The biology of the ovary – Honouring the contributions of Ken P McNatty and Rex J Scaramuzzi
Genetic studies have discovered multiple mutations and genetic risk factors that have helped to understand how ovulation rate is controlled in low ovulating species to regulate the numbers of offspring and maximise reproductive success. Most genes identified are from pathways with defined roles in regulation of the ovarian follicle development. Continued genetic studies can continue to improve detailed understanding of the regulation of ovulation rate and litter size with implications for health and animal production systems. Image by G. W. Montgomery.
This article belongs to the Collection The biology of the ovary – Honouring the contributions of Ken P McNatty and Rex J Scaramuzzi.
The food animals eat has a major influence on their ability to reproduce. This experiment was designed to determine if fatness or high-energy diets affected the socio-sexual responses of ewes to rams. High-energy diets stimulated insulin and glucose but had little influence on reproductive responses. Thin ewes had reduced glucose and insulin and compromised responses to socio-sexual stimulation, suggesting that fatness was a significant contributor to reproductive success.
It has long been known that the amount and type of food can influence fertility, but exactly how is unknown. In this study, we asked whether common sugars were used differently by ovarian cells and found that theca cells use glucose and galactose, but not fructose, because they lack a fructose transporter. This study supports the theory that the amount and type of dietary sugar can affect ovarian function, and hence fertility.
