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A role for endocannabinoids in acute stress-induced suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in male rats.

Maryam KARAMIKHEIRABAD ; Gila BEHZADI ; Mahdieh FAGHIHI ; Reza RAOOFIAN ; Shahram EJTEMAEI MEHR ; Wieteke Ameliek ZUURE ; Hamid Reza SADEGHIPOUR

Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine.2013;40(4):155-162. doi:10.5653/cerm.2013.40.4.155

OBJECTIVE: Stress is known to be an inhibitor of the reproductive hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. However, the neural and molecular connections between stress and reproduction are not yet understood. It is well established that in both humans and rodents, kisspeptin (encoded by the kiss1 gene) is a strong stimulator of the HPG axis. In the present study we hypothesized that endocannabinoids, an important neuromodulatory system in the brain, can act on the HPG axis at the level of kiss1 expression to inhibit reproductive function under stress. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were unilaterally implanted with an intracerebroventricular cannula. Afterwards, the animals were exposed to immobilization stress, with or without the presence of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (1 microg/rat). Blood samples were collected through a retro-orbital plexus puncture before and after stress. Five hours after the stress, brain tissue was collected for reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction measurements of kiss1 mRNA. RESULTS: Immobilization stress (1 hour) resulted in a decrease in the serum luteinizing hormone concentration. Additionally, kiss1 gene expression was decreased in key hypothalamic nuclei that regulate gonadotrophin secretion, the medial preoptic area (mPOA), and to some extent the arcuate nucleus (ARC). A single central administration of AM251 was effective in blocking these inhibitory responses. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that endocannabinoids mediate, at least in part, immobilization stress-induced inhibition of the reproductive system. Our data suggest that the connection between immobilization stress and the HPG axis is kiss1 expression in the mPOA rather than the ARC.
Adult ; Animals ; Arcuate Nucleus ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra* ; Brain ; Cannabinoids ; Catheters ; Endocannabinoids* ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Kisspeptins ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Male* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Preoptic Area ; Punctures ; Rats* ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 ; Reproduction ; RNA, Messenger ; Rodentia

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Closed vitrification of mouse oocytes using the CryoLogic vitrification method: A modification that improves developmental competence.

Jun Woo JO ; Byung Chul JEE ; Chang Suk SUH ; Seok Hyun KIM

Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine.2013;40(4):148-154. doi:10.5653/cerm.2013.40.4.148

OBJECTIVE: To compare the mouse oocyte vitrification outcomes of the CryoLogic vitrification method (CVM) and the conventional open method using a Cryotop. Two CVM methods (original CVM and modified CVM) were tested. METHODS: Mature oocytes obtained from female BDF-1 mice were vitrified by two-step exposure to equilibrium and vitrification solutions. Three vitrification protocols were tested on three groups: the CVM-kit, modified CVM, and Cryotop groups. After exposure to the two solutions, the oocytes were vitrified. After warming, the oocytes were fertilized in vitro, and the embryo development was assessed. Blastomeres positive for caspase were counted using an in situ assay kit. The spindle morphology and chromosome configurations of warmed vitrified oocytes were also assessed. RESULTS: The modified CVM and Cryotop groups showed similar developmental capacities, and similar proportions of cells with intact spindles and chromosome configurations. The modified CVM protocol was superior to the original CVM protocol for developmental competence and intact spindle preservation. However, the CVM group showed a relatively higher number of apoptotic cells in blastocysts. CONCLUSION: Closed vitrification using the modified CVM protocol may be used as an alternative to the conventional open method, but strategies to decrease apoptosis in the blastomere need to be investigated.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blastocyst ; Blastomeres ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Humans ; Mental Competency* ; Methods ; Mice* ; Oocytes* ; Pregnancy ; Vitrification*

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In vitro maturation: Clinical applications.

