scholarly journals Hormone-induced spawning of the critically endangered northern corroboree frog Pseudophryne pengilleyi

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee J. Silla ◽  
Michael McFadden ◽  
Phillip G. Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Topical Application ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Female Hormone ◽  
Proximate Mechanisms ◽  
Induced Spawning ◽  
Administration Interval ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
First Time

Fundamental knowledge of the optimal hormone concentrations required to stimulate amplexus and spawning in breeding pairs of amphibians is currently lacking, hindering our understanding of the proximate mechanisms underpinning mating behaviour. The present study investigated the effects of: (1) the dose of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-a) administered; (2) male–female hormone administration interval; and (3) topical application of GnRH-a, on spawning success in the northern corroboree frog. Administration of GnRH-a at doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 μg g−1 were highly successful, with a significantly greater proportion of hormone-treated pairs ovipositing (89–100%) compared with the 0 μg g−1 treatment (22%). Of the hormone-treated pairs, those receiving 0.5 μg g−1 GnRH-a exhibited the highest fertilisation success (61%). Administration of GnRH-a to males and females simultaneously (0 h) was more effective than injecting males either 48 or 24 h before the injection of females. Overall, administration of GnRH-a was highly successful at inducing spawning in northern corroboree frogs. For the first time, we also effectively induced spawning following the topical application of GnRH-a to the ventral pelvic region. Topical application of GnRH-a eliminates the need for specialised training in amphibian injection, and will allow assisted reproductive technologies to be adopted by a greater number of captive facilities globally.

scholarly journals TERRA: A Novel Biomarker of Embryo Quality and Art Outcome

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 475
Author(s):  
Maria Santa Rocca ◽  
Ludovica Dusi ◽  
Andrea Di Nisio ◽  
Erminia Alviggi ◽  
Benedetta Iussig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Embryo Quality ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Biological Clock ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
First Time

Telomeres are considered to be an internal biological clock, and their progressive shortening has been associated with the risk of age-related diseases and reproductive alterations. Over recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the association between telomere length and fertility, identifying sperm telomere length (STL) as a novel biomarker of male fertility. Although typically considered to be repeated DNA sequences, telomeres have recently been shown to also include a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) known as TERRA (telomeric repeat-containing RNAs). Interestingly, males with idiopathic infertility show reduced testicular TERRA expression, suggesting a link between TERRA and male fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of seminal TERRA expression in embryo quality. To this end, STL and TERRA expression were quantified by Real Time qPCR in the semen of 35 men who underwent assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and 30 fertile men. We found that TERRA expression in semen and STL was reduced in patients that underwent ART (both p < 0.001). Interestingly, TERRA and STL expressions were positively correlated (p = 0.010), and TERRA expression was positively associated with embryo quality (p < 0.001). These preliminary findings suggest a role for TERRA in the maintenance of sperm telomere integrity during gametogenesis, and for the first time, TERRA expression was found as a predictive factor for embryo quality in the setting of assisted reproduction.

Superovulation Influences Methylation Reprogramming and Delays Onset of DNA Replication in Both Pronuclei of Mouse Zygotes

2018 ◽  
Vol 156 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elif Diken ◽  
Matthias Linke ◽  
Jan Baumgart ◽  
Leonid Eshkind ◽  
Dennis Strand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Independent Replication ◽  
Mouse Zygotes ◽  
Pn Stage ◽  
Significant Expression ◽  
First Time

Although an essential component of assisted reproductive technologies, ovarian stimulation, or superovulation, may interfere with the epigenetic reprogramming machinery during early embryogenesis and gametogenesis. To investigate the possible impact of superovulation particularly on the methylation reprogramming process directly after fertilization, we performed immunofluorescence staining of pronuclear (PN) stage embryos with antibodies against 5mC and 5hmC. PN stage embryos obtained by superovulation displayed an increased incidence of abnormal methylation and hydroxymethylation patterns in both maternal and paternal pronuclear DNA. Subsequent single-cell RT-qPCR analyses of the Tet1, Tet2, and Tet3 genes revealed no significant expression differences between PN stage embryos from spontaneously and superovulated matings that could be causative for the abnormal methylation and hydroxymethylation patterns. To analyze the possible contribution of TET-independent replication-associated demethylation mechanisms, we then determined the 5mC and 5hmC levels of PN stage mouse embryos using immunofluorescence analyses after inhibition of DNA replication with aphidicolin. Inhibition of DNA replication had no effect on abnormal methylation and hydroxymethylation patterns that still persisted in the superovulated group. Interestingly, the onset of DNA replication, which was also analyzed in these experiments, was remarkably delayed in the superovulated group. Our findings imply an impact of superovulation on both replication-dependent and -independent or yet unknown demethylation mechanisms in PN stage mouse embryos. In addition, they reveal for the first time a negative effect of superovulation on the initiation of DNA replication in PN stage mouse embryos.

