Zygote最新文献

{"title":"Effect of ethanol and sperm head reducing agents on the preimplantation development of bovine embryos generated by Piezo-ICSI.","authors":"Víctor Gallardo, Luis Aguila, María Elena Arias, Ricardo Felmer","doi":"10.1017/S096719942510021X","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S096719942510021X","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a widely used assisted reproduction technique, but in cattle it faces major challenges due to inefficient oocyte activation after sperm microinjection. This study investigated different oocyte activation strategies and assessed the potential role of reducing agents glutathione (GSH), cysteamine (Cys) and dithiobutylamine (DTBA) to improve sperm head decondensation and embryo development following Piezo-ICSI. Haploid parthenogenetic activation using different ethanol concentrations (1%, 3%, 7% and 10%) failed to yield blastocysts, while diploid activation with ethanol or ionomycin combined with inhibitors significantly improved cleavage (43-55%) and blastocyst rates (14-27%), respectively. However, applying two ethanol pulses was detrimental, reducing both cleavage and blastocysts likely due to toxic overexposure. Sperm head decondensation compounds in Piezo-ICSI showed a high percentage of inactivated oocytes (75% GSH, 55% Cys and 40% DTBA). The highest male pronuclear formation rates were observed in the control without sperm head decondensation (21%) and with DTBA treatment (10%). Despite this, the treatment with Cys resulted in higher developmental potential to the blastocyst stage (22%) comparable to the control (24%). These data suggest that the inclusion of sperm head decondensing agents could represent a promising new strategy for enhancing the early <i>in vitro</i> development of ICSI-generated embryos. However, for this purpose, careful optimization of the concentration and incubation time of these decondensing compounds is essential.</p>","PeriodicalId":24075,"journal":{"name":"Zygote","volume":" ","pages":"277-284"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145709499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cell cycle timing and centromere positioning in <i>Bos taurus</i> zygotes derived from <i>in vitro</i> fertilization.","authors":"Federica Modafferi, Laura Thompson, Caitríona M Collins, Elena O'Callaghan, Patrick Lonergan, Elaine M Dunleavy","doi":"10.1017/S0967199425100221","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0967199425100221","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Centromeres are chromosomal loci essential for the correct segregation of genetic material during cell division. Defects in centromere function can lead to aneuploidy and cancer. During early embryonic development in mammals, prior to the first cell division, male and female genomes are separated in pronuclei located at the centre of the zygote. Parental chromatin clusters at the interface between the two pronuclei and this clustering step is critical to avoid aneuploidy in human and bovine zygotes. Yet, despite their essential function in chromosome segregation, the position and spatial organization of centromeres during the first cell cycle in mammals is mostly unknown. Previous studies conducted in bovine embryos derived from <i>in vitro</i> fertilization (IVF) showed that cell cycle progression impacts on the success rate of blastocyst formation. Specifically, embryos that entered earliest into S-phase or the earliest cleaving embryos were more likely to develop into blastocysts. To determine the precise timing of these events we performed a detailed characterization of key phases of the first cell cycle in bovine zygotes derived from IVF. In parallel we examined the spatial positioning of centromeres. We identify 20 h post insemination (hpi) as the timepoint when male and female pronuclei are juxtaposed and are completing S-phase. At this timepoint, we show that centromeres are positioned distal to the pronuclear interface and use super resolution microscopy to demonstrate extensive centromere clustering into chromocentres. Our results identify distinct nuclear features observed at 20 hpi, which may serve as cell cycle markers in determining successful bovine IVF.</p>","PeriodicalId":24075,"journal":{"name":"Zygote","volume":" ","pages":"257-264"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145678736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Direct effect of kisspeptin on steroidogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis in Tan sheep ovarian granulosa cells.","authors":"Wei Song, Tianshu Dai, Di Yang, Shuang Li, Ming Cao, Xingang Dan","doi":"10.1017/S0967199425100191","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0967199425100191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Kisspeptin, encoded by <i>Kiss1</i> gene, regulates reproduction via the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. While kisspeptin treatment promotes follicular development in Tan sheep, its direct action on ovarian granulosa cells remains unclear. For this, we first detected the expression of <i>Kiss1</i> and its receptor <i>Kiss1r</i> in primary ovarian granulosa cells of Tan sheep. Second, the effect of kisspeptin on steroid hormone secretion, proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells was investigated. Third, the signaling pathway of kisspeptin regulating steroid hormone secretion was revealed by western bolting in ovarian granulosa cells. The results showed that the <i>Kiss1</i> and <i>Kiss1r</i> genes were present in ovarian granulosa cells of