Reproductive medicine and biology

Background:  In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the leptin (OB protein) is related to reproductive function and inflammatory response. Leptin and cytokines have been thought to be putative local regulators in PCOS. Methods:  To examine th…

Objective:   Blastocysts are reportedly suitable for preventing multiple pregnancies as a result of the high implantation rate per embryo. The present study compared clinical results for elective single embryo transfer (ET) between blastocy…

Acetylation of histones is cooperatively regulated by two groups of enzymes, histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases. Histone acetylation status plays a fundamental role in the level of gene transcription; numerous studies have …

The physiological changes in endometriosis involving multiple steps of matrix remodeling include abnormal tissue growth, invasion, and adhesion formation. Endometriosis-associated abnormal matrix remodeling is affected by several molecular …

Objective:  Minimizing multiple pregnancy is a priority in assisted reproduction. As implantation rates are critical to success and reduce multiple pregnancy, we investigated whether blastocyst grade determined implantation rate following d…

The evaluation of different functional sperm parameters has become a tool in andrological diagnosis. These assays determine the sperm's capability to fertilize an oocyte. It also appears that sperm functions and semen parameters are interre…

Background:  Decreased conception rate with advanced maternal age has been well demonstrated. Although this decline becomes apparent at 35 years of age, and accelerates rapidly in women over 40 years of age, we are able to report pregnancy …

Accumulating evidence suggests that food customs are associated with quality of life in women of the reproductive age. In Japan, dietary limitation for cosmetic purposes, skipping food intake, intake of processed foods and the shift from Ja…

A number of biologically active peptides have been proposed to regulate function and differentiation of reproductive organs in an autocrine and/or paracrine fashion. Regulation of the local concentrations of these peptides is one of the imp…

Three women with adenomyosis conceived by in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), but miscarried in the second trimester. The uterus in each case was inflamed post-partum and one patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy as tr…

Free radicals derived from molecular oxygen and nitrogen are highly reactive metabolites called reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cells continuously produce free radicals and ROS as part of the metabolic process. They are involved in the vario…

It is well known that Chlamydia trachomatis causes acute and chronic pelvic inflammatory disease including salpingitis. We describe a case of successful pregnancy following conservative treatment of massive ascites associated with acute Chl…

Since transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) was introduced as the first-line procedure in the early stage of the exploration of the tubo-ovarian structures in infertile women, it has been shown that THL is a less traumatic and a more suitable…

Background:  Several parameters of early embryo development are known as predictors of implantation success. Recently, zygote or embryo morphological assessments are thought to be a major method of selection in embryo transfer. We expected …

Aim:  The purpose of the present study was to investigate the applicability of a protocol for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) featuring early discontinuation of low dose gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) for ovulation…

Background:  Embryo transfer is one of the most critical steps affecting the success of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer. It has been reported that uterine contraction caused by touching the uterine fu…