scholarly journals The Role of Kisspeptin in the Ovarian Cycle, Pregnancy, and Fertility

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Ahart ◽  
Elaine Phillips ◽  
Michael Wolfe ◽  
Courtney Marsh
Keyword(s):  
First Trimester ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Trophoblast Invasion ◽  
Diagnostic Potential ◽  
Beta Hcg ◽  
Hypothalamic Nuclei ◽  
First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽  
Regulatory Functions

Kisspeptins are a group of neuropeptides with regulatory functions related to puberty, fertility, and reproduction. They are primarily produced by hypothalamic nuclei and are thought to regulate the activity of neurons that produce gonadotropin-releasing hormone. They are also expressed by placental syncytiotrophoblasts in developing pregnancies and are likely involved in the processes of trophoblast invasion and placentation. Similarly to beta-hCG, kisspeptins are found in maternal plasma during the first trimester of pregnancy and increase proportionately with gestational age. Because of their role in implantation, there is currently interest in the use of kisspeptins as minimally invasive biomarkers. It is suspected that maternal kisspeptin levels have diagnostic potential in identifying viable early pregnancies.

scholarly journals Effects of adiponectin on human trophoblast invasion

2010 ◽  
Vol 207 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delphine Benaitreau ◽  
Esther Dos Santos ◽  
Marie-Christine Leneveu ◽  
Nadia Alfaidy ◽  
Jean-Jacques Feige ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
First Trimester ◽  
Extravillous Trophoblast ◽  
Trophoblast Invasion ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Human Trophoblast ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽  
Insight Into

Adiponectin is an adipokine with insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, and anti-proliferative effects. The expression of specific adiponectin receptors in the placenta and in the endometrium suggests a role for this cytokine in placental development, but this role has not yet been elucidated. The invasion of trophoblast cells during the first trimester of pregnancy being crucial to placentation process, we have studied adiponectin effects on human trophoblast invasive capacities. We found that adiponectin stimulated human trophoblast cell migration in HTR-8/SVneo cells in a dose-independent manner. In addition, adiponectin also significantly enhanced invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells and of human extravillous trophoblast from first trimester placenta. These pro-invasive effects of adiponectin in human trophoblasts seem to be mediated in part via increased matrix metalloproteinases (MMP2 and MMP9) activities and via repression of TIMP2 mRNA expression. Our results suggest that adiponectin could be a positive regulator of the early invasion process by modulating the MMP/TIMP balance. Moreover, these results provide an insight into the role of adiponectin in pathological conditions characterized by insufficient or excessive trophoblast invasion.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-regulated chemokine expression in human placentation

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (1) ◽  
pp. C17-C27 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Craig Cavanagh ◽  
Caroline Dunk ◽  
Macarena Pampillo ◽  
Jacob M. Szereszewski ◽  
Jay E. Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Secondary Effects ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Uterine Natural Killer Cells ◽  
First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽  
Maternal Fetal Interface

Placental expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-I and II, as well as their cognate receptor, coincides with a period of extensive remodeling of the maternal-fetal interface, near the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. To further define the role of GnRH in human placentation, we performed a microarray screen of HTR-8/SVneo trophoblasts to identify GnRH-regulated genes and their roles in placentation. This screen revealed that GnRH regulates the expression of four angiogenic chemokines: CXCL2, CXCL3, CXCL6, and CXCL8. The microarray data were subsequently confirmed by an extensive Q-PCR time-course analysis. CXCL8, a representative chemokine, was selected for further analysis and shown to be strongly expressed by trophoblasts at the maternal-fetal interface of the human placenta, as well as to accumulate in a GnRH-dependent manner in trophoblast-conditioned media in culture. Trophoblasts were subsequently shown to recruit lymphocytes (Jurkat T cells and primary peripheral blood T and uterine natural killer cells) in chemotaxis assays and this was shown to be GnRH dependent. Furthermore, this recruitment was shown to occur via the release of CXCR1/CXCR2 interacting chemokines, such as the CXCLs investigated in this study. This novel regulation of chemokines by GnRH signaling demonstrates the role of GnRH in regulating the recruitment of lymphocytes to the decidua and the possibility of a direct effect on spiral artery remodeling via the release of proangiogenic chemokines and secondary effects via release of angiogenic factors by recruited lymphocytes.

