Phospholipase C inhibits apoptosis of porcine oocytes cultured in vitro.

Oocyte apoptosis can be used as an indicator of oocyte quality and development competency. Phospholipase C (PLC) is a critical enzyme that participates in phosphoinositide metabolic regulation and performs many functions, including the regulation of reproduction. In this study, we aimed to explore whether PLC participates in the regulation of apoptosis in porcine oocytes and investigated its possible mechanism.

Melatonin modulates the functions of porcine granulosa cells via its membrane receptor MT2 in vitro.

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is documented as a hormone involved in the circadian regulation of physiological and neuroendocrine function in mammals. Herein, the effects of melatonin on the functions of porcine granulosa cells in vitro were investigated. Porcine granulosa cells were cultivated with variable concentrations of melatonin (0, 0.

Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on boar spermatozoa quality during freezing-thawing.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is known to be a natural antioxidant. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cryoprotective effect of ALA on the motility of boar spermatozoa and its antioxidant effect on boar spermatozoa during freezing-thawing. Different concentrations (2.

Effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza polysaccharides on boar spermatozoa during freezing-thawing.

Salvia miltiorrhiza polysaccharides (SMPs) were extracted from S. miltiorrhiza in this study. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of SMP on the motility of boar sperm, including the antioxidant effect of SMP on boar sperm and the effect of SMP on the in vivo fertilizing ability of frozen-thawed boar sperm.

Effects and Mechanism of Baicalin on Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells I n -v itro.

The objective of this study was to observe the apoptosis-inducing effect and mechanism of baicalin on human cervical cancer HeLa cells. The inhibitory effect of baicalin on the growth of HeLa cells was measured by MTT assay, and cell proliferation and migration was analyzed by cell scratch assay. Morphological changes of apoptotic cells were viewed by the light microscope and electron microscope, and cell growth arrest was confirmed by flow cytometry.

Correlations of IFN-γ genetic polymorphisms with susceptibility to breast cancer: a meta-analysis.

The meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the correlations between common genetic polymorphisms in the IFN-γ gene and susceptibility to breast cancer. The following electronic databases were searched without language restrictions: MEDLINE (1966 ~ 2013), the Cochrane Library Database (issue 12, 2013), EMBASE (1980 ~ 2013), CINAHL (1982 ~ 2013), Web of Science (1945 ~ 2013), and the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) (1982 ~ 2013). Meta-analysis was performed with the use of the STATA statistical software.

Effects of GDNF and LIF on mouse spermatogonial stem cells proliferation in vitro.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the only type of cells that transmit genes to the subsequent generations. The proliferation, cultivation and identification of SSCs in vitro are critical to understanding of male infertility, genetic resources and conservation of endangered species. To investigate the effects of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on the proliferation of mouse SSCs in vitro, supplement of GDNF and/or LIF were designed to culture SSCs.

Differentiation of spermatogonial stem cell-like cells from murine testicular tissue into haploid male germ cells in vitro.

In vitro differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) promotes the understanding of the mechanism of spermatogenesis. The purpose of this study was to isolate spermatogonial stem cell-like cells from murine testicular tissue, which then were induced into haploid germ cells by retinoic acid (RA). The spermatogonial stem cell-like cells were purified and enriched by a two-step plating method based on different adherence velocities of SSCs and somatic cells.

Effects of testicular interstitial fluid on the proliferation of the mouse spermatogonial stem cells in vitro.

Spermatogenesis is a process in adult male mammals supported by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). The cultivation of SSCs has potential value, for example for the treatment of male infertility or spermatogonial transplantation. Testicular interstitial fluid was added to culture medium to a final concentration of 5, 10, 20, 30 or 40%, in order to investigate its effects on proliferation of mouse SSCs in vitro, Alkaline phosphatase (AKP) assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis and indirect immunofluorescence of cells were performed to identify SSCs, and the proliferation rate and diameters of the SSCs colonies were measured.

The effect of Laminaria japonic polysaccharide on sperm characteristics and biochemical parameters in cryopreserved boar sperm.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cryoprotective effect of Laminaria japonic polysaccharide (LJP) on boar sperm. Semen samples were collected from seven mature Yorkshire boars once a week by the gloved hand technique and frozen-thawed in the extender with LJP added. Extender with LJP added at concentrations of 0.

HSP90 expression correlation with the freezing resistance of bull sperm.

To date, there has been little improvement in cryopreservation of bull sperm due to lack of understanding of the freezing mechanisms. Therefore, this study set out to investigate expression levels of fertility-associated proteins in bull sperm, and in particular the relationship between the 90 kDa heat-shock protein (HSP90) and the sperm characteristics after freezing-thawing. Semen was collected from eight Holstein bulls by artificial vagina.

Effects of low-density lipoproteins extracted from different avian yolks on boar spermatozoa quality following freezing-thawing.

