Kohei Fuchinoue

Freezing of Human Immature Oocytes Using Cryoloops with Taxol in the Vitrification Solution

AbstractPurpose: In human frozen immature oocytes, there has been little successful delivery. We examined the feasibility of vitrification solution including Taxol, cytoskeltal stabilizer. Methods: We set four experimental groups that immature oocytes has cumulus cells or not, or including Taxol or not in the vitrification solution. Frozen–thawed oocytes have been performed IVM, ICSI, and IVC. Results: There were no significant differences in survival, maturation, and fertilization rate, respectively. However, in the group enveloped by cumulus cells and including Taxol in the vitrification solution, one embryo was developed to blastocyst. Conclusions: Our results showed that using vitrification solution with Taxol proved so effective.

Expression of natural cytotoxicity receptors on peritoneal fluid natural killer cell and cytokine production by peritoneal fluid natural killer cell in women with endometriosis.

To investigate the relationship between the expression of natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) on peritoneal fluid (PF) natural killer (NK) (pfNK) cells and cytokine production by pfNK cells in women with endometriosis.

Role of NKp46 Expression in Cytokine Production by CD56-Positive NK Cells in the Peripheral Blood and the Uterine Endometrium

To investigate the role of natural cytotoxicity receptor, NKp46 expression in cytokine‐producing NK cells.

NK22 Cells in the Uterine Mid-Secretory Endometrium and Peripheral Blood of Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Unexplained Infertility

We aimed to investigate natural killer 22 (NK22) cells in the peripheral blood and the uterine endometrium of women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (URPL) and unexplained infertility (UI).

Physical and mental development of children after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

ObjectiveTo evaluate the physical and mental development of children after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and frozen embryo transfer (FET).MethodsBetween July 1995 and November 2003, 506 patients delivered 658 babies after IVF and ET treatment at our clinic (intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), 418; conventional IVF, (C-IVF) 125; FET, 115). A survey of the physical and mental developmental of the children was conducted by mailing questionnaires to parents. Comparisons were made between three treatment procedures, and development of singleton, twin and triplet delivery.ResultsThe response rate was 73.4% (483/658) for 324 children born after ICSI, 78 born after C-IVF, and 81 born after FET. The height and weight of assisted reproductive technology (ART) children at birth were significantly lower than that of naturally conceived babies (ART children: natural delivery; 46.8 cm, 49.0 cm and 2524 g, 3040 g, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between the singletons alone and naturally conceived children irrespective of the ART method. In addition, mental development was the same between singletons and naturally conceived children. The ART group tended to delay body development such as ‘holding their head uprs, ‘sitting up’, ‘crawl’ to moving growth in multiple births.ConclusionThe physical and mental development of twins or triplets was significantly more delayed than that of naturally conceived babies, but had improved to a similar extent of the singletons after the age of 6 months.

Expression of Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors on and Intracellular Cytokine Production by NK Cells in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

To determine the role of peripheral blood NK (pNK) cells in putative etiology of gestational diabetes, the expression of surface markers on pNK cells and the percentage of cytokine‐producing pNK cells in women at 12 weeks of pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were studied.

Short Communication: Successful Pregnancy and Delivery Following Combined Treatment of In Vitro Maturation (IVM) and Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE): A Case Report

AbstractPurpose: To report the efficacy of the combined treatment of in vitro maturation (IVM) and testicular sperm extraction (TESE). Methods: A couple in which the wife had polycystic ovarian syndrome and the husband had severe oligozoospermia. Oocytes were cultured in vitro for maturation followed by oocytes pickup with natural cycle, and TESE was undergone for husband. Matured oocytes were fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and two embryos were transferred to wifes uterine. Results: This case was achieved during pregnancy and delivery of a healthy female infant. Conclusions: The combined treatment of IVM and TESE was effective for this couples specific infertility factors.

Expression of retinoid‐related orphan receptor (ROR)γt on NK22 cells in the peripheral blood and uterine endometrium of women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss and unexplained infertility

Recently, NK22 cells, a subset of interleukin (IL)‐22‐producing natural killer (NK) cells, were identified. We have previously reported the higher percentage of NK22 cells in women suffering recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Moreover, we have also reported lower expression of NKp46, a kind of natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR), on NK cells and the changes of NK cell producing cytokines in women who experience RPL. NK22 cells express NCRs, such as NKp44 or NKp46. Retinoid‐related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) is known as a regulator of NK22 cells; however, in NK22 cells of peripheral blood (PB) and the uterine endometrium (UE), the relationship between NCRs and RORγt is unclear. We investigate RORγt expression NK22 cells in the PB and UE of women with unexplained infertility (uI) or unexplained RPL (uRPL).

Functional Role of Uterine Natural Killer Cells

The most abundant cells in the uterine endometrium (from the secretory phase to the stage of early-pregnancy decidua) are natural killer (NK) cells. Endometrial (uterine) NK cells and decidual NK cells are phenotypically and functionally different from peripheral blood NK cells.

NK cell abnormality and its treatment in women with reproductive failures such as recurrent pregnancy loss, implantation failures, preeclampsia, and pelvic endometriosis

The regulation of uterine and peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells has been associated with problems related to reproductive immunology such as recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), implantation failure or preeclampsia. NKp46, one of the natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs), is a unique marker that functions in NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production. Expression of NKp46 on NK cells is lower in women with recurrent pregnancy loss and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Moreover, expression of NKp46 on peritoneal fluid NK cells is lower in women with pelvic endometriosis. Therefore, evaluation of NKp46 on peripheral blood NK cells may provide a means of screening for reproductive abnormalities. Recently, a new type of NK cell, the NK22 cell, has been reported. This cell may be a regulator not only of the mucosal barrier but also of reproduction.For women with RPL showing abnormal uterine and/or peripheral blood NK cells, both intravenous immunoglobulin treatment and intralipid treatment have been reported. The effects of these treatments are still controversial, and further studies are needed in order to clarify their true impact. The present review examines variations in the expression of NCRs on NK cells, the participation of NK22 cells in reproduction, and the possible use of intravenous immunoglobulin or intralipid treatment for women with recurrent pregnancy loss and NK cell abnormality.