Development Of Reproductive System Research Articles

Aspectos clínicos e cirúrgicos de hipospadia e divertículo uretal em caprinos

Hypospadia is the imperfect closure of the external urethra of the male which results from the incomplete fusion of the urogenital folds and abnormal openings of the penile urethra. The urethral diverticulum is the abnormal dilatation of the urethra, and can be of multifactorial origin and related to genetic, endocrinological and environmental factors. The objective of this article is to report on the clinical and surgical treatment of two cases of hypospadias and one case of urethral diverticulum in goats raised as pets, originated from cross breeding polled pairs. In Case 1 the hypospadias was characterized by two orifices on the ventral portion of the penis, separated by a 2 cm interruption of the urethra, and in Case 2 by an orifice on the ventral portion in the region of the urethra. In both cases there was an accumulation of urine in the middle ventral region of the foreskin, leading to distension of the skin. Both cases were successfully treated by urethrostomy and partial penectomy with fixation of the proximal urethral ostium to the skin. In Case 3, the animal was seen at ten days of age with presence of a diverticulum in the preputial region, however, the animal returned for new care only after four months due to urethral obstruction and died as a result of advanced azotemia. Surgical treatment of hypospadia, when performed before the development of azotemia associated with urinary retention, has been shown to be efficient, and post-operative care is important.

Features of intestinal microbiota in chronic pyelonephritis in a patient with Mayer–Rokitansky–Kustner–Hauser syndrome

MayerRokitanskyKstnerHauser syndrome is a congenital anomaly in the development of the female reproductive system, the essence of which is a violation of the intrauterine development of the Mllerian ducts, causing complete aplasia of the vagina and uterus. Deviation is a total or partial absence uterus, two upper thirds of the vagina, most often in combination with various anomalies of organs and systems, such as excretory, cardiovascular. Currently, the causes of this pathology are not fully understood studied. According to the World Health Organization, the percentage of hereditary factors intrauterine development disorders is approximately 10 to 25%. It is known that patients with this pathology often suffer from diseases of the urinary system (pyelonephritis). Chronic pyelonephritis is a common pathology in any age group due to excessive growth of the bacterial flora. The main causative agent, most often, are representatives of the intestinal microbiota (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus). Determination of the genus and species composition of the intestinal microbiota can serve as one of the diagnostic signs that contribute to the timely correction of the main therapy. Presented clinical case demonstrates a change in the biodiversity of the intestinal microbiota in a patient with MayerRokitanskyKstnerHauser syndrome, which entails timely correction of drug therapy regimens in relation to chronic pyelonephritis and achieving remission. Thus, the study of changes in the composition of the intestinal microflora can become a new criterion in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease at an early stage.

Suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function by linzagolix in benign prostatic hyperplasia and polycystic ovary syndrome animal models.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is an important regulatory mechanism involved primarily in the development and regulation of the reproductive systems. The suppression of the HPG axis by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues is expected to be effective for the treatment of sex hormone-dependent diseases, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroid, prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Despite the established involvement of GnRH signalling in these disorders, the therapeutic efficacy of small molecular GnRH antagonists for BPH and PCOS has not been adequately evaluated in non-clinical studies. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potential of linzagolix, a small molecular GnRH antagonist, as a potential new treatment option for BPH and PCOS. Dogs and rats exhibiting normal prostates and dogs diagnosed with prostatic hyperplasia were used to evaluate the effects of linzagolix in BPH. The effects of linzagolix were also examined in a rat model of PCOS induced by repeated administration of letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor. Linzagolix reduced serum luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels in male rats and normal or BPH model dogs and suppressed prostate weight without testosterone depletion, suggesting the existence of an optimal therapeutic testosterone level for BPH treatment. In a PCOS rat model, linzagolix improved both insulin resistance and ovarian dysfunction. Treatment with linzagolix decreased follicle-stimulating hormone levels, but did not alter serum luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels. These results indicate that linzagolix may provide a new treatment option for GnRH-related disorders, such as BPH and PCOS.

