Ovarian Characteristics Research Articles

Identification of Cassia javanica subspecies using morphological features

The morphological characters of three Cassia javanica L. (Fabaceae Lindl.) subspecies (Cassia javanica subsp. javanica, Cassia javanica subsp. agnes and Cassia javanica subsp. renigera) were analysed to determine their diagnostic value. These three subspecies have pink flowers and, thus, can be easily confused. Leaf stem and flower characters were analysed to identify reliable differences between subspecies. The main focus was on the structure of stipules, variations in the appearance of sepals (red in Cassia javanica subsp. javanica), petals (white in Cassia javanica subsp. renigera) and ovary features. It was found that the subspecies of Cassia javanica can best be distinguished by characters of leaflets, shoot hairiness, type of stipules, characters of peduncles, colour of bracts, sepals and petals. As the variation in the diagnostic characters is rather difficult to assess from the description, the characters of the three subspecies were illustrated by photographs

Morphofunctional features of ovaries in repair pigs after stimulation with a preparation of natural sexual pheromones of a boar

Purpose: development of a new way to obtain a drug of natural genital pheromones of boar, and its approbation in production conditions.Materials and methods. A method of manufacturing a drug of natural genital phargs, including grinding of testicles, obtained from half-arms, incubated homogenizates at a temperature of 37-39 ° C for 50-60 min, adding inkubat urine of semi-cream boars and distillation of the mixture in the rotary evaporator R-213B to the urine incubate. The finished preparation was a transparent liquid of a yellowish shade with a specific smell. Checking the drug on pigs showed its harmlessness, clinical parameters and general hematological indicators in animals after treatment with the drug were within physiological boundaries.Results. In the scientific and production experiment, it was established that after stimulation of 5-month-old impaired repair pigs with a preparation in a dose of 0.5 ml / goal twice a day, sexual ripening has occurred at a 178-day age, which was 6 days before compared to Pilts stimulated by a synthetic analogue of the Formon Sidor (Germany's production) and 14 days earlier than in the pigs of the control group. It was found that pigs treated with the preparation made for 20 days of experiment in the blood contained more estradiol-17β (81.3 ± 4.0 pmol / l) and progesterone (37.7 ± 2.5 nmol / l) than Sidor stimulated pigs (75.7 ± 3.5 pmol / l; 31.1 ± 2.0 nmol / l) and in control animals (64.4 ±, 1 pmol / l; 28.1 ± 2.0 mol / l). The drug has a positive impact on the development of ovaries. In the pigs after stimulation in the 8-month-old age, the mass indicators, volume, linear parameters of the ovaries, as well as the number of follicles and the yellow bodies of the past sex cycle exceeded those in the control animals and pigs undergoing stimulation by Sidor.Conclusion. Research suggests that the method developed by us allows us to obtain a natural genital cartridge pheromone preparation with high biological activity. As a natural stimulator, sex pheromones through olfactory analyzers have a stimulating effect on the relevant cerebral centers and through them to the hypothalamic-pituitary complex, which activates the growth and hormonal activity of ovaries.

Histochemical features of the structure of fetal ovaries in different stages of gestation from mothers with physiological pregnancy

In the following article specific hystochemical features of the fetal ovaries’ structure from mothers with the physiological pregnancy are considered. All fetals were divided into subgroups by taking into consideration the term of gestation, as well as main stages of fetal gonads’ formation and laying. Namely: 21-28 weeks, 29-36 weeks, 37-40 weeks. All fetuses had died intranatally, as a result of acute uterine-placental circulation. The course of pregnancy in all cases was psychological, according to appropriate medical documentation. In the aim of reaching the scientific goal the following research methods were used: macroscopic, organometric, histological, histochemichal, morphometric, statistical. The comprehensive study has revealed the following features of the ovaries’ structure, depending on gestational term: weight, length, thickness, width and volume of the ovaries were reaching their minimum levels in case of fetuses with a gestational age of 21-28 weeks, while the maximum one was reached in case of fetuses on 37-42 weeks of gestation. All gonads are represented by cortical and cerebral matter, with the constant ratio despite of different gestational term. According to the growth of pregnancy term the number of germ cells decreases, while the number of apoptotically altered forms oppositely increases. Primarily it is because of the psychological cells’ death during ovarian formation.The follicular component at all stages of gestation is represented by primordial and primary follicles; at the 37-40 weeks though the atretic forms and cystically altered specimens are appearing. Moreover, in accordance with the growth of the pregnancy term, the number of primordial follicles decreases, while oppositely, the number of primary ones increases. The aforementioned changes lead to the decrease in the relative volume of follicular tissue and to the increase of the relative volume of the interstitial component. By the following histochemical methods (Felgen-Rossenbeck reaction, Brache reaction, Schiff-reaction) an increase in the functional activity of the fetal ovaries was revealed, by reaching its maximum point during gestation of the 37-40 weeks. The aforementioned features correspond with gestational terms as well as with stages of the ovarian development of the fetus. That is why they could be used as a control group during leading a research on characteristical features of fetal gonads structure of fetuses from mothers with complicated pregnancies.

