Metabolites involved in cellular communication among human cumulus-oocyte-complex and sperm during in vitro fertilization

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.-- et al.[Background]: Fertilization is a key physiological process for the preservation of the species. Consequently, different mechanisms affecting the sperm and the oocyte have been developed to ensure a successful fertilization. Thus, sperm acrosome reaction is necessary for the egg coat penetration and sperm-oolema fusion. Several molecules are able to induce the sperm acrosome reaction; however, this process should be produced coordinately in time and in the space to allow the success of fertilization between gametes. The goal of this study was to analyze the metabolites secreted by cumulus-oocyte-complex (COC) to find out new components that could contribute to the induction of the human sperm acrosome reaction and other physiological processes at the time of gamete interaction and fertilization. [Methods]: For the metabolomic analysis, eighteen aliquots of medium were used in each group, containing: a) only COC before insemination and after 3 h of incubation; b) COC and capacitated spermatozoa after insemination and incubated for 16–20 hours; c) only capacitated sperm after 16–20 h in culture and d) only fertilization medium as control. Six patients undergoing assisted reproduction whose male partners provided normozoospermic samples were included in the study. Seventy-two COC were inseminated. [Results]: The metabolites identified were monoacylglycerol (MAG), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and phytosphingosine (PHS). Analysis by PCR and in silico of the gene expression strongly suggests that the cumulus cells contribute to the formation of the PHS and LPC. [Conclusions]: LPC and PHS are secreted by cumulus cells during in vitro fertilization and they could be involved in the induction of human acrosome reaction (AR). The identification of new molecules with a paracrine effect on oocytes, cumulus cells and spermatozoa will provide a better understanding of gamete interaction.This study was supported by grant GV/2009/097 from Department of Education, Generalitat Valenciana, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain (Vigrob-137), the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad AGL2012-40180-C03-02 and Fundación Seneca (04542/GERM/06).Peer Reviewe

Separation, determination and composition profile of lipids in biodiesel using hyphenation of gradient HPTLC with fluorescence detection by intensity changes and mass spectrometry

Trabajo presentado al 250th ACS National Meeting, celebrado en Boston (US) del 16 al 20 de agosto de 2015.Spanish MINECO and FEDER (UE) (Plan Nacional I+D+I, project CTQ2012-035535) and to DGA-ESF. M.P.L. thanks MINECO for grant BES-2013-063673).Peer Reviewe

Detection of capsinoids by ESI-mass analysis

Publishe

Ectrodactilia

La ectrodactilia es una rara malformación congénita, caracterizada por un defecto central en manos y pies con forma de “V” profunda, consecuencia de la deficiencia o ausencia de los radios centrales de las extremidades. La ectrodactilia es una manifestación genética y clínicamente heterogénea, que se presenta de forma aislada o en combinación con otras malformaciones y/o síndromes, tales como la ectrodactilia aislada autosómica dominante o SHFM (Split Hand-Foot Malformation) o, la forma más frecuente y conocida, el síndrome de Ectrodactilia, Displasia Ectodérmica y labio/paladar leporino (EEC). Se puede asociar también a displasia ungueal, anormalidades de la piel y del conducto lagrimal, entre otras. Se ha descrito con patrón autosómico dominante. El término “Ectrodactilia” data de 1832, cuando San Hilario lo utilizó para describir una mano constituida por sólo dos dedos. Las anomalías de la mano son difíciles de diagnosticar y con frecuencia se pasan por alto durante las ecografías prenatales. El espectro de malformaciones de la mano es muy amplio, y pueden estar aisladas o asociadas a otras malformaciones o alteraciones del cariotipo. El descubrimiento de estas anomalías ayuda a estrechar el cerco en el diagnóstico diferencial, ya que algunas malformaciones son altamente sugestivas de un diagnóstico sindrómico específico. Así pues, el examen sistemático de las extremidades fetales puede guiarnos en el diagnóstico y manejo de muchas condiciones asociadas. Tanto en el caso de la ectrodactilia aislada como en los complejos sindrómicos que tienen la ectrodactilia entre sus alteraciones definitorias, como el Síndrome EEC, han tomado protagonismo las mutaciones del gen p63 (gen supresor de tumores relacionados con el ectodermo y mesodermo embrionarios), ubicado en el cromosoma 3, y causante de la gran mayoría de casos de ectrodactilia en el mundo. El enfoque terapéutico de la ectrodactilia debe ser multidisciplinario. En los casos de ectrodactilia asociada a otras malformaciones, la prioridad debe ser la corrección quirúrgica de los defectos que ocasionan déficit funcional, como los problemas de fonación y audición debidos al paladar leporino, o los problemas de la marcha o la manipulación de objetos debido a la ectrodactilia

Metabolites involved in cellular communication among human cumulus-oocyte-complex and sperm during in vitro fertilization