Kyung Sil LIM ; Soo Jin CHAE ; Chang Woo CHOO ; Yeon Hee KU ; Hye Jun LEE ; Chang Young HUR ; Jin Ho LIM ; Won Don LEE

Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine.2013;40(4):143-147. doi:10.5653/cerm.2013.40.4.143

Oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) is an assisted reproductive technology in which oocytes are retrieved from the antral follicles of unstimulated or minimally stimulated ovaries. IVM of human oocytes has emerged as a promising procedure. This new technology has advantages over controlled ovarian stimulation such as reduction of costs, simplicity, and elimination of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. By elimination or reduction of gonadotropin stimulation, IVM offers eligible infertile couples a safe and convenient form of treatment, and IVM outcomes are currently comparable in safety and efficacy to those of conventional in vitro fertilization. IVM has been applied mainly in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome or ultrasound-only polycystic ovaries, but with time, the indications for IVM have expanded to other uncommon situations such as fertility preservation, as well as to normal responders. In this review, the current clinical experiences with IVM will be described.
Family Characteristics ; Female ; Fertility Preservation ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques ; Infertility ; Oocytes ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; Ovary ; Ovulation Induction ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted

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Functions of PIWI proteins in spermatogenesis.

Chong Won BAK ; Tae Ki YOON ; Youngsok CHOI

Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine.2011;38(2):61-67. doi:10.5653/cerm.2011.38.2.61

Recently, a significant understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating spermatogenesis has been achieved utilizing small RNA molecules (small RNAs), including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) which emerged as important regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional or translation level. piRNAs are only present in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids, whereas miRNAs are expressed abundantly in male germ cells throughout spermatogenesis. This review is aimed at providing a glimpse of piRNAs and their interacting family proteins such as PIWIL1, PIWIL2, and PIWIL4 in spermatogenesis.
Animals ; Gene Expression ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Infertility ; Male ; Mice ; MicroRNAs ; Proteins ; RNA ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Spermatids ; Spermatocytes ; Spermatogenesis

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Comparison of elective single cleavage-embryo transfer to elective single blastocyst-embryo transfer in human IVF-ET.

Sang Min KANG ; Sang Won LEE ; Hak Jun JEONG ; San Hyun YOON ; Jin Ho LIM ; Seong Goo LEE

Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine.2011;38(1):53-60. doi:10.5653/cerm.2011.38.1.53

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to compare the clinical outcome of elective single cleavage-embryo transfer (eSCET) to that of elective single blastocyst-embryo transfer (eSBET) in human IVF-ET. METHODS: This study was a retrospective study which analyzed for 614 women who visited the Daegu Maria Clinic from August 2008 to December 2009. All were under 37 years old and had more than 8 mm of endometrial thickness on the day of hCG administration and at least one good quality embryo on day 3. The eSCETs were performed on day 3 (n=450) and the eSBETs were conducted on day 5 (n=164). RESULTS: The numbers of retrieved oocytes, fertilized oocytes, and day 3 good quality embryos were significantly lower in the eSCET group (12.1+/-6.0, 8.2+/-4.6, and 4.2+/-3.1, respectively) compared to the eSBET group (16.7+/-7.2, 12.1+/-5.0, and 8.5+/-4.5, respectively; p<0.001). However, the clinical pregnancy, implantation, on-going pregnancy, and live birth rates of the eSCET group (46.7, 46.9, 40.0, and 36.7%, respectively) were not statistically different from those of the eSBET group (51.2, 51.8, 45.1, and 43.9%, respectively; p=0.318, 0.278, 0.254, and 0.103, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that elective single embryo transfer should be performed regardless of the developmental stage to women less than 37 years old who had more than 8 mm of endometrial thickness on the hCG administration day and at least one good quality embryo on day 3 in order to reduce the twin pregnancy rate without reducing the whole pregnancy rate.
Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Humans ; Live Birth ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Retrospective Studies ; Single Embryo Transfer ; Twins

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Comparison of elective single cleavage-embryo transfer to elective single blastocyst-embryo transfer in human IVF-ET.

Sang Min KANG ; Sang Won LEE ; Hak Jun JEONG ; San Hyun YOON ; Jin Ho LIM ; Seong Goo LEE

Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine.2011;38(1):53-60. doi:10.5653/cerm.2011.38.1.53

