Search results for "Follicle"

An Insight in the Reproductive Biology of Therophilus javanus (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, and Agathidinae), a Potential Biological Control Agent agains…

2017

Therophilus javanus is a koinobiont, solitary larval endoparasitoid currently being considered as a biological control agent against the pod borer Maruca vitrata, a devastating cowpea pest causing 20–80% crop losses in West Africa. We investigated ovary morphology and anatomy, oogenesis, potential fecundity, and egg load in T. javanus, as well as the effect of factors such as age of the female and parasitoid/host size at oviposition on egg load. The number of ovarioles was found to be variable and significantly influenced by the age/size of the M. vitrata caterpillar when parasitized. Egg load also was strongly influenced by both the instar of M. vitrata caterpillar at the moment of parasit…

The carriers of the A/G-G/G allelic combination of the c.2039 A>G and c.-29 G>A FSH receptor polymorphisms retrieve the highest number of oocytes in …

2016

The objective of this study was the elucidation of the possible role of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at position -29 and 2039 of the FSH receptor gene (FSHR) as independent predictive markers of ovarian response. Indeed, the tailoring of reproductive treatments is crucial for both maximizing the success of IVF patients and obtaining a reduction in hypo- or hyper-response rates. This prospective, observational study analyzed the association of -29 and 2039 FSHR polymorphisms with the number of retrieved oocytes in 140 patients attending an IVF/ICSI cycle for severe male factors (≤5,000,000 spermatozoa/mL) or tubal factors at the ANDROS Day Surgery Clinic, Palermo, Italy. The res…

Apolipoprotein B is regulated by gonadotropins and constitutes a predictive biomarker of IVF outcomes

2016

Background Follicular fluid (FF) is an important micro-environment influencing oocyte growth, its development competence, and embryo viability. The FF content analysis allows to identify new relevant biomarkers, which could be predictive of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Inside ovarian follicle, the amount of FF components from granulosa cells (GC) secretion, could be regulated by gonadotropins, which play a major role in follicle development. Methods This prospective study included 61 female undergoing IVF or Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedure. Apolipoprotein B (APOB) concentrations in follicular fluid and APOB gene and protein expression in granulosa cells from rep…

Gene Expression and Apoptosis Levels in Cumulus Cells of Patients with Polymorphisms of FSHR and LHB Undergoing in Vitro Fertilization Program

2017

Background/Aims: FSH receptor (FSHR) Ala307Thr and Asn680Ser and LHβ chain (LHB) Trp28Arg and Ile35Thr polymorphisms affect the response to pharmacological ovarian stimulation with r-FSH in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART). Here, we evaluated the expression level of selected genes involved in follicle maturation and the possible onset of apoptosis in cumulus cells of patients with single and double FSHR and LHB polymorphisms, as potential markers of oocyte competence. Methods: Cumulus cells from 36 stimulated patients were collected and SNP genotyping performed by PCR. Gene expression was evaluated through real-time PCR, and apoptosis estimated via TUNEL assay, and cle…

In the ovary of Ciona intestinalis (Type A), immune-related galectin and phenoloxidase genes are differentially expressed by the follicle accessory c…

2017

Abstract Riboprobes (in situ hybridization) and antibodies (immunohistochemistry), previously used to show the upregulation of Ciona intestinalis (Type A) galectins (CiLgals-a, CiLgals-b) and phenoloxidase (CinPO2) immune-related genes, were tested on histological sections of the ovary. The ovarian follicles are composed of oocytes encased by follicular cells (FCs) and test cells (TCs). Results show the transcription upregulation of both CiLgals and CinPO2 genes in the vitellogenic FCs, conversely distinct cytolocalization of the proteins are shown. At vitellogenic stage, the CiLgals are localized in the FCs, in the oocyte cytoplasm, and close to the germinal vesicle (GV), whereas the CinPO…

The cyto-protective effects of LH on ovarian reserve and female fertility during exposure to gonadotoxic alkylating agents in an adult mouse model.

2021

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Does LH protect mouse oocytes and female fertility from alkylating chemotherapy? SUMMARY ANSWER LH treatment before and during chemotherapy prevents detrimental effects on follicles and reproductive lifespan. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Chemotherapies can damage the ovary, resulting in premature ovarian failure and reduced fertility in cancer survivors. LH was recently suggested to protect prepubertal mouse follicles from chemotoxic effects of cisplatin treatment. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This experimental study investigated LH effects on primordial follicles exposed to chemotherapy. Seven-week-old CD-1 female mice were randomly allocated to four experimental groups: C…

Better together than alone: the cumulus benefits.

2018

Autologous stem cell ovarian transplantation to increase reproductive potential in patients who are poor responders.

2018

Objective: To evaluate effects of autologous stem cell ovarian transplant (ASCOT) on ovarian reserve and IVF outcomes of women who arc poor responders with very poor prognosis. Design: Prospective observational pilot study. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Seventeen women who are poor responders. Intervention(s): Ovarian infusion of bone marrow-derived stem cells. Main Outcome Measure(s): Serum antimullerian hormone levels and antral follicular count (AFC), punctured follicles, and oocytes retrieved after stimulation (controlled ovarian stimulation) were measred. Apheresis was analyzed for growth factor concentrations. Result(s): The ASCOT resulted in a significant improvement in A…

Design and protocol of Estrogenic Regulation of Muscle Apoptosis (ERMA) study with 47 to 55-year-old women's cohort : novel results show menopause-re…

2018

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Migration of Melanoblasts into the Developing Murine Hair Follicle Is Accompanied by Transient c-Kit Expression

2002

Disruption of the c-Kit/stem cell factor (SCF) signaling pathway interferes with the survival, migration, and differentiation of melanocytes during generation of the hair follicle pigmentary unit. We examined c-Kit, SCF, and S100 (a marker for precursor melanocytic cells) expression, as well as melanoblast/melanocyte ultrastructure, in perinatal C57BL/6 mouse skin. Before the onset of hair bulb melanogenesis (i.e., stages 0–4 of hair follicle morphogenesis), strong c-Kit immunoreactivity (IR) was seen in selected non-mela-nogenic cells in the developing hair placode and hair plug. Many of these cells were S100-IR and were ultrastructurally identified as melanoblasts with migratory appearanc…