Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by a spectrum of reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic disturbances. The etiology of PCOS encompasses a complex interplay of genetic, metabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative factors, though the precise pathological mechanisms remain inadequately understood. Despite considerable variability in the clinical characteristics and biochemical profiles among individuals with PCOS, abnormalities in follicular development are a hallmark of the condition. Granulosa cells, integral to follicular development, play a pivotal role in follicle maturation. Recent studies have established a strong correlation between granulosa cell programmed cell death and follicular atresia in PCOS. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current understanding of granulosa cell programmed cell death and its contribution to follicular atresia within the pathophysiology of PCOS, providing a foundation for future research endeavors. Key words Follicular atresia, Hyperandrogenism, Insulin resistance, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Programmed cell death of granulosa cells.
- MeSH
- apoptóza * MeSH
- folikulární atrézie * metabolismus MeSH
- folikulární buňky * metabolismus patologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- ovariální folikul metabolismus patologie MeSH
- syndrom polycystických ovarií * patologie metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
The aim of the present narrative review is to summarise the existing knowledge concerning physiological and reproductive effects of buckwheat, its mechanisms of action on various targets, as well as outlines the direction of the further studies of this functional food plant. Search for literature was performed in agreement with the PRISMA criteria in Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Web of Science, SCOPUS databases between the year 1995 and 2023. Words used to search were buckwheat, review, fertility, ovarian and mechanisms. The current review of the available literature demonstrates the high nutritional value of buckwheat, as well as high contents and number of regulatory molecules in this functional food plant. These molecules can, via multiple signalling pathways, affect a wide spectrum of physiological processes and illnesses, which suggests a therapeutic value of buckwheat substances. Furthermore, recent reports demonstrate ability of buckwheat extract to directly affect basic ovarian cell functions (proliferation, apoptosis, viability, steroidogenesis). On the other hand, understanding the character and applicability of buckwheat influence on female reproductive processes requires further studies. Keywords: Buckwheat, Nutrition, Health, Ovary, Signalling.
- MeSH
- Fagopyrum * MeSH
- fertilita fyziologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- ovarium metabolismus fyziologie MeSH
- rostlinné extrakty terapeutické užití farmakologie MeSH
- rozmnožování * fyziologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
The potential of microRNAs to protect the female reproductive system from the toxic influence of oil-related environmental contaminants has not yet been examined. The aim of the present study was to examine the ability of the microRNA miR-152 to prevent the toxic effects of toluene on ovarian cells. Porcine ovarian granulosa cells transfected or not transfected with miR-152 mimics were cultured with or without toluene (0, 10 and 100 ng/ml). The expression of miR-152; cell viability; proliferation (accumulation of PCNA, cyclin B1 and BrdU); cytoplasmic/mitochondrial apoptosis (accumulation of bax and caspase 3); and release of progesterone, testosterone and estradiol were quantified via RT-qPCR, the Trypan blue exclusion test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, the BrdU assay and ELISA. The addition of toluene reduced cell viability, decreased the levels of all the measured markers of proliferation and the release of all the measured steroid hormones, and promoted the expression of apoptosis markers. Transfection of cells with miR-152 mimics increased the expression of miR-152, cell proliferation, and progesterone release but reduced apoptosis and the release of testosterone and estradiol. Moreover, miR-152 prevented or inhibited all the toluene effects in addition to its inhibitory effect on testosterone and estradiol release. The present results demonstrate that miR-152 can protect ovarian cells from the harmful influence of toluene.
