Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics最新文献

{"title":"Comparison of the developmental competence of in vitro-produced mouse embryos cultured under 5 versus 2% O₂ with in vivo-derived blastocysts.","authors":"Jacob Varghese, Brad Link, Ben Wong, Jacob C Thundathil","doi":"10.1007/s10815-024-03267-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-024-03267-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The prevalence of infertility in Canada has substantially increased over 30 years, and plateaued success rates of culture systems warrant further optimization for transfer outcomes. In clinical programs, embryos commonly undergo extended culture under 5% O₂ until the blastocyst stage. The aim of this study is to characterize the developmental competence and stress-related responses of embryos cultured under 5 versus 2% O₂ in comparison to in vivo-derived blastocysts. We hypothesized 2% O₂ compromises developmental competence through altered embryonic stress responses and induction of apoptosis-related genes relative to those cultured under 5% O₂ and in vivo-derived blastocysts.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Quantitative measures of development and relative expressions of a cohort of stress-related genes in CD1 mouse zygotes cultured to blastocysts under 5 or 2% O₂ were compared to in vivo-derived embryos. Apoptotic responses were evaluated using an immunofluorescence assay for Caspase-3.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean percentage of blastocysts developed, and total cell number of embryos derived in vivo or cultured under 5% O₂ was significantly higher than those cultured under 2% O₂. Blastocyst expansion was greatest in embryos cultured under 5% O₂. Stress response genes were significantly upregulated in embryos cultured under 2% O₂, and expression of antioxidant-related genes was significantly lower in cultured versus in vivo-derived embryos. Caspase-3 immunofluorescence was significantly higher in cultured embryos versus in vivo-derived embryos.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We inferred that 5% O₂ systems better approximate physiologic oxygen availability for culture of mouse embryos, warranting re-evaluation of culturing embryos under threshold or sub-physiologic oxygen concentrations during clinical IVF programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142307783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Single Sperm RNA signatures reveal MicroRNA biomarkers for male subfertility.","authors":"Masood Abu-Halima, Ulrike Fischer, Mohammad A Al Smadi, Nicole Ludwig, Anissa Acheli, Annika Engel, Hashim Abdul-Khaliq, Eckart Meese","doi":"10.1007/s10815-024-03264-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-024-03264-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To investigate small RNA profiles in sperm, identify stable miRNA patterns unique to sperm, and assess the behavior of consistently expressed miRNAs in sperm from subfertile men compared to fertile controls.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The small RNA profiles of single sperm from four proven fertile men were analyzed using Small RNA next-generation sequencing (NGS). Subsequently, a specific set of miRNAs was validated using RT-qPCR on additional sperm samples from 65 subfertile men from an infertility clinic and 30 proven fertile men.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Small RNA sequencing revealed a diverse range of sperm small RNA biotypes, including miRNAs. The mapped read percentage ranged from 22.19% for single sperm to 83.29% for enriched sperm samples used at different RNA concentrations. In single sperm, a smaller proportion of sequences were attributed to piRNAs (2.79%), miRNA (0.94%), tRNA (0.82%), and rRNA (0.47%) compared to enriched sperm samples, where piRNA (41.68%), tRNA (20.31%), miRNA (11.11%), and rRNA (6.54%) were observed. Distinct detection rates and a higher number of detected miRNAs were noted with enriched sperm samples compared to single sperm obtained using either a micromanipulator or microdissection systems. Among the identified miRNAs, 110 were consistently present in all samples. RT-qPCR revealed 15 miRNAs with increased expression and 5 miRNAs with decreased expression in sperm samples from subfertile men compared to proven fertile men. These differentially validated miRNAs were significantly correlated, either positively or negatively, with sperm count, motility, and morphology.