Morphological and functional alterations of female reproduction after regular exposure of bamboo shoots of North East India

Objective:To evaluate the effect of daily consumption of bamboo shoots (BS) on the morphological features and functional status of the female reproductive system in adult with respect to thyroid.Methods: Adult female rats were divided into control and experimental groups of six each. Control group was given normal diet while experimental group was fed BS by 1/3rd replacement of 180 g of their foodi.e.60 g of BS containing 35 g of goitrogens of cyanogenic origin such that each rat likely consumed 6 mg/100 g of body weight per day for a period of 45 d. Morphological features like changes in body weight and organ weight were noted. Key steroidogenic enzyme levels viz?53β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and 17β HSD along with serum estradiol, estriol and progesterone levels were measured. Estrous cyclicity of the animals monitored regularly followed by histological analysis of thyroid, ovary and uterus at the end of experimentation.Results:Increase in body weight, thyroid gland weight and thyroid stimulating hormone, decrease in serum triiodothyronine and thyroxine, a decrease in ovarian as well as uterine weight and the activity of steroidogenic enzymes?53β HSD andβ17β HSD along with diminished serum estradiol, estriol and progesterone levels were noted;while histological plates showed prominent degenerative changes in both the ovary and uterus. Estrous cyclicity of the treated animals were irregular and almost stopped at diestrous stage of the cycle in the latter stage of the treatment as compared to control.Conclusions: Overall results indicates that BS rich in cyanogenic constituents induces biochemical hypothyroidism in the experimental animals that acts in corroboration to cause morphological and functional alteration of reproductive organs indicating its likely impact in fertility on continued use.

Outcome of Assisted Reproduction Treatment in Women with Extremely Low Antimullerian Hormone (AMH) Levels

Purpose: To evaluate age related ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rates beyond 20 weeks in women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment (ART) with antimullerian hormone (AMH) levels of <5 pmol/l. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from 63 women with AMH of In-vitro?fertilization, IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection, ICSI) cycle. Results were analyzed after dividing patients in two groups, group 1 included women of ≤38 years and group 2 > 38 years of age. Non parametric variables were expressed as median (Interquartile range) and compared by Kruskal-Wallis test. Categorical variables were expressed as numbers with proportions (%) and compared by Fisher’s exact test. Results: There was no statistical difference in body max index, level of antimullerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), dose of gonadotrophins used and cycles cancellation rate in two groups. Although number of oocytes retrieved (median 5), clinical pregnancy (18.4%) and ongoing pregnancy rate beyond 20 weeks (18.4%) was higher in group 1, there was no statistical difference between the two groups. There was one miscarriage in group 2. Conclusion: Women with extremely low-serum AMH levels can still have clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancies beyond 20 weeks after ART, though chances will be lower than women with normal ovarian reserve.

Evolving ethical issues in third party reproduction:Local and global considerations

There continues to be an increase in utilization of assisted reproductive technology(ART), including the use of third party gametes. Specifically, the use of third party oocytes, most recently reported in 2010 by the United States(US) Center for Disease Control and Society of Reproductive Medicine, accounted for 15 504 cycles and 7334 live births. This translates into approximately 11% of all the in vitro fertilization cases performed in the US. As utilization increases and the technological tools advance, they have created underappreciated and unforeseen ethical quandaries. As such, many practitioners think they "have heard it all". However, each ART scenario is novel with the potential to pose complex unforeseen issues, potentially creating global challenges that could impact broad social and legal questions and test the moral consciousness' of practitioners, policymakers and patients. While there are published US national guidelines to assist practitioners, we have identified new complex issues in assisted reproduction that present unique challenges, and we give a perspective from oureyes in the Western Hemisphere looking out to a global level. Specifically, this review focuses on some of the more recent and evolving issues that currently are and will be confronting us in the upcoming years. Particular attention focuses on discrepancies between third party legal contracts and ART consents regarding level of information sharing, and oocyte and embryo directives and management; dilemmas and obligations surrounding disclosure of medical outcomes especially in the context of growing access to Direct to Consumer genetic testing and Reproductive Tourism-Exile. Given the complexity of these and other ethical questions, finding answers may be achieved by ending the isolation of reproductive professionals and instead promoting increased and consistent communication among physicians, embryologists, therapists and reproductive attorneys to confront these evolving ethical quandaries.

