Absorbable Hemostatic Particles to Reduce the Damage on the Follicular Reserve After Ovarian Endometriomas Stripping

Objective: to reduce the surgical damage to the ovarian reserve, after stripping of ovarian endometrioma, of the necrotic type given by the electrohaemostasis or ischemic type given by the suture. Design: perform haemostasis on ovarian parenchyma with topical haemostatic agents. Materials and methods: we used Arista AH which is a powder made up of microporous polysaccharide hemospheres that act by osmotic action and accelerate the natural coagulation process. We used Arista AH in 27 women with mono- or bilateral ovarian endometriosis. Results: in all treated cases we obtained a rapid and optimal haemostasis. There were no post-surgical complications related to haemostatic defects. Three months after the surgery, we checked the Antral Follicle Count (AFC) with a trans-vaginal ultrasound probe. AFC in 24 women with full follow-up gave the following results: unilateral endometrioma – AFC between 5 and 8 (MV: 6.3), bilateral endometriomas – the AFC between 5 and 7 (MV: 5.8). Conclusions: The use of Arista AH powder allows highly effective hemostasis and is easy to use, fully respecting the residual ovarian parenchyma after stripping.

Hormonal Approach for Postmenopausal Vulvovaginal Atrophy

Menopause is a physiological and progressive phenomenon secondary to decreased ovarian follicular reserve that significantly affects the genital tract. Although postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy primarily affects postmenopausal women, it is also seen in premenopausal women. The hypoestrogenic condition results in hormonal and anatomical changes, with the main symptoms, are dryness, burning and genital irritation, decreased lubrication, urinary urgency, dysuria, and recurrent urinary tract infections. This review aims to update hormone therapy for urogenital atrophy, both local and systemic, and discusses the importance of understanding and the need for active treatment of this condition. The main therapeutic objective is the relief of symptoms, and hormonal therapy (HT) is still the most effective choice for treating clinical manifestations, despite the side effects of its use. HT should be used in an individualized way to the needs of the women and appropriate to the stage in which she is menopausal, perimenopausal, or after menopause.

245 Prenatal Transportation Stress Does Not Impact Ovarian Follicle Count in Brahman Offspring

Calves from transported dams had greater concentrations of plasma cortisol when restrained and cleared plasma cortisol at a slower rate than calves from non-transported dams. Considering this hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis effect, investigation of other parameters influencing reproduction is warranted in offspring exposed to prenatal transportation stress. The purpose was to determine impact of prenatal transportation stress on offspring ovarian follicle count. Brahman cows were transported for 2 h on d 60, 80, 120, and 140 (± 5 d) of gestation. Offspring from transported (Stressed, n = 19) or non-transported (Control, n = 15) dams were slaughtered at 5 yr (Replication 1, n = 14) or ovariectomized at 8 yr (Replication 2, n = 20). A cross-section of ovary was collected, serially sectioned, and stained. Numbers of total, primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles were determined per section. Total ovarian follicle count for each stage was calculated using ovary dimensions. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used to analyze ovarian follicle count with treatment, replicate, and the interaction as fixed effects. Total ovarian follicle count decreased with age (P < 0.01; R1 = 383,663, R2 = 154,560); however, there was no difference in total ovarian follicle count between offspring due to treatment (P = 0.17; S = 221,813, C = 316,409). Similarly, there was no difference in primordial (P = 0.22; S = 127,300, C = 188,304), primary (P = 0.28; S = 58,610, C = 77,237), or antral (P = 0.48; S = 23,202, C = 28,695) follicle count between offspring due to treatment. Fewer secondary follicles were observed in Stressed offspring compared to Control offspring (P = 0.03). These results suggest that the ovarian follicular reserve, AFC, and potential fertility of cows may not be impacted by exposure to prenatal transportation stress. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Pharmacological inhibition of the PI3K/PTEN/Akt and mTOR signalling pathways limits follicle activation induced by ovarian cryopreservation and in vitro culture

