{"title":"Risk factors for empty follicle syndrome in assisted reproductive technology with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist trigger.","authors":"Daichi Inoue, Yoshihiko Sakakibara, Chiharu Ishida, Manami Kondo, Rie Mizuno, Masaya Saito, Shinichi Shibuya, Yoshiki Hashiba, Yoshimasa Asada","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12553","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12553","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To analyze whether response to the GnRH test is a predictor of empty follicle syndrome (EFS) and to analyze independent risk factors for EFS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The GnRH test results of 3765 patients from 2016 to 2018 were used to define the reference range of the GnRH test. Risk factors for EFS were estimated by multivariate logistic analysis of 5282 cycles (5247 oocyte-retrieved cycles with GnRH agonist trigger and 35 cycles of EFS) conducted from 2016 to 2019.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>GnRH testing showed basal hormone values as follows: median LH 5.2 (95 percentile; 1.3-12.6) mIU/mL, LH 30 min 22.0 (6.8-57.1), basal FSH 7.3 (3.0-20.5), FSH 30 min 11.5 (5.1-30.4) and FSH/LH ratio 1.5 (0.6-4.1). Independent risk factors for EFS were antral follicle count (adjusted odds ratio; 0.94, 95% CI; 0.89-0.99), basal LH (0.78, 0.66-0.90), and days duration of ovarian stimulation (1.41, 1.21-1. 60). The respective thresholds were 8 for AFC, 5.0 for basal LH, and 16 days for duration.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>LH 30 min values of the GnRH test did not predict EFS. Independent risk factors for EFS were AFC, basal LH and days duration of ovarian stimulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"22 1","pages":"e12553"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2023-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10709761/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138808253","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":"Clinical outcomes of personalized blastocyst embryo transfer after endometrial receptivity analysis: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Yuya Takeshige, Seung Chik Jwa, Yasushi Hirota, Yutaka Osuga, Takeshi Kuramoto, Yasuyuki Mio, Kenji Furui, Masayuki Kinutani, Masahide Shiotani, Yoshimasa Asada, Hirobumi Kamiya, Hiroaki Yoshida, Hideki Igarashi, Koichi Kyono","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12550","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12550","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate clinical outcomes after endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study involving 861 women who underwent ERA testing at certified fertility clinics in Japan, and who received subsequent personalized blastocyst embryo transfers (ET) between 2018 and 2020. Clinical outcomes, including pregnancies, miscarriages, and live births, were evaluated according to receptivity status for ERA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean patient age was 37.7 years (SD = 4.0), and the median number of previous ETs was 2 (interquartile range, 2-3). 41.0% (353/861) of patients were non-receptive for ERA testing. Clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth rates for personalized blastocyst ET were 44.5% (226/508), 26.1% (59/226), and 26.8% (136/508) for receptive patients, and 43.1% (152/353), 28.3% (43/152), and 28.9% (102/353) for non-receptive patients, all statistically nonsignificant. Multiple logistic regression demonstrated similar nonsignificant associations between receptivity and clinical outcomes. Greater patient age, smoking, and longer duration of infertility were significantly and negatively associated with receptivity, whereas a history of delivery was positively associated and statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Clinical outcomes after ERA testing were similar between receptive and non-receptive patients. Further prospective study including an appropriate comparison group are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of ERA testing.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"22 1","pages":"e12550"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2023-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10685329/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138462299","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":"An approach for live imaging of first cleavage in mouse embryos using fluorescent chemical probes for DNA, microtubules, and microfilaments.","authors":"Motonari Okabe, Hiromitsu Shirasawa, Yuki Ono, Mayumi Goto, Takuya Iwasawa, Taichi Sakaguchi, Akiko Fujishima, Yohei Onodera, Kenichi Makino, Hiroshi Miura, Yukiyo Kumazawa, Kazumasa Takahashi, Yukihiro Terada","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12551","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12551","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Dynamic morphological changes in the chromosome and cytoskeleton occur in mammals and humans during early embryonic development, and abnormalities such as embryonic chromosomal aneuploidy occur when development does not proceed normally. Visualization of the intracellular organelles and cytoskeleton allows elucidation of the development of early mammalian embryos. The behavior of the DNA and cytoskeleton in early mammalian embryos has conventionally been observed by injecting target molecule mRNAs, incorporating a fluorescent substance-expressing gene, into embryos. In this study, we visualized the chronological behavior of male and female chromosome condensation in mouse embryos, beginning in the two-pronuclear zygote, through the first division to the two-cell stage, using fluorescent chemical probes to visualize the behavior of DNA, microtubules, and microfilaments.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Mouse two-pronuclear stage embryo were immersed in medium containing fluorescent chemical probes to visualize DNA, microtubules, and microfilaments. Observation was performed with a confocal microscope.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This method allowed us to observe how chromosome segregation errors in first somatic cell divisions in mouse embryos and enabled dynamic analysis of a phenomenon called lagging chromosomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>By applying this method, we can observe any stage of embryonic development, which may provide new insights into embryonic development in other mammals.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"22 1","pages":"e12551"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2023-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10680128/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138462298","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}
