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Category Archives: Human Reproduction

RMA of Philadelphia: Meet Arthur J. Castelbaum, MD – Video

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RMA of Philadelphia: Meet Arthur J. Castelbaum, MD
Dr. Castelbaum received his medical degree from Washington University, and completed his residency training and postgraduate fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. He has been featured in Philadelphia Magazine and on The Discovery Channel and he also serves as a reviewer for the journals Fertility and Sterility and Human Reproduction.From:RMAofPhiladelphiaViews:14 0ratingsTime:03:18More inScience Technology

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RMA of Philadelphia: Meet Arthur J. Castelbaum, MD - Video

The Second Ad – Video

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The Second Ad
Project for Social Studies 11. Last year, Prime Minister Stephen Harper presented his "Here for Canada" Conservative policy platform. Some of the key points the plan mentioned were to give more support for seniors, to strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces and to create jobs. Those promises, however, all turned out to be lies. According to the 2012 Canadian Federal Budget, among the most notable elements were changes to Old Age Security and a reduction of the budget for the Canadian Forces. Also, 19200 federal public service jobs are being eliminated. Should we continue to follow the man who constantly lies to us? The man who is taking action to ensure Old Age Security will be there when Canadians need it by "raising" the age of eligibility to 67? The man who strengthens the army by reducing its budget? The man who eliminates jobs when he promised to create new ones? This is not the end of Stephen Harper #39;s barbaric actions. He shattered his promise to save the environment by eliminating the essential environmental programs such as the "Round Table", "Experimental Lakes Area", and the "Arctic atmospheric research lab". He took back his words to keep all Canadians healthy by removing the "Assisted Human Reproduction Canada", "National Aboriginal Health Organization", and "Canadian Immigration Interim Federal Health Program" Stephen Harper #39;s idea of good government is to take from the people in need to support his government #39;s policies. Unlike the Conservatives, NDP will ...From:julia60921Views:12 0ratingsTime:01:23More inFilm Animation

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The Second Ad - Video

Dr Deagle Show 2012/10/19 – PREPAREDNESS, CIVIL DEFENSE AND EARTH CHANGES – Video

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Dr Deagle Show 2012/10/19 - PREPAREDNESS, CIVIL DEFENSE AND EARTH CHANGES
JOHN MOORE - http://WWW.THELIBERTYMAN .COM - 7 - 9 AM CST MF RADIO SHOW ON REPUBLIC RADIO - LATEST ON MILITARY, FEMA, CIVIL DEFENSE AND FOREIGN TROOP MOVEMENTS AND PREPAREDNESS ISSUES IN AMERICA ANN MORRISON - http://WWW.HOMELAND-DEFENSE4U.COM - LATEST ON SINKHOLE IN LOUISIANNA - MILITARY BARRACKS EXPLOSION IN LOUISIANNA - SUV SIZED ASTEROID GROUND STRIKE NEAR SAN FRANCISCO, CA - EARTH CHANGES AND VOLCANISM WITH NEW LINK FOR REAL TIME EARTHQUAKE DATA ALEXANDER BACKMAN - http://WWW.ALEXANDERBACKMAN.COM - ZETA CARTEL HEAD KILLED BY MEXICAN GOVERNMENT WITH US AID - 10 CHINESE BASES IN NORTHERN MEXICO READY FOR US INVASION IN CASE OF FUTURE WAR - MATERIALS FOR WAR FLOOD INTO MEXICO FROM CHINA IN FORWARD PLACEMENT - MOVIE REVIEW "CODE 46" 2004 BRITISH DYSTOPIC MOVIE DEALS WITH FUTURE GENETIC CRIME AND A WORLD WITH SUPERSTATE CONTROL OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION AND GENETIC LAW BREAKERS http://www.nutrimedical.com THE NUTRIMEDICAL REPORT SHOW --- FRIDAY OCTOBER 19THFrom:urupiper2Views:2862 30ratingsTime:38:55More inNonprofits Activism

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Dr Deagle Show 2012/10/19 - PREPAREDNESS, CIVIL DEFENSE AND EARTH CHANGES - Video

