Modification of the effects of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide on congenital limb defects by meteorological conditions
AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONCan meteorological conditions modify the associations between NO2 and SO2 exposure and congenital limb defects (CLDs) during the first trimester of pregnancy?SUMMARY ANSWERIncreases in NO2 and SO2 exposure were consistently associated with higher risks of CLDs during the first trimester of pregnancy; both low- and high-temperature exposure and high air humidity act synergistically with the two air pollutants on CLDs.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYAnimal studies have indicated air pollutants are associated with CLDs, but corresponding epidemiological studies are limited with equivocal conclusions. Meteorological...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 12, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
Systematic development of a mobile preconception lifestyle programme for couples undergoing IVF: the PreLiFe-programme
AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONCan we develop a preconception lifestyle programme for couples undergoing IVF that is in line with their needs.SUMMARY ANSWERA mobile preconception lifestyle programme was systematically developed based on expert opinion, literature and needs of IVF-patients.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYA healthy lifestyle prior to conception is not only beneficial for the general health of couples, but evidence on its importance for their reproductive health and the health of their children is also emerging. So far, the vast majority of fertility clinics do not offer a lifestyle programme for couples undergoing IVF. Therefor...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 11, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
The ultra-long study: a randomized controlled trial evaluating long-term GnRH downregulation prior to ART in women with endometriosis
AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONDoes ultra-long downregulation with a GnRH agonist (triptorelin depot) in previously operated patients with endometriosis improve the rate of clinical pregnancy with positive fetal heart beat (CPHB) in the subsequent initiated fresh ART cycle?SUMMARY ANSWERUltra-long downregulation with a GnRH agonist prior to ART did not improve the rate of CPHB in the subsequent fresh ART cycle in previously completely operated patients but the trial was underpowered due to early termination.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYAdministration of GnRH agonists for a period of 3 –6 months prior to ART in women with endometriosis ma...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 9, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
BMI in childhood and adolescence is associated with impaired reproductive function —a population-based cohort study from birth to age 50 years
This study supports previous results showing that girls with obesity in late childhood and in adolescence displayed reduced fertility and an increased risk of remaining childless in adulthood, independently of marital history and PCOS in adulthood. These findings corroborate the body of evidence for a causal relation between early adiposity and the reproductive functions in women. We recommend reinforcing the prevention of obesity in school-age girls to reduce the risk of impaired reproductive functions.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)NFBC1966 received financial support from University of Oulu Grant no. 65354, Oulu Univ...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 7, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
Three-dimensional microengineered vascularised endometrium-on-a-chip
This report is largely anin-vitro study and it would be beneficial to validate our findings using human primary endometrial cells.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGSOur 3D microengineered vascularised endometrium-on-a-chip provides a newin-vitro approach to drug screening and drug discovery by mimicking the complicated behaviours of human endometrium. Thus, we suggest our model as a tool for addressing critical challenges and unsolved problems in female diseases, such as endometriosis, uterine cancer and female infertility, in a personalised manner.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)This work is supported by funding from th...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 7, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
Ovarian follicular function is not altered by SARS –CoV-2 infection or BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination
AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONDoes the immune response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection or the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine involve the ovarian follicle, and does it affect its function?SUMMARY ANSWERWe were able to demonstrate anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS –CoV-2) IgG in follicular fluid (FF) from both infected and vaccinated IVF patients, with no evidence for compromised follicular function.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYNo research data are available yet.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONThis is a cohort study, composed of 32 consecutive IVF patients, either infected with COVID-19, vaccinated or non-expo...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 7, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
P –217 The mitochondrial DNA copy number of cumulus granulosa cells is associated with the symmetry of cleavage embryo but not blastocyst quality
AbstractStudy questionTo study the relationship between mitochondrial DNA copy number of cumulus granulosa cells (CGCs-mtDNA) and the quality of early embryos.Summary answerCGCs-mtDNA was related to the symmetry of cleavage. However, CGCs-mtDNA was not associated with fertilization, blastocysts quality, or blastocysts euploidy.What is known alreadyThe potential of early embryonic development mainly depends on the quality of oocytes to a large extent. Mitochondria of CGCs are directly involved in the establishment of oocytes capacitation during oocytes maturation and development.Study design, size, durationThis is a retrosp...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
