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The Journal of Reproduction and... Jun 2024Retained placenta (RP) adversely affects postpartum productivity and reproduction in dairy cattle. Thus, methods to predict the occurrence of RP before calving would be...
Retained placenta (RP) adversely affects postpartum productivity and reproduction in dairy cattle. Thus, methods to predict the occurrence of RP before calving would be desirable. Herein, we assessed whether vaginal temperature measurements (which have already been applied to detect calving) could be used to predict the occurrence of RP in cattle. A vaginal temperature recording device was inserted into the vagina of 49 pregnant Holstein-Friesian heifers (n = 16) and cows (n = 33); this device recorded the vaginal temperature every 5 min until the device dropped out at calving. Serum was collected 10 days before the expected calving date. The time points of calving and placental expulsion were identified via video recordings. We further calculated calving duration (temperature decrease to calving) and placenta expulsion time (PE time = calving to placenta expulsion). The PE times were divided into four categories (0-4 h, 4-8 h, 8-12 h, and RP at >12 h), while subsequent analysis revealed that an extension of the PE time dependent on the shortening of the calving duration (P < 0.05). The vaginal temperature patterns also differed in a PE time-dependent manner, and cows with RP did not show any re-elevation of vaginal temperature. Serum analyses indicated an energy deficiency in RP cattle. These results suggest that RP may be detected early as a specific change in the vaginal temperature associated with reproductive hormone secretion.
PubMed: 38945853
DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2024-012 -
Journal of Medical Case Reports Jun 2024Choriocarcinoma is a highly malignant pregnancy-related trophoblastic neoplasm, characterized by early metastasis to the lungs. Therefore, patients may manifest...
BACKGROUND
Choriocarcinoma is a highly malignant pregnancy-related trophoblastic neoplasm, characterized by early metastasis to the lungs. Therefore, patients may manifest nongynecological symptoms owing to distant metastases. The incidence of choriocarcinoma after a term pregnancy is really rare (1/160,000 pregnancies).
CASE PRESENTATION
We report a case of a 20-year-old Iranian woman, gravida 2 para 1 live 1 abortion 1, who was referred to our gynecology department with sudden onset dyspnea and pain in the left hemithorax the day after her labor. The index pregnancy was without any complications. After the initial workup, the elevation of β-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels (> 1,000,000) along with the identification of clinical (vaginal lesions) and radiological evidence of distant metastases (bilateral pulmonary nodes) directed us toward pulmonary metastatic choriocarcinoma diagnosis. After the oncology consult, the etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine chemotherapy regimen was started for the patient. She responded well to the treatment and is currently continuing her chemotherapy process.
CONCLUSION
The prognosis of choriocarcinoma is very good if the treatment is started on time. We suggest that clinicians should consider gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in their differential diagnosis of the post-natal period complications, especially after a term and nonmolar pregnancy.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Lung Neoplasms; Choriocarcinoma; Uterine Neoplasms; Young Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Methotrexate; Vincristine; Dactinomycin; Etoposide; Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; Cyclophosphamide; Dyspnea; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic
PubMed: 38944668
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-024-04615-y -
International Journal of Applied &... 2024Pregnancy is the state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within a female body. Once pregnancy is established, a range of endocrinological events appear in its...
BACKGROUND
Pregnancy is the state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within a female body. Once pregnancy is established, a range of endocrinological events appear in its maintenance, finally helping in the successful pregnancy. The complications which are usually observed in pregnancy are gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labor, and spontaneous pregnancy loss or miscarriage, while 10%-15% of clinically recognized pregnancies terminate into spontaneous miscarriage. Thus, many attempts have been made by different researchers for the diagnosis of high-risk pregnancy on altered protein pattern using placental villous tissue or follicular fluid, but these are difficult to obtain and results of different studies are not constant.
