Uterine secretion during the sexual cycle in the rat and its capacity to disperse corona cells in vitro

1975 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 986-989 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Meglioli ◽  
P. A. Desaulles
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Cycle ◽  
Uterine Secretion

scholarly journals Parasexuality and Ploidy Change in Candida tropicalis

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1629-1640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riyad N. H. Seervai ◽  
Stephen K. Jones ◽  
Matthew P. Hirakawa ◽  
Allison M. Porman ◽  
Richard J. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Reproduction ◽  
Candida Tropicalis ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Sexual Cycle ◽  
Chromosome Loss ◽  
Parasexual Cycle ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ploidy Changes ◽  
Diploid Cells

ABSTRACTCandidaspecies exhibit a variety of ploidy states and modes of sexual reproduction. Most species possess the requisite genes for sexual reproduction, recombination, and meiosis, yet only a few have been reported to undergo a complete sexual cycle including mating and sporulation.Candida albicans, the most studiedCandidaspecies and a prevalent human fungal pathogen, completes its sexual cycle via a parasexual process of concerted chromosome loss rather than a conventional meiosis. In this study, we examine ploidy changes inCandida tropicalis, a closely related species toC. albicansthat was recently revealed to undergo sexual mating.C. tropicalisdiploid cells mate to form tetraploid cells, and we show that these can be induced to undergo chromosome loss to regenerate diploid forms by growth on sorbose medium. The diploid products are themselves mating competent, thereby establishing a parasexual cycle in this species for the first time. Extended incubation (>120 generations) ofC. tropicalistetraploid cells under rich culture conditions also resulted in instability of the tetraploid form and a gradual reduction in ploidy back to the diploid state. The fitness levels ofC. tropicalisdiploid and tetraploid cells were compared, and diploid cells exhibited increased fitness relative to tetraploid cellsin vitro, despite diploid and tetraploid cells having similar doubling times. Collectively, these experiments demonstrate distinct pathways by which a parasexual cycle can occur inC. tropicalisand indicate that nonmeiotic mechanisms drive ploidy changes in this prevalent human pathogen.

scholarly journals Expression and Immunostaining Analyses Suggest thatPneumocystisPrimary Homothallism Involves Trophic Cells Displaying Both Plus and Minus Pheromone Receptors

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Luraschi ◽  
S. Richard ◽  
J. M. G. C. F. Almeida ◽  
M. Pagni ◽  
M. T. Cushion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
Mate Recognition ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Sexual Cycle ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Type Locus ◽  
Pheromone Receptor ◽  
Human Lungs

ABSTRACTThe genusPneumocystisencompasses fungal species that colonize mammals’ lungs with host specificity. Should the host immune system weaken, the fungal species can cause severe pneumonia. The life cycle of these pathogens is poorly known, mainly because anin vitroculture method has not been established. Both asexual and sexual cycles would occur. Trophic cells, the predominant forms during infection, could multiply asexually but also enter into a sexual cycle. Comparative genomics revealed a single mating type locus, including plus and minus genes, suggesting that primary homothallism involving self-fertility of each strain is the mode of reproduction ofPneumocystisspecies. We identified and analyzed the expression of themam2andmap3genes encoding the receptors for plus and minus pheromones using reverse transcriptase PCR, in both infected mice and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples from patients withPneumocystispneumonia. Both receptors were most often concomitantly expressed during infection, revealing that both pheromone-receptor systems are involved in the sexual cycle. Themap3transcripts were subject to alternative splicing. Using immunostaining, we investigated the presence of the pheromone receptors at the surfaces ofPneumocystiscells from a patient. The staining tools were first assessed inSaccharomyces cerevisiaedisplaying thePneumocystisreceptors at their cellular surface. Both receptors were present at the surfaces of the vast majority of the cells that were likely trophic forms. The receptors might have a role in mate recognition and/or postfertilization events. Their presence at the cell surface might facilitate outbreeding versus inbreeding of self-fertile strains.IMPORTANCEThe fungi belonging to the genusPneumocystismay cause severe pneumonia in immunocompromised humans, a disease that can be fatal if not treated. This disease is nowadays one of the most frequent invasive fungal infections worldwide. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the sexuality of these fungi involves a single partner that can self-fertilize. Here, we report that two receptors recognizing specifically excreted pheromones are involved in this self-fertility within infected human lungs. Using fluorescent antibodies binding specifically to these receptors, we observed that most often, the fungal cells display both receptors at their surface. These pheromone-receptor systems might play a role in mate recognition and/or postfertilization events. They constitute an integral part of thePneumocystisobligate sexuality within human lungs, a cycle that is necessary for the dissemination of the fungus to new individuals.

