International Journal of Fertility & Sterility最新文献

{"title":"Melatonin Improves Sperm Quality in Asthenozoospermic Men by Preserving Acrosome Integrity, Reducing Inflammation, and Regulating Apoptosis-Related Genes and Proteins during Freeze-Thawing.","authors":"Zahra Azizi, Malek Soleimani Mehranjani, Seyed Mohammad Ali Shariatzadeh, Nazila Najdi, Atena Sadat Azimi","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2059757.1871","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2059757.1871","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Sperm freeze-thaw is a crucial technique in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), but it induces oxidative stress in sperm. Melatonin, a powerful antioxidant, reduces oxidative stress by penetrating mitochondria and neutralising free radicals. However, its protective role in the sperm of asthenozoospermic men during freeze-thaw remains poorly understood. This study examines the in vitro effects of melatonin on sperm quality in asthenozoospermic men during the freeze-thaw process.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this experimental study, semen samples were collected from 30 asthenozoospermic men and divided into three groups: control group, freeze group, and freeze+melatonin (1 mM) group. Sperm parameters including mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal reaction, and DNA fragmentation were assessed. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were estimated. Expressions of apoptosis-related genes and proteins, BAX and BCL-2, were also analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was a significant decrease (P=0.004) in sperm parameters, MMP, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, TAC, GSH, SOD, IL-10 levels, and Bcl-2 expression in the freeze group compared to the control group. Conversely, MDA, ROS, TNF-α, DNA fragmentation, and BAX expression significantly increased (P=0.010). However, all these parameters showed significant improvements in the freeze+melatonin group compared to the freeze group (P=0.019).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Melatonin may improve sperm quality during freeze-thaw by increasing antioxidant defence, reducing inflammation via TNF-α/IL-10 modulation, inhibition of apoptosis through BAX/BCL-2 regulation, and preservation of acrosome integrity. These findings suggest that melatonin may have potential as a cryoprotectant in ART.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"305-315"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535275/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900295","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":"Obstetric Complications in Pregnant Women with and without Endometriosis: A Comparative Cohort Study.","authors":"Mania Kaveh, Hafez Hooshiar, Khadije Rezaie Keikhaie, Shahla Chaichian, Abolfazl Mehdizadeh Kashi, Mehdi Afshari, Kambiz Sadegi","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2040643.1757","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2040643.1757","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Since the complications associated with endometriosis during pregnancy are rare, there is not enough evidence to indicate that this disease has major detrimental effects on pregnancy outcome. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating pregnancy complications related to endometriosis in pregnant women.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This case-control study was conducted on pregnant women referred to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at Amiralmomenin Hospital (Zabol, Iran) from 2021 to 2023 to evaluate obstetric complications in those with endometriosis. Fifty pregnant women with endometriosis were compared to fifty pregnant women without endometriosis in terms of pregnancy complications and outcomes. The significance level was considered less than 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of the participants was 28.8 ± 5.3 years. The youngest and oldest women were 16 and 43 years old, respectively. 47% of all women had at least one pregnancy complication (54% in the endometriosis group and 40% in the normal group (P=0.161). Women with endometriosis had significantly hagher rates of abortion than the control group (P=0.046), but other complications related to pregnancy were not significantly different between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this study, abortion was more frequent among pregnant women with endometriosis than among controls. However, no statistically significant between-group differences were observed for the other assessed obstetric complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"237-241"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535274/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900293","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":"Effect of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Alone versus ICSI and Preimplantation Genetic Screening on Pregnancy Outcomes of Patients with A History of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: A Retrospective Study.","authors":"Zahra Chekini, Maryam Hafezi, Nadia Zameni, Samira Vesali, Farzaneh Shamlou Ahmadi, Hamid Gourabi","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2036157.1737","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2036157.1737","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is characterized genetically by an excess paternal genome and maternal chromosome loss. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and ICSI with preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) enhance the selection of viable embryos by ensuring that only those with the appropriate genetic makeup are implanted. We aimed to evaluate the pregnancy outcome following ICSI and ICSI/PGS in infertile women with a history of GTDs.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this retrospective study, we recruited couples who were referred to the Royan Institute with infertility complaints with GTD history from 2010 to 2022. GTD had been confirmed by serial β-human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG) titer, ultrasonography, and histopathology assessment of the evacuated uterine contents. The fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) probes were specific for the chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, and Y.