AIM
This study was designed to identify the association (if any) among serum protein(s) electrophoretic pattern and different serum hormones in normal pregnant women (controls) and gestational age-matched women with spontaneous pregnancy loss (cases).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was carried out for 1½ year from October 2018 to March 2020 and included 120 participants (60 normal pregnant women and 60 women with spontaneous pregnancy loss) between 20 and 45 years of age with no mean age difference. The electrophoresis of serum was carried out using slab gel electrophoretic unit and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total tri-iodothyronine (TT), total thyroxine (TT), prolactin, and beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels were analyzed using TSOSH AIA analyzer at Adesh University, Bathinda.
RESULTS
Significant variations in the expression of proteins with molecular weight around ~150 kDa, ~50 kDa, and ~25 kDa were observed in normal pregnant women and women with spontaneous pregnancy loss. However, the protein band of ~50 kDa was found to be highly expressed in the serum of 1 and 2 trimester women experiencing spontaneous pregnancy loss. Therefore, selected protein band of ~50 kDa was further processed by ECI-mass spectrophotometry QUAD time of flight and 365 different proteins were found, out of these; 34 proteins were found to be unidentified protein products ( ). Further, TT, total proteins, β-hCG, and prolactin level were found to be low, whereas, TSH was found to be high in women experiencing spontaneous pregnancy loss. However, difference in the level of β-hCG in the 1 trimester and TT among normal pregnant women and women with spontaneous pregnancy loss was observed to be statistically insignificant.
CONCLUSION
This study indicated that the evaluation of serum protein variations along with hormonal profile may provide valuable information about high-risk pregnancy. Moreover, the differential expression of proteins in women with spontaneous pregnancy loss can be further explored to develop potential biomarker for the early identification of high-risk pregnancy and appropriate preventive measure.
PubMed: 38912357
DOI: 10.4103/ijabmr.ijabmr_383_23 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Jun 2024It is estimated that over 2 million cases of fetal death occur worldwide every year, but, despite the high incidence, several basic and clinical characteristics of this...
BACKGROUND
It is estimated that over 2 million cases of fetal death occur worldwide every year, but, despite the high incidence, several basic and clinical characteristics of this disorder are still unclear. Placenta is suggested to play a central role in fetal death. Placenta produces hormones, cytokines and growth factors that modulate functions of the placental-maternal unit. Fetal death has been correlated with impaired secretion of some of these regulatory factors.
OBJECTIVE(S)
The aim of the present study was to evaluate, in placentas collected from fetal death, the gene expression of inflammatory, proliferative and protective factors.
STUDY DESIGN
Cases of fetal death in singleton pregnancy were retrospectively selected, excluding pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies, gestational diabetes, intrauterine growth restriction and moderate to severe maternal diseases. A group of placentas collected from healthy singleton term pregnancies were used as controls. Groups were compared regarding maternal and gestational age, fetal sex and birth weight. Placental mRNA expression of inflammatory (IL-6), proliferative (Activin A, TGF-β1) and regulatory (VEGF, VEGFR2, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCB1 and ABCG2, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) signaling pathway) markers was conducted using real-time PCR. Statistical analysis and graphical representation of the data were performed using the GraphPad Prism 5 software. For the statistical analysis, Student's t-test was used, and P values < 0.05 were considered significant.
RESULTS
Placental mRNA expression of IL-6 and VEGFR2 resulted significantly higher in the fetal death group compared to controls (P<0.01), while activin A, ABCB1 and ABCG2 expression resulted significantly lower (P<0.01). A significant alteration in the S1P signaling pathway was found in the fetal death group, with an increased expression of the specific receptor isoforms sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1, 3 and 4 (S1P, S1P, S1P) and of sphingosine kinase 2 (SK2), one of the enzyme isoforms responsible for S1P synthesis (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
(s): The present study confirmed a significantly increased expression of placental IL-6 and VEGFR2 mRNA, and for the first time showed an increased expression of S1P receptors and SK2 as well as a decreased expression of activin A and of selected ATP-binding cassette transporters, suggesting that multiple inflammatory and protective factors are deranged in placenta of fetal death.
PubMed: 38908653
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.06.011 -
Journal of Ovarian Research Jun 2024The accurate prediction of pregnancy outcomes in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles is crucial. While several studies have been conducted on the predictive power of...
