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Krog MC, Flachs EM, Kolte AM, de Jager W, Meyaard L, Christiansen OB, Steffensen R, Vomstein K, Garred P, Nielsen HS. Angiogenic factors and the lectin pathway of complement in women with secondary recurrent pregnancy loss. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 163:104221. [PMID: 38447288 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The poor remodeling of placental spiral arteries seen in preeclampsia is also discussed to contribute to recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) preceded by abnormal angiogenesis and excessive complement activation. Low levels of Mannose-binding-lectin (MBL), a pattern recognition molecule (PRM) of the lectin pathway, have been found in women with RPL. We propose that pregnancy loss is connected to defective angiogenesis with reperfusion damage in the placenta and decreased levels of PRM in the lectin pathway in women with RPL. In this cohort study, we investigate the angiogenic factors and the lectin complement pathway in early pregnancy and their time-dependent relationship with pregnancy outcomes in 76 women with secondary RPL (sRPL) who have at least four prior pregnancy losses and a live birth. We evaluated levels of Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), and the PRMs, MBL, ficolin-1, -2, -3 and an additional soluble PRM, Pentraxin-3, during the 5th, 6th, and 7th gestational weeks. Our results showed that, compared to live births, pregnancies that ended in loss were associated with elevated VEGF levels and decreased levels of the Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio. Also, increasing levels of ficolin-2 were significantly associated with pregnancy loss, with MBL showing no association. Our research suggests that women with sRPL may have inadequate placentation with impaired angiogenesis in pregnancies ending in a loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Krog
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, the Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Rigshospitalet and Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegård Alle 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark; The Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Blegdamsvej 3B, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark.
| | - E M Flachs
- The Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23F, Copenhagen 2400, Denmark
| | - A M Kolte
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, the Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Rigshospitalet and Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegård Alle 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark
| | - W de Jager
- Multiplex Core Facility, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht 3584 CX, the Netherlands
| | - L Meyaard
- Multiplex Core Facility, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht 3584 CX, the Netherlands
| | - O B Christiansen
- Centre for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss of Western Denmark, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Reberbansgade 15, Aalborg 9000, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Søndre Skovvej 15, Aalborg 9000, Denmark
| | - R Steffensen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aalborg University Hospital, Urbansgade 32, Aalborg 9000, Denmark
| | - K Vomstein
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, the Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Rigshospitalet and Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegård Alle 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegård Alle 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark
| | - P Garred
- The Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Blegdamsvej 3B, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark; The Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Section 7631, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Ole Maaløesvej 26, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - H S Nielsen
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, the Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Rigshospitalet and Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegård Alle 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Blegdamsvej 3B, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegård Alle 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark
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Boje AD, Egerup P, Westergaard D, Bertelsen MLMF, Nyegaard M, Hartwell D, Lidegaard Ø, Nielsen HS. Endometriosis is associated with pregnancy loss: a nationwide historical cohort study. Fertil Steril 2023; 119:826-835. [PMID: 36608920 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.12.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study whether endometriosis is associated with pregnancy loss and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). DESIGN Nationwide historical cohort study with a nested case-control analysis. SETTING National health registers. PATIENT(S) A total of 29,563 women born between 1957 and 1997 were identified in the national health registers, diagnosed with endometriosis between 1977 and 2017, and age-matched 1:10 with 295,630 women without endometriosis. The number of pregnancy losses was assessed, and data were analyzed with conditional logistic regression. INTERVENTION(S) Endometriosis (International Classification of Diseases, 8th Revision, 62530-62539, and International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, DN80.0-9). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The primary outcomes of interest were the numbers of pregnancy losses categorized as 0, 1, 2, and ≥ 3 losses, unadjusted and adjusted for gravidity, and RPL. The secondary outcome measures were the predefined types of pregnancy losses. Pregnancy loss was defined as the spontaneous demise of a pregnancy until 22 weeks of gestation. Primary RPL was defined as 3 or more consecutive pregnancy losses with no prior live birth or stillbirth, and secondary RPL was defined as 1 or more births followed by 3 or more consecutive losses. RESULT(S) A total of 18.9%, 3.9%, and 2.1% of ever-pregnant women with endometriosis had 1, 2, and ≥ 3 pregnancy losses compared with 17.3%, 3.5%, and 1.5% of the women without endometriosis, corresponding to the odds ratios of 1.13 (95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.17), 1.18 (1.10-1.26), and 1.44 (1.31-1.59), respectively. When adjusted also for gravidity, the corresponding results were 1.37 (95% confidence interval, 1.32-1.42), 1.75 (1.62-1.89), and 2.57 (2.31-2.85), respectively. The following predefined subgroups of RPL were positively associated with endometriosis: primary; secondary; secondary after giving birth to a boy; after a complicated delivery; and ≥ 3 pregnancy losses before the age of 30 years. Six endometriosis subgroup analyses found an association between endometriosis and pregnancy loss. These analyses were women diagnosed in the 4 decades between 1977 and 2017, women with adenomyosis, and women with adenomyosis only. CONCLUSION(S) This nationwide cohort study found endometriosis to be associated with pregnancy loss and RPL, and the association strengthened with an increasing number of losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalie Dyhrberg Boje
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
| | - Pia Egerup
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - David Westergaard
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mette Nyegaard
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Dorthe Hartwell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juliane Marie Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Øjvind Lidegaard
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juliane Marie Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henriette Svarre Nielsen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Hisano M, Nakagawa K, Kwak-Kim J, Sugiyama R, Sago H, Yamaguchi K. Changes in the T-helper 1 and 2 cell populations during pregnancy in tacrolimus-treated women with repeated implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss. HUM FERTIL 2022; 25:975-982. [PMID: 34304683 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2021.1955415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Tacrolimus has received considerable attention as a treatment approach for infertility associated with maternal-foetal immune abnormalities, such as repeated implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This study examined the changes in T-helper (Th) 1 and 2 cell populations during pregnancy in peripheral blood of tacrolimus-treated RIF patients who delivered a liveborn infant from August 2012 to February 2020 at the National Centre for Child Health and Development. A total of 58 eligible study subjects were divided into two groups according to the presence of a history of RPL: (i) RIF-alone group (n = 31); and (ii) RIF-plus-RPL group (n = 27). In a flow cytometric analysis, the Th1/Th2 cell ratios were significantly higher before pregnancy than after pregnancy, and during the first trimester than the second trimester in the RIF-alone group (p = 0.0071 and p = 0.0087, respectively). However, no significant differences were present in the RIF-plus-RPL group. Although the Th1 immunity was suppressed under tacrolimus treatment in both groups, a delayed reduction in the Th1 cell percentage after initiation of treatment was observed in the RIF-plus-RPL group. In conclusion, the cellular immune alterations in tacrolimus-treated patients with RIF were different depending on the presence or absence of a history of RPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michi Hisano
- Center of Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Nakagawa
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Implantation Research, Sugiyama Clinic Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Joanne Kwak-Kim
- Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Vernon Hills, IL, USA
| | - Rikikazu Sugiyama
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Implantation Research, Sugiyama Clinic Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Sago
- Center of Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koushi Yamaguchi
- Center of Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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Blanchard R, Skorska MN. New Data on Birth Order in Homosexual Men and Women and a Reply to Vilsmeier et al. (2021a, 2021b). ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:3319-3349. [PMID: 35713755 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02362-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The fraternal birth order effect (FBOE) is the repeated finding that older brothers increase the odds of homosexuality in later-born males. It has been our working assumption, based on the majority of previous studies, that a similar FBOE does not occur in females. In an elaborate quantitative review posted last year to a preprint server, Vilsmeier et al. (2021a) concluded that there is no valid evidence for an FBOE in men or women. Ablaza et al. (2022) subsequently published a study of population-level data from the Netherlands with conclusions completely opposite to those of Vilsmeier et al., namely, that there is robust evidence of an FBOE in both men and women. The present research was initially undertaken to refute the assertion of Vilsmeier et al. that there is no proof of an FBOE in men and to investigate how they obtained such a discrepant conclusion. We found evidence that the discrepancy may relate to Vilsmeier et al.'s use of the large and demonstrably unreliable sample published by Frisch and Hviid (2006). After the publication by Ablaza et al., we expanded our article to address their finding of an FBOE in women. We argue that our preferred explanation of the FBOE in men-that it reflects the progressive immunization of some mothers to Y-linked antigen by each succeeding male fetus and the concomitantly increasing effects of anti-male antibody on sexual differentiation in the brain in each succeeding male fetus-could plausibly be extended to female homosexuality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ray Blanchard
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
| | - Malvina N Skorska
- Child and Youth Psychiatry, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
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5
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Braun AE, Mitchel OR, Gonzalez TL, Sun T, Flowers AE, Pisarska MD, Winn VD. Sex at the interface: the origin and impact of sex differences in the developing human placenta. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:50. [PMID: 36114567 PMCID: PMC9482177 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00459-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The fetal placenta is a source of hormones and immune factors that play a vital role in maintaining pregnancy and facilitating fetal growth. Cells in this extraembryonic compartment match the chromosomal sex of the embryo itself. Sex differences have been observed in common gestational pathologies, highlighting the importance of maternal immune tolerance to the fetal compartment. Over the past decade, several studies examining placentas from term pregnancies have revealed widespread sex differences in hormone signaling, immune signaling, and metabolic functions. Given the rapid and dynamic development of the human placenta, sex differences that exist at term (37–42 weeks gestation) are unlikely to align precisely with those present at earlier stages when the fetal–maternal interface is being formed and the foundations of a healthy or diseased pregnancy are established. While fetal sex as a variable is often left unreported in studies performing transcriptomic profiling of the first-trimester human placenta, four recent studies have specifically examined fetal sex in early human placental development. In this review, we discuss the findings from these publications and consider the evidence for the genetic, hormonal, and immune mechanisms that are theorized to account for sex differences in early human placenta. We also highlight the cellular and molecular processes that are most likely to be impacted by fetal sex and the evolutionary pressures that may have given rise to these differences. With growing recognition of the fetal origins of health and disease, it is important to shed light on sex differences in early prenatal development, as these observations may unlock insight into the foundations of sex-biased pathologies that emerge later in life. Placental sex differences exist from early prenatal development, and may help explain sex differences in pregnancy outcomes. Transcriptome profiling of early to mid-gestation placenta reveals that immune signaling is a hub of early prenatal sex differences. Differentially expressed genes between male and female placenta fall into the following functional associations: chromatin modification, transcription, splicing, translation, signal transduction, metabolic regulation, cell death and autophagy regulation, ubiquitination, cell adhesion and cell–cell interaction. Placental sex differences likely reflect the interaction of cell-intrinsic chromosome complement with extrinsic endocrine signals from the fetal compartment that accompany gonadal differentiation. Understanding the mechanisms behind sex differences in placental development and function will provide key insight into molecular targets that can be modulated to improve sex-biased obstetrical complications.
