Fertilization Program Research Articles

Estradiol on Day Seven is a Good Predictor for Oocyte Maturation Rate in In Vitro Fertilization Program

Abstract
 Objective: to determine which factors influence the rate of oocyte maturation in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) program.
 Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using secondary data from IVF participants at the Yasmin Fertility Clinic, Dr. RSUP. Cipto Mangunkusumo, Jakarta, Indonesia during the period January 2019 to December 2020, as recorded in the InaRepromed archive. The variables analyzed were age, body mass index, and hormone levels on day 1, day 7, and day hCG, with oocyte maturation rate as the main outcome. Correlation test was performed between several variables and the level of oocyte maturation rate and followed by multivariate analysis to assess the factors that were closely related to oocyte maturation rate.
 Results: Data from 52 subjects were collected for the study. Positive correlation was observed between oocyte maturation rate and estradiol on day 7 (r = 0.229), while negative correlation was observed between oocyte maturation rate and progesterone/estradiol ratio on day 7 (r = -0.289) and luteinizing hormone on day 1 (r = -0.265). Multivariate analysis revealed that higher estradiol on day-7 was associated with better oocyte maturation rate (p = 0.047).
 Conclusion: Higher estradiol level on day 7 was associated with better oocyte maturation rate in IVF.
 Keywords: Assisted reproductive technology (ART), estradiol, in vitro fertilization (IVF), progesterone.
 
 Abstrak
 Tujuan: untuk menentukan faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi tingkat pematangan oosit dalam program Fertilisasi InVitro (FIV).
 Metode: Desain penelitian adalah kohort retrospektif, menggunakan data sekunder peserta bayi tabung Klinik Fertilitas Yasmin, RSUP Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, Jakarta, Indonesia selama periode Januari 2019 hingga Desember 2020, yang tercatat di dalam arsip InaRepromed. Variabel yang dianalisis adalah umur, indeks massa tubuh, dan kadar hormon pada hari ke-1, hari ke-7, dan hari ke-hCG, dengan tingkat maturasi oosit sebagai luaran utama. Dilakukan analisis korelasi antara beberapa variabel dengan tingkat maturasi oosit, dan dilanjutkan dengan analisis multivariat untuk menilai faktor-faktor yang berhubungan kuat dengan tingkat maturasi oosit.
 Hasil: Data dari 52 subjek dikumpulkan untuk penelitian ini. Dijumpai korelasi positif antara tingkat maturasi oosit dan estradiol pada hari ke 7 (r = 0,229), sedangkan korelasi negatif diamati pula antara tingkat maturasi oosit dan rasio progesteron/estradiol pada hari ke 7 (r = -0,289) dan hormon luteinisasi pada hari 1 (r = -0,265). Analisis multivariat mengungkapkan bahwa estradiol yang lebih tinggi pada hari ke-7 dikaitkan dengan tingkat maturasi oosit yang lebih baik (p = 0,047).
 Kesimpulan: Kadar estradiol yang lebih tinggi pada hari ke 7 dikaitkan dengan tingkat pematangan oosit yang lebih baik pada program FIV.
 Kata kunci : Teknologi reproduksi berbantu (TRB), estradiol, fertilisasi in vitro (IVF), progesteron.

CONSEQUENCES OF THE ASSISTANT REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM IN WOMEN WITH HYPERPLASTIC PROCESSES OF ENDOMETRIUM

