| 11. |
- Damdimopoulou, Pauliina, et al.
(författare)
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A single dose of enterolactone activates estrogen signaling and regulates expression of circadian clock genes in mice.
- 2011
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Ingår i: The Journal of nutrition. - : Elsevier BV. - 1541-6100 .- 0022-3166. ; 141:9, s. 1583-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Enterolactone (EL) is an enterolignan produced by gut microbiota from dietary plant lignans. Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that EL and plant lignans may reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancer as well as cardiovascular disease. These effects are thought to at least in part involve modulation of estrogen receptor activity. Surprisingly little is known about the in vivo estrogenicity of EL. In the present study, we investigated the target tissues of EL, the genes affected by EL treatment, and the response kinetics. Following a single dose of EL, luciferase was significantly induced in reproductive and nonreproductive tissues of male and female 3xERE-luciferase mice, indicating estrogen-like activity. Microarray analysis revealed that EL regulated the expression of only 1% of 17β-estradiol target genes in the uterus. The majority of these genes were traditional estrogen target genes, but also members of the circadian signaling pathway were affected. Kinetic analyses showed that EL undergoes rapid phase II metabolism and is efficiently excreted. In vivo imaging demonstrated that the estrogen response followed similar, fast kinetics. We conclude that EL activates estrogen signaling in both male and female mice and that the transient responses may be due to the fast metabolism of the compound. Lastly, EL may represent a link among diet, gut microbiota, and circadian signaling.
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| 12. |
- Damdimopoulou, Pauliina, et al.
(författare)
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Human embryonic stem cells
- 2016
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Ingår i: Baillière's Best Practice & Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1521-6934 .- 1532-1932. ; 31, s. 2-12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The establishment of permanent human embryonic stem cell lines (hESCs) was first reported in 1998. Due to their pluripotent nature and ability to differentiate to all cell types in the body, they have been considered as a cell source for regenerative medicine. Since then, intensive studies have been carried out regarding factors regulating pluripotency and differentiation. hESCs are obtained from supernumerary human IVF (in vitro fertilization) embryos that cannot be used for the couple's infertility treatment. Today, we can establish and expand these cells in animal substance-free conditions, even from single cells biopsied from eight-cell stage embryos. There are satisfactory tests for the demonstration of genetic stability, absence of tumorigenic mutations, functionality, and safety of hESCs. Clinical trials are ongoing for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and spinal cord injury (SCI). This review focuses on the present state of these techniques.
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| 13. |
- Hallberg, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Associations between lifestyle factors and levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates and parabens in follicular fluid in women undergoing fertility treatment
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology. - : Springer Nature. - 1559-0631 .- 1559-064X. ; 33, s. 699-709
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Concerns have been raised whether exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can alter reproductive functions and play a role in the aetiology of infertility in women. With increasing evidence of adverse effects, information on factors associated with exposure is necessary to form firm recommendations aiming at reducing exposure.Objective: Our aim was to identify associations between lifestyle factors including the home environment, use of personal care products (PCP), and dietary habits and concentrations of EDCs in ovarian follicular fluid.Methods: April-June 2016, 185 women undergoing ovum pick-up for in vitro fertilisation in Sweden were recruited. Correlation analyses were performed between self-reported lifestyle factors and concentration of EDCs analysed in follicular fluid. Habits related to cleaning, PCPs, and diet were assessed together with concentration of six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) [PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA and PFUnDA], methyl paraben and eight phthalate metabolites [MECPP, MEHPP, MEOHP, MEHP, cxMinCH, cxMiNP, ohMiNP, MEP, MOHiBP]. Spearman's partial correlations were adjusted for age, parity and BMI.Results: Significant associations were discovered between multiple lifestyle factors and concentrations of EDCs in ovarian follicular fluid. After correcting p values for multiple testing, frequent use of perfume was associated with MEP (correlation rho = 0.41 (confidence interval 0.21-0.47), p < 0.001); hens' egg consumption was positively associated with PFOS (rho = 0.30 (0.15-0.43), p = 0.007) and PFUnDA (rho = 0.27 (0.12-0.40), p = 0.036). White fish consumption was positively associated with PFUnDA (rho = 0.34 (0.20-0.47), p < 0.001) and PFDA (rho = 0.27 (0.13-0.41), p = 0.028). More correlations were discovered when considering the raw uncorrected p values. Altogether, our results suggest that multiple lifestyle variables affect chemical contamination of follicular fluid.Impact statement: This study shows how lifestyle factors correlate with the level of contamination in the ovary by both persistent and semi-persistent chemicals in women of reproductive age. Subsequently, these data can be used to form recommendations regarding lifestyle to mitigate possible negative health outcomes and fertility problems associated with chemical exposure, and to inform chemical policy decision making. Our study can also help form the basis for the design of larger observational and intervention studies to examine possible effects of lifestyle changes on exposure levels, and to unravel the complex interactions between biological factors, lifestyle and chemical exposures in more detail.
