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Gao YP, Deng YB. Ultrasound evaluation of the cardiovascular system in offspring conceived through assisted reproductive technology. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:623-634. [PMID: 38244152 PMCID: PMC10957808 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03029-5] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
With the widespread application of assisted reproductive technology, the health issues of offspring conceived through assisted reproductive technology have also received increasing attention. Animal experiments and clinical studies have found subclinical adverse changes in the cardiovascular system of assisted reproductive offspring. Assisted reproductive technology itself may be just one of the many factors contributing to this phenomenon, with epigenetics playing an important role. Ultrasound technology can be used to assess the morphological structure and function of the cardiovascular system in assisted reproductive offspring from the fetal stage, providing the possibility to study the potential cardiovascular damage in this large population. This review aims to explore the effects and mechanisms of assisted reproductive technology on the cardiovascular system of offspring and provide a review of the research progress in ultrasound technology in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Peng Gao
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - You-Bin Deng
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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2
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Ahmadi H, Aghebati-Maleki L, Rashidiani S, Csabai T, Nnaemeka OB, Szekeres-Bartho J. Long-Term Effects of ART on the Health of the Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13564. [PMID: 37686370 PMCID: PMC10487905 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) significantly increase the chance of successful pregnancy and live birth in infertile couples. The different procedures for ART, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT), are widely used to overcome infertility-related problems. In spite of its inarguable usefulness, concerns about the health consequences of ART-conceived babies have been raised. There are reports about the association of ART with birth defects and health complications, e.g., malignancies, high blood pressure, generalized vascular functional disorders, asthma and metabolic disorders in later life. It has been suggested that hormonal treatment of the mother, and the artificial environment during the manipulation of gametes and embryos may cause genomic and epigenetic alterations and subsequent complications in the health status of ART-conceived babies. In the current study, we aimed to review the possible long-term consequences of different ART procedures on the subsequent health status of ART-conceived offspring, considering the confounding factors that might account for/contribute to the long-term consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.A.); (T.C.)
| | - Leili Aghebati-Maleki
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665931, Iran;
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665931, Iran
| | - Shima Rashidiani
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Timea Csabai
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.A.); (T.C.)
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Endocrine Studies, Centre of Excellence, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory of Human Reproduction, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Obodo Basil Nnaemeka
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs University, 7621 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Julia Szekeres-Bartho
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.A.); (T.C.)
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Endocrine Studies, Centre of Excellence, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory of Human Reproduction, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- MTA—PTE Human Reproduction Research Group, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
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3
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Rallis D, Zafeiropoulos P, Christou EE, Baltogianni M, Dermitzaki N, Asproudis C, Asproudis I, Giapros V. Retinal vascularization in preterm growth‐restricted neonates: A case–control study. Acta Ophthalmol 2022; 101:e351-e352. [PMID: 36344466 DOI: 10.1111/aos.15289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Rallis
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Medicine University of Ioannina Ioannina Greece
| | | | | | - Maria Baltogianni
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Medicine University of Ioannina Ioannina Greece
| | - Niki Dermitzaki
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Medicine University of Ioannina Ioannina Greece
| | | | - Ioannis Asproudis
- Faculty of Medicine University Eye Clinic, University of Ioannina Ioannina Greece
| | - Vasileios Giapros
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Medicine University of Ioannina Ioannina Greece
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Jans V, Dondorp W, Bonduelle M, de Die C, Mertes H, Pennings G, de Wert G. Follow-up in the field of reproductive medicine: an ethical exploration. Reprod Biomed Online 2020; 41:1144-1150. [PMID: 32967810 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION What ethical implications, issues and concerns play a role in conducting follow-up studies of children born after assisted reproductive technologies (ART)? DESIGN Literature study and relevant experiences of academic medical centres in Brussels, Belgium, and Maastricht, the Netherlands were used to identify and analyse the most pertinent ethical implications, issues and concerns. RESULTS According to recommendations from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, follow-up (ideally long term) of children conceived through medically assisted reproduction (MAR) should be an integral part of introducing new ART. With potentially risky new ART on the horizon, these recommendations need to be taken more seriously. Apart from practical barriers, such as funding, challenges for follow-up include securing active involvement of families of children conceived through MAR, starting with parents of young children, and ideally involving consenting adolescents and adults during a large part of their lives, possibly even into the next generation. CONCLUSIONS From an ethical viewpoint, the most pertinent issues include the proportionality of the inevitable burdens and risks for families of children conceived through MAR, and the implications of the principle of respect for autonomy. The proportionality requirement is most critical when it concerns incompetent children, who should not be included in research with more than minimal burdens and risks if there is no reasonable expectation of benefit for themselves. With respect for autonomy, we argue that, when seeking voluntary consent for participating in follow-up studies that meet the condition of proportionality, professionals may encourage members of families of children conceived through MAR to partake in follow-up research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verna Jans
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society Maastricht University, Postbus 616, Maastricht 6200 MD, The Netherlands.
