Objective:To evaluate the impact of a group embryo culture approach for women of advanced age.Methods:In this prospective study,two embryo culturing strategies—group and individual—were compared in women who were ol...Objective:To evaluate the impact of a group embryo culture approach for women of advanced age.Methods:In this prospective study,two embryo culturing strategies—group and individual—were compared in women who were older(≥35 years)and younger(<35 years).Data was collected from 450 embryos over 291 intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)cycles performed on 291 patients.A grouped embryo culture group and an individual embryo culture group were generated by selecting the zygotes into two groups based on the type of culture that was used.The main outcomes compared between the groups were the pregnancy and the live birth rates.Results:The pregnancy,and live births rates were significantly higher when group culture was carried out in an advanced-aged women group(41.5%vs.25.0%,P=0.04;14.3%vs.6.6%,P=0.04;respectively).Similarly,the cleavage rate was better in the same group(98.6%vs.91.2%,P=0.001).However,in the group of young women,there were not significant differences in these rates.Conclusions:Group embryo culturing seems to be a promising strategy to improve embryo development and live births for patients over 35 years of age.展开更多
Water pollution of the Yangtze River in China became one of challenges that the government is facing today. Increasing numbers of petrochemical plants were built along the river in past decades, and numbers of organic...Water pollution of the Yangtze River in China became one of challenges that the government is facing today. Increasing numbers of petrochemical plants were built along the river in past decades, and numbers of organic chemicals were discharged into the river. Our goal was to establish in vitro system on rat sertoli cells, spermatogenic cells and leydig cells to investigate the reproductive toxicity potential induced by organic extracts from petrochemical effluents. Our results showed that the organic extract depressed the viability （p 〈 0.01） and destroyed the plasma membrane integrity of sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells to a certain degree. Accordingly, proportion of early apoptotic sertoli cells and late apoptotic spermatogenic cells increased significantly. Although significant morphological changes were not detected for leydig cells, the extract was observed to inhibit their testosterone production （p 〈 0.01）. Sertoli cells and sperrnatogenic cells appeared to be more sensitive and maybe the main targets of the key toxins. These results suggested that the in vitro system on rat testicular cells may be useful to predicate reproductive toxicity potential of organic extracts from petrochemical effluents. More attention should be paid to the petrochemical effluents, because long-term accumulation of these organic compounds in organisms may cause spermatogenesis malfunction and testosterone reduction.展开更多
Heat stress significantly impairs reproduction of sheep,and under current climatic conditions is a significant risk to the efficiency of the meat and wool production,with the impact increasing as global temperatures r...Heat stress significantly impairs reproduction of sheep,and under current climatic conditions is a significant risk to the efficiency of the meat and wool production,with the impact increasing as global temperatures rise.Evidence from field studies and studies conducted using environmental chambers demonstrate the effects of hot temperatures(≥32℃)on components of ewe fertility(oestrus,fertilisation,embryo survival and lambing)are most destructive when experienced from 5 d before until 5 d after oestrus.Temperature controlled studies also demonstrate that ram fertility,as measured by rates of fertilisation and embryo survival,is reduced when mating occurs during the period 14 to 50 d post-heating.However,the contribution of the ram to heat induced reductions in flock fertility is difficult to determine accurately.Based primarily on temperature controlled studies,it is clear that sustained exposure to high temperatures(≥32℃)during pregnancy reduces lamb birthweight and will,therefore,decrease lamb survival under field conditions.It is concluded that both ewe and ram reproduction is affected by relatively modest levels of heat stress(≥32℃)and this is a concern given that a significant proportion of the global sheep population experiences heat stress of this magnitude around mating and during pregnancy.Despite this,strategies to limit the impacts of the climate on the homeothermy,behaviour,resource use and reproduction of extensively grazed sheep are limited,and there is an urgency to improve knowledge and to develop husbandry practices to limit these impacts.展开更多
While our understanding of male reproductive strategies is informed by extensive investigations into endocrine mechanisms, the proximate mechanisms by which females compete for mates and adjust reproduction to social ...While our understanding of male reproductive strategies is informed by extensive investigations into endocrine mechanisms, the proximate mechanisms by which females compete for mates and adjust reproduction to social environment remains enigmatic. We set out to uncover endocrine correlates of mate choice, social environment, and reproductive investment in female red-backed fairy-wrens Malurus melanocephalus. In this socially monogamous, yet highly sexually promiscuous species, females experience discrete variation in the phenotype of their mates, which vary in both plumage signals and level of paternal care, and in the composition of their breeding groups, which consist of either the pair alone or with an additional cooperative auxiliary; fe- male investment varies according to these social parameters. We found that androgen, estrogen, and glucorticoid levels varied with reproductive stage, with highest androgen and estrogen concentrations during nest construction and highest corticosterone concentrations during the pre-breeding stage. These stage-dependent patterns did not vary with male phenotype or auxiliary presence, though androgen levels during pre-breeding mate selection were lower in females obtaining red/black mates than those obtaining brown mates. We found no evidence that androgen, estrogen, or corticosterone levels during the fertile period were re- lated to extra-pair young （EPY） frequency. This study demonstrates clear changes in steroid levels with reproductive stage, though it found little support for variation with social environment. We suggest hormonal responsiveness to social factors may be physiologically constrained in ways that are bypassed through exogenous hormone manipulations.展开更多
