bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Platelet‐Activating Factor Production From In Vitro and In Vivo Fertilized Murine Embryos Is Similar
Authors: RIPPS B.A. , ZHU Y.P. , BURWINKEL T.H. , KIM H.N. , BUSTER J.E. , MINHAS B.S. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: This study measured platelet‐activating factor (PAF) production of in vitro and in vivo fertilized murine embryos to ascertain whether site of fertilization impacted subsequent embryonic PAF production.METHOD: Ooocytes and embryo were collected from stimulated B6D2F1 mice. PAF production throughout the preimplantation phase from the two‐celled stage through expanded blastocysts was measured and compared among normally developing embryos with the only difference being site of fertilization.RESULTS: A striking increase in PAF production was noted for both in vivo and in vitro fertilized embryos over the four days of culture. Significantly higher (P<.001) levels of PAF production were noted with development from the two‐celled stage (47.22 ± 4.13; 44.30 ± 2.43) to expanded blastocysts (254.31 ± 24.01;255.11 ± 5.35 ng/embryo/24h)forbothin vitro and in vivo fertilized embryos, respectively. There was no significant difference (P>.05) in PAF production between the two groups of embryos.CONCLUSIONS: Embryonic PAF production in the mouse increases in a stage‐specific manner, and specifically the site of fertilization in vitro versus in vivo does not affect PAF production in normally developing embryos.
Relationship of Sperm Antibodies in Women and Men to Human In Vitro Fertilization, Cleavage, and Pregnancy Rate
Authors: CHANG TAI‐HO , JIH MING H. , WU TSUNG‐CHIEH J. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The presence of anti‐sperm antibodies (ASA) in female serum has been correlated with decreased fertilization in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) program: however, the impact of each type of ASA (IgG, IgA. IgM) is not known.METHOD: To clarify the role of each ASA subtype, the immunobead binding technique was used to identify IgG. IgA. and IgM ASA in the female sera and on the spermatozoa from 137 couples undergoing the IVF program.RESULTS: Couples with ASA on spermatozoa had a lower fertilization rate and lower number of transferred embryos: and IgG was the major immunoglobin involved. Couples with ASA in female sera showed significant decreases in the rates of fertilization, cleavage, and number of transferred embryos only when IgM was detected, but not IgG or IgA. However, the presence of IgA ASA in female sera was only associated with a decrease in pregnancy rate, although the number of transferred embryos was not reduced.CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that ASA can influence the results of IVF and that the specific effect is dependent upon the subtypes of ASA.
Amniotic Fluid Interleukin‐6 Determinations Are of Diagnostic and Prognostic Value in Preterm Labor
Authors: ROMERO ROBERTO , YOON BO HYUN , KENNEY JOHN S. , GOMEZ RICARDO , ALLISON ANTHONY C. , SEHGAL PRAVINKUMAR B. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The purpose of this study was to determine if amniotic fluid concentrations of the interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) are of value in diagnosis of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and in the prediction of failure of tocolysis, preterm delivery and perinatal morbidity and mortality.METHOD: Amniotic fluid was obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis from 146 consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of preterm labor and intact membranes. Fluid was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as for mycoplasmas. Amniotic fluid IL‐6 levels were measured using a monoclonal antibody‐based enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay with a sensitivity of 0.03 ng/ml. Logistic regression and Cox's proportional hazards model were used to examine the effect of several variables on dichotomous outcomes or interval to delivery.RESULTS: Patients with a positive amniotic fluid culture had a significantly higher amniotic fluid IL‐6 concentrations than patients with a negative culture (median 91.2 ng/ml, range 0.9 to 437 ng/ml versus median 0.4 ng/ml, range <0.3 to 195 ng/ml, respectively; P<.0001). An amniotic fluid IL‐6 concentration of greater than or equal to 11.3 ng/ml had a sensitivity of 93.3% (14 of 15) and a specificity of 91.6% (120 of 131). All patients with an amniotic fluid IL‐6 concentration above 11.3 ng/ml and a negative amniotic fluid culture (N = 11) delivered preterm and all placenta available for examination (N = 7) had histologic evidence of chorioamnionitis. Amniotic fluid concentrations of IL‐6 were an independent predictor of preterm delivery, amniocentesis‐to‐delivery interval and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Moreover, IL‐6 concentrations added significant information to the prediction of these outcomes to that provided only by clinical information such as cervical dilatation, gestational age at admission or at delivery.CONCLUSION: IL‐6 is a sensitive and rapid test for the detection of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and for identifying women at risk for spontaneous preterm delivery and neonates at risk for morbidity and mortality.
