Reproduction Abstracts

Introduction: Human germ cells develop in synchronised nests in the fetal ovary, interspersed with somatic cells prior to reorganisation to form primordial follicles. We have isolated several somatic cell lines from disaggregated human fetal ovaries as a model for understanding their contribution to the germ cell niche. Fetal dysregulation of TGFβ signalling has been linked with fibrosis in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): effects of TGFβ on extracellular matrix (EC...

Introduction: Extracellular matrix (ECM) has both structural and regulatory roles in tissues and influences the activity of local growth factors. In testis, ECM plays an integral role in the differentiation of germ cells and the function of support cells. It is becoming clear that sex steroids influence ECM and growth factors. In swine, suppression of aromatase activity resulted in an estrogen receptor-mediated increase in Sertoli cells (Berger et al. 2013), with sign...

Introduction: Neonatal and fetal mortality is increased in male fetuses. Evidence is emerging of sex specific differences in fetal and placental perfusion1. This study investigates effects of dietary intervention at specific time points upon blood flow and fetal growth trajectory in cattle.Materials and methods: Primiparous heifers were either individually- (Australia, Au; n=360) or group-fed (UK; n=188) diets containing diff...