Employment of a Newly Defined In Vitro Fertilization Protocol to Determine the Cytoskeletal Machinery, DNA Damage, and Subsequent DNA Repair Resulting from Endocrine Disruption by Hexavalent Chromium in Rat Metaphase II Oocytes.

These protocols describe a detailed method to determine the DNA damage and F-actin and microtubule defects of metaphase II oocytes caused by hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). The protocol provides systematic steps to determine protein expression encoded by pluripotency proteins such as Oct4, Nanog, and Cdx2 during early embryonic development. Occupational or environmental exposure to EDCs has significantly increased infertility in both men and women.

Berberine promotes primordial follicle activation and increases ovulated oocyte quantity in aged mice.

Background: Primordial follicle activation is vital for the reproduction of women with advanced age and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). But there is a lack of effective and safe therapeutic options to activate their primordial follicles in vivo. Berberine (BBR) possesses multiple pharmacological properties, but its impact on primordial follicle activation remains unclear.

Damage mechanisms of bisphenols on the quality of mammalian oocytes.

The extensive use of bisphenols in the plastics industry globally is a major growing concern for human health. Bisphenol compounds are easily leached out from plastic containers to food, beverages, and drinking water and contaminate the natural environment. Daily exposure of bisphenol compounds increases their load and impairs various organs, including the reproductive system.

Bisphenol S impairs oocyte quality by inducing gut microbiota dysbiosis.

Unlabelled: A good quality egg is essential for a successful pregnancy and early embryo development. Oocyte development is vulnerable to environmental exposures. Bisphenol S (BPS) is widely used as a replacement for its analog bisphenol A, but the reproductive toxicity of BPS has been of great concern.

Oocyte activation for women following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Background: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART), is offered as a treatment option for male factor infertility. Over the years, the indications for ICSI have been expanded, despite uncertainty about its benefits and harms compared to the conventional method of achieving fertilisation. Artificial oocyte activation (AOA), which can be performed by chemical, electrical or mechanical intervention, has been employed during ART ICSI treatment where there has been a history of low fertilization rate or total fertilization failure, and it has been reported to improve reproductive outcomes.

Uterine teratoma and the role of short-tandem repeat genotyping in understanding origins.

Background: Uterine teratomas are a rare entity with a debated origin. Given its rarity and limitations of diagnostic imaging, diagnosis is typically determined pathologically following surgical resection based on the presence of tissue derived from all germ cell layers. Unlike its ovarian counterpart, the developmental origins are poorly understood; however, recently introduced molecular testing has revolutionized our understanding of these rare tumors.

Mitochondrial DNA Damage and Its Repair Mechanisms in Aging Oocytes.

The efficacy of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in older women remains constrained, largely due to an incomplete understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. This review aims to consolidate the current knowledge on age-associated mitochondrial alterations and their implications for ovarian aging, with an emphasis on the causes of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, their repair mechanisms, and future therapeutic directions. Relevant articles published up to 30 September 2024 were identified through a systematic search of electronic databases.

The Impact of Minerals on Female Fertility: A Systematic Review.

Unlabelled: Female fertility and reproductive system disorders are influenced by a complex interplay of biological, physiological, and environmental factors. Minerals have emerged as crucial yet often overlooked elements that impact fertility and the prevalence of reproductive system disorders.

Background/objectives: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted role of minerals in female fertility, focusing on key areas such as oocyte quality, ovulation, embryo development, oxidative stress, miscarriage, hormonal regulation, environmental exposure, and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.

Identification and Preliminary Analysis of Granulosa Cell Biomarkers to Predict Oocyte In Vitro Maturation Outcome in the Southern White Rhinoceros ().

In recent years, biomarkers in granulosa cells (GC) have been determined and associated in several species with oocyte maturation, in vitro fertilization success, and embryo development outcomes. The identification of biomarkers of oocyte competence can aid in improving assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in the southern white rhino (SWR). This study aimed to identify biomarkers present in SWR GC associated with oocytes that either did or did not mature in vitro.

Are the number of nucleolar precursor body and size of pronuclear correlated with embryo development and ploidy status in 1PN zygotes?: an analysis through the time-lapse monitoring and pre-implantation genetic testing.

This study aimed to demonstrate the utilization value of 1PN embryos. The 1PN zygotes collected from December 2021 to September 2022 were included in this study. The embryo development, the pronuclear characteristics, and the genetic constitutions were investigated.

Anti-Centromere Protein A Antibody Disrupts the Competence of Mouse Oocytes Matured In Vitro.

Introduction: Anticentromere autoantibodies are associated with refractory IVF/ET failure, but causality is unclear. Experimental models are needed.

Methods: Immature oocytes collected from 23-day-old mice were matured in vitro for 18 h in a culture medium containing an anti-human centromere protein A (CENP-A) polyclonal antibody, and those oocytes' maturity and chromosome/spindle structure were assessed.