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| 14. |
- Hallberg, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Bovine oocyte exposure to perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) induces phenotypic, transcriptomic, and DNA methylation changes in resulting embryos in vitro
- 2022
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Ingår i: Reproductive Toxicology. - : Elsevier. - 0890-6238 .- 1873-1708. ; 109, s. 19-30
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Knowledge on the effects of perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) on ovarian function is limited. In the current study, we investigated the sensitivity of oocytes to PFHxS during in vitro maturation (IVM), including conse-quences on embryo development at the morphological, transcriptomic, and epigenomic levels. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were exposed to PFHxS during 22 h IVM. Following fertilisation, developmental competence was recorded until day 8 of culture. Two experiments were conducted: 1) exposure of COCs to 0.01 mu g mL(-1) -100 mu g mL(-1) PFHxS followed by confocal imaging to detect neutral lipids and nuclei, and 2) exposure of COCs to 0.1 mu g mL(-1) PFHxS followed by analysis of transcriptomic and DNA methylation changes in blastocysts. Decreased oocyte developmental competence was observed upon exposure to & nbsp;>= 40 mu g mL(-1) PFHxS and altered lipid distribution was observed in the blastocysts upon exposure to 1-10 mu g mL(-1) PFHxS (not observed at lower or higher concentrations). Transcriptomic data showed that genes affected by 0.1 mu g mL(-1) PFHxS were enriched for pathways related to increased synthesis and production of reactive oxygen species. Enrichment for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma and oestrogen pathways was also observed. Genes linked to DNA methylation changes were enriched for similar pathways. In conclusion, exposure of the bovine oocyte to PFHxS during the narrow window of IVM affected subsequent embryonic development, as reflected by morphological and mo- lecular changes. This suggests that PFHxS interferes with the final nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of the oocyte leading to decreased developmental competence to blastocyst stage.
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| 15. |
- Hallberg, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure of bovine oocytes affects early embryonic development at human-relevant levels in an in vitro model
- 2021
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Ingår i: Toxicology. - : Elsevier. - 0300-483X .- 1879-3185. ; 464
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) has been added to Stockholm Convention for global phase out, but will continue to contribute to the chemical burden in humans for a long time to come due to extreme persistence in the environment. In the body, PFOS is transferred into to the ovarian follicular fluid that surrounds the maturing oocyte. In the present study, bovine cumulus oocyte complexes were exposed to PFOS during 22 h in vitro maturation. Concentrations of 2 ng g(-1) (PFOS-02) representing average human exposure and 53 ng g(-1) (PFOS-53) relevant to highly exposed groups were used. After exposure, developmental competence was recorded until day 8 after fertilisation. Blastocysts were fixed and either stained to evaluate blastomere number and lipid distribution using confocal microscopy or frozen and pooled for microarray-based gene expression and DNA methylation analyses. PFOS-53 delayed the first cleavage to two-cell stage and beyond at 44 h after fertilisation (p < .01). No reduction of proportion blastocysts were seen at day 8 in either of the groups, but PFOS-53 exposure resulted in delayed development into more advanced stages of blastocysts seen as both reduced developmental stage (p = .001) and reduced number of blastomeres (p = .04). Blastocysts showed an altered lipid distribution that was more pronounced after exposure to PFOS-53 (increased total lipid volume, p=.0003, lipid volume/cell p < .0001) than PFOS-02, where only decreased average lipid droplet size (p=.02) was observed. Gene expression analyses revealed pathways differently regulated in the PFOS-treated groups compared to the controls, which were related to cell death and survival through e.g., P38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, which in turn activates tumour protein 53 (TP53). Transcriptomic changes were also associated with metabolic stress response, differentiation and proliferation, which could help to explain the phenotypic changes seen in the blastocysts. The gene expression changes were more pronounced after exposure to PFOS-53 compared to PFOS-02. DNA-methylation changes were associated with similar biological functions as the transcriptomic data, with the most significantly associated pathway being TP53. Collectively, these results reveal that brief PFOS exposure during oocyte maturation alters the early embryo development at concentrations relevant to humans. This study adds to the evidence that PFOS has the potential to affect female fertility.