Recombinant Interleukin‐2 Corrects In Vitro the Immunological Defect of Endometriosis
Authors: MELIOLI GIOVANNI , SEMINO CLAUDIA , SEMINO ANTONIO , VENTURINI PIER LUIGI , RAGNI NICOLA 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: It has been shown recently that women with endometriosis have several immunological defects. In particular, these patients have a defect in peripheral blood natural killer cell activity and have lost their capacity of recognizing and lysing autologous endometrial cells.METHOD: We evaluated the effect of recombinant interleukin‐2 (rIL‐2) on peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from both healthy donors and endometriosis patients. The generation of a strong cytolytic activity against autologous endometrial cells was obtained from both normal donors and endometriosis patients.RESULTS: Interestingly, these cytolytic cells belong to the T‐cell lineage and do not recognize both autologous keratinocytes and allogeneic endometrial cells, thus suggesting a mechanism of specific recognition of autologous cells.CONCLUSION: The capability of restoring cytolytic activity using rIL‐2 suggests a new immunotherapeutic approach for the treatment of severe endometriosis.
Effect of Ionophore Challenge on Hamster Egg Penetration and Acrosome Reaction of Antibody‐Coated Human Sperm
Authors: ROMANO R. , SANTUCCI R. , MARRONE V. , FRANCAVILLA F. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Following the demonstration that antisperm antibodies do not affect the spontaneous acrosome reactions (AR) of human sperm used for the hamster egg penetration assay (HEPA), we evaluated the effect of the ionophore challenge on HEPA and AR of antibody‐coated sperm.METHOD: Motile sperm suspensions from donors were exposed to serum and seminal plasma samples with sperm‐head‐directed antibodies, washed, capacitated, and challenged with ionomicin.RESULTS: The proportion of acrosome‐reacted sperm, assessed by fluoresceinated Pisum sativum agglutinin and supravital stain Hoechst 33258, was significantly higher in the antibody‐exposed sperm than in the controls (47.0 ± 13.2% vs. 39.3 ± 12.1, respectively; P < 0.05). However, the hamster egg penetration rate and index were not significantly different between antibody‐exposed sperm and controls (98.0 ± 3.7% vs.85.9 ± 16.2% and 6.64 ±4.1 vs. 6.81 ± 4.8, respectively). Only one of eight test samples with antisperm antibodies, where the highest increase of AR rate compared with controls was observed (55.0% vs. 35.6%) produced a substantial increase of penetrations per oocyte (7.4 vs. 4.1).CONCLUSION: The ionophore challenge enabled us to recognize a subtle effect of antisperm antibodies on the dynamics of acrosomal loss, the clinical relevance of which needs to be elucidated.
Antinuclear and Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Healthy Women With Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion
Authors: Eroglu Gungor E. , Scopelitis Eve 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: To determine the presence or absence of subclinical autoimmunity in healthy women with first trimester recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), the sera of 72 healthy women with a history of three or more consecutive abortions were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to phospholipid and nuclear antigens.METHOD: Lupus anticoagulant was determined, as were antibodies to cardiolipin. An indirect immunofluorescent antinuclear test was performed and specific antinuclear antibodies to double‐stranded DNA, ribonucleoprotein, Smith antigen, and Sjogren's syndrome A and B antigens were tested.RESULTS: Nine women (13.2%) had low levels of antinuclear antibodies, none of which were specific. Four women (5.6%) had moderate to high levels of aCL antibodies.CONCLUSION: We conclude that the prevalance of aCLs and antinuclear antibodies in healthy women with first trimester RSA is low. Subclinical autoimmunity is not a common cause of first trimester RSA.
