Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Manjunath Ramanjaneya, Ilhame Diboun, Najeha Rizwana, Yaser Dajani, Lina Ahmed, Alexandra E. Butler, Thoraya Ali Almarzooqi, Mohammed Shahata, Moza Khalaf Al Bader, Einas Elgassim, Hasan Burjaq, Stephen L. Atkin, Abdul-Badi Abou-Samra, Mohamed A. Elrayess
Summary: The study found that higher adipsin and lower C5a levels in the maternal serum may be potential markers of successful IVF outcomes in obese women.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Celeste D. Butts, Michael S. Bloom, Alexandra McGough, Nikolaus Lenhart, Rebecca Wong, Evelyn Mok-Lin, Patrick J. Parsons, Aubrey L. Galusha, Recai M. Yucel, Beth J. Feingold, Richard W. Browne, Victor Y. Fujimoto
Summary: The study found that variability in trace element concentrations in follicular fluid mainly comes from differences between subjects, with smaller contributions from follicles, ovaries, and analytical factors. Results suggest that FF can be a suitable source of biomarkers for exposure to certain elements in ovarian follicles. Understanding the sources and levels of trace elements in the body is important for future research on ovarian trace element exposures.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Hsuan-Ting Chen, Wen-Bin Wu, Jun-Jin Lin, Tsung-Hsuan Lai
Summary: This study identified VEGF-A, eotaxin, and CXCL-6 as key angiogenic factors in follicular fluid (FF) for predicting oocyte maturity during in vitro fertilization (IVF). The combination of VEGF-A and CXCL-6 showed a relatively high prediction accuracy for oocyte maturity.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Anke Bullach, Tom Trapphoff, Sebastian Zuehlke, Michael Spiteller, Stefan Dieterle
Summary: This study found that a variety of endocrine-disrupting chemicals were present in human follicular fluid, with nonylphenol and Mirex being the most concentrated. These chemicals led to significantly reduced maturation and fertilization rates, but did not have a significant impact on the clinical pregnancy rate. The source of clothing and textiles may affect the accumulation of these chemicals in follicular fluid.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Qiyao Zhang, Jinfeng Su, Wei Kong, Zhou Fang, Yan Li, Ziqiang Huang, Ji Wen, Yue Wang
Summary: This study reveals that miR-103a-3p or miR-10a-5p negatively influence oocyte maturation by regulating BDNF expression in human follicular fluid. The expression levels of miR-103a-3p or miR-10a-5p in follicular fluid may predict the outcomes of IVF, assisting in improving embryo selection and increasing the IVF success rate in clinical practice.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yue-Rong Wu, Yong-Hong Dong, Chen-Jian Liu, Xiao-Dan Tang, Ning-Nan Zhang, Jie Shen, Ze Wu, Xiao-Ran Li, Jing-Yi Shao
Summary: This study investigated the microbial composition of follicular fluid in infertile patients and its impact on infertility. The results suggested that Lactobacillus could have a positive effect on female pregnancy, while other microbes might have a negative impact. Therefore, this study provided a theoretical basis for the future microbiological treatment of female infertility.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Georgia Tsirka, Athanasios Zikopoulos, Kyriaki Papageorgiou, Charilaos Kostoulas, Ioannis Tsigkas, Efthalia Moustakli, Aris Kaltsas, Eleftheria Sarafi, Theologos M. Michaelidis, Ioannis Georgiou
Summary: The ratio of cf-mtDNA/cf-nDNA in follicular fluid can serve as a molecular fingerprint of oocyte quality and predict the outcomes of artificial reproductive technology. The level of FF-cf-mtDNA was lower in older women, and there was a positive correlation between FF-cf-mtDNA and the number of mature oocytes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Caitlin R. Sacha, Irene Souter, Paige L. Williams, Jorge E. Chavarro, Jennifer Ford, Shruthi Mahalingaiah, Patricia K. Donahoe, Russ Hauser, David Pepin, Lidia Minguez-Alarcon
