Search Results (301)

This review summarizes and analyzes the current status and trends in conservation of agricultural AnGR in Russia. The biodiversity of farm animal species in Russia is significant and is represented by 507 breeds, including 236 aboriginal ones. Based on a summary of global experience in maintaining genetic material of various types, we describe here strategies for preserving native breeds in Russia. Genetic monitoring using modern technologies improves the relevance of biological collections and enables the selection of the most typical and valuable representatives of AnGR for cryopreservation. The National Center for AnGR has developed a key conservation strategy based on the integrated use of genetic and assisted reproductive technologies. This strategy has been successfully implemented in a few cattle and goat breeds. In 2025, genetic monitoring of AnGR reproduced in vivo and preserved in vitro began. These studies and practical measures in Russia play an important role in preserving the genetic diversity of native AnGR in a changing climate to ensure food security for current and future generations. Thus, owing to the joint efforts of research teams and state financial support, a positive trend has emerged in cryopreservation programs and the preservation of living bioresource collections in Russia. Full article

Human early embryogenesis remains unexplored due to limited access to human embryos for research purposes. Meanwhile, the number of natural early pregnancy terminations remains significant, and solving the problem requires a deep understanding of the developmental mechanisms of this period. Although assisted reproductive technologies (ART) utilize up-to-date approaches in culturing human embryos in vitro, characterization of the embryos is still based on visual evaluation and subjective assessment. In addition, embryonic development in animal models, such as rodents and cattle, correlates poorly with human embryonic development. Synthetic embryology presents a promising new approach for studying human embryos involving the creation of embryos without the use of haploid germ cells. Instead, diploid pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) in a given state of pluripotency, which is maintained under conditions of induction and/or inhibition of certain signaling pathways, are used. Synthetic embryo systems (SES) may become a successful alternative model for studying fundamental processes of human early preimplantation embryogenesis, exploring new methods of objective embryo qualification, and personalized approaches in ART. However, the question of whether SES models can be considered as full-fledged mimics of the embryo remains open. This review examines human blastocyst-like structures known as blastoids. It discusses their use as models, as well as the parameters that need to be modified to more accurately simulate the human blastocyst. Full article

Optimization algorithms play a crucial role in solving complex problems in reservoir geology and engineering, particularly those involving highly non-linear, multi-parameter, and high-dimensional systems. In the context of reservoir development, accurate optimization is essential for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery, improving production efficiency, and managing subsurface uncertainties. The Moss Growth Optimization (MGO) algorithm emulates the adaptive growth and reproductive strategies of moss. It provides a robust bio-inspired framework for global optimization. However, MGO often suffers from slow convergence and difficulty in escaping local optima in highly multimodal landscapes. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a novel algorithm called Strategic Moss Growth Optimization (SMGO). SMGO integrates two enhancements: an Outpost Mechanism (OM) and an Early Stopping Strategy (ESS). The OM improves exploitation by guiding individuals through multi-stage local search with Gaussian-distributed exploration around promising regions. This helps refine the search and prevents stagnation in sub-optimal areas. In parallel, the ESS periodically reinitializes the population using a run-and-reset procedure. This diversification allows the algorithm to escape local minima and maintain population diversity. Together, these strategies enable SMGO to accelerate convergence while ensuring solution quality. Its performance is rigorously evaluated on a suite of global optimization benchmarks and compared with state-of-the-art metaheuristics. The results show that SMGO achieves superior or highly competitive outcomes, with clear improvements in accuracy and stability. To demonstrate real-world applicability, SMGO is applied to production optimization in tight reservoirs. The algorithm identifies superior production strategies, leading to significant improvements in projected economic returns. This successful application highlights the robustness and practical value of SMGO. It offers a powerful and reliable optimization tool for complex engineering problems, particularly in strategic resource management for tight reservoir development. Full article

Nutritional factors play a crucial role in many gynecological disorders, particularly those influenced by estrogen. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that affect a large proportion of women of reproductive age, especially between 30 and 40 years. These lesions may cause significant symptoms, including pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and infertility. In younger women, the onset of fibroids is often associated with familial and genetic predisposition, whereas in adulthood, hormonal influences linked to environmental factors and states of exogenous or endogenous hyperestrogenism are more frequently observed. In both contexts, supportive management through an appropriate diet may provide clinical benefit. Although the precise pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, hormonal, genetic, and environmental components—particularly hyperestrogenism—are considered key contributors to fibroid development. Current evidence suggests that consumption of saturated fats, particularly from red meat and full-fat dairy, may raise circulating estrogen concentrations and contribute to the development of fibroids. In contrast, diets abundant in fiber, fruits, and vegetables appear to exert a protective effect, potentially lowering fibroid risk. Obesity, through increased aromatization and consequent estrogen production, also represents an established risk factor. This narrative review aims to explore the role of nutritional determinants in the onset and progression of uterine fibroids, with a specific focus on the impact of individual nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns on clinical outcomes. Particular emphasis is placed on obesity and macronutrient composition (e.g., high-fat versus high-fiber dietary regimens) as potential modulators of circulating estrogen levels and, consequently, fibroid growth dynamics. Furthermore, the potential of nutritional strategies as complementary therapeutic approaches, capable of integrating established clinical practices, is examined. Full article

