Hypoxia-inducible factor-1{alpha} promotes endometrial stromal cells migration and invasion by upregulating autophagy in endometriosis
Endometriosis is a benign gynecological disease that shares some characteristics with malignancy like migration and invasion. It has been reported that both hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and autophagy were upregulated in ectopic endometrium of patients with ovarian endometriosis. However, the crosstalk between HIF-1α and autophagy in the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains to be clarified. Accordingly, we investigated whether autophagy was regulated by HIF-1α, as well as whether the effect of HIF-1α on cell migration and invasion is mediated through autophagy upregulation. Here, we fo...
Source: Reproduction - April 25, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Liu, H., Zhang, Z., Xiong, W., Zhang, L., Xiong, Y., Li, N., He, H., Du, Y., Liu, Y. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Syndecan 1 represses cell growth and FSH responsiveness in human granulosa cells
Albeit devoid of intrinsic catalytic activity, the transmembrane heparan sulphate proteoglycan syndecan 1 plays critical roles in cellular processes such as extracellular matrix crosstalk, cytoskeletal organization, cell spreading, proliferation and differentiation. During the ovarian cycle, the expression of syndecan 1 in granulosa cells shows cyclic variation suggesting that it might fulfil specific roles in follicle development. To investigate its physiological roles on granulosa cells, syndecan 1 was overexpressed in human granulosa cell line KGN which retains features of granulosa cells from small antral follicle such...
Source: Reproduction - April 25, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Colombe, S., Houllier, L., Fleurot, E., Levallet, G., Benhaim, A., Bonnamy, P.-J., Levallet, J. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Comparative profiling of small RNAs of pig seminal plasma and ejaculated and epididymal sperm
The similarities and differences of small RNAs in seminal plasma, epididymal sperm and ejaculated sperm remain largely undefined. We conducted a systematic comparative analysis of small RNA profiles in pig ejaculated sperm, epididymal sperm and seminal plasma and found that the diversity distribution of small RNA species was generally similar, whereas the abundance of small RNAs is dramatically different across the three libraries; miRNAs and small RNAs derived from rRNA, tRNA, small nuclear RNA, 7SK RNA, NRON RNA and cis-regulatory RNA were enriched in the three libraries, but piRNA was absent. A large population of small...
Source: Reproduction - April 25, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Chen, C., Wu, H., Shen, D., Wang, S., Zhang, L., Wang, X., Gao, B., Wu, T., Li, B., Li, K., Song, C. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Evaluation of equine oocyte developmental competence using polarized light microscopy
The purpose of this study was to observe in vitro-matured equine oocytes with an objective computerized technique that involves the use of a polarized light microscope (PLM) in addition to the subjective morphological evaluation obtained using a classic light microscope (LM). Equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs, n = 922) were subjected to different in vitro maturation times (24, 36 or 45 h), however, only 36-h matured oocytes were analyzed using CLM. The 36-h matured oocytes that reached maturity were parthenogenetically activated to evaluate the quality and meiotic competence. Average maturation percentages per session ...
Source: Reproduction - April 25, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Bertero, A., Ritrovato, F., Evangelista, F., Stabile, V., Fortina, R., Ricci, A., Revelli, A., Vincenti, L., Nervo, T. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Adiponectin and resistin: potential metabolic signals affecting hypothalamo-pituitary gonadal axis in females and males of different species
The objective of this review was to summarise the latest findings and particularly the species and gender differences of adiponectin and resistin on female and male reproduction known to date, based on the hypothalamo–pituitary–gonadal axis. (Source: Reproduction)
Source: Reproduction - April 25, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Rak, A., Mellouk, N., Froment, P., Dupont, J. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
Maternal metabolic stress may affect oviduct gatekeeper function
We hypothesized that elevated non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) modify in vitro bovine oviduct epithelial cell (BOEC) metabolism and barrier function. Hereto, BOECs were studied in a polarized system with 24-h treatments at Day 9: (1) control (0 µM NEFA + 0% EtOH), (2) solvent control (0 µM NEFA + 0.45% EtOH), (3) basal NEFA (720 µM NEFA + 0.45% EtOH in the basal compartment) and (4) apical NEFA (720 µM NEFA + 0.45% EtOH in the apical compartment). FITC-albumin was used for monolayer permeability assessment and related to transepithelial electric resistance (TER). Fatty acid (FA), glucose, lactate a...
Source: Reproduction - April 20, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Jordaens, L., Van Hoeck, V., Maillo, V., Gutierrez-Adan, A., Marei, W. F. A., Vlaeminck, B., Thys, S., Sturmey, R. G., Bols, P. E. J., Leroy, J. L. M. R. Tags: Research Source Type: research
A comparison of transcriptomic profiles in endometrium during window of implantation between women with unexplained recurrent implantation failure and recurrent miscarriage
This study compared endometrial transcriptome among patients with RIF and RM in the window of implantation; it identified differential molecular pathways in endometrium between RIF and RM, which potentially affect the implantation process. (Source: Reproduction)
Source: Reproduction - April 20, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Huang, J., Qin, H., Yang, Y., Chen, X., Zhang, J., Laird, S., Wang, C. C., Chan, T. F., Li, T. C. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Pectinase-treated Panax ginseng protects heat stress-induced testicular damage in rats
In conclusion, GINST was effective in reducing heat-induced damage in various male fertility factors in vivo and has considerable potential to be developed as a useful supplement in improving male fertility. (Source: Reproduction)
Source: Reproduction - April 20, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Kim, M. K., Cha, K.-M., Hwang, S.-Y., Park, U.-K., Seo, S. K., Lee, S.-H., Jeong, M.-S., Cho, S., Kopalli, S. R., Kim, S.-K. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Doxorubicin and vincristine affect undifferentiated rat spermatogonia
Anticancer drugs, such as alkylating agents, can affect male fertility by targeting the DNA of proliferative spermatogonial stem cells (SSC). Therefore, to reduce such side effects, other chemotherapeutics are used. However, less is known about their potential genotoxicity on SSC. Moreover, DNA repair mechanisms in SSC are poorly understood. To model treatments deprived of alkylating agents that are commonly used in cancer treatment, we tested the impact of exposure to doxorubicin and vincristine, alone or in combination (MIX), on a rat spermatogonial cell line with SSC characteristics (GC-6spg). Vincristine alone induced ...
