The aim of the present study was to investigate whether long-term exposure to valproate (VPA) alters follicular steroidogenesis and whether or not this effect is dependent on the degree of follicular development. Small- and medium-sized follicles were obtained from pig ovaries collected, respectively, at days 8-10 and 14-16 of oestrus cycle. Theca interna and granulosa cells were isolated from ...

The pesticide methoxychlor (MXC) is a reproductive toxicant that targets antral follicles of the mammalian ovary. Cytochrome P450 enzymes metabolize MXC to mono-OH MXC (1,1,1-trichloro-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethane [mono-OH]) and bis-OH MXC (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane [HPTE]), two compounds that are proposed to be more toxic than the parent compound, can inte...

The primary therapeutic goal for the oncology patient is survival. Recent advances in diagnoses and treatment of neoplasia have resulted in an ever-increasing number of patients being cured and resuming a normal life. However, recognized side effects of treatments used to eradicate malignancies are temporary or permanent sterility. The cryopreservation of ovarian tissue harvested before cancer ...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sodium selenite (SS) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione peroxide (GPx) activity of cultured pre-antral follicles derived from vitrified and non-vitrified ovarian tissue. METHODS Immature mouse ovaries were vitrified, and mechanically isolated pre-antral follicles from v...

The growth and development of follicles within the ovary are highly dependent on autocrine and paracrine signaling involving growth factors from granulosa cells, theca cells, stromal interstitial cells, and the oocytes. The growth factor bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) and its receptor (BMPR-IB) have been detected in ovaries, and a mutation in BMPR-IB has been associated with abnormal ovul...

Information concerning the role of growth hormone (GH) in the local regulation of ovarian activity in birds is limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine whether in the domestic hen GH influences in vitro estradiol secretion by prehierarchical ovarian follicles. Moreover, the interaction between GH and IGF-I on estradiol secretion was examined. Small white (1-4 mm), large...

Follicle and oocyte growth is under the control of systemic gonadotropins and various local intraovarian factors. The present study was undertaken to examine the efficacy of peptide(s) isolated from ovine follicular fluid on preantral and antral follicles, oocytes, cumulus and granulosa cells, and oviductal epithelial cell growth in vitro in a heterologous species (Bubalus bubalis). Follicular ...

High-producing dairy cows are subfertile; however, the mechanisms responsible for the decreased fertility are unknown. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that culled dairy cows (4-8 years old) characterised by 'Lo' ovaries (i.e. those with <10 mid-antral follicles) are affected by premature ovarian senescence. Cows in which both ovaries were 'Lo' ovaries represented 5% of t...

We have previously demonstrated that hair follicles contain nestin-expressing pluripotent stem cells that can effect nerve and spinal cord repair upon transplantation. In the present study, isolated whisker follicles from nestin-driven green fluorescent protein (ND-GFP) mice were histocultured on Gelfoam for 3 weeks for the purpose of transplantation to the spinal cord to heal an induced injury...