Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons^™

Oocyte Peptides As Paracrine Tools For Ovarian Stimulation And Oocyte Maturation., David G Mottershead, Andrew J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Recent studies report the production and isolation of a stable bioactive recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 15 (rhBMP15) that is appropriately processed in HEK-293 cells and activates the SMAD 1/5/8 pathway in mouse granulosa cell cultures. Further, the purified rhBMP15 induces the expression of genes associated with cumulus expansion. Thanks to recent research, we have a greater understanding of the importance of the dialogue that occurs between the oocyte and the granulosa cell layer with regard to regulating folliculogenesis and the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence and maturation. BMP15 is one of the critical components of these intra-follicular communication pathways. …

Contraception, Synergies And Options, Rashid Jooma, Adnan A. Khan

Section of Neurosurgery

No abstract provided.

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (Mapk) Pathways Mediate Embryonic Responses To Culture Medium Osmolarity By Regulating Aquaporin 3 And 9 Expression And Localization, As Well As Embryonic Apoptosis., Christine E Bell, Nathalie M K Larivière, Patricia H Watson, Andrew J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

BACKGROUND: In order to advance the development of culture conditions and increase the potential for supporting normal preimplantation embryo development in vitro, it is critical to define the mechanisms that early embryos utilize to survive in culture. We investigated the mechanisms that embryos employ in response to culture medium osmolarity. We hypothesized that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways mediate responses to hyperosmotic stress by regulating Aquaporin (AQP) 3 and 9 expression as well as embryonic apoptosis.

METHODS: Real-time reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction and whole-mount immunofluorescence were used to determine the relative mRNA levels and protein localization patterns of …

Cryptococcosis Of The Upper Genital Tract., Manish Gopal, Stacy Mccrosson, Pamela Edmonds, Thomas Klein

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

Upper genital tract infection by Cryptococcus neoformans has not previously been reported. We describe such a case, in order to alert clinicians to the existence of this rare infection. A 34-year-old woman with AIDS presented with chronic menorrhagia, fever, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Despite blood transfusions and hormonal therapy, her vaginal bleeding could not be controlled and she became hemodynamically unstable. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed, at which time granulomatous peritonitis and prominent myometrial blood vessels were found. Histologic examination revealed cryptococcal infection of all upper genital organs. This case demonstrates that disseminated cryptococcosis may involve the upper …

Enhanced Estrogen-Induced Proliferation In Obese Rat Endometrium, Qian Zhang, Qi Shen, Joseph Celestino, Michael R Milam, Shannon N Westin, Robin A Lacour, Larissa A Meyer, Gregory L Shipley, Peter J A Davies, Lei Deng, Adrienne S Mccampbell, Russell R Broaddus, Karen H Lu

Journal Articles

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that the proliferative estrogen effect on the endometrium is enhanced in obese vs lean animals.

STUDY DESIGN: Using Zucker fa/fa obese rats and lean control, we examined endometrial cell proliferation and the expression patterns of certain estrogen-regulated proproliferative and antiproliferative genes after short-term treatment with estradiol.

RESULTS: No significant morphologic/histologic difference was seen between the obese rats and the lean rats. Estrogen-induced proproliferative genes cyclin A and c-Myc messenger RNA expression were significantly higher in the endometrium of obese rats compared with those of the lean control. Expression of the antiproliferative gene p27Kip1 was suppressed …