ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000184652

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Single blastomeres were isolated from 2-cell mouse embryos and analyzed for their sex using the partially deleted Y chromosome as a marker. Sex identification of 83% of the embryos was achieved with conventionally Giemsa-stained chromosome preparations. The other half-embryos were cultured individually and were transferred to pseudopregnant recipient females. The implantation rate was significantly higher in the male half-embryos. Although 6% of the half-embryos developed into live fetuses, all of the living fetuses from sexed half-embryos were male. The male half-embryos contained more blastomeres in the blastocyst stage than female ones. These facts suggests that the potential for the development of male half-embryos into fetuses is different from that of female half-embryos.

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000184653

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Developmental block of early embryos is due to the lack of some components in the culture medium and/or caused by inappropriate environmental conditions for embryonic development. It was shown in our experiments that the development of mouse and bovine embryos under the influence of oviducts in vitro can provide us with a model to analyze the oviductal factors that promote embryonic development. In the first experiment, it was shown that mouse zygotes developed to the blastocyst stage when a coculture system with ampulla was applied, and the duration of embryo coculture significantly affected the further development of embryos. In the second experiment, it was shown that the proportion of blastocysts of cleaved ova obtained after coculture with mouse ampulla was significantly higher than that obtained after coculture with a granulosa cell monolayer or culture without cells.

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000184654

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Activin possesses mesoderm-inducing activity, erythroid-differentiating activity, and follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing activity. The chemical structures of the activin molecule are formed by a combination of two β-subunit peptides of inhibin. Inhibin is a dimer consisting of an α and β subunit. To examine the mesoderm-inducing activity of these substances, we tested several configurations including : (1) two types of α-subunit peptide; (2) two types of inhibin A and B dimer; (3) βA-subunit peptide monomer; (4) three types of activins A, AB and B, and (5) follistatin (activin-binding protein) by the animal cap assay using Xenopus laevis ectoderm, and by the erythroid-differentiating factor (EDF) test. Activins, which are composed of dimeric inhibin βA-or βB-subunit peptides, had the highest mesoderm-inducing and EDF activities. The monomeric βA-subunit peptide exhibited mesoderm-inducing and EDF activities that were much lower than activin A. The inhibitory effect of follistatin on mesodermal induction by the βA-subunit peptide was also lower than that of activin. Both inhibins A and B had very weak mesoderm-inducing activity and no EDF activity. The two types of inhibin α-subunit monomer had little mesoderm-inducing activity and no EDF activity. The mesoderm induction caused by activin A was not suppressed by the addition of the α-subunit monomer and inhibin. The mesoderm-inducing activity in relation to the chemical structures of the monomeric and/or dimeric inhibin α and βA subunits

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000184656

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

In order to clarify a regulatory mechanism of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the decidualization process, EGF gene expression, the change in EGF receptor, and the cell proliferative effect of EGF in the human endometrium/decidua were assessed in both in vivo and in vitro decidualization systems. Northern blot hybridization showed that, although no hybridized band was found in the proliferative and secretory phase endometria, a specific band of 5 kb was detected in decidua of early pregnancy as well as in in vitro medroxyprogesterone acetate-induced decidual cells. In situ hybridization revealed that prepro-EGF mRNA was observed in the stromal cells of decidua. Scatchard plot analysis of 125I-EGF-binding studies for the homogenates from these endometria/ decidua revealed that its binding sites increased in accordance with the decidualization process, and its dissociation constant remained unchanged. EGF had a stimulatory action on cell proliferation in the early pregnant decidual cells. These results demonstrate that EGF production, EGF receptor, and decidual cell growth increase in accordance with the process of decidualization, suggesting that EGF may play an important role in the regulation of decidualization in human endometrium through an autocrine/paracrine system.