In women of reproductive age, reproductive dysfunction is associated with uterine factor, which ranges from 24% to 62% in the population, especially in the case of endocrine and metabolic disorders.
 Literature sources show a significant decrease in fertility in such patients, 38.6% of women report infertility, 11.9% - recurrent miscarriage.
 The aim was to study the effectiveness and consequences of in vitro fertilization programs in patients with infertility and hyperplastic processes of endometrium.
 Materials and methods. A prospective cohort research included 75 patients with history of hyperplastic processes of endometrium and reduced reproductive potential (infertility and history of fetal loss syndrome) - the main group, as well as 40 women without uterine infertility and without menstrual irregularities (comparison group).
 Results. In the main group, the average age of women was significantly higher and 1.4 times - the average body mass index against the data of the comparison group (p <0,05). The share of comorbidity of somatic pathology and proliferative processes of the reproductive system (fibroids, adenomyosis etc.) was significantly higher in the main group (p <0.05). Assessment of reproductive function and obstetric history allowed to establish a significantly higher number of pregnancies, miscarriages and intrauterine interventions in the main group (p <0,05). The results of indicators of hormonal homeostasis showed a tendency to reduce the level of antimullerian hormone, although it corresponded to the reference values, which can be explained by the older age group of patients in the main group and a high concentration of testosterone (p<0.05), that required a longer period of superovulation stimulation and a higher dose of gonadotropins, while chorionic gonadotropin was more often used as an ovulation trigger. Women of the main group had smaller number of mature oocytes, more oocytes with cytoplasmic and extracytoplasmic dysmorphism and low-quality blastocysts versus data in the comparison group. The incidence of biochemical and clinical pregnancies did not differ significantly between groups, whereas the proportion of spontaneous abortions was 6.4 times higher in the case of uterine infertility (history of endometrial hyperplasia and polyposis), which was accompanied by a lower percentage of live births in this category of patients compared to the comparison group (p <0.05).
 Conclusions. The research found a reduced chance of prolonging clinical pregnancy and live birth in patients with history of hyperplastic processes of endometrium, as well as a decrease in the effectiveness of assisted reproductive technology programs due to the weaker response of the ovaries to superovulation stimulation. Patients with history of hyperplastic processes of endometrium had a higher BMI, a high proportion of uterine fibroids, adenomyosis and comorbidity of somatic pathology, which is naturally associated with age and pathogenesis of hyperplastic processes of the reproductive system. Patients of the main group were found to have higher androgenic rates and such following features of superovulation stimulation: appointment of combined drugs FSH / LH, high total doses of gonadotropins and chorionic gonadotropin as a trigger of ovulation, also an increase in the duration of superovulation stimulation with increasing BMI.

Sperm Activation with Pentoxifylline Is Beneficial For Non-Obstructive Azoospermia Patients Using Testicular Sperm before Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of sperm activation with pentoxifylline (PF) for non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients that underwent testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in in vitro fertilization (IVF) program. Methods: A total of 457 patients with 457 TESA- ICSI cycles who identified no motile spermatozoa under through scrutiny were included and divided into two groups. 121 cycles without PF treatment were recorded as control group. The other 336 cycles with PF treatment were recruited as PF group. The two groups were compared for demographics, routine parameters of IVF treatment, pregnancy rates, and neonatal outcomes. Results: The rates of fertilization, 2PN fertilization, D3 oocyte utilization and good-quality embryo in PF group were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, PF significantly reduced the total fertilization failure cycle rate, rate of cycles with no transferable embryo and the mean ICSI time per oocyte when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Although no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rates and live birth rate (P > 0.05), significantly increased cumulative live birth rate were found in the PF group (P > 0.05). Neonatal outcomes were comparable between the two groups, and no congenital anomalies were reported in the two groups. Conclusion: Sperm activation with pentoxifylline is beneficial for NOA patients who underwent TESA- ICSI treatment. However, further research with larger groups of couples to assess the long-term effect were still required.

Influence of Nitrogen Rate, Fertilizer Type, and Application Method on Cabbage Yield and Nutrient Concentrations

Georgia is a leading fresh market cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) producer. Current recommendations for bare-ground cabbage grown in the Coastal Plain of Georgia indicate 175 to 225 lb/acre nitrogen (N). Approximately one-third of N fertilizer is recommended at planting, with two or three additional side-dress applications during the season. Growers have begun banding liquid fertilizer between four and six times during the season to reduce N leaching and enhance productivity. To determine the validity of current recommendations as well as the efficacy of applying periodic liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season, field experiments were conducted in Tifton, GA in Fall 2016 and 2017 with the cabbage cultivar Cheers. Fertilizer N rates were 175, 200, 225, and 250 lb/acre N applied using equivalent preplant fertilizer (50 lb/acre N) with two posttransplant applications of a granular fertilizer (27–0P–0K–5Ca) or six applications of a liquid fertilizer (9N–0P–0K–11Ca). A factorial, randomized, complete block design was used. There were no interactions among fertilizer program, N rate, or year for cabbage yield or nutrient concentrations. Total yield was unaffected by the N rate. However, plants fertilized with the lowest N rate (175 lb/acre N) had the lowest yields from the first two harvests compared with the other N rates. Nutrient concentrations were affected by year, with 2017 having greater concentrations of most macronutrients compared with 2016. In conclusion, the application of 175 lb/acre N led to a potential delay in harvest, but all other N rates were equal. The application method did not impact yield or earliness, suggesting that current recommendations for fertilizer applications after planting cabbage in Georgia are adequate.

