Stem cell insights into human trophoblast lineage differentiation
BACKGROUND
The human placenta is vital for fetal development, yet little is understood about how it forms successfully to ensure a healthy pregnancy or why this process is inadequate in 1 in 10 pregnancies, leading to miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction or preeclampsia. Trophoblasts are placenta-specific epithelial cells that maximize nutrient exchange. All trophoblast lineages are thought to arise from a population of trophoblast stem cells (TSCs). However, whilst the isolation of murine TSC has led to an explosion in understanding murine placentation, the isolation of an analogous human TSC has proved more diffi...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - December 13, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Gamage, T. K., Chamley, L. W., James, J. L. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Endogenous, very small embryonic-like stem cells: critical review, therapeutic potential and a look ahead
BACKGROUND
Both pluripotent very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells were reported in 2006. In 2012, a Nobel Prize was awarded for iPS technology whereas even today the very existence of VSELs is not well accepted. The underlying reason is that VSELs exist in low numbers, remain dormant under homeostatic conditions, are very small in size and do not pellet down at 250–280g. The VSELs maintain life-long tissue homeostasis, serve as a backup pool for adult stem cells and are mobilized under stress conditions. An imbalance in VSELs function (uncontrolled proliferation) m...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - December 13, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Bhartiya, D., Shaikh, A., Anand, S., Patel, H., Kapoor, S., Sriraman, K., Parte, S., Unni, S. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Long non-coding RNAs in human early embryonic development and their potential in ART
BACKGROUND
Human long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an emerging category of transcripts with increasingly documented functional roles during development. LncRNAs and roles during human early embryo development have recently begun to be unravelled.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
This review summarizes the most recent knowledge on lncRNAs and focuses on their expression patterns and role during early human embryo development and in pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Public mRNA sequencing (mRNA-seq) data were used to illustrate these expression signatures.
SEARCH METHODS
The PubMed and EMBASE databases were first interrogated using s...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - December 13, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Bouckenheimer, J., Assou, S., Riquier, S., Hou, C., Philippe, N., Sansac, C., Lavabre-Bertrand, T., Commes, T., Lemaitre, J.-M., Boureux, A., De Vos, J. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Oocyte-somatic cell interactions in the human ovary--novel role of bone morphogenetic proteins and growth differentiation factors
BACKGROUND
Initially identified for their capability to induce heterotopic bone formation, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multifunctional growth factors that belong to the transforming growth factor β superfamily. Using cellular and molecular genetic approaches, recent studies have implicated intra-ovarian BMPs as potent regulators of ovarian follicular function. The bi-directional communication of oocytes and the surrounding somatic cells is mandatory for normal follicle development and oocyte maturation. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the physiological role and molecular determinants of thes...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - December 13, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Chang, H.-M., Qiao, J., Leung, P. C. K. Tags: Review Source Type: research
New concepts for an old problem: the diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia
<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div><div class="boxTitle">BACKGROUND</div>Endometrial hyperplasia (EH) is a uterine pathology representing a spectrum of morphological endometrial alterations. It is predominantly characterized by an increase in the endometrial gland-to-stroma ratio when compared to normal proliferative endometrium. The clinical significance of EH lies in the associated risk of progression to endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC) and ‘atypical’ forms of EH are regarded as premalignant lesions. Traditional histopathological classification systems...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - December 4, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Interpregnancy interval following miscarriage and adverse pregnancy outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis
<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div><div class="boxTitle">BACKGROUND</div>A short interpregnancy interval (IPI) following a delivery is believed to be associated with adverse outcomes in the next pregnancy. The optimum IPI following miscarriage is controversial. Based on a single large-scale study in Latin and South America, the World Health Organization recommends delaying pregnancy for 6 months after a miscarriage to achieve optimal outcomes in the next pregnancy.<div class="boxTitle">OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE</div>Our aim was to determine if a short ...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - November 17, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Potential of human twin embryos generated by embryo splitting in assisted reproduction and research
