Ovarian Infertility Research Articles

Probing a Plant Plasma Membrane Receptor Kinase's Three-Dimensional Structure Using Mass Spectrometry-Based Protein Footprinting.

FERONIA (FER), one of the 17 malectin-like receptor-like kinases encoded in the Arabidopsis genome, acts as a receptor for a 5 kDa growth-inhibiting secreted protein hormone, rapid alkalinization factor 1 (RALF1). Upon binding the peptide ligand, FER is involved in a variety of signaling pathways eliciting ovule fertilization and vegetative root cell expansion. Here, we report the use of mass spectrometry-based, carbodiimide-mediated protein carboxyl group (aspartic and glutamic acid) footprinting to map solvent accessible amino acids of the ectodomain of FER (ectoFER), including those involved in RALF1 binding and/or allosteric changes. Aspartate and glutamate residues labeled in this procedure were located in various regions, including the N-terminus, malectin-like domains, and juxtamembrane region, and these correlated well with a three-dimensional structural model of ectoFER predicted from the crystal structure of a related receptor. Covalent cross-linking experiments also revealed the N-terminus of ectoFER linked to the highly conserved C-terminus of RALF1. RALF1 binding assays performed with truncation mutants of ectoFER further implicated the receptor N-terminal and juxtamembrane regions in the binding of RALF1. In conclusion, our results of mass spectrometry-based footprinting methods provide a framework for understanding ligand-induced changes in solvent accessibility and their positions within the three-dimensional structure of a plant receptor kinase.

Serum Albumin Level Adjusted Progesterone Level on the Trigger Day is Not a Significant Predictor of Clinical Pregnancy

Objective: We aimed to assess the effect of serum albumin level adjusted progesterone levels on the trigger day on clinical pregnancy rate in ICSI cycles.Study Design: A total of 100 women undergoing ICSI cycles due to poor ovarian reserve or tubal factor infertility were included in this study. Serum progesterone and albumin levels on the trigger day were utilized to predict clinical pregnancy among normal and poor responders.Results: There were significant differences between groups with and without successful clinical pregnancy in terms of serum albumin (4.6 vs. 4.3 g/dl), progesterone levels (0.5 ng/mL vs. 0.7 ng/mL) on the trigger day and endometrial thickness (11.5 mm vs. 9.3 mm) (p<0.05, p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively). In ROC analyses, progesterone level on the trigger day was found to be a significant predictor of clinical pregnancy (AUC=0.652, p=0.015). An optimal cut-off value of 0.55 ng/mL was obtained with 65% sensitivity and 57% specificity. Albumin level adjusted progesterone concentrations on the trigger day were 0.67 ng/mL versus 0.64 ng/mL, but this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Albumin adjusted progesterone concentrations may be utilized to determine cases for a freeze-all policy.

The interplay between ovule number, pollination and resources as determinants of seed set in a modular plant.

BackgroundA classical dichotomous perspective proposes that either pollination or plant resources limit seed production. However, ovule number could also be limiting when pollination results in complete ovule fertilization and there are more plant resources available than needed to develop seeds. Moreover, this dichotomous view assumes that all flowers of a plant have equal access to a shared pool of resources, although these are frequently compartmentalized within plant modules, for example, inflorescences. How ovule number, pollination and resources affect seed production in physiologically-compartmentalized rather than physiologically-integrated plants has yet to be explored. We used raspberry (Rubus idaeus) to address this question.MethodsWe first assessed if ovule number affected the fraction of ovules that develop into seed (i.e., seed set) and whether this effect related to the extent of physiological integration among flowers within plants. This was achieved by statistically testing predictions on the sign and level of plant organization (i.e., among flowers within inflorescences, among inflorescences within ramets, and among ramets) of the relation between ovule number and seed set given different degrees of physiological integration. We then explored whether the relation between ovule number and seed set was affected by plant age (used here as a surrogate of resource availability) and pollination intensity (open-pollination vs. exclusion).ResultsWithin inflorescences, flowers with more ovules set a larger fraction of seeds. On the other hand, seed set at the inflorescence level was negatively related to the average number of ovules per flower. Seed set increased with ovule number and open-pollination, and decreased with ramet age. However, ovule number explained more variation in seed set than ramet age and pollination treatment. Ramet age affected the strength of the relation of seed set to ovule number, which was stronger in old than young ramets. Pollination did not alter the strength of this relation to any significant extent.DiscussionResults reveal the importance of ovule number as an overriding factor affecting seed set. Within inflorescences, resources appear to be differentially allocated to developing fruits from flowers with many ovules. This is consistent with the fact that in the raspberry a large proportion of the carbon invested in fruit development is fixed by the inflorescence subtending leaf. Differential resource allocation to flowers with many ovules is not affected by pollinator exclusion, being stronger in resource-exhausted ramets. This suggests that the effects of pollen limitation and resource allocation are compartmentalized at the inflorescence level. Consequently, modular plants can be viewed as reproductive mosaics where either ovule number, pollination or resources limit the number of seeds set by different flowers, so that improvements in any of them could increase plant seed production.

