1
|
Seraj H, Nazari MA, Atai AA, Amanpour S, Azadi M. A Review: Biomechanical Aspects of the Fallopian Tube Relevant to its Function in Fertility. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:1456-1485. [PMID: 38472710 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01479-x] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The fallopian tube (FT) plays a crucial role in the reproductive process by providing an ideal biomechanical and biochemical environment for fertilization and early embryo development. Despite its importance, the biomechanical functions of the FT that originate from its morphological aspects, and ultrastructural aspects, as well as the mechanical properties of FT, have not been studied nor used sufficiently, which limits the understanding of fertilization, mechanotrasduction, and mechanobiology during embryo development, as well as the replication of the FT in laboratory settings for infertility treatments. This paper reviews and revives valuable information on human FT reported in medical literature in the past five decades relevant to the biomechanical aspects of FT. In this review, we summarized the current state of knowledge concerning the morphological, ultrastructural aspects, and mechanical properties of the human FT. We also investigate the potential arising from a thorough consideration of the biomechanical functions and exploring often neglected mechanical aspects. Our investigation encompasses both macroscopic measurements (such as length, diameter, and thickness) and microscopic measurements (including the height of epithelial cells, the percentage of ciliated cells, cilia structure, and ciliary beat frequency). Our primary focus has been on healthy women of reproductive age. We have examined various measurement techniques, encompassing conventional metrology, 2D histological data as well as new spatial measurement techniques such as micro-CT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Seraj
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Nazari
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Speech and Cognition, CNRS UMR 5216, Grenoble Institute of Technology, Grenoble, France.
| | - Ali Asghar Atai
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeid Amanpour
- Vali-E-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Azadi
- School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lafontaine S, Labrecque R, Blondin P, Cue RI, Sirard MA. Comparison of cattle derived from in vitro fertilization, multiple ovulation embryo transfer, and artificial insemination for milk production and fertility traits. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:4380-4396. [PMID: 37028966 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
The use of assisted-reproduction technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) is increasing, particularly in dairy cattle. The question of consequences in later life has not yet been directly addressed by studies on large animal populations. Studies on rodents and early data from humans and cattle suggest that in vitro manipulation of gametes and embryos could result in long-term alteration of metabolism, growth, and fertility. Our goal was to better describe these presumed consequences in the population of dairy cows produced by IVF in Québec (Canada) and to compare them to animals conceived by artificial insemination (AI) or multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET). To do so, we leveraged a large phenotypic database (2.5 million animals and 4.5 million lactations) from milk records in Québec aggregated by Lactanet (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada) and spanning 2012 to 2019. We identified 304,163, 12,993, and 732 cows conceived by AI, MOET, and IVF, respectively, for a total of 317,888 Holstein animals from which we retrieved information for 576,448, 24,192, and 1,299 lactations (total = 601,939), respectively. Genetic energy-corrected milk yield (GECM) and Lifetime Performance Index (LPI) of the parents of cows were used to normalize for genetic potential across animals. When compared with the general Holstein population, MOET and IVF cows outperformed AI cows. However, when comparing those same MOET and IVF cows with only herdmates and accounting for their higher GECM in the models, we found no statistical difference between the conception methods for milk production across the first 3 lactations. We also found that the rate of Lifetime Performance Index improvement of the IVF population during the 2012 to 2019 period was less than the rate observed in the AI population. Fertility analysis revealed that MOET and IVF cows also scored 1 point lower than their parents on the daughter fertility index and had a longer interval from first service to conception, with an average of 35.52 d compared with 32.45 for MOET and 31.87 for AI animals. These results highlight the challenges of elite genetic improvement while attesting to the progress the industry has made in minimizing epigenetic disturbance during embryo production. Nonetheless, additional work is required to ensure that IVF animals can maintain their performance and fertility potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Lafontaine
- Centre de recherche en reproduction, développement et santé intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), Département des Sciences Animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1K 7P4, Canada
| | - Rémi Labrecque
- SEMEX Boviteq, 3450 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Patrick Blondin
- SEMEX Boviteq, 3450 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Roger I Cue
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Montréal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Marc-André Sirard
- Centre de recherche en reproduction, développement et santé intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), Département des Sciences Animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1K 7P4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lafontaine S, Cue RI, Sirard MA. Gestational and health outcomes of dairy cows conceived by assisted reproductive technologies compared to artificial insemination. Theriogenology 2023; 198:282-291. [PMID: 36634442 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Herd gestation and health management are key aspects of effective dairy farm operations and animal welfare improvement. Unfortunately, very little is known about the developmental divergences induced by assisted reproduction technologies (ART) and their consequences once the animal is mature. Indeed, the gestational and health outcomes of this subset of the Holstein population is yet to be characterized. In this study, the intergenerational impacts of ART conception were assessed by looking at the gestation and health outcomes of a large cohort of cows (n = 284,813) for which the conception methods were known. Our results showed that cows conceived by multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) displayed longer gestations: +0.37 ± 0.079 and +0.65 ± 0.21 day compared to cows conceived by artificial insemination (AI). Surprisingly, animals conceived by all methods experienced a similar 1-day decline in average gestation length from 2012 to 2019. Cows conceived by IVF were not more likely to experience stillbirths but were affected by common diseases such as ovarian cysts, mastitis, and uterine diseases in different proportions compared to cows conceived by other methods. This study provides new and unique information on ART animals regarding perinatal mortality and general health outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Lafontaine
- Centre de recherche en reproduction, développement et santé intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), Département des Sciences Animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, Université Laval, Québec, G1K 7P4, Canada
| | - Roger I Cue
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Marc-André Sirard
- Centre de recherche en reproduction, développement et santé intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), Département des Sciences Animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, Université Laval, Québec, G1K 7P4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zang L, Lv H, Du J, Pan Y, Lin Y, Dai J. Association of phthalate exposure with low birth weight in couples conceiving naturally or via assisted reproductive technology in a prospective birth cohort. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158852. [PMID: 36122707 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have investigated the adverse effects of preconception phthalate (PAE) exposure on birth weight in couples receiving assisted reproductive technology (ART) compared to naturally conceived newborns. OBJECTIVES We examined the association between parental preconception/prenatal urinary phthalate exposure and low birth weight (LBW) risk in couples who conceived using ART or naturally. METHODS From the Jiangsu Birth Cohort Study (China), we recruited 544 couples who conceived after infertility treatment and 940 couples who conceived naturally and gave birth to a singleton infant between November 2014 and December 2019. Seventeen metabolites of phthalate and three metabolites of phthalate alternatives were analyzed in parental spot urine samples. Clinical data were collected from medical records. We used generalized linear models, elastic net regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression, and quantile-based g-computation to examine the individual and joint effects of parental phthalate exposure on birth weight and LBW risk ratios (RR). RESULTS The relationship between parental phthalate exposure and birth weight was consistent between ART and natural conception. Maternal exposure to mono-ethyl phthalate and mono-carboxyisooctyl phthalate was associated with an increased risk of LBW in ART-conceived infants (RR = 1.27; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.56; and RR = 1.31; 95 % CI: 1.03, 1.67, respectively). In contrast, in the spontaneously conceived infants, higher paternal prenatal concentrations of mono-benzyl phthalate and mono-carboxyisononyl phthalate were associated with a 40 % and 53 % increase in LBW risk, respectively. Exposure to PAE mixtures was associated with LBW in ART-conceived infants, with the effects primarily driven by di-ethyl phthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate, and di-isononyl phthalate metabolites. Sex-specific LBW was observed, with females appearing to be more susceptible than males. CONCLUSIONS Maternal preconception and paternal prenatal exposure to phthalates were associated with increased risk of LBW in infants. Compared with natural conception, ART-conceived fetuses were more sensitive to PAE mixtures, which requires further attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hong Lv
- State Keey Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (Suzhou Centre), Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Jiangbo Du
- State Keey Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yitao Pan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China; State Keey Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- State Keey Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (Suzhou Centre), Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215006, China.
