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Animals
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Advances in Animal Neuroscience
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Advances in Animal Neuroscience

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Physiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 November 2024) | Viewed by 6769

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Gianluca Lepore

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
Interests: neuronal plasticity events in vivo and vitro; neuronal changes produced by different factors; non-classical pathways involved in steroidogenesis; activity of neuroprotective enzymes in neuronal and glial cells undergoing oxidative/nitrosative stress; brain aging in sheep cortical neurons subjected to oxidative conditions; paleoanatomy; bone histology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neurosciences is rapidly developing. Alongside macroscopic studies on brain anatomy, an increase in cellular level studies is occurring.  Indeed, promising in vitro studies using cell culture techniques are highlighting alterations in neuronal function. For example, interesting studies include those on cell aging, the morphological and functional changes cells undergo with age, and nerve cells of various species of domestic animals, which have highlighted enzymatic alterations that have repercussions on the functionality of cell DNA. The process of brain senescence specifically related to oxidative damages induced by ROS (reactive oxygen species) has been well described. These achievements are fundamental as they could have extreme relevance in the study of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases.

From this point of view, you are invited to submit your work on these topics. In particular, we welcome in vivo and in vitro studies on brain and nerve cell morphological changes in different stress conditions.

Dr. Gianluca Lepore
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 submissions that pass pre-check are 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 semimonthly 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 2400 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

  • brain aging
  • neuronal cells
  • glial cells
  • oxidative stress
  • animal anatomy

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 5285 KiB  
Article
Preliminary Findings on the Morphometric Characteristics of the Olfactory Bulb in the Cat
by Rui Alvites, Abby Caine, Giunio Bruto Cherubini, Artur Severo P. Varejão and Ana Colette Maurício
Animals 2024, 14(24), 3590; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14243590 - 12 Dec 2024
Viewed by 864
Abstract
The aim of this preliminary study was to morphologically and dimensionally characterize the cat’s olfactory bulb in the sagittal plane and to establish potential relationships with the cranial conformation, based on the study of in vivo MRI images. Midsagittal and transverse T2-weighted images [...] Read more.
The aim of this preliminary study was to morphologically and dimensionally characterize the cat’s olfactory bulb in the sagittal plane and to establish potential relationships with the cranial conformation, based on the study of in vivo MRI images. Midsagittal and transverse T2-weighted images of the head of 40 cats subjected to MRI were selected. For each animal, the skull index was calculated to classify the cranial conformation. Then, for the olfactory bulb, the angle was calculated, the orientation was determined, and the sagittal section area was measured. It was established that animals classified as brachycephalic have more compact olfactory bulbs, with smaller cross-sectional areas, ventral orientation and smaller angles established with the line that goes from the hard palate and the intercondylar notch of the foramen magnum. Animals classified as dolichocephalic have more globose and wider olfactory bulbs, dorsal orientation, and larger angles. Mesocephalic animals present an intermediate position. Males and younger adult animals have olfactory bulbs with larger cross-sectional areas than females and older animals. This work allows for the preliminarily characterization of the olfactory bulb in cats in the sagittal plane, and the correlations identified with other head structures open doors for the use of the bulb as an early indicator for the establishment of alterations of varied etiology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Neuroscience)
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11 pages, 2132 KiB  
Article
Orchiectomy Decreases Locomotor Activity and Delays the Expression of the Clock Protein PER1 in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus in Rabbits
by Ángel Roberto Guzmán-Acevedo, Mario Daniel Caba-Flores, Rubi Viveros-Contreras and José Enrique Meza-Alvarado
Animals 2024, 14(24), 3570; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14243570 - 11 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1068
Abstract
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the master regulator of the circadian system, modulating the daily timing of physiological and behavioral processes in mammals. While SCN synchronization is primarily driven by environmental light signals, sex hormones, particularly androgens, have a crucial role in regulating [...] Read more.
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the master regulator of the circadian system, modulating the daily timing of physiological and behavioral processes in mammals. While SCN synchronization is primarily driven by environmental light signals, sex hormones, particularly androgens, have a crucial role in regulating behavioral and reproductive processes to align with daily or seasonal cycles. SCN cell populations express receptors for sex steroid hormones, contributing to circadian synchronization mechanisms. Specifically, the activation of androgen receptors in the SCN has been shown to modulate clock gene expression and influence circadian rhythms. Rabbits, widely used in experimental research, exhibit unique behavioral patterns, including plasticity in circadian typology and seasonal variations in testosterone secretion. In this study, we explored, in male rabbits, the effect of castration on the daily pattern of locomotor activity and the expression of the clock protein PERIOD 1 (PER1) in the SCN. Our results show that castration significantly reduces daily locomotor activity and PER1 expression in the SCN. Moreover, a 4 h delay in the acrophase of PER1 expression was observed. We conclude that androgens have an important role in SCN synchronization mechanisms, contributing to the organization of physiological and behavioral events in this species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Neuroscience)
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9 pages, 3377 KiB  
Communication
The Arterial Circle of the Brain in the Bawean Deer (Axis kuhlii)
by Maciej Zdun, Jakub Jędrzej Ruszkowski, Maria Nabzdyk, Aleksander F. Butkiewicz, Maciej Gogulski and Marcin Gołyński
Animals 2024, 14(23), 3410; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14233410 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 703
Abstract
The Bawean deer (Axis kuhlii) is a small deer species endemic to the island of Bawean in Indonesia. The species is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List. The current population is assessed to be less than 500 adults [...] Read more.
The Bawean deer (Axis kuhlii) is a small deer species endemic to the island of Bawean in Indonesia. The species is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List. The current population is assessed to be less than 500 adults living in the wild. The cerebral arterial circle (also called the circle of Willis) is an anastomosis of arteries that supply the brain. The aim of this study was to describe the arterial vascularization of the brain in this species. Three different methods were used to obtain a complete arterial pattern of this region—latex injection, corrosion cast, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography. The arterial vascularization of the brain was described. The pattern of the arterial vessels supplying the brain in this species was similar to that described previously by ruminants. The vessel with the biggest lumen branching off from the circle of Willis was the medial cerebral artery. The basilar artery is a vessel with a narrow lumen and does not mediate the delivery of blood to the encephalon from the caudal side. The results of the study may be useful in creating veterinary protocols for treating vascular diseases in this species and further studies from the field of pathophysiology or pathology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Neuroscience)
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9 pages, 5007 KiB  
Communication
The Arteries of the Encephalon Base in Caracal (Caracal caracal; Felidae; Carnivora)
by Maciej Zdun, Aleksander F. Butkiewicz and Marcin Zawadzki
Animals 2023, 13(24), 3780; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13243780 - 7 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1657
Abstract
This study represents the comprehensive anatomical analysis of the arterial circulation at the base of the encephalon in caracal (Caracal caracal), a member of the Felidae family. Caracals are found in various environments in Africa and Asia, and their conservation status [...] Read more.
This study represents the comprehensive anatomical analysis of the arterial circulation at the base of the encephalon in caracal (Caracal caracal), a member of the Felidae family. Caracals are found in various environments in Africa and Asia, and their conservation status is threatened by hunting and habitat loss. This study was conducted on 14 post-mortem specimens obtained from zoos. Three different methods were used to prepare the specimens—corrosive preparation, latex specimen preparation, and computer tomography imaging. This study revealed a configuration of the arterial circulation in the caracal encephalon resembling the shape of the number eight. The presence of the rostral communicating artery in this species is of particular significance, as it is associated with an increased ability to detect dehydration in the forebrain. This adaptation plays a crucial role in responding to challenges related to hydration. Comparative anatomical analysis with other felids highlighted differences in the shape and configuration of the encephalon’s arterial circulation. This study also discussed the obliteration of the extracranial segment of the internal carotid artery in adult caracals, a feature shared with other Felidae members. The results of this study provide valuable information regarding the anatomy of blood vessels in caracals, with potential implications for veterinary practice in zoos and wildlife conservation efforts. This research expands our knowledge of this species’ unique adaptations and physiological processes, contributing to the development of comparative anatomy in the Felidae family. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Neuroscience)
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Review

