XIAODAN SONG^1,#, YUQING WANG^1,#, XIUMEI CHENG^2,3,*, XIAOYUN ZHANG², DI WANG⁴, YANQING REN⁵, XINHUA LI⁴, XIAOQIAN DI¹, SISI XUE², TIANYUAN LV¹

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.12, pp. 1761-1772, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.057203 - 30 December 2024

Abstract Background: Prior research has established that exposure to low temperatures adversely affects ovarian function, yet the precise mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Methods: Thirty experimental rats, each demonstrating two regular estrous cycles, were assorted randomly into three distinct groups: a control group, a cold exposure group, and a group treated with 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA). To mimic the conditions of cold exposure, rats in the cold exposure and 4-PBA groups were subjected to immersion in ice water for 21 days. After 7 days of exposure to ice water, the 4-PBA group received intraperitoneal injections of a… More >

DAOLUN YU¹, DEYONG SHE², KAI GE¹, LEI YANG¹, RUINA ZHAN¹, SHAN LU^3,*, YAFEI CAI^4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.1, pp. 139-147, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.045884 - 30 January 2024

Abstract Background: SMAD family proteins (SMADs) are crucial transcription factors downstream of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß)/SMAD signaling pathways that have been reported to play a pivotal role in mammalian reproduction. However, the role of SMAD family member 8 (SMAD8, also known as SMAD9), a member of the SMAD family, in mammalian reproduction remains unclear. Methods: We employed RNA interference techniques to knock down Smad8 expression in mouse granulosa cells (GCs) to investigate the effects of Smad8 on GC growth and steroidogenesis. Results: Our findings revealed a significant decrease in the proliferative capacity and a substantial increase in… More >