Reproduction & fertility最新文献

{"title":"FERTILITY CARE IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES: Training in assisted reproduction in South Africa.","authors":"Lenore Manderson, Andrea Whittaker, Trudie Gerrits","doi":"10.1530/RAF-24-0086","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-24-0086","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Intending parents on the African continent have limited access to quality services for infertility treatment. South Africa is the primary provider of fertility care on the continent, but because specialist training is only available in three public (teaching) hospitals, supported through partnerships with private institutions, there is a shortage of medical staff and waiting times for admission to training programmes can be years. We draw on data from our qualitative research study on assisted reproduction, generated from clinic visits, informal interviews, participation in science meetings, and formal interviews with 117 patients, gamete donors, clinicians, reproductive scientists and others to explore access to and motivation for training. Trainees' reasons for embarking on this specialisation included: concern with limited access to gynaecological and fertility care on the continent; lack of skilled fertility specialists and embryologists; and lack of options for assisted reproduction available to low-income intending parents. Trainee fellows expressed commitment to low-cost IVF models to address the lack of affordable and accessible reproductive health care. Fertility specialists often shared this concern and emphasised the need for trained professionals to expand services. In general, interviewees felt that infertility care and assisted reproduction were regarded as of lesser importance to other reproductive and health problems, despite the extent of infertility and the demand for assisted reproduction technology (ART) on the continent.</p><p><strong>Lay summary: </strong>Countries across the African continent have the highest infertility rate in the world, yet access to diagnosis of cause, treatment and assisted reproductive technology is sparse. Assisted reproduction clinics now operate in several countries, particularly Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. Most support is in the private health system, and few women and men have access to low-cost assisted reproduction services at public hospitals. While clinics, biobanking services and laboratories are sparse, so too is training. We draw on data from a large study on assisted reproduction in South Africa to explore the provision of training. Most training is provided in South Africa, and people from other countries can access this. However, few teaching hospitals provide training, and people face long delays, sometimes years, before they can enrol. The limited opportunities for training seriously impact the capacity of countries to meet the health needs and support the reproductive hopes of many of their populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144985070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Construct a clinical prediction model of cumulative live birth rate for IVF/ICSI in female patients of different ages.","authors":"Chunya Ye, Panhavolak Chhoon, Hedong Lu, Min Li, Xiya Jiang, Lanxin Xie, Dongmei Ji, Zhiguo Zhang, Yunxia Cao, Weiwei Zou","doi":"10.1530/RAF-25-0062","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-25-0062","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Abstract: &lt;/strong&gt;In order to determine the number of eggs to be retrieved to maximize live birth outcomes, this study aimed to develop a clinical prediction model that would identify important predictors of cumulative live birth rate after intracytoplasmic sperm injection or in vitro fertilization in women of different ages. A total of 374 infertile women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between December 2020 and December 2023 were included and categorized into three age groups: &lt;35 years, 35-39 years, and 40 years or older. Clinical data, laboratory results, ovulation induction parameters, and pregnancy outcomes were examined. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was used for predictive modeling, and linear regression equations were used to measure the correlation between the probability of a live birth and the quantity of retrieved eggs. The number of metaphase II eggs and high-score blastocysts were found to be the most predictive factors in women under 35, with live birth probabilities of 99% after 15 eggs were recovered. The most predictive factors among women aged 35-39 were the number of follicles and metaphase II eggs. The live birth probability was 90% when 20 eggs were retrieved. A live birth was predicted by the quantity of retrieved oocytes only for women aged 40 years or older; retrieving 14 eggs resulted in a 50% chance of giving birth. The proposed model provides age-specific recommendations for egg retrieval to improve reproductive outcomes and reduce the risk of