Ideal lag time from ovulation to oocyte aspiration using a GnRH agonist trigger.

Background: In ART, oocyte maturation (M2) and ovulation is stimulated by a hormonal trigger. For maturation to occur, sufficient "lag time" must elapse between the trigger and aspiration, ranging from 32 to 38 hours. Premature aspiration can result in poor yields; late aspiration risks spontaneous ovulation.

[SPERM SELECTION TECHNIQUES: VISUAL ASSESSMENT VERSUS THE BINDING POTENTIAL TO HYALURONIC ACID].

Background: The human oocyte is surrounded by hyaluronic acid (HA), which acts as a natural selector. Only spermatozoa expressing HA receptors can reach and fertilize the oocyte. This study aims to compare two sperm selection techniques by correlation to fertilization rates and embryo quality.

Characterization of irreversible physio-mechanical processes in stretched fetal membranes.

Unlabelled: We perform bulge tests on live fetal membrane (FM) tissues that simulate the mechanical conditions prior to contractions. Experimental results reveal an irreversible mechanical behavior that appears during loading and is significantly different than the mechanical behavior that appears during unloading or in subsequent loading cycles. The irreversible behavior results in a residual strain that does not recover upon unloading and remains the same for at least 1h after the FM is unloaded.

Distribution of estrogen and progesterone receptors isoforms in endometrial cancer.

Background: 70-80% of sporadic endometrial carcinomas are defined as endometrioid carcinoma (EC). Early-stage, well differentiated endometrial carcinomas usually retain expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR, respectively), as advanced stage, poorly differentiated tumors often lack one or both of these receptors. Well-described EC prognosis includes tumor characteristics, such as depth of myometrial invasion.

Human amniotic epithelial cells differentiate into cells expressing germ cell specific markers when cultured in medium containing serum substitute supplement.

Background: Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) maintain the plasticity of pregastrulation embryonic cells, having the potential to differentiate into all three germ layers. The potential of these cells to differentiate into cells expressing germ cell specific markers has never been described before.

Methods: In the present study, hAECs were cultured in medium containing serum substitute supplement (SSS).

Human amniotic epithelial cells cultured in substitute serum medium maintain their stem cell characteristics for up to four passages.

Background And Objectives: The common applied culture medium in which human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) maintain their stem cell characteristics contains fetal calf serum (FCS) and thus is not compatible with possible future clinical applications due to the danger of animal derived pathogens. To overcome this problem, we replaced FCS with serum substitute supplement, a serum substitute used in the in vitro fertilization for embryo development, in the common applied culture medium and cultured hAECs in this substitute serum medium (SSM).

Methods And Results: Purity validation and characterization of freshly isolated and cultured hAECs was assessed through the expression of stem cell specific markers by RT-PCR (gene expression), by immunofluorescence staining and FACS (protein expression).

The effects of decidual injury on the invasion potential of trophoblastic cells.

Objective: To investigate the effect of a decidual incision on trophoblastic invasion potential in vitro.

Methods: Human trophoblast cells were obtained from first-trimester legal terminations of pregnancy. Decidual tissue was retrieved from healthy, low-risk women who underwent an elective cesarean delivery at term.

Plexin-B1, glycodelin and MMP7 expression in the human fallopian tube and in the endometrium.

Background: To study the expression of Plexin-B1, Glycodelin, and MMP7 during the menstrual cycle in the endometrium and in the fallopian tube.

Methods: The research included women undergoing hysterectomy, tubal sterilization or salpingo-oophoerectomy. Total RNA from endometrial and fallopian tube tissues was extracted using a total RNA isolation kit.

Ets-2 and p53 mediate cAMP-induced MMP-2 expression, activity and trophoblast invasion.

Background: We have previously shown that Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2 is a key-enzyme in early trophoblast invasion and that Protein Kinase A (PKA) increases MMP-2 expression and trophoblast invasion. The aim of this study was to examine MMP -2 regulation by PKA in invasive trophoblasts: JAR choriocarcinoma cell-line and 6-8 w first trimester trophoblasts.

Methods: The effect of Forskolin (PKA) on MMP-2 expression was assessed by Northern Blot and RT-PCR.

[Progesterone receptor's profile and the effect of the hormone and its derivatives on invasiveness and MMP2 secretion in endometrial carcinoma cell lines].

Introduction: Progesterone inhibits endometrial proliferation and is used for the treatment of early stage endometrial carcinoma in women interested in fertility preservation or for advanced or recurrent disease. Better responses and prognosis were documented in women who are progesterone receptor positive. The receptor has 2 main isoforms and the ratio between these two is responsible for progesterone activity

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of progesterone and its derivative on invasion and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) secretion in two endometrial carcinoma cell lines having different progesterone receptor isoform profiles.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 is elevated in midtrimester amniotic fluid prior to the development of preeclampsia.

Objective: To evaluate levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and their inhibitors (TIMP) in second trimester amniotic fluid of women with hypertensive disorders compared to normotensive women.

Study Design: Amniotic fluid was obtained from 133 women undergoing genetic second trimester amniocentesis. Zymography was performed for MMP characterization and an MMP-2 ELISA kit was used to determine MMP-2 levels.

Mechanisms of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (mmp-2) transcriptional repression by progesterone in jar choriocarcinoma cells.

Background: Although the MMP-2 promoter lacks a canonical progesterone response element (PRE), the hormone inhibits MMP-2 expression and is part of treatment protocols in gynecological invasive pathologies, including endometriosis and endometrial hyperplasia. This study aimed to explore the mechanism by which progesterone inhibits MMP-2 expression.