Penile Vibratory Stimulation for Semen Retrieval in Men with Spinal Cord Injury: Patient Perspectives.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic event with sequelae that are not often apparent. For the spinal cord injured man, the inability to become a biologic father because of reproductive dysfunction becomes a major negative factor in his self-esteem and a hindrance to his social rehabilitation. Approximately, 90% of men with SCI develop ejaculatory dysfunction and only 10% can ejaculate by masturbation or during sexual activity. It is only over the last 40 years that it has been possible to properly study and understand the various factors contributing to the problem. Advances have been made in governmental and societal attitudes that have led to improvements in the treatment and rehabilitation of persons with SCI and other disabilities. It is now possible to retrieve sperm reliably and safely from men with SCI. Although their semen quality is often impaired, there is a very reasonable chance for achieving biologic fatherhood using assisted reproductive techniques. Penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) is a safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective, method of sperm retrieval that will produce an ejaculate in up to 86% of the patients with a level of injury T10 or rostral, which accounts for approximately 80% of the SCI population. Some motile sperm will be present in 90% of these ejaculates. In approximately 75% of the ejaculates, there will be greater than 5 million motile sperm, allowing a couple to explore all the options available to a couple seeking help in conceiving a child. The Male Fertility Program of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis is at the leading edge of basic and clinical research contributing to the management of infertility in men with SCI. This review will outline “how we got there” enabling us to recommend PVS as the first choice in assisting men with SCI to become biologic parents.

The level of vitamin D in follicular fluid and ovarian reserve in an in vitro fertilization program: A pilot study.

The level of vitamin D in follicular fluid (FF) according to the ovarian reserve has never been investigated, and the effect of FF vitamin D on the outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART) remains controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between FF vitamin D levels and baseline anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) / ART outcomes. Forty-seven patients who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation at the fertility clinic of an academic tertiary care center were enrolled for a prospective observational study. FF was collected from the first aspirated leading follicle of each ovary and assayed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between baseline AMH and FF vitamin D levels with adjustment for basal FSH and serum vitamin D levels. Both the AMH and serum vitamin D were significant predictors for FF vitamin D. The estimated marginal mean of FF vitamin D level was higher in women with decreased ovarian reserve (DOR) than those with normal ovarian reserve (24.1 ± 2.1 vs. 18.8 ± 1.4 ng/ml, p = 0.048). However, FF vitamin D did not demonstrate any significant associations with cycle outcomes, including fertilization rate and the number and proportion of good embryos at day three. We observed significantly higher FF vitamin D levels in women with DOR. However, FF vitamin D did not demonstrate any significant associations with the outcome of ART. A larger prospective study is needed to investigate the effect of FF vitamin D on the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate.

Budama atıklarının Clementine mandarini (Citrus reticulata Blanco) mikro element bütçesindeki rolü

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the micronutrient (Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn) amounts removed with pruning residuals in Clementine mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) grafted on bitter orange.
 Material and Methods: In order to meet the above objective , at the end of two production seasons (2015 and 2016), measurements and analyses were carried out by collecting pruning residual samples from 50 groves located in the province of İzmir and Aydın (Turkey).
 Results: While the biomass value varied between 2.90 and 4.90 kg/tree in the 1st year, it varied in the range of 3.00-5.00 kg/tree in the 2nd year. The concentration (mg kg-1) values for the first year were as Fe: 44-115, Cu: 11-32, Mn: 33-75, Zn: 17-26, while these for the second year were Fe: 48-101, Cu: 16-38, Mn: 40-88 and Zn: 20-30. The yield value was 64-102 kg/tree for the 1st year and 65-94 kg/tree for the 2nd year. 
 Conclusion: The mean values of the microelement amounts removed with pruning residuals may be listed as Fe > Mn > Zn = Cu for both years. The micronutrient amount removed with pruning residuals (g/tree) was found to be Fe: 0.15-0.41, Cu: 0.04-0.13, Mn: 0.12-0.3 and Zn: 0.05-0.13 for the 1st year and Fe: 0.16-0.44, Cu: 0.06-0.16, Mn: 0.15-0.36 and Zn: 0.07-0.13 for the 2nd year. It is suggested that these amounts should be included in plant fertilization programs.

