Modulating impact of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone on the maturation and function of hematopoietic cells.

hCG hormone is a naturally occurring, immune-modulating agent, which is highly expressed during pregnancy and causes improvements of some autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease. Little is known about its immune-modulating effects. This study in MNCs of women who received hCG as preconditioning prior to IVF demonstrates that hCG increases anti-inflammatory IL-27 expression and reduces inflammatory IL-17 expression.

Interleukin-1 system in the human fallopian tube-No spatial but a temporal regulation of mRNA and protein expression.

The human fallopian tube provides the environment for the first 5 days of embryonic development in vivo. The IL-1 system is involved in human embryo implantation. This study aimed to investigate IL-1beta, IL-1ra and IL-1R tI expression within the length of the human fallopian tube on mRNA- and protein-level in samples from proliferative versus secretory phase, postmenopause (PMP) samples and samples from intra- (IUP) and extrauterine pregnancies (EUP) to examine possible spatial and hormonal induced changes (fimbrial, ampullary and isthmic tube segments).

Expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor neuropilin-1 in the human endometrium.

Angiogenesis is a key process in the endometrium which undergoes dramatic changes during the menstrual cycle. Molecules such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), acting via two tyrosine kinase family receptors (VEGFR1 [Flt-1] and VEGFR2 [KDR/Flk-1]), are potent modulators of angiogenesis and vascular remodelling in the endometrium. Recently, neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) was shown to be expressed in endothelial cells binding VEGF(165) and therewith enhancing the binding of VEGF(165) to VEGFR2.

Differential expression of angiopoietins 1 and 2 and their receptor Tie-2 in human endometrium.

Angiogenesis, the growth of new capillaries from pre-existing blood vessels, is a physiological process involved in both normal menstrual cycling and implantation of the embryo. So far, very little is known about the expression of angiopoietins, growth factors involved in angiogenesis, in human endometrium. Both angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) are ligands for the endothelial cell-specific receptor tyrosine kinase Tie-2.

Regulation of embryonic implantation.

The preimplantation embryo produces several factors during its development to signal its presence to the maternal organism. This paper will focus on the role of two distinctive cytokine and growth factor systems (interleukin-1 (IL-1) system and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system) during early embryonic development and implantation. IL-1 receptor is expressed in the endometrium of various species and antagonising the biological effects of IL-1 leads to implantation failure in mice.

A new CentriSwim procedure to increase the recovery of motile spermatozoa.

A prospectively controlled in vitro study was performed to compare sperm concentration, sperm motility and progressive sperm motility recovered following the standard swim-up procedure and a new CentriSwim procedure. The CentriSwim procedure involves creating a centrifugal force to counteract the force of gravity during sperm swim-up procedure. Two aliquots of semen from 12 normozoospermic ejaculates and 12 laboratory-induced oligoasthenozoospermic specimens were diluted, centrifuged, and 1.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA splice variants are differentially expressed in human blastocysts.

The aim of our study was to detect and characterize mRNA expression of VEGF isoforms VEGF(121), VEGF(145), VEGF(165), VEGF(189), and VEGF(206) in human blastocysts. We recently demonstrated VEGF mRNA expression during human preimplantation embryo development, and further information regarding the alternatively spliced mRNAs resulting in freely secreted proteins or proteins bound to cell surface heparan-sulphate proteoglycans is needed to better understand the process of angiogenesis during implantation. Human blastocysts unsuitable for transfer obtained from the IVF programme at Stanford University were examined by reverse transcription/hemi-nested polymerase chain reaction for their expression of VEGF mRNA splice variants.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA in human preimplantation embryos derived from tripronuclear zygotes.

Objective: To detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and/or secretion of VEGF protein by human preimplantation embryos.

Design: Human preimplantation embryos not suitable for uterine transfer were examined for beta-actin and VEGF mRNA expression. Culture media from normally fertilized and developing preimplantation embryos were assessed for VEGF protein secretion.

Pyoderma gangrenosum after cesarean delivery.