Tan-sheep, and 500 nM dose of kisspeptin significantly stimulated steroids hormone secretion (<i>P</i> < 0.05), and up-regulated <i>StAR</i>, <i>HSD17B</i>2, <i>CPY19A</i>1, <i>FSHR</i>, <i>LHR</i>, <i>ERβ</i>, <i>PGR</i> and p-ERK1/2 proteins expression (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Moreover, this treatment significantly promoted cell proliferation and increased the proportion of cells in S phase (<i>P</i> < 0.05), and significantly suppressed granulosa cell apoptosis (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Additionally, the stimulatory effects of kisspeptin on estradiol and progesterone secretion were blocked by inhibitors of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway (including PKA inhibitor, PLC inhibitor, PKC inhibitor, and Ca²⁺inhibitor). Western blot analysis confirmed that kisspeptin regulates steroid hormone secretion primarily through the MAPK-ERK signaling pathway. Our results demonstrate that kisspeptin can directly act on ovarian granulosa cells to promote steroidogenesis, proliferation, and inhibit apoptosis, providing a foundational basis for developing novel kisspeptin-mediated techniques to regulate reproduction in Tan sheep.</p>","PeriodicalId":24075,"journal":{"name":"Zygote","volume":" ","pages":"265-276"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145709097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The stereological investigation of conditioned medium originated from human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells and platelet-rich plasma effects on polycystic ovary syndrome in a rat model.","authors":"Farzaneh Dehghani, Reza Arefnezhad, Nader Tanideh, Fatemeh Karimi, Fereshteh Aliakbari, Gholamreza Mohseni, Tahereh Esmaeilpour","doi":"10.1017/S0967199425100142","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0967199425100142","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and conditioned medium (CM) originating from human adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (ATMSCs) as two enriched sources of growth factors have a potential impact on tissue repair.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;This investigation aimed to investigate the effects of PRP and CM on ovarian structures in letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in female rats through the stereological methods.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Materials and methods: &lt;/strong&gt;To obtain PRP, blood samples from Wistar rats were collected in citrate tubes, centrifuged (400g, 10 min) to separate components. Plasma+Buffy coat was recentrifuged (800g, 10 min); Platelet-poor-plasma (PPP) discarded, PRP (lower layer) obtained and stored at - 20°C. To attain the mentioned mesenchymal CM, first, adipose tissue was collected from liposuction samples by collagenase digestion and cultured in DMEM/FBS. To approve the isolation of ATMSCs, the flow cytometry method, based on the expression status of CD44, CD90, CD34 and CD45 markers, was carried out. ATMSCs were then grown in serum-free DMEM, and supernatant was centrifuged and stored. Forty female Wistar rats were allocated into five groups (Control, negative control (letrozole [LTZ]), letrozole and PRP [LTZ-PRP], letrozole and CM [LTZ-CM] and letrozole and PRP + CM [LTZ-PRP + CM] groups). The Control group received normal saline (0.9% NaCl, 200 μl) orally. In the negative control, PCOS was induced by letrozole (1 mg/kg dissolved in normal saline, daily). Animals were treated by PRP, CM and PRP + CM (200 μL, IP, 1 and 14 days after PCOS induction). At the end of the experiment, body mass index (BMI) and body weight were evaluated, and then, blood samples were taken for the evaluation of serum testosterone level. The animals were dissected, and their ovaries were excised, fixed, sectioned and stained by H&E. Stereological approaches were utilized for estimation of the volume of the ovary, ovarian cortex and medulla, corpus luteum, oocytes, ovarian cysts and the number of different ovarian follicles and granulosa cells.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;In the LTZ-PRP and LTZ-CM groups, ovarian weight (OW) was significantly increased compared to the LTZ group (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.001 and &lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05, respectively). The cortex volume (CV) and ovarian volume (OV) of the LTZ-PRP group were dramatically elevated compared to the LTZ group (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.0001). A remarkable elevation of the preantral follicles number (PFN) in the mentioned group compared to the LTZ group was also observed (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05). The estimation of the antral follicle number (AFN), atretic follicle number (AtFN) and granulosa cell number (GCN) in the LTZ-PRP group showed a significant increment compared to the LTZ group (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.0001). The PFN and AFN in the LTZ-CM group compared to the LTZ group were significantly elevated (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.01). In this group, AtFN and GCN were also increased significantly in com","PeriodicalId":24075,"journal":{"name":"Zygote","volume":" ","pages":"216-229"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145132151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Zinc oxide-curcumin nanoparticles supplementation during oocyte maturation improves bovine <i>in vitro</i> embryo production.","authors":"Luisa Miglio, Muller Carrara Martins, Serena Mares Malta, Renner Mateus Francisco