Prospective validation of a time-lapse based algorithm for embryo selection

The follicular hormonal profile in low-responder patients undergoing unstimulated cycles: is it hypoandrogenic?

STUDY QUESTION What is the final hormonal milieu of pre-ovulatory follicles of low-responder (LR) patients undergoing unstimulated cycles? SUMMARY ANSWER Neither androgen secretion nor LH was impaired in pre-ovulatory follicles of LR women. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Therapies currently used to improve ovarian response in LR women have an impact on the final hormonal follicular milieu, and these changes are believed to be partially responsible for determining the success rate in these women. Surprisingly, as far as we know, there is no report of the final hormonal profile of LR women undergoing unstimulated cycles or evidence that follicular androgen secretion in LR women is impaired. STUDY DESI…

Gene polymorphisms and HLA-G expression in spontaneous abortions

Abstract Introduction HLA-G and HLA-E are claimed to play a role in establishing maternal–fetal immune tolerance and in maintaining pregnancy. The presence of polymorphism in the HLA-G gene could cause a deficient or excessive expression of the HLA-G and HLA-E molecules. These anomalies could eventually cause pregnancy losses. Materials and methods Clinical study. A total of 90 patients were included in this study. These patients suffered spontaneous abortions between weeks 6 and 11 of pregnancy. We have analysed the most important polymorphisms of the HLA-G gene through different genetic studies and HLA-G and HLA-E expression through immunostaining in human cytotrophoblast cells from first…

Hormonal and molecular characterization of follicular fluid, cumulus cells and oocytes from pre-ovulatory follicles in stimulated and unstimulated cycles

background: The use of ovarian stimulation, to stimulate a multi-follicular response for assisted reproduction treatments, may force the production of oocytes from follicles that do not reach optimal maturation, possibly yielding oocytes that are not fully competent. The present study aimed to define the follicular environment and oocyte competence of unstimulated pre-ovulatory follicles, to compare it with that of similar-sized stimulated follicles. For this purpose, we analyzed the follicular hormonal milieu, the oocyte meiotic spindle, the embryo development and the cumulus cells gene expression (GE) profiles. methods and results: The study population was divided in two groups: (i) 42 oo…