Caroline Busch, Christopher J Hill, Karla Paterson, Ronan Mellin, Michele Zagnoni, Dharani K Hapangama, Mairi E Sandison
{"title":"Functional, patient-derived 3D tri-culture models of the uterine wall in a microfluidic array","authors":"Caroline Busch, Christopher J Hill, Karla Paterson, Ronan Mellin, Michele Zagnoni, Dharani K Hapangama, Mairi E Sandison","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae214","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae214","url":null,"abstract":"STUDY QUESTION Can a functional in vitro model, containing the main cellular components of the uterine wall, be generated from cells derived from patient tissues? SUMMARY ANSWER We present a three-dimensional (3D) physiologically relevant, organ-on-a-chip model of the uterine wall containing primary endometrial and myometrial cellular participants, generated from human uterine tissue. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY As a highly dynamic reproductive organ, the human uterus plays fundamental physiological roles in menstruation and childbirth. The endometrial–myometrial junction (EMJ) defines the interface between the inner mucosal layer (endometrium) and outer smooth muscle zone (myometrium) that comprises the uterine wall. The EMJ is implicit in several uterine pathologies of unknown aetiology, including adenomyosis and abnormally invasive placenta; however, despite this, no patient-derived in vitro models of the uterine wall containing all EMJ participants currently exist. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We employed microfluidic technology to characterize multiple miniaturized models of the uterine wall. Protocols were tested that included variations in the seeding order of endometrial and myometrial fractions, and the addition of a low viscosity extracellular matrix to influence cell behaviour. Ultimately, functional hormone responses of patient-derived uterine wall models were assessed. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Endometrial (n = 9) and myometrial biopsies (n = 4) were enzymatically dissociated to create epithelial, stromal and myometrial cellular fractions. Cell suspensions were seeded into non-adhesive poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic devices containing 5 × 5 microwell arrays. The fate of individual cell types was monitored in real-time using fluorescent tracers, and cell phenotype was characterized by immunocytochemistry. Model functionality was assessed by measuring Ca2+ responses to agonist stimulation, and both insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) and osteopontin secretion in response to hormone stimulation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE When subjected to microfluidic culture in isolation, endometrial stromal cells and smooth muscle myocytes formed compact spheroids, whilst epithelial cells produced diffuse aggregates. Tri-cultures were established by sequential seeding of individual or combined cell fractions at various ratios. Regardless of the protocol, epithelial cells localized to the outer periphery of tri-culture spheroids, which varied in morphology across the protocols. Incorporation of 5% [v/v] Matrigel® improved the reproducibility of 3D aggregates which exhibited robust self-assembly of a stromal/smooth muscle core encased in epithelium. Exposure of tri-cultures to oestradiol, medroxyprogesterone acetate and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) increased secretion of IGFBP-1, which indicates stromal decidualization, and enhanced epithelial cell osteopontin secretion. Stimulation with endothelin-1 i","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142275871","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}
Elena Achótegui Sebastián, Carlos Calhaz-Jorge, Christian De Geyter, Thomas Ebner, Carlos E Plancha, Veerle Goossens, Anja Pinborg, Nikolaos P Polyzos, Laura Rossignoli, Ioana Adina Rugescu, Jesper Smeenk, Thomas Strowitzki, Johanna Tassot, Edgar V Mocanu, Nathalie Vermeulen, Christine Wyns, M Cristina Magli
{"title":"EuMAR stakeholder engagement: an analysis of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) data collection practices in EU countries","authors":"Elena Achótegui Sebastián, Carlos Calhaz-Jorge, Christian De Geyter, Thomas Ebner, Carlos E Plancha, Veerle Goossens, Anja Pinborg, Nikolaos P Polyzos, Laura Rossignoli, Ioana Adina Rugescu, Jesper Smeenk, Thomas Strowitzki, Johanna Tassot, Edgar V Mocanu, Nathalie Vermeulen, Christine Wyns, M Cristina Magli","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae209","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae209","url":null,"abstract":"STUDY QUESTION What are the current national medically assisted reproduction (MAR) data collection systems across EU Member States, and how can these countries contribute to a unique, cycle-by-cycle registry for the European Monitoring of Medically Assisted Reproduction (EuMAR) project? SUMMARY ANSWER The study identified significant variation in MAR data collection practices across Member States, with differences in data types, collection methods, and reporting requirements; the EuMAR project emerges as an opportunity to enhance data standardization and improve MAR data collection in the EU. