Streptococcus ovis associated abortion in an Icelandic mare.

Streptococci are well-known opportunistic bacterial abortifacients in mares. Colonization of the pregnant uterus is considered to happen after transcervical migration of bacteria from the lower genital tract mucosa. Streptococcus ovis is a pathogen mainly associated with inflammatory lesions in sheep. This species has not been reported in association with disease in horses. In the present case, S. ovis was isolated in monoculture from the lung of an 8-months-old equine fetus and was associated with development of acute suppurative bronchopneumonia, umbilical cord cellulitis and placentitis in the cervical star region of the allantochorion. The mare had been in a pasture together with sheep. One week prior to abortion, a double-guarded uterine swab had been inserted into the cervical canal by a veterinarian, who was unaware of the mare being pregnant. This probably damaged the cervical mucus plug thus allowing S. ovis bacteria to pass the cervical canal and colonize the placenta.

An Observation of the Microstructure of Cervical Mucus in Cows during the Proestrus, Estrus, and Metestrus Stages and the Impact on Sperm Penetration Ability.

Cervical mucus not only provides energy for sperm but also forms a barrier to block sperm. This paper aims to study the microstructure of cervical mucus in dairy cows during the proestrus, estrus, and metestrus and its effect on sperm permeability. The experiment collected cervical mucus from 60 Holstein cows during these phases, then observed the different shapes of the mucus after crystallization, classified the mucus, and analyzed its proportions. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of the cervical mucus and measure the micro-pore sizes, followed by sperm permeability tests using mucus from different estrous stages and counting the number of permeated sperm. The results indicate that cervical mucus from cows in different estrous phases includes four types (L, S, P, G), with each type constituting a different proportion. During the proestrus, the L type was significantly more prevalent than the other types (p < 0.05); during estrus, the S type was significantly more prevalent than the other types (p < 0.05); and during the metestrus, the p type was significantly more prevalent than the other types (p < 0.05). The micro-pore sizes of the same type of cervical mucus did not show significant differences across different estrous phases (p > 0.05). However, within the same estrous phase, there were significant differences in the micro-pore sizes among the four types (p < 0.05). The number of sperm that permeated the cervical mucus during estrus and metestrus was significantly higher than during the proestrus (p < 0.05). This study provides data support for the research on cervical mucus in dairy cows.

Proteomics approach to discovering non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers and understanding the pathogenesis of endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is one of the most common gynaecological diseases, yet it lacks efficient biomarkers for early detection and unravels disease mechanisms. Proteomic profiling has revealed diverse patterns of protein changes in various clinical samples. Integrating and systematically analysing proteomics data can facilitate the development of biomarkers, expediting diagnosis and providing insights for potential clinical and therapeutic applications. Hence, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore potential non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers in various biological samples and therapeutic targets for endometriosis. METHODS: Online databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase via Ovid, and Google Scholar, were searched using MeSH terms. Two independent authors screened the articles, extracted the data, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. GO and KEGG analyses were performed to identify the pathways that were significantly enriched. Protein­protein interaction and hub gene selection analyses were also conducted to identify biomarker networks for endometriosis. RESULTS: Twenty-six observational studies with a total of 2,486 participants were included. A total of 644 differentially expressed proteins (180 upregulated and 464 downregulated) were identified from 9 studies. Proteins in peripheral blood exhibited a sensitivity and specificity of 38-100% and 59-99%, respectively, for detecting endometriosis, while proteins in urine had a sensitivity of 58-91% and specificity of 76-93%. Alpha-1-antitrypsin, albumin, and vitamin D binding proteins were significantly DEPs in both serum and urine. Complement C3 is commonly expressed in serum, menstrual blood, and cervical mucus. Additionally, S100-A8 is commonly expressed in both menstrual blood and cervical mucus. Haptoglobin is commonly detected in both serum and plasma, whereas cathepsin G is found in urine, serum, and plasma. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that proteoglycans in cancer pathways, which regulate cell-to-cell interactions, modulate the extracellular matrix, and promote the proliferation and invasion of endometrial cells, are commonly enriched in serum and urine. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive study revealed potential proteomes that were significantly differentially expressed in women with endometriosis utilizing various non-invasive clinical samples. Exploring common differentially expressed proteins in various biological samples provides insights into the diagnosis and pathophysiology of endometriosis, as well as potential clinical and therapeutic applications.

