Female Reproductive Capacity Research Articles

Elucidating the Role of Autophagy-related Genes in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Implications for Diagnostic Models and Immune Response Regulation.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that negatively affects female reproductive capacity. Although the association between autophagy and PCOS is known, there are few detailed studies on the association between autophagy-related genes and PCOS. Publicly available gene expression datasets (GSE102293, GSE138518, GSE34526, GSE114419, GSE137684, GSE155489) were used in a comprehensive analysis to identify a role for autophagy in PCOS. Batch effects were mitigated using the sva package, followed by WGCNA (weighted gene correlation network analysis) and ss- GSEA (single sample gene set enrichment analysis) to identify autophagy-related genes. Recursive feature elimination (RFE) and LASSO COX methods were used to identify important hub genes, and their correlation with immune cell activity was assessed using ssGSEA and Pearson correlation analysis. High autophagy scores were observed in PCOS samples, and the dark green gene module with the highest autophagy correlation was identified. The differential analysis identified a total of 169 up-regulated genes versus 2 down-regulated genes in the PCOS samples, which were intersected by taking the intersection with the deep green module genes and resulted in 121 key genes. Subsequently, 6 hub genes (MMP25, CSF3R, SLPI, MMP9, CLEC4E, and SIGLEC10) were further identified based on RFE and LASSO algorithms. Diagnostic efficacy based on ROC curves showed six autophagy- associated hub genes with AUC values as high as 0.959 and 0.896 in the training and validation sets, respectively. Finally, we observed that these hub genes are strongly associated with immune function, especially chronic inflammation and aberrant immune activation pathways. In this study, we identified autophagy genes closely related to PCOS and constructed a gene model with high diagnostic accuracy. These findings not only provided potential new biomarkers for the diagnosis of PCOS but also revealed the key role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Stable introduction of Wolbachia wPip into invasive Anopheles stephensi for potential malaria control.

The spread and invasion of the urban malaria vector Anopheles stephensi has emerged as a significant threat to ongoing malaria control and elimination efforts, particularly in Africa. The successful use of the maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia for arbovirus control has inspired the exploration of similar strategies for managing malaria vectors, necessitating the establishment of a stable Wolbachia-Anopheles symbiosis. In this study, we successfully transferred Wolbachia wPip into An. stephensi, resulting in the establishment of a stable transinfected HP1 line with 100% maternal transmission efficiency. We demonstrate that wPip in the HP1 line induces nearly complete unidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and maintains high densities in both somatic and germline tissues. Despite a modest reduction in lifespan and female reproductive capacity, our results suggest the Wolbachia infection in the HP1 line has little impact on life history traits, body size, and male mating competitiveness, as well as the ability of its larvae to tolerate rearing temperatures up to 38°C, although wPip densities moderately decrease when larvae are exposed to a constant 33°C and diurnal cyclic temperatures of 27-36°C and 27-38°C. These findings highlight the potential of the HP1 line as a robust candidate for further development in malaria control.

Menopause and the role of physical activity - The views and knowledge of women aged 40-65.

Menopause marks the end of female reproductive capacity. It is defined as the point after cessation of the menstrual cycle for 12months (Nursat et al., 2008). Awareness about menopause has increased over the last decade, yet studies have shown that women still lack knowledge regarding the subject. Likewise, awareness of women between the age of 40-65 on the potential role of physical activity prior to and during menopause in women is unclear. Women (n = 162) aged 40-65years completed a survey rating their knowledge, answered fact-based questions and reported their experiences of menopause. Their levels of, and beliefs on, the role physical activity on symptoms and menopause associated disease risk were also collected. Women reported their confidence in their current knowledge level at 67% reflecting 37% higher rating than an estimate of their knowledge 10years ago. Their factual knowledge score was 56%. Knowledge was primarily gained through friends and family and almost half (46%) had not spoken to a healthcare professional. Frustration was expressed with lack of knowledge and support of healthcare and others. Women using HRT (44%) had mixed attitudes towards its role. A high proportion were active and felt that physical activity can help manage symptoms and impact long-term health consequences of menopause. Menopause education strategies for women, healthcare professionals and others need to be improved. Lack of education may be causing women to struggle and feel negatively towards this life stage. Physical activity was viewed positively for the symptoms and a treatment during menopause and long-term health.

