https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:38603 Chlamydia trachomatis infection is a primary cause of reproductive tract diseases including infertility. Previous studies showed that this infection alters physiological activities in mouse oviducts. Whether this occurs in the uterus and cervix has never been investigated. This study characterized the physiological activities of the uterine horn and the cervix in a Chlamydia muridarum (Cmu)-infected mouse model at three infection time points of 7, 14, and 21 days postinfection (dpi). Cmu infection significantly decreased contractile force of spontaneous contraction in the cervix (7 and 14 dpi; P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively), but this effect was not observed in the uterine horn. The responses of the uterine horn and cervix to oxytocin were significantly altered by Cmu infection at 7 dpi (P < 0.0001), but such responses were attenuated at 14 and 21 dpi. Cmu infection increased contractile force to prostaglandin (PGF2_α) by 53–83% in the uterine horn. This corresponded with the increased messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of Ptgfr that encodes for its receptor. However, Cmu infection did not affect contractions of the uterine horn and cervix to PGE₂ and histamine. The mRNA expression of Otr and Ptger4 was inversely correlated with the mRNA expression of ll1b, ll6 in the uterine horn of Cmu-inoculated mice (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001), suggesting that the changes in the Otr and Ptger4mRNA expression might be linked to the changes in inflammatory cytokines. Lastly, this study also showed a novel physiological finding of the differential response to PGE₂ in mouse uterine horn and cervix.]]> Wed 17 Nov 2021 15:27:35 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:49105 Tue 14 Nov 2023 14:40:06 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:1957 Sat 24 Mar 2018 08:33:18 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:15364 Sat 24 Mar 2018 08:25:42 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:20802 h1 differentiator and leukocyte activator. Ample studies showed suppression of IL-12 production by numerous stress factors, including prostaglandins, catecholamines, glucocorticoids, and opioids, but did so in vitro and in the context of artificial leukocyte activation, not simulating the in vivo setting. In a recent study we reported in vivo suppression of plasma IL-12 levels by behavioral stress and surgery. The current study aims to elucidate neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying this phenomenon in naïve F344 rats. To this end, both adrenalectomy and administration of specific antagonists were used, targeting the aforementioned stress factors. The results indicated that corticosterone and prostaglandins are prominent mediators of the IL-12-suppressing effects of stress and surgery, apparently through directly suppressing leukocyte IL-12 production. Following surgery, endogenous prostaglandins exerted their effects mainly through elevating corticosterone levels. Importantly, stress-induced release of epinephrine or opioids had no impact on plasma IL-12 levels, while pharmacological administration of epinephrine reduced plasma IL-12 levels by elevating corticosterone levels. Last, a whole blood in vitro study indicated that prostaglandins and corticosterone, but not epinephrine, suppressed IL-12 production in non-stimulated leukocytes, and only corticosterone did so in the context of CpG-C-induced IL-12 production. Overall, the findings reiterate the notion that results from in vitro or pharmacological in vivo studies cannot indicate the effects of endogenously released stress hormones under stress/surgery conditions. Herein, corticosterone and prostaglandins, but not catecholamines or opioids, were key mediators of the suppressive effect of stress and surgery on in vivo plasma IL-12 levels in otherwise naïve animals.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 08:05:52 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:16526 Sat 24 Mar 2018 08:01:18 AEDT ]]>