Usefulness of the Sympto-Thermal Method with Standardized Cervical Mucus Assessment (InVivo Method) for Evaluating the Monthly Cycle in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

(1) Background: FABMs (fertility awareness-based methods) are methods that rely on the observation of clinical signs related to fertility found in women, the so-called fertility bioindicators. They can be a valuable tool for diagnosing monthly cycle disorders and infertility, for example, among patients with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Until now, it has been difficult for women with PCOS to use FABM, due to the difficulty of describing fertility bioindicators and their disorders due to the biology of the syndrome. The new InVivo sympto-thermal method with standardized cervical mucus assessment may provide a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool for observing the monthly cycle in this group of women. (2) Methods: The monthly cycle was evaluated in a group of 32 women of reproductive age. A total of 108 monthly cycle observation cards were analyzed: 35 monthly cycle cards were collected from 18 women with PCOS, and 73 monthly cycle cards collected from 14 healthy women. In addition, 32 pairs of macroscopic and microscopic images were evaluated: 17 pairs from the study group (four subjects) and 15 pairs from women in the control group (six subjects). (3) Results: We showed that in the group of patients with PCOS, menstruation was longer (p = 0.000814), the number of mucus peaks was statistically higher (p = 0.040747), and the interquartile range (IQR) of the duration of the follicular phase (calculated according to the BBT) was significantly higher (8 days) compared to women in the control group. We also observed that among all the women studied, the microscopic image of cervical mucus correlated with the cycle phase described in the observation card, as determined by reference to the BBT chart, provided that it showed the correct features. (4) Conclusions: Systematic maintenance of monthly cycle observation charts using the InVivo method can be an important supplement to the medical history, as it allows for a thorough assessment of, among others, the timing of monthly bleeding, cervical mucus symptoms, BBT changes, and the duration of the follicular and luteal phases among both healthy and PCOS women.

Factors at Insemination and Subsequent Conception of Cattle under Heat-Stress Tie-Stall Environments.

This research aimed to compare the conception rates among AI at 12, 24, and 36 h after estrus in cattle living in tie-stall barns in a tropical environment. The second study was to determine factors at insemination at 24 h after estrus, including secondary signs of estrus behavior, reproductive tract characteristics, and heat-stress factors, in relation to conception. The study was conducted on 22 tie-stall dairy farms in Chiang Mai, Thailand. After secondary signs of estrus were observed, all farmers were informed for data collection at the insemination time. Repeated logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with conception. The results revealed that cattle inseminated 24 h after estrus detection had the highest conception rate (67.5%). The study also found that cattle with three or two secondary estrus signs before insemination had a higher risk of conception than those with only one sign. Interestingly, there was an increased risk of conception when sticky or no cervical mucus was observed during insemination (OR = 6.85 and OR = 5.96, respectively). Moreover, increases in body temperature and ambient relative humidity were related to a decrease in the chances of conception. This study recommends delaying insemination to 24 h after the initiation of secondary estrus signs. Multiple signs of estrus, sticky cervical mucus, and lower body temperature increased conception risk in dairy cattle living in tie-stall barns in a heat-stress environment.

Study of Cervical Mucus Cytology and Serum Inflammatory Biomarkers in Preterm Labour Compared to Term Pregnancy Cases in a Tertiary Care Center of Western Uttar Pradesh (UP), India.

