Association between blood lead levels and unfavorable IVF outcomes: potential involvement of endoplasmic reticulum stress response in granulosa cells.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between blood lead levels (BLLs) and IVF clinical outcomes in infertile females and to further explore the possible involvement of granulosa cell (GC) endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the process.

Methods: One hundred twenty-three infertile women undergoing IVF cycles were included in the current study. All participants were divided into three (low, medium, and high) groups determined by BLL tertiles.

Perfluorotetradecanoic acid exposure to adult male rats stimulates corticosterone biosynthesis but inhibits aldosterone production.

Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA) is a novel perfluoroalkyl substance that ubiquitously exists in the environment. However, whether PFTeDA affects adrenal cortex function remains unclear. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (age of 60 days) were daily administered with PFTeDA (0, 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg body weight) through gavage for 28 days.

Comparison of structure-activity relationship for bisphenol analogs in the inhibition of gonadal 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases among human, rat, and mouse.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used plastic material and its potential endocrine disrupting effect has restricted its use and increasing use of BPA alternatives has raised health concerns. However, the effect of bisphenol alternatives on steroidogenesis remains unclear. The objective of this study was to compare inhibitory potencies of 10 BPA alternatives in the inhibition of gonadal 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) in three species (human, rat and mouse).

Leydig cell development in pubertal male rats is blocked by perfluorotetradecanoic acid through decreasing AMPK-mTOR-autophagy pathway.

Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA) is a type of perfluoroalkyl acid that has been linked to various health effects in animals and humans. The study aimed to investigate the potential impact of PFTeDA exposure on Leydig cell development in rats during puberty. Understanding the effects of PFTeDA on Leydig cells is crucial as these cells play a significant role in male reproductive function.

Pubertal lead exposure affects ovary development, folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis by activation of IRE1α-JNK signaling pathway in rat.

Epidemic studies showed that lead exposures are associated with various female reproductive dysfunctions, including infertility, miscarriage, preterm delivery, and early menopause. However, the mechanism involved is still unclear. In the current study, SD rats were exposed to lead at doses of 0, 5, 25, 50 or 250 mg/L through drinking water from postnatal day 21-56.

Comparison of recombinant human FSH biosimilar QL1012 with Gonal-f® for ovarian stimulation: a phase-three trial.

Research Question: Are QL1012 and Gonal-f® equivalent in women undergoing ovarian stimulation for assisted reproductive technology (ART)?

Design: This multicentre, randomized, assessor-blinded, phase-three trial was conducted at 13 centres in China. Eligible patients were infertile women; age 20-39 years; body mass index 18-30 kg/m; regular menstrual cycles; and indication for ART. After successful pituitary downregulation, patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive QL1012 or Gonal-f®, stratified by age (initial dose of 75-150 IU for women younger than 30 years, 150-225 IU for women aged 30-34 years and 225-300 IU for women aged ≥35 years, subcutaneously, once daily).

Leydig cell function in adult male rats is disrupted by perfluorotetradecanoic acid through increasing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA) is a long-chain perfluoroalkyl compound with increased applications. Its effect on Leydig cell function and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (60 days old) were gavaged with PFTeDA at doses of 0, 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg/day from 60 to 87 days after birth.

Metformin Alleviates Endometriosis and Potentiates Endometrial Receptivity Decreasing VEGF and MMP9 and Increasing Leukemia Inhibitor Factor and HOXA10.

Endometriosis affects endometrial receptivity, a key factor for successful embryo implantation. Metformin treatment is associated with alleviating the symptoms of endometriosis; however the mechanism of metformin action is unclear. Neoangiogenesis plays an important role in the development and recurrence of endometriosis.

Androgens impair β-cell function in a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome by activating endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Background: Androgens excess results in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which is an important cause of β cells dysfunction. Here, we investigated the molecular regulation of androgens excess, ER stress, and β-cell function in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: PCOS mouse model was established by injection of DHEA.

Efficacy and safety of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone in patients undergoing fertilization-embryo transfer.

To compare the ovarian responses after administration of two recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (r-FSH) preparations under gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue downregulation, we conducted a phase 3, randomized, multicenter, assessor-blind, active-controlled, parallel group study. The primary outcome was the number of oocytes retrieved. The secondary outcomes included total dose and duration of r-FSH administered, oocyte quality, blood estradiol levels, follicular development, fertilization rates, implantation rates, and pregnancy rates (biochemical, clinical, and ongoing).

Multiple facilitated glucose transporters SLC2As are required for normal mouse preimplantation embryo development.

Background: Glucose metabolism is an essential energy source for mammalian preimplantation embryonic development. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the expression of all 12 known glucose transporters (facilitated solute carrier family 2, Slc2a) during early mouse embryo development.

Methods: Gene and protein expression of Slc2a transporters in oocytes and embryos were assessed by the TaqMan gene expression assay and confocal immunofluorescence, respectively.

Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of dizygotic twin pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization versus spontaneous conception: a retrospective study.

This study was designed to to assess perinatal and neonatal outcomes of dizygotic twin pregnancies conceived naturally or by in vitro fertilization (IVF). After strict selection, the study included 470 dizygotic twin pregnancies. There were 249 resulting from IVF treatments and 221 conceiving spontaneously.