| | - Wybo Dondorp
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society Maastricht University, Postbus 616, Maastricht 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Maryse Bonduelle
- Center for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, Brussels (Jette) 1090, Belgium
| | - Christine de Die
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Research School GROW for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Postbus 5800, Maastricht 6202 AZ, the Netherlands
| | - Heidi Mertes
- Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, Ghent University, Blandijnberg 2, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Guido Pennings
- Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, Ghent University, Blandijnberg 2, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Guido de Wert
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society Maastricht University, Postbus 616, Maastricht 6200 MD, The Netherlands
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Toro MD, Reibaldi M, Longo A, Avitabile T, Lionetti ME, Tripodi S, Posarelli C, Palomba S. Changes in visual function and ocular morphology in women who have undergone ART treatment and children born as a result of ART treatment: a systematic review. Reprod Biomed Online 2019; 38:621-633. [PMID: 30795976 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
As all the structures of the human eye are characterized by sex hormone receptors, this study tested the hypothesis that assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment influences visual function and ocular morphology in women who have undergone ART treatment and children born as a result of ART treatment. A systematic literature search of all original articles published up to August 2018 was performed using the PubMed database, including all original studies available in the literature. Review articles, studies in which participants underwent mixed interventions (i.e. other than ART treatment), studies reporting data on ocular malformations in ART offspring, and studies written in languages other than English were excluded. All selected articles were analysed to assess the level of evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 guidelines, and the quality of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Although sparse data suggest that ART treatment can influence visual function and ocular morphology in women who have undergone ART treatment and children born as a result of ART treatment, the available evidence is inconclusive given its low level and quality. More high-quality research is needed to assess the potential interaction between ART treatment and the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario D Toro
- Department of General Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
| | | | | | | | - Maria E Lionetti
- Department of Paediatrics, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Posarelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and of Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Palomba
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
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Catford SR, McLachlan RI, O'Bryan MK, Halliday JL. Long-term follow-up of ICSI-conceived offspring compared with spontaneously conceived offspring: a systematic review of health outcomes beyond the neonatal period. Andrology 2018; 6:635-653. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. R. Catford
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research; Clayton VIC Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Monash University; Clayton VIC Australia
- Public Health Genetics; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Parkville VIC Australia
| | - R. I. McLachlan
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research; Clayton VIC Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Monash University; Clayton VIC Australia
| | - M. K. O'Bryan
- The School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Clayton VIC Australia
| | - J. L. Halliday
- Public Health Genetics; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Parkville VIC Australia
- Department of Paediatrics; University of Melbourne; Parkville VIC Australia
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Guo XY, Liu XM, Jin L, Wang TT, Ullah K, Sheng JZ, Huang HF. Cardiovascular and metabolic profiles of offspring conceived by assisted reproductive technologies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertil Steril 2017; 107:622-631.e5. [PMID: 28104241 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate cardiovascular and metabolic features of offspring conceived by in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI). DESIGN Literature review and meta-analysis. SETTING Not applicable. PATIENT(S) Offspring from IVF-ICSI versus natural conception. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), cardiovascular function, body mass index (BMI), and lipid and glucose profiles. RESULT(S) We included 19 studies that had recruited 2,112 IVF-ICSI and 4,096 naturally conceived offspring, ranging from childhood to early adulthood. The blood pressure levels of IVF-ICSI offspring were statistically significantly higher than those of naturally conceived offspring (weighted mean differences and confidence intervals: 1.88 mm Hg [95% CI, 0.27, 3.49] for SBP and 1.51 mm Hg [95% CI, 0.33, 2.70] for DBP). In addition, cardiac diastolic function was suboptimal and vessel thickness was higher among IVF-ICSI offspring. Compared with the metabolism of naturally conceived offspring, IVF-ICSI offspring displayed comparable BMI, lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and higher fasting insulin levels. CONCLUSION(S) Children conceived by IVF-ICSI manifested a minor yet statistically significant increase in blood pressure without the clustering of increased BMI or impaired lipid metabolism by early adulthood. Our findings indicate a risk of cardiovascular disease among IVF-ICSI offspring, which calls for longer-term follow-ups and further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Mei Liu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Institute of Embryo-Fetal Original Adult Disease, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Jin
