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Animals
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Reproductive Biology of Animals: A Focus on Gamete Biology and...
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Reproductive Biology of Animals: A Focus on Gamete Biology and Role of Antioxidants

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 24118

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Izhar Hyder Qazi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Biosciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Sindh, Pakistan
2. Laboratory of Animal Bio-Technology and Embryo Engineering, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
Interests: reproductive biology; experimental embryology; molecular embryology; IVF; ovarian biology; sperm biology; histology; reproductive aging; oxidative stress; ROS and RNS; antioxidants; RNA sequencing; trace elements; selenium; selenoproteins; oocyte cryopreservation; sperm cryopreservation; fertility
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Guangbin Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Interests: antioxidant; oocyte/embryo cryopreservation; oxidative stress; in vitro maturation; in vitro fertilization; embryonic genome

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We now know that the delicate balance in redox regulation is necessary for the optimal functioning of cells. The association between oxidative stress and mammalian reproductive biology is one of the key scientific domains that are compelling us for further detailed investigations and understanding. It has been shown that alterations in redox status could lead to oxidative stress and adversely affect animal reproductive (oocyte and sperm) biology by altering the expression of biologically important markers and activity of endogenous antioxidants. Meanwhile, there is an unfortunate lack of therapeutic schemes aimed at either preserving or ameliorating the quality and development of gametes. A growing body of evidence from recent studies has shown that pharmacological interventions might help to improve gamete development both in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, encouraging evidence from these studies provides the prospect of exploiting additional non-invasive and robust therapeutic interventions in this field of high scientific significance.

Furthermore, cryopreservation of gametes, as an adjunct to artificial assisted reproductive technologies, has also have remained at the center of attention for many researchers and clinicians working in the field of reproductive biology. However, the search for developing a mutually beneficial procedure where both these technologies could provide the optimal conditions for improved survival and development rates, and clinical outcomes, is crucial to forming efficient treatment strategies. Therefore, the quest for improvements in gamete cryopreservation protocols remains in the scope of researchers.

In addition, focused research aimed at elucidation of key molecular mechanisms relevant to oogenesis and spermatogenesis both in young and aging models has also been at the center of attention in recent years, but so far, our understanding of this fascinating area of research has been limited.

This Special Issue of Animals has been planned to invite learned researchers working in different domains of reproductive biology and embryology to contribute high-quality research and review articles in any aspect of the abovementioned research themes.

Dr. Izhar Hyder Qazi
Prof. Dr. Guangbin Zhou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Reproductive biology
  • Reproductive aging
  • Embryology
  • Oxidative stress
  • Antioxidants
  • Ovary and testes
  • Follicle development
  • Oocyte/sperm cryopreservation
  • Assisted reproductive technologies
  • Fertilization
  • IVF and embryo transfer
  • RNA sequencing
  • Implantation, placenta, uterus
  • Development and nutrigenomics
  • Use of novel/new antioxidants in reproductive biology