Fidgetin knockdown and knockout influences female reproduction distinctly in mice

Microtubule-severing proteins(MTSPs),are a family of proteins which use adenosine triphosphate to sever microtubules.MTSPs have been shown to play an important role in multiple microtubule-involved cellular processes.One member of this family,fidgetin(FIGN),is also involved in male fertility;however,no studies have explored its roles in female fertility.In this study,we found mouse fidgetin is rich within oocyte zona pellucida(ZP)and is the only MTSP member to do so.Fidgetin also appears to interact with all three ZP proteins.These findings prompted us to propose that fidgetin might prevent polyspermy.Results from in vitro maturation oocytes analysis showed that fidgetin knockdown did cause polyspermy.We then deleted all three fidgetin isoforms with CRISPR/Cas9 technologies;however,female mice remained healthy and with normal fertility.Of all mouse MTSPs,only the mRNA level of fidgetin-like 1(FIGNL1)significantly increased.Therefore,we assert that fidgetin-like 1 compensates fidgetin's roles in fidgetin knockout female mice.

Expression of Attractin in Male Reproductive Tract of Human and Mice and Its Correlation with Male Reproduction

The expression of Attractin mRNA and protein in testis and semen of human and male mice was investigated. Human testis and semen samples were all collected from Reproductive Center of Reumin Hospital, Wuhan University in December, 2012. Testis samples were collected from 7 cases of obstructive azoospermias when they were subjected to diagnosed testis biopsy, and 30 nor- mal human semen samples were obtained from those cases of semen analysis. Adult mice testis tis- sues were obtained from 10 2-month-old male BALB/c mice, and 60 male mice at different ages were classified into 10 groups （day 1, 5, 10, 15, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56, and 120 respectively, n=6 each）. The expression of Attractin mRNA and protein in testis was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting re- spectively. Human semen samples were centrifuged into sperm plasma （SP） and sperm extract （SE）, and mice sperm samples were collected from the epididymis of 10 adult male BALB/c mice. Western blotting was used to determine the Attractin protein expression level. Attractin mRNA and protein were expressed in the testis of both patients with obstructive azoospermias and adult Bcl/B mice. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that no Attractin mRNA was detectable in day 1 male BALB/c mice group. The Attractin mRNA and protein levels were low on the day 10, and increased with age until day 56. On the day 120, the expression levels of Attractin were decreased. As for human semen sam- pies, Attractin protein was expressed in both SP and SE, but didn＇t exist in samples from the epidi- dymis of male BALB/c mice. It was suggested that Attractin acted as a novel active substance and was involved in male reproduction in both human and BALB/c mice, but it exerted a different ex- pression profile in different mammal species.

Role of platelet-activating factor in reproduction:sperm function

Since its discovery nearly thirty years ago, platelet-activating factor has emerged as one of the more important lipidmediators known. Platelet-activating factor (PAF; 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine) exists en-dogenously as a mixture of molecular species with structural variants of the alkyl moiety. PAF is a novel potent signal-ing phospholipid that has unique pleiotropic biological properties in addition to platelet activation. PAF also plays a sig-nificant role in reproduction. PAF content in squirrel monkey sperm is significantly higher during the breeding seasonthan the non-breeding season. PAF content in human sperm has a positive correlation with seminal parameters and preg-nancy outcomes. High-fertility boars have significantly more PAF in their sperm than low-fertility boars. The enzymes(lyso-PAF-acetyltransferase and PAF-acetylhydrolase) necessary for PAF activation and deactivation are present insperm. PAF-acetylhydrolase may act as a 'decapacitation factor'. Removal of this enzyme during capacitation maypromote PAF synthesis increasing motility and fertilization. PAF also plays a significant role in the fertilization process,enhancing the fertilization rates of oocytes. Enhanced embryo development has also been reported in oocytes fertilizedwith PAF-treated sperm. PAF antagonists inhibit sperm motility, acrosome reaction, and fertilization, thus suggestingthe presence of receptors for PAF. The PAF-receptor is present on sperm, with altered transcript levels and distributionpatterns on abnormal cells. Whereas the exact mechanism of PAF in sperm function and reproduction is uncertain, itsimportance in normal fertility is substantial. The reproductive significance of PAF activity in sperm and fertility plus therole of PAF in the establishment of pregnancy requires further study.