PURPOSE: The onset of labor prior to 37 weeks of gestation is preterm labor. Incidence ranges from 5% to 7% of live births in developed countries, but higher in developing countries (10-13%). Preterm birth is a major threat in perinatal health care, as well as a risk factor for neurological impairment and disability. Considering that infection is the major risk factor for preterm labor in rural areas, this study was performed to assess the cytological changes in the cervical mucus of normal-term and preterm labor cases. METHOD: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a tertiary care center in western Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. The sample size calculated was 90. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in cervical mucus, along with serum inflammatory biomarkers such as CRP and serum alkaline phosphatase, were compared in both groups. RESULT: The incidence of preterm labor increased with an increase in parity, and progression to preterm delivery is faster in the higher parity group. C-reactive protein (CRP) (p value = < 0.001) and serum alkaline phosphatases (taking 220IU/L as the cutoff value), as well as the NLR (p value < 0.001) in cervical mucus in preterm labor, are significantly higher than those in term labor cases, which can be used to predict preterm labor. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (> 220 IU/L) and CRP positivity can be used as prognostic markers. Using a cutoff value of 5 for the NLR in the cervical mucus of preterm labor patients proved to be a highly accurate predictor (82.2%) for preterm labor diagnosis.

Tissue expression analysis of cervical mucus proteome.

Cervical mucus is a viscous fluid functioning as a cervix plug. Products of the endometrial and cervical glands can be detected in the cervical mucus. Cervical mucus is further enriched with transudate originating from the fallopian tubes and proteins originating from the ovaries, peritoneum and distant tissues. With increasing levels of ovarian estrogens, the properties of cervical mucus for possible collection and processing change appropriately. For these reasons, we chose a group of 10 patients treated in the center of assisted reproduction by controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization. This study focuses on the proteomic characterization of cervical mucus and localizes the possible sources of the identified proteins. The most abundant proteins were extracellular proteins, mainly mucins; however, most of the identified proteins, present usually in lower quantities, were of intracellular origin. The tissue analysis revealed that proteins from female reproductive organs are also expressed in other tissues in addition to female reproductive organs, but also proteins specific to the testis, liver, placenta, retina, and cerebellum. This study confirms the suitability and high potential of cervical mucus as a source of proteomic bio-markers not only for the dia-gnosis of the female reproductive tract.

A Pilot Qualitative Case Study of Women's Experiences with Fertility Awareness-Based Methods.

This pilot qualitative case study was able to elicit rich data enabling a description of how women went through the journey of achieving pregnancy using fertility awareness-based methods. Findings underscore that women preferred using natural ways to detect ovulation and would recommend other women to do so, but with healthcare providers' guidance. The findings of this case study can serve as a starting point to provide a framework to understand women's experiences of enduring trial and error with multiple fertility awareness-based methods before discovering their effective method. Findings emphasize the importance for healthcare providers to guide women in using fertility awareness-based methods.

Proteome Mapping of Cervical Mucus and Its Potential as a Source of Biomarkers in Female Tract Disorders.

Cervical mucus (CM) is a viscous fluid that is produced by the cervical glands and functions as a uterine cervix plug. Its viscosity decreases during ovulation, providing a window for non-invasive sampling. This study focuses on proteomic characterization of CM to evaluate its potential as a non-invasively acquired source of biomarkers and in understanding of molecular (patho)physiology of the female genital tract. The first objective of this work was to optimize experimental workflow for CM processing and the second was to assess differences in the proteomic composition of CM during natural ovulatory cycles obtained from intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles and in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Proteomic analysis of CM samples revealed 4370 proteins involved in processes including neutrophil degranulation, cellular stress responses, and hemostasis. Differential expression analysis revealed 199 proteins enriched in IUI samples and 422 enriched in IVF. The proteins enriched in IUI were involved in phosphatidic acid synthesis, responses to external stimulus, and neutrophil degranulation, while those enriched in IVF samples were linked to neutrophil degranulation, formation of a cornified envelope and hemostasis. Subsequent analyses clarified the protein composition of the CM and how it is altered by hormonal stimulation of the uterus.

