Factors In Ovary Research Articles

Expression of ADAMTS 1-4-8 and placental growth factor in ovary and oviduct during pregnancy in the first trimester.

A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease Domains with Thrombospondins Motifs (ADAMTS), proteinases responsible for the destruction of extracellular matrix structures, have essential roles in the physiological and pathological processes of the female reproductive system, which is a dynamic structure. This study aimed to evaluate the immunoreactivity of placental growth factor (PLGF) and ADAMTS' (1, -4, and -8) in the ovary and oviduct during pregnancy in the first trimester. Our findings suggest a predominant role of ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-8 as proteoglycan-degrading enzymes from the ADAMTS-1 in the first trimester. As an angiogenic factor, PLGF showed more immunoreactivity than ADAMTS-1 in the ovary. This study provides the first evidence that ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-8 are more expressed in ovarian cells and follicles at different developmental stages during the first trimester of pregnancy than ADAMTS-1. Consequently, we suggest that ADAMTSs and PLGF act together and may exert specific effects on the formation, stabilisation, and function (or a combination thereof) of the matrix surrounding and protecting the follicles.

Anti‐apoptotic effect of Korean ginseng extract on aging‐induced ovary via inhibition of p63 signaling pathway in mouse

BackgroundThe problem of women's subfertility has been steadily increasing worldwide, and many studies are under way to treat it. The ovary is a key element in the problem of subfertility, and it is very important to maintain integrity. Recently, the pregnancy age of women is increasing, and so the function of the ovary is deteriorated with aging. Korean ginseng has been widely used as a herb medicine and it is known to contain many beneficial biological properties. We investigated the effect of Korean ginseng extract (KGE) on ovary function of female.MethodsThe ovaries were harvested from 6‐month‐old female mice and cultured in the KGE‐treated media for 24 hours. After that, RNA was extracted from the control and KGE‐treated groups and microarray was performed. In addition, based on the microarray data, the gene expression was verified by qPCR.ResultsAging dramatically increased expression of apoptosis regulatory factors in ovary, but expression of these factors was significantly reduced in the KGE‐treated groups. Expression levels of apoptosis regulatory factors such as p63, NOXA, BCL2 and BAX were increased in the ovary with aging. KGEs reduced the expression level of these factors. Consequently, KGEs helps to maintain ovary function by suppressing apoptotic damage caused by aging.ConclusionsWe suggest that KGEs protect against aging‐induced ovary damage by inhibiting apoptosis signaling pathway.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Repertoire of bone morphogenetic proteins and growth/differentiation factors in ovary of the Indian wall lizard (Hemidactylus flaviviridis) with emphasis on differential expression and gonadotropic regulation of bmp15 and gdf9

Analysis of ovarian transcriptome of Indian wall lizard demonstrates the existence of several bone morphogenetic proteins (bmp1, 2, 3, 3b, 7, 8, 15) and growth/differentiation factors (gdf5, 9) for the first time in reptilian ovary. The characterization of putative full-length/partial protein sequences of BMPs (BMP2, 3, 3b, 7, 15) and GDF9 showed high homology of their TGF-β domain with that of other vertebrates while BMP1 bore homology to zinc-dependent metalloprotease. Phylogenetic analyses showed clustering of BMPs and GDF9 from wall lizards with that of squamates lying in close proximity to chelonia, crocodilia and aves. This study also correlates the expression of ovarian bmp15 and gdf9 with folliculogenesis. Level of bmp15 dramatically increased with the onset of follicular growth in early recrudescence and attained peak during late recrudescence whereas gdf9 sharply decreased during recrudescence as compared to regression. Nonetheless, expression of these growth factors decreased appreciably with the formation of vitellogenic follicle during breeding phase. Ovarian expression of bmp15 and gdf9 appeared to be regulated by gonadotropin as bmp15 considerably increased while gdf9 decreased in parallel to follicular development after administration of 3 injections of FSH. Expression of both the growth factors declined with the prolongation of treatment that led to formation of early/late vitellogenic follicle. Our in vitro study revealed stimulatory effect of FSH on expression of bmp15 and gdf9 in early growing, previtellogenic and early vitellogenic follicles. In light of in vitro results, FSH-induced in vivo decline in gene expression seems to be due to some other FSH-induced factor.

