The antioxidant curcumin postpones ovarian aging in young and middle-aged mice.

Reproductive senescence is accompanied by a reduced number and quality of ovarian follicles in response to the accumulation of free radicals and the process of apoptosis. Having selected mice as models, we examined the hypothesis that curcumin as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent might prevent or retard ovarian aging. Female NMRI 21-day-old mice were divided into control, vehicle and curcumin groups. In the treatment group the mice received curcumin at 100mgkg-1day-1 intraperitoneally. After 6, 12 and 33 weeks several parameters were examined including ovarian reserve, oocyte quality, oxidative status, invitro fertilisation and expression of ovulation-related (growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15)) and anti-aging-related (sirtuin 1 (SIRT-1) and SIRT-3) genes. Curcumin treatment up to 12 and 33 weeks resulted in increased ovarian volume and number of follicles and was associated with elevated anti-Müllerian hormone and oestrogen and diminished FSH serum levels. Furthermore, enhanced oocyte maturation, fertilisation and embryo development plus reduced oxidative stress were seen in the curcumin group. Also, the expression of GDF-9, BMP-15, SIRT-1 and SIRT-3 genes was increased in the curcumin group. Concerning gestational age, the findings of the study suggested that administration of curcumin could delay the process of oocyte aging in a mouse model.

Intracytoplasmic oxidative stress reverses epigenetic modifications in polycystic ovary syndrome.

In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), substantial genetic and environmental alterations, along with hyperandrogenism, affect the quality of oocytes and decrease ovulation rates. To determine the mechanisms underlying these alterations caused specifically by an increase in plasma androgens, the present study was performed in experimentally-induced PCOS mice. As the study model, female B6D2F1 mice were treated with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, 6mg per 100g bodyweight). After 20 days, oocytes at the germinal vesicle and metaphase II stages were retrieved from isolated ovaries and subsequent analyses of oocyte quality were performed for each mouse. DHEA treatment resulted in excessive abnormal morphology and decreased polar body extrusion rates in oocytes, and was associated with an increase in oxidative stress. Analysis of fluorescence intensity revealed a significant reduction of DNA methylation and dimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9) in DHEA-treated oocytes, which was associated with increased acetylation of H4K12. Similarly, mRNA expression of DNA methyltransferase-1 and histone deacetylase-1 was significantly decreased in DHEA-treated mice. There was a significant correlation between excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increased histone acetylation, which is a novel finding and may provide new insights into the mechanism causing PCOS. The results of the present study indicate that epigenetic modifications of oocytes possibly affect the quality of maturation and ovulation rates in PCOS, and that the likely mechanism may be augmentation of intracytoplasmic ROS.

Expression of DDSR1 Long Non-Coding RNA and Genes Involved in the DNA Damage Response in Sperm with DNA Fragmentation.

The molecular mechanism responsible for sperm DNA fragmentation is not fully understood. Therefore, identifying genes related to the response to DNA damage is an important area of research. Recently, the role of long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), especially DNA damage-sensitive RNA1 (DDSR1) in male infertility has been highlighted. In this research, a protein-protein interaction network (PPIN) was constructed using the STRING database, and functional classification was conducted using webgestalt servers. Subsequently, a group of 40 males with a high degree of sperm DNA fragmentation (DFI ≥ 25%) was compared to a control group of 20 healthy males with a normal sperm DNA fragmentation rate (DFI < 25%). To assess gene expression, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was performed on DNA samples obtained from both healthy and infertile males. Our findings revealed that infertile men with an abnormal DFI index showed significantly lower expression levels of the long noncoding RNA DDSR1, as well as the genes BRCA1, MRE11A, RAD51, and NBN, compared to the control group. Pathway analysis of the network proteins using Reactome indicated involvement in crucial cellular processes such as the cell cycle, DNA repair, meiosis, reproduction, and extension of telomeres. In conclusion, the downregulation of LncRNA and genes associated with the DNA damage response in males with an abnormal DFI suggests that these factors may contribute to the development of sperm DNA fragmentation and could potentially serve as diagnostic markers for further investigation in therapeutic interventions in the future.

The Efficacy of Vitamin D Supplement in the Expression and Protein Levels of Endometrial Decidualization Factors in Women with Recurrent Implantation Failure.