Effect of intermittent treatment with tamoxifen on reproduction in male rats

Aim: To identify the antifertility effect of intermittent oral administration of tamoxifen in male rat. Methods:Tamoxifen was administered orally at a dose of 0.4 mg·kg^(-1)·d^(-1) with an intermittent regime for 120 days. Treatedand control rats were mated with cycling female rats on days 60, 90 and 120 of treatment. The mated males were sacri-ficed and the weights of reproductive organs were recorded, and the serum levels of LH, FSH, testosterone and estradi-ol estimated by radioimmunoassay. In the female rats, the numbers of implantation sites, corpora lutea, and numbersof normal and resorbed foetuses were recorded on d 21 of gestation. The potency, fecundity, fertility index, litter sizeand post-implantation loss were then calculated. Results; The fecundity of male rats was completely suppressed bytamoxifen while the potency was maintained at the control level. The fertility index was significantly decreased. No vi-able litters were sired. Post implantation loss, indicative of non-viable embryos, was observed but was not significantlyincreased above the control level. The weights of the testes, epididymides, ventral prostate and seminal vesicles weresignificantly reduced. The blood LH and testosterone levels were significantly decreased, but not FSH and estradiol.Conclusion; Intermittent oral tamoxifen administration completely suppressed the fecundity of adult male rats withreserved potency.

Effects of di-n-butyl phthalate on male rat reproduction following pubertal exposure

Di-n-butyl phthalate （DBP） is an endocrine-disrupting chemical that has the potential to affect male reproduction. However, the reproductive effects of low-dose DBP are still not well known, especially at the molecular level. In the present study, pubertal male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered DBP at a wide range of doses （0.1, 1.0, 10, 100 and 500 mg kg^-1 day^-1） for 30 days. The selected end points included reproductive organ weights, testicular histopathology and serum hormonal levels. Additionally, proteomic analysis was performed to identify proteins that are differentially expressed as a result of exposure to DBP at low doses （0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg kg^-1 day^-1）. Toxic effects were observed in the high-dose groups, including anomalous development of testes and epididymides, severe atrophy of seminiferous tubules, loss of spermatogenesis and abnormal levels of serum hormones. Treatment with low doses of DBP seemed to exert a ＇stimulative effect＇ on the serum hormones. Proteomics analysis of rat testes showed 20 differentially expressed proteins. Among these proteins, alterations in the expression of HnRNPA2/B1, vimentin and superoxide dismutase 1 （SOD1） were further confirmed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Taken together, we conclude that high doses of DBP led to testicular toxicity, and low doses of DBP led to changes in the expression of proteins involved in spermatogenesis as well as changes in the number and function of Sertoli and Leydig cells, although no obvious morphological changes appeared. The identification of these differentially expressed proteins provides important information about the mechanisms underlying the effects of DBP on male rat reproduction.

The impact of male overweight on semen quality and outcome of assisted reproduction

It is well-documented that male overweight and obesity causes endocrine disorders that might diminish the male reproductive capacity; however, reports have been conflicting regarding the influence of male body mass index （BMI） on semen quality and the outcome of assisted reproductive technology （ART）. The aim of this study was to investigate whether increased male BMI affects sperm quality and the outcome of assisted reproduction in couples with an overweight or obese man and a non-obese partner. Data was prospectively collected from 612 infertile couples undergoing ART at a Danish fertility center. Self-reported information on paternal height and weight were recorded and BMI was calculated. The men were divided into four BMI categories： underweight BMI 〈 20 kgm^-2, normal BMI 20-24.9 kg m^-2, overweight BMI 25-29.9 kgm^-2 and obese BMI 〉 30 kgm^-2. Conventional semen analysis was performed according to the World Health Organization guideline and sperm DNA integrity was analyzed by the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay （SCSA）. No statistically significant effect of male BMI was seen on conventional semen parameters （sperm concentration, total sperm count, seminal volume and motility） or on SCSA-results. Furthermore, the outcome of ART regarding fertilization rate, number of good quality embryos （GQE）, implantation and pregnancy outcome was not influenced by the increasing male BMIo

An update on the role of prokineticins in human reproduction-potential therapeutic implications

Objective: Prokineticin-1 (PROK1) is a recently described protein with a wide range of functions including tissue specific angiogenesis, modulation of inflammatory responses and regulation of haematopoiesis. PROK1 has been found in the steroidogenic organs like ovary, testis, adrenal and specially placenta and they have been found to have a role in development of the olfactory system and GnRH system. The aim was to update the role of PROK1 and PROK2 inhuman reproduction since the review was provided by Maldono-Perez (2007) on the potentials of prokineticins in reproduction. Design: A review of international scientific literature by a search of Pubmed and the authors files was done for citation of articles relevant to prokineticins in reproduction, be it its role in ovary, testis, uterus with special emphasis on implantation, normal pregnancy, in labour, pathophysiological states like tubal pregnancy, pcos, various genital tumours, and cases of isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with mutations with PROK2/ PROKR2 and studies detailing functional mechanisms. Results: In the normal cycle, PROK1 has been found to have important roles in implantation, regulating several genes like COX-2, IL-8, IL-11, CTGF related to implantation. Initially murine studies revealed a critical role of PROK2 pathway on olfactory bulb morphogenesis and GnRH secretion which was accidentally discovered and since then several studies on mutations in PROK2/PROKR2 showed that they underlie some case of KS in humans. Although in mouse heterozygote state is not associated with clinical phenotype, most of human mutations are heterozygous. Conclusions: Role of PROK-1 in the process of implantation, with a deeper understanding of the process success rates in IVF and ART can be improved, besides understanding the pathophysiology of tubal pregnancy. Further presence in ovarian follicles of PROK1 can be used to plan a strategy for treating pcos. Development of antagonism of PROK’S may be a helpful strategy in treating preterm labour.

