Embryo development is impaired by sperm mitochondrial-derived ROS

BACKGROUND: Basal energetic metabolism in sperm, particularly oxidative phosphorylation, is known to condition not only their oocyte fertilising ability, but also the subsequent embryo development. While the molecular pathways underlying these events still need to be elucidated, reactive oxygen species (ROS) could have a relevant role. We, therefore, aimed to describe the mechanisms through which mitochondrial activity can influence the first stages of embryo development. RESULTS: We first show that embryo development is tightly influenced by both intracellular ROS and mitochondrial activity. In addition, we depict that the inhibition of mitochondrial activity dramatically decreases intracellular ROS levels. Finally, we also demonstrate that the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration positively influences sperm DNA integrity, most likely because of the depletion of intracellular ROS formation. CONCLUSION: Collectively, the data presented in this work reveals that impairment of early embryo development may result from the accumulation of sperm DNA damage caused by mitochondrial-derived ROS.

Sperm DNA damage compromises embryo development, but not oocyte fertilisation in pigs

BACKGROUND: The assessment of sperm DNA integrity has been proposed as a complementary test to conventional mammalian semen analysis. In this sense, single-strand (SSB) and double-strand (DSB) DNA breaks, the two types of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), have been reported to have different aetiologies and to be associated to different fertility outcomes in bovine and humans. Considering that no studies in porcine have addressed how SDF may affect sperm quality and fertility outcomes, the present work aimed to determine the impact of global DNA damage, SSB and DSB on sperm quality and in vitro fertilising ability. To this end, 24 ejaculates (one per boar) were split into three aliquots: the first was used to assess sperm quality parameters through a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system and flow cytometry; the second was used to perform in vitro fertilisation, and the third, to evaluate sperm DNA integrity using alkaline and neutral Comet assays. RESULTS: The results showed that global DNA damage negatively correlates (P 0.05). CONCLUSION: Considering all these findings, this work sets a useful model to study how SDF negatively influences fertility.

Effect of Acupuncture on Outcomes of in vitro Fertilisation: A Scoping Review / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To identify, examine and summarize the available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) outcomes.@*METHODS@#Eight electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Review, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Database and VIP Database, were searched, supplemented by manual searches. Two researchers independently conducted the literature screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessments. A narrative description was provided to show the general information and specific characteristics of the included studies. A bubble plot was used to visually display the overall effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes.@*RESULTS@#Eighty-two studies were identified, including 64 primary studies and 18 systematic reviews. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, electric acupuncture and manual acupuncture were applied in most studies and compared with no acupuncture, sham acupuncture and placebo acupuncture control groups. Sixty-three (98.4%) primary studies reported clinical pregnancy rate, and positive effects of acupuncture were found in 34 studies (54.0%). Live birth rate was reported in only 18 (28.1%) primary studies, of which 10 (55.6%) showed positive results. In addition, only 8 and 2 systematic reviews showed that acupuncture could increase clinical pregnancy events and live birth events, respectively. However, none of these reviews was of high methodological quality.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Available evidence suggests that acupuncture therapy could improve clinical pregnancy rates. However, whether acupuncture could increase live birth events was difficult to determine based on the few studies that have reported this outcome indicator. Furthermore, the methodological quality of most systematic reviews was assessed as critically low or low. Studies with a rigorous design and standardized implementation should be performed to refine the available evidence.