Prolonged testosterone 17β-cyclopentylpropionate exposition induces behavioral, ovarian, oviductal, uterine and reproductive disturbances in female mice

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) abuse is often associated with metabolic disorders and infertility. However, the current evidence on AAS-induced reproductive toxicity is mainly based on male studies. Thus, AAS repercussions on female reproductive capacity remain poorly understood, despite scarce evidence that fertility determinants may be more severely impaired in females than males exposed to these drugs. Accordingly, this study used an integrated framework to investigate the impact of different testosterone 17β-cyclopentylpropionate (TC) doses on pain sensitivity, aggressiveness, anxiety, sexual behavior, ovarian, oviductal, uterine and reproductive morphofunctional and molecular outcomes. These parameters were used to explore the reproductive capacity in female mice exposed to this synthetic testosterone ester. The animals were untreated or intraperitoneally treated with 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg TC every 48 h for 12 weeks. Our findings indicated that testosterone was upregulated while the hormones luteinizing, follicle-stimulating, estrogen and progesterone were down-regulated by TC. This AAS also exerted deleterious effects on anxiety, aggressivity, nociception, exploratory and sexual behavior in female mice. Concurrently, TC attenuated ovarian follicle maturation, interrupted the estrous cycle, induced oviductal and uterine hypotrophy. Estrous cyclicity was reestablished 60 days after AAS treatment. However, TC-treated mice still exhibited impaired reproductive capacity, a disturbance potentially related to deficiency in folliculogenesis, sex hormones production, and endometrial receptivity mediate by ER-α, PR, HOXA-10 and LIF down-regulation. Taken together, our findings indicated that in addition to female behavior, reproductive organs microstructure and function are markedly impaired by TC in a dose-dependent manner, whose time-dependent reversibility remains to be clarified.

Bu-Shen-Tian-Jing formulas alleviate the mitochondrial damage induced by oxidative stress in ovarian granulosa cells exposed to DEHP through the HDAC3-HSP90AA pathway

Context di-(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has potential reproductive toxicity. Bu-Shen-Tian-Jing formulations (BSTJFs) are beneficial for female reproductive capacity. However, BSTJF2 has much lower cytotoxicity than BSTJF1. Objective To investigate the effects of BSTJFs on ovarian granulosa cells exposed to DEHP and determine the potential molecular mechanisms. Methods and materials Human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN) cells were divided into control, DEHP, BSTJF1 and BSTJF2 groups. The DEHP group were given 1 μM DEHP for 24 h. They were then given BSTJF1 at 200 μg/mL or BSTJF2 at 100 μg/mL for 24 h. The control group was treated with the same concentration of DMSO (0.1%). Oxidative stress and mitochondrial function were measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 and HSP90AA were determined. Integrative network pharmacology analysis of BSTJF2 was also performed. Results DEHP (1 μM) significantly suppressed the proliferation of KGN cells by 17%, significantly increased ROS levels by 28% and MDA levels by 47%, significantly decreased MMP levels by 22% and mtDNA copy by 30%. DEHP significantly increased protein expression of HDAC3 by 21%and HSP90AA by 64%. All these changes were significantly reversed by BSTJFs. Integrative network pharmacology analysis revealed HSP90AA was a key target (degree = 8). Both RGFP966 and BSTJF2 significantly reversed the increased expression of HDAC3 and HSP90AA, attenuated oxidative stress, and mitochondrial damage which were induced by DEHP. Conclusion BSTJFs might have therapeutic potential on oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage through the HDAC3/HSP90AA pathway which encourages further clinical trials.

REPRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF FEMALES AND GROWTH OF YOUNG RABBITS USING DIOECIOUSLY NETTLE FLOUR IN FEEDING