Summary: This study found a negative association between urinary concentrations of certain phthalate metabolites and follicular fluid anti-Mullerian hormone concentrations in women undergoing fertility treatment, which may have implications for antral follicle recruitment and fertility treatment outcomes.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Cem Demirel, Firat Tulek, Hale Goksever Celik, Ersan Donmez, Gulsum Tuysuz, Bilgi Gokcan
Summary: There is currently no evidence to suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted sexually or through IVF procedures. Additionally, there have been no reports of viral RNA presence in follicular fluid of SARS-CoV-2-positive women, indicating that the suspension of IVF treatments during the pandemic may not be directly related to virus transmission concerns.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Zohar Barnett-Itzhaki, Sarah Knapp, Chaya Avraham, Catherine Racowsky, Russ Hauser, Valentina Bollati, Andrea A. Baccarelli, Ronit Machtinger
Summary: The study found that phthalate metabolite concentrations are associated with the expression of extracellular vesicle microRNAs (EV-miRNAs) in follicular fluid, potentially impacting pathways related to oocyte development, maturation, and fertilization.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Xinyang Zhao, Xu Zhang, Shanshan Wu, Jichun Tan
Summary: The duration of ovarian stimulation has a significant impact on IVF outcomes. The length of the menstrual cycle can be used to predict ovarian response and the duration of ovarian stimulation. There is a correlation between the duration of ovarian stimulation and the number of oocytes, fertilization rate, and high-quality blastocyst formation rate.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Brigita Vaigauskaite-Mazeikiene, Raminta Bausyte, Elvina Valatkaite, Ruta Mazelyte, Edita Kazenaite, Diana Ramasauskaite, Ruta Navakauskiene
Summary: In this study, the outcomes of ART in 223 couples with unexplained infertility were analyzed, and the gene expression associated with DNA modification, cell death, immune response, and senescence in infertile women's endometrium and follicular fluid were investigated. The results showed significant differences in women who successfully got pregnant compared to those unable to conceive, depending on age, duration of infertility, number of retrieved oocytes, zygotes, and transferred embryos. Furthermore, gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of genes associated with cell death and immune response in the endometrium of women who successfully got pregnant.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ze Wang, Yueru Meng, Xue Shang, Lu Suo, Dingying Zhao, Xinwei Han, Min Yang, Mengfei Yin, Haozhe Miao, Yixuan Wang, Huiming Yang, Yunhai Yu, Daimin Wei, Zi-Jiang Chen
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the association between different interpregnancy interval (IPI) lengths after a preceding clinical pregnancy loss (CPL) and pregnancy outcomes of the next frozen embryo transfer (FET). The study found that delaying the next FET for at least 6 months after a preceding CPL was associated with beneficial pregnancy outcomes, considering that a decreased likelihood of achieving clinical pregnancy and live birth was observed among women with shorter IPIs.
Article
Immunology
Xinyao Hao, Pingping Li, Shanshan Wu, Jichun Tan
Summary: This study investigated the cervical microbiota of IVF patients undergoing embryo transfer and found that in fresh IVF-ET cycles, the clinical pregnancy group showed higher alpha diversity compared to the non-pregnancy group. The presence of Lactobacillus in the cervical microbiota was associated with clinical pregnancy outcomes, indicating that cervical microbiota composition plays a role in assisted reproductive therapy success.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Tseng-Kai Lin, Leng-Lai Chan, Tsung-Hsuan Lai, Hsiao-Ching Lo
Summary: A study showed that patients with less severe teratozoospermia may not require intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for their in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The fertilization rates for these patients were not affected by the slightly compromised sperm morphology compared to patients with normal sperm.
