Overview of human health effects related to glyphosate exposure.

Glyphosate is a chemical compound derived from glycine, marketed as a broad-spectrum herbicide, and represents one of the most widely used pesticides in the world. For a long time, it was assumed that glyphosate was harmless, either due to its selective enzymatic acting method on plants, and because commercial formulations were believed to contain only inert chemicals. Glyphosate is widely spread in the environment, the general population is daily exposed to it via different routes, including the consumption of both plant, and non-plant based foods. Glyphosate has been detected in high amounts in workers' urine, but has been detected likewise in bodily fluids, such as blood and maternal milk, and also in 60%-80% of general population, including children. Considering its massive presence, daily exposure to glyphosate could be considered a health risk for humans. Indeed, in 2015, the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) classified glyphosate and its derivatives in Group 2A, as probable human carcinogens. In 2022, nevertheless, EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) stated that the available data did not provide sufficient evidence to prove the mutagenic/carcinogenic effects of glyphosate. Therefore, the European Commission (EC) decided to renew the approval of glyphosate for another 10 years. The purpose of this review is to examine the scientific literature, focusing on potential risks to human health arising from exposure to glyphosate, its metabolites and its commercial products (e.g., Roundup®), with particular regard to its mutagenic and carcinogenic potential and its effects as endocrine disrupter (ED) especially in the human reproductive system.

Proteomics analysis reveals the differential protein expression of female and male adult Toxocara canis using Orbitrap Astral analyzer.

BACKGROUND: Toxocara canis, the most prevalent helminth in dogs and other canines, is one of the socioeconomically important zoonotic parasites, particularly affecting pediatric and adolescent populations in impoverished communities. However, limited information is available regarding the proteomes of female and male adult T. canis. To address this knowledge gap, we performed a comprehensive proteomic analysis to identify the proteins with differential abundance (PDAs) and gender-specifically expressed proteins between the two sexes adult T. canis. METHODS: The comparative proteomic analysis was carried out by the Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS) with asymmetric track lossless (Astral) analyzer. The difference analysis was conducted using t-test and the proteins verification was achieved through parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). The potential biological functions of identified adult T. canis proteins and PDAs were predicted by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. The domain, transcription factor and subcellular localization of the identified proteins and PDAs were analyzed by InterPro, AnimalTFDB 4.0 and Cell-mPLOC 2.0 databases, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 8565 somatic proteins of adult T. canis were identified. Compared to male adult, 682 up-regulated PDAs and 844 down-regulated PDAs were identified in female adult with P-values < 0.05 and |log2FC| > 1, including 139 proteins exclusively expressed in female and 272 proteins exclusively expressed in male. The GO annotation analysis using all PDAs revealed that the main biological processes, cellular components and molecular functions corresponded to aminoglycan metabolic process, extracellular region and protein tyrosine phosphatase activity, respectively. The KEGG analysis using all PDAs showed that the pathways were mainly associated with adipocytokine signaling pathway, proximal tubule bicarbonate reclamation and PPAR signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the differential protein expression between female and male adult T. canis, providing valuable resource for developing the novel intervention strategies against T. canis infection in humans and animals, especially from the perspective of sexual development and reproduction.

The Azawak zebu bred at the Toukounous experimental centre in Niger: reproduction performance and estimation of genetic parameters.

