International Journal of Fertility & Sterility最新文献

{"title":"Modeling Diagnosis and Clinical Outcomes in Infertility Couples Considering Multiple Factors: A Retrospective Study.","authors":"Atena Ghasemabadi, Somayeh Ghiasi Hafazi, Sohrab Effati, Kosar Namakin, Mohammadreza Ahmadi Zand, Mark Ghamsary","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2040876.1760","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2040876.1760","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Infertility arises from diverse etiologies, with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) being a leading cause among women, while male factors account for approximately 50% of cases. Selecting the most appropriate assisted reproductive technology (ART) for each couple is crucial. This study aimed to develop a dynamic mathematical model to predict ART success rates based on infertility etiology, laboratory tests, and clinical findings.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this retrospective study, data from 1,374 cases were reviewed, and a sample of 502 couples from the Yazd Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd, Iran, was analyzed (April 2016-February 2017). Participants were evaluated according to body mass index (BMI), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, number of transferred embryos, and infertility etiology of (PCOS, male factor, or both). Couples were categorized into eight classes based on infertility susceptibility, embryo quality (A, B, C), positive beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), clinical pregnancy outcomes, and fertility status.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The model estimated ART success rates within subgroups considering all relevant factors. Higher BMI (>30 kg/m²) and lower AMH (<3.5 ng/mL) were associated with reduced success rates. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) showed higher predicted success across all etiologies. Mathematical analysis indicated system stability, and backward bifurcation highlighted the importance of increasing recovery rates (positive clinical pregnancy) to reduce the primary reproduction number (R₀) below one and control infertility. No Hopf bifurcation was observed, indicating the absence of periodic fluctuations in treatment outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This dynamic model provides a framework to predict ART success and understand the interactions between clinical and biological factors in infertile couples. It may assist clinicians in optimizing individualized treatment strategies based on patient-specific characteristics.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"226-236"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535279/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900233","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":"Fertility Preservation in Female Patients with Cancer. Part III: Royan Human Ovarian Tissue Bank Guideline for Prepubertal Girls and Women, A Review.","authors":"Naeimeh Sadat Abtahi, Zeinab Ghezelayagh, Rouhollah Fathi, Mojtaba Rezazadeh Valojerdi, Bita Ebrahimi","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2052923.1821","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2052923.1821","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Advances in early cancer diagnosis and treatment have significantly improved survival rates. However, as awareness grows about the adverse effects of cytotoxic therapies on ovarian function and fertility, an increasing number of patients are seeking fertility preservation before undergoing anti-cancer treatments. Embryo cryopreservation remains the gold standard for fertility preservation when there is sufficient time for ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval. For single women, oocyte freezing offers a viable alternative, allowing them to preserve their eggs for future use. For prepubertal girls and women who cannot delay treatment, ovarian tissue cryopreservation is currently the only feasible method of fertility preservation. Between 2000 to 2010, researchers at Royan Institute conducted a wide range of investigations on ovarian tissue cryopreservation, providing a structured and evidence-based fertility preservation protocol for cancer patients candidates for this service. In 2010, the Royan Institute established the Royan Human Ovarian Tissue Bank (OTB) as a subgroup of the Embryology Department. After obtaining ISO 9001:2015 certification, the OTB was officially transferred to the Royan Infertility Clinic. This article presents the Royan OTB guidelines for cryopreserving ovarian tissue in prepubertal girls and women with cancer, described step by step.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"169-175"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535264/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900439","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":"Innovative Xenotransplantation of Reconstructed Human Artificial Ovary Using 3D-Printed Scaffolds and Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells.","authors":"Mohammad Ayoubipour, Hussein Eimani, Rouhollah Fathi, Abdolhossien Shahverdi, Morteza Zarrabi, Mohammad Kazemi Ashtiani, Somayeh Tavana, Seyed Akbar Moosavi, Leila Sadat Tahaei, Zeinab Ghezelayagh, Majid Halvaei, Masoumeh Nouri, Parviz Golmohammadi Gerdkohi, Ashraf Moeini","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2056658.1847","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2056658.1847","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The primary objective of this study was to develop an artificial ovary made of polylactic acid (PLA) material, which could potentially be used for fertility preservation. This scaffold was used to carry umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) for xenotransplantation to study follicular growth, viability, and angiogenesis.