scholarly journals Mutant Zp1 results in Zona Pellucida Lacking and Female Infertility in Rats and Humans

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Lv ◽  
Hua-Lin Huang ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Tian-Liu Peng ◽  
Hang-Jing Tan ◽  
...  

AbstractZona pellucida (ZP) plays a vital role in reproductive processes including oogenesis, fertilization and preimplantation development of embryo. The ZP of humans is composed of four glycoproteins (ZP1-ZP4), same as rats ZP. Our previous research reported a first case of human infertility due to ZP1 mutation, but the mechanism was unclear. Here we developed a genome editing in vivo rat model and a co-transfected in vitro cell model to investigate the pathogenic effect. In rat homozygous for the homologous mutation, ZP were absent in all of collected eggs. Further the growing and fully grown oocytes in the mutant ovaries completely lack a ZP but with detectable intracellular ZP1 protein. After mating with male rats, none of the mutant female rats got pregnant. Moreover, the co-transfected cell experiments and the ovarian experiments showed that the truncated ZP1 sequestered intracellularly ZP3 and ZP4 to impede their release outside, resulting in an intracellular accumulation of ZP1, ZP3 and ZP4, leading to absence of ZP in mutant oocytes. Our results clearly establish the causal role of ZP1 mutation on ZP defects and female infertility.Summary statementRat model mirrored completely the phenotypes observed in humans, infertility and abnormal eggs that lack a zona pellucida, through the negative effects of ZP1 mutation.

1985 ◽  
Vol 249 (3) ◽  
pp. E276-E280 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Evans ◽  
R. J. Krieg ◽  
E. R. Limber ◽  
D. L. Kaiser ◽  
M. O. Thorner

The effects of gender and the gonadal hormone environment on basal and stimulated growth hormone (GH) release by dispersed and continuously perifused rat anterior pituitary cells were examined. Cells from intact male and diestrus day 2 female rats and from castrate male rats either untreated or treated with testosterone (T) or 17 beta-estradiol (E2) were used. Basal GH release (ng/min per 10(7) cells; mean +/- SE) by cells from diestrus day 2 female rats was less than by cells from castrate rats treated with T (4.3 +/- 0.6 vs. 11.4 +/- 2.7, respectively; P less than 0.025). No other differences in basal release were detected. Concentration-response relationships were documented between human GH-releasing factor 40 (hGRF-40; 0.03-100 nM given as 2.5-min pulses every 27.5 min) and GH release. Mean (+/- SE) overall GH release (ng/min per 10(7) cells) above base line was greater by cells from intact male rats (496 +/- 92) than by cells from castrate (203 +/- 37.3; P less than 0.0001), castrate and T-treated (348 +/- 52.8; P = 0.008), or castrate and E2-treated (58.1 +/- 6.8; P less than 0.001) male rats or by diestrus day 2 rats (68.6 +/- 9.5; P = 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


2014 ◽  
Vol 307 (4) ◽  
pp. H504-H514 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Tarhouni ◽  
M. L. Freidja ◽  
A. L. Guihot ◽  
E. Vessieres ◽  
L. Grimaud ◽  
...  

In resistance arteries, a chronic increase in blood flow induces hypertrophic outward remodeling. This flow-mediated remodeling (FMR) is absent in male rats aged 10 mo and more. As FMR depends on estrogens in 3-mo-old female rats, we hypothesized that it might be preserved in 12-mo-old female rats. Blood flow was increased in vivo in mesenteric resistance arteries after ligation of the side arteries in 3- and 12-mo-old male and female rats. After 2 wk, high-flow (HF) and normal-flow (NF) arteries were isolated for in vitro analysis. Arterial diameter and cross-sectional area increased in HF arteries compared with NF arteries in 3-mo-old male and female rats. In 12-mo-old rats, diameter increased only in female rats. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression and endothelium-mediated relaxation were higher in HF arteries than in NF arteries in all groups. ERK1/2 phosphorylation, NADPH oxidase subunit expression levels, and arterial contractility to KCl and to phenylephrine were greater in HF vessels than in NF vessels in 12-mo-old male rats only. Ovariectomy in 12-mo-old female rats induced a similar pattern with an increased contractility without diameter increase in HF arteries. Treatment of 12-mo-old male rats and ovariectomized female rats with hydralazine, the antioxidant tempol, or the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker candesartan restored HF remodeling and normalized arterial contractility in HF vessels. Thus, we found that FMR of resistance arteries remains efficient in 12-mo-old female rats compared with age-matched male rats. A balance between estrogens and vascular contractility might preserve FMR in mature female rats.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jialong Qi ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Zhidong Zhang ◽  
Zongsheng Yin ◽  
Yiming Liu ◽  
...  

