Anticentromere antibodies are the most potent antinuclear antibodies in reducing live birth outcomes after ICSI.

RESEARCH QUESTION: How, and to what extent, do anticentromere antibodies (ACA) reduce live birth outcomes after ICSI? STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of infertile women aged 30-43 years who underwent ICSI between September 2016 and March 2021. Women with a history or current diagnosis of symptomatic connective tissue disease were excluded. Immunofluorescence staining detected antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Staining pattern and titre (cut-off, 1:160) were used to divide infertile women into three groups: positive for ACA (ACA+) (n = 28); positive for ANA other than ACA (ANA+) (n = 77); and negative for both ACA and ANA (control) (n = 3723). RESULTS: Cumulative live birth rate (CLB) was lowest in ACA+ (7%, 31% and 46% in ACA+, ANA+ and control, respectively) (ACA+ versus control, P < 0.0001; ACA+ versus ANA+, P = 0.011; ANA+ versus control, P = 0.012). A small impairment in meiosis I and a larger impairment in meiosis II, fertilization and embryo cleavage caused the decrease. Multiple pronuclei formation increased (RR versus control, 5.33; 95% CI 4.26 to 6.65) and good-quality blastocyst development decreased (RR 0.34; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.53). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that ACA was associated with CLB outcome (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.36); the other four ANA staining patterns were not. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of ACA on live birth outcomes is strongest after ICSI among ANA, primarily through the impairment of meiosis II and subsequent stages. Repeated ICSI failure and eggs with multiple pronuclei may warrant specific testing for ACA.

Performing a sperm DNA fragmentation test in addition to semen examination based on the WHO criteria can be a more accurate diagnosis of IVF outcomes.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and general semen test based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and compared the two tests using semen factors. In addition, we examined whether DFI is a reliable parameter associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. METHODS: Sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) and general semen tests were conducted in accordance with the WHO 2010 guidelines, and correlations between the two tests were investigated. The WHO criteria were set as the cutoff values for each of the following factors: semen volume, concentration, total sperm count, motility, and normal morphology, and compared with the DFI results. RESULTS: The subjects had a mean sperm DFI of 15.3% ± 12.6%, and the DFI increased with age. In contrast, motility and normal morphology decreased as the DFI increased. Patients who satisfied the WHO criteria in terms of concentration, total sperm count, and motility had a significantly lower DFI than those who did not satisfy the criteria. Therefore, evaluation with a general semen test based on the WHO criteria should be regarded as a qualitative evaluation of all factors other than semen volume and normal morphology. CONCLUSIONS: High DFI (≥ 30%) caused a low blastocyst development rate following intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Male infertility due to DFI should be suspected when IVF results are poor despite normal semen findings based on the WHO criteria. The results of this study suggest that the SCD test may more accurately evaluate the correlation between IVF clinical outcomes and male infertility. Therefore, it is important to focus on DFI measurements.

Analysis of the risk factors and treatment for repeated implantation failure: OPtimization of Thyroid function, IMmunity, and Uterine Milieu (OPTIMUM) treatment strategy.

PROBLEM: What are the pregnancy outcomes after the OPtimization of Thyroid function, Immunity, and Uterine Milieu (OPTIMUM) treatment strategy in patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF)? METHOD OF STUDY: Infertile women with a history of RIF after more than three embryo transfer (ET) cycles underwent implantation testing, including a hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy for CD138 immunostaining and bacterial culture, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 , interferon-γ-producing helper T (Th1) cell, IL-4-producing helper T (Th2) cell, thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroid peroxidase antibody, and thrombophilia screening between April 2017 and August 2018. We treated chronic endometritis with antibiotics, aberrant high Th1/Th2 cell ratios with vitamin D and/or tacrolimus intake, overt/subclinical hypothyroidism with levothyroxine, and thrombophilia with low-dose aspirin. Of the 116 RIF women, 88 women with 133 ET cycles were recruited from a questionnaire-based survey regarding pregnancy outcomes. Fifty-nine consecutive RIF patients without the OPTIMUM treatment strategy were also recruited as a control. RESULTS: The 116 women with RIF after the OPTIMUM treatment strategy were 38.3 ± 3.8 years old and had an implantation failure history over 5 (3-19) ET cycles. Implantation testing identified impaired intrauterine circumstances in 75 women (64.7%), an aberrant elevated Th1/Th2 cell ratio in 56 women (48.3%), and thyroid abnormalities in 33 women (28.4%). Cumulative ongoing pregnancy rates including spontaneous pregnancy in the patients aged < 40 and ≥ 40 years were 72.7% and 45.5% within two ET cycles, respectively. The pregnancy outcomes in the OPTIMUM group were significantly higher than those in the control. CONCLUSIONS: The OPTIMUM treatment strategy improved pregnancy outcomes in patients with RIF.

