scholarly journals Regulation of porcupine-dependent Wnt signaling is essential for uterine development and function

Reproduction ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 155 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Farah ◽  
Steffen Biechele ◽  
Janet Rossant ◽  
Daniel Dufort
Keyword(s):  
Progesterone Receptor ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Endometrial Gland ◽  
Gfp Reporter ◽  
And Function

Six members of the Wnt family are expressed in the female reproductive tract. Their collective function ensures proper development of the uterus, preparing it for pregnancy during adulthood. Here, we take advantage of the fact thatPorcn,a prerequisite for all Wnt secretion, is located on the X chromosome, to generate females that were mosaic forPorcnthroughout the reproductive tract.Porcnflox/+females were mated with progesterone receptor (Pgr)-Cre males (PgrCre/+) to generate females that were heterozygous for Porcupine in all tissues of the female reproductive tract, resulting in mosaicism due to random X-inactivation. We demonstrated thatPorcnmosaic females are extremely subfertile and exhibit a large spectrum of phenotypes ranging from morphologically normal uteri to uteri with extremely enlarged cystic glands. Decreased fertility in Porcupine mosaic females was not associated with phenotype severity and was observed regardless of whether or not cystic glands were enlarged. By crossing-in a GFP reporter on the wild-type X chromosome, we were able to correlate endometrial gland hyperplasia with a mostlyPorcupinemutant stroma, demonstrating the role of stromal Wnts in the regulation of endometrial gland proliferation. Finally, we demonstrated that fertility issues within mosaic females were due to a reduced response to estrogen and to abnormal Tcf/Lef signaling across the mesometrial-anti-mesometrial axis during the window of implantation.

scholarly journals The role of micro-RNAs in the female reproductive tract

Reproduction ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 143 (5) ◽  
pp. 559-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren B Nothnick
Keyword(s):  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Micro Rna ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Posttranscriptional Gene Regulation ◽  
Micro Rnas ◽  
And Function

Proper development and function of the female reproductive tract are essential for successful reproduction. Regulation of the differentiated functions of the organs that make up the female reproductive tract is well established to occur at multiple levels including transcription, translation, and posttranslational modifications. Micro-RNA (miRNA)-mediated posttranscriptional gene regulation has emerged as a fundamental mechanism controlling normal tissue development and function. Emerging evidence indicates that miRNAs are expressed within the organs of the female reproductive tract where they function to regulate cellular pathways necessary for proper function of these organs. In this review, the functional significance of miRNAs in the development and function of the organs of the female reproductive tract is discussed. Initial discussion focuses on the role of miRNAs in the development of the organs of the female reproductive tract highlighting recent studies that clearly demonstrate that mice with disrupted Dicer1 expression are sterile, fail to develop uterine glands, and have muted estrogen responsiveness. Next, emphasis moves to discussion on our current knowledge on the characterization of miRNA expression in each of the organs of the female reproductive tract. When possible, information is presented and discussed with respect to regulation, function, and/or functional targets of these miRNA within each specific organ of the female reproductive tract.

Regulation of hair follicle development by the TNF signal ectodysplasin and its receptor Edar

Development ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 129 (10) ◽  
pp. 2541-2553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Laurikkala ◽  
Johanna Pispa ◽  
Han-Sung Jung ◽  
Pekka Nieminen ◽  
Marja Mikkola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Hair Follicles ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Mutant Mouse Embryos ◽  
Anhidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia ◽  
Embryonic Morphogenesis ◽  
Hair Follicle Development ◽  
And Function ◽  
Insight Into

X-linked and autosomal forms of anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia syndromes (HED) are characterized by deficient development of several ectodermal organs, including hair, teeth and exocrine glands. The recent cloning of the genes that underlie these syndromes, ectodysplasin (ED1) and the ectodysplasin A receptor (EDAR), and their identification as a novel TNF ligand-receptor pair suggested a role for TNF signaling in embryonic morphogenesis. In the mouse, the genes of the spontaneous mutations Tabby (Ta) and downless (dl) were identified as homologs of ED1 and EDAR, respectively. To gain insight into the function of this signaling pathway in development of skin and hair follicles, we analyzed the expression and regulation of Eda and Edar in wild type as well as Tabby and Lef1 mutant mouse embryos. We show that Eda and Edar expression is confined to the ectoderm and occurs in a pattern that suggests a role of ectodysplasin/Edar signaling in the interactions between the ectodermal compartments and the formation and function of hair placodes. By using skin explant cultures, we further show that this signaling pathway is intimately associated with interactions between the epithelial and mesenchymal tissues. We also find that Ta mutants lack completely the placodes of the first developing tylotrich hairs, and that they do not show patterned expression of placodal genes, including Bmp4, Lef1, Shh, Ptch and Edar, and the genes for β-catenin and activin A. Finally, we identified activin as a mesenchymal signal that stimulates Edar expression and WNT as a signal that induces Eda expression, suggesting a hierarchy of distinct signaling pathways in the development of skin and hair follicles. In conclusion, we suggest that Eda and Edar are associated with the onset of ectodermal patterning and that ectodysplasin/edar signaling also regulates the morphogenesis of hair follicles.

