| 1. |
- Aghajanova, Lusine, et al.
(författare)
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Receptors for thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroid hormones in human ovarian tissue
- 2009
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Ingår i: Reproductive BioMedicine Online. - : Elsevier BV. - 1472-6483 .- 1472-6491. ; 18:3, s. 337-347
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Dysfunction in thyroid regulation can cause menstrual and ovulatory disturbances, the mechanism of which is not clear. The distribution and activity of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSHR), and the thyroid hormone receptors (TR) alpha1, alpha2 and beta1 in human ovarian tissue and in granulosa cells was studied using immunohistochemistry, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative PCR and immunoassays. Strong immunostaining of TSHR, TRalpha1 and TRbeta1 was observed in ovarian surface epithelium and in oocytes of primordial, primary and secondary follicles, with minimal staining in granulosa cells of secondary follicles. Granulosa cells of antral follicles expressed TSHR, TRalpha1 and TRbeta1 proteins. Messenger RNA for all receptors was present in ovarian tissue. Mature human granulosa cells expressed transcripts for 5' deiodinases types 2 and 3, but not type 1, indicating the possibility of conversion of peripheral thyroid hormone thyroxin (T(4)). Granulosa cells stimulated with TSH showed a significant increase in cAMP concentrations after 2 h of culture (P = 0.047), indicating activation through TSHR. Stimulation with T(4) resulted in increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 activation after 10, 30, 60 min and 24 h. These data demonstrate that TSH and thyroid hormone receptors may participate in the regulation of ovarian function.
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| 2. |
- Altmäe, Signe, et al.
(författare)
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Aromatase gene (CYP19A1) variants, female infertility and ovarian stimulation outcome : a preliminary report
- 2009
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Ingår i: Reproductive BioMedicine Online. - 1472-6483 .- 1472-6491. ; 18:5, s. 651-657
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Progress has been made towards ascertaining the genetic predictors of ovarian stimulation in IVF. Aromatase cytochrome P450, encoded by the CYP19A1 gene, catalyses a key step in ovarian oestrogen biosynthesis. Hence, the aromatase gene is an attractive candidate for genetic studies. This study aimed to examine the genetic influences of CYP19A1 TCT trinucleotide insertion/deletion (Ins/Del) and (TTTA)(n) microsatellite intronic polymorphisms on ovarian stimulation outcome and aetiology of female infertility. IVF patients (n = 152) underwent ovarian stimulation according to recombinant FSH and gonadotrophin releasing hormone antagonist protocol. Del/Del homozygous patients with shorter TTTA repeats exhibited decreased ovarian FSH sensitivity in ovarian stimulation, which may reflect variations in aromatase gene expression during early antral follicle development. Accordingly, this study demonstrates correlations between Del allele and shorter (TTTA)(n) repeat sizes with smaller ovaries (r = -0.70, P = 0.047) and fewer antral follicles (r = 0.21, P = 0.018) on days 3-5 of spontaneous menstrual cycle, respectively. Furthermore, Del variation linked with low-repeat-number (TTTA)(n) alleles are involved in enhanced genetic susceptibility to unexplained infertility (adjusted OR = 4.33, P = 0.039) and endometriosis (r = -0.88, P = 0.026), which corroborates evidence on the overlapping patient profiles of ovarian dysfunction in both types of female infertility.
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| 3. |
- Bortolotti, Lisa, et al.
(författare)
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Reproductive and parental autonomy: an argument for compulsory parental education
- 2009
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Ingår i: Reproductive Biomedicine Online. - : Elsevier. - 1472-6491 .- 1472-6483. ; 19:1, s. 5-14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this paper we argue that comprehensive and systematic parental education has the potential to equip young adults with the necessary information for the responsible exercise of their autonomy in choices about reproduction and parenting. Education can allow young adults to acquire largely accurate beliefs about reproduction and parenting and the implications of their reproductive and parental choices. Far from being a limitation of individual freedom, the acquisition of relevant information about reproduction and parenting and the acquisition of self-knowledge with respect to reproductive and parenting choices can help give shape to individual life plans. We make a case for compulsory parental education on the basis of the need to respect and enhance individual reproductive and parental autonomy within a culture that presents contradictory attitudes towards reproduction and where decisions about whether to become a parent are subject to significant pressure and scrutiny.