Objective:To detect common chromosomal aneuploidy variations in embryos from couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology and preimplantation genetic screening and their possible associations with embryo qualit...Objective:To detect common chromosomal aneuploidy variations in embryos from couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology and preimplantation genetic screening and their possible associations with embryo quality.Methods:In this study,359 embryos from 62 couples were screened for chromosomes 13,21,18,X,and Y by fluorescence insitu hybridization.For biopsy of blastomere,a laser was used to remove a significantly smaller portion of the zona pellucida.One blastomere was gently biopsied by an aspiration pipette through the hole.After biopsy,the embryo was immediately returned to the embryo scope until transfer.Embryo integrity and blastocyst formation were assessed on day 5.Results:Totally,282 embryos from 62 couples were evaluated.The chromosomes were normal in 199(70.57%)embryos and abnormal in 83(29.43%)embryos.There was no significant association between the quality of embryos and numerical chromosomal abnormality(P=0.67).Conclusions:Embryo quality is not significantly correlated with its genetic status.Hence,the quality of embryos determined by morphological parameters is not an appropriate method for choosing embryos without these abnormalities.展开更多
The objective of this paper is to discuss recent developments in the application of biological markers to animal models of male reproductive toxicology. We have divided this paper into three major sections: First, a d...The objective of this paper is to discuss recent developments in the application of biological markers to animal models of male reproductive toxicology. We have divided this paper into three major sections: First, a discussion of the testing protocols currently under investigation by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the EPA's Health Effects Research Laboratory; second, an examination of what we consider to be important and practical biological markers available to investigators to assess the effects of toxicants on the male reproductive system; and third, a discussion of promising new technologies, such as molecular and immunological probes, and in vitro techniques using isolated and cultured cells, which in the future may be exploited for the development of additional biological markers of male reproductive toxicity. Where appropriate we have made specific recommendations for the use of these biological markers in animal protocols and have pointed out those noninvasive markers which have application to screening human males.展开更多
The oral cavity is a complex physiological community encompassing a wide range of microorganisms.Dysbiosis of oral microbiota can lead to various oral infectious diseases,such as periodontitis and tooth decay,and even...The oral cavity is a complex physiological community encompassing a wide range of microorganisms.Dysbiosis of oral microbiota can lead to various oral infectious diseases,such as periodontitis and tooth decay,and even affect systemic health,including brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.Recent studies have highlighted how oral microbes might be involved in brain aging and neurodegeneration,indicating potential avenues for intervention strategies.In this review,we summarize clinical evidence demonstrating a link between oral microbes/oral infectious diseases and brain aging/neurodegenerative diseases,and dissect potential mechanisms by which oral microbes contribute to brain aging and neurodegeneration.We also highlight advances in therapeutic development grounded in the realm of oral microbes,with the goal of advancing brain health and promoting healthy aging.展开更多
Total or severe teratospermia affects the prognosis of fertility and causes serious problems for patients undergoing assisted reproduction[1].The pathophysiological mechanism of teratospermia is unclear.It has been sh...Total or severe teratospermia affects the prognosis of fertility and causes serious problems for patients undergoing assisted reproduction[1].The pathophysiological mechanism of teratospermia is unclear.It has been shown that patients with sperm parameters abnormalities and abnormal morphology have a high rate of fragmentation and sperm DNA decondensation[2,3],and that sperm DNA fragmentation analysis could be used as a predictor factor of fertility potential[4].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
Pigs have emerged as valuable large-animal models for cardiac xenotransplantation;however,the temporal dynamics of myocardial development in this species remains insufficiently defined.This study analyzed gene express...Pigs have emerged as valuable large-animal models for cardiac xenotransplantation;however,the temporal dynamics of myocardial development in this species remains insufficiently defined.This study analyzed gene expression patterns across four key developmental stages(neonatal,juvenile,sexual maturity,and adulthood)to delineate the molecular mechanisms driving porcine myocardial development.Increases in heart weight were accompanied by proportional expansion of myocardial fiber area and chamber size,reflecting coordinated structural development.Transcriptomic profiling of myocardial tissue by RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)identified 2189 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)across stage comparisons.Short time-series expression miner(STEM)analysis classified these DEGs into four major expression clusters enriched in pathways associated with myocardial development,immune responses,cell proliferation,and metabolic processes.Among 359 DEGs conserved across all developmental stages,six candidate genes were strongly associated with myocardial development.Reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)confirmed a significant correlation between the expression of these candidate genes and myocardial development in porcine tissue.These findings establish a transcriptomic framework for porcine myocardial maturation and provide a molecular basis for advancing cardiac xenotransplantation.展开更多
