Enhancing the scope of in vitro maturation for fertility preservation: transvaginal retrieval of immature oocytes during endoscopic gynaecological procedures.

Study Question: Could in vitro maturation (IVM) following transvaginal oocyte retrieval during gynaecological surgery (IVM-surgery) be an effective and safe strategy for fertility preservation?

Summary Answer: IVM-surgery on unstimulated ovaries is a novel option that can be considered for fertility preservation for women requiring gynaecological surgery, but more research is needed to identify appropriate patients who may benefit and to determine the cost-effectiveness of such an approach.

What Is Known Already: IVM followed by oocyte/embryo cryopreservation has been useful as a safe reproductive strategy for some infertile women.

Study Design, Size, Duration: This prospective cohort study comprised 158 consecutive women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who underwent laparoscopy or hysteroscopy for other reasons and had concomitant transvaginal oocyte retrieval followed by IVM between 2014 and 2016.

Effect of exogenous gonadotropin on the transcriptome of human granulosa cells and follicular fluid hormone profiles.

Background: Superovulation treatment had some adverse effects on maturity and development of oocytes. Can superovulation dose of gonadotropins (Gns) affect the transcriptome of granulosa cells and follicular fluid (FF) hormone levels?

Methods: One leading pre-ovulatory follicle per subject was used from three natural-cycle and four Gn-stimulated patients. Granulosa cells and FF samples were collected from the same leading follicle of each patient.

Downregulation of miR-218 by nicotine promotes cell proliferation through targeting CDK6 in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Nicotine, an important component of tobacco, is a major risk factor of lung cancer, but the mechanism through which nicotine promotes lung cancer development remains unclear.

Methods: Eighty patients with lung cancer were enrolled in this study, 34 of whom did not smoke and the others did. The expression of miR-218 and CDK6 messenger RNA (mRNA) was measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Transcriptome Landscape of Human Folliculogenesis Reveals Oocyte and Granulosa Cell Interactions.

The dynamic transcriptional regulation and interactions of human germlines and surrounding somatic cells during folliculogenesis remain unknown. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of human oocytes and corresponding granulosa cells (GCs) spanning five follicular stages, we revealed unique features in transcriptional machinery, transcription factor networks, and reciprocal interactions in human oocytes and GCs that displayed developmental-stage-specific expression patterns. Notably, we identified specific gene signatures of two cell types in particular developmental stage that may reflect developmental competency and ovarian reserve.

Transcriptome analysis of PCOS arrested 2-cell embryos.

In an attempt to explore the early developmental arrest in embryos from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients, we sequenced the transcriptome profiles of PCOS arrested 2-cell embryos, non-PCOS arrested 2-cell embryos and non-arrested 2-cell embryos using single-cell RNA-Seq technique. Differential expression analysis was performed using the DEGSeq R package. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment was analyzed using the GOseq R package.

Pretreatment with coenzyme Q10 improves ovarian response and embryo quality in low-prognosis young women with decreased ovarian reserve: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Management of women with reduced ovarian reserve or poor ovarian response (POR) to stimulation is one of the major challenges in reproductive medicine. The primary causes of POR remain elusive and oxidative stress was proposed as one of the important contributors. It has been suggested that focus on the specific subpopulations within heterogeneous group of poor responders could assist in evaluating optimal management strategies for these patients.

Current perspectives on in vitro maturation and its effects on oocyte genetic and epigenetic profiles.

In vitro maturation (IVM), the maturation in culture of immature oocytes, has been used in clinic for more than 20 years. Although IVM has the specific advantages of low cost and minor side effects over controlled ovarian stimulation, the prevalence of IVM is less than 1% of routine in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer techniques in many reproductive centers. In this review, we searched the MEDLINE database for all full texts and/or abstract articles published in English with content related to oocyte IVM mainly between 2000 and 2016.

Activation of hedgehog signaling and its association with cisplatin resistance in ovarian epithelial tumors.

Few studies have evaluated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway activation in different types of ovarian tumors including benign, borderline and malignant ovarian tumors. The present study investigated the expression of Hh signaling pathway components (SHH, SMO, PTCH, and GLI1) in 193 ovarian epithelial tumor specimens (including 147 malignant epithelial ovarian cancers, 30 borderline ovarian tumors, 16 benign ovarian epithelial tumors) and 11 normal ovarian epithelial tissues by immunohistochemistry. The results demonstrated widespread expression of Hh pathway molecules in ovarian tumors.

Increased incidence of ectopic pregnancy after in vitro fertilization in women with decreased ovarian reserve.

The incidence of ectopic pregnancy after assisted reproductive technology is increased approximately 2.5-5-fold compared with natural conceptions.Strategies were used to decrease the incidence of ectopic pregnancy, but ectopic pregnancy still occurs.

The 'normal' range of FMR1 triple CGG repeats may be associated with primary ovarian insufficiency in China.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between normal Fragile X mental retardation gene 1 (FMR1) CGG repeat numbers and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) occurrence or subsequent resumption of ovarian function. A total of 122 women with POI and 105 controls were followed up and analysed in our centre. The prevalence of premutation and intermediate range of FMR1 CGG repeats in Han Chinese women with POI was only 0.

Human single follicle growth in vitro from cryopreserved ovarian tissue after slow freezing or vitrification.

Study Question: What is the effect of human ovarian tissue cryopreservation on single follicular development in vitro?

Summary Answer: Vitrification had a greater negative effect on growth and gene expression of human ovarian follicles when compared with fresh follicles.

What Is Known Already: For human ovarian cortex cryopreservation, the conventional option is slow freezing while more recently vitrification has been demonstrated to maintain good quality and function of ovarian tissues.

