INDIAN SOCIETY FOR COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY

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INDIAN SOCIETY FOR COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY ISCE Newsletter 2019 Reg. No. S/47554 ISCE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (2019-2021) 1. President: Prof. Iqbal Parwez 2. Vice President: Prof. Bechan Lal 3. General Secretary: Dr. Sudipta Maitra 4. Joint Secretary: Dr. P.S. Singru 5. Treasurer: Dr. Ajit Singh Members 1. Prof. A.G. Jadhao 2. Dr. R. Moses Inbaraj 3. Dr. Maya Shedpure 4. Dr. Pankaj Kumar 5. Dr. Mamta S.K. Contents Ex-Officio Members Message from the President 1. Prof. Panchanan Nath Articles 2. Prof. N.K. Subhedar Forthcoming Events 3. Prof. Chandra Mohini Chaturvedi New ISCE Members 4. Prof. Aparna Dutta-Gupta Report on Symposium/Workshop Co-Opted Members ISCE Audit Report 1. Prof. Umesh Rai ISCE Office Address: Department of Zoology University of Delhi, Delhi - 110007 2. Prof. M.C. Subhash Peter 3. Dr. Subeer S. Majumdar 4. Dr. Malini Laloraya 5. Dr. Suresh Yenugu 6. Dr. N.P. Gramapurohit 7. Dr. Shiv Shankar Singh Website – www.isceindia.org Email: [email protected]

Transcript of INDIAN SOCIETY FOR COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY

INDIAN SOCIETY FOR COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY

ISCE Newsletter 2019 Reg. No. S/47554

ISCE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (2019-2021)

1. President: Prof. Iqbal Parwez

2. Vice President: Prof. Bechan Lal

3. General Secretary: Dr. Sudipta Maitra

4. Joint Secretary: Dr. P.S. Singru

5. Treasurer: Dr. Ajit Singh

Members

1. Prof. A.G. Jadhao

2. Dr. R. Moses Inbaraj

3. Dr. Maya Shedpure

4. Dr. Pankaj Kumar

5. Dr. Mamta S.K.

Contents Ex-Officio Members

Message from the President 1. Prof. Panchanan Nath

Articles 2. Prof. N.K. Subhedar

Forthcoming Events 3. Prof. Chandra Mohini Chaturvedi

New ISCE Members 4. Prof. Aparna Dutta-Gupta

Report on Symposium/Workshop Co-Opted Members

ISCE Audit Report 1. Prof. Umesh Rai

ISCE Office Address: Department of Zoology University of Delhi, Delhi - 110007

2. Prof. M.C. Subhash Peter

3. Dr. Subeer S. Majumdar

4. Dr. Malini Laloraya

5. Dr. Suresh Yenugu

6. Dr. N.P. Gramapurohit

7. Dr. Shiv Shankar Singh Website – www.isceindia.org

Email: [email protected]

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Message from the President Desk

On January 9, 2019, at Suraburdi Meadows, Nagpur, Maharastra, on the occasion of ‘Humboldt Kolleg on Comparative Endocrinology and Physiology’ the Indian Society for Comparative Endocrinology (ISCE) entrusted me with the onus to be the President of this august Society, an honour which I accepted with humility. I am conscious of the fact that it is a huge responsibility which, I must assure, will be shouldered by me with utmost sincerity and dedication.

The discipline of Endocrinology in India is at a crucial juncture where we have to keep pace with changing technological advancement. It is important to stay competitive and relevant internationally. In my acceptance speech as President of Society, I emphasized the need to keep ourselves updated with the new tools and techniques in vogue so that our research themes remain contemporary and we contribute meaningfully to the existing fund of knowledge.

In India, we have islands of excellence in terms of prestigious institutions with state-of-the-art facilities and extremely accomplished and innovative scientific community. On the other hand, we have a large number of such institutions where we have highly motivated minds who, unfortunately, are not able to give their best output due to lack of updated and modern infrastructure. It is extremely necessary to pursue relevant themes at the appropriate level of advancement to fill the existing gaps of knowledge. Therefore, the need of the hour is that our prestigious institutions should play the role of academic mentors to these young budding minds located in different parts of the country by honing their talent and giving them access to high-end gadgetry existing in these institutions. It is only through this hand-holding that Indian Endocrinologists, particularly the younger crop, will make their mark internationally. As I announced on that day, Indian Society on Comparative Endocrinology (ISCE) will play the role of a good samaritan to bring these young aspiring minds at the doorsteps of these institutions and to implore the renowned Scientific community of these institutions to nurture and patronize these young scientists. This road map, if succeeded, will give a boost to Indian Science in general and the discipline of Endocrinology in particular. Let us remain in close touch and share our constraints and success stories.

I look forward to brighter days ahead.

