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Revista de Biologia Tropical Mar 2015The Neotropical region exhibits the largest diversity of fish worldwide; however, little is known about the early development of fish species from this region....
The Neotropical region exhibits the largest diversity of fish worldwide; however, little is known about the early development of fish species from this region. Therefore, to contribute to this knowledge, this study aimed to morphologically describe the early stages of development (eggs, larvae and juveniles) of S. pappaterra using morphometric and meristic traits, and to assess changes in growth rates throughout larval and juvenile development by analyzing the relationships between various morphometric traits using analytical regression models. Both juvenile and adult individuals with mouth-brooded offspring were collected along the basins of the Cuiaba and Manso Rivers in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil between March 2000 and March 2004. After the adults were identified, the offspring were classified according to its stage (embryonic, larval or juvenile period), and various morphometric and meristic variables were individually measured (when possible). The eggs of this species are yellow in color, oval shaped, show dendritic pigmentation within their yolk, have small to moderately sized perivitelline spaces and lack a mucous membrane and oil droplets. The horizontal and vertical diameters of the sample yolks ranged from 1.43mm to 2.70mm and 1.05mm to 1.68 mm, respectively. The standard length of the larval period varied from 4.30mm to 7.16mm, and the standard length of the juvenile period varied from 10.29mm to 24.57mm. Larvae exhibit yolk sacs with internal dendritic pigmentation and dark punctate pigmentation in the dorsal and ventral body regions, whereas irregular transverse spots along the flanks are observed during the juvenile period. Adhesive organs are only present during the yolk-sac stage and at the beginning of the flexion stage. The mouth is terminal during all stages of development. The myomere number varied from 22 to 29 (9 to 16 pre-anal and 10 to 16 post-anal), and the maximal numbers of fin rays and spines were as follows: dorsal, XVI+10; anal, IV+8; pectoral, 16; and pelvic, I+8. Growth analyses identified periods of important change in larval morphology (i.e., metamorphosis), particularly during the flexion and post-flexion stages and in juveniles. Therefore, the morphological development of S. pappaterra is consistent with the ecological requirements of this species, which primarily occurs in structured lentic environments with aquatic macrophytes.
Topics: Animals; Cichlids; Larva; Life Cycle Stages; Pigmentation
PubMed: 26299120
DOI: 10.15517/rbt.v63i1.14121 -
Omics : a Journal of Integrative Biology Dec 2014The rapid growth of published literature makes biomedical text mining increasingly invaluable for unpacking implicit knowledge hidden in unstructured text. We employed...
The rapid growth of published literature makes biomedical text mining increasingly invaluable for unpacking implicit knowledge hidden in unstructured text. We employed biomedical text mining and biological networks analyses to research the process of sperm egg recognition and binding (SERB). We selected from the literature the molecules expressed either on spermatozoa or on oocytes thought to be involved in SERB and, using an automated literature search software (Agilent Literature Search), we realized a network, SERBN, characterized by a hierarchical scale free and a small world topology. We used an integrated approach, either based on selection of hubs or by a cluster analysis, to discern the key molecules of SERB. We found that in most cases some of them are not directly situated on spermatozoa and oocyte, but are dispersed in oviductal fluid or embedded in exosomes present in the perivitelline space. To confirm and validate our results, we performed further analyses using STRING and Reactome FI software. Our findings underscore that the fertility is not a property of gametes in isolation, but rather depends on the functional integrity of the entire reproductive system. These observations collectively underscore the importance of integrative biology in exploring biological systems and in rethinking of fertility mechanisms in the light of this innovative approach.
Topics: Animals; Data Mining; Fertility; Humans; Male; Ovum; Software; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 25454512
DOI: 10.1089/omi.2014.0128 -
Cancers May 2024Ovarian cancer (OC) is an umbrella term for cancerous malignancies affecting the ovaries, yet treatment options for all subtypes are predominantly derived from...