Study Design, Size, Duration: Ovarian tissues were collected from 11 patients.

Increased Incidence of Mitochondrial Cytochrome C Oxidase 1 Gene Mutations in Patients with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency.

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), also known as premature ovarian failure (POF), is defined as more than six months of cessation of menses before the age of 40 years, with two serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (at least 1 month apart) falling in the menopause range. The cause of POI remains undetermined in the majority of cases, although some studies have reported increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in idiopathic POF. The role of mitochondrial DNA in the pathogenesis of POI has not been studied extensively.

Gonadotropin-mediated dynamic alterations during bovine oocyte maturation in vitro.

Gonadotropins have been widely used in human-assisted reproduction and animal science for the past four decades. However, the effects of gonadotropins on oocyte maturation at the molecular and biochemical levels are poorly understood. To determine the effects of gonadotropins (recombinant follicle stimulating hormone and urinary human menopausal gonadotropin) on oocyte maturation, we used the bovine oocyte in vitro maturation model.

Advances in preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screening.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) gives couples who have a high risk of transmitting genetic disorders to their baby the chance to have a healthy offspring through embryo genetic analysis and selection. Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) is an effective method to select euploid embryos that may prevent repeated implantation failure or miscarriage. However, how and to whom PGS should be provided is a controversial topic.

Basic fibroblast growth factor promotes the development of human ovarian early follicles during growth in vitro.

Study Question: What is the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the growth of individual early human follicles in a three-dimensional (3D) culture system in vitro?

Summary Answer: The addition of 200 ng bFGF/ml improves human early follicle growth, survival and viability during growth in vitro.

What Is Known Already: It has been demonstrated that bFGF enhances primordial follicle development in human ovarian tissue culture. However, the growth and survival of individual early follicles in encapsulated 3D culture have not been reported.

ART do not increase the risk of Y-chromosome microdeletion in 19 candidate genes at AZF regions.

Y-chromosome microdeletions (YCMs) have been found at a much higher rate in infertile men than fertile controls. A specific deletion in the azoospermia factor locus (AZF) at Yq11 is significantly associated with male infertility. Whether assisted reproductive technology (ART) increases the risk of YCM in ART-derived offspring remains unclear.

A bronchofiberoscopy-associated outbreak of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in an intensive care unit in Beijing, China.

Background: Bronchofiberscopy, a widely used procedure for the diagnosis of various pulmonary diseases within intensive care units, has a history of association with nosocomial infections. Between September and November 2009, an outbreak caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-Ab) was observed in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Beijing, China. This study is aimed to describe the course and control of this outbreak and investigate the related risk factors.

Fragile X premutation RNA is sufficient to cause primary ovarian insufficiency in mice.

Spontaneous 46,XX primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), also known as 'premature menopause' or 'premature ovarian failure', refers to ovarian dysfunction that results in a range of abnormalities, from infertility to early menopause as the end stage. The most common known genetic cause of POI is the expansion of a CGG repeat to 55-199 copies (premutation) in the 5' untranslated region in the X-linked fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. POI associated with the FMR1 premutation is referred to as fragile X-associated POI (FXPOI).

MicroRNA-146a modulates TGF-β1-induced phenotypic differentiation in human dermal fibroblasts by targeting SMAD4.

During wound healing and tissue repair the dermal fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation plays an important role, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is considered to be the main stimuli factor of transdifferentiation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently emerged as key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. The involvement of miRNAs and their roles in TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation remains to be determined in detail.

Signal pathway of GnRH-III inhibiting FSH-induced steroidogenesis in granulosa cells.

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone type 1 and type 2 have been demonstrated to inhibit follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-induced granulosa cell (GC) steroidogenesis. A third type of GnRH (GnRH-III) was also purified from salmon, its action on the FSH-regulated GC function, however is not clear. In the present study we demonstrated that the FSH-induced estrogen and progesterone production in cultured DES-treated GCs was significantly inhibited by GnRH-III.

A novel testis-specific Na+/H+ exchanger is involved in sperm motility and fertility.

Sodium-hydrogen exchanger as a channel for regulation of intracellular pH might be a crucial modulator of sperm capacitation and motility. Three members of this family have been identified in spermatozoa. A novel protein testis-specific sodium-hydrogen exchanger named mtsNHE was cloned in the present study.

Testosterone induces redistribution of forkhead box-3a and down-regulation of growth and differentiation factor 9 messenger ribonucleic acid expression at early stage of mouse folliculogenesis.

Increasing evidence has shown that excess androgen may be a main cause of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the molecular mechanism of androgen action on the ovary is unclear. To investigate the possible impacts of androgen on early follicular development, neonatal mouse ovaries mainly containing primordial follicles were cultured with testosterone.

Immunization with a DNA vaccine of testis-specific sodium-hydrogen exchanger by oral feeding or nasal instillation reduces fertility in female mice.

Objective: To investigate the effect of immunization with a DNA vaccine of testis-specific sodium-hydrogen exchanger (tsNHE) via oral feeding or nasal instillation on fertility in female mice and to look at its potential mechanism.

Design: Prospective, research study.

Setting: Institution-affiliated research laboratory.

Increased expression of heat shock protein 105 in rat uterus of early pregnancy and its significance in embryo implantation.

Background: Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are a set of highly conserved proteins, Hsp105, has been suggested to play a role in reproduction.

Methods: Spatio-temporal expression of Hsp105 in rat uterus during peri-implantation period was examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, pseudopregnant uterus was used as control. Injection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to Hsp105 into pregnant rat uteri was carried out to look at effect of Hsp105 on embryo implantation.