Muhammad Mubashar Shaukat

This study investigated age- and sex-related variations in pituitary gonadotroph morphometry and serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations in 90 clinically healthy dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Animals were grouped into three age categories (2–4, 5–10, and ≥11 years), with equal representation of males and females. The precise reproductive status of the female camels (e.g., estrous stage or pregnancy status) was not determined and should be considered when interpreting the endocrine findings. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed significant age- and sex-related differences in gonadotroph number and morphometric characteristics (p < 0.05). Gonadotroph counts were 8.3 ± 0.4, 9.4 ± 0.5, and 8.1 ± 0.4 cells in the 2–4, 5–10, and ≥11-year age groups, respectively, with males showing a higher overall count than females (9.1 ± 0.4 vs. 8.2 ± 0.3; p < 0.05). Overall cell size, cell area, cell volume, nucleus area, and nucleus volume were also greater in males than females (p < 0.05). The largest nucleus size, nucleus area, and nucleus volume were observed in camels ≥11 years of age, with values of 4.7 ± 0.1 µm, 18.5 ± 0.8 µm², and 60.3 ± 4.1 µm³, respectively. Ultrastructural analysis further showed a significant sex difference in granule size (58.0 ± 0.7 vs. 52.2 ± 0.8 nm) and granule percentage (56.2 ± 3.6 vs. 43.5 ± 3.3% in males and females, respectively; p < 0.05). Serum FSH concentrations were higher in males than females (4.8 ± 0.1 vs. 4.2 ± 0.1 µIU/mL; p < 0.05), whereas LH concentrations were 1.2 ± 0.1 and 1.2 ± 0.1 µIU/mL in males and females, respectively. LH concentration was highest in 5–10-year-old males (1.3 ± 0.2 µIU/mL), while FSH concentration was highest in ≥11-year-old males (4.8 ± 0.2 µIU/mL). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated significant positive associations between gonadotroph morphometric parameters and circulating gonadotropins, with correlations ranging from 0.52 to 0.74 for cell/nuclear measurements with LH and FSH. Overall, the findings demonstrate marked age- and sex-associated differences in gonadotroph morphology, ultrastructure, and circulating gonadotropin concentrations in dromedary camels, with males generally exhibiting greater gonadotroph dimensions and secretory granule characteristics. These structural and endocrine differences provide evidence of age- and sex-related variation in pituitary gonadotrophic activity, although the findings should be interpreted in light of the cross-sectional design and the undetermined reproductive status of female camels. Overall, these findings demonstrate pronounced age- and sex-associated differences in pituitary gonadotroph morphology, ultrastructure, and endocrine activity, with males generally exhibiting greater cellular and secretory characteristics. The findings provide novel morphological and endocrine evidence of reproductive aging and sexual dimorphism in the dromedary camel pituitary and may contribute to improved understanding of reproductive function across different life stages. However, interpretation should consider the cross-sectional design and the inability to determine the precise reproductive stage of female camels before slaughter.

The effects of short-term heat stress on normal-diet rats are well-known, but the impact of long-term heat and humidity on rats fed a carbohydrate-rich diet remains unexplored. The study examined the alterations caused by chronic heat and humidity stress in liver enzymes, blood biochemistry, and histology in rats fed a carbohydrate-rich diet. One hundred and eighty adult rats were divided into routine diet (RD) and carbohydrate-rich diet (CRD) groups, further divided into no stress, heat, and humidity stress conditions. Heat and humidity stress were applied daily for 4 h over 30 days. Blood and liver samples were collected at three decapitation intervals for enzyme (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT) and protein (TP, ALB, TB) analysis, and histological examination. CRD-fed rats exhibited higher ALT, AST, and GGT levels than RD-fed rats, with males showing greater increases, especially under heat stress. ALP levels rose in CRD-fed groups, particularly in females at the 3rd decapitation. TP and ALB levels varied by gender and diet but were not significantly different under stress, while TB showed non-significant results across interactions. Histological analysis indicated normal hepatic structures in controls, whereas CRD-fed rats under heat stress displayed cellular disorganization, inflammatory infiltration, and hepatocyte degeneration. Based on biochemical and histological changes, prolonged heat and humidity stress in CRD-fed rats exacerbates liver damage. The findings emphasize the need for dietary and environmental management strategies to support liver health in stressful conditions.

