Glycerol monolaurate (GML) has been widely used as an effective antibacterial emulsifier in the food industry. A total of 360 44-week-old Hy-Line brown laying hens were randomly distributed into four groups each with six replicates of 15 birds, and fed with corn-soybean-meal-based diets supplemented with 0, 0.15, 0.30, and 0.45 g/kg GML, respectively. Our results showed that 0.15, 0.30, and 0.45 g/kg GML treatments significantly decreased feed conversion ratios (FCRs) by 2.65%, 7.08%, and 3.54%, respectively, and significantly increased the laying rates and average egg weights. For egg quality, GML drastically increased albumen height and Haugh units, and enhanced yolk color. Notably, GML increased the concentrations of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and reduced the concentration of total saturated fatty acids in the yolk. The albumen composition was also significantly modified, with an increase of 1.02% in total protein content, and increased contents of His (4.55%) and Glu (2.02%) under the 0.30 g/kg GML treatment. Additionally, GML treatments had positive effects on the lipid metabolism of laying hens, including lowering the serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and reducing fat deposition in abdominal adipose tissue. Intestinal morphology was also improved by GML treatment, with increased villus length and villus height to crypt depth ratio. Our data demonstrated that GML supplementation of laying hens could have beneficial effects on both their productivity and physiological properties, which indicates the potential application of GML as a functional feed additive and gives us a new insight into this traditional food additive.
Albumins/analysis* ; Animals ; Chickens ; Diet ; Dietary Supplements ; Egg Yolk/chemistry* ; Female ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones/blood* ; Intestines/cytology* ; Laurates/administration & dosage* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Monoglycerides/administration & dosage* ; Oviposition/drug effects* ; Ovum ; Oxidative Stress

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Consumption of cholesterol-rich foods, such as eggs, has a minimal effect on circulating cholesterol levels in healthy humans. To gain insight, we investigated whether phospholipids rich in eggs (EPL) interfere with intestinal cholesterol absorption in vivo. MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate the acute effect of EPL on intestinal cholesterol absorption, male C57BL/6J mice were orally administered with 6, 11, or 19 mg of EPL for three days. We also tested the effect of chronic EPL consumption on cholesterol metabolism in the small intestine and the liver in mice with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high fat/high cholesterol (HF/HC; 35% fat, 0.25% cholesterol, w/w) diet for 4 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia, and subsequently the mice were either fed 0, 0.4 or 0.8% (w/w) of EPL for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Intestinal cholesterol absorption was significantly decreased by the highest dose of acute EPL administration compared to control. Chronic EPL supplementation did not significantly alter intestinal cholesterol absorption nor plasma levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In the small intestine and the liver, EPL supplementation minimally altered the expression of genes which regulate cellular cholesterol levels. CONCLUSION: Although chronic EPL consumption was not able to counteract hypercholesterolemia in HF/HC-fed mice, acute EPL administration decreased intestinal cholesterol absorption. This study provides in vivo evidence that acute administration of PLs in eggs prevent cholesterol absorption in the intestine, suggesting a mechanism for a minimal effect of egg consumption on circulating cholesterol levels.
Absorption ; Animals ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Eggs ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestine, Small ; Intestines ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Male ; Metabolism ; Mice ; Ovum ; Phosphatidylcholines ; Phospholipids ; Plasma

Objective: To elucidate the possible role of human lysozyme-like protein 4 (LYZL4) in fertilization and characterize its enzymatic properties. METHODS: The localization of LYZL4 in human spermatozoa was investigated by immunofluorescence staining, the sources of LYZL4 on the sperm surface examined by RT-PCR, and the role of LYZL4 in fertilization assessed by the zona-free hamster egg penetration test. The recombinant plasmid pPIC9K-LYZL4 was constructed and its expression induced with methanol after transformed into competent Pichia pastoris GS115. The recombinant LYZL4 protein (rLYZL4) was purified from the fermentation supernatant and subsequently identified by Western blot. The hyaluronan binding ability of rLYZL4 was determined by ELISA and the muramidase activity, hyaluronidase activity, and free radical scavenging ability examined by spectrophotometric methods. RESULTS: Immunodetection with a specific antiserum localized LYZL4 on the acrosomal membrane of mature spermatozoa, which was exclusively secreted from the testis and epididymis as shown by RT-PCR. Immunoneutralization of LYZL4 significantly decreased the number of human spermatozoa bound to zona-free hamster eggs in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. The recombinant protein was expressed successfully by the P. pastoris strain GS115. Purified rLYZL4 exhibited a potent hyaluronan binding ability and a strong free radical scavenging ability but no muramidase or hyaluronidase activity. CONCLUSIONS LYZL4 secreted from the testis and epididymis is localized on the acrosomal membrane of mature spermatozoa and plays a role in sperm-egg binding as well as in binding hyaluronan and scavenging free radicals, which suggests that it might be a multi-functional molecule contributive to sperm protection and sperm-egg binding.
Acrosome ; enzymology ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cricetinae ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epididymis ; Female ; Fertilization ; physiology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; metabolism ; Male ; Muramidase ; analysis ; physiology ; Pichia ; Plasmids ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; analysis ; metabolism ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; enzymology ; Testis

