Intraovarian PRP injection improves oocyte quality and early embryo development in mouse models of chemotherapy-induced diminished ovarian reserve.

Intraovarian injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been recently proposed, with encouraging results to provide an alternative option to patients diagnosed with POR or POI. However, the broad spectrum of PRP effects on the reproductive function and the mechanisms of action in follicular activation, response to stimulation, and embryo quality have not yet been studied. In this study, we first induced poor ovarian reserve (POR) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) ovarian phenotypes in CD1 mice undergoing PRP or sham intraovarian injection.

Growth factor-loaded ovarian extracellular matrix hydrogels promote in vivo ovarian niche regeneration and enhance fertility in premature ovarian insufficiency preclinical models.

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) means menopause before 40 years of age affecting about 1 % of women. Approaches based on cell therapy and the paracrine effects of stem cells or bioproducts such as platelet-rich plasma have been proposed, but concerns remain about undesired systemic effects, as well as the need to optimize delivery methods through bioengineering methods. This study explores the efficacy of decellularized bovine ovarian cortex extracellular matrix (OvaECM) hydrogels alone and as a growth factor (GF) carrier (OvaECM+GF) in a chemotherapy-induced POI murine model.

Optimal scheduler for energy consumption reduction in multi-vector energy management systems: A case study at the Port of Borg.

The objective of microgrid operation is to supply the energy demanded by the loads at minimum cost. To achieve this goal, new tools are being proposed in the literature, such as the use of optimal schedulers in the field of multi-vector management systems. An optimal scheduler provides the hourly schedule of the flexible loads that exist in a microgrid to maximize the use of local renewable resources.

Systemic changes induced by autologous stem cell ovarian transplant in plasma proteome of women with impaired ovarian reserves.

Patients with poor ovarian response (POR) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) are challenging to treat, with oocyte donation remaining as the only feasible option to achieve pregnancy in some cases. The Autologous stem cell ovarian transplantation (ASCOT) technique allows follicle development, enabling pregnancies and births of healthy babies in these patients. Previous results suggest that growth factors and cytokines secreted by stem cells are partially responsible for their regenerative properties.

Deciphering reproductive aging in women using a NOD/SCID mouse model for distinct physiological ovarian phenotypes.

Female fertility is negatively correlated with age, with noticeable declines in oocyte quantity and quality until menopause. To understand this physiological process and evaluate human approaches for treating age-related infertility, preclinical studies in appropriate animal models are needed. Thus, we aimed to characterize an immunodeficient physiological aging mouse model displaying ovarian characteristics of different stages during women's reproductive life.

Ovarian rescue in women with premature ovarian insufficiency: facts and fiction.

The ovary has a comparatively short functional lifespan compared with other organs, and genetic and pathological injuries can further shorten its functional life. Thus, preserving ovarian function should be considered in the context of women with threats to ovarian reserve, such as ageing, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Indeed, one-third of women with POI retain resting follicles that can be reactivated to produce competent oocytes, as proved by the in-vitro activation of dormant follicles.

Single intraovarian dose of stem cell- and platelet-secreted factors mitigates age-related ovarian infertility in a murine model.

Background: Systemic administration of soluble factors from bone marrow-derived stem cells combined with activated platelet-rich plasma (SC-PRP) restored ovarian function, mediated through paracrine signaling, in murine models of chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage and human tissue from poor responder patients. However, the effects against age-related infertility and the efficacy of local administration have not been evaluated yet.

Objective: This study aimed to assess whether a single intraovarian dose of stem cells combined with activated platelet-rich plasma can recover ovarian function, oocyte quality, and developmental competence in older mice.

Distress response in granulosa cells of women affected by PCOS with or without insulin resistance.

Purpose: In this study, we investigated whether metabolic dysfunction in women with Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) induces granulosa cell (GC) stress and activates in the endoplamatic reticulum and the mitochondria (UPR and UPR, respectively).

Methods: Women who were diagnosed with PCOS (based on the Rotterdam criteria), were divided into two groups, PCOS with insulin resistance (PCOS-IR; n = 20) and PCOS with no insulin resistance (PCOS-nIR; n = 20), and compared to healthy oocyte donors (CONT; n = 20). Insulin resistance (IR) was assessed on the results of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) that determines IR using the concentration of fasting plasma glucose and fasting insuline.

Telomeres and oocyte maturation rate are not reduced by COVID-19 except in severe cases.

In Brief: COVID-19 does not affect the telomeres or fertility outcomes in mild cases. However, in women with severe symptoms, telomeres of granulosa cells are shorter, and the oocyte maturation rate is decreased.