Genome-wide characterization of AP2/ERF genes and their potential roles in bulb and bolt development in Allium sativum

Garlic is an essential flavoring and health vegetable. Its bulb and bolt, as important edible tissues, are targets to be improved in garlic breeding. AP2/ERF transcription factor plays crucial regulatory roles in multiple biological processes. Nevertheless, identification and characterization of AP2/ERFs are poorly elucidated in garlic. Here, 163 AsAP2/ERFs were identified in garlic genome and categorized into four subfamilies including AP2 (23), ERF (131), RAV (7), and Soloist (2). Gene structural analysis showed that most AsERFs and all AsRAVs were intron-less, while majority of AsAP2s were intron-rich. Thirty-one pairs of gene duplications were classified as 14 tandem duplications and 17 segmental duplications that were underwent purification selection. Abundant cis-acting elements associated with development, hormone signaling and stress responses were detected in promoter regions. AsAP2/ERFs exhibited different tissue-specific expression profiles. Diverse expression patterns of AsAP2/ERFs at different stages during bulb expansion and bolting processes suggested that these genes played different and well-coordinated roles in bulb and bolt development. The co-expression network analysis showed that 11 AsAP2/ERFs had high connectivity values and might play roles in garlic bolting process along with their co-expression genes which were enriched in ‘reproductive shoot system development’, ‘reproductive process’, and ‘flower development’. These results provide valuable foundation for investigating the function of AsAP2/ERFs for genetic improvement of garlic.

Coordination of canonical and noncanonical Hedgehog signalling pathways mediated by WDR11 during primordial germ cell development

WDR11, a gene associated with Kallmann syndrome, is important in reproductive system development but molecular understanding of its action remains incomplete. We previously reported that Wdr11-deficient embryos exhibit defective ciliogenesis and developmental defects associated with Hedgehog (HH) signalling. Here we demonstrate that WDR11 is required for primordial germ cell (PGC) development, regulating canonical and noncanonical HH signalling in parallel. Loss of WDR11 disrupts PGC motility and proliferation driven by the cilia-independent, PTCH2/GAS1-dependent noncanonical HH pathway. WDR11 modulates the growth of somatic cells surrounding PGCs by regulating the cilia-dependent, PTCH1/BOC-dependent canonical HH pathway. We reveal that PTCH1/BOC or PTCH2/GAS1 receptor context dictates SMO localisation inside or outside of cilia, respectively, and loss of WDR11 affects the signalling responses of SMO in both situations. We show that GAS1 is induced by PTCH2-specific HH signalling, which is lost in the absence of WDR11. We also provide evidence supporting a role for WDR11 in ciliogenesis through regulation of anterograde intraflagellar transport potentially via its interaction with IFT20. Since WDR11 is a target of noncanonical SMO signalling, WDR11 represents a novel mechanism by which noncanonical and canonical HH signals communicate and cooperate.

Anogenital Distance and Prenatal Androgen Exposure in Female Fetus and Newborns: A Systematic Review

The aim of this systematic review is to examine the relationship between anogenital distance (AGD) and prenatal androgen exposure in female offspring, and to assess whether there is sufficient scientific evidence that AGD could be a biomarker of in utero exposure in girls. A systematic approach was adopted to the screening and selection of the studies through Pub Med database. 959 documents were found in Pub Med search, 919 of them were excluded for lack of relevance, and 40 studies were included in the review. A significant portion of the selected studies (25 papers) focuses on the effect of exposure to endocrine disrupting agents (EDAs) such as phthalates, bisphenol A, and perfluoroalkyl substances. The other exposure factors examined in the studies are polycystic ovary syndrome, smoking and alcohol use, and maternal stressful life events. In 19 studies, a significant association has been reported between prenatal exposure factors and AGD length in female fetus and newborns. In the remaining 21 studies, no significant association was found. In conclusion, although there is still no a clear and conclusive evidence, a growing body of research provides data supporting that AGD may be considered a reliable marker of in utero androgen exposure in female infants. Our review highlights significant knowledge gaps with regard to some androgen or anti-androgen exposure factors. Much more research needed to understand the relationship of anogenital distance with in utero hormonal milieu and offspring’s reproductive system development.

Dissection and Grading of Ovarian Development in Wild-Type Female Insects.

Migratory insect pests pose serious challenges to food production and security all over the world. The migratory pests can be monitored and captured using searchlight traps. One of the most important techniques for migratory pest forecasting is to identify the migratory species. However, in most cases, it is difficult to get the information just by appearance. Therefore, using knowledge acquired by systematic analysis of the female reproductive system can help to understand the combined anatomic morphology of the ovarian mating sac and ovary developmental grading of wild-type migratory insects captured with searchlight traps. To demonstrate the applicability of this method, ovarian development status and egg grain development stages were directly assessed in Helicoverpa armigera, Mythimna separata, Spodoptera litura, and Spodoptera exigua for the ovarian anatomy, and the ovarian mating sacs were studied in Agrotis ipsilon, Spaelotis valida, Helicoverpa armigera, Athetis lepigone, Mythimna separata, Spodoptera litura, Mamestra brassicae, and Spodoptera exigua, to explore their relationships. This work shows the specific dissection method to predict wild-type migratory insects, comparing the unique reproductive system of different migratory insects. Then, both tissues, namely, the ovary and mating sacs, were further investigated. This method helps to predict the dynamics and the structural development of reproductive systems in wild-type female migratory insects.