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| 4. |
- Kartberg, A-J, et al.
(författare)
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Vitrification with DMSO protects embryo membrane integrity better than solutions without DMSO
- 2008
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Ingår i: Reproductive BioMedicine Online. - 1472-6483 .- 1472-6491. ; 17:3, s. 378-384
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Vitrification has become common for cryopreservation of embryos. However, the most Optimal protocol for Vitrification is still to be found. Two vitrification protocols with similar osmolarities were compared: Protocol A. containing dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), propane-2-diol, and ethylene glycol. and Protocol B. containing propane-2-diol and ethylene glycol. Viability and the importance of specific incubation times for early embryo recovery. survival. and cleavage were studied. For assessment of cryodamage, embryos were labelled with Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated annexin V and propidium iodide. Vitrification Studies Oil early mouse embryos were followed Up with studies oil human embryos,. The two vitrification protocols did not differ ill embryo survival rates and were equally efficient ill both mouse and human embryo models. Morphological assessment of embryos directly after vitrification was not a useful tool for assessing survival in this study. Extended exposure of embryos with both vitrification protocols showed that the DMSO-containing vitrification solutions did not lead to cell membrane damage and death as quickly as the DMSO-free vitrification solutions. To assess embryo viability, the authors recommend that vitrification of early embryos should be combined with extended culture and assessment of normal blastocyst development before transferring to patients.
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| 5. |
- Nordgren, Anders, 1953-
(författare)
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Analysis of an epigenetic argument against human reproductive cloning
- 2006
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Ingår i: Reproductive BioMedicine Online. - 1472-6483 .- 1472-6491. ; 13:2, s. 278-283
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Human reproductive cloning is a much disputed ethical issue. This technology is often condemned as being contrary to human dignity. However, there are also risk arguments. An ethical argument that is often put forward by scientists but seldom developed in more detail focuses on health risks in animal cloning. There is a high risk that animal clones exhibit abnormalities and these are increasingly believed to be due to errors in epigenetic reprogramming. The argument is that human reproductive cloning should not be carried out because human clones are also likely to exhibit abnormalities due to inappropriate epigenetic reprogramming. Different versions of this epigenetic argument are analysed, a categorical version and a non-categorical. The non-categorical version is suggested to be more well-considered. With regard to policy making on human reproductive cloning, the categorical version can be used to prescribe a permanent ban, while the non-categorical version can be used to prescribe a temporary ban. The implications of the precautionary principle - as interpreted in the European Union - are investigated. The conclusion is that it seems possible to support a temporary ban by reference to this principle.
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| 10. |
- Olivius, Catharina, et al.
(författare)
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Predictive factors for live birth in cryopreservation single embryo transfer cycles
- 2008
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Ingår i: Reproductive BioMedicine Online. - 1472-6491. ; 17:5, s. 676-83
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- IVF cryopreservation cycles are known to be less successful than fresh cycles. The objective of this study was to investigate what variables, maternal and embryonic, that independently predict the live birth rate in cryopreservation single embryo transfers (SET). A retrospective analysis was performed on 622 cryopreservation SET originating from 371 consecutive patients performing 410 fresh cycles. Maternal and embryonic variables were analysed using logistic regression. The overall pregnancy and live birth rates were 22 and 16% respectively. Blastomere survival rate, number of previous fresh cycles and IVF as fertilization method compared with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), were positive predictors of live birth. Number of embryos thawed to obtain one transfer was negatively associated with pregnancy rate but not with live birth rate. No statistical difference in live birth rate was found whether the couple had performed one, two or three failed cryopreservation cycles previously from the same egg retrieval. Knowledge of certain predictors for live birth contributes to the estimation of prognosis in cryopreservation SET, and is important when deciding whether to perform single or double embryo transfer in cryopreservation cycles. However, despite being independently associated with live birth and pregnancy, the predictive value of identified variables was low.
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