International Journal of Fertility & Sterility最新文献

{"title":"Protective Effect of Lycopene on Ifosfamide-Induced Mitophagy through <i>Pink, Parkin,</i> and <i>LC3-I/II</i> Pathway in Testicular Tissue.","authors":"Ali Thoulfikar A Imeer, Moona Roshanfekr Rad, Sara Abedi","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2036627.1740","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2036627.1740","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ifosfamide (IFO) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent that exerts cytotoxic effects through various mechanisms, including the induction of apoptosis and oxidative stress. However, its use is associated with detrimental effects on male reproductive health, including mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress-induced damage. Mitophagy, a selective autophagic process, plays a crucial role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis during spermatogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effect of lycopene against IFO-induced mitophagy in testicular tissue. We evaluated the expression levels of key mitophagy regulators Pink1, Parkin, and LC3-I/ II in testicular tissue of rats treated with IFO alone or in combination with lycopene.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this experimental study, 24 mature male Wistar rats (250 g ± 25) were divided into control (received normal saline), IFO-sole (received 250 mg/kg, single dose, ip), lycopene (25 mg/kg, orally), and IFO+lycopene groups. Following 60 days, the rats were euthanized and the testicles were dissected out. The expression levels of <i>Pink1, Parkin,</i> and <i>LC3-I/II</i> were evaluated using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our findings demonstrated that IFO significantly upregulated <i>Pink1, Parkin,</i>, and <i>LC3-I/II</i> expression at both mRNA and protein levels compared to controls. Conversely, lycopene administration mitigated these increases induced by IFO, suggesting its potential to attenuate IFO-induced mitophagy. Immunohistochemistry analysis confirmed the protective effect of lycopene, showing reduced expression levels of <i>Pink1, Parkin,</i>, and <i>LC3-I/II</i> in the presence of lycopene following IFO treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results underscore lycopene's role as a potent protective agent that can mitigate IFO-induced mitophagy in testicular tissue. Further research into the underlying mechanisms of lycopene's protective effects will be crucial for developing therapeutic strategies to preserve male fertility during IFO treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"19 3","pages":"319-325"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12207095/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144540155","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":"Drug Repurposing for Targeting ISL LIM Homeobox 2 in Treatment of Endometriosis: A Computational Study.","authors":"Soodeh Mahdian, Raha Favaedi, Gelareh Mikaeeli, Ashraf Moini, Maryam Shahhoseini","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2009299.1516","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2025.2009299.1516","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Endometriosis is a prevalent women's health disorder that lacks a definitive cure. Numerous studies have been conducted to identify the underlying causes of this disease and select the most effective pharmaceutical intervention. ISL LIM homeobox 2 (ISL2) plays a significant role in promoting angiogenesis. Contemporary investigations strongly suggest that inhibiting angiogenesis could lead to the modulation of endometriosis and reduce associated symptoms. This study aims to repurpose drugs to target ISL2 for endometriosis treatment.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this computational study, we sought to confirm that ISL2 is an appropriate target for this study by evaluating its expression in the endometrial tissues of patients diagnosed with endometriosis, as well as in tissues from a control group of healthy women. Subsequently, we used computational techniques to select the best inhibitor for ISL2 from among select food and drug administration (FDA)-approved drugs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was a significant increase <i>ISL2</i> gene expression in the tissues of women with endometriosis. Therefore, we selected the ISL2 protein as a target for drug repurposing. Initial docking results revealed that, out of 2471 FDAapproved drugs, six (Dactinomycin, Paritaprevir, Ivermectin, Ergotamine, Alectinib, and Simeprevir) exhibited the most favourable binding energy (ΔG ≤-8 kcal/mol) with ISL2. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of these six complexes showed that Ivermectin displayed the lowest root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) and root mean square deviation (RMSD), as well as the highest count of hydrogen bonds and number of contacts, which indicated a more stable formation of this complex with ISL2.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although these six drugs appear to be promising candidates for modulating endometriosis, Ivermectin is more likely to effectively inhibit ISL2.