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The experimental study involved transplanting human ovarian cortical pieces into 3Dprinted baskets, with or without human UCMSCs. Four groups were considered as control: vitrified-warmed ovarian tissue (OT), OT transplantation without 3D-printed baskets without UCMSCs, OT+D; OT transplantation with 3D-printed baskets and without UCMSCs, and OT+D+C; OT transplantation with 3D-printed baskets and UCMSCs. Eighteen rats were divided into three transplantation groups, with grafts implanted into their back muscles. After one week, comparisons were made between OT, OT+D, and OT+D+C with control groups. Histological evaluations and gene expression analyses, including <i>CX37, CX43, KL, GDF9,</i> and <i>VEGF</i>, were conducted to evaluate factors such as angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and follicle development.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results revealed that OT+D had the highest follicular growth (99.3%) and transition rate (74.08%). OT+D+C indicated increased follicular survival, reduced mortality (P<0.0001), and a higher percentage of primordial follicles (59.1%) compared to OT and OT+D groups. UCMSCs' paracrine secretions likely preserved the follicular reserve. Additionally, OT+D+C exhibited significantly increased blood vessel number and diameter (P<0.0001) compared to other groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study underscores the significance of utilizing a three-dimensional basket scaffold to enhance the development of ovarian follicles and facilitate angiogenesis. The integration of stem cells with the scaffold demonstrated a noteworthy synergistic effect, resulting in improved preservation and viability of the follicles and Reduced fibrosis. These findings illuminate the promising potential of scaffold-based strategies in advancing reproductive therapies and tissue engineering, thereby offering prospects for innovative treatments in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"284-295"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535265/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900576","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":"Phenotype-Specific Association of <i>LHCGR</i> rs13405728 Polymorphism with Anovulatory Infertility in Malay Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.","authors":"Mariam Elbadie, Habibah Abdul Hamid, Zalinah Ahmad, King Hwa Ling","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2065767.1908","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2065767.1908","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial, polygenic endocrinopathy with an incompletely understood aetiology that accounts for approximately 80% of female anovulatory infertility. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute significantly to its pathogenesis. This study is the first to investigate the association of DENN/MADD domain-containing 1A (<i>DENND1A</i> rs2479106 and rs10986105), luteinising hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (<i>LHCGR</i> rs13405728), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (<i>FSHR</i> rs6166), thyroid adenomaassociated protein I (<i>THADA</i> rs13429458), and cytochrome P450 17A1 (<i>CYP17A1</i> rs743572) gene polymorphisms with PCOS-related anovulatory infertility in Malay women.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this case-control study, 96 participants were recruited - 48 anovulatory infertile-PCOS patients and 48 infertile non-PCOS controls. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected using highresolution melting (HRM) analysis, with sequencing performed for validation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The <i>LHCGR</i> rs13405728 polymorphism was strongly associated with an increased risk of PCOS-related anovulatory infertility, with each minor G allele conferring an odds ratio (OR) of 2.63 and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 1.11-6.27, P= 0.020). Conversely, the THADA rs7568365 T allele exhibited a protective effect, reducing the risk by 72% (OR=0.28; 95% CI: 0.08-0.90; P=0.020). No significant associations were observed for <i>DENND1A</i> rs2479106 and rs10986105, <i>FSHR</i> rs6166, <i>THADA</i> rs13429458, or <i>CYP17A1</i> rs743572. Haplotype analysis revealed that the A-T (rs13429458-rs1317772225-rs7568365) and ATA and ACA (rs13405728-rs6166-rs13429458) haplotypes were protective, with ORs of 0.13, 0.19, and 0.30, respectively (P<0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The <i>LHCGR</i> rs13405728 polymorphism is significantly associated with the risk of PCOS-related anovulatory infertility in Malay women and may serve as a potential early prognostic biomarker for the development of PCOS-related infertility.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"268-277"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535280/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900287","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":"Insights into The Outcomes of Artificial Oocyte Activation: A Retrospecive Analysis of 1,300 Couples Undergoing Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection.","authors":"Afsoon Atrian-Afiyani, Marziyeh Tavalaee, Maryam Emami, Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2057160.1853","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2057160.1853","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Oocyte activation deficiency remains a significant obstacle in assisted reproductive technologies. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection combined with artificial oocyte activation (ICSI-AOA) has been introduced as a promising strategy to enhance fertilization efficiency and clinical outcomes. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of clinical results from 1,300 ICSI-AOA cycles and to assess the health status of the resulting offspring.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This retrospective study analyzed 1,300 ICSI-AOA cycles performed between 2018 and 2020. Follow-up assessments were conducted after live birth to evaluate child health. Fertilization outcomes, embryo development parameters, pregnancy results, and offspring health status were examined using imaging, molecular, and biochemical approaches to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across the 1,300 ICSI-AOA cycles, the failed fertilization rate was 4.54% and 20.16% of cycles were cancelled, while 91.06% proceeded to embryo transfer. Of 14,522 retrieved cumulus-oocyte complexes, 85.38% reached maturation. Mature oocytes showed a fertilization rate of 59.69% and a cleavage rate of 96.93%, producing 7,180 day-three embryos. Fresh transfers (n=571) resulted in chemical and clinical pregnancy rates of 24.6% and 20.82%. In addition, 3,270 embryos were cryopreserved, and thawed transfers achieved chemical and clinical pregnancy rates of 22.55% and 21.61%. Among 3,018 non-frozen embryos, 447 formed blastocysts, and 44 fresh blastocyst transfers yielded pregnancy rates of 21.87% (chemical) and 9.38% (clinical). Thawed blastocyst transfers achieved chemical and clinical pregnancy rates of 23.67% and 22.11%. Overall, 266 live births were obtained from 1,317 transfers, corresponding to a 14.19% implantation rate and a 20.20% per-cycle live birth rate, with anomalies detected in 1.5% of offspring.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>ICSI-AOA provides favorable fertilization, pregnancy, and live birth outcomes, and no major health concerns were observed in the resulting children, consistent with previous ICSI reports.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"202-212"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535282/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900502","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":"Gene Expression Dynamics and Network Analysis Reveal Key Molecular Pathways in Spermatogenic Progression from Spermatogonial Stem Cells to Round Spermatids.","authors":"Ali Qorbanee, Hossein Azizi, Marwa Fadhil Alsaffar, Thomas Skutella","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2064261.1893","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22074/ijfs.2025.2064261.1893","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Spermatogenesis is a tightly regulated process that involves an orchestrated transcriptional and translational event across the seminiferous epithelium. While individual regulators of this process have been studied, the network-level dynamics underlying the transition from spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) to round spermatids (RSs) remain poorly understood. The dynamic molecular transitions between SSCs and RSs have not been fully characterised, particularly at the network level. Therefore, this study aimed to characterise the molecular and network-level dynamics underlying the transition from SSCs to RSs by integrating transcriptomic profiling, protein-protein interaction network analysis, functional enrichment, and immunohistochemical validation.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this experimental study, we evaluated the gene expression dynamics from SSCs to RSs. We analysed publicly available microarray datasets (GEO) comprising four biological replicates for RSs and three biological replicates for SSCs. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and mapped onto proteinprotein interaction (PPI) networks, followed by prioritisation of central regulators. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to characterise biological pathways. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for SOX9, n-MYC, VASA, SOX2, and DAZL was conducted to examine spatial and developmental protein expressions across the seminiferous tubules.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A set of 3598 DEGs was identified between SSCs and RSs. This analysis highlighted central genes, <i>Actb, Kras, Pten, Jun, Cdc42,</i> and <i>Gart</i>, that act as central nodes in spermatogenic networks. These genes were associated with pathways that govern cell cycle regulation, chromatin organisation, and signal transduction, consistent with their established roles in germline development. Protein-level localisation confirmed stage-specific expression patterns within the seminiferous tubules. SOX9 localised to Sertoli cells, n-MYC and VASA were activated in differentiating germ cells, DAZL was restricted to early progenitors, and SOX2 appeared only in late-stage subsets.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study used transcriptomic profiling with network analysis and molecular experiments to reveal novel regulatory connections that underlie the SSC-RS transition. These findings provide a systems-level framework for understanding male germline development and may facilitate future research on infertility and reproductive health.