F&S reviewsPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100099
Ida Behrendt Møller M.D. , Kilian Vomstein Dr. med. habil. , Maria Christine Krog Ph.D. , Ruth Bunker Lathi Ph.D. , Henriette Svarre Nielsen D.M.Sc
{"title":"The evidence-practice gap in immunotherapy for recurrent pregnancy loss: a critical narrative review of current treatments","authors":"Ida Behrendt Møller M.D. , Kilian Vomstein Dr. med. habil. , Maria Christine Krog Ph.D. , Ruth Bunker Lathi Ph.D. , Henriette Svarre Nielsen D.M.Sc","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100099","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100099","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Many clinicians suspect immune problems when treating women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL); however, we lack evidence that immunotherapy helps. Although immune tolerance is crucial for successful pregnancy, distinguishing immunologic from nonimmunologic causes of RPL continues to be a major hurdle. Apart from antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), decades of studying immune markers have yielded no reliable diagnostic tests. This diagnostic uncertainty has led to widespread off-label use of immunomodulatory treatments without strong evidence of a positive effect on pregnancy outcomes. This review examines current data on frequently used immune therapies including corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, lymphocyte immunotherapy, calcineurin inhibitors, anticoagulants, and granulocyte colony–stimulating factor. Small studies with diverse demographics and contradictory findings make up most of the information available. There are only a few high-quality randomized controlled trials, frequently demonstrating no significant treatment benefit. Designing such trials is particularly challenging because of the heterogeneous nature of RPL, which may involve patients with genetic, anatomical, endocrine, and immunologic risk factors. Ideally, such trials only include patients with similar underlying pathologies to generate robust and reliable evidence. Current evidence does not support routine use of these expensive and potentially dangerous therapies. Future progress requires identifying trustworthy biomarkers that can distinguish immune-mediated RPL from other causes to identify women who potentially could benefit from immune modulation and conducting appropriately powered randomized controlled trials in well-defined patient populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100099"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145527805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F&S reviewsPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-06-04DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100093
Kyle Le M.D. , Atoosa Ghofranian M.D. , Kate Devine M.D.
{"title":"Fertility care in transgender and gender-diverse individuals: the possibility of oocyte and sperm cryopreservation after medical transition","authors":"Kyle Le M.D. , Atoosa Ghofranian M.D. , Kate Devine M.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100093","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100093","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Some transgender and gender-diverse individuals desire biological children; however, only a small percentage of these individuals preserve their fertility. There are many barriers preventing such patients from accessing assisted reproductive technologies. Many of them are not informed regarding fertility preservation options before initiation of gender-affirming hormonal therapy (GAHT). Transgender women and transfeminine individuals have worse semen parameters than cisgender men, even without exposure to GAHT. For those who seek GAHT, estradiol and/or antiandrogens may negatively impact semen parameters. Although a hiatus from GAHT before sperm cryopreservation may be considered, this may impose hardship. Transgender men and transmasculine individuals on GAHT have similar oocyte retrieval outcomes compared with transgender men not on GAHT and cisgender women. Multiple reports have indicated positive outcomes even in those who continue their testosterone through the oocyte stimulation cycle. Ideally, transgender and gender-diverse individuals should see a reproductive endocrinologist for a discussion of fertility preservation options and, if desired, should ideally complete fertility preservation <em>before</em> starting GAHT. Still, for several reasons, patients may decline or omit this step before initiating medical transition and then decide later that they wish to pursue fertility preservation or treatment. Thankfully for transgender males, data indicates that successful fertility preservation is possible even after medical transition. For transgender females, estradiol may reduce fertility potential, and outcomes after medical transition can be more limited.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100093"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitors for fertility preservation in breast cancer: a narrative review","authors":"Yuji Tanaka M.D., Ph.D., Tsukuru Amano M.D., Ph.D., Ayako Inatomi M.D., Ph.D., Tetsuro Hanada M.D., Ph.D., Akimasa Takahashi M.D., Ph.D., Shunichiro Tsuji M.D., Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100097","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100097","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in adolescent and young adult women and poses a high risk of infertility because of gonadotoxic chemotherapy and prolonged endocrine therapy-associated ovarian aging. Although embryo and oocyte cryopreservation are standard approaches, technical limitations (e.g., insufficient oocyte yield) as well as nontechnical barriers, including limited accessibility, cost, and concerns about oncologic outcomes, restrict their use. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation, a backup strategy, also faces the challenge of substantial follicle loss during processing. These gaps underscore the urgent need for pharmacologic ovarian protective agents. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, approved for advanced/recurrent breast cancer treatment, have emerged as promising dual-purpose agents that preserve ovarian reserve while enhancing antitumor efficacy. In preclinical models, mTOR inhibition mitigates follicular loss induced by chemotherapy, aging, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation. Moreover, mTOR inhibitors may act as endometrial protectants by reducing tamoxifen-induced endometrial hyperplasia. Despite compelling preclinical evidence, clinical application of mTOR inhibitors for fertility preservation remains unexplored. Dedicated trials with coprimary endpoints of ovarian function and oncologic outcomes are warranted. Alternatively, post hoc analyses of existing (neo)adjuvant breast cancer trials could rapidly assess fertility-protective effects. Teratogenic risk appears low, and ovarian-protective doses may be lower than antitumor doses, potentially minimizing toxicity. This narrative review integrates preclinical findings, examines translational challenges, and outlines future directions. Further research on mTOR inhibitors could improve fertility and quality of life for adolescent and young adult survivors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100097"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F&S reviewsPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-06-04DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100094
Dean E. Morbeck Ph.D. , Michael P. Diamond M.D.