Introduction. Breeding of rabbits is the one of the promising branches that occupies a special position in modern animal husbandry. Rabbits are characterized by high fertility and early maturity. A short pregnancy period and the ability of rabbits to combine the physiological periods of lactation and gestation make it possible to obtain more than 30 rabbits and 70 kg of meat per year from a female rabbit.
 At the same time, one of the key factors that prevents the comprehensive realization of the genetic potential of female productivity is the deterioration of their reproductive capacity. In this sense, the use of phytobiotics in feeding is considered a promising way to solve the problem in order to prevent unproductive losses of the brood stock during pregnancy and birth. Taking this into account, the purpose of the conducted research was to determine the expediency and effectiveness of using dioecious nettle flour in the alimentation of rabbits in the direction of improving parameters of female reproductive capacity, preservation and growth of young before weaning.
 The realization of the set goal involved the use of a complex of generally accepted zootechnical and statistical research methods. Three groups of female rabbits in the gestation, each with three heads were formed during the process of justifying the set goal. The difference in feeding was in the method of nutritional intervention of the phytosupplement made from nettle: I group – restriction of phytosupplement consumption, II and III groups – consumption of phytosupplement. In the course of exploratory studies, the optimal dosage of nettle flour for their compound feed was substantiated in the amount of 10% versus 3.5 and 15%. From the offspring obtained from the offspring itself, three groups of young animals with 4 heads in the skin were formed: I – consumption of phytosupplements from the 21st day after birth, II group – consumption of phytosupplements through the placental route via the mother's body. , III – consumption of phytonutrients placental in the mother’s womb and orally from the 21st day after birth.
 Research results. It was established that the fertility itself ranged from 5 to 8 rabbits in the nest, while a total of 56 viable rabbits were obtained in the offspring. However, a higher average yield of rabbits, including live ones, per female that gave birth of a doe rabbit was noted in group III. According to this indicator, they exceeded their peers in the II and I groups by 16.7% and 23.5%, respectively, whose productivity was almost the same, ranging from 5.67 to 6.00 offspring. Despite this, no probable difference between them was found during the biometric processing of the obtained results. The number of stillborn rabbits of the II group was 2 heads or 11.1%, I – 3 heads or 17.6% of the natural offspring, while the III group of animals was characterized by increased survival of the obtained offspring, in which such individuals were not registered. The weight of the nest at birth in female rabbits of the III group was also greater by 59.0 g or 15.1% compared to the female rabbits of the II group and by 68.4 g or 18.0% compared to the individuals of the I group, while the average live weight of one individual from the offspring within the experimental groups varied from 63.9 g to 66.9 g. On the other hand, the difference between the groups in favor of the females of the III group in terms of the nest weight at the age of 30 days decreased slightly and amounted to 754.7 g or 30.7% in relation to the II group and I group – 806.2 g or 33.5%. The investigated indicators in the females of the II group were close to those of the females of the I group.
 Conclusions. The live weight of the young of the III group during the first month of postnatal development was significantly higher than the peers of the other groups by 34.5 and 49.2 g, or 8.1% (p < 0.01) and 12.0% (p < 0.001) at one hundred percent level of preservation in all groups. In accordance with the changes in the youngsters live weight from all groups, the intensity of their growth also changed. In general, during the period from birth to 30 days of age, the average daily weight gain of rabbits from the III group increased by 9.2% (p < 0.01) compared to peers of the I group and by 14.5% (p < 0.001), compared to the youngster of the II group. The specified advantages in terms of growth energy were also observed between II and I groups, in favor of the latter, but they were less pronounced and amounted to 4.9%, respectively, without a statistically significant difference between them.

O-283 Impact of metabolic syndrome and effect of treatment on male and female reproductive capacity

Abstract Obesity is associated with sub fertility and multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes including miscarriage and later pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. Weight loss preconception is recommended for women with obesity and infertility. The etiology of infertility may affect the response to weight loss with WHO type 2 patients more likely to ovulate spontaneously or with oral medications after modest weight loss. The evidence for weight loss improving fertility outcomes is weak for women with unexplained infertility. There may also be unrecognized harms to weight loss including increased risks of miscarriage and weight rebounding excessively during pregnancy. Unique hurdles to weight loss interventions including the types, duration and best comparators will be discussed. Blanket recommendations that weight loss improves fertility and pregnancy outcomes should be avoided. Other factors such as age and ovarian reserve should be factored into any preconception weight loss strategies

O-176 Knowledge and belief about fertility preservation for medical and social reasons among Iranian female students

