Spermatogonial behavior in marmoset: a new generation, their kinetics and niche
AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONCould a more detailed evaluation of marmoset spermatogonial morphology, kinetics and niches using high-resolution light microscopy (HRLM) lead to new findings?SUMMARY ANSWERThree subtypes of marmoset undifferentiated spermatogonia, which were not evenly distributed in terms of number and position along the basal membrane, and an extra premeiotic cell division not present in humans were identified using HRLM.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYThe seminiferous epithelium cycle (SEC) of marmosets is divided into nine stages when based on the acrosome system, and several spermatogenic stages can usually be recognized w...
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - April 11, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Presence of aggregates of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in MII oocytes affects oocyte competence: molecular-based evidence
This study included 28 women, aged<38 years, without any ovarian pathology, and undergoing IVF treatment. Supernumerary MII oocytes with no sign of morphological alterations as well as SERa+ oocytes were donated after written informed consent. A total of 31 oocytes without SERa (SERa −) and 24 SERa+ oocytes were analyzed.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSPools of 8 –10 oocytes for both group were prepared. Total RNA was extracted from each pool, amplified, labeled and hybridized on oligonucleotide microarrays. Analyses were performed by R software using the limma package.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEThe ...
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - April 9, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Critical role of mTOR, PPAR γ and PPARδ signaling in regulating early pregnancy decidual function, embryo viability and feto-placental growth
AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONWhat are the consequences of inhibiting mTOR, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR γ) and PPARδ pathways in the early post-implantation period on decidual function, embryo viability and feto-placental growth in the rat?SUMMARY ANSWERmTOR inhibition from Days 7 to 9 of pregnancy in rats caused decidual PPAR γ and PPARδ upregulation on Day 9 of pregnancy and resulted in embryo resorption by Day 14 of pregnancy. PPARγ and PPARδ inhibition differentially affected decidual mTOR signaling and levels of target proteins relevant to li...
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - April 2, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
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(Source: Molecular Human Reproduction)
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - April 2, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Corrigendum: Is 8% O2 more normoxic than 21% O2 for long-term in vitro cultures of human primary term cytotrophoblasts?
(Source: Molecular Human Reproduction)
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - March 30, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Not every sperm is sacred; a perspective on male infertility
This article is a personal perspective on male infertility, a condition that is not only extremely prevalent but also a major reason for couples to resort to ART. The introduction of ICSI as a form of facilitated fertilization had a revolutionary impact on our capacity to treat cases of male infertility associated with severely compromised semen quality. However, the widespread use of this technique is also thought to pose risks in terms of the incidence of miscarriage, the health and wellbeing of the offspring and perpetuation of the infertile phenotype into future generations. Furthermore, the advent of ICSI curtailed in...
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - March 13, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Advanced glycation end products alter steroidogenic gene expression by granulosa cells: an effect partially reversible by vitamin D
This study used luteinized GCs that were collected from women who received gonadotropins thus the results obtained may not fully extrapolate to non-luteinized GCsin vivo.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGSThis study suggests that there is a relationship between AGEs and their receptors (RAGE and sRAGE) with vitamin D. Understanding the interaction between AGEs and vitamin D in ovarian physiology could lead to a more targeted therapy for the treatment of ovarian dysfunction.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)Funding was received from NIH (R01 NS045940), American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc....
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - March 12, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
In vitro formation of the blood –testis barrier during long-term organotypic culture of human prepubertal tissue: comparison with a large cohort of pre/peripubertal boys
AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONHow does the formation of the blood –testis barrier (BTB), as reflected by the expression of connexin 43 and claudin 11 proteins during the pubertal transition period, take placein vitro compared to samples from a large cohort of pre/peripubertal boys?SUMMARY ANSWERThe BTB connexin 43 and claudin 11 expression patterns appeared to be partially achieved in organotypic culture when compared to that in samples from 71 pre/peripubertal patients.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYAlthough alterations in the protein expression patterns of the BTB, whose main components are connexin 43 and claudin 11, are known to be as...
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - March 12, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Is 8% O2 more normoxic than 21% O2 for long-term in vitro cultures of human primary term cytotrophoblasts?
AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONIs 8% O2 a better percentage of atmospheric oxygen for long-term cultures of human primary term cytotrophoblasts than the conventional 21% O2 traditionally used in cell culture?SUMMARY ANSWERHuman primary term cytotrophoblasts are able to differentiate into syncytiotrophoblasts under both atmospheric oxygen levels.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYCell culture is traditionally done under 21% O2, which is equal to a pO2 of ~160 mm Hg. Based on the pO2 measured after instauration of the blood circulation within the placenta, it has been proposed that cytotrophoblasts culture should be under 8% O2, which is equivalen...
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - March 9, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Characterization of migratory primordial germ cells in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros of a 4.5-week-old human embryo: a toolbox to evaluate in vitro early gametogenesis
AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONWhich set of antibodies can be used to identify migratory and early post-migratory human primordial germ cells (hPGCs)?STUDY FINDINGWe validated the specificity of 33 antibodies for 31 markers, including POU5F1, NANOG, PRDM1 and TFAP2C as specific markers of hPGCs at 4.5 weeks of development of Carnegie stage (CS12 –13), whereas KIT and SOX17 also marked the intra-aortic hematopoietic stem cell cluster in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM).WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYThe dynamics of gene expression during germ cell development in mice is well characterized and this knowledge has proved crucial to allow the ...
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - March 8, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Mimicking physiological O2 tension in the female reproductive tract improves assisted reproduction outcomes in pig
This study was conducted in pigs. We measured oviductal and uterine O2 tension (n = 29 and 13, respectively) and then examined how the use of the physiological values in pig IVF and EC affected pig ART output (n = 1447 oocytes).PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSThe oviductal and uterine O2 tension at the different stages of the estrous cycle was monitored using a laparo-endoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) assisted approach along with a flexible and thin miniaturized luminescent probe. Two groups of pigs, Large-white × Landrace breed, were used: for the first group, 16 pre-pubertal gilts (5 months old and 95 kg) we...
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - February 27, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
The role of the reprogramming method and pluripotency state in gamete differentiation from patient-specific human pluripotent stem cells
AbstractThe derivation of gametes from patient-specific pluripotent stem cells may provide new perspectives for genetic parenthood for patients currently facing sterility. We use current data to assess the gamete differentiation potential of patient-specific pluripotent stem cells and to determine which reprogramming strategy holds the greatest promise for future clinical applications. First, we compare the two best established somatic cell reprogramming strategies: the production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and somatic cell nuclear transfer followed by embryonic stem cell derivation (SCNT-ESC). Recent reports...
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - February 19, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
A germline-specific role for the mTORC2 component Rictor in maintaining spermatogonial differentiation and intercellular adhesion in mouse testis
This study was supported by National Key R&D Program of China (2016YFA0500902), National Natural Science Foundation of China (31471228 and 31771653), Jiangsu Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars (BK20150047), and Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20140897, 14KJA180005 and 14KJB310004) to K.Z. The authors declare no competing or financial interests. (Source: Molecular Human Reproduction)
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - February 9, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Both in vivo FSH depletion and follicular exposure to Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues in vitro are not effective to prevent follicular depletion during chemotherapy in mice
AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONDoes fertility preservation using gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues during chemotherapy act through a direct effect on the ovary or through inhibition of FSH secretion?SUMMARY ANSWERThe absence of FSHin vivo and the direct exposition of ovarian follicles to GnRH analoguesin vitro did not prevent chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYThe potential mechanisms of action of GnRH analogues in protecting ovaries against chemotherapy damage remain poorly understood. We previously showed that GnRH analogues have a limited inhibitory effect on gonadotropin secretion and follic...
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - February 9, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Leydig cell dysfunction is associated with post-transcriptional deregulation of CYP17A1 in men with Sertoli cell-only syndrome
AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONIs the expression of steroidogenic enzyme 17 α-Hydroxylase/17,20-Lyase (CYP17A1) down-regulated in Leydig cells (LCs) of men with spermatogenic failure and compensated impairment of LC function, i.e. a low testosterone to LH (T/LH) ratio?SUMMARY ANSWERAlthough the transcriptional expression ofCYP17A1 is increased, its protein expression is decreased, in isolated LCs of men with spermatogenic failure and reduced serum T/LH.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYPrimary spermatogenic defects have been associated with functional and morphological abnormalities of LCs, characterized by decreased serum testosterone (T) lev...
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - February 9, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
