Stocktake Sale on now: wide range of books at up to 70% off!
Register      Login
Reproduction, Fertility and Development Reproduction, Fertility and Development Society
Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > Reproduction, Fertility and Development

Reproduction, Fertility and Development

Reproduction, Fertility and Development

Reproduction, Fertility and Development publishes research and reviews on all aspects of vertebrate reproduction and developmental biology. Read more about the journalMore

Editors-in-Chief: Graeme Martin and Jenny Juengel

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

Are you eligible for APC-free Open Access?

Download our Journal Flyer (PDF, 1.1MB)

Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Reproduction, Fertility and Development has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 27 June 2024

RD23216The limitations of testicular organoids: are they truly as promising as we believe?

R. Mecca 0000-0001-7226-0678, S. Tang, C. Jones and K. Coward 0000-0003-3577-4041
 

High-magnification photograph of a testicular organoid.

Testicular organoids (TOs) represent a groundbreaking avenue captivating researchers seeking to understand and restore fertility. While TOs hold remarkable potential, their journey to replicate human spermatogenesis within a laboratory environment remains elusive. This review navigates the landscape of TOs, unveiling their unparalleled potential while dissecting the challenges hindering their success, helping refine these models for transformative clinical applications. Photograph by K. Coward..

This article belongs to the Collection Dedication to Jim Cummins.

RD23216 Abstract  | PDF (2.4 MB) - $35.00 
Published online 21 June 2024

RD23233Differential effect of melatonin on ram spermatozoa depending on the allelic variant of the RsaI polymorphism of the MTR1A gene, incubation medium and season

Victoria Peña-Delgado 0000-0002-4670-3735, Agustí Noya 0000-0002-9552-4709, Melissa Carvajal-Serna 0000-0003-3929-5064, José A Abecia 0000-0003-2827-3054, Rosaura Pérez-Pe 0000-0002-2312-6402 and Adriana Casao 0000-0003-1997-4262
 

Experimental design for testing the influence of melatonin on ram spermatozoa with RsaI polymorphism of the MTNR1A gene

Melatonin regulates seasonal reproduction in ovine species. This study explores the influence of the melatonin receptor gene and its variants on the response of ram spermatozoa to melatonin in different seasons and media. Results revealed that having specific variants of the gene affects how sperm cells react to melatonin. Understanding these genetic variations could aid in enhancing reproductive techniques in ovine species. Image by Victoria Peña-Delgado.

This article belongs to the Collection Non-photoperiodic Actions of Melatonin.

RD23233 Abstract  |  RD23233 Full Text  | RD23233PDF (1.6 MB)  | RD23233Supplementary Material (1.3 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 June 2024

RD24047A brief history of technical developments in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Dedicated to the memory of J.M. Cummins

J. G. Thompson 0000-0003-4941-7731, H. J. McLennan 0000-0002-2058-2488, S. L. Heinrich 0000-0001-7586-1030, M. P. Inge 0009-0006-3001-1650, D. K. Gardner 0000-0003-3138-8274 and A. J. Harvey 0000-0001-6696-0950
 

Photograph of a sperm being injected into an egg as part of the intracytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI technique.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, better known by its acronym ‘ICSI’, is a technique that enables the injection of a single sperm into an egg. Since first practiced in 1992 with human sperm and eggs, it has revolutionised the treatment of male infertility, and an estimated 6 million children have since been born. However, it is not without controversy, especially concerning the long-term health of children conceived through ICSI, as well as the recent push towards automation of sperm selection and injection. Image by M. Inge.

This article belongs to the Collection Dedication to Jim Cummins.

RD24047 Abstract  |  RD24047 Full Text  | RD24047PDF (398 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 June 2024

RD24018Efficiency of embryo complementation and pluripotency maintenance following multiple passaging of in vitro-derived bovine embryos

Maura S. McGraw, Jordan A. Bishman and Bradford W. Daigneault 0000-0002-8329-4221
 

Diagram depicting blastomere complementation and cell lineage specification following multiple passaging of bovine IVF embryos.

Reproductive technologies that advance in vitro embryo production while directing cell lineage specification are beneficial for both agriculture and biomedical applications. Multiple passaging of bovine embryos subjected to blastomere complementation allows for the production of genetically identical embryos from a single fertilised egg while shifting cell lineage pluripotency towards trophectoderm lineage specification. These findings may be further developed as alternative strategies for producing genetically identical cattle with desirable traits and trophoblast stem cell models for embryo technologies and placental biology. Diagram by Bradford W. Daigneault and Maura S. McGraw.