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of the reproductive performance of the Azawak zebu, bred on station during the period 1981 to 2007, in order to contribute to the implementation of an effective selection programme for improving the zootechnical performance of cattle herds. The data contained records of 2453 calvings from 650 Azawak cows, daughters of 55 bulls, all bred at the Toukounous experimental centre (Niger). Non-genetic factors were evaluated using linear mixed models and genetic parameters were estimated using REML procedures with a multi-trait animal model. The effects of year and calving rank were significant (P < 0.001) for the three reproductive traits studied. Heritability was low for age at first calving (h2 = 0.09 ± 0.03) and calf birth weight (h2 = 0.07 ± 0.03). It was moderate for calving interval (h2 = 0.30 ± 0.04) indicating the possibility of genetic improvement of this trait by selection. Repeatability estimates for calf birth weight and calving interval were 0.10 ± 0.02 and 0.42 ± 0.03 respectively. Calving interval had very strong and significant genetic correlations with age at first calving (0.84 ± 0.08) and calf birth weight (-0.40 ± 0.20). There was also a significantly favourable genetic correlation between calf weight at birth and age at first calving (-0.32 ± 0.25), implying a simultaneous improvement in all three reproductive traits through selection. An increase in heritability of calf birth weight was observed after the active phase of the program, reflecting an overly open selection scheme. These genetic parameter estimates suggest that the three reproductive traits could be used in selection index with the aim to improve the three reproductive traits of Azawak cattle.

Do not overlook the possibility of genome-edited somatic cells ending up in the human germline.

Most debates on human germline genome editing have limited discussions to just genetic modifications of sperm and eggs (gametes), their precursors within testicular or ovarian tissues, and preimplantation human embryos. What has largely been overlooked is that genome editing of somatic (non-reproductive) cells can also become heritable and can potentially be transmitted to future generations of human offspring under specific experimental conditions, due to the emergence of various new technology platforms. Most notably, the reprogramming of human somatic cells to a pluripotent "embryonic stem cell-like" state (i.e. induced pluripotent stem cells), has opened up the possibility that genome editing performed on human somatic cells can also be transmitted to future generations of human offspring when combined with other new technology platforms, such as in vitro gametogenesis, chimeric and synthetic embryos. Additionally, due to high levels of plasticity and extensive tissue remodeling within the human fetus during gestation, it is speculated that genome editing performed on fetal somatic cells intended for fetal gene therapy in utero may be unintentionally transmitted to the human germline. Hence, there should be strict regulatory oversight to ensure that any genome-edited somatic cell that ends up in the human germline via such aforementioned technology platforms does so in strict compliance with relevant legislation and ethical guidelines, especially that pertaining to safety issues with genome editing technology and its potential misuse in human enhancement and eugenics.

The miRNA-mRNA modules enhance juvenile hormone biosynthesis for insect vitellogenesis and egg production.

In addition to preventing precocious larval metamorphosis, juvenile hormone (JH), synthesized in corpora allata (CA), is known to stimulate female reproduction of insects. JH titer is extremely low or absent during metamorphosis, but thereafter rapidly increases in the previtellogenic stage and rises to a peak in the vitellogenic phase. However, the mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of high levels of JH in adults remain unclear. We found in this study that 12 genes involved in JH synthesis pathway were highly expressed in the CA of adult locusts. By transcriptome analysis and quantitative real-time - polymerase chain reaction validation, a total of 106 evolutionary conserved micro RNAs (miRNAs) and 163 species-specific miRNAs were identified in locust CA. Dual-luciferase assay revealed that 17 miRNAs bound to 10 JH synthesis genes (JHSGs) and downregulated their expression. These miRNAs were expressed in low levels during vitellogenic stage, which was oppositive from that of targeting JHSGs. Six miRNAs including miR-971-3p, miR-31a, miR-9-5p, miR-1-3p, miR-315, and miR-282 were selected for function study. Co-application of agomiRs resulted in significantly decreased levels of targeting JHSGs, accompanied by significantly reduced vitellogenin expression as well as arrested ovarian development. The data suggest that multiple miRNAs expressed synchronously at low levels in the vitellogenic phase, thereby ensuring the high levels of JHSG expression to facilitate JH biosynthesis required for JH-dependent female reproduction. The findings provide important information for deciphering miRNA-messenger RNA modules for JH biosynthesis as well as JH regulation of insect metamorphosis and reproduction.

A newly identified Y chromosome gene obp-Y is required for sperm storage in female Zeugodacus tau (Diptera: Tephritidae).