| | - Jiayin Dai
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China; State Keey Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Huang JY, Cai S, Huang Z, Tint MT, Yuan WL, Aris IM, Godfrey KM, Karnani N, Lee YS, Chan JKY, Chong YS, Eriksson JG, Chan SY. Analyses of child cardiometabolic phenotype following assisted reproductive technologies using a pragmatic trial emulation approach. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5613. [PMID: 34556649 PMCID: PMC8460697 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25899-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are increasingly used, however little is known about the long-term health of ART-conceived offspring. Weak selection of comparison groups and poorly characterized mechanisms impede current understanding. In a prospective cohort (Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes; GUSTO; Clinical Trials ID: NCT01174875) including 83 ART-conceived and 1095 spontaneously-conceived singletons, we estimate effects of ART on anthropometry, blood pressure, serum metabolic biomarkers, and cord tissue DNA methylation by emulating a pragmatic trial supported by machine learning-based estimators. We find ART-conceived children to be shorter (-0.5 SD [95% CI: -0.7, -0.2]), lighter (-0.6 SD [-0.9, -0.3]) and have lower skinfold thicknesses (e.g. -14% [-24%, -3%] suprailiac), and blood pressure (-3 mmHg [-6, -0.5] systolic) at 6-6.5 years, with no strong differences in metabolic biomarkers. Differences are not explained by parental anthropometry or comorbidities, polygenic risk score, breastfeeding, or illnesses. Our simulations demonstrate ART is strongly associated with lower NECAB3 DNA methylation, with negative control analyses suggesting these estimates are unbiased. However, methylation changes do not appear to mediate observed differences in child phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Yinhao Huang
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Shirong Cai
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhongwei Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mya Thway Tint
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wen Lun Yuan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Université de Paris, CRESS, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Izzuddin M Aris
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keith M Godfrey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Neerja Karnani
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yung Seng Lee
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jerry Kok Yen Chan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Academic Clinical Program in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yap Seng Chong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Johan Gunnar Eriksson
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- University of Helsinki, Department of General Practise and Primary Health Care, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shiao-Yng Chan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zacchini F, Heber MF, Arena R, Radczuk N, Jankowska U, Ptak GE. Perturbations of the hepatic proteome behind the onset of metabolic disorders in mouse offspring developed following embryo manipulation. Theriogenology 2021; 171:119-129. [PMID: 34052779 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.05.022] [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: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) allowed the births of >8 million babies worldwide. Even if ART children are healthy at birth, several studies reported that ART may cause changes in foetal programming, leading to an increased predisposition to metabolic disorders in adulthood. Previous studies on mouse model showed obesity, glucose intolerance, and hepatic lipid accumulation in ART offspring. A cumulative effect of the different components of ART protocol has been previously described, for example, in the occurrence of epigenetic defects. Here, we investigated whether there is a cumulative effect of embryo transfer (ET), in vitro culture (IVC) and blastomere biopsy (BB) in the onset of metabolic disorders in mouse offspring vs those naturally conceived (Control - CTR). To this aim, proteomic analysis was performed on the livers from adult mouse offspring developed following ET, IVC and BB vs CTR. We observed deregulated expression of proteins involved in lipid, carbohydrate, energy metabolisms and cellular processes in ART offspring. Moreover, we found increased body weight in all ART offspring while i) insulin resistance in BB male, ii) females glucose intolerance and high level of triglycerides and cholesterol in BB females and iii) low levels of interleukin-6 in BB, IVC and ET males. In conclusion, our study suggests that the use of various embryo manipulations influences the metabolic health of adult offspring, resulting in an increased predisposition to hepatic diseases and metabolic syndrome in a sex-specific manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Zacchini
- Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology at Jagiellonian University, Str Gronostajowa 7a, 30-348, Krakow, Poland; Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology PAS, Str Postępu 36A, Jastrzębiec, 05-552, Magdalenka, Poland; Percuros BV, Str Zernikedreef 8, 2333 CL, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Maria Florencia Heber
- Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology at Jagiellonian University, Str Gronostajowa 7a, 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Roberta Arena
- Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology at Jagiellonian University, Str Gronostajowa 7a, 30-348, Krakow, Poland; Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology PAS, Str Postępu 36A, Jastrzębiec, 05-552, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Natalia Radczuk
- Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology at Jagiellonian University, Str Gronostajowa 7a, 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Urszula Jankowska
- Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology at Jagiellonian University, Str Gronostajowa 7a, 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Grażyna Ewa Ptak
- Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology at Jagiellonian University, Str Gronostajowa 7a, 30-348, Krakow, Poland; University of Teramo, Str R. Balzarini 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Fineman DC, Keller RL, Maltepe E, Rinaudo PF, Steurer MA. Outcomes of Very Preterm Infants Conceived with Assisted Reproductive Technologies. J Pediatr 2021; 236:47-53.e1. [PMID: 34023343 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare mortality and early respiratory outcomes of very preterm infants conceived via assisted reproductive technology (ART) vs spontaneously. STUDY DESIGN We identified inborn infants (July 2014-July 2019) with gestational age <32 weeks (n = 439); 54 cases were ART conceived. Spontaneously conceived controls (n = 103) were matched by multiple gestation status and gestational age. Primary outcome was 1-year mortality. Secondary outcomes were receipt of respiratory support and supplemental oxygen at 7 and 28 days and 36 weeks of postmenstrual age. We evaluated the association between conception method and outcomes by logistic regression, with adjustment for sociodemographic status. RESULTS Women who conceived via ART had increased rates of prepregnancy and gestational diabetes, and no differences in rates of hypertensive disorders. Infant 1-year mortality was not different by mode of conception (ART 11.8% vs spontaneous 7.1%, P = .49). Infants conceived by ART were less likely to receive respiratory support or supplemental oxygen at all time points, but this relationship only reached significance for receipt of oxygen at 28 days (ART 20.8% vs spontaneous 39.0%, P = .03); this remained true after adjustment for race/ethnicity and socioeconomic index. CONCLUSIONS When controlling for gestational age and multiple gestation status, very preterm infants conceived following ART had similar outcomes as those conceived spontaneously.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberta L Keller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Emin Maltepe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Paolo F Rinaudo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Martina A Steurer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hallamaa M, Seikkula J, Willman S, Ollila H, Jokimaa V. Pregnancy potential and perinatal outcomes of embryos cryopreserved twice: a case-control study. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 43:607-613. [PMID: 34412972 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION What are the pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of twice-cryopreserved embryos compared with embryos cryopreserved once? DESIGN Retrospective register-based case-control study. The case group consisted of transfers of twice-cryopreserved embryos (n = 89), and the control group of transfers of embryos cryopreserved once (n = 304). Matching criteria were embryonic age at transfer and female age category of less than 35 years or 35 and greater. RESULTS The survival rate of twice-cryopreserved embryos was 92.2%, and 93.7% of the planned frozen embryo transfers (FET) could be completed. FET was performed with cleavage-stage embryos in 17 cases and 68 controls and with blastocysts in 72 cases and 238 controls. The rates of live birth (27.0% versus 31.9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.70, 95% CI 0.40-1.22, P = 0.21), clinical pregnancy (31.5% versus 36.8%, adjusted OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.42-1.21, P = 0.21) and miscarriage (4.5% versus 3.9%, adjusted OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.33-3.60, P = 0.88) in the case and the control groups were comparable. No difference was seen in the preterm delivery rate (cases 4.2% versus controls 10.3%, P = 0.69). Twenty-five children were born in the case group and 100 in the control group. No difference in birthweight was detected between the groups and there were no large for gestational age fetuses or congenital malformations in the case group. CONCLUSIONS Uncompromised live birth rates and neonatal outcomes may be expected after the transfer of twice-cryopreserved embryos. To avoid embryo wastage and transfer of multiple embryos, good quality surplus embryos from FET cycles may be cryopreserved again by vitrification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Hallamaa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku 20520, Finland.
| | - Jaana Seikkula
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central Hospital of Central Finland, Jyväskylä 40620, Finland
| | - Sami Willman
- Ovumia Fertinova Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä 40100, Finland
| | - Helena Ollila
- Turku Clinical Research Centre, Turku University Hospital, Turku 20521, Finland
| | - Varpu Jokimaa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku 20520, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhang J, Jin N, Ma Y, Lu J, Wang J, Chen S, Wang X. Ovarian stimulation reduces fetal growth by dysregulating uterine natural killer cells in mice. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:618-627. [PMID: 34409664 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23528] [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: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian stimulation is associated with a higher risk of low birth weight. However, the precise mechanisms by which ovarian stimulation increases the chances of low birth weight remain unclear. In this mouse model study, in vivo developed blastocysts that were not exposed to gonadotropins were transferred into pseudopregnant females that had mated naturally (the control group), pseudopregnant females that had been administered a low dose of ovulation-stimulating hormone (the L-SO group) and pseudopregnant females that had been administered a high dose of ovulation-stimulating hormone (the H-SO group). The embryo implantation rate and fetal weight were significantly lower in the L-SO and H-SO groups than in the control group. The density of Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA)+ uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in the decidua basalis was significantly lower in the L-SO and H-SO groups than in the control group. Ovarian stimulation also downregulated a variety of cytokines related to uNK cells that are involved in placental angiogenesis and trophoblast invasion. Collectively, our findings indicate that ovarian stimulation impairs DBA+ uNK cell density in the decidua basalis, which may downregulate uNK-related cytokine secretion and influence placental angiogenesis and restrict fetal growth in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ni Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuan Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shuqiang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Harner R, Lira-Albarrán S, Chalas C, Lee SH, Liu X, Rinaudo P. Ovulation induction is associated with altered growth but with preservation of normal metabolic function in murine offspring. F&S SCIENCE 2021; 2:259-267. [PMID: 35560276 PMCID: PMC10434990 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the effects of ovulation induction on mouse postnatal health, with a focus on growth pattern and glucose tolerance. To study the effect of ovulation induction on DNA methylation, we took advantage of the agouti viable yellow (Avy) mouse. DESIGN Animal study. SETTING University Setting. ANIMALS Agouti viable yellow (Avy) mice on a C57BL/6 background. INTERVENTION(S) Avy female mice were either allowed to mate spontaneously (control group, C) or after superovulation with 5 IU of PMSG and hCG (ovulation induction group, OI). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Birth parameters and postnatal growth of the offspring were followed up to 29 weeks of age. Body composition analysis was performed by EchoMRI; fasting insulin, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by beta cells were assessed to study glucose metabolism. RESULT(S) Mice born to superovulated dams had lower survival rates, shorter anogenital distances, and shorter crown-rump lengths. Female mice generated by OI weighed less at birth, whereas male mice generated by OI had lower weight gain and had reduced lean mass. Glucose parameters, including islet functions, did not differ between the groups. No difference in agouti coat color was noted between the groups. CONCLUSION(S) Ovulation induction resulted in mice having increased morphometric differences at birth and male mice showing reduced weight gain but no difference in glucose tolerance or agouti coat color.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Royce Harner
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Céline Chalas
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Seok Hee Lee
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Paolo Rinaudo
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bloise E, Braga JRS, Andrade CBV, Imperio GE, Martinelli LM, Antunes RA, Silva KR, Nunes CB, Cobellis L, Bloise FF, Matthews SG, Connor KL, Ortiga-Carvalho TM. Altered Umbilical Cord Blood Nutrient Levels, Placental Cell Turnover and Transporter Expression in Human Term Pregnancies Conceived by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13082587. [PMID: 34444747 PMCID: PMC8399441 DOI: 10.3390/nu13082587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may increase risk for abnormal placental development, preterm delivery and low birthweight. We investigated placental morphology, transporter expression and paired maternal/umbilical fasting blood nutrient levels in human term pregnancies conceived naturally (n = 10) or by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI; n = 11). Maternal and umbilical vein blood from singleton term (>37 weeks) C-section pregnancies were assessed for levels of free amino acids, glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglycerides. We quantified placental expression of GLUT1 (glucose), SNAT2 (amino acids), P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) (drug) transporters, and placental morphology and pathology. Following ICSI, placental SNAT2 protein expression was downregulated and umbilical cord blood levels of citrulline were increased, while FFA levels were decreased at term (p < 0.05). Placental proliferation and apoptotic rates were increased in ICSI placentae (p < 0.05). No changes in maternal blood nutrient levels, placental GLUT1, P-gp and BCRP expression, or placental histopathology were observed. In term pregnancies, ICSI impairs placental SNAT2 transporter expression and cell turnover, and alters umbilical vein levels of specific nutrients without changing placental morphology. These may represent mechanisms through which ICSI impacts pregnancy outcomes and programs disease risk trajectories in offspring across the life course.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrrico Bloise
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-910, Brazil
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Jair R S Braga
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
- Maternidade Escola, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22240-000, Brazil
| | - Cherley B V Andrade
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Guinever E Imperio
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Lilian M Martinelli
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-910, Brazil
| | - Roberto A Antunes
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
- Maternidade Escola, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22240-000, Brazil
- Fertipraxis-Centro de Reprodução Humana, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22640-902, Brazil
| | - Karina R Silva
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Molecular, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Cristiana B Nunes
- Departamento de Anatomia Patológica e Medicina Legal, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Luigi Cobellis
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino e di Chirurgia Generale e Specialistica, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Flavia F Bloise
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Stephen G Matthews
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H2, Canada
| | - Kristin L Connor
- Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Tania M Ortiga-Carvalho
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
DNA methylation profile of liver of mice conceived by in vitro fertilization. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2021; 13:358-366. [PMID: 34121654 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174421000313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Offspring generated by in vitro fertilization (IVF) are believed to be healthy but display a possible predisposition to chronic diseases, like hypertension and glucose intolerance. Since epigenetic changes are believed to underlie such phenotype, this study aimed at describing global DNA methylation changes in the liver of adult mice generated by natural mating (FB group) or by IVF. Embryos were generated by IVF or natural mating. At 30 weeks of age, mice were sacrificed. The liver was removed, and global DNA methylation was assessed using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). Genomic Regions for Enrichment Analysis Tool (GREAT) and G:Profilerβ were used to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and for functional enrichment analysis. Overrepresented gene ontology terms were summarized with REVIGO, while canonical pathways (CPs) were identified with Ingenuity® Pathway Analysis. Overall, 2692 DMRs (4.91%) were different between the groups. The majority of DMRs (84.92%) were hypomethylated in the IVF group. Surprisingly, only 0.16% of CpG islands were differentially methylated and only a few DMRs were located on known gene promoters (n = 283) or enhancers (n = 190). Notably, the long-interspersed element (LINE), short-interspersed element (SINE), and long terminal repeat (LTR1) transposable elements showed reduced methylation (P < 0.05) in IVF livers. Cellular metabolic process, hepatic fibrosis, and insulin receptor signaling were some of the principal biological processes and CPs modified by IVF. In summary, IVF modifies the DNA methylation signature in the adult liver, resulting in hypomethylation of genes involved in metabolism and gene transcription regulation. These findings may shed light on the mechanisms underlying the developmental origin of health and disease.
