Article
Microbiology
Li Wang, Junyu Chen, Lin He, Hanbo Liu, Yan Liu, Zonghui Luan, Hong Li, Weixin Liu, Mengjun Luo
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and differences in the uterus and vaginal microbiome between women with early embryonic arrest and those with normal pregnancy using high-throughput sequencing. The results showed significant differences in Lactobacillus, Bacteroidetes, and Helicobacter in the vagina between the two groups. The study also identified specific dominant bacterial species and genera in both the vagina and uterus.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Jiali You, Wei Wang, Hsun-Ming Chang, Yuyin Yi, Hongjin Zhao, Hua Zhu, Yu Sun, Minyue Tang, Chunyan Wang, Yimiao Sang, Guofang Feng, Shaobing Cheng, Peter C. K. Leung, Yi-Min Zhu
Summary: Embryo implantation and trophoblast invasion are critical for establishing pregnancy, with BMP2 playing a significant role in regulating these processes by influencing gene expression and promoting the development and invasion of embryo and trophoblast cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Alexandra Y. Shalaeva, Roman P. Kostyuchenko, Vitaly V. Kozin
Summary: Epimorphic regeneration of lost body segments is a common phenomenon in annelids, with fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling playing a critical role in the process. The activation of FGF ligands and receptors occurs early in the regeneration process, influencing the induction of blastemal cells. The FGF signaling pathway is essential for the regenerative response and may have ancestral roots in bilaterians.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Ekaterina Isaac, Peter L. Pfeffer
Summary: A novel extended culture medium for cattle embryos was developed, allowing growth until embryonic day 12. The inclusion of specific growth factors and additives significantly improved culture success, with Artemin and BMP4 providing the greatest benefit. Replacement of ITSX with B27 led to the most successful embryo culture.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jing Zhu, Zhenyao Li, Fengli Yin, Xiaoting Yu, Yuanfan Lu, Tong Zhou, Fanghua Gong, Zhangye Xu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) on thin endometrium. The results showed that FGF1 could improve the morphology and histology of thin endometrium, reduce fibrosis, restore endometrial functions, promote cell proliferation and angiogenesis, and treat thin endometrium through autophagy mechanism.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xu Zhou, Ruth A. Franklin, Miri Adler, Trevor S. Carter, Emily Condiff, Taylor S. Adams, Scott D. Pope, Naomi H. Philip, Matthew L. Meizlish, Naftali Kaminski, Ruslan Medzhitov
Summary: This article reports on the mechanisms controlling the population numbers of different cell types in animal tissues. The study shows that fibroblasts are limited in proliferation due to space availability, while macrophages are constrained by growth factor availability. The transcriptional coactivator YAP1 in fibroblasts directly regulates the expression of the macrophage-specific growth factor Csf1. The findings suggest that tissue environment sensing is a general strategy for controlling tissue composition.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Developmental Biology
Shavahn Loux, Morgane Robles, Pascale Chavatte-Palmer, Amanda de Mestre
Summary: This review analyzed key gene families relevant to placentation in horse by combining publicly available transcriptomic data sets and previous knowledge. Several genes enriched in placental tissues were identified, which are potential candidates for functional studies.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Decio Roberto Kamio Teshima, Pedro Paulo Pereira, Rossana Pulcineli Vieira Francisco, Matheus Abelo De Oliveira, Regina Schulz, Leila Antonangelo, Fabio Roberto Cabar
Summary: This study aimed to assess the correlation between VEGF tissue expression and the depth of trophoblastic infiltration into the tubal wall in patients with ampullary pregnancy. The results showed that there was no significant association between the depth of trophoblastic penetration and tissue VEGF expression.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Davoud Jafari-Gharabaghlou, Mostafa Vaghari-Tabari, Hajar Oghbaei, Laura Lotz, Reza Zarezadeh, Yeganeh Rastgar Rezaei, Mahnaz Ranjkesh, Mohammad Nouri, Amir Fattahi, Saba Nikanfar, Ralf Dittrich
Summary: This review highlights the role of various adipokines in embryo-maternal interactions, endometrial receptivity, and embryo implantation, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms.
