Human Fertility最新文献

{"title":"Effects of E2/ERβ on follicular granulosa cells and on AMH/Smad signalling in endometriosis.","authors":"Xueying Li, Chang Liu, Lukanxuan Wu, Yujing Li, Li Xiao, Wei Huang","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2638250","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2638250","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Patients with endometriosis have greater risk of infertility, which is associated with compromised ovarian function. Dysfunction in follicular granulosa cells and hyperactivation of oestrogen receptor beta (ERβ) are evident in endometriosis. It is also known that anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)/Smad signalling pathway regulates ovarian activity. In this study, we aimed to explore effects of oestradiol (E2)/ERβ on follicular granulosa cells and on AMH/Smad signalling in endometriosis. The human ovarian granulosa cells were obtained from patients with tubal factor infertility and ovarian endometriosis, respectively, who underwent IVF/ICSI-ET using GnRH antagonist protocol in our hospital. A human ovarian granulosa tumour cell line (KGN) was cultured and subject to treatments with oestradiol and/or PHTPP (a selective ERβ antagonist). Cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were assessed. The mRNA and protein expressions were also investigated. It was found that AMH/Smad signalling pathway was suppressed in human ovarian granulosa cells in patients with ovarian endometriosis. Then, in KGN cells, E2 treatment (10^-10 mol/L for 72 h) did not alter cell viability or apoptosis, but E2 decreased migration and invasion via ERβ. Further, E2 inhibited AMH/Smad signalling pathway via ERβ in KGN cells. Conversely, selective inhibition of ERβ could reverse these effects. In conclusion, activation of E2/ERβ compromised the function of follicular granulosa cells in endometriosis, which may be mediated by AMH/Smad signalling pathway.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"29 1","pages":"2638250"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147364995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Being a solo mother without the involvement of a partner: an exploration of parenting experiences and support needs.","authors":"Penny Chamberlain, Vasanti Jadva, Suzanne Buckley","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2708222","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2026.2708222","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>An increasingly common family type, often referred to as 'solo mothers', 'single mothers by choice' or 'choice mothers', comprises women who intentionally become mothers without the involvement of a partner. Although solo mothers are often described as self-determined, motivated and well prepared for parenting, with both economic and social resources, little is known about their parenting experiences and emotional and practical support needs. This cross-sectional exploratory study used an online survey to examine sources of emotional and practical parenting support, ease of asking for help and parenting confidence. A total of 139 participants responded between July 2021 and February 2022. The most used sources of support were family networks and friendship groups of non-solo mothers. Paid childcare was also frequently used, with many solo mothers accessing it at least a few times per week. While most participants felt confident in their parenting, many occasionally struggled to ask for help and required additional practical, emotional and/or financial support. Positive correlations were found between feeling supported and parenting confidence (<i>r</i> = 0.405, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and between ease of asking for help and feeling supported (<i>r</i> = 0.458, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Greater efforts are needed to ensure solo mothers have equitable access to tailored emotional and practical support resources.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"29 1","pages":"2708222"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148590918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating the effect of preconception untreated subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH above normal range and below 6.0 mIU/L) on assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes.","authors":"Sophie Walter, Shiao Chan, Naimah Raza, Rima K Dhillon-Smith","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2691185","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2026.2691185","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a biochemical diagnosis with ongoing uncertainty regarding management in reproductive medicine. We performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating fertility and pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), focusing on untreated preconception SCH with TSH up to 6.0mIU/L. Secondary analysis used data from women screened for thyroid function and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) during the TABLET trial at Birmingham Women's Hospital, UK (June 2012-December 2013). Women with TSH ≥6.0mIU/L received levothyroxine. The primary outcome was live birth. The main comparison was 'total SCH' (TSH >3.63mIU/L) versus 'euthyroid-1' (TSH 0.44-3.63mIU/L), with subgroup analyses comparing 'untreated SCH' (TSH 3.64-5.99mIU/L) to 'euthyroid-1' women, and a stricter euthyroid threshold ('euthyroid-2'; TSH 0.44-2.5mIU/L) versus 'untreated high-normal-mild SCH' (TSH 2.5-5.99mIU/L). Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for key confounders. Of 944 women screened, 560 had outcome data; 60 had SCH. SCH was associated with fewer oocytes retrieved (9.0 vs 10.4, p = 0.02) and mature oocytes (7.4 vs 8.4, p = 0.05), but no difference in live birth was seen across comparisons: 'untreated SCH' vs euthyroid-1 (aOR 1.01, 95% CI 0.54-1.87, p = 1.0) and 'untreated high-normal-mild-SCH' vs euthyroid-2 (aOR 0.96, 95% CI 0.65-1.42, p = 0.8). In women with untreated SCH achieving live birth, TSH normalised spontaneously in 8/15 cases, with no adverse outcomes observed. Untreated TSH <6.0 mIU/L does not appear to adversely affect ART or live birth outcomes, although larger prospective studies are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"29 1","pages":"2691185"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148375285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"UK guidelines for the medical and laboratory procurement and use of sperm, egg and embryo donors (2025)*,*.","authors":"Sarah Martins da Silva, Helen Clarke, Marta Jansa Perez, Nicola E Mackie, Tristan J Barber, Jackson C Kirkman-Brown","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2639020","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2639020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>These guidelines replace the previous (2019) UK guidelines for the medical and laboratory screening of sperm, egg and embryo donors and were achieved by a joint working group composed of representatives from the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists (ARCS), the British Fertility Society (BFS), the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and the British HIV Association (BHIVA), with review and comments from their respective memberships. It was written to guide best practice in clinics but is not intended as a tool to judge the practice of centres within the UK or beyond. Guidance on core information that should be supplied to all parties involved in donation is provided. Screening tests and standards required are summarised, as are specific considerations for known donation and embryo donation. The assessment of genetic risk and heritable disorders has been fundamentally reviewed in light of technological advances. Extended carrier screening is also discussed, although we do not suggest that this is routinely performed.