Project description:Clinical treatment protocols for infertility with in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) provide a unique opportunity to assess the human vaginal microbiome in defined hormonal milieu. Herein, we have investigated the association of circulating ovarian-derived estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations to the vaginal microbiome. Thirty IVF-ET patients were enrolled in this study, after informed consent. Blood was drawn at four time points during the IVF-ET procedure. In addition, if a pregnancy resulted, blood was drawn at 4-to-6 weeks of gestation. The serum concentrations of E2 and P4 were measured. Vaginal swabs were obtained in different hormonal milieu. Two independent genome-based technologies (and the second assayed in two different ways) were employed to identify the vaginal microbes. The vaginal microbiome underwent a transition with a decrease in E2 (and/or a decrease in P4). Novel bacteria were found in the vagina of 33% of the women undergoing IVF-ET. Our approach has enabled the discovery of novel, previously unidentified bacterial species in the human vagina in different hormonal milieu. While the relationship of hormone concentration and vaginal microbes was found to be complex, the data support a shift in the microbiome of the human vagina during IVF-ET therapy using standard protocols. The data also set the foundation for further studies examining correlations between IVF-ET outcome and the vaginal microbiome within a larger study population.
Project description:Next generation sequencing was perfomed to identify differentially expressed micro-RNA in Placental tissue samples from IVF-ET assisted or natural conceived pregnancies
Project description:Poor ovarian response (POR) observed in controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) is often observed during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles and is a major problem. A POR has been found to be related to several factors, including advanced age, high body mass index, and history of ovarian or pelvic surgery. However, it is difficult to predict POR, as there are no specific biomarkers known. In this study, we used quantitative proteomic analyses to investigate potential biomarkers that can predict poor response during IVF based on follicular fluid samples. A total of 1,079 proteins were identified using a high-resolution orbitrap mass spectrometer coupled online to a nano flow liquid chromatography system. It is notable that 65 up-regulated and 66 down-regulated proteins were found to be functionally enriched in poor responders. We also validated these differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) using a triple-quadrupole (QQQ) mass spectrometer for quantification of targeted proteins. Of the DEPs, three proteins (pregnancy zone protein, renin, and sushi repeat-containing protein SRPX) were regarded as statistically significant (p < 0.05). These proteins (one known as an inhibitor of cell growth and another as a regulator of angiogenesis) are potential biomarkers candidates of POR in IVF.
Project description:We performed reduced-representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) on 137 umbilical cord blood (UCB) samples and 158 parental peripheral blood (PPB) samples from nuclear families with either singletons or twins. The samples were classified into five groups based on the mode of conception: spontaneous (CTRL), IVF-ET, IVF-FET, ICSI-ET and ICSI-FET. There were no significant differences in the clinical features of the neonates among the different groups; in addition, maternal ages were under 35 years old and parental body mass index (BMI) values were comparable in general. In addition, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) on 33 UCB samples to examine histone modifications (H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K27ac, and H3K27me3) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on 32 UCB samples to examine the transcriptomes of neonates.
Project description:Next generation sequencing was perfomed to identify differentially expressed gene in Placental tissue samples from IVF-ET assisted or natural conceived pregnancies
Project description:In order to identify tissue specific differences in epithelial behavior following injury, we developed a novel animal model of epithelial-restricted injury in the New Zealand White rabbit. A grid of shallow incisional wounds, which extended through the entire epithelium but did not significantly damage the underlying connective tissue, were created on the skin and vaginal mucosa, and samples were taken at various times post-surgery for histology and molecular analysis. All wounds were completely re-epithelialized between 1 and 2 days post-surgery.