BACKGROUND
The accurate prediction of pregnancy outcomes in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles is crucial. While several studies have been conducted on the predictive power of serum estradiol (E) and β-hCG concentrations post-embryo transfer (ET) for pregnancy outcomes, there is debate on the predictive value of E. The objective of this study was to investigate the predictive efficacy of combining serum E and β-hCG levels on early reproductive outcomes 12 days after embryo transfer.
METHODS
A total of 1521 patients with β-hCG positive values on day 12 following frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) with natural endometrial preparation cycles (NCs) were gathered in affiliated Women's Hospital of Jiangnan University. Using logistic regression, the relationship between pregnancy outcome and early serum E and β-hCG concentrations was examined. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the predictive accuracy of the serum E and β-hCG concentrations.
RESULTS
Notable distinctions were observed in the serum E and β-hCG levels on the twelfth day following FET with NCs between the groups classified as clinical pregnancy group (CP Group) and biochemical pregnancy group (BP Group). In addition, the cutoff values for E and β-hCG on day 12 following FET with NCs in cleavage embryo group (CE Group) were 129.25 pg/mL and 156.60 mIU/mL, respectively. The threshold values for E and β-hCG for the blastocyst group (B Group) were 174.45 pg/mL and 217.70 mIU/mL. Serum E and β-hCG were found to be substantially linked with clinical pregnancy by logistic regression analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
Serum E and β-hCG concentrations were found to be significantly different between the CP Group and BP Group in infertility women underwent FET with NCs. Our retrospective cohort study's findings suggest that the combination of early E and β-hCG levels on day 12 post-FET could be used as a predictive tool to evaluate the likelihood of both positive and negative pregnancy outcomes in FET with NCs.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Estradiol; Embryo Transfer; Retrospective Studies; Pregnancy Outcome; Adult; Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; Fertilization in Vitro; ROC Curve
PubMed: 38907300
DOI: 10.1186/s13048-024-01433-0 -
Endocrinology May 2024Follicular androgens are important for successful ovulation and fertilization. The classical nuclear androgen receptor (AR) is a transcription factor expressed in the...
Follicular androgens are important for successful ovulation and fertilization. The classical nuclear androgen receptor (AR) is a transcription factor expressed in the cells of the ovarian follicle. Androgen actions can also occur via membrane androgen receptor SLC39A9. Studies in fish ovary demonstrated that androgens bind to SLC39A9 and increase intracellular zinc to regulate ovarian cell function. To determine if SLC39A9 is expressed and functional in the key cell types of the mammalian ovulatory follicle, adult female cynomolgus macaques underwent ovarian stimulation. Ovaries or ovarian follicular aspirates were harvested at 0, 12, 24, and 36 hours after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). SLC39A9 and AR mRNA and protein were present in granulosa, theca, and vascular endothelial cells across the entire 40-hour ovulatory window. Testosterone, bovine serum albumin-conjugated testosterone (BSA-T), and androstenedione stimulated zinc influx in granulosa, theca, and vascular endothelial cells. The SLC39A9-selective agonist (-)-epicatechin also stimulated zinc influx in vascular endothelial cells. Taken together, these data support the conclusion that SLC39A9 activation via androgen induces zinc influx in key ovarian cells. Testosterone, BSA-T, and androstenedione each increased proliferation in vascular endothelial cells, indicating the potential involvement of SLC39A9 in ovulatory angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial cell migration also increased after treatment with testosterone, but not after treatment with BSA-T or androstenedione, suggesting that androgens stimulate vascular endothelial cell migration through nuclear AR but not SLC39A9. The presence of SLC39A9 receptors and SLC39A9 activation by follicular androstenedione concentrations suggests that androgen activation of ovarian SLC39A9 may regulate ovulatory changes in the mammalian follicle.
Topics: Animals; Female; Receptors, Androgen; Ovarian Follicle; Ovulation; Macaca fascicularis; Zinc; Testosterone; Endothelial Cells; Cation Transport Proteins; Cell Membrane; Theca Cells; Granulosa Cells; Chorionic Gonadotropin
PubMed: 38889246
DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqae071 -
Placenta May 2024Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major pregnancy metabolic disorder and is strongly linked with obesity. Kisspeptin is a hormone that increases several...