Yield and economic viability in a soybean crop (Glycine max l. Merrill) with the application of amino acids / Rendimento e viabilidade econômica na cultura da soja (Glycine max (L. ) Merrill) com aplicação de aminoácidos / Rendimiento y viabilidad económica en el cultivo de soja (Glycine max (L. ) Merrill) con aplicación de aminoácidos

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is a crop that has a high demand for all the essential macronutrients. To be used efficiently, these should be at sufficient levels and balanced. The application of amino acids can influence the efficiency of nitrogen fertilisation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the productivity and economic viability of the 'M-6410 IPRO®' soybean under different doses of the amino-acid complex, Torped Gold®. Different doses of the organo-mineral class-A fertiliser complexed with amino acids (Torped Gold®) were used. The treatments were arranged in a randomised block design of five treatments with four replications for a total of 20 experimental units. T1 - water applied as control (0.0%), T2 - 80% of the manufacturer's recommended dose (80%), T3 - 100% of the recommended dose (100%), T4 - 20% more than the recommended dose (120%) and T5 ­ Double the recommended dose (200%). The lowest production was found for T1 (control), with a productivity of 1495 kilograms per hectare. The manufacturer's recommended dose (100%), 20% more than the recommended dose (120%) and double the dose (200%) gave a productivity of 1873, 1883 and 1905 kg ha-1 respectively. There was an increase in productivity of the order of 6 bag ha-1 and there was no need to adjust the dose recommended by the manufacturer.(AU)

A soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) é uma cultura muito exigente em todos os macronutrientes essenciais. Os quais devem estar em níveis suficientes e equilibrados para um aproveitamento eficiente. A aplicação de aminoácidos pode influenciar na eficácia da adubação nitrogenada. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a produtividade e a viabilidade econômica da soja M-6410 IPRO® em diferentes dosagens do complexo de aminoácido Torped Gold®. Foram utilizadas diferentes dosagens do fertilizante organomineral classe A, complexados com aminoácidos (Torped Gold). Os tratamentos foram dispostos em delineamento de blocos casualizados, sendo cinco tratamentos com quatro repetições totalizando 20 unidades experimentais. T1: aplicação de água como controle (0,0%); T2: 80% da dose recomendado pelo fabricante (80%), T3: dose recomendada (100%), T4: 20% a mais, que a dose recomendada (120%) e T5: o dobro da dose recomendada (200%). Constatou-se menor produção no T1 (controle), com produtividade de 1495 quilogramas por hectares. Dosagens recomendada pelo fabricante (100%), 20% a mais que a dose recomendada (120%) e o dobro da dose (200%), proporcionaram produtividades, de 1873, 1883 e 1905 kg ha-1, respectivamente. Houve incremento na produtividade na ordem de 6 (seis) sacas ha-¹, não havendo necessidade de ajustar a dose recomendada pelo fabricante.(AU)

La soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) es un cultivo muy exigente en todos los macronutrientes esenciales. Los cuales deben estar en niveles suficientes y equilibrados para un uso eficiente. La aplicación de aminoácidos puede influir en la eficacia de la fertilización con nitrógeno. El objetivo del estudio ha sido evaluar la productividad y viabilidad económica de la soja M-6410 IPRO® en diferentes dosis del complejo de aminoácidos Torped Gold®. Se utilizaron diferentes dosis de fertilizante organomineral clase A, complejados con aminoácidos (Torped Gold). Los tratamientos se organizaron en un diseño de bloques al azar, siendo cinco tratamientos con cuatro repeticiones totalizando 20 unidades experimentales. T1: aplicación de agua como control (0.0%); T2: 80% de la dosis recomendada por el fabricante (80%), T3: dosis recomendada (100%), T4: 20% más que la dosis recomendada (120%) y T5: dos veces la dosis recomendada (200%) . En T1 (control) se encontró menor producción, con una productividad de 1495 kilogramos por hectárea. Las dosis recomendadas por el fabricante (100%), 20% más que la dosis recomendada (120%) y el doble de la dosis (200%), proporcionaron rendimientos de 1873, 1883 y 1905 kg ha-¹, respectivamente. Hubo un aumento de productividad del orden de 6 (seis) sacos ha-¹, sin necesidad de ajustar la dosis recomendada por el fabricante.(AU)

A rare case of early onset intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is an important complication of pregnancy requiring increased surveillance by the obstetricians due to its increased foetal morbidity and mortality in the form of preterm birth, foetal distress, RDS including sudden IUD and stillbirth. The incidence of ICP is increasing due to IVF and routine administration of progesterone in early pregnancy. ICP usually presents in late second and third trimester. Here authors are presenting a case of early onset ICP (14 weeks) which developed in an IVF conception.