{"title":"Blastocyst development in assisted reproductive technologies: a narrative review evaluating its role as a surrogate marker for pregnancy outcomes and live birth success","authors":"Dean E. Morbeck Ph.D. , Michael P. Diamond M.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100094","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100094","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is an urgent global need to improve in vitro fertilization success rates and expand access to services. Specific to the in vitro fertilization laboratory, challenges such as standardization and a shortage of trained embryologists hinder quality and limit service availability. Current standards for product approval rely on demonstrating comparable pregnancy rates, requiring extensive patient involvement and time-consuming trials, which may be further hindered by patient reluctance to participate in clinical trials. Efficient assessment of new protocols and devices for assessing human assisted reproductive technology requires considering intermediate endpoints and markers to complement conventional endpoints. This review explores blastocyst development as a potential surrogate marker for pregnancy. It examines the correlation between blastocyst development and implantation potential, evaluates how culture conditions and other factors affect outcomes, and discusses the evidence supporting an absence of adverse effects of embryo culture on perinatal and offspring health. The conclusion strongly suggests that blastocyst development could serve as a valuable surrogate for establishing equivalency of pregnancy and live births in new assisted reproductive technology protocols. This review underscores the need for a surrogate marker of quality and presents evidence supporting the utility of blastocyst use rate as a sufficient indicator.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"6 2","pages":"Article 100094"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144513645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F&S reviewsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2024-10-30DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2024.100080
{"title":"Retraction notice to ‘The impact of an endometrial receptivity array on personalizing embryo transfer for patients with infertility: a meta-analysis’ (F S Rev 2022;3:157-73)","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2024.100080","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2024.100080","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"6 1","pages":"Article 100080"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144220806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F&S reviewsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2024-11-06DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2024.100081
Ana K. Rosen Vollmar Ph.D. , Shruthi Mahalingaiah M.D. , Anne Marie Jukic Ph.D.
{"title":"The menstrual cycle as a vital sign: a comprehensive review","authors":"Ana K. Rosen Vollmar Ph.D. , Shruthi Mahalingaiah M.D. , Anne Marie Jukic Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2024.100081","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2024.100081","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Some medical professional organizations have advocated for including the menstrual cycle as a vital sign in adolescence but not in adulthood. However, documenting menstrual cycle patterns is not routine clinical or research practice. Vital signs are used to predict health outcomes, indicate needed treatment, and monitor a clinical course. They can help identify pathologies, affirm wellness, and are responsive to exposures. Here, we review the scientific evidence showing how the menstrual cycle meets these criteria and should, therefore, be treated as a vital sign. Using key words and controlled vocabulary terms, we performed multiple literature searches, prioritizing the inclusion of systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical practice guidelines. This review describes how the menstrual cycle is a health indicator, how it cyclically can impact health conditions, and its associations with long-term postmenopausal health outcomes. We review exposures influencing the menstrual cycle, evidence underlying its use to optimize wellness, and available tools for documenting cycles. Supplemental materials include patient handouts on menstrual cycle tracking and an index of related clinical practice guidelines and reviews by subject. The menstrual cycle is a vital sign from menarche through menopause, an underused but powerful tool for understanding gynecological and general health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"6 1","pages":"Article 100081"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143134272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F&S reviewsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-03-27DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100090
Morgan Orsolini M.S. , Jason Russack M.S. , Huey Huynh M.S. , Douglas Raburn Ph.D. , John Fox Ph.D. , Danny Schust M.D.
