T lymphopoiesis in the thymus was thought to be completed once it reaches the single positive (SP) stage, a stage when T cells are "fully mature" and waiting to be exported at random or follow a "first-in-first-out" manner. Recent evidence, however, has revealed that the newly generated SP thymocytes undergo a multistage maturation program in the thymic medulla. Such maturation is followed by a...

Background: The use of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) combined with cysteamine during pre-in vitro maturation (IVM) can help establish an effective pre-IVM system. Aims: This study was designed to investigate the effects of CNP combined with cysteamine on meiotic maturation and developmental competence of bovine oocytes in vitro. Met...

Amelogenesis features two major developmental stages-secretory and maturation. During maturation stage, hydroxyapatite deposition and matrix turnover require delicate pH regulatory mechanisms mediated by multiple ion transporters. Several members of the Slc26 gene family (Slc26a1, Slc26a3, Slc26a4, Slc26a6, and Slc26a7), which exhibit bicarbonate transport activities, have been suggested by pre...

Background In vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocytes has acquired increasing attention in infertility treatment with great promise. This technique is an alternative conventional in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), and can be reduced the side effects of gonadotropin stimulation such as ovarian hyperstimulation (OHSS). Oocyte maturation is a complex process including cytoplasmic and...

In the present study, a total of 595 specimens collected monthly in the northern part of Persian Gulf between November 2006 and October 2007 were examined by routine macroscopic and histological techniques. Monthly changes in the gonadosomatic index showed the spawning season extended within 2 peaks, from April- May and September. The maturity stages are morphologically separated according to t...

The identification of the skeletal maturation stage of the cervical vertebrae has proven an important reference for orthodontic diagnosis. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between the skeletal maturation stage of the cervical vertebrae and types of malocclusion according to the age and gender of participants. A total of 361 individuals (168 males and 193 females) be...

background: the utilization of immature oocytes derived from stimulated cycles could be of great importance, specially for urgent fertility preservation cases. the aim of the current study was to determine whether in-vitro maturation is more successful before or after the vitrification of these oocytes. materials and methods: the study was performed in a private ivf center. 318 germinal vesicle...

Recent studies suggest that multivesicular bodies are an intermediate stage in the formation of alpha-granules. In contrast, the kinetics and mode of appearance of dense granules during megakaryocytic maturation has remained poorly understood. Immunoelectron microscopy was used to monitor the appearance of dense granular markers (granulophysin and serotonin) on cryosections of human megakaryocy...

Background: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to influence fertility and endocrinology of reproduction and metabolic activity in many species. In dairy cows, we and others have shown changes in steroid and metabolic hormones and prostaglandins leading to alteration of ovarian activity and uterine function. These can influence fertility by changes in folliculogenesis cyclicity ...