Study design: Spinal cord injury (SCI) rat model and cell model were established for in vivo and in vitro experiments. Functional assays were utilized to explore the role of the circRNAs derived from catenin beta 1 (mmu_circ_0001859, circ-Ctnnb1 herein) in regulating neuronal cell viability and apoptosis. Bioinformatics analysis and mechanism experiments were conducted to assess the underlying molecular mechanism of circ-Ctnnb1. Objective: We aimed to probe into the biological function of circ-Ctnnb1 in neuronal cells of SCI. Methods: The rat model of SCI and hypoxia-induced cell model were constructed to examine circ-Ctnnb1 expression in SCI through quantitative reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) score was utilized for evaluating the neurological function. Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl Transferase Mediated Nick End labeling (TUNEL) assays were performed to assess the apoptosis of neuronal cells. RNase R and Actinomycin D (ActD) were used to treat cells to evaluate the stability of circ-Ctnnb1. Results: Circ-Ctnnb1 was highly expressed in SCI rat models and hypoxia-induced neuronal cells, and its deletion elevated the apoptosis rate of hypoxia-induced neuronal cells. Furthermore, circ-Ctnnb1 activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via sponging mircoRNA-205-5p (miR-205-5p) to up-regulate Ctnnb1 and Wnt family member 2B (Wnt2b). Conclusion: Circ-Ctnnb1 promotes SCI through regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling via modulating the miR-205-5p/Ctnnb1/Wnt2b axis.


Endocrinology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (11) ◽  
pp. 4402-4410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara R. Jørgensen ◽  
Mille D. Andersen ◽  
Agnete Overgaard ◽  
Jens D. Mikkelsen

Abstract GnRH is a key player in the hypothalamic control of gonadotropin secretion from the anterior pituitary gland. It has been shown that the mammalian counterpart of the avian gonadotropin inhibitory hormone named RFamide-related peptide (RFRP) is expressed in hypothalamic neurons that innervate and inhibit GnRH neurons. The RFRP precursor is processed into 2 mature peptides, RFRP-1 and RFRP-3. These are characterized by a conserved C-terminal motif RF-NH2 but display highly different N termini. Even though the 2 peptides are equally potent in vitro, little is known about their relative distribution and their distinct roles in vivo. In this study, we raised an antiserum selective for RFRP-1 and defined the distribution of RFRP-1-immunoreactive (ir) neurons in the rat brain. Next, we analyzed the level of RFRP-1-ir during postnatal development in males and females and investigated changes in RFRP-1-ir during the estrous cycle. RFRP-1-ir neurons were distributed along the third ventricle from the caudal part of the medial anterior hypothalamus throughout the medial tuberal hypothalamus and were localized in, but mostly in between, the dorsomedial hypothalamic, ventromedial hypothalamic, and arcuate nuclei. The number of RFRP-1-ir neurons and the density of cellular immunoreactivity were unchanged from juvenile to adulthood in male rats during the postnatal development. However, both parameters were significantly increased in female rats from peripuberty to adulthood, demonstrating prominent gender difference in the developmental control of RFRP-1 expression. The percentage of c-Fos-positive RFRP-1-ir neurons was significantly higher in diestrus as compared with proestrus and estrus. In conclusion, we found that adult females, as compared with males, have significantly more RFRP-1-ir per cell, and these cells are regulated during the estrous cycle.