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Institute of Embryo-Fetal Original Adult Disease, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting-Ting Wang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Institute of Embryo-Fetal Original Adult Disease, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Kamran Ullah
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Zhong Sheng
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - He-Feng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China; International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Institute of Embryo-Fetal Original Adult Disease, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Song S, Ghosh J, Mainigi M, Turan N, Weinerman R, Truongcao M, Coutifaris C, Sapienza C. DNA methylation differences between in vitro- and in vivo-conceived children are associated with ART procedures rather than infertility. Clin Epigenetics 2015; 7:41. [PMID: 25901188 PMCID: PMC4404660 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-015-0071-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We, and others, have demonstrated previously that there are differences in DNA methylation and transcript levels of a number of genes in cord blood and placenta between children conceived using assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and children conceived in vivo. The source of these differences (the effect of ART versus the underlying infertility) has never been determined in humans. In this study, we have attempted to resolve this issue by comparing placental DNA methylation levels at 37 CpG sites in 16 previously identified candidate genes in independent populations of children conceived in vivo (‘fertile control’ group) with ART children conceived from two groups: either autologous oocytes with infertility in one or both parents (‘infertile ART’ group) or donor oocytes (obtained from young fertile donors) without male infertility (‘donor oocyte ART’ group). Results Of the 37 CpG sites analyzed, significant differences between the three groups were found in 11 CpGs (29.73 %), using ANOVA. Tukey’s post hoc test on the significant results indicated that seven (63.63 %) of these differences were significant between the donor oocyte ART and fertile control groups. In addition, 20 of the 37 CpGs analyzed had been identified as differentially methylated between ART and fertile control groups in an independent population in a prior study. Of these 20 CpG sites, 9 also showed significant differences in the present population. An additional 9 CpGs were found to be significantly different between the two groups. Of these 18 candidate CpGs, 12 CpGs (in seven candidate genes) also showed significant differences in placental DNA methylation levels between the donor oocyte ART and fertile control groups. Conclusions These data suggest strongly that the DNA methylation differences observed between ART and in vivo conceptions are associated with some aspect of ART protocols, not simply the underlying infertility. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13148-015-0071-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Song
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, 3307 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 USA
| | - Jayashri Ghosh
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, 3307 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 USA
| | - Monica Mainigi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3701 Market Street, 8th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19119 USA
| | - Nahid Turan
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, 3307 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 USA
| | - Rachel Weinerman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3701 Market Street, 8th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19119 USA
| | - May Truongcao
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, 3307 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 USA
| | - Christos Coutifaris
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3701 Market Street, 8th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19119 USA
| | - Carmen Sapienza
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, 3307 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 USA ; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140 USA
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Aitken RJ, Smith TB, Jobling MS, Baker MA, De Iuliis GN. Oxidative stress and male reproductive health. Asian J Androl 2014; 16:31-8. [PMID: 24369131 PMCID: PMC3901879 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.122203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 365] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the major causes of defective sperm function is oxidative stress, which not only disrupts the integrity of sperm DNA but also limits the fertilizing potential of these cells as a result of collateral damage to proteins and lipids in the sperm plasma membrane. The origins of such oxidative stress appear to involve the sperm mitochondria, which have a tendency to generate high levels of superoxide anion as a prelude to entering the intrinsic apoptotic cascade. Unfortunately, these cells have very little capacity to respond to such an attack because they only possess the first enzyme in the base excision repair (BER) pathway, 8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (OGG1). The latter successfully creates an abasic site, but the spermatozoa cannot process the oxidative lesion further because they lack the downstream proteins (APE1, XRCC1) needed to complete the repair process. It is the responsibility of the oocyte to continue the BER pathway prior to initiation of S-phase of the first mitotic division. If a mistake is made by the oocyte at this stage of development, a mutation will be created that will be represented in every cell in the body. Such mechanisms may explain the increase in childhood cancers and other diseases observed in the offspring of males who have suffered oxidative stress in their germ line as a consequence of age, environmental or lifestyle factors. The high prevalence of oxidative DNA damage in the spermatozoa of male infertility patients may have implications for the health of children conceived in vitro and serves as a driver for current research into the origins of free radical generation in the germ line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Aitken