The effect of deliberate non-adherence to a norgestrel progestin-only pill: A randomized, crossover study.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effects on cervical mucus, ovarian activity and theoretical contraceptive protection of a 6-hour delay and of missing one norgestrel 0.075 mg progestogen-only pill. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective, two-site, randomized, crossover study, healthy women aged 18 to 35 with BMI <32.0 kg/m² and regular ovulatory cycles completed a baseline 28-day cycle with correct daily pill use followed by two intervention cycles in which, around mid-cycle, one pill was taken 6 hours late or missed completely. We undertook ovarian ultrasonography, estradiol and progesterone measurement, and cervical mucus assessments every 3 to 4 days (daily around the time of the incorrect use) and based the theoretical contraceptive protection score on ovarian activity status, cervical mucus and their temporal relationship. RESULTS: Of 91 potential participants screened, 52 started the study and 46 provided complete data for each intervention cycle. Fourteen participants (30%) ovulated in each of the two intervention cycles, with four during the delayed pill cycle and two during the missed pill cycle having an abnormal luteal phase. Seven participants in the delayed pill cycle, and six with a missed pill had elevated cervical mucus scores temporally associated with the intervention. However only two women, one in the delayed pill cycle and one in the missed pill cycle, had cervical mucus scores in the range considered favorable for fertility. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed or missed intake of a single norgestrel 0.075 mg progestogen-only pill appears to have little effect on theoretical contraceptive efficacy. IMPLICATIONS: This biomedical study suggests that taking a norgestrel 0.075mg progestogen-only pill 6 hours late or missing one pill have little effect on ovarian activity or cervical mucus and may not jeopardize contraceptive efficacy. Correlation with typical use outcomes is necessary to confirm pregnancy risk with delayed or missed norgestrel intake.

Effects of recombinant human interferon α2a suppository on levels of inflammatory factors in cervical mucus of HPV-infected patients / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Objective To investigate the effects of recombinant human interferon α2a(rhIFNα2a) suppository on the levels of inflammatory factors in the cervical mucus of patients infected with human papillomavirus(HPV).Methods A total of60 HPV-positive patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from March to August in 2022 were selected as study objects,and then divided into observation and control groups,30 cases for each group,according to the random number table method.The observation group was given rhIFNα2a suppository therapy by vaginal medication,once every other day,continuous 10 times a month as a course of treatment,and 3 consecutive courses of treatment.The control group did not use drugs.The cervical secretions were collected and the levels of IL-1β,IL-2R,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were measured by chemiluminescence assay.Results After 3 months of treatment,the levels inflammatory factors IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α in cervical mucus of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(t=-2.717,-2.686,-3.178 and-3.25,respectively,each P <0.05).Compared with before treatment,the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α in cervical mucus of patients in the observation group also decreased significantly(t=5.934,4.092,6.495 and 3.287,respectively,each P <0.01),while in the control group,only the level of IL-8 in cervical mucus was significantly different(t=2.345,P=0.024).Conclusion rhIFNα2a suppository can reduce the level of inflammatory factors in cervical mucus,attenuate the inflammatory response and accelerate the clearance of HPV.

Vaginal Electrical Impedance Detects the Fertile Window in Healthy Women: a Pilot Study / La Impedancia Eléctrica Vaginal Detecta la Ventana Fértil en Mujeres Sanas: un Estudio Piloto

ABSTRACT This work analyzes the electrical impedance (EI) measurement of cervical mucus (CM) using a device to determine the fertile window. In this prospective and longitudinal study, fourteen healthy women aged 18 to 44 were enrolled to evaluate three menstrual cycles. EI was measured through a medical device inserted into the vagina for two minutes daily. Patients were monitored by urine luteinizing hormone (LH) strip, blood collection, and vaginal ultrasound to visualize the dominant follicle. Finally, the predictive EI capacity was validated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of anovulatory vs. ovulatory impedances. The peak of LH was 35.7 (±4.5) mUI/ml and the dominant follicle size was 15.45 mm (±0.559). There were statistical differences in EI measurements between the follicular and luteal phases vs. the ovulation phase (p<0.0361 and p<0.0160). After data normalization, an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.713 (P value= 0.0253), a Youden J index of 0.4545Ω, a sensitivity of 63.6%, and a specificity of 81.8% were found. Low EI in the ovulatory period belongs to the LH ovulatory peak and follicular release. EI can be used for ovulation monitoring, birth control, or promoting pregnancy as a safe and innocuous method.

