• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.168-173
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• 2011

Objective: To examine the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and hyperhomocysteinemia in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages (RM) and to investigate the association between MTHFR genotype variants and alloimmune activation, proportion of peripheral blood natural killer (pbNK) cells. Methods: A total of 39 patients with a history of two or more unexplained miscarriages were recruited to this study. The controls were women who had a live birth without a history of RM (n=50). The proportion of pbNK cells was measured by flow cytometry. Plasma homocysteine levels and the incidence of the MTHFR variant of the RM and control groups were compared. The proportion of pbNK cells was compared to the MTHFR variants in the RM group. Results: No differences were found between the two groups' mean plasma homocysteine levels ($7.6{\pm}1.5{\mu}mol$/L vs. $7.1{\pm}2.1{\mu}mol$/L) or incidence of the MTHFR genotype variant (CC, 35% vs. 33%; CT, 40% vs. 53%; and TT, 25% vs. 14%). In the RM group, individuals with the TT variant ($7.7{\pm}1.1{\mu}mol$/L) had higher homocysteine levels than those with the CC and CT variants ($7.4{\pm}1.9{\mu}mol$/L and $7.4{\pm}1.2{\mu}mol$/L) and those with the CT variant ($19.2{\pm}8.1%$) had a higher proportion of CD3-/CD56+ pbNK cells than those with the CC and TT variants ($17.7{\pm}6.6%$ and $17.9{\pm}7.0%$), but the results of both comparisons were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: These preliminary results show no difference in plasma homocysteine levels between the RM and control groups or among MTHFR genotype variants in the RM group, which may suggest that the plasma homocysteine level is difficult to use as a predictive marker of RM in the Korean population. A study of a larger number of patients is needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.268-272
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• 2021

Bone marrow-derived cell (BMDC) therapy has numerous applications as potential biological cells for use in regenerative medicine. Here, we present an original case of endometrial atrophy associated with genital tuberculosis in a woman who achieved a live birth with BMDC. This 27-year-old woman came to our center with endometrial atrophy and primary infertility. She had a past history of genital tuberculosis and amenorrhea. Her husband's semen quality was normal. The patient was counseled for hysteroscopy due to thin endometrium and advised in vitro fertilization (IVF) with donor eggs in lieu of poor ovarian reserve. Several attempts of IVF with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were made, but the desired thickness of the endometrium was not achieved. Uterine artery injection of BMDC through interventional radiology was given, followed by HRT for three months, which resulted in improved endometrium. This was subsequently followed by IVF with donor egg. The treatment resulted in the conception and delivery of a 3.1-kg baby boy through lower segment caesarean section with no antenatal, intranatal or postnatal complications. Recently, there has been massive interest in stem cells as a novel treatment method for regenerative medicine, and more specifically for the regeneration of human endometrium disorders like Asherman syndrome and thin endometrium, which was the reason behind using this strategy for treatment.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.166-180
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• 2012

This review summarizes the epidemiology of cancer of the female reproductive system and associated lifestyle factors. It also assesses the available evidence for occupational factors associated with these cancers. Cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers are relatively common, and cause significant cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide, whereas vulvar, vaginal, fallopian tube cancers, and choriocarcinomas are very rare. As several lifestyle factors are known to play a major role in the etiology of these cancers, very few published studies have investigated possible relationships with occupational factors. Some occupational exposures have been associated with increased risks of these cancers, but apart from the available evidence on the relationships between asbestos fibers and ovarian cancer, and tetrachloroethylene and cervical cancer, the data is rather scarce. Given the multifactorial nature of cancers of the female reproductive system, it is of the utmost importance to conduct occupational studies that will gather detailed data on potential individual confounding factors, in particular reproductive history and other factors that influence the body's hormonal environment, together with information on socio-economic status and lifestyle factors, including physical activity from multiple sources. Studies on the mechanisms of carcinogenesis in the female reproductive organs are also needed in order to elucidate the possible role of chemical exposures in the development of these cancers.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.168-173
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to report a successful twin pregnancy and delivery in a female patient with X-linked dominant incontinentia pigmenti (IP) who underwent assisted reproductive technology followed by preimplantation genetic screening (PGS). A 29-year-old female with IP had a previous history of recurrent spontaneous abortion. A molecular analysis revealed the patient had a de novo mutation, 1308_1309insCCCCTTG(p.Ala438ProfsTer26), in the inhibitor of the kappa B kinase gamma gene located in the Xq28 region. IVF/ICSI and PGS was performed, in which male embryos were sexed using array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). After IVF/ICSI and PGS using aCGH on seven embryos, two euploid male blastocysts were transferred with a 50% probability of a viable male pregnancy. The dizygotic twin pregnancy was confirmed and the amniocentesis results of each twin were normal with regard to the mutation found in the mother. The patient delivered healthy twin babies during the 37th week of gestation. This case shows the beneficial role of PGS in achieving a successful pregnancy through euploid male embryo gender selection in a woman with X-linked dominant IP with a history of multiple male miscarriages.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.9
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• pp.368-372
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• 2020

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by impairments in social interaction and verbal and nonverbal communication. Purpose: Determine the association between use of assisted reproduction technology (ART) and the risk of ASD among children. Methods: This case-control study included 300 participants (100 cases, 200 controls). The control group included women with a child aged 2-10 years without ASD, while the cases were women with a child aged 2-10 years with ASD. We used a researcher-made questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Stata ver. 14 at the 0.05 significance level. Results: In the univariate analysis, there was significant association between child sex, delivery mode, history of preterm delivery, history of using ART, and maternal age at child's birth and the risk of ASD. After the adjustment for other variables, this association was significant for male sex (2.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-4.31; P=0.001) and history of using ART (4.03; 95% CI, 1.76-9.21; P=0.001). Therefore, after the adjustment for confounder variables, there was no significant association between ART and the risk of ASD among children (4.98; 95% CI, 0.91-27.30; P=0.065). Conclusion: After the adjustment for other variables, risk factors for ASD were male sex and history preterm delivery. Thus, there was no significant association between ART and the risk of ASD among children.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.451-455
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• 2015

