F&S reviewsPub Date : 2022-05-01DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2022.03.001
Evan A. Reshef M.D., Alex Robles M.D., Jenna S. Hynes M.D., Jenna M. Turocy M.D., Eric J. Forman M.D.
{"title":"A review of factors influencing the implantation of euploid blastocysts after in vitro fertilization","authors":"Evan A. Reshef M.D., Alex Robles M.D., Jenna S. Hynes M.D., Jenna M. Turocy M.D., Eric J. Forman M.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2022.03.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2022.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This is a comprehensive review of the current literature addressing factors that are involved in the successful implantation of euploid blastocysts. It includes a comprehensive analysis of published studies on laboratory factors that may impact the performance of euploid blastocysts, including morphology, day of biopsy, and rebiopsy. Preexisting underlying patient factors that may impact the outcome of the embryo transfer (ET) of euploid blastocysts are also explored, including body mass index and endocrine abnormalities. The role of the uterine environment and its potential impact on the successful implantation of euploid blastocysts are reviewed, including endometrial thickness and pattern, uterine architecture, and adenomyosis. Finally, published studies on the stimulation environment and methods of endometrial preparation for frozen ET are analyzed. Euploid embryos appear to have similar outcomes regardless of maternal age (up to the age of approximately 40 years), frozen-thawed ET protocol (in ovulatory women), stimulation or trigger type, or culture conditions. Decreased implantation rates may be expected from euploid blastocysts with poorer morphology, those biopsied on day 7, those twice biopsied/frozen, and those after a difficult ET. Patients with very advanced age, high body mass index, adenomyosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and possibly methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase carriers may be at higher risk of euploid implantation failure or early pregnancy loss. This analysis only applies to those who are able to produce euploid blastocysts. There is a lack of evidence to support any interventions that subsequently increase implantation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"3 2","pages":"Pages 105-120"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666571922000032/pdfft?md5=e8836f66f62b8f1e478ac445247d0795&pid=1-s2.0-S2666571922000032-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121561195","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 : 2022-05-01DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2022.02.001
Olivia G. Camp B.S. , David Bai B.S. , Pravin T. Goud M.D., Ph.D. , Michael P. Diamond M.D. , Husam M. Abu-Soud Ph.D.
{"title":"A novel theory implicating hypochlorous acid as the primary generator of angiogenesis, infertility, and free iron in endometriosis","authors":"Olivia G. Camp B.S. , David Bai B.S. , Pravin T. Goud M.D., Ph.D. , Michael P. Diamond M.D. , Husam M. Abu-Soud Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2022.02.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xfnr.2022.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span>Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory </span>gynecologic disorder<span><span><span> characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma<span> throughout the abdominopelvic cavity, including the surfaces of the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, small and </span></span>large bowel<span>, and anterior/posterior cul-de-sacs. Research on the pathophysiology<span> of endometriosis has revealed several biologically active proinflammatory mediators, such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), </span></span></span>reactive oxygen species<span><span><span>, and free iron. The generation of free iron is believed to be driven by high activity of inducible heme oxygenase<span><span>; however, this does not fully explain the clinical features of endometriosis, such as implantation, hypoxic stress<span><span>, appearance of lesions, or marked elevations of free iron. Therefore, this review proposes a new theory highlighting that MPO, and subsequently generated hypochlorous acid, may direct the ectopic implantation of endometrial tissue and progression of endometriosis via </span>tissue hypoxia and </span></span>angiogenesis and modulation of inducible heme oxygenase activity, free iron generation, and increased reactive oxygen species activity. Furthermore, we discuss the pathway in which MPO-hypochlorous acid directly and indirectly impacts the follicular microenvironment and oocyte, contributing to endometriosis-associated infertility. We conclude with the hypothesis that these adverse effects may be attenuated through antioxidant supplementation, such as </span></span>lycopene or </span>melatonin.</span></span></p></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"3 2","pages":"Pages 146-156"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136599746","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":"Multidimensional barriers and facilitators to treatment seeking for infertility among women in the United States: a systematic review","authors":"Morine Cebert-Gaitors Ph.D. , Samia Abdelnalbi M.S.N. , Elise Mantell M.P.H. , Amanda Woodward M.L.I.S. , Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda Ph.D. , Eleanor Lowndes Stevenson Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.10.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.10.