A Canary in the Coal Mine: Reproductive Health and Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 250-255 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603097Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in women in the United States. Compared with age-matched men, premenopausal women are protected against CVD, yet this difference dissipates after menopause. Hypogonadism underlies the shared increased CVD risk seen in menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Early menarche and PCOS have also been associated with CVD risk factors, highlighting the importance of mediators other than deficient estrogen in the underlying etiology of this female-specific increased...
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - June 28, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Quinn, Molly M. Cedars, Marcelle I. Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Environmental Contaminants Affecting Fertility and Somatic Health
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 241-249 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603569This review article summarizes the epidemiological findings published between 2011 and 2016 concerning bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, dioxins, pesticides, air pollution, fracking chemicals, triclosan, and parabens and fertility parameters in men (i.e., semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm morphology) as well as fertility parameters in women (i.e., cyclicity, fertility treatment outcomes), pregnancy outcomes (i.e., preterm birth, miscarriage), and reproductive disorders (i.e., polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids)...
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - June 28, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Chiang, Catheryne Mahalingam, Sharada Flaws, Jodi A. Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Ovary as a Biomarker of Health and Longevity: Insights from Genetics
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 231-240 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603571Reproductive fitness and its influence on overall health has been a topic of significant study and interest. Multiple studies have found that age at last reproduction associates with overall health. Women who conceive later in life are significantly more likely to outlive their peers who are unable to conceive. The mechanisms behind these observations are not well understood. Earlier age at menopause associates with shorter life span, increased risk for diabetes mellitus, and increased risk of heart disease, and represents a surrogate marker for the age at last ...
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - June 28, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Rajkovic, Aleksandar Pangas, Stephanie Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
How to Map the Genetic Basis for Conditions that are Comorbid with Male Infertility
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 225-230 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603567Studying conditions that are comorbid with infertility can provide a picture of the overall health of a patient population that is younger than the typical cases of age-related diseases that preoccupy our health care system. If strong predictive relationships could be established between infertility and life-threatening disease, interventions can be established early in life for at-risk individuals. Here, we discuss how genomic tools can be used to identify diseases and traits that are likely to be comorbid with male infertility. We divide these approaches broad...
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - June 28, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Nagirnaja, Liina Vigh-Conrad, Katinka Conrad, Donald F. Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Female Genomics: Infertility and Overall Health
We present here a review of the genetic causes of female infertility, detailing some of the more recent findings in the genetics of polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, primary ovarian insufficiency, hypothalamic amenorrhea, leiomyomas, and Mullerian anomalies. [...] Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.Article in Thieme eJournals: Table of contents | Abstract | Full text (Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - June 28, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Joshi, Nikhil Chan, Jessica L. Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Abnormal Placentation Associated with Infertility as a Marker of Overall Health
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 205-216 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603570Infertility and fertility treatments utilized are associated with abnormal placentation leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes related to placentation, including preterm birth, low birth weight, placenta accrete, and placenta previa. This may be due to the underlying genetics predisposing to infertility or the epigenetic changes associated with the fertility treatments utilized, as specific disease states leading to infertility are at increased risk of adverse outcomes, including placental abruption, fetal loss, gestational diabetes mellitus, and outcomes related...
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - June 28, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Sundheimer, Lauren W. Pisarska, Margareta D. Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Fertility Status and Overall Health
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 203-204 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603728 Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.Article in Thieme eJournals: Table of contents | Full text (Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - June 28, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Pisarska, Margareta D. Tags: Preface Source Type: research
Margareta D. Pisarska, MD
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 201-202 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603727 Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.Article in Thieme eJournals: Table of contents | Full text (Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine)
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - June 28, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Bulun, Serdar Tags: Introduction Source Type: research
Distinct Roles of Cervical Epithelia and Stroma in Pregnancy and Parturition
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 190-200 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1599091Through pregnancy the cervix must simultaneously remain competent for pregnancy maintenance and yet become progressively compliant to ensure on time parturition. Cervical changes precede not only term but also preterm birth. Thus, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which the cervix maintains the delicate balance between competence and compliance is required to prevent the potential for lifelong health complications that can result from a premature birth. Recent advances and accumulating evidence support distinct roles for the cervical epithelia and ...
