JBRA assisted reproduction最新文献

{"title":"Positivity of anti-Zika virus (ZIKV) antibodies among patients undergoing ART in São Paulo State, Brazil (2016-2024): a retrospective record analysis.","authors":"Denise Maria Christofolini, Clara Helena Vicentini Ferreira do Valle, Guilherme Bom Oliveira, Laércio da Silva Paiva, Bianca Bianco, Caio Parente Barbosa","doi":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260041","DOIUrl":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To evaluate the presence of anti-ZIKV IgM and IgG antibodies in couples undergoing Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) and to examine reported ZIKV infections among women of reproductive age in São Paulo state.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort analysis was performed using medical records of ART patients consecutively tested for ZIKV between March 2016 and June 2024 at a private ART center. Testing involved a rapid immunochromatographic assay, with positive results confirmed by PCR. According to ANVISA regulations, anti-ZIKV IgG testing was required from 2016 to 2022, while both IgG and IgM testing became mandatory from 2022 to 2024. Additionally, ZIKV notification data from DATASUS for metropolitan cities near the ART center were collected and compared with positivity rates observed in the cohort.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Anti-ZIKV IgM positivity was 0.18% (1/569 female patients; 95% CI ≈ 0.00-0.98%), while anti-ZIKV IgG positivity was 2.1% (2/96 tested; 95% CI ≈ 0.25-7.32%), indicating limited prior exposure. DATASUS data showed a significant decline in ZIKV cases in São Paulo state, from 10,455 cases in 2016 to 228 in 2024. In cities surrounding the ART clinic, reported cases decreased from 73 to 1 during the same period. Among women of reproductive age, 42 cases were reported in 2016 and none in 2024.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Conducting widespread population testing creates logistical and financial challenges. In this ART group, ZIKV positivity was rare (<1%), with about 2% showing signs of previous exposure, and most patients came from regions with low rates of ZIKV-related microcephaly.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Positivity for anti-ZIKV was low among patients on ART.</p>","PeriodicalId":520656,"journal":{"name":"JBRA assisted reproduction","volume":" ","pages":"475-480"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13544256/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethanolic Citrus sinensis peel mitigates resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate)-induced testicular toxicity in Wistar rats through oxido-inflammatory pathways.","authors":"Temilade Olatunji, Adeyemi Fatai Odetayo, Halimat Amin Abdulrahim, Luqman Aribidesi Olayaki","doi":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260044","DOIUrl":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) (RDP) is a widely used organophosphate flame retardant, yet data on its reproductive toxicity are limited. This study evaluated the gonadotoxic effects of RDP and the protective potential of ethanolic Citrus sinensis peel extract (EECS) in male Wistar rats.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-eight rats were randomized into four oral treatment groups: control, RDP (500 mg/kg), EECS (600 mg/kg), and RDP+EECS, administered for 14 days.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>RDP exposure significantly impaired sperm quality and reduced circulating testosterone levels. Testicular dysfunction was accompanied by qualitative histoarchitectural distortion, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis. Co-administration of EECS ameliorated these effects, improving sperm parameters and antioxidant status and reducing inflammatory and apoptotic markers.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>RDP induces testicular dysfunction through oxidative-inflammatory and mitochondrial pathways, whereas EECS exerts protective effects via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. These findings suggest that EECS may be a promising agent against RDP-induced reproductive toxicity.</p>","PeriodicalId":520656,"journal":{"name":"JBRA assisted reproduction","volume":" ","pages":"524-532"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13544560/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Endometriosis as a cause of reduced IVF success rates: guilty beyond reasonable doubt?","authors":"Melissa Cavagnoli, Maite Del Collado, Vitória G Ambrósio, Gustavo Telles, Maria Augusta Tamm, Ana Micucci, Edson Borges","doi":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260026","DOIUrl":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects around 10% of women of reproductive age and is frequently associated with infertility. Despite its high prevalence in assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles, the exact mechanisms by which endometriosis may impair in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes remain under debate. This integrative narrative review critically examines the evidence on how endometriosis may affect oocyte quality and competence, ovarian reserve, and endometrial receptivity. While several studies have suggested molecular and cellular alterations in the follicular microenvironment and endometrial environment, population-based registry analyses have reported conflicting results regarding their clinical impact. Instead, the most reproducible negative impact appears to be a reduction in the number of oocytes retrieved, particularly in cases involving endometriomas or after ovarian surgery. Similarly, while endometrial alterations have been observed in women with endometriosis, large registry-based studies of donor oocyte cycles suggest only a marginal impairment of endometrial receptivity, if any. Taken together, reasonable doubt remains regarding the extent to which endometriosis influences fertility outcomes in IVF cycles.