Topic Review
Sperm Proteins IZUMO1 and TMEM95 in Mammalian Fertilization
Gamete membrane fusion is a critical cellular event in sexual reproduction. In addition, the generation of knockout models has provided a powerful tool for testing the functional relevance of proteins thought to be involved in mammalian fertilization, suggesting IZUMO1 and TMEM95 (transmembrane protein 95) as essential proteins.
  • 405
  • 13 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a technique for generating embryos with genomic information identical to that of donor cells. SCNT has presented various insights into the process of de-differentiation by cellular reprogramming.  Now authors are focusing on the challenge of understanding the potential of pluripotent stem cells and the safe use. Moreover, stem cells from livestock have provided many potential to the academic field as well as medical and industrial applications.
  • 1.6K
  • 12 May 2021
Topic Review
Small Non-Coding RNAs in Extracellular Vesicles of Semen
Reproductive dysfunction and urogenital malignancies represent a serious health concern in men. This is in part as a result of the absence of reliable non-invasive tests of diagnosis/prognosis. Optimizing diagnosis and predicting the patient’s prognosis will affect the choice of the most appropriate treatment and therefore increase the chances of success and the result of therapy, that is, it will lead to a more personalized treatment of the patient. 
  • 277
  • 19 Jun 2023
Topic Review
SLO3
Sperm cells must undergo a complex maturation process after ejaculation to be able to fertilize an egg. One component of this maturation is hyperpolarization of the membrane potential to a more negative value. The ion channel responsible for this hyperpolarization, SLO3, was first cloned in 1998, and since then much progress has been made to determine how the channel is regulated and how its function intertwines with various signaling pathways involved in sperm maturation. 
  • 243
  • 17 Jul 2023
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Testis
Many studies have suggested that SARS-CoV-2, directly or indirectly, can affect the male reproductive system, although the underlined mechanisms have not been completely elucidated yet. The main data regarding the morphological alterations in the testes emerged from autoptic studies that revealed interstitial congestion, micro thrombosis, reduction of Sertoli, Leydig, and germinal cells, infiltrated immune cells, and atrophic seminiferous tubules consistent with orchitis. Furthermore, men with severe infection exhibit sperm parameter alterations, together with abnormalities of the hypothalamic–pituitary–testis axis, strongly suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 could increase the risk of male infertility.
  • 452
  • 09 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Roles of Interferons in Human Endometrial Function
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease that develops in reproductive-aged women who experience pelvic pain and infertility. Even though endometriosis is not a new disease, its molecular etiology has not been clearly elucidated. Defects in the immune system might be one of the factors that promote endometriosis progression. For example, elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines are associated with endometriosis. Interferon is one of the cytokines that is elevated in endometriotic tissues compared with normal endometrium. 
  • 603
  • 18 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Reproductive Technologies Used in Male Neo-Tropical Hystricomorphic Rodents
To improve efficient reproduction, reproductive technologies are commonly used in domesticated animals; therefore, it is wise to explore the feasibility of their application on Neo-tropical rodents, an alternative meat source with the potential to aid in conservation and wildlife farming. However, there must first be a proper understanding of their reproductive anatomy, before reproductive technologies can be utilized. The penis of the agouti and the paca (Cuniculus paca), for example, were found to be covered in penile spines with two keratinized spines and two lateral penile cartilages on either side of the glans penis, unlike the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Different methods can be used to collect semen from these animals and, based on the performed review, it has been shown that coconut water powder (ACP-123) is a good diluent for both the agouti and the paca, giving higher spermatozoa parameters compared with those obtained via electro ejaculation. 
  • 1.1K
  • 17 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Relevance of Aquaporins for Gamete Function and Cryopreservation
Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of transmembrane channels that allow the transport of water and small solutes across cell membranes. Different members of this family have been identified in gametes. In sperm, they are relevant to osmoadaptation after entering the female reproductive tract, which is crucial for sperm motility activation and capacitation and, thus, for their fertilizing ability. In addition, they are relevant during the cryopreservation process, since some members of this family are also permeable to glycerol, one of the most frequently used cryoprotective agents in livestock. Regarding oocytes, AQPs are very important in their maturation but also during cryopreservation. 
  • 404
  • 29 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Protective Agents for Male Fertility
The male reproductive system is highly susceptible to noxious influences, that can induce germ cell damage, alterations in spermatogenesis and male fertility. For this reason, it is of major importance to investigate possible ways to protect the male reproductive system. For centuries, natural products have been used by humans in folk medicine as therapeutic agents, and because of their beneficial properties for human health, plenty of them have been introduced to the pharmaceutical market as supplementary therapies.
  • 440
  • 08 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Protect Mammalian Sperm from the Spontaneous Acrosome Reaction
To acquire the capacity to fertilize the oocyte, mammalian spermatozoa must undergo a series of biochemical reactions in the female reproductive tract, which are collectively called capacitation. The capacitated spermatozoa subsequently interact with the oocyte zona-pellucida and undergo the acrosome reaction, which enables the penetration of the oocyte and subsequent fertilization. However, the spontaneous acrosome reaction (sAR) can occur prematurely in the sperm before reaching the oocyte cumulus oophorus, thereby jeopardizing fertilization. One of the main processes in capacitation involves actin polymerization, and the resulting F-actin is subsequently dispersed prior to the acrosome reaction. Several biochemical reactions that occur during sperm capacitation, including actin polymerization, protect sperm from sAR.
  • 241
  • 06 Dec 2023
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