1999 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-110
Author(s):  
Livia Secondin ◽  
Stefano Maso ◽  
Andrea Trevisan

1 Nephrotoxic effects of 1,3-dichloropropene (cis and trans isomers mixture) was investigated in vitro by means of renal cortical slice model in male and female rats, including treatment with metabolism modifiers as an inducer of cytochrome P-450 1A class (β-naphtho-flavone), a reduced glutathione depleting (DL-buthio-nine-[S, R]-sulfoximine), an inhibitor of g-glutamyltransferase (AT-125) and inhibitor of cysteine conjugate β-lyase (aminooxiacetic acid).2 Dose-dependent decrease of p-aminohippurate uptake was observed in male renal cortical slices. Only the high doses (3.0 and 4.0×10-4M) caused a significant loss of organic anion uptake in females.3 β-Naphthoflavone and α-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid (AT-125) partially, but significantly, reduced organic anion loss in males. In females, DL-buthionine-[S, R]-sulfoximine significantly increased in females but in males loss of organic anion accumulation caused by 1,3-dichloropropene. Aminooxyacetic acid did not ameliorate 1,3 D effects in vivo and in vitro in male rats. It appeared very toxic for female rats (all rats died) after in vivo injection.4 Sensitivity to nephrotoxicity induced by 1,3-dichlor-opropene in vitro was about double in male than female rats. Reduced glutathione conjugation appeared involved in nephrotoxicity induced in males but in females, probably by means of a chloropropylcysteinylglycine-conjugate formation; slight toxicity in females is likely related to oxidative metabolism.


1992 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 37-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard Friedman ◽  
John Scalera ◽  
James E. Keys ◽  
Edmund L. Peters ◽  
Dennis W. Gaines ◽  
...  

The effects of 2-chioroethanol (2-CE) on rat tissue following in vitro and in vivo exposure were studied. At concentrations as low as 2.5 mg/ml, protein synthesis in liver slices was inhibited; at concentrations of 25 mg/ml and above, RNA synthesis and respiration were also impaired. Single oral doses of 2-CE to young adult rats at levels of 15-40 mg/kg body weight depressed liver nonprotein sulfhydryl (GSH) concentration and liver protein but not RNA synthesis. Liver lipid was increased by 7 hr after a single oral dose of 30 mg/kg. The time courses and dose-response relationship for GSH depletion and restoration and for protein synthesis inhibition and recovery were similar. The livers of female rats were more sensitive than the livers of male rats to the effects of 2-CE. Protein synthesis was also depressed in kidneys of 2-CE-treated male rats but at higher doses than those needed for this effect to occur in livers of the same animals. Liver polysome disaggregation also occurred after oral 2-CE doses of 20 mg/kg and greater. The effects of 2-CE on ribosome profiles and protein synthesis were at least partially reversed by concurrent intraperitoneal administration of cysteine. The possible relationship of these findings to a role of GSH in protein synthesis is discussed.


1963 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 601-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian I. Kitay

ABSTRACT Administration of a depot testosterone preparation to male and female rats resulted in no change in body or pituitary weight in either sex. Pituitary corticotrophin content was unaltered in male animals but was reduced in females. Adrenal weights and adrenal RNA and DNA contents were decreased in both sexes. Plasma corticosterone concentrations were unaffected in males but were reduced in female rats after stress or corticotrophin injection. Hepatic reduction of ring A in vitro and biological half-life of corticosterone in vivo were unchanged in male animals but impaired in females. Testosterone administration to intact male rats significantly increased adrenal steroidogenesis measured in vitro. A significant decrease in steroid production was found in intact females but increased steroidogenesis was observed in adrenals from testosterone-treated oophorectomized animals. No effect was obtained following addition of testosterone directly in vitro. The data suggest that testosterone leads both to diminution of corticotrophin secretion and enhancement of adrenal steroid secretory capacity. In intact female rats, these effects are complicated by suppression of oestrogen secretion, the effects of which have been reported previously.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Yu Li ◽  
Hong Ma ◽  
Ye Lu ◽  
B. J. Tan ◽  
L. Xu ◽  
...  