Characterization of FOXO1, 3 and 4 transcription factors in ovaries of fetal, prepubertal and adult rhesus macaques.

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT (protein kinase B) signaling pathway negatively regulates follicle activation via the forkhead box O (FOXO) transcription factor in rodents. FOXO3 knockout mice exhibit global activation of primordial follicles leading to early depletion of ovarian follicles and subsequent infertility. Whether a similar mechanism for follicle activation exists in the primate ovary is unclear. In the current study, protein localization of FOXO1, 3, and 4 as well as their upstream regulator, AKT/p-AKT, was examined in rhesus macaque ovaries of three developmental stages: fetal, prepubertal, and adult. FOXO1 protein is expressed in granulosa cells of fetal, prepubertal, and adult ovaries. FOXO3 is distributed sparsely in the mitotically active germ cells, but its expression decreases following follicle formation in the macaque fetal ovary. In addition, FOXO3 is seldom with interanimal variation in the prepubertal ovary and is absent in the adult ovary. FOXO4 is nondetectable in fetal ovaries, although it is expressed in some theca cells of antral follicles and some stromal cells in prepubertal and adult ovaries. Our results suggest that the regulation and/or function of FOXO3 in the primate primordial follicle may differ than that of the rodent. Nevertheless, AKT/p-AKT is expressed in macaque primordial oocytes, suggesting that similar upstream events but different downstream effects may regulate primordial follicle activation in nonhuman primates compared to rodents. Elucidation of the mechanism responsible for follicle activation in primates will be crucial for understanding primary ovarian insufficiency, improving female fertility, and applying techniques for in vitro maturation of follicles for fertility preservation in cancer survivors.

Immunohistochemical distribution of early pregnancy factor in ovary, oviduct and placenta of pregnant gilts

Early pregnancy factor (EPF) is an immunosuppressant that promotes maternal immune system tolerance of the allogenic fetus. Little is known about localization of this factor in different tissues and nothing has been reported about localization in swine reproductive and placental tissues. We determined the concentration of EPF in serum of gilts and porcine placenta conditioned medium (PPCM). We also analyzed the expression of EPF in different reproductive tissues of pregnant gilts at 10, 30, 60 and 90 days of pregnancy. EPF concentration in serum and PPCM was determined by western blot and densitometry. EPF expression in reproductive tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The highest concentration of EPF was observed at 30 days in serum and PPCM; the concentration was higher in PPCM than in serum at the stages we evaluated. All reproductive tissues from the gestational stages analyzed showed specific labeling of EPF, but this labeling did not appear in non-pregnant gilts. At 30 days pregnancy, the EPF expression in the ovary was predominantly in follicular lutein cells, probably owing to its function as a luteotrophic factor. In the oviduct, EPF was expressed in unciliated secretory epithelial cells and in the cilia of ciliated cells. In the placenta, EPF was expressed in the fetal portion (mesoderm chorioallantois and epithelium of endoderm). EPF acts as an autocrine and paracrine growth factor for the trophoblast during the peri-implantation period.

Distribution of FOXO Transcription Factors in Ovaries of Fetal and Juvenile Rhesus Macaques.

Distribution of FOXO Transcription Factors in Ovaries of Fetal and Juvenile Rhesus Macaques.

Perfusion Method to Study Angiogenesis and Expression of Regulatory Factors in Ovaries.

Perfusion Method to Study Angiogenesis and Expression of Regulatory Factors in Ovaries.

