Follicular and serum levels of vitamin D in women with unexplained infertility and their relationship with in vitro fertilization outcome: an observational pilot study

Follicular and serum vitamin D are considered potential markers of the oocyte and embryos' quality and predictors of IVF outcomes. Material and methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study correlated vitamin D in sera and follicular fluid of women with unexplained..

Gestation-associated changes in the glycosylation of placental insulin and insulin-like growth factor receptors

Introduction: Insulin receptor (IR) and type 1 and type 2 insulin-like growth factor receptors (IGF1 R and IGF2R) play important roles in regulation of placental and foetal growth. All three receptors are abundantly glycosylated. N-glycosylation significantly affects protein conformation and may alter its function. We have recently found that the N-glycome of placental membrane proteins alters during gestation. The aim of the study presented herein was to investigate whether there were gestation-related changes in N-glycan profiles of placental IR and IGFRs. Methods: Placentas from healthy women at first (FTP) and third trimester (TTP) of pregnancy were collected, membrane proteins isolated, solubilised and used as the source of IR and IGFRs. Reactivity of glycoforms of IR and IGFRs with lectins was monitored by measuring radioactivity of I-125-ligands-receptors complexes. Results: Significant differences in the binding pattern of all three receptors to the lectins were observed between FTP and TTP, which suggest gestational changes in N-glycans bound to receptors. These changes include decrease in total fucosylated, core-fucosylated biantennary N-glycan (NA2F) and alpha 2,6-sialo-N-glycans (for IR); decrease in total fucosylated and a2,6-sialo-N-glycans and an increase in NA2F N-glycans (for IGF1R) and an increase in the total fucosylation and NA2F N-glycans (for IGF2R). Discussion: The gestational alterations in N-glycans attached to IR and IGFRs may represent a mechanism by which these receptors acquire new/additional roles as gestation progresses. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire: Validity and Reliability of a Serbian Version (PPAQ-SRB)

Exercise during pregnancy has a positive effect on the health of both pregnant women and their fetuses. This study aimed to translate the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) into the Serbian language and assess its validity and reliability among Serbian pregnant women. The study was conducted between October 2020 and March 2021 at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic (Narodni Front), in Belgrade, Serbia. The PPAQ was translated according to a standardized methodology, and its internal consistency and construct and concurrent validity were assessed. The mean PPAQ score for the total amount of physical activity was 37.72 MET-h/week−1. Exploratory factor analysis of the Serbian PPAQ identified six factors similar to the original questionnaire that explained 70.26% of the data variance. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the Serbian version of the PPAQ was 0.69. The two-week intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) scores ranged from 0.768 to 0.930. We tested the evidence to assess the concurrent validity of the Serbian version of PPAQ (PPAQ-SRB) correlations with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form (IPAQ-LF), and all domains of the PPAQ were significantly correlated with domains of the IPAQ-LF. The findings of our reliability and validity evaluation are consistent with those of prior studies, indicating that the PPAQ was successfully translated and implemented in the Serbian population and that its reliability was acceptable