Context-specific dependence on FERONIA kinase activity.

Read the Original article at doi: 10.1002/1873‐3468.13157

Mental Disorders and Female Infertility

Approximately 5 to 10 % of women in their reproductive years are affected by infertility. Infertility in women has been associated with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, disturbed eating behavior, autism, psychotic disorders and autism. Part of the association between depression, anxiety and infertility can be explained by the emotional stress resulting from infertility. As mental disorders like depressive disorder or eating disorders are also prospectively associated with infertility, a bidirectional relationship is assumed. The paper discusses the theories about the mechanistic link between mental disorders and infertility. A special relationship may between mental disorders and the main causes of ovulatory infertility, hypothalamic amenorrhea and polycystic ovary disease. Pilot studies support the assumption that psychotherapy may constitute an important component in the treatment of infertility.

HISTOLOGICAL VARIATIONS IN FALLOPIAN TUBE DURING VARIOUS PHASES OF OESTRUS CYCLE

Introduction: The fallopian tube is the vital part of reproductive system where the fertilization of ova takes place. It also acts as a transporting channel for passing the ova and the products of conception to the uterus. To perform these vital functions fallopian tubes u ndergo various histological va riations during va rious phases of oestrus cycle. Material & Methods: Histology of fallopian tubes of 50 female rabbits were studied by using H & E staining. Study of the cytology of vagina of the animal decided the phase of the oestrus cycle i.e. proestrus, oestrus, metaestrus and diestrus phases by Papaniculou's staining. Observations and Results: The study revealed histological changes in relation to various phases of oestrus cycle. Epithelial surface area was maximum in oestrus phase. Secretory cells were most active in metaestrus and diestrus phases. Cilliary cells were prominent in proestrus and oestrus phases. The vascular activity was found maxim um in oestrus phase

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation from contemporary indications to cutting edge research

Over the last three decades, survival rate from malignancies has steadily increased, turning major focus on quality of life in remission. Unfortunately, a major side effect of medical interventions including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or surgery is premature ovarian failure and infertility for many patients. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an experimental technique used to preserve reproductive potential in patients who are pre-pubertal, must urgently undergo gonadotoxic treatment or who have other medical conditions requiring treatment that may undermine ovarian reserve and will lead to sub or infertility. We will review the indications, available techniques of tissue harvesting, and methods for freezing and autotransplanting cortical ovarian tissue. We will discuss outcomes, the potential risk of reintroducing malignancy and lastly, cutting-edge research models being developed in the field.

Importance of an appropriate visual presentation for avoiding a misconception of the menstrual cycle

Family planning, the prevention of unwanted pregnancy, and women’s reproductive health are topics that have received close attention for decades. It would therefore be fair to assume that there exists a good knowledge of the menstrual cycle. However, it is clear that many people have various misconceptions about the menstrual cycle and fertile days or ovulation, and that this process is still largely taught with the aid of materials and images that have not changed for many years. We investigated the effect of moving away from the usual teaching practice of using a 28-day diagram showing ovulation on the 14th day. A total of 184 students from three different high schools, aged between 17 and 18, participated in this research. The students who were taught using three diagrams showing different durations of the menstrual cycle showed a significantly better adoption of the facts and concepts compared to the students who were taught using a diagram of the average 28-day cycle. Our results confirmed that it is highly important to use appropriate visual displays in the teaching of the menstrual cycle and that it is essential to enhance the visual literacy of students and teachers.

