KA1. THE AFTERMATH FROM FETAL-MATERNAL CELL TRAFFIC OF PREGNANCY. Nelson, J. Lee¹, ¹ University of Washington, Seattle, WA
     During pregnancy some cells traffic between the fetus and the mother. Low levels of cells have recently been found to persist in respective hosts many years later. The term microchimerism refers to harboring small numbers of cells (or DNA) by one individual derived from another genetically distinct individual. Chronic graft-versus-host disease occurs as a complication of hematopoietic cell transplantation, is an iatrogenic form of chimerism, and has clinical similarities to some autoimmune diseases. The HLA-relationship of the donor and host is a key determinant of graft-versus-host disease risk. Considering these observations together led to the hypothesis that naturally acquired microchimerism from pregnancy and HLA genes of different cell populations are involved in autoimmune diseases. In addition to cells from a fetus there are other sources of microchimerism so that the hypothesis is also applicable to children, men and women who have never been pregnant. Long-term persistence of maternal microchimerism in her adult progeny has been reported, as has persistence from cell transfer between twins in utero. Microchimerism can result from a blood transfusion, and possibly could occur due to cells from an older sibling passed via the maternal circulation in a subsequent pregnancy. Microchimerism has been investigated in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), primary biliary cirrhosis, Sjogrens syndrome, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, myositis, thyroid disease and systemic lupus. Results lend support to a potential role for microchimerism in some diseases, while also indicating microchimerism is often found in healthy individuals. Very recently microchimeric cells that bear tissue specific antigens have been identified, for example cardiac myocytes. It is likely the microchimerism can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on the host. An example of the former would be in tissue repair and of the later, tissue-specific microchimerism could be the target of an "auto-allo" immune response.

PS1. IMMUNE REGULATION OF OVARIAN FUNCTION IN EARLY PREGNANCY. Erlebacher, Adrian^{1, 2}, Zhang, Dorothy¹, Parlow, Albert², Glimcher, Laurie^{1, 2}, ¹ Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA² National Hormone and Peptide Program, Torrance, CA
     Although inflammatory cytokines produced by the immune system are generally important in endocrine regulation, the possibility that immune activation might regulate the reproductive endocrine system during pregnancy and thereby influence reproductive success has not been directly evaluated. We describe a murine model of early pregnancy failure induced by systemic activation of CD40, an immune costimulatory molecule that plays a central role in the generation of adaptive and innate immune responses. Although fetal loss involved systemic inflammation and a natural killer cell intermediate, it was not due to lymphocyte-mediated destruction of the fetus and placenta. Rather, pregnancy failure resulted from impaired progesterone synthesis by the corpus luteum, a defect in turn associated with ovarian resistance to the gonadotropic effects of prolactin. Pregnancy failure also required the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, which likely acted directly on corpora luteal cells to induce the prolactin receptor signaling inhibitors SOCS1 and SOCS3. Links between immune activation and reproductive endocrine dysfunction may be relevant towards pregnancy loss and other clinical disorders of reproduction.

PS2. TESTICULAR LEUKOCYTES AND CYTOKINES: INFLAMMATION AND IMMUNOREGULATION IN AN IMMUNE-PRIVILEGED TISSUE. Hedger, Mark¹, ¹ Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
     The testis comprises two separate compartments: the seminiferous tubules, containing the spermatogenic cells, and the interstitial tissue, containing the endocrine and vascular components. It is widely recognised that spermatogenic cells express a large number of potential auto-antigens, and consequently are highly susceptible to attack by the immune system. The immuno-protective mechanisms that normally prevent such deleterious responses in the testis are poorly understood. Although the blood-testis barrier separates the testicular compartments, spermatogenic cells are only partially sequestered by this barrier, and both leukocyte access and lymphatic drainage of the testis appear to be relatively unrestricted. Significantly, immuno-protection (or immune privilege) is extended to intratesticular grafts of foreign tissue, and the extended survival of such grafts appears to be due to inhibition of early immune activation events. The accumulated evidence indicates that both inflammatory and antigen-specific recognition responses in the testis are inhibited by specific immunoregulatory mechanisms. Much attention has focussed on the large population of resident macrophages in the testis, and it appears that many of these cells may possess a unique immunoregulatory or alternatively activated phenotype. Significant numbers of regulatory lymphocyte subsets, particularly NK T cells, are also present. These immune cells no doubt contribute to the restraint of local inflammation and immune activation responses. An alternative role for the testicular macrophages and lymphocytes, which include NK cells, in providing innate protection from infection and tumour development also is indicated. Finally, the somatic cells of the testis, most notably the Sertoli cells, produce a number of cytokines, lipids and membrane-bound ligands with imunoregulatory properties. Altogether, the data suggest that there exists a dynamic interaction between the testicular cells and immune system that benefits testicular function by suppressing autoimmunity without compromising normal innate immunity.

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Plenary Session I
Monday, July 25, 2005
8:00 AM–8:45 AM
Location: CCQ 2000BC

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PL1. NUCLEAR-CYTOPLASMIC TUG-OF-WAR IN CLONING: OUTCOMES AND HANDICAPS. Latham, Keith¹, ¹ Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
     Successful cloning of mammals by somatic cell nuclear transfer requires that a somatic cell genome substitute for an embryonic genome in all respects. At the level of gene transcription, this implies the silencing of the donor cell genome followed by temporally correct execution of the embryonic program. Data thus far indicate that this process is quite slow. As a result, when transcription begins, the cloned embryo expresses numerous characteristics of somatic cells. These include specific molecular markers, as well as altered in vitro culture requirements. Another respect in which the donor genome must substitute for an embryonic genome is in the correct interaction with the cytoplasm in order to undergo efficient DNA replication and chromosome segregation during mitosis. Available data indicate that a number of the aberrant characteristics of cloned embryos are abrogated in tetraploid constructs prepared by performing SCNT without removal of the oocyte spindle chromosome complex (SCC). This indicates that the oocyte SCC contains factors that regulate other cellular processes besides chromosome segregation during cleavage, and that its removal deprives the embryo of these factors. Western blot analysis reveals that removal of the SCC prior to SCNT depletes the oocyte of a number of proteins, but many of these appear to be replenished over a short time period. Interestingly, somatic and embryonic donor nuclei differ in their ability to form SCC with the correct molecular composition. This may compromise the genomic integrity of a majority of SCNT embryos. The combination of mitotic errors and expression of somatic cell characteristics likely account in large measure for the poor efficiency of term development following SCNT.

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Plenary Session II
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
8:00 AM–9:00 AM
Location: CCQ 2000BC

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PL2. ORIGIN AND FUNCTION OF MAMMALIAN FEMALE GERMLINE STEM CELLS. Tilly, Jonathan¹, ¹ Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Boston, MA
     Female reproductive aging is driven in large part by a progressive decline in the number of oocyte-containing follicles throughout life, which eventually leaves the ovaries barren of post-meiotic germ cells. Exhaustion of the oocyte pool not only heralds permanent infertility but also, by virtue of the importance of the oocyte to the function of the follicle, marked changes in ovarian hormone production. In human females these events culminate in the menopausal transition, a major turning point in the life of every woman that is associated with an increased risk for the development of a number of debilitating physical and psychological health problems. For many years, our understanding of ovarian failure has been firmly rooted in a single basic concept – unlike males of the species, female mammals are not provided with the luxury of a renewable germ cell pool. Accordingly, the endowment of oocytes set forth at birth represents a fixed reserve that simply erodes away to the point of exhaustion later in adult life. Although this one concept has dictated how essentially every aspect of ovarian development, function and failure has been approached for the better part of the past five decades, we recently provided evidence indicating that oocyte and follicle production in fact persist in adult female mammals (Nature 2004 428:145-150). We have since followed this work with a number of experiments in mice directed at isolating the replicative germ cells responsible for maintaining postnatal oocyte production. We have also tested the functionality of the resultant cell preparations for germline stem cell (GSC) activity by, among other things, transplantation into sterilized female recipients to confirm a rescue of de-novo oocyte production by the donor cells. Based on the data obtained thus far, which are fully supportive of the existence of female GSCs in mice, studies have been initiated to identify a comparable cell population in adult human females. Should these new experiments prove equally successful, this line of work may pave the way for the development of adult stem cell-based strategies aimed at restoring or prolonging ovarian function and fertility in women. (This work was supported by NIH R01-AG012279, R01-AG024999, the Rubin Shulsky Philanthropic Fund, and Vincent Memorial Research Funds).



PL3. MINING FOR NEO-OOGENESIS IN THE MAMMALIAN OVARY: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE. Albertini, David¹, ¹ Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
     Recent studies in mice suggest that the ovary is able to generate postnatally new oocytes from a stem cell reserve. Public reaction to these findings has been broad based with respect to therapeutic management of the age-related loss of fertility in mammals. Within the scientific community, there is foremost a call to revisit the problem of neo-oogenesis especially since ovarian tissues, as with many other tissues, clearly exhibit regenerative potential in the somatic compartments but with rare exceptions, not within the germ line. This presentation will review the history of studies on neo-oogenesis with respect to the reproductive strategies engaged by mammalian and submammalian organisms.More contemporary approaches, including selection of appropriate markers for cell cycle dynamics in intact and sectioned materials will be considered in the context of stereological analyses using living versus fixed materials. Finally, the notion of stemness in the ovary is considered with respect to regenerative capacities segregated into soma and germ line in developmentally distinct paradigms that may in the future be approached by genetic manipulation and in vitro strategies.

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Plenary Session III
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
8:00 AM–8:45 AM
Location: CCQ 2000BC

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PL4. PROTEIN FOLDING: IMPLICATIONS FOR REPRODUCTIVE DISEASES. Conn, P. Michael¹, ¹ Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR
     The GnRH receptor (GnRHR) is a heptahelical G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) found in the plasma membrane of pituitary gonadotropes. GnRHR mutants isolated from patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) are frequently mislocalized proteins; the vast majority of these (12 of the 15 point mutations reported) can be restored to function by peptidomimetic antagonists, acting as pharmacological chaperones or "pharmacoperones." Structure-activity relations have been described for members of three different chemical classes of pharmacoperones. In addition to naturally occurring mutations, "designer" mutants replacing Cys (needed for stabilization of the tertiary structure of the receptor) by Ala, or internal deletions or truncations, can also be rescued by this approach or by alterations in the genetic sequence of the receptor. Non-functional HH mutants also inhibit ligand binding and ligand activated second messenger production by wild type receptor when both are co-expressed in vitro. Confocal microscopy shows that this "dominant-negative effect," (which occurs for human but not for rodent GnRHR), results from wild type receptor retention in the endoplasmic reticulum by mislocalized mutants. Pharmacoperones also rescue the wild type receptor from retention. Because of the large number of human diseases that appear to be caused by defective protein folding and subsequent mislocalization, it is likely that endoplasmic reticulum retention is a common cause of dominant-negative actions for other diseases involving GPCRs, as appears to be the case in HH and for which there exists a potential therapeutic agent. (Supported by: HD-19899, RR-00163, TW/HD-00668 and HD-18185). References: 1. Conn, P.M., Leanos-Miranda, A and Jo Ann Janovick, J. Molecular Interventions 2 (5): 308-316, 2002. 2. Janovick, J., Goulet, M., Bush, E. Greer, J, Wettlauffer, D, and Conn, P.M., J. Pharmacol. Experimental Therapeutics, 305(2): 608-614, 2003 3. Janovick, J.A., Maya-Nunez, G., Conn, P.M. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 87(7):3255-3262, 2002 4. Leanos-Miranda, A, Janovick, J and Conn, P.M, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 87(10): 4825-4828 2002. 5. Brothers, S.P. and Conn, P.M., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.88: 6107-6112, 2003. 6. Leanos-Miranda, A, Ulloa Aguirre, A , Ji, T.H., Janovick, J., Conn, P.M., , J Clin Endocrinol Metab 88: 3360-3367, 2003. 7. Janovick, J, Ulloa-Aguirre, A and Conn, PM, Endocrine 22(3):317-328, 2003. 8. Brothers, S.P., Cornea, A, Janovick, J.A. and Conn, P.M., Molecular Endocrinology 18 (7): 1787-1797 (2004), July 2004). 9. Ulloa-Aguirre, A., Janovick, J., Leanos-Miranda, A., Conn, P. M., , Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets, 7(2):175-185, 2003. 10. Ulloa-Aguirre, A., Janovick, J.A., Leanos-Miranda, A., and Conn, P.M., Human Reproduction Update, 10 (2): 177-192, 2004, 2004. 11. Ulloa-Aguirre, A., Janovick, J., Brothers, S. and Conn, P.M., Pharmacological Rescue of Conformationally-Defective Proteins: Implications for the Treatment of Human Disease, Traffic 5: 821-837, 2004 published online 8-Oct-2004 (cover image). 12. Castro-Fernandez, C, Maya-Nunez, G and P. Michael Conn, Beyond the Signal Sequence: Protein Routing in Health and Disease, manuscript in press, published online November 8, 2004; Endocrine Reviews, 2005. 13. Leanos-Miranda, A., Ulloa-Aguirre, A., Janovick, J.A. and Conn, P.M., In Vitro Coexpression and Pharmacological Rescue of Mutant GnRH Receptors Causing Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism in Humans Expressing Compound Heterozygous Alleles. In press, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005.

EX1. A MOLECULAR APPROACH TO SEMEN CRYOPRESERVATION: NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO ANSWER OLD QUESTIONS. Thurston, Lisa¹, Michael, Anthony², Watson, Paul¹, Holt, William³, ¹ Royal Veterinary College, London, UK² University College London, London, UK³ Institute of Zoology, London, UK
     Although semen cryopreservation has been applied successfully in a few species, considerable variation in post-thaw semen viability exists. Independent of sperm quality before freezing, the semen of certain individuals will consistently freeze badly, resulting in poor motility, disrupted acrosome and plasma membrane, and thus reduced fertilising ability, indicating the existence of variation in membrane properties within species. A more comprehensive understanding of sperm cryobiology would be obtained by the investigation of within-species variation in the susceptibility of spermatozoa to cryoinjury. The aim of this work is to explore the phenomenon of consistent variation in frozen semen quality between species and between individuals in an effort to find new insights into the reasons for cryoinjury. We suggest that there is a genetic basis for variation in post-thaw semen quality. Using modern molecular technologies such as amplified restriction fragment polymorphism (AFLP) we were able to identify 16 markers linked to genes influencing variation in semen freezability. The identification of genetic differences between individuals, which may be linked to cryosurvival, provides an opportunity to develop a functional and molecular understanding of the factors that influence semen cryopreservation, allowing selective breeding of desired traits and the development of genetic tests that predict the outcome of semen freezing.

EX2. THE ROLE OF GATA FACTORS IN MAMMALIAN REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION. Viger, Robert¹, ¹ CHUL Research Center, Laval University, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada
     GATA transcription factors were originally identified as crucial regulators of heart development and hematopoietic cell differentiation. GATA factors, however, are not unique to these two systems but rather are expressed in a wide variety of tissues including the testis and ovary. As little as five years ago, the role of GATA factors in reproductive function was uncharted territory. Since then, we and others have come a long way in filling this void. GATA factors have now been implicated in gonadal development, male sex determination and differentiation, and steroidogenesis. Our insights into these roles have come mainly from the identification of novel GATA-dependent gene promoters. This growing list includes genes that code for hormones (MIS/AMH, inhibin alpha), steroidogenic enzymes (StAR, HSD3B2, CYP19), and transcription factors (DMRT1, SRY). Thus, GATA factors appear to play a central role in mammalian reproductive function. Their regulation and mechanism of action, however, have yet to be fully understood. The specificity of GATA action is controlled in part, via protein-protein interactions with other transcriptional partners. Indeed, our original studies showed that GATA4 regulates MIS gene transcription in cooperation with steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1). We now have data that GATA4 also regulates SRY transcription through a similar cooperation, not with SF-1, but with Wilms tumor 1 (WT1). Another mechanism for regulating GATA function is through post-translational modification of GATA proteins. We have previously identified GATA4 as an effector of hormone action in gonadal cells via cAMP/PKA signaling and phosphorylation of GATA4. We now have evidence that GATA4 is also phosphorylated by MAP kinase but on a different set of amino acids. Elucidation of the in vivo role played by GATA factors in the gonads has been hampered by the embryonic-lethal phenotype of GATA knockout mice. To overcome this problem, we have generated a novel transgenic mouse model where endogenous GATA function is knocked-down by tissue-specific overexpression of a GATA dominant negative competitor. When targeted to postnatal Sertoli cells, mice are infertile due to a late block in spermatogenesis. A description of this knockdown model and our other recent data on the role GATA factors in reproductive function will be presented.

TW1. Visualization of Biochemical Networks in Living Cells. Michnick, Stephen¹, ¹ Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
     The overall aim of our research is to develop and apply experimental, informatic and theoretical approaches to understanding the evolutionary origins and existing organization of biochemical networks. Cellular biochemical networks consist of dynamically assembling and disassembling macromolecular complexes. While our models for the organization of biochemical machines are derived largely from in vitro experiments, do they reflect their organization in intact, living cells? To address this challenge we have developed a general experimental strategy allowing for quantitatively probing the dynamics of molecular interactions in intact, living cells. The strategy is based on Protein fragment Complementation Assays (PCA) , a method whereby protein interactions are coupled to refolding of enzymes from cognate fragments where reconstitution of enzyme activity acts as the detector of a protein interaction. A dynamic biochemical network is defined by grouping interacting proteins into those that are perturbed in the same way by common factors (hormones, metabolites, enzyme inhibitors, etc) in a similar manner to which transcriptional profiles are used to deduce genetic programs. We are seeking to go from descriptive to quantitative representations of biochemical networks at an individual to whole genome level. Our ultimate aim is better descriptions of the biochemical machineries that underlie living processes.

TW2. MULTI-PHOTON EXCITATION FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY, IN VIVO. Balaban, Robert¹, ¹ National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD
     Two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy (TPEFM) (Denk et al., 1990) permits the monitoring of subcellular events in thick samples as well as living animals. TPEFM relies on the use of infrared light (IR) to penetrate deep into tissues generating essentially visible or ultraviolet light at the focal point of an appropriate microscope lens to excite intrinsic or added fluorophores inside the tissue. The detection of the fluorescence is then usually done in a conventional manner. In addition, structural information on the tissue can be obtained from multiple harmonic generation from the IR photons, providing information on the chemistry and structure of intrinsic elements in the tissue. The remarkable aspect of this approach is that the high spatial resolution of this approach (1x1x2 microns) deep in the tissue permits the observation of intracellular events in vivo. This provides a unique opportunity to use approaches in cell biology that have generally been limited to the Petri dish to true in vivo conditions. These approaches have been applied to the study of mouse and rabbit skeletal muscle, in vivo. The technical details and challenges of making these measurements on the micron scale in a living animal will be discussed and illustrated. These include significant modifications to the microscope for use in small and large animals as well as the preparation of the animal. A review of the information content currently available using this approach will be provided using the in vivo skeletal muscle as an example. This information includes cellular topology, vessel structure, microvascular flow, collagen deposition, mitochondria distribution and redox state, oxygenation, and many other important structural and functional elements. The potential use of these approaches in developmental studies on different spatial and temporal scales will be discussed with specific examples.

TW3. MICROSCOPY AND ITS APPLICATION IN THE STUDY OF PROTEIN : PROTEIN INTERACTION IN VIVO. Centzone, V¹, Krishnan, R, Zhang, J-H¹, Herman, B¹, ¹ University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
     Optical sectioning microscopy techniques such as confocal and multiphoton microscopy have provided significant improvements in z resolution thus enabling better detection of the juxtaposition of proteins in biological material. Such information has resulted in a better understanding of the 3-dimensional architecture of cells and tissues. Determination of whether proteins interact on a molecular level requires that the resolution of the light microscope be extended to the level nanometer scale. While some highly sophisticated imaging systems can approach this level of resolution it is beyond the capabilities of the normal light microscope. However, techniques such as Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) can be employed to detect proximity of proteins within 10 nanometers thus inferring molecular interaction. Several methods of FRET have been successfully employed using conventional confocal and multiphoton microscopes, sensitized emission, acceptor photobleaching and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM). Recent advances in these methods in both fixed and living cells and tissues will be presented.

HP1. DISCOVERY OF THE NUCLEAR ESTROGEN RECEPTOR: A HISTORY LESSON. Gorski, Jack¹, ¹ University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
     The concept of receptors goes back to the beginning of the last century but their first experimental demonstration came in the 1950s from the elegant work of Elwood Jensen and his colleagues. He developed novel methods for Tritium labelling and counting of high specific activity estrogens. Jensen's work displaced the popular transhydrogenase theory of steroid hormone action by showing that active estrogens were not metabolized in the course of their function. The transhydrogenase theory required the oxidation/reduction of the steroid in the process of transfering reducing equivalents between classes of pyridine nucleotides. Two major additions to Jensen's work included Noteboom's 1960s study of the subcellular distribution of the the estrogen receptor after injecting physiological quantities of estrogoen. The large amounts of nuclear estrogen receptor focused attention on the nucleus as the site of estrogen action. The isolation and initial characterization of the estrogen recepto was carried out by Toft who used density gradient centrifugation to first isolate the soluble receptor. These early studies coupled with Notides' work on the estrogen inductoon of a specific uterine protein led to the development of a model of estrogen action in which the nuclear estrogen receptor interacts with chromatin proteins resulting in a specific wave of gene inductions and subsequently a change in the physiolgical state of the target cell.

TF1. WRITING WINNING GRANT PROPOSALS: FORMULAS FOR SUCCESS. Mirando, Mark¹, ¹ National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program, Washington, DC
     In today's 'publish or perish' academic world, obtaining extramural funding support is requisite to developing and maintaining a focused research program that will allow for professional advancement, including promotion and tenure. In fact, many announcements for available faculty positions often include demonstrated ability to attract extramural funding as a criterion for applicants to be considered for these positions. However, many graduate student and postdoctoral trainees enter the job market with limited experience in preparation of grant proposals. Preparation of successful grant proposals typically requires a combination of experience, skill and persistence. Lack of initial success can be especially frustrating for new faculty who are novices at the art of proposal preparation and unfamiliar with the review process. Success at writing proposals and obtaining grants can be improved by following a few simple but important guidelines. These include obtaining experience by getting involved in proposal preparation as trainees, developing ideas for proposals based on the individual funding program's priorities that are published in the request for applications (RFA), understanding how the proposal review process works, preparing the application well in advance of the proposal receipt deadline and obtaining critical review of the proposal draft from colleagues that have been successful at obtaining grants. Finally, applicants must follow the rules for submission of the proposal, as specified in the RFA. These include adherence to guidelines for page limits, font size and margins, inclusion of all required sections and information, and submission of the application in a timely fashion such that it arrives at the funding agency before the receipt deadline. This presentation will discuss the proposal review process, attributes of successful grant proposals and mistakes commonly made during preparation and submission of unsuccessful proposals. It will serve as a useful refresher for those more experienced at proposal preparation, as well as provide information for the novice proposal writer.

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Minisymposia I-V
Monday, July 25, 2005
9:00 AM–10:30 AM

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Minisymposium I. Threats to Reproductive Success in a Modern World
Chair(s): Guillette, Louis¹, ¹ University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Location: CCQ 205ABC

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MS1. GENES VERSUS ENVIRONMENT, AND REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS IN ENDANGERED SPECIES. Wildt, David ¹, Pukazhenthi, Budhan¹, Ballou, Jonathan¹, Pelican, Katharine¹, Howard, JoGayle¹, ¹ Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, Conservation & Research Center, Front Royal, VA
     More than 23% of mammals, 12% of birds, 4% of reptiles and 32% of amphibians worldwide are listed as "threatened" by the IUCN-World Conservation Union. For the vast majority of all species, there is inadequate data on fundamental biology – absolutely essential information for developing scientifically sound programs to preserve and conserve species and habitats. Recovery plans for listed species prepared by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act call for hundreds of studies and management actions (including captive-breeding) to achieve recovery and to allow delisting. Zoos also are in crisis and are inadequately equipped to manage sustainable populations that serve as genetic reservoirs for species in nature. For the reproductive sciences, there are three risks related to rare wildlife species and populations. The first simply is too little scholarly knowledge, with less than 3% of mammals studied and even lower percentages for birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. The second danger is loss of genetic variation due to habitat fragmentation for wild populations and suboptimal management of ex situ collections. There are ramifications on morphometrics and physiological function, although the eventual impact on reproductive success remains unclear. The third risk is imposed by the environment itself. Although much remains to be learned about "perturbing factors" in nature, it is apparent that enriched captive environments promote reproductive success. Examples of impact and approaches for dealing with these threats will be addressed using experiences from our laboratory that include the Florida panther, black-footed ferret, clouded leopard and giant panda. The reproductive sciences as a discipline are well positioned to make a difference in studying and mitigating threats to reproductive success for wildlife, including endangered species. Our goal is to inspire others to become more involved because few challenges are more important, rewarding or necessary.



MS2. RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ASSISTED REPRODUCTION: MECHANISTIC INSIGHTS FROM ANIMAL STUDIES. Sinclair, Kevin¹, Young, Lorraine², ¹ Centre for Reproduction and Early Life, Loughborough, UK² Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nottingham, UK
     Modern techniques in assisted reproduction (ART) have become a common and accepted form of clinical care benefiting an estimated one in ten people of reproductive age who are sub-fertile or infertile. The success of these technologies is due largely to the remarkable tolerance of mammalian gametes and the pre-implantation embryo to physical manipulations and alterations to their chemical environment. Recent reports from both human and animal studies, however, suggest that our faith in the ability of these germ cells to accurately recapitulate the normal process of early development under such conditions may be misplaced. Whilst acknowledging the recognized risk factors of increased maternal age and infertility in human ART subjects, and the transfer of supernumery embryos, evidence from animal studies indicates that ART procedures can directly contribute to the variable perinatal outcomes observed and imprinting disorders recently recognized. Controversy surrounds the specific nature and extent of these contributions but ovarian stimulation, in vitro maturation and embryo culture, cytoplasmic transfer, ICSI and gamete/embryo cryopreservation have all been implicated. It is known, for example, that superovulation can reduce implantation rates and the development of surviving pups in mice; that ICSI can lead to abnormal nuclear remodeling in non-human primates; and that extended periods of embryo culture can result in the Large Offspring Syndrome in ruminants. There is increasing evidence to directly link early embryonic manipulations to epigenetic modifications of DNA, which in some instances can alter genomic imprinting. Perhaps this is unsurprising, since we know that following erasure of germline methylation imprints in primordial germ cells, sex-specific imprints are re-established during the latter stages of gametogenesis, a period coincident with many ART procedures. Furthermore, there are additional major phases of epigenetic reprogramming around the time of syngamy, involving species-specific genome-wide losses of DNA methylation, and during pre-implantation development, involving locus-specific de novo methylation, both of which may be vulnerable to environmental influences. We are currently seeking to understand these relationships and the effects of maternal nutrition.



MS3. PARALLEL ASSESSMENT OF TESTICULAR FUNCTION OF WORKERS AND WILD RAT (Rattus rattus) EXPOSED TO PESTICIDES IN A BANANA PLANTATION. Multigner, Luc¹, Pascal, Michel², Kadhel, Philippe³, Jegou, Bernard¹, ¹ University of Rennes, Rennes, France² INRA, Rennes, France³ CHU, Pointe à Pitre, Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe
     This study aimed at assessing the effect of pesticides currently employed in banana plantations on testicular function of workers and wild rats. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study to assess semen quality and serum of reproductive hormones in workers. A physical and andrological examination was carried out and men gave a semen and blood samples. An interview was conducted to obtain the required information. Andrological examination and semen evaluation were performed according to WHO. Serum was analysed for hormones. Forty-five of the subjects were professional pesticide applicators and 42 worked in non-agricultural sectors (control group). Wild rats were captured at 2 sites: the pesticide-exposed site represented by the same banana plantation as the one covered by the workers part and a pesticide-free site. Blood samples were collected. At autopsy, body and reproductive organ weights were recorded. Sperm reserves were determined. Serum was analysed for testosterone. Results: Workers: After adjustment for condounding factors, we found that a sperm output of below 40 millions was slightly associated with having over 14 years occupational exposure. Rats: When testis and epididymis weights were adjusted for the difference in body weight the latter appeared significantly lower in the banana plantation. Furthermore, both the total sperm reserves (adjusted for body weight) and the testosterone levels were also significantly lower in the polluted site versus to the unpolluted one. Conclusion: Application of pesticides to banana crops is not associated with significantly altered sperm quality or testicular hormone concentrations, except in men who have applied pesticides for many years where a marginal alteration of sperm quality may have occurred. A significant alteration of several productive parameters was noticed in the pesticide exposed wild rats.



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Minisymposium II. Non-Genomic Actions of Sterioids in Reproductive Tissues
Chair(s): Stormshack, Fredrick¹, ¹ Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Location: CCQ 2000A

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MS4. MEMBRANE ACTIONS OF SEX STEROIDS IN NEURONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR GENOMICS AND BEHAVIOR. Vasudevan, N.¹, Kow, L¹, ¹ The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
     Historically, genomic and membrane actions of steroid sex hormones were thought to be alternatives to each other, mechanistically unrelated and controversial. However, in a neuroblastoma cell line, we found that membrane-initiated actions of an estrogen could actually potentiate later genomic actions mediated by a consensus ERE (PNAS, 2001). The data offer the possibility of a unified view of estrogenic action in nerve cells. Multiple signal transduction systems are involved in this phenomenon, with the interesting characteristic that some are both necessary and sufficient. The membrane action's facilitation of estrogen actions in the nucleus holds true in hypothalamic neurons, as demonstrated by mating behavior measurements (PNAS 2004). Surprisingly, thyroid hormone can substitute for estradiol in the first pulse (PNAS, 2005). Both the logic and the quantitative features of sex hormone actions in neuronal membranes are more complex than anticipated.



MS5. SIGNALING PATHWAYS ACTIVATED BY NON-GENOMIC EFFECTS OF ESTRADIOL. Santen , Richard ¹, Song , Robert ¹, ¹ University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
     Breast cancer cells provide a model to examine the disparate effects of estradiol (E2) acting to initiate nuclear transcription and to modulate plasma membrane growth factor signaling. To gain a better understanding of the membrane component, studies focused upon the rapid (i.e. 1-15 minute) actions of E2 on growth factor signaling pathways. E2 activates MAP kinase and Akt in breast cancer cells within 5-10 minutes, suggsting non-genomic mechanisms of ER alpha (ER). Our studies demonstrated that the adaptor protein Shc is required for MAP kinase activation. E2 causes phosphorylation of Shc through Src, binding of Shc to Grb-2 and to SOS. In the process, Shc binds to ER. E2, after binding to ER, appears to co-opt growth factor signaling pathways that activate MAP kinase and PI-3-kinase. We questioned how how ER anchors in the membrane since it does not have a membrane localization signal. It appears that Shc serves as the bus which transports ER to the membrane. After phosphorylation, Shc binds to ER but it also physically interacts with the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R). We reasoned that ER, when bound to Shc, would be directed to the region of the membrane by the same processes causing Shc to translocate to growth factor receptor proteins. Accordingly, we examined the role of Shc and IGF-1R in mediating ER membrane association in MCF-7 cells. We initially confirmed that E2 rapidly induced IGF-1R phosphorylation and then demonstrated that E2 induced a ternary protein complex formation among Shc, ERa and IGF-1R. The functionality of Shc in this process was demonstrated by experiments down-regulating Shc with a selective siRNA. Confocal microscopy studies provided confirmation of the functional roles of Shc and the IGF-1R in the translocation of ER to the region of the membrane. We first demonstrated that E2 caused co-localization of ER, Shc and IGF-1-R to the membrane and then showed that knock down of either Shc or IGF-1R abolished this effect. Down-regulation of Shc, ERa or IGF-1R with specific siRNAs all blocked E2-induced MAPK phosphorylation. Together our results demonstrated that Shc and IGF-1R serve as key elements in the translocation of ER to the cell membrane and in the facilitation of ER-mediated rapid E2 action. These events appear to be important in mediating the proliferative effect of E2 on breast cell growth.



MS6. IDENTIFICATION OF A PUTATIVE PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR COMPLEX AND SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PATHWAY THAT MEDIATES PROGESTERONE'S NON-GENOMIC ACTION IN RAT GRANULOSA AND LUTEAL CELLS. Peluso, John¹, ¹ University of CT Hlth Ctr, Farmington, CT
     Granulosa cells of several species only express nuclear progesterone receptors (nPRs) for a few hours after the LH surge. Since progesterone (P4) inhibits apoptosis of granulosa cells before and after the LH surge, the receptor that mediates P4's anti-apoptotic action remains to be determined. In spontaneously immortalized granulosa cells (SIGCs), which do not express nPRs, the protein, RDA288, appears to mediate P4's action. This is based on the observations that forced expression of RDA288 increases P4 binding and responsiveness. Moreover, an antibody to RDA288 attenuates P4's anti-apoptotic action in SIGCs as well as freshly isolated rat granulosa and luteal cells. Finally, RDA288 localizes to the extracellular surface of the plasma membranes of these cells, suggesting a membrane site of action. However, RDA288 does not have a transmembrane domain. This implies that RDA288 must interact with a transmembrane protein to form a functional membrane receptor complex. Immunoprecipitation studies reveal that RDA288 interacts with the membrane P4 binding protein, Progesterone Membrane Receptor Complex-1 (PGMRC-1, rat homolog accession number AJ005837). Treatment with an antibody to PGMRC-1 blocks P4's actions. PGMRC-1 like RDA288 localizes to the extracellular surface of the plasma membrane. These findings are consistent with a non-genomic membrane-initiated site action for P4. This non-genomic action is confirmed by P4's ability to increase protein kinase G (PKG) activity within minutes. Using a proteomic approach we have identified 14-3-3 as one of many downstream targets of P4-activated PKG. Taken together, these studies suggest that P4 binds to a membrane complex composed of RDA288 and PGMRC-1. P4 binding triggers membrane initiated events that activate PKG and subsequently many PKG downstream targets including 14-3-3. This P4-regulated signal cascade accounts in part for P4's anti-apoptotic action.



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Minisymposium III. Determinants of Preimplantation Embryonic Development
Chair(s): Hansen, Peter¹, ¹ University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Location: CCQ 206B

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MS7. DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF THE HUMAN EMBRYO. Gardner, David¹, Katz-Jaffe, Mandy¹, ¹ Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Englewood, CO
     There exists a false impression that human embryos do not develop well in vitro compared to the embryos of other mammalian species. Evidently the main reason for this is that the vast majority of human embryology has stemmed from work on patients who are, by default, infertile and therefore already have some problems associated with either fertilization or embryo development. However, through oocyte donation programs it is possible to utilize human oocytes from young fertile women. In an oocyte donation program 65% of fertilized oocytes develop to the blastocyst stage. When such embryos are transferred to recipient uteri, implantation rates of greater than 65% are attained, with an ongoing pregnancy rate of over 80% when two blastocysts are transferred. Typically human embryos are cultured in stage specific media under a reduced oxygen environment. Several morphological scoring systems have been developed in an attempt to select the more viable embryos from within a given cohort. Parameters that are associated with increased embryo viability include early cleavage of the zygote, minimal fragmentation and the appearance of mononucleated blastomeres on day 2 and 3, symmetry of the blastomeres, and the formation of a blastocyst with a well developed inner cell mass. Other, non morphological, systems of assessing embryo viability currently in use include the biopsy of a blastomere on day 3 to determine the karyotype of up to 9 chromosomes using FISH. This approach of genetic screening will be superceded by techniques like array CGH that will be able to determine the whole chromosome complement. Analysis of media samples is currently being used to determine carbohydrate and amino acid utilization, together with the measurement of specific factors such as HLA-G. The relationship between metabolism and embryo viability is currently being determined in prospective clinical trials. Furthermore, with the advent of proteomics to the field of IVF, protein profiles of viable embryos and culture media could also lead to the development of viability assays. All of these methods of embryo assessment, together with better culture conditions, are leading to single embryo transfer for IVF patients, thereby alleviating the problems associated with multiple births.



MS8. DEVELOPMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF SEXUAL DIMORPHISM FOR GENE TRANSCRIPTION DURING PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT. Gutierrez-Adan, Alfonso¹, ¹ INIA, Madrid, Spain
     Preimplantation embryos are susceptible to environmental conditions that can affect future growth and developmental potential. In ruminants, an example of embryo sensitivity is the large offspring syndrome produce by in vitro culture (IVC). However, abnormalities in developmental potential arising from preimplantation environment are not limited to IVC and may be consequence of specific stress conditions experienced in vivo, like maternal diet that may affect in a gender-specific manner. A complex of mechanisms (gene expression, epigenetic, metabolic, etc) may operate to relate early embryo environment with future health. Moreover, during preimplantation period, male embryos in vitro produced have a higher metabolic rate and grow faster than females. It has been also described differential gene transcription between males and females for genes located in the chromosome Y (SRY, ZFY), in the X (G6PD, HPRT, XIAP), or in autosomal (IF). These differences produce that according with gender; embryos may be affected differentially by environmental conditions. It has been suggested that under some stress conditions male embryos are more vulnerable than females; however the biological fragility of male embryos is little understood. Because most forms of stress result in the overproduction of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), we addressed the hypothesis that the connection between female advantage at early developmental stages and heat stress involves ROS and differential gene expression of some X-linked genes related to oxidative stress (i.e. G6PD). We found that after compaction, female embryos survive better than male under in vivo and in vitro heat stress situations. Also, the inhibition of G6PD reduces many of the differences observed between genders. This differential sort term response to the damaging effects of heat stress-induced ROS, may be due to gender differential G6PD expression. G6PD is the only NADPH-producing enzyme activated in response to oxidative stress, which can act as a guardian of the cell embryo redox potential. By following the differences between male and female embryos, it may be possible to gain further insight into, not only sex ratio distortion, but also aspects of early embryo development, X inactivation, and epigenetic and genetic process related with early development.



MS9. THE OOCYTE AS A REPROGRAMMING MILIEU. Solter, Davor¹, Evsikov, Alexei², Peaston, Anne², de Vries, Wilhelmine², Holbrook, Andrea², Knowles, Barbara², ¹ Max-Planck Institute for Immunobiology, 79108 Freiburg, Germany² The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
     Nuclei from differentiated somatic cells can be reprogrammed to totipotency in the oocyte milieu during the oocyte to embryo transition. Little is known about the mechanisms responsible for reprogramming, prompting us to investigate both the molecules and molecular mechanisms controlling this unique time in development. Once the oocyte is full grown, transcription ceases so that the oocyte to embryo transition is accomplished by utilizing stored maternal messages. Many maternal transcripts contain 3′UTR motifs responsible for controlled translation. Homologues of factors,described in non-mammalian cells, which bind to specific cis-sequences in the 3′UTR of mRNAs, are plentiful in the mouse oocyte and early embryo. Stage-specific availability of mRNas for translation sets the stage for dynamic molecular change in transcriptional silence. In addition, expression of discrete endogenous retroviral elements varies during the oocyte to embryo transition and may change expression of adjacent genes. These mobile elements affect gene evolution and may play a role in epigenetic restructuring of the embryonic genome. In fission yeast, retrotransposon expression triggers an RNA inhibition (RNAi) response, silencing the retrotransposon and leading to heterochromatinization of its genomic region. We speculate that the stage-specific activation of retrotransposons in mammalian oocytes and early embryos similarly initiates RNAi-mediated retrotransposon silencing and chromatin remodeling of their genomic loci and adjacent regions.