Source: Reproduction - April 20, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Beaud, H., van Pelt, A., Delbes, G. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Disorganization of the germ cell pool leads to primary ovarian insufficiency
The mammalian ovary is an organ that controls female germ cell development, storing them and releasing mature oocytes for transporting to the oviduct. During the fetal stage, female germ cells change from a proliferative state to meiosis before forming follicles with the potential for the growth of surrounding somatic cells. Understanding of molecular and physiological bases of germ cell development in the fetal ovary contributed not only to the elucidation of genetic disorders in primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), but also to the advancement of novel treatments for patients with POI. Accumulating evidence indicates that...
Source: Reproduction - April 20, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Kawashima, I., Kawamura, K. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
The role of Notch signaling in the mammalian ovary
The Notch pathway is a contact-dependent, or juxtacrine, signaling system that is conserved in metazoan organisms and is important in many developmental processes. Recent investigations have demonstrated that the Notch pathway is active in both the embryonic and postnatal ovary and plays important roles in events including follicle assembly and growth, meiotic maturation, ovarian vasculogenesis and steroid hormone production. In mice, disruption of the Notch pathway results in ovarian pathologies affecting meiotic spindle assembly, follicle histogenesis, granulosa cell proliferation and survival, corpora luteal function an...
Source: Reproduction - April 20, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Vanorny, D. A., Mayo, K. E. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
Obesity, energy balance and spermatogenesis
Obesity has grown to pandemic proportions. It affects an increasing number of children, adolescents and young adults exposed to the silent comorbidities of this disorder for a longer period. Infertility has arisen as one important comorbidity associated with the energy dysfunction promoted by obesity. Spermatogenesis is a highly regulated process that is determined by specific energetic requirements. The reproductive potential of males relies on hormonal-dependent and -independent stimuli that control sperm quality. There are conflicting data concerning the impact of male overweight and obesity on sperm quality, as well as...
Source: Reproduction - April 20, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Oliveira, P. F., Sousa, M., Silva, B. M., Monteiro, M. P., Alves, M. G. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
Effects of supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid on reproduction of dairy cows
The objectives were to determine the effects of supplementing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich algae on reproduction of dairy cows. Holstein cows were assigned randomly to either a control (n = 373) or the same diet supplemented daily with 100 g/cow of an algae product containing 10% DHA (algae, n = 366) from 27 to 147 days postpartum. Measurements included yields of milk and milk components, fatty acids (FA) profiles in milk fat and plasma phospholipids, resumption of ovulation by 57 days postpartum, pregnancy per artificial insemination (AI) and expression of interferon-stimulated genes in leukocytes. Feeding algae increa...
Source: Reproduction - April 11, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Sinedino, L. D. P., Honda, P. M., Souza, L. R. L., Lock, A. L., Boland, M. P., Staples, C. R., Thatcher, W. W., Santos, J. E. P. Tags: Research Source Type: research
TGFB1 represses the expression of SF1 and LRH1 to inhibit E2 production in rat LCs
Leydig cells (LCs) in the adult testis have been identified as the major sites of oestrogen production, which is crucial for mammalian germ cell differentiation. Our previous work showed that transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) inhibits estradiol (E2) secretion via down-regulating Cyp19 gene expression in mature rat LCs. However, the mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, the effects of TGFB1 on the expression levels of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1), liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH1), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and cAMP responsive element modulator (CREM) were evaluated both in primary cultur...
Source: Reproduction - April 11, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Yang, Q., Ma, B., Qiao, H., Ma, H., Dong, Y., Cao, L., Ma, J., Li, Z. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Hypercholesterolemia impairs oxytocin-induced uterine contractility in late pregnant mouse
High cholesterol is known to negatively affect uterine contractility in ex vivo conditions. The aim of the present study was to reveal the effect of in vivo hypercholesterolemia on spontaneous and oxytocin-induced uterine contractility in late pregnant mouse uterus. Female Swiss albino mice were fed with high cholesterol (HC) diet (0.5% sodium cholate, 1.25% cholesterol and 15% fat) for 6 weeks and then throughout the gestation period after mating. On day 19 of gestation, serum cholesterol level was increased more than 3-fold while triglycerides level was reduced in HC diet-fed animals as compared to control animals fed wi...
Source: Reproduction - April 11, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Padol, A. R., Sukumaran, S. V., Sadam, A., Kesavan, M., Arunvikram, K., Verma, A. D., Srivastava, V., Panigrahi, M., Singh, T. U., Telang, A. G., Mishra, S. K., Parida, S. Tags: Research Source Type: research