Abstract Study question What is the knowledge and beliefs of the female students in Tehran universities regarding the oocyte cryopreservation for medical and social reasons? Summary answer This study highlighted the positive attitude but insufficient knowledge about medical and social egg freezing and the ideal timing of childbearing in female students. What is known already Emerging research indicates that physiologic or pathologic ovarian aging limits the female reproductive capacity and oocyte cryopreservation (OC) is a rapidly evolving branch of reproductive medicine. Given the growing numbers of young women surviving cancer, along with increasing numbers of high educated women postponing childbearing for educational or professional pursuits, there will be a growing demand for egg freezing services to guarantee the pregnancy in near future. Egg freezing can prevent age-related infertility, but it also can cause new potentially ethical and financial problems and the neonatal and maternal risks of childbearing at an advanced maternal age. Study design, size, duration Totally, 1279 students from Tehran universities were included in this cross-sectional survey between March and August 2022. Participants/materials, setting, methods The survey was distributed through an online forum and advertised on social media groups targeting students in Tehran universities. Childless students in master's and doctoral degrees with the age of ≤ 38 years were included. Bachelor’s students were not included. Knowledge and beliefs about medical and non-medical oocyte cryopreservation were assessed through Fertility Preservation Survey (FPS) instrument. To analyze the data, descriptive statistical methods (mean and standard deviation) and analytical statistics (One-way ANOVA) were used. Main results and the role of chance The majority of participants were 30-34 years (41.1%, M: 26.38± 4.9), not married (77.2%), master’s student (77.7%), and hoped to have 2 children in the future (40.5%). Most of participants expected to be “30-34 years” when they become pregnant with their first child (34.4%) and “35-39 years” when they give birth to their last child (39.1%). The students agreed with preserving fertility with medical (93.3%) and social (86.9%) indications and believed medical (95.1%) and social (87.4%) costs of cryopreservation should be covered by health system. Participants believed in the routine providing of information about egg freezing to women of childbearing age as part of regular healthcare visits by health care professionals (95.5%). Women stated if they decide not to use eggs to become pregnant, they would consider donating them for fertility research (67.1%), to a friend or family member with fertility problems (58.1 %) and to infertile couples (42.7%). The overall correct response to knowledge questions was 57.7% which is relatively moderate. The marital status (P = 0.028), university faculty (P = 0.025) and occupation (P = 0.048) were related to knowledge. Married (M: 7.40±1.98) and unemployed students (M: 7.24±2.24) had more knowledge and students of Art faculty had lower knowledge than other faculties (M: 6.36±2.22). Limitations, reasons for caution The results would not be generalizable to all female students because the research project’s advertisement may have been ignored by students who are not interested in childbearing or it might have been noticed by students who are more interested in childbearing and preserving their fertility. Wider implications of the findings The findings are valuable in planning fertility preservation services. The supportive policies for childbearing could be expanded to cover the costs of fertility preservation. Midwives could play an important role in increasing the knowledge about age-related infertility and oocyte cryopreservation and help students in their reproductive life planning. Trial registration number not applicable

Cumulative Exposure to Phthalates and Their Alternatives and Associated Female Reproductive Health: Body Burdens, Adverse Outcomes, and Underlying Mechanisms.

The global birth rate has recently shown a decreasing trend, and exposure to environmental pollutants has been identified as a potential factor affecting female reproductive health. Phthalates have been widely used as plasticizers in plastic containers, children's toys, and medical devices, and their ubiquitous presence and endocrine-disrupting potential have already raised particular concerns. Phthalate exposure has been linked to various adverse health outcomes, including reproductive diseases. Given that many phthalates are gradually being banned, a growing number of phthalate alternatives are becoming popular, such as di(isononyl) cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH), di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), and di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP), and they are beginning to have a wide range of environmental effects. Studies have shown that many phthalate alternatives may disrupt female reproductive function by altering the estrous cycle, causing ovarian follicular atresia, and prolonging the gestational cycle, which raises growing concerns about their potential health risks. Herein, we summarize the effects of phthalates and their common alternatives in different female models, the exposure levels that influence the reproductive system, and the effects on female reproductive impairment, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and offspring development. Additionally, we scrutinize the effects of phthalates and their alternatives on hormone signaling, oxidative stress, and intracellular signaling to explore the underlying mechanisms of action on female reproductive health, because these chemicals may affect reproductive tissues directly or indirectly through endocrine disruption. Given the declining global trends of female reproductive capacity and the potential ability of phthalates and their alternatives to negatively impact female reproductive health, a more comprehensive study is needed to understand their effects on the human body and their underlying mechanisms. These findings may have an important role in improving female reproductive health and in turn decreasing the number of complications during pregnancy.