Duarte, Marco Aurélio Schiavo Novaes, Laritza Ferreira de Lima, Tatiane Moraes Arantes, Rayssa de Souza Lopes, Kele Amaral Alves, Marcelo Emílio Beletti, Foued Salmen Espíndola, José Ricardo de Figueiredo","doi":"10.1017/S0967199425100129","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0967199425100129","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This work investigated the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles functionalized with curcumin (ZnO_(np)+CUR) supplementation during the <i>in vitro</i> maturation (IVM) of bovine oocytes on the <i>in vitro</i> embryo production and the cellular antioxidant response. A total of 1,625 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in the maturation medium in the absence (0 µM - control) or presence of different concentrations of ZnO_(np)+CUR (3 µM, 6 µM or 12 µM). After IVM, COCs were destined either to 1) <i>in vitro</i> embryo production or 2) analysis of reactive oxygen species production, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity and total antioxidant capacity (FRAP). The results demonstrated that the addition of 6 and 12 µM ZnO_(np)+CUR during <i>in vitro</i> maturation showed a higher rate of blastocyst production when compared to the control (<i>p</i> < 0.05). However, only 12 µM ZnO_(np)+CUR treatment showed higher rates of embryo production when compared to 3µM ZnO_(np)+CUR treatment. Supplementation of IVM medium with 6 µM ZnO_(np)+CUR reduced ROS production (<i>p</i> < 0.05) compared to control and 12 µM ZnO_(np)+CUR treatments. Also, the treatment containing ZnO_(np)+CUR at 12 µM had lower SOD activity after IVM than control treatment. In conclusion, the best outcome for <i>in vitro</i> embryo production was obtained when 6 and 12 µM ZnO_(np)+CUR was added during IVM of bovine oocytes. However, this improvement in <i>in vitro</i> embryo production was not associated with either the reduction of ROS production or SOD and CAT activities.</p>","PeriodicalId":24075,"journal":{"name":"Zygote","volume":" ","pages":"210-215"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145034296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of reversine and proTAME treatment on chromosome segregation during mouse oocyte maturation.","authors":"Shiina Yonekura, Chihiro Hasegawa, Shoma Ochi, Yoh Kinoshita, Jin Shibata, Mizuho Kobayashi, Hikari Ikema, Akifumi Nakata, Tomisato Miura, Hideaki Yamashiro","doi":"10.1017/S0967199425100117","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0967199425100117","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aneuploidy in oocytes is a leading cause of implantation failure, miscarriage and congenital disorders. During meiosis, proper timing of chromosome segregation is regulated by the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) and the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C). However, how pharmacological manipulation of these regulatory pathways affects aneuploidy remains incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated whether SAC inhibition by reversine induces aneuploidy in mouse oocytes and whether partial inhibition of APC/C by proTAME can alleviate these errors. Germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes were matured in vitro in the presence of various concentrations of reversine. To optimize the timing of treatment, oocytes were exposed to reversine for 0, 3, 5 or 7 h, followed by culture with or without proTAME. A proTAME-only group (2.5 nM) was also included. Chromosome spreads were analyzed at the metaphase II (MII) stage to determine aneuploidy rates. Reversine (5 nM) yielded an MII maturation rate of 80.5% but induced a high aneuploidy rate of 77.0%. Sequential treatment with 2.5 nM proTAME significantly reduced aneuploidy to 33.3%. In contrast, proTAME alone led to 79.0% aneuploidy, suggesting its effect is contingent upon prior SAC disruption. These results indicate that reversine compromises chromosomal integrity, while appropriately timed, low-dose proTAME can partially rescue segregation errors. Our findings underscore the potential of pharmacologically regulating APC/C activity to reduce aneuploidy and enhance oocyte quality, offering new avenues for improving outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":24075,"journal":{"name":"Zygote","volume":" ","pages":"195-202"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144971968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Does high serum oestradiol during stimulation influence obstetrical outcomes and placental pathology in subsequent frozen embryo transfers? - ERRATUM.","authors":"Inbal Navon, Hadas Ganer Herman, Alexander Volodarsky-Perel, Tuyet Nhung Ton Nu, Alexandre Machado-Gedeon, Yiming Cui, Jonathan Shaul, Michael H Dahan","doi":"10.1017/S096719942510018X","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S096719942510018X","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":24075,"journal":{"name":"Zygote","volume":" ","pages":"236"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145459677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ameliorating the heat stress effects on maturing bovine oocytes through gamma-oryzanol supplementation.","authors":"Ali Kadivar, Nahid Davoodian, Najmeh Davoodian","doi":"10.1017/S0967199425100075","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0967199425100075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The reproductive efficiency of dairy cows decreases significantly in hot climates. Exposure to heat stress causes damage to different stages of the reproductive