MicroRNAs and hypospadias: A systematic review.

The aim of the present study was to summarize what is known about the role of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in relation to hypospadias. Therefore, a systematic review was performed by consulting the electronic databases, MEDLINE (PubMed) and Embase. The search strategy consisted of both MeSH and free text terms, including hypospadias AND miRNA.

Dorsomorphin inhibits AMPK, upregulates Wnt and Foxo genes and promotes the activation of dormant follicles.

AMPK is a well-known energy sensor regulating cellular metabolism. Metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes are considered detrimental factors that reduce fecundity. Here, we show that pharmacologically induced in vitro activation (by metformin) or inhibition (by dorsomorphin) of the AMPK pathway inhibits or promotes activation of ovarian primordial follicles in cultured murine ovaries and human ovarian cortical chips.

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase PDE8B reduces activation of primordial follicles in mouse ovaries.

In the ovaries, cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) is a second messenger supporting the generation of steroids. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are regulators of intracellular cAMP, and therefore, potential regulators of ovarian function. Interestingly, the family of PDE genes are differentially expressed in human oocytes and granulosa cells from primordial and primary follicles, suggesting diverse roles.

Distinct Signaling Pathways Distinguish From Growth in Murine Ovarian Follicle Activation and Maturation.

Women with cancer and low ovarian reserves face serious challenges in infertility treatment. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is currently used for such patients to preserve fertility. One major challenge is the activation of dormant ovarian follicles, which is hampered by our limited biological understanding of molecular determinants that activate dormant follicles and help maintain healthy follicles during growth.

Maternally contributed Nlrp9b expressed in human and mouse ovarian follicles contributes to early murine preimplantation development.

Purpose: The aim of the study is to investigate presence and role of the gene encoding the maternally contributed nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors with a pyrin domain (PYD)-containing protein 9 (NLRP9) in human and mouse ovaries, respectively, and in preimplantation mouse embryo development by knocking down Nlrp9b.

Methods: Expression levels of NLRP9 mRNA in human follicles were extracted from RNA sequencing data from previous studies. In this study, we performed a qPCR analysis of Nlpr9b mRNA in mouse oocytes and found it present.

Reduced hepatic metallothionein expression in first trimester fetuses in response to intrauterine smoking exposure: a consequence of low maternal zinc levels?

Study Question: Does maternal smoking in early pregnancy affect metallothionein 1 and 2 (MT1 and MT2) mRNA and protein expression in first trimester placenta or embryonic/fetal liver?

Summary Answer: In the first trimester, MT protein expression is seen only in liver, where smoking is associated with a significantly reduced expression.

What Is Known Already: Zinc homeostasis is altered by smoking. Smoking induces MT in the blood of smokers properly as a result of the cadmium binding capacities of MT.

The pivotal roles of the NOD-like receptors with a PYD domain, NLRPs, in oocytes and early embryo development†.

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors with a pyrin domain (PYD), NLRPs, are pattern recognition receptors, well recognized for their important roles in innate immunity and apoptosis. However, several NLRPs have received attention for their new, specialized roles as maternally contributed genes important in reproduction and embryo development. Several NLRPs have been shown to be specifically expressed in oocytes and preimplantation embryos.

Transcripts Encoding the Androgen Receptor and IGF-Related Molecules Are Differently Expressed in Human Granulosa Cells From Primordial and Primary Follicles.

Bidirectional cross talk between granulosa cells and oocytes is known to be important in all stages of mammalian follicular development. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling is a prominent candidate to be involved in the activation of primordial follicles, and may be be connected to androgen-signaling. In this study, we interrogated transcriptome dynamics in granulosa cells isolated from human primordial and primary follicles to reveal information of growth factors and androgens involved in the physiology of ovarian follicular activation.

The mitochondrial DNA copy number, cytochrome c oxidase activity and reactive oxygen species level in metaphase II oocytes obtained from in vitro culture of cryopreserved ovarian tissue in comparison with in vivo-obtained oocyte.

Aim: To evaluate the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and intensity of mitochondrial enzyme activity in metaphase II oocytes derived from vitrified cultured immature mouse ovarian tissue in comparison with nonvitrified group and in vivo-obtained oocytes.

Methods: Vitrified and nonvitrified ovaries from neonate female mice were cultured for 7 days. Then, preantral follicles were isolated and cultured in a three-dimensional culture system.

Reactive oxygen species level, mitochondrial transcription factor A gene expression and succinate dehydrogenase activity in metaphase II oocytes derived from cultured vitrified mouse ovaries.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ovarian tissue vitrification and two-step culture on the metaphase II (MII) oocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial transcription factor A TFAM) expression and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity. After collection of neonatal mouse ovaries, 45 ovaries were vitrified and the others (n = 45) were considered as control. All ovaries were cultured for seven days, and their isolated preantral follicles were cultured in three-dimensional culture system.

Vitrification of Mouse MII Oocyte Decreases the Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number, TFAM Gene Expression and Mitochondrial Enzyme Activity.

Background: The objective of this study was determination of the changes in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and enzyme activity and transcription factor A (TFAM) gene expression in oocytes after vitrification.

Methods: The oocytes at metaphase II (MII) stage (n=320) were collected from super-ovulated adult female mice (n=40). These oocytes were divided into vitrified and non-vitrified groups (n=160 in each group).

Morphological and Molecular Aspects of In Vitro Culture of Preantral Follicles Derived from Vitrified Ovarian.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the expression of the genes related to folliculogenesis after vitrification of mouse ovarian tissues using a two-step in vitro culture.

Materials And Methods: In this experimental study, vitrified and non-vitrified ovaries from 7- day old (neonate) female mice were cultured using alpha-Minimum Essential Medium (α-MEM) supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 7 days. Morphology, surface area of ovaries and percentage of normal follicles were evaluated and compared in both groups.

The effect of vitrification and in vitro culture on the adenosine triphosphate content and mitochondrial distribution of mouse pre-implantation embryos.

Background: The mitochondria are an important source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in pre-implantation embryo. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of vitrification and in vitro culture of mouse embryos on their mitochondrial distribution and ATP content.

Methods: The embryos at 2-PN, 4-cell and blastocyst stages were collected from the oviduct of stimulated pregnant mice and uterine horns.