One of the key factors of early development is the specification of competence between the oocyte and the sperm, which occurs during gametogenesis. However, the starting point, growth, and maturation for acquiring competence during spermatogenesis and oogenesis in mammals are very different. Spermatogenesis includes spermiogenesis, but such a metamorphosis is not observed during oogenesis. Glycosylation, a ubiquitous modification, is a preliminary requisite for distribution of the structural and functional components of spermatids for metamorphosis. In addition, glycosylation using epididymal or female genital secretory glycans is an important process for the sperm maturation, the acquisition of the potential for fertilization, and the acceleration of early embryo development. However, nonemzymatic unexpected covalent bonding of a carbohydrate and malglycosylation can result in falling fertility rates as shown in the diabetic male. So far, glycosylation during spermatogenesis and the dynamics of the plasma membrane in the process of capacitation and fertilization have been evaluated, and a powerful role of glycosylation in spermatogenesis and early development is also suggested by structural bioinformatics, functional genomics, and functional proteomics. Further understanding of glycosylation is needed to provide a better understanding of fertilization and embryo development and for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools for infertility.
Acceleration ; Birth Rate ; Cell Membrane ; Computational Biology ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Fertilization ; Gametogenesis ; Genomics ; Glycosylation* ; Humans ; Infertility ; Male ; Mammals ; Mental Competency ; Oocytes ; Oogenesis ; Polysaccharides ; Pregnancy ; Proteomics ; Sperm Maturation ; Spermatids ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa*

PURPOSE: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is essential for normal gametogenesis. In females FSH is required for ovarian development and follicle maturation whereas in males FSH determines Sertoli cell number and normal spermatogenesis quantitatively and qualitatively. Recently, Tapanainen et al. (1) reported that an anactivating point mutation (C566T) of the FSH receptor gene in males suppressed spermatogenesis but did not cause azoospermia or absolute infertility. To study the significance of the C566T inactivating point mutation in male infertility, we examine the FSH receptor gene in men with azoospermia or oligozoospermia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood was collected from each patient who had elevated serum FSH. To amplify a suitable segment of the FSHR gene containing nuceotide 566, primer flanking the region was used. And to screen individuals for the C566T mutation, PCR was performed for exon 7 of the FSH receptor gene in 58 patients. RESULTS: The 78-bp fragment containing nucleotide 566 was present in all patient, the PCR product in cleaved into fragments 51-bp and 27-bp by Bsm I digestion. No inactivating point mutations of FSH receptor gene was identified in men with azoospermia or oligozoospermia. CONCLUSIONS: Inactivating point mutation (C566T) of the FSH receptor is not a common cause of male infertility. However we cannot exclude point mutations in other regions of the FSH receptor gene in some patient with azoospermia or oligozoospermia.
Azoospermia ; Cell Count ; Digestion ; Exons ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone* ; Gametogenesis ; Humans ; Infertility ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Oligospermia ; Point Mutation* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, FSH* ; Spermatogenesis

Gangliosides have been suggested to play important roles in various functions such as adhesion, cell differentiation, growth control, and signaling. Mouse follicular development, ovulation, and luteinization during the estrous cycle are regulated by several hormones and cell-cell interactions. In addition, spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules of adult testes is also regulated by several hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and cell-cell interactions. The regulation of these processes by hormones and cell-cell interactions provides evidence for the importance of surface membrane components, including gangliosides. During preimplantation embryo development, a mammalian embryo undergoes a series of cleavage divisions whereby a zygote is converted into a blastocyst that is sufficiently competent to be implanted in the maternal uterus and continue its development. Mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells are pluripotent cells derived from mouse embryo, specifically, from the inner cell mass of blastocysts. Differentiated neuronal cells are derived from mES cells through the formation of embryonic bodies (EBs). EBs recapitulate many aspects of lineage-specific differentiation and temporal and spatial gene expression patterns during early embryogenesis. Previous studies on ganglioside expression during mouse embryonic development (including during in vitro fertilization, ovulation, spermatogenesis, and embryogenesis) reported that gangliosides were expressed in both undifferentiated and differentiated (or differentiating) mES cells. In this review, we summarize some of the advances in our understanding of the functional roles of gangliosides during the stages of mouse embryonic development, including ovulation, spermatogenesis, and embryogenesis, focusing on undifferentiated and differentiated mES cells (neuronal cells).
Animals ; *Cell Differentiation ; *Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Stem Cells/*cytology/metabolism ; Gametogenesis ; Gangliosides/*metabolism ; Mice ; Urogenital System/cytology/embryology/metabolism

