Katarzyna Ożegowska

Multiple daily injections of insulin versus continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes.

The aim was to evaluate the outcome of pregnancies with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) treated from the first trimester with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or multiple daily injections (MDI).

Expression Profile of Genes Regulating Steroid Biosynthesis and Metabolism in Human Ovarian Granulosa Cells—A Primary Culture Approach

Because of the deep involvement of granulosa cells in the processes surrounding the cycles of menstruation and reproduction, there is a great need for a deeper understanding of the ways in which they function during the various stages of those cycles. One of the main ways in which the granulosa cells influence the numerous sex associated processes is hormonal interaction. Expression of steroid sex hormones influences a range of both primary and secondary sexual characteristics, as well as regulate the processes of oogenesis, folliculogenesis, ovulation, and pregnancy. Understanding of the exact molecular mechanisms underlying those processes could not only provide us with deep insight into the regulation of the reproductive cycle, but also create new clinical advantages in detection and treatment of various diseases associated with sex hormone abnormalities. We have used the microarray approach validated by RT-qPCR, to analyze the patterns of gene expression in primary cultures of human granulosa cells at days 1, 7, 15, and 30 of said cultures. We have especially focused on genes belonging to ontology groups associated with steroid biosynthesis and metabolism, namely “Regulation of steroid biosynthesis process” and “Regulation of steroid metabolic process”. Eleven genes have been chosen, as they exhibited major change under a culture condition. Out of those, ten genes, namely STAR, SCAP, POR, SREBF1, GFI1, SEC14L2, STARD4, INSIG1, DHCR7, and IL1B, belong to both groups. Patterns of expression of those genes were analyzed, along with brief description of their functions. That analysis helped us achieve a better understanding of the exact molecular processes underlying steroid biosynthesis and metabolism in human granulosa cells.

Planning and preparation for pregnancy among women with and without a history of infertility

OBJECTIVES Preconception counseling, maternal health-related habits, diet, folic acid consumption, substances abuse, may all impact the outcome of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to compare the planning and preparation for pregnancy among pregnant women with and without infertility. MATERIAL AND METHODS A survey of health behaviors prior to and during pregnancy that could affect pregnancy outcomes, including laboratory tests performed, stimulant usage, initiation of prenatal care, and folic acid intake, was conducted among 400 pregnant women. The study group included 121 women (30.25%) diagnosed with prior infertility, while the control group included 279 women (69.74%) who did not report any problems conceiving. RESULTS All patients (100%) from the study group and 70,97% from the control group planned their pregnancy(p < 0.0001). Patients in the study group performed significantly more laboratory tests prior to pregnancy, including: complete blood count, urine analysis, fasting blood glucose concentration, testing for toxoplasmosis, and Pap smear, compared with the control group (p < 0.0001). There was no difference between groups regarding the knowledge of when and why folic acid supplementation is required (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Effective education of women, regarding pregnancy planning and behaviours, that may impact pregnancy outcome is still a serious challange to public health in Poland. Our study indicates that reaching general population with the education is most important to achieve best results in preconceptional care.

Przewidywanie słabej odpowiedzi na kontrolowaną hiperstymulację jajników na podstawie polimorfizmów genu GDF-9 - opis przypadku.

Objectives: With age, ovarian reserve in women decreases. Growth and maturation of the ovarian follicles is controlled by the factors belonging to the TGF family, including GDF-9, whose variants may affect the stages of follicular development. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of GDF-9 gene polymorphism on the outcome of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in IVF. Material and methods: a 32-year-old woman treated for primary infertility, regularly menstruating, with no diseases, who had undergone previous laparoscopic removal of the tubes. After two unsuccessful IVF cycles, the patient was deemed eligible for the evaluation of the GDF-9 gene polymorphisms. GDF-9 polymorphisms were sought by a DNA amplification reaction (real-time Real-Time PCR) connected to the melting curve analysis of the amplification products in high resolution (High Resolution Melting, HRM). Results: We identified the following gene variant of GDF-9: C447T (rs 254289) with a heterozygous genotype C/T. Additionally, we found variant G / C intr.1 (398-39) rs254285 in the tested fragment of the 4th gene. Heterozygous genotype C/T was confirmed in 38.7% of the fertile women, while in 61.3% the presence of a homozygous genotype C/C, T/T occurred. In the control group, there was no presence of the GDF-9 gene variant #4/C intr.1 (398-39). Conclusions: The C447T polymorphism seems to be present also in healthy women. Evaluation of the GDF-9 polymorphisms may be useful to determine the reasons for the failure of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women with normal ovarian hormonal functions.

Is there an association between the development of metabolic syndrome in PCOS patients and the C677T MTHFR gene polymorphism

INTRODUCTION Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. PCOS is characterized by anovulation, polycystic ovaries, hyperandrogenism leading to infertility, dermatological and psychological problems, as well as the risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The exact cause of PCOS remains unclear. Various biochemical and genetic markers have been implicated in predisposition to PCOS, but no single variant has been associated with the syndrome. Some authors connect hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) with MetS and its components. The MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism is a common genetic abnormality leading to hyperhomocysteinemia. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to confirm the existence of a possible correlation between metabolic disturbances in PCOS and the MTHFR C677T polymorphism. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 98 patients diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria and 101 age-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Genotyping of MTHFR C677T was performed by the real time PCR method. RESULTS Statistically significant differences were observed between those two groups with regard to body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), fasting insulin, total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG). No significant differences in the prevalence of the genotypes of the MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism were found between the PCOS group and controls. Despite the lack of significant differences, we observed a tendency for a higher prevalence of the TT genotype in the PCOS group (p = 0.06). No statistically significant differences were observed between the PCOS group and the control group in terms of the presence of the MetS components and the predisposition to develop MetS. CONCLUSIONS Our study did not confirm an association between the MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and the development of MetS in PCOS. Further studies with larger sample size might be useful to determine this association.