Oxidative Stress in Granulosa-Lutein Cells From In Vitro Fertilization Patients
Ovarian aging is associated with gradual follicular loss by atresia/apoptosis. Increased production of toxic metabolites such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species as well as external oxidant agents plays an important role in the process of ovarian senescence and in the pathogenesis of ovarian pathologies such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This review provides a synthesis of available studies of oxidative stress (OS) in the ovary, focusing on the most recent evidence obtained in mural granulosa-lutein (GL) cells of in vitro fertilization patients. Synthesis of antioxidant e...
Source: Reproductive Sciences - November 6, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Avila, J., Gonzalez-Fernandez, R., Rotoli, D., Hernandez, J., Palumbo, A. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
The Ovarian Renin-Angiotensin System (OVRAS): A Major Factor in Ovarian Function and Disease
This contribution summarizes the pivotal role of the ovarian renin–angiotensin system (OVRAS) in ovarian physiology and disease, with particular emphasis on human clinical implications and established translational applications. The presence of a complete OVRAS in all studied species has been known for decades. The OVRAS has major effects on follicle development/atresia and ovulation and steroid hormone secretion, that is, it is necessary for normal reproduction. It is well established that OVRAS activity is regulated by gonadotropins and depends on activation of proteases in the area of growing follicles. Angiotensi...
Source: Reproductive Sciences - November 6, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Palumbo, A., Avila, J., Naftolin, F. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
Follicular Volume Predicts Oocyte Maturity: A Prospective Cohort Study Using Three-Dimensional Ultrasound and SonoAVC
In conclusion, this study shows that follicular volume as measured by SonoAVC on the day of hCG administration can be useful to predict oocyte maturity. Specifically, larger follicles and smaller size follicles (class 0.60-0.99 cm3) contribute to the mature oocyte count. This finding warrants the design of clinical trials to establish new criteria for hCG administration based on follicular volume. (Source: Reproductive Sciences)
Source: Reproductive Sciences - November 6, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Hernandez, J., Rodriguez-Fuentes, A., Puopolo, M., Palumbo, A. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
In Vitro Fertilization Research is Translational Research
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the perfect example of translational research. Changes in IVF and the IVF laboratory have been transmitted to clinical care, showing dramatic improvements in health outcomes, including notable increases in the cumulative pregnancy rate. Current research in the laboratory focusing on culture media, embryo selection criteria, and implementation of genetic testing and manipulation promises to translate to further improvements in our ability to assist human reproduction. The field of IVF and ART remains a large source for clinical and scientific discovery and development, and will require the pr...
Source: Reproductive Sciences - November 6, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: DeCherney, A. H., Barnett, R. L. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
State of the ART: Assisted Reproductive Technologies in the United States
This review provides a brief look at the state of the assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in the United States in 2016. In 2013, the most recent year for which data are available through the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 190 773 total cycles of ART. Live births ranged from 40.1% per cycle initiated in women younger than 35 years to 4.5% live births per cycle initiated in women older than 42 years. US clinics must report their outcomes to the CDC. Society for Assisted Repr...
Source: Reproductive Sciences - November 6, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Hornstein, M. D. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
Lifestyle and IVF Outcomes
Whereas much has been written about the prognostic factors associated with outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) such as female age, diagnosis, and ovarian reserve, relatively little attention has been devoted to patient-oriented lifestyles that may influence IVF outcomes. Patients are particularly interested in this topic because many patients wish to partner with their physicians and want to know specific behaviors to improve their chances of IVF success. This brief review is not intended as an exhaustive literature search of all possible lifestyles that may influence assisted reproductive outcome nor is it intended t...
Source: Reproductive Sciences - November 6, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Hornstein, M. D. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
Sex Steroids Block the Initiation of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the main cause of death in men and women. This so-called "hardening of the arteries" results from advanced atherogenesis, the accumulation and death of subendothelial fat-laden macrophages (vascular plaque). The macrophages are attracted as the result of signals from injured vessels recruiting and activating cells to quell the injury by inflammation. Among the recruited cells are circulating monocytes that may be captured by the formation of neural cell adhesion molecule (nCAM) tethers between the monocytes and vascular endothelium; the tethers are dependent on electrostatic binding between distal segmen...
Source: Reproductive Sciences - November 6, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Naftolin, F., Mehr, H., Fadiel, A. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
Endometriosis and Stem Cell Trafficking
Adult stem cells have a major role in endometrial physiology, remodeling, and repair, but they also have a critical role in the development and progression of endometriosis. Bone marrow–derived stem cells (BMDSCs) engraft eutopic endometrium and endometriotic lesions, showing stromal and epithelial fate. Nevertheless, circulating BMDSCs are in limited supply, and the presence of endometriosis depletes stem cells from the blood circulation, preventing their homing in the uterus. Furthermore, stem cells migrate from endometriotic lesion into the uterus, leading to a dysfunctional endometrium. Stem cell trafficking is a...
