Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology最新文献

{"title":"Application of a methodological framework for the development and multicenter validation of reliable artificial intelligence in embryo evaluation.","authors":"D Gilboa, Akhil Garg, M Shapiro, M Meseguer, Y Amar, N Lustgarten, N Desai, T Shavit, V Silva, A Papatheodorou, A Chatziparasidou, S Angras, J H Lee, L Thiel, C L Curchoe, Y Tauber, D S Seidman","doi":"10.1186/s12958-025-01351-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12958-025-01351-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Artificial intelligence (AI) models analyzing embryo time-lapse images have been developed to predict the likelihood of pregnancy following in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, limited research exists on methods ensuring AI consistency and reliability in clinical settings during its development and validation process. We present a methodology for developing and validating an AI model across multiple datasets to demonstrate reliable performance in evaluating blastocyst-stage embryos.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This multicenter analysis utilizes time-lapse images, pregnancy outcomes, and morphologic annotations from embryos collected at 10 IVF clinics across 9 countries between 2018 and 2022. The four-step methodology for developing and evaluating the AI model include: (I) curating annotated datasets that represent the intended clinical use case; (II) developing and optimizing the AI model; (III) evaluating the AI's performance by assessing its discriminative power and associations with pregnancy probability across variable data; and (IV) ensuring interpretability and explainability by correlating AI scores with relevant morphologic features of embryo quality. Three datasets were used: the training and validation dataset (n = 16,935 embryos), the blind test dataset (n = 1,708 embryos; 3 clinics), and the independent dataset (n = 7,445 embryos; 7 clinics) derived from previously unseen clinic cohorts.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The AI was designed as a deep learning classifier ranking embryos by score according to their likelihood of clinical pregnancy. Higher AI score brackets were associated with increased fetal heartbeat (FH) likelihood across all evaluated datasets, showing a trend of increasing odds ratios (OR). The highest OR was observed in the top G4 bracket (test dataset G4 score ≥ 7.5: OR 3.84; independent dataset G4 score ≥ 7.5: OR 4.01), while the lowest was in the G1 bracket (test dataset G1 score < 4.0: OR 0.40; independent dataset G1 score < 4.0: OR 0.45). AI score brackets G2, G3, and G4 displayed OR values above 1.0 (P < 0.05), indicating linear associations with FH likelihood. Average AI scores were consistently higher for FH-positive than for FH-negative embryos within each age subgroup. Positive correlations were also observed between AI scores and key morphologic parameters used to predict embryo quality.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Strong AI performance across multiple datasets demonstrates the value of our four-step methodology in developing and validating the AI as a reliable adjunct to embryo evaluation.</p>","PeriodicalId":21011,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology","volume":"23 1","pages":"16"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11783712/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143075334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High anti-Müllerian hormone level as a predictor of poor pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Fei Zhao, Duo Wen, Lin Zeng, Ruiqi Wang, Dingran Wang, Huiyu Xu, Rong Li, Hongbin Chi","doi":"10.1186/s12958-025-01347-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12958-025-01347-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To study the correlation between anti-Müllerian hormone levels and pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, which remains controversial.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study recruited 4,719 women with infertility and polycystic ovary syndrome aged 20-40 years who underwent treatment at the Reproductive Center of Peking University Third Hospital between February 2017 and June 2023. We divided the participants into three groups according to the 25th and 75th percentile cutoffs of serum anti-Müllerian hormone: low (≤ 4.98 ng/mL, n = 1,198), average (4.98 - 10.65 ng/mL, n = 2,346), and high (≥ 10.65 ng/mL, n = 1,175). Pregnancy outcomes included live birth rate, miscarriage rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and cumulative live birth rate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The live birth rate for fresh embryo transfer was 39.8%, 35.9%, and 30.4% in the low, average, and high anti-Müllerian hormone groups, respectively. The miscarriage rate was 11.3%, 17.1%, and 21.8% in the low, average, and high anti-Müllerian hormone groups, respectively. Significant intergroup differences were observed in the live birth rate (P = 0.017) and miscarriage rate (P = 0.018). No significant intergroup difference was observed in the clinical pregnancy rate (P = 0.204) or cumulative live birth rate (P = 0.423). After adjusting the confounders by multivariable logistic regression analysis, anti-Müllerian hormone was associated with decreased live birth rate in the high anti-Müllerian hormone group compared with that in the low anti-Müllerian hormone group (odds ratio: 0.629, 95% confidence interval: 0.460-0.860). Anti-Müllerian hormone was associated with increased miscarriage rate in the average and high anti-Müllerian hormone groups compared with that in the low anti-Müllerian hormone group (average vs. low: odds ratio: 1.592, 95% confidence interval: 1.017-2.490); high vs. low: odds ratio: 2.045, 95% confidence interval: 1.152-3.633).