Managing Ectopic Pregnancies by Targeting Chorionic Villi with a Transvaginal Injection of Ethanol into the Lacunar Space.

Methotrexate has been the main mode of non-surgical treatment for ectopic pregnancies. However, we have developed an easier, repeatable method that can be applied even to patients with a high beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) level and/or positive fetal heartbeat, by targeting chorionic villi with a transvaginal injection of absolute ethanol (AE) into the lacunar space (intervillous space). The efficacy and safety of this method were examined in 242 cases of ectopic pregnancy, including 103 with positive fetal heartbeat. Serum ß-hCG level was measured at frequent intervals, and transvaginal ultrasonography was performed to observe the gestational sac and hyperechoic inner ring. Of the 242 patients, 222 (91.7%) were successfully treated. The average number of AE injection(s) required was 1.6 (range: 1-5), and the average dose was 3.2 mL. After the treatment, many of the patients tried to conceive again, and 63 of the traceable 145 patients (43.4%), who had fallopian tube pregnancy, and 7 of the traceable 12 patients (58.3%), who had cervical or cesarean scar pregnancies, successfully conceived and delivered babies with no observed side effects. Therefore, this method could be an effective treatment for ectopic pregnancy with the potential to replace conventional surgical interventions and medical treatment using methotrexate.

Analysis of 122 triplet and one quadruplet pregnancies after single embryo transfer in Japan.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the prevalence of triplet and quadruplet pregnancies after single embryo transfer (SET) in Japan. DESIGN: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 274,605 pregnancies after 937,848 SET cycles in registered assisted reproductive technology (ART) data from the Japanese ART national registry database between 2007 and 2014. A questionnaire survey of ART centres was also conducted. Data on pregnancies with embryo division into three or more after SET were analysed. RESULTS: According to the Japanese ART national registry database, SET resulted in 109 triplet pregnancies (0.04% of pregnancies), and the questionnaire reports from 31 centres revealed 33 triplet and one quadruplet pregnancies. After exclusion of 20 duplicated cases, 122 triplet and one quadruplet pregnancies included 46 monochorionic (one gestational sac [37.4%]), 18 dichorionic (two gestational sacs [14.6%]) and 59 trichorionic pregnancies (three gestational sacs [48.0%]). Compared with singleton pregnancies, patients with monozygotic triplet or quadruplet pregnancies were less frequently diagnosed with unexplained infertility (P = 0.004), more often received gonadotrophin injections for ovarian stimulation in 39 cases with information available (P = 0.021) and underwent more blastocyst transfers and assisted hatching (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively). The proportion of live birth, defined as at least one baby born, excluding induced abortion, was 64.6% (73/116 pregnancies) of monozygotic triplet or quadruplet pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Combined Japanese ART national registry and survey data revealed 122 triplet and one quadruplet pregnancies, the majority after cryopreserved embryo transfer. Most were conceived after blastocyst transfer and often after assisted hatching, which are potential risk factors for zygotic splitting.

Age-specific values of Access anti-Müllerian hormone immunoassay carried out on Japanese patients with infertility: a retrospective large-scale study.

