Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants found in tobacco smoke, air pollution, and grilled foods. Prenatal exposure to BaP causes premature reproductive senescence in mice, and other PAHs are transplacental ovarian carcinogens. Glutathione (GSH) is critical for detoxification of the reactive metabolites of PAHs. Therefore, we h...

STUDY QUESTION Are lifestyle factors (smoking, BMI, alcohol use and oral contraceptive pill use) associated with the human ovarian reserve as determined by the total ovarian non-growing follicle number? SUMMARY ANSWER Light to moderate alcohol use was significantly associated with greater ovarian non-growing follicle (NGF) count, whereas other lifestyle factors were not significantly related....

BACKGROUND Poor ovarian response phenomenon has been observed in some of the in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer patients. Some investigations found that follicle stimulating hormone receptor ( FSHR ) gene plays a role in the process, but no direct evidence shows the correlation between genotypes of FSHR and ovarian response. OBJECTIVE Exploring the molecular mechanism behind the mutation ...

Anti-Mllerian hormone (AMH) is a product of growing ovarian follicles. Its concentration in blood may also reflect the non-growing follicle (NGF) pool (the ovarian reserve) and the rate of activation of follicle growth, and be of value in determining likely age at menopause. We have established AMH concentrations in women from age -0.3 to 59 years, using published data from normal women (n=1099...

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify factors that affect in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). METHODS We reviewed 99 IVF cycles in 52 women with DOR between September 2010 and January 2015. DOR was defined as serum anti-Müllerian hormone level of <1.1 ng/dL or serum follicle-stimulating hormone level of ≥20 mIU/mL. Total 96 cycles in 50 patie...

Rupture of the ovarian follicle releases the oocyte at ovulation, a timed event that is critical for fertilization. It is not understood how the protease activity required for rupture is directed with precise timing and localization to the outer surface, or apex, of the follicle. We hypothesized that vasoconstriction at the apex is essential for rupture. The diameter and blood flow of individua...

14 day-old mouse ovarian tissue and preantral follicles isolated from same-aged mice were incubated in a simulated microgravity culture system. We quantitatively assessed follicle survival, measured follicle and oocyte diameters, and examined ultrastructure of the oocytes produced from the system. We observed decreased follicle survival, downregulation of expressions of proliferating cell nucle...

BACKGROUND With infertility populations in the developed world rapidly aging, treatment of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) assumes increasing clinical importance. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been reported to improve pregnancy chances with DOR, and is now utilized by approximately one third of all IVF centers world-wide. Increasing DHEA utilization and publication of a first prospectively...

The physiological mechanisms that control energy balance are reciprocally linked to those that control reproduction, and together, these mechanisms optimize reproductive success under fluctuating metabolic conditions. Adipose tissue plays an important role in this regulation. Indeed, it releases a variety of factors, termed adipokines that regulate energy metabolism, but also reproductive funct...