As global temperatures continue to rise, heat stress presents significant risks to animal health, particularly affecting kidney function that is of vital importance due to its essential role in detoxification and fluid balance. This study investigates the effects of a carbohydrate rich diet (CRD) on renal health in albino rats subjected to prolonged heat and humidity stress. A total of 180 rats (90 males, 90 females) were assigned to Routine Diet (RD) and CRD groups, each further divided into no-stress, heat stress, and humidity stress subgroups. Stress exposure lasted 4 h daily for 30 days, with sample collection at 10, 20, and 30 days. The results demonstrated that heat and humidity stress significantly impacted renal biomarkers (urea, creatinine, uric acid, and BUN) in both male and female albino rats. Males generally exhibited higher serum levels of these markers compared to females, indicating greater susceptibility to stress-induced renal strain. Under no-stress conditions, CRD-fed males and females showed elevated renal markers compared to RD-fed counterparts, with females exhibiting relatively lower values. Humidity stress caused the most pronounced increase in renal markers, with RD-fed males and females reaching peak urea and BUN levels. The CRD diet partially mitigated these elevations in both sexes, although values remained significantly higher than in the no-stress group. Moreover, decapitation interval analysis revealed a consistent increase in urea, creatinine, and uric acid levels over time in both sexes, suggesting cumulative physiological stress. These findings highlight the complex interplay between diet, environmental stress, and gender in renal health, underscoring the potential of dietary strategies to mitigate stress-induced kidney damage. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these gender-specific and dietary effects.

This study investigated the morphometric characteristics of adenohypophyseal thyrotrophs and circulating thyroid hormone profiles in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in relation to age and lactation status. Clinically healthy Brela breed camels were divided into lactating female, and non-lactating female groups across two age categories (5–10 years and ≥11 years), with fifty animals per group. Blood samples were collected before slaughter and pituitary glands were collected post-slaughter and processed for immunohistochemical detection of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) using anti-porcine TSHβ antibody, while morphometric measurements of thyrotrophs were conducted through image analysis. Plasma concentrations of TSH, triiodothyronine (T₃), and thyroxine (T₄) were quantified using validated ELISA and enzyme immunoassay kits. Group differences were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc comparisons, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Morphometric analysis revealed that lactating female camels exhibited significantly higher thyrotroph counts compared with non-lactating counterparts, whereas non-lactating females displayed larger cell and nuclear dimensions. Age influenced these patterns, with older camels showing hypertrophied thyrotrophs but reduced functional plasticity compared to younger animals. Plasma hormone assays demonstrated that non-lactating camels had higher TSH and T₄ concentrations, while lactating camels maintained elevated T₃ levels, suggesting enhanced peripheral conversion of T₄ to T₃ during milk production. Additionally, younger camels exhibited higher T₃ concentrations than older animals, indicating age-related decline in thyroidal activity. These findings highlight the dynamic regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis in camels, demonstrating how lactation and age shape thyroidal morphology and function to meet diverse physiological demands. These findings not only broaden the comparative endocrinology of underexplored species but also provide physiopathological insights relevant to farm animal management, lactation efficiency, and adaptive metabolism in harsh environments.

Climate change, characterized by rising global temperatures, has resulted in increased instances of heatwaves, posing significant public health threats. Among various health risks, heat-related illnesses are prevalent, exacerbated by environmental factors like high humidity and high-fat diet (HFD), which are known to impact metabolic functions in animals. The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of heat and humidity stress on liver function markers and histological changes in rats fed a high fat diet, thereby enhancing our understanding of how environmental stressors impact liver health. A total of 180 albino rats (90 males and 90 females) were divided into 6 groups, with controlled environmental conditions, fed with their respective diets. Experimental rats were subjected to stress (4 h daily) in a temperature-humidity chamber for 30 days. Blood samples were collected at three intervals (each of 10 days) for biochemical analysis (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, ALB, TP, and TB), and liver tissues were processed for histological examination. The study found significant alterations (P < 0.01) in liver enzyme levels, including elevated ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT in HFD-fed rats under heat and humidity stress compared to RD groups. However, TP, ALB, and TB showed non-significant variations (P > 0.05). Histological analysis revealed structural damage in the liver, including inflammation and necrosis, particularly pronounced in male rats. Gender-specific responses were observed, with males generally exhibiting higher (P < 0.01) enzyme levels and liver injury compared to females. Heat stress led to disrupted hepatic cords and hepatocyte ballooning in RD-fed rats, while HFD-fed rats exhibited central vein disruptions with minimal ballooning. Humidity stress caused vacuolization in RD-fed rats and frequent central vein disruptions in HFD-fed rats. The findings suggest that a high-fat diet exacerbates liver damage under heat and humidity stress, emphasizing the need for dietary considerations in managing stress-induced liver injuries.