Predictive value of anti-Müllerian hormone on pregnancy outcomes in in-vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic single sperm injection patients at different ages

Prognostic value of miR-223 for pregnancy outcomes in patients with in vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to analyse the expression of microRNA-223 (miR-223) in embryo culture medium and its correlation with pregnancy outcomes.

METHODS

Two hundred and two patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) were divided into clinical pregnancy group (n = 101) and non-pregnant group (n = 101). The baseline data, clinical indicators, and the expression level of miR-223 in the embryo medium were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the relationship between each index and the pregnancy outcome. Receiver operator characteristic curve was carried out to evaluate the differential ability of miR-223 in pregnancy status. Bioinformatics methods were used to identify the target genes of miR-223 and elucidate their functions.

RESULTS

Compared with pregnancy group, the non-pregnancy group exhibited a reduction in miR-223 expression (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that miR-223 reduction was an independent factor for pregnancy failure (p < 0.05). The ROC curve demonstrated the discriminative capability of miR-223 in distinguishing pregnancy and non-pregnancy. In addition, bioinformatics analysis indicated that the target genes of miR-223 were predominantly located in the endocytic vesicle membrane and were primarily enriched in adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathways.

CONCLUSION

In this study, levels of miR-223 in the embryo culture medium predicted pregnancy outcomes in subjects undergoing IVF/ICSI. Low expression of miR-223 was a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes in subjects.

HLA-DR+ CD45RA- Tregs and CD28- Treg-like cells: Potential immunologic biomarkers for reproductive aging

PROBLEM

This study aimed to identify subsets of regulatory T cells (Tregs) associated with ovarian aging and determine whether they can be used as markers of reproductive aging.

METHOD

This prospective cohort study was conducted among women of reproductive age. Basic physiological characteristics, reproductive hormones, Treg cell subsets, and correlations between these parameters were assessed. The POSEIDON criteria was used to identify women with low reproductive potential.

RESULTS

The percentages of HLA-DR⁺ CD45RA- Tregs and CD28- Treg-like cells significantly increased with age. Women between 40 and 49 years had significantly higher percentages of HLA-DR⁺ CD45RA- Tregs and CD28- Treg-like cells than those at 20-29, 30-34, and 35-39 years old. Age positively correlated with FSH levels and the percentages of HLA-DR⁺ CD45RA- Tregs and CD28- Treg-like cells, but inversely correlated with antral follicle count (AFC) and AMH levels. Interestingly, a positive correlation was found between the percentages of HLA-DR⁺ CD45RA- Tregs and FSH levels, whereas an inverse correlation was found between those of HLA-DR⁺ CD45RA- Tregs and AFC or AMH levels. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was observed between the percentages of CD28- Treg-like cells and AFC. Based on POSEIDON criteria, women with the percentages of HLA-DR⁺ CD45RA- Tregs and CD28- Treg-like cells above reference value ranges were assigned to the low prognosis groups.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that HLA-DR⁺ CD45RA- Tregs and CD28- Treg-like cells can be used as immunologic markers of reproductive aging, which helps clinicians identify women with low reproductive potential and establish individualized therapeutic strategies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.