Pregnancy outcome after blastocyst transfer as compared to early cleavage stage embryo transfer

BACKGROUND: Retrospective cohort study to evaluate differences in outcome when embryo transfer was performed either on day 2-3 (cleavage stage, CS-group) or on day 4-5 (blastocyst stage, BS-group). METHODS: A total of 1259 consecutive cycles yielding 500 live born babies performed at a single centre in Bregenz, Austria, were included. Main outcome measures were implantation and (multiple) pregnancy rates and neonatal outcome including birth defects. RESULTS: Total Pregnancy rate was 44% vs 28% (P < 0.001) and the total 'take home baby rate' was 37% vs 22% in the BS-group and the CS-group, respectively. Rate of multiple gestations (34% vs 17%, P = 0.001) was significantly higher among the BS-group, resulting in a higher rate of preterm deliveries < 36 weeks (26% vs 17%, P = 0.045). Female factor causing infertility (40% vs 21%, P < 0.001) was significantly higher among the BS-group. For the CS-group, rate of singleton pregnancies (83% vs 66%, P = 0.001) and idiopathic cause of infertility (34% vs 22%, P = 0.012) were significantly higher. No statistically significant differences were found in sex, Caesarean section rate, Apgar score and umbilical artery pH-values, total mean birth weight, admission rate to intensive care unit, days of hospitalization and number of minor and major birth defects. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that blastocyst transfer may lead to a higher pregnancy rate with an overall better take-home baby rate (THBR) at the cost of higher rates of multiples and preterm deliveries.     

Distribution of whaleworm (Anisakis simplex,Nematoda, Ascaridoidea) L3 larvae in three species of marine fish; saithe (Pollachius virens (L.)), cod (Gadus morhua L.) and redfish (Sebastes marinus (L.)) from Norwegian waters

The frequency distribution of Anisakis simplex L3 larvae between host tissues was investigated in three host species: saithe, cod and redfish. Fish were sampled from Norwegian coastal waters and examined for the presence of A. simplex in muscle and viscera. In all three of the host species, A. simplex larvae were most frequently detected in the viscera; the percentages of total infection for saithe, cod and redfish were 99.6%, 97.8% and 88.0%, respectively. In general, the distribution patterns of A. simplex L3 between muscle and viscera were not significantly affected by host size. The observations that distributions vary between species and are not affected by host size do not support an earlier hypothesis which states that A. simplex L3 distributions are determined by an optimal pre-encapsulation migratory distance within host tissues. In contrast, it is suggested that A. simplex L3 distributions are governed by the conditions encountered within host tissues, and are possibly related to the availability of nutrients. Received: 9 July 1997 / Accepted: 15 September 1997     

Increased phagocytic capacity of the blood,but decreased phagocytic activity per individual circulating neutrophil after an ultradistance run

The effect of a long strenuous endurance exercise on the phagocytic function of neutrophils was examined. 9 athletes [7 males, 2 females, age: 36–68 years, body mass: 64 (SD 10) kg, height: 175 (SD 10) cm] completed a competetive 100 km run in 8:07 (median value; range: 7:29–9:50 hours). In a whole blood assay the phagocytosis of opsonized E. coli, the receptor density of the Fc receptor 3 (CD16) and the complement receptor 3 (CD11b, direct immunofluorescence) of neutrophils were measured on a per cell basis by flow cytometry before and up to 3 hours after the race. The phagocytic rate (percentage of neutrophils incorporating bacteria) was unchanged after exercise, whereas the phagocytic activity (number of incorporated bacteria per cell) was significantly reduced by –34 (SD 8) % (Wilcoxon test, P<0.001). The total phagocytic capacity of the blood increased 2-3fold post exercise. The surface antigen expressions of CD11b and CD16 were unaffected by the ultradistance run. The results indicate either a reduced phagocytic function of neutrophils on a single cell basis or the mobilization of neutrophils of the marginal pool with a lower phagocytic activity. However, after a long endurance exercise the phagocytotic capacity of the blood was enhanced due to increased cell concentrations.     

Mg2+-malate co-transport, a mechanism for Na+-independent Mg2+ transport in neurons of the leech Hirudo medicinalis