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To provide a comprehensive review of the literature that examines facilitators and barriers to infertility treatment seeking among women who experience infertility in the United States.</p></div><div><h3>Evidence Review</h3><p>This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews<span> and Meta-Analyses guidelines and has a registered protocol. Studies were included if they reported factors specifically influencing treatment-seeking patterns of women for infertility as defined above. The search was conducted in January 2020 in 4 databases and updated in February 2021. We used a combination of free texts, index, and truncated terms. The following terms and concepts were used: infertility [or] subfertility, woman [or] women [or] female, patient acceptance of health care [or] help-seeking [or] health-seeking behaviors [or] treatment seeking. The search terms were purposely used to include variations of terms that were synonymous with treatment seeking. Included studies must have been original research studies written in English that explicitly discussed the relationship of variables that influenced treatment seeking among women in the United States. Quality assessment was conducted using the critical appraisal tool from the Joana Briggs Institute.</span></p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The final sample included a total of 23 articles (6 qualitative, 17 quantitative) that examined facilitators and barriers that influenced treatment seeking among women who experienced infertility in the United States. These articles were synthesized using the health-seeking model developed by Chrisman. Findings suggest there are multifactorial facilitators and barriers that influence treatment seeking. Common facilitators to treatment seeking were high desire for parenthood, especially when their partners also agreed; high social support encouraging treatment; and advanced health literacy. Common barriers to treatment seeking were internalized stigma, having access limited by professional careers, low or no social support supporting treatment seeking, and negative perceptions of the clinical environment.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Overall, many of the facilitators and barriers found were a dynamic blend of perceptions of the biologic, clinical, and social implications of disease and treatment access. Many of these facilitators and barriers were influenced by social cues and perceived access to care. More research is needed to further elucidate variations in treatment seeking among diverse samples of racial and ethnic, gender, and sexual minority groups.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"3 1","pages":"Pages 76-89"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44795398","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 : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.12.001
Ettore Caroppo M.D. , Maurizio Dattilo M.D.
{"title":"Sperm redox biology challenges the role of antioxidants as a treatment for male factor infertility","authors":"Ettore Caroppo M.D. , Maurizio Dattilo M.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In spite of inconclusive or negative outcomes from clinical studies, oral antioxidants are still largely prescribed to infertile men to improve sperm motility and/or reduce sperm DNA damage, on the basis of the assumption that it is an oxidative damage and it will be corrected by antioxidants. We aimed to challenge this view by examining the available experimental evidence. The regulation of sperm motility may suffer several pathologic derangements, including alterations of the flagellum, impaired function of the activating phosphatases and kinases, impaired function of the extracellular vesicles of either epididymal or prostatic origin, deranged Ca<sup>2+</sup> trafficking, and infection/inflammation of the male accessory glands. None of the aforementioned issues seem to be directly dependent on the redox balance and to indicate a direct role for oral antioxidants treatment. Indeed, antioxidants may generate reductive imbalances resulting in an increase in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidized ratio, which sustains reactive oxygen species generation in mitochondria, potentially leading to increased sperm DNA damage, whereas a shortage of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidized may jeopardize the pol(ADP-ribose) polymerase-based DNA repair mechanisms at the time of histone to protamine transition, resulting in unresolved double-strand breaks and defective protamination, which further increases DNA vulnerability. The occurrence of reactive oxygen species and oxidative damages does not necessarily imply a shortage of antioxidant defenses, and the possibility that a different problem is in place should be considered. On this base, the current attitude to prescribe oral antioxidants to infertile men without demonstration of antioxidant shortage or true oxidative imbalance should be reconsidered.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"3 1","pages":"Pages 90-104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666571921000281/pdfft?md5=c3901d0e0e5090a2e9b55116ecd24f7a&pid=1-s2.0-S2666571921000281-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47301739","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 : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.004
Phoutdavone Phimphasone-Brady Ph.D. , Brooke Palmer Ph.D. , Alyssa Vela Ph.D. , Rachel L. Johnson M.S. , Ben Harnke M.L.I.S. , Lilian Hoffecker Ph.D. , Helen L. Coons Ph.D. , C. Neill Epperson M.D.