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY There is a need for new approaches in MAR data collection that include long-term and cross border follow-up. The EuMAR project intends to establish a unified, cycle-by-cycle registry of data on MAR treatments in EU countries, from which accurate cumulative outcomes can be calculated. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This cross-sectional study involved a survey and interviews with stakeholders from 26 EU Member States conducted in 2023 over a period of seven months. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Representatives from national competent authorities and professional associations involved in MAR data collection in EU countries were invited to complete the survey and interviewed to assess current data flows, information requirements, and their interest in the EuMAR project. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Half of the participating countries reported having a national MAR registry with cycle-by-cycle data (n = 13), while 31% reported having a national registry with aggregated data (n = 8) and 19% reported having no national registry (n = 5). Of the countries with a national cycle-by-cycle registry, eight countries collect identifiable data, five countries collect pseudonymized data, and one country collects fully anonymized data. Informed consent is required in 10 countries. The main advantages that participants expected from a European registry like EuMAR were the possibility of obtaining national statistics in the absence of a national registry and improving the calculation of cumulative outcomes. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The results of the study are based on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias, however, the validity of the collected information was verified with different means, including follow-up calls for clarifications and sharing final transcript reports. The feasibility of the proposed data flow models will be tested in a pilot study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Despite the heterogeneity of data collection practices across EU countries, the results show that stakeholders have high expectations of the benefits that the EuMAR registry can bring, namely the improvement of data consistency, cross-border comparability, and cumulative live birth rates, leading to better information for patients, health care providers and policy makers. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The EuMAR project was co-founde","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142233437","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}
M Tanderup,D Vassard,B B Nielsen,A Pande,C Kroløkke,P Humaidan,L Schmidt
{"title":"Permanently infertile couples and family building-a cross-sectional survey in Denmark.","authors":"M Tanderup,D Vassard,B B Nielsen,A Pande,C Kroløkke,P Humaidan,L Schmidt","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae208","url":null,"abstract":"STUDY QUESTIONWhich decision-making factors influence family building among permanently infertile couples?SUMMARY ANSWEREthical, legal, and financial considerations outweigh genetic relatedness in decision-making, favouring domestic gestational surrogacy, if this were possible, over international options.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYPermanent infertility affects 4-5% of people in the fertile age. Their family-building options include adoption, surrogacy, uterus transplantation, foster care, and intentional multiple parenthood. However, in most countries, including Denmark, legal barriers constrain these methods due to surrogacy restrictions, suspended international adoptions, and the experimental status of uterus transplantation. Despite existing research on surrogacy, adoption, and specific causes of permanent infertility, a significant gap remains in our understanding of how couples with permanent infertility make family-building decisions within these limited frameworks.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONThis cross-sectional study with 150 permanently infertile Danish participants was conducted from June to November 2023 using an online questionnaire. Multiple strategies, such as online forums, fertility clinics, hospital departments, and snowballing, were used to recruit a diverse sample.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSThe study included couples aged 26-50 years facing permanent infertility due to the following primary causes: women without a uterus (15%), women with a non-functional uterus (47%) or women for whom pregnancy would be life-threatening (9%), male couples (16%), transgender partner couples (2%), and other causes (11%). The survey collected data on demographics, reproductive history, family-building choices, and communication strategies. Closed questions were analysed using descriptive statistics.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEAmong 150 respondents, 41% had used transnational surrogacy, 27% adoption, 14% chose to remain childless, and 19% were undecided. Critical factors on family-building decisions were ethical, legal, and financial concerns which ranked higher than genetic relatedness. Despite the complexity of family building, most participants were open about their child's origin and received social support. If all family-building methods were legal and available in Denmark, domestic gestational surrogacy would be the preferred method, with uterus transplantation and remaining childless being least popular.LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTIONThe sample size is relatively small, despite the use of a variety of recruitment strategies. Nevertheless, this has ensured a diverse cohort representing the different reasons for infertility and family-building choices. It is important to note that the strategies may have favoured individuals achieving parenthood.