RESUMEN Este trabajo analiza la medición de la impedancia eléctrica (IE) del moco cervical (MC) mediante un dispositivo para determinar la ventana fértil. En este estudio prospectivo y longitudinal, se incluyeron 14 mujeres sanas de 18 a 44 años para evaluar tres ciclos menstruales. La IE se midió a través de un dispositivo médico colocado en la vagina durante dos minutos diarios. Las pacientes fueron monitoreadas con una tira de hormona luteinizante (LH) en orina, recolección de sangre y ultrasonido vaginal para visualizar el folículo dominante. Finalmente, la capacidad predictiva de IE fue validada por la curva ROC (receiver operating characteristic) de impedancias anovulatorias vs. ovulatorias. El pico de LH fue de 35.7(±4.5) mUI/ml; el folículo de tamaño dominante fue de 15.45 mm (±0.559). Se encontraron diferencias estadísticas para la medición de la IE de las fases folicular y lútea versus la fase de ovulación (p<0.0361 y p<0.0160). Después de la normalización de los datos, se encontró un área bajo la curva ROC (AUC) de 0.713 (valor de P = 0.0253), un índice de Youden J de 0.4545 Ω, sensibilidad del 63.6 % y especificidad del 81.8 %. La IE baja en el período ovulatorio que pertenece al pico ovulatorio de LH y liberación folicular. La IE se puede utilizar para el control de la ovulación, el control de la natalidad o la promoción del embarazo como método seguro e inocuo.

Light Microscopy and Proteomic Patterns of Ovulation in Cervical Mucus.

There is an increasing number of couples interested in identifying the fertile window for the purpose of conceiving. From what has been published so far, it can be concluded that there are no reliable methods to predict ovulation, and, therefore, to predict the fertile window. Proteins of the cervical mucus (CM) could behave as biomarkers to allow the early and precise identification of ovulation. CM samples were collected from the lumen of the cervical canal from women of reproductive age, on three different days of the same menstrual cycle. Samples were first analyzed and classified by light microscopy. High-resolution mass spectrometry and bioinformatic analysis were performed afterwards to determine the in vivo changes of CM protein composition. CM underwent cyclical changes in its biophysical composition, which were evidenced by changes in the crystallographic patterns observed under the light microscope. The proteomic analysis revealed changes in the protein composition of CM along the cycle. Twenty-five out of the forty-eight total proteins identified could become potential biomarkers of ovulation. The coordinated changes in the composition of the CM around the time of ovulation could be happening to specifically grant access to a foreign body, such as the sperm might be.

Effects of the menstrual cycle on cytological false-negatives in women with persistent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

OBJECTIVES: False-negatives on cytology may be observed during follow-ups for patients with persistent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN); however, the underlying reasons are unknown, and the relationship between the intra-individual variability of false-negatives and the menstrual cycle phase has not been elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether the menstrual cycle influences cytological results to maximise the accuracy of such tests. METHODS: A total of 154 liquid-based cytological (LBC) samples were obtained during follow-ups for 26 patients with CIN, and the relationship between cytological results and the menstrual cycle, which was classified into six phases, was analysed. RESULTS: All LBC smears were satisfactory, and 20 of 154 (13.0%) specimens were negative for intraepithelial lesions or malignancy (NILM). A statistically significant association was observed between the cytological results and the phase of the menstrual cycle, χ2 (2) = 19.322, P < 0.01. The association was moderately strong (Cramer's V = 0.354). The value of adjusted residuals showed a statistically significant increase in the NILM percentage as a cytological result during the early secretory phase (P < 0.01) and a statistically significant decrease in NILM during the menstrual and proliferative phases (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that false-negative cytological results were found to more likely to occur during the early secretory phase. More careful and precise microscopic observation of Pap smears collected at the early secretory phase may contribute to a reduction in the occurrence of false-negatives and improve cytological sensitivity.