Mg2+-extrusion from Mg2+-loaded neurons of the leech, Hirudo medicinalis, is mediated mainly by Na+/Mg2+ antiport. However, in a number of leech neurons, Mg2+ is extruded in the nominal absence of extracellular Na+, indicating the existence of an additional, Na+-independent Mg2+ transport mechanism. This mechanism was investigated using electrophysiological and microfluorimetrical techniques. The rate of Na+-independent Mg2+ extrusion from Mg2+-loaded leech neurons was found to be independent of extracellular Ca2+, K+, NO3-, HCO3-, SO4(2-), HPO4(2-), and of intra- and extracellular pH. Na+-independent Mg2+ extrusion was not inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), furosemide, ouabain, vanadate, iodoacetate, 4-amino-hippurate, or alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate and was not influenced by changes in the membrane potential in voltage-clamp experiments. Na+-independent Mg2+ extrusion was, however, inhibited by the application of 2 mM probenecid, a blocker of organic anion transporters, suggesting that Mg2+ might be co-transported with organic anions. Extracellularly, of all organic anions tested (malate, citrate, lactate, alpha-ketoglutarate, and 4-amino-hippurate) only high, but physiological, concentrations of malate (30 mM) had a significant inhibitory effect on Na+-independent Mg2+ extrusion. Intracellularly, iontophoretically injected malate, citrate, or fura-2, but not Cl-, alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamate, succinate, or urate, were stimulating Na+-independent Mg2+ extrusion from those neurons that initially did not extrude Mg2+ in Na+-free solutions. Our data indicate that Mg2+ is co-transported with organic anions, preferably with malate, the predominant extracellular anion in the leech. The proposed model implies that, under experimental conditions, malate drives Mg2+ extrusion, whereas under physiological conditions, malate is actively taken up, driven by Mg2+, so that malate can be metabolized.     

Lung dendritic cells are primed by inhaled particulate antigens, and retain MHC class II/antigenic peptide complexes in hilar lymph nodes for a prolonged period of time

Intratracheal (IT) administration of heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes (HKL) results in an influx of macrophage and dendritic cell (DC) precursors into the lung interstitium. Low-density, FcR+, interstitial lung cells isolated from rats instilled 24 hr before with HKL or vehicle alone, were > 90% Mar1+. After culturing with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for 3 days, up to 24% of the loosely adherent cells were DC that stimulated allogeneic T-cell proliferation in an mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay. After only an overnight incubation with GM-CSF, however, the capacity of interstitial Mar1+ cells to stimulate HKL immune T-cell proliferation without exogenous antigen was low. By contrast, when DC were isolated as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II+ cells from rat lungs at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after HKL instillation and cultured overnight with GM-CSF, their antigen presentation capacity without added exogenous antigen was robust, but declined over the 2-week period. Interestingly, hilar lymph node DC maintained their HKL antigen-presenting capacity for up to 2 weeks after instillation of HKL. Following IT administration of PKH-26 labelled HKL, fluorescent or immunolabelled organisms were detected in OX62+ DC in airway epithelium, lung interstitium and hilar lymph nodes in situ and in MHC class II+ DC isolated from these sites. We conclude that newly immigrated Mar1+ lung DC precursors, while efficient in endocytosing particulate antigens, are incapable of eliciting a significant proliferative response from HKL-sensitized T cells. By contrast, MHC class II+ DC isolated from lungs and incubated overnight with GM-CSF induce vigorous antigen-specific T-cell proliferation. Antigen-loaded lung DC in hilar lymph nodes maintain their antigen presentation capacity for up to 2 weeks.     

Effect of metabolic cage housing on immunoglobulin A and corticosterone excretion in faeces and urine of young male rats

Six 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were studied for 9 days divided into three periods of 3 days each: before transferral to metabolism cages, during metabolic cage housing and after return to their home cages. Faeces were collected daily when the animals were housed in their home cages and every 6 h when the animals were housed in metabolic cages during which time urine was also collected every 6 h. The rate of weight gain was slightly reduced during the 3 days in metabolic cages and the animals produced significantly larger amounts of faeces when housed in metabolic cages than when housed in their home cages. The total faecal excretion of corticosterone (nanograms excreted per hour per kilogram body weight) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) (milligrams excreted per hour per kg body weight) quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) exhibited a clear diurnal rhythm in the metabolic cage. Urinary excretions of corticosterone and IgA also followed a clear diurnal cycle. The mean daily amounts of corticosterone excreted were not significantly affected by cage change and by housing in metabolic cages. However, the excretion of faecal IgA was significantly reduced during the 3 days after the period in metabolic cages. Taken together the results indicate that metabolic cage housing is mildly stressful for young adult male rats.     

Mucosal FOXP3-expressing CD4+ CD25high regulatory T cells in Helicobacter pylori-infected patients

Helicobacter pylori chronically colonizes the stomach and duodenum and causes peptic ulcers or gastric adenocarcinoma in 10 to 20% of infected individuals. We hypothesize that the inability of patients to clear H. pylori infections is a consequence of active suppression of the immune response. Here we show that H. pylori-infected individuals have increased frequencies of CD4(+) CD25(high) T cells in both the stomach and duodenal mucosa compared to uninfected controls. These cells have the phenotype of regulatory T cells, as they express FOXP3, a key gene for the development and function of regulatory T cells, as well as high levels of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) protein. In contrast, mucosal CD4(+) CD25(low) and CD4(+) CD25(-) cells express little FOXP3 mRNA and low levels of the CTLA-4 protein. Mucosal CD4(+) CD25(high) T cells are present in individuals with asymptomatic H. pylori infections as well as in duodenal ulcer patients. The frequencies of CD4(+) CD25(high) cells are also increased in the stomachs of H. pylori-infected patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, particularly in cancer-affected tissues. These findings suggest that regulatory T cells may suppress mucosal immune responses and thereby contribute to the persistence of H. pylori infections.