Bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6), which is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is associated with the regulation of bone development and various physiological processes. In the present study, the expression of BMP-6 in follicular fluid and granulosa cells (GCs) from pregnant and non-pregnant patients was explored. A total of 44 pregnant patients (pregnant group) and 36 non-pregnant patients (non-pregnant group) were recruited for the present study. The expression of BMP-6 was detected using western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The expression of BMP-6 was significantly higher at the protein level (P<0.01) in follicular fluid obtained from the pregnant group compared with that from the non-pregnant group. The mRNA and protein expression of BMP-6 in GCs were significantly upregulated in the pregnant group compared with the non-pregnant group (both P<0.01). These results suggest that high expression of BMP-6 in pregnant women may be a novel biomarker for the fertility process.

To investigate the effect of Soothing liver therapy on infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and to explore its mechanism.

Background. Bushen Tiaojing Decoctions (BSTJ‐II‐D and BSTJ‐III‐D) are used to assist pregnancy in clinical practice. In this study, we explored the ability of sequential administration of BSTJ‐II‐D and BSTJ‐III‐D to promote cumulus cell (CC) expansion and its underlying mechanisms in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) mice. Methods. Kunming mice were randomly divided into three groups. The normal group was injected intraperitoneally with saline, and distilled water was administered orally by gavage. As the COH model, mice were injected with GnRHa, eCG, and hCG. Subsequently, the BSTJD group received BSTJ‐II‐D and BSTJ‐III‐D orally by gavage, while the control group received distilled water. We evaluated CC expansion and oocyte first polar body (PB1) extrusion under a stereomicroscope. Serum levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) were detected by radioimmunoassay. The expression of the CC expansion‐related factors PTX3 and PTGS2 was detected by immunofluorescence, western blot, and quantitative real‐time‐polymerase chain reaction analyses (qRT‐PCR). Expression of p‐MAPK14, p‐MAPK3/1, MAPK14, and MAPK3/1 was detected by western blot analysis. Results. Sequential administration of BSTJ‐II‐D and BSTJ‐III‐D promoted cumulus expansion and oocyte PB1 extrusion and upregulated PTX3 and PTGS2 expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, the levels of p‐MAPK14/MAPK14, p‐MAPK3/1/MAPK3/1 proteins, and serum FSH in the BSTJD group were higher than those in the normal and control groups. Conclusions. Sequential administration of BSTJ‐II‐D and BSTJ‐III‐D promotes cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation in COH mice by increasing FSH expression and activating the MAPK14 and MAPK3/1 signalling pathways, thereby increasing expression of PTX3 and PTGS2.