Placental Transport of Amino Acids in Rats with Methionine-Induced Hyperhomocysteinemia.

Maternal hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a risk factor for intrauterine growth restriction presumably caused by a decrease in the placental transport of nutrients. We investigated the effect of experimental HHcy induced by daily methionine administration to pregnant rats on the free amino acid levels in the maternal and fetal blood, as well as on morphological and biochemical parameters associated with the amino acid transport through the placenta. HHcy caused an increase in the levels of most free amino acids in the maternal blood on gestational day 20, while the levels of some amino acids in the fetal blood were decreased.

Reference Gene Validation in the Embryonic and Postnatal Brain in the Rat Hyperhomocysteinemia Model.

Maternal hyperhomocysteinemia (HCY) induced by genetic defects in methionine cycle enzymes or vitamin imbalance is known to be a pathologic factor that can impair embryonal brain development and cause long-term consequences in the postnatal brain development as well as changes in the expression of neuronal genes. Studies of the gene expression on this model requires the selection of optimal housekeeping genes. This work aimed to analyze the expression stability of housekeeping genes in offspring brain.

Age-Related COVID-19 Influence on Male Fertility.

The impact of coronavirus on the reproductive health of men attracts the special attention of many researchers. While studies suggest changes in sperm parameters and the possibility of testicular inflammation, further studies are needed to elucidate any potential age-related changes in these findings, which is the purpose of the present study. The semen quality parameters, cytokine concentration, and markers of the pro- and antioxidant system were assessed in 60 men five to seven months after the coronavirus infection and in 77 controls (without a history of coronavirus infection).

Epigenetic Mechanisms Involved in the Effects of Maternal Hyperhomocysteinemia on the Functional State of Placenta and Nervous System Plasticity in the Offspring.

According to modern view, susceptibility to diseases, specifically to cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders, can form during embryonic development. Adverse factors affecting mother during the pregnancy increase the risk of developing pathologies. Despite the association between elevated maternal blood homocysteine (Hcy) and fetal brain impairments, as well as cognitive deficits in the offspring, the role of brain plasticity in the development of these pathologies remains poorly studied.

Imbalance of Angiogenic and Growth Factors in Placenta in Maternal Hyperhomocysteinemia.

Numerous studies have shown that various adverse factors of different nature and action mechanisms have similar negative influence on placental angiogenesis, resulting in insufficiency of placental blood supply. One of the risk factors for pregnancy complications with placental etiology is an increased level of homocysteine in the blood of pregnant women. However, the effect of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) on the development of the placenta and, in particular, on the formation of its vascular network is at present poorly understood.