Browsing by Subject "Ovary"
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- PublicationOpen AccessA morphological study on the reproductive organs as a possible cause of developmental abnormalities in diabetic NOD mice(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1989) Tatewaki, Reiko; Otani, Hiroki; Tanaka, Osamu; Kitada, Jin-ichiThe reproductive organs in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice were histopathologically studied, in order to elucidate the relationships between developmental abnormalities, such as diminkhed rates of implantation and viable embryos, and structural changes in the reproductive organs. NOD mice with (NOD-DM) and without (NOD-N) diabetes mellitus and ICR mice were compared. The severity of histopathological changes in the pancreas and in the liver were used as parameters which indicated the severity of diabetes itself and of the secondary metabolic disorder. NOD-DM mice exhibited uterine weight loss, accumulation of lipids in luminal and glandular epithelium, atrophies of the endometrium and myometrium and a decrease in the number of muscle cell layers. They also showed a high concentration of lipid droplets in ovarian granulosa cells, atretic follicles and atrophy and lack of lipids in ovarian stroma cells. The severity of these structural changes in the reproductive organs corresponded to those of the changes in the pancreas and the liver. The structural alterations in the ovary suggested disorder in oocyte maturation. The structural changes in the uterus appeared to be related to the decrease in the ratios of implantation and of viable embryos at post-implantation stage. The present studies suggest that the impaired structural environment together with the metabolic environment caused the abnormal development seen, for example. in the oocyte maturation, and at the implantation and post-implantation stage of diabetic mice. It also caused alterations in their hormonal environment
- PublicationOpen AccessCurrent concepts in ovarian epithelial tumorigenesis: correlation between morphological and molecular data(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2006) Scott, Mike; McCluggage, W.GOvarian carcinoma is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy, most tumours being advanced at presentation. However, little is known about precursor lesions and the cell of origin of epithelial ovarian malignancy. In this review, the proposed cell of origin is discussed as well as recent molecular data relating to ovarian cancers of different morphological types. It is stressed that ovarian carcinoma is a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with several different morphological types, each with their own underlying molecular genetic events. Recent data suggest that mucinous ovarian cancers and a small subset of serous cancers (low grade ovarian serous carcinoma) develop through a well-defined adenoma-carcinoma sequence while the much more common high grade ovarian serous carcinoma develops de novo from the ovarian surface epithelium or the epithelium of cortical inclusion cysts. The realisation that various morphological types of epithelial ovarian cancer are associated with different molecular genetic events is a major advance in the study of ovarian cancer. It can be anticipated that this will lead to the development of specific therapeutic agents of value against a specific tumour type.
- PublicationOpen AccessEffects of frutalin on early follicle morphology, ultrastructure and gene expression in cultured goat ovarian cortical tissue(Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2018) Soares, Maria A.A.; Costa, José J.N.; Vasconcelos, Gisvani L.; Ribeiro, Regislane P.; Souza, José C.; Silva, André L.C.; Van den Hurk, Robert; Silva, José R.V.Frutalin is a galactose-binding lectin that has an irreversible cytotoxic effect on HeLa cervical cancer cells, by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation. It was previously shown that after in vitro incubation, frutalin is internalized into HeLa cells nucleus, which indicates that frutalin apoptosis-inducing activity might be linked with its nuclear localization. Considering that drugs commonly used for cancer treatment have a deleterious effect on germ cells, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of frutalin on the activation, survival, ultrastructure and gene expression in follicles cultured within ovarian tissue. Goat ovarian fragments were cultured for 6 days in α-MEM+ alone or supplemented with frutalin (1, 10, 50, 100 or 200 µg/ml). Non-culturad and cultured tissues were processed for histological and ultrastructural analysis and they were also stored to evaluate the expression of anti- and pro-apoptotic genes by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The results showed that the frutalin, at all concentrations tested, reduced follicular survival when compared with control medium. Higher concentrations of frutalin (50, 100 or 200 µg/ml) also reduced follicular survival when compared with those tissues cultured with 1 or 10 µg/ml of frutalin. The ultrastructural analysis showed that atretic cultured follicles had retracted oocytes and a large number of vacuoles spread throughout the cytoplasm. In addition, signs of damage of mitochondrial membranes and cristae were observed. Moreover, although a dose-response effect on gene expression has not been observed, when compared with tissues culture in control medium, the presence of frutalin increased in mRNA expression proapoptotic genes. In conclusion, frutalin reduces follicular survival at all concentrations tested, its effects being more pronounced when high concentrations of this lectin (50, 100 and 200 µg/ml) are used. Gene expression profile and ultrastrutural features of cultured follicles suggest that follicular death in goat ovarian tissue cultured in presence of frutalin occurs via necrosis.