The endometrium is a highly dynamic tissue central to female reproductive function, undergoing nearly 500 cycles of proliferation, differentiation, shedding, and regeneration throughout a woman’s reproductive life. This remarkable regenerative capacity is driven by a reservoir of endometrial stem/progenitor cells (ESCs), which are crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of these cells is linked to a variety of clinical disorders, including menstrual abnormalities, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and serious gynecological conditions such as endometriosis and endometrial cancer. Recent advancements in organoid technology and lineage-tracing models have provided insights into the complex cellular hierarchy that underlies endometrial regeneration and differentiation. This review highlights the latest breakthroughs in endometrial stem cell biology, focusing particularly on 3D in vitro platforms that replicate endometrial physiology and disease states. By integrating these cutting-edge approaches, we aim to offer new perspectives on the pathogenesis of endometrial disorders and establish a comprehensive framework for developing precision regenerative therapies. Full article

Health represents a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, with lifestyle factors accounting for approximately 60% of health determinants. Suboptimal health describes an intermediate condition between wellness and disease. According to 2023 WHO data, infertility affects approximately 17.5% of global adults, with male factors implicated in 30–50% of cases, establishing infertility as a critical public health challenge. Substantial preclinical and clinical evidence links suboptimal lifestyles to male reproductive dysfunction, positioning these behaviors as modifiable infertility risk factors encompassing environmental contaminants and lifestyle patterns. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on five key lifestyle determinants—tobacco, alcohol, microplastics, sedentariness, and sleep disruption—affecting male genitourinary health. Adopting an evidence-based medicine framework, we integrate epidemiological and experimental research to establish foundational knowledge for developing novel preventive strategies targeting male suboptimal health. Full article

Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3), initially identified in the United States in 2016, is associated with multisystemic inflammation, myocarditis, reproductive failure in sows, and growth retardation in piglets, posing a significant economic threat to the swine industry. In this study, prokaryotic-expressed recombinant PCV3 Cap protein was used to immunize mice and rabbits. A monoclonal antibody (mAb 4G1) was generated through hybridoma technology, targeting a novel linear epitope (³⁷DYYDKK⁴²) within the first β-sheet of the Cap structure. This epitope exhibits high conservation (99.35%, 1239/1247) based on sequence alignment analysis, and residues 39 and 42 are critical residues affecting mAb binding. Subsequently, using rabbit polyclonal antibody (pAb) as the capture antibody and mAb 4G1 as the detection antibody, a double antibody sandwich ELISA (DAS-ELISA) method was developed. The assay demonstrates a cut-off value of 0.271, a detection limit for positive pig serum is 1:800, and shows no cross-reactivity with other swine pathogens. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were <10%, with a linear detection range for Cap protein down to 3.4 ng/mL. The coincidence rate between the DAS-ELISA and qPCR was 93.33% (70/75) for PCV3 detection in serum, with a kappa value of 0.837. This study establishes a simple, sensitive, and operationally efficient DAS-ELISA and provides a reference for monitoring PCV3 infection in swine herds. Full article

The ovary is among the earliest organs to undergo age-related degeneration, limiting the reproductive potential of elite horses and constraining the growth of the equine industry. Follicular development during estrus is a key determinant of fertility, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying its decline, particularly at the level of specific ovarian cell types, remain poorly understood in equids. Here, we constructed a single-cell transcriptomic atlas to investigate ovarian changes in Kazakh horses. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we profiled 112,861 cells from follicle-containing and follicle-absent ovaries, identifying nine distinct ovarian cell types and their subtypes, each with distinct gene expression signatures. Functional enrichment analyses revealed cell type-specific engagement in biological pathways, including ECM–receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt signaling, and oxytocin signaling. Gene expression patterns indicated tightly regulated processes of ovarian activation and cell differentiation. Notably, stromal cells exhibited high expression of ROBO2, LOC111770199, and TMTC2, while smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were marked by elevated levels of CCL5, KLRD1, and NKG7. Moreover, cell–cell interaction analyses revealed robust signaling interactions among SMCs, endothelial cells, neurons, and proliferating (cycling) cells. Together, these findings provide a comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic map of normal and abnormal ovarian states during estrus in Kazakh horses, offering novel insights into the cellular mechanisms of follicular development and identifying potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ovarian quiescence in equids. Full article

