We investigated the early embryonic and larval development of the concave-eared torrent frogs, Odorrana tormota （Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae）. Embryos were derived from artificial fertilization of frogs’ eggs, and the...We investigated the early embryonic and larval development of the concave-eared torrent frogs, Odorrana tormota （Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae）. Embryos were derived from artificial fertilization of frogs’ eggs, and the staging of development was based on morphological and physiological characteristics. Two major periods of development were designated： i） early embryonic period, from fertilization to operculum completion stage, lasted for 324 h at water temperature （WT） 18 ？23℃; ii） larval period, from operculum completion stage to tail absorbed stage, took 1207 h at WT 20 ？ 24℃. Tadpoles of the concave-eared torrent frogs showed no evidence of abdominal sucker. Absence of this key characteristic supports the view from molecular systematics that concave-eared torrent frog does not belong to the genus Amolops. Two cleavage patterns were observed in embryos at 8-cell and 16-cell stages, with Pattern I2 （latitudinal cleavage at the 8-cell stage, and meridional cleavage at the 16-cell stage with two perpendicular meridional furrows） being the predominant pattern and only 1.5% belonging to Pattern II （meridional cleavage at the 8-cell stage and latitudinal cleavage at the 16-cell stage）. The factors affecting cleavage and hatching ratios, developmental speed, and ecological adaptation were discussed.展开更多
Spermatozoa have a highly complex RNA profile.Several of these transcripts are suggested as biomarkers for male infertility and contribute to early development.To analyze the differences between sperm RNA quantity and...Spermatozoa have a highly complex RNA profile.Several of these transcripts are suggested as biomarkers for male infertility and contribute to early development.To analyze the differences between sperm RNA quantity and expression of protamine(PRM1 and PRM2)and testis-specific histone 2B(TH2B)genes,spermatozoa from 33 patients who enrolled in assisted reproduction treatment(ART)program were analyzed.Sperm RNA of teratozoospermic(T),oligoteratozoospermic(OT),and normozoospermic(N)samples was extracted,and the differences in transcript levels among the study groups were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).The correlations of total RNA per spermatozoon and the expression of the transcripts were evaluated in relation to sperm characteristics and preimplantation embryo development.The mean(±standard deviation)RNA amount per spermatozoon was 28.48(±23.03)femtogram in the overall group and was significantly higher in the OT group than that in N and T groups.Total sperm RNA and gene expression of PRM1 and PRM2 genes were related to preimplantation embryo development and developmental arrest.Specific sperm characteristics were correlated with the expressions of PRM1,PRM2,or TH2B genes.We conclude that the sperm RNA amount and composition are important factors and might influence early embryonic development and also differ in different cases of male infertility.展开更多
The oviduct epithelium is the initial maternal contact site for embryos after fertilization,offering the microenviron-ment before implantation.This early gestation period is particularly sensitive to stress,which can ...The oviduct epithelium is the initial maternal contact site for embryos after fertilization,offering the microenviron-ment before implantation.This early gestation period is particularly sensitive to stress,which can cause reduced fertil-ity and reproductive disorders in mammals.Nevertheless,the local impact of elevated stress hormones on the ovi-duct epithelium has received limited attention to date,except for a few reports on polyovulatory species like mice and pigs.In this study,we focused on the effects of chronic maternal stress on cattle,given its association with infertil-ity issues in this monoovulatory species.Bovine oviduct epithelial cells(BOEC)differentiated at the air–liquid interface(ALI)were stimulated with 250 nmol/L cortisol for 1 or 3 weeks.Subsequently,they were assessed for morphology,bioelectrical properties,and gene expression related to oviduct function,glucocorticoid pathway,cortisol metabo-lism,inflammation,and apoptosis.Results revealed adverse effects of cortisol on epithelium structure,featured by deciliation,vacuole formation,and multilayering.Additionally,cortisol exposure led to an increase in transepithelial potential difference,downregulated mRNA expression of the major glucocorticoid receptor(NR3C1),upregulated the expression of cortisol-responsive genes(FKBP5,TSC22D3),and significant downregulation of oviductal glycopro-tein 1(OVGP1)and steroid receptors PGR and ESR1.The systematic comparison to a similar experiment previously performed by us in porcine oviduct epithelial cells,indicated that bovine cultures were more susceptible to elevated cortisol levels than porcine.The distinct responses between both species are likely linked to their divergence in the cortisol-induced expression changes of HSD11B2,an enzyme controlling the cellular capacity to metabolise cortisol.These findings provide insights into the species-specific reactions and reproductive consequences triggered by maternal stress.展开更多
Following the publication of Xu et al.(2022),an error was identified in Figure 1D.Specifically,the top left panel was inadvertently duplicated during figure preparation.To ensure the accuracy and integrity of our publ...Following the publication of Xu et al.(2022),an error was identified in Figure 1D.Specifically,the top left panel was inadvertently duplicated during figure preparation.To ensure the accuracy and integrity of our published work,we request the publication of a corrigendum with the corrected image.We apologize for this oversight and any confusion it may have caused.The amended figure is provided in the updated Supplementary Materials.展开更多
Human cytomegalovirus(HCMV)poses a significant risk of neural damage during pregnancy.As the most prevalent intrauterine infectious agent in low-and middle-income countries,HCMV disrupts the development of neural stem...Human cytomegalovirus(HCMV)poses a significant risk of neural damage during pregnancy.As the most prevalent intrauterine infectious agent in low-and middle-income countries,HCMV disrupts the development of neural stem cells,leading to fetal malformations and abnormal structural and physiological functions in the fetal brain.This review summarizes the current understanding of how HCMV infection dysregulates the Wnt signaling pathway to induce fetal malformations and discusses current management strategies.展开更多