RD24018 Abstract  | PDF (2.2 MB) - $35.00   | RD24018Supplementary Material (736 KB)
Published online 17 June 2024

RD23174Expression of transforming growth factor β signalling molecules and their correlations with genes in loci linked to polycystic ovary syndrome in human foetal and adult tissues

Rafiatu Azumah, Katja Hummitzsch, Richard A. Anderson and Raymond J. Rodgers 0000-0002-2139-2969
 

Illustration of possible involvement of transforming growth factor beta in the aetiology of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder with an unknown aetiology; although foetal and genetic origins have been implicated. Ovaries of PCOS women are more fibrous, suggesting involvement of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signalling molecules. We identified strong correlations between TGFβ signalling molecules and PCOS candidate genes in multiple human foetal tissues associated with reproduction, metabolism, and neurology. Thus, alteration in TGFβ signalling during foetal development could affectdevelopment of multiple organs leading to the numerous symptoms of PCOS observed in adult life. Image by Katja Hummitzsch.

RD23174 Abstract  |  RD23174 Full Text  | RD23174PDF (1.4 MB)  | RD23174Supplementary Material (2.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 June 2024

RD23133Protective effect of curcumin on testicular damage caused by carbon tetrachloride exposure in rats

Aysel Bayramova 0000-0002-7215-6579, Mete Keçeci 0000-0002-2144-4730, Meryem Akpolat 0000-0002-3419-1728 and Osman Cengil 0000-0002-0702-6751
 

Illustration of the oxidative stress of carbon tetrachloride exposure and its mitigation by curcumin.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a chemical widely used in industry. Although CCl4 exposure has significant toxicity on the liver, there are also experimental studies showing that it causes testicular damage through oxidative stress. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant nutraceutical. Our study showed that curcumin can prevent CCl4-mediated testicular injury with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties. Illustration by Mete Keçeci.

RD23133 Abstract  | PDF (17.8 MB) - $35.00 
Published online 13 June 2024

RD23227Influence of extracellular ATP on mammalian sperm physiology

I. López-González 0000-0002-1536-0258, I. Oseguera-López 0000-0002-3547-3751, R. Castillo 0000-0003-1472-3464 and A. Darszon 0000-0002-2502-0505
 

Diagram showing how ATP contributes to acrosome reaction in spermatozoa

Reproductive systems express different ion channels and transporters that release ATP into their lumens, which may regulate sperm physiology. Epididymal ATP has been suggested to influence basal sperm motility. Oviductal ATP triggers a head sperm volume increase which contributes to acrosome reaction. Image by López-González, I.

This article belongs to the Collection Dedication to Jim Cummins.

RD23227 Abstract  | PDF (893 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 03 June 2024

RD24065From cardiovascular protection to cardiovascular risk: the metamorphosis of menopausal hormone therapy

Bronwyn G. A. Stuckey 0000-0002-9109-9864
 

Rules for menopausal hormone therapy

The metamorphosis from perceived cardiovascular protection to perceived cardiovascular risk, a perception largely led by the Women’s Health Initiative study, has shifted the clinician’s risk/benefit decision-making away from prescribing menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) for menopausal symptoms. A more nuanced view of the literature and the greater availability of different modes of delivery and formulations of MHT should give the clinician the knowledge and confidence to prescribe appropriate MHT for the greater benefit of midlife health and cardiovascular safety. Image by Bronwyn G. A. Stuckey.

RD24065 Abstract  |  RD24065 Full Text  | RD24065PDF (263 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 28 May 2024

RD24001Protocol for the controlled reproduction of the edible frog Aubria subsigillata in aquaculture hatcheries in the Republic of Benin

Houénafa A. C. Gansa 0000-0003-4663-4298, Geraud D. Akélé and Hyppolite Agadjihouèdé
 

Photograph of egg stripping of a female Aubria subsigillata frog after intrafemoral injection of Ovulin.

The frog Aubria subsigillata is an edible species that is highly valued in the human diet in Benin. However, a strong rarefaction of the species due to its uncontrolled exploitation is observed in the wild. The 0.2 IU/g of Ovulin hormone administered intrafemorally enabled collection of gametes at 13 h in males and 27 h in females, and 172 eggs of 1 mg were incubated after 167 h. A. subsigillata reproduction goes through five phases: (1) selection of mature broodstock; (2) hormonal injection; (3) gamete collection; (4) in vitro fertilisation; and (5) incubation. Photograph by Houénafa A. C. Gansa.

