Signs of embryo-maternal communication: miRNAs in the maternal serum of pregnant pigs
Circulating miRNAs were proposed to be indicators of normal or complicated pregnancies. Based on this knowledge and our recent transcriptomic approach showing expression of miRNAs in the porcine endometrium, conceptuses and uterine extracellular vesicles during pregnancy, we have hypothesized that signs of ongoing local embryo-maternal crosstalk involving miRNAs can be detected in the circulation of pregnant gilts as early as a few days after maternal recognition of pregnancy. By applying several molecular biology techniques that differ in dynamic range and precision in maternal serum of Day 16 pregnant pigs, we were able ...
Source: Reproduction - September 5, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Reliszko, Z. P., Gajewski, Z., Kaczmarek, M. M. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Effect of vitrification on in vitro development and imprinted gene Grb10 in mouse embryos
Vitrification of embryos is a routine procedure in IVF (in vitro fertilization) laboratories. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of vitrification on mouse preimplantation embryo development in vitro, and effect on the epigenetic status of imprinted gene Grb10 in mouse embryos. The blastocyst formation rate for vitrified 8-cell embryos was similar to the non-vitrified 8-cell embryos, whereas the blastocyst hatching rate was lower than that of the non-vitrified group. The expression level of Grb10 major-type transcript decreased significantly in vitrified blastocysts compared with non-vitrified and in v...
Source: Reproduction - September 5, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Yao, J., Geng, L., Huang, R., Peng, W., Chen, X., Jiang, X., Yu, M., Li, M., Huang, Y., Yang, X. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Altered retinoid signaling compromises decidualization in human endometriotic stromal cells
Decidualization alters multiple molecular pathways in endometrium to permit successful embryo implantation. We have reported that paracrine factors, including retinoids, secreted from progesterone-treated endometrial stromal cells, act on nearby epithelial cells to induce the estradiol metabolizing enzyme HSD17B2. This same induction is not seen in endometriotic stromal cells. We have also shown significant differences in retinoid uptake, metabolism and action in endometriotic tissue and stromal cells compared to normal endometrium. Here, we characterize retinoid signaling during decidualization in these cells. Endometrial...
Source: Reproduction - July 27, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Pavone, M. E., Malpani, S., Dyson, M., Bulun, S. E. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Effect of urokinase type plasminogen activator on in vitro bovine oocyte maturation
This study examines the impacts of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine oocytes. Cumulus–oocyte complexes in IVM medium were treated with uPA, amiloride (an uPA inhibitor), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or left untreated (control group). After 24 h of IVM, oocytes were recovered for testing or were in vitro fertilized and cultured to the blastocyst stage. The factors examined in all groups were: (i) oocyte nuclear maturation (Hoëscht staining); (ii) oocyte cytoplasmic maturation (cortical granules, CGs, distribution assessed by LCA-FITC); (iii) oocyte and cumulus ...
Source: Reproduction - July 27, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Mariela, R.-O., Veronica, M., Maria Jesus, S.-C., Paula, B.-B., Dimitrios, R., Alfonso, G.-A. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Decreased PGF may contribute to trophoblast dysfunction in fetal growth restriction
In conclusion, our data suggested that the PGF expression was dysregulated, and disrupted PGF/FLT1 signaling in trophoblast might contribute to placenta dysfunction in FGR. Thus, our results support the significant role of PGF in the pathogenesis of FGR. (Source: Reproduction)
Source: Reproduction - July 27, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Wu, W.-B., Xu, Y.-Y., Cheng, W.-W., Yuan, B., Zhao, J.-R., Wang, Y.-L., Zhang, H.-J. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Defective sperm head decondensation undermines the success of ICSI in the bovine
The efficiency of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the bovine is low compared to other species. It is unknown whether defective oocyte activation and/or sperm head decondensation limit the success of this technique in this species. To elucidate where the main obstacle lies, we used homologous and heterologous ICSI and parthenogenetic activation procedures. We also evaluated whether in vitro maturation negatively impacted the early stages of activation after ICSI. Here we showed that injected bovine sperm are resistant to nuclear decondensation by bovine oocytes and this is only partly overcome by exogenous activa...
