TIMP2 rs2277698 polymorphism associated with adverse IVF outcomes in Han Chinese women.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are critical regulators of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteolysis and play a pivotal role in trophoblast invasion during embryo implantation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MMP and TIMP genes on clinical outcomes in women undergoing fertilization (IVF).

Methods: This retroprospective study included 1014 women undergoing their first fresh IVF cycle without donor eggs at Lee Women's Hospital between January 2014 and December 2015.

Personalized prediction model for miscarriage: in-depth sperm DNA fragmentation.

Purpose: We investigated how different types of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in males, in conjunction with varying levels of female reproductive potential, jointly impact ICSI outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 195 couples undergoing ICSI, categorizing them by normal or poor prognosis according to POSEIDON criteria. Female factors included age, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and oocyte retrieval numbers.

Innovative technology for evaluation of sperm DNA double-strand breaks diagnoses male factor infertility and prevents reproductive failures.

Neutral comet assay has been available for two decades to evaluate sperm double-strand breaks (DSBs). However, its clinical usability is limited due to its complex and time-consuming procedure, as well as the lack of a standardized scoring system. The aim of this study was to: develop a rapid diagnostic method for DSBs, Sperm DNA Fragmentation Releasing Assay (SDFR), and explore the association between DSBs and reproductive outcomes.

Live motile sperm sorting device for enhanced sperm-fertilization competency: comparative analysis with density-gradient centrifugation and microfluidic sperm sorting.

Purpose: A live motile sperm sorting device (LensHooke CA0) developed to prevent the deleterious effects of centrifugation was evaluated comparatively with conventional density-gradient centrifugation (DGC) and microfluidic-based device (Zymot) in sperm selection.

Methods: Semen samples from 239 men were collected. CA0 under different incubation intervals (5, 10, 30, and 60 min) and temperatures (20, 25, and 37℃) was conducted.

Correlation of skin carotenoid levels with embryo development and pregnancy result of in vitro fertilization cycles for couples with unexplained infertility.

Oxidative stress-related DNA damage is a significant pathology for male subfertility and unexplained infertility (UI). Antioxidant supplement by food or nutrition may benefit sperm function of UI couples. However, the role of antioxidant status on fertilization outcome and embryo development for UI couples is not clear.

Interleukin-3 Polymorphism is Associated with Miscarriage of Fresh in Vitro Fertilization Cycles.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between interleukin (IL) genes polymorphisms and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. A prospective cohort analysis was performed at a Women's Hospital IVF centre of 1015 female patients undergoing fresh non-donor IVF cycles. The effects of the following six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five IL genes on IVF outcomes were explored: IL-1α (rs1800587 C/T), IL-3 (rs40401 C/T), IL-6 (rs1800795 C/G), IL-15 (rs3806798 A/T), IL-18 (rs187238 C/G) and IL-18 (rs1946518 G/T).

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Gene Polymorphism is Associated with Clinical Pregnancy of Fresh IVF Cycles.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and AMH type II receptor (AMHRII) genes on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. In this prospective cohort study, we genotyped the AMH 146 T > G, AMHRII -482 A > G and AMHRII IVS1 +149 T > A variants in 635 women undergoing their first cycle of controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of all participants, and the SNPs were genotyped by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Effects of reactive oxygen species levels in prepared culture media on embryo development: a comparison of two media.

Objective: This study determined the correlation between the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in prepared culture media and the early development of human embryos.

Materials And Methods: This was an autocontrolled comparison study. A total of 159 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment were recruited in this study.

Nitric oxide modulates mitochondrial activity and apoptosis through protein S-nitrosylation for preimplantation embryo development.

Purpose: Previous studies reported that patients with endometriosis had excess nitric oxide (NO) in the reproductive tract and poor embryo development in IVF cycles. This study aims to elucidate the effects of NO on early embryo development.

Methods: Zygotes from superovulated B6CBF1 mice were cultured to blastocysts in a variety of media.

The association between microenvironmental reactive oxygen species and embryo development in assisted reproduction technology cycles.

This study was designed to determine the relevance between the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in microenvironment (follicular fluid or culture media) and the embryo development in IVF/ICSI cycles. A total of 466 follicles from 174 IVF/ICSI cycles were collected for this study. The ROS levels in monofollicular fluid and spent culture media were evaluated by chemiluminescence assay with luminol as a probe.

Magnetic-activated cell sorting for sperm preparation reduces spermatozoa with apoptotic markers and improves the acrosome reaction in couples with unexplained infertility.

Background: Couples with unexplained infertility (UI) tend to have low fertilization rates with current IVF procedures. Here, we attempted to identify spermatozoa with apoptotic markers in couples with UI and unsuccessful intrauterine insemination (IUI) and we investigated the efficiency and benefit of magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) for sperm preparation in such patients.

Methods: Sixty couples with UI and two IUI failures were recruited.

Prostacyclin enhances mouse embryo development and hatching but not increased embryonic cell number and volume.

Objective: To evaluate in vitro effects of prostacyclin (PGI2), we cultured mouse embryos with a PGI2 analogue, because human fallopian tube cells synthesize abundant amounts of PGI2.

Design: Animal model.

Setting: Animal study in a private infertility clinic.

Sperm DNA fragmentation negatively correlates with velocity and fertilization rates but might not affect pregnancy rates.

Objective: To evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation in correlation with sperm parameters and IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: A tertiary infertility referral clinic.

DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial dysfunction and chromosomal aneuploidy in the spermatozoa of oligoasthenoteratozoospermic males.

Purpose: This study determined the incidence of sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and chromosomal aneuploidy. The results were correlated with the semen analysis parameters and fertilization rates.

Methods: Semen samples from 10 men showing oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) and undergoing ICSI treatment were analyzed.