Biochemical and molecular characterization of sialylated cervical mucins in sheep†.

Sialic acid occupies terminal positions on O-glycans of cervical mucins, where they contribute to the increased viscosity of mucin thereby regulating sperm transport. This study characterized the sialylated cervical mucins from follicular phase mucus of six European ewe breeds with known differences in pregnancy rates following cervical artificial insemination (AI) using frozen-thawed semen at both synchronized and natural estrus cycles. These were Suffolk (low fertility) and Belclare (medium fertility) in Ireland, Ile de France and Romanov (both with medium fertility) in France, and Norwegian White Sheep (NWS) and Fur (both with high fertility) in Norway. Expression of mucin and sialic acid related genes was quantified using RNA-sequencing in cervical tissue from Suffolk, Belclare, Fur, and NWS only. Cervical tissue was also assessed for the percentage of cervical epithelial populated by mucin secreting goblet cells in the same four ewe breeds. Biochemical analysis showed that there was an effect of ewe breed on sialic acid species, which was represented by Suffolk having higher levels of Neu5,9Ac2 compared with NWS (P < 0.05). Suffolk ewes had a lower percentage of goblet cells than Fur and NWS (P < 0.05). Gene expression analysis identified higher expression of MUC5AC, MUC5B, ST6GAL1, and ST6GAL2 and lower expression of ST3GAL3, ST3GAL4, and SIGLEC10 in Suffolk compared with high fertility ewe breeds (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that specific alterations in sialylated mucin composition may be related to impaired cervical sperm transport.

Mechanism of action of a 0.075 mg norgestrel progestogen-only pill 2. Effect on cervical mucus and theoretical risk of conception.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cervical mucus effects of a norgestrel 0.075 mg progestin-only contraceptive pill over a 28-day cycle. STUDY DESIGN: We recruited persons ages 18 to 35 with normal cycles at 2 US academic medical centers. Participants took norgestrel 0.075 mg daily for 28 days at the same time (within a 3 hour window) daily, recorded through a text-message based e-diary. We extracted cervical mucus using a standardized aspiration technique on the day of pill initiation and then at least every 3 to 4 days over the cycle. We monitored subjects for follicular activity with transvaginal ultrasound examination and blood sampling for ovarian hormones and gonadotropins at each visit. We assessed cervical mucus scoring using a 4-category/12-point modified Insler scale (score ≥9 [favoring fertility], 5-8 [intermediate], and ≤4 [unfavorable to fertility]). We stratified cervical mucus scores by serum estradiol levels and ovulatory status based on a modified Hoogland score. RESULTS: Excluding enrollment, we collected and evaluated 413 mucus samples from 51 participants. Participants had a median mucus score of 0 (Interquartile Range 0, 2); most had scores ≤4 (samples = 385, 93%) and none had a score ≥9 favoring fertility. Seventeen (33%) participants ovulated, of which 14 (82%) had unfavorable mucus scores (≤4) at the time of ovulation and 3 (18%) had intermediate scores (5-8). CONCLUSIONS: Norgestrel 0.075 mg daily prevents mucus changes that favor fertility, even during ovulatory cycles. IMPLICATIONS: Daily administration of norgestrel 0.075 mg over an initial 28-day cycle did not result in fertile cervical mucus. Although approximately one-third of users ovulated in this first cycle of pill use, contraceptive efficacy may be maintained by mucus effects.

