An ultrastructural study of the ovarian follicles and their associated oviducts of the cestode Gyrocotyle urna Grube et Wagener, 1852, a parasite from the spiral valve of the rabbit fish, Chimaera monstrosa L., was undertaken. Each follicle gives rise to follicular oviduct, which opens into one of the five collecting ducts, through which pass mature oocytes. These collecting ducts open into an ovarian receptacle which, in turn, opens via a muscular sphincter (the oocapt) to the main oviduct. The maturation of oocytes surrounded by the syncytial interstitial cells within the ovarian follicles of G. urna follows a pattern similar to that in Eucestoda. The ooplasm of mature oocytes contain lipid droplets (2.0 x 1.8 microm) and cortical granules (0.26 x 0.19 microm). The cytoplasm of primary and secondary oocytes contains centrioles, indicating the presence of the so-called "centriole cycle" during oocyte divisions. A morphological variation between different oviducts was observed. The luminal surface of the follicular and the collecting oviducts is smooth. The zones of the septate junctions are present within the distal portion of the net-like epithelial wall of the collecting ducts close to the ovarian receptacle. The syncytial epithelial lining of the ovarian receptacle, oocapt and main oviduct is covered with lamellae and cilia. Cortical granules secreted from mature oocytes occur freely within the lumen of the main oviduct that functions as a fertilisation canal. A division of the ovary into separated parts with their own collecting ducts as that typical of Gyrocotyle has been observed in neodermates, basal monogenean family Chimaericolidae, and Neoophora (some Proseriata and Fecampiidae). Ultrastructural data thus reveal several unique morphological characteristics of gyrocotylideans, the most basal taxon of tapeworms (Cestoda).

• MeSH
• Cestoda ultrastruktura   MeSH
• oocyty ultrastruktura   MeSH
• ovariální folikul ultrastruktura   MeSH
• ryby parazitologie   MeSH
• vejcovody u zvířat ultrastruktura   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP-15), an oocyte-derived growth factor, has been shown to play integral roles in regulation of ovarian follicular function in mammals. Despite the recognition of the physiological importance of the BMP system in regulation of gonadotropin action in the ovary, molecular mechanisms of BMP-15 effect on oocyte and somatic follicular cell functions remain poorly understood. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of BMP-15 on the FSH/LH-stimulated synthesis of hyaluronan (HA) by oocyte cumulus complexes (OCC) and progesterone by OCC and granulosa cells (GC) in the presence or absence of serum using primary porcine cultures. In addition, the effect of BMP-15 on oocyte maturation- and steroidogenesis-related transcripts after 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours of cultivation was evaluated using real-time RT-PCR. We demonstrated that the FSH/LH-induced cumulus expansion was accompanied by a significant increase in CD44, PTGS2, CYP11A1 (at 4 h) and AREG, HAS2, TNFAIP6, STAR (at 8 h) mRNAs. While FSH/LH-stimulated total HA synthesis by OCC was not affected by BMP-15 in serum-supplemented medium, its retention within the complex was significantly increased after the action of BMP-15 in comparison to FSH/LH alone (P < 0.001; 65% versus 35%, respectively). Moreover, we detected a significant increase in the expression of AREG and TNFAIP6 (both at 16 h), and CYP11A1 (at 24 h) in FSH/LH-stimulated OCC due to the action of BMP-15 compared to complexes cultured only with FSH/LH. In the presence of serum, BMP-15 markedly increased FSH/LH-stimulated progesterone secretion by OCC (about 69%) and induced a significant decrease in FSH/LH-induced progesterone release by GC (about 35%) compared to FSH/LH alone. The present results indicate that the addition of BMP-15 to the gonadotropin-stimulated OCC cultured in serum-supplemented medium might improve oocyte-cumulus maturation.

• MeSH
• gonadotropiny farmakologie   MeSH
• kostní morfogenetický protein 15 farmakologie   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• kyselina hyaluronová biosyntéza   MeSH
• ovariální folikul účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• prasata MeSH
• progesteron biosyntéza   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• gonadotropiny MeSH
• kostní morfogenetický protein 15 MeSH
• kyselina hyaluronová MeSH
• progesteron MeSH

Recently it has been shown that vitamin D(3) acting via its cognate receptor (VDR) regulates the growth, differentiation and function of female reproductive tissues including ovary. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of testosterone (T) and its antagonist 2-hydroxyflutamide (HF) on VDR protein expression and function in porcine ovarian follicles. Medium size antral follicles expressing great amount of androgen receptors and represent high steroidogenic activity were used in this research. After 6 h incubation of whole follicles with T, HF or T+HF, immunohistochemical analysis of VDR revealed its nuclear localization in granulosa and theca interna cells in control and experimental groups. The expression of VDR protein was shown as a band of 48 kDa. There were no significant differences between either experimental group and the control. T influenced the function of VDR through decreased formation of VDR/RXR (retinoid X receptor) complexes (P<0.05) in both granulosa and theca interna cells, but HF abolished this effect only in granulosa cells (P<0.05). These results suggest that androgens regulate the response of follicular cells to vitamin D3 in pigs ovary via regulation of VDR transcriptional activity.