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a challenging situation for infertility specialists, and its treatment is introduced as a difficult case in the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Vitamin D (VD) is one of the supplements that have been suggested to improve the implantation process. In the present study, the effect of VD on the expression and protein levels of VD receptor (VDR), progesterone receptor (PR), prolactin (PRL), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), and homeobox protein A10 (HOXA10) in the endometrial cells of unknown RIF women with and without VD deficiency were assessed by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Twelve women with unknown RIF and VD deficiency (≤ 20 ng/ml) and twelve women with unknown RIF without VD deficiency (≥ 30 ng/ml) from 2021 to 2022 were identified. Endometrial specimens were collected in the mid-luteal stage before treatment or pregnancy. In the group with VD deficiency, oral medication of VD 50,000 units was prescribed for 2 to 3 months and their serum levels of VD were re-measured, then an endometrial biopsy at the same stage of the menstrual cycle was performed. The expression and protein levels of VDR, PR, PRL, IGFBP1, and HOXA10 in RIF patients with VD deficiency were lower than the RIF patients without VD deficiency (P value < 0.05). Our findings suggest that VD can play a key role in the pregnancy process, especially during embryo implantation and decidualization of the endometrial cells.IRCT registration number: IRCT20220528055006N1, Registration date: 2022-10-15, Registration timing: retrospective.

Correlation between human clusterin in seminal plasma with sperm protamine deficiency and DNA fragmentation.

Seminal proteins can be considered as factors that control fertilization. Clusterin is one such protein that has been implicated in many activities, including apoptosis inhibition, cell cycle control, DNA repair, and sperm maturation. In this study, the relationship between human secretory clusterin (sCLU) in seminal plasma with sperm parameters, protamine deficiency, and DNA fragmentation was investigated. Semen samples were collected from 63 Iranian men, and semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization criteria and computer aided semen analysis (CASA). The concentration of sCLU in seminal plasma was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), protamine deficiency was determined by chromomycin A3 staining (CMA3 ), and sperm DNA fragmentation was checked by sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) assay. The level of sCLU in seminal fluid of fertile patients was 48.3 ± 38.6 ng/ml and in infertile patients was 15.5 ± 9.7 ng/ml; this difference was significant (P < 0.001). sCLU correlated negatively with protamine deficiency, sperm DNA fragmentation, and abnormal morphology. In conclusion, seminal clusterin can be considered as a marker for the quick assessment of semen quality in male infertility studies.

Nanowarming improves survival of vitrified ovarian tissue and follicular development in a sheep model.

Tissue cryopreservation has allowed long term banking of biomaterials in medicine. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation in particular helps patients by extending their fertility window. However, protection against tissue injury during the thawing process has proven to be challenging. This is mainly due to the heterogenous and slow distribution of the thermal energy across the vitrified tissue during a conventional warming process. Nanowarming is a technique that utilizes hyperthermia of magnetic nanoparticles to accelerate this process. Herein, hyperthermia of synthesized PEGylated silica-coated iron oxide nanoparticles was used to deter the injury of cryopreserved ovarian tissue in a sheep model. When compared to the conventional technique, our findings suggest that follicular development and gene expression in tissues warmed by the proposed technique have been improved. In addition, Nanowarming prevented cellular apoptosis and oxidative stress. We therefore conclude that Nanowarming is a potential complementary candidate to increase efficiency in the ovarian cryopreservation field.

Follicular reconstruction and neo-oogenesis in xenotransplantation of human ovarian isolated cells derived from chemotherapy-induced POF patients.

BACKGROUND: Developing new strategies to restore fertility in patients with chemotherapy-induced Premature Ovarian Failure (Chemo-POF) is important. We aimed to construct an Artificial Ovary (AO) by seeding Human Ovarian Cortical Cells (HOCCs) into Human ovarian Decellularized Cortical Tissue (DCT). We assessed the AO's ability to produce new ovarian follicles following xenotransplantation to NMRI mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The DCTs were prepared, and cell removal was confirmed through DNA content, MTT assay, DAPI and H&E staining. Next, HOCCs were isolated from both Chemo-POF and Trans (as a control group) ovarian patients. The HOCCs were characterized using immunostaining (FRAGILIS, Vimentin, and Inhibin α) and real time PCR (DDX4, STELLA, FRAGILIS, Vimentin, FSH-R, KI67) assays. The HOCCs were then seeded into the DCTs and cultured for one week to construct an AO, which was subsequently xenotransplanted into the mice. The existence of active follicles within the AO was studied with H&E and immunofluorescence (GDF9) staining, Real-time PCR (GDF9, ZP3) and hormone analysis (Estradiol, FSH and AMH). RESULTS: The results of gene expression and immunostaining showed that 85-86% of the isolated cells from both Trans and Chemo-POF groups were positive for vimentin, while 2-5% were granulosa cells and OSCs were less than 3%. After xenotransplantation, histological study confirmed the presence of morphologically healthy reconstructed human ovarian follicles. Additionally, immunofluorescence staining of GDF9 and hormonal assay confirmed the presence of secretory-active follicles on the AO. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that an artificial ovary produced by seeding HOCCs on DCT can support HOCCs proliferation as well as neo-oogenesis, and enable sex hormone secretion following xenotransplantation.

