Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alexandria P. Snider, Renata S. Gomes, Adam F. Summers, Sarah C. Tenley, Mohamed A. Abedal-Majed, Renee M. Mcfee, Jennifer R. Wood, John S. Davis, Andrea S. Cupp
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between circulating and follicular fluid lipids and cytokines during the estrous cycle and after follicular stimulation. Specific markers for normal follicle maturation were identified.
Article
Cell Biology
Huage Liu, Dan Zhou, Cong Liu, Qingrui Zhuan, Yan Luo, Xianhong Mo, Xiangwei Fu, Yunpeng Hou
Summary: The study showed that the Calcium-Sensing Receptor (CASR) plays a role in FSH-stimulated porcine cumulus expansion, with CASR agonist promoting cumulus expansion and CASR inhibitor inhibiting it. In addition, the CASR agonist upregulated expression of hyaluronan acid synthase 2 (HAS2), while CASR inhibitor downregulated expression of HAS2, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), and tumor necrosis factor a-induced protein 6 (TNFAIP6).
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Yanett Anaya, Hakan Cakmak, Douglas A. Mata, Joseph Letourneau, Li Zhang, Nikolaus Lenhart, Flor Juarez-Hernandez, Liza Jalalian, Marcelle I. Cedars, Mitchell Rosen
Summary: By comparing the effects of triggering with 1,500 IU of hCG plus 450 IU of FSH with the standard hCG trigger dose, it was found that the alternative trigger was noninferior in terms of oocyte competence. Women triggered with 1,500 IU of hCG plus 450 IU of FSH achieved similar success rates in in vitro fertilization as those triggered with the standard dose of hCG, but further research is still needed.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Cecilia B. Cavazzoni, Benjamin L. Hanson, Manuel A. Podesta, Elsa D. Bechu, Rachel L. Clement, Hengcheng Zhang, Joe Daccache, Tamara Reyes-Robles, Erik C. Hett, Kalpit A. Vora, Olugbeminiyi O. Fadeyi, Rob C. Oslund, Daria J. Hazuda, Peter T. Sage
Summary: This study reveals the roles of follicular helper T cells (Tfh cells) and follicular regulatory T cells (Tfr cells) in the germinal center (GC) reactions after SARS-CoV-2 spike protein vaccination. Tfh cells promote the frequency and somatic hypermutation (SHM) of Spike-specific GC B cells, while Tfr cells control SHM and clonal diversity in the GC by limiting clonal competition.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Wen Zhang, Tingting Liang, Bing Han, Rui Yang, Shuo Yang, Yan Yang, Jiajia Zhang, Xiaoying Zheng, Jie Yan, Caihong Ma, Xueling Song, Jie Qiao
Summary: Unstimulated IVM-surgery provides the opportunity for both spontaneous pregnancy and assisted reproductive technology in patients with refractory PCOS. Basal FSH and LH are significantly associated with oocyte maturation rate and blastocyst formation of unstimulated IVM-surgery.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Samantha Sperduti, Elia Paradiso, Claudia Anzivino, Clara Lazzaretti, Silvia Limoncella, Sara D'Alessandro, Neena Roy, Francesca Reggianini, Tommaso Ferrari, Beatrice Melli, Giovanni Battista La Sala, Alessia Nicoli, Jessica Daolio, Maria Teresa Villani, Simonetta Tagliavini, Tommaso Trenti, Francesco Poti, Reinhild Sandhowe, Chiara Centonze, Monica Lispi, Manuela Simoni, Livio Casarini
Summary: The addition of LH to FSH can recover the cAMP and progesterone production of sub/poor-responder women's ovarian granulosa cells. This study has important implications for personalized ART stimulation protocols.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
