Deliveries of babies with normal health derived from oocytes with smooth endoplasmic reticulum clusters

PurposeTo examine the impact on development of derived embryos from smooth endoplasmic reticulum clusters (SERC) in human metaphase II (MII) oocytes.MethodsRetrospective analysis at Kyono ART Clinic. Comparison of embryological development, pregnancy, live birth and fetal malformation between oocytes with SERC (the SERC(+) group) and those without (the SERC(−) group) in 2,158 patients (3,758 cycles) after ICSI.ResultsFertilization and implantation rate were significantly lower in SERC(+) MII oocytes than in SERC(−) MII oocytes. After the transfer of fresh and vitrified embryos derived from SERC(+) oocytes, 14 pregnancies resulted in 14 healthy babies, including 2 from fresh embryo transfer (ET) and 12 from vitrified-warmed ET, with no malformations.Conclusion(s)The presence of SERC in MII oocytes was associated with significantly lower fertilization rates and implantation rates than seen in SERC(−) MII oocytes within SERC (+) cycles. However, SERC had no impact on post-implantation development as well as neonatal outcome.     

Oocyte cryopreservation in a patient with sickle cell disease prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: first report

Purpose  

To report the first occurrence of successful ovarian stimulation, oocyte retrieval and oocyte cryopreservation for fertility preservation in an adolescent with severe sickle cell disease scheduled to undergo a hematopoietic stem cell transplant     

Secretome profile of mouse oocytes after activation using mass spectrum

Objective

Mammalian oocytes undergo a cortical reaction after fertilization, releasing cortical granules and other proteins into the perivitelline space and inhibiting polyspermy. Few studies have evaluated the biological functions and properties of these proteins.

Study design

We investigated mouse oocytes in which the zona pellucida (ZP) was present (ZP-intact group) or absent (ZP-free group).

Results

After being activated by Srcl2, secreted proteins are collected from mouse oocytes. Mass spectrometry analysis was performed that identified proteins such as Ldhb, PADi6, Uchl1, Pebp1, Alb, Hsp90aa1, Prss1, trypsinogen 7, trypsin 4, trypsin 10, Sod1, Zp1, Zp2, Zp3, Akap8, Npm2, Pkm2 and Ppia in the ZP-free group. Proteins such as Ldhb, Uchl1, Prss1, trypsin 10, trypsinogen 7, and Ast1 were identified in the ZP-intact groups. The expression of some proteins, including Ldhb, Alb and Sod1, were initially detected following oocyte activation. The finding of four trypsin subtypes, such as Prss1, further support previous observations. Studies investigating the physiological functions and properties of these proteins are ongoing.

Conclusions

Research on these cortical proteins provides a theoretical basis for understanding polyspermy inhibition at the level of ZP and gives technological support for fertilization detection, assessment of oocyte quality and embryonic culture.     

Fertility preservation in young women with breast cancer

When a young woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, there is often a sense of urgency by the patient and her providers to initiate treatment. This article provides guidelines for incorporating the discussion of fertility preservation with newly diagnosed young women with breast cancer.     

Conversion of ICSI cycles to IUI in poor responders to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation

AimComparison between the results of the oocyte retrieval technique and the conversion to the intra-uterine insemination (IUI) technique in cases with poor ovarian response to the controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) procedure.Patients and methodsIt is a retrospective observational study in women with poor ovarian response to COH which is defined as estradiol (E2) peak level <1000 pg/mL or with ?4 follicles which are ?14 mm in diameter. Four hundred and sixteen cases were reported as poor responders in 2 IVF centers since December 2007 to July 2010. One hundred and fifty two cases of them proceeded to the oocyte retrieval procedure. These cases were assigned as group (A). Sixty eight cases converted to IUI and were assigned as group (B). One hundred and ninety six cases canceled their cycles. These cases were not included in the current study. Our data were collected from the databases of two In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) centers and analyzed retrospectively to compare the results of the different applied techniques in the studied groups. The main measured outcome parameters were the clinical pregnancy rate and the live birth rate.ResultsThe group of cases proceeded to the oocyte retrieval procedure had a higher basal Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) level, needed a longer duration of stimulation with higher Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (HMG) doses and had higher E2 peak levels. The clinical pregnancy rates and the live birth rates were higher in the group proceeded to the oocyte retrieval than the group converted to IUI but the difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionAs the pregnancy rates difference between both groups was not statistically significant the conversion to IUI could be considered a useful substitute to the oocyte retrieval procedure in the poor responder cases. However, to adopt this conclusion, further confirmation in other prospective studies with larger sample size is a must.     