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 69 cycles of ICSI (n=41) and ICSI/PGS (n=28) were analyzed. The two treatment groups were comparable in terms of patients' demographic characteristics. The mean number of total retrieved oocytes, MII oocytes, and obtained embryos in the ICSI/PGS cycle was higher compared to the ICSI cycle (P<0.001 for all). Also, a statistically significant difference between groups in the mean number of poor embryos (P=0.004) was found. No statistically significant difference was observed in clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth rates per embryo transfer (ET) between groups. The findings indicate that 27.2% of embryos exhibited genetic normalcy in the ICSI/PGS group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite achieving more embryos in ICSI/PGS cycles, the success rates of pregnancy in both groups are approximately the same. Both of these methods can be effective in the management of women with the previous GTD. Considering the high costs and the necessity to eliminate 46XX embryos during PGS procedures, it is advisable to restrict this method to cases with a significant risk of recurrent GTD.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"242-247"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535262/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900488","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":"Role of Epigenetic Modifications in The Aberrant Expression of The <i>FOXP3</i> Gene in Endometriosis: A Case-Control Study.","authors":"Samaneh Chegeni, Raha Favaedi, Saeed Irian, Niloofar Bajool, Fariba Ramezanali, Gilda Karimi, Elham Amirchaghmaghi, Maryam Shahhoseini","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2042585.1770","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2042585.1770","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Various studies have reported aberrant function of the immune system in endometriosis. This highly prevalent disease can initiate and progress by numerous genetic and epigenetic alterations that affect immune system functions. Regulatory T cells (Treg) play an important role in controlling and prevention of endometriosis through regulating immune responses. Treg cells are regulated by the forkhead box P3 (<i>FOXP3</i>) gene. The aim of this study is to monitor any changes in gene expression and epigenetic profile of <i>FOXP3</i>) in endometriosis.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In the current case-control study, endometriotic tissues of women diagnosed with endometriosis (n=20) were compared with non-endometriotic women (n=20). Parallel to expression of this gene, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) coupled with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to quantify the incorporated levels of the epigenetic activating/repressing markers of H3K9ac/me2 into the <i>FOXP3</i> promoter (n=6 in each group).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was a significant reduction of <i>FOXP3</i> in endometriotic tissues compared to the control group (P=0.001). Additionally, changes in the incorporated <i>H3K9ac/me2</i> epigenetic markers were consistent with the expression results and supported the findings of this study.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Downregulation of <i>FOXP3</i> expression may be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis beyond its critical role in Treg responses. In addition, histone modifications of <i>H3K9ac/me2</i> in the <i>FOXP3</i> promoter may regulate gene expression in endometriosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"278-283"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535263/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900243","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":"Moderate Intensity Exercise Training in Combination with L-Carnitine Ameliorates The Varicocele-Suppressed Self-Renewal; Implication on <i>Gdnf/C-ret/Gfrɑ1</i> Complex Signaling in Rats.","authors":"Zainab Ibrahim Abdulameer Al-Khuzaie, Javad Tolouei Azar, Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani, Mazdak Razi","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2053897.1826","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2053897.1826","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>For the first time, this study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of L-carnitine and moderate-intensity exercise training (MIET), both individually and in combination, against varicocele (VCL)-induced impairment of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) self-renewal.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this experimental study, a total of 36 male Wistar rats (200 ± 20 g) were divided into the following groups: control, VCL (3-month and 5-month), and treatment groups receiving either Lcarnitine (100 mg/kg/day, orally) or MIET for two months, starting three months after VCL induction. After three months of VCL induction, the condition was confirmed by measuring serum testosterone levels and sperm count. The animals in the treatment groups were then subjected to L-carnitine, MIET, or their combination for an additional two months. The expression of key markers involved in SSC self-renewal, including glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (<i>Gdnf</i>), its receptors <i>C-ret</i> and <i>Gfrα1</i>, and target genes Etv5 and Bcl6b, was assessed and compared between groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The VCL-sole groups exhibited significant reductions in serum testosterone, sperm counts, and the numbers of <i>Gdnf+, Gfrα1+,</i> and <i>C-ret+</i> spermatogonia and spermatocytes compared to controls (P=0.001). Lcarnitine and MIET, both individually and in combination, significantly increased Gdnf, Gfrα1, and C-ret expression at mRNA and protein levels, enhanced the numbers of <i>Gdnf+, Gfrα1+, C-ret+, Etv5+, Bcl6b+</i>, and <i>Nanog+</i> cells per seminiferous tubule, and improved SSC repopulation index (RI).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MIET, particularly in combination with L-carnitine, enhances SSC self-renewal by upregulating the Gdnf/C-ret/Gfrα1 signaling pathway and activating downstream target genes, such as Etv5 and Bcl6b.