Collapse
|
13
|
Heber MF, Ptak GE. The effects of assisted reproduction technologies on metabolic health and disease†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:734-744. [PMID: 33330924 PMCID: PMC8023432 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of metabolic diseases places a substantial burden on human health throughout the world. It is believed that predisposition to metabolic disease starts early in life, a period of great susceptibility to epigenetic reprogramming due to environmental insults. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), i.e., treatments for infertility, may affect embryo development, resulting in multiple adverse health outcomes in postnatal life. The most frequently observed alteration in ART pregnancies is impaired placental nutrient transfer. Moreover, consequent intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight followed by catch-up growth can all predict future obesity, insulin resistance, and chronic metabolic diseases. In this review, we have focused on evidence of adverse metabolic alterations associated with ART, which can contribute to the development of chronic adult-onset diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Due to high phenotypic plasticity, ART pregnancies can produce both offspring with adverse health outcomes, as well as healthy individuals. We further discuss the sex-specific and age-dependent metabolic alterations reflected in ART offspring, and how the degree of interference of a given ART procedure (from mild to more severe manipulation of the egg) affects the occurrence and degree of offspring alterations. Over the last few years, studies have reported signs of cardiometabolic alterations in ART offspring that are detectable at a young age but that do not appear to constitute a high risk of disease and morbidity per se. These abnormal phenotypes could be early indicators of the development of chronic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, in adulthood. The early detection of metabolic alterations could contribute to preventing the onset of disease in adulthood. Such early interventions may counteract the risk factors and improve the long-term health of the individual.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Grażyna Ewa Ptak
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.,Faculty of Biosciences, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Xiao Z, Donjacour A, Harner R, Simbulan R, Kao CN, Ruggeri E, Liu X, Maltepe E, Rinaudo P. Effect of culture conditions and method of conception on mouse live birth rate. F&S SCIENCE 2020; 1:132-141. [PMID: 35559924 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand in a mouse model whether there are differences in the decidua and live birth rate after transfer of blastocysts generated by in vitro fertilization (IVF) or by superovulation with spontaneous mating into unstimulated recipients. DESIGN Animal experiment. SETTING University-affiliated tertiary hospital. ANIMAL(S) Mice. INTERVENTION(S) IVF embryos were generated and cultured in either Whitten medium (WM, suboptimal conditions) and 20% O2 or KSOM medium with amino acids (KAA, optimal conditions) and 5% O2. The control blastocysts from superovulated mice were flushed out of the uterus 3.5 days (E3.5) after mating (FB group). The resulting blastocysts were transferred to nonsuperovulated CF1 recipients mated to vasectomized males. To understand whether anomalies of decidua were present, the expression of genes involved in decidual development and inflammation was analyzed at E7.5 and E18.5. Similarly, immunostaining was used to evaluate whether the pathways involved in activation of mTORC1 (p-S6) and Cox2 signaling (Cox 2 staining) were altered. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Live birth rate, gene expression, and immunostaining of decidua. RESULT(S) Implantation rates at E7.5 were similar, but in vivo embryos (FB groups) were predicted to result in live births 3.3 times higher (2.2-5.1) and 6.6 times higher (4.7-9.3) compared with optimal and suboptimal cultures, respectively. Expression of genes involved in decidual development and inflammation or localization and intensity of staining for p-S6 (mTOR pathway), or inflammation (Cox 2 pathway) were not different among the groups. CONCLUSION(S) The predicted live birth rate was decreased in mouse embryos generated by IVF compared with embryos generated by mating, whereas the implantation rate was not different. Suboptimal culture conditions resulted in lower birth rate. We did not find evidence of abnormalities in decidualization that could explain these findings. These data indicate that blastocysts cultured in stressful conditions are less competent, suggesting that decreasing the number of embryonic manipulations may result in higher live birth rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoni Xiao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Annemarie Donjacour
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Royce Harner
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Rhodel Simbulan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Chia-Ning Kao
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Elena Ruggeri
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California; San Diego Zoo Global, Escondido, California
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Emin Maltepe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Paolo Rinaudo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
Development of assisted reproductive technologies has been driven by the goals of reducing the incidence of infertility, increasing the number of offspring from genetically elite animals, facilitating genetic manipulation, aiding preservation and long-distance movement of germplasm, and generating research material. Superovulation is associated with reduced fertilization rate and alterations in endometrial function. In vitro production of embryos can have a variety of consequences. Most embryos produced in vitro are capable of establishing pregnancy and developing into healthy neonatal animals. However, in vitro production is associated with reduced ability to develop to the blastocyst stage, increased incidence of failure to establish pregnancy, placental dysfunction, and altered fetal development. Changes in the developmental program mean that some consequences of being produced in vitro can extend into adult life. Reduced competence of the embryo produced in vitro to develop to the blastocyst stage is caused largely by disruption of events during oocyte maturation and fertilization. Conditions during embryo culture can affect embryo freezability and competence to establish pregnancy after transfer. Culture conditions, including actions of embryokines, can also affect the postnatal phenotype of the resultant progeny.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0910, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Genetic hypothesis for the developmental origins of health and disease theory. JOURNAL OF BIO-X RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1097/jbr.0000000000000056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
|
17
|
Conditions of embryo culture from days 5 to 7 of development alter the DNA methylome of the bovine fetus at day 86 of gestation. J Assist Reprod Genet 2019; 37:417-426. [PMID: 31838628 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01652-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We tested whether in vitro production (IVP) causes changes in DNA methylation in fetal liver and skeletal muscle and if exposure of cultured embryos to colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) alters DNA methylation. METHODS Female fetuses were produced by artificial insemination or transfer of an IVP embryo. Embryos were treated from days 5 to 7 after fertilization with CSF2 or vehicle. DNA methylation in fetal liver and skeletal muscle was determined by post-bisulfite adaptor tagging-based sequencing. The degree of DNA methylation for CpG sites in 50-bp windows of the promoter region 500 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site was compared between treatments. RESULTS For liver, there were 12 genes (6% of those analyzed) in which DNA methylation was affected by treatment, with one 50-bp window per gene affected by treatment. For muscle, the degree of DNA methylation was affected by treatment for 32 windows (19% of the total windows analyzed) representing 28 distinct genes (23% of analyzed genes). For 19 of the 28 genes in muscle, the greatest deviation in DNA methylation was for the CSF2 group. CONCLUSION Results are consistent with alterations in the methylome being one of the mechanisms by which IVP can result in altered fetal development and postnatal function in the resultant offspring. In addition, results indicate that maternally derived cell-signaling molecules can regulate the pattern of DNA methylation.