Efficacy of a Web-Based Psychoeducational Intervention for Young Adults With Fertility-Related Distress Following Cancer (Fex-Can): Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundThreatened fertility following cancer diagnosis in the reproductive age may severely impact emotional and psychosocial well-being in survivorship. Effective web-based interventions for fertility-related distress have been lacking.ObjectiveThis study aims to test whether the Fertility and Sexuality following Cancer (Fex-Can) intervention is superior to standard care in reducing fertility-related distress and related psychosocial outcomes in young adults with cancer.MethodsThis randomized controlled trial evaluated a 12-week, web-based, automated self-help intervention for fertility-related distress following cancer—Fex-Can Fertility. Individuals were identified via Swedish national quality registries, and those reporting fertility-related distress 1.5 years after diagnosis were invited. A total of 100 women and 24 men (aged 19-40 years) answered self-administered surveys at baseline (T0), directly after the intervention (T1), and 3 months later (T2). The main outcome was fertility-related distress, which was measured by using the 6-dimension Reproductive Concerns After Cancer (RCAC) scale. The secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire), emotional distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), fertility-related knowledge, and fertility self-efficacy. In addition, the intervention group (IG) reported self-perceived changes in problems related to fertility after cancer (T1). 2-tailed t tests and linear mixed models, including intention-to-treat and subgroup analyses, were performed to compare the effects of the intervention with those of standard care.ResultsAlthough 62% (31/50) of the participants in the IG stated that their concerns about fertility were fewer after the intervention, there were few statistically significant group differences in the main outcome (RCAC) at T1 and T2. Compared with controls, the IG rated lower distress concerning the dimension child’s health at T2 (P=.003; effect size [ES]=0.64). This difference was maintained when adding group and time interactions (intention-to-treat: P=.003; ES=0.58). The IG also had better self-perceived cancer-related fertility knowledge at T1 (P=.05; ES=0.35) and T2 (P=.01; ES=0.42) than the control group. Subgroup analyses based on dose or adherence and baseline RCAC scores did not substantially alter these results. Overall, the use of the web-based program was low.ConclusionsThe Fex-Can intervention had small to moderate positive effects on cancer-related fertility knowledge and distress related to child’s health. The lack of group differences in other dimensions of fertility distress and related secondary outcomes contrasted with reports on self-perceived improvement after the intervention. The Fex-Can Fertility program may be a useful complement to routine psychosocial support in the clinical care of young women and men with cancer.Trial RegistrationISRCTN Registry 36621459; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN36621459

Influence of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Soil Organic Carbon and Crop Productivity under Different Tillage Systems: A Meta-Analysis

The intensive use of mineral (M) fertilizers may cause harm the environment via leaching or greenhouse gas emissions, destroy soil fertility as a consequence of loss of soil organic matter, and, due to their high price, they are economically unviable for producers. It is widely accepted that organic (O) fertilizers may deal with pressing challenges facing modern agriculture, even if farmers need to improve their knowledge for applying in fertilization programs. A meta-analysis approach has been adopted to evaluate the effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) and crop yield of O fertilizers, applied alone or in combination with mineral fertilizers (MO) under conventional (CT), reduced (RT), and no-tillage (NT) regimes. The analysis was performed in different climatic conditions, soil properties, crop species, and irrigation management. Organic fertilizers have a positive influence in increasing SOC compared with M (on average 12.9%), even if high values were observed under NT (20.6%). The results highlighted the need for flexible and environment-specific systems when considering organic fertilization subjected to different tillage regimes. Similarly, MO application showed a better crop yield response in CT and RT under coarse soils when compared with M fertilizer applied alone (on average 13.4 and 12.7%, respectively), while in medium-textured soils, CT and RT yielded better than NT under O fertilizers (9.5 and 11.2 vs. 2.5%, respectively). Among the crop species, legumes performed better when O fertilizers were adopted than M fertilizers (on average 15.2%), while among the other crop species, few differences were detected among the fertilization programs. Under irrigated systems, RT and NT led to higher productivity than CT, especially under MO treatments (on average 9.2 vs. 3.4%, respectively). The results highlighted the importance of the environmental and agronomical factors and how their understanding could affect the impact of these conservation farming practices on crop productivity to improve the sustainability of the farming system in a specific region.