Background: Fertilization is a key physiological process for the preservation of the species. Consequently, different mechanisms affecting the sperm and the oocyte have been developed to ensure a successful fertilization. Thus, sperm acrosome reaction is necessary for the egg coat penetration and sperm-oolema fusion. Several molecules are able to induce the sperm acrosome reaction; however, this process should be produced coordinately in time and in the space to allow the success of fertilization between gametes. The goal of this study was to analyze the metabolites secreted by cumulus-oocyte-complex (COC) to find out new components that could contribute to the induction of the human sperm acrosome reaction and other physiological processes at the time of gamete interaction and fertilization. Methods: For the metabolomic analysis, eighteen aliquots of medium were used in each group, containing: a) only COC before insemination and after 3 h of incubation; b) COC and capacitated spermatozoa after insemination and incubated for 16–20 hours; c) only capacitated sperm after 16–20 h in culture and d) only fertilization medium as control. Six patients undergoing assisted reproduction whose male partners provided normozoospermic samples were included in the study. Seventy-two COC were inseminated. Results: The metabolites identified were monoacylglycerol (MAG), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and phytosphingosine (PHS). Analysis by PCR and in silico of the gene expression strongly suggests that the cumulus cells contribute to the formation of the PHS and LPC. Conclusions: LPC and PHS are secreted by cumulus cells during in vitro fertilization and they could be involved in the induction of human acrosome reaction (AR). The identification of new molecules with a paracrine effect on oocytes, cumulus cells and spermatozoa will provide a better understanding of gamete interaction.This study was supported by grant GV/2009/097 from Department of Education, Generalitat Valenciana, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain (Vigrob-137), the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad AGL2012-40180-C03-02 and Fundación Seneca (04542/GERM/06)

Perinatal adverse effects in newborns with estimated loss of weight percentile between the third trimester ultrasound and delivery. The GROWIN study

Fetal growth restriction has been associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes (APOs). We determined the importance of fetal growth detention (FGD) in late gestation for the occurrence of APOs in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) newborns. For this purpose, we analyzed a retrospective cohort study of 1067 singleton pregnancies. The newborns with higher APOs were SGA non-FGD and SGA FGD in 40.9% and 31.5% of cases, respectively, and we found an association between SGA non-FGD and any APO (OR 2.61; 95% CI: 1.35–4.99; p = 0.004). We did not find an increased APO risk in AGA FGD newborns (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.80, 1.59; p = 0.483), except for cesarean delivery for non-reassuring fetal status (NRFS) with a decrease in percentile cutoff greater than 40 (RR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.11–5.21) and 50 (RR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.14–7.54). Conclusions: Newborns with the highest probability of APOs are SGA non-FGDs. AGA FGD newborns do not have a higher incidence of APOs than AGA non-FGDs, although with falls in percentile cutoff over 40, they have an increased risk of cesarean section due to NRFS. Further studies are warranted to detect these newborns who would benefit from close surveillance in late gestation and at delivery

Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of pregnancies with COVID 19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective. This meta-analysis aimed at comparing obstetric and perinatal outcomes in laboratory-tested pregnant women for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection before delivering. Method. We performed a comprehensive systematic review of electronic databases for studies reporting pregnant women with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection, as determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) before delivery, during the pandemic period published up to June 25, 2021. Results are reported as mean difference (MD) or odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI). Results. Seventeen observational studies with low to moderate risk of bias, reported on 2,769 pregnant women with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test and 13,807 with a negative test. Pregnant women with a positive PCR test delivered at an earlier gestational age (MD −0.19; 95% CI −0.36 to −0.02 weeks), smoked less (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.61–0.94) and were associated with higher odds for preeclampsia (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.09–1.54), NICU admissions (OR 2.37; 95% CI 1.18–4.76), stillbirths (OR 2.70; 95% CI, 1.38–5.29), and perinatal mortality (OR 3.23; 95% CI 1.23–8.52). There were no significant differences between positive and negative tested women in terms of nulliparity, multiple pregnancies, gestational diabetes, route of delivery, labor induction, preterm birth, infant birth weight, 5 min Apgar scores < 7, small-for-gestational-age infants and fetal malformations. Eleven studies included neonatal PCR SARS-CoV-2 testing which was performed on 129 infants, of which 20 were positive. Conclusion. Positive SARS-CoV-2 tested pregnant women had higher odds for preeclampsia/hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, NICU admissions, stillbirths and perinatal mortality

Evaluation of two treatment strategies for the prevention of preterm birth in women identified as at risk by ultrasound (PESAPRO Trial): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Premature birth is considered one of the main problems in modern Obstetrics. It causes more than 50 % of neonatal mortality; it is responsible for a large proportion of infant morbidity and incurs very high economic costs. Cervical length, which can be accurately measured by ultrasound, has an inverse relationship with the risk of preterm birth. As a result, having an effective intervention for asymptomatic patients with short cervix could reduce the prematurity. Although recently published data demonstrates the effectiveness of vaginal progesterone and cervical pessary, these treatments have never been compared to one another. Methods/Design: The PESAPRO study is a noncommercial, multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial (RCT) in pregnant women with a short cervix as identified by transvaginal ultrasonography at 19 to 22 weeks of gestation. Patients are randomized (1:1) to either daily vaginal progesterone or cervical pessary until the 37th week of gestation or delivery; whichever comes first. During the trial, women visit every 4 weeks for routine questions and tests. The primary outcome is the proportion of spontaneous preterm deliveries before 34 weeks of gestation. A sample size of 254 pregnant women will be included at 29 participating hospitals in order to demonstrate noninferiority of placing a pessary versus vaginal progesterone. The first patient was randomized in August 2012, and recruitment of study subjects will continue until the end of December 2015. Discussion: This trial assesses the comparative efficacy and safety between two accepted treatments, cervical pessary versus vaginal progesterone, and it will provide evidence in order to establish clinical recommendationsThe study has been funded by two national grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health and ISCIII