TAIWANESE JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Aubrey L. Galusha, Aubreian C. Farnsworth, Michael S. Bloom, Pamela C. Kruger, Alexandra McGough, Nikolaus Lenhart, Rebecca Wong, Victor Y. Fujimoto, Evelyn Mok-Lin, Patrick J. Parsons
Summary: The study highlights the analytical challenge of ensuring harmonization of (ultra-)trace element measurements in non-traditional matrices. Various validation methods were used to achieve consistency with standard reference values, and a potential source of contamination was identified. However, lack of consensus still exists for the content of certain elements in seminal plasma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dan Feng, Ke Cao, Jun Zou, Michael S. Bloom, Shao Lin, Yunjiang Yu, Hongyao Yu, Yang Zhou, Ru-Qing Liu, Li-Wen Hu, Bo-Yi Yang, Xiao-Wen Zeng, Guang-Hui Dong
Summary: The study found a significant association between higher levels of size-fractioned particulate matter (PM) and higher left ventricular voltage after exposure, indicating a potential adverse impact on cardiovascular health. Additionally, this association was particularly strong among individuals with specific inflammatory, coagulation, and lipid biomarkers, suggesting that these factors may modify the effects of PM exposure on heart health.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yanqiu Ou, Xiaowen Zeng, Shao Lin, Michael S. Bloom, Fengzhen Han, Xiaohua Xiao, Hui Wang, Rosemary Matala, Xiaohong Li, Yanji Qu, Zhiqiang Nie, Guanghui Dong, Xiaoqing Liu
Summary: The study found that maternal gestational exposure to certain PFAS may increase the risk of congenital heart defects in children, particularly for septal and conotruncal defects. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results and to further investigate the potential teratogenic effects of other newly introduced PFAS, as well as their associations with different CHD subtypes.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shu Yu, Wen-Ru Feng, Zi-Mian Liang, Xiao-Yun Zeng, Michael S. Bloom, Guo-Cheng Hu, Yang Zhou, Yan-Qiu Ou, Chu Chu, Qing-Qing Li, Yunjiang Yu, Xiao-Wen Zeng, Guang-Hui Dong
Summary: The study found that higher serum PFAS concentrations were associated with an increased risk of MetS, showing a significant dose-response trend, particularly impacting women.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
John L. Pearce, Brian Neelon, Michael S. Bloom, Jessie P. Buckley, Cande Ananth, Frederica Perera, John Vena, Kelly Hunt
Summary: This study introduced a novel Exposure Continuum Mapping (ECM) framework that combines the SOM algorithm with GAM to investigate the impact of environmental mixtures on birth weight. By analyzing biomarker data on 16 prevalent EDCs, it was found that mixtures with higher PBDE levels were associated with lower birth weight, while mixtures with higher PCBs and PFAS were associated with increased birth weight. The ECM approach offers a promising framework for studying various exposure mixtures.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Aleksandra Fucic, Radu C. Duca, Karen S. Galea, Tihana Maric, Kelly Garcia, Michael S. Bloom, Helle R. Andersen, John E. Vena
Summary: Occupational and environmental chemical exposures have been linked to decreased fertility and adverse reproductive outcomes in the past few decades. Pesticide exposure may increase the risk of chronic diseases, reduced fertility, and birth defects, as some pesticides are endocrine disruptors even at low doses. The review aims to summarize knowledge, highlight new findings, and interpret mechanisms connecting pesticides to infertility and pregnancy complications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael S. Bloom, Sarah Commodore, Pamela L. Ferguson, Brian Neelon, John L. Pearce, Anna Baumer, Roger B. Newman, William Grobman, Alan Tita, James Roberts, Daniel Skupski, Kristy Palomares, Michael Nageotte, Kurunthachalam Kannan, Cuilin Zhang, Ronald Wapner, John E. Vena, Kelly J. Hunt
Summary: The study found that specific PFAS may be developmental obesogens, with their effects varying by maternal race and obesity status.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Kelly J. Hunt, Pamela L. Ferguson, Brian Neelon, Sarah Commodore, Michael S. Bloom, Anthony C. Sciscione, William A. Grobman, Michelle A. Kominiarek, Roger B. Newman, Alan T. Tita, Michael P. Nageotte, Kristy Palomares, Daniel W. Skupski, Cuilin Zhang, Stefanie Hinkle, Ronald Wapner, John E. Vena
Summary: Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain are independently and positively associated with child obesity and high child waist circumference.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Michael S. Bloom, Meghana Varde, Roger B. Newman
Summary: The placenta functions as a temporary endocrine organ that protects the fetus from environmental toxicants. However, certain hazardous substances can pass through the placenta and potentially impact fetal development. Understanding the potential placental toxicity and transfer is crucial in order to mitigate these risks.
