Effects of in vitro metamorphosis on survival, growth, and reproductive success of freshwater mussels

AbstractSeminal fluid factors modulate the female immune response at conception to facilitate embryo implantation and reproductive success. Whether sperm affect this response has not been clear. We evaluated global gene expression by microarray in the mouse uterus after mating with intact or vasectomized males. Intact males induced greater changes in gene transcription, prominently affecting pro-inflammatory cytokine and immune regulatory genes, with TLR4 signaling identified as a top-ranked upstream driver. Recruitment of neutrophils and expansion of peripheral regulatory T cells were elevated by seminal fluid of intact males. In vitro, epididymal sperm induced IL6, CXCL2, and CSF3 in uterine epithelial cells of wild-type, but not Tlr4 null females. Collectively these experiments show that sperm assist in promoting female immune tolerance by eliciting uterine cytokine expression through TLR4-dependent signaling. The findings indicate a biological role for sperm beyond oocyte fertilization, in modulating immune mechanisms involved in female control of reproductive investment.

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Replete vitamin D stores predict reproductive success following in vitro fertilization

Fertility and Sterility ◽

10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.05.019 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 94 (4) ◽

pp. 1314-1319 ◽

Cited By ~ 172

Author(s):

Sebiha Ozkan ◽

Sangita Jindal ◽

Keri Greenseid ◽

Jun Shu ◽

Gohar Zeitlian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Reproductive Success ◽

Vitro Fertilization

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Reproductive success in a reintroduced population of a critically endangered shrub, Symonanthus bancroftii (Solanaceae)

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt06136 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 55 (4) ◽

pp. 425 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Qigang Ye ◽

Eric Bunn ◽

Siegfried L. Krauss ◽

Kingsley W. Dixon

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Success ◽

Pollen Viability ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Female Parent ◽

Clonal Plants ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Positive Sign ◽

Male And Female ◽

Sterile Culture

Symonanthus bancroftii is a critically endangered dioecious shrub, with only one male and one female plant known in the wild. Micropropagated, clonal plants of the male and female parents were hand-pollinated. Seed was germinated in sterile culture and a subsequent daughter (F1) seedling was multiplied in vitro. Micropropagated plants of the original parents and daughter were reintroduced to a natural habitat site. We detail the first study of pollination biology and reproductive success in this extremely rare species. Floral morphology, flowering phenology, pollen viability, female receptivity and fruit set of reintroduced plants of S. bancroftii were investigated. Flower viability of S. bancroftii shows a 25-day maximum for male flowers, whereas non-pollinated female flowers remain viable for a maximum of 38 days (female parent) and 41 days (daughter), respectively. Flowering of reintroduced male and female plants overlaps from mid-June to early November. Pollen remained viable for at least 8 days after anther dehiscence. Maximum stigma longevity recorded was 28 days (female parent) and 39 days (daughter) and maximum ovule longevity varied from 13 days (female parent) to 28 days (daughter). The mean percentage of flowers setting fruit was 39 ± 13% for female parent plants and 48 ± 4% for daughter plants. Empirical reproductive success measures for male–daughter crosses generally exceeded those of the original parent crosses. The reproductive success of S. bancroftii so soon after reintroduction of plants is a positive sign indicating that rapid accumulation of a soil seedbank is feasible and is thus an important first step towards successful establishment of self-sustaining populations of this critically endangered species.

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A Comparison of the chemical sensitivities between in vitro and in vivo propagated juvenile freshwater mussels: Implications for standard toxicity testing

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry ◽

10.1002/etc.4270 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 37 (12) ◽

pp. 3077-3085 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anakela Popp ◽

W. Gregory Cope ◽

Monte A. McGregor ◽

Thomas J. Kwak ◽

Tom Augspurger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Freshwater Mussels ◽

Toxicity Testing

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The impact of in vivo and in vitro exposure to base analogue 5-FU on the level of DNA damage in haemocytes of freshwater mussels Unio pictorum and Unio tumidus

Environmental Pollution ◽

10.1016/j.envpol.2014.04.024 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 191 ◽

pp. 145-150 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Zoran Gačić ◽

Stoimir Kolarević ◽

Karolina Sunjog ◽

Margareta Kračun-Kolarević ◽

Momir Paunović ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Damage ◽

Freshwater Mussels ◽

In Vitro Exposure ◽

Unio Tumidus ◽

The Impact ◽

Unio Pictorum

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Molecular Regulation of Paused Pluripotency in Early Mammalian Embryos and Stem Cells

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology ◽

10.3389/fcell.2021.708318 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Vera A. van der Weijden ◽

Aydan Bulut-Karslioglu

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Reproductive Success ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Molecular Regulation ◽

Embryonic Diapause ◽

Adverse Conditions ◽

Mammalian Embryos

The energetically costly mammalian investment in gestation and lactation requires plentiful nutritional sources and thus links the environmental conditions to reproductive success. Flexibility in adjusting developmental timing enhances chances of survival in adverse conditions. Over 130 mammalian species can reversibly pause early embryonic development by switching to a near dormant state that can be sustained for months, a phenomenon called embryonic diapause. Lineage-specific cells are retained during diapause, and they proliferate and differentiate upon activation. Studying diapause thus reveals principles of pluripotency and dormancy and is not only relevant for development, but also for regeneration and cancer. In this review, we focus on the molecular regulation of diapause in early mammalian embryos and relate it to maintenance of potency in stem cells in vitro. Diapause is established and maintained by active rewiring of the embryonic metabolome, epigenome, and gene expression in communication with maternal tissues. Herein, we particularly discuss factors required at distinct stages of diapause to induce, maintain, and terminate dormancy.

