NOD-like receptor proteins (NLRPs) are emerging key players in several inflammatory pathways in Mammals. The first identified gene coding for a protein from this family is Nlrp5 and was originally called Mater for "Maternal Antigen That Mouse Embryos Require" for normal development beyond the two-cell stage. This important discovery was followed by the identification of other NLRPs playing role...

Although bacterial endosymbioses are common among phloeophagous herbivores, little is known regarding the effects of symbionts on herbivore host selection and population dynamics. We tested the hypothesis that plant selection and reproductive performance by a phloem-feeding herbivore (potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli) is mediated by infection of plants with a bacterial endosymbiont. We co...

Apomixis is a unique reproductive process that produces fertile offspring without the combination of sperm and egg cells. This perfectly reproduces maternal DNA, making it possible to fix heterosis during reproduction. Malus shizongensis newly discovered species closely related hupehensis Rehd. After de-male bagging, was found fruit set rate reached 78.7%. Preliminary analysis indicated M. have...

In conditions characterized by energetic constraints, such as in periods of low food availability, some trade-offs between reproduction and self-maintenance may be necessary; even year-round breeders may then be forced to exhibit some reproductive seasonality. Prior research has largely focused on female reproduction and physiology, and few studies have evaluated the impact of environmental fac...

spermatids are the earliest male germ cells with one set of haploid chromosomes. after experiments, mainly in rodents, the spermatid injection was introduced in human assisted reproduction to the treatment of men with non-obstructive azoospermia. spermatid injection is a technique with particular difficulties that may negatively influence the outcome. the identification, isolation and the asses...

Female extra-pair reproduction in socially monogamous systems is predicted to cause cuckolded socially-paired males to conditionally reduce paternal care, causing selection against extra-pair reproduction and underlying polyandry. However, existing models and empirical studies have not explicitly considered that cuckolded males might be related to their socially-paired female and/or to her extr...