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"19 3","pages":"277-283"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12207329/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144540150","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":"Investigation of The Placental Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B and Selenoprotein P and Their Relation with Birth Weight in Patients with Pre-eclampsia: A Case-Control Study.","authors":"Hadi Eslahi, Mohsen Saravani, Mansour Shahraki, Abolfazl Payandeh, Mahnaz Rezaei, Marzieh Ghasemi, Saeedeh Salimi, Mahjob Sargazi-Taghazi","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2030292.1698","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2030292.1698","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pre-eclampsia is a serious medical condition characterised by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage that is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight. Selenoprotein P (SELENOP) and vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) are antioxidants that can improve the condition of this disease. This study aims to investigate the placental levels of SELENOP and VEGF-B, and their association with birth weight in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia compared to healthy pregnant women.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This case-control study enrolled 30 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia as the case group and 30 healthy pregnant women as the control group. Demographic information and anthropometric indices were collected and recorded in forms. Placental levels of SELENOP and VEGF-B were assessed by a commercial human kit and based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). P<0.05 indicated statistical significance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean placental level of VEGF-B in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia was lower than the healthy group (P=0.001) as was the mean placental level of SELENOP compared to the healthy group (P=0.048). No significant correlation existed between placental levels of SELENOP (r=0.253, P=0.051) and VEGF-B (r=0.671, P=0.056) with birth weight.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings showed that pregnant women with pre-eclampsia had lower levels of VEGF-B and SELENOP compared to healthy pregnant women. The findings may assist with pre-eclampsia diagnosis, management, and prediction, and benefit mothers and babies.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"19 2","pages":"246-250"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11976889/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143811446","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 Genetic Variations in The PIK3-AKT-mTOR Pathway with Endometriosis Susceptibility: A Preliminary Case-Control Study.","authors":"Rahele Ghasemian Moghadam, Forough Forghani, Danial Jahantigh, Saeedeh Ghazaey Zidanloo, Mahnaz Rezaei, Mohsen Taheri","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2015384.1567","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2015384.1567","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Endometriosis is a complex, heterogeneous disease with several genetic and non-genetic pathogenic factors. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway may influence both progression and different stages of endometriosis. This study aims to investigate the effects of the <i>PIK3CA, AKT1,</i> and <i>mTOR</i> single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with endometriosis risk in an Iranian cohort.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this case-control study, samples from 127 patients and 125 controls were examined using allelespecific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The <i>PIK3CA</i> rs2230461 and AKT1 rs1130233 had a more than 2.5-fold significant increase in disease risk in a homozygous mutation [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.119 -5.985; 95% CI: 1.093-7.535, respectively]. However, the risk was reduced by half or less than half in carriers of the mutant alleles for <i>mTOR</i> rs2295080 (95% CI: 0.108- 0.927, P=0.036). We confirmed that moderate/severe endometriosis was approximately five times more common in patients with the <i>PIK3CA</i> mutant genotype [odds ratio (OR): 4.800, 95% CI: 2.171-10.611, P<0.001], and over two times more frequent in patients with the <i>AKT1</i> mutant variant (OR: 2.674, 95% CI: 1.261-5.670, P=0.010). The mutant allele for <i>mTOR</i> rs2295080 was more frequent in patients with stages I and II endometriosis (P=0.022).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results show that <i>PIK3CA</i> rs2230461 and <i>AKT1</i> rs1130233 SNPs are risk factors for endometriosis and the <i>mTOR</i> rs2295080 gene polymorphism is a protective factor for the development of endometriosis in an Iranian cohort. The <i>PIK3CA</i> rs2230461, <i>AKT1</i> rs1130233, and <i>mTOR</i> rs2295080 gene polymorphisms should be further investigated as potential candidate SNPs for predicting endometriosis susceptibility.