Maternal non-compliance with recommended folic acid supplement use alters global DNA methylation in cord blood of newborns: A cohort study.

Background & Aims: Prenatal folate exposure may alter epigenetic marks in the offspring. We aimed to evaluate associations between prenatal exposure to folic acid (FA) in preconception and in utero with cord blood DNA methylation in long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE-1) and Alu short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) as markers of global DNA methylation levels.

Methods: Data come from 325 mother-child pairs participating in the Nutrition in Early Life and Asthma (NELA) birth cohort (2015-2018).

The female upper reproductive tract harbors endogenous microbial profiles.

Introduction: The female reproductive tract harbours unique microbial communities (known as microbiota) which have been associated with reproductive functions in health and disease. While endometrial microbiome studies have shown that the uterus possesses higher bacterial diversity and richness compared to the vagina, the knowledge regarding the composition of the Fallopian tubes (FT) is lacking, especially in fertile women without any underlying conditions.

Methods: To address this gap, our study included 19 patients who underwent abdominal hysterectomy for benign uterine pathology, and 5 women who underwent tubal ligation as a permanent contraceptive method at Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA).

Prediction of the mode of delivery using artificial intelligence algorithms.

Background And Objective: Mode of delivery is one of the issues that most concerns obstetricians. The caesarean section rate has increased progressively in recent years, exceeding the limit recommended by health institutions. Obstetricians generally lack the necessary technology to help them decide whether a caesarean delivery is appropriate based on antepartum and intrapartum conditions.

Physicochemical and Functional Characterization of Female Reproductive Fluids: A Report of the First Two Infants Born Following Addition of Their Mother's Fluids to the Embryo Culture Media.

Culture media supplemented with reproductive fluids (RF) have been used in livestock species, improving the efficiency and quality of produced embryos. However, usefulness in humans is still unknown. In this study, we collected human reproductive fluids (HRFs) (from 25 patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingectomy) and (from 31 oocyte donors).

Health-Related Quality of Life in Adult Spanish Women with Endometriomas or Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis: A Case-Control Study.

Endometriosis is a disabling disease that may significantly compromise a woman's social relationships, sexuality, and mental health. Considering the impact of endometriomas and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) on quality of life and the limited number of papers on this topic, the objective of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adult Spanish women with the condition. A case-control study was conducted on a group of 99 patients with ovarian endometriomas or DIE and 157 controls.

Are Dietary Indices Associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Its Phenotypes? A Preliminary Study.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal disorder which impairs ovarian function. The adherence to healthy dietary patterns and physical exercise are the first line of recommended treatment for PCOS patients, but it is yet unclear what type of diet is more adequate. In this case-control study, we explored associations between adherence to five dietary quality indices and the presence of PCOS.

Child Head Circumference and Placental MFSD2a Expression Are Associated to the Level of MFSD2a in Maternal Blood During Pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a world-wide health challenge, which prevalence is expected to increase in parallel to the epidemic of obesity. Children born from GDM mothers have lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in cord blood, which might influence their neurodevelopment. Recently, the membrane transporter Major Family Super Domain 2a (MFSD2a) was associated with the selective transportation of DHA as lysophospholipids.

Short Femur in the Second Trimester Scan Is Related to Maternal Preeclampsia and Small for Gestational Age Newborns.

Objective: To determine the contribution of short femur diaphysis length (FDL) at 19-22 weeks of gestation in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: The study included singleton pregnant women who underwent a routine anomaly scan at 19-22 weeks of gestation at the Virgen de la Arrixaca University Clinical Hospital (Murcia, Spain) between August 2011 and August 2012. Fetal biometry and Doppler ultrasound of uterine arteries were assessed as part of the anomaly scan, and the mean pulsatility index of both uterine arteries was recorded.

Which Low-Abundance Proteins are Present in the Human Milieu of Gamete/Embryo Maternal Interaction?

The improvement of the embryo culture media is of high relevance due to its influence on successful implantation rates, pregnancy, neonatal outcomes, and potential effects in adult life. The ideal conditions for embryo development are those naturally occurring in the female reproductive tract, i.e.

A decision support system for predicting the treatment of ectopic pregnancies.

Background And Objective: Ectopic pregnancy is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. An early diagnosis, as well as the choice of the most suitable treatment for the patient is crucial to avoid possible complications. According to different factors an ectopic pregnancy must be treated from surgery, using a pharmacological treatment or following a conservative treatment.

Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Quantification System.

Anogenital distance (AGD) is a sexually dimorphic attribute, twice longer in males than in females, and a marker of intrauterine hormonal environment. Interest in AGD measurements is increasing due to mounting evidence on their potential clinical implications. A parallel set of perineal measurements, the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System (POP-Q), include similar, but not exactly the same, landmarks: the perineal body (PB) and the genital hiatus (GH) lengths.

Variations in clinical presentation of unicornuate uterus with non-communicating rudimentary horn (class IIB of the American Fertility Society classification).

Objective: The unicornuate uterus is a rare uterine malformation (2.4-13.7% of all uterine malformations (Engmann et al.

External iliac artery Doppler assessment in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential role of the mean external iliac artery pulsatility index (EIA-PI) as a predictor of adverse obstetric outcomes such as preeclampsia, gestational hypertension and small for gestational age (SGA).

Methods: In women attending for first trimester screening at 11 + 0-13 + 6 weeks of gestation, we recorded maternal characteristics and measured EIA mean PI and uterine artery mean PI. We compared EIA mean PI in those that developed preeclampsia (n = 84), gestational hypertension (n = 50) or small for gestational age (n = 444) with those unaffected (n = 3736).

Insulin Treatment May Alter Fatty Acid Carriers in Placentas from Gestational Diabetes Subjects.

There is little information available on the effect of Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) treatment (diet or insulin) on placental lipid carriers, which may influence fetal fat accretion. Insulin may activate placental insulin receptors protein kinase (AKT) and extracellular signal regulated kinase ERK mediators, which might affect lipid metabolism. Placenta was collected from 25 control women, 23 GDM-Diet and 20 GDM-Insulin.

Central pontine myelinolysis during pregnancy: Pathogenesis, diagnosis and management.

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a rare condition usually caused by rapid sodium correction in hyponatraemia after a severe neurological syndrome. Only few cases have been reported during pregnancy, most of which were reported in patients with hyperemesis. We describe the successful management of the first case of twin pregnancy in a patient who presented with CPM after treatment for premature labour and then review the literature on CPM in pregnancy (aetiology, diagnosis and management).

Uterine and umbilical artery Doppler at 28 weeks for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with abnormal uterine artery Doppler findings in the early second trimester.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of uterine (UtA) and umbilical arteries (UA) Doppler examination at 28 weeks to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes in women who had increased resistance in UtA in the early second trimester.

Methods: Women with UtA mean pulsatility index (PI) above the 95th centile at 19-22 weeks of gestation were offered a growth scan including Doppler examination of UtA and UA at 28 weeks. Adverse pregnancy outcomes included small for gestational age (SGA), defined as birth weight below the tenth centile, preeclampsia (PE) and early-onset PE (PE before 34 weeks).

Omega 3 fatty acids, gestation and pregnancy outcomes.

Pregnancy is associated with a reduction in maternal serum docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) percentage and its possible depletion in the maternal store. Since the synthesis of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in the fetus and placenta is low, both the maternal LCPUFA status and placental function are critical for their supply to the fetus. Maternal supplementation with DHA up to 1 g/d or 2·7 g n-3 LCPUFA did not have any harmful effect.