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Minisymposium IV. Biology of Male Germline Stem Cells
Chair(s): Cupp, Andrea¹, ¹ University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
Location: CCQ 204AB

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MS10. GERM CELL TRANSPLANTATION AND TRANSGENESIS IN PIGS AND GOATS. Dobrinski, Ina¹, ¹ Center for Animal Transgenesis and Germ Cell Research, Kennett Square, PA
     Transplantation of genetically modified germ cells to the testis of a recipient animal can result in production of transgenic sperm and offspring and is an alternative to currently inefficient transgenic technology in domestic species. Germ cell transplantation was first reported in mice. Xenogeneic spermatogenesis in mice did not occur with germ cells from donor species other than rodents. Therefore, homologous recipient models were established in domestic animals. Due to different testicular anatomy in rodents and large animals, germ cells cannot be delivered by the same technique. Instead, ultrasound-guided cannulation of the rete testis with low pressure cell delivery was successful in pigs, goats, and subsequently cattle. A transgenic goat born after transplantation of transgenic donor cells and mating of a recipient buck to a wild-type doe carried the same transgene integration pattern as the donor, providing proof of donor-derived sperm production, fertility, and transmission of a stable genetic germ line modification. While immunological tolerance between donor and recipient is required in rodents, transplantation was successful between unrelated, immuno-competent pigs or goats. Efficiency of engraftment can be further increased by depletion of recipient germ cells and enrichment of donor cells for stem cells. Local irradiation of the testes or in utero exposure to busulfan reduces endogenous germ cell numbers without irreversibly damaging the testis environment. While cell populations enriched in stem cells have been harvested from rodents with induced cryptorchidism by flow sorting for expression of cell surface antigens, the need for larger cell numbers make enrichment based on differential adhesion of germ cells a more practicable approach in pigs and goats. Work is now directed at establishing efficient culture systems allowing selection and expansion of germ cells with stable transgene integration. Transgenic rodents have been generated by viral transduction of germ cells prior to transplantation. Use of a viral vector to introduce a transgene into porcine and caprine germ cells has also shown promising results. Development of improved in vitro systems for targeted germ cell transduction will make germ cell transplantation a viable approach to transgenesis in domestic species.



MS11. GERM STEM CELL MATURATION AND TRANSPLANTATION IN MICE AND BOVINE. McLean, Derek ¹, ¹ Washington State University, Pullman, WA
     Spermatogonial stem cells are responsible for the continual production of spermatozoa throughout the adult life. Interactions between spermatogonial stem cells and the surrounding cells in the seminiferous tubules regulate the biological activity of these cells. Factors involved in the regulation of SSCs are beginning to be defined by animal models and culture of SSCs in defined medium. A critical development in the characterization of SSCs has been the development of the germ cell transplantation technique. This technique provides the only assay for the presence of SSCs in a population of cells thereby affording scientists the ability to determine if SSCs are proliferating or differentiating in culture. Our lab has been using this technique to characterize factors that regulate the biological activity of spermatogonial stem cells from mice and bulls. Bovine SSCs can be cultured as dispersed cells on a bovine embryonic fibroblast (BEF) feeder layer or as tissue explants. Culture of dispersed bovine SSCs on the BEF feeder layer indicated that SSCs need glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) for self-renewal but not differentiation. The BEF cell line produces GDNF to support the SSC such that exogenous GDNF is detrimental to SSC self-renewal. The bovine SSC population will also undergo self-renewal when bovine testis tissue explants from 4-week old bull calves are cultured on floating filters for 1 week. This system maintains cellular interactions between germ and somatic cells and can be used to evaluate the effect of factors on SSC differentiation and self-renewal. Mouse SSCs are also cultured on a feeder layer of mouse embryonic fibroblasts STO cells. Like the BEF cells, STO cells provide factors required for SSC self-renewal. In addition, several exogenous factors are required for mouse SSCs to undergo self-renewal in vitro including GFRa1, bFGF and GDNF. We have used microarrays to analyze gene expression in both BEF and STO cells to identify additional factors regulating SSCs. Culture and transplantation of SSCs has accelerated the pace of research of SSCs and promises to provide a better understanding of the factors and mechanisms that regulate these cells.



MS12. AGE-DEPENDENT DIFFERENCE IN THE COLONIZATION ABILITY OF MOUSE SPERMATOGONIAL STEM CELLS AFTER TRANSPLANTATION. Nagano, Makoto¹, Ebata, Kevin¹, Zhang, Xiangfan¹, ¹ McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
     Spermatogenesis and its founder cells, spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), appear to exhibit different characteristics in an age-dependent manner. For example, spermatogenesis occurs only for the first cycle after birth in juvenile spermatogonial depletion mutant mice, and immature mouse SSCs divide more actively than adult SSCs. In this study, we examined a hypothesis that immature SSCs differ from adult SSCs in their ability to engraft, proliferate, and regenerate spermatogenesis in recipient testes after transplantation, using a serial transplantation technique in mice. Testis cells derived from 7-day-old pups were initially injected into control and experimental groups of adult recipient testes. At different times after initial transplantation, recipient testes of experimental group were harvested and the cells recovered from these testes were injected into secondary recipients. Two months after transplantation, colony numbers in recipient testes were compared between the two groups, and recolonization rate was calculated by dividing colony numbers in secondary recipients (experimental) by those in primary recipients (control). When retransplantation was done at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after initial transplantation, recolonization rate gradually decreased and was the lowest at Day 7 (11.7%) while it rose to ∼22% at Day 14. Thus, ∼12% of pup SSCs injected are estimated to engraft into recipient testes and initiate proliferation by 14 days after transplantation. This homing kinetics was similar to that of adult SSCs, implying that 1-week-old and adult SSCs have a similar homing ability. We then retransplanted pup SSCs at 1 and 2 months after initial transplantation to evaluate their proliferation kinetics following transplantation. The results showed that pup SSCs continuously proliferated ∼9-fold from 1 week to 2 months. During this period, however, the proliferation of pup SSCs was slower than that of adult SSCs. It is thus suggested that SSCs may alter their self-renewal/differentiation kinetics during postnatal development. Supported by CIHR MOP-49444.



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Minisymposium V. Metabolic Interactions: Reproductive Signals from Nontraditional Sources
Chair(s): MacLaren, Leslie¹, ¹ Nova Scotia Ag College, Truro, NS, Canada
Location: CCQ 202

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MS13. EFFECTS OF OMEGA-3 AND -6 FATTY ACIDS ON REPRODUCTION IN DAIRY CATTLE. Thatcher, William¹, Bilby, Todd¹, MacLaren, Leslie², Staples, Charles¹, Santos, Jose³, ¹ University of Florida, Gainesville, FL² Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada³ University of California, Davis, CA
     Essential fatty acids (FA) are key nutrients to sustain reproductive performance. Increasing delivery of selective FA such as omega () -3 (e.g., -linolenic [C18:3], eicosapentaenoic [EPA; C20:5] and docosahexaenoic [DHA; C22:6] acids) and -6 (linoleic, C18:2) FA for absorption by ruminants is a challenge because of their extensive biohydrogenation by ruminal bacteria. Feeding Ca salts of FA allows for a greater escape of parent unsaturated FA available for absorption and uptake by tissues. EPA and DHA are increased in the endometrium and liver of cows fed Ca salts of fish oil. The -3 EPA inhibited syntheses of PGF₂ , PGE₂ and PGI₂ in immortalized bovine endometrial cells stimulated with phorbol ester. Inhibition of the PG-2 series is due to a competition between EPA and arachidonic acid as substrates for PGHS-2. Feeding either fish meal or fish oil, containing EPA and DHA, reduced oxytocin-induced uterine PGF₂ synthesis in the cycle and postpartum (PP) PGF₂ synthesis by the uterus. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a family of orphan nuclear receptors activated by specific FA, eicosanoids, and peroxisome proliferators that may partially mediate uterine responses induced by FA and bovine somatotropin (bST). The PPAR/ subtype is localized in the endometrial luminal and glandular epithelium of the cow at d 17. Endometrial PPAR mRNA is altered by stage of the cycle between d 3 and d 7. Ca salts of fish oil, enriched in EPA and DHA, stimulated steady state concentrations of IGF-II mRNA and progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA in endometrial tissue at d 17 of the cycle. When diets enriched in Ca salts of linoleic acid were fed beginning at d 28 before parturition, early PP secretion of PGF₂ from the involuting uterus was increased. Such cows had improved immune competence based on a reduced incidence of PP health problems (e.g., metritis). Studies with Ca salts of both linoleic and monoenoic trans FA fed during late gestation and early lactation improved conception rates in dairy cows by increasing fertilization rate and embryo quality. Further studies are needed to optimize the use of dietary FA as nutraceutical regulators of reproductive performance. Supported by NRI/USDA Grant 2004-35203-14137 (JEPS and WWT).



MS14. REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION AND ENERGY BALANCE: LACTATION AS A MODEL. Smith, M Susan¹, Grove, Kevin¹, ¹ Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR
     Lactation is a physiological state characterized by a suppression of cyclic reproductive function and negative energy balance, due to the energy drain of milk production. In the lactating rat, the energy drain is met by a 3- to 4-fold increase in food and water intake. Thus, during lactation, an extreme state of hyperphagia, resembling models of obesity, exists concomitantly with a state of negative energy balance, similar to models of fasting. Changes in key arcuate nucleus neuropeptide systems, such as NPY and AGRP (increased), and POMC (decreased), are consistent with the sustained hyperphagia. The suppression of GnRH neuronal activity is likely due to suckling-induced alterations in hypothalamic neural systems that regulate food intake/energy balance. Our studies have established that the orexigenic systems, NPY, orexin, and melanin concentrating hormone, make direct connections with GnRH neurons; thus, they provide a neuroanatomical framework by which signals denoting changes in food intake/energy balance are transmitted directly to GnRH neurons. The arcuate nucleus NPY system appears to play a central integrating role by directly transmitting the effects of suppressed levels of leptin and insulin (peripheral signals reflecting negative energy balance), by providing direct input to GnRH neurons, and by providing indirect input to GnRH through connections to MCH and orexin neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area. Using a microarray analysis of the arcuate nucleus, several genes of interest have been identified as being differentially regulated during lactation: neurokinin B (decreased), IGFBP3 (increased), Gpr 88 (increased) and lactate transporter (MCT1, decreased). These genes are involved in the changes in ARH function arising from the suckling stimulus or the suppressed levels of leptin and insulin. In addition, novel neuropeptide systems in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, such as the suckling-specific induction of NPY, may be involved in the suppression of GnRH activity and the hyperphagia. An understanding of the changes in hypothalamic function during lactation are yielding new information about the regulation of the reproductive neuroendocrine axis under conditions of negative energy balance, as well as conditions of greatly increased food intake that can lead to obesity.



MS15. LEPTIN: A HUMAN PLACENTAL HORMONE WITH PLEIOTROPIC EFFECTS. Bischof, Paul¹, ¹ University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
      It was postulated almost thirty years ago that a certain threshold of body size is necessary before the reproductive system becomes active. The studies of Kennedy and Mitra (1963), established that the timing of puberty is associated with body weight and composition rather than with chronological age. In adults as well, states of under nutrition can lead to suppression of gonadotropins and infertility. These effects seem to result primarily from a decrease in hypothalamic GnRH secretion. The recent cloning of the so-called obesity gene (ob gene) in 1994 by Zhang and colleagues and the characterization of the effects of its product, the leptin protein has brought a new light to this field. Leptin is a secretory product of the adipocyte and circulating letpin levels in the human were shown to correlate significantly with the body mass index (BMI). It has been suggested that leptin acts as an afferent satiety signal to the brain, at least partially by modulating expression of the orexigenic hypothalamic peptide neuropeptide Y (NPY). In the human however, and unlike the ob/ob mouse, obesity is not generally caused by leptin mutations even though such a mutation was recently described. Recently, it was demonstrated that circulating leptin levels were elevated during pregnancy, reaching a peak during the second trimester. However, fat deposition during pregnancy or pregnancy-induced endocrine changes could hardly explain such dramatic changes implying that the feto-placental unit could be another important source of leptin. We observed that leptin is produced by human first trimester cytotrophoblalstic cells (CTB) when cultured in vitro and that oestradiol or interleukin-1 or 6 stimulate its secretion. In-vitro, placental leptin regulates the pulsatile secretion of hCG through a GnRH dependent mechanism and regulates the secretion of the angiogenic factor VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). Furthermore, leptin stimulates the release of cytotrophoblastic metalloproteinases stimulating thus the invasive behaviour of trophoblast in early pregnancy. Clearly, leptin has to be considered as a new placental hormone with potent endocrine and metabolic functions.

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Minisymposia VI-X
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
9:15 AM–10:45 AM

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Minisymposium VI. Breast Cancer and Biology and Physiology of the Breast
Chair(s): Conley, Alan¹, ¹ University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
Location: CCQ 204AB

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MS16. COX 2, NUCLEAR RECEPTORS AND AROMATASE REGULATION IN BREAST CANCER. Clyne, Colin¹, Kovacic, Agnes¹, Zhou, Jiong¹, Houssami, Souheir¹, Sierens, Jayne¹, Pathirage, Niroshani¹, Simpson, Evan¹, ¹ Prince Henry's Institue of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
      Aromatase activity in breast tissue is the major source of estrogen driving growth of breast tumors in post-menopausal women. In healthy breast, aromatase is expressed at relatively low level, and expression is controlled mainly by a distal promoter, promoter I.4, in response to locally-produced cytokines and systemic glucocorticoids. In the presence of a tumor, however, local aromatase expression is increased several-fold due to activation of an alternative promoter, promoter II. This is due in large part to stimulation of promoter II by tumor-derived prostaglandin E₂, in part explaining the protective effects of COX-2 inhibitors on breast cancer development. Aromatase inhibitors are proving superior to Tamoxifen as endocrine therapy in breast cancer treatment, but these often have a negative impact on bone mineralization, athralgia, as well as cognitive function and hepatic steatosis. The realization of the importance of local aromatase expression together with the use of these different promoters to regulate tissue-specific aromatase expression leads to the concept of selective aromatase modulators (SAMs) that would inhibit aromatase expression exclusively in breast whilst sparing other sites where estrogen synthesis is desirable. One candidate for drug discovery in this context is the orphan nuclear receptor LRH-1, since LRH-1 is critical for aromatase expression in breast but not in other tissues. We are currently exploring potential mechanisms by which LRH-1 activity might be inhibited.



MS17. EPIGENETIC REGULATION OF ESTROGEN SIGNALING IN BREAST CANCER. Huang, Tim¹, ¹ The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
     Extensive genetic and biochemical studies have been undertaken to understand complex mechanisms of estrogen receptor alpha (ER)-mediated signaling. An emerging theme, not yet intensively investigated in this field, is the epigenetic influence on this signaling network. Epigenetics can be defined as the study of heritable changes that modulate chromatin organization without altering the corresponding DNA sequence. Early studies have shown that hypermethylation of the ER promoter is associated with the silencing of its transcript in receptor-negative breast cancer cells. We have investigated the downstream event of ER-mediated signaling. This study has led to the discovery that disruption of ER signaling via RNA interference could trigger a sequence of molecular event that results in epigenetic silencing of its downstream targets. Upon the removal of ER signaling, down-regulation of target genes (e.g., progesterone receptor) occurs immediately within 36 hours. Transcriptional repressors (e.g., polycomb proteins) and histone deacetylases are then assembled to ER-related promoters to initiate long-term transcriptional repression. Subsequent recruitment of DNA methyltransferases to the repressor complex methylates CpG sites in the adjacent area. This process may be gradual, with methylation density increasing over time in the targeted area. The buildup of DNA methylation could set up a heritable mark that may eventually replace some of the original repressors to establish a heterochromatin state of long-term silencing. This epigenetic dysregulation could occur in many downstream ER loci, the silencing of which may contribute to further malignant potential in breast cancer cells.



MS18. HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (HCG)- AND PREGNANCY-INDUCED DIFFERENTIATION PROTECT THE BREAST FROM CANCER. Russo, Irma ¹, Russo, Jose¹, ¹ Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
     The increasing incidence of breast cancer in women receiving hormone replacement therapy and the worldwide prevalence of the disease in nulliparous women indicate that hormonal and reproductive influences play a major role in breast cancer risk. This postulate has been confirmed by studies carried out utilizing female Sprague-Dawley rats treated with the chemical carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). In this model, maximal tumorigenic response is elicited only when the carcinogen is administered to rats when they are young and virgin, during a window of high susceptibility encompassed between the initiation of ovarian function and the first pregnancy. Administration of DMBA after the first pregnancy fails to induce mammary cancer, an effect mimicked in virgin rats by a 21-day treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a homologue of the pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH). Treatment of tumor bearing rats with hCG also inhibits tumor progression. LH and hCG exert multiple effects in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the ovary through binding to their specific G-protein coupled receptors. The hormonal milieu elicited by the hCG treatment of virgin rats, like pregnancy, stimulates the mammary terminal end buds to differentiate into lobules, which exhibit a reduction in cell proliferation, steroid hormone receptor content, and carcinogen binding, and an increased efficiency in removal of carcinogen adducts. Differentiation also activates the expression of differentiation markers, including the synthesis of inhibin, a secreted protein with tumor suppressor activity, and activation of the apoptotic genes TRPM2, ICE, p53, c-myc, WAF-1 /CIP-1, bcl-XS, and p53. Cluster analysis of mammary gland RNAs obtained during and after pregnancy or hCG treatment and that were hybridized to cDNA array membranes containing 5,800 rat genes revealed that four different patterns of gene clustering are expressed at different time points in correlation with specific stages of development of the mammary gland. Knowledge acquired through these studies will solidify and broaden the potential of this model for developing novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer based on physiological mechanisms of gene expression regulation. (Work supported by NIH grant RO1 CA094098).



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Minisymposium VII. Mahesh Neuroendocrine Minisymposium: Androgen Actions in the Developing Female Brain
Chair(s): Levine, Jon¹, ¹ Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Location: CCQ 206B

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MS19. NEUROENDOCRINE CONSEQUENCES OF PRENATAL ANDROGEN EXPOSURE IN RODENTS. Levine, Jon ¹, Foecking, Eileen¹, Chamberlin, Melissa¹, Huang, Wenyu¹, ¹ Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
     Sex differences in gonadotropin secretory patterns are established during fetal and perinatal development, when testicular androgen secretions appear to render the developing male brain incapable of producing preovulatory gonadotropin surges in adulthood. In the absence of this androgen exposure, the female preoptic area (POA) and hypothalamus acquire the ability to sustain normal, female-typical cyclic gonadotropin secretions as adults. It is thus generally held that the default developmental pathway for neurons controlling the GnRH surge is female, and that early androgen action in the brain represents a defeminization of this pathway, such that acyclic hormone secretions occur in a neuronal system that would otherwise develop into one capable of supporting cyclic gonadotropin secretion. This idea is strongly supported by the observation that female rodents exposed to exogenous androgens in fetal or perinatal development exhibit male-typical, acyclic gonadotropin secretion patterns. The mechanisms by which early androgen exposure may suppress cyclic gonadotropin secretion in adulthood have remained unclear, and have been a major focus of our studies. We provide new evidence that androgens can exert these organizational effects by prenatally activating androgen receptor, and thereby programming permanent refractoriness of POA neurons to estrogen positive feedback effects. The ability of estrogen to induce progesterone receptors, in particular, is one signaling process that appears to be permanently inactivated by exposure to prenatal androgens. Using candidate gene analysis, as well as microarray gene discovery approach, we have begun to identify other genes whose expression in the POA appears to be permanently altered by prenatal androgen exposure. These studies will hopefully allow for a more thorough understanding of the molecular and cellular events that underlie the ability of androgens to program development of sexually differentiated neurosecretory mechanisms. They may also provide insight into the pathophysiological consequences of androgen action in the developing female brain.



MS20. PRENATAL ANDROGENS AND THEIR EFFECT ON NEUROENDOCRINE FUNCTION IN EWES. Robinson, Jane¹, ¹ University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
     Exposure of the ewe lamb to androgen during a sensitive window in fetal life leads to severe disruption of reproductive neuroendocrine function. Central to this disruption are factors that influence GnRH secretion from neurons located, primarily, in the preoptic area (POA). Androgens do not alter the migration of fetal GnRH neurons (from the olfactory placode), or GnRH mRNA expression during the course of migration. Rather, they appear to act on the developing hypothalamus to alter the connections formed by GnRH cells with afferent neurons. As GnRH neurons themselves do not contain nuclear progesterone (P) or estrogen (E) receptors, a critically important class of GnRH afferents are those transducing information about steroidal status. This is because the GnRH neurons of androgenised ewe respond inappropriately to steroid feedback leading to abnormal gonadotropin secretion. Specifically, GnRH neurons are unable to respond to follicular phase concentrations of E with a preovulatory-like surge of GnRH. Further, both the negative feedback actions of E and P are compromised. Critical to our understanding of how androgens both organised and activate the GnRH neuronal system is identification of specific steroid sensitive neurons that are functionally altered in androgenised ewes. Our initial focus on the oestrogenic regulation of GnRH release revealed that the androgenised ewe has a significantly greater density of E receptor immunoreactive (ER-ir) neurons in the POA than normal ewes. Interestingly, micro-implants of E directly into this loci have been shown to inhibit GnRH release. In contrast, the mediobasal hypothalamus (encompassing the ventromedial (VMN) and arcuate neuclei (ARC), in which E implants can trigger the GnRH surge in normal, but not androgenised ewes) have a lower density of ER-ir cells in the androgenised ewe. We have used fos as a marker of neuronal activation to identify specific populations of cells in the brainstem, VMN and ARC that are differentially activated by E in control vs androgenised ewes. These approaches aid identification of neurons that are important for the steroidal control of GnRH release in normal animals, as well as those that are programmed by androgens to malfunction and cause abnormal reproductive activity in post natal life. Supported by Wellbeing and BBSRC.



MS21. EFFECTS OF PRE- AND POSTNATAL ANDROGENS ON REPRODUCTIVE NEUROENDOCRINE CIRCUITRY. Moenter, Suzanne¹, Pielecka, Justyna¹, Quaynor, Samuel¹, Sullivan, Shannon, ¹ University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
     Steroid driven changes in GnRH release during the reproductive cycle are crucial for fertility. The normal feedback milieu is disrupted by excess androgens, as in polycystic ovary syndrome. We used electrophysiology to examine the effect of adult and prenatal steroid milieu on 1) synaptic transmission from GABA neurons to GnRH neurons, and 2) activity of GnRH neurons. Control adult female mice were ovariectomized with estradiol implants (OVX+E); experimental groups received additional implants of progesterone (P) and/or dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Compared to OVX+E controls, P reduced both the frequency of GABAergic postsynaptic currents (PSCs) in GnRH neurons. As activation of GABA-A receptors depolarizes GnRH neurons and can excite these cells to fire action potentials, P is reducing synaptic drive that is potentially stimulatory to these cells. P also reduced the size of PSCs; as the size of the PSC is proportional to the degree of depolarization it elicits, this reduces the likelihood that GABA-induced depolarizations will be large enough to cross the threshold for action potential initiation. P actions on GABA transmission are reflected by a marked decreased GnRH neuron firing activity in P-treated females. Co-treatment with DHT and P returned both GABA drive and GnRH neuron firing activity to OVX+E levels. DHT alone increased GABA drive to GnRH neurons relative to controls, and preliminary data suggest firing activity may also be increased. To test for a role for prenatal androgens (PNA) in programming adult feedback milieu, pregnant females were injected with DHT and their female offspring studied as adults. PNA mice had irregular estrous cycles and elevated testosterone and LH. GABA drive to GnRH neurons is elevated in PNA mice; all effects were reversed by in vivo treatment of the adult offspring with the androgen receptor blocker flutamide, indicating they were androgen-mediated. These data suggest androgen receptor activation in adults interferes with P negative feedback, in part by blocking the reduction of excitatory GABAergic drive to GnRH neurons by P, and also that elevated androgens augment activity of the reproductive neuroendocrine system. Further, androgen receptor activation during development can reversibly reprogram the GABAergic neurocircuitry afferent to GnRH neurons. NIH U54 HD28934



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Minisymposium VIII. Epigenetics and Imprinting
Chair(s): Resnick, James¹, ¹ University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Location: CCQ 2000A

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MS22. REGULATION OF IMPRINTING AT THE H19/IGF2 LOCUS. Bartolomei, Marisa¹, Fedoriw, Andrew ¹, Engel, Nora ¹, Wan, Le-Ben¹, Schultz, Richard ², ¹ University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA² University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
     The opposite imprinting of H19 and Igf2 is mediated through shared enhancers and a 2 kb differentially methylated domain (DMD). The DMD is hypermethylated on the repressed paternal H19 allele and hypersensitive to nucleases on the active maternal allele and is required for H19 and Igf2 imprinted expression on both chromosomes. It is postulated that the DMD acts as a methylation-sensitive insulator and hypermethylated mediator of H19 repression on the maternal and paternal alleles, respectively. The insulator activity is mediated, at least in part, by CTCF. Mutation of 9 CpG dinucleotides within the CTCF binding sites disrupts repression and hypermethylation of the paternal H19 allele while maintaining CTCF binding. Because methylation is acquired on the paternal allele during spermatogenesis but lost early in development on this mutant allele, we hypothesize that the binding of CTCF in the preimplantation embryo may contribute to methylation loss on the mutant paternal allele and may also protect the expressed allele(s) from methylation after implantation. The protective role of CTCF at the DMD also appears to extend to the time when maternal methylation is established at other imprinted loci. A transgenic RNAi approach that targets CTCF in the growing oocyte shows that transgenic lines with significant CTCF depletion in the growing oocyte exhibit DMD methylation. Interestingly, the methylation is incomplete in the GV-stage oocyte, with the paternal alleles exhibiting extensive hypermethylation and the maternal alleles remaining unmethylated. Together, these experiments indicate that CTCF binding protects the DMD from DNA methylation. These experiments also suggest that the two roles of the DMD, insulation and repression, are antagonistic.



MS23. DYNAMIC CHROMATIN CHANGES DURING THE FIRST CELL CYCLE. Dean, Wendy ¹, Reik, Wolf¹, Santos, Fatima¹, ¹ The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
     On fertilisation, gametes undergo epigenetic reorganisation and re-establish totipotency. We have investigated links between chromatin remodelling and asymmetric maintenance of DNA methylation during the first cell cycle in the mouse. Using antibodies against a broad repertoire of methylated lysine residues on H3 in the core nucleosome reveals that the male and female pronuclei are organised into chromatin that is modified in very different ways. As an example, the male pronucleus is negative for di- and trimethyl H3K9, modifications associated to inactive euchromatin and heterochromatin respectively, yet the female is positive for these residues. Despite these differences, both pronuclei are transcriptionally inactive at this stage. However, the male is positive for monomethyl H3K9 and H3K27 and these signals increase during pronuclear maturation. Non-histone chromatin proteins of the Polycomb group, Eed and the histone methyl transferase (HMT) activity Ezh2, are also found in the paternal compartment as early as sperm decondensation. However, despite the presence of the HMT usually responsible for trimethyl of H3K27, this residue is not trimethylated in the male pronucleus until the completion of DNA replication. Additional significant chromatin proteins such as Heterochromatin protein 1 beta (HP1) is abundant in the male pronucleus, despite the absence of di- and trimethyl H3K9 the preferred binding partners, but instead HP1 apparently co-localises with monomethyl H3K9. Recent evidence identifies monomethyl H3K9 as the preferred substrate of Suvar39h, the histone methyl transferase (HMT) responsible for heterochromatic H3K9 trimethylation. This association of monomethyl H3K9 and HP1 may assist in preventing further modification of H3K9. Association of dimethylation but not trimethylation of H3K9 with DNA methylation, in the female pronucleus, suggests a mechanistically significant link. These differences begin to provide a chromatin based explanation for paternal-specific active DNA demethylation and maternal specific protection in the mouse.



MS24. SETTING AND PERTURBING GAMETIC IMPRINTS. Trasler, Jacquetta¹, Toppings, Marc¹, Reinhart, Bonnie², Lucifero, Diana¹, La Salle, Sophie¹, Chaillet, Richard², ¹ McGill University-Montreal Childrens Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada² University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
     Genomic imprinting involves the formation of an epigenetic mark on a subset of mammalian genes in a parent-of-origin-specific manner, such that the genes affected are expressed monoallelically in the resulting offspring. The process is initiated in the germline and persists through preimplantation development. DNA methylation, catalyzed by the DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) enzymes,is one of the best characterized epigenetic modifications of imprinted genes. Examination of the methylation status of Snrpn, Igf2r, Peg1 and Peg3 during oocyte development identified the postnatal growth phase as the critical period when maternal methylation takes place. Dnmt3a and Dnmt3l have been shown to be important for the acquisition of maternal methylation imprints whereas Dnmt1o plays a role in the maintenance of gamete-derived imprints in the preimplantation embryo. Expression studies and gene-targeting have been used to examine the regulation and functions of the Dnmts. Real-time RT-PCR showed that Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b and Dnmt3l levels increase 47-, 16-, and 9600-fold during oocyte growth; in Dnmt1o-deficient oocytes, Dnmt3l levels were unchanged, whereas both Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b were upregulated. The consequences of perturbing the maintenance of methylation imprints was examined in 7.5 dpc embryos derived from Dnmt1o-deficient oocytes. Embryos that develop in the absence of Dnmt1o demonstrate striking phenotypic variation between embryos as well as evidence of developmental abnormalities. Loss of methylation at imprinted genes was similar in extraembryonic tissue and different regions of the embryos. Studies are underway to better understand the variable phenotypes and nature of the epigenetic mosaicism in the Dnmt1o-deficient embryos. Supported by NIH, CIHR, FRSQ



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Minisymposium IX. Molecular Mechanisms of Sperm Function
Chair(s): Bailey, Janice¹, ¹ Laval University, Sainte Foy, QC, Canada
Location: CCQ 205ABC

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MS25. SPERM DNA DEGRADATION INTO LOOP-SIZED FRAGMENTS AND ITS POSSIBLE FUNCTIONS. Ward, W. Steven¹, ¹ Institute for Biogenesis Research, Honolulu, HI
     Several reports from our laboratory and from others have provided evidence that sperm DNA is organized into loop domains attached at their bases to a proteinaceous structure termed the nuclear matrix. Mammalian sperm loop domains have an average size of about 50 kb. This chromatin is also unique in that the histones are replaced almost entirely by protamines. The latter condense the DNA into toroids of about the same size as a loop domain. We have recently proposed the Donut-Loop model for sperm chromatin structure in which one protamine toroid is also one DNA loop domain. According to this model, the protamine toroids are connected by chromatin segments called toroid linkers that are more susceptible to exogenous DNAse I. The protamine linkers also contain the matrix attachment regions (MARs), which are sequences by which DNA is bound to the nuclear matrix. Recent work from our laboratory has demonstrated that mouse, human, and hamster spermatozoa contain nucleases that can cleave the DNA into loop sized fragments. These nucleases require both magnesium and calcium for full effect, and appear to cleave the sperm DNA at the bases of their loop domains, at or near the sites of attachment to the sperm nuclear matrix. Similar nucleolytic events are seen in somatic cells during apoptosis, and have been shown to be caused by topoisomerase II and calcium dependent nucleases. More recently, we have demonstrated that salt extracted sperm nuclei still digest their DNA into loop-sized fragments. This suggests that the nucleases(s) remain associated with the sperm nuclear matrix, and that its primary site of activity is at or near the MAR. Current work in our laboratory is focusing on the possible identity of these nucleases, and whether topoisomerase II is working in concert with other nucleases.



MS26. HYPERACTIVATION OF SPERM: SWIMMING IN CIRCLES WINS THE RACE. Suarez, Susan¹, ¹ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
     In the oviduct, sperm become hyperactivated as they leave the storage reservoir and approach the oocyte. This entails a significant increase in flagellar beat amplitude, usually in the principal bend but not the reverse bend. As a result, hyperactivated sperm swim rapidly in small circles in medium on microscope slides. In the oviduct, however, hyperactivation enhances sperm penetration of viscoelastic substances, such as oviductal mucous secretions and the cumulus matrix. Furthermore, it enables sperm to penetrate the zona pellucida. Because hyperactivation involves a switch to asymmetrical flagellar beating, it has also been implicated in chemotaxis towards the oocyte. Sperm from mouse null mutants for CatSper genes swim actively, but do not hyperactivate. These sperm cannot fertilize in vitro unless the zona pellucida is removed from the oocyte. There is also evidence that CatSper-null sperm can enter the oviduct but cannot ascend it. Thus, despite the observation that hyperactivated sperm swim in circles on microscope slides, in the oviduct sperm must hyperactivate in order to reach the oocyte and fertilize it. Hyperactivation is considered to be a part of the capacitation process, because it occurs under in vitro capacitating conditions in some species. However, hyperactivation can be stimulated independently from acrosomal responsiveness. Hyperactivation is initiated and maintained by an increase in flagellar cytoplasmic calcium. There is evidence that a portion of the redundant nuclear envelope at the base of the flagellum serves as an intracellular calcium store that releases calcium to initiate hyperactivation. In addition, plasma membrane channels, particularly those encoded by CatSper genes, provide calcium to sustain hyperactivation. Little is known of the signaling pathway activated by calcium; however, calmodulin and CaM kinase II have been implicated. Flagellar proteins are phosphorylated during capacitation in vitro; however, their role in the signaling pathway of hyperactivation remains a mystery. NSF MCB-0421855.



MS27. SPERM CALCIUM DYNAMICS DURING FERTILIZATION. Sutton, Keith¹, Jungnickel, Melissa¹, Florman, Harvey¹, ¹ University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
     Fertilization requires the appropriate timing of acrosomal exocytosis in a subset of the spermatozoa that reach the site of fertilization. This calcium dependent exocytotic event allows penetration of the zona pellucida and fusion of the gametes. The temporal and special pattern of calcium signaling in mammalian sperm following stimulation with diverse acrosome reaction inducing agonists has been resolved at ever finer resolution in recent years. Several classes of calcium channel have been implicated in these processes. The calcium signaling events following stimulation with zonae can be crudely divided into early (calcium influx via voltage gated channels), intermediate (calcium release from the internal store following IP3 production) and late (calcium influx via store operated calcium channels). It is this final late phase of calcium influx that drives the elevation of intracellular calcium that is required for fusion of the plasma and acrosomal membranes and thus acrosomal exocytosis. The early events are dependent upon activation of a membrane depolarization signal and the co-activation of g-protein signaling; two events that are required for the triggering of the intermediate and late events. Members of the TRPC family of channels represent strong candidates for the mediators of the sustained calcium influx of the late response and our identification of an adaptor protein that may recruit components of the phosphoinositide signaling pathway to the channel complex suggest a possible point of integration of calcium and kinase signaling during the acrosome reaction.



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Minisymposium X. Endogenous Retroviruses and Reproduction
Chair(s): Bazer, Fuller¹, ¹ Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Location: CCQ 202

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MS28. ENDOGENOUS RETROVIRUS EXPRESSION DRIVES VILLOUS CYTOTROPHOBLAST DIFFERENTIATION. Rote, Neal^{1, 2}, ¹ University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH² Case School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
     A major portion of the human genome appears to be of retroviral origin. These endogenous retroviral elements are expressed in a variety of normal tissues, particularly the placenta. Potential roles in normal differentiation of human villous cytotrophoblast into syncytiotrophoblast have been described for at least two endogenous retroviral envelope proteins (HERV-W, ERV-3). A single open reading frame for ERV-3 env is found on chromosome 7. The proposed amino acid structure of ERV-3 Env is highly unusual when compared to similar proteins from infectious retroviruses; lacking a leader sequence, a membrane-spanning domain, and a fusion peptide. Functional studies confirm that ERV-3 Env possesses properties not previously described for retroviral envelope proteins. In villous cytotrophoblast and in the trophoblast model BeWo, ERV-3 mRNA is up-regulated coincident with differentiation measured by loss of proliferative capacity and -hCG mRNA and protein production. Stable transfection of ERV-3 env into undifferentiated BeWo resulted in production of -hCG mRNA and hCG protein, whereas ERV-3 env in the antisense orientation decreased the level of hCG protein expression in differentiating BeWo cells by up to 50-fold. Over-expression also resulted in a 2-fold increase in cAMP, and the effect on b-hCG mRNA and hCG protein expression was specifically prevented by H-89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A. Expression of ERV-3 env decreased proliferative capacity characterized by loss of detectable cyclin B and induction of p21, a condition correlated with cell cycle arrest. Transfection did not greatly increase intercellular fusion, although the transfected BeWo cells retained the capacity to fuse after the addition of forskolin. Combined with other observations on the role of HERV-W in intertrophoblast fusion, it appears that expression of ERV-3 and HERV-W initiates the primary components of villous cytotrophoblast differentiation and successful placentation.



MS29. FUNCTIONAL PRESERVATION OF THE SYNCYTIN ENCODING RETROVIRAL LOCUS ERVWE1: FROM VIRAL TO CELLULAR FUNCTION. Mallet, Francois¹, ¹ CNRS-bioMerieux, Lyon, France
     The infectious retrovirus founding the contemporary HERV-W family (Blond et al., 1999) entered the genome of a catarrhine ancestor 25-40 million years ago (Kim, 1999; Voisset et al. 2000). The spread of the HERV-W family into the genome essentially results from autonomous (W-reverse transcriptase) and non-autonomous (LINE-reverse transcriptase) events of intracellular retrotransposition of transcriptionally active copies (Costas 2002; Pavlicek et al. 2002). The HERV-W family contains a unique locus, termed ERVWE1, which encodes an envelope glycoprotein expressed in the placenta (Blond et al, 2000, Voisset et al. 2000). This envelope, also dubbed Syncytin, exhibits fusogenic properties in vitro upon interaction with the type D mammalian retrovirus receptor (hATB^o) and is directly involved in trophoblast differentiation (Blond et al. 2000; Mi et al. 2000; Frendo et al. 2003). The functional conservation of the ERVWE1 locus among human and during hominoid evolution (Mallet et al. 2004) and the identification of selective constraints on env gene (Bonnaud et al, 2004) strongly suggest that this retroviral locus has been recruited to play a role in placental physiology. Furthermore, this proviral locus evolved toward a bona fide cellular gene at both transcriptional and protein maturation levels. First, the placental Syncytin expression is regulated by a bipartite element consisting of the retroviral LTR promoter adjacent to a cellular trophoblast-specific enhancer (Prudhomme et al, 2004). Second, the cleavage requirements of the glycoprotein intracytoplasmic tail, crucial for the envelope fusogenic activity, seem to have diverged from classical retroviral maturation (Bonnaud et al, 2004; Cheynet et al, 2005).



