Search Results (3,396)

Proper steroid hormone synthesis is essential for maintaining fertility in female animals. Tribbles pseudokinase 1 (Trib1), a member of the Tribbles pseudokinase family, exerts its functions mainly through interacting with other molecules. Numerous studies have shown that Trib1 plays a central role in regulating cell proliferation. In mammals, the proliferation of granulosa cells (GCs) is a hallmark event in follicular development, which is essential for follicular maturation and successful ovulation. However, whether Trib1 regulates ovarian steroid hormone synthesis remains largely unexplored. In this study, we found that Trib1 is predominantly expressed in ovarian GCs. Knockdown of Trib1 in GCs significantly reduced their capacity for steroid hormone synthesis. Furthermore, Trib1 KO female mice were completely infertile, exhibiting impaired transition from primary to antral follicles, increased follicle atresia, and defective steroid hormone secretion. Ovarian RNA-Seq analysis revealed that differential expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in cholesterol metabolism and steroid biosynthesis pathways following Trib1 deletion. Notably, FOSL2, a transcription factor that potentially bound to the promoters of the pivotal steroidogenic genes Star and Cyp11a1, was significantly down-regulated in Trib1 KO mice. Crucially, overexpression of FOSL2 in Trib1-deficient GCs restored Star and Cyp11a1 expression and significantly rescued the ability of steroid hormone synthesis in GCs. Our findings unveil a novel Trib1 gene governing steroidogenesis in GCs and is essential for fertility in female mice, providing profound insights into the female reproductive endocrinology and potential therapeutic targets. Full article

Ecological restoration—whether active or passive—includes forest development, forest rehabilitation, and a range of other activities that contribute to ecosystem services. To provide a formal framework, we hypothesized how does reforestation (through different forestry practices) affect the conservation of soil functionality? That is, how does reforestation/afforestation/forest restoration improve soil quality? And, specifically, how do they improve physical properties (such as structural stability, infiltration) and chemical properties (such as acidity, electrical conductivity)? For this purpose, we conducted a bibliometric analysis review of the peer-reviewed scientific literature and research reports of numerous articles in order to compile a large database of forest restoration studies, with an emphasis on the Mediterranean region. The final focus was to obtain conclusions about how it affects soil quality. Overall, our examination confirms that deforestation drives a decline in soil carbon and nitrogen, subsequently impairing microbial activity. Consequently, forest removal frequently leads to accelerated erosion, nutrient depletion, and compaction. In contrast, reforestation acts as a critical intervention, stabilizing soil structure, reestablishing fertility, and enhancing soil quality overall. Additionally, three case studies are synthetically presented concerning the short-, medium-, and long-term results of forest restoration projects carried out mainly in central and northern Spain. These cases corroborate the significant role of forest restoration in the control and enhancement of ecosystem services, particularly in relation to soil improvement, the enhancement of hydrological regulation processes within watersheds (runoff, infiltration, erosion), landscape amelioration, and the socio-economic aspects of rural environments. Ultimately, forest restoration is established as a necessary and essential practice in ecological restoration efforts to counteract the impacts of anthropogenic activities. Full article

