Mechanisms of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 inhibition by N-acetylcysteine in the human term decidua and fetal membranes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of N-acetylcysteine on the activity and secretion of the matrix metalloproteinases in the decidua, amnion, and chorion and the secretion of the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1.

Study Design: Samples from eight nonlaboring women were taken at elective cesarean section and incubated in an in vitro organ culture in the absence or presence of N-acetylcysteine. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity was measured with the use of gel zymography.

Differential activity of the gelatinases (matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9) in the fetal membranes and decidua, associated with labour.

Degradation of the extracellular matrix in fetal membranes has been implicated in the rupture of fetal membranes, the process of parturition and placental detachment from the decidua after parturition. In this study we assessed labour-associated changes in gelatinase activity in cultured human amnion, chorion and decidua, as well as in amniotic fluid. We found that in media conditioned by decidua, following the establishment of uterine contractions, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity is increased while the protein tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) level is decreased.

The effect of propofol anaesthesia on oocyte fertilization and early embryo quality.

Propofol, frequently used for i.v. induction of anaesthesia in assisted reproduction procedures, has been suspected of damaging oocytes.

Individual implantation rate: proposal for a new index for evaluation of assisted reproduction results.

Objective: To assess whether implantation in assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles is a random event.

Design: Retrospective analysis of results.

Setting: Division for Reproductive Endocrinology and ART, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haemek Medical Center, Afula, Israel.

Superovulation and intrauterine insemination in the treatment of male factor infertility.

Recent studies report that superovulation combined with intrauterine insemination (IUI) is more successful than superovulation alone, IUI alone or superovulation with intracervical insemination in couples with male subfertility. Our study evaluated two superovulation protocols in the management of male factor infertility using IUI: (A) clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and (B) human menopausal gonadotropin and HCG. Fifteen couples with severe oligoasthenozoospermia (OAS) were treated with protocol A in 54 cycles, and no pregnancies were achieved.