Introduction of Female Reproductive Processes and Reproductive Diseases

ABSTRACT Two types of so-called "depot contraceptives", long-acting steroids which are of interest for human use, were studied in animals. Norethisterone oenanthate, mainly gestagenic in the human and other species, turned out to be predominantly oestrogenic in rats. This oestrogenicity caused indirectly, via an enhanced hypophysial prolactin secretion, the well-known hypophysial and mammary tumours in rats. Another synthetic gestagen, 4,6-dichloro- 17- acetoxy- 16α-methyl-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione, which might be considered in its biological actions similar to preparations containing chlormadinone acetate or medroxy-progesterone acetate, induced no signs of oestrogenicity in dogs. It is surmised that its gestagenic influence indirectly, and probaby, via an enhanced hypophysial prolactin secretion caused "mammary nodules" in this "non-rodent" species. These studies have born out mainly two facts: A synthetic steroid, norethisterone oenanthate, exerted different biological effects in different species: it was a gestagen in the rabbit, whereas in rats, its predominant influence was oestrogenic. The hypophysial prolactin secretion was enhanced in various species by different mechanisms: in rats, the oestrogenicity caused an increased prolactin plasma level, whereas in dogs, a gestagen with obviously no inherent oestrogenicity, 4,6-dichloro-17-acetoxy-16α-methyl-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione, converted the histological appearance of the anterior pituitary into a condition with a greatly increased number of eosinophils. This histological finding was interpreted as an indicator for a hypersecretion of prolactin. Hence, animal work with "gestagens" has only limited predictive value with respect to their possible effects in the human species. Therefore, inflexible recommendations are not helpful in solving the safety problem of long-acting steroids which affect primarily reproductive processes.

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Inhibition of TMEM16A impedes embryo implantation and decidualization in mice

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/rep-18-0197 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Qianrong Qi ◽

Yifan Yang ◽

Kailin Wu ◽

Qingzhen Xie

Keyword(s):

Progesterone Receptor ◽

Stromal Cells ◽

Embryo Implantation ◽

Mouse Uterus ◽

Endometrial Stromal Cells ◽

Uterine Endometrium ◽

Molecule Inhibitor ◽

Pathway Inhibition ◽

And Function ◽

Reproductive Processes

Recent studies revealed that TMEM16A is involved in several reproductive processes, including ovarian estrogen secretion and ovulation, sperm motility and acrosome reaction, fertilization, and myometrium contraction. However, little is known about the expression and function of TMEM16A in embryo implantation and decidualization. In this study, we focused on the expression and regulation of TMEM16A in mouse uterus during early pregnancy. We found that TMEM16A is up-regulated in uterine endometrium in response to embryo implantation and decidualization. Progesterone treatment could induce TMEM16A expression in endometrial stromal cells through progesterone receptor/c-Myc pathway, which is blocked by progesterone receptor antagonist or the inhibitor of c-Myc signaling pathway. Inhibition of TMEM16A by small molecule inhibitor (T16Ainh-A01) resulted in impaired embryo implantation and decidualization in mice. Treatment with either specific siRNA of Tmem16a or T16Ainh-A01 inhibited the decidualization and proliferation of mouse endometrial stromal cells. In conclusion, our results revealed that TMEM16A is involved in embryo implantation and decidualization in mice, compromised function of TMEM16A may lead to impaired embryo implantation and decidualization.

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Flight activity promotes reproductive processes in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

Journal of Integrative Agriculture ◽

10.1016/s2095-3119(20)63204-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 727-735 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Shi-shuai GE ◽

Wei HE ◽

Li-mei HE ◽

Ran YAN ◽

Hao-wen ZHANG ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Flight Activity ◽

Reproductive Processes

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Technical Note: Coccygeal vein catheterization for sampling of reproductive tract-derived products from the uterine–ovarian drainage

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab025 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Sydney T Reese ◽

Gessica A Franco ◽

Ramiro V Oliveira Filho ◽

Reinaldo F Cooke ◽

Michael F Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Circulation ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Jugular Vein ◽

Vena Cava ◽

Technical Note ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Major Consequence ◽

Exact Evaluation ◽

Reproductive Processes ◽

Vein Catheterization

Abstract Blood sample collection from the caudal vena cava at the site of uterine–ovarian drainage provides a more exact evaluation of the concentration and pattern of secretion of uterine or ovarian secreted products for studies of reproductive processes in cyclic and pregnant cattle compared with samples collected from general circulation. This paper describes a thorough and updated procedure for cannulating the coccygeal vein into the caudal vena cava for the collection of serial blood samples at or near the site of uterine–ovarian drainage. Concentrations of progesterone were quantified in cows of different reproductive tract sizes with an active corpus luteum to assess the distance for proper catheter placement compared with circulating concentrations collected from the jugular vein. This procedure has a low risk for side effects, can be used effectively in pregnant animals with no major consequence to the viability of the pregnancy, and provides means for frequent collections up to 12 d.

