Dynamics and necessity of SIRT1 for maternal-zygotic transition.

Dynamic changes in maternal‒zygotic transition (MZT) require complex regulation of zygote formation, maternal transcript decay, embryonic genome activation (EGA), and cell cycle progression. Although these changes are well described, some key regulatory factors are still elusive. Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), an NAD-dependent histone deacetylase, is a versatile driver of MZT via its epigenetic and nonepigenetic substrates.

Mitochondria in human reproduction: novel paradigm in the onset of neurodegenerative disorders.

The disease progression of neurodegenerative disorders (NDD), including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, is inextricably tied to mitochondrial dysfunction. However, although the contribution by nuclear gene mutations is recognised for familial onset of NDD, the degree to which cytoplasmic inheritance serves as a predetermining factor for the predisposition and onset of NDD is not yet fully understood. We review the reproductive mechanisms responsible for ensuring a healthy mitochondrial population within each new generation and elucidate how advanced maternal age can constitute an increased risk for the onset of NDD in the offspring, through the increased heteroplasmic burden.

The bisphenol S contamination level observed in human follicular fluid affects the development of porcine oocytes.

Bisphenol S (BPS), the main replacement for bisphenol A (BPA), is thought to be toxic, but limited information is available on the effects of Bisphenol S on ovarian follicles. In our study, we demonstrated the presence of Bisphenol S in the follicular fluid of women at a concentration of 22.4 nM.

Effect of Bisphenol S on testicular tissue after low-dose lactation exposure.

Exposure to endocrine disruptors such as bisphenols, can lead to and be the explanation for idiopathic infertility. In our study, we assessed the effect of exposure to bisphenol S (BPS) via breast milk on the testicular tissue health of adult male mice. Lactating dams were exposed to BPS through drinking water (0.

Evidence of endogenously produced hydrogen sulfide (HS) and persulfidation in male reproduction.

Persulfidation contributes to a group of redox post-translational modifications (PTMs), which arise exclusively on the sulfhydryl group of cysteine as a result of hydrogen sulfide (HS) action. Redox-active molecules, including HS, contribute to sperm development; therefore, redox PTMs represent an extremely important signalling pathway in sperm life. In this path, persulfidation prevents protein damage caused by irreversible cysteine hyperoxidation and thus maintains this signalling pathway.

Male SIRT1 insufficiency leads to sperm with decreased ability to hyperactivate and fertilize.

Deficient sperm motility is a frequent cause of the age-related male sub-/infertility. Since the protein sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) develops anti-aging action and participates in sperm motility and ATP synthesis in mitochondria, we investigated its role in the acquisition of hyperactivated motility during capacitation. For this, the dynamics of sperm subpopulations were studied, using males of Sirt1 heterozygous mutant mice.

Nursing Exposure to Bisphenols as a Cause of Male Idiopathic Infertility.

Idiopathic infertility is a serious problem, which can be caused and explained by exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenols. In our study, we studied transactional exposure to bisphenol and its effects on newborn male mice throughout their reproductive life. Newborn male mice were exposed to bisphenol S and bisphenol F through maternal milk from post-natal day 0 to post-natal day 15 at concentrations of 0.

Non-invasive method of obtaining milk from mice using carbetocin, a synthetic analogue of oxytocin.

Introduction: The mouse is an important laboratory animal in pharmacological and toxicological research. However, there is a limited ability to analyse the penetration of tested substances in mouse breastmilk, which is technically difficult to obtain in sufficient quantities. The aim of the study is to verify the use of carbetocin for this purpose.

Exposure to alternative bisphenols BPS and BPF through breast milk: Noxious heritage effect during nursing associated with idiopathic infertility.

There is increasing evidence that bisphenols BPS and BPF, which are analogues of BPA, have deleterious effects on reproduction even at extremely low doses. Indirect exposure via the maternal route (i.e.

Low doses of Bisphenol S affect post-translational modifications of sperm proteins in male mice.