Altered endometrial expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage and infertility.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) has diverse roles in the female reproductive system including a role in blastocyst implantation. Aberrant expression of eNOS could therefore be significant in the pathogenesis of disorders of implantation. In this study, eNOS protein and mRNA levels in the endometrium of women with recurrent miscarriages, unexplained infertility and a control group were determined by compartmental quantitative immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse-transcription PCR. eNOS was found to be immunolocalized to all layers of the endometrium and vascular endothelium. eNOS protein was higher in glandular epithelium (P = 0.004) and luminal epithelium (P = 0.002), but not vascular endothelium and stroma, in women with recurrent miscarriage. Similarly, in women with unexplained infertility, eNOS was significantly higher (P < 0.03) in luminal epithelium but not in any other compartments compared with the control group. The levels of mRNA confirmed the protein data, demonstrating higher eNOS mRNA in the endometrium of women with recurrent miscarriage and unexplained infertility compared with controls. In conclusion, increased expression of eNOS in glandular and luminal epithelium of the endometrium in women with recurrent miscarriages and unexplained infertility suggests a detrimental effect of excess nitric oxide in endometrial receptivity and implantation.

Small Non-coding RNAs in Embryonic Pre-implantation.

Failure of embryo implantation has been introduced as an important limiting parameter in early assisted reproduction and pregnancy. The embryo-maternal interactions, endometrial receptivity, and detections of implantation consist of the embryo viability. For regulating the implantation, multiple molecules may be consistent; however, their specific regulatory mechanisms still stand unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted a lot of attention due to their important effect on human embryo implantation. MicroRNA (miRNA), which acts as the transcriptional regulator of gene expression, is consisted of embryo implantation. Recent studies indicated that miRNAs not only act inside the cells but also can be secreted by cells into the extracellular environment via multiple packaging forms, facilitating intercellular communication and providing indicative information related to various conditions. The detection of extracellular miRNAs provided new information in cases of implantation studies. For embryo-maternal communication, MiRNAs offered novel approaches. In addition, in assisted reproduction, for embryo choice and prediction of endometrial receptivity, they can act as non-invasive biomarkers and can enhance the accuracy in the process of reducing the mechanical damage for the tissue.

Two-Decade Experience of Royan Institute in Obtaining Mature Oocyte from Cryopreserved Ovarian Tissue: In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches.

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) holds promise for preservation of fertility among women who have lost their fertility due to diseases such as cancer. OTC has significantly assisted such cases by helping them maintain normal hormonal levels and menstrual cycles. Appropriate strategies to develop and extract mature oocytes from OTC could overcome a range of complications that are associated with ovarian dysfunction, caused by aging, and primary or secondary ovarian insufficiency. Scientists from different departments at The Royan Institute (Tehran, Iran) have been conducting studies to find the best way to extract mature oocytes from animal and human cryopreserved ovarian tissues. The various studies conducted in this area in the past 20 years, by researchers of the Royan Institute, are collated and provided in this review, in order to provide an idea of where we are now in the area of fertility preservation.