Koki Yoshinaga, Tomoko Hashimoto, Yuriko Fukuoka, Noriyuki Okuyama, Koichi Kyono
{"title":"Non-medical oocyte cryopreservation at a single center in Japan: 8 years of experience.","authors":"Koki Yoshinaga, Tomoko Hashimoto, Yuriko Fukuoka, Noriyuki Okuyama, Koichi Kyono","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12549","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12549","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Increasing numbers of women are opting to undergo non-medical oocyte cryopreservation (NMOC). In this report, we present experience at our clinic and discuss NMOC in Japan.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We followed the progress of 403 women who underwent NMOC at our clinic between 2014 and 2021, totaling 592 reproductive cycles.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 61 women underwent oocyte warming and fertility treatment. Of these, 13 women gave birth to 14 children. The median age at first oocyte cryopreservation was 38.3 years, and the oldest pregnant woman was 42 years. Most clients (60%) were in their late 30s. The median time between first oocyte cryopreservation and warming was 3.0 years. One woman was able to achieve a live birth with four vitrified oocytes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This is the first report in Japan documenting pregnancies and childbirths resulting from NMOC. Ideally, women hope to achieve natural pregnancy between 20 and 32 years of age. NMOC is an option for individuals who are unable to pursue pregnancy during optimal reproductive years and wish to preserve their fertility for future attempts. NMOC is recommended in cases with few indications, and it is necessary to continue accumulating data on its long-term safety and effectiveness.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"22 1","pages":"e12549"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2023-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10638488/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89719391","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}
Ava Adler, Bradley Roth, Scott D Lundy, Teppei Takeshima, Yasushi Yumura, Shinnosuke Kuroda
{"title":"Sperm DNA fragmentation testing in clinical management of reproductive medicine.","authors":"Ava Adler, Bradley Roth, Scott D Lundy, Teppei Takeshima, Yasushi Yumura, Shinnosuke Kuroda","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12547","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12547","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Approximately 8%-12% of couples worldwide face infertility, with infertility of individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) contributing to at least 50% of cases. Conventional semen analysis commonly used to detect sperm abnormalities is insufficient, as 30% of AMAB patients experiencing infertility show normal results in this test. From a genetic perspective, the assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is important as a parameter of sperm quality.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this narrative study, we review and discuss pathophysiological causes, DNA repair mechanisms, and management of high SDF. We then summarize literature exploring the association between SDF and reproductive outcomes.</p><p><strong>Main findings: </strong>Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have revealed a significant association between high SDF in AMAB individuals and adverse reproductive outcomes including embryo development, natural conception, intrauterine insemination, and in vitro fertilization. However, the association with live birth rates and pregnancy rates following intracytoplasmic injection remains inconclusive. The disparities among quantitative assays, inconsistent reference range values, absent high-quality prospective clinical trials, and clinical heterogeneity in AMAB patients with elevated SDF represent the main limitations affecting SDF testing.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The evaluation and management of SDF plays an important role in a subset of AMAB infertility, but widespread integration into clinical guidelines will require future high-quality clinical trials and assay standardization.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"22 1","pages":"e12547"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2023-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10616814/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71426369","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":"Cryptozoospermia: Should we use ejaculated sperm or surgically retrieved sperm for assisted reproductive technology?","authors":"Hastuki Hibi, Mikiko Tokoro, Megumi Sonohara, Kazuho Ihara, Noritaka Fukunaga, Yoshimasa Asada","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12546","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12546","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>In cryptozoospermic subjects, it may often may be difficult to secure motile sperm for assisted reproductive technology (ART). We examined the results of ART with frozen thawed ejaculated sperm in cryptozoospermic subjects and evaluated whether sperm retrieval surgery is necessary for such patients in our clinic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between 2013 and 2021, we evaluated 197 cryptozoospermic patients. Age, endocrine panel at the time of the initial semen analysis, and anti-müllerian hormone levels at the time of the spouse's first egg retrieval were examined. Cryopreservation of ejaculated motile sperm collected essentially weekly over a 3-month period was carried out. ART data recorded was the number of egg retrieval cycles, normal fertilization rate, and clinical pregnancy rate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ART using frozen sperm as well as sperm ejaculated on the day of egg retrieval was possible in all cases. The normal fertilization rate was 70.4%, the clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transferred was achieved in 31.5% (870 cycles), and the live birth rate per case was 73.8%.