Background: Bisphenol S (BPS) is increasingly used as a replacement for bisphenol A in the manufacture of products containing polycarbonates and epoxy resins. However, further studies of BPS exposure are needed for the assessment of health risks to humans. In this study we assessed the potential harmfulness of low-dose BPS on reproduction in male mice.

Reliability of Autoantibodies Against a Tissue Transglutaminase Neo-Epitope for the Diagnosis of Pediatric Celiac Disease.

Background: This study aimed to assess the declared benefits of the new test using antibodies against tissue transglutaminase in complex with gliadin representing a neo-epitope in the IgA and IgG class of immunoglobulins compared with currently used tissue transglutaminase antibodies in the IgA class of immunoglobulins among children.

Methods: In the cross-sectional study (P1 study, n = 406) and two small-size prospective observational studies (P2 study, n = 59 and P3 study, n = 12), serum samples from all children were simultaneously tested for endomysial antibodies, IgA tissue transglutaminase antibodies, and antibodies against tissue transglutaminase in complex with gliadin in the IgA and IgG class of immunoglobulins. The exact McNemar test, Wilcoxon test, and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data.

Hydrogen Sulfide Impairs Meiosis Resumption in Oocytes.

The role of hydrogen sulfide (HS) is addressed in oocytes. Three enzymes involved in HS metabolism, cystathionine β-synthase, cystathionine γ-lyase, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, were detected in prophase I and metaphase II-arrested oocytes and drove an acceleration of oocyte meiosis resumption when inhibited. Moreover, meiosis resumption is associated with a significant decrease in endogenous HS.

Acute low-dose bisphenol S exposure affects mouse oocyte quality.

Bisphenol S (BPS) is widely used to replace the known endocrine disruptor BPA in various products. We evaluated the effect of acute in vivo BPS exposure on oocyte quality, simulating the oral route of exposure via oral gavage. Eight-week-old ICR female mice (N = 15 per experimental group) were exposed to vehicle or BPS1-BPS4 (0.

The serine protease inhibitors and SERPINE1/2 disrupt prostaglandin E2 production and hyaluronic acid retention in FSH-stimulated pig cumulus-oocyte complexes.

The serine proteases, tissue- and urokinase-type plasminogen activators (PLAT and PLAU) and their inhibitors SERPINE1/2 are regulators of plasminogen to plasmin conversion. They are widely expressed in ovarian tissues, including granulosa and cumulus cells, and their expression is regulated by gonadotropins. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of serine protease inhibitors (aprotinin and AEBSF) and SERPINE1/2 on FSH-induced cumulus cell expansion, the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and retention of hyaluronic acid (HA) in expanding cumulus.

H3K4me2 accompanies chromatin immaturity in human spermatozoa: an epigenetic marker for sperm quality assessment.

Chromatin remodeling, including histone post-translational modifications, during spermatogenesis can affect sperm quality and fertility, and epigenetic marks may therefore be useful for clinical evaluations of sperm. Together with histone hyperacetylation, the dimethylation of histone H3 on lysine K4 (H3K4me2) is also required during protamination. Accordingly, we evaluated the utilization of this epigenetic mark for the identification of sperm with decrease quality and immature chromatin.

Epigenetic and non-epigenetic mode of SIRT1 action during oocyte meiosis progression.

Background: SIRT1 histone deacetylase acts on many epigenetic and non-epigenetic targets. It is thought that SIRT1 is involved in oocyte maturation; therefore, the importance of the ooplasmic SIRT1 pool for the further fate of mature oocytes has been strongly suggested. We hypothesised that SIRT1 plays the role of a signalling molecule in mature oocytes through selected epigenetic and non-epigenetic regulation.

Enteral Nutrition as a Growth Medium for Cultivable Commensal Bacteria and Its Effect on Their Quantity in the Stool of Children with Crohn's Disease.

Current studies indicate a link between the intake of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) and the induction of complex changes in the intestinal microbiota, as well as the clinical improvement of Crohn's disease (CD). The first aim of this study was to test the ability of various commensal bacterial strains ( = 19) such as bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, and to grow on three different polymeric EN . Tested EN formulas were found to be suitable growth media for tested commensals.

