Does the uterine microbiota affect the reproductive outcomes in women with recurrent implantation failures?

Background: Inefficiency of in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs can be caused by implantation failures. The uterine microbiota can influence the implantation process. However, it still remains unclear whether opportunistic microorganisms detected in the endometrium have a negative impact on the implantation success.

The role of abnormal hypermethylation of the and promoters in implantation failures in IVF programs.

The objective of this study is to investigate the association between methylation levels of and promoters, clinical parameters, and implantation outcomes after fertilization-embryo transfer (IVT-ET) cycles in women with repeated implantation failures and tubal infertility. Endometrium samples were collected from 34 women during implantation window before IVF-ET cycle to assess methylation status of and promoters using bisulfite sequencing. All participants had a tubal factor of infertility and at least two implantation failures in the anamnesis.

Cell-Free, Embryo-Specific sncRNA as a Molecular Biological Bridge between Patient Fertility and IVF Efficiency.

Small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) are key regulators of the majority of human reproduction events. Understanding their function in the context of gametogenesis and embryogenesis will allow insight into the possible causes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) implantation failure. The aim of this study was to analyze the sncRNA expression profile of the spent culture media on day 4 after fertilization and to reveal a relationship with the morphofunctional characteristics of gametes and resultant embryos, in particular, with the embryo development and implantation potential.

Cell and genetic predictors of human blastocyst hatching success in assisted reproduction.

The aim was to identify cell and genetic predictors of human blastocyst hatching success in assisted reproduction programmes via a prospective case-control study. Blastocysts, donated by couples in assisted reproduction programmes were used. Hatching success assessment was performed after 144-146 h post-fertilization.

The relationship of seminal transforming growth factor-β1 and interleukin-18 with reproductive success in women exposed to seminal plasma during IVF/ICSI treatment.

It has been proposed that the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 present in seminal plasma (SP) triggers a female immune response favorable for implantation. We hypothesize that seminal interleukin (IL)-18, a cytokine that can potentially cause implantation failure, interferes with the beneficial effect of TGF-β1. This study aims to determine whether the levels of seminal TGF-β1 and IL-18 are associated with reproductive outcomes in patients exposed to SP during in vitro fertilization (IVF) or IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Applications of fractured continuum model to enhanced geothermal system heat extraction problems.

This paper describes the applications of the fractured continuum model to the different enhanced geothermal systems reservoir conditions. The capability of the fractured continuum model to generate fracture characteristics expected in enhanced geothermal systems reservoir environments are demonstrated for single and multiple sets of fractures. Fracture characteristics are defined by fracture strike, dip, spacing, and aperture.