In this reported case of pyoderma gangrenosum after cesarean delivery, deep ulceration involved the entire lower abdomen before immunosuppressive treatment was started. Initial high doses of prednisolone followed by low doses of cyclosporine A led to complete resolution of the skin lesions. This case report illustrates the importance of early diagnosis and effective systemic immunosuppressive therapy of pyoderma gangrenosum.

Is there a place for biochemical embryonic preimplantational screening?

The advent of assisted reproductive techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection has markedly reduced the problem of unsuccessful fertilization in modern IVF. However, pregnancy rates and 'take-home-baby' rates remain unsatisfactorily low. Attempts to overcome low pregnancy rates by transferring a larger number of embryos to the mother often result in multiple pregnancies.

Expression of mRNA for vascular endothelial growth factor transmembraneous receptors Flt1 and KDR, and the soluble receptor sflt in cycling human endometrium.

The aim of this study was to quantify and localize the mRNA expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors Flt1, KDR and sflt, in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. Since neoangiogenesis is crucial during embryonic implantation, we postulate that endometrial receptivity to VEGF may be altered during the luteal phase in order to support implantation. Human endometrium was collected and specified as early proliferative (n = 3), mid-proliferative (n = 4), late proliferative (n = 3), early secretory (n = 2), mid-secretory (n = 4), and late secretory (n = 4).

Epidermal growth factor and leukemia inhibitory factor levels in follicular fluid. Association with in vitro fertilization outcome.

Objective: To determine the levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in follicular fluid, if any, and to assess the association of these cytokines with the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Study Design: EGF and LIF levels determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 60 preovulatory follicular fluids were compared with 25 IVF outcomes.

Results: Immunoreactive EGF and LIF could be detected in human follicular fluid.

Centrifugal pulsing increases the recovery of viable spermatozoa.

Purpose: Our purpose was to compare the number and quality of spermatozoa recover following the standard centrifugation method with those after pulsing the relative centrifugal field during centrifugation.

Methods: A prospectively controlled in vitro study using ejaculates from 10 healthy sperm donors was undertaken. Number of sperm and sperm motility at 0, 3, and 24 hr post-incubation at 5 degrees C in TEST-yolk results determined the efficacy of the centrifugation techniques.

Expression of interleukin-1 system mRNA in single blastomeres from human preimplantation embryos.

Gathering knowledge about the molecular events during preimplantation development is one of the most important challenges in in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The interleukin-1 (IL-1) system has been shown to be intimately involved in embryonic implantation. The aim of our study was to detect the major components of the IL-1 system in single blastomeres from human preimplantation embryos and to relate our findings to the further development of the biopsied embryos in vitro.

Single blastomeres within human preimplantation embryos express different amounts of messenger ribonucleic acid for beta-actin and interleukin-1 receptor type I.

Gaining knowledge about the physiological timetable of gene expression during preimplantation embryo development is crucial, and a better understanding of cytokine and growth factor expression in early embryonic development could lead to improved in vitro culture conditions and enhance in vitro fertilization implantation rates. Our aim was to detect the patterns and levels of two messenger ribonucleic acids [mRNAs; beta-actin and interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1R tI)] in single human blastomeres by RT-nested PCR and to compare possible variations in the gene expression both between different embryos and in multiple blastomeres within the same embryo. Single blastomeres from nine human tripronucleic preimplantation embryos were examined by one round of RT and two rounds of nested competitive PCR.

Different pattern of interleukin-1 beta-(IL-1 beta), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist- (IL-1ra) and interleukin-1 receptor type I- (IL-1R tI) mRNA-expression in single preimplantation mouse embryos at various developmental stages.

The interleukin-1 (IL-1) system has been shown to play an important role in human and murine embryo implantation. Recent studies have documented immunohistochemical evidence of interleukin-1 beta (IL--1 beta), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1R tI) in human preimplantation embryos and protein levels of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-1 beta and IL1ra in human preimplantation embryo culture fluid have been correlated with successful implantation and pregnancy. Our aim in this study was to detect IL-1 beta, Il-1ra and Il-1R tI mRNA in single preimplantation mouse embryos and to describe the frequency of positive mRNA-expression at different developmental stages.