MS30. ENDOGENOUS BETARETROVIRUSES OF SHEEP: BIOLOGICAL ROLES IN UTERINE FUNCTION AND PLACENTAL MORPHOGENESIS. Spencer, Thomas¹, Dunlap, Kathrin¹, Palmarini, Massimo², ¹ Texas A&M University, College Station, TX² University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
     The ovine genome contains approximately 20 copies of endogenous betaretroviruses (enJSRVs) that are highly related to two exogenous oncogenic viruses, Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) and the Enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV), which are the causative agents of naturally occurring carcinomas of the respiratory tract of sheep. The cellular receptor for JSRV and enJSRVs envelope (Env) is hyaluronidase 2 (Hyal2). Recent evidence indicates that enJSRVs interact/interfere at different levels both with the host and with their exogenous and pathogenic counterparts. enJSRVs block replication of the exogenous JSRV by a novel two-step interference mechanism acting both early and late during the virus replication cycle. In adult sheep, enJSRVs are abundantly and specifically expressed in the epithelia lining most of the female reproductive tract. Our working hypothesis is that the enJSRVs in the female reproductive tract protected during evolution the uterus from infection by exogenous and pathogenic betaretroviruses. In addition to the endometrial epithelium, enJSRVs expression is also observed in the conceptus (embryo/fetus and associated extraembryonic membranes). The enJSRVs env is expressed in the conceptus from Day 12, whereas hyal2 was expressed from Day 16. Both enJSRVs env and hyal2 mRNAs are expressed in the placentomes, which are comprised of maternal endometrial caruncles and placental cotyledons. Indeed, the enJSRVs env and hyal2 mRNA is specifically expressed in the trophoblast giant binucleate cells (BNC) and multinucleated syncytial plaques of the cotyledons. Partial sequencing of transcribed enJSRVs from ovine uteroplacental tissues revealed expression of at least 20 different enJSRV loci which contained an open reading frame in env similar to the previously identified enJS5F16 and enJS56A1 proviruses. Delivery of morpholino antisense oligonucleotides, specifically designed to inhibit enJSRVs env translation, into the early pregnant uterus on Day 8 inhibited differentiation of trophoblast BNC on Day 16 as assessed by immunostaining for pregnancy associated glycoproteins. These results strongly support the hypothesis that enJSRVs Env regulates conceptus growth and placental morphogenesis.

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Minisymposia XI-XV
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
9:45 AM–11:15 AM

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Minisymposium XI. New Insights Through Modern Approaches into Gamete Biology and Acquisition of Fertilization Competence
Chair(s): Evans, Janice¹, ¹ Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD
Location: CCQ 205ABC

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MS31. MAINTENANCE OF MEIOTIC ARREST IN MOUSE OOCYTES BY GPR3 AND Gs. Mehlmann, Lisa¹, Saeki, Yoshinaga², Tanaka, Shigeru², Brennan, Thomas³, Evsikov, Alexei⁴, Pendola, Frank⁴, Knowles, Barbara ⁴, Eppig, John⁴, Jaffe, Laurinda¹, ¹ University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT² Ohio State University, Columbus, OH³ Deltagen, Inc, San Carlos, CA⁴ The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, MA
     Mammalian oocytes are arrested in prophase I until a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) causes them to re-enter meiosis and mature into fertilizable eggs. The follicle cells surrounding the oocyte are needed to maintain meiotic arrest prior to the LH surge, although the mechanism by which this occurs is not yet understood. Meiotic arrest is maintained by high levels of cAMP in the oocyte prior to the LH surge, and a G_s G-protein in the oocyte is critical for producing cAMP. We have recently found that the orphan G_s-linked receptor GPR3, which is localized in the oocyte, is also essential for the maintenance of meiotic arrest. Oocytes from Gpr3 knockout mice resume meiosis within antral follicles, independently of an increase in luteinizing hormone, and this phenotype can be reversed by injection of Gpr3 RNA into the oocytes. Thus, the GPR3 receptor is a link in the communication between the follicle cells and oocyte of the ovarian follicle, crucial for the regulation of meiosis. It is possible that the role of the follicle cells in maintaining meiotic arrest is to produce a ligand that stimulates GPR3. We are currently examining the fertility and egg quality of oocytes from Gpr3 knockout mice. In addition, we are testing injection of dsRNA into follicle-enclosed oocytes as an approach for further investigating the role of GPR3 and other signalling molecules that may function in this pathway. Understanding the pathway whereby meiotic arrest is maintained provides a framework for examining the signalling pathway by which LH causes meiotic resumption.



MS32. INSIGHT INTO SPERM CAPACITATION: TYROSINE PHOSPHORYLATION OF SP32, A PROACROSIN BINDING PROTEIN. Bailey, Janice ¹, Dubé, Charlotte¹, Leclerc, Pierre ², Guillemette, Christine¹, Beaulieu, Martin¹, ¹ Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada² Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
     Capacitation refers to the collection of cellular modifications that allow mammalian sperm to bind the zona pellucida of the oocyte and undergo the acrosome reaction. Therefore, it is necessary for successful fertilisation in vivo and in vitro, perhaps with the exception of intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Capacitation is a signal transduction-mediated phenomenon, triggered in the absence of a ligand on the sperm, and is regulated by cAMP, calcium, protein tyrosine phosphorylation and as yet unidentified tyrosine kinase(s). We have reported that in porcine sperm, the appearance of a tyrosine phosphorylated protein, p32, coincides with capacitation. Western blotting of pig sperm proteins separated successively under non-reducing then reducing conditions showed p32 only when sperm were incubated in capacitating conditions. Sequencing p32 by MS/MS revealed it to be sp32, a protein involved in acrosin maturation in pig sperm and binds the Mr 55,000 and 53,000 forms of proacrosin as well as the Mr 49,000 acrosin intermediate (Baba et al J Biol Chem 1994 269:10133-40). Our hypothesis, therefore, is that p32 is a tyrosine phosphorylated form of sp32, the acrosomal protein implicated in acrosin activation. Hybridising the same membranes with anti-sp32 antibody demonstrated that sp32 is present in both non-capacitating and capacitating conditions; anti-sp32 recognised the same spot as p32 in extracts from capacitated sperm. Immunoprecipitation with either anti-phosphotyrosine or anti-sp32 antibody corroborated these results. Including calcium chelators in the media demonstrated that the appearance of sp32 is calcium-dependent, similar to what we have previously established for p32. Indirect immunofluorescence with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody or anti-sp32 antibody show similar labelling of capacitated sperm, supporting the hypothesis that p32 is a tyrosine phosphorylated form of sp32. Both indirect immunofluorescent and electron microscopy showed that sp32 is lost from the sperm following the A23187-induced acrosome reaction. Despite these intriguing data, numerous questions remain regarding the regulation of sp32 tyrosine phosphorylation and its importance to sperm function. This project is funded by NSERC; CD and MB were recipients of FQRNT scholarships.



MS33. RNAi IN THE OOCYTE: A POWERFUL TOOL TO STUDY GENE FUNCTION IN OOCYTE MATURATION AND FERTILIZATION. Stein, Paula¹, ¹ University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
     RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanism present in most eukaryotes. We have demonstrated that RNAi operates in mouse oocytes and early embryos. We further extended the applicability of RNAi by developing a transgenic RNAi approach to study gene function during oocyte development. The approach utilizes the oocyte-specific Zp3 promoter to drive the expression of a long hairpin double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that contains sequence complementary to the gene of interest. We validated this approach by targeting Mos and were able to recapitulate the Mos null phenotype. This transgenic RNAi approach has been extended to study the function of other genes involved in oocyte maturation, fertilization and early embryo development. Although RNAi is observed from yeast to humans, mammalian cells possess another pathway that responds to long dsRNA by inducing interferon and expression and activating two dsRNA-dependent enzymes, namely, dsRNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) and 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS). PKR activation results in a general inhibition of protein synthesis, while OAS activates RNase L, leading to nonspecific degradation of mRNAs. This antiviral pathway is known as the interferon response. Mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos seem to lack this response, as potent and specific inhibition of gene expression triggered by long dsRNA is observed in these cells. In order to ascertain whether mouse oocytes can mount an interferon response, we assessed the global pattern of gene expression by microarray analysis in transgenic mouse oocytes exposed to long dsRNA. This analysis, confirmed by real-time PCR and Western blot, shows that PKR, RNase L, and the catalytically active isoforms of OAS are absent in mouse oocytes, while catalytically inactive OAS isoforms, believed to act as dominant negative, are present in large amounts. Transgenic oocytes expressing Mos dsRNA show the same pattern of expression as wild-type oocytes. The microarray analysis also provides invaluable information about the target specificity of RNAi in mouse oocytes and demonstrates the complete absence of off-targeting. We conclude that transgenic RNAi is highly specific in mouse oocytes and therefore is a robust and simple method to study gene function during oocyte development.



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Minisymposium XII. Fertility in the 21st Century: New Approaches to Monitoring and Assessing Human Reproductive Health
Chair(s): Hunt, Patricia¹, ¹ Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
Location: CCQ 206B

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MS34. TESTICULAR DYSGENESIS SYNDROME (TDS) AND ENVIRONMENT: A POSSIBLE ROLE OF ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS. Skakkebaek, Niels E.¹, ¹ University Department of Growth & Reproduction, Copenhagen, Denmark
     Male infertility has become a major health problem in many Western countries. In Denmark more than 6% of all children are now born after assisted reproduction. Unfortunately the causes are not known in most cases, although spermatogenic failure can be due to Y microdeletions and other rare genetic causes. In addition, testicular cancer, which is a disease of young adults, is becoming more common in industrialized countries. We propose that male infertility, undescended testis, hypospadias and testicular cancer may all be symptoms of one underlying entity, the testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS). The most severe form of the syndrome is gonadal dysgenesis in intersex patients and the less severe phenotype may present itself as subfertility due to decreased sperm count. We assume that not only genetic abnormalities cause maldevelopment of the male gonad, but also environmental factors may contribute to an increasing occurrence of TDS. In fact, it has been repeatedly shown that TDS-like symptoms can be produced in rats exposed to phthalates in utero. Our preliminary data from an ongoing study suggests that phthalate exposure via breast milk may lead to decreased Leydig cell function in newborn boys. However, current research raises more questions than answers: Is there a biologically significant chemical exposure of the unborn child through placenta and breast milk. May it affect reproductive function during puberty and adult life? Are we, in the industrialized world, currently witnessing a process, where human fecundity is declining due to adverse environmental exposures?



MS35. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE TRANSCRIPTOME PROFILING? - PROMISES AND CAVEATS. Shioda, Toshi¹, Coser, Kathryn¹, Chesnes, Jessica¹, Dean, Kathleen¹, Hur, Jingyung¹, Isselbacher, Kurt¹, ¹ Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cancer Research, Charlestown, MA
     Recent advancements in the DNA microarray technology have provided a wide variety of biomedical research fields with reliable methods to evaluate the transcriptome profile: the quantitative measurement of expression of the mRNA transcripts for all protein-coding genes found in the genome. This technology has been becoming more accessible and affordable in the past couple of years, and it is now considered as one of the key approaches that are to be applied to many biological questions. Attempts to apply the transcriptome profiling to monitor human diseases are about migrating from the proof-of-concept stage to practical applications. The DNA microarray data offer a unique opportunity to perform the unsupervised data analysis, which reasonably classifies the samples and/or the genes without using other information; this approach often provides unexpected, important insights into the physiological and pathological processes. The more classical, supervised data analysis, which finds marker genes for given conditions, is also a powerful approach to obtain the initial insights into the genomic basis of the biological phenomena. However, even when performed by skilled hands, DNA microarray tends to generate large numbers of false positive results, and sometimes such experimentally false positives, which do not relate to the biological phenomena in question, are generated somewhat reproducibly. When DNA microarray is applied to pharmacogenomics and toxicogenomics, in which changes in the transcriptome profile heavily depend on the dose and exposure time of the biologically active chemical compounds, the risk of the false positives increases unless specifically addressed. I will discuss the powerful aspects of the DNA microarray-based transcriptome profiling in pharmaco- and toxicogenomics research and suggest possible applications to the monitoring and assessing human reproductive health. I will also discuss typical pitfalls of this technology.



MS36. FUTURE FAMILIES: BACKGROUND CONTAMINATION AND HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH. Swan, Shanna¹, ¹ University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
     The Study for Future Families is a multi-center pregnancy cohort study designed to examine geographic variation in reproductive parameters in fertile couples and their offspring. Study participants provided a variety of biological samples including pre- and postnatal urine and serum (from mothers); serum, urine and semen samples (fathers) and urines in early infancy (babies). To date we have measured monoester metabolites of current-use pesticides in urine from a sample of fathers and monoester metabolites of phthalates in urine samples from mothers (pre and post-natal) and infants. In the most agricultural of our study centers centers (Columbia, MO), metabolite levels were significantly associated with poor semen quality for the herbicides alachlor and atrazine, and for the insecticide diazinon (2-isopropoxy-4-methyl-pyrimidinol, or IMPY) (P-values = 0.0007, 0.012, and 0.0004, for alachlor, atrazine and IMPY, respectively). In addition, urinary concentrations of four phthalate metabolites [monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), and mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP)] in prenatal samples were inversely related to anogenital distance (AGD), a sensitive marker of anti-androgen activity [p-values ranged from 0.012 (MEP) to 0.055 (MBzP)]. Three of the monoesters associated with AGD are the same ones shown to shorten AGD in rodent pups exposed prenatally and the magnitude of the decreases in AGD in human and rodents are comparable. The alterative sources of exposure will be compared based on questionnaire data on product use and correlations between pesticide and phthalate metabolites in biological samples. We will discuss the public health impact of these findings in light of data from a national sample (NHANES) showing that the a substantial fraction of the population of the United States is exposed to these xenobiotics at levels we have shown to be significantly associated with adverse reproductive parameters.



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Minisymposium XIII. Regulation of Reproduction by Molecular Clocks
Chair(s): Lehman, Michael¹, ¹ University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Location: CCQ 204AB

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MS37. CLOCK GENES IN PERIPHERAL ORGANS: NEURAL AND ENDOCRINE CONTROL. Bittman, Eric¹, ¹ University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
      Although dependent upon the integrity of a central pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN), endogenous daily (circadian) rhythms are sustained in a wide variety of peripheral organs. Genes critical to the oscillation, including Per1, Per2, and Bmal1, are expressed in adrenal medulla and cortex, thyroid, ovary, and testis. Rhythmic per2 and bmal1 expression in testis and adrenal is SCN-dependent. Both endocrine and neural signals may function to insure not only the persistence but also the appropriate phasing of peripheral oscillations. We used parabiosis between intact and SCN-lesioned mice to show that non-neural (behavioral or blood-borne) signals are adequate to maintain circadian rhythms of clock gene expression in liver and kidney. Estrogen may regulate some circadian outputs. Uterine per1 expression varies with estrous cycle phase in hamsters, suggesting ovarian control. Furthermore, estradiol regulates the amplitude (but not the period) of mouse activity rhythms. Interestingly, this effect is absent in cryptochrome deficient mice. Estrogen's effects on amplitude may require an intact clock, or cryptochromes may participate in estrogen's actions elsewhere. Neural cues are most likely critical for circadian oscillations in some tissues: rhythmicity of per1 and bmal1 expression is not restored in heart, spleen or skeletal muscle of SCN-lesioned mice by parabiosis to intact partners. Furthermore, abundance of per1 and TH mRNA's is asymmetrical in adrenal medullae of Syrian hamsters in which circadian rhythms split upon exposure to constant light, indicating dominance of neural control. Neurotransplantation is proving a useful tool in determining how the central SCN pacemaker regulates peripheral oscillators. SCN grafts can reinstate circadian rhythms of per1 and bmal1 expression in liver and kidney of SCN-lesioned hamsters, but it is not clear that the result fit the predictions of the model of nonparametric entrainment of the periphery by the pacemaker.



MS38. CLOCK GENES IN CALENDAR CELLS. Lincoln, Gerald¹, Johnston, Jonathan², Hazlerigg, David², ¹ MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Edinburgh, Scotland² School of Biological Sciences, Aberdeen, Scotland
     Seasonal mammals use the duration of nocturnal melatonin secretion as an index of photoperiod to synchronise seasonal physiology to the environment. This photoperiodic response depends on specialised cells (called calendar cells) located in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland that decode the 24-h melatonin signal: long signals (12-16h/d) produce a winter physiology and short signals (<10h/d) produce a summer state. We have selected the pars tuberalis (PT) of the stalk region of the pituitary as a model melatonin-target tissue to investigate the role of clock genes in interpreting the melatonin signal to control seasonal prolactin secretion. The PT-specific cells are thyrotrope-like, express notably high densities of melatonin MT₁ receptors, and show a dose- and duration-dependent cAMP response to melatonin. A wide spectrum of clock genes (Bmal1, Clock, Per1, Per2, Cry1, Cry2, Rev-erb, CK1) are rhythmically expressed in the PT, with temporal associations consistent with a cell autonomous circadian clock. Cry1 activation occurs at dusk as a response to melatonin onset, and Per1 activation occurs at dawn as a response to melatonin offset, and the Cry/Per interval varies directly with night length. This suggests a decoding mechanism where a change in abundance of CRY/PER protein complexes may dictate the level of transcription of clock-controlled genes, and thus the downstream seasonal physiology. In Soay sheep, clock gene rhythms in the PT persist under constant light (LL), but are readily reset by exogenous melatonin given at any time of day showing the PT as a slave to the melatonin signal. Circadian clock gene profiles in the ovine PT also faithfully track the melatonin signal in sheep rendered photorefractory under constant photoperiod. This demonstrates that the clock gene rhythms in the PT can be dissociated from the downstream seasonal physiology. Overall, we have evidence for two different cellular timers within the PT: 1) a photoperiod timer that uses circadian clock gene expression to decode the melatonin signal, and 2) a circannual timer that governs photorefractoriness and the generation of endogenous long-term cycles independent of the circadian clockwork. The interaction between the two mechanisms allows for precise timekeeping over months and years.



MS39. NEURAL AND GENETIC CONTROL OF ENDOCRINE TIMING BY THE CIRCADIAN SYSTEM. Kriegsfeld, Lance¹, Mei, Dan Feng², Bentley, George¹, Ukena, Kazuyoshi ³, Tsutsui, Kazuyoshi ³, Silver, Rae², ¹ University of California, Berkeley, CA² Columbia University, New York, NY³ Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
     The temporal coordination of myriad hormones is necessary for the maintenance of homeostasis and optimal physiological functioning. Traditionally, endocrinologists have focused on the role of negative feedback mechanisms and neuroendocrine pulse generators as the primary mechanisms for temporal organization of hormone secretion. Endogenous timing systems are, however, increasingly implicated in the maintenance of temporal order of hormone production and release. In some instances, neurosecretion is controlled by direct synaptic connections from the mammalian circadian pacemaker located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). We have probed this mechanism by specifying the neural projections from the SCN to components of the reproductive axis that control the timing of hormonal events necessary for ovulation. In other systems, we found that neuroendocrine cells express 'clock' genes that regulate circadian function at the cellular level; in this way they exert direct transcriptional control over neuroendocrine releasing factors and adjust their timing. We have used transgenic mice to investigate clock gene expression in neuroendocrine cells; examining expression of a degradable form of recombinant jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP), driven by the mouse Period 1 (mPer1) gene promoter, led to the discovery that clock genes are expressed in neuroendocrine cell populations. These cells apparently contain the cellular machinery necessary to oscillate independently. Together, these findings reveal novel mechanisms by which the timing of neuroendocrine responses is modulated by genetic, cellular, and neural regulatory mechanisms controlled by the circadian system. These mechanisms likely act in concert to coordinate the precise timing of endocrine events. These relatively unexplored regulatory interactions represent opportunities for further scientific investigation.



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Minisymposium XIV. Meeting the Demands of the Fetus: A Maternal-Fetal Partnership
Chair(s): Petroff, Margaret¹, ¹ University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Location: CCQ 202

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MS40. THE FIRST TRIMESTER: CREATING A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR ORGANOGENESIS. Burton, Graham¹, Jauniaux, Eric², ¹ University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK² Royal Free and University College, London, UK
     Organogenesis encompasses the period of development from establishment of the primitive streak to closure of the palate. In the human this corresponds to weeks 3-8 post-fertilisation (5-10 weeks menstrual age). It is a period of rapid cell division and differentiation, during which the primordia of the main organ systems are laid down, and hence when the embryo is most vulnerable to perturbations. There is considerable experimental evidence in animal models, and circumstantial evidence in the human, that many teratogens mediate their actions through free radicals, either via their direct effect on DNA to cause mutations or through disruption of signalling pathways. It might be anticipated, therefore, that an important aspect of reproduction is to create a safe and stable environment in which organogenesis can take place. Recent high resolution Doppler imaging, coupled with physiological measurements taken in vivo, has led to a radical reappraisal of the status of the maternal arterial circulation to the placenta during this period. It is now realised that invading endovascular trophoblast cells occlude the tips of the spiral arteries until 10-12 weeks menstrual age, and consequently the oxygen concentration within the feto-placental unit is low (<20 mmHg). Instead, the nutritional demands of the embryo appear to be met in part by secretions from the uterine glands, which remain highly active during early pregnancy and deliver carbohydrate-rich secretions into the placental intervillous space. These nutrients are transported into the exocoelomic cavity, from where they may be taken up by the yolk sac and carried to the embryo. Phylogenetically older metabolic pathways involving non-phosphorylated sugars are highly active in the placental and fetal tissues during this period, and may provide a means of maintaining redox potential under the low oxygen conditions. Once organogenesis is complete at 10 weeks menstrual age the maternal arterial circulation to the placenta starts to be established in a periphery to centre fashion. This is associated with a three-fold increase in intraplacental oxygen concentration, and there is accumulating evidence that failure of the tissues to adapt to this rise lays the foundations of complications of pregnancy such as miscarriage and preeclampsia.



MS41. UTEROPLACENTAL BLOOD FLOW REGULATION AND FETAL GROWTH DURING GESTATION. Magness, Ronald¹, ¹ University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
     During normal gestation uterine and placental blood flows increase dramatically for adequate fetal growth. Perfusion at the maternal-fetal interface occurs via vasodilatation and angiogenic processes. Understanding these mechanisms is important because IUGR leads to increased fetal morbidity and long-term developmental origins of adult onset diseases (i.e. the Barker Hypothesis). Expression of eNOS, NO production, and cGMP are elevated in the uterine and placental endothelial cells and inhibition of NO production reduces blood flow in both the maternal and fetal compartments. Several important interacting factors are implicated in regulating NO production and reproductive blood flows in normal pregnancy including the observed elevated angiogenic factors, estrogen and fluid shear stress. Placental angiogenic factors and NO together play vital roles in regulating placental angiogenesis while also contributing to vasodilatation. Fetal placental angiogenic activity, bFGF, VEGF secretion, and NO production are increased during the third trimester of pregnancy in parallel with fetal growth and uterine and placental blood flows. Interactions are also observed because bFGF and VEGF have the capability of increasing uterine and placental endothelial NO production via elevations in eNOS activation and/or eNOS expression. Estrogen is a potent uterine vasodilator and its levels are also elevated in normal gestation. Blockade of estrogen receptors (ERs) using ICI 182,780 lowers gravid UBF the same amount as the fall seen with NO inhibition using L-NAME. Estrogen also increases de novo NO production by uterine artery endothelial cells (UAECs) via an ER and ERK-MAPK mediated mechanism. Increases in UBF elevate laminar/pulsatile shear stress and uterine vascular NO production. Unlike static UAEC cultures, in the presence of basal shear stress, E2 dramatically augments the rise in eNOS protein expression. Estrogen and shear stress also elevate angiogenic factor expression and contribute to uterine and placental neovascularization. In conclusion, regulation of coordinated rises in blood flows at the maternal-fetal interface is modulated by convergent NO associated mechanisms that are important to fetal development and long-term health. NIH grants HL49210, HD33255, HL57653, HD38843.



MS42. TESTING THE LIMITS OF MATERNAL-FETAL PARTNERSHIP: ADAPTIVE SUCCESS AND FAILURE UNDER CONDITIONS OF CHRONIC HYPOXIA IN HUMAN PREGNANCY. Zamudio, Stacy¹, Caniggia, Isabella², Illsley, Nicholas³, ¹ New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ² Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada³ New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
     Human pregnancy at high altitude (HA) is a natural experimental model to test the limits of flexibility in placental, maternal and fetal cooperation. HA residence reduces fetal growth (100 grams/1000 m elevation), increases the incidence of preeclampsia 2-4 fold, and, in the absence of high quality medical care, increases maternal, fetal and neonatal mortality. We review here how populations with a long evolutionary history at HA have adapted to the stress of lowered oxygen availability and have ameliorated, but not fully overcome the altitude-associated reduction in fetal growth. This involves fetal, maternal and placental changes related to reduced oxygen availability. At the physiological level, women of HA ancestry have increased blood flow and oxygen delivery to the fetus. Fetuses of HA ancestry have increased oxygen uptake that is proportional to their greater growth, regardless of altitude. Placental structural alterations and maternal and fetal vascular and hematological changes yield greater uteroplacental and fetal blood flows, higher oxygen saturation of the fetal blood and ultimately greater oxygen delivery and uptake in fetuses of HA ancestry. While this contributes to preservation of fetal growth at HA (and larger infants at low altitude), the compensation is not complete, and even the newborns of a genetically adapted population are smaller than their sea level counterparts. At the molecular level there is dissociation of some of the expected effects of hypoxia on placental development and function. Elevated placental hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) message and protein expression are directly correlated with maternal and placental factors relevant to pregnancy outcome at HA, including placental capillary density, maternal circulating VEGF and erythropoietin levels. Elevation in HIF-1alpha in the HA placenta likely contributes to increased placental vascularity, but basal syncytial membrane glucose and amino acid transporter densities are reduced. With respect to glucose this contrasts with in vitro studies and suggests that factors either indirectly related to hypoxia or separate from hypoxia contribute to the reduction in fetal growth at HA, despite preservation of oxygen delivery in the pregnancies of well-adapted populations. Support NSF BCS 0309142, NIH HD 42737.



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Minisymposium XV. Transcriptional Regulation of Gene Expression in the Ovary
Chair(s): Davis, John,
Location: CCQ 2000A

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MS43. MOLECULAR REGULATION OF FETAL OVARY DEVELOPMENT. Koopman, Peter¹, ¹ The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
     We are investigating the early development of the vertebrate ovary – that is, the steps prior to formation of definitive follicles. To this end we have undertaken screens comparing gene expression in mouse fetal ovaries relative to testes, and different stages of ovarian development. We are particularly interested in identifying genes that may encode transcription factors involved in regulating cell type specification, and components of signalling pathways that may be involved in communication between cell types and co-ordination of the histogenesis of the early ovary. We have identified a large number of genes whose expression is upregulated in fetal ovaries shortly after sex determination, and are in the process of analysing the cell type-specificity and timing of expression of these genes which, together with information regarding the class of protein encoded, prioritizes the genes for further study. One gene resulting from these screens encodes the forkhead transcription factor Foxl2. Mutations in human FOXL2 underlie blepharophimosis ptosis epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES), characterised by facial dysmorphology, combined in some cases with ovarian failure. We detected Foxl2 expression in embryonic ovaries of mice, chickens and red-eared slider turtles around the time of sex determination, associated with both somatic and germ cell populations. Moreover, sequence analysis of turtle and chicken FoxL2 orthologues indicated an unusually high degree of structural conservation during evolution. Our observations, combined with recent knockout analyses, are consistent with BPES resulting from early abnormalities in regulating the development of the foetal ovary, and identify Foxl2 as one of the earliest known regulators of ovarian development. Overall our results point to a surprising degree of transcriptional complexity in the fetal ovary at stages prior to overt histological differentiation.



MS44. EPIGENETIC REGULATION OF TRANSCRIPTION IN OVARIAN CANCER. Nephew, Kenneth^{1, 2}, Huang, Tim³, Wei, Susan³, Balch, Curtis¹, Brown, Robert⁴, ¹ Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN² Indiana University Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN³ The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH⁴ Glasgow University, Glasgow, UK, Scotland
     Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy and fifth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Aberrant epigenetic regulation, such as CpG island methylation and associated transcriptional silencing of genes, has been implicated in a variety of human diseases, including ovarian cancer. Our group, utilizing a microarray-based technique known as differential methylation hybridization, examined 19 advanced ovarian cancer patients, for 7700 specific loci. Hierarchical clustering revealed the delineation of two groups of patients, corresponding to high vs. low levels of concurrent DNA methylation. Independently, it was found that the high methylation group bore a significant shorter progression-free survival (PFS less than 8 months versus greater than 12 months). Specifically, we identified 182 methylated sequences significantly associated with short PFS; we are now in the process of characterizing those sequences for patterns that could predict DNA methylation. In a separate approach, we are examining the possibility of re-expression of silenced ovarian cancer tumor suppressor genes by inhibition of DNA methylation. To this end, we are investigating a novel inhibitor, zebularine, and comparing its effect to the well-established (but relatively unstable) inhibitor 2-deoxy-5-azacytidine (DAC). In widely utilized ovarian cancer cell lines, we found that zebularine exerted impressive antigrowth effects, greater than those elicited by DAC. Further, zebularine effected impressive demethylation and induction of two tumor suppressor genes, hMLH1 and RASSF1A. To examine global methylation effects, we performed methyl acceptance and differential methylation hybridization analyses. While we found statistically identical demethylation by both zebularine and DAC, we discovered differences in demethylation of specific genes by the two agents. Finally, we found that zebularine could resensitize a platinum-resistant ovarian cancer cell line to cisplatin. As epigenetic dysregulation is responsible for the transcriptional silencing of hundreds of genes in ovarian tumors, epigenetic-based agents, both alone and in combination with conventional agents, may provide effective therapeutic approaches for this devastating disease.



MS45. FoxO3 AND PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLE ACTIVATION. Castrillon, Diego¹, Gallardo, Teresa¹, John, George¹, ¹ University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
     In mammals, oocytes arrested in the diplotene stage of meiosis become invested soon after birth in a single layer of pregranulosa cells to form primordial follicles, the reserve precursor pool for maturing follicles during reproductive life. Primordial follicle activation (PFA) is the metered process by which small numbers of primordial follicles are selected from this reserve pool into the growing follicle pool. This process is irreversible, in that follicles that have initiated growth undergo atresia if not selected for subsequent stages of maturation. PFA is a delicately balanced and tightly regulated process ensuring that some number of growing follicles is available during each estrus/menstrual cycle while preserving the majority of follicles for later in life, thereby forestalling depletion of oocytes and reproductive senescence. Despite advances in our understanding of many aspects of ovarian function, the mechanisms that regulate PFA remain largely obscure. We have shown that the forkhead transcription factor FoxO3, which functions downstream of the PI3K/AKT pathway, is a master regulator (suppressor) of PFA. FoxO3-null females undergo global PFA within a few days of birth, leading secondarily to increased atresia, premature depletion of ovarian follicles, and consequent female infertility. Our model, which we are currently validating by several approaches, is that FoxO3 functions within the oocyte itself to suppress follicle activation via the transcriptional regulation of currently unknown targets. To begin identifying and validating physiologically relevant transcriptional targets of FoxO3, we have compared mRNA profiles of FoxO3-deficient and wild-type control ovaries soon after birth and prior to the onset of follicle activation. Analyses of additional time points during and immediately following the onset of global primordial follicle activation in FoxO3-deficient ovaries has permitted a unique view of ovarian genes that are induced during PFA and early follicle growth.



MS46. REGULATION OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR-BETA1 (TGF) TRANSCRIPTION BY THE EARLY GROWTH RESPONSE FACTOR 1 (Egr1) TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR IN THE CORPUS LUTEUM (CL). Hou, Xiaoying^{1, 2}, Arvisais, Edward^{1, 2}, Davis, John^{1, 2}, ¹ University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE² VA Medical Center, Omaha, NE
      In mammals, including primates and humans, prostaglandin F2 (PGF2) is believed to be the trigger that induces the regression of the CL, whereby progesterone synthesis is inhibited, the luteal structure involutes, and the menstrual or estrus cycle resumes. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of PGF2-induced CL regression remain poorly understood. As it is well established that PGF2 activates the PKC/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, our objectives were to identify genes responsive to PGF2 and activators of this pathway. Our data demonstrate that the expression of Egr1 mRNA and protein is up-regulated in the CL during PGF2-induced luteolysis in vivo and in PGF2-treated luteal cells in vitro. Studies have shown that Egr1 protein can induce the activation of various proapoptotic proteins, suggesting that Egr1 may play a role in luteal regression. Our hypothesis is that Egr1 mediates the actions of PGF2 by inducing the expression of key proapoptotic proteins. Egr1 protein was elevated in nuclear extracts prepared from PGF2-treated cells, and nuclear extracts bound a GC-rich Egr1 consensus motif, indicating that the newly synthesized Egr1 transcription factor was functional. Using a variety of chemical and genetic approaches, the PKC/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway was identified as the proximal signaling event required for the induction of Egr1 in PGF2-treated cells. TGF is believed to exert proapoptotic effects in many cell types, and is expressed in the CL during regression. Treatment with PGF2 increased the expression of TGF mRNA and protein in bovine luteal cells. The effect of PGF2 on TGF expression was mimicked by PKC activators or overexpression of Egr1. The stimulatory effect of PGF2 on TGF mRNA and protein secretion was inhibited by blockade of PKC/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling and overexpression of NAB2, a co-repressor that binds to and inhibits Egr-1 transcriptional activity. Treatment of luteal cells with TGF reduced progesterone secretion and DNA synthesis, implicating TGF in luteal regression. These studies demonstrate that PGF2 via the PKC/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway regulates the expression of Egr1 and TGF in the CL. We suggest that Egr1 may play a role the induction of genes that coordinate the regression of the CL.

