Fetuin-B (FETUB) is a glycoprotein mainly synthesized and secreted by the liver. It is involved in many physiological and pathological processes including glucose metabolism, inflammatory response, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, myocardial infarction, tumor and so on. In recent years, FETUB has also been confirmed to play roles in the female reproductive system. FETUB may affect follicular development and play an important role in in vivo and in vitro fertilization. In addition, serum FETUB level is elevated significantly during pregnancy and labor. FETUB expression is changed in a variety of reproductive diseases (polycystic ovary syndrome, gestational diabetes mellitus, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy). In this review, we summarize FETUB related studies in female reproduction, and focus on the roles of FETUB in female reproductive physiology and pathology, in order to provide information for the pathogenesis of reproductive disorders.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/physiopathology* ; Fetuin-B/physiology* ; Pregnancy Complications/metabolism* ; Animals ; Diabetes, Gestational/physiopathology* ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/metabolism* ; Reproduction/physiology* ; Ovarian Follicle/physiology*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenic role of changes of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the hippocampus in depression- and anxiety-like behaviors caused by prenatal stress (PS) in offspring rats. METHODS: Twelve female SpragueDawley rats weighing 240-260 g were randomly divided into control and restraint stress groups. The rats in the control group received no interventions, and those in restraint stress group were subjected to restraint stress (three times a day, 45 min each time) at the gestational age of 14-20 days. The 1-month-old offspring rats underwent open field test and forced swimming test to assess the anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, and the expressions of Wnt1, Gsk-3β and β-catenin in the hippocampus were detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: In open field test, the offspring rats with PS showed significantly decreased crossings of the center ( < 0.01) with reduced time spent in the center ( < 0.05) compared with control offspring rats. In forced swimming test, the offspring rats in PS group exhibited a significantly longer immobility time than in the control rats, and showed obvious depression- and anxiety-like behaviors. Compared with those in the control offspring rats, Gsk-3β expression increased significantly while the expressions of β-catenin and Wnt1 were significantly lowered in the hippocampus of the offspring rats in PS group ( < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS PS causes changes in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the hippocampus to contribute to the occurrence of depression-and anxiety-like behaviors in rats.
Animals ; Anxiety ; etiology ; metabolism ; Behavior, Animal ; Depression ; etiology ; metabolism ; Female ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Restraint, Physical ; psychology ; Stress, Psychological ; complications ; Swimming ; psychology ; Wnt Signaling Pathway

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms of norepinephrine metabolizing enzymes with postpartum depression and analyze the risk factors for postpartum depression in women following cesarean section. METHODS: A total of 591 Chinese woman of Han Nationality undergoing caesarean section were enrolled in this study. The diagnosis of postpartum depression was established for an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥9. For all the women without antepartum depression, the genotypes of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT; at 5 sites including rs2020917 and rs737865) and monoamine oxidase A (rs6323) were determined using Sequenom Mass Array single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. We analyzed the contribution of the genetic factors (SNPs, linkage disequilibrium and haplotype) to postpartum depression and performed logistic regression analysis to identify all the potential risk factors for postpartum depression and define the interactions between the genetic and environmental factors. RESULTS: The incidence of postpartum depression was 18.1% in this cohort. Univariate analysis suggested that COMT polymorphism at rs2020917 (TT genotype) and rs737865 (GG genotype) were significantly correlated with the occurrence of postpartum depression ( < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that COMT polymorphism at rs2020917 (TT genotype) and rs737865 (GG genotype), severe stress during pregnancy, and domestic violence were the risk factors for postpartum depression ( < 0.05); no obvious interaction was found between the genetic polymorphisms and the environmental factors in the occurrence of postpartum depression. CONCLUSIONS The rs2020917TT and rs737865GG genotypes of COMT, stress in pregnancy, and domestic violence are the risk factors for postpartum depression.
Catechol O-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; Cesarean Section ; adverse effects ; Depression, Postpartum ; diagnosis ; enzymology ; genetics ; Domestic Violence ; psychology ; Female ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Monoamine Oxidase ; genetics ; Norepinephrine ; metabolism ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Postoperative Complications ; diagnosis ; enzymology ; genetics ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; etiology ; psychology ; Risk Factors ; Stress, Psychological

