Human reproduction最新文献

{"title":"Mendelian randomization and multi-omics approach analyses reveal impaired glucose metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation in visceral adipose tissue of women with polycystic ovary syndrome","authors":"Yurong Zhang, Xintong Jiang, Xueling Song, Jiajia Zhang, Weian Mao, Wei Chen, Shuai Yuan, Yijie Chen, Liangshan Mu, Yue Zhao","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae244","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae244","url":null,"abstract":"STUDY QUESTION What is the significance of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its impact on the regulation of metabolic disorders in women with PCOS? SUMMARY ANSWER We revealed a potentially causal relationship between increased genetically predicted VAT and PCOS-related traits, and found that VAT exhibited impaired glucose metabolism and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in women with PCOS. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY PCOS is a common reproductive endocrine disorder accompanied by many metabolic abnormalities. Adipose tissue is a metabolically active endocrine organ that regulates multiple physiological processes, and VAT has a much stronger association with metabolism than subcutaneous adipose tissue does. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to investigate the potential causal association between genetically predicted VAT and the risk of PCOS. Data for MR analysis were extracted from European population cohorts. VAT samples from sixteen PCOS patients and eight control women who underwent laparoscopic surgery were collected for proteomics and targeted metabolomics analyses. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS PCOS was diagnosed according to the 2003 Rotterdam Criteria. The control subjects were women who underwent laparoscopic investigation for infertility or benign indications. Proteomics was performed by TMT labeling and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, and targeted metabolomics was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. The key differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were validated by immunoblotting. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE MR analysis revealed a potentially causal relationship between increased genetically predicted VAT and PCOS, as well as related traits, such as polycystic ovaries, total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, and anti-Müllerian hormone, while a negative relationship was found with sex hormone-binding globulin. Enrichment pathway analysis of DEPs indicated the inhibition of glycolysis and activation of mitochondrial OXPHOS in the VAT of PCOS patients. MR analysis revealed that key DEPs involved in glycolysis and OXPHOS were significantly linked to PCOS and its related traits. Dot blot assay confirmed a significant decrease in glycolysis enzymes PKM2 and HK1, and an increase in mitochondrial Complex I and III subunits, NDUFS3 and UQCR10. Moreover, metabolomics analysis confirmed down-regulated metabolites of energy metabolic pathways, in particular glycolysis. Further analysis of PCOS and control subjects of normal weight revealed that dysregulation of glucose metabolism and OXPHOS in VAT of women with PCOS was independent of obesity. LARGE SCALE DATA The mass spectrometry proteomics data have been deposited to the iProX database (http://www.iprox.org) with the iProX accession: IPX0005774001. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION There ","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":"147 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142490622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epigenetic aging and fecundability: the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study","authors":"Lise Andrea Arge, Yunsung Lee, Karoline Hansen Skåra, Mikko Myrskylä, Cecilia Høst Ramlau-Hansen, Siri Eldevik Håberg, Maria Christine Magnus","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae242","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae242","url":null,"abstract":"STUDY QUESTION Is there an association between male or female epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) or deceleration (EAD) and fecundability? SUMMARY ANSWER We do not find compelling evidence of an association between EAA or EAD and fecundability. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Prior research has shown that female accelerated epigenetic aging is associated with unfavorable clinical fecundity outcomes and use of in vitro fertilization, and that epigenetic aging in sperm cells is associated with unfavorable sperm parameters. Studies of epigenetic aging and fecundability among individuals who conceive naturally are lacking. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), a population-based pregnancy cohort which recruited pregnant couples between 1999 and 2008. We used data from 1657 couples (women and men) with planned naturally conceived pregnancies and available blood samples. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Methylation levels were measured in DNA from blood samples taken recruitment (at ∼18 gestational weeks) from pregnant women and their partners using the Illumina Methylation EPIC Array. To obtain a measure of EAA/EAD, we performed a linear regression of each of seven different established epigenetic biomarkers (DNAmAge by Horvath, DNAmAge by Hannum et al., PhenoAge by Levine et al., DunedinPoAm by Belsky et al., DunedinPACE by Belsky et al., DNAmTL by Lu et al., and GrimAge by Lu et al.) against chronological age. We fitted proportional probability regression models to obtain fecundability ratios (FRs) for each standard deviation increase in epigenetic aging, and obtained crude and adjusted (for body mass index, smoking, and education level) estimates. Results were evaluated at a false discovery rate (FDR) of 5%. We evaluated all models for non-linear associations using categories of epigenetic age where appropriate. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Although the DunedinPACE clock in males demonstrated slightly increasing fecundability with increasing EAA (adjusted FR 1.05 per one standard deviation increase in EAA, 95% CI 1.00–1.10), this was not robust when evaluated at an FDR of 5%. We found evidence of non-linearity between biological aging and fecundability in two models in females and three models in males, but non-linear associations were weak and conflicting. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION As MoBa is a pregnancy cohort, our findings may not be generalizable to all couples attempting conception. Fecundability is a couple-level measure, and any impacts of epigenetic aging in each partner may be obscured by effects of the other partner. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings contrast with those of prior studies, which have indicated an association between EAA and unfavorable clinical fertility outcomes in populations using fertility treatments, possibly due to less important effects of epigenetic aging among couples who conceive naturally. More research is needed on ","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":"125 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142489367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multi-omics PGT: re-evaluation of euploid blastocysts for implantation potential based on RNA sequencing","authors":"Jiamin Jin, Jieliang Ma, Xiufen Wang, Fang Hong, YinLi Zhang, Feng Zhou, Cheng Wan, Yangyun Zou, Ji Yang, Sijia Lu, Xiaomei Tong","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae237","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae237","url":null,"abstract":"STUDY QUESTION In addition to chromosomal euploidy, can the transcriptome of blastocysts be used as a novel predictor of embryo implantation potential? SUMMARY ANSWER This retrospective analysis showed that based on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between euploid blastocysts which resulted and did not result in a clinical pregnancy, machine learning models could help improve implantation rates by blastocyst optimization. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Embryo implantation is a multifaceted process, with implantation loss and pregnancy failure related not only to blastocyst euploidy but also to the intricate dialog between blastocyst and endometrium. Although in vitro studies have revealed the characteristics of trophectoderm (TE) differentiation in implanted blastocysts and the function of TE placentation at the implantation site, the precise molecular mechanisms of embryo implantation and their clinical application remain to be fully elucidated. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This study involved 102 patients who underwent 111 cycles for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) between March 2022 and July 2023. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The study included 412 blastocysts biopsied at Day 5 [D5] or Day 6 [D6] for patients who underwent PGT-A. The biopsy lysates were split and subjected to DNA and RNA sequencing (DNA- and RNA-seq). One part was used for PGT-A to detect DNA copy number variations, whereas the other part was assessed simultaneously by RNA-seq to determine the transcriptome characteristics. To validate the reliability and accuracy of RNA-seq obtained from this strategy, we initially analyzed the transcriptome of blastocysts with chromosomal aneuploidies. Subsequently, we compared the transcriptomic features of blastocysts with different rates of formation (D5 vs D6) and investigated the network of interactions between key blastulation genes and the receptive endometrium. Then to evaluate the implantation potential of euploid blastocysts, we identified DEGs between euploid blastocysts that resulted in clinical pregnancy (defined as the presence of a gestational sac detected by ultrasound after 5 weeks) and those that did not. These DEGs were then employed to construct a predictive model for optimizing blastocyst selection. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The successful detection rate of PGT-A was remarkably high at 99.8%. The RNA data may infer aneuploidy for both trisomy and monosomy. Between the euploid blastocysts that formed on D5 and D6, 187 DEGs were predominantly involved in cell differentiation for embryonic placenta development, the PPAR signaling pathway, and the Notch signaling pathway. These D5/D6 DEGs also exhibited a functional dialog with the receptive phase endometrium-specific genes through protein–protein interaction networks, indicating that the embryo undergoes further differentiation for post-implantation development. Furthermore, a modeling strategy using 280 DEGs between blastocysts le","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142444286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Maternal periconception hyperglycemia, preconception diabetes, and risk of major congenital malformations in offspring.","authors":"Ran S Rotem,Marc G Weisskopf,Brian Bateman,Krista Huybrechts,Sonia Hernández-Diáz","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae233","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae233","url":null,"abstract":"STUDY QUESTIONWhat are the roles of maternal preconception diabetes and related periconceptional hyperglycemia on the risk of major congenital malformations (MCMs) in offspring?SUMMARY ANSWERMaternal periconceptional glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels over 5.6% were associated with an increased risk of congenital heart defects (CHD) in the offspring, and maternal preconception diabetes was associated with an increased risk of CHD, including when HbA1c levels were within euglycemic ranges.