ITGAV (alpha v integrins) bind SPP1 (osteopontin) to support trophoblast cell adhesion
This study determined whether alpha v (av) integrins (ITGAV) directly mediate porcine trophoblast cell adhesion to secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1, also known as osteopontin (OPN)) and examined the temporal/spatial expression of ITGAV, beta 3 (b3, ITGB3) and beta 6 (b6, ITGB6) integrin subunits, and SPP1, at the uterine–placental interface of pigs. Knockdown of ITGAV in porcine Tr (pTr2) cells by siRNA reduced pTr2 attachment to SPP1. In situ hybridization confirmed the presence of ITGAV, ITGB3 and ITGB6 mRNAs in uterine LE and conceptus Tr between Days 9 and 60 of gestation, with no change in the magnitude of expres...
Source: Reproduction - April 6, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Frank, J. W., Seo, H., Burghardt, R. C., Bayless, K. J., Johnson, G. A. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Stimulation of ovarian follicle growth after AMPK inhibition
Previous studies showed that the protein kinase B (Akt)–mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Hippo signaling Yes-associated protein (YAP) pathways play important roles in promoting follicle growth. Additionally, other studies demonstrated that 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an upstream regulatory element of mTOR and YAP. Here, we used AMPK inhibitor (Compound C) to in vitro cultured ovaries from 10-day-old mice followed by in vivo grafting into adult hosts or to in situ treated ovaries of 3-week-old mice by intrabursal injection followed by gonadotropin stimulation. We found that th...
Source: Reproduction - April 6, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Lu, X., Guo, S., Cheng, Y., Kim, J.-h., Feng, Y., Feng, Y. Tags: Research Source Type: research
ATRX is a novel progesterone-regulated protein and biomarker of low developmental potential in mammalian oocytes
In conclusion, localisation of ATRX to the cumulus cell nuclei and oocyte chromatin, after IVM, is associated with poor oocyte quality and low developmental potential. Furthermore, ATRX is dynamically regulated in response to progesterone signalling. (Source: Reproduction)
Source: Reproduction - April 6, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: OShea, L. C., Daly, E., Hensey, C., Fair, T. Tags: Research Source Type: research
SRC family kinases in hamster spermatozoa: evidence for the presence of LCK
Sperm capacitation is a prerequisite for successful fertilization. Increase in tyrosine phosphorylation is considered the hallmark of capacitation and attempts to understand its regulation are ongoing. In this regard, we attempted to study the role of SRC family kinases (SFKs) in the hamster sperm functions. Interestingly, we found the presence of the lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase, LCK, in mammalian spermatozoa and further characterized it in terms of its localization and function. LCK was found in spermatozoa of several species, and its transcript was identified in the hamster testis. Autophosphorylation of ...
Source: Reproduction - April 6, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Singh, D. K., Deshmukh, R. K., Narayanan, P. K., Shivaji, S., Siva, A. B. Tags: Research Source Type: research
A study on regional differences in decidualization of the mouse uterus
Although regional differences in mouse decidualization have been recognized for decades, the molecular mechanisms remain understudied. In the present study, by using RNA-seq, we compared transcriptomic differences between the anti-mesometrial (AM) region and the mesometrial (M) region of mouse uterus on day 8 of pregnancy. A total of 1423 differentially expressed genes were identified, of which 811 genes were upregulated and 612 genes were downregulated in the AM region compared to those in the M region. Gene ontology analysis showed that upregulated genes were generally involved in cell metabolism and differentiation, whe...
Source: Reproduction - April 6, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Zhao, M., Zhang, W.-Q., Liu, J.-L. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Bovine embryo-oviduct interaction in vitro reveals an early cross talk mediated by BMP signaling
Signaling components of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are expressed in an anatomically and temporally regulated fashion in bovine oviduct. However, a local response of this signaling to the presence of the embryo has yet to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if early embryo-oviduct interaction induces changes in the gene expression of BMP signaling components. For this purpose, we used an in vitro co-culture system to investigate the local interaction between bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC) from the isthmus region with early embryos during two developmental periods: before (from the 2...
Source: Reproduction - April 6, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Garcia, E. V., Hamdi, M., Barrera, A. D., Sanchez-Calabuig, M. J., Gutierrez-Adan, A., Rizos, D. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Methylation dynamics during folliculogenesis and early embryo development in sheep
Genome-wide DNA methylation reprogramming occurs during mammalian gametogenesis and early embryogenesis. Post-fertilization demethylation of paternal and maternal genomes is considered to occur by an active and passive mechanism respectively, in most mammals but sheep; in this species no loss of methylation was observed in either pronucleus. Post-fertilization reprogramming relies on methylating and demethylating enzymes and co-factors that are stored during oocyte growth, concurrently with the re-methylation of the oocyte itself. The crucial remodelling of the oocyte epigenetic baggage often overlaps with potential interf...