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study extensively examines small RNAs in single sperm, identifying sperm-specific miRNAs that could serve as molecular markers to distinguish between subfertile and fertile men in clinical settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142288113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CATSPER2 and SPEF2 are potential molecular markers for boar sperm quality: a population association study.","authors":"Zulfiqar Ahmed, Min Liu, Shuntao Huang, Dequan Xu","doi":"10.1007/s10815-024-03252-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-024-03252-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study investigates the role of cation channel sperm associated 2 (CATSPER2) and sperm flagella 2 (SPEF2) genes in boar spermatogenesis, focusing on their association with sperm quality traits in boars.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Utilizing targeted next-generation sequencing, we identified and genotyped two polymorphisms in CATSPER2 (rs341636020G > A, rs326912346G > T) and three variants in SPEF2 (rs320839956A > G, rs334209514C > A, rs325319860C > T) across three boar breeds (Duroc, n = 181; Landrace, n = 87; Large White, n = 52).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our results confirmed the presence of the specified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), adhering to association study criteria. In CATSPER2, significant associations were detected between rs341636020G > A and sperm curvilinear velocity (VCL) in Duroc and Landrace boars, and between rs326912346G > T and straight velocity (VSL) in Duroc and Large White boars. For SPEF2, rs320839956A > G was significantly linked to sperm viability in Duroc and Landrace and to sperm concentration (SCON) in Large White boars. Additionally, rs334209514C > A and rs325319860C > T showed significant associations with SCON and VCL respectively, in Doruc and Landrace boars.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Overall, our findings suggest that CATSPER2 and SPEF2 SNPs significantly impact boar sperm quality traits. These genetic markers have the potential to enhance boar fertility through selective breeding programs, contributing to the optimization of reproductive performance in pigs.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142288111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors associated with decision outcomes along the planned oocyte cryopreservation pathway in a cohort of women who sought consultation before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Samantha Yee, Maryam Fatima, Rima Kharonsky, Amar A Mamone, Laura A Rotondo, Clifford L Librach","doi":"10.1007/s10815-024-03255-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-024-03255-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To identify factors associated with three decision outcomes along the planned oocyte cryopreservation (POC) pathway: fertility assessment completion, POC uptake, and multiple POC cycles uptake.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A single-site retrospective cohort study of 425 patients who sought POC consultation from 2018-2022 before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of patients at consultation was 35.2 ± 4.0. 73% (n = 310) of the new consultations occurred since the COVID-19 pandemic. 335 patients completed fertility assessment following consultation. Of the 335 patients (78.8%) completing fertility assessment, 139 (32.7%) underwent at least one cycle. The odds of completing fertility assessment were 3.65 times greater for patients being seen pre-pandemic than for those being seen during the pandemic (p < 0.001). Not having a committed partner (OR 2.61, p < 0.001) and not having a prior pregnancy history (OR 1.99, p = 0.03) positively predicted POC uptake. Each additional number of cryopreserved MII oocytes in the first cycle reduced the odds of undergoing more cycles by 0.74 times (p < 0.001). Of the 196 patients with no POC uptake despite having a fertility consultation, 10 decided to do nothing, 16 decided to get pregnant with or without a partner, and the other 170 had not yet indicated their decision.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our centre experienced a surge of patients seeking POC consultation since the COVID-19 outbreak. Approximately one-third of these patients progressed to the POC stage. Our findings validate the complexity of POC decision-making and the value of providing ongoing decision support to patients along the POC pathway.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142288112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Safety and effectiveness of controlled ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval during prepubertal and peripubertal period","authors":"Sönmezer Meltem, Gemici Ali, Şükür Yavuz Emre, Turan Hande, Alimogulları Ebru, Avşar Betül, Atabekoğlu Cem Somer, Özmen Batuhan, Turan Volkan, Sönmezer Murat","doi":"10.1007/s10815-024-03262-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-024-03262-y","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Purpose</h3><p>Is it safe and effective to perform controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and oocyte retrieval (OR) in prepubertal and peripubertal patients?