Ovarian cancer (OC) is an umbrella term for cancerous malignancies affecting the ovaries, yet treatment options for all subtypes are predominantly derived from high-grade serous ovarian cancer, the largest subgroup. The concept of "functional precision medicine" involves gaining personalized insights on therapy choice, based on direct exposure of patient tissues to drugs. This especially holds promise for rare subtypes like low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC). This study aims to establish an in vivo model for LGSOC using zebrafish embryos, comparing treatment responses previously observed in mouse PDX models, cell lines and 3D tumor models. To address this goal, a well-characterized patient-derived LGSOC cell line with the mutation c.35 G>T (p.(Gly12Val)) was used. Fluorescently labeled tumor cells were injected into the perivitelline space of 2 days' post-fertilization zebrafish embryos. At 1 day post-injection, xenografts were assessed for tumor size, followed by random allocation into treatment groups with trametinib, luminespib and trametinib + luminespib. Subsequently, xenografts were euthanized and analyzed for apoptosis and proliferation by confocal microscopy. Tumor cells formed compact tumor masses ( = 84) in vivo, with clear Ki67 staining, indicating proliferation. Zebrafish xenografts exhibited sensitivity to trametinib and luminespib, individually or combined, within a two-week period, establishing them as a rapid and complementary tool to existing in vitro and in vivo models for evaluating targeted therapies in LGSOC.
PubMed: 38791891
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101812 -
PeerJ 2017Although spermatozoa with normal morphology are assumed to have uniform fertilization ability, recent data show that even normal spermatozoa have considerable variation...
BACKGROUND
Although spermatozoa with normal morphology are assumed to have uniform fertilization ability, recent data show that even normal spermatozoa have considerable variation in their head shape which is associated with differences in fertilization ability. Appropriate quantitative indicators for good sperm morphology, however, remain unidentified.
METHODS
Therefore, in an effort to identify such an indicator, we compared the nuclear contour of normal mouse spermatozoa by quantitative multivariate analysis using elliptic Fourier descriptors combined with principal component analysis. The spermatozoa were obtained from different strains and collection sites which have been shown to be associated with different fertilization abilities.
RESULTS
We found that the head was 5.7% thinner in spermatozoa from the B6D2F1 (BDF1) strain, known to have a higher fertilization rate, than in those from the C57BL/6N (B6N) strain, which has a lower fertilization rate. Moreover, zona-penetrated spermatozoa in the perivitelline space consistently had 5.4% thinner heads than those isolated from the epididymis before ejaculation. The aspect ratio, which represents the sperm head thinness, uniquely distinguished these sperm populations, confirming its validity as a morphological indicator.
DISCUSSION
Because aspect ratio has also been shown to characterize human spermatozoa, this unique morphometric indicator might be applicable to compare normal spermatozoa among multiple patients, which will greatly facilitate and enhance current reproductive technologies.
PubMed: 29038763
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3913 -
Journal of Ovarian Research Feb 2015Although irregularities in human zona pellucida (ZP) morphology are well described, there is scant literature on the clinical significance of ZP dysmorphology. We,...
BACKGROUND
Although irregularities in human zona pellucida (ZP) morphology are well described, there is scant literature on the clinical significance of ZP dysmorphology. We, therefore, designed a retrospective cohort trial of ZP dysmorphology to assess the clinical significance of ZP dysmorphology and its affect on IVF outcome. Over the same time period a random sample of 77 cycles of 77 subjects with all normal oocyte morphology were selected as controls.
METHODS
Between July 2006 and December 2010, all fresh non-donor cases performed at a university hospital IVF center were assessed for ZP dysmorphology. ZP dysmorphology included extracytoplasmic abnormalities (dark ZP and large perivitelline space) and oocyte shape (oval or irregularly shaped ZP). 136 IVF cycles from 119 subjects were identified where a majority of oocytes displayed ZP dysmorphology. Over the same time period a random sample of 77 cycles of 77 subjects with all normal oocyte morphology were selected as controls. IVF prognostic and outcome parameters were compared between the patients with dysmorphic and normal oocytes.