The effect of Menoprogen (MPG) on ovarian granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis was investigated in vitro and in vivo in an aged rat model of menopause. Intragastric administration of Menoprogen or estradiol valerate to 14-month-old senile female rats for eight weeks increased plasmaE2levels, as well as the weight of both ovarian and uterine tissues. Flow cytometric (FCM) analysis of isolated GCs from MPG-treated aged rats showed reductions in theG0/G1ratio and apoptotic peaks. Isolated GCs also exhibited an increase in cell size and the number of cytoplastic organelles and intracellular gap junctions, the reappearance of secretory granules, and a lack of apoptotic bodies as determined by TEM. Results from a TdT-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay revealed a reduction in TUNEL-positive GCs after MPG treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a downregulation of proapoptotic Bax proteins and an upregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. The addition of MPG-medicated serum to the media of cultured GCs also reduced cadmium chloride-induced apoptosis and downregulated caspase-3 protein expression. This work demonstrates that Menoprogen inhibits GC apoptosis in aged female rats and thereby increasesE2production. This represents a novel mechanism of action for this herbal medicine in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.


Endocrinology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 154 (6) ◽  
pp. 2101-2113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason M. Arimoto ◽  
Angela Wong ◽  
Irina Rozovsky ◽  
Sharon W. Lin ◽  
Todd E. Morgan ◽  
...  

Abstract Rodent models show decreased neuronal responses to estradiol (E2) during aging (E2-desensitization) in association with reduced neuronal estrogen receptor (ER)-α, but little is known about age changes of E2-dependent astrocytic neurotrophic support. Because elevated expression of astrocyte glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is associated with impaired neurotrophic activity and because the GFAP promoter responds to ERα, we investigated the role of astrocytic ERα and ERβ in impaired astrocyte neurotrophic activity during aging. In vivo and in vitro, ERα was increased greater than 50% with age in astrocytes from the cerebral cortex of male rats (24 vs 3 months), whereas ERβ did not change. In astrocytes from 3-month-old males, experimentally increasing the ERα to ERβ ratio induced the aging phenotype of elevated GFAP and impaired E2-dependent neurite outgrowth. In 24-month-old male astrocytes, lowering ERα reversed the age elevation of GFAP and partially restored E2-dependent neurite outgrowth. Mixed glia (astrocytes to microglia, 3:1) of both sexes also showed these age changes. In a model of perimenopause, mixed glia from 9- to 15-month rats showed E2 desensitization: 9-month regular cyclers retained young-like ERα to ERβ ratios and neurotrophic activity, whereas 9-month noncyclers had elevated ERα and GFAP but low E2-dependent neurotrophic activity. In vivo, ERα levels in cortical astrocytes were also elevated. The persisting effects of ovarian acyclicity in vitro are hypothesized to arise from steroidal perturbations during ovarian senescence. These findings suggest that increased astrocyte ERα expression during aging contributes to the E2 desensitization of the neuronal responses in both sexes.


2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (1) ◽  
pp. E39-E46 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Pineda ◽  
D. Garcia-Galiano ◽  
M. A. Sanchez-Garrido ◽  
M. Romero ◽  
F. Ruiz-Pino ◽  
...  

RF-amide related peptides (RFRP), as putative mammalian orthologs of the avian gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), have been proposed as key regulators of gonadotropin secretion in higher vertebrates. Yet considerable debate has arisen recently on their physiological relevance and potential mechanisms and sites of action. Present studies were undertaken to further characterize the effects of RFRP on LH and FSH secretion by a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches in male and female rats. Initial screening via intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of different analogs of RFRP1 (RFRP1–12 and RFRP1–20) and RFRP3 (RFRP3–8 and RFRP3–17), as well as the related neuropeptide FF (NPFF8), to gonadectomized (GNX) female rats evidenced significant, albeit modest, inhibitory effects on LH secretion only for RFRP3–8 and RFRP3–17, which were detectable at the high dose rage (1 nmol for RFRP3–8, 5 nmol for RFRP3–17). This moderate inhibitory action was also documented after icv administration of RFRP3–8 to intact and GNX male rats. In addition, systemic (intravenous) administration of RFRP3–8 decreased the circulating levels of both gonadotropins in GNX male rats. Likewise, RFRP3–8 inhibited basal and GnRH-stimulated LH secretion by pituitaries from GNX males in vitro. This inhibitory effect was blocked by the antagonist of RFRP receptors, RF9. In summary, our results support a putative inhibitory role of RFRP3 as ortholog of GnIH in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion in mammals, which appears to involve direct pituitary actions as well as potential central (hypothalamic) effects.


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