scholarly journals Genomic and transcriptomic investigations of the evolutionary transition from oviparity to viviparity

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (9) ◽  
pp. 3646-3655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Gao ◽  
Yan-Bo Sun ◽  
Wei-Wei Zhou ◽  
Zi-Jun Xiong ◽  
Luonan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Amino Acid Replacement ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Evolutionary Transition ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Squamate Reptiles ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Parity Mode

Viviparous (live-bearing) vertebrates have evolved repeatedly within otherwise oviparous (egg-laying) clades. Over two-thirds of these changes in vertebrate reproductive parity mode happened in squamate reptiles, where the transition has happened between 98 and 129 times. The transition from oviparity to viviparity requires numerous physiological, morphological, and immunological changes to the female reproductive tract, including eggshell reduction, delayed oviposition, placental development for supply of water and nutrition to the embryo by the mother, enhanced gas exchange, and suppression of maternal immune rejection of the embryo. We performed genomic and transcriptomic analyses of a closely related oviparous–viviparous pair of lizards (Phrynocephalus przewalskii and Phrynocephalus vlangalii) to examine these transitions. Expression patterns of maternal oviduct through reproductive development of the egg and embryo differ markedly between the two species. We found changes in expression patterns of appropriate genes that account for each of the major aspects of the oviparity to viviparity transition. In addition, we compared the gene sequences in transcriptomes of four oviparous–viviparous pairs of lizards in different genera (Phrynocephalus, Eremias, Scincella, and Sphenomorphus) to look for possible gene convergence at the sequence level. We discovered low levels of convergence in both amino acid replacement and evolutionary rate shift. This suggests that most of the changes that produce the oviparity–viviparity transition are changes in gene expression, so occasional reversals to oviparity from viviparity may not be as difficult to achieve as has been previously suggested.

scholarly journals Embryonic/Fetal Development, Placentation and Glycosaminoglycans in the Female Reproductive Tract and Placenta

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herson Da Silva Costa ◽  
Felipe Venceslau Câmara ◽  
Ferdinando Fernandes Bezerra Vinicius ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Bezerra de Moura ◽  
Alexsandra Fernandes Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Fetal Development ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Dermatan Sulfate ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Tissue Organization ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Extraembryonic Membranes

Background: Fetal attachments, placentation and embryonic development have been widely discussed in rodents such as agoutis and cavies, as well as research on glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in rats and rabbits. Moreover, studies on buffalo, cattle and sheep are described in ruminants, and work has also been reported in sheep with GAGs in placentoma. However, further studies are needed in this regard, since there are reports of economic losses associated with reproductive failures described for cattle such as changes in the chorion and allantois, and in sheep in which changes between the transition from vitelline to allantois circulation have been discussed.  Review: In relation to embryonic development, detailed studies have been described in rodents such as rats (12 days old), desert mouse (15 days old) and agoutis at 30 days. Macroscopic structures such as the cephalic region, nose, optic vesicle, cervical curvature, thoracic and pelvic limbs were observed, as well as microscopic structures such as the pituitary, lung, heart, brain cavity, liver, retina, and ossification regions. There are reports of buffalo and cattle studies in ruminants describing early embryonic development. However, the research in the case of sheep is limited, meaning there is only the ultrasound examination, such as gestational diagnosis and morphometric measurement of the embryonic vesicle. Still, studies with umbilical funicular and placental development of sheep with different gestational ages can be highlighted. Regarding extraembryonic annexes, four important structures which contribute to embryonic maintenance have been reported. These are called the chorion, amnion, allantois and yolk sac, respectively, and are responsible for originating the placenta, embryonic protection, collecting metabolic waste and early embryonic nutrition. In addition, correlating the annexes gives rise to the placentation process, which were described two models; the first is transient, called chorioviteline, and the second is called chorioallantoid, which represents the definitive model. Allied to the gestational process, the importance of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans are worth mentioning, as they are essential components of the extracellular matrix. They are related in the implantation process, tissue organization during gestation, and also in placental angiogenesis, as described in ruminants (i.e. involved in the vascular growth that accompanies the development of the placenta), which in turn causes an increase in blood flow in this organ, and constitutes a determining factor for fetal development. Conclusion: Such studies regarding the embryonic development of ruminants are still limited to sonographic description and some information is only available in the context of extraembryonic membranes. For glycosaminoglycans, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate and hyaluronic acid are identified in the reproductive tract and placenta. We intend to produce important information for the reproductive and sanitary management of ruminants with the information in this article, providing data to stimulate new studies aiming to minimize the occurrence of embryonic death and economic losses. In addition, further studies on GAGs are needed to better understand their true correlation with gestation, so they can intercede through supplementation and minimize reproductive losses.