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and IT, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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Schenewerk AL, Ramírez FÍ, Foote C, Ji T, Martínez-Lemus LA, Rivera RM. Effects of the use of assisted reproduction and high-caloric diet consumption on body weight and cardiovascular health of juvenile mouse offspring. Reproduction 2013; 147:111-23. [PMID: 24163396 DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Maternal obesity and the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are two suboptimal developmental environments that can lead to offspring obesity and cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that these environments independently and synergistically adversely affect the offspring's weight and cardiovascular performance at ~7 weeks of age. Mice were fed either 24% fat and 17.5% high-fructose (HF) corn syrup or maintenance chow (5% fat; low-fat, no-fructose (LF)). Dams were subdivided into no ART and ART groups. ART embryos were cultured in Whitten's medium and transferred into pseudopregnant recipients consuming the same diet as the donor. Offspring were fed the same diet as the mother. Body weights (BW) were measured weekly and mean arterial pressure (MAP) was collected through carotid artery catheterization at killing (55±0.5 days old). Expression of genes involved in cardiovascular remodeling was measured in thoracic aorta using qRT-PCR, and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured intracellularly and extracellularly in mesenteric resistance arteries. ART resulted in increased BW at weaning. This effect decreased over time and diet was the predominant determinant of BW by killing. Males had greater MAP than females (P=0.002) and HF consumption was associated with greater MAP regardless of sex (P<0.05). Gene expression was affected by sex (P<0.05) and diet (P<0.1). Lastly, the use of ART resulted in offspring with increased intracellular ROS (P=0.05). In summary, exposure to an obesogenic diet pre- and/or post-natally affects weight, MAP, and gene expression while ART increases oxidative stress in mesenteric resistance arteries of juvenile offspring, no synergistic effects were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela L Schenewerk
- Division of Animal Sciences, 164 Animal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, 920 East Campus Drive, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
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Lu YH, Wang N, Jin F. Long-term follow-up of children conceived through assisted reproductive technology. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2013; 14:359-71. [PMID: 23645173 PMCID: PMC3650450 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1200348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2012] [Accepted: 03/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Children conceived via assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are nowadays a substantial proportion of the population. It is important to follow up these children and evaluate whether they have elevated health risks compared to naturally conceived (NC) children. In recent years there has been a lot of work in this field. This review will summarize what is known about the health of ART-conceived children, encompassing neonatal outcomes, birth defects, growth and gonadal developments, physical health, neurological and neurodevelopmental outcomes, psychosocial developments, risk for cancer, and epigenetic abnormalities. Most of the children conceived after ART are normal. However, there is increasing evidence that ART-conceived children are at higher risk of poor perinatal outcome, birth defects, and epigenetic disorders, and the mechanism(s) leading to these changes have not been elucidated. Continuous follow-up of children after ART is of great importance as they progress through adolescence into adulthood, and new ART techniques are constantly being introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-hong Lu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Zhejiang), Ministry of Education, and Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shaoxing Women and Children’s Hospital, Shaoxing 312000, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Zhejiang), Ministry of Education, and Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Fan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Zhejiang), Ministry of Education, and Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
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12
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Wilson CL, Fisher JR, Hammarberg K, Amor DJ, Halliday JL. Looking downstream: a review of the literature on physical and psychosocial health outcomes in adolescents and young adults who were conceived by ART. Hum Reprod 2011; 26:1209-19. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/der041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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13
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The impact of in vitro fertilization on health of the children: an update. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2011; 154:125-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2010.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2010] [Revised: 09/06/2010] [Accepted: 10/13/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Aitken RJ, Curry BJ. Redox regulation of human sperm function: from the physiological control of sperm capacitation to the etiology of infertility and DNA damage in the germ line. Antioxid Redox Signal 2011; 14:367-81. [PMID: 20522002 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2010.3186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Defective sperm function is the largest single defined cause of human infertility and one of the major reasons we are witnessing an exponential increase in the uptake of assisted conception therapy in the developed world. A major characteristic of defective human spermatozoa is the presence of large amounts of DNA damage, which is, in turn, associated with reduced fertility, increased rates of miscarriage, and an enhanced risk of disease in the offspring. This DNA damage is largely oxidative and is closely associated with defects in spermiogenesis. To explain the origins of this DNA damage, we postulate that spermiogenesis is disrupted by oxidative stress, leading to the creation of defective gametes with poorly remodeled chromatin that are particularly susceptible to free radical attack. To compound the problem, these defective cells have a tendency to undergo an unusual truncated form of apoptosis associated with high amounts of superoxide generation by the sperm mitochondria. This leads to significant oxidative DNA damage that eventually culminates in the DNA fragmentation we see in infertile patients. In light of the significance of oxidative stress in the etiology of defective sperm function, a variety of antioxidant therapies are now being assessed for their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Aitken
