Coiled-coil domain-containing 38 is required for acrosome biogenesis and fibrous sheath assembly in mice.

During spermiogenesis, haploid spermatids undergo dramatic morphological changes to form slender sperm flagella and cap-like acrosomes, which are required for successful fertilization. Severe deformities in flagella cause a male infertility syndrome, multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF), while acrosomal hypoplasia in some cases leads to sub-optimal embryonic developmental potential. However, evidence regarding the occurrence of acrosomal hypoplasia in MMAF is limited.

Sex differences in paternal arsenic-induced intergenerational metabolic effects are mediated by estrogen.

Background: Gene-environment interactions contribute to metabolic disorders such as diabetes and dyslipidemia. In addition to affecting metabolic homeostasis directly, drugs and environmental chemicals can cause persistent alterations in metabolic portfolios across generations in a sex-specific manner. Here, we use inorganic arsenic (iAs) as a prototype drug and chemical to dissect such sex differences.

Overexpression of Pde4d in rat granulosa cells inhibits maturation and atresia of antral follicles to induce polycystic ovary.

Background: Follicle dysplasia can cause polycystic ovary syndrome, which can lead to anovulatory infertility. This study explored gene(s) that may contribute to polycystic ovary syndrome.

Methods: Three animal models of polycystic ovary syndrome were created by treating 3-week-old rats respectively with estradiol valerate, testosterone propionate, or constant illumination for 8 weeks.

Identifying a Novel Eight-NK Cell-related Gene Signature for Ovarian Cancer Prognosis Prediction.

Background: Ovarian cancer (OVC) is the most common and costly tumor in the world with unfavorable overall survival and prognosis. This study is aimed to explore the prognostic value of natural killer cells related genes for OVC treatment.

Methods: RNA-seq and clinical information were acquired from the TCGA-OVC dataset (training dataset) and the GSE51800 dataset (validation dataset).

Integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics reveals the responses of the maternal circulation and maternal-fetal interface to LPS-induced preterm birth in mice.

Background: Term birth (TB) and preterm birth (PTB) are characterized by uterine contractions, rupture of the chorioamniotic membrane, decidual activation, and other physiological and pathological changes. In this study, we hypothesize that inflammation can cause changes in mRNA expression and metabolic stability in the placenta, decidua, chorioamniotic membrane, uterus and peripheral blood, ultimately leading to PTB.

Methods: To comprehensively assess the effects of inflammation on mRNA expression and metabolite production in different tissues of pregnancy, we used a mouse PTB model by intraperitoneally injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics studies.

PGF2alpha Inhibits 20alpha-HSD Expression by Suppressing CK1alpha-induced ERK and SP1 Activation in the Corpus Luteum of Pregnant Mice.

Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) is a luteolytic hormone that promotes parturition in mammals at the end of pregnancy by reducing progesterone secretion from the corpus luteum (CL). In rodents and primates, PGF2α rapidly converts progesterone to 20α-hydroxyprogesterone (20α-OHP) by promoting 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-HSD) expression. However, the specific mechanism of 20α-HSD regulation by PGF2α remains unclear.

WDR38, a novel equatorial segment protein, interacts with the GTPase protein RAB19 and Golgi protein GM130 to play roles in acrosome biogenesis.

The WD40-repeat containing (WDR) proteins are enriched in the testis and play important roles in spermatogenesis. In the present study, we investigate the expression profile of WDR38, a novel member of the WDR protein family, in humans and mice. RT-qPCR (reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction) results demonstrate that WDR38 mRNA is abundantly expressed in both the human and mouse testis.

MiR-297 inhibits tumour progression of liver cancer by targeting PTBP3.

Whereas increasing evidences demonstrate that miR-297 contributes to the tumour development and progression, the role of miR-297 and its underlying molecular mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was still unclear. Here, we reported that the expression of miR-297 increased significantly in hepG2 cells after the treatment of the conditioned medium of human amniotic epithelial cells(hAECs) which can inhibit the proliferation and migration of hepG2. And the overexpression of miR-297 inhibits the cell proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cell lines in vitro and suppressed the tumorigenesis of HCC in vivo.

Matrix stiffness-mediated tenogenesis of tendon stem/progenitor cells via integrin-αm for tendon regeneration.

Tendon injuries, commonly associated with sports activities, pose significant challenges in terms of treatment and recovery due to limited tendon regeneration and the formation of proliferative scars. Stem cell-based therapy has shown promising application, but there are still challenges. Physical and biological cues are instrumental in guiding stem cell differentiation and maturation.

Noninvasive Evaluation of Fetal Zygosity in Twin Pregnancies Involving a Binary Analysis of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms.

Twin pregnancy constitutes significant risks for maternal and fetal health, which is usually detected by ultrasound examination at early gestation. However, the imaging-based approach may not accurately identify all twins confounded by practical or clinical variables. The analysis of fetal cell-free DNA in noninvasive prenatal screening assays can completement the ultrasound method for twin detection, which differentiates fraternal or identical twins based on their distinct genotypes.

Research Progress of Maternal Metabolism on Cardiac Development and Function in Offspring.

