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| 2. |
- Abe, Y, et al.
(författare)
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Feasibility of a nylon-mesh holder for vitrification of bovine germinal vesicle oocytes in subsequent production of viable blastocysts
- 2005
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Ingår i: Biology of Reproduction. - : Society for the Study of Reproduction. - 0006-3363 .- 1529-7268. ; 72:6, s. 1416-1420
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To improve the feasibility of nylon-mesh holder for vitrification of bovine cumulus-oocytes complexes (GV-COCs) having germinal vesicle, this study was conducted to demonstrate effects of sugars and protocol of exposure in vitrification on subsequent in vitro maturation, ultrastructural changes, and in vitro development in bovine immature oocytes after cryopreservation using nylon mesh. Before vitrification, GV-COCs were exposed to the cryoprotectant, which was composed of 40% (v/v) ethylene glycol, 18% (w/v) Ficoll-70, and 0.3 M sucrose (EFS40) or 0.3 M trehalose (EFT40), either by single step or in a stepwise way. The maturation rates in the stepwise exposure with EFS40 or EFT40 were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) compared with the corresponding rates in the single step. In the stepwise exposure, few abnormalities were observed compared with the single-step exposure, where most oocytes showed a highly vacuolated cytoplasm with many ruptured mitochondria. Cleavage rates in fertilized oocytes previously exposed stepwise to EFS40 or EFT40 were significantly higher than those exposed by the single-step procedure. The cleaved embryos derived from the stepwise exposure to EFS40 developed to blastocysts. After transfer of blastocysts derived from vitrified GV oocytes, a female calf was born. These results indicate that vitrification of large numbers of bovine GV-COCs using a nylon-mesh holder accompanied with stepwise exposure minimizes structural damage in organelles, resulting in yield of viable blastocysts following in vitro embryo production.
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| 3. |
- Al-Alem, L., et al.
(författare)
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Neurotensin: A neuropeptide induced by hCG in the human and rat ovary during the periovulatory period
- 2021
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Ingår i: Biology of Reproduction. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0006-3363 .- 1529-7268. ; 104:6, s. 1337-1346
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Neurotensin (NTS) is a tridecapeptide that was first characterized as a neurotransmitter in neuronal cells. The present study examined ovarian NTS expression across the periovulatory period in the human and the rat. Women were recruited into this study and monitored by transvaginal ultrasound. The dominant follicle was surgically excised prior to the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge (preovulatory phase) or women were given 250 μg human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and dominant follicles collected 12-18 h after hCG (early ovulatory), 18-34 h (late ovulatory), and 44-70 h (postovulatory). NTS mRNA was massively induced during the early and late ovulatory stage in granulosa cells (GCs) (15 000 fold) and theca cells (700 fold). In the rat, hCG also induced Nts mRNA expression in intact ovaries and isolated GCs. In cultured granulosa-luteal cells (GLCs) from IVF patients, NTS expression was induced 6 h after hCG treatment, whereas in cultured rat GCs, NTS increased 4 h after hCG treatment. Cells treated with hCG signaling pathway inhibitors revealed that NTS expression is partially regulated in the human and rat GC by the epidermal-like growth factor pathway. Human GLC, and rat GCs also showed that Nts was regulated by the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway along with input from the phosphotidylinositol 3- kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. The predominat NTS receptor present in human and rat GCs was SORT1, whereas NTSR1 and NTSR2 expression was very low. Based on NTS actions in other systems, we speculate that NTS may regulate crucial aspects of ovulation such as vascular permeability, inflammation, and cell migration. © 2021 The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Society for the Study of Reproduction. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
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| 4. |
- Aleksejeva, E, et al.
(författare)
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Extracellular vesicle research in reproductive science: Paving the way for clinical achievements†
- 2022
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Ingår i: Biology of reproduction. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1529-7268 .- 0006-3363. ; 106:3, s. 408-424
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mammalian conception involves a multitude of reciprocal interactions via a molecular dialogue between mother and conceptus. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted membrane-encapsulated particles that mediate cell-to-cell communication in various contexts. EVs, which are present in seminal, follicular, oviductal, and endometrial fluids, as well as in embryo secretions, carry molecular constituents that impact gamete maturation, fertilization, early embryo development, and embryo–maternal communication. The distribution, concentration, and molecular cargo of EVs are regulated by steroid hormones and the health status of the tissue of origin, and thus are influenced by menstrual phase, stage of conception, and the presence of infertility-associated diseases. EVs have been recognized as a novel source of biomarkers and potential reproductive medicine therapeutics, particularly for assisted reproductive technology (ART). There are still many technological and scientific hindrances to be overcome before EVs can be used in clinical diagnostic and therapeutic ART applications. Issues to be resolved include the lack of standardized measurement protocols and an absence of absolute EV quantification technologies. Additionally, clinically suitable and robust EV isolation methods have yet to be developed. In this review, we provide an overview of EV-mediated interactions during the early stages of reproduction from gamete maturation to embryo implantation and then outline the technological progress that must be made for EV applications to be translated to clinical settings.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Brunner, Sandra, et al.
