Protein tied to lifetime fertility

Oct 12, 2023

Aprotein in mouse ovaries regulates formation of the ovarian-follicle reserve, which comprises a mammal’s lifetime supply of egg cells and surrounding support cells. That's according to new study conducted by a U.S.-Canadian team. The discovery provides a foundation for further research regarding premature ovarian insufficiency and menopause in women and reproductive problems in dairy cows.

Discovery of the protein, called Steroidogenic factor 1 – SF-1, and identifying its role has implications for human and cattle reproductive health and success, said Camilla Hughes, who led the research as a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Montreal. She’s now an assistant professor of reproductive biology in the Pennsylvania State University-College of Agricultural Sciences.

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Video: What It Takes to Stop African Swine Fever - Dr. Jishu Shi

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Jishu Shi, Professor of Vaccine Immunology at Kansas State University, discusses African swine fever prevention and vaccine development. He explains why ASF differs from classical swine fever and swine influenza, how the disease threatens trade and pork production, why immunization safety remains a critical hurdle, and what producers can do now to reduce the risk of introduction. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Before a safe and efficacious vaccine for ASF can be commercialized, what we really have is prevention."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jishu Shi is Professor of Vaccine Immunology and the Dr. Wayne & Hilda Appleton Endowed Professor at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He directs the Center on Biologics Development and Evaluation and the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health. A veterinarian and vaccine immunologist, Dr. Shi has focused on vaccines for pigs and has worked on African swine fever vaccine development, control, diagnostics, and international training since 2018. Learn more from Dr. Jishu Shi on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.