Endocrine axes are pathways of interactions involved in various aspects of the organism’s functioning, also implicated in deviations from physiological states leading to pathological conditions. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis releases corticosteroid hormones promoting adaptation to environmental stimuli (acute stress) or inducing altered conditions due to long-term noxious solicitations (chronic stress). The HP–gonadal (HPG) axis regulates reproductive activities by releasing gonadal steroids. These axes have been shown to engage in reciprocal inhibition under certain conditions, particularly when they rise beyond normal ultradian and circadian fluctuations. Based on the literature data, we reconstructed a neuroendocrine network responsible for this type of interaction. Thereafter, we developed a model of the HPA-HPG inhibition based on a series of nonlinear interactions represented by a system of differential equations in the Matlab environment. The quantitative analysis of the system’s behavior revealed the occurrence of bifurcations leading to bistable behavior, allowing us to detect bifurcation parameters. Bifurcation arises as the system’s components increase hypersensitivity and sustained activity in response to activating inputs. This involves transition from a single low-activity attractor to two distinct attractors, with a new high-activity state representing a breakdown of homeostasis. These results provide insights into the potential involvement of the HPA-HPG interaction in neuroendocrine disorders, and the identification of therapeutic targets from bifurcation parameters. Full article

Developing solutions for complex optimization problems is fundamental to progress in many scientific and engineering disciplines. The Flower Fertilization Optimization (FFO) algorithm, a powerful metaheuristic inspired by the reproductive processes of flowering plants, is one such method. Nevertheless, FFO’s effectiveness can be hampered by a decline in population diversity during the search process, which increases the risk of the algorithm stagnating in local optima. To address this shortcoming, this work proposes an improved method called Crisscross Flower Fertilization Optimization (CCFFO). It enhances the FFO framework by incorporating a crisscross (CC) operator, a mechanism that facilitates a structured exchange of information between different solutions. By doing so, CCFFO effectively boosts population diversity and improves its capacity to avoid local optima. Rigorous testing on the challenging CEC2017 benchmark suite confirms CCFFO’s superiority; it achieved the top overall rank when compared against ten state-of-the-art algorithms. Furthermore, its practical effectiveness is demonstrated on a complex reservoir production optimization problem, where CCFFO secured a higher Net Present Value (NPV) than its competitors. These results highlight CCFFO’s potential as a powerful and versatile tool for solving complex, real-world optimization tasks. Full article

Male infertility is a growing global concern with increasing prevalence in both developing and developed nations. While many associations between environmental factors and male infertility have been explored, the relationship between sleep deprivation and male infertility remains underexplored. This narrative review examines the reported effects of sleep deprivation on the Hypothalamic––Gonadal (HPG) axis, Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) axis, oxidative stress, and testicular function, and their consequential effects on male infertility. Disruption of the HPG axis results in altered follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, leading to fluctuation in testosterone levels, negatively affecting spermatogenesis and other critical reproductive processes. Activation of the HPA axis, often due to stress, elevates cortisol levels, which, in turn, suppresses gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), impairing reproductive function. Reactive oxidative species (ROS) accumulate in periods of oxidative stress and have been shown to damage sperm and reduce their quality. The blood–testis barrier (BTB) is disrupted in states of sleep deprivation, leading to decreased sperm quality. A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to assess peer-reviewed studies from 1990 to 2024, revealing a complex interplay between sleep deprivation and male reproductive dysfunction. While existing studies support a link between sleep disturbances and hormonal dysregulation, further research is needed to establish causal relationships and identify potential therapeutic interventions. Addressing sleep deprivation may represent a modifiable factor in improving male fertility outcomes. Full article

Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) play important roles in ecology and are used as model organisms in evolutionary studies, but a comprehensive overview of Odonata research has been lacking. Here, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of Odonata literature from 1974 to 2023 using Web of Science (Science Citation Index Expanded) data and CiteSpace software. We analyzed over 5000 publications to identify major contributors, research hotspots, and emerging trends in this field. The results show that annual research output increased greatly over time, with the United States being the most prolific country. Co-citation and keyword analyses revealed several dominant research themes, including life history and evolution, flight mechanics and predatory behavior, habitat and community ecology, biodiversity and conservation under environmental change, molecular phylogenetics, reproductive biology, and dragonfly wing mechanics. Citation burst analysis highlighted emerging fronts such as global Odonata species diversity and conservation efforts, advanced molecular phylogenetic studies, the use of dragonflies and damselflies as model species and bioindicators, and new investigations into wing kinematics. In conclusion, this study provides a quantitative retrospective of five decades of Odonata research, offering insights into the field’s development and guiding future research directions. Full article