- PublicationOpen AccessExpression and distribution of cytokeratin 8-18 intermediate filaments in bovine antral follicles and corpus luteum: An intrinsic mechanism of resistance to apoptosis?(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2010) Townson, David H.; Putnam, Amanda N.; Sullivan, Brian T.; Guo, Lankai; Irving-Rodgers, Helen F.Apoptosis is a mechanism of cell elimination during follicular atresia and luteal regression. Recent evidence suggests sensitivity to apoptosis in some cell types is partly dependent upon cytokeratin-containing intermediate filaments. Specifically, cytokeratin 8/18 (CK8/18) filaments are thought to impart resistance to apoptosis. Here, cytokeratin filament expression within bovine ovarian follicles and corpora lutea (CL) was characterized and the potential relationship between cellspecific CK8/18 expression and apoptosis explored. Immunoprecipitation and western blot analysis confirmed CK8 associates with CK18 to form CK8/18 heterodimeric filaments within bovine ovarian cells. Immunostaining revealed populations of CK18-positive (CK18+) cells in healthy growing follicles that increased in postovulatory follicles. Atretic follicles at all stages of atresia also contained some CK18+ cells. However, no CK18+ cells were detected in primordial or primary follicles. In CL, developing CL contained a higher proportion of CK18+ cells (~35%, range 30-70%) than mature CL (~16%) and regressing CL (~5%; P<0.05, n = 3-5 CL/stage), suggesting CK8/18 filament expression diminishes over time, as luteal cells become more susceptible to apoptosis. Dual-fluorescence labeling for CK18 and a cell death marker (TUNEL labeling) confirmed this view, demonstrating less death of CK18+ than CK18- luteal cells throughout the estrous cycle (P<0.05). The results indicate differential expression of CK8/18 filaments occurs in cells of bovine ovarian follicles and CL throughout the estrous cycle. The prevalence and cell-specific pattern of cytokeratin expression in these structures is consistent with the concept these filaments might impart resistance to apoptosis in ovarian cells as is seen in other cell types.
- PublicationOpen AccessExpression of transforming growth factor-B3 -GF-B3- in the porcine ovary during the oestrus cycle(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2008) Steffl, M.; Schweiger, M.; Amselgruber, W.Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) proteins are growth factors that have been shown to be involved in regulation of ovarian follicular development. Ovarian expression, activity and functional significance of TGF-ß1 and TGF-ß2 isoforms were extensively studied in most species. However, little is known about the biological role of TGF-ß3 previously shown to be expressed independently of the other two isoforms. Therefore, expression of TGF-ß3 mRNA and protein was evaluated by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively, in porcine ovaries collected during different phases of the oestrus cycle. Results of RT-PCR analysis showed that TGF-ß3 mRNA is expressed throughout the oestrus cycle. The level of TGF-ß3 mRNA expression was found to be higher at metoestrus and dioestrus. Weak TGF-ß3 immunoreactivity was present in follicular epithelial cells and oocytes of preantral follicles in all stages examined. TGF-ß3 protein expression was exclusively present in theca interna cell layer of antral follicles, and was particularly prominent in large antral follicles. Immediately after ovulation, almost all theca cells outside of the granulosa cell layer were intensively stained with anti-TGF-ß3. Immunostaining of TGF-ß3 in theca lutein cells rapidly decreased during corpus luteum development. It is suggested that TGF-ß3 may play an important role in modulating theca cell function of pre- and postovulatory follicles of the pig.
