This is a retrospective cohort study comparing blastocyst transfer outcomes following intracytoplasmic sperm injection utilizing epididymal versus testicular sperm for men with obstructive azoospermia. All cases at a single center between 2012 and 2016 were included. Operative approach was selected at the surgeon's discretion and included microepididymal sperm aspiration or testicular sperm extraction. Blastocyst culture was exclusively utilized prior to transfer. The primary outcome was live birth rate. Secondary outcomes included fertilization rate, blastulation rate, euploidy rate, and implantation rate. A mixed effects model was performed. Seventy-six microepididymal sperm aspiration cases and 93 testicular sperm extraction cases were analyzed. The live birth rate was equivalent (48.6% vs 50.5%, P = 0.77). However, on mixed effects model, epididymal sperm resulted in a greater likelihood of fertilization (adjusted OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.05-1.81, P = 0.02) and produced a higher blastulation rate (adjusted OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.1-1.85, P = 0.01). As a result, the epididymal sperm group had more supernumerary blastocysts available (4.3 vs 3, P < 0.05). The euploidy rate was no different. Pregnancy rates were no different through the first transfer cycle. However, intracytoplasmic sperm injection following microepididymal sperm aspiration resulted in a greater number of usable blastocysts per patient. Thus, the true benefit of epididymal sperm may only be demonstrated via a comparison of cumulative pregnancy rates after multiple transfers from one cohort.
Adult ; Azoospermia ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryo Transfer ; Epididymis/cytology* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic/methods* ; Sperm Retrieval ; Spermatozoa/cytology* ; Testis/cytology*

BackgroundDespite recent advances that have improved the pregnancy success rates that can be achieved via in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy, it is not yet clear which blastocyst morphological parameters best predict the outcomes of single blastocyst transfer. In addition, most of the previous studies did not exclude the effect of embryo aneuploidy on blastocysts transfer. Thus, the present study investigated the predictive value of various parameters on the pregnancy outcomes achieved via the transfer of frozen euploid blastocysts.

MethodsThe study retrospectively analyzed 914 single euploid blastocyst transfer cycles that were performed at the Peking University Third Hospital Reproductive Medical Center between June 2011 and May 2016. The expansion, trophectoderm (TE), and inner cell mass (ICM) quality of the blastocysts were assessed based on blastocyst parameters, and used to differentiate between "excellent", "good", "average", and "poor"-quality embryos. The relationship between these embryo grades and the achieved pregnancy outcomes was then analyzed via the Chi-square and logistic regression tests.

ResultsFor embryo grades of excellent, good, average and poor, the clinical pregnancy rates were 65.0%, 59.3%, 50.3% and 33.3%, respectively; and the live-birth rates were 50.0%, 49.7%, 42.3% and 25.0%, respectively. Both the clinical pregnancy rate (χ = 21.28, P = 0.001) and live-birth rate (χ = 13.50, P < 0.001) increased with the overall blastocyst grade. Both rates were significantly higher after the transfer of a blastocyst that exhibited either an A-grade or B-grade TE, and similarly, an A-grade ICM, than after the transfer of a blastocyst that exhibited a C-grade TE and/or ICM. The degree of blastocyst expansion had no apparent effect on the clinical pregnancy or live-birth rate. All odds ratio were adjusted for patient age, body mass index, length (years) of infertility history, and infertility type.

ConclusionsA higher overall euploid blastocyst quality is shown to correlate most strongly with optimal pregnancy outcomes. The study thus supports the use of the described TE and ICM morphological grades to augment current embryo selection criteria.

Blastocyst ; cytology ; physiology ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Odds Ratio ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Retrospective Studies

β-Thalassemia is a global health issue, caused by mutations in the HBB gene. Among these mutations, HBB -28 (A>G) mutations is one of the three most common mutations in China and Southeast Asia patients with β-thalassemia. Correcting this mutation in human embryos may prevent the disease being passed onto future generations and cure anemia. Here we report the first study using base editor (BE) system to correct disease mutant in human embryos. Firstly, we produced a 293T cell line with an exogenous HBB -28 (A>G) mutant fragment for gRNAs and targeting efficiency evaluation. Then we collected primary skin fibroblast cells from a β-thalassemia patient with HBB -28 (A>G) homozygous mutation. Data showed that base editor could precisely correct HBB -28 (A>G) mutation in the patient's primary cells. To model homozygous mutation disease embryos, we constructed nuclear transfer embryos by fusing the lymphocyte or skin fibroblast cells with enucleated in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes. Notably, the gene correction efficiency was over 23.0% in these embryos by base editor. Although these embryos were still mosaic, the percentage of repaired blastomeres was over 20.0%. In addition, we found that base editor variants, with narrowed deamination window, could promote G-to-A conversion at HBB -28 site precisely in human embryos. Collectively, this study demonstrated the feasibility of curing genetic disease in human somatic cells and embryos by base editor system.
APOBEC-1 Deaminase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Base Sequence ; Blastomeres ; cytology ; metabolism ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Embryo, Mammalian ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Editing ; methods ; Gene Expression ; HEK293 Cells ; Heterozygote ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Point Mutation ; Primary Cell Culture ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; beta-Globins ; genetics ; metabolism ; beta-Thalassemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of endometrial macrophages in embryo implantation and in regulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) in mouse endometrium during the peri-implantation period.

