Factors associated with mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 disease treated with convalescent plasma.

The use of convalescent plasma (CP) could be an option for patients with severe COVID-19, especially in poor-resource countries where direct antiviral drugs are not commercially available. Currently, the U.S.

Effect of ulipristal acetate on gene expression profile in endometrial cells in culture and upon post-ovulatory administration in fertile women.

Purpose: To analyse the effect of ulipristal acetate (UPA) as emergency contraception (EC) on the gene expression of human endometrial cell line (HEC-1A) and endometrium from fertile women treated with UPA after ovulation.

Materials And Methods: HEC-1A cells were treated with UPA, and endometrial tissue from four healthy women was collected in cycles before, during and 2 months after post-ovulation pill intake. Ovulation and luteal phase were monitored, and endometrial biopsies were obtained at day LH + 7 in each cycle.

Mechanisms involved in the contraceptive effects of ulipristal acetate.

The use of emergency contraception (EC) methods is increasing worldwide as it constitutes an effective way to prevent unplanned pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. During the last decade, ulipristal acetate (UPA), a selective progesterone receptor modulator, has emerged as the most effective EC pill, and it is now recommended as first-line hormonal treatment for EC in several countries. Its principal mechanism of action involves inhibition or delay of follicular rupture, but only when administered during the follicular phase before the luteinizing hormone (LH) peak.

A single post-ovulatory dose of ulipristal acetate impairs post-fertilization events in mice.

Ulipristal acetate (UPA) is a selective progesterone receptor modulator used for emergency contraception that has proven to be highly effective in preventing pregnancy when taken up to 120 h after unprotected sexual intercourse. Even though it may act mainly by delaying or inhibiting ovulation, additional effects of UPA on post-fertilization events cannot be excluded. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether a single post-ovulatory dose of UPA could prevent pregnancy using the mouse as a pre-clinical model.

Expression profile and distribution of Annexin A1, A2 and A5 in human semen.

Annexins (ANXAs) have been identified in different seminal components mainly by proteomic methods. The presence and distribution of Annexin A1, A2 and A5 (ANXA1, ANXA2, ANXA5) in human semen was analysed and the corresponding mRNAs studied in spermatozoa. All three ANXAs were present in prostasomes and spermatozoa, but only ANXA1 in prostasomes-free seminal plasma.

Study of the effect of ulipristal acetate on human sperm ability to interact with tubal tissue and cumulus-oocyte-complexes.

Objective: Ulispristal acetate (UPA) is a selective progesterone receptor modulator widely used for emergency contraception (EC). The described main mechanism of action is by inhibiting or delaying ovulation; however, the postovulatory effects of the drug are still on debate. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether UPA could interfere with human sperm fertilizing ability.

In vitro and in vivo effects of ulipristal acetate on fertilization and early embryo development in mice.

Study Question: Does ulipristal acetate (UPA), a selective progesterone receptor modulator used for emergency contraception (EC), interfere with fertilization or early embryo development in vitro and in vivo?

Summary Answer: At doses similar to those used for EC, UPA does not affect mouse gamete transport, fertilization or embryo development.

What Is Known Already: UPA acts as an emergency contraceptive mainly by inhibiting or delaying ovulation. However, there is little information regarding its effects on post-ovulatory events preceding implantation.

Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors (FGFRs) in Human Sperm: Expression, Functionality and Involvement in Motility Regulation.

Fibroblast growth factors receptors (FGFRs) have been widely characterized in somatic cells, but there is scarce evidence of their expression and function in mammalian gametes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the expression of FGFRs in human male germ cells, to determine sperm FGFR activation by the FGF2 ligand and their participation in the regulation of sperm motility. The expression of FGFR1, 2, 3 and 4 mRNAs and proteins in human testis and localization of these receptors in germ cells of the seminiferous epithelium was demonstrated.

Effects of ulipristal acetate on sperm DNA fragmentation during in vitro incubation.

Objective: Ulipristal acetate (UPA) acts as an emergency contraceptive by inhibiting ovulation. This study explores possible additional effects on the fragmentation of sperm DNA during in vitro incubation.

Methods: Motile spermatozoa from healthy donors were selected by swim-up and incubated under capacitating conditions in control medium or with UPA (1, 10, 100, 1,000 or 10,000 ng/ml).

Effect of exposure to ulipristal acetate on sperm function.

Objective: A pill containing ulipristal acetate (UPA) is used for emergency contraception (EC). Considering that, following its intake, spermatozoa may be exposed to UPA in the female genital tract we intended to evaluate sperm functions after incubation with this compound.

Methods: Motile spermatozoa were selected by swim-up and were incubated under capacitating conditions with UPA (at concentrations of 1, 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000 ng/ml) or control medium.

Peritoneal fluid modifies the response of human spermatozoa to follicular fluid.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism involved in the acrosome reaction (AR) induced by follicular fluid (FF) in spermatozoa previously exposed to peritoneal fluid (PF). The influence of progesterone was also investigated. Semen samples were from 18 normozoospermic donors.