The Kazakh horse, one of China’s indigenous primitive breeds, is renowned for its remarkable adaptability and distinctive physiological traits. The ovary is a vital reproductive organ in female animals, responsible for oocyte production and hormone secretion. However, limited research has been conducted on gene expression profiles in the ovarian tissue of equine species. To address this gap, the present study performed transcriptomic sequencing on ovarian tissues from 12 Kazakh horses in different physiological states. A total of 979 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified, including 619 upregulated and 360 downregulated genes. Among these, key genes such as COL1A1, LHCGR, KISS1, NTRK2, COL1A2, and THBS4 were identified as differentially expressed. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed that 374 of these genes were primarily involved in ovarian steroidogenesis, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and ECM-receptor interactions among 292 enriched pathways. This study provides a comprehensive transcriptomic profile of equine ovarian tissue, offering in-depth insights into differential gene expression and signal pathways associated with ovarian development in Kazakh horses, providing theoretical foundations and referential data for future research in equine ovarian development and reproductive studies. Full article

Since 2000, antioxidant research in Chile has shown steady growth, from the chemical sciences to their application in biomedical sciences, functional foods, reproduction, and environmental studies. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of Chilean scientific output in the field of antioxidants from 2000 to 2024, organized into five-year intervals. A total of 3190 research articles indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database were analyzed. Bibliometric indicators—including Price’s, Bradford’s, and Zipf’s laws—were applied to assess literature growth, authorship concentration, journal dispersion, and keyword evolution. Key findings include (i) high productivity from institutions such as the Universidad de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, and Universidad de Concepción; (ii) the identification of leading authors such as Dr. Antonio Vega-Gálvez, Dr. Guillermo Schmeda-Hirschman, and Dr. Mario J. Simirgiotis; and (iii) the consolidation of three main research areas: biomedical applications (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases), food science and technology (e.g., antioxidant properties, and agro-industrial waste revalorization), and ethnopharmacology (e.g., native plant use). This study made it possible to map the state of the art of antioxidant research in Chile and identify key players and research lines, consolidating a comprehensive vision of scientific development in this field. Full article

Background: Against the backdrop of the large-scale and intensive development of the livestock industry, enhancing the reproductive efficiency of cattle has become a crucial factor in industrial development. Holstein cows, as the most predominant dairy cattle breed globally, are characterized by high milk yield and excellent milk quality. However, their reproductive efficiency is comprehensively influenced by a variety of complex factors, and improving their reproductive performance faces numerous challenges. The ovary, as the core organ of the female reproductive system, plays a decisive role in embryonic development and pregnancy maintenance. It is not only the site where eggs are produced and developed but it also regulates the cow’s estrous cycle, ovulation process, and the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy by secreting various hormones. The normal functioning of the ovary is crucial for the smooth development of the embryo and the successful maintenance of pregnancy. Methods: Currently, traditional sequencing technologies have obvious limitations in deciphering ovarian function and reproductive regulatory mechanisms. To overcome the bottlenecks of traditional sequencing technologies, this study selected Holstein cows as the research subjects. Ovarian samples were collected from one pregnant and one non-pregnant Holstein cow, and single-nucleus transcriptome sequencing technology was used to conduct an in-depth study on the ovarian cells of Holstein cows. Results: By constructing a cell type-specific molecular atlas of the ovaries, nine different cell types were successfully identified. This study compared the proportions of ovarian cell types under different physiological states and found that the proportion of endothelial cells decreased during pregnancy, while the proportions of granulosa cells and luteal cells increased significantly. In terms of functional enrichment analysis, oocytes during both pregnancy and non-pregnancy play roles in the “cell cycle” and “homologous recombination” pathways. However, non-pregnant oocytes are also involved in the “progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation” pathway. Luteal cells during pregnancy mainly function in the “cortisol synthesis and secretion” and “ovarian steroidogenesis” pathways; non-pregnant luteal cells are mainly enriched in pathway processes such as the “AMPK signaling pathway”, “pyrimidine metabolism”, and “nucleotide metabolism”. Cell communication analysis reveals that there are 51 signaling pathways involved in the pregnant ovary, with endothelial cells, granulosa cells, and luteal cells serving as the core communication hubs. In the non-pregnant ovary, there are 48 pathways, and the interaction between endothelial cells and stromal cells is the dominant mode. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of reproductive efficiency in Holstein cows. The differences in the proportions of ovarian cell types, functional pathways, and cell communication patterns under different physiological states, especially the increase in the proportions of granulosa cells and luteal cells during pregnancy and the specificity of related functional pathways, indicate that these cells play a crucial role in the reproductive process of cows. These findings also highlight the importance of ovarian cells in pathways such as “cell cycle”, “homologous recombination”, and “progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation”, as well as the cell communication mechanisms in regulating ovarian function and reproductive performance. Full article