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>High anti-Müllerian hormone is a prognostic factor for reduced live birth rate after fresh embryo transfer in women with polycystic ovary syndrome aged 20-40 years undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and is associated with increased miscarriage rate in these patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":21011,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology","volume":"23 1","pages":"15"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11773973/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143059681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biochanin a modulates steroidogenesis and cellular metabolism in human granulosa cells through TAS2Rs activation: a spotlight on ovarian function.","authors":"Francesca Paola Luongo, Sofia Passaponti, Alesandro Haxhiu, Irene Ortega Baño, Rosetta Ponchia, Giuseppe Morgante, Paola Piomboni, Alice Luddi","doi":"10.1186/s12958-025-01344-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12958-025-01344-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with the endocrine system and negatively impact reproductive health. Biochanin A (BCA), an isoflavone with anti-inflammatory and estrogen-like properties, has been identified as one such EDC. This study investigates the effects of BCA on transcription, metabolism, and hormone regulation in primary human granulosa cells (GCs), with a specific focus on the activation of bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Primary human GCs from 60 participants were treated with 10 µM BCA, and selective antagonists were used to block TAS2R activation. The study assessed the expression of TAS2R14 and TAS2R43, and analyzed the impact on StAR and CYP17A1 gene expression. Intracellular calcium levels, lipid droplet size, and mitochondrial network complexity were measured to evaluate cellular metabolism and energy dynamics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>BCA treatment significantly upregulated TAS2R14 and TAS2R43 expression, leading to a 70% increase in StAR mRNA levels and a twofold increase in CYP17A1 expression (p < 0.05). These effects were reversed by TAS2R antagonists. Additionally, BCA treatment decreased intracellular Ca²⁺ levels (p < 0.01) and reduced lipid droplet size (p < 0.001), both of which were counteracted by antagonists. Enhanced mitochondrial network complexity (p < 0.001) was also observed, suggesting increased mitochondrial fusion and improved cellular energy dynamics.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings indicate that BCA modulates transcriptional and metabolic processes in GCs through the activation of TAS2Rs, highlighting their role in endocrine regulation. The statistically significant results emphasize the relevance of further exploring the effects of EDCs like BCA on reproductive health. Collaborative research efforts are essential to address and mitigate the adverse impacts of EDCs on fertility.</p>","PeriodicalId":21011,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology","volume":"23 1","pages":"13"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11762455/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143041547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sperm DNA fragmentation index: limited effectiveness on predicting embryo quality in assisted reproduction technology treatments.","authors":"Huan Jiang, Xiaolu Xia, Ying Luo, Haiyan Pan, Shihao Qu, Jianying Xu","doi":"10.1186/s12958-025-01345-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12958-025-01345-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Prior sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) thresholds for diagnosing male infertility and predicting assisted reproduction technology (ART) outcomes fluctuated between 15 and 30%, with no agreed standard. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the sperm DFI on early embryonic development during ART treatments and establish appropriate DFI cut-off values.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Retrospectively analyzed 913 couple's ART cycles from 2021 to 2022, encompassing 1,476 IVF and 295 ICSI cycles, following strict criteria. The WHO guidelines directed the semen analysis, while the acridine orange test (AOT) determined the DFI. Male factors (age, BMI, DFI, infertility duration, sperm parameters) and female parameters (age, BMI, AMH, retrieved oocytes) were evaluated. We also assessed embryological parameters like fertilization rate, cleavage rate, and blastocyst quality. Correlations between DFI and embryo quality were examined and DFI cut-off values were established using ROC analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Sperm DFI demonstrated a positive correlation with male age and a negative correlation with sperm motility, concentration, and normal morphology, while showing no relation to BMI. No connection between DFI and embryological parameters in only IVF and ICSI groups was found, but a negative correlation with fertilization rate was seen in all ART cycles. ROC curve analysis revealed a DFI cut-off value of 21.15% having 36.7% sensitivity and 28.9% specificity in predicting high fertilization rate (≥ 80%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Sperm DFI had a negative correlation with fertilization rate, but limited predictive efficacy and no significant link to other embryological parameters. DFI assessments may improve early embryo development prediction during ART treatments, particularly in older males or those exhibiting poor sperm quality.</p>","PeriodicalId":21011,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology","volume":"23 1","pages":"14"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11763148/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143041550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Triggering final follicular maturation for IVF cycles.","authors":"Raoul Orvieto","doi":"10.1186/s12958-024-01332-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12958-024-01332-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As part of a conventional controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) regimen, final follicular maturation is usually triggered by a single bolus dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). COH, which combines GnRH antagonist co-treatment with GnRH agonist(GnRHa) trigger, is often used in attempts to eliminate severe early ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and to improve oocyte/embryo yield and quality. Recently, the combination of GnRHa, with hCG trigger has also been implemented into clinical practice. Here, we analyze and discuss published studies on various ways of triggering final follicular maturation, seeking to elucidate the appropriateness of each approach for specific patient subgroups.