Land leveling deep-seated landslides for agricultural use alters soil profile integrity and soil functionality. In the mid-20th century, such interventions in the Transylvanian Basin (Romania) involved grading and converting landslide bodies into arable land. This study evaluates the consequences of interventions on soil physicochemical properties and erosion susceptibility in the case of two deep-seated landslides. Soil samples collected from leveled landslide bodies were analyzed for pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus (P-AL), available potassium (K-AL), calcium carbonates, humus content, and texture. The results, in the case of the two studied deep-seated landslides, indicate contrasts between areas where the Ah horizon is preserved and where leveling exposed the C horizon or parental material at the surface. Exposed zones exhibit reduced nitrogen and humus content, altered textures, and higher carbonate influence, indicating lower fertility potential despite 65 years of pedogenesis. Spatial assessment using Sentinel-2-derived NDMI and USLE-based erosion modelling confirms increased moisture stress and higher erosion susceptibility in areas with exposed substratum. These findings demonstrate that the leveling of the two studied deep-seated landslide bodies, although effective in expanding arable surfaces, leads to persistent soil degradation patterns and reduced agro-ecological resilience. Sustainable cultivation of such terrains requires targeted soil conservation measures, including erosion control and adapted land management practices. The results provide important implications for land-use planning in landslide-prone agricultural landscapes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Age-related gut microbiota dysbiosis leads to systemic oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and multi-organ functional decline. However, there is limited evidence supporting microbiota-based therapies for aging. This study aimed to examine the effect of gut microbiota from young donors, particularly those with increasing Bifidobacteria levels through dietary intervention, on age-related declines in fertility, cognition, and reproduction. Methods: We conducted experiments using gut microbiota from young human donors, with or without pre-conditioning with barley leaves (BL), to transplant into aged male mice. Hippocampal metabolome and behavioral assessments were used to identify differences in recognitive regulation during aging. Moreover, testis tissue, semen quality, and offspring studies were determined to investigate the beneficial effects on fertility and underlying mechanism. Conclusions: This preliminary dietary treatment promotes the growth of Bifidobacterium in aged recipient mice. Aged male mice received young fecal microbiota transplants (yFMTs), BL-conditioned yFMTs (BLyFMTs), and a combined treatment of BLyFMT plus recipient BL supplementation. The combined approach significantly increased intestinal Bifidobacterium levels and effectively restored hippocampal metabolomic profiles and cognitive behavior. Additionally, yFMT-based treatments mitigated structural damage to the seminiferous tubules and prevented the germ cell depletion. Consistently, those interventions improved sperm quality and mechanistically enhanced hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis activity in aged recipients. These findings highlight Bifidobacterium as a key factor in microbiome-driven rejuvenation, enhancing the effectiveness of yFMTs in addressing aging-related declines. Full article

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agricultural soils are an important source of greenhouse gases and are strongly influenced by fertilization practices. In this study, a field experiment was conducted from 24 June to 12 October 2024, at a saline-alkali farmland site in Binzhou, Shandong Province, China, to evaluate the effect of Bacillus subtilis biofertilizer on N₂O emissions and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Compared with conventional chemical fertilization, the Bacillus subtilis biofertilizer treatment reduced the cumulative N₂O emission flux by 39%. At the N₂O emission peak, the emission flux under the biofertilizer treatment was 40.7%, 18.2% lower than that under the CF and CBF treatments, respectively. Functional gene analysis further showed that at the N₂O emission peak, the biofertilizer treatment reduced the copy number of Bacterial-amoA by 94% and 83% relative to CF and CBF, respectively, while the hao gene abundance in the CF treatment was 7.67, 24 times higher than that in the BF and CBF treatments, indicating that the reduction in N₂O emissions was closely associated with suppression of the nitrification process. In addition, the biofertilizer treatment showed the highest plant nitrogen uptake. All fertilization treatments significantly increased crop yield compared with the control, whereas there was no significant difference in yield among BF, CF, and CBF treatments (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that B. subtilis biofertilizer can mitigate N₂O emissions from saline-alkali farmland without reducing crop yield and may represent a promising strategy for sustainable agricultural management. Full article

Increasing environmental contamination with microplastics (MPs) raises significant concerns regarding their potential impact on reproductive health. This study evaluated the effects of prolonged oral exposure to fluorescent polystyrene microplastics (FPS-MPs) of different sizes on the male reproductive system in Wistar rats. Juvenile male rats at 21 days of age were exposed to FPS-MPs of 1 µm and 5 µm for 52 days, covering the period of sexual maturation and a complete spermatogenesis cycle. Body weight, reproductive organ indices, serum levels of testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), as well as sperm motility and morphology, were assessed. Reproductive potential and accumulation of microplastics in reproductive tissues were also evaluated. No significant differences were observed in body weight or most reproductive organ indices, except for a slight reduction in the left epididymis index in the group exposed to 5 µm particles. FPS-MPs induced size-dependent changes in the hormonal profile, including decreases in T and E2 and compensatory increases in FSH and LH, as well as impairments in sperm quality, which were more pronounced in rats exposed to smaller particles. In conclusion, fertility potential remained preserved, while FPS-MPs accumulated in the testes and epididymides, demonstrating subclinical, size-dependent effects on the male reproductive system. Full article