</p>","PeriodicalId":520656,"journal":{"name":"JBRA assisted reproduction","volume":" ","pages":"641-648"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13544270/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mental Health in Fertile and Infertile Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Cohort Study.","authors":"Pânila Longhi Lorenzzoni, João Paolo Bilibio, Arivaldo José Conceição Meireles, Lígia Konig, Maria Eduarda Branco, João Sabino Cunha-Filho","doi":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260035","DOIUrl":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress among infertile and fertile women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective cohort study evaluated psychological distress using the 42-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42) at two time points: during the early pandemic (Phase 1) and after six months (Phase 2). The study included infertile women whose embryo transfers were postponed (n=71) and fertile women who had given birth over six months earlier without fertility issues (n=117). Ethical approval was obtained (CAAE: 32964620.3.1001.5334).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age was higher in the infertile group (37.8 vs. 35.5 years; p=0.001). In Phase 1, infertile women reported significantly higher levels of stress (7.7 vs. 5.6; p=0.018) and depression (4.0 vs. 2.3; p=0.002), with no significant difference in anxiety (3.4 vs. 2.7; p=0.389). In Phase 2, stress (3.7 vs. 3.1; p=0.201), depression (4.0 vs. 3.5; p=0.446), and anxiety (5.8 vs. 5.4; p=0.666) scores were similar between groups. Longitudinal analysis in both infertile and fertile groups showed a significant reduction in stress and an increase in anxiety. Depressive symptoms worsened in the fertile group (p=0.018).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Infertile women initially showed higher stress and depression than fertile controls. Over six months, stress declined and anxiety increased in both groups; depressive symptoms remained stable in infertile women but slightly worsened among fertile women. These findings support the inclusion of targeted and ongoing mental health support as part of fertility care.</p>","PeriodicalId":520656,"journal":{"name":"JBRA assisted reproduction","volume":" ","pages":"490-497"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13544257/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Blastocyst Morphology in Oocyte Donors stimulated During the Late Follicular Phase with either rFSH:rLH or HP-hMG in a PPOS protocol: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Fiorella Castillo-Velásquez, Silvia Ortiz, Paula Ricra, Camila Carlos, Luis Noriega-Portella, Juan-Enrique Schwarze, Luis Noriega-Hoces, Pamela Villanueva, Luis Guzmán","doi":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260030","DOIUrl":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to investigate whether there were differences in the number of good-quality blastocysts after 6 days of treatment with r-hFSH followed by late follicular phase treatment with r-hFSH:r-hLH in a 2:1 fixed ratio combination or HP-hMG in a PPOS protocol in a population of young women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Healthy oocyte donors were randomized to Group 1 or Group 2 (40 women per group). All donors were treated with 200 mg/day oral progesterone from Day 1 and 225 IU/day r-hFSH for the first six days of ovarian stimulation. From Day 7 onwards, Group 1 received 225 IU/day r-hFHS:r-hLH 2:1 fixed ratio combination and Group 2 received 225 IU/day HP-hMG. Insemination was performed using intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Embryo quality was graded using the SART classification. The primary outcome was the number of blastocysts with good morphology (AA or AB).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean (SD) number of good-quality blastocysts was significantly higher in Group 1 compared with Group 2 (3.4 [2.0] vs. 2.3 [2.0]; difference 0.9 (0.6 to 1.7); Kruskal-Wallis test p=0.0359). There was no difference in total gonadotropin dose, length of stimulation or number of oocytes retrieved between the groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Treatment with r-hFSH:r-hLH in a 2:1 fixed ratio combination starting in the late follicular phase resulted in a significantly higher number of good-quality blastocysts compared with HP-hMG in oocyte donors receiving PPOS.</p>","PeriodicalId":520656,"journal":{"name":"JBRA assisted reproduction","volume":" ","pages":"460-468"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13544267/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Burnout in Embryologists Working in Assisted Reproduction: Data from a Cross-Sectional Worldwide Study.","authors":"Raquel Urteaga, Amelia Díaz","doi":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260058","DOIUrl":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Recent studies have highlighted the concerning prevalence of burnout among embryologists working in assisted reproduction (AR), with embryologists showing the highest levels among AR professionals. How-ever, data on burnout among these professionals across different world regions remain very limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess burnout levels among embryologists across World Health Organization regions, with compari-sons among four regions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a cross-sectional study. Burnout was assessed using a worldwide online survey completed by 759 respondents from 74 countries. Participants com-pleted the 15-item Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, which assesses emotional exhaustion, depersonal-ization, and lack of personal accomplishment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>More than 80% of embryologists showed moderate or high levels of emotional exhaustion and de-personalization, whereas lack of personal accomplishment was present in a lower, although still substantial, propor-tion (67%). The comparison of means among Europe, Lat-in America, North America, and the Western Pacific showed only one significant difference: embryologists working in Europe had higher lack of personal accomplishment than those working in Latin America. However, significant differ-ences were found in the distribution of low, moderate, and high levels for all three burnout dimensions across world regions. Gender should be considered when studying burn-out in embryologists, as 97.8% of embryologists with high levels in all three burnout dimensions were women.