Highlights:

John Eppig and Mary Ann Handel

Highlights
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 217. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Embryo:

Deirdre L. Zander, Jeremy G. Thompson, and Michelle Lane

Perturbations in Mouse Embryo Development and Viability Caused by Ammonium Are More Severe after Exposure at the Cleavage Stages
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 288-294. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Exposure of mouse embryos in vitro to ammonium at the precompaction stage results in significant perturbations to subsequent development compared with exposure at the later stages of development.

Ricardo C. Ribas, Jane E. Taylor, Caroline McCorquodale, Ana C. Mauricio, Mário Sousa, and Ian Wilmut

Effect of Zona Pellucida Removal on DNA Methylation in Early Mouse Embryos
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 307-313. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Removal of the zona pellucida immediately after recovery of fertilized eggs caused a significant reduction in DNA methylation at the two- and four-cell stage in mouse embryos.

L.A. Silva and O.J. Ginther

An Early Endometrial Vascular Indicator of Completed Orientation of the Embryo and the Role of Dorsal Endometrial Encroachment in Mares
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 337-343. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: An endometrial vascular marker indicates the orientation of the embryonic pole 2.5 days before the embryo proper is detectable.

Female Reproductive Tract:

Turk Rhen and John A. Cidlowski

Estrogens and Glucocorticoids Have Opposing Effects on the Amount and Latent Activity of Complement Proteins in the Rat Uterus
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 265-274. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Dexamethasone blocks 17 beta-estradiol-induced accumulation of complement effectors in the immature rat uterus.

Gamete Biology:

Brett Nixon, David A. MacIntyre, Lisa A. Mitchell, Gerard M. Gibbs, Moira O'Bryan, and R. John Aitken

The Identification of Mouse Sperm-Surface-Associated Proteins and Characterization of Their Ability to Act as Decapacitation Factors
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 275-287. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Analysis of proteins released from the surface of capacitating murine spermatozoa identified 4 proteins one of which, phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein-1, exhibited properties consistent with a decapacitating factor.

J.V. Ricker, J.J. Linfor, W.J. Delfino, P. Kysar, E.L. Scholtz, F. Tablin, J.H. Crowe, B.A. Ball, and S.A. Meyers

Equine Sperm Membrane Phase Behavior: The Effects of Lipid-Based Cryoprotectants
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 359-365. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: The mechanisms through which freeze-thaw injury occurs in spermatozoa were examined by studying the membrane phase behavior of equine spermatozoa, before and after freeze-thaw and in the presence of various freezing diluents to improve preservation.

Carla Tatone, Maria Cristina Carbone, Rita Gallo, Simona Delle Monache, Mario Di Cola, Edoardo Alesse, and Fernanda Amicarelli

Age-Associated Changes in Mouse Oocytes During Postovulatory In Vitro Culture: Possible Role for Meiotic Kinases and Survival Factor BCL2
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 395-402. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Oocytes from old mice cultured after ovulation exhibit a failure in the mechanism that control metaphase II state inducing the activation of a pro-apoptotic pathway through the precocious degradation of BCL2 protein.

Immunology:

Lesya M. Holets, Joan S. Hunt, and Margaret G. Petroff

Trophoblast CD274 (B7-H1) Is Differentially Expressed Across Gestation: Influence of Oxygen Concentration
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 352-358. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Regulation of the immunoinhibitory trophoblast protein, CD274 (also called B7-H1), by oxygen is consistent with exposure of the placenta to potentially harmful maternal lymphocytes.

Male Reproductive Tract:

Nicolas Da Silva, Claudia Silberstein, Valérie Beaulieu, Christine Piétrement, Alfred N. Van Hoek, Dennis Brown, and Sylvie Breton

Postnatal Expression of Aquaporins in Epithelial Cells of the Rat Epididymis
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 427-438. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Epididymal epithelial cells express several members of the aquaporin (AQP) family, which may be involved not only in the transepithelial transport of water in the epididymis but also in the postnatal development of this organ.