Ovarian dysfunction following prenatal exposure to an insecticide, chlordecone, associates with altered epigenetic features

Chlordecone (CD) is an insecticide that was used in the French West Indies for several years to control the banana root borer pest. Given its nonsignificant degradation, it persists in the environment. CD is a carcinogenic compound with reproductive and developmental toxicity and is a recognized endocrine-disrupting chemical. In this study, we examined the effects of CD on female reproductive system of mice with the focus on epigenetic features in ovary. Our data show that gestational exposure to low dose of CD affects meiotic double-strand breaks repair in female embryos. In adult mice derived from CD-treated pregnant females, we observed delayed puberty, decreased number of primordial and increased number of atretic follicles. Gene expression analysis revealed that Rcbtb2 and Rbpms genes were not expressed in embryonic gonads. Estrogen signaling- and oocyte maturation-associated genes were downregulated in adult ovaries. The morphological changes were associated with altered epigenetic features: increased H2Aub and increased H3K27me3 and decreased H4ac and H3K4me3 in embryonic oocytes. The DNA damage-associated, γH2AX marks were detected in the follicles of treated but not control adult ovaries. We also found reduced H3K4me3 and H4ac in fully grown oocytes of the treated ovaries. The ChIP-seq analysis of H3K4me3 in adult ovaries showed that target genes of ZFP57 and TRIM28, which regulate pluripotency and imprinting, were significantly enriched in altered regions. Our study clearly demonstrates that gestational exposure to a low dose of CD impairs the function of female reproductive system and the changes are associated with altered epigenetic features.

BILATERAL OVULATIONS FOR THE DAIRY BREEDS: DIAGNOSTICS, PREVALENCE, PRACTICAL VALUE

Results of monitoring research of morphological features of ovaries of cows of dairy breeds in 0th day of a follicular phase of a sexual cycle are presented. By differential manual technic diagnostic method one significantly established that the frequency of cases of bilateral ovulations of follicles is influenced by the level of milk production: amongst cows, that have milk production lower, than 5 thousand, this phenomenon was found in 12,88% of cycles, and among highly productive cows (6 000–10 000 kg) – only in 4,34% of cases. Significantly more frequent prevalence of bilateral ovulations was found amongst thoroughbred cows (7,34% of cycles) in comparison with local cattle (0,82% of cycles). Genetic influence on the frequency of bilateral ovulations is significantly established by the statistical analysis of data: amongst cows of red and red-and-white breeds – 10,96% of cycles were with bilateral ovulations, and amongst black-and-white cattle, respectively – 6,57%. For the first time the biological value of bilateralism of development of the dominating cow follicles is experimentally established. Among females with double ovulations after insemination the pregnancy was fixed by 1,5–6,4 times more often, than among cows with single ovulations (respectively, for the herds of Ukrainian Red Dairy and Ayrshire breeds). Pair gonads of cows are key bodies in dairy cattle reproduction, therefore studying of ovary morphogenesis and identification of biological resources of reproduction are important tasks in herd reproduction problem solving under the conditions of industrial milk production technologies.

Assessing oocyte development and maturation in the threatened Delta Smelt, Hypomesus transpacificus

Delta Smelt is a pelagic annual fish species endemic to the San Francisco Estuary, which is protected under U.S. Federal and California State Endangered Acts. In this study we established criteria for scoring Delta Smelt maturity based on the histological features in ovary, as well as measurements of the female sex hormone 17β-estradiol (E2) from liver tissue using radioimmunoassay. We then analyzed the reproductive status of maturing females caught from November 2011 through April 2012 (2011 year-class) by histological examination, E2 quantification, and several common fish metrics including size of oocytes, gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index, and condition factor. Histological scoring revealed that Delta Smelt oocytes matured in February through April 2012. The presence of postovulatory follicles with immature oocytes (Stage 1 to 3) further suggests that Delta Smelt are iteroparous, capable of reproducing multiple times during the spawning season. Hepatic E2 concentration was significantly correlated with gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index, size of oocytes, and maturation stage. Histological examination of ovaries combined with measures of hepatic E2 and size of oocytes provide a powerful approach to evaluate reproductive performance and maturation timing for the imperiled Delta Smelt.

