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The correlation between epigenetic alterations and the pathophysiology of human infertility is progressively being elucidated with the discovery of an increasing number of target genes that exhibit altered expression patterns linked to reproductive abnormalities. Several genes and molecules are emerging as important for the future management of human infertility. In men, microRNAs (miRNAs) like miR-34c, miR-34b, and miR-122 regulate apoptosis, sperm production, and germ cell survival, while other factors, such as miR-449 and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), influence testicular health, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function. In women, miR-100-5p, miR-483-5p, and miR-486-5p are linked to ovarian reserve, PCOS, and conditions like endometriosis. Mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin restructuring, and the influence of these non-coding RNA (ncRNA) molecules have been identified as potential perturbators of normal spermatogenesis and oogenesis processes. In fact, alteration of these key regulators of epigenetic processes can lead to reproductive disorders such as defective spermatogenesis, failure of oocyte maturation and embryonic development alteration. One of the primary factors contributing to changes in the key epigenetic regulators appear to be oxidative stress, which arises from environmental exposure to toxic substances or unhealthy lifestyle choices. This evidence-based study, retracing the major epigenetic processes, aims to identify and discuss the main epigenetic biomarkers of male and female fertility associated with an oxidative imbalance, providing future perspectives in the diagnosis and management of infertile couples.

IntroductionThe current study was carried out to investigate the effect of micro-environmental variations on physiological, behavioral, and serum biochemical parameters of indigenous (Niang Megha), Hampshire, and crossbred (75% Hampshire X 25% Niang Megha).MethodsRectal temperature (TR), skin surface temperature (TSS), respiration rate (RR), and heart rate (HR) were recorded at 0,900 and 1,600 h weekly once for 2 months for each season in grower pigs of each genotype. CCTV video cameras were utilized to observe the behavioral changes. Five milliliters of blood samples was collected to estimate different biochemical parameters.ResultsSeason affected (p < 0.05) all physiological parameters which generally increased during summer except TR and RR of indigenous pig. TR, TSS, RR, and HR were significantly (p < 0.05) higher for Hampshire than for indigenous and crossbred in the summer season. The frequency and behavioral activities to heat loss or to conserve heat such as shivering and wallowing were lower except for physical activity that was higher at all times in indigenous pigs. Seasonal variations influenced metabolic activity and serum activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine transaminase (ALT), which rose in summer in all genotypes. Serum ALP and thyroxine (T4) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher for indigenous pig in both the seasons. The insulin level was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in indigenous pigs with no significant difference between Hampshire and crossbred in summer whereas there was significant difference among the genotypes in winter. However, superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed no significant difference in the study. Indigenous pigs had the lowest serum cortisol concentrations, whereas Hampshire had the highest.ConclusionThe current study's findings on several parameters of three different genotypes suggest that indigenous pigs in this region are more adaptable to the region's changing climatic conditions.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) involves a complex pathogenesis and with the evolving novel variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the long-term impacts of the unceasing COVID-19 pandemic are mostly uncertain. Evidence indicates deleterious impact of this disease upon male reproductive health. It is concerning that COVID-19 may contribute to the already global declining trend of male fertility. The adverse impacts of COVID-19 on male reproduction may primarily be attributed to the induction of systemic inflammatory responses and oxidative stress (OS), which operate as a vicious loop. Bringing the systemic inflammation to a halt is critical for ‘putting out’ the ‘cytokine storm’ induced by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The possibility of OS playing a prime role in COVID-19-mediated male reproductive dysfunctions has led to the advocacy of antioxidant therapy. An array of antioxidant defense medications has shown to be effective in experimental and clinical studies of COVID-19. The present review thus discusses the possibilities as to whether antioxidant drugs would contribute to combating the SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced male reproductive disruptions, thereby aiming at kindling research ideas that are needed for identification and treatment of COVID-19-mediated male reproductive impairments.

Meghalaya, a northeastern state of India, has several authentic ethnic meat delicacies that have not been documented adequately. A survey was conducted among cooks, food stall owners, and consumers representing all three tribes of Meghalaya, namely, Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo. Detailed information was collected on a variety of traditional meat preparations, the method of preparation, and the general pattern for the consumption of such products. The socioeconomic values and traditions attached to the products were also explored. We have enlisted 15 such meat-based traditional products of Meghalaya. The method of preparation and significance have been recorded for doh jem, dohkhlieh, acharDohSniang, tungrymbai, dohSnam, and jadoh. Loss of these ethnic meat delicacies can be prevented only by increasing its availability and market value. An intervention of food science in optimizing the preparation methods, improving hygiene parameters, and packaging can promise a lucrative business in this sector for local people and may attract consumers from other parts of the country. Keywords: Eastern Himalaya, Ethnic foods, Khasi tribe, Meghalaya, Traditional meat preparations

