Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics最新文献

{"title":"Congenital anomalies observed in children conceived through assisted reproductive technology-a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Paripoorna Bhat, Vijay Shree Dhyani, Vani Lakshmi, Shubhashree Uppangala, Satish Kumar Adiga, Prashanth Adiga, Pratap Kumar, Aditi Gupta","doi":"10.1007/s10815-025-03454-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10815-025-03454-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Congenital anomalies (CAs) are a leading cause of perinatal and child mortality. With the increasing use of assisted reproductive technology (ART), there is a growing need for research on the health outcomes of children conceived through ART. This systematic review was performed to assess the incidence of CAs in ART-conceived children compared to those conceived naturally. This review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO. A total of 113 studies were included in this meta-analysis, comprising 768,929 children in the ART group and 40,709,337 children in the control group which comprised spontaneously conceived (SC) children. The primary findings indicated that ART-conceived children have a marginally higher risk of CAs compared to the control group. Subgroup analyses showed that children conceived via ICSI, Day 3 transfer, and fresh embryo transfer (ET) had a slightly higher risk of CAs than those conceived via IVF, Day 5 transfer, or frozen embryo transfer (FET). The study highlights a slightly increased incidence of CAs among ART-conceived children over SC children, underscoring the importance of improving ART methods and closely monitoring the health of these children to reduce the risk of CAs.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1547-1565"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167209/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143752937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spindle observation aids decision-making for early rescue ICSI.","authors":"Yang Gao, Jiahong Zhu, Shun Xiong, Jiang Wang, Xiangwei Hao, Haiyuan Liao, Wei Han, Junxia Liu, Guoning Huang","doi":"10.1007/s10815-025-03474-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10815-025-03474-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate whether spindle visualization using polarized light microscopy (PLM) can assist in identifying unfertilized oocytes prior to early rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (R-ICSI).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study included 356 early R-ICSI cycles, of which 24 were excluded from the analysis. The remaining 332 cycles were divided into study group and control group based on whether spindle observation had been performed before early R-ICSI. The fertilization rate, embryo development, and clinical outcome were compared between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 356 participants included, 332 completed follow-up analysis. The study group demonstrated a significantly higher normal fertilization rate (82.55% vs. 71.49%, P < 0.01) and a lower 3PN rate (3.17% vs. 8.89%, P < 0.01) after following R-ICSI. For oocytes without visible spindles in the study group or those with fragmented polar bodies in the control group, in vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed, resulting in a higher normal fertilization rate in the study group (53.37% vs. 36.43%, P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of embryo development and implantation potential. In the high-age subgroup (over 35 years old), the normal cleavage rate was significantly higher in the spindle examination group compared to the non-observation group (38.60% vs. 22.47%, P < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Utilizing PLM for spindle observation can effectively identify oocytes suitable for early R-ICSI to improve fertilization outcomes and optimize embryo development in women over 35 years old.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1625-1633"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167208/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143803394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Regulating human oocyte maturation in vitro: a hypothesis based on oocytes retrieved from small antral follicles during ovarian tissue cryopreservation.","authors":"Jesús Cadenas, Cristina Subiran Adrados, Ajay Kumar, Bhanu Kalra, Linn Salto Mamsen, Claus Yding Andersen","doi":"10.1007/s10815-025-03483-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10815-025-03483-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To characterize the hormonal environment in spent medium and cumulus cell gene expression during human IVM using oocytes from small antral follicles (SAFs) retrieved from surplus medulla tissue after ovarian tissue cryopreservation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Immature oocytes from surplus medulla tissue underwent 42-h IVM in media with varying FSH and LH concentrations (0, 10, 100 IU/L FSH, and 100 IU/L FSH + 100 IU/L LH). Oocyte maturation was assessed by germinal vesicle (GV), metaphase I (MI), or metaphase II (MII) stages. Gene expression of FSHR, LHCGR, AMH, CYP19 A1, and INHA in cumulus cells was analyzed by RT-qPCR, and GDF9, AMH, inhibin-B, inhibin-A, and total inhibin were measured in the spent media by ELISA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Increased FSH concentrations downregulated FSHR expression and upregulated LHCGR, which correlated with MII transition. GDF9 concentrations in the spent medium significantly decreased with higher FSH, as did GDF9, AMH, and inhibin-B in MII oocytes. Inhibin-A levels tended to be higher in the media of MII oocytes. FSHR expression was positively associated with inhibin-B and negatively with inhibin-A, while LHCGR showed the opposite pattern and was also negatively linked to GDF9 concentration.