A. C. A. Ferreira, N. A. R. Sa, R. F. Silva, F. G. C. Sousa, J. C. Anjos, J. Cadenas, B. G. Alves, L. F. Lima, J. J. H. Celestino, M. O. Gastal, A. P. R. Rodrigues, E. L. Gastal, J. R. Figueiredo
Summary: This study compared the morphological features, estradiol production, and gene expression between in vitro-derived and in vivo-derived early antral caprine follicles. The results showed that in vitro-derived antral follicles cultured in a specific medium had comparable oocyte maturation rates to in vivo-derived early antral follicles.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Kamaria C. Cayton Vaught, Dana Hazimeh, Ashlie Sewdass Carter, Kate Devine, Jacqueline Y. Maher, Marcy Maguire, Elizabeth A. McGee, Paul H. Driggers, James H. Segars
Summary: This study found that AKAP13 may function as a scaffolding protein in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) signal transduction by interacting with CREB, leading to phosphorylation of CREB.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Naiel Azzam, Rinat Bar-Shalom, Fuad Fares
Summary: Follitropin (FSH) plays a crucial role in the reproductive process in mammals, but increased FSH activity is associated with clinical conditions such as menopausal osteoporosis. A non-glycosylated single-chain FSH variant has been engineered, which has the potential to act as a Follitropin antagonist by efficiently inhibiting FSH activity at the receptor level for future clinical applications.
Article
Fisheries
Kenji Takase, Reiko Nozaki, Akihiro Harakawa, Masaki Yokota, Ikuo Hirono, Hidehiro Kondo
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of a DNA vaccine encoding rainbow trout follicle stimulating hormone (Fsh) gene. The results showed that the induced autoantibodies were not sufficient to inhibit sex steroidogenesis in the trout.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yue Han, Xinglin Qu, Xuan Chen, Yanqiu Lv, Yuyang Zhang, Yi Jin
Summary: This study investigates the effect of porcine follicular fluid exosomes on cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation. The results suggest that porcine FF-Exo play a role in oocyte nuclear maturation but do not significantly affect cumulus expansion or mitochondrial membrane potential.
ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Fiona M. Docherty, Kent A. Riemondy, Roberto Castro-Gutierrez, JaeAnn M. Dwulet, Ali H. Shilleh, Maria S. Hansen, Shane P. M. Williams, Lucas H. Armitage, Katherine E. Santostefano, Mark A. Wallet, Clayton E. Mathews, Taylor M. Triolo, Richard K. P. Benninger, Holger A. Russ
Summary: Stem cell-derived beta-like cells can self-enrich into discreet islet-like structures in vitro, accompanied by functional maturation. The most mature cell population can be identified and sorted using the surface protein ENTPD3, providing insights for the development of mature beta cells for diabetes cell replacement therapy.
Article
Developmental Biology
V Cadoret, P. Jarrier-Gaillard, P. Papillier, D. Monniaux, F. Guerif, R. Dalbies-Tran
Summary: The cytokine LIF has a modulatory role in the development of sheep in vitro follicles, affecting granulosa cell differentiation and hormone secretion. Combined supplementation with LIF and FSH improves oocyte meiotic competence and may be worth investigating with human follicles.
MOLECULAR HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Julia Gabrys, Barbara Kij-Mitka, Sebastian Sawicki, Joanna Kochan, Agnieszka Nowak, Julianna Lojko, Elzbieta Karnas, Monika Bugno-Poniewierska
Summary: This study aims to investigate the effect of follicular fluid extracellular vesicles (ffEVs) on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of equine oocytes. The supplementation of ffEVs from small ovarian follicles was found to significantly improve the IVM rate of mare oocytes, indicating the important role of ffEVs in this process and their potential to enhance equine assisted reproductive techniques (ART) development.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mario Bunse, Janina Pfeilschifter, Julia Bluhm, Maria Zschummel, Jara J. Joedicke, Anthea Wirges, Helen Stark, Vivien Kretschmer, Markus Chmielewski, Wolfgang Uckert, Hinrich Abken, Joerg Westermann, Armin Rehm, Uta E. Hoepken
Summary: The study demonstrates that CAR-T cells targeting CXCR5 effectively inhibit tumor growth by depleting both B cells and follicular T helper cells in lymphoma models, suggesting a promising treatment strategy for nodal B-NHLs.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
H. Taga, M. P. Dallaire, R. Gervais, F. J. Richard, L. Ma, B. A. Corl, P. Y. Chouinard
Summary: The study aimed to characterize lipid raft microdomains in mammary gland tissue and investigate the effects of dietary fatty acids on lipid raft markers in mammary cells, as well as their relationships with lactation performance in dairy cows. The results indicated a positive relationship between the abundance of GM-1 and lipid raft markers in DRM fraction with milk yield, protein yield, and lactose yield.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria B. Rabaglino, Jan Bojsen-Moller Secher, Marc-Andre Sirard, Poul Hyttel, Haja N. Kadarmideen
Summary: By comparing epigenomic and transcriptomic modifications in internal organs of calves produced through in vitro embryo production (IVP) and multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET), it was found that pathways related to the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis were enriched in IVP calves. Blood epigenomic data could be used to predict methylation levels of internal organs, and potential biomarkers were identified for embryo origin prediction.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meihong Shi, Marc-Andre Sirard
Summary: The study revealed that exposure to high levels of NEFAs during in vitro maturation had detrimental impacts on gene expression and DNA methylation of early embryos in pigs, leading to decreased blastocyst rate and delayed blastocyst development.
MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Meihong Shi, Marc-Andre Sirard
Summary: In co-culture experiments with porcine granulosa cells and cumulus-oocyte complexes, it was found that granulosa cells responded to elevated NEFAs by inhibiting the transition to luteal cells, undergoing metabolic changes, anti-inflammation, mitochondrial function modulation, and anti-inflammatory factor communication with co-cultured COCs.
JOURNAL OF OVARIAN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arjoune Asma, Sirard Marc-Andre
Summary: This study found that melatonin may regulate metabolic processes during folliculogenesis by activating PKA and PKB signaling pathways, thereby slowing down follicular growth and differentiation and preventing follicular atresia and early luteinization.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simon Lafontaine, Marc-Andre Sirard
Summary: This study found that some methylation patterns in bovine oocytes are acquired in the last phase of folliculogenesis, which is important for explaining the observed hypomethylation at maternally imprinted sites in some bovine embryos.
MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amel Lounas, Ariane Lebrun, Isabelle Laflamme, Nathalie Vernoux, Julie Savage, Marie-Eve Tremblay, Marc Germain, Francois J. Richard
Summary: Bilateral cell-to-cell communication exists in the ovarian follicle between the female germ cell and the cumulus cells. This communication allows the transfer of small molecules that impact oocyte developmental competence, including pyruvate derivatives produced by mitochondria. In this study, mitochondrial morphologies in porcine cumulus cells were described using various microscopy techniques. The results showed different morphologies of mitochondria, with elongated mitochondria being the most common. Further analysis revealed complex mitochondrial morphologies, including connected clusters and branched mitochondria. Understanding the organization of the mitochondrial network in cumulus cells will contribute to the study of mitochondrial dynamics in response to different conditions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Asma Arjoune, Abrar B. B. Alsaleh, Safia A. A. Messaoudi, Hanen Chelbi, Refka Jelassi, Mourad Assidi, Taha Najar, Brahim Haddad, Marc-Andre Sirard
Summary: The aim of this research was to study the effect of MTNR1A gene polymorphisms on the reproductive performance of two Mediterranean sheep breeds. A total of 26 SNPs were found, and three SNPs caused amino acid changes. Two SNPs were totally linked and correlated with reproductive activity resumption. This study provides new knowledge for the control of sheep reproductive seasonality and farm management.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mengqi Wang, Nathalie Bissonnette, Mario Laterriere, Pier-Luc Dudemaine, David Gagne, Jean-Philippe Roy, Marc -Andre Sirard, Eveline M. Ibeagha-Awemu
Summary: "Study on the genetic changes caused by Staphylococcus aureus in mastitis" used deep RNA sequencing technology to study the transcriptomes of milk somatic cells from 15 cows with persistent S. aureus infection and 10 healthy control cows. It revealed 4,077 differentially expressed genes that play important roles in immune response and disease processes, and provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of S. aureus mastitis.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Simon Lafontaine, Remi Labrecque, Patrick Blondin, Roger I. Cue, Marc-Andre Sirard
Summary: The use of assisted-reproduction technologies, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), is increasing in dairy cattle. However, the long-term consequences of IVF on metabolism, growth, and fertility have not been directly addressed. This study compared the performance and fertility of dairy cows conceived by IVF, artificial insemination (AI), and multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET), and found that while IVF and MOET cows outperformed AI cows in certain aspects, there were no significant differences in milk production across the first 3 lactations when accounting for genetic potential.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Ying Zhang, Camila Bruna de Lima, Remi Labrecque, Marc Andre Sirard
Summary: This study identified DNA methylation biomarkers associated with bull fertility using whole-genome enzymatic methyl sequencing. The study found that most differentially methylated cytosines and regions were located on the X and Y chromosomes, indicating the importance of sex chromosomes in bull fertility. Functional analysis revealed the involvement of genes related to the beta-defensin family, zinc finger protein family, and olfactory and taste receptors in bull fertility. The findings could enhance genetic evaluation methods and improve the selection of high-quality bulls in the future.
Review
Developmental Biology
Camila Bruna de Lima, Erika Cristina dos Santos, Marc-Andre Sirard
Summary: This review discusses advances in the knowledge of epigenetic mechanisms regulating mitochondrial DNA and its relationship with reproductive biology. Mitochondria play a key role in cellular functions beyond ATP production, and their communication with the nucleus is crucial for cell homeostasis. Mitochondrial dysfunction can affect oocyte quality and embryo development, with long-lasting consequences. The role of mitochondrial epigenetics, also known as 'mitoepigenetics', in reproductive biology and preimplantation development, specifically mtDNA methylation, is still largely unknown and controversial. Understanding mitoepigenetics regulation will provide insights into mitochondrial dysfunction and potentially aid in reproductive technologies and preventing metabolic-related disorders.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Camila Bruna de Lima, Helene Martin, Marcella Pecora Milazzotto, Marc-Andre Sirard
Summary: This study characterized the methylation profile of mtDNA during early bovine embryo development and found variations in methylation levels at different stages. Higher methylation levels were observed at the 4-cell and 16-cell stages, as well as in specific gene regions (ND6, CYTB, and tRNA-Phe). There was also an inverse correlation between methylation levels and the quantity of transcripts for these regions, suggesting a regulatory role of methylation in mtDNA transcription during embryonic development.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mengqi Wang, Nathalie Bissonnette, Mario Laterriere, David Gagne, Pier-Luc Dudemaine, Jean-Philippe Roy, Marc-Andre Sirard, Eveline M. Ibeagha-Awemu
Summary: This study found potential DNA methylation changes in subclinical mastitis caused by coagulase-negative staphylococcus. Abundant DNA methylation changes related to mastitis were identified, which were associated with immune functions and could potentially serve as biomarkers for mammary gland health and production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Zhang, Clement Plessis, Julien Prunier, Helene Martin, Remi Labrecque, Marc Andre Sirard
Summary: The current decline in dairy cattle fertility has caused significant financial losses for farmers. Previous efforts to improve fertility have focused on management and genetics, while this study explores the role of epigenetics. Through enzymatic methylation sequencing, the study finds methylation differences in certain genes related to germ cell formation and development, particularly on the X chromosome. These findings have implications for selecting superior bulls and understanding paternal epigenetic inheritance.