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Department of Animal Physiology

Head of the Department

Prof. PhD, DSc Dorota Tomaszewska-Zaremba
🖂 d.tomaszewska@ifzz.pl

Researches

Prof. PhD, DSc Alina Gajewska,  🖂 a.gajewska@ifzz.pl 
Prof. PhD, DSc Tomasz Misztal,  🖂 t.misztal@ifzz.pl
PhD, DSc Kateryna Pierzynowska, institute professor,  🖂 katerina.goncharova@biol.lu.se
PhD, DSc Anna Wójcik-Gładysz, institute professor,  🖂 a.wojcik@ifzz.pl 
PhD, DSc Jarosław Woliński, institute professor,  🖂 j.wolinski@ifzz.pl
PhD eng. Patrycja Młotkowska,  🖂 p.mlotkowska@ifzz.pl 
PhD Bartosz Osuch,  🖂 b.osuch@ifzz.pl
PhD Bartosz Przybył,  🖂 b.przybyl@ifzz.pl 
PhD Michał Szlis,  🖂 m.szlis@ifzz.pl
MSc Kinga Pałatyńska,  🖂 k.palatynska@ifzz.pl 
MSc eng. Kamil Zaworski,  🖂 k.zaworski@ifzz.pl 

Scientific and technical staff

PhD Elżbieta Marciniak,  🖂 e.marciniak@ifzz.pl

Technical staff

Katarzyna Biernacka,  🖂 k.biernacka@ifzz.pl
 Anna Misztal,  🖂 a.misztal@ifzz.pl

Current research topics

  • Neuromodulatory activity of orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides in the regulation of growth and reproduction processes in the hypothalamus-pituitary axis.
  • Influence of neurosteroids on neurosecretion processes in the central nervous system based on female model.
  • Identification of mechanisms forming neurohormonal adaptations in pregnant and lactating female animals (secretion of prolactin and oxytocin; secretory activity of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland and hypothalamus-pituitary-gonads axes)
  • Endo- and egzogenic factors influencing seasonal milk productivity in sheep.
  • Mechanisms of neuroendocrine regulation of GnRH/LH secretion – influence of endo- and egzogenic factors.
  • Neurohormonal regulation of hypothalamus-pituitary neurosecretory and genetic axes, transduction of signal in gonadotropic pituitary cells, intracellular activity of gonadoliberin complexes (GnRH) with metals
  • Alternative therapies of civilizational diseases – preclinical studies on animal models
 
In the Department studies on animal models such as sheep, pig, rat are conducted.
 

Main achievements

  • It was revealed that obestatin on the central nervous system level modulates the hypothalamic appetite-regulating network in sheep. The obtained results suggest that the underlying mechanism can comprise modification of neurons NPY/AgRP and CART/α-MSH subpopulations activity, which are located in the arcuate nucleus, and in this process receptor GRP39 can be involved (Szlis et al., 2018. J. Anim. Physiol. Nutr. 102, 690-700).
  • It was obtained that obestatin can take part in the modulation of growth processes in sheep. Obestatin at the same time stimulates the GHRH expression and decreases the  somatostatin expression in the anterior hypothalamic area.  As a consequence an increase in GH gene expression from somatotrophic pituitary cells lead to increase in GH secretion to the peripheral blood (Wójcik-Gładysz et al., 2018. Brain Res. 1678, 278-287).
  • For the first time it was noted that vital changes in the secretory activity of the mediobasal hypothalamus of lactating ewes are connected with the synthesis and secretion of salsolinol – dopamine derivative. Also, stimulating activity of salsolinol on prolactin and oxytocin secretions in sheep connected with suckling-induced neuronal impulse was observed. What is more, salsolinol was found to take part in the regulation of secretory activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes in lactating sheep (Misztal et al., 2008. Endocrinology 198, 83-89; Misztal et al., 2010. Neuroscience 170, 1165-1171; Górski et al., 2016; J. Neuroendocrinol. 28, 12362; Górski et al., 2017. Dom. Anim. Endocrinol. 59, 75-80; Hasiec et al., J. Neuroendocrinol. 26, 844-852; Hasiec et al., 2015. Dom. Anim. Endocrinol., 53, 26-34; Marciniak et al., 2016. Theriogenology 86, 1931-1938; Hasiec and Misztal, 2017. Int. J. Endocrinol., Article ID 3786038).
  • It was noted that in sheep lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can directly modulate the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis on the level of central nervous system. The influence of LPS can be visible on the level of hypothalamus and also of pituitary. TLR4 receptor, at least partially, participates in the mechanism of HPG blockade during immunological stress on the level of central nervous system (Haziak et al., J. Anim. Feed Sci., 22, 97-105; Haziak et al., 2014. Inflamm., Article ID 867170).
  • The studies on the role of endocannabinoids in the regulation of GnRH/LH secretion revealed that anandamide acting centrally via specific cannabinoid (CB) receptors can stimulate GnRH synthesis. In the modulatory activity of anandamide on the GnRH secretion are possibly included prostaglandins synthesized in the central nervous system. Also, anandamide can suppress the synthesis and secretion of gonadotrophins directly on the level of pituitary. (Tomaszewska-Zaremba et al., 2020. Animals 10, 706. Grant 2013/11/B/NZ9/00708 ‘Regulation of GnRH/LH secretion by cannabinoids in anoestrous ewes’.
  • It was found that 17-β estradiol, acting via ESR1/ESR2, gen-specifically regulates Egr-1 and Pitx-1 transcriptions in the anterior pituitary of female rats in vivo (Gajewska et al., 2014. J. Mol. Endocrinol. 53, 355-366).
  • It was observed that oestrogens regulate the activity of galaninergic system in the anterior pituitary of female rat in vivoon the level of mRNA expression for GALR3 and GALR1 receptors (Gajewska et al., 2016. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 67, 423-429).
  • Two receptoral systems: GnRH-R and PAC-1 are involved in Cu-GnRH-dependent induction of cAMP/PKA pathway signalling in anterior pituitary cells. 
    De novo protein synthesis and activation of protein kinase C are not necessary for stimulated by Cu-GnRH accumulation of cAMP. Intracellular calcium is involved in this proces (Gajewska et al., 2016. Brain Res. Bull. 120, 75-82).
  • In the preclinical studies experimental models were formulated for: type 2 diabetes, and acute and chronic pancreatitis arthritis and models of disorders of gastrointestinal tract development in human preemies and infants (Pierzynowski et al., 2017. Sci. Rep. 7, 8628; Goncharova et al., 2017. PLoS One. 28, e0180002; Szczurek et al., 2017. PLoS One 12, e0179195; Socha-Banasiak et al., 2017. J. Biol. Regul. Homeost. Agents. 31, 87-92).

