The reproductive system is one of the major systems of mammals, whose normal development is the key to mammalian reproduction. It comprises reproductive organs and glands, which exhibit significant differences between the sexes. The main function of the male reproductive system is to produce, maintain, and transport sperm. And the most basic functions of the female reproductive system are oogenesis and conception. Many molecular biological processes regulate the development of the mammalian reproductive system, and these processes are susceptible to many endogenous or exogenous factors. For example, among exogenous factors, environmental estrogens and hormones have crucial effects on the development of the reproductive system. In addition, microbial metabolites such as mycotoxins in feed can also harm the reproductive system development of livestock. For endogenous factors, changes in genes, proteins, and epigenetics such as histone methylation and acetylation, accompany the development of the entire reproductive system. Among them, epigenetic reprogramming is very important to germ cell maturation and early embryogenesis. Growing studies have shown that endogenous or exogenous factors can impact the reproductive capacities of animals via epigenetic modifications which play a key role in the inheritance of noncommunicable reproductive diseases such as Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Thus, understanding how endogenous or exogenous factors affect epigenetic reprogramming during reproductive system development is extremely important for developing strategies to prevent the inheritance of noncommunicable reproductive diseases. Certainly, whether it is exogenous or endogenous factors, the most important thing is to find a rescue agent and to clarify the mechanism by which the drug rescues the damage to reproductive system development caused by endogenous or exogenous factors.
This Research Topic aims to enrich our knowledge of the molecular mechanism involved in reproductive system development and exogenous factors affecting reproductive system development. The objects of concern include model animals such as mice, livestock such as pigs, sheep, cattle, chickens, etc., as well as primordial germ cell-like cells, sperm-like cells, or egg-like cells differentiated using their embryonic or adult stem cells.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Methods, Review, and Mini-Review articles that cover, but are not limited to, the following subtopics:
• Developments of reproductive organs and glands
• Effects of endogenous and exogenous factors on epigenetics
• Inheritance mechanisms and treatment of noncommunicable reproductive diseases
• Strategies to prevent the effects of exogenous factors on reproductive system development
• Germ cell development and maturation
• Stem cells differentiate into germ cell-like cells
The reproductive system is one of the major systems of mammals, whose normal development is the key to mammalian reproduction. It comprises reproductive organs and glands, which exhibit significant differences between the sexes. The main function of the male reproductive system is to produce, maintain, and transport sperm. And the most basic functions of the female reproductive system are oogenesis and conception. Many molecular biological processes regulate the development of the mammalian reproductive system, and these processes are susceptible to many endogenous or exogenous factors. For example, among exogenous factors, environmental estrogens and hormones have crucial effects on the development of the reproductive system. In addition, microbial metabolites such as mycotoxins in feed can also harm the reproductive system development of livestock. For endogenous factors, changes in genes, proteins, and epigenetics such as histone methylation and acetylation, accompany the development of the entire reproductive system. Among them, epigenetic reprogramming is very important to germ cell maturation and early embryogenesis. Growing studies have shown that endogenous or exogenous factors can impact the reproductive capacities of animals via epigenetic modifications which play a key role in the inheritance of noncommunicable reproductive diseases such as Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Thus, understanding how endogenous or exogenous factors affect epigenetic reprogramming during reproductive system development is extremely important for developing strategies to prevent the inheritance of noncommunicable reproductive diseases. Certainly, whether it is exogenous or endogenous factors, the most important thing is to find a rescue agent and to clarify the mechanism by which the drug rescues the damage to reproductive system development caused by endogenous or exogenous factors.
This Research Topic aims to enrich our knowledge of the molecular mechanism involved in reproductive system development and exogenous factors affecting reproductive system development. The objects of concern include model animals such as mice, livestock such as pigs, sheep, cattle, chickens, etc., as well as primordial germ cell-like cells, sperm-like cells, or egg-like cells differentiated using their embryonic or adult stem cells.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Methods, Review, and Mini-Review articles that cover, but are not limited to, the following subtopics:
• Developments of reproductive organs and glands
• Effects of endogenous and exogenous factors on epigenetics
• Inheritance mechanisms and treatment of noncommunicable reproductive diseases
• Strategies to prevent the effects of exogenous factors on reproductive system development
• Germ cell development and maturation
• Stem cells differentiate into germ cell-like cells