Iqbal Parwez

 

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Bone as an Endocrine Organ

N K Subhedar

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008

Number of hormones of peripheral origin like leptin, insulin, cholecystokinin, glucagon-like peptide 1, peptide YY and ghrelin etc., are known to profoundly impact the central processing of food intake and metabolism. The communication mediated by these hormones has been the matter of considerable interest in recent years since it holds the key to the understanding of the major disorders like obesity, anorexia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Indeed, the focus for an understanding of type 2 diabetes mellitus has been shifting from the periphery to the brain in the last two decades. The protein lipocalin 2, also known as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, was believed to be secreted by the adipose tissue and used as a biomarker of inflammation, ischemia and infection. In a recent study, Mosialou et al. (2017, doi:10.1038/nature21697) shed light on a novel function of the protein. They demonstrate that the protein is also expressed in osteoblast and that the osteoblast derived lipocalin 2 may exert a profound influence on the brain by modulating the feeding/satiety circuits and energy metabolism. The mice with deleted gene for lipocalin 2, specifically from the osteoblasts, displayed a massive decrease in the serum level of the protein, decreased glucose tolerance and sensitivity to insulin. They also showed reduced insulin secretion following a glucose challenge. A significant reduction was observed in the beta-cell mass in the islets of Langerhans of the mutant mice. Chronic administration of lipocalin 2 via i.p. route to wild type mice decreased food intake and negatively influenced their fat mass and body weight. The hormone seems to cross the blood-brain barrier and bind at various sites in the hindbrain, thalamus, and the hypothalamus. The authors further demonstrated that lipocalin 2 activated the neurons of the paraventricular hypothalamic and ventromedial nuclei via the melanocortin 4 receptors. Intracerebroventricular administration of lipocalin 2 increased expression of Fos in the neurons of the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus. The neurons of the nucleus were equipped with melanocortin 4 receptors and showed depolarization following exposure to lipocalin 2. However, the NPY and POMC containing neurons in the arcuate nucleus did not respond to similar treatment, thus confirming the specificity of the action of lipocalin 2 on its target. Whereas wild type mice injected with lipocalin 2 resulted in decreased bodyweight, melanocortin 4 receptor null mice did not respond. Lipocalcin 2 administered to wild type mice showed improved energy expenditure, glucose tolerance and insulin insensitivity, but these were not seen in melanocortin 4 receptor null animals. The authors have also undertaken some clinical studies. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the serum levels of lipocalin 2 were negatively correlated with body weight and glycated hemoglobin.

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The paper concludes on the note that the food intake suppressing the action of the bone-derived hormone lipocalin 2 may resemble that of leptin from the adipose tissue. Any decrease in the bone mass and subsequent expression of lipocalin 2 may lead to an increase in food intake, promote nutrient uptake and maintain skeletal and body growth. In view of the emerging clinical salience of lipocalin 2, we may expect considerable increase in research efforts directed at probing deeper into the central effects of this molecule.

Cytokine, Growth Factor and Hexamerin Mediated Intestinal Regeneration in Insect Promotes Resistance to Biopesticides

Aparna Dutta-Gupta

Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046. Email: aparnaduttagupta@ gmail.com

The insects in the field get exposed to various genobiotics and entomopathogens including Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which are widely used for the management of feeding larval stages of pests. Extensive studies reveal that intestinal (midgut) epithelial cells in insects, during stress and toxin-based damage undergo rapid turnover. Further, the intestinal homeostasis is maintained by actively dividing intestinal stem cells (ISCs) which undergo differentiation and give rise enterocytes and help in maintaining the integrity of the gut epithelium. Recent research findings suggested that various cytokines play a key role in intestinal enterocyte regeneration. Enteric microbial infection was shown to promote cytokine (Unpaireds- Upd, Upd2 and Upd4) production, which activated Jak/Stat signalling leading to rapid ISCs division and gut healing in Drosophila (Jiang et al., 2009). Under the various stressful condition, two major cytokines known as GBP (growth blocking peptide) and SRP (stress-responsive peptide) expression level were upregulated which retarded the development and growth of larval forms primarily by altering the feeding behaviour and repressing the food intake. The lepidopteran insects which make an important group of agricultural pests serve as an ideal model to elucidate the mechanism of regeneration because the cells in epithelium undergo division and differentiation not only during molting but also after entomopathogenic exposure. Factors like MDFs (midgut differentiation factors), arylphorin, insulin-related peptide Bombyxin and several other haemolymph peptides were demonstrated for their midgut mitogenic activity. The larvae during Bt toxin exposure tried to cope up with the cellular damage and altered physiology via stem cell-mediated repair mechanism. In a recent study, our group has identified ISCs in castor semi looper, which was rich in cytoplasmic granules and primarily located at the basal side of the epithelium. Further, they were smaller in size and were distinct from mature epithelial cells. Optical serial sectioning confirmed the presence as well as higher sequestration of fluorescent labelled exogenous arylphorin upon Bt toxin exposure.

