Reproduction Abstracts

The agouti is a rodent found in the South America and one of the most predated species in Brazil, which has shown a significant decrease of population size. The principal function of epididymis is maturation of spermatozoa, in addition to conducting the same for the vas deferens. The study of sperm pathway, especially of epididymis, can promote morphophysiological information necessary for reproduction biotechnologies. The aim of this study was to describe the ultrastructure o...

The study of the sperm is particularly relevant to reproduction of the species and can promote morphological information necessary for reproduction biotechnologies. The agouti is a rodent found in the South America and represents an excellent source of animal protein. In captivity, the establishment of pubescent occurs at 9 months of age. The aim of this study is to describe the ultrastructure of sperm during sexual development of agoutis kept in captivity. The testes of anima...

Background: Turner syndrome in human arises from the loss of genetic material from a sex chromosome, resulting in the 45,XO genotype, with the remaining X chromosome being maternally-inherited (Xm) or paternally-inherited (Xp). As the gene dosage and expressions of Xp and Xm chromosomes are epigenetically different, this study aims to investigate the different influences of Xm and Xp on placental phenotype, using a mouse model.Methods: 14 placentas from ...

Introduction: Both obesity and mood disorders associate with altered glucocorticoid (GC) secretion and action. During pregnancy placenta regulates foetal exposure to maternal GC through enzymatic clearance (HSD-2) and retrograde transfer (ABC transporters). We and others have shown that maternal obesity and/or mood disorders alter placental HSD-2 mRNA level. We therefore hypothesised that placental ABC transporter gene expression is also altered, and investigated this using sa...

Introduction: Menstruation is an inflammatory process characterised by tissue breakdown, bleeding and recruitment of leukocytes. Resolution of this inflammation at menses is critical both to limiting tissue damage and to efficient repair. Apoptosis and clearance of apoptotic cells are necessary for this process, and are thought to involve neutrophils.Our aims were to (i) delineate neutrophil numbers and identify apoptosis in peri-menstrual endometrium an...

Mating is a source of signals to the female reproductive tract to ensure reproductive success. Previously, we reported that mating induces the expression of carbohydrate sulfotransferase 10 (CHST10) in the rat endosalpynx. This enzyme participates in the sulfation of the carbohydrate motif named human natural killer 1 (HNK1), synthesized over membrane proteins and lipids. Both molecules, CHST10 and HNK1, are involved in cell-to-cell interactions. Herein, we determined the effe...

Introduction: Early developmental events in the testis set the scene for future spermatogenesis. After birth, gonocytes, the precursors to type-A spermatogonia reproliferate and become transiently motile in a poorly understood process. Aberrations are associated with altered fertility or pre-malignant states. Gonocytes exist as overlapping subpopulations at varying developmental stages, which makes them difficult to study.Materials and methods: Transgeni...

Early pregnancy loss (EPL) affecting between 6 and 15% of equine pregnancies remains a significant issue for the £3.5 billion Thoroughbred breeding and equestrian industries. Very little is known about the causes of pregnancy failure in the horse, although it is likely to involve a multitude of failed physiological processes and/or environmental insults. Our laboratory aims to identify key mechanisms that regulate the differentiation and function of trophoblast cells in b...

Hyperandrogenism and dysregulated follicle development both characterise polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), however little is known about how androgens affect early preantral follicle development. Recent evidence suggests that androgens may act, in part, through non-classical modulation of growth factor signalling pathways. Members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family play a role in promoting preantral follicle development in the mouse, with receptor subtypes EGFR, ErbB2...

This study determined whether variation (representative of normal UK farm conditions) in pregnant ewe management is sufficient to alter the programing of the male reproductive axis. Between days 85 and 138 of pregnancy, twin-bearing ewes were managed to either mimic ‘poor husbandry’ (PH) with a high stocking density, reduced feeding space and repeated social mixing or according to ‘best practice’ (BP) with a lower stocking density, longer feed troughs, and ...