BACKGROUND: The ovarian reserve in women is known to correlate with anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, and currently the latest, third-generation, fully-automated AMH immunoassays, such as Access and Cobas, are beginning to be used for measuring AMH levels. However, the age-specific reference values obtained for AMH levels have been based on samples from an American population, measured using first-generation immunoassays. In this study, we attempted to determine the age-specific AMH reference values based on a large set of samples taken from Japanese infertile women measured by Access so that they could be used by infertility centers treating Japanese and those with similar racial and life-style characteristics. METHODS: The study included 5483 Japanese patients who enrolled in infertility treatment programs at two in-vitro fertilization centers, Shimbashi YUME Clinic and Natural ART Clinic Nihombashi in Tokyo, and who had their serum AMH levels measured between December 2015 and November 2017 by Access. Each patient was represented only once in the study. The mean, median, and standard deviation values were obtained from the measured values for single-year intervals from 28 through 48 years of age (21 age groups in total). The 3D-fitted curve of age-specific mean and median values measured by Access was obtained by regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean and median values decreased with advancing age (mean: R2 = 0.9864; median: R2 = 0.9926). In all age groups, the mean values were higher than the median values; however, the differences between these values decreased with increasing age. CONCLUSIONS: The age-specific AMH reference values measured by Access in this study may serve as a useful diagnostic marker in infertility centers, especially those treating Japanese patients or patients with similar characteristics.

A Novel Treatment for Cervical and Cesarean Section Scar Pregnancies by Transvaginal Injection of Absolute Ethanol to Trophoblasts: Efficacy in 19 Cases.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a nonsurgical treatment for cervical pregnancy (CP) and cesarean section scar pregnancy (CSP). DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Private assisted reproductive technology practice. PATIENTS: Nineteen women with CP (n = 16) or CSP (n = 3), including 6 patients with positive fetal heartbeat. INTERVENTION: Transvaginal local injection of absolute ethanol (AE) into the hyperechoic ring (lacunar space) around the gestational sac under ultrasound guidance. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) was measured at frequent intervals, and ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe the gestational sac. In 9 patients, the serum ß-hCG level was effectively reduced with a single AE injection at 2 hours. In the remaining 10 patients, the level decreased but then increased in 4 and slowly decreased in the other 6; all of these 10 patients required 2 to 5 repeat AE injections. In all patients, serum ß-hCG level was reduced by 50% within 3 days and decreased to <10% of the initial level within 14 days. In 18 patients (95%), the level was decreased to 1.0 mIU/mL within 40 days. Seven patients were treated on an outpatient basis. Twelve patients received no anesthesia. Five patients subsequently became pregnant, and each had a live birth. There was no recurrent CP or CSP. The procedure was successful in all 19 patients. CONCLUSION: This procedure is an effective treatment for CP or CSP that could be used in place of conventional surgical interventions and medical treatment using MTX.

Infertility treatment strategy involving combined freeze-all embryos and single vitrified-warmed embryo transfer during hormonal replacement cycle for in vitro fertilization of women with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

AIM: Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is a condition caused by the deficient secretion of pituitary gonadotropins, leading to diminished ovarian function. Several studies of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in women with HH revealed acceptable clinical pregnancy outcomes but high multiple pregnancy rates after multiple fresh embryo transfer (ET). The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcomes of combined freeze-all embryos and single vitrified-warmed ET in women with HH. METHODS: Of 91 infertile women with HH (basal luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels <2.0 mIU/mL), we excluded patients aged ≥40 years (n = 2) and women who preferred fresh ET (n = 10). Seventy-nine women underwent 117 oocyte retrieval cycles and 135 vitrified-warmed ET during hormone replacement (HR) cycles from 2008 to 2014 at the Kato Ladies Clinic and Juntendo University Hospital. RESULTS: In 26 single cleavage ET cycles, the rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth were 34.6% (9/26 ET) and 26.9% (7/26 ET), respectively. Regarding the outcomes after single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were 65.1% (71/109 ET) and 50.5% (55/109 ET), respectively. Multiple conceptions and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome did not occur in any of the women with HH. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that IVF followed by single vitrified-warmed ET in adjusted endocrine milieu during the HR cycle is an effective fertility treatment for women with HH and decreases the incidence of complications, including multiple conceptions.