RESULTS
136/1710 (8.0%) cycles of fresh non-donor IVF displayed predominant ZP dysmorphology. Dysmorphic and normal oocytes showed no difference in the oocyte quality predictors such as FSH (6.03+/-2.5 vs. 6.8+/-2.3 IU/L), or AMH (2.5+/-2.0 vs. 2.30+/-1.5 ng/ml levels). ZP dysmorphology was associated with markedly diminished clinical pregnancy rates (44% vs. 70%; RR:0.62 [0.48, 0.80]; p = 0.0002), implantation rates (.17 vs. .36; IRR: 0.48 [0.34, 0.68]; p < 0.0001) and live birth rates as compared to non dysmorphic oocytes (29% vs. 52%; RR:0.55 [0.39, 0.79]; p = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
ZP dysmorphology is associated with markedly diminished pregnancy and implantation rates in IVF. The poorer outcome appears to be independent of the usual markers of ovarian reserve.
Topics: Adult; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Zona Pellucida
PubMed: 25823613
DOI: 10.1186/s13048-014-0111-5 -
Journal of Veterinary Science Mar 2022Compared to medium containing 108 mM sodium chloride (NaCl), maturation (IVM) using a simple medium with reduced (61.6 mM) NaCl increases the cytoplasmic maturation and...
BACKGROUND
Compared to medium containing 108 mM sodium chloride (NaCl), maturation (IVM) using a simple medium with reduced (61.6 mM) NaCl increases the cytoplasmic maturation and embryonic development of pig oocytes.
OBJECTIVES
This study determines the effect of a complex medium containing reduced NaCl on the IVM and embryonic development of pig oocytes.
METHODS
Pig oocytes were matured in Minimum Essential Medium Eagle-alpha modification (αMEM) supplemented with 61.6 (61αMEM) or 108 (108αMEM) mM NaCl, and containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (αMEMP) or pig follicular fluid (PFF) (αMEMF). Medium-199 (M199) served as the control for conventional IVM. Cumulus cell expansion, nuclear maturation, intra-oocyte glutathione (GSH) contents, size of perivitelline space (PVS), and embryonic development after parthenogenesis (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) were evaluated after IVM.
RESULTS
Regardless of PVA or PFF supplementation, oocytes matured in 61αMEM showed increased intra-oocyte GSH contents and width of PVS ( < 0.05), as well as increased blastocyst formation ( < 0.05) after PA and SCNT, as compared to oocytes matured in 108αMEMP and M199. Under conditions of PFF-enriched αMEM, SCNT oocytes matured in 61αMEMF showed higher blastocyst formation ( < 0.05), compared to maturation in 108αMEMF and M199, whereas PA cultured oocytes showed no significant difference.
CONCLUSIONS
IVM in αMEM supplemented with reduced NaCl (61.6 mM) enhances the embryonic developmental competence subsequent to PA and SCNT, which attributes toward improved oocyte maturation.
Topics: Animals; Embryonic Development; Female; Nuclear Transfer Techniques; Oocytes; Parthenogenesis; Sodium Chloride; Swine
PubMed: 35363440
DOI: 10.4142/jvs.21279 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2020We have previously shown, using antibodies, that the sperm alpha6beta1 integrin is involved in mouse gamete fusion in vitro. Here we report the conditional knockdown of...
We have previously shown, using antibodies, that the sperm alpha6beta1 integrin is involved in mouse gamete fusion in vitro. Here we report the conditional knockdown of the sperm gene. It induced a drastic failure of sperm fusogenic ability with sperm accumulation in the perivitelline space of in vitro inseminated oocytes deleted or not for the gene. These data demonstrate that sperm, but not oocyte, beta1 integrin subunit is involved in gamete adhesion/fusion. Curiously, knockdown males were fertile in vivo probably because of the incomplete Cre-mediated deletion of the sperm floxed gene. Indeed, this was shown by Western blot analysis and confirmed by both the viability and litter size of pups obtained by mating partially sperm deleted males with females producing completely deleted oocytes. Because of the total peri-implantation lethality of deletion in mice, we assume that sperm that escaped the excision seemed to be preferentially used to fertilize in vivo. Here, we showed for the first time that the deletion, even partial, of the sperm gene makes the sperm unable to normally fertilize oocytes. However, to elucidate the question of the essentiality of its role during fertilization, further investigations using a mouse expressing a recombinase more effective in male germ cells are necessary.
