Reproduction Abstracts

Introduction: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are active molecules expressed on the surface of ovarian cancer (OC) cells, but the consequences of TLR2/TLR4 signaling pathways in these cells remain unclear. Because melatonin (mel) act as an immunomodulatory hormone and has been reported to modulate TLRs in some aggressive tumor cells, we investigated the effective role of long-term mel therapy on TLR2- and TLR4-mediated molecule myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-dependent si...

Introduction: The α-1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (GalT KO) pig is used as the major model for xenotransplantation studies since the knockout of the α-1,3-galactosyl epitope makes pig organ transplantation successful in primates. The homozygous GalT KO pig is produced by a combination of nuclear transfer technique and mating with a heterozygous GalT KO pig. Since most studies using GalT KO pigs have analyzed only the immunological features of their cells, we...

Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside (AA-2G), a stable ascorbate derivative, is a prominent antioxidant characterized by its stability in an oxidative environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of AA-2G on sperm motility, viability and acrosome integrity during semen cryopreservation in Korean native pig. Semen samples were diluted into a freezing extender (LEY) containing lactose hen-egg yolk with glycerol and Orvus Es Paste (OEP) and loaded in 0.5 ml plastic st...

Introduction: 2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is an endogenous metabolite of 17-estradiol (E2) that interacts with estrogen receptors (ERs) and microtubules, and it has a low affinity for ERs. It has been identified as a potential novel antitumor agent combining anti-proliferative activity on a wide range of tumor cell types with anti-angiogenic actions. Also, 2-ME attracted considerable interest as a potential anti-cancer therapeutic.Materials and ...

Introduction: Kisspeptin, encoded by Kiss1, is a neuropeptide that directly regulates GnRH secretion from the hypothalamus. The present study aimed to examine a relationship between the circulating gonadotropin levels and follicle development using the Kiss1 knockout (Kiss1 KO) adult female rats.Materials and methods: Kiss1 KO and WT animals were obtained by mating of Kiss1+/− males and female...

The preimplantation embryo undergoes dynamic changes in energy demand during development. Oxygen consumption rate (OCR), representing overall oxidative metabolism, has been reported in several species but few studies have examined the components of OCR. Individual blastocyst OCR was measured using a non-invasive oxygen probe (unisense), whereas OCR of grouped blastocysts was determined using the Oxygen Biosensor fluorometric assay (BD Bioscience). Respiratory chain inhibitors ...

Ca2+ signalling is critical for regulation of sperm motility. [Ca2+]i oscillations, which may underlie observed ‘switching’ of sperm behaviors, occur in human spermatozoa stimulated with progesterone. Our work aimed to investigate the potential contribution of changes in membrane potential, leading to cyclical activation of voltage dependent Ca2+-influx pathways, to [Ca2+]i oscillations. Spermatozoa we...

Ca2+ signaling is crucial for regulation of sperm motility and [Ca2+]i oscillations may underlie ‘switching’ of sperm behaviors in human spermatozoa, which is believed to be important for sperm progression in the female tract. We have investigated the contribution of membrane potential (Vm) and the sperm Ca2+ channel CatSper to [Ca2+]i oscillations induced by progesterone (P4). Manipulation of Vm was p...

CatSper channels are expressed specifically in the principal piece of the sperm flagellum. In human sperm Catsper channel activation is polymodal and sensitive to increased pHi, progesterone and other agonists, potentially resulting in synergistic enhancement of Ca2+ influx and hyperactivation (1) We have investigated if the interaction of pHi with the CatSper agonist progesterone and 4-aminopyridine (4AP), a potent activator of hyperactivation in human sperm. [Ca<s...

Introduction: An ectopic pregnancy (EP) is defined as a conceptus implanting outside of the uterine cavity, most commonly in the Fallopian tube. It is a life-threatening gynaecological condition with limited treatment options. Large and unstable EP are managed by surgical excision. Smaller stable EP are medically managed with the chemotherapeutic drug methotrexate. Methotrexate has considerable side effects and a high treatment failure rate (~30%). There is an unmet medical ne...