Role of SP3111 protein in fertilization and early embryo development in mice / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the function of the SP3111 protein in fertilization and early embryo development through in vitro fertilization (IVF) experiments following anti-SP111 antibody (Ab2438) blocking.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sperm samples collected from male mice were divided into an experimental, a blank control and a negative control group before IVF. The sperm of the experimental group was incubated with Ab2438 for 1 h followed by IVF and observed for the rates of fertilization and embryo fragmentation at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 22 h. Then the fertilized eggs were incubated with Ab2438, and the rates of fertilization embryo fragmentation were observed at 22 h.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the sperm was incubated with Ab2438, the incidences of embryo fragmentation were 5.26, 8.77, 23.25, 43.42 and 59.21% at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 22 h, respectively, with significant differences from the control groups (P < 0.01). After 22 h Ab2438 incubation of the fertilized eggs, the rates of normal and fragmented embryos of the experimental group were 23.64 and 63.64%, respectively, significantly different from those of the control groups (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Anti-SP3111 antibodies remarkably affected fertilization and early embryo development in mice. The SP3111 protein may be a signal molecule and plays a role in fertilization and early embryo development together with other proteins. Further studies on the function of the SP3111 protein in reproduction may offer a new insight into the molecular mechanism of infertility.</p>

Effect of traditional Chinese herbs combined with low dose human menopausal gonadotropin applied in frozen-thawed embryo transfer / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess embryo implantation rate (IR) and pregnancy rate (PR) in women who received Bushen Wengong Decoction (BSWGD), a Chinese herbal formula, combined with low dose of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) prior to frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 262 subjects (674 transferred embryos) who received FET were analyzed retrospectively. In them, 122 women were under 30 years old, 106 between 30 - 35 years and 32 over 35 years. The 85 subjects with normal ovulation were assigned to Group A, the natural menstruation cycling group, on whom no pre-transfer treatment was applied. The other 177 subjects with abnormal ovulation were assigned to Group B, and subdivided, according to the pre-transfer treatment they received, into three groups, Group B1 (50 cases) received BSWGD, Group B2 (58 cases) received hMG and Group B3 (69 cases) received both BSWGD and low dose hMG. The IR and PR of FET in the four groups were compared, and the effect of the embryo cryotime on PR of FET were compared also. Besides, the influencing factors to FET were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IR and PR were significantly higher in all age sects of Group B3 than those in Group A, showing significant difference (P< 0.05). IR and PR in subjects in age sects of <30 years and > 35 years in group B3 were significantly higher than those in Group B1 ( P<0.05), but no significant difference was shown in the two parameters between Group B 2 and Group B3 (P>0.05). PR in the subjects who received embryos with cryo-time of > 200 days was significantly lower than that in those with cryo-time of < 100 days ( P<0.05). Embryo cryo-time, endometrial thickness, use of BSWGD and use of hMG were of significance in FET ( P 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A programmed cycle of BSWGD combined with low dose of hMG could improve the embryo IR and PR of FET. Embryo cryo-time, endometrial thickness, and the use of BSWGD and hMG are of significance for FET.</p>