Healthier Humans or Designer Babies. Should scientists be playing GOD ? – Video

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Healthier Humans or Designer Babies. Should scientists be playing GOD ?
Healthier Humans or Designer Babies. Should scientists be playing GOD ? It is a procedure that could prevent children from inheriting rare, incurable diseases such as stroke, blindness, deafness, kidney failure and heart disease. Healthy embryos are being created using two women and one man. Scientists are trying to eliminate defects that affect an estimated one in 4000 children. But it is stirring the ethics debate. There are a lot of questions about the morality of having babies with three parents, the implications for the child #39;s descendants, and the prospect of babies-to-order. The research for the new technique is being conducted at Oregon Health and Science University in the US. The procedure still needs US federal government approval to be tested on humans. In 2009, scientists were able to create eggs with DNA transplants from Rhesus monkeys. Four developed into healthy animals. The team has now used the same technique to create human embryos, with about half having abnormalities. But they say some 20 per cent of the eggs did produce embryos that would have been suitable for transfer back into the mother. So is science creating so-called designer babies? And should scientists be allowed to interfere with nature? To discuss this on Inside Story with presenter Zami Zeidan are guests: Josephine Quintavalle, the director of Core-ethics, a public interest group focusing on the ethics of human reproduction; Laurie Zoloth, a professor in biotechs and medical humanity at ...From:Tsiyonut timesViews:16 1ratingsTime:25:02More inNews Politics

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Healthier Humans or Designer Babies. Should scientists be playing GOD ? - Video

Scientists reveal gene-swapping technique. Should scientists be playing GOD ? – Video

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Scientists reveal gene-swapping technique. Should scientists be playing GOD ?
Scientists reveal gene-swapping technique. Should scientists be playing GOD ? It is a procedure that could prevent children from inheriting rare, incurable diseases such as stroke, blindness, deafness, kidney failure and heart disease. Healthy embryos are being created using two women and one man. Scientists are trying to eliminate defects that affect an estimated one in 4000 children. But it is stirring the ethics debate. There are a lot of questions about the morality of having babies with three parents, the implications for the child #39;s descendants, and the prospect of babies-to-order. The research for the new technique is being conducted at Oregon Health and Science University in the US. The procedure still needs US federal government approval to be tested on humans. In 2009, scientists were able to create eggs with DNA transplants from Rhesus monkeys. Four developed into healthy animals. The team has now used the same technique to create human embryos, with about half having abnormalities. But they say some 20 per cent of the eggs did produce embryos that would have been suitable for transfer back into the mother. So is science creating so-called designer babies? And should scientists be allowed to interfere with nature? To discuss this on Inside Story with presenter Zami Zeidan are guests: Josephine Quintavalle, the director of Core-ethics, a public interest group focusing on the ethics of human reproduction; Laurie Zoloth, a professor in biotechs and medical ...From:Conspirafied0Views:45 0ratingsTime:25:02More inNews Politics

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Scientists reveal gene-swapping technique. Should scientists be playing GOD ? - Video

Pathetic Human Repro. Machines .Pak Man with ambition to hav 100 children – Video

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Pathetic Human Repro. Machines .Pak Man with ambition to hav 100 children
Pathetic Human Reproduction Machines . Pakistani Man with ambition to hav 100 children..thanks islamic freedom to marry manyFrom:abdulbariijanViews:68 3ratingsTime:02:16More inComedy

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Pathetic Human Repro. Machines .Pak Man with ambition to hav 100 children - Video

FMR1 Gene May Control Women’s Fertility Life Cycle, According to Research from Center for Human Reproduction

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Research from a leading New York infertility center suggests that the FMR1 gene influences the age at which a woman reaches menarche.

New York, NY (PRWEB) October 22, 2012

The study, conducted by researchers from the Center for Human Reproduction (CHR), a leading fertility center in New York City, and the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, compared the age of menarche (start of menstruation) and the number of CGG tri-nucleotide repeats on the FMR1 gene. Among the 222 women studied, a significant relationship was identified between the age of menarche and CGG counts. Specifically, women with at least one FMR1 allele with CGG counts higher than 34 were more likely to reach menarche after age 13 compared to women with CGG counts on both FMR1 alleles below 34.