[Experiences of Unmarried Women Undergoing Planned Oocyte Cryopreservation].

Purpose: The present study investigated the experiences of unmarried women undergoing planned oocyte cryopreservation (OC).

Methods: Data were collected from August 2022 to February 2023 through individual in-depth interviews with thirteen unmarried women undergoing planned OC. Data were analyzed using Colazzi's phenomenological method.

Reproductive functions and fertility preservation in transgender men: A French case series.

Background: Transgender men face reproductive challenges due to the potential impact on fertility of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) and surgical interventions. Testosterone therapy during "female to male" transition leads to anovulation and amenorrhea. Although these effects are typically reversible upon stopping treatment, the long-term effects of androgens on future fertility and health of potential children remain poorly known.

Decreased neurotensin induces ovulatory dysfunction via the NTSR1/ERK/EGR1 axis in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the predominant cause of subfertility in reproductive-aged women; however, its pathophysiology remains unknown. Neurotensin (NTS) is a member of the gut-brain peptide family and is involved in ovulation; its relationship with PCOS is unclear. Here, we found that NTS expression in ovarian granulosa cells and follicular fluids was markedly decreased in patients with PCOS.

Looking into the future: a machine learning powered prediction model for oocyte return rates after cryopreservation.

Research Question: Could a predictive model, using data from all US fertility clinics reporting to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, estimate the likelihood of patients using their stored oocytes?

Design: Multiple learner algorithms, including penalized regressions, random forests, gradient boosting machine, linear discriminant analysis and bootstrap aggregating decision trees were used. Data were split into training and test datasets. Patient demographics, medical and fertility diagnoses, partner information and geographic locations were analysed.

Clinical utilization and outcomes over eight consecutive years following oocyte cryopreservation.

Objective: To compare embryologic and clinical outcomes following oocyte cryopreservation (OC) and immediate fertilization for embryo cryopreservation (EC) in non-infertile patients.

Design: Retrospective cohort study SUBJECTS: Patients treated at a single fertility center from 2016 to 2023.

Exposure: OC MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blastocyst development was compared between women undergoing OC and non-infertile women undergoing immediate fertilization for EC between 18 and 42 years of age.

The impact of age and number of oocytes retrieved on the cumulative live birth rate in women with poor ovarian response: A 15-year study.

Background: Approximately 15 % of women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART) fall in the category of poor ovarian reserve defined as the retrieval of three or fewer oocytes following conventional ovarian stimulation with a daily gonadotrophin dose of 150-450 international units, according to the Bologna criteria. Low number of oocytes collected is, therefore, likely to translate to low chance of successful ART treatment.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess if age and number of oocytes retrieved influence the cumulative live birth rate (LBR) in women with poor ovarian response (POR) to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Mitochondria: the epigenetic regulators of ovarian aging and longevity.

Ovarian aging is a major health concern for women. Ovarian aging is associated with reduced health span and longevity. Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the hallmarks of ovarian aging.

Excess Weight Impairs Oocyte Quality, as Reflected by mtDNA and BMP-15.

This prospective, case-control study evaluated the impact of obesity on oocyte quality based on mtDNA expression in cumulus cells (CC), and on bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15) and heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (HSPG2) in follicular fluid (FF). It included women 18 to <40 years of age, divided according to BMI < 24.9 (Group 1, n = 28) and BMI > 25 (Group 2, n = 22).

Free 25(OH)D3 levels in follicular ovarian fluid top-quality embryos are higher than non-top-quality embryos in the normoresponders group.

Vitamin D and calcium in follicular fluid play an important role in modulating steroidogenesis, folliculogenesis, and oocyte quality determination. Both collaborate to produce top-quality embryos (TQE) during in vitro fertilization (IVF). In this study, we compared free 25(OH)D3 and calcium levels in follicular fluid between TQE and non-TQE groups.

Ovarian follicular flushing as a means of increasing oocyte yield and embryo production in cattle.

Context The number of developmentally competent cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) retrieved during Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) determines success in both bovine and human assisted reproduction. Follicular flushing for COC retrieval is practicsed widely in humans but not in cattle. Aims To determine the benefits of follicular flushing in cattle and assess the merits of a novel 16G double-lumen needle ('OxIVF') that flushes laterally to the needle shaft.

The embryological characteristics and clinical outcomes of oocytes with indented zona pellucida.

Background: Our study aimed to investigate the embryological characteristics and clinical outcomes of oocytes with indented zona pellucida (iZP).

Methods: Cases with all oocytes containing iZP were compared with subjects whose oocytes presented morphologically normal ZP (nZP, controls), regarding embryological and clinical outcomes. Cases consisted of 56 subjects that underwent 109 assisted reproductive treatment (ART) cycles, and controls were made of 574 patients that were enrolled in 1095 ART cycles.