scholarly journals Zinc: A Necessary Ion for Mammalian Sperm Fertilization Competency

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 4097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Kerns ◽  
Michal Zigo ◽  
Peter Sutovsky
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Zinc Supplementation ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sperm Maturation ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Human Reproductive ◽  
Semen Processing ◽  
New Research ◽  
And Function

The importance of zinc for male fertility only emerged recently, being propelled in part by consumer interest in nutritional supplements containing ionic trace minerals. Here, we review the properties, biological roles and cellular mechanisms that are relevant to zinc function in the male reproductive system, survey available peer-reviewed data on nutritional zinc supplementation for fertility improvement in livestock animals and infertility therapy in men, and discuss the recently discovered signaling pathways involving zinc in sperm maturation and fertilization. Emphasis is on the zinc-interacting sperm proteome and its involvement in the regulation of sperm structure and function, from spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation to sperm interactions with the female reproductive tract, capacitation, fertilization, and embryo development. Merits of dietary zinc supplementation and zinc inclusion into semen processing media are considered with livestock artificial insemination (AI) and human assisted reproductive therapy (ART) in mind. Collectively, the currently available data underline the importance of zinc ions for male fertility, which could be harnessed to improve human reproductive health and reproductive efficiency in agriculturally important livestock species. Further research will advance the field of sperm and fertilization biology, provide new research tools, and ultimately optimize semen processing procedures for human infertility therapy and livestock AI.

Carboxylesterase overexpression in the male reproductive tract: a universal safeguarding mechanism?

1999 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. Mikhailov ◽  
M. Torrado
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Cell Lineage ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Morphological Organization ◽  
Associated Functions ◽  
And Function ◽  
Hypothetical Explanation

Data on expression patterns of carboxylesterases in the male reproductive tract of different animal groups (i.e. bivalve mollusks, fruitflies and rodents) are summarized to highlight some particularly interesting questions in the context of sperm differentiation, maturation and function. The male reproduc-tive system, in spite of extreme variation in the anatomical/morphological organization in different species, is characterized by similar patterns of male-dependent carboxylesterase overexpression. The phenomenon of conserved carboxylesterase overexpression indicates similar male sex-associated functions of the enzymes. There is possible evidence of carboxylesterase recruitment by male reproductive-tract tissues indi-cating that it could be adaptive for spermatogenesis, sperm maturation and sperm use. Moreover, this idea can be extended to include a sperm cell lineage protection. This issue is discussed in the light of recent data on environmental reproductive xenobiotics that can provide a basis for a hypothetical explanation of car-boxylesterase overexpression in the male reproductive tract. Based on a well-known role of car-boxylesterases in detoxification of environmental chemicals such as organophosphate pesticides, it is proposed that various male genital tract carboxylesterases may be characterized by a similar physiological function to protect the male reproductive system against xenobiotic influences that could provoke its dys-function, thus altering sperm differentiation and maturation.

scholarly journals TLR7 modulating B-cell immune responses in the spleen of C57BL/6 mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0009943
Author(s):  
Haixia Wei ◽  
Hongyan Xie ◽  
Jiale Qu ◽  
Anqi Xie ◽  
Shihao Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Gene Knockout ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Splenic Cells ◽  
And Function ◽  
Egg Antigen

