Rat Estradiol (E2) ELISA Kit

Purpose: The effects of estradiol on oocyte development seem to be varied among species. The present study investigated the effects of 17 beta-estradiol on in vitro maturation of buffalo and goat oocytes. Methods: Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from large antral follicles of slaughtered buffalo and goat ovaries. COCs were cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mu g/mL of 17 beta-estradiol for in vitro maturation. Then, oocytes were used for the examination of state of nuclear maturation and cumulus expansion. Results: In both species, oocytes treated with 17 beta-estradiol showed higher cumulus expansion rate than control (0 mu g/mL treated). In buffalo, the percentage of oocytes matured to the metaphase II (MII) stage increased in the concentration-dependent manner of 17 beta-estradiol. Similarly, estradiol positively influenced nuclear maturation of goat oocytes in vitro. Conclusions: Estradiol has promoting effects on normalprogress of in vitro oocyte meiosis in buffalos and goats.

Background:The co-administration of letrozole during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with gonadotropins is used to limit the potentially harmful effects of a supra-physiological rise in estrogen levels on hormone-sensitive cancers. However, the efficacy and safety of adding letrozole to COS remain debated. Methods:This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies that compared the efficacy and safety of COS with co-administration of letrozole vs. COS without letrozole in all patient populations. A secondary analysis was done including only the studies in breast cancer patients. The primary efficacy endpoint was the number of retrieved mature Metaphase II (MII) oocytes. Secondary efficacy and safety endpoints were total number of oocytes, maturation rate, fertilization rate, number of cryopreserved embryos, peak estradiol levels, progesterone levels, and total gonadotropin dose. Data for each endpoint were reported and analyzed thorough mean ratio (MR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results:A total of 11 records were selected including 2,121 patients (990 patients underwent COS with letrozole and 1,131 COS without letrozole). The addition of letrozole to COS did not have any negative effect on the number of mature oocytes collected (MR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.87-1.16;P= 0.967) and the other efficacy endpoints. COS with letrozole was associated with significantly decreased peak estradiol levels (MR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.24-0.32;P<0.001). Similar results were observed in the secondary analysis including only breast cancer patients. Conclusions:These findings are reassuring on the efficacy and safety of COS with gonadotropins and letrozole and are particularly important for fertility preservation in women with hormone-sensitive cancers.