Spatial transcriptomics technology provides novel insights into the spatial organization of gene expression during embryonic development.In this study,we propose a method that integrates analysis across both temporal ...Spatial transcriptomics technology provides novel insights into the spatial organization of gene expression during embryonic development.In this study,we propose a method that integrates analysis across both temporal and spatial dimensions to investigate spatial transcriptomics data from mouse embryos at different developmental stages.We quantified the spatial expression pattern of each gene at various stages by calculating its Moran’s I.Furthermore,by employing time-series clustering to identify dynamic co-expression modules,we identified several developmentally stage-specific regulatory gene modules.A key finding was the presence of distinct,stage-specific gene network modules across different developmental periods:Early modules focused on morphogenesis,mid-stage on organ development,and late-stage on neural and tissue maturation.Functional enrichment analysis further confirmed the core biological functions of each module.The dynamic,spatially-resolved gene expression model constructed in this study not only provides new biological insights into the programmed spatiotemporal reorganization of gene regulatory networks during embryonic development but also presents an effective approach for analyzing complex spatiotemporal omics data.This work provides a new perspective for understanding developmental biology,regenerative medicine,and related fields.展开更多
Periodontitis is a common oral disease caused by bacteria coupled with an excessive host immune response.Stem cell therapy can be a promising treatment strategy for periodontitis,but the relevant mechanism is complica...Periodontitis is a common oral disease caused by bacteria coupled with an excessive host immune response.Stem cell therapy can be a promising treatment strategy for periodontitis,but the relevant mechanism is complicated.This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of mitochondria from human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells(hESC-MSCs)for the treatment of periodontitis.The gingival tissues of periodontitis patients are characterized by abnormal mitochondrial structure.Human gingival fibroblasts(HGFs)were exposed to 5μg/mL lipopolysaccharide(LPS)for 24 h to establish a cell injury model.When treated with hESC-MSCs or mitochondria derived from hESC-MSCs,HGFs showed reduced expression of inflammatory genes,increased adenosine triphosphate(ATP)level,decreased reactive oxygen species(ROS)production,and enhanced mitochondrial function compared to the control.The average efficiency of isolated mitochondrial transfer by hESC-MSCs was determined to be 8.93%.Besides,a therapy of local mitochondrial injection in mice with LPS-induced periodontitis showed a reduction in inflammatory gene expression,as well as an increase in both the mitochondrial number and the aspect ratio in gingival tissues.In conclusion,our results indicate that mitochondria derived from hESC-MSCs can reduce the inflammatory response and improve mitochondrial function in HGFs,suggesting that the transfer of mitochondria between hESC-MSCs and HGFs serves as a potential mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of stem cells.展开更多
A key issue to be addressed in stem cell biology is the molecular signaling mechanism controlling embryonic stem （ES） cell pluripotency. Stem cell properties are dictated by specific transcription factors and epigen...A key issue to be addressed in stem cell biology is the molecular signaling mechanism controlling embryonic stem （ES） cell pluripotency. Stem cell properties are dictated by specific transcription factors and epigenetic processes such as DNA methylation and chromatin remodeling. Several cytokines/growth factors have been identified as critical ES cell regulators. However, there is a gap in our knowledge of the intracellular signaling pathways linking extracellular signals to transcriptional regulation in ES cells. This short review discusses the physiological role of Shp2, a cytoplasmic tyro- sine phosphatase, in the molecular switch governing ES cell self-renewal versus differentiation. Shp2 promotes ES cell differentiation, mainly through bi-directional modulation of Erk and Stat3 pathways. Deletion of Shp2 in mouse ES cells results in more efficient self-renewal. This observation provides the impetus to develop Shp2 inhibitors for maintenance and amplification of ES cells in culture.展开更多
Rhesus monkey embryonic stem（rES） cells have similar characteristics to human ES cells,and might be useful as a substitute model for preclinical research.Notch signaling is involved in the formation of bile ducts,wh...Rhesus monkey embryonic stem（rES） cells have similar characteristics to human ES cells,and might be useful as a substitute model for preclinical research.Notch signaling is involved in the formation of bile ducts,which are composed of cholangiocytes.However,little is known about the role of Notch signaling in cholangiocytic commitment of ES cells.We analyzed the effect of Notch signaling on the induction of cholangiocyte-like cells from rES cells.About 80% of definitive endoderm（DE） cells were generated from rES cells after treatment with activin A.After treatment with BMP4 and FGF1 on matrigel coated wells in serum-free medium,rES-derived DE gave rise to cholangiocyte-like cells by expression of cholangiocytic specific proteins（CK7,CK18,CK19,CK20,and OV-6） and genes（GSTPi,IB4,and HNF1β）.At the same time,expression of Notch 1 and Notch 2 mRNA were detected during cell differentiation,as well as their downstream target genes such as Hes 1 and Hes 5.Inhibition of the Notch signal pathway by L-685458 resulted in decreased expression of Notch and their downstream genes.In addition,the proportion of cholangiocyte-like cells declined from ～90% to ～20%.These results suggest that Notch signaling may play a critical role in cholangiocytic development from ES cells.展开更多
[Objective] This study aimed to observe the embryonic development process of Leiocassis crassilabris. [Method] Wild L. crassilabris collected from the Nanjing section of the Yangtze River was used as parent fish for i...[Objective] This study aimed to observe the embryonic development process of Leiocassis crassilabris. [Method] Wild L. crassilabris collected from the Nanjing section of the Yangtze River was used as parent fish for intensive breeding and propagation by artificial insemination. The entire embryonic development process of L. crassilabris from insemination to hatching out of larvae fish was observed consecutively. [Result] Fertilized eggs of L. crassilabris are spherical, and the egg diameter is about 2.2-2.4 mm after water absorption; under conditions of water temperature ranging from 27 to 28 ℃, the embryonic development of L. crassilabris from insemination to hatching out of larvae fish lasted 2 496 min, with a total accumulated temperature of 1 123-1 165 h·℃. [Conclusion] This study is advantageous to better understand the characteristics of embryonic development of L. crassilabris and provides basic biological data for protection and utilization of fish resources and other related work.展开更多
