Effects of Postmortem Interval on Mouse Ovary Oocyte Survival and Maturation

To study the time- and temperature-dependent survival of ovarian oocytes collected from postmortem carcass, ICR mice were killed and placed for different periods (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 h) at different temperatures (25°C, 4°C and 37°C). After preservation, oocyte morphology, germinal vesicle (GV) oocyte number, oocyte meiotic maturation percentage, mitochondrial distribution and intracellular glutathione (GSH) level were evaluated. The results showed no surviving oocytes could be collected by 2h, 6h, and 12 h after carcass preservation at 37°C, 25°C and 4°C, respectively. The number of collected GV oocytes in the ovary deceased as the preservation time lasted at the same temperature. Meanwhile at the same point in time, the ratio of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and the first polar body emission (PBE) gradually reduced as preservation temperature increased. In addition, the percentage of abnormal mitochondrial distribution in the preserved oocytes was obviously higher than that in the control oocytes, while GSH level was not altered in collected oocytes. Unexpectedly, neither chromosome arrangement nor spindle organization was affected as long as the oocytes from preserved carcasses could complete maturation. These data are helpful for proper use of ovary oocytes from postmortem carcass of valuable individuals.     

Downregulated Expression of Peroxiredoxin 4 in Granulosa Cells from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Peroxiredoxin 4 (PRDX4), a member of Peroxiredoxin (PRDX) family, is a typical 2-Cys PRDX. PRDX4 monitors the oxidative burden within cellular compartment and reduces hydrogen peroxide and alkyl hydroperoxide related to oxidative stress and apoptosis. Antioxidant, like PRDX4, may promote follicle development and participate in the pathophysiology of PCOS. In our previous study, we found that PRDX4 was expressed in mice oocyte cumulus oophorus complex, and that PRDX4 could be associated with follicle development. In this study, we explored the expression of PRDX4 in human follicles and possible role of PRDX4 in PCOS pathophysiology. Our data showed that PRDX4 was mainly expressed in granulosa cells in human ovaries. When compared to control group, both PRDX4 mRNA level and protein level decreased in PCOS group. The lowered levels of PRDX4 may relate to oxidative stress in the pathophysiologic progress of PCOS. Furthermore, expression of PRDX4 in the granulosa cells of in vivo or in vitro matured follicles was higher than that in immatured follicles, which suggested that PRDX4 may have a close relationship with follicular development. Altogether, our findings may provide new clues of the pathophysiologic mechanism of PCOS and potential therapeutic strategy using antioxidant, like PRDX4.     

肥胖对多囊卵巢综合征的影响

多囊卵巢综合征(Polycystic Ovary syndrome,PCOS)是女性最常见的生殖内分泌紊乱性疾病,严重影响女性健康。PCOS患者中有50%-70%存在肥胖,肥胖严重影响女性生殖功能,目前关于肥胖对PCOS影响的临床和实验研究很多,但是关于肥胖对PCOS女性生殖影响方面尚未进行系统的归纳总结,本文就肥胖影响PCOS女性生殖障碍的机制、肥胖对PCOS促排卵和辅助生殖技术的应用效果的影响等进行综述,目的是进一步明确肥胖本身及肥胖的治疗在PCOS生殖方面的影响,为PCOS的临床诊疗提供依据。     

Visfatin mRNA在PCOS患者网膜脂肪组织中的表达

目的：探讨visfatin基因在多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）网膜脂肪组织中的表达及相关影响因素。方法：采用半定量RT-PCR方法检测PCOS组（30例）和对照组（25例）网膜脂肪组织visfatin mRNA表达,并测量体重指数、腰臀比、空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素、胰岛素抵抗指数和血清性激素水平。结果：①PCOS组网膜脂肪组织visfatin mRNA表达量高于对照组（P=0.000）。②网膜脂肪组织visfatin mRNA的表达量与BMI、WHR、FINS、HOMA-IR呈正相关（P〈0.05）。③多元逐步回归分析显示,HOMA-IR（P=0.000）和WHR（P=0.005）是影响网膜脂肪组织visfatin mRNA表达的相关因素。结论：网膜脂肪组织visfatin mRNA表达可能与PCOS胰岛素抵抗的发生和肥胖相关。     

多囊卵巢综合症与心血管疾病相关性的探讨

多囊卵巢综合症(Polycystic ovary syndfome,PCOS)是一种育龄期妇女常见病,临床上常伴有月经稀少、不孕、多毛和肥胖等症状,双侧卵巢呈囊性增大,女性内分泌出现紊乱,PCOS中有50%妇女表现为肥胖,尽管多数妇女以不孕和月经异常就诊,但有研究表明PCOS患者的远期并发症如心血管疾病的发生率远远高于正常人群。本文主要探讨了PCOS与心血管疾病的相关性。     