The developmental origin of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis refers to the adverse effects of suboptimal developmental environments during embryonic and early fetal stages on the long-term health of offspring. Intrauterine metabolic perturbations can profoundly impact organogenesis in offspring, particularly affecting cardiac development and giving rise to potential structural and functional abnormalities. In this discussion, we contemplate the existing understanding regarding the impact of maternal metabolic disorders, such as obesity, diabetes, or undernutrition, on the developmental and functional aspects of the offspring's heart.

An engineered recombinant protein containing three structural domains in SARS-CoV-2 S2 protein has potential to act as a pan-human coronavirus entry inhibitor or vaccine antigen.

The threat to global health caused by three highly pathogenic human coronaviruses (HCoV), SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, calls for the development of pan-HCoV therapeutics and vaccines. This study reports the design and engineering of a recombinant protein designated HR1LS. It contains three linked molecules, each consisting of three structural domains, including a heptad repeat 1 (HR1), a central helix (CH), and a stem helix (SH) region, in the S2 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein.

Fetal weight estimation based on deep neural network: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Improving the accuracy of estimated fetal weight (EFW) calculation can contribute to decision-making for obstetricians and decrease perinatal complications. This study aimed to develop a deep neural network (DNN) model for EFW based on obstetric electronic health records.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the electronic health records of pregnant women with live births delivery at the obstetrics department of International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital between January 2016 and December 2018.

Molecular Characterization of Cuproptosis-related lncRNAs: Defining Molecular Subtypes and a Prognostic Signature of Ovarian Cancer.

Cuproptosis, a newly discovered form of programmed cell death, relies on mitochondrial respiration, the chain of which has been found to be altered in ovarian cancer (OC). The current work probed into the effects of Cuproptosis on the prognosis, immune microenvironment and therapeutic response of OC based on Cuproptosis-related lncRNAs. Data on OC gene expression and clinical characteristics were collected from TCGA, ICGC and GEO databases, and mRNA and lncRNA were distinguished.

Transgenic mice producing the trans 10, cis 12-conjugated linoleic acid present reduced adiposity and increased thermogenesis and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21).

Trans 10, cis 12-conjugated linoleic acid (t10c12-CLA) from ruminant-derived foodstuffs can induce body fat loss after oral administration. In the current study, a transgenic mouse that produced t10c12-CLA had been generated by inserting the Propionibacterium acnes isomerase (Pai) expression cassette into the Rosa26 locus, and its male offspring were used to elucidate the enduring influence of t10c12-CLA on overall health. Compared to their wild-type (wt) C57BL/6J littermates, both biallelic Pai/Pai and monoallelic Pai/wt mice exhibited reduced plasma triglycerides levels, and Pai/wt mice exclusively showed increased serum fibroblast growth factor 21.

Dysregulation of TMEM16A impairs oviductal transport of embryos.

Ectopic pregnancy is an acute abdominalgia in obstetrics and gynecology, especially in fallopian tubal pregnancy. The ion channel protein transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A) is widely distributed in various tissues, even in the oviduct. In this study, we showed that TMEM16A was expressed in the human fallopian tube and was upregulated in patients with tubal pregnancy.

Experimental and molecular support for Cfap70 as a causative gene of 'multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella' with male infertility†.

Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella, a severe form of asthenozoospermia, can lead to male infertility. Recent studies have implicated an association between human CFAP70 deficiency and multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella; however, the underlying biological mechanism and supporting experimental evidence in animal models remain unclear. To address this gap, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate Cfap70-deficient mice to investigate the relationship between Cfap70 deficiency and multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella.

Carrier burden of over 300 diseases in Han Chinese identified by expanded carrier testing of 300 couples using assisted reproductive technology.

Background: Expanded carrier screening (ECS) has become a common practice for identifying carriers of monogenic diseases. However, existing large gene panels are not well-tailored to Chinese populations. In this study, ECS testing for pathogenic variants of both single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and copy number variants (CNVs) in 330 genes implicated in 342 autosomal recessive (AR) or X-linked diseases was carried out.

Machine learning and bioinformatics framework integration reveal potential characteristic genes related to immune cell infiltration in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a disease that affects both the mother and child, with serious consequences. Screening the characteristic genes of preeclampsia and studying the placental immune microenvironment are expected to explore specific methods for the treatment of preeclampsia and gain an in-depth understanding of the pathological mechanism of preeclampsia. We screened for differential genes in preeclampsia by using limma package.

Current Understanding and Future Challenges in Physical Activity during Pregnancy.

Obesity and overweight attributed to poor nutrition and a lack of physical activity increasingly become a serious problem among women of reproductive age [...

MAGEB2-Mediated Degradation of EGR1 Regulates the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Human Spermatogonial Stem Cell Lines.

Spermatogonial stem cells are committed to initiating and maintaining male spermatogenesis, which is the foundation of male fertility. Understanding the mechanisms underlying SSC fate decisions is critical for controlling spermatogenesis and male fertility. However, the key molecules and mechanisms responsible for regulating human SSC development are not clearly understood.