Heath Ecroyd, Maya Belghazi, Jean-Louis Dacheux, Masao Miyazaki, Tetsuro Yamashita, and Jean-Luc Gatti

An Epididymal Form of Cauxin, a Carboxylesterase-Like Enzyme, Is Present and Active in Mammalian Male Reproductive Fluids
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 439-447. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: An epididymal form of cauxin, a specific carboxylesterase-like enzyme, is secreted into the epididymal fluid and, at least in the ram, it is responsible for the majority of the esterase activity of the cauda epididymal fluid.

Mechanisms of Hormone Action:

C. Allison Gray, Colette A. Abbey, Phillip D. Beremand, Youngsok Choi, Jennifer L. Farmer, David L. Adelson, Terry L. Thomas, Fuller W. Bazer, and Thomas E. Spencer

Identification of Endometrial Genes Regulated by Early Pregnancy, Progesterone, and Interferon Tau in the Ovine Uterus
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 383-394. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Microarray analysis identified genes and gene networks involved in novel endometrial pathways regulated by progesterone, IFNT, and pregnancy that are critical for conceptus survival, growth, and implantation.

Minireviews:

Michael C. Henson and V. Daniel Castracane

Leptin in Pregnancy: An Update
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 218-229. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Leptin, a polypeptide originating in maternal and fetal adipose tissue and the placenta, is regulated in a tissue-specific manner and plays a variety of physiological roles in mammalian pregnancy.

Pregnancy:

Brenda C. Timmons and Mala S. Mahendroo

Timing of Neutrophil Activation and Expression of Proinflammatory Markers Do Not Support a Role for Neutrophils in Cervical Ripening in the Mouse
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 236-245. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Inflammatory cell migration but not activation occurs in the cervix prior to onset of cervical ripening.

Claudia Klein, Stefan Bauersachs, Susanne E. Ulbrich, Ralf Einspanier, Heinrich H.D. Meyer, Susanne E.M. Schmidt, Horst-Dieter Reichenbach, Margarete Vermehren, Fred Sinowatz, Helmut Blum, and Eckhard Wolf

Monozygotic Twin Model Reveals Novel Embryo-Induced Transcriptome Changes of Bovine Endometrium in the Preattachment Period
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 253-264. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Identification of genes induced in bovine endometrium by the presence of a conceptus at Day 18 of gestation, the preimplantation period, revealed biological processes important for preparation of the endometrium for attachment of the embryo.

Shira Ovadia, Karl Insogna, and Gang-Qing Yao

The Cell-Surface Isoform of Colony Stimulating Factor 1 (CSF1) Restores but Does Not Completely Normalize Fecundity in CSF1-Deficient Mice
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 331-336. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: The cell-surface CSF1 isoform rescues the reproductive defects in CSF1 deficient CSF1op/CSF1op mice without altering uterine CSF1 tissue levels during pregnancy.

Koichi Ushizawa, Toru Takahashi, Kanako Kaneyama, Misa Hosoe, and Kazuyoshi Hashizume

Cloning of the Bovine Antiapoptotic Regulator, BCL2-Related Protein A1, and Its Expression in Trophoblastic Binucleate Cells of Bovine Placenta
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 344-351. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: The BCL2A1 molecule is a new candidate for antiapoptotic maintenance of the trophoblastic binucleate cells that support placental functions throughout pregnancy in bovines.

Guiying Nie, Ying Li, Kathryn Hale, Hidetaka Okada, Ursula Manuelpillai, Euan M. Wallace, and Lois A. Salamonsen

Serine Peptidase HTRA3 Is Closely Associated with Human Placental Development and Is Elevated in Pregnancy Serum
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 366-374. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: HTRA3 peptidase is closely associated with placental development, and its serum concentration is elevated in pregnancy.