B cells played an important role in Schistosoma infection-induced diseases. TLR7 is an intracellular member of the innate immune receptor. The role of TLR7 on B cells mediated immune response is still unclear. Here, C57BL/6 mice were percutaneously infected by S. japonicum for 5–6 weeks. The percentages and numbers of B cells increased in the infected mice (p < 0.05), and many activation and function associated molecules were also changed on B cells. More splenic cells of the infected mice expressed TLR7, and B cells were served as the main cell population. Moreover, a lower level of soluble egg antigen (SEA) specific antibody and less activation associated molecules were found on the surface of splenic B cells from S. japonicum infected TLR7 gene knockout (TLR7 KO) mice compared to infected wild type (WT) mice (p < 0.05). Additionally, SEA showed a little higher ability in inducing the activation of B cells from naive WT mice than TLR7 KO mice (p < 0.05). Finally, the effects of TLR7 on B cells are dependent on the activation of NF-κB p65. Altogether, TLR7 was found modulating the splenic B cell responses in S. japonicum infected C57BL/6 mice.

scholarly journals Two groups of Arabidopsis receptor kinases preferentially regulate the growth of intraspecies pollen tubes in the female reproductive tract

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun Kyung Lee ◽  
Daphne R. Goring
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Tube ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Pollen Tubes ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Knockout Mutant ◽  
Receptor Kinases ◽  
Compatible Pollen

SummaryIn flowering plants, continuous cell-cell communication between the compatible male pollen grain/growing pollen tube and the female pistil is required for successful sexual reproduction. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the later stages of this dialogue are mediated by several peptide ligands and receptor kinases that guide pollen tubes to the ovules for the release of sperm cells. Despite a detailed understanding of these processes, a key gap remains on the nature of the regulators that function at the earlier stages. Here, we report on two groups of A. thaliana receptor kinases, the LRR-VIII-2 RK subclass and the SERKs, that function in the female reproductive tract to regulate the compatible pollen grains and early pollen tube growth, both essential steps for the downstream processes leading to fertilization. Multiple A. thaliana LRR-VIII-2 RK and SERK knockout mutant combinations were created, and several phenotypes were observed such as reduced wild-type pollen hydration and reduced pollen tube travel distances. As these mutant pistils displayed a wild-type morphology, the observed altered responses of the wild-type pollen are proposed to result from the loss of these receptor kinases leading to an impaired pollen-pistil dialogue at these early stages. Furthermore, using pollen from related Brassicaceae species, we also discovered that these receptor kinases are required in the female reproductive tract to establish a reproductive barrier to interspecies pollen. Thus, we propose that the LRR-VIII-2 RKs and the SERKs play a dual role in the preferential selection and promotion of intraspecies pollen over interspecies pollen.

Preservation and evaluation of semen for artificial insemination

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Gillan ◽  
W. M. Chis Maxwell ◽  
Gareth Evans
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Respiratory Activity ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Functional Condition ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Altered State ◽  
And Function ◽  
Improved Methods

Many years of research have been devoted to improving the fertility of preserved semen of small ruminants. There have been few significant advances in preservation in recent times, but considerable knowledge has been gained on the effect of preservation on the structure and function of spermatozoa. It has become evident that preservation greatly affects many sperm attributes, such as motility, respiratory activity, membrane status and DNA quality. Consequently, viability is reduced, transport in the female reproductive tract is inhibited, the timing of fertilisation is altered and embryo development is affected following insemination of preserved, compared to fresh spermatozoa. A greater understanding of their functional condition may lead to the development of methods of preventing these alterations or to improved methods of using the preserved spermatozoa for artificial insemination in their altered state.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Status Impacts Genital Mucosal Immunity and Markers of HIV-1 Susceptibility in Women

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3176
Author(s):  
Sharon M. Anderson ◽  
Andrea R. Thurman ◽  
Neelima Chandra ◽  
Suzanne S. Jackson ◽  
Susana Asin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
Serum Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Hiv 1

While vitamin D insufficiency is known to impact a multitude of health outcomes, including HIV-1, little is known about the role of vitamin D-mediated immune regulation in the female reproductive tract (FRT). We performed a pilot clinical study of 20 women with circulating 25(OH)D levels <62.5 nmol/L. Participants were randomized into either weekly or daily high-dose oral vitamin D supplementation groups. In addition to serum vitamin D levels, genital mucosal endpoints, including soluble mediators, immune cell populations, gene expression, and ex vivo HIV-1 infection, were assessed. While systemic vitamin D levels showed a significant increase following supplementation, these changes translated into modest effects on the cervicovaginal factors studied. Paradoxically, post-supplementation vitamin D levels were decreased in cervicovaginal fluids. Given the strong correlation between vitamin D status and HIV-1 infection and the widespread nature of vitamin D deficiency, further understanding of the role of vitamin D immunoregulation in the female reproductive tract is important.

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