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Burnout is a serious global problem among embryologists working in AR. Future studies should investigate workplace stressors and preventive strategies to prevent and mitigate burnout, and should consider gen-der as an important variable.</p>","PeriodicalId":520656,"journal":{"name":"JBRA assisted reproduction","volume":"30 3","pages":"584-590"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13544555/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148922585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A robust clinical-laboratory AI model for predicting cumulative live birth per oocyte retrieval as a benchmark for evaluating emerging embryo selection technologies.","authors":"Jose G Franco, Claudia Petersen, Laura D Vagnini, Fabiana C Massaro, Bruna Petersen, Andreia Nicoletti, Juliana Ricci, Camila Zamara, Isabela M Pasotti, Renata A Pouza, Bianca C Matuella, Elisange-la V Espirito-Santo, Joao B Meziara, Antonio H Oliani, Joao Batista A Oliveira","doi":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260057","DOIUrl":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260057","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the performance of a clinical-laboratory artificial intelligence (AI) model for predicting cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) per oocyte retrieval and to assess its utility as a benchmark for emerging embryo selection technologies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study included 89 completed ICSI cycles (2023-2024) from a single center. The multivariable AI model, based on hierarchical logis-tic regression, integrates female age with non-linear pe-nalization; serum AMH; number of metaphase II oocytes; fertilization rate; blastocyst formation rate and quality; presence of male factor infertility; and distinct probability coefficients for fresh and frozen embryo transfers. CLBR was calculated per oocyte retrieval, incorporating both fresh and frozen embryo transfers, representing the most clinically meaningful outcome for patients. Model discrim-ination was assessed using receiver operating character-istic (ROC) curves, with area under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence intervals (DeLong's method). Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were determined at a 50% prob-ability threshold.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean patient age was 37.2±4.3 years, AMH 2.86±2.1 ng/mL, and number of MII oocytes 7.8±3.2, fer-tilization rate averaged 79±18%, blastocyst formation rate 58±24%, mean blastocyst quality score 2.1±0.9, fresh blastocysts transferred 1.8±0.9, and cryopreserved blasto-cysts 2.1±2.0. Male factor infertility was present in 34% of cycles. The model achieved an AUC of 0.90 (95% CI 0.82-0.95). At the 50% threshold, balanced accuracy was 82%, sensitivity 82.2%, and specificity 81.8%. The confusion ma-trix revealed 7 false positives and 5 false negatives.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This clinical-laboratory AI model provides accurate prediction of cumulative live birth per oocyte re-trieval and establishes a validated benchmark for critical-ly evaluating emerging embryo selection technologies. Its use may help ensure that technological innovations are assessed against biologically grounded outcomes before widespread clinical adoption.</p>","PeriodicalId":520656,"journal":{"name":"JBRA assisted reproduction","volume":"30 3","pages":"598-601"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13544561/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148922544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of repeated ovarian hyperstimulation on gut microbiota composition in a mouse model.","authors":"Marcelo Borges Cavalcante, Olga Goiana Martins Sampaio, Sacha Aubrey Alves Rodrigues Santos, Léo Santiago, Marina de Barros Mamede Vidal Damasceno, Larissa Cruz de Souza, Rohit Shukla, Sidharth P Mishra, Hariom Yadav, Cristiana Libardi Miranda Furtado, Adriana Rolim Campos","doi":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260054","DOIUrl":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260054","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study investigated whether repeated cycles of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) influ-ence the gut microbiota composition in female mice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eight-week-old female Swiss mice (n=20; 10 per group) underwent ten weekly COH treatments with ex-ogenous gonadotropins or received saline injections as con-trols. One week after the final treatment, fecal samples were collected for gut microbiota profiling using 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V4 region amplification; primers 515F/806R) on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequencing data were pro-cessed in QIIME2 with DADA2 for denoising and Green-genes-based taxonomic assignment. Alpha-diversity (Shan-non, Simpson, observed OTUs, Faith's PD) and beta-diversity (Bray-Curtis, Jaccard, unweighted/weighted UniFrac) metrics were calculated. Differential taxonomic abundance and bio-marker analyses were performed using Random Forest and LEfSe. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No significant differences were observed between COH and control groups for alpha-diversity in-dices (all p>0.05) or beta-diversity distances (PERMANO-VA p>0.05). Relative abundances across major taxonomic levels were similar, although the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio was lower in COH-treated mice. Biomarker analyses identified Bacteroidales, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Parabac-teroides as enriched in the COH group, while Rikenellaceae and Odoribacter were more abundant in controls.