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Chii-Ruey Tzeng

Publications and source records attributed to Chii-Ruey Tzeng.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Differential effects of spermatogenesis and fertility in mice lacking androgen receptor in individual testis cells.

Using a Cre-Lox conditional knockout strategy, we generated a germ cell-specific androgen receptor (AR) knockout mouse (G-AR(-/y)) with normal spermatogenesis. Sperm count and motility in epididymis from AR(-/y) mice are similar to that of WT (G-AR(+/y)) mice. Furthermore, fertility tests show there was no difference in fertility, and almost 100% of female pups sired by G-AR(-/y) males younger than 15 weeks carried the deleted AR allele, suggesting the efficient AR knockout occurred in germ cells during meiosis. Together, these data provide in vivo evidence showing male mice without AR in germ cells can still have normal spermatogenesis and fertility, suggesting the essential roles of AR during spermatogenesis might come from indirect cell-cell communication in a paracrine fashion. We then compared the consequences of AR loss in the spermatogenesis and fertility of G-AR(-/y) mice with two other testicular cell-specific AR(-/y) mice and total AR knockout male mice. The results provide clear in vivo evidence that androgen/AR signaling in Sertoli cells plays a direct important role in spermatogenesis and in Leydig cells plays an autocrine regulatory role to modulate Leydig cell steroidogenic function. Total AR knockout male mice have the most severe defects among these mice. These contrasting data with G-AR(-/y) mice suggest AR might have different roles in the various cells within testis to contribute to normal spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Efficacy of combined laparoscopic uterine artery occlusion and myomectomy via minilaparotomy in the treatment of recurrent uterine myomas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of laparoscopic uterine artery occlusion combined with myomectomy through a minilaparotomy in the treatment of recurrent uterine myomas, compared with myomectomy alone. DESIGN: Controlled, nonrandomized clinical study. SETTING: University-affiliated tertiary care referral center. PATIENT(S): Eighty-two women with symptomatic, recurrent myomas warranting surgical treatment, who expressed a strong desire to retain their uterus. Fifty-two patients (63.4%) underwent laparoscopic uterine artery occlusion and subsequent minilaparotomy and myomectomy (group I) and 30 patients (36.6%) underwent myomectomy alone (group II). INTERVENTION(S): Occlusion of the uterine arteries was performed with a laparoscopic approach before minilaparotomy and myomectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The efficacy of combined laparoscopic uterine artery occlusion and myomectomy via minilaparotomy in the treatment of recurrent uterine myomas was measured by comparing blood loss, need for blood transfusion, postoperative febrile morbidity, recurrence rate of the uterine myomas, and fertility rate in the treatment (group I) and control (group II) groups. RESULTS: The average blood loss was 125 +/- 72.6 and 550 +/- 394.8 mL in groups I and II, respectively. The recurrence rate of uterine myomas was 5.8% (3 of 52) in group I and 36.7% (11 of 30) in group II during an average follow-up period of 42.5 months. Of the sexually active patients who did not use contraception, 19.2% (5 of 26) and 22.4% (4 of 18) became pregnant in groups I and II, respectively (no statistical significance). CONCLUSION(S): This study has demonstrated the superiority of laparoscopic uterine artery occlusion when combined with repeat myomectomy in treating recurrent symptomatic myomas.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Androgen receptor in sertoli cell is essential for germ cell nursery and junctional complex formation in mouse testes.