[Objective] Aim to know the whole process of embryonic development of loach. [Method] DOM + LHRH-A2 was used to induce spawning of loach,then after fertilization,the embryos were cultured into freshwater water with te...[Objective] Aim to know the whole process of embryonic development of loach. [Method] DOM + LHRH-A2 was used to induce spawning of loach,then after fertilization,the embryos were cultured into freshwater water with temperature from 24 to 26 ℃ and pH from 7.0 to 7.5. The embryonic development of loach was observed and 27 concrete morphological characteristics and development time of loach from fertilized egg to newly hatched larval period were described in detail. [Result] The embryonic development of loach could be divided into cleavage stage,blastocyst stage,gastrula stage,neurula stage and organogenesis stage. The loach embryo from fertilized egg to out membrane period was 30 h 45 min in fresh water from 24 to 26 ℃ and pH from 7.0 to 7.5. [Conclusion] It provided important reference for studying artificial propagation and genetic breeding of loach.展开更多
Parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells have pluripotent differentiation potentials, akin to fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. The aim of this study was to compare the neuronal differentiation potential of ...Parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells have pluripotent differentiation potentials, akin to fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. The aim of this study was to compare the neuronal differentiation potential of parthenogenetic and fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. Before differentiation, karyotype analysis was performed, with normal karyotypes detected in both parthenogenetic and fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. Sex chromosomes were identified as XX. Immunocytochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR detected high expression of the pluripotent gene, Oct4, at both the mRNA and protein levels, indicating pluripotent differentiation potential of the two embryonic stem cell subtypes. Embryonic stern cells were induced with retinoic acid to form embryoid bodies, and then dispersed into single cells. Single cells were differentiated in N2 differentiation medium for 9 days. Immunocytochemistry showed parthenogenetic and fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells both express the neuronal cell markers nestin, ~lll-tubulin and myelin basic protein. Quantitative real-time PCR found expression of neuregenesis related genes （Sox-1, Nestin, GABA, Pax6, Zic5 and Pitxl） in both types of embryonic stem cells, and Oct4 expression was significantly decreased. Nestin and Pax6 expression in parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells was significantly higher than that in fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. Thus, our experimental findings indicate that parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells have stronger neuronal differentiation potential than fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells.展开更多
[Objective] The paper was to establish embryonic stem cell system of goats. [Method] Numerous primordial germ cell colonies were derived from gonadal ridge and the surrounding tissues in 20 millimeter fetuses of down ...[Objective] The paper was to establish embryonic stem cell system of goats. [Method] Numerous primordial germ cell colonies were derived from gonadal ridge and the surrounding tissues in 20 millimeter fetuses of down producing goat. Primordial germ cells and goats embryonic fibroblasts obtained from conceptus of equivaient gestational age were co-cultured. [Result] The colonies showed some characteristics of embryonic stem cells, such as the morphology of nest-like, they continued to be AKP positive and the ability to be continuously passed [Conclusion] These cells were pluripotent and ES-like cells.展开更多
For production enhancement and procedure upgrade, the developmental phases of labora-tory-reared eggs of catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco were investigated. Twenty mature females and 10 males were collected from Dadong...For production enhancement and procedure upgrade, the developmental phases of labora-tory-reared eggs of catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco were investigated. Twenty mature females and 10 males were collected from Dadongmen wholesale fisheries market in Wuhan City on May 8, 2003. Zy-gotes were stripped from mature fish after hormone-induced ovulation, fertilized, and incubated through whole embryonic development. The fertilized eggs were stocked in density of 100 eggs/L in white square tanks of 10 L. Incubation water was dechlorinated tap water with continuous aeration. The tanks were lit directly with 60 W fluorescent bulbs with a 12 light:12 dark photoperiod. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH were 29.0±0.5℃, 6.7±0.4 mg/L and 7.4±0.2, respectively. The results showed that the eggs of P. fulvidraco were yellow, sticky and contained much yolk. The mean diameter of fertilized eggs was 2.03 mm. At the water temperature of 29.0±0.5℃, the ontogenesis spent about 33 h after fertilization. From fertilization to hatching, the embryonic development can be divided into 30–40 phases, which var-ies in the emphasis and direction of development. The detailed embryonic movement was also described.展开更多
The localization of four neuropeptidelike substances during embryonic development in amphibian was studied by using immuno cytochemical technique. The cells with positive reaction appeared firstly in the endoderm ce...The localization of four neuropeptidelike substances during embryonic development in amphibian was studied by using immuno cytochemical technique. The cells with positive reaction appeared firstly in the endoderm cells during early tailbud stage, and then were detected in connective tissue at the outer portion of gastrointestinal tract during tadpole stage. In the nervous system, the cells with positive reaction were observed in cranial ganglion and glial cells at the outer margin of the brain and in the inner wall of ventricles. They were also frequently observed in the epidermis during late tailbud stage. The relationship between the appearance of neuropeptides in timespatial sequences and the development of nervous system, the neural crest origin of the cells with positive reaction, and the role of epidermal conductivity in neuropeptidelike cells in epiderms were discussed.展开更多
