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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
Reproduction, Fertility and Development

Reproduction, Fertility and Development

Volume 25 Number 6 2013

RD12159Exposure to bisphenol A results in a decline in mouse spermatogenesis

Guo-Liang Zhang, Xi-Feng Zhang, Yan-Min Feng, Lan Li, Evanna Huynh, Xiao-Feng Sun, Zhong-Yi Sun and Wei Shen
pp. 847-859

Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in many consumer products, interferes with the endocrine system of mammals, including humans. The present study investigated the effects of BPA on spermatogenesis and semen quality, and found that BPA decreased both the quantity and quality of mouse spermatozoa, resulting in abnormal offspring that were smaller and had a low-quality pelage. The results demonstrate that BPA hampers spermatogenesis and the development of offspring.

RD12061Birth of cloned calves from vitrified–warmed zona-free buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) embryos produced by hand-made cloning

Ambikaprasanna Saha, Sudeepta K. Panda, Manmohan S. Chauhan, Radhey S. Manik, Prabhat Palta and Suresh K. Singla
pp. 860-865

Both the quality and yield of cloned buffalo embryos was higher following the use of cells obtained from fetal or newborn buffalo calves than those obtained from adult buffaloes, probably because of their less differentiated state. A live normal calf was born following transfer of frozen–thawed cloned buffalo embryos to a surrogate recipient. This suggests that cloned embryos can be stored frozen for long periods of time.

RD12062Free blastocyst and implantation stages in the European brown hare: correlation between ultrasound and histological data

Barbara Drews, Jennifer Ringleb, Romy Waurich, Thomas Bernd Hildebrandt, Katharina Schröder and Kathleen Roellig
pp. 866-878

The European brown hare exhibits superconception, whereby the maternal reproductive tract hosts two sets of conceptuses at different developmental stages. The early embryo development of the hare has not been described. In this study, we studied oviduct transport and implantation stages by embryo flushing, live high-resolution ultrasound and by histology of age matched pregnant tissues. In contrast to the rabbit, not only total pregnancy length, but also transition phase of the early embryos from the ovidcut to the uterus is prolonged in the hare, probably enabling superconception.


Manipulation of female fertility has become an increasingly important tool for the management of captive and free-living marsupial populations. This study demonstrated that pre-pubertal GnRH agonist treatment significantly delays the onset of puberty in female tammar wallabies. This has potential application for the management of overabundant kangaroo populations and enhances our understanding of the physiological processes that occur at the time of puberty in this model species.

RD12125Effects of FSH on the expression of receptors for oocyte-secreted factors and members of the EGF-like family during in vitro maturation in cattle

Ester Siqueira Caixeta, Mariana Fernandes Machado, Paula Ripamonte, Christopher Price and José Buratini
pp. 890-899

A better understanding of the interaction between the oocyte and surrounding cumulus cells is of crucial relevance for fertility. We have assessed the expression of receptors for oocyte-derived factors during in vitro maturation and demonstrated that FSH dramatically stimulates expression of receptors for fibroblast growth factors in bovine cumulus cells. These data provide further evidence for an important role of fibroblast growth factors in follicle development.

RD12086Increased prostaglandin E2–EP2 signalling in cumulus cells of female mice sired by males with the Y-chromosome long-arm deletion

Katarzyna Kotarska, Małgorzata Lenartowicz, Małgorzata Przybyło, Aniela Gołas and Józefa Styrna
pp. 900-906

Genes of the Y chromosome long arm are crucial for male fertility, but now it appears that they can also influence female reproduction. We have shown that female mice sired by males with the impaired Y chromosome differ in some periovulatory processes from genetically identical females but having fathers with the intact Y chromosome. Since females do not inherit Y chromosome, its influence consists probably in epigenetic modifications of genetic material in X-bearing spermatozoa.