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGSThe finding of our study reveals a notable gap between available family-building options in Denmark and the preferences of couples facing permanent inf","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142233477","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":"The devil lies in the detail-the role of intensive exogenous progesterone supplementation in the endometriosis patient undergoing HRT-FET.","authors":"P Humaidan,B Alsbjerg","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae202","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae202","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142233479","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}
T H R Stolk,N M van Mello,A Meißner,J A F Huirne,E van den Boogaard
{"title":"The experience of transfeminine adolescents and their parents regarding fertility preservation via testicular sperm extraction (TESE): a qualitative study.","authors":"T H R Stolk,N M van Mello,A Meißner,J A F Huirne,E van den Boogaard","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae200","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae200","url":null,"abstract":"STUDY QUESTIONHow do transfeminine adolescents and their parents experience fertility preservation via testicular sperm extraction (TESE)?SUMMARY ANSWERParticipants experienced the TESE process positively when provided with appropriate guidance to navigate the decisional dilemma between preserving future biological parenthood and the pressure to start puberty suppression early.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYSperm banking through ejaculation is not feasible for all transfeminine adolescents due to genital dysphoria and early puberty; for this group, TESE is the only alternative. However, during early puberty, they must postpone or pause puberty suppression until spermatogenesis is fully developed.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONAll consecutive TESE patients in our centre and their parents were invited to participate. Between December 2022 and May 2023, we included 6 adolescents and 10 parents. We used a qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews to study the experience of the transfeminine adolescents and their parents.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSTransfeminine adolescents diagnosed with gender dysphoria in early puberty (Tanner stage ≥2) who underwent TESE before the start of puberty suppression or gender-affirming hormones participated in this study. The interviews were recorded, manually transcribed and analysed using reflective thematic analysis focusing on understanding the participants' experiences of puberty and fertility preservation and the various factors and social processes influencing their decision to undergo TESE.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCETransfeminine adolescents decide to undergo invasive fertility preservation because of a possible, future desire for parenthood. Parents stressed the importance of preventing future decisional regret. They both saw masturbation to obtain a semen sample as unreachable. Even though TESE is a surgical procedure with possible complications and pain afterwards, this alternative seemed less dysphoric to them.Adolescents had to postpone the start of puberty suppression, waiting for spermatogenesis to complete. Given the unpredictable development of puberty, they felt a lot of stress and anxiety during this period and were primarily concerned about the lowering of their voice. Because of this puberty-related stress, they were constantly balancing their motivations for fertility preservation against the early start of puberty suppression to prevent unwanted irreversible pubertal body changes. To support this decisional dilemma, adolescents and their parents need adequate communication with each other and their healthcare providers to reflect on their stress for pubertal change. Furthermore, close, continuous surveillance of their current mental state by their parents, together with their psychologist and pubertal development by their physicians, is needed. Despite the challenging decision and postponement of puberty suppression, they retrospectively experienced it positively without any ","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142233469","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: Sticking to the facts instead of speculating: evidence against intensive luteal phase support in endometriosis patients undergoing HRT-FET cycles.","authors":"C Maignien,M Bourdon,C Chapron,P Santulli","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae203","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142233466","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}
Yan Xuan,Jun Zhao,Xiang Hong,Yue Zhang,Rong Zhang,Hongguang Zhang,Tao Yan,Yuanyuan Wang,Zuoqi Peng,Ya Zhang,Kailei Jiao,Qiaomei Wang,Haiping Shen,Yiping Zhang,Donghai Yan,Xu Ma,Bei Wang
