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PloS One 2022Understanding the transition from quiescent primordial follicles to activated primary follicles is vital for characterizing ovarian folliculogenesis and improving...
Understanding the transition from quiescent primordial follicles to activated primary follicles is vital for characterizing ovarian folliculogenesis and improving assisted reproductive techniques. To date, no study has investigated preantral follicle crowding in the ovaries of livestock or characterized these crowds according to follicular morphology and ovarian location (portions and regions) in any species. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the crowding (clustering and neighborhood) patterns of preantral follicles in the equine ovary according to mare age, follicular morphology and developmental stage, and spatial location in the ovary. Ovaries from mares (n = 8) were collected at an abattoir and processed histologically for evaluation of follicular clustering using the Morisita Index and follicular neighborhoods in ovarian sections. Young mares were found to have a large number of preantral follicles with neighbors (n = 2,626), while old mares had a small number (n = 305). Moreover, young mares had a higher number of neighbors per follicle (2.6 ± 0.0) than old mares (1.2 ± 0.1). Follicle clustering was shown to be present in all areas of the ovary, with young mares having more clustering overall than old mares and a tendency for higher clustering in the ventral region when ages were combined. Furthermore, follicles with neighbors were more likely to be morphologically normal (76.5 ± 6.5%) than abnormal (23.5 ± 6.5%). Additionally, morphologically normal activated follicles had increased odds of having neighbors than normal resting follicles, and these normal activated follicles had more neighbors (2.6 ± 0.1) than normal resting follicles (2.3 ± 0.1 neighbors). In the present study, it was demonstrated that preantral follicles do crowd in the mare ovary and that clustering/neighborhood patterns are dynamic and differ depending on mare age, follicular morphology, and follicular developmental stage.
Topics: Animals; Cluster Analysis; Female; Horses; Ovarian Follicle; Ovary
PubMed: 36194590
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275396 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology :... Aug 2021In this prospective study, seventy-six patients (PCOS group; n = 36, multifollicular ovary group; n = 40) were evaluated by 2-D and 3-D ultrasonography. VOCAL...
In this prospective study, seventy-six patients (PCOS group; n = 36, multifollicular ovary group; n = 40) were evaluated by 2-D and 3-D ultrasonography. VOCAL programme, echogenicity, number of follicles and blood flow parameters were evaluated. The patients with PCOS had a higher total ovarian volume, mean stromal volume and stromal echogenicity (18.6 ± 4.75 to 10.2 ± 3.4 < .01; 12.23 ± 2.53 to 5.02 ± 2.44 = .02; score 1:28 to 10 < .01, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of mean RI and PI values between the groups ( > .05). 3 D power Doppler parameters included VI, FI, and VFI values of the patients with PCOS were higher when compared to those of the patients with multifollicular ovary (3.82 ± 2.65 to 1.78 ± 1.2, < .01; 50.76 ± 4.45 to 40.6 ± 3.64, = .03; and 2.34 ± 1.02 to 1.12 ± 0.65, = .02, respectively). Our results revealed that total ovarian volume, stromal volume and echogenicity; VFI, VI, and FI could be useful for differential diagnosis in women with PCOS and multifollicular ovaries.Impact statement Ultrasonography is considered the new diagnostic tool for PCOS. Enlarged ovaries with multiple small follicles peripherally located around increased ovarian stroma with increased stromal echogenicity are the sonographic features of polycystic ovaries. 3-D Doppler ultrasonography may be more specific in the determination of multifollicular and polycystic ovaries when compared to RI and PI in 2-D Doppler ultrasonography. Moreover, 3-D power Doppler ultrasonography could be useful for differential diagnosis in women with PCOS and multifollicular ovaries. In clinical practice, the differentiation of multifollicular ovaries and polycystic ovaries (PCO) is difficult with the use of 2-D sonography alone. Therefore, 3-D ultrasound and power Doppler may also be used in addition to 2-D ultrasound for the differentiation of multifollicular ovaries and PCO.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Blood Flow Velocity; Female; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Organ Size; Ovarian Follicle; Ovary; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Prospective Studies; Pulsatile Flow; Ultrasonography; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; Young Adult
PubMed: 33064032
DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2020.1803244 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Sep 2021Differences in total number of piglets born per litter are observed between the Norwegian Duroc (ND) sire and Norwegian Landrace (NL) dam line. The aim of this study was...
