Progesterone levels on the human chorionic gonadotropin trigger day affect the pregnancy rates for embryos transferred at different stages of development in both general and selected IVF/ICSI populations.

BACKGROUND: Two meta-analyses have shown that pregnancy and birth rates are significantly higher after blastocyst transfer than after cleaved embryo transfer. Other studies have revealed that a serum progesterone level > 1.5 ng/ml on the trigger day is responsible for premature luteinization and is associated with a low pregnancy rate. The objectives of this retrospective study were to determine whether blastocyst transfer gave higher pregnancy rates than cleaved embryo transfer at day 3 in both the general and selected IVF/ICSI populations, and whether the serum progesterone level influenced the pregnancy rate. METHOD: We studied IVF/ICSI cycles with GnRH antagonist - FSH/hMG protocols in a general population (n = 1210) and a selected "top cycle" population (n = 677), after blastocyst transfer on day 5 or cleaved embryo transfer on day 3. The selected couples had to meet the following criteria: female age < 35, first or second cycle, and one or two embryos transferred. We recorded predictive factors for pregnancy and calculated the progesterone to oocyte index (POI), the progesterone:estradiol ratio (P:E2 ratio), and the progesterone to follicle (> 14 mm) index (PFI). RESULTS: In the general population, the clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher after blastocyst transfer (33.3%) than after cleaved embryo transfer (25.3%; p <  0.01); the same was true for the birth rate (32.1 and 22.8%, respectively, p <  0.01). The differences between blastocyst and embryo transfer groups were not significant in the selected population (respectively 35.7% vs. 35.8% for the clinical pregnancy rate, and 33.9 and 34.9% for the birth rate). The serum progesterone levels on the eve of the trigger day and on the day itself were significantly lower in the pregnant women (p <  0.01). We found a serum progesterone threshold of 0.9 ng/ml, as also reported by other researchers. The POI and the PFI appear to have predictive value for cleaved embryos transfers. CONCLUSIONS: Blastocyst transfers were associated with higher clinical pregnancy and birth rates than cleaved embryo transfers in a general population but not in a selected population. The serum progesterone levels on the eve of the trigger day and on the day itself predicted the likelihood of pregnancy.

[Which ovarian stimulation to which women: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)]. / Quelles stimulations pour quelles femmes : le syndrome des ovaires polykystiques (SOPK).

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent pathology in the young woman, linking infertility to a metabolic disease. Initial support will include a plan (in the case of overweight or obesity) to lose at least 5 to 10% of the weight. Subsequently, clomiphene citrate is the first treatment for ovulation induction with pregnancy rates of 40 to 80% after 6 cycles. If there is resistance to clomiphene citrate, the choice will be between the ovarian drilling (50-60% of pregnancy in the year following, including the half spontaneous) or ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins. The risk of ovarian stimulation in these women is hyperstimulation and multiple pregnancies. We also discuss the place of the GnRH pulsatile administration, insulin-sensitizers, in vitro fertilization and in vitro maturation in these women. Once infertility support, these women should be long-term followed because of the neoplasic and cardiovascular risks they present.

Sperm RNA preparation for transcriptomic analysis: Review of the techniques and personal experience.

In the last 10 years, several approaches, including microarrays, have been applied to investigate sperm transcript levels. However, success using microarray profiling is highly dependent of the quality of the RNA obtained. Therefore, the development of methods that deliver highly purified and intact RNA is of utmost importance. The three steps used to achieve this goal, purification of spermatozoa, RNA extraction and evaluation of RNA quality, are reviewed. Following that review and preliminary experiments, we processed sperm samples from seven normozoospermic men with a combination of gradient centrifugation and somatic cell lysis. RNA was extracted using the NucleoSpin RNA XS kit (Macherey-Nagel) and its purity checked using the BioAnalyzer. Hybridisation was done on Agilent SurePrint G3 Human GE 8 × 60K V2 microarrays. We identified 900 transcripts among the 1000 high abundance sperm transcripts reported in the literature. These genes are known to be involved in several biological processes, notably spermatogenesis, transcription regulation, cell growth and differentiation, sperm motility and capacitation, fertilisation, and embryogenesis. Therefore, our methodology is highly suitable for sperm transcriptomic analyses and can be used, notably, to compare mRNA profiles between fertile and infertile males.

[Congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens: From diagnosis to assisted reproductive techniques - the experience of three centers]. / Absence bilatérale des canaux déférents : du diagnostic à l'assistance médicale à la procréation. Expérience de 3 centres.

OBJECTIVES: To review the management with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) of men with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD), associated with cystic fibrosis or not, after surgical retrieval [epididymal aspiration (MESA) or testicular biopsy (TESE)]. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective study made of 2 groups: CBAVD and cystic fibrosis (CF) or CBAVD only (CF-RD). Two centers performed MESA (Brest and Nantes) and one TESE (Rennes). Sperm numeration, motility, vitality, morphology and nuclear maturity were measured in both centers performing MESA. Fertilization rate (TF) and cumulated progressive pregnancy rate by retrieved oocyte (TGC) were compared between centers following ART. RESULTS: Ninety patients underwent surgical retrieval between January 1996 and March 2013, 30 in the CF group and 60 in the CF-RD group. Semen parameters were comparable between groups and centers. Fifty-eight (22 in the CF group and 36 in the CF-RD group) patients received ART between April 1996 and October 2014. TF was 50% and 52% and TGC 26% and 32% in the CF group and CF-RD groups, respectively. The results did not differ between groups but TGC was higher in Rennes than in the other two centers. CONCLUSION: Both semen parameters and ART results are comparable and similar to those reported in the literature. As shown by the results obtained in Rennes, TESE seems to be more effective.

Epigenetic alterations and autoimmune disease.

Recent advances in epigenetics have enhanced our knowledge of how environmental factors (UV radiation, drugs, infections, etc.) contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases (AID) in genetically predisposed individuals. Studies conducted in monozygotic twins discordant for AID and spontaneous autoimmune animal models have highlighted the importance of DNA methylation changes and histone modifications. Alterations in the epigenetic pattern seem to be cell specific, as CD4+ T cells and B cells are dysregulated in systemic lupus erythematosus, synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis and cerebral cells in multiple sclerosis. With regard to lymphocytes, the control of tolerance is affected, leading to the development of autoreactive cells. Other epigenetic processes, such as the newly described miRNAs, and post-translational protein modifications may also be suspected. Altogether, a conceptual revolution is in progress, in AID, with potential new therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic patterns.