Sertoli and granulosa cells,the initial differentiated somatic cells in bipotential gonads,play crucial roles in directing male and female gonad development,respectively.The transcription factor Foxo1 is involved in d...Sertoli and granulosa cells,the initial differentiated somatic cells in bipotential gonads,play crucial roles in directing male and female gonad development,respectively.The transcription factor Foxo1 is involved in diverse cellular processes,and its expression in gonadal somatic cells is sex-dependent.While Foxo1 is abundantly expressed in ovarian granulosa cells,it is notably absent in testicular Sertoli cells.Nevertheless,its function in gonadal somatic cell differentiation remains elusive.In this study,we find that ectopic expression of Foxo1 in Sertoli cells leads to defects in testes development.Further study uncovers that the ectopic expression of Foxo1 induces the abundant expression of Foxl2 in Sertoli cells,along with the upregulation of other female-specific genes.In contrast,the expression of male-specific genes is reduced.Mechanistic studies indicate that Foxo1 directly binds to the promoter region of Foxl2,inducing its expression.Our findings highlight that Foxo1 serves as a key regulator for the lineage maintenance of ovarian granulosa cells.This study contributes valuable insights into understanding the regulatory mechanisms governing the lineage maintenance of gonadal somatic cells.展开更多
Dear Editor,We are much obliged that Hadziselimovic1 has used our data2 to highlight the substantial proportion of boys with cryptorchidism where gonadotropin insufficiency is an important factor related to the pathog...Dear Editor,We are much obliged that Hadziselimovic1 has used our data2 to highlight the substantial proportion of boys with cryptorchidism where gonadotropin insufficiency is an important factor related to the pathogenesis.We have recently presented a study on a series of 453 consecutive boys with bilateral nonsyndromic cryptorchidism,in which we conducted hormonal evaluations and assessed germ cell numbers in testicular biopsies.3 In this series,45%of the boys were classified as having gonadotropin insufficiency.3 Identifying these patients at the time of surgery is important.A recent follow-up study of 208 boys with nonsyndromic bilateral cryptorchidism from our department showed that the boys with gonadotropin insufficiency had an impaired fertility potential after surgery compared to boys with an intact hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal feedback mechanism.4 In a review from 2022,Hadziselimovic5 suggested that infertility in patients diagnosed with cryptorchid testes is a consequence of a hormonal deficiency rather than temperature-induced cellular damage.展开更多
Spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs)are the key to maintaining production of the sperms and healthy offsprings,and also treating breeding livestock's reproductive damage and infertility.micro RNAs act a decisive role i...Spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs)are the key to maintaining production of the sperms and healthy offsprings,and also treating breeding livestock's reproductive damage and infertility.micro RNAs act a decisive role in regulating gene expression in many cells and tissues,including in processes such as proliferation,self-renewal,differentiation,and apoptosis of stem cells.However,the miRNA mechanism in regulation of SSCs is still unclear.Here,high-throughput sequencing was used to identify specific miRNAs.We confirmed that miR-21-5p was concentrated in both goat and mouse SSCs,and enhanced the proliferation and antiapoptotic ability of SSCs.In vivo experiments have shown that miR-21-5p resisted the damage of the chemotherapy drug Busulfan to germ cells,ameliorated Busulfan-induced testicular dysfunction,and maintained spermatogenesis.Further RNA-seq and target gene prediction revealed that SPRY1 and FASLG are targets of miR-21-5p,thereby activating downstream signaling pathways such as MAPK/ERK,PI3K-AKT,and apoptosis.In summary,miR-21-5p is crucial for the self-renewal and maintenance of SSCs.This study provides new avenues for treating breeding livestock's reproductive damages,infertility,oligospermia,and other conditions.展开更多
Background: According to the World Health Organization, the worldwide prevalence of infertility is 17.5%. The male share of responsibility is undeniable. Several factors, such as smoking, alcoholism, obesity and envir...Background: According to the World Health Organization, the worldwide prevalence of infertility is 17.5%. The male share of responsibility is undeniable. Several factors, such as smoking, alcoholism, obesity and environmental pollution are sources of infertility in men. The aim of this study was to determine the spermological profile of infertile men and the factors associated with sperm parameter abnormalities. Methods: This retrospective study analysed 1000 sperm samples over an 11-year period, from January 2010 to December 2021. Results: The average age was 37.52 ± 8.66 years. Surgical history of varicocele and teratozoospermia were associated (p-value = 0.0001). Candida albicans was associated with a 2.27-fold risk of necrozoospermia and a 3.14-fold risk of oligozoospermia. The link between the reason for requesting a spermogram and the age range between 38 and 47 was significant (p-value Conclusion: Today, lifestyle and environmental pollution play a major role in sperm parameter abnormalities.展开更多
