SARS-CoV-2 infection negatively affects ovarian function in ART patients.

Several organs, such as the heart, breasts, intestine, testes, and ovaries, have been reported to be target tissues of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. To date, no studies have demonstrated SARS-CoV-2 infection in the female reproductive system. In the present study, we investigated the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on ovarian function by comparing follicular fluid (FF) from control and recovered coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and by evaluating the influence of these FF on human endothelial and non-luteinized granulosa cell cultures. Our results showed that most FFs (91.3%) from screened post COVID-19 patients were positive for IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, patients with higher levels of IgG against SARS-CoV-2 had lower numbers of retrieved oocytes. While VEGF and IL-1ß were significantly lower in post COVID-19 FF, IL-10 did not differ from that in control FF. Moreover, in COV434 cells stimulated with FF from post COVID-19 patients, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), estrogen-receptor ß (Erß), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression were significantly decreased, whereas estrogen-receptor α (ERα) and 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD) did not change. In endothelial cells stimulated with post COVID-19 FF, we observed a decrease in cell migration without changes in protein expression of certain angiogenic factors. Both cell types showed a significantly higher γH2AX expression when exposed to post COVID-19 FF. In conclusion, our results describe for the first time that the SARS-CoV-2 infection adversely affects the follicular microenvironment, thus dysregulating ovarian function.

Relationship Between Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Nuclear Vacuoles.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to assess the correlation between the presence, quantity and size of nuclear vacuoles and DNA damage and chromatin status in sperm samples of men who underwent to assisted reproduction technology. METHODS: Forty six males who underwent to assisted reproductive technology (ART) were considered. According to their latest semen analysis (<3 months), were grouped into: (A) strict morphology index ≤4% (26) and (B) strict morphology index ≥14% (20). Motile sperm were selected by density gradient, and MSOME study was conducted to assess the number and size of nuclear vacuoles. DNA fragmentation (TUNEL) and DNA strand status (acridine orange) were assessed over the selected spermatozoa accordingly to their vacuole pattern. RESULTS: In group A, sperm without vacuoles (1°) have similar levels of DNA fragmentation (TUNEL) in compare to the rest of observed patterns (2°- 6°). Regarding to AO, spermatozoa with large or several vacuoles that cover more than 30-50% of the nuclear surface are AO+, but not necessarily TUNEL positive. The first three patterns of vacuoles patterns had lower levels of AO in compare to grades 4° and 6°. In group B, those sperm with one or more vacuoles greater than 30%-50% (4° and 6°), had a significant increase in TUNEL values, in relation to group 1°- 3°. Considering AO, it was found that the 4° and 6° pattern had a significantly elevated level of this marker, as same of group A (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is no relationship between the greater number and size of sperm vacuoles with high levels of DNA fragmentation in patients with severe teratozoospermia (Kruger <4%). Conversely, this relationship is evident in normal semen samples (normal morphology. Sperm selection by IMSI technique, to select non-fragmented sperm in patients with Kruger <4%, is not necessarily secured when non-vacuolated sperm is selected.

A shared egg donor program: which is the minimum number of oocytes to be allocated?

PURPOSE: To evaluate which is the minimum number of oocytes to be allocated to each recipient in a shared egg donor program. METHODS: We analyzed 953 recipients that received at least 4 metaphase II (MII) oocytes in the period 2006-2008. We retrospectively divided the recipients according to the number of MII oocytes actually received. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found among the analyzed strata in clinical pregnancy rate (A:43.7%; B:45.6%; C:48.6%; D:45.5%; E:53%, P=NS) and miscarriage rate. However, the rate of top quality transferred embryos, and the embryo freezing rate were significantly higher among those recipients that received 7 or more mature eggs. CONCLUSIONS: After a large sample was analyzed, no significant differences in fresh embryo transfer outcome were encountered when a different number of oocytes was allocated. A minimum of 4 MII oocytes seems to achieve satisfactory pregnancy rates in our shared egg donor program.

Visualization of cytoskeleton components during fertilization in mammals.

The authors analyzed the cytoskeletal dynamics during human and bovine fertilization. Microtubules, microfilaments, and actin-related proteins are differently required for pronuclear migration and apposition.

Practice of sharing donated oocytes among several recipients.

Sharing donated oocytes among several recipients is an effective practice. It lowers the cost, shortens their waiting time, and offers a satisfactory pregnancy rate.

Differential toxicity of copper, zinc, and lead during the embryonic development of Chasmagnathus granulatus (Brachyura, Varunidae).

Ovigerous females of the estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulatus were exposed to copper (0.01 and 1 mg/L), zinc (0.05, 1, and 10 mg/L), or lead (0.01 and 1 mg/L) during early, late, or whole embryonic development. None of the assayed heavy metals produced a significant mortality of females, neither a decrease in the number of hatched larvae nor a decrease in the egg incubation time, but several morphological abnormalities were detected in hatched larvae. The abnormalities were classified in three categories: eye, body pigmentary, and body morphological abnormalities. Those larvae with eye and body pigmentary abnormalities, particularly those involving retinal pigments and chromatophores, showed the highest incidence by exposure to the assayed metals. In addition, embryos were more susceptible to copper and zinc during the late period of development, whereas the effect of lead was greater during the early period of embryogenesis. Some teratogenic effects observed in C. granulatus embryos exposed to heavy metals, particularly the hypertrophy and hypopigmentation of eyes observed in the laboratory at a lead concentration as low as that reported for the natural environment, could be considered as sensitive biomarkers for this kind of pollutant.