Selected publications

  • Freedman S.D., Zaworski K., Pierzynowska K., Pierzynowski S., Gallotto R., Sathe M., Borowitz D.S. 2023. Validation of an omega-3 substrate challenge absorption test as an indicator of global fat lipolysis. PLoS ONE 18(5),e0284651, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284651
  • Koziec K., Scanes C.G., Zubel-Łojek J., Gajewska A. 2023. Effects of hexarelin and isolation stress on the Met-enkephalin system in young lambs. Folia Biologica (Kraków). 71(4), 195-206, https://doi.org/10.3409/fb_71-4.19
  • Młotkowska P., Marciniak E., Misztal A., Misztal T. 2023. Effect of neurosteroids on basal and stress-induced oxytocin secretion in luteal-phase and pregnant sheep. Animals 13(10), 1658, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13101658
  • Pierzynowska K., Wychowanski P., Zaworski K., Woliński J., Donaldson J., Pierzynowski S. 2023. Anti-Incretin Gut Features induced by feed gupplementation with alpha-amylase: Studies on EPI pigs. International Journal of Molecular Science 24(22), 16177, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216177
  • Roszkowicz-Ostrowska K., Młotkowska P., Kowalczyk P., Marciniak E., Barszcz M., Misztal T. 2023. Central stimulatory effect of kynurenic acid on BDNF-TrkB signaling and BER enzymatic activity in the hippocampal CA1 field in sheep. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24(1), 136, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010136
  • Zięba D.A., Biernat W., Szczęsna M., Kirsz K., Misztal T. 2023. Seasonal and nutritional changes in the short form of the leptin receptor expression and VEGF system in the choroid plexus, arcuate nucleus, and anterior pituitary in MTS-leptin and resistin-treated sheep. Neuroscience 17, 1291997, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1291997
  • Kopycinska K., Wojtulewicz K., Herman A.P., Tomaszewska-Zaremba D. 2022. The effect of photoperiodic conditions on GnRH/LH secretion in ewes. Animals 12, 283, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030283
  • Marciniak E., Młotkowska P., Roszkowicz-Ostrowska K., Ciska E., Misztal T. 2022. Involvement of neurosteroids in the control of prolactin secretion in sheep under basal, stressful and pregnancy conditions. Theriogenology 190, 73–80, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.08.013
  • Pierzynowska K., Wychowanski P., Zaworski K., Woliński J., Donaldson J., Pierzynowski S. 2023. Anti-Incretin Gut Features Induced by Feed Supplementation with Alpha-Amylase: Studies on EPI Pigs. International Journal of Molecular Science 24(22), 16177, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216177
  • Roszkowicz-Ostrowska K., Młotkowska P., Kowalczyk P., Marciniak E., Barszcz M., Misztal T. 2023. Central stimulatory effect of kynurenic acid on BDNF-TrkB signaling and BER enzymatic activity in the hippocampal CA1 field in sheep. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24(1), 136, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010136
  • Zięba D.A., Biernat W., Szczęsna M., Kirsz K., Misztal T. 2023. Seasonal and nutritional changes in the short form of the leptin receptor expression and VEGF system in the choroid plexus, arcuate nucleus, and anterior pituitary in MTS-leptin and resistin-treated sheep. Front Neuroscience 17, 1291997, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1291997
  • Pardak P., Filip R., Woliński J. 2022. The impact of sleep-disordered breathing on ghrelin, obestatin, and leptin profiles in patients with obesity or overweight. Journal of Clinical Medicine 11(7), 2032, https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11072032