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 3453 KiB  
Article
Effects of N Acetylcysteine on the Expression of Genes Associated with Reproductive Performance in the Goat Uterus during Early Gestation
by Kaibin Fu, Xiang Chen, Wei Guo, Zhinan Zhou, Yan Zhang, Taotao Ji, Peifang Yang, Xingzhou Tian, Weiwei Wang and Yue Zou
Animals 2022, 12(18), 2431; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12182431 - 15 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1737
Abstract
N acetylcysteine (NAC) affects antioxidation and reactive oxygen species scavenging in the body and thereby promotes embryonic development and implantation and inhibits inflammation. The mechanism through which NAC regulates reproductive performance in the uteri of goats during early gestation remains unclear. In this [...] Read more.
N acetylcysteine (NAC) affects antioxidation and reactive oxygen species scavenging in the body and thereby promotes embryonic development and implantation and inhibits inflammation. The mechanism through which NAC regulates reproductive performance in the uteri of goats during early gestation remains unclear. In this study, the treatment group was fed 0.07% NAC for the first 35 days of gestation, whereas the control group received no NAC supplementation. The regulatory genes and key pathways associated with goat reproductive performance under NAC supplementation were identified by RNA-seq. RT–qPCR was used to verify the sequencing results and subsequently construct tissue expression profiles of the relevant genes. RNA-seq identified 19,796 genes coexpressed in the control and treatment groups and 1318 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 787 and 531 DEGs enriched in the treatment and control groups, respectively. A GO analysis revealed that the identified genes mapped to pathways such as cell activation, cytokine production, cell mitotic processes, and angiogenesis, and a KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were enriched in pathways associated with reproductive regulation, immune regulation, resistance to oxidative stress, and cell adhesion. The RT–qPCR analysis showed that BDNF and CSF-1 were most highly expressed in the uterus, that WIF1 and ESR2 showed low expression in the uterus, and that CTSS, PTX3, and TGFβ-3 were most highly expressed in the oviduct, which indicated that these genes may be directly or indirectly involved in the modulation of reproduction in early-gestation goats. These findings provide fundamental data for the NAC-mediated modulation of the reproductive performance of goats during early gestation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Biology of Animals: A Focus on Gamete Biology and Role of Antioxidants)
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11 pages, 2510 KiB  
Article
Anti-Müllerian Hormone Inhibits FSH-Induced Cumulus Oocyte Complex In Vitro Maturation and Cumulus Expansion in Mice
by Xue Yu, Zan Li, Xinzhe Zhao, Liping Hua, Shuanghang Liu, Changjiu He, Liguo Yang, John S. Davis and Aixin Liang
Animals 2022, 12(9), 1209; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12091209 - 7 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5361
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is secreted by the ovaries of female animals and exerts its biological effects through the type II receptor (AMHR2). AMH regulates follicular growth by inhibiting the recruitment of primordial follicles and reducing the sensitivity of antral follicles to FSH. Despite [...] Read more.
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is secreted by the ovaries of female animals and exerts its biological effects through the type II receptor (AMHR2). AMH regulates follicular growth by inhibiting the recruitment of primordial follicles and reducing the sensitivity of antral follicles to FSH. Despite the considerable research on the actions of AMH in granulosa cells, the effect of AMH on the in vitro maturation of oocytes remains largely unknown. In the current study, we showed that AMH is only expressed in cumulus cells, while AMHR2 is produced in both cumulus cells and oocytes. AMH had no significant effect on COCs nuclear maturation, whereas it inhibited the stimulatory effects of FSH on COCs maturation and cumulus expansion. Moreover, AMH treatment effectively inhibited the positive effect of FSH on the mRNA expressions of Hyaluronan synthase 2 (Has2), Pentraxin 3 (Ptx3), and TNF-alpha-induced protein 6 (Tnfaip 6) genes in COCs. In addition, AMH significantly decreased the FSH-stimulated progesterone production, but did not change estradiol levels. Taken together, our results suggest that AMH may inhibit the effects of FSH-induced COCs in vitro maturation and cumulus expansion. These findings increase our knowledge of the functional role of AMH in regulating folliculogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Biology of Animals: A Focus on Gamete Biology and Role of Antioxidants)
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18 pages, 13546 KiB  
Article
Melatonin Promotes In Vitro Maturation of Vitrified-Warmed Mouse Germinal Vesicle Oocytes, Potentially by Reducing Oxidative Stress through the Nrf2 Pathway
