Zscan5b Deficiency Impairs DNA Damage Response and Causes Chromosomal Aberrations during Mitosis.

Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) begins after fertilization and is essential for establishing pluripotency and genome stability. However, it is unclear how ZGA genes prevent mitotic errors. Here we show that knockout of the ZGA gene Zscan5b, which encodes a SCAN domain with C2H2 zinc fingers, causes a high incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and leads to the development of early-stage cancers.

ZEB1 expression is a potential indicator of invasive endometriosis.

Introduction: Although endometriosis is a benign disease, it shares some features with cancers, such as invasiveness and the potential to metastasize. This study sought to investigate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition status in human endometriotic lesions.

Material And Methods: Thirteen endometriosis patients and 10 control women without endometriosis undergoing surgery for benign indications were recruited.

Thioredoxin, an antioxidant redox protein, in ovarian follicles of women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Oxidative stress has a bidirectional role in the development and maturation of zygotes and embryos. Reduction-oxidation reactions and regulatory proteins, such as thioredoxin (TRX) and thioredoxin reductase (TRXR), are intimately involved in the regulation of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of TRX mRNA and protein in ovarian follicles collected from women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to assess these levels relative to follicle size, presence of oocytes, and responsiveness to superovulation.

Impact of single embryo transfer policy on perinatal outcomes in fresh and frozen cycles-analysis of the Japanese Assisted Reproduction Technology registry between 2007 and 2012.

Objective: To investigate whether the introduction of single embryo transfer (SET) policy in Japan has improved perinatal outcomes.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Not applicable.

Peritoneal pregnancy with massive hemoperitoneum in early gestation: two case reports.

Peritoneal pregnancy may cause severe abdominal bleeding without genital bleeding as early as the fifth week of gestation. Awareness that pregnancy can exist in unusual locations is imperative.

CD34 and CD49f Double-Positive and Lineage Marker-Negative Cells Isolated from Human Myometrium Exhibit Stem Cell-Like Properties Involved in Pregnancy-Induced Uterine Remodeling.

Repeated and dramatic pregnancy-induced uterine enlargement and remodeling throughout reproductive life suggests the existence of uterine smooth muscle stem/progenitor cells. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize stem/progenitor-like cells from human myometrium through identification of specific surface markers. We here identify CD49f and CD34 as markers to permit selection of the stem/progenitor cell-like population from human myometrium and show that human CD45(-) CD31(-) glycophorin A(-) and CD49f(+) CD34(+) myometrial cells exhibit stem cell-like properties.

Genome-wide copy number analysis and systematic mutation screening in 58 patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Objective: To clarify the molecular basis of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH).

Design: Genome-wide copy number analysis by array-based comparative genomic hybridization and systematic mutation screening of 29 known causative genes by next-generation sequencing, followed by in silico functional assessment and messenger RNA/DNA analyses of the mutants/variants.

Setting: Research institute.

Fetal stomach paracentesis in combined duodenal and esophageal atresia.

Fetuses with concomitant duodenal atresia (DA) and esophageal atresia (EA) might develop in utero gastric rupture as well as neonatal respiratory complication due to dilated stomach and duodenum. Our patient with the typical "double bubble" appearance was highly suspected to have DA in the second trimester. Follow-up examinations revealed a massively dilated stomach and duodenum with a dilated distal esophagus, indicating concomitant DA and EA.

Sexual satisfaction of infertile couples assessed using the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS).

Recently, infertility treatment-related psychological effects are receiving increased attention. However, whether sexual satisfaction is reduced amongst infertile couples remains to be elucidated. In this study, sexual satisfaction of Japanese infertile couples was assessed using a validated questionnaire designed to assess the male and female partner individually, and the couple as a whole for the first time.

Validity for assisted hatching on pregnancy rate in assisted reproductive technology: analysis based on results of Japan Assisted Reproductive Technology Registry System 2010.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of assisted hatching (AH) in assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment.

Material And Methods: In this retrospective observational study, the data of patients who were registered in the National ART Registry System of Japan between January and December 2010 were analyzed. The descriptive statistics and validity of AH in fresh embryo transfer (ET) and frozen-thawed ET were assessed by using multiple logistic regression analyses.

The incidence of monozygotic twinning in assisted reproductive technology: analysis based on results from the 2010 Japanese ART national registry.

Purpose: To assess the incidence of monozygotic twinning (MZT) among cases undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study and analyzed the data of patients who were registered in the national ART registry system of Japan from January to December 2010; only the data of patients with single embryo transfer (ET) were included.

Results: Of 30,405 pregnancies, 425 resulted in MZT following fresh and frozenthawed ET.

Derivation of human decidua-like cells from amnion and menstrual blood.

We induced differentiation of human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMCs) and menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MMCs) into endometrial stroma-like cells, which could be useful for cell therapy to support embryo implantation. Interestingly, the expression patterns of surface markers were similar among AMCs, MMCs, and endometrial stromal cells. In addition, whereas treatment with estrogen and progesterone was not very effective for decidualizing AMCs and MMCs, treatment with 8-Br-cAMP prompted remarkable morphological changes in these cells as well as increased expression of decidualization markers (prolactin and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1) and attenuated expression of surface markers unique to mesenchymal stem cells.

