Biology of Reproduction -- Table of Contents (January 1 2008, 78 [1] )

Highlights:

: Highlights
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 1. [Full Text] [PDF]

Female Reproductive Tract:

Ana A Gratao, Maik Dahlhoff, Fred Sinowatz, Eckhard Wolf, and Marlon R Schneider: Betacellulin Overexpression in the Mouse Ovary Leads to MAPK3/MAPK1 Hyperactivation and Reduces Litter Size by Impairing Fertilization
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 43-52. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: Higher-than-normal levels of betacellulin in the mouse female reproductive tract delay blastocyst implantation and reduce litter size by impairing fertilization; the fertilization defect is associated with hyperactivation of MAPK3/MAPK1 in the ovary.

Ilene K Gipson, Timothy Blalock, Ann Tisdale, Sandra Spurr-Michaud, Sara Allcorn, Anneli Stavreus-Evers, and Kristina Gemzell: MUC16 Is Lost from the Uterodome (Pinopode) Surface of the Receptive Human Endometrium: In Vitro Evidence That MUC16 Is a Barrier to Trophoblast Adherence
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 134-142. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Figure]
Summary: Removal of the membrane-spanning mucin MUC16 from the uterodome surface is essential for trophoblast adherence to the receptive human uterine epithelium.

Gamete Biology:

Young-Joo Yi, Eva Nagyova, Gaurishankar Manandhar, Radek Procházka, Miriam Sutovsky, Chang-Sik Park, and Peter Sutovsky: Proteolytic Activity of the 26S Proteasome Is Required for the Meiotic Resumption, Germinal Vesicle Breakdown, and Cumulus Expansion of Porcine Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes Matured In Vitro
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 115-126. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]
Summary: Proteasomal activity is required for oocyte meiosis, cumulus expansion, and the deposition of cumulus extracellular matrix during oocyte maturation.

Francisco J Diaz, Koji Sugiura, and John J Eppig: Regulation of Pcsk6 Expression During the Preantral to Antral Follicle Transition in Mice: Opposing Roles of FSH and Oocytes
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 176-183. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: Oocytes and FSH exhibit opposing effects on the regulation of Pcsk6 mRNA in granulosa cells during the preantral to antral follicle transition.

Sarah E Fiedler, Malini Bajpai, and Daniel W Carr: Identification and Characterization of RHOA-Interacting Proteins in Bovine Spermatozoa
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 184-192. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Figures]
Summary: RHOA, ROCK2, LIMK2, and cofilin are present in bovine spermatozoa, and RHOA interacts with several capacitation and acrosome reaction-involved proteins, including proacrosin, aldolase C, tubulin, and AKAP4.

Male Reproductive Tract:

Christopher L Pin, Charis L Johnson, Bryan Rade, Agnes S Kowalik, Victoria C Garside, and Michelle E Everest: Identification of a Transcription Factor, BHLHB8, Involved in Mouse Seminal Vesicle Epithelium Differentiation and Function
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 91-100. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, BHLHB8, is necessary for proper differentiation and function of the mouse seminal vesicle.

Minireviews:

Peter Mazur, S.P Leibo, and George E Seidel, Jr.: Cryopreservation of the Germplasm of Animals Used in Biological and Medical Research: Importance, Impact, Status, and Future Directions
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 2-12. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: Cryopreservation of animal germplasm is becoming critical; yet, that from some species fares poorly during freezing.

Ovary:

P.A Johnson, T.R Kent, M.E Urick, and J.R Giles: Expression and Regulation of Anti-Mullerian Hormone in an Oviparous Species, the Hen
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 13-19. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: AMH is expressed in the granulosa layer of the hen ovary in a highly regulated pattern.

Fiona H Thomas, Rubina S Ismail, Jin-Yi Jiang, and Barbara C Vanderhyden: Kit Ligand 2 Promotes Murine Oocyte Growth In Vitro
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 167-175. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: KITL2, but not KITL1, promotes mouse oocyte growth and survival in vitro.

Pregnancy:

Margaret O'Brien, John J Morrison, and Terry J Smith: Expression of Prothrombin and Protease Activated Receptors in Human Myometrium During Pregnancy and Labor
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 20-26. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: Expression of prothrombin, FGL2 prothrombinase, and the protease activated receptors F2R, F2RL1, F2RL2, and F2RL3 was demonstrated in human myometrium, whereupon F2R and F2RL3 mRNA and protein expression were found to be upregulated at labor.

Hongying Zhang and Lubo Zhang: Role of Protein Kinase C Isozymes in the Regulation of alpha₁-Adrenergic Receptor-Mediated Contractions in Ovine Uterine Arteries
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 35-42. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: Down-stream mechanisms of differential subcellular distributions for the distinct functional effects of PRKC isozymes play an important role in the adaptation of uterine artery contractility during pregnancy.

William E Ackerman, IV, Taryn L.S Summerfield, Dale D Vandre, John M Robinson, and Douglas A Kniss: Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Regulates Inducible Prostaglandin E Synthase Expression in Human Amnion Mesenchymal Cells
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 68-76. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: The inducible transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappa B, regulates the expression of PTGES in amnion mesenchymal cells in vitro.