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Repeated COH did not significantly alter overall gut microbial diversity in mice under the conditions tested. However, specific taxonomic shifts and biomark-er signatures were detected, indicating associations-not causality-between COH exposure and changes in microbi-ota composition. Further studies are needed to determine the functional and physiological implications of these as-sociations.</p>","PeriodicalId":520656,"journal":{"name":"JBRA assisted reproduction","volume":"30 3","pages":"574-583"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13544559/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148922235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Short Communication: Conflicting Conclusions in PGT-A: Live Birth Rates per Initiated Cycle or Oocyte Retrieval Show No Benefit, but Significant Improvement per Embryo Transfer.","authors":"Isabela M Pasotti, Claudia Petersen, Laura D Vagnini, Fabiana C Massaro, Bruna Petersen, Andreia Nicoletti, Juliana Ricci, Camila Zamara, Renata A Pouza, Bianca C Matuella, Elisangela V Espirito-Santo, Joao B Meziara, Antonio H Oliani, Joao Batista A Oliveira, Jose G Franco","doi":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260055","DOIUrl":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260055","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine whether studies evaluating preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) reach different conclusions depending on the denominator used to calculate live birth rates.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review of studies published be-tween 2017 and 2025 was conducted using PubMed, Sco-pus, and Google Scholar. Randomized and non-randomized studies comparing IVF/ICSI cycles with and without PGT-A were included. Outcomes were analyzed per initiated cy-cle, oocyte retrieval, or embryo transfer. Relative risks were calculated using a random-effects model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eleven studies were included. No significant difference was observed when live birth rates were ana-lyzed per initiated cycle or oocyte retrieval (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.91-1.18). However, PGT-A significantly improved live birth rates when analyzed per embryo transfer (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.05-1.40).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The apparent benefit of PGT-A depends on the denominator used. Reporting outcomes per embryo transfer introduces selection bias and overestimates treat-ment effectiveness. Clinically meaningful outcomes should be reported per initiated cycle or oocyte retrieval.</p>","PeriodicalId":520656,"journal":{"name":"JBRA assisted reproduction","volume":"30 3","pages":"591-593"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13544563/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148922253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chlorogenic Acid Attenuates Busulfan-Induced Azoospermia in Rats: Antioxidant-Mediated Restoration of Spermatogenesis and Steroidogenesis - A Stereological and Molecular Analysis.","authors":"Farhad Koohpeyma, Samaneh Karimi","doi":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260037","DOIUrl":"10.5935/1518-0557.20260037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Busulfan, a chemotherapeutic alkylating agent, induces azoospermia by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby impairing spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis, and threatening fertility in cancer patients. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a polyphenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may protect against such reproductive toxicity. This study evaluated the effects of CGA on testicular function in a rat model of busulfan-induced azoospermia, with emphasis on spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, and testicular architecture.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control, CGA (50 mg/kg, oral, for 60 days), busulfan (BUS, 40 mg/kg, single intraperitoneal dose), and BUS+CGA. Testicular function was assessed using stereological analyses (testis weight; seminiferous tubule and germinal epithelium volumes; germ and somatic cell counts), sperm parameters, serum hormone levels, oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and malondialdehyde [MDA]), and expression of steroidogenic genes (STAR, CYP11A1, and HSD17B3) by qRT-PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Busulfan markedly reduced testis weight, sperm quality, testosterone, TAC, and expression of steroidogenic genes, while increasing MDA and sperm abnormalities (p<0.05). CGA co-administration significantly improved these parameters, restoring gene expression and TAC toward control levels, reducing MDA, and enhancing testosterone, sperm count, morphology, and testicular histoarchitecture. However, sperm motility and testicular volume remained below control values (p<0.05). The CGA-alone group showed no significant differences from controls.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>CGA mitigates busulfan-induced azoospermia by enhancing antioxidant defenses, and improving spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, and testicular morphology. These findings suggest that CGA may serve as a potential complementary therapy for fertility preservation in patients undergoing chemotherapy, warranting further mechanistic and clinical investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":520656,"journal":{"name":"JBRA assisted reproduction","volume":" ","pages":"506-518"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13544259/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148440606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}