Differences in total number of piglets born per litter are observed between the Norwegian Duroc (ND) sire and Norwegian Landrace (NL) dam line. The aim of this study was to evaluate ovarian characteristics, and in vitro nuclear and cytoplasmic oocyte maturation in both breeds. One day after weaning, follicular phase ovaries were collected. Ovary length and weight were measured and the number of follicles (< 3 mm and 3-8 mm) was counted. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected and matured for 48 hr. To assess cumulus expansion, COC area was analysed at 0 and 20 hr. Nuclear maturation and cortical granule (CG) distribution were analysed at 20 and 48 hr, and total glutathione (GSH) was measured at 48 hr to further elucidate cytoplasmic maturation. In first parity sows, a smaller ovary length and fewer 3 to 8 mm follicles were observed in ND compared to NL. For all sows, ND COCs covered a significantly smaller area at 0 hr, but a higher cumulus expansion ratio was observed at 20 hr compared to NL (364 ± 46% versus. 278 ± 27%, p < 0.001). At 20 hr, more ND oocytes exhibited advanced stages of nuclear maturation, while more NL oocytes showed advanced stages of CG distribution. Nuclear maturation to MII stage at 48 hr did not differ between ND and NL oocytes (90.1% and 87.7%, respectively). Moreover, no significant differences were observed for GSH content or CG distribution after maturation. In conclusion, differences with regard to ovarian characteristics as well as to cumulus expansion, and nuclear and cytoplasmic oocyte maturation at 20 hr were observed between the breeds. Further studies are required to determine if this subsequently affects in vitro fertilization and embryo development.
Topics: Animals; Embryonic Development; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Oocytes; Ovarian Follicle; Ovary; Pregnancy; Swine
PubMed: 33938143
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.498 -
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... Feb 2021Caffeine consumption increases during early adulthood, which has adverse effects on the reproductive system. This study aimed to assess the impact of embryonic caffeine...
Caffeine consumption increases during early adulthood, which has adverse effects on the reproductive system. This study aimed to assess the impact of embryonic caffeine exposure on rat ovary in adulthood. Female Wistar rats (240-270 g) were divided into 5 groups (n = 7): experimental groups were exposed to 26, 45, 100, and 150 mg/kg of caffeine via drinking water during pregnancy and the control group only received drinking water. The ovaries of the offspring were taken out on days 7, 14, 28, 60, 90, and 120 of postnatal development, and then, they were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution. Ovarian follicles were studied using stereological methods, and data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey test in SPSS software. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. The body weight, the weight of the ovaries, the ovarian volume, and the number of primordial follicles decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in 45 and 100 mg/kg, and (p < 0.001) in 150 mg/kg caffeine-treated groups at all stages of postnatal development. Significant decreases were observed in the number of primary and secondary follicles in 45 and 100 mg/kg (p < 0.05) and (p < 0.001) in 150 mg/kg caffeine-treated groups on days 7, 14, 28, and 60 compared to the control group. The number of Graafian follicles also decreased significantly (p < 0.001) in 45, 100, and 150 mg/kg caffeine-treated groups on days 14 and 28. Moreover, the mean volume of the oocyte in Graafian follicles reduced considerably in 45, 100, and 150 mg/kg caffeine-treated groups compared to other groups (p < 0.05). The thickness of the zona pellucida (ZP) in the secondary follicles (p < 0.02) and Graafian follicles (p < 0.05) showed a significant reduction in 100 and 150 mg/kg caffeine-treated groups on the 14th, 28th, and 60th days. In conclusion, high-dose caffeine consumption during gestation affects all stages of ovarian follicle development in rat offspring.
