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We examined the precise localization of dimethylated histone three lysine four (H3K4me2) in mature rat sperm. Within nonintergenic-enriched regions, half of the DNA peaks associated with H3K4me2 retention fell in gene bodies and the other half in promoter regions. The most significant peaks near annotated DNA regions in the composite data included loci known to be associated with RNA metabolism, cell cycle regulation, and spermatogenesis. Regions associated with differential retention of H3K4me2 within gene bodies were significantly enriched for housekeeping gene and cell-cycle functionality. Proximal promoter-associated peaks were enriched for viral reproduction and cell cycle regulation genes, while Promoter1k and Promoter3k peaks were enriched for RNA metabolism functions. Further, homeobox- and kruppel-like factor motifs were among the most significantly enriched de novo and known motifs discovered within gene-associated H3K4me2 peaks. Motif analysis and native chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (nChIPseq) peak calling indicated an instructive role for retained paternal histones in the epigenetic regulation of early embryonic development in the rat.
Alterations in the DNA methylation pattern of endometriotic lesions and endometrium of endometriosis patients have been proposed as one potential factor accompanying the endometriosis development. Although many differentially methylated genes have been associated with the pathogenesis of this disease, the overlap between the results of different studies has remained small. Among other potential confounders, the impact of tissue heterogeneity on the outcome of DNA methylation studies should be considered, as tissues are mixtures of different cell types with their own specific DNA methylation signatures. This review focuses on the results of DNA methylation studies in endometriosis from the cellular heterogeneity perspective. We consider both the studies using highly heterogeneous whole-lesion biopsies and endometrial tissue, as well as pure cell fractions isolated from lesions and endometrium to understand the potential impact of the cellular composition to the results of endometriosis DNAmethylation studies. Also, future perspectives on how to diminish the impact of tissue heterogeneity in similar studies are provided.
Summary Sentence
Cellular heterogeneity of endometriotic lesions and endometrial biopsies has significant impact on the results of DNA methylation studies in endometriosis.
After zygotic genome activation and lineage specification, zygotes develop into late blastocysts comprising three distinct cell types. The molecularmechanisms underlying this progress are largely unknown in pigs. Here, we intended to analyze an extensive set of regulators at the single-cell level to define the events involved in the development of the porcine blastocysts. Using a quantitative microfluidics approach in single cells, we detected mRNA levels of 96 genes known to function in early embryonic development and maintenance of stem cell pluripotency simultaneously in 480 individual cells derived from porcine preimplantation embryos. The developmental transitions can be distinguished based on distinctive gene expression profiles, and we identified paired box 6 (PAX6) and aquaporin 3 (AQP3) expressed in early and late developmental stages, respectively. Two lineages can be segregated in porcine early and late blastocysts by the expression patterns of lineage-specific genes such as DAB2, clathrin adaptor protein (DAB2) for trophectoderm (TE), platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA), Nanog homeobox (NANOG), fibronectin 1 (FN1), hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A), goosecoid homeobox (GSC), nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group Amember 2 (NR5A2), and lysine acetyltransferase 6A (KAT6A; previously known as MYST3) for inner cell mass (ICM). However, the epiblast and primitive endoderm cannot be identified in late blastocysts, and those TE or ICM lineage-specific genes were low expressed in blastomeres from the morula. Our results shed light on early cell fate determination in porcine preimplantation embryos and offer theoretical support for deriving porcine embryonic stem cells.
Summary Sentence
Gene expression analysis of single blastomeres from zygote to blastocyst sheds light on the early cell fate determination in porcine preimplantation embryos and offers theoretical support for deriving porcine embryonic stem cells.
