Reproduction Abstracts

Introduction: Defective sperm–egg recognition is recognised as one of the major causes of failed fertilization in IVF programs. Our recent findings have revealed that such defects may be linked to the molecular chaperone, heat shock protein A2 (HSPA2), due to its ability to facilitate the formation of multimeric zona pellucida (ZP)-receptor complexes on the surface of human spermatozoa. This study aimed to examine the impact of oxidative stress on the formation of these Z...

Introduction: A common defect encountered in the spermatozoa of male infertility patients is an idiopathic failure of sperm–egg recognition. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular basis of this condition.Materials and methods: For the purpose of this study we compared the proteomic profiles of spermatozoa from male infertility patients exhibiting an impaired capacity for sperm–egg recognition with that of sperm from males of pro...

Introduction: Uterine fibroids cause pain, pressure symptoms and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). Fibroid growth is sex steroid dependent. The selective progesterone receptor (PR) modulator (SPRM), ulipristal acetate (UPA) reduces fibroid size and alleviates HMB in 90% of women. UPA has both agonist and antagonist properties and induces (S)PRM-associated endometrial changes (PAEC). The mechanism of UPA action and aetiology of PAEC are unknown. We propose that modulation of ster...

Introduction: Overexposure to androgens during fetal life creates offspring with a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-like phenotype. Whether this phenotype is attributable to androgens during fetal life, or estrogens via maternal/placental metabolism, remains uncertain. The potential for in utero steroidal disruption of adrenal development and function is also unclear. We have examined the adrenal during development and adulthood in response to in utero androg...

Introduction: Maternal androgen excess in pregnant sheep programmes a PCOS-like phenotype in female offspring. We previously demonstrated a hyperinsulinaemic offspring phenotype in response to maternal androgen excess, but such regimens also increase estradiol concentrations, and may effect adrenal steroidogenesis, hence the role of androgens remains unclear.Materials and Methods: To examine contributions of different steroid classes, and to determine if...

Introduction: Female mammals are born with a finite reserve of primordial follicles which dictates the reproductive lifespan. Despite this the factors responsible for primordial follicle activation remain largely unknown. The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily has been implicated in early follicle development however little attention has been given to the effects of TGFβ2, expression of which has been demonstrated in the ovary. This study aimed to exa...

The onset of mammalian follicle development is marked by granulosa cell (GC) proliferation, GC shape change, and oocyte growth. Despite their critical role in female fertility the factors and mechanisms underlying these cellular changes remain largely unknown. The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily has been strongly implicated in early follicle growth. Disruption of the function or expression of members of the TGFβ superfamily, receptors or key compon...

Introduction: Following IVF, blastocysts produced from oocytes recovered from gilts fed a high fibre diet for the preceding 19 days contained more cells than blastocysts from oocytes of control-fed gilts. Oocytes were collected on day 19 of the gilts’ third oestrous cycle and matured in 10% of their own follicular fluid (FF), suggesting that FF may confer the reproductive benefits. The current study compared the protein composition of pooled FF from six high fibre-fed pig...

In a previous study, following IVF, oocytes from gilts fed a high fibre diet for the first 19 days of their third oestrous cycle, produced blastocysts with more cells than oocytes from control-fed gilts. We hypothesise that FF protein composition is altered by the diet and that this confers the reproductive benefits.The current study compared the protein composition of pooled Day 19 FF from 12 high fibre-fed pigs and 12 control-fed pigs in search of biom...