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Interestingly BrdU labelled midgut cells seen throughout the epithelium during the toxin exposure also displayed relatively higher presence of fluorescent labelled exogenous arylphorin. This suggested that the fatbody secreted exogenous arylphorin might play important role not only in cell proliferation, but also in cell migration and differentiation. Next generation sequencing, real time PCR and in situ hybridization studies demonstrated presence of an additional arylphorin transcript in midgut named endogenous arylphorin. To the best of our knowledge till now no one has reported expression of arylphorin genes in midgut of insects. Further upon Bt toxin exposure the expression of endogenous arylphorin increased in actively dividing cells, which revealed the presence of large quantity of Cyclin B protein suggesting that endogenous arylphorin might be a mitogenic molecule in castor semi looper. Interestingly RNAi based endogenous arylphorin knockdown lead to the decline of Cyclin B transcript further supported the concept. Generation wise sublethal Bt toxin exposure analysis revealed that the renewal and healing of damaged midgut was associated with alteration in profile of aminopeptidase N (APN) isoforms, which are well known as Bt toxin receptors. Recent findings further demonstrated that midgut stem cells divide, migrate and differentiate to ensure renewal and repair of apical brush border to cope up the deleterious effects of Bt toxin for their survival, by altering the toxin receptor profile on the cell surface. In addition, APN2 expression was downregulated and the larvae became fairly tolerant to Bt formulation in fifteen generations. Hence in castor semi looper arylphorin mediated stem cell proliferation, associated gut regeneration during insecticidal protein exposure has a direct implication in the development of tolerance and it could be a potential mechanism for the generation of resistance against Bt based biopesticides.

Delayed Sleep-Wake Pattern may Lead to Unhealthy Life

Maya Shedpure, Preeti Karanjgaonkar and Mamta Ratre

Govt. D.B. Girls’ P.G. Autonomous College, Raipur-492001, India email: [email protected]

Sleep is a physical and mental resting state and a basic human need. It is an important part of daily biological rhythm. Adequate sleep in the night is essential for the maintenance of normal human physiology. It serves a restorative homeostatic function for normal thermoregulation and energy conservation. Chronic inadequate sleep reduces energy expenditure and body gets more susceptible to disease like cancer, weight gain, diabetes, mood disorder, depression, cardiovascular disease etc.

Reports from various laboratories have shown the temporal relationship of melatonin secretion with the onset of nocturnal sleepiness. Melatonin, a key pineal hormone secreted during the hours of darkness, has its peak production between 24:00 to 03:00 h the onset secretion around 21:00-22:00 h and offset at 07:00-09:00h. It acts

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as an endogenous synchroniser in stabilising rhythms of body functions. It is entirely involved in signalling the “length of night or time of day” and “time of year” to all tissues.

It has been unequivocally accepted that the natural 24-hour cycle of light and dark helps to maintain precise alignment of circadian biological rhythms, the activation of the central nervous system, various biological processes and entrainment of melatonin release from the pineal gland. Persistent use of nighttime lighting disrupts the endogenous processes and creates potentially harmful health effects. Exposure to light between dusk and bedtime strongly suppresses melatonin levels, leading to an artificially shortened melatonin duration and disruption of the body's biological signal of night. As the time gap between sunset and bedtime increases, the time of peak level of melatonin also get extended.

Many people live their lives cut off from the natural rhythms and cycles of nature. It has become a common practice for young adults to go to bed late and get up late during the morning. Short sleep duration and disturbed sleep-wake schedules have become prevalent in present 24-hour young mobile society. Their erratic stressful lives are in a state of arrhythmia.

Sleep disorders, characterised by misalignment of endogenous circadian rhythms with the desired time for sleep are referred to as circadian rhythm sleep disorders. They are associated with various mental, physical problems and unhealthy life. Prolonged and consolidated sleep is only possible when sleep occurs during a particular range of circadian phase coinciding with the biological night in humans. Therefore, an individual’s bed and wake up time play an important role in the maintenance of circadian phase and to ensure good, healthy life.

Oxidative Stress, Altered Energy Sensing Homeostasis, Obesity and Female Infertility

Urmi Mukherjee and Sudipta Maitra¶

Department of Zoology (Centre for Advanced Studies), Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan-731235, India. Email: ¶[email protected]; [email protected]

Introduction

In today’s urbanised world, exposure to environmental contaminants, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and lifestyle factors may have a profound influence on infertility in females. Moreover, obesity-induced metabolic disorder congruent with oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation may trigger precocious ovarian ageing, anovulation, miscarriage and congenital disabilities requiring systematic research initiatives to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying compromised ovarian function. GnRH from hypothalamus promotes the synthesis of pituitary gonadotropins, LH and FSH, which further regulate the synthesis of ovarian estrogen and maturational steroid. In addition to its classical role in the orchestration of events

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associated with reproduction, dysregulation of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis may lead to obesity-induced infertility and/or other reproductive anomalies. Alteration of leptin, ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, adiponectin and insulin through divergent mechanisms by HPO axis could alter lipid metabolism and thus results in obesity and infertility in females.

