Role of apoptosis controlled by cytochrome c released from mitochondria for luteal function in human granulosa cells.

Problem: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between apoptosis by the mitochondrial pathway and luteal function in human granulosa cells.

Method Of Study: Granulosa cells were obtained by ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. After the addition of RU486, cells were stained with a mitochondria-specific fluorescent dye, MitoTracker Red CM x Ros.

Cleavage of integrin by mu-calpain during hypoxia in human endometrial cells.

Problem: The distribution and activation of mu-calpain and possible cleavage of integrin in human endometrial cells under hypoxic condition were investigated.

Method Of Study: Human endometrial epithelial and stromal cells were subjected to hypoxia, and subsequently used for immunostaining and western blot analysis.

Results: The proform of mu-calpain was detected in the cytoplasm of normal cells, and displayed a substantial decrease after hypoxia.

Conservative treatment by angiographic artery embolization of an 11-week cervical pregnancy after a period of heavy bleeding.

Objective: To describe a rare case of conservative treatment of an 11-week cervical pregnancy after a period of heavy bleeding.

Design: Case report.

Setting: A university hospital.

Comparison between fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and quantitative-fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) for the detection of aneuploidies in single blastomeres.

Objectives: The aim of our investigation was to compare the efficiencies of the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and the quantitative-fluorescent PCR (QF-PCR) methods for the detection of sexing and numerical chromosome disorders in single blastomeres collected from the same preimplantation human embryos.

Methods: FISH analysis was carried out on 145 blastomeres from the 79 surplus embryos with probes specific for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, and Y. QF-PCR was performed with each one or two of the primers specific for the same chromosomes on 151 blastomeres from the same embryos obtained from patients undergoing IVF treatment.

Low dose gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatments with early discontinuation for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in an fertilization program.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the applicability of a protocol for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) featuring early discontinuation of low dose gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) for ovulation induction for fertilization (IVF). Four hundred and eighty-seven women undergoing 555 IVF cycles were recruited into the study. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was achieved by using either a short protocol of low dose GnRHa (for 5 days only; groups 1 and 2) or a modified long protocol with early discontinuation of GnRHa (groups 3 and 4).

An association of IgG anti-laminin-1 autoantibodies with endometriosis in infertile patients.

Background: Laminin-1, a multifunctional glycoprotein of the basement membrane, is thought to be important in embryogenesis, embryonic implantation, and placentation. We recently showed that serum IgG anti-laminin-1 autoantibodies (auto-Abs) are associated with recurrent first-trimester miscarriages. The present study assessed the clinical significance of anti-laminin-1 Abs with infertility, accompanied with or without endometriosis.