Although the histone methyltransferase EZH2 and its product H3K27me3 are well studied in cancer, little is known about their role and potential as therapeutic targets in endometriosis. We have previously reported that endometriotic lesions are characterized by global enrichment of H3K27me3. Therefore, we aimed to (1) characterize the expression levels of EZH2 in endometriotic tissues; (2) assess H3K27me3 enrichment in candidate genes promoter regions; and (3) determine if pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 impacts migration, proliferation, and invasion of endometriotic cells. Immunohistochemistry of an endometriosis-focused tissue microarray was used to assess the EZH2 protein levels in tissues. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR was conducted to assess enrichment of H3K27me3 in candidate gene promoter regions in tissues. Immunofluorescence was performed to assess the effect of an EZH2-specific pharmacological inhibitor on H3K27me3 global enrichment in cell lines. Tomeasure effects of the inhibitor in migration, proliferation, and invasion in vitro we used Scratch, BrdU, and Matrigel assays, respectively. Endometriotic lesions had significantly higher EZH2α nuclear immunostaining levels compared to eutopic endometrium from patients (glands, stroma) and controls (glands). H3K27me3 was enriched within promoter regions of candidate genes in some but not all of the endometriotic lesions. Inhibition of EZH2 reduced H3K27me3 levels in the endometriotic cells specifically, and also reduced migration, proliferation but not invasion of endometriotic epithelial cells (12Z). These findings support future preclinical studies to determine in vivo efficacy of EZH2 inhibitors as promising nonhormonal treatments for endometriosis, still an incurable gynecological disease.
Summary Sentence
Inhibition of the histone methyltransferase EZH2 reduced H3K27me3 levels in the endometriotic cells specifically, and also reduced their migration, proliferation but not their invasion.
Autophagy is an essential cellularmechanism that degrades cytoplasmic proteins and organelles to recycle their components. Here we showed that autophagy was essential for the glycolysis switch and energy homeostasis in mouse granulosa cells under hypoxic condition. Our data indicated that hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) could be largely increased in developing follicles and this remarkable upregulation of HIF-1α triggered cell autophagy and glucose uptake. We found that blocking autophagy by Atg7 knockdown and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) treatment affected the glucose metabolism, with increased glycolytic enzyme activity and decreased ATP production. We also found enhanced lactate level, which was harmful to granulosa cells and could induce cell apoptosis. Thus, our findings highlight a protective role of HIF-1α-dependent autophagy for the granulosa cell glycolysis switch in both energy supply and cell survival.
Summary Sentence
HIF-1α-induced autophagy is essential for glycolysis metabolism in mouse granulosa cells.
Prion protein (PrP) is encoded by a single copy gene Prnp in many cell and tissue types. PrP is very famous for its infectious conformers (PrPSC) resulting in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. At present, physiological functions of its cellular isoform (PrPC) remain ambiguous. Although PrPC expression has been found in uterus, whether it functions in maternal–fetal dialogue during early pregnant is unknown. In this study, we examined PrPC mRNA and protein in the uterus of peri-implantation mice, and found that they were expressed with a spatiotemporal dynamic pattern. Interestingly, PrPC was significantly increased in the decidual zones around the implanting embryos at the implantation window stage. To further demonstrate that PrPC is involved in the decidualization of mouse uterus during embryo implantation, we constructed the artificial decidualization models and the delayed implantation models. Once the pseudopregnant mice were artificially induced to decidualization, the PrPC expression then increased significantly in the decidua zone. And also, if the delayed implantation embryos were allowed to implant, PrPC protein was also simultaneously improved in stromal cells surrounding the implanting embryos. Moreover, PrPC expression can be inhibited by progesterone but upregulated by estrogen inmouse uterus. These results suggest that PrPC may play an important role in embryo implantation and decidualization.
Summary Sentence
Regulated by estrogen and progesterone, cellular prion protein is expressed with a spatiotemporal manner in peri-implantation mouse uterus, and may play a role in embryo implantation and decidualization.
To analyze the role of PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor 1) in endometriotic lesion growth, we studied the effect of PAI-1 inhibition by PAI-039 using a homologous mousemodel of endometriosis that allows noninvasive monitoring. Endometrial tissue from donor mice was collected, labeled with mCherry adenovirus, and implanted into a subcutaneous pocket on the ventral abdomen of recipient mice. Seven days after transplantation, mice were randomly allocated in two groups and treated once daily for 2 weeks with either vehicle (control group) or PAI-1 inhibitor (PAI-039 group). Endometriotic lesion size generated in recipient mice was monitored by mCherry signal. Animals were euthanized 21 days after endometrial tissue implantation and endometriotic lesions were harvested for fibrin deposit and vascularization analyses. Collagen content was also examined to determine the overall effects of proteolysis on extracellular matrix degradation. We demonstrated that endometriotic lesions generated in recipient mice from both groups presented characteristics typical of human endometriotic lesions. We observed a significant decrease in fluorescence signal in endometriotic lesions from the PAI-039 group at the beginning of the treatment correlated with a decrease in endometriotic lesion size. PAI-1 inhibition significantly decreased lesion cell proliferation. In addition, endometriotic lesions from the PAI-1 inhibition group showed a decreased percentage of neovascularization as well as fibrin deposits. However, the density and distribution of collagen were not affected by PAI-039. Our results suggest that in vivo inhibition of PAI-1 by PAI-039 may be a useful strategy to reduce endometriotic lesion size by blocking angiogenesis.