overstimulation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Lay summary: &lt;/strong&gt;In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are important medical options that help couples with infertility have children. However, many women now delay having children until later in life, which can make it more difficult to become pregnant even with these treatments. As women age, both the number and quality of their eggs decline, and their chances of a successful pregnancy decrease. This study aimed to help doctors better predict the chances of a successful birth from IVF or ICSI treatments by creating a clinical prediction model. In this study, we selected 374 women of different age groups who underwent IVF/ICSI and analyzed how different factors, such as age and the number of retrieved eggs, affected the chances of giving birth. For example, in women under 35 years old, retrieving ten eggs results in a live birth probability of over 50%, while retrieving 15 and 20 eggs increases that chance to 99% and nearly 100%, respectively. In women aged 35-39, the live birth rates are approximately 60-70% with 15 eggs, 90% with 20 eggs, and over 95% with 25 eggs. For women aged 40 or older, retrieving 14 eggs gives about a 50% chance of live birth. This model helps doctors personalize treatment plans based on a woman's age, improving the chance of success while minimizing risks such as oversti","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12508734/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144985053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application of machine learning to predict delayed fecundability among women in sub-Saharan Africa.","authors":"Meron Asmamaw Alemayehu, Nebiyu Mekonnen Derseh, Tigist Kifle Tsegaw, Tilahun Yemanu Birhan, Banchlay Addis, Berhanie Addis Ayele, Emebet Birhanu Lealem, Eyob Akalewold Alemu, Fetlework Gubena Arage, Gebrie Getu Alemu, Getaneh Awoke Yismaw, Habtamu Abebe Getahun, Habtamu Wagnew Abuhay, Mekuriaw Nibret Aweke","doi":"10.1530/RAF-25-0068","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-25-0068","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Graphical abstract: </strong></p><p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Delayed fecundability, defined as trying to conceive for ≥12 months without success, is a growing global concern due to the threat of fertility rates falling below the replacement level. This study aimed to predict delayed fecundability and identify influential predictors. Secondary data from recent Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) surveys on fertility, contraception, and reproductive health in five sub-Saharan African countries were used. Preprocessing and feature engineering included imputation, encoding, and correlation filtering. Feature selection was done using the Boruta algorithm. Machine learning models, including random forest, XGBoost, and LightGBM, were developed and optimized via grid search with cross-validation. Models were compared using default hyperparameters. Interpretability was enhanced through SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) plots, and heterogeneity was explored with subgroup SHAP analysis to identify context-specific predictor effects. Delayed fecundability was present in 31.01% of women. Grid search optimization improved model performance, with random forest achieving the highest accuracy (79.2%) and AUC (0.94). SHAP analysis identified key predictors, including age 36-49 (0.211), being married (0.208), ovulation-inducing treatment (0.173), and herbal remedy use (0.118). Subgroup SHAP analysis revealed heterogeneity: younger age reduced risk in 15-25-year-olds, fertility treatment history was the main risk driver in treated women, and marital status and childbirth had variable effects across subgroups. The random forest model best predicted delayed fecundability, with age, marital status, and treatment history as key predictors. Subgroup SHAP analysis revealed risk patterns across populations. Targeted screening and tailored fertility counseling, especially for couples with prior fertility treatments, are recommended to support timely conception.</p><p><strong>Lay summary: </strong>Many women struggle to get pregnant even after trying for a year or more, a condition called delayed fecundability. This issue is becoming more common worldwide and can signal problems with fertility. We used data from surveys in five African countries to find out which factors may predict this delay. Using computer models that can learn from data, we found that age, marital status, and past use of fertility treatments were strong predictors. Our best model correctly identified nearly 80% of women with delayed fecundability. To make the findings easy to understand, we used a method that explains how each factor influences the result. We also found that the effects of these factors vary by age and treatment history. Our results can help health workers identify women at higher risk earlier, especially in places where fertility services are limited, and provide them with better, more personalized care.