Levothyroxine supplementation improves serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels in infertile patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

AIM: Thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity are associated with an adverse effect on fertility. An aberrant high thyroid stimulating hormone level is associated with diminished ovarian reserve in women of reproductive age; however, the utility of levothyroxine (LT4) replacement for infertile patients with subclinical hypothyroidism is still under discussion. The aim of this study was to investigate whether LT4 supplementation for infertile patients with subclinical hypothyroidism improves impaired ovarian function. METHODS: We measured levels of serum thyroid-related hormones and a biomarker of ovarian function, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in infertile women from 2014 to 2015. Out of a consecutive 1431 infertile patients, 311 patients with an elevated thyroid stimulating hormone level (≥ 2.5 µIU/mL) underwent detailed thyroid examinations, including blood tests of thyroid antibodies. We recruited 174 infertile patients, excluding patients with factors impacting ovarian and thyroid function. We evaluated alterations in AMH and thyroid related hormone levels during LT4 supplementation and infertility treatment with assisted reproductive technology. RESULTS: After LT4 supplementation, no significant change in the average AMH level was detected overall. However, the AMH level in 35 patients with Hashimoto's disease increased significantly after treatment (1 month 1.3 ± 0.5 fold, P = 0.007; 3 months 1.3 ± 0.4 fold, P = 0.040). The AMH level in patients with thyroglobulin antibody-positive and thyroid peroxidase antibody-negative also significantly increased after LT4 treatment (1 and 3 months 1.5 fold; P = 0.023). CONCLUSION: In the patients with Hashimoto's disease, preconception LT4 treatment may relieve adverse effects, including autoimmune antibodies, and support follicular development.

High serum progesterone associated with infertility in a woman with nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) is an autosomal-recessive disorder caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency and manifests as hirsutism and oligomenorrhea due to excess adrenal androgen and progesterone. We report a case of a woman with NCAH who showed continuous high serum progesterone levels in the follicular phase associated with impaired folliculogenesis. NCAH was diagnosed based on high 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels after rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone loading, and three heterozygous missense mutations in CYP21A2, encoding 21-hydroxylase, were identified. Recurrent failure of in vitro fertilization programs occurred because of empty follicles and preterm rupture of leading follicles, and vaginal stenosis with a hypoplastic cervix. Glucocorticoid administration normalized serum progesterone levels, restored folliculogenesis, and stretched the vaginal wall, which contributed to the success of the in vitro fertilization program. The patient delivered at term following blastocyst transfer. Correction of hyperandrogenism and high progesterone levels using glucocorticoids may improve fertility in women with NCAH.

Cytogenetic analysis of the retained products of conception after missed abortion following blastocyst transfer: a retrospective, large-scale, single-centre study.

Cytogenetic analysis of the retained products of conception (POC) is the most effective test for identifying miscarriage causes. However, there has been no large-scale study limited to blastocyst transfer. This study retrospectively reports the findings of 1030 cases in which POC analysis was performed after missed abortion following single blastocyst transfer performed at the Shinbashi Yume Clinic. We identified 19.4% as normal karyotypes and 80.6% as aneuploid. These cases broke down into: 62.3% trisomy; 7.8% double trisomy; 0.5% triple or quadruple trisomy; 1.3% monosomy 21; 3.2% monosomy X; 0.1% 47,XXY; 1.0% polyploidy; 1.0% mixed; 1.1% embryonic mosaicism; and 2.4% structural anomalies. In samples with normal karyotypes, 49.5% were female while 50.5% were male. The occurrence of trisomy and double trisomy were both significantly more frequent in the ≥38 years group than in the ≤37 years group (P < 0.01). Trisomy was significantly more frequently associated with fetal heartbeat (P < 0.01); double trisomy, polyploidy and normal karyotype were significantly more frequent with no fetal heartbeat (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities between the number of miscarriages or blastocyst quality. Thus, POC cytogenetic testing is highly valuable for ascertaining the cause of miscarriage.

Changes in estrone and estradiol levels during follicle development: a retrospective large-scale study.