RD24001 Abstract  | PDF (659 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 20 May 2024

RD23132Clustering of spermatozoa examined through flow cytometry provides more information than the conventional assessment: a resilience to osmotic stress example

Julian Valencia 0000-0003-3983-0389, Sebastián Bonilla-Correal, Elisabeth Pinart, Sergi Bonet and Marc Yeste 0000-0002-2209-340X
 

Superior identification of sperm subpopulations via cluster analysis with flow cytometry than with typical dot plots.

Evaluation of sperm quality in farm animals and humans is crucial to predict reproductive efficiency, yet conventional tests are not sufficient to predict fertility. Clustering sperm using individual data from flow cytometry analysis provides more information than typical dot plots, which could better predict sperm fertility and cryotolerance. Herein, combining cluster analysis with flow cytometry led to the identification of five sperm subpopulations with differences in cell volume and membrane integrity, whereas typical dot plots just allowed for the identification of three. Image by the authors.

This article belongs to the Collection Dedication to Jim Cummins.

RD23132 Abstract  | PDF (4.9 MB) - $35.00   | RD23132Supplementary Material (930 KB)
Published online 16 May 2024

RD23235Genotyping of rams based on melatonin receptor 1A gene polymorphisms: a tool in sire selection?

Victoria Peña-Delgado 0000-0002-4670-3735, Agustí Noya 0000-0002-9552-4709, Melissa Carvajal-Serna 0000-0003-3929-5064, Francisco Canto 0000-0001-5124-1929, María Carmen Sánchez, Eva Letosa, Antonio Vicente, Ignacio Morato, Ángel Macías, José Alfonso Abecia 0000-0003-2827-3054, Adriana Casao 0000-0003-1997-4262 and Rosaura Pérez-Pe 0000-0002-2312-6402
 

Illustration of differing seminal quality of rams associated with season and variants of the melatonin receptor gene.

Some variants of the melatonin receptor gene affect seasonal reproduction in sheep, but it is not clear how they affect males and their spermatozoa. This study explores the impact of two genetic variants of the melatonin receptor gene on ram seminal quality throughout the year. Results revealed that there is a detrimental effect on seminal quality, more pronounced during the reproductive season, depending on the variant carried, which highlights the potential of genotyping for optimal sire selection in breeding programs. Image by Victoria Peña-Delgado.

This article belongs to the Collection Dedication to Jim Cummins.

RD23235 Abstract  |  RD23235 Full Text  | RD23235PDF (1.8 MB)  | RD23235Supplementary Material (729 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 16 May 2024

RD23139Melatonin administration during the first half of pregnancy improves physiological response and reproductive performance of rabbits under heat stress conditions

Nesrein M. Hashem 0000-0003-0058-9671, Elshymaa A. Abdelnaby, Mahmoud Madkour and Hossam R. El-Sherbiny
 

Impacts of melatonin on heat-stressed pregnant rabbits.

Melatonin administration (1 mg/kg body weight) during the first half of pregnancy of heat-stressed rabbits improved heat-tolerance capacity, sex hormone production, and fetal viability. These positive effects were subsequently associated with improved conception rate and kindling rate. Image by authors.

This article belongs to the Collection Non-photoperiodic Actions of Melatonin.

RD23139 Abstract  | PDF (918 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 15 May 2024

RD24034The perils of poly- and perfluorinated chemicals on the reproductive health of humans, livestock, and wildlife

Mark P. Green, Cameron Shearer, Rebecca Patrick, Shervin Kabiri, Nicola Rivers 0000-0003-0533-3480 and Brett Nixon 0000-0003-2745-8188
 

Chemical structure of Poly and per-fluoroalkyl substances and their impact on reproduction in humans and animals.