Introduction: Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) has emerged as an important fertility preservation option for women and girls at risk of treatment-induced ovarian failure. However, long-term data on clinical utilization and reproductive outcomes remain limited. This study provides a 30-year regional overview of OTC practice in Western Sweden. Material and Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study included 60 patients who underwent OTC between 1995 and 2025 within a publicly funded regional fertility preservation program. Data on patient characteristics, indications, surgical approach, cryopreservation techniques, and reproductive outcomes were collected from medical records, tissue bank data, and fertility preservation registries. Results: Malignant diagnoses accounted for 51 cases (85%) of indications, most commonly hematologic malignancies and breast cancer, while 9 patients (15%) had benign conditions requiring gonadotoxic therapy. During follow-up, only one patient (1.7%) underwent ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT), resulting in recovery of endocrine function and a spontaneous twin pregnancy. Overall, 15 women (25%) achieved at least one pregnancy. Of these, 8 (13.3%) occurred spontaneously without prior transplantation, 4 (6.7%) were achieved through oocyte donation, 1 (1.7%) occurred after OTT, and 1 patient (1.7%) had both spontaneous and donor-egg pregnancies. Most women (45/60, 75%) had no documented pregnancy or fertility treatment during follow-up. Conclusions: Over three decades, OTC has been successfully implemented as part of a regional fertility preservation program. However, the low rate of tissue utilization and the predominance of spontaneous pregnancies highlight the gap between tissue preservation and clinical use. These findings underscore the need for improved patient selection, structured long-term follow-up, and individualized risk assessment to optimize the clinical impact of OTC. Full article

The maintenance mechanisms underlying community temporal stability represent a pivotal concern in ecology. However, empirical evidence on how multiple mechanisms independently or synergistically stabilize natural communities, and how their importance responds to external factors and evolves over time, remains limited. Leveraging a 12-year (2007–2018) manipulative experiment involving clipping and fertilization in an alpine meadow, we assessed the relative contributions of four mechanisms, namely, species asynchrony (compensatory dynamics among species), the portfolio effect (statistical averaging of species’ fluctuations), the selection effect (dominance of stable species), and interspecific interactions, across treatments and temporal scales. Stability was quantified as the reciprocal of the coefficient of variation in community coverage. Asynchrony was a ubiquitous foundation of stability across all treatments and time periods. The portfolio effect was a critical positive driver in the initial phase but was suppressed by fertilization over time. In contrast, interspecific interactions and the selection effect emerged as central determinants of long-term stability in later stages. Fertilization amplified the portfolio effect and fostered weak interactions while reducing the fluctuation disparity between dominant and non-dominant species. Clipping enhanced stability mechanisms by preserving species richness and asynchrony. Structural equation modelling revealed that treatments indirectly influenced stability by “reprogramming” the causal pathways among these mechanisms. Our study demonstrates that community stability is upheld by multiple coordinated mechanisms, whose relative importance is contingent on treatment and time scale. Grassland management should therefore move beyond a singular focus on species richness and adopt strategies that promote the synergistic functioning of multiple stability mechanisms. Full article

Root-zone nitrogen fertilization (RZF) can increase crop N uptake and yield, yet the underlying rhizosphere N-cycling functional mechanisms remain insufficiently resolved. In a field experiment with winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), RZF was compared with conventional fertilization (CF) under the same N input rates, alongside a zero-N control (N0). Compared with CF, RZF significantly increased seed yield (by 0.44 t ha⁻¹) and aboveground N uptake (by 20.45 kg ha⁻¹), while simultaneously enriching rhizosphere mineral N pools (NH₄⁺–N and NO₃⁻–N by 54.50% and 56.02%, respectively). Shotgun metagenomics revealed that RZF reprogrammed rhizosphere N-cycling functional potential, characterized by enhanced nitrogen fixation, reduced nitrification and denitrification, and a tendency toward increased assimilatory nitrate reduction. These module-level shifts were supported by concordant changes in key functional genes, indicating greater genetic potential for N retention and assimilation (nifD, glnA, gltB, nasA, napB, nrfA) and reduced potential for nitrification- and denitrification-driven N losses (amoB/C, narI, nirK, norB). Taxonomic composition analysis showed enrichment of Bradyrhizobium and suppression of key nitrifier taxa (Nitrosospira and a Nitrososphaeraceae-affiliated taxon) under RZF. Rhizosphere pH exhibited the strongest Mantel correlation with multiple N-cycling modules, and rhizosphere available N (AN; sum of NH₄⁺–N and NO₃⁻–N) was positively associated with plant N traits and yield. Structural equation modeling supported a pathway in which a functional balance index (retention/assimilation vs. loss/oxidation) increased AN (0.22), and AN strongly promoted yield (0.90). Collectively, these results elucidate a rhizosphere-centered mechanism whereby localized N placement strengthens soil–plant N coupling and enhances crop productivity through reprogramming microbial N-cycling functional potentials, positioning rhizosphere N processes as a key mechanistic bridge for microbiome-informed optimization of root-zone fertilization. Full article