Methods: The effect of progesterone on MMP-2 expression in the JAR human choriocarcinoma cell line was analyzed by gelatin zymography.

Progesterone receptor A and c-Met mediates spheroids-endometrium attachment.

Background: Implantation in humans involves cross talk between an active blastocyst and receptive endometrium. The role of the endometrial receptors in this complex embryo-maternal interaction is still unclear. We tested gene and protein expression of endometrial receptors (Progesterone receptor (PR) and c-Met) and the effect of theses receptors in endometrial receptivity.

The effect of progesterone on gelatinase expression in the decidua and fetal membranes before and after contractions.

Objective: This study was aimed to explore the effect of progesterone on gelatinase expression in the decidua and fetal membranes before and after contractions.

Study Design: Zymography was conducted for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) secretion. Semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed to examine MMP2 transcripts, and the effect of progesterone on MMP2 promoter activity was determined with the use of luciferase activity.

Progesterone receptor isoforms profile, modulate matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression in the decidua.

Objective: This study explores the effect of progesterone and the role of the progesterone receptor (PR) profile on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 expression in human decidua.

Study Design: Zymography was conducted for MMP secretion. Semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed to examine MMP2 transcripts.

The efficacy of specific IVIG anti-idiotypic antibodies in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS): trophoblast invasiveness and APS animal model.

Objectives: Administration of intravenous Ig (IVIG) is a recognized, safe and efficient mode of immunomodulatory therapy for many autoimmune diseases. Anti-idiotypic antibody binding to pathogenic autoantibodies and hence inhibition of binding to the corresponding antigen is one postulated mechanism of the beneficial effect of IVIG. The aim of this study was to fractionate the anti-beta-2-glycoprotein-I (beta(2)GPI) anti-idiotypic antibodies from a commercial IVIG preparation and use it as a treatment in an experimental antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) mouse model.

Human uterine epithelial RL95-2 and HEC-1A cell-line adhesiveness: the role of plexin B1.

Objective: To study the expression of plexin-B1 in high- and low-receptive epithelial-endometrial cell lines, and its possible role in endometrial adhesiveness.

Design: Controlled, laboratory study.

Setting: Laboratory for Research in Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ha'Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel.

Semaphorin-4D (Sema-4D), the Plexin-B1 ligand, is involved in mouse ovary follicular development.

Background: Human Plexin-B1 is expressed in two truncated forms. The long form encodes a trans-membranal protein, while the short form, which is bound to the cell surface and partially secreted, possibly serves as a decoy receptor. Plexin receptors are trans-membrane proteins.

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPS) in the decidua and fetal membranes.

The role of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the decidua, fetal membranes and amniotic fluid (AF) has been receiving more and more attention. The MMPs are not only important intermediaries in pathological processes leading to preterm labor but it seems that they also play a crucial role in the activation of labor at term. During normal gestation MMP-1, -2, -3, -7 and -9 are found in the amniotic fluid and fetal membranes.

Progesterone receptor profile in the decidua and fetal membrane.

Whereas in most mammals the onset of labor is preceded by a rapid fall in the maternal progesterone levels, in humans and in higher primates, maternal, fetal and amniotic fluid concentrations of progesterone are sustained before the onset of labor. Therefore, the mechanism for parturition, which has been proposed for humans, is 'functional' progesterone withdrawal. This review is focused on the expression profile, activity and interaction of the progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms in the decidua and the fetal membrane during the initiation of labor.

A proposed mechanism for progesterone regulation of trophoblast MMP2 transcription independent of classical progesterone response elements on its promoter.

Background: Progesterone receptor act as ligand-inducible transcription factor in the respective target cells by binding to specific progesterone response elements in the promoter of the target genes. However, despite the lack of the classical progesterone response elements on matrix-metalloproteinase-2 promoter, progesterone has been shown to decrease the activity of this promoter.

Presentation Of The Hypothesis: It has recently been suggested that in addition to interacting with their classical co-activators and co-repressors, progesterone receptor are capable of binding to several transcription factors.

Expression of plexin-B1 in the mouse ovary and its possible role in follicular development.

Objective: To study the expression of plexin-B1 in the mouse ovary and its possible role in follicular development.

Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Setting: Research laboratory, Ha'Emek Medical Center.

Difference in progesterone-receptor isoforms ratio between early and late first-trimester human trophoblast is associated with differential cell invasion and matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression.

The expression profile of the progesterone-receptor isoforms and progesterone regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) were investigated in early and late first-trimester trophoblast cells. Human trophoblast cells were obtained from legal abortions (6-12 wk of gestation). Purity of 95-98% was verified using immunohistochemistry with specific antibodies.

The effect of serum from women with preeclampsia on JAR (trophoblast-like) cell line.

Objective: Pathologic placentation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclamsia. We sought to assess the effect serum obtained from women with preeclampsia would have on JAR human choriocarcinoma cells regarding growth, invasiveness, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) secretion as compared to normotensive pregnant woman.

Methods: Blood was collected from 11 healthy pregnant women and from10 patients with preeclampsia at 28-33 weeks of gestation.

Progesterone receptor expression in human decidua and fetal membranes before and after contractions: possible mechanism for functional progesterone withdrawal.

In humans, progesterone levels are sustained before the onset of labour. Therefore, the mechanism for parturition that has been proposed for humans is 'functional' progesterone withdrawal. Immunohistochemical staining for the progesterone receptor (PR) was positive in the decidua with a decline after contractions began.