Genetic and Epigenetic Profiles of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and In Vitro Bisphenol Exposure in a Human Granulosa Cell Model.

Higher levels of bisphenols are found in granulosa cells of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), posing the question: Is bisphenol exposure linked to PCOS pathophysiology? Human granulosa cells were obtained from women with and without PCOS, and genes and microRNAs associated with PCOS were investigated. The first phase compared healthy women and those with PCOS, revealing distinct patterns: PCOS subjects had lower ( = 0.0217) and ( = 0.

Potential Costs and Benefits of Incorporating PGT-A Across Age Groups: A Canadian Clinic Perspective.

Objective: To assess the potential costs and benefits of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) across age groups, considering financial costs, total euploidy rates and the potential for morphology grading to predict a euploid embryo.

Methods: This study is a blinded retrospective chart review of patients who incorporated PGT-A as part of their in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment cycle at a university-affiliated fertility clinic. Patients between 25-44 years of age undergoing IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection and PGT-A with autologous oocytes (n = 220) were included in this study.

Sperm capacitation and transcripts levels are altered by in vitro THC exposure.

Background: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary phytocannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive properties of cannabis and is known to interact with the endocannabinoid system, which is functionally present in the male reproductive system. Since cannabis consumption is the highest among reproductive aged males, the current study aimed to further investigate the effects of THC exposure to phenotypical, physiological, and molecular parameters in sperm. Bull sperm of known fertility were used as a translational model for human sperm and subjected to in vitro treatment with physiologically relevant experimental doses of THC.

Fetal sex alters maternal anti-Mullerian hormone during pregnancy in cattle.

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is expressed by both male and female fetuses during mammalian development, with males expressing AMH earlier and at significantly higher concentration. The aim of the current study was to explore the potential impact of pregnancy and fetal sex on maternal AMH and to determine if plasma (Pl) AMH or placenta intercotyledonary membrane and cotyledonary AMH receptor 2 (AMHR2) mRNA expression differ in pregnant cows carrying male vs. female fetuses.

Systemic and local anti-Mullerian hormone reflects differences in the reproduction potential of Zebu and European type cattle.

This study was conducted to evaluate plasma anti-Mullerian hormone (Pl AMH), follicular fluid AMH (FF AMH) and granulosa cell AMH transcript (GC AMH) levels and their relationships with reproductive parameters in two cattle subspecies, Bos taurus indicus (Zebu), and Bos taurus taurus (European type cattle). Two-dimensional ultrasound examination and serum collection were performed on Zebu, European type and crossbreed cows to determine antral follicle count (AFC), ovary diameter (OD) and Pl AMH concentration. Slaughterhouse ovaries for Zebu and European type cattle were collected to determine FF AMH concentrations, GC AMH RNA levels, AFC, oocyte number, cleavage and blastocyst rate.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in granulosa lutein cells.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is thought to play a role in follicle activation and oocyte maturation. It is postulated that BDNF and its receptor, tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), may also play a role in maintaining the corpus luteum. Therefore,human granulosa lutein cells (GLC) were obtained from women undergoing ovulation induction and treated with increasing concentrations of cAMP (0, 125, 500 and 1000 μmol/l).

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonists attenuate the deleterious effects of benzo[a]pyrene on isolated rat follicle development.

It has been shown that benzo[a]pyrene, a key component of cigarette smoke and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand, reduced growth of isolated rat follicles in vitro. However, the mechanism underlying the induced changes in folliculogenesis is unknown. This study proposed that the reported adverse effects of benzo[a]pyrene on follicle growth are mediated through AhR activation.

Collaborative multidisciplinary team approach to fertility issues among adolescent and young adult cancer patients.

Cancer treatment and the field of reproductive technology have each made impressive advancements in the last decade. Improved cancer treatment and survival rates have increased the number of cancer survivors, who might benefit from an array of fertility preservation strategies provided by emerging and advanced assisted conception technology. The challenge becomes bridging the gap between these two separate disciplines to ultimately improve the quality of life for cancer survivors.

Bisphenol A concentration-dependently increases human granulosa-lutein cell matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) enzyme output.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic contaminant that has been quantified at higher levels in the follicular fluid of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) compared to healthy fertile controls. However, the effect of BPA on granulosa cell function is unknown. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to quantify the effect of BPA on granulosa cell progesterone (P4) output and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and -9 output and activity.

Environmental contaminants and human infertility: hypothesis or cause for concern?

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s the crude human birth rate (live births per 1000 population) declined, indicating reduced fertility and suggesting a potential decline in fecundity (the potential to conceive). Detection of environmental contaminants in human tissues, together with reports of a global decline in semen quality, further fueled speculation that human infertility rates are increasing and environmental toxicants are potentially important causal agents associated with this change. However, there is little compelling evidence to suggest that infertility rates amongst the general population have changed over time.

Granulosa cell aromatase activity in women undergoing IVF: a comparison of good and poor responders.

Objective: We wished to investigate the aromatase activity (AA) of granulosa cells (GCs) in women undergoing ovarian follicular stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Methods: Granulosa cells were harvested from follicular fluid aspirated at the time of oocyte retrieval in women undergoing IVF. Data related to the follicular stimulation and IVF were collected by chart review.

Quantification of benzo[a]pyrene and other PAHs in the serum and follicular fluid of smokers versus non-smokers.

Cigarette smoking is a well-established reproductive hazard that has been linked with decreased fertility in both smokers and those exposed to second hand smoke. The chemical components responsible for the reproductive toxic effects of cigarette smoke are unknown. Moreover, exposure of reproductive tissues to the chemical constituents of cigarette smoke is largely unknown.

Effectiveness of sperm banking in adolescents and young adults with cancer: a regional experience.

Background: Improving success in the treatment of cancer has resulted in an increasing number of survivors. An important quality of life issue among younger survivors is the ability to have a family. Current gonadotoxic treatments for cancer pose a challenge to future fertility.

Follicle growth is inhibited by benzo-[a]-pyrene, at concentrations representative of human exposure, in an isolated rat follicle culture assay.

Background: The adverse effects of cigarette smoking on human fertility have been well documented. However, the mechanism(s) underlying the detrimental effects of cigarette smoking are unknown. Using a novel isolated rat follicle culture assay, we tested the hypothesis that benzo-[a]-pyrene (B[a]P), a constituent of cigarette smoke, can inhibit follicle growth.

Cytogenetic evaluation of human oocytes that failed to complete meiotic maturation in vitro.

Objective: To determine the cause of infertility in a couple whose oocytes failed to mature in two consecutive fertility treatments.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University-based IVF program.