{"title":"The tortoise or the hare? Accelerating freezing and thawing","authors":"Juergen Liebermann","doi":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.104791","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.104791","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The freezing of living cells and their survival after thawing developed into a discipline that we call cryobiology. The idea of freezing cells at low temperature was to serve the purpose of storing living cells indefinitely in a state of suspended animation, meaning that no ageing, metabolism or alteration of those cells would occur. The challenge for all scientists was to find protocols that would secure survival during exposure and storage at low temperatures, and subsequently return the cells to physiological conditions and environments. A critical factor was the concern that ice crystals can freeze intracellularly. This can occur if cells are cooled too rapidly, without an osmotically sufficient removal of water to eliminate supercooling. In the 1990s and at the start of the 2000s, two cryopreservation strategies ruled the field of cryobiology: traditional slow freezing protocols and vitrification protocols. Today, vitrification protocols dominate the cryopreservation of living cells, with a continued acceleration in the improvement of vitrification and warming protocols.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21134,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive biomedicine online","volume":"50 4","pages":"Article 104791"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cycle management in frozen embryo transfer: the best of all worlds?","authors":"Caroline Roelens , Christophe Blockeel","doi":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.104789","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.104789","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A comprehensive review of the current literature was conducted to examine the available endometrial preparation methods prior to frozen embryo transfer (FET), and their impact on pregnancy outcomes and obstetric complications. Endometrial preparation for FET can be broadly categorized into natural and artificial cycles. While artificial cycles have historically been favoured for their flexibility, natural cycles are increasingly preferred due to their association with lower rates of obstetric and neonatal complications. However, in patients lacking ovarian function (e.g. menopausal women or those with premature ovarian insufficiency), artificial cycles remain the only viable option, necessitating further optimization. Flexibility within natural cycles can be achieved by varying the timing of ovulation induction or luteal phase initiation. Additionally, individualized luteal phase support with tailored progesterone supplementation is becoming standard practice in both natural and artificial cycles. Natural cycle FET is associated with fewer obstetric complications, and should be prioritized in patients with intact ovarian function. Further optimization of preparation protocols can be achieved through adequate follicular phase monitoring and personalized luteal phase support.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21134,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive biomedicine online","volume":"50 4","pages":"Article 104789"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How will IVF be delivered in 25 years’ time?","authors":"David Sable","doi":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.104786","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.104786","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As the practice of IVF evolves, the need to bring its benefits to more people with diverse treatment indications looms as the field's biggest challenge. What will the delivery of IVF look like in 25 years’ time as it meets this challenge?</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21134,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive biomedicine online","volume":"50 4","pages":"Article 104786"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Emerging targets for advancing endometrial therapeutics","authors":"Signe Altmäe , Aida Rodríguez-Santisteban","doi":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.104785","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.104785","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The endometrium plays a crucial role in female health. Globally, millions of women are affected by endometrial/uterine disorders, yet the endometrium and its role in gynaecological pathologies have been understudied. Gaining insight into the detailed endometrial architecture, gene expression, spatial and temporal cellular interactions, and microenvironment is essential for understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of this dynamic tissue. The current paper highlights the latest targets for advancing endometrial research that include single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, the microbiome, organoid models, analysis of menstrual blood and the less-studied endometrial ageing. The authors hope that this summary will provide more insight into the novel methods, highlight advancing endometrial therapeutics and inspire readers to generate fresh ideas for future research avenues.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21134,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive biomedicine online","volume":"50 4","pages":"Article 104785"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The importance of being critical","authors":"Guido Pennings","doi":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.104793","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.104793","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A critical attitude towards applications and arguments in the field of medically assisted reproduction is needed to make progress in the area. By challenging the accepted positions on practices such as elective egg freezing and gamete donation, it has become evident that the arguments are flawed. First, elective egg freezing does not promote or hinder women's emancipation. It could even be argued that elective egg freezing is a consequence of the successful emancipation of the group of highly educated women who, as a result, can inadvertently no longer find the right partner. Second, openness and donor identifiability are presented as progress in gamete donation. This places undue emphasis on a bionormative ideology that runs counter to the core principles of gamete donation. It attributes great value to genetic relationships rather than focusing on social relationships. However, given the importance that Western societies attach to this ideology, some donor-conceived persons are harmed and their well-being is negatively affected. This, in turn, generates a moral obligation for would-be parents to try to have genetically related children.