Background Cryopreservation and transplantation of ovarian tissue (OTCTP) represent a promising fertility preservation technique for prepubertal patients or for patients requiring urgent oncological management. However, a major obstacle of this technique is follicle loss due to, among others, accelerated recruitment of primordial follicles during the transplantation process, leading to follicular reserve loss in the graft and thereby potentially reducing its lifespan. This study aimed to assess how cryopreservation itself impacts follicle activation. Results Western blot analysis of the PI3K/PTEN/Akt and mTOR signalling pathways showed that they were activated in mature or juvenile slow-frozen murine ovaries compared to control fresh ovaries. The use of pharmacological inhibitors of follicle signalling pathways during the cryopreservation process decreased cryopreservation-induced follicle recruitment. The second aim of this study was to use in vitro organotypic culture of cryopreserved ovaries and to test pharmacological inhibitors of the PI3K/PTEN/Akt and mTOR pathways. In vitro organotypic culture-induced activation of the PI3K/PTEN/Akt pathway is counteracted by cryopreservation with rapamycin and in vitro culture in the presence of LY294002. These results were confirmed by follicle density quantifications. Indeed, follicle development is affected by in vitro organotypic culture, and PI3K/PTEN/Akt and mTOR pharmacological inhibitors preserve primordial follicle reserve. Conclusions Our findings support the hypothesis that inhibitors of mTOR and PI3K might be an attractive tool to delay primordial follicle activation induced by cryopreservation and culture, thus preserving the ovarian reserve while retaining follicles in a functionally integrated state.

Microablative fractional radiofrequency for the genitourinary syndrome of menopause: protocol of randomised controlled trial

IntroductionMenopause is a physiological and progressive phenomenon secondary to decreased ovarian follicular reserve. These changes have consequences: vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, discomfort, burning and irritation, vulvovaginal pruritus, dysuria and increased frequency of genitourinary infections. The therapy more suitable for vaginal symptoms in postmenopause yet is the use of a topical hormone. However, the prescription of topical oestrogens should also be avoided in women with a history of breast cancer, oestrogen-sensitive tumours and thromboembolism, emphasising the necessity of alternative treatments. Recently, physical methods, such as laser and radiofrequency (RF), in their non-ablative, ablative and microablative forms have been used in the vaginal mucosa to promote neocolagenesis and neoelastogenesis. This randomised study aims to compare the efficiency of microablative fractional RF (MAFRF) treatment with vaginal oestrogens and no treatment.Methods and analysesThis randomised, controlled clinical intervention trial with an open label design comparing the treatment of MAFRF with vaginal oestrogens and no treatment. Four important moments were considered to evaluate treatment results (T0, T1, T2 and T3). The primary outcome includes vulvovaginal atrophy (vaginal pain, burning, itching, dryness, dyspareunia and dysuria), and the secondary outcomes will be sexual function, vaginal health (epithelial integrity, vaginal elasticity, moisture, fluid volume and vaginal pH) and quality of life.Ethics and disseminationDue to the nature of the study, we obtained approval from the ethics committee. All participants must sign an informed consent form before randomisation. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals. The data collected will also be available in a public repository of data.Trial registration numberRBR-94DX93.

EFFECTS OF SMOKING ON MENOPAUSE (REVIEW)

Было замечено, что курение связано со сроком менопаузы. Курение сигарет может влиять на старение яичников и резерв фолликулов, влияя на гонадотропины и половые стероиды, а также может оказывать токсическое действие на половые клетки яичников. Текущее курение связано с более ранним возрастом наступления менопаузы в некоторых группах населения. Эпидемиологические исследования курения и ранней менопаузы обычно предполагают повышенный риск, хотя и не всегда, и в значительной степени опираются на ретроспективные отчеты о курении. В данной статье авторами был сделан литературный обзор на исследуемую тему. It has been observed that smoking is associated with the timing of menopause. Cigarette smoking can affect ovarian aging and follicular reserve, affect gonadotropins and sex steroids, and can also have toxic effects on ovarian germ cells. Current smoking is associated with earlier age at menopause in some populations. Epidemiological studies of smoking and early menopause generally suggest an increased risk, although not always, and rely to an extent on retrospective reports of smoking. In this article, the authors made a literary review on the topic under study.