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145071499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oocyte maturation triggers in high-responders: a report on 1217 consecutive cycles.","authors":"Maria Gonçalves, Mariana Cunha, José Teixeira da Silva, Joaquina Silva, Paulo Viana, Cristiano Oliveira, Margarida Fonseca Cardoso, Alberto Barros, Mário Sousa","doi":"10.1530/RAF-24-0105","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-24-0105","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Using a large patient series, we aimed to evaluate, in a high-responder population, the effect of triggering oocyte maturation with human choriogonadotropin (hCG) or with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa). We analysed data from 683 intended fresh embryo transfer cycles (ETC) and 534 frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. The rates of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and the embryological, clinical and newborn outcomes were compared. Considering the type of oocyte maturation trigger and embryo destination, cycles were divided into five groups. Cycles using an hCG-trigger, with progesterone luteal support, had fresh embryo transfer or embryo freeze-all (FA). Cycles using an GnRHa/agonist-trigger, with hCG, estrogen and progesterone luteal support, had fresh embryo transfer or embryo FA. The fifth group consisted of agonist-trigger cycles, without luteal support, that underwent embryo FA. Severe OHSS only occurred in fresh ETC, with the agonist-trigger evidencing a non-significantly lower rate. The FA groups evidenced higher number of retrieved oocytes and blastocyst rates. In fresh ETC, the Ag-fresh-hCG group evidenced higher implantation and clinical pregnancy rates. No differences were observed in clinical outcomes after FET, but cumulative clinical outcomes showed higher clinical pregnancy and newborn rates in the Ag-fresh-hCG group. After multivariable logistic regression analysis, these differences were not observed. The present results thus suggest that, in high-responders, the use of a GnRHa-trigger with luteal hCG in a fresh ETC presents similar outcomes relatively to the use of a hCG-trigger. Data also suggest that FA should be applied to all suspected OHSS cases.</p><p><strong>Lay summary: </strong>The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a complication of medical assisted reproduction treatments that may require hospitalization. In the presence of high-risk to develop OHSS, embryo transfer can be cancelled and embryos frozen to be used in a later cycle. Alternatively, a newer drug, an agonist, can be used for egg trigger in association with endometrium special preparation. Some characteristics make women more susceptible to develop OHSS. In this group of patients, we observed that the use of an agonist as egg trigger did not decrease pregnancy outcomes and that the option of freezing all embryos followed by embryo transfer in a latter cycle abolished development of OHSS with hospitalization.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145240681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the effect of smoking and its cessation on semen parameters.","authors":"Ahmed Ragheb, Ahmed Abdelbary, Amr Massoud, Mahmoud Abd Elkhalek, Ahmed Elbatanony","doi":"10.1530/RAF-24-0135","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-24-0135","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Our primary aim was to investigate the reversibility of the negative impact of smoking on male fertility. Secondarily, we studied the effect of both time after smoking cessation as well as the smoking index on semen quality improvement. Our study included 60 participants who applied to a smoking cessation program. The volunteers started by completing a fertility background questionnaire. Two semen specimens, provided two weeks apart, were analyzed according to the WHO guidelines for each candidate on three different occasions. The first was right before smoking cessation followed by the 2nd and 3rd at three and six months after stopping smoking. Semen quality was compared between the three occasions. The degree of change was correlated with the level of smoking. The nicotine level in urine was used for smoking cessation compliance monitoring during the study. Comparing semen quality on the 3 different occasions respectively, we detected a significant improvement in semen volume (3.33 ml ± 1.07 vs. 3.88 ml ± 0.80 vs. 4.34 ml ± 0.67, P < 0.001), sperm concentration (14.77 million /ml ± 6.49 vs. 17.71 million/ml ± 6.41 vs. 19.27 million/ml ± 6.46, P < 0.001), total sperm count (49.33 million ± 25.31 vs. 70.16 million ± 30.85 vs. 84.01 million ± 31.00, P < 0.001), progressive motility (20.7% vs. 35.3% vs. 42.28%, P < 0.001), total motility (41.48% vs. 60.33% vs. 67.67%, P < 0.001) and abnormal morphology (69.32% Vs. 50.88% vs. 40.82%, P < 0.001). Improvement in all parameters was positively correlated to time after cessation. Higher