Vitamin D is an important secosteroid hormone in skeletal and non-skeletal systems. Vitamin D has relevance to muscle and immune function, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cancer, and pregnancy because vitamin D receptors (VDR) are present in many non-skeletal tissues. Vitamin D acts on target tissues via the binding of its active form to VDR. As vitamin D affects not only bone metabolism but also glucose metabolism, vitamin D deficiency may affect the development of gestational diabetes mellitus and fetal growth. Although vitamin D deficiency is prevalent during pregnancy, there are conflicting reports on the effect of vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy complications, such as fetal growth restriction and gestational diabetes. This article reviews published papers on the effects of vitamin D on gestational diabetes and fetal growth.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes, Gestational* ; Female ; Fetal Development ; Glucose ; Hypertension ; Metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

BACKGROUNDHyperglycemia is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, the relationships between them remain ambiguous. This study aimed to analyze the effect of different oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results on adverse perinatal outcomes.

METHODSThis retrospective cohort study included data from 15 hospitals in Beijing from June 20, 2013 to November 30, 2013. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were categorized according to the number and distribution of abnormal OGTT values, and the characteristics of adverse pregnancy outcomes were evaluated. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the associations.

RESULTSIn total, 14,741 pregnant women were included in the study population, 2927 (19.86%) of whom had GDM. As the number of hyperglycemic values in the OGTT increased, the risk of cesarean delivery, preterm births, large-for-gestational age (LGA), macrosomia, and neonatal complications significantly increased. Fasting hyperglycemia had clear associations with macrosomia (odds ratios [OR s]:1.84, 95% confidence intervals [CI s]: 1.39-2.42,P < 0.001), LGA (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.29-2.25,P < 0.001), and cesarean delivery (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.15-1.55,P < 0.001). The associations were stronger as fasting glucose increased. GDM diagnosed by hyperglycemia at OGTT-2 h was more likely to lead to preterm birth (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.11-2.03,P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSVarious characteristics of OGTTs are associated with different adverse outcomes. A careful reconsideration of GDM with hierarchical and individualized management according to OGTT characteristics is needed.

Birth Weight ; physiology ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Body Mass Index ; Cesarean Section ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Diabetes, Gestational ; blood ; physiopathology ; Female ; Fetal Macrosomia ; blood ; physiopathology ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; methods ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Premature Birth ; blood ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) represents a mild or compensated form of primary hypothyroidism. The diagnosis of SCH is controversial, as its symptoms are non-specific and its biochemical diagnosis is arbitrary. The treatment of SCH was examined among non-pregnant adults, pregnant adults and children. In non-pregnant adults, treatment of SCH may prevent its progression to overt hypothyroidism, reduce the occurrence of coronary heart disease, and improve neuropsychiatric and musculoskeletal symptoms associated with hypothyroidism. These benefits are counteracted by cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric and musculoskeletal side effects. SCH is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes that may improve with treatment. Treating SCH in children is safe and may improve growth. Importantly, the evidence in this field is largely from retrospective and prospective studies with design limitations, which precludes a conclusive recommendation for the treatment of SCH.
Adolescent ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Bone and Bones ; Child ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Goiter ; complications ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; blood ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male ; Migraine Disorders ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDAcute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare but life-threatening complication occurring in the third trimester. It is often fatal to both mother and fetus. The complicated clinical manifestations as well as an insufficient understanding of the disease make the precise diagnosis and effective treatment of AFLP challenging. A full understanding of the risk factors, clinical features, and test findings of AFLP is critical for its timely diagnosis and treatment.

METHODSWe performed a retrospective study of 56 patients with AFLP between June 2008 and July 2013. We analyzed the clinical features, laboratory results, perioperative management, and patient outcomes.

RESULTSThe initial symptoms varied considerably, with nausea and vomiting (13/56, 23%) being the most common. Liver-function indexes were remarkable, including elevated levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (262.16 ± 281.71 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (260.98 ± 237.91 U/L), lactic dehydrogenase (1011.76 ± 530.34 U/L), and direct bilirubin (85.59 ± 90.02 μmol/L). Coagulation disorders were indicated by abnormal levels of fibrinogen (245.95 ± 186.11 mg/dL), D-dimer (2.46 ± 4.01 mg/L), and fibrin degradation products (43.62 ± 48.71 mg/L). The main maternal complications were hypoproteinemia (75%), coagulopathy (54%), and acute renal failure (39%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified prothrombin time (PT; odds ratio [OR] = 1.558, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.248-1.946, PORCIP= 0.009) as risk factors. The perinatal infant death rate was related to gestational age at delivery (ORCI PORCI PORCI PConclusions: Nausea and vomiting may be the most common symptoms of AFLP. Indexes of liver dysfunction and coagulation disorders should also be considered. PT and INR are risk factors for fatal complications in patients with AFLP, and perinatal mortality is linked to the level of fibrin degradation products. Timely delivery is crucial to controlling the development of AFLP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Bilirubin ; metabolism ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy Complications ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