Anti-Mullerian hormone and its predictive value for assessing oocyte quality

GYNECOLOGY ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 21-26
Author(s):  
Natalia V. Aleksandrova
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Reserve ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
Laboratory Markers ◽  
Diagnostic Capabilities ◽  
First Time

The article systematizes information on the diagnostic capabilities of modern clinical and laboratory markers of ovarian reserve. The diagnostic capabilities of anti-Mllerian hormone (AMH) as a marker of ovarian reserve are discussed, which make it possible to adjust the dose of hormonal drugs and predict the response of the ovary to stimulation in programs of assisted reproductive technologies. This paper discusses for the first time the role of AMH in assessing the quality of oocytes and subsequent embryos. Despite insufficient literature data, further study of AMH, as well as full-scale research in this direction, seems to be extremely promising.

scholarly journals Steroid hormones in bluegill, a species with male alternative reproductive tactics including female mimicry

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 628-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary Knapp ◽  
Bryan D Neff
Keyword(s):  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Alternative Reproductive Tactics ◽  
Reproductive Tactics ◽  
Proximate Mechanisms ◽  
Female Mimicry ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Satellite Males

The proximate mechanisms underlying the evolution and maintenance of within-sex variation in mating behaviour are still poorly understood. Species characterized by alternative reproductive tactics provide ideal opportunities to investigate such mechanisms. Bluegill ( Lepomis macrochirus ) are noteworthy in this regard because they exhibit two distinct cuckolder (parasitic) morphs (called sneaker and satellite) in addition to the parental males that court females. Here we confirm previous findings that spawning cuckolder and parental males have significantly different levels of testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone. We also report, for the first time, that oestradiol and cortisol levels are higher in cuckolders than in parental males. The two cuckolder morphs did not differ in average levels of any of the four hormones. However, among satellite males which mimic females in appearance and behaviour, there was a strong negative relationship between oestradiol levels and body length, a surrogate for age. This finding suggests that for satellite males, oestradiol dependency of mating behaviour decreases with increasing mating experience. Although such decreased hormone dependence of mating behaviour has been reported in other taxa, our data represent the first suggestion of the relationship in fishes.

Pregnancy notincubation at primapara is more senior than 40 years: early diagnostics and prophylaxis

2017 ◽  
pp. 66-67
Author(s):  
T.V. Leshcheva ◽  
◽  
E.L. Romanenko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Advanced Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Early Diagnostics ◽  
Laboratory Examination ◽  
Total Incidence ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
First Time ◽  
Over 40 Years

The objective: depression of frequency of notincubation at primapara is more senior than 40 years on the basis of studying the clinical-ehografical, endocrinological, biochemical and microbiological changes, and also improvement of algorithm of diagnostic and treatment-and-prophylactic actions. Patients and methods. Сlinical-functional and laboratory examination is conducted 80 primapara is more senior than 40 years which were divided into two groups and two subgroups. Control group made 20 primapara aged from 20 till 30 years, without obstetric and somatic pathology and the burdened genesial anamnesis. Results. The studies show that women who give birth for the first time at the age of over 40 years history revealed high incidence of infertility (76.3%), the main causes of which are female factor (41.1%), clothing (34.8% ) and combined (24.1%). The total incidence of miscarriage in women was 15.0%; after making pregnancy – 10.0%, and after assisted reproductive technologies – 20.0%. As for the timing of premature pregnancy, the more likely it is 8 weeks of pregnancy (50.0%) and less – 10 weeks (33.3%) and 12 weeks (16.7%). Conclusion. Use of an advanced treatment-and-prophylactic technique at primapara is more senior than 40 years allows not only to reduce significantly the frequency of a spontaneous abortion in І a trimester, but also to improve obstetric and perinatal results of delivery. Key words: notincubation, diagnostics, prophylaxis, age is more senior than 40 years.

