Associations between Non-Essential Trace Elements in Women's Biofluids and IVF Outcomes in Euploid Single-Embryo Transfer Cycles.

Previous studies have found inconsistent associations between heavy metals and metalloids (cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic), and reproductive outcomes. The biofluid concentrations of ten non-essential trace elements (Hg, Pb, As, Ba, Sr, Rb, Cs, Sn, Ni, and Co) were evaluated in 51 Spanish women undergoing ICSI, PGT-A, and SET/FET. Nine out of ten non-essential elements were detectable in follicular fluid, whole blood, and urine collected the day of vaginal oocyte retrieval (VOR) and the day of embryo transfer and then analyzed by ICP-MS or Tricell DMA-80 for mercury.

Higher Concentrations of Essential Trace Elements in Women Undergoing IVF May Be Associated with Poor Reproductive Outcomes Following Single Euploid Embryo Transfer.

Essential trace elements are micronutrients whose deficiency has been associated with altered fertility and/or adverse pregnancy outcomes, while surplus may be toxic. The concentrations of eight essential trace elements were measured using inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and assessed with respect to clinical in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in a population of 51 women undergoing IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), pre-implantation genetic screening for aneuploidy (PGT-A), and single frozen euploid embryo transfer (SET/FET). Specifically, copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum, selenium, lithium, iron, chromium, and manganese were quantified in follicular fluid and whole blood collected the day of vaginal oocyte retrieval (VOR) and in urine collected the day of VOR and embryo transfer.

Deciphering the Role of PGRMC1 During Human Decidualization Using an In Vitro Approach.

Context: Non-classical membrane progesterone receptor (mPRs) and progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) expression have been detected in endometrium, but their role in decidualization had not yet been investigated. We previously demonstrated PGRMC1 downregulation in receptive endometrium and that its overexpression inhibits decidualization. Furthermore, during decidualization, PGRMC1 mainly interacts with proteins involved in biosynthesis, intracellular transport, and mitochondrial activity.

Novel nonclassic progesterone receptor PGRMC1 pulldown-precipitated proteins reveal a key role during human decidualization.

Objective: To investigate PGRMC1-precipitating proteins in human endometrial stromal cells (ESC) to understand its role during in vitro decidualization.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Academic fertility center.

Phytoestrogen exposure alters endometrial stromal cells and interferes with decidualization signaling.

Objective: To investigate whether phytoestrogens (genistein and daidzein) alter in vitro decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs).

Design: Isolated primary ESCs were exposed to phytoestrogens and decidualized in vitro.

Setting: Academic fertility center.

iTRAQ comparison of proteomic profiles of endometrial receptivity.

Endometrial receptivity is a limiting step in human reproduction. A disruption in the development of endometrial receptivity is responsible for recurrent implantation failures (RIF) of endometrial origin. To understand the molecular mechanisms behind the endometrial receptivity process, we used the isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) method to compare three different endometrial statuses: fertile women, intrauterine device (IUD) carriers, and RIF patients.

Dynamic expression of PGRMC1 and SERBP1 in human endometrium: an implication in the human decidualization process.

Objective: To characterize PGRMC1 and SERBP1 in human endometrium and to investigate the putative role of PGRMC1 in endometrial decidualization.

Design: The PGRMC1 and SERBP1 expression in human endometrium was determined throughout the menstrual cycle. We analyzed the colocalization of PGRMC1 and SERBP1.