Collapse
|
18
|
Fineman DC, Baer RJ, Chambers CD, Rajagopal S, Maltepe E, Rinaudo PF, Fineman JR, Jelliffe-Pawlowski LL, Steurer MA. Outcomes of pulmonary vascular disease in infants conceived with non-IVF fertility treatment and assisted reproductive technologies at 1 year of age. Pediatr Pulmonol 2019; 54:1844-1852. [PMID: 31328432 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.24457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have been associated with the development of endothelial dysfunction. OBJECTIVE To determine potential differences in outcomes associated with pulmonary vascular disease in infants born to mothers receiving any infertility treatment including ART and non-IVF fertility treatments (NIFTs). DESIGN/METHODS The sample was derived from an administrative database containing detailed information on infant and maternal characteristics for live-born infants in California (2007-2012) with gestational age (GA) 22 to 44 weeks. Cases were defined as infants with ICD-9 code for pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) and records for ART/NIFT. Controls were randomly selected at a 1:4 ratio. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality. Crude and adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. RESULTS We identified 159 cases and 636 controls. Mothers that utilized ART/NIFT were older, to be of the Caucasian race, to have pre-eclampsia, private insurance, and education >12 years (P < .001). Cases compared to controls were more premature, had lower birth weights, and were more often the product of a multiple gestation pregnancy (P < .001). Cases had a higher 1-year mortality (18.2% vs 9.1%; OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.4, 3.6), more severe PVD (86.2% vs 72.3%; OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.5, 3.9), and a longer hospital stay (66.7 ± 73.0 vs 32.5 ± 47.2 days; P < .001) than controls. However, when adjusting for GA these differences become statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION Children born following ART/NIFT with PVD had increased mortality compared to infants with PVD but without ART/NIFT. The primary driver of this relationship is prematurity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca J Baer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.,California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Christina D Chambers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Satish Rajagopal
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Emin Maltepe
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Paolo F Rinaudo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jeffrey R Fineman
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Laura L Jelliffe-Pawlowski
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Martina A Steurer
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lv BY, Sun HY, Li Q, Zhang HL, Pan CS, Yan L, Fan JY, Li D, Han JY. The ameliorating effects of Bushen Tiaoxue Granules and Kunling Wan on impaired angiogenesis and endometrial receptivity in rats following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Microcirculation 2019; 27:e12581. [PMID: 31313405 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Bushen Tiaoxue Granules and Kunling Wan, the two Chinese medicines, on vascular dysfunction and the impairment of endometrial receptivity caused by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and its underlying mechanism. METHODS Female Sprague Dawley rats with regular estrous cycle were enrolled and given Bushen Tiaoxue Granules or Kunling Wan by gavage for 12 days, and then, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation model was induced. We assessed endometrial microvessels, endometrial blood flow, levels of estradiol and progesterone in serum, vascular endothelial growth factor A upstream molecules estrogen and progesterone receptors in the endometrium, and pregnancy outcome. RESULTS Pre-treatment of Bushen Tiaoxue Granules or Kunling Wan increases endometrial blood flow of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation rats, up-regulates vascular endothelial growth factor A and microvessels, improves the endometrial morphology of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation rats during implantation, decreases the super physiological concentration of estradiol and progesterone in serum, and increases the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A upstream molecules estrogen and progesterone receptors in the endometrium. In addition, Bushen Tiaoxue Granules or Kunling Wan elevates the lysophosphatidic acid receptor 3 that participates in vascularization and increases the expression of leukemia inhibitory factor through up-regulating the expression of p53 in the endometrium, ultimately affecting pregnancy outcome. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated Bushen Tiaoxue Granules or Kunling Wan as a potential strategy for prevention of impairment in angiogenesis and endometrial receptivity induced by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Yang Lv
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hao-Yu Sun
- Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Quan Li
- Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Academy of integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Core Technology in Innovative Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hao-Lin Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Shui Pan
- Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Academy of integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Core Technology in Innovative Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Li Yan
- Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Academy of integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Core Technology in Innovative Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Yu Fan
- Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Academy of integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Core Technology in Innovative Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Yan Han
- Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Academy of integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Core Technology in Innovative Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Dong J, Wen L, Guo X, Xiao X, Jiang F, Li B, Jin N, Wang J, Wang X, Chen S, Wang X. The increased expression of glucose transporters in human full-term placentas from assisted reproductive technology without changes of mTOR signaling. Placenta 2019; 86:4-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.08.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
|
21
|
Li H, Liu L, Dang M, Zhang W, Liu J. Increased susceptibility of mice obtained from in vitro fertilization to global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury: possible role of hydrogen sulphide and its biosynthetic enzymes. Int J Neurosci 2019; 130:533-540. [PMID: 31516045 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2019.1667797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Aim of the Study: This study was designed to explore the relative susceptibility of in vitro fertilization (IVF)-conceived mice to global cerebral ischemic injury with the possible role of hydrogen sulphide and enzymes responsible for its production.Materials and Methods: IVF was carried to obtain pups, which were allowed to grow to the age of eight weeks. Thereafter, male mice were subjected to 20 min of global ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion. The mice obtained from other groups including normal mating, superovulation but normal mating and normal mating but embryo implantation were also subjected to global ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.Results: IVF-derived mice exhibited significant more injury in response to I/R injury in comparison to other groups assessed in terms of impairment in locomotor activity, development of motor in coordination, neurological severity score, cerebral infarction and apoptosis markers (caspase-3 activity and Bcl-2 expression). Moreover, there was a relative decrease in the brain levels of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and its biosynthetic enzymes viz. cystathionine-β-synthase and cystathionine-γ-lyase. Interestingly, the levels of H2S and cystathionine-γ-lyase were significantly low in IVF-derived mice in basal conditions also, i.e. before subjecting to I/R injury and these biochemical alterations were associated with the behavioural deficits in mice, even before subjecting to I/R injury.Conclusion: It is concluded that in vitro fertilization-derived mice are more susceptible to global cerebral I/R injury, which may be possibly due to decreased levels of hydrogen sulphide and its biosynthetic enzymes viz., cystathionine-β-synthase and cystathionine-γ-lyase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Li
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lijun Liu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Minyan Dang
- Innoscience Research Sdn. Bhd, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Wenzhi Zhang
- Innoscience Research Sdn. Bhd, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Fourth Hospital of Jinan, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Rinaudo P, Adeleye A. Transitioning from Infertility-Based (ART 1.0) to Elective (ART 2.0) Use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies and the DOHaD Hypothesis: Do We Need to Change Consenting? Semin Reprod Med 2019; 36:204-210. [PMID: 30866007 DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1677526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The use of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) has increased significantly in recent years. While this is partially due to improved access for infertile patients, another contribution to the growth of ART utilization is represented by individuals without infertility, who electively chose to freeze their gametes and embryos for future use, before ever attempting conception spontaneously. Overall, the safety of ART for parents and children is well described and the risks are modest. However, while long-term health consequences for offspring as postulated by the Developmental Origin of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis are unknown, numerous animal studies suggest a predisposition for chronic diseases like hypertension and glucose intolerance. In this article, we argue that a key difference exists between infertile patients, who need to use ART as the only means to achieve pregnancy, and (likely) fertile patients who elect to use ART techniques as a family planning option. We believe that these two sets of patients are different and their risks-benefit ratios are different. We propose that while all patients should be aware of the risks, patients planning to utilize ART techniques without a diagnosis of infertility should be encouraged to think critically about the additional risks, particularly the "potential" long-term risks that may be imposed from these elective procedures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Rinaudo
- Division or Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Amanda Adeleye
- Division or Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Kouhkan A, Khamseh ME, Pirjani R, Moini A, Arabipoor A, Maroufizadeh S, Hosseini R, Baradaran HR. Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of singleton pregnancies conceived via assisted reproductive technology complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2018; 18:495. [PMID: 30547777 PMCID: PMC6295020 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-018-2115-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Growing evidence indicates that the risk of obstetric and perinatal outcomes is higher in women with assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, there is little known about pregnancy related complications and co-morbidity in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) following singleton pregnancies achieved by ART in comparison with spontaneous conception (SC). Methods Two hundred sixty singleton pregnant women conceived by ART and 314 pregnant women conceived by spontaneous conception (SC) were participated in this prospective cohort study. All participants were enrolled after GDM screening through one-step oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and then grouped into GDM and non-GDM groups. Women were followed for pregnancy outcomes including pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), preeclampsia, antepartum hemorrhage (APH), cesarean section (CS), preterm birth (PTB), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), being small or large for gestational age (SGA or LGA), macrosomia, low birth weight (LBW), respiratory distress, neonatal hypoglycemia, NICU admission and perinatal mortality from antenatal visits to delivery. Confounding factors were adjusted in logistic regression model in order to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs). Results Among 260 ART and 314 SC, 135 and 152 women were GDM women, respectively. Higher maternal age and pre-gravid BMI, shorter duration of gestation and lower gestational weight gain were observed in GDM groups (ART-GDM and SC-GDM) compared to those of the SC group. ART-GDM group had a higher risk (95% confidence interval) of obstetric complications including PIH [aOR:7.04 (2.24–22.15)], preeclampsia [aOR:7.78 (1.62–37.47)], APH [aOR:3.46 (1.28–9.33)], emergency CS [aOR:2.64 (1.43–4.88)], and perinatal outcomes such as PTB [aOR:3.89 (1.51–10.10)], LBW [aOR:3.11 (1.04–9.30)] and NICU admission [aOR:4.36 (1.82–10.45)], as well as neonatal hypoglycemia [aOR: 4.91 (1.50–16.07)], compared to SC group. SC-GDM group showed a higher risk of PIH [aOR: 4.12 (1.31–12.89)], emergency CS [aOR: 2.01 (1.09–3.73] and LGA [aOR: 5.20 (1.07–25.20)], compared to SC group. Additionally, ART group had a higher risk of PIH [aOR: 3.46(1.02–11.68), preeclampsia 5.29 (1.03–27.09), and NICU admission [aOR: 2.53 (1.05–6.09)] compared to SC. Insulin requirement (41.8% vs. 25.7%) was significantly higher in ART-GDM group compared to SC-GDM group. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that GDM occurring after ART conception increases the risk of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Azam Kouhkan
- Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Firouzeh St., South Vali- Asr Ave., Vali- Asr Sq., Tehran, 15937-16615, Iran.,Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Number 12, East Hafez Avenue, Bani Hashem Street, Resalat Highway, Tehran, 16635-148, Iran
| | - Mohammad E Khamseh
- Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Firouzeh St., South Vali- Asr Ave., Vali- Asr Sq., Tehran, 15937-16615, Iran
| | - Reihaneh Pirjani
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Arash Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ashraf Moini
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Number 12, East Hafez Avenue, Bani Hashem Street, Resalat Highway, Tehran, 16635-148, Iran.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Arash Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arezoo Arabipoor
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Number 12, East Hafez Avenue, Bani Hashem Street, Resalat Highway, Tehran, 16635-148, Iran
| | - Saman Maroufizadeh
- Department of Epidemiology and Reproductive Health, Reproductive Epidemiology Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Hosseini
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Number 12, East Hafez Avenue, Bani Hashem Street, Resalat Highway, Tehran, 16635-148, Iran. .,Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hamid Reza Baradaran
- Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Firouzeh St., South Vali- Asr Ave., Vali- Asr Sq., Tehran, 15937-16615, Iran. .,Ageing Clinical & Experimental Research Team, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB25 2ZD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Laleethambika N, Anila V, Manojkumar C, Muruganandam I, Giridharan B, Ravimanickam T, Balachandar V. Diabetes and Sperm DNA Damage: Efficacy of Antioxidants. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s42399-018-0012-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
25
|
Simopoulou M, Sfakianoudis K, Rapani A, Giannelou P, Anifandis G, Bolaris S, Pantou A, Lambropoulou M, Pappas A, Deligeoroglou E, Pantos K, Koutsilieris M. Considerations Regarding Embryo Culture Conditions: From Media to Epigenetics. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 32:451-460. [PMID: 29695546 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
There are numerous reports on embryo culture media and conditions in the laboratory, as the subject is multifaceted and complex, reflecting the variation in practice. In this scoping review, we attempt to approach the topic of culture media and conditions from the practitioners' perspective aiming to highlight, in a comprehensive fashion, important aspects regarding the options available, introduce points of debate and controversy, while maintaining the viewpoint of the practicing embryologist's concerns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mara Simopoulou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece .,Assisted Conception Unit, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Anna Rapani
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Polina Giannelou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Centre for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, Athens, Greece
| | - George Anifandis
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Stamatis Bolaris
- Assisted Conception Unit, Elena Venizelou General-Maternity District Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Agni Pantou
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Lambropoulou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Athanasios Pappas
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, Athens, Greece
| | - Efthimios Deligeoroglou
- Assisted Conception Unit, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Michael Koutsilieris
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Ahmadi H, Fathi F, Moeini A, Amidi F, Sobhani A. Evaluation of prooxidant-antioxidant balance in in vitro fertilization-conceived mice. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2018; 45:82-87. [PMID: 29984208 PMCID: PMC6030613 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2018.45.2.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Concerns about the safety of assisted reproductive technology (ART) have been raised, as some studies have shown elevated incidence rates of childhood cancer, asthma, allergies, and other diseases in ART-conceived babies. Findings regarding the health of ART-conceived babies are controversial. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in in vitro fertilization (IVF)-conceived mice in comparison to naturally conceived offspring. Methods Mice (6-8 weeks) were divided into two groups (IVF-conceived and naturally conceived) matched by sex, age, weight, and litter size. A 1-mL blood sample was taken and the sera were separated. The oxidant-antioxidant balance was evaluated using a fast and reliable PAB assay. The results were expressed as mean±standard deviation. Results The mean PAB values (HK units) in the IVF-conceived and naturally conceived groups were 59.70±22.30 and 54.70±18.22, respectively (p=0.82). Conclusion Since free radicals contribute to several pathological conditions and antioxidants play an important protective role against oxidative stress, evaluating the oxidant-antioxidant balance is very important. Although the results of this study showed that the quality of the defense mechanism against free radicals was not significantly different between the IVF-conceived and naturally conceived mice, other parameters of metabolic dysfunction need to be measured.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Ahmadi
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fardin Fathi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Ashraf Moeini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Arash Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fardin Amidi
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aligholi Sobhani
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Assisted Reproductive Technologies and imprinting disorders: Results of a study from a French congenital malformations registry. Eur J Med Genet 2018; 61:518-523. [PMID: 29775803 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2018.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) is increasingly used to help infertile couples to have children around the world. A number of studies have been published reporting an increased risk of major malformations in children born following ART, especially an increased incidence of epigenetic diseases (ED). This study aimed to assess the incidence of epigenetic diseases with affected imprinting genes in infants or children from pregnancies obtained through IVF/ICSI compared to infants or children from pregnancies obtained spontaneously. PATIENT DATA This is a monocentric retrospective epidemiological study based on data from a French congenital malformations registry called REMERA (Registre des Malformations en Rhône-Alpes) which exhaustively monitors all pregnancies in Rhone-Alpes region, whatever their nature of onset (spontaneous pregnancies or pregnancies from ART). This registry collects all malformations, except minor malformations (EUROCAT), and all polymalformative syndromes concerning all fetuses and children born alive or not, from 20 weeks of pregnancy (or 22 weeks of amenorrhea) and all medical termination of pregnancy whatever the term. Inclusion criteria are all diagnoses of epigenetic diseases (ED) related to parental imprinting recorded in the period January 2006 to December 2015. METHODS For each year, the total number of births (including stillbirths) was collected from the annual activity reports of the registry. The exhaustive number of cases of epigenetic diseases was known in the registry. Were collected the number of births resulting from ART pregnancies in the study population. This incidence of ED was compared between births from spontaneous pregnancies and those obtained through ART (IVF/ICSI) with a generalized linear model (GLM: binomial regression). RESULTS In total, 46 cases of epigenetic diseases were analyzed on the REMERA registry files from 2006 to 2015. 4 cases from the 46 analyzed cases were from pregnancies induced by ART. ART was a risk factor for epigenetic disease (OR = 2.9 [1.06-8.22] (p = .039)). In ART-pregnancies there were 2 diagnoses: Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) (3 cases out of 4) and Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) (1 out of 4). DISCUSSION Infants and children obtained through IVF/ICSI appear to be related to a higher risk of epigenetic diseases compared to naturally conceived children. The perspectives of this study are to raise awareness about the creation of registries of congenital malformations and genetic and epigenetic syndromes with systematic and strict reports of all the cases on all the French territory and thus to widen this study with a bigger cohort.
Collapse
|
28
|
Weinerman R, Ord T, Bartolomei MS, Coutifaris C, Mainigi M. The superovulated environment, independent of embryo vitrification, results in low birthweight in a mouse model. Biol Reprod 2018; 97:133-142. [PMID: 28859279 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies suggest that babies born following in vitro fertilization (IVF) and fresh embryo transfer are of lower birthweight than babies born following frozen embryo transfer, although the mechanism responsible for this phenotype is not known. We developed a novel mouse model that isolates the independent effects of embryo freezing and the superovulated environment, which cannot be performed in humans. We transferred blastocysts that had been vitrified and warmed, mixed with with fresh blastocysts, into individual pseudopregnant recipients produced by either natural mating or mating following injection with equine chorionic gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin and hCG (superovulation). We found that superovulation of the recipient dams led to significantly lower fetal weight at term while blastocyst vitrification had no significant effect on fetal weight (1.43 ± 0.24 g fresh-natural, 1.30 ± 0.28 g vitrified-natural vs. 1.09 ± 0.20 fresh-superovulated, 0.93 ± 0.23 g vitrified-superovulated, P < 0.0001). Doppler ultrasound revealed increased median umbilical artery resistance in the placentae of near-term dams exposed to superovulation compared to naturally mated dams (0.927 vs 0.904, P = 0.02). Additionally, placental microvascular density was lower in superovulated compared to naturally mated dams (1.24 × 10-3 vessel/micron vs 1.46 × 10-3 vessels/micron, P = 0.046). Gene expression profiling suggested alterations in fetal genes involved in glucorticoid regulation. These results suggest a potential mechanism for altered birthweight following superovulation in our model and may have implications for human IVF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Weinerman
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Teri Ord
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Epigenetics Program, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christos Coutifaris
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Monica Mainigi
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Conti M, Franciosi F. Acquisition of oocyte competence to develop as an embryo: integrated nuclear and cytoplasmic events. Hum Reprod Update 2018; 24:245-266. [PMID: 29432538 PMCID: PMC5907346 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmx040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects ~7% of couples of reproductive age with little change in incidence in the last two decades. ART, as well as other interventions, have made major strides in correcting this condition. However, and in spite of advancements in the field, the age of the female partner remains a main factor for a successful outcome. A better understanding of the final stages of gamete maturation yielding an egg that can sustain embryo development and a pregnancy to term remains a major area for improvement in the field. This review will summarize the major cellular and molecular events unfolding at the oocyte-to-embryo transition. We will provide an update on the most important processes/pathways currently understood as the basis of developmental competence, including the molecular processes involved in mRNA storage, its recruitment to the translational machinery, and its degradation. We will discuss the hypothesis that the translational programme of maternal mRNAs plays a key role in establishing developmental competence. These regulations are essential to assemble the machinery that is used to establish a totipotent zygote. This hypothesis further supports the view that embryogenesis begins during oogenesis. A better understanding of the events required for developmental competence will guide the development of novel strategies to monitor and improve the success rate of IVF. Using this information, it will be possible to develop new biomarkers that may be used to better predict oocyte quality and in selection of the best egg for IVF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Conti
- Department of OBGYN-RS, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143-0556, USA
| | - Federica Franciosi
- Department of OBGYN-RS, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143-0556, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Duranthon V, Chavatte-Palmer P. Long term effects of ART: What do animals tell us? Mol Reprod Dev 2018; 85:348-368. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|
31
|
Physiological, metabolic and transcriptional postnatal phenotypes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the mouse. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2017; 8:403-410. [PMID: 28416032 DOI: 10.1017/s204017441700023x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 1-4% of children today are conceived using assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), including in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF is considered safe and the great majority of these children are healthy, yet there is increasing physiological and molecular evidence from animal models that ART is associated with postnatal metabolic and cardiovascular alterations. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these changes and determining whether they have biological significance is of paramount importance for optimizing the design of culture conditions and improving the health of ART children across the life course. In this review, we examine the evidence of molecular changes present in adult tissues of rodent offspring generated by preimplantation manipulation of gametes and embryos. Although embryo manipulation in vitro can induce common transcriptional effects in the blastocyst, transcriptional and metabolomic signatures in adult IVF tissues are largely tissue-specific. However, there is pervasive evidence of oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction, indicating a lasting effect of IVF on molecular physiology.
