The effect of infertility and assisted reproduction on first-trimester placental and fetal development.

Our investigation of differences in first-trimester placentation and/or fetal biometry in pregnancies conceived spontaneously compared with those conceived through fertility treatment, and comparing less invasive fertility treatment with in vitro fertilization found no statistically significant difference in first-trimester abnormal placentation or fetal growth between pregnancies conceived spontaneously and those conceived through fertility treatment, or between the in vivo and in vitro subgroups.

The risk of cytogenetic abnormalities in the late first trimester of pregnancies conceived through assisted reproduction.

Objective: To determine if pregnancies conceived through infertility treatment are at increased risk of cytogenetic abnormalities in the late first trimester compared with spontaneously conceived pregnancies, or if there is increased risk when comparing less invasive infertility treatment (in vivo group) to in vitro fertilization (in vitro group).

Design: Retrospective case-controlled study.

Setting: University hospital.

17α-Hydroxylase (CYP17) expression and subsequent androstenedione production in the human ovary.

Traditionally, in women, only the theca cells in the ovary and the zona reticularis layer of the adrenal cortex are believed to synthesize androgens. Interestingly, their neighboring cell layers, the granulosa cells and the zona glomerulosa cells, respectively, do not produce androgens. Recent literature has highlighted the role of the activator protein (AP-1) transcription factor, c-Fos, in the dynamics of this structural and functional relationship.

Molecular mechanism for repression of 17alpha-hydroxylase expression and androstenedione production in granulosa cells.

Context: According to the traditional two-cell two-gonadotropin model of follicular steroidogenesis, androgen production arises exclusively from theca cells. The granulosa cells, in turn, utilize androstenedione and testosterone, which are aromatized into estrone and estradiol, respectively. Differential expression of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor, c-fos, has been postulated to result in distinct patterns of steroidogenesis in the theca and granulosa cell compartments.

The in vitro erosive potential of a range of baby drinks.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the erosive potential of a range of commercially available baby drinks in the laboratory.

Methods: The erosive potential of each product was assessed by measuring its initial pH, neutralizable acidity, and ability to erode primary and permanent enamel. These parameters were compared to those of an orange juice positive control.

Virilization persists in a woman with an androgen-secreting granulosa cell tumor.

Objective: To report a case of a woman who presented with amenorrhea and masculinization secondary to an androgen-secreting granulosa cell (GC) tumor, with refractory masculinization.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University medical center.

Prevalence of chromosomal mosaicism in pregnancies from couples with infertility.

Objective: To determine if mosaicism that occurs in infertility and assisted reproductive technologies continues in the late first trimester and if this is unique to infertility or occurs in all pregnancies.

Design: Retrospective case-controlled study.

Setting: University hospital.

Oocyte quality in adult polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility in women. Folliculogenesis in the PCOS ovary is often disrupted, leading to suboptimal oocyte competence for fertilization. This alteration in oocyte development is likely due to intrinsic molecular defects in the oocyte along with the state of androgen excess in PCOS patients.