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - March 8, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Nallasamy, Shanmugasundaram Mahendroo, Mala Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Recent Advances in Uterine Fibroid Etiology
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 181-189 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1599090Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyoma (UL), are monoclonal tumors of the smooth muscle tissue layer (myometrium) of the uterus. Although ULs are considered benign, uterine fibroids are the source of major quality-of-life issues for approximately 25% of all women, who suffer from clinically significant symptoms of UL. Despite the prevalence of UL, there is no treatment option for UL which is long term, cost-effective, and leaves fertility intact. The lack of understanding about the etiology of UL contributes to the scarcity of medical therapies availa...
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - March 8, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: McWilliams, Michelle M. Chennathukuzhi, Vargheese M. Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Transcription and Splicing Factor TDP-43: Role in Regulation of Gene Expression in Testis
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 167-172 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1599088TDP-43 (TAR DNA binding Protein of 43 kD) is a transcription factor and RNA-binding protein with diverse functions. We cloned TDP-43 from the mouse testis in a screen for promoter-binding proteins and showed that it functions as a transcriptional repressor. TDP-43 plays a role in maintaining the precise pattern of spatiotemporal expression of the spermatid-specific Acrv1 gene during spermatogenesis by facilitating RNA polymerase II pausing at the promoter. We also showed that TDP-43 plays a partial role in preventing somatic cell expression of the Acrv1 gene by ...
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - March 8, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Reddi, Prabhakara P. Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Fertility Preservation in 2016: Where Are We?
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 160-166 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1599087This review focuses on advances in the field of fertility preservation achieved over the past few decades. The main purpose of fertility preservation is to help young cancer survivors retain their fertility by restoring either their ability to procreate or simply their reproductive endocrine function. Although different options are available in this regard, successful fertility preservation is yet to reach its full potential. Herein, we review the most significant work conducted over the past five decades and present new methodologies. [...] Thieme Medical Publi...
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - March 8, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: David, Anu Green, Lisa Jeannette Shikanov, Ariella Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Genetics of Reproductive Aging from Gonadal Dysgenesis through Menopause
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 147-159 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1599086Reproduction is essential for the survival of the species and is influenced by external factors such as smoking and exposure to chemotherapy as well as chronic disorders such as obesity and autoimmunity. Reproductive senescence, such as menopause, is also dependent on multiple intrinsic genetic factors. Reproductive aging is not isolated from an overall aging process, and several studies strongly support the link between the early age of menopause and mortality. The extreme form of reproductive aging is primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) with prevalence ranging...
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - March 8, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Desai, Swapna Rajkovic, Aleksandar Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Of Mice and Men: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies of Primordial Germ Cell Specification
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 139-146 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1599085Specification of mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs), the precursors of sperm and eggs, involves three major molecular events: repression of the somatic program, reacquisition of pluripotency, and reprogramming to a unique epigenetic ground state. Gene knockout studies in mouse models, along with global transcriptome analyses, have revealed the key signaling pathways and transcription factors essential for PGC specification. Knowledge obtained from these studies has been utilized extensively to develop robust in vitro PGC induction models not only in mice but als...
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - March 8, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Kumar, Deepti Lava DeFalco, Tony Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Developmental Origins of Hypothalamic Cells Controlling Reproduction
Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35: 121-129 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1599083The hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is the most critical modulator of reproductive function. Genetic or environmental insults to the HPG axis during developmental windows can persist into adulthood, and processes such as gonadal hormone synthesis, timing of puberty, and fertility can be affected. At the level of the hypothalamus, multiple regions develop at different times and are under the control of a concert of signaling pathways and transcription factors required for their patterning and maturation. In this review, we highlight factors and pathways...
Source: Seminars in Reproductive Medicine - March 8, 2017 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Biehl, Matthew Joseph Raetzman, Lori Therese Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
