Human FertilityPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-10-28DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2024.2417940
James Cheshire, Justin Chu, Jacky Boivin, Grace Dugdale, Joyce Harper, Adam Balen
{"title":"The Fertility Education Initiative: responding to the need for enhanced fertility and reproductive health awareness amongst young people in the United Kingdom.","authors":"James Cheshire, Justin Chu, Jacky Boivin, Grace Dugdale, Joyce Harper, Adam Balen","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2024.2417940","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2024.2417940","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The need for fertility education arises from changing patterns of family formation in recent times. Young people feel unprepared for how best to plan their career and family and have little idea of the various factors that may influence their fertility later in their life. Research shows young people would like to know more and need the information to be conveyed in a way that is engaging and helps them to integrate it at their current life stage. The Fertility Education Initiative (FEI) was founded in 2016 to address the need for improved fertility and reproductive health awareness and ensure young people are equipped with the relevant information to meet their reproductive and family building needs. This paper serves as a historical record of the genesis of the FEI and its impact to date.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"27 1","pages":"2417940"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142499367","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}
Human FertilityPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-11-08DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2024.2424336
Haengjun Jeon, Woo Sik Lee, Ji Won Kim
{"title":"Elevated luteinizing hormone levels during the artificial endometrial preparation cycle do not impact pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer.","authors":"Haengjun Jeon, Woo Sik Lee, Ji Won Kim","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2024.2424336","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2024.2424336","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The effect of an increase in luteinizing hormone levels on pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing artificial endometrial preparation for frozen embryo transfer has not been definitively elucidated. We aimed to investigate the effect of elevated luteinizing hormone levels, measured prior to progesterone administration, on the ongoing pregnancy rate in patients undergoing artificial endometrial preparation for single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer. Patients began taking oral oestradiol valerate on menstrual day 2-3. When the endometrial thickness reached ≥7 mm, they were tested for oestradiol, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone, and luteal phase support was started. The participants were divided into four groups based on luteinizing hormone percentiles, and differences in pregnancy outcomes were examined. No significant differences were observed for on-going pregnancy rate and the other pregnancy outcomes between the groups. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, not the luteinizing hormone levels but the quality of embryo had a significant influence on ongoing pregnancy (<i>p</i> = 0.004; adjusted odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.213-2.675). The elevation of luteinizing hormone levels during artificial endometrial preparation did not have an impact on the ongoing pregnancy or the other pregnancy outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"27 1","pages":"2424336"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142604436","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":"Enhancing predictions of embryo implantation in thin endometrium: a comparative analysis of endometrial thickness in frozen versus fresh IVF cycles.","authors":"Adiel Kahana, Ittai Many, Yuval Fouks, Benny Almog, Yoav Baruch, Emily Hamilton, Foad Azem, Yoni Cohen","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2024.2404852","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2024.2404852","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated whether the difference between endometrial thickness in the frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle and the preceding fresh stimulated cycle predicts clinical pregnancy in women with thin endometrium. A retrospective analysis of 335 cycles in 227 women (age < 43) with endometrium < 8 mm in the FET cycle was conducted. Endometrial thickness was assessed using the ratio (ET<sup>frozen/fresh</sup>) and absolute difference (ET<sup>fresh-frozen</sup>) between the maximal endometrial thickness measured during the stimulated IVF cycle and that measured in the FET cycle. We hypothesized that a smaller difference and higher ratio during FET will be associated with higher pregnancy rate. No embryo implantation occurred in women with an FET endometrial thickness < 5.9 mm and an ET<sup>frozen/fresh</sup> < 0.86. Cycles with a positive beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) showed a significantly lower mean ET<sup>fresh-frozen</sup> (1.89 ± 1.78 vs 2.30 ± 1.81, p = 0.03), and a significantly higher ET<sup>frozen/fresh</sup> ratio (0.82 ± 0.17 vs. 0.77 ± 0.15, p = 0.024). Endometrial thickness in the FET cycle normalized to the preceding stimulated cycle is associated with implantation and may constitute a novel predictor of FET success in women with thin endometrium.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"27 1","pages":"2404852"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142780197","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}
