Search Results (5)

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) remains a challenging clinical problem. Growth hormone (GH) co-treatment has been explored as an adjunct in poor responders and RIF patients, with inconsistent evidence of benefit. This prospective cohort study assessed the impact of GH supplementation in 91 RIF patients undergoing in vitro fertilization, stratified by FSHR (follicular stimulating hormone receptor) genotype Asn680Ser with or without GH supplementation. Patients were stratified by FSHR genotype into homozygous Ser/Ser versus Ser/Asn or Asn/Asn groups. Overall, GH co-treatment conferred modest benefits in the unselected RIF cohort, limited to a higher cumulative live birth rate compared to controls and elevated leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) levels (p < 0.05 both). When stratified by FSHR genotype, the Ser/Ser subgroup exhibited markedly better outcomes with GH. These patients showed a higher (0.5 vs. 0.33, p = 0.003), produced more embryos (2.88 vs. 1.53, p = 0.02), and had a markedly improved cumulative live birth rate—50% with GH versus 13% without—highlighting a clinically meaningful benefit of GH in the Ser/Ser subgroup. No significant benefit was observed in Asn allele carriers. These findings suggest that FSHR genotyping may help optimize treatment selection in RIF patients by identifying those most likely to benefit from GH supplementation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Severe obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m²) has a severe influence on vascular health and reproduction. This study looks at how bariatric surgery affects endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and reproductive hormone regulation across different follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) polymorphism groups in women with extreme obesity. Methods: Twenty-nine women with extreme obesity had bariatric surgery. Pre- and post-surgery levels of eNOS and reproductive hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and antral follicle count (AFC) were assessed. Patients were divided into three FSHR polymorphism groups (Ser/Ser, Asn/Asn, and Ser/Asn), and results were compared between them. Statistical techniques were used to determine changes and relationships. Results: Bariatric surgery led to substantial increases in eNOS expression across all FSHR polymorphism groups (p < 0.0001), with the Ser/Ser group exhibiting the most variability. Prior to surgery, the Ser/Ser group had substantially higher FSH levels (7.41 ± 0.60 mIU/mL) than the Asn/Asn group (5.20 ± 0.63 mIU/mL, p < 0.001). Following surgery, FSH levels rose in the Ser/Ser group (9.45 ± 0.87 mIU/mL), with significant differences between the Ser/Ser and Ser/Asn groups (mean difference = 0.97, p = 0.019). SHBG levels had a negative connection with eNOS expression after surgery (r = −0.365, p = 0.049). AMH and AFC remained constant throughout polymorphism groups. BMI decreased uniformly, with an average of 15.2 ± 1.8 kg six months after surgery. Conclusions: Bariatric surgery improves vascular health and regulates reproductive hormones, especially in individuals with the Ser/Ser genotype. These findings indicate the possibility of combining genetic testing and bariatric therapies to improve infertility treatment in obese women. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) expression, leptin, and hormone profiles—specifically progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)—across four distinct ovulation induction protocols (HMG, HMG/hCG, rFSH, and rFSH/hCG). It also investigates the relationship between follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) Ser680Asn polymorphisms, CART expression, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) results, with the goal of better understanding how CART and FSHR polymorphisms affect ovarian response and oocyte quality. Methods: Data were obtained from 94 women who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) as part of their IVF therapy. Hormone levels, CART expression, and FSHR polymorphisms were measured across all four ovulation induction procedures. Statistical studies were undertaken to investigate the relationships between CART expression, hormone levels, and IVF results. Results: The study found no significant difference in body mass index (BMI) amongst the four stimulation procedures (p-values varied from 0.244 to 0.909). CART expression did not show a significant correlation with hormone levels throughout the whole cohort (progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, FSH, hCG, and estradiol; p > 0.05). However, CART levels were adversely linked with the number of follicles > 12 mm (r = −0.251, p = 0.018), total oocyte count (r = −0.247, p = 0.019), and oocyte maturity (r = −0.212, p = 0.048). Furthermore, there was a strong negative connection between CART expression and thyroid hormone T3 (r = −0.319, p = 0.048). Among FSHR polymorphisms, the SER/SER genotype was related to greater CART levels (mean 4.198 ± 2.257) than the SER/ASN and ASN/ASN genotypes (p = 0.031). Conclusions: These data indicate that CART expression and FSHR polymorphisms may influence ovarian response and oocyte quality in IVF patients, possibly acting as biomarkers for evaluating ovarian outcomes in various ovulation induction procedures. Full article

This study investigates links between CART and leptin gene expression, FSH receptor Asn680Ser polymorphism, and reproductive hormones in morbidly obese patients under 40 years old, facing infertility, and undergoing bariatric surgery. A total of 29 women were included in this study. A hormonal profile along with detection of CART and leptin gene expression was evaluated before and after bariatric surgery. Additionally, the presence or absence of Asn680Ser of the FSHR gene was studied. Following bariatric surgery, a mean reduction in BMI (16.03 kg/m²) was observed in all women. FSH levels preoperatively varied significantly among genotypes, with medians of 8.1, 9.5, and 10.3 for individuals without polymorphism, heterozygotes, and homozygotes, respectively (p = 0.0408). Post surgery, marginal differences in FSH levels were observed (5.8, 7.1, and 8.2, respectively) (p = 0.0356). E2 and LH levels exhibited no significant genotype-based differences pre and post surgery. Presurgical E2 levels were 29.6, 29.8, and 29.6, respectively (p = 0.91634), while postsurgical levels were 51.2, 47.8, and 47 (p = 0.7720). LH levels followed similar patterns. Our findings highlight bariatric surgery’s positive impact on BMI reduction and its potential connection to genetic markers, hormones, and infertility. This suggests personalized treatments and offers a valuable genetic tool for better fertility outcomes in obese individuals. Full article

After the controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), the number of cumulus oocyte complexes collected is lower than predicted. The aim of this study is to understand if there is a possible reason for that deficient ovarian response. It was hypothesized that this is associated with the SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) of the FSH receptor (FSHr), specifically c.2039A > G, resulting in Asn680Ser. Two groups of patients were enrolled for this purpose: the normal (n = 36) and abnormal responses (n = 31). To predict the number of retrievable oocytes, according to the anti-Mũllerian hormone (AMH) and the antral follicle count (AFC), the following formula was applied in a log scale: the number of oocytes retrieved = 2.584 − 0.015 × (age) − 0.035 × (FSH) + 0.038 × (AMH) + 0.026 × (AFC). Then, when the number of oocytes collected was less than 50% of the calculated value, it was proposed that the patients result in an abnormal response. DNA sample blood was collected from the women, and then the genetic assessment for the Asn680Ser of the FSHr was evaluated in both groups. The differences between the two categories were statistically analyzed with an independent samples t test, a Mann–Whitney U test and a Chi-squared test. In a patient with an abnormal response, a significant prevalence of the amino acid serine at position 680 of the FSHr compared to the counterpart group (p < 0.05) was detected. In conclusion, according to the results, the genetic evaluation of the FSHr could represent an accurate and predictive feature for patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment. Full article