by Shichao Guo, Jinyu Yang, Jianpeng Qin, Izhar Hyder Qazi, Bo Pan, Shengqin Zang, Tianyi Lv, Shoulong Deng, Yi Fang and Guangbin Zhou
Animals 2021, 11(8), 2324; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082324 - 6 Aug 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3204
Abstract
Previously it was reported that melatonin could mitigate oxidative stress caused by oocyte cryopreservation; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms which cause this remain unclear. The objective was to explore whether melatonin could reduce oxidative stress during in vitro maturation of vitrified-warmed mouse germinal [...] Read more.
Previously it was reported that melatonin could mitigate oxidative stress caused by oocyte cryopreservation; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms which cause this remain unclear. The objective was to explore whether melatonin could reduce oxidative stress during in vitro maturation of vitrified-warmed mouse germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes through the Nrf2 signaling pathway or its receptors. During in vitro maturation of vitrified-warmed mouse GV oocytes, there were decreases (p < 0.05) in the development rates of metaphase I (MI) oocytes and metaphase II (MII) and spindle morphology grades; increases (p < 0.05) in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels; and decreases (p < 0.05) in expressions of Nrf2 signaling pathway-related genes (Nrf2, SOD1) and proteins (Nrf2, HO-1). However, adding 10−7 mol/L melatonin to both the warming solution and maturation solutions improved (p < 0.05) these indicators. When the Nrf2 protein was specifically inhibited by Brusatol, melatonin did not increase development rates, spindle morphology grades, genes, or protein expressions, nor did it reduce vitrification-induced intracellular oxidative stress in GV oocytes during in vitro maturation. In addition, when melatonin receptors were inhibited by luzindole, the ability of melatonin to scavenge intracellular ROS was decreased, and the expressions of genes (Nrf2, SOD1) and proteins (Nrf2, HO-1) were not restored to control levels. Therefore, we concluded that 10−7 mol/L melatonin acted on the Nrf2 signaling pathway through its receptors to regulate the expression of genes (Nrf2, SOD1) and proteins (Nrf2, HO-1), and mitigate intracellular oxidative stress, thereby enhancing in vitro development of vitrified-warmed mouse GV oocytes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Biology of Animals: A Focus on Gamete Biology and Role of Antioxidants)
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19 pages, 3574 KiB  
Article
Integrated Analysis of Long Non-Coding RNA and mRNA Expression Profiles in Testes of Calves and Sexually Mature Wandong Bulls (Bos taurus)
by Hongyu Liu, Ibrar Muhammad Khan, Huiqun Yin, Xinqi Zhou, Muhammad Rizwan, Jingyi Zhuang and Yunhai Zhang
Animals 2021, 11(7), 2006; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072006 - 5 Jul 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4193
Abstract
The mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs axes are playing a vital role in the regulating of post-transcriptional gene expression. Thereby, elucidating the expression pattern of mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs underlying testis development is crucial. In this study, mRNA and long non-coding RNAs [...] Read more.
The mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs axes are playing a vital role in the regulating of post-transcriptional gene expression. Thereby, elucidating the expression pattern of mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs underlying testis development is crucial. In this study, mRNA and long non-coding RNAs expression profiles were investigated in 3-month-old calves and 3-year-old mature bulls’ testes by total RNA sequencing. Additionally, during the gene level analysis, 21,250 mRNAs and 20,533 long non-coding RNAs were identified. As a result, 7908 long non-coding RNAs (p-adjust < 0.05) and 5122 mRNAs (p-adjust < 0.05) were significantly differentially expressed between the distinct age groups. In addition, gene ontology and biological pathway analyses revealed that the predicted target genes are enriched in the lysine degradation, cell cycle, propanoate metabolism, adherens junction and cell adhesion molecules pathways. Correspondingly, the RT-qPCR validation results showed a strong consistency with the sequencing data. The source genes for the mRNAs (CCDC83, DMRTC2, HSPA2, IQCG, PACRG, SPO11, EHHADH, SPP1, NSD2 and ACTN4) and the long non-coding RNAs (COX7A2, COX6B2, TRIM37, PRM2, INHBA, ERBB4, SDHA, ATP6VOA2, FGF9 and TCF21) were found to be actively associated with bull sexual maturity and spermatogenesis. This study provided a comprehensive catalog of long non-coding RNAs in the bovine testes and also offered useful resources for understanding the differences in sexual development caused by the changes in the mRNA and long non-coding RNA interaction expressions between the immature and mature stages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Biology of Animals: A Focus on Gamete Biology and Role of Antioxidants)
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24 pages, 6524 KiB  