Glucose-regulated protein 78 (Grp78/BiP) is secreted by human oviduct epithelial cells and the recombinant protein modulates sperm-zona pellucida binding.

Objective: To determine the secretion of Grp78 by human oviduct epithelial cells, its association to spermatozoa, and its involvement in gamete interaction.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Basic research laboratory.

Human tubal secretion can modify the affinity of human spermatozoa for the zona pellucida.

Objective: To study the effect of the human tubal tissue conditioned medium (CM) on sperm parameters related to sperm-zona pellucida interaction.

Design: Controlled experimental laboratory study.

Setting: Research laboratory.

D-Mannose-binding sites are putative sperm determinants of human oocyte recognition and fertilization.

The aim of the present study was to further evaluate the participation of D-mannose in the process of human sperm-egg interaction. Zona pellucida binding competitive assays in the presence of D-mannose were carried out using discarded oocytes from IVF. Spermatozoa were capacitated and D-mannose-binding site (MBS) expression, sperm viability and follicular fluidinduced acrosome reaction (AR) were evaluated.

In vivo assessment of the human sperm acrosome reaction and the expression of glycodelin-A in human endometrium after levonorgestrel-emergency contraceptive pill administration.

Background: The objectives were firstly to assess acrosome reaction (AR) status of spermatozoa following uterine flushing, secondly to measure levonorgestrel (LNG) levels in serum and in uterine flushing fluid and finally to measure endometrial glycodelin-A expression after administration of LNG as a form of emergency contraception (EC).

Methods: Forty-eight experiments were conducted on 15 regularly menstruating women. Four groups were formed based on different intercourse to treatment interval and treatment to recovery of spermatozoa and the biopsies.

Comparative concentrations of steroid hormones and proteins in human peri-ovulatory peritoneal and follicular fluids.

Despite the fact that both peritoneal (PF) and follicular (FF) fluids have a common ovarian origin, FF is a natural inducer of sperm acrosome reaction (AR) while PF is not. To better understand these effects, concentrations of oestradiol, progesterone and proteins in peri-ovulatory PF and FF were determined and compared. PF was aspirated by laparoscopy at the peri-ovulatory stage from women with unexplained infertility.

Doses of levonorgestrel comparable to that delivered by the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system can modify the in vitro expression of zona binding sites of human spermatozoa.

Background: The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) exerts its contraceptive effect by interfering with sperm transport through the female genital tract and with ovulation. However, the possibility cannot be discarded that the device exerts a direct effect on sperm function, thus, helping prevent fertilization.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether LNG at doses comparable to that measured in the uterus during the use of the LNG-IUS affects the detection of D-mannose binding sites or zona pellucida (ZP) receptors on human spermatozoa.

The in vitro effect of emergency contraception doses of levonorgestrel on the acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three concentrations of levonorgestrel (LNG) comparable to the levels found in serum following ingestion of LNG as emergency contraception (EC) on the acrosome reaction (AR) of capacitated and noncapacitated spermatozoa of fertile men.

Materials And Methods: A total of 24 semen samples from three fertile men were evaluated. The spermatozoa were selected by Percoll gradient.

In vitro effect of levonorgestrel on sperm fertilizing capacity and mouse embryo development.

The objectives of this study were to assess the expression of alpha-d-mannose binding sites in human spermatozoa, human sperm-oocyte interaction and the development of early stages of mouse embryo in the presence of levonorgestrel (LNG). Semen samples were obtained from 16 normozoospermic men. Spermatozoa were separated by Percoll gradient and incubated overnight for capacitation.

Effects of human oviductal in vitro secretion on spermatozoa and search of sperm-oviductal proteins interactions.

It has been suggested that oviductal proteins could be involved in modulating sperm function and fertilizing ability through as yet not well-known mechanisms. The objective of the study was to investigate the pattern of proteins secreted by human oviductal tissue cultures and the effects of their conditioned media (CM) on sperm function under capacitating conditions and in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In addition, interactions between spermatozoa and oviductal proteins were examined.

Bicarbonate is required for migration of sperm epididymal protein DE (CRISP-1) to the equatorial segment and expression of rat sperm fusion ability.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that sperm capacitation is a bicarbonate-dependent process. In the rat, capacitation has not been studied as much as in other species, mainly because of the difficulties in carrying out functional assays with this animal model. In the present study, we have examined the influence of bicarbonate in the overall rat sperm capacitation process by analyzing involvement of the anion in 1) protein tyrosine phosphorylation, 2) migration of epididymal protein DE (also known as CRISP-1) from the dorsal region to the equatorial segment of the sperm head that occurs during capacitation, and 3) ability of sperm to fuse with the egg.

Modulation of human sperm function by peritoneal fluid.

Objective: To examine the effect of peritoneal fluid on various parameters of sperm function in vitro.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Basic research laboratory.

The in vitro effect of levonorgestrel on the acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa from fertile men.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of levonorgestrel (LNG) on the occurrence of acrosome reaction (AR) of capacitated spermatozoa from fertile men. A total of 20 semen samples from four fertile men were evaluated. The spermatozoa were separated by swim-up, and subsequently incubated for 20 h under capacitating conditions.