In the organisms with XX/XY sex chromosomes, Y chromosome is unique to males and plays an important role in male reproductive development. The study of Y chromosome genes will contribute to the development of pest genetic prevention and control technology. In this study, we identified 9 Y chromosome genes in Zeugodacus tau (Diptera: Tephritidae), including gene 16222. Protein structure analysis showed that 16222 was highly similar to odorant binding protein, and thus gene 16222 was named obp-Y. Obp-Y knockout (KO) significantly reduced hatching rate of offspring. Sperm detection results showed that obp-Y KO did not affect sperm number in the testes or sperm transfer during mating. We further examined the storage of sperms in females, and found that sperms in females mating with wild-type males began to transfer from spermathecal ducts to the spermathecae at hour 0 after the end of mating (AEM), and at 0-24 h AEM, the sperm count in the spermathecae gradually increased. However, no sperms were observed in spermathecae of females mating with mutant males at hours 0, 4, 8, 24 and 48 AEM. In summary, this study revealed that Y chromosome gene obp-Y was necessary for the storage of sperms in females. Our findings not only provide theoretical basis for elucidating the function of the Y chromosome, but also offer a molecular target for the genetic control over Z. tau.

Selenium Improves Arsenic-Induced Male Reproductive Dysfunction by Regulating H3K14ac Level.

Arsenic exposure has been known to be associated with male reproduction injury. Exploring the antidote of arsenic and ascertaining proper dose of antidote are important for detoxifying the male reproductive toxicity of arsenic. Selenium, which is essential for the male reproduction and spermatogenesis, can alleviate the toxicity of many environmental toxins, such as metals, and fluoride (F). Selenium relieves arsenic-induced reductions in spermatogenesis index and testicular function marker enzymes via promoting the antioxidative ability of rats. Our previous study has found that arsenic can induce male reproductive toxicity by affecting the level of H3K14ac in the testis, so we further investigate whether selenium can antagonize arsenic-induced male reproductive toxicity through the H3K14ac pathway and ascertain the appropriate dose of selenium. The results show that selenium intervention reduces the accumulation of arsenic in rat testis probably attributing to promote the excretion of arsenic from rat, then improves the testis injury induced by arsenic. Selenium intervention enhances sperm quality, testosterone level, and expression of steroidogenic genes by regulating H3K14ac level and expression of its associated enzymes (KAT2A, BAZ2A, and HDAC6), and thus alleviates the male reproductive toxicity of arsenic, and the proper dose of Se for mitigating arsenic male reproductive toxicity is 1 mg/kg.

Behavioural Thermoregulation of Flowers via Petal Movement.

Widely documented in animals, behavioural thermoregulation mitigates negative impacts of climate change. Plants experience especially strong thermal variability but evidence for plant behavioural thermoregulation is limited. Along a montane elevation gradient, Argentina anserina flowers warm more in alpine populations than at lower elevation. We linked floral temperature with phenotypes to identify warming mechanisms and documented petal movement and pollinator visitation using time-lapse cameras. High elevation flowers were more cupped, focused light deeper within flowers and were more responsive to air temperature than low; cupping when cold and flattening when warm. At high elevation, a 20° increase in petal angle resulted in a 0.46°C increase in warming. Warming increased pollinator visitation, especially under cooler high elevation temperatures. A plasticity study revealed constitutive elevational differences in petal cupping and stronger temperature-induced floral plasticity in high elevation populations. Thus, plant populations have evolved different behavioural responses to temperature driving differences in thermoregulatory capacity.

Ethical and Psychological Considerations for Posthumous-Assisted Reproduction for Adolescents and Young Adults With Poor Cancer Prognosis in the Context of Grief.