Topics: Animals; Caffeine; Female; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Organ Size; Ovary; Pregnancy; Rats, Wistar; Rats
PubMed: 33128590
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-020-02008-8 -
Poultry Science Aug 2021Chicken ovaries are known to develop asymmetrically and only the left ovary fully develops. Although both have been greatly investigated, a gap in scientific reports is...
Chicken ovaries are known to develop asymmetrically and only the left ovary fully develops. Although both have been greatly investigated, a gap in scientific reports is still felt between 2-mo-old and sexual maturity. In this study, we aimed at investigating the changes in components that occur during growth to analyze the morphohistological correlation between the left ovary and the follicle development at different age stages in Gallus domesticus. The ovaries were harvested from 60 chickens aged 1 and 3-wk-old, 1, 2, 3, and 4-mo-old (n = 10 per age group), then fixed in AAF solution. Hematoxylin-and Eosin protocol was used to stain the tissue for microscopic observations. Results revealed that the left ovary exhibited an ovarian tissue, a site of follicular growth that displayed various shapes from smooth to greatly indented as the follicles differentiated. Atretic follicles at various regression stages were noticed frequently as the chicks grew in age from 3-wk-old onward along with their differentiation. Rete ovarii, remnants from the male homologs were observed throughout the whole study showing epoöphoron, connecting rete, and gland-like structures that tend to diminish with age. The feature of the left ovary is closely related to the follicular developmental stage, and the bigger and differentiated the follicles are, the more indented and irregular its epithelium appears. Atresia is a normal physiological process that we observed throughout the whole study. Also that, rete ovarii do not spontaneously arise in the ovary but it develops and grows in juvenile chicken as well as in adult ones.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Female; Follicular Phase; Growth and Development; Male; Ovarian Follicle; Ovary
PubMed: 34242943
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101191 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2020Due to improvements in chemotherapeutic agents, cancer treatment efficacy and cancer patient survival rates have greatly improved, but unfortunately gonadal damage... (Review)
Review
Due to improvements in chemotherapeutic agents, cancer treatment efficacy and cancer patient survival rates have greatly improved, but unfortunately gonadal damage remains a major complication. Gonadotoxic chemotherapy, including alkylating agents during reproductive age, can lead to iatrogenic premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and loss of fertility. In recent years, the demand for fertility preservation has increased dramatically among female cancer patients. Currently, embryo and oocyte cryopreservation are the only established options for fertility preservation in women. However, there is growing evidence for other experimental techniques including ovarian tissue cryopreservation, oocyte in vitro maturation, artificial ovaries, stem cell technologies, and ovarian suppression. To prevent fertility loss in women with cancer, individualized fertility preservation options including established and experimental techniques that take into consideration the patient's age, marital status, chemotherapy regimen, and the possibility of treatment delay should be provided. In addition, effective multidisciplinary oncofertility strategies that involve a highly skilled and experienced oncofertility team consisting of medical oncologists, gynecologists, reproductive biologists, surgical oncologists, patient care coordinators, and research scientists are necessary to provide cancer patients with high-quality care.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Artificial Organs; Cryopreservation; Embryo, Mammalian; Female; Fertility Preservation; Humans; In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques; Oocytes; Ovary; Pregnancy; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
PubMed: 33096794
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207792 -
Theriogenology Jan 2023Ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation is a fertility preservation option, but a majority of follicles were lost due to grafting process. Accelerated activation of...
Ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation is a fertility preservation option, but a majority of follicles were lost due to grafting process. Accelerated activation of primordial follicle and follicle apoptosis are responsible for follicle depletion following grafting. Since apoptosis and autophagy share common upstream signals, and cell switches between apoptosis and autophagy, the aim of this study was to investigate whether autophagy took place in ovaries following transplantation. Transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence were used to detect autophagic changes in grafted mice ovaries. Results shown that autophagosomes increased rapidly at 2 days following ovarian transplantation in granulosa cells of growing follicles, and stromal cells. The study indicated that autophagy is actively involved during ovarian grafting. Manipulation of autophagy might provide another way to improve ovarian reserved during grafting.
