Effect of ulipristal acetate on gene expression profile in endometrial cells in culture and upon post-ovulatory administration in fertile women.

Purpose: To analyse the effect of ulipristal acetate (UPA) as emergency contraception (EC) on the gene expression of human endometrial cell line (HEC-1A) and endometrium from fertile women treated with UPA after ovulation.

Materials And Methods: HEC-1A cells were treated with UPA, and endometrial tissue from four healthy women was collected in cycles before, during and 2 months after post-ovulation pill intake. Ovulation and luteal phase were monitored, and endometrial biopsies were obtained at day LH + 7 in each cycle.

Mechanisms involved in the contraceptive effects of ulipristal acetate.

The use of emergency contraception (EC) methods is increasing worldwide as it constitutes an effective way to prevent unplanned pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. During the last decade, ulipristal acetate (UPA), a selective progesterone receptor modulator, has emerged as the most effective EC pill, and it is now recommended as first-line hormonal treatment for EC in several countries. Its principal mechanism of action involves inhibition or delay of follicular rupture, but only when administered during the follicular phase before the luteinizing hormone (LH) peak.

Study of the effect of ulipristal acetate on human sperm ability to interact with tubal tissue and cumulus-oocyte-complexes.

Objective: Ulispristal acetate (UPA) is a selective progesterone receptor modulator widely used for emergency contraception (EC). The described main mechanism of action is by inhibiting or delaying ovulation; however, the postovulatory effects of the drug are still on debate. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether UPA could interfere with human sperm fertilizing ability.

Peritoneal fluid modifies the response of human spermatozoa to follicular fluid.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism involved in the acrosome reaction (AR) induced by follicular fluid (FF) in spermatozoa previously exposed to peritoneal fluid (PF). The influence of progesterone was also investigated. Semen samples were from 18 normozoospermic donors.

Glucose-regulated protein 78 (Grp78/BiP) is secreted by human oviduct epithelial cells and the recombinant protein modulates sperm-zona pellucida binding.

Objective: To determine the secretion of Grp78 by human oviduct epithelial cells, its association to spermatozoa, and its involvement in gamete interaction.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Basic research laboratory.

Human tubal secretion can modify the affinity of human spermatozoa for the zona pellucida.

Objective: To study the effect of the human tubal tissue conditioned medium (CM) on sperm parameters related to sperm-zona pellucida interaction.

Design: Controlled experimental laboratory study.

Setting: Research laboratory.

D-Mannose-binding sites are putative sperm determinants of human oocyte recognition and fertilization.

The aim of the present study was to further evaluate the participation of D-mannose in the process of human sperm-egg interaction. Zona pellucida binding competitive assays in the presence of D-mannose were carried out using discarded oocytes from IVF. Spermatozoa were capacitated and D-mannose-binding site (MBS) expression, sperm viability and follicular fluidinduced acrosome reaction (AR) were evaluated.

Comparative concentrations of steroid hormones and proteins in human peri-ovulatory peritoneal and follicular fluids.

Despite the fact that both peritoneal (PF) and follicular (FF) fluids have a common ovarian origin, FF is a natural inducer of sperm acrosome reaction (AR) while PF is not. To better understand these effects, concentrations of oestradiol, progesterone and proteins in peri-ovulatory PF and FF were determined and compared. PF was aspirated by laparoscopy at the peri-ovulatory stage from women with unexplained infertility.

Modulation of human sperm function by peritoneal fluid.

Objective: To examine the effect of peritoneal fluid on various parameters of sperm function in vitro.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Basic research laboratory.