Metabolic investment in female reproduction

Follicular cells take up glucose from circulation, convert it to pyruvate and supply to the growing oocytes through gap junctions. While pyruvate metabolism in oocyte takes place principally by pyruvate dehydrogenase (encoded by Pdha1 gene), components of glycolytic and pentose phosphate pathways in follicular cells positively influence the formation of spindle and chromatin fibres, potentially through meeting the cellular energy demand, allowing successful meiotic maturation. While lipid with the highest physiological fuel value acts as an energy source for growing oocytes, inhibition of beta-oxidation revealed impaired oocyte maturation (OM) in mouse models. Besides, amino acids such as glutamine, glycine, cystein and L-alanine participate in the regulation of oocyte quality and OM.

Obesity-induced chronic inflammation and female infertility

Generation of free radicals and elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) negatively influence oocyte health. Molecular events such as impaired antioxidant defence system and inhibited expression of Bcl2 promote up-regulation of Bax, p38-MAPK and members of the caspase family. Eventually, it causes apoptosis and helps in the induction of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), an NAD+ consuming enzyme. Besides, downregulation of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt), the rate-limiting component in the mammalian NAD biosynthesis pathway, leads to downregulation of energy sensing marker SIRT1, an NAD-dependent protein deacetylase that links transcriptional machinery to intracellular energetics and participates in the coordination of cellular functions such as cell cycle, response to DNA damage, metabolism, apoptosis and autophagy. Interestingly, down-regulated SIRT1 may lead to induction of obesity, insulin insensitivity and type 2-diabetes (T2DM) by modulating lipid metabolism, inflammation and insulin signalling. Further, impaired SIRT1 action enhances the expression of steroid regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) and carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) followed by elevated fatty acid synthesis and oxidation, cholesterol synthesis and its transportation as well as lipoprotein apolipoprotein metabolism. Subsequently, compromised SIRT1 action may inhibit PGC1α and AMPK causing diminished fatty acid oxidation congruent with elevated lipid accumulation and obesity. Moreover, ROS-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) negatively regulate insulin receptor substrate (IRS) phosphorylation, PI3K-AKT activation and GLUT4 translocation converging to insulin resistance and T2DM.

Importantly, SIRTs that confer protection against oxidative damage play a significant role in female reproduction. Folliculogenesis in rat ovary and FSH-mediated steroidogenesis in granulosa cells are mediated by SIRT1 through FOXO3a and StAR

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respectively. Moreover, proliferation and secretory activity of porcine granulosa cells are regulated by SIRT1 mediated NF-κB and p53 modulation. Besides, SIRT2 mediated activation of histone H4K16 and 𝛼-tubulin may regulate metaphase II spindle assembly, chromosome alignment and aging process in mouse oocytes. Transcriptional activation of FoxO by AMPK signalling in nutrient-depleted conditions helps in the maintenance of reproductive activities. Folliculogenesis, luteinisation, progesterone secretion and oxidative stress response are controlled by SIRT3 modulation of GDH, SOD1, CAT, 17𝛽HSD1, StAR and P450arom in human GC and cumulus cells.

Metabolic disruption and ultimate ovarian misfortune in teleosts

Fish are the most vulnerable species for its direct contact with anthropogenic, industrial or even natural consistent organic pollutants. In pisces, as in mammalian models, hypothalamic neuropeptides crosslink energy metabolism and reproduction like mammals. Moreover, metabolic events related to fish reproduction are controlled by a group of orexigenic and anorexigenic hormones. Among central and peripheral orexigenic hormones, hypothalamic neuropeptide orexin, in contrast with the mammalian system, inhibits the secretion of GnRH-II and increases food intake in goldfish. Whereas NPY and ghrelin exert a direct stimulatory effect on food intake and LH release from the pituitary. In contrast, GnIH and nesfatin-I attenuate food intake and plasma LH level by inhibiting GnRH secretion. On the other hand, anorexigenic hormones, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, melanin-concentrating hormone, cholecystokinin and leptin decrease food intake and exert a stimulatory effect on LH secretion. Exposure to different anthropogenic contaminants may impact on endocrine homeostasis, which in its turn may negatively influence the reproductive system leading to mayhem ovarian misfortune. Moreover, obesity-induced insulin resistance, T2DM, glucose intolerance and insulin overproduction employ poor oocyte quality and female infertility due to unconstrained subjection to EDCs.

Conclusion

Collectively, metabolic etiopathogenesis related to female reproduction relies on dysregulation of the secretion of hypothalamic neurons and peripheral hormone system. Hence, to treat pathogenesis related to female infertility successfully, it would be worth investigating the impact of follicular ROS generation, alteration in energy sensing network and chronic low-grade inflammation on oocyte quality for new medical interventions.