Challenges of fertility preservation in leukemia patients.

An ongoing increase in survival rates among young leukemia patients is accompanied by a growing attention to possible long-term complications such as chemotherapy induced ovarian insufficiency and infertility. Therefore, an important element of the management of these patients is fertility preservation, which is challenged by considerations specific for leukemia. Such considerations include prepuberty, poor medical condition on presentation and the need for urgent chemotherapy, all of which may preclude the use of conventional assisted reproductive technologies. A restrictive approach towards utilizing cryopreserved ovarian tissue due to the risk for malignancy reintroduction on transplantation, further minimize the options that currently exist for these patients. This paper aims to provide up-to-date knowledge on gonadotoxicity associated with therapy regimens currently used in the treatment of leukemia. Different fertility preservation techniques are discussed, with an emphasis on efficacy, applicability and limitations in the context of leukemia.

In vivo interspecific pollination success between Pinus radiata, P. maximinoi, P. oocarpa and P. tecunumanii

The objective of the study was to investigate in vivo interspecific pollination success between Pinus radiata, P. maximinoi, P. oocarpa and P. tecunumanii. Pinus radiata was control pollinated with pollen lots of P. maximinoi, P. oocarpa and P. tecunumanii in a P. radiata seed orchard at Karatara (Southern Cape, South Africa). Pollination success was determined by counting the number of visible ovules, pollen grains inside and outside P. radiata ovules, as well as pollen tubes visible inside P. radiata ovules. Conelets were harvested and studied at eight time intervals, including 24 h after pollination, and weekly for 7 weeks after pollination. Histology studies with a standard fixation-dehydration-embedding sequence and paraffin wax method were used to determine the number of visible pollen grains inside versus outside the ovules and number of pollen tubes. Results indicated that pollen grains did sift through the cone scales within 24 h after pollination. However, P. radiata differed significantly (time by type of cross interaction) from the other three hybrid combinations in terms of number of visible ovules, visible pollen grains inside and outside of the ovules as well as pollen tubes, confirming limited interspecific hybridisation success. Future studies need to determine the percentage of fertile ovules in cross combination as a tool in predicting pollination success.

IMPACT OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN AMINO ACIDS (AA), NAPHTHALENE ACETIC ACID (NAA) AND NAPHTHALENE ACETAMIDE (NAD) ON SANTA ROSA PLUM FRUIT ABSCISSION, YIELD AND QUALITY.

To decrease fruit abscission, increase yield and improve fruit quality of Santa Rosa (Prunus salicina Lindl.) plum; amino acids (AA), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and naphthalene acetamide (NAD) and a combination of them were applied at different concentrations; at full bloom stage and one week after fruit setting stage during 2015 and 2016, in a private orchard at Ashmoun, Monofia governorate, Egypt. Results indicated that fruit set percentage significantly increased by all AA, NAA and NAD treatments compared to the control. AA 0.25 ml/L+NAA 10 ppm + NAD at 10 ppm recorded the highest significant fruit set percentage and the lowest significant fruit drop percentage and gave the maximum yield (62- 64 Kg/ tree). With regard to fruit quality, the same treatment increased fruit weight, length, diameter, firmness, pulp/stone ratio, and total soluble solids content, but decreased titratable acidity in Santa Rosa plum. In addition, total carbohydrates, total nitrogen, and C/N ratio in leaves were higher in treated trees than the control ones. Anatomical studies indicated that inactive embryo development after ovule fertilization may be the major cause of young fruit drop observed in ‘Santa Rosa’ plum trees. Furthermore, there was a relationship between physiological fruit drop which occurred from the middle of Growth Stage 2 to the beginning of Growth Stage 3, and seed development which contains inactive endosperm. From this study, it can be concluded that the combination of AA, NAA, and NAD increased fruit set, reduced fruit abscission, enhanced C/N ratio in leaves, and improved fruit yield and quality of Santa Rosa plum. Thus, it may be recommended to spray AA 0.25 ml/l +NAA 10 ppm + NAD 10 ppm under similar conditions