INTRODUCTION
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major pregnancy metabolic disorder and is strongly linked with obesity. Kisspeptin is a hormone that increases several thousand-fold in the maternal circulation during human pregnancy, with placenta as its main source. Studies have suggested that kisspeptin regulates trophoblast invasion and promotes pancreatic insulin secretion and peripheral insulin sensitivity.
METHODS
In a well-characterized cohort of pregnant South African women and molecular and histological techniques, this study explored the impact and interaction of maternal obesity and GDM on kisspeptin (KISS1) signalling in relation to placental morphology and maternal and neonatal parameters.
RESULTS
We found that GDM had no effect on placental KISS1 and KISS1R (KISS1 receptor) mRNA and/or protein expression. However, obesity reduced placental KISS1R mRNA expression even though overall KISS1 protein abundance or localization was not different from the non-obese group. Maternal and cord circulating KISS1 concentrations did not vary with obesity or GDM, but maternal circulating KISS1 was positively correlated with placenta weight in non-GDM obese women, and negatively correlated with placental intervillous space volume in non-GDM non-obese women. Cord serum KISS1 was positively correlated with infant weight in GDM obese women, but negatively correlated with maternal BMI in the non-obese GDM group. Placental syncytiotrophoblast extracellular vesicles exhibited detectable KISS1 and its abundance was ∼50 % lower in those from obese GDM compared to non-GDM women.
DISCUSSION
This study shows maternal obesity and GDM can modulate placental kisspeptin signalling and placental morphological development with potential pathophysiological implications for clinically-relevant pregnancy and perinatal outcomes.
PubMed: 38878622
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.05.138 -
International Journal of Hygiene and... Jul 2024Zearalenone (ZEN) is a fungal-derived toxin found in global food supplies including cereal grains and processed foods, impacting populations worldwide through diet....
Zearalenone (ZEN) is a fungal-derived toxin found in global food supplies including cereal grains and processed foods, impacting populations worldwide through diet. Because the chemical structure of ZEN and metabolites closely resembles 17β-estradiol (E2), they interact with estrogen receptors α/β earning their designation as 'mycoestrogens'. In animal models, gestational exposure to mycoestrogens disrupts estrogen activity and impairs fetal growth. Here, our objective was to evaluate relationships between mycoestrogen exposure and sex steroid hormone concentrations in maternal circulation and cord blood for the first time in humans. In each trimester, pregnant participants in the UPSIDE study (n = 297) provided urine for mycoestrogen analysis and serum for hormone analysis. At birth, placental mycoestrogens and cord steroids were measured. We fitted longitudinal models examining log-transformed mycoestrogen concentrations in relation to log-transformed hormones, adjusting for covariates. Secondarily, multivariable linear models examined associations at each time point (1st, 2nd, 3rd trimesters, delivery). We additionally considered effect modification by fetal sex. ZEN and its metabolite, α-zearalenol (α-ZOL), were detected in >93% and >75% of urine samples; >80% of placentas had detectable mycoestrogens. Longitudinal models from the full cohort exhibited few significant associations. In sex-stratified analyses, in pregnancies with male fetuses, estrone (E1) and free testosterone (fT) were inversely associated with ZEN (E1 %Δ: -6.68 95%CI: -12.34, -0.65; fT %Δ: -3.22 95%CI: -5.68, -0.70); while α-ZOL was positively associated with E2 (%Δ: 5.61 95%CI: -1.54, 9.85) in pregnancies with female fetuses. In analysis with cord hormones, urinary mycoestrogens were inversely associated with androstenedione (%Δ: 9.15 95%CI: 14.64, -3.30) in both sexes, and placental mycoestrogens were positively associated with cord fT (%Δ: 37.13, 95%CI: 4.86, 79.34) amongst male offspring. Findings support the hypothesis that mycoestrogens act as endocrine disruptors in humans, as in animal models and livestock. Additional work is needed to understand impacts on maternal and child health.