IMPLICATION OF SIRTUINS AND KISSPEPTIN IN OVARIAN AGING

Цель работы - исследование экспрессии сируинов-1 и -6 и кисспептина в ткани яичников человека, взятых в разные периоды онтогенеза - от формирования пула фолликулов в антенатальном периоде до угасания функции яичников в постменопаузе. Выявлено, что сиртуины экспрессируются в ткани яичника человека во всех возрастных группах. Максимальный уровень экспрессии SIRT1 в ткани яичника наблюдали в периоды внутриутробного развития и перименопаузы, SIRT6 - в репродуктивный период и перименопаузу. Показано участие SIRT1 в пренатальном отборе ооцитов у плодов человека, так как именно в этой группе выявлена повышенная экспрессия данного маркера. Уровень экспрессии маркера кисспептина растет по мере формирования яичников и включения репродуктивной функции, пик экспрессии наблюдается в период перед наступлением климакса. Проведенное исследование по выявлению экспрессии этих белков в яичнике человека расширяет представление о регуляции фолликулярного резерва яичников и репродуктивном старении. The aim of the work was to study the expression of sirtuins 1 and 6 and kisspeptin in human ovarian tissue taken in different periods of ontogenesis: from the formation of a pool of follicles in the antenatal period to the extinction of ovarian function in postmenopausal women. It was revealed that sirtuins are expressed in human ovary tissue in all age groups. The maximum expression level of SIRT1 in ovarian tissue was observed during intrauterine development and during the perimenopause, SIRT6 during the reproductive period and perimenopause. The participation of SIRT1 in prenatal selection of oocytes in human fetuses was shown, since it was in this group that increased expression of this marker was revealed. The expression level of the kisspeptin marker increases with the formation of the ovaries and the inclusion of reproductive function; the peak of expression is observed in the period before the onset of menopause. The study conducted to identify the expression of these proteins in the human ovary expands the understanding of the regulation of the ovarian follicular reserve and reproductive aging.

Review article: Nutritional effects on fetal development during gestation in ruminants

Intrauterine growth retardation is a massive problem in animal production as it influencesthe body composition, carcass quality, and impairs health. This condition can lead to areduction in neonatal survival, growth, feed efficiency utilisation, and future production bythe animals. Pregnancy may negatively influence maternal nutritional status because ofincreased uteroplacental blood flow, nutrient mobilisation, and transfer of nutrients from thedam to the fetus. The critical factor for fetal survival and health is an adequate nutrient andoxygen supply to the dam during gestation. This ability is dependent on her nutritionalsupply, body size, body composition, and metabolism during pregnancy. The placenta is aunique organ of reproduction that helps in the exchange of nutrients, respiratory gases andexcretory waste between the mother and offspring. Maternal nutrition restriction inembryonic, placenta and fetal stages of pregnancy can result in metabolic compromise,cardiovascular, renal and adipose tissue dysfunction. The major effects of nutritionalchallenges on fetoplacental growth and development appear to occur when the placenta israpidly developing. Poor nutrition caused by inadequate, excess or imbalanced nutrientintake has been shown to adversely affect subsequent reproductive performance (delayedpuberty, luteal inadequacy, reduced follicular reserve, reduced ovulation, and conceptionrates). Proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins are key components in animalfeeds that are required for a daily maintenance diet. Amino acids serve as building blocks forproteins and essential precursors for the synthesis of different physiologicalmolecules–hormones, neurotransmitters, nitric oxide, creatine, glutathione, carnitine, andpolyamines.

Subchronic and Low Dose of Tributyltin Exposure Leads to Reduced Ovarian Reserve, Reduced Uterine Gland Number, and Other Reproductive Irregularities in Female Mice

Tributyltin (TBT) chloride is an endocrine disrupting chemical associated with reproductive complications. Studies have shown that TBT targets the reproductive tract, impairing ovarian folliculogenesis, and uterine morphophysiology. In this investigation, we assessed whether subchronic and low dose of TBT exposure results in abnormal ovarian follicular reserve and other irregularities in female mice. TBT was administered to female mice (500 ng/kg/day for 12 days via gavage), and reproductive tract morphophysiology was assessed. We further assessed reproductive tract inflammation and oxidative stress. Improper functioning of the reproductive tract in TBT mice was observed. Specifically, irregular estrous cyclicity and abnormal ovarian morphology coupled with reduction in primordial and primary follicle numbers was observed, suggesting ovarian reserve depletion. In addition, improper follicular development and a reduction in antral follicles, corpora lutea, and total healthy ovarian follicles together with an increase in cystic follicles were apparent. Evidence of uterine atrophy, reduction in endometrial gland number, and inflammation and oxidative stress were seen in TBT mice. Further, strong negative correlations were observed between testosterone levels and primordial, primary, and total healthy ovarian follicles. Thus, these data suggest that the subchronic and low dose of TBT exposure impaired ovarian follicular reserve, uterine gland number, and other reproductive features in female mice.