Comparative Effect of Photobiomodulation on Human Semen Samples Pre- and Post-Cryopreservation.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate and to compare the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on sperm parameters both before and after cryopreservation. In this regard, 24 freshly ejaculated semen samples from normozoospermic men were included in this study. Each semen sample was randomly divided into three groups (1 ml aliquot for each group): the control group (group one) underwent conventional sperm cryopreservation (n = 24), group two underwent pre-freezing PBM exposure (810 nm, diode laser, and 0.6 J/cm2) (n = 24), and group three underwent post freezing and thawing PBM exposure (n = 24). Indicators of sperm quality, including total sperm motility (TSM), progressive sperm motility (PSM), DNA fragmentation, lipid peroxidation levels, apoptosis-like changes, and gene expression levels of protamine (PRM) 1, PRM2, and adducin 1 alpha (ADD1), were investigated in a blinded style. Due to the beneficial effect of pre-freezing PBM therapy, group 2 exhibited the highest TSM and PSM levels compared to groups 1 and 3. At the same time, DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation were significantly reduced in the group 2 compared to the group 1 (p = 0.024 p = 0.016, respectively). Evaluation of apoptotic/necrotic changes revealed that parameters including early apoptosis, dead, and necrotic cells decreased in the group 2 compared to the either groups 1 (p = 0. 008, p = 0. 032, p = 0. 02, respectively) or group 3 (p = 0.037, p = 0.108, p = 0.083). There were no significant differences in the expression levels of PRM1, PRM2, and ADD1 among the study groups. Based on our results, PBM therapy prior to cryopreservation, even in the normal semen samples, plays a significant protective role against cryo-damage by preserving the functional parameters of spermatozoa.

Protective Effects of Fisetin in the Mice Induced by Long-Term Scrotal Hyperthermia.

Exposure to heat in the male reproductive system can lead to transient periods of partial or complete infertility. The current study aimed to examine the beneficial effects of  Fisetin against spermatogenic disorders in mice affected by long-term scrotal hyperthermia. For this purpose, hyperthermia was induced daily by exposure to the temperature of 43 °C for 20 min for 5 weeks. Except for the Healthy group, six other groups were exposed to heat stress: two treated groups including Preventive and Curative which received oral administration of fisetin (10 mg/kg/day) starting immediately before heat exposure and 15 consecutive days after the end of the heat exposure, respectively. And for each treated group, two groups including Positive Control (Pre/Cur+PC group) and vehicle (Pre/Cur+DMSO group) were considered. Our results showed that the testicular volume; the density of spermatogonia, primary spermatocyte, round spermatid, and Sertoli and Leydig cells; and sperm parameters, as well biochemical properties of the testis tissue, were remarkably higher in both Preventive and Curative groups compared to the other hyperthermia-induced groups and were highest in Preventive ones. Unlike the c-kit gene transcript which was significantly increased in the  Fisetin treatment groups (specially the Preventive group), the expression of HSP72 and NF-kß genes, Caspase3 protein, and DFI in sperm cells were significantly more decreased in Preventive and Curative groups compared to other hyperthermia-induced groups and were lowest in Preventive ones. Overall,  Fisetin exerts preventive and curative effects against spermatogenic disorders induced by long-term scrotal hyperthermia.

Evaluation of Expression and Phosphorylation of Progesterone Receptor in Endometrial Stromal Cells of Patients with Recurrent Implantation Failure Compared to Healthy Fertile Women.

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is the repeated failure of good-quality embryos in implantation process following several assisted reproduction cycles. Disruption of the endometrial receptivity is one of the main causes of RIF. Progesterone plays a pivotal role in the endometrial receptivity through the regulation of gene expression pattern by binding to its receptors in the endometrial cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression level of progesterone receptor (PR) and its phosphorylated form in the endometrial stromal cells (eSC) of RIF patients and compare it to the eSC of healthy fertile women as control group. After isolation of the eSC from biopsy samples of RIF patients and healthy fertile women and their characterization, expression levels of PR mRNA, PR protein, and phospho-Ser294 PR protein were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in PR mRNA expression (P < 0.01.) and phospho-Ser294 PR protein (P < 0.05) level in RIF patients compared to the control group. These data for the first time suggest that the expression of PR and its phosphorylated form are impaired in RIF patients. Therefore, designing therapeutic methods for improving PR expression status and its regulation in the endometrium of RIF patients may help in improving the final reproductive outcomes of these cases.

Normal seminal plasma could preserve human spermatozoa against cryopreservation damages in Oligozoospermic patients.

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of human spermatozoa has been identified as an efficient procedure to preserve fertility in men before any cancer therapy or surgical infertility treatment. Despite the benefits of the procedure, the deleterious effects of cryopreservation have been proven on sperm structure and function. This study aimed to evaluate seminal plasma effects on human sperm characteristics after cryopreservation, and compare the addition of normozoospermic and oligozoospermic seminal plasma in the prepared oligozoospermic samples. Semen samples were collected from fifty-five oligozoospermic men and the twenty fertile individuals who referred to the infertility center. At first, a semen analysis was carried out on each neat ejaculate, and then some were cryopreserved. The remainder of the semen was divided into two, one for seminal plasma removal and the other for sperm preparation. Then, the prepared spermatozoa were cryopreserved in three groups: one with, and another without the addition of oligozoospermic seminal plasma, and still another with the addition of normal seminal plasma. After thawing, sperm DNA integrity, viability, motility, and morphology were determined. RESULTS: The percentages of all parameters were significantly lower after cryopreservation in all groups compared to the fresh sample. However, this reduction was lower in the oligozoospermic samples cryopreserved with normal seminal plasma. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that seminal plasma in oligozoospermic patients could not support sperm against cryo-injuries, an indication likely due to insufficient antioxidants and other protective components in oligozoospermic patients. However, normal seminal plasma could slightly preserve sperm characteristics after cryopreservation in oligozoospermic patients.

