Reproductive Biology and Fertility

Clocks and Dominoes: Timing Mechanisms of Embryogenesis

This study develops a quantitative framework to distinguish between clock and domino mechanisms in embryogenesis, finding domino governs cleavage timings while a clock mechanism governs morula and blastocyst timings.

Oocyte surface proteins EGG-1 and EGG-2 are required for eggshell integrity in Caenorhabditis elegans

This study shows that EGG-1 and EGG-2 are not required for fertilization in C. elegans but are involved in post-fertilization processes like eggshell integrity and embryo protection.

An Asynchronous Production Line of Meiotic Prophase I in the Mouse Fetal Ovary

The paper challenges the notion of synchronous meiosis initiation in mouse fetal ovaries, showing asynchronous entry and progression from E12.5 to E16.5, supported by a predictive meiotic clock model.

All-in-one Single-Cell Proteomic Analysis of Protein Alterations in Human Oocytes Undergoing in Vitro Aging

This study uses single-cell proteomics to identify protein changes in human oocytes during in vitro aging, revealing key biological processes and potential biomarkers.

Cross Sectional and Longitudinal Imaging Reveals Spatiotemporal Divergence in Morphogenesis and Cell Lineage Specification between in-vivo and in-vitro Mouse Embryo during Pre- and Peri-implantation

This study compares in-vivo and in-vitro mouse embryo development using 4D live imaging, finding that in-vitro culture delays development, alters morphology, and disrupts cell lineage specification.

Age-associated increased stiffness of the ovarian microenvironment impairs follicle development and oocyte quality and rapidly alters follicle gene expression

Hydrogels matching aged mouse ovary stiffness (5.85 kPa vs 0.84 kPa) cut follicle survival to 6.66% to 30%, reduce estradiol up to 533-fold, and alter 135 genes within 6 hours.

Restraint Stress Prolongs Diestrus Phase of Mouse Estrous Cycle

This study shows that mild restraint stress in mice prolongs the diestrus phase of the estrous cycle, suggesting that moderate stress may disrupt reproductive cycling.

Restoration of ovarian endocrine function with encapsulated immune isolated human ovarian xenograft in ovariectomized mice

This study shows that encapsulated human ovarian xenografts restore endocrine function in ovariectomized mice, integrating with the host's hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis and maintaining cyclicity and hormone levels.

Transvaginal ovum retrieval in scimitar horned oryx (Oryx dammah) and roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus)

The paper develops and applies transvaginal ovum retrieval techniques in scimitar horned oryx and roan antelope to support assisted reproductive technologies for conservation.

Treatment of human oocytes with extracellular vesicles from follicular fluid during rescue in vitro maturation enhances maturation rates and modulates oocyte proteome and ultrastructure

This study shows that adding extracellular vesicles from follicular fluid to in vitro maturation culture improves oocyte maturation rates and alters proteome and ultrastructure.

Inorganic profiles of preimplantation embryos and the association of zinc with Nanog expression in the blastocyst

The paper profiles inorganic elements in mouse embryos and shows zinc supplementation during blastocyst formation increases Nanog expression in the inner cell mass.

Early gonadotoxic effects of cyclophosphamide on the prepubertal testis and the feasibility of reducing toxicity through combined antioxidant therapy

This study identifies early gonadotoxic effects of cyclophosphamide on prepubertal testes and shows antioxidant co-treatment can reduce toxicity without compromising anticancer efficacy.

Self-organizing ovarian somatic organoids preserve cellular heterogeneity and reveal cellular contributions to ovarian aging

This study develops ovarian somatic organoids that maintain cellular diversity and reveal age-related changes in cellular composition and function.

Lowering insulin mitigates female reproductive aging and diet-induced ovarian dysfunction

The paper shows that lowering insulin levels in mice prevents reproductive aging and diet-induced ovarian dysfunction, linking hyperinsulinemia to subfertility.

A novel and critical role of the intracellular Zona Pellucida protein 2 (ZP2) for blastocyst formation in mice

This study shows that ZP2, a zona pellucida protein, is re-synthesized and functionally required in mouse embryos, playing an active role in blastocyst formation and cell lineage development.