Source: Reproduction - July 27, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Aguila, L., Felmer, R., Arias, M. E., Navarrete, F., Martin-Hidalgo, D., Lee, H. C., Visconti, P., Fissore, R. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Trivial role for NSMCE2 during in vitro proliferation and differentiation of male germline stem cells
Spermatogenesis, starting with spermatogonial differentiation, is characterized by ongoing and dramatic alterations in composition and function of chromatin. Failure to maintain proper chromatin dynamics during spermatogenesis may lead to mutations, chromosomal aberrations or aneuploidies. When transmitted to the offspring, these can cause infertility or congenital malformations. The structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) 5/6 protein complex has recently been described to function in chromatin modeling and genomic integrity maintenance during spermatogonial differentiation and meiosis. Among the subunits of the SMC5/6...
Source: Reproduction - July 19, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Zheng, Y., Jongejan, A., Mulder, C. L., Mastenbroek, S., Repping, S., Wang, Y., Li, J., Hamer, G. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Induction of experimental autoimmune orchitis in mice: responses to elevated circulating levels of the activin-binding protein, follistatin
Experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) is a rodent model of chronic testicular inflammation that mimics the pathology observed in some types of human infertility. In a previous study, testicular expression of the inflammatory/immunoregulatory cytokine, activin A, was elevated in adult mice during the onset of EAO, indicating a potential role in the regulation of the disease. Consequently, we examined the development of EAO in mice with elevated levels of follistatin, an endogenous activin antagonist, as a potential therapeutic approach to testicular inflammation. Prior to EAO induction, mice received a single intramuscular...
Source: Reproduction - July 19, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Nicolas, N., Muir, J. A., Hayward, S., Chen, J. L., Stanton, P. G., Gregorevic, P., de Kretser, D. M., Loveland, K. L., Bhushan, S., Meinhardt, A., Fijak, M., Hedger, M. P. Tags: Research Source Type: research
KNDy neurone activation prior to the LH surge of the ewe is disrupted by LPS
In the ewe, steroid hormones act on the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) to initiate the GnRH/LH surge. Within the ARC, steroid signal transduction may be mediated by estrogen receptive dopamine-, β-endorphin- or neuropeptide Y (NPY)-expressing cells, as well as those co-localising kisspeptin, neurokinin B (NKB) and dynorphin (termed KNDy). We investigated the time during the follicular phase when these cells become activated (i.e., co-localise c-Fos) relative to the timing of the LH surge onset and may therefore be involved in the surge generating mechanism. Furthermore, we aimed to elucidate whether these activati...
Source: Reproduction - July 19, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Fergani, C., Routly, J. E., Jones, D. N., Pickavance, L. C., Smith, R. F., Dobson, H. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Comparative microRNAome analysis of the testis and ovary of the Chinese giant salamander
In this study, two small RNA libraries of CGS ovary and testis were constructed using deep sequencing technology. A bioinformatics pipeline was developed to distinguish miRNA sequences from other classes of small RNAs represented in the sequencing data. We found that many miRNAs and other small RNAs such as piRNA and tsRNA were abundant in CGS tissue. A total of 757 and 756 unique miRNAs were annotated as miRNA candidates in the ovary and testis respectively. We identified 145 miRNAs in CGS ovary and 155 miRNAs in CGS testis that were homologous to those in Xenopus laevis ovary and testis respectively. Forty-five miRNAs we...