- MeSH
- apoptóza * účinky léků MeSH
- estradiol MeSH
- folikulární buňky * účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- kultivované buňky MeSH
- mikro RNA * metabolismus genetika MeSH
- prasata MeSH
- progesteron metabolismus MeSH
- proliferace buněk účinky léků MeSH
- toluen * toxicita MeSH
- viabilita buněk účinky léků MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
In preovulatory follicles, after the endogenous gonadotropin surge, the oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCCs) produce hyaluronan (HA) in a process called "cumulus expansion". During this process, the heavy chains (HCs) of the serum-derived inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (IαI) family bind covalently to synthesized HA and form a unique structure of the expanded cumulus HA-rich extracellular matrix. Understanding the biochemical mechanism of the covalent linkage between HA and the HCs of the IαI family is one of the most significant discoveries in reproductive biology, since it explains basis of the cumulus expansion process running in parallel with the oocyte maturation, both essential for ovulation. Two recent studies have supported the above-mentioned findings: in the first, seven components of the extracellular matrix were detected by proteomic, evolutionary, and experimental analyses, and in the second, the essential role of serum in the process of cumulus expansion in vitro was confirmed. We have previously demonstrated the formation of unique structure of the covalent linkage of HA to HCs of IαI in the expanded gonadotropin-stimulated OCC, as well as interactions with several proteins produced by the cumulus cells: tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein 6, pentraxin 3, and versican. Importantly, deletion of these genes in the mice produces female infertility due to defects in the oocyte-cumulus structure.
- MeSH
- alfa-globuliny metabolismus MeSH
- C-reaktivní protein metabolismus MeSH
- extracelulární matrix * metabolismus MeSH
- kumulární buňky * metabolismus MeSH
- kyselina hyaluronová * metabolismus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- myši MeSH
- oocyty * metabolismus MeSH
- ovariální folikul * metabolismus MeSH
- sérový amyloidový protein metabolismus genetika MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- myši MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
STUDY QUESTION: Which actively translated maternal transcripts are differentially regulated between clinically relevant in vitro and in vivo maturation (IVM) conditions in mouse oocytes and zygotes? SUMMARY ANSWER: Our findings uncovered significant differences in the global transcriptome as well as alterations in the translation of specific transcripts encoding components of energy production, cell cycle regulation, and protein synthesis in oocytes and RNA metabolism in zygotes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Properly regulated translation of stored maternal transcripts is a crucial factor for successful development of oocytes and early embryos, particularly due to the transcriptionally silent phase of meiosis. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This is a basic science study utilizing an ICR mouse model, best suited for studying in vivo maturation. In the treatment group, fully grown germinal vesicle oocytes from stimulated ovaries were in vitro matured to the metaphase II (MII) stage either as denuded without gonadotropins (IVM DO), or as cumulus-oocyte complexes (IVM COC) in the presence of 0.075 IU/ml recombinant FSH (rFSH) and 0.075 IU/ml recombinant hCG (rhCG). To account for changes in developmental competence, IVM COC from non-stimulated ovaries (IVM COC-) were included. In vivo matured MII oocytes (IVO) from stimulated ovaries were used as a control after ovulation triggering with rhCG. To simulate standard IVM conditions, we supplemented media with amino acids, vitamins, and bovine serum albumin. Accordingly, in vitro pronuclear zygotes (IMZ) were generated by IVF from IVM DO, and were compared to in vivo pronuclear zygotes (IVZ). All experiments were performed in quadruplicates with samples collected for both polyribosome fractionation and total transcriptome analysis. Samples were collected over three consecutive months. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: All ICR mice were bred under legal permission for animal experimentation (no. MZE-24154/2021-18134) obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. Actively translated (polyribosome occupied) maternal transcripts were detected in in vitro and in vivo matured mouse oocytes and zygotes by density gradient ultracentrifugation, followed by RNA isolation and high-throughput RNA sequencing. Bioinformatic analysis was performed and subsequent data validation was done by western blotting, radioactive isotope, and mitotracker dye labelling. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Gene expression analysis of acquired polysome-derived high-throughput RNA sequencing data revealed significant changes (RPKM ≥ 0.2; P ≤ 0.005) in translation between in vitro and in vivo matured oocytes and respectively produced pronuclear zygotes. Surprisingly, the comparison between IVM DO and IVM COC RNA-seq data of both fractionated and total transcriptome showed very few transcripts with more than a 2-fold difference. Data validation by radioactive isotope labelling revealed a decrease in global translation bof20% in IVM DO and COC samples in comparison to IVO samples. Moreover, IVM conditions compromised oocyte energy metabolism, which was demonstrated by both changes in polysome recruitment of each of 13 mt-protein-coding transcripts as well as by validation using mitotracker red staining. LARGE SCALE DATA: The data discussed in this publication have been deposited in NCBI's Gene Expression Omnibus and are accessible through GEO Series accession number GSE241633 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE241633). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: It is extremely complicated to achieve in vivo consistency in animal model systems such as porcine or bovine. To achieve a high reproducibility of in vivo stimulations, the ICR mouse model was selected. However, careful interpretation of our findings with regard to assisted reproductive techniques has to be made by taking into consideration intra-species differences between the mouse model and humans. Also, the sole effect of the cumulus cells' contribution could not be adequately addressed by comparing IVM COC and IVM DO, because the IVM DO were matured without gonadotropin supplementation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our findings confirmed the inferiority of standard IVM technology compared with the in vivo approach. It also pointed at compromised biological processes employed in the critical translational regulation of in vitro matured MII oocytes and pronuclear zygotes. By highlighting the importance of proper translational regulation during in vitro oocyte maturation, this study should prompt further clinical investigations in the context of translation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was supported by the Czech Grant Agency (22-27301S), Charles University Grant Agency (372621), Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (EXCELLENCE CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15_003/0000460 OP RDE), and Institutional Research Concept RVO67985904. No competing interest is declared.
- MeSH
- choriogonadotropin farmakologie MeSH
- embryonální vývoj * fyziologie MeSH
- IVM techniky * MeSH
- kumulární buňky * metabolismus MeSH
- myši inbrední ICR * MeSH
- myši MeSH
- oocyty * metabolismus MeSH
- proteosyntéza MeSH
- transkriptom MeSH
- vývojová regulace genové exprese MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- zygota metabolismus MeSH
- Check Tag
- myši MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
OBJECTIVES: Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI is not available in all imaging centres to investigate adnexal masses. We proposed modified magnetic resonance (MR) scoring system based on an assessment of the enhancement of the solid tissue on early phase postcontrast series and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map and investigated the validity of this protocols in the current study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional retrospective study, pelvic MRI of a total of 245 patients with 340 adnexal masses were studied based on the proposed modified scoring system and ADNEX MR scoring system. RESULTS: Modified scoring system with the sensitivity of 87.3% and specificity of 94.6% has an accuracy of 92.1%. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ADNEX MR scoring system is 96.6%, 91%, and 92.9%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the modified scoring system and ADNEX MR scoring system is 0.909 (with 0.870-0.938 95% confidence interval [CI]) and 0.938 (with 0.907-0.961 95% CI), respectively. Pairwise comparison of these area under the curves showed no significant difference (P = .053). CONCLUSIONS: Modified scoring system is less sensitive than the ADNEX MR scoring system and more specific but the accuracy is not significantly different. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: According to our study, MR scoring system based on subjective assessment of the enhancement of the solid tissue on early phase postcontrast series and DWI with ADC map could be applicable in imaging centres that DCE is not available.
