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Molecular Insights into Reproductive Biology and Related Diseases
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Molecular Insights into Reproductive Biology and Related Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025 | Viewed by 7365

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Alejandro Vicente-Carrillo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Production, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: animal reproduction; spermatology; molecular reproduction; farm animals; wildlife

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Reproduction is determined by a series of cellular and molecular events to guarantee a spermatozoon’s ability to reach and fertilize the oocyte. Fine-tune regulation at the molecular level of sperm motility, sperm capacitation, or oocyte maturation allows fertilization. Once the zygote is formed, the success of embryo development is regulated by complex molecular mechanisms. However, misregulation at the molecular level can lead to reproductive diseases such as infertility or loss of embryos. Thus, it is crucial to understand the molecular regulation of both male and female gametes, as well as embryo development, to deepen our knowledge in reproductive biology and its related diseases.

The goal of this Special Issue is to cover new advances in molecular reproduction and reproductive diseases in domestic, laboratory, and wild animals, as well as in human research. All formats of scientific work (original articles, reviews, and short communications) will be accepted in this Special Issue.

Dr. Alejandro Vicente-Carrillo
Guest Editor

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

  • spermatozoa
  • oocyte
  • molecular reproduction
  • infertility

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 754 KiB  
Article
Effects of Two Hormonal Protocols for FTAI on the Fertility of Repeat Cows
by Luis Miguel Vargas Ortiz, Verónica Cristina Andrade Yucailla, Juan Ramón García Díaz, Néstor Vicente Acosta Lozano, Ramón Gonzalo Aragadvay Yungán and Raciel Lima Orozco
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(12), 5499; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125499 - 8 Jun 2025
Viewed by 385
Abstract
This study, carried out from January to July 2022 in three provinces of Ecuador, aimed to evaluate the effect of two hormonal protocols for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) on the follicular dynamics, hormonal profile and fertility of dairy cows affected by repeat cow [...] Read more.
This study, carried out from January to July 2022 in three provinces of Ecuador, aimed to evaluate the effect of two hormonal protocols for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) on the follicular dynamics, hormonal profile and fertility of dairy cows affected by repeat cow syndrome (RCS). Two groups of Holstein cows with RCS were formed, G1 (conventional) and G2 (J-Sinch), with 26 and 24 animals, respectively. Gynaecological examinations and hormonal determinations in blood serum were carried out. Follicular diameter and concentrations of FSH, LH and P4 were compared by t-Student test for independent samples, estrus and pregnancy were compared by binomial comparison of proportions, and factors associated with pregnancy were determined by a model of logistic regression (LR). In G1, the diameter of the dominant follicle was greater (p < 0.05) in the left ovary on day 7 following intravaginal device implantation. However, it was similar (p > 0.05) in the right ovary on days 7, 8 and 9. The estradiol and LH concentrations at the time of FTAI and the P4 concentrations 15 days after FTAI, as well as the pregnancy rate, were higher in G1 (p < 0.05). The LR model explained 60.91% of pregnancies (p < 0.001), and the concentrations of estradiol, LH and P4 and the absence of estrus at the time of FTAI had an influence on the pregnancy rate (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the inclusion of estradiol benzoate increased the dominant follicle diameter and the concentrations of estradiol, LH and P4 and the pregnancy rate at the first FTAI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Reproductive Biology and Related Diseases)
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28 pages, 3046 KiB  
Article
Does the Type of Semen Affect the Phosphoproteome of Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Spermatozoa?
by Katarzyna T. Rafalska, Aleksandra Orzołek, Joanna Ner-Kluza and Paweł Wysocki
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(8), 3467; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26083467 - 8 Apr 2025
Viewed by 502
Abstract
Yellow semen syndrome (YSS) is an increasingly common reproductive health problem in male turkeys. This condition is characterised by a yellow discolouration of semen, often linked to decreased semen quality and fertility. Yellow semen syndrome poses a significant concern due to its negative [...] Read more.
Yellow semen syndrome (YSS) is an increasingly common reproductive health problem in male turkeys. This condition is characterised by a yellow discolouration of semen, often linked to decreased semen quality and fertility. Yellow semen syndrome poses a significant concern due to its negative impact on the reproductive performance of turkeys. Phosphorylation is one of the major post-translational modifications of proteins. A better understanding of the function of the sperm phosphoproteome is crucial for the advancement of reproductive biology and the development of therapies for male infertility. Spermatozoa from semen samples with YSS were characterised by lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced plasma membrane integrity (PMI), and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). However, these samples showed increased antioxidant enzyme activity and an elevated glutathione (GSH) content. Yellow sperm also had a lower percentage of viable cells and a higher proportion of apoptotic and necrotic cells. The phosphoproteins identified in turkey sperm play key roles in sperm maturation, the development of a functional motility apparatus, efficient cellular metabolism, protection against oxidative stress, and successful fertilisation of an egg. Yellow semen syndrome altered the phosphorylation of turkey sperm proteins on serine, threonine (p ≤ 0.05), and tyrosine residues, which could have influenced the metabolism and physiology of spermatozoa in yellow semen samples, thus affecting their reproductive potential. These findings highlight the impact of YSS on sperm function, including phosphorylation-dependent processes that are crucial for reproduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Reproductive Biology and Related Diseases)
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20 pages, 6909 KiB  
Article
Altered Sertoli Cell Function Contributes to Spermatogenic Arrest in Dogs with Chronic Asymptomatic Orchitis
by Pauline Rehder, Eva-Maria Packeiser, Hanna Körber and Sandra Goericke-Pesch
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 1108; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031108 - 27 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2194
Abstract
Acquired infertility due to chronic asymptomatic orchitis (CAO) is a common finding in male dogs. It is characterized by spermatogenic arrest, a significant reduction in spermatogonia, immune cell infiltration and a disruption of the blood–testis barrier. Sertoli cells are a key factor for [...] Read more.
Acquired infertility due to chronic asymptomatic orchitis (CAO) is a common finding in male dogs. It is characterized by spermatogenic arrest, a significant reduction in spermatogonia, immune cell infiltration and a disruption of the blood–testis barrier. Sertoli cells are a key factor for spermatogenesis and the testicular micromilieu. We hypothesize altered Sertoli cell function to be involved in the pathogenesis of canine CAO. Consequently, the aim was to gain further insights into the spermatogonial stem cell niche and Sertoli cell function in CAO-affected dogs. Therefore, the testicular expression of the Sertoli cell-derived factors bFGF, GDNF, WNT5A, BMP4, CXCL12 and LDHC were evaluated in 15 CAO testis tissues and 10 normospermic controls by relative quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Additionally, the protein expression patterns of bFGF, GDNF and WNT5A were visualized immunohistochemically (IHC). This study revealed an overexpression of bFGF (IHC, p < 0.0001), GDNF (qPCR, p = 0.0036), WNT5A (IHC, p = 0.0066) and CXCL12 (qPCR, p = 0.0003) and a reduction in BMP4 (qPCR, p = 0.0041) and LDHC (qPCR, p = 0.0003) in CAO-affected testis in dogs, clearly confirming impaired Sertoli cell function in canine CAO. Sertoli cell function is essential for spermatogenesis and must be considered for potential therapeutic approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Reproductive Biology and Related Diseases)
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Review

