{"title":"Sperm morphology: Evaluating its clinical relevance in contemporary fertility practice.","authors":"Daniel L Pelzman, Jay I Sandlow","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12594","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12594","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends reporting sperm morphology in a standard semen analysis. However, the clinical utility and prognostic value of morphology is often debated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We reviewed and summarized studies that assessed both the benefits and limitations of sperm morphology in the context of natural fertility, assisted reproductive technologies, and recurrent pregnancy loss. We additionally describe possible environmental and anatomical etiologies of teratozoospermia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sperm morphology evaluation has continuously evolved since the release of the first WHO manual in 1980. Initially, several large studies reported significant inverse associations between fertility outcomes and teratozoospermia. Most recent studies, however, fail to show an association between sperm morphology and natural or assisted fertility outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Sperm morphology analysis may have limited diagnostic and prognostic value. Providers should be aware of these limitations when counseling or managing infertile patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"23 1","pages":"e12594"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11194684/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141446911","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}
Iris Holzer, Rodrig Marculescu, Vanessa Begemann, Sophie Haaser, Didier Dewailly, Johannes Ott
{"title":"Prevalence of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea in a cohort of women referred because of polycystic ovary syndrome.","authors":"Iris Holzer, Rodrig Marculescu, Vanessa Begemann, Sophie Haaser, Didier Dewailly, Johannes Ott","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12591","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12591","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this unselected population of women referred to a center specialized in gynecologic endocrinology for suspicion of PCOS, a minimum rate of misdiagnosed FHA patients of about 2% was found. It is necessary to evaluate reliable markers for the differential diagnosis between PCOS and FHA to avoid incorrect treatment, which might lead to negative long-term effects in women with undiagnosed FHA.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"23 1","pages":"e12591"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11185939/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141427477","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":"Reproductive outcomes of embryo cryopreservation and transfer at the start-up phase of fertility preservation in Japan.","authors":"Seido Takae, Miyuki Harada, Kentaro Nakamura, Sayako Furuyama, Masanori Ono, Yutaka Osuga, Nao Suzuki","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12581","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12581","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To verify the effectiveness of embryo transfer (ET) using cryopreserved embryo as fertility preservation (FP).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was a questionnaire survey. The total number of embryo cryopreservation (EC) was investigated between 2014 and 2020. And for patients who underwent ET among study period, details of EC, outcome of ET, number of live births, and mortality were investigated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 150 facilities, 114 responded (76.0%). A total of 1420 EC were performed during the study period; and ET was performed for 417 patients. Breast cancer was the most common primary disease. A total of 199 live births (including prospective) were obtained by ET; 1.7 EC and 2.2 ET were performed per patient, and live birth rate was 21.4% per ET (28.1% on 35-37-year-old patients). The number of EC and ET increased with age. The final birth rate, including pregnancies other than FP, was 51.8%. Ovarian stimulation with aromatase inhibitors was commonly used, although with no effect on live birth rates. Random start stimulation was also common, experienced by 36.3% of breast cancer patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Reproductive outcomes of ETs following EC as FP are acceptable. This research project was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000043664).</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"23 1","pages":"e12581"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11185938/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141427478","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":"Progesterone resistance in endometriosis: A pathophysiological perspective and potential treatment alternatives.","authors":"Hsiao-Chien Tang, Ting-Chien Lin, Meng-Hsing Wu, Shaw-Jenq Tsai","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12588","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12588","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease affecting women of reproductive age. Patients with endometriosis frequently experience severe chronic pain and have higher chances to experience infertility. Progesterone resistance is a major problem that develops during the medical treatment of endometriosis, which often leads to treatment failure of hormonal therapies. Previous studies indicated that the dysregulation of progesterone receptors (PR) is the primary factor leading to progesterone resistance in endometriosis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This review article systematically reviewed and summarized findings extracted from previously published papers available on PubMed, encompassing both experimental studies and clinical trials.</p><p><strong>Main findings: </strong>Various determinants influencing PR expression in endometriosis have been identified, including the environmental toxins, microRNAs, cell signaling pathways, genetic mutations, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines. The selective estrogen/progesterone receptor modulators have emerged as novel therapeutic approaches for treating endometriosis, offering potential improvements in overcoming progesterone resistance.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Concerns and limitations persist despite the newly developed drugs. Therefore, studies on unraveling new therapeutic targets based on the molecular mechanisms of progesterone resistance is warranted for the development potential alternatives to overcome hormonal treatment failure in endometriosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"23 1","pages":"e12588"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11157498/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141296680","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}
