The Roles of GDF-9, BMP-15, BMP-4 and EMMPRIN in Folliculogenesis and In Vitro Fertilization.

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) contributes to early ovarian development and oocyte survival. Higher concentrations of GDF-9 in follicular fluid (FF) are associated with oocyte nuclear maturation and optimal embryo development. In in vitro fertilization (IVF), GDF-9 affects the ability of the oocyte to fertilize and subsequent embryonic development.

The Role of Uterine Natural Killer Cells on Recurrent Miscarriage and Recurrent Implantation Failure: From Pathophysiology to Treatment.

Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells constitute a unique uterine leucocyte subpopulation facilitating implantation and maintaining pregnancy. Herein, we critically analyze current evidence regarding the role of uNK cells in the events entailed in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent miscarriages (RM). Data suggest an association between RIF and RM with abnormally elevated uNK cells' numbers, as well as with a defective biological activity leading to cytotoxicity.

The Conundrum of Poor Ovarian Response: From Diagnosis to Treatment.

Despite recent striking advances in assisted reproductive technology (ART), poor ovarian response (POR) diagnosis and treatment is still considered challenging. Poor responders constitute a heterogeneous cohort with the common denominator of under-responding to controlled ovarian stimulation. Inevitably, respective success rates are significantly compromised.

What will the future hold for artificial organs in the service of assisted reproduction: prospects and considerations.

Assisted reproduction provides a wide spectrum of treatments and strategies addressing infertility. However, distinct groups of infertile patients with unexplained infertility, congenital disorders, and other complex cases pose a challenge in in vitro fertilization (IVF) practices. This special cohort of patients is associated with futile attempts, IVF overuse, and dead ends in management.

Making IVF more effective through the evolution of prediction models: is prognosis the missing piece of the puzzle?

Unlabelled: Assisted reproductive technology has evolved tremendously since the emergence of in vitro fertilization (IVF). In the course of the recent decade, there have been significant efforts in order to minimize multiple gestations, while improving percentages of singleton pregnancies and offering individualized services in IVF, in line with the trend of personalized medicine. Patients as well as clinicians and the entire IVF team benefit majorly from 'knowing what to expect' from an IVF cycle.

Are computational applications the "crystal ball" in the IVF laboratory? The evolution from mathematics to artificial intelligence.

Mathematics rules the world of science. Innovative technologies based on mathematics have paved the way for implementation of novel strategies in assisted reproduction. Ascertaining efficient embryo selection in order to secure optimal pregnancy rates remains the focus of the in vitro fertilization scientific community and the strongest driver behind innovative approaches.

Considerations Regarding Embryo Culture Conditions: From Media to Epigenetics.

There are numerous reports on embryo culture media and conditions in the laboratory, as the subject is multifaceted and complex, reflecting the variation in practice. In this scoping review, we attempt to approach the topic of culture media and conditions from the practitioners' perspective aiming to highlight, in a comprehensive fashion, important aspects regarding the options available, introduce points of debate and controversy, while maintaining the viewpoint of the practicing embryologist's concerns.

The effects of age on DNA fragmentation, chromatin packaging and conventional semen parameters in spermatozoa of oligoasthenoteratozoospermic patients.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of male ageing on DNA fragmentation and chromatin packaging in the spermatozoa of oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) patients.

Methods: Sixty-one OAT patients and 49 men with proven fertility (controls) were included in the present study. DNA fragmentation was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay, while chromatin packaging was assessed by chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining.

The effects of age on the incidence of aneuploidy rates in spermatozoa of oligoasthenozoospermic patients and its relationship with ICSI outcome.

The development of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for treatment of infertility as a result of severe male factor has improved the chances of achieving pregnancy in many infertile couples. However, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of this technique, because natural sperm selection is bypassed. In the present study, 25 oligoasthenozoospermic patients who were divided into two groups according to age: group A, 20-34 (n = 10) and group B, 35-50 (n = 15), were included.

The effect of chloral hydrate on the in-vitro T3 binding to adult rat cerebral nuclei.

Chloral hydrate is a widely used hypnotic drug for children and animals but the possible interactions of its sedative action and thyroid hormones has not been investigated. In this study the effect of chloral hydrate on the in-vitro binding of triiodothyronine (T3) to cerebral nuclei of adult rats and on the thyroid hormones' synaptosomal and plasma availability were examined. Our results show that during deep anaesthesia caused by a single intraperitoneal administration of chloral hydrate (100 mg kg(-1)), the maximal number of nuclear thyroid hormone receptors (Bmax) and the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) were decreased.

Diazepam affects the nuclear thyroid hormone receptor density and their expression levels in adult rat brain.

Thyroid hormones (THs) are involved in the occurrence of anxiety and affective disorders; however, the effects following an anxiolytic benzodiazepine treatment, such as diazepam administration, on the mechanism of action of thyroid hormones has not yet been investigated. The effect of diazepam on the in vitro nuclear T3 binding, on the relative expression of the TH receptors (TRs) and on the synaptosomal TH availability were examined in adult rat cerebral hemispheres 24 h after a single intraperitoneal dose (5 mg/kg BW) of this tranquillizer. Although, diazepam did not affect the availability of TH either in blood circulation or in the synaptosomal fraction, it decreased (33%) the nuclear T3 maximal binding density (B(max)).

Pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions affect cellular and molecular parameters of the mechanism of action of triiodothyronine in adult rat brain.

The aim of the current study was to elucidate whether the response of the adult rat brain to thyroid hormones is affected by the intensity of neuronal activity. For this purpose, the kinetic characteristics of nuclear T3 binding, the relative expression of thyroid hormone receptor (TR) isoforms and the synaptosomal content of thyroid hormones in adult rat brain were examined after administration of a single convulsion dose of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Experiments in adult Wistar rats revealed an increase (33%) of the density of specific T3 nuclear receptors in cerebral hemispheres 4h after PTZ-induced seizures while no changes were observed in the dissociation constant.

Acute LiCl-treatment affects the cytoplasmic T4 availability and the expression pattern of thyroid hormone receptors in adult rat cerebral hemispheres.

We have previously reported that short-term LiCl-treatment affects the kinetic characteristics of thyroid hormone binding in adult rat brain (Bolaris, S., Margarity, M., Valcana, T.