{"title":"In vivo gamete toxicology in the context of in vitro fertilization: a narrative review","authors":"Morgan Orsolini M.S. , Jason Russack M.S. , Huey Huynh M.S. , Douglas Raburn Ph.D. , John Fox Ph.D. , Danny Schust M.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100090","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100090","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In vitro fertilization (IVF) as a clinical method to surmount infertility has existed since the 1970s, and yet fertilization, embryo development, pregnancy, and live birth rates remain unacceptably low. Although a multitude of factors may contribute to stagnated success despite substantial advances in basic and applied IVF sciences, gamete quality is inarguably integral to IVF treatment success rates. In this review, the investigators explored the role of environmental toxicology in impairing in vivo fertility and gamete quality before starting IVF, which may influence downstream IVF treatment success. In vivo, contaminants of interest that may affect gamete potential in the context of IVF treatment include heavy metals, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, persistent organic pollutants, and airborne contaminants. This review aimed to provide clinicians with a comprehensive reference on potential toxicologic exposures by evaluating the existing literature on reproductive toxicology and the impact of toxic exposures on IVF clinical outcomes. It used in vitro and animal data to support correlational human studies with potential causative mechanisms and to emphasize the importance of patient evaluation of toxicologic risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"6 1","pages":"Article 100090"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143877101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F&S reviewsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2024-11-16DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2024.100082
Ilya Volodyaev Ph.D. , Anna Ivanova M.Sc. , Elena Korchivaia M.Sc. , Alexey Surnov Ph.D. , Ekaterina Pomerantseva M.D., Ph.D. , Igor N. Lebedev M.D., Ph.D., Dr.Biol.Sc. , Maria L. Semenova Ph.D., Dr.Biol.Sc. , Ilya Mazunin Ph.D.
{"title":"The chromosomal challenge of human embryos: prevalence of aneuploidy and mosaicism","authors":"Ilya Volodyaev Ph.D. , Anna Ivanova M.Sc. , Elena Korchivaia M.Sc. , Alexey Surnov Ph.D. , Ekaterina Pomerantseva M.D., Ph.D. , Igor N. Lebedev M.D., Ph.D., Dr.Biol.Sc. , Maria L. Semenova Ph.D., Dr.Biol.Sc. , Ilya Mazunin Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2024.100082","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2024.100082","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chromosomal aberrations, such as whole-chromosome aneuploidies, segmental aneuploidies, whole-chromosome mosaicism, and segmental mosaicism, are key factors influencing embryonic development and the outcomes of fertility programs. This analytic review critically examines the prevalence and origins of these genetic abnormalities, emphasizing the significant maternal contribution to whole-chromosome aneuploidies and the age-related nature of these aberrations. In contrast, segmental aneuploidies, whole-chromosome mosaicism, and segmental mosaicism appear largely age-independent and show considerable variability across studies, mainly due to technical artifacts and methodological differences. By analyzing the accumulated data, scrutinizing methodological discrepancies in preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies, and distinguishing between biologic phenomena and artifacts, this review aims to clarify the current understanding of chromosomal aberrations in human embryos and their impact on reproductive health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"6 1","pages":"Article 100082"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143134273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F&S reviewsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100088
Yusuf Beebeejaun M.R.C.O.G. , Timothy Copeland Ph.D. , Ippokratis Sarris D.M., F.R.C.O.G. , Marian Showell M.P.H. , Sesh K. Sunkara M.R.C.O.G. , James M.N. Duffy D.Phil.
