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Genes determining the effectiveness of artificial insemination
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The presence of certain genes that are responsible for the development of the uterine susceptibility can improve the rates of pregnancy during IVF-ET.
Scientists from the Cincinnati Hospital of the Children's Medical Center focused on studying the genes Msx1 and Msx2, which play an important role in the formation of the uterus during embryonic development and ensure that the organ is in a receptive phase. Sadhansu K. Day, Director of the Department of Reproduction of the Institute of Perinatal Hospital of Cincinnati, said that decreased uterus susceptibility is one of the main reasons for pregnancy failures in IVF programs.
As is known, the success of IVF does not exceed 30% of the barrier, in addition, with artificial insemination, the risk of premature birth is increased. Premature births can lead to various potential risks to the health of the child in the short and long term, but molecular signaling mechanisms during the critical stages of early pregnancy in IVF patients open the door to finding new approaches to improving pregnancy outcomes.
The results of this study enable physicians to develop new strategies for improving implantation rates in IVF programs by temporarily increasing Msx levels. This can potentially potentially expand the "window of the receptivity" of the uterus, increasing the time for embryo implantation.
Scientists have identified in a number of experiments that the loss of Msx genes entails negative reproductive consequences, disrupting Wnt molecular signaling pathways, which play a key role in the development of the embryo. Because of the loss of Msx, the epithelial cells of the uterus react incorrectly and can not develop the nidation sites necessary for successful implantation of the embryo.
The level of readiness of the uterus for implantation directly depends on the number of Msx genes. The absence of one Msx1 gene leads to a significant deterioration in the conditions for successful fertilization, whereas the removal of both Msx1 and Msx2 genes results in complete infertility due to the impossibility of implanting the embryo into the uterine epithelium.
Scientists have found that Msx genes support uterine susceptibility without changing the sensitivity of the uterus to ovarian hormones. Msx genes can be used in the development of drugs that increase the effectiveness of IVF.
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