Retinoic acid (RA), a metabolite of retinol (vitamin A), functions as a ligand for nuclear RA
receptors (RARs) that regulate development of chordate animals. RA-RARs can activate or …

BACKGROUND Autophagy is an intracellular catabolic process of degrading and recycling
proteins and organelles to modulate various physiological and pathological events …

Spermatogenesis is a complex and dynamic cellular differentiation process critical to male
reproduction and sustained by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Although patterns of gene …

Infection by bacteria, viruses, and parasites may lead to fetal death, organ injury, or limited
sequelae depending on the pathogen. Here, we consider the role of infection during …

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) senses nutrients and growth factors to
coordinate cell growth, metabolism and autophagy. Extensive research has mapped the …

Male fertility is closely related to the normal function of the hypothalamicpituitary-testicular
axis. The testis is an important male reproductive organ that secretes androgen and …

Male fertility is maintained through intricate cellular and molecular interactions that ensure
spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) proceed in a step-wise differentiation process through …

The intricate interaction between spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) and testicular niche is
essential for maintaining SSC homeostasis; however, this interaction remains largely …

Spermatogenesis is the process by which male gametes are formed from a self-renewing
population of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) residing in the testis. SSCs represent less …

Retinoic acid (RA), a derivative of vitamin A, is critical for the production of oocytes and
sperm in mammals. These gametes derive from primordial germ cells, which colonize the …