The FMR1 gene has long been associated with neuro-psychiatric conditions, but only in recent years it has been shown to have controlling effects on womens ovarian function. While for neuro-psychiatric risks, the FMR1 gene is considered normal up to CGG repeats of 55, the CHR investigators defined CGG counts between 26 and 34 as normal (norm) in regards to ovarian function, with CGG counts higher than 34 being defined as high and those lower than 26 as low. In a number of prior publications, the same group demonstrated genotypes and sub-genotypes of the FMR1 gene to be statistically associated with different ovarian aging patterns and IVF pregnancy rates.

This study revealed that women with at least one high FMR1 allele tend to start their reproductive life later than women with low or norm alleles, explains Norbert Gleicher, MD, Medical Director and Chief Scientists of CHR. The finding further strengthens our hypothesis that the FMR1 gene has a significant influence on how a womans ovaries reach maturity, and then decline with age, defining her reproductive life cycle over her lifetime.

Further studies are needed to better define how to predict a womans reproductive potential as she moves through life, based on FMR1 genotypes and sub-genotypes. Currently, prediction of female reproductive potential is difficult, and often impossible. Utilization of FMR1 genotypes and sub-genotypes may potentially open up new opportunities.

About Center for Human Reproduction

The Center for Human Reproduction (CHR, http://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/), located in New York City, is one of the worlds leading fertility centers. Because of its worldwide reputation as "fertility center of last resort, CHR has a worldwide patient following among women with DOR, whether due to advanced age, or due to premature ovarian aging (POA). Dr. Gleicher is available for further comments.

Communications Manager Center for Human Reproduction (212) 994-4400 Email Information

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FMR1 Gene May Control Women’s Fertility Life Cycle, According to Research from Center for Human Reproduction

Monitoring fertility (semen analysis) by cancer survivors who banked sperm prior to cancer treatment

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STUDY QUESTION

What medical and psychological variables predict why men with banked sperm do not return for semen analysis after their cancer treatment has ended?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Men who decline the offer of semen analysis are less likely to have reported adverse side effects during cancer treatment, and have a more negative experience of banking sperm and a more negative attitude towards disposal of their stored semen than those who attend.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Previous authors have noted that male cancer survivors seem reluctant to have their fertility tested after their treatment has ended. Moreover, the utilization rates of banked sperm are very low (<10%) and the majority of samples are kept for many years without being used.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION

A cross-sectional study of 499 cancer survivors who were sent a questionnaire about their views on sperm banking, fertility and post-treatment semen analysis between April 2008 and December 2010.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Men (aged 18–55 years) who had banked sperm in Sheffield and Nottingham (UK) prior to gonadotoxic treatment for cancer more than 5 years previously.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Completed questionnaires were received from 193 men (38.7% response rate) whose samples had been banked for 9.18 ± 3.70 years (range = 4.94–26.21) and whose current age was 35.08 ± 7.08 years (range = 21.58–54.34; mean ± SD). One-third (35.8%) had never attended for semen analysis. In multivariate analysis, the odds of not attending for semen analysis were significantly greater among men who did not experience adverse treatment side effects [odds ratio (OR) = 5.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.10–15.56], who reported a more negative experience of banking sperm (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.17–2.82) and a more negative attitude to disposal of their stored semen (OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.01–2.42).

LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR CAUTION

Only 38.7% of those eligible agreed to take part. We do not know the characteristics of men who declined to take part, if they agreed to attend semen analysis without completing the questionnaire or whether they had chosen to have semen analysis performed elsewhere (e.g. private sector). Some of the measures used (e.g. experience of banking sperm) relied on men's recall of events many years previously.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

New strategies are required to encourage these men to engage with fertility monitoring programmes if sperm banks are to be used cost-effectively and men are to be given appropriate fertility advice.

STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS

This paper was supported by funding from Cancer Research-UK to C.E., A.A.P. and R.R. (C481/A8141). The views expressed are those of the authors. No competing interests declared.