Human FertilityPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-01-08DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2023.2285349
E Gumerova, M P Rimmer, S A Gellatly
{"title":"Do sperm and lubricants <i>gel</i> well with each other? A systematic review.","authors":"E Gumerova, M P Rimmer, S A Gellatly","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2023.2285349","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14647273.2023.2285349","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vaginal lubricants are commonly used to aid sexual pleasure and/or to help combat vaginal dryness and dyspareunia. Several studies have reported their impact on sperm function, however there are no published guidelines to help healthcare professionals and couples select a vaginal lubricant that is 'sperm-safe'. To address this, we conducted a literature search using both PubMed and Scopus to identify and appraise manuscripts that reported the impact of lubricants on sperm function. We did not restrict the literature search by year of publication, and we only included manuscripts that looked at the impact of vaginal lubricants on human sperm. The quality of the eligible studies was assessed using the Björndahl et al., (2016) checklist for semen analysis, as most of the studies reported the findings of a basic semen analysis. A total of 24 articles were eligible for analysis with a total of 35 vaginal lubricants (that were available to buy over the counter) being included, 2 of which studied the effect of vaginal lubricants on sperm function <i>in vivo,</i> and 22 being conducted <i>in vitro</i>. KY Jelly, PreSeed and Astroglide were most studied, with most manuscripts focussing on their impact on sperm motility. A paucity of data on most lubricants combined with methodological variations between studies and limited/no reporting on pregnancy outcomes means greater efforts are required before an evidence-based guideline can be published.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":" ","pages":"2285349"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138477579","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}
Human FertilityPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-03-14DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2024.2322729
Jason Kasraie, Hannah Kennedy
{"title":"Best practice for embryology staffing in HFEA licensed assisted conception centres-guidance from Association of Reproductive & Clinical Scientists.","authors":"Jason Kasraie, Hannah Kennedy","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2024.2322729","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14647273.2024.2322729","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists (ARCS) has long promoted the importance of externally accredited training and assessment of scientific staff within assisted conception centres to ensure professional registration and relevant training at all levels. This not only gives scientific staff the opportunity to empower themselves but also acts to ensure assisted conception centres maintain the highest standards of care and quality for patients whilst meeting HFEA requirements for staffing and training. It also provides assurance to patients that treatment is being delivered by highly trained and competent staff. Clinical embryology practice requires intense concentration, with increasingly complex treatment plans and options coupled with the ever-present consequences of clinical error at the forefront of practitioners' minds, exhaustion and burn out are very real risks. Overloading embryology teams is likely to lead to increased error rates and serious incidents. This guideline aims to bring the sector in line with other Clinical Science specialities to optimise patient care, increase safety, reduce risk (including the risk of legal action against centres and individuals), ensure the use of recognised job titles with appropriate levels of remuneration, and provide centres with a template to work towards for appropriate levels of scientific staffing.