Making a good egg: human oocyte health, aging, and in vitro development.

Mammalian eggs (oocytes) are formed during fetal life and establish associations with somatic cells to form primordial follicles that create a store of germ cells (the primordial pool). The size of this pool is influenced by key events during the formation of germ cells and by factors that influence the subsequent activation of follicle growth. These regulatory pathways must ensure that the reserve of oocytes within primordial follicles in humans lasts for up to 50 years, yet only approximately 0.1% will ever be ovulated with the rest undergoing degeneration. This review outlines the mechanisms and regulatory pathways that govern the processes of oocyte and follicle formation and later growth, within the ovarian stroma, through to ovulation with particular reference to human oocytes/follicles. In addition, the effects of aging on female reproductive capacity through changes in oocyte number and quality are emphasized, with both the cellular mechanisms and clinical implications discussed. Finally, the details of current developments in culture systems that support all stages of follicle growth to generate mature oocytes in vitro and emerging prospects for making new oocytes from stem cells are outlined.

Multi-omics analysis reveals gut microbiota-ovary axis contributed to the follicular development difference between Meishan and Landrace × Yorkshire sows

BackgroundThe mechanism by which Meishan (MS) sows are superior to white crossbred sows in ovarian follicle development remains unclear. Given gut microbiota could regulate female ovarian function and reproductive capacity, this study aimed to determine the role of gut microbiota-ovary axis on follicular development in sows.MethodsWe compared the ovarian follicular development, gut microbiota, plasma metabolome, and follicular fluid metabolome between MS and Landrace × Yorkshire (L × Y) sows. A H2O2-induced cell apoptosis model was used to evaluate the effects of multi-omics identified metabolites on the apoptosis of porcine ovarian granulosa cells in vitro.ResultsCompared with L × Y sows, MS sows have greater ovary weight and improved follicular development, including the greater counts of large follicles of diameter ≥ 5 mm, secondary follicles, and antral follicles, but lesser atretic follicles. The ovarian granulosa cells in MS sows had alleviated apoptosis, which was indicated by the increased BCL-2, decreased caspases-3, and decreased cleaved caspases-3 than in L × Y sows. The ovarian follicular fluid of MS sows had higher concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and insulin like growth factor 1 than L × Y sows. Gut microbiota of MS sows formed a distinct cluster and had improved alpha diversity, including increased Shannon and decreased Simpson than those of L × Y sows. Corresponding to the enhanced function of carbohydrate metabolism and elevated short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces, the differential metabolites in plasma between MS and L × Y sows are also mainly enriched in pathways of fatty acid metabolism. There were significant correlations among SCFAs with follicular development, ovarian granulosa cells apoptosis, and follicular fluid hormones, respectively. Noteworthily, compared with L × Y sows, MS sows had higher follicular fluid SCFAs concentrations which could ameliorate H2O2-induced porcine granulosa cells apoptosis in vitro.ConclusionMS sows have more secondary and antral follicles, but fewer atretic follicles and apoptotic ovarian granulosa cells, as well as harbored a distinctive gut microbiota than L × Y sows. Gut microbiota may participate in regulating ovarian follicular development via SCFAs affecting granulosa cells apoptosis in sows.

Whole-genome resequencing reveals selection signatures for caviar yield in Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)

Russian sturgeon, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, an ancient fish, has great economic and nutritional value as a source of caviar. Although significant differences exist in the female reproductive capacity under artificial breeding conditions, genome-wide adaptations to domesticated female reproductive capacity have never been investigated. In this study, we conducted whole-genome resequencing of 35 and 37 individuals from high-fecundity (H) and low-fecundity (L) populations, respectively, with an average sequencing depth of about 10×, resulting in approximately 32.57 million high-quality SNPs for each individual. Weir and Cockerham's FST combined with cross-population composite likelihood ratio (XP-CLR) identified a total of 1268 (56.6 Mb) candidate selection regions, containing 1279 genes. Further GO terms and KEGG pathways functional annotation suggested that 11 genes (TLR4, AKT3, BMPR1B, GDF7, IGF1R, HDAC7, HDAC9, MAP2K4, MAP2K7, PLCB4 and TGFBR2) were essential for caviar yield trait. In general, these candidate genes related to caviar yield identified in this study could contribute to understanding the genetic mechanism of caviar yield of Russian sturgeon and will also be of great significance for genome-assisted breeding of the sturgeons in the future.