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13 pages, 590 KiB  
Review
Morphological and Metabolic Features of Brain Aging in Rodents, Ruminants, Carnivores, and Non-Human Primates
by Gianluca Lepore, Sara Succu, Maria Grazia Cappai, Adele Frau, Alice Senes, Marco Zedda, Vittorio Farina and Sergio D. Gadau
Animals 2024, 14(19), 2900; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14192900 - 8 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1588
Abstract
Brain aging in mammals is characterized by morphological and functional changes in neural cells. Macroscopically, this process, leading to progressive cerebral volume loss and functional decline, includes memory and motor neuron deficits, as well as behavioral disorders. Morphologically, brain aging is associated with [...] Read more.
Brain aging in mammals is characterized by morphological and functional changes in neural cells. Macroscopically, this process, leading to progressive cerebral volume loss and functional decline, includes memory and motor neuron deficits, as well as behavioral disorders. Morphologically, brain aging is associated with aged neurons and astrocytes, appearing enlarged and flattened, and expressing enhanced pH-dependent β-galactosidase activity. Multiple mechanisms are considered hallmarks of cellular senescence in vitro, including cell cycle arrest, increased lysosomal activity, telomere shortening, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. The most common markers for senescence identification were identified in (i) proteins implicated in cell cycle arrest, such as p16, p21, and p53, (ii) increased lysosomal mass, and (iii) increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) expression. Finally, dysfunctional autophagy, a process occurring during aging, contributes to altering brain homeostasis. The brains of mammals can be studied at cellular and subcellular levels to elucidate the mechanisms on the basis of age-related and degenerative disorders. The aim of this review is to summarize and update the most recent knowledge about brain aging through a comparative approach, where similarities and differences in some mammalian species are considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Neuroscience)
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