Factors Influencing the Timing of Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation in Young Girls.

The aim of this study was to identify pitfalls in ovarian tissue cryopreservation protocol from referral to surgical procedure and to analyze factors associated with chemotherapy exposure of the cryopreserved tissue and decreased ovarian function in a cohort of young girls at high risk of infertility. The study population comprised 200 girls eligible for ovarian tissue cryopreservation between 2002 and 2020 at the Children's Hospital of the University Central Hospital of Helsinki (Finland). Analyses included evaluation of the proportion of patients who underwent ovarian tissue cryopreservation, factors associated with patient selection and timing of ovarian tissue cryopreservation, and ovarian function during long-term follow-up in relation to oncological treatments.

De Novo and Depot-Specific Androgen Production in Human Adipose Tissue: A Source of Hyperandrogenism in Women with Obesity.

Introduction: Obesity in women is often associated with hyperandrogenism, but the role of adipose tissue (AT) in androgen synthesis remains unclear. Therefore, we studied whether AT could be a source of androgens promoting hyperandrogenism.

Methods: Subcutaneous and visceral (visc) AT was collected from lean and obese women.

Endometrial expression of anti-Müllerian hormone and its type II receptor in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Research Question: Is endometrial expression of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and its receptor II (AMH-R) altered in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and affected by lifestyle intervention?

Design: Endometrial immunostaining of AMH and AMH-R was evaluated in obese women with PCOS (OB-PCOS, n = 18) before and after 3 months of lifestyle intervention, as well as in BMI-matched controls (OB-C, n = 10), normal-weight women with PCOS (n = 11) and healthy normal-weight controls (n = 11).

Results: Before lifestyle modification, serum concentrations of AMH were higher in women with PCOS compared with BMI-matched controls, but there were no differences in endometrial immunostaining of AMH or AMH-R between the groups. Following lifestyle modification, a subgroup of OB-PCOS women started to ovulate.

Impact of first-line cancer treatment on the follicle quality in cryopreserved ovarian samples from girls and young women.

Study Question: Does first-line chemotherapy affect the quality of ovarian pre-antral follicles and stromal tissue in a population of young patients?

Summary Answer: Exposure to first-line chemotherapy significantly impacts follicle viability, size of residual intact follicles, steroid secretion in culture and quality of the stromal compartment.

What Is Known Already: First-line chemotherapy is considered to have a low gonadotoxic potential, and as such, does not represent an indication for fertility preservation. Studies investigating the effects of chemotherapy on the quality of ovarian tissue stored for fertility preservation in young patients are limited and the results sometimes contradictory.

Association between prolactin receptor expression and proliferation in the endometrium of obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased risk of endometrial cancer. There is growing evidence that prolactin and its receptor (PRLR) are involved in the development of cancer. We assessed endometrial expression of PRLR mRNA, and immunostaining of PRLR and the proliferation marker Ki67 on different cycle days in obese (OB-PCOS) and normal-weight women with PCOS and body mass index-matched controls.

Expression of uterine oxytocin receptors and blood progesterone, 13,14-dihydro-15-Keto-Prostaglandin F and ionized calcium levels in dystocic bitches.

This study aimed to examine the etiology of canine dystocia by measuring the relative expression of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) mRNA and the concentration of serum progesterone, plasma PGF metabolite (PGFM), and blood ionized calcium (iCa) near term and in dystocia. Altogether 58 bitches were included in this study, 41 of which underwent cesarean section (CS). The four CS groups were based on history: complete uterine inertia (CUI; n = 7), partial uterine inertia (PUI; n = 13), obstructive dystocia (OD; n = 10), and elective cesarean section (ECS; n = 11).

Sex steroid hormone receptor expression in the vaginal wall in cervical cancer survivors after radiotherapy.

Sex steroid hormones and their receptors are important in female sexual function. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and distribution of estrogen receptor (ER)α, ERβ, G-protein-coupled ER-1 (GPER), androgen receptor (AR), progesterone receptor (PR)A, PRB and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the vaginal wall among women who had been treated for cervical cancer with radiotherapy. We included cervical cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy and premenopausal control women of the same age scheduled for benign gynecological surgery.

Impact of uteroplacental insufficiency on ovarian follicular pool in the rat.

Background: A low oxygen supply to the fetus causes intrauterine growth restriction and can affect gonadal development of the offspring, having a potential impact on fertility. We investigated histology and gene expression in the postnatal rat ovary after fetal hypoxia induced by uterine artery ligation.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent uterine artery ligation at day 19 of gestation.

Hormone Production by Human First-Trimester Gonads in a Functional In Vitro System.

In the past, explant tissue-culture methodologies have been used to grow gonads and study their development. Results from in vitro cultures of human gonads showed limited progress toward gonadal cell differentiation and were focused mainly on germ-cell differentiation. Thus, detailed studies focusing on human first-trimester gonadal tissue functionality in vitro are still missing.

Leptin restores markers of female fertility in lipodystrophy.

Objectives: Female reproductive dysfunction occurs in patients with pathological loss of adipose tissue, i.e. lipodystrophy (LD).

Adipose Tissue is a Potential Source of Hyperandrogenism in Obese Female Rats.

Objective: Obesity in females is often associated with metabolic complications and hyperandrogenism, but the sources of androgens are not completely understood. Therefore, this study investigated whether adipose tissue could be a source of androgens promoting hyperandrogenism development in obese female rats.