ENDOCRINE CONNECTIONS
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Ugur Topaloglu, Muzaffer Aydin Ketani
Summary: Homeobox proteins are found to play critical roles in regulating uterine and placental physiology in cows, with varying immunoreactivity observed in different trimesters of gestation. These proteins may be involved in the regulation of endometrial functions and the proliferation and differentiation of endometrial and placental cells in cows.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joanna Szuszkiewicz, Kamil Myszczynski, Zaneta P. Reliszko, Yael Heifetz, Monika M. Kaczmarek
Summary: Research has shown that during early pregnancy, communication between the embryo and uterus occurs through the exchange of extracellular vesicles carrying miRNAs. These vesicles impact embryonic development and trophoblast cell function and interactions, playing a crucial role in successful embryo implantation and pregnancy.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bai-Mei Zhuang, Dan-Dan Cao, Tian-Xi Li, Xiao-Feng Liu, Min-Min Lyu, Si-Dong Wang, Xin-Yuan Cui, Li Wang, Xiao-Lin Chen, Xiao-Li Lin, Cheuk-Lun Lee, Philip C. N. Chiu, William S. B. Yeung, Yuan-Qing Yao
Summary: Our study provides a single-cell atlas for trophoblast organoids (TOs) and explores their applications in extravillous trophoblast (EVT) differentiation and communication with decidual natural killer (dNK) cells. We identified multiple distinct trophoblast states and dNK subpopulations, and found a close resemblance between TO/EVT-TO and human placenta. Transcription factors were found to be essential for controlling EVT differentiation, and ligand-receptor complexes related to cytokines, immunomodulation, and angiogenesis were predicted in dNK-EVT-TO co-cultures. Furthermore, we found that dNK cells can exert effects on EVT causing functionally important expression changes.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hongqi Zhang, Gang Xiang, Jiong Li, Sihan He, Yunjia Wang, Ang Deng, Yuxiang Wang, Chaofeng Guo, Xiuyuan Hao
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between congenital scoliosis (CS) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). The results showed that CS patients had increased FGF23 mRNA levels in the peripheral blood and decreased bone mineral density. Additionally, FGF23 may contribute to osteopenia in CS patients through the FGFr3/TNAP/OPN pathway.
CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hongqi Zhang, Gang Xiang, Jiong Li, Sihan He, Yunjia Wang, Ang Deng, Yuxiang Wang, Chaofeng Guo
Summary: The study investigates the relationship between congenital scoliosis (CS) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). The results show that CS patients have increased peripheral blood FGF23 mRNA levels and decreased bone mineral density, suggesting that FGF23 may contribute to osteopenia in CS patients through the FGFr3/TNAP/OPN pathway.
CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Katarzyna Buska-Mach, Anna Ewa Kedzierska, Adam Lepczynski, Agnieszka Herosimczyk, Malgorzata Ozgo, Pawel Karpinski, Agnieszka Gomulkiewicz, Daria Lorek, Anna Slawek, Piotr Dziegiel, Anna Chelmonska-Soyta
Summary: This study demonstrated that pregnant female mice can distinguish between embryos of normal and impaired biological quality before implantation, showing differential gene expression in signal transduction pathways and differential protein expression in splenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yao Xiao, Froylan Sosa, Lesley R. de Armas, Li Pan, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: Gene expression analysis in preimplantation embryos using a direct synthesis and specific-target pre-amplification method showed reliable results for sexing and other gene expression studies. Calibration curve analysis of PCR results validated 93.75% of genes tested, demonstrating the method's robustness. The study also showed that within-assay variation increased when cycle threshold values exceeded 18, indicating limitations in sensitivity at higher levels of gene expression.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Reproductive Biology
Peter J. Hansen, Marc-Antoine Driancourt
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eliab Estrada-Cortes, William Ortiz, Maria B. Rabaglino, Jeremy Block, Owen Rae, Elizabeth A. Jannaman, Yao Xiao, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: Provision of the methyl-donor choline to preimplantation embryos can alter their developmental program to increase gestation length, birth weight, and weaning weight, and cause postnatal changes in muscle DNA methylation associated with genes related to anabolic processes and cellular growth, highlighting the importance of embryo nutritional status for health and well-being after birth.