Article
Combination of Quercetin and Vitamin E Supplementation Promotes Yolk Precursor Synthesis and Follicle Development in Aging Breeder Hens via Liver–Blood–Ovary Signal Axis
by Felix Kwame Amevor, Zhifu Cui, Xiaxia Du, Zifan Ning, Gang Shu, Ningning Jin, Xun Deng, Yaofu Tian, Zhichao Zhang, Xincheng Kang, Dan Xu, Guishuang You, Yao Zhang, Diyan Li, Yan Wang, Qing Zhu and Xiaoling Zhao
Animals 2021, 11(7), 1915; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11071915 - 28 Jun 2021
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3782
Abstract
The fertility of female animals is negatively correlated with increasing chronological age. In aging broiler breeder hens, there is a decline in the functionality of the ovary and liver accompanied by hormonal or endocrine changes, a reduction in antioxidant capacity, and a decrease [...] Read more.
The fertility of female animals is negatively correlated with increasing chronological age. In aging broiler breeder hens, there is a decline in the functionality of the ovary and liver accompanied by hormonal or endocrine changes, a reduction in antioxidant capacity, and a decrease in folliculogenesis. Therefore, improving the reproductive function in aging breeder hens using dietary strategies is of great concern to the poultry breeder. This study evaluated the capacity of dietary quercetin (Q), vitamin E (VE), and their combination (Q + VE) to promote follicle development and attenuate organ inflammation by improving the antioxidant capacity of aging breeder hens. In this study, 400 broiler breeder hens (Tianfu broilers breeder hens, 435 days old) were allotted into four groups (100 birds each) with four replicates each (25 birds each). They were fed diets containing Q (0.4 g/kg), VE (0.2 g/kg), Q + VE (0.4 g/kg + 0.2 g/kg), and a basal diet for 10 weeks. The results showed that Q + VE improved the organ characteristics (p < 0.05), and also that Q + VE showed protective effects on the liver against injury, as well as increasing the antioxidant capacity of the liver, serum, and ovary (p < 0.05). Furthermore, liver lipid synthesis was increased remarkably, as indicated by the changes in triglyceride levels in hens fed Q + VE (p < 0.05). Levels of E2, FSH, and LH, their receptors, and mRNAs related to yolk precursor synthesis were increased by the Q + VE (p < 0.05). Therefore, the combination of quercetin and vitamin E synergistically promotes and regulates the transportation and exchange of synthetic substances among the liver–blood–ovary alliances to ensure the synchronous development and functional coordination between the liver and ovary in aging breeder hens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Biology of Animals: A Focus on Gamete Biology and Role of Antioxidants)
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17 pages, 5173 KiB  
Article
Expression Analysis of Circular RNAs in Young and Sexually Mature Boar Testes
by Fei Zhang, Xiaodong Zhang, Wei Ning, Xiangdong Zhang, Zhenyuan Ru, Shiqi Wang, Mei Sheng, Junrui Zhang, Xueying Zhang, Haiqin Luo, Xin Wang, Zubing Cao and Yunhai Zhang
Animals 2021, 11(5), 1430; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051430 - 17 May 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2151
Abstract
Testicular development is critical for male animals’ reproduction and is tightly regulated by epigenetic factors. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) were recently identified in the testes of humans and bulls. However, the expression profile of circRNAs and their potential biological functions in boar testicular development [...] Read more.
Testicular development is critical for male animals’ reproduction and is tightly regulated by epigenetic factors. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) were recently identified in the testes of humans and bulls. However, the expression profile of circRNAs and their potential biological functions in boar testicular development remain unclear. We identified 34,521 and 31,803 circRNAs in piglet (30 d) and adult (210 d) boar testes by high-throughput sequencing, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that these circRNAs are widely distributed on autosomes and sex chromosomes. Some of the host genes can generate multiple circRNAs. A total of 2326 differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) derived from 1526 host genes was found in testicular development, of which 1003 circRNAs were up-regulated in adult boar testes and 1323 circRNAs were down-regulated. Furthermore, gene ontology analysis of host genes of DECs revealed that these circRNAs are mainly involved in regulating spermatogenesis, cilia motility, and hormone biosynthesis. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the DECs are markedly enriched to stem cell pluripotency regulation, tight junctions, adhesion junctions, and cAMP signaling pathway. These results indicate that circRNAs are abundantly expressed in boar testes and exhibit dynamic changes during testicular development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Biology of Animals: A Focus on Gamete Biology and Role of Antioxidants)
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