Pluripotent stem cells(PSCs)are useful for developmental and translational research because they have the potential to differentiate into all cell types of an adult individual.Pigs are one of the most important domest...Pluripotent stem cells(PSCs)are useful for developmental and translational research because they have the potential to differentiate into all cell types of an adult individual.Pigs are one of the most important domestic ungulates,commonly used for food and as bioreactors.Generating stable pluripotent porcine PSC lines remains challenging.So far,the pluripotency gene network of porcine PSCs is poorly understood.Here we found that TBX3-derived induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)closely resemble porcine 4-cell embryos with the capacity of totipotent-like stem cells(TLSCs).Interestingly,our data suggest that TBX3 facilitates the activation of H3K4me3 methyltransferase,specifically MLL1.Subsequent investigations revealed that the porcine 4-cell specific gene,MCL1,is a key downstream effector of the TBX3-MLL1 axis.Together,our study of the TBX3 regulatory network is helpful in the understanding of the totipotency characteristics of pigs.展开更多
High levels of sperm DNA fragmentation(SDF)are associated with reduced assisted reproductive technology(ART)outcomes.Currently,SDF is not included in routine clinical assessment of male partners of infertile couples,b...High levels of sperm DNA fragmentation(SDF)are associated with reduced assisted reproductive technology(ART)outcomes.Currently,SDF is not included in routine clinical assessment of male partners of infertile couples,but the 6th edition of the World Health Organization(WHO)manual for semen analysis included the SDF assessment in the chapter on extended semen examinations.展开更多
There has been a growing interest over the past few years in the impact of male nutrition on fertility. Infertility has been linked to male overweight or obesity, and conventional semen parameter values seem to be alt...There has been a growing interest over the past few years in the impact of male nutrition on fertility. Infertility has been linked to male overweight or obesity, and conventional semen parameter values seem to be altered in case of high body mass index （BMI）. A few studies assessing the impact of BMI on sperm DNA integrity have been published, but they did not lead to a strong consensus. Our objective was to explore further the relationship between sperm DNA integrity and BMI, through a 3-year multicentre study. Three hundred and thirty male partners in subfertile couples were included. Using the terminal uridine nick-end labelling （TUNEL） assay, we observed an increased rate of sDerm DNA damage in obese men （odds ratio （95% confidence interval）： 2.5 （1.2-5.1））.展开更多
Aim： To examine the possible effect of heat treatment on expression of heat shock proteins （Hsps） 105, 70, and 60 in primary monkey Sertoli cells and to evaluate the possible signal pathways. Methods： Western blot...Aim： To examine the possible effect of heat treatment on expression of heat shock proteins （Hsps） 105, 70, and 60 in primary monkey Sertoli cells and to evaluate the possible signal pathways. Methods： Western blot analysis, realtime polymerase chain reaction （PCR）, and confocal immunohistochemistry were used to analyze mRNA and protein levels of the Hsps in response to 43~C treatment of Sertoli cells isolated from pubertal monkey testes. Results： Staining with Hoechst 33342 indicated Sertoli cells did not undergo apoptosis after heat treatment. Hspl05 was expressed in cytoplasm of untreated Sertoli cells. Both Hspl05 mRNA and protein levels were increased approximately 20-fold compared to those of the untreated controls at 12 h after heat treatment. Untreated Sertoli cells did not express Hsp70, but heat stress induced its expression in the cell cytoplasm. The time-course of changes in Hsp70 was similar to that of Hsp105. In contrast to Hsp105 and Hsp70, the change in Hsp60 expression was much less obvious. The protein level between 12 h and 48 h after heat treatment was only approximately 1.5-fold that of the untreated control. Extracellular regulated kinase （ERK） 1/2 inhibitor （U0126） or phosphoinositide kinase-3 （PI3K） inhibitor （LY294002） could partially block the response of Hspl05 and Hsp70 induced by heat treatment. Conclusion： These results indicate that the heat-induced expression of the three types of Hsp in monkey Sertoli cells might be regulated by ERK and/or PI3K signal pathways, but the profile of their expression is different, suggesting that they might have different regulatory functions in Sertoli cells.展开更多
Dear Editor, It is now well known that somatic cells can be efficiently reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells （iPSCs） by forced expression of defined factors [1- 3]. These cells, like embryonic stem cel...Dear Editor, It is now well known that somatic cells can be efficiently reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells （iPSCs） by forced expression of defined factors [1- 3]. These cells, like embryonic stem cells （ESCs）, have true pluripotency as shown by the live, fertile mice that can be generated through the tetraploid complementation assay using these iPSCs [4, 5]. So far, iPSCs have been generated from many species including mice, primate,展开更多
文摘Objective:To evaluate the impact of a group embryo culture approach for women of advanced age.Methods:In this prospective study,two embryo culturing strategies—group and individual—were compared in women who were older(≥35 years)and younger(<35 years).Data was collected from 450 embryos over 291 intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)cycles performed on 291 patients.A grouped embryo culture group and an individual embryo culture group were generated by selecting the zygotes into two groups based on the type of culture that was used.The main outcomes compared between the groups were the pregnancy and the live birth rates.Results:The pregnancy,and live births rates were significantly higher when group culture was carried out in an advanced-aged women group(41.5%vs.25.0%,P=0.04;14.3%vs.6.6%,P=0.04;respectively).Similarly,the cleavage rate was better in the same group(98.6%vs.91.2%,P=0.001).However,in the group of young women,there were not significant differences in these rates.Conclusions:Group embryo culturing seems to be a promising strategy to improve embryo development and live births for patients over 35 years of age.