scholarly journals Organoid systems to study the human female reproductive tract and pregnancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lama Alzamil ◽  
Konstantina Nikolakopoulou ◽  
Margherita Y. Turco
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Outcome ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Fallopian Tubes ◽  
Human Female ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Opening Up

AbstractBoth the proper functioning of the female reproductive tract (FRT) and normal placental development are essential for women’s health, wellbeing, and pregnancy outcome. The study of the FRT in humans has been challenging due to limitations in the in vitro and in vivo tools available. Recent developments in 3D organoid technology that model the different regions of the FRT include organoids of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, endometrium and cervix, as well as placental trophoblast. These models are opening up new avenues to investigate the normal biology and pathology of the FRT. In this review, we discuss the advances, potential, and limitations of organoid cultures of the human FRT.

scholarly journals Noncompetitive Gametic Isolation between Sibling Species of Cricket: A Hypothesized Link between Within-Population Incompatibility and Reproductive Isolation between Species

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy L. Marshall ◽  
Nicholas DiRienzo
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Sibling Species ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Species Divergence ◽  
Genetic Pathway ◽  
Genetic Tests

Postmating, prezygotic phenotypes are a common mechanism of reproductive isolation. Here, we describe the dynamics of a noncompetitive gametic isolation phenotype (namely, the ability of a male to induce a female to lay eggs) in a group of recently diverged crickets that are primarily isolated from each other by this phenotype. We not only show that heterospecific males are less able to induce females to lay eggs but that there are male by female incompatibilities in this phenotype that occur within populations. We also identify a protein in the female reproductive tract that correlates with the number of eggs that she was induced to lay. Functional genetic tests using RNAi confirm that the function of this protein is linked to egg-laying induction. Moreover, the dysfunction of this protein appears to underlie both within-population incompatibilities and between-species divergence—thus suggesting a common genetic pathway underlies both. However, this is only correlative evidence and further research is needed to assess whether or not the same mutations in the same genes underlie variation at both levels.

scholarly journals Dynamic Expression of Interleukin-33 and ST2 in the Mouse Reproductive Tract Is Influenced by Superovulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-267
Author(s):  
Salma Begum ◽  
Barry E. Perlman ◽  
Nuriban Valero-Pacheco ◽  
Valerie O’Besso ◽  
Tracy Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Soluble Form ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Interleukin 33

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is an IL-1 family cytokine with pleiotropic effects on diverse cell types. Dysregulated IL-33 signaling has been implicated in pregnancy-related disorders, including preeclampsia and recurrent pregnancy loss, and in ovarian function in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization. To date, expression of IL-33 and its receptor subunit, ST2, in the female reproductive tract remains poorly characterized. We identify IL-33-expressing oocytes surrounded by ST2-expressing granulosa cells at all stages of follicular development, in addition to IL-33+ and ST2+ non-endothelial cells in the ovarian stroma and theca layer in ovaries from adult mice. These expression patterns are similar in estrus- and diestrus-stage adults and in pubescent mice, suggesting a role for IL-33 signaling in ovarian function throughout development and in the estrous cycle. In the uterus, we find expression of IL-33 and ST2 in glandular and luminal epithelia during estrus and at the initiation of pregnancy. Uterine IL-33 expression was modulated by the estrous cycle and was reduced in pubescent females. Last, superovulation increases transcripts for IL-33 and the soluble form of ST2 (sST2) in ovaries, and for IL-33 in uteri. Collectively, our findings lay the foundation for studies identifying cell type-specific requirements for IL-33/ST2 signaling in the establishment and maintenance of mouse pregnancy.

The Female Response to Seminal Fluid

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 1077-1117 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Schjenken ◽  
Sarah A. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Reproductive Investment ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Female Response

Seminal fluid is often assumed to have just one function in mammalian reproduction, delivering sperm to fertilize oocytes. But seminal fluid also transmits signaling agents that interact with female reproductive tissues to facilitate conception and .pregnancy. Upon seminal fluid contact, female tissues initiate a controlled inflammatory response that affects several aspects of reproductive function to ultimately maximize the chances of a male producing healthy offspring. This effect is best characterized in mice, where the female response involves several steps. Initially, seminal fluid factors cause leukocytes to infiltrate the female reproductive tract, and to selectively target and eliminate excess sperm. Other signals stimulate ovulation, induce an altered transcriptional program in female tract tissues that modulates embryo developmental programming, and initiate immune adaptations to promote receptivity to implantation and placental development. A key result is expansion of the pool of regulatory T cells that assist implantation by suppressing inflammation, mediating tolerance to male transplantation antigens, and promoting uterine vascular adaptation and placental development. Principal signaling agents in seminal fluid include prostaglandins and transforming growth factor-β. The balance of male signals affects the nature of the female response, providing a mechanism of ‟cryptic female choiceˮ that influences female reproductive investment. Male-female seminal fluid signaling is evident in all mammalian species investigated including human, and effects of seminal fluid in invertebrates indicate evolutionarily conserved mechanisms. Understanding the female response to seminal fluid will shed new light on infertility and pregnancy disorders and is critical to defining how events at conception influence offspring health.

