MicroRNA expression and regulation in mouse uterus during embryo implantation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 21-24-nucleotide non-coding RNAs found in diverse organisms. Although hundreds of miRNAs have been cloned or predicted, only very few miRNAs have been functionally characterized. Embryo implantation is a crucial step in mammalian reproduction.

Polyamines are essential in embryo implantation: expression and function of polyamine-related genes in mouse uterus during peri-implantation period.

Polyamines are key regulators in cell growth and differentiation. It has been shown that ornithine decarboxylase (Odc) was essential for post-implantation embryo development, and overexpression of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase will lead to ovarian hypofunction and hypoplastic uteri. However, the expression and function of polyamine-related genes in mouse uterus during early pregnancy are still unknown.

Global analysis of differential luminal epithelial gene expression at mouse implantation sites.

Although implantation types differ between species, the interaction between blastocyst trophectoderm and apical surface of the uterine epithelium is a common event during the implantation process. In this study, uterine luminal epithelium at implantation and inter-implantation sites was isolated by enzymatic digestion and used for microarray analysis. In a mouse microarray containing 12 345 unigenes, we found 136 genes upregulated more than twofold at the implantation site, while 223 genes were downregulated by at least twofold.

Differential expression and regulation of prostaglandin E synthases in the mouse ovary during sexual maturation and luteal development.

Prostaglandin (PGE) 2 is the most common prostanoid and plays an important role in female reproduction. The aim of this study was to examine the expression and regulation of microsomal (m) PGE synthase (PGES)-1 and cytosolic (c) PGES in the mouse ovary during sexual maturation, gonadotropin treatment and luteal development by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Both mPGES-1 mRNA signals and immunostaining were localized in the granulosa cells, but not in the thecal cells and oocytes.

Serial analysis of gene expression in mouse uterus at the implantation site.

Although oligonucleotide chips, cDNA microarrays, differential display reverse transcription-PCR, and other approaches have been used to screen implantation-related molecules, the mechanism by which embryo implantation occurs is still unknown. The aim of this study was to profile the differential gene expression between interimplantation site and implantation site in mouse uterus on day 5 of pregnancy by serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). In our two SAGE libraries of 11-bp tags, the total numbers of tags sequenced were 48,121 for the interimplantation site and 50,227 for the implantation site.

Differential expression of transcriptional repressor snail gene at implantation site in mouse uterus.

The snail superfamily of zinc-finger transcription factors is involved in pronounced cell movements during both embryonic development and tumor progression. This study was to examine snail expression in mouse uterus during early pregnancy and its regulation under pseudopregnancy, delayed implantation, steroid hormone treatment, and artificial decidualization by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. There was a low level of snail mRNA signal and immunostaining in mouse uteri on day 1-4 of pregnancy.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) expression and activation in rat uterus during early pregnancy.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), a member of the Stat family, is specifically activated during mouse embryo implantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression, activation and regulation of Stat3 in rat uterus during early pregnancy, pseudopregnancy, delayed implantation and artificial decidualization. Stat3 mRNA was highly expressed in the luminal epithelium on day 5 and in the luminal epithelium and underlying stromal cells at implantation sites on day 6 of pregnancy.

Differential expression and activation of Stat3 during mouse embryo implantation and decidualization.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STATs) can be activated by many cytokines and growth factors. Stat3, a member of STAT family, is essential for embryonic development. Stat3 is specifically activated during mouse embryo implantation.

L-prostaglandin D synthase expression and regulation in mouse testis and epididymis during sexual maturation and testosterone treatment after castration.

Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) is highly expressed in the adult testis and epididymis of many mammals. The present study was to investigate L-PGDS expression in mouse testis and epididymis during sexual maturation, and the effects of testosterone replacement on L-PGDS expression in epididymis by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Both L-PGDS mRNA and protein were highly expressed in the interstitial tissue of adult testis.

Basigin expression and regulation in mouse ovary during the sexual maturation and development of corpus luteum.

Basigin is a highly glycosylated transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. Basigin-deficient male mice are azoospermic. The majority of basigin null embryos die around the time of implantation.

Expression and regulation of lipocalin-type prostaglandin d synthase in rat testis and epididymis.

Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS), a bifunctional protein, is expressed in the male reproductive organs of many species. However, the expression and regulation of L-PGDS in rat are still uncertain. The present study investigated the regionalization and regulation of L-PGDS expression in rat testis and epididymis by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry under the conditions of sexual maturation, castration, and ethylene dimethane sulfonate (EDS) treatments.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta expression and regulation in mouse uterus during embryo implantation and decidualization.

The aim of this study was to examine the expression and regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) PPARdelta gene in mouse uterus during early pregnancy by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. PPARdelta expression under pseudopregnancy, delayed implantation, hormonal treatment, and artificial decidualization was also investigated. There was a very low level of PPARdelta expression on days 1-4 of pregnancy.

Expression and regulation of cytosolic prostaglandin E synthase in mouse uterus during the peri-implantation period.

Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is considered important for blastocyst spacing, implantation, and decidualization in rodent uteri. PGE synthase (PGES) catalyzes the isomerization of PGH(2) to PGE(2). Two isoforms of PGES exist: microsomal PGES (mPGES) and cytosolic PGES (cPGES); however, the expression and regulation of cPGES in the mammalian uterus during early pregnancy are still unknown.

Assessment of sperm viability, mitochondrial activity, capacitation and acrosome intactness in extended boar semen during long-term storage.

The purpose of this study was to assess sperm quality in extended boar semen during in vitro storage in order to determine which extender should be used and how long boar semen can be stored. Freshly ejaculated boar semen was diluted with equal volumes of Beltsville thaw solution (BTS), Androhep, KIEV or Zorlesco extenders and stored at 17 degrees C for up to 15 days. Sperm quality was evaluated by examining viability using SYBR-14/PI and Hoechst 33258 staining, mitochondrial activity using 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolyl-carbocyanine iodide (JC-1) staining, acrosome intactness by Coomassie blue staining, and capacitation status by chlortetracycline (CTC) staining.

Differential expression of microsomal prostaglandin e synthase at implantation sites and in decidual cells of mouse uterus.

Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is considered important for blastocyst spacing, implantation, and decidualization in the rodent uterus. PGE synthase (PGES) catalyzes the isomerization of PGH(2) to PGE(2). There are two isoforms of PGES, microsomal PGES (mPGES) and cytosolic PGES (cPGES).