Expression of SDF-1α and leptin, and their effect on expression of angiogenic factors in mouse ovaries

ObjectiveOvarian angiogenesis plays an important role in folliculogenesis. However, little is known about the expression of angiogenic factors during follicular development according to female age. Stromal cell derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) plays a role in granulosa cell survival and embryo quality as an angiogenic chemokine. Leptin is also involved in folliculogenesis and angiogenesis. This study examined expression of SDF-1α and leptin, and their effects on the expression of angiogenic factors in the ovary during follicular development according to female age.MethodsOvaries were collected from C57BL mice of two age groups (6-9 weeks and 24-26 weeks) at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after 5 IU pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) injection. The expression of ovarian SDF-1α and leptin mRNA was evaluated by RT-PCR. In the organ culture experiment, the ovaries were cultured in transwell permeable supports with Waymouth's medium treated with various doses of SDF-1α (50-200 ng/mL) or leptin (0.01-1 µg/mL) for 7 days. Then, mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and visfatin were examined in the cultured ovaries.ResultsExpression of SDF-1α and leptin in the ovary was significantly lower in the aged mouse group compared to the young mouse group (p<0.05). Expression of these two factors increased with follicular development after PMSG administration. SDF-1α treatment stimulated visfatin expression in a dose-dependent manner, while leptin treatment significantly increased eNOS expression.ConclusionThese results suggest that decrease of ovarian SDF-1α and leptin expression may be associated with aging-related reduction of ovarian function. SDF-1α and leptin may play a role in follicular development by regulating the expression of angiogenic factors in mouse ovaries.

Core promoter sequences contribute to ovo-B regulation in the Drosophila melanogaster germline.

Utilization of tightly linked ovo-A vs. ovo-B germline promoters results in the expression of OVO-A and OVO-B, C(2)H(2) transcription factors with different N -termini, and different effects on target gene transcription and on female germline development. We show that two sex-determination signals, the X chromosome number within the germ cells and a female soma, differentially regulate ovo-B and ovo-A. We have previously shown that OVO regulates ovarian tumor transcription by binding the transcription start site. We have explored the regulation of the ovo-B promoter using an extensive series of transgenic reporter gene constructs to delimit cis-regulatory sequences as assayed in wild-type and sex-transformed flies and flies with altered ovo dose. Minimum regulated expression of ovo-B requires a short region flanking the transcription start site, suggesting that the ovo-B core promoter bears regulatory information in addition to a "basal" activity. In support of this idea, the core promoter region binds distinct factors in ovary and testis extracts, but not in soma extracts, suggesting that regulatory complexes form at the start site. This idea is further supported by the evolutionarily conserved organization of OVO binding sites at or near the start sites of ovo loci in other flies.

ART in Clinic of Infertility INTERMEDICA: 2 years experience

Materials and methods: Data from 381 fresh embryo transfers have been collected: IVF—207 transfers, ICSI—151, mixed ones—23. Female patients who underwent reproductive technology were between 21 and 47 years of age. Results: For the IVF-derived embryos, a pregnancy rate per transfer was 38.9%, and a clinical pregnancy rate—24.4%, while for ICSI, respectively 33.8% and 23.3%. Mixed-derived embryos provided respective values of 47.8% and 47.8%. Implantation rates among IVF, ICSI and mixed-ART-derived embryos were 16.4%, 15%, 27.6%, respectively. Frozen embryo transfer was performed 54 times. Infertile couples seeking for assisted reproductive technique were categorized into seven main subgroups: Fallopian tube factor, uterine factor, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, ovary factor, male factor, idiopathic infertility. In a group with endometriosis, relatively high rate of pregnancy was observed—29.4%. High rate of successful pregnancies was also observed in PCO syndrome patients when calculating per cycle (27.8%), aspiration (35.7%) or transfer (38.5%). The cumulative rate of abortions was 20.1% for IVF-derived pregnancies, 19.0% for ICSI-derived pregnancies and 9% abortions for mixed embryo provenience. Conclusions: Quality of embryo and speed of its development may be the best indicators for successful pregnancy disregarding the embryo provenience.