scholarly journals Perturbations in imprinted methylation from assisted reproductive technologies but not advanced maternal age in mouse preimplantation embryos

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey J. Kindsfather ◽  
Megan A. Czekalski ◽  
Catherine A. Pressimone ◽  
Margaret P. Erisman ◽  
Mellissa R. W. Mann
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Culture ◽  
Maternal Age ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Advanced Maternal Age ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Preimplantation Embryos ◽  
Clinical Methods ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background Over the last several decades, the average age of first-time mothers has risen steadily. With increasing maternal age comes a decrease in fertility, which in turn has led to an increase in the use of assisted reproductive technologies by these women. Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), including superovulation and embryo culture, have been shown separately to alter imprinted DNA methylation maintenance in blastocysts. However, there has been little investigation on the effects of advanced maternal age, with or without ARTs, on genomic imprinting. We hypothesized that ARTs and advanced maternal age, separately and together, alter imprinted methylation in mouse preimplantation embryos. For this study, we examined imprinted methylation at three genes, Snrpn, Kcnq1ot1, and H19, which in humans are linked to ART-associated methylation errors that lead to imprinting disorders. Results Our data showed that imprinted methylation acquisition in oocytes was unaffected by increasing maternal age. Furthermore, imprinted methylation was normally acquired when advanced maternal age was combined with superovulation. Analysis of blastocyst-stage embryos revealed that imprinted methylation maintenance was also not affected by increasing maternal age. In a comparison of ARTs, we observed that the frequency of blastocysts with imprinted methylation loss was similar between the superovulation only and the embryo culture only groups, while the combination of superovulation and embryo culture resulted in a higher frequency of mouse blastocysts with maternal imprinted methylation perturbations than superovulation alone. Finally, the combination of increasing maternal age with ARTs had no additional effect on the frequency of imprinted methylation errors. Conclusion Collectively, increasing maternal age with or without superovulation had no effect of imprinted methylation acquisition at Snrpn, Kcnq1ot1, and H19 in oocytes. Furthermore, during preimplantation development, while ARTs generated perturbations in imprinted methylation maintenance in blastocysts, advanced maternal age did not increase the burden of imprinted methylation errors at Snrpn, Kcnq1ot1, and H19 when combined with ARTs. These results provide cautious optimism that advanced maternal age is not a contributing factor to imprinted methylation errors in embryos produced in the clinic. Furthermore, our data on the effects of ARTs strengthen the need to advance clinical methods to reduce imprinted methylation errors in in vitro-produced embryos.

Re-imagining Reproduction: Unsettling Metaphors in the History of Imperial Science and Commercial Surrogacy in India

Somatechnics ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalindi Vora
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Colonial History ◽  
Women's Bodies ◽  
Commercial Surrogacy ◽  
Art Practices ◽  
History Of ◽  
Travel Industry

This paper provides an analysis of how cultural notions of the body and kinship conveyed through Western medical technologies and practices in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) bring together India's colonial history and its economic development through outsourcing, globalisation and instrumentalised notions of the reproductive body in transnational commercial surrogacy. Essential to this industry is the concept of the disembodied uterus that has arisen in scientific and medical practice, which allows for the logic of the ‘gestational carrier’ as a functional role in ART practices, and therefore in transnational medical fertility travel to India. Highlighting the instrumentalisation of the uterus as an alienable component of a body and subject – and therefore of women's bodies in surrogacy – helps elucidate some of the material and political stakes that accompany the growth of the fertility travel industry in India, where histories of privilege and difference converge. I conclude that the metaphors we use to structure our understanding of bodies and body parts impact how we imagine appropriate roles for people and their bodies in ways that are still deeply entangled with imperial histories of science, and these histories shape the contemporary disparities found in access to medical and legal protections among participants in transnational surrogacy arrangements.

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