Halogenated derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as chlorinated PAHs (ClPAHs), are an emerging class of contaminants that are being detected in the environment as well as in wildlife and human populations. Previous studies have shown that chemical substitution of PAHs, including chlorination, may alter the toxicity of parent PAHs; however, whether chlorination affects their endocrine-disrupting potential remains unexplored. In this study, we examined the effects of phenanthrene (Phe), one of the most prevalent PAHs, and its chlorinated congeners, 9-chlorophenanthrene (9ClPhe) and 9,10-dichlorophenanthrene (9,10Cl₂Phe), on hormone production in granulosa cells, key hormone-secreting cells of the ovary. We observed that Phe and its chlorinated congeners differentially altered anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P4) secretion. Since mitochondria are central to steroidogenesis, we further evaluated mitochondrial function. While Phe increased ATP production, both 9ClPhe and 9,10Cl₂Phe increased ROS, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced the expression of markers for mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy without altering ATP levels. We further tested impacts on cell fate and found that neither Phe nor its chlorinated congeners altered granulosa cell apoptosis. Together, these results suggest that chlorination of Phe leads to dose-dependent, differential effects on hormone production and mitochondrial pathways without inducing cell death in granulosa cells. This study highlights the potential adverse impacts of ClPAH exposure on ovarian follicle development and female fertility by disrupting steroidogenesis and mitochondrial quality control. Full article

Livestock manure amendment improves soil fertility and promotes carbon sequestration, but long-term application leads to heavy metal (HM) accumulation with unknown ecological consequences. Based on a 13-year field experiment in a continuous maize cropping system, we compared chemical fertilizer (NPK) with four organic amendments (cattle, pig, chicken manure, and compost) applied on an isocarbon basis. Organic amendments significantly increased total organic carbon (TOC) by 15.8–24.3% and available phosphorus (AP) by 1.9- to 6-fold relative to NPK. Compost achieved the highest maize yield. However, pig and chicken manure led to substantial accumulation of Cu and Zn due to high background levels. Despite this, grain HM concentrations remained below safety thresholds, indicating no immediate food chain risk. Metagenomic analysis revealed that HM stress acted as a deterministic filter on the soil microbiome. Cattle manure fostered the most complex co-occurrence network (average degree: 2.70), while pig manure reduced network complexity and increased modularity (>0.92), reflecting a shift toward fragmented, survival-oriented interactions. This structural reorganization was coupled with functional shifts, including enrichment of stress-tolerant taxa (Chitinophagales, Nitrosotalea) and detoxification pathways. We recommend prioritizing cattle manure or compost over raw pig and poultry manure to balance fertility, productivity, and ecological safety in black soil regions. Full article

Human infertility affects approximately 17.5% of the global population, with male factors accounting for nearly half of all cases. Identifying reliable molecular biomarkers is crucial for improving the diagnosis and assessment of male fertility. This study established and refined an untargeted high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) protocol for a comprehensive lipidomic and metabolomic analysis of human spermatozoa, using only 1.25 million cells per sample. Compared with previous reports, our optimized method achieved an unparalleled level of analytical depth, identifying 473 lipid species and 955 structurally annotated metabolites. This corresponds to nearly a 7600-fold improvement in detection efficiency per cell compared with previously published approaches. Lipidomic analysis revealed that the most abundant lipid classes were glycerophospholipids (39%), cholesterol (20%) and fatty acids (19%), with cholesterol representing the single most abundant compound. This observation is consistent with the structural complexity of the sperm plasma membrane. Metabolomic profiling similarly identified glycerophospholipids (44%), eicosanoids (14%) and N-acyl amino acids (12%) as the major metabolite classes. The integration of lipidomic and metabolomic data highlighted functionally interconnected pathways related to membrane dynamics, energy metabolism, and hormone biosynthesis. Overall, this work establishes a robust, sensitive, and scalable analytical framework that enables the high-coverage molecular characterization of spermatozoa from limited sample material, laying the groundwork for future biomarker discovery and clinical applications in male infertility research. Full article