Embryonic development was studied in six cross combinations ofCitrus sinensis x C. tangerina, C. sinensis x C. reticulata, C. sinensis x (C. tangerina + C.reticulata), C. sinensis x Poncirus trifoliate, C.reticulata x...Embryonic development was studied in six cross combinations ofCitrus sinensis x C. tangerina, C. sinensis x C. reticulata, C. sinensis x (C. tangerina + C.reticulata), C. sinensis x Poncirus trifoliate, C.reticulata x C grandis and C. grandis xPoncirus trifoliate. The results showed that on the 30th day after pollination thezygote remained a single cell. On the 40th day, the zygote began to divide. On the50th day, zygotic embryo became globular-shaped while nucellar embryos had notinvaded the embryo sac. On the 55th day, a few nucellar embryos began to invadethe embryo sac. On the 60th day, the zygotic embryo became heart-shaped, and atthe same time, a large number of nucellar embryos invaded the embryo sac. On the80th day after pollination, the zygotic embryo was surrounded by nucellar embryosand it was not easy to distinguish these embryos. The cross combination affected thedevelopments of zygotic embryos, ovules and fruits, which were mainly determined bythe cross parents. As compared with interspecies crossing, the zygotic division ofintergenus crossing began later, the zygotic embryos developed slowlier and theinvading time of nucellar embryos was also delayed.展开更多
[Objective] The research aimed to provide technical basis for fry rearing of Silnrus asotus in Dongting Lake.[Method] The induced spawning medicine was used in the experiment to conduct artificial induced spawning and...[Objective] The research aimed to provide technical basis for fry rearing of Silnrus asotus in Dongting Lake.[Method] The induced spawning medicine was used in the experiment to conduct artificial induced spawning and fertilization for obtaining round green fertilized eggs.According to embryonic development,the morphological characteristics of embryo at different developmental stages were recorded detailedly through microscope.[Result] The embryonic development of Silnrus asotus in Dongting Lake was divided into 7 stages,namely, blastoderm stage,cleavage stage, blastula stage, gastrula stage,neurula stage,organogenesis stage and pre-hatching stage.After hatched for 37 h 20 min in water at 22-24 ℃, fries were come out.[Conclusion] The time sequence of Silnrus asotus in Dongting Lake was basically similar to that of other catfish,while its hatching time was shorter than that of other fish in Siluriformes.展开更多
More and more studies have demonstrated that pseudogenes possess coding ability,and the functions of their transcripts in the development of diseases have been partially revealed.However,the role of pseudogenes in mai...More and more studies have demonstrated that pseudogenes possess coding ability,and the functions of their transcripts in the development of diseases have been partially revealed.However,the role of pseudogenes in maintenance of normal physiological states and life activities has long been neglected.Here,we identify pseudogenes that are dynamically expressed during human early embryogenesis,showing different expression patterns from that of adult tissues.We explore the expression correlation between pseudogenes and the parent genes,partly due to their shared gene regulatory elements or the potential regulation network between them.The essential role of three pseudogenes,PI4KAP1,TMED10P1,and FBXW4P1,in maintaining self-renewal of human embryonic stem cells is demonstrated.We further find that the three pseudogenes might perform their regulatory functions by binding to proteins or microRNAs.The pseudogene-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms are significantly associated with human congenital disease,further illustrating their importance during early embryonic development.Overall,this study is an excavation and exploration of functional pseudogenes during early human embryonic development,suggesting that pseudogenes are not only capable of being specifically activated in pathological states,but also play crucial roles in the maintenance of normal physiological states.展开更多
[ Objective ] The purpose was to provide a reference for crossbreeding of grass carp. [ Method] We conducted hybridization between Ctenopharyngodon ideUus （ ♀ ） and Elopichthys bambusa ♂ ） by artificial methods. ...[ Objective ] The purpose was to provide a reference for crossbreeding of grass carp. [ Method] We conducted hybridization between Ctenopharyngodon ideUus （ ♀ ） and Elopichthys bambusa ♂ ） by artificial methods. The process of embryo and postembryonic development were observed and recorded. [ Result ] The fertilization rate, hatching rate and survival rate of the hybrid F1 were （75.8 ± 6. 2）%, （41.9 ± 8.2）% and （9.3± 3.7）%, respectively. At the water temperature of 20.1 -21.6℃, the larvae was hatched for about 34 h and 25 rain after fertilization. The whole length of newly-hatched larvae of the hybrid Fl was （5.8 ± 0.12） mm. The larvae could feed rotifer and unicellular algae after 3 or 4 days hatching. Postembryonic development of the hybrid at the formation of scales, lasted for 65 days when the young was（74.0 ± 2.1 ） mm in whole length. [ Conclusion] The embryonic development of hybrid F1 was intermediate to their parents, the form of the hybrid F1 was similar to that of their female line of grass carp. The growth rate of larva was faster than that of grass carp and similar to that of their paternal fish.展开更多
Metabolism of hydrogen peroxide in the course of embryonic development ofsilkworm (variety Guang) was determined by using colorimetric analysis and oxygen electrodemethod. The results indicated that: 1) In the course ...Metabolism of hydrogen peroxide in the course of embryonic development ofsilkworm (variety Guang) was determined by using colorimetric analysis and oxygen electrodemethod. The results indicated that: 1) In the course of fertilization (0-4 h after egg laying), thelevel of H_2O_2 content reached its peak value at 2.5 h of the developmental course and the activity ofsuperoxidase dismutase (SOD) was at higher level while the activity of catalase (CAT) at the lowestcorrespondingly; 2) The H_2O_2 content in embryo, in which the diapause of eggs was being relievedthrough treatment with hydrochloric acid on time in the course of embryonic development, wassignificantly higher than that of diapause eggs except the lower level showed in the embryo whenthe development of it went on for 168~216 h and the activity of SOD reached, lower and higher,tWo peaks in 72 and 168 h after egg-laying, respectively, and was significantly higher in late stagewhile the activity of CAT was shown with a stable level in the period of 72-192 h after egg-laying,and, after then, a rapid rising