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is known to protect boar sperm during freezing-thawing, but little information is known about the effects of LDL extracted from different avian egg yolks on post-thaw boar semen quality. The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the effects of LDL at various concentrations and different species on boar sperm quality after freezing-thawing. LDL extracted from the yolk of hen egg, duck egg, quail egg, pigeon egg or ostrich egg was added to the extender at the concentrations of 0.

Cryoprotective effects of low-density lipoproteins, trehalose and soybean lecithin on murine spermatogonial stem cells.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have the ability to self-renew and offer a pathway for genetic engineering of the male germ line. Cryopreservation of SSCs has potential value for the treatment of male infertility, spermatogonial transplantation, and so on. In order to investigate the cryopreservation effects of different cryoprotectants on murine SSCs, 0.

Growth suppression effects of recombinant adenovirus expressing human lactoferrin on cervical cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Human lactoferrin (hLF) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that can inhibit cancer growth. The molecular mechanism of hLF-induced tumor growth inhibition is incompletely understood. Moreover, the adenovirus vector-mediated hLF (Ad-hLF) gene therapy on cervical cancer has not been yet characterized.

The advantages of low-density lipoproteins in the cryopreservation of bull semen.

Egg low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was added at concentrations (w/v) of 7%, 8% or 9% to the extenders used to freeze bull semen and its effects on seminal parameters and anti-oxidant activities of frozen-thawed sperm were assessed. Analysis of data showed that sperm exposed to 8% LDL exhibited the greatest percentages of sperm motility, acrosome integrity and membrane integrity, compared to the control which differed from the treatment groups by replacing LDL with 20% egg yolk (P<0.05).

Antitumor activity of polysaccharides isolated from Patrinia heterophylla.

The research investigated the effect of Patrinia heterophylla Bunge (Valerianaceae) polysaccharides (PHB-P1) on U14-bearing mice. The tumor weight of mice treated with PHB-P1 (30, 60 mg/kg body weight) was significantly lower than that of the control group, a decrease of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was observed, and the serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) level was increased slightly. The number of apoptotic tumor cells was significantly increased in the mice by treatment of PHB-P1 (30, 60 mg/kgbw).

Enhanced expression of adenovirus encoding rhEPO assisted by BAPTA.

Infection efficiency is the key issue for gene delivery using adenovirus vector and usually unsatisfactory. In this study, recombinant adenoviruses encoding recombinant human EPO were prepared using the Adeasy system, and injected into the mammary gland of goats via the teat canal. BAPTA was used to treat the mammary gland to facilitate adenoviruses infection compared with EGTA.

The cryoprotective effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on bovine semen quality.

To investigate the effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on standard semen quality parameters and antioxidant activities after thawing of bovine frozen semen, antioxidant ascorbic acid was added at concentrations of 2.5, 4.5, 6.

Anti-tumor activity of polysaccharides isolated from Patrinia scabra Bunge on U14 cervical carcinoma bearing mice.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of Patrinia scabra Bunge polysaccharide (PSB-P2) on cervical cancer cell (U14)-bearing mice. The tumor weight of mice treated with PSB-P2 (40, 80 mg/kg b.w.

Protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide 4 on kidneys in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has been shown to have hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties, although its mode of action is yet unknown. Because oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, we evaluated the protective effect of LBP-4, the major active component of Lycium barbarum, on the defensive antioxidative mechanism in kidneys in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Moreover, we investigated the effects of LBP-4 on the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in isolated mesangial cells.

The cryoprotective effect of low-density lipoproteins in extenders on bull spermatozoa following freezing-thawing.

Egg low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was added at concentrations of 7-10% to the extenders used to freeze bull semen and its effects on the motility, mitochondria activity, acrosome integrity, membrane integrity and DNA integrity of frozen-thawed sperm were assessed. Analysis of data showed that the motility and characteristics of spermatozoa movement were higher with LDL in the extender, as compared to the extender containing 20% egg yolk. The results indicated that 8% LDL supplementation provided the highest sperm motility (55.

Recombinant human antithrombin expressed in the milk of non-transgenic goats exhibits high efficiency on rat DIC model.

Plasma-derived antithrombin (pAT) is often used for the treatments of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) patients. In this paper, the recombinant adenovirus vector encoding human antithrombin (AT) cDNA was constructed and directly infused into the mammary gland of two goats. The recombinant human antithrombin (rhAT) was purified by heparin affinity chromatography from the goat milk, and then used in the treatment of thirty lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced DIC rats.

Antitumor and immunomodulating effects of polysaccharides isolated from Solanum nigrum Linne.

We have examined the effects of the crude polysaccharides isolated from Solanum nigrum Linne (SNL-P) in vitro and in vivo against U14 cervical cancer. SNL-P showed no antiproliferative effects in vitro at a dose up to 1 mg/ml. In vivo administration with SNL-P (90, 180, 360 mg/kg b.

Effect of Gynostemma Pentaphyllum polysaccharide on boar spermatozoa quality following freezing-thawing.

Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Polysaccharide (GPP) was added at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1.