Foliar nanofertilization is increasingly being explored as a strategy to enhance crop nutritional quality; however, dose-dependent physiological and metabolic responses remain insufficiently defined. This study evaluated the effects of conventional NPK (20:20:20) and nano-formulated NPK combined with zinc (3 and 5 g/L) on the mineral composition, bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, and metabolic profile of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L., cv. ‘Dora’) grown under controlled conditions. Physicochemical characterization of the nanofertilizer by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy confirmed nanoscale primary particle size and revealed concentration-dependent aggregation behavior at higher Zn levels. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among treatments in macro- and microelement content, total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity. The application of nano NPK combined with 3 g/L Zn resulted in the highest accumulation of total phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C, accompanied by enhanced antioxidant capacity, suggesting stimulation of secondary metabolism. In contrast, the higher Zn concentration (5 g/L) further increased carotenoid content but was associated with elevated proline levels, indicating the onset of physiological stress. Multivariate analyses (PCA and ROC) supported dose-dependent metabolic modulation and confirmed that combinations of selected metabolites contributed to clearer differentiation between fertilization regimes. Overall, the results highlight the existence of an optimal nano-zinc application range that enhances fruit functional quality while avoiding stress-related metabolic imbalance, emphasizing the importance of physicochemical stability in nano-enabled fertilization strategies. While this study focused on a single sweet pepper cultivar, future research should explore other pepper species to evaluate whether similar dose-dependent nano Zn effects are observed. Full article

The optimization of crop production in the context of agricultural land use and production inputs is a strategic element of sustainable development. Fertilization and irrigation are vital components of agricultural engineering, driving crop quantity and quality. The objective of the study discussed here was to assess greenhouse gas emissions from carrot cultivation depending on the variant of the fertilization and irrigation processes. One tonne of marketable carrot yield was selected as the functional unit. A controlled field experiment in a split-plot configuration was carried out to deliver the objective. Calculation of the total quantity of greenhouse gases emitted from the crop was carried out according to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. Boundaries of the system encompassed the production and use of fertilizers and pesticides, the consumption of energy for agro-engineering activities and irrigation, as well as GHG emissions from soil resources and crop residue. The reference unit for the study was an object (plot) irrigated according to production practice in the area where the study was conducted. Under those conditions, greenhouse gas emissions totaled 75.68 kg CO² ⸱ t⁻¹ of the commercial product. Optimization, involving precise irrigation and fertilization using slow-release fertilizers, reduced the carbon footprint to 54.33 kg CO² ⸱ t⁻¹ of the commercial product. GHG emissions were thus reduced by 30%. The use of slow-release fertilizers resulted in a reduction of total greenhouse gas emissions per unit of marketable yield by 15% for non-irrigated crops and by 17% for irrigated crops. Irrigation, in turn, resulted in a reduction of total GHG emissions by 8% for conventional fertilization and by 11% for slow-release fertilization. Full article

Sexual reproduction is the predominant mode of reproduction in animals, and spermatogenesis is the fundamental step in this process. As the model organism for lepidopteran, the silkworm Bombyx mori exhibits typical dichotomous spermatogenesis, producing both nucleated (eupyrene) and anucleate (apyrene) sperm. Leucylaminopeptidases (LAPs), members of the M17 metalloprotease family, are characterized by their ability to cleave leucine residues from the N-terminus of peptides. In addition to this canonical function, they have been implicated in male fertility in mammals and Diptera. Nevertheless, whether LAPs are required for dimorphic spermatogenesis in Lepidoptera remains to be clarified. Here, we demonstrated that Sperm-Leucylaminopeptidase (S-LAP) plays vital roles in the silkworm eupyrene sperm development. Similar to the testis-specific expression pattern of eight S-LAPs in Drosophila melanogaster, BmS-LAP was also predominantly expressed in testis. Depletion of BmS-LAP via CRISPR/Cas9 system resulted in male sterility, while the fertility of female mutant was unaffected. Notably, male mutants displayed severe defects in the formation and migration of eupyrene sperm, whereas apyrene sperm development appeared normal. In addition, RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated that spermatogenesis defects were associated with energy metabolism and flagellar assembly. Our study provides the first evidence that LAP is necessary for dimorphic spermatogenesis in Lepidopteran, offering new insights into the molecular basis of male infertility. Full article