Methods: Gene expression of steroidogenic enzymes and testosterone levels were determined in periovarian and inguinal adipose tissue and in the supernatant of cultured preadipocytes and adipocytes.

Expression of Progesterone and Androgen Receptors in the Breast of Premenopausal Women, Considering Menstrual Phase.

Background: Progesterone and androgens are important for normal development and tumorigenesis of the breast.

Patients And Methods: Breast tissue samples from 49 premenopausal women were obtained. The progesterone receptors (PRA, PRB, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2) and the androgen receptor (AR) were determined in malignant and benign breast tumors and control tissues.

Progesterone Receptors and Proliferation of the Endometrium in Obese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-A Lifestyle Intervention Study.

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased risk of endometrial cancer. This is usually explained by chronic anovulation and deficient progesterone activity. However, the role of progesterone receptors (PRs) in endometrial proliferation is unclear.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, syndecan-1 and connective tissue growth factor in benign and malignant breast tissue from premenopausal women.

Stromal factors have been identified as important for tumorigenesis and metastases of breast cancer. From 49 premenopausal women, samples were collected from benign or malignant tumors and the seemingly normal tissue adjacent to the tumor. The factors studied, with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry, were cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-1 and COX-2), syndecan-1 (S-1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF).

Oxytocin receptors in dioestrous and anoestrous canine uteri.

The aim of the study was to localize oxytocin receptors (OTR) and measure mRNA expression of OTR in the canine uterus with and without the influence of progesterone. Uterine samples were taken from nine anoestrous and eight dioestrous bitches during ovariohysterectomy. Histological changes were evaluated in haematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained samples.

Expression of Estrogen Receptors in Relation to Hormone Levels and the Nottingham Prognostic Index.

Background: Estrogen hormones have a large impact on both normal development and tumorigenesis of the breast.

Materials And Methods: Breast tissue samples from 49 women undergoing surgery were included. The estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), ERα36 and G-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER) were determined in benign and malignant breast tissue.

Endometrial Expression of Estrogen Receptors and the Androgen Receptor in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Lifestyle Intervention Study.

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of anovulation. It may also negatively affect the endometrium, which could lead to implantation failure and proliferative aberrations.

Objective: Our objective was to study sex hormone receptors in the endometrium of women with PCOS.

No direct nuclear effect of progesterone in the inner ear: other possible pathways.

Conclusion: No nuclear progesterone receptors were found in human or rat stria vascularis, organ of Corti or spiral ganglion with immunohistochemistry or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Progesterone receptor B (PR-B) was found with Western blot in the cochlea, probably representing the staining in the cochlear bone. The effect of progesterone on hearing is therefore most likely not due to a direct action on the inner ear.

The expression of prostaglandin receptors EP3 and EP4 in human cervix in post-term pregnancy differs between failed and successful labor induction.

Objective: To investigate expression and localization of prostaglandin receptors EP1-4 and FP and localization of stromal factors CTGF (connective tissue growth factor), furin, calgranulin B and ALOX15 (arachidonate 15-lipooxygenase) in human cervical tissue from post-term women with failed or successful labor induction after prostaglandin priming.

Design: Experimental prospective clinical study.

Setting: Tertiary obstetric care center.

Receptors for thyrotropin-releasing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and thyroid hormones in the macaque uterus: effects of long-term sex hormone treatment.

Objective: Thyroid gland dysfunction is associated with menstrual cycle disturbances, infertility, and increased risk of miscarriage, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. However, little is known about the regulation of these receptors in the uterus. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of long-term treatment with steroid hormones on the expression, distribution, and regulation of the receptors for thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRHR) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSHR), thyroid hormone receptor α1/α2 (THRα1/α2), and THRβ1 in the uterus of surgically menopausal monkeys.

Expression pattern and signalling pathways in neutrophil like HL-60 cells after treatment with estrogen receptor selective ligands.

Estrogens play a role in the regulation of genes associated with inflammation and immunity in neutrophils. Estrogen signalling is mediated by estrogen receptor (ER)α, ERβ, and G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER). The mechanisms by which estrogen regulate genes in neutrophils are poorly understood.

Prostaglandin receptors EP and FP are regulated by estradiol and progesterone in the uterus of ovariectomized rats.

Background: Prostaglandins are important for female reproduction. Prostaglandin-E2 acts via four different receptor subtypes, EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4 whereas prostaglandin-F2alpha acts through FP. The functions of prostaglandins depend on the expression of their receptors in different uterine cell types.

Effects of long-term tibolone treatment on nuclear sex steroid hormone receptors and G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 expression in the macaque uterus.

Objective: Tibolone is an alternative hormone treatment for managing climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of long-term tibolone (TIB) treatment in comparison with conventional hormone therapy on the expression and distribution of estrogen receptor (ER) α, ER-β, G-protein-coupled ER-1 (GPER), progesterone receptor (PR) A, PRB, androgen receptor (AR), and syndecan-1 in the macaque uterus.

Methods: Eighty-eight cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) were ovariectomized and treated orally with TIB, a combination of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), CEE alone, or vehicle for 2 years.

Risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: population based cohort study.

Objective: To study the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, taking into account maternal characteristics and assisted reproductive technology.

Design: Population based cohort study.

Setting: Singleton births registered in the Swedish medical birth register between 1995 and 2007.