Objective: Families or loved ones of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with a poor cancer prognosis who preserved fertility and did not survive treatment may choose to pursue posthumous assisted reproduction (PAR; i.e., use of preserved reproductive material for future family-building attempts). Decisions about PAR may be occurring in the context of grief and bereavement, which is associated with ethical and psychological considerations because grief can complicate a person's capacity for informed decision-making. Methods: Through the use of a five-step ethical decision-making model, the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, and a blended case example, the ethical and psychological considerations for families of AYA with poor prognosis who pursue PAR is discussed with an ethical analysis. Results: Ethical and psychological considerations included assessing the potential for harm to involved parties, navigating PAR decision-making with responsibility and honesty, examining the accessibility of PAR, and considering informed consent/assent and autonomy. Conclusions: Clinical recommendations for supporting families and loved ones exploring PAR in the context of grief were discussed, with considerations for improving clinicians' comfort and competence with PAR, incorporating grief into informed consent conversations, standardizing conversations about PAR, and promoting an interdisciplinary approach to PAR-related decisions.

Immunosuppressants in women with repeated implantation failure in assisted reproductive techniques: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare outcomes in patients with repeated implantation failure undergoing Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection/In vitro fertilization (IVF/ICSI) plus immunosuppressants such as prednisolone, prednisone, or cyclosporine A versus the use of IVF/ICSI alone. Data source: Databases were systematically searched in PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases in September 2023. Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials and observational studies with the outcomes of interest were included. Data collect: We computed odds ratios (ORs) for binary endpoints, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4.The main outcomes were live birth, miscarriage, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy, and biochemical pregnancy. Data synthesis: Seven studies with 2,829 patients were included. Immunosuppressive treatments were used in 1,312 (46.37%). Cyclosporine A improved implantation rate (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.01-2.18) and clinical pregnancy (1.89, 95% CI 1.14-3.14). Compared to non-immunosuppressive treatment, prednisolone and prednisone did not improve live birth (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.88-1.46) and miscarriage (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.07-2.09). Prednisolone showed no significant effect in patients undergoing IVF/ICSI, clinical pregnancy (OR 1.34; 95% CI 0.76-2.36), or implantation rate (OR 1.36; 95% CI 0.76-2.42). Conclusion: Cyclosporine A may promote implantation and clinical pregnancy rates. However, given the limited sample size, it is important to approach these findings with caution. Our results indicate that prednisolone and prednisone do not have any beneficial effects on clinical outcomes of IVF/ICSI patients with repeated implantation failure. PROSPERO: CRD42023449655.

Extensive Peritoneal and Pelvic Granulomatous Inflammation Due to Syphilis Infection Manifesting as Primary Infertility: A Case Report.

Infertility affects millions of couples worldwide and can result from various factors, including sexually transmitted infections. Although syphilis is known to contribute to a small number of infertility cases through chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, which ultimately impairs fertility, detailed descriptions of such cases are limited. In this report, we present a case of primary infertility caused by extensive peritoneal granulomatous inflammation, adhesions, and tubal obstruction resulting from syphilis.

Mating system, morphological and genetic evidence endorse clonality as an essential reproductive mode in Daphnopsis filipedunculata (Thymelaeaceae), a dioecious and endemic species from the Amazon.

Background and Aims: Clonality is characterized by the formation of independent individuals of the same genotype that are capable of reproducing and propagating vegetatively. Although clonality is an important mechanism that facilitates the persistence of a population, its extensive use can lead to negative impacts on sexual reproduction due to trade-offs in the investment of resources. Therefore, studies on the sexual reproduction of species that exhibit clonality can provide information about resilience to environmental changes, information about fecundity, the risk of the absence of pollinators and the ability to persist in unfavourable conditions and to successfully occupy new areas. Here, we investigated the role of clonal propagation and sexual reproduction in Daphnopsis filipedunculata (Thymelaeaceae), a dioecious species distributed only in Serra dos Carajás. Methods: We evaluated the extent of clonality in this species using molecular tools and anatomical analyses of the underground system responsible for developing new ramets. Furthermore, we analysed the sexual system and its contribution to reproductive success through morphometric analyses of floral types and pollination experiments in the field. Key Results: Overall, we found that clonal propagation plays an important role in maintaining the population of D. filipedunculata. Specifically, we demonstrated that this species presents functional male and female plants, indicating that D. filipedunculata is an obligate xenogamous species but has low reproductive success. We also showed that clonal vegetative propagation is the main form of asexual reproduction in this species, with roots responsible for clonal growth. Finally, our results indicated that this species presents an intermediate phalanx-guerrilla clonal architecture. Conclusions: Our study provides the first insights into sexual reproduction and clonal propagation in D. filipedunculata and can inform management practices, conservation and the restoration of endemic species.