Effect of Selenium and Zinc Supplementation on Reproductive Organs Following Postnatal Protein Malnutrition.

Protein diets are required for the normal development of the reproductive system and their inadequacy or deficiency might have hazardous functional complications during maturational and developmental stages. The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) supplementation on the male and female reproductive organs of rats with postnatal protein malnutrition. Male and female weanling rats were randomly assigned to six groups respectively. The adequate protein diet rats were fed with 16% casein diet while the protein malnourished diet (PMD) rats were fed with 5% casein diet. After the 8th week of feeding, Se (sodium selenite; Na2SeO3) and Zn (zinc sulfate; ZnSO4·7H2O) were supplemented for 3 weeks. The growth curve of body weights, lipid profile, testosterone and progesterone level, Na+-K+-ATPase activity, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status were evaluated. The results showed that PMD reduced the body weights of male and female rats. It also reduced the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the testes, but reductions in superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase activities, glutathione, vitamins C and E, testosterone, and progesterone levels were observed in both the testes and ovaries. Furthermore, PMD increased the nitric oxide level in both organs and altered the plasma lipid profiles in both sexes. Se and Zn supplementation, however, restored almost all the alterations observed in all the parameters analyzed. In conclusion, Se and Zn supplementation protects the male and female reproductive organs of rats against postnatal protein malnutrition.

P-021 A novel SNP in HUWE1 promoter confers increased risk of NOA by affecting the RA/RARα pathway in Chinese individuals

Abstract Study question The present study aimed to investigate the role of HUWE1 in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) etiology and germ cell differentiation. Summary answer An SNP mutation in HUWE1 promoter region downregulates HUWE1 expression in NOA patients, the genetic polymorphisms of HUWE1 are related to the pathogenesis of NOA. What is known already HUWE1, a ubiquitin ligase, is crucial to the development of male reproductive system and embryonic development. However, the specific role of HUWE1 in regulating germ cell differentiation is unclear, and clinical evidence for the relationship between HUWE1 and the pathogenesis of male infertility is lacking. Study design, size, duration 190 NOA Chinese patients were recruited and analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HUWE1 gene. Participants/materials, setting, methods Regulation of HUWE1 gene expression by RARα factor was evaluated by performing ChIP assay, EMSA, and siRNA-mediated RARα knockdown. We used C18-4 cells to determine whether HUWE1 participated in RA-mediated RARα signaling and performed luciferase assay, CCK-8 assay, immunofluorescence staining, RT-qPCR, and western blot analysis. The expression level of HUWE1 and RARa was evaluated in clinical samples obtained from NOA or obstructive azoospermia (OA) patients using RT-qPCR. Main results and the role of chance We explored the mechanism by which polymorphism of the HUWE1 promoter leads to spermatogenesis disorders, and focused on the identification of mutations in the SNP site of the HUWE1 regulatory sequence among patients with NOA, which may influence HUWE1 expression. The results of in vitro experiments showed that RARα binds to the HUWE1 promoter region and regulates its expression. However, the regulatory effect of RARα weakened following introduction of the mutation into the HUWE1 regulatory sequence. The expression of spermatogonial differentiation-related gene STRA8 was impaired, and γH2AX foci accumulated following inhibition of HUWE1 gene expression using siRARα. Finally, to determine whether HUWE1 expression was important in patients with NOA, its expression was verified using testicular puncture samples collected from patients with NOA and the results revealed that HUWE1 expression was abnormal (P < 0.01). In addition, RARα expression was significantly downregulated (P < 0.001). Overall, our result support the hypothesis that HUWE1 expression is induced by the RA/RARα signaling pathway and it inhibit γH2AX foci accumulation, thereby considerably promoting sperm differentiation and meiotic prophase. Limitations, reasons for caution The effect of SNPs in HUWE1 on male infertility is further studied in a wider population. Wider implications of the findings Our study of HUWE1 and RA/RARα signaling pathway provides new information on the regulatory mechanism of spermiogenesis, suggesting that SNPs in HUWE1 promoter are etiological factors in patients with NOA and providing a rationale for further drug development to target HUWE1 in these patients. Trial registration number the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFC1003603)

Non-coding RNAs from seminal plasma extracellular vesicles and success of live birth among couples undergoing fertility treatment.