Source:
http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/27/11/3132?rss=1

Effect of smoking on the functional aspects of sperm and seminal plasma protein profiles in patients with varicocele

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STUDY QUESTION

What are the effects of smoking on the functional aspects of the sperm, the levels of lipid peroxidation and the protein profile of seminal plasma in patients with varicocele?

SUMMARY ANSWER

In men with varicocele, smoking is associated with altered semen quality, decreased sperm functional integrity and seminal oxidative stress. Alterations in seminal plasma protein profiles are also present and may explain the altered semen phenotype.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Varicocele is a major cause of male infertility. It reduces testicular blood renewal with a consequent accumulation of toxic substances. Thus, it can potentiate the toxic effects of environmental exposure to genotoxic substances such as those found in cigarette smoke.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION

A cross-sectional study was performed in 110 patients presenting with variococele to the Human Reproduction Section of the Sao Paulo Federal University (2006–2010). The patients were divided into a control group of non-smokers, a moderate smokers group and a heavy smokers group.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING AND METHODS

Semen parameters were analysed by standard methods. Sperm DNA integrity and mitochondrial activity were assessed by Comet assays and by 3,3'-diaminobenzidine deposition, respectively. The level of lipid peroxidation in semen was determined by malondialdehyde quantification. Proteomic studies were performed by 2D-electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Both groups of smokers showed reduced semen quality in comparison with the control group. In the groups of smokers, sperm DNA integrity and mitochondrial activity were also decreased and lipid peroxidation levels were increased. Proteomic analyses revealed 20 proteins differentially expressed between the study groups.

LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR CAUTION

A study including smokers without varicocele is still warranted as these results apply only to smokers who present varicocele.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Patients with varicocele who are exposed to tobacco smoking present more important alterations to semen quality and sperm functional integrity and show changes in the seminal plasma proteome. This suggests testicular, and possibly systemic, adverse effects of smoking.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

Funding for the study was provided by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (Fapesp) (2007/59423-7) and by the Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section at the São Paulo Federal University.

Source:
http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/27/11/3140?rss=1

Herbal supplements in pregnancy: unexpected results from a multicentre study

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STUDY QUESTION

How common is the use of herbal supplements during pregnancy and does it adversely affect the pregnancy outcome?

SUMMARY ANSWER

The use of herbal products during pregnancy is very common and daily almond oil spreading is associated with preterm birth (PTB).

WHAT IS KNOWN AND WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

Herbal drugs are often promoted as ‘natural’ and ‘safe’ and such claims attract pregnant women. More than a quarter of Italian pregnant women consume herbs every day for at least 3 months during pregnancy. We raise an alert over the habit of daily almond oil spreading since it seems to be associated with PTB.

DESIGN

A multicenter retrospective cohort study performed over a 15-month period.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Seven hundred women interviewed within 3 days of childbirth, in three public hospitals in northern Italy.

MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE

One hundred and eighty-nine women were considered ‘regular users’, since they consumed herbs every day, for at least 3 months. Almond oil, chamomile and fennel were the most commonly used herbs. Both length of gestation and birthweight were affected by herb consumption. Almond oil users showed more pre-term birth (29 of 189) than non-users (51 of 511). After adjusting for multiple pregnancies, smoking, advanced age and drug intake, almond oil users maintained an increased risk to give birth <37th week (odds ratio = 2.09, 95% confidence interval: 1.08–4.08).

BIAS, CONFOUNDING AND OTHER REASONS FOR CAUTION

The association between daily spreading of almond oil and PTB only raises a hypothesis that requires confirmation in larger trials devoted to this topic. The relatively small sample size did not allow the investigation of other adverse pregnancy outcomes in herb users.

GENERALIZABILITY TO OTHER POPULATIONS

The population under investigation did not significantly differ from the general population attending the same hospitals.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

No conflict of interest exists. The study has been supported by a public grant from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

None

Source:
http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/27/11/3161?rss=1

Motile sperm organelle morphology evaluation-selected globozoospermic human sperm with an acrosomal bud exhibits novel patterns and higher levels of phospholipase C zeta

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STUDY QUESTION

Does motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) affect levels and localization patterns of the oocyte activation factor phospholipase C zeta (PLC) in globozoospermic sperm with and without an acrosomal bud?