Possible Brain Sex Differentiation: Implication in Fish

Mamta Sajwan Khatri

Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Science, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-50046. E-mail- [email protected]

In most mammals, differences of exposure of a fetal or infant brain to sex

hormones produce significant and irreversible differences in brain structure and function.

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Indeed, much of the brain and its functions are indistinguishable between the two sexes.

But the question is, how did the differences come about? By what mechanisms did the

course of development change in a region that differs between males and females? In

areas related to intelligence, men had much more grey matter, which is characteristically

desirable for the isolated action, such as doing a maths problem. Women, on the other

hand, had much more white matter, which is necessary for integrating information. Sex

differences in brain and hormonal changes are essential for normal healthy sex-specific

brain development and function; however, defining brain sex differentiation is tough in the

lower vertebrate. In view of this, it is interesting to analyze the contribution from the brain

for gonadal sex development. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a well-known

decaneuropeptide to influence reproductive cycle and gonadotropin (GTH) to initiate

gonadal recrudescence. However, it is not known whether GnRH-GTH has any role

during early sex development. In this progression, it is interesting to analyze leading novel

brain-specific biomarkers in developing brain. Identification of sex-specific marker genes

in the developing brain signifies brain-gonadal interaction during early sexual

development in lower vertebrates. The development of the hypothalamo-hypophysial-

gonadal axis in teleost focusing on hypothalamic monoamines verified, sex-specific

differential expression of tryptophan hydroxylase in the early stages of developing male

and female brain in tilapia and catfish. Considering the stimulatory influence of serotonin

on GnRH and GTH release, it is possible to propose a network association between these

correlates during early development, which may bring about brain sex dimorphism in

males. Earlier studies have focused on the female brain sex development, demonstrated

female-specific higher expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) and glial cell-line derived

neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and it receptor gfrα-1 in correlation with the catecholamine

levels by regulating dopaminergic (DA-ergic) neurons in brain and cyp19a1 and its related

transcription factors such as fushi tarazu factor 1, FTZ-F1 and fork head box protein L2,

FOXL2. Incidentally, GDNF via its receptor gfrα-1 regulates Th expression and maintains

the DA-ergic phenotype, has the capability of upregulating certain neurotrophic factors

which promote DA-ergic neuron survival and protect against neurodegenerative stress.

Besides, sex steroid analogues methyltestosterone and ethinylestradiol via osmotic pump

have enormous potential and other environmental exposure such as toxicity of metal and

carbon-nano particle in the brain, in vivo confirmed our implications of modulation of

differential sexual development at the level of brain in lower vertebrates. In view of existing

fact, sexual differences in the levels of various transcripts provide new perspectives on

brain sex differentiation and will apprise research aimed at developing biocompatible

factors, as well as variation in reproduction.

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WOMB MODULATES BRAIN?

Bhawna Chuphal*, Brototi Roy# *Department of Zoology, University of Delhi and #Zoology Department, Maitreyi College

Today’s lifestyle has given an open invitation to a number of diseases including ovarian cysts, fibroids and abnormal bleeding in women. These problems often affect physical, reproductive and socio-psychological health leading to pharmacologic or surgical interventions, hysterectomy being the most common. According to a recent study published in Reproductive Health (2018), 17 out of 1000 ever-married women across India are estimated to have undergone hysterectomy and more than one-third of them fell under the age of 40 years. In US, the prevalence of hysterectomy is ~26%. The medical dogma for uterus’s function as a reproductive organ, making it useless after menopause has been recently contradicted by Dr. Heather Bimonte-Nelson and her team from Arizona State University (2018). In a series of experiments conducted on rats, they showed that the removal of uterus alone might cause short-term memory. In addition, removal of ovaries alone and removal of both uterus and ovary had no pronounced effect, showing that uterus may have a more direct role in cognitive difficulties. There is evidence that the uterus contains gonadotropin and steroid hormone receptors as well as direct sensory and autonomic innervations from the central and peripheral nervous systems even in a non-pregnant state. Thus, it is biologically plausible that removal of uterus sufficiently alters the hypothalamic-pituitary- reproductive tract system of female and hence plays a role in altering the brain and cognition. In addition, research has shown that women who underwent hysterectomy before natural menopause but maintained their ovaries had an increased risk for dementia. On the other hand, some neurologists believe that removal of the uterus leading to dementia is less likely as it is caused due to the accumulation of tau protein inside the neuron. Although the reason why hysterectomy impacts cognition is not yet understood, understanding the same would definitely give an insight into uterus role besides reproduction and pregnancy.

Workshop/Conference Organised under the Aegis of ISCE – A Report

International Conference “Humboldt Kolleg on Comparative Endocrinology and Physiology 2019”, Nagpur, India

The ‘Humboldt Kolleg on Comparative Endocrinology and Physiology 2019’ was organized by Department of Zoology, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur from 7-9 January 2019 under the auspices of Indian Society for Comparative Endocrinology (ISCE) and International Association of Stress Physiologist (IASP). For this conference was major financial support received from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany and it

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is also supported partially by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, Indian National Science Academy, India and RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur.