Feixue Li, Y. Sangeeta Devi, Lei Bao, Jifang Mao, and Geula Gibori: Involvement of Cyclin D3, CDKN1A (p21), and BIRC5 (Survivin) in Interleukin 11 Stimulation of Decidualization in Mice
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 127-133. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: IL11 plays a crucial role in the formation of the decidua; this cytokine is essential for the expression of cyclin D3, CDKN1A (p21), and BIRC5 (Survivin), factors essential for the growth and differentiation of decidual cells.

Jing Zheng, YunXia Wen, Yang Song, Kai Wang, Dong-Bao Chen, and Ronald R Magness: Activation of Multiple Signaling Pathways Is Critical for Fibroblast Growth Factor 2- and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Stimulated Ovine Fetoplacental Endothelial Cell Proliferation
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 143-150. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: Nitric oxide and both MAP2K1/2/MAPK3/1 and PI3K/AKT1 pathways mediate FGF2- and VEGF-stimulated fetoplacental endothelial cell proliferation.

Chunming Guo, Zhen Yang, Wenjiao Li, Ping Zhu, Leslie Myatt, and Kang Sun: Paradox of Glucocorticoid-Induced Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 Group IVA Messenger RNA Expression Involves Glucocorticoid Receptor Binding to the Promoter in Human Amnion Fibroblasts
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 193-197. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: Activation of GR binding of PLA2G4A promoter by cortisol accounts for the paradoxical cortisol-induced PLA2G4A expression in human amnion fibroblasts.

Reproductive Technology:

E Mahabir, D Bulian, R Schmöller, J Needham, and J Schmidt: Production of Virus-Free Seronegative Pups from Murine Embryos Arising from In Vitro Fertilization with Mouse Minute Virus-Exposed Spermatozoa
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 53-58. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: Mouse recipients of embryos arising from in vitro fertilization of oocytes with mouse minute virus-exposed spermatozoa and their pups were virus-free and seronegative.

Taiju Saito, Rie Goto-Kazeto, Katsutoshi Arai, and Etsuro Yamaha: Xenogenesis in Teleost Fish Through Generation of Germ-Line Chimeras by Single Primordial Germ Cell Transplantation
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 159-166. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: Xenogenesis is realistic and practical across species, genus, and family barriers and can be achieved by the transplantation of single primordial germ cells from the target species.

Testis:

Fernanda F.L Almeida, Cathrine Kristoffersen, Geir Lasse Taranger, and Rüdiger W Schulz: Spermatogenesis in Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua): A Novel Model of Cystic Germ Cell Development
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 27-34. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: In each of the several lobes composing cod testes, germ cells are arranged in a maturational gradient that is driven by a peripheral germinative zone generating spermatogonial clones, thereby also realizing appositional growth of the lobe.

Katsuhiko Warita, Kazutaka Okamoto, Ken-ichiro Mutoh, Yoshihisa Hasegawa, Zhan-Peng Yue, Toshifumi Yokoyama, Yoshiki Matsumoto, Takanori Miki, Yoshiki Takeuchi, Hiroshi Kitagawa, Teruo Sugawara, and Nobuhiko Hoshi: Activin A and Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin Recover Reproductive Dysfunction Induced by Neonatal Exposure to an Estrogenic Endocrine Disruptor in Adult Male Mice
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 59-67. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: Activin A and eCG recovered the reproductive disorders induced by neonatal exposure to estrogenic agents in adult male mice; such disorders are more likely to result from dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis than from that of the testis.

Oriane E Chausiaux, Margaret H Abel, Fiona O Baxter, Walid T Khaled, Peter J.I Ellis, Harry M Charlton, and Nabeel A Affara: Hypogonadal Mouse, a Model to Study the Effects of the Endogenous Lack of Gonadotropins on Apoptosis
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 77-90. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]
Summary: Sertoli cells and multiple stages of germ cells undergo apoptosis in hypogonadal (hpg) mice: germ cells use both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways while Sertoli cells appear to use the extrinsic pathway.

Thaís F.G Lucas, Erica R Siu, Carlos A Esteves, Hugo P Monteiro, Cleida A Oliveira, Catarina S Porto, and Maria Fatima M Lazari: 17Beta-Estradiol Induces the Translocation of the Estrogen Receptors ESR1 and ESR2 to the Cell Membrane, MAPK3/1 Phosphorylation and Proliferation of Cultured Immature Rat Sertoli Cells
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 101-114. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Supplemental Data]
Summary: 17Beta-estradiol induces ESR1 and ESR2 translocation to the plasma membrane and activation of MAPK signaling pathway in cultured immature Sertoli cells.

Ayaka Yano, Kensuke Suzuki, and Goro Yoshizaki: Flow-Cytometric Isolation of Testicular Germ Cells from Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Carrying the Green Fluorescent Protein Gene Driven by Trout vasa Regulatory Regions
Biol Reprod 2008 78: 151-158. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Summary: A novel method to identify and isolate testicular germ cells at various stages of spermatogenesis using flow cytometry has been established in transgenic rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).