scholarly journals Human IFNε: Spaciotemporal expression, hormone regulation and innate immunity in the female reproductive tract

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nollaig M. Bourke ◽  
Sharon L. Achilles ◽  
Stephanie U. Huang ◽  
Helen E. Cumming ◽  
Irene Papageorgio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Hormonal Control ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Type I ◽  
Hormone Regulation ◽  
Important Player ◽  
The Many

AbstractInterferon epsilon (IFNε) plays an important role in regulating protective immunity in the female reproductive tract in mouse models; but the expression and regulation of this IFNε in the human FRT had not yet been characterised. Here we show that IFNε is selectively and highly expressed in the human FRT, a unique characteristic among the many types of IFN. IFNε has distinct expression patterns in upper compared with lower FRT where it is predominantly expressed in the basal layers of the stratified squamous epithelia. We demonstrate direct regulation of IFNε expression is suppressed by progesterone consistent with its inverse correlation with progesterone receptor expression, but only in the endometrium where its expression therefore fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle. We show that IFNε regulates immunoregulatory IFN regulated genes (IRGs) in FRT epithelial cells. The characterisation of huIFNε expression in both the upper and the lower FRT epithelia and its protective properties make this IFN well placed to be an important player in mediating hormonal control of FRT immune response and susceptibility to FRT infection.SummaryBourke et al. characterise the novel type I interferon epsilon (IFNε), as the only IFN constitutively expressed throughout the human female reproductive tract (FRT), where it is hormonally regulated and modules IFN dependent FRT immunity.

scholarly journals CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing Reveals Oosp Family Genes are Dispensable for Female Fertility in Mice

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 821
Author(s):  
Ferheen Abbasi ◽  
Mayo Kodani ◽  
Chihiro Emori ◽  
Daiji Kiyozumi ◽  
Masashi Mori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Fertility ◽  
Female Reproductive System ◽  
Phenotypic Data

There are over 200 genes that are predicted to be solely expressed in the oocyte and ovary, and thousands more that have expression patterns in the female reproductive tract. Unfortunately, many of their physiological functions, such as their roles in oogenesis or fertilization, have yet to be elucidated. Previous knockout (KO) mice studies have proven that many of the genes that were once thought to be essential for fertility are dispensable in vivo. Therefore, it is extremely important to confirm the roles of all genes before spending immense time studying them in vitro. To do this, our laboratory analyzes the functions of ovary and oocyte-enriched genes in vivo through generating CRISPR/Cas9 KO mice and examining their fertility. In this study, we have knocked out three Oosp family genes (Oosp1, Oosp2, and Oosp3) that have expression patterns linked to the female reproductive system and found that the triple KO (TKO) mutant mice generated exhibited decreased prolificacy but were not infertile; thus, these genes may potentially be dispensable for fertility. We also generated Cd160 and Egfl6 KO mice and found these genes are individually dispensable for female fertility. KO mice with no phenotypic data are seldom published, but we believe that this information must be shared to prevent unnecessary experimentation by other laboratories.

scholarly journals Morphological study of the oviductal gland in the smallnose fanskate Sympterygia bonapartii (Müller and Henle, 1841) (Chondrichthyes, Rajidae)

2010 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
EJ Galíndez ◽  
MC. Díaz-Andrade ◽  
MS. Avaca ◽  
S. Estecondo
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Strategy ◽  
Morphological Study ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sperm Storage ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Ciliated Cells ◽  
Ancestral Condition ◽  
Its Phylogeny ◽  
Cartilaginous Fishes

The oviductal gland is an exclusive structure of cartilaginous fishes that produces the egg jelly, forms the tertiary egg envelopes and stores sperm. The biological importance of this structure is related to the special features of the reproductive strategy of the group and to its phylogeny, considering that egg-laying is the ancestral condition in this fish (Dulvy and Reynolds, 1997). This gland of the smallnose fanskate shows four morphofunctional zones. The lining epithelium along the gland is columnar with secretory and ciliated cells. Secretions are mucous and/or proteic according to the zone, and to their specific functions. This is the first report about the microanatomy of the female reproductive tract of S. bonapartii with evidence of sperm storage in the genus.

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