scholarly journals Cytomegalovirus Infection during Pregnancy and Its Impact on the Intrauterine Fetal Development – Case Report

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 449-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariya Angelova Angelova ◽  
Emil Kovachev ◽  
Nikolai Todorov
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Good Prediction ◽  
Ultrasound Screening ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Ultrasound Findings ◽  
First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽  
Brain Ventricle

AIM: The aim of this publication is to present a case of CMV infection during pregnancy, with clinical manifestations of the development of microcephaly and simultaneous dilatation of the 3rd and 4th brain ventricle at 23 weeks gestation. This article discusses the role of ultrasound screening in the second trimester of pregnancy.CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 25-year-old woman with the initials S.K. in her second pregnancy that came to our antenatal Consulting Centre. The first screening for blood count, blood group, biochemistry and serology showed results within the reference range. The patient came for a second comprehensive biochemical screening at 17 – 18 weeks gestation. The results showed the low genetic risk of congenital anomalies. Fetal morphology of the fetus was normal. S.K. came again for consultation at 22 weeks gestation in connection with the admittance of her first 3-year-old child to the hospital because of pneumonia. Serological tests of the child had shown elevated CMV titer - specific IgM. Then we made new serological tests of the patient and the results have shown that the patient was most likely infected by CMV primarily in the first trimester of pregnancy. After consulting about the risk of transmission of CMV to the fetus, the woman chose monthly ultrasound scans and refused amniocentesis. At 36 weeks gestation, in addition to the microcephaly already established, enlargement of the IV brain ventricle at the expense of underdevelopment of the cerebellum was noticed. Also, 2nd to 3rd stage of placenta maturity and low quantity of amniotic fluid was established. A male fetus of weight 2,890 g and height 50 cm was delivered.   The fetus was with skin petechiae and hepatosplenomegaly. Neurological examination showed no abnormalities.CONCLUSIONS: In the described case the time interval between infection and ultrasonic manifestations is more than 17 weeks. The long interval between infection and occurrence of ultrasound markers can be a good prediction sign, as it may reflect less aggressive viral infection than present in cases where similar ultrasound findings were obtained shortly after infection of the mother.

scholarly journals False Positive Values of Biomarkers of Prenatal Screening on Chromosomopathy as Indicators of a Risky Pregnancy

2011 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmina Durković ◽  
Luka Anđelić ◽  
Bojana Mandić ◽  
Denis Lazar
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Screening ◽  
False Positive ◽  
Prenatal Screening ◽  
Protein A ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Fetal Hypoxia ◽  
Beta Hcg ◽  
First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽  
Fetal Karyotype

False Positive Values of Biomarkers of Prenatal Screening on Chromosomopathy as Indicators of a Risky PregnancyGenetic screening on chromosomopathy has been performed on 2000 pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy by determining Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A and free-beta HCG biomarkers in maternal serum. After obtaining a normal fetal karyotype, the pathological values of the biomarkers have been correlated with other pregnancy disorders, and the possible causes of the positive genetic screening have been tested. 340 false positive biomarkers (17%) have been detected. The increased free-beta HCG (48.24%) had a significant influence. A significant correlation (p > 0.01) between the increased free-beta HCG and bleeding during pregnancy has been established. Complications occurred in 78.52% pregnancies with pathological biomarkers, MISSed in 13.82%, miscarriages in 10.88%, induced pregnancy terminations caused by fetal anomalies in 8.82% and births with disturbed fetal vitality in 45%. The research results have shown a significant correlation (p > 0.01) between the increased value of the free-beta HCG biomarkers and fetal hypoxia. The false positive genetic screening, caused by the increased free-beta HCG, can indicate placental dysfunction and fetal vitality disruption.

scholarly journals Role of Maternal Serum Glycodelin as Predictor of Ectopic Pregnancy in First Trimester

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-470
Author(s):  
Wasan Wajdi Ibrahim ◽  
Afraa Mahjoob Al-Naddawi ◽  
Hayder A. Fawzi
Keyword(s):  
Ectopic Pregnancy ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Intrauterine Pregnancy ◽  
Receiver Operator Curve Analysis ◽  
Medical City ◽  
First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽  
Control Study

