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Purpose: To compare the DNA damage in granulosa cells (GCs) of women undergoing ovarian-stimulated cycles with four widely used recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormones (rhFSH) in in vitro fertilization (IVF) protocols (Corneumon®, Gonal-F®, Pergoveris® and Puregon®). Methods: A randomized trial was carried out at a Mexican hospital. GCs were isolated from 18 women with infertility undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART). Four controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols including Corneumon®, Gonal-F®, Pergoveris® or Puregon® were used. GCs DNA damage was assessed by the Comet assay. Two parameters were measured: comet tail length (CTL), and Olive tail moment (OTM, the percentage of DNA in the tail multiplied by the distance between the center of the tail and head). Results: Use of the different hrFSH in COS caused variable and statistically significant levels of DNA damage in GCs of infertile women. CTL was similar in the Corneumon® and Pergoveris® groups (mean values of 48.73 and 55.18, respectively) and Corneumon® CTL was significantly lower compared to the Gonal-F® and Puregon® groups (mean values of 61.98 and 91.17, respectively). Mean OTM values were significantly lower in Corneumon® and Pergoveris® groups, compared to Gonal-F® and Puregon® groups (25.59, 27.35, 34.76, and 47.27, respectively). Conclusion: Use of Corneumon® and Pergoveris® in COS caused statistically significantly lower levels of DNA damage in GCs of infertile women undergoing ART, which could potentially correlate with better reproductive outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parabens (PBs) are compounds widely used in industry for food and personal care products as antimicrobials and preservatives. Their indiscriminate use has resulted in their detection in different ecosystems so that humans and other organisms are highly exposed. Methylparaben (MePB), compared with other PBs, is mostly detected in food, personal care and baby care products. PBs could be linked to the generation of hormonal disorders and fertility impairment since their recent classification as endocrine disruptors. The knowledge of the effects that MePB can exert is of great importance as, in terms of reproduction, information is limited. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of MePB on porcine oocyte viability and in vitro maturation (IVM), as well as to determine the lethal concentration at 50% (LC50) and the maturation inhibition concentration at 50% (MIC50). Oocytes were exposed to different MePB concentrations 0 (control), 50, 100, 500, 750 and 1000 μm during 44 h of IVM. Cytoplasmic alterations and reduced cumulus cell expansion were observed in oocytes exposed to MePB; however, viability was not affected. In addition, oocyte maturation decreased in a concentration‐dependent manner after exposure to MePB. The estimated LC50 was 2028.38 μm, whereas MIC50 was 780.31 μm. To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates that MePB altered porcine oocyte morphology, and caused a reduction in cumulus cell expansion, both of which resulted in decreased oocyte maturation. Therefore, MePB exposure may be one of the factors involved in fertility impairment in mammals, including that of humans. Methylparaben (MePB) is mostly detected in food, personal care and baby care products. Parabens could be linked to the generation of hormonal disorders and fertility impairment since their recent classification as endocrine disruptors. The knowledge of the effects that MePB can exert is of great importance as, in terms of reproduction, information is limited. This study demonstrates that MePB altered porcine oocyte morphology, and caused a reduction in cumulus cell expansion, both of which resulted in decreased oocyte maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parabens are widely used because of their antimicrobial properties in drugs, cosmetics, and food; however, it has been reported that methylparaben may adversely influence female reproduction. Methylparaben decreases oocyte in vitro maturation at a maturation inhibition concentration 50 of 780.31 μM but also decreases oocyte viability at a lethal concentration 50 of 2028.38 μM. Additionally, parabens are endocrine disruptors, affecting steroidogenesis as well as cumulus cell expansion. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate some of the mechanisms by which methylparaben alters cumulus cell expansion and decreases oocyte maturation through the evaluation of gene expression related to cumulus cell expansion, hyaluronic acid, and progesterone synthesis. For this, oocytes were exposed to different methylparaben concentrations of 0 (control), 650, 780, and 1000 μM for 20 and 44 h of in vitro maturation. The cumulus cell expansion rates, maturation rates, gene expression rates, and hyaluronic acid and progesterone concentrations were revaluated after 20 and 44 h of culture. At sublethal concentrations, methylparaben decreased in vitro maturation as well as cumulus cell expansion at 44 h. Additionally, methylparaben decreased the expression of Has2 and Cd44 at 20 and 44 h of maturation. The expression levels of Stard1, Cyp11a1, and Hsd3b1 were also altered by methylparaben exposure at 20 and 44 h of maturation, suggesting its role as an endocrine disruptor. Hyaluronic acid and progesterone concentrations in the culture medium decreased at 20 and 44 h. These findings could partially explain some of the mechanisms by which methylparaben alters female fertility., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)