Studying levels of homocysteine in diagnosed cases of polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder characterized by an ovulatory infertility, menstrual dysfunction, and hirsutism. The pathophysiology behind PCOS is complex. Comorbidities associated with PCOS are hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular events. Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the level of homocysteine in women with PCOS. Materials and Methods: In the current case–control study, 50 female patients diagnosed with PCOS and 40 apparently healthy controls were recruited. The diagnosis of PCOS was established according to Rotterdam criteria. The serum homocysteine level was measured using Cobas 6000 and compared between two study groups. Results: Results found that high percentage of patients in the case group had abnormal level of homocysteine (74.0%) compared to control with normal level of homocysteine. Mean homocysteine level was significantly higher in patients with PCOS (17 μmol/L) compared to its level in control patients (9 μmol/L), P 0.05. Conclusions: The present investigation suggests that higher level of serum homocysteine could be used as a biomarker for PCOS.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ПРОЦЕССОВ ПЕРЕКИСНОГО ОКИСЛЕНИЯ ЛИПИДОВ И АНТИОКСИДАНТНОЙ ЗАЩИТЫ У ЖЕНЩИН РЕПРОДУКТИВНОГО ВОЗРАСТА БОЛЬНЫХ СИНДРОМОМ ПОЛИКИСТОЗНЫХ ЯИЧНИКОВ (ОБЗОР ЛИТЕРАТУРЫ)

The article presents the review of scientific sources devoted to the functional state of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant protection (LPO-AOD), which provides redox homeostasis and determines the body's resistance to adverse influences. The main functions of the LPO are the regulation of renewal, decay of unsaturated structural lipids, lipid permeability of biological membranes. A constantly flowing physiological process has a chain free radical mechanism, the substrates of which are polyunsaturated fatty acids and the main lipids of the blood plasma - cholesterol and triglycerides. Disturbance of the POL-AOD balance leads to oxidative stress, which is an importantfactor in the disruption of cell function and, therefore, the emergence of pathological processes. For many years, researchers around the world have been paying close attention to the study of the etiology and pathogenesis of diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the causes of which are diverse. This common form of endocrine pathology affects up to 20 % of women of reproductive age and is directly related to metabolic disorders (dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinism, insulin resistance, glucose tolerance). This leads to the development of hypertension, abdominal-visceral obesity, early atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Serious consequences can also be metabolic dysfunction, ovulatory infertility, premature birth, perinatal mortality, cancer, etc. Currently there are several studies showing the relationship of processes of LPO-AOD and neuroendocrine regulation. However, there is no comprehensive assessment of the functional relationship between sex hormones and the system of LPO-AOD in women with PCOS, which causes even greater interest for the study.

СУДОВА ЕКСПЕРТИЗА СИРУ КИСЛОМОЛОЧНОГО ЗА МАТЕРІАЛАМИ КРИМІНАЛЬНОГО ПРОВАДЖЕННЯ

The materials of pre-trial investigation of criminal proceedings and materials of forensic inspection of sour-milk cheese on the fact of supplying this counterfeit product to budget educational institutions have been used in the article. The algorithm to conduct forensic inspections of soul-milk cheese has been developed, it includes: transferring to the investigator expert materials of the case and material evidence, the inspection by the expert of documents (materials of the case), the determination of the normative basis regulating the indicators of safety and quality of the cheese and its turnover, the research of labeling elements of the product, the laboratory research of the products, the analysis of the results of the laboratory research of sour-milk cheese, the preparation of the conclusion of the inspection. The samples of sour-milk cheese, investigated during the forensic inspection, can not be identified as sour milk cheese, because they did not meet the requirements of State Standard 4554: 2006 Sour-milk cheese. Specifications due to the content of non-recipe components and lower titrated acidity of the product. This may be due to the addition of vegetable oils in the process of its production or any other inhibitors that suppress the livelihoods of lactic acid bacteria in the product (antibiotics, disinfectants, etc.) and prevent its peroxidation during storage, and accordingly, extend the term of implementation; or the production of sour-milk cheese was made from raw materials that were not of dairy origin. In this regard, the samples of the above products should be considered falsified. Consequences for human health that can be caused by the consumption of the products – fatty mixtures depend on many factors, including microbial contamination of the fatty mixture, the presence of antibiotics, pesticides, heavy metals, radionuclides, and other xenobiotics (these indicators were not indicated by the expert analyzed), indicators of safety and quality of milk and non-dairy raw materials (for example, the type of vegetable oils) from which the fatty mixture is made, the health of people who use such fatty mixtures for a long period of time, etc. The consumption of sour-milk cheese that does not meet the requirements of the national standards for this product can lead to cardiovascular and cancer diseases, ovulation infertility, Alzheimer's disease, etc. (due to the high level of trans-isomers) and also the food poisoning.