</p>","PeriodicalId":21011,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology","volume":"23 Suppl 1","pages":"12"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11755857/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143024458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Obesity and recurrent spontaneous abortion: the crucial role of weight management in pregnancy.","authors":"Rui-Qi Wang, Zhi-Min Deng, Gan-Tao Chen, Fang-Fang Dai, Liang-Bin Xia","doi":"10.1186/s12958-024-01326-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12958-024-01326-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), characterized by the loss of two or more pregnancies, impacts approximately 1-2% of couples and poses a significant challenge for individuals of childbearing age. The precise mechanisms underlying RSA remain incompletely understood. Concurrently, the global prevalence of obesity is on the rise, with obesity being closely associated with female reproductive disorders and infertility. This study initially examines the pathways through which obesity contributes to RSA, encompassing factors such as embryonic euploid miscarriage, endometrial development, immune function, among others. Furthermore, adipokines and the fat mass and obesity-related (FTO) are identified as potential contributors to RSA. The study also explores the enhancement of pregnancy outcomes through various weight management strategies, with a particular focus on the roles of dietary interventions, physical activity, and weight control during pregnancy. Obesity is closely related to RSA in multiple aspects. Additional clinical prospective and experimental studies are required to explore its precise pathogenesis. Through this review, we aim to provide strategies for improvement and treatment approaches for RSA related to obesity. Through this review, we suggest potential clinical management strategies and research avenues aimed at offering enhancements and therapeutic insights for miscarriages linked to obesity and its associated risk factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":21011,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology","volume":"23 1","pages":"10"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11752768/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143024456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A cycle-based model to predict no usable blastocyst formation following cycles of in vitro fertilization in patients with normal ovarian reserve.","authors":"Xue Wang, Chen-Yue Dong, Cui-Lian Zhang, Shao-di Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s12958-024-01327-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12958-024-01327-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to develop a predictive model for the risk of no usable blastocyst formation in patients with normal ovarian reserve undergoing IVF.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The model was derived from 7,901 patients who underwent their first oocyte retrieval and subsequent blastocyst culture, of which 446 cases have no usable blastocysts formed. Univariate regression analyses, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis were used to identify the association of patient and cycle characteristics with the presence of no available blastocyst and to create a nomogram. The performance of the nomogram was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve, the net benefit threshold of prediction was determined using decision curve analysis (DCA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Multivariate analysis identified three independent predictors: the number of day 3 (D3) embryos, the number of high-quality D3 embryos, and the number of embryos used for blastocyst culture. A nomogram model was developed and internally validated using bootstrapping, demonstrating good discriminative ability with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.879(95%CI: 0.861-0.890).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The cycle-based nomogram can anticipate the probability of no available blastocyst formation in IVF/ICSI treatment. This can help doctors make appropriate clinical judgments and assist patients in managing their expectations effectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":21011,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology","volume":"23 1","pages":"11"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11752565/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143024452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Looking beyond the ER, PR, and HER2: what's new in the ARsenal for combating breast cancer?","authors":"Tryambak Pratap Srivastava, Ruby Dhar, Subhradip Karmakar","doi":"10.1186/s12958-024-01338-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12958-024-01338-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Breast cancer (BrCa) is a complex and heterogeneous disease with diverse molecular subtypes, leading to varied clinical outcomes and posing significant treatment challenges. The increasing global burden of BrCa, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, underscores the urgent need for more effective therapeutic strategies. The androgen receptor (AR), expressed in a substantial proportion of breast cancer cases, has emerged as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. In breast cancer, AR exhibits diverse functions across subtypes, often interacting with other hormone receptors, thereby influencing tumor progression and treatment responses. This intricate interplay is further complicated by the presence of constitutively expressed AR splice variants (AR-Vs) that drive resistance to AR-targeting therapies through structural rearrangements in the domains and activation of aberrant signaling pathways. Although AR-targeting drugs, initially developed for prostate cancer (PCa), have shown promise in AR-positive breast cancer, significant gaps remain in understanding AR's precise functions and therapeutic potential. The systemic management of breast cancer is guided primarily by theranostic biomarkers; ER, PR, HER2, and Ki67 which also dictate the breast cancer classification. The ubiquitous expression of AR in BrCa and the emergence of AR-Vs can assist the management of disease complementing the standard of care. This article provides a comprehensive overview of AR and its splice variants in the context of breast cancer, highlighting their prognostic and predictive value across different subtypes looking beyond the conventional ER, PR, and HER2 status. This review also raises the possibility of using AR splice variants in predicting tumor aggressiveness. From the settings of developing nations, this may provide useful insight by integrating recent advances in AR-targeted therapies and exploring their translational potential, emphasizing the critical need for further research to optimize AR-based therapeutic strategies for breast cancer management.