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Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Ovarian stimulation (OS) for fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in women with PCOS often results in multiple follicular development, yet some...
BACKGROUND
Ovarian stimulation (OS) for fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in women with PCOS often results in multiple follicular development, yet some individuals experience poor or suboptimal responses. Limited data exist regarding the impact of poor/suboptimal ovarian response on pregnancy outcomes in women with PCOS.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the live birth rate (LBR) per fresh embryo transfer and cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) per aspiration cycle differ in women with PCOS defined by the Patient-Oriented Strategy Encompassing IndividualizeD Oocyte Number (POSEIDON) criteria.
METHODS
A retrospective study involving 2,377 women with PCOS who underwent their first IVF/ICSI cycle at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from January 2011 to December 2020 was used. Patients were categorized into four groups based on age, antral follicle count, and the number of oocytes retrieved, according to the POSEIDON criteria. The LBR and CLBR were compared among these groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess whether the POSEIDON criteria served as independent risk factors and identify factors associated with POSEIDON.
RESULTS
For patients <35 years old, there was no significant difference in the clinical pregnancy rate between POSEIDON and non-POSEIDON patients, whereas POSEIDON patients exhibited lower rates of implantation and live birth. POSEIDON Group 1a displayed lower rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth. However, no significant differences were observed in the rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth between POSEIDON Group 1b and non-POSEIDON groups. For patients ≥35 years old, there were no significant differences in the rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth between POSEIDON and non-POSEIDON patients. CLBRs were significantly lower in POSEIDON Groups 1 and 2, compared with the non-POSEIDON groups. The levels of body mass index (BMI), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and antral follicle count (AFC) were associated with POSEIDON hypo-response. POSEIDON was found to be associated with lower CLBR, but not LBR per fresh embryo transfer.
CONCLUSIONS
In patients with PCOS, an unexpected suboptimal response can achieve a fair LBR per fresh embryo transfer. However, CLBR per aspirated cycle in POSEIDON patients was lower than that of normal responders. BMI, basal FSH level, and AFC were independent factors associated with POSEIDON. Our study provides data for decision-making in women with PCOS after an unexpected poor/suboptimal response to OS.
Topics: Humans; Female; Retrospective Studies; Adult; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Pregnancy; Embryo Transfer; Birth Rate; Live Birth; Ovulation Induction; Fertilization in Vitro; Pregnancy Rate; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; Pregnancy Outcome; Infertility, Female
PubMed: 38863934
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1348771 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024In addition to testosterone, various endocrine hormones, such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and estradiol, may be involved in erectile function. However,...
In addition to testosterone, various endocrine hormones, such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and estradiol, may be involved in erectile function. However, the role of these sex hormones in the erectile function of men without hypoandrogenism remains unclear. This cross-sectional study included 398 community-dwelling men without hypoandrogenism. The participants were categorized into the non-ED and ED groups. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between ED and serum sex hormone levels, including total testosterone, DHEA-S, estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin. Among the 398 men, 66 (17%) and 332 (83%) were categorized into the non-ED and ED groups, respectively. In the multivariable analyses, serum DHEA-S and estradiol levels were significantly associated with ED (odds ratio [OR]: 0.996, P = 0.030; OR: 1.082, P = 0.002; respectively), whereas serum total testosterone, LH, FSH, and prolactin levels did not demonstrate significant association. After adjusting for age, none of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, serum plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels, and skin advanced glycation end-products levels demonstrated significant correlation with serum DHEA-S and estradiol levels. In conclusion, lower testosterone levels did not affect ED in men with normal testosterone levels, whereas serum DHEA-S and estradiol levels were significantly associated with ED.
Topics: Humans; Male; Erectile Dysfunction; Middle Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Adult; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; Estradiol; Testosterone; Luteinizing Hormone; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Aged; Prolactin
PubMed: 38862562
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64339-3 -
Acta Dermato-venereologica Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Minoxidil; Alopecia; Hair Follicle; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; Treatment Outcome; Administration, Cutaneous
PubMed: 38860623
DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v104.24213 -
SAGE Open Medical Case Reports 2024Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens, also known as dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, is a rare, chronic suppurative, inflammatory head hair follicle...
Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens, also known as dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, is a rare, chronic suppurative, inflammatory head hair follicle disease, which seriously affects the patient's quality of life. Clearly, clinical treatment varies widely and is somewhat challenging. We report a case of a 19-year-old male patient who had good results through surgery combined with photodynamic therapy. Surgery combined with photodynamic therapy for perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens is effective and safe, especially for patients with poor responses to previous traditional treatments.
PubMed: 38859871
DOI: 10.1177/2050313X241260472 -
Journal of Animal Science and... Jun 2024The proliferation of porcine ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) is essential to follicular development and the ubiquitin-proteasome system is necessary for maintaining cell...
BACKGROUND
The proliferation of porcine ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) is essential to follicular development and the ubiquitin-proteasome system is necessary for maintaining cell cycle homeostasis. Previous studies found that the deubiquitinase ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) regulates female reproduction, especially in ovarian development. However, the mechanism by which UCHL1 regulates porcine GC proliferation remains unclear.
RESULTS
UCHL1 overexpression promoted GC proliferation, and knockdown had the opposite effect. UCHL1 is directly bound to cyclin B1 (CCNB1), prolonging the half-life of CCNB1 and inhibiting its degradation, thereby promoting GC proliferation. What's more, a flavonoid compound-isovitexin improved the enzyme activity of UCHL1 and promoted the proliferation of porcine GCs.
CONCLUSIONS
UCHL1 promoted the proliferation of porcine GCs by stabilizing CCNB1, and isovitexin enhanced the enzyme activity of UCHL1. These findings reveal the role of UCHL1 and the potential of isovitexin in regulating proliferation and provide insights into identifying molecular markers and nutrients that affect follicle development.
PubMed: 38858680
DOI: 10.1186/s40104-024-01043-2 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder centered on hair follicles, making hair follicle-targeted delivery of anti-acne drugs a promising option for acne...
PURPOSE
Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder centered on hair follicles, making hair follicle-targeted delivery of anti-acne drugs a promising option for acne treatment. However, current researches have only focused on the delivering to healthy hair follicles, which are intrinsically different from pathologically clogged hair follicles in acne vulgaris.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Azelaic acid (AZA) micro/nanocrystals with different particle sizes were prepared by wet media milling or high-pressure homogenization. An experiment on AZA micro/nanocrystals delivering to healthy hair follicles was carried out, with and without the use of physical enhancement techniques. More importantly, it innovatively designed an experiment, which could reveal the ability of AZA micro/nanocrystals to penetrate the constructed clogged hair follicles. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects of AZA micro/nanocrystals were evaluated in vitro using a RAW264.7 cell model stimulated by lipopolysaccharide and a Cutibacterium acnes model. Finally, both the anti-acne effects and skin safety of AZA micro/nanocrystals and commercial products were compared in vivo.
RESULTS
In comparison to commercial products, 200 nm and 500 nm AZA micro/nanocrystals exhibited an increased capacity to target hair follicles. In the combination group of AZA micro/nanocrystals and ultrasound, the ability to penetrate hair follicles was further remarkably enhanced ( value up to 9.6). However, toward the clogged hair follicles, AZA micro/nanocrystals cannot easily penetrate into by themselves. Only with the help of 1% salicylic acid, AZA micro/nanocrystals had a great potential to penetrate clogged hair follicle. It was also shown that AZA micro/nanocrystals had anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects by inhibiting pro-inflammatory factors and Cutibacterium acnes. Compared with commercial products, the combination of AZA micro/nanocrystals and ultrasound exhibited an obvious advantage in both skin safety and in vivo anti-acne therapeutic efficacy.