To examine the role of androgen receptor (AR) in Sertoli cells (SC), we used a SC-specific AR knockout (S-AR-/y) mouse to further evaluate the chronological changes of seminiferous tubules and the molecular mechanisms of SC androgen/AR signals on spermatogenesis. Testes morphology began changing as early as postnatal day (PD) 10.5 in wild-type (WT), but not in S-AR-/y mice. After puberty (PD 50), the SC nuclei of WT testes migrated to the basal area of the seminiferous epithelium; however, in S-AR-/y testes, SC nuclei were disarranged and dislocated. Results from electron microscopy further showed an obvious duplication of basal lamina of the seminiferous epithelium in S-AR-/y testes at PD 50 compared with WT testes. Using quantitative RT-PCR analyses, the expression of SC gene profiles were compared in PD 10.5 testes. In S-AR-/y testes, the expression levels of 1) vimentin were significantly increased and laminin alpha5 was significantly decreased in PD 10.5, which contributed to functional defects in cytoskeletons and production of the basement membrane component of SC leading to cell morphology deterioration and thus affecting the integrity of seminiferous epithelium; 2) claudin-11, occludin, and gelsolin were significantly decreased in PD 10.5, which contributed to defects in intact junctional complex formation of SC leading to impairment of the integrity of the blood-testis barrier; 3) calcium channel, voltage-dependent, P/Q-type, alpha1A subunit; tissue-type plasminogen activator; transferrin; and epidermal fatty-acid-binding protein were significantly decreased in PD 10.5, which contributed to functional defects in production and/or secretion of specific proteases, transport proteins, and paracrine factors of SC, leading to impairment of its germ cells' nursery functions.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Is a lower dose of cetrorelix acetate effective for prevention of LH surge during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation?

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate whether a lower dose (0.2 mg) of cetrorelix would prevent premature LH surge in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. METHODS: Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was carried out in 45 patients, starting on menstrual cycle day 3 with recombinant FSH (r-FSH), and a cetrorelix of 0.2 mg was administered from day 5 evening of ovarian stimulation until the day before hCG injection. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in serum LH level one day after the first cetrorelix injection and on the day of hCG administration. Serum LH concentrations were maintained constantly low during the follicular phase with no premature LH surge occurring in any of the patients. Clinical pregnancy was achieved for 18 women (40%), with one of these experiencing intrauterine fetal death before 12 week' gestation. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a daily dose of cetrorelix 0.2 mg is able to prevent premature LH surge.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Transcriptome analysis in blastocyst hatching by cDNA microarray.

BACKGROUND: Hatching is an important process for early embryo development, differentiation and implantation. However, little is known about its regulatory mechanisms. By integrating the technologies of RNA amplification and cDNA microarrays, it has become possible to study the gene expression profile at this critical stage. METHODS: Pre-hatched and hatched ICR mouse embryos (25 blastocysts in each group were used in the triplicate experiments) were collected for RNA extraction, amplification, and microarray analysis (the mouse cDNA microarray, 6144 genes, including expressed sequence tags). RESULTS: According to cDNA microarray data, we have identified 85 genes that were expressed at a higher level in hatched blastocyst than in pre-hatched blastocysts. In this study, 47 hatching-related candidate genes were verified via re-sequencing. Some of these genes have been selected and confirmed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. These hatching-specific genes were also expressed at a lower level in the delayed growth embryos (morula or blastocyst without hatching at day 6 post hCG). These genes included: cell adhesion and migration molecules [E-cadherin, neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), lectin, galactose binding, soluble 7 (Lgals7), vanin 3 and biglycan], epigenetic regulators (Dnmt1, and SIN3 yeast homolog A), stress response regulators (heme oxygenase 1) and immunoresponse regulators [interleukin (IL)-2-inducible T-cell kinase, IL-4R, interferon-gamma receptor 2, and neurotrophin]. The immunostaining of E-cadherin and NCAM showed strong and specific localization in hatched blastocyst. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides important information for studying the mechanisms of blastocyst hatching and implantation. These hatching-specific genes may have potential as new drug targets for controlling fertility.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

IVF versus ICSI in sibling oocytes from patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study compares the fertilization rate and embryonic development of oocytes randomly inseminated by conventional IVF or ICSI in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and normozoospermic semen during IVF cycles. METHODS: Sibling oocytes were randomized to be inseminated either by ICSI or IVF. Fertilization rate (two pronuclei/COC), day 2 embryonic morphology and rate of development were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 1089 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were collected in 60 cycles (mean+/-SD, 18.2 +/- 7.2). Totals of 541 and 548 COC were inseminated by IVF and ICSI respectively, with a significantly higher fertilization rate in the ICSI group (ICSI versus IVF, 72.3 +/- 15.5 versus 44.8 +/- 25.1%). No fertilization failure occurred in the group of oocytes inseminated by ICSI, whereas the COC in nine patients (15%) inseminated by IVF had complete fertilization failure. The day 2 embryonic morphology and rate of development were not different regardless of the insemination method. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that another randomized controlled study, randomizing patients instead of sibling oocytes, should be undertaken to compare the pregnancy rate per started cycle and to see whether ICSI should be performed on all, or at least on a portion of, oocytes for patients with PCOS undergoing IVF cycles.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Sonographic appearance of fallopian tube carcinoma.

Fallopian tube carcinoma is the least common of gynecological malignancies. We report the case of a 56-year-old woman who presented with a 2 1/2-year history of intermittent vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain. Transvaginal sonography revealed a cystic lesion of the fallopian tube with papillary projections, distinct from the ovary and uterus. Doppler examination showed low vascular impedance (resistance index 0.50, pulsatility index 0.80). The suspicion of tubal malignancy was confirmed at surgery.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMed2005

Calcium-dependent up-regulation of mitochondrial electron transfer chain gene expressions in human luteinized granulosa cells.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the transcription and translation ability of mitochondria in terminally differentiated granulosa cells, these cells were incubated with ionic calcium. DESIGN: Prospective laboratory research. SETTING: In vitro fertilization laboratory in a university hospital. PATIENT(S): Granulosa cells were harvested from 50 female patients undergoing IVF. INTERVENTION(S): Analysis of mitochondrial gene expression by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and of mitochondrial-encoded proteins by Western blot. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Comparison of the RNA expression levels of genes including cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX I), adenosine triphosphate synthase 6 (ATPase 6), flavoprotein, and succinate-ubiquinone oxidoreductase, and protein levels of COX I and flavoprotein in different calcium ion treatment groups. RESULT(S): There were dose-dependent increases in RNA expressions of the four genes analyzed from granulosa cells cultured in a serial concentration of calcium ions. This effect was abolished when cells were preincubated with the extracellular calcium-chelating agent, Ethylene glycol-bis (2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). The effect of ionic calcium on both the nuclear- and mitochondrial-encoded subunits also was determined. Expression levels of mitochondrial transcription factor A in RNA significantly increased in granulosa cells that were exposed for 24 and 48 hours to 0.5 and 1 microM A23187. CONCLUSION(S): The present study is the first report to present calcium-dependent increases in the transcription and translation levels of both nuclear-encoded and mitochondrial-encoded mitochondrial respiratory enzyme subunits and also indicates that mitochondrial transcription factor A is involved in mitochondrial biogenesis.

Calcium↗
PubMed2005

Primary peritoneal carcinosarcoma (malignant mixed mullerian tumor): Report of a case with five-year disease free survival after surgery and chemoradiation and a review of literature.

Malignant mixed mullerian tumors (MMMTs), also known as carcinosarcoma because they contain both carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements are aggressive tumors, which usually arise in the uterus and ovary. Extragenital carcinosarcomas are extremely rare and most cases develop from the peritoneum. To our knowledge, only 29 cases have been described in English literature. Here we report a case of a primary carcinosarcoma of the pelvic peritoneum with five-year disease-free survival after managing the patient with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2005

Deleted mitochondrial DNA in human luteinized granulosa cells.

The rearrangement of mitochondrial DNA in luteinized granulosa cells was determined in order to evaluate the fertilization capacity of oocytes and the development of embryos. Multiple deletions of mtDNA were found in luteinized granulosa cells from in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients. The 4977-base pair (bp) deletion was the most frequent deletion found in human granulosa cells. No significant difference was noted between mtDNA deletions of granulosa cells based on the fertilization capacity of oocytes and the development of embryos. To determine the relationship of proportions of mtDNA rearrangements with the aging process, granulosa cells were grouped into three different cohorts according to maternal age: younger than 32 years, between 32 and 37 years, and older than 37 years. No statistical correlation was noted between patient age and the frequency of occurrence of multiple mtDNA deletions. However, an increase in granulosa cell apoptosis was associated with an increase in mtDNA deletions. Accumulation of mtDNA deletions may contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired ATP production. We concluded that the accumulation of rearranged mtDNA in granulosa cells might not interfere with fertilization of human oocytes and further embryonic development; it was, however, associated with apoptosis processes.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Calcium stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis in human granulosa cells.