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 3","pages":"296-304"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplement on Sperm Parameters and DNA Fragmentation in Couples with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Nayereh Khadem, Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani, Fatemeh Shahabian Moghadam, Sahar Ardalan Khales, Malihe Amiran, Malihe Afiat, Sedighe Rastaghi, Nafiseh Jahanpak, Jamshid Jamali, Malihe Mahmoudinia","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2026.2055979.1855","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2026.2055979.1855","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Previous studies have shown that the level of oxidative stress in individuals with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is significantly higher than in fertile individuals. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has been considered an antioxidant that can improve male fertility. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant effect of ALA on sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in couples with a history of RPL.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 64 couples with a history of RPL, who were referred to the Milad Infertility Center, Mashhad, Iran, between February 2021 and March 2022, initially enrolled. Of these, 40 couples completed the three-month follow-up and were included in the final analysis. The intervention group received ALA and folic acid for three months, while the control group received a placebo and folic acid for the same duration. Baseline sperm parameters, including concentration, motility, and morphology, were assessed alongside the sperm DFI before and three months after the intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (P>0.05). After three months, however, sperm concentration, motility and morphology significantly improved in the intervention group. In contrast, while sperm concentration improved in the control group, no significant changes were observed in sperm motility or morphology. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding sperm parameters before and after the intervention (P>0.05). DFI showed a significant reduction in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>ALA supplementation appears to positively influence sperm parameters and reduce DFI within individuals in couples with a history of RPL. While within-group improvements were noted, between-group differences in sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were not statistically significant. These findings suggest a potential role for antioxidant therapy in the management of male infertility, though further studies are needed to confirm efficacy (registration number: IRCT20181030041503N4).</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 Suppl 1","pages":"58-64"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13458623/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148697380","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":"Impact of A Fertility Diet on Male Reproductive Function: A 12-Week Randomized Clinical Trial in Idiopathic Infertility Patients.","authors":"Elaheh Honarkar-Shafie, Fatemeh Taheri, Elmira Hosseinzadeh, Ahmad Reza Okhovat, Samaneh Sadat Ashrafi Saadat, Razieh Goudarzi, Nasrin Borumandnia, Rahim Tavakkolnia, Marzieh Mehrafza","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2059560.1874","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2059560.1874","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Over the past few decades, a marked decline in human semen quality has been observed, with evidence suggesting that dietary factors may account for 50-60% of this decline. The present randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a fertility diet (FD) on sperm parameters in infertile men.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this randomized clinical trial study, 70 infertile men were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention group, which followed the FD plan, and the control group, which kept a healthy diet (HD) for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, semen analysis, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and sex hormone profiles were assessed before and after the intervention. Dietary intake was monitored throughout the study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared to the HD group, the FD group showed significant improvements in total sperm count (P=0.016), sperm concentration (P=0.003), total motility (P=0.024), progressive motility (P=0.048), and normal morphology (P=0.023). Participants in the FD group showed an increase in the intake of total fat, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber during the intervention (P<0.05). Additionally, the FD group consumed higher amounts of key fertility-related micronutrients including magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, selenium, vitamin C, and lycopene. Notably, a significant reduction in DFI (P=0.010) and MDA (P<0.001) was also observed in the FD group compared to the HD group. No significant differences were found in sex hormone levels or anthropometric parameters between the groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings suggest the potential of a FD to improve sperm parameters and reduce DFI and oxidative stress. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and longer durations are needed to confirm these effects (registration number: IRCT20230514058181N1).