Journal of The Society for Gynecologic Investigation 

About: Journal of The Society for Gynecologic Investigation is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Fetus & Pregnancy. It has an ISSN identifier of 1071-5576. Over the lifetime, 1462 publications have been published receiving 27043 citations.

Placental oxidative stress: from miscarriage to preeclampsia.

Abstract: Objective:To review the role of oxidative stress in two common placental-related disorders of pregnancy, miscarriage and preeclampsia.Methods:Review of published literature.Results:Miscarriage and ...

Vitamin D and placental-decidual function.

Abstract: The active form of vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), 1,25[OH](2)D(3)) has well-established effects on bone metabolism and mineral homeostasis. However, recently it has become clear that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) has potent antiproliferative and immunomodulatory actions that are not immediately linked to its role as a skeletal regulator. Both the nuclear receptor for 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) (vitamin D receptor, VDR) and the vitamin D-activating enzyme 1alpha-hydroxylase are expressed in a wide variety of nonclassic tissues, highlighting the potential for local autocrine-paracrine responses rather than traditional endocrine effects. Prominent among the tissues that express 1alpha-hydroxylase is the placenta-decidua, and this has raised important questions concerning the potential role of locally generated 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) as a modulator of fetal-placental development and function. When bound to the VDR, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) regulates key target genes associated with implantation, such as HOXA10, whereas the potent immunosuppressive effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) suggest a role in implantation tolerance. These observations are further supported by data from our group showing increased expression of 1alpha-hydroxylase and VDR in first-trimester trophoblast and decidua from human pregnancies. Studies by other groups have reported abnormal expression of 1alpha-hydroxylase in preeclamptic pregnancies, revealing a potential role for 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) as a regulator of placentation. The effect of vitamin D on reproduction has been further endorsed by murine gene knockout models for 1alpha-hydroxylase and VDR, both of which are infertile. These observations and others are discussed in this article in which we postulate an active role for 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in placenta-decidua. In particular, we describe how induction of the vitamin D-activating enzyme 1alpha-hydroxylase in early gestation might provide a mechanism by which environmental or dietary vitamin D can influence fetal-placental development.

Oxidative Stress and the Ovary

Abstract: Superoxide (O(2)(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), and lipid peroxides are generated in luteal tissue during natural and prostaglandin-induced regression in the rat, and this response is associated with reversible depletion of ascorbic acid Reactive oxygen species immediately uncouple the luteinizing hormone receptor from adenylate cyclase and inhibit steroidogenesis by interrupting transmitochondrial cholesterol transport The cellular origin of oxygen radicals in regressing corpora lutea is predominantly from resident and infiltrated leukocytes, notably neutrophils Reactive oxygen species are also produced within the follicle at ovulation and, like the corpus luteum, leukocytes are the major source of these products Antioxidants block the resumption of meiosis, whereas the generation of reactive oxygen induces oocyte maturation in the follicle Although oxygen radicals may serve important physiologic roles within the ovary, the cyclic production of these damaging agents over years may lead to an increased cumulative risk of ovarian pathology that would probably be exacerbated under conditions of reduced antioxidant status

Apoptosis in the Trophoblast—Role of Apoptosis in Placental Morphogenesis

Abstract: Villous trophoblast is the epithelial cover of the placental villous tree and comes in direct contact with maternal blood. The turnover of villous trophoblast includes proliferation and differentiation of cytotrophoblast, syncytial fusion of cytotrophoblast with the overlying syncytiotrophoblast, differentiation in the syncytiotrophoblast, and finally extrusion of apoptotic material into the maternal circulation. In recent years, it has become clear that apoptosis is a normal constituent of trophoblast turnover and the release of apoptotic material does not lead to an inflammatory response of the mother. During preeclampsia there seems to be an altered balance between proliferation and apoptosis of villous trophoblast leading to a dysregulation of the release from the syncytiotrophoblast. The normal apoptotic release may be reduced in favor of a necrotic release. Since apoptosis is still ongoing in the syncytiotrophoblast, a necrotic release of intrasyncytial and partly apoptotic material lead us to call this type of release "aponecrotic shedding." In this situation, cell-free components such as G-actin and DNA freely floating in maternal blood may trigger damage to the maternal endothelium, thereby triggering preeclampsia. This review highlights the importance of the apoptosis cascade in permitting normal physiologic turnover of villous trophoblast. It will demonstrate the participation of initial stages of this cascade within the cytotrophoblast and of the execution stages within the syncytiotrophoblast. Moreover, this review presents hypotheses of how dysregulation of the apoptosis cascade may be linked to endothelial dysfunction of the maternal vasculature in preeclampsia.

Antioxidant activities and mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in normal and preeclamptic placentas

Abstract: Placental production of lipid peroxides is abnormally increased in preeclampsia. The reason for this is not known, but if placental antioxidant enzymes were deficient, lipid peroxides would increase unchecked. In this study, we measured 1) enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and tissue levels of vitamin E, and 2) mRNA expression of CuZn-SOD, catalase, and GSH-Px in normal and preeclamptic placentas. Placental tissues were obtained from normal (n = 16) preeclamptic (n - 12) pregnancies immediately after delivery. Tissue pieces were frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80C until assayed. The enzyme activities of CuZn-SOD, catalase, and GSH-Px and the levels of vitamin E were determined by spectrophotometric assays. Messenger RNA expression of CuZn-SOD, catalase, and GSH-Px was determined by Northern blot analysis. The activities of CuZn-SOD and GSH-Px and the tissue levels of vitamin E were significantly lower in preeclamptic placentas than in normal placentas (CuZn-SOD: 1.13 ± 0.49 versus 3.71 ± 0.71 V/mg protein, P .4). 1) Activities of CuZn-SOD and GSH-Px and the tissue levels of vitamin E are significantly lower in preeclamptic than in normal placentas. 2) Activity of catalase is significantly higher in preeclamptic than in nortnal placentas. 3) Messenger RNA expression for CuZn-SOD and GSH-Px is lower in preeclamptic placentas. We speculate that decreased antioxidant activity may result in increased lipid peroxide levels in preeclamptic placentas. (J Soc Gynecol Invest 1996;3:179-84)