Summary Sentence
PAI-1 inhibition reduces angiogenesis and decreases endometriotic lesion size in a homologous mouse model of endometriosis.
Seminal plasma (SP), the liquid fraction of semen, is not mandatory for conception, but clinical studies suggest that SP improves implantation rates. Prior in vitro studies examining the effects of SP on the endometrium, the site of implantation, surprisingly revealed that SP induces transcriptional profiles associated with neurogenesis. We investigated the presence and activity of neurogenesis pathways in the endometrium, focusing on TrkA, one of the canonical receptors associated with neurotrophic signaling. We demonstrate that TrkA is expressed in the endometrium. To determine if SP activates TrkA signaling, we isolated the two most abundant endometrial cell types—endometrial epithelial cells (eEC) and endometrial stromal fibroblasts (eSF)—and examined TrkA activity in these cells after SP exposure. While SP only moderately activated TrkA in eEC, it potently and rapidly activated TrkA in eSF. This activation occurred in both non-decidualized and decidualized eSF. Blocking this pathway resulted in dysregulation of SP-induced cytokine production by eSF. Surprisingly, while the canonical TrkA agonist nerve growth factor was detected in SP, TrkA activation was principally induced by a 30–100-kDa protein whose identity remains to be established. Our results show that TrkA signaling is highly active in eSF and is rapidly induced by SP.
Summary Sentence
TrkA signaling is highly active in endometrial stromal fibroblasts and is rapidly induced by seminal plasma.
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disorder among reproductive-aged women associated with pelvic pain, anxiety, and depression. Pain is characterized by central sensitization; however, it is not clear if endometriosis leads to increased pain perception or if women with the disease are more sensitive to pain, increasing the detection of endometriosis. Endometriosis was induced in mice and changes in behavior including pain perception, brain electrophysiology, and gene expression were characterized. Behavioral tests revealed that mice with endometriosis were more depressed, anxious and sensitive to pain compared to sham controls. Microarray analyses confirmed by qPCR identified differential gene expression in several regions of brain in mice with endometriosis. In these mice, genes such as Gpr88, Glra3 in insula, Chrnb4, Npas4 in the hippocampus, and Lcn2 in the amygdala were upregulated while Lct, Serpina3n (insula), and Nptx2 (amygdala) were downregulated. These genes are involved in anxiety, locomotion, and pain. Patch clamp recordings in the amygdala were altered in endometriosis mice demonstrating an effect of endometriosis on brain electrophysiology. Endometriosis induced pain sensitization, anxiety, and depression by modulating brain gene expression and electrophysiology; the effect of endometriosis on the brain may underlie pain sensitization and mood disorders reported in women with the disease.
Summary Sentence
Endometriosis disrupts brain gene expression and electrophysiology, inducing anxiety, depression, and pain sensitization in mice.
Endometriosis (EM) is a kind of estrogen-dependent disease in reproductive-age women. Ovarian EM is the most common type. Although EM is a benign disease, it shares many similar features with cancers. Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), a newly identified tumor suppressor, plays an important role in inhibiting tumorigenesis and tumor progression at the transcriptional and translational levels. To explore the roles of PDCD4 in EM,we detected the expression of PDCD4 in control endometrium and eutopic/ectopic endometrium of ovarian EM patients, and analyzed the effects of PDCD4 on the biological behaviors of endometrial cell lines and primary endometrial cells. The results demonstrated that PDCD4 was downregulated in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of EM patients compared with control endometrium. PDCD4 effectively inhibited the proliferation and colony-forming ability of endometrial cells maybe by inhibiting cell autophagy. In addition, PDCD4 also suppressed the migration and invasion ability of endometrial cells, the mechanism may be related to NF-κB/MMP2/MMP9 signal pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that PDCD4 could be involved in the pathogenesis of EM, and provide a novel approach to target the aberrant PDCD4 expression in EM.