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYMaternal preconception diabetes has been linked with MCMs in the offspring. However, evidence concerning associations with specific periconception serum measures of hyperglycemia, and susceptibility of different organ systems, is inconsistent. Moreover, limited evidence exists concerning the effectiveness of antidiabetic medications in mitigating diabetes-related teratogenic risks.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONA large Israeli birth cohort of 46 534 children born in 2001-2020.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSMaternal HbA1c test results were obtained from 90 days before conception to mid-pregnancy. Maternal diabetes, other cardiometabolic conditions, and MCMs in newborns were ascertained based on clinical diagnoses, medication dispensing records, and laboratory test results using previously validated algorithms. Associations were modeled using generalized additive logistic regression models with thin plate penalized splines.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEMaternal periconceptional HbA1c value was associated with CHD in newborns, with the risk starting to increase at HbA1c values exceeding 5.6%. The association between HbA1c and CHD was stronger among mothers with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to the other diabetes groups. Maternal pre-existing T2DM was associated with CHD even after accounting for HbA1C levels and other cardiometabolic comorbidities (odds ratio (OR)=1.89, 95% CI 1.18, 3.03); and the OR was materially unchanged when only mothers with pre-existing T2DM who had high adherence to antidiabetic medications and normal HbA1c levels were considered.LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTIONThe rarity of some specific malformation groups limited the ability to conduct more granular analyses. The use of HbA1c as a time-aggregated measure of glycemic control may miss transient glycemic dysregulation that could be clinically meaningful for teratogenic risks.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGSThe observed association between pre-existing diabetes and the risk of malformations within HbA1c levels suggests underlying causal pathways that are partly independent of maternal glucose control. Therefore, treatments for hyperglycemia might not completely mitigate the teratogenic risk associated with maternal preconception diabetes.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)The work was supported by NIH grants K99ES035433, R01HD097778, and P30ES000002. None of the authors reports competing interests.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERN/A.","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":"124 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142443700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impacts of double biopsy and double vitrification on the clinical outcomes following euploid blastocyst transfer: a systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Kate Bickendorf, Fang Qi, Kelli Peirce, Rui Wang, Jay Natalwala, Vincent Chapple, Yanhe Liu","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae235","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae235","url":null,"abstract":"STUDY QUESTION Compared to the ‘single biopsy + single vitrification’ approach, do ‘double biopsy + double vitrification’ or ‘single biopsy + double vitrification’ arrangements compromise subsequent clinical outcomes following euploidy blastocyst transfer? SUMMARY ANSWER Both ‘double biopsy + double vitrification’ and ‘single biopsy + double vitrification’ led to reduced live birth/ongoing pregnancy rates and clinical pregnancy rates. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY? It is not uncommon to receive inconclusive results following blastocyst biopsy and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). Often these blastocysts are warmed for re-test after a second biopsy, experiencing ‘double biopsy + double vitrification’. Furthermore, to achieve better workflow, IVF laboratories may choose to routinely vitrify all blastocysts and schedule biopsy at a preferred timing, involving ‘single biopsy + double vitrification’. However, in the current literature, there is a lack of systematic evaluation of both arrangements regarding their potential clinical risks in reference to the most common ‘single biopsy + single vitrification’ approach. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed, with the protocol registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023469143). A search in PUBMED, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies was carried out on 30 August 2023, using the keywords ‘biopsy’ and ‘vitrification’ and associated variations respectively. Only studies involving frozen transfers of PGT-A tested euploid blastocysts were included, with those involving PGT-M or PGT-SR excluded. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Study groups included blastocysts having undergone ‘double biopsy + double vitrification’ or ‘single biopsy + double vitrification’, with a ‘single biopsy + single vitrification’ group used as control. The primary outcome was clinical pregnancy, while secondary outcomes included live birth/ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, and post-warming survival rates. Random effects meta-analysis was performed with risk ratios (RR) and 95% CIs were used to present outcome comparisons. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A total of 607 records were identified through the initial search and nine studies (six full articles and three abstracts) were eventually included. Compared to ‘single biopsy + single vitrification’, ‘double biopsy + double vitrification’ was associated with reduced clinical pregnancy rates (six studies, n = 18 754; RR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.71–0.89; I2 = 0%) and live birth/ongoing pregnancy rates (seven studies, n = 20 964; RR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.63–0.82; I2 = 0%). However, no significant changes were seen in miscarriage rates (seven studies, n = 22 332; RR = 1.40, 95% CI = 0.92–2.11; I2 = 53%) and post-warming survival rates (three studies, n = 13 562; RR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.99–1.01; I2 = 0%) following ‘double biopsy + double vitrification’. Furthermore, ‘single biopsy + double vitrification’ was also linked with decrea","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142385650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Protective effects of engineered Lactobacillus crispatus strains expressing G-CSF on thin endometrium of mice.","authors":"Shuang Liu, Yingnan Zhang, Xin Ma, Chenglin Zhan, Ning Ding, Mai Shi, Wei Zhang, Shubao Yang","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae190","DOIUrl":"10.1093/humrep/deae190","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Study question: </strong>Does recombinant Lactobacillus expressing granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) have a better protective effect than the current treatment of thin endometrium (TE)?</p><p><strong>Summary answer: </strong>This study suggested that the intrauterine injection of Lactobacillus crispastus (L. crispastus)-pPG612-G-CSF has a positive effect on preventing TE induced by 95% alcohol in mice.</p><p><strong>What is known already: </strong>TE has a negative impact on the success rate of ART in patients, and is usually caused by intrauterine surgery, endometrial infection, or hormone drugs. Exogenous G-CSF can promote endometrial vascular remodelling and increase endometrial receptivity and the embryo implantation rate. Moreover, Lactobacillus plays a crucial role in maintaining and regulating the local microecological balance of the reproductive tract, and it could be a delivery carrier of the endometrial repair drug G-CSF.</p><p><strong>Study design, size, duration: </strong>We constructed engineered L. crispastus strains expressing G-CSF. The mice were divided into five groups: (i) Control group (C, n = 28), uteri were treated with preheated saline solution via intrauterine injection on the third and sixth day of oestrus; (ii) Model group (M, n = 35), where uteri were treated with 95% alcohol on the third day of oestrus and preheated saline solution on the sixth day of oestrus via intrauterine injection; (iii) L. crispatus-pPG612-treatment group (L, n = 45), where uteri were treated with 95% alcohol on the third day of oestrus and 0.1 ml × 108 CFU/ml L. crispatus-pPG612 on the sixth day of oestrus via intrauterine injection; (iv) L. crispatus-pPG612-treatment group (LG, n = 45), where uteri were treated with 95% alcohol on the third day of oestrus and 0.1 ml × 108 CFU/ml L. crispatus-pPG612-G-CSF on the sixth day of oestrus via intrauterine injection; (v) G-CSF-treatment group (G, n = 52), where uteri were treated with 95% alcohol on the third day of oestrus and 30 µg/kg G-CSF on the sixth day of oestrus via intrauterine injection. Then, we compared the effects of L. crispastus, L. crispatus-pPG612-G-CSF and G-CSF on endometrial thickness, angiogenesis, fibrosis, and inflammation in the TE mouse.</p><p><strong>Participants/materials, setting, methods: </strong>We collected uterine tissues for haematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining, Western blot and RT-PCR, as well as serum for ELISA and uterine flushing solution for high-throughput sequencing.</p><p><strong>Main results and the role of chance: </strong>Compared with those in the M group (the mice of the group were intrauterine injected 95% alcohol and treated with saline solution), the L. crispatus-pPG612-G-CSF strain increased the thickness of the endometrium (P < 0.001) and the number of blood vessels and glands (both P < 0.001), enhanced the expression of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) (P < 0.001), vimentin (Vim) (P < 0.001), vascular endothelial grow","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":" ","pages":"2305-2319"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142043926","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reply: Doppler ultrasound and first trimester pregnancy: not always a happy marriage.","authors":"E S de Vos, A G M G J Mulders, A H J Koning, S P Willemsen, M Rousian, B B van Rijn, E A P Steegers, R P M Steegers-Theunissen","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae177","DOIUrl":"10.1093/humrep/deae177","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":" ","pages":"2372"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142046617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of embryologist stress, somatization, and burnout reported by embryologists working in UK HFEA-licensed ART/IVF clinics and USA ART/IVF clinics.","authors":"Anar Murphy, Mark S Lapczynski, Glenn Proctor, Timothy R Glynn, Alice D Domar, Sofia Gameiro, Giles A Palmer, Michael G Collins","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae191","DOIUrl":"10.1093/humrep/deae191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Study question: </strong>What is the prevalence of occupational stress, somatization, and burnout reported by UK and US, embryologists and the impact of work conditions on these well-being outcomes?