Reducing the trigger dose of recombinant hCG in high-responder patients attending an assisted reproductive technology program: an observational study

Gian Mario Tiboni, Enrica Concetta Colangelo, Adalisa Ponzano Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy Abstract: Decreasing the dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) used to trigger final oocyte maturation in assisted reproductive technology programs is regarded as a useful intervention in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, but the minimal effective dose has not been yet identified. In this study, the capacity of a reduced dose of recombinant hCG (r-hCG) to provide adequate oocyte maturation was tested for the first time. Thirty-five high-responder patients received a dose of 125 µg (half of the standard dose) of r-hCG for triggering final oocyte maturation. The number of oocytes retrieved per patient and the proportion of mature oocytes were evaluated. As a result, a mean number of 14 oocytes were retrieved, of which 85% were found to be mature (MII). There was only one patient developing a moderate form of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and not requiring hospitalization. It is suggested that r-hCG at 125 µg can be effective in triggering final oocyte maturation in high-responder patients. Additional properly powered and controlled studies are needed to support this contention. Keywords: recombinant hCG, low dose, triggering oocyte maturation, OHS

The role of toxicology to characterize biomarkers for agrochemicals with potential endocrine activities

The paper discusses current knowledge and possible research priorities on biomarkers of exposure, effect and susceptibility for potential endocrine activities of agrochemicals (dicarboximides, ethylene bisdithiocarbammates, triazoles, etc.). Possible widespread, multiple-pathway exposure to agrochemicals highlights the need to assess internal exposure of animals or humans, which is the most relevant exposure measure for hazard and risk estimation; however, exposure data should be integrated by early indicators predictive of possible health effects, particularly for vulnerable groups such as mother-child pairs. Research need include: non-invasive biomarkers for children biomonitoring; novel biomarkers of total exposure to measure whole endocrine disrupter-related burden; characterization of biomarkers of susceptibility, including the role of markers of nutritional status; anchoring early molecular markers to established toxicological endpoints to support their predictivity; integrating "omics"-based approaches in a system-toxicology framework. As biomonitoring becomes increasingly important in the environment-and-health scenario, toxicologists can substantially contribute both to the characterization of new biomarkers and to the predictivity assessment and improvement of the existing ones

Thrombophilia and outcomes of assisted reproduction technologies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Thrombophilia has been associated with pregnancy complications and recurrent miscarriage. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the controversial association between thrombophilia and failures of assisted reproduction technology (ART). A systematic search of the literature for studies reporting on thrombophilia in women undergoing ART up to April 2011 yielded 33 studies (23 evaluating anti-phospholipid antibodies, 5 inherited thrombophilia, and 5 both) involving 6092 patients. Overall, methodologic quality of the studies was poor. Combined results from case-control studies showed that factor V Leiden was significantly more prevalent among women with ART failure compared with fertile parous women or those achieving pregnancy after ART (odds ratio = 3.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.77-5.36). The prothrombin mutation, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation, deficiency of protein S, protein C, or anti-thrombin were all not associated with ART failure. Women with ART failure tested more frequently positive for anti-phospholipids antibodies (odds ratio = 3.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.77-6.26) with evidence of high degree of between-study heterogeneity (I(2) = 75%; P < .00001). Prospective cohort studies did not show significant associations between thrombophilia and ART outcomes. Although case-control studies suggest that women experiencing ART failures are more frequently positive for factor V Leiden and anti-phospholipid antibodies, the evidence is inconclusive and not supported by cohort studies

Pesticides and fertility: An epidemiological study in Northeast Italy and review of the literature

An increasing number of observations suggestive for a causal link between pesticide exposure and reproductive dysfunctions have appeared in literature during recent years. The present epidemiological analysis was undertaken to evaluate whether living in rural areas, where large amounts of pesticides are applied, represents a risk factor for infertility. Fertility rate (FR) was taken as statistical indicator for potential changes in fertility mediated by pesticides. The study analyzed a large population from an agricultural area of the North Eastern Italy, the Veneto Region. According to the estimated quantities of sprayed pesticides, the area was divided in three sub-areas with expected low, intermediate and high pesticide exposure. Comparisons of FR failed to detect significant differences among populations from the three selected areas, while regression analysis showed a significant decrease of FR relative to the total amount of pesticides used. Although several investigative shortcomings prevent the results from being conclusive, this study seemingly challenges the hypothesis that living in rural areas where large amounts of pesticides are applied represents a risk factor for fertility

Purification and characterization of three Pi class glutathione transferase from monkey (Macaca fascicularis) placenta

Three forms of glutathione transferase (GST) with an apparent isoelectric point of pH 4.65 (GST 1), 4.75 (GST II) and 4.9 (GST III) were resolved from the monkey (Macaca Fascicularis) placenta after GSH-affinity chromatography followed by chromatofocusing. Substrate specificity, immunological reactivity, as well as N-terminal aminoacid sequences indicate that the three enzymes belongs to the pi class of GST. Reverse phase HPLC analysis indicates that the three GST arise from the combination of two different subunits eluting respectively at 29.60 +/- 0.10 min and 32.43 +/- 0.13 min. GST 1 is an homodimer of the 29.60 +/- 0.10 min subunit, GST III is an homodimer of the 32.43 +/- 0.13 min subunit, whereas the GST II is an heterodimer of the 29.60 +/- 0.10 min and 32.43 +/- 0.13 min subunits. Our results suggest that unlike human, multiple forms of pi class GST exist in monkey placenta

Therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases in pregnancy and lactation.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are a group of disorders characterised by chronic or relapsing inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract of variable severity. A chronic medication is often needed and management of fertile women is a crucial point because of the possible adverse effects associated with the administered drugs and the disease itself. The risk of pregnancy-related complications and the disease behaviour during pregnancy depends mainly on disease activity at time of conception. So, it is very important to plan the pregnancy and reach and maintain a clinical remission of the disease before conception. Drugs usually used in IBD treatment include 5- aminosalicylic acid compounds, corticosteroids, azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine, cyclosporine A, mesalazine, and antibiotics such as metronidazole and ciprofloxacin. Management of IBD in pregnancy at present is not standardised or supported by strong evidence. In this report, we summarise the available data, mainly derived from retrospective and case-control studies, about IBD management in pregnancy, focusing mostly on the safety of drugs during gestation and peripartum