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6
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Tidemandsen C, Egerup P, Ulrik CS, Backer V, Westergaard D, Mikkelsen AP, Lidegaard Ø, Nielsen HS. Asthma Is Associated With Pregnancy Loss and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Nationwide Cohort Study. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2022; 10:2326-2332.e3. [PMID: 35643278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.04.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women with asthma appear to have an increased risk of pregnancy loss (PL). The impact of asthma on recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), defined as 3 consecutive losses, is, however, unknown. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate whether having asthma before or during the fertile age is associated with PL and RPL. METHODS Based on Danish national health registers, we identified all women aged 6 to 45 years with at least 2 filled prescriptions of an antiasthma drug during the period 1977 to 2019. Women with asthma were compared with women without asthma. Pregnancy outcomes were retrieved for both groups from national health registers. Logistic regression with adjustment for the year of birth and educational level provided odds ratios (ORs) for the number of PLs. Subgroup analyses were conducted for early-onset (age 6-15 years), adult-onset (age 16-39 years), and late-onset (age 40-45 years) asthma. Lastly, we compared uncontrolled asthma (defined as ≥ 400 doses of a short-acting beta-2 agonist in a year) to controlled asthma (defined as < 400 doses of a short-acting beta-2 agonist in a year). RESULTS In a population of 1,309,786 women, we identified 128,553 women with asthma and 1,297,233 women without asthma. Compared with nonasthmatic women, women with asthma had ORs for 1, 2, and 3 or more PLs of 1.05 (95% CI 1.03-1.07), 1.09 (95% CI 1.05-1.13), and 1.18 (95% CI1.11-1.24), respectively, and for RPL of 1.19 (95% CI 1.12-1.27). In women with early-onset asthma, the OR of 3 or more PLs was 1.47 (95% CI 1.24-1.72). For women classified as having uncontrolled asthma compared with controlled asthma, we found a significant OR of 1.60 (95% CI 1.16-2.16) for 3 or more PLs. CONCLUSIONS We found a significant positive association between asthma and number of PLs and RPLs. Early-onset asthma and uncontrolled asthma were more strongly associated with PL than adult-onset and late-onset asthma and controlled asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casper Tidemandsen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital-Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Pia Egerup
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Suppli Ulrik
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital-Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vibeke Backer
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Centre for Physical Activity Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of ENT, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David Westergaard
- Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Methods and Analysis, Statistics Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Pretzmann Mikkelsen
- Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Øjvind Lidegaard
- Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henriette Svarre Nielsen
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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Cīrulis A, Hansson B, Abbott JK. Sex-limited chromosomes and non-reproductive traits. BMC Biol 2022; 20:156. [PMID: 35794589 PMCID: PMC9261002 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01357-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex chromosomes are typically viewed as having originated from a pair of autosomes, and differentiated as the sex-limited chromosome (e.g. Y) has degenerated by losing most genes through cessation of recombination. While often thought that degenerated sex-limited chromosomes primarily affect traits involved in sex determination and sex cell production, accumulating evidence suggests they also influence traits not sex-limited or directly involved in reproduction. Here, we provide an overview of the effects of sex-limited chromosomes on non-reproductive traits in XY, ZW or UV sex determination systems, and discuss evolutionary processes maintaining variation at sex-limited chromosomes and molecular mechanisms affecting non-reproductive traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aivars Cīrulis
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Bengt Hansson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
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Kabátek J, Perales F, Ablaza C. Evidence of a Fraternal Birth Order Effect on Male and Female Same-Sex Marriage in the Dutch Population: A Reply to Blanchard and Semenyna, Gómez Jiménez & Vasey. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2022; 59:697-703. [PMID: 35040372 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2021.2002798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kabátek
- Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course
- Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
- CentER, Tilburg University
| | - Francisco Perales
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course
- School of Social Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Queensland
| | - Christine Ablaza
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course
- School of Social Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Queensland
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Ablaza C, Kabátek J, Perales F. Are Sibship Characteristics Predictive of Same Sex Marriage? An Examination of Fraternal Birth Order and Female Fecundity Effects in Population-level Administrative Data from the Netherlands. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2022; 59:671-683. [PMID: 35040387 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2021.1974330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite historical increases in the number of individuals engaging in same-sex relations and entering same-sex unions, the causes of sexual orientation remain an open question. Two biological processes that have received some degree of empirical validation are the fraternal birth-order effect (FBOE) and the female-fecundity effect (FFE). Respectively, these processes posit that having a greater number of older brothers and being part of larger sibships independently increase the odds of male homosexuality. Nevertheless, previous studies have relied on suboptimal data and methods, including underpowered and selected samples, and models that fail to fully disentangle the two processes. In addition, they have rarely analyzed samples of women. We address these limitations using high-quality, population-level linked register data from the Netherlands (n = 9,073,496). Applying a novel multivariable approach, we jointly examine the FBOE and FFE by comparing the sibship characteristics of men (n = 26,542) and women (n = 33,534) who entered a same-sex union against those who did not (n = 4,607,785 men and 4,405,635 women). Our analyses yield robust evidence of an FBOE on both male and female homosexuality, but no support for the FFE. Additionally, we find that individuals' birth order affects the probability of entering a same-sex union, regardless of the sex of older siblings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Ablaza
- School of Social Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia
- , ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course
| | - Jan Kabátek
- , ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course
- Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne
- Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
- CentER, Tilburg University
| | - Francisco Perales
- School of Social Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia
- , ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course
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Weng SC, Wen MC, Hsieh SL, Chen NJ, Tarng DC. Decoy Receptor 3 Suppresses T-Cell Priming and Promotes Apoptosis of Effector T-Cells in Acute Cell-Mediated Rejection: The Role of Reverse Signaling. Front Immunol 2022; 13:879648. [PMID: 35720343 PMCID: PMC9201909 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.879648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily and neutralizes TNF ligands, including FasL and TRAIL, to prevent T activation during T-cell priming. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying acute cell-mediated rejection (ACMR) remain unknown. Methods We generated DcR3 transgenic (Tg) mice and mice with high DcR3 expression (HDE) to study both in vivo and in vitro. FasR RNA knockdown in immortalized CD4+CD8+ T-cells was used to survey the role of DcR3 on FasR/Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD)/caspase 8 pathway and its cross-link to TNF receptor-associated factor 1 (TNFR1)-associated death domain protein (TRADD) in suppressing TNFR1. TNF/TRADD knockout mice were used to show the importance of TNF adaptor protein. Results DcR3.Fc suppressed C57BL/6 female T-cell activation and transformation into CD4+CD69+, CD4+CD44+, and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ when compared with isotype IgG1 and its co-treatment with FasL/TRAIL after exposing to bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) that carried alloantigen with male H-Y and minor antigenic determinant. Interleukin-17 and interferon-γ productions by BMDC-activated T-cells were lowered after co-treating with DcR3.Fc. DcR3.Fc induced effector T-cells (Teffs) and was susceptible to FasR-mediated apoptosis through the FADD/TRADD/caspase 8 pathway. After exposing to DcR3.Fc, TRADD was silenced, likely turning down the inflammatory response. The systemic effects of DcR3 Tg mice and HDE phenotype induced by the promoter of cytomegalovirus not only attenuated ACMR severity but also ameliorated the high serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels even with high T-cell exposure frequencies. Besides this, DcR3 has minor biological effects on both MHC-matched and MHC-mismatched models. Conclusions High DcR3 doses protect renal tubular epithelial cells from acute T-cell attack during the T-cell priming stage via interfering with TNF ligand-mediated reverse signaling and possibly promoting Teff apoptosis through FasR upregulation. Our findings supported that the decoy receptor is involved in T-cell modulation in kidney transplant rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo-Chun Weng
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Chin Wen
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shie-Liang Hsieh
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research and Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nien-Jung Chen