  • Słupecka-Ziemilska M., Pierzynowski S.G., Szczurek P., Pierzynowska K., Wychowanski P., Seklecka B., Koperski M., Starzynska A., Szkopek D., Donaldson J., Andrzejewski K., Woliński J. 2022. Milk formula enriched with sodium butyrate influences small intestine contractility in neonatal pigs. Nutrients  14, 4301, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14204301
  • Zaworski K., Woliński J., Słupecka-Ziemilska M., Pierzynowski S., Pierzynowska K. 2022. Pre-digestion of the lipids in infant formula affects gut maturation of the preterm pig. PLoS ONE 17(3), e0265144, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265144
  • Tomaszewska-Zaremba D., Wojtulewicz K., Paczesna K., Tomczyk M., Biernacka K., Bochenek J., Herman A.P. 2020. The influence of anandamide on the anterior pituitary hormone secretion in ewes—ex vivo study. Animals 10(4), 706, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040706 
  • Misztal T., Kowalczyk P., Młotkowska P., Marciniak E. 2020. The effect of allopregnanolone on enzymatic activity of the DNA base excision repair pathway in the sheep hippocampus and amygdala under natural and stressful conditions. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21(20), 7762, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21207762
  • Kotarba G., Zielińska-Górska M., Biernacka K., Gajewska A. 2020. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-Cu complex (Cu-GnRH) transcriptional activity in vivo in the female rat anterior pituitary gland. Brain Research Bulletin 156, 67-75, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.01.005
  • Misztal T.,  Młotkowska P.,  Marciniak E.,  Misztal A. 2020.  Allopregnanolone  reduces  neuroendocrine  response  to  acute  stressful stimuli  in   sheep. Journal of Endocrinology 244(1), 201-211, https://doi.org/10.1530/JOE-19-0376
  • Szlis M., Wójcik-Gładysz A., Przybył B.J. 2020. Central obestatin administration affect the LH and FSH secretory activity in peripubertal sheep. Theriogenology 145, 10-17, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.01.032
  • Woliński J., Szczurek P., Pierzynowska K., Wychowański P., Seklecka B., Boryczka M., Kuwahara A., Kato I., Drahanchuk O., Zaworski K., Pierzynowski S.G., Słupecka-Ziemilska M. 2020. Influence of obestatin on the histological development of the small intestine in piglets during the first week of postnatal life. Animal 14(10), 2129-2137, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731120000919
  • Pierzynowska K., Woliński J., Westrom B., Pierzynowski S.G. 2020. Maternal Immunoglobulins in Infants—Are they more than just a form of passive immunity? Frontiers in Immunology 11(5), ID 855, https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.00855
  • Tomaszewska-Zaremba D., Haziak K., Tomczyk M., Herman A.P. 2018. Inflammation and LPS-binding protein enable the stimulatory effect of endotoxin on prolactin secretion in the ovine anterior pituitary: ex vivo study. Mediators of Inflamation 2018. ID 5427089, https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/5427089
  • Haziak K., Herman A.P., Wojtulewicz K., Pawlina B., Paczesna K., Bochenek J., Tomaszewska-Zaremba D. 2018. Effect of CD14/TLR4 antagonist on GnRH/LH secretion in ewe during central inflammation induced by intracerebroventricular administration of LPS. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology 9(52), https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-018-0267-8
  • Zielińska-Górska M., Górski K., Biernacka K., Sawosz E., Kamiński T., Gajewska A. 2018. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and kisspeptin-10 regulate nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group a member i/catenin beta1/ nuclear receptor subfamily 0 group b member 1 activity in female rat anterior pituitary gland. Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 69(3),  463-474, https://doi.org/10.26402/jpp.2018.3.14
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