Molecular profiling of human blastocysts reveals primitive endoderm defects among embryos of decreased implantation potential.

Human embryo implantation is remarkably inefficient, and implantation failure remains among the greatest obstacles in treating infertility. Gene expression data from human embryos have accumulated rapidly in recent years; however, identification of the subset of genes that determine successful implantation remains a challenge. We leverage clinical morphologic grading-known for decades to correlate with implantation potential-and transcriptome analyses of matched embryonic and abembryonic samples to identify factors and pathways enriched and depleted in human blastocysts of good and poor morphology.

A temporal extracellular transcriptome atlas of human pre-implantation development.

Non-invasively evaluating gene expression products in human pre-implantation embryos remains a significant challenge. Here, we develop a non-invasive method for comprehensive characterization of the extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) in a single droplet of spent media that was used to culture human in vitro fertilization embryos. We generate the temporal extracellular transcriptome atlas (TETA) of human pre-implantation development.

Ibuprofen inhibits key genes involved in androgen production in theca-interstitial cells.

Objective: To study the effects of ibuprofen on androgen production, gene expression, and cell viability in rat theca-interstitial cells exposed to the proinflammatory stimuli interleukin-1 (IL-1) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Design: Animal study.

Setting: University-based research laboratory.

Androgens Modulate Rat Granulosa Cell Steroidogenesis.

Paracrine interactions between ovarian theca-interstitial cells (TICs) and granulosa cells (GCs) play an important role in the regulation of follicular steroidogenesis. Androgens serve as substrates for aromatization as well as affect GC function. This study evaluated the effects of co-culture of GC with TICs and the role of testosterone (T) and 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol (E2) in modulation of GC expression of genes involved in the production of progesterone: 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ isomerase (Hsd3b) and cholesterol side-chain cleavage (Cyp11).

Individual 17-Hydroxyprogesterone Responses to hCG Are Not Correlated With Follicle Size in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Context: In women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) responses to gonadotropin stimulation vary from increased to indistinguishable compared with normal controls.

Objective: To determine whether 17-OHP responses to recombinant-human chorionic gonadotropin (r-hCG) are individually correlated to the size of antral follicles among women with PCOS.

Design Setting And Participants: A prospective study conducted in 19 women with PCOS and 20 normal controls at an academic medical center.

Equivalency of fertilization Success Rates in Elective Single Blastocyst Transfer and Elective Double Blastocyst Transfer: An Example of Equivalence Methodology in Clinical Reproductive Health.

Context: When comparing success rates between treatments, it is more appropriate to structure analyses in terms of equivalence rather than traditional analyses that assess differences. Unfortunately, no studies of elective single blastocyst transfer (eSBT) have been conducted in this manner.

Aims: The objective of this study was to assess clinical equivalence of fertilization success rates among patients undergoing eSBT.

Predictors of treatment failure in young patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether routinely collected clinical factors can predict in vitro fertilization (IVF) failure among young, "good prognosis" patients predominantly with secondary infertility who are less than 35 years of age.

Methods: Using de-identified clinic records, 414 women <35 years undergoing their first autologous IVF cycle were identified. Logistic regression was used to identify patient-driven clinical factors routinely collected during fertility treatment that could be used to model predicted probability of cycle failure.

Hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin as an early predictor of pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To determine whether serum hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin (hhCG) measured as early as 9 days after egg retrieval can predict ongoing pregnancies after in vitro fertilization and fresh embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

Design: Cohort

Setting: Academic assisted reproduction center.

Patient(s): Consecutive patients undergoing IVF-ET INTERVENTION(S): Serum hhCG and hCG levels measured 9 (D9) and 16 (D16) days after egg retrieval

Main Outcome Measure(s): Ongoing pregnancy beyond 9 weeks of gestation.