</p>","PeriodicalId":21011,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology","volume":"23 1","pages":"9"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11744844/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143010724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cell-free fat extract improves embryo development and clinical outcomes in older women with previous in-vitro fertilization failure.","authors":"Xiaowei Zhou, Hanfei Zhu, Jingru Duan, Lan Xia, Shen Zhao, Huihui Xu, Xian Wu, Xiaoling Wang, Bufang Xu, Yi Cao, Aijun Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s12958-024-01341-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12958-024-01341-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Preimplantation embryos in vivo are exposed to various growth factors in the female reproductive tract that are absent in in vitro embryo culture media. Cell-free fat extract exerts antioxidant, anti-ageing, and ovarian function-promoting effects. However, its effects on embryo quality are yet to be investigated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We assessed the effect of cell-free fat extract supplementation on embryo culture using a naturally ageing mouse model. We assessed the model's efficacy in influencing embryo development and pregnancy rates in older women with in vitro fertilization failure. In addition, we performed immunofluorescence staining, multiplex immunoassay, whole-genome amplification and DNA sequencing, time-lapse embryo monitoring, and in vitro experiments.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Cell-free fat extract-supplemented media has a suitable osmolarity and pH and contains high levels of bioactive growth factors. Cell-free fat extract promoted embryo development and implantation in aged mice, probably by increasing embryo growth rate, inhibiting cell apoptosis, and promoting blastocyst adhesion. Clinical results showed that the cell-free fat extract group had significantly higher rates of the day 3 available and high-quality embryos than the control group, and the rate of usable embryos tended to be higher in the cell-free fat extract group. Furthermore, implantation and clinical pregnancy rates improved in the cell-free fat extract group than in the control group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study implies that cell-free fat extract supplementation can promote embryo development and clinical outcomes and may serve as a rescue strategy for older women with in vitro fertilization failure.</p>","PeriodicalId":21011,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology","volume":"23 1","pages":"8"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11740351/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143010719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Who freezes her eggs and why? psychological predictors, reasons, and outcomes of social egg freezing.","authors":"Julia Jeannine Schmid, Seraina Weber, Ulrike Ehlert","doi":"10.1186/s12958-024-01342-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12958-024-01342-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite the growing use of social egg freezing (SEF), research focusing on its psychological aspects is lacking. This study aimed to investigate possible psychological predictors, reasons, and outcomes of SEF in German-speaking countries.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The cross-sectional study included 1,131 women (average age 31 years) who had never used medical egg freezing. The participants were at different stages of SEF decision-making: women who cannot imagine using SEF (SEF-non-use), women who can imagine using SEF (SEF-possible-use), women who plan to use SEF (SEF-planned-use), women who have used SEF (SEF-use), and women who have used their oocytes frozen during SEF for assisted reproduction (SEF + ART-use). Data on sociodemographic and psychological characteristics, attitudes towards motherhood, well-being, and reasons for SEF were assessed. We used multinomial logistic regression to identify predictors of SEF decision-making stages, principal components analysis to examine motives for SEF, and multiple linear regression to analyze associations between motives and psychological variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The probability of belonging to the SEF-use group rather than SEF-non-use was higher among childless single women with tertiary education, high levels of employment, and high importance placed on the genetic relationship to the child, and rose with increasing age and importance of motherhood. The probability of belonging to the SEF-use group rather than SEF-planned-use was higher among childless women with a high importance placed on the genetic relationship to the child, and increased with age. The probability of belonging to the SEF + ART-use group rather than SEF-use depended mainly on the presence of infertility. The women froze eggs mainly to gain time to fulfill their desire for conventional parenthood (59%), including finding the right partner and enabling a genetic relationship to the child. Using SEF to actively shape one's life and family planning was rather associated with positive psychological outcomes, whereas relying on SEF in the hope of personal and societal changes (e.g. improving fertility) was associated with negative outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>SEF users might be characterized as mainly single, career-oriented, and greatly valuing genetic motherhood. As the motives for SEF, rather than its use per se, might be linked to psychological variables, these should be considered when counseling and supporting women.</p>","PeriodicalId":21011,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology","volume":"23 1","pages":"7"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11734346/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143010731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}