</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 Suppl 1","pages":"48-57"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13458881/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148697385","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":"Improved Pregnancy Outcomes with Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Co-Treatment in Recurrent Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial.","authors":"Sepideh Miraj, Ebrahim Cheraghi, Zeynab Yazdanpanah, Somayyeh Safari, Mohammad Ebrahim Ghaffari","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2064484.1894","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2064484.1894","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Despite notable advances in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), pregnancy rates remain suboptimal, and improving endometrial receptivity continues to be a clinical challenge. Emerging evidence suggests that granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) may enhance endometrial implantation. This study aimed to evaluate the combined therapeutic effect of G-CSF and HCG on reproductive outcomes in women with prior unsuccessful intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this randomized clinical trial conducted at Reyhana Infertility Treatment Center (Qom University of Medical Sciences), 150 infertile women aged 20-40 years with ≥2 previous ICSI failures using good-quality embryos were enrolled. After applying exclusion criteria, 120 participants were randomized into either a treatment group (n=60, receiving 300 μg subcutaneous G-CSF and 2,500 IU intramuscular HCG 1 hour before frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET)), or a control group (n=60, receiving no intervention). Hormonal profiles, ovarian stimulation outcomes, implantation rates (IRs), and the primary outcome (clinical pregnancy rate) as well as secondary outcomes (chemical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, and endometrial thickness) were compared between the groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Baseline demographic and hormonal characteristics, including age (P=0.652), BMI (P=0.574), follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH, P=0.051), luteinizing hormone (LH, P=0.421), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH, P=0.229), prolactin (PRL, P=0.154), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, P=0.861), were comparable between the groups. Similarly, ICSI cycle parameters, including the number of previous ICSI cycles (P=0.099), retrieved oocytes (P=0.528), metaphase II oocytes (P=0.323), embryos transferred (P=0.648), embryo quality (P=0.572), and endometrial thickness on the transfer day (P=0.440), did not differ significantly. The treatment group demonstrated significantly higher chemical and clinical pregnancy rates compared with the control group: 53.3% vs. 30.0% (P=0.041) and 48.3% vs. 28.3% (P=0.050), respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Adjunctive administration of G-CSF and HCG significantly improves pregnancy outcomes in women with recurrent ICSI failure, suggesting a promising therapeutic approach for this challenging patient population (Registration number: IRCT20220921056008N2).</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 Suppl 1","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13476782/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148697414","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 Adjuvant Melatonin in Preventing Preeclampsia in Women with Moderate to High-Risk Factor: A Randomised Clinical Trial.","authors":"Mojgan Alishahi, Marzieh Talebian, Masoumeh Abedzadeh-Kalahroudi, Mojtaba Sehat, Javad Amini Mahabadi","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2050615.1808","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2050615.1808","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Preeclampsia is a serious disorder characterised by elevated blood pressure and damage to various maternal organs; it is recognised as one of the leading causes of maternal and foetal mortality. This study aims to evaluate the adjunctive effect of melatonin in preventing preeclampsia in women with moderate to high-risk for this disorder.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This randomised, triple-blind, controlled clinical trial enrolled pregnant women with moderate to high-risk factor for preeclampsia who visited the clinics at Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran. Convenience sampling and randomised block allocation provided a sample size of 70 participants per group. The intervention group received 80 mg of aspirin along with 10 mg of melatonin, while the control group received aspirin with a placebo. Data on demographic, obstetric characteristics, and patient outcomes were recorded in relevant checklists. The data were analysed using SPSS version 17.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures at admission, hospitalisation, or delivery (P>0.05). Aspirin plus melatonin compared to aspirin plus placebo did not result in a statistically significant difference in delivery outcomes (P=0.453). The incidence of preeclampsia also demonstrated no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.357). Additionally, the mean gestational age was not significantly different between the groups (P=0.572). Regarding neonatal outcomes, no significant difference was observed in Apgar scores at one and five minutes (P>0.05). Similarly, there was no significant difference in mean head circumference, length, and birth weight of the newborns between the groups (P>0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although melatonin has shown promising results in laboratory studies, these effects were not significantly observed in pregnant women. Further studies are needed to confirm the effects of melatonin in preventing preeclampsia (registration number: IRCT20230930059563N1).</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"20 Suppl 1","pages":"8-16"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13476783/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148697435","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}