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VOLUME 9, NUMBER 1
ABSTRACTS
The role of immunological system in the regulation of gonadoliberin and gonadotropin secretion
Dorota Tomaszewska-Zaremba1 and Andrzej Herman
The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jablonna, Poland
Summary
This article reviews data concerning the interactions between immune and neuroendocrine systems in the regulation of reproduction
processes at the hypothalamic and pituitary level during immunological stress. Hypothalamus seems to play the most important role in the inhibitory
action of immune challenge on the gonadoliberin (GnRH) and gonadotropin secretion as well in the inhibition of the reproductive functions. The
administration of endotoxin as a model of immunological stress could alter circulating concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) via actions at the
hypothalamus through altered GnRH secretion, or at the level of the pituitary via inhibition of LH production and release in response to GnRH. At
the central level, interleukin (IL)-1β seems to play the most important role in the suppression of GnRH secretion during immune challenge.
The inhibitory action of this cytokine on GnRH may involve different neural mechanisms: direct action on the GnRH neurons through the IL-1
receptors or indirect action involving other mediators such as opioids, catecholamines, γ-aminobutyric acid, prostaglandins or nitric oxide.
Reproductive Biology 2009 9 (1): 11-23
1 Corresponding author: The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-110 Jablonna, Poland.
email: d.tomaszewska@ifzz.pan.pl
Activity of α- and β-mannosidases in semen and reproductive organs of the drake
Malgorzata Dzugan1,2, Juliusz Ksiazkiewicz3,4
2Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów;
3Department of Animal Genetic Resources Conservation, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Balice;
4Department of Bioengineering, Branch Campus of the Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Rzeszów, Kolbuszowa, Poland
Summary
The activity of α- and β-mannosidase (α-MAN and β-MAN) in seminal plasma, spermatozoa and homogenates of
reproductive organs has been determined in the drake. The highest specific activities of the examined mannosidases were
found in epididymides. The activities of both enzymes decreased significantly during the postbreeding resting season
compared to the breeding season. Elution profiles of multiple forms of mannosidases from particular organs were
obtained and characterized. It was found that α- and β-mannosidases in the genital tract of the drake are
similar to the enzymes described in other species of domestic fowl. The presence of highly active mannosidases in
reproductive tissues and a decline of the mannosidase activities during the postbreeding season strongly suggests
that the enzymes take part in reproductive processes of birds.
Reproductive Biology 2009 9 (1): 25-37
1 Corresponding author: Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 2, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland;
e-mail: mdzugan@univ.rzeszow.pl
The photon emission, ATP level and motility of boar spermatozoa during liquid storage
Piotr Gogol1, Barbara Szczesniak-Fabianczyk, Agnieszka Wierzchos-Hilczer
Department of Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Balice/Krakow, Poland
Summary
Changes were studied in induced photon emission (as an indicator of oxidative stress), ATP level and sperm motility during seven day-storage of boar
semen at 15°C extended with the use of BTS extender. Photon emission was measured using a luminometer equipped with a cooled photomultiplier
with a spectral response range from 370 to 620 nm. The time of storage had a significant effect on luminescence parameters (integral and peak max),
intracellular ATP level and percentage of motile spermatozoa. The increase in luminescence parameters was paralleled by a decrease in ATP level
and sperm motility. A significant correlation was found between the percentage of motile spermatozoa and integral (r=-0.27) and peak max (r=-0.31).
ATP level was correlated with integral (r=-0.25) but not with peak max. Our results suggest that reactive oxygen species and products of cell membrane
lipid peroxidation have a negative effect on ATP level and sperm motility. Induced luminescence assessment in combination with sperm motility and ATP
level can give valuable information about the status and function of spermatozoa which may be relevant for predicting the fertilizing potential of the semen.
Reproductive Biology 2009 9 (1): 39-49
1Corresponding author: Department of Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction, National Research Institute of Animal Production, 32-083 Balice/Kraków, Poland.
e-mail: pgogol@izoo.krakow.pl
The effect of unilateral progesterone infusion into the ovarian artery during the middle luteal phase on progesterone secretion in gilts
Barbara Wasowska1, Stanislawa Stefanczyk-Krzymowska
Department of Local Physiological Regulations, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland
Summary
The aim of the study was to determine, in an experiment performed on conscious gilts, whether an increased amount of progesterone (P4)
supplied to the porcine corpus luteum (CL), maintained within a physiological systemic concentration would influence its own secretion.
On day 9 of the estrous cycle the jugular veins as well as both ovarian arteries and both ovarian veins were cannulated. In the experimental
gilts (n=5), P4 was infused into the right ovarian arteries on days 10, 11 and 12 of the estrous cycle at a rate adequate for physiological
retrograde transfer found during the middle luteal phase. The left ovarian arteries of these gilts were infused with saline. Both ovarian
arteries of the control gilts (n=5) were infused with saline. The P4 infusion rate was 0.62 μg/min (10 day), 2 × 0.62 μg/min
( 11 day) and 3 × 0.62 μg/min (12 day) and physiological levels of the steroid were maintained. Blood samples were collected from
the jugular vein and both ovarian veins in the experimental and control animals on days 10, 11 and 12 of the estrous cycle during two periods
on each day: before and after P4 or saline infusion. The mean plasma P4 level in the ovarian vein ipsilateral to the P4-infused ovary was
significantly (p<0.001) higher on days 10-12 of the estrous cycle than those found in contralateral ovarian vein of the experimental
gilts and in the ovarian vein of the control gilts. This was also true for day 12 of the estrous cycle (p<0.001). However, on days 10
and 11 plasma P4 in the vein from the P4-infused ovary tended (p<0.061) to be higher than those in veins from the saline-treated ovaries.