BACKGROUND: The improved reagent for measuring estradiol (E2), the ST AIA-PACK iE2 reagent, has a higher specificity for the measurement of E2 levels than the original ST AIA-PACK E2 reagent, because of its lower cross-reactivity with estrone (E1). As we had E2 data obtained with either of the reagents, we analyzed changes in E1 and E2 levels during follicle development. METHODS: The study included 14371 serum hormone measurements from 4412 patients who underwent oocyte retrieval or frozen/thawed embryo transfer in natural cycle in vitro fertilization in Shinbashi YUME clinic, Tokyo, between June 2011 and May 2014. The age of the patients ranged from 24 to 48 year (mean and standard deviation, 39.8 ± 4.0 year). Patients were categorized into three age groups (<38 year, 38-40 year, and >40 year) and into 10 groups of largest follicle diameter from 11 to 20 mm, with 1-mm intervals. Serum E2 levels were measured in the follicular phase with either the ST AIA-PACK E2 reagent or the ST AIA-PACK iE2 reagent, and the data were compared. Also, for 26 randomly selected samples, E2 was measured using both reagents, together with E1 and E3, and the E1/E2 ratios were compared. RESULTS: E2 concentrations measured with the ST AIA-PACK iE2 reagent were significantly lower than those measured with the ST AIA-PACK E2 reagent in the largest follicle diameter category of 11-17 mm in the <38 year group, in the largest follicle diameter category of 11-18 mm in the 38-40 year group, and in the largest follicle diameter category of 11-15 mm in the >40 year group. The serum E1/E2 ratio in the 26 samples was 3.4 ± 1.1 and 0.7 ± 0.1 in the early follicular phase and in the ovulatory phase, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The difference between the E2 concentrations measured with the ST AIA-PACK E2 reagent and the ST AIA-PACK iE2 reagent tended to decrease as the follicle diameter increased, particularly in the older patients, which suggests E1 secretion is more abundant in the early follicular phase and in younger patients than in the ovulatory phase and in older patients.

Women's age and embryo developmental speed accurately predict clinical pregnancy after single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer.

The aim of this study was to establish a simple, objective blastocyst grading system using women's age and embryo developmental speed to predict clinical pregnancy after single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer. A 6-year retrospective cohort study was conducted in a private infertility centre. A total of 7341 single vitrified-armed blastocyst transfer cycles were included, divided into those carried out between 2006 and 2011 (6046 cycles) and 2012 (1295 cycles). Clinical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate and delivery rates were stratified by women's age (<35, 35-37, 38-39, 40-41, 42-45 years) and time to blastocyst expansion (<120, 120-129, 130-139, 140-149, >149 h) as embryo developmental speed. In all the age groups, clinical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate and delivery rates decreased as the embryo developmental speed decreased (P < 0.0001). A simple five-grade score based on women's age and embryo developmental speed was determined by actual clinical pregnancy rates observed in the 2006-2011 cohort. Subsequently, the novel grading score was validated in the 2012 cohort (1295 cycles), finding an excellent association. In conclusion, we established a novel blastocyst grading system using women's age and embryo developmental speed as objective parameters.

Minimal ovarian stimulation combined with elective single embryo transfer policy: age-specific results of a large, single-centre, Japanese cohort.

BACKGROUND: The two main complications associated with the use of assisted reproduction techniques, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple pregnancies, could be eliminated by milder ovarian stimulation protocols and the increased use of a single embryo transfer (SET) policy. A retrospective, cohort study was performed in private infertility centre to evaluate the embryological and clinical results of a large exclusively SET program according to patient age (lower or equal 29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44 and equal or higher 45 years). MATERIALS: A total of 7,244 infertile patients have undergone 20,244 cycles with a clomiphene-based minimal stimulation or natural cycle IVF protocol during 2008. Following oocyte retrieval, fertilization and embryo culture a total of 10,401 fresh or frozen single embryo transfer procedures were performed involving cleavage-stage embryos or blastocysts. RESULTS: Successful oocyte retrieval rate (78.0 %) showed no age-dependent decrease until 45 years. Fertilization (80.3 %) and cleavage (91.1 %) rates were not significantly different between age groups. Blastocyst formation (70.1 % to 22.8 %) and overall live birth rates (35.9 % to 2 %) showed an age-dependent decrease. Frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles gave the highest chance of live birth per embryo transfer (41.3 % to 6.1 %). CONCLUSIONS: High fertilization and cleavage rates were obtained regardless of age whereas blastocyst formation and live birth rates showed an age-dependent decrease. An elective single embryo transfer program based on a minimal ovarian stimulation protocol yields acceptable live birth rates per embryo transfer in infertile patients up until their mid-forties. However in very advanced age patients (equal or higher 45 years old) success rates fall below 1 %.