More than one million new patients suffer from breast cancer annually in the world. In developed countries, breast cancer is the most common malignancy diagnosed among women, and in developing regions, it often ranks second to cervical cancer. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between incidence of breast cancer and reproductive factors in North-West of Iran. This retrospective analytical control-case study was conducted with 235 breast cancer patients and 235 women in the control group. Data collection tools included a set of questions with interviews and patient medical records. Data were analyzed using statistical tests: t-test, Chi-square, Fisher, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Significantly increased risks were associated between breast cancer and older age at first pregnancy, age at menopause and history of contraceptive use. A trend for decreasing risk were observed with increasing parity. Findings of this study showed no association between breast cancer and age at menarche. The study results suggested that physiological and reproductive factors may play important roles in the development breast cancer among Iranian women.

• CELLMED
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.18.1-18.4
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• 2015

Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological disorder in women of reproductive age. The prevalence of menstrual pain is relatively high and has been shown to be related to many factors like age, age at menarche, menstrual cycle regularity, parity, cigarette smoking, and dietary habits etc. This study was conducted to determine the possible link between dysmenorrhea and the factors related to it. We investigated the associated risk factors that could influence menstrual pain. This Cross Sectional Study was conducted at Dept. of OBG, NIUM, Bangalore. The study consisted of 230 women between the ages of 20 - 49 years. Included volunteers were newly married, nulliparious and parous women. The detailed reproductive history was recorded and was analyzed statistically. It was observed that there were only two factors that were influencing Dysmenorrhea namely the early age at menarche and increase parity. It was hypothesis that earlier start to reproductive life in some way decreases the sensitivity of the uterus to prostaglandin, whereas delayed menarche and postponing reproductive life increase sensitivity of the uterus to prostaglandins and cause severe menstrual pain. It is concluded that early age at menarche and high parity decrease menstrual pain.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.181-184
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• 2016

The aim was to report a healthy live birth using re-vitrified-warmed cleavage-stage embryos derived from supernumerary warmed embryos after frozen embryo transfer (ET) in a patient with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). The case was a 39-year-old female with a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome and adenomyosis, along with RIF. After ovarian hyperstimulation, 33 cumulus-oocyte complexes were retrieved and fertilized with conventional in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Because of the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, 16 grade B and C embryos were vitrified. After 3 and 6 months, 3 and 4 B-C warmed embryos were transferred to the uterus, respectively. However, implantation did not take place. Ten months later, four embryos were warmed, two grade B 8-cell embryos were transferred, and two embryos were re-vitrified. One year later, the two re-vitrified cleavage-stage embryos were warmed, which resulted in a successful live birth. This finding showed that following first warming, it is feasible to refreeze supernumerary warmed embryos for subsequent ET in patients with a history of RIF.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.174-177
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• 2011

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare disease, which usually occurs in women with a history of a prior hysterectomy or myomectomy for benign uterine leiomyoma, and has the potential to metastasize to distant sites, such as the lung, lymph nodes, muscular tissue, heart, or retroperitoneum. These lesions are slow-growing, asymptomatic, and usually found incidentally. The prognosis of BML is also excellent. However, there has been debate on the origin and the correct classification of BML, and there are no guidelines for the treatment of BML. We report here on a rare case of BML in both the retroperitoneal cavity and lung in a 48-year-old woman with a history of hysterectomy due to histologically benign uterine leiomyoma. The patient underwent retroperitoneal mass excision and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and then wedge biopsy of two pulmonary nodules was performed additionally 9 days later. Until now, there has been no sign of recurrence and the patient remains asymptomatic. To our knowledge, pulmonary BML is rare and the co-existence of the retroperitoneal metastases after previous hysterectomy is even rarer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2023

Objective: Reconstructed oocytes after polar body genome transfer constitute a potential therapeutic option for patients with a history of embryo fragmentation and advanced maternal age. However, the rescue of genetic material from the first polar body (PB1) through introduction into the donor cytoplasm is not yet ready for clinical application. Methods: Eighty-five oocytes were obtained following in vitro maturation (IVM) and divided into two groups: PB1 nuclear transfer (PB1NT; n=54) and control (n=31). Following enucleation and PB1 genomic transfer, PB1 fusion was assessed. Subsequently, all fused oocytes underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and were cultured in an incubator under a time-lapse monitoring system to evaluate fertilization, embryonic morphokinetic parameters, and cleavage patterns. Results: Following enucleation and fusion, 77.14% of oocytes survived, and 92.59% of polar bodies (PBs) fused. However, the normal fertilization rate was lower in the PB1NT group than in the control group (56.41% vs. 92%, p=0.002). No significant differences were observed in embryo kinetics between the groups, but a significant difference was detected in embryo developmental arrest after the four-cell stage, along with abnormal cleavage division in the PB1NT group. This was followed by significant between-group differences in the implantation potential rate and euploidy status. Most embryos in the PB1NT group had at least one abnormal cleavage division (93.3%, p=0.001). Conclusion: Fresh PB1NT oocytes successfully produced normal zygotes following PB fusion and ICSI in IVM oocytes. However, this was accompanied by low efficiency in developing into cleavage embryos, along with an increase in abnormal cleavage patterns.