高雄激素相关的慢性炎症与多囊卵巢综合征的研究进展

多囊卵巢综合征是育龄妇女常见的慢性炎症代谢性疾病,70%以上患者出现高雄激素血症。下丘脑-垂体-性腺相关激素是月经周期和卵巢活动的调节器,脑神经元分泌的Kisspeptin、褪黑素通过下丘脑-垂体-卵巢轴调节Gn RH神经元AMH、Gn RH的表达,卵巢促性腺激素、雄激素水平增高,有利于慢性炎症的形成,促进多囊卵巢综合征的发生发展。本文综述了近几年多囊卵巢综合征中雄激素相关的慢性炎症研究,并根据相关研究提出了一些见解,希望能为多囊卵巢综合征的研究提供一些新的思路。     

MUC16 对子宫内膜容受性的影响及其意义

目的:多囊卵巢综合征(Polycystic Ovary Syndrome,PCOS)系由于体内复杂的内分泌和代谢环境影响了子宫内膜稳态,导致子宫内膜容受性下降,造成患者生育力减弱和不良妊娠结局.通过测定多囊卵巢综合征患者子宫内膜与正常生育力妇女增生期、分泌早、中、晚期子宫内膜中MUC16的相对表达量,本文探讨MUC16与PCOS患者子宫内膜容受性下降的关系,为临床上改善PCOS患者子宫内膜容受性,提高PCOS患者的妊娠率,降低流产率提供一条新的可能途径.方法:选择PCOS患者子宫内膜、正常生育力妇女增生期、分泌早、中、晚期子宫内膜各20例,用免疫组化SP法检测MUC16在各组的表达情况.结果:(1)MUC16在月经周期各期均有表达,在分泌中期表达最强.(2)PCOS组MUC16的表达较分泌中期组弱,差异有显著性(P＜0.05).结论:(1)在子宫内膜中的表达呈周期性变化.(2)PCOS患者子宫内膜中MUC16表达异常可能使子宫内膜容受性下降,推测其与胚胎不能正常着床或着床后发育不良、导致流产有关.     

MUC16对子宫内膜容受性的影响及其意义

目的：多囊卵巢综合征（Polycystic Ovary Syndrome,PCOS）系由于体内复杂的内分泌和代谢环境影响了子宫内膜稳态,导致子宫内膜容受性下降,造成患者生育力减弱和不良妊娠结局。通过测定多囊卵巢综合征患者子宫内膜与正常生育力妇女增生期、分泌早、中、晚期子宫内膜中MUC16的相对表达量,本文探讨MUC16与PCOS患者子宫内膜容受性下降的关系,为临床上改善PCOS患者子宫内膜容受性,提高PCOS患者的妊娠率,降低流产率提供一条新的可能途径。方法：选择PCOS患者子宫内膜、正常生育力妇女增生期、分泌早、中、晚期子宫内膜各20例,用免疫组化SP法检测MUC16在各组的表达情况。结果：（1）MUC16在月经周期各期均有表达,在分泌中期表达最强。（2）PCOS组MUC16的表达较分泌中期组弱,差异有显著性（P〈0.05）。结论：（1）在子宫内膜中的表达呈周期性变化。（2）PCOS患者子宫内膜中MUC16表达异常可能使子宫内膜容受性下降,推测其与胚胎不能正常着床或着床后发育不良、导致流产有关。     

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome,Depression, and Affective Disorders

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of depression and psychologic disorders and their effect on the quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.MethodsWe performed a PubMed search of major relevant articles published during the period from 1985 to 2009 dealing with polycystic ovary syndrome, associated psychologic morbidity, and the relationship to clinical and biochemical changes affecting the quality of life.ResultsIn patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, the presence of depression and allied disorders was frequently noted to diminish mental well-being, affect, and self-worth. The symptoms often associated with this syndrome, such as hirsutism, obesity, irregular menses, and subfertility, were a major source of psychologic morbidity. Obesity was the most prevalent cause of mental distress, whereas other features such as hirsutism and infertility were less well defined as major factors. Although the findings in some studies have been inconclusive, the presence of clinically significant eating disorders and a 7-fold increase in the suicide rate have been reported in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.ConclusionWomen with polycystic ovary syndrome have a high risk for depression and affective disorders that impair their quality of life. The presence of obesity, eating disorders, hirsutism, poor self-image, and a significant suicide rate makes evaluation of their emotional state an integral part of their assessment and treatment. For adequate treatment of the woman with polycystic ovary syndrome, a biopsychosocial model should be used, with all aspects of the patient’s mental status considered before implementation of optimal intervention. (Endocr Pract. 2009;15:475-482)     