Interferon-gamma production by the human preimplantation embryo.

Problem: This study demonstrated that the human embryo produces interferon-gamma (IFNgamma). It is important to know whether IFNgamma can be produced before implantation. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of IFNgamma production between days 2 and 5 after in vitro fertilization.

The effect of antigamete antibodies on the success of assisted reproduction.

The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of antigamente antibodies in unexplained infertility patients and to prove the efficiency of IUI and IVF-ET treatments for these patients. The study includes 46 unexplained infertility patients and as controls, a group of 21 tubal infertility patients. Serum, follicular fluid and cervical mucus samples were collected from each patient and antibodies were measured with commercial ELISA kits.

Influence of media and thermal shock on sperm capacitation.

To elucidate the influence of medium and thermal shock in inducing sperm capacitation, eight ejaculates were processed as follows. Each ejaculate was divided into three aliquots. To two of the aliquots, an equal volume of saline was added, while TEST-yolk was added to the remaining aliquot.

Interferon gamma and interleukin 10 levels in preimplantation embryo culture media.

Purpose: The aim of our study is to elucidate whether human oocytes/embryos secrete IFN gamma and/or IL-10 and whether the fertilization process depends on the balance between these cytokines.

Methods: A total of 142 embryo culture media from 24 patients were collected and the cytokine levels were tested with ELISA.

Results: IFN gamma and IL-10 were detectable in 40.

[Regression of functional cysts: high dosage ovulation inhibitor and gestagen therapy has no added effect].

To investigate the need for hormonal treatment in patients with functional ovarian cysts (FOC), the efficacy of this treatment was evaluated in a retrospective and also in a randomised prospective study. By retrospective analyses the resolution of FOC with a mean diameter larger than 2.0 cm at the beginning of a cycle was determined in 113 patients (31.

Effect of milk-yolk on the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa.

Pre-incubation of human sperm in egg yolk based medium (TEST-yolk) as well as milk have been shown to improve sperm fertilizing capacity. The purpose of this study was to compare a combination of these two media, called milk-yolk, against the two established media, in order to test for a possible synergistic effect(s) on sperm functions as measured by sperm motility, acrosome reaction and penetration assay. Statistically, no differences have been observed among the three media, except for SPA outcome in milk-yolk, being significantly lower than the corresponding values for the other two media.

Comparative studies on various modes of classification of morphology of sperm heads and results in in vitro fertilization--a preliminary report.

In a retrospective blind study, Papanicolaou's stained semen smears of the husbands of 105 patients who took part in the in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET) program of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf in 1991, were evaluated for the rates of normal sperm heads. The patients were divided into three groups according to the results of the IVF/ET: A = no fertilized egg; B = only fertilization, no pregnancy; C = pregnancy/birth. Four different categories of the sperm heads' morphology were defined: 1) 'Ideally' normal heads (normal size, relations width to length 2/3 to 3/5, acrosomal region > or = 40 < or = 70%); 2) Normal heads with only minor deviations from the 'ideally' normal form, strictly excluding spermatozoa with inhomogeneously stained acrosomal or pointed post-acrosomal regions; 3) Sperm heads with major alterations which are nevertheless widely considered as still normal in the literature; 4) Heads which are generally accepted as pathologically formed.

Are capacitation or calcium ion influx required for the human sperm acrosome reaction?

Objective: To determine if the acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa can occur without prior incubation to induce capacitation or in calcium-free medium.

Design: Noncapacitated (washed ejaculated) or capacitated (incubated for 3 hours in the presence of albumin) human spermatozoa were treated with either solubilized zonae pellucidae (ZP); a calcium ionophore (A23187); or activators of protein kinases A, G, and C, and the acrosomal status was monitored by the double stain technique. During agonist treatment, the capacitated spermatozoa were in medium either with or without calcium ions (Ca2+).