On 6th January 2019, the information session was organized by us for the post-graduation students of various departments of RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur (Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Microbiology, Biochemistry) and of affiliated colleges at Guru Nanak Bhavan, the auditorium of RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur. In all 283 students attended the session. In this session, the students were informed about various opportunities which can be availed by them by Ms. Devi Arand, Director, DAAD, Pune. Prof. John Cockrem, Massey University, New Zealand, was invited as the Chief Guest. Our invitation was initially accepted by our honorable Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pramod Yeole to be the Chief Guest; however, due to some urgent commitment; he could not grace the occasion. At the last moment, we invited Prof. Cockrem to be the Chief Guest. The session was chaired by Prof. Pranesh Sengupta (AvH Fellow), BARC, Mumbai, India and Prof. R. B. Mankar (DAAD Fellow), Director, LIT, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur. From the verbal feedback received from all the student participants, it was evident that the programme was appreciated and many new avenues were opened for the students to pursue higher studies in Germany. The Humboldt Kolleg on Comparative Endocrinology and Physiology was organized from 7-9 January 2019 at Suraburdi Meadows, Nagpur. Total 199 participants including the Humboldt fellows (29), DAAD fellows (04), researchers from Germany (02), Junior Researchers (113) and other scientists (51) participated in the Humboldt Kolleg. Three Humboldtians, one from Italy and two from India cancelled their participation on the last moment due to some unavoidable circumstances.

On 7th January 2019, an information session was organized for PhD and post-doc students on ‘Opportunities for Ph.D. and Post-doc Research’ and ‘Funding Opportunities for Research Collaborations with Germany’. The students were given elaborate information by Ms. Devi Arand, DAAD, Pune, India and by Dr. Roshan Paul, Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSCT), New Delhi, India. The information of activities DAAD and IGSTC were also presented to the participants. The session was chaired by Prof. K. Bhanumurthy (AvH fellow), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Bombay), Mumbai, India and Prof. Mahesh Kumar Yenkie (DAAD fellow), Vice-Chancellor, G. H. Raisoni

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University, Amravati. This session was also proved fruitful as evident from the feedback given by the participants during post-session discussions. The inauguration session was organized after the information session. The opening ceremony was presided over by Prof. Siddharthavinayaka P. Kane, Honorable Vice-Chancellor, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur. The dignitaries on the dais were welcomed with a rose. Convener of the Kolleg Prof. Arun G. Jadhao welcomed all the participants and gave an introductory speech. The participants were introduced to the concept of a Humboldt Kolleg and support extended by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany. Dr. Nikhil Palande then read out the message sent by Dr. Enno Aufderheide, Secretary-General, AvH Foundation, Germany. Prof. Srinivas K. Saidapur, AvH Fellow, a senior Humboldtian and Former Vice-Chancellor, Karnatak University, Dharwad, India was invited as the Chief Guest and Ms. Marja Einig, Hon’ble Deputy Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany, Mumbai, India graced the opening ceremony as the Guest-of-Honor and expressed her views on Indo-German collaborations and opportunities of higher education for Indian students and researchers in Germany. Senior Humboldtian Prof. P. D. Prasada Rao also graced the function as the Guest-of-Honor and recollected his memories from the period of his AvH fellowship tenure in Germany. All the distinguished delegates were felicitated by offering shawl, shreephal and a memento. President, Humboldt Club, Western Region & Humboldt Academy, Bombay Prof. Anand Khanna (AvH), IIT Bombay, India was also present on the dais to represent the Humboldt Club and Academy, Bombay and gave his remarks. He was joined by Prof. Iqbal Parwez representing Indian Society for Comparative Endocrinology, India and Prof. Subhash Peter representing International Association of Stress Physiologist gave their remarks and elaborated the role of ISCE and IASP in supporting the Kolleg. This was followed by remarks by Prof. B. S. Madhava Rao, Indian Institute of Science Education Research (IISER), Pune, India and Senior Humboldtian; who presented activities of the Humboldt Academy: Pune Chapter. Then, Chief-Guest Prof. S. K. Saidapur expressed his views on the organization of the Kolleg, support from AvH Foundation and the overall scenario of research on endocrinology in India. Prof. Saidapur highlighted the need for reducing the redundancy and promotion of innovative research for overall development in the field of endocrine research and the research in general. Prof. Saidapur expressed his best wishes for the participants and the

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organizers. Dr. Roland Dosch also graced the occasion from the dais as the keynote speaker.