(författare)
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Overexpression of RPGR leads to male infertility in mice due to defects in flagellar assembly
- 2008
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Ingår i: Biology of Reproduction. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0006-3363 .- 1529-7268. ; 79:4, s. 608-617
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Male infertility is one possible consequence of a group of disorders arising from dysfunction of cilia. Ciliopathies include primary ciliary dyskinesia, polycystic kidney disease, Usher syndrome, nephronophthisis, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, Alstrom syndrome, and Meckel-Gruber syndrome as well as some forms of retinal degenerations. Mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator gene (RPGR) are best known for leading to retinal degeneration but have also been associated with ciliary dysfunctions affecting other tissues. To further study the involvement of RPGR in ciliopathies, transgenic mouse lines overexpressing RPGR were generated. Animals carrying the transgene in varying copy numbers were investigated. We found that infertility due to aberrant spermatozoa correlated with increased copy numbers. In animals with moderately increased gene copies of Rpgr, structural disorganization in the flagellar midpiece, outer dense fibers, and fibrous sheath was apparent. In contrast, in animals with high copy numbers, condensed sperm heads were present, but the flagellum was absent in the vast majority of spermatozoa, although early steps of flagellar biogenesis were observed. This complexity of defects in flagellar assembly suggests a role of RPGR in intraflagellar transport processes.
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| 7. |
- Carlsson, Hans-Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Purification, characterization, and biological compartmentalization of rat fetal antigen 1
- 2000
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Ingår i: Biology of Reproduction. - : Society for the Study of Reproduction. - 0006-3363 .- 1529-7268. ; 63:1, s. 30-33
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study has established the rat as an animal model for the analysis of the biological role of fetal antigen 1 (FA1), a protein previously described in humans and mice. FA1 was purified from rat amniotic fluid by immunospecific affinity chromatography. Immunochemical identity between mouse and rat FA1 was established by crossed tandem immunoelectrophoresis. Molecular size was analyzed by mass spectrometry (33 kDa). The amino acid composition was determined, and the amino acid sequence was analyzed. The overall amino acid composition and sequence of the 28 first N-terminal amino acids were identical to the corresponding parts of rat preadipocyte factor 1 and rat adrenal zone glomerulosa protein. Extensive sequence similarity was found between rat and mouse FA1 (86%) and between rat and human FA1 (82%). The concentration of FA1 in fetal serum, maternal serum, urine, and amniotic fluid in rats was determined using an ELISA. The highest concentrations were found in fetal serum and amniotic fluid around Day 18 of pregnancy. This is the first report on the physicochemical characteristics and compartmentalization of rat FA1.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Choi, Y., et al.
(författare)
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The expression of CXCR4 is induced by the luteinizing hormone surge and mediated by progesterone receptors in human preovulatory granulosa cells
- 2017
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Ingår i: Biology of Reproduction. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0006-3363 .- 1529-7268. ; 96:6, s. 1256-1266
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The chemokine CXC motif ligand 12 (CXCL12) and its cognate receptor, CXCR4, have been implicated in the ovulatory process in various animal models. However, little is known about the expression and regulation of CXCL12 and CXCR4 and their functions during the ovulatory period in the human ovary. In this study, we characterized the expression patterns of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in preovulatory follicles collected before the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and at defined hours after hCG administration in women with the regular menstrual cycle. The levels of mRNA and protein for CXCR4 were increased in granulosa cells of late ovulatory follicles, whereas CXCL12 expression was constant in follicles throughout the ovulatory period. Both CXCR4 and CXCL12 were localized to a subset of leukocytes around and inside the vasculature of human preovulatory follicles. Using a human granulosa cell culture model, the regulatory mechanisms and functions of CXCL12 and CXCR4 expression were investigated. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulated CXCR4 expression, whereas CXCL12 expression was not affected, mimicking in vivo expression patterns. Both RU486 (progesterone receptor antagonist) and CoCl2 (HIFs activator) blocked the hCG-induced increase in CXCR4 expression, whereas AG1478 (EGFR inhibitor) had no effect. The treatment with CXCL12 had no effect on granulosa cell viability but decreased hCG-stimulated CXCR4 expression. In conclusion, these results suggest that the CXCL12/CXCR4 system plays a role(s) in the LH surgeinduced follicular changes and infiltration of leukocytes in dominant follicles during the ovulatory period in humans.
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| 10. |
- Dancet, Eline A F, et al.
(författare)
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The Role of Scientists and Clinicians in Raising Public Support for Animal Research in Reproductive Biology and Medicine.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Biology of reproduction. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1529-7268 .- 0006-3363.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It is important that researchers active in reproductive animal research, as a group, clearly and compassionately convey specific information to students, patients, and the general public on the merit and need for biomedical research using various formats and seek active support from patient organizations, universities, politicians, celebrities, the media, and international professional organizations related to human and animal health.
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