β-Edorphin predict pregnancy outcome of PCOS and DOR women after IVF-ET

Follicular fluid composition and reproductive outcomes of women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization: A systematic review

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is recognized as one of the most prevalent endocrinopathy in women at reproductive age. As affected women tend to have poorer assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes, PCOS has been suggested to endanger oocyte quality and competence development. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the available evidence on how the follicular fluid (FF) profile of women with PCOS undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment differs from the FF of normo-ovulatory women. For that, an electronic search in PubMed and Web of Science databases was conducted (up to December 2021). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses - PRISMA guidelines were followed, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. Data retrieved from papers included (n=42), revealed that the FF composition of women with PCOS compared to those without PCOS predominantly diverged at the following molecular classes: oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, growth factors and hormones. Among those biomarkers, some were proposed as being closely related to pathophysiological processes, strengthening the hypothesis that low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress play a critical role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Notwithstanding, it should be noticed that the available data on PCOS FF fingerprints derives from a limited number of studies conducted in a relatively small number of subjects. Furthermore, phenotypic heterogeneity of PCOS hampers wider comparisons and weakens putative conclusions. Therefore, future studies should be focused at comparing well characterized patient subgroups according to phenotypes.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone: A Predictor of Successful Intrauterine Insemination

INTRODUCTION

The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) produced by the granulosa cells of ovarian follicles has been shown to correlate with ovarian reserve and is often measured for fertility therapies. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between serum AMH values and the clinical pregnancy (CP) rates of female partners with unexplained infertility undergoing intrauterine insemination utilizing varying ovarian simulation protocols.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study conducted among couples who underwent intrauterine insemination therapy over a period of four years at Charleston Area Medical Center, a tertiary care medical center in West Virginia, USA. Logistic regression was used to determine the best predictor of CP.

RESULTS

A total of 509 intrauterine inseminations resulting in 81 (15.9%) Cps were analyzed. The cycles with a CP had higher mean AMH values (3.7+3.5 vs. 2.2+2.1; p<0.001). The majority of patients were nulliparous (77.0%) with a mean age of 33.6+5.0 years. After including only patients with unexplained infertility (the predominate infertility diagnosis; n=255 (50.1% of the cycles)) and stimulation cycles >10, the final sample size for the analysis was 245/509=48.1%. Following a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the optimal AMH cut-off point was 2.1 ng/mL with an area under the curve (AUC) equal to 0.61 and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 0.55- 0.67 (p=0.002). The CP rate was significantly higher with the AMH >2.1 ng/mL (20.0%) compared to <2.1 ng/mL (10.0%; p=0.041). With Clomid/human gonadotropins/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger treatment, the CP rate quadrupled (odds ratio (OR): 4.6; 95% CI: 2.1-9.7; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that higher AMH levels and a more aggressive ovarian stimulation protocol for intrauterine insemination therapy (IUI) have a better probability of resulting in CP.

Yangjing Zhongyu decoction facilitates mitochondrial activity, estrogenesis, and energy metabolism in H2O2-induced human granulosa cell line KGN

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANT

Yangjing Zhongyu decoction (YJZYD) is a recipe from a Chinese classic medical work and has been empirically used in female infertility for hundreds of years, but the mechanisms of YJZYD on facilitating ovarian granulosa cells remain unfold.

AIM OF THE RESEARCH

The purpose of the study is to determine the rewarding effects of YJZYD on H₂O₂-induced KGN cells, involving mitochondrial activity, estradiol biosynthesis, and energy metabolism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ingredients of YJZYD were investigated by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. The effects of YJZYD and H₂O₂ on cell viability were determined by CCK-8. Intracellular ROS were assessed by DCFH-DA. Intracellular Ca²⁺ was detected using Fura-4 AM. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was measured by JC-1. The production of energy was assessed by ATP. Apoptosis rate was analyzed by Annexin V-FITC/PI. Western blotting was used to evaluate the expression of proteins related to energy metabolism, apoptosis, mitochondrial mitophagy, and estrogen biosynthesis. E₂ levels were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

121 compounds were identified in YJZYD by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. YJZYD could enhance mitochondrial activity by suppressing intracellular ROS and Ca²⁺, and increasing MMP and ATP content. YJZYD stimulated the expression of anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2 and lowered the early apoptosis rate and the expression of Bax. Besides, YJZYD rescued E₂ secretion and improved the expression of FSHR, CYP19A1, and the ratio of p-CREB/CREB. In addition, YJZYD weakened H₂O₂-induced mitophagy by compromising the expression of PINK1, Parkin, Beclin1 and P62. Moreover, YJZYD strengthened energy metabolism by increasing ATP generation and the expression of SIRT1, PGC1α, NRF1, and COX IV. The combination of YJZYD and autophagy inhibitor had a stronger protective effect on energy metabolism.

CONCLUSION

This study evaluated the protective effects of YJZYD on H₂O₂-induced KGN cells. YJZYD could enhance mitochondrial activity, E₂ biosynthesis, and energy metabolism. These results strongly indicated that YJZYD might play a role in preserving ovarian granulosa cells and female fecundity.

From Pharmacology to Physiology: Endocrine Functions of μ-Opioid Receptor Networks

The steady rise in opioid users and abusers has uncovered multiple detrimental health consequences of perturbed opioid receptor signaling, thereby creating the need to better understand the biology of these systems. Among endogenous opioid networks, μ-receptors have received special attention due to their unprecedented biological complexity and broad implications in homeostatic functions. Here, we review the origin, molecular biology, and physiology of endogenous opioids with a special focus on μ-opioid receptor networks within the endocrine system. Moreover, we summarize the current evidence supporting an involvement of the latter in regulating distinct endocrine functions. Finally, we combine these insights to present an integrated perspective on μ-opioid receptor biology and provide an outlook on future studies and unresolved questions in this field.