Biology of Reproduction最新文献

{"title":"Chlorogenic acid alleviates deoxynivalenol-induced damage in porcine trophectoderm cells by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway†.","authors":"Chaohui Dai, Jinhua Cheng, Hui Li, Weimin Zhao, Bixia Li, Yanfeng Fu, Xuemin Wang, Chao Liao, Yanyu Chen, Junshu Yan","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf110","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The proliferation and migration of porcine trophectoderm (pTr) cells are crucial processes during the early stages of embryo implantation in sows. The effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) and chlorogenic acid (CGA), a plant-derived compound, on pTr cells are currently unclear. In this study, pTr cells were treated with DON at different times (24, 48, and 72 hours) and different concentrations (0.5, 1, and 2 μg/mL) to construct a pathological model of DON-induced pTr cells by detecting the expression levels of genes related to cell proliferation, migration, and oxidative stress, as well as the cell viability and the cell migration ability. Subsequently, CGA intervention experiments revealed that CGA could promote the proliferation, migration, and antioxidant ability of pTr cells and alleviate the damage induced by DON in pTr cells. Finally, RNA-seq technology combined with experiments illustrated that CGA might alleviate the damage of DON-induced pTr cells by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, this study explored the toxicological effect of DON and the alleviation effect of CGA on DON at the pTr cells level, which provided new insights and an experimental basis for using CGA to alleviate the reproductive toxicity induced by DON.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143974269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vitro inhibition of the CFTR ion channel in the Macaca mulatta cervix thickens cervical mucus†.","authors":"Rachel J Looney, Mackenzie Roberts, Matthew Markovetz, Rachelle Godiah, Shan Yao, Kirsti Golgotiu, Shuhao Wei, Chris Cellucci, Leo Han","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf103","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cervical mucus changes throughout the menstrual cycle in response to hormonal fluctuations, regulating access of sperm and pathogens to the reproductive tract. CFTR is an anion channel that plays a critical role in mediating epithelial mucus secretions. Primary endocervical cells obtained from rhesus macaques Macaca mulatta were cultured using conditional reprogramming and treated with vehicle controls or CFTR inhibitors. In order to measure changes in hydration and viscosity of secreted mucus, we adapted two airway mucus assays, airway surface liquid and particle-tracking microrheology, for our endocervical culture system. Endocervical cells treated with CFTR inhibitors demonstrated dehydrated, thicker mucus secretions compared to controls in both assay outputs. Our studies suggest that CFTR may be an important mediator of fertility changes and provide experimental evidence for the infertility phenotype seen in women with cystic fibrosis. Additionally, assays developed in these studies provide new endpoints for assessing cervical mucus changes in vitro.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143960870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges and strategies in the application of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in nonhuman primates (NHPs): review.","authors":"Jia Zhou, Liang Zhou, Ming Lan, Wei Ren, Zhengyi Wang","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf109","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nonhuman primates (NHPs) have become important models for biomedical research due to their similarities to humans in evolution, anatomy, and physiology. It is worth noting that NHPs have important clinical significance in the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART) research and are an important experimental basis for studying human reproductive physiology and pathogenic mechanisms. However, due to the differences in reproductive physiology between the two species, the application of human ART treatment strategies in NHPs often leads to different experimental results. Therefore, this review provides an analysis of the challenges encountered by NHPs in the application of ART and their possible solutions. This article discusses the technical status and difficulties of semen collection, quality assessment, egg collection, artificial insemination and gamete development in NHP. Based on the analysis of existing technologies, suggestions are put forward to optimize the assisted reproductive technology of NHPs, in order to improve the research model system of early embryo development of NHP. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of NHP and human embryo development, and provides some potential suggestions for optimizing NHP embryo culture and human infertility treatment. The optimization of NHP-ART has important scientific value and application prospects, and in-depth research can make more contributions to the progress of reproductive biology and clinical treatment. This review summarizes and analyzes the problems and strategies that deserve attention in some NHPs-ART technologies, so as to provide reference for researchers in related fields.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143961852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Generation and assessment of high-quality fat-tailed dunnart oocytes following superovulation in prepubertal animals†.","authors":"Jun Liu, Namdori Mtango, Emily L Scicluna, Sara Ord, Andrew J Pask","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The fat-tailed dunnart, Sminthopsis crassicaudata, is a mouse-sized, polyovular, solitary dasyurid marsupial found in central and southern Australia. With the establishment of a chromosome-scale genome assembly, induced pluripotent stem cells, and targeted genetic editing, the dunnart is emerging as the laboratory marsupial model for comparative developmental, reproductive and conservation biology. The development of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are critical to achieving these goals in this species. ART requires a large number of mature oocytes which are typically collected through stimulated and synchronised female reproductive cycles. While protocols for induced-ovulation or superovulation are standard in many placental