</p><p><strong>Summary answer: </strong>Surveyed UK and US embryologists reported moderate perceived stress, low somatic symptom severity, high levels of burnout, and overall stressful work conditions, but with differences that could be due to country-specific occupational and employment characteristics.</p><p><strong>What is known already?: </strong>Spanish, UK, US, and international surveys have identified high levels of occupational stress, somatization, burnout, and occupational health issues among embryologists. These issues have been attributed to embryologists' occupational challenges and work conditions.</p><p><strong>Study design, size, duration: </strong>A cross-sectional web-based survey was sent to 253 embryologists working in UK ART/IVF clinics and 487 embryologists working in US ART/IVF clinics.</p><p><strong>Participants/materials, setting, methods: </strong>Participants self-reported their stress levels, somatization, burnout, and work conditions. Proportions across the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15), Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), a single-item work unit grade (A-F), and customized occupational and sociodemographic questionnaires were calculated using descriptive statistics. Welch's t-test was utilized to compare PSS and PHQ-15 scores between groups. Risk ratios were calculated using log-binomial regression for all models except for levels of anxiety related to performing cryostorage tasks, for which Poisson models were used.</p><p><strong>Main results and the role of chance: </strong>In total, 50.6% (128) of the embryologists in the UK and 50.1% (244) in the US completed the survey. Both groups self-reported moderate PSS and low PHQ-15 scores, although fewer UK embryologists scored high on the MBI cynicism dimension than their US colleagues (43% UK vs 60% US embryologists, P < 0.05). The UK and US embryologists did not differ on the MBI exhaustion dimension with both scoring high for exhaustion (59% UK vs 62% US). Although 81% and 80% of UK and US embryologists, respectively, reported working overtime, more embryologists in the UK reported being adequately compensated. Increasing levels of anxiety-related to cryostorage showed a dose-dependent increased risk of burnout on at least two MBI-GS dimensions only in the UK group, and, a dose-dependent likelihood of higher PSS and PHQ-15 scores in both groups.</p><p><strong>Limitations, reasons for caution: </strong>Since the two groups were surveyed 9 months apart and were self-reporting, the study is limited by the differences in responsibilities, scheduling, and workload specific to the time of year.</p><p><strong>Wider implications of the findings: </strong>Work-related health issues and occupational challenges shared by","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":" ","pages":"2297-2304"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11447060/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142092811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimized personalized management approach for moderate/severe OHSS: development and prospective validation of an OHSS risk assessment index.","authors":"Mingzhu Cao, Qiwang Lin, Zhi Liu, Yanshan Lin, Qing Huang, Yang Fu, Yang Zhang, Hang Shi, Chongyang Duan, Haiying Liu, Jianqiao Liu","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae197","DOIUrl":"10.1093/humrep/deae197","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Study question: </strong>Can a simplified ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) risk assessment index be developed and validated with sufficient discrimination of moderate/severe OHSS from those without OHSS?</p><p><strong>Summary answer: </strong>This easy-to-use OHSS risk assessment index shows good discriminative power and high calibration accuracy in internal and external validation cohorts.</p><p><strong>What is known already: </strong>An early alert and risk stratification is critical to prevent the occurrence of OHSS. We have previously developed a multi-stage smartphone app-based prediction model to evaluate the risk of OHSS, but app use might not be so convenient in many primary institutions. A simplified OHSS risk assessment index has been required.</p><p><strong>Study design, size, duration: </strong>This training and internal validation of an OHSS risk assessment index used retrospective cohort data from January 2016 to December 2020. External validation was performed with a prospective cohort database from January 2021 to May 2022. There were 15 066 cycles in the training cohort, 6502 cycles in the internal validation cohort, and 8097 cycles in the external validation cohort.