{"title":"Effectiveness of clinical touch, 2D, 3D, and 4D ultrasound guided embryo transfer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of embryo transfer techniques","authors":"Yusuf Beebeejaun M.R.C.O.G. , Timothy Copeland Ph.D. , Ippokratis Sarris D.M., F.R.C.O.G. , Marian Showell M.P.H. , Sesh K. Sunkara M.R.C.O.G. , James M.N. Duffy D.Phil.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100088","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2025.100088","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>With the use of two-dimensional ultrasound (2D US) in embryo transfer (ET) procedures now a widely accepted practice, and preferred over clinical touch (CT), there is growing interest in whether three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) US provide better outcomes for ET compared with traditional 2D methods. We aim to perform a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of CT, 2D transabdominal (TAUS), 2D transvaginal (TVUS), 3D, and 4D US-guided ET.</div></div><div><h3>Evidence Review</h3><div>Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) indexed in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, clinical trial registries, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched from inception to December 2023. Identified RCTs were assessed for trustworthiness using the Trustworthiness in RAndomized Controlled Trials. Statistical analysis for pairwise was performed using Review Manager version 5.3 and NMAs were performed using STATA version 16. Random-effects modeling was used for data-pooling. Key outcomes included clinical pregnancy (CPRs) and live birth rates (LBRs), miscarriage rates, and ectopic pregnancy rates.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twenty-five RCTs of high integrity assessing 8,884 ET outcomes comparing CT, 2D TAUS-, 2D TVUS-, 3D TAUS-, and 4D TVUS-guided ET were included. The NMA identified lower LBR with CT (risk ratio [RR]: 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59–1.03) compared with 2D TAUS. There were no significant differences in LBR between other methods, including 2D TVUS vs. 2D TAUS (RR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.61–1.74), and 3D TAUS vs. 2D TAUS (RR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.78–1.32). Clinical touch-guided ET was associated with a lower CPR compared with 2D TAUS (RR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.75–0.91). There was no significant CPR difference comparing 2D TVUS vs. 2D (RR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.83–1.16), 3D TAUS vs. 2D TAUS (RR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.80–1.20). Four-dimensional TVUS did not show a significant difference in either LBR or CPR compared with 2D TAUS, 3D TAUS, or CT.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>For CPR, our study reinforces that ET guided by CT alone is inferior to 2D TAUS-guided transfer. However, when comparing 2D TAUS-, 2D TVUS-, 3D TAUS-, and 4D TVUS-guided ET, we found no evidence of significant differences in LBR, CPR, miscarriage rates, or ectopic pregnancy rates. The certainty of evidence for our primary outcome of CPR was rated as moderate, reflecting confidence in the results, but with notable concerns regarding study limitations and paucity of trials assessing the use of 3D and 4D US.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"6 1","pages":"Article 100088"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143644957","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}
F&S reviewsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2024.100086
Krishnika Vetrivel M.B.B.S. , Ayesha Salejee M.B.B.S. , Bheena Kharunyam M.B.B.S. , Hakim-Moulay Dehbi Ph.D. , Spiros Denaxas Ph.D. , Nicholas Freemantle Ph.D. , Bassel H. Al Wattar Ph.D.
{"title":"Predicting the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatments: a systematic review and quality assessment of prediction models","authors":"Krishnika Vetrivel M.B.B.S. , Ayesha Salejee M.B.B.S. , Bheena Kharunyam M.B.B.S. , Hakim-Moulay Dehbi Ph.D. , Spiros Denaxas Ph.D. , Nicholas Freemantle Ph.D. , Bassel H. Al Wattar Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2024.100086","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2024.100086","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Importance</h3><div>Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a common iatrogenic complication of controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in assisted conception. OHSS can be life-threatening and associated with significant morbidity. Several measures could help prevent OHSS; however, accurate risk prediction remains a challenge to enable early prevention.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To review available prediction models for OHSS in women undergoing assisted conception and to identify the best-performing models for their accuracy, generalizability, and applicability.</div></div><div><h3>Evidence review</h3><div>We searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL) until October 2023. We included studies reporting on the development or evaluation of models predicting the risk of OHSS outcomes before or during COS among women undergoing assisted conception. We reported on models’ discrimination, calibration, type of validation, and any implementation tools for clinical practice.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>We screened 5,699 citations and included 14 observational cohort studies reporting on 14 prediction models. The median sample size was 782 participants (range 105–256,381), and the majority of models were developed using logistic regression (13/14, 92.9%). The commonest predictor was maternal age (7/14, 50.0%), followed by number of antral and mature follicles (6/14, 42.9%). Six models were internally validated (6/14, 42.9%), and none were externally validated. Only one model had an implementation platform as a smartphone-based application (1/14, 7.1%). Most of the included studies had an unclear risk of bias (7/14, 50.0%), and only three studies were at low risk (3/13, 21.4%).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion and relevance</h3><div>There are no clinically appropriate and validated prediction models for OHSS among women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. More research is needed to improve their generalizability and applicability into clinical practice.</div></div><div><h3>PROSPERO</h3><div>CRD42024509423</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"6 1","pages":"Article 100086"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143428788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}