We present here an overview of embryo splitting experiments in humans and non-human primates and discuss the potential of this technology in assisted reproduction and research.<div class="boxTitle">SEARCH METHODS</div>A comprehensive literature search was carried out using PUBMED and Google Scholar databases to identify studies on embryo splitting in humans and non-human primates. ‘Embryo splitting’ and ‘embryo twinning’ were used as the keywords, alone or in combination with other search phrases relevant to the topics of biology of preimplantation embryos.<div class="boxTitle">OUTCOMES</div>...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - November 13, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Oocyte, embryo and blastocyst cryopreservation in ART: systematic review and meta-analysis comparing slow-freezing versus vitrification to produce evidence for the development of global guidance
The objective of our study was to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes following slow-freezing/thawing versus vitrification/warming of oocytes and embryos and to inform the development of World Health Organization guidance on the most effective cryopreservation method.<div class="boxTitle">SEARCH METHODS</div>A Medline search was performed from 1966 to 1 August 2016 using the following search terms: (Oocyte(s) [tiab] OR (Pronuclear[tiab] OR Embryo[tiab] OR Blastocyst[tiab]) AND (vitrification[tiab] OR freezing[tiab] OR freeze[tiab]) AND (pregnancy[tiab] OR birth[tiab] OR clinical[t...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - November 3, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
The impact of thyroid autoimmunity on IVF/ICSI outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
(Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - November 3, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Busnelli, A., Paffoni, A., Fedele, L., Somigliana, E. Tags: Corrigendum Source Type: research
Reply: The impact of thyroid autoimmunity on IVF/ICSI outcome: re-evaluation of the findings
(Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - November 3, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Busnelli, A., Paffoni, A., Fedele, L., Somigliana, E. Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
The impact of thyroid autoimmunity on IVF/ICSI outcome: re-evaluation of the findings
(Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - November 3, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Mintziori, G., Tarlatzis, B. C., Goulis, D. G. Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
The impact of thyroid autoimmunity on IVF/ICSI outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The objective of this study was to define the relation between TAI per se and the outcome of in vitro fertilisation (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.
SEARCH METHODS
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted. A Medline search was performed to identify all the comparative studies published from January 1990 to November 2015 in the English language literature on IVF/ICSI outcome in women with and without TAI, using combinations of the medical subject heading terms ‘thyroid autoimmunity’, ‘thyroid autoantibodies’, ‘IVF’, ‘ICSI’, ‘p...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - November 3, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Busnelli, A., Paffoni, A., Fedele, L., Somigliana, E. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Sexual function in endometriosis patients and their partners: effect of the disease and consequences of treatment
The objective of this report is to review the current state of knowledge on the impact that endometriosis and its treatments have on the sexual function of women and their sexual partners.
SEARCH METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies evaluating sexual function in endometriosis patients, and a narrative analysis of results is presented. The review discusses relevant quantitative and qualitative studies analyzing the effect of endometriosis and its hormonal and surgical treatments on measures of sexual function and quality of sexual relationship.
OUTCOMES
Endometriosis negatively affects ...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - November 3, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Pluchino, N., Wenger, J.-M., Petignat, P., Tal, R., Bolmont, M., Taylor, H. S., Bianchi-Demicheli, F. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Cryopreservation of testicular tissue or testicular cell suspensions: a pivotal step in fertility preservation
BACKGROUND
Germ cell depletion caused by chemical or physical toxicity, disease or genetic predisposition can occur at any age. Although semen cryopreservation is the first reflex for preserving male fertility, this cannot help out prepubertal boys. Yet, these boys do have spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) that able to produce sperm at the start of puberty, which allows them to safeguard their fertility through testicular tissue (TT) cryopreservation. SSC transplantation (SSCT), TT grafting and recent advances in in vitro spermatogenesis have opened new possibilities to restore fertility in humans. However, these techniques...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - November 3, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Onofre, J., Baert, Y., Faes, K., Goossens, E. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Ovarian ageing: the role of mitochondria in oocytes and follicles
BACKGROUND
There is a great inter-individual variability of ovarian ageing, and almost 20% of patients consulting for infertility show signs of premature ovarian ageing. This feature, taken together with delayed childbearing in modern society, leads to the emergence of age-related ovarian dysfunction concomitantly with the desire for pregnancy. Assisted reproductive technology is frequently inefficacious in cases of ovarian ageing, thus raising the economic, medical and societal costs of the procedures.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONAL
Ovarian ageing is characterized by quantitative and qualitative alteration of the ovarian oocyte ...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - November 3, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: May-Panloup, P., Boucret, L., Chao de la Barca, J.-M., Desquiret-Dumas, V., Ferre-L'Hotellier, V., Moriniere, C., Descamps, P., Procaccio, V., Reynier, P. Tags: Review Source Type: research