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cROStalk for Life: Uncovering ROS Signaling in Plants and Animal Systems, from Gametogenesis to Early Embryonic Development

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12040525 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 525

Author(s):

Valentina Lodde ◽

Piero Morandini ◽

Alex Costa ◽

Irene Murgia ◽

Ignacio Ezquer

Keyword(s):

Signal Transduction ◽

Signaling Pathways ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Antioxidant Systems ◽

Developmental Studies ◽

Science Field ◽

Ros Signaling ◽

Reproductive Processes

This review explores the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS)/Ca2+ in communication within reproductive structures in plants and animals. Many concepts have been described during the last years regarding how biosynthesis, generation products, antioxidant systems, and signal transduction involve ROS signaling, as well as its possible link with developmental processes and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this review, we first addressed classic key concepts in ROS and Ca2+ signaling in plants, both at the subcellular, cellular, and organ level. In the plant science field, during the last decades, new techniques have facilitated the in vivo monitoring of ROS signaling cascades. We will describe these powerful techniques in plants and compare them to those existing in animals. Development of new analytical techniques will facilitate the understanding of ROS signaling and their signal transduction pathways in plants and mammals. Many among those signaling pathways already have been studied in animals; therefore, a specific effort should be made to integrate this knowledge into plant biology. We here discuss examples of how changes in the ROS and Ca2+ signaling pathways can affect differentiation processes in plants, focusing specifically on reproductive processes where the ROS and Ca2+ signaling pathways influence the gametophyte functioning, sexual reproduction, and embryo formation in plants and animals. The study field regarding the role of ROS and Ca2+ in signal transduction is evolving continuously, which is why we reviewed the recent literature and propose here the potential targets affecting ROS in reproductive processes. We discuss the opportunities to integrate comparative developmental studies and experimental approaches into studies on the role of ROS/ Ca2+ in both plant and animal developmental biology studies, to further elucidate these crucial signaling pathways.

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Mode of action evaluation for reduced reproduction in Daphnia pulex exposed to the insensitive munition, 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitroguanidine (MeNQ)

Ecotoxicology ◽

10.1007/s10646-021-02447-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kurt A. Gust ◽

Guilherme R. Lotufo ◽

Natalie D. Barker ◽

Qing Ji ◽

Lauren K. May

Keyword(s):

Egg Production ◽

Daphnia Pulex ◽

Indirect Costs ◽

Energy Budgets ◽

Exposure Level ◽

Transcriptional Expression ◽

Canonical Pathways ◽

Significant Enrichment ◽

Inducible Protein ◽

Reproductive Processes

AbstractThe US Department of Defense (DOD) is developing insensitive munitions (IMs) that are resistant to unintended detonation to protect warfighters. To enable material life-cycle analysis for the IM, 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitroguanidine (MeNQ), ecotoxicological impacts assessment was required. A previous investigation of MeNQ exposures in Daphnia pulex revealed concentration-responsive decreases in reproduction relative to controls (0 mg/L) across a 174, 346, 709, 1385, and 2286 mg/L exposure range. The present study used those exposures to conduct global transcriptomic expression analyses to establish hypothetical mode(s) of action underlying inhibited reproduction. The number of significantly affected transcripts and the magnitude of fold-change differences relative to controls tended to increase with increasing MeNQ concentration where hierarchical clustering analysis identified separation among the “low” (174 and 346 mg/L) and “high” (709, 1385, and 2286 mg/L) exposures. Vitellogenin is critical to Daphnia reproductive processes and MeNQ exposures significantly decreased transcriptional expression for vitellogenin-1 precursor at the lowest exposure level (174 mg/L) with benchmark dose (BMD) levels closely tracking concentrations that caused inhibited reproduction. Additionally, juvenile hormone-inducible protein, chorion peroxidase, and high choriolytic enzyme transcriptional expression were impacted by MeNQ exposure having potential implications for egg production / maturation and overall fecundity. In concert with these effects on specific genes involved in Daphnia reproductive physiology, MeNQ exposures caused significant enrichment of several canonical-pathways responsible for metabolism of cellular energy substrates where BMD levels for transcriptional expression were observed at ≤100 mg/L. These observations imply possible effects on whole-organism energy budgets that may also incur indirect costs on reproduction.