</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>In this retrospective cohort study, data of 20 pre-/peripubertal patients who underwent COS and OR for the purpose of oocyte cryopreservation (OC) between 2008 and 2023 were reviewed. Following COS, all OR procedures were performed transabdominally using a vaginal ultrasound probe. Ovarian reserve was assessed by serum FSH, LH, estradiol, AMH, and antral follicle counts (AFC) in all subjects. All mature oocytes were vitrified.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Mean age of the patients was 15.05 ± 1.87, mean AMH was 0.84 ± 0.8 ng/ml, mean FSH was 6.39 ± 3.95 IU/L, mean estradiol was 61.6 ± 51.9 pg/ml, mean LH was 4.69 ± 3.46 IU/L, and mean AFC was 5.5 ± 5.82. Among the patients, 12 had regular menstrual cycle, 5 had irregular menstrual cycle, whereas 3 patients still did not have their menarche yet. The indications for OC were as follows: primary ovarian insufficiency (<i>n</i> = 7), ovarian surgery for ovarian tumors (<i>n</i> = 5) or ovarian torsion (<i>n</i> = 1), mosaic Turner syndrome (<i>n</i> = 2), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (<i>n</i> = 1) anaplastic B-cell lymphoma (<i>n</i> = 1), Ewing’s sarcoma (<i>n</i> = 1), Noonan syndrome (<i>n</i> = 1), and Thalassemia (<i>n</i> = 1). The mean number of oocytes retrieved, MII oocytes frozen, and maturation rate were 5.11 ± 5.0, 3.92 ± 4.48, and 75.1 ± 25.6%, respectively. Stepwise linear regression analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between AFC and number of total oocytes retrieved and number of MII oocytes. In the case diagnosed with Noonan syndrome, all 7 retrieved oocytes were MI and all frozen at MI phase. No patient had any complication related to COS or OR.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>Even though number of the enrolled subjects is limited and mean AMH is lower in our cohort, we demonstrated that performing COS and OR is safe in pre-/peripubertal patients. If required, transabdominal route can be performed in this age group for OR. AFC appears as a prognostic factor for stimulation outcome in this age group. Pediatric patients or young adolescents at risk for primary ovarian insufficiency should not be discouraged from utilizing OC.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142249965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of a novel splicing variant of thyroid hormone receptor interaction protein 13 (TRIP13) in female infertility characterized by oocyte maturation arrest","authors":"Jia Chen, Yuxin Liu, Xingwu Wu, Yiwei Zhang, Wen Huang, Wenbo Han, Ge Chen, Qiang Xu, Houyang Chen, Qiongfang Wu, Jiawei Wang, Jialyu Huang","doi":"10.1007/s10815-024-03219-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-024-03219-1","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Purpose</h3><p>As a cause of primary female infertility, oocyte maturation arrest (OMA) is characterized by failure to obtain mature oocytes due to abnormal meiosis. We aimed to identify pathogenic variants in two sisters with OMA phenotype from a non-consanguineous family.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were conducted to identify and validate the disease-causing gene variant. Additionally, we performed a minigene assay, quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and Western blotting to assess the effects of the variant.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>We identified a novel homozygous splicing variant (c.1021-11T&gt;C) in <i>TRIP13</i>, which followed a recessive inheritance pattern. Minigene assay showed that the variant could disrupt the integrity of <i>TRIP13</i> mRNA, as evidenced by the production of an alternative transcript with intron10 intermediate retention of 79 bp. Compared to normal controls, the expression of <i>TRIP13</i> mRNA and abundance of TRIP13 protein were also significantly decreased in Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized lymphoblastoid cells derived from affected individuals.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>Our findings confirm the contribution of genetic factors to OMA and expand the mutation spectrum of <i>TRIP13</i> in female infertility.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":"186 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142249915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Blocking lactate regulation of the Grhl2/SLC31A1 axis inhibits trophoblast cuproptosis and preeclampsia development","authors":"Xue-Yan Shen, Jing Huang, Li-Li Chen, Man-Ting Sha, Jing Gao, Hong Xin","doi":"10.1007/s10815-024-03256-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-024-03256-w","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Purpose</h3><p>Abnormal cell death due to superficial trophoblast dysfunction caused by placental hypoxia plays a vital role in the development of preeclampsia (PE). Lactic acid stimulates gene transcription in chromatin through lactate modification of histone lysine. Nevertheless, the content and function of lactate in PE development remains largely unclear.