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>FSH-induced LHCGR expression, along with FSHR downregulation, is closely linked to oocyte maturation. Reduced GDF9 secretion from oocytes facilitates LHCGR expression on cumulus cells, while FSH and LH collectively induced hormones like inhibin-A, which likely support oocyte maturation.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1461-1472"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167398/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143992944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Meeting proceedings: International Society for Fertility Preservation Tokyo, 15-17 November, 2024.","authors":"Kentaro Nakamura, Hideyuki Iwahata, Yodo Sugishita, Yuki Suzuki, Natsuki Furuya, Takashi Yoshida, Akari Morita, Arby Jane Rouque Igalada, Mohd Faizal F Ahmad, Yuki Horage-Okutsu, Seido Takae, Pasquale Patrizio, Nao Suzuki","doi":"10.1007/s10815-025-03478-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10815-025-03478-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The 8 th International Congress of the ISFP was held in Tokyo, Japan, from November 15 to 17, 2024. The theme of this year's Congress was \"Rethinking Personalized Fertility Preservation and Cancer Survivors-Opening a New Frontier\". The congress featured special lectures, keynote addresses, and 25 sessions-including a dedicated session on nursing and oral presentations by young doctors and researchers-making it one of the largest and most comprehensive events in the ISFP's history. Additionally, the program incorporated sessions featuring the Japanese, Korean, and Chinese Societies for Fertility Preservation, providing a convenient platform for international participants from across the globe to showcase their work and discuss the unique characteristics and challenges of these areas within Asia. Participants also had the opportunity to attend workshops on ovarian tissue cryopreservation and oocyte cryopreservation, conducted by leaders in their respective fields exploring the latest technological and clinical advances and translational prospects for the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1363-1383"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167192/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144008711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The first comparative study on the effectiveness of slow freezing and vitrification of human ovarian tissue by xenotransplantation model in Vietnam.","authors":"Thi Minh Chau Le, Thi Hanh Dung Tran, Van Phuc Pham, Thanh Long Dang, Khue Tu Duong, Thanh Tan Hua, Thi Ngoc Tuyen Huynh, Thi Hong Nhung Nguyen, Quang Thanh Le, Ba My Nhi Nguyen, Minh Tuan Vo, Phuc Thinh Ong, Nguyen The Nguyen Pham, Christiani Andrade Amorim","doi":"10.1007/s10815-025-03439-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10815-025-03439-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To compare the effectiveness of slow freezing (SF) and vitrification (VT) for ovarian tissue cryopreservation using a xenograft model.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>From September 2020 to August 2023, ovarian tissues from patients aged 18 to 37 undergoing benign ovarian surgery were divided into three groups. Group 1: fresh tissues (FC) were immediately fixed for analysis. Group 2 (SF/VT): tissues were cryopreserved by SF or VT without transplantation. Group 3 (SF-T/VT-T): tissues were cryopreserved using SF or VT, followed by transplantation into NOD-SCID mice for one week, after which the tissues were collected and analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 49 ovarian tissue fragments were analyzed. Regardless of the cryopreservation technique, follicle survival, development, function, and vascularization were significantly reduced compared to the FC group, particularly after transplantation (p < 0.001). The survival rate of follicles in the SF-T group was notably higher (90.9%) than in the VT-T group (82.6%) (p < 0.001). For cell proliferation, indicated by Ki-67 positivity, the SF-T group showed a higher median number of positive follicles (2.5; range: 0-18) compared to the VT-T group (2; range: 0-11) (p = 0.04). Neo-vascularization, assessed via CD31 positivity, was significantly greater in the SF-T group (61%) than in the VT-T group (47%) (p = 0.016). Additionally, the median number of AMH-positive follicles was significantly higher in the SF-T group (3; range: 0-23) compared to the VT-T group (2; range: 0-25) (p = 0.03).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Both SF and VT are feasible methods for ovarian tissue cryopreservation. SF may be the preferred cryopreservation technique for fertility preservation in cases tissue transplantation is anticipated.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1473-1484"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167403/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143542089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preimplantation genetic testing and disorders of placental implantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Isaac J Chamani, Lauren L Taylor, Hailie Ciomperlik, Timothy Dunn, Anna C Reynolds, Beatriz Varman, Karin A Fox, Laura Detti","doi":"10.1007/s10815-025-03441-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10815-025-03441-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate whether embryo biopsy for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) during in vitro fertilization (IVF) increases the risk of disorders related to abnormal placental implantation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic search of Medline, Embase, and Web of Science was performed on February 17, 2023, and identified studies on placental implantation anomalies following PGT in IVF patients. The primary outcome was placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), while secondary outcomes included placental abruption, placenta previa, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), and hypertensive pregnancy disorders. Only peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials, cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies in English were considered. Two reviewers independently screened citations, extracted data, and assessed study quality. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 282 citations retrieved by our search, 8 studies met inclusion criteria. There was no statistically significant difference in PAS risk between groups (aggregated OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.22-2.76, P = 0.70). Amongst secondary outcomes, mean BMI was lower in PGT patients (mean difference - 0.57, 95% CI - 0.98 to - 0.17, P = 0.005), and PPROM rates were higher (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04-1.60, P = 0.02). Other secondary outcomes showed no significant differences.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Embryo biopsy for PGT in IVF was not associated with an increased risk of PAS. However, PGT was more commonly performed in patients with lower BMI, and an elevated risk of PPROM was observed, primarily driven by a single study. Further investigation is needed to clarify this finding and its implications.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1539-1546"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167397/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143624894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fertility preservation through oocyte or embryo vitrification prior to oncological treatment: a 12-year experience.","authors":"Appoline Zimmermann, Jeanne Perrin, Carole Deveze, Jacqueline Saias-Magnan, Catherine Guillemain, Blandine Courbiere","doi":"10.1007/s10815-025-03522-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10815-025-03522-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Fertility preservation in women with cancer represents a major medical challenge at the intersection of oncological and reproductive concerns. With therapeutic advancements, the survival rates of cancer patients have significantly improved, offering the possibility of motherhood. Currently, there is a lack of data on the return of cryopreserved oocytes/embryos and pregnancy outcomes following cancer treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective, single-center, descriptive cohort study, including women who underwent fertility preservation through oocyte or embryo cryopreservation before a medium risk of gonadotoxicity chemotherapy for cancer at our Department of Reproductive Medicine and Oncofertility between January 2012 and May 2024.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 327 women were included, with 318 cases of oocyte cryopreservation and nine embryo cryopreservation. The average follow-up duration was 5.1 ± 2.7 years. Among the 49 women who expressed a desire for pregnancy post-cancer treatment, 65.3% of them (n = 32/49) reported at least one live birth. Of the 35 live births recorded, 80% (n = 28/35) resulted from spontaneous pregnancies, five were achieved after thawing vitrified oocytes (11.4%), and three after oocyte donation (8.6%). The return rate of cryopreserved oocytes was 6.92% (22/318), with a live birth rate per woman of 22.7% (5/22) following oocyte warming.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although fertility preservation (FP) must be proposed systematically in age-reproductive women facing cancer with a medium risk of gonadotoxicity chemotherapy, physicians must be aware of the low rate of oocyte return and the potential for spontaneous pregnancies despite a post-cancer diminished ovarian reserve. Fertility consultations should also be better integrated into oncologic post-treatment care.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1453-1459"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167409/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144187102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"m6A RNA methylation dynamics during in vitro maturation of cumulus-oocyte complexes derived from adult or prepubertal sheep.","authors":"Chiara Cosseddu, Sara Succu, Adele Frau, Francesca Mossa, Sylvia Virginie Versace, Tiziana A L Brevini, Sergio Ledda, Daniela Bebbere","doi":"10.1007/s10815-025-03444-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10815-025-03444-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent base epigenetic modification within eukaryotic mRNAs. It participates in post-transcriptional regulation, including maternal RNA maintenance and decay in mouse oocytes and during maternal-to-zygotic transition. The landscape in other mammalian species remains largely unexplored. The present work analyzed m6A dynamics in sheep cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs), during in vitro maturation. To explore potential relationships with oocyte developmental competence, a previously established model consisting of oocytes derived from adult and prepubertal sheep was adopted.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>m6a dynamics were analyzed in terms of m6A RNA methylation abundance in cumulus cells (CCs) by colorimetric assay and expression of key m6A methylation-related proteins (METTL3, METTL14, METTL16, VIRMA, YTHDC1, YTHDC2, YTHDF2, YTHDF3, ALKBH5, and FTO) in both cumulus cells and oocytes by real-time PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We report the dynamics of m6A in sheep COCs, and reveal alterations in both oocytes and cumulus cells derived from prepubertal donors. These changes were observed in terms of m6A RNA methylation levels and transcript dynamics of several m6A methylation-related proteins. Notably, our study shows that dysregulations occur after IVM.