Metabolic footprint in young, middle-aged and elderly rats with melatonin deficit

The pineal gland is suggested to be an essential area involved in the programming of fertility, growth, aging, and death of mammals via the released hormone melatonin.The present study aimed to ascertain the effect of melatonin deficit on several physiological and metabolic parameters, closely associated with the aging process, at certain stages of ontogenesis. Sham and rats with pinealectomy, operated at ages 3, 14, and 18-months, respectively, were tested two months later. Sham rats demonstrated an age-related decline of muscle strength, exercise endurance, motor activity, food intake, calorimetric parameters, and impaired lipid profile. Pinealectomy reduced the maximal time to exhaustion and body weight gain while diminished motor activity, food intake, O2 consumption, CO2 production, and energy expenditure during the Dark phase in the youngest rat group. In addition, melatonin deficit elevated arterial blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure) and increased serum glucose and triglyceride level in 3-month-old rats while decreased the liver enzyme activity in 14-month-old rats. In conclusion, the present study brought new insights confirming the complex impact of melatonin deficit on important physiological, metabolic and biochemical markers related to aging and demonstrated for the first time that the lack of melatonin hormone is harmful in young adult rats.

Клінічна характеристика обстежених пацієнток із безпліддям та перенесеним пренатальним стресом

The purpose of the study was to go thoroughly into a question about the clinical features of the history and reproductive status in women with psychoemotional disorders associated with prenatal stress in comparison with the clinical features of the history and reproductive status of somatically healthy women with tubo-peritoneal factor infertility. Materials and methods. The study involved 120 patients, 80 of whom experienced prenatal stress: the main group, which was divided respectively into group 1 – women who underwent in vitro fertilization and group 2 – women who did not undergo in vitro fertilization. For comparison, a control group of 40 women without prenatal stress was formed. The age of the patients ranged from 22 to 45 years. Complaints, medical and life history, gynecological history, educational level were studied in all patients, and the causes of infertility were assessed. Results and discussion. Among the causes of primary infertility, hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian insufficiency and associated ovulatory changes, which are manifested by menstrual irregularities, are dominant. Persistent anovulation, lack of correction of menstrual irregularities lead to the development of endocrine-dependent gynecological diseases, one of the manifestations of which is primary infertility. The frequency of infertility with a regular menstrual cycle is 30-70%. In these patients, combined forms of infertility are more common. The study found that in terms of place of residence, social status, the presence of bad habits, gynecological history data, infertile patients in vitro fertilization programs do not differ from healthy women with tubo-peritoneal factor of infertility. A significant difference was revealed between the indicators of the nature of the menstrual cycle in the comparison groups. It was found that a menstrual cycle lasting less than 23 days is a predictor of decreased functional activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in women. Analysis of the hormonal regulation of the reproductive function of the examined groups of women established the prevalence of follicle-stimulating hormone indices in the main group over the control group (9.6 ± 0.2 versus 6.2 ± 0.1 mMod / ml, respectively, p <0.05), and the thyroid-stimulating hormone level had no differences between comparison groups. We proposed to distinguish 3 states of ovarian reserve – normal, low and extremely low for women with infertility and a history of prenatal stress. Conclusion. Timely comprehensive assessment of the state of the endocrine system, the state of the ovaries in relation to the state of the regulatory mechanisms of psychoemotional adaptation of women with infertility associated with prenatal stress, which we studied, requires a partial revision of approaches to this group of patients and the timely use of in vitro fertilization to improve the effectiveness of infertility treatment

The Impact of Bio-Based Fertilizer Integration Into Conventional Grassland Fertilization Programmes on Soil Bacterial, Fungal, and Nematode Communities

