scholarly journals Influence of donor age on development of gonadal tissue from pouch young of the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, after cryopreservation and xenografting into mice

Reproduction ◽  
2002 ◽  
pp. 143-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Mattiske ◽  
G Shaw ◽  
JM Shaw

Ovaries from a marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), were grafted into a eutherian recipient at known stages of development to ascertain whether normal development would occur. Xenografted ovaries from pouch young < 20 days old, before the onset of meiosis, retained few germ cells and developed tubule-like structures reminiscent of seminiferous cords. Ovaries from 50-day-old pouch young, which contain primordial follicles, developed into antral follicles and corpora lutea within the eutherian host, and produced hormones that stimulated the reproductive tract of the host. The timing of onset of antrum formation and the progress of follicle development were advanced relative to the timing of events in ovaries in situ. Frozen-thawed ovaries from 50-day-old donors developed into preantral follicles, but at a reduced rate and number. This finding shows that gonads of a marsupial species can develop as xenografts in a eutherian, forming large antral follicles. Accelerated follicular development in xenografts provides a potentially valuable model for studying the factors that control follicle development. Assisted reproduction of endangered marsupials may also be feasible using follicles from pouch young grown as xenografts in a eutherian host.

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
R. A. Keightley ◽  
B. Nixon ◽  
S. D. Roman ◽  
D. L. Russell ◽  
R. L. Robker ◽  
...  

Follicular development requires the recruitment of primordial follicles into the growing follicle pool following initiation of multiple cytokine signalling pathways. Suppression of follicular development is thought to be key to maintaining the population of primordial follicles and allowing for controlled release of these follicles throughout the reproductive lifespan of the female. However, little is known of the processes and signalling molecules that suppress primordial follicle activation and early follicle growth. Our group has identified significant upregulation of the Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2)/ Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) signalling pathway inhibitor the Suppressor of Cytokine Signalling 4 (SOCS4) that coincides with the initial wave of follicular activation in theneonatal mouse ovary. Further studies by our group have localised the SOCS4 protein to the granulosa cells of activating and growing follicles, suggesting SOCS4 expression may be linked to follicular activation. We have focused on examining protein localisation and gene expression patterns of the eight SOCS family members CIS and SOCS1-7. We have recently demonstrated that co-culture of neonatal ovaries with Kit Ligand (KL) for 2 days increases the mRNA levels of all SOCS genes. We also demonstrated the co-localisation of SOCS2 proteins with the KL receptor c-kit in the mural granulosa cells of antral, and large pre-antral follicles suggesting a significant role for SOCS2 in the later stages of follicular development. We have also shown that culturing ovaries with the potent JAK2 inhibitor AG490 substantially reduces mRNA levels of all SOCS and STAT genes that we have so far measured. We hypothesise a significant role for JAK2/STAT3 signalling in promoting the activation and early growth of ovarian follicles. Our investigations have identified significant roles for JAK2/STAT3 and the SOCS family in the regulation of ovarian follicle development.


Reproduction ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
R J Rodgers ◽  
H F Irving-Rodgers

Follicle classification is an important aid to the understanding of follicular development and atresia. Some bovine primordial follicles have the classical primordial shape, but ellipsoidal shaped follicles with some cuboidal granulosa cells at the poles are far more common. Preantral follicles have one of two basal lamina phenotypes, either a single aligned layer or one with additional layers. In antral follicles <5 mm diameter, half of the healthy follicles have columnar shaped basal granulosa cells and additional layers of basal lamina, which appear as loops in cross section (‘loopy’). The remainder have aligned single-layered follicular basal laminas with rounded basal cells, and contain better quality oocytes than the loopy/columnar follicles. In sizes >5 mm, only aligned/rounded phenotypes are present. Dominant and subordinate follicles can be identified by ultrasound and/or histological examination of pairs of ovaries. Atretic follicles <5 mm are either basal atretic or antral atretic, named on the basis of the location in the membrana granulosa where cells die first. Basal atretic follicles have considerable biological differences to antral atretic follicles. In follicles >5 mm, only antral atresia is observed. The concentrations of follicular fluid steroid hormones can be used to classify atresia and distinguish some of the different types of atresia; however, this method is unlikely to identify follicles early in atresia, and hence misclassify them as healthy. Other biochemical and histological methods can be used, but since cell death is a part of normal homoeostatis, deciding when a follicle has entered atresia remains somewhat subjective.