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Platform Presentations, Sessions 1-7
Sunday, July 24, 2005

3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions

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Platform Session 1. Uterine Development and Post-Implantation Embryonic Signaling
Sunday, July 24, 2005
3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: CCQ 202

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3:00 PM 1. THE Sp/KRUPPEL-LIKE FAMILY (KLF) MEMBER, BASIC TRANSCRIPTION ELEMENT BINDING PROTEIN-1 (BTEB1) IS IMPORTANT FOR DEVELOPMENTAL SYNCHRONY OF EMBRYO AND UTERINE ENDOMETRIUM. Velarde, Michael¹, Geng, Yan², Eason, Renea², Simmen, Frank^{1, 2}, Simmen, Rosalia^{1, 2}, ¹ University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR² Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, Little Rock, AR



3:15 PM 2. NEONATAL PROGESTIN EXPOSURE DISRUPTS UTERINE DEVELOPMENT AND COMPROMISES ADULT UTERINE FUNCTION IN SHEEP. Farmer, Jennifer¹, Spencer, Thomas¹, ¹ Texas A&M University, College Station, TX



3:30 PM 3. FIRST TRIMESTER HUMAN CYTOTROPHOBLAST CELLS SURVIVE LOW OXYGEN WITH HELP FROM HB-EGF. Armant, D. Randall¹, Leach, Richard², Romero, Roberto³, Edwin, Samuel³, Kilburn, Brian¹, Petkova, Anelia¹, Edwards, Holly¹, ¹ Wayne State University, Detroit, MI² University of Illinois, Chicago, IL³ National Insitutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, MD



3:45 PM 4. EP1 RECEPTOR-MEDIATED MIGRATION OF THE FIRST TRIMESTER HUMAN EXTRAVILLOUS TROPHOBLAST. Nicola, Catalin¹, Timoshenko, Alexander¹, Dixon, S. Jeffrey¹, Lala, Peeyush¹, Chakraborty, Chandan¹, ¹ University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada



4:00 PM 5. ACTIVATION OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE 9 IS INDUCED BY PLASMINOGEN IN CULTURED MOUSE BLASTOCYSTS. Martinez-Hernandez, Maria¹, Baiza-Gutman, Luis¹, Aguilar-Garcia, Cristina¹, Armant, D.², ¹ Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico, Mexico² Wayne State University, Detroit, MI



4:15 PM 6. PLASMINOGEN PROCESSING BY PERI-IMPLANTATION MOUSE EMBRYOS. Baiza-Gutman, Luis¹, Martínez-Hernández, María¹, Aguilar-García, Cristina¹, Armant, D², ¹ Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, México² Wayne State University, Detroit, MI



4:30 PM 7. MRI-ASSISTED ELUCIDATION OF AN IMPLANTATION DISORDER ASSOCIATED WITH AN OOCYTE- DIRECTED DEPLETION OF CONNEXIN 43. Plaks, Vicki¹, Gershon, Eran¹, Aharon, Idan¹, Galiani, Dalia ¹, Reizel, Yithak¹, Bar, Nadav¹, Granot, Irit², Winterhager, Elke³, Neeman, Michal¹, Dekel, Nava¹, ¹ The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel² Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel³ University Hospital Duisburg - Essen, Duisberg, Essen, Germany



4:45 PM 8. OVINE ENDOGENOUS BETARETROVIRUSES (enJSRVs) REGULATE CONCEPTUS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. Dunlap, Kathrin¹, Hayashi, Kanako ¹, Adelson, David ¹, Palmarini, Massimo², Spencer, Thomas¹, ¹ Texas A&M University, College Station, TX² University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland



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Platform Session 2. Signaling Pathways in the Ovary, Uterus, and Pituitary
Sunday, July 24, 2005
3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: CCQ 204AB

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3:00 PM 9. INACTIVATION OF TUBERIN (TSC2) BY PHOSPHOINOSITIDE 3-KINASE (PI3K)/AKT-DEPENDENT AND -INDEPENDENT PATHWAYS IN BOVINE LUTEAL CELLS (bCLs). Hou, Xiaoying^{1, 2}, Arvisais, Edward^{1, 2}, Davis, John^{1, 2}, ¹ University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE² VA Medical Center, Omaha, NE



3:15 PM 10. MECHANISM OF REGULATION OF BASAL ACTIVITY AND LH-INDUCED REPRESSSION OF PRAP/17-HSD7 GENE. Shehu, Aurora¹, Risk, Michael¹, Jifang, Mao¹, Stocco, Carlos¹, Goldsmith, Laura², Bowen-Shauver, Jennifer¹, Gibori, Geula¹, ¹ University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL² New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ



3:30 PM 11. ROLE OF MEMBRANE-BOUND FORM OF ESTROGEN RECEPTORS RELATED TO THE PHOSPHORYLATION OF MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASES IN RESPONSE TO GROWTH STIMULATION IN EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CANCER. Park, Se-Hyung¹, Choi, Kyung-Chul¹, Kim, Ki-Yon¹, Auersperg, Nelly ¹, Leung, Peter C. K. ¹, ¹ University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada



3:45 PM 12. THE NODAL-ALK7 PATHWAY INDUCES APOPTOSIS IN NORMAL OVARIAN SURFACE EPITHELIAL AND EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CANCER CELL LINES. Xu, Guoxiong ¹, Wang, Qinghua², Peng, Chun¹, ¹ York University, Toronto, ON, Canada² St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada



4:00 PM 13. PROGESTERONE AND INTERFERON TAU REGULATE CATHEPSIN L (CTSL) EXPRESSION IN THE ENDOMETRIAL EPITHELIUM OF THE OVINE UTERUS. Song, Gwonhwa¹, Bazer, Fuller¹, Spencer, Thomas¹, ¹ Texas A&M University, College Station, TX



4:15 PM 14. DEVELOPMENT OF AN EFFICIENT RNA INTERFERENCE STRATEGY FOR ASSESSING THE ROLE OF hTrpC4 PROTEINS IN MYOMETRIAL CELLS. Ulloa, Aida¹, Zhong, Miao¹, Kim, Yoon-Sun¹, Ku, Chun-Ying¹, Sanborn, Barbara¹, ¹ Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO



4:30 PM 15. GnRH ENGAGEMENT OF THE ACTIN CYTOSKELETON UNDERLIES ACTIVATION OF MAP KINASE AND LEADS TO DYNAMIC CELLULAR MOVEMENTS IN THE ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND. Navratil, Amy¹, Knoll, J. Gabriel¹, Tobet, Stuart¹, Clay, Colin¹, ¹ Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO



4:45 PM 16. PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR IS TRANSCRIPTIONALLY ACTIVATED BY GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONES, GnRH I AND GnRH II, VIA A LIGAND-INDEPENDENT PATHWAY IN PITUITARY GONADOTROPH CELLS. An, Beum-Soo¹, Kim, Ki-Yon¹, Selva, David M. , Hammond, Geoffrey L. ¹, Choi, Kyung-Chul ¹, Leung, Peter C. K. ¹, ¹ University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada



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Platform Session 3. Germ Cell Differentiation and Development I
Chair(s): Parks, John¹, ¹ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
Sunday, July 24, 2005
3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: CCQ 205ABC

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3:00 PM 17. EXPRESSION OF GERMLINE MARKERS IN ADULT FEMALE ZEBRAFISH BLOOD: EVIDENCE FOR GERM CELL MIGRATION VIA PERIPHERAL CIRCULATION. Wood, Antony¹, Tilly, Jonathan¹, ¹ Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA



3:15 PM 18. AKT LOCALIZES IN THE MEIOTIC NUCLEUS AND PHOSPHORYLATES H2AX DURING SPERMATOGENESIS. Feng, Li-Xin ¹, Geng, Yixun¹, Dym, Martin¹, ¹ Georgetown University, Washington, DC



3:30 PM 19. ABSENCE OF THE DNA/RNA-BINDING PROTEIN MSY2 RESULTS IN MALE AND FEMALE INFERTILITY. Yang, Juxiang¹, Medvedev, Sergey¹, Yu, Junying¹, Tang, Linda², Agno, Julio², Matzuk, Martin², Schultz, Richard¹, Hecht, Norman¹, ¹ University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA² Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX



3:45 PM 20. UNIQUE MEIOTIC FUNCTIONS OF THE AURORA-B KINASE IN MAMMALIAN SPERMATOGENESIS. Kimmins, Sarah¹, Crosio, Claudia ¹, Kotaja, Noora ¹, Hirayama, Jun ¹, Höög, Christer ², Sassone-Corsi, Paolo¹, ¹ Université Louis Pasteur, CNRS, INSERM, Strasbourg, France² Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden



4:00 PM 21. IN VIVO ANALYSIS OF PROTEIN-DNA INTERACTIONS AT THE PGK2 PROMOTER DURING SPERMATOGENESIS IN THE MOUSE. Geyer, Chris¹, Yoshioka, Hirotaka², McCarrey, John^{1, 2}, ¹ University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX² University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX



4:15 PM 22. A 50-BP REGION OF THE SP-10 INSULATOR IS SUFFICIENT FOR ENHANCER-BLOCKING FUNCTION IN TRANSGENIC MICE. Urekar, Craig¹, Reddi, Prabhakara ¹, ¹ University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA



4:30 PM 23. EFFECT OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR ON SPERMATOGENESIS IN XENOGRAFTED BOVINE TESTIS TISSUE. Schmidt, Jonathan ¹, de Avila, Jeanene¹, McLean, Derek¹, ¹ Washington State University, Pullman, WA



4:45 PM 24. EXOGENOUS GONADOTROPIN SUPPORTS ACCELERATED MATURATION OF INFANT PRIMATE TESTIS TISSUE XENOGRAFTS IN MICE. Rathi, Rahul¹, Zeng, Wenxian¹, Honaramooz, Ali ¹, Meyers, Stuart², Dobrinski, Ina¹, ¹ University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA² University of California, Davis, CA



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Platform Session 4. Effects of the Environment and Nutrition on Male Reproduction
Sunday, July 24, 2005
3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: CCQ 206A

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3:00 PM 25. THE EPIDIDYMAL JUNCTIONAL COMPLEX IS IMPAIRED BY TRIBUTYLTIN EXPOSURE. Barthelemy, Johanna¹, Dufresne, Julie¹, Cyr, Daniel¹, ¹ INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Pointe-Claire, QC, Canada



3:15 PM 26. EFFECTS OF DIETARY FATS AND PROTEINS ON METHYLMERCURY-MEDIATED TOXICITY IN RATS: TESTICULAR STEROIDOGENIC ENZYMES AND SERUM TESTOSTERONE LEVELS. Cooke, Gerard^{1, 2}, McVey, Mark¹, Lok, Eric¹, Chan, Hing Man³, Mehta, Rekha¹, ¹ Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada² University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada³ McGill University, Ste.-Anne-de-Bellvue, QC, Canada



3:30 PM 27. EFFECTS OF HYPOXIA ON THE RELEASE OF TESTOSTERONE AND VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR IN MOUSE TM3 LEYDIG CELLS. Huang, Wei-Ju¹, Tseng, Wen-Min ¹, Wang, Jiing-Rong¹, Wu, Ching-I¹, Wang, Kai-Lee¹, Lee, Yin-Huei¹, Wang, Paulus S¹, ¹ National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.



3:45 PM 28. ACUTE ADVERSE AFFECTS OF THE INDENOPYRIDINE, CDB-4022 (RACEMATE), ON THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF SERTOLI CELLS, SPERMATOCYTES AND SPERMATIDS IN THE TESTES OF TREATED RATS: COMPARISON TO THE KNOWN SERTOLI CELL TOXICANT, DI-N-PENTYLPHTHALATE (DPP). Hild, Sheri¹, Reel, Jerry¹, Dykstra, Michael², Mann, Peter³, Marshall, Gary⁴, ¹ BIOQUAL, Inc., Rockville, MD² North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC³ Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc., Herndon, VA⁴ University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA



4:00 PM 29. EFFECTS OF THYROID HORMONES ON DI(N-BUTYL) PHTHALATE (DBP)-INDUCED OXIDATIVE DAMAGES IN SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS TESTIS. Lee, Ena ¹, Ahn, Mi Young¹, Kim, Hee Jin¹, Kim, Hyung Sik, ¹ Pusan National University, College of Pharmacy, Pusan, Korea



4:15 PM 30. COMBINATION DOSE OF TWO PHTHALATES ADDITIVELY DEPRESSES TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION AND INSL3 GENE EXPRESSION IN MALE RAT FETUSES. Howdeshell, Kembra¹, Furr, Johnathan², Lambright, Christy², Wilson, Vickie², Gray, L. Earl², ¹ North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC² US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC



4:30 PM 31. HERITABLE HEAT STRESS-INDUCED SUBFERTILITY IN MALE MICE. Cammack, Kristi¹, Mesa, Henry¹, Sutovsky, Peter¹, Lamberson, William¹, ¹ University of Missouri, Columbia, MO



4:45 PM 32. HORMONE-REGULATED SOMATIC TESTICULAR CELL GENES CORRELATING WITH BLOCKED SPERMATOGONIAL DIFFERENTIATION IN IRRADIATED RATS. Bolden-Tiller, Olga¹, Shetty, Gunapala ¹, Weng, Connie¹, Stivers, David¹, Meistrich, Marvin¹, ¹ University of Texas - MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX



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Platform Session 5. Sperm, Sperm-Egg Interaction, Egg Activation
Chair(s): Watson, Andrew², ² University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
Sunday, July 24, 2005
3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: CCQ 206B

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3:00 PM 33. CHARACTERIZATION OF PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2A ACTIVITY CHANGES DURING EPIDIDYMAL SPERM MATURATION. Ferrara, John ¹, Huang, Zaohua¹, Vijayaraghavan, Srinivasan¹, ¹ Kent State University, Kent, OH



3:15 PM 34. SPERMATOZOA MECHANICALLY STIMULATES PROSTAGLANDIN PRODUCTION BY THE BOVINE OVIDUCTAL EPITHELIAL CELLS. Wijayagunawardane, Missaka P¹, Kodithuwakku, Suranga¹, Miyamoto, Akio², ¹ University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka² Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan



3:30 PM 35. COMPLEXIN 1 KNOCKOUT MOUSE SPERM ARE SUB-INFERTILE DUE TO A DEFECT IN ACROSOMAL EXOCYTOSIS. Zhao, Longmei¹, Burkin, Heather¹, Reim, Kerstin², Brose, Nils², Miller, David¹, ¹ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL² Max-Plank-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany



3:45 PM 36. T COMPLEX PROTEIN TCTEX5 IS A CANDIDATE FOR THE PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 1 GAMMA 2 INHIBITOR IN SPERMATOZOA. Cheng, Lina¹, Myers, Kimberley¹, Han, Yibing^{2, 3}, Pilder, Stephen², Vijayaraghavan, Srinivasan¹, ¹ Kent State University, Kent, OH² Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA³ Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong



4:00 PM 37. ZPB/ZPC IS THE UBIQUITINATED SPERM RECEPTOR ON PORCINE ZONA PELLUCIDA. Sutovsky, Peter¹, Manandhar, Gaurishankar¹, Miller, David ², Sutovsky, Miriam ¹, ¹ University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO² University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL



4:15 PM 38. RECIPROCAL AMOUNTS OF PLC AND TYPE-1 INOSITOL 1,4,5 TRISPHOSPHATE RECEPTOR CONFER SPECIES-SPECIFIC CALCIUM RESPONSES IN MAMMALIAN EGG ACTIVATION. Malcuit, Christopher ¹, Kurokawa, Manabu ¹, Sato, Ken-ichi ², Lee, Bora¹, He, Changli¹, Parys, Jan³, Fissore, Rafael¹, ¹ University of Masschusetts, Amherst, MA² Kobe University, Kobe, Japan³ Katholieke University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium



4:30 PM 39. SUPPRESSION OF SPERM-INDUCED Ca²⁺ SIGNALING IN FERTILIZED MOUSE EGGS AFFECTS MEMBRANE AND CORTICAL DYNAMICS AND THE MEMBRANE BLOCK TO POLYSPERMY. Gardner, Allison¹, Larson, Stephanie¹, Wortzman, Genevieve¹, Evans, Janice¹, ¹ Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD



4:45 PM 40. CAPACITATION DEPENDENT CHANGES IN THE LOCALIZATION AND COMPOSITION OF ZONADHESIN IN MOUSE SPERMATOZOA. Tardif, Steve¹, Hardy, Daniel¹, ¹ Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX



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Platform Session 6. Reproductive Technologies: Recent Advances in Nuclear Transfer, ICSI, Germ Cell Cryopreservation, and Embryonic Development
Sunday, July 24, 2005
3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: CCQ 208AB

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3:00 PM 41. ICSI DOES NOT ENHANCE THE AZH MUTATION PHENOTYPE IN THE OFFSPRING AND BRINGS NO RISKS WHEN IT IS APPLIED CONTINUOUSLY TO PRODUCE THREE SUCCESSIVE GENERATIONS OF AZH MICE. Ward, Monika¹, ¹ University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI



3:15 PM 42. NORMALITY OF NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYONIC STEM CELL LINES DERIVED FROM ADULT SOMATIC CELLS. Wakayama, Sayaka^{1, 2}, Senda, Sho³, Hikichi, Takafusa¹, Kishigami, Satoshi¹, Mizutani, Eiji^{1, 4}, Thuan, Nguyen¹, Ohta, Hiroshi¹, Miyake, Masashi², Shiota, Kunio³, Wakayama, Teruhiko¹, ¹ Riken, Kobe, Japan² Kobe University, Kobe, Japan³ The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan⁴ Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan



3:30 PM 43. EFFECTS OF HORMONE TREATMENTS ON THE DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE OF PORCINE PRIMORDIAL OOCYTES FOLLOWING XENOGRAFTING TO NUDE MICE. Kaneko, Hiroyuki¹, Kikuchi, Kazuhiro¹, Noguchi, Junko¹, Ozawa, Manabu ¹, Ohnuma , Katsuhiro ¹, Maedomari, Naoki², ¹ National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan² Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan



3:45 PM 44. POOR CENTROSOME FUNCTIONALITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPROMISED EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT IN VITRO AFTER ICSI WITH TESTICULAR SPERM IN THE CAT. Comizzoli, Pierre¹, Selvaraj, Vimal², Wildt, David¹, Pukazhenthi, Budhan ¹, ¹ Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, Washington, DC² Cornell University, Ithaca, NY



4:00 PM 45. GENERATION OF OFFSPRING FROM CRYOPRESERVED PRIMORDIAL GERM CELLS IN RAINBOW TROUT. Kobayashi, Terumasa¹, Yoshizaki, Goro^{1, 2}, Takeuchi, Toshio¹, ¹ Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan² PREST Japan Science and Technology Corporation, Kawaguchi-shi, Saitama, Japan



4:15 PM 46. EFFECTS OF BMP4 AND HYPOXIA ON THE DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS TO TROPHOBLAST. Das, Padmalaya¹, Ezashi, Toshihiko¹, Livingston, Kimberly¹, Roberts, R. Michael¹, ¹ University of Missouri, Columbia, MO



4:30 PM 47. PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININ IMPROVES THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF PORCINE PARTHENOTES PRODUCED IN VITRO. Gupta, Mukesh Kumar¹, Uhm, Sang Jun¹, Han, Dong Wook¹, Hong, Seung Bum¹, Lee, Hoon Taek¹, ¹ Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea



4:45 PM 48. IMPROVED RECIPIENT SYNCHRONIZATION PROTOCOL FOR EMBRYO TRANSFER IN THE DOMESTIC CAT (Felis silvestris catus) USING EQUINE CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (eCG) AND PORCINE LUTEINIZING HORMONE (pLH). Magarey, Genevieve¹, Bond, Jennifer¹, Herrick, Jason¹, Stoops, Monica¹, Swanson, William¹, ¹ Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati, OH



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Platform Session 7. Gene Expression in Follicles, Oocytes, and Embryos
Sunday, July 24, 2005
3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: CCQ 2000A

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3:00 PM 49. LOCALIZATION, REGULATION, FUNCTION OF RUNX1 IN RAT PERIOVULATORY OVARIES. Jo, Misung¹, Curry, Thomas ¹, ¹ University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY



3:15 PM 50. PRODUCTION OF PROSTAGLANDINS BY PREOVULATORY FOLLICLES OF CATTLE: EFFECTS OF PROGESTERONE AND OXYTOCIN. Bridges, Phillip¹, Fortune, Joanne¹, ¹ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY



3:30 PM 51. GROWTH FACTOR REGULATION OF PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATORS AND PROTEASE NEXIN-1 IN BOVINE GRANULOSA CELLS. Cao, Mingju¹, Nicola, Edmir¹, Lussier, Jacques¹, Price, Christopher¹, ¹ University of Montreal, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada



3:45 PM 52. THE ROLE OF LH IN CHANGING GENE EXPRESSION DURING SELECTION OF A DOMINANT FOLLICLE IN CATTLE. Luo, Wenxiang¹, Gumen, Ahmet¹, Wiltbank, Milo ¹, ¹ University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI



4:00 PM 53. INCREASED mRNA EXPRESSION FOR FSH RECEPTOR IN SMALL ANTRAL FOLLICLES IN THE OVARIAN CORTEX OF TWIN-PRODUCING CATTLE. Echternkamp, Sherrill¹, Cushman, Robert¹, Christenson, Ronald ¹, ¹ USDA, ARS, RLH US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE



4:15 PM 54. REGULATION OF OVINE INTERFERON-TAU GENE BY A BLASTOCYST SPECIFIC TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR, CDX-2. Ishida, Shohei¹, Matsuda-Minehata, Fuko^{1, 2}, Qin, Junwen¹, Iizuka, Masateru¹, Manabe, Noboru², Echternkamp, Sherrill³, Christenson, Ronald³, Imakawa, Kazuhiko¹, ¹ The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan² The University of Tokyo, Ibaraki, Japan³ U.S.Meat Animal Research Center, USDA, Clay Center, NE



4:30 PM 55. NOBOX DEFICIENCY AND GENE EXPRESSION IN NEWBORN OVARIES. Choi, Youngsok ¹, Rajkovic, Aleksandar¹, ¹ Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX



4:45 PM 56. CUMULUS-OOCYTE COMPLEXES (COCS) EXPRESS THE EGF-LIKE FACTOR AMPHIREGULIN THAT IMPACTS NOT ONLY INDUCTION OF COX-2 IN THESE CELLS BUT ALSO OTHER GENES ASSOCIATED WITH COC FUNCTION. Shimada, Masayuki¹, Hernandez-Gonzalez, Immaculada¹, Gonzalez-Robayna, Ignacio¹, Richards, JoAnne ¹, ¹ Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

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Platform Presentations, Sessions 8-14
Monday, July 25, 2005

2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions

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Platform Session 8. Effects of the Environment and Nutrition on Development and Female Reproduction
Monday, July 25, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 202

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2:00 PM 57. EMBRYONIC EXPOSURE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS IMPAIRS ADULT REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR AND HYPOTHALAMIC NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEMS. Ottinger, Mary Ann ¹, Quinn, Jr, Michael¹, Lavoie, Emma¹, McKernan, Moira¹, Thompson, Nichola¹, Barton, Ashley¹, Abdelnabi, Mahmoud¹, ¹ University of Maryland, College Park, MD



2:15 PM 58. FETAL PROGRAMMING: ALTERED INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR SIGNALING UNDERLIES INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RETARDATION AND POST-NATAL CATCH-UP GROWTH IN FEMALE SHEEP EXPOSED IN UTERO TO TESTOSTERONE EXCESS. Crespi, Erica ¹, Seckler, Teresa¹, Manikkam, Mohan¹, Padmanabhan, Vasantha¹, ¹ University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI



2:30 PM 59. PRESENCE OF RELAXIN IN THE MILK OF LACTATING SOWS AND ITS TRANSMISSION TO NEONATAL PIGS VIA SUCKLING. Yan, Wenbo¹, Lasano, Sally², Steinetz, Bernard ², Bartol, Frank³, Bagnell, Carol¹, ¹ Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ² New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, NY³ Auburn University, Auburn, AL



2:45 PM 60. DECLINE IN 15-HYDROXY PROSTAGLANDIN DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY IN HUMAN PLACENTAL AND CHORIONIC CELLS EXPOSED TO POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS. Thiex, Natalie ¹, Loch Caruso, Rita¹, ¹ University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI



3:00 PM 61. THE TRANSLATIONALLY CONTROLLED TUMOR PROTEIN (TCTP) AS A NOVEL CALCIUM BINDING PROTEIN OF THE HUMAN PLACENTA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MATERNAL-FETAL TRANSFER OF CALCIUM. Arcuri, Felice¹, Meini, Antonella¹, Carducci, Antonietta¹, Romagnoli, Roberta¹, Riparbelli, Maria Giovanna¹, Casciaro, Alessandra¹, Vannoni, Alessandro¹, Palmi, Mitri¹, Tosi, Piero¹, Cintorino, Marcella¹, ¹ University of Siena, Siena, Italy



3:15 PM 62. DIOXIN-INDUCED CHANGES IN ENDOMETRIAL AROMATASE EXPRESSION AND ACTIVITY. Stys, Katie¹, Zhang, Bingjun¹, Holloway, Alison¹, Foster, Warren¹, ¹ McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada



3:30 PM 63. ESTRADIOL REPLACEMENT RESTORES FOLLICULAR GROWTH IN ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR (AhR) DEFICIENT MICE. Barnett, Kimberly ¹, Flaws, Jodi ¹, ¹ University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD



3:45 PM 64. URUANIUM MIMICS THE EFFECTS OF 17 BETA–ESTRADIOL MEDIATING RAPID CELL SURFACE MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN MCF-7 HUMAN BREAST CANCER CELLS. Getz, Julie¹, Sellers, Marilee ¹, Whish, Stefanie, Dyer, Cheryl¹, ¹ Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ



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Platform Session 9. Signaling Pathways in the Ovarian Follicle
Monday, July 25, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 204AB

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2:00 PM 65. LOSS OF SMAD4 IN MOUSE GRANULOSA CELLS CAUSES PREMATURE OVARIAN FAILURE. Pangas, Stephanie¹, Li, Xiaohui¹, Robertson, Elizabeth², Matzuk, Martin¹, ¹ Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX² Harvard University, Cambridge, MA



2:15 PM 66. NEONATAL EXPOSURE TO ESTROGENS OR PHYTOESTROGENS SUPPRESSES ACTIVIN GENE EXPRESSION AND INDUCES MULTI-OOCYTIC FOLLICLES IN MOUSE OVARIES. Kipp, Jingjing Liu¹, Kilen, Signe¹, Lisowski, Andrew¹, Bristol, Sarah¹, Woodruff, Teresa¹, Mayo, Kelly¹, ¹ Northwestern University, Evanston, IL



2:30 PM 67. THE GATA4 PROTEIN CONTAINS MULTIPLE PHOSPHORYLATION SITES THAT ARE TARGETED BY DIFFERENT SIGNALING PATHWAYS (PKA/MAP KINASE) IN GONADAL CELLS. Taniguchi, Hiroaki¹, Viger, Robert^{1, 2}, ¹ CHUL Research Centre, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada² University of Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada



2:45 PM 68. FOXO1 SUPPRESSES THE EXPRESSION OF SKP2: A LIKELY REGULATOR OF GRANULOSA CELL (GC) REPLICATION. Zhu, Qin¹, Cunningham, Melissa¹, Hammond, James¹, ¹ Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA



3:00 PM 69. REGULATION OF RAT GRANULOSA CELL APOPTOSIS BY NODAL/ALK7-SIGNALING PATHWAY. Wang, Hongmei¹, Peng, Chun², Tsang, Benjamin¹, ¹ University of Ottawa, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada² York University, Toronto, ON, Canada



3:15 PM 70. MONKEY GRANULOSA CELL RESPONSIVENESS TO PROSTAGLANDIN E₂ (PGE₂) INCREASES LATE IN THE PERIOVULATORY INTERVAL: A POSSIBLE ROLE FOR THE PGE₂ RECEPTOR EP1 IN PRIMATE OVULATION. Markosyan, Nune¹, Duffy, Diane¹, ¹ Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA



3:30 PM 71. SIGNIFICANCE OF ORCHESTRATED CONTROL OF CYCLIN D2 AND CDK INHIBITORS IN LUTEINIZING GRANULOSA CELLS. Moons, David ¹, Jirawatnotai, Siwanon ¹, Franks, Roberta¹, Hales, Dale¹, Gibori, Geula ¹, Kiyokawa, Hiroaki¹, ¹ University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL



3:45 PM 72. ENFORCED PROLIFERATION OF GRANULOSA CELLS IN VITRO PERTURBS LUTEINIZATION. Cannon, Jennifer¹, Chaffin, Charles¹, ¹ Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA



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Platform Session 10. Germ Cell Differentiation and Development II
Chair(s): Eppig, John¹, ¹ The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
Monday, July 25, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 205ABC

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2:00 PM 73. ISOLATION AND TRANSPLANTATION OF ADULT MAMMALIAN FEMALE GERMLINE STEM CELLS AND PROGENITORS. Johnson, Joshua¹, Bagley, Jessamyn¹, Skaznik-Wikiel, Malgorzata¹, Lee, Ho-Joon¹, Adams, Gregor¹, Canning Tilly, Jacqueline¹, Cortes, Maria¹, Forkert, Randolf¹, Spitzer, Thomas¹, Iacomini, John¹, Scadden, David¹, Tilly, Jonathan¹, ¹ Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA



2:15 PM 74. GERMLINE POTENTIAL OF STEM CELLS DERIVED FROM PORCINE SKIN. Li, Julang¹, Dyce, Paul¹, Wen, Lihua¹, ¹ Universuty of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada



2:30 PM 75. PAIRING FAILURE AND OOCYTE LOSS IN XY AND XO MOUSE OVARIES. Alton, Michelle¹, Taketo, Teruko¹, ¹ McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada



2:45 PM 76. KL-2 IS THE PRINCIPAL KL ISOFORM REGULATING MURINE OOCYTE GROWTH AND MAINTENANCE OF MEIOTIC ARREST IN VITRO. Thomas, Fiona¹, Vanderhyden, Barbara¹, ¹ University of Ottawa, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada



3:00 PM 77. CDC42 ACTIVATION AS THE TRIGGER FOR ANAPHASE I INITIATION IN OOCYTE MATURATION. Liu, X. Johne^{1, 2}, Ma, Chunqi¹, Wang, Ling^{1, 2}, Xi, Yanwei^{1, 2}, Zheng, Pei-Pei^{1, 2}, Montplaisir, Veronique¹, Benink, Helene³, Bement, William³, ¹ Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada² University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada³ University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI



3:15 PM 78. THE OOCYTE FIRST ACQUIRES THE ABILITY TO CONTROL ITS SIZE AT OVULATION BY INITIATING VOLUME-REGULATORY GLYCINE TRANSPORT. Tartia, Alina¹, Baltz, Jay¹, ¹ Ottawa Health Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada



3:30 PM 79. OOCYTE-SECRETED FACTORS PREVENT BOVINE CUMULUS APOPTOSIS: PARACRINE REGULATION BY BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEINS. Hussein, Tamer¹, Froiland, David¹, Thompson, Jeremy¹, Gilchrist, Robert¹, ¹ University of Adelaide, Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia



3:45 PM 80. INVOLVEMENT OF Smad PATHWAYS ON SEXUALLY DIMORPHIC DIFFERENTIATION OF PRIMORDIAL GERM CELLS. Tomaszewski, Jessica¹, Aardema, Jorie ¹, Yao, Humphrey¹, ¹ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL



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Platform Session 11. Genomics and Proteomics from Gametogenesis to Pregnancy
Monday, July 25, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 206A

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2:00 PM 81. IDENTIFICATION OF A PUTATIVE OVINE MEMBRANE PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR. Ashley, Ryan¹, Niswender, Gordon¹, Clay, Colin ¹, Nett, Terry¹, ¹ Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO



2:15 PM 82. IDENTIFICATION OF GENES EXPRESSED IN HUMAN GRANULOSA CELLS FROM COMPETENT OOCYTES. Hamel, Melanie¹, Dufort, Isabelle¹, Robert, Claude¹, Léveillé , Marie-Claude², Leader, Art², Sirard, Marc-Andre¹, ¹ Universite Laval, CRBR, Quebec, QC, Canada² Fertility Center, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada



2:30 PM 83. A COMPARISON OF THE PLACENTAL GENE EXPRESSION PROFILE IN CHROMATIN TRANSFER AND IN VITRO FERTILIZATION-DERIVED BOVINE FETUSES DURING EARLY GESTATION. Mesquita, Fernando¹, Robl, James², Kasinathan, Poothappillai², Rodriguez-Zas, Sandra¹, Nowak, Romana¹, ¹ University of Illinois, Urbana, IL² Hematech, LLC, Sioux Falls, SD



2:45 PM 84. OVARIAN POST-TRANSCRIPTIONAL GENE REGULATION FOLLOWING THE LH SURGE. Carletti, Martha¹, Chennathukuzhi, Vargheese ², Christenson, Lane¹, ¹ University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS² Wyeth Research, Philadelphia, PA



3:00 PM 85. PROTEOMIC PROFILING OF SDS-RESISTANT STRUCTURES FROM THE SPERM FLAGELLUM. Cao, Wenlei¹, Gerton, George¹, Moss, Stuart¹, ¹ Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health, Philadelphia, PA



3:15 PM 86. IDENTIFICATION OF PROTEINS FROM THE ACCESSORY SEX GLAND FLUID THAT INFLUENCE THE OOCYTE PENETRATING CAPACITY OF BOVINE CAUDA EPIDIDYMAL SPERM IN VITRO. Moura, Arlindo¹, Chapman, David¹, Killian, Gary¹, ¹ Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA



3:30 PM 87. A NOVEL MALE GERM-SPECIFIC GENE IS REGULATED BY DNA METHYLATION. Suzuki, Masako¹, Sato, Shun¹, Tanaka, Satoshi¹, Shiota, Kunio¹, ¹ The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan



3:45 PM 88. NEW INSIGHTS FROM MICROARRAY ANALYSIS INTO STAGE-SPECIFIC GENE EXPRESSION IN THE RAT SEMINIFEROUS EPITHELIUM. Wright, William ¹, Charron, Martin¹, Jelinsky, Scott², DiCandeloro, Paul², Wilson, Ewa², Kopf, Gregory², Johnston, Daniel², ¹ Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD² Wyeth Research, Cambridge, MA



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Platform Session 12. Gene Expression and Genome Activation in Oocytes and Embryos
Chair(s): Liu, Johne¹, ¹ University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Monday, July 25, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 206B

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2:00 PM 89. MATURATION AND FERTILIZATION OF PIG ENUCLEOLATED OOCYTES. Ogushi, Sugako^{1, 2}, Palmieri, Chiara³, Miyano, Takashi², Fulka Jr., Josef¹, ¹ Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague, Czech Republic² Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan³ University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy



2:15 PM 90. REGULATION OF NANOG GENE EXPRESSION BY DNA METHYLATION AND HISTONE MODIFICATION. Hattori, Naoko¹, Imao, Yuko¹, Nishino, Koichiro², Hattori, Naka¹, Tanaka, Satoshi¹, Shiota, Kunio¹, ¹ The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan² Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada



2:30 PM 91. EPIGENETIC ALTERATIONS OF IMPRINTED GENES IN BOVINE EMBRYOS PRODUCED BY IN VIVO, IN VITRO, AND SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER. Suzuki, Joao¹, Lefebvre, Réjean¹, Smith, Lawrence C¹, ¹ Université de Montreal, Saint - Hyacinthe, QC, Canada



2:45 PM 92. ECTOPIC EXPRESSION OF SLFN1 CAUSES PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYO LETHALITY. Hao, Lanping¹, Wu, Guangming¹, de la Casa-Esperon, Elena¹, Han, Zhiming¹, Latham, Keith¹, Sapienza, Carmen¹, ¹ Temple University, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA



3:00 PM 93. CONSERVED AND DIVERGED FUNCTIONS OF A HUMAN PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME IMPRINTING CENTER (PWS-IC) IN MOUSE. Johnstone, Karen¹, DuBose, Amanda¹, Futtner, Christopher¹, Resnick, James¹, Brannan, Camilynn¹, ¹ University of Florida, Gainesville, FL



3:15 PM 94. EPIGENETIC REGULATION OF DNMT3B GENE IN RETINOIC ACID-INDUCED DIFFERENTIATION OF ES CELLS. Tanaka, Satoshi¹, Yoshida, Keiko¹, Hattori, Naoko¹, Ko, Yeoung-Gyu¹, Nishino, Koichiro¹, Shiota, Kunio¹, ¹ The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan



3:30 PM 95. MATERNAL PRONUCLEAR INFLUENCE IN MOUSE EMBRYONIC GENE EXPRESSION. Vassena, Rita¹, Miyara, Faical¹, Latham, Keith¹, ¹ Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia



3:45 PM 96. IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ZYGOTIC GENOME ACTIVATION GENE 1 (Zga1) IN MOUSE. Falco, Geppino¹, Hamatani, Toshio¹, Lee, Sung-Lim ¹, Ko, Minoru S¹, ¹ NIA, NIH, Baltimore, MD



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Platform Session 13. Sexually Dimorphic Development of Reproductive Organs in Embryos
Monday, July 25, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 208AB

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2:00 PM 97. GATA4 ENHANCES SRY GENE TRANSCRIPTION THROUGH A DIRECT INTERACTION WITH WILMS TUMOR 1 (WT1). Miyamoto, Yoko¹, Silversides, David³, Viger, Robert^{1, 2}, ¹ CHUL Research Centre, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada³ Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada² Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada



2:15 PM 98. PHOSPHOTIDYLINOSITOL 3-KINASE (PI3 Kinase) IS A POTENTIAL SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PATHWAY FOR VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR (VEGF) REGULATION OF EMBRYONIC TESTIS MORPHOGENESIS. Bott, Rebecca¹, McFee, Ryann ¹, Baltes, Michelle¹, Clopton, Debra¹, Cupp, Andrea¹, ¹ University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE



2:30 PM 99. SEQUENCES 5' TO THE MOUSE IRX3 GENE CONFER A FEMALE SPECIFIC PATTERN OF EXPRESSION IN DEVELOPING GONADS. Holthusen, Kirsten¹, Gao, Liying¹, Jorgensen, Joan¹, ¹ University of Illinois, Urbana, IL



2:45 PM 100. THE ROLE OF BETA-CATENIN ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MULLERIAN DUCT IN MOUSE EMBRYOS. Deutscher, Erica¹, Aardema, Jorie ¹, Yao, Humphrey¹, ¹ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL



3:00 PM 101. TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL EXPRESSION PATTERNS OF ANDROGEN AND HEDGEHOG SIGNALLING COMPONENTS IN MOUSE WOLFFIAN DUCT DIFFERNTIATION. Joseph, Avenel¹, Aardema , Jorie¹, Hess, Rex¹, Yao, Humphrey¹, ¹ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL



3:15 PM 102. EXPRESSION OF THE LADYBIRD-LIKE HOMEOBOX 2 (LBX2) FACTOR DURING MOUSE TESTICULAR AND EPIDIDYMAL DEVELOPMENT. Moisan, Vanessa¹, Bomgardner, Daniela³, Tremblay, Jacques ^{1, 2}, ¹ CHUL Research Centre, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada³ University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA² Université Laval, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada



3:30 PM 103. INVOLVEMENT OF DECREASED LGR8 EXPRESSION IN INGUINOSCROTAL MALDESCENT OF THE TESTES IN LH RECEPTOR KNOCKOUT ANIMALS. Yuan, Fangping¹, Rao, Ch¹, Lei, Zhenmin¹, ¹ University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292



3:45 PM 104. DEVELOPMENT OF ANDROGEN BIOSYNTHETIC CAPACITY IN AN ENRICHED FRACTION OF STEM LEYDIG CELLS. Ge, Renshan ¹, Dong, Qiang¹, Sottas, Chantal¹, Hardy, Matthew^{1, 2}, ¹ The Population Council, New York, NY² Rockefeller University, New York, NY



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Platform Session 14. Gene Expression in the Pituitary Gland
Monday, July 25, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 2000A

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2:00 PM 105. IN VIVO DELIVERY OF ADENOVIRUS EXPRESSING FOLLISTATIN REVEALS A KEY ROLE FOR THE GnRH RECEPTOR ACTIVATING SEQUENCE (GRAS) IN MEDIATING ACTIVIN RESPONSIVENESS OF THE GnRH RECEPTOR GENE PROMOTER IN TRANSGENIC MICE. Cherrington, Brian¹, Cantlon, Jeremy ¹, Farmerie, Todd¹, Clay, Colin¹, ¹ Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO



2:15 PM 106. THE SPATIAL ORIENTATION BETWEEN THE GnRH RECEPTOR ACTIVATING SEQUENCE AND THE DOWNSTREAM ACTIVIN REGULATORY ELEMENT IS CRITICAL FOR GnRH RECEPTOR PROMOTER ACTIVITY. Clay, Colin¹, Cherrington, Brian¹, Farmerie, Todd¹, ¹ Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO



2:30 PM 107. RESPONSIVENESS OF GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE RECEPTOR (GnRHR) AND GONADOTROPIN SUBUNIT GENE EXPRESSION FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH A GnRH ANTAGONIST IN LINES OF SWINE DIVERGENT FOR OVULATION RATE. Bass, Benjamin¹, Cederberg, Rebecca¹, Mills, Ginger¹, White, Brett¹, ¹ University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE



2:45 PM 108. DIVERGENT ACTIVITY OF GnRH RECEPTOR (GnRHR) GENE PROMOTERS AMONG LINES OF SWINE IS PARTIALLY CONFERRED BY AN NF-B ELEMENT. McDonald, Emily¹, Cederberg, Rebecca¹, Friedrich, Rachel¹, White, Brett¹, ¹ University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE



3:00 PM 109. THE FORKHEAD FACTOR, FOXL2, REGULATES EXPRESSION OF THE GLYCOPROTEIN HORMONE ALPHA SUBUNIT (GSU). Ellsworth, Buffy¹, Egashira, Noboru^{1, 2}, Osamura, Robert², Camper, Sally¹, ¹ The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI² Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan



3:15 PM 110. FETAL PROGRAMMING: HYPERGONADOTROPISM IN PRENATALLY TESTOSTERONE-TREATED SHEEP IS NOT DUE TO UPREGULATION OF GONADOTROPIN RELEASING HORMONE RECEPTOR AND GONADOTROPIN SUBUNIT mRNA. Manikkam, Mohan¹, Thompson, Robert¹, Padmanabhan, Vasantha¹, ¹ University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI



3:30 PM 111. PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR PROTEIN EXPRESSION IS UP-REGULATED IN THE PITUITARY GLAND OF MUTANT RESTRICTED OVULATOR HENS. Ocon, Olga¹, Maddineni, Sreenivasa¹, Hendricks, Gilbert¹, Elkin, Robert¹, Ramachandran, Ramesh¹, ¹ The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA



3:45 PM 112. IDENTIFICATION AND EXPRESSION PATTERNS OF A NOVEL GONADOTROPIN RELEASING HORMONE RECEPTOR AND ITS SPLICE VARIANTS IN THE CHICKEN. Shimizu, Mamiko¹, Bedecarrats, Gregoy¹, ¹ University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

