Efficacy of hysteroscopy in improving reproductive outcomes of infertile couples: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy in improving the live birth rate (LBR) of infertile women, with and without intrauterine abnormalities, at any stage of the infertility work-up.
SEARCH METHODS
PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and the Clinical Trials Registry using Medical Subject Headings and free text terms were searched up to June 2014, without language or year restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling infertile women with no suspected intrauterine cavity abnormalities and comparing hysteroscopy versus no h...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - June 22, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Di Spiezio Sardo, A., Di Carlo, C., Minozzi, S., Spinelli, M., Pistotti, V., Alviggi, C., De Placido, G., Nappi, C., Bifulco, G. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Male psychological adaptation to unsuccessful medically assisted reproduction treatments: a systematic review
BACKGROUND
Similarly to women, men suffer from engaging in fertility treatments, both physically and psychologically. Although there is a vast body of evidence on the emotional adjustment of women to infertility, there are no systematic reviews focusing on men's psychological adaptation to infertility and related treatments.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
The main research questions addressed in this review were ‘Does male psychological adaptation to unsuccessful medically assisted reproduction (MAR) treatment vary over time?’ and ‘Which psychosocial variables act as protective or risk factors for psychological...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - June 22, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Martins, M. V., Basto-Pereira, M., Pedro, J., Peterson, B., Almeida, V., Schmidt, L., Costa, M. E. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Investigating psychosocial attitudes, motivations and experiences of oocyte donors, recipients and egg sharers: a systematic review
CONCLUSION
This review successfully explored the important psychosocial aspects of oocyte donation. In general terms the attitudes and feeling of patients involved from all sides of the donation process were extremely positive. A number of key and consistent issues emerged which demonstrated differences and similarities between the different donor groups, as well as a greater understanding of the recipient. With regard to psychosocial well-being, the results were reassuring throughout all donor groups, especially the egg share donors. Although it seems the 2005 legislative changes in the UK have not caused the anticipated ...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - June 22, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Bracewell-Milnes, T., Saso, S., Bora, S., Ismail, A. M., Al-Memar, M., Hamed, A. H., Abdalla, H., Thum, M.-Y. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Oocyte cryopreservation: where are we now?
CONCLUSION
Oocyte cryopreservation is an established component of ART, with vitrification now being the cryopreservation technique of choice. Increasing numbers of women undergo oocyte cryopreservation for both medical and social reasons. It is important to continue auditing outcomes and reporting long-term follow-up of children born from frozen–thawed oocytes. (Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - June 22, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Argyle, C. E., Harper, J. C., Davies, M. C. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Gamete activation: basic knowledge and clinical applications
Background
The first clues to the process of gamete activation date back to nearly 60 years ago. The mutual activation of gametes is a crucial event during fertilization. In the testis and ovaries, spermatozoa and oocytes are in a state of meiotic and metabolic quiescence and require reciprocal signals in order to undergo functional changes that lead to competence for fertilization. First, the oocyte activates sperm by triggering motility, chemoattraction, binding and the acrosome reaction, culminating with the fusion of the two plasma membranes. At the end of this cascade of events, collectively known as sperm capacitatio...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - June 22, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Tosti, E., Menezo, Y. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Genome engineering through CRISPR/Cas9 technology in the human germline and pluripotent stem cells
BACKGROUND
With the recent development of CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 genome editing technology, the possibility to genetically manipulate the human germline (gametes and embryos) has become a distinct technical possibility. Although many technical challenges still need to be overcome in order to achieve adequate efficiency and precision of the technology in human embryos, the path leading to genome editing has never been simpler, more affordable, and widespread.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
In this narrative review we seek to understand the possible impact of CRISR/Cas9 technology o...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - June 22, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Vassena, R., Heindryckx, B., Peco, R., Pennings, G., Raya, A., Sermon, K., Veiga, A. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Metformin and lifestyle modification in polycystic ovary syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis
(Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - May 2, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Naderpoor, N., Shorakae, S., de Courten, B., Misso, M. L., Moran, L. J., Teede, H. J. Tags: Corrigendum Source Type: research
Reply: Metformin for women with hyperandrogenic anovulation
(Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - May 2, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Naderpoor, N., Shorakae, S., de Courten, B., Misso, M. L., Moran, L. J., Teede, H. J. Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
Metformin for women with hyperandrogenic anovulation
(Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - May 2, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Martins, W. P. Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
Reply: LNG-IUDs in treating dysmenorrhea
(Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - May 2, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Iacovides, S., Polo-Kantola, P., Baker, F. C. Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
A frameless LNG-IUD may be preferred over framed LNG-IUD for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea
(Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - May 2, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Wildemeersch, D. Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
Kinase signalling pathways in endometriosis: potential targets for non-hormonal therapeutics
CONCLUSIONS
Kinase signalling pathways represent viable targets for endometriosis treatment. At present, however, further improvements in clinical efficacy and the profile of adverse effects are required before these compounds can be useful for long-term endometriosis treatment. A better understanding of the molecular activity of these kinases, including the specific extracellular compounds that lead to their activation in endometriotic cells specifically should facilitate their improvement and could potentially lead to new, non-hormonal treatments of endometriosis. (Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - May 2, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: McKinnon, B. D., Kocbek, V., Nirgianakis, K., Bersinger, N. A., Mueller, M. D. Tags: Review Source Type: research
GnRH and GnRH receptors in the pathophysiology of the human female reproductive system
CONCLUSIONS
Increasing knowledge about the regulation of GnRH pulsatile release, as well as the therapeutic use of its analogues, offers interesting new perspectives in the diagnosis, treatment and outcome of female reproductive disorders, including tumoral and iatrogenic diseases. (Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - May 2, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Maggi, R., Cariboni, A. M., Marelli, M. M., Moretti, R. M., Andre, V., Marzagalli, M., Limonta, P. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Activins in reproductive biology and beyond
CONCLUSIONS
The field of activin biology has advanced considerably since its initial discovery as an FSH stimulating agent. Now, activin is well known as a growth factor and cytokine that regulates many aspects of reproductive biology, developmental biology and also inflammation and immunological mechanisms. Current research provides evidence for novel roles of activins in maintaining the structure and function of reproductive and other organ systems. The fact that activin A is elevated both locally as well as systemically in major disorders of the reproductive system makes it an important biomarker. Given the established ...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - May 2, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Wijayarathna, R., de Kretser, D. M. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Leptin and its potential interest in assisted reproduction cycles
CONCLUSION
Leptin regulates energy balance and female reproductive function, mainly through its action on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function, whose molecular and cellular aspects are progressively being deciphered. Preliminary studies evaluating leptin as a biomarker in human IVF seem promising but need further confirmation. (Source: Human Reproduction Update)
Source: Human Reproduction Update - May 2, 2016 Category: OBGYN Authors: Catteau, A., Caillon, H., Barriere, P., Denis, M. G., Masson, D., Freour, T. Tags: Review Source Type: research
