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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Female Fertility in Beef Cattle
Female fertility is the foundation of the cow–calf industry, impacting both efficiency and profitability.
169
06 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Uterine Natural Killer Cells
Reproductive immunology is at the forefront of research interests, aiming to better understand the mechanisms of immune regulation during gestation. The relationship between the immune system and the implanting embryo is profound because the embryo is semi-allogenic but not targeted by the maternal immune system, as expected in graft-versus-host reactions. The most prominent cell population at the maternal–fetal interface is the population of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells. Uterine NK cells are two-faced immunologically active cells, bearing comparison with Janus, the ancient Roman god of beginnings and endings.
163
30 Oct 2023
Topic Review
CatSper in Mammalian Sperm
After sperm enter the female reproductive tract, the physicochemical and biochemical microenvironment undergoes significant changes. In particular, the large changes in various ions encountered by sperm may alter the physiology of sperm, ultimately compromising capacitation and fertilization. Thus, the rapid response to environmental variations is vital for sperm functions. For example, Calcium, the most crucial ion for sperm functions, enters into sperm via Ca2+ permeable ion channels. The cation channel of sperm (CatSper) is a sperm-specific, pH-sensitive, and Ca2+-permeable ion channel. It is responsible for the predominant Ca2+ entry in mammalian sperm and is involved in nearly every event of sperm to acquire fertilizing capability. In addition, CatSper also serves as a pivotal polymodal chemosensor in mammalian sperm by responding to multiple chemical cues. Physiological chemicals (such as progesterone, prostaglandins, β-defensins, and odorants) provoke Ca2+ entry into sperm by activating CatSper and thus triggering sperm functions.
113
01 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Fatty Acid-Binding Orotein-4 on Pregnancy Health
Fatty acid-binding protein-4 (FABP4), commonly known as adipocyte-fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP), is a pleiotropic adipokine that broadly affects immunity and metabolism. Throughout pregnancy, FABP4 affects maternal–fetal interface homeostasis by affecting both glycolipid metabolism and immune tolerance, leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, gestational obesity, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. Moreover, maternal FABP4 levels exhibit a substantial linkage with the metabolic health of offspring.
126
24 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Oxidative Stress and Medicinal Plants for Leydig Cells
Leydig cells are essential for steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. An imbalance in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the cellular antioxidant level brings about oxidative stress. Oxidative stress (OS) results in the dysfunction of Leydig cells, thereby impairing steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis, and ultimately, male infertility. To prevent Leydig cells from oxidative insults, there needs to be a balance between the ROS production and the cellular protective capacity of antioxidants. Evidence indicates that medicinal plants could improve Leydig cell function at specific concentrations under basal or OS conditions. The increased usage of medicinal plants has been considered a possible alternative treatment for male infertility.
195
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Chromium Picolinate on Testicular Steroidogenesis and Antioxidant Balance
Reduced testosterone (T) levels significantly contribute to male infertility, as this hormone plays a vital role in various functions throughout the male reproductive system. T is produced in the Leydig cells (LC) via testicular steroidogenesis. Dysfunctional LC can impair steroid synthesis and therefore fertility. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are noteworthy factors influencing steroidogenesis by interfering with hormonal signaling. The heavy metal chromium is classified as an EDC, existing as hexavalent (Cr(VI)) and trivalent chromium (Cr(III)). Despite the debate surrounding Cr(III), chromium picolinate (CrPic3), is used as a nutritional supplement due to its antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Detrimental effects of CrPic3 on LC encompass enzyme inhibition in steroidogenesis and, while in other cell types, it was found to induce of mutagenesis and apoptosis. Notably, CrPic3 influences male fertility through modifications in reactive oxygen species, T levels, and sperm parameters (e.g., sperm motility and abnormal sperm count). Nonetheless, major gaps and inconsistencies exist in literature concerning its effects on male fertility. Thus, more research is essential to comprehend the mechanisms in which CrPic3 is involved that may be relevant to male fertility, ensuring the safety of this supplement for man.
112
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
The Duration of Menstrual Blood Loss
The duration of bleeding is not necessarily linked to the amount of loss but may be influenced by age, ethnicity, habitus, region and altitude of residence, dieting and stress. The onset of bleeding has been linked to declining steroid production by the corpus luteum. There remains considerable controversy around the extent of endometrial shedding at menstruation. This is likely to vary within and between women. The significance of a change from previous patterns, very short or prolonged bleeding, days of light loss or spotting before or after days of bleeding, or of bleed-free days that punctuate flow, remain poorly understood.
150
02 Aug 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
Chlorogenic Acid on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a powerful antioxidant polyphenol molecule found in many diets and liquid beverages, playing a preventive and therapeutic role in various diseases caused by oxidative stress and inflammation. Recent research has found that CGA can not only improve clinical symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients but also improve follicular development, hormone status, and oxidative stress in PCOS rats, indicating the therapeutic effect of CGA on PCOS.
274
12 Jul 2023
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
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