smoking indices were related to higher levels of improvement in semen volume, sperm concentration, and total count (areas under the curve of 0.867, 0.852, and 0.863 respectively, P < 0.001 for each). Our conclusion was that the negative effect of smoking on semen quality is reversible. Smoking cessation has a time-dependent positive effect on main semen parameters, hence, positive potential for fecundity improvement in men. Extensive research efforts have always focused on the negative effects of smoking on male reproduction by comparing fertility in smokers versus non-smokers. There are very few studies looking at the effect of smoking cessation on male fertility. Our primary aim was to investigate the whether the negative impact of smoking on male fertility was reversible. Our study included 60 participants who applied to a smoking cessation program. The volunteers started by completing a fertility background questionnaire. Each candidate provided two semen specimens two weeks apart, on three occasions. The first was right before smoking cessation followed by the 2nd and 3rd at three and six months after stopping smoking. Semen quality was compared between three occasions. The degree of change was correlated with smoking levels. We found the negative effects of smoking on semen is reversible.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145234814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphological and functional aspects of the canine placental barrier: Evidence supporting a deciduo-chorial model.","authors":"Giuliano Mario Corte, Jessica Griebel, Karl Klisch, Mahesa Wiesendanger, Mariusz Paweł Kowalewski","doi":"10.1530/RAF-25-0051","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-25-0051","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Abstract: &lt;/strong&gt;The canine placenta, characterized by its deciduate and endotheliochorial nature, represents an intermediate placental type between non-invasive and highly invasive placentas. Decidual cells are involved in the prepartum parturition cascade. As they are the only cells expressing the nuclear progesterone receptor (PGR), they play a crucial role in luteal progesterone (P4)-dependent embryo-maternal communication and are essential for maintaining pregnancy. This study focuses on the quantity, morphology, and spatial arrangement of decidual cells. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to localize and quantify PGR-expressing cells. Consecutive tissue sections were evaluated utilizing anti-PGR, -vimentin, and -pan-cytokeratin antibodies, providing insights into decidual cell morphology. This was followed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and serial section scanning electron microscopy (SEM) generating high-resolution 2D and 3D images, leading to reconstructions of decidual cells and their morphological interactions with neighboring cellular compartments. A significant reduction in PGR-expressing cells was observed at prepartum luteolysis. Decidual cells were found to be polymorph with extensive cytoplasmic branches, varying individually in their morphology. Further, for the first time, the 3D reconstructions highlighted the complex network of decidual cells, which were shown to form part of the feto-maternal barrier, supporting the existence of a deciduo-chorial interface in the canine placenta. Therefore, we propose a role for decidual cells as a morphological and biochemically active barrier between the fetal and maternal compartments. The decreasing P4/PGR signaling towards prepartum luteolysis is possibly associated with a reduction in the number of decidual cells during the progression of pregnancy as a sign of placental maturation toward parturition.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Lay summary: &lt;/strong&gt;The dog has a deciduate placenta, meaning that specific maternal cells (decidual cells) form part of the placenta. This placenta shows restricted invasive behavior of fetal cells (trophoblast) into maternal uterine structures. Decidual cells are involved in the hormonal processes leading up to birth. They are the only placental cells expressing the nuclear progesterone receptor (PGR), which allows them to respond to progesterone, needed for the maintenance of pregnancy. This study focuses on the number, shape, and arrangement of decidual cells. We also found a significant reduction in PGR-expressing cells shortly before birth, when progesterone levels decrease. Interestingly, the drop in progesterone signaling is associated with a reduction in the number of decidual cells, indicating maturation of the placenta in preparation for delivery. Using electron microscopy, decidual cells were found to be irregularly shaped with long, branching extensions. For the first time, 3D reconstructions highlighted the complex network of decidual ","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145234829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chronic endometritis diagnosis and fertility outcomes: an old unresolved question.","authors":"Johanna