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"19 2","pages":"164-171"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11976888/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143811433","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":"Curcumin Improved The Sperm Motility of Oligo-Asthenoteratozoospermia Patients during Cryopreservation by Regulating Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathway Genes and Improving The Antioxidant Capacity of Cells.","authors":"Farnoush Naseri, Seyed Abdolhamid Angaji, Elham Siasy, Maryam Peyvandi","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2026074.1664","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2026074.1664","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Oligo-asthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) is one of the causes of male subinfertility, and one of the treatment solutions is sperm cryopreservation. However, during the freezing-thawing process, sperm parameters decrease. It is important to find compounds that can prevent the reduction of sperm parameters. The aim of this study is to reduce male infertility through sperm preservation.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this experimental study, thirty OAT patients meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for the current research. Initially, the patients were studied by karyotyping, and all of them were normal 46 XY. After that, sperm samples were taken from them. Sperm parameters such as viability, concentration, motility and percentage of abnormal morphology were determined before cryopreservation. Then, the samples were divided into four aliquots and placed in cryopreservation medium supplemented with different concentrations of curcumin (0, 15, 20, and 25 μM). These samples were placed in a nitrogen tank. After 7 days, the samples were thawed, and sperm parameters were measured. In the next step, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured by kits. Finally, after RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the expression levels of the BAD, B-cell lymphoma-extra large (BCL-XL) and microRNA-21 (MIR-21) genes were investigated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Curcumin (20 μM) conserved OAT sperm motility after the freezing-thawing process. Additionally, this concentration of curcumin decreased MDA and improved SOD and GPx activities in cryopreserved sperm. The results of gene expression analysis showed downregulation of BAD and overexpression of both BCL-XL and MIR-21 in 20 μM curcumin-treated sperm after the freezing-thawing process.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>It can be concluded that adding appropriate antioxidants to the sperm freezing medium can greatly reduce the destructive effects of oxidative stress and improve sperm motility.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"19 2","pages":"144-150"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11976887/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143811435","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":"Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Sodium Tungstate (OXO-001) in Healthy Female Volunteers of Childbearing Age: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Dose-Finding, and Placebo-Controlled Phase I Study.","authors":"Agnes Arbat, Ignasi Canals, Jimena Coimbra, Pol Molina-Perelló, Marta Llorens, Rosa Torres, Josep Perello, Marta Moral-Blanch, Rosa María Antonijoan, Joaquim Calaf","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2013704.1554","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2013704.1554","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Phase I study to assess the effects of single oral doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/day of sodium tungstate (OXO-001) in healthy women of childbearing age.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A randomized, double-blind, dose-finding, and placebo-controlled phase I study was conducted in healthy weight (body mass index [BMI] 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI 25 to ≥30 kg/m2) volunteers who received OXO-001 or placebo during a menstrual cycle (maximum 28 days). Data recorded were adverse events (AEs), vital signs, electrocardiogram (ECG), laboratory tests, pharmacokinetics (PK) parameters, and transvaginal ultrasound.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty women were included in the safety analysis, and 29 completed the study. Thirty-eight treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported by 20 participants (15 in the OXO-001 group and 5 in the placebo group). TEAEs were related to OXO-001 administration in 13.2, 10.5, and 15.8% of cases of the 100, 200, and 300 mg doses, respectively. None of the participants discontinued the study, and no serious AEs or deaths were recorded. Differences in TEAEs by BMI were not found. The PK profile showed a fast absorption rate and proportional increases of OXO-001 plasma concentration to increasing doses, suggesting linear PK, with higher concentrations in BMI <25 kg/m2 group higher than in the ≥25 kg/m2 group. There were no relevant changes in vital signs, ECG, ovarian follicle development, endometrial morphology, and laboratory tests before and after the administration of OXO-001 or placebo.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The administration of OXO-001 in volunteers of childbearing age was safe and well tolerated, with consistent PK linear profile within doses studied and without detrimental effect on endometrium or ovary-related variables, with similar effects in healthy weight and overweight participants. The maximum studied dose (300 mg/ day) was safe and well tolerated. These data are sufficient to support further clinical trials (registration number: 2016-001276-30).