The Influence of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment on Maternal Immunity in Women With Unexplained Recurrent Miscarriage
Authors: Maruyama Tetsuo , Makino Tsunehisa , Iwasaki Ken‐ichi , Sugi Toshitaka , Saito Suguru , Umeuchi Masakatsu , Ozawa Nobuaki , Matsubayashi Hidehiko , Nozawa Shiro 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Recently the protective value of high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in the treatment of unexplained recurrent miscarriage has been reported to be similar to that of conventional immunotherapy with paternal leukocytes. We examined the effect of IVIG treatment on the cellular and humoral level of maternal immunity to demonstrate the possible mechanism by which IVIG might act to prevent recurrence of pregnancy loss.METHOD: Eight patients were treated with a 20‐ to 25‐g dose of IVIG every 2 to 3 wk during their first‐trimester pregnancies. The development of anti‐idiotypic autoantibodies against maternal T‐cell receptors, maternal anti‐paternal lymphocyte antibodies detected by flow cytometric crossmatch, and changes of maternal lymphocyte subpopulations were monitored before pregnancy and then weekly during IVIG treatment.RESULTS: Five of eight patients gave birth successfully after IVIG treatment given during the first trimester of pregnancy (success rate: 62.5%). Although we could not demonstrate a general immunological effect of IVIG on maternal immunity in vivo, a few significant changes of immunological parameters were found in some patients.CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the effect of IVIG on maternal immunity is not a passive increase of blocking antibody including anti‐HLA antibody or modification of maternal T‐cell subsets but, more likely, a passive increase of anti‐idiotypic antibody against anti‐HLA antibody or soluble HLA antigens. However, whether the immunomodulating effect of IVIG is related to its possible mechanism to prevent abortion remains unestablished.
Cellular and Humoral Immune Parameters in Women With Pathological Hyperprolactinemia Before and During Treatment With Bromocriptine
Authors: López‐Karpovitch Xavier , Larrea Fernando , Cárdenas Rocio , Valencia Xavier , Piedras Josefa , Díaz‐Sánchez Vicente , Alarcón‐Segovia Donato 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Experimental and clinical evidence has suggested an immunostimulatory effect of prolactin and that bromocriptine, an inhibitor of prolactin release, counteracts the actions of prolactin on the immune system. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of elevated serum prolactin levels on the immune system in patients with pathological hyperprolactinemia.METHOD: For this purpose, parameters of the cellular and humoral immune system were studied in six women with prolactinomas and one with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia. Studies were performed when serum prolactin concentrations were high as well as during different phases of the menstrual cycle when prolactin levels had been normalized through treatment with bromocriptine.RESULTS: Hyperprolactinemic subjects, when compared with six age‐matched normal women, had significantly higher percentages of total lymphocytes and CD2 + cells. Elevation of CD4 + cells was also observed although to a lesser extent. Bromocriptine‐treated patients, when compared with normal women were characterized by increased numbers of total lymphocytes and CD4+ cells, decreased percentage of CD8+ cells, and increased concentrations of serum IgM. These last two findings were also significantly different when compared to those observed in hyperprolactinemia.CONCLUSION: In this study we have described the changes on cellular and immune parameters in patients with hyperprolactinemia before and during bromocriptine therapy, which support the links of communications between the immune and endocrine systems in humans.
Risk Factors for Antisperm Antibodies in Infertile Men
Authors: Heidenreich Axel , Bonfig Roland , Wilbert Dirk M. , Strohmaier Walther L. , Engelmann Udo H. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The prevalence of anti‐sperm antibodies (ASAs) in the general population is 0 to 2%; the prevalence in infertile men is much higher at 7 to 26%. However, the role of ASAs in male infertility remains controversial to date. Although several risk factors for ASA development have been defined (such as testicular torsion, varicocele, cryptorchidism, vasectomy, and genital tract infection), there are no specific indications for ASA testing.METHOD: In order to examine if a single parameter exists identifying patients with elevated ASA titers, serum ASA testing was performed with an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 226 consecutive male patients. The new assay, synchron ELISA (Synelisa) used in our study represents a new type of ELISA without fixation of the sperm surface antigens by formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde. Therefore the quantitative assay is highly sensitive and reproducible since the structure of sperm surface antigens is not altered by the fixation process.RESULTS: The prevalence of ASAs in this population was 14%, while the prevalence of the control group was 2.5%. Of all factors analyzed only a history of vasectomy, an acute epididymitis, and an abnormal result in the bovine mucus penetration test was associated with elevated ASA titers (P<001). In addition, we could demonstrate a time related formation of ASAs in men after vasectomy.CONCLUSIONS:
