Aberrant activation of chromosome asynapsis checkpoint triggers oocyte elimination.

Chromosome synapsis is an evolutionarily conserved process essential for meiotic recombination. HORMAD1 and HORMAD2, which monitor chromosome asynapsis by localizing to unsynapsed chromosome axes, are removed from synapsed chromosome axes by TRIP13, though the biological significance of this process remains unclear. We show that when HORMAD1 and HORMAD2 are retained on synapsed chromosome axes, they recruit BRCA1, activate chromosome asynapsis checkpoint, and trigger oocyte elimination.

Low antimüllerian hormone (<1.2 ng/ml) does not impact oocyte quality and IVF/ICSI outcomes in women ≤40 years old.

Objective: This study retrospectively investigates whether diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), as measured by serum anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), impacts oocyte quality and IVF/ICSI outcomes in the cleavage embryo or blastocyst stage or not.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1677 women aged ≤40 years who underwent 1862 IVF/ICSI cycles and divided patients into two groups: low-AMH included the patients with AMH levels <1.2 ng/ml, and normal-AMH included the patients with AMH values ≥1.

Altered Mitochondrial Morphology and Reduced Cardiolipin Levels in Oocytes of Endometriosis Model Mice: Implications for Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Infertility.

BACKGROUND Women with endometriosis experience significantly reduced fertility, potentially linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. This study investigates the impact of endometriosis on oocyte mitochondrial morphology and cardiolipin levels, key indicators of mitochondrial health and function. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-two healthy mice were randomly allocated into 2 groups: a control group (P0, n=16) and an endometriosis model group (P1, n=16).

Single-cell dual-omics reveals translational and transcriptional landscapes and regulations in oocytes from ovarian endometriosis patients.

Introduction: A significant proportion of women in their reproductive years are afflicted by endometriosis. And one of the major contributing factors to infertility linked to ovarian endometriosis is thought to be oocyte quality. The precise molecular mechanisms are still unknown.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregates in human oocytes are related to female infertility etiology and diminished reproductive outcomes.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregates (SERa) are a type of dysmorphism in oocytes derived from controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). The effect of SERa on assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcomes is debatable. Based on some evidence, SERa-positive (SERa+) oocytes cause complications including newborn demise, and compromise the outcome of the unaffected oocytes of the same cycle.

Effects of 100 IU versus 150 IU hCG supplementation on oocyte and embryo quality in patients aged ≥ 35 years: a propensity score-matched analysis.

The optimal dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) supplementation during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) remains controversial, particularly in women of advanced reproductive age. To compare the efficacy and safety of 150 IU versus 100 IU daily hCG supplementation from stimulation day 6 in women aged ≥ 35 years undergoing fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from 438 patients aged ≥ 35 years undergoing IVF at a single center.

The impact of mitochondrial dysfunction on ovarian aging.

Importance: Ovarian aging has become a focal point in current research on female aging and refers to the gradual decline in ovarian function as women age. Numerous factors influence ovarian aging, among which mitochondrial function is one because it plays a crucial role by affecting oocytes and granulosa cells. Mitochondrial deterioration not only leads to a decrease in oocyte quality but also hinders follicle development, further impacting women's reproductive health and fertility.

Correlation between the follicular fluid extracellular-vesicle-derived microRNAs and signaling disturbance in the oocytes of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovaries. The quality of oocytes in PCOS patients remains poor, leading to poor pregnancy outcomes. The molecular mechanisms underlying the poor quality of oocytes in PCOS are not fully understood.

Do women accurately predict their odds of having a child following planned oocyte cryopreservation?

Abstract: Planned oocyte cryopreservation (POC) has become widely available, allowing women to circumvent age-related fertility decline. The aim of our study was to examine whether women who have undergone POC were able to correctly predict the chance of having a child with their cryopreserved oocytes. We conducted a telephone survey with 260 women who underwent POC at our center between January 2017 and December 2023.

PAK4 promotes the cytoskeletal organization and meiotic maturation via phosphorylating DDX17 in oocyte.

PAK4 has been widely reported to function in somatic cells. However, its role and the underlying mechanisms in meiotic oocytes are largely unknown. Here, we show that PAK4 deficiency significantly disrupts maturational progression and meiotic apparatus in mouse oocytes.

Effects of high levels of androgens on oocyte maturation and potential regulatory role of retinoic acid.

Aims: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent condition among women, characterized by hyperandrogenism. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which testosterone impact oocyte maturation and potential methods for addressing this condition.

Materials And Methods: Testosterone propionate (TP) was incorporated into the oocyte maturation medium to simulate the typical hyperandrogenic environment associated with PCOS, facilitating an investigation the effect of hyperandrogen on oocyte maturation in vitro.

Unraveling the Clinical FSH Conundrum: Insights From the Small Ovarian Reserve Heifer Model.

High doses of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are used during ovarian stimulation to maximize the number of oocytes recovered for in vitro fertilization (IVF) during assisted reproductive technology (ART) in women. Whether high FSH doses are detrimental to embryo viability remains controversial. Evidence from many clinical studies revealed that FSH dose is inversely correlated with live birth rate in women.

Comparative analysis of chromatin accessibility in porcine oocytes from follicles of different sizes.