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread environmental contaminants that can accumulate in body tissues and cause adverse health outcomes. This article combines the perspectives of chemists, soil scientists, reproductive biologists, and health policy researchers, to summarise the issue of PFAS contamination and its specific impact on the reproductive health of all animals. It also highlights the important role scientists have to play in educating the public and policy makers on the complexity of the planetary health issues surrounding PFAS. Images were obtained from iStock: https://www.istockphoto.com/

RD24034 Abstract  |  RD24034 Full Text  | RD24034PDF (905 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 May 2024

RD23082Maternal high-fat diet during pregnancy and lactation affects factors that regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis in the testis of adult progeny

Helen Viotti 0000-0001-5187-5825, Daniel Cavestany 0000-0002-8367-7142, Graeme B. Martin 0000-0002-1905-7934, Mark H. Vickers 0000-0003-4876-9356, Deborah M. Sloboda 0000-0002-7410-4756 and Graciela Pedrana 0000-0002-4955-6873
 

Diagram depicting effect of high-fat diet fed to pregnant rats on Sertoli cell function in offspring.

In rats, we tested whether a high-fat diet fed to mothers during pregnancy and lactation would affect Sertoli cell function in their adult offspring. Changes in transcription factors and proteins that control proliferation and apoptosis in germ cells suggest that the high-fat diet alters the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis, potentially reducing sperm production. Image by Graciela Pedrana, Grame Martin.

RD23082 Abstract  |  RD23082 Full Text  | RD23082PDF (6.3 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 07 May 2024

RD23219Impact of bull age, sperm processing, and microclimatic conditions on the viability and DNA integrity of cryopreserved bovine sperm

Burcu Cinar, Heinrich Bollwein, Mathias Siuda, Matthias Lautner, Claus Leiding and Eleni Malama 0000-0003-1433-7336
 

Multiple correspondence analysis for the variables season of semen collection and bull age to evaluate sperm quality.

Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) plot for the categorical variables of season of semen collection and age class of 262 individual bulls. Points represent the score of each bull for the quantitative variables (percentage of sperm with intact plasma membrane and acrosome and percentage of sperm with high DNA fragmentation index (immediately after thawing and after 3 h of incubation at 38°C) in different seasons of the year. Photograph by Eleni Malama.

This article belongs to the Collection Dedication to Jim Cummins.

RD23219 Abstract  | PDF (2.5 MB) - $35.00   | RD23219Supplementary Material (7.9 MB)

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Most Read

The Most Read ranking is based on the number of downloads in the last 60 days from papers published on the CSIRO PUBLISHING website within the last 12 months. Usage statistics are updated daily.

Collections

Dedication to Jim Cummins

This collection of Reproduction, Fertility and Development celebrates the important contributions James (Jim) Michael Cummins made to the field of reproductive biology. It covers a variety of topics but with a clear focus on spermatology where Jim’s impact, as a scientist and a teacher, was most profound.

Collection Editors
Marc Yeste, Guest Editor (University of Girona, Spain)
Graeme B. Martin, Co-Editor-in-Chief (Reproduction Fertility and Development)

Last Updated: 07 Jun 2024

Non-photoperiodic Actions of Melatonin

Historically, melatonin has been seen as a pineal hormone that plays one essential role – the synchronisation of reproductive and other brain-controlled functions with changes in photoperiod. Often driven by the detection of melatonin receptors in non-brain tissues, it has become clear that melatonin plays a much wider variety of roles in the function of the testis, sperm, ovary, follicles, oocyte, embryo, placenta, fetus and mammary gland. This Collection presents this broader view of melatonin biology, and how the new concepts can be applied to livestock production.

Collection Editors
Alfonso Abecia, Guest Editor (Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain)
Graeme B. Martin, Co-Editor-in-Chief (Reproduction Fertility and Development)

Last Updated: 16 May 2024

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence: Reproduction, Fertility and Development

In 2018, Reproduction, Fertility and Development celebrated 30 years of publication and we recognised this milestone with this Collection of papers. Papers were selected based on hard data (citations and downloads) but we also chose papers that reflect other criteria: landmarks in important aspects of reproductive biology; recognition of an influential individual; showcasing the breadth of the journal’s output (species studied; the stages in the process of reproduction); balance between biology and technology; and the international nature of contributors to the journal.

Collection Editor
Graeme Martin

Last Updated: 19 Jul 2018

World Congress of Reproductive Biology Showcase

Compiled to coincide with the World Congress of Reproductive Biology in Edinburgh, Scotland (2–4 September 2014), this Collection features publications from Congress speakers and on topics relevant to delegates. Comprising recent reviews and original research, the collection highlights significant contributions in the field of vertebrate reproductive biology.

Last Updated: 28 Aug 2014

Committee on Publication Ethics

Submit Article

Visit the journal’s submission site

Announcement

Reproduction, Fertility and Development is now publishing technical reports, i.e. significant technical advances. More

Advertisement