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Overall, this work describes for the first time the dynamics of m6A in sheep COCs and uncovers the involvement of m6A RNA methylation in oocyte developmental potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1613-1624"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167201/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143648608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Incidence of cross-border reproductive care and pregnancy outcomes: a retrospective evaluation of IVF conceptions.","authors":"Suset Rodriguez, Kyara Marquez, Gemma St Louis, Arianna Vazquez, Leonardo Simonelli, Kara Lindsay, Janice Moscoso, George Roshdy Attia","doi":"10.1007/s10815-025-03449-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10815-025-03449-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of cross-border reproductive care (CBRC) and maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), comparing outcomes between pregnancies conceived domestically and through CBRC.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective chart review was conducted on 4475 deliveries at a tertiary public hospital from February 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024. Maternal demographics, medical history, delivery outcomes, and complications were compared using statistical tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among all deliveries, 95 were conceived via IVF. Among the IVF pregnancies, 23 (24.2%) were conceived through CBRC. While CBRC patients were older on average (40.3 vs. 37.8 years), this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.07). The incidence of hypertensive disorders was significantly higher in CBRC pregnancies compared to domestic IVF pregnancies (69.6% vs. 37.7%, p = 0.01). Trends toward increased rates of postpartum hemorrhage (17.4% vs. 5.8%) and multiple gestations (26.1% vs. 11.6%) were also observed in the CBRC group, although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Neonatal outcomes, including rates of preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, and respiratory distress syndrome, were similar between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study highlights a significantly higher percentage of hypertensive disorders among CBRC pregnancies, while other maternal and neonatal outcomes were comparable to domestic IVF pregnancies. These findings underscore the need for further research with larger sample sizes and survey-based studies to better understand patient motivations and clinical risks associated with CBRC.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1671-1677"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167417/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143677009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fertility preservation in female cancer patients: assessing awareness, attitudes, concerns, experiences, and the role of counseling in quality of life.","authors":"Eman Sbaity, Nagham Ramadan, Ali Slim, Tasnim Diab, Houry Kazarian, Ali Tarhini, Maya Charafeddine, Ghina Ghazeeri, Ali Bazarbachi, Jean El Cheikh, Nagi S El Saghir, Hazem I Assi","doi":"10.1007/s10815-025-03461-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10815-025-03461-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cancer poses significant fertility challenges for women of childbearing age, yet the adoption of fertility preservation (FP) measures remains limited. This study aimed to explore patients' understanding, attitudes, concerns, psychological well-being, and factors influencing their decisions regarding FP during treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective cohort study involved women aged 18 to 42 diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer or lymphoma, treated at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. Patients completed questionnaires at intervals over a 2- to 3-year period following diagnosis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 123 women studied, 71.5% were married, and 13.5% had no children. Although 87.8% were informed about the fertility risks of their treatment, only 45.4% expressed a desire for FP. Multivariable analysis revealed that parity was significantly associated with fertility concerns (p = 0.019). Decisions favoring FP were significantly influenced by younger age at diagnosis, lower parity, and higher education levels (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.036, respectively). While 56% of patients received FP counseling-mostly from oncologists (83%)-the preference for FP methods varied, with 47% choosing medical approaches and 53% opting for procedural interventions. Despite recognizing the importance of FP, 91% reported that it did not significantly influence their treatment choices. Patients showed greater satisfaction when oncologists discussed fertility-related topics (p < 0.001). Over time, overall FertiQoL scores and DASS-42 scores indicated improved psychological well-being.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study highlights the complexities of FP decisions among cancer survivors, emphasizing the need for proper counseling to support their quality of life and psychological well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":15246,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1401-1414"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167191/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143752942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}