Pyrvinium pamoate induces in-vitro suppression of IL-6 and IL-8 produced by human endometriotic stromal cells.

Endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is identified by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. The prevalence of this disease among reproductive-age women is almost 10-15%. High levels of IL-6 and IL-8 have been found in the peritoneal fluid (PF) of women with endometriosis and are involved in its pathogenesis. Isolated stromal cells from 12 ectopic and eutopic endometrial biopsies of women with ovarian endometrioma and also 12 endometrial biopsies of nonendometriotic controls were treated with 1.1 µM pyrvinium pamoate, a Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor, for 72 hrs. Before treatment, mRNA gene expression and secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly higher in ectopic (EESCs) than eutopic (EuESCs) and control (CESCs) endometrial stromal cells. After treatment, mRNA gene expression and also secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly reduced. Our Findings showed that pyrvinium pamoate suppresses the mRNA gene expression and secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 in human endometriotic stromal cells. Additional investigations on this compound are required before clinical application.

Effect of 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 on expression and phosphorylation of progesterone receptor in cultured endometrial stromal cells of patients with repeated implantation failure.

Repeated implantation failure (RIF) occurs in a condition when good quality embryos fail to implant in the endometrium following several in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Suboptimal endometrial receptivity is one of the main underlying factors that causes this failure. Progesterone is the key regulator of endometrial receptivity which regulates gene expression through binding to its receptors in the endometrial stromal cells (eSC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 on progesterone receptor (PR) expression level and its phosphorylation on Ser294 residues in eSC of RIF patients and healthy fertile women. After isolation of the eSC from biopsy samples of RIF patients and healthy fertile women and their characterization, the cells were incubated with vitamin D3 and the expression level of PR mRNA, PR protein and phospho-Ser294 PR protein were evaluated after treatment. The results showed that vitamin D3 treatment increases PR mRNA and protein level and phospho-Ser294 PR protein level in the isolated eSC of both RIF patients and the control group. These results suggest that vitamin D3 may possibly play a key role during the embryo implantation process by affecting the expression pattern and regulatory modifications of the PR in the eSC.

Potential of Auraptene in Improvement of Oocyte Maturation, Fertilization Rate, and Inflammation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mouse Model.

Polycystic ovary with poor-quality oocytes has remained problematic in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. It is well documented that the inflammation and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PCOS ovaries are significantly higher than normal voluntaries. In this study, we hypothesized that auraptene (AUR), as a coumarin derivative with anti-inflammatory properties, may be effective in improvement of oocyte maturation and fertilization rate in PCOS patients. For this purpose, PCOS model was induced in NMRI mice and confirmed by ovarian histopathology observations and hormonal assays. PCOS-induced mice were administrated with AUR (PCOS-AUR) and metformin (PCOS-MET), and their effects on inflammation, apoptosis rate, oocyte maturation, and in vitro fertilization capacity were determined and compared with those normal and PCOS animals treated with sesame oil (PCOS-sesame oil) and no treatment (PCOS). Treatment with AUR and MET decreased the inflammation and apoptosis rates in PCOS mice compared with PCOS animals with no treatment. PCOS-AUR and PCOS-MET oocytes also showed higher intracellular glutathione and lower ROS concentrations compared with PCOS mice, indicating improved oocyte maturation rate. PCOS-AUR and PCOS-MET groups showed higher percentages of expansion rate and MII stage oocytes, and lower rate of abnormal oocytes compared with PCOS with no treatment. The rate of fertilization in the oocytes isolated from PCOS-AUR and PCOS-MET groups was higher than PCOS-sesame oil and PCOS groups. Our findings suggest that AUR can be considered as a potential candidate for improvement of oocyte maturation and fertilization capacity in PCOS patients, comparable to MET.

