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This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Epimedium polysaccharide (EPS) on ovarian and uterine development in female mice and assess the in vitro maturation (IVM) rate. Healthy Kunming female mice were divided into 4 groups and administered 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg/0.1 mL of EPS, respectively; the control group was given 0.1 mL of 0.9% physiological saline solution. After 7 and 14 days, the mice were sacrificed and their reproductive tracts (uterus, oviduct, and ovaries) were removed. The reproductive tract was weighed; some ovaries were punctured to harvest oocytes for IVM culture and the others were used for histological analysis. EPS had virtually no effect on the body weight of the female mice. EPS at 4 mg/0.1 mL for 14 days of treatment had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on ovarian and uterine development when compared with 2, 6, and 8 mg/mL but no significant effect (P > 0.05) when compared with the control group. The number of follicles increased in the experimental groups and the arrangements of ovarian follicles were not negatively affected during histological observation. In conclusion, EPS at appreciable dosages has a positive effect on mouse ovarian development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: To date, several genes have been sequenced but their corresponding protein characteristics remain unknown. This study highlights the histological structure of bovine (yellow-cattle and yak) testes as a build-up to exploring the bioinformatics profile and expression characteristics of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) in bovine testes. Our findings suggest that yellow-cattle testis have similar anatomical characteristics with that of yak, except for the weight or size, for which that of yellow-cattle is significantly higher or greater than yak. We also found that the secondary and 3D protein structures of MTHFR were similar to that of humans, with differences in the number of nucleotides, amino acids, and some physico-chemical characteristics. Moreover, MTHFR mRNA expression was higher in adult yellow-cattle and yak compared to their juvenile ones, however, its protein expression was higher but not statistically significant in adult yellow-cattle and yak compared to the juvenile ones. This provides a basis for further investigations into the regulatory function of MTHFR in bovine testes. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), an enzyme expressed in mammalian testes, exerts a direct effect on spermatogenesis; however, its protein characteristics in bovine testes remain unknown. Here, we analysed bovine testicular structure, MTHFR bioinformatics profile, mRNA, and protein expression characteristics in yellow-cattle (y-c) and yak testis using histological procedures, bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Testes from 13 bovines, ≤2 years juvenile (y-c, n = 3; yak, n = 3) and ≥3 years adult (y-c, n = 3; yak, n = 4) were collected and analysed. Anatomical characteristics of testis in y-c and yak were similar except the weight or size for which that of y-c was significantly higher or greater than yak. In y-c, an open reading frame (ORF) for 2600 nucleotides sequence, encoding 655 amino acids showed high homology with zebu cattle (99.51%) and wild yak (98.68%). Secondary and 3D protein structures were similar to that of humans with differences in the number of nucleotides, amino acids, and some physico-chemical characteristics. MTHFR mRNA expression in y-c and yak were significantly higher in adult testes compared with juvenile ones. However, its protein expression was higher, but not statistically significant, in adult y-c and yak compared to the juvenile ones. The highlights and inferences of these and other findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies and reports focusing on the Bactrian camels' kidney structure from an anatomical perspective are scanty, therefore, this work aims to systemically investigate the anatomical structure of the kidney and examine the distribution and microstructure of intrarenal arteries. Ten pairs of healthy adult kidneys from male and female Bactrian camels were used in the study. The kidney of Bactrian camel appeared like a broad bean with a smooth surface. Using artery casting, we observed that the renal artery divided into dorsal and ventral branches; the dorsal branch continuously divided into a shorter anterior branch and a longer posterior branch, while the ventral branch directly divided into interlobar arteries. The number of interlobar arteries in the left and right kidneys were slightly different, 14 to 16 in left while 16 in the right kidney. No anastomosis was found between the dorsal and ventral branches or their sub-branches. To further study the microscopic structure, microanatomy and scanning microscope were used. Surprisingly, we observed two other ways afferent arteriole arose apart from the interlobular artery. They were the arcuate artery and conjoint afferent arteriole. Two afferent arterioles supplied one glomerulus and occasionally the absence of glomerulus was also observed, where the arteriole kept extending, and no typical glomerulus formed. Since branching of arteries and urologic function of kidneys are physiologically integrated, these features of Bactrian camel may help to further investigate their adaptations to desert climate.