How general semen quality influences the blastocyst formation rate: Analysis of 4205 IVF cycles

Objective: To select embryos with higher implantation potential, the extended culture has been the most frequently applied strategy worldwide, and consequently leads to higher live birth rates per transfer. Sperm quality is a determining feature, and it may influence the outcomes of IVF from fertilization to embryo development. Therefore, we hypothesize that blastocyst formation may also be impaired by general semen quality. Methods: We analyzed 4205 IVF cycles. Four study groups were designed according to semen quality: normal, mild alteration, severe alteration and epididymis. All cycles were intended to extend embryo culture until the blastocyst stage, and embryo development was evaluated. Results: Regarding cleavage rate, the normal and mild alteration semen groups were equivalent, and the severe alteration and epididymis semen groups were equivalent to each other. The blastocyst formation rate decreased with semen quality. At least one blastocyst formed in 79.9% of cycles for the normal semen group, whereas the percentage of cycles with the formation of at least one blastocyst was slightly lower for the mild alteration (75.6%), severe alteration (76.4%) and epididymis (76.8%) semen groups. A multivariate logistic regression showed that for each additional cleaved embryo on day 3, the chance of having at least one blastocyst doubles. Additionally, the chance of having at least one blastocyst decreased when semen presented mild or severe alterations. Conclusion: The general quality of sperm is a good predictor of blastocyst formation, significantly affecting the likelihood of having at least one blastocyst at the end of the cycle. Based on our findings, it is necessary to consider general semen quality and the number of cleaved embryos when forecasting the possibility of blastocyst formation and transfer in an extended culture system.Huntington Med Reprod, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, EPM, Dept Ginecol, Disciplina Ginecol Endocrinol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo FMUSP, Fac Med, Dept Obstet & Ginecol, Disciplina Ginecol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, EPM, Dept Ginecol, Disciplina Ginecol Endocrinol, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Increasing rate of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies between the first and second waves of COVID-19 in São Paulo, Brazil: A cross-sectional blood donors-based study

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infections rapidly spread along with Brazilian territory with heterogeneous transmission and mortality rates, mostly depending on region and period. Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is an important tool to understand virus circulation. Given that blood donors are a representative casuistic of a healthy population, the authors evaluated the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM COVID-19 antibodies in 2,806 blood donors from a blood bank located in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Aiming to evaluate viral behavior over time, the authors selected samples from blood donors who donated in June and October 2020, and February 2021. To determine whether socio-demographic features affected the seroprevalence, the authors analyzed samples from three different regions from São Paulo (capital, metropolitan and countryside regions) and evaluated predictors as gender, age, educational level, race, and use of public transportation. Results: As expected, the authors observed that seroprevalence increased over time. Seroprevalence was greater in São Paulo city compared to metropolitan and countryside regions, being smallest in the countryside. Characteristics associated with a lower percentage of antibodies were age above 50 years, higher educational level, self-declared Caucasian, and use of individual transportation. Conclusion: In conclusion, blood donors' samples proved to accurately reflect virus circulation in the healthy population

Evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in microRNAs (hsa-miR-196a2 rs11614913 C/T) from Brazilian women with breast cancer

Background: Emerging evidence has shown that miRNAs are involved in human carcinogenesis as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in pre-miRNAs may affect the processing and therefore, influence the expression of mature miRNAs. Previous studies generated conflicting results when reporting association between the hsa-miR-196a2 rs11614913 common polymorphism and breast cancer.Methods: This study evaluated the hsa-miR-196a2 rs11614913 SNP in 388 breast cancer cases and 388 controls in Brazilian women. Polymorphism was determined by real-time PCR; control and experimental groups were compared through statistical analysis using the X-2 or Fisher's exact tests.Results: the analysis of the SNPs frequencies showed a significant difference between the groups (BC and CT) in regards to genotype distribution (chi(2): p = 0.024); the homozygous variant (CC) was more frequent in the CT than in the BC group (p = 0.009). the presence of the hsa-miR-196a2 rs11614913 C/T polymorphism was not associated with histological grades (p = 0.522), axillary lymph node positive status (p = 0.805), or clinical stage (p = 0.670) among the breast cancer patients.Conclusions: the results of this study indicated that the CC polymorphic genotype is associated with a decreased risk of BC and the presence of the T allele was significantly associated with an increased risk of BC.Univ Fed Ceara, Dept Gynecol & Obstet, BR-62022304 Sobral, Ceara, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Mol Gynecol Lab, Dept Gynecol, BR-04039032 São Paulo, BrazilCtr Univ Fundacao Santo Andre, Dept Biol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv S Florida, Reprod Biol Res Lab, Div Reprod Endocrinol & Infertil, Dept Obstet & Gynecol, Tampa, FL 33612 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Mol Gynecol Lab, Dept Gynecol, BR-04039032 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

The Developmental Competence of Oocytes Retrieved from The Leading Follicle in Controlled Ovarian Stimulated Cycles

Abstract Background: This study compares the developmental capacity of gametes retrieved from the largest follicle with small follicles of a cohort in controlled ovarian stimulated cycles

A Single Dose of a Hybrid hAdV5-Based Anti-COVID-19 Vaccine Induces a Long-Lasting Immune Response and Broad Coverage against VOC

Most approved vaccines against COVID-19 have to be administered in a prime/boost regimen. We engineered a novel vaccine based on a chimeric human adenovirus 5 (hAdV5) vector. The vaccine (named CoroVaxG.3) is based on three pillars: (i) high expression of Spike to enhance its immunodominance by using a potent promoter and an mRNA stabilizer; (ii) enhanced infection of muscle and dendritic cells by replacing the fiber knob domain of hAdV5 by hAdV3; (iii) use of Spike stabilized in a prefusion conformation. The transduction with CoroVaxG.3-expressing Spike (D614G) dramatically enhanced the Spike expression in human muscle cells, monocytes and dendritic cells compared to CoroVaxG.5 that expressed the native fiber knob domain. A single dose of CoroVaxG.3 induced a potent humoral immunity with a balanced Th1/Th2 ratio and potent T-cell immunity, both lasting for at least 5 months. Sera from CoroVaxG.3-vaccinated mice was able to neutralize pseudoviruses expressing B.1 (wild type D614G), B.1.117 (alpha), P.1 (gamma) and B.1.617.2 (delta) Spikes, as well as an authentic P.1 SARS-CoV-2 isolate. Neutralizing antibodies did not wane even after 5 months, making this kind of vaccine a likely candidate to enter clinical trials.Fil: López, M. Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Vinzon, Sabrina Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Cafferata, Eduardo Gustavo Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Nuñez, Felipe. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Soto, Ariadna Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez Lamas, Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Afonso, María Jimena. Fundación Instituto Leloir; ArgentinaFil: Aguilar Cortes, Diana Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Rios, Gregorio David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Maricato, Juliana T.. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Torres Braconi, Carla. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Barbosa da Silveira, Vanessa. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Montes de Andrade, Tatiane. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Carvalho de Souza Bonetti, Tatiana. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Ramos Janini, Luiz M.. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Castello Girão, Manoel J. B.. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Llera, Andrea Sabina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, Karina Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Ortega, Hugo Hector. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Berguer, Paula Mercedes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Podhajcer, Osvaldo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Profile of cytokines, hormones and growth factors in follicular fluid and serum of patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation in IVF cycles

Introducao: Os fatores envolvidos no desenvolvimento e maturacao folicular, assim como no desenvolvimento embrionario podem ser determinantes das causas da infertilidade. A qualidade do oocito e grau de maturacao sao diretamente dependentes do microambiente folicular, e afetam as etapas subsequentes desde a fertilizacao ate o desenvolvimento embrionario. A avaliacao dos componentes do fluido folicular (FF), e sua relacao com os resultados dos ciclos de fertilizacao in vitro (FIV) podem elucidar fatores envolvidos nas falhas e sucessos deste processo. Materiais e Metodos: Este estudo avaliou 132 amostras de FF e soro de pacientes submetidas a ciclos de injecao intracitoplasmatica de espermatozoide (ICSI), as quais foram analisadas para as concentracoes de IL ]8, IL ]1ƒÀ, IL ]6, IL ]10, TNF, IL ]12p70, LIF, VEGF, FSH, estradiol, progesterona, inibina ]B e hormonio anti ]mulleriano (AMH). Estes fatores foram correlacionados com a resposta ao estimulo ovariano controlado (EOC), resultados laboratoriais e clinicos dos ciclos de ICSI. As analises foram realizadas por metodo de regressao linear ou logistica multipla, e ajustados para as variaveis intervenientes. Resultados: Observamos que a presenca de IL ]1ƒÀ serica teve um efeito positivo nas taxas de implantacao e aumentou 15 vezes as chances de gestacao. Ja as concentracoes intrafoliculares de citocinas foram correlacionadas com a qualidade dos oocitos e embrioes correspondentes as amostras de FF. A presenca de IL ]12 intrafolicular foi preditiva da falha de fertilizacao, enquanto as concentracoes de IL ]8 e LIF afetaram negativamente a qualidade embrionaria. Conclusoes: Desta forma, os resultados obtidos neste estudo permitem concluir que a composicao do FF em pacientes submetidas ao EOC afeta a qualidade de oocitos e embrioes e subsequentes resultados clinicos dos ciclos de ICSI. Outros estudos sao necessarios para complementar os achados aqui apresentados e, elucidar os complexos mecanismos associados ao ambiente folicular e o potencial de desenvolvimento de oocitos e embrioes.TEDEBV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertaçõe

Profile of cytokines, hormones and growth factors in follicular fluid and serum of patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation in IVF cycles

Introducao: Os fatores envolvidos no desenvolvimento e maturacao folicular, assim como no desenvolvimento embrionario podem ser determinantes das causas da infertilidade. A qualidade do oocito e grau de maturacao sao diretamente dependentes do microambiente folicular, e afetam as etapas subsequentes desde a fertilizacao ate o desenvolvimento embrionario. A avaliacao dos componentes do fluido folicular (FF), e sua relacao com os resultados dos ciclos de fertilizacao in vitro (FIV) podem elucidar fatores envolvidos nas falhas e sucessos deste processo. Materiais e Metodos: Este estudo avaliou 132 amostras de FF e soro de pacientes submetidas a ciclos de injecao intracitoplasmatica de espermatozoide (ICSI), as quais foram analisadas para as concentracoes de IL ]8, IL ]1ƒÀ, IL ]6, IL ]10, TNF, IL ]12p70, LIF, VEGF, FSH, estradiol, progesterona, inibina ]B e hormonio anti ]mulleriano (AMH). Estes fatores foram correlacionados com a resposta ao estimulo ovariano controlado (EOC), resultados laboratoriais e clinicos dos ciclos de ICSI. As analises foram realizadas por metodo de regressao linear ou logistica multipla, e ajustados para as variaveis intervenientes. Resultados: Observamos que a presenca de IL ]1ƒÀ serica teve um efeito positivo nas taxas de implantacao e aumentou 15 vezes as chances de gestacao. Ja as concentracoes intrafoliculares de citocinas foram correlacionadas com a qualidade dos oocitos e embrioes correspondentes as amostras de FF. A presenca de IL ]12 intrafolicular foi preditiva da falha de fertilizacao, enquanto as concentracoes de IL ]8 e LIF afetaram negativamente a qualidade embrionaria. Conclusoes: Desta forma, os resultados obtidos neste estudo permitem concluir que a composicao do FF em pacientes submetidas ao EOC afeta a qualidade de oocitos e embrioes e subsequentes resultados clinicos dos ciclos de ICSI. Outros estudos sao necessarios para complementar os achados aqui apresentados e, elucidar os complexos mecanismos associados ao ambiente folicular e o potencial de desenvolvimento de oocitos e embrioes