scholarly journals D-aspartic acid is implicated in the control of testosterone production by the vertebrate gonad. Studies on the female green frog, Rana esculenta

1998 ◽  
Vol 157 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
MM Di Fiore ◽  
L Assisi ◽  
V Botte ◽  
A D'Aniello
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Aspartic Acid ◽  
Rana Esculenta ◽  
Ovarian Follicles ◽  
Sexual Cycle ◽  
Green Frog ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Testosterone Production ◽  
Androgen Synthesis

In the present study we report the occurrence of D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) in the ovary of the green frog Rana esculenta and its putative involvement in testosterone production by the gonad. In the ovary, D-Asp concentrations undergo significant variations during the main phases of the sexual cycle. In spawning females (March), its concentration was low (2.5 +/- 1.1 nmol/g ovary) and during the post-reproductive period (June) it increased and reached its peak level (58.0 +/- 10.1 nmol/g) in October. In that month, vitellogenesis occurs in a new set of ovarian follicles and continues until the next spring. The concentrations of D-Asp in the ovary and of testosterone in the ovary and in the plasma were inversely correlated during the reproductive cycle: when endogenous D-Asp was low (March), testosterone was high (36.9 +/- 4.8 ng/g ovary; 23.1 +/- 2.76 ng/ml plasma) and, in contrast, when the D-Asp concentration was high (October), the testosterone concentration was low (0.86 +/- 0.21 ng/g ovary and 5.0 +/- 1.3 ng/ml plasma). In vivo experiments, consisting of injection of D-Asp (2.0 mumol/g body weight) into the dorsal lymphatic sac of adult female frogs, demonstrated that this amino acid accumulates significantly in the ovary. After 3 h, moreover, it caused a decrease in testosterone level in the plasma of about 80%. This inhibition was reversible: within 18 h after the amino acid injection, as the D-Asp concentration in the ovary decreased, the testosterone titre was restored in both ovary and plasma. In vitro experiments, conducted in isolated ovarian follicles, confirmed this phenomenon and identified these gonadal components as the putative D-Asp targets. Other amino acids (L-Asp, D-Glu, L-Glu, D-Ala and L-Ala) used instead of D-Asp were ineffective. These findings indicate that D-Asp is involved in the control of androgen secretion by the ovary in this amphibian species, revealing a more complex system for control of this androgen synthesis than was previously believed to exist.

scholarly journals Molecular and Morphological Data Support the Existence of a Sexual Cycle in Species of the Genus Paracoccidioides

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 380-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus de Melo Teixeira ◽  
Raquel Cordeiro Theodoro ◽  
Lorena da Silveira Derengowski ◽  
André Moraes Nicola ◽  
Eduardo Bagagli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Paracoccidioides Brasiliensis ◽  
Sexual Cycle ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Mating Types ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Dimorphic Fungi ◽  
Filamentous Form ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTThe genusParacoccidioidesincludes the thermodimorphic speciesParacoccidioides brasiliensisandP. lutzii, both of which are etiologic agents of paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic mycosis that affects humans in Latin America. Despite the common occurrence of a sexual stage among closely related fungi, this has not been observed withParacoccidioidesspecies, which have thus been considered asexual. Molecular evolutionary studies revealed recombination events within isolated populations of the genusParacoccidioides, suggesting the possible existence of a sexual cycle. Comparative genomic analysis of all dimorphic fungi andSaccharomyces cerevisiaedemonstrated the presence of conserved genes involved in sexual reproduction, including those encoding mating regulators such as MAT, pheromone receptors, pheromone-processing enzymes, and mating signaling regulators. The expression of sex-related genes in the yeast and mycelial phases of bothParacoccidioidesspecies was also detected by real-time PCR, with nearly all of these genes being expressed preferentially in the filamentous form of the pathogens. In addition, the expression of sex-related genes was responsive to the putative presence of pheromone in the supernatants obtained from previous cocultures of strains of two different mating types.In vitrocrossing of isolates of different mating types, discriminated by phylogenetic analysis of the α-box (MAT1-1) and the high-mobility-group (HMG) domain (MAT1-2), led to the identification of the formation of young ascocarps with constricted coiled hyphae related to the initial stage of mating. These genomic and morphological analyses strongly support the existence of a sexual cycle in species of the genusParacoccidioides.