基金supported by the Major State Basic Research Development Program (No.2008CB418102)the Environmental Monitoring Research Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No.0710)+1 种基金the Innovation Foundation for Youth Scholars of the State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse (No.PCRREF07002)the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education, SRFDP (No.200802841030)
文摘Water pollution of the Yangtze River in China became one of challenges that the government is facing today. Increasing numbers of petrochemical plants were built along the river in past decades, and numbers of organic chemicals were discharged into the river. Our goal was to establish in vitro system on rat sertoli cells, spermatogenic cells and leydig cells to investigate the reproductive toxicity potential induced by organic extracts from petrochemical effluents. Our results showed that the organic extract depressed the viability （p 〈 0.01） and destroyed the plasma membrane integrity of sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells to a certain degree. Accordingly, proportion of early apoptotic sertoli cells and late apoptotic spermatogenic cells increased significantly. Although significant morphological changes were not detected for leydig cells, the extract was observed to inhibit their testosterone production （p 〈 0.01）. Sertoli cells and sperrnatogenic cells appeared to be more sensitive and maybe the main targets of the key toxins. These results suggested that the in vitro system on rat testicular cells may be useful to predicate reproductive toxicity potential of organic extracts from petrochemical effluents. More attention should be paid to the petrochemical effluents, because long-term accumulation of these organic compounds in organisms may cause spermatogenesis malfunction and testosterone reduction.
基金This review was funded as part of a Meat&Livestock Australia Ltd.tender entitled The effects of heat stress and predicted climate change scenarios on reproductive performance of the Australia sheep flock(Project code:L.LSM.0024).
文摘Heat stress significantly impairs reproduction of sheep,and under current climatic conditions is a significant risk to the efficiency of the meat and wool production,with the impact increasing as global temperatures rise.Evidence from field studies and studies conducted using environmental chambers demonstrate the effects of hot temperatures(≥32℃)on components of ewe fertility(oestrus,fertilisation,embryo survival and lambing)are most destructive when experienced from 5 d before until 5 d after oestrus.Temperature controlled studies also demonstrate that ram fertility,as measured by rates of fertilisation and embryo survival,is reduced when mating occurs during the period 14 to 50 d post-heating.However,the contribution of the ram to heat induced reductions in flock fertility is difficult to determine accurately.Based primarily on temperature controlled studies,it is clear that sustained exposure to high temperatures(≥32℃)during pregnancy reduces lamb birthweight and will,therefore,decrease lamb survival under field conditions.It is concluded that both ewe and ram reproduction is affected by relatively modest levels of heat stress(≥32℃)and this is a concern given that a significant proportion of the global sheep population experiences heat stress of this magnitude around mating and during pregnancy.Despite this,strategies to limit the impacts of the climate on the homeothermy,behaviour,resource use and reproduction of extensively grazed sheep are limited,and there is an urgency to improve knowledge and to develop husbandry practices to limit these impacts.
基金Acknowledgement We sincerely appreciate the commendable field efforts of a large number of field technicians who assisted with data collection during the course of this study, as well as logistical support provided by B. Congdon, T. Daniel, J. Lindsay and D. Westcott. We also thank members of the Schwabl and Webster labs for their valuable input throughout. Thanks also to Becca Sail＇an and Maren Vitousek for the invitation to contribute to this volume. This research was conducted with appropriate permits and permissions from the governments of Queensland and Australia, and material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation （USA） through grants to MSW and HS and a graduate traineeship to DGB.