The CatSper channel is known as one of the most important Ca²⁺ channels on the cell membrane of mammalian sperm and plays a key role in the motility, hyperactivation and fertilization function of sperm. The CatSper protein, expressed exclusively in the principal piece of the sperm tail, is composed of CatSper1-4 and 5 auxiliary unitsβ,γ,δ and ε, and has an essential part in the functional and structural domains of Ca²⁺as well as in the spatiotemporal regulation of the P-Tyr protein, sperm hyperactivation, efficient sperm migration in the oviduct, egg penetration, and normal fertility. Recent studies show that functional deficiency of CatSper seriously affects sperm function,and the loss of any one of its 9 subunits may lead to male reproductive dysfunction. This paper outlines recent advances in the studies of the CatSperprotein, focusing on its expression, location, structure, and regulation,as well as itsinfluence on sperm hyperactivation and male reproduction.
Animals ; Calcium Channels ; chemistry ; physiology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; etiology ; Male ; Sperm Motility ; physiology ; Sperm Tail ; metabolism ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

Sulfogalactosylglycerolipid (SGG) is the main glycolipid in male mammalian germ cells, which is selectively and highly expressed in mammalian testes and helps form the lipid bilayer of cell membrane. In the process of spermatogenesis, SGG is involved in the meiosis of spermiocytes. Either deficiency or accumulation of SGG will lead to male infertility. SGG homeostasis in the testis is the premise of normal spermatogenesis. In the process of sperm-zona binding, SGG becomes a component of lipid raft and provides a platform for signal transduction. The SGG binding protein plays a role in sperm-egg recognition and membrane fusion. SGG has a great research value and application prospect in male reproduction.
Animals ; Cell Membrane ; Galactolipids ; physiology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; etiology ; Lipid Bilayers ; metabolism ; Male ; Signal Transduction ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; physiology ; Spermatogenesis ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism ; Testis ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the roles or effects of oviductus ranae (OR) or oviductus ranae eggs (ORE) in preventing and treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.

METHODSIn vivo experiment: Sixty female adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 12. To provide an osteoporosis model 4 groups of rats were ovariectomized (OVX), with the 5th being sham operated. Medication commenced 7 days after the operation and lasted continuously for 12 weeks. Sham operated and OVX groups were given equivalent volumes of 5% Tween-80. The other three groups intragastrically received conjugated estrogens (CE), OR or ORE of the corresponding doses. At the 12th week, serum estrogen, bone gla protein (BGP), serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assayed; bone mineral densities (BMD) were measured and bone scanning was conducted; uteri were weighed, and weight, volume and length of the femoral bones were determined; and cortical thickness of femoral heads and area of bone trabecula were measured by image analyzer. In vitro experiment: Eighty 10-month old SD rats, with equal numbers of males and females, were randomly divided into 8 groups. Osteoblasts were isolated from neonatal rat calvariae, and the cells were exposed to various concentrations of serum from OR and ORE groups to study the impact of these sera on osteoblastic proliferation, ALP activity and mineralization. Osteoclastic numbers were determined using tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP).

RESULTSIn vivo experiment: The body weight of the four OVX groups increased significantly (P<0.01). Uterine weight of the CE group was the highest (P<0.01); Compared with the model group, estrogen level, BMD, bone scanning/bone imaging index weight of the femoral bones, cortical thickness of femoral heads in the OR and ORE groups increased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01); femoral volume in the ORE group increased significantly (P<0.05); and the content of osteocalcin, phosphorus, and ALP in serum decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). In vitro experiment: Sera from OR and ORE groups had notable effects on the proliferation of osteoblasts (P<0.05 and P<0.01, repsectively) and stimulated the formation of calcium nodes (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the enhancement of ALP activity in osteoblasts was significant (P<0.05, P<0.01). The number of TRAP-positive cells was significantly reduced as well (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOR and its eggs could effectively suppress OVX-induced osteoporosis in rats, and increase bone turnover possibly by both an increase in osteoblastic activity and a decrease in osteoclastic activity. The present study provides evidence that OR and its eggs could be considered a complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Acid Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Calcification, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Cell Count ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Female ; Femur ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Male ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Osteoclasts ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Osteoporosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Ovariectomy ; Ovum ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase ; Uterus ; drug effects ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo analyze sex chromosome mosaicisms in early cleavage-stage human embryos and blastocysts with poor embryo quality score based on the numbers of pronucleus(PN) zygotes using X,Y dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and to discuss the possible mechanisms.

