The role of animal studies in supporting human assisted reproductive technology

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry Bavister
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technology ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Reproductive Technology ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Animal Art

Although average success rates of human IVF have increased progressively during the past two decades, the efficiency of this technique, based on each embryo produced or transferred, is still low. High success rates are usually achieved by transferring several embryos to the patient, which is often associated with multiple pregnancies. The quality of in vitro produced embryos is a major area that needs attention. Because there is no in vivo database for human embryos, the properties of normal embryos are not known, and so it is difficult to know how to improve quality and viability. In addition, selection of the most viable embryos for transfer is a rather subjective process. The origins of human assisted reproductive technology (ART) are based on animal ART; however, the two areas of research (animal and human ART) appear to have become disconnected. Re-examination of progress in animal ART could help improve human embryo quality and thereby assist efforts to sustain high pregnancy rates with only one or two embryos transferred. Some key areas in which animal ART can help guide progress in human ART are discussed.

Challenges on the effect of cell phone radiation on mammalian embryos and fetuses: a review of the literature

Zygote ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Maryam Mahaldashtian ◽  
Mohammad Ali Khalili ◽  
Fatemeh Anbari ◽  
Mohammad Seify ◽  
Manuel Belli
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Cell Phones ◽  
Cellular Phone ◽  
The Body ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Wide Range

Summary Cell phones operate with a wide range of frequency bands and emit radiofrequency-electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR). Concern on the possible health hazards of RF-EMR has been growing in many countries because these RF-EMR pulses may be absorbed into the body cells, directly affecting them. There are some in vitro and in vivo animal studies related to the consequences of RF-EMR exposure from cell phones on embryo development and offspring. In addition, some studies have revealed that RF-EMR from cellular phone may lead to decrease in the rates of fertilization and embryo development, as well as the risk of the developmental anomalies, other studies have reported that it does not interfere with in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection success rates, or the chromosomal aberration rate. Of course, it is unethical to study the effect of waves generated from cell phones on the forming human embryos. Conversely, other mammals have many similarities to humans in terms of anatomy, physiology and genetics. Therefore, in this review we focused on the existing literature evaluating the potential effects of RF-EMR on mammalian embryonic and fetal development.

Oviductal cells and early conception

1995 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariff Bongso
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technology ◽  
Fallopian Tube ◽  
Functional Significance ◽  
Reproductive Technology ◽  
Embryo Viability ◽  
Uterine Environment ◽  
Functional Relevance

The ability to bypass the oviduct by fertilizing human oocytes in vitro and then transferring the ensuing embryos into the uterine environment to produce pregnancies that can be carried to term (assisted reproductive technology, ART) has made the real functional significance of the fallopian tube come under debate. The question has been raised as to whether the oviduct is a simple conduit, providing for the transport of gametes and embryos, or whether it has any functional relevance to early conception. In the field of ART, some reports claim that transfer of embryos either to the uterus or to the oviduct yield similar results, while a greater amount of evidence confirms that tubal transfers are associated with higher pregnancy and take home baby rates, suggesting that unknown factors in the oviduct favour fertilization and embryo viability. This review attempts to provide some answers to questions about the role of oviductal cells in vivo during early conception and in vitro in the field of ART.

scholarly journals Subinhibitory Antimicrobial Concentrations: A Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Data

1992 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
George G Zhanel ◽  
Daryl J Hoban ◽  
Godfrey KM Harding
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Bacterial Virulence ◽  
Antibacterial Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Immune Defences

Antimicrobial activity is not an ‘all or none’ effect. An increase in the rate and extent of antimicrobial action is usually observed over a wide range of antimicrobial concentrations. Subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations are well known to produce significant antibacterial effects, and various antimicrobials at subinhibitory concentrations have been reported to inhibit the rate of bacterial growth. Bacterial virulence may be increased or decreased by subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations by changes in the ability of bacteria to adhere to epithelial cells or by alterations in bacterial susceptibility to host immune defences. Animal studies performed in rats, hamsters and rabbits demonstrate decreased bacterial adherence, reduced infectivity and increased survival of animals treated with subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations compared to untreated controls. The major future role of investigation of subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations will be to define more fully, at a molecular level, how antimicrobials exert their antibacterial effects.

scholarly journals Antioxidant Therapy in Graves’ Orbitopathy

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Lanzolla ◽  
Claudio Marcocci ◽  
Michele Marinò
Keyword(s):  
Ros Generation ◽  
Related Condition ◽  
Orbital Radiotherapy ◽  
Antioxidant Agents ◽  
Graves Orbitopathy ◽  
High Doses

The balance of the cell redox state is a key point for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation leads to oxidative damage of tissues, which is involved in the development of several diseases, including autoimmune diseases. Graves’ Orbitopathy (GO) is a disfiguring autoimmune-related condition associated with Graves’ Disease (GD). Patients with active, moderate-to-severe GO, are generally treated with high doses intravenous glucocorticoids (ivGCs) and/or orbital radiotherapy. On the contrary, up to recently, local ointments were the treatment most frequently offered to patients with mild GO, because the risks related to ivGCs does not justify the relatively poor benefits expected in mild GO. However, a medical treatment for these patients is heavily wanted, considering that GO can progress into more severe forms and also patients with mild GO complain with an impairment in their quality of life. Thus, based on the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of GO, a therapy with antioxidant agents has been proposed and a number of studies have been performed, both in vitro and in vivo, which is reviewed here.

scholarly journals Targeting Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway for Developing Therapies for Hair Loss

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bu Young Choi
Keyword(s):  
Hair Loss ◽  
Hair Growth ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Intracellular Targets ◽  
Remarkable Progress ◽  
Made In

Persistent hair loss is a major cause of psychological distress and compromised quality of life in millions of people worldwide. Remarkable progress has been made in understanding the molecular basis of hair loss and identifying valid intracellular targets for designing effective therapies for hair loss treatment. Whereas a variety of growth factors and signaling pathways have been implicated in hair cycling process, the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a central role in hair follicle regeneration. Several plant-derived chemicals have been reported to promote hair growth by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in various in vitro and in vivo studies. This mini-review sheds light on the role of Wnt/β-catenin in promoting hair growth and the current progress in designing hair loss therapies by targeting this signaling pathway.

scholarly journals Protective Effects of Dietary Antioxidants against Vanadium-Induced Toxicity: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwona Zwolak
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Toxic Metal ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Dietary Antioxidants ◽  
Vanadium Toxicity ◽  
Preventive Effects

Vanadium (V) in its inorganic forms is a toxic metal and a potent environmental and occupational pollutant and has been reported to induce toxic effects in animals and people. In vivo and in vitro data show that high levels of reactive oxygen species are often implicated in vanadium deleterious effects. Since many dietary (exogenous) antioxidants are known to upregulate the intrinsic antioxidant system and ameliorate oxidative stress-related disorders, this review evaluates their effectiveness in the treatment of vanadium-induced toxicity. Collected data, mostly from animal studies, suggest that dietary antioxidants including ascorbic acid, vitamin E, polyphenols, phytosterols, and extracts from medicinal plants can bring a beneficial effect in vanadium toxicity. These findings show potential preventive effects of dietary antioxidants on vanadium-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, neurotoxicity, testicular toxicity, and kidney damage. The relevant mechanistic insights of these events are discussed. In summary, the results of studies on the role of dietary antioxidants in vanadium toxicology appear encouraging enough to merit further investigations.

scholarly journals A Review of the Role of Neurotensin and Its Receptors in Colorectal Cancer

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengyang Qiu ◽  
Gianluca Pellino ◽  
Francesca Fiorentino ◽  
Shahnawaz Rasheed ◽  
Ara Darzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Signalling Pathways ◽  
Diagnostic Biomarker ◽  
Gi Tract ◽  
Cellular Receptors

Neurotensin (NTS) is a physiologically occurring hormone which affects the function of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In recent years, NTS, acting through its cellular receptors (NTSR), has been implicated in the carcinogenesis of several cancers. In colorectal cancer (CRC), a significant body of evidence, from in vitro and in vivo studies, is available which elucidates the molecular biology of NTS/NTSR signalling and the resultant growth of CRC cells. There is growing clinical data from human studies which corroborate the role NTS/NTSR plays in the development of human CRC. Furthermore, blockade and modulation of the NTS/NTSR signalling pathways appears to reduce CRC growth in cell cultures and animal studies. Lastly, NTS/NTSR also shows potential of being utilised as a diagnostic biomarker for cancers as well as targets for functional imaging. We summarise the existing evidence and understanding of the role of NTS and its receptors in CRC.

scholarly journals The Role of Acupuncture in Assisted Reproductive Technology

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cui Hong Zheng ◽  
Ming Min Zhang ◽  
Guang Ying Huang ◽  
Wei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technology ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Live Birth Rate ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Reproductive Technology ◽  
Laser Acupuncture ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Positive Effects

The aim of this paper was to provide reliable evidence by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis for evaluating the role of acupuncture in assisted reproductive technology. All randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of acupuncture, including manual, electrical, and laser acupuncture (LA) techniques, on the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or artificial insemination were included. The controlled groups consisted of no acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups. The sham acupuncture included sham acupuncture at acupoints, sham acupuncture at non- or inappropriate points, sham LA, and adhesive tapes. Twenty-three trials (a total of 5598 participants) were included in this paper. The pooled CPR from all acupuncture groups was significantly higher than that from all controlled groups, whereas the LBR was not significantly different between the two groups. However, the results were quite distinct when the type of control and/or different acupuncture times were examined in a sensitivity analysis. The results mainly indicate that acupuncture, especially around the time of the controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, improves pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing IVF. More positive effects from acupuncture in IVF can be expected if a more individualized acupuncture programs are used.

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