Phosphorus (P) is an essential plant macro-nutrient applied to soil in agriculture, mainly sourced from non-renewable mined phosphate-rock, of which readily accessible reserves are currently under pressure, while global food demand continues to grow. Meanwhile, an abundance of P is lost in waste-streams. Hence, bio-based fertilizers are increasingly produced using nutrient-recovery technologies and evaluated as a sustainable fertilizer alternative. However, there is little knowledge of how these products affect soil microorganisms. In this study, four new phosphate bio-based fertilizers (two struvite and two incinerator ashes) were assessed in permanent grassland-plots to understand their impact on soil bacterial, fungal, and nematode community responses. The experiment consisted of 40 plots (each 6 × 2 m2) of 8 treatments (2 struvite, 2 ash, cattle slurry, 100% mineral fertilizer, zero P fertilizer, and a control without fertilization) with 5 replications arranged in a randomized complete block design. Community data were obtained by amplicon sequencing of DNA extracted from soil samples and subsequent analysis of community composition, diversity, structure and influencing environmental variables. Diversity of the soil microorganisms was maintained by all bio-based fertilizer treatments. Results showed that soil bacterial, fungal, and nematode communities of the struvite-treatments were similar to those in 100% mineral treatment. Communities in ash-treatments were more disturbed in their compositions, abundances and structures, possibly due to their high pH and heavy metal content. From canonical correspondence analysis, available P, K, and Mg, as well as plant P uptake and biomass yield, were identified as factors significantly influencing bacterial and nematode communities across different treatment groups. In particular, the abundance of environmental disturbance sensitive nematodes (e.g., Dorylaimida) was significantly reduced by one of the ash products. Overall, results indicate that both struvites are benign to soil bacterial, fungal, and nematode communities and can be safely applied as a source of renewable P to meet crop nutrition requirement. The ash products require further investigations before recommending their regular application as fertilizer. As the application of novel bio-based fertilizers will increase in the foreseeable future, the findings of this study would be valuable to feed into developing environmental risk assessment protocols.

Growth performance of Araruta under different biofertilization regime

Mineral nutrition of arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.) has been little studied and knowing about the crop growth is required to develop a sustainable fertilization program with minor contamination risk for the environment. The use of biofertilizers is an option for arrowroot fertilization. This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the vegetative growth of arrowroot fertilized by different biofertilizers sources and doses. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block, in subdivided plots, with four replicatens. The plots consisted of 17 growth evaluation periods, between 42 and 282 days after planting, the subplots by fertilizer sources (bovine and sheep manure) and the sub-plots by biofertilizer rates (0, 300, 600, 900, and 1,200 mL plant-1 week-1). Plant height (PH), number of leaves (NL), number of tillers (NT) and pseudostem base diameter (D) were evaluated every two weeks. PH, NL, NT and D maximum were obtained with 1,200 mL plant-1 week-1 of bovine and ovine biofertilizers. Exception to PH in the sheep source, maximum at 1,045 mL plant-1 week-1. Availability of nutrients was higher with 1,200 mL plant-1 week-1, favoring the growth of plants. Bovine and sheep manure biofertilizers based are effective for supplying the nutritional requirements of common arrowroot.

90 Assessment of risk factors for implantation impairment in women with induced pregnancy

Introduction and aims of the study: The course of pregnancy, which occurred due to assisted reproductive technologies is often difficult, due to the massive hormone therapy as a background, on which pregnancy is formed. The study aimed to establish the main leading factors influencing the process of implantation and determine the course of pregnancy in women with infertility who received in vitro program of fertilization (IVF). Study design: A retrospective analysis of 1864 patient histories with the risk of abortion in the period 2013-2018 was conducted.

LC-MS Analysis Revealed the Significantly Different Metabolic Profiles in Spent Culture Media of Human Embryos with Distinct Morphology, Karyotype and Implantation Outcomes.

In this study we evaluated possible differences in metabolomic profiles of spent embryo culture media (SECM) of human embryos with distinct morphology, karyotype, and implantation outcomes. A total of 153 samples from embryos of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs were collected and analyzed by HPLC-MS. Metabolomic profiling and statistical analysis revealed clear clustering of day five SECM from embryos with different morphological classes and karyotype. Profiling of day five SECM from embryos with different implantation outcomes showed 241 significantly changed molecular ions in SECM of successfully implanted embryos. Separate analysis of paired SECM samples on days three and five revealed 46 and 29 molecular signatures respectively, significantly differing in culture media of embryos with a successful outcome. Pathway enrichment analysis suggests certain amino acids, vitamins, and lipid metabolic pathways to be crucial for embryo implantation. Differences between embryos with distinct implantation potential are detectable on the third and fifth day of cultivation that may allow the application of culture medium analysis in different transfer protocols for both fresh and cryopreserved embryos. A combination of traditional morphological criteria with metabolic profiling of SECM may increase implantation rates in assisted reproductive technology programs as well as improve our knowledge of the human embryo metabolism in the early stages of development.