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"29 1","pages":"2639020"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147769907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Donor conception and psychosocial support provisions across jurisdictions - what's out there?","authors":"Sonja Goedeke, Astrid Indekeu, Marilyn Crawshaw","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2025.2595800","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14647273.2025.2595800","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As demand for donor conception (DC) rises the landscape is becoming increasingly complex. DC-linking now occurs through various means, including direct-to-consumer DNA testing, which may reveal DC where this has not been disclosed and make those genetically related known to each other, including earlier than is possible through identity-release provisions in many jurisdictions. Early contact between donors and recipient parents, as well as same-donor siblings is becoming more common. Large sibling groups within and across jurisdictions are increasingly being identified and there is also growing reliance on imported gametes and online donor recruitment platforms. These developments can be associated with challenges for donor-conceived people (DCP), parents, donors and their families, and have led to calls for more accessible and responsive psycho-social support services. This paper maps the DC context in ten Western countries, including the availability of psychosocial support and counselling. Given the growing complexity of DC and its lifelong impact on all involved, we pay particular attention to post-donation counselling support related to disclosure, long-term psychosocial wellbeing, and DC-linking. We identify key challenges in existing DC provisions and support systems and propose improvements that support DCP, donors, parents, siblings, and their families in managing the longer-term implications of DC.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"29 1","pages":"2595800"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146099739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The global evaluation of the effects of antioxidants on seminal outcomes in infertile men: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Qinyan Xu, Zhongying Wan, Zhiyuan Xiong, Xiaoyun Zhu, Qin Han, Yiya Wang, Jiayu Zhao, Feihu Yu","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2650222","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2650222","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of the current review is to summarise information from publications on the impact of antioxidants on seminal outcomes in infertile men. A systematic search was performed in the five valid databases (Scopus, PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Web of Science) utilizing two sets of keywords up to September 2025, according to the PRISMA approach. Of the 11749 papers identified, 101 papers were included in this review, for a total of 11889 infertile men. Sperm concentration, normal sperm morphology, progressive sperm motility, and total sperm motility, were considerably higher in experimental groups compared with control groups. Both sperm concentration (10⁶ mL^-1) and total motility (%) were higher in experimental groups compared to control groups with an overall pooled standardised mean difference (SMD) of 2.33 (95% CI: 1.73, 2.94) for sperm concentration and SMD of 1.62 (95% CI: 1.20, 2.04) for total motility (%). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that duration of treatments of more than 6 months were more effective than those of less than 3 months. Based on the findings of this review, no definitive recommendation can be made regarding the use of antioxidants as a therapy for male infertility, and further research is necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"29 1","pages":"2650222"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147689451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Contact experiences among donor conception parties: donor conceived persons, donors, parents and same-donor siblings - a mixed methods systematic review.","authors":"K Hall, S Goedeke, K van Kessel","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2686159","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2686159","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As more jurisdictions allow donor-conceived persons (DCPs) access to their genetic information and direct-to-consumer DNA testing becomes increasingly popular, contact between those involved in donor conception, including DCPs, donors, parents and same-donor families, has grown. This mixed methods systematic review (MSSR) collates and examines research on how contact is experienced by these groups in the context of donation from donors previously unknown to recipients prior to donation. A bibliographic search of English-language, peer-reviewed studies was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines across several databases, including CINAHL, JSTOR, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Ovid Emcare and Google Scholar. Studies were included if they used empirical methods (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed) and involved participants with post-birth contact experiences following donation to recipients from donors not known to recipients prior to donation. These could include clinic-recruited donors (both anonymous/non-identified and identity-release) and donors recruited by recipients, such as through online platforms. From 1,397 initial records, 231 were full text screened. 