文摘While our understanding of male reproductive strategies is informed by extensive investigations into endocrine mechanisms, the proximate mechanisms by which females compete for mates and adjust reproduction to social environment remains enigmatic. We set out to uncover endocrine correlates of mate choice, social environment, and reproductive investment in female red-backed fairy-wrens Malurus melanocephalus. In this socially monogamous, yet highly sexually promiscuous species, females experience discrete variation in the phenotype of their mates, which vary in both plumage signals and level of paternal care, and in the composition of their breeding groups, which consist of either the pair alone or with an additional cooperative auxiliary; fe- male investment varies according to these social parameters. We found that androgen, estrogen, and glucorticoid levels varied with reproductive stage, with highest androgen and estrogen concentrations during nest construction and highest corticosterone concentrations during the pre-breeding stage. These stage-dependent patterns did not vary with male phenotype or auxiliary presence, though androgen levels during pre-breeding mate selection were lower in females obtaining red/black mates than those obtaining brown mates. We found no evidence that androgen, estrogen, or corticosterone levels during the fertile period were re- lated to extra-pair young （EPY） frequency. This study demonstrates clear changes in steroid levels with reproductive stage, though it found little support for variation with social environment. We suggest hormonal responsiveness to social factors may be physiologically constrained in ways that are bypassed through exogenous hormone manipulations.
文摘Objective:To detect common chromosomal aneuploidy variations in embryos from couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology and preimplantation genetic screening and their possible associations with embryo quality.Methods:In this study,359 embryos from 62 couples were screened for chromosomes 13,21,18,X,and Y by fluorescence insitu hybridization.For biopsy of blastomere,a laser was used to remove a significantly smaller portion of the zona pellucida.One blastomere was gently biopsied by an aspiration pipette through the hole.After biopsy,the embryo was immediately returned to the embryo scope until transfer.Embryo integrity and blastocyst formation were assessed on day 5.Results:Totally,282 embryos from 62 couples were evaluated.The chromosomes were normal in 199(70.57%)embryos and abnormal in 83(29.43%)embryos.There was no significant association between the quality of embryos and numerical chromosomal abnormality(P=0.67).Conclusions:Embryo quality is not significantly correlated with its genetic status.Hence,the quality of embryos determined by morphological parameters is not an appropriate method for choosing embryos without these abnormalities.
文摘The objective of this paper is to discuss recent developments in the application of biological markers to animal models of male reproductive toxicology. We have divided this paper into three major sections: First, a discussion of the testing protocols currently under investigation by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the EPA's Health Effects Research Laboratory; second, an examination of what we consider to be important and practical biological markers available to investigators to assess the effects of toxicants on the male reproductive system; and third, a discussion of promising new technologies, such as molecular and immunological probes, and in vitro techniques using isolated and cultured cells, which in the future may be exploited for the development of additional biological markers of male reproductive toxicity. Where appropriate we have made specific recommendations for the use of these biological markers in animal protocols and have pointed out those noninvasive markers which have application to screening human males.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81921006(to GHL)。
文摘The oral cavity is a complex physiological community encompassing a wide range of microorganisms.Dysbiosis of oral microbiota can lead to various oral infectious diseases,such as periodontitis and tooth decay,and even affect systemic health,including brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.Recent studies have highlighted how oral microbes might be involved in brain aging and neurodegeneration,indicating potential avenues for intervention strategies.In this review,we summarize clinical evidence demonstrating a link between oral microbes/oral infectious diseases and brain aging/neurodegenerative diseases,and dissect potential mechanisms by which oral microbes contribute to brain aging and neurodegeneration.We also highlight advances in therapeutic development grounded in the realm of oral microbes,with the goal of advancing brain health and promoting healthy aging.
文摘Total or severe teratospermia affects the prognosis of fertility and causes serious problems for patients undergoing assisted reproduction[1].The pathophysiological mechanism of teratospermia is unclear.It has been shown that patients with sperm parameters abnormalities and abnormal morphology have a high rate of fragmentation and sperm DNA decondensation[2,3],and that sperm DNA fragmentation analysis could be used as a predictor factor of fertility potential[4].
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.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32222079 to L.J.and 32202621 to D.D.W.)。
文摘Pigs have emerged as valuable large-animal models for cardiac xenotransplantation;however,the temporal dynamics of myocardial development in this species remains insufficiently defined.This study analyzed gene expression patterns across four key developmental stages(neonatal,juvenile,sexual maturity,and adulthood)to delineate the molecular mechanisms driving porcine myocardial development.Increases in heart weight were accompanied by proportional expansion of myocardial fiber area and chamber size,reflecting coordinated structural development.Transcriptomic profiling of myocardial tissue by RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)identified 2189 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)across stage comparisons.Short time-series expression miner(STEM)analysis classified these DEGs into four major expression clusters enriched in pathways associated with myocardial development,immune responses,cell proliferation,and metabolic processes.Among 359 DEGs conserved across all developmental stages,six candidate genes were strongly associated with myocardial development.Reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)confirmed a significant correlation between the expression of these candidate genes and myocardial development in porcine tissue.These findings establish a transcriptomic framework for porcine myocardial maturation and provide a molecular basis for advancing cardiac xenotransplantation.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDB0820000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82421003,32270902,32170855)+1 种基金the Faculty Resources Project of the College of Life Sciences,Inner Mongolia University(2022-104)Initiative Scientific Research Program,Institute of Zoology,Chinese Academy of Sciences(20231OZ0102).
