Excessive fetal growth in frozen embryo transfer: false alarm or clinical concern?
(Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - April 18, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
How uterine microbiota might be responsible for a receptive, fertile endometrium
We present the available evidence regarding uterine microbiota, focusing on recent findings based on 16S rRNA, and depict the possible importance of uterine colonization for a receptive endometrium. We highlight a possible role of uterine microbiota for host immunity and tissue adaptation, as well as conferring protection against pathogens. Based on knowledge of the interaction of the mucosal immune cells of the gut with the local microbiome, we want to investigate the potential implications of commensal colonization for uterine health.SEARCH METHODSPubMed and Google Scholar were searched for articles in English indexed fr...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - April 16, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Infectious, inflammatory and ‘autoimmune’ male factor infertility: how do rodent models inform clinical practice?
AbstractBACKGROUNDInfection and inflammation of the reproductive tract are significant causes of male factor infertility. Ascending infections caused by sexually transmitted bacteria or urinary tract pathogens represent the most frequent aetiology of epididymo-orchitis, but viral, haematogenous dissemination is also a contributory factor. Limitations in adequate diagnosis and therapy reflect an obvious need for further understanding of human epididymal and testicular immunopathologies and their contribution to infertility. A major obstacle for advancing our knowledge is the limited access to suitable tissue samples. Simila...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - April 10, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Thank you to our reviewers of 2017
(Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - April 10, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Trophoblast retrieval and isolation from the cervix: origins of cervical trophoblasts and their potential value for risk assessment of ongoing pregnancies
AbstractBACKGROUNDEarly during human development, the trophoblast lineage differentiates to commence placentation. Where the placenta contacts the uterine decidua, extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells differentiate and invade maternal tissues. EVT cells, identified by expression of HLA-G, invade into uterine blood vessels (endovascular EVT), as well as glands (endoglandular EVT), and open such luminal structures towards the intervillous space of the placenta. Endoglandular invasion diverts the contents of uterine glands to the intervillous space, while glands near the margin of the placenta that also contain endoglandular ...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - March 28, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Ethnicity, obesity and the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes in PCOS: a systematic review and meta-regression
AbstractBACKGROUNDOur prior meta-analyses demonstrated an increased prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but with substantial clinical heterogeneity.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALEWe aimed to update our previous review to quantify the prevalence of IGT and T2DM in PCOS with only quality studies (good and fair quality). We also aimed to examine the contribution of parameters including ethnicity, obesity and method of diagnosing T2DM in explaining the observed heterogeneity in IGT and T2DM prevalence in PCOS.SEARCH METHODSWe conducted a literature s...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - March 26, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Determinants of monozygotic twinning in ART: a systematic review and a meta-analysis
AbstractBACKGROUNDThe incidence of monozygotic twins (MZT) after ART appears to be higher than the incidence after spontaneous conceptions contradicting the aim of ART to avoid multiple pregnancies because of the associated risks.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALEThe aim was to study the frequency of MZT after IVF and ICSI and how it is influenced by the day of embryo transfer, maternal age, zona pellucida manipulation, controlled ovarian stimulation, stimulation protocol, culture media and embryo quality.SEARCH METHODSOriginal studies and reviews were identified by searching the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases up to March 2017...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - March 12, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
The effect of paternal factors on perinatal and paediatric outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
AbstractBACKGROUNDMaternal factors, including increasing childbearing age and various life-style factors, are associated with poorer short- and long-term outcomes for children, whereas knowledge of paternal parameters is limited. Recently, increasing paternal age has been associated with adverse obstetric outcomes, birth defects, autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia in children.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALEThe aim of this systematic review is to describe the influence of paternal factors on adverse short- and long-term child outcomes.SEARCH METHODSPubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases up to January 2017 were searched. Pat...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - February 15, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
The effect of pregnancy on endometriosis —facts or fiction?