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Platform Presentations, Sessions 15-21
Tuesday, July 26, 2005

2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions

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Platform Session 15. Diseases of the Reproductive System
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 202

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2:00 PM 113. AQUAPORINE 9 (AQP9) REGULATION BY cAMP: POTENTIAL INVOLVEMENT OF NHERF1 AND CFTR . Pietrement, Christine¹, James, Marianne¹, Ramesh, Vijaya¹, Marsolais, Mireille², Laprade, Raynald², Van Hoeck, Alfred¹, Brown, Dennis¹, Breton, Sylvie¹, ¹ Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA² Universite de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada



2:15 PM 114. MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-9 EXPRESSION, LOCALIZATION, AND ACTIVITY DURING PROSTATE CANCER PROGRESSION. Ricke, William¹, Ricke, Emily¹, Cunha, Gerald¹, ¹ University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA



2:30 PM 115. A NOVEL BMP MIMETIC INHIBITS PROSTATE CANCER CELL (LNCaP) PROLIFERATION IN VITRO. Sluss, Patrick¹, Keck, Peter ², Carlson , William², Dattatreyamurty, Bosukonda², ¹ Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA² Thrasos, Inc., Hopkinton, MA



2:45 PM 116. THE EFFECT OF OXYTOCIN ON THE PROLIFERATION OF HUMAN PROSTATE EPITHELIAL AND STROMAL CELLS. Nicholson, Helen ¹, Assinder, Steve¹, Connors, Belinda ², Hogarth, Karole¹, King, Keith¹, Whittington, Kate², ¹ University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand² Dept of Clinical Sciences at South Bristol, Bristol, UK



3:00 PM 117. REDUCED INOSITOL PHOSPHATASE EXPRESSION DURING MEIOTIC MATURATION COINCIDES WITH THE MEIOTIC ORIGIN OF OVARIAN TERATOMAS IN A MOUSE TRANSGENE MODEL. Chaillet, Richard¹, Reinhart, Bonnie¹, Ratnam, Sarayu^{1, 2}, Ding, Feng^{1, 3}, Eicher, Eva⁴, ¹ University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA² University of Chicago, Chicago, IL³ Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA⁴ The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME



3:15 PM 118. CYTOKINES REGULATE MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES IN HUMAN UTERINE ENDOMETRIAL STROMAL CELLS. Braundmeier, Andrea¹, Nowak, Romana¹, ¹ University of Illinois, Urbana, IL



3:30 PM 119. TIME DEPENDENT CHANGES IN GENE EXPRESSION IN LEIOMYOMA SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS AFTER TREATMENT WITH THE ANTIFIBROTIC DRUG HALOFUGINONE. Grudzien, Meagan¹, Mesquita, Fernando¹, Nowak, Romana¹, ¹ University of Illinois, Urbana, IL



3:45 PM 120. INFECTION OF MOUSE TROPHOBLAST CELLS WITH WEST NILE VIRUS. Julander, Justin¹, Gavin, Heather¹, Morrey, John¹, Winger, Quinton¹, ¹ Utah State University, Logan, UT



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Platform Session 16. Dying - The Price of Maturation and Aging
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 204AB

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2:00 PM 121. TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA (TNF) REGULATES PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLE RECRUITMENT IN THE MOUSE OVARY THROUGH ITS TYPE II RECEPTOR (TNFR2). Greenfeld, Chuck¹, Roby, Kathy², Babus, Janice¹, Terranova, Paul², Flaws, Jodi¹, ¹ University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, MD² University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS



2:15 PM 122. LOSS OF CABLES, A CELL CYCLE-REGULATORY PROTEIN, EXPANDS FOLLICLE NUMBERS IN THE ADULT MOUSE OVARY. Sakamoto, Hideo^{1, 2}, Luo, Hongwei¹, Kirley, Sandra¹, Lynch, Maureen^{1, 2}, Tilly, Jacqueline^{1, 2}, Zukerberg , Lawrence^{1, 2}, Tilly, Jonathan ^{1, 2}, Rueda, Bo^{1, 2}, ¹ Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA² Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA



2:30 PM 123. VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR (VEGF) PROMOTES THE PRIMARY TO SECONDARY FOLLICLE TRANSITION IN BOVINE FOLLICLES IN VITRO AND EXPRESSION OF VEGF mRNA IS CORRELATED WITH FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT IN FETAL BOVINE OVARIES. Yang, Ming¹, Fortune, Joanne¹, ¹ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY



2:45 PM 124. OVARIAN TRANSPLANTATION IN FOLLITROPIN RECEPTOR KNOCKOUT (FORKO) MICE: POTENTIAL REVERSAL OF ENDOCRINE ABNORMALITIES. Tiwari-Pandey, Rashmi ¹, Yang, Yinzhi ¹, Aravindakshan, Jayaprakash ¹, Sairam, M. Ram ¹, ¹ Molecular Reproduction Research Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute of Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada



3:00 PM 125. SEX STEROID HORMONES AND A SELECTED GENETIC POLYMORPHISM IN A STEROIDOGENIC ENZYME ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HOT FLASHES IN PERI-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN. Schilling, Chrissy¹, Gallicchio, Lisa², Miller, Sue², Babus, Jan¹, Lewis, Lynn¹, Zacur, Howard², Flaws, Jodi¹, ¹ University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD² Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD



3:15 PM 126. BENEFITS OF CALORIE RESTRICTION (CR) ON OVARIAN RESPONSE TO EXOGENOUS GONADOTROPINS AND PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT IN OLD RHESUS MONKEYS. Wu, Julie¹, Takahashi, Diana², Lawson, Maralee², Pau, Francis², Mattison, Julie³, Ingram, Donald³, Roth, George³, Lane, Mark⁴, Ottinger, Mary¹, Zelinski-Wooten, Mary², ¹ University of Maryland, College Park, MD² Oregon Health Sciences University, Beaverton, MD³ National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD⁴ Merck & Co., Rahway, NJ



3:30 PM 127. LOSS OF OOCYTES IN THE PERINATAL PERIOD LEADS TO OVARIAN HYPERPLASIA IN DAZL KNOCKOUT AGED MICE. McNeilly, Judy¹, Laird, Mhairi¹, Nicol, Linda¹, Cooke, Howard², McNeilly, Alan ¹, ¹ MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Edinburgh, Scotland² MRC Huamn Genetics Unit, Edinburgh, Scotland



3:45 PM 128. p53 -DEPENDENT APOPTOSIS IN THE INHIBITION OF SPERMATOGONIAL DIFFERENTIATION IN JUVENILE SPERMATOGONIAL DEPLETION (jsd) MICE. Shetty, Gunapala¹, Weng, Connie¹, Ju, Jun¹, Meistrich, Marvin ¹, ¹ University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas



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Platform Session 17. Egg and Embryo Development
Chair(s): Baltz, Jay¹, ¹ University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 205ABC

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2:00 PM 129. OOCYTE OVULATION AND OVIDUCTAL TRANSPORT: THE IMPORTANCE OF EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX AND PROTEOLYTIC ACTIVITY IN THE CUMULUS COMPLEX. Russell, Darryl¹, Pritchard, Melanie², Brown, Hannah¹, ¹ The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia² Monash University, Melbourne, Australia



2:15 PM 130. MAINTENANCE OF POTASSIUM CHANNEL ACTIVITY PREVENTS CELL DIVISION IN THE MOUSE PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYO. Day, Margot¹, Bailey, Charles¹, Rasko, John¹, Johnson, Martin², Cook, David¹, ¹ University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia² University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK



2:30 PM 131. AUTOCRINE FACTORS SUPPORT EARLY EMBRYO SURVIVAL BY MAINTAINING p53 LATENCY VIA ACTIVATION OF THE 1-O-PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL-3-KINASE/AKT SIGNALING PATHWAY. Chandrakanthan, Vashe¹, O'Neill, Chris¹, ¹ University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, Australia



2:45 PM 132. CULTURE IN VITRO INCREASES P53 EXPRESSION IN PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYOS AND THIS INCREASED EXPRESSION COMPROMISES THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE. O'Neill, Chris ¹, Li, Aiqing ¹, Chandrakanthan, Vashe ¹, Chami, Omar¹, ¹ University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia



3:00 PM 133. AMPK ACTIVATION INCREASES GLUCOSE UPTAKE, DECREASES APOPTOSIS AND IMPROVES PREGNANCY OUTCOME IN EMBRYO EXPOSED TO HIGH IGF-1 CONCENTRATIONS. Moley, Kelle¹, Wyman, Amanda¹, Eng, Grace¹, Chi, Maggie¹, ¹ Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO



3:15 PM 134. ROLE OF MIXED LINEAGE LEUKEMIA 2 (MLL2) ON FERTILITY AND EARLY EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT. Andreu-Vieyra, Claudia¹, Agno, Julio¹, Stewart, Francis², Matzuk, Martin¹, ¹ Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX² Biotec, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany



3:30 PM 135. ANTI-APOPTOTIC AND GROWTH-PROMOTING ACTIONS OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-1 IN BOVINE PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYOS ARE MEDIATED THROUGH DISTINCT SIGNALING PATHWAYS. Jousan, Frank¹, Hansen, Peter¹, ¹ University of Florida, Gainesville, FL



3:45 PM 136. MURINE PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYOS MICROINJECTED WITH Na⁺/K⁺ ATPASE 1 SUBUNIT siRNAs ARREST AT THE MORULA STAGE. Madan, Pavneesh^{1, 2}, Watson, Andrew ^{1, 2}, ¹ The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada² The Child Health Research Institute-Victoria Research Laboratories, London, ON, Canada



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Platform Session 18. Neuroendocrinology
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 206A

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2:00 PM 137. RAPID ACTION OF CORTISOL TO SUPPRESS PITUITARY RESPONSIVENESS TO GnRH OCCURS INDEPENDENT OF DECREASED GnRH RECEPTOR. Breen, Kellie¹, Oakley, Amy ¹, Wagenmaker, Elizabeth¹, Rispoli, Louisa ², Nett, Terry², Karsch, Fred ¹, ¹ University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI² Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO



2:15 PM 138. VASOACTIVE INTESTINAL POLYPEPTIDE (VIP) CAN EXCITE GnRH NEURONS IN AN ESTRADIOL-DEPENDENT MANNER. Christian, Catherine¹, Moenter, Suzanne¹, ¹ University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA



2:30 PM 139. STEROID NEGATIVE FEEDBACK IN MALES: EFFECT OF STEROID MILIEU ON GnRH NEURON FIRING PATTERN. Pielecka, Justyna¹, Moenter, Suzanne¹, ¹ University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA



2:45 PM 140. DISTRIBUTION OF KAPPA OPIOID RECEPTOR mRNA IN THE PREOPTIC AREA AND HYPOTHALAMUS OF THE EWE. Amstalden, Marcel¹, Foradori, Chad¹, Coolen, Lique¹, Goodman, Robert², Lehman, Michael¹, ¹ University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH² West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV



3:00 PM 141. BRAIN AROMATASE IN MALE AND FEMALE PIGS: HYPOTHALAMIC LEVELS AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE TISSUE-SPECIFIC FORM. Conley, Alan¹, Corbin, Jo¹, Ford, Joe², ¹ University of California, Davis, CA² Roman L Hruska USDA-ARS Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE



3:15 PM 142. EFFECTS OF UNILATERAL MICROINJECTION OF TAMOXIFEN IN POA-AHA ON OVULATION AND SERUM LEVELS OF STEROID HORMONES. Olvera , Esteban¹, García , Jaime¹, Chavira , Roberto², Flores , Angélica¹, Cruz, María ¹, ¹ FES Zaragoza UNAM, Biology of Reproduction Research Unit, Mexico City, DF, Mexico² Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City, DF, Mexico



3:30 PM 143. FETAL PROGRAMMING: PRENATAL TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT, BY ITS ANDROGENIC ACTION, PROGRAMS ADULT HYPERGONADOTROPISM IN PART BY INCREASING PITUITARY SENSITIVITY TO GnRH. Flak, Jonathan ¹, Herkimer, Carol¹, Han, David ¹, Padmanabhan, Vasantha¹, ¹ University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI



3:45 PM 144. BETA-ENDORPHIN INHIBITS ACTION-POTENTIAL FIRING FROM NEURONS EXPRESSING A GONADOTROPIN RELEASING HORMONE (GnRH)-GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN (GFP) TRANSGENE IN THE TERMINAL NERVE OF TRANSGENIC FISH (MEDAKA, Oryzias latipes). Wayne, Nancy ¹, Kuwahara, Kenrick¹, Aida, Katsumi², Nagahama, Yoshitaka³, Okubo, Kataaki³, ¹ UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA² The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan³ National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan



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Platform Session 19. Cell Signaling at the Maternal-Embryonic Interface
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 206B

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2:00 PM 145. FOXO1 PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE REGULATION OF GENES DURING DECIDUALIZATION. Buzzio, Oscar¹, Lu, Zhenxiao¹, Unterman, Terry², Kim, J¹, ¹ Northwestern University, Chicago, IL² University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL



2:15 PM 146. INTERLEUKIN 11, PROGESTERONE AND cAMP DIFFERENTIALLY REGULATE STAT3 AND SOCS3 DURING DECIDUALIZATION OF HUMAN ENDOMETRIAL STROMAL CELLS. Dimitriadis, Evdokia¹, Stoikos, Chelsea¹, Salamonsen, Lois¹, ¹ Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia



2:30 PM 147. ACTIVATION OF NUCLEAR FACTOR KAPPA B DURING THE OPENING OF THE IMPLANTATION WINDOW IN THE PIG. Ross, Jason¹, Ashworth, Morgan¹, Stein, Daniel¹, Geisert, Rodney¹, ¹ Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK



2:45 PM 148. TEMPORAL REGULATION OF ENDOMETRIAL GENES DURING INADEQUATE SECRETORY PHASES IN THE RHESUS MONKEY. Okulicz, William¹, Ace, Christopher¹, Franz, Charlene¹, ¹ UMass Medical School, Worcester, MA



3:00 PM 149. UTERINE DISTENSION AND PROGESTERONE REGULATE HSP27 EXPRESSION IN THE RAT MYOMETRIUM DURING PREGNANCY. White, Bryan¹, MacPhee, Daniel¹, ¹ Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada



3:15 PM 150. IN VIVO INFUSION OF INTERLEUKIN-1 (IL-1 ) AND CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (hCG) INDUCES ENDOMETRIAL CHANGES THAT MIMIC EVENTS IN EARLY PREGNANCY IN THE BABOON. Strakova, Zuzana¹, Mavrogianis, Patricia¹, Meng, Xuemei¹, Hastings, Julie¹, Jackson, Kevin¹, Brudney, Allison¹, Olagunju, Oluwatoyin¹, Fazleabas, Asgerally¹, ¹ University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL



3:30 PM 151. STAT1 IS DIFFERENTIALLY REGULATED BY CONCEPTUS ESTROGEN AND PROTEINS IN THE PORCINE UTERUS. Joyce, Margaret¹, Ross, Jason², Ashworth, Morgan², Geisert, Rodney², Burghardt, Robert¹, Johnson, Greg¹, ¹ Texas A&M University, College Station, TX² Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK



3:45 PM 152. TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR AP-2 IS NECESSARY THROUGHOUT MOUSE EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT. Guttormsen, Jillian¹, Williams, Trevor ², Winger, Quinton¹, ¹ Utah Sate University, Logan, UT² University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO



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Platform Session 20. Immune-Endocrine Interactions in Reproduction
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 208AB

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2:00 PM 153. IDENTIFICATION OF IMMUNODOMINANT AUTOANTIGENS IN RAT AUTOIMMUNE ORCHITIS. Meinhardt, Andreas¹, Iosub, Radu ¹, Schneider, Eva¹, Linder, Monika ¹, Klug, Joerg¹, Fijak, Monika ¹, ¹ Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany



2:15 PM 154. RELAXIN DECREASES TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR- (TNF-) IN CHRONIC AND ACUTE RAT MODELS OF JOINT INFLAMMATION. Santora, Karen^{1, 2}, O'Byrne, Elizabeth^{2, 3}, Visco, Denise¹, Steinetz, Bernard⁴, Bagnell, Carol², ¹ Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ² Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ³ Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, East Hanover, NJ⁴ New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, NY



2:30 PM 155. OSTEOPONTIN IS EXPRESSED BY ENDOMETRIAL MACROPHAGES AND DECIDUAL NATURAL KILLER CELLS DURING MOUSE PREGNANCY. White, Frankie¹, Burghardt, Robert¹, Croy, Anne², Johnson, Gregory¹, ¹ Texas A&M University, College Station, TX² Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada



2:45 PM 156. FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF LYMPHOCYTE-SUPPRESSING ACTIVITY IN GONADAL FLUID. Crane, Megan¹, Foulds, Lynda¹, Muir, Julie¹, Aridi, David¹, Hutchinson, Paul¹, Scott, Bernadette¹, DeKretser, David¹, Hedger, Mark¹, ¹ Monash Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia



3:00 PM 157. THE ELASMOBRANCH EPIGONAL-OVARIAN COMPLEX (EOC): REGULATION OF LEUKOCYTE TURNOVER BY SEX HORMONES. Lutton, Bram ¹, Callard, Ian¹, ¹ Boston University, Boston, MA



3:15 PM 158. CHEMOKINES AT THE MATERNAL-FETAL INTERFACE: POTENTIAL ROLES IN EMBRYO IMPLANTATION. Hannan, Natalie^{1, 2}, Jones, Rebecca¹, Salamonsen, Lois¹, ¹ Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia² Monash Universty, Melbourne, VIC, Australia



3:30 PM 159. MATERNAL AND FETAL GENE EXPRESSION DURING PORCINE PERI-IMPLANTATION CHOICE BETWEEN LIFE OR DEATH. Tayade, Chandrakant¹, Black, Gordon¹, Fang, Yuan¹, Croy, Anne², ¹ University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada² Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada



3:45 PM 160. USE OF FOX SPERMATOZOA TESTIS SPECIFIC PROTEIN SEQUENCES IN A DNA EXPRESSION VECTOR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMMUNOCONTRACEPTIVE VACCINE. Boue, Franck¹, Farre, Guillaume¹, Rolland-Turner, Magali¹, ¹ AFSSA - LERRPAS, Malzeville, France



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Platform Session 21. Gonadal Gene Expression
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: CCQ 2000A

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2:00 PM 161. NOVEL TRANSCRIPTIONAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE ORPHAN NUCLEAR RECEPTOR Nur77 AND AP-1 FAMILY MEMBERS ON THE StAR PROMOTER. Martin, Luc¹, Tremblay, Jacques^{1, 2}, ¹ CHUL Research Centre, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada² Université Laval, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada



2:15 PM 162. ROLE OF WT1 IN SPERMATOGENESIS REVEALED BY RNAi- AND DOMINANT NEGATIVE-MEDIATED KNOCKDOWN IN TRANSGENIC MICE. Rao, Manjeet¹, Pham, John¹, Murali, Deepa¹, Maclean, James¹, Furuta, Yashudi¹, Wilkinson, Miles¹, ¹ University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX



2:30 PM 163. AR AND GATA FACTORS COLLABORATE TO DRIVE SERTOLI CELL SPECIFIC EXPRESSION OF THE PEM (RHOX-5) PROXIMAL PROMOTER IN THE TESTIS. Wilkinson, Miles ¹, Bhardwaj, Anjana¹, Rao, Manjeet¹, ¹ UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX



2:45 PM 164. IN VITRO ANALYSES OF THE PUTATIVE PROMOTER REGIONS OF ESX1 GENE IN TESTIS AND PLACENTA. Yeh, Yue-Chiao¹, Yang, Vie-Cheng¹, Lo, Neng-Wen ¹, ¹ Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC



3:00 PM 165. GENE EXPRESSION PROFILES OF GONADS DURING SEX DETERMINATION. Schoonmaker, Maia¹, Gao, Liying¹, Jorgensen, Joan¹, ¹ University of Illinois, Urbana, IL



3:15 PM 166. MOLECULAR EVIDENCE THAT GROWTH OF DOMINANT FOLLICLES INVOLVES A SWITCH FROM FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH)- AND ESTRADIOL- TO LUTEINIZING HORMONE (LH)- DEPENDENCE IN CATTLE. Mihm, Monika¹, Baker, Paul¹, Ireland, Janet², Smith, George², Coussens, Paul², Evans, Alexander³, Ireland, Jim², ¹ University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK² Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI³ University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland



3:30 PM 167. HIF-1 IS NECESSARY FOR FOLLICULAR MATURATION. Alam, Hena ¹, Flynn, Maxfield¹, Maizels, Evelyn¹, Park, Youngkyu¹, Johnson, Randall², Hunzicker-Dunn, Mary¹, ¹ Northwestern University, Chicago, IL² University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA



3:45 PM 168. THE OVULATORY LH SURGE PROVIDES ENTRAINMENT TO THE OVARIAN CLOCK. Klementiev, Bethany¹, Tischkau, Shelley¹, ¹ University of Illinois, Urbana, IL

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Comparative Reproduction

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M169. PULSATILITY OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE (LH) RELEASE DURING THE ANOVULATORY AND OVULATORY LH PEAKS IN THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT, Loxodonta africana. Dahl, Nancy¹, Blasko, David², Roser, Janet¹, ¹ University of California, Davis, CA² Six Flags Marine World, Vallejo, CA



T170. EFFECTS OF LIGHT, HYPOTHYROIDISM AND MELATONIN TREATMENT ON LEYDIG STEM CELL DIFFERENTIATION IN THE PREPUBERTAL HAMSTER TESTIS. Hance, Michael¹, Mendis-Handagama, Chamindrani¹, ¹ The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN



W171. THE EXPRESSION AND LOCALIZATION OF THE SCAVENGER RECEPTOR CLASS B TYPE I (SRBI) AND TYPE II (SRBII) IN THE TWO COMPARTMENTS OF THE TESTIS DURING THE POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE SEASONAL ANNUAL REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE IN THE ADULT IN THE MINK. Akpovi, Casimir¹, Vitale, María¹, Pelletier, R.-Marc¹, ¹ Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada



M172. UNUSUAL STEROID-BINDING SPECIFICITY OF HYENA SEX HORMONE-BINDING GLOBULIN. Miguel-Queralt, Solange¹, Yalcinkaya, Tamar², Avvakumov, George³, Place, Ned⁴, Siiteri, Pentti², Glickman, Steve⁴, Hammond, Geoffrey¹, ¹ University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada² University of California, San Francisco, CA³ University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada⁴ University of California, Berkeley, CA



T173. ADMINISTRATION OF A NITRIC OXIDE DONOR INTO THE CORPUS LUTEUM INCREASES LUTEAL BLOOD FLOW, STARTS THE CASCADE OF LUTEOLYSIS, AND SHORTENS THE ESTROUS CYCLE IN THE COW. Shirasuna, Koumei¹, Watanabe, Sho¹, Yamamoto, Dai¹, Morota, Keiko¹, Asahi, Takayuki¹, Miyamoto, Akio¹, ¹ Obihiro University of Agr. & Vet. Med., Obihiro, Japan



W174. SEASONAL CHANGES IN SERUM LEPTIN CONCENTRATIONS AND BODY WEIGHT IN CAPTIVE FEMALE WHITE-TAILED DEER. Becker, Susan¹, Katz, Larry¹, ¹ Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ



M175. CYTOCHROME b5 (b5) EXPRESSION AND 17,20-LYASE ACTIVITY DURING ZONA RETICULARIS (ZR) DEVELOPMENT OF THE RHESUS MACAQUE (Macaca mulatta). Nguyen, Ann¹, Conley, Alan¹, ¹ University of California, Davis, Davis, CA



T176. ROLES OF ANGIOPOIETINS IN THE HUMAN CORPUS LUTEUM THROUGHOUT THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE AND IN EARLY PREGNANCY. Sugino, Norihiro¹, Sakata, Aki¹, Taketani, Toshiaki¹, Asada, Hiromi¹, Tamura, Hiroshi¹, ¹ Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, Japan



W177. ENDOCRINE PROFILES OF ESTROUS CYCLE IN MITHUN (Bos frontalis). Dhali, Arindam¹, Mishra, Durga Prasad², Karunakaran, Muthupalani ³, Mech, Anjumoni ¹, Mondal, Shyamal Kumar¹, Rajkhowa, Chandan ¹, ¹ National Research Centre on Mithun, Medziphema, Nagaland, India² National Institute of Immonology, New Delhi, India³ ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Medziphema, India



M178. THE OBSERVATION Of MARE OVARIES DURING PREGNANCY BY THREE-DIMENSIONAL INTERNAL STRUCTURE MICROSCOPY (3D-ISM). Hirano, Yuko^{1, 2}, Matsui, Motozumi², Ikai, Shiho³, Kimura, Junpei³, Ishinazaka, Tsuyoshi³, Tsumagari, Shigehisa³, Yokota, Hideo⁴, Nakamura, Sakiko⁴, Takemoto, Satoko^{4, 5}, Mishima, Taketoshi^{4, 5}, Nambo, Yasuo⁶, Miyake, Yoh-Ichi^{1, 2}, ¹ Gifu University, Gifu, Japan² Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan³ Nihon University, Fujisawa, Japan⁴ The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako, Japan⁵ Saitama University, Saitama⁶ The Japan Racing Association, Hidaka, Japan



T179. QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS AFTER VASECTOMY IN BONNET MONKEY (Macaca radiata). Prakash, Seppan¹, Kamakshi, Krishnaswamy¹, ¹ University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India



W180. FKBP52, A CHAPERONE IN STEROID RECEPTOR COMPLEXES, IS REQUIRED FOR MALE AND FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE PROCESSES IN MICE. Smith, David¹, Cheung-Flynn, Joyce¹, Cox, Marc¹, Prapapanich, Viravan¹, Riggs, Daniel¹, ¹ Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ



M181. ENDOTHELIN-1 MAY HAVE A KEY ROLE IN STRUCTURAL LUTEOLYSIS IN ADDITION TO FUNCTIONAL LUTEOLYSIS IN THE COW. Watanabe, Sho¹, Shirasuna, Koumei¹, Matsui, Motozumi¹, Yamamoto, Dai¹, Berisha, Bajram², Schams, Dieter², Miyamoto, Akio¹, ¹ Obihiro University of Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan² Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephaner Berg, Germany



T182. URINARY ESTROGEN PATTERNS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ESTROUS CYCLE OF THE ASIAN ELEPHANT. Graham, Laura¹, Gray, Charlie², Buhr, Mary¹, ¹ University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada² African Lion Safari, Cambridge, ON, Canada



W183. ULTRASONIC MONITORING OF FOLLICLES AND CORPORA LUTEA DURING SYNCHRONIZATION IN SUMMER ANOESTROUS NILI RAVI BUFFALOES AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT SUPEROVULATORY RESPONSE. Ahmad, Nasim ¹, Khan,, Muhammad Irfan-ur-Rehman ¹, Ahmad, Mudassir ¹, ¹ University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan



M184. ESTROGEN RECEPTOR ALPHA-2: A NOVEL ISOFORM FROM THE RAINBOW TROUT. Nagler, James¹, Cavileer, Tim¹, Cyr, Daniel ², Rexroad, Caird³, ¹ University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho² Universite du Quebec, Pointe-Claire, QC, Canada³ USDA/ARS National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, Kearneysville, WV



T185. MAINTENANCE OF BREED SPECIFIC OVULATION RATE IN LONG-TERM UNILATERALLY OVARIECTOMIZED EWES. Duggavathi, Raj^{1, 2, 3}, Bartlewski, Pawel^{1, 4}, Barrett, David¹, Rawlings, Norman¹, ¹ University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada² CRRA, St. Hyacinthe, QC, Canada³ IGBMC, Illkirch, Alsace, France⁴ University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada



W186. PARADOXICAL EFFECTS OF MAXIMAL ANDROGEN BLOCKADE ON SEX HORMONE CONCENTRATIONS IN PREGNANT SPOTTED HYENAS, Crocuta crocuta. Place, Ned^{1, 2}, Coscia, Elizabeth², Dahl, Nancy³, Drea, Christine⁴, Holekamp, Kay⁵, Sisk, Cheryl⁵, Weldele, Mary², Glickman, Stephen², ¹ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY² University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA³ University of California, Davis, Davis, CA⁴ Duke University, Durham, NC⁵ Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI



M187. IMPACT OF TESE MEDIUM ON THE PREGNANCY RATE IN DAIRY CATTLE AFTER ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION: AN ANIMAL MODEL. Feng, H.¹, ¹ Reproductive Biology, ART and Solution, New Hyde Park, NY



T188. STEROID REGULATION OF CELL SPECIFIC OSTEOPONTIN EXPRESSION IN THE PREGNANT PORCINE UTERUS. Johnson, Greg¹, White, Frankie¹, Joyce, Margaret¹, Ross, Jason², Geisert, Rodney², Burghardt, Robert¹, ¹ Texas A&M University, College Station, TX² Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK



W189. CHARACTERIZATION OF PLASMA FSH CONCENTRATIONS IN PROLIFIC EWES HETEROZYGOUS FOR THE METHERELL ALLELE (FecX2^M). Juengel, Jennifer¹, Hudson, Norma¹, Morrison, Lilian¹, Davis, George², McNatty, Kenneth¹, ¹ AgResearch, Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, Upper Hutt, New Zealand² AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel, New Zealand



M190. TESTOSTERONE INDUCES PROGESTERONE PRODUCTION AND INTERACTS WITH PHYSIOLOGICAL CONCENTRATIONS OF LH TO INCREASE GRANULOSA CELL PROGESTERONE PRODUCTION IN HENS Gallus domesticus. Rangel, Lucia¹, Lassala, Arantzatzu¹, Gutierrez, Carlos¹, ¹ Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria., Mexico, D.F., Mexico



T191. PUBERTY AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN THE CASPIAN MINIATURE COLTS. Dordari, Shahram¹, Amini, Fereydoon², Rezaie, Morteza¹, ¹ Agricultural Research & Education Organization, Tehran, Iran² Animal Science Institute, Karadj, Iran



W192. CHARACTERIZATION OF SEASONAL SEMINAL TRAITS IN THE NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER (Lontra canadensis). Bateman, Helen¹, Bond, Jennifer¹, Campbell, Mark¹, Barrie, Mike², Riggs, Gary³, Synder, Barb⁴, Swanson, William¹, ¹ Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati, OH² Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, OH³ Akron Zoological Park, Akron, OH⁴ John Ball Zoological Garden, Grand Rapids, MI



M193. TESTIS STRUCTURE, DURATION OF SPERMATOGENESIS AND SPERMATOGENIC AND SERTOLI CELL EFFICIENCIES IN THE COLLARED PECCARIES (Tayassu tajacu). Franca, Luiz¹, Leal, Marcelo¹, Pimenta, Leandro¹, Chiarini-Garcia, Helio¹, Silva, Jurupytan², Guimaraes, Diva², ¹ Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil² Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil

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Diseases of the Reproductive System

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T194. EXPOSURE TO THE AVIAN INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS VIRUS: A MODEL TO STUDY VIRAL EFFECTS ON SPERM FUNCTION. Zimmerman, Claire¹, Boltz, David¹, Bahr, Janice¹, ¹ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL



W195. ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIMARY UTERINE CELL CULTURE AS A NOVEL IN VITRO SYSTEM FOR THE STUDY OF THE FUNCTION OF OVIDUCTIN IN MODULATING UTERINE RECEPTIVITY. Kan, Frederick ¹, Shi, Changnian ¹, Ling, Ling¹, ¹ Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada



M196. WITHDRAWN. Campos, Ximena¹, Oddo, David², Selman, Alberto¹, Martinez, Luis¹, Moyano, Leonor¹, Yazigi, Roberto², Lara, Hernán¹, Romero, Carmen¹, ¹ Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile² Ministerio de Salud, Santiago, Chile



T197. CYCLOOXYGENASE 1 AND 2 mRNA EXPRESSION IN OVARIAN TUMORS OF THE HEN. Urick, Mary Ellen ¹, Johnson, Patricia¹, ¹ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY



W198. WITHDRAWN. Smale, Wendy¹, Harris, Sarah², Gersak, Ksenija³, Vincent, Andrea¹, Shelling, Andrew¹, ¹ University of Auckand, Auckland, New Zealand² University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland³ University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia



M199. THE SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION OF BUFALIN- AND CINOBUFAGIN-INDUCED APOPTOSIS IN HUMAN PROSTATE CANCER CELL LINES. Yu, Ching-Han¹, Kan, Shu-Fen¹, Wu, Ching-I¹, Wang, Paulus S¹, ¹ National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C.



T200. REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES (ROS) ACT AS SIGNALING MOLECULES IN THE MITOGENIC PATHWAY OF MYOMETRIAL AND LEIOMYOMA SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS. Dyer, Summer¹, Nowak, Romana¹, ¹ University of Illinois, Urbana, IL



W201. EXPRESSION OF FSH INHIBITORS AND APOPTOTIC PROTEINS IS INCREASED IN MURINE CYSTIC OVARIAN FOLLICLES INDUCED BY NEONATAL ESTRADIOL TREATMENT. Kelkar, Radhika¹, Mahale, Smita¹, Shinde, Gayatri¹, Nandedkar, Tarala ¹, ¹ National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India



M202. EXPRESSION OF GERM CELL NUCLEAR FACTOR (GCNF) BY OVARIAN CANCER CELL LINES. Srikanthan, Sowmya¹, Bowser, Jessica¹, May, Jeffrey¹, ¹ Wichita State University, Wichita, KS



T203. FORKHEAD TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR GENE EXPRESSION AND OVARIAN CANCER. Woad, Kathryn¹, Ramachandran, Anassuya¹, Shelling, Andrew¹, ¹ University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand



W204. POLYCYSTIC OVARIES : PROFILE IN INDIAN WOMEN. Dhillon, B.S.¹, Chandhiok, N.¹, Saxena, N.C.¹, ¹ Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, Delhi, India



M205. CYP1B1 EXPRESSION, OXIDATIVE STRESS, AND PROSTATIC DYSPLASIA AT 120 DAYS FOLLOWING NEONATAL ESTROGEN EXPOSURE. Breen, Heather ¹, Yuan, Long¹, Mahon, Cassandra¹, Van Breemen, Richard ¹, Prins, Gail¹, Hales, Dale¹, ¹ University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL



T206. DOMINANT-STABLE -CATENIN EXPRESSION CAUSES CELL FATE ALTERATIONS AND Wnt SIGNALING ANTAGONIST EXPRESSION IN A MURINE GRANULOSA CELL TUMOR MODEL. Boerboom, Derek¹, Richards, JoAnne¹, ¹ Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX



W207. EXPRESSION OF AN EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-INDUCER (BASIGIN) IN OVARIAN ENDOMETRIOSIS. McDonnel Smedts, Anna¹, Lele, Subodh¹, Modesitt, Susan¹, Curry, Thomas¹, ¹ University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY



M208. ANTI-TUMOR ANTIBODIES AND OVARIAN CANCER IN WOMEN. Barua, Animesh¹, Bradaric, Michael¹, Kebede, Tewabe¹, Espinosa, Sara¹, Rotmensch, Jacob¹, Luborsky, Judith¹, ¹ Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL



T209. ULTRA-SENSITIVE TIME-RESOLVED FLUORESCENT IMMUNOASSAY OF SEX HORMONE-BINDING GLOBULIN IN HUMAN SPERM. Selva, David¹, Bassas, Lluis², Munell, Francina³, Tekpetey, Francis⁴, Hammond, Geoffrey¹, ¹ University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada² Fundacio Puigverd, Barcelona, Spain³ Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain⁴ University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada



W210. MECHANISM OF S-PETASIN-INDUCED APOPTOSIS IN ANDROGEN-INDEPENDENT PROSTATE CANCER CELLS. Kan, Shu-Fen¹, Yu, Ching-Han¹, Wu, Ching-I¹, Wang, Paulus¹, ¹ National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.