Abstract: The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19 disease and affects primarily the lungs and also other organs, causing accelerated cell aging.

Bioengineering trends in female reproduction: a systematic review.

Background: To provide the optimal milieu for implantation and fetal development, the female reproductive system must orchestrate uterine dynamics with the appropriate hormones produced by the ovaries. Mature oocytes may be fertilized in the fallopian tubes, and the resulting zygote is transported toward the uterus, where it can implant and continue developing. The cervix acts as a physical barrier to protect the fetus throughout pregnancy, and the vagina acts as a birth canal (involving uterine and cervix mechanisms) and facilitates copulation.

Transcriptomic landscape of granulosa cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in women with PCOS compared to young poor responders and women with normal response.

Study Question: Are transcriptomic profiles altered in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared to young poor responders (YPR) and women with normal response to ovarian stimulation?

Summary Answer: RNA expression profiles in ovarian GCs and PBMNCs were significantly altered in patients with PCOS compared with normoresponder controls (CONT) and YPR.

What Is Known Already: PCOS is characterised by a higher number of follicles at all developmental stages. During controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, PCOS women develop a larger number of follicles as a result of an exacerbated response, with an increased risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Follicular activation in women previously diagnosed with poor ovarian response: a randomized, controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate whether ovarian fragmentation for follicular activation (OFFA) improves ovarian reserve markers and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in women with poor ovarian response (POR).

Design: Randomized, controlled trial, with parallel assignment.

Setting: University hospital.

The cyto-protective effects of LH on ovarian reserve and female fertility during exposure to gonadotoxic alkylating agents in an adult mouse model.

Study Question: Does LH protect mouse oocytes and female fertility from alkylating chemotherapy?

Summary Answer: LH treatment before and during chemotherapy prevents detrimental effects on follicles and reproductive lifespan.

What Is Known Already: Chemotherapies can damage the ovary, resulting in premature ovarian failure and reduced fertility in cancer survivors. LH was recently suggested to protect prepubertal mouse follicles from chemotoxic effects of cisplatin treatment.

Pathways and factors regulated by bone marrow-derived stem cells in human ovarian tissue.

Objective: To describe molecular and paracrine signaling changes produced by human bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMDSC) in human ovarian cortex.

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: University hospital research laboratories.

Emerging follicular activation strategies to treat women with poor ovarian response and primary ovarian insufficiency.

Purpose Of The Review: Female reproductive aging remains one of the key unsolved challenges in the field of reproductive medicine. This article reviews three of the most recent and cutting-edge strategies that are currently being investigated to address the issues of poor ovarian response (POR) and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Recent Findings: Publications revealing the mechanism of mechanical disruption of the Hippo signaling pathway paved the way to studies on its potential application for fertility treatments.

Disease-inducing potential of two leukemic cell lines in a xenografting model.

Purpose: Cryopreserved ovarian tissue transplant restores ovarian function in young cancer patients after gonadotoxic treatment. However, leukemia is associated with increased risk of malignant cell transmission. We aimed to assess the tumor-inducing potential of two different leukemic cell lines when xenografted to immunodeficient mice.

Stem Cell Paracrine Signaling for Treatment of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.

Premature ovarian insufficiency is a common disorder affecting young women and represents the worst-case ovarian scenario due to the substantial impact on the reproductive lifespan of these patients. Due to the complexity of this condition, which is not fully understood, non-effective treatments have yet been established for these patients. Different experimental approaches are being explored and strategies based on stem cells deserve special attention.

Stem cell-secreted factor therapy regenerates the ovarian niche and rescues follicles.

Background: Ovarian senescence is a normal age-associated phenomenon, but increasingly younger women are affected by diminished ovarian reserves or premature ovarian insufficiency. There is an urgent need for developing therapies to improve ovarian function in these patients. In this context, previous studies suggest that stem cell-secreted factors could have regenerative properties in the ovaries.

Use of dopamine agonists to target angiogenesis in women with endometriosis.

Endometriosis requires medical management during a woman's reproductive years. Most treatments aim to create a hypoestrogenic milieu, but for patients wishing to conceive, drugs that allow normal ovarian function are needed. Targeting angiogenesis, a hallmark of the disease, using dopamine agonists (DAs) is a promising strategy for endometriosis treatment.

Diminished Ovarian Reserve Chemotherapy-Induced Mouse Model: A Tool for the Preclinical Assessment of New Therapies for Ovarian Damage.

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) are primary factors leading to infertility. However, there is a lack of appropriate animal models of DOR usable for assessing new therapeutic strategies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether chemotherapy treatment in mice could reproduce features similar of that observed in women with DOR.