METHODAt D3.5 (D0.5 defined as the morning when a vaginal plug was observed), pregnant mice were divided randomly into experimental group, control group and blank group. In the experimental group, the mice were subjected to intrauterine injection of clodronate liposomes on the left side of uterus to eliminate the macrophages, and PBS liposomes on the right side. PBS liposomes and PBS were administered in the control and blank groups, respectively. The uterine tissues were collected on D5.5 and stained with trypan blue to show the implantation sites. Flow cytometry was performed to examine the percentage of F4/80(+) CD11b(+) macrophages macrophages in the uterus. F4/80(+) macrophage population within the endometrium and ovary and changes in VEGFA expression at the implantation and non-implantation sites were examined using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSEndometrial F4/80(+) CD11b(+) macrophages macrophages were significantly reduced by 74% following intrauterine injection of clodronate liposomes (P<0.05). The number of macrophages in the ovaries showed no significant difference among the 3 groups. In the experimental group, the left side of the uterine showed imcomplete cavity closure with a lower number of implantation site than the right side (2.20∓1.81 vs 5.10∓1.91, P<0.05). VEGFA expression at the implantation site were significantly decreased in the endometrium on the left side with macrophage suppression as compared with that on the right side (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEndometrial macrophages appear to modulate uterine receptivity by regulating the expression of VEGFA to affect embryo implantation, suggesting the important role of macrophages in embryo implantation.

Animals ; Embryo Implantation ; Endometrium ; physiology ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Macrophages ; cytology ; Mice ; Ovary ; cytology ; Pregnancy ; Random Allocation ; Uterus ; cytology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo provide preimplantation genetic diagnosis(PGD) for two couples carrying thalassemia mutations and chromosomal abnormalities.

METHODSCouple 1 were both carriers of β 41/42 thalassemia mutations, while the husband has carried a reciprocal translocation with a karyotype of 46,XY,inv(9)(p11;q13),t(11;22)(q25;q13). Couple 2 were both carriers of α (-SEA) thalassemia mutation. Their chromosome karyotypes were both normal, but had two spontaneous abortions. The couples had received 1 and 3 blastocysts respectively through in vitro fertilization(IVF) cycles. Following the biopsy, the cells underwent whole genome amplification, and the amplified DNA from each embryo was subjected to genetic testing and a 23-chromosome single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) microarray assay.

RESULTSThe embryo of couple 1 was diagnosed as carrier of β 41/42 thalassemia with euploid chromosomes. The embryo was transferred and resulted in intrauterine pregnancy. Similarly, an embryo of couple 2 was verified as carrier of α (-SEA) thalassemia with euploid chromosomes.

CONCLUSIONPGD for aneuploidy coupled with testing for single gene disorders via trophectoderm biopsy and whole genome amplification is feasible. The approach can attain diagnosis with minimal damage with sound clinical outcome.

Adult ; Aneuploidy ; Blastocyst ; cytology ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Genetic Testing ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Pregnancy ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; beta-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; embryology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of the DNA integrity of optimized sperm on the embryonic development and clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODSThis study included 605 cycles of conventional IVF-ET for pure oviductal infertility performed from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. On the day of retrieval, we examined the DNA integrity of the sperm using the sperm chromatin dispersion method. According to the ROC curve and Youden index, we grouped the cycles based on the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) threshold value for predicting implantation failure, early miscarriage, and fertilization failure, followed by analysis of the correlation between DFI and the outcomes of IVF-ET.

RESULTSAccording to the DFI threshold values obtained, the 605 cycles fell into four groups (DFI value < 5%, 5-10%, 10-15%, and ≥ 15%). Statistically significant differences were observed among the four groups in the rates of fertilization, cleavage, high-quality embryo, implantation, clinical pregnancy, early miscarriage, and live birth (P < 0.05), but not in the rates of multiple pregnancy, premature birth, and low birth weight (P > 0.05). DFI was found to be correlated negatively with the rates of fertilization (r = -0.32, P < 0.01), cleavage (r = -0.19, P < 0.01), high-quality embryo (r = -0.40, P < 0.01), clinical pregnancy (r = -0.20, P < 0.01), and live birth (r = -0.09 P = 0.04), positively with the rate of early miscarriage (r = 0.23, P < 0.01), but not with the rates of multiple pregnancy (r = -0.01, P = 0.83), premature birth (r = 0.04, P = 0.54), and low birth weight (r = 0.03, P = 0.62).