The objective was to evaluate the evidence on whether pregnancy and lactation has a beneficiary effect on growth characteristics and symptoms of endometriosis diagnosed prior to pregnancy.SEARCH METHODSA search for articles containing keywords related to pregnancy and endometriosis was performed via PubMed. Manuscripts dealing with a potential effect of pregnancy on endometriosis were systematically reviewed. We included English, French and German language publications on human studies from 1966 to May 2017. Bibliographies of these manuscripts were searched for further relevant literature.OUTCOMESFive small observational s...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - February 15, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
IUI: review and systematic assessment of the evidence that supports global recommendations
The objective of this review is to provide a review of the evidence of 13 prioritized questions that cover IUI with and without OS. We provide summary recommendations for the development of global, evidence-based guidelines based upon methodology established by the WHO.SEARCH METHODSWe performed a comprehensive search using question-specific relevant search terms in May 2015. For each PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcomes) drafted by WHO, specific search terms were used to find the available evidence in MEDLINE (1950 to May 2015) and The Cochrane Library (until May 2015). After presentation to an expert p...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - February 14, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Sirtuins in gamete biology and reproductive physiology: emerging roles and therapeutic potential in female and male infertility
AbstractBACKGROUNDSirtuins (SIRT1-7) are a family of NAD+-dependent deacetylases that catalyze post-translational modifications of proteins. Together, they respond to metabolic challenges, inflammatory signals or hypoxic/oxidative stress, and are associated with aging and longevity. The role of Sirtuins in the regulation of fertility emerged in 2003 when a defective reproductive phenotype was observed inSIRT1-null mice. Although studies on Sirtuins in reproductive biology have been increasing in the last years, a recent comprehensive update on this issue is still lacking.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALEThis review is aimed to provi...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - February 13, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Acquisition of oocyte competence to develop as an embryo: integrated nuclear and cytoplasmic events
AbstractInfertility affects ~7% of couples of reproductive age with little change in incidence in the last two decades. ART, as well as other interventions, have made major strides in correcting this condition. However, and in spite of advancements in the field, the age of the female partner remains a main factor for a successful outcome. A better understanding of the final stages of gamete maturation yielding an egg that can sustain embryo development and a pregnancy to term remains a major area for improvement in the field. This review will summarize the major cellular and molecular events unfolding at the oocyte-to-embr...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - February 8, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Basic mechanisms of vascularization in endometriosis and their clinical implications
AbstractBACKGROUNDVascularization is a major hallmark in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. An increasing number of studies suggests that multiple mechanisms contribute to the vascularization of endometriotic lesions, including angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and inosculation.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALEIn this review, we provide an overview of the basic mechanisms of vascularization in endometriosis and give special emphasis on their future clinical implications in the diagnosis and therapy of the disease.SEARCH METHODSLiterature searches were performed in PubMed for English articles with the key words ‘endometriosis’, ‘end...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - January 25, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
Genetic and epigenetic factors which modulate differentiation propensity in human pluripotent stem cells
AbstractBACKGROUNDHuman pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) lines are known to have a bias in their differentiation. This gives individual cell lines a propensity to preferentially differentiate towards one germ layer or cell type over others. Chromosomal aberrations, mitochondrial mutations, genetic diversity and epigenetic variance are the main drivers of this phenomenon, and can lead to a wide range of phenotypes.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALEOur aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the different factors which influence differentiation propensity. Specifically, we sought to highlight known genetic variances and their mechani...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - January 25, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
The importance of DNA repair for maintaining oocyte quality in response to anti-cancer treatments, environmental toxins and maternal ageing
AbstractBACKGROUNDWithin the ovary, oocytes are stored in long-lived structures called primordial follicles, each comprising a meiotically arrested oocyte, surrounded by somatic granulosa cells. It is essential that their genetic integrity is maintained throughout life to ensure that high quality oocytes are available for ovulation. Of all the possible types of DNA damage, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are considered to be the most severe. Recent studies have shown that DNA DSBs can accumulate in oocytes in primordial follicles during reproductive ageing, and are readily induced by exogenous factors such as γ-irradiatio...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - January 25, 2018 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research