Effectiveness and safety of rLH and rFSH in patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm microinjection applied GnRH antagonist protocol: A meta-analysis / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To compare the effectiveness and safety of recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) combined with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) and rFSH alone in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm microinjection (IVF/ICSI) applied gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist. Methods The databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang Data were electronically searched to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCT) applied GnRH antagonist using rLH+rFSH or rFSH alone in IVF/ISCI cycles from inception to Dec. 2018. Following the Cochrane system evaluation and according to the criteria for inclusion and exclusion, two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and evaluated the bias risk for inclusion in studies, and then meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.3 software. Results A total of 10 RCT studies involving 1965 patients were included, of them 988 cases in rFSH+rLH group and 977 cases in rFSH alone group. Meta-analysis showed no significant difference between rFSH alone group and rLH+rFSH group in clinical pregnancy rate (RR=1.02, 95%CI 0.82-1.27, P=0.85), ongoing pregnancy rate (RR=1.06, 95%CI 0.86-1.32, P=0.57), miscarriage rate (RR=1.38, 95%CI 0.75-2.54, P=0.29), incidence of adverse events canceled due to ovarian hyporesponsiveness (RR=0.90, 95%CI 0.42-1.93, P=0.78), and the incidence of adverse events canceled due to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) (RR=1.06, 95%CI 0.56-1.99, P=0.86). Conclusions Current evidence shows that, compared with rFSH alone group, the rLH+rFSH group showed no effect on the clinical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, incidence of adverse events canceled due to ovarian hyporesponsiveness, and the incidence of adverse events canceled due to OHSS. The above conclusions need to be verified by more high quality research since the quality and quantity limited of included studies.

Analysis of the truth in advertising on the efficacy provided by assisted reproduction clinics / Análisis sobre la autenticidad de la publicidad sobre la eficacia de clínicas de reproducción asistida / Análise da verdade na publicidade sobre a eficácia fornecida pelas clínicas de reprodução assistida

Abstract: This paper analyses the efficacy data from assisted reproduction clinics, obtained from both scientific society reports and from studies published in specialised journals, in order to compare them with information published by Spanish assisted reproduction clinics on their websites. It aims to verify whether this information matches the reality of the findings in the media analysed or, in contrast, differs from the aforementioned scientific evidence. Our study shows marked discrepancies between the evidence of existing statistical data, and figures published by most of the clinics on their websites, which could constitute false advertising.

Resumen: Este estudio analiza los datos de eficacia de clínicas de reproducción asistida, obtenidos tanto de informes de sociedades científicas como de estudios publicados en revistas especializadas, para compararlos con la información publicada por las clínicas de reproducción asistida de España en sus sitios web. El objetivo es verificar si esta información es conforme a los hallados en informes y revistas o, por el contrario, difiere de la evidencia científica mencionada. Nuestro estudio demuestra marcadas discrepancias entre la evidencia de datos estadísticos existentes y las cifras publicadas por la mayoría de los sitios web de las clínicas, lo cual constituye falsa publicidad.

Resumo: Este artigo analisa os dados de eficácia de clínicas de reprodução assistida, obtidas de relatórios da sociedade científica e de estudos publicados em revistas especializadas, a fim de compará-los com informações publicadas por clínicas de reprodução assistida espanholas em seus websites. O artigo visa verificar se esta informação coincide com a realidade dos resultados encontrados nos meios de comunicação analisados ou, por outro lado, difere da evidência científica acima mencionada. Nosso estudo mostra discrepâncias entre a evidência dos dados estatísticos existentes e indicadores publicados pela maioria das clínicas em seus sites, que podem constituir falsa publicidade.