Colloid Centrifugation of Semen: Applications in Assisted Reproduction

Colloid centrifugation can be used to separate heterogeneous populations of cells particularly semen samples, which typically contain mixtures of spermatozoa at different stage of maturity together with dead and dying spermatozoa and also non-sperm cells. Colloids can be used to enrich the population of spermatozoa that are viable and functional;these are the spermatozoa that are needed for fertilization in Assisted Reproduction. Sperm samples obtained after colloid centrifugation may be enriched for motile, morphologically normal spermatozoa with intact chromatin. Insemination of mares with stallion sperm samples prepared by colloid centrifugation resulted in a higher pregnancy rate per cycle than controls, confirming that the good sperm attributes observed in the laboratory were indicative of functional spermatozoa. The method does not simply enrich for viable spermatozoa by inhibiting dead or dying spermatozoa from passing through the colloid since emerging evidence shows that colloid centrifugation can select for spermatozoa with certain properties such as metabolic activity. Other reproductive cells, such as spermatids or progenitor cells, may also be purified by colloid centrifugation. This review describes the history of colloid centrifugation for selecting spermatozoa, compares colloid centrifugation with alternative techniques, and finally describes some of the applications of the technique within the animal breeding industry.

Progress in Understanding the Functional Roles of Extracellular Vesicles in Reproduction

Exosomes,a type of extracellular vesicles(EVs),were first discovered in sheep reticulocytes in 1983[1],and after four years,the name‘exosome’was officially given to them.A variety of cells secrete exosomes under both normal and pathological conditions.Exosomes are mainly products of themultivesicular body formed by intracellular lysosomal invagi nation,and released into the extracellular space by fusion of the outer membrane of the multivesicular body with the cell membrane.

Physiological Roles of Platelet-activating Factor in Mammalian and Human Reproduction

This review described origination, biosynthesis and functions of platelet-activating factor （PAF） in the reproductive system of mammals and human beings. The article mainly focused on biological roles of the phospholipid mediator in sperm fertilization and embryonic implantation. As an autocrine product of sperm and embryos, PAF markedly stimulates sperm motility and fertilization and serves as a capacitation factor in a ligand-receptor manner, After fertilization, embryo-derived PAF improves its own development, especially from fertilized ova to blastocyst stage and is thought to act as an embryo growth factor in the same manner as on sperm. Its mechanism of action was also clarified. At the end, it was presented some advances in its clinical application, followed by discussion of some issues possibly concerning in its current application.

Assisted reproduction in the COVID-19 era:Dilemmas and conundrums

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic is the biggest pandemic of its kind in modern times,and has been running for over two years.It has grown exponentially from a cluster of unexplained cases of pneumonia in December 2019 to a full-grown pandemic[1].With a sharp ascending limb in its initial stages,it was announced by the World Health Organization as public health emergency of international concern on January 30,2020,subsequently acquiring the definition of a pandemic on March 11,2020.

EFFECT OF SIMULATED WEIGHTLESSNESS ON REPRODUCTION OF ADULT MALE RATS

Objective To study the effects of simulated weightlessness induced by tail-suspension on reproduction in adult male rats and its mechanisms. Methods Twenty Spraque-Dawley adult male rats were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group and control group. Rats in the experimental group were tail-suspended for 14 days. After the treatment, the weight and morphology of testis, the quantity and quality of sperm, the level of serum testosterone and the apoptosis rate of testicular cells were observed. Results Compared with the control, the testicular weight, the quantity and quality of sperm, the level of serum testosterone significantly decreased (P<0.05) while the apoptosis rate of testicular cells significantly increased (P<0.05) in tail-suspended rats. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining showed that seminiferous tubules atrophied, spermatogenic cells decreased, seminiferous epithelial cells disintegrated and shed, and the lumina were azoospermic. Conclusion Simulated weightlessness induced by tail-suspension has a harmful effect on male reproduction of adult rats by increasing the apoptosis of testicular cells.