Collapse
|
32
|
Webster A, Schuh M. Mechanisms of Aneuploidy in Human Eggs. Trends Cell Biol 2016; 27:55-68. [PMID: 27773484 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Eggs and sperm develop through a specialized cell division called meiosis. During meiosis, the number of chromosomes is reduced by two sequential divisions in preparation for fertilization. In human female meiosis, chromosomes frequently segregate incorrectly, resulting in eggs with an abnormal number of chromosomes. When fertilized, these eggs give rise to aneuploid embryos that usually fail to develop. As women become older, errors in meiosis occur more frequently, resulting in increased risks of infertility, miscarriage, and congenital syndromes, such as Down's syndrome. Here, we review recent studies that identify the mechanisms causing aneuploidy in female meiosis, with a particular emphasis on studies in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Webster
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Melina Schuh
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Sunde A, Brison D, Dumoulin J, Harper J, Lundin K, Magli MC, Van den Abbeel E, Veiga A. Time to take human embryo culture seriously. Hum Reprod 2016; 31:2174-82. [PMID: 27554442 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dew157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is it important that end-users know the composition of human embryo culture media? SUMMARY ANSWER We argue that there is as strong case for full transparency concerning the composition of embryo culture media intended for human use. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Published data suggest that the composition of embryo culture media may influence the phenotype of the offspring. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A review of the literature was carried out. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Data concerning the potential effects on embryo development of culture media were assessed and recommendations for users made. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The safety of ART procedures, especially with respect to the health of the offspring, is of major importance. There are reports from the literature indicating a possible effect of culture conditions, including culture media, on embryo and fetal development. Since the introduction of commercially available culture media, there has been a rapid development of different formulations, often not fully documented, disclosed or justified. There is now evidence that the environment the early embryo is exposed to can cause reprogramming of embryonic growth leading to alterations in fetal growth trajectory, birthweight, childhood growth and long-term disease including Type II diabetes and cardiovascular problems. The mechanism for this is likely to be epigenetic changes during the preimplantation period of development. In the present paper the ESHRE working group on culture media summarizes the present knowledge of potential effects on embryo development related to culture media, and makes recommendations. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION There is still a need for large prospective randomized trials to further elucidate the link between the composition of embryo culture media used and the phenotype of the offspring. We do not presently know if the phenotypic changes induced by in vitro embryo culture represent a problem for long-term health of the offspring. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Published data indicate that there is a strong case for demanding full transparency concerning the compositions of and the scientific rationale behind the composition of embryo culture media. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was funded by The European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology. No competing interests to declare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arne Sunde
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. Olav's University Hospital in Trondheim, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Daniel Brison
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - John Dumoulin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, IVF Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Joyce Harper
- Embryology, IVF and reproductive genetics group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kersti Lundin
- Reproductive Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
| | | | | | - Anna Veiga
- Reproductive Medicine Service, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Feuer S, Rinaudo P. From Embryos to Adults: A DOHaD Perspective on In Vitro Fertilization and Other Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Healthcare (Basel) 2016; 4:healthcare4030051. [PMID: 27517965 PMCID: PMC5041052 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare4030051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Human in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a treatment for infertility is regarded as one of the most outstanding accomplishments of the 20th century, and its use has grown dramatically since the late 1970s. Although IVF is considered safe and the majority of children appear healthy, reproductive technologies have been viewed with some skepticism since the in vitro environment deviates substantially from that in vivo. This is increasingly significant because the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis has illuminated the sensitivity of an organism to its environment at critical stages during development, including how suboptimal exposures restricted specifically to gamete maturation or the preimplantation period can affect postnatal growth, glucose metabolism, fat deposition, and vascular function. Today, some of the physiological metabolic phenotypes present in animal models of IVF have begun to emerge in human IVF children, but it remains unclear whether or not in vitro embryo manipulation will have lasting health consequences in the offspring. Our expanding knowledge of the DOHaD field is fueling a paradigm shift in how disease susceptibility is viewed across the life course, with particular emphasis on the importance of collecting detailed exposure information, identifying biomarkers of health, and performing longitudinal studies for any medical treatment occurring during a developmentally vulnerable period. As IVF use continues to rise, it will be highly valuable to incorporate DOHaD concepts into the clinical arena and future approaches to public health policy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sky Feuer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Paolo Rinaudo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Cui X, Jing X, Wu X, Yan M, Li Q, Shen Y, Wang Z. DNA methylation in spermatogenesis and male infertility. Exp Ther Med 2016; 12:1973-1979. [PMID: 27698683 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a significant problem for human reproduction, with males and females equally affected. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying male infertility remain unclear. Spermatogenesis is a highly complex process involving mitotic cell division, meiosis cell division and spermiogenesis; during this period, unique and extensive chromatin and epigenetic modifications occur to bring about specific epigenetic profiles in spermatozoa. It has recently been suggested that the dysregulation of epigenetic modifications, in particular the methylation of sperm genomic DNA, may serve an important role in the development of numerous diseases. The present study is a comprehensive review on the topic of male infertility, aiming to elucidate the association between sperm genomic DNA methylation and poor semen quality in male infertility. In addition, the current status of the genetic and epigenetic determinants of spermatogenesis in humans is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangrong Cui
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, P.R. China; Division of Clinical Microbiology The Center Hospital of Linfen, Linfen, Shanxi 041000, P.R. China
| | - Xuan Jing
- Clinical Laboratory, Shanxi Province People's Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, P.R. China
| | - Xueqing Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, P.R. China
| | - Meiqin Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, P.R. China
| | - Yan Shen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, P.R. China
| | - Zhenqiang Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center of Shanxi, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Vrooman LA, Bartolomei MS. Can assisted reproductive technologies cause adult-onset disease? Evidence from human and mouse. Reprod Toxicol 2016; 68:72-84. [PMID: 27474254 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Millions of children have been born worldwide though assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Consistent with the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis, there is concern that ART can induce adverse effects, especially because procedures coincide with epigenetic reprogramming events. Although the majority of studies investigating the effects of ART have focused on perinatal outcomes, more recent studies demonstrate that ART-conceived children may be at increased risk for postnatal effects. Here, we present the current epidemiological evidence that ART-conceived children have detectable differences in blood pressure, body composition, and glucose homeostasis. Similar effects are observed in the ART mouse model, which have no underlying infertility, suggesting that cardiometabolic effects are likely caused by ART procedures and not due to reasons related to infertility. We propose that the mouse system can, consequently, be used to adequately study, modify, and improve outcomes for ART children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Vrooman
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Yeung EH, Sundaram R, Bell EM, Druschel C, Kus C, Xie Y, Buck Louis GM. Infertility treatment and children's longitudinal growth between birth and 3 years of age. Hum Reprod 2016; 31:1621-8. [PMID: 27165624 PMCID: PMC4901884 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dew106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does early childhood growth from birth through to 3 years of age differ by mode of conception? SUMMARY ANSWER Findings suggest early childhood growth was comparable for children irrespective of infertility treatment, but twins conceived with ovulation induction with or without intrauterine insemination (OI/IUI) were slightly smaller than twins conceived without treatment. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Although studies have found that babies conceived with infertility treatment are born lighter and earlier than infants conceived without treatment, little research especially for non-assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments has focused on their continued growth during early childhood. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Upstate KIDS recruited infants born (2008-2010) to resident upstate New York mothers. Infants were sampled based on birth certificate indication of infertility treatment; specifically, for every singleton conceived by infertility treatment, three singletons without infertility treatment were recruited and matched on region of birth. All multiple births irrespective of treatment were also recruited. Children were prospectively followed, returning questionnaires every 4-6 months until 3 years of age. In total, 3905 singletons, 1129 sets of multiples (96% of whom were twins) enrolled into the study. Analyses included 3440 (88%) singletons (969 conceived with treatment; specifically, 433 with ART and 535 with OI/IUI) and 991 (88%) sets of multiples (439 conceived with treatment; specifically 233 with ART and 206 with OI/IUI) with growth data available. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Mothers reported infertility treatment use at baseline and children's height and weight from pediatric visits. Self-reported use of ART was previously verified by linkage with the US Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System (SART CORS) database. Mixed linear models with cubic splines accounting for age and age-gender interactions were used to estimate mean differences in growth from birth to 3 years by infertility treatment status and adjusting for maternal age, race, education, private insurance, smoking status during pregnancy, maternal pre-pregnancy and paternal body mass indices (BMI). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Compared with singletons conceived without treatment (n = 2471), singletons conceived by infertility treatment (433 by assisted reproductive technologies (ART), 535 by OI/IUI and 1 unknown specific type) did not differ in growth. Compared with twins not conceived with treatment (n = 1076), twins conceived with OI/IUI (n = 368) weighed slightly less over follow-up (122 g). They were also proportionally smaller for their length (-0.17 weight-for-length z-score units). No differences in mean size over the 3 years were observed for twins conceived by ART, though some evidence of rapid weight gain from birth to 4 months (adjusted OR 1.08; 95% CI: 1.00-1.16) suggestive of catch up growth was observed. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Participants from upstate New York may not be representative of US infants. Although accounted for in statistical analysis, attrition during follow-up may have limited power to detect small differences. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study is the first to prospectively track the growth of children conceived with and without infertility treatment in the USA, including a substantial number of twins. Our findings are similar to what was previously observed in the ART literature outside of the states. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS Supported by the Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD; contracts #HHSN275201200005C, #HHSN267200700019C). Authors have no competing interests to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Not applicable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E H Yeung
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20852, USA
| | - R Sundaram
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20852, USA
| | - E M Bell
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY 12144, USA Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY 12144, USA
| | - C Druschel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY 12144, USA Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, Center for Environmental Health, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12237, USA
| | - C Kus
- Division of Family Health, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12237, USA
| | - Y Xie
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20852, USA
| | - G M Buck Louis
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20852, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Assisted reproductive technology alters deoxyribonucleic acid methylation profiles in bloodspots of newborn infants. Fertil Steril 2016; 106:629-639.e10. [PMID: 27288894 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of infertility and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on DNA methylation of offspring. DESIGN Microarray analysis of DNA methylation in archived neonatal bloodspots of in vitro fertilization (IVF)/ICSI-conceived children compared with controls born to fertile and infertile parents. SETTING Academic research laboratory. PATIENT(S) Neonatal blood spots of 137 newborns conceived spontaneously, through intrauterine insemination (IUI), or through ICSI using fresh or cryopreserved (frozen) embryo transfer. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450k BeadChip assay determined genome-wide DNA methylation. Methylation differences between conception groups were detected using a Bioconductor package, ChAMP, in conjunction with Adjacent Site Clustering (A-clustering). RESULT(S) The methylation profiles of assisted reproductive technology and IUI newborns were dramatically different from those of naturally (in vivo) conceived newborns. Interestingly, the profiles of ICSI-frozen (FET) and IUI infants were strikingly similar, suggesting that cryopreservation may temper some of the epigenetic aberrations induced by IVF or ICSI. The DNA methylation changes associated with IVF/ICSI culture conditions and/or parental infertility were detected at metastable epialleles, suggesting a lasting impact on a child's epigenome. CONCLUSION(S) Both infertility and ICSI alter DNA methylation at specific genomic loci, an effect that is mitigated to some extent by FET. The impact of assisted reproductive technology and/or fertility status on metastable epialleles in humans was uncovered. This study provides an expanded set of loci for future investigations on IVF populations.