The efficacy and safety of managing ectopic pregnancies with transvaginal ultrasound-guided local injections of absolute ethanol.

PURPOSE: To describe the efficacy and safety of managing ectopic pregnancies (EP) with ultrasound-guided local injections of absolute ethanol (AE). METHODS: 69 cases of EP following IVF performed in our clinic were treated with a local injection of 0.3 ml AE with a 23-gauge needle under transvaginal ultrasonic guidance. The efficacy was evaluated comparing serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) levels before and after the injection. RESULTS: In the 60 successful cases (87%), the serum beta-hCG level decreased by 10-30% in two hours postinjection. Of these, 46 were effective with a single injection and the half-life of beta-hCG was achieved within 4 days in 45 cases. In 56 cases (including repetitive administration) serum beta-hCG levels decreased to 20 mIU/mL within 20 days. The treatment showed no side effects and could be given on an outpatient basis without anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: This method was shown to be a safe, effective new approach to treating EP.

Aromatase expression in stromal cells of endometrioid endometrial cancer correlates with poor survival.

PURPOSE AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: To assess the prognostic significance of intratumoral aromatase in endometrioid endometrial cancer, sections from 55 patients with endometrial cancer were evaluated for expression of aromatase using immunohistochemistry, and the correlation between aromatase expression and clinicopathologic parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining for aromatase was positive for 32 (58%), 20 (36%), and 19 (34%) patients in cancer epithelial cells, stromal cells, and myometrial cells around the flank invasion, respectively. In situ hybridization also detected aromatase mRNA in all three types of cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed that aromatase mRNA was 2.5 +/- 1.0 amol/mug total RNA (mean +/- SE; n = 7) in tumor tissue. Western blot analysis detected the expected aromatase protein size of 58 kDa in cancer tissues more abundantly than in cancer-free endometrium (n = 3). The immunoreactivity in stromal cells correlated positively with advanced surgical stage and poor survival. Survival analysis revealed that the immunoreactivity of stromal cells was a significant prognostic factor, independent of histologic grade, muscular invasion, and lymph node metastasis, but dependent on surgical stage. By contrast, the immunoreactivity of aromatase both in cancer epithelial cells and myometrial cells did not correlate with prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence associating intratumoral aromatase expression in stromal cells and poor survival in endometrioid endometrial cancer. This positive linkage indicates that local expression of aromatase plays a role in tumor progression through the formation of in situ estrogens. In situ expression of aromatase may offer a potential target for management of endometrial cancers.

Increased expression of type I 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enhances in situ production of estradiol in uterine leiomyoma.

Expression of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17beta-HSDs) was compared between leiomyoma and myometrium. Cytosolic fractions from leiomyoma homogenate displayed 5-fold higher activity (estrone to estradiol), compared with surrounding myometrium (n = 6, P < 0.05), whereas microsomal fractions showed no difference. Oxidative activity (estradiol to estrone) did not differ between leiomyoma and myometrium. Levels of mRNA for 17beta-HSDs were then measured using real-time PCR techniques. Among the eight different types of 17beta-HSDs (types 1-5, 7, 8, and 10), type 1 was the only enzyme displaying differential expression between leiomyoma and myometrium. Mean concentration of type 1 17beta-HSD mRNA was 4-fold higher in leiomyoma than in surrounding myometrium (n = 20, P < 0.05). Type 1 transcript levels correlated significantly with reductive activity in individual samples (n = 6, P < 0.05). Northern blot analysis of leiomyoma and myometrium tissues detected 2.3- and 1.0-kb transcripts of type 1 enzyme, whereas the major 1.3-kb transcript for 17beta-HSD in placenta-derived JEG-3 cells was not detected. None of the factors increasing mRNA levels for type 1 enzyme in placenta increased mRNA levels in leiomyoma. These results indicate that leiomyoma tissues overexpress type 1 17beta-HSD, resulting in high conversion of estrone to estradiol. In situ expression of type 1 17beta-HSD may play a role in self-supported growth of leiomyoma cells.