Jing Zheng, YunXia Wen, Jason L. Austin, and Dong-bao Chen

Exogenous Nitric Oxide Stimulates Cell Proliferation via Activation of a Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway in Ovine Fetoplacental Artery Endothelial Cells
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 375-382. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Exogenous NO stimulates fetopalcental endothelial proliferation via MAP kinases.

Gendie E. Lash, Harry A. Otun, Barbara A. Innes, Judith N. Bulmer, Roger F. Searle, and Stephen C. Robson

Low Oxygen Concentrations Inhibit Trophoblast Cell Invasion from Early Gestation Placental Explants via Alterations in Levels of the Urokinase Plasminogen Activator System
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 403-409. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Invasion of primary first-trimester extravillous trophoblast cells is inhibited by culture in 3% oxygen via a mechanism associated with a decrease in the activity of the urokinase plasminogen activator system.

Reproductive Technology:

Dominika D. Peters, Susan Marschall, Esther Mahabir, Auke Boersma, Ulrich Heinzmann, Jörg Schmidt, and Martin Hrabé de Angelis

Risk Assessment of Mouse Hepatitis Virus Infection via In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer by the Use of Zona-Intact and Laser-Microdissected Oocytes
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 246-252. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Transmission of MHV can be avoided by correctly performed washing steps in the IVF-ET procedure, even when the zona pellucida is partially disrupted by laser microdissection.

Hong Zhang, Kumiko Saeki, Akiko Kimura, Koichi Saeki, Masako Nakahara, Masaru Doshi, Yasushi Kondo, Toru Nakano, and Akira Yuo

Efficient and Repetitive Production of Hematopoietic and Endothelial Cells from Feeder-Free Monolayer Culture System of Primate Embryonic Stem Cells
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 295-306. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] Retraction  

Summary: Primate embryonic stem cells can be efficiently induced to differentiate into hematopoietic and endothelial cells in a feeder-free monolayer culture system without embryoid bodies or cell-sorting processes.

Special Papers:

Georgine M. Pion, Michael E. McClure, and Asgerally T. Fazleabas

Outcomes of an Intensive Summer Course in Reproductive Biology
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 230-235. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: The Frontiers in Reproduction course at Woods Hole has had an overall positive influence worldwide on the training of future scientists whose research interests are focused on studies in the reproductive sciences.

Testis:

Cathy K. Naughton, Sanjay Jain, Amy M. Strickland, Akshay Gupta, and Jeffrey Milbrandt

Glial Cell-Line Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Mediated RET Signaling Regulates Spermatogonial Stem Cell Fate
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 314-321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: RET signaling is required for testicular stem cell function.

Nicholas M. Robert, Luc J. Martin, and Jacques J. Tremblay

The Orphan Nuclear Receptor NR4A1 Regulates Insulin-Like 3 Gene Transcription in Leydig Cells
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 322-330. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: NR4A1, a member of the NR4A family of nuclear receptors, activates INSL3 transcription in Leydig cells through a novel regulatory element located in its proximal promoter region.

Jian Xu, Lihua Qi, Xiaochun Chi, Jingjing Yang, Xiaohong Wei, Encong Gong, Suatcheng Peh, and Jiang Gu

Orchitis: A Complication of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 410-416. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: Orchitis is a complication of SARS, and several possible mechanisms may be involved in causing testicular damage in male SARS patients.

Toxicology:

Ursula A. Bussmann, Leonardo E. Bussmann, and J. Lino Barañao

An Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Agonist Amplifies the Mitogenic Actions of Estradiol in Granulosa Cells: Evidence of Involvement of the Cognate Receptors
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 417-426. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Summary: The AHR agonist beta-naphthoflavone amplifies the mitogenic actions of classical hormones in granulosa cells, providing evidence for involvement of the aryl hydrocarbon and the estrogen receptors.

Additions and Corrections:

Biol Reprod 2006 74: 448. [Full Text] [PDF]  

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