Imprinting methylation errors in ART
Abstract
There has been an increase in incidence reports of rare imprinting disorders associated with assisted reproductive technology (ART). ART, including in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injections, is an important treatment for infertile people of reproductive age and increasingly produces children. The identification of epigenetic changes at imprinted loci in ART infants has led to the suggestion that ART techniques themselves may predispose embryos to acquire imprinting errors and diseases. In this review, we note that the particular steps of ART may be prone to induction of impri...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - October 1, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Fertility preservation in men with cancer
Abstract
Due to recent advances in medical technologies, cancer has become more curable and chronic, and post-treatment quality of life, including male fertility, has become an important issue. Cancer itself can affect spermatogenesis through complex interactions, and cancer treatment such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, all have certain detrimental effects on spermatogenesis. Currently, sperm cryopreservation before cancer treatment is the mainstay of fertility preservation, and is recommended by numerous guidelines. Although fertility preservation should be discussed with all cancer patient...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - October 1, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Time-lapse observations to analyze the effects of assisted hatching
Conclusions
From the time-lapse observations we found that the time required for hatching and the frequency of contraction in blastocysts were both reduced by AH, although blastocyst formation and attachment were not affected. (Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - October 1, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Acknowledgments
(Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - October 1, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Regulation of gonadotropin secretion by monitoring energy availability
Abstract
Nutrition is a principal environmental factor influencing fertility in animals. Energy deficit causes amenorrhea, delayed puberty, and suppression of copulatory behaviors by inhibiting gonadal activity. When gonadal activity is impaired by malnutrition, the signals originating from an undernourished state are ultimately conveyed to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generator, leading to suppressed secretion of GnRH and luteinizing hormone (LH). The mechanism responsible for energetic control of gonadotropin release is believed to involve metabolic signals, sensing mechanisms, and ne...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - September 24, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Hormonal therapy for non-obstructive azoospermia: basic and clinical perspectives
Abstract
Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a standard therapeutic option for patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Hormonal treatment has been believed to be ineffective for NOA because of high gonadotropin levels; however, several studies have stimulated spermatogenesis before or after micro-TESE by using anti-estrogens, aromatase inhibitors, and gonadotropins. These results remain controversial; however, it is obvious that some of the patients showed a distinct improvement in sperm retrieval by micro-TESE, and sperm was ...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - September 18, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Acceptable pregnancy rate of unstimulated intrauterine insemination: a retrospective analysis of 17,830 cycles
Conclusion
PR for unstimulated IUI was similar to the reported PR for CC/IUI. Although this was a retrospective study without a control group, to reduce multiple pregnancy rate, we believe that unstimulated IUI is a reasonable treatment. (Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - August 21, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
The role of signaling pathways on proliferation and self-renewal of cultured bovine primitive germ cells
Conclusions
These results indicate activation of MAPK plays a critical role in self-renewal and survival of bovine gonocytes via cyclin D1 and CDK2. (Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - August 19, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Effects of Hachimijiogan, a Kampo powder, on epididymidis sperm characteristics in healthy male rats
Conclusions
Our findings may support the conclusion that a lower dosage of HJG has an effect on improving local spermatogenous environments by activating adrenal functions and/or promoting local androgen activity. (Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - August 15, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
The relationship between p53 codon 72 genetic polymorphism and sperm parameters. A study of men with varicocele
Conclusions
We conclude: the p53 codon 72*Arg/*Arg genotype, with its strong apoptotic effects, negatively influences spermatozoa motility and male fertility. (Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - July 29, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation in young cancer patients for fertility preservation
Abstract
Several options are currently available to preserve fertility and give female cancer survivors a chance to have children at a later date, including the cryopreservation of embryos, oocytes, and ovarian tissue. Selection of the most suitable strategy to preserve fertility depends on the type and timing of anticancer therapy, the cancer, the patient’s age, and the presence of the patient’s partner. Several studies have shown that the ovarian tissue can be successfully frozen and later grafted in the human womb. To date, approximately 30 live births have been achieved after the transplantation o...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - July 18, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Comparison of FSH and hMG on ovarian stimulation outcome with a GnRH antagonist protocol in younger and advanced reproductive age women
Conclusions
Exogenous FSH alone is probably sufficient for follicular development and hMG may not improve the embryo profile in a GnRH antagonist protocol across all age. (Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - July 11, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Nicotine and endometrial decidual growth in pseudopregnant rats
Conclusions
In conclusion, nicotine-induced progesterone deficiency with a corresponding elevation of estrogen may possibly attenuate the degree of endometrial decidualization in pseudopregnant rats. (Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - July 1, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Effect of single-oocyte culture system on in vitro maturation and developmental competence in mice
Conclusions
These results suggest that the HD method is efficient for single IVM. (Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - July 1, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Regulation and disruption of hamster sperm hyperactivation by progesterone, 17β-estradiol and diethylstilbestrol
Conclusions
Enhancement of hyperactivation was regulated by the concentrations of P and E, suggesting that in vivo hamster spermatozoa are hyperactivated through “monitoring” these concentrations in the oviduct. DES in combination with E suppressed P-enhanced hyperactivation, suggesting that DES significantly disrupts hyperactivation by acting as an accelerator of the effect of E. (Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - July 1, 2014 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
