Fig. 1.1 Human pachytene spermatocyte demonstrating synapsis of homologous chromosome pairs and sites of meiotic recombination (chiasmata). The protein complex (synaptonemal complex) that forms the physical connection between homologous chromosomes…
Fig. 2.1 Potential origins of genetic and epigenetic changes in the germ line. The “aberrant repair hypothesis” essentially posits that a variety of clinical, biological, lifestyle, and environmental factors including…
HLA-G function HLA-G isoforms involved Immune cells involved References Inhibition of NK- and T-cell-mediated cell lysis Primarily HLA-G1 and HLA-G5 Also shown for the other alternatively spliced HLA-G isoforms (HLA-G2…
Fig. 3.1 MicroRNA biogenesis is initiated via the activity of RNA polymerase II resulting in synthesis of a primary miRNA transcript (Pri-miRNA) that is both capped and polyadenylated. The appropriate…
Fig. 9.1 Ultrastructure of prostasomes. (a) Thin-section transmission electron microscopy (EM) image of human prostasomes isolated from seminal plasma. Prostasomes display rounded structures with varied sizes more or less filled…
Fig. 7.1 Origin of seminal plasma components 7.2 Beneficial Effects of Immunomodulatory and Proinflammatory Factors in Human Seminal Plasma Seminal plasma contains very high concentrations of two potent immunomodulatory factors,…
Fig. 4.1 Illustration of epigenetic structure in the mature sperm and the dramatic organization that occurs in the early embryo immediately following fertilization. The top panel shows the protamine-bound mature…
Blois SM, Klapp BF, Barrientos G (2011) Decidualization and angiogenesis in early pregnancy: unravelling the functions of DC and NK cells. J Reprod Immunol 88:86–92PubMed Broudy VC (1997) Stem cell…
Fig. 6.1 The function of seminal fluid in the female reproductive tract following coitus. Seminal fluid exposure at coitus induces female responses that have consequences for conception and pregnancy. In…
Fig. 10.1 Hypothetical scenario on the immune modulatory capacity of seminal fluid. After contact with paternal antigens a rather tolerant immune response is generated. The graphic illustrates the interactions between…
