Stage-specific expression of Toll-like receptors in the seminiferous epithelium of mouse testis.

Genes encoding Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed by germ cells in the mouse testis. Nevertheless, the expression of TLRs by germ cells has only been demonstrated for TLR-3, TLR-9, and TLR-11. Furthermore, the expression of each TLR in relation to the stage of spermatogenesis remains uncertain.

Expression of Toll-Like Receptors in the Lung Tissue of Mouse Fetuses Generated by in vitro Embryo Culture and Embryo Transfer.

Mouse fetuses generated by in vitro embryo culture and embryo transfer exhibit impaired lung development, altered composition of pulmonary epithelial cells associated with downregulation of several genes involved in lung development and toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway. The aims of the present study were to determine the expression of all TLRs and to examine if the expression of TLRs, along with genes involved in TLR signaling pathway, is altered in the lung tissue of mouse fetuses generated through embryo culture and embryo transfer. Two experimental (EGs) and one control (CG) group were included in the study.

Transfer of mouse blastocysts exposed to ambient oxygen levels can lead to impaired lung development and redox balance.

In vitro culture under atmospheric oxygen puts embryos under oxidative stress and impairs preimplantation development. However, to what extent this process alters the redox balance in the perinatal period remains largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine if the redox balance is altered in the lung tissue of fetuses generated through transfer of mouse embryos exposed to atmospheric oxygen at different stages of development and to determine if this has any effect on lung morphogenesis and gene expression.

Changes on the Pancreas in Experimental Diabetes and the Effect of Lycopene on These Changes: Pdx-1, Ngn-3, and Nestin Expressions.

The aim of the present study was to investigate changes occurring in the number of beta cells, as well as the expressions of Ngn-3, nestin and Pdx-1 of pancreatic progenitor cells in the pancreas of experimentally-induced adult diabetic rats and to determine the effect of orally-administered lycopene on these changes. Following the administration of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin to rats, four groups of animals were established: control + corn oil, control + lycopene, diabetic + corn oil and diabetic + lycopene. The animals in the control + lycopene and diabetic + lycopene groups received 4 mg/kg lycopene for a period of four weeks.

Changes in the Pancreas in Experimental Diabetes and the Effect of Lycopene on These Changes: Proliferating, Apoptotic, and Estrogen Receptor α Positive Cells.

This study aimed to investigate the changes occurring in estrogen receptor (ER) α-positive cells, proliferating cells, apoptotic cells and malondialdehyde (MDA) expression in the pancreas of experimentally induced adult diabetic rats and to determine the effect of orally administered lycopene on these changes. Experimental diabetes was induced using a single dose of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Following the administration of STZ, four groups of animals were established: Control + corn oil, control + lycopene, diabetic + corn oil and diabetic + lycopene.

Changes in rat ovary with experimentally induced diabetes and the effects of lycopene on those changes.

Free radicals increase in the presence of diabetes. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant. The goal of the present study was to determine the effect of diabetes on rat ovaries and the protective role of lycopene in that context.

Contribution of cells derived from the area pellucida to extraembryonic mesodermal cell lineages in heterospecific quail chick blastodermal chimeras.

The current study has two main objectives: first, to determine if cells derived from the area pellucida are able to populate extraembryonic membranes, and second, to determine if donor cells have the potential to differentiate to endothelial (EC) and hematopoietic cells (HC) in the yolk sac and allantois, the two extraembryonic membranes functioning as hematopoietic organs in the avian embryo. To this end, quail chick chimeras were constructed by transferring dissociated cells from the areae pellucidae of the stage X-XII (EG&K) quail embryo into the subgerminal cavity of the unincubated chick blastoderm. The distribution of quail cells in the allantois, yolk sac, amnion, and chorion of resulting putative chimeras was examined using quail cell-specific antibody against a perinuclear antigen (QCPN) after 6 days of incubation.

Tissue distribution of cells derived from the area opaca in heterospecific quail-chick blastodermal chimeras.

The objective of the current study was to determine the tissue distribution of cells derived from the area opaca in heterospecific quail-chick blastodermal chimeras. Quail-chick chimeras were constructed by transferring dissociated cells from the area opaca of the stage X-XII (EG&K) quail embryo into the subgerminal cavity of the unincubated chick blastoderm. The distribution of quail cells in embryonic as well as extra-embryonic tissues of the recipient embryo were examined using the QCPN monoclonal antibody after 6 days of incubation in serial sections taken at 100-mum intervals.