Summary Sentence
PDCD4 suppresses proliferation, migration, and invasion of endometrial cells by the inhibition of autophagy and inactivation of NF-κB/MMP2/MMP9 signal pathway.
Mariana Weigel Munõz, María A. Battistone, Guillermo Carvajal, Julieta A Maldera, Ludmila Curci, Pablo Torres, Daniel Lombardo, Omar P. Pignataro, Vanina G. Da Ros, Patricia S. Cuasnicú
Epididymal sperm protein CRISP1 has the ability to both regulate murine CatSper, a key sperm calcium channel, and interact with egg-binding sites during fertilization. In spite of its relevance for sperm function, Crisp1-/- mice are fertile. Considering that phenotypes can be influenced by the genetic background, in the present work mice from the original mixed Crisp1-/- colony (129/SvEv*C57BL/6) were backcrossed onto the C57BL/6 strain for subsequent analysis of their reproductive phenotype. Whereas fertility and fertilization rates of C57BL/6 Crisp1-/- males did not differ from those reported for mice from the mixed background, several sperm functional parameters were clearly affected by the genetic background. Crisp1-/- sperm from the homogeneous background exhibited defects in both the progesterone-induced acrosome reaction and motility not observed in the mixed background, and normal rather than reduced protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Additional studies revealed a significant decrease in sperm hyperactivation as well as in cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA) substrate phosphorylation levels in sperm from both colonies. The finding that exposure of mutant sperm to a cAMP analog and phosphodiesterase inhibitor overcame the sperm functional defects observed in each colony indicated that a common cAMPPKA signaling defect led to different phenotypes depending on the genetic background. Altogether, our observations indicate that the phenotype of CRISP1 null males is modulated by the genetic context and reveal new roles for the protein in both the functional events and signaling pathways associated to capacitation.
Summary Sentence
Analysis of the reproductive phenotype of mice lacking CRISP1 shows the influence of the genetic background on different sperm functional parameters and reveals the involvement of CRISP1 in the cAMP-PKA signaling cascade leading to capacitation.
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is a highly conserved protein kinase regulating key cellular functions. Its two isoforms, GSK3α and GSK3β, are encoded by distinct genes. In most tissues the two isoforms are functionally interchangeable, except in the developing embryo where GSK3β is essential. One functional allele of either of the two isoforms is sufficient to maintain normal tissue functions. Both GSK3 isoforms, present in sperm from several species including human, are suggested to play a role in epididymal initiation of sperm motility. Using genetic approaches, we have tested requirement for each of the two GSK3 isoforms in testis and sperm. Both GSK3 isoforms are expressed at high levels during the onset of spermatogenesis. Conditional knockout of GSK3α, but not GSK3β, in developing testicular germ cells in mice results in male infertility. Mice lacking one allele each of GSK3α and GSK3β are fertile. Despite overlapping expression and localization in differentiating spermatids, GSK3β does not substitute for GSK3α. Loss of GSK3α impairs sperm hexokinase activity resulting in low ATP levels. Net adenine nucleotide levels in caudal sperm lacking GSK3α resemble immature caput epididymal sperm. Changes in the association of the protein phosphatase PP1γ 2 with its protein interactors occurring during epididymal sperm maturation is impaired in sperm lacking GSK3α. The isoform-specific requirement for GSK3α is likely due to its specific binding partners in the sperm principal piece. Testis and sperm are unique in their specific requirement of GSK3α for normal function and male fertility.
Male infertility is a complex condition, and for the most part, all men produce defective spermatozoa, but infertile men have a tendency to produce more. Despite attempts to classify infertility, there is no definitive test. One approach would be to use protein biomarkers; however as yet, we still do not understand proteins that are differentially expressed within defective spermatozoa. As such, we took nine men (fertility status unknown) and used Percoll density gradients to isolate a population of good- and poor-quality sperm. For four of these men, we also obtained multiple ejaculations. The most noticeable differences between the Percoll-isolated fractions were motility and CMA3 staining. While the good sperm fraction produced cells with at least 80% forward progressive motility and low levels of CMA3 staining, the poor-quality sperm demonstrated less than 10% forward progressive motility and higher levels CMA3 staining. Using the technique of sequential window activation of all theoretical mass spectra, we quantified 2774 proteins and found 171 proteins to be significantlymore abundant in the good sperm fraction, while 104 proteins were significantly more abundant in the lower sperm fraction (adjusted Benjamini–Hochberg significance of P < 0.018, minimum 2-fold difference).