Background: Infertility remains a global health problem with male-factor infertility accounting for around 50% of cases. Understanding the molecular markers for the male contribution of live birth success has been limited. Here, we evaluated the expression levels of seminal plasma extracellular vesicle (spEV) non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in men of couples in relation with those with and without a successful live birth after infertility treatment. Method: Sperm-free spEV small RNA profiles were generated from 91 semen samples collected from male participants of couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. Couples were classified into two groups based on successful live birth (yes, n = 28) and (no, n = 63). Mapping of reads to human transcriptomes followed the order: miRNA > tRNA > piRNA > rRNA> "other" RNA > circRNA > lncRNA. Differential expression analysis of biotype-specific normalized read counts between groups were assessed using EdgeR (FDR<0.05). Result: We found a total of 12 differentially expressed spEV ncRNAs which included 10 circRNAs and two piRNAs between the live birth groups. Most (n = 8) of the identified circRNAs were downregulated in the no live birth group and targeted genes related to ontology terms such as negative reproductive system and head development, tissue morphogenesis, embryo development ending in birth or egg hatching, and vesicle-mediated transport. The differentially upregulated piRNAs overlapped with genomic regions including coding PID1 genes previously known to play a role in mitochondrion morphogenesis, signal transduction and cellular proliferation. Conclusion: This study identified novel ncRNAs profiles of spEVs differentiating men of couples with and without live birth and emphasizes the role of the male partner for ART success.

Improvement of methods for determining the fertility of replacement pigs inindustrial conditions

Based on the results of the study, methods for determining the fertility of replacement pigs in the conditions of an industrial pig farm have been improved. The effectiveness of the proposed "Complex method for determining the fertility of replacement pigs in industrial conditions" is shown. An assessment was made of the hormonal status of replacement pigs in the ontogenesis phases critical for the development of the reproductive system - before the first estrus (before puberty) and immediately before insemination (maturity of the body); features of the manifestation of the immobility reflex in these gilts under conditions of artificial insemination. When applying the developed methodology for determining the timing of insemination of pigs, its efficiency increases - the percentage of pro-hollowness decreases from 5.68% to 1.29%, which leads to a reasonable expenditure of labor costs for the preparation of sperm doses and insemination, more rational use seed production at the same financial costs for the technique itself.The level of sex hormones (estradiol, testosterone, cortisol and FSH) in the blood serum of physiologically healthy replacement pigs of the Duroc breed in the phases of ontogenesis that are critical for the formation of the reproductive system - in the period before the first estrus and in the period after body maturation (immediately before insemination) allows you to quickly determine fertility in replacement pigs. The use of the developed "Complex method for determining the fertility of replacement pigs in industrial conditions" contributes to the effective use of the breeding stock

Dynamics of progesterone, estradiol, cortisol, triiodothyronine and indicators of adaptive immunity concentrations in female dogs during estrus

In different periods of postnatal ontogenesis in dogs, as well as in other animals, there are critical physiological periods, the adequacy of which depends on immunoendocrine homeostasis. The estrus in bitches is a critical period because it lasts longer than in other mammals and has specific endocrine and immune changes in the body. In this study authors demonstrated the dynamics of changes in hormone content and indicators of adaptive cellular immunity in bitches during the estrus. Determination of these indicators does not require expensive laboratory equipment and is available in veterinary practice. Taking into account the fact that estrus in dogs lasts long enough, it is not clear enough what indicators and in what terms should be determined for predicting possible dysfunctions of the reproductive system and, as a result, premature impossibility of reproduction in bitches. The peak concentration of progesterone occurs on the 20th day of estrus, the reaction of the immune system, which is manifested by the maximum decrease in the phagocytic activity of neutrophils, should be noted. An increase in the concentration of estradiol on the 5th day of estrus, in contrast to progesterone, had the opposite effect on phagocytic activity of neutrophils, namely, the ability of neutrophils to phagocytosis increased. Further, we conducted clinical animals’ observations for three months after estrus for the possibility of inflammatory processes in the reproductive system development. According to the obtained indicators, no complications were found.

Proteins journey-from marine to freshwater ecosystem: blood plasma proteomic profiles of pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Walbaum, 1792 during spawning migration.

The pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) is a commercial anadromous fish species of the family Salmonidae. This species has a 2-year life cycle that distinguishes it from other salmonids. It includes the spawning migration from marine to freshwater environments, accompanied by significant physiological and biochemical adaptive changes in the body. This study reveals and describes variability in the blood plasma proteomes of female and male pink salmon collected from three biotopes-marine, estuarine and riverine-that the fish pass through in spawning migration. Identification and comparative analysis of blood plasma protein profiles were performed using proteomics and bioinformatic approaches. The blood proteomes of female and male spawners collected from different biotopes were qualitatively and quantitatively distinguished. Females differed primarily in proteins associated with reproductive system development (certain vitellogenin and choriogenin), lipid transport (fatty acid binding protein) and energy production (fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase), and males in proteins involved in blood coagulation (fibrinogen), immune response (lectins) and reproductive processes (vitellogenin). Differentially expressed sex-specific proteins were implicated in proteolysis (aminopeptidases), platelet activation (β- and γ-chain fibrinogen), cell growth and differentiation (a protein containing the TGF_BETA_2 domain) and lipid transport processes (vitellogenin and apolipoprotein). The results are of both fundamental and practical importance, adding to existing knowledge of the biochemical adaptations to spawning of pink salmon, a representative of economically important migratory fish species.

Machine learning and bioinformatics framework integration reveal potential characteristic genes related to immune cell infiltration in preeclampsia.

Introduction: Preeclampsia is a disease that affects both the mother and child, with serious consequences. Screening the characteristic genes of preeclampsia and studying the placental immune microenvironment are expected to explore specific methods for the treatment of preeclampsia and gain an in-depth understanding of the pathological mechanism of preeclampsia. Methods: We screened for differential genes in preeclampsia by using limma package. Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, disease ontology enrichment, and gene set enrichment analyses were performed. Analysis and identification of preeclampsia biomarkers were performed by using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model, support vector machine recursive feature elimination, and random forest algorithm. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to analyze immune cell infiltration. The characteristic genes were verified by RT-qPCR. Results: We identified 73 differential genes, which mainly involved in reproductive structure and system development, hormone transport, etc. KEGG analysis revealed emphasis on cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions and interleukin-17 signaling pathways. Differentially expressed genes were dominantly concentrated in endocrine system diseases and reproductive system diseases. Our findings suggest that LEP, SASH1, RAB6C, and FLT1 can be used as placental markers for preeclampsia and they are associated with various immune cells. Conclusion: The differentially expressed genes in preeclampsia are related to inflammatory response and other pathways. Characteristic genes, LEP, SASH1, RAB6C, and FLT1 can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for preeclampsia, and they are associated with immune cell infiltration. Our findings contribute to the pathophysiological mechanism exploration of preeclampsia. In the future, the sample size needs to be expanded for data analysis and validation, and the immune cells need to be further validated.

Molecular genetics and general management of androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a rare genetic disorder that affects the development of the male reproductive system in individuals with a 46,XY karyotype. In addition to physical impacts, patients with AIS may face psychological distress and social challenges related to gender identity and acceptance. The major molecular etiology of AIS results from hormone resistance caused by mutations in the X-linked androgen receptor (AR) gene. Depending on the severity of androgen resistance, the wide spectrum of AIS can be divided into complete AIS (CAIS), partial AIS (PAIS), or mild AIS (MAIS). Open issues in the treatment and management of AIS include decisions about reconstructive surgery, genetic counseling, gender assignment, timing of gonadectomy, fertility and physiological outcomes. Although new genomic approaches have improved understanding of the molecular causes of AIS, identification of individuals with AIS can be challenging, and molecular genetic diagnosis is often not achievable. The relationship between AIS genotype and phenotype is not well established. Therefore, the optimal management remains uncertain. The objective of this review is to outline the recent progress and promote understanding of AIS related to the clinical manifestation, molecular genetics and expert multidisciplinary approach, with an emphasis on genetic etiology.