CONCLUSION
Hair follicle-targeted delivery of AZA micro/nanocrystals provided a satisfactory alternative in promoting the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Animals; Mice; Dicarboxylic Acids; Hair Follicle; RAW 264.7 Cells; Nanoparticles; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Humans; Particle Size; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Drug Delivery Systems; Skin
PubMed: 38855733
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S459788 -
Theranostics 2024It has been emergingly recognized that apoptosis generates plenty of heterogeneous apoptotic vesicles (apoVs), which play a pivotal role in the maintenance of organ and...
It has been emergingly recognized that apoptosis generates plenty of heterogeneous apoptotic vesicles (apoVs), which play a pivotal role in the maintenance of organ and tissue homeostasis. However, it is unknown whether apoVs influence postnatal ovarian folliculogenesis. Apoptotic pathway deficient mice including Fas mutant ( ) and Fas ligand mutant ( ) mice were used with apoV replenishment to evaluate the biological function of apoVs during ovarian folliculogenesis. Ovarian function was characterized by morphological analysis, biochemical examination and cellular assays. Mechanistical studies were assessed by combinations of transcriptomic and proteomic analysis as well as molecular assays. mice was established to verify the role of WNT signaling during ovarian folliculogenesis. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) mice and 15-month-old mice were used with apoV replenishment to further validate the therapeutic effects of apoVs based on WNT signaling regulation. We show that systemic administration of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived apoptotic vesicles (MSC-apoVs) can ameliorate impaired ovarian folliculogenesis, PCOS phenotype, and reduced birth rate in and mice. Mechanistically, transcriptome analysis results revealed that MSC-apoVs downregulated a number of aberrant gene expression in mice, which were enriched by kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis in WNT signaling and sex hormone biosynthesis. Furthermore, we found that apoptotic deficiency resulted in aberrant WNT/β-catenin activation in theca and mural granulosa cells, leading to responsive action of dickkopf1 (DKK1) in the cumulus cell and oocyte zone, which downregulated WNT/β-catenin expression in oocytes and, therefore, impaired ovarian folliculogenesis NPPC/cGMP/PDE3A/cAMP cascade. When WNT/β-catenin was specially activated in theca cells of mice, the same ovarian impairment phenotypes observed in apoptosis-deficient mice were established, confirming that aberrant activation of WNT/β-catenin in theca cells caused the impairment of ovarian folliculogenesis. We firstly revealed that apoVs delivered WNT membrane receptor inhibitor protein RNF43 to ovarian theca cells to balance follicle homeostasis through vesicle-cell membrane integration. Systemically infused RNF43-apoVs down-regulated aberrantly activated WNT/β-catenin signaling in theca cells, contributing to ovarian functional maintenance. Since aging mice have down-regulated expression of WNT/β-catenin in oocytes, we used MSC-apoVs to treat 15-month-old mice and found that MSC-apoVs effectively ameliorated the ovarian function and fertility capacity of these aging mice through rescuing WNT/β-catenin expression in oocytes. Our studies reveal a previously unknown association between apoVs and ovarian folliculogenesis and suggest an apoV-based therapeutic approach to improve oocyte function and birth rates in PCOS and aging.
Topics: Animals; Female; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Mice; Wnt Signaling Pathway; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Apoptosis; Ovarian Follicle; Ovary; Disease Models, Animal; Aging; Fas Ligand Protein
PubMed: 38855175
DOI: 10.7150/thno.94943 -
European Urology Open Science Jul 2024No clear-cut markers for predicting positive sperm retrieval (+SR) at microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) have been identified thus far. Our aim was to... (Review)
Review
Role of Follicle-stimulating Hormone, Inhibin B, and Anti-Müllerian Hormone in Predicting Sperm Retrieval from Men with Nonobstructive Azoospermia Undergoing Microdissection Testicular Sperm Extraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
No clear-cut markers for predicting positive sperm retrieval (+SR) at microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) have been identified thus far. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the ability of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), inhibin B (InhB), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) to predict +SR in men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) undergoing mTESE.
METHODS
We performed a search in the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis statement. Thirty-four publications were selected for inclusion in the analysis.
KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS
Overall, the mean +SR rate was 45%. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) values revealed significant hormonal differences between the +SR and -SR groups, with lower FSH (SMD -0.30), higher InhB (SMD 0.54), and lower AMH (SMD -0.56) levels in the +SR group. Pooled odds ratios (Ors) revealed no significant prediction of +SR by either FSH (OR 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.06) or InhB (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02), despite variations in baseline levels and study heterogeneity. Conversely, AMH had significant predictive value (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73-0.92), with lower baseline levels in the +SR group. InhB and FSH levels were higher in the +SR group, while InhB exhibited the opposite trend.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Despite study heterogeneity, our meta-analysis findings support the ability of AMH to predict +SR for men with NOA undergoing mTESE.
PATIENT SUMMARY
We conducted a review and analysis of results from previous studies. Our findings show that for men with an infertility condition called nonobstructive azoospermia, blood levels of anti-Müllerian hormone can predict successful extraction of sperm using a microsurgical technique. Levels of two other hormones did not predict successful sperm extraction.
PubMed: 38854995
DOI: 10.1016/j.euros.2024.05.001 -
Reproductive Medicine and Biology 2024This study investigated the differences in the maturation rate of single versus grouped cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) culture methods for capacitation in vitro...
PURPOSE
This study investigated the differences in the maturation rate of single versus grouped cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) culture methods for capacitation in vitro maturation (CAPA-IVM) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
METHODS
This study was performed at My Duc Phu Nhuan Hospital, Vietnam from October 1, 2020 to October 24, 2021. Women aged 18-37 years with a diagnosis of PCOS were recruited. COCs from each woman were randomly divided into two groups: single or grouped culture during CAPA-IVM culture. The primary outcome was the maturation rate.
RESULTS
A total of 322 COCs from 15 eligible women included were randomly assigned to the two study groups. The maturation rate was comparable between the single and grouped culture groups (61.3% vs. 64.8%; = 0.56). There were no significant differences in the number of 2-pronuclei fertilized oocytes, number of day-3 embryos, and number of good-quality embryos in the two culture method groups. In the single culture group, COCs morphology was associated with the day-3 embryo formation rate but not the maturation rate.
CONCLUSIONS
Comparable oocyte maturation and embryology outcomes between single and grouped COCs culture utilizing sibling COCs derived from women with PCOS suggest the feasibility of both methods for CAPA-IVM culture.
PubMed: 38854775
DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12587 -
The Journal of Poultry Science 2024Broodiness in egg-laying hens (EHs) leads to ovarian atrophy, resulting in reduced egg-laying performance. However, the ovarian regulatory mechanisms in broody hens...
Broodiness in egg-laying hens (EHs) leads to ovarian atrophy, resulting in reduced egg-laying performance. However, the ovarian regulatory mechanisms in broody hens (BCs) remain elusive. Therefore, ovaries were removed from 300-day-old BCs and EHs for RNA sequencing. Ovarian morphology and histological characteristics of the BC and EH groups were compared and analyzed. The EH group had significantly more hierarchical follicles (HFs) and small yellow follicles (SYFs) than that of the BC group. Although several secondary follicles (SFs) and primary follicles were observed in the ovaries of the EH group, only a few SFs were observed in the ovaries of the BC group. Subsequently, RNA-sequencing analysis was conducted to determine the ovarian expression profiles of the two groups. Transcriptome sequencing identified 259 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the BC and EH groups. Of the 259 DEGs, 136 were upregulated and 123 were downregulated. The DEGs were mapped to 22 gene ontology terms and 4 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways for ovarian tissue. The analysis showed that matrix metalloproteinases 11/13 (MMP11/MMP13) were enriched in the extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix mediated by MMP13 is affected by follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and estrogen, which are critical signaling pathways that may affect ovarian follicle development to regulate the large yellow follicle reserve process and the ovulation cycle of broody Chahua chickens. These findings indicate that understanding differences in gene expression between the ovarian tissues of BCs and EHs could serve as a valuable reference point for enhancing egg-laying performance in Chahua chickens.
PubMed: 38854637
DOI: 10.2141/jpsa.2024018