Regulation of Porcine Oviduct Epithelium Functions via Progesterone and Estradiol Is Influenced by Cortisol.

Preimplantation maternal stress, characterized by elevated glucocorticoids (GCs), has been linked to reproductive failures caused by impaired oviduct functionality, which is known to be predominantly regulated by the sex steroids, progesterone (P4) and (17)estradiol (E2). Although steroid receptors share analogous structures and binding preferences, the interaction between GCs and E2/P4 in the oviduct has attracted little attention. Using an air-liquid interface culture model, porcine oviduct epithelial cells were stimulated with single (cortisol, E2, P4) or hormone mixtures (cortisol/E2, cortisol/P4) for 12 hours and 72 hours.

Current State of In Vitro Embryo Production in African Lion ().

In the last 30-40 years, in vitro maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF) of domestic cat oocytes have been established as part of the panel of assisted reproduction technologies. As a representative of wild felids, the African lion is not yet considered endangered. Nevertheless, the zoo population management of the African lion itself as well as other closely related felids would benefit from the establishment of an IVF system.

Genomic characterization of the world's longest selection experiment in mouse reveals the complexity of polygenic traits.

Background: Long-term selection experiments are a powerful tool to understand the genetic background of complex traits. The longest of such experiments has been conducted in the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), generating extreme mouse lines with increased fertility, body mass, protein mass and endurance. For >140 generations, these lines have been maintained alongside an unselected control line, representing a valuable resource for understanding the genetic basis of polygenic traits.

Dynamic profile of EVs in porcine oviductal fluid during the periovulatory period.

In mammals, around the time of ovulation, the hormonal profile dynamically changes in synchrony with reproductive events occurring in the oviduct, that is, sperm arrival, fertilization, and early embryo development. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recently recognized as key components of the embryonic milieu; however, composition and function of oviductal EVs during this crucial period remains to be further explored. Therefore, we initially characterized EVs from porcine oviductal fluid specifically around the critical ovulation window: that is, estrus (E), late estrus (LE, day of expected ovulation), post ovulation (PO), and additionally diestrus (D).

In Vitro Mimicking of Estrous Cycle Stages: Dissecting the Impact of Estradiol and Progesterone on Oviduct Epithelium.

We have previously mimicked the morphological and functional changes occurring in the oviduct epithelium during the estrous cycle in vitro by using an air-liquid interface (ALI) culture system and basolateral application of 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). In the current study we aimed to explore the transcriptomic changes elicited by E2 and P4 together during estrous cycle simulation and to dissect the individual effects of E2 and P4 on oviduct epithelium physiology. Primary porcine oviduct epithelial cells (POECs) (N = 6 animals) were cultured at the ALI.

Periovulatory follicular fluid levels of estradiol trigger inflammatory and DNA damage responses in oviduct epithelial cells.

Objective: Ovarian steroid hormones (mainly E2 and P4) regulate oviduct physiology. Serum-E2 acts on the oviduct epithelium from the basolateral cell compartment. Upon ovulation, the apical compartment of the oviduct epithelium is temporarily exposed to follicular fluid, which contains much higher levels of E2 than serum.

Experimental and bioinformatic analysis of cultured Bovine Endometrial Cells (BEND) responding to interferon tau (IFNT).

Background: In ruminants, embryo implantation depends on progesterone (P4) and interferon tau (IFNT) controlling endometrial function. IFNT antagonizes bovine endometrial cells (BEND) response to phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBU) through posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. We have previously described microRNAs (miRNAs) profiles in bovine endometrium, detecting miR-106a, relevant for embryo maternal communication.

Down regulated lncRNA MEG3 eliminates mycobacteria in macrophages via autophagy.

Small non-coding RNA play a major part in host response to bacterial agents. However, the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in this context remains unknown. LncRNA regulate gene expression by acting e.