Use of the translational mobility of a plasma membrane protein to assess fertilization of mouse oocytes and viability of mouse zygotes and two-cell embryos

Quality of embryo does not affect the implantation rate of IVF-ET in infertile women with antisperm antibody

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether low quality score of embryos and advanced maternal age affect the implantation rate in infertile women with sperm-immobilizing antibody.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

SETTING

The IVF Unit of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tokushima University Hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Four infertile groups were studied: 20 women with sperm-immobilizing antibodies; 169 with tubal; 129 with male factor; and 72 with unexplained etiology.

INTERVENTION(S)

All women were hyperstimulated with GnRH analogue and scheduled ovarian stimulation with FSH and hMG for oocyte retrieval.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Relationship of quality of transferred embryos, implantation rate and maternal age among four groups of infertile couples.

RESULT(S)

In the antisperm group, the fertilization rate (57.6%) and mean (+/- SD) score of transferred embryos (5.4+/-1.9) were significantly lower than those in the tubal group (72.4% and 6.2+/-1.9, respectively). However, the implantation rate in the antisperm group (23.6%) was significantly higher than those in other three groups (tubal, 8.6%; male factor, 9.5%; unexplained, 7.6%). With advancing maternal age, the implantation rate decreased in the three comparative groups. In contrast, the implantation rate in the antisperm group did not decrease with advancing maternal age.

CONCLUSION(S)

Women with antisperm antibodies have several disadvantages to overcome in order to achieve successful IVF-ET, such as a low fertilization rate and poor quality of transferred embryos. However, a high implantation rate was observed in this group, even in women at advanced age. The occurrence of a cellular or humoral immune reaction against sperm may augment the uterine receptivity for the implantation of fertilized ova or blastocyst.

Immune interferon gamma inhibits translational mobility of a plasma membrane protein in preimplantation stage mouse embryos: a T-helper 1 mechanism for immunologic reproductive failure

OBJECTIVE

Immune interferon gamma adversely affects mouse embryo development and has been proposed as a mediator of reproductive failure involving T-helper 1 immunity. We hypothesized that one mechanism by which interferon gamma could exert an adverse effect on embryos was by altering plasma membrane organization and transmembrane protein mobility.

STUDY DESIGN

The fluorescence photobleaching recovery technique was used to measure the effect of the T-helper 1 cytokine interferon gamma on the translational mobility of a specific embryonic surface glycoprotein recognized by the monoclonal antibody S75.

RESULTS

Compared with controls interferon gamma significantly decreased the fractional mobility of fluorescein isothiocyanate S75 in one- and two-cell mouse embryos.

CONCLUSION

Interferon gamma may alter plasma membrane domains or cytoskeletal organization in early-stage embryos. By restricting plasma membrane protein mobility interferon gamma could effect T-helper 1-mediated reproductive failure.

Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific to surface antigens of human trophoblast cells

PROBLEM

To generate and utilize specific monoclonal antibodies for routine fetal cell isolation from the maternal circulation.

METHODS

Monoclonal antibodies specific to human trophoblast cell surface antigens were generated and characterized. After cell fusion, antibodies secreted by hybridomas were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical assays.

RESULTS

By using cultured BeWo choriocarcinoma cells or the membrane fraction of human placenta as the immunogen, seven (BW-108, 110, 123, 124, HP-15, 16 and 17) antibodies specific to the surface antigens of trophoblast were produced. They were shown to have little cross-reactivity to other human tissues. Among the antibodies raised against human sperm, HSA-10 was also found to cross-react with human trophoblast, but not detected in other tissues. When immobilized to magnetic beads, these antibodies were shown to react only with BeWo cells in suspension, but not blood cells and ovarian carcinoma cell line, OC-3-VGH.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, these antibodies may have potential application in fetal trophoblast cell isolation from the maternal circulation for prenatal genetic diagnosis.