</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"19 2","pages":"177-185"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11976879/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143811456","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":"Dynamic Regulation of CYP19A1 Promoter Region under Control of CREB Family Members in Endometrial Tissues of Women with Endometriosis: A Case-Control Study.","authors":"Shadi Kalantari, Ameneh Saadat Varnosfaderani, Fariba Ramezanali, Elham Amirchaghmaghi, Maryam Shahhoseini","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2026438.1659","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2026438.1659","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease. Cytochrome P450 aromatase which encoded by CYP19A1 is a key enzyme in the pathway of estrogen biosynthesis. cAMP response element (CRE) binding protein (CREB) and cAMP response element modulator (CREM), two members of the CREB family have important roles in the regulation of steroidogenic gene expression. CREB and CREM form homo and heterodimers for binding to the CRE sequence in the promoter of the <i>CYP19A1</i> gene and regulate its expression. CREB regulated transcription coactivator 2 (CRTC2) is a CREB coactivator and regulates aromatase gene expression via binding to the CREB. Inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) is one of <i>CREM</i> inhibitory isoforms that represses cAMP-induced transcription. Therefore, in this study, we decided to examine the expression levels of <i>CREB, CREM,</i> and <i>CRTC2</i> genes and also the binding of ICER to the promoter II of the aromatase gene in endometriosis.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this case-control study, ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues of women with endometriosis and endometrial control samples were collected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used for quantitative gene expression of <i>CREB, CREM,</i> and <i>CRTC2</i>. For protein-DNA interaction analysis, soluble chromatin was extracted, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) coupled with real-time PCR was performed to quantify the binding of ICER to <i>CYP19A1</i> promoter II.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Gene expression levels of <i>CREB, CREM,</i> and <i>CRTC2</i> were significantly increased in ectopic lesions compared with control endometrial samples. In addition, the binding of ICER to CYP19A1 promoter II was significantly decreased in ectopic and eutopic samples compared to the controls.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The overexpression of <i>CREB, CREM,</i> and <i>CRTC2</i> in the endometriotic tissue samples and decreased binding of ICER to the <i>CYP19A1</i> prompter II in ectopic and eutopic samples may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis via their regulatory role in the expression of estrogen biosynthesis enzymes.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"19 2","pages":"151-156"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11976882/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143811439","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":"Efficacy of Hyoscine N-butyl Bromide on Cervical Dilatation Prior to Hysteroscopy Procedure: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Maryam Sadat Hosseini, Farah Farzaneh, Hanieh Najafiarab, Saba Bazzazi","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2028815.1687","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2028815.1687","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Due to the high prevalence of intrauterine pathologies, postmenopausal women are more eligible for hysteroscopy procedure. Cervical dilatation is always a major challenge for performing hysteroscopy. The present study aimed to determine the efficacy of vaginal Hyoscine N-butylbromide (HBB) on cervical dilatation prior to hysteroscopy in postmenopausal women.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted on postmenopausal women who were scheduled for hysteroscopy. Eligible patients were randomly assigned with a ratio of 1:1 to the intervention (received 20 mg HBB vaginally two hours prior to hysteroscopy) and control (did not receive HBB) groups. As the study outcomes, pre-hysteroscopy cervical dilatation (based on the passage of the dilator number 4 through the cervical canal) and the adverse event consequences were compared between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 128 postmenopausal women who were eligible for hysteroscopy were included in the study, with 64 individuals in each group. The percentage of cervical dilatation in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (100 vs. 70.3%, P<0.001). Furthermore, none of the adverse event consequences differed significantly between the intervention and control groups: bleeding (3.1 vs. 3.1%, P>0.999), nausea and vomiting (4.7 vs. 0%, P=0.244), dry mouth (3.1 vs. 0%, P=0.496), dizziness (0 vs. 0%), and headache (0 vs. 0%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Based on the findings, vaginal HBB is effective without any significant side effects in cervical dilation of postmenopausal women (registration number: IRCT20220822055772N1).