Investigating the Potential of Nigella Sativa and Thymoquinone in Salvaging the Embryo from Effects of Toxic Paternal Exposure to Cyclophosphamide

Background: Exposure to cyclophosphamide (CPA) for cancer treatment results in over-production of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress thus affecting the DNA in male germ cell inducing sperm defects. Our goal is to assess the potential effects of Nigella sativa extract (NSE) and thymoquinone (TQ) on sperm and embryo quality following fertlization of sperm produced from germ cells which have been exposed to the damaging alkylating effects of CPA. Methods: Thirty six male ICR mice were divided into six groups; (I) Vehicle-treated control (normal saline), (II) CPA-only, (III) TQ-only, (IV) NSE-only, (V) CPA followed by TQ and (VI) CPA followed by NSE. Treatment with 200mg/kg CPA and 10mg/kg of both NSE and TQ were given by intraperitoneal injection. Animals were sacrificed at 33 days by cervical dislocation and sperm from caudal epidydymis were taken for analysis and in vitro fertilization (IVF) with eggs from untreated female. Fertilization rates and embryo development were monitored for 5 days. The result were analysed by using SPSS 16.Results: TQ and NSE supplementation to CPA-exposed male mice have no significant effect (p>0.05) on the total number of sperm if compared to CPA-only exposed mice. NSE and TQ supplementation have been shown to have significant effect (p<0.05) on the percentage of motile sperm as well as the number of abnormal sperm. Four types of abnormalities of the sperm were found which includes folded sperm, amorphous, banana-like and the head lacking of the usual hook. Finally, the embryo quality shows a significant improvement by the supplementation of TQ and NSE to CPA-exposed male mice (p<0.05). Conclusion: Overall, both NSE and TQ have indicated chemopreventive potential against the cytotoxicity of cyclophosphamide on the reproductive capacity and fertility.

Effect of fertilisation and harvest period on polar metabolites of Calendula oficcinalis

The present study evaluated the chemical profile of polar extracts of Calendula officinalis L., Asteraceae, that were grown under different cultivation conditions: chemical fertilisation, organic fertilisation and mulching. Furthermore, we investigated metabolite variations during plant development by comparing the metabolites from harvested plants at 60 and 120 days after planting. We used HPLC-DAD-MS/MS to tentatively identify metabolites. In total, we identified seven known compounds: five flavonoid glycosides and two caffeoylquinic acids derivatives. There were no statistically significant differences in the expression of metabolites from plants grown under the examined soil treatments. However, five substances varied according to harvest time, suggesting that the biosynthesis of polar metabolites of Calendula officinalis is not affected by changes in soil composition. Therefore, this plant could represent a source for phytomedicines with a constant content of polar metabolites.

Successful treatment of severe male factor infertility in Jamaica with intracytoplasmic sperm injection / Tratamiento exitoso de la infertilidad severa por factor masculino en Jamaica mediante inyección de esperma intracitoplasmático

OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on the treatment of subfertile couples in Jamaica. METHOD: A review of the outcome of treatment cycles for infertile couples that underwent in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and ICSI from 2003-05 at the Hugh Wynter Fertility Management Unit (HWFMU) of the University of the West Indies. Fertilisation and pregnancy rates for the cycles as well as the factors determining the success of the procedure were reviewed. SPSS 11.1 was used to do statistical calculations. RESULTS: Ninety-six ICSI cycles were done from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005. For couples with previous poor or no fertilisation in a standard IVF group (n = 12), the fertilisation rate was 72%; for those with substandard semen (n = 73), the fertilisation rate was 77.5%, for those with semen retrieved by surgical sperm method (n = 11), the fertilisation rate was 59%. The resulting live births were 0%, 12.5% and 27.3% respectively. There was a statistically significant impact ofage on pregnancy rates as the mean age ofthe females in the previously poor or no fertilisation in a standard IVF group (39.08 ± 5.14) was greater than those of the substandard semen group (35.93 ± 4.22) ]p = 0.023[ as well as the group with surgical sperm retrieval (32.82 ± 6.65) ]p = 0.019[. CONCLUSION: With ICSI, the fertilisation and pregnancy rates in Jamaica are comparable to international rates regardless of the cause of infertility. However, the age of the female partner does have a significant impact on the pregnancy rate following ICSI.