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Inflammation and Immunity Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Der-Cherng Tarng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department and Institute of Physiology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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Shen M, O’Donnell E, Leon G, Kisovar A, Melo P, Zondervan K, Granne I, Southcombe J. The role of endometrial B cells in normal endometrium and benign female reproductive pathologies: a systematic review. Hum Reprod Open 2021; 2022:hoab043. [PMID: 35146127 PMCID: PMC8825379 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoab043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are the similarities and differences in endometrial B cells in the normal human endometrium and benign reproductive pathologies? SUMMARY ANSWER Endometrial B cells typically constitute <5% of total endometrial CD45+ lymphocytes, and no more than 2% of total cells in the normal endometrium, and while their relative abundance and phenotypes vary in benign gynaecological conditions, current evidence is inconsistent. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY B cells are vitally important in the mucosal immune environment and have been extensively characterized in secondary lymphoid organs and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs), with the associated microenvironment germinal centre. However, in the endometrium, B cells are largely overlooked, despite the crucial link between autoimmunity and reproductive pathologies and the fact that B cells are present in normal endometrium and benign female reproductive pathologies, scattered or in the form of lymphoid aggregates (LAs). A comprehensive summary of current data investigating B cells will facilitate our understanding of endometrial B cells in the endometrial mucosal immune environment. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This systematic review retrieved relevant studies from four databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection and CINAHL) from database inception until November 2021. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The search strategy combined the use of subject headings and relevant text words related to ‘endometrium’, ‘B cells’ and B-cell derivatives, such as ‘antibody’ and ‘immunoglobulin’. Non-benign diseases were excluded using cancer-related free-text terms, and searches were limited to the English language and human subjects. Only peer-reviewed research papers were included. Each paper was graded as ‘Good’, ‘Fair’ or ‘Poor’ quality based on the NEWCASTLE-OTTAWA quality assessment scale. Only ‘Good’ quality papers were included. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Twenty-seven studies met the selection criteria and were included in this review: 10 cross-sectional studies investigated B cells in the normal endometrium; and 17 case–control studies compared the characteristics of endometrial B cells in control and benign female reproductive pathologies including endometritis, endometriosis, infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometrial polyps and uterine fibroids. In all studies, B cells were present in the endometrium, scattered or in the form of LAs. CD20+ B cells were more abundant in patients with endometritis, but the data were inconsistent as to whether B-cell numbers were increased in endometriosis and patients with reproductive pathologies. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Although only ‘good’ quality papers were included in this systematic review, there were variations in patients’ age, diagnostic criteria for different diseases and sample collection time among included studies. Additionally, a large number of the included studies only used immunohistochemistry as the identification method for endometrial B cells, which may fail to provide an accurate representation of the numbers of endometrial B cells. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Histological studies found that endometrial B cells are either scattered or surrounded by T cells in LAs: the latter structure seems to be under hormonal control throughout the menstrual cycle and resembles TLSs that have been observed in other tissues. Further characterization of endometrial B cells and LAs could offer insights to endometrial B-cell function, particularly in the context of autoimmune-associated pathologies, such as endometriosis. Additionally, clinicians should be aware of the limited value of diagnosing plasma cell infiltration using only CD138. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by Finox Biotech. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO in January 2020 (PROSPERO ID: CRD42020152915).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengni Shen
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Elizabeth O’Donnell
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Gabriela Leon
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ana Kisovar
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Pedro Melo
- Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Krina Zondervan
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ingrid Granne
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jennifer Southcombe
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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12
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Meister S, Kellner I, Beyer S, Corradini S, Schulz C, Rogenhofer N, Keilmann L, Kolben TM, Mahner S, Kessler M, Jeschke U, Kolben T. Epigenetic changes occur in placentas of spontaneous and recurrent miscarriages. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 149:103466. [PMID: 34929495 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In contrast to genetic abnormalities which are well known to be responsible for around 50 % of human miscarriages, there is very few data about epigenetic alterations in spontaneous and recurrent miscarriages (SM, RM). The aim of this study was to analyze the histone modification marks H3K9ac and H3K4me3 in SM and RM. METHODS The abundance of histone modifications H3K4me3/H3K9ac was analyzed by western blot in frozen abortion material of SM and RM compared to a control group of legal pregnancy terminations. Further, to characterize placental tissue cells expressing H3K4me3/H3K9ac immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence was performed in 20 SM, 19 RM and 26 controls. RESULTS The western blot data showed a tendency to an overall reduction of H3K4me3/H3K9ac, in the placental tissue of particularly SM. Further we differentiated between syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblast and decidual cells and found a significant decrease of H3K4me3 in SM in cytotrophoblast cells and syncytial stroma. In RM H3K4me3 was downregulated exclusively in the syncytiotrophoblast. H3K9ac was reduced in SM and RM in all evaluated compartments, except from the syncytiotrophoblast. CONCLUSION Our study showed an overall reduced histone modification of H3K4me3 and H3K9ac in the placental tissue of SM. Concerning RM, particularly the reduction of H3K9ac was detected in the placental tissue, indicating that RM group has distinct profile in epigenetic regulation. Whether these histone modifications are part of a possible pathophysiologic cascade during SM and RM or are merely indicating a defective placentation, cannot be concluded from this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Meister
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany; Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Isabel Kellner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne Beyer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Corradini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Germany
| | - Christian Schulz
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum der Universität, LMU Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Nina Rogenhofer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Lucia Keilmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Theresa Maria Kolben
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Sven Mahner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Mirjana Kessler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Udo Jeschke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Augsburg, Stenglinstraße 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kolben
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
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13
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Bliddal S, Westergaard D, Nielsen HS. The untapped potential of reproductive history in cardiovascular disease. Eur Heart J 2021; 43:200-201. [PMID: 34850869 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Bliddal
- Department of Medical Endocrinology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre and Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - David Westergaard
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Methods and Analysis, Statistics Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Henriette Svarre Nielsen
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre and Rigshospitalet, Denmark.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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Tasadduq R, Ajmal L, Batool F, Zafar T, Babar A, Riasat A, Shakoori AR. Interplay of immune components and their association with recurrent pregnancy loss. Hum Immunol 2021; 82:162-169. [PMID: 33581927 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2021.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance and progression of pregnancy is an intricate process governed by a variety of developmental cues. Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a complication experienced by expecting mothers that is defined as three or more consecutive pregnancy losses. This review focuses on the dysfunctions of the immune system as one of the key contributors towards RPL. The current data suggests that the alloimmune and autoimmune factors contribute to the loss of fetus. Such causes despite being recognized as a definitive reason for recurrent pregnancy loss, are still under extensive investigation with new parameters being discovered and scrutinized for their association with RPLs. More in-depth and high throughput studies are required for devising better diagnostic tools and management strategies for the affected female so that they can carry their pregnancy to term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raazia Tasadduq
- Department of Biochemistry, Kinnaird College for Women, 93 Jail Road, G.O.R-1, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Laiba Ajmal
- Department of Biochemistry, Kinnaird College for Women, 93 Jail Road, G.O.R-1, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Farhat Batool
- Department of Biochemistry, Kinnaird College for Women, 93 Jail Road, G.O.R-1, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Tehniyat Zafar
- Department of Biochemistry, Kinnaird College for Women, 93 Jail Road, G.O.R-1, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Aleena Babar
- Department of Biochemistry, Kinnaird College for Women, 93 Jail Road, G.O.R-1, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Amna Riasat
- Department of Biochemistry, Kinnaird College for Women, 93 Jail Road, G.O.R-1, Lahore, Pakistan
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15
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Strobel L, Vomstein K, Kyvelidou C, Hofer-Tollinger S, Feil K, Kuon RJ, Ebner S, Troppmair J, Toth B. Different Background: Natural Killer Cell Profiles in Secondary versus Primary Recurrent Pregnancy Loss. J Clin Med 2021; 10:E194. [PMID: 33430491 PMCID: PMC7826987 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10020194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Prior studies suggested a significant impact of previous live births on peripheral natural killer cells (pNK) in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Patients with primary RPL (pRPL, no live birth) showed higher numbers of pNK than secondary RPL patients (sRPL, ≥ 1 live birth). (2) Methods: To further determine immunological differences between RPL patients and controls, we analysed pNK subpopulations and activation markers in pRPL (n = 47), sRPL (n = 24) and controls with previous live birth (sCtrl, n = 25) and nullipara (pCtrl, n = 60) within a prospective study. Percentages and numbers of CD56dimCD16bright cells, subpopulations and activation markers (CD57+, CD62L+, NKG2D+, NKp46+) were measured in non-pregnant RPL patients and n = 85 controls (n = 60 pCtrl, n = 25 sCtrl) in the mid-luteal phase by flow cytometry. (3) Results: Compared to sRPL patients, sCtrls showed higher CD56+ and CD56dimCD16bright numbers. Further, sRPL patients showed lower numbers of CD56dimCD16brightNKG2D+ and CD56dimCD16brightNKp46+ than sCtrls. (4) Conclusion: We suggest a chronic immune stimulation leading to a lower NK-cell count in sRPL patients with a lower NK cytotoxicity. This underlines the necessity to investigate pNK subpopulations as well as pRPL and sRPL separately to delineate the immune alterations in RPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Strobel
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (L.S.); (C.K.); (S.H.-T.); (K.F.); (B.T.)