57 studies meeting inclusion criteria and varying in methodology and sample size were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Checklist for Systematic Reviews and Research Synthesis. Findings were synthesised by stakeholder groups (DCPs, donors, parents), examining the form, frequency and experience of contact, as well as influencing factors. Contact ranged from occasional online interactions to regular in-person meetings, with experiences generally positive across all groups. Variations in experience were associated with attitudes towards and expectations of contact, and the size of donor networks. Further research is needed on how contact evolves over time, particularly regarding early linking (before the legislated age of access in identity-release jurisdictions) and connections made via DNA testing.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"29 1","pages":"2686159"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148271491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Poor air quality index on the day of embryo transfer may decrease the rate of embryo transfer success.","authors":"Hannah Hamerman, Alexandra Peyser, Hillary Pearson, Randi Goldman","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2669591","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2669591","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate whether air quality index (AQI) on the day of embryo transfer (ET) is associated with differences in clinical pregnancy rates (CPR). The study included all patients who underwent either fresh or frozen embryo transfer between June 1 - July 31, 2023 at a single academic fertility centre in New York. During this time, smoke originating from wildfires in Eastern Canada caused significant air pollution in New York. Patients who underwent single euploid embryo transfer were included and analysed separately. The main outcome measure was clinical pregnancy rate (CPR). Secondary outcomes included biochemical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, and live birth rate (LBR). Outcomes after ET were compared between three groups stratified by AQI category as defined by the EPA: Good: 0-50, Moderate: 51-100, and Unhealthy: >100. Chi square analyses were used to compare outcomes between groups. There were 190 ETs performed: 142 (74%) when the AQI was Good, 37 (19.5%) when the AQI was Moderate, and 11 (5.8%) when the AQI was Unhealthy. Higher CPRs were observed for ETs performed when AQI was Good vs. Unhealthy (62.0% vs. 27.3%, p = 0.02) and when Moderate vs. Unhealthy (64.9% vs. 27.3%, p = 0.03). There were 127 single euploid embryo transfers (SETs) performed: 96 (75.6%) when the AQI was Good, 23 (18.1%) when the AQI was Moderate, and 8 (6.3%) when the AQI was Unhealthy. Higher CPRs were observed when AQI was Good vs. Unhealthy (70.8% vs. 37.5%, p = 0.052,) although this was not statistically significant. The CPR was not significantly different for SET when AQI was Moderate vs. Unhealthy (69.6% vs. 37.5%, p = 0.11). While the LBR was lower when AQI was Unhealthy, statistical significance was not reached (p = 0.21 for the whole cohort and p = 0.28 for SET). This study found that poor air quality on the day of ET is associated with a decreased CPR. Embryo transfers performed when the AQI is Unhealthy results in decreased CPRs compared to ETs performed when the AQI is Good and Moderate.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"29 1","pages":"2669591"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147940994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Donor conception and family connection: beyond genetic reductionism in the postgenomic era.","authors":"Ana Bravo-Moreno","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2674709","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14647273.2026.2674709","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this article is to analyse the motivations, expectations, and experiences of information exchange and contact among parties linked through donor conception of solo mothers who had their children with the help of assisted reproduction technology (ART) across donor types (e.g. sperm, egg, embryo) and settings in Spain, where donation is anonymous, and the United Kingdom, where donor anonymity was lifted in 2005. This study draws on ethnographic research that took place in Madrid (Spain) and in London (the United Kingdom), where I conducted 60 in-depth interviews with solo mothers.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"29 1","pages":"2674709"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148137834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Psychosocial assessment of interpersonal relationships in altruistic surrogacy counselling.","authors":"M E Montrone, K A Sherman","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2025.2596688","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14647273.2025.2596688","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In an altruistic surrogacy arrangement, interpersonal relationships are crucial, particularly as many arrangements may be based on pre-existing relationships between intended parent/s and surrogate (and partner if applicable). Thus, if interpersonal difficulties were to occur, they could adversely impact the surrogacy itself and long-term extended family and friendships. In Australia, surrogacy is altruistic, with legal requirements for independent pre-surrogacy counselling of all parties to the surrogacy. This study aims to describe the application of an implications and assessment counselling protocol (IAC), including validated psychometric testing, and an assessment of suitability of parties legally required for surrogacy in the state of New South Wales (NSW). Pre-surrogacy relationships are assessed using observation, clinical interview, and psychometric measures to highlight potential interpersonal problems. From the comprehensive interpersonal assessment, preventive measures may be recommended by the surrogacy counsellor to ameliorate potential relationship issues during the surrogacy. In total, 87 consecutive arrangements (<i>N</i> = 322), 80 gestational and 7 traditional surrogacies, comprising 61 intended mothers (IM) (5% single), 110 intended fathers (IF) (47% same sex male relationships), 87 surrogates (S) and 64 partners (SP) (94% male) consented to participate. As part of the IAC protocol, two psychometric tests [Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), Psychological Entitlement Scale (PES)] were completed by 98% of the 322 parties. Findings from the interpersonal scales of the PAI (Warmth and Dominance), five PAI sub scales, and the PES were used to assess interpersonal dimensions. Overall, 97% of the 87 cases were assessed as suitable to proceed, including 29% with qualified approval. However, in 11 cases assessed as suitable to proceed, there were individual interpersonal test scores at least one standard deviation from the mean, indicating possible relationship disparities. The findings of this study demonstrate the application and value of psychometric testing, as an integral part of clinical assessment in surrogacy counselling.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"29 1","pages":"2596688"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146258217","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}