Molar pregnancies can be subdivided into complete (CM) and partial moles (PM) based on genetic and histopathological features. Complete moles are diploid and androgenic in origin, with no evidence of fetal tissue. Complete moles usually (75–80%) arise as a consequence of duplication of a single sperm following fertilisation of an ‘empty’ ovum. Some complete moles (20–25%) can arise after disper...

Abstract Genetic improvement of cattle around the globe has and will continue to be, an important driver animal agriculture sustainability because advances are permanent cumulative. There several reproductive molecular biotechnologies that can be used in genetic programs, their outcomes maximized when combined synergistically a structured breeding program with clear objective. One most recently...

The common egg shell, Ovula ovum, is found in shallow reefs (down to 20 m) throughout the IndoPacific. It belongs to the family Ovulidae and is closely related to the true cowries of the family Cypraeidae (Abbott and Dance 2000). O. ovum are very common in the Marshall Islands especially around Majuro atoll where the local people collect them extensively. The shiny white shells are sold alone o...

The macroanatomy, histology, and fine structure of the avian oviduct is reviewed and related to its role in fertile egg production. The avian oviduct functions as a biological assembly line, beginning sequentially with the deposition of the albumen around the fertilized or unfertilized ovum, then the shell membrane, and lastly, the shell, all within 25 hr of ovulation. While in transit through ...

Among internal fertilizers, typically fewer than 1% sperm survive the journey through the oviduct. Several studies suggest that the sperm reaching the ovum-the 'fertilizing set'-comprise a non-random sub-population, but the characteristics of this group remain unclear. We tested whether oviductal selection in birds results in a morphologically distinct subset of sperm, by exploiting the fact th...