strategy and antihyperglycemic therapy.

Keywords: adipocyte; blood glucose; insulin; mirtazapine; obesity

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