SUMMARY ANSWER

MSOME identified round-headed globozoospermic sperm with increased levels of PLC relative to sperm from the same sample that did not undergo MSOME, and identified novel patterns of PLC localization in sperm exhibiting an acrosomal bud.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Absence or reduction in the level of PLC in the sperm head, abnormal localization patterning, or defective functional ability as a result of PLC gene mutation, have been linked to certain types of human male factor infertility in which oocyte activation is deficient. It has been determined that a subpopulation of sperm (1%) from a patient exhibiting 100% globozoospermia presented with an acrosome bud upon MSOME. A cycle of intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection, carried out with sperm exhibiting an acrosomal bud led to pregnancy and birth of a healthy baby boy, without the use of assisted oocyte activation (AOA).

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Immunofluorescent analysis of PLC in globozoospermic sperm from three patients, before and after MSOME.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Quantitative immunofluorescence was used to investigate PLC levels and localization patterns in individual sperm (n = 1 patient) identified by MSOME and isolated by micromanipulation, and presenting with and without the acrosomal bud. A secondary aim was to investigate levels and localization patterns of PLC in sperm before and after MSOME from two other globozoospermic men.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Non-globozoospermic control sperm exhibited characteristic localization patterns of PLC immunofluorescence. Completely round-headed globozoospermic sperm from patients 1–3 were either devoid of PLC immunofluorescence, or exhibited an abnormal, punctate, pattern of PLC localization. PLC immunofluorescence in sperm exhibiting an acrosomal bud was observed in the midpiece with varying fluorescent intensity and was detected in 28.5% of such sperm. The majority of sperm with an acrosomal bud (43.0%) exhibited punctate patterns of PLC localization within the sperm head. A further 28.5% of sperm exhibited PLC in both the head and the midpiece. Total levels of PLC, and the proportions of sperm exhibiting PLC immunoreactivity, showed significant variance (P ≤ 0.05) amongst control [45.8 arbitrary units (a.u.) and 95.7%, respectively], non-MSOME-selected (25.9 a.u. and 46.1%, respectively) and MSOME-selected globozoospermic sperm (33.4 a.u. and 65.0%, respectively). Total levels of PLC immunofluorescence, and proportions of sperm exhibiting PLC immunoreactivity, in control sperm was significantly higher (P≤ 0.05) compared with non-MSOME-selected sperm, but not significantly different from MSOME-selected sperm.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The low numbers of sperm analysed may not be ideal for conclusive statistical analysis. Evaluation of the effects of MSOME on morphologically normal sperm would confirm conclusions.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The present findings provide hope for the future treatment of globozoospermia without the need for AOA, and provide further evidence for the clinical application of PLC as a therapeutic and prognostic tool.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

The research described herein was funded by the Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford. The authors report no conflict of interest.

Source:
http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/27/11/3150?rss=1

The ENDOCARE questionnaire guides European endometriosis clinics to improve the patient-centeredness of their care

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STUDY QUESTION

How patient-centered are two included specialized endometriosis clinics relative to each other and how can they improve the patient-centeredness of their care?

SUMMARY ANSWER

The validated ENDOCARE questionnaire (ECQ) reliably concluded that the adjusted overall patient-centeredness did not differ between the clinics, that each clinic was significantly more patient-centered for 2 out of 10 dimensions of patient-centered endometriosis care and that clinics 1 and 2 had to improve 8 and 13 specific care aspects, respectively.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Patient-centered endometriosis care is essential to high-quality care and is defined by 10 dimensions. The ECQ was developed, validated and proved to be reliable in a European setting of self-reported endometriosis patients but had not yet been used at a clinic level for quality management.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A cross-sectional survey was disseminated in 2011 to all 514 women diagnosed with endometriosis during a laparoscopy indicated for pain and/or infertility during a retrospective 2-year period (2009–2010) in two university clinics from two different European countries.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

In total 337 patients completed the ECQ (216 and 121 per clinic). Respondents had a mean age of 34.3 years. Three in four reported a surgical diagnosis of moderate or severe endometriosis and the majority reported surgical treatment by a multidisciplinary team. The ECQ assessed the 10 dimensions of patient-centeredness, more specifically whether the health-care performance, as perceived by patients, measured up to what is important to patients in general.

