Effects of Melatonin on the Transcriptome of Human Granulosa Cells, Fertilization and Blastocyst Formation

CTBP1 links metabolic syndrome to polycystic ovary syndrome through interruption of aromatase and SREBP1

Some patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) suffered from metabolic syndrome (MetS) including dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinism, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Although C-terminal Binding Protein 1 (CTBP1) is a transcriptional co-repressor frequently involved in hormone secretion disorders and MetS-associated diseases, the role of CTBP1 in PCOS is rarely reported. In the present study, we found that CTBP1 expression was significantly elevated in primary granulosa cells (pGCs) derived from the PCOS with MetS patients and was positively associated with serum triglyceride, but negatively correlated with serum estradiol (E2) or high-density lipoprotein. Mechanistic study suggested that CTBP1 physically bound to the promoter II of cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1 (CYP19A1) to inhibit the aromatase gene transcription and expression, resulting in the reduced E2 synthesis. Moreover, CTBP1 interacted with the phosphorylated SREBP1a at S396 in nuclei, leading to the FBXW7-dependent protein degradation, resulting in the reduced lipid droplets formation in pGCs. Therefore, we conclude that CTBP1 in GCs dysregulates the synthesis of steroid hormones and lipids through suppression of aromatase expression and promotion of SREBP1a protein degradation in PCOS patients, which may offer some fresh insights into the potential pathological mechanism for this tough disease.

Differential gene expression in decidualized human endometrial stromal cells induced by different stimuli

Decidualization can be induced by culturing human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) with several decidualization stimuli, such as cAMP, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or Estradiol (E2). However, it has been unclear how decidualized cells induced by different stimuli are different. We compared transcriptomes and cellular functions of decidualized ESCs induced by different stimuli (MPA, E2 + MPA, cAMP, and cAMP + MPA). We also investigated which decidualization stimulus induces a closer in vivo decidualization. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and altered cellular functions by each decidualization stimuli were identified by RNA-sequence and gene-ontology analysis. DEGs was about two times higher for stimuli that use cAMP (cAMP and cAMP + MPA) than for stimuli that did not use cAMP (MPA and E2 + MPA). cAMP-using stimuli altered the cellular functions including angiogenesis, inflammation, immune system, and embryo implantation whereas MPA-using stimuli (MPA, E2 + MPA, and cAMP + MPA) altered the cellular functions associated with insulin signaling. A public single-cell RNA-sequence data of the human endometrium was utilized to analyze in vivo decidualization. The altered cellular functions by in vivo decidualization were close to those observed by cAMP + MPA-induced decidualization. In conclusion, decidualized cells induced by different stimuli have different transcriptome and cellular functions. cAMP + MPA may induce a decidualization most closely to in vivo decidualization.

Treatment With a Patented 3.6:1 Myo-Inositol to D-chiro-Inositol Ratio, Antioxidants, Vitamins and Minerals Food Supplement in Women With a History of Assisted Reproductive Technique (ART) Failures: A Series of Case Reports

Infertility affects 15% of couples in reproductive age worldwide. In women in particular, infertility can be caused by various abnormalities, with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) being the most common. Currently, there are many assisted reproductive techniques (ART) available to combat the burden of infertility. However, positive results are not guaranteed. The administration of inositol has been shown to increase positive reproductive outcomes in women undergoing ART. Here we present a series of clinical cases in which women with a history of infertility and previously failed ART, supplemented with a specific 3.6:1 MYO:DCI ratio, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals for a period of 1 to 3 months before undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). In this series of case reports, we provide preliminary evidence that supplementation with a specific 3.6:1 MYO to DCI ratio, as well as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals may contribute positively to female fertility in women undergoing IVF, with a history of primary or secondary infertility and previously failed ART.

