Survival of isolated human preantral follicles after vitrification: Analyses of morphology and Fas ligand and caspase-3 mRNA expression.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effect of vitrification on apoptosis and survival in human preantral follicles after thawing. METHODS: This experimental study was conducted at an acute tertiary care hospital from March 2012 to April 2013. Ovaries were sliced into 5×5×1-mm pieces and divided into the following three groups: preantral follicle isolation, ovarian tissue vitrification-warming followed by follicle isolation, and immunohistochemistry of fresh ovarian tissue. For statistical analyses, the Student t-test, chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used. RESULTS: A total of 161 preantral follicles (70% secondary) were collected from ovarian cortex tissue of six women between 30 and 37 years of age who underwent oophorectomy due to cervical cancer or breast cancer. There were no significant differences in the follicular morphology of fresh preantral follicles and vitrified follicles after thawing. The mean Fas ligand (FasL) mRNA expression level was 0.43±0.20 (relative to ß-actin) in fresh preantral follicles versus 0.51±0.20 in vitrified follicles (p=0.22). The mean caspase-3 mRNA expression level in fresh preantral follicles was 0.56±0.49 vs. 0.27±0.21 in vitrified follicles (p=0.233). One vitrified-thawed secondary follicle grew and developed to an antral follicle within 6 days of culture. CONCLUSION: Vitrification did not affect preantral follicle morphology or mRNA expression of the apoptosis markers FasL and caspase-3. Further studies are required to establish whether vitrification affects the outcomes of in vitro culture and the maturation of preantral follicles.

Coexpression of fractalkine and its receptor in normal human endometrium and in endometrium from users of progestin-only contraception supports a role for fractalkine in leukocyte recruitment and endometrial remodeling.

Leukocytes are critical mediators of endometrial remodeling, but the mechanisms by which leukocyte subpopulations enter the uterus are currently unknown. Endometrial leukocytes have no genomic progesterone receptors; thus, we hypothesized that leukocyte migration is induced indirectly by progesterone-regulated chemokines. Fractalkine (CX3CL1), a chemotactic membrane-bound adhesion factor, and its receptor (CX3CR1) were assessed by immunohistochemistry in endometrial samples across the menstrual cycle, in early pregnancy, and in women using progestin-only contraceptives. Fractalkine was localized predominantly to glandular epithelial and decidualized stromal cells, with the highest staining intensity in the secretory phase and early pregnancy. It was also detected in subpopulations of endometrial leukocytes (macrophages and uterine NK cells), with maximal numbers during the proliferative phase and early pregnancy. CX3CR1 was similarly colocalized to the glandular epithelium and decidualized stromal cells, with the highest expression in the secretory phase. CX3CR1-positive leukocytes (macrophages and neutrophils) were in greatest abundance during the menstrual phase. In the endometrium of women using progestin-only contraceptives, immunoreactive fractalkine was markedly reduced in the glandular epithelium, but was increased in decidualized stroma and infiltrating leukocytes. These findings support a number of roles for fractalkine in the endometrium, in the secretory phase, in early pregnancy, and when influenced by progestin-only contraceptives.

The 'frameless' intrauterine system for long-term, reversible contraception: a review of 15 years of clinical experience.

AIM: The development of the 'frameless' intrauterine system (IUS) is a response to the growing need to develop high-performing, long-acting, reversible, and acceptable contraceptives with a high continuation of use. METHODS: This is a review of 15 years of clinical experience in randomized controlled and non-randomized clinical trials. RESULTS: The IUS has a similar failure rate as the TCu380A Intrauterine device (IUD), considered the 'golden standard' IUD, which is attributed to the optimal target delivery of the copper ions in the upper part of the uterine cavity. Its performance is further optimized by the atraumatic design, which reduces partial and total expulsion and minimizes the side-effects and discomforts experienced with conventional 'framed' IUDs. The mini IUS is likely to further reduce the menstrual blood loss due to the very small size. The safety of the anchoring concept is beyond doubt as was demonstrated in all clinical studies covering 15,000 woman-years experience. CONCLUSIONS: Young nulliparous/nulligravid and parous women may significantly benefit from the advantages the 'frameless' IUS, which could be strategically important to help in reducing the increasing number of unintended pregnancies and induced abortions worldwide. Furthermore, the 'frameless' IUS has been shown to be highly effective for emergency contraception and for immediate postabortal insertion. The long lifespan of the IUS could constitute a cost-effective reversible alternative to irreversible female sterilization.

Long-acting progestogens.

Steroids can be administered in at least five different ways: injectables; hormone-releasing intra-uterine devices (IUDs); implants; vaginal rings; and pills. Progestogens which are synthetic steroids, are used as the main bioactive substances. Different progestogens are effective for different periods of time. Progestins in daily oral pills are effective for 24 hours. The effectiveness of a progestogen can be prolonged by incorporating it in a sustained-release system that gradually releases the hormone; therefore they can be effective up to 5 years or more. Two progestogen-only injectables are widely available in the family planning programmes, (DMPA and NET-EN) and two combined injectables, Cyclofem (DMPA + EC), and Mesigyna (NET-EN + EV). The ring is placed by the woman in her vagina, where it gradually releases hormone. Implantable contraceptives are placed just under the skin on the inside of the woman's arm. Implant capsules release the progestogen at a slow, steady rate. There are three implantables available in the market: Implanon; Norplant; and Jadelle. They are effective for 1-5 years, but then must be replaced. Natural and synthetic progestogens were first added to IUDs in the early 1970s. The main problem of long-acting progestogens is the disruption of the menstrual cycle.