mammals, there are no methods to date designed for marsupials. In the present study, prepubertal dunnarts were stimulated with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin and human chronic gonadotrophin across 6 different treatment regimens. Our best regimen resulted in over 70% of prepubertal dunnarts ovulating with 82% normal oocytes. When the primed females were mated with stud males, 4-cell stage embryos were collected 48 h post-hCG administration. At around 96 h post-hCG, 50% (n = 8) and 78% (n = 9) of the embryos developed to blastocysts. Our results demonstrated successful stimulation of ovulation and mature oocyte collection in prepubertal dunnarts. Furthermore, we confirmed developmental competence of the induced ovulated oocytes through to at least the blastocyst stage. These findings represent the first robust hormonal regimen for predictable oocyte generation in any marsupial and will significantly contribute to the use of the dunnart in developmental and conservation biology.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143975944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Astaxanthin promotes in vitro maturation of mouse oocytes by regulating mitochondrial functions and protein homeostasis.","authors":"Xinyi Yuan, Wanxia Zhong, Chuanxin Zhang, Xueqi Dong, Xiaoyu Yin, Tiantian Deng, Jinzhu Song, Jiawei Wang, Yuxin Xu, Hui Liu, Keliang Wu, Boyang Liu","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf107","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The quality of mouse oocytes that are matured in vitro is much lower than the ones that are matured in vivo. This difference is mainly due to oxidative stress occurring in culture conditions. Astaxanthin, a marine carotenoid, is one of the most robust natural antioxidants that can effectively reduce oxidative stress. However, the role of astaxanthin in oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) has not been reported. Here, we showed that the addition of astaxanthin successfully increased the maturation rate of mouse IVM oocytes. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing showed that the differential genes were mainly enriched to mitochondrial functions and protein homeostasis. By using micro-proteomics, we further showed that the mitochondrial activity was enhanced by astaxanthin addition. To reveal the developmental competence of astaxanthin-treated IVM oocytes and conquer the zona pellucida hardening, we applied zona pellucida laser optoperforation to assist the in vitro fertilization (IVF). We found that the 2-cell embryo rate was significantly increased in astaxanthin-treated oocytes. In summary, this study reveals that astaxanthin can efficiently promote mouse oocyte IVM and early embryonic development.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144062131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"3D-organization and spatial localization of chromatin and epigenetic marks linked to nucleolar activity in porcine oocytes.","authors":"Merle Fenner, Michal Benc, Alexandra Rosenbaum Bartkova, Maria Pihl, Martine Chebrout, Martine Letheule, Frantisek Strejcek, Poul Hyttel, Jozef Laurincik, Kristine Freude, Amelié Bonnet-Garnier","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf098","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf098","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Previous murine studies have established that large-scale chromatin modifications upon completion of oocyte growth are associated with nucleolar transcriptional silencing. These modifications seem essential both for completion of the oocyte's meiosis and subsequent embryonic developmental success. Investigating this putative interconnection between nucleolar transcriptional activity and spatial chromatin organization towards completion of oocyte growth in pigs, we scrutinized whether 3D chromatin organization and heterochromatin localization, along with epigenetic markers, could indicate oocyte quality and predict developmental competence of harvested porcine oocytes. Supravital brilliant-cresyl-blue (BCB) staining was used to classify porcine cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) as fully grown (BCB+) or still growing (BCB-). Oocytes were analyzed via integrated 3D-immunofluorescence for nucleolar activity and heterochromatin markers, as well as 3D-DNA-FISH for specific heterochromatin sequences. Additionally, some oocytes were prepared for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM revealed distinct ultrastructural differences between BCB+ and BCB- oocytes and validated BCB-staining as viable method for a rough assessment of oocyte developmental competence. Immunostaining identified all known germinal vesicle (GV) chromatin configurations (non-surrounded nucleolus (NSN), partially non-surrounded nucleolus (pNSN), partially surrounded nucleolus (pSN), surrounded nucleolus (SN)) and linked them to respective BCB categories. Nucleolar activity was detected only in NSN oocytes, predominantly from the BCB- group. Protein markers and FISH signals revealed significant 3D-organizational changes in chromatin between NSN and SN conformations, clustering around the nucleolus towards final oocyte maturation. These findings highlight an evident interconnection between nucleolar transcriptional silencing and specific 3D chromatin organization patterns, with changes in heterochromatin localization indicating completion of the oocytes' growth phase and marking higher competency for subsequent final maturation and embryonic development.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143961893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Navigation of Nanos germ cell specification factor to germ granules -posttranscriptional regulation hubs - across species.","authors":"Bellary Lakshmi, Matisa Alla, Jadwiga Jaruzelska","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf105","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>NANOS, initially identified in D. melanogaster (fruit fly) as a morphogen essential for body patterning and germ cell development, is a highly conserved RNA-binding protein critical for germ cell formation across species. NANOS dysfunction leads to infertility from flies to humans. While D. melanogaster has a single Nanos gene, paralogs (Nanos1-3) exist in species like C. elegans (roundworm), Danio rerio (zebrafish), X. laevis (clawed frog), and mammals, each with distinct reproductive roles. Nanos mRNA is one of the most conserved components of germ granules, characteristic cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein condensates found in the cytoplasm of animal germ cells. The germ granules are essential for the posttranscriptional temporal regulation of germ cell specification, development, maintenance, and integrity across species. Their origin, cytoplasmic sub-localizations, structure and shape differ depending on the sex and developmental stage. This review examines the biological significance and dynamics of Nanos within germ granules across various model organisms. A central question is whether NANOS gene mutations linked to infertility drive the remodelling of germ cell granules. This question also extends to other conserved germ granule components discussed in this review. Addressing these issues will enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying human infertility.