Ilic, Jessica Issa, Justine Varinot, Jerome Bouaziz, Nathalie Massin, Bassam Haddad, Cyril Touboul, Rana Mitri-Frangieh, Emile Daraï, Yohann Dabi","doi":"10.1530/RAF-25-0016","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-25-0016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Chronic endometritis, defined by chronic inflammation of the endometrium, remains a clinical and biologic challenge even using hysteroscopy allowing a direct vision of the uterine cavity without anesthesia, and conventional histology using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. Our primary objectives were to evaluate the relevance of hysteroscopy and conventional histology compared to immunohistochemical expression of syndecan-1 (CD138, a marker of plasma cells), which is a heparan sulfate proteoglycan involved in inflammation and enables diagnosis of chronic endometritis. The second objective was to evaluate the impact of antibiotics on pregnancy rate. A retrospective study was conducted involving infertile women undergoing hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. Chronic endometritis was assessed using hysteroscopic findings and conventional histology compared to CD138 immunostaining. Effects of antibiotic therapy on CD138 expression on a second biopsy and on pregnancy rate were evaluated. Among the 661 infertile patients, 51 underwent hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. Twenty-three had a normal uterine cavity (45%) and among 28 patients with abnormal uterine cavity, ten (35.7%) had hysteroscopic findings of chronic endometritis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the hysteroscopy were 22, 100, 100, and 17%, with an infinite OR and an accuracy of 68.6, and 61.4, 100, 100%, 2.9%, and 66.7% respectively for conventional histology. The correlation coefficient between the first and second reading following CD138 immunostaining was moderate (Cohen's Kappa: 0.44 (95% CI: -0.059; 0.767) but good for plasma cell quantification (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.948). Plasma cell count was not predictive of pregnancy rate (P = 0.65) with an OR of 1.00. Pregnancy rate was significantly higher in treated patients (53%, 10/19) than in untreated patients (20%, 5/25) with an OR of 4.4 (95% CI: 1.17-16.8; P = 0.03).</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Chronic endometritis is a reversible cause of infertility and remains a clinical and biologic challenge even using hysteroscopy and conventional histology and relies on the presence of plasma cells in immunohistochemistry. Our results underline the low accuracy of hysteroscopy and conventional histology to assess chronic endometritis, thus supporting the systematic use of CD138 immunostaining in infertile women even in the case of normal endometrium. Moreover, pregnancy rate seems enhanced by antibiotic therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":"6 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12495947/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global Trends and Collaboration in Ovarian Tissue Transplantation: A 20-Year Bibliometric Analysis.","authors":"Tong Wu, Yuanqu Zhao, Ying Chen, Kebing Nie, Jinfeng Yan, Jinjin Zhang, Shixuan Wang","doi":"10.1530/RAF-25-0022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1530/RAF-25-0022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ovarian tissue transplantation is vital for preserving fertility in female cancer survivors. Since its first human ovarian tissue transplantation in 2000, and the first live-birth in 2004, it is receiving much more attention. However, the research scale, core research teams, and publication quality have not been systematically documented. This lack of foundational data hinders researchers' ability to assess the maturity and prevailing trends within the domain, potentially leading to duplicated efforts and suboptimal resource allocation. Our study addresses this gap by analyzing ovarian tissue transplantation research from 2000 to 2023 to map academic performance and collaboration networks. Key findings reveal Belgium and the USA as leading contributors, with robust international collaboration driving progress. The Université Catholique Louvain emerged as the most productive institution, while Dolmans M.M. stood out as a pivotal researcher. Human Reproduction ranked as the top journal for disseminating OTT advancements. Research trends highlight sustained focus on \"tissue cryopreservation\", \"activation\", and \"live-birth\" through 2023, with disease indications shifting from \"breast cancer\" and \"chemotherapy\" toward \"infertility\", \"leukemia\", and \"premature ovarian failure\". This study offers crucial insights and understanding for the collaboration work of researchers in the field of ovarian tissue transplantation, as well as recommendations for pioneering authors and journal submissions.