BEST PRACTICE & RESEARCH CLINICAL OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunjiang Yu, Xiao-Di Qin, Michael S. Bloom, Chu Chu, Xin Dai, Qin-Qin Li, Zan-Xiong Chen, Min-Li Kong, Yan-Qi Xie, Wen-Jie Meng, Bo-Yi Yang, Li-Wen Hu, Xiao-Wen Zeng, Xiao-Miao Zhao, Yang Zhou, Guang-Hui Dong
Summary: The study found that high maternal PFAS exposure was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, while individual paternal PFAS exposure showed a contradictory relationship. Family-level PFAS mixture concentration was positively associated with preterm birth risk.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iulia A. Neamtiu, Mihai Surcel, Thoin F. Begum, Eugen S. Gurzau, Ioana Berindan-Neagoe, Cornelia Braicu, Ioana Rotar, Daniel Muresan, Michael S. Bloom
Summary: This pilot study aimed to assess the impact of lifestyle factors on IVF outcomes in Romanian women. The results showed that the use of personal care products was associated with a decrease in the likelihood of pregnancy and live birth, while healthy dietary habits and physical activity were associated with an increased likelihood of pregnancy, although not statistically significant.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mihai Surcel, Bogdan Doroftei, Iulia Adina Neamtiu, Daniel Muresan, Gabriela Caracostea, Iulian Goidescu, Adelina Staicu, Georgiana Nemeti, Michael S. Bloom, Cristina Zlatescu-Marton
Summary: This study evaluated the response to growth hormone administration in infertile women with poor ovarian response, stratified by FSHR polymorphism. The results showed significant differences in mature follicles, metaphase-II oocytes, progesterone levels, and IGF levels between GH-treated and non-GH-treated participants with the FSHR (Ser/Ser) polymorphism. However, the differences were modest among participants with other FSHR polymorphisms. The findings suggest that adding GH treatment to the IVF protocol can lead to a stronger response in patients with the FSHR Asn680Ser (Ser/Ser) polymorphism.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jia-Min Li, Han-Yu Yang, Si-Han Wu, Shyamali C. Dharmage, Bin Jalaludin, Luke D. Knibbs, Michael S. Bloom, Yuming Guo, Lidia Morawska, Joachim Heinrich, Yim Steve Hung Lam, Li-Zi Lin, Xiao-Wen Zeng, Bo-Yi Yang, Gong-Bo Chen, Ru-Qing Liu, Guang-Hui Dong, Li-Wen Hu
Summary: This study examined the potential modifying effect of vitamin D levels on the associations between particulate matter (PM) exposure and serum lipids among young healthy individuals. The results showed that vitamin D levels influenced the impact of PM exposure on blood lipids, with significant associations observed in individuals with lower vitamin D levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zheng Zhang, Yunjiang Yu, Boyi Yang, Wenzhong Huang, Yunting Zhang, Yana Luo, Michael S. Bloom, Zhengmin Qian, Lauren D. Arnold, Rienna Boyd, Qingqing Wu, Ruixia Liu, Guanghui Dong, Chenghong Yin
Summary: A study in China found that owning cats or dogs during pregnancy increased the risk of threatened abortion, especially among overweight, less educated, or lower-income participants.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Celeste D. Butts, Michael S. Bloom, Alexandra McGough, Nikolaus Lenhart, Rebecca Wong, Evelyn Mok-Lin, Patrick J. Parsons, Aubrey L. Galusha, Richard W. Browne, Recai M. Yucel, Beth J. Feingold, Victor Y. Fujimoto
Summary: The study found a non-linear association between higher follicular fluid mercury concentration and lower likelihood of biochemical pregnancy and live birth. Higher follicular fluid lead concentration was also associated with a lower probability of live birth.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION OPEN
(2021)