The opening ceremony of the Humboldt Kolleg was attended by distinguished and prominent delegates including Hon’ble Deputy Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany to India Ms. Marja Einig, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur Prof. S. P. Kane, former Vice-Chancellor of Karnatak University, Dharwad Prof. S. K. Saidapur (AvH fellow), former Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere-Raigad and Director, LIT, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur Prof. R. B. Mankar (DAAD fellow), Vice-Chancellor of G. H. Raisoni University, Amravati, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur and former Director, LIT, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur Prof. M. N. Yenkie (DAAD fellow), Ms. Devi Arand, Director, DAAD office, Pune, Dr. Roshan Paul, Director, IGSTC, New Delhi. The organizers were really fortunate to have so many distinguished delegates on one platform. Dr. Palande presented vote of thanks, and then the inaugural ceremony concluded with the Indian national anthem.

The inaugural ceremony was followed by the keynote address by Dr. Roland Dosch, Georg-August-Universität, Department of Developmental Biochemistry, Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences, Göttingen, Germany. This session was chaired by Prof. Amitabh Krishna (AvH fellow), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.

In all 13 technical sessions were conducted from 7 to 9 January 2019 on various themes. The details are given in the programme booklet which is enclosed for your kind perusal. During this Humboldt Kolleg, 1 keynote address, 8 state-of-art lectures, 8 plenary talks, 10 invited talks by prominent researchers were arranged. In addition to this, 21 oral presentations were arranged for research/ Ph.D. students. Further, poster presentations were arranged in two sessions for AvH fellows, young and senior faculty members, junior researchers and other research students. Total 85 posters were presented. The presentations were arranged according to the themes of technical sessions. Every session was chaired by distinguished scientists. The chairpersons and researchers were duly felicitated by offering a small gift/ memento as a token of respect. The interaction at the end of every presentation was very much fruitful for senior as well as junior scientists and student participants.

The technical sessions were organized with necessary breaks between sessions for tea/ high tea, lunch, banquet dinner, etc. On 08 January 2019, a cultural programme was organized by us. The folk dances representing various traditions of Maharashtra and Rajasthan States of India were performed by the students of Shri Mathuradas Mohota College of Science, Nagpur which is an affiliated college to RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur. This was enjoyed and appreciated by all the participants.

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On 09 January 2019, after the technical sessions, the valedictory function was organized. The dignitaries on the dais were Prof. B. S. Madhava Rao (AvH fellow) as a Chief Guest, Prof. H. R. Habibi as a Guest-of-Honor, Prof. Iqbal Parwez, Prof. Subhash Peter and Prof. Jadhao. Prof. Madhava Rao expressed his views on overall organization of the Kolleg, the diversity in the presentations, the quality of the work that was presented. Prof. Rao expressed his satisfaction about the overall proceedings of the Kolleg. Prof. Habibi was also pleased with the organization and content of the Kolleg. Prof. Parwez and Prof. Peter expressed their views and appreciated the efforts taken by Prof. Jadhao to make this Kolleg successful and memorable. The research students were given prizes for best oral and poster presentations. The organizers sought the feedback from the AvH fellows, other senior scientists and the student participants. The participants were very much happy about the overall hospitality, food, transportation and most importantly the content of the Kolleg. Everyone expressed that they are benefitted in some or the other way like some of them could interact with their peers, some could discuss about possible collaborations, some could discuss about their research and so on. At the end, Prof. Jadhao, Convener of the Kolleg presented the vote of thanks and expressed his emotions about the gathering. The programme concluded with the Indian national anthem.

After the conference, the Humboldtians and other participants visited Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve on 9 January 2019 and returned on 10 January 2019. It was a very fruitful visit and all the visitors were lucky enough to spot the tigers along with other wildlife for a quite lot of time.

Press conferences were organized prior to the conference as well as after the introductory sessions on 6 and 7 January 2019. The conference was given wide press coverage by both the print and digital media (television).

In all the conference was very successful academically as well as socially.

Prof. Arun G. Jadhao Organizing Secretary and Convener Humboldt Kolleg on Comparative Endocrinology and Physiology 2019

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A National Workshop on “Advances and Application of Proteomics in Endocrinology”

A National Workshop on “Advances and Application of Proteomics in Endocrinology” was organized under the auspices of Indian Society for Comparative Endocrinology, New Delhi and Center of Advanced Study in Zoology, at Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, during Nov. 17-23, 2018. Ten candidates were selected on all India basis (seven outsiders + three local) based on their research interests in endocrinology;

however, due to eleventh-hour accident, one candidate did not attend the workshop. The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. M. Joshi, Dean and Director, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, on Nov. 17, 2018. The inaugural session was attended by Head, Department of Zoology, senior faculty members from the department and other life science departments. Participants were given hands-on training on Flow Cytometry, Western Blotting, Immunohistochemistry, 2D- Electrophoresis, ELISA, preceded by long lectures on the principles and application of the above techniques in endocrinology, followed by a question-answer session on every minor difficulty encountered by the individual participants after performing the above techniques. Every individual participant conducted the experiments on their own. Prof. P.C Rath, JNU, New Delhi, Dr. P.S. Singru, NISER, Bhubneswar, Dr. Sumant Basu, Application Scientist, BD Bioscience, Kolkata, Prof. Bechan Lal, Prof. Rajani Kant Mishra, Dr. Dr. Ajit Singh, Dr. Debarshi Sarkar, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, and many other senior researcher scholars from the Department of Zoology, Dr. V.K. Singh, Allahabad University served as resource persons. All the participants were highly satisfied with hands-on training and the hospitality given to them. The workshop ended with valedictory function on Nov. 23, 2018.