Laminaria japonica gametophytic cells were cultivated in a photobioreactor under continuous shear stress (0-1000 r/min) in 60 hours and the following static cultivation within 23.5 days. The content of chlorophyll a reached the maximum value of 2.36 mg/L at the end of continuous shear stress when the agitation speed was 90 r/min, while the chlorophyll a (chl a) concentration decreased quickly and nitrogen and phosphorus were released under high shear force (270-1000 r/min). The cell injury ratio at 1000r/min was as 18 times as that of the control. During the recovery course, gametophytic cells showed themselves distinct recovery capability at all agitation speeds. Furthermore, the content of chl a is a more exact index as biomass than dry cells weight (DCW). Besides cell injury ratio, the liberation of phosphorus demonstrates the cells injury.
Bioreactors ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Gametogenesis ; physiology ; Germ Cells ; physiology ; Laminaria ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; Light ; Shear Strength ; Stress, Mechanical

The generation of artificial gametes is a real challenge for the scientific community today. In vitro development of human eggs and sperm will pave the way for the understanding of the complex process of human gametogenesis and will provide with human gametes for the study of infertility and the onset of some inherited disorders. However, the great promise of artificial gametes resides in their future application on reproductive treatments for all these people wishing to have genetically related children and for which gamete donation is now their unique option of parenthood. This is the case of infertile patients devoid of suitable gametes, same sex couples, singles and those fertile couples in a high risk of transmitting serious diseases to their progeny. In the search of the best method to obtain artificial gametes, many researchers have successfully obtained human germ cell-like cells from stem cells at different stages of differentiation. In the near future, this field will evolve to new methods providing not only viable but also functional and safe artificial germ cells. These artificial sperm and eggs should be able to recapitulate all the genetic and epigenetic processes needed for the correct gametogenesis, fertilization and embryogenesis leading to the birth of a healthy and fertile newborn.
Child ; Eggs ; Embryonic Development ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Fertilization ; Gametogenesis ; Germ Cells* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infertility ; Ovum ; Parturition ; Pluripotent Stem Cells ; Pregnancy ; Spermatozoa ; Stem Cells*

Chromosomal abnormalities are higher in twin gestations than in the singleton population. Turner's syndrome(gonadal dysgenesis) variety may result from chromosome loss during gametogenesis in either parent or a mitotic error during one of the early cleavage divisions of the fertilized zygote. The vast majority of 45, XO conceptions result in first or second-trimester miscarriage. Fetuses with Tumer's syndrome commonly exhibit posterior nuchal cystic hygromas and generalized edema. Recently we experienced one fetal demise in twin pregnancy. The affected fetus was associated with Turner's syndrome which was diagnosed by amniocentesis and karyotyping. The fetus was associated with cystic hygroma which was antenatally diagnosed by ultrasonogram. The unaffected fetus had normal karyotype and was delivered through cesarean section without any abnormalities. we report this case with brief review of literatures.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Amniocentesis ; Cesarean Section ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Edema ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fetus ; Gametogenesis ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Karyotyping ; Lymphangioma, Cystic ; Parents ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Twin* ; Turner Syndrome ; Ultrasonography ; Zygote

RBM46 is a germ cell-specific RNA-binding protein required for gametogenesis, but the targets and molecular functions of RBM46 remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that RBM46 binds at specific motifs in the 3'UTRs of mRNAs encoding multiple meiotic cohesin subunits and show that RBM46 is required for normal synaptonemal complex formation during meiosis initiation. Using a recently reported, high-resolution technique known as LACE-seq and working with low-input cells, we profiled the targets of RBM46 at single-nucleotide resolution in leptotene and zygotene stage gametes. We found that RBM46 preferentially binds target mRNAs containing GCCUAU/GUUCGA motifs in their 3'UTRs regions. In Rbm46 knockout mice, the RBM46-target cohesin subunits displayed unaltered mRNA levels but had reduced translation, resulting in the failed assembly of axial elements, synapsis disruption, and meiotic arrest. Our study thus provides mechanistic insights into the molecular functions of RBM46 in gametogenesis and illustrates the power of LACE-seq for investigations of RNA-binding protein functions when working with low-abundance input materials.
Animals ; Mice ; 3' Untranslated Regions/genetics* ; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism* ; Gametogenesis/genetics* ; Meiosis/genetics* ; Nuclear Proteins/genetics* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*