RD12092Development of bovine embryos derived from reproductive techniques

Míryan L. V. Alberto, Flavio V. Meirelles, Felipe Perecin, Carlos E. Ambrósio, Phelipe O. Favaron, André L. R. Franciolli, Andrea M. Mess, José M. dos Santos, Rose E. G. Rici, Marcelo Bertolini and Maria A. Miglino
pp. 907-917

Assisted reproduction techniques in the bovine are associated with high intrauterine mortality. We investigated the development of embryos and fetal membranes and found that the yolk-sac and the cardiovascular system seem to be vulnerable to morphogenetic alterations, especially in cloned embryos. Because the abnormalities observed may be responsible for the high mortality rate, future studies into gene expression and early vascularisation processes seem to be important.

RD12136Optimising vitrification of human oocytes using multiple cryoprotectants and morphological and functional assessment

V. Y. K. Seet, S. Al-Samerria, J. Wong, J. Stanger, J. L. Yovich and G. Almahbobi
pp. 918-926

Freezing of human eggs has a wide and significant clinical benefit for many women, including the preservation of female fertility before its loss due to disease or aging. The aim of the present study was to determine the optimal freezing solutions that can be used to preserve the structural and functional integrity of human eggs. The outcome will make a significant practical impact in the area of egg freezing, hence contributing to the improvement of female fertility.

RD12074High insulin concentrations promote the in vitro growth and viability of canine preantral follicles

Michelle K. B. Serafim, Gerlane M. Silva, Ana B. G. Duarte, V. R. Araújo, T. F. P. Silva, A. K. F. Lima, R. N. Chaves, C. C. Campello, L. D. M. Silva and J. R. Figueiredo
pp. 927-934

The need for insulin in the medium in which preantral follicles are cultured in vitro and its interaction with FSH remain controversial. Thus, we evaluated the association between different concentrations of insulin and FSH in the development of canine preantral follicles in vitro. In the absence of FSH, a high insulin concentration is beneficial for follicular viability, but for best follicular growth it is recommended that the association of insulin with FSH is added to the culture medium.


The sperm cryopreservation process affects the quality and fertilising ability of the spermatozoa. The aim of this study was to determine if the quality and functionality of frozen–thawed boar spermatozoa could be enhanced by treating the spermatozoa before cryopreservation with cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrins. The results show that the ability of the spermatozoa to bind to oviductal epithelial cells in vitro was enhanced, which could have some effect on fertilisation success in vivo.


When stored in liquid form, bull spermatozoa can live for up to 2 weeks; however, its ability to achieve a pregnancy is compromised after just 4–5 days of storage, which may be a consequence of changes in the sperm cell membrane lipid profile caused by attack from reactive oxygen species. This study, which aimed to investigate the effect of the addition of long-chain fatty acids to bull spermatozoa in vitro, found that while palmitic and oleic acids proved beneficial to spermatozoa, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids were detrimental. Thus, the addition of palmitic and oleic acids to bull spermatozoa in vitro could prolong their fertile lifespan.

RD12180Dynamic medium containing growth differentiation factor-9 and FSH maintains survival and promotes in vitro growth of caprine preantral follicles after long-term in vitro culture

A. M. C. V. Alves, R. N. Chaves, R. M. P. Rocha, L. F. Lima, P. M. Andrade, C. A. P. Lopes, C. E. A. Souza, A. A. A. Moura, C. C. Campello, S. N. Báo, J. Smitz and J. R. Figueiredo
pp. 955-965

Using oocytes from in vitro grown and matured follicles is an alternative to overcome the limited supply of mature, fertilisable oocytes for assisted reproduction techniques. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a dynamic medium containing growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) and FSH on the survival, activation, steroidogenesis and in vitro growth of caprine preantral follicles during long-term culture. The results show that using a dynamic GDF-9/FSH medium resulted in significant and continuous follicular growth and maintenance of follicular ultrastructure, which may contribute to improvements in vitro embryo production.

RD12232Altered endometrial immune gene expression in beef heifers with retarded embryos

M. E. Beltman, N. Forde, P. Lonergan and M. A. Crowe
pp. 966-970

Embryo development is dependent on a tight regulation of the local maternal immune system, which is critically important in pregnancy recognition as well as facilitating implantation. Our aim was to document the expression of a broad range of immune-related genes in the endometrium of heifers producing viable and degenerate embryos on Day 7 after oestrus. We found that disturbances in the immune response at this stage of embryonic development can have detrimental implications for embryo survival.

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