Anti-PGR (C-terminal) polyclonal antibody

Hormonal regulation controls mammary gland (MG) development. Therefore some hormone-related factors can disrupt the early phases of MGs development, making the gland more susceptible to long term modifications in its response to circulating hormones. Endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenol A (BPA), are able to cause alterations in hormone receptor expression, leading to changes in the cell proliferation index, which may expose the tissue to neoplastic alterations. Thus, we evaluated the variations in hormone receptor expression in the MG of 6-month old Mongolian gerbils exposed to BPA and 17 beta estradiol during the perinatal period. Receptors for estrogen alpha (ER alpha), beta (ER beta), progesterone (PGR), prolactin (PRL-R), and co-localization of connexin 43 (Cx43) and ER alpha in gerbils were analyzed, and serum concentrations of estradiol and progesterone were assessed. No alterations in body, liver, and ovary-uterus complex weights were observed. However, there was an increase in epithelial ER alpha expression in the 17 beta estradiol (E2) group and in PGR in the BPA group. Although immunohistochemistry did not show alterations in ER beta expression, western blotting revealed a decrease in this protein in the BPA group. PRL-R was more present in epithelial cells in the vehicle control (VC), E2, and BPA groups in comparison to the intact control group. Cx43 was more frequent in E2 and BPA groups, suggesting a protective response from the gland against possible malignancy. Serum concentration of estradiol reduced in VC, E2, and BPA groups, confirming that alterations also impacts steroid levels. Consequently, perinatal exposure to BPA and the reference endogenous estrogen, 17 beta estradiol, are able to increase the tendency of endocrine disruption in MG in a long term manner, since repercussions are observed even 6 months after exposure.

The main objective of this 2-year study was to investigate the effects of nitrogen resources (nitrogen-free, NO3-, NH4+, and NH(4)NO(3)each 150% in modified Hoagland solution) and plant growth regulators (PGR-free (6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP, 200 mu M), 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA, 200 mu M) and BAP + NAA each one 200 mu M) on the absorption and transmission of elements from root to leaves and also study the biosynthesis of steviol glycosides in stevia leaves. The results demonstrated that the highest absorption of nutrient elements including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium was observed in the plant cultivated under NO(3)(-)and NAA treatment. However, the combination of NH(4)NO(3)and BAP significantly increased the steviol glycosides more than that of other treatments. This suggests that stevia requires low amounts of nutrient uptake for the biosynthesis of steviol glycosides. The results also showed that the levels of free carbohydrate and starch were increased in root and leaf under NO(3)(-)and with BAP + NAA treatments. An increase in free carbohydrate biosynthesis and transferring it to the root is completely vital to prevent sodium uptake and assist in the absorption of essential nutrients. These results suggest that the application of NO(3)(-)could increase the nutrient uptake whereas the optimal uptake of the essential elements and the highest amounts of steviol glycosides occur in the treatment of NH(4)NO(3)along with BAP.