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21134,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive biomedicine online","volume":"50 4","pages":"Article 104793"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Does IVF make people happy?","authors":"Mariana Sousa-Leite, Jacky Boivin","doi":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2025.104834","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2025.104834","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Research has been focused on exploring the negative side of IVF. However, a comprehensive picture of the overall impact of IVF needs to acknowledge its positive side. Prospective and cross-sectional research have shown that happiness can be experienced before, during and after IVF, irrespective of whether or not a live birth is achieved. Psychosocial models within positive psychology support the intrinsic benefit and adaptative effect of the action of undergoing IVF on well-being and mental health through the opportunity it affords people to achieve, accept and make meaning of their (un)realized parenthood goals. The PERMA model was used to explore the concept of happiness, with evidence showing that happiness can be achieved in IVF via positive emotions (most investigated), a sense of being engaged, positive relationships, and a sense of meaning and accomplishment. The positive lived experience of IVF can be moderated by individual patient characteristics, and enhanced by positive-focused approaches to care. High-quality research and patient-centred models of care are needed to evaluate and promote the holistic positive value of IVF in all dimensions of happiness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21134,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive biomedicine online","volume":"50 4","pages":"Article 104834"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bridging ideal studies and real-world practice: the potential role of real-world evidence in reproductive medicine","authors":"Georg Griesinger","doi":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2025.104807","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2025.104807","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Evidence-based medicine is central to reproductive health care, guiding interventions such as ovarian stimulation protocols and fertility preservation strategies. While randomized controlled trials (RCT) remain the gold standard for providing evidence and for establishing causality, their limitations, including restricted generalizability and high costs, highlight the need for complementary methodologies. Real-world evidence (RWE), derived from real-world data (RWD) such as electronic health records and assisted reproductive technology (ART) registries, has the potential to bridge the gap between controlled research settings and routine clinical practice, particularly for evaluating long-term and rare outcomes. However, RWE faces considerable challenges, including bias, variability in data quality, and difficulties in establishing causality. This paper explores the role of RWE in ART. Despite its promise, RWE cannot replace RCT, particularly in scenarios where the signal-to-noise ratio is low, such as detecting small effect differences in ovarian stimulation protocols or treatment add-ons. Instead, in most instances, RWE is positioned to complement RCT, supported by emerging regulatory frameworks such as the guidelines of the European Medicine Agency and the European Union's tissue directives, which emphasize the generation of RWE from ART practice to strengthen patient follow-up and safety monitoring. For ART stakeholders, a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and limitations of RWE is essential, as is the target trial emulation framework on RWD, for advancing the field and improving patient outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21134,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive biomedicine online","volume":"50 4","pages":"Article 104807"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Inside Front Cover - Affiliations and First page of TOC","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S1472-6483(25)00116-6","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1472-6483(25)00116-6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21134,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive biomedicine online","volume":"50 4","pages":"Article 104909"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Human fertility at a crossroad","authors":"Bart CJM Fauser , Luca Gianaroli , Edgar Mocanu","doi":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.104787","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.104787","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Since the early 1970s, family planning policies aiming to reduce global population growth have been successful. Currently, more than 50% of all countries are (way) below the replacement level of 2.1 child per woman. Underpopulation causes distinct society challenges in many countries. More focus on family-building strategies (including decreasing barriers for people who would like to establish a family) is urgently needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21134,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive biomedicine online","volume":"50 4","pages":"Article 104787"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}