1980 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
SUSAN M. EVANS ◽  
C. H. TYNDALE-BISCOE ◽  
R. L. SUTHERLAND

A heterologous radioimmunoassay for tammar wallaby FSH, using an ovine FSH antiserum and a human FSH tracer, is described. With this assay concentrations of FSH in plasma of intact female tammars are not detectable except rarely at the time of oestrus. However the assay has proved useful in studies of the control of gonadotrophin secretion in intact male and in ovariectomized tammars. In the female tammar, concentrations of LH and FSH in plasma rose within a few days of bilateral ovariectomy. Ovariectomized tammars respond to a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone stimulus (10 μg, i.v.) with a prompt release of LH, peak levels of 16·9 ± 1·4 ng NIH-LH-S19/ml plasma (n = 12) being reached within 25 min of injection. Concentrations of LH and FSH in plasma were reduced to preoperative values in ovariectomized tammars when lutein tissue developed in ovarian cortex grafts autotransplanted under the pouch skin. Ovarian interstitial tissue was not necessary for this effect. After lutectomy during quiescence, the female tammar ovulates again in about 14 days. Injections of progesterone (700 μg/kg per day, i.m.) for 7 days after the operation did not delay this response, but follicular development and ovulation appeared to be retarded in animals given oestradiol-17β (5 μg/kg per day, i.m.) with or without progesterone.


1968 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. P. BLAND ◽  
B. T. DONOVAN

SUMMARY Autotransplantation of the ovaries of guinea-pigs to either the uterus or the kidneys caused the degeneration of all luteal and follicular tissue with the exception of the primordial follicles situated in the periphery of the graft. Follicular development then took place and oestrus and ovulation occurred 10–11 days after transplantation. The corpora lutea formed at this ovulation were maintained in a functional state for more than 35 days when the ovaries were transferred to the kidneys but when ovarian grafts were made to the uterus a series of shortened vaginal cycles was observed. These results substantiate the local nature of the luteolytic abilities of the uterus in this species and imply the existence of a uterine luteolytic substance.


2015 ◽  
Vol 228 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Fernandois ◽  
E Na ◽  
F Cuevas ◽  
G Cruz ◽  
H E Lara ◽  
...  

We have previously reported that kisspeptin (KP) may be under the control of the sympathetic innervation of the ovary. Considering that the sympathetic activity of the ovary increases with aging, it is possible that ovarian KP also increases during this period and participates in follicular development. To evaluate this possibility, we determined ovarian KP expression and its action on follicular development during reproductive aging in rats. We measured ovarian KP mRNA and protein levels in 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-month-old rats. To evaluate follicular developmental changes, intraovarian administration of KP or its antagonist, peptide 234 (P234), was performed using a mini-osmotic pump, and to evaluate FSH receptor (FSHR) changes in the senescent ovary, we stimulated cultured ovaries with KP, P234 and isoproterenol (ISO). Our results shows that KP expression in the ovary was increased in 10- and 12-month-old rats compared with 6-month-old rats, and this increase in KP was strongly correlated with the increase in ovarian norepinephrine observed with aging. The administration of KP produced an increase in corpora lutea and type III follicles in 6- and 10-month-old rats, which was reversed by P234 administration at 10 months. In addition, KP decreased the number and size of antral follicles in 6- and 10-month-old rats, while P234 administration produced an increase in these structures at the same ages. In ovarian cultures KP prevented the induction of FSHR by ISO. These results suggest that intraovarian KP negatively participates in the acquisition of FSHR, indicating a local role in the regulation of follicular development and ovulation during reproductive aging.


1984 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Renfree ◽  
A. P. F. Flint ◽  
S. W. Green ◽  
R. B. Heap

ABSTRACT Ovaries were obtained from tammar wallabies at various stages of the reproductive cycle to examine the occurrence of oestrogens in corpora lutea, and the synthesis and metabolism of steroids in the corpus luteum and ovarian cortical and interstitial tissues. Corpora lutea contained oestradiol-17β and oestrone during embryonic diapause and at all stages of pregnancy studied after blastocyst activation. Aryl sulphatase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-oxidoreductase were shown to be present in luteal and other ovarian tissues by incubation in vitro with labelled substrates. Aromatase was undetectable in corpora lutea or in interstitial tissue, but was present in the ovarian tissues (including follicles) which remained after removal of corpora lutea. The probable source of the oestrogens detected in the corpus luteum is discussed in relation to their role in the inhibition of follicular development during embryonic diapause. J. Endocr. (1984) 101, 231–240