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>The contents of lactic acid and copper in 30 PE and 30 normal placentas were determined by kit colorimetry. Real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression of SLC31A1 in cells and tissues. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion were detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), MTS assay, colony formation assay, and Transwell assay. The transcriptional regulation between Grhl2 and SLC31A was verified by the luciferase reporter gene method and ChIP. The H3K18la modification level was detected by ChIP-PCR.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Herein, we detected increased lactic acid levels in the PE placental tissue, which inhibit the proliferation and invasion of trophoblasts. Interestingly, lactic acid increases intracellular copper content by enhancing the expression of SLC31A1, a key protein of copper ion transporters. Lentivirus knockdown of SLC31A1 blocked the lactate-induced proliferation and invasion of trophoblasts by inhibiting cell cuproptosis. Mechanically, we identified that Grhl2 mediated SLC31A1 expression through transcription and participated in SLC31A1-inhibited proliferation, invasion, and cuproptosis of trophoblasts. Furthermore, the high lactate content increased Grhl2 expression by enhancing lactate modification of histone H3K18 in the Grhl2 promoter region.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Blocking the lactate-regulated Grhl2/SLC31A1 axis and trophoblastic cuproptosis may be a potential approach to prevent and treat PE.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":"113 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142249947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differences in preimplantation blastocyst chromosomal aberrations between polycystic ovary syndrome women and controls: a multi-center retrospective cohort study","authors":"Lu Luo, Wenjun Wang, Yan Xu, Yuanyuan Yang, Limei Zhang, Jun Gao, Jiayi Mai, Qiong Wang, Fei Gong","doi":"10.1007/s10815-024-03235-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-024-03235-1","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Purpose</h3><p>Comprehensive chromosomal status of blastocyst from women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was limited. This study aimed to identify possible differences in the preimplantation blastocyst chromosome aberrations between PCOS women and controls receiving preimplantation genetic testing (PGT).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>This was a multi-center retrospective cohort study including a total of 707 blastocysts from 147 PCOS women and 3006 blastocysts from 821 control women receiving PGT between 2015 and 2021. Embryonic chromosomal aberration spectrums were compared between PCOS and controls. Mixed effects generalized linear model was conducted to explore possible influence of PCOS-related endocrinological disorders on embryonic chromosomal abnormalities.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Blastocysts from PCOS demonstrated significantly lower aneuploidy rate (15.2% vs. 25.2% per women, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001; 14.7% vs. 25.4% per blastocyst, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001) but greater mosaicism rate (12.5% vs. 8.0% per women, <i>P</i> = 0.007; 16.5% vs. 8.7% per blastocyst, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001). Mixed effects generalized linear model identified PCOS as an independent protective factor against embryonic aneuploidy (adjusted odds ratio = 0.68, 95% confidence interval, 0.50<i>–</i>0.93, <i>P</i> = 0.014) but a risk factor for embryonic mosaicism (adjusted odds ratio = 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.11<i>–</i>2.10, <i>P</i> = 0.009). Further model analysis suggested that insulin resistance could be responsible for the increased risk of embryonic mosaicism among PCOS women (adjusted odds ratio = 2.17, 95% confidence interval, 1.10<i>–</i>4.31, <i>P</i> = 0.026).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>PCOS is associated with a lower aneuploidy risk but an increased mosaicism risk in preimplantation blastocysts, and insulin resistance should be investigated as a potential cause.