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"27 1","pages":"2322729"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140119330","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":"Global DNA methylation level in spermatozoa is not associated with ICSI fertilization outcome and embryo quality in donor oocyte programme.","authors":"Riddhi Kirit Pandya, Sujith Raj Salian, Vani R Lakshmi, Shubhashree Uppangala, Guruprasad Kalthur, Sanjay Gupta, Satish Kumar Adiga","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2024.2421191","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2024.2421191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, govern chromatin arrangement in sperm, enhancing motility and safeguarding DNA integrity for accurate epigenetic inheritance. Abnormal methylation is linked to poor sperm quality and fertility issues, underscoring the need to study sperm DNA methylation and its impact on sperm function and embryo development in assisted reproductive technology. In this study, processed spermatozoa from 75 normozoospermic and 15 abnormal ejaculates were examined for sperm global DNA methylation levels using a colourimetric absorbance method. Although semen characteristics were poor in abnormal ejaculates, no significant correlation was found between sperm global DNA methylation levels and sperm characteristics in either normozoospermic or abnormal cohorts. However, mean global DNA methylation levels were significantly lowered in abnormal sperm samples compared to normozoospermic samples (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Furthermore, injecting spermatozoa from these patients (N = 50) into donor oocytes did not show a significant relationship between sperm global DNA methylation and embryo developmental competence. These findings highlight the limitation of sperm global DNA methylation as a biomarker for embryo development and quality.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"27 1","pages":"2421191"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142582496","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}
Human FertilityPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-02-06DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2024.2309389
Boštjan Pirš, Eva Vengušt, Eda Bokal Vrtačnik
{"title":"Characterising umbilical abdominal wall endometriosis as a distinct subgroup of abdominal wall endometriosis - retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Boštjan Pirš, Eva Vengušt, Eda Bokal Vrtačnik","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2024.2309389","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14647273.2024.2309389","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) is one of the rarest forms of endometriosis. Little is known about differences between umbilical AWE (U-AWE) and non-umbilical AWE (non-U-AWE) patients. This retrospective cohort study included patients treated for AWE at tertiary endometriosis centre between 2012 and 2020. Patients were divided into two groups - umbilical AWE and non-umbilical AWE.We identified 14 U-AWE and 45 non-U-AWE patients who mostly had lesions in caesarean section scar (38, 64.4%), rarely at other locations (7, 11.9%). Infertility rates for U-AWE patients and non-U-AWE patients were 57.1% and 17.8%, respectively. Concurrent or previous peritoneal endometriosis was noted in 85.7% of U-AWE and 24.4% of non-U- AWE patients. In addition, U-AWE patients and non-UAWE patients significantly differed in following: parity, number of previous caesarean sections, lesion size, prevalence of concurrent or previous deep infiltrating endometriosis, bleeding from abdominal wall, cyclic pain, continuous pain.Infertility and pelvic endometriosis were more prevalent in U-AWE patients. Our data suggests that U-AWE may be a specific marker for a patient highly prone to pelvic endometriosis and subsequent infertility. Findings suggests that clinician should consider comprehensive evaluation of U-AWE patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"27 1","pages":"2309389"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139697322","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}
Human FertilityPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-05-28DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2024.2352387
Neerujah Balachandren, Srividya Seshadri, Ephia Yasmin, Wael Saab, Carolyn Gates, Zara Sayar, Hannah Cohen, Lisa Webber
{"title":"Venous thromboembolism associated with medically assisted reproduction (MAR): British fertility society policy and practice guidance for assessment and prevention.","authors":"Neerujah Balachandren, Srividya Seshadri, Ephia Yasmin, Wael Saab, Carolyn Gates, Zara Sayar, Hannah Cohen, Lisa Webber","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2024.2352387","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14647273.2024.2352387","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The association between Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) and thromboembolic complications has been reported widely in multiple published studies. Although venous thromboembolism (VTE) is not thought to be a common complication of MAR, it is associated with high morbidity and is often preventable. Since VTE usually occurs after completion of MAR treatment and is often managed outside of the treating fertility unit, these complications are likely to be underreported and there may be limited awareness of the risks among clinicians. As we continue to see a rise in the total number of MAR treatment cycles, particularly in women over 40 years of age, along with a steady increase in the number of fertility preservation cycles for both medical and social indications, it is likely that we will see an increase in absolute numbers of VTE complications. Currently, there is a lack of management guidance and reporting of VTE events associated with assisted conception treatment. The aim of this guidance is to provide clinicians with information on VTE risk factors, guidance on assessing VTE risk and the best practice recommendations on risk reducing strategies for individuals at risk of VTE undergoing ovarian stimulation and embryo transfer cycles.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"27 1","pages":"2352387"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141158274","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}