Combined Sulfur and Nitrogen Foliar Application Increases Extra Virgin Olive Oil Quantity without Affecting Its Nutritional Quality

This study investigates the effect of combined sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) foliar fertilization on leaf S and N concentration, as well as on the growth of olive fruit and on the quantity and quality of olive oil, obtained from two olive cultivars ‘Istarska bjelica’ and ‘Leccino’ in two consecutive years. S and N are some of the most important nutrients, and both play a crucial role in plant oil production. The here-reported fertilization program significantly increased S concentration in leaves without affecting N concentration, which led to an increase in fruit yield and improvement of all fruit morphological parameters. The best oil yield per tree was obtained under the treatment with the highest S/N dose. Oil quality was not affected by S and N supply, and this allowed us to classify all our oil samples as extra virgin (EVOO). Regarding the content of total phenols (TPC) and composition of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), they remained unaltered under the applied treatments. All investigated fruit morphological parameters, as well as fruit and oil yield, were highly cultivar-dependent. ‘Istarska bjelica’ was characterized as a cultivar with higher fruit mass and pulp percentage, while its stone parameters were lower than those of ‘Leccino’. Consequently, the extraction oil yield obtained from ‘Istarska bjelica’ fruits was much higher. Moreover, environmental conditions had a great impact on fruit and oil quantity. The here-obtained results led us to the conclusion that supply of S and N can enhance oil production without affecting its nutritional quality, a finding that could generate large long-term effects on economic growth in the olive oil sector.

Early programming of reproductive health and fertility: novel neuroendocrine mechanisms and implications in reproductive medicine.

BACKGROUNDAccording to the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis, environmental changes taking place during early maturational periods may alter normal development and predispose to the occurrence of diverse pathologies later in life. Indeed, adverse conditions during these critical developmental windows of high plasticity have been reported to alter the offspring developmental trajectory, causing permanent functional and structural perturbations that in the long term may enhance disease susceptibility. However, while solid evidence has documented that fluctuations in environmental factors, ranging from nutrient availability to chemicals, in early developmental stages (including the peri-conceptional period) have discernible programming effects that increase vulnerability to develop metabolic perturbations, the impact and eventual mechanisms involved, of such developmental alterations on the reproductive phenotype of offspring have received less attention.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALEThis review will summarize recent advances in basic and clinical research that support the concept of DOHaD in the context of the impact of nutritional and hormonal perturbations, occurring during the periconceptional, fetal and early postnatal stages, on different aspects of reproductive function in both sexes. Special emphasis will be given to the effects of early nutritional stress on the timing of puberty and adult gonadotropic function, and to address the underlying neuroendocrine pathways, with particular attention to involvement of the Kiss1 system in these reproductive perturbations. The implications of such phenomena in terms of reproductive medicine will also be considered.SEARCH METHODSA comprehensive MEDLINE search, using PubMed as main interface, of research articles and reviews, published mainly between 2006 and 2021, has been carried out. Search was implemented using multiple terms, focusing on clinical and preclinical data from DOHaD studies, addressing periconceptional, gestational and perinatal programming of reproduction. Selected studies addressing early programming of metabolic function have also been considered, when relevant.OUTCOMESA solid body of evidence, from clinical and preclinical studies, has documented the impact of nutritional and hormonal fluctuations during the periconceptional, prenatal and early postnatal periods on pubertal maturation, as well as adult gonadotropic function and fertility. Furthermore, exposure to environmental chemicals, such as bisphenol A, and maternal stress has been shown to negatively influence pubertal development and gonadotropic function in adulthood. The underlying neuroendocrine pathways and mechanisms involved have been also addressed, mainly by preclinical studies, which have identified an, as yet incomplete, array of molecular and neurohormonal effectors. These include, prominently, epigenetic regulatory mechanisms and the hypothalamic Kiss1 system, which likely contribute to the generation of reproductive alterations in conditions of early nutritional and/or metabolic stress. In addition to the Kiss1 system, other major hypothalamic regulators of GnRH neurosecretion, such as γ-aminobutyric acid and glutamate, may be targets of developmental programming.WIDER IMPLICATIONSThis review addresses an underdeveloped area of reproductive biology and medicine that may help to improve our understanding of human reproductive disorders and stresses the importance, and eventual pathogenic impact, of early determinants of puberty, adult reproductive function and fertility.