The mean P4 concentration in the ovarian vein ipsilateral to the P4-infused ovary did not vary significantly (p>0.05) among the particular
days of the experiment. In contrast, mean P4 levels in the contralateral ovarian vein of the experimental gilts as well as in the ovarian
vein of the control gilts tended to decrease (p<0.06) between day 10 and day 12. The results of the present paper indicate that during
the middle luteal phase of the porcine estrous cycle (days 10-12), ovarian P4 secretion remained unaltered due to the elevation of P4
concentration in blood supplying the steroid-infused ovary, while a decrease in P4 concentration was observed in ovarian veins of the
saline-infused ovaries. The influence of the progestagen on its own secretion suggests that on days 10-12 of the porcine estrous cycle
there is a short regulatory loop of positive feedback between P4 being retrograde transferred into the ovary and P4 ovarian secretion.
Reproductive Biology 2009 9 (1): 51-64
1 Corresponding author:
Department of Local Physiological Regulations, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-747 Olsztyn, Tuwima 10, Poland.
email: bwasow@pan.olsztyn.pl
The sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) as prognostic factor in IVF/ICSI program
Piotr Micinski1,2, Krzysztof Pawlicki3, Ewa Wielgus3, Michal Bochenek4, Iwona Tworkowska2
2Novomedica, Infertility Clinic, Myslowice;
3Department of Histology and Embryology, Silesian Medical University, Katowice;
4National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakow-Balice, Poland
Summary
In this study 60 couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures were enrolled. All men were classified into two groups
regarding to the DNA fractionation index (DFI) threshold value: group I < 15% and group II ≥ 15%. In group I, median DFI
was 4%, normal pre-implantation embryo development was observed and eleven pregnancies were achieved. In group II, median DFI was 23%
and normal pre-implantation embryo development was also observed, but only two pregnancies were achieved. Our results suggest that the patients
included in the assisted reproductive techniques (ART) should be diagnosed with the SCSA test and the DFI may be related to the outcome of
fertilization process as well as to the number of transferred embryos and pregnancy.
Reproductive Biology 2009 9 (1): 65-70
1Corresponding author:
Novomedica, ul. Bonczyka 34, 41-400 Myslowice, Poland.
e-mail: micinski@ka.onet.pl
Assessment of zona pellucida glycoprotein and integrin transcript contents in porcine oocytes
Bartosz Kempisty2, Pawel Antosik3, Dorota Bukowska3, Marta Jackowska2,3, Margarita Lianeri2, Jedrzej M. Jaskowski3, Pawel P. Jagodzinski1,2
2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan;
3Department of Agricultural Veterinary, University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
Summary
Using reverse transcription and real-time quantitative PCR analysis we evaluated the transcript levels of integrins (αL, αM, β1, and β6),
CD9 and CD18 antigens as well as zona pellucida glycoproteins (pZP1, pZP2, pZP3 and pZP3α) in oocytes isolated from puberal gilts (n=20) and
multiparous sows (n=20). We found significantly (p<0.05) higher transcript contents of αL, αM, β1, and β integrins, CD9 antigen,
and pZP2 and pZP3 in puberal gilt oocytes compared to multiparous sow oocytes. Our results suggest that a decrease in the level of oocyte transcripts
encoding essential proteins involved in oocyte fertilization may be associated with increased porcine female age.
Reproductive Biology 2009 9 (1): 71-78
1Corresponding author:
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Medical Sciences, 6 Swiecickiego St., 60-781 Poznan, Poland.
e-mail: pjagodzi@am.poznan.pl
The morphology of porcine oocytes is associated with zona pellucida glycoprotein transcript contents
Marta Jackowska2,3, Bartosz Kempisty1,3, Pawel Antosik2, Dorota Bukowska2, Joanna Budna3,
Margarita Lianeri3, Ewa Rosinska2, Magdalena Wozna2, Pawel P. Jagodzinski3, Jedrzej M. Jaskowski2
2Department of Agricultural Veterinary, University of Life Sciences, Poznan;
3Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
Summary
We hypothesized that oocyte morphology may be associated with the accumulation of specific mRNAs encoding proteins responsible for the gamete
fertilization ability. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the transcript levels of porcine zona pellucida (pZP1, pZP2, pZP3 and pZP4)
glycoproteins in oocytes classified by a four-grade morphological scale (I-IV) accounting for either a homogeneous cytoplasm and a complete
cumulus oophorus (grade I) or a heterogenous cytoplasm and decreased number of cumulus layers in the other grades (II, III and IV). We observed
a significant increase of all investigated pZP glycoprotein mRNAs in grade I oocytes as compared to other grades (p<0.05). Our observations
suggest that porcine oocyte morphology is associated with pZP transcript contents and may be related to an increased fertilization ability of
higher quality oocytes.
Reproductive Biology 2009 9 (1): 79-85
1Corresponding author:
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Medical Sciences, 6 Swiecickiego St., 60-781 Poznan, Poland.
e-mail: etok@op.pl