{"title":"Psychosocial interventions for women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials","authors":"Phoutdavone Phimphasone-Brady Ph.D. , Brooke Palmer Ph.D. , Alyssa Vela Ph.D. , Rachel L. Johnson M.S. , Ben Harnke M.L.I.S. , Lilian Hoffecker Ph.D. , Helen L. Coons Ph.D. , C. Neill Epperson M.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To synthesize the effects of psychosocial interventions to improve depression, anxiety, quality of life<span> (QOL), and other psychological outcomes in adult women living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).</span></p></div><div><h3>Evidence Review</h3><p>On the basis of the guidelines for the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews<span> and Meta-Analyses, we conducted a systematic review in the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE ALL; Embase; Cochrane Central Library; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; American Psychological Association PsycInfo; and Elton B. Stephens CO (company) Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. A study was included if it was a randomized controlled trial that examined the effect of psychosocial interventions to improve psychological outcomes (primary or secondary) in adult women (aged ≥18 years) diagnosed with PCOS. Study screening, data extraction, and assessment of methodological quality was conducted by 3 independent reviewers through a systematic process. The Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment for randomized controlled trials was used to assess the risk-of-bias and methodological quality. The results were combined and summarized in a narrative synthesis, and factors that may explain differences in the direction or effect sizes were considered and discussed.</span></p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p><span>Of the 127 studies that met the initial inclusion criteria, we included 7 studies for full-text review, with an average sample size of 83 participants in the initial randomization. Across the 3 studies that reported race and ethnicity, an average of 57% of participants identified as White. There was significant heterogeneity across studies in terms of PCOS criteria followed, variation in outcome measures, variation in reporting of outcomes, and small sample sizes in each outcome, limiting our ability to estimate the magnitude of effects or standardized mean differences. Psychosocial interventions were cognitive behavioral therapy, </span>acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, cognitive behavioral therapy combined with lifestyle modifications, or multicomponent behavioral modification program. Within the intervention groups, significant durations of effects from baseline to postintervention were observed for depression, anxiety, QOL, fatigue and sleep-related impairments, self-esteem, body image, perceived stress, and patient-reported outcomes for psychological distress and positive and negative affect. These findings demonstrate proof of concept that psychosocial interventions improve PCOS-related mental health issues. Significant results, however, between the intervention and control groups were inconsistent. Significant postintervention or 8-week outcomes were found in some, but not all, studies for depression, QOL, fatigue or sleep issues, self-esteem, body image, perceived stress, mindfulness, and negative affect. Further, on","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"3 1","pages":"Pages 42-56"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44648835","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 : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.002
Geneviève Genest M.D. , Walaa Almasri M.D. , Shorooq Banjar M.D. , Coralie Beauchamp M.D. , William Buckett M.D. , Frederick Dzineku M.D. , Ezgi Demirtas M.D. , Phil Gold M.D., Ph.D. , Michael H. Dahan M.D. , Wael Jamal M.D. , Isaac Jacques Kadoch M.D. , Louise Lapensée M.D. , Neal Mahutte M.D. , Pierre Miron M.D., Ph.D. , Camille Sylvestre M.D. , Togas Tulandi M.D. , Ciriaco A. Piccirillo Ph.D. , Carl A. Laskin M.D.