文摘Sertoli and granulosa cells,the initial differentiated somatic cells in bipotential gonads,play crucial roles in directing male and female gonad development,respectively.The transcription factor Foxo1 is involved in diverse cellular processes,and its expression in gonadal somatic cells is sex-dependent.While Foxo1 is abundantly expressed in ovarian granulosa cells,it is notably absent in testicular Sertoli cells.Nevertheless,its function in gonadal somatic cell differentiation remains elusive.In this study,we find that ectopic expression of Foxo1 in Sertoli cells leads to defects in testes development.Further study uncovers that the ectopic expression of Foxo1 induces the abundant expression of Foxl2 in Sertoli cells,along with the upregulation of other female-specific genes.In contrast,the expression of male-specific genes is reduced.Mechanistic studies indicate that Foxo1 directly binds to the promoter region of Foxl2,inducing its expression.Our findings highlight that Foxo1 serves as a key regulator for the lineage maintenance of ovarian granulosa cells.This study contributes valuable insights into understanding the regulatory mechanisms governing the lineage maintenance of gonadal somatic cells.
文摘Dear Editor,We are much obliged that Hadziselimovic1 has used our data2 to highlight the substantial proportion of boys with cryptorchidism where gonadotropin insufficiency is an important factor related to the pathogenesis.We have recently presented a study on a series of 453 consecutive boys with bilateral nonsyndromic cryptorchidism,in which we conducted hormonal evaluations and assessed germ cell numbers in testicular biopsies.3 In this series,45%of the boys were classified as having gonadotropin insufficiency.3 Identifying these patients at the time of surgery is important.A recent follow-up study of 208 boys with nonsyndromic bilateral cryptorchidism from our department showed that the boys with gonadotropin insufficiency had an impaired fertility potential after surgery compared to boys with an intact hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal feedback mechanism.4 In a review from 2022,Hadziselimovic5 suggested that infertility in patients diagnosed with cryptorchid testes is a consequence of a hormonal deficiency rather than temperature-induced cellular damage.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32072806 and 32372970)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFD1302201 and 2023YFF1000904)+3 种基金the Program of Shaanxi Province Science and Technology Innovation Team,China(2019TD-036)the Major Projects of Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China(2020ZD10)the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Competition Leaders,China(2022JBGS0025)Key Technologies Demonstration of Animal Husbandry in Shaanxi Province,China(20221086 and 20230978)。
文摘Spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs)are the key to maintaining production of the sperms and healthy offsprings,and also treating breeding livestock's reproductive damage and infertility.micro RNAs act a decisive role in regulating gene expression in many cells and tissues,including in processes such as proliferation,self-renewal,differentiation,and apoptosis of stem cells.However,the miRNA mechanism in regulation of SSCs is still unclear.Here,high-throughput sequencing was used to identify specific miRNAs.We confirmed that miR-21-5p was concentrated in both goat and mouse SSCs,and enhanced the proliferation and antiapoptotic ability of SSCs.In vivo experiments have shown that miR-21-5p resisted the damage of the chemotherapy drug Busulfan to germ cells,ameliorated Busulfan-induced testicular dysfunction,and maintained spermatogenesis.Further RNA-seq and target gene prediction revealed that SPRY1 and FASLG are targets of miR-21-5p,thereby activating downstream signaling pathways such as MAPK/ERK,PI3K-AKT,and apoptosis.In summary,miR-21-5p is crucial for the self-renewal and maintenance of SSCs.This study provides new avenues for treating breeding livestock's reproductive damages,infertility,oligospermia,and other conditions.
文摘Background: According to the World Health Organization, the worldwide prevalence of infertility is 17.5%. The male share of responsibility is undeniable. Several factors, such as smoking, alcoholism, obesity and environmental pollution are sources of infertility in men. The aim of this study was to determine the spermological profile of infertile men and the factors associated with sperm parameter abnormalities. Methods: This retrospective study analysed 1000 sperm samples over an 11-year period, from January 2010 to December 2021. Results: The average age was 37.52 ± 8.66 years. Surgical history of varicocele and teratozoospermia were associated (p-value = 0.0001). Candida albicans was associated with a 2.27-fold risk of necrozoospermia and a 3.14-fold risk of oligozoospermia. The link between the reason for requesting a spermogram and the age range between 38 and 47 was significant (p-value Conclusion: Today, lifestyle and environmental pollution play a major role in sperm parameter abnormalities.