| | - Kilian Vomstein
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (L.S.); (C.K.); (S.H.-T.); (K.F.); (B.T.)
| | - Christiana Kyvelidou
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (L.S.); (C.K.); (S.H.-T.); (K.F.); (B.T.)
| | - Susanne Hofer-Tollinger
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (L.S.); (C.K.); (S.H.-T.); (K.F.); (B.T.)
| | - Katharina Feil
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (L.S.); (C.K.); (S.H.-T.); (K.F.); (B.T.)
| | - Ruben-Jeremias Kuon
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Fertility Disorders, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Susanne Ebner
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery (VTT), Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory (DSL), Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innrain 66, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.E.); (J.T.)
| | - Jakob Troppmair
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery (VTT), Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory (DSL), Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innrain 66, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.E.); (J.T.)
| | - Bettina Toth
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (L.S.); (C.K.); (S.H.-T.); (K.F.); (B.T.)
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16
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Examining Sex Differences in the Human Placental Transcriptome During the First Fetal Androgen Peak. Reprod Sci 2020; 28:801-818. [PMID: 33150487 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00355-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences in human placenta exist from early pregnancy to term, however, it is unclear whether these differences are driven solely by sex chromosome complement or are subject to differential sex hormonal regulation. Here, we survey the human chorionic villus (CV) transcriptome for sex-linked signatures from 11 to 16 gestational weeks, corresponding to the first window of increasing testis-derived androgen production in male fetuses. Illumina HiSeq RNA sequencing was performed on Lexogen Quantseq 3' libraries derived from CV biopsies (n = 11 females, n = 12 males). Differential expression (DE) was performed to identify sex-linked transcriptional signatures, followed by chromosome mapping, pathway analysis, predicted protein interaction, and post-hoc linear regressions to identify transcripts that trend over time. We observe 322 transcripts DE between male and female CV from 11 to 16 weeks, with 22 transcripts logFC > 1. Contrary to our predictions, the difference between male and female expression of DE autosomal genes was more pronounced at the earlier gestational ages. In females, we found selective upregulation of extracellular matrix components, along with a number of X-linked genes. In males, DE transcripts centered on chromosome 19, with mitochondrial, immune, and pregnancy maintenance-related transcripts upregulated. Among the highest differentially expressed autosomal genes were CCRL2, LGALS13, and LGALS14, which are known to regulate immune cell interactions. Our results provide insight into sex-linked gene expression in late first and early second trimester developing human placenta and lay the groundwork to understand the mechanistic origins of sex differences in prenatal development.
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17
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Egerup P, Mikkelsen AP, Kolte AM, Westergaard D, Rasmussen S, Knop FK, Lidegaard Ø, Nielsen HS. Pregnancy loss is associated with type 2 diabetes: a nationwide case-control study. Diabetologia 2020; 63:1521-1529. [PMID: 32424542 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-020-05154-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Type 2 diabetes is killing more people than ever, and early-life predictors remain critical for the development of effective preventive strategies. Pregnancy loss is a common event associated with later atherosclerotic disease and ischaemic heart failure and might constitute a predictor for type 2 diabetes. The objective of this study was to investigate whether pregnancy loss is associated with later development of type 2 diabetes. METHODS Using a Danish nationwide cohort, we identified all women born from 1957 through to 1997 and who had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes during the period 1977 to 2017. The women were matched 1:10 on year of birth and educational level to women without diabetes in the general Danish population. Conditional logistic regression models provided odds ratios for type 2 diabetes with different numbers of pregnancy losses. RESULTS We identified 24,774 women with type 2 diabetes and selected 247,740 controls without diabetes. Women who had ever been pregnant (ever-pregnant women) with 1, 2 and ≥ 3 pregnancy losses had ORs of type 2 diabetes of 1.18 (95% CI 1.13, 1.23), 1.38 (95% CI 1.27, 1.49) and 1.71 (95% CI 1.53, 1.92) compared with ever-pregnant women with no pregnancy losses, respectively. Women who never achieved a pregnancy had an OR of type 2 diabetes of 1.56 (95% CI 1.51, 1.61) compared with ever-pregnant women with any number of losses. Similar results were found after adjustment for obesity and gestational diabetes. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION We found a significant and consistent association between pregnancy loss and later type 2 diabetes that increased with increasing number of losses. Thus, pregnancy loss and recurrent pregnancy loss are significant risk factors for later type 2 diabetes. Future studies should explore whether this association is due to common background factors or whether prediabetic metabolic conditions are responsible for this association. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Egerup
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Rigshospitalet and Hvidovre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Kettegård Allé 30, 2650, Hvidovre, Denmark.
