Controlled Dynamic Microfluidic Culture of Murine, Bovine, and Human Embryos Improves Development: Proof-of-Concept Studies.

Classical preimplantation embryo culture is performed in static fluid environments. Whether a dynamic fluid environment, like the fallopian tube, is beneficial for embryo development remains to be determined across mammalian species. Objectives of these proof-of-concept studies were to determine if controllable dynamic microfluidic culture would enhance preimplantation murine, bovine, and human embryo development compared to static culture.

MicroRNA-210-3p Regulates Endometriotic Lesion Development by Targeting IGFBP3 in Baboons and Women with Endometriosis.

MicroRNAs (miRs) play an important role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis; however, the role of miR-210 in endometriosis remains unclear. This study explores the role of miR-210 and its targets, IGFBP3 and COL8A1, in ectopic lesion growth and development. Matched eutopic (EuE) and ectopic (EcE) endometrial samples were obtained for analysis from baboons and women with endometriosis.

Psycho-emotional acceptance in couple and single women who choose to undergo IVF treatment with donor eggs.

New family configurations are emerging concurrently with improved assisted reproduction techniques, including the use of donated gametes. Most indications for treatment when using donated eggs are caused by an age-related decrease in reproductive capacity. We evaluated the emotional state regarding accepting egg donation in participants who chose this option for in vitro fertilization cycles.

Human endometrial stromal cells inhibit the pro-angiogenic stimulus of hCG in vitro.

During embryo implantation, endometrial angiogenesis is regulated by signals originating from the endometrium itself and the developing embryo. It has been suggested that hCG may play a pro-angiogenic role; therefore, we sought to understand its regulatory role in blood vessel formation in human endometrium using in vivo and in vitro models. In the in vivo model, we screened 16 angiogenesis-related transcripts in the endometrium upon intrauterine administration of hCG.

Two successful spontaneous pregnancies, single and twin, in uterus bicornis unicollis after deep infiltration endometriosis surgery.

A 26-year-old patient was admitted in our center with one year of infertility history after a miscarriage. She was diagnosed with uterus bicornis unicollis and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE); therefore, she underwent endometriosis focus removal surgery. After six-months, she conceived spontaneously and delivered one healthy baby.

Postoperative imaging findings after laparoscopic surgery for deeply infiltrating endometriosis.

Deeply infiltrative endometriosis (DIE) is a common gynecologic disease affecting women of reproductive age and often causing chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Clinical treatment options and preventive actions are ineffective due to the lack of knowledge about the etiology of DIE. Surgical treatment is currently the only alternative to eradicate the disease.

Prognostic factors for pregnancy after intrauterine insemination.

Objective: To evaluate prognostic factors for pregnancy after intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among couples who underwent IUI at Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil, between January 31, 2008, and April 30, 2016. The main outcome was a positive β human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) test result after IUI.

Analysis of hyaluronic acid in the endometrium of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Endometrium extracellular matrix provides a wide range of signals at different cellular levels, like cell death and proliferation, which can be important for regulating menses and reducing the proliferative processes. The objective of this study is to evaluate hyaluronic acid concentration, the enzymes of hyaluronic acid synthases in the endometrium of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and eumenorrheic women. A total of 60 endometrial samples from 30 patients with PCOS and 30 women with regular menstrual cycles in the proliferative phase, attended at Gynecology Division of Clinical Hospital of the FMUSP (HC-USP).

Livebirth after uterus transplantation from a deceased donor in a recipient with uterine infertility.

Background: Uterus transplantation from live donors became a reality to treat infertility following a successful Swedish 2014 series, inspiring uterus transplantation centres and programmes worldwide. However, no case of livebirth via deceased donor uterus has, to our knowledge, been successfully achieved, raising doubts about its feasibility and viability, including whether the womb remains viable after prolonged ischaemia.

Methods: In September, 2016, a 32-year-old woman with congenital uterine absence (Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser [MRKH] syndrome) underwent uterine transplantation in Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo, Brazil, from a donor who died of subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug induces luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome in young female juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients.

To assess prospectively luteinized unruptured follicle (LUF) syndrome in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients with and without non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and healthy controls. Twenty-three adolescent and young adult female JIA patients (ILAR criteria) and 11 female healthy subjects were studied by pelvic ultrasound monitoring for follicular development and ovulation in one menstrual cycle. LUF syndrome was prospectively investigated by pelvic ultrasound with a dominant ovarian follicle without signs of follicular rupture, with elevation of serum progesterone in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and luteinizing hormone (LH) detected in the urine.

How general semen quality influences the blastocyst formation rate: Analysis of 4205 IVF cycles.