基金funded by the National Basic Research Program of China(2022YFD1302200,2023YFF1000904,2023ZD0404303 and 2021YFD1200301)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32072806,32372970 and 32002246)+2 种基金the Program of Shaanxi Province Science and Technology Innovation Team,China(2019TD-036)the Key Technologies Demonstration of Animal Husbandry in Shaanxi Province,China(20221086 and 20230978)the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Open Competition Project,China(2022JBGS0025).
文摘Pluripotent stem cells(PSCs)are useful for developmental and translational research because they have the potential to differentiate into all cell types of an adult individual.Pigs are one of the most important domestic ungulates,commonly used for food and as bioreactors.Generating stable pluripotent porcine PSC lines remains challenging.So far,the pluripotency gene network of porcine PSCs is poorly understood.Here we found that TBX3-derived induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)closely resemble porcine 4-cell embryos with the capacity of totipotent-like stem cells(TLSCs).Interestingly,our data suggest that TBX3 facilitates the activation of H3K4me3 methyltransferase,specifically MLL1.Subsequent investigations revealed that the porcine 4-cell specific gene,MCL1,is a key downstream effector of the TBX3-MLL1 axis.Together,our study of the TBX3 regulatory network is helpful in the understanding of the totipotency characteristics of pigs.
文摘High levels of sperm DNA fragmentation(SDF)are associated with reduced assisted reproductive technology(ART)outcomes.Currently,SDF is not included in routine clinical assessment of male partners of infertile couples,but the 6th edition of the World Health Organization(WHO)manual for semen analysis included the SDF assessment in the chapter on extended semen examinations.
文摘There has been a growing interest over the past few years in the impact of male nutrition on fertility. Infertility has been linked to male overweight or obesity, and conventional semen parameter values seem to be altered in case of high body mass index （BMI）. A few studies assessing the impact of BMI on sperm DNA integrity have been published, but they did not lead to a strong consensus. Our objective was to explore further the relationship between sperm DNA integrity and BMI, through a 3-year multicentre study. Three hundred and thirty male partners in subfertile couples were included. Using the terminal uridine nick-end labelling （TUNEL） assay, we observed an increased rate of sDerm DNA damage in obese men （odds ratio （95% confidence interval）： 2.5 （1.2-5.1））.
基金Acknowledgment This study was supported by the ＂973＂ project （No. 2006CB504001）, the Major Research Plan （No. 2006CB944001）, the CAS Innovation Project （KSCA2- YW-R-55）, the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 3061800530230190 30600311）, and the Beijing Natural Science Foundation （No. 5073032）.
文摘Aim： To examine the possible effect of heat treatment on expression of heat shock proteins （Hsps） 105, 70, and 60 in primary monkey Sertoli cells and to evaluate the possible signal pathways. Methods： Western blot analysis, realtime polymerase chain reaction （PCR）, and confocal immunohistochemistry were used to analyze mRNA and protein levels of the Hsps in response to 43~C treatment of Sertoli cells isolated from pubertal monkey testes. Results： Staining with Hoechst 33342 indicated Sertoli cells did not undergo apoptosis after heat treatment. Hspl05 was expressed in cytoplasm of untreated Sertoli cells. Both Hspl05 mRNA and protein levels were increased approximately 20-fold compared to those of the untreated controls at 12 h after heat treatment. Untreated Sertoli cells did not express Hsp70, but heat stress induced its expression in the cell cytoplasm. The time-course of changes in Hsp70 was similar to that of Hsp105. In contrast to Hsp105 and Hsp70, the change in Hsp60 expression was much less obvious. The protein level between 12 h and 48 h after heat treatment was only approximately 1.5-fold that of the untreated control. Extracellular regulated kinase （ERK） 1/2 inhibitor （U0126） or phosphoinositide kinase-3 （PI3K） inhibitor （LY294002） could partially block the response of Hspl05 and Hsp70 induced by heat treatment. Conclusion： These results indicate that the heat-induced expression of the three types of Hsp in monkey Sertoli cells might be regulated by ERK and/or PI3K signal pathways, but the profile of their expression is different, suggesting that they might have different regulatory functions in Sertoli cells.
文摘Dear Editor, It is now well known that somatic cells can be efficiently reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells （iPSCs） by forced expression of defined factors [1- 3]. These cells, like embryonic stem cells （ESCs）, have true pluripotency as shown by the live, fertile mice that can be generated through the tetraploid complementation assay using these iPSCs [4, 5]. So far, iPSCs have been generated from many species including mice, primate,