| | - Anders P Mikkelsen
- Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Astrid Marie Kolte
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Rigshospitalet and Hvidovre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David Westergaard
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Rigshospitalet and Hvidovre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Methods and Analysis, Statistics Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Steen Rasmussen
- Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Filip K Knop
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Clinical Metabolic Research, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Øjvind Lidegaard
- Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henriette S Nielsen
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Rigshospitalet and Hvidovre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Kettegård Allé 30, 2650, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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18
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Mortensen LH, Cnattingius S, Gissler M, Klungsøyr K, Skjaerven R, Nybo Andersen AM, Nielsen HS. Sex of the first-born and obstetric complications in the subsequent birth. A study of 2.3 million second births from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2020; 99:1381-1386. [PMID: 32304226 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Studies have shown associations between a first-born boy and increased risks of pregnancy loss, stillbirth, decreased birthweight, and preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies, but with limited precision. MATERIAL AND METHODS We examined associations between sex of the first-born and obstetric complications in second births. We calculated the relative risks (RR)s of preeclampsia/eclampsia, placental abruption, stillbirth, and preterm birth in approximately 2.3 million second births comparing women with a preceding first-born boy to those with a first-born girl using the Medical Birth Registries of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden 1980-2008. RESULTS In second births following a first-born boy rather than a girl, the RR was 4% higher for preeclampsia/eclampsia (RR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06), 9% higher for placental abruption (RR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.05-1.13), 9% higher for stillbirth (RR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.04-1.14), and 8% higher for preterm birth (RR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.07-1.09). The population attributable risks ranged from 2% to 4.5%. CONCLUSIONS Male sex of the first-born is associated with small increases in risks of obstetric complications in the second birth. Exploration of the underlying mechanisms is needed to increase our knowledge and treatment options for these serious obstetric complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laust H Mortensen
- Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sven Cnattingius
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mika Gissler
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kari Klungsøyr
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Division for Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rolv Skjaerven
- Division for Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Center for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen
- Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henriette S Nielsen
- Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Hvidovre Hospital, University Hospital Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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19
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Lidegaard Ø, Mikkelsen AP, Egerup P, Kolte AM, Rasmussen SC, Nielsen HS. Pregnancy loss: A 40‐year nationwide assessment. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2020; 99:1492-1496. [DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Øjvind Lidegaard
- Department of Gynecology 4232 Rigshospitalet University HospitalUniversity of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Anders P. Mikkelsen
- Department of Gynecology 4232 Rigshospitalet University HospitalUniversity of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Pia Egerup
- The Fertility Clinic and the Danish Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit Rigshospitalet University HospitalUniversity of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hvidovre Hospital Hvidovre Denmark
| | - Astrid M. Kolte
- Department of Clinical Medicine University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- The Fertility Clinic and the Danish Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit Rigshospitalet University HospitalUniversity of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Steen Christian Rasmussen
- Department of Gynecology 4232 Rigshospitalet University HospitalUniversity of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Henriette S. Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- The Fertility Clinic and the Danish Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit Rigshospitalet University HospitalUniversity of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hvidovre Hospital Hvidovre Denmark
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20
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Skorska MN, Bogaert AF. Fraternal Birth Order, Only-Child Status, and Sibling Sex Ratio Related to Sexual Orientation in the Add Health Data: A Re-analysis and Extended Findings. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2020; 49:557-573. [PMID: 31802291 PMCID: PMC8241527 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-019-01496-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The fraternal birth order (FBO) effect related to men's sexual orientation refers to the finding that the number of older brothers that a man has increases his chance of being androphilic. The FBO effect has generally been well replicated in diverse samples; one instance of non-replication was by Francis (2008) using Waves I and III of the Add Health data. We attempted to replicate the FBO effect in the Add Health data taking into account family size and other limitations of Francis' (2008) analyses. Also, we examined other sibling characteristics related to the FBO effect: sibling sex ratio and only-child status. We used two subsamples from Waves I (n = 20,745) and IV (n = 15,701) of the Add Health data, consisting of adolescents who were followed longitudinally from 1994 to 1995 until 2008. Wave I data were used to compute numbers of younger and older brothers and sisters from household roster information. Wave IV information about sexual orientation identity was used. Analyses were conducted within men and within women. We found modest support for the FBO effect in men, but not in women, using the older brother odds ratio, logistic regression analyses, and sibling sex ratio, which provided the strongest support for FBO. We found that gynephilic/biphilic women, but not androphilic/biphilic men, were more likely to be only-children compared to androphilic women and gynephilic men, respectively. We discuss limitations of the Add Health data and purported mechanisms for the FBO effect in men and the only-child effect in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malvina N Skorska
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road North, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada.
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada.
| | - Anthony F Bogaert
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
- Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
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Fukuda M, Fukuda K, Mason S, Shimizu T, Andersen CY. Effects of earthquakes and other natural catastrophic events on the sex ratio of newborn infants. Early Hum Dev 2020; 140:104859. [PMID: 31493930 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2019.104859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Stress due to earthquakes and other natural catastrophic events may result in a decline in the male to female ratio of newborn infants. One reason may be an increased death of male fetuses 3-5 months earlier. Another reason may relate to reduced conception of males and/or early male embryo demise 8-10 months earlier. Almost all of the earthquakes and natural catastrophic events have caused declines in sex ratios at birth except the Hurricane Katrina which showed a rise in the birth sex ratio. We describe hypothetical immunological cause for the decline in the sex ratio at birth following periods of augmented stress levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misao Fukuda
- M&K Health Institute, 30-9 Kariya, Ako, Hyogo 678-0239, Japan.
| | - Kiyomi Fukuda
- M&K Health Institute, 30-9 Kariya, Ako, Hyogo 678-0239, Japan
| | - Shawn Mason
- M&K Health Institute, 30-9 Kariya, Ako, Hyogo 678-0239, Japan
| | - Takashi Shimizu
- Shimizu Women's Clinic, 2-2-4 Minamiguchi, Takarazuka, Hyogo 665-0011, Japan
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology Juliane Marie Center for Children, Women and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Section 5712, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Mikkelsen AP, Egerup P, Ebert JF, Kolte AM, Nielsen HS, Lidegaard Ø. Pregnancy Loss and Cancer Risk: A Nationwide Observational Study. EClinicalMedicine 2019; 15:80-88. [PMID: 31709417 PMCID: PMC6833468 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2019.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Few studies have investigated if recurrent pregnancy loss is associated with an increased risk of cancer. We aimed to assess whether pregnancy loss is associated with later cancer development. METHODS We identified all invasive cancers after age 40, among all Danish women born between January 1957 and December 1972, ensuring a full reproductive history. Cases were matched by birth year 1:10 to cancer-free controls. Women were followed until the end of 2017. The number of pregnancy losses (miscarriages or still births) was correlated to long-term cancer risk using conditional logistic regression, providing odds ratios for specific cancers with different numbers of pregnancy losses, all adjusted for age, education, and other potential confounders. FINDINGS The study included 28,785 women with cancer (mean age 48.7 [SD 5.0]) and 283,294 matched controls (mean age 48.6 [SD 5.0]). We found no overall association between pregnancy loss and later development of 11 site-specific types of cancer or cancer overall. Taking the sequence of pregnancy losses into account, primary recurrent pregnancy loss (three consecutive pregnancy losses without prior live birth) was associated with later overall cancer by an odds ratio of 1.27 (1.04-1.56). Secondary recurrent pregnancy loss showed no association to cancer. INTERPRETATION Pregnancy loss was not associated with later cancer development. Women with primary recurrent pregnancy loss had a borderline significant association to later cancer overall, this may be a chance finding. FUNDING Ole Kirk's Foundation and Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet's Research Grant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders P. Mikkelsen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 4232, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark
- Corresponding author.
| | - Pia Egerup
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Julie F.M. Ebert
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 4232, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Astrid M. Kolte
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, Fertility Clinic 4071, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Henriette S. Nielsen
- Fertility Clinic 4071, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, Fertility Clinic 4071, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Øjvind Lidegaard
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 4232, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark
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Coome LA, Skorska MN, van der Miesen AI, Peragine DE, VanderLaan DP. An examination of the biodevelopment of gender expression in children ages 6- to 12-years. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN SEXUALITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3138/cjhs.2018-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay A. Coome
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON
| | | | - Anna I.R. van der Miesen
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Doug P. VanderLaan
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON
- Child and Youth Psychiatry, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON
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Lv S, Yu J, Xu X. A comparison of effectiveness among frequent treatments of recurrent spontaneous abortion: A Bayesian network meta-analysis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 80:e12856. [PMID: 29709100 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A comprehensive network meta-analysis was designed to clarify contradictions and offer valuable clinical guidance in the treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). METHOD The included clinical trials were selected from the relevant medical journal databases and screened. Treatments were ranked by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve. Heat plots were constructed to analyze the inconsistency between direct data and network results, and adjusted funnel plots were constructed to assess publication bias. RESULTS Forty-nine randomized controlled trials involving a total of 8496 RSA patients were selected. With placebo as control, corticosteroid plus low dose aspirin (LDA) plus unfractionated heparin (UFH), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone, and LDA plus low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) all demonstrated effectiveness in increasing successful live birth rates and reducing the incidences of miscarriage. However, no treatment was demonstrably superior to placebo in terms of pregnancy success. For all 3 endpoints (live birth, abortion and success pregnancy), the adjusted funnel plots were symmetric to zero and indicated no publication bias. In terms of live birth and abortion rates, no treatment outperformed placebo in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. CONCLUSION In consideration of live birth and abortion rates, corticosteroid plus LDA plus UFH appeared to be the optimum treatment strategy; G-CSF was second, followed by LDA with LMWH, LDA plus LMWH plus intravenous immunoglobulin, corticosteroid with LDA and others. Subgroup analysis demonstrated no benefit of antithrombotic therapy in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Lv
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jing Yu
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Xu
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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Abstract
Gay men have, on average, a greater number of older brothers than do heterosexual men, a well-known finding within sexual science. This finding has been termed the fraternal birth order effect. Strong scientific interest in sexual orientation exists because it is a fundamental human characteristic, and because its origins are often the focal point of considerable social controversy. Our study is a major advance in understanding the origins of sexual orientation in men by providing support for a theorized but previously unexamined biological mechanism—a maternal immune response to a protein important in male fetal brain development—and by beginning to explain one of the most reliable correlates of male homosexuality: older brothers. We conducted a direct test of an immunological explanation of the finding that gay men have a greater number of older brothers than do heterosexual men. This explanation posits that some mothers develop antibodies against a Y-linked protein important in male brain development, and that this effect becomes increasingly likely with each male gestation, altering brain structures underlying sexual orientation in their later-born sons. Immune assays targeting two Y-linked proteins important in brain development—protocadherin 11 Y-linked (PCDH11Y) and neuroligin 4 Y-linked (NLGN4Y; isoforms 1 and 2)—were developed. Plasma from mothers of sons, about half of whom had a gay son, along with additional controls (women with no sons, men) was analyzed for male protein-specific antibodies. Results indicated women had significantly higher anti-NLGN4Y levels than men. In addition, after statistically controlling for number of pregnancies, mothers of gay sons, particularly those with older brothers, had significantly higher anti-NLGN4Y levels than did the control samples of women, including mothers of heterosexual sons. The results suggest an association between a maternal immune response to NLGN4Y and subsequent sexual orientation in male offspring.