occurred in the embryo. The level of the CAT activity in embryowas shown significantly lower than that in diapause eggs in early period and higher in late stage ofegg development; 3) In the course of formation of diapause in eggs, the level of H_2O_2contentchanged smoothly and the activity of SOD changed vigorously in early period, and kept stable statelater; and the CAT activity increased gradually; while in the course of relief of diapause under ontime-treatment with hydrochloric acid, the level of H_2O_2 was significantly higher than that indiapause eggs and the SOD activity displayed a new peak value and significantly rose in later stage,while the activity of CAT in relieving embryo from diapause was signincantly lower than that indiapause eggs. Combining the results obtained in other researches with those from ours mentionedabove, we suggest that the metabolism of H_2O_2 might be of importance in the courses of formationand relief of diapause in silkworm eggs. Maybe the esterase A4 timer hypothesis and themicropylar barrier to oxygen hypothesis could be integrated for explanation of the course offormation and relief of diapause in silkworm eggs.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Fundation of China(30730029)
文摘We investigated the early embryonic and larval development of the concave-eared torrent frogs, Odorrana tormota （Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae）. Embryos were derived from artificial fertilization of frogs’ eggs, and the staging of development was based on morphological and physiological characteristics. Two major periods of development were designated： i） early embryonic period, from fertilization to operculum completion stage, lasted for 324 h at water temperature （WT） 18 ？23℃; ii） larval period, from operculum completion stage to tail absorbed stage, took 1207 h at WT 20 ？ 24℃. Tadpoles of the concave-eared torrent frogs showed no evidence of abdominal sucker. Absence of this key characteristic supports the view from molecular systematics that concave-eared torrent frog does not belong to the genus Amolops. Two cleavage patterns were observed in embryos at 8-cell and 16-cell stages, with Pattern I2 （latitudinal cleavage at the 8-cell stage, and meridional cleavage at the 16-cell stage with two perpendicular meridional furrows） being the predominant pattern and only 1.5% belonging to Pattern II （meridional cleavage at the 8-cell stage and latitudinal cleavage at the 16-cell stage）. The factors affecting cleavage and hatching ratios, developmental speed, and ecological adaptation were discussed.
基金supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University(No.13930).
文摘Spermatozoa have a highly complex RNA profile.Several of these transcripts are suggested as biomarkers for male infertility and contribute to early development.To analyze the differences between sperm RNA quantity and expression of protamine(PRM1 and PRM2)and testis-specific histone 2B(TH2B)genes,spermatozoa from 33 patients who enrolled in assisted reproduction treatment(ART)program were analyzed.Sperm RNA of teratozoospermic(T),oligoteratozoospermic(OT),and normozoospermic(N)samples was extracted,and the differences in transcript levels among the study groups were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).The correlations of total RNA per spermatozoon and the expression of the transcripts were evaluated in relation to sperm characteristics and preimplantation embryo development.The mean(±standard deviation)RNA amount per spermatozoon was 28.48(±23.03)femtogram in the overall group and was significantly higher in the OT group than that in N and T groups.Total sperm RNA and gene expression of PRM1 and PRM2 genes were related to preimplantation embryo development and developmental arrest.Specific sperm characteristics were correlated with the expressions of PRM1,PRM2,or TH2B genes.We conclude that the sperm RNA amount and composition are important factors and might influence early embryonic development and also differ in different cases of male infertility.
基金German research Foundation(DFG,grant numbers:CH2321/1–1 and SCHO1231/7–1)JH has received a scholarship from the Chinese Scholarship Council(CSC No.:201908350115).
文摘The oviduct epithelium is the initial maternal contact site for embryos after fertilization,offering the microenviron-ment before implantation.This early gestation period is particularly sensitive to stress,which can cause reduced fertil-ity and reproductive disorders in mammals.Nevertheless,the local impact of elevated stress hormones on the ovi-duct epithelium has received limited attention to date,except for a few reports on polyovulatory species like mice and pigs.In this study,we focused on the effects of chronic maternal stress on cattle,given its association with infertil-ity issues in this monoovulatory species.Bovine oviduct epithelial cells(BOEC)differentiated at the air–liquid interface(ALI)were stimulated with 250 nmol/L cortisol for 1 or 3 weeks.Subsequently,they were assessed for morphology,bioelectrical properties,and gene expression related to oviduct function,glucocorticoid pathway,cortisol metabo-lism,inflammation,and apoptosis.Results revealed adverse effects of cortisol on epithelium structure,featured by deciliation,vacuole formation,and multilayering.Additionally,cortisol exposure led to an increase in transepithelial potential difference,downregulated mRNA expression of the major glucocorticoid receptor(NR3C1),upregulated the expression of cortisol-responsive genes(FKBP5,TSC22D3),and significant downregulation of oviductal glycopro-tein 1(OVGP1)and steroid receptors PGR and ESR1.The systematic comparison to a similar experiment previously performed by us in porcine oviduct epithelial cells,indicated that bovine cultures were more susceptible to elevated cortisol levels than porcine.The distinct responses between both species are likely linked to their divergence in the cortisol-induced expression changes of HSD11B2,an enzyme controlling the cellular capacity to metabolise cortisol.These findings provide insights into the species-specific reactions and reproductive consequences triggered by maternal stress.
文摘Following the publication of Xu et al.(2022),an error was identified in Figure 1D.Specifically,the top left panel was inadvertently duplicated during figure preparation.To ensure the accuracy and integrity of our published work,we request the publication of a corrigendum with the corrected image.We apologize for this oversight and any confusion it may have caused.The amended figure is provided in the updated Supplementary Materials.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(ZR2019MC059)the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science Project of Shandong Province(M-2023093)the Weifang Municipal Science and Technology Development Program(2025YX037).