Treatment of Antibody‐Associated Sperm With Media Containing High Serum Content: A Prospective Trial of Fertility Involving Men With High Antisperm Antibodies Following Intrauterine Insemination
Authors: Byrd William , Kutteh William H. , Carr Bruce R. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Antisperm antibodies (ASAs) associated with the sperm surface can significantly influence oocyte fertilization. We initiated a prospective trial comparing the effect of serum‐medium dilution on ASA binding and/or distribution following ejaculation and on subsequent pregnancy rates following intrauterine insemination (IUI).METHOD: Infertile couples (N = 16) were entered into this prospective randomized protocol where the husband's sperm was at least 50% positive for both IgA and IgG ASAs using the immunobead assay. Couples underwent IUI with washed sperm collected during ejaculation into (a) 10 ml of serum medium made up of 50% maternal serum (antibody negative) in Hepes‐buffered medium (SM) or (b) in a sterile cup (DRY). For the following cycle, each couple received the alternate sperm treatment. All patients underwent at least two DRY and two SM collections prior to beginning IUI. Sperm from these collections were analyzed by manual semen analysis, computer‐aided semen analysis (CASA), and immunobead testing. All sperm preparations for IUI were analyzed by manual analysis and CASA before IUI. Outcome measures were changes in the distribution and amount of sperm antibody binding, sperm motion parameters, and pregnancy rates following IUI. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test.RESULTS: Collection of sperm into SM significantly reduces (P < 0.01) the percentage of antibody‐bound sperm (54.8% IgA, 60.0% IgG) versus 83.5% IgA and 87.7% IgG with DRY collection. The distribution or pattern of antibody binding to the sperm also was altered by SM. There was no significant difference between the motility of the sperm following collection with SM or DRY sperm as determined by manual and CASA methods. More importantly, there was no statistically significant difference in the pregnancy rates/ treatment cycle following SM (3.1% 32 cycles) or DRY (6.7%, 30 cycles).CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that SM collection alters immunobead detectable ASA binding. Localization of ASA binding sites suggests that head‐bound antibodies are influenced by SM treatment with little effect on tail‐bound antibodies. In spite of the significant reduction of ASAs present on the sperm following SM treatment, there was no influence on pregnancy rates.
Cytokines in Semen of Normal Men and of Patients With Andrological Diseases
Authors: Comhaire F. , Bosmans E. , Ombelet W. , Punjabi U. , Schoonjans F. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The potential value of assessment of cytokine concentrations for the diagnosis of certain pathological conditions of male reproduction has not been fully evaluated.METHOD: The concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL‐6, pg/mL), its soluble receptor (IL‐6 sR, ng/mL), and of interleukin 1β (IL‐1β, pg/mL) have been measured in semen samples of 114 men and 12 corresponding blood sera.RESULTS: The concentration of IL‐6 was unrelated to that of its receptor. Both IL‐6 and IL‐6 sR were higher in the first (mean: 69 and 31 resp.) than in the second fraction (39 and 13) of split ejaculates, and were within normal limits in vasectomised men. The Interleukin Iβ concentration presented a strong positive correlated with that of IL‐6 (r=0.74, P<0.001). The concentrations of IL‐6 and IL‐1β were unrelated to sperm concentration, motility and morphology, and they were within normal limits in immunological cases. Both IL‐6 and IL‐1β were higher (P<0.01) in cases with accessory gland inflammation.CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of in particular IL‐6 in semen may contribute to the diagnosis of inflammatory disease of the accessory sex glands (positive predictive value = 98%, sensitivity = 72%, specificity = 94%), but it is not relevant for the diagnosis of immunological disease.