- Discipline of Biological Sciences and ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
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15
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Aitken RJ, Koppers AJ. Apoptosis and DNA damage in human spermatozoa. Asian J Androl 2011; 13:36-42. [PMID: 20802502 PMCID: PMC3739394 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2010.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2010] [Accepted: 06/25/2010] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA damage is frequently encountered in spermatozoa of subfertile males and is correlated with a range of adverse clinical outcomes including impaired fertilization, disrupted preimplantation embryonic development, increased rates of miscarriage and an enhanced risk of disease in the progeny. The etiology of DNA fragmentation in human spermatozoa is closely correlated with the appearance of oxidative base adducts and evidence of impaired spermiogenesis. We hypothesize that oxidative stress impedes spermiogenesis, resulting in the generation of spermatozoa with poorly remodelled chromatin. These defective cells have a tendency to default to an apoptotic pathway associated with motility loss, caspase activation, phosphatidylserine exteriorization and the activation of free radical generation by the mitochondria. The latter induces lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage, which then leads to DNA fragmentation and cell death. The physical architecture of spermatozoa prevents any nucleases activated as a result of this apoptotic process from gaining access to the nuclear DNA and inducing its fragmentation. It is for this reason that a majority of the DNA damage encountered in human spermatozoa seems to be oxidative. Given the important role that oxidative stress seems to have in the etiology of DNA damage, there should be an important role for antioxidants in the treatment of this condition. If oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa is providing a sensitive readout of systemic oxidative stress, the implications of these findings could stretch beyond our immediate goal of trying to minimize DNA damage in spermatozoa as a prelude to assisted conception therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R John Aitken
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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Ocular malformations or poor visual acuity in children born after in vitro fertilization in Sweden. Am J Ophthalmol 2010; 150:23-6. [PMID: 20447615 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2010.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2009] [Revised: 01/19/2010] [Accepted: 01/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To follow up children born after in vitro fertilization (IVF) with respect to eye malformations and poor visual acuity. DESIGN Observational cohort study based on Swedish health registers. METHODS Congenital eye malformations were studied in 32 091 children born from 1982 through 2007 and severe visual impairment was studied in 24 628 children born from 1985 through 2005 after IVF in Sweden. Comparisons were made with all children born in Sweden during corresponding periods with adjustment for various confounders. The main outcome measure was the presence of a congenital eye malformation and poor visual acuity. RESULTS Thirty-six (1.1 per 1000) IVF infants with ocular malformations were identified, and the risk, compared with non-IVF children, was not increased when adjusted for maternal age, parity, smoking, and body mass index (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.75 to 1.47). Severe visual impairment was identified in 25 cases (1.0 per 1000), and the risk increase was statistically significant (odds ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 2.45) and was only slightly reduced when adjustment as above was made (odds ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 2.32). When adjustment was made for known length of unwanted childlessness, the OR decreased to 1.15 (95% confidence interval, 0.61 to 2.16). Only 3 of the 25 children with visual impairment had ocular malformations. CONCLUSIONS Although there is an increased risk for visual impairment among children born after IVF, the individual risk is small and may be secondary to parental characteristics. No increased risk for eye malformations was found.
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Wikstrand MH, Hård AL, Niklasson A, Hellström A. Birth weight deviation and early postnatal growth are related to optic nerve morphology at school age in children born preterm. Pediatr Res 2010; 67:325-9. [PMID: 19924029 DOI: 10.1203/pdr.0b013e3181ca9f43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of early and later postnatal growth variables on optic disc morphology in children (n = 53) born at gestational age <32 wk. On fundus photographs taken at a median age of 5.4 y, the optic discs were evaluated using digital image analysis and compared with those of a control group (n = 203). The results were analyzed in relation to gestational age, birth weight (BW) SD score (SDS), IGF-1 weight at postmenstrual age 32 wk (SDS), and weight, length, and head circumference (SDS) at follow-up. The preterm children's optic disc and neuronal rim areas were smaller than in the control group. Low BW (SDS) and weight at wk 32 (SDS) were associated with larger area of the optic cup and reduced neuronal rim area. Preterm children with known brain lesions (n = 6) had significantly larger cups than preterm children without known brain lesions. The association found between both low BW and poor early growth and later reduced neuronal tissue of the optic nerve indicate that early weight gain is important for neural development in preterm children.
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