• MeSH
• flutamid analogy a deriváty   MeSH
• ovariální folikul metabolismus   MeSH
• prasata MeSH
• receptory kalcitriolu metabolismus   MeSH
• techniky in vitro MeSH
• testosteron fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• flutamid MeSH
• hydroxyflutamide MeSH Prohlížeč
• receptory kalcitriolu MeSH
• testosteron MeSH

Follicle atresia in the ovary of fowl is apparent as early as the first day of post-incubation development, and affects the primary oocytes. During follicle growth and ripening its intensity increases in such a way that in the laying period up to 20% of follicles are affected. In the course of atresia of primary follicles cells undergo lysis after primary necrotic changes and the surrounding connective tissue overgrows them so that they are obliterated. The growing smaller follicles are mainly affected by obliterative atresia, only sometimes a cyst is temporarily formed. The larger and large follicles are subjected either to obliterative or cystic atresia, either without luteinisation or with luteinisation of cells of membrana granulosa, theca interna or with luteinisation of both membranes. With the follicles up to 500 to 600 microns prevail obliterative forms, with larger follicles cystic forms.

• MeSH
• kur domácí růst a vývoj   MeSH
• ovariální folikul cytologie   MeSH
• ovarium cytologie   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• anglický abstrakt MeSH
• časopisecké články MeSH

The aim of the study was to define interrelationships between histopathological alterations in ovarian antral follicles and body condition in dairy cows with a tendency to emaciation (BCS 1 and 2) compared with dairy cows with normal body condition (BCS 3). The ovaries were recovered from slaughtered cyclic dairy cows (at the luteal phase of the cycle) of Czech Fleckvieh and Holstein breeds at different times of the post-partum period. The animals were estimated as belonging to certain grade of body condition score (BCS) according to a 5-point scale. Only dairy cows with BCS1 (emaciation; n=6), BCS2 (tendency to emaciation; n=5) and BCS3 (optimal body condition status; n=6) were available for the experiment. The ovarian samples were embedded into Technovit 7100 resin; the tissue sections were stained with buffered basic fuchsine with toluidine blue. For acidic mucopolysaccharides (aMPS) a combination of PAS-technique with Alcian blue was used. Histological analysis showed that emaciation was associated with an increased occurrence of late (cystic) and luteinization-related atresia in granulosa and theca cells and increased levels of aMPS in small atretic follicles. Our observations indicate that dairy cows with a tendency to emaciation (BCS 2) or emaciated (BCS 1) have elevated occurrence of late atresia and atresia with luteinization, while initial atresia is less. This expands our basic knowledge of ovarian histopathology providing new insight into the association of antral follicle atresia and body condition status in dairy cows.

• MeSH
• folikulární atrézie * MeSH
• ovariální folikul patologie   MeSH
• skot MeSH
• vyhublost patologie   veterinární   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• skot MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Premature ovarian failure (POF, POI - premature ovarian insufficiency) is a serious situation for a woman with reproductive plans that more or less precludes having her own bio-logical child. In addition to the lack of functional oocytes in the ovaries, it is also a premature lack of sex hormones, which has an overall negative effect on health. The article guides us through care both in the clinic of the gynecologist and through treatment in the center of reproductive medicine. The dia-gnosis and treatment of POF illustrates some endocrinological principles and connections.

• Klíčová slova
• hormone replacement therapy, infertility, premature ovarian failure,
• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• oocyty MeSH
• ovariální folikul MeSH
• primární ovariální insuficience * komplikace   terapie   MeSH
• ženská infertilita * etiologie   terapie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Granulosa cells (GCs) are somatic cells essential for establishing and maintaining bi-directional communication with the oocytes. This connection has a profound importance for the delivery of energy substrates, structural components and ions to the maturing oocyte through gap junctions. Cumulus cells, group of closely associated GCs, surround the oocyte and can diminished the effect of harmful environmental insults. Both GCs and oocytes prefer different energy substrates in their cellular metabolism: GCs are more glycolytic, whereas oocytes rely more on oxidative phosphorylation pathway. The interconnection of these cells is emphasized by the fact that GCs supply oocytes with intermediates produced in glycolysis. The number of GCs surrounding the oocyte and their age affect the energy status of oocytes. This review summarises available studies collaboration of cellular types in the ovarian follicle from the point of view of energy metabolism, signaling and protection of toxic insults. A deeper knowledge of the underlying mechanisms is crucial for better methods to prevent and treat infertility and to improve the technology of in vitro fertilization.

