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Cell-Free DNA as a New Biomarker of IVF Success, Independent of Any Infertility Factor, Including Endometriosis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13020208. [PMID: 36673018 PMCID: PMC9858053 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13020208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-free DNA fragments detected in blood and in other biological fluids are released from apoptotic/necrotic cells. In this study, we analyzed cfDNA levels in follicular fluid (FF) samples from patients with infertility. Samples were collected from 178 infertile women and cfDNA was extracted and quantified by qPCR, using ALU115 and ALU247 primers, and statistical correlations were performed. We found that cfDNA concentration was significantly higher in FF pools from women aged 35 and over than in women under 35 years of age (p = 0.017). We also found that q247 cfDNA levels were significantly higher in women with an associated female factor, such as endometriosis, PCOS and POF, compared with women with no specific cause of infertility (p = 0.033). The concentration of cfDNA did not vary significantly in each group of women with an associated female factor. The concentration of cfDNA was significantly higher in the FF of women that obtained embryos with a high fragmentation rate, compared to embryos with a low fragmentation rate (p = 0.007). Finally, we found that women who did not become pregnant during IVF treatments had higher q247 cfDNA levels (p = 0.043). The quantification of cfDNA could be an important biomarker of follicular micro-environment quality to predict embryo quality and the success of IVF, making them more specific and effective.
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Moorey SE, Biase FH. Beef heifer fertility: importance of management practices and technological advancements. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2020; 11:97. [PMID: 33014361 PMCID: PMC7528292 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-020-00503-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of replacement heifers is at the core of cow-calf beef production systems. In 2020, the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service reported 5.771 million beef heifers, 500 pounds and over, are under development for cow replacement. A compilation of data from several studies indicate that between 85% and 95% of these heifers will become pregnant in their first breeding season. Several thousands of heifers being raised for replacement may not deliver a calf on their first breeding season and result in economic losses to cow-calf producers. Many management procedures have been developed to maximize the reproductive potential of beef heifers. Such approaches include, but are not limited to the following: nutritional management for controlled weight gain, identification of reproductive maturity by physiological and morphological indicators, and the implementation of an estrous synchronization program. The implementation of management strategies has important positive impact(s) on the reproductive efficiency of heifers. There are limitations, however, because some heifers deemed ready to enter their first breeding season do not become pregnant. In parallel, genetic selection for fertility-related traits in beef heifers have not promoted major genetic gains on this particular area, most likely due to low heritability of female fertility traits in cattle. Technologies such as antral follicle counting, DNA genotyping and RNA profiling are being investigated as a means to aid in the identification of heifers of low fertility potential. To date, many polymorphisms have been associated with heifer fertility, but no DNA markers have been identified across herds. Antral follicle count is an indication of the ovarian reserve and is an indicator of the reproductive health of a heifer. We have been working on the identification of transcriptome profiles in heifers associated with pregnancy outcome. Our current investigations integrating protein-coding transcript abundance and artificial intelligence have identified the potential for bloodborne transcript abundance to be used as indicators of fertility potential in beef heifers. In summary, there is an ongoing pressure for reducing costs and increasing efficiency in cow-calf production systems, and new technologies can help reduce the long-standing limitations in beef heifer fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Moorey
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN USA
| | - Fernando H. Biase
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 175 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA
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Boissière A, Gala A, Ferrières-Hoa A, Mullet T, Baillet S, Petiton A, Torre A, Hamamah S. Cell-free and intracellular nucleic acids: new non-invasive biomarkers to explore male infertility. Basic Clin Androl 2017; 27:7. [PMID: 28439417 PMCID: PMC5399401 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-017-0052-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a devastating problem that affects many couples worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms and causes of idiopathic male infertility remain unclear. Circulating cell-free nucleic acids have an important role in human physiology and emerging evidence suggests that they play a role in male infertility. This review summarizes recent results on cell-free and intracellular nucleic acids in male infertility and discusses their potential use as biomarkers of male infertility in the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Boissière
- Unité INSERM U1203, Hôpital Saint Eloi, CHRU Montpellier, 80, avenue Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Anna Gala
- Unité INSERM U1203, Hôpital Saint Eloi, CHRU Montpellier, 80, avenue Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France.,Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Alice Ferrières-Hoa
- Unité INSERM U1203, Hôpital Saint Eloi, CHRU Montpellier, 80, avenue Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France.,Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Tiffany Mullet
- Unité INSERM U1203, Hôpital Saint Eloi, CHRU Montpellier, 80, avenue Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France.,Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Solenne Baillet
- Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Amaël Petiton
- Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Antoine Torre
- Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Samir Hamamah
- Unité INSERM U1203, Hôpital Saint Eloi, CHRU Montpellier, 80, avenue Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France.,Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
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