Examining extended human leukocyte antigen-G and HLA-F haplotypes: the HLA-G UTR-4 haplotype is associated with shorter time to pregnancy in an infertility treatment setting when both female and male partners are carriers.

Objective: To study the impact of extended human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G and HLA-F haplotypes on time to pregnancy as measured by the number of treatment cycles in a cohort of couples in infertility treatment.

Design: Prospective cohort study of couples undergoing infertility treatment.

Setting: University hospital.

Variation in the HLA-F gene locus with functional impact is associated with pregnancy success and time-to-pregnancy after fertility treatment.

Study Question: The aim of this study was to investigate a possible influence of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HLA-F gene locus on time-to-pregnancy and pregnancy success after fertility treatment.

Summary Answer: HLA-F SNP genotypes and HLA-F diplotypes are associated with the number of fertility treatment cycles needed to achieve pregnancy and live birth.

What Is Known Already: HLA class Ib molecules, including HLA-F, which are known to be expressed by extra-villous trophoblast cells have immunomodulatory properties and play a role at the feto-maternal interface.

Soluble HLA-G and TGF-β in couples attending assisted reproduction - A possible role of TGF-β isoforms in semen?

Soluble isoforms of the non-classical Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-G as well as Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β is expressed in seminal plasma possibly influencing the pregnancy potential. We wanted to examine the association of seminal plasma sHLA-G, TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGFβ3 with pregnancy success in a cohort of 127 couples and 4 single women attending fertility treatment with the use of assisted reproduction technologies (ART). Soluble HLA-G, TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 in seminal plasma did not fluctuate significantly over time.

[Recurrent diploid biparental mole].

This review summarises the knowledge of recurrent diploid biparental hydatidiform mole, which is a rare genetic condition. Pathogenic variants in both alleles of NLRP7 or KHDC3L are associated with maternal imprinting defects and can cause the condition. Women with biallelic inactivation of NLRP7 can achieve a normal pregnancy by oocyte donation, and it is highly likely, that this applies to women with biallelic inactivation of KHDCL3 as well.

Soluble human leukocyte antigen-G in seminal plasma is associated with HLA-G genotype: possible implications for fertility success.

Problem: We have previously shown that human seminal plasma contains immunomodulatory soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G). We investigated whether sHLA-G levels in seminal plasma are associated with a specific 14 base pair (bp) insertion/deletion (ins/del) polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region of the HLA-G gene and/or with the outcome of assisted reproduction treatments (ART) in couples attending a fertility clinic.

Method Of Study: In a total of 54 unselected couples, sHLA-G levels were measured in seminal plasma samples and blood samples, HLA-G genotyping was performed, and clinical data were collected.

Cesarean section for the second twin: a population-based study of occurrence and outcome.

Background: Although management of twin deliveries has been a topic of discussion for decades, a consensus on how to deliver twins is lacking. The objective of this study was to examine short-term neonatal outcome of the second twin delivered by cesarean section after vaginal delivery of the first-born twin (combined delivery) and to identify predictors of combined delivery.

Methods: This study was a 3-year, population-based, retrospective cohort investigation of 1,254 twin births in Denmark.

Is thrombophilia a risk factor for placenta-mediated pregnancy complications?

Purpose: To determine if thrombophilia is a risk factor for placenta-mediated pregnancy complications (PMPC) (i.e., preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), placental abruption, intrauterine fetal death and recurrent pregnancy loss).