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"213-225"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13545653/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900277","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":"The Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy on Endometrial Thickness during Embryo Transfer in Infertile Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.","authors":"Mahsa Farasati, Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi, Somayeh Abdolalipour, Mojgan Mirghafourvand","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2047467.1794","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2047467.1794","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Embryo transfer is a complex process that often fails due to poor endometrial growth. Pelvic floor physiotherapy improves endometrial thickness by enhancing pelvic blood circulation and stimulating uterine muscle with varied frequency flows, consequently boosting embryo implantation and pregnancy success rates. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of pelvic floor physiotherapy on endometrial thickness during embryo transfer.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We systematically reviewed databases with no time restriction (out of 574 retrieved records, 8 studies were meta-analysed). This study analyzed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing pelvic floor physiotherapy effects on endometrial thickness in infertile women, compared to routine treatments such as estradiol valerate tablets with vaginal progesterone gel, and oral Progynova. Participants were infertile women undergoing <i>in vitro</i> fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) or frozen ET (FET). Outcomes included endometrial thickness (primary outcome), arterial resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and pregnancy rate (secondary outcomes).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 8 studies were meta-analyzed and we found that electrical physiotherapy combined with routine treatments, may increase the endometrial thickness versus controls [mean difference (MD)=0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.30 to 1.55; 7 trials, P=0.004; low-certainty evidence], but does not affect RI (MD=-0.03, 95% CI: -0.14 to 0.07; 4 trials, P=0.570; very low-certainty evidence) and PI (MD=-0.16, 95% CI: -0.41 to 0.09; 3 trials, P=0.210; very low-certainty evidence). However, physiotherapy with routine treatments may increase pregnancy rates with low-quality evidence (OR=2.72, 95% CI: 1.87 to 3.95; 6 trials, P<0.001; low-certainty evidence).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study suggests that combining pelvic floor physiotherapy with standard infertility treatments may enhance endometrial thickness and boost fertility rates compared to standard treatments alone. Critically, this conclusion is based on low to very low-quality evidence, limiting confidence in the observed benefits. Furthermore, the effect of physiotherapy on uterine arterial resistance and pulsatility indices is currently undetermined due to insufficient data (Prospero ID: CRD42023442310).</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"188-201"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535278/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900378","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":"Combined Effects of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) with Cobalt, Cadmium, or Zinc on Fertility in Rats.","authors":"Majid Tarar Jasim, Majid Motovali-Bashi","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2047350.1791","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2047350.1791","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Infertility remains a multifactorial disorder influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, yet the molecular interplay between these two dimensions is poorly understood. The <i>Brca1</i> gene, classically known for its tumor-suppressive role in mammary tissue, also plays a crucial role in maintaining oocyte quality and ovarian reserve. Mutations or dysregulation of <i>Brca1</i> may therefore link mammary toxicity to reproductive failure. This study investigated the impact of environmental exposure to the carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), in conjunction with selected trace elements [cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), and zinc (Zn)], on fertility, oxidative balance, and <i>Brca1</i> expression in female rats.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this experimental study, female Wistar rats were treated with DMBA alone or combined with Cd, Co, or Zn for 20 weeks. Serum oxidative stress biomarkers [malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT)] and mammary gland immunohistochemistry for <i>Brca1</i>, apoptosis, and necrosis were evaluated. Fertility outcomes and cell viability [evaluated using the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay] were examined to correlate systemic redox imbalance with reproductive performance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Co- or Cd-combined exposure to DMBA markedly increased oxidative stress and mammary apoptosis, resulting in the lowest fertility rates. In contrast, Zn-co-treatment partially restored antioxidant capacity and reduced cell death, suggesting a modulatory rather than strictly protective role. Dysregulated <i>Brca1</i> expression across all treatment groups supports a mechanistic link between mammary genotoxicity and impaired fertility.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study integrated genetic susceptibility (<i>Brca1</i>) with environmental metal co-exposure to explain infertility through oxidative and apoptotic mechanisms. The findings showed that trace elements differentially affected reproductive outcomes in <i>Brca1</i>-compromised females, highlighting the reproductive risks posed by Cd and Co and the more nuanced role of zinc. By demonstrating the combined toxicogenetic interaction between DMBA and metal exposure, this work outlined a mechanistic model linking oxidative damage in the mammary gland to declining fertility.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"258-267"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535283/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900431","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":"How Many Children Do Iranian Youth Intend to Have?","authors":"Mohammad Torkashvand Moradabadi","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2026.2070540.1947","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2026.2070540.1947","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The sharp decline in fertility in Iran represents one of the country's most pressing demographic challenges. This trend has led policymakers to promote childbearing to mitigate further population aging and structural imbalance. This study uses data from the 2017-2018 Iranian National Marriage and Divorce Survey conducted by the Civil Registry Organization, based on a sample of 8,341 individuals preparing for the first marriage, addressing the question: \"How many children would you like to have after marriage?