Objective: To select embryos with higher implantation potential, the extended culture has been the most frequently applied strategy worldwide, and consequently leads to higher live birth rates per transfer. Sperm quality is a determining feature, and it may influence the outcomes of IVF from fertilization to embryo development. Therefore, we hypothesize that blastocyst formation may also be impaired by general semen quality.

Ovarian reserve in young juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients.

Objectives: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) occurs during reproductive age, however, there are no systematic data regarding ovarian function in this disease.

Methods: Twenty-eight post-pubertal JIA patients and age-matched 28 healthy controls were studied. Complete ovarian function was assessed during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle including anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and antral follicle count (AFC) by ovarian ultrasound, and anti-corpus lutheum antibodies (anti-CoL).

Transfer of 2 Embryos Using a Double-Embryo Transfer Protocol Versus 2 Sequential Single-Embryo Transfers: The Impact on Multiple Pregnancy.

Introduction: Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are associated with potential risks, mainly related to multiple pregnancies, which are around 20% to 25%. Iatrogenic multiple pregnancies due to ovarian stimulation with multiples embryos transferred can be avoided by the elective single-embryo transfer (eSET), a growing practice worldwide. Adequately applied eSET, which impact on the incidence of complications without compromising treatment success, is still a challenge.

Psychosocial benefits of fertility preservation for young cancer patients.

Purpose: The risk of ovarian failure after radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy is a concern among oncologic women. There is no doubt regarding the psycho-emotional benefits of fertility preservation (FP) after a cancer diagnosis because concerns about biological conception are a source of anxiety and can even affect the patient's cancer recovery. The aim of this study was to evaluate oncology patients' feelings, concerns, and life quality impacts related to FP.

Atypical Sites of Deeply Infiltrative Endometriosis: Clinical Characteristics and Imaging Findings.

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue that is located outside the uterine cavity and associated with fibrosis and inflammatory reaction. It is a polymorphic and multifocal disease with no known cure or preventive mechanisms. Patients may be asymptomatic or may experience chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, or infertility.

Translabial US and Dynamic MR Imaging of the Pelvic Floor: Normal Anatomy and Dysfunction.

Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a common condition that typically affects women older than 50 years and decreases the quality of life. Weakening of support structures can involve all three pelvic compartments and cause a combination of symptoms, including constipation, urinary and fecal incontinence, obstructed defecation, pelvic pain, perineal bulging, and sexual dysfunction. The causes of PFD are complex and multifactorial; however, vaginal delivery is considered a major predisposing factor.

Successful Pregnancies After Adequate Hormonal Replacement in Patients With Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiencies.

Context: Women with hypopituitarism have lower pregnancy rates after ovulation induction. Associated pituitary hormone deficiencies might play a role in this poorer outcome.

Objective: We evaluated fertility treatment and pregnancy outcomes in five women with childhood-onset combined pituitary hormone deficiencies (CPHD).

Positive rheotaxis extended drop: a one-step procedure to select and recover sperm with mature chromatin for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a novel one-step ICSI approach to select sperm with better chromatin maturity than the conventional method.

Methods: This was a pilot diagnostic study, which prospectively recruited men during a 6-month period in a University-affiliated infertility centre. Forty consecutive semen samples were provided for analysis.

Egg donation of vitrified oocytes bank produces similar pregnancy rates by blastocyst transfer when compared to fresh cycle.

Purpose: Advances in reproductive techniques, mainly the introduction of oocyte vitrification, have provided the opportunity to conceive from oocyte banks. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of fresh and vitrified oocytes in an egg donation program following blastocyst transfer.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included 504 oocyte donation cycles.

Small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) in the endometrium of polycystic ovary syndrome women: a pilot study.

Background: Small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) play an important role in tissue homeostasis and cell proliferation since these proteoglycans sequester multiple growth factors. However, the content of SLRPs in the endometrium of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women is unknown. Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that excessive endometrial proliferation in PCOS may be partly related to abnormalities in SLRPs.

Progesterone Resistance in Endometriosis Is Modulated by the Altered Expression of MicroRNA-29c and FKBP4.

Context: Endometriosis results in aberrant gene expression in the eutopic endometrium (EuE) and subsequent progesterone resistance. MicroRNA (miR) microarray data in a baboon model of endometriosis showed an increased expression of miR-29c.

Objectives: To explore the role of miR-29c in progesterone resistance in a subset of women with endometriosis.

Does slow embryo development predict a high aneuploidy rate on trophectoderm biopsy?

The aneuploidy rates in expanded blastocysts biopsied on days 5 and 6 development were assessed in women undergoing IVF followed by array comparative genomic hybridization. This study included 1171 expanded blastocysts from 465 patients. Among the 465 patients, 215 and 141 underwent embryo biopsy on day 5 and day 6 (46.