Assessing gut barrier integrity and reproductive performance following pre-mating oral administration of solid-lipid-nanoparticles designed for drug delivery.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have gained interest as drug delivery carriers due to their efficient cellular internalization and increased therapeutic effect of the loaded drug, with minimal side effects. Although recently several studies have shown the possibility to administer SLNs during pregnancy to vehicle mRNA to the placenta, data about the effect of premating exposure to SLNs on pregnancy outcome are scant. Considering that assumption of drug-delivering nanocarriers in reproductive age may potentially affect women's reproductive health, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether repeated oral administration of SLNs to female mice prior to mating would influence key pregnancy outcomes.

Effect of Pravastatin on Placental Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor-like Domain 7 in Early-Onset Pre-Eclampsia: A New Potential Mechanism of Action.

The primary intervention for pre-eclampsia (PE) remains iatrogenic delivery, which can be very preterm and not optimal for the fetus. Although many efforts have been made to prevent and manage PE, there is still a dearth of drugs to treat its pathophysiological progression. Pravastatin (PRA), a hydrophilic statin, has gained interest for the prevention and treatment of PE.

When the Embryo Meets the Endometrium: Identifying the Features Required for Successful Embryo Implantation.

Evaluation of the optimal number of embryos, their quality, and the precise timing for transfer are critical determinants in reproductive success, although still remaining one of the main challenges in assisted reproduction technologies (ART). Indeed, the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments relies on a multitude of events and factors involving both the endometrium and the embryo. Despite concerted efforts on both fronts, the overall success rates of IVF techniques continue to range between 25% and 30%.

Characterization of epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) expression in normal endometrium and in the endometrium of women with poor reproductive outcomes.

Study Question: Could epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) be a factor involved in the preparation of the endometrium for implantation and could its dysregulation be implicated in poor reproductive outcomes?

Summary Answer: EGFL7 is highly expressed in the endothelium and glandular epithelium throughout the menstrual cycle; it is upregulated by stromal cells in secretory phase and appears strongly reduced in endometrial biopsies and isolated stromal cells of women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (uRPL) and recurrent implantation failure (RIF).

What Is Known Already: The secreted factor EGFL7, originally identified as a gene primarily expressed in endothelial cells, is also expressed by the mouse blastocyst and by mouse and human trophoblast cells. It regulates trophoblast migration and invasion by activating NOTCH1 signaling.

An improved in vitro model simulating the feto-maternal interface to study developmental effects of potentially toxic compounds: The example of titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

The study of developmental effect of xenobiotics in humans is limited and often relies on epidemiological data. Whether and to which extent potentially toxic compounds may cross the placental barrier, and whether adverse effects on embryo development are the consequence of direct or indirect placental-mediated action is debated. The availability of in vitro models simulating the feto-maternal interface could contribute to elucidate this issue.