文摘Human cytomegalovirus(HCMV)poses a significant risk of neural damage during pregnancy.As the most prevalent intrauterine infectious agent in low-and middle-income countries,HCMV disrupts the development of neural stem cells,leading to fetal malformations and abnormal structural and physiological functions in the fetal brain.This review summarizes the current understanding of how HCMV infection dysregulates the Wnt signaling pathway to induce fetal malformations and discusses current management strategies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.12090052,U24A2014,and 12325405).
文摘Spatial transcriptomics technology provides novel insights into the spatial organization of gene expression during embryonic development.In this study,we propose a method that integrates analysis across both temporal and spatial dimensions to investigate spatial transcriptomics data from mouse embryos at different developmental stages.We quantified the spatial expression pattern of each gene at various stages by calculating its Moran’s I.Furthermore,by employing time-series clustering to identify dynamic co-expression modules,we identified several developmentally stage-specific regulatory gene modules.A key finding was the presence of distinct,stage-specific gene network modules across different developmental periods:Early modules focused on morphogenesis,mid-stage on organ development,and late-stage on neural and tissue maturation.Functional enrichment analysis further confirmed the core biological functions of each module.The dynamic,spatially-resolved gene expression model constructed in this study not only provides new biological insights into the programmed spatiotemporal reorganization of gene regulatory networks during embryonic development but also presents an effective approach for analyzing complex spatiotemporal omics data.This work provides a new perspective for understanding developmental biology,regenerative medicine,and related fields.
基金supported by the Key R&D Program of Zhejiang(No.2023C03072)the Medical and Health Science and Technology Program of Zhejiang Province(No.2021PY007)and the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Nos.2021YFA1301100 and 2021YFA1301101).
文摘Periodontitis is a common oral disease caused by bacteria coupled with an excessive host immune response.Stem cell therapy can be a promising treatment strategy for periodontitis,but the relevant mechanism is complicated.This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of mitochondria from human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells(hESC-MSCs)for the treatment of periodontitis.The gingival tissues of periodontitis patients are characterized by abnormal mitochondrial structure.Human gingival fibroblasts(HGFs)were exposed to 5μg/mL lipopolysaccharide(LPS)for 24 h to establish a cell injury model.When treated with hESC-MSCs or mitochondria derived from hESC-MSCs,HGFs showed reduced expression of inflammatory genes,increased adenosine triphosphate(ATP)level,decreased reactive oxygen species(ROS)production,and enhanced mitochondrial function compared to the control.The average efficiency of isolated mitochondrial transfer by hESC-MSCs was determined to be 8.93%.Besides,a therapy of local mitochondrial injection in mice with LPS-induced periodontitis showed a reduction in inflammatory gene expression,as well as an increase in both the mitochondrial number and the aspect ratio in gingival tissues.In conclusion,our results indicate that mitochondria derived from hESC-MSCs can reduce the inflammatory response and improve mitochondrial function in HGFs,suggesting that the transfer of mitochondria between hESC-MSCs and HGFs serves as a potential mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of stem cells.
文摘A key issue to be addressed in stem cell biology is the molecular signaling mechanism controlling embryonic stem （ES） cell pluripotency. Stem cell properties are dictated by specific transcription factors and epigenetic processes such as DNA methylation and chromatin remodeling. Several cytokines/growth factors have been identified as critical ES cell regulators. However, there is a gap in our knowledge of the intracellular signaling pathways linking extracellular signals to transcriptional regulation in ES cells. This short review discusses the physiological role of Shp2, a cytoplasmic tyro- sine phosphatase, in the molecular switch governing ES cell self-renewal versus differentiation. Shp2 promotes ES cell differentiation, mainly through bi-directional modulation of Erk and Stat3 pathways. Deletion of Shp2 in mouse ES cells results in more efficient self-renewal. This observation provides the impetus to develop Shp2 inhibitors for maintenance and amplification of ES cells in culture.
基金supported by research grants from Zhejiang Natural Sciences Foundation of China (Y2110911 Y2080996)the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China (2007CB947701)
文摘Rhesus monkey embryonic stem（rES） cells have similar characteristics to human ES cells,and might be useful as a substitute model for preclinical research.Notch signaling is involved in the formation of bile ducts,which are composed of cholangiocytes.However,little is known about the role of Notch signaling in cholangiocytic commitment of ES cells.We analyzed the effect of Notch signaling on the induction of cholangiocyte-like cells from rES cells.About 80% of definitive endoderm（DE） cells were generated from rES cells after treatment with activin A.After treatment with BMP4 and FGF1 on matrigel coated wells in serum-free medium,rES-derived DE gave rise to cholangiocyte-like cells by expression of cholangiocytic specific proteins（CK7,CK18,CK19,CK20,and OV-6） and genes（GSTPi,IB4,and HNF1β）.At the same time,expression of Notch 1 and Notch 2 mRNA were detected during cell differentiation,as well as their downstream target genes such as Hes 1 and Hes 5.Inhibition of the Notch signal pathway by L-685458 resulted in decreased expression of Notch and their downstream genes.In addition,the proportion of cholangiocyte-like cells declined from ～90% to ～20%.These results suggest that Notch signaling may play a critical role in cholangiocytic development from ES cells.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Support Program of Science and Technology Department of Jiangsu Province(BE2009335)~~
文摘[Objective] This study aimed to observe the embryonic development process of Leiocassis crassilabris. [Method] Wild L. crassilabris collected from the Nanjing section of the Yangtze River was used as parent fish for intensive breeding and propagation by artificial insemination. The entire embryonic development process of L. crassilabris from insemination to hatching out of larvae fish was observed consecutively. [Result] Fertilized eggs of L. crassilabris are spherical, and the egg diameter is about 2.2-2.4 mm after water absorption; under conditions of water temperature ranging from 27 to 28 ℃, the embryonic development of L. crassilabris from insemination to hatching out of larvae fish lasted 2 496 min, with a total accumulated temperature of 1 123-1 165 h·℃. [Conclusion] This study is advantageous to better understand the characteristics of embryonic development of L. crassilabris and provides basic biological data for protection and utilization of fish resources and other related work.