</p><p><strong>Participants/materials, setting, methods: </strong>This study was performed in the reproductive medicine center of a tertiary hospital. Infertile women who underwent ovarian stimulation were included. Data were extracted from the local database with detailed medical records. A multi-stage risk assessment index was constructed at multiple stages. The first stage was before the initiation of ovarian stimulation, the second was before the ovulation trigger, the third was after oocyte retrieval, and the last stage was on the embryo transfer day if fresh embryo transfer was scheduled.</p><p><strong>Main results and the role of chance: </strong>We established a simplified multi-stage risk assessment index for moderate/severe OHSS, the performance of which was further evaluated with discrimination and calibration abilities in training and internal and external validation cohorts. The discrimination abilities of the OHSS risk assessment index were determined with C-statistics. C-statistics in training (Stages 1-4: 0.631, 0.692, 0.751, 0.788, respectively) and internal (Stages 1-4: 0.626, 0.642, 0.755, 0.771, respectively) and external validation (Stages 1-4: 0.668, 0.670, 0.754, 0.773, respectively) cohorts were all increased from Stage 1 to 3 with similar trends, and were comparable between Stages 3 and 4. Calibration plots showed high agreement between observed and predicted cases in all three cohorts. Incidences of OHSS based on diverse risk stratification (negligible risk, low risk, medium risk, and high risk) were 0%, 0.6%, 2.7%, and 8.3% in the training cohort, 0%, 0.6%, 3.3%, and 8.5% in the internal validation cohort, and 0.1%, 1.1%, 4.1%, and 7.2% in the external validation cohort.</p><p><strong>Limitations, reasons for caution: </st","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":" ","pages":"2320-2330"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142139891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals transcriptomic landscape and potential targets for human testicular ageing.","authors":"Kai Xia, Peng Luo, Jiajie Yu, Siyuan He, Lin Dong, Feng Gao, Xuren Chen, Yunlin Ye, Yong Gao, Yuanchen Ma, Cuifeng Yang, Yadong Zhang, Qiyun Yang, Dayu Han, Xin Feng, Zi Wan, Hongcai Cai, Qiong Ke, Tao Wang, Weiqiang Li, Xiang'an Tu, Xiangzhou Sun, Chunhua Deng, Andy Peng Xiang","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae199","DOIUrl":"10.1093/humrep/deae199","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Study question: </strong>What is the molecular landscape underlying the functional decline of human testicular ageing?</p><p><strong>Summary answer: </strong>The present study provides a comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic atlas of testes from young and old humans and offers insights into the molecular mechanisms and potential targets for human testicular ageing.</p><p><strong>What is known already: </strong>Testicular ageing is known to cause male age-related fertility decline and hypogonadism. Dysfunction of testicular cells has been considered as a key factor for testicular ageing.</p><p><strong>Study design, size, duration: </strong>Human testicular biopsies were collected from three young individuals and three old individuals to perform single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). The key results were validated in a larger cohort containing human testicular samples from 10 young donors and 10 old donors.</p><p><strong>Participants/materials, setting, methods: </strong>scRNA-seq was used to identify gene expression signatures for human testicular cells during ageing. Ageing-associated changes of gene expression in spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and Leydig cells (LCs) were analysed by gene set enrichment analysis and validated by immunofluorescent and functional assays. Cell-cell communication analysis was performed using CellChat.</p><p><strong>Main results and the role of chance: </strong>The single-cell transcriptomic landscape of testes from young and old men was surveyed, revealing age-related changes in germline and somatic niche cells. In-depth evaluation of the gene expression dynamics in germ cells revealed that the disruption of the base-excision repair pathway is a prominent characteristic of old SSCs, suggesting that defective DNA repair in SSCs may serve as a potential driver for increased de novo germline mutations with age. Further analysis of ageing-associated transcriptional changes demonstrated that stress-related changes and cytokine pathways accumulate in old somatic cells. Age-related impairment of redox homeostasis in old LCs was identified and pharmacological treatment with antioxidants alleviated this cellular dysfunction of LCs and promoted testosterone production. Lastly, our results revealed that decreased pleiotrophin signalling was a contributing factor for impaired spermatogenesis in testicular ageing.</p><p><strong>Large scale data: </strong>The scRNA-seq sequencing and processed data reported in this paper were deposited at the Genome Sequence Archive (https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/), under the accession number HRA002349.</p><p><strong>Limitations, reasons for caution: </strong>Owing to the difficulty in collecting human testis tissue, the sample size was limited. Further in-depth functional and mechanistic studies are warranted in future.</p><p><strong>Wider implications of the findings: </strong>These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the cell type-specific mechanisms underlying human te","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":" ","pages":"2189-2209"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11447013/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142143053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}