M211. GLAND-LIKE AREAS IN THE OVARY OF THE YOUNG HEN: POSSIBLE PRENEOPLASTIC PHENOTYPE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OVARIAN CANCER. Giles, James¹, Johnson, Patricia¹, ¹ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY



T212. CONSEQUENCES OF A MASSIVE FETAL GERM CELL DEPLETION ON FOLLICLE HISTOGENESIS AND EARLY FOLLICLE DEVELOPMENT IN RAT OVARIES. Mazaud-Guittot, Severine^{1, 2}, Guigon, Celine², Coudouel, Noelline², Magre, Solange², ¹ CRBR-CHUL Research Center , Laval University, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada² CNRS-Paris VI University UMR 7079, Paris, France



W213. STUDY OF GENE AND PROTEIN EXPRESSION OF OVIDUCTIN IN AN IMMORTALIZED HUMAN OVIDUCTAL CELL LINE. Ling, Ling¹, Lee, Yin-Lau², Lee, Kai-Fai², Yeung, William², Kan, Frederick¹, ¹ Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada² University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China



M214. EPIDIDYMAL STONE FORMATION AND DECREASED SPERM PRODUCTION IN ROOSTERS VACCINATED WITH A KILLED STRAIN OF AVIAN INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS VIRUS. Boltz, David¹, Zimmerman, Claire¹, Bahr, Janice¹, ¹ Universirty of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL



T215. CHARACTERIZATION OF SIV INFECTION IN THE MALE GENITAL TRACT OF JUVENILE MACAQUES. Xhilaga, Miranda¹, Dale, Jane², O'Bryan, Moira¹, Hedger, Mark¹, Kent, Stephen², de kretser, David¹, ¹ Monash University, Clayton, Australia² Melbourne University, Melbourne, Australia



W216. A MOUSE MODEL OF LONG-TERM PROGESTIN EXPOSURE PROVIDES A TOOL FOR ANALYZING MOLECULAR EFFECTS ON THE ENDOMETRIUM CONTRIBUTING TO BREAK-THROUGH BLEEDING. Morison, Naomi¹, Shen, Jun¹, Zhang, Jin¹, Kaitu'U, Tu'Uhevaha¹, Salamonsen, Lois¹, ¹ Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia



M217. EXPRESSION OF Nur77 AND ITS TARGET GENES StAR AND HSD3B2 IN ENDOMETRIAL CANCER CELL LINES: IMPLICATION FOR LOCAL STEROID PRODUCTION. Vaillant, Marie-Josee¹, Tremblay, Jacques^{1, 2}, ¹ CHUL Research Centre, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada² Universite Laval, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada



T218. ADENOVIRUS-DIRECTED OVEREXPRESSION OF PROHIBITIN MEDIATES STAUROSPORINE-INDUCED APOPTOSIS IN OVARIAN CANCER CELLS. Gregory-Bass, Rosalind¹, Xu, Wei¹, Stiles, Jonathan¹, Zeleznik, Anthony², Tsang, Benjamin³, Thompson, Winston¹, ¹ Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA² University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA³ University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada



W219. THE WILMS TUMOR SUPPRESSOR GENE, WT1, SUPPRESSES VEGF EXPRESSION AND PROSTATE TUMOR CELL GROWTH. Hanson, Julie¹, Graham, Kylie¹, Cash, Jennifer¹, Gorman, Jacquelyn¹, Korchnak, Amanda¹, Fraizer, Gail¹, ¹ Kent State University, Kent, OH

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Educational Methods

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M220. THE USE OF IN VITRO OVARIAN ORGAN CULTURES FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECTS. Kirkpatrick, Bridgette¹, Nichols, Jayson ¹, Murthy, Asha¹, Pezzo, Daniela¹, Clopton, Debra², Cupp, Andrea², ¹ Collin County Community College, Plano, TX² University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE



T221. STUDENT PREFERENCE AND PERFORMANCE WITH DIFFERING CURRICULUM DELIVERY. Lobb, Derek¹, ¹ McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada



W222. METHODS TO ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING AND RETENTION IN UNDERGRADUATE PHYSIOLOGY-BASED COURSES. Rhodes, Ashley¹, Rozell, Tim ¹, ¹ Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS



M223. CAPITALIZING ON ART. Laprise, Shari¹, Winrich, Charles¹, ¹ Babson College, Babson Park, MA



T224. VIRTUAL MICROSCPY: A NEW TECHNIQUE TO TEACH, LEARN, AND TEST MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY/HISTOLOGY. Mendis-Handagama, Chamindrani¹, Sims, Michael¹, ¹ The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN



W225. DEVELOPMENT OF A SEX DETERMINATION LABORATORY FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY. Baltes, Michelle¹, Bott, Rebecca¹, Cupp, Andrea¹, ¹ University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE



M226. CHALLENGING STUDENT MISCONCEPTIONS OF MENDELIAN GENETICS. Bowen, Jeffery ¹, Carson, Michael¹, Krevosky, Merideth¹, ¹ Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA



T227. THE TRANSITION BETWEEN TEACHING AN AGRICULTURE-BASED REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY COURSE AT A LAND GRANT INSTITUTION TO THAT OF A SMALL, PRIVATE, LIBERAL-ARTS UNIVERSITY. Dixon, Alison¹, Inskeep, E. Keith ², Dailey, Robert², ¹ Wingate University, Wingate, NC² West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

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Environment, Nutrition, Toxicology and Reproduction

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W228. DISTRIBUTION OF ACTIVE BETA-CATENIN IN NEONATAL PORCINE UTERINE TISSUES AFFECTED BY AGE AND EXPOSURE TO ESTROGEN AND RELAXIN. Masters, Regina¹, Crean, Bethany¹, Yan, Wenbo², Wiley, Anne¹, Bagnell, Carol², Bartol, Frank¹, ¹ Auburn University, Auburn, AL² Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ



M229. 2,2′–DICHLOROBIPHENYL DECREASES AMPLITUDE AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF UTERINE CONTRACTIONS THROUGH MAPK–MEDIATED PHOSPHORYLATION OF CONNEXIN43. Chung, Daesuk¹, Loch-Caruso, Rita¹, ¹ University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI



T230. PCB 50- AND TNF-INDUCED RELEASE OF ARACHIDONIC ACID AND PROSTAGLANDINS FROM LATE GESTATION RAT AMNION FIBROBLAST CELLS IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED EXPRESSION OF CALCIUM INDEPENDENT PHOSPHOLIPASE A₂. Brant, Kelly¹, Caruso, Rita¹, Flatley, Ellen¹, ¹ University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI



W231. CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO THE ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR AGONIST 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN ACCELERATES REPRODUCTIVE SENESCENCE IN THE FEMALE RAT. Petroff, Brian¹, Franczak, Anita^{1, 2}, Valdez, Kelli¹, Mizinga, Kemmy¹, ¹ University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS² University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland



M232. USING ZEBRAFISH TO INVESTIGATE TCDD-INDUCED REPRODUTIVE TOXICITY. King Heiden, Tisha^{1, 2}, Grzybowski, Michael^{1, 2}, Carvan, Michael², Hutz, Reinhold ^{1, 2}, ¹ University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI² UWM Great Lakes WATER Institute, Milwaukee, WI



T233. EFFECTS OF GESTATIONAL AND NEONATAL EXPOSURE TO GENISTEIN ON THE DEVELOPMENTS OF PREPUBERTAL OVARY AND UTERUS IN FEMALE SPRAGUE- DAWLEY RATS. Kim, Soon Sun ¹, Lee , Rhee Da ¹, Rhee , Gyu-Seek¹, Kwack, Seung Jun ¹, Seok, Ji Hyun ¹, Lim, Kwon Jo ¹, Chung, Jin-Yong ², Kim, Jong-Min ², Cho, Dae Hyun ¹, ¹ National Institute of Toxicological Research, KFDA, Seoul, Korea² Dong-A University, College of Medicine, Busan, Korea



W234. GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN SEMEN QUALITY: META-ANALYSIS OF SEMEN QUALITY LITERATURE. Phillips, Karen¹, Walker, Mark^{1, 2}, Weselak, Mandy², ¹ University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada² Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada



M235. LACK OF 4-VINYLCYCLOHEXENE MONOEPOXIDE-INDUCED OVOTOXICITY IN CYP 2E1 NULL MOUSE OVARIAN CULTURES. Rajapaksa, Kathila ¹, Sipes, I Glenn¹, Hoyer, Patricia ¹, ¹ University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ



T236. SAPK/JNK MEDIATES RAPID STRESS-INDUCED, DOSE-DEPENDENT APOPTOTIC AND MITOGENIC SUPPRESSION AND PROLONGED STRESS-INDUCED APOPTOSIS, CELL CYCLE ARREST AND DIFFERENTIATION IN PLACENTAL CELLS AND EMBRYOS. Zhong, Wenjing¹, Wang, Yingchun¹, Lewis, Jennifer¹, Trostinskaya, Anna¹, Wang, Fangfei¹, Xie, Yufen¹, Rappolee, Daniel¹, ¹ Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI



W237. EFFECT OF ANDROGEN RECEPTOR BLOCKADE ON THE INDUCTION OF SPERMIATION FAILURE IN ADULT RATS. Pratis, Kyriakos¹, Beardsley, Amanda ¹, Balourdos, Georgia¹, Van Sinderen, Michelle ¹, Stanton, Peter¹, McLachlan, Rob¹, O'Donnell, Liza¹, ¹ Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia



M238. PROGRESSION OF NEONATAL DIETHYLSTILBESTROL-INDUCED DISRUPTION OF THE HAMSTER (Mesocricetus auratus) TESTIS AND SEMINAL VESICLE. Hendry, William¹, Weaver, Benjamin¹, Naccarato, Teran¹, Khan, Shafiq², ¹ Wichita State University, Wichita, KS² Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA



T239. EXPOSURE TO DIETHYL HEXYL PHTHALATE (DEHP) DELAYS PUBERTY AND REDUCES ANDROGEN-DEPENDENT TISSUE WEIGHTS IN LONG EVANS HOODED AND SPRAGUE DAWLEY MALE RATS. Gray, Leon¹, Howdeshell, Kembra^{1, 2}, Furr, Johnathan¹, Lambright, Christy¹, Stoker, Tammy¹, Noriega, Nigel¹, ¹ US EPA, Reseach Triangle Park, NC² North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC



W240. CHANGES OF PLASMA LEVELS OF REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES IN ADULT MACAQUE MALE MONKEYS AFTER ORAL ADMINISTRATIONS OF DIETHYLSTILBESTROL (DES). Itoh, Mariko ¹, Takumi, Ken¹, Mori, Takuma¹, Kojima, Chihiro², Watanabe, Gen², Taya, Kazuyoshi², Hayashi, Motoharu¹, Takenaka, Osamu¹, Shimizu, Keiko¹, ¹ Primate Reseach Institute of Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan² Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan



M241. EFFECT OF FEED INTAKE LEVEL ON PROGESTERONE CONCENTRATIONS IN HOLSTEIN COWS. Vasconcelos, Jose Luiz¹, Santos, Ricarda², Perez, Gabriela¹, Araujo, Davi¹, Maciel, Ana Beatriz¹, Pereira, Everton T¹, Marquezini, Guilherme H¹, ¹ FMVZ - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil² FCAV - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil



T242. CHRONIC ADMINISTRATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANT BENZO[A]PYRENE DISRUPTS THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM IN ADULT MALE RATS. Raychoudhury, Samir¹, Blake, Charles², ¹ Benedict College, Columbia, SC² University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC



W243. EFFECTS OF HEAT STRESS ON RNA POOLS WITHIN MATURING BOVINE OOCYTES. Payton, Rebecca¹, Edwards, J. Lannett¹, ¹ The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN



M244. EFFECTS OF DIETARY CARBOHYDRATE SOURCE ON OOCYTE/EMBRYO QUALITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN HIGH-YIELDING, LACTATING DAIRY CATTLE. Fouladi-Nashta, Ali¹, Gutierrez, Carlos², Garnsworthy, Phill¹, Webb, Robert¹, ¹ The University of Nottingham, Loughborough, UK² Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico



T245. AN IN VIVO VS. IN VITRO COMPARISON OF CHANGES IN GENE EXPRESSION DURING 4-VINYLCYCLOHEXENE DIEPOXIDE-INDUCED RAT OVARIAN FOLLICLE LOSS USING OLIGO ARRAY ANALYSIS. Fernandez, Shannon¹, Greer, Kevin¹, Hoying, Adam¹, Hoying, James¹, Hoyer, Patricia¹, ¹ University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ



W246. BODY WEIGHT, BODY CONDITION, LEPTIN AND LEPTIN RECEPTORS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH POSTPARTUM OVARIAN REACTIVATION IN ZEBU COWS. Giraldo Echeverri, Carlos¹, Montaño Orrego, Erika¹, Ruiz-Cortés, Tatiana¹, ¹ Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia



M247. THE HERBICIDE LINURON REDUCES FETAL TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION DURING BOTH IN UTERO AND IN VITRO EXPOSURES. Wilson, Vickie ¹, Lambright, Christy¹, Furr, Johnathan¹, Howdeshell, Kembra², Gray, Earl¹, ¹ U. S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC² North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC



T248. METHOXYCHLOR CAUSES OXIDATIVE DAMAGE IN THE MOUSE OVARY. Gupta, Rupesh¹, Schuh, Rosemary¹, Fiskum, Gary¹, Flaws, Jodi¹, ¹ University of Maryland, School Of Medicine, Baltimore, MD



W249. FETAL PROGRAMMING: PRENATAL TESTOSTERONE EXCESS DISRUPTS FETAL ENDOCRINE MILIEU. Steckler, T¹, MohanKumar, P.S.², Phillips, D.J.³, Refsal, K.², Jackson, L.M.¹, Bartol, F.F.⁴, Padmanabhan, V.¹, ¹ University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI² Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI³ Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, VIC, Australia⁴ Auburn University, Auburn, AL



M250. REDUCED FEED-INTAKE IN SOWS DURING LACTATION AFFECTS EMBRYO SEX RATIOS AND SURVIVAL. Vinsky, Michael¹, Dixon, Walter¹, Foxcroft, George¹, ¹ University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada



T251. THE HERMAPHRODITIC FISH Rivulus Marmoratus (CYPRINODONTIFORMES, RIVULIDAE): A MODEL SPECIES FOR MOLECULAR AND ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOGENOMICS. Lee, Young-Mi¹, Jung, Sang-Oun ¹, Lee, Jae-Seong ¹, ¹ Hanyang University Graduate School, Seoul, South Korea



W252. DOWNREGULATION OF PROGESTERONE BIOSYNTHESIS IN RAT GRANULOSA CELLS BY ADLAY (Coix lachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf.) BRAN EXTRACTS. Hsia, Shih-Min ¹, Chiang, Wenchang¹, Kuo, Yueh-Hsiung¹, Wang, Paulus S², ¹ National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.² National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.



M253. 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN ALTERS ESTRADIOL RELEASE FROM MONKEY OVARIAN FRAGMENTS IN VITRO. Conley, Lisa^{1, 2}, White, Gina³, Hutz, Reinhold¹, ¹ University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI² Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee, WI³ Carroll College, Waukesha, WI



T254. CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 AND 2C29 EXPRESSION IN THE MOUSE OVARY MAY BE REGULATED BY METHOXYCHLOR. Miller, Kimberly¹, Gupta, Rupesh¹, Flaws, Jodi¹, ¹ University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD



W255. THE PPAR AGONIST GEMFIBROZIL MODULATES TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION IN VITRO AND IN VIVO IN MALE GOLDFISH, Carassius auratus. Cameron, Colin¹, Woodhouse, Amanda¹, Wenman, Christine¹, Moon, Thomas¹, Trudeau, Vance¹, ¹ University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada



M256. REDUCTION IN OOCYTE FERTILIZABILITY AFTER EXPOSURE OF FEMALE RATS TO TRICHLOROETHYLENE, AN ENVIRONMENTAL TOXIN. Wu, Katherine ¹, Berger, Trish¹, ¹ University of California, Davis, CA



T257. EVOLUTION OF THE HOXA/WNT AXIS AND ESTROGEN REGULATION OF WNT7a EXPRESSION IN THE NEONATAL PORCINE UTERUS. Ho, Teh-Yuan¹, Yan, Wenbo¹, Wiley, Anne ², Bartol, Frank², Bagnell, Carol¹, ¹ Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ² Auburn University, Auburn, AL



W258. EFFECT OF FEED INTAKE LEVEL ON THE OXYTOCIN-INDUCED PGF2 RESPONSE IN HOLSTEIN COWS. Santos, Ricarda¹, Vasconcelos, José Luiz², Bertan, Claudia³, Sá Filho, Ocilon², ¹ FCAV - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil² FMVZ - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil³ FMVZ - USP, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil



M259. SHEAR STRESS CAUSES RAPID LETHALITY IN PREIMPLANTATION MOUSE EMBRYOS BY INDUCTION OF SAPK-MEDIATED APOPTOSIS; AFTER FERTILIZATION, A NOVEL FUNCTION OF THE ZONA PELLUCIDA IS TO PREVENT SHEAR STRESS-ASSOCIATED LETHALITY. Xie, Yufen¹, Rappolee, DA¹, Wang, Fangfei¹, Zhong, Wenjing ¹, Puscheck, Elizabeth ¹, Shen, Hayley ², ¹ Wayne State University, Detroit, MI² Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY



T260. EFFECTS OF PROPYLTHIOURACIL ON STEROIDOGENESIS IN RAT GRANULOSA CELLS. Cho, Yu- Min¹, Wu, Yu- Ching¹, Wang, Kai- Lee¹, Lee, Yin- Huei¹, Wang, Paulus S¹, ¹ National Yang- Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.



W261. IN VITRO MODEL FOR THE STUDY OF LEPTIN AND LEPTIN RECEPTORS: ASSOCIATION WITH PERIOVULATORY EVENTS AND STEROIDOGENESIS OF ZEBU COWS. Montano Orrego, Erika¹, Giraldo Echeverri, Carlos ¹, Ruiz-Cortes, Tatiana¹, ¹ Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia



M262. USE OF LIQUID DIET ADMINISTRATION IN PRENATAL ALCOHOL STUDIES MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF FAILED PREGNANCY AND MATERNAL NEGLECT. Smith, Andrew¹, Chen, Wei-Jung¹, ¹ Texas A&M University, College Station, TX



T263. NEONATAL METHOXYCHLOR EXPOSURE INHIBITS FOLLICULOGENESIS AND STIMULATES MULLERIAN INHIBITING SUBSTANCE PRODUCTION IN THE RAT OVARY. Uzumcu, Mehmet¹, Yao, Ming¹, Baseri, Babak¹, ¹ Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ



W264. PROGESTOGENIC AND ANTI-PROGESTOGENIC EFFECTS OF HYDROXYFLUTAMIDE ON THE UTERINE CaBP-9k mRNA AND PROTEIN EXPRESSIONS IN IMMATURE MICE. Ji, Youn-Kyu¹, Choi, Kyung-Chul², Jeung, Eui-Bae¹, ¹ Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea² University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada



M265. EFFECTS OF CIS- AND TRANS-OCTADECENOIC ACIDS ON PHORBOL ESTER-INDUCED PROSTAGLANDIN F₂ PRODUCTION IN BOVINE ENDOMETRIAL CELLS. Rodriguez-Sallaberry, Carlos¹, Caldari-Torres, Cristina¹, Johnson, Elizabeth¹, Badinga, Lokenga¹, ¹ University of Florida, Gainesville, FL



T266. EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL FATS ON OOCYTE QUALITY AND EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT IN LACTATING HOLSTEIN DAIRY COWS IN SUMMER. Bilby, Todd¹, Block, Jeremy¹, Sa Filho, Ocilon ¹, Silvestre, Flavio¹, do Amaral, Bruno¹, Hansen, Peter¹, Staples, Charles¹, Thatcher, William¹, ¹ University of Florida, Gainesville, FL



W267. BISPHENOL A INCREASE STEROIDAL HORMONE SECRETION OF TESTES. Gharravi, Anneh¹, Ghorbani, Rostam¹, Khazaei, Mozaffar¹, Al Agha, Mohsen¹, Ghasemi, Jahanbakhsh², Sayadi, Parviz¹, Pourmotabbad, Ali ¹, ¹ Kermanshah University of Medical Science, Kermanshah, Iran² Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran



M268. EFFECTS OF NONYLPHENOL EXPOSURE ON THE RELEASE OF TESTOSTERONE FROM RAT LEYDIG CELLS IN VITRO. Wang, Paulus ¹, Huang, Wei-Ju¹, Huang, Guey-Shyang¹, Cheng, Shao-Chi¹, Wang, Kai-Lee¹, Wu, Ching-I¹, Lee, Yin-Huei¹, ¹ National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC



T269. DISRUPTION OF OVARIAN FUNCTION BY SUBCHRONIC INHALED BENZO(A)PYRENE. Archibong, Anthony¹, Ramesh, Aramandla¹, ¹ Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN



W270. A SINGLE INJECTION INTO IMMATURE RATS IS A USEFUL AND SENSITIVE TOOL TO DETECT AN ESTROGENICITY OF ESTROGENIC CHEMICALS RELATED TO THE INDUCTION OF CALBINDIN-D9k IN THE UTERUS THROUGH ESTROGEN RECEPTOR-DEPENDENT PATHWAY. Dang, Vu Hoang¹, Choi, Kyung-Chul², Hyun, Sang-Hwan¹, Jeung, Eui-Bae¹, ¹ Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea² University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada



M271. THE EFFECT OF BCL-2 OVEREXPRESSION IN MICE ON OVOTOXICITY CAUSED BY 4-VINYLCYCLOHEXENE. Flaws, Jodi¹, Marion, Sam², Miller, Kimberly¹, Christian, Patricia², Hoyer, Patricia ², ¹ University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD² University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ



T272. EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID AND PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR-ACTIVATED RECEPTOR DELTA REGULATE ENDOMETRIAL PROSTAGLANDIN F₂ PRODUCTION THROUGH DISTINCT SIGNALING MECHANISMS IN BOVINE ENDOMETRIAL CELLS. Caldari-Torres, Cristina¹, Rodríguez-Sallaberry, Carlos¹, Johnson, Elizabeth¹, Badinga, Lokenga¹, ¹ University of Florida, Gainesville, FL



W273. EFFECTS OF FEEDING FLAXSEED ON CYCLOOXYGENASE 2 (COX-2) AND PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR-ACTIVATED RECEPTORS (PPAR) DELTA AND GAMMA mRNA LEVELS AT THE TIME OF MATERNAL RECOGNITION OF PREGNANCY IN HOLSTEIN COWS. Palin, Marie-France¹, Brochu-Gaudreau, Karine¹, Beaudry, Danièle¹, Small, Julie², Petit, Hélène¹, ¹ Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Lennoxville, QC, Canada² Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Brandon Research Centre, Brandon, MB, Canada



M274. EFFECT OF SIMAZINE ON MALE REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT IN THE RAT. Stoker, Tammy¹, Buckalew, Angela¹, Ferrell, Janet¹, Cooper, Ralph¹, ¹ U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC



T275. STUNTED MOUSE MAMMARY GLAND DEVELOPMENT, IN THE ABSENCE OF BODY WEIGHT EFFECTS, FOLLOWING PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO PFOA. White, Sally¹, Rayner, Jennifer ¹, Hines, Erin², Thibodeaux, Julie², Fenton, Suzanne², ¹ University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC² US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC



W276. EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE ON RHESUS MONKEY SPERM FUNCTION. Hung, Pei-hsuan¹, VandeVoort, Catherine¹, ¹ University of California, Davis, CA

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Fertilization and Early Embryogenesis

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M277. SIGNALING PATHWAYS FOR MODULATION OF MAMMALIAN SPERM MOTILITY BY GPCR AGONISTS. Schuh, Sonya¹, Carlson, Anne¹, Xie, Fang², Conti, Marco², Hille, Bertil¹, Babcock, Donner¹, ¹ University of Washington, Seattle, WA² Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA



T278. NONINVASIVE VISUALIZATION OF MOLECULAR EVENTS IN THE MAMMALIAN ZYGOTE. Yamagata, Kazuo¹, Yamazaki, Taiga¹, Yamashita, Misuzu¹, Hara, Yuki¹, Ogonuki, Narumi², Ogura, Atsuo², ¹ University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba-city, Ibaraki, Japan² RIKEN Bioresource Center, Tsukuba-city, Ibaraki, Japan



W279. THE EFFECTS OF NITRIC OXIDE INHIBITION ON PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYO CHECKPOINT GENE REGULATION. Hendrickson, Simone¹, Steuerwald, Nury^{1, 2}, Huet-Hudson, Yvette¹, ¹ UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States² ART Institute of New York & New Jersey, West Orange, NJ, United States



M280. DEVELOPMENT AND DNA DAMAGE IN PARTHENOGENETICALLY ACTIVATED BOVINE EMBRYOS PRODUCED FROM OOCYTES DERIVED FROM SMALL AND LARGE FOLLICLES. Bastos, Guilherme^{1, 2}, Gonçalves, Paulo Bayard¹, Bordignon, Vilceu², ¹ Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil² McGill University, Ste-Anne-De-Bellevue, QC, Canada



T281. ABSENCE OF ACCESSORY SEX GLAND SECRETION PERTURBS THE ACTIVE DNA DEMETHYLATION OF SPERM GENOME IN VIVO IN FERTILIZED OOCYTES OF MOUSE AND GOLDEN HAMSTER. Poon, Hong-Kit¹, O, Wai-Sum², Ferguson-Smith, Anne³, Chow, Pat-Ham¹, ¹ The Chinese Unversity of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR² Hong Kong University, Hong Kong SAR³ University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK



W282. IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT OF PORCINE NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYOS WITH TREATMENT OF DIFFERENT INITIAL CULTURE TEMPERATURES AFTER ACTIVATION. Lai, Liangxue¹, Isom, Steven¹, Li, Rongfeng¹, Hao, Yanhong¹, Wax, David¹, Rucker, Edmund¹, Prather, Randall¹, ¹ University if Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO



M283. THE ORGANIC OSMOLYTES BETAINE AND PROLINE ARE TRANSPORTED BY A NOVEL SHARED TRANSPORT PATHWAY IN EARLY MOUSE EMBRYOS. Anas, Idris¹, Hammer, Mary-Anne ¹, Baltz, Jay¹, ¹ University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada



T284. DEVELOPMENTAL CAPABILITY OF MOUSE PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYOS HEAT-STRESSED MATERNALLY. Perez-Crespo, Miriam¹, Fernandez-Gonzalez, Raul¹, Pericuesta, Eva¹, Ramirez, Miguel Angel¹, Moreira, Pedro Nuno¹, Rizos, Dimitrios¹, Rey, Raquel¹, Pintado, Belen¹, Gutierrez-Adan, Alfonso , ¹ Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain



W285. CAPACITATION OF BOVINE SPERM WITH OUABAIN. Way, Amy¹, Graham, Barbara¹, ¹ Lock Haven University, Clearfield, PA



M286. OSMOTIC STRESS INDUCED p38 MAPK ACTIVATION IN PREIMPLANTATION MOUSE EMBRYOS DURING IN VITRO CULTURE. Fong, Barry^{1, 2}, Watson, Andrew^{1, 2}, ¹ University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada² Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada



T287. CHANGES IN HISTONE MODIFICATION UPON THE ACTIVATION OF DORMANT MOUSE EMBRYOS. Matsuhashi, Tamako¹, Aoki, Fugaku², Sakai, Senkiti¹, ¹ University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan² University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan



W288. FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS STUDIES OF OOCYTE AND EARLY EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT: POTENTIAL ASSOCIATION OF FOLLISTATIN TRANSCRIPT ABUNDANCE WITH OOCYTE COMPETENCE. Patel, Osman ¹, Bettegowda, Anilkumar ¹, Ireland, James¹, Coussens, Paul¹, Lonergan, Patrick², Smith, George¹, ¹ Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI² University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland



M289. SPERM ACROSOMAL SLLP2 IS INVOLVED IN BINDING TO EGG PLASMA MEMBRANE AND PERIVITELLINE MATRIX. Mandal, Arabinda¹, Digilio, Laura¹, Klotz, Kenneth¹, Flickinger, Charles¹, Herr, John¹, ¹ University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA



T290. THE GTPases Rho, Rac, AND Cdc42 ARE PRESENT IN PORCINE SPERM AND AT LEAST ONE PLAYS A ROLE IN MEDIATING THE ZONA PELLUCIDA INDUCED ACROSOME REACTION. Ducummon, Carl^{1, 2}, Berger, Trish², ¹ Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas, TX² University of California, Davis, CA



W291. TELOMERASE ACTIVITY LEVELS IN MOUSE PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYOS. Czerwiec, Eva^{1, 2}, Liu, Lin^{1, 2}, Keefe, David^{1, 2}, ¹ Brown Medical School-Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI² Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA



M292. UBIQUITIN C-TERMINAL HYDROLASE PGP9.5 IS INVOLVED IN SPERM ACROSOMAL FUNCTION AND ANTIPOLYSPERMY DEFENSE. Yi, Young-Joo¹, Manandhar, Gaurishankar¹, Sutovsky, Miriam¹, Park, Chang-Sik², Sutovsky, Peter¹, ¹ University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO² Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea



T293. THE EFFECTS OF A FUNCTION-BLOCKING ANTI-1 INTEGRIN SUBUNIT ANTIBODY ON SPERM-EGG BINDING ARE AFFECTED BY THE EXPERIMENTAL PARAMETERS OF THE IVF ASSAYS. Vjugina, Ulyana¹, Zhu, Xiaoling¹, Evans, Janice¹, ¹ Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD



W294. GENOME REPROGRAMMING INVOLVES ERASING CELL MEMORY DURING MEIOSIS. Akiyama, Tomohiko¹, Liu, Honglin¹, Kim, Jin-Moon¹, Nagata, Masao¹, Aoki, Fugaku¹, ¹ University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan



M295. FEEDER LAYER- AND SERUM-FREE GROWTH OF RHESUS MONKEY EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS. Zhang, Xiuzhen^{1, 2}, Li, Tianqing ^{1, 2}, Wang, Shufen^{1, 2}, Xie, Yunhua ¹, Ji, Weizhi¹, ¹ The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunmingnnan, Yunnan, P.R. China² The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China



T296. POSSIBLE ROLE OF A POLY(A) POLYMERASE, MOUSE GLD-2, IN OOCYTE MATURATION. Nakanishi, Tomoko¹, Kubota, Haruka¹, Ishibashi, Naoko¹, Kumagai, Satoshi¹, Watanabe, Hiromi¹, Yamashita, Misuzu¹, Kashiwabara, Shin-ichi¹, Miyado, Kenji², Baba, Tadashi¹, ¹ University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan² National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan



W297. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROTEASOME ACTIVITY, PROTEIN PHOSPHORYLATION AND THE ACROSOME REACTION IN HUMAN SPERM. Kong, Milene¹, Morales, Patricio¹, Diaz, Silvina¹, ¹ University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile



M298. OXIDATIVE STRESS IN SPERM DOES NOT AFFECT FERTILIZING CAPACITY BUT DISTURBS SUBSEQUENT EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT. Silva, Patricia F¹, Roelen, Bernard A¹, Colenbrander, Ben¹, Gadella, Bart¹, ¹ Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands



T299. DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE OF IN VITRO AND IN VIVO MATURED OOCYTES: MOUSE MODEL STUDY. Wang, Yue¹, Chian, Ri-Cheng¹, ¹ McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada



W300. INTEGRITY OF MOUSE PLACENTA IN PARTHENOGENESIS. Kawahara, Manabu^{1, 2}, Kumagai, Takuya¹, Obata, Yayoi^{1, 2}, Kono, Tomohiro^{1, 2}, ¹ Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan² Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution (BRAIN), Tokyo, Japan



M301. THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF INSULIN AND METFORMIN ON IN VITRO DEVELOPMENTAL POTENTIAL OF PORCINE OOCYTES AND EMBRYOS. Lee, Myeong Seop¹, Hossein, M. Shamim^{1, 2}, Kang, Sung Keun^{1, 2}, Lee, Byeong Chun^{1, 2}, Hwang, Woo Suk^{1, 2}, ¹ Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea² Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea



T302. ANALYSIS OF mRNA EXPRESSION OF PUTATIVELY IMPRINTED GENES IN BOVINE BLASTOCYSTS PRODUCED IN VIVO, PARTHENOGENETICALLY AND ANDROGENETICALLY. Ruddock, Nancy^{1, 2}, Wilson, Katrina^{1, 2}, Cooney, Melissa^{1, 2}, French, Andrew^{1, 2}, Lagutina, Irina ³, Galli, Cesare³, Holland, Michael^{1, 2}, ¹ Monash Institute of Medical Research; Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia² Co-operative Research Centre for Innovative Dairy Products, Melbourne, VIC, Australia³ Laboratorio di Tecnologie della Priproduzione, Cremona, Italy



W303. EFFECTS OF GLUCOSE OR FRUCTOSE AND METABOLIC REGULATORS (DNP, PES, CERULENIN) ON BOVINE EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT AND LIPID ACCUMULATION. Barcelo-Fimbres, Moises¹, Seidel, George¹, ¹ Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado



M304. EFFECT OF POTASSIUM SIMPLEX OPTIMIZATION MEDIUM AND NCSU23 SUPPLEMENTED WITH BETA MERCAPTOETHANOL AND AMINO ACIDS OF IN VITRO FERTILIZED PORCINE EMBRYOS. Hashem, Md. Abul¹, Hossain , M.S.¹, Jeong , Y. W.¹, Sue , K¹, Kim , J.H¹, Lee , S.H.¹, Koo , O.J.¹, Park , S.M.¹, Lee , E.G.¹, Kang , S.K¹, Lee , B.C.¹, Hwang , W.S.¹, ¹ Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea



T305. NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE ISOFORMS (NOS) ARE DIFFERENTIALLY EXPRESSED IN THE BOVINE OVIDUCT DURING THE ESTROUS CYCLE. Lapointe, Jerome¹, St-Pierre, Isabelle¹, Bilodeau, Jean-Francois¹, ¹ Centre de Recherche en Biologie de la Reproduction, Centre Hospitalier de l’Universite Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada



W306. Na⁺/H⁺ EXCHANGE DURING OOCYTE MATURATION AND FOLLOWING FERTILIZATION IN MOUSE. FitzHarris, Greg¹, Baltz, Jay¹, ¹ University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada



M307. GLOBAL DNA METHYLATION IN PORCINE CELLS EXHIBITING VARIOUS DEGREES OF DIFFERENTIATION. Lee, Kiho¹, Fodor, William², Machaty, Zoltan¹, ¹ Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN² University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT



T308. IDENTIFYING SELECTIVE INHIBITORS OF GLYCERALDEHYDE 3-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE-S, A SPERM-SPECIFIC GLYCOLYTIC ENZYME. Danshina, Polina¹, Temple, Brenda¹, Rojas, Rafael¹, O'Brien, Deborah¹, ¹ University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC



W309. DYNAMICS OF HISTONE VARIANT H2A.Z DURING PREIMPLANTATION DEVELOPMENT IN MICE. Liu, Honglin¹, Kageyama , Shun-Ichiro¹, Aoki, Fugaku ¹, ¹ University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan



M310. EFFECTS OF ACROGRANIN ON BLASTOCYST HATCHING AND SUBSEQUENT ADHESION AND OUTGROWTH IN THE MOUSE. Qin, Junwen¹, Diaz-Cueto, Laura^{2, 3}, Schwarze, Juan-Enrique², Gerton, George², Imakawa, Kazuhiko ¹, ¹ The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan² University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA³ Hospital de Ginecobstetricia, Mexico D. F., Mexico



T311. EFFECT OF FIBRONECTIN (FN) ON PROTEASOMAL ACTIVITY, ACROSOME REACTION (AR), AND TYROSINE PHOSPHORYLATION IN HUMAN SPERM. Morales, Patricio¹, Diaz, Silvina¹, Kong, Milene¹, Perez, Boris¹, ¹ University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile



W312. EGG ENVELOPE GLYCOPROTEIN ZP1 INDUCES SPERM ACROSOME REACTION IN JAPANESE QUAIL (Coturnix japonica). Sasanami, Tomohiro¹, Koyanagi, Kouji, Ohtsuki, Mamoru¹, Kansaku, Norio³, Hiyama, Gen, Mori, Makoto¹, ¹ Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan³ Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan



M313. EVALUATION OF HUMAN SPERM MOTILITY AND MOVEMENT CHARACTERISTICS AFTER RECOMBINANT ZONA PELLUCIDA TREATMENT. Caballero-Campo, Pedro ¹, Chirinos, Mayel², González González-Pacheco, Mirna², Larrea, Fernando², Gerton, George¹, ¹ University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA² Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico, D.F., Mexico



T314. IMPROVED IN VITRO EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT AND INCREASED EFFICIENCY IN PRODUCING VIABLE CALVES WITH THE OPTIMIZED DEFINED TWO STEP CULTURE MEDIA. Jang, Goo¹, Lim, Kwang Taek², Lee, Won Wou², Kim, Jong In², Ko, Kyeong Hee¹, Park, Hee Jung¹, Kim, Jung Joo¹, Kang, Sung Keun¹, Lee, Byeong Chun¹, Hwang, Woo Suk^{1, 3}, ¹ Seoul National University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul, South Korea² Embyro Research Center, Seoul Dairy Corporation, Gyeonggi, South Korea³ Seoul National University, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Suwon, South Korea



W315. CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ZONA PELLUCIDA BINDING PROTEIN (ZPBP) GENE FAMILY. Lin, Yi-Nan¹, Yan, Wei², Matzuk, Martin¹, ¹ Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX² University of Nevada, School of Medicine, Reno, NV



M316. FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE DROSOPHILA NPM2 GENE. Tang, Linda¹, Lin, Haifan², Ma, Lang¹, Bellen, Hugo¹, Matzuk, Martin¹, ¹ Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX² Duke University Medical School, Durham, NC



T317. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MITOCHONDRIAL ACTIVITY, ENDOGEN HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND APOPTOSIS IN OOCYTES, COMPETENT AND NON-COMPETENT EARLY BOVINE IN VITRO PRODUCED EMBRYOS. Tarazona, Ariel¹, Jimenez, Marlene¹, Velez, Carlos¹, Olivera-Angel, Martha¹, ¹ Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia



W318. MALE MICE LACKING SPERIOLIN PRODUCE DEFECTIVE SPERM AND ABNORMAL ZYGOTES. Goto, Masuo^{1, 2}, Goulding, Eugenia², Eddy, Edward², O'Brien, Deborah¹, ¹ University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC² National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC



M319. INVOLVEMENT OF AN OOCYTE-SPECIFIC NOVEL GENE, OOG1 , IN ZYGOTIC GENOME ACTIVATION VIA RAS SIGNALING PATHWAY. Tsukamoto, Satoshi¹, Ihara, Ryo¹, Aizawa, Akira², Imai, Hiroshi¹, Minami, Naojiro¹, ¹ Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan² Maebashi Institute of Animal Science, Livestock Improvement Association JAPAN, Inc., Maebashi, Japan



T320. DERIVATION, MAINTENANCE AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BOVINE ES-LIKE CELLS. Vassiliev, Ivan^{1, 2}, McConnell, Helen ^{1, 2}, Verma, Paul^{1, 2}, ¹ Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia² CRC for Innovative Dairy Products, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia



W321. MATERNAL STEM-LOOP BINDING PROTEIN IS DEGRADED IN 2-CELL EMBRYOS AT THE G2/M BORDER BY A CELL-CYCLE-REGULATED MECHANISM. Zhang, Wenling¹, Poirier, Luc¹, Clarke, Hugh¹, ¹ Mcgill University, Montreal, QC, Canada



M322. DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE OF PORCINE PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYOS TO TIMING VARIATIONS OF AN EXOGENOUSLY APPLIED HEAT STRESS. Isom, S. Clay¹, Alinea, Corinne¹, Dillender, Jessica¹, Prather, Randall¹, Rucker III, Edmund¹, ¹ University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO



T323. TREATMENT OF PROGESTERONE INCREASES AKT PHOSPHORYLATION IN BOAR SPERMATOZOA. Jang, Sunphil¹, Yi, Lee S. H.¹, ¹ Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea



W324. p38 MAPK IS AN UPSTREAM REGULATOR OF p53 ACTIVATED EVENTS DURING MOUSE PREIMPLANTATION DEVELOPMENT. Hickson, Jenny^{1, 2}, Watson, Andrew^{1, 2}, ¹ University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada² Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada



M325. EXPRESSION OF MYOGENIC REGULATORY FACTORS (MRFs) IN DAY 30 PIG CONCEPTUSES IS AFFECTED BY UTERINE CROWDING. Tse, Wai-Yue¹, Town, Susanna¹, Putman, Charles¹, Foxcroft, George¹, Dixon, Walter¹, ¹ University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada



T326. QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRION GENE EXPRESSION DURING EARLY BOVINE DEVELOPMENT. Peralta, Oscar¹, Huckle, William ¹, Martinez , Mario ², Correa , Jorge ², Gatica, Renato ², Eyestone, Willard¹, ¹ Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA² Austral University, Valdivia, Chile



W327. EFFECT OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OVINE EMBRYOS IN VITRO. Luo, Hailing¹, Tian, Shujun¹, Zhu, Shien¹, ¹ China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R.China



M328. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SPERM MORPHOLOGY AND IN VITRO FERTILIZATION ABILITY IN MICE. Kawai, Yasuhiro¹, Hata, Tomoko¹, Suzuki, Osamu¹, Matsuda, Junichiro¹, ¹ National Institute of Infectous Diseases, Tokyo, Japan



T329. INFLUENCE OF INTEGRINS (_v AND ₅) IN BOVINE SPERM-EGG BINDING, AND FERTILIZATION IN VITRO. Goncalves, Roseli¹, Killian, Gary¹, ¹ The John O. Almquist Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA



W330. DNA METHYLATION PROFILES OF DONOR CELLS AND FETAL TISSUES OF BOVINE CLONES. Kremenskoy, Maksym¹, Kremenska, Yuliya¹, Hattory, Naka¹, Tanaka, Satoshi¹, Hasizume, Kazuyoshi², Shiota, Kunio¹, ¹ The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan² Iwate University, Morioka, Japan



M331. TOPOISOMERASE II AND ASSOCIATED NUCLEASE ACTIVITY IN MATURE MOUSE SPERMATOZOA. Shaman, Jeffrey ¹, Prisztoka, Renata¹, Ward, W. Steven¹, ¹ University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI



T332. EFFECT OF OXYGEN TENSION ON HEAT-SHOCK INDUCED APOPTOSIS AND DEVELOPMENT OF PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYOS. de Castro e Paula, Luiz ¹, Hansen, Peter¹, ¹ University of Florida, Gainesville, FL



W333. THE EFFECT OF ACROSOME ON ICSI OUTCOME. Morozumi, Kazuto¹, Yanagimachi, Ryuzo¹, ¹ University of Hawaii Medical School, Honolulu, Hawaii



M334. ANALYSIS OF PROTEIN GLYCOSYLATION IN A SPERM-SOMATIC CELL ADHESION SYSTEM. Clark, Gary¹, Khoo, Kay-Hooi ², Wong, Nyet ³, Sutton-Smith, Mark³, Patankar, Manish⁴, Lattanzio, Frank¹, Morris, Howard^{3, 5}, Dell, Anne³, ¹ Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA² National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C.³ Imperial College London, London, UK⁴ University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI⁵ M-SCAN, Ascot, UK



T335. NUCLEAR LOCALIZATION IN BOVINE EMBRYOS OF THE TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS TBP AND HMGB2 DURING THE MATERNAL TO ZYGOTIC TRANSITION. Vigneault, Christian¹, McGraw, Serge¹, Roy, Gabrielle¹, Sirard, Marc-André¹, ¹ Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada



W336. CALPAIN PARTICIPATION IN CAPACITATION-ACROSOMAL REACTION IN GUINEA PIG SPERMATOZOA. Bastian, Yadira ¹, Hernandez-Gonzalez, Enrique Oton¹, Mujica , Adela¹, ¹ Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico D.F., D.F., Mexico



M337. DEVELOPMENTAL AND FUNCTIONAL EVIDENCE OF NUCLEAR IMMATURITY IN PREPUBERTAL SHEEP OOCYTES. Ptak, Grazyna¹, Matsukawa, Kazutsugu¹, Palmieri, Chiara¹, Della Salda, Leonardo¹, Loi, Pasqualino¹, ¹ University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy



T338. INVOLVEMENT OF NITRIC OXIDE IN THE PHOSPHORYLATION OF MEK-LIKE AND THR-GLU-TYR MOTIFS DURING HUMAN SPERM CAPACITATION. O'Flaherty, Cristian¹, de Lamirande, Eve¹, Gagnon, Claude¹, ¹ Royal Victoria Hospital-McGill University, Montreal, QC, CANADA



W339. ACTIVATION OF PROTEIN KINASE C AND SUBSEQUENT INHIBITION OF PROTEIN PHOSPHORYLATION IMPROVE EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF BOVINE OOCYTES AFTER ICSI. Suh, Tae Kwang¹, Seidel, George¹, ¹ Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO



M340. CHARACTERIZATION OF TRYPSIN-LIKE PROTEOLYTIC ACTIVITY FROM THE THELYCUM OF THE Penaeus monodon FEMALE. Kruevaisayawan, Hathairat^{1, 2}, Vanichviriyakit, Rapeepun^{1, 2}, Murphy, Melinda ³, Hennebold, Jon³, Basak, Ajoy¹, Weerachartyanukul, Wattana², Sobhon, Prasert², Tanphaichitr, Nongnuj^{1, 4}, ¹ Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada² Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand³ Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR⁴ University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada



T341. ESTABLISHMENT OF TROPHOBLASTIC STEM LIKE CELL FROM MOUSE PARTHENOGENETIC EMBRYOS. Ogawa, Hihideko^{1, 2}, Shikanai, Mima¹, Kumagai, Takuya¹, Usami, Yusuke¹, Tanaka, Satoshi³, Arima, Hirotaka⁴, Kono, Tomohiro^{1, 2}, ¹ Tokyo Unversity of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan² Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution (BRAIN), Tokyo, Japan³ The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan⁴ Kyusyu University, Beppu, Japan



W342. TEMPORAL CHANGES IN GENES INVOLVED IN FOLLICULAR GROWTH AND CUMULUS OOCYTE COMPLEX DURING SUPER OVULATION IN FSH RECEPTOR HAPLOINSUFFICIENT MICE. Yang, Yinzhi¹, Aravindakshan, Jayaprakash¹, Chen, Xinlei¹, Sairam, M Ram ¹, ¹ Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada



M343. THE EFFECT OF VITRIFICATION IN MOUSE ZYGOTES ON THE MITOTIC SPINDLE. Hassani Bafrani, Hassan¹, ¹ Kashan University of Medical Sciences, KASHAN, IRAN



T344. EPIGENETIC STUDY ON TERATOMA FORMATION. Kremenska, Yuliya¹, Kremenskoy, Maksym¹, Tanaka, Satoshi¹, Shiota, Kunio¹, ¹ The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan



W345. THE ROLE OF ACTIN IN SPERM ACROSOMAL EXOCYTOSIS. French, Stephanie ¹, Cruz, Aurora ¹, Shi, Xudong ¹, Miller, David¹, ¹ University of Illnois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL



M346. WITHDRAWN. Fondong, Margaret^{1, 2}, Basak, Ajoy¹, Tanphaichitr, Nongnuj^{1, 2}, ¹ Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada² University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada



T347. DETECTION OF RNA BINDING PROTEIN mRNAS AND PROTEINS IN MOUSE AND BOVINE EMBRYOS. Calder, Michele ¹, Watson, Andrew¹, ¹ University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada



W348. LEUKEMIA INHIBITORY FACTOR (LIF) AND ITS RECEPTOR ARE EXPRESSED AND FUNCTIONAL DURING GV TO MII IN VITRO TRANSITION OF OVINE OOCYTES. Brevini, Tiziana A¹, Matsukawa, Kazutsugu², Lopes, Federica², Cillo, Fabiana¹, Antonini, Stefania¹, Gandolfi, Fulvio ¹, Loi, Pasqualino², Ptak, Grazyna², ¹ University of Milan, Milan, Italy² University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy



M349. ASSESSMENT OF PRONUCLEAR FORMATION FOLLOWING IVF WITH BOVINE SPERMATOZOA HAVING ABNORMAL MORPHOLOGY AFTER THERMAL INSULATION OF THE TESTIS. Walters, Anneke ¹, Saacke, Richard¹, Pearson, Ronald¹, Gwazdauskas, Francis¹, ¹ Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA



T350. THE DISTRIBUTION OF POLYMERIZED ACTIN AND NUCLEI WHEN HAMSTER BLASTOCYSTS EXPRESS TROPHECTODERM PROJECTIONS IN UTERO. Harris, Keith¹, Calderon, Jesus¹, Gonzales, David¹, ¹ Arizona State University West, Glendale, Arizona



W351. HIGH PROTEIN DIET AFFECTS THE PROTEOMIC PROFILE OF IN-VIVO DEVELOPED MOUSE BLASTOCYSTS. Katz-Jaffe, Mandy¹, Linck, Donald ¹, Blakesley, Jesse¹, Schoolcraft, William¹, Gardner, David¹, ¹ Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Englewood, Colorado



M352. ACETYLCHOLINE-INDUCED CA²⁺ TRANSIENT AND CA²⁺ CURRENT IN MOUSE EARLY EMBRYOS. Kang, Dawon¹, Yoon, Sook-Young², Hong, Seong-Geun¹, Han, Jaehee¹, ¹ Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea² University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA



T353. SYNTHESIS OF TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-STIMULATED GENE-6 PROTEIN BY CUMULUS AND GRANULOSA CELLS IN PORCINE PREOVULATORY FOLLICLE. Nagyova, Eva¹, Camaioni, Antonella², Prochazka, Radek ¹, Day, Anthony ³, Salustri, Antonietta², ¹ Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Libechov, Czech Republic² University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy³ University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom



W354. EFFECT OF THE KINDS OF GENES USING FOR TRANSFECTION ON IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSFECTED SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFERRED EMBRYOS IN CATTLE. Yang, ByoungChul¹, Kim, Dong Hoon¹, Kim, Se Woong¹, Lee, Poong Yeon¹, Lee, Yen Keun¹, Park, Hyo Suck¹, Yang, Boh Suk ¹, Chang, Won Kyong ¹, ¹ National Livestock Research Institute, RDA, Suwon, Republic of Korea



M355. EFFECT OF PORCINE FOLLICULAR FLUID PROTEIN FRACTIONS ON MATURATION, IN VITRO FERTILIZATION, AND POLYSPERMY. Ducolomb, Yvonne¹, Gonzalez-Marquez, Humberto¹, Fierro, Reyna¹, Romo, Salvador², Betancourt, Miguel¹, ¹ Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana- Iztapalapa, Mexico, DF, Mexico² Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Cuautitlan, Estado de Mexico, Mexico



T356. IDENTIFICATION OF AN OOCYTE-SPECIFIC OXYSTEROL BINDING PROTEIN IN RAINBOW TROUT. Ramachandra, Raghuveer¹, Yao, Jianbo¹, ¹ West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV



W357. EFFECTS OF GLUCOSE, L-LACTATE, AND PYRUVATE IN CULTURE MEDIA ON EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT AND METABOLISM OF IVF-DERIVED FELINE EMBRYOS RELATIVE TO EMBRYOS GROWN IN VIVO. Herrick, Jason ¹, Bond, Jennifer¹, Magarey, Genevieve¹, Bateman, Helen¹, Krisher, Rebecca², Dunford, Susan³, Swanson, William¹, ¹ Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Cincinnati, OH² Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN³ University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

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Gametogenesis

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M358. LOW CONCENTRATION OF WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMINS STIMULATES IVM RATE AND SUBSEQUENT PARTHENOGENETIC DEVELOPMENT OF PORCINE OOCYTES. Jin, Dong Il¹, Park, Chang Sik¹, Naruse, Kenji¹, Kim, Hong Rye¹, Shin, Young Min¹, Chang, Suk Min¹, Lee, Hye Ran¹, ¹ Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea



T359. INTERACTIONS OF INDOL ACETIC ACID WITH EGF AND FSH IN THE CULTURE OF OVINE PREANTRAL FOLLICLES. Seneda, Marcelo¹, Andrade, Evelyn^{1, 2}, Alfieri, Amauri¹, Oliveira, Joao ³, Bracarense, Ana Paula¹, Figueiredo, Jose ², Toniolli, Ricardo², ¹ University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil² State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil³ UNESP, FCAVJ, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil



W360. SPERM DEFECTS IN MICE LACKING FUNCTION OF NIEMANN-PICK C1 PROTEIN. Akabane, Hiroto¹, Graham, Stephanie¹, Richardson, Laura ², Zhu, Guo-Zhang¹, ¹ Marshall University, Huntington, WV² Marshall University School of Medicine, Huntington, WV



M361. THE POSTACROSOMAL ASSEMBLY OF SPERM HEAD PROTEIN, PAWP, IS INDEPENDENT OF ACROSOME FORMATION AND DEPENDENT ON MICROTUBULAR MANCHETTE TRANSPORT. Wu, Alexander¹, Sutovsky, Peter², van der Spoel, Aarnoud ³, Oko, Richard¹, ¹ Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada² University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO³ University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom



T362. INDUCTION OF MEIOTIC MATURATION IN MOUSE OOCYTES BY ADENOSINE ANALOGS. Chen, Jing¹, Downs, Stephen¹, ¹ Department of Biological Sciences, Milwaukee, WI



W363. EXPRESSION PATTERN OF MALE GERM CELL-SPECIFIC GENES AFTER NEONATAL MOUSE TESTES GRAFTED INTO CASTRATED IMMUNODEFICIENT MICE. Zhang, Fang-Ting¹, Yu, Jie¹, Cai, Zhi-Ming¹, Long, Xia¹, Ye, Jing¹, Wan, Hui-Juan¹, Fang, Jia-Zhi¹, ¹ Peking University Shen-Zhen Hospital, Shen Zhen, PR China



M364. MUTANT MOUSE MODELS OF INFERTILITY: A RESOURCE FOR NEW REPRODUCTIVE GENE DISCOVERIES. Pendola, Janice¹, Sweeney, Sheila ¹, Lothrop, Heather¹, Lessard, Carl¹, Schimenti, John², Handel, Mary Ann¹, Eppig, John¹, ¹ The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME² Cornell University, Ithaca, NY



T365. FKBP6 DEFICIENCY IN RATS DISORDERS HOMOLOGOUS CHROMOSOME PAIRING, BUT NOT SEX CHROMOSOME INACTIVATION. Noguchi, Junko¹, Tsuji, Taketo², Kurniani Karja, NW¹, Fahrudin, Mokhamad¹, Ozawa, Manabu¹, Ohnuma, Katsuhiko¹, Kikuchi, Kazuhiro¹, Kaneko, Hiroyuki¹, Kunieda, Tetsuo², ¹ National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan² Okayama University, Okayama, Okayama, Japan



W366. CHROMATIN REMODELING DURING MEIOSIS IN SPERMATOCYTES. Sun, Fengyun ¹, Handel, Mary Ann¹, ¹ The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME



M367. PRODUCTION OF A TELOMERASE-IMMORTALIZAED BOVINE SERTOLI CELL LINE. Sartini, Becky¹, Vogt, Volker¹, Huang, Stephanie¹, Parks, John¹, ¹ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY



T368. PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE-1 AND HISTONE-H3 PHOSPHORYLATION DURING MOUSE OOCYTE MEIOSIS I CHROMATIN CONDENSATION. Swain, Jason ¹, Villa-Moruzzi, Emma², Smith, Gary¹, ¹ University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI² University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy



W369. CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SUBFERTILITY DEFECT OF MALE LUNATIC FRINGE MICE. Hahn, Katherine ¹, Howard, Sheena¹, Beres, Brian¹, Chang, Yung¹, Wilson-Rawls, Jeanne¹, ¹ Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ



M370. TERMINATION OF CELL-TO-CELL COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE OVARIAN FOLLICLE: INDUCTION OF OOCYTE MATURATION. Sela-Abramovich, Sagit ¹, Edry, Iris¹, Galiani , Dalia ¹, Nevo, Nava¹, Dekel, Nava¹, ¹ Weizmann Insitute of Science, Rehovot, Israel



T371. EXPRESSION OF THE NOTCH REGULATORS, NUMB, NUMBLIKE, AND NEURALIZED IN MOUSE OVARY. Beres, Brian ¹, Barton, Michael¹, McGlade, Jane ², Wilson-Rawls, Jeanne¹, ¹ Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ² University of Toronto, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada



W372. FUNCTION OF LRH-1 IN MALE GERM CELLS. Sierens, Jayne¹, Jayakody, Irumini¹, Meacham, Sarah¹, Clyne, Colin¹, ¹ Prince Henry's Institute for Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia



M373. GLYCERALDEHYDE 3-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE-S FORMS A UNIQUE COMPLEX THAT IS INTEGRATED INTO THE FIBROUS SHEATH OF THE SPERM FLAGELLUM. Miki, Kiyoshi¹, Mapara, Sabeen¹, Miki, Yuko¹, Krisfalusi, Michelle¹, O'Brien, Deborah¹, ¹ University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC



T374. SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT OF HOLSTEIN BULLS. Huang, Stephanie¹, Sartini, Becky¹, Parks, John¹, ¹ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY



W375. REGULATORY GENES IN EARLY FOLLICULOGENESIS. Nandedkar, Tarala¹, Dharma, Shalmali ¹, Mukherjee, Srabani¹, ¹ National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India



M376. EPIGENETIC REGULATION OF FETAL GERM CELL DIFFERENTIATION. Resnick, James¹, Maatouk, Danielle¹, Kellam, Lori¹, Mann, Mellissa², Bartolomei, Marisa², Li, En³, ¹ University of Florida, Gainesville, FL² University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA³ Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA



T377. STRAIN DIFFERENCES IN THE TIMING AND RATE OF CYST BREAKDOWN AND THE ASSOCIATED APOPTOSIS IN DEVELOPING OOCYTES OF NEONATAL MICE. Medico, Leonard¹, Wilson, Krystal¹, Pepling, Melissa¹, ¹ Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY



W378. THE CHEMICALLY INDUCED MUTATION gcd2 (GERM CELL DEPLETION 2) REDUCES PRIMORDIAL GERM CELL POPULATIONS AND CAUSES INFERTILITY IN MICE. Reinholdt, Laura ¹, Kamdar, Sonya¹, Munroe, Robert², Schimenti, John ², ¹ The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME² Cornell University, Ithaca, NY



M379. DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES IN THE MECHANISM REGULATING INTRACELLULAR pH DURING GROWTH OF THE MOUSE OOCYTE PRIOR TO OVULATION. Erdogan, Seref¹, Tartia, Alina², Baltz, Jay², ¹ Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey² Ottawa University Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada



T380. CHARACTERIZATION OF THE BOVINE SPERMATIC TRANSCRIPTOME. Gilbert, Isabelle^{1, 2, 3}, Boissonneault, Guylain², Bissonnette, Nathalie³, Robert, Claude¹, ¹ CRBR/Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada² Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada³ Agriculture Canada, Lennoxville, QC, Canada



W381. USE OF FOURIER HARMONIC ANALYSIS OF NUCLEAR MORPHOLOGY OF BULL SPERM TO PREDICT FERTILITY. Kaya, Abdullah^{1, 2}, Xu , Ruifeng ¹, Northey, Dave ¹, Susko-Parrish, Joan¹, Parrish, John¹, ¹ University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI² University of Selcuk, Konya, Turkey



M382. DEVELOPMENTAL POTENTIAL OF BOVINE OOCYTES CULTURED IN DEFINED MATURATION MEDIA. Sagirkaya, Hakan^{1, 2}, Misirlioglu, Muge¹, Kaya, Abdullah³, Odaman-Mercan, Hande¹, First, Neal³, Parrish, John³, Memili, Erdogan¹, ¹ Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS² Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey³ University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI



T383. IMPROVED INDUCTION OF MALE GERM-CELL LINEAGE FROM MOUSE EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS BY SERTOLI CELL-CONDITIONED MEDIA. Oh, Hwa Soon¹, Eum, Jin Hee¹, Chung, Hyung Min¹, Lee, Woo Sik¹, Yoon, Tae Ki¹, Cha, Kwang Yul¹, Kim, Kye-Seong², Lee, Dong Ryul¹, ¹ CHA Research Institute, Pochon CHA University, Seoul, Korea² Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea



W384. TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA, PROGESTERONE, AND KERATINOCYTE GROWTH FACTOR (KGF) ACT TO REGULATE OVARIAN FOLLICLE ASSEMBLY AND PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLE TRANSITION. Nilsson, Eric¹, Kezele, Phillip, Stanfield, Jacob¹, Skinner, Michael¹, ¹ Washington State University, Pullman, WA



M385. CHANGES IN GERMINAL VESICLE CHROMATIN CONFIGURATIONS DURING GROWTH AND MATURATION OF BOVINE OOCYTES. Tan, Jing-He¹, Liu, Yong¹, Sui, Hong-Shu¹, Luo, Ming-Jiu¹, Chang, Zhong-Le¹, ¹ Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong Province, P R China



T386. EXPRESSION AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PDE3A IN PORCINE OOCYTE. Sasseville, Maxime ¹, Darou, Gabrielle¹, Richard, Francois¹, ¹ CRBR, Universite Laval, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada



W387. THE TIMING OF MEIOTIC ONSET INFLUENCES OOCYTE LOSS IN THE MOUSE OVARY. Fazio, Cynthia¹, Taketo, Teruko, ¹ McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada



M388. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IN VITRO MATURATION AND PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR ACTIVITY OF PORCINE OOCYTES EXPOSED TO OXIDATIVE STRESS. Park, Choon-Keun¹, Sa, Soo-Jin¹, Cheong, Hee-Tae¹, Yang, Boo-Keun¹, Kim, Choung-Ik¹, ¹ Kangwon National University, Chunchon, Kangwon-Do, Korea



T389. NUCLEAR MITOTIC APPARATUS (NuMA) PROTEIN: EXPRESSION AND POTENTIAL FUNCTION IN MAMMALIAN OOCYTES DURING MEIOTIC MATURATION. Koch, Jessica¹, Viveiros, Maria¹, ¹ University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA



W390. EFFECTS OF CULTURE MEDIA AND ENERGY SOURCES ON NUCLEAR MATURATION IN BOVINE CUMULUS-ENCLOSED OOCYTES. Bilodeau-Goeseels, Sylvie¹, ¹ Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, Canada



M391. CHARACTERIZATION OF INTERACTION BETWEEN THE AUTOPHAGY PROTEIN BECLIN AND GAMETOGENETIN: IMPLICATIONS FOR MALE GERM CELL SURVIVAL. Welbern, Vanessa¹, Alinea, Corinne¹, Rucker, Edmund¹, ¹ University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO



T392. PHENOTYPIC AND GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF Swrm1, AN ENU-INDUCED MOUSE MALE INFERTILITY MUTATION. Harris, Tanya¹, Marquez, Becky¹, Hartford, Suzanne¹, Wilson, Larry², Suarez, Susan¹, Handel, Mary Ann², Eppig, John², Schimenti, John¹, ¹ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY² Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME



W393. ACCUMULATION OF CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE-1 AT THE ACQUISITION OF MEIOTIC COMPETENCE BY OOCYTES IS POST-TRANSCRIPTIONALLY REGULATED BY A MECHANISM DEPENDENT ON THE GRANULOSA CELLS. Clarke, Hugh¹, Cui, Shanjin¹, Allard, Patrick¹, Gauthier, France¹, ¹ McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada



M394. INSULIN SIGNALING THROUGH GLYCOGEN SYNTHASE KINASE-3 REGULATES CHROMATIN CONDENSATION AND SEGREGATION IN MOUSE OOCYTES. Smith, Gary¹, Ding, Jun¹, ¹ University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI



T395. OOCYTE-DIRECTED DEPLETION OF CONNEXIN43 USING THE Cre-LoxP SYSTEM. Gershon, Eran¹, Plaks, Vicki¹, Aharon, Idan¹, Galiani, Dalia¹, Petrovich, Katia¹, Kalma, Yael¹, Reizel, Yitzhak¹, Sela-Abramovitch, Sagit¹, Granot, Irit², Winterhager, Elke³, Dekel, Nava¹, ¹ The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel² Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel³ University Hospital Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Essen, Germany



W396. EFFECTS OF ABOLISHING LH PULSATILITY BY SUPRA-PHYSIOLOGICAL CONCENTRATIONS OF ESTRADIOL-17 ON OVARIAN ANTRAL FOLLICULAR GROWTH IN ANESTROUS EWES. Barrett, David¹, Ewen, Kirk¹, Duggavathi, Rajesha², Cook, Susan¹, Davies, Kate¹, Pattullo, Kim¹, Bagu, Edward¹, Rawlings, Norman¹, ¹ University of Saskatchewan, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK, Canada² Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch CEDEX, France



M397. THE EFFECTS OF SCROTAL INSULATION ON BOVINE SPERM NUCLEAR SHAPE AS DETERMINED BY FOURIER HARMONIC ANALYSIS AND ITS RELATION TO IN VITRO FERTILIZATION. Enwall, Lefric¹, Kaya, Abdulah^{1, 2}, Geiger, Lindsey¹, Schindler, Josh¹, Orchard, Jennifer¹, Northey, David¹, Parrish, John¹, ¹ University of Wisconsin, Madsion, WI² Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey



T398. CHANGES OF THE 3-HYDROXY-3-METHYLGLUTARYL COENZYME REDUCTASE EXPRESSION IN THE TESTIS DURING DEVELOPMENT AND ADULTHOOD THROUGHOUT THE ANNUAL REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE IN A SEASONAL BREEDER, THE MINK (Mustela vison). Chen, Li¹, Vitale, María¹, Pelletier, R-Marc¹, ¹ Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada



W399. METHYLATION ANALYSIS OF THE IMPRINTED Rasgrf1 GENE IN TISSUES EXHIBITING MONOALLELIC, BIALLELIC, OR NO EXPRESSION. Gerfen, Jennifer¹, Rahn-Lee, Charlotte¹, Davis, Tamara ¹, ¹ Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA



M400. INVOLVEMENT OF AN ₆₁-INTEGRIN/FOCAL ADHESION COMPLEX IN SPERMIATION AND SPERMIATION FAILURE. Beardsley, Amanda^{1, 2}, Robertson, David ¹, O'Donnell, Liza¹, ¹ Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia² Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia



T401. BOULE AND DAZL EXPRESSION PATTERNS IN PRIMATES DEMONSTRATE A NEOFUNCTIONALIZATION OF A TESTIS-SPECIFIC GENE FAMILY. Luetjens, C. Marc¹, Tung, Joyce², Wistuba, Joachim¹, Xu, Eugene ², Reijo Pera, Renee², Gromoll, Jörg¹, ¹ Westphalian Wilhelms-University, Muenster, Germany² University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA



W402. SERINE/THREONINE PHOSPHORYLATION BY PKA ASSOCIATED WITH AKAP4 DURING CAPACITATION. Kaneto, Masako^{1, 2}, O'Brien, Deborah¹, Miki, Kiyoshi¹, ¹ University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC² Developmental Research Laboratories, Shiongi & Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan



M403. NEONATAL OOCYTE DEVELOPMENT IN AN OVARY ORGAN CULTURE SYSTEM. Chen, Ying¹, Pepling, Melissa¹, ¹ Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY



T404. DE NOVO SYNTHESIS AND HYPERPHOSPHORYLATION OF pEg3 DURING MEIOTIC MATURATION OF Xenopus laevis OOCYTES. Xi, Yanwei^{1, 2}, Tassan, Jean-Pierre ³, Liu, Johné ^{1, 2}, ¹ Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada² University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada³ UMR6061-CNRS, Université de Rennes, Rennes, France



W405. A BOVINE ORTHOLOGUE OF THE MATERNAL EFFECT GENE STELLA/PGC7 IDENTIFIED BY SUBTRACTIVE AND SUPPRESSIVE HYBRIDIZATION. Pennetier, Sophie¹, Uzbekova, Svetlana¹, Mermillod, Pascal¹, Dalbiès-Tran, Rozenn¹, ¹ Université François Rabelais de Tours/Haras Nationaux, Nouzilly, FRANCE



M406. GENE EXPRESSION IN PRIMORDIAL GERM CELL DEVELOPMENT. Kellam, Lori¹, Resnick, James¹, ¹ University of Florida, Gainesville, FL



T407. RAB2 IS A MAJOR SUBACROSOMAL PROTEIN OF SPERMATOZOA IMPLICATED IN ACROSOMAL BIOGENESIS. Oko, Richard¹, Mountjoy, Jeremi ¹, Wu, Alexander ¹, ¹ Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada



W408. SECRETION OF GDF9 BY MOUSE OOCYTES IS DEVELOPMENTALLY REGULATED. Diaz, Francisco¹, Pangas, Stephanie², Matzuk, Martin², Eppig, John¹, ¹ The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME² Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX



M409. THE DUAL ROLE OF PDE3A IN OOCYTE MATURATION. Edry, Iris¹, Galiani, Dalia¹, Dekel, Nava¹, ¹ Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel



T410. STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF THE PERINUCLEAR THECA PROVIDE EVIDENCE FOR SPECIFIC PROTEIN SUB-DOMAINS IN MOUSE AND SYRIAN GOLDEN HAMSTER SPERM HEADS. Klaus, Angela¹, Ward, W. Steven², Storey, Bayard³, ¹ American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY² Institute for Biogenesis Research, Honolulu, HI³ Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Philadelphia, PA



W411. DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE TYPE I P-GLYCOPROTEIN FUNCTION DURING IN VITRO MATURATION OF PORCINE OOCYTE. Arai, Manabu¹, Yamauchi, Nobuhiko¹, Fukuda, Hiroaki¹, Soh, Tomoki¹, Hattori, Masa-aki¹, ¹ Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan



M412. SYNERGISTIC FUNCTION OF MAPK PATHWAY AND p34^cdc2 KINASE AT MEIOTIC ARREST OF RAT MATURED OOCYTES. Ito, Junya¹, Shimada, Masayuki², Hochi, Shinichi³, Hirabayashi, Masumi^{1, 4}, ¹ National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan² Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan³ Shinshu University, Ueda, Japan⁴ The Graduate University of Advanced Studies, Okazaki, Japan



T413. EFFECTS OF PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR/PLASMIN PROTEOLYTIC SYSTEM ON SPERM-OOCYTE INTERACTION DURING IN VITRO FERTILIZATION IN THE PIG. Sa, Soo-Jin¹, Cheong, Hee-Tae¹, Yang, Boo-Keun¹, Park, Choon-Keun¹, ¹ Kangwon National University, Chunchon, Kangwon-Do, Korea



W414. IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF RAFTS IN MEMBRANES OF MOUSE SPERM. Rodriguez, Delany¹, Lott, William¹, Trevino, Claudia¹, ¹ New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM



M415. PRODUCTION OF BOVINE SPERMATIDS FROM TRANSPLANTED PREPUBERTAL TESTIS TISSUE AND DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE OF RECOVERED SPERMATIDS. Kaproth, Michael^{1, 2}, Lee, Dong^{2, 3}, Parks, John², ¹ Genex Cooperative, Inc., Shawano, WI² Cornell University, Ithaca, NY³ Pochon CHA University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea



T416. AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE RESPONSIVENESS OF SMALL ANTRAL FOLLICLES (≥1 mm BUT ≤3 mm IN DIAMETER) TO FSH STIMULATION DURING THE ESTROUS CYCLE IN THE EWE. Davies, Kate¹, Duggavathi, Rajesha¹, Barrett, David¹, Bagu, Edward¹, Rawlings, Norman¹, ¹ University of Saskatchewan, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK, Canada



W417. A "NUTRIENT SPARING" HYPOTHESIS TO EXPLAIN THE NUTRITION OF THE IMMATURE BOVINE CUMULUS-OOCYTE COMPLEX. Thompson, Jeremy¹, Clark, Alys², Froiland, David¹, Stokes, Yvonne², Lane, Michelle¹, ¹ The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, Woodville, SA, Australia² The University of Adelaide School of Mathematical Sciences, Adelaide, SA, Australia



M418. TARGETED DISRUPTION OF GASZ IN MICE LEADS TO MALE STERILITY DUE TO A MEIOSIS ARREST. Ma, Lang¹, Yan, Wei², Lin, Yi-Nan ¹, Matzuk, Martin¹, ¹ Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX² University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, NV



T419. TOWARDS THE PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION AND POSITIONAL CLONING OF A NOVEL FERTILITY MUTANT, 403-16. Philipps, Dana¹, Harford, Suzanne¹, Schimenti, Kerry¹, Eppig, John², Handel, Mary Ann², Schimenti, John¹, ¹ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY² The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME



W420. INITIATION OF OOCYTE GROWTH IN GROWTH AND DIFFERENTIATION FACTOR-9 (GDF9) DEFICIENT MICE PRECEDES BOTH INITIATION OF FOLLICLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE INCREASE IN KIT LIGAND (KL) mRNA EXPRESSION. Ethier, Jean-Francois^{1, 2}, Thomas, Fiona^{1, 2}, Vanderhyden, Barbara^{1, 2}, ¹ Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada² University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada



M421. IDENTIFICATION OF GENES WITH SPERM-SPECIFIC UNMETHYLATED REGIONS. Sato, Shun ¹, Suzuki, Masako¹, Abe, Tetsuya¹, Hattori, Naka¹, Tanaka, Satoshi¹, Shiota, Kunio¹, ¹ The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan



T422. ONTOGENY OF THE CHROMATIN REMODELING PROTEIN ATRX AND ITS POTENTIAL INTERACTION WITH DEATH DOMAIN-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN (DAXX) DURING MOUSE SPERMATOGENESIS. Baumann, Claudia¹, De La Fuente, Rabindranath¹, ¹ University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA



W423. CHARACTERIZATION OF INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM RESPONSE TO IONOMYCIN IN THE EQUINE OOCYTE AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF NUCLEAR MATURATION. Checura, Celina¹, Parrish, John¹, ¹ University of Wisconsin-Madison, Endocrinology Reproductive Physiology Program, Madison, WI



M424. IS CONNEXIN43 REQUIRED FOR TESTICULAR STEROIDOGENIC FUNCTIONS? Kahiri, Caroline ¹, Tekpetey, Francis ¹, Khalil , Wahid¹, Kidder, Gerald¹, ¹ University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada



T425. PATERNAL ALLELE-SPECIFIC METHYLATION IS ACQUIRED AT THE PROMOTER OF THE IMPRINTED MOUSE Gtl2 LOCUS POST-FERTILIZATION. He, Lu Mei¹, Powell, Elizabeth¹, Stein, Geneva¹, Davis, Tamara¹, ¹ Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA



W426. THE DEVELOPMENT OF IMMATURE MALE GERM CELLS AFTER TESTICULAR TISSUE HOMOGRAFTING AND XENOGRAFTING. Yu, Jie¹, Cai, Zhi-Ming¹, Ye, Jing¹, Zhang, Fang-Ting¹, Wan, Hui-Juan¹, Fang, Jia-Zhi¹, Gui, Yao-Ting¹, Wang, Jie-Dong², Zong, Shu-Dong², ¹ Peking University Shen-Zhen Hospital, Shen Zhen, PR China² National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, PR China



M427. DEFAULT PROTEIN SORTING AND DEGRADATION PATHWAYS IN MAMMALIAN TESTIS AND EPIDIDYMIS REVEALED IN THE UBC-GFP TRANSGENIC MOUSE. Sutovsky, Miriam¹, Manandhar, Gaurishankar¹, Feng, Dawn¹, Sutovsky, Peter ¹, ¹ University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, 65211



T428. IN VITRO SPERMATOGONIAL DIFFERENTIATION IN JSD MOUSE TESTES IS STIMULATED BY ELEVATED TEMPERATURE. Porter, Karen¹, Meistrich, Marvin¹, ¹ UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX



W429. THE IN VITRO EFFECT OF EGF, FSH AND TESTOSTERONE ON SPERMATOGONIAL CELLS COLONIZATION. Anjamrooz, SH¹, Movahedin, M¹, Tiraihi, T¹, Mowla, SJ¹, ¹ Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran



M430. EXPRESSION OF HSP105 AND HSP60 GENES DURING GERM CELL APOPTOSIS IN THE HEAT-TREATED TESTES OF ADULT CYNOMOLGUS MONKEYS (Macaca fascicularis). Zhang, Xue-sen¹, Yuan, Jin-xiang ¹, Chen, Min¹, Lue, Yan-he ², Liu, Yi-xun¹, ¹ State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China² Harbor-University of California-Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance, CA



T431. HEAT STRESS INDUCES AMPK ACTIVATION AND MEIOTIC MATURATION IN MOUSE OOCYTES. LaRosa, Cean¹, Downs, Stephen¹, ¹ Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI



W432. CHOLESTEROL DEPLETION ALTERS LIPID RAFTS STRUCTURE AND THE MEMBRANE LOCALIZATION OF THE SPERMATOZOA-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN P25b. Girouard, Julie¹, Frenette, Gilles ¹, Sullivan, Robert ¹, ¹ Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada



M433. EXPRESSION AND LOCALIZATION OF BROMODOMAIN PROTEIN 4 (BRD4) DURING OOCYTE MATURATION AND FERTILIZATION IN MICE. Nagashima, Takashi¹, Maruyama, Tetsuo¹, Uchida, Hiroshi¹, Masuda, Hirotaka¹, Masanori, Ono¹, Arase, Toru¹, Asada, Hironori¹, Ozato, Keiko², Yoshimura, Yasunori¹, ¹ Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan² NICHD, NIH, Bethesda, MD



T434. Nohlh, A NOVEL HELIX LOOP HELIX TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR, IS CRITICAL IN MAMMALIAN GAMETOGENESIS. Rajkovic, Aleksandar ¹, Pangas, Stephanie¹, Matzuk, Martin¹, Ballow, Daniel¹, ¹ Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX



W435. OVARIAN ANTRAL FOLLICULAR DYNAMICS IN CYCLIC EWES REVISITED: COMPARISON BETWEEN 3-WAVE AND 4-WAVE ESTROUS CYCLES. Seekallu, Srinivas¹, Toosi, Behzad¹, Duggavathi, Rajesha^{1, 2}, Barrett, David¹, Davies, Kate¹, Bagu, Edward¹, Rawlings, Norman¹, ¹ University of Saskatchewan, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK, Canada² Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, Alsace, France



M436. THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE FSH PEAK AMPLITUDE AND THE OVARIAN ANTRAL FOLLICULAR DYNAMICS IN CYCLIC EWES. Toosi, Behzad¹, Seekallu, Srinivas¹, Duggavathi, Rajesha^{1, 2}, Barrett, David ¹, Davies, Kate¹, Bagu, Edward¹, Rawlings, Norman¹, ¹ University of Saskatchewan, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK, Canada² Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moleculaire et cellulaire, Illkirch, Alsace, France

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Gene Expression in Endocrine Tissues

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T437. ADMINISTRATION OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (hCG) ALTERS CELLULAR EXPRESSION OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR-2 (VEGFR-2) IN THE TESTES OF VEGFR-2 LACZ MICE. Clopton, Debra¹, Bott, Rebecca¹, Ten Broeck, Robin¹, Tepfer, April¹, Baltes, Michelle¹, Schulz, Joseph¹, Cupp, Andrea¹, ¹ University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE



W438. WITHDRAWN. Nelson, John¹, Laughlin, Andy¹, Bryan, Tina ¹, Forrest, David¹, Welsh, Thomas ¹, Ing, Nancy¹, ¹ Texas A&M University, College Station, TX



M439. EXPRESSION OF GREMLIN, A BMP ANTAGONIST, IN THE MOUSE TESTIS. Hampton, James¹, Johnston, Daniel², Eppig, John¹, Handel, Mary Ann¹, ¹ The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME² Wyeth Research, Collegeville, PA



T440. siRNA SUPPRESSION OF GDF-9 mRNA IN VITRO BLOCKS THE FORMATION OF PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLES IN THE HAMSTER. Wang, Cheng¹, Roy, Shyamal K¹, ¹ University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE



W441. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEVELS OF mRNA ENCODING GLUCOSE TRANSPORTER (GLUT) 1 AND 3 AND CONCENTRATIONS OF GLUCOSE IN BOVINE FOLLICLES. Nishimoto, Hiromi¹, Baba, Youhei¹, Kato, Fumiyo¹, Ogawara, Sumika¹, Yamana, Atsuko¹, Yamamoto, Sawa², Hamano, Seizo², Tetsuka, M.¹, ¹ Obihiro University of Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan² Livestock Improvement Association of Japan Inc, Tokyo, Japan



M442. THE REGULATION OF EXPRESSION OF MEMBERS OF THE PEA3 TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR FAMILY AND THEIR DOWNSTREAM TARGETS IN THE RAT EPIDIDYMIS. Yang, Ling¹, Kirby, Jennifer¹, Troan, Brigid¹, Fox, Sallie¹, Hinton, Barry¹, ¹ University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia



T443. TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION OF INSL3 EXPRESSION IN TESTICULAR LEYDIG CELLS. Robert, Nicholas¹, Tremblay, Jacques^{1, 2}, ¹ CHUL Research Centre, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada² Université Laval, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada



W444. INDUCTION OF SMAD8 BY MLLERIAN INHIBITING SUBSTANCE. Clarke, Trent¹, Kabbaj, Marie-Helene¹, Fritz, Dillon¹, Zhan, Yong^{2, 3}, Manganaro, Thomas^{2, 3}, MacLaughlin, David^{2, 3}, Lorenzen, Mary^{2, 3}, Donahoe, Patricia^{2, 3}, ¹ Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL² Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA³ Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA



M445. EVIDENCE FOR DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF FSH RECEPTOR EXONS 10 AND 11 DURING FOLLICULAR WAVE DEVELOPMENT IN THE COW. Rozell, Timothy ¹, Monteiro, Ana², Baker, Paul², Mihm, Monika², ¹ Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS² University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK



T446. ESTREN BEHAVES AS A WEAK ESTROGEN RATHER THAN A NON-GENOMIC SELECTIVE ACTIVATOR IN THE UTERUS. Hewitt, Sylvia¹, Korach, Kenneth¹, ¹ National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC



W447. DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF INTRACELLULAR SIGNALLING MOLECULES IN DOMINANT COMPARED TO SUBORDINATE FOLLICLES DURING DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE FOLLICLE WAVE IN CATTLE. Forde, Niamh¹, Canty, Mary¹, Zielak, Anna¹, Lonergan, Pat¹, Smith, George², Ireland, James², Evans, Alex¹, ¹ University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland² Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI



M448. CHANGES IN THE CELLULAR DISTRIBUTION OF HEPATOCYTE GROWTH FACTOR (HGF), C-MET, AND HGF ACTIVATOR PROTEIN DURING RAT FOLLICULOGENESIS. Zachow, Rob^{1, 2}, Uzumcu, Mehmet ², ¹ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ² Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ



T449. MURINE HOMOLOGUES OF THE DROSOPHILA GUS GENE ARE EXPRESSED IN OVARIAN GRANULOSA CELLS. Xing, Yan ^{1, 2}, Gosden, Roger³, Lasko, Paul ¹, Clarke, Hugh^{1, 2}, ¹ McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada² Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada³ Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY



W450. IN SITU STEROIDOGENIC PATTERN OF FOLLICULAR MICROENVIRONMENT IN MURRAH BUFFALOES: CHANGE IN HORMONAL ENVIRONMENT OF OOCYTES WITH CYCLICITY. Ramesh, Chandolia¹, Pradeep, S¹, Sandeep, Gera¹, ¹ CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India



M451. INFLUENCE OF DURATION OF PROESTRUS ON PREOVULATORY ESTRADIOL CONCENTRATIONS AND UTERINE GENE EXPRESSION FOLLOWING INDUCED OVULATION IN CATTLE. Bridges, Glen¹, Mussard, Martin¹, Winkler, Jodi¹, Gasser, Chad¹, Grum, David¹, Pate, Joy¹, Day, Michael¹, ¹ The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH



T452. CAVEOLIN-1 (CAV1) IS UP-REGULATED IN GRANULOSA CELLS OF BOVINE OVULATORY FOLLICLES: MOLECULAR CLONING AND SPATIO-TEMPORAL EXPRESSION STUDIES. Diouf, Mame¹, Lefebvre, Réjean¹, Lévesque, Valérie¹, Silversides, David¹, Sirois, Jean¹, Lussier, Jacques¹, ¹ Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada



W453. DYNAMIC EXPRESSION OF mRNAs ENCODING EPOXYEICOSATRIENOIC ACID SYNTHESIZING AND METABOLIZING ENZYMES IN THE PRIMATE CORPUS LUTEUM. Perez, Wilma¹, Irusta, Griselda¹, Hennebold, Jon^{1, 2}, ¹ Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR² Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR



M454. A CALCIUM BINDING PROTEIN, CALBINDIN-D9k, IS MAINLY REGULATED BY ESTROGEN IN THE PITUITARY GLAND OF RATS DURING ESTROUS CYCLE. Nguyen, Thi Hoa¹, Jung, Yong-Woo¹, Choi, Kyung-Chul², Jeung, Eui-Bae ¹, ¹ Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea² University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada



T455. SEX-SPECIFIC GENE EXPRESSION PROFILING IN FETAL MOUSE LUNG DURING THE SURFACTANT SURGE. Simard, Marc^{1, 2}, Provost, Pierre ^{1, 2}, Tremblay, Yves ^{1, 2}, ¹ Centre de Recherche du CHUL, Quebec, QC, Canada² Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada



W456. Mouse Type I 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (3-HSD) Promoter Regulation by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in MA-10 Leydig Cells. Xie, Qin ¹, Holder, Amber¹, Stalvey, John¹, ¹ Kent State University, Kent, OH



M457. DYNAMIC EXPRESSION OF NEUREGULIN-1 AND THE ERbB FAMILY OF RECEPTORS DURING FOLLICULOGENESIS IN THE RAT OVARY. Branch, Alicia¹, Chowdhury, Indrajit¹, Ford, Byron¹, Tsang, Benjamin², Thompson, Winston¹, ¹ Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA² University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada



T458. CLONING AND ANALYSIS OF THE OVINE GALECTIN-15 PROMOTER. Lewis, Shaye¹, Carpenter, Karen¹, Gray, Allison¹, Fleming, Jo-Ann¹, Bazer, Fuller¹, Spencer, Thomas¹, ¹ Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas



W459. JUN/AP-1 ADENOVIRAL OVEREXPRESSION RECIPROCALLY REGULATES UTERINE ARTERY ENDOTHELIAL CELL eNOS AND CAVEOLIN-1 EXPRESSION. Chen, Dongbao¹, ¹ University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA



M460. THE PUTATIVE HMGA PROTEIN p8 IS ESSENTIAL FOR GNRH INDUCTION OF EGR1 IN LT2 CELLS. Chauvin, Theodore^{1, 2}, Nilson, John^{1, 2}, ¹ Washington State University, Pullman, WA² Center for Reproductive Biology, Pullman, WA



T461. MOLECULAR CLONING AND EXPRESSION OF PORCINE STAT3 IN REPRODUCTIVE TISSUES. Wen, Lihua ¹, Craig, Jesse¹, Dyce, Paul¹, Li, Julang¹, ¹ University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada



W462. EXPRESSION OF GAP JUNCTIONAL CONNEXINS (Cx) 26, 32, 37 AND 43 IN THE OVINE OVARIAN FOLLICLES DURING THE PERIOVULATORY PERIOD IN SHEEP. Borowczyk, Ewa ¹, Johnson, Mary Lynn ¹, Redmer, Dale ¹, Reynolds, Lawrence ¹, Navanukraw , Chainarong ¹, Grazul-Bilska, Anna ¹, ¹ North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND



M463. INITIATION OF PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR-ACTIVATED RECEPTOR (PPAR) EXPRESSION IN THE NEONATAL RAT OVARY. Komar, Carolyn¹, ¹ Iowa State University, Ames, IA



T464. ESTROGEN INDUCES RECRUITMENT OF HYPOXIA-INDUCIBLE FACTOR 1 (HIF-1) TO THE PROXIMAL PROMOTER OF THE VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR (VEGF) GENE. Kazi, Armina¹, Koos, Robert¹, ¹ University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD



W465. CHOLESTEROL SIDE-CHAIN CLEAVAGE CYTOCHROME P450 (P450scc) TRANSCRIPTION REVISITED: SF-1 WAS ONLY A PROLOGUE. Sher, Noa¹, Orly, Joseph¹, ¹ The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel



M466. INVERSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASES AND ENDOTHELIN-1 IN BOVINE CORPUS LUTEUM : INTERACTIONS AT THE LEVEL OF THE LUTEAL ENDOTHELIAL CELL. Meidan, Rina¹, Kisliouk, Tatiana¹, Klipper, Eyal¹, Spanel-Borowski, Katharina², Rosiansky, Maya¹, ¹ The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel² University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany



T467. mRNA AND PROTEIN EXPRESSION OF P450 AROMATASE (AROM) AND ESTROGEN RECEPTORS (ER) AND DURING EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF BOVINE FETAL OVARIES. Garverick, H Allen¹, Juengel, Jenny², Smith, Peter², Heath, Derek², Burkhart, Malinda¹, Schenk, John³, Perry, George¹, Smith, Michael¹, McNatty, Ken², ¹ University of Missouri, Columbia, MO² AgResearch, Wallaceville, Upper Hutt, NZ³ XY, Inc., Fort Collins, CO



W468. EXPRESSION OF EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE INDUCER (EMMPRIN) IN REPRODUCTIVE TISSUES OF ESTROGEN RECEPTOR- AND - KNOCKOUT MICE. Nowak, Romana¹, Bunick, David ¹, Nakai, Masaaki¹, Couse, John², Korach, Ken², Chen, Li¹, ¹ University of Illinois, Urbana, IL² National Institute of Environmental Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC



M469. EXPRESSION LEVELS OF APOPTOSIS-RELATED GENES IN THE TESTIS OF LEPTIN-DEFICIENT MICE. Bhat, Ganapathy¹, Olatinwo, Moshood¹, Ford, Gregory¹, Ford, Byron¹, Mann, David¹, ¹ Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA



T470. EXPRESSION AND REGULATION OF MULLERIAN INHIBITING SUBSTANCE IN THE OVARY OF THE HEN. Johnson, Patricia¹, Kent, Tera¹, Giles, James¹, ¹ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY



W471. ISOLATION OF THE RAT Nur77 PROMOTER AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ITS REGULATORY ELEMENTS IN TESTICULAR LEYDIG CELLS. Boucher, Nicolas¹, Tremblay, Jacques J.^{1, 2}, ¹ CHUL Research Centre, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada² Université Laval, Ste-Foy, QC, Canada



M472. EXPRESSION OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE TYPE I GENE IN PORCINE GRANULOSA CELLS AND ITS STEROID HORMONE REGULATION. Fukuda, Hiroaki¹, Arai, Manabu¹, Soh, Tomoki¹, Yamauchi, Nobuhiko¹, Hattori, Masa-aki¹, ¹ Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan



T473. LOCALIZATION OF PROTEINS ENCODING ESTROGEN RECEPTORS (ER) AND DURING DAYS 110 TO 250+ OF DEVELOPMENT OF BOVINE FETAL OVARIES. Burkhart, Malinda¹, Garverick, H Allen¹, Juengel, Jenny², Smith, Peter², Heath, Derek², Perry, George¹, Smith, Michael¹, ¹ University of Missouri, Columbia, MO² AgResearch, Wallaceville, Upper Hutt, NZ



W474. LONG PROMOTER AND TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION OF PROSTAGLANDIN F AND E SYNTHASES BY IL1B IN HUMAN ENDOMETRIAL CELLS. Chapdelaine, Pierre¹, Fortier, Michel^{1, 2}, ¹ Laval University Hospital Center, Quebec, Qc, Canada² Laval University, Quebec, Qc, Canada



M475. SEARCHING A MULTI-LEVEL DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE BOVINE OOCYTE GENE. Mourot, Marina¹, Duffort, Isabelle¹, Gravel, Catherine ¹, Algryani , Omran², Dieleman , Steph ², Sirard, Marc Andre¹, ¹ Université Laval, Québec, QC, CANADA.² Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.



T476. EXPRESSION PROFILES OF ENDOMETRIA FROM WOMEN WITH NATURAL, MODERATE AND HYPERSTIMULATED CYCLE DURING IN VITRO FERTILIZATION TREATMENT. Liu, Yunao¹, Lee, Kai-Fai¹, Ng, Ernest ¹, Ho, Pak-Chung¹, ¹ The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China



W477. IMPLICATION OF ADIPOGENESIS ON REPRODUCTION IN SOW; NEW CANDIDATE GENES? Labrecque, Benoit¹, Murphy, Bruce¹, Mathieu, Olivier², Palin, Marie-France ², ¹ University of Montreal, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada² Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, AAFC, Lennoxville, QC, Canada



M478. UNRAVELING THE INTRAFOLLICULAR MECHANISM OF OVULATION: PROSTAGLANDIN DEPENDENT REGULATION OF SELECT EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX DEGRADING PROTEINASES AND THEIR INHIBITORS IN BOVINE PREOVULATORY FOLLICLES. Li, Qinglei¹, Jimenez-Krassel, Fermin¹, Kobayashi, Yasuhiro¹, Ireland, James¹, Smith, George¹, ¹ Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI



T479. PATTERN OF ENDOCRINE GLAND-DERIVED VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR (EG-VEGF)/ PROKINETICIN-1 mRNA EXPRESSION IN BOVINE OVARIES THROUGHOUT THE ESTROUS CYCLE: MORE THAN ANGIOGENIC FACTOR. Kisliouk, Tatiana¹, Podlovni, Helena¹, Zhou, Qun-Yong², Meidan, Rina¹, ¹ The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel² University of California, Irvine, CA



W480. EXPRESSION AND REGULATION OF PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR ISOFORMS IN THE MOUSE FALLOPIAN TUBE AND UTERUS. Shao, Ruijin¹, Weijdegård, Birgitta¹, Billig, Håkan¹, ¹ Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden



M481. MICROARRAY ANALYSIS OF OVARIAN GENE EXPRESSION IN FORKO MICE: INSIGHTS INTO THE MECHANISM OF FOLLITROPIN RECEPTOR SIGNALLING. Aravindakshan, Jayaprakash¹, Chen, Xin Lei¹, Yang, Yinzhi¹, Sairam, M Ram¹, ¹ Clinical Research Institute of Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada



T482. MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE EQUINE PROSTAGLANDIN F2 RECEPTOR AND ITS REGULATION DURING THE OVULATORY PROCESS. Sayasith, Khampoune¹, Bouchard, Nadine¹, Brown, Kristy A¹, Sirois, Jean¹, ¹ Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Qué, Canada



W483. DIFFERENTIAL GENE EXPRESSION IN THE OVARAIN CORTEX OF COWS SELECTED FOR MULTIPLE OVULATIONS. Cushman, Robert¹, Allan, Mark¹, Christenson, Ronald¹, Echternkamp, Sherrill¹, ¹ USDA-ARS, Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE



M484. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE PROMOTER USAGE OF THE CYTOCHROME P450 AROMATASE GENE IN BOVINE GRANULOSA CELLS. Nicola, Edmir¹, Cao, Mingju², Goncalves, Paulo¹, Price, Christopher², ¹ Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil² University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada



T485. CELLULAR LOCALIZATION AND EXPRESSION OF OVARIAN MMP-13 mRNA DURING FUNCTIONAL AND STRUCTURAL LUTEOLYSIS IN THE RAT. Wheeler-Price, Sarah¹, McDonnel-Smedts, Anna¹, Curry, Thomas¹, ¹ University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center, Lexington, KY



W486. CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ZEBRAFISH GROWTH AND DIFFERENTIATION FACTOR-9 (GDF-9) AND ITS REGULATION BY GONADOTROPIN IN THE OVARY. Liu, Lin¹, Ge, Wei¹, ¹ The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong



M487. GENES REGULATED BY THE PEM (RHOX5) HOMEODOMAIN PROTEIN IN SERTOLI CELLS. Hu, Zhiying ¹, MacLean, James ¹, Wilkinson, Miles ¹, ¹ M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX



T488. MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF BOVINE APOLIPOPROTEIN E RECEPTOR 2 AND SPATIO-TEMPORAL EXPRESSION STUDY IN OVARIAN FOLLICLES. Fayad, Tania¹, Sirois, Jean¹, Silversides, David¹, Lussier, Jacques¹, ¹ Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada



W489. GENE EXPRESSION DURING THE PERI-FOLLICULOGENIC PERIOD IN THE NEONATAL HAMSTER OVARY. Bowser, Jessica¹, Srikanthan, Sowmya¹, Hendry, William¹, May, Jeffrey¹, ¹ Wichita State University, Wichita, KS



M490. BOTH DECIDUALIZATION AND PROGESTERONE (P) WITHDRAWAL STIMULATE THE EXPRESSION OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR (VEGF), PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR (uPA), AND PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR INHIBITOR 1 (PAI-1) IN THE MOUSE ENDOMETRIUM. Koos, Robert¹, Jones, Jenny ¹, ¹ University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD



T491. GROWTH DIFFERENTIATION FACTOR-8 FUNCTION IN CHICKEN EMBRYONIC MYOBLASTS ANALYZED BY RNA INTERFERENCE. Sato, Fuminori ¹, Soh, Tomoki ¹, Yamauchi, Nobuhiko¹, Hattori, Masa-aki¹, ¹ Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan



W492. REGULATION OF FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR 2b (FGFR-2b) GENE EXPRESSION IN CULTURED BOVINE GRANULOSA CELLS. Buratini, Jose¹, Castilho, Anthony¹, Cao, Mingju², Nicola, Edmir², Costa, Isabela¹, Price, Christopher², ¹ Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil² University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada



M493. CONTRASTING IN VIVO VERSUS IN VITRO UTERINE EFFECTS OF THE SELECTIVE ESTROGEN RECEPTOR MODULATORS MPP AND RALOXIFENE. Davis, Angela¹, Rosenfeld, Cheryl ¹, ¹ University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO



T494. Wnt SIGNALING IN THE NEONATAL OVINE UTERUS AND POTENTIAL SPECIFICATION OF ENDOMETRIAL GLAND MORPHOGENESIS BY sFRP-2. Hayashi, Kanako¹, Spencer, Thomas¹, ¹ Texas A&M University, College Station, TX



W495. LIVER X RECEPTORS (LXRS) IN THE MURINE EPIDIDYMIS: TISSUE DISTRIBUTION AND TARGET GENES. Saez, Fabrice¹, Chabory, Eleonore¹, Kocer, Ayhan¹, Britan, Aurore¹, Lobaccaro, Jean-Marc¹, Drevet, Joel¹, ¹ Blaise Pascal University, Aubiere, France



M496. WITHDRAWN. Julio-Pieper, Marcela¹, Lara, Hernán¹, Vantman, David¹, Miranda, Cristian¹, Alba, Francisco¹, Cortinez, Armando¹, Romero, Carmen¹, ¹ Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile



T497. Rhox5 REGULATES ADJACENT HOMEOBOX GENES ON THE X CHROMOSOME DURING DEVELOPMENT. MacLean, James¹, Wayne, Chad¹, Rao, Manjeet¹, Chaillet, Richard², Wilkinson, Miles¹, ¹ UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX² University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA



W498. EFFECTS OF GONADOTROPINS ON BOVINE OOCYTE MATURATION IN VITRO AND EXPRESSION OF ITS RECEPTOR mRNA IN GRANULOSA AND CUMULUS CELLS. Jin, Zong-Xuan¹, Chung, Jin-Tae¹, Ock, Sun-A¹, Chian, Ri-Cheng ¹, ¹ McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada



M499. ASSESSING VINCLOZOLIN FOR ANTIANDROGENIC ACTIVITY: A DOSE-RESPONSE STUDY OF GENE EXPRESSION IN THE RAT VENTRAL PROSTATE. Jackson, Tymissha¹, Rosen, Mitchell², Furr, Jonathan², Schmid, Judith², Gray, L. Earl², ¹ North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC² United States Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC



T500. INABILITY OF MOUSE TESTIS TO ADAPT TO BODY TEMPERATURE -- A STUDY WITH OLIGO DNA ARRAY. Li, Yin-chuan¹, Hu, Xiao-qian¹, Han, Chun-sheng¹, Hu, Zhao-yuan¹, Liu, Tao¹, Guo, Jian¹, Song, Xin-xin¹, Xiao, Li-juan¹, Shi, Yu-qiang¹, Zhang, Ke-ying¹, Zhang, Zhu-qiang¹, Liu, Yi-Xun¹, ¹ Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China



W501. DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERNS OF PPAR/RXR GENE EXPRESSION DURING SPERMATOGENESIS. Thomas, Kelwyn¹, Sung, Dae-Yong¹, Chen, Xing¹, Gibbs, Robert², McCarrey, John³, Walker, William², ¹ Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA² University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA³ University of Texas, San Antonio, TX



M502. CROSS-SPECIES COMPARISON OF GENE EXPRESSION PROFILE IN THE OOCYTE USING OLIGONUCLEOTIDE ARRAYS. Vallee, Maud¹, Aiba, Kazuhiro², Piao, Yulan², Palin, Marie-France³, Ko, Minoru², Sirard, Marc-Andre¹, ¹ CRBR, Universite Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada² National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD³ Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, AAFC, Lennoxville, QC, Canada



T503. THE ISWI PROTEIN Snf2L REGULATES THE INITIATION OF TRANSCRIPTION OF THE STEROIDOGENIC ACUTE REGULATORY PROTEIN (StAR) IN TERMINALLY DIFFERENTIATING GRANULOSA AND LEYDIG CELLS. Pepin, David¹, Lazzaro, Maribeth ², Pescador, Nazario³, Murphy, Bruce³, Picketts, David⁴, Vanderhyden, Barbara^{1, 4}, ¹ University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada² Health Canada, Therapeutics Products Directorate, Ottawa, ON, Canada³ Universite de Montreal, St. Hyacinthe, PQ, Canada⁴ The Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada



W504. CELLULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL OVARY-SELECTIVE PROTEASE AND ITS HOMOLOG. Miyakoshi, Kei¹, Murphy, Melinda¹, Hennebold, Jon¹, ¹ Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR



M505. GLUT 1 AND GLUT 4 mRNA AND PROTEIN IN THE DOG CORPUS LUTEUM DURING DIESTRUS. Paarmann, Fabio A¹, Marques Jr, Jose E B¹, Barros, Rodrigo P A¹, Machado, Ubiratan F¹, Campos, Danila B¹, Papa, Paula C¹, ¹ University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil



T506. IFN-GAMMA AND TNF-ALPHA INHIBIT EXPRESSION OF TGF-BETA-1, ITS RECEPTORS TBETAR-I AND TBETAR-II IN THE CORPUS LUTEUM OF eCG/hCG TREATED RHESUS MONKEY. Gao, Hongjuan¹, Chen, Xin-Lei¹, Zhang, Zhi-Hong¹, Song, Xin-Xin¹, Hu, Zhao-Yuan¹, Liu, Yi-Xun¹, ¹ Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China



W507. ANDROGEN AND GLUCOCORTICOID SYNTHESIS IN THE DEVELOPING LUNG: TWO STEROIDS WITH OPPOSING ACTIONS ON THE MATURATION OF ALVEOLAR EPITHELIAL CELLS. Tremblay, Yves¹, Pierre, Provost¹, ¹ Laval University, Quebec, Quebec, Canada



M508. EFFECTS OF DEVELOPMENT, THE ESTROUS CYCLE, AND 17-ESTRADIOL ON ADIPOCYTE LEPTIN, ER, AND ER GENE EXPRESSION IN GILTS. Matsumoto, Yuiko¹, O'Gorman, Chad¹, Torres, Elizabeth¹, Stanko, Randy^{1, 2}, Garcia, Michelle¹, ¹ Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX² Texas A&M University Agricultural Research Station, Beeville, TX



T509. MEVASTATIN SELECTIVELY DOWN–REGULATES LH RECEPTOR (LHR) mRNA IN CULTURED BOVINE GRANULOSA (GC) AND THECA (TC). Marsters, Peter¹, Kendall, Nigel², Campbell, Bruce¹, ¹ University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK² University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK



W510. UPSTREAM STIMULATORY FACTOR 1 (USF1) AND USF2 ARE EXPRESSED IN THE MOUSE TESTIS: IMPLICATIONS FOR TESTICULAR GENE EXPRESSION. Pons, Eric¹, Tremblay, Jacques^{1, 2}, ¹ CHUL Research Centre, Sainte-Foy, QC, Canada² Université Laval, Sainte-Foy, QC, Canada



M511. ACCURATE IDENTIFICATION OF MONOHORMONAL GONADOTROPES WITH DUAL BRIGHT FIELD IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION AND PROBES FOR GONADOTROPIN BETA SUBUNIT mRNA OR hnRNA. Childs, Gwen¹, ¹ University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR



T512. PROMOTER 2 DERIVED CYP19 EXPRESSION IN BOVINE GRANULOSA CELLS COINCIDES WITH GENE-SPECIFIC DNA HYPO-METHYLATION. Vanselow, Jens¹, Pöhland, Ralf¹, Fürbass, Rainer¹, ¹ Research Institute for the Biology of Farm Animals, Dummerstorf, Germany



W513. SODIUM DEPENDENT VITAMIN C TRANSPORTER IN THE SHEEP CORPUS LUTEUM: SEQUENCE ANALYSIS. Ceddia, Ryan¹, Wick, Macdonald¹, Ottobre, Joseph¹, ¹ Ohio State University, Columbus, OH



M514. EXPRESSION OF TEX101 mRNA DIRECTED BY ALTERNATIVE PROMOTERS IN MOUSE GONADAL ORGANS. Tsukamoto, Hiroki¹, Jin, Hong¹, Takamori, Kenji¹, Ogawa, Hideoki¹, Araki, Yoshihiko¹, ¹ Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Urayasu, Japan



T515. GENE EXPRESSION OF GLUCOCORTICOID RECEPTOR AND 11 -HSD IN BOVINE FOLLICLE AND CORPUS LUTEUM. Tetsuka, Masa¹, Nishimoto, Hiromi¹, Yamamoto, Sawa², Hamano, Seizo², ¹ Obihiro University of Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan² Livestock Improvement Association of Japan Inc, Tokyo, Japan



W516. TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL EXPRESSION OF MMP-1,-9,-14 AND THEIR INHIBITORS TIMP-1,-2,-3 IN THE CORPUS LUTEUM OF THE CYCLING RHESUS MONKEY. Chen, Xin-Lei¹, Gao, Hong-Juan ¹, Gao, Fei ¹, Wei, Peng ¹, Hu, Zhao-Yuan ¹, Liu, Yi-Xun¹, ¹ Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China



M517. CHANGES OF UTERINE OXYTOCIN RECEPTOR AND ESTROGEN RECEPTOR mRNA LEVELS IN PSEUDOPREGNANT OR ESTROGEN-TREATED OVARIECTOMIZED RATS. Murata, Takuya¹, Narita, Kazumi¹, Higuchi, Takashi¹, ¹ University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan



T518. REGULATION OF C-IAP1 AND C-IAP2 EXPRESSION DURING THE SEMINIFEROUS EPITHELIAL CYCLE AND THE ROLE THESE PROTEINS PLAY IN THE PROTECTION OF GERM CELLS FROM FAS-MEDIATED APOPTOSIS IN RAT TESTIS. Wang, Yangyang¹, Suominen, Janne S¹, Parvinen, Martti ¹, Rivero-Muller, Adolfo¹, Kiiveri, Sanne², Heikinheimo, Markku ², Robbins, Ian ³, Toppari, Jorma¹, ¹ University of Turku, Turku, Finland² University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland³ Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France



W519. EFFECTS OF ESTRADIOL ON EXPRESSION OF CONNEXIN (Cx)43, Cx37, Cx32, AND Cx26 IN ENDOMETRIAL TISSUES OF OVARIECTOMIZED (OVX) EWES. Johnson, Mary Lynn¹, Grazul-Bilska, Anna¹, Borowczyk, Ewa¹, Redmer, Dale¹, Reynolds, Lawrence¹, ¹ North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND



M520. EXPRESSION OF GnRH AND ITS RECEPTORS IN THE OVARY OF PRIMATES. Sridaran, Rajagopala¹, Pattabiraman, Vaishnavi¹, Khan, Firyal², Stouffer, Richard³, Subbarao, Thenmozhi¹, ¹ Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA² West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV³ Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR



T521. POSSIBLE ROLE OF IGF BINDING PROTEIN-7 ON STEROIDOGENESIS IN GRANULOSA CELLS DERIVED FROM PREOVULATORY FOLLICLE IN RATS. Tamura, Kazuhiro¹, Matsushita, Mayumi¹, Kutsukake, Masahiko¹, Kogo, Hiroshi¹, ¹ Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, Tokyo, Japan



W522. THE IMPORT OF SULFOCONJUGATED STEROIDS IS REPRESSED IN PREOVULATORY FOLLICLES DURING HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN-INDUCED OVULATION. Brown, Kristy¹, Lussier, Jacques¹, Sirois, Jean¹, ¹ Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada



M523. PROTEIN PROFILES OF OVARIAN FOLLICULAR FLUID DURING DIFFERENT PHASES OF ESTROUS CYCLE IN MURRAH BUFFALOES. Pradeep, V¹, Ramesh, Chandolia¹, Harpreet, Singh¹, Ajit, Singh¹, ¹ CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India



T524. MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE LYSOSOMAL-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN TRANSMEMBRANE-4 BETA (LAPTM4B) REVEALS A DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION PATTERN IN GRANULOSA CELLS OF BOVINE DOMINANT FOLLICLES. Ndiaye, Kalidou¹, Carrière, Paul¹, Sirois, Jean¹, Silversides, David¹, Lussier, Jacques¹, ¹ Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada

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Genomics and Proteomics of the Reproductive System

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W525. MICROARRAY ANALYSIS OF HYPERTHYROID AND EUTHYROID RAT SERTOLI CELLS. Dahia, Chitra Lekha ¹, Rao, A. Jagannadha¹, ¹ Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India



M526. DIFFERENTIAL PROTEIN EXPRESSION OF IN VITRO MATURED PORCINE OOCYTES DERIVED FROM GILTS AND SOWS. Paczkowski, Melissa¹, Terry, Doris ¹, Krisher, Rebecca¹, ¹ Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN



T527. CELLULAR RECRUITMENT OF SEX HORMONE-BINDING GLOBULIN INVOLVES THE 67-kDa LAMININ RECEPTOR. Ng, Kwong-Man¹, Lee, Will², Hammond, Geoffrey¹, ¹ University of British Columbia, Vancouver² University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong



W528. LOCALIZATION OF OSTEOPONTIN ON EJACULATED AND EPIDIDYMAL HOLSTEIN BULL SPERM AND FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF OSTEOPONTIN ON EJACULATED HOLSTEIN BULL SPERM. Erikson, David¹, Killian, Gary¹, ¹ The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA



M529. PROTEOMIC PROFILING OF THE UTERINE FLUSHING FROM NATURAL AND STIMULATED CYCLES DURING PERI-IMPLANTATION PERIOD. Lee, Kai-Fai ^{1, 2}, Cheung, William¹, Chung, Man-Kin¹, Chiu, Philip¹, Yeung, William^{1, 2}, Ng, Ernest^{1, 2}, ¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hong Kong² Center of Reproduction, Development and Growth, Hong Kong



T530. ENHANCED EXPRESSION OF BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE RHESUS MACAQUE ENDOMETRIUM DURING MENSES. Slayden, Ov ¹, Carroll, Rebecca ¹, Mah, Kunie¹, Brenner, Robert¹, ¹ Oregon National Primate Research Center, OHSU, Beaverton, OR



W531. PROFILING GENE EXPRESSION IN THE DEVELOPING MOUSE EPIDIDYMIS USING RADE. Bapat, Ashok¹, Gonder, Daniel², Kopf, Gregory¹, ¹ Wyeth Research, Collegeville, PA² University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA



M532. INNER ACROSOMAL PROTEIN (IAM32P) FORMS A COMPLEX WITH SP47 AND ACROSIN IN BOAR SPERMATOZOA. Manandhar, G¹, Barajas-Espinosa, A², Young-Joo, Yi¹, Oko, R², Sutovsky, P^{1, 3}, ¹ University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO² Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada³ University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO



T533. THE MOUSE GENOME INFORMATICS DATABASE PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE ONLINE MAMMALIAN GENOMIC RESOURCES FOR THE REPRODUCTIVE RESEARCH COMMUNITY. Shaw, David¹, Blake, Judith¹, Bult, Carol¹, Kadin, James¹, Richardson, Joel¹, Ringwald, Martin¹, Eppig, Janan¹, ¹ The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA



W534. EPIDIDYMAL MATURATION OF THE BULL SPERM PH-20 PROTEIN. Morin, Guillaume^{1, 2, 3}, Sullivan, Robert^{1, 2, 3}, Leclerc, Pierre^{1, 2, 3}, ¹ Université Laval, Québec, Qc, Canada² Centre de Recherche du CHUQ, Québec, Qc, Canada³ Centre de Recherche en Biologie de la Reproduction, Québec, Qc, Canada



M535. THE EPIDIYMAL SOLUBLE PRION PROTEIN IS ASSOCIATED WITH HYDROPHOBIC PROTEINS IN A HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT STRUCTURE. Gatti, Jean-Luc¹, Ecroyd, Heath², Belghazi, Maya¹, Dacheux, Jean-Louis¹, ¹ Station de Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA, Nouzilly, France² The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia



T536. HEAT SHOCK AND PROSTAGLANDIN F2 DIFFERENTIALLY INDUCE THE EXPRESSION OF HEAT SHOCK PROTEINS 70 AND 90 WITHIN THE BOVINE CORPUS LUTEUM. Kopka, Melissa¹, Flores, Jorge², Inskeep, Keith², Tsang, Paul¹, ¹ University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH² West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV



W537. TESTICULAR ISOFORM OF ANGIOTENSIN I-CONVERTING ENZYME (ACE, CD143) ON THE SURFACE OF HUMAN SPERMATOZOA: REVELATION AND QUANTIFICATION USING MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES. Danilov, Sergei¹, Nikolaeva, Marina², Balyasnikova, Irina¹, Alexinskaya, Marina ^{2, 3}, Metzger, Roman⁴, Franke, Folker⁵, Albrecht, Ronald, Kulakov, Vladimir², Sukhikh, Gennady², ¹ University of Illinois, Chicago, IL² Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Moscow, Russia³ Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia⁴ Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany⁵ Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany



M538. THE POLYOL PATHWAY IN THE BOVINE OVIDUCT : EXPRESSION OF THE ALDOSE REDUCTASE AND SORBITOL DEHYDROGENASE. Laflamme, Julie¹, Cote, Isabelle¹, Lapointe, Jerome ¹, Frenette, Gilles¹, Bilodeau, Jean-Francois¹, Sullivan, Robert ¹, ¹ CHUL Research Center, Quebec, Qc, Canada



T539. EXPRESSION PROFILING OF GENES IN BeWo CELLS FOLLOWING FORSKOLIN INDUCED DIFFERENTIATION. Rao, A J ¹, Neelima , PS¹, Yashwanth , R¹, Anbalgan , M¹, Mahesh , K¹, Dahia, Chitra Lekha¹, Rao, Rekha M¹, ¹ Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India



W540. SEMINAL PLASMA PROTEINS FROM FERTILE BOARS ARE RELATED TO DIFFERENCES IN IN VIVO FERTILITY. Novak, Susan¹, Ruiz-Sanchez, Ana¹, Cosgrove, John¹, Dixon, Walter¹, Foxcroft, George¹, ¹ University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada



M541. SPERM FROM CATSPER NULL MICE DO NOT ASCEND THE OVIDUCT. Suarez, Susan¹, Ho, Katharine¹, Wolff, Collin¹, Yang, Ming¹, ¹ Cornell University, Ithaca, NY



T542. A GLYCOPROTEIN DERIVED FROM THE Ceacam10 GENE IN MOUSE SEMINAL VESICLE SECRETIONS. Chen, Yee-Hsiung¹, Li, Sheng-Hsiang², Lee, Robert Kuo-Kuang², Hsiao, Ya-Ling¹, ¹ Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan² Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan



W543. LOCALIZATION OF UTERINE MILK PROTEIN - A MEMBER OF THE SERINE PROTEASE INHIBITOR SUPERFAMILY - IN THE BOVINE ENDOMETRIUM. Sinowatz, Fred ¹, Bauersachs, Stephan¹, Wenigerkind, Henning¹, Vermehren, Margarete¹, Wolf, Eckhard¹, ¹ University of Munich, Munich, Germany



M544. FOLLICULAR MARKERS RELATED TO OOCYTE COMPETENCE IN BOVINE. Lemay, Nicolas¹, Blondin, Patrick², Coenen, Karine¹, Sirard, Marc-Andre¹, ¹ Laval University, Quebec, Quebec² L'Alliance Boviteq Inc., St-Hyacinthe, Quebec



T545. CARBOHYDRATE ANTIGEN EXPRESSION BY CAPRINE OVIDUCTAL TISSUES. Newton, Gary¹, Stoddard, Shanna ¹, Garcia, Ramon¹, Igbo, NneNna¹, Leake, Jamila¹, Woldesenbet, Selamawit¹, ¹ Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX



W546. PROTEIN SCREENING OF BOAR EPIDIDYMAL FLUID BY IMMUNOLOGICAL AND ZYMOGRAPHIC METHODS. Manaskova, Pavla¹, Kyselova, Vendula¹, Ticha, Marie², Jonakova, Vera¹, ¹ Academy of Scieneces of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic² Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic



M547. DYNAMIC IN VIVO CHANGES IN PROTEIN LEVELS OF TIMP-1 AND MMP-2 AND -9 IN THE OVINE CORPUS LUTEUM AFTER LUTEOLYTIC PULSES OF PGF2. Ricketts, Bryon¹, Tsang, Paul ¹, Milvae, Robert², Keator, Christopher², McCracken, John ², ¹ University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH² University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT



T548. PROFILING PORCINE OVIDUCTAL EPITHELIAL CELL SURFACE MEMBRANE PROTEINS. Sostaric, Edita¹, Georgiou, Aristophanes¹, Wong, Chi¹, Moore, Harry¹, Watson, Paul², Holt, William³, Fazeli, Alireza¹, ¹ University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK² Royal Veterinary College, London, UK³ Institute of Zoology, London, UK



W549. EXPRESSION RESEARCH FOR A NOVEL HUMAN SPATA12 GENE AS A CANDIDATE TUMOR SUPPRESSOR GENE IN THE TESTIS. Li, Dan¹, Lu, Guangxiu², ¹ Hunan University, Changsha, China² Central South University, Changsha, China



M550. VALIDATION OF AN ANIMAL MODEL OF ENDOMETRIOSIS USING DNA MICROARRAYS. Ruiz, Lynnette¹, Appleyard, Caroline¹, Rivera, Elizabeth¹, Santiago, Olga¹, Flores, Idhaliz¹, ¹ Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto Rico