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Skorska MN, Blanchard R, VanderLaan DP, Zucker KJ, Bogaert AF. Gay Male Only-Children: Evidence for Low Birth Weight and High Maternal Miscarriage Rates. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2017; 46:205-215. [PMID: 27549305 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-016-0829-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent findings suggest that there may be a maternal immune response underpinning the etiology of sexual orientation of gay male only-children. This maternal immune response appears to be distinct from that which is purported to explain the classic fraternal birth order effect found in studies of male sexual orientation. We tested two predictions related to the hypothesized maternal immune response in mothers of gay male only-children: (1) elevated fetal loss among mothers who have had gay male only-children and (2) lower birth weight in gay male only-children. Mothers of at least one gay son (n = 54) and mothers of heterosexual son(s) (n = 72) self-reported their pregnancy histories, including the birth weights of newborns and number of fetal losses (e.g., miscarriages). Mothers of gay male only-children (n = 8) reported significantly greater fetal loss compared with mothers of males with four other sibship compositions (gay with no older brothers, gay with older brothers, heterosexual only-children, heterosexual with siblings) (n = 118). Also, firstborn gay male only-children (n = 4) had a significantly lower birth weight than firstborn children in the four other sibship compositions (n = 59). Duration of pregnancy was not significantly different among the groups of firstborn children in the birth weight analyses. Thus, this study found further support for a distinct pattern of maternal immune response implicated in the etiology of male sexual orientation. Mechanisms that may underlie this potential second type of maternal immune response are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malvina N Skorska
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Ray Blanchard
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Doug P VanderLaan
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road N., Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
- Child, Youth and Family Division, Underserved Populations Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kenneth J Zucker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Anthony F Bogaert
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada.
- Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada.
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Kolte AM, Steffensen R, Christiansen OB, Nielsen HS. Maternal HY-restricting HLA class II alleles are associated with poor long-term outcome in recurrent pregnancy loss after a boy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2016; 76:400-405. [PMID: 27600856 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Women with secondary recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) after a boy have a reduced chance of live birth in the first pregnancy after referral if they carry HY-restricting HLA class II alleles, but long-term chance of live birth is unknown. METHODS OF STUDY Live birth was compared for 540 women with unexplained secondary RPL according to firstborn's sex and maternal carriage of HLA-DRB3*03:01, HLA-DQB1*05:01/02, HLA-DRB1*15, and HLA-DRB1*07. The groups were compared by Cox proportional hazard ratios. RESULTS For women with at firstborn boy, maternal carriage of HY-restricting HLA class II alleles decreased chance of live birth: 0 vs 1: hazard ratio 0.75 (95% CI 0.55-1.02); 0 vs 2: HR 0.62 (0.40-0.94). Carriage of HY-restricting HLA class II alleles decreased chance of live birth only if the firstborn was a boy: boy vs girl: HR 0.72 (95% CI 0.55-0.98). CONCLUSION Maternal carriage of HY-restricting HLA class II alleles decreases long-term chance of live birth in women with RPL after a boy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Marie Kolte
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, Fertility Clinic 4071, University Hospital Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, København Ø, Denmark.
| | - Rudi Steffensen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Ole Bjarne Christiansen
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, Fertility Clinic 4071, University Hospital Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, København Ø, Denmark.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Henriette Svarre Nielsen
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, Fertility Clinic 4071, University Hospital Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, København Ø, Denmark
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Mendez FL, Poznik GD, Castellano S, Bustamante CD. The Divergence of Neandertal and Modern Human Y Chromosomes. Am J Hum Genet 2016; 98:728-34. [PMID: 27058445 PMCID: PMC4833433 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sequencing the genomes of extinct hominids has reshaped our understanding of modern human origins. Here, we analyze ∼120 kb of exome-captured Y-chromosome DNA from a Neandertal individual from El Sidrón, Spain. We investigate its divergence from orthologous chimpanzee and modern human sequences and find strong support for a model that places the Neandertal lineage as an outgroup to modern human Y chromosomes—including A00, the highly divergent basal haplogroup. We estimate that the time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of Neandertal and modern human Y chromosomes is ∼588 thousand years ago (kya) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 447–806 kya). This is ∼2.1 (95% CI: 1.7–2.9) times longer than the TMRCA of A00 and other extant modern human Y-chromosome lineages. This estimate suggests that the Y-chromosome divergence mirrors the population divergence of Neandertals and modern human ancestors, and it refutes alternative scenarios of a relatively recent or super-archaic origin of Neandertal Y chromosomes. The fact that the Neandertal Y we describe has never been observed in modern humans suggests that the lineage is most likely extinct. We identify protein-coding differences between Neandertal and modern human Y chromosomes, including potentially damaging changes to PCDH11Y, TMSB4Y, USP9Y, and KDM5D. Three of these changes are missense mutations in genes that produce male-specific minor histocompatibility (H-Y) antigens. Antigens derived from KDM5D, for example, are thought to elicit a maternal immune response during gestation. It is possible that incompatibilities at one or more of these genes played a role in the reproductive isolation of the two groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando L Mendez
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - G David Poznik
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Program in Biomedical Informatics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sergi Castellano
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Carlos D Bustamante
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Kolte AM, Nielsen HS, Steffensen R, Crespi B, Christiansen OB. Inheritance of the 8.1 ancestral haplotype in recurrent pregnancy loss. EVOLUTION MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 2015:325-31. [PMID: 26675299 PMCID: PMC4681376 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eov031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
A segment of DNA called the 8.1 ancestral haplotype is hypothesized to cause fetal loss due to a ‘selfish gene’ effect. The hypothesis was not supported, although the haplotype tended to be inherited more often than expected among girls (p=0.11) in a study of 110 mother-child pairs. Further studies are warranted. Background and objectives: The 8.1 ancestral haplotype (AH) (HLA-A1, C7, B8, C4AQ0, C4B1, DR3, DQ2) is a remarkably long and conserved haplotype in the human major histocompatibility complex. It has been associated with both beneficial and detrimental effects, consistent with antagonistic pleiotropy. It has also been proposed that the survival of long, conserved haplotypes may be due to gestational drive, i.e. selective miscarriage of fetuses who have not inherited the haplotype from a heterozygous mother. Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined as three or more consecutive pregnancy losses. The objective was to test the gestational drive theory for the 8.1AH in women with RPL and their live born children. Methodology: We investigated the inheritance of the 8.1AH from 82 heterozygous RPL women to 110 live born children. All participants were genotyped for HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 in DNA from EDTA-treated blood or buccal swaps. Inheritance was compared with a Mendelian inheritance of 50% using a two-sided exact binomial test. Results: We found that 55% of the live born children had inherited the 8.1AH, which was not significantly higher than the expected 50% (P = 0.29). Interestingly, we found a non-significant trend toward a higher inheritance of the 8.1AH in girls, 63%, P = 0.11 as opposed to boys, 50%, P = 1.00. Conclusions and implications: We did not find that the 8.1AH was significantly more often inherited by live born children of 8.1AH heterozygous RPL women. However our data suggest that there may be a sex-specific effect which would be interesting to explore further, both in RPL and in a background population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid M Kolte
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, Fertility Clinic 4071, University Hospital Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen Ø 2100, Denmark;
| | - Henriette S Nielsen
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, Fertility Clinic 4071, University Hospital Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen Ø 2100, Denmark
| | - Rudi Steffensen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aalborg University Hospital, North, Urbansgade 32, Aalborg 9000, Denmark
| | - Bernard Crespi
- Human Evolutionary Studies Program and Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada and
| | - Ole B Christiansen
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, Fertility Clinic 4071, University Hospital Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen Ø 2100, Denmark; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Aalborg University Hospital North, Reberbansgade 15, Aalborg 9000, Denmark
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Bruckner TA, Mayo JA, Gould JB, Stevenson DK, Lewis DB, Shaw GM, Carmichael SL. Heightened risk of preterm birth and growth restriction after a first-born son. Ann Epidemiol 2015; 25:743-7.e1. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Radin RG, Mumford SL, Silver RM, Lesher LL, Galai N, Faraggi D, Wactawski-Wende J, Townsend JM, Lynch AM, Simhan HN, Sjaarda LA, Perkins NJ, Zarek SM, Schliep KC, Schisterman EF. Sex ratio following preconception low-dose aspirin in women with prior pregnancy loss. J Clin Invest 2015; 125:3619-26. [PMID: 26280577 DOI: 10.1172/jci82357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several lines of evidence suggest that male embryos may have greater vulnerability than female embryos to disordered inflammation; therefore, antiinflammatory drugs, such as low-dose aspirin (LDA), may alter the sex ratio. Here, we assessed the effect of LDA on male live birth and male offspring, incorporating pregnancy losses (n = 56) via genetic assessment, as part of a parallel-design, block-randomized, placebo-controlled trial of preconception LDA. METHODS Participants (615 treated with LDA, 613 treated with placebo) ranged in age from 18 to 40 years of age, with 1 to 2 prior pregnancy losses. We estimated the intention-to-treat (ITT) risk ratio (RR) and 95% CI and assessed interaction with baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) serum concentration - a marker of systemic inflammation. RESULTS Among the 1,078 women who completed follow-up (535 treated with LDA, 543 treated with placebo), the male live birth ITT RR equaled 1.31 (95% CI: 1.07-1.59). With increasing tertile of hsCRP, the proportion of males at birth decreased in the placebo group, and the effect of LDA on male live birth increased (first tertile: 48% male in LDA vs. 52% in placebo, ITT RR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.70-1.35; second tertile: 57% male in LDA vs. 43% in placebo, ITT RR = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.98-1.90; third tertile: 53% male in LDA vs. 35% in placebo, ITT RR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.13-2.57; P interaction = 0.03). Analysis of pregnancy with male offspring yielded similar results. CONCLUSION Initiation of LDA prior to conception restored numbers of male live births and pregnancy with male offspring among women with 1 to 2 prior pregnancy losses. Moreover, our data suggest that LDA modulates inflammation that would otherwise reduce the conception or survival of male embryos. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00467363. FUNDING Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health.