Effect of Paternal Leukocyte Immunization on Implantation After Biochemical Pregnancies and Repeated Failure of Embryo Transfer
Authors: Carp H.J.A. , Toder V. , Mashiach S. , Rabinovici J. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: It is unclear how paternal leukocyte immunization prevents pregnancy loss. We investigated whether immunization affects early pregnancy, and whether it increases the rate of implantation and early embryonic development at the time of implantation. METHOD: Three groups of women with possible implantation failure were immunized: (1) recurrent biochemical pregnancies (>3), (2) three or more failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, and (3) IVF after immunization for recurrent abortion (>3). Patients were immunized if antipaternal complement‐dependent antibody (APCA) was negative, and mixed lymphocyte culture hyporeactive to husbands lymphocytes. Immunizations were prepared from 100 ml paternal blood separated by Ficoll Hypaque density centrifugation. IVF was attempted after APCA was produced.RESULTS: In the women with biochemical pregnancies, 10 to 12 subsequent pregnancies developed normally. Seventy‐nine subsequent IVF cycles in 33 patients resulted in 20 pregnancies, 16 of which developed normally. Six pregnancies followed 30 cycles in recurrent failed IVF, and 14 pregnancies from 49 cycles in 23 patients with previous habitual abortion.CONCLUSIONS: This treatment may prevent further biochemical pregnancies if control studies confirm this preliminary observation, but was not shown to affect recurrent failed embryo transfer.
Maturation Antigens Present in Epididymis of Cynomolgus Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Mahony Mary C. , Fan Qinuo , Cartwright Suzanne , Hodgen Gary D. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The present study was carried out to evaluate the changes in morphology and motility of spermatozoa retrieved from different regions of the epididymis of the cynomolgus monkey. The role of the epididymis in sperm maturation is assessed by assaying protein synthesis within different regions of the epididymis and by correlating these with changes in spermatozoal membrane surface components.METHOD: Spermatozoa retrieved from proximal caput (CP), midcorpus (CO), and distal cauda (CD) were assessed by morphological evaluation and computerized motion analysis. Membrane surface proteins of spermatozoa of different epididymal regions were extracted and separated on SDS‐PAGE. Protein synthesis of different regions of the epididymis were assayed in vitro by [35S]‐methionine incorporation.RESULTS: Spermatozoa obtained from different regions of the epididymis differed morphologically only in the location of the cytoplasmic droplet. Specifically, from caput to corpus to cauda, sperm steadily exhibited a more distal cytoplasmic droplet. When the motion parameters of velocity and amplitude of the lateral head were examined, CP spermatozoa were not progressively motile, and poor duration of movement was most noticeable for CO spermatozoa compared with CD spermatozoa. Membrane extracts from CP, CO, and CD epididymal monkey spermatozoa differed in only several protein bands. Three major polypeptide bands (19, 30, and 60 kD) that were absent from CP sperm were present in CO and CD sperm, with the latter showing increased intensity. Several polypeptides were lost from the sperm during epididymal transit: a 25‐kD band was lost in CD sperm; and bands at 27 kD, 50–52 kD, and 90 kD were only present for CP sperm. Additionally, regional differences exist for proteins secreted by the cynomolgus monkey epididymis. Proteins (15, 25 kD) were only secreted in the CP region; a 38‐kD protein increased in intensity from the CP to CD regions, whereas a 21‐kD protein was absent from CD‐secreted medium.CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings permitted the identification of several “maturational antigens” for cynomolgus monkey spermatozoa. Further characterization of these antigens that are modified during epididymal transit is warranted to determine their significance in the acquisition of progressive motility and fertilizing ability by epididymal spermatozoa.
Immunomodulation of Rat Endometriotic Implant Growth and Protein Production
Authors: Nothnick Warren B. , Curry Thomas E. , Vernon Michael W. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The immune system has been implicated in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. To determine if modulation of the immune system influences endometriotic implant growth and protein production, the following experiment was conducted.METHOD: Female rats with surgically induced endometriosis were treated with either the immunosuppressive agent pentoxifylline (Pent; 5 mg/kg BW; N = 16) or a vehicle (N = 16) for 7 consecutive days, then killed. Twenty‐four hours before death, 8 animals from each group were injected intraperitoneally with the immunostimulatory agent lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 200 Hg/kg BW). At death, endometriotic implants were measured and protein production assessed by two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.RESULT: Pentoxifylline significantly (P < 0.001) reduced endometriotic implant size (2.15 ± 0.65 mm2 vs. 17.13 ± 1.98 mm2) whereas LPS was without effect (18.32 ± 2.57 mm2 vs. 17.13 ± 1.98 mm2). Pentoxifylline also suppressed production of a portion of the proteins that comprise the implant specific group of proteins, ENDO‐2, whereas LPS induced the production of two additional ENDO‐2 proteins.CONCLUSION: Immunomodulatory agents can modulate rat endometriotic implant growth and production of implant‐specific proteins.