Who is sensitising whom? A participatory interview guide development as an awareness tool within a health care research project

Who is sensitising whom? A participatory interview guide development as an awareness tool within a health care research project

Ovariectomy in mice primes hippocampal microglia to exacerbate behavioral sickness responses

Estrogens are a group of steroid hormones that promote the development and maintenance of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. Estrogens also modulate immune responses; estrogen loss at menopause increases the risk of inflammatory disorders. Elevated inflammatory responses in the brain can lead to affective behavioral changes, which are characteristic of menopause. Thus, here we examined whether loss of estrogens sensitizes microglia, the primary innate immune cell of the brain, leading to changes in affective behaviors. To test this question, adult C57BL/6 mice underwent an ovariectomy to remove endogenous estrogens and then received estradiol hormone replacement or vehicle. After a one-month recovery, mice received an immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle control treatment and underwent behavioral testing. Ovariectomized, saline-treated mice exhibited reduced social investigation compared to sham-operated mice. Furthermore, ovariectomized mice that received LPS exhibited an exacerbated decrease in sucrose preference, which was ameliorated by estradiol replacement. These results indicate that ovariectomy modulates affective behaviors at baseline and in response to an inflammatory challenge. Ovariectomy-related behavioral changes were associated with downregulation of Cx3cr1, a microglial receptor that limits activation, suggesting that estrogen loss can disinhibit microglia to immune stimuli. Indeed, estradiol treatment reduced ovariectomy-induced increases in Il1b and Il6 expression after an immune challenge. Changes in microglial reactivity following ovariectomy are likely subtle, as overt changes in microglial morphology (e.g., soma size and branching) were limited. Collectively, these results suggest that a lack of estrogens may allow microglia to confer exaggerated neuroimmune responses, thereby raising vulnerability to adverse affective- and sickness-related behavioral changes.

Reproductive and developmental toxicity assessments of LPM3480392, a novel mu opioid receptor biased agonist in rats

Opioids remain the most powerful analgesics for moderate to severe pain but their clinical use, misuse and abuse has been an alarming medical problem, especially for those users at child-bearing age. Mu-opioid receptor (MOR) biased agonists have been suggested as superior alternatives with better therapeutic ratios. We recently discovered and characterized a novel MOR biased agonist, LPM3480392, which demonstrates robust analgesic effect, favorable pharmacokinetic performance, and mild respiratory suppression in vivo. To understand the safety profile of LPM3480392 on the reproductive system and embryonic development, this study evaluated the effects of LPM3480392 on the fertility and early embryonic development, embryo-fetal development, and pre- and postnatal development in rats. Results showed that LPM3480392 had mild effects on parental male and female animals, accompanied by subtle early embryonic loss and delayed ossification of fetal development during organogenesis period. In addition, although minor effects were found on normal developmental milestones and behaviors in the pups, there was no evidence of malformed effect. In conclusion, these results suggest that LPM3480392 has a favorable safety profile with only minor effects on the reproductive and developmental outcomes in animals, which support the development of LPM3480392 as a novel analgesic.

Review: Role and regulatory mechanism of inhibin in animal reproductive system.

Inhibin (INH) is a glycoprotein hormone secreted by the gonads that inhibit the synthesis and secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Increasing evidence indicates that INH plays a significant role in the development of the reproductive system including follicle development, ovulation rate, corpus luteum formation and ablation, steroid hormone synthesis and spermatogenesis, subsequently affecting the reproductive capacity of animals such as litter size and egg production. There are currently three main views on how INH inhibits FSH synthesis and secretion: influencing the activity of adenylate cyclase, the expression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor or gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, and the competition system of inhibin-activin. This review discusses the current findings on the structure, function, and mechanism of action of INH in the reproductive system of animals.

Gametogenesis in two-year-old Siberian sturgeon hybrids in industrial fish farming

The paper presents a comparison of gonad development of two-yearold Siberian sturgeon × Amur sturgeon interspecific hybrid and Siberian sturgeon × Kaluga fish interspecific hybrid bred using a combination technology with a twoyear cycle in a recirculating aquaculture system of the Experimental Selection and Breeding Farm “Yakot” and in flow-through tanks at the Konakovo Division of the Branch for Freshwater Fisheries of the Federal State Budget Scientific Institution “Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography” (VNIIPRKH). To determine the synchronism of gonad development, a histological analysis of cranial, medial, and caudal portions of the testes and ovaries was performed at the end of breeding, with a thermal constant of 12,217 degree days. The study of gametogenesis in SS×KF and SS×AS hybrids showed that gonad maturity in the two-yearold hybrids corresponded to early maturity stage II. An examination of germ cell development in the left and right gonads during the early stages of gametogenesis revealed a similar pattern. The hybrids showed normal gonad development early in maturity. In females, the main parameter is cytological sex determination: the presence of zygotene oocytes and single-layer follicle basophilic oocytes. In males, secondary sperm cell multiplication occurs in the forming cysts. Early spermatogenic wave is observed in some cases, which suggests normal germ cell development in the studied hybrids. The studies show normal reproductive system development in females and males of the studied SS×KF and SS×AS hybrids at the age of two years.