Ultrastructural Features of Ovary of the Female African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse) During Oestrous Cycle

El presente estudio describe las estructuras especificas del ovario durante el ciclo estral en ratas gigantes africanas (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse). Las caracteristicas ultraestructurales del epitelio germinal y medular del ovario fueron similares durante las diferentes etapas del ciclo estral. A mediados del periodo proestro, se observo una desorganizacion de la capa interna de las celulas de la granulosa, de foliculos secundarios para formar el antro folicular. A fines del proestro/ciclo estral temprano, se observo un avance de la formacion del antro y fue posible evidenciar la reorganizacion de las celulas de la granulosa. Las estructuras finas del ovario durante mediados del ciclo estral incluyen foliculos con mitocondrias en forma variable, perfiles de complejos de Golgi y densa concentracion de ribosomas. La teca interna compartida, evidencio ultraestructura similar a las celulas de la granulosa, que ademas contienen las gotas de lipidos y reticulo endoplasmico liso. La ultraestructura celular que observamos durante mediados del ciclo estral mostro el comienzo de la diferenciacion del cuerpo luteo. A mediados del ciclo diestro, la formacion ultraestructural de los foliculos mostro un contenido celular desorganizado y se observo el cuerpo luteo con despolarizacion de la membrana basal que separa las celulas de la granulosa de teca. Al termino del periodo diestro al comienzo del proestro, se observaron numerosas mitocondrias de diversos tamanos y formas en las celulas de la granulosa. En el citoplasma, los ribosomas se distribuyeron de manera uniforme, mientras que los electrones lucidos de vesiculas estaba escasamente distribuidas. Los resultados de este estudio indican que los cambios finos estructurales en el ovario de la rata gigante durante el ciclo estral son similares a los de los roedores de laboratorio.

Estrous Cycle-dependent Morphology in the Reproductive Organs of the Female Göttingen Minipig

The present study describes the normal histology of female reproductive organs during the estrous cycle in the Göttingen minipig. For this purpose, sexually mature females were sacrificed at different phases of the cycle (follicular/proliferation, ovulation, and early-, mid-, and late-luteal/secretory phase). Ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina, and mammary gland tissues were processed for microscopic evaluation. Sexual maturity was assured by selecting females in which at least 1 progesterone peak was measured. Stage-distinguishing features in ovaries were the Graafian follicles (disrupted vs. nondisrupted) and corpora lutea of recent and preceding cycles (size, cell morphology, and structural composition). In the uterus, stage-specific markers were epithelial morphology, secretory activity (using periodic acid-Schiff/hematoxylin staining), and epithelial mitosis and/or apoptosis. The other reproductive organs were not suitable to discriminate between the different phases of the cycle due to a high morphologic variability (mammary gland, and vagina) or absence of clear morphologic differences between the phases (cervix). The increased use of young minipigs (frequently immature/peripubertal) in preclinical testing requires more knowledge on the histologic cyclic changes. With the present morphologic description of the morphologic characteristics of the reproductive tract in recently ovulating minipigs, a guidance for staging the estrous cycle and determination of sexual immaturity is provided.

Analysis of the ovarian characteristics of transintracavitary three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound parameters and vascularization index of the polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective To quantify the transintracavitary three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound features of ovaries in polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS).Methods Two-dimensional ultrasound,color Doppler flow imaging,three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound was performed on 75 women with PCOS and in 63 controls.Such key index as ovarian average diameter,follicle count,pulsatility index(PI),resistance index(RI),totsl ovarian volume,stromal volume,follicle volume,mean gray value(MG)were measured and ovarian stromal blood flow index such as vascularization index(VI),flow index(FI)and vascularization flow index(VFI)were also quantified.Results In comparison with control group,patients with PCOS showed significantly higher ovarian average diameter,follicle count,total ovarian volume,stromal volume,follicle volume,VI and VFI,while PI and RI were lower.Conclusions Patients with PCOS are characterized by an ultrasound change of polycystic ovary.Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound can not only measure the volume of ovary but also assess the blood perfusion of ovarian stroma.VI and VFI can serve as new criteria for the auxiliary diagnosis of PCOS. Key words: Ultrasonography; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Ovary; Hemodynamic phenomena