Vitellogenin 1 is essential for fish reproduction by transporting DHA-containing phosphatidylcholine from liver to ovary

Vitellogenins (Vtgs) are essential for female reproduction in oviparous animals, yet the exact roles and mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, we knocked out vtg1, which is the most abundant Vtg in zebrafish, Danio rerio via the CRISPR/Cas 9 technology. We aimed to identify the roles of Vtg1 and related mechanisms in reproduction and development. We found that, the Vtg1-deficient female zebrafish reduced gonadosomatic index, egg production, yolk granules and mature follicles in ovary compared to the wide type (WT). Moreover, the Vtg1-deficient zebrafish diminished hatching rates, cumulative survival rate, swimming capacity and food intake, but increased malformation rate, and delayed swim bladder development during embryo and early-larval phases. The Vtg1-deficiency in female broodstock inhibited docosahexaenoic acid-enriched phosphatidylcholine (DHA-PC) transportation from liver to ovary, which lowered DHA-PC content in ovary and offspring during larval stage. However, the Vtg1-deficient zebrafish increased gradually the total DHA-PC content via exogeneous food intake, and the differences in swimming capacity and food intake returned to normal as they matured. Furthermore, supplementing Vtg1-deficient zebrafish with dietary PC and DHA partly ameliorated the impaired female reproductive capacity and larval development during early phases. This study indicates that, DHA and PC carried by Vtg1 are crucial for female fecundity, and affect embryo and larval development through maternal-nutrition effects. This is the first study elucidating the nutrient and physiological functions of Vtg1 and the underlying biochemical mechanisms in fish reproduction and development.

Testosterone and steroidogenic genes in the male blue crab Callinectes sapidus and their relationship with insulin-like androgenic gland factor (IAG) and crustacean female sex hormone (CFSH)

The abundance of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, has been declining in the Chesapeake Bay, possibly due to reduced spawning stock and deteriorating habitat conditions. Callinectes female reproductive capacity, i.e., fertilization efficiency, may depend on the quality and number of sperm stored in the spermathecae. Understanding endocrine regulation in male development and reproduction is necessary. Sexual differentiation of decapod crustaceans is primarily regulated by the insulin-like androgenic gland factor (IAG) and crustacean female sex hormone (CFSH). This system contrasts with the vertebrates wherein testosterone (T) controls male reproduction, sexual differentiation, and sex-specific behavior and physiology. With earlier reports of T presence in some decapods, this work aimed to determine if the blue crab Callinectes sapidus males exhibit T and if the corresponding levels are related to IAG and CFSH transcripts. To this end, the IAG and CFSH transcripts are estimated in the androgenic glands (AG) and eyestalk ganglia of juvenile and adult males, respectively. The levels of IAG transcripts are significantly (p < 0.05) higher in adult AGs than in juveniles. However, this pattern contrasts with CFSH transcripts in the eyestalk ganglia with juveniles higher than adults. The levels of T in adult testis, posterior vas deferens, AG, and hemolymph are significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those in juveniles. The presence of authentic T is further confirmed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The transcript levels of the following genes known to be involved in vertebrate steroidogenesis are determined: StAR-related lipid transfer protein 3 (StAR3); 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD); two isoforms of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 8 (17βHSD8); and, 5α-reductase (5α-red). StAR3 levels are significantly (p < 0.05) higher in adult testis, anterior vas deferens, and AG than in juveniles. In comparison, 5α-red levels in testis, anterior vas deferens, posterior vas deferens, and AG of adults are significantly (p < 0.05) lower than in juveniles. The 5α-red transcripts are localized in the spermatocytes and spermatids in the testis and AG cells in the AG using in situ hybridization. These results indicate that CFSH may suppress IAG expression; the levels of T may be related to the male reproductive activity; and a putative regulatory interaction among IAG, CFSH, and steroidogenic genes in T synthesis may present in decapod crustaceans.

The Treatment of Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Female Infertility Caused by Endometrial Factors.