Melatonin acts through different mechanisms to control oxidative stress and primordial follicle activation and survival during in vitro culture of bovine ovarian tissue

This study aims to evaluate the effects of melatonin and its mechanisms of action on preantral follicle activation and survival, stromal cell density and collagen distribution in extracellular matrix (ECM). The involvement of melatonin receptors and mTORC1 pathway in these procedures were also investigated. To this end, ovarian fragments were cultured for six days in α-MEM+ alone or supplemented with 1000 pM melatonin, 1000 pM melatonin with 1000 pM luzindole (inhibitor of melatonin receptors), or 1000 pM melatonin with 0.16 µg/ml rapamycin (mTORC1 inhibitor). At the end of culture period, tissues were processed for classical histology, and the follicles were classified as normal or degenerated, as well as in primordial or growing follicles. The ovarian stromal cell density and ECM collagen distribution were also evaluated. Samples of ovarian tissues were also destined to measure the levels of thiol and mRNA for CAT, SOD, GPX1 and PRDX1, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes CAT, SOD, and GPX1. The results demonstrated that ovarian tissues cultured with melatonin, melatonin with luzindole or melatonin with rapamycin had significantly higher percentage of morphologically normal follicles than those cultured in control medium (α-MEM+). However, the presence of either luzindole or rapamycin, did not block the positive effects of melatonin on follicle survival (P > 0.05). Although the presence of melatonin in culture medium reduced the percentage of primordial follicles and increased the percentage of development follicles, these positive effects of melatonin were blocked by either luzindole or rapamycin (P < 0.05). Melatonin, melatonin with luzindole or melatonin with rapamycin did not influence the number of ovarian stromal cells. In contrast, melatonin significantly increased the percentages of collagen in ovarian tissues, but the positive effects of melatonin were blocked by either luzindole or rapamycin. Tissues cultured with melatonin and rapamycin had higher levels of mRNA for CAT and lower GPx activity when compared to those cultured in control medium. In conclusion, melatonin promotes primordial follicle activation, increases collagen fiber in ECM of in vitro cultured bovine ovarian tissue through its membrane-coupled receptors and mTORC1. Oppositely, melatonin increase follicles survival by acting through other pathways, since it can pass through cell membranes and directly regulate oxidative stress.

Special Issue on “Pleiotropic Benefits of Melatonin: From Basic Mechanisms to Disease”

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a multifunctional hormone that is naturally produced from tryptophan and released rhythmically throughout the night by the pineal gland to regulate sleep–wake cycles [...]

Reactive oxygen species and ovarian diseases: Antioxidant strategies

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are mainly produced in mitochondria and are involved in various physiological activities of the ovary through signaling and are critical for regulating the ovarian cycle. Notably, the imbalance between ROS generation and the antioxidant defense system contributes to the development of ovarian diseases. These contradictory effects have critical implications for potential antioxidant strategies that aim to scavenge excessive ROS. However, much remains to be learned about how ROS causes various ovarian diseases to the application of antioxidant therapy for ovarian diseases. Here, we review the mechanisms of ROS generation and maintenance of homeostasis in the ovary and its associated physiological effects. Additionally, we have highlighted the pathological mechanisms of ROS in ovarian diseases and potential antioxidant strategies for treatment.

Changes in Serum Oxytocin Levels under Physiological and Supraphysiological Gonadal Steroid Hormone Conditions in Women of Reproductive Age: A Preliminary Study

Oxytocin (OT) affects many behavioral, psychological, and physiological functions, including appetite and body weight regulation. Central and peripheral OT levels are markedly affected by gonadal steroids, especially estrogen, and the anorectic effects of estrogen are partially mediated by OT in rodents. In this study, the relationship between the estrogen milieu and serum OT levels was evaluated in women of reproductive age under physiological (n = 9) and supraphysiological estrogenic conditions (n = 7). Consequently, it was found that serum OT levels were increased in physiological (the ovulatory phase) and supraphysiological (on the day of the human chorionic gonadotropin trigger in an ovarian stimulation cycle) estrogenic conditions, and that serum OT levels were positively correlated with serum estradiol levels. On the other hand, serum OT levels were negatively correlated with serum progesterone levels, and there was no correlation between serum and follicular OT levels. These results suggest that OT levels may be positively and negatively regulated by estrogen and progesterone, respectively, in humans. However, the physiological roles of these actions of gonadal steroids on OT remain unclear.