Purpose To identify the role of both genetic (number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene) and autoimmune factors (antiovarian antibodies) in premature ovarian failure (POF). Methods In cross-sectional study, 78 women with POF were divided into 3 groups by the number of CGG repeats (less than 28, 28-36, more than 36) in any of the FMR1 gene alleles. We performed the detection of skewed Xchromosome inactivation, CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene, anti-ovarian antibodies (AOA) and sex hormones tests. Results Compared to a higher or lower number of CGG repeats the 28-36 triple CGG counts are strongly associated with the AOA detection (RR=19.23, 95 % CI=2.63-100.0). The women with autoimmune-driven POF have significantly higher anti-Mullerian hormone levels in comparison to women with non-autoimmune-driven POF. Conclusion The presence of AOA above 10 IU/mL is associated with the normal number of CGG repeats in regard to ovarian reserve and a better preservation of follicular primordial pool in the women with POF.

Coagulopathy in COVID-19 patients is presumably based on systemic hypercoagulation with the inflammatory response. As a result of endothelial dysfunction, tissue factor and von Willebrand factor (vWF) are released into the blood stream, which leads to prothrombinase activation. The vWF/ADAMTS-13 ratio can be used for monitoring the severity of the disease. This observational prospective study included 141 patients with COVID-19. In patients with mild COVID-19 (group 1), the assessment was performed on the 3rd–7th day of illness (point 1) and 14–28 days after recovery (point 2). In patients with moderate (groups 2) and severe (group 3) COVID-19, the assessment was performed during hospitalization (point 1) and after 14 days (point 2). The vWF:RCo/ADAMTS-13:activity (point 1), vWF/ADAMTS-13 (point 2) and vWF:RCo/ADAMTS-13:activity (point 2) ratios were significantly higher in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19. Moreover, in these patients, both ratios increased after recovery (point 2), which is a negative prognostic factor of thrombotic complications. Thus, COVID-19 is characterized by a decrease in the concentration and activity of ADAMTS-13 metalloproteinase, especially in patients with the severe form of COVID-19. A decrease in ADAMTS-13 activity results in an increase in vWF concentration and activity so the ratio of vWF to ADAMTS-13 changes significantly.

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We analyzed the effect of cryopreservation on the expression of glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) and glutathione reductase (GSR) genes in human sperm cells (15 sperm samples from fertile donors and 10 samples from infertile patients). The relative expression of GPX1 and GSR genes was determined by real-time PCR. The rate of post-thaw recovery was 2.1 times higher in the group of fertile donors. A significant increase in the expression of GPX1, but not GSR, was observed in sperm samples from infertile patients, while in patients with infertility, GPX1 expression significantly decreased after cryopreservation/thawing, in samples from fertile donors after the same procedure it increased to the level observed in the sperm samples from infertile patients. A positive correlation was revealed between GPX1 expression and sperm cryotolerance.