Numerous post-translational modifications are involved in oocyte maturation and embryo development. Recently, lactylation has emerged as a novel epigenetic modification implicated in the regulation of diverse cellular processes. However, it remains unclear whether lactylation occurs during oocyte maturation and embryo development processes. Herein, the lysine lactylation (Kla) modifications were determined during mouse oocyte maturation and early embryo development by immunofluorescence staining. Exogenous lactate was supplemented to explore the consequences of modulating histone lactylation levels on oocyte maturation and embryo development processes by transcriptomics. Results demonstrated that lactylated proteins are widely present in mice with tissue- and cell-specific distribution. During mouse oocyte maturation, immunofluorescence for H3K9la, H3K14la, H4K8la, and H4K12la was most intense at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage and subsequently weakened or disappeared. Further, supplementing the culture medium with 10 mM sodium lactate elevated both the oocyte maturation rate and the histone Kla levels in GV oocytes, and there were substantial increases in Kla levels in metaphase II (MII) oocytes. It altered the transcription of molecules involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Moreover, histone lactylation levels changed dynamically during mouse early embryogenesis. Sodium lactate at 10 mM enhanced early embryo development and significantly increased lactylation, while impacting glycolytic gene transcription. This study reveals the roles of lactylation during oocyte maturation and embryo development, providing new insights to improving oocyte maturation and embryo quality.

Environmental pollution is an inevitable ecological issue accompanying the process of socialization, with increasing attention to its impacts on individual organisms and ecological chains. The reproductive system, responsible for transmitting genetic material in animals, is one of the most sensitive systems to environmental toxins. Research reveals that Sertoli cells are the primary target cells for the action of environmental toxins. Different environmental toxins mostly affect the blood–testis barrier and lead to male reproductive disorders by disrupting Sertoli cells. Therefore, this article provides an in-depth exploration of the toxic mechanisms of various types of environmental toxins on the male testes. It reveals the dynamic processes of tight junctions in the blood–testis barrier affected by environmental toxins and their specific roles in the reconstruction process.

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data, poultry breeding management is undergoing a critical transition from traditional manual practices to intelligent and automated systems. Intelligent detection technologies have appeared as a key driver for enhancing breeding efficiency and sustainability. This review focuses on the application of computer vision (CV), infrared thermography (IRT), radio frequency identification (RFID), and sound analysis technology (SAT) within modern poultry farming systems. Multi-technology integration proves considerable potential in key areas such as monitoring poultry behavior, detecting early-stage diseases, assessing semen quality, evaluating egg quality, and regulating rearing environments. However, challenges such as environmental interference, limited algorithm generalizability, lack of data standardization, and high equipment costs persist in practical applications. Future advancements need multimodal data integration, lightweight model development, standardized ecosystem construction, and ethical considerations for animal welfare. Continuous innovation in intelligent sensing technologies will drive the advancement of precision-based and efficiency-oriented poultry breeding systems, significantly improving production efficiency while reducing operational costs, thereby offering substantial promise for bolstering global food security and sustainable livestock production.

Histone lactylation, a novel epigenetic modification, has emerged as a critical mediator of various physiological and pathological processes. The present review elucidates the molecular mechanisms of lysine lactylation (Kla) and its influence on gene expression modulation. In addition, previous findings regarding the mechanisms of Kla and its impact on metabolic regulation, inflammation and tumorigenesis are summarized. Histone lactylation influences macrophage polarization, promotes tumor immune evasion, and affects osteoblast differentiation and embryonic development. While promising as a therapeutic target, research progress is currently hindered by methodological limitations in terms of lactylation quantification and manipulation. The current review not only summarizes fundamental insights into Kla‑mediated disease pathogenesis but also critically addresses existing knowledge gaps. By highlighting the dynamic interplay between lactylation and metabolic regulation, novel perspectives are provided on the biological importance of this posttranslational modification. Ultimately, the aim of this review is to identify innovative approaches for targeting lactylation‑mediated pathways in disease treatment.

The female reproductive tract (FRT) serves as the core of human reproduction, and its health is directly related to population quantity and family happiness. The high incidence rate of female reproductive tract diseases globally poses a severe threat to women’s health. Nevertheless, the exploration of its physiological functions and pathological mechanisms still lacks satisfactory research models. Organoids, as an emerging technology, not only circumvent numerous ethical issues existing in in vivo experiments but also precisely replicate the morphological structure and characteristics of the simulated tissues. The purpose of this article is to summarize the basic paradigms of organoid establishment and their applications in female reproductive research. Specifically, this article summarizes the cell sources, extracellular scaffolds, and culture media used in the establishment of organoids. It also describes the applications and future development prospects of female reproductive tract organoids established in current research in physiological and pathological studies. The importance of organoid technology in the female reproductive tract research cannot be ignored. It has opened up new avenues for research in this field and greatly promoted the exploration of female reproductive health and disease mechanisms.