cycle including a decrease in the quality of oocytes. Antioxidant supplementation has been introduced as one of the main approaches to alleviate the effects of free radical damage associated with heat stress. Gamma-oryzanol (ORY), a component of rice bran oil, is introduced as a novel antioxidant. As a supplement of culture media for maturation, the effect of ORY on the development of heat-shocked bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes was evaluated in this study. At the end of maturation <i>in vitro</i> using the heat-shock model, a higher proportion of metaphase II oocytes (0.78 ± 0.03 vs 0.42 ± 0.03) and lower metaphase I and germinal vesicle breakdown (0.10 ± 0.02 vs 0.38 ± 0.03) were recorded for the treated group (N = 205) in comparison with the control (N = 203) (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Moreover, the treatment exerted upregulation of <i>NRF2</i>, <i>SOD</i>, <i>CAT</i> and <i>GPX</i> transcripts in matured oocytes and GPX in CCs, along with a considerable increase in the cleavage (0.52 ± 0.04 vs 0.33 ± 0.03) and total blastocyst rates (0.30 ± 0.03 vs 0.14 ± 0.02) (<i>P</i> < 0.05). These results showed that ORY increased the mRNA expression of the transcripts associated with antioxidant enzymes and enhanced the developmental potential of heat-shocked bovine oocytes and warranted further studies to explore this antioxidant's influence on improving dairy cattle's reproductive efficiency during heat stress.</p>","PeriodicalId":24075,"journal":{"name":"Zygote","volume":" ","pages":"187-194"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144972015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Does high serum oestradiol during stimulation influence obstetrical outcomes and placental pathology in subsequent frozen embryo transfers?","authors":"Inbal Navon, Hadas Ganer, Alexander Volodarsky-Perel, Tuyet Nhung Ton Nu, Alexandre Machado-Gedeon, Yiming Cui, Jonathan Shaul, Michael H Dahan","doi":"10.1017/S0967199425100154","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0967199425100154","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>High oestradiol levels during in vitro fertilization (IVF) fresh cycles have been linked to adverse obstetric outcomes, yet whether this is due to endometrial or oocyte effects remains unclear. Investigating subsequent frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles can help clarify the origins of these effects. This study aimed to evaluate obstetric outcomes and placental histology in FET cycles for patients with elevated serum oestradiol levels during the ovarian stimulation cycle in which the embryos were created.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A single centre retrospective cohort study of live singleton deliveries after IVF with programmed FET from 2009 to 2017. High oestradiol during ovarian stimulation was defined as ≥10,000 pmol/L. We compared obstetric outcomes and placental findings between pregnancies with high oestradiol levels in the preceding ovarian stimulation cycle and a control group.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We analyzed 114 deliveries in the high oestradiol group and 194 in the control group. Baseline demographics were comparable between groups. No significant differences were observed in obstetric outcomes, including low birth weight, preeclampsia and preterm delivery. The placental macroscopic and histopathological findings did not significantly differ between the groups as well.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>High oestradiol during the ovarian stimulation cycle used to create embryos is not associated with adverse obstetric outcomes or placental pathologies in pregnancies following FET. This is consistent with an endometrial effect of high oestradiol and thus support the practice of a freeze all approach in high oestradiol cycles.</p>","PeriodicalId":24075,"journal":{"name":"Zygote","volume":" ","pages":"230-235"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145186842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effects of circadian rhythm on reproductive functions.","authors":"Seda Karabulut, Lima Oria","doi":"10.1017/S0967199425100130","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0967199425100130","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Circadian rhythms are intrinsic, endogenously generated cycles that regulate various physiological processes, including reproductive functions. These rhythms are orchestrated by a network of core clock genes and are influenced by external environmental cues, primarily the light-dark cycle. Disruptions in circadian rhythms can have profound effects on fertility in both males and females, impacting processes such as the estrous cycle, ovulation, sperm production, implantation and pregnancy maintenance. This review comprehensively explores the molecular mechanisms underlying circadian rhythms and their influence on reproductive health, integrating evidence from both animal models and human studies. We delve into the intricate interplay between circadian genes, hormonal regulation and environmental factors, underscoring the critical importance of circadian integrity for optimal reproductive outcomes. The potential therapeutic implications of maintaining circadian rhythms are also discussed, highlighting novel avenues for enhancing reproductive health.</p>","PeriodicalId":24075,"journal":{"name":"Zygote","volume":" ","pages":"203-209"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145030807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}