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143974135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sorafenib inhibits ovarian inflammation and fibrosis in polycystic ovary syndrome by targeting the PDGFA/PDGFRα/NF-κB pathway in granulosa cells†.","authors":"Xitong Liu, Yuhui Wang, Yang Wang, Yixuan Bai, Ahui Kang, Qingqing Cai, Haiou Liu, Mengyu Zhang, Congjian Xu, Feifei Zhang","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf082","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf082","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains unknown. However, emerging evidence is increasingly suggesting that ovarian inflammation and fibrosis are among the primary causes of pathological changes. Sorafenib is a multiple kinases inhibitor that targets receptor tyrosine kinases including vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). Sorafenib was found to inhibit the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). However, the effects of sorafenib on PCOS ovarian inflammation and fibrosis remained unknown. Our findings demonstrated that sorafenib effectively inhibited the PDGFA/PDGFRα axis, which subsequently led to the suppression of NF-κB activation. This inhibition further resulted in a decrease in chemokine expression, thereby impeding the recruitment and polarization of macrophages. Consequently, this process resulted in the down-regulation of collagen deposition. These results provide a new perspective and direction for the clinical treatment of PCOS.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143968433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Endogenous regulation of behavior and reproductive physiology in a resident passerine songbird†.","authors":"Shirin Fatima, Sayantan Sur, Jyoti Tiwari, Sangeeta Rani, Shalie Malik","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf073","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Seasonal timing of reproductive events requires the interaction of the circannual clock and environmental cues. Many avian species exhibit robust circannual rhythms in controlled environments. However, the molecular changes preceding changes in physiology and behavior are poorly understood. The spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata) is an ideal experimental animal to investigate this question as it shows a strong annual cyclicity under prolonged captive conditions. In the current experiment, birds (18 males + 18 females) were maintained under equinox photoperiod (12L:12D, L = light, ~1.86 W/m2; D = dark, <0.00014 W/m2) with constant temperature (22 ± 2°C) and humidity (58 ± 2%) for ~10 months. Based on gonadal status, we identified pre-breeding, breeding, and onset of regression phases and measured body weight, histological changes, active and sleep behavior, and hypothalamic gene expressions. Body fattening, gonadal recrudescence, and organ-specific lipid accumulation were observed during the breeding phase. Increased allopreening behavior coupled with reduced sleep suggested increased social interaction and nighttime vigilance during the reproductive period. The elevated hypothalamic Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone expression, plasma testosterone, and corticosterone levels during the pre-breeding phase prepared the birds for upcoming reproductive processes. Overall, our data provide evidence of endogenous molecular changes under constant environmental conditions that might inform conserved mechanisms across species.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143963514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Elongated shape and unusual eggshell microstructure enable first confirmed hatching of avian twins.","authors":"Krzysztof Damaziak, Agata Marzec, Wojciech Wójcik, Beata Horecka, Mateusz Osiadacz, Julia Riedel, Paweł Pstrokoński, Sebastian Mielnicki","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf100","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of the study was to elucidate the causes that led to the hatching of goose twins for the first time. Analyses included the reconstruction of the egg's dimensions based on preserved fragments of shell and characterization of its microstructure. Sequencing of the genome of the twins was performed. Based on the results, the dimensions of the egg were recreated, while the structure and porosity of the shell were also characterized. Our findings indicate that the main factors that allowed the twins to survive to the end of incubation were, first, the highly elongated shape of the egg, which \"forced\" the embryos to adopt a parallel position in line with the long axis of the egg, and, second, the shell's altered porosity indices. The pores in the twins' post-hatching shell had a smaller surface area, but there were significantly more of them than in the control shells. As a result, for the twins' egg, the total pore area of the shell and the ratio of total pore area to shell thickness was low. These changes, contributed to changes in the dynamics of water diffusion from the egg, adapting it to the needs of the two embryos. Analyses, including whole-genome sequencing, indicate that most of the SNP variants, and insertions and deletions in both twins' cases were located within introns and in the intergenic parts of the genome. A comparison of the type and frequency of SNP and InDel variations showed that the twins are characterized by high level of genetic similarity.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143964562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}