Efficacy, safety, and trends in assisted reproductive technology in Japan-analysis of four-year data from the national registry system.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and trends in assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Japan.

Methods: Data pertaining to treatment cycles, pregnancy rate, live birth rate, age distribution, single embryo transfer rate, and multiple pregnancy rate were analyzed for patients registered in the national ART registry system of Japan from 2007 to 2010.

Results: The total number of treatment cycles was 161,164, 190,613, 213,800, and 242,161 in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively.

Clinical impact of women with gestational diabetes mellitus by the new consensus criteria: two year experience in a single institution in Japan.

There is a paucity of information on perinatal data regarding gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by the new criteria from a real experience because the number of health care associations implementing the new criteria is still limited. The aim of this study is to investigate perinatal features of the new criteria-defined GDM. We reviewed a total of 995 women with singleton pregnancy that underwent GDM screening followed by a diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Age-associated telomere shortening in mouse oocytes.

Background: Oocytes may undergo two types of aging. The first is induced by exposure to an aged ovarian microenvironment before being ovulated, known as 'reproductive or maternal aging', and the second by either a prolonged stay in the oviduct before fertilization or in vitro aging prior to insemination, known as 'postovulatory aging'. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these aging processes remain to be elucidated.

Molecular analysis of a mutated FSH receptor detected in a patient with spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (sOHSS) is a rare event that may result from a FSH-producing pituitary adenoma (FSHoma), activating mutations of the FSH receptor (FSHR), and cross-reactivity of the FSHR to elevated hCG and TSH in the setting of pregnancy or hypothyroidism. The objective of this study was to investigate whether an aberrant FSHR was present in a woman with sOHSS and a non-surgically diagnosed FSHoma whose serum FSH levels and FSH bioactivity were nearly normal. Sequencing of the patient's FSHR gene revealed a heterozygous novel missense mutation c.

Antenatal management of recurrent fetal goitrous hyperthyroidism associated with fetal cardiac failure in a pregnant woman with persistent high levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody after ablative therapy.

High titer of maternal thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb) in patients with Graves' disease could cause fetal hyperthyroidism during pregnancy. Clinical features of fetal hyperthyroidism include tachycardia, goiter, growth restriction, advanced bone maturation, cardiomegaly, and fetal death. The recognition and treatment of fetal hyperthyroidism are believed to be important to optimize growth and intellectual development in affected fetuses.

Embryo developmental capability and pregnancy outcome are related to the mitochondrial DNA copy number and ooplasmic volume.

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between the ooplasmic volume and the number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copies in embryos and how they may affect fecundity.

Method: Using real-time PCR, mtDNA quantification was analyzed in unfertilized oocytes and uncleaved embryos. The size of the ovum was also assessed by calculating the ooplasmic volume at the time of granulosa cell removal for IVF or ICSI.

Possible involvement of nerve growth factor in dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia associated with endometriosis.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been recently proposed as one of the key factors responsible not only for promotion of nerve fiber growth but also for the onset and maintenance of pain in a variety of diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NGF in the pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. Tissue and peritoneal fluid samples were collected from 95 women with laparoscopically and histopathologically confirmed endometriosis and 59 control women without endometriosis.

Familial blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome in pregnancy with spinal epidural involvement.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare vascular disorder characterized by multiple venous malformations (VMs) of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs. To date, several cases of sporadic BRBNS involving various parts of the pregnant woman's body have been reported; however, BRBNS in pregnancy with spinal epidural involvement has not been reported. Here, we describe the clinical features and management of familial BRBNS in pregnancy.

Comparison of the right and left ventricular performance during the fetal development using velocity vector imaging.

Background: Studies on myocardial characteristics examined by speckle-tracking echocardiography are limited.

Aims: To compare myocardial performance between the right and left ventricles during the fetal development using velocity vector imaging (VVI).

Subjects And Study Design: Echocardiograms of 95 uncomplicated singleton fetuses (19-36 weeks pregnancy) were retrospectively analyzed by VVI to measure global longitudinal peak velocity, strain, and strain rate of both the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV).

β-catenin functions pleiotropically in differentiation and tumorigenesis in mouse embryo-derived stem cells.

The canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the maintenance of the balance between proliferation and differentiation throughout embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis. β-Catenin, encoded by the Ctnnb1 gene, mediates an intracellular signaling cascade activated by Wnt. It also plays an important role in the maintenance of various types of stem cells including adult stem cells and cancer stem cells.

Successful implantation after reducing matrix metalloproteinase activity in the uterine cavity.

Background: Recently, the concept of recurrent implantation failure (RIF) in assisted reproductive technology has been enlarged. Chronic uterine inflammation is a known cause of implantation failure and is associated with high matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in uterine cavity flushing. MMP activity of women with RIF has been reported to be higher than that of fertile women.