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| 16. |
- Hallberg, Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Suspect and non-target screening of ovarian follicular fluid and serum : identification of anthropogenic chemicals and investigation of their association to fertility
- 2021
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Ingår i: Environmental Science. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 2050-7887 .- 2050-7895. ; 23:10, s. 1578-1588
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this work, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution (Orbitrap) mass spectrometry-based suspect and non-target screening was applied to follicular fluid (n = 161) and serum (n = 116) from women undergoing in vitro fertilization in order to identify substances that may be associated with decreased fertility. Detected features were prioritized for identification based on (i) hazard/exposure scores in a database of chemicals on the Swedish market and an in-house database on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); (ii) enrichment in follicular fluid relative to serum; and (iii) association with treatment outcomes. Non-target screening detected 20 644 features in follicular fluid and 13 740 in serum. Two hundred and sixty-two features accumulated in follicular fluid (follicular fluid: serum ratio >20) and another 252 features were associated with embryo quality. Standards were used to confirm the identities of 21 compounds, including 11 PFAS. 6-Hydroxyindole was associated with lower embryo quality and 4-aminophenol was associated with higher embryo quality. Overall, we show the complexity of follicular fluid and the applicability of suspect and non-target screening for discovering both anthropogenic and endogenous substances, which may play a role in fertility in women.
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| 17. |
- Hassan, Jasmin, et al.
(författare)
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Reference standards for follicular density in ovarian cortex from birth to sexual maturity
- 2023
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Ingår i: Reproductive BioMedicine Online. - : Elsevier. - 1472-6483 .- 1472-6491. ; 47:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Research question: Are age-normalized reference values for human ovarian cortical follicular density adequate for tissue quality control in fertility preservation?Design: Published quantitative data on the number of follicles in samples without known ovarian pathology were converted into cortical densities to create reference values. Next, a sample cohort of 126 girls (age 1-24 years, mean +/- SD 11 +/- 6) with cancer, severe haematological disease or Turner syndrome were used to calculate Z-scores for cortical follicular density based on the reference values.Results: No difference was observed between Z-scores in samples from untreated patients (0.3 +/- 3.5, n = 30) and patients treated with (0.5 +/- 2.9, n = 48) and without (0.1 +/- 1.3, n = 6) alkylating chemotherapy. Z-scores were not correlated with increasing cumulative exposure to cytostatics. Nevertheless, Z-scores in young treated patients (0-2 years -2.1 +/- 3.1, n = 10, P = 0.04) were significantly lower than Z-scores in older treated patients (11-19 years, 2 +/- 1.9, n = 15). Samples from patients with Turner syndrome differed significantly from samples from untreated patients (-5.2 +/- 5.1, n = 24, P = 0.003), and a Z-score of -1.7 was identified as a cut-off showing good diagnostic value for identification of patients with Turner syndrome with reduced ovarian reserve. When this cut-off was applied to other patients, analysis showed that those with indications for reduced ovarian reserve (n = 15) were significantly younger (5.9 +/- 4.2 versus 10.7 +/- 5.9 years, P = 0.004) and, when untreated, more often had non-malignant haematologic diseases compared with those with normal ovarian reserve (n = 24, 100% versus 19%, P = 0.009).Conclusion: Z-scores allow the estimation of genetic- and treatment-related effects on follicular density in cortical tissue from young patients stored for fertility preservation. Understanding the quality of cryopreserved tissue facilitates its use during patient counselling. More research is needed regarding the cytostatic effects found in this study.
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| 18. |
- Kemiläinen, Heidi, et al.
(författare)
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The Hydroxysteroid (17β) Dehydrogenase Family Gene HSD17B12 Is Involved in the Prostaglandin Synthesis Pathway, the Ovarian Function, and Regulation of Fertility.
- 2016
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Ingår i: Endocrinology. - : The Endocrine Society. - 1945-7170 .- 0013-7227. ; 157:10, s. 3719-3730
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The hydroxysteroid (17beta) dehydrogenase (HSD17B)12 gene belongs to the hydroxysteroid (17β) dehydrogenase superfamily, and it has been implicated in the conversion of estrone to estradiol as well as in the synthesis of arachidonic acid (AA). AA is a precursor of prostaglandins, which are involved in the regulation of female reproduction, prompting us to study the role of HSD17B12 enzyme in the ovarian function. We found a broad expression of HSD17B12 enzyme in both human and mouse ovaries. The enzyme was localized in the theca interna, corpus luteum, granulosa cells, oocytes, and surface epithelium. Interestingly, haploinsufficiency of the HSD17B12 gene in female mice resulted in subfertility, indicating an important role for HSD17B12 enzyme in the ovarian function. In line with significantly increased length of the diestrous phase, the HSD17B(+/-) females gave birth less frequently than wild-type females, and the litter size of HSD17B12(+/-) females was significantly reduced. Interestingly, we observed meiotic spindle formation in immature follicles, suggesting defective meiotic arrest in HSD17B12(+/-) ovaries. The finding was further supported by transcriptome analysis showing differential expression of several genes related to the meiosis. In addition, polyovular follicles and oocytes trapped inside the corpus luteum were observed, indicating a failure in the oogenesis and ovulation, respectively. Intraovarian concentrations of steroid hormones were normal in HSD17B12(+/-) females, whereas the levels of AA and its metabolites (6-keto prostaglandin F1alpha, prostaglandin D2, prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2α, and thromboxane B2) were decreased. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that HSD17B12 enzyme plays an important role in female fertility through its role in AA metabolism.