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Monotreme and marsupial reproduction

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd9951003 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 1003 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

MB Renfree

Keyword(s):

Turn Of The Century ◽

Future Generations ◽

Future Research ◽

The Past ◽

Reproductive Processes

Marsupials were regarded as curiosities by their early European discoverers, animals to be wondered at. Monotremes were even more surprising; the platypus was such an amalgam of characters that it was thought to be a hoax. They were recognized very early as mammals that could make a major contribution to our understanding of reproductive processes, and work on marsupials at the turn of the century was much in evidence. It is, however, only in the past two decades, and especially in the past few years that marsupial research has regained this position. There is no doubt that future research will strengthen this contribution, but we are faced with serious conservation questions that must be solved if we are to maintain these wonderful animals as a resource for future generations.

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Effects of Certain 19-Nor Steroids on Reproductive Processes in Animals

Science ◽

10.1126/science.124.3227.890-b ◽

1956 ◽

Vol 124 (3227) ◽

pp. 890-891

Author(s):

Gregory Pincus ◽

M. C. Chang ◽

E. S. E. Hafez ◽

M. X. Zarrow ◽

Anne Merrill

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Processes

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Daidzein affects steroidogenesis and oestrogen receptor expression in medium ovarian follicles of pigs

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica ◽

10.1556/avet.2012.060 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 85-98 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Anna Nynca ◽

Dominika Słonina ◽

Olga Jablońska ◽

Barbara Kamińska ◽

Renata Ciereszko

Keyword(s):

Protein Expression ◽

Granulosa Cells ◽

Oestrogen Receptor ◽

Receptor Expression ◽

Progesterone Production ◽

Progesterone Secretion ◽

Mrna And Protein Expression ◽

Induced Changes ◽

Reproductive Processes

Daidzein, a phytoestrogen present in soybean products used in swine feed, has been demonstrated to affect both reproductive and endocrine functions. The aims of this study were to examine the in vitro effects of daidzein on (1) progesterone (P4) and oestradiol (E2) secretion by porcine luteinised granulosa cells harvested from medium follicles, and (2) the mRNA and protein expression of oestrogen receptors α and β (ERα and ERβ) in these cells. The influence of E2 on P4 secretion and ERα and ERβ expression in the granulosa cells of pigs was also investigated. It was found that daidzein inhibited progesterone secretion by luteinised granulosa cells isolated from medium follicles. In contrast, E2 did not affect progesterone production by these cells. Moreover, daidzein did not alter the granulosal secretion of E2. Both daidzein and E2 decreased mRNA expression of ERα in the cells examined. The expression of ERβ mRNA was not affected by daidzein but was inhibited by E2. ERα protein was not detected while ERβ protein was found in the nuclei of the cells. Daidzein and E2 upregulated the expression of ERβ protein in the cells. In summary, the phytoestrogen daidzein directly affected the porcine ovary by inhibiting progesterone production and increasing ERβ protein expression. Daidzein-induced changes in follicular steroidogenesis and granulosal sensitivity to oestrogens may disturb reproductive processes in pigs.

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Evaluation of the current state of small pelagic fisheries in the Colombian Pacific: ensuring the sustainability of the resource and evaluating its response to climatic events

Advances in Geosciences ◽

10.5194/adgeo-33-63-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 33 ◽

pp. 63-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

L. A. Zapata ◽

B. S. Beltrán-León ◽

J. C. Herrera ◽

P. Jiménez-Tello ◽

L. M. Prieto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Marine Mammals ◽

Commercial Fishing ◽

Spawning Period ◽

Thermal Anomalies ◽

Current State ◽

Management Measures ◽

Canned Foods ◽

Total Capture ◽

Reproductive Processes ◽

Eggs And Larvae

Abstract. Commercial fishing of small pelagic species in Colombia, mainly "carduma" (Cetengraulis mysticetus) and "plumuda" (Opisthonema spp.), has been recorded since 1970. Both are used to produce fish meal for aquaculture and poultry and for canned foods. These two species are filter feeders, and therefore support higher levels of the food chain (other fish, birds and marine mammals), and artisanal fishermen use them as bait. Between 2005 and 2010, 86.131 t have been captured (X = 14.355 t yr−1), and a strong reduction was noticed in 2009 (6.969 t). Carduma is considered a total spawning species. However, from 1997 to 2000 and from 2008 to date, atypical reproductive behavior of the species has been observed, including partition of the spawning period and the reduction of the volume of eggs and larvae released to the environment. Both situations are linked to thermal anomalies such as El Niño and La Niña events. Therefore, the process of assigning the global quota of extraction has been revised to take into account the reduction of total capture during the last years and the inconsistencies of the reproductive processes. The Ministry of Agriculture reduced the quota by 10%, leaving available a total of 27 000 t for 2010 and reduced it again to 25 000 t for 2011. It is important to maintain the management measures that are already implemented on this resource (bans during reproduction seasons, catch quotas, regulation of mesh sizes for the fishing nets, and limiting the number of new vessels) and considering other measures such as season closure for recruitment and establishment of marine protected areas to further contribute to the sustainability of these fisheries.

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