Article
Developmental Biology
Viju Vijayan Pillai, Tiffany G. Kei, Shailesh Gurung, Moubani Das, Luiz G. B. Siqueira, Soon Hon Cheong, Peter J. Hansen, Vimal Selvaraj
Summary: TGF beta 1 plays a crucial role in the differentiation of trophoblast cells, and inhibition of RhoA/Rock promotes self-renewal and proliferation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thiago F. Amaral, Joao Gabriel Viana de Grazia, Luany Alves Galvao Martinhao, Felipe De Col, Luiz Gustavo B. Siqueira, Joao Henrique M. Viana, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: The study aimed to optimize in vitro embryo production in cattle. The results showed that the proportion of embryos becoming blastocysts in culture was influenced by the type of serum in the medium and the addition of specific embryokines. The sire also had a significant effect on embryonic development and pregnancy rate.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
L. M. Jensen, E. A. Jannaman, J. E. Pryce, A. De Vries, P. J. Hansen
Summary: Heat stress has negative consequences for milk production and reproduction of dairy cattle, and there is genetic variation among cows in their ability to resist these effects. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Australian breeding value for heat tolerance (ABVHT) in predicting cow differences in the effects of heat stress on body temperature regulation, milk production, and reproductive function.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Erly Luisana Carrascal-Triana, Adriana Moreira Zolini, Antonio Ruiz de King, Jurandy Mauro Penitente-Filho, Peter J. Hansen, Ciro Alexandre Alves Torres, Jeremy Block
Summary: This study investigated the effects of supplementation with ascorbate, dithiothreitol (DTT) or caspase-3 inhibitor (z-DEVD-fmk) on the post-thaw survival of in vitro-produced bovine embryos. The results showed that the addition of 0.1 mM ascorbate to the freezing medium improved re-expansion rates and hatching rate of the embryos, while reducing intracellular ROS levels and DNA fragmentation.
REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Froylan Sosa, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: The study found that CSF2 can protect the developmental competence of bovine embryos under heat shock, especially at the zygote and two-cell stages.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Belen Rabaglino, Dessie Salilew-Wondim, Adriana Zolini, Dawit Tesfaye, Michael Hoelker, Pat Lonergan, Peter J. J. Hansen
Summary: This study developed a gene signature model to predict embryonic competence for survival by integrating transcriptomic data from blastocysts and elongating conceptuses. The potential biomarkers were validated with independent embryonic data sets using machine-learning algorithms. The results showed that the predictions of embryonic development fate based on these biomarkers were highly accurate.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Camila J. Cuellar, Muhammad Saleem, L. M. Jensen, P. J. Hansen
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between the ability of cattle to regulate body temperature during heat stress and their milk production capacity, as well as the impact of genetic groups on the seasonal depression in milk yield. The findings suggest that Brown Swiss and crossbred cows have better body temperature regulation during heat stress compared to Holsteins, but they are not more resistant to heat stress in terms of milk yield. Therefore, genetic differences in thermotolerance may exist independently of regulation of body temperature.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Froylan Sosa, Kyungjun Uh, Jessica N. Drum, Katy S. Stoecklein, Kimberly M. Davenport, M. Sofia Ortega, Kiho Lee, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: This study investigates the role of CSF2RA in the development of bovine embryos. The results show that inactivation of CSF2RA leads to lower development rates of embryos to the blastocyst stage and changes in gene expression. The CSF2 signaling pathway enhances the likelihood of blastocyst formation and affects functions such as cell signaling and glycosylation.
REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Quinn A. Hoorn, Maria Belen Rabaglino, Tatiane S. Maia, Masroor Sagheer, Dailin Fuego, Zongliang Jiang, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: The study characterizes the expression of genes encoding cell signaling ligands in bovine endosalpinx and endometrium and analyzes spatial changes in gene expression. It finds that these cell signaling ligands may influence early embryonic development and highlights the distinct expression profiles of the oviduct and endometrium.