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000184657

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The effects of gonadal steroids on the secretion and gene expression of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and on the secretion of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β2 by human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) were examined by an in vitro system of ESC differentiation (decidualization). M-CSF production by ESCs was dose-dependently enhanced by the addition of progesterone or testosterone, while estradiol treatment had no effect. TGF-β2 secretion by ESCs was inhibited by progesterone, estradiol and testosterone treatment, and on the contrary, slight enhancement by estradiol was observed in TGF-β1 secretion. These findings indicate that human ESCs produce cytokines of M-CSF and TGF-βs, which are important for the growth and differentiation of the peri-implantation embryo as well as local immune cells under direct control of gonadal steroidal actions, and suggest a novel network between endocrine and immune systems in the human endomet

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000184658

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The expression and function of β1 integrins on human decidual cells were investigated. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the cultured decidual cells expressed a high level of the β1 subunit on the cell surface. Mouse blastocysts attached to and spread onto cultured human decidual cells. Attachment of the blastocysts was a necessary prerequisite for the further outgrowth of trophoblasts. The addition of a monoclonal antibody recognizing the β1 subunit to the cultured decidual cells did not affect the rates of hatching and attachment of blastocysts. The outgrowth of embryos on decidual cells was inhibited by the addition of the anti-β1-subunit antibody in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, exposure of decidual cells to the anti-β1-subunit antibody signifcantly inhibited the extent of outgrowth of trophoblasts, implying that blastocyst attachment and outgrowth is mediated by different mechanisms. These observations suggest that β1 integrins on decidual cells may be involved in the process of blastocyst development and differentiation after attac

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000184659

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Serum concentrations of human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) were measured in normal menstrual cycles and during uncomplicated pregnancies. In the normal menstrual cycle, the concentrations of hHGF increased through the mid and the late luteal phases to reach the highest peak during the menstrual phases, followed by a gradual decline during the follicular phase toward the trough levels seen in the ovulatory and the very early luteal phases. During pregnancy, serum hHGF concentrations increased continuously from the late luteal levels and constituted 4 distinct peaks. By immunostaining, c-Met protein, a receptor for hHGF, was localized not in the stromal but in the epithelial layer of the endometrium. In cultured isolated endometrial cells, hHGF stimulated the proliferation of both the epithelial and the stromal cells. It is likely that hHGF is involved in the repair or reconstruction process of the endometrium after menstrual shedding and implantation.

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000184660

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Plasma glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose load were investigated and reinvestigated approximately 4 years later in 29 cystic fibrosis children and adolescents with initially normal fasting blood glucose levels. Patients’ clinical status was evaluated at the time of both oral glucose tolerance tests. With respect to the basal test, the second one elicited blunted insulin responses and enhanced glycemic levels. Moreover, the prevalence of patients with diabetic glucose tolerance was significantly increased at the second evaluation and insulin secretion was markedly reduced in these patients. Deterioration of glucose tolerance and/or of insulin secretion over time was never accompanied by a significant worsening of clinical and/or nutritional status. In conclusion, in cystic fibrosis subjects with fasting euglycemia (a) both insulin secretion and glucose tolerance deteriorate during a 4-year follow-up, (b) an insulin secretion decrease is more evident in patients who develop diabetic glucose tolerance and (c) these metabolic changes are not significantly linked to a worsening of either nutritional or clinical parameters, even in the patients who develop diabetic glucose toleranc

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000184591

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Oxytocin (OT) has been detected in mammalian granulosa-luteal cells during the early stages. The purpose of this study was to explore gene expressions of OT and OT receptor (OTR) in human cumulus cells. Cumulus cells enclosing a mature oocyte were obtained from 6 women undergoing clinical in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer programs. OT and OTR gene expressions were investigated by employing reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction/single-strand conformation polymorphism methods. OT gene expression in the cumulus cells was positive in 5 women and weakly positive in the remaining patient. The structure of OT mRNA in the cumulus cells was equivalent to that in human hypothalamus. OTR gene expression was also observed in the cumulus cells. This study is the first to describe the simultaneous expression of both OT and OTR genes in human cumulus cells. It is suggested that local OT plays some important roles in fertility through modification of the micro-environment around the oocyte.

ISSN:1663-2818    

DOI:10.1159/000184661

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger