Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Shunshun Han, Jianping Wang, Can Cui, Chunlin Yu, Yao Zhang, Diyan Li, Menggen Ma, Huarui Du, Xiaosong Jiang, Qing Zhu, Chaowu Yang, Huadong Yin
Summary: This study explores the regulatory molecular mechanisms of follicular atresia in chickens and reveals the role of autophagy and apoptosis in this process. It also highlights the importance of fibromodulin in regulating autophagy and provides insights into broodiness and poultry production improvement.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jinbi Zhang, Xinxin Qin, Caixia Wang, Yuge Zhang, Yizhe Dou, Shiyong Xu, Jingge Liu, Zengxiang Pan
Summary: This study used high-throughput RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes in granulosa cells from healthy and early atretic ovarian follicles in pigs. GO analysis highlighted hormone metabolism, plasma membrane localization, and transporter activity, while pathway analysis revealed the involvement of steroidogenesis, cell adhesion molecules, and TGF-beta signaling pathways in atresia.
ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Malgorzata J. McEvoy, Emilia Sinderewicz, Leo Creedon, Marion McAfee, Agnieszka W. Jonczyk, Katarzyna K. Piotrowska-Tomala, Dariusz J. Skarzynski
Summary: This study investigates newly discovered mechanisms of atresia and cell death processes in bovine ovarian follicles, finding that necroptosis is an alternative mechanism responsible for the death of bovine granulosa and theca cells. Analysis of mRNA expression of RIPK1 and RIPK3 supports this conclusion, highlighting the importance of both apoptosis and necroptosis in follicular cell death.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tatsuto Kageyama, Jieun Seo, Lei Yan, Junji Fukuda
Summary: This study reveals the positive effects of oxytocin on hair follicles, which may assist in the development of new treatments for alopecia.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Feng Yang, Qiang Liu, Yanhong Chen, Huizhen Ye, Han Wang, Shenming Zeng
Summary: The study conducted quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses on ovarian follicular atresia in porcine, identifying potential biomarkers and pathways involved in the process. The findings suggest novel explanations for the regulation of follicular atresia by analyzing dynamic changes in protein expression and phosphorylation.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Bi Yu-lin, Yang Shu-yan, Wang Hai-yan, Chang Guo-bin, Chen Guo-hong
Summary: This study confirmed the expression of the FSH gene in chicken follicles and its role in promoting ovarian granulosa cell proliferation, enriching the theory on the HPG axis.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AGRICULTURE
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Kenji Vann, Adelaide E. Weidner, Ariana C. Walczyk, Olga Astapova
Summary: Granulosa cell-specific knockout of adaptor protein paxillin in mice increases fecundity and may reduce granulosa cell death. Knockout of paxillin in granulosa cells leads to increased fertility in older reproductive age mice, which is not due to increased numbers of estrous cycles, ovulated oocytes per cycle, or pups per litter, but rather shorter time to pregnancy and increased number of litters.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yang Yang, Guohao Wang, Yaya Li, Jiabao Hu, Yajun Wang, Zhen Tao
Summary: This study provides detailed cellular morphology of follicular atresia in silver pomfret and identifies stage-specific genes using high-throughput RNA sequencing. The downregulation of genes in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction suggests that somatic cells may directly induce follicle atresia. The study also reveals the involvement of immune cells in the process of follicle atresia.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Yanqin Gong, Dandan Li, Yi Sun, Li Kang, Yunliang Jiang
Summary: This study reveals the important role of Noggin4 in chicken follicle development, particularly in the proliferation of granulosa cells.
Article
Reproductive Biology
P. H. Santos, S. G. Nunes, F. F. Franchi, A. B. Giroto, P. K. Fontes, V. G. Pinheiro, A. C. S. Castilho
Summary: This study investigated the relative mRNA abundance of bta-miR-222 and its target gene LHCGR in granulosa cells (GCs) from bovine follicles. The results showed higher expression of LHCGR in dominant follicles (DF) compared to subordinate follicles (SF), while the expression of bta-miR-222 was lower in DF. Furthermore, treatment with both FSH and insulin in cultured GCs resulted in increased LHCGR abundance and decreased bta-miR-222 abundance. These findings suggest the inverse relationship between LHCGR upregulation and bta-miR-222 expression, and the involvement of FSH in bta-miR-222 suppression in healthy bovine GCs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiaqi Zhou, Lin Lin, Han Cai, Longping Liu, Huarong Wang, Jingwen Zhang, Guoliang Xia, Jianbin Wang, Fengchao Wang, Chao Wang
Summary: This study investigated the role of transcription factor Sp1 in regulating the primordial to primary follicle transition (PPT) in the ovary. Depletion of Sp1 in granulosa cells (GCs) extended mice fertility and reduced PPT, resulting in the preservation of more primordial follicles. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis showed a downregulation of cholesterol metabolism in GC- Sp1 (-/-) mice. Furthermore, promoting PPT by overexpressing ferredoxin-1 (FDX1), a key gene in cholesterol metabolism, or supplementing cholesterol in cultured fetal ovaries.
Article
Developmental Biology
E. R. Frost, E. A. Ford, G. Taylor, S. Boeing, E. L. Beckett, S. D. Roman, R. Lovell-Badge, E. A. McLaughlin, J. M. Sutherland
Summary: The need for investigations has driven the development of ovarian cell dissociation techniques, including two methods suitable for different developmental stages of ovarian samples. These methods provide important tools for the study of folliculogenesis and mouse ovarian development.
MOLECULAR HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
G. D. Catandi, D. R. Bresnahan, S. O. Peters, K. J. Fresa, L. J. Maclellan, C. D. Broeckling, E. M. Carnevale
Summary: Many age-related changes in metabolite abundance suggest impaired mitochondrial metabolic function and oxidative stress in oocytes and follicular cells. The results also indicate impaired transfer of carbohydrate and free fatty acid substrates from cumulus cells to the oocytes of old mares, potentially related to disruption of transzonal projections between the cell types. The identification of age-associated alterations in the abundance of specific metabolites and their correlations among cells contribute to our understanding of follicular dysfunction with maternal aging.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Conghao Zhong, Zhansheng Liu, Dandan Li, Li Kang, Yunliang Jiang
Summary: Follicle selection is a crucial process for chicken laying performance and fecundity. In this study, the impacts of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on chicken granulosa cells were investigated through ONT transcriptome sequencing. FSH treatment upregulated the expression of several genes related to steroid biosynthesis and pathways associated with ovarian steroidogenesis. Specifically, TRAF7 was identified as a key regulator in promoting the expression of steroidogenic enzymes and granulosa cell proliferation. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanism of follicle selection in chickens.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Manman Shen, Mingzhu Wang, Dehui Li, Yuan Feng, Liang Qu, Jinyu Wang
Summary: The study identified miRNAs associated with follicular development in chickens through small RNA sequencing of granulosa cells, and analyzed their target genes and their relationships with signaling pathways, providing basic data and a new theoretical foundation for further research on the role of miRNAs in follicular development in chickens.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leonie Morin-Dore, Patrick Blondin, Christian Vigneault, Francois-Xavier Grand, Remi Labrecque, Marc-Andre Sirard
MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
(2020)
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
Reproductive Biology
Patricia G. Tremblay, Chloe Fortin, Marc-Andre Sirard
Summary: Maternal metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes, can negatively impact fertility and the success rates of medically assisted procreation procedures. High concentrations of fatty acids and insulin were found to have adverse effects on human granulosa cells, potentially leading to cell death and hindered differentiation processes.
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
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.