17-α-OH Progesterone ELISA Kit

Pentachlorophenol (PCP), a highly toxic contaminant of chlorophenols, is common in a variety of environments and presents serious risks to animal and human health. However, the reproductive toxicity and potential actions of PCP have not been investigated thoroughly, especially in humans. Here, human spermatozoa were used to evaluate the effect of PCP on cell function and to explore the underlying mechanisms. PCP had no substantive effects on spermviability or motility, nor on the ability to penetrate viscous medium, sperm hyperactivation or spontaneous acrosome reactions. However, PCP significantly inhibited these properties induced by progesterone (P4). Consistent with the functional observations, although PCP itself did not affect the basal intracellular Ca2+ concentrations and CatSper current, PCP dose-dependently inhibited increases of intracellular Ca2+ concentrations caused by P4. In addition, the activation of CatSper induced by P4 was largely suppressed by PCP. This is the first report showing that PCP may serves as an antagonist of the P4 membrane receptor to interfere with Ca2+ signaling by compromising the action of P4 on regulating sperm function. These findings suggest that the reproductive toxicity of PCP should also be a matter of concern as a mammalian health risk. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This study aimed to evaluate the exogenous progesterone (P4) effect on the luteal function from Day 16 to Day 21 of the oestrous cycle in inseminated goats with unknown pregnancy status. A total of 54 does passed through a short progestin-based synchronization protocol and, on Day 16 of the following oestrous cycle, 27 does received a new P4 device which was retained until Day 21. Blood samples were collected daily from all does during this period, as well as on Day 24. Pregnancy diagnoses were performed on Day 30. Serum P4 values from 26 animals (G(NPSP): Group of non-pregnant does with second sponge:n = 8; G(NPNSP): Group of non-pregnant does without second sponge:n = 6; G(PSP): Group of pregnant does with second sponge:n = 5; G(PNSP): Group of pregnant does without second sponge:n = 7) were determined by radioimmunoassay commercial kits. No P4 differences were found between groups (G(NPSP): 3.1 +/- 2.8; 1.7 +/- 1.8; 0.4 +/- 1.0; and 0.0 +/- 0.0 vs. G(NPNSP): 4.4 +/- 1.8; 3.0 +/- 2.2; 0.8 +/- 0.8; and 0.0 +/- 0.0 or G(PSP): 4.2 +/- 1.0; 3.4 +/- 0.6; 3.3 +/- 1.6; 3.2 +/- 0.9; 3.6 +/- 1.2; 3.5 +/- 1.3; 2.7 +/- 1.3 vs. G(PNSP): 4.4 +/- 1.6; 3.6 +/- 1.5; 3.7 +/- 1.5; 3.8 +/- 1.4; 3.2 +/- 1.2; 3.1 +/- 1.2; 3.6 +/- 1.1; D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, D24, respectively) or for the interaction of group and time. In conclusion, a second progestogen device had no effect on luteolysis or early pregnancy in the following oestrous cycle.