{"title":"Immunotherapy for recurrent pregnancy loss: a reappraisal","authors":"Geneviève Genest M.D. , Walaa Almasri M.D. , Shorooq Banjar M.D. , Coralie Beauchamp M.D. , William Buckett M.D. , Frederick Dzineku M.D. , Ezgi Demirtas M.D. , Phil Gold M.D., Ph.D. , Michael H. Dahan M.D. , Wael Jamal M.D. , Isaac Jacques Kadoch M.D. , Louise Lapensée M.D. , Neal Mahutte M.D. , Pierre Miron M.D., Ph.D. , Camille Sylvestre M.D. , Togas Tulandi M.D. , Ciriaco A. Piccirillo Ph.D. , Carl A. Laskin M.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span>Recurrent pregnancy loss<span> (RPL) is frequently encountered in the outpatient setting. Despite extensive investigation, up to 50% of patients will be diagnosed with idiopathic RPL, for which no effective treatment exists. While the immune system is intricately involved in the initiation and maintenance of pregnancy, there are no validated diagnostic tests to confirm immune-mediated pregnancy loss. Therefore, </span></span>drugs<span><span> aiming to modulate or suppress the immune system are often used on speculation with limited scientific evidence. As the literature is heterogeneous and difficult to assimilate, we sought to provide the reader with an objective and comprehensive review of each type of treatment (progesterone, aspirin<span>, low-molecular-weight heparin, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, human chorionic gonadotropin, corticosteroids, </span></span>Intralipids, and intravenous immunoglobulins), highlighting the possible mechanisms of action, potential efficacy or futility, and risks associated. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the topic, provide a clinical guide for decision-making, and identify knowledge gaps required to harmonize practices and develop guidelines for suspected immune-mediated RPL management.</span></p></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"3 1","pages":"Pages 24-41"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41411798","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 : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.001
Molly Quinn M.D. , Marcelle I. Cedars M.D. , Heather G. Huddleston M.D. , Nanette Santoro M.D.
{"title":"Antimüllerian hormone use and misuse in current reproductive medicine practice: a clinically oriented review","authors":"Molly Quinn M.D. , Marcelle I. Cedars M.D. , Heather G. Huddleston M.D. , Nanette Santoro M.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span><span>Antimüllerian hormone<span> (AMH) was originally discovered because of its role in suppressing the uterine and tubal structures during male sexual development. It has since become a valuable adjunct to the practice of reproductive endocrinology in several avenues. The ability of AMH to provide useful, albeit indirect, information regarding the size of the </span></span>ovarian follicle pool has been used successfully for predicting </span>ovarian reserve<span><span>, forecasting the time to menopause, supporting the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome<span> and predicting the response to treatment, and assisting in dose selection for women undergoing </span></span>assisted reproductive technology<span>. However, the enthusiasm for AMH as a relatively new tool in the armamentarium of the reproductive endocrinologist must be tempered by its limitations. Although AMH is helpful in ascertaining the quantity of remaining ovarian follicles, it does not provide information about follicle quality. Therefore, using AMH to forecast fertility potential can be fraught with error and can drive unwarranted medical treatment. Certain conditions and medications can also result in falsely low AMH determinations, which can again lead to inappropriate treatment recommendations. The knowledge of the proven usefulness of AMH and its limitations is therefore critical for optimal clinical practice.</span></span></p></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"3 1","pages":"Pages 1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91673311","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":"Does intracytoplasmic sperm injection improve live birth rate when compared with conventional in vitro fertilization in non-male factor infertility? A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Astrid de Bantel-Finet M.D. , Elisangela Arbo M.D., M.Sc. , Marina Colombani M.D. , Bernadette Darné M.D. , Vanessa Gallot M.D. , Veronika Grzegorczyk-Martin M.D. , Solène Languille Ph.D. , Thomas Fréour Pharm.D., Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.09.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.09.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To determine whether the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection<span><span> (ICSI), which was initially developed for sperm abnormalities but has progressively expanded beyond male factor infertility, improves live birth rate (LBR) compared with conventional </span>in vitro fertilization (IVF) in non-male factor infertility cases.</span></p></div><div><h3>Evidence Review</h3><p><span>This prospectively registered systematic review and meta-analysis was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant literature reported between January 01, 2004, and March 15, 2020. Only articles conducted in couples without obvious male factor infertility according to the investigators were included. Live birth rate (LBR) per cycle and/or per transfer was used as the main outcome. </span>Fertilization<span> rate, cycles with total fertilization failure, and clinical pregnancy rate were also recorded as the secondary outcomes. Study selection, bias assessment, and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. The methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed by two independent reviewers using the Cochrane Handbook methods and by the adapted Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for cohort studies. The risks of bias were assessed using the ROBIN-1 tools. Risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using the random-effects model.