{"title":"Assessment of male creatinine levels and fecundity in couples planning pregnancy: a national cohort study in China.","authors":"Yan Xuan,Jun Zhao,Xiang Hong,Yue Zhang,Rong Zhang,Hongguang Zhang,Tao Yan,Yuanyuan Wang,Zuoqi Peng,Ya Zhang,Kailei Jiao,Qiaomei Wang,Haiping Shen,Yiping Zhang,Donghai Yan,Xu Ma,Bei Wang","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae206","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae206","url":null,"abstract":"STUDY QUESTIONIs there an association between male creatinine levels and time to pregnancy (TTP) in couples planning pregnancy?SUMMARY ANSWERLow and high male creatinine concentrations were associated with reduced couple fecundity.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYAbundant evidence suggests male creatinine dysfunction is associated with infertility in males with kidney diseases. However, the association of preconception creatinine levels with reduced fecundity among general reproductive-aged couples lacks evidence from an in-depth population study.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONBased on the population-based cohort study from the National Free Preconception Check-up Projects, 4 023 204 couples were recruited and met the inclusion criteria from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017. They were planning pregnancy and were followed up every 3 months until achieving pregnancy as detected by gynaecological ultrasonography or were followed up for 1 year for the analysis of TTP.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSCox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CI for creatinine deciles. Restricted cubic spline regression was adopted for the dose-response relationship of creatinine with HRs. R statistical software was used for data analysis.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEOf the included participants, 2 756 538 (68.52%) couples successfully conceived. The median male serum creatinine was 81.50 μmol/l. Compared with the reference group (78.00-81.49 μmol/l) including the median creatinine, fecundity in the first (≤64.89 μmol/l), second (64.90-69.99 μmol/l), third (70.00-73.99 μmol/l), and tenth (≥101.00 μmol/l) deciles decreased by 8%, 5%, 2%, and 1%, respectively (Decile 1 Adjusted HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.91-0.92; Decile 2 Adjusted HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.95-0.96; Decile 3 Adjusted HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99; Decile 10 Adjusted HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99). An inverse-U-shaped association was consistently presented among males such that non-inferiority for fecundity was shown when creatinine was in the 81.66-104.90 μmol/l range (P for non-linearity < 0.001). For males over 40 years old, the risk of fecundity impairment was more obvious and the recommended range of creatinine levels for TTP was reduced and more narrow, compared with that for younger males.LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTIONNot including the time couples spend preparing for pregnancy before enrolment would lead to an overestimation of fecundity; additionally some couples place pregnancy plans on hold due to special emergencies, which would not have been recognized. Due to the lack of information regarding semen quality, psychological factors, sexual intercourse frequencies, and hazardous environmental factors, we could not adjust for these factors. Some variates were self-reported and dichotomized, which were prone to bias. Direct variables reflecting muscle mass and impaired kidney function were lacking. Thus, extrapolation should be done with caution.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGSMale creatin","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142233263","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}
K C E Drechsel,S L Broer,H M K van Breda,F S Stoutjesdijk,E van Dulmen-den Broeder,A Beishuizen,W H Wallace,D Körholz,C Mauz-Körholz,D Hasenclever,M Cepelova,A Uyttebroeck,L Ronceray,J W R Twisk,G J L Kaspers,M A Veening
{"title":"Semen analysis and reproductive hormones in boys with classical Hodgkin lymphoma treated according to the EuroNet-PHL-C2 protocol.","authors":"K C E Drechsel,S L Broer,H M K van Breda,F S Stoutjesdijk,E van Dulmen-den Broeder,A Beishuizen,W H Wallace,D Körholz,C Mauz-Körholz,D Hasenclever,M Cepelova,A Uyttebroeck,L Ronceray,J W R Twisk,G J L Kaspers,M A Veening","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae204","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae204","url":null,"abstract":"STUDY QUESTIONWhat is the impact of the EuroNet-PHL-C2 treatment for boys with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) on semen parameters?SUMMARY ANSWERMore than half of the patients (52%, n = 16/31) had oligozoospermia or azoospermia at 2 years from cHL diagnosis; particularly boys treated for advanced-stage cHL had low sperm counts and motility.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYChemotherapy and radiotherapy to the inguinal region or testes can impair spermatogenesis and result in reduced fertility. The EuroNet-PHL-C2 trial aims to minimize radiotherapy in standard childhood cHL treatment, by intensifying chemotherapy. The present study aims to assess the (gonadotoxic) impact of this treatment protocol on semen parameters and reproductive hormones in boys aged ≤18 years.