The causes of male infertility have been well delineated in numerous textbooks and articles. These are divided into six major categories such as failure of spermatogenesis, failure of sperm maturation, failure of sperm transportation, failure of semen composition, failure of hormonal system and failure of ejaculation. Besides these, the motile activity of sperm has been regarded as an important factor for the impregnation This clinical study has been undertaken to examine the effects of hemologous human semen mixtures upon the motile time of the spermatozoa, and the result are presented as follows; Group 1, Mixture of Normospermia and Normospermia: 10 mixtures Normospermia-A: 471. 9 minutes of aver age sperm motile time Normospermia-B: 369. 4 minutes of average sperm motile time Normo-A+Normo-B mixture: 452. 5 minutes of average sperm motile time Group 2, Mixture of Normospermia and Oligospermia: 10 mixtures Normospermia: 445.3 minutes of average sperm motile time Oligospermia: 376.2 minutes of average sperm motile time Normo+Oligo mixture: 456. 1 minutes of average sperm motile time Group 3, Mixture of Normospermia and Azoospermia; 8 mixtures Normospermia: 433. 3 minutes of average sperm motile time Azoospermia: Normo.+Azoo. mixture: 455. 1 minutes of average sperm motile time Group 4, Mixture of Oligospermia and Azoospermia; 6 mixtures Oligospermia: 343. 6 minutes of average sperm motile time Azoospermia: Oligo.+Azoo. mixture: 348. 1 minutes of average serum motile time In In conclusion, 1. no mutual spermicidal effect but tendency toward enhancement of sperm motile time 2. no sperm agglutinating phenomenon nor sperm immobilizing effect were noted in various semen mixtures 3. posibilities of clinical application such as AID arc considerable and 4. further studies are needed in conjunction with the serum autoimmune mechanism.
Azoospermia ; Ejaculation ; Humans* ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Oligospermia ; Semen* ; Sperm Immobilizing Agents ; Sperm Maturation ; Sperm Transport ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa*

Homeobox genes play essential roles in embryonic development and reproduction. Recently, a large cluster of homeobox genes, reproductive homeobox genes on the X chromosome (Rhox) genes, was discovered as three gene clusters, alpha, beta, and gamma in mice. It was found that Rhox genes were selectively expressed in reproduction-associated tissues, such as those of the testes, epididymis, ovaries, and placenta. Hence, it was proposed that Rhox genes are important for regulating various reproductive features, especially gametogenesis in male as well as in female mammals. It was first determined that 12 Rhox genes are clustered into alpha (Rhox1-4), beta (Rhox5-9), and gamma (Rhox10-12) subclusters, and recently Rhox13 has also been found. At present, 33 Rhox genes have been identified in the mouse genome, 11 in the rat, and three in the human. Rhox genes are also responsible for embryonic development, with considerable amounts of Rhox expression in trophoblasts, placenta tissue, embryonic stem cells, and primordial germ cells. In this article we summarized the current understanding of Rhox family genes involved in reproduction and embryonic development and elucidated a previously unreported cell-specific expression in ovarian cells.
Animals ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Epididymis ; Female ; Gametogenesis ; Genes, Homeobox ; Genome ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Male ; Mammals ; Mice ; Multigene Family ; Ovary ; Placenta ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Reproduction ; Stem Cells ; Testis ; Trophoblasts ; X Chromosome

OBJECTIVE: Identification of the regulatory mechanism for arrest and initiation of primordial follicular growth is crucial for female fertility. Previously, we found 15 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) that were specifically abundant in the day-5-subtracted cDNA library and that the B357 clone was novel. The present study was conducted to obtain the whole sequence of the novel gene including B357 and to characterize its mRNA and protein expression in mouse ovary and testis. METHODS: The extended sequence of the 2,965-bp cDNA fragment for the clone B357 was named 5-day-ovary-specific gene-1 (5DOS1) and submitted to GenBank (accession number AY751521). Expression of 5DOS1 was characterized in both female and male gonads at various developmental stages by Northern blotting, real-time RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The 5DOS1 transcript was highly expressed in the adult testis, brain, and muscle as compared to the other tissues. In the ovary, the 5DOS1 transcript was detected in all oocytes from primordial to antral follicles, and highly expressed at day 5 after birth and decreased thereafter. In contrast, expression of 5DOS1 showed a gradual increase during testicular development and its expression was limited to various stages of male germ cells except spermatogonia. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the expression and characterization of the 5DOS1 gene in the mouse gonads. Further functional analysis of the 5DOS1 protein will be required to predict its role in gametogenesis.
Adult ; Animals ; Blotting, Northern ; Blotting, Western ; Brain ; Clone Cells ; Cluster Analysis* ; Databases, Nucleic Acid ; DNA, Complementary ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Female ; Fertility ; Gametogenesis ; Gene Library ; Germ Cells ; Gonads ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Male ; Mice* ; Oocytes ; Ovary* ; Parturition ; RNA, Messenger ; Spermatogonia ; Testis*