OBJETIVO: Examinar el impacto de la inyección de esperma intracitoplasmático (IEIC) en el tratamiento de las parejas subfértiles en Jamaica. MÉTODO: Se realizó un examen del resultado de los ciclos de tratamiento para las parejas infértiles que recurrieron a la fertilización in vitro (FIV) y a la IEIC de 2003 a 2005 en la Unidad de Tratamiento de la Fertilidad Hugh Wynter del Hospital Universitario de West Indies (HWFMU). Se examinaron las tasas de fertilización y embarazos en todos los ciclos así como los factores que determinan el éxito del procedimiento. Se usó el programa SPSS para realizar los cálculos estadísticos. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron noventa y seis ciclos de IEIC del 1ero de enero de 2003, al 31 de diciembre de 2005. Para parejas con ninguna o pobre fertilización en un grupo estándar de FIV (n - 12), la tasa de fertilización fue 72%; para aquellos con semen subestándar (n = 73), la tasa de fertilización fue 77.5%; para aquellos con semen recuperado mediante recuperación quirúrgica de esperma (n = 11), la tasa de fertilización fue 59%. Los nacimientos vivos resultantes fueron 0%, 12.5%, y 27.3% respectivamente. Hubo un impacto estadísticamente significativo de la edad sobre las tasas de comembarazo, ya que la edad promedio de las hembras en la fertilización previamente pobre o sin fertilización en un grupo FIV estándar (39.08 ± 5.14) fue mayor para las del grupo de semen subestándar (35.93 ± 4.22) ]p = 0.023[ así como las del grupo con recuperación quirúrgica del esperma (32.82 ± 6.65) ]p = 0.019[. CONCLUSIÓN: Con el uso de IEIC, las tasas de fertilización y embarazo en Jamaica, son comparables a las tasas internacionales, independientemente de cual sea la causa de la infertilidad. Sin embargo, la edad de la pareja hembra no tiene un impacto significativo sobre la tasa de embarazo una vez aplicada la IEIC.

Comparación entre el clivaje temprano y el estadio pronuclear como parámetros de referencia para inducir el embarazo en pacientes ovoreceptoras en Cali (Colombia) / Comparing early cleavage and pronuclear state as reference parameters for inducing pregnancy in embryo implantation patients in Cali, Colombia

Introducción: algunos autores han propuesto métodos no invasivos que se centran en el clivaje temprano del estadio de dos células a las 25 y 27 horas luego de ocurrida la inseminación, los cuales son aplicables a los programas de fertilización in vitro que aumentan la probabilidad de implantación y embarazo. Objetivo: comparar la tasa de embarazo en pacientes ovoreceptoras con embriones provenientes de clivaje temprano con respecto a la del estadio pronuclear. Metodología: se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo, en el cual se incluyeron a las pacientes ovoreceptoras que asistieron entre abril de 2004 y diciembre de 2007 al Centro de Biomedicina -FECUNDAR en Cali (Colombia) por presentar baja respuesta al ciclo de estimulación ovárica controlada, factor edad, falla ovárica o por ser pacientes subrogadas o gestacionales. El tamaño de la muestra se dividió de la siguiente manera: el porcentaje de embarazo esperado para el grupo de clivaje temprano-singamia (grupo 1) fue 79% (36 pacientes) mientras que el porcentaje de embarazo para el grupo pronuclear (grupo 2) llegó a ser 21% (9 pacientes). A partir de la obtención de estos datos, se determinaron las tasas de implantación y de embarazo y se compararon los dos grupos por medio de la prueba Chi-cuadrado (X2). Resultados: de un total de 289 cigotos, se incluyeron 183 que cumplieron los parámetros propuestos, entre embriones provenientes de clivaje temprano (CT), singamia (S) y estadio pronuclear (PN) a las 25 y 27 horas posinseminación. De este total, 79% provenían del estadio clivaje temprano-singamia y 21% del estadio pronuclear. El promedio de embriones transferidos a las pacientes ovoreceptoras fue tres embriones, la edad promedio fue 38 años, la tasa de embarazo obtenida al transferir los embriones provenientes de clivaje temprano fue 44% en comparación con 41% para la transferencia de los embriones no clivados a las 25 horas posinseminación. Finalmente, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en la obtención del embarazo. Conclusión: bajo las condiciones del estudio, el resultado muestra que no hay diferencias en la tasa de éxitos para ambos procedimientos.