多囊卵巢综合征并发抑郁症的研究现状

多囊卵巢综合征(polycystic ovary syndrome,PCOS)是育龄女性最常见的内分泌疾病之一,表现为生殖和代谢异常。近些年来,越来越多的人群学研究发现,PCOS病人患精神心理疾病,尤其是抑郁症的发生率高于正常人群。本文概述了PCOS并发抑郁症的相关危险因素和可能机制,并简要论述了PCOS的治疗药物对抑郁症作用的最新研究进展。     

达必佳治疗91 例多囊卵巢综合征临床分析

目的：探索一种有效的药物治疗多囊卵巢综合征的方法。方法：19例多囊卵巢综合征的病人每月肌注长效促性腺激素释放激素类似物达必佳3,75mg,共三月。结果：19例病人治疗后LH均降低,LH／FSH正常,卵巢恢复正常大小,卵巢多囊征明显好转。结论：达必佳治疗多囊卵巢综合征是有效的。     

哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)在小鼠卵母细胞成熟过程中的表达及作用

哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mammalian target of rapamycin,mTOR)是一种Ser/Thr激酶,属于PIKK超家族,对调节细胞周期、蛋白质合成等具有重要作用,是细胞生长、增殖、分化、凋亡的中心调控器,但在哺乳动物卵母细胞中的研究还未见报道．以小鼠卵母细胞为研究对象,采用免疫荧光为主要研究方法,对mTOR在小鼠卵母细胞中的表达进行研究,并通过mTOR的特异性抑制剂雷帕霉素( rapamycin,RAPA )对卵母细胞进行处理,对mTOR在卵母细胞成熟过程中的作用进行研究．结果显示：小鼠卵母细胞成熟过程中,生发泡( germinal vesicle,GV )期mTOR主要集中在核膜处表达,生发泡破裂 ( germinal vesicle breakdown,GVBD )后mTOR伴随染色体分布,第二次减数分裂中期( second metaphase,MⅡ期 ) mTOR伴随纺锤体分布;雷帕霉素处理后,小鼠卵母细胞的成熟受到抑制,且这种抑制作用具有浓度依赖性,同时其mTOR的表达部位和形态也发生变化．研究表明,在小鼠卵母细胞成熟过程中,mTOR在各个时期的表达及分布具有阶段特异性,并对小鼠卵母细胞GVBD的发生和第一极体的排放都具有重要作用．     

The Local Effects of Ovarian Diathermy in an Ovine Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

In order to develop a medical alternative to surgical ovarian diathermy (OD) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) more mechanistic information is required about OD. We therefore studied the cellular, molecular and vascular effects of diathermy on the ovary using an established ovine model of PCOS. Pregnant sheep were treated twice weekly with testosterone propionate (100 mg) from day 30–100 gestation. Their female offspring (n = 12) were studied during their second breeding season when the PCOS-like phenotype, with anovulation, is fully manifest. In one group (n = 4) one ovary underwent diathermy and it was collected and compared to the contralateral ovary after 24 hours. In another group a treatment PCOS cohort underwent diathermy (n = 4) and the ovaries were collected and compared to the control PCOS cohort (n = 4) after 5 weeks. Ovarian vascular indices were measured using contrast-enhanced ultrasound and colour Doppler before, immediately after, 24 hours and five weeks after diathermy. Antral follicles were assessed by immunohistochemistry and ovarian stromal gene expression by quantitative RT-PCR 24 hours and 5 weeks after diathermy. Diathermy increased follicular atresia (P<0.05) and reduced antral follicle numbers after 5 weeks (P<0.05). There was an increase in stromal CCL2 expression 24 hours after diathermy (P<0.01) but no alteration in inflammatory indices at 5 weeks. Immediately after diathermy there was increased microbubble transit time in the ovarian microvasculature (P = 0.05) but this was not seen at 24 hours. However 24 hours after diathermy there was a reduction in the stromal Doppler blood flow signal (P<0.05) and an increased ovarian resistance index (P<0.05) both of which persisted at 5 weeks (P<0.01; P<0.05). In the ovine model of PCOS, OD causes a sustained reduction in ovarian stromal blood flow with an increased ovarian artery resistance index associated with atresia of antral follicles.     

