Urocortin 1 expression and secretion by human umbilical vein endothelial cells: In vitro effects of interleukin 8, interferon γ, lipopolysaccharide, endothelin 1, prostaglandin F-2α, estradiol, progesterone and dexamethasone.

Urocortin 1 (Ucn1) is a 40-amino-acid peptide that has vasodilatory activity and displays immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties. Maternal and cord plasma Ucn1 levels are increased in preeclampsia and preterm labor, but the mechanisms of such increase are poorly known. Thus, we investigated Ucn1 localization in human umbilical cord and assessed some potential stimuli to Ucn1 release by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

Expression, localization and control of activin A release from human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Activin-A is a member of the TGFβ superfamily found in maternal and umbilical cord blood throughout gestation. We investigated whether human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) express activin-A in vivo and tested the effects of vasoactive (endothelin-1), pro-inflammatory (interferon-γ, interleukin-8) and anti-inflammatory (dexamethasone, urocortin) factors on activin-A release by isolated HUVEC in vitro. Activin βA subunit protein and mRNA were strongly localized in the endothelial cells of umbilical veins and were also detectable in scattered cells of the cord connective tissue.

Serum antimüllerian hormone measurements with second generation assay at two distinct menstrual cycle phases for prediction of cycle cancellation, pregnancy and live birth after in vitro fertilization.

Purpose: This study investigated the usefulness of serum antimüllerian hormone (AMH) measurements at two distinct menstrual cycle phases to predict in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study enrolling 135 consecutive patients referred for conventional IVF or ICSI in a university hospital. Blood samples were obtained for serum AMH measurements on days 3 and 18-20, while transvaginal ultrasound was performed for antral follicle count (AFC) at day 3 of the menstrual cycle immediately before treatment.

Urocortin 2 and urocortin 3 in endometriosis: evidence for a possible role in inflammatory response.

Urocortin 2 (Ucn 2) and urocortin 3 (Ucn 3) are neuropeptides expressed by human endometrium. This study evaluated (i) the expression of Ucn 2 and Ucn 3 mRNA in endometriotic lesions and in endometrium of women with endometriosis; (ii) the effect of Ucn 2 and Ucn 3 on cytokines secretion from cultured endometrial stromal cells. Endometriotic tissue was collected from endometrioma (n=39); endometrial specimens were obtained from women with (n=39) and without (n=41) endometriosis throughout menstrual cycle.

Impaired CRH and urocortin expression and function in eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis.

Context: Women with endometriosis have altered endometrial function. CRH and urocortin (Ucn) are neuropeptides produced by human endometrium and modulate endometrial decidualization.

Objective: To evaluate endometrial mRNA expression of CRH and Ucn, their role in in vitro decidualization of cultured human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) in patients with endometriosis, and the role of CRH receptors (CHR-Rs).

Activins and related proteins in the establishment of pregnancy.

Activin A and related proteins (inhibins, follistatin [FS], follistatin-related gene [FLRG], endometrial bleeding associated factors [ebaf]) are involved in the complex mechanisms allowing the establishment and the maintenance of pregnancy. As a consequence of ovarian progesterone stimuli, activin A is expressed and secreted by the stromal endometrial cells, which locally induces the decidualization process, a prerequisite for implantation. Moreover, activin A does influence the implantation phase, also enhancing cytotrophoblast differentiation, indirectly, by increasing the expression of other molecules involved in embryo implantation, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF).

Differential expression of follistatin and FLRG in human breast proliferative disorders.

Background: Activins are growth factors acting on cell growth and differentiation. Activins are expressed in high grade breast tumors and they display an antiproliferative effect inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in breast cancer cell lines. Follistatin and follistatin- related gene (FLRG) bind and neutralize activins.

Activin A, activin receptor type II, nodal, and cripto mRNA are expressed by eutopic and ectopic endometrium in women with ovarian endometriosis.

Activin A is a dimeric protein that regulates endometrial functions by signaling at its receptors, namely type I (ActRI) and type II (ActRII). Nodal is an activin competitor that requires the coreceptor cripto to assemble its signaling pathway through ActRI and ActRII. In the current study, we evaluated the expression of activin A, ActRII, nodal, and cripto in eutopic and ectopic endometrium collected from women with ovarian endometrioma (n = 15) and in eutopic endometrium of healthy participants (n = 15).

Evaluation of endometrial activin A secretion for prediction of pregnancy after intrauterine insemination.

Objective: To measure activin A concentrations in uterine washing fluid collected from women with couple infertility undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Setting: Tertiary university center for women's care.

New protocol of clomiphene citrate treatment in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea.

Objective: To determine if a new protocol of administration of clomiphene citrate (CC) is effective in menstrual cycle recovery in women with hypothalamic secondary amenorrhea.

Design: This was an open-label study.

Patients: Patients comprised a group of eight women with secondary amenorrhea.

Effect of a combination of ethinylestradiol 30 microg and drospirenone 3 mg on tolerance, cycle control, general well-being and fluid-related symptoms in women with premenstrual disorders requesting contraception.

Purpose: Positive effects on premenstrual symptoms have been observed with low-dose oral contraceptives. Drospirenone is a synthetic progestogen with antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid effects. This open-label, multicenter study evaluated the effects of a combination of ethinylestradiol 30 microg and drospirenone 3 mg on safety, cycle control, general well-being and fluid-related symptoms in women with premenstrual disorders requesting contraception.

Vaginally administered estroprogestinic decreases serum inhibin A and inhibin B levels and reduces endometrial thickness.

Objective: Serum levels of inhibin A, inhibin B, FSH, and LH were measured in healthy volunteers before and during oral or vaginal estroprogestinic administration. In addition, the effect on endometrial thickness and on follicular growth pattern were also assessed by vaginal ultrasound.

Design: Prospective study.