P –216 Successful pregnancies and deliveries in patients with a recurrent failure of ART treatments following artificial removal of the zona pellucida (ZP) at the pronuclear stage
This study was conducted in two cases selected among patients who underwent ART treatment in our clinic between 2018 and 2019. Cases were selected if they lacked good quality blastocysts in previous c-IVF/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) cycles due to massive cytoplasmic fragmentation at the first and second cleavage. We performed a clinical trial of ZP-free culture from December 2019 to March 2020.Participants/materials, setting, methodsTwo cases were selected for this trial. Normally fertilized oocytes were grouped as ZP-free or ZP-intact. For the ZP-free group, 2PN embryos were placed in 0.125M sucrose-containing...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
P –215 The degree of perivitelline space (PS) at the pronuclear stage affects subsequent embryonic development in human zygotes
This study included 49 patients who gave written informed consent for our study and were treated with ART in our clinic between March and December 2020. Embryonic development was compared between zygotes with a fully surrounding PS [PS(+)] with those with a partially surrounding PS [PS(-)] at the pronuclear stage. Furthermore, the ZP of PS(-) embryos were artificially removed at the pronuclear stage, and the rate of GQE and BDR were compared with ZP-intact embryos.Participants/materials, setting, methodsThe degree of PS in 128 zygotes was confirmed by hypertonic preparation using 0.125M sucrose-containing HEPES medium. PS(...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
P –214 Effect of artificial activation of oocytes (AOA-ICSI) on the ploidy status of the resultant blastocysts. A sibling-oocytes pilot study
This study showed that AOA-ICSI does not increase the risk of having aneuploidy blastocysts and can improve the fertilization rate in patients with sperm factor deficiency. Additional studies involving a larger number of patients with more specific indication can further justify the benefits of AOA as a therapeutic application.Trial registration numberNA (Source: Human Reproduction)
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
P –109 Comparison between the outcome of sperm vitrification protocol and conventional slow freezing protocol for semen cryopreservation
AbstractStudy questionDoes sperm vitrification technique helps in increasing sperm survival and low DNA fragmentation index post warming.Summary answerSperm vitrification protocol results in better motility, high progression and low DNA fragmentation index as compared to slow freezing.What is known alreadyCryopreservation is ceasing and resuming the cell metabolism, which can be achieved by different techniques like slow freezing and vitrification .Vitrification allows solidification of the cells and extracellular milieu into a glass like state without formation of ice which protects intracellular and extracellular ice for...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
P –108 Which infertile men with normal semen analysis deserve a second semen analysis in the real-life setting?
AbstractStudy questionGuidelines suggest that one semen analysis is sufficient during the diagnostic work-up of an infertile man in the case of normality as for WHO criteria.Summary answerWe investigated the rate and the clinical features of men with abnormal sperm parameters at a second test, after a normal first semen analysis.What is known alreadyA second test is recommended when the first semen analysis depicted abnormal sperm parameters.Study design, size, durationComplete demographic, clinical and laboratory data from 1358 consecutive primary infertile men (infertility as for WHO definition) were analysed. Health-sig...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
P –107 Does hematological cancer have the same impact on sperm quality as testicular cancer?
This study included 295 patients with testicular cancer (TEST) and 100 with hematological cancer (HEMAT). Patients that had already started chemo or radiotherapy (4 HEMAT and 12 TEST) were excluded, and 4 HEMAT and 15 TEST were azoospermic or cryptozoospermic (41.7% vs. 53,0%, p = 0,792 ). The other parameters were analysed in 92 HEMAT and 268 TEST. The mean age of the HEMAT group was 28.2 years and 27.9 for the TEST group (p = 0,858). The TEST group had higher rates of oligozoospermia (50.7% vs 31.5%, p = 0.001) and of severe oligozoospermia (29.5% vs 15.2%, p = 0.006) than the HEMAT group. Furthermore, ...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
P –106 The evaluation of dietary score representing the overall effect of men’s diet to semen quality on couple’s fertility
AbstractStudy questionIs men ’s diet associated with assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes?Summary answerAn empirical dietary score representing the overall effect of men ’s diet on semen quality was unrelated to ART outcomes.What is known alreadyMultiple studies have related various aspects of men ’s diet to semen quality. Generally, healthier foods, such as fish, vegetables, and fruits, have been related to better semen quality, whereas unhealthy foods, like processed and red meats, have had the opposite relationship. Nevertheless, while bulk semen parameters are important biomarkers of ma le fertility an...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
P –105 Clinical validation of mojo AISA, an artificial intelligence robotic CASA system
This study presents and validates the mojo AISA device. A total of 60 patient samples at ANOVA Karolinska University Hospital were collected and results from manual assessment were compared to mojo AISA for concentration and motility. Semen samples were assessed manually (WHO 2010) and concurrently with Mojo AISA. Manual measurements ranged from 1 –206M/ml. This study lasted from May 2020 to December 2020 following informed consent and ethics committee practices of ANOVA.Participants/materials, setting, methodsSample preparation protocol for mojo AISA consisted of placing two 10ul drops and covering with two 22x22mm cove...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research