Could future ocean acidification be affecting the energy budgets of marine fish?

With the unprecedented environmental changes caused by climate change including ocean acidification, it has become crucial to understand the responses and adaptive capacity of fish to better predict directional changes in the ecological landscape of the future. We conducted a systematic literature review to examine if simulated ocean acidification (sOA) could influence growth and reproduction in fish within the dynamic energy budget theory framework. As such, we chose to examine metabolic rate, locomotion, food assimilation and growth in early life stages (i.e. larvae and juvenile) and adults. Our goal was to evaluate if acclimatization to sOA has any directional changes in these traits and to explore potential implications for energetic trade-offs in these for growth and reproduction. We found that sOA had negligible effects on energetic expenditure for maintenance and aerobic metabolism due to the robust physiological capacity regulating acid-base and ion perturbations but substantive effects on locomotion, food assimilation and growth. We demonstrated evidence that sOA significantly reduced growth performance of fish in early life stages, which may have resulted from reduced food intake and digestion efficiency. Also, our results showed that sOA may enhance reproduction with increased numbers of offspring although this may come at the cost of altered reproductive behaviours or offspring fitness. While these results indicate evidence for changes in energy budgets because of physiological acclimatization to sOA, the heterogeneity of results in the literature suggests that physiological and neural mechanisms need to be clearly elucidated in future studies. Lastly, most studies on sOA have been conducted on early life stages, which necessitates that more studies should be conducted on adults to understand reproductive success and thus better predict cohort and population dynamics under ongoing climate change.

On the role of artificial intelligence in analysing oocytes during in vitro fertilisation procedures.

Nowadays, the most adopted technique to address infertility problems is in vitro fertilisation (IVF). However, its success rate is limited, and the associated procedures, known as assisted reproduction technology (ART), suffer from a lack of objectivity at the laboratory level and in clinical practice. This paper deals with applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to IVF procedures. Artificial intelligence is considered a promising tool for ascertaining the quality of embryos, a critical step in IVF. Since the oocyte quality influences the final embryo quality, we present a systematic review of the literature on AI-based techniques used to assess oocyte quality; we analyse its results and discuss several promising research directions. In particular, we highlight how AI-based techniques can support the IVF process and examine their current applications as presented in the literature. Then, we discuss the challenges research must face in fully deploying AI-based solutions in current medical practice. Among them, the availability of high-quality data sets as well as standardised imaging protocols and data formats, the use of physics-informed simulation and machine learning techniques, the study of informative, descriptive yet observable features, and, above all, studies of the quality of oocytes and embryos, specifically about their live birth potential. An improved understanding of determinants for oocyte quality can improve success rates while reducing costs, risks for long-term embryo cultures, and bioethical concerns.

Profiling the dynamic variations in body and scrotal surface temperatures of goats reared under stressful conditions using infrared thermography: Analytical perspectives.

