Robotic-assisted laparoscopy in reproductive surgery: a contemporary review.

Robotic surgery is a conceptual fusion of the conventional open surgery and the minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. We reviewed the current role of robotic-assisted laparoscopy in the field of reproductive surgery by a literature search in PubMed database. We analyzed the reported advantages and limitations of the use of robotics in reproductive surgeries like myomectomy, tubal reanastomosis, endometriosis, ovarian tissue cryopreservation, and ovarian transposition.

Cryopreservation of testicular and epididymal sperm: techniques and clinical outcomes of assisted conception.

The introduction of the technique of intracytoplasmic sperm injection to achieve fertilization, especially using surgically retrieved testicular or epididymal sperm from men with obstructive or non-obstructive azoospermia, has revolutionized the field of assisted reproduction. The techniques for the retrieval of spermatozoa vary from relatively simple percutaneous sperm aspiration to open excision (testicular biopsy) and the more invasive Micro-TESE. The probability of retrieving spermatozoa can be as high as 100% in men with obstructive azoospermia (congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens, status post-vasectomy).

HIV-1 enhancing effect of prostatic acid phosphatase peptides is reduced in human seminal plasma.

We recently reported that HIV-1 infection can be inhibited by innate antimicrobial components of human seminal plasma (SP). Conversely, naturally occurring peptidic fragments from the SP-derived prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) have been reported to form amyloid fibrils called "SEVI" and enhance HIV-1 infection in vitro. In order to understand the biological consequence of this proviral effect, we extended these studies in the presence of human SP.

Cationic polypeptides contribute to the anti-HIV-1 activity of human seminal plasma.

Mucosal surfaces of the reproductive tract as well as their secretions have important roles in preventing sexual transmission of HIV-1. In the current study, the majority of the intrinsic anti-HIV-1 activity of human seminal plasma (SP) was determined to reside in the cationic polypeptide fraction. Antiviral assays utilizing luciferase reporter cells and lymphocytic cells revealed the ability of whole SP to prevent HIV-1 infection, even when SP was diluted 3200-fold.

Optimal pregnancy outcome in a minimal-stimulation in vitro fertilization program.

Objective: We sought to provide a cost-beneficial approach to in vitro fertilization for infertile patients who could not afford the standard treatment with in vitro fertilization and to determine the optimal level of minimal ovarian stimulation to achieve acceptable pregnancy rates.

Study Design: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 216 patients who underwent "minimal stimulation" in vitro fertilization between January 1994 and December 1998. During the first half of this study, various minimal ovarian stimulation protocols were performed in our private, free-standing center for in vitro fertilization.

Purified human alpha-fetoprotein inhibits follicle-stimulating hormone-stimulated estradiol production by porcine granulosa cells in culture.

We have investigated the effects of purified alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated estradiol production by porcine granulosa cells in monolayer culture. Granulosa cells isolated from small follicles of prepubertal pigs were cultured for 2 days in 5% fetal bovine serum for attachment and incubated for 3 days in medium containing androstenedione and various treatments. The media were then collected and assayed for estradiol by radioimmunoassay.

The secretion of transforming growth factor-beta by bovine luteal cells in vitro.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), a multifunctional polypeptide growth factor, is produced by follicular cells in the ovary. However, there is little information indicating that TGF-beta is produced in the post-ovulatory follicle, i.e.

The regulation of porcine theca cell proliferation in vitro: synergistic actions of epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor.

An important but poorly understood aspect of mammalian follicle development involves the regulation of theca cell proliferation. To investigate the premise that growth factors regulate theca cell proliferation, porcine theca cells were prepared by collagenase/DN'ase digestion of follicle linings after the removal of the granulosa cells and allowed to attach for 24 h. This method provided a monolayer of theca cells that had little if any granulosa cell contamination and which secreted high levels of androstenedione relative to granulosa cells during moderate-term culture (33-fold difference, P less than 0.

Purified human alpha fetoprotein inhibits growth factor-stimulated estradiol production by porcine granulosa cells in monolayer culture.

Purified alpha fetoprotein (AFP) synergizes with transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) to enhance proliferation of porcine granulosa cells (pGC) in primary culture, suggesting a role for AFP in the modulation of growth factor-mediated cell growth. TGF alpha stimulates basal estrogen production by pGC and is in fact more potent than FSH in these cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of AFP on growth factor-stimulated estradiol (E2) production by pGC.

A novel mechanism for the induction of aromatase in ovarian cells in vitro: role of transforming growth factor alpha-induced protein tyrosine kinase.

In the developing follicle, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are the primary stimulators of steroidogenesis in granulosa and theca cells. The steroidogenic actions of both these gonadotropins are largely if not exclusively mediated through cAMP. Previous studies have shown that EGF and TGF alpha do not affect basal estrogen production but attenuate FSH-stimulated estrogen production in vitro in rat granulosa cells.

Human mammary tumor cell proliferation: primary role of platelet-derived growth factor and possible synergism with human alpha-fetoprotein.

Human mammary medullary carcinoma cells (passages 16 to 21) were cultured for 2 days to allow for attachment, followed by 6 days of culture in either fetal calf serum, human cord blood, human amniotic fluid, or growth factors in the presence or absence of purified human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). When growth factors were tested alone, only platelet-derived growth factor produced a significant increase in cell proliferation. Although up to 40% amniotic fluid had no effect on cell proliferation, human cord blood was two-fold more potent than fetal calf serum at similar concentrations.

The production of transforming growth factor-beta in the porcine ovary and its secretion in vitro.

Porcine granulosa cells isolated from small (1-3 mm in diameter) follicles proliferate rapidly in culture in response to 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) (10 ng/ml). Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) inhibits FBS/EGF-stimulated proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. We have used this proliferation inhibitory property of TGF beta to assay qualitatively, the presence of this growth factor in conditioned medium from cultured follicle cells as well as in partially purified preparations from porcine ovarian compartments.

Influence of conspecific males on the oestrous cycle of underfed female mice.

Female mice maintained on restricted diet (3.5, 3.0 and 2.

Studies of the male-originating pheromones involved in the Whitten effect and Bruce effect in mice.

Experiments were designed to elucidate the mode of transmission of the male-originating pheromones involved in the induction of estrus (the Whitten effect) and in implantation failure (the Bruce effect) in mice. The Whitten effect was induced in unisexually grouped females by exposure to corralled males, and also by corralled males housed within a perforated cage (which prevented physical contact of the females with the male-originating pheromone). The results suggest that the pheromone involved in the Whitten effect is volatile (airborne).

Evaluation of the involvement of the adrenals in the pheromonal influences on the oestrous cycle of laboratory mice.

Unisexual grouping of female mice induced irregularities in their oestrous cycles. However, no significant difference in body weight and in the weights of adrenals, uteri and ovaries and in the adrenal delta 5 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) activity was found between unisexually grouped females and individually housed females. Adrenalectomy of females failed to prevent the oestrous cycle irregularities induced by unisexual grouping.

Oestrus induction in unisexually grouped mice by multiple short-term exposures to males.

Oestrus induction and synchronization (the Whitten effect) were achieved in unisexually grouped female mice by short-term (10 and 30 min) exposure to conspecific males.