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142249916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High concentration of estrogen resulted by COH may affect the secretion of pro-angiogenic factors in uNK cells by downregulating the expression of IL-11 in decidual stromal cells","authors":"Hui Mu, Haikun Yu, Song Yan, Jie Lu, Jiaqin Mao, Dan Sun, Ni Jin, Zheng Fang, Xueyan Lu, Jie Dong, Ying Su, Shuqiang Chen, Xiaohong Wang","doi":"10.1007/s10815-024-03241-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-024-03241-3","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Objective</h3><p>High serum estrogen concentrations after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and fresh embryo transfers are associated with the increased risk of pregnancy complications resulting from aberrant placentation. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are important for establishment of pregnancy and normal placentation. It has been found that the proliferation and function of uNK cells are compromised by COH. However, the underlying role of high concentration of estrogen following COH in the abnormalities of uNK cells is poorly understood.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Expression of cytokines and immunophenotype study of uNK was performed by flow cytometry analysis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to quantify RNA expression; Western blot was performed to quantify protein levels.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>The secretion level of pro-angiogenic factors in uNK cells is significantly reduced by co-culture with decidual stromal cells (DSCs) induced by high estrogen. It was discovered that COH and supraphysiologic levels of estrogen downregulated IL-11 in decidual tissue of mice. Additionally, we found that the downregulation of IL-11 is a major factor contributing to the downregulation of VEGF and PLGF in uNK cells. Moreover, we found that uNK cells may acquire IL-11Rα sequentially during differentiation and that only a portion of uNK cells are IL-11Rα positive. Lastly, we discovered that IL-11 may regulate VEGF and PLGF secretion in uNK cells via the ERK signaling pathway.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>These results suggested the downregulation of IL-11 expression in DSCs caused by high estrogen levels affects the secretion of pro-angiogenic factors in uNK cells, which provided an explanation for the pregnancy complications caused by COH.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142249948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Subendometrial blood flow detected by Doppler ultrasound associates with pregnancy outcomes of frozen embryo transfer in patients with thin endometrium","authors":"Zhaowen Zang, Jianan Lyu, Yuchen Yan, Mingwei Zhong, Qian Zhang, Guangyong Zhang, Yan Li, Junhao Yan","doi":"10.1007/s10815-024-03245-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-024-03245-z","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Purpose</h3><p>Multiple factors have been shown to influence the rate of clinical pregnancy after FET in IVF treatment, including embryo quality, synchronization of embryo and endometrium, and endometrial receptivity (ER). The subendometrial blood flow conditions could also contribute potentially major effects toward the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine the correlation between subendometrial blood flow, as determined by Doppler ultrasound, and pregnancy outcomes in IVF patients with a thin endometrium (endometrium thickness [EMT] ≤ 0.7 cm).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at a university-affiliated reproductive hospital from January 2017 to April 2023. The EMT and subendometrial blood flows were assessed using transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound and evaluated by experienced clinical ultrasound physicians on the endometrial transformation day. The pregnancy outcomes were followed up and documented in clinical medical records through the IVF cohort study at our center.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>In the patients with 0.5 cm ≤ EMT ≤ 0.7 cm, the embryo implantation rate was statistically significant increased in the patients with the presence of subendometrial blood flow (OR 1.484; 95% CI, 1.001–2.200; <i>P</i> = 0.049; aOR 1.425; 95% CI, 1.030–2.123; <i>P</i> = 0.003). Patients with discernible subendometrial blood flow have superior live birth (<i>P</i> = 0.028), clinical pregnancy (<i>P</i> = 0.049), and embryo implantation (<i>P</i> = 0.027) compared to the patients without subendometrial blood flow when the EMT is ≤ 0.7 cm.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>The presence of subendometrial blood flow detected by ultrasound was positively associated with successful embryo implantation and favorable pregnancy outcomes in patients with thin endometrium undergoing FET.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142249949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}