Decidual ACVR2A regulates extravillous trophoblast functions of adhesion, proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro

Boar seminal plasma: current insights on its potential role for assisted reproductive technologies in swine

Seminal plasma (SP) supports not only sperm function but also the ability of spermatozoa to withstand biotechnological procedures as artificial insemination, freezing or sex sorting. Moreover, evidence has been provided that SP contains identifiable molecules which can act as fertility biomarkers, and even improve the output of assisted reproductive technologies by acting as modulators of endometrial and embryonic changes of gene expression, thus affecting embryo development and fertility beyond the sperm horizon. In this overview, we discuss current knowledge of the composition of SP, mainly proteins and cytokines, and their influence on semen basic procedures, such as liquid storage or cryopreservation. The role of SP as modulator of endometrial and embryonic molecular changes that lead to successful pregnancy will also be discussed.

Exploring the Molecular Aetiology of Preeclampsia by Massive Parallel Sequencing of DNA

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This manuscript aims to review (for the first time) studies describing NGS sequencing of preeclampsia (PE) women's DNA.

RECENT FINDINGS

Describing markers for the early detection of PE is an essential task because, although associated molecular dysfunction begins early on during pregnancy, the disease's clinical signs usually appear late in pregnancy. Although several biochemical biomarkers have been proposed, their use in clinical environments is still limited, thereby encouraging research into PE's genetic origin. Hundreds of genes involved in numerous implantation- and placentation-related biological processes may be coherent candidates for PE aetiology. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) offers new technical possibilities for PE studying, as it enables large genomic regions to be analysed at affordable cost. This technique has facilitated the description of genes contributing to the molecular origin of a significant amount of monogenic and complex diseases. Regarding PE, NGS of DNA has been used in familial and isolated cases, thereby enabling new genes potentially related to the phenotype to be proposed. For a better understanding of NGS, technical aspects, applications and limitations are presented initially. Thereafter, NGS studies of DNA in familial and non-familial cases are described, including pitfalls and positive findings. The information given here should enable scientists and clinicians to analyse and design new studies permitting the identification of novel clinically useful molecular PE markers.

Seminal Plasma Modifies the Transcriptional Pattern of the Endometrium and Advances Embryo Development in Pigs

Background: Seminal plasma (SP) promotes sperm survival and fertilizing capacity, and potentially affects embryo development, presumably via specific signaling pathways to the internal female genital tract.

Objectives: This study evaluated how heterologous SP, infused immediately before postcervical artificial insemination (AI) affected embryo development and the transcriptional pattern of the pig endometria containing embryos.

Materials and Methods: Postweaning estrus sows (n = 34) received 40-mL intrauterine infusions of either heterologous pooled SP or Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS; control) 30 min before AI of semen extended to 10% of homologous SP. Embryos (all sows) and endometrium samples (3 sows/group) were removed during laparotomy 6 days after the infusion of SP or BTS to morphologically evaluate the embryos to determine their developmental stage and to analyze the endometrial transcriptome using microarrays (PORGENE 1.0 ST GeneChip array, Affymetrix) followed by qPCR for further validation.

Results: Embryo viability was equal between the groups (~93%), but embryo development was significantly (P < 0.05) more advanced in the SP-treated group compared to control. A total of 1,604 endometrium transcripts were differentially expressed in the SP group compared to the control group. An enrichment analysis showed an overrepresentation of genes and pathways associated with the immune response, cytokine signaling, cell cycle, cell adhesion, and hormone response, among others.

Conclusions: SP infusions prior to AI positively impacted the preimplantation embryo development and altered the expression of the endometrial genes and pathways potentially involved in embryo development.

Genetic Variants in Preeclampsia: Lessons From Studies in Latin-American Populations

Placental vascularization is a tightly regulated physiological process in which the maternal immune system plays a fundamental role. Vascularization of the maternal-placental interface involves a wide range of mechanisms primarily orchestrated by the fetal extravillous trophoblast and maternal immune cells. In a healthy pregnancy, an immune cross-talk between the mother and fetal cells results in the secretion of immunomodulatory mediators, apoptosis of specific cells, cellular differentiation/proliferation, angiogenesis, and vasculogenesis, altogether favoring a suitable microenvironment for the developing embryo. In the context of vasculopathy underlying common pregnancy disorders, it is believed that inefficient invasion of extravillous trophoblast cells in the endometrium leads to a poor placental blood supply, which, in turn, leads to decreased secretion of angiogenic factors, hypoxia, and inflammation commonly associated with preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, and preeclampsia. In this review, we will focus on studies published by Latin American research groups, providing an extensive review of the role of genetic variants from candidate genes involved in a broad spectrum of biological processes underlying the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. In addition, we will discuss how these studies contribute to fill gaps in the current understanding of preeclampsia. Finally, we discuss some trending topics from important fields associated with pregnancy vascular disorders (e.g., epigenetics, transplantation biology, and non-coding RNAs) and underscore their possible implications in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. As a result, these efforts are expected to give an overview of the extent of scientific research produced in Latin America and encourage multicentric collaborations by highlighted regional research groups involved in preeclampsia investigation.

The Role of Placental Hormones in Mediating Maternal Adaptations to Support Pregnancy and Lactation

During pregnancy, the mother must adapt her body systems to support nutrient and oxygen supply for growth of the baby in utero and during the subsequent lactation. These include changes in the cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune and metabolic systems of the mother. Failure to appropriately adjust maternal physiology to the pregnant state may result in pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes and abnormal birth weight, which can further lead to a range of medically significant complications for the mother and baby. The placenta, which forms the functional interface separating the maternal and fetal circulations, is important for mediating adaptations in maternal physiology. It secretes a plethora of hormones into the maternal circulation which modulate her physiology and transfers the oxygen and nutrients available to the fetus for growth. Among these placental hormones, the prolactin-growth hormone family, steroids and neuropeptides play critical roles in driving maternal physiological adaptations during pregnancy. This review examines the changes that occur in maternal physiology in response to pregnancy and the significance of placental hormone production in mediating such changes.