Insect vitellogenins are an intriguing class of complex proteins. They primarily serve as a source of energy for the developing embryo in insect eggs. Vitellogenesis is a complex hormonally and neurally controlled process that command synthesis of vitellogenin molecules and ensures their transport from the female fat bodies or ovarial cells into eggs. The representatives of all insect hormones such as juvenile hormones, ecdysteroids, and neurohormones participate in vitellogenesis, but juvenile hormones (most insect species) and ecdysteroids (mostly Diptera) play the most important roles in the process. Strikingly, not only insect females, but also males have been reported to synthesize vitellogenins indicating their further utility in the insect body. Indeed, it has recently been found that vitellogenins perform a variety of biological functions in the insect body. They participate in defense reactions against entomopathogens such as nematodes, fungi, and bacteria, as well as against venoms such as the honeybee Apis mellifera venom. Interestingly, vitellogenins are also present in the venom of the honeybee itself, albeit their exact role is unknown; they most likely increase the efficacy of the venom in the victim's body. Within the bee's body vitellogenins contribute to the lifespan regulation as anti-aging factor acting under tight social interactions and hormonal control. The current minireview covers all of these functions of vitellogenins and portrays them as biologically active substances that play a variety of significant roles in both insect females and males, and not only acting as passive energy sources for developing embryo.
- MeSH
- ekdysteroidy * metabolismus MeSH
- hmyz metabolismus MeSH
- juvenilní hormony metabolismus MeSH
- ovarium metabolismus MeSH
- vitelogeniny * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Ovarian follicles of sterlets (Acipenser ruthenus) are composed of a single oocyte surrounded by follicular cells (FCs), basal lamina, and thecal cells. Previtellogenic oocytes are polarized. Homogeneous ooplasm (contains ribosomes) and granular ooplasm (comprises nuage aggregations of nuclear origin, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), Golgi complexes, ribosomes, and mitochondria) are distinguished. Granular ooplasm is initially located near the nucleus, contacts the plasma membrane of the oocyte (oolemma) and forms a thin layer underneath its entire perimeter. Next, a ring that surrounds the nucleus is formed and sends strands directed toward the oolemma. The lipid body composed of lipid droplets forms adjacent to this ring. Later, the granular ooplasm and strands enlarge toward the oolemma, lipid body disperses, and homogeneous ooplasm is no longer present. A thin cortical ooplasm is formed underneath the oolemma and does not contain any organelles. The oocyte nucleus moves to the center. The nucleoplasm contains lampbrush chromosomes, nuclear bodies, and multiple nucleoli. Early vitellogenic oocytes are polarized, too. Three regions in the ooplasm are distinguished: the perinuclear (contains lipid droplets near the nuclear envelope), the endoplasm (contains yolk platelets and lipid droplets), and the periplasm (contains yolk spheres, pigment granules, and microtubules). In all these regions the RER, Golgi complexes, nuage, and mitochondria are present. Micropinocytotic vesicles, Golgi vesicles and precursors of the internal layer of the egg envelope are in the cortical ooplasm. Some FCs delaminate from the follicular epithelium, degenerate and vesicles are released into the perioocytic space. They may contain precursors of egg envelope and may be involved in "cell-cell" communication. The egg envelope (zona radiata, zona pellucida) is made up of three layers: the vitelline envelope (inner layer), the middle layer, and the outer layer. In its deposition, both the oocyte and FCs are engaged.
- MeSH
- cytoplazma MeSH
- oocyty * MeSH
- ovariální folikul * ultrastruktura MeSH
- ryby MeSH
- vitelogeneze MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- MeSH
- endometrióza etiologie MeSH
- hormon uvolňující gonadotropiny MeSH
- infertilita etiologie MeSH
- kisspeptiny * metabolismus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- ovarium fyziologie MeSH
- primární ovariální insuficience MeSH
- receptory kisspeptinu-1 MeSH
- rozmnožování fyziologie MeSH
- syndrom polycystických ovarií etiologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- přehledy MeSH
- MeSH
- androgeny metabolismus MeSH
- estrogeny metabolismus MeSH
- folikulární buňky MeSH
- folikuly stimulující hormon MeSH
- hormon uvolňující gonadotropiny MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- luteinizační hormon MeSH
- ovarium fyziologie MeSH
- pohlavní steroidní hormony * MeSH
- progestiny metabolismus MeSH
- thekální buňky MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- přehledy MeSH