Topics: Animals; Cell Adhesion; Cell Fusion; Female; Fertilization; Germ Cells; Integrin beta1; Male; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Oocytes; Protein Subunits; Sperm-Ovum Interactions; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 33187358
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228494 -
Protoplasma Jan 2018The scale insect Puto superbus (Putoidae) lives in mutualistic symbiotic association with bacteria. Molecular phylogenetic analyses have revealed that symbionts of P....
The scale insect Puto superbus (Putoidae) lives in mutualistic symbiotic association with bacteria. Molecular phylogenetic analyses have revealed that symbionts of P. superbus belong to the gammaproteobacterial genus Sodalis. In the adult females, symbionts occur both in the bacteriocytes constituting compact bacteriomes and in individual bacteriocytes, which are dispersed among ovarioles. The bacteriocytes also house a few small, rod-shaped Wolbachia bacteria in addition to the numerous large, elongated Sodalis-allied bacteria. The symbiotic microorganisms are transovarially transmitted from generation to generation. In adult females which have choriogenic oocytes in the ovarioles, the bacteriocytes gather around the basal part of the tropharium. Next, the entire bacteriocytes pass through the follicular epithelium surrounding the neck region of the ovariole and enter the space between oocyte and follicular epithelium (perivitelline space). In the perivitelline space, the bacteriocytes assemble extracellularly in the deep depression of the oolemma at the anterior pole of the oocyte, forming a "symbiont ball".
Topics: Animals; Hemiptera; Phylogeny; Symbiosis
PubMed: 28667411
DOI: 10.1007/s00709-017-1135-7 -
Applied Microscopy Aug 2019We examined the morphology and ultrastructures of fertilized egg envelopes of glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) belong to Characidae using light and electron...
We examined the morphology and ultrastructures of fertilized egg envelopes of glowlight tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus) belong to Characidae using light and electron microscopes.The fertilized eggs were spherical, transparent, demersal, adhesive, and have no oil droplet. The perivitelline space was well-developed and the micropyle was surrounded by 15-20 uplifted lines of egg envelope in a spoke like pattern. The outer surface of egg envelope was rough side with grooves. Also, the total thickness of the fertilized egg envelope was about 2.1-2.3 μm, and the fertilized egg envelope consisted of two layers, an outer adhesive electron-dense layer with grooves and three feather-like lamellae layers. Collectively, these morphological characteristics of fertilized egg and micropyle with spoke-like structure showed family Characidae specificity, and ultrastructures of outer surface and section of fertilized egg envelope showed species specificity.
PubMed: 33580400
DOI: 10.1186/s42649-019-0010-8 -
Iranian Journal of Basic Medical... Dec 2017The role of growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor of activated omentum on mitosis is clearly known, though not on all the aspects of oocyte...
OBJECTIVE
The role of growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor of activated omentum on mitosis is clearly known, though not on all the aspects of oocyte maturation. This study was designed to assess the effect of activated-omental extract (AOE) on maturation (IVM) of rat cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this experimental study, the COCs were incubated in Ham's F-10 supplemented with either 20% AOE, 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) or serum-free media. Post-culture COCs were studied according to the cumulus cells (CCs) expansion, nuclear maturation and cytoplasmic maturation. Cumuli expansion was evaluated by inverted microscope without staining; nuclear maturation was assessed by aceto-orcein staining (light microscope) and cytoplasmic maturation was also observed by TEM.
RESULTS
Expansion of CCs and nuclear maturation of the oocytes in for 24 hr was significantly higher in AOE- and FBS-supplemented groups (=0.000 and 0.013) and (=0.004 and 0.014), respectively, compared to serum-free group. At ultra-structural level, after 24 hr, both FBS and AOE-supplemented media showed uniformly wide perivitelline space (PVS). After 12 hr, the cortical granules were found in the oocytes cultured in FBS and AOE-supplemented media. Within 24 hr, both granules and mitochondria were large without any detectable topographic tendency across the ooplasm. In AOE and FBS-supplemented oocytes, the number and size of microvilli were more than those in serum-free one.
CONCLUSION
Although AOE supplementation induced a higher rate of the CCs expansion, and , it was not as potent as FBS to provide cytoplasmic maturation of rat oocytes.
PubMed: 29238470
DOI: 10.22038/IJBMS.2017.9622