PHYSIOLOGICAL GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Daniel L. Stanton, Alexander Graf, Tatiane S. Maia, Helmut Blum, Zongliang Jiang, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: It is not known when a functional circadian clock is established in the developing embryo. Lack of expression of key genes involved in the clock mechanism is indicative that a functional circadian clock mechanism is absent in the mammalian preimplantation embryo through the blastocyst stage of development.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Quinn A. Hoorn, Gabriel A. Zayas, Eduardo E. Rodriguez, Laura M. Jensen, Raluca G. Mateescu, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: This study identified QTLs and candidate SNPs associated with pregnancy outcomes in beef heifers, including a large QTL associated with a group of protocadherin genes. Confirmation of these associations with larger populations could lead to the development of genomic predictions of reproductive function in beef cattle. Moreover, additional research is warranted to study the function of candidate genes associated with QTLs.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Peter J. Hansen
Summary: Graduate education is crucial for academic scientists as it carries the responsibility of guiding students towards their career and life goals. Being a good mentor involves developing an education framework and adapting it to each student's needs based on experience, advice, and individual personality. Most importantly, mentors should be invested in the success and well-being of their students.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Haolin Li, Xiaomeng Pei, Hao Yu, Wei Wang, Dagan Mao
Summary: This study investigated the effects of APN/AdipoRon on autophagy and apoptosis in goat luteal cells, and found that autophagy and apoptosis play important roles in the structural regression of goat corpus luteum.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Yan-Qiu Wang, He-Xuan Qu, Yan-Wei Dong, Jia-Jia Qi, Hua-Kai Wei, Hao Sun, Hao Jiang, Jia-Bao Zhang, Bo-Xing Sun, Shuang Liang
Summary: This research reveals the crucial role of Ferroptosis Suppressor Protein 1 (FSP1) in regulating the development and quality of porcine early embryos. Inhibition of FSP1 impairs blastocyst formation, induces glutathione-independent ferroptosis, and leads to oxidative stress due to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Xiong Lai, Ruizhuo Liu, Mengyu Li, Yaochun Fan, Hongxia Li, Guotao Han, Ruijie Guo, Hairui Ma, Huimin Su, Wanjin Xing
Summary: This study identifies WDR54 as a protein involved in sperm-oocyte fertilization and shows that it interacts with IZUMO1 and JUNO. The formation of the JWIJ complex on the oocyte surface suggests its importance in sperm-oocyte adhesion and fusion. This discovery provides new insights into the mechanisms of mammalian sperm-oocyte adhesion and fusion.
Article
Reproductive Biology
S. Nandi, B. Sampath Kumar, P. S. P. Gupta, S. Mondal, V. Girish Kumar
Summary: This study examined the effects of plant bioactive compounds on the survival and growth parameters of ovine preantral follicles granulosa cells (GCs) and the expression of key developmental genes. The results showed that KAE, MYR and QUE had dose-dependent responses on the morphological and functional parameters of the cells, with KAE being the most potent in augmenting ovarian functions.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Francisco E. Martin-Cano, Gemma Gaitskell-Phillips, Laura Becerro-Rey, Eva da Silva, Javier Masot, Eloy Redondo, Antonio Silva-Rodriguez, Cristina Ortega-Ferrusola, Maria Cruz Gil, Fernando J. Pena
Summary: The presence of a more efficient glycolysis mechanism depending on pyruvate in stallion spermatozoa can counteract the detrimental effects of higher glucose concentrations. Incubating spermatozoa with 10 mM pyruvate in a modified Tyrode's media with 67 mM glucose showed increased motility and maintained viability. This improvement is attributed to the conversion of lactate to pyruvate and increased NAD(+) enhancing glycolysis efficiency.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Thanida Sananmuang, Denis Puthier, Catherine Nguyen, Kaj Chokeshaiusaha
Summary: Ongoing progress in mRNA-Sequencing technologies has contributed to the refinement of assisted reproductive technologies. This study utilized mRNA-Seq datasets of various mammalian species to analyze differential transcript usage (DTU) and identified ten cross-species DTU genes. Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of these genes in RNA and cell-cycle control mechanisms, suggesting their importance during oocyte maturation. Further exploration of these genes' transcript isoforms may lead to the discovery of novel markers for reproductive technologies.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Chenglei Song, Zhe Zhang, Yilin Wei, Yaqing Dou, Kunlong Qi, Xiuling Li, Feng Yang, Xinjian Li, Kejun Wang, Ruimin Qiao, Xuelei Han