Involvement of K and Ca channels in hydrogen sulfide-suppressed ageing of porcine oocytes.

Background: Hydrogen sulfide has been shown to improve the quality of oocytes destined for in vitro fertilization. Although hydrogen sulfide is capable of modulating ion channel activity in somatic cells, the role of hydrogen sulfide in gametes and embryos remains unknown. Our observations confirmed the hypothesis that the K and L-type Ca ion channels play roles in porcine oocyte ageing and revealed a plausible contribution of hydrogen sulfide to the modulation of ion channel activity.

Correction to: Fecal calprotectin is not a clinically useful marker for the prediction of the early nonresponse to exclusive enteral nutrition in pediatric patients with Crohn disease.

This article was originally published with all author names incorrectly listed. All author names have now been transposed and appear correctly above. The original article was corrected.

Fecal calprotectin is not a clinically useful marker for the prediction of the early nonresponse to exclusive enteral nutrition in pediatric patients with Crohn disease.

Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) has been recommended as the first-line therapy in children with active Crohn disease (CD). The primary aim of our study was to determine whether it is possible to use the difference between basal fecal calprotectin (F-CPT) and the value at week 2 of EEN to predict clinical response at week 6. We prospectively collected stool samples for F-CPT analysis and clinical and laboratory parameters during EEN from 38 pediatric patients (28 boys, median age 12.

Long-term exposure to very low doses of bisphenol S affects female reproduction.

Bisphenols belong to the endocrine disruptors, affecting reproduction even in extremely low doses. Bisphenol S (BPS) has become widely used as a substitute for the earlier-used bisphenol A; however, its harmlessness is questionable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of BPS on folliculogenesis and oocyte quality after exposure to low doses of BPS.

The role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in choledochal cysts and/or abnormal pancreatobiliary junction in children.

Introduction: Biliary cysts with an abnormal pancreatobiliary junction are one of the most common pancreatobiliary malformations. The main symptom is cholestasis; endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) plays a key role in diagnosis.

Aim: Retrospective evaluation of ERCP performed to diagnose abnormalities of the pancreatobiliary junction.

SIRT1-dependent modulation of methylation and acetylation of histone H3 on lysine 9 (H3K9) in the zygotic pronuclei improves porcine embryo development.

Background: The histone code is an established epigenetic regulator of early embryonic development in mammals. The lysine residue K9 of histone H3 (H3K9) is a prime target of SIRT1, a member of NAD-dependent histone deacetylase family of enzymes targeting both histone and non-histone substrates. At present, little is known about SIRT1-modulation of H3K9 in zygotic pronuclei and its association with the success of preimplantation embryo development.

Non-Invasive Approaches to Epigenetic-Based Sperm Selection.

Since sperm size and form do not necessarily provide information on internal sperm structures, novel sperm markers need to be found in order to conduct assisted reproductive therapies (ART) successfully. Currently, the priority of andrologists is not only to select those sperm able to fertilize the oocyte, but also a high quality of sperm that will guarantee a healthy embryo. Evidence of this shows us the importance of studying sperm intensively on genetic and epigenetic levels, because these could probably be the cause of a percentage of infertility diagnosed as idiopathic.

Prostaglandin E2 stimulates the expression of cumulus expansion-related genes in pigs: the role of protein kinase B.

The production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) seems to play an important role in the ovulation process. PGE2 was found to induce cumulus expansion and meiosis resumption in mice, but little is known about its role in pigs. The goals of this study were (a) to assess the effect of PGE2 on the expression levels of cumulus expansion-related genes, (b) to define the signaling pathways that drive the PGE2-stimulated expression of cumulus expansion-related genes, (c) to measure the effect of PGE2 on the activation of key signaling molecules (MAPK3/1, PKB) and on hyaluronan production in cumulus cells, and (d) to assess the effect of PGE2 on meiosis resumption.