Recently, with the development of the social economy, the incidence of infertility has increased year by year. With its complex etiology and diversified syndromes, infertility has become one of the most important diseases that plague the physical and mental health of women of childbearing age worldwide. Endometrial factors as an important part affecting female reproductive capacity, due to which induced repeated abortion and multiple uterine cavity operations occur, can destruct endometrium, failing to provide a normal implantation environment for zygote, thus resulting in infertility. Many patients failed to achieve expected results after receiving conventional treatments such as hormone therapy, assisted reproductive technology (ART), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) therapy, and cell therapy, then turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for help. Aiming at clarifying the effectiveness and mechanisms of CAM therapy in the treatment of infertility caused by endometrial factors, our paper systematically searched and studied present related literature on the PubMed, CNKI, and other databases, focusing on the aspects of clinical application and mechanism explorations and highlighting the therapeutic effects of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), acupuncture, and moxibustion on such diseases. Moreover, this paper also introduces the CAM treatments of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) retention enema, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), photobiomodulation therapy, dietary intervention, and other measures for infertility caused by endometrial factors, in order to provide a reference for subsequent basic research and clinical work.

Long-term role of neonatal microglia and monocytes in ovarian health.

Early life microglia are essential for brain development, and developmental disruption in microglial activity may have long-term implications for the neuroendocrine control of reproduction. We and others have previously shown that early life immune activation compromises the long-term potential for reproductive function in females. However, the supportive role of microglia in female reproductive development is still unknown. Here, we examined the long-term programming effects of transient neonatal microglial and monocyte ablation on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis function in female rats. We employed a Cx3cr1-Dtr transgenic Wistar rat model to acutely ablate microglia and monocytes, commencing on either postnatal day (P) 7 or 14, since the development of the HPG axis in female rodents primarily occurs during the first two to three postnatal weeks. After an acutely diminished expression of microglia and monocyte genes in the brain and ovaries, respectively, microglia had repopulated the brain by P21, albeit that cellular complexity was still reduced in both groups at this time. Removal of microglia and monocytes on P7, but not P14 reduced circulating luteinising hormone levels in adulthood and ovarian gonadotropin receptors mRNA. These changes were notably associated with fewer primary and antral follicles in these rats. These data suggest that transient ablation of microglia and monocytes at the start of the second but not the third postnatal week has long-term effects on ovarian health. The findings highlight the important developmental role of a healthy immune system for female potential reproductive capacity and the importance of critical developmental periods to adult ovarian health.

Telomere dynamics in female Columbian ground squirrels: recovery after emergence and loss after reproduction.

Telomeres are specialized non-coding DNA sequences locatedat the end of chromosomesand that protect genetic information. Telomere loss over lifespan is generally viewed as a phenomenon associated with aging in animals. Recently, telomere elongation after hibernation has been described in several mammals. Whether this pattern is an adaptation to repair DNA damage caused during rewarming from torpor or if it coevolved as a mechanism to promote somatic maintenance in preparation for the upcoming reproductive effort remains unclear. In a longitudinal study measuring telomere length using buccal swabs, we tested if telomere elongation was related to reproductive success in wild adult female Columbian ground squirrels (Urocitellus columbianus) that were monitored from emergence from hibernation to the end of the reproductive season. We found three key results. First, female telomere length increased at the start of the breeding season, both in breeding and non-breeding individuals. Second, post-emergence telomere lengthening was unrelated to female future reproductive output. Third, telomere length decreased in breeding females during lactation, but remained stable in non-breeding females over a similar period. Within breeders, telomeres shortened more in females producing larger and heavier litters. We concluded that telomere lengthening after hibernation did not constrain immediate female reproductive capacities. It was more likely to be part of the body recovery process that takes place after hibernation. Telomere erosion that occurs after birth may constitute a physiological cost of female reproduction.

Pipiserpin, a Culex factor Xa inhibitor, affects female reproductive capacity and serves as a potential target for mosquito control.