Relationship between PGCs Settle and Gonad Development in the Early Chicken Embryo

Chick embryos from stage 14 to stage 31 were studied by means of serial section and light microscopy in order to learn the relationship between the settlement sites of the primordial germ cells (PGCs) and the forming genital ridge. The results showed that: when embryo hatched for 53-56 h, the PGCs reached the coelomic epithelial tissue where gonad would be formed, meanwhile the epithelial tissue began thicker before the PGCs reached. Before stage 19, the final region the PGCs arrived was the thickened portion of the coelomic epithelium, the glycogen in the PGCs cytoplasm maintenance remained unchanged. However at the 3.5-5th hatching day, the glycogen in the PGCs cytoplasm reduced gradually. On the 6th hatching day, the gonad of the embryo appeared the feature of ovary, and the glycogen in the PGCs cytoplasm reduced further. On the 7th hatching day, the differentiation of ovary or testis was obvious and the glycogen in the PGCs cytoplasm later disappeared.

Hormonal Sex Inversion in Striped Bass and White Bass × Striped Bass Hybrids

Abstract The goal of the study was to determine the optimal androgen treatment to produce sex inversion in striped bass Morone saxatilis and white bass M. chrysops × striped bass hybrids. The androgen 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) was orally administered to fish with a dry diet or with nauplii of brine shrimp Artemia sp. for 30 or 40 d within 33–132 d after hatching (d.a.h.). The sex ratios in all of the control groups were close to 1:1. In MT-treated groups, the proportions of males varied from 59% to 100%, depending on the timing of hormone administration. The following regimes of MT-treatment are recommended for practical application: for hybrids, feed fish with a dry diet containing MT at 30 mg/kg from 92–98 d.a.h. through 128–132 d.a.h.; for striped bass, feed fish with a dry diet containing MT at 30 mg/kg from 63 through 93 d.a.h. Histological analysis revealed that inverted males primarily developed testes with some morphological features of ovaries. With further development, the gonads of inverted m...

Female reproductive profile in a fertile, genetically obese line of rats

The female reproductive profile of a fertile genetically obese line of rats, named beta, is characterized. Hypophysis, ovaries, oviducts, and uteri weights do not differ from those of nonobese controls. Histological features in ovary, uterus, and vagina in beta line and alpha controls are similar, in agreement with classical descriptions in the subject. Vaginal opening, number of estrus, number of corpora lutea at ovulation time, and pregnancy patterns (i.e., ovary weight, number of corpora lutea, sites of implantation, and living fetuses, as well as productivity, fertility, litter size, and preweaning mortality) show no significant differences between obese and nonobese animals. From a reproductive standpoint, obese beta line would behave as nonobese. Up to now beta would represent the only fertile genetically obese line of rats, appearing as a profitable biological model to widen and deepen reproductive analysis on obesity.

Transvaginal ultrasonic assessment of the response to clomiphene citrate in polycystic ovarian syndrome

To study the relationship between some ovarian morphological findings based on transvaginal ultrasound (US) and the clomiphene citrate (CC) responsiveness in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). A comparative study of ovarian US features between the CC responders and the CC nonresponders. Infertility and Endocrine Clinic, Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, Shimane Medical University Hospital, Izumo, Japan. Forty-seven infertile patients with PCOS and 30 healthy volunteers. A dose of 50 to 200 mg/d CC was given for ovulation induction in patients with PCOS. Ovarian volume and number of follicles; serum LH, FSH, T, delta 4 androstenedione, and DHEAS. The mean ovarian volume (11.9 mL) and the number of small follicles (13.0) were significantly larger in the CC nonresponders compared with those of the CC responders (7.9 mL and 7.0, respectively). Only 47% of the CC responders and 79% of the CC nonresponders had bilaterally enlarged ovaries (> 6.2 mL). Considerable overlap existed between the different groups. However, 96% of the CC nonresponders had a significantly increased number of follicles (> or = 10 follicles) in each ovary compared with that (16%) of the CC responders. Furthermore, with the combination of these parameters, none of the CC nonresponders had bilaterally normal ovaries, and 96% of patients with PCOS with bilaterally abnormal ovaries were CC nonresponsive. Small multiple follicles (> or = 10) and enlarged ovarian volume (> 6.2 mL) were the most prominent transvaginal US features of ovaries in patients with PCOS with CC nonresponsiveness. These US features could be clinically useful for distinguishing clearly a CC nonresponder from a CC responder.