Prognostic factors in intrauterine insemination cycles.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the clinical pregnancy rate of intrauterine insemination cycles in relation to patient age, cause of infertility, ovulation induction method, number of mature follicles and sperm with progressive motility.MethodsThis retrospective observational study included 237 intrauterine insemination cycles performed from 2011 to 2015 at the Assisted Reproduction Service of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo. Student's t-test was used to compare quantitative variables and the chi-square test was used to compare qualitative variables.ResultsPatient age was inversely and significantly correlated with pregnancy rates (p=0.001) (Pregnant women = 32.56±5.64 years, non-pregnant women = 36.64±5.03 years). Cause of infertility, ovulation induction method, number of mature follicles and sperm with progressive motility were not associated with pregnancy rates. The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 7.59%. In the subgroup of patients (n=102 cycles) considered ideal for intrauterine insemination (age ≤35 years, unexplained infertility, ovarian factor infertility or minimal endometriosis, and a partner with sperm count ≥2.5×106 retrieved on the day of insemination) the pregnancy rate was 12.74%.ConclusionIn the studied group, female patient age was the only variable significantly correlated with intrauterine insemination success rates.

Floral larceny by the stingless bee <i>Trigona amalthea</i> on granadilla (<i>Passiflora ligularis</i> Juss)

Floral larceny (robbery and thievery of nectar and/or pollen) by some species of stingless bees in the genus Trigona has been long reported for several plant species, although the consequences for plant reproduction are unknown for many cultivated species. Here we i) describe the behavior of Trigona amalthea Olivier in relation to flowers of granadilla (Passiflora ligularis Juss), ii) provide a preliminary assessment of fruit set in six experimental plots, one exposed to attacks by T. amalthea only (infested) and the other plots without attacks from any species (control plots), and iii) discuss potential strategies for preventing damage from T. amalthea based on species traits such as foraging range. We observed T. amalthea chewing styles and stigmas of both flower buds and mature flowers while primarily extracting pollen. Destruction of floral structures prior to ovule fertilization probably accounts for the significant reduction in fruit set in the infested plot compared to control plots, although replicated infested plots are required for robust confirmation. Moreover, negative effects may be intensified by the small size of the experimental plot. Further studies are needed to assess impacts on commercial plantations, including investigations into a potential dilution effect in larger crop fields, as well as plant mechanisms to cope with consumer damage (resistance and tolerance). Legitimate pollinators were found to cover larger distances than T. amalthea. Therefore, locating crop fields at optimal distances from bee nesting habitat might reduce damage by balancing bee services and disservices.

Enrichment of Female Germline Stem Cells from Mouse Ovaries Using the Differential Adhesion Method

Background/Aims: The isolation and establishment of female germline stem cells (FGSCs) is controversial because of questions regarding the reliability and stability of the isolation method using antibody targeting mouse vasa homologue (MVH), and the molecular mechanism of FGSCs self-renewal remains unclear. Thus, there needs to be a simple and reliable method for sorting FGSCs to study them. Methods: We applied the differential adhesion method to enrich FGSCs (DA-FGSCs) from mouse ovaries. Through four rounds of purification and 7-9 subsequent passages, DA-FGSC lines were established. In addition, we assessed the role of the phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway in regulating FGSC self-renewal. Results: The obtained DA-FGSCs spontaneously differentiated into oocyte-like cells in vitro and formed functional eggs in vivo that were fertilized and produced healthy offspring. AKT was rapidly phosphorylated when the proliferation rate of FGSCs increased after 10 passages, and the addition of a chemical PI3K inhibitor prevented FGSCs self-renewal. Furthermore, over-expression of AKT-induced proliferation and differentiation of FGSCs, c-Myc, Oct-4 and Gdf-9 levels were increased. Conclusions: The differential adhesion method provides a more feasible approach and is an easier procedure to establish FGSC lines than traditional methods. The AKT pathway plays an important role in regulation of the proliferation and maintenance of FGSCs. These findings could help promote stem cell studies and provide a better understanding of causes of ovarian infertility, thereby providing potential treatments for infertility.

