Relationship between embryo development and apoptotic gene expression of cumulus cells in poor responders and polycystic ovary syndrome.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Is there a relationship between embryo quality, pregnancy rates and apoptotic gene expression in cumulus cells of oocytes collected from patients with poor ovarian response and polycystic ovary syndrome? DESIGN: Fifty infertile couples who underwent assisted reproductive technology treatment were included in the study (Approval date 4 February 2020, number 03). The patients were divided into four group: control (n = 9; 90 oocytes), unexplained infertility (n = 8; 86 oocytes), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (n = 6; 137 oocytes) and poor ovarian response (POR) (n = 27; 124 oocytes). Cumulus cells were isolated individually from 437 oocytes obtained. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was undertaken on 365 mature oocytes. The embryos were monitored. Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 gene expressions of the cumulus cells were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: A significant and negative correlation was found between Bax and Bcl-2 expressions of the cumulus cells of poor-quality embryos. The increase in Caspase-3 gene expression in the POR group statistically decreases the pregnancy rates. Fertilization and good-quality embryo development of 365 oocytes whose cumulus cells were examined, however, were not associated with apoptotic gene expression. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was found to be significantly lower in cumulus cells of mature oocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated no significant associations between fertilization, quality embryo development and apoptotic gene expression. Bax expression and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio are high in immature oocyte cumulus cells has shown us that the apoptotic process may begin when the cumulus-oocyte connection exists.

Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell treatment in experimental asherman syndrome induced rats.

Asherman syndrome (AS) occurs due to fibrosis or uterine adhesions as a result of damage to the basal layer of the endometrium. The aim of this study is investigating the effects of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC) application on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), miRNA-98, miRNA199a in endometrial tissue in rats with AS. Study groups were designed as, control (C), Asherman syndrome (AS), AS + oral estrogen (ASO), AS + ADMSC (ASSC), AS + oral estrogen + ADMSC (ASSCO) with 7 samples in each group. Characterization and differentiation experiments were performed in ADMSC obtained. Two weeks after the development of the AS, ADMSC therapy was applied. BrdU (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine) labeling was performed to show the presence of ADMSC in the tissues. Rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks and bilateral uterine horn resection was performed. Tissues were fixed in formaldehyde. After routine tissue follow-up, sections were taken and evaluated with hematoxylin eosin staining. VEGF1 and IGF1 expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis. Expression changes of miR-98 and miR-199a were detected by RT-PCR. Our results showed that stem cells and estrogen giving together reduced inflammation and fibrosis in the endometrium. Immunohistochemistry and western blot results suggested that this effect was achieved especially through IGF-1. In our study, decreased miR-98 and miR-199a expressions were determined in Asherman syndrome. Furthermore, no changes of miRNA expressions were observed in treatment groups.

Effects of different doses of melatonin on rat adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: Stem cell treatment is based on Melatonin which is crucial for lots of pathological and physiological pathways. Our aim is determining the most appropriate dose of melatonin affecting the rat adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS: Stem cells were isolated from male rat adipose tissue. Differentiation and characterization experiments were performed. Cell viability analyses in stem cells were used the XTT [2,3-Bis-(2-methoxy-4-Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide] assay. After 24 h incubation, different concentrations (0.5, 1, 5, 10, 50 µM) of extract were treated to the stem cells for 24 h, 48 and 72 h considering time and dose dependent manner. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and the total oxidant status (TOS) in control cells and melatonin treated cells (5, 10 µM) were determined Rel Assay commercial kits. RESULTS: In 24 h, melatonin increased cell viability in all groups. When we evaluate the effect of melatonin in 48 h, the most proliferation increase was seen at 5, 10 µM doses. When the total oxidant activity melatonin was found to be significantly lower in 5 and 10 µM dose groups of melatonin. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin increases the survivor of stem cells and the most effective dose is 5 and 10 µM. The reduction of the oxidative stress index as a result of treating melatonin to mesenchymal stem cells showed that melatonin is a powerful antioxidant for stem cells.