METHODSFresh or frozen-thawed early cleavage-stage human embryos and blastocysts with poor embryo quality score not suitable for embryo transfer were studied with dual color FISH.

RESULTSDouble signal rate of 2PN among early cleavage-stage embryos was 66.67%, which was significantly higher than 1PN and 3PN embryos. Single signal rate of 1PN early cleavage-stage embryos was 90.41%, which was significantly higher than 2PN and 3PN ones. Three signal rate of 3PN early cleavage-stage embryos was 28.00%, which was significantly higher than 1PN and 2PN ones. Double signal rate of 3PN ones was 46.00%, which was significantly higher than 1PN ones. The polyploid rate of frozen-thawed early cleavage-stage embryos was 23.53%, which was slightly higher than that of fresh embryos, but with no statistical significance. The mosaicism rate of 24 blastocysts was 100.00% and the double signal dominant (≥ 50%) rate was 62.50%, which was significantly higher than the rate of early cleavage-stage embryos.

CONCLUSIONUsing 2PN as the criterion for embryo quality score cannot guarantee the selection of normal fertilized embryo for transplantation. Frozen-thawed embryos may harbor more polyploid cells. To avoid the selection of embryos with abnormal chromosomes, combinations of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and prenatal diagnosis are necessary. Meanwhile, blastocysts with poor quality scores may provide an important source for embryo stem cells.

Blastocyst ; metabolism ; Cleavage Stage, Ovum ; metabolism ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Mosaicism ; embryology ; Sex Chromosomes

Dicer is an RNAse III endonuclease that is essential for the biogenesis of microRNAs and small interfering RNAs. These small RNAs transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally regulate mRNA expression through RNA interference mechanisms. Recently, the function of Dicer in female reproduction has begun to be elucidated through the use of knockout mouse models. Several latest studies have indicated that Dicer gene plays a key role in female reproductive processes such as oocyte maturation, early embryonic development and implantation and steroidgenesis. When Dicer expression is decreased in female reproductive tissues or cells, it will cause infertility. In this article, author discuss the role of Dicer gene in female reproductive tract, and advance of Dicer gene study in female reproductive events.
Animals ; Embryonic Development ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; Ovary ; metabolism ; Ovum ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; Reproduction ; genetics ; Ribonuclease III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Uterus ; metabolism

Germ cells make two major decisions when they move from an indeterminate state to their final stage of gamete production. One decision is sexual commitment for sperm or egg production, and the other is to maintain mitotic division or entry into meiosis. It is unclear whether the two decisions are made as a single event or separate events, because there has been no evidence for the presence of germ cell sex prior to meiosis. Here we report direct evidence in the fish rainbow trout that gonia have distinct sexuality. We show that dazl expression occurs in both male and female gonia but exhibits differential intracellular distribution. More strikingly, we show that boule is highly expressed in male gonia but absent in female gonia. Therefore, mitotic gonia possess sex, sperm/egg decision and mitosis/meiosis decision are two independent events, and sperm/egg decision precedes mitosis/meiosis decision in rainbow trout, making this organism a unique vertebrate model for mechanistic understanding of germ cell sex differentiation and relationship between the two decisions.
Animals ; Female ; Fish Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Male ; Meiosis ; Oncorhynchus mykiss ; genetics ; physiology ; Ovary ; cytology ; metabolism ; Ovum ; cytology ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Sex Determination Processes ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; metabolism ; Testis ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Quyu Jiedu Granules (, QJG) on the micro- microenvironment of ova in patients with endometriosis (EM). environment

METHODSTwenty EM patients who received in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were randomized equally into a treated group and a control group. Further, 20 patients who received IVF-ET due to oviduct factors were enrolled into a non-endometriosis group. The dosage of gonadotrophic hormone used, the number of ova attained, fertilization rate and clinical pregnancy rate were all observed, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-right harpoon over left harpoon) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in follicular fluid as well as their mRNA expressions in ovarian granular cells were detected by RT-PCR on the very day of ovum attainment.

RESULTSThe ova attainment (13.80+/-6.87) and fertilization rate (0.69+/-0.31) in the treated group were all higher than the corresponding values in the control group (9.80+/-5.32 and 0.47+/-0.22); the follicular fluid contents of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in the treated group were 1.38+/-0.21 ng/mL and 130.56+/-12.81 pg/mL, respectively, which were lower than those in the control group (1.98+/-0.34 ng/mL and 146.83+/-17.65 pg/mL, respectively). Further, the treated group showed much lower mRNA expressions of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in ovarian granular cells.

CONCLUSIONSThe elevation of TNF-alpha and IL-6 contents in follicular fluid and their mRNA expressions in ovarian granular cells are possibly related to the low quality of ova in EM; QJG might raise the ova quality by reducing TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels to improve the living micro-environment for the ova.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Endometriosis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Follicular Fluid ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Ovulation ; drug effects ; Ovum ; drug effects ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult