Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the possible association between vitamin D and adiponectin, a biomarker of insulin resistance, in pre- and early postmenopausal women with obesity. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 118 obese women aged 45–55 years (60 premenopausal and 58 postmenopausal women). Anthropometric measurements were obtained. Body fat percentage and visceral fat were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Serum adiponectin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were analyzed using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Results: Serum adiponectin levels were higher in the postmenopausal group (7.7 ± 3.8 µg/mL) than in the premenopausal group (5.6 ± 3.8 µg/mL) (P = 0.003). Serum 25(OH)D levels were lower in the postmenopausal group (15.4 ± 6.4 ng/mL) than in the premenopausal group (20.2 ± 4.7 ng/mL) (P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between serum adiponectin and 25(OH)D in either group (r = −0.008, P = 0.949 in the premenopausal group; r = −0.135, P = 0.312 in the postmenopausal group). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, after controlling for age, waist circumference, and serum vitamin D levels, adiponectin levels increased by an average of 0.208 units for each 1-cm increase in hip circumference. Conclusions Serum vitamin D levels were not correlated with adiponectin levels in obese pre- and early postmenopausal women.Further studies are needed to investigate factors influencing adiponectin and determine whether vitamin D supplementation provides benefits for obese middle-aged women.

Objective: Using domestic cats as a biomedical research model for fertility preservation, the present study aimed to characterize the influences of ovarian tissue encapsulation in biodegradable hydrogel matrix (fibrinogen/thrombin) on resilience to cryopreservation, and static versus non-static culture systems following ovarian tissue encapsulation and cryopreservation on follicle quality. Methods: In experiment I, ovarian tissues (n=21 animals; 567 ovarian fragments) were assigned to controls or hydrogel encapsulation with 5 or 10 mg/mL fibrinogen (5 or 10 FG). Following cryopreservation (slow freezing or vitrification), follicle viability, morphology, density, and key protein phosphorylation were assessed. In experiment II (based on the findings from experiment I), ovarian tissues (n=10 animals; 270 ovarian fragments) were encapsulated with 10 FG, cryopreserved, and in vitro cultured under static or non-static systems for 7 days followed by similar follicle quality assessments. Results: In experiment I, the combination of 10 FG encapsulation/slow freezing led to greater post-thawed follicle quality than in the control group, as shown by follicle viability (66.9%±2.2% vs. 61.5%±3.1%), normal follicle morphology (62.2%±2.1% vs. 55.2%±3.5%), and the relative band intensity of vascular endothelial growth factor protein phosphorylation (0.58±0.06 vs. 0.42±0.09). Experiment II demonstrated that hydrogel encapsulation promoted follicle survival and maintenance of follicle development regardless of the culture system when compared to fresh controls. Conclusion These results provide a better understanding of the role of hydrogel encapsulation and culture systems in ovarian tissue cryopreservation and follicle quality outcomes using an animal model, paving the way for optimized approaches to human fertility preservation.

Objective: Using domestic cats as a biomedical research model for fertility preservation, the present study aimed to characterize the influences of ovarian tissue encapsulation in biodegradable hydrogel matrix (fibrinogen/thrombin) on resilience to cryopreservation, and static versus non-static culture systems following ovarian tissue encapsulation and cryopreservation on follicle quality. Methods: In experiment I, ovarian tissues (n=21 animals; 567 ovarian fragments) were assigned to controls or hydrogel encapsulation with 5 or 10 mg/mL fibrinogen (5 or 10 FG). Following cryopreservation (slow freezing or vitrification), follicle viability, morphology, density, and key protein phosphorylation were assessed. In experiment II (based on the findings from experiment I), ovarian tissues (n=10 animals; 270 ovarian fragments) were encapsulated with 10 FG, cryopreserved, and in vitro cultured under static or non-static systems for 7 days followed by similar follicle quality assessments. Results: In experiment I, the combination of 10 FG encapsulation/slow freezing led to greater post-thawed follicle quality than in the control group, as shown by follicle viability (66.9%±2.2% vs. 61.5%±3.1%), normal follicle morphology (62.2%±2.1% vs. 55.2%±3.5%), and the relative band intensity of vascular endothelial growth factor protein phosphorylation (0.58±0.06 vs. 0.42±0.09). Experiment II demonstrated that hydrogel encapsulation promoted follicle survival and maintenance of follicle development regardless of the culture system when compared to fresh controls. Conclusion These results provide a better understanding of the role of hydrogel encapsulation and culture systems in ovarian tissue cryopreservation and follicle quality outcomes using an animal model, paving the way for optimized approaches to human fertility preservation.