Uterine cyclin A2-deficient mice as a model of female early pregnancy loss.

Proper action of the female sex steroids 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) on the endometrium is essential for fertility. Beyond its role in regulating the cell cycle, cyclin A2 (CCNA2) also mediates E2 and P4 signaling in vitro, but a potential role in modulating steroid action for proper endometrial tissue development and function is unknown. To fill this gap in our knowledge, we examined human endometrial tissue from fertile and infertile cisgender women for CCNA2 expression and correlated this with pregnancy outcome.

Extravillous trophoblast cell lineage development is associated with active remodeling of the chromatin landscape.

The extravillous trophoblast cell lineage is a key feature of placentation and successful pregnancy. Knowledge of transcriptional regulation driving extravillous trophoblast cell development is limited. Here, we map the transcriptome and epigenome landscape as well as chromatin interactions of human trophoblast stem cells and their transition into extravillous trophoblast cells.

Attitudes toward Rubella and Varicella Vaccination during Preconception Care.

Introduction: Studies of anti-vaccine attitudes in the perinatal time period previously have not paid special attention to the MMR and varicella vaccines. Because both contain live attenuated virus, a contraindication during pregnancy, it is important to assess barriers to vaccination clinically during preconception to avoid the known fetal morbidity associated with congenital rubella or varicella infection.

Methods: The primary outcome of this study was to determine prevalence of patients with nonimmune status for rubella and varicella in the setting of advanced reproductive care.

Chromium picolinate improves insulin sensitivity in obese subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Trivalent chromium (1000 microg), as chromium picolinate, given without change in diet or activity level, caused a 38% mean improvement in glucose disposal rate in five obese subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome who were tested with a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. This suggests that chromium picolinate, an over-the-counter dietary product, may be useful as an insulin sensitizer in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Confirmation of the beneficial effects of brief coincubation of gametes in human in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To confirm whether brief exposure of human oocytes to spermatozoa in vitro results in equivalent fertilization rates and possibly better quality embryos than overnight coincubation and to determine if there was a difference in outcome with regard to the type of culture medium used.

Design: Prospective distribution of gametes between treatments in sequential patients.

Setting: Assisted reproductive technology program in private hospital.