Source: Reproduction - April 6, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Masala, L., Burrai, G. P., Bellu, E., Ariu, F., Bogliolo, L., Ledda, S., Bebbere, D. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Apelin (APLN) regulates progesterone secretion and oocyte maturation in bovine ovarian cells
APLN and its G-protein coupled receptor APLNR are expressed in the bovine ovary. However their role in granulosa cells and oocytes is unknown. Here, we studied their expression in bovine ovarian cells and investigated their regulation in cultured luteinizing granulosa cells in response to IGF1 and FSH. We determined the effect and the molecular mechanism of APLN (isoforms 17 and 13) on bovine granulosa cell progesterone secretion and on oocyte maturation. By RT-qPCR and immunoblot, we showed that the expression of both APLN and APLNR in granulosa and oocytes significantly increased with ovarian follicles size whereas it wa...
Source: Reproduction - April 6, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Roche, J., Rame, C., Reverchon, M., Mellouk, N., Rak, A., Froment, P., Dupont, J. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Ovarian fragment sizes affect viability and morphology of preantral follicles during storage at 4{degrees}C
In conclusion, the biopsy size fragment was the best to preserve follicle morphology for long storage (24 h); however, transportation/storage should be prior determined according to the distance (time of transportation) between patient and reproduction centers/clinics. (Source: Reproduction)
Source: Reproduction - April 6, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Gastal, G. D. A., Alves, B. G., Alves, K. A., Souza, M. E. M., Vieira, A. D., Varela, A. S., Figueiredo, J. R., Feugang, J. M., Lucia, T., Gastal, E. L. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Hyperandrogenemia and high prolactin in congenital utero-vaginal aplasia patients
This study analyzed the hormone status of 215 MRKH patients by determining the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, 17-OH progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) and prolactin to determine the incidence of hyperandrogenemia and hyperprolactinemia in MRKH patients. Additional calculations and a ratio of free androgen index and biologically active testosterone revealed a hyperandrogenemia rate of 48.3%, hyperprolactinemia of 9.8% and combined hyperandrogenemia and hyperprolactinemia of 4.2% in MRKH patients. Th...
Source: Reproduction - April 4, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Oppelt, P. G., Muller, A., Stephan, L., Dittrich, R., Lermann, J., Buttner, C., Ekici, A. B., Conzelmann, G., Seeger, H., Scholler, D., Rall, K., Beckmann, M. W., Strissel, P. L., Brucker, S. Y., Strick, R. Tags: Research Source Type: research
RKIP is decreased in laboring myometrium and modulates inflammation-induced pro-labor mediators
In conclusion, in human primary myometrial cells, RKIP negatively regulates IL1B- and TNF-induced expression and or secretion of pro-inflammatory and pro-labor mediators by inhibiting NF-B RELA activation. (Source: Reproduction)
Source: Reproduction - March 8, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Lappas, M. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Endogenous hydrogen sulfide contributes to uterine quiescence during pregnancy
Recent evidence suggests that uterine activation for labor is associated with inflammation within uterine tissues. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays a critical role in inflammatory responses in various tissues. Our previous study has shown that human myometrium produces H2S via its generating enzymes cystathionine--lyase (CSE) and cystathionine-β-synthetase (CBS) during pregnancy. We therefore explored whether H2S plays a role in the maintenance of uterine quiescence during pregnancy. Human myometrial biopsies were obtained from pregnant women at term. Uterine smooth muscle cells (UMSCs) isolated from myometrial tissues we...
Source: Reproduction - March 8, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: You, X., Chen, Z., Zhao, H., Xu, C., Liu, W., Sun, Q., He, P., Gu, H., Ni, X. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Isolation of luteal endothelial cells and functional interactions with T lymphocytes
In conclusion, filtration is an effective way of isolating large numbers of viable LEC. It is proposed that PGs and P4 modulate the ability of endothelial cells to bind T lymphocytes, potentially regulating extravasation, and that LEC activate T lymphocytes migrating into or resident in the CL. (Source: Reproduction)
Source: Reproduction - March 8, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Walusimbi, S. S., Wetzel, L. M., Townson, D. H., Pate, J. L. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Time course effect of lipopolysaccharide on Toll-like receptors expression and steroidogenesis in the Chinese goose ovary
In conclusion, the mechanism by which pathogen infection inhibited goose follicular growth and further decreased egg production may involve a gradually enhanced inflammatory response and reduced endocrine function. This may be due to stimulated TLRs in the ovary. (Source: Reproduction)
Source: Reproduction - March 5, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Ying, S., Guo, J., Dai, Z., Zhu, H., Yu, J., Ma, W., Li, J., Akhtar, M. F., Shi, Z. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Molecular evidence that follicle development is accelerated in vitro compared to in vivo
In this study, we systematically compared the morphological, functional and molecular characteristics of granulosa cells and oocytes obtained by a three-dimensional in vitro model of ovine ovarian follicular growth with those of follicles recovered in vivo. Preantral follicles of 200 µm diameter were recovered and cultured up to 950 µm over a 20-day period. Compared with in vivo follicles, the in vitro culture conditions maintained follicle survival, with no difference in the rate of atresia. However, the in vitro conditions induced a slight decrease in oocyte growth rate, delayed antrum formation and increased...
Source: Reproduction - March 5, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Cadoret, V., Frapsauce, C., Jarrier, P., Maillard, V., Bonnet, A., Locatelli, Y., Royere, D., Monniaux, D., Guerif, F., Monget, P. Tags: Research Source Type: research