Introduction: some authors have proposed that non-invasive embryo implantation methods (based on early cleavage or pronuclear stage for two cells 25 and 27 hours post-insemination) are applicable to in vitro fertilisation programmes, thereby increasing the probability of implantation and pregnancy. Objective: comparing pregnancy rates in patients implanted with embryos originating from early cleavage to those from the pronuclear stage. Methodology: a retrospective cohort study was carried out. Embryo implantation patients were included who had been attending the FECUNDAR -Biomedicine Centre in Cali, Colombia, from April 2004 to December 2007 who presented a poor response to the controlled ovarian stimulation cycle, age factor and/or ovarian failure and pregnancy substitute patients. The sample consisted of 45 patients; 36 patients (79%) were expected to become pregnant in the early-syngamy and cleavage group (group 1) and 9 patients (21%) in the pronuclear group (group 2). Implantation and pregnancy rates were determined and the Chi-square (X2) test was used for comparing both groups. Results: 183 of the 289 zygotes complied with the proposed parameters (i.e. embryos from early cleavage, syngamy and pronuclear stage 25 and 27 hours post-insemination); 79% of these 183 came from the early cleavage and syngamy stage and 21% from the pronuclear stage. Three embryos on average were transferred to embryo implantation patient; average age was 38, the pregnancy rate obtained when transferring early cleavage embryos was 44% compared to 41% for non-cleaved embryo transfer 25 hours post-insemination. No statistically significant differences were found regarding how pregnancy was induced. Conclusion: equal success rates were obtained for both procedures in the given study conditions.

Comparison of human menopausal gonadotrophin and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone in in-vitro fertilisation and pregnancy outcome.

The study was carried out to compare the effectiveness of human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (recombinant FSH) in term of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and pregnancy outcome. A total of 238 patients who underwent IVF for infertility treatment were included in the study. The first attempt of controlled ovarian stimulation was recorded and evaluated. A long protocol of ovarian stimulation was performed with gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-a) administration. Gonadotrophin, which was either HMG (group A) or recombinant FSH (group B), was administrated to each patient for ovarian stimulation. The results of this study showed no difference in the number of stimulation days, fertilised oocytes, transferred embryos and cycles with embryos available for freezing between the two groups. Although the starting doses of both gonadotrophins were similar, the total dosage of HMG was higher than that of recombinant FSH (48.8ฑ20.8 versus 42.9ฑ20.0, p = 0.03). The number of retrieved oocytes in group A was higher than that in group B (9.5ฑ4.4 versus 8.3ฑ4.3, p = 0.04). The differences in cancellation rate, fertilisation rate, pregnancy rate per cycle and per transfer, as well as implantation rate between the two groups was not statistically significant. In conclusion, patients who underwent ovarian stimulation with GnRH-a long down-regulation still benefit for HMG for their treatment. We did not find any difference in fertilisation rate or pregnancy rate as well as implantation rate between HMG and recombinant FSH. A greater number of oocytes were retrieved in patients treated with HMG. However, more ampoules of HMG were administrated to achieve ovarian stimulation, compared with recombinant FSH.