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to compare the clinical outcome of elective single cleavage-embryo transfer (eSCET) to that of elective single blastocyst-embryo transfer (eSBET) in human IVF-ET. METHODS: This study was a retrospective study which analyzed for 614 women who visited the Daegu Maria Clinic from August 2008 to December 2009. All were under 37 years old and had more than 8 mm of endometrial thickness on the day of hCG administration and at least one good quality embryo on day 3. The eSCETs were performed on day 3 (n=450) and the eSBETs were conducted on day 5 (n=164). RESULTS: The numbers of retrieved oocytes, fertilized oocytes, and day 3 good quality embryos were significantly lower in the eSCET group (12.1+/-6.0, 8.2+/-4.6, and 4.2+/-3.1, respectively) compared to the eSBET group (16.7+/-7.2, 12.1+/-5.0, and 8.5+/-4.5, respectively; p<0.001). However, the clinical pregnancy, implantation, on-going pregnancy, and live birth rates of the eSCET group (46.7, 46.9, 40.0, and 36.7%, respectively) were not statistically different from those of the eSBET group (51.2, 51.8, 45.1, and 43.9%, respectively; p=0.318, 0.278, 0.254, and 0.103, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that elective single embryo transfer should be performed regardless of the developmental stage to women less than 37 years old who had more than 8 mm of endometrial thickness on the hCG administration day and at least one good quality embryo on day 3 in order to reduce the twin pregnancy rate without reducing the whole pregnancy rate.
Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Humans ; Live Birth ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Retrospective Studies ; Single Embryo Transfer ; Twins

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Predictive value of sperm motility characteristics assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis in intrauterine insemination with superovulation in couples with unexplained infertility.

Joung Sub YOUN ; Sun Hwa CHA ; Chan Woo PARK ; Kwang Moon YANG ; Jin Yeong KIM ; Mi Kyoung KOONG ; Inn Soo KANG ; In Ok SONG ; Sang Chul HAN

Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine.2011;38(1):47-52. doi:10.5653/cerm.2011.38.1.47

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether characteristics of sperm motility obtained by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) could predict pregnancy after intrauterine insemination (IUI) in couples with unexplained infertility. METHODS: Three hundred eighty-three cycles of intrauterine insemination with superovulation were retrospectively analyzed. Semen analysis was performed with CASA before and after swim-up and the parameters were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant women. RESULTS: The pregnancy rate per cycle was 14.1%. Pregnant and non-pregnant women were comparable in terms of age, infertility duration, the number of dominant follicles. While sperm concentration, motility, and parameters such as average path velocity (VAP) and percentage rapid (RAPID) before semen preparation were significantly different between the pregnancy and non-pregnancy groups, there were no differences in sperm parameters when comparing the two groups after preparation. Using a receiver operating characteristic curve to measure sensitivity and specificity, the optimal threshold value for the predictors of pregnancy was revealed to be a concentration of > or =111x10(6)/mL, a motility of > or =51.4%, and RAPID > or =30.1% before preparation for IUI. CONCLUSION: Sperm parameters including concentration, motility, and RAPID before sperm preparation could have predictive value for pregnancy outcome after intrauterine insemination with superovulation in couples with unexplained infertility, and would be helpful when counseling patients before they make the decision to proceed with IVF/ICSI-ET.
Counseling ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Infertility ; Insemination ; Insemination, Artificial ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Superovulation

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Predictive value of sperm motility characteristics assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis in intrauterine insemination with superovulation in couples with unexplained infertility.

Joung Sub YOUN ; Sun Hwa CHA ; Chan Woo PARK ; Kwang Moon YANG ; Jin Yeong KIM ; Mi Kyoung KOONG ; Inn Soo KANG ; In Ok SONG ; Sang Chul HAN

Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine.2011;38(1):47-52. doi:10.5653/cerm.2011.38.1.47

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether characteristics of sperm motility obtained by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) could predict pregnancy after intrauterine insemination (IUI) in couples with unexplained infertility. METHODS: Three hundred eighty-three cycles of intrauterine insemination with superovulation were retrospectively analyzed. Semen analysis was performed with CASA before and after swim-up and the parameters were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant women. RESULTS: The pregnancy rate per cycle was 14.1%. Pregnant and non-pregnant women were comparable in terms of age, infertility duration, the number of dominant follicles. While sperm concentration, motility, and parameters such as average path velocity (VAP) and percentage rapid (RAPID) before semen preparation were significantly different between the pregnancy and non-pregnancy groups, there were no differences in sperm parameters when comparing the two groups after preparation. Using a receiver operating characteristic curve to measure sensitivity and specificity, the optimal threshold value for the predictors of pregnancy was revealed to be a concentration of > or =111x10(6)/mL, a motility of > or =51.4%, and RAPID > or =30.1% before preparation for IUI. CONCLUSION: Sperm parameters including concentration, motility, and RAPID before sperm preparation could have predictive value for pregnancy outcome after intrauterine insemination with superovulation in couples with unexplained infertility, and would be helpful when counseling patients before they make the decision to proceed with IVF/ICSI-ET.
Counseling ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Infertility ; Insemination ; Insemination, Artificial ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Superovulation

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Endometrial histology and predictable clinical factors for endometrial disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Joon Cheol PARK ; Su Yeon LIM ; Tae Kyu JANG ; Jin Gon BAE ; Jong In KIM ; Jeong Ho RHEE

Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine.2011;38(1):42-46. doi:10.5653/cerm.2011.38.1.42

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to investigate endometrial histology and to find predictable clinical factors for endometrial disease (hyperplasia or cancer) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: We investigated the endometrial histology and analyzed the relationship between endometrial histology and clinical parameters, such as LH, FSH, estradiol, testosterone, fasting and 2 hours postprandial glucose and insulin, insulin resistance, body mass index, endometrial thickness, menstrual status from 117 women with PCOS. Statistical analysis was performed with chi square and t-test, p-value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. And receiver operating characteristic curve was used to find predictable clinical factors for endometrial disease and to decide the cuff off values. RESULTS: In 117 women with PCOS, endometrial histologic profiles are as follows: proliferative phase in 90 women (76.9%), endometrial hyperplasia in 25 women (21.4%), and endometrial cancer in 2 women (1.7%). Of 25 women with endometrial hyperplasia, simple hyperplasia without atypia, complex hyperplasia without atypia and complex hyperplasia with atypia were diagnosed in 15 (12.8%), 6 (5.1%), 4 (3.4%) women, respectively. Age and endometrial thickness were significantly related with endometrial disease, p=0.013 and p=0.001, respectively. At the cut off level of 25.5 years in age, sensitivity and specificity predicting for endometrial disease were 70.4% and 55.6%, respectively (p=0.023). At the cut off level of 8.5 mm in endometrial thickness, sensitivity and specificity were 77.8% and 56.7%, respectively (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: In women with PCOS, the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer were 21.4% and 1.7%. The age and endometrial thickness may be used as clinical determining factors for endometrial biopsy.
Biopsy ; Body Mass Index ; Endometrial Hyperplasia ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Endometrium ; Estradiol ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Incidence ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Testosterone ; Uterine Diseases

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Endometrial histology and predictable clinical factors for endometrial disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Joon Cheol PARK ; Su Yeon LIM ; Tae Kyu JANG ; Jin Gon BAE ; Jong In KIM ; Jeong Ho RHEE

Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine.2011;38(1):42-46. doi:10.5653/cerm.2011.38.1.42

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to investigate endometrial histology and to find predictable clinical factors for endometrial disease (hyperplasia or cancer) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: We investigated the endometrial histology and analyzed the relationship between endometrial histology and clinical parameters, such as LH, FSH, estradiol, testosterone, fasting and 2 hours postprandial glucose and insulin, insulin resistance, body mass index, endometrial thickness, menstrual status from 117 women with PCOS. Statistical analysis was performed with chi square and t-test, p-value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. And receiver operating characteristic curve was used to find predictable clinical factors for endometrial disease and to decide the cuff off values. RESULTS: In 117 women with PCOS, endometrial histologic profiles are as follows: proliferative phase in 90 women (76.9%), endometrial hyperplasia in 25 women (21.4%), and endometrial cancer in 2 women (1.7%). Of 25 women with endometrial hyperplasia, simple hyperplasia without atypia, complex hyperplasia without atypia and complex hyperplasia with atypia were diagnosed in 15 (12.8%), 6 (5.1%), 4 (3.4%) women, respectively. Age and endometrial thickness were significantly related with endometrial disease, p=0.013 and p=0.001, respectively. At the cut off level of 25.5 years in age, sensitivity and specificity predicting for endometrial disease were 70.4% and 55.6%, respectively (p=0.023). At the cut off level of 8.5 mm in endometrial thickness, sensitivity and specificity were 77.8% and 56.7%, respectively (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: In women with PCOS, the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer were 21.4% and 1.7%. The age and endometrial thickness may be used as clinical determining factors for endometrial biopsy.
Biopsy ; Body Mass Index ; Endometrial Hyperplasia ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Endometrium ; Estradiol ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Incidence ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Testosterone ; Uterine Diseases

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