169,808 research outputs found
The artificial womb
No full textAnn N Y Acad Sci. 2011 Mar;1221:124-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.05999.x.
The artificial womb.
Bulletti C1, Palagiano A, Pace C, Cerni A, Borini A, de Ziegler D.
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Abstract
The availability of computer-controlled artificial hearts, kidneys, and lungs, as well as the possibility of implanting human embryos in ex vivo uterus models or an artificial endometrium, presents new perspectives for creating an artificial uterus. Survival rates have also improved, with fetuses surviving from as early as 24 weeks of gestation. These advances bring new opportunities for complete or partial ectogenesis through the creation of an artificial womb, one that could sustain the growth and development of fetuses outside of the human body.
© 2011 New York Academy of Sciences
Uterine transplantation: a promising surrogate to surrogacy?
No full textUterine transplantation: a promising surrogate to surrogacy?
Grynberg M1, Ayoubi JM, Bulletti C, Frydman R, Fanchin R.
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Abstract
Infertility due to the inability of the uterus to carry a pregnancy ranks among the most unresolved issues in reproductive medicine. It affects millions of women worldwide who have congenital or acquired uterine affections, often requiring hysterectomy, and potentially represents a considerable fraction of the general infertile population. Patients suffering from severe uterine infertility are currently compelled to go through gestational surrogacy or adoption; both approaches, unfortunately, deprive them of the maternal experience of pregnancy and birth. Uterine transplantation represents an outstanding, yet complex, perspective to alleviating definitive uterine infertility. In the past decades, a number of scientific experiments conducted both in animals and women, focusing on uterine transplantation, have led to promising results. Collectively, these findings undoubtedly constitute a sound basis to clinically apply uterine transplantation in the near future. This paper is, however, an overview not only of the extent and limitations of accumulated scientific knowledge on uterine transplantation, but also its ethical implications, in an effort to define the actual place of such an approach among the therapeutic arsenal for alleviating infertility.
© 2011 New York Academy of Sciences
Genomic DNA in human blastocoele fluid.
No full textReprod Biomed Online. 2013 Jun;26(6):603-10. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2013.02.012. Epub 2013 Mar 13.
Genomic DNA in human blastocoele fluid.
Palini S1, Galluzzi L, De Stefani S, Bianchi M, Wells D, Magnani M, Bulletti C.
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Abstract
IVF often requires embryo cryopreservation through vitrification. During the vitrification process, the embryos can be collapsed by withdrawing the blastocoele fluid. The metabolomic profile of blastocoele fluid has been recently investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry to provide metabolite information that can help estimations of implantation efficiency. However, the presence of embryo DNA in blastocoele fluid has not been reported to date. This study shows using real-time PCR that genomic DNA was present in about 90% of blastocoele fluid samples harvested during the vitrification procedure. Moreover, the potential for determining embryo sex directly from blastocoele fluid is demonstrated by amplifying the multicopy genes TSPY1 (on the Y chromosome) and TBC1D3 (on chromosome 17). This opens up the possibility of screening embryos from couples carrying an X-linked disorder to identify male embryos at high risk of disease. The application of whole-genome amplification technologies to fluid samples is also shown to be feasible, potentially allowing more comprehensive genetic tests. As proof of principle, microarray comparative genomic hybridization was attempted to confirm the sex of embryos as well as detect several aneuploidies. However, further studies are needed to validate this approach and confirm that the accuracy is sufficient for diagnostic purposes
Progesterone: The Key Factor of the Beginning of Life
No full textProgesterone is the ovarian steroid produced by the granulosa cells of follicles after the LH peak at mid-cycle. Its role is to sustain embryo endometrial implantation and ongoing pregnancy. Other biological effects of progesterone may exert a protective function in supporting pregnancy up to birth. Luteal phase support (LPS) with progesterone is the standard of care for assisted reproductive technology. Progesterone vaginal administration is currently the most widely used treatment for LPS. Physicians and patients have been reluctant to change an administration route that has proven to be effective. However, some questions remain open, namely the need for LPS in fresh and frozen embryo transfer, the route of administration, the optimal duration of LPS, dosage, and the benefit of combination therapies. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the uterine and extra-uterine effects of progesterone that may play a role in embryo implantation and pregnancy, and to discuss the advantages of the use of progesterone for LPS in the context of Good Medical Practice
Effects of vaginal progesterone on pain and contractility in patients with threatened abortion before twelve weeks of pregnancy
No full textDirect access to the uterus: Physiological hormone replacement in infertility and gynecology.
No full textThe patterns of uterine contractility in normal menstruating women: from physiology to pathology
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