Expression and localization of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 in the ovarian tissues of mice at different ages.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and localization of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the ovaries of mice in different age groups, and to explore the association between Nrf2 and premature ovarian aging. The present study identified the localization of Nrf2 protein by performing immunohistochemical assay of ovarian tissues obtained from mice in different age groups. The mRNA expression levels of Nrf2 were detected via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, while the expression levels of Nrf2 protein and apoptosis-associated proteins, including Caspase3 and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), were evaluated by western blot analysis.

Screening for novel peptides specifically binding to the surface of ectopic endometrium cells by phage display.

A 7-mer phage display library was employed to isolate novel peptides that specifically bind to ectopic endometrium in vitro. Phage display technology with biopanning and rapid analysis of selective interactive ligands between ectopic and eutopic endometrium cells was utilized. After 5 rounds of biopanning, 50 phage clones were randomly selected and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and DNA sequencing.

MicroRNA-1 inhibits ovarian cancer cell proliferation and migration through c-Met pathway.

In this study, we investigated the differential expression of microRNAs in an ovarian cancer cell line HO-8910PM with increased migration and invasiveness activities. miR-1 was found to be one of the microRNA species most significantly downregulated in HO-8910PM compared with the control cell line HO-8910. We demonstrated that ovarian cancer tissues expressed decreased levels of miR-1 compared to non-neoplastic tissues.

Identification of a peptide specifically targeting ovarian cancer by the screening of a phage display peptide library.

Ovarian cancer is the most common cause of cancer-associated mortality in terms of gynecological malignancies, and is difficult to diagnose due to the absence of reliable biomarkers. To identify ovarian cancer-specific biomarkers, the present study used a Ph.D.

The effect of protein supplement concentration in embryo transfer medium on clinical outcome of IVF/ICSI cycles: a prospective, randomized clinical trial.

The aim of this prospective, randomized clinical trial (RCT) was to evaluate whether the supplemental protein concentration in embryo transfer (ET) medium affects the clinical outcomes in IVF-ET. A total of 750 patients undergoing IVF-ET who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups, according to the concentration of synthetic serum substitute (SSS) in ET medium as follows: 10% (Group A), 20% (Group B) and 50% (Group C). The patient characteristics and embryology data were all similar among the groups.

Blastocyst-stage versus cleavage-stage embryo transfer in the first frozen cycles of OHSS-risk patients who deferred from fresh embryo transfer.

Elective cryopreservation of all embryos has been the most effective means to avoid developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However, it is still unknown which stage is optimal for freezing and transferring into uterus in OHSS-risk patients. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether OHSS-risk patients could benefit from transferring blastocysts.

Dual-color labeled anti-mucin 1 antibody for imaging of ovarian cancer: A preliminary animal study.

To investigate the feasibility of the anti-mucin 1 (anti-MUC1/CD227) antibody in the fluorescent imaging of ovarian cancer, the CD227 antibody and a control IgG antibody were labeled with a near-infrared dye [Cy5.5-N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)] and a green dye (fluorescein-NHS). fluorescence images were obtained at 4, 12 and 36 h after injection of the probes into OVCAR3 tumor-bearing mice.

CYP19 gene variant confers susceptibility to endometriosis-associated infertility in Chinese women.

An aromatase encoded by the CYP19 gene catalyzes the final step in the biosynthesis of estrogens, which is related to endometriosis development. To assess the association of CYP19 gene polymorphisms with the risks of endometriosis, chocolate cysts and endometriosis-related infertility, a case-control study was conducted in Chinese Han women by recruiting 225 healthy control females, 146 patients with endometriosis, 94 endometriosis women with chocolate cyst and 65 women with infertility resulting from endometriosis, as diagnosed by both pathological and laparoscopic findings. Individual genotypes at rs2236722:T>C, rs700518:A>G, rs10046:T>C and [TTTA]n polymorphisms were identified.

Pregnancy outcome after the treatment of loop electrosurgical excision procedure or cold-knife conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence on fertility and pregnancy outcome in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) patients after a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) or cold-knife conization (CKC).

Methods: 269 patients with CIN-II-III who wanted to conceive were prospectively enrolled in this randomized clinical trial to receive either the LEEP or CKC procedure. Fertility, neonatal and maternal outcomes were observed and compared.

Live birth following vitrification of in vitro matured oocytes derived from sibling smaller follicles at follicle selection phase in the context of in vitro fertilization.

In ovarian stimulation, a 31-year-old woman with polycystic ovary syndrome was at the risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, follicle aspiration was performed, and eight immature oocytes were collected from follicle fluids. After 28 h in vitro culture, six of them reached MII and were vitrified. The patient failed to conceive in her fresh in vitro fertilization cycle and next two replacement cycles.

Efficacy and safety of intravaginal misoprostol versus intracervical dinoprostone for labor induction at term: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: Recent studies suggest that misoprostol may be more effective than dinoprostone in pregnant women with unfavorable cervix. The objective here is to investigate and compare the efficacy and safety of intravaginal misoprostol and intracervical dinoprostone for labor induction, including incidence of cesarean section, vaginal delivery rate within 24 h, uterine hyperstimulation, tachysystole, oxytocin augmentation, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, and Apgar score of less than 7 at 1 and 5 min.

Methods: Databases searched were MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, up to July 2013.