Expression Patterns of CREBs in Oocyte Growth and Maturation of Fish

In fish, oocyte meiotic maturation is regulated by 17α, 20β-dihydroxy-progesterone through cAMP. To study the role of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in meiotic maturation, we cloned and characterized the expression pattern of CREBs from two fish models, the Nile tilapia and catfish. In the Nile tilapia three different CREBs were identified where in CREB1 was found in many tissues including gonads with abundant expression in testis. CREB2, few amino acids shorter than CREB1, was expressed in several tissues with abundant expression in ovary. In addition, a 3’UTR variant form, CREB3 was exclusively found in ovary. During natural 14-day ovarian cycle of the Nile tilapia, CREB1 expression was stable throughout vitellogenesis with a sharp decrease on the day of spawning. In contrast, CREB2 remain unchanged throughout the ovarian cycle, however elevated in 11-day full-grown immature ovarian follicle and after hCG-induction. Interestingly, CREB3 expression was induced three folds on the day of spawning as well as during hCG-induced oocyte maturation. Based on the synergistic expression pattern, CREB1 is likely to control oocyte growth, whereas CREB 2 and 3 contribute to oocyte maturation in tilapia and the latter seems to be critical. In catfish, a single form of CREB showed a maximum expression during spawning phase and hCG-induced maturation both in vivo and in vitro augmented CREB expression. These results suggest that spatial and temporal expression of CREBs seems to be important for final oocyte maturation and may also regulate oocyte growth in fish.     

Pathway Analysis Based on a Genome-Wide Association Study of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age, and it is affected by both environmental and genetic factors. Although the genetic component of PCOS is evident, studies aiming to identify susceptibility genes have shown controversial results. This study conducted a pathway-based analysis using a dataset obtained through a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to elucidate the biological pathways that contribute to PCOS susceptibility and the associated genes.

Methods

We used GWAS data on 636,797 autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 1,221 individuals (432 PCOS patients and 789 controls) for analysis. A pathway analysis was conducted using meta-analysis gene-set enrichment of variant associations (MAGENTA). Top-ranking pathways or gene sets associated with PCOS were identified, and significant genes within the pathways were analyzed.

Results

The pathway analysis of the GWAS dataset identified significant pathways related to oocyte meiosis and the regulation of insulin secretion by acetylcholine and free fatty acids (all nominal gene-set enrichment analysis (GSEA) P-values < 0.05). In addition, INS, GNAQ, STXBP1, PLCB3, PLCB2, SMC3 and PLCZ1 were significant genes observed within the biological pathways (all gene P-values < 0.05).

Conclusions

By applying MAGENTA pathway analysis to PCOS GWAS data, we identified significant pathways and candidate genes involved in PCOS. Our findings may provide new leads for understanding the mechanisms underlying the development of PCOS.     

Hypothalamic Neuroendocrine Functions in Rats with Dihydrotestosterone-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Effects of Low-Frequency Electro-Acupuncture

Adult female rats continuously exposed to androgens from prepuberty have reproductive and metabolic features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We investigated whether such exposure adversely affects estrous cyclicity and the expression and distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), GnRH receptors, and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the hypothalamus and whether the effects are mediated by the androgen receptor (AR). We also assessed the effect of low-frequency electro-acupuncture (EA) on those variables. At 21 days of age, rats were randomly divided into three groups (control, PCOS, and PCOS EA; n = 12/group) and implanted subcutaneously with 90-day continuous-release pellets containing vehicle or 5α-dihydrostestosterone (DHT). From age 70 days, PCOS EA rats received 2-Hz EA (evoking muscle twitches) five times/week for 4–5 weeks. Hypothalamic protein expression was measured by immunohistochemistry and western blot. DHT-treated rats were acyclic, but controls had regular estrous cycles. In PCOS rats, hypothalamic medial preoptic AR protein expression and the number of AR- and GnRH-immunoreactive cells were increased, but CRH was not affected; however, GnRH receptor expression was decreased in both the pituitary and hypothalamus. Low-frequency EA restored estrous cyclicity within 1 week and reduced the elevated hypothalamic GnRH and AR expression levels. EA did not affect GnRH receptor or CRH expression. Interestingly, nuclear AR co-localized with GnRH in the hypothalamus. Thus, rats with DHT-induced PCOS have disrupted estrous cyclicity and an increased number of hypothalamic cells expressing GnRH, most likely mediated by AR activation. Repeated low-frequency EA normalized estrous cyclicity and restored GnRH and AR protein expression. These results may help explain the beneficial neuroendocrine effects of low-frequency EA in women with PCOS.