Ovarian granulosa cells are known to play a key role in regulating ovarian physiology. Age increases apoptosis in follicular granulosa cells and subsequently decreases ovarian fecundity. The aging ovary also contains fewer follicles that possess fewer granulosa cells. The viability of follicular granulosa cells may be essential for development of the oocyte. Calcium ion plays an important role in a variety of biological processes, including gene expression, cell cycle regulation, and cell death. To study the ability of mitochondrial biogenesis in human granulosa cells, we determined the mitochondrial marker proteins, including the nuclear-encoded NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase alpha subunit 9 (NDUFA9) and mitochondrial-encoded COX I, after treatment of the cells with the calcium ionophore A23187. We showed that the expression of these mitochondrial marker proteins in human granulosa cells increased with changes in cytosolic Ca2+ using the ionophore A23187. Treatment of granulosa cells with 0.5 microM of A23187 for 120 h increased the levels of NDUFA 9 and COX I subunit by up to 2.6- and 2.4-fold, respectively. Raising Ca2+ by exposing granulosa cells to 1 microM of A23187 for 48 h significantly increased mitochondrial transcription factor (mtTFA) gene expression by up to 2.9-fold. Our results indicate that the adaptive responses of granulosa cells to increased Ca2+ may include upregulation of mitochondrial proteins and that mtTFA may be involved in such a mitochondrial biogenesis pathway.

Calcimycin↗
PubMed2005

Abnormal mitochondrial structure in human unfertilized oocytes and arrested embryos.

To clarify the relationship between mitochondria and embryo development, we collected human unfertilized oocytes, early embryos, and arrested embryos. Unfertilized oocytes and poor-quality embryos were collected, and the ultrastructure of mitochondria was determined by transmission electron micrography. Four criteria for determining the mitochondrial state were mitochondrial morphology, cristae shape, location, and number of mitochondria. In mature oocytes, mitochondria were rounded with arched cristae and a dense matrix and were distributed evenly in the ooplasm. In pronuclear zygotes, the size and shape of mitochondria were similar to those in mature oocytes; however, mitochondria appeared to migrate and concentrate around pronuclei. In this study, 67% of examined unfertilized oocytes had fewer mitochondria in the cytoplasm. A decreased number of mitochondria located near the nucleus was also demonstrated in 60% of arrested embryos. Fewer differentiated cristae were determined in all three arrested blastocyst stages of embryos. The relative expressions of oxidative phosphorylation genes in oocytes and embryos were also determined. These data imply that inadequate redistribution of mitochondria, unsuccessful mitochondrial differentiation, or decreased mitochondrial transcription may result in poor oocyte fertilization and compromised embryo development.

Cell Differentiation↗
PubMed2005

Effects of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists on apoptosis of granulosa cells.