Identification and characterization of O-linked glycans in cervical mucus as biomarkers of sperm transport: A novel sheep model.

Cervical mucus plays an important role in female fertility, since it allows the entry of motile and morphological normal sperm while preventing the ascent of pathogens from the vagina. The function of cervical mucus is critically linked to its rheological properties that are in turn dictated by O-glycosylated proteins, called mucins. We aimed to characterize the O-glycan composition in the cervical mucus of six European ewe breeds with known differences in pregnancy rates following cervical/vaginal artificial insemination with frozen-thawed semen, which are due to reported differences in cervical sperm transport. These were Suffolk (low fertility) and Belclare (medium fertility) in Ireland, Ile de France and Romanov (both with medium fertility) in France, and Norwegian White Sheep (NWS) and Fur (both with high fertility) in Norway (n = 28-30 ewes/breed). We identified 124 O-glycans, from which 51 were the major glycans with core 2 and fucosylated glycans as the most common structures. The use of exogenous hormones for synchronization did not affect the O-glycan composition in both high-fertility ewe breeds, but it did in the other four ewe breeds. There was a higher abundance of the sulfated glycan (Galß1-3[SO3-GlcNAcß1-6]GalNAc), fucosylated glycan (GlcNAcß1-3(Fucα1-2Galß1-3)GalNAc) and core 4 glycan (GlcNAcß1-3[GlcNAcß1-6]GalNAc) in the low-fertility Suffolk breed compared with NWS (high fertility). In addition, core 4 glycans were negatively correlated with mucus viscosity. This novel study has identified O-glycans that are important for cervical sperm transport and could have applications across a range of species including human.

The Potential Relationship Between Different Human Female Reproductive Disorders and Sperm Quality in Female Genital Tract.

Spermatozoa should travel throughout the female reproductive tract to reach its ultimate goal, fertilization of the oocyte. At the ejaculation moment, millions of sperm within a few milliliters of the ejaculate are deposited at the cranial segment of vagina and make their journey to the fertilization site. This is done by means of various factors, such as sperm motility, the uterine and fallopian tubes contractility, and the ciliary movement of the lining cells. During this migration, spermatozoa interact with the female microenvironment both physically and molecularly. In this regard, the quality of the environmental conditions may affect this interaction. Therefore, some alterations in women's genital tract microenvironment, such as conditions that occur in female reproductive disorders, may have detrimental effects on sperm reproductive function. In this review, human sperm migration through the female tract is described, and the potential effects of different reproductive disorders at reproductive organs, such as vagina, uterine cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovary on sperm survival and quality, are also argued. The understanding of those conditions that may impair sperm fertility in the female genital tract can provide a more accurate diagnosis of the causes of infertility in couples. This can ultimately lead to the discovery of effective treatment approaches.

Viscous Cervical Environment-on-a-Chip for Selecting High-Quality Sperm from Human Semen.

When ejaculated sperm travels through the vagina to the uterus, mucus secreted by the cervical canal generally filters out sperm having low motility and poor morphology. To investigate this selection principle in vivo, we developed a microfluidic sperm-sorting chip with a viscous medium (polyvinylpyrrolidone: PVP) to imitate the biophysical environment mimic system of the human cervical canal. The material property of the PVP solution was tuned to the range of viscosities of cervical mucus using micro-viscometry. The selection of high-quality human sperm was experimentally evaluated in vitro and theoretically analyzed by the convection-diffusion mechanism. The convection flow is shown to be dominant at low viscosity of the medium used in the sperm-sorting chip when seeded with raw semen; hence, the raw semen containing sperm and debris convectively flow together with suppressed relative dispersions. Also, it was observed that the sperm selected via the chip not only had high motilities but also normal morphologies and high DNA integrity. Therefore, the biomimetic sperm-sorting chip with PVP medium is expected to improve male fertility by enabling the selection of high-quality sperm as well as uncovering pathways and regulatory mechanisms involved in sperm transport through the female reproductive tract for egg fertilization.