Summary Sentence
Several proteins are found to be consistently aberrantly expressed in poor-quality human spermatozoa
Sonia C. DaSilva-Arnold, Stacy Zamudio, Abdulla Al-Khan, Jesus Alvarez-Perez, Ciaran Mannion, Christopher Koenig, Davlyn Luke, Anisha M. Perez, Margaret Petroff, Manuel Alvarez, Nicholas P. Illsley
Differentiation of first trimester human placental cytotrophoblast (CTB) from an anchoragedependent epithelial phenotype into the mesenchymal-like invasive extravillous trophoblast (EVT) is crucial in the development of the maternal–fetal interface. We showed previously that differentiation of first trimester CTB to EVT involves an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here we compare the epithelial-mesenchymal characteristics of CTB and EVT derived from normal third trimester placenta or placenta previa versus abnormally invasive placenta (AIP). CTB and EVT were isolated from normal term placenta or placenta previa following Caesarean section and EVT from AIP following Caesarean hysterectomy. Cell identity was validated by measurement of cytokeratin-7 and HLA-G. Comparing normal term CTB with EVT from normal term placenta or placenta previa for differential expression analysis of genes associated with the EMT showed changes in >70% of the genes probed. While demonstrating a mesenchymal phenotype relative to CTB, many of the gene expression changes in third trimester EVT were reduced relative to the first trimester EVT. We suggest that third trimester EVT are in a more constrained, metastable state compared to first trimester equivalents. By contrast, EVT from AIP demonstrate characteristics that are more mesenchymal than normal third trimester EVT, placing them closer to first trimester EVT on the EMT spectrum, consistent with a more invasive phenotype.
Summary Sentence
Extravillous trophoblast cells from abnormally invasive placenta demonstrate more mesenchymal characteristics than normal third trimester cells, consistent with an overinvasive phenotype.
Preeclampsia is a severe pregnancy-related disorder, and patients usually present with high circulating inflammatory factor levels and excessive activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. Administration of aspirin (ASP) is effective for preventing preeclampsia, and thus, we propose that ASP might affect placental function by regulating the NF-κB pathway. Systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (20 µg/kg) was used to induce preeclampsia-like pregnant mouse model, and low-dose ASP (15.2mg/kg) was administrated. Here, we report significantly increased circulatory expression levels of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and soluble Fms-related tyrosine kinase-1 in LPS-treated pregnant mice, accompanied by kidney and placental dysfunction. Low-dose ASP treatment significantly reversed the preeclampsia-like phenotype, lowering hypertension, decreasing proteinuria, and ameliorating fetal growth retardation. Moreover, the excessive activation of NF-κB signaling in mice placentae induced by LPS was significantly reduced by ASP. In JEG-3 cells, LPS activated the NF-κB signaling pathway by upregulating the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and related inflammatory factors, whereas the invasion ability of JEG-3 cells was weakened. However, ASP administration impeded NF-κB signaling activation, downregulated COX-2 and inflammatory factor expression, and rescued trophoblast invasion. This study provides new evidence that low-dose ASP is beneficial for preeclampsia prevention by inhibiting NF-κB and its downstream signaling pathways in trophoblast cells.
Summary Sentence
Low-dose ASP is beneficial for preventing LPS-induced preeclampsia by inhibiting NF-κB and downstream signaling pathways in trophoblast cells.
