Human Fertility最新文献

The purpose of this study was to analyse the obstetric outcome after frozen embryo transfer depending on the protocol used. The endometrial preparation during frozen embryo transfer (FET) was performed in the natural cycle (NC) with timing based on monitoring of the naturally occurring luteinizing hormone (LH) peak or in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-triggered modified natural cycles (MNC), artificial cycle (AC) with hormone replacement therapy cycle and cycle with ovulation induction (OI). A retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2018 and 2020. Pregnancy, perinatal complications and neonatal outcomes were compared among patients treated during AC or MNC or OI protocols. After adjusting for the effect of gravidity, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and number of miscarriages, the AC group had higher but not significantly different rates of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) than women in OI and MNC groups. Significant differences were observed in the rates of placental adherence (15.30% in AC vs. 9.24% in MNC, p = 0.004) and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) (24.33% in AC vs. 13.07% in OI, p = 0.003, 24.33% in AC vs. 16.24% in MNC, p = 0.002) among the three groups. In singletons, significant differences were observed in the rates of placental adherence (14.09% in AC vs. 8.57% in MNC, p = 0.002), AC and MNC groups had higher risk of PPH compared with OI group (18.36% in AC vs. 12.38% in MNC, p = 0.042 and 7.69% in OI vs. 18.36% in AC, p = 0.013). Neonatal outcomes were similar among the three groups except risk of small for date infants (0.35% in AC vs. 1.44% in MNC, p = 0.008). These findings are important in view of increasing use of frozen cycles and new policy of freeze-all cycles in in vitro fertilization (IVF). The results suggest a link between the absence of corpus luteum and adverse obstetric outcomes.

VEGFA, PlGF and IGF-1 are three main angiogenic factors which play significant roles in embryo implantation. However, the relationship between serum expressions of VEGFA, PlGF and IGF-1 and pregnancy outcomes has not been fully illustrated. In this study, serum specimens were collected precisely on day 7 after the LH surge in a natural non-conception cycle from 38 infertile patients who underwent frozen embryo transfer (FET) treatment. ELISA was used to determine the concentrations of VEGFA, PlGF and IGF-1. Serum levels of VEGFA, PlGF and IGF-1 were compared between patients who conceived (n=25) and who did not (n=13). Correlation and linear regression analyses were used to investigate the correlations of serum angiogenic factors and β-hCG MoM levels in the pregnant group. The results demonstrated that no significant difference was found in serum VEGFA, PlGF or IGF-1 concentration between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between IGF-1 concentration and β-hCG level in pregnant participants (r_s = 0.490, p = 0.013). In conclusion, serum IGF-1 level correlated positively with β-hCG level in pregnant women, which may provide information on the prognostic value of IGF-1 in this group of women.

The relationship between infertility and varicocele is still a controversial topic. This study aimed to find the association between the venous blood gas (VBG) pattern of the spermatic veins and peripheral veins with varicocele grade and spermogram variables in infertile patients. A total of 47 patients with a varicocele were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were drawn simultaneously from the spermatic vein and a peripheral vein. The pH, partial pressure of oxygen, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, oxygen saturation, and bicarbonate values of these samples were analysed. The mean age of participants was 30.48 ± 6.08. The mean volume of semen was 3.92 ± 1.57 mL, and the mean semen pH was 7.88 ± 0.22. The pH was higher (p < 0.01) in the spermatic vein compared with the peripheral vein. However, level of other parameters including pO₂ (p = 0.662), pCO₂ (p < 0.001), HCO₃ concentration of serum (p < 0.01), and base excess (p = 0.172) were lower in the spermatic vein in comparison with the peripheral vein. Correlations between VBGs determinants of the varicocele patients' spermatic vein and sperm morphology and motility were insignificant. In conclusion, although the clinical significance of VBGs is evident, there are limited studies that investigated the VBGs in varicocele patients. We should consider that the deviation in blood gases may be the missing piece in the puzzle to understand the pathophysiology of varicocele. By knowing the pathophysiology more precisely, we can better decide the ideal treatment option for the patients.