Objectives: Assessment of glycodelin (GD) as a marker for unruptured ectopic pregnancy (EP) in the first trimester of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted during June 2016 to May 2017 in the Obstetrics and Gynecological Department of Baghdad University at Baghdad teaching hospital/medical city complex. In this study, 100 pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy were included after clinical and ultrasonic findings. Results: Based on the results, GD levels in EP were significantly lower than those with normal intrauterine pregnancy (1.58 ± 1.18 vs. 30.1 ± 11.9). In addition, using receiver operator curve analysis, the cut-off GD level of 9.5 and less had acceptable validity results (100% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 95% positive predictive value, 100% negative predictive value, and accuracy 100%) to predict EP. Conclusions: In general, serum GD is considered as an excellent predictor of unruptured EP.

Vitamine D en het risico op ASS

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huub F.J. Savelkoul
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Immune Reactivity ◽  
Anti Oxidant ◽  
First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a heterogeneous group of behavioral disorders in which a disturbed immune reactivity can contribute to the etiology. In retrospective research we found an association between the risk to develop ASD and the month of birth with a peak in July pointing at a possible decreased exposure to sunlight during the first two semesters of pregnancy. This could point to an important role of vitamin D which has important anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities and thereby regulates the proper functioning of the immune system in these individuals. Maternal serum levels of vitamin D double during the first trimester of pregnancy and therefore decreased exposure to sunlight resulting in diminished levels of vitamin D production can be an important risk factor for the development of ASD. However, there is a need for more integrated multidisciplinary studies in families where all siblings are also studied to elucidate the contribution of their genetic risk factors.

scholarly journals SERPINA1 Peptides in Urine as A Potential Marker of Preeclampsia Severity

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Starodubtseva ◽  
Natalia Nizyaeva ◽  
Oleg Baev ◽  
Anna Bugrova ◽  
Masara Gapaeva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trophoblast Invasion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
Protein Accumulation ◽  
Multisystem Disorder ◽  
Disease Etiology ◽  
Potential Marker ◽  
Diagnostic Potential ◽  
Urinary Peptides

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder associated with pregnancy and its frequency varies from 5 to 20 percent of pregnancies. Although a number of preeclampsia studies have been carried out, there is no consensus about disease etiology and pathogenesis so far. Peptides of SERPINA1 (α1-antitrypsin) in urine remain one of the most promising peptide markers of PE. In this study the diagnostic potential of urinary α1-antitrypsin peptides in PE was evaluated. The urinary peptidome composition of 79 pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE), chronic arterial hypertension (CAH), and a control group was investigated. Mann–Whitney U-test (p < 0.05) revealed seven PE specific SERPINA1 peptides demonstrating 52% sensitivity and 100% specificity. SERPINA1 in urine has been associated with the most severe forms of preeclampsia (p = 0.014), in terms of systolic hypertension (p = 0.01) and proteinuria (p = 0.006). According to Spearman correlation analysis, the normalized intensity of SERPINA1 urinary peptides has a similar diagnostic pattern with known diagnostic PE markers, such as sFLT/PLGF. SERPINA1 peptides were not urinary excreted in superimposed PE (PE with CAH), which is a milder form of PE. An increase in expression of SERPINA1 in the structural elements of the placenta during preeclampsia reflects a protective mechanism against hypoxia. Increased synthesis of SERPINA1 in the trophoblast leads to protein accumulation in fibrinoid deposits. It may block syncytial knots and placenta villi, decreasing trophoblast invasion. Excretion of PE specific SERPINA1 peptides is associated with syncytiotrophoblast membrane destruction degradation and increased SERPINA1 staining. It confirms that the placenta could be the origin of SERPINA1 peptides in urine. Significant correlation (p < 0.05) of SERPINA1 expression in syncytiotrophoblast membrane and cytoplasm with the main clinical parameters of severe PE proves the role of SERPINA1 in PE pathogenesis. Estimation of SERPINA1 peptides in urine can be used as a diagnostic test of the severity of the condition to determine further treatment, particularly the need for urgent surgical delivery.

OP03.01: A potential role of circulating LHCGR forms for the prediction of pre-eclampsia in the first trimester of pregnancy

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (S1) ◽  
pp. 150-150
Author(s):  
F. Crovetto ◽  
F. Figueras ◽  
F. Crispi ◽  
S. Triunfo ◽  
M. Pugia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
First Trimester Of Pregnancy
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