CONCLUSIONThe DNA integrity of optimized sperm influences fertilization, embryonic development, early miscarriage, and live birth of IVF-ET, but its correlation with premature birth and low birth weight has to be further studied.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; Chromatin ; ultrastructure ; DNA Fragmentation ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; ROC Curve ; Spermatozoa ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure on the growth and development of placenta, uterine natural killer (uNK) cell number and angiogenesis at the maternal-fetal interface in pregnant mice.

METHODSFrom day 1 of pregnancy, pregnant mice were exposed daily to DEHP by oral gavage at 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg for 13 consecutive days. The uterine and placental tissues were then harvested for HE staining and immunohistochemistry to examine the effect of DEHP exposure on the growth and development of the placenta and angiogenesis and uNK cell number at the maternal-fetal interface.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the mice exposed to 500 mg/kg DEHP, but not those exposed to 125 and 250 mg/kg, showed significantly reduced number of embryo implantation (P<0.05). DEHP exposure significantly increased the rate of abortion. DEHP exposure at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg significantly and dose-dependently lowered the placental weight compared with that in the control group (0.0637±0.0133, 0.0587±0.0176, 0.0524±0.0183 g vs 0.0786±0.0143 g, respectively; P<0.01), and significantly reduced the total area of the placenta and area of spongiotrophoblasts. DEHP exposure resulted in a significant reduction in the number of fetal vascular branches, and collapse and atresia of blood vessels. The mice exposed to DEHP at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg had significantly lowered numbers of uNK cells (83.2±10.3, 60.7±12.4, and 50.4±14.5/HP, respectively) as compared with the control group (105.1±14.2/HP) at the maternal-fetal interface (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONDEHP exposure significantly affects the growth and development of the placenta in mice possibly by suppressing angiogenesis and reducing uNK cell number at the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy.

Animals ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; adverse effects ; Embryo Implantation ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Killer Cells, Natural ; cytology ; Maternal Exposure ; adverse effects ; Mice ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Placenta ; drug effects ; Placentation ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Uterus ; drug effects

With the advancements of stem cells and regenerative medicine, interspecies chimera has become a hot topic and will pave a new way of providing donor sources in organ transplantation. However, the interspecies chimera is confronted with a number of scientific questions and technical obstacles, including selections of appropriate embryonic stage and appropriate culture medium; those factors will deeply influence the developmental balance between donor cells and receptor embryos. Due to its relatively rapid reproductive cycle and similar organ size to human's, porcine is a very potential donor candidate to study these questions. To compare the development and chimeric efficiency of interspecies embryos, we tested and evaluated three different culture systems, PZM-3 (Porcine zygotic medium), culture medium for iPSCs (N2B27) and 3.5 h of N2B27 before PZM-3 (N2B27(3.5 h)), and two different embryonic stages, 8-cell and blastocyst in mouse-porcine chimeric embryos using parthenogenetically activated porcine embryos and mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (miPS). The results showed that, PZM-3 was beneficial for both development of chimeric embryos and miPSCs proliferation in porcine embryos in the 8-cell injection group. After early blastocyst injection, the chimeric efficiency did not appear significantly different among the three culture systems but was lower than 8-cell injection. In summary, the results suggest that 8-cell injection and PZM-3 culture medium are more beneficial to the in vitro development and chimeric efficiency of mouse-porcine chimeric embryos.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Chimera ; Culture Media ; Embryo Culture Techniques ; veterinary ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Embryonic Development ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Swine

CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Embryo, Mammalian ; cytology ; metabolism ; Germ Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; RNA Editing ; genetics

Axonal transport of mitochondria is critical for neuronal survival and function. Automatically quantifying and analyzing mitochondrial movement in a large quantity remain challenging. Here, we report an efficient method for imaging and quantifying axonal mitochondrial transport using microfluidic-chamber-cultured neurons together with a newly developed analysis package named "MitoQuant". This tool-kit consists of an automated program for tracking mitochondrial movement inside live neuronal axons and a transient-velocity analysis program for analyzing dynamic movement patterns of mitochondria. Using this method, we examined axonal mitochondrial movement both in cultured mammalian neurons and in motor neuron axons of Drosophila in vivo. In 3 different paradigms (temperature changes, drug treatment and genetic manipulation) that affect mitochondria, we have shown that this new method is highly efficient and sensitive for detecting changes in mitochondrial movement. The method significantly enhanced our ability to quantitatively analyze axonal mitochondrial movement and allowed us to detect dynamic changes in axonal mitochondrial transport that were not detected by traditional kymographic analyses.
Animals ; Axonal Transport ; physiology ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster ; cytology ; metabolism ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Gene Expression ; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Motor Neurons ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Movement ; Mutation ; Primary Cell Culture ; RNA-Binding Protein FUS ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Software