Collapse
|
39
|
Li B, Chen S, Tang N, Xiao X, Huang J, Jiang F, Huang X, Sun F, Wang X. Assisted Reproduction Causes Reduced Fetal Growth Associated with Downregulation of Paternally Expressed Imprinted Genes That Enhance Fetal Growth in Mice1. Biol Reprod 2016; 94:45. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.136051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
|
40
|
Bohacek J, von Werdt S, Mansuy IM. Probing the germline-dependence of epigenetic inheritance using artificial insemination in mice. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2016; 2:dvv015. [PMID: 29492284 PMCID: PMC5804514 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvv015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We developed a simple, noninvasive artificial insemination technique to study epigenetic germline inheritance in mice. This technique avoids interfering factors introduced by superovulation, surgery, in vitro culture or mating that can confound the transmission of acquired epigenetic information through the germline. Using a stress model, we demonstrate that our method is suited to test the causal involvement of the male germline in transmitting acquired information from father to offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Bohacek
- Brain Research Institute, Lab of Neuroepigenetics, Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zurich/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sarah von Werdt
- Brain Research Institute, Lab of Neuroepigenetics, Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zurich/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle M. Mansuy
- Brain Research Institute, Lab of Neuroepigenetics, Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zurich/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Adult male mice conceived by in vitro fertilization exhibit increased glucocorticoid receptor expression in fat tissue. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2015; 7:73-82. [DOI: 10.1017/s2040174415007825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal development is highly plastic and readily influenced by the environment. Adverse conditions have been shown to alter organ development and predispose offspring to chronic diseases, including diabetes and hypertension. Notably, it appears that the changes in glucocorticoid hormones or glucocorticoid receptor (GR) levels in peripheral tissues could play a role in the development of chronic diseases. We have previously demonstrated that in vitro fertilization (IVF) and preimplantation embryo culture is associated with growth alterations and glucose intolerance in mice. However, it is unknown if GR signaling is affected in adult IVF offspring. Here we show that GR expression is increased in inbred (C57Bl6/J) and outbred (CF-1× B6D2F1/J) blastocysts following in vitro culture and elevated levels are also present in the adipose tissue of adult male mice. Importantly, genes involved in lipolysis and triglyceride synthesis and responsive to GR were also increased in adipose tissue, indicating that increased GR activates downstream gene pathways. The promoter region of GR, previously reported to be epigenetically modified by perinatal manipulation, showed no changes in DNA methylation status. Our findings demonstrate that IVF results in a long-term change in GR gene expression in a sex- and tissue-specific manner. These changes in adipose tissues may well contribute to the metabolic phenotype in mice conceived by IVF.
Collapse
|
42
|
Biechele S, Lin CJ, Rinaudo PF, Ramalho-Santos M. Unwind and transcribe: chromatin reprogramming in the early mammalian embryo. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2015; 34:17-23. [PMID: 26183187 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2015.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Revised: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Within the first few days of life, the unipotent gametic genomes are rapidly reprogrammed to support emergence of pluripotent cells in the early mammalian embryo. It is now appreciated that this crucial stage of development involves dramatic changes to chromatin at multiple levels, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, histone mobility, and higher-order chromatin organization. Technological advances are beginning to allow genome-wide views of this chromatin reprogramming, and provide new approaches to functionally dissect its regulation. Here we review recent insights into the dynamic chromatin environment of the early mouse embryo. New data challenge long-held assumptions, for example, with regards to the asymmetry of DNA methylation of the parental genomes or the onset of functional zygotic genome activation. We discuss how impaired chromatin reprogramming can lead to early embryonic lethality, but might also have delayed effects that only manifest later in embryogenesis or postnatally, potentially influencing the propensity for adult-onset diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Biechele
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, 35 Medical Center Way, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, 35 Medical Center Way, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Chih-Jen Lin
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, 35 Medical Center Way, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, 35 Medical Center Way, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Paolo F Rinaudo
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, 35 Medical Center Way, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Miguel Ramalho-Santos
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, 35 Medical Center Way, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, 35 Medical Center Way, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Assisted reproduction causes placental maldevelopment and dysfunction linked to reduced fetal weight in mice. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10596. [PMID: 26085229 PMCID: PMC4471727 DOI: 10.1038/srep10596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Compelling evidence indicates that stress in utero, as manifested by low birth weight (LBW), increases the risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Singletons conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART) display a significant increase in LBW risk and ART offspring have a different metabolic profile starting at birth. Here, used mouse as a model, we found that ART resulted in reduced fetal weight and placental overgrowth at embryonic day 18.5 (E18.5). The ART placentae exhibited histomorphological alterations with defects in placental layer segregation and glycogen cells migration at E18.5. Further, ART treatments resulted in downregulation of a majority of placental nutrient transporters and reduction in placental efficiency. Moreover, the ART placentae were associated with increased methylation levels at imprinting control regions of H19, KvDMR1 and disrupted expression of a majority of imprinted genes important for placental development and function at E18.5. Our results from the mouse model show the first piece of evidence that ART treatment could affect fetal growth by disrupting placental development and function, suggests that perturbation of genomic imprinting resulted from embryo manipulation may contribute to these problems.
Collapse
|
44
|
Finger BJ, Harvey AJ, Green MP, Gardner DK. Combined parental obesity negatively impacts preimplantation mouse embryo development, kinetics, morphology and metabolism. Hum Reprod 2015; 30:2084-96. [PMID: 26089300 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dev142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does combined parental obesity, both an obese mother and father, have a greater effect on mouse preimplantation embryo development and quality than single-parent obesity? SUMMARY ANSWER Combined parental obesity causes a greater reduction in the blastocyst rate and a greater delay to the timing of key embryonic developmental events than single-parental obesity, as well as altering embryonic characteristics, such as zona pellucida width. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Maternal or paternal obesity alone are known to have significant and detrimental impacts on preimplantation embryo development. Furthermore, these early embryonic perturbations can have long-term impacts on both offspring health and further generations. This is one of the first studies to examine the effects of having both an obese mother and an obese father. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A cross-sectional control versus treatment mouse study of diet-induced obesity was employed, in which 300 embryos per group were generated and studied from reciprocal matings: (i) control female and control male (Lean Parented Embryos); (ii) control female and obese male (Paternal Obese Parented Embryos); (iii) obese female and control male (Maternal Obese Parented Embryos) and (iv) obese female and obese male (Combined Obese Parented embryos). Assessments of the embryonic development rate, timing of development, morphological characteristics, metabolic gene expression, metabolism and cell lineage allocation were made at selected time points and analysed in relation to parental obesity status. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Three-week-old C57BL6 male and female mice were fed control (7% total fat) or high fat (21% total fat) diets for a minimum of 8 weeks. Females were superovulated, mated, fertilized zygotes recovered and standard mouse in vitro embryo culture performed. Time-lapse monitoring was undertaken to compare developmental timings and morphological characteristics (embryonic area and zona pellucida width) for embryos from all four reciprocal matings. Differential staining identified cell lineage allocation. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and microfluorescence were used to measure gene expression and metabolism (glucose consumption and lactate production), respectively, in embryos from Lean Parented and Combined Obese Parented matings. This research was completed in a University research laboratory. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Blastocyst rate was reduced in Combined Obese Parented embryos when compared with both Single Obese (11% decrease for Maternal Obese Parented, P < 0.05; 15% for Paternal Obese Parented, P < 0.05) and Lean Parented embryos (25% decrease, P < 0.01). Time-lapse analysis of developmental kinetics highlighted a delay of 1 h at the 2-3 cell division, extending to 6 h delay by the blastocyst stage for Combined Obese Parented embryos (P < 0.05). A reduction in the total cell number of Combined Obese Parented blastocysts was a further manifestation of this developmental delay (P < 0.05). Zona pellucida width was reduced in Combined Obese Parented embryos (P < 0.05). Glucose consumption was increased in Combined Obese Parented embryos (P < 0.05), which was associated with the up-regulation of Glucose transporter 1 expression (P < 0.05). LIMITATIONS AND REASON FOR CAUTION This study was completed in fertile C57BL/6 mice using a well-defined model of diet-induced obesity in which embryos were fertilized in vivo. Human obesity is complex, with many causes and co-morbidities, and therefore, the impact of combined obesity would require further investigation in human settings. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study demonstrates that combined parental obesity has a detrimental impact on mouse embryo development, a finding consistent with previous studies on individual parent obesity. Of note, the effect of combined parental obesity upon embryo development markers was greater than that of individual parental obesity. Plausibly, human embryos will be similarly impacted. The reduction in the blastocyst rate and delayed time to developmental events confirms that embryos of obese parents differ from those of lean parents. Allowance for this should therefore be incorporated into clinical practice when selecting the best embryo for the transfer of an obese couple. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS Funding was provided by University of Melbourne research monies. M.P.G. currently holds the position of Merck Serono Lecturer of Reproductive Biology. D.K.G. received research funds from Vitrolife AB Sweden. The other authors of this manuscript have nothing to declare and no conflicts of interest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bethany J Finger
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Alexandra J Harvey
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Mark P Green
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - David K Gardner