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ISCE Members 2018 – 2019

Life Members

Dr. Malini Laloraya Division of Molecular Reproduction Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) Thycaud Post, Poojappura Thiruvananthapuram – 695 014 Kerela, India email: [email protected]

Dr. Narahari P Gramapurohit Department of Zoology S.P. Pune University Ganeshkhind, Pune - 411007 Maharashtra email: [email protected]

Dr. Mamta Sajwan Khatri Department of Animal Biology School of Life Sciences University of Hyderabad P O Central University, Gachibowli HYDERABAD 500 046, INDIA email: [email protected]

Dr. Jyoti Parkash Centre for Animal Sciences School of Basic and Applied Sciences Central University Punjab City Campus, Mansa Road Bathinda-151001, Punjab, India email: [email protected]

Dr. Amul J. Sakharkar Department of Biotechnology S.P. Pune University Ganeshkhind, Pune – 411007 Maharashtra email: [email protected]

Dr. Rahul Kumar Singh Room No. 22 Molecular Endocrinology and Toxicology Laboratory Department of Zoology Institute of Science Banaras Hindu University Varanasi - 221 005 (U.P.), India email: [email protected]

Student Members

Ms. Poulomi Nath C/O- Dr. Sudipta Maitra Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology Lab. Department of Zoology Visva-Bharati University Santiniketan -731235 India email: [email protected]

Ms. Anwesha Samanta C/O- Dr. Sudipta Maitra Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology Lab. Department of Zoology Visva-Bharati University Santiniketan -731235 India email: [email protected]

Mr. Soumojit Pal C/O- Dr. Sudipta Maitra Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology Lab. Department of Zoology Visva-Bharati University Santiniketan -731235 India email: [email protected]

Mr. Soumyajyoti Ghosh C/O- Dr. Sudipta Maitra Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology Lab. Department of Zoology Visva-Bharati University Santiniketan -731235 India email: [email protected]

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Ms. Sriparna Das C/O- Dr. Sudipta Maitra Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Lab. Department of Zoology Visva-Bharati University Santiniketan -731235 India email: [email protected]

Ms. Subhasri Biswas C/O- Dr. Sudipta Maitra Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Lab. Department of Zoology Visva-Bharati University Santiniketan -731235 India email: [email protected]

Ms. Urmi Mukherjee C/O- Dr. Sudipta Maitra Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Lab. Department of Zoology Visva-Bharati University Santiniketan -731235 India email: [email protected]

Mr. Yugantak Raj Gupta Department of Animal Biology School of Life Sciences University of Hyderabad P O Central University, Gachibowli HYDERABAD 500 046, INDIA email: [email protected]

Ms. Krittika Dotania Laboratory No. 107 Department of Zoology University of Delhi – 110007 email: [email protected]

Ms. Bhawna Chuphal Laboratory No. 107 Department of Zoology University of Delhi – 110007 email: [email protected]

Mr. Shatrudhan Upadhyay Room No. 36 Department of Zoology Banaras Hindu University Varanasi - 221 005, Uttar Pradesh email: [email protected]

Ms. Sangeeta Maurya Room No. 36 Department of Zoology Banaras Hindu University Varanasi - 221 005, Uttar Pradesh email: [email protected]

Ms. Malini Hari A-1,4/37, Devi Amala Apartments Nattu Muthu Kumarappa Street Mylapore,Chennai - 600004 email: [email protected]

Ms. Prithi C. 3/114, Bajanai Koil Street Irandamkattalai, Kovoor Post Chennai – 600128 email: [email protected]

Forthcoming Conferences/Seminars in Endocrinology

5th Biennial North American Society for Comparative Endocrinology Date: May 24-28, 2019 Website: http://reg.conferences.dce.ufl.edu/NASCE/1494

30th Conference of European Comparative Endocrinologists (CECE) 2020 (Faro, Portugal) Date: Sep. 06-10, 2020 Website: https://www.cece2020.org/

19th International Congress of Endocrinology Buenos Aires, 2020 (Argentina) Date: Oct. 04-07, 2020 Website: https://ice-2020.com/conference-information/about-ise/

19th International Congress of Comparative Endocrinology (ICCE19) Sendai International Center, Sendai, Japan Date: June 21-25, 2021 Website: https://www.kitasato-u.ac.jp/mb/icce19/

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ISCE AUDIT REPORT – 2018-2019