</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"19 2","pages":"172-176"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11976894/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143811442","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":"Investigating The Rate of Pregnancy Success after Endometriosis Surgery in Infertile Patients with Advanced Endometriosis: A Retrospective Study.","authors":"Zahra Asgari, Nasrin Hjiloo, Reihaneh Hosseini, Ashraf Moini, Zahra Valian, Samira Mirzaei, Nahid Rezaei Aliabadi, Lida Garrosi","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2023666.1631","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.2023666.1631","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aims to determine the effect of laparoscopic surgery for advanced endometriosis on spontaneous pregnancy rates and assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) in patients with endometriosis.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This retrospective study included 74 reproductive-aged patients who were diagnosed with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), desired to conceive, and underwent resection surgery at the Arash Women's Hospital, Tehran, Iran between March 2017 and March 2021. Patients with any plausible infertility factors or abnormalities in their partner's semen analysis were excluded. At least 6 months after surgery, the patients were contacted by phone to evaluate the success rate of pregnancy in patients and by which approach they were convinced, i.e., naturally, ovulation induction, or using ARTs. Besides, the impact of patients's factors on pregnancy success was evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>During 3 years after surgery, 37 patients (50%) became pregnant. Out of the 37 pregnancies, 16 patients (43.2%) conceived spontaneously, while 21 patients (56.8%) used ARTs. The mean age of women who became pregnant was significantly lower than those who did not conceive. These two groups do not show any significant differences in terms of endometriosis stage, the maximum size of the cyst, DIE nodule type, and the number and anatomical places of nodules. Additionally, patients who benefit from ART are more likely to have adenomyosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>DIE surgery is associated with a considerable fertility rate. It is also important to note that patient age plays a significant role in the pregnancy rate of this population. Further randomized clinical trials are required to validate the obtained results.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"19 2","pages":"241-245"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11976877/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143811444","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":"Altered Expression of Interleukin-6, Glycodelin A and Heparin-Binding Epidermal Growth Factor, in The Endometrium of Women with Hydrosalpinx: A Case-Control Study.","authors":"Nasibeh Shamlou, Fatemeh Zafarani, Reza Aflatoonian, Samaneh Aghajanpour, Maryam Lotfi, Zahra Zolfaghari, Zahra Chekini, Firouzeh Ghaffari, Faranak Kazerouni","doi":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.1996107.1447","DOIUrl":"10.22074/ijfs.2024.1996107.1447","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hydrosalpinx is a recognized condition affecting the fallopian tubes, which decreases the embryo implantation rate and success in <i>in vitro</i> fertilization (IVF) outcomes. It can manifest detrimental effects through inflammatory conditions in the uterine endometrium that may lead to alterations in the expression of transcription factors and cytokines such as; Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Glycodelin A (GdA), and Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) involved in endometrial receptivity (ER) and embryo implantation. The alterations of these markers in the endometrium of patients with hydrosalpinx have not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the mRNA expression level of <i>IL-6, HB-EGF,</i> and <i>GdA</i> in the endometrium of women exposed to hydrosalpinx fluid (HF) compared to the fertile group.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this case-control study, 30 subjects were enrolled for this study: fifteen patients with communicating hydrosalpinx (aged between 20-37 years old) were compared with 15 fertile aged-matched egg donor women as the control group. All subjects underwent uterine endometrial sampling by Pipple on days 19-24 of the menstrual cycle. Gene expression was quantitatively analyzed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Data analysis was conducted using the Wilcoxon rank test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mRNA expression level of <i>IL-6</i> showed a significant increase in patients with hydrosalpinx compared to the control group (P=0.022). <i>HB-EGF</i> gene expression was significantly reduced in the hydrosalpinx group compared to fertile women (P=0.007). There was an insignificant decrease in GdA mRNA expression level compared to healthy fertile controls (P=0.419).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The presence of hydrosalpinx led to an alteration in the expression of endometrial <i>IL-6, HB-EGF,</i> and <i>GdA</i> mRNA levels in the implantation window, which may explain the reduced implantation rate and success in IVF outcome.</p>","PeriodicalId":14080,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Fertility & Sterility","volume":"19 2","pages":"157-163"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11976892/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143811418","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}