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was possible without sperm retrieval surgery in cryptozoospermia, resulting in 73.8% of live births per patient. Sperm identification, sperm processing, and ICSI technique are especially important in cryptozoospermia. Sperm retrieval surgery can be avoided in cryptozoospermic patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"22 1","pages":"e12546"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2023-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10601583/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71413758","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":"Upregulation of iNOS and phosphorylated eNOS in the implantation-induced blastocysts of mice.","authors":"Misato Seki, Eisaku Takeuchi, Emiko Fukui, Hiromichi Matsumoto","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12545","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12545","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to examine expressions of iNOS and phosphorylated eNOS (p-eNOS) in implantation-induced blastocysts. We also examined the upstream of p-eNOS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To address the protein expressions in implantation-induced blastocysts, we performed immunohistochemical analysis using a delayed implantation mouse model. Immunostaining for iNOS, p-eNOS, and p-Akt was done. To address the relationship between p-eNOS and p-Akt, activated blastocysts were treated with an Akt inhibitor, MK-2206.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>iNOS expression was at low levels in dormant blastocysts, whereas the expression was significantly increased in the activated blastocysts. Double staining of p-eNOS and p-Akt in individual blastocysts showed colocalization of p-eNOS and p-Akt of the trophectoderm. p-eNOS and p-Akt expressions were at low levels in dormant blastocysts, whereas both of them were significantly increased in the activated blastocysts. Both dormant and activated blastocysts showed significant positive correlations between p-eNOS and p-Akt. MK-2206 treatment for activated blastocysts showed that blastocysts with lower p-Akt had significantly lower p-eNOS levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>iNOS and p-eNOS, Ca<sup>2+</sup> independent NOS, are upregulated by E<sub>2</sub> in the blastocysts during implantation activation. Furthermore, p-eNOS is upregulated in implantation-induced blastocysts downstream of p-Akt.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"22 1","pages":"e12545"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/2f/97/RMB2-22-e12545.PMC10568119.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41238220","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":"Prominin-1 expression in the testis/epididymis and fertility.","authors":"Christine A Fargeas, József Jászai, Denis Corbeil","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12544","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12544","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The contribution of Prominin-1 (aka CD133) to male fertility has recently been (re)investigated, with contradictory results. Early findings, essential for deciphering its role, have unfortunately been neglected. Here, the authors present what is currently known about its expression in the male reproductive system of rodents and men so that its involvement in male fertility can be re-examined and discussed in the light of these elements.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"22 1","pages":"e12544"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2023-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10551577/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41134907","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}
Maria Zelinda Romano, Mariem Ben Rhouma, Imed Messaoudi, Francesco Aniello, Sergio Minucci, Massimo Venditti
{"title":"Expression of RSPH6A in the first wave of rat spermatogenesis and oxidative stress conditions: Attenuation by melatonin.","authors":"Maria Zelinda Romano, Mariem Ben Rhouma, Imed Messaoudi, Francesco Aniello, Sergio Minucci, Massimo Venditti","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12542","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmb2.12542","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Here, we report, for the first time, the temporal expression and localization of axonemal radial spoke head homolog A (RSPH6A) protein during the first wave of rat spermatogenesis and in oxidative stress conditions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>For the developmental study, testes were collected from rats at different developmental stages (7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 60 postnatal days); for <i>in vivo</i> <i>treatment</i>, 24 rats were treated with cadmium and/or melatonin. From each sample, western blot (WB) and immunofluorescence (IF) analyses for RSPH6A were performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>RSPH6A expression starts at 21 PND alongside the appearance of I spermatocytes (SPC) with a significant increase up to 60 PND. Data were confirmed by IF analysis, showing that RPSH6A expression is restricted to I and II SPC, spermatids, and mature sperm. <i>In vivo</i> experiments showed that the expression and localization of RSPH6A in the testis and epididymal spermatozoa of adult rats treated with cadmium were impaired. Interestingly, melatonin (an antioxidant), given together with Cd, can counteract its damaging effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>All combined data confirm that RSPH6A contributes to the onset of fertility by acting on sperm motility, raising the possibility of using RSPH6A as a marker for normal fertility in the general population.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"22 1","pages":"e12542"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2023-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10545975/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41144750","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":"Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on assisted reproductive technology treatment under voluntary lockdown in Japan.","authors":"Seung Chik Jwa, Akira Kuwahara, Osamu Ishihara, Hiroyuki Fujiwara","doi":"10.1002/rmb2.12541","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/rmb2.12541","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To investigate the impact of a state of emergency (i.e., voluntary lockdown) during the COVID-19 epidemic, we conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Japanese nationwide registry. In comparison with those during 2019, the number of treatment cycles decreased in April 2020 (-9.5%) to its lowest point in May (-24.1%). The magnitude of the decline was three times larger for frozen cycles (-37.0%) than for fresh cycles (-12.4%). The decrease was significantly smaller for women aged <35 years (-31.0%) than for the older groups (-39.0% to -39.7%). Under voluntary lockdown, a considerable decrease was observed especially for frozen cycles and older women.</p>","PeriodicalId":21116,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive Medicine and Biology","volume":"22 1","pages":"e12541"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2023-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10520407/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41164949","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}