Hosting the preimplantation embryo: potentials and limitations of different approaches for analysing embryo - endometrium interactions in cattle

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne E. Ulbrich ◽  
Eckhard Wolf ◽  
Stefan Bauersachs
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Sexual Cycle ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Signalling Molecules ◽  
Comprehensive Information ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Suitable Environment

Ongoing detailed investigations into embryo–maternal communication before implantation reveal that during early embryonic development a plethora of events are taking place. During the sexual cycle, remodelling and differentiation processes in the endometrium are controlled by ovarian hormones, mainly progesterone, to provide a suitable environment for establishment of pregnancy. In addition, embryonic signalling molecules initiate further sequences of events; of these molecules, prostaglandins are discussed herein as specifically important. Inadequate receptivity may impede preimplantation development and implantation, leading to embryonic losses. Because there are multiple factors affecting fertility, receptivity is difficult to comprehend. This review addresses different models and methods that are currently used and discusses their respective potentials and limitations in distinguishing key messages out of molecular twitter. Transcriptome, proteome and metabolome analyses generate comprehensive information and provide starting points for hypotheses, which need to be substantiated using further confirmatory methods. Appropriate in vivo and in vitro models are needed to disentangle the effects of participating factors in the embryo–maternal dialogue and to help distinguish associations from causalities. One interesting model is the study of somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos in normal recipient heifers. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to properly assess the importance of the uterine milieu for embryonic development and to use the large number of new findings to solve long-standing issues regarding fertility.

PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN DIFFERENT HYPOTHALAMIC AREAS DURING THE SEXUAL CYCLE IN RATS: INFLUENCE OF CASTRATION

1972 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. MOGUILEVSKY ◽  
JANINE CHRISTOT
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
Posterior Hypothalamus ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Sexual Cycle ◽  
Synthetic Activity ◽  
Hypothalamic Area ◽  
Group Protein

SUMMARY In-vitro incorporation of l-[3H]phenylalanine into proteins of the anterior, middle and posterior hypothalamus was measured in female rats given androgen soon after birth and in castrated rats. The results were compared with control animals during the sexual cycle. Protein synthesis in the anterior hypothalamic area was higher during pro-oestrus than during oestrus and dioestrus, and lower in dioestrous than in oestrous rats. Castrated rats showed a similar rate of incorporation in this area as in the oestrous group. Protein synthetic activity in the anterior hypothalamus of androgenized rats was as low as in normal rats during dioestrus. The highest radioactivity in the proteins of the posterior hypothalamus was found in oestrous rats. The androgenized group showed a rate of incorporation significantly higher than in dioestrus and pro-oestrus, but lower than during oestrus. Castration significantly increased the rate of incorporation of labelled amino acid into protein of the posterior hypothalamic area, as compared with the specific activity found in dioestrous and pro-oestrous groups.

Completion of the sexual cycle and demonstration of genetic recombination in Ustilago maydis in vitro

1999 ◽  
Vol 262 (3) ◽  
pp. 468-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ruiz-Herrera ◽  
C. León-Ramírez ◽  
J. L. Cabrera-Ponce ◽  
A. D. Martínez-Espinoza ◽  
L. Herrera-Estrella
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Recombination ◽  
Ustilago Maydis ◽  
Sexual Cycle

Effect of undernutrition on the uterine environment during maternal recognition of pregnancy in sheep

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 869 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Sosa ◽  
J. A. Abecia ◽  
M. Carriquiry ◽  
M. I. Vázquez ◽  
A. Fernández-Foren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Igf I ◽  
Uterine Environment ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
Uterine Secretion ◽  
Maintenance Requirements ◽  
Proliferating Cell

The effects of pregnancy and undernutrition on endometrial gene expression were investigated in ewes fed all or half their maintenance requirements and killed on Day 14 of pregnancy or of the oestrous cycle. The endometrial expression of progesterone, oestrogen, oxytocin and interferon receptors (PR, ERα, OXTR and IFNAR, respectively), cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-I and -II, and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) was studied by immunohistochemistry or real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. The luminal epithelium of cyclic control ewes was devoid of PR staining and had relatively high levels of ERα, OXTR, COX-2 and IFNAR2. The presence of a conceptus decreased the in vitro uterine secretion of prostaglandin (PG) F2α and the expression of IFNAR2 in most cell types, and increased the gene expression of IGF-I and IGF-II. Undernutrition tended to increase ERα protein and gene, but decreased in vitro uterine secretion of PGE2 and the gene expression of IFNAR2 in cyclic ewes. There was no effect of undernutrition on pregnancy rates or the number of conceptuses recovered. Consistent with this, undernutrition of pregnant ewes did not have any effect on uterine gene expression. Moreover, in cases where changes were observed in cyclic ewes, these changes were negated when a conceptus was present.

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