文摘[Objective] Aim to know the whole process of embryonic development of loach. [Method] DOM + LHRH-A2 was used to induce spawning of loach,then after fertilization,the embryos were cultured into freshwater water with temperature from 24 to 26 ℃ and pH from 7.0 to 7.5. The embryonic development of loach was observed and 27 concrete morphological characteristics and development time of loach from fertilized egg to newly hatched larval period were described in detail. [Result] The embryonic development of loach could be divided into cleavage stage,blastocyst stage,gastrula stage,neurula stage and organogenesis stage. The loach embryo from fertilized egg to out membrane period was 30 h 45 min in fresh water from 24 to 26 ℃ and pH from 7.0 to 7.5. [Conclusion] It provided important reference for studying artificial propagation and genetic breeding of loach.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No. 30900155 and 81070496the Research Foundation of Education Bureau of Shaanxi Province,China,No. 09JK785+1 种基金Foundation of Interdisciplinary for Postgraduates from Northwest University,No. 08YJC22the Key Laboratory Funding of Northwestern University,Shaanxi Province in China
文摘Parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells have pluripotent differentiation potentials, akin to fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. The aim of this study was to compare the neuronal differentiation potential of parthenogenetic and fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. Before differentiation, karyotype analysis was performed, with normal karyotypes detected in both parthenogenetic and fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. Sex chromosomes were identified as XX. Immunocytochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR detected high expression of the pluripotent gene, Oct4, at both the mRNA and protein levels, indicating pluripotent differentiation potential of the two embryonic stem cell subtypes. Embryonic stern cells were induced with retinoic acid to form embryoid bodies, and then dispersed into single cells. Single cells were differentiated in N2 differentiation medium for 9 days. Immunocytochemistry showed parthenogenetic and fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells both express the neuronal cell markers nestin, ~lll-tubulin and myelin basic protein. Quantitative real-time PCR found expression of neuregenesis related genes （Sox-1, Nestin, GABA, Pax6, Zic5 and Pitxl） in both types of embryonic stem cells, and Oct4 expression was significantly decreased. Nestin and Pax6 expression in parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells was significantly higher than that in fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells. Thus, our experimental findings indicate that parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells have stronger neuronal differentiation potential than fertilized embryo-derived embryonic stem cells.
基金Supported by Project of Baotou University(BSY2010-23)~~
文摘[Objective] The paper was to establish embryonic stem cell system of goats. [Method] Numerous primordial germ cell colonies were derived from gonadal ridge and the surrounding tissues in 20 millimeter fetuses of down producing goat. Primordial germ cells and goats embryonic fibroblasts obtained from conceptus of equivaient gestational age were co-cultured. [Result] The colonies showed some characteristics of embryonic stem cells, such as the morphology of nest-like, they continued to be AKP positive and the ability to be continuously passed [Conclusion] These cells were pluripotent and ES-like cells.
基金Supported by Scientific and Technological Bureau of Wuhan City, Hubei Province (No: 20012009105-4)
文摘For production enhancement and procedure upgrade, the developmental phases of labora-tory-reared eggs of catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco were investigated. Twenty mature females and 10 males were collected from Dadongmen wholesale fisheries market in Wuhan City on May 8, 2003. Zy-gotes were stripped from mature fish after hormone-induced ovulation, fertilized, and incubated through whole embryonic development. The fertilized eggs were stocked in density of 100 eggs/L in white square tanks of 10 L. Incubation water was dechlorinated tap water with continuous aeration. The tanks were lit directly with 60 W fluorescent bulbs with a 12 light:12 dark photoperiod. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH were 29.0±0.5℃, 6.7±0.4 mg/L and 7.4±0.2, respectively. The results showed that the eggs of P. fulvidraco were yellow, sticky and contained much yolk. The mean diameter of fertilized eggs was 2.03 mm. At the water temperature of 29.0±0.5℃, the ontogenesis spent about 33 h after fertilization. From fertilization to hatching, the embryonic development can be divided into 30–40 phases, which var-ies in the emphasis and direction of development. The detailed embryonic movement was also described.
文摘The localization of four neuropeptidelike substances during embryonic development in amphibian was studied by using immuno cytochemical technique. The cells with positive reaction appeared firstly in the endoderm cells during early tailbud stage, and then were detected in connective tissue at the outer portion of gastrointestinal tract during tadpole stage. In the nervous system, the cells with positive reaction were observed in cranial ganglion and glial cells at the outer margin of the brain and in the inner wall of ventricles. They were also frequently observed in the epidermis during late tailbud stage. The relationship between the appearance of neuropeptides in timespatial sequences and the development of nervous system, the neural crest origin of the cells with positive reaction, and the role of epidermal conductivity in neuropeptidelike cells in epiderms were discussed.
文摘Embryonic development was studied in six cross combinations ofCitrus sinensis x C. tangerina, C. sinensis x C. reticulata, C. sinensis x (C. tangerina + C.reticulata), C. sinensis x Poncirus trifoliate, C.reticulata x C grandis and C. grandis xPoncirus trifoliate. The results showed that on the 30th day after pollination thezygote remained a single cell. On the 40th day, the zygote began to divide. On the50th day, zygotic embryo became globular-shaped while nucellar embryos had notinvaded the embryo sac. On the 55th day, a few nucellar embryos began to invadethe embryo sac. On the 60th day, the zygotic embryo became heart-shaped, and atthe same time, a large number of nucellar embryos invaded the embryo sac. On the80th day after pollination, the zygotic embryo was surrounded by nucellar embryosand it was not easy to distinguish these embryos. The cross combination affected thedevelopments of zygotic embryos, ovules and fruits, which were mainly determined bythe cross parents. As compared with interspecies crossing, the zygotic division ofintergenus crossing began later, the zygotic embryos developed slowlier and theinvading time of nucellar embryos was also delayed.