To study preliminarily the effect of Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin in promoting cervical ripening of full-term pregnancy women who were in the deficiency of qi and blood type through the syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). 180 patients that met the inclusion criteria of the study were randomly divided into three groups: the control group(oxytocin group), the treatment group (Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin group), the blank control group (expected and observation group). Cervical maturity score (Bishop score), vaginal and cervical secretions fetal fibronectin (FFN), the result of induced labor, the result of mother and baby were observed in each group before and after treatment. The result comes out that the cervical Bishop score of pregnant women for treatment group were significantly higher than the control group and blank control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The FFN of pregnant women for the treatment group were significantly different from the control group and blank control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The pregnancy outcome of the three groups: the labor rate and rate of vaginal delivery of the treatment group were higher than the other two groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The cesarean section rate of the treatment group was significantly lower than the other two groups, the difference was also statistically significant (P < 0.05). The three groups did not appear the phenomenon of neonatal asphyxia. Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin is effective in producing cervical ripening and induce labor. It is convenient, safe and reliable, for it is no obvious adverse effects on mother and fetus, but effective in reducing the rate of cesarean section, and playing a positive role in promoting natural delivery.
Adult ; Cervical Ripening ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fibronectins ; secretion ; Humans ; Labor, Induced ; Oxytocin ; administration & dosage ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Qi ; Vagina ; drug effects ; secretion ; Young Adult

The sequestration of infected erythrocytes in the placenta can activate the syncytiotrophoblast to release cytokines that affect the micro-environment and influence the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to fetus. The high level of IL-10 has been reported in the intervillous space and could prevent the pathological effects. There is still no data of Th17 involvement in the pathogenesis of placental malaria. This study was conducted to reveal the influence of placental IL-17 and IL-10 levels on fetal weights in malaria placenta. Seventeen pregnant BALB/C mice were divided into control (8 pregnant mice) and treatment group (9 pregnant mice infected by Plasmodium berghei). Placental specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin were examined to determine the level of cytoadherence by counting the infected erythrocytes in the intervillous space of placenta. Levels of IL-17 and IL-10 in the placenta were measured using ELISA. All fetuses were weighed by analytical balance. Statistical analysis using Structural Equation Modeling showed that cytoadherence caused an increased level of placental IL-17 and a decreased level of placental IL-10. Cytoadherence also caused low fetal weight. The increased level of placental IL-17 caused low fetal weight, and interestingly low fetal weight was caused by a decrease of placental IL-10. It can be concluded that low fetal weight in placental malaria is directly caused by sequestration of the parasites and indirectly by the local imbalance of IL-17 and IL-10 levels.
Animals ; Female ; *Fetal Weight ; Humans ; Interleukin-10/*analysis/metabolism ; Interleukin-17/*analysis/metabolism ; Malaria/*metabolism/parasitology/physiopathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Placenta/*chemistry/metabolism ; Plasmodium berghei/*physiology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic/*metabolism/parasitology/physiopathology

BACKGROUNDNa + /Ca 2+ exchanger (NCX) plays a crucial role in pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion. However, it is unclear whether NCX is critically involved in hyperthermia-induced convulsion. In this study, we examined the potential changes in NCX3 in the hippocampus and cerebrocortex of rats with hyperthermia-induced convulsion.

METHODSTwenty-one Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control group, convulsion-prone group and convulsion-resistant group (n = 7 in each group). Whole-cell patch-clamp method was used to record NCX currents. Both the Western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence labeling techniques were used to examine the expression of NCX3.

RESULTSNCX currents were decreased in rats after febrile convulsion. Compared to the control group, NCX3 expression was decreased by about 40% and 50% in the hippocampus and cerebrocortex of convulsion-prone rats, respectively. Furthermore, the extent of reduction in NCX3 expression seemed to correlate with the number of seizures.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a significant reduction in NCX3 expression in rats with febrile convulsions. Our findings also indicate a potential link between NCX3 expression, febrile convulsion in early childhood, and adult onset of epilepsy.

Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Fever ; complications ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seizures ; etiology ; metabolism ; Sodium-Calcium Exchanger ; metabolism