Effects of exogenous 17β-estradiol on follicular development in the neonatal and immature mouse in vivo

Purpose

The study was aimed to examine the effects of exogenous 17??-estradiol (E₂) on oocyte nest breakdown and follicular growth in the ovary of neonatal and immature mice.

Methods

The effect of E₂ on primordial follicle formation and differentiation were examined by treating neonatal mice with E₂ in mineral oil at a dose of 10?mg/kg by sc injection each day from postnatal days 1 (PND1) to 10 (PND10). This investigation was conducted by using histological observation and immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA); the numbers of follicles at each stage were examined to assess the follicular development.

Results

The results indicated that such dose of E₂ inhibited oocyte nest breakdown from PND1 to PND10 significantly and enhanced the oocyte staining intensity of PCNA in the ovary by PND3, 5 and 10. PCNA staining was mainly detected on growing follicles (stages later than primary follicle). Our results also revealed that E₂ decreased the size of the reproductive tract at PD10.

Conclusions

This dose of E₂ treatment inhibits oocyte nest breakdown and primordial follicle assembly, and causes follicle losses after PND5. Effects of exogenous E₂ on follicular development in the neonatal and immature mouse may through a PCNA-dependent pathway.     

The influence of ovarian hyperstimulation drugs on morphometry and morphology of human oocytes in ICSI program

Objective

To compare the influences of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) drugs using recombinant follicular stimulating hormone (rFSH) versus human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) on morphometry and morphology of MII oocytes in ICSI cycles.

子宫内膜异位症相关性不孕卵泡液代谢物组初筛及其与卵母细胞质量的关系

目的探讨与子宫内膜异位症(EMS)相关性不孕患者卵母细胞发育潜能相关的代谢物组。方法利用超高效液相色谱-质谱(HPLC-MS)对接受体外受精(IVF)的EMS相关性不孕患者即EMS组(n=27)和同期因男方因素行体外受精的健康妇女即对照组(n=28)进行卵泡液代谢组学分析。结果共观察到与EMS相关性不孕密切相关的差异代谢物28种,主要有脂类、核苷酸类、蛋白降解片段及其它等四大类,其中上调的代谢物主要有Valyl-Arginine、Methyl-15-cyanopentadecanoate、4-Oxo-13-cis-retinoate等15种;下调的代谢物主要有Menadiol dibutyrate、3-hydroxynonanoyl carnitine、Phytosphingosine等13种。结论本研究发现并描绘出两组卵泡液差异性代谢物谱,这28种代谢物组可能成为预测EMS妇女卵母细胞早期发育潜能的重要生物标志物。然而,并未见其与随后的胚胎质量、累积妊娠率以及活产率间明显的相关性。     

体外受精-胚胎移植患者卵子捐赠知识和态度的调查分析

目的调查分析体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)患者对卵子捐赠的知识和态度现状,为赠、受卵工作提供理论依据。方法采用便利抽样法,抽取郑州市某三级甲等医院行IVF-ET治疗的不孕女性500例,采用《体外受精-胚胎移植患者卵子捐赠知识和态度问卷》对其进行问卷调查。结果卵子捐赠知识回答正确率不高,只有22.76%;条目"并不是只要身体健康就可以进行卵子捐赠"回答正确率最高,为58.54%,答对率最低的条目为"捐赠卵子会导致自身卵子数量不足而影响治疗",回答正确率仅为4.47%;IVF-ET患者对卵子捐赠态度得分为(24.4±5.0)分,处于较低水平,其中,卵子捐赠意愿部分得分最低,为(7.9±3.4)分。结论 IVF-ET患者缺乏对卵子捐赠知识的了解,卵子捐赠态度也不积极,应重视对IVF-ET患者卵子捐赠知识的宣传。