文摘[Objective] The research aimed to provide technical basis for fry rearing of Silnrus asotus in Dongting Lake.[Method] The induced spawning medicine was used in the experiment to conduct artificial induced spawning and fertilization for obtaining round green fertilized eggs.According to embryonic development,the morphological characteristics of embryo at different developmental stages were recorded detailedly through microscope.[Result] The embryonic development of Silnrus asotus in Dongting Lake was divided into 7 stages,namely, blastoderm stage,cleavage stage, blastula stage, gastrula stage,neurula stage,organogenesis stage and pre-hatching stage.After hatched for 37 h 20 min in water at 22-24 ℃, fries were come out.[Conclusion] The time sequence of Silnrus asotus in Dongting Lake was basically similar to that of other catfish,while its hatching time was shorter than that of other fish in Siluriformes.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFA0805703,2019YFA0801800,and 2019YFA0802600)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82330007,82122005,92268205 and 81970101)+1 种基金CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(2021-I2M1-019)Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem Innovation Fund(22HHXBSS00027)。
文摘More and more studies have demonstrated that pseudogenes possess coding ability,and the functions of their transcripts in the development of diseases have been partially revealed.However,the role of pseudogenes in maintenance of normal physiological states and life activities has long been neglected.Here,we identify pseudogenes that are dynamically expressed during human early embryogenesis,showing different expression patterns from that of adult tissues.We explore the expression correlation between pseudogenes and the parent genes,partly due to their shared gene regulatory elements or the potential regulation network between them.The essential role of three pseudogenes,PI4KAP1,TMED10P1,and FBXW4P1,in maintaining self-renewal of human embryonic stem cells is demonstrated.We further find that the three pseudogenes might perform their regulatory functions by binding to proteins or microRNAs.The pseudogene-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms are significantly associated with human congenital disease,further illustrating their importance during early embryonic development.Overall,this study is an excavation and exploration of functional pseudogenes during early human embryonic development,suggesting that pseudogenes are not only capable of being specifically activated in pathological states,but also play crucial roles in the maintenance of normal physiological states.
基金Supported by Wuhan Science and Technology Plan Projects(2013021001010464)
文摘[ Objective ] The purpose was to provide a reference for crossbreeding of grass carp. [ Method] We conducted hybridization between Ctenopharyngodon ideUus （ ♀ ） and Elopichthys bambusa ♂ ） by artificial methods. The process of embryo and postembryonic development were observed and recorded. [ Result ] The fertilization rate, hatching rate and survival rate of the hybrid F1 were （75.8 ± 6. 2）%, （41.9 ± 8.2）% and （9.3± 3.7）%, respectively. At the water temperature of 20.1 -21.6℃, the larvae was hatched for about 34 h and 25 rain after fertilization. The whole length of newly-hatched larvae of the hybrid Fl was （5.8 ± 0.12） mm. The larvae could feed rotifer and unicellular algae after 3 or 4 days hatching. Postembryonic development of the hybrid at the formation of scales, lasted for 65 days when the young was（74.0 ± 2.1 ） mm in whole length. [ Conclusion] The embryonic development of hybrid F1 was intermediate to their parents, the form of the hybrid F1 was similar to that of their female line of grass carp. The growth rate of larva was faster than that of grass carp and similar to that of their paternal fish.
文摘Metabolism of hydrogen peroxide in the course of embryonic development ofsilkworm (variety Guang) was determined by using colorimetric analysis and oxygen electrodemethod. The results indicated that: 1) In the course of fertilization (0-4 h after egg laying), thelevel of H_2O_2 content reached its peak value at 2.5 h of the developmental course and the activity ofsuperoxidase dismutase (SOD) was at higher level while the activity of catalase (CAT) at the lowestcorrespondingly; 2) The H_2O_2 content in embryo, in which the diapause of eggs was being relievedthrough treatment with hydrochloric acid on time in the course of embryonic development, wassignificantly higher than that of diapause eggs except the lower level showed in the embryo whenthe development of it went on for 168~216 h and the activity of SOD reached, lower and higher,tWo peaks in 72 and 168 h after egg-laying, respectively, and was significantly higher in late stagewhile the activity of CAT was shown with a stable level in the period of 72-192 h after egg-laying,and, after then, a rapid rising occurred in the embryo. The level of the CAT activity in embryowas shown significantly lower than that in diapause eggs in early period and higher in late stage ofegg development; 3) In the course of formation of diapause in eggs, the level of H_2O_2contentchanged smoothly and the activity of SOD changed vigorously in early period, and kept stable statelater; and the CAT activity increased gradually; while in the course of relief of diapause under ontime-treatment with hydrochloric acid, the level of H_2O_2 was significantly higher than that indiapause eggs and the SOD activity displayed a new peak value and significantly rose in later stage,while the activity of CAT in relieving embryo from diapause was signincantly lower than that indiapause eggs. Combining the results obtained in other researches with those from ours mentionedabove, we suggest that the metabolism of H_2O_2 might be of importance in the courses of formationand relief of diapause in silkworm eggs. Maybe the esterase A4 timer hypothesis and themicropylar barrier to oxygen hypothesis could be integrated for explanation of the course offormation and relief of diapause in silkworm eggs.