Infrared thermography (IRT) is an essential non-invasive method for analyzing surface temperature variations in animals, offering valuable insights into livestock stress responses. Despite their resilience, goats can face significant challenges under extreme conditions like heat-stress and water deprivation. This experiment aimed to delineate the dynamic variations in whole-body and scrotal surface temperatures in goats subjected to the combined impact of both conditions using IRT. Eight healthy Aardi bucks were exposed to three 72-h treatments: euhydration, dehydration, and rehydration. Continuous meteorological monitoring provided ambient-temperature, relative-humidity, and temperature-humidity index (THI) values. Surface temperatures were measured twice daily at 08:00 and 15:00, and thermal gradients between ambient and body or scrotal surface temperatures were computed. Based on the obtained mean THI values, the bucks experienced heat-stress throughout the experiment. Additionally, results revealed noticeable variations in both surface temperatures across treatments and time points, indicated by measures of central tendency, variability, shape descriptors, and frequency distribution of temperature. Morning measurements indicated lower temperatures and gradients under euhydration, while water deprivation led to higher temperatures and compromised thermal regulation. Conversely, afternoon data showed higher variability in temperature responses, highlighting the compounded effect of diurnal heat-stress and water deprivation. Although water-restoration mitigated some effects of deprivation, it did not fully restore thermal homeostasis to euhydrated levels. Thermal gradients further emphasized the goats' dynamic thermoregulatory mechanisms, which were compromised under water deprivation, particularly in the scrotal region, but were partially restored upon restoration. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of IRT in assessing thermal responses in goats and underscore the importance of adequate hydration for maintaining thermal balance under heat-stress. The herein performed profiling provides valuable insights with implications for overall health, reproductive efficiency, productivity, and welfare in heat-stressed and water-deprived goats, which might offer a framework for future research on livestock adaptation to such challenging environmental conditions.

Reflecting on the Importance of Family Building and Fertility Preservation: Transgender People's Experiences with Starting Gender-Affirming Treatment as an Adolescent.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate how adults, who started gender-affirming hormone treatment during adolescence, reflect on their reproductive decisions. Methods: We recruited transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people who visited our gender identity clinic and commenced medical treatment in adolescence at least 9 years ago. We collected data through an online survey. Results: The cohort consisted of 89 participants (66 TGD people assigned female at birth (AFAB) and 23 TGD people assigned male at birth (AMAB) with a mean age of 32.4 years (range 25.5-51.2) at the time of study, and 15.6 years (range 11.5-20.6) at the start of medical treatment. All participants initiated medical treatment before 2014, when laws requiring sterilization for legal gender recognition were still in place, and only 30% of participants reported to have received information about fertility preservation, which none of them pursued. In addition, 96% of participants underwent gonadectomy and thus became permanently infertile, which was troublesome for 27%. With today's knowledge, 44% of TGD people AFAB and 35% of TGD people born AMAB would pursue fertility preservation. The percentage of participants with a (future) desire for children increased from 34% at the start of medical treatment (at adolescent age) to 56% at the time of this study (at adult age), of whom 23% had currently started a family. Conclusion: It is important to inform transgender adolescents about the effect of medical treatment on fertility and the options for fertility preservation since many may develop a desire for (biological) children when they reach adulthood.

The antidepressant, sertraline, impacts growth and reproduction in the benthic deposit feeder, Tubifex tubifex.

Among emerging contaminants, pharmaceuticals are considered one of the most pertinent substances that may threaten aquatic ecosystems. Pharmaceuticals are designed to be directed at specific metabolic- and molecular pathways. Thus, they are assumed to be still biologically active when entering the ecosystem and may result in unpremeditated impacts on non-target organisms. One of the most widely used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, sertraline (an antidepressant), is regularly found in aquatic environments. However, knowledge about the effects, and in particular, of sediment-associated sertraline in benthic invertebrates is limited. We examined the impacts of chronic exposure (28 d) to sediment-associated sertraline (3.3, 33, 330 µg/g dw sed.) on survival, growth and reproduction in the deposit-feeding oligochaete, Tubifex tubifex. Sertraline significantly decreased T. tubifex survival and growth. Worms exposed to high sertraline concentrations (330 µg/g) had a lower growth rate and reproduction, as indicated by a significantly lower number of cumulated cocoons. Worms exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration (3.3 µg/g) decreased growth but maintained a reproduction rate similar to that of the control. The implications are that adult worms exposed to high sertraline concentrations presumably required more energy for maintenance and detoxification, thereby reducing available energy for reproduction and growth. This represents a trade-off between survival, reproduction and growth. In contrast, T. tubifex exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations allocated more energy to reproduction by slightly increasing the number of cocoons produced and reducing growth. However, the quantity and quality of offspring may be impacted as we observed fewer juveniles in the environmentally relevant treatment than in the control. Overall, the results indicate that sediment-associated sertraline is bioavailable and negatively impacts T. tubifex survival, growth, and reproduction even at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Central tendency and serial dependence in vestibular path integration.