Tacrolimus Improves the Implantation Rate in Patients with Elevated Th1/2 Helper Cell Ratio and Repeated Implantation Failure (RIF).

Introduction An abnormal endometrial immune response is involved in the pathogenesis of repeated implantation failure (RIF), so we investigated the effectiveness of tacrolimus treatment on the endometrium of RIF patients. Materials and Methods Ten RIF patients with elevated T-helper 1/T-helper 2 (Th1/Th2) cell ratios were recruited into a clinical study. The expression of p53, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-17, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the endometrium of patients with and without tacrolimus treatment and the association of these factors with assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes were investigated. Results Tacrolimus significantly increased the expression of LIF, IL-10, and IL-17 and decreased the expression of IL-4, IFN-γ, and the IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio in RIF patients. Tacrolimus treatment resulted in an implantation rate of 40%, a clinical pregnancy rate of 50%, and a live birth rate of 35% in RIF patients with elevated Th1/Th2 ratios who had previously failed to become pregnant despite at least three transfers of embryos. We also found a significant positive correlation between IL-10 levels and the implantation rate. Conclusions Our findings suggest that RIF patients with a higher Th1/Th2 ratio could be candidates for tacrolimus therapy and that this immunosuppressive drug could be acting through upregulation of LIF, IL-10, and IL-17.

Wnt Signaling Pathway in Uterus of Normal and Seminal Vesicle Excised Mated Mice during Pre-implantation Window.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of seminal vesicle secretion and uterine Wnt signaling for uterus preparation and embryo implantation has been described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the gene expression of Wnt ligands (Wnt4 and Wnt5a) and their corresponding receptors (Fzd2 and Fzd6) using qRT-PCR and active ß-catenin protein levels using western blotting in the uterine tissue of female mice mated with intact and seminal vesicle-excised (SVX) males during the pre-implantation window. We evaluated the association between these factors and implantation rates and embryo spacing. RESULTS: mRNA expression of Wnt4 and Wnt5a and active ß-catenin protein levels decreased from Day 1 to Day 4, but reached a peak on the fifth day of pregnancy. Fzd2 also reached its highest level on Day 5. Fzd6 expression showed a decreasing trend towards the day of implantation. Lack of seminal vesicle secretion decreased Wnt4 and Wnt5a expression on Days 1 and 5 and ß-catenin levels on Day 5. There were almost no significant differences in expression levels of the Fzd2 and Fzd6 receptors between groups. There were positive and negative correlations, respectively, between implantation rates and embryo spacing and Wnt4, Wnt5a and active ß-catenin in the control group, but such correlations were not observed in the SVX-mated mice. CONCLUSIONS: Significant changes occurred in the expression of several Wnt signaling members and there was a significant association between Wnt signaling and embryo implantation. Seminal vesicle secretion affects Wnt signaling in mice and consequently also affects murine embryo implantation.

Effect of matrigel on function and morphology of human endometrial epithelial cell in vitro.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of extra cellular matrix (ECM) in development and function of different cells has been reported but little is known about its role in human endometrial epithelial cells. The aim of the present study was to examine effects of artificial ECM (Matrigel) and progesterone on the function and morphology of human endometrial epithelial cells in vitro. METHODS: Endometrial samples were removed, with informed patients consent and Ethics Committee approval, from 17 previously fertile women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy. The tissue was dissociated and centrifuged to provide an epithelial rich suspension which was cultured either on plastic or seeded into Matrigel to produce polarized cells and then supplemented with or without progesterone (10(-6) M). The amount of nucleic acid content of the cells in both in vitro model systems was examined by DNA, RNA extraction methods. The DNA and RNA content were later measured by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: The amount of total RNA in cells grown on Matrigel (23 +/- 1.5 pg/cell) was more than double that in cells grown on pllastic (9.1 +/- 1.4 pg/cell). Cells cultured on both in vitro model systems had RNA induced by steroid hormones, but the extent of induction was greater in cells grown on Matrigel (30 +/- 2 pg/cell) than those on plastic (12 +/- 1.9 pg/cell). Cells cultured on Matrigel were differentiated and became polarized but cells grown on plastic proliferated to full confluency. Cells grown on Matrigel with progesterone supplementation were highly polarized, euchromatic and had greater mitochondria and accumulation of glycogen, when compared to unsupplemented cultures. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ECM plays an important role in gene expression, polarization and differentiation of human endometrial epithelial cells in vitro. Endometrial cells grown on ECM responded to steroid hormone in a manner to that reported in endometrial cells in vivo.