• MeSH
• antioxidancia metabolismus   MeSH
• energetický metabolismus MeSH
• folikulární buňky účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metabolismus lipidů MeSH
• metabolismus sacharidů MeSH
• nebezpečné látky toxicita   MeSH
• oocyty růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• reaktivní formy kyslíku metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antioxidancia MeSH
• nebezpečné látky MeSH
• reaktivní formy kyslíku MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the posibilities of diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve. DESIGN: Survey of contemporary knowledge. SETTINGS: PPCHC, Sanus Jihlava; PPCHC, Sanus Hradec Králové; Reprogenesis, Brno. METHODS: Review of literature. CONCLUSION: Voluntary or involuntary motherhood postmonement to the third decade of woman's life needs presice evaluation of the ovarian reserve before the infertility treatment. Contemporary there are: 1 hormonal tests (basal and dynamic), 2 ultrasonographic markers of ovarian reserve. The most perspective markers of ovarian reserve seems AMH a AFC.

• Klíčová slova
• AFC, AMH, CCCT, EFORT, FSH, GAST, estradiol, inhibin B, ovarian reserve, ovarian volume ovarian blood flow., reproductive aging,
• MeSH
• antimülleriánský hormon krev   MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• folikuly stimulující hormon krev   MeSH
• inhibiny krev   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ovariální folikul diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• ovariální rezerva * MeSH
• ultrasonografie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antimülleriánský hormon MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• folikuly stimulující hormon MeSH
• inhibin B MeSH Prohlížeč
• inhibiny MeSH

Calcium intracellular signaling regulates many intracellular events including oocyte maturation. This signaling is strongly dependent on the influx of calcium ions from extracellular spaces and on the state of intracellular calcium stores. In this study, intracellular calcium deposits were detected in follicle-enclosed pig oocytes using the combined oxalate-pyroantimonate method. These deposits were observed in the nucleus, the mitochondria, the cytoplasm, and on the surface of lipid droplets. The amount of calcium deposits was expressed as a percentage of the area of the respective cellular compartment, which is covered with calcium deposits on ultrathin sections. The distribution of calcium deposits in oocytes changed during folliculogenesis. The amount of calcium deposits in nuclei (1.11% of the area of oocyte nuclei) and cytoplasm (1.02%) in oocytes from secondary and early antral follicles (0.90% nuclei; 0.99% cytoplasm) is significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the amount of calcium deposits in these compartments in oocytes from primary follicles (2.51% nuclei; 2.34% cytoplasm) or antral follicles with growing oocyte (2.91% nuclei; 2.21% cytoplasm). The amount of calcium deposits in mitochondria of oocytes from primary follicles (1.27%) or antral follicles with growing oocyte (1.14%) is significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in the nucleus (2.51% in oocytes from primary follicles; 2.91% in growing oocytes from antral follicles) or cytoplasm (2.34% in oocytes from primary follicles; 2.21% in growing oocytes from antral follicles). The amount of calcium deposits in the cytoplasm of fully-grown oocytes (1.46%) dropped to levels significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those observed in the oocyte nucleus (2.29%). On the basis of these data, we can conclude that the population of follicles on pig ovaries differs in the distribution and concentration of calcium deposits in oocytes, and these changes may be involved in the regulation of the meiotic competence of oocytes.

• MeSH
• buněčné jádro chemie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• cytoplazma chemie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• lipidy chemie   MeSH
• oocyty chemie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• ovariální folikul chemie   cytologie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• prasata MeSH
• vápník analýza   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• lipidy MeSH
• vápník MeSH

The ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) that form the structure of follicle undergo substantial modification during the various stages of human folliculogenesis. These modifications include morphological changes, accompanied by differential expression of genes, encoding proteins which are mainly involved in cell growth, proliferation and differentiation. Recent data bring a new insight into the aspects of GCs' stem-like specificity and plasticity, enabling their prolonged proliferation and differentiation into other cell types. This manuscript focuses attention on emerging alterations during GC cell cycle - a series of biochemical and biophysical changes within the cell. Human GCs were collected from follicles of women set to undergo intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedure, as a part of remnant follicular fluid. The cells were primarily cultured for 30 days. Throughout this time, we observed the prominent change in cell morphology from epithelial-like to fibroblast-like, suggesting differentiation to other cell types. Additionally, at days 1, 7, 15 and 30, the RNA was isolated for molecular assays. Using Affymetrix® Human Genome U219 Array, we found 2579 human transcripts that were differentially expressed in GCs. From these genes, we extracted 582 Gene Ontology Biological Process (GO BP) Terms and 45 KEGG pathways, among which we investigated transcripts belonging to four GO BPs associated with cell proliferation: "cell cycle phase transition", "G1/S phase transition", G2/M phase transition" and "cell cycle checkpoint". Microarray results were validated by RT-qPCR. Increased expression of all the genes studied indicated that increase in GC proliferation during long-term in vitro culture is orchestrated by the up-regulation of genes related to cell cycle control. Furthermore, observed changes in cell morphology may be regulated by a presented set of genes, leading to the induction of pathways specific for stemness plasticity and transdifferentiation in vitro.

• Klíčová slova
• cell cycle, human ovarian granulosa cells, in vitro, progression,
• MeSH
• buněčný cyklus * MeSH
• folikulární buňky cytologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ovariální folikul cytologie   MeSH
• transkriptom * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH