Sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation of balanced chromosomal rearrangements carriers

Introduction. Somatic chromosomal rearrangements that occur in infertile males are thought to be one of the major genetic factors influencing male infertility. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate sperm parameters in a group of patients with balanced translocations. Material and methods. We analyzed semen of 84 balanced somatic translocation carriers [35 Robertsonian translocation (RT group) and 49 reciprocal translocation (RCT group)] and 57 men with normal karyotype (control group). Semen samples were evaluated for sperm concentration, its motion parameters and vitality, round cell number (CASA) and DNA fragmentation index (TUNEL). Cytogenetic evaluation was also performed for each study participant. Results. Sperm concentrations were lower when comparing the RT group to the control (p < 0.001) and RCT groups (p < 0.05). Occurrence of abnormal sperm concentration was more common among RT carriers (74.3%) than in the other groups (42.9% in RCT group and 28.1% in control group). The sperm progressive motility and vitality in RT carriers (21.53% and 62.17%) were lower than in control group (39.77% and 77.47%, p < 0.001, respectively) and RCT carriers (31.47% and 76.17%, p < 0.001, respectively). The RCT carriers and the control group did not differ in regard to sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, motility grade D and sperm vitality. There were no significant differences in DNA fragmentation in carriers of both studied structural chro­mosomal rearrangements in comparison to subjects with normal karyotype. Conclusions. RT carriers had significantly lower semen parameters in comparison to not only the subjects with normal karyotypes but also the RCT carriers

Two new automated, compared with two enzyme-linked immunosorbent, antimüllerian hormone assays

Objective: To compare new automated antimüllerian hormone (AMH) assay performance characteristics from the new automated Elecsys AMH (Roche; Elecsys) and Access AMH (Beckman Coulter; Access) assays with the existing AMH Gen II ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Gen II; Beckman Coulter) and AMH ELISA (Ansh Labs) assays. Design: Prospective assay evaluation. Setting: University-affiliated clinical chemistry laboratory. Patient(s): Patients referred for serum AMH measurement (n = 83) before start of in vitro fertilization cycle between September 2014 and October 2014. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Serum AMH concentration.: Result(s): Intra-assay coefficients of variation were low; Ansh ≤ 9.0%; Gen II ≤ 5.8%; Access ≤ 10.7%; and Elecsys ≤ 2.8%. The Passing-Bablok regression equations (pmol/L) were y (Access) = 0.128 + (0.781 × Gen II); and y (Access) = 0.302 + (0.742 x Ansh). For y (Elecys) = 0.087 + (0.729 x Gen II) and y (Elecys) = 0.253 + (0.688 x Ansh Labs). For y (Elecys) = 0.943 − (0.037 × Access). For all the assays, AMH exhibited a moderate positive correlation with AFC (r = 0.62–0.64); number of cumulus oocyte complexes (r = 0.60–0.64); and metaphase II oocytes (r = 0.48–0.50). Accuracy of pregnancy prediction, as determined by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, was uniformly low for all assays (0.62–0.63). Conclusion(s): The novel automated assays exhibit strong concordance in calibration, but derived values are substantially lower than those obtained from pre-existing assays, with assay-specific interpretation required for routine clinical use. These results highlight the need for an international standard of measurement of AMH

GnRH-Agonist Cycles versus Combined Pretreatment with Oral Contraceptive Pills in Long Protocol GnRH-Agonist Cycles: A Randomised Controlled Trial

The strategy of in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures relies on the increasing pregnancy rate and decreasing the risk of premature ovulation and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. They are also designed to avoid weekend oocyte retrievals. Combined oral contraceptive (OC) pills are among the medicines used to accomplish these objectives. Alternatively, estradiol can be used instead of OC to obtain similar results. The aim of our study was to compare the differences in pregnancy rates (PRs), implantation rates, and miscarriage rates between a short agonist protocol with estradiol priming and a long protocol with combined OC. Of the 298 women who participated in this study, 134 achieved clinical pregnancies (45.0%). A higher PR (58.4%, = 80, compared to 40.3%, = 54) was achieved in the long protocol after OC pretreatment group. The implantation rate was also higher for this group (37.8% versus 28.0%; = 0.03). The miscarriage rate was 15.0% ( = 12) for the long protocol after OC pretreatment group and 20.4% ( = 11) for the short agonist group ( = 0.81). The short agonist protocol required a 5.7% lower human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) dosage than the long protocol but surprisingly the number of oocytes retrieved was also smaller

Increased expression of mRNA specific for c-Met oncogene in human papillary thyroid carcinoma

Introduction: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a differentiated type of thyroid cancer and the most common type of carcinoma of this gland in the Polish population. PTC originates from the thyroid follicular epithelial cell and its molecular pathogenesis is still poorly understood. The aim of the study was to estimate the expression of mRNA, specific for the c-Met oncogene, in the tissue of human PTC, and to evaluate the possible correlation between the level of c-Met oncogene expression and such parameters as: patient’s age and gender, histopathological variants of the tumour and the assignment of patients to particular stages in the clinical staging system. Material and methods: The level of RNA expression which was measured in macroscopically unchanged thyroid tissue served as controls. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and densitometry analysis were employed for mRNA expression measurements, with the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (GAPDH) as a control housekeeping gene. Results: Oncogene c-Met mRNA expression was evaluated for 18 cases of PTC (PTC follicular type – 8 cases, PTC classic type – 10 cases) and for the corresponding, macroscopically unchanged thyroid tissue. The mean expression of c-Met mRNA was significantly higher in PTC (three-fold), when compared to that found in macroscopically unchanged thyroid tissue. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with the possibility that the c-Met oncogene plays a crucial role in the carcinogenic process in the human thyroid

The role of vitamin D in reproductive dysfunction in women – a systematic review

Vitamin D is essential for the proper functioning of the human body. There is also evidence of its strong association with fertility problems in women. This review aims to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D and diseases affecting women’s fertility (polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), uterine leiomyomas and endometriosis), and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in Scopus and PubMed for relevant English language publications since 1989. Vitamin D influences the functioning of the reproductive system in women and has been associated with PCOS, uterine leiomyomas, endometriosis and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. However, further studies on larger groups of patients are needed to establish what role vitamin D plays in the treatment of female infertility

Estradiol Valerate Pretreatment in Short Protocol GnRH-Agonist Cycles versus Combined Pretreatment with Oral Contraceptive Pills in Long Protocol GnRH-Agonist Cycles: A Randomised Controlled Trial

The strategy of in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures relies on the increasing pregnancy rate and decreasing the risk of premature ovulation and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. They are also designed to avoid weekend oocyte retrievals. Combined oral contraceptive (OC) pills are among the medicines used to accomplish these objectives. Alternatively, estradiol can be used instead of OC to obtain similar results. The aim of our study was to compare the differences in pregnancy rates (PRs), implantation rates, and miscarriage rates between a short agonist protocol with estradiol priming and a long protocol with combined OC. Of the 298 women who participated in this study, 134 achieved clinical pregnancies (45.0%). A higher PR (58.4%, n=80, compared to 40.3%, n=54) was achieved in the long protocol after OC pretreatment group. The implantation rate was also higher for this group (37.8% versus 28.0%; P=0.03). The miscarriage rate was 15.0% (n=12) for the long protocol after OC pretreatment group and 20.4% (n=11) for the short agonist group (P=0.81). The short agonist protocol required a 5.7% lower human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) dosage than the long protocol but surprisingly the number of oocytes retrieved was also smaller