Oxytocin and vasopressin within the ventral and dorsal lateral septum modulate aggression in female rats

In contrast to male rats, aggression in virgin female rats has been rarely studied. Here, we established a rat model of enhanced aggression in females using a combination of social isolation and aggression-training to specifically investigate the involvement of the oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) systems within the lateral septum (LS). Using neuropharmacological, optogenetic, chemogenetic as well as microdialysis approaches, we revealed that enhanced OXT release within the ventral LS (vLS), combined with reduced AVP release within the dorsal LS (dLS), is required for aggression in female rats. Accordingly, increased activity of putative OXT receptor-positive neurons in the vLS, and decreased activity of putative AVP receptor-positive neurons in the dLS, are likely to underly aggression in female rats. Finally, in vitro activation of OXT receptors in the vLS increased tonic GABAergic inhibition of dLS neurons. Overall, our data suggest a model showing that septal release of OXT and AVP differentially affects aggression in females by modulating the inhibitory tone within LS sub-networks.

In Vitro Activation Early Follicles: From the Basic Science to the Clinical Perspectives

Development of early follicles, especially the activation of primordial follicles, is strictly modulated by a network of signaling pathways. Recent advance in ovarian physiology has been allowed the development of several therapies to improve reproductive outcomes by manipulating early folliculogenesis. Among these, in vitro activation (IVA) has been recently developed to extend the possibility of achieving genetically related offspring for patients with premature ovarian insufficiency and ovarian dysfunction. This method was established based on basic science studies of the intraovarian signaling pathways: the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and the Hippo signaling pathways. These two pathways were found to play crucial roles in folliculogenesis from the primordial follicle to the early antral follicle. Following the results of rodent experiments, IVA was implemented in clinical practice. There have been multiple recorded live births and ongoing pregnancies. Further investigations are essential to confirm the efficacy and safety of IVA before used widely in clinics. This review aimed to summarize the published literature on IVA and provide future perspectives for its improvement.

Primary ovarian insufficiency: from basis of pathogenesis to treatment perspectives

The review of literature data on primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), its autoimmune aspect, determination of markers for early diagnosis of the disease, treatment options and implementation of reproductive plans was carried out. Autoimmune and genetic aspects of pathogenesis, markers of autoimmunity in ovarian tissue, which may be promising for early diagnosis in risk groups of patients with autoimmune pathology, were considered; information on the incidence of nosology in other autoimmune diseases, which will also allow to identify POI at early stages, was provided. This article provides information about a new direction in reproductive surgery – drug-free in vitro activation based on primordial follicle activation by modulating biological signaling pathways. This procedure may have a long-term perspective for realizing reproductive potential without the use of donor eggs. The literature search was performed in domestic (eLibrary, CyberLeninka.ru) and international (PubMed, Cochrane Library) databases in Russian and English. The selection of sources was made within a limited period from 2016 to 2021. However, given the insufficient knowledge of the chosen topic, the selection of sources was dated from 2009. Key words: autoimmune oophoritis, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, primary ovarian insufficiency, in vitro activation