Presence of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) interactive factors in ovaries of the grey fleshfly Neobellieria bullata

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity, defined as a captopril-inhibitable dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase activity towards 3H-hippurylglycylglycine, was demonstrated in haemolymph, testes and ovaries of the grey fleshfly Neobellieria bullata, hereby suggesting a physiological role for ACE in these particular tissues. While the ACE activity in haemolymph and testes reached relatively high levels, only minute ACE activity could be detected in ovaries throughout the entire vitellogenic cycle. Ovarian extracts of Neobellieria bullata do contain, however, in addition to Neb-TMOF, the Neobellieria bullata trypsin modulating oostatic factor which is an in vitro and a putative in vivo substrate of ACE in circulation, several other heat-stable molecules which individually function either as an ACE substrate or ACE inhibitor. Presumably these ACE interactive factors mask ACE activity in the fly ovaries, as measured by a classic substrate-binding assay. Purification and characterisation of these ACE substrates/inhibitors is in progress and is likely to facilitate the elucidation of the enigmatic physiological relevance of ACE in insects.

Maturity, fecundity and reproductive potential of the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) in Ireland

Fecundity and size at maturity of the European lobster Homarus gammarus (Crustacea: Decapoda) was estimated in four coastal regions of Ireland. Egg size increased with carapace length (CL) (egg size=0·9939×ln (CL)−3·0809). The size–fecundity relationship for all coasts combined was (fecundity=0·0044×CL3·1554). Physiological maturity was assessed using ovary colour, ovary factor, ova size, abdomen width/CL ratio, cement gland activity and moult status as criteria. Size at 50% maturity varied from 92·5 to 96 mm depending on region. The size–maturity relationship for all coasts combined was (Maturity= 1/(1+exp(14·595−0·15598×CL))). Over 60% of lobsters in the commercial landings were under the size at 50% maturity. Relative reproductive potential (RRP) of different size-classes was calculated from the size–fecundity and size–maturity models and the numbers by length in the landings. The modal RRP size-class was 98–100 mm. The commercial landings were dominated by the 86–92 mm size-classes.

Expression of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone and Prothymosin-α Messenger Ribonucleic Acid in the Ovary*

GnRH exerts paradoxical effects on ovarian cells through specific receptors. Based on observed direct effects of GnRH and its antagonists on ovarian functions, the presence of endogenous ovarian GnRH-like peptide(s) has been postulated. In an attempt to detect the ovarian expression of GnRH or related genes at the RNA level, we used the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to amplify GnRH mRNA levels. Total RNA from rat ovaries was converted to first strand cDNA using reverse transcriptase and amplified in PCR using a pair of primers complementary to the rat GnRH cDNA. The DNA products obtained were subcloned into plasmid vectors, and their sequences were determined. The most prominent PCR product of 462 basepairs (bp) was unexpectedly identified as a fragment of prothymosin-alpha cDNA previously found in the spleen. This cDNA was obtained because of an identical 10 bp match with the 3' end of one of the GnRH primers. Northern blot analyses using the cloned prothymosin-alpha cDNA as probe revealed the presence of mRNA for this factor in ovary, thymus, testis, placenta, and hypothalamus. RT-PCR amplification of hypothalamus and granulosa cell messages indicated the presence of a 244-bp product with a sequence identical to that of GnRH. To further confirm the presence of GnRH messages in the ovary, a second set of GnRH primers was used. PCR amplification of cDNA from hypothalamus, granulosa cells, and whole ovary yielded a 241-bp product identical to the authentic GnRH sequence based on analysis on both strands. In contrast, no PCR product was evident after amplification of thyroid cDNA. Our data demonstrated the expression of mRNA for GnRH and prothymosin-alpha in the ovary. Although the exact ovarian role of the immune hormone awaits further study, the detection of GnRH transcript in the ovary suggests potential intragonadal roles of this decapeptide.