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36 pages, 2185 KiB  
Review
The Importance of Mitochondrial Processes in the Maturation and Acquisition of Competences of Oocytes and Embryo Culture
by Elżbieta Gałęska, Alicja Kowalczyk, Marcjanna Wrzecińska, Mercedes Camiña García, Ewa Czerniawska-Piątkowska, Szymon Gwoździewicz, Wojciech Witkiewicz and Zbigniew Dobrzański
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(9), 4098; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26094098 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1324
Abstract
Mitochondria, as multifunctional and partially independent structures, play a crucial role in determining essential life processes. Recently, their significance in reproductive biology has gained increasing attention. This review aims to comprehensively analyse the role of mitochondrial processes in oocyte maturation and embryo culture. [...] Read more.
Mitochondria, as multifunctional and partially independent structures, play a crucial role in determining essential life processes. Recently, their significance in reproductive biology has gained increasing attention. This review aims to comprehensively analyse the role of mitochondrial processes in oocyte maturation and embryo culture. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to highlight the importance of mitochondrial activity in the early stages of life formation. Proper mitochondrial function provides energy, maintains genomic stability, and ensures optimal conditions for fertilisation and embryo progression. Understanding these processes is essential to optimise culture conditions and identify new mitochondrial biomarkers that improve reproductive success and improve assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Enhancing mitochondrial function in female reproductive cells is the key to improving oocyte and embryo quality, which can lead to better in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer. Furthermore, advances in diagnostic techniques, such as mitochondrial genome sequencing, offer a more precise understanding of the relationship between mitochondrial health and oocyte quality. However, fully understanding mitochondrial functions is only part of the challenge. Expanding knowledge of the interactions between mitochondria and other cellular structures is crucial for future advancements in reproductive medicine. Understanding these complex relationships will provide deeper insight into improving reproductive outcomes and embryo development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Reproductive Biology and Related Diseases)
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19 pages, 2328 KiB  
Review
The Intricate Functional Networks of Pre-mRNA Alternative Splicing in Mammalian Spermatogenesis
by Nan Jiang, Yi Li, Lisha Yin, Shuiqiao Yuan and Fengli Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 12074; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212074 - 10 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2101
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a highly coordinated process that requires the precise expression of specific subsets of genes in different types of germ cells, controlled both temporally and spatially. Among these genes, those that can exert an indispensable influence in spermatogenesis via participating in alternative [...] Read more.
Spermatogenesis is a highly coordinated process that requires the precise expression of specific subsets of genes in different types of germ cells, controlled both temporally and spatially. Among these genes, those that can exert an indispensable influence in spermatogenesis via participating in alternative splicing make up the overwhelming majority. mRNA alternative-splicing (AS) events can generate various isoforms with distinct functions from a single DNA sequence, based on specific AS codes. In addition to enhancing the finite diversity of the genome, AS can also regulate the transcription and translation of certain genes by directly binding to their cis-elements or by recruiting trans-elements that interact with consensus motifs. The testis, being one of the most complex tissue transcriptomes, undergoes unparalleled transcriptional and translational activity, supporting the dramatic and dynamic transitions that occur during spermatogenesis. Consequently, AS plays a vital role in producing an extensive array of transcripts and coordinating significant changes throughout this process. In this review, we summarize the intricate functional network of alternative splicing in spermatogenesis based on the integration of current research findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Reproductive Biology and Related Diseases)
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