We compared the effects of exogenous insulin and porcine ST (pST) on follicular development after weaning. Crossbred primiparous sows received saline (1.5 mL i.m.; n = 9), insulin (.4 IU/kg BW s.c.; Eli Lilly Lente Iletin II; n = 10), or pST (40 microg/kg BW i.m.; n = 10) from d 1 to 5 after weaning (d 0). Ovaries were collected, the diameter of each follicle > or = 2 mm was measured, and fluid...

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) play an important role in regulating follicle growth and maturation. We have evaluated whether responsiveness to gonadotrophins during an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment is related to follicular fluid IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations. We also investigated if a difference is present in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentration...

BACKGROUND Thiols are scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We aim to investigate associations between thiols in various fluids in (sub)fertile couples and fertility outcome parameters. METHODS In 156 couples undergoing assisted reproduction techniques (ART), we measured the concentrations of glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy) and cysteinylglycine (CGS) and fertility...

BACKGROUND Egg laying in Magang geese is characterized by extended interruption between clutches and lowing laying rate. Both the ovarian follicular development and ovulation characteristics, and the associated endocrine and molecular regulatory mechanisms involved are poorly understood, but could be important for guiding development of molecule aided selection of egg laying performances in gee...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common complex and heterogeneous disorder, affecting up to 10% women at reproductive age. It causes three fourth of the ovulatory infertility and PCOS patients often give poor IVF quality. Although some metabolic profiles have been investigated in PCOS patient sera and urine, the follicular fluid, providing fruitful biochemical information about oocyte envi...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of MMP-14 and MMP-2 during human ovarian follicular development using immunohistochemistry, and the activity of MMP-2 in follicular fluid using zymography. METHODS Ovarian tissue collected from the archives of the Department of Pathology was examined and medical records and histopathology were reviewed. Follicular fluids were co...