Features of Professor Ma Kun's medication in treating ovulatory infertility

In order to analyze Professor Ma Kun's medication in treating anovulatory infertility, her prescriptions for treating anovulatory infertility in 2012-2015 were collected. The medication features and the regularity of prescriptions were mined by using traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system, association rules, complex system entropy clustering and other mining methods. Finally, a total of 684 prescriptions and 300 kinds of herbs were screened out, with a total frequency of 11 156 times; And 68 core combinations and 8 new prescriptions were mined. The top three frequently used herbs by effect were respectively tonic herb, blood circulation promoting herb, and Qi-circulation promoting herb. The top three tastes were sweetness, bitterness and pungent flavor. The results showed 28 herbs with a high frequency of ≥100.The top 10 frequently used herbs were respectively Angelica Sinensis Radix, Cyperi Rhizoma, Chuanxiong Rhizome, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, Cyathulae Radix, Taxilli Herba, Cuscutae Semen, Codonopsis Radix, Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, Paeoniae Albaand Paeoniae Radix Alba. The association rules analysis showed commonly used herbal pairs, including Rehmanniae Radix Preparata-Chuanxiong Rhizome, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata-Angelica Sinensis Radix, Cuscutae Semen-Dipsaci Radix. In conclusion, Professor Ma has treated anovulatory infertility by nourishing the kidney and activating blood throughout the treatment course, and attached the importance to the relationship between Qi and blood and there gulation of liver, spleen and kidney in treating anovulatory infertility.

Identifying population thresholds for flowering plant reproductive success: the marsh gentian (Gentiana pneumonanthe) as a flagship species of humid meadows and heathland

The threshold below which population declines impact the effectiveness of plant reproduction is essential for the identification of populations that can no longer spontaneously recover following habitat management or restoration, below the minimum viable population (MVP) size. We hypothesized that risk of reproductive limitation can be evaluated from combined analysis of pollen activity, ovule fertilization and germination in the context of population demographics and fragmentation. The marsh gentian (Gentiana pneumonanthe), a rare emblematic species of European heathland and fen, was investigated at the southern limit of its range in eighteen populations encompassing one to several hundred thousand individuals, spanning small fragments to extensive well-preserved areas. An index of habitat fragmentation was determined from GIS; field surveys determined the ratio of juvenile to reproductive age states; fluorescence microscopy of pistils determined, for each population, the proportion of flowers exhibiting active pollen tube growth. Analysis of seed lots determined the ovule fertilization rate and seed germination capacity. Some of the small populations occupying restricted habitat fragments showed high rates of pollination (100%) and ‘normal’ age state demographics. However, reproductive characters all exhibited exponential rise to maximum relationships with population size, indicating clear tipping points (for pollination, at a threshold of 7 reproductive adults, and for ovule fertilization rate and germination at 42 reproductive adults). Thus although small populations may set seed, exhibit a ‘normal’ age state structure, and may appear viable, reproductive effectiveness declines when population size falls below 42 generative individuals and < 7 is an indicator of strong limitation. Although many remnant populations of G. pneumonanthe are in the order of 50–150 individuals these should be not be considered as MVPs; they are on the brink of calamity.

The Ecology of Mating and Its Evolutionary Consequences in Seed Plants

Mating in seed plants arises from interactions between plant traits and the environmental and demographic context in which individuals reside. These interactions commonly cause nonrandom mating, including selfing and promiscuous outcrossing within local neighborhoods. Shared features of seed plants, specifically immobility, hermaphroditism, and modularity, shape the essential character of mating mediated by animals, wind, and water. In addition, diverse floral strategies promote cross- and self-mating, depending on environmental circumstances. Extrinsic ecological factors influence all stages of the mating process—pollination, pollen-tube growth, ovule fertilization—as well as seed development, determining offspring quantity and quality. Traditionally, measures of plant mating systems have focused on a single axis of variation, the maternal outcrossing rate. Instead, we argue for an expanded perspective encompassing mating portfolios, which include all offspring to which individuals contribute genetically as maternal or paternal parents. This approach should expose key ecological determinants of mating-system variation and their evolutionary consequences.