Effect of Fermented Tamarind Seeds （FTS） Supplementation to Sows during Estrus to Lactation Period on Sow Reproduction Performances and Piglet Mortality at Weaning

Twenty four first weaned sows Duroc × Landrace× Veredeld Duits Landvarken （VDL）, average live weight 135-190 kg （11% coefficient of variation （CV）） were allocated to four treatments （six animals/group/treatment） in a randomized block design to evaluate the effect of fermented tamarind seeds （FTS） supplementation during estrus to lactation period on the performance of sows and weaned piglets. There were four treatment diets offered： basal diet （T0）, T0 ＋ 5% FTS （T1）, T0 ＋ 7.5% FTS （T2） and T0 ＋ 10% FTS （T3）. Supplementing sows with 5%-10% FTS increased daily feed intake at all stages and 10% FTS supplementation level performed the highest （P 〈 0.05） at all stages of pregnancy. Litter size increased 1-2 piglets/sow, piglets born alive increased 1.3-3 piglets/sow, piglet birth weight increased 10-160 g/piglet and weaned piglets increased 3.3-5.3 piglets/sow, while mortality was reduced of 18%-27% per sow. Inclusion of FTS at level of 10% in the diet of sows had the highest daily live weight gain of piglets during four suckling weeks （P 〈 0.05）. However, there was no significant difference （P 〈 0.05） among treatments on daily live weight gain of piglets at week 1-2. This study revealed that supplementing sows with FTS during estrus to lactation period improved sows＇ and piglets＇ performances, and reduced piglets＇ mortality up to 29% at weaning.

Annexin V-binding and assisted reproduction technologies

The objective is to describe the impact annexin V-binding technique has on couples diagnosed with male infertility and how to optimize sperm parameters so that this technique contributes to simplify the assisted reproductive treatment that will be prescribed [1-4]. Empirical studies and expert consensus related to the physiological and medical aspects of the use of annexin V-binding which were presented in this study were identified in articles through bibliographical research.

Innovative insights into extrachromosomal circular DNAs in gynecologic tumors and reproduction

Originating but free from chromosomal DNA,extrachromosomal circular DNAs(eccDNAs)are organized in circular form and have long been found in unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes.Their biogenesis and function are poorly understood as they are characterized by sequence homology with linear DNA,for which few detection methods are available.Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies have revealed that eccDNAs play crucial roles in tumor formation,evolution,and drug resistance as well as aging,genomic diversity,and other biological processes,bringing it back to the research hotspot.Several mechanisms of eccDNA formation have been proposed,including the breakage-fusion-bridge(BFB)and translocation-deletion-amplification models.Gynecologic tumors and disorders of embryonic and fetal development are major threats to human reproductive health.The roles of eccDNAs in these pathological processes have been partially elucidated since the first discovery of eccDNA in pig sperm and the double minutes in ovarian cancer ascites.The present review summarized the research history,biogenesis,and currently available detection and analytical methods for eccDNAs and clarified their functions in gynecologic tumors and reproduction.We also proposed the application of eccDNAs as drug targets and liquid biopsy markers for prenatal diagnosis and the early detection,prognosis,and treatment of gynecologic tumors.This review lays theoretical foundations for future investigations into the complex regulatory networks of eccDNAs in vital physiological and pathological processes.

Involvement of gonadal soma-derived factor in the reproduction of teleosts

Gonadal soma-derived factor(Gsdf)is a member of the transforming growth factor beta(TGF-β)superfamily and a teleost-specific gene.Early studies suggested that Gsdf promotes spermatogonial proliferation;however recent reports have shed light on its role in sex differentiation based on expression profiles and gain-and loss-of-function studies.This paper discusses the involvement of Gsdf in gonadal sex differentiation and sex changes in teleosts.

Roles of protein tyrosine phosphatases in reproduction and related diseases

Protein tyrosine phosphatases(PTPs)remove phosphate groups from protein tyrosine residues to regulate various cell signaling processes,subsequently affecting the growth,metabolism,differentiation,immune response,and other cellular processes.Several studies have investigated the functions of PTPs in tumor and organism immunity.However,only a few studies have focused on their roles in reproductive disorders.Therefore,in this review,we summarize the roles and underlying molecular mechanisms of PTPs in infertility,spontaneous abortion,pregnancy-induced hypertension,gestational diabetes mellitus,early embryonic developmental abnormalities,and preterm birth.This review can contribute to future research on PTPs and their potential applications as targets in the treatment of reproductive diseases.