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between dietary creatine intake and serum biomarkers of spermatogenesis in males aged 12 years and older.","authors":"David Nedeljkovic, Nikola Todorovic, Tonje Holte Stea, Dagrun Engeset, Sergej M Ostojic","doi":"10.1530/RAF-25-0009","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-25-0009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Graphical abstract: </strong></p><p><strong>Lay summary: </strong>Creatine is a nutrient that helps provide energy to different parts of the body, including the testes. Since making sperm takes a lot of energy, creatine might play a role in supporting sperm health. Some studies suggest it could help, while others raise concerns. However, it is still unclear what effect, if any, creatine from food has on sperm. To learn more, we looked at data from over 1,300 males in the US, aged 12 and older. We compared how much creatine they got from their diet with levels of two hormones in the blood that are related to sperm production. We found no strong link between dietary creatine and these hormone levels. This suggests that creatine from food probably does not have a major effect - good or bad - on male reproductive health. Since this study used existing data and did not test creatine directly in an experiment, we cannot say for sure if creatine causes any changes. More research, especially studies that look directly at sperm, is needed to better understand how creatine might affect fertility.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":"6 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12412286/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144985033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Graptophyllum pictum (Acanthaceae) relieves some hallmarks of endometriosis in an experimental model in Wistar rats.","authors":"Perpetue Mbede Atsama, Sefirin Djiogue, Charline Florence Awounfack, Dieudonné Njamen","doi":"10.1530/RAF-24-0084","DOIUrl":"10.1530/RAF-24-0084","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Graphical abstract: </strong></p><p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Current treatments for endometriosis are unsuitable for women who wish to conceive. To verify the supposed beneficial effects of Graptophyllum pictum (G. pictum) on reproductive diseases and inflammation, endometriosis was induced in female Wistar rats using a slightly modified protocol. After verification of successful transplantation (42 days), the animals were co-treated for 7 days with estradiol valerate (E2V; 0.5 mg/kg and the aqueous (GPC) or methanolic (GPM) extracts of G. pictum at doses of 50 and 275 mg/kg. Positive controls received aspirin (3 mg/kg) or letrozole (10 mg/kg). Normal and negative controls received vehicle (distilled water, 10 mL/kg). On day 7, animals were injected with oxytocin 30 min before sacrifice to evaluate some dysmenorrhea-like model parameters. Five animals per group were then sacrificed, and the remaining five animals were mated with males of proven fertility for 25 days. G. pictum extracts at all doses significantly (P < 0.001) increased the time of writhing latency and decreased its frequency and the volume of implant (P < 0.05) at the GPM 50 mg/kg dose. Levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and vascular angiogenic growth factor were reduced (P < 0.001) with all treatments. They also increased (P < 0.05) the serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels and decreased serum nitrite and malondialdehyde levels. In addition, the number of Graafian follicles (P < 0.05), fertility, and pregnancy rates were increased with the treatments. G. pictum extracts showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and fertilizing effects in Wistar rats with endometriosis.</p><p><strong>Lay summary: </strong>Asymptomatic in some individuals, endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease that causes infertility and severe pelvic pain, especially during menstrual periods and sexual intercourse. Higher cesarean rates worldwide have led to more cases of endometriosis (scar endometriosis). The delay of diagnosis (between 2 and 13 years) leads to increased misdiagnosis among patients and healthcare costs. There is no cure, but current treatments aim to alleviate spasms and pain by inhibiting estrogen production, and they are therefore unsuitable for women wishing to conceive, since they affect ovulation. Hence, there is a need to seek medical treatments that do not prevent pregnancy. Apart from its ornamental worth, Graptophyllum pictum, also called caricature plant, is traditionally used to relieve pain and treat reproductive disorders. After abdominal auto-transplantation of uterine fragments in rats, water-based and alcohol-based extracts of G. pictum promoted fertility by improving menstrual pain, egg development, and reducing cell damage and inflammation, which contribute to the progression of endometriosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":101312,"journal":{"name":"Reproduction & fertility","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12412290/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}