Source: Reproductive Sciences - November 6, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Pluchino, N., Taylor, H. S. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
Telomeres, Reproductive Aging, and Genomic Instability During Early Development
Implantation rate decreases and miscarriage rate increases with advancing maternal age. The oocyte must be the locus of reproductive aging because donation of oocytes from younger to older women abrogates the effects of aging on fecundity. Nuclear transfer experiments in a mouse model of reproductive aging show that the reproductive aging phenotype segregates with the nucleus rather than the cytoplasm. A number of factors within the nucleus have been hypothesized to mediate reproductive aging, including disruption of cohesions, reduced chiasma, aneuploidy, disrupted meiotic spindles, and DNA damage caused by chronic exposu...
Source: Reproductive Sciences - November 6, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Keefe, D. L. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
17{beta}-Estradiol Reverses Leptin-Inducing Ovarian Cancer Cell Migration by the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Accumulating evidence suggests that leptin is expressed at higher levels in obese women and stimulates cell migration in epithelial cancers. However, the biology of ovarian cancer is different from others, mainly due to the production of estrogens because of the involvement of ovarian tissue, which is the main source of estrogens; as a result, the levels are at least 100- to 1000-fold higher than normal circulating levels. Thus, ovarian cancer tissues are exposed to 17β-estradiol, which promotes ovarian cancer cell migration and may modulate the effect of other hormones. Therefore, this study investigated the effects ...
Source: Reproductive Sciences - October 11, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Hoffmann, M., Fiedor, E., Ptak, A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Pravastatin Effects on Placental Prosurvival Molecular Pathways in a Mouse Model of Preeclampsia
Conclusion:
Pravastatin ability to prevent preeclampsia phenotype may be mediated through pleiotropic mechanisms involving a prosurvival/ antiapoptotic MAPK pathway in the placenta. Our results further support continued research in the role for statins in the prevention of preeclampsia. (Source: Reproductive Sciences)
Source: Reproductive Sciences - October 11, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Saad, A. F., Diken, Z. M., Kechichian, T. B., Clark, S. M., Olson, G. L., Saade, G. R., Costantine, M. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Nectin-3 Is Increased in the Cell Junctions of the Uterine Epithelium at Implantation
This study, used immunofluorescence, Western blotting, colocalization, and coimmunoprecipitation analyses, to investigate whether nectin-3 was present in the rat uterus and was regulated by hormones and the blastocyst during early pregnancy. The results showed that nectin-3 was present in UECs as 3 molecular weight protein isoforms (80 kDa, 60 kDa, and 32 kDa). At the time of fertilization (day 1 of pregnancy), nectin-3 was localized basally, but at the time of implantation, (day 6 of pregnancy) when UECs were receptive, nectin-3 increased in the cellular junctions. When UECs returned to the nonreceptive state (day 9 of pr...
Source: Reproductive Sciences - October 11, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Poon, C. E., Madawala, R. J., Dowland, S. N., Murphy, C. R. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Discordant Mutations in Paired Primary and Metastatic Endometrial Adenocarcinomas Identified by Semiconductor-Based Sequencing for Rapid Cancer Genotyping
Although endometrial adenocarcinoma is usually treated with surgery, patients with metastatic disease have a poor prognosis. To address the need for better treatment options, molecularly targeted drug therapies are being developed. These targeted therapies rely on accurate mutational profiling of the tumor, which is most often performed on DNA from the primary tumor. Our objective was to compare mutational concordance in primary tumors with their metastases. We genotyped 11 pairs of primary and metastatic endometrial adenocarcinomas using DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks and semiconductor-based next-...
Source: Reproductive Sciences - October 11, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Bergstrom, C. P., Geest, K. D., OGara, R., Corless, C. L., Morgan, T. K. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
SPOP Regulates Endometrial Stromal Cell Decidualization in Mice
This study suggests that ubiquitination may be involved in embryonic implantation. (Source: Reproductive Sciences)
Source: Reproductive Sciences - October 11, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Liu, N., Liu, X., Yu, Q., Chen, X., Ding, Y., He, J., Gao, R., Wang, Y., Liu, X. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Serum YKL-40 Level Positively Correlates With Uterine Leiomyomas
Uterine leiomyomas (ULMs) are the most common benign tumors in premenopausal women associated with major tissue fibrosis. It has been suggested that inflammatory response is associated with the development of ULM. YKL-40 is a chitinase-like protein present in serum of healthy participants, and its levels are increased in several human inflammatory diseases. However, the association between YKL-40 and ULM has not been reported. The aim of this study was to identify whether serum YKL-40 levels correlate with ULM. Premenopausal women with ULM (n = 61) and leiomyoma-free control women (n = 45) were recruited for this study. Se...
Source: Reproductive Sciences - October 11, 2016 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Guo, W., Wang, J., Wei, H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