\" The findings showed that the vast majority of respondents (97.9%) intend to have children, with a mean ideal family size of approximately two children. Gender differences are evident, with women tending to prefer one to two children, while men are more likely to report preferences for three or more. Significant variation is observed across socioeconomic and demographic groups, including education, income, place of residence, and ethnic-religious identity. Rural residents and individuals from larger families report higher famility ideals, whereas urban residents and those with higher education and income tend to prefer smaller families. Overall, the mean ideal number of children is approximately 2.1, corresponding to replacement-level fertility intentions. The finding suggests that the decline in actual fertility below replacement level is primarily driven by economic and structural constraints rather than a substantial shift in fertility preferences. Accordingly, rather than promoting higher fertility per se, policies should focus on enabling young couples to realize their existing childbearing intentions, particularly during the early years of marriage.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"316-319"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535456/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900513","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":"The Effect of Human Papillomavirus on Sperm Parameters: An Umbrella Review and Meta-analysis.","authors":"Mina Iravani, Maryam Dastoorpour, Solmaz Mohammadi, Maryam Zahedian, Parvin Esfandiarinezhad","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2061653.1880","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2061653.1880","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted virus hypothesised to contribute to unexplained male infertility that potentially affects sperm quality. The current research looks at the impact of HPV infections on sperm quality.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Embase databases were searched on August 24, 2024 for reviews that examined the relationship between sperm quality and HPV infection, which were published between 1996 and 2024. PRISMA guidelines were followed for this study. The AMSTAR tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Evaluation of heterogeneity was conducted by the Q test and I² statistics. Pooled effect sizes were expressed as the standardised mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). These were synthesised using fixed-effect or random effects models as appropriate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 537 initially identified articles, 16 systematic reviews and meta-analyses were eligible for inclusion. Our umbrella review results showed that HPV infection in semen significantly reduced progressive motility (SMD = -0.48, 95% CI: -0.75, - 0.21), total motility (SMD = -0.59, 95% CI: -0.82, -0.35), sperm count (SMD = -0.27, 95% CI: -0.43, -0.10), viability (SMD = -0.38, 95% CI: -0.62, -0.14), and morphology (SMD = -0.32, 95% CI: -0.53, -0.10).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HPV infections in semen may be a significant factor in the reduction of sperm quality, as observed in HPV-positive relative to HPV-negative individuals.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"176-187"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535277/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900319","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":"Association of Antiphospholipid Antibodies with Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Recurrent Implantation Failure: A Retrospective Cohort Study.","authors":"Yingyong Chinthammitr, Bundarika Suwanawiboon, Isarin Thanaboonyawat, Theera Ruchutrakool, Weerapat Owattanapanich, Tarinee Rungjirajittranon","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2051763.1815","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2051763.1815","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) may contribute to recurrent implantation failure (RIF) in women undergoing <i>in vitro</i> fertilization (IVF). These antibodies may impair endometrial receptivity and placentation, though evidence remains contradictory due to incomplete aPL data, nonstandardized testing, and inconsistent outcome definitions. To evaluate associations between aPL and pregnancy outcomes in women with RIF following IVF.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed women with 2 or more unexplained implantation failures following IVF. All participants underwent repeated aPL testing-lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin (aCL) IgG/IgM, and anti-beta2-glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) IgG/IgM-at ≥ 12 weeks intervals. The primary endpoint was the cumulative live birth rate across the first 6 embryo-transfer (ET) cycles. The secondary endpoint comprised per-cycle obstetric outcomes and the influence of prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 125 women, 26 (20.8%) tested positive for aPL. LA positivity was the most common (59.3%). Across 327 embryo transfer cycles, the live birth rates were comparable between aPL-negative and aPL-positive groups (7.0 vs 7.8%, respectively). Only anti-β2GPI IgM-positive women achieved live births among aPL-positive patients. Cumulative live birth rates after 6 ET cycles reached 38% (95% CI: 15-56) for aPL-negative and 25% (95% CI: 0-46) for aPL-positive women. aPL positivity showed no significant association with live birth (adjusted hazard ratio 0.89, 95% CI: 0.32-2.45, P=0.821). Prophylactic LMWH demonstrated no significant improvements in live birth rates [crude risk ratio (RR) 2.20, 95% CI: 0.73-6.62, P=0.163].</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Live birth rates were similar between anti-β2GPI IgM-positive and aPL-negative women. No births occurred among LA-positive or aCL-positive patients. LMWH showed no statistically significant benefit. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings (registration number: TCTR20231003007).</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"248-257"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535281/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900423","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}