- PublicationOpen AccessMorphological changes in mouse ovary due to hormonal hypersecretion and matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity(Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2021) Kim, Sang-Hwan; Yoon, Jong-TaekWe analyzed whether aberrant gonadotropin secretion affects the morphological remodeling of murine ovarian tissues facilitated by activated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes. Six mice were intraperitoneally injected with 5 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) or human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) every two days after estrus synchronization. Morphology and expression of various MMPs were assessed following the successful induction of hormonal secretion in these tissues. HCG treatment, but not PMSG treatment, resulted in the expanded production of granulose second follicular cells. In addition, the number of developing follicular cells in the HCG group increased compared with that in the PMSG group. Ovarian diameters were also very small in the PMSG group. Immunohistochemistry revealed decreased MMP-2 protein activity in the HCG group and increased MMP-2 activity in the PMSG group. Activity was particularly high in theca and granulose cells of the PMSG group, but only partial activity was observed in the theca cells of the HCG group. Vascular endothelial growth factor activity was increased in both the external and internal theca cell walls in the PMSG group while the HCG group showed high overall expression of this protein in the internal theca cells. These data indicate that follicular cell activity and remodeling of the ovaries differ based on the type of secretory hormone signals they receive. Inappropriate gonadotropin secretion may induce functional changes in the ovaries, and follicular remodeling may be facilitated by the activity of various MMPs.
- PublicationOpen AccessOvarian pluripotent/multipotent stem cells and in vitro oogenesis in mammals(Murcia: F. Hernández y J.F. Madrid, Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2011) Virant-Klun, Irma; Stimpfel, Martin; Skutella, ThomasThere has been a long persisting dilemma about potential ovarian stem cells in adult mammalian ovaries, including human, and now there is steadily increasing experimental evidence on their existence. After some previous indirect evidence about the presence of stem cells in adult mouse ovaries, an important breakthrough was made by Zou and his coworkers who successfully established long-persisting pluripotent/multipotent ovarian stem cell lines in neonatal and adult mice, and were followed by some other important studies in mouse and human. Moreover, oocyte-like cells can be developed in vitro from pluripotent stem cells of different origins (embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, fetal skin stem cells, pancreatic stem cells). The aim of this article is to elucidate the fast growing new knowledge on the ovarian stem cells and potential in vitro oogenesis in mammals.
- PublicationOpen AccessThe ovaric lobule, a histoembryological unit(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1986) Vestfrid, Mario AlbertoMicroscopic study of newborn female ovaries showed a constant and characteristic architectonic pattern on the surface area of the organ cortex. This pattern consisted of units that have been called "ovaric lobules" and that are made up of the various cellular types involved in the formation of the gonad (oocytes, cells derived from surface epithelium and connective-vascular elements). These structural units might be the site where synchronization or coordination for development and maturation of the successive groups of follicles occurs in post-natal life.
- PublicationOpen AccessThe potential protective effects of curcumin on the diabetic ovary: Experimental and molecular approaches(Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2025) Tufekci, Kıymet Kübra; Altun, Gamze; Kipanyula, Maulilio John; Kaplan, Süleyman; Biología Celular e HistologíaDiabetes mellitus (DM) causes numerous systemic diseases in animals and humans. This may also lead to reproductive problems among individuals of reproductive age. Detrimental effects such as apoptosis in ovarian granulosa cells, degradation of communica-tion proteins, decreased oocyte quality, delayed meiotic maturation, and atrophy are among the increasing evidence that chronic hyperglycemia causes reproductive problems. Numerous studies have reported that the antidiabetic properties of the antioxidant curcumin may be due to its inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance. There are also data indicating that curcumin reduces the risk of DM and its associated symptoms. This review discusses the protective or curative properties of curcumin in the treatment of DM-related problems in the ovary and seeks to elucidate potential underlying mechanisms. While the use of curcumin as a supportive/therapeutic agent has been introduced for the reduction of reproductive problems that may be caused by uncontrolled DM, more studies on this subject are needed.