Human FertilityPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-11-07DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2024.2424347
Li Dong, Yan Su, Mian-Qiu Zhang, Jing-Wen Sun, Hui Ji
{"title":"Comparative analysis of pregnancy outcomes in different time intervals following GnRH antagonist stimulation and modified natural frozen-thawed embryo transfers.","authors":"Li Dong, Yan Su, Mian-Qiu Zhang, Jing-Wen Sun, Hui Ji","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2024.2424347","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2024.2424347","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To evaluate whether the interval between oocyte retrieval and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) affects clinical outcomes using modified natural cycle (mNC) regimen following freeze-all GnRH antagonist stimulation. A total of 542 patients underwent first mNC-FET were divided into two groups: immediate (FET conducted in the first menstrual cycle after freeze-all) and delayed (FET performed in the second or subsequent menstrual cycle) groups. The immediate group was associated with a notably reduced duration between oocyte retrieval and transfer day (35.5 ± 5.8 <i>vs.</i> 88.7 ± 35.5 d, <i>P</i> < 0.001). Regarding pregnancy results, the immediate cycles resulted in comparable implantation rate (55.3% <i>vs</i>. 57.2%, <i>P =</i> 0.624), clinical pregnancy rate (66.9% <i>vs</i>. 72.2%, <i>P =</i> 0.236), abortion rate (16.1% <i>vs</i>. 12.7%, <i>P =</i> 0.402), ongoing pregnancy rate (59.0% <i>vs</i>. 65.0%, <i>P =</i> 0.204), and live birth rate (56.1% <i>vs</i>. 63.0%, <i>P =</i> 0.149) with the delayed cycles. After the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the difference in live birth outcome between the two regimens remained insignificant (immediate <i>vs</i>. delayed protocol: adjusted odds ratio = 0.87, 95% confidence interval= 0.56-1.33). Immediate mNC-FET following a freeze-all antagonist cycle displayed promising clinical outcomes and significantly shortened the time to conception compared to delayed FET.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"27 1","pages":"2424347"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142604435","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}
Human FertilityPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-07-11DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2024.2375098
Johan Paulin, Andreas Widbom, Gunilla Sydsjö, Agneta Skoog Svanberg, Claudia Lampic
{"title":"Psychological well-being and family functioning following identity-release gamete donation or standard IVF: follow-up of parents with adolescent children.","authors":"Johan Paulin, Andreas Widbom, Gunilla Sydsjö, Agneta Skoog Svanberg, Claudia Lampic","doi":"10.1080/14647273.2024.2375098","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2024.2375098","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study sought to investigate if heterosexual-couple parents with adolescent children following identity-release oocyte donation (OD), sperm donation (SD) or standard IVF differed with regard to psychological distress, family functioning, and parent-child relationships. The prospective longitudinal Swedish Study on Gamete Donation consists of couples recruited when starting treatment between 2005 and 2008 from seven Swedish university hospitals providing gamete donation. This study concerns the fifth wave of data collection and included a total of 205 mothers and fathers with adolescent children following OD (<i>n</i> = 73), SD (<i>n</i> = 67), or IVF with own gametes (<i>n</i> = 65). OD/SD parents had used identity-release donation and most had disclosed the donor conception to their child. Parents answered validated instruments measuring symptoms of anxiety and depression (HADS), family functioning (GF6+) and parent-child relationship. Results found that parents following OD or SD did not differ significantly from IVF-parents with regard to symptoms of anxiety and depression, family functioning, and perceived closeness and conflicts with their child. Irrespective of treatment group, most parents were within normal range on psychological distress and family functioning and reported positive parent-child relationships. However, SD mothers to a larger extent reported anxiety symptoms above cut-off compared to OD mothers (31% vs. 7.3%, <i>p</i> = 0.018). In conclusion, the present results add to previous research by including families with adolescent children following identity-release oocyte and sperm donation, most of whom were aware of their donor conception. Largely, our results confirm that the use of gamete donation does not interfere negatively with mothers' and fathers' psychological well-being and perceived family functioning.</p>","PeriodicalId":13006,"journal":{"name":"Human Fertility","volume":"27 1","pages":"2375098"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141579548","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}