Pig productivity is very low in the Eastern Himalayan hill region due to the poor performance of local pigs. To improve pig productivity, it was decided to develop a crossbred pig of Niang Megha indigenous and Hampshire as an exotic germplasm. The performance of crossbred pigs with different levels of Hampshire and indigenous inheritance--H-50 × NM-50 (HN-50), H-75 × NM-25 (HN-75), and H-87.5 × NM-12.5 (HN-87.5)--was compared for their performance to find a suitable level of genetic inheritance. Among the crossbreds, HN-75 performed better in terms of production, reproduction performance, and adaptability. Inter se mating and selection were carried out on six generations of HN-75 pigs, and genetic gain and trait stability were evaluated and released as a crossbred. These crossbred pigs attained body weights of 77.5-90.7 kg by 10 months of age, with FCR of 4.3:1. Age at puberty was 276.66 ± 2.25 days, and average birth weight was 0.92 ± 0.06 kg. Litter size at birth and weaning were 9.12 ± 0.55 and 8.52 ± 0.81. These pigs have good mothering abilities with a weaning percentage of 89.32 ± 2.52%, good carcass quality, and consumer preference. The lifetime productivity for an average of six farrowings/sow showed a total litter size at birth of 51.83 ± 1.61 and total litter size at weaning of 47.17 ± 2.69. In a smallholder production system, the crossbred pigs showed a better growth rate and a higher litter size at birth and at weaning than average local pigs. Hence, the popularization of this crossbreed would enhance the production, productivity, livelihood, and income of the region's farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of Oxyrase, an oxygen scavenger, on sperm functional attributes in extended liquid preserved boar semen. In the experiment, we studied the effect of Oxyrase supplementation on sperm progressive motility, viability, functional integrity of sperm plasma membrane and acrosome integrity in Hampshire crossbred boars. The sperm functional parameters were assessed at 0, 3 and 5 d of incubation following Oxyrase supplementation (0.125 IU/mL). The results of study revealed that Oxyrase supplementation significantly (p<0.05) improved the percentage of sperm functional parameters in comparison to non-treated group. It was concluded that Oxyrase at 0.125 IU per ml of extended liquid preserved semen has a beneficial effect on the sperm functional attributes in crossbred Hampshire boar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before fertilization, sperm bind to epithelial cells of the oviduct isthmus to form a reservoir that regulates sperm viability and capacitation. The sperm reservoir maintains optimum fertility in species, like swine, in which semen deposition and ovulation may not be well synchronized. We demonstrated previously that porcine sperm bind to two oviductal glycan motifs, a biantennary 6-sialylated N-acetyllactosamine (bi-SiaLN) oligosaccharide and 3-O-sulfated Lewis X trisaccharide (suLeX). Here, we assessed the ability of these glycans to regulate sperm Ca2+ influx, capacitation and affect sperm lifespan. After 24 h, the viability of sperm bound to immobilized bi-SiaLN and suLeX was higher (46% and 41% respectively) compared to viability of free-swimming sperm (10–12%). Ca2+ is a central regulator of sperm function so we assessed whether oviduct glycans could affect the Ca2+ influx that occurs during capacitation. Using a fluorescent intracellular Ca2+ probe, we observed that both oviduct glycans suppressed the Ca2+ increase that occurs during capacitation. Thus, specific oviduct glycans can regulate intracellular Ca2+. Because the increase in intracellular Ca2+ was suppressed by oviduct glycans, we examined whether glycans affected capacitation, as determined by protein tyrosine phosphorylation and the ability to undergo a Ca2+ ionophore-induced acrosome reaction. We found no discernable suppression of capacitation in sperm bound to oviduct glycans. We also detected no effect of oviduct glycans on sperm motility during capacitation. In summary, LeX and bi-SiaLN glycan motifs found on oviduct oligosaccharides suppress the Ca2+ influx that occurs during capacitation and extend sperm lifespan but do not affect sperm capacitation or motility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), fetal bovine serum (FBS), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in different combinations in a maturation medium (MM) comprising TCM-199 + 5 μg/mL 17-β estradiol + 5 μg/mL ovine-luteinizing hormone (oLH) + 5 μg/mL pure follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH) + 100 μM/mL cysteamine containing the best concentration of leptin among 10/20/25/30 ng/mL on in vitro maturation (IVM) and subsequent vitrification of matured goat oocytes. The IVM of oocytes was carried out in a CO2 incubator for 27 h at 38.5 °C. The percentage of oocytes with cumulus expansion and polar body extrusion was found to be highest in 25 ng/mL leptin at 47.37% and 15.63%; rates of 66.67% and 28.57% were obtained when supplemented with 50 ng/mL IGF-I + 10 ng/mL EGF in medium containing 25 ng/mL leptin as compared to the other media. The in vitro matured oocytes were vitrified in 5 M ethylene glycol + 5 M propylene glycol with 0.5 M sucrose in TCM-199 + 20% FBS using liquid nitrogen. The highest percentage of morphologically intact in vitro matured oocytes following vitrification was obtained in medium containing 25 ng/mL leptin (89.29%). It was concluded that addition of IGF-I + EGF with 25 ng/mL leptin in MM yielded a higher rate of maturation of oocytes, and supplementation of 25 ng/mL leptin in MM resulted in a higher rate of morphologically intact vitrified oocytes, indicating the efficiency of leptin for cryotolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]