Granulosa cells are known to contribute to maturation of oocytes, and most of the growth factors exert their action via granulosa cells. It has been established that granulosa cell death during follicular atresia and luteolysis results from apoptosis. However, the precise mechanistic pathways of granulosa cell apoptosis have not yet been defined. In this study, we determined the proportions of apoptosis in granulosa cells treated with two kinds of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa): buserelin and leuprorelin depot. The incidences of DNA fragmentation of human granulosa cells treated with buserelin and leuprorelin were 54.33% and 39.02%, respectively. The proportions of apoptotic bodies were 6.04% and 4.29%, respectively. There was a significant difference in the proportions of DNA fragmentation between the two kinds of GnRHa-treated granulosa cells. The apoptosis pathway and associated protein expression in granulosa cells treated with GnRHa were also determined. The Bax molecule, a pro-apoptosis protein, was expressed in granulosa cells undergoing apoptosis. In contrast, Bcl-2, an anti-apoptosis protein, could not be detected in the same group of granulosa cells. The distribution of cytochrome c determined via immunostaining showed a diffuse pattern, which most likely indicated that cytochrome c was translocated from mitochondria into the cytoplasm. Western blotting showed the expressions of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in patients' granulosa cells. The GnRHa effects on granulosa cells indicated a higher incidence of DNA fragmentation and apoptotic bodies in the buserelin-treated than in the leuprorelin depot-treated group. The granulosa cells go through the mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway; the indicated pro-apoptosis protein Bax was expressed and induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria, which then activated caspase-9 and caspase-3 until cell death occurred.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Adenosine triphosphate induces activation of caspase-3 in apoptosis of human granulosa-luteal cells.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) has been shown to induce programmed cell death in various systems. However, little is known about the effect of ATP on human granulosa-luteal cells (hGLCs). The present study was designed to examine the effect of ATP on the activation of the caspase signaling pathway and its role in inducing programmed cell death. Human GLCs were collected from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization programs, and then were cultured in FBS-supplemented DMEM for 3 days prior to our studies. To examine the dose-response relationship, hGLCs were treated with increasing concentrations of ATP (10 microM, 100 microM, 1 mM or 10 mM) for 24 hours. For time-course experiments, hGLCs were treated with 10 mM ATP for 6, 12, or 24 hours. Western blot analysis was performed using antibodies against the pro- and active forms of caspase-3, -9, or PARP. To quantify the induction of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation was measured using the cell death detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To examine the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in protecting cells from apoptosis, hGLCs were treated with 10 IU hCG in the presence of 10 mM ATP for 12 hours. It was demonstrated that ATP was capable of inducing DNA fragmentation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, Western blot analysis, which detected the pro- and active forms of caspase-3, or PARP, demonstrated that ATP activated the caspase-signaling pathway, leading to the proteolytic conversion of pro-caspase-3 to active caspase-3, and the subsequent cleavage of the caspase substrate PARP. Based on our observation, caspase-9 was not triggered by ATP. Interestingly, hCG attenuated the effect of ATP in activating the caspase signaling pathway. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the ATP-induced activation of the caspase signaling pathway in the human ovary. These results support the notion that the caspase-signaling pathway is involved in mediating ATP actions in the human ovary.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence of cervical human papillomavirus in Taiwanese women.

PURPOSE: To define the prevalence rate of cervical human papilloma virus (HPV) using DNA oligonucleotide microarray and its correlation with risk factors in Taiwanese women in metropolitan Taipei. METHODS: Thirteen hundred and twenty healthy women, aged 21 - 65 yr without history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or carcinoma were included in this prospective study. Pap smear and HPV typing using oligonucleotide microarray were performed for each woman. They were given a standardized questionnaire to obtain information about the risk factors of cervical cancer in Taiwan. RESULTS: The overall HPV positivity was 19.85% and multiple infections were found in 35.84% of the infected group, 7.92% of the whole study population. The younger the subject, the higher was the infection rate and multiple infection rates. The most common HPV types were 16, 18, 58, 52, 51 and 56, which is different from the western world. The sensitivity of the HPV DNA chip in detecting CIN and cervical carcinoma is 97.06%, and 100% in detecting CIN 2 or more lesions. Risk factors for HPV infection include earlier coitarche (P < 0.01), multiple sexual partners (P < 0.05), history of sexually transmitted disease (P < 0.05), two or more vaginal deliveries (P < 0.05) and infrequent use of condoms (P < 0.05). The association between oral contraception or cigarette smoking and HPV infection could not be determined because few women smoke or used oral contraception. There was no relationship between induced abortion and HPV infection. CONCLUSIONS: About one-fifth of adult women in metropolitan Taipei were cervical HPV positive. The popular HPV types and the risk factors of HPV infection in metropolitan Taipei are not the same as those in the western world. The sensitivity of the HPV DNA chip in detecting cervical neoplasia is very high.

Adult↗