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Simbulan RK, Di Santo M, Liu X, Lin W, Donjacour A, Maltepe E, Shenoy A, Borini A, Rinaudo P. Embryonic stem cells derived from in vivo or in vitro-generated murine blastocysts display similar transcriptome and differentiation potential. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117422. [PMID: 25723476 PMCID: PMC4344309 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) has resulted in the birth of more than 5 million children. While children conceived by these technologies are generally healthy, there is conflicting evidence suggesting an increase in adult-onset complications like glucose intolerance and high blood pressure in IVF children. Animal models indicate similar potential risks. It remains unclear what molecular mechanisms may be operating during in vitro culture to predispose the embryo to these diseases. One of the limitations faced by investigators is the paucity of the material in the preimplantation embryo to test for molecular analysis. To address this problem, we generated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) from blastocysts conceived after natural mating (mESCFB) or after IVF, using optimal (KSOM + 5% O2; mESCKAA) and suboptimal (Whitten’s Medium, + 20% O2, mESCWM) conditions. All three groups of embryos showed similar behavior during both derivation and differentiation into their respective mESC lines. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of microarray data showed that blastocyst culture does not affect the transcriptome of derived mESCs. Transcriptomic changes previously observed in the inner cell mass (ICM) of embryos derived in the same conditions were not present in mESCs, regardless of method of conception or culture medium, suggesting that mESC do not fully maintain a memory of the events occurring prior to their derivation. We conclude that the fertilization method or culture media used to generate blastocysts does not affect differentiation potential, morphology and transcriptome of mESCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rhodel K. Simbulan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Marlea Di Santo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Tecnobios Procreazione, Bologna, Italy
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Wingka Lin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Annemarie Donjacour
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Emin Maltepe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Archana Shenoy
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | | | - Paolo Rinaudo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Bloise E, Feuer SK, Rinaudo PF. Comparative intrauterine development and placental function of ART concepti: implications for human reproductive medicine and animal breeding. Hum Reprod Update 2014; 20:822-39. [PMID: 24947475 PMCID: PMC4196686 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmu032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of children conceived using assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has reached >5 million worldwide and continues to increase. Although the great majority of ART children are healthy, many reports suggest a forthcoming risk of metabolic complications, which is further supported by the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis of suboptimal embryo/fetal conditions predisposing adult cardiometabolic pathologies. Accumulating evidence suggests that fetal and placental growth kinetics are important features predicting post-natal health, but the relationship between ART and intrauterine growth has not been systematically reviewed. METHODS Relevant studies describing fetoplacental intrauterine phenotypes of concepti generated by in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in the mouse, bovine and human were comprehensively researched using PubMed and Google Scholar. Intrauterine growth plots were created from tabular formatted data available in selected reports. RESULTS ART pregnancies display minor but noticeable alterations in fetal and placental growth curves across mammalian species. In all species, there is evidence of fetal growth restriction in the earlier stages of pregnancy, followed by significant increases in placental size and accelerated fetal growth toward the end of gestation. However, there is a species-specific effect of ART on birthweights, that additionally vary in a culture condition-, strain-, and/or stage at transfer-specific manner. We discuss the potential mechanisms that underlie these changes, and how they are affected by specific components of ART procedures. CONCLUSIONS ART may promote measurable alterations to intrauterine growth trajectory and placental function. Key findings include evidence that birthweight is not a reliable marker of fetal stress, and that increases in embryo manipulation result in more deviant fetal growth curves. Because growth kinetics in early life are particularly relevant to adult metabolic physiology, we advise more rigorous assessment of fetal growth and placental function in human ART pregnancies, as well as continued follow-up of ART offspring throughout post-natal life. Finally, strategies to minimize embryo manipulations should be adopted whenever possible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrrico Bloise
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sky K Feuer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Paolo F Rinaudo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
Since inception, the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has been accompanied by ethical, legal, and societal controversies. Guidelines have been developed to address many of these concerns; however, the rapid evolution of ART requires their frequent re-evaluation. We review the literature on ethical and legal aspects of ART, highlighting some of the most visible and challenging topics. Of specific interest are: reporting of ART procedures and outcomes; accessibility to ART procedures; issues related to fertility preservation, preimplantation genetic testing, gamete and embryo donation, and reproductive outcomes after embryo transfer. Improvements in ART reporting are needed nationally and worldwide. Reporting should include outcomes that enable patients to make informed decisions. Improving access to ART and optimizing long-term reproductive outcomes, while taking into account the legal and ethical consequences, are challenges that need to be addressed by the entire community of individuals involved in ART with the assistance of bioethicists, legal counselors, and members of society in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Londra
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Lutherville, MD, USA
| | - Edward Wallach
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Lutherville, MD, USA
| | - Yulian Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Lutherville, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND The advances in the world of IVF during the last decades have been rapid and impressive and culture media play a major role in this success. Until the 1980s fertility centers made their media in house. Nowadays, there are numerous commercially available culture media that contain various components including nutrients, vitamins and growth factors. This review goes through the past, present and future of IVF culture media and explores their composition and quality assessment. METHODS A computerized search was performed in PubMed regarding IVF culture media including results from 1929 until March 2014. Information was gathered from the websites of companies who market culture media, advertising material, instructions for use and certificates of analysis. The regulation regarding IVF media mainly in the European Union (EU) but also in non-European countries was explored. RESULTS The keyword 'IVF culture media' gave 923 results in PubMed and 'embryo culture media' 12 068 results dating from 1912 until March 2014, depicting the increased scientific activity in this field. The commercialization of IVF culture media has increased the standards bringing a great variety of options into clinical practice. However, it has led to reduced transparency and comparisons of brand names that do not facilitate the scientific dialogue. Furthermore, there is some evidence suggesting that suboptimal culture conditions could cause long-term reprogramming in the embryo as the periconception period is particularly susceptible to epigenetic alterations. IVF media are now classified as class III medical devices and only CE (Conformité Européene)-marked media should be used in the EU. CONCLUSION The CE marking of IVF culture media is a significant development in the field. However, the quality and efficiency of culture media should be monitored closely. Well-designed randomized controlled trials, large epidemiological studies and full transparency should be the next steps. Reliable, standardized models assessing multiple end-points and post-implantation development should replace the mouse embryo assay. Structured long-term follow-up of children conceived by assisted reproduction technologies and traceability are of paramount importance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elpiniki Chronopoulou
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, 86-96 Chenies Mews, London WC1E 6HX, UK
| | - Joyce C Harper
- UCL Centre for PG and D, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK The Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health, UCLH, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Weinerman R, Mainigi M. Why we should transfer frozen instead of fresh embryos: the translational rationale. Fertil Steril 2014; 102:10-8. [PMID: 24890274 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Revised: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiologic studies have shown an increased rate of adverse perinatal outcomes, including small for gestational age (SGA) births, in fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles compared with frozen embryo transfer cycles. This increase is not seen in the donor oocyte population, suggesting that it is the peri-implantation environment created after superovulation that is responsible for these changes. During a fresh IVF cycle, multiple corpora lutea secrete high levels of hormones and other factors that can affect the endometrium and the implanting embryo. In this review, we discuss both animal and human data demonstrating that superovulation has significant effects on the endometrium and embryo. Additionally, potential mechanisms for the adverse effects of gonadotropin stimulation on implantation and placental development are proposed. We think that these data, along with the growing body of epidemiologic evidence, support the proposal that frozen embryo transfer should be considered preferentially, particularly in high responders, as a means to potentially decrease at least some of the adverse perinatal outcomes associated with IVF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Weinerman
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Monica Mainigi
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Feuer SK, Liu X, Donjacour A, Lin W, Simbulan RK, Giritharan G, Piane LD, Kolahi K, Ameri K, Maltepe E, Rinaudo PF. Use of a mouse in vitro fertilization model to understand the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis. Endocrinology 2014; 155:1956-69. [PMID: 24684304 PMCID: PMC3990843 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-2081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis holds that alterations to homeostasis during critical periods of development can predispose individuals to adult-onset chronic diseases such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome. It remains controversial whether preimplantation embryo manipulation, clinically used to treat patients with infertility, disturbs homeostasis and affects long-term growth and metabolism. To address this controversy, we have assessed the effects of in vitro fertilization (IVF) on postnatal physiology in mice. We demonstrate that IVF and embryo culture, even under conditions considered optimal for mouse embryo culture, alter postnatal growth trajectory, fat accumulation, and glucose metabolism in adult mice. Unbiased metabolic profiling in serum and microarray analysis of pancreatic islets and insulin sensitive tissues (liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue) revealed broad changes in metabolic homeostasis, characterized by systemic oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Adopting a candidate approach, we identify thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), a key molecule involved in integrating cellular nutritional and oxidative states with metabolic response, as a marker for preimplantation stress and demonstrate tissue-specific epigenetic and transcriptional TXNIP misregulation in selected adult tissues. Importantly, dysregulation of TXNIP expression is associated with enrichment for H4 acetylation at the Txnip promoter that persists from the blastocyst stage through adulthood in adipose tissue. Our data support the vulnerability of preimplantation embryos to environmental disturbance and demonstrate that conception by IVF can reprogram metabolic homeostasis through metabolic, transcriptional, and epigenetic mechanisms with lasting effects for adult growth and fitness. This study has wide clinical relevance and underscores the importance of continued follow-up of IVF-conceived offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sky K Feuer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences (S.K.F., X.L., A.D., W.L., R.K.S., G.G., L.D.P., K.K., P.F.R.), and Department of Pediatrics (K.A., E.M.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143; Nevada Center for Reproductive Medicine (G.G.), Reno, Nevada 89511; Obstetric and Gynecology Department (L.D.P.), University of Turin, Turin, Italy; and Oregon Health & Science University (K.K.), Portland, Oregon 97239
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|