Topics: Humans; Female; Fetal Blood; Pregnancy; Zearalenone; Adult; Male; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Maternal Exposure; Cohort Studies; Zeranol; Estradiol; Young Adult; Placenta
PubMed: 38878407
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114405 -
BMC Pediatrics Jun 2024The occurrence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (sIVH) was high in the very preterm infants (VPIs) in China. The management strategies significantly contributed to...
The performance of the practices associated with the occurrence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage in the very premature infants: data analysis from the Chinese neonatal network.
BACKGROUND
The occurrence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (sIVH) was high in the very preterm infants (VPIs) in China. The management strategies significantly contributed to the occurrence of sIVH in VPIs. However, the status of the perinatal strategies associated with sIVH for VPIs was rarely described across the multiple neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in China. We aim to investigate the characteristics of the perinatal strategies associated with sIVH for VPIs across the multiple NICUs in China.
METHODS
This was a retrospective analysis of data from a prospective cohort of Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) dataset, enrolling infants born at 24-31 from 2019 to 2021. Eleven perinatal practices performed within the first 3 days of life were investigated including antenatal corticosteroids use, antenatal magnesium sulphate therapy, intubation at birth, placental transfusion, need for advanced resuscitation, initial inhaled gas of 100% FiO2 in delivery room, initial invasive respiratory support, surfactant and caffeine administration, early enteral feeding, and inotropes use. The performances of these practices across the multiple NICUs were investigated using the standard deviations of differences between expected probabilities and observations. The occurrence of sIVH were compared among the NICUs.
RESULTS
A total of 24,226 infants from 55 NICUs with a mean (SD) gestational age of 29.5 (1.76) and mean (SD) birthweight of 1.31(0.32) were included. sIVH was detected in 5.1% of VPIs. The rate of the antenatal corticosteroids, MgSO4 therapy, and caffeine was 80.0%, 56.4%, and 31.5%, respectively. We observed significant relationships between sIVH and intubation at birth (AOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.75) and initial invasive respiratory support (AOR 2.47, 95% CI 2.15 to 2.83). The lower occurrence of sIVH (4.8%) was observed corresponding with the highest utility of standard antenatal care, the lowest utility of invasive practices, and early enteral feeding administration.
CONCLUSIONS
The current evidence-based practices were not performed in each VPI as expected among the studied Chinese NICUs. The higher utility of the invasive practices could be related to the occurrence of sIVH.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Cerebral Intraventricular Hemorrhage; China; East Asian People; Infant, Extremely Premature; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Perinatal Care; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38877528
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04664-8 -
Physiological Reports Jun 2024Physical activity (PA) positively influences pregnancy, a critical period for health promotion, and affects placental structure and function in ways previously... (Review)
Review
Physical activity (PA) positively influences pregnancy, a critical period for health promotion, and affects placental structure and function in ways previously overlooked. Here, we summarize the current body of literature examining the association between PA, placenta biology, and physiology while also highlighting areas where gaps in knowledge exist. PA during pregnancy induces metabolic changes, influencing nutrient availability and transporter expression in the placenta. Hormones and cytokines secreted during PA contribute to health benefits, with intricate interactions in pro- and anti-inflammatory markers. Extracellular vesicles and placental "-omics" data suggest that gestational PA can shape placental biology, affecting gene expression, DNA methylation, metabolite profiles, and protein regulation. However, whether cytokines that respond to PA alter placental proteomic profiles during pregnancy remains to be elucidated. The limited research on placenta mitochondria of physically active gestational parents (gesP), has shown improvements in mitochondrial DNA and antioxidant capacity, but the relationship between PA, placental mitochondrial dynamics, and lipid metabolism remains unexplored. Additionally, PA influences the placenta-immune microenvironment, angiogenesis, and may confer positive effects on neurodevelopment and mental health through placental changes, vascularization, and modulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Ongoing exploration is crucial for unraveling the multifaceted impact of PA on the intricate placental environment.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Placenta; Exercise; Animals
PubMed: 38872466
DOI: 10.14814/phy2.16104