Correlation between aneuploidy pregnancy and the concentration of various hormones and vascular endothelial factor in follicular fluid as well as the number of acquired oocytes

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between aneuploidy pregnancy and the concentration of various hormones and vascular endothelial factor in follicular fluid as well as the number of acquired oocytes and to provide a scientific basis for improving ovulation induction programs.MethodsIn total, we collected 277 follicular fluid specimens from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in our hospital. Eighteen cases of aneuploidy embryos were identified. The follicular fluid of these aneuploidy embryos was used for the study. According to the case and control 1:5 paired design, we selected five age-matched controls with healthy births following IVF for each aneuploidy case. Concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen (E2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the follicular fluid were measured. Conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between aneuploidy pregnancy and the concentrations of various hormones and VEGF in the follicular fluid as well as the number of acquired oocytes.ResultsMultivariate conditional logistic regression showed that of all the factors analyzed, only FSH [odds ratio (OR) = 1.300, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.091–1.548, P = 0.003] level in the follicular fluid and the number of acquired oocytes (OR = 1.179, 95% CI, 1.070–1.299, P = 0.001) were closely related to aneuploidy pregnancy. No other factors were found to be associated with aneuploidy pregnancy.ConclusionFSH concentrations in the follicular fluid are risk factors for aneuploidy pregnancies. The higher the number of eggs, the higher the risk of aneuploidy. These findings may help improve ovulation induction programs.

Antiangiogenic potential of beta-blockers in the context of juvenile hemangioma treatment

Juvenile hemangiomas (JH) — the most common tumor of childhood, which is estimated by various investigators found in 3–10 % of newborns resulting from the local development of significant violations of neoangiogenesis regulation. Research objective: determination of comparative antiangiogenic effectiveness and influence of beta-blockers on the level of a vascular endothelial factor of growth in an experiment. Material and methods. For determination of antiangiogenic effect of beta blockers, comparative studying of their influence on the level of a vascular endothelial factor of growth in an experiment on 72 nonlinear laboratory rats, by average weight 180 ± 20 g which were conditionally divided into 6 groups is executed: 1 — control, 2 — negative control — experimental ischemia (EI, crossing of femoral vessels), 3 — positive control (EI with bevacizumab introduction), 4 — EI with introduction of a timolol, 5 — EI with introduction of a betaksolol, 6 — EI with introduction of interferon alpha 2b. Results. The VEGF levels were: in 1 group — 1.50 ± 0.3 pg/ml, in 2 — 20.3 ± 3.2 pg/ml, 3 — 5.8 ± 0.9 pg/ml, 4 — 13.8 ± 1.4 pg/ml, 5 — 19.2 ± 2.3 pg/ml and 6 — 11.1 ± 2.2 pg/ml. Results of microscopy and immunohistochemical research demonstrate lack of activation of processes of neoangiogenesis in 1 group of animals. At animals of 2nd and 5th groups along with the expressed inflammatory processes the neoangiogenesis phenomena are established. Conclusion. Beta-blockers show the direct or mediated negative impact on synthesis of VEGF and oppression of neoangiogenesis. The activity of selective beta-blocker concerning neoangiogenesis suppression — was lower in comparison by activity non-selective that allows to consider the Timolol effective antiangiogenic remedy.

Improving medical-diagnostic actions of the flu during pregnancy

Surveyed 202 pregnant women with a diagnosis of influenza medium (n=154) and severe (n=48) severity. An algorithm for management of pregnant women with influenza, which is monitoring the level of markers of endothelial dysfunction; it is shown that its use in clinical practice can reduce the frequency of complications of pregnancy and childbirth and to improve perinatal outcomes. The results were statistically evaluate the relationship between indicators of pregnancy and childbirth, and the dynamics of the concentrations of markers of endothelial dysfunction has revealed the presence of stable relationships indicators (statistically significant correlation coefficients Spearman moderate strength). In particular, it is shown that the vascular endothelial factor concentration is negatively associated with the incidence of intrauterine growth retardation, preeclampsia, placental insufficiency, anemia and threatened premature delivery, polyhydramnios. The results of the study, indicating the high prognostic value of the levels of markers of endothelial dysfunction, allow us to propose the inclusion of estimates of these parameters in the algorithm of management of pregnant women with influenza for the timely appointment of preventive and diagnostic and treatment activities in order to reduce the frequency of complications of pregnancy and childbirth and improve perinatal outcomes. The obtained results allow to conclude that pregnant women with symptoms of ARI (influenza) shows the definition of the levels of markers of endothelial dysfunction, a survey is recommended during the first indications of the disease. It is reasonable assessment of markers of endothelial dysfunction in this category pregnant in the dynamics after 1-2 months after acute respiratory illness.

Prokineticins in central and peripheral control of human reproduction

Prokineticin 1 (PROK1) and (PROK2), are two closely related proteins that were identified as the mammalian homologs of their two amphibian homologs, mamba intestinal toxin (MIT-1) and Bv8. PROKs activate two G-protein linked receptors (prokineticin receptor 1 and 2, PROKR1 and PROKR2). Both PROK1 and PROK2 have been found to regulate a stunning array of biological functions. In particular, PROKs stimulate gastrointestinal motility, thus accounting for their family name “prokineticins”. PROK1 acts as a potent angiogenic mitogen, thus earning its other name, endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial factor. In contrast, PROK2 signaling pathway has been shown to be a critical regulator of olfactory bulb morphogenesis and sexual maturation. During the last decade, strong evidences established the key roles of prokineticins in the control of human central and peripheral reproductive processes. PROKs act as main regulators of the physiological functions of the ovary, uterus, placenta, and testis, with marked dysfunctions in various pathological conditions such as recurrent pregnancy loss, and preeclampsia. PROKs have also been associated to the tumor development of some of these organs. In the central system, prokineticins control the migration of GnRH neurons, a key process that controls reproductive functions. Importantly, mutations in PROK2 and PROKR2 are associated to the development of Kallmann syndrome, with direct consequences on the reproductive system. This review describes the finely tuned actions of prokineticins in the control of the central and peripheral reproductive processes. Also, it discusses future research directions for the use of these cytokines as diagnostic markers for several reproductive diseases.