Balanced DNA-to-Cytoplasm Ratio at the 2-Cell Stage Is Critical for Mouse Preimplantation Development

The paper shows that a balanced DNA-to-cytoplasm ratio, rather than genome ploidy, is critical for mouse embryos to reach the morula stage.

The oocyte zinc transporter Slc39a10/Zip10 is a regulator of zinc sparks during fertilization in mice.

This study shows that the zinc transporter Zip10 is essential for zinc sparks during fertilization in mice, which are critical for embryo development.

MAP hydrogel promotes revascularization of human ovarian graft and integration with the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in a mouse model of primary ovarian insufficiency

This study shows that MAP hydrogel encapsulation improves revascularization and endocrine function of transplanted ovarian tissue in a mouse model of primary ovarian insufficiency.

Key roles of the zona pellucida and perivitelline space in promoting gamete fusion and fast block to polyspermy inferred from the choreography of spermatozoa in mice oocytes

This study uses imaging and analysis to reveal the roles of the zona pellucida and perivitelline space in gamete fusion and polyspermy block in mice oocytes.

Cyclophosphamide chemotherapy induces early p53-directed cytotoxic gene expression changes in ovarian gonadotoxicity

This study examines the early transcriptomic changes in mouse ovaries after cyclophosphamide exposure, identifying p53-driven gene expression patterns linked to apoptosis and DNA damage.

Lipid Droplet Remodeling Safeguards Redox Balance through the DGAT1-PANK2-NRF2 Axis in Mammalian Oocytes and Drives Age-Associated Decline

This study identifies the DGAT1-PANK2-NRF2 axis as critical for lipid droplet remodeling, redox balance, and oocyte quality, with dysfunction linked to age-related decline.

MEIOC prevents continued mitotic cycling and promotes meiotic entry during mouse oogenesis

This study shows MEIOC halts mitotic cycling and promotes meiotic entry in mouse oocytes by repressing CCNA2 and upregulating Meiosin through a positive feedback loop with STRA8-MEIOSIN.

Plat safeguards maternally aged oocytes against programmed cell death through activating the Erk1/2 pathway

This study identifies Plat's role in protecting aged oocytes from programmed cell death by activating the Erk1/2 pathway, showing tPA supplementation improves oocyte quality.

Redefining Ovarian Fibrosis Through Comparative Analysis of Collagen Architecture

The paper defines ovarian fibrosis as collagen accumulation and anisotropic organization in mouse and human ovaries using polarized light microscopy.

mRNA isoform switching plays a crucial role in mural cumulus differentiation

The paper identifies mRNA isoform switching as critical for mural and cumulus granulosa cell differentiation in mice by analyzing transcriptomes and differential transcript isoform expression.

Newly Evolved Endogenous Retroviruses Prime the Ovarian Reserve for Activation

The paper identifies newly evolved endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) as drivers of epigenetic priming in non-growing oocytes, enabling follicular activation during oogenesis.

Early female germline development in Xenopus laevis: stem cells, nurse cells and germline cysts

The paper reconstructs germ cell differentiation in Xenopus laevis using single-cell RNA sequencing and imaging, revealing parallels with invertebrate and mouse cyst development and identifying a germline stem cell population.

3D Mapping of Intact Ovaries Reveals the Aging Dynamics of the Ovarian Reserve

This study maps over 85,000 oocytes in mouse ovaries across their reproductive lifespan, revealing spatial patterns and a bimodal size distribution, along with a mathematical model of oocyte activation and loss.

NanoCT-confocal mapping of mouse ovaries reveals lifespan-persistent symmetric organizational rules of primary-to-preovulatory follicles

The paper uses nanoCT and confocal imaging to show symmetric follicle organization in mouse ovaries across lifespan, preserved despite follicle health or atresia.

PIWIL3-piRNA Pathway Is Essential for Rabbit Oogenesis and Embryogenesis via Broad Regulation of the Transcriptome and Proteome

This study shows that PIWIL3 is essential for rabbit oogenesis and embryogenesis by regulating transcriptome and proteome, with implications for human fertility.