Conventional sperm selection based on motility and morphology fails to provide detailed information on sperm functional and molecular status. Magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) protocol aims to optimize this process by selecting apoptotic sperm cells. Phospholipase C zeta-1 (PLCz1) is a physiological stimulus for oocyte activation and early embryonic development. The purpose of this study was to examine seminal parameters, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), and PLCz1 expression levels in MACS-DGC sorted specimens (DFI > 30%) and assess early development in resulting embryos. Semen specimens from 60 patients diagnosed with male factor infertility were collected and processed by either density gradient centrifugation (DGC) or MACS-DGC protocols. Pre and post-preparation analysis was performed. PLCz1 expression was assessed using the RT-PCR method. Retrieved eggs from their partners were divided into two groups in which they were injected with different sorted sperm. The fertilization rate and embryonic development were evaluated. While sperm's progressive motility and morphology significantly improved, there was a substantial decline in DFI following MACS-DGC. Fertilization rates were almost the same between the groups, and the latter resulted in remarkably more top-quality embryos and more blastocysts. PLCz1 expression was considerably higher in the MACS-DGC group. By eliminating apoptotic cells, the MACS-DGC technique could sort highly PLCz1-expressed sperm, optimize sperm selection in individuals with elevated DFI, development of resulting embryos.

Fertility rates in Nigeria are declining at such a modest rate, that if more proactive measures are not employed to reduce fertility, the nation may double its population before long. We empirically examined fertility behaviour as derivatives of specific subgroup social norms, and the variations in the factors responsible for different fertility behaviours, using the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Descriptive bivariate, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to predict the contribution of demographic and sociocultural factors contributing to the fertility level, and findings were reported as odds ratios. Results revealed that age, religion and level of education are the most significant predictors of fertility level, with remarkable differences in birth rate across subgroups, whereas North-West Nigeria had the highest fertility level. Furthermore, marriage had a significantly negative effect on high fertility among North-Western women, whereas higher education significantly increased high fertility among North-Eastern women. In conclusion, subgroup social norms fertility behaviour is responsible for the persistent fertility differential outcome in Nigeria. Thus, the paper strongly advocates the need to intensify community-led, norm-based solution and not a universal approach in addressing fertility control in Nigeria.

This study aimed to investigate whether maternal obesity affects the immune status of peripheral blood and endometrium in patients with recurrent reproductive failure classified according to their body mass index (BMI). A total of 228 repeated implantation failure (RIF) and 266 recurrent miscarriage (RM) patients were enrolled in the study and further subdivided into three groups according to their BMI: (i) normal weight (18.5≤ BMI <23); (ii) overweight (23≤ BMI <25); and (iii) obese (BMI ≥25). Peripheral blood and endometrium samples were collected in the mid-luteal phase before IVF treatment or natural pregnancy. Peripheral immunocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry, while uterine immune cells were subjected to immunohistochemistry. In RM patients, significantly increased peripheral helper T cells and decreased cytotoxic T cells, NK cells were observed in the obese group compared with the normal-weight group. Meanwhile, in the endometrium, the percentage of NK cell, macrophage cell, M2 macrophage cell, and Treg cell significantly reduced with increased BMI in RIF patients, and the percentage of NK cell and M2 macrophage cell significantly decreased with increased BMI in RM patients. In conclusion, obesity may cause endometrial immune disorder in recurrent reproductive failure women, but was only associated with the peripheral immune change in RM patients.