Source: Reproduction - July 10, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Chen, R., Du, J., Ma, L., Wang, L.-q., Xie, S.-s., Yang, C.-m., Lan, X.-y., Pan, C.-y., Dong, W.-z. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Oviduct extracellular vesicles protein content and their role during oviduct-embryo cross-talk
Successful pregnancy requires an appropriate communication between the mother and the embryo. Recently, exosomes and microvesicles, both membrane-bound extracellular vesicles (EVs) present in the oviduct fluid have been proposed as key modulators of this unique cross-talk. However, little is known about their content and their role during oviduct-embryo dialog. Given the known differences in secretions by in vivo and in vitro oviduct epithelial cells (OEC), we aimed at deciphering the oviduct EVs protein content from both sources. Moreover, we analyzed their functional effect on embryo development. Our study demonstrated f...
Source: Reproduction - July 10, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Alminana, C., Corbin, E., Tsikis, G., Alcantara-Neto, A. S., Labas, V., Reynaud, K., Galio, L., Uzbekov, R., Garanina, A. S., Druart, X., Mermillod, P. Tags: Research Source Type: research
NLRP2 and FAF1 deficiency blocks early embryogenesis in the mouse
Nlrp2 is a maternal effect gene specifically expressed by mouse ovaries; deletion of this gene from zygotes is known to result in early embryonic arrest. In the present study, we identified FAF1 protein as a specific binding partner of the NLRP2 protein in both mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos. In addition to early embryos, both Faf1 mRNA and protein were detected in multiple tissues. NLRP2 and FAF1 proteins were co-localized to both the cytoplasm and nucleus during the development of oocytes and preimplantation embryos. Co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to confirm the specific interaction between NLRP2 and ...
Source: Reproduction - July 10, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Peng, H., Liu, H., Liu, F., Gao, Y., Chen, J., Huo, J., Han, J., Xiao, T., Zhang, W. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Active paraoxonase 1 is synthesised throughout the internal boar genital organs
The paraoxonase type 1 (PON1) is an enzyme with antioxidant properties recently identified in the seminal plasma (SP) of several species, including the porcine. The aims of the present study were to (1) describe the immunohistochemical localisation of PON1 in the genital organs of fertile boars and (2) evaluate the relationship among PON1 activity and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration in fluids of the boar genital organs. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that PON1 was present in testis (specifically in Leydig cells, blood vessels, spermatogonia and elongated spermatids), epididymis (specif...
Source: Reproduction - July 10, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Barranco, I., Perez-Patino, C., Tvarijonaviciute, A., Parrilla, I., Vicente-Carrillo, A., Alvarez-Rodriguez, M., Ceron, J. J., Martinez, E. A., Rodriguez-Martinez, H., Roca, J. Tags: Research Source Type: research
MicroRNA-150 regulates steroidogenesis of mouse testicular Leydig cells by targeting STAR
Leydig cells are essential for male reproductive development throughout life. Production of androgens as well as intermediate steroids is tightly regulated. Although microRNAs (miRNAs) are suggested to play important roles in spermatogenesis, little is currently known regarding the regulation of steroidogenesis by miRNAs in Leydig cells. Here, we found that miR-150 was predominantly expressed in Leydig cells within mouse testis. Therefore, we determined steroidogenesis of the Leydig cells in which miR-150 was knocked down or overexpressed using miR-150 antagomir and agomir, respectively. Compared with negative control grou...
Source: Reproduction - July 10, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Geng, X.-J., Zhao, D.-M., Mao, G.-H., Tan, L. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Signs of embryo-maternal communication: miRNAs in the maternal serum of pregnant pigs
Circulating miRNAs were proposed to be indicators of normal or complicated pregnancies. Based on this knowledge and our recent transcriptomic approach showing expression of miRNAs in the porcine endometrium, conceptuses and uterine extracellular vesicles during pregnancy, we have hypothesized that signs of ongoing local embryo-maternal crosstalk involving miRNAs can be detected in the circulation of pregnant gilts as early as a few days after maternal recognition of pregnancy. By applying several molecular biology techniques that differ in dynamic range and precision in maternal serum of Day 16 pregnant pigs, we were able ...
Source: Reproduction - July 10, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Reliszko, Z. P., Gajewski, Z., Kaczmarek, M. M. Tags: Research Source Type: research