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Sperm migration in the genital tract - in silico experiments identify key factors for reproductive success

10.1101/2020.03.05.977967 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jorin Diemer ◽

Jens Hahn ◽

Björn Goldenbogen ◽

Karin Müller ◽

Edda Klipp

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Success ◽

In Silico ◽

Genital Tract ◽

Female Genital Tract ◽

Male Gametes ◽

Sperm Migration ◽

Sperm Motion ◽

Female Genital

Sperm migration in the female genital tract controls sperm selection and, therefore, reproductive success as male gametes are conditioned for fertilization while their number is dramatically reduced. Mechanisms underlying sperm migration are mostly unknown, since in vivo investigations are mostly unfeasible for ethical or practical reasons. By presenting a spatio-temporal model of the mammalian female genital tract combined with agent-based description of sperm motion and interaction as well as parameterizing it with bovine data, we offer an alternative possibility for studying sperm migration in silico. The model incorporates genital tract geometry as well as biophysical principles of sperm motion observed in vitro such as positive rheotaxis and thigmotaxis. This model for sperm migration from vagina to oviducts was successfully tested against in vivo data from literature. We found that physical sperm characteristics such as velocity and directional stability as well as sperm-fluid interactions and wall alignment are critical for success, i.e. sperms reaching the oviducts. Therefore, we propose that these identified sperm parameters should be considered in detail for conditioning sperm in artificial selection procedures since the natural processes are normally bypassed in reproductive in vitro technologies. The tremendous impact of mucus flow to support sperm accumulation in the oviduct highlights the importance of a species-specific optimum time window for artificial insemination regarding ovulation. Predictions from our extendable in silico experimental system will improve assisted reproduction in humans, endangered species, and livestock.

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Transcriptomic Analysis of Porcine Endometrium during Implantation after In Vitro Stimulation by Adiponectin

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20061335 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 1335 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Nina Smolinska ◽

Karol Szeszko ◽

Kamil Dobrzyn ◽

Marta Kiezun ◽

Edyta Rytelewska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Success ◽

Cytokine Production ◽

Regulatory Mechanism ◽

Embryo Implantation ◽

Prostaglandin Synthesis ◽

Comprehensive Understanding ◽

Implantation Process ◽

The Relationship ◽

Pathway Networks

Comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanism of the implantation process in pigs is crucial for reproductive success. The endometrium plays an important role in regulating the establishment and maintenance of gestation. The goal of the current study was to determine the effect of adiponectin on the global expression pattern of genes and relationships among differentially expressed genes (DE-genes) in the porcine endometrium during implantation using microarrays. Diverse transcriptome analyses including gene ontology (GO), biological pathway, networks, and DE-gene analyses were performed. Adiponectin altered the expression of 1286 genes with fold-change (FC) values greater than 1.2 (p < 0.05). The expression of 560 genes were upregulated and 726 downregulated in the endometrium treated with adiponectin. Thirteen genes were selected for real-time PCR validation of differential expression based on a known role in metabolism, steroid and prostaglandin synthesis, interleukin and growth factor action, and embryo implantation. Functional analysis of the relationship between DE-genes indicated that adiponectin interacts with genes that are involved in the processes of cell proliferation, programmed cell death, steroid and prostaglandin synthesis/metabolism, cytokine production, and cell adhesion that are critical for reproductive success. The presented results suggest that adiponectin signalling may play a key role in the implantation of pig.

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Practical Considerations in Providing Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies (PGT-A)

Fertility & Reproduction ◽

10.1142/s2661318219300046 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 01 (01) ◽

pp. 21-29

Author(s):

Queenie S.Y. Yeung ◽

Ying Xin Zhang ◽

Jacqueline P.W. Chung ◽

Yvonne K.Y. Kwok ◽

Baoheng Gui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Testing ◽

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Reproductive Success ◽

Clinical Service ◽

Success Rates ◽

Time To Pregnancy ◽

Preimplantation Genetic Testing ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Intention To Treat

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) has been controversial in its application to improve reproductive success, reduce time-to-pregnancy, and serve the intention-to-treat. Nevertheless, many in vitro fertilization (IVF) units have already introduced the service for one reason or another. Given PGT-A is not a stand-alone technique but a clinical service involving several disciplines, this mini review discussed the factors that can influence success rates when PGT-A is applied and highlighted practical issues encountered by clinicians, embryology, and genetics laboratories involved in the provision of PGT-A service.

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