Chromatin accessibility and transcription levels during oocyte growth are important for oocyte maturation and subsequent development. However, chromatin accessibility changes in porcine oocytes during growth are unclear. The present study demonstrated that porcine oocytes derived from large follicles (LFO) exhibited higher developmental capacity than those derived from small follicles (SFO).

Epigenetic regulation in female reproduction: the impact of m6A on maternal-fetal health.

With the development of public health, female diseases have become the focus of current concern. The unique reproductive anatomy of women leads to the development of gynecological diseases gradually become an important part of the socio-economic burden. Epigenetics plays an irreplaceable role in gynecologic diseases.

Characterization of microplastics in human follicular fluid and assessment of their potential impact on mouse oocyte maturation in vitro.

Microplastics (MPs) have been identified in various human tissues and organs. This study aims to evaluate the presence of MPs in human follicular fluid (hFF) and their potential impact on oocyte maturation. Laser direct infrared spectroscopy of 19 hFF samples identified 7956 particles, including 1739 microplastics (21.

Optimal aspiration pressure of suction pump for oocyte retrieval in infertile patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Background: The oocyte retrieval is a critical step in assisted reproductive technologies, including in vitro fertilization and fertility preservation. Despite evolving techniques, the optimal aspiration pressure during retrieval remains debatable, with limited in vivo human studies. Existing studies, primarily in vitro and on animals, suggest that inappropriate aspiration pressures can impair oocyte quality.

Outcomes of antibiotic therapy and transvaginal ultrasound-guided efficacy of transvaginal ultrasound-guided drainage in treating tubo-ovarian abscesses: Three case reports.

Background: To introduce minimally invasive methods for the successful treatment of tubo-ovarian abscesses (TOAs), an antibiotic regimen was considered the first line of treatment. However, in some cases, this approach fails, and another intervention (laparotomy or minimally guidance drainage) is required.

Case Presentations: 3 women with a history of long-time infertility, all of them were candidates for in vitro fertilization referred to the obstetrics and gynecology department with similar manifestations.

Melatonin protects aged oocytes from depalmitoylation-mediated quality reduction by promoting PPT1 degradation and antioxidation.

Oocyte aging is closely related to a decline in female fertility, accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species levels and changes in protein posttranslational modifications. However, the role of protein palmitoylation in oocyte aging has not been investigated. In the present study, a new association between redox and palmitoylation in aging oocytes was found.

Monocyte and Macrophage in Follicular Liquid: Predictive Markers of Embryo Quality in Women with Obesity and Infertility.

Background: Over the past five years, the pregnancy rate in assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs in Russia has remained relatively stable. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of monocyte and macrophage subsets in the blood and follicular fluid of infertile women undergoing assisted reproductive technology.

Methods: The study involved 45 women with a mean age of 35 ± 4.

Comparative proteomic landscapes elucidate human preimplantation development and failure.

Understanding mammalian preimplantation development, particularly in humans, at the proteomic level remains limited. Here, we applied our comprehensive solution of ultrasensitive proteomic technology to measure the proteomic profiles of oocytes and early embryos and identified nearly 8,000 proteins in humans and over 6,300 proteins in mice. We observed distinct proteomic dynamics before and around zygotic genome activation (ZGA) between the two species.

Nicotinamide riboside supplementation ameliorates ovarian dysfunction in a PCOS mouse model.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of anovulatory infertility among women of reproductive age, yet the range of effective treatment options remains limited. Our previous study revealed that reduced levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) of women with PCOS resulted in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, it is still uncertain whether increasing NAD levels in the ovaries could improve ovarian function in PCOS.

Endometriosis does not impact aneuploidy rates of products of conception in IVF population.

It has been debated whether endometriosis (EMS) adversely affects oocyte quality, potentially leading to a higher incidence of genetically unbalanced embryos or other egg factors that affect the developmental potential. In this study, we explored the effects of endometriosis on risk of chromosomally aberrant in miscarried products of conception (POC) after assisted reproductive treatment (ART), including fresh and frozen cycles. Miscarried POCs were collected from EMS patients (N = 102) and non-EMS patients (N = 441).

Deciphering transcription activity of mammalian early embryos unveils on/off of zygotic genome activation by protein translation/degradation.

Quantification of transcription activities in mammalian preimplantation embryos is challenging due to a huge amount of maternally stored transcripts and paucity of research materials. Here, we investigate genome-wide transcription activities of mouse and human preimplantation embryos by quantifying elongating RNA polymerase II. Two transcriptional waves are identified in early mouse embryos, with summits at the 2-cell and 8-cell stages.

Maternal ELL3 loss-of-function leads to oocyte aneuploidy and early miscarriage.

Up to an estimated 10% of women experience miscarriage in their lifetimes. Embryonic aneuploidy is a leading cause for miscarriage, infertility and congenital defects. Here we identify variants of ELL3, a gene encoding a transcription elongation factor, in couples who experienced consecutive early miscarriages due to embryonic aneuploidy.

Comparison of success rates in early stages of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in women with and without endometriosis.

Endometriosis remains a significant challenge for reproductive-aged women and is frequently associated with infertility. Although in vitro fertilization (IVF) is used to address infertility in women with endometriosis, its effectiveness in this context is still debated, particularly in developing countries such as Indonesia, where IVF remains a major challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate the success rates of early stages of IVF in women with and without endometriosis.