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“Placental trophoblasts are an important source of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine acting hormones. The aim of the present study was to establish and

evaluate a tissue culture model for bovine trophoblasts to study regulation of key genes of steroid hormone synthesis. Trophoblast cells were isolated from cotyledons by collagenase disaggregation and subsequent percoll density gradient centrifugation. The cells were seeded on collagen coated dishes and incubated for up to seven days. The cells were characterized for the presence of mesenchymal vimentin and epithelial cytokeratin filaments and for Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) binding, a marker for differentiated trophoblast C59 giant cells. Transcripts of Hsd3b, Cyp17 and Cyp19 encoding 3 beta-HSD, P450c17 and P450arom, the key enzymes of progesterone, androgen, and oestrogen biosynthesis, respectively, and of Cshl encoding the trophoblast-specific hormone placental lactogen (PL) were measured by qPCR. Uninucleate cotyledonary epithelial cells and bi- and trinucleate trophoblast giant cells efficiently formed a dense cell layer on the collagen coated dishes within 24 h. Bi- and trinucleate cells showed DBA binding and weak or undetectable cytokeratin this website immunoreactivity.

Vimentin-positive, fibroblast-like cells were found on top of this cell layer. Cyp19 transcripts were found in freshly dissociated but not in cultured cells. Cyp17 expression AP26113 continuously increased, Hsd3b transcripts largely and rapidly increased during the first days in culture, followed by a decline after three days, whereas Cshl decreased towards day seven. Serum free culture conditions significantly enhanced Cyp17 and Cshl but not Hsd3b expression. The data indicate that collagen is a favourable substrate for cultured

binucleate trophoblast giant cells. The cells represent an in vitro model to study the regulation of key genes of placental progesterone and androgen but not of oestrogen biosynthesis. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Requirements for improvement of broiler welfare have initiated certain changes in rearing and management conditions in conventional broiler production, with emphasis on stocking density and duration of photo period. Experimental study was conducted on broilers of fast growing genotypes reared in floor system. Two stocking densities were applied: 12 and 16 birds/m(2) and two light regimes: continuous: 23 h light (23 L):1 h dark (1 D) and intermittent: 4 h light (4 L): 2 h dark (2D), with 4 repetitions per treatment. Growth dynamics was investigated on 800 broilers and carcass quality traits (carcass weight, conformation, yields of major carcass parts and tibia quality) on sample of 80 carcasses differentiated according to gender of chickens. More intensive growth of broiler in the group reared in lower stocking density, that is, intermittent light regime, was established.