MAIN RESULTS

The ECQ was completed by 337 respondents (response rate = 65.6%). Reliability and validity of the ECQ for use on clinic level were confirmed. Clinics did not differ in overall mean importance scores; importance rankings of the ECQ dimensions were almost identical. The overall patient-centeredness scores (PCS), adjusted for education level, did not discriminate between the clinics. However, the adjusted PCS for the dimensions ‘clinic staff’ and ‘technical skills’ were significantly better in clinic 1, whereas the dimensions ‘physical comfort’ and ‘access to care’ were significantly better in clinic 2. There were 8 (clinic 1) and 13 (clinic 2) targets identified for joint and cross-clinic improvement.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Response rates were relatively high. Recall bias was the most important limitation and research in more clinics is needed to define the statistical discriminative value of the ECQ.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

European endometriosis clinics can use the validated ECQ for reliable assessment of their ‘patient-centeredness’, for comparison with others and for setting specific targets to improve the patient-centeredness of their endometriosis care, to plan interventions, and to evaluate their effectiveness.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST

This work was funded by KU Leuven and European Network of Endometriosis (ENE), supported by the European Commission (Public Health Executive Agency). No competing interests are declared.

Source:
http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/27/11/3168?rss=1

Eutopic endometrium and peritoneal, ovarian and colorectal endometriotic tissues express a different profile of Nectin-1, -3, -4 and nectin-like molecule 2

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STUDY QUESTION

How is the expression of nectins and nectin-like molecules (Necls) detected by immunostaining altered by endometriosis?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Our results suggest that Nectin-1, -3, -4 and Necl-2 may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Immunostaining of nectins and Necls varies according to the anatomical location of endometriosis.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

Nectin and Necl molecules are immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules involved in apoptosis, cell proliferation and in metastases. Previous studies have demonstrated the involvement of adhesion molecules in the development of endometriotic lesions but no data exist on immunostaining of nectins and Necls molecules in endometriosis.

DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary-care hospital (Tenon Hospital, Paris, France). Samples were collected from 55 women undergoing endometrial biopsy or surgery for endometriosis and 20 controls having hysterectomy or endometrial biopsy for other reasons; multiple samples were collected from 15 women. We studied the immunostaining of Nectin-1, -3, -4 and Necl-2 in secretory and proliferative endometrium from women with (n = 20) or without endometriosis (i.e. control group, n = 20), and in peritoneal (n = 20), ovarian (n = 20) and colorectal endometriosis (n = 20).

MAIN RESULTS

Semi-quantitative immunostaining demonstrated that (1) Necl-2 staining was stronger in all types of endometriotic lesions than in the eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis (P < 0.0125) and in ovarian endometriotic cysts compared with other locations (P < 0.001); (2) Nectin-3 staining was stronger in the eutopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis compared with controls (P = 0.03) and in all endometriotic lesions compared with the eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis (P < 0.0125); (3) Nectin-4, staining was stronger in the eutopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis compared with controls (P = 0.04) and (4) Nectin-1 staining was significantly increased in colorectal endometriosis compared with other locations (P = 0.004).

BIAS, CONFOUNDING AND OTHER REASONS FOR CAUTION

We did not assess the pattern of expression in endometriosis of all nectins and Necl molecules. Indeed, Necl-5 is implicated in many pathophysiological processes such as cell movement and proliferation with potential relevance to endometriosis.

GENERALISABILITY TO OTHER POPULATIONS

At present, few data on implication of nectins and Necl molecules in endometriosis exist. Hence, our results should be confirmed by further quantitative studies at protein or RNA levels.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

No funding source. All the authors declare no conflict of interest.

Source:
http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/27/11/3179?rss=1


  1. Human Reproduction