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONThis international, prospective, multi-centre cohort study was an add-on study to the randomized phase-3 EuroNet-PHL-C2 trial, where the efficacy of standard cHL treatment with OEPA-COPDAC-28 (OEPA: vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, and doxorubicin; COPDAC-28: cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and dacarbazine) was compared to intensified OEPA-DECOPDAC-21 chemotherapy (DECOPDAC-21: COPDAC with additional doxorubicin and etoposide and 25% more cyclophosphamide). Patients were recruited between January 2017 and September 2021.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSEligibility criteria included male patients, diagnosed with classical HL before or at the age of 18 years, and treated according to the EuroNet-PHL-C2 protocol in any of the 18 participating sites in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, and Austria. Sperm parameters (sperm concentration, progressive motility, sperm volume, and calculated total motile sperm count) were assessed at diagnosis and 2 years after diagnosis in (post)pubertal boys. Laboratory measurements (serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and inhibin B) were performed in samples drawn at diagnosis, during treatment (2-3 times), and at 2 years post-diagnosis, and (age-adjusted) analyses were conducted separately for pre-pubertal and (post)pubertal boys. Outcomes were compared between the treatment levels (TL1, TL2, and TL3) and consolidation treatment schemes (COPDAC-28 and DECOPDAC-21).MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEIn total, 101 boys were included in the present analysis: 73 were (post)pubertal (median age 15.4 years, (IQR 14.4; 16.6), 10 TL1, 29 TL2, 34 TL3, 62% of TL2/3 patients received COPDAC-28) and 28 boys were pre-pubertal (median age 9.6 years (IQR 6.6; 11.4), 4 TL1, 7 TL2, 17 TL3, 38% of TL2/3 patients received COPDAC-28). The study included six boys who had received pelvic radiotherapy; none were irradiated in the inguinal or testicular area. At diagnosis, 48 (post)pubertal boys delivered semen for cryopreservation; 19 (40%) semen samples were oligospermic and 4 (8%) were azoospermic. Low sperm concentration (<15 mil/ml) appeared to be related to the HL disease itself, with a higher prevalence in boys who p","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142170749","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":"Correction to: Soluble VCAM-1/soluble ICAM-1 ratio is a promising biomarker for diagnosing endometriosis.","authors":"","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae149","DOIUrl":"10.1093/humrep/deae149","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141467614","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":"Endocrine disruption and male reproductive disorders: unanswered questions.","authors":"Richard M Sharpe","doi":"10.1093/humrep/deae143","DOIUrl":"10.1093/humrep/deae143","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Maternal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in human pregnancy is widely considered as an important cause of adverse changes in male reproductive health due to impaired foetal androgen production/action. However, the epidemiological evidence supporting this view is equivocal, except for certain phthalates, notably diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP). Maternal phthalate exposure levels associated with adverse reproductive changes in epidemiological studies are several thousand-fold lower than those needed to suppress foetal androgen production in rats, and direct studies using human foetal testis tissue show no effect of high phthalate exposure on androgen production. This conundrum is unexplained and raises fundamental questions. Human DEHP exposure is predominantly via food with highest exposure associated with consumption of a Western style (unhealthy) diet. This diet is also associated with increased exposure to the most common EDCs, whether persistent (chlorinated or fluorinated chemicals) or non-persistent (phthalates, bisphenols) compounds, which are found at highest levels in fatty and processed foods. Consequently, epidemiological studies associating EDC exposure and male reproductive health disorders are confounded by potential dietary effects, and vice versa. A Western diet/lifestyle in young adulthood is also associated with low sperm counts. Disentangling EDC and dietary effects in epidemiological studies is challenging. In pregnancy, a Western diet, EDC exposure, and maternal living in proximity to industrial sites are all associated with impaired foetal growth/development due to placental dysfunction, which predisposes to congenital male reproductive disorders (cryptorchidism, hypospadias). While the latter are considered to reflect impaired foetal androgen production, effects resulting from foetal growth impairment (FGI) are likely indirect. As FGI has numerous life-long health consequences, and is affected by maternal lifestyle, research into the origins of male reproductive disorders should take more account of this. Additionally, potential effects on foetal growth/foetal testis from the increasing use of medications in pregnancy deserves more research attention.</p>","PeriodicalId":13003,"journal":{"name":"Human reproduction","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11373384/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141456304","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}