</span></p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p><span>Among the 1,760 potentially eligible studies, 61 were fully assessed, and 21 were included in the meta-analysis, corresponding to almost 1,000,000 assisted reproductive technology cycles. Among the selected studies, 17 reported LBR per cycle, 11 reported LBR per transfer, and 7 among them reported both outcomes. One was a prospective </span>randomized controlled trial, whereas others were either retrospective cohort (n=17) or case–control studies (n=4). Individual studies’ sample size ranged from 60 to 569,605 cycles. Meta-analysis showed that IVF provided a significantly higher LBR per cycle when compared with ICSI (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02–1.18). LBR per transfer tended to be higher when IVF was used compared with ICSI, but this difference barely reached statistical significance (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.00–1.38). Subgroup analysis performed in poor responders showed no significant difference between IVF and ICSI concerning LBR per cycle or LBR per transfer. The secondary analyses demonstrated a lower fertilization rate but comparable clinical pregnancy and fertilization failure rates with IVF compared with ICSI. Sensitivity analyses led to similar results and conclusions.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Despite its limitations, mainly related to the inclusion of most retrospective studies, this meta-analysis synthesizes and reinforces the existing literature and provides further evidence that ICSI does not impr","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"3 1","pages":"Pages 57-68"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91718306","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":"Regulation of autophagy in the uterus: from physiological processes to endometriosis and uterine fibroids","authors":"Paola Marcolongo Ph.D. , Emilia Maellaro Ph.D. , Stefano Luisi M.D., Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Endometriosis<span><span><span><span> and uterine fibroids<span> are 2 common gynecological disorders. Their pathophysiology remains unclear, although several different risk factors have been identified, including </span></span>genetic predisposition, hormones, and proinflammatory cytokines. The present review outlines the experimental evidence showing the role of autophagy in the physiology of the </span>endometrium and </span>myometrium<span> and emerging evidence that autophagy may contribute to the onset of endometriosis and uterine fibroids. The full definition of the role of autophagy is likely to lead to effective new pharmacologic treatments for these disorders.</span></span></p></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"3 1","pages":"Pages 69-75"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47036301","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 : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.005
Matthew Hamilton B.H.Sc. , Stewart Russell Ph.D. , Sergey Moskovtsev M.D., Ph.D. , Stephen A. Krawetz Ph.D. , Clifford Librach M.D.
{"title":"The developmental significance of sperm-borne ribonucleic acids and their potential for use as diagnostic markers for male factor infertility","authors":"Matthew Hamilton B.H.Sc. , Stewart Russell Ph.D. , Sergey Moskovtsev M.D., Ph.D. , Stephen A. Krawetz Ph.D. , Clifford Librach M.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.11.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span><span>The clinical challenge of diagnosing male factor infertility leaves several male patients with an unidentified cause of subfertility and increases </span>time to pregnancy<span> among couples undergoing fertility treatment<span>. Traditionally assessed sperm characteristics inadequately predict male fertility<span> status, reinforcing the concept that the male gamete harbors intrinsic factors that may determine its competency in </span></span></span></span>fertilization<span><span> and development. In addition to an intricate, epigenetically marked genome, spermatozoa carry a diverse collection of both small and large ribonucleic acids (RNAs). A growing body of literature suggests these coding and noncoding spermatozoal RNAs are functional in the early embryo, contributing to normal preimplantation development and progression. Furthermore, this dynamic population of sperm-borne RNAs is altered as maturing sperm traverse the </span>male reproductive tract<span> and is susceptible to various environmental influences, directing the paternal RNAs that are delivered to the oocyte. Research into such modifications has demonstrated that sperm-borne RNAs may act as mediators of epigenetic inheritance, with significant influences on offspring development and phenotype. Preliminary findings suggest that a variety of small and large RNAs are differentially expressed among the fertile and infertile groups of animals and humans and have value as diagnostic markers of male fertility status. Further investigation is necessary to better characterize the role of sperm-borne RNA elements in fertilization and development and evaluate their potential use as clinical markers for male factor infertility.</span></span></p></div>","PeriodicalId":73011,"journal":{"name":"F&S reviews","volume":"3 1","pages":"Pages 11-23"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91673286","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}