Huy H Pham, Anh H Le, Tri C Nguyen, Mai P Q Ma, Nazli Akin, Toan D Pham, Minh H N Nguyen, Ho L Le, Bao G Huynh, Johan Smitz, Tuong M Ho, Lan N Vuong
{"title":"Effect of single versus grouped culture of human cumulus-oocyte complexes in PCOS women treated with biphasic in vitro maturation: A sibling oocyte pilot study.","authors":"Huy H Pham, Anh H Le, Tri C Nguyen, Mai P Q Ma, Nazli Akin, Toan D Pham, Minh H N Nguyen, Ho L Le, Bao G Huynh, Johan Smitz, Tuong M Ho, Lan N Vuong","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12587","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12587","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study investigated the differences in the maturation rate of single versus grouped cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) culture methods for capacitation in vitro maturation (CAPA-IVM) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was performed at My Duc Phu Nhuan Hospital, Vietnam from October 1, 2020 to October 24, 2021. Women aged 18-37 years with a diagnosis of PCOS were recruited. COCs from each woman were randomly divided into two groups: single or grouped culture during CAPA-IVM culture. The primary outcome was the maturation rate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 322 COCs from 15 eligible women included were randomly assigned to the two study groups. The maturation rate was comparable between the single and grouped culture groups (61.3% vs. 64.8%; <i>p</i> = 0.56). There were no significant differences in the number of 2-pronuclei fertilized oocytes, number of day-3 embryos, and number of good-quality embryos in the two culture method groups. In the single culture group, COCs morphology was associated with the day-3 embryo formation rate but not the maturation rate.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Comparable oocyte maturation and embryology outcomes between single and grouped COCs culture utilizing sibling COCs derived from women with PCOS suggest the feasibility of both methods for CAPA-IVM culture.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"23 1","pages":"e12587"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11157497/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141296679","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":"Verification of the utility of the gonadotropin starting dose calculator in progestin-primed ovarian stimulation: A comparison of empirical and calculated controlled ovarian stimulation.","authors":"Masato Kobanawa, Jouji Yoshida","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12586","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12586","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To validate the effectiveness of a gonadotropin starting dose calculator for progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS), we conducted a study comparing the outcomes of oocyte retrieval between a group assigned gonadotropin doses via the calculator and a control group, where doses were determined by the clinician's empirical judgment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients underwent controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) using the PPOS method, followed by oocyte retrieval. We assessed and compared the results of COS and oocyte retrieval in both groups. Additionally, we examined the concordance rate between the number of oocytes actually retrieved and the target number of oocytes in each group.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The calculated group demonstrated a significantly higher number of preovulation follicles and a higher ovarian sensitivity index than the control group. Furthermore, the discrepancy between the target and actual number of oocytes retrieved was notably smaller in the calculated group. The concordance rate between the target and actual number of oocytes was significantly greater in the calculated group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The gonadotropin starting dose calculator proved to be effective within the PPOS protocol, offering a reliable method for predicting the approximate number of oocytes to be retrieved, irrespective of the COS protocol employed.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"23 1","pages":"e12586"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11140174/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141200778","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":"A new clustering model based on the seminal plasma/serum ratios of multiple trace element concentrations in male patients with subfertility.","authors":"Takazo Tanaka, Kosuke Kojo, Yoshiyuki Nagumo, Atsushi Ikeda, Takuya Shimizu, Shunsuke Fujimoto, Toshiyuki Kakinuma, Masahiro Uchida, Tomokazu Kimura, Shuya Kandori, Hiromitsu Negoro, Hiroyuki Nishiyama","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12584","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12584","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To investigate whether seminal plasma (SP)/serum ratios of multiple trace elements (TEs) can classify patients with male subfertility.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>SP/serum ratios of 20 TEs (lithium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, rubidium, strontium, molybdenum, cesium, barium, and thallium) were calculated for healthy volunteers (<i>n</i> = 4) and those consulting for male subfertility (<i>n</i> = 245). Volunteer semen samples were collected by split ejaculation into early and subsequent fractions, and SP/serum ratio data were compared between fractions. The patients' SP/serum ratio data were used in an unsupervised clustering analysis and qualitatively compared with the data from the fractions of ejaculation from the volunteers. Semen quality parameters and pregnancy outcomes were compared between patient clusters.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The early fraction of volunteers was characterized by lower phosphorus and arsenic and 18 other higher TEs than the subsequent fraction. Cluster analysis classified patients into four distinct clusters, one sharing characteristics with the early fraction and another with the subsequent fraction. One cluster with the early fraction characteristics had significantly lower semen volume and higher pregnancy rates from spontaneous pregnancies or intrauterine insemination.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Classification of patients based on SP/serum ratios of multiple TEs represents the dominance of fractions of ejaculation samples.