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Gratwohl A. HY: foe or maybe friend? Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2015; 21:580-2. [PMID: 25681778 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2015.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alois Gratwohl
- Department of Hematology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Yudin NS, Aitnazarov RB, Voevoda MI, Gerlinskaya LA, Moshkin MP. Association of polymorphism harbored by tumor necrosis factor alpha gene and sex of calf with lactation performance in cattle. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2014; 26:1379-87. [PMID: 25049721 PMCID: PMC4093077 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.2013.13114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Revised: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In a majority of mammals, male infants have heavier body mass and grow faster than female infants. Accordingly, male offspring nursing requires a much greater maternal energy contribution to lactation. It is possible that the maternal-fetal immunoendocrine dialog plays an important role in female preparation for lactation during pregnancy. Immune system genes are an integral part of gene regulatory networks in lactation and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is a proinflammatory cytokine that also plays an important role in normal mammary gland development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the sex of calf and/or the -824A/G polymorphism in the promoter region of TNFα gene on milk performance traits in Black Pied cattle over the course of lactation. We also studied the allele frequency differences of -824A/G variants across several cattle breeds, which were bred in different climatic conditions. The G allele frequency decreased gradually over the course of lactation events in the Black Pied dairy cattle because of a higher culling rate of cows with the G/G genotype (p<0.001). In contrast to the genotypes A/A and A/G, cows with G/G genotype showed significant variability of milk and milk fat yield subject to sex of delivered calf. Milk yield and milk fat yield were significantly higher in the case of birth of a bull calf than with a heifer calf (p<0.03). The G allele frequency varies from 48% to 58% in Grey Ukrainian and Black Pied cattle to 77% in aboriginal Yakut cattle. Our results suggest that the TNFα -824A/G gene polymorphism may have an influence on the reproductive efforts of cows over the course of lactation events depending on the sex of progeny. Allocation of resources according to sex of the calf allows optimizing the energy cost of lactation. This may be a probable reason for high G allele frequency in Yakut cattle breeding in extreme environmental conditions. Similarly, the dramatic fall in milk production after birth of a heifer calf increases the probability of culling for the cows with the G/G genotype in animal husbandry.
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Yudin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences,Novosibirsk 630090, Russian Federation
| | - R B Aitnazarov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences,Novosibirsk 630090, Russian Federation
| | - M I Voevoda
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences,Novosibirsk 630090, Russian Federation
| | - L A Gerlinskaya
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences,Novosibirsk 630090, Russian Federation
| | - M P Moshkin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences,Novosibirsk 630090, Russian Federation
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Abstract
H-Y antigens are a group of minor histocompatibility antigens encoded on the Y-chromosome with homologous H-X antigens on the X-chromosome. The disparate regions of the H-Y antigens are highly immunogenic and play an important role in understanding human alloimmunity. In this review, we investigate the history of H-Y antigen discovery along with their critical contributions in transplantation and pregnancy. In hematopoietic cell transplantation, male recipients with female donors who become seropositive for B-cell responses as H-Y antibodies following transplantation have increased rates of chronic graft-versus-host disease and decreased rates of relapse. Conversely, female patients who receive male kidney allografts are more likely than other gender combinations to develop H-Y antibodies and reject their allografts. Finally, in the setting of pregnancy, mothers who initially gave birth to boys are more likely to have subsequent pregnancy complications, including miscarriages, in association with H-Y antibody development. H-Y antigens continue to serve as a model for alloimmunity in new clinical scenarios. Our development of more sensitive antibody detection and next-generation DNA sequencing promises to further advance our understanding and better predict the clinical consequences of alloimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Popli
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Bita Sahaf
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Hideki Nakasone
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Joyce Yeuk Yu Lee
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - David B. Miklos
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Recurrent miscarriage and birth sex ratio. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2014; 176:55-9. [PMID: 24666800 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2014.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between birth sex ratio and unexplained recurrent miscarriage (RM). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective, observational study including a total of 138 women with primary recurrent miscarriage (PRM) and 170 women with secondary recurrent miscarriage (SRM) in a tertiary referral recurrent miscarriage clinic between 1992 and 2010. The sex ratio of the first birth and subsequent birth were the main outcome measures. RESULTS In women with SRM: (i) The male:female sex ratio of the first stillbirth was 10:2, significantly (OR=4.76) higher than the male:female sex ratio of 1.05 among all births in UK. (ii) When the first born was a male, the male:female sex ratio of the subsequent birth was 21:35, significantly (OR=0.57) lower than the sex ratio among the general population. (iii) A male firstborn did not affect the chance of a subsequent live-birth. The findings did not apply to sex ratio in primary RM. CONCLUSION There was a subtle relationship between the sex of the first and subsequent births and secondary recurrent miscarriage, but not primary recurrent miscarriage.
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Haig D. Interbirth intervals: Intrafamilial, intragenomic and intrasomatic conflict. EVOLUTION MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 2014:12-7. [PMID: 24480612 PMCID: PMC3917425 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eou002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Interbirth intervals (IBIs) mediate a trade-off between child number and child survival. Life history theory predicts that the evolutionarily optimal IBI differs for different individuals whose fitness is affected by how closely a mother spaces her children. The objective of the article is to clarify these conflicts and explore their implications for public health. METHODOLOGY Simple models of inclusive fitness and kin conflict address the evolution of human birth-spacing. RESULTS Genes of infants generally favor longer intervals than genes of mothers, and infant genes of paternal origin generally favor longer IBIs than genes of maternal origin. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The colonization of maternal bodies by offspring cells (fetal microchimerism) raises the possibility that cells of older offspring could extend IBIs by interfering with the implantation of subsequent embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Haig
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Abstract
Women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) represent a highly heterogeneous group of patients. Past studies have investigated systemic endocrine and immunologic mechanisms as potential causes for pregnancy loss in unexplained RPL, while exciting new work has focused on spermatozoal, embryonic, and endometrial characteristics to explain the regulation of implantation and subsequent pregnancy loss. In the clinical and research context, stratification of women with unexplained RPL according to whether they have a high probability of pathologic status will help select women who are most appropriate for further investigation and potential future treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotirios H Saravelos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, Mint Wing, South Wharf Road, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Lesley Regan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, Mint Wing, South Wharf Road, London W2 1PG, UK.