Mosquito control is still the main prevention and control measure for numerous mosquito-borne diseases causing millions of deaths each year. New strategies for mosquito control are in demand. Proteases play an important role in mosquito physiology, therefore this study explored the inhibition of a serpin (serine protease inhibitor) in mosquitoes and its effect on reproductive capacity. A factor Xa inhibitor homolog (named Pipiserpin) was amplified and identified in Culex pipiens pallens mosquitoes. We expressed a recombinant Pipiserpin protein in vitro against which a mouse antiserum was generated. We found that female mosquitoes expressed more Pipiserpin protein than male mosquitoes. After mating, female mosquitoes were fed with blood mixed with different amounts of antisera and results showed that consumption of Pipiserpin impeded ovary development and decreased eggs hatching rates compared to that of the pre-immune serum group. We identified a Culex mosquito factor Xa inhibitor, Pipiserpin, which affects female reproductive potential. Our results suggest that Pipiserpin may be a novel target for mosquito population control. The conclusions from our study on Cx. pipiens pallens might serve as a reference for the development of control measures for other mosquitoes as well. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Maternally Instigated Diapause in Aedes albopictus: Coordinating Experience and Internal State for Survival in Variable Environments.

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is one of the most dangerous invasive species in the world. Females bite mammalian hosts, including humans, to obtain blood for egg development. The ancestral range of Ae. albopictus likely spanned from India to Japan and this species has since invaded a substantial portion of the globe. Ae. albopictus can be broadly categorized into temperate and tropical populations. One key to their ability to invade diverse ecological spaces is the capacity of females to detect seasonal changes and produce stress-resistant eggs that survive harsh winters. Females living in temperate regions respond to cues that predict the onset of unfavorable environmental conditions by producing eggs that enter maternally instigated embryonic diapause, a developmentally arrested state, which allows species survival by protecting the embryos until favorable conditions return. To appropriately produce diapause eggs, the female must integrate environmental cues and internal physiological state (blood feeding and reproductive status) to allocate nutrients and regulate reproduction. There is variation in reproductive responses to environmental cues between interfertile tropical and temperate populations depending on whether females are actively producing diapause vs. non-diapause eggs and whether they originate from populations that are capable of diapause. Although diapause-inducing environmental cues and diapause eggs have been extensively characterized, little is known about how the female detects gradual environmental changes and coordinates her reproductive status with seasonal dynamics to lay diapause eggs in order to maximize offspring survival. Previous studies suggest that the circadian system is involved in detecting daylength as a critical cue. However, it is unknown which clock network components are important, how these connect to reproductive physiology, and how they may differ between behavioral states or across populations with variable diapause competence. In this review, we showcase Ae. albopictus as an emerging species for neurogenetics to study how the nervous system combines environmental conditions and internal state to optimize reproductive behavior. We review environmental cues for diapause induction, downstream pathways that control female metabolic changes and reproductive capacity, as well as diapause heterogeneity between populations with different evolutionary histories. We highlight genetic tools that can be implemented in Ae. albopictus to identify signaling molecules and cellular circuits that control diapause. The tools and discoveries made in this species could translate to a broader understanding of how environmental cues are interpreted to alter reproductive physiology in other species and how populations with similar genetic and circuit organizations diversify behavioral patterns. These approaches may yield new targets to interfere with mosquito reproductive capacity, which could be exploited to reduce mosquito populations and the burden of the pathogens they transmit.

Lipid Metabolic Process Involved in Oocyte Maturation During Folliculogenesis.

Oocyte maturation is a complex and dynamic process regulated by the coordination of ovarian cells and numerous extraovarian signals. From mammal studies, it is learnt that lipid metabolism provides sufficient energy for morphological and cellular events during folliculogenesis, and numerous lipid metabolites, including cholesterol, lipoproteins, and 14-demethyl-14-dehydrolanosterol, act as steroid hormone precursors and meiotic resumption regulators. Endogenous and exogenous signals, such as gonadotropins, insulin, and cortisol, are the upstream regulators in follicular lipid metabolic homeostasis, forming a complex and dynamic network in which the key factor or pathway that plays the central role is still a mystery. Though lipid metabolites are indispensable, long-term exposure to a high-fat environment will induce irreversible damage to follicular cells and oocyte meiosis. This review specifically describes the transcriptional expression patterns of several lipid metabolism–related genes in human oocytes and granulosa cells during folliculogenesis, illustrating the spatiotemporal lipid metabolic changes in follicles and the role of lipid metabolism in female reproductive capacity. This study aims to elaborate the impact of lipid metabolism on folliculogenesis, thus providing guidance for improving the fertility of obese women and the clinical outcome of assisted reproduction.