The influence of cola intake on birth outcomes is unclear. This study sought to describe and compare the associations between cola intake and adverse birth outcomes among women following assisted reproductive technology (ART) and women spontaneously conceived (SC). Participants (736 ART women and 1,270 SC women) were from the Chinese National Birth Cohort collected in Anhui province. Cola intake was assessed by self-reported questionnaires at each trimester. Outcome measures including preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) were extracted from medical records. The association between cola intake during pregnancy and PTB was found using multivariable log-binomial regression in combined ART and SC women. Separately, for ART women, cola intake during pregnancy increased the risk of PTB (risk ratios were 2.10, 1.65, and 1.81 for all three trimesters, respectively, all p < 0.05), and cola intake in the 1st trimester increased the risk of LWB (risk ratio 2.58, 95% confidence interval 1.29 to 5.16). Cola intake during pregnancy was not associated with PTB or LBW for SC women. Our findings indicate a detrimental effect of cola intake during pregnancy on birth outcomes for ART women. Thus, avoidance of cola intake should be counselled by medical doctors in women prescribed with ART treatment.

Women who undergo assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments experience infertility-related stress and have low quality of life (QOL). However, there is limited understanding of infertility-related stress, coping, or QOL among women who undergo non-ART treatments. The purpose of this study was to examine infertility-related stress, coping, and QOL among women who undergo ART and non-ART infertility treatments. Using a descriptive correlational cross-sectional design, we recruited 200 women who underwent infertility treatments. Participants completed the Copenhagen Multi-centre Psychosocial Infertility (COMPI) Fertility Problem Stress Scale, COMPI Coping Styles Scale, Fertility Quality of Life tool, and a demographic infertility survey. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent t-test, chi-square, and hierarchical multiple regression. Women who underwent non-ART had more personal stress, used more active-avoidance coping, and had lower emotional, social, and treatment environment QOL compared to those in ART treatment. Women who underwent ART treatments used more meaning-based coping but had lower treatment tolerability QOL. Stress and coping contribute to core QOL differently among infertility treatment groups. Both treatment groups report low satisfaction with emotional services. Regardless of the treatment type, women who undergo infertility treatments may need care to address their psychological health.

The aims of the research were (i) to compare the clinical outcome of IVF using follicular-phase depot gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (depot agonist) protocol and GnRH antagonist protocol in patients with repeated IVF failure (RIF), (ii) to discover the optimal ovarian stimulation protocol for this group of low prognosis patients. 801 RIF patients with normal ovarian reserve receiving in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) were included in this retrospective study. Among them, 492 patients were treated with the depot agonist protocol, and the remaining 309 patients with the antagonist protocol. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to find the predictor(s) of the chance of live birth. Higher live birth rate (LBR) and clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) in fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles were associated with the use of depot agonist compared with the antagonist protocols (44.81% vs. 27.27%, 54.64% vs. 34.93%, respectively; both p < 0.01) and depot agonist protocol was a strong predictor of live birth (OR = 2.182, 95% CI 1.355-3.514, p < 0.01). The CPR in thawed ET cycles was not significantly different between the two groups (38.12% vs. 45.26%, p > 0.05). A higher cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) was achieved in the depot agonist group (46.59% vs. 35.21%, p < 0.01). Beneficial endometrial receptivity in the depot agonist protocol contributed to a higher LBR in fresh ET cycles, rendering this protocol the preferred option in the treatment of RIF patients.

Evaluation of methylation status of genes in sperm samples has been suggested for diagnosis of male infertility as well as prognosis of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) outcomes. In this study, we compared the methylation pattern of the GATA3 gene in infertile and fertile men as well as in infertile men with positive and negative ART outcome based on clinical pregnancy. Ejaculates were obtained from 42 infertile men with a negative ART outcome (group 1), 30 infertile men with a positive ART outcome (group 2), and 21 fertile men (control). Then, samples were subjected to genomic DNA isolation and subsequent TUNEL assay and methylation-specific PCR. The number of infertile men with at least one methylated allele of GATA3 was significantly higher compared to the control group (p = 0.022). Also, the number of patients with at least one methylated allele was significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2 (p = 0.013). Moreover, the TUNEL assay revealed that the amount of sperm DNA fragmentation is higher in group 1 compared to group 2 (p = 0.008). The findings of our study demonstrated that the degree of GATA3 methylation can potentially differentiate between infertile and fertile men and more importantly can potentially predict the outcome of ART.