Abstract

Placental angiogenesis is a pivotal process for feto-maternal circulation and ensures efficient development of the placenta throughout pregnancy. Many factors during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer procedures may affect placental gene expression and fetus development. The present study aimed to identify differences in angiogenesis-related gene (VEGFA, FGF2, FLT1, and KDR) expression profiles in placentas after assisted reproductive technology fertilization and natural conception in healthy women. In a case-control study, term placentas were collected from Caucasian women after assisted reproductive technology fertilization (N = 20) and after natural conception in women with uncomplicated pregnancy (N = 9). The mRNA expression in placentas was examined for VEGFA, FGF2, FLT1, and KDR genes by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Group stratification was performed for comparison of investigated genes between the type of embryo transferred (fresh/frozen), place of tissue donation (center/margin), and newborns’ gender (male/female). In the ART placentas, significant down-regulation of VEGFA gene (p = 0.016) and up-regulation of FLT1 (p = 0.026) and KDR (p < 0.001) gene receptors were observed. Genes encoding VEGFA receptors were up-regulated in both fresh (ET) and frozen (FET) embryo transfer groups compared to controls. For the FLT1 gene, a statistically significant difference was observed between the frozen embryo transfer group and the controls (p = 0.032). Relative expression of KDR was significantly higher for both embryo transfer groups compared to controls (p < 0.001) and between ET and FET (p = 0.002). No statistically significant differences were observed between placental expression in different places of tissue donation and newborns’ gender. We observed differences in the placental expression of VEGFA and its receptors FLT1 and KDR in pregnancies after assisted reproductive technology compared to naturally conceived pregnancies. More research is needed to clarify these alterations that may affect placental development and fetal health.

中文翻译：

---

辅助生殖技术受精后胎盘中VEGFA受体（FLT1和KDR）mRNA表达上调

摘要

胎盘血管生成是胎儿-母体循环的关键过程，可确保胎盘在整个怀孕期间的有效发育。体外受精和胚胎移植过程中的许多因素可能会影响胎盘基因表达和胎儿发育。本研究旨在鉴定健康女性辅助生殖技术受精和自然受孕后胎盘中血管生成相关基因（ VEGFA、FGF2、FLT1和KDR ）表达谱的差异。在一项病例对照研究中，从辅助生殖技术受精后的白人妇女（ N = 20）和无并发症妊娠妇女自然受孕后（N = 9）收集足月胎盘。通过实时定量聚合酶链式反应 (RT-qPCR)检查胎盘中VEGFA、FGF2、FLT1和KDR基因的 mRNA 表达。进行分组分层，以比较移植胚胎类型（新鲜/冷冻）、组织捐赠地点（中心/边缘）和新生儿性别（男性/女性）之间的研究基因。在 ART 胎盘中，观察到VEGFA基因 ( p = 0.016)显着下调， FLT1 ( p = 0.026) 和KDR ( p < 0.001) 基因受体上调。与对照组相比，新鲜（ET）和冷冻（FET）胚胎移植组中编码VEGFA受体的基因均上调。对于FLT1基因，冷冻胚胎移植组和对照组之间观察到统计学显着差异（p = 0.032）。与对照组相比 ( p < 0.001) 以及 ET 和 FET 之间 ( p = 0.002)，两个胚胎移植组的KDR相对表达均显着较高。不同组织捐献部位的胎盘表达与新生儿性别之间没有观察到统计学上的显着差异。我们观察到辅助生殖技术后妊娠的胎盘中VEGFA及其受体FLT1和KDR的表达与自然受孕妊娠相比存在差异。需要更多的研究来阐明这些可能影响胎盘发育和胎儿健康的改变。