Jennifer F. Thorson, Ligia D. Prezotto, Hillary Adams, Sandra L. Petersen, Jeffrey A. Clapper, Elane C. Wright, William T. Oliver, Bradley A. Freking, Andrew P. Foote, Elaine D. Berry, Danny J. Nonneman, Clay A. Lents
The pubertal transition of gonadotropin secretion in pigs is metabolically gated. Kisspeptin (KISS1) and neurokinin B (NKB) are coexpressed in neurons within the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC) and are thought to play an important role in the integration of nutrition and metabolic state with the reproductive neuroendocrine axis. The hypothesis that circulating concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and expression of KISS1 and tachykinin 3(TAC3, encodes NKB) in the ARC of female pigs are reduced with negative energy balance was tested using ovariectomized, prepubertal gilts fed to either gain or lose body weight. Restricted feeding of ovariectomized gilts caused a rapid and sustained metabolic response characterized by reduced concentrations of plasma urea nitrogen, insulin, leptin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 and elevated concentrations of free fatty acids. The secretory pattern of LH shifted from one of low amplitude to one of high amplitude, which caused overall circulating concentrations of LH to be greater in restricted gilts. Nutrient-restricted gilts had greater expression of follicle-stimulating hormone and gonadotropinreleasing hormone receptor, but not LH in the anterior pituitary gland. Expression of KISS1 in the ARC was not affected by dietary treatment, but expression of TAC3 was greater in restricted gilts. These data are consistent with the idea that hypothalamic expression of KISS1 is correlated with the number of LH pulse in pig, and further indicate that amplitude of LH pulses may be regulated by NKB in the gilt.
Summary Sentence
Nutritional restriction affects pulsatile secretion of LH with no effect on expression of kisspeptin but increased neurokinin B in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus of ovariectomized gilts.
Sexual behavior in teleost fish is highly plastic. It can be attributed to the relatively few sex differences found in adult brain transcriptomes. Environmental and hormonal factors can influence sex-specific behavior. Androgen treatment stimulates behavioral masculinization. Sex dimorphic gene expression in developing teleost brains and the molecular basis for androgen-induced behavioral masculinization are poorly understood. In this study, juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio) were treated with 100 ng/L of 17 alpha-methyltestosterone (MT) during sexual development from 20 days post fertilization to 40 days and 60 days post fertilization. We compared brain gene expression patterns in MT-treated zebrafish with control males and females using RNA-Seq to shed light on the dynamic changes in brain gene expression during sexual development and how androgens affect brain gene expression leading to behavior masculinization. We found modest differences in gene expression between juvenile male and female zebrafish brains. Brain aromatase (cyp19a1b), prostaglandin 3a synthase (ptges3a), and prostaglandin reductase 1 (ptgr1) were among the genes with sexually dimorphic expression patterns. MT treatment significantly altered gene expression relative to both male and female brains. Fewer differences were found among MT-treated brains and male brains compared to female brains, particularly at 60 dpf. MT treatment upregulated the expression of hydroxysteroid 11-beta dehydrogenase 2 (hsd11b2), deiodinase, iodothyronine, type II (dio2), and gonadotrophin releasing hormones (GnRH) 2 and 3 (gnrh2 and gnrh3) suggesting local synthesis of 11-ketotestosterone, triiodothyronine, and GnRHs in zebrafish brains which are influenced by androgens. Androgen, estrogen, prostaglandin, thyroid hormone, and GnRH signaling pathways likely interact to modulate teleost sexual behavior.
Summary Sentence
17α-Methyltestosterone treatment significantly alters gene expression in juvenile male and female zebrafish brains during sexual development.
Immunocastration via vaccination against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is an effective alternative to surgical castration in livestock. In this study, male mice were immunized with eight GnRH peptide derivatives. Two, which exhibited highly significant effects in mice, and one which exhibited the least significant effects were selected for active immunization of 13-month-old bulls. The effects of these GnRH vaccines on sexual development and meat quality in bulls were evaluated by examining testis length, serum hormone and GnRH antibody concentrations, observation of sexual behavior and testicular tissue sections, and evaluation of meat quality indexes. The results indicated that anti-GnRH titers increased rapidly (P < 0.05) and serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone concentrations decreased sharply after booster immunization (P < 0.05), while testis volumes were lower (P < 0.01), testicular growth was arrested and spermatogenesis inhibited in group C GnRH-treated versus control bull groups. Meat quality was not significantly different in immunocastrates relative to bulls in the control group. Our collective results provide a scientific basis to further clarify the mechanisms underlying GnRH-mediated regulation of livestock reproduction, and contribute to the development of an efficient, safe, and reversible immune castration vaccine.
Summary Sentence
Studying active immunization against GnRH has been a focus for future research. However, the immunogenicity of GnRH monomeric derivatives were produced undesirable results. In this paper, we successfully developed a highly efficient animal castration vaccine.
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