Summary: In this study, the changes in protein levels in boar sperm with different liquid preservation abilities were analyzed. Key proteins related to sperm liquid preservation ability were identified. The findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of boar sperm liquid preservation ability.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Genevieve M. VanWye, Emily G. Smith, Christine Spinka, Michael F. Smith, Matthew C. Lucy, Jordan M. Thomas
Summary: A series of experiments evaluated treatment schedules for controlling the estrous cycle in beef heifers. The results showed that the duration of progestin treatment and the timing of prostaglandin administration had an impact on estrus expression and pregnancy rates.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Hongwei Duan, Shuai Yang, Longfei Xiao, Shanshan Yang, Zhenxing Yan, Fang Wang, Xiaofei Ma, Lihong Zhang, Yong Zhang, Junjie Hu, Xingxu Zhao
Summary: This study first elucidated the mechanism by which melatonin regulates progesterone secretion in the corpus luteum of sheep, namely by promoting progesterone secretion through the regulation of autophagy. This has important implications for further exploring the role of melatonin in regulating sheep ovarian function.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Zhijie Zheng, Yingfang Guo, Yonghui Zheng, Haichong Wu
Summary: This study demonstrates that miR-92b plays a protective role in LTA-induced endometritis by targeting FZD10 and reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus alleviating uterine injury.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Areeg Almubarak, Sanghoon Lee, Il-Jeoung Yu, Yubyeol Jeon
Summary: This study found that Nobiletin (NOB) can promote the cryosurvival and embryo development of porcine sperm after in vitro fertilization (IVF). The addition of NOB improves sperm motility, acrosome integrity, viability, and mitochondrial membrane potential, reduces lipid peroxidation, and increases cleavage and blastocyst formation rates. Furthermore, NOB treatment upregulates the expression of genes related to pluripotency and cell differentiation in the resulting embryos.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Yuan Li, Lishu Li, Wenjie Xiong, Xing Duan, Huaming Xi
Summary: This study investigated the cytotoxicity and toxicological mechanisms of fluorochloridone (FLC) on cultured goat Sertoli cells. The results showed that FLC exposure induced oxidative stress, promoted apoptosis and autophagy, inhibited lysosomal biogenesis, and blocked autophagic flux in goat Sertoli cells. FLC also caused mitochondrial dysfunction and disturbed mitophagy, leading to cell apoptosis. The antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) reduced FLC-induced ROS accumulation and reversed the disorder of autophagy levels.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Gabriela Ramos Leal, Thais de Almeida Oliveira, Mariana Pedrosa de Paula Guimaraes, Lucas Francisco Leodido Correia, Erlandia Marcia Vasconcelos, Joanna Maria Goncalves Souza-Fabjan
Summary: This study investigated the time course of lipid accumulation during IVM and the effects of lipid modulators on cat oocytes. The results showed that adding lipid modulators can reduce lipid content and improve viability after cryopreservation.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Isabella Rio Feltrin, Amanda Guimaraes da Silva, Cecilia Constantino Rocha, Priscila Assis Ferraz, Paola Maria da Silva Rosa, Thiago Martins, Juliano Coelho da Silveira, Milena Lopes Oliveira, Mario Binelli, Guilherme Pugliesi, Claudia Maria Bertan Membrive
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of E2 treatment on Nelore heifers on day 15 of the estrous cycle, finding that E2 promoted an increase in PGFM concentrations and accelerated functional and structural luteolysis by upregulating the expression of PGR and OXTR. This suggests that within 3 hours after E2 stimulus, the expression of these receptors is associated with triggering luteolysis in cattle.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Aline Matos Arrais, Angelo Jose Burla Dias, Claudio Luiz Melo de Souza, Alinne Gloria Curcio, Marco Roberto Bourg de Mello
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of phospholipase C (PLC) on the capacitation of cryopreserved ovine semen. The results showed that the inhibitor U73122 can prevent premature capacitation and acrosome reaction induced by the freezing procedure, without affecting the kinetics and integrity of the sperm membranes.