Path integration, the process of updating one's position using successive self-motion signals, has previously been studied using visual distance reproduction tasks in which optic flow patterns provide information about traveled distance. These studies have reported that reproduced distances show two types of systematic biases: central tendency and serial dependence. In the present study, we investigated whether these biases are also present in vestibular path integration. Participants were seated on a linear motion platform and performed a distance reproduction task in total darkness. The platform first passively moved the participant a pre-defined stimulus distance which they then actively reproduced by steering the platform back the same distance. Stimulus distances were sampled from short- and long-distance probability distributions and presented in either a randomized order or in separate blocks to study the effect of presentation context. Similar to the effects observed in visual path integration, we found that reproduced distances showed an overall positive central tendency effect as well as a positive, attractive serial dependence effect. Furthermore, reproduction behavior was affected by presentation context. These results were mostly consistent with predictions of a Bayesian Kalman-filter model, originally proposed for visual path integration.

The Buds of Oscarella lobularis (Porifera, Homoscleromorpha): A New Convenient Model for Sponge Cell and Evolutionary Developmental Biology.

The comparative study of the four non-bilaterian phyla (Cnidaria, Placozoa, Ctenophora, and Porifera) provides insights into the origin of bilaterian traits. To complete our knowledge of the cell biology and development of these animals, additional non-bilaterian models are needed. Given the developmental, histological, ecological, and genomic differences between the four sponge classes (Demospongiae, Calcarea, Homoscleromorpha, and Hexactinellida), we have been developing the Oscarella lobularis (Porifera, class Homoscleromorpha) model over the past 15 years. Here, we report a new step forward by inducing, producing, and maintaining in vitro thousands of clonal buds that now make possible various downstream applications. This study provides a full description of bud morphology, physiology, cells and tissues, from their formation to their development into juveniles, using adapted cell staining protocols. In addition, we show that buds have outstanding capabilities of regeneration after being injured and of re-epithelization after complete cell dissociation. Altogether, Oscarella buds constitute a relevant all-in-one sponge model to access a large set of biological processes, including somatic morphogenesis, epithelial morphogenesis, cell fate, body axes formation, nutrition, contraction, ciliary beating, and respiration.

Development of KISS1 knockout pigs is characterized by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, normal growth, and reduced skatole.

Kisspeptin is a major regulator of gonadotropin secretion in pigs. Previously, CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of KISS1 was used to develop a mosaic parental line of pigs to generate offspring that would not need castration due to loss of kisspeptin. The current goal was to characterize growth and reproductive development of F1 pigs from this parental line. Body weights, gonadotropin concentrations and gonadal development were measured from birth through development (boars to 220 d of age, n = 42; gilts to 160 d of age, n = 36). Testosterone, skatole, and androstenone were also measured in boars. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture for quantification of serum hormones, gonadal tissues collected for gross morphology and histology, and a fat biopsy collected (boars) for skatole and androstenone analysis. Body weight did not differ with genotype. There were no differences between KISS1+/+ and heterozygote KISS1+/- animals for most parameters measured. Gonadotropin concentrations were reduced in KISS1-/- boars and gilts compared with KISS1+/+ and KISS1+/- animals (P < 0.05). Concentrations of testosterone in serum and both androstenone and skatole in adipose were less in KISS1-/- boars than in KISS1+/+ and KISS1+/- boars (P < 0.05). Hypogonadism was in all KISS1-/- gilts and boars. These data indicate that knocking out KISS1 causes hypogonadotropic hypogonadism but does not negatively affect growth in pigs. Only one KISS1 allele is needed for normal gonadotropin secretion and gonadal development, and accumulation of compounds in adipose leading to boar taint.