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| 19. |
- Lavogina, Darja, et al.
(författare)
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Endocrine disrupting chemicals interfere with decidualization of human primary endometrial stromal cells in vitro
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Endocrinology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-2392. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Multiple studies have shown associations between exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and reduced fertility in women. However, little is known about the target organs of chemical disruption of female fertility. Here, we focus on the hormone-sensitive uterine lining, the endometrium, as a potential target. Decidualization is the morphological and functional change that endometrial stromal cells undergo to support endometrial receptivity, which is crucial for successful implantation, placentation, and pregnancy. We investigated the effect of nine selected EDCs on primary human endometrial stromal cell decidualization in vitro. The cells were exposed to a decidualization-inducing mixture in the presence or absence of 1 mu M of nine different EDCs for nine days. Extent of decidualization was assessed by measuring the activity of cAMP dependent protein kinase, Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase, and protein kinase B in lysates using photoluminescent probes, and secretion of prolactin into the media by using ELISA. Decidualization-inducing mixture upregulated activity of protein kinases and prolactin secretion in cells derived from all women. Of the tested chemicals, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) significantly reduced decidualization as judged by the kinase markers and prolactin secretion. In addition, bisphenol A (BPA) reduced prolactin secretion but did not significantly affect activity of the kinases. None of the EDCs was cytotoxic, based on the assessment of total protein content or activity of the viability marker casein kinase 2 in lysates. These results indicate that EDCs commonly present in the blood circulation of reproductive-aged women can reduce decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells in vitro. Future studies should focus on detailed hazard assessment to define possible risks of EDC exposure to endometrial dysfunction and implantation failure in women.
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| 20. |
- Li, Tianyi, et al.
(författare)
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Persistent organic pollutants dysregulate energy homeostasis in human ovaries in vitro
- 2024
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Ingår i: Environment International. - : Elsevier. - 0160-4120 .- 1873-6750. ; 187
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), has historically been linked to population collapses in wildlife. Despite international regulations, these legacy chemicals are still currently detected in women of reproductive age, and their levels correlate with reduced ovarian reserve, longer time -to -pregnancy, and higher risk of infertility. However, the specific modes of action underlying these associations remain unclear. Here, we examined the effects of five commonly occurring POPs - hexachlorobenzene (HCB), p,p '-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), 2,3,3 ' ,4,4 ' ,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB156), 2,2 ' ,3,4,4 ' ,5,5 ' -heptachlorobiphenyl (PCB180), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) - and their mixture on human ovaries in vitro . We exposed human ovarian cancer cell lines COV434, KGN, and PA1 as well as primary ovarian cells for 24 h, and ovarian tissue containing unilaminar follicles for 6 days. RNA -sequencing of samples exposed to concentrations covering epidemiologically relevant levels revealed significant gene expression changes related to central energy metabolism in the exposed cells, indicating glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism, and reactive oxygen species as potential shared targets of POP exposures in ovarian cells. Alpha-enolase ( ENO1 ), lactate dehydrogenase A ( LDHA ), cytochrome C oxidase subunit 4I1 ( COX4I1 ), ATP synthase F1 subunit alpha ( ATP5A ), and glutathione peroxidase 4 ( GPX4 ) were validated as targets through qPCR in additional cell culture experiments in KGN. In ovarian tissue cultures, we observed significant effects of exposure on follicle growth and atresia as well as protein expression. All POP exposures, except PCB180, decreased unilaminar follicle proportion and increased follicle atresia. Immunostaining confirmed altered expression of LDHA, ATP5A, and GPX4 in the exposed tissues. Moreover, POP exposures modified ATP production in KGN and tissue culture. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the disruption of cellular energy metabolism as a novel mode of action underlying POP -mediated interference of follicle growth in human ovaries.
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