Effect of Irrigation Water and Organic Fertilizer on Reducing Nitrate Accumulation and Boosting Lettuce Productivity

Accumulation of high level of nitrate (NO3−) in leaves is a serious issue for vegetable crops like lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Therefore, this study aimed to limit NO3− level by adjusting the balance between fertilization and irrigation program in lettuce. In a strip plot design with three replicates, lettuce plants were grown under four fertilizer treatments and three irrigation regimes. Three organic fertilizers (biochar, compost and vermicompost), in addition to mineral fertilizer, were used. The irrigation regimes were 60, 80 and 100% of crop evapotranspiration, ETc (ETc60, ETc80, and ETc100). Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) potassium (K) and organic matter (OM) in soil as well as yield, N, P, K and NO3− of lettuce were estimated. Findings showed that vermicompost or biochar (with any irrigation regime) as well as compost with irrigation by ETc60 were the effective combinations for increasing K content in soil after harvest. Under irrigation by ETc80 or ETc100, vermicompost or biochar were the efficient treatments for increasing lettuce yield equaling the farmer common practice (ETc100 x mineral fertilizer). Under irrigation by ETc60, mineral fertilizer or vermicompost showed the highest lettuce leaf content of K. Moreover, ETc60 or ETc80 x mineral fertilizer recorded the maximum NO3− content of lettuce leaves. The accumulation of nitrate in lettuce leaves owing to mineral fertilizer reached about 1.24 times than that of organic fertilizers. Compost x ETc80 or ETc100 showed the minimal NO3–N accumulation, hence, high relative reductions in NO3–N accumulation as compared to the common practice (ETc100 x mineral fertilizer) were observed. In conclusion, irrigation by 80% instead of 100% of crop evapotranspiration of organically fertilized lettuce (especially with vermicompost) could be adopted since such practice recorded high lettuce productivity with low NO3− content.

Nitrogen fertility rates affecting weed population dynamics in a perennial ryegrass stand in western Oregon

AbstractFew projects have explored the long‐term effects of N rates on multiple weed populations in the Pacific Northwest. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effects of N application timing and annual N rates on weed population dynamics in a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) stand in western Oregon. Factors in this project included N application timing [spring–heavy (April, May, June, and October), fall–heavy (May, September, October, and November), early spring and late fall (April, June, October, and November), and traditional spring and fall (May, June, September, and October)] and annual N rates (75, 150, and 300 kg N ha−1 annually). An untreated control was also included in this project. The initial findings suggest that after 18 mo without herbicides, the highest annual N rate had the highest annual bluegrass populations but the lowest moss and broadleaf weed populations. The spring–heavy fertilization program at the low annual rate resulted in higher broadleaf weed populations than all other N application timing × N rate combinations. Data will continue to be collected from this experiment to determine the effects of N application timing and annual N rates on weed population dynamics.

Influence of tomato plants nutritional status on the fitness and damage of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract1. Fertilization input is required to improve productivity and attend the market demand for tomatoes. However, providing crops with nutrients can affect plant–insect interactions via bottom‐up effects. The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a main pest of tomato crops worldwide but little is known about the effects of macro‐elements fertilization inputs on its biological traits.2. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of low, high and normal fertilization levels calcium, sulphur, nitrogen and potassium to tomato plants on T. absoluta development, survival and crop damage.3. Larval mortality was lower in tomato plants fertilized with high sulphur fertilization level. The number of mines per leaf was not affected by calcium, sulphur and potassium fertilization, but low nitrogen input resulted in higher crop damage. Overall, our results indicate that nutritionally unbalanced tomato plants improve the biological performance of T. absoluta in comparison with balanced plants.4. The results provide useful information that can be used in fertilization programmes of tomato and planning of strategies and tactics to reduce tomato suitability to T. absoluta.5. In addition, the obtained findings provide an insight into the basic understanding of the interactions between crop fertilization and the performance T. absoluta.