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
D.B.B.P. Paris ◽  
D.A. Taggart ◽  
M.C.J. Paris ◽  
P.D. Temple-Smith ◽  
M.B. Renfree

In the monovular macropodid marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), the cervices are the primary selective barrier to spermatozoa, resulting in differential transport to the non-gravid uterus where a sperm reservoir is established (Tyndale-Biscoe CH and Rodger JC 1978 J. Reprod. Fertil. 52, 37–43). However, due to limited sample size, the dynamics of sperm transport could not be thoroughly examined. In this study, the distribution of spermatozoa, the size of the copulatory plug in the reproductive tract at various times after mating, and the timing of ovulation were characterized in 28 naturally mated female tammars. After the first postpartum (p.p.) mating, adult females were isolated and their reproductive tracts dissected at 0.5, 6, 18, 36, and 40 h post-coitum (p.c.). Each tract was ligated into 13 major anatomical sections, and spermatozoa and eggs were recovered by flushing. Mating occurred 21.7 ± 2.5 h p.p. (mean ± SEM; n = 20) in these animals that were checked frequently and lasted 7.8 ± 0.7 min (n = 15). Within 0.5 h after a single mating (n = 5) the tract contained 2.6 ± 1.0 × 107 spermatozoa and 21.6 ± 8.8 g of copulatory plug, 96 and 70% of which was lost within 6 h p.c., respectively. Spermatozoa reached the uterus, isthmus, and ampulla of the oviduct ipsilateral to the developing follicle within 0.5, 6, and 18 h p.c. respectively, and a uterine population of 2.6 ± 1.2 × 104 spermatozoa (n = 24) was maintained for over 40 h (ANOVA, P > 0.05). Sperm numbers were reduced at the cervix (up to 57-fold) and utero-tubule junction (8-fold), and only 1 in ∼7600 ejaculated spermatozoa (3.4 ± 0.9 × 103; n = 14) reached the oviduct on the side of ovulation. Although sperm numbers were reduced in the gravid uterus (n = 24), differential transport of spermatozoa was not observed (ANOVA, P > 0.05). Ovulation and recovery of sperm-covered eggs from the isthmus of the oviduct occurred 36–41 h p.c. (49–72 h p.p.) (n = 8). Like many eutherian mammals, but in contrast to polyovular dasyurid and didelphid marsupials, the tammar ejaculates large numbers of spermatozoa, but transport is relatively inefficient and sperm storage in the tract before ovulation is limited. Research was supported by the Australian Research Council (grant No. C09930004) and the University of Melbourne.


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien B. B. P. Paris ◽  
David A. Taggart ◽  
Monica C. J. Paris ◽  
Peter D. Temple-Smith ◽  
Marilyn B. Renfree

The distribution of spermatozoa and seminal plug in the reproductive tract and the timing of ovulation were examined at various times in a naturally mated monovular macropodid marsupial, namely the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). After the first post partum (p.p.) mating, 28 females were isolated and their reproductive tracts dissected at 0.5, 6, 18, 36 and 40 h post coitum (p.c.). Each tract was ligated into 13 major anatomical sections and spermatozoa and eggs were recovered by flushing. Mating was possibly delayed by handling and occurred 21.7 ± 2.5 h p.p. in these animals. Copulation lasted 7.8 ± 0.7 min. Within 0.5 h after a single mating, the tract contained 25.8 ± 10.2 × 106 spermatozoa and 21.6 ± 8.8 g of seminal plug, 96% and 70% of which was lost within 6 h p.c. respectively. Spermatozoa reached the uterus, isthmus and ampulla of the oviduct on the side of the developing follicle within 0.5, 6 and 18 h p.c., respectively, and a uterine population of 26.1 ± 12.103 spermatozoa was maintained for over 40 h. Sperm numbers were reduced at the cervix (up to 57-fold) and uterotubule junction (eight-fold) and only one in approximately 7500 ejaculated spermatozoa (3.4 ± 0.9 × 103) reached the oviduct on the follicle side. Differential transport of spermatozoa was not observed. Although the numbers of spermatozoa were reduced in the parturient uterus, they were highly variable and were not significantly different to those in the non-parturient uterus. Ovulation and recovery of sperm-covered eggs from the isthmus occurred 36–41 h p.c. (49–72 h p.p.). In contrast with the polyovular dasyurid and didelphid marsupials, the tammar wallaby ejaculates large numbers of spermatozoa, but transport is relatively inefficient and sperm storage in the tract before ovulation is limited.


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