Dead or Alive: Exploratory Analysis of Selected Apoptosis- and Autophagy-Related Proteins in Human Endometrial Stromal Cells of Fertile Females and Their Potential Role During Embryo Implantation.

To date, very little is known about how apoptosis and autophagy affect human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), particularly how these processes might determine the depth of implantation in humans. Before investigating how apoptosis and autophagy might modulate the implantation process in an infertile population, it is necessary to clarify how these processes are regulated in healthy individuals. This study examined the protein expression related to apoptosis and autophagy in primary ESCs from fertile women, particularly in the context of decidualization and embryo contact, using Western blot analysis.

Effect of Waiting Period on Initial Adverse Vaginal Microbiome Composition in IVF-ICSI Patients.

: In this observational prospective cohort study, conducted at the Fertility Centre of the University Hospital, Duesseldorf Germany, the spontaneous reversal capacity and the effect of waiting time on an adverse vaginal microbiome profile in subfertile patients were investigated. : Vaginal swabs of 76 patients were obtained before starting a fertility treatment using a commercially available test to perform a microbiome analysis. Patients with a favorable microbiome profile ("medium" or "high profile") according to the manufacturer's algorithm proceeded with the fertility treatment.

Effectiveness of recombinant human FSH: recombinant human LH combination treatment versus recombinant human FSH alone for assisted reproductive technology in women aged 35-40 years.

Research Question: According to real-world data, is recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH) combined with recombinant human LH (r-hLH) or r-hFSH alone more effective for women of advanced maternal age (AMA) in terms of live birth?

Design: Non-interventional study comparing the effectiveness of r-hFSH and recombinant r-hLH (2:1 ratio) versus r-hFSH alone for ovarian stimulation during ART treatment in women aged 35-40 years, using real-world data from the Deutsches IVF-Register.

Results: Overall clinical pregnancy (29.8%, 95% CI 28.

Progesterone-induced progesterone receptor membrane component 1 rise-to-decline changes are essential for decidualization.

Background: Decidualization of endometrial cells is the prerequisite for embryo implantation and subsequent placenta formation and is induced by rising progesterone levels following ovulation. One of the hormone receptors contributing to endometrial homeostasis is Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 (PGRMC1), a non-classical membrane-bound progesterone receptor with yet unclear function. In this study, we aimed to investigate how PGRMC1 contributes to human decidualization.

Closer to the Reality-Proteome Changes Evoked by Endometrial Scratching in Fertile Females.

Endometrial scratching (ES) has been widely used in assisted reproductive technology to possibly improve pregnancy rates, but its exact mechanism is still not understood or investigated, and its benefits are controversially discussed. Hypothetically, ES may trigger a local immune response, leading to an improved endometrial receptivity. So far, it has been shown that ES affects the gene expression of cytokines, growth factors, and adhesive proteins, potentially modulating inflammatory pathways and adhesion molecule expression.