Topics: Mice; Female; Animals; Ovary; Ovarian Follicle; Cryopreservation; Fertility Preservation; Autophagy
PubMed: 36283225
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.10.018 -
Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks,... Feb 2023New insights have been thrown for understanding the significant role of estrogen on various systems of humans. Increasing evidences have determined the significant roles... (Review)
Review
New insights have been thrown for understanding the significant role of estrogen on various systems of humans. Increasing evidences have determined the significant roles of estrogen in female reproductive system. So, the normal synthesis and secretion of estrogen play important roles in maintaining the function of tissues and organs. The ovaries are the main synthetic organs of estrogen. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge of the estrogen synthesis in the ovaries. A series of factors and signaling pathways that regulate the synthesis of estrogen are expounded in detail. Understanding the regulating factors and potential mechanism related to estrogen synthesis will be beneficial for understanding estrogen disorder related diseases and may provide novel therapeutic targets.
Topics: Female; Humans; Ovary; Estrogens; Signal Transduction; Aromatase
PubMed: 35384637
DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00932-z -
Genes Sep 2021Chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage and fertility preservation in young patients with cancer are emerging disciplines. The mechanism of treatment-related gonadal damage... (Review)
Review
Chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage and fertility preservation in young patients with cancer are emerging disciplines. The mechanism of treatment-related gonadal damage provides important information for targeting prevention methods. The genomic aspects of ovarian damage after chemotherapy are not fully understood. Several studies have demonstrated that gene alterations related to follicular apoptosis or accelerated follicle activation are related to ovarian insufficiency and susceptibility to ovarian damage following chemotherapy. This may accelerate follicular apoptosis and follicle reservoir utilization and damage the ovarian stroma via multiple molecular reactions after chemotherapy. This review highlights the importance of genomic considerations in chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage and multidisciplinary oncofertility strategies for providing high-quality care to young female cancer patients.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; DNA Damage; Female; Fertility Preservation; Humans; Ovarian Reserve; Ovary
PubMed: 34680919
DOI: 10.3390/genes12101525 -
Journal of Morphology May 2022The main goal of the article is to describe the ovary organization and oogenesis in Peristodrilus montanus, an aquatic oligochaete of the subfamily Rhyacodrilinae. The...
The main goal of the article is to describe the ovary organization and oogenesis in Peristodrilus montanus, an aquatic oligochaete of the subfamily Rhyacodrilinae. The presented analysis will not only enrich the knowledge about how eggs are formed but, because of the suggested conservatism of ovary organization in clitellate annelids, can contribute to disentangling the complex phylogenetic relationships of the rhyacodrilines within Naididae. The paired, conically shaped ovaries are located in segment XI. They are composed of a dozen or so syncytial germ-line cysts, which are associated with somatic cells. Each germ cell in a cyst has one intercellular bridge that joins it to a central and anuclear cytoplasmic mass, the cytophore. This pattern of cyst organization is typical for all clitellates that have been studied to date. Initially, the germ cells in a cyst undergo a synchronous development, however, there is no synchrony between cysts, and therefore there is a developmental gradient (oogonia, pre-diplotene germ cells, germ cells in diplotene) of oogenesis along the long ovary axis. The cysts are composed of a maximum of 32 cells. Cysts with cells in diplotene detach from the ovaries and the extraovarian phase of oogenesis begins. The developmental synchrony is lost, one cell (an oocyte) per cyst starts to gather cell components and yolk and grows considerably. The remaining cells grow to some extent and function as nurse cells. Like in other microdriles, P. montanus oocytes are rich in yolk; other features of oogenesis are also similar to those that are known from other microdrile taxa. The system of ovary organization found in the studied species is broadly similar to the corresponding features known from Naidinae and Phreodrilidae and, to some extent, in Enchytraeidae. However, this system is different from the one that is known in Tubificinae, Limnodriloidinae and Branchiurinae.
Topics: Animals; Cysts; Female; Oligochaeta; Oocytes; Oogenesis; Ovary; Phylogeny
PubMed: 35150164
DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21461