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"23 1","pages":"e12584"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11131575/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141161023","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":"Age, sexual abstinence duration, sperm morphology, and motility are predictors of sperm DNA fragmentation.","authors":"Kento Yoshiakwa-Terada, Hiroki Takeuchi, Ryota Tachibana, Erina Takayama, Eiji Kondo, Tomoaki Ikeda","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12585","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12585","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has recently received attention as a cause of male infertility. However, SDF cannot be fully assessed using conventional semen parameter evaluations alone. Therefore, the authors aimed to elucidate the relationship between SDF and sperm parameters via computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) to improve treatment strategies in reproductive medicine.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective observational study analyzed the relationship between sperm parameters assessed by CASA and SDF values determined by the TUNEL assay in 359 patients who visited the Mie University Hospital for infertility treatment. The methodology involved semen analyses covering concentration, motility, and morphology, followed by SDF quantification using the flow cytometry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Statistical analysis revealed significant correlations between SDF and various factors, including age, sexual abstinence period, and specific CASA-measured parameters. Notably, lower sperm motility rates and abnormal head dimensions were associated with higher SDF values, indicating that these parameters were predictive of SDF.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights the importance of sperm motility and head morphology as indicators of SDF, suggesting their usefulness in assessing male fertility. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of detailed sperm analysis, potentially increasing the success rate of assisted reproductive technologies by improving sperm selection criteria.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"23 1","pages":"e12585"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11131573/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141161269","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":"Evolution of intracytoplasmic sperm injection: From initial challenges to wider applications.","authors":"Yoshimasa Asada","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12582","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12582","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In vitro fertilization (IVF) has revolutionized infertility treatment. Nevertheless, male infertility requires more effective solutions. In 1992, the first-ever case of human birth via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was reported. ICSI involves microscopically injecting a sperm into an ovum. Successful ICSI has become a reliable therapy for couples facing infertility, a significant milestone. However, it has also introduced various challenges. This study also delves into ethical dilemmas arising from widespread ICSI use.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This review traces the history of ICSI, presenting pioneering attempts, first successful attempts, and critical reports on account of the initial skepticism toward the technology. The review also focuses on chronological progress until ICSI was recognized as effective and became widely applied.</p><p><strong>Main findings: </strong>The review reveals that ICSI, although transformative, presents challenges. Successes include addressing male infertility and aiding fertilization. However, concerns arise regarding optimal sperm and embryo selection, genetic mutations, and long-term health implications. Ethical considerations surrounding ICSI's broad applications also surface.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite its success and effectiveness, ICSI is still evolving as a therapeutic method. By comprehensively evaluating the historical progress and the current status of ICSI and exploring its future prospects, this study highlights the importance of ICSI in infertility treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"23 1","pages":"e12582"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11129627/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141158199","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}
Juri Tsukamoto, Noritoshi Enatsu, Eri Nakahara, Kohyu Furuhashi, Koji Chiba, Yihsien Enatsu, Yuri Mizusawa, Eri Okamoto, Shoji Kokeguchi, Masahide Shiotani
{"title":"Differences in clinical outcomes between men with mosaic Klinefelter syndrome and those with non-mosaic Klinefelter syndrome.","authors":"Juri Tsukamoto, Noritoshi Enatsu, Eri Nakahara, Kohyu Furuhashi, Koji Chiba, Yihsien Enatsu, Yuri Mizusawa, Eri Okamoto, Shoji Kokeguchi, Masahide Shiotani","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12579","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12579","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study compared the clinical outcomes of men with Klinfelter syndrome based on karyotype.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The authors analyzed the outcomes of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) performed on 57 patients with Klinfelter syndrome (KS) at our clinic.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The average ages of the non-mosaic and mosaic KS groups were 32.2 ± 4.8 and 45.9 ± 13.1 years, respectively. The sperm retrieval rates of the non-mosaic and mosaic KS groups were 46.5% (20/43) and 50.0% (7/14), respectively. The fertilization rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection did not significantly differ between the non-mosaic and mosaic KS groups. The mosaic KS group had higher cleavage and blastocyst development rates than the non-mosaic KS group (72.2% vs. 96.2% and 30.5% vs. 44.7%, respectively). The group using motile sperm had better outcomes than the group using immotile sperm. The embryo transfer outcomes of the non-mosaic and mosaic KS groups did not significantly differ (clinical pregnancy rate: 28.0% vs. 20.7%, miscarriage rate: 14.3% vs. 33.3%, production rate per transfer: 22.0% vs. 13.8%, and production rate per case: 58.8% vs. 57.1%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Compared with the non-mosaic KS group, the mosaic KS group had significantly better intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes because of the higher utilization rate of motile sperm.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"23 1","pages":"e12579"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11097125/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140958461","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}