Decreased expression of early growth response-1 and its role in uterine leiomyoma growth.

Expression of early growth response (Egr)-1, a transcriptional factor implicated in growth regulation, is suppressed in several malignant tumors. The present study investigated the expression of Egr-1 and related genes in uterine leiomyoma and normal myometrium to determine possible contributions of Egr-1 to neoplastic growth in leiomyoma cells. Levels of Egr-1 transcripts were decreased in all leiomyomas (n = 20) to approximately 10% of levels in corresponding myometrium, where basal expression was high. Preoperative leuprorelin acetate therapy increased levels of Egr-1 mRNA in normal myometrium only. Northern blot analysis using additional sample sets (n = 5) revealed the full-length Egr-1 transcript. Western blot analysis (n = 5) confirmed decreased expression of Egr-1 protein. Southern blot analysis of the Egr-1 gene and microsatellite analysis of the chromosomal location at 5q31 (D5S414, D5S500, and D5S476) revealed neither DNA recombination nor loss of heterozygosity in leiomyomas. Moreover, Egr-1 retained identical responsiveness to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in primary cultures derived from both leiomyoma and normal tissues. Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis revealed that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced Egr-1 in leiomyoma cells retained DNA binding ability. Egr-1 thus appears functionally intact in leiomyoma cells. Finally, consistent with the role of Egr-1 in growth inhibition, transfection of Egr-1 expression vector into a myometrial cell line (KW) that expresses low levels of Egr-1 and displays rapid growth inhibited thymidine uptake in these cells. Egr-1 may display tumor-suppressing activity and offers a potential target for leiomyoma management.

Sex-determining region Y levels in maternal plasma: Evaluation in abnormal pregnancy.

AIM: A number of studies for the measurement of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood have been reported; however, their clinical significance has remained unclear. We proposed to clarify the relationship between fetal DNA levels and obstetrical disorders. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-five cases of normal pregnancy, ranging from 8 to 40 weeks' gestation, and 70 cases of abnormal pregnancy were included. SRY levels in maternal plasma were quantified with a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Sex-determining region Y (SRY) levels and the number of patients with positive levels peaked at 33-36 weeks in normal pregnancy. The SRY levels in threatened abortion (11.6 +/- 4.8 copies/mL to 0 +/- 0, P < 0.05) and threatened preterm labor (44.6 +/- 16.1 copies/mL to 15.9 +/- 6.2, P < 0.01) were significantly higher than those of the normal group. In pre-eclamptic patients, SRY levels were markedly higher than those of the normal group (173.2 +/- 94.8 copies/mL to 22.4 +/- 8.9, P < 0.05). Patients with premature separation of the placenta (266.8 +/- 137.1 copies/mL to 4.9 +/- 3.7, P < 0.05) and placenta previa (167.7 +/- 32.4 copies/mL to 37.0 +/- 17.3, p <0.01) also showed elevated SRY levels. CONCLUSION: Sex-determining region Y levels in maternal plasma were elevated in patients with an abnormal pregnancy, particularly those with placental injury of damage. These results suggested that increased SRY levels are consistently caused by the leak of fetal components, and thus the measurement of SRY levels in maternal plasma is useful for the evaluation of placental injuries.

Fetal DNA levels in maternal blood correlated with fetal prognosis in a case of intervillous hematoma.

Several methods for detection of fetal components in maternal blood have been reported. However, few have proven clinically useful for determining the treatment in cases of placental injuries. Here, we report a case of extensive intervillous hematoma diagnosed at 25 weeks of gestation with severe intrauterine growth restriction and oligohydramnios. Marked elevation of fetal DNA levels was observed in maternal blood. Fetal DNA levels decreased after 27 weeks of gestation, concurrent with recovery of fetal growth. We conservatively managed this case until 30 weeks of gestation, when a male infant was delivered. He weighed 508 g and displayed Apgar scores of 7 at 1 minute and 9 at 5 minutes. Histological examination of the placenta revealed intervillous thrombosis without infarction or inflammatory changes. In this case, decreasing fetal DNA levels in maternal plasma correlated with recovery of fetal growth and provided useful information for fetal management as well as insight into the pathogenesis of placental injuries.