Safety evaluation of single-sperm cryopreservation technique applied in intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a technique that directly injects a single sperm into the cytoplasm of mature oocytes. Here, we explored the safety of single-sperm cryopreservation applied in ICSI. This retrospective study enrolled 186 couples undergoing ICSI-assisted pregnancy. Subjects were allocated to the fresh sperm (group A)/single-sperm cryopreservation (group B) groups based on sperm type, with their clinical baseline/pathological data documented. We used ICSI-compliant sperm for subsequent in vitro fertilization and followed up on all subjects. The recovery rate/cryosurvival rate/sperm motility of both groups, the pregnancy/outcome of women receiving embryo transfer, and the delivery mode/neonatal-related information of women with successful deliveries were recorded. The clinical pregnancy rate, cumulative clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, premature delivery rate, live birth delivery rate, neonatal birth defect rate, and average birth weight were analyzed. The two groups showed no significant differences in age, body mass index, ovulation induction regimen, sex hormone [anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)/luteinizing hormone (LH)] levels, or oocyte retrieval cycles. The sperm recovery rate (51.72%-100.00%) and resuscitation rate (62.09% ± 16.67%) in group B were higher; the sperm motility in the two groups demonstrated no significant difference and met the ICSI requirements. Group B exhibited an increased fertilization rate, decreased abortion rate, and increased safety versus group A. Compared with fresh sperm, the application of single-sperm cryopreservation in ICSI sensibly improved the fertilization rate and reduced the abortion rate, showing higher safety.

Establishment and adipocyte differentiation of polycystic ovary syndrome-derived induced pluripotent stem cells.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a new biological cell model and approach to mimic abnormal lipid metabolism of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Epithelial cells from PCOS patients were reprogrammed to pluripotency by retroviral transduction using defined factors. Morphology, growth characteristics, karyotype, gene expression and differentiation in vitro and in vivo were detected by identification protocol of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). PCOS-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were then induced to differentiate into adipocytes. Ability of the adipocytes for glucose consumption was compared with those from non-PCOS-iPSCs. RESULTS: iPSCs were successfully generated from PCOS patients' adult cells. Formed iPSC clones had the same characteristics of human ESCs. PCOS-iPSCs were induced to differentiation into normal karyotype adipocytes. Compared to non-PCOS-iPSCs, PCOS-iPSCs had more glucose consumption ability during adipocyte differentiation and development in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: This protocol provides a new biological cell model and approach for studying pathogenesis of PCOS and discovering potential drugs to treat it.

Suppression of teratocarcinoma growth by soluble TRAIL gene expression driven by the progression-elevated gene-3 promoter.

A plasmid expressing the soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, sTRAIL (amino acids 114-281 of TRAIL), driven by rat progression-elevated gene-3 (rPEG) promoter was constructed and evaluated. Transfection of embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells with the plasmid resulted in significant cellular apoptosis and elevated expression of death receptor 4 (DR4) and death receptor 5 (DR5). Direct intratumoral injection of DNA:liposome complexes suppressed tumor growth significantly and prolonged the survival of teratocarcinoma-bearing mice. Histological examination and serum analyses showed the absence of detectable toxicity in all examined tissues, including liver. Our results demonstrate that sTRAIL gene expression driven by the rPEG promoter may enable effective gene therapy against teratocarcinoma.