Reproduction Abstracts

Epimutations are heritable defects in epigenetic programming that do not involve changes in the underlying DNA sequence and may or may not impact gene expression. Epimutations can occur naturally, but are more likely to be induced by environmental factors that disrupt the normal epigenome. Previous studies have shown that the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) can induce epimutations in the offspring produced. We chronicled the occurrence of epimtuations in mice p...

Introduction: Chromosomal abnormalities are deviations in normal genetic architecture and lead to disorders in bearer individuals. These can be both in number and structure of autosomes or sex chromosomes, usually inflict adverse effects on reproductive performance in domestic animals. Present report is on a female Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), which was among animals with inefficient reproductive performance and cytogenetic screening programme.<p class="abste...

Introduction: Mass-specific metabolic rate, the rate at which an organism consumes energy per gram of body weight, is negatively associated with body size in metazoans. Since the basal metabolic rate of a whole organism represents the sum of its cellular metabolic rates, small species have higher cellular metabolic rates and are capable of processing resources at a faster rate than large species. Recent studies have shown that mass-specific metabolic rate positively influences...

There is a lack of information about effects of the diet fat source on goat reproduction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the fat source effect on in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. Eighteen goats were divided into three groups, on diets (40% concentrate/60% corn silage) with 4% (dry matter) of ether extract from different fat sources [soy oil (SG) and linseed (LG), Megalac® (MG)]. The does passed thru an adaptation period (15 days) and...

In the field of ‘single cell analysis’, many classical strategies like immunofluorescence and electron microscopy are the fundamental choices. However, these methodologies are time-consuming and do not permit direct identification of specific molecular classes such as lipids. A novel mass spectrometry-based analytical approach has been applied to bovine oocytes and embryo. This new metabolomics-based application uses mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), efficient data pr...

Growth hormone (GH) is necessary to grow to normal adult size. While GH plasma concentrations are highest during early development, there is no evidence that GH influences somatic growth until after birth when GH-receptors are upregulated in peripheral tissues. The gradual decline in plasma GH during fetal life in a range of mammals suggests that negative feedback to the developing pituitary occurs progressively to decrease pituitary GH output. We have tested this hypothesis u...

Introduction: The condition of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) affects 1% of women worldwide under the age of 40, and is associated with premature ovarian follicle depletion. TAF4b is a gonadal-enriched TFIID subunit that promotes healthy ovarian aging and fertility. Female TAF4b-deficient mice experience POI hallmarks including infertility, poor oocyte quality, and dramatic gene expression changes. Understanding TAF4b’s role in promoting healthy ovarian aging is crit...

Direct reprogramming of somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells entails the obliteration of somatic cell memory and the reestablishment of epigenetic events. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have been created by reprogramming somatic cells through the transduction of reprogramming factors. During cell reprogramming, female somatic cells must overcome at least one more barrier to enter a pluripotent state compared to male somatic cells, that is, the reactivation of inactive...

Different hormones have been tried to increase embryonic survivability with inconsistent results. Plant based treatment plays positive role in enhancing reproductive functions, acting as precursors for different signalling molecules and influencing cell processes in humans as well as animals, but lacks scientific validation. Effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of flax seed on PGE2 modulation by buffalo endometrial stromal cells was studied. Buffalo stromal cell...

In the “KNDy hypothesis”, the latest concept explaining the control of GnRH secretion, the pulsatile GnRH signal is controlled by arcuate nucleus cells that produce kisspeptin (K), neurokinin B (N) and dynorphin (Dy). The interplay among these peptides involves one of them acting as a ‘pace-setter’, one as a ‘brake’, and the other as communicator of the final signal to the GnRH cells. To date the KNDy hypothesis has proven to be robust, but, if it...