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Katano K, Suzuki S, Ozaki Y, Suzumori N, Kitaori T, Sugiura-Ogasawara M. Peripheral natural killer cell activity as a predictor of recurrent pregnancy loss: a large cohort study. Fertil Steril 2013; 100:1629-34. [PMID: 24012195 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.07.1996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Revised: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/26/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the predictive value of preconceptional peripheral blood natural killer (pNK) cell activity in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). DESIGN Cohort study. SETTING University department. PATIENT(S) A total of 552 patients with a history of two to six consecutive miscarriages. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The predictive value of preconceptional pNK cell activity for subsequent miscarriage was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analysis, with age, number of previous miscarriages, and presence/absence of previous live births and bed rest as covariates. RESULT(S) Age and number of previous miscarriages, but not high pNK cell activity, were found to be independent risk factors for a subsequent miscarriage. No effect of bed rest and previous live birth on the likelihood of live birth was observed (odds ratios 1.28 [95% confidence interval 0.81-2.02] and 0.91 [0.52-1.59], respectively). CONCLUSION(S) Elevated pNK cell activity was found to not be an independent risk factor for subsequent miscarriage. Clinicians should not measure the plasma NK activity as a systematic recurrent pregnancy loss examination, because its clinical significance is yet to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinue Katano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
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Abstract
Offspring within families, both human and nonhuman, often differ. The obvious question is: Why? Work on psychological differences on children within human families has focused primarily on differences in the nonshared environment of contemporary siblings, though the precise location of this nonshared environment is still the subject of much debate. Here I explore the range of explanations for within-brood diversity from the perspective of nonhuman families, particularly birds that share certain key features with human families. I examine the role of social rank in creating a nonshared environment within the family, and present data from a model system (an altricial bird) to illustrate how different the effective environments experienced by offspring sitting side-by-side in the same confined physical space, tended by the same parents, and experiencing similar ecological variability, can be. These broodmates can effectively live in different worlds. I then briefly explore other sources of diversity among offspring in nonhuman families, including within brood genetic differences and non-genetic maternal (parental) effects that often covary with birth / hatching rank. Given the ubiquity and far-reaching consequences of maternal effects in nonhuman families, and some human data suggestive of similar patterns, it would seem worthwhile to explore the potential role of maternal effects in creating phenotypic diversity in psychological traits among children in human families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Forbes
- Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Bonney EA. Demystifying animal models of adverse pregnancy outcomes: touching bench and bedside. Am J Reprod Immunol 2013; 69:567-84. [PMID: 23448345 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
This represents an overview of the use of animal models to study the adverse pregnancy outcomes seen in humans. The purpose is to entice clinicians to utilize some of this information to seek out the literature and have more meaningful and profitable discussions with their academic colleagues and enhance transdisciplinary research in reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA.
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Reus AD, Stephenson MD, van Dunné FM, de Krijger RR, Joosten M, Steegers EAP, Exalto N. Chorionic villous vascularization related to phenotype and genotype in first trimester miscarriages in a recurrent pregnancy loss cohort. Hum Reprod 2013; 28:916-23. [PMID: 23427236 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/det025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is there an association between chorionic villous vascularization, ultrasound findings and corresponding chromosome results in early miscarriage specimens from a cohort of recurrent pregnancy loss patients? SUMMARY ANSWER We did not find a significant difference in vascularization scores of chorionic villi between embryonic, yolk sac or empty sac miscarriages, or between euploid and noneuploid miscarriages. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY At least half of first trimester miscarriages are due to embryopathogenesis associated with chromosome errors and/or major congenital anomalies, resulting in an empty sac, a yolk sac or an embryonic miscarriage. Absent and decreased chorionic villous vascularization is usually present in these pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION For this retrospective study, 60 hematoxylin and eosin slides of miscarriage tissue of less than 10 weeks gestational age were collected from an academic institution. All patients were seen in consultation between July 2004 and October 2009. PARTICIPANTS, SETTING, METHODS Chorionic villous vascularization was determined using a previously published classification. The results were validated and compared with the ultrasound findings and corresponding chromosome results. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE There were 53 embryonic miscarriages, 5 yolk sac miscarriages and 2 empty sac miscarriages. Chromosome results were obtained in 59 of the 60 miscarriages; 37.3% were euploid and 62.7% were noneuploid. Validation of the vascularization score between observers was reasonable to good (Kappa 0.47-0.76), and 59% of the cases were classified as avascular. The vascularization score did not differ between euploid or noneuploid miscarriages, or between embryonic, yolk sac or empty sac miscarriages. Avascular villi were seen more frequently in miscarriages trisomic for chromosome 16, when compared with miscarriages with other trisomies (6 out of 7 versus 8 out of 22, P = 0.04). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Unfortunately, the number of samples in the study was limited. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Avascular villi may indicate abnormal early placentation as a part of embryopathogenesis. Further study is warranted to determine whether a genetic cause can be found to explain these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Averil D Reus
- Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC: University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Maternal fecundity and asthma among offspring-is the risk programmed preconceptionally? Retrospective observational study. Fertil Steril 2012; 99:761-767.e1. [PMID: 23148921 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2012] [Revised: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between maternal fecundity factors and time to pregnancy and risk of asthma in offspring. DESIGN Retrospective observational hospital-based birth cohort study. SETTING A university-based obstetrics and gynecology department. PATIENT(S) A total of 40,914 women, who delivered between 1989 and 2007, were linked with the register for asthma reimbursement (n = 2,577) for their offspring. Fecundity factors were recorded during pregnancy. Logistic regression analyses were used. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Asthma among offspring. RESULT(S) The risk of asthma was significantly increased if the mother had any infertility problems (adjusted odds ratio [adjusted OR] 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-1.63), medical infertility treatment (aOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.13-1.80), or any infertility treatment (aOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.26-1.79). The risk of asthma among offspring was also higher among mothers who had more than two miscarriages (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.04-1.51) and time to pregnancy over 3 months (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07-1.45). CONCLUSION(S) These findings suggest that maternal subfertility exposes offspring to an increased risk of asthma. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The study is registered in Kuopio University Hospital register (TUTKI): ID 5302448.
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Chiavegatto Filho ADP, Laurenti R. O sexo masculino vulnerável: razão de masculinidade entre os óbitos fetais brasileiros. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2012; 28:720-8. [DOI: 10.1590/s0102-311x2012000400011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 12/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Alguns estudos apontam para a existência de vulnerabilidades biológicas inatas masculinas, especialmente no período perinatal. Foi realizada uma análise transversal da mortalidade fetal brasileira segundo sexo, entre 2000 e 2009 (inclusive), conforme características maternas (idade, escolaridade e duração da gestação), utilizando-se dados disponibilizados pelos sistema DATASUS do Ministério da Saúde. Todos os óbitos fetais do período foram incluídos na análise, excetuando-se os casos em que o sexo do feto não foi declarado. A razão de masculinidade (RM) encontrada para os óbitos fetais foi de 1,188. As categorias mais relacionadas com maior risco (idade entre 10 e 14 anos, nenhuma escolaridade e gestação com menos de 22 semanas) apresentaram maior RM, sendo esses valores, em todos os casos, estatisticamente maiores do que os observados nas outras categorias analisadas (p < 0,05). Verificou-se RM estatisticamente maior (p < 0,05) ao esperado para 13 causas básicas de óbito e menor para duas. Os resultados encontrados pelo estudo apontam para uma possível vulnerabilidade biológica inata masculina.
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Rull K, Nagirnaja L, Laan M. Genetics of recurrent miscarriage: challenges, current knowledge, future directions. Front Genet 2012; 3:34. [PMID: 22457663 PMCID: PMC3306920 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2012.00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2012] [Accepted: 02/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrent miscarriage (RM) occurs in 1-3% of couples aiming at childbirth. Due to multifactorial etiology the clinical diagnosis of RM varies. The design of genetic/"omics" studies to identify genes and biological mechanisms involved in pathogenesis of RM has challenges as there are several options in defining the study subjects (female patient and/or couple with miscarriages, fetus/placenta) and controls. An ideal study would attempt a trio-design focusing on both partners as well as pregnancies of the couple. Application of genetic association studies focusing on pre-selected candidate genes with potential pathological effect in RM show limitations. Polymorphisms in ∼100 genes have been investigated and association with RM is often inconclusive or negative. Also, implication of prognostic molecular diagnostic tests in clinical practice exhibits uncertainties. Future directions in investigating biomolecular risk factors for RM rely on integrating alternative approaches (SNPs, copy number variations, gene/protein expression, epigenetic regulation) in studies of single genes as well as whole-genome analysis. This would be enhanced by collaborative network between research centers and RM clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristiina Rull
- Human Molecular Genetics Research Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia
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