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A fresh start for IVM: capacitating the oocyte for development using pre-IVM Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-08-28 Robert B Gilchrist, Tuong M Ho, Michel De Vos, Flor Sanchez, Sergio Romero, William L Ledger, Ellen Anckaert, Lan N Vuong, Johan Smitz
BACKGROUND While oocyte IVM is practiced sporadically it has not achieved widespread clinical practice globally. However, recently there have been some seminal advances in our understanding of basic aspects of oocyte biology and ovulation from animal studies that have led to novel approaches to IVM. A significant recent advance in IVM technology is the use of biphasic IVM approaches. These involve
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Endometrial receptivity in women of advanced age: an underrated factor in infertility Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-07-20 Amruta D S Pathare, Marina Loid, Merli Saare, Sebastian Brusell Gidlöf, Masoud Zamani Esteki, Ganesh Acharya, Maire Peters, Andres Salumets
BACKGROUND Modern lifestyle has led to an increase in the age at conception. Advanced age is one of the critical risk factors for female-related infertility. It is well known that maternal age positively correlates with the deterioration of oocyte quality and chromosomal abnormalities in oocytes and embryos. The effect of age on endometrial function may be an equally important factor influencing implantation
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Assessing the influence of preconception diet on female fertility: a systematic scoping review of observational studies Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-07-19 Simon Alesi, Nahal Habibi, Thais Rasia Silva, Nicole Cheung, Sophia Torkel, Chau Thien Tay, Alejandra Quinteros, Hugo Winter, Helena Teede, Aya Mousa, Jessica A Grieger, Lisa J Moran
BACKGROUND Preconception diet is a proposed modifiable risk factor for infertility. However, there is no official guidance for women in the preconception period as to which dietary approaches may improve fertility. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE A comprehensive synthesis of the relevant evidence is key to determine the potentially effective dietary patterns and components as well as evidence gaps, and to
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The pathophysiological role of estrogens in the initial stages of pregnancy: molecular mechanisms and clinical implications for pregnancy outcome from the periconceptional period to end of the first trimester Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-06-24 F Parisi, C Fenizia, A Introini, A Zavatta, C Scaccabarozzi, M Biasin, V Savasi
BACKGROUND Estrogens regulate disparate female physiological processes, thus ensuring reproduction. Altered estrogen levels and signaling have been associated with increased risks of pregnancy failure and complications, including hypertensive disorders and low birthweight babies. However, the role of estrogens in the periconceptional period and early pregnancy is still understudied. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
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Dissecting mammalian reproduction with spatial transcriptomics Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-06-24 Xin Zhang, Qiqi Cao, Shreya Rajachandran, Edward J Grow, Melanie Evans, Haiqi Chen
BACKGROUND Mammalian reproduction requires the fusion of two specialized cells: an oocyte and a sperm. In addition to producing gametes, the reproductive system also provides the environment for the appropriate development of the embryo. Deciphering the reproductive system requires understanding the functions of each cell type and cell–cell interactions. Recent single-cell omics technologies have provided
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PCOS during the menopausal transition and after menopause: a systematic review and meta-analysis Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-06-24 Mercedes Millán-de-Meer, Manuel Luque-Ramírez, Lía Nattero-Chávez, Héctor F Escobar-Morreale
BACKGROUND Current knowledge about the consequences of PCOS during the late reproductive years and after menopause is limited. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of data on the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of women ≥45 years of age—peri- or postmenopausal—with PCOS. SEARCH METHODS Studies published up to 15 April
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Endometrial scratching in women undergoing IVF/ICSI: an individual participant data meta-analysis Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-06-20 Nienke E van Hoogenhuijze, Gemma Lahoz Casarramona, Sarah Lensen, Cindy Farquhar, Mohan S Kamath, Aleyamma T Kunjummen, Nick Raine-Fenning, Sine Berntsen, Anja Pinborg, Shari Mackens, Zeynep Ozturk Inal, Ernest H Y Ng, Jennifer S M Mak, Sachin A Narvekar, Wellington P Martins, Mia Steengaard Olesen, Helen L Torrance, Ben W Mol, Marinus J C Eijkemans, Rui Wang, Frank J M Broekmans
BACKGROUND In IVF/ICSI treatment, the process of embryo implantation is the success rate-limiting step. Endometrial scratching has been suggested to improve this process, but it is unclear if this procedure increases the chance of implantation and live birth (LB) and, if so, for whom, and how the scratch should be performed. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA)
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Uterus transplantation: from research, through human trials and into the future. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-06-16 Mats Brännström,Catherine Racowsky,Marie Carbonnel,Joseph Wu,Antonio Gargiulo,Eli Y Adashi,Jean Marc Ayoubi
Women suffering from absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI) had no hope of childbearing until clinical feasibility of uterus transplantation (UTx) was documented in 2014 with the birth of a healthy baby. This landmark accomplishment followed extensive foundational work with a wide range of animal species including higher primates. In the present review, we provide a summary of the animal research
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Endometrial responses to bacterial and viral infection: a scoping review. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-06-08 Christina V Lindsay,Julie A Potter,Alyssa A Grimshaw,Vikki M Abrahams,Mancy Tong
BACKGROUND The endometrium is a highly dynamic tissue that undergoes dramatic proliferation and differentiation monthly in order to prepare the uterus for implantation and pregnancy. Intrauterine infection and inflammation are being increasingly recognized as potential causes of implantation failure and miscarriage, as well as obstetric complications later in gestation. However, the mechanisms by which
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Opening the black box: why do euploid blastocysts fail to implant? A systematic review and meta-analysis Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-05-17 Danilo Cimadomo, Laura Rienzi, Alessandro Conforti, Eric Forman, Stefano Canosa, Federica Innocenti, Maurizio Poli, Jenna Hynes, Laura Gemmell, Alberto Vaiarelli, Carlo Alviggi, Filippo Maria Ubaldi, Antonio Capalbo
BACKGROUND A normal chromosomal constitution defined through PGT-A assessing all chromosomes on trophectoderm (TE) biopsies represents the strongest predictor of embryo implantation. Yet, its positive predictive value is not higher than 50–60%. This gap of knowledge on the causes of euploid blastocysts’ reproductive failure is known as ‘the black box of implantation’. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Several
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Obstetric and neonatal outcomes after natural versus artificial cycle frozen embryo transfer and the role of luteal phase support: a systematic review and meta-analysis Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-05-12 T R Zaat, E B Kostova, P Korsen, M G Showell, F Mol, M van Wely
BACKGROUND The number of frozen embryo transfers (FET) has increased dramatically over the past decade. Based on current evidence, there is no difference in pregnancy rates when natural cycle FET (NC-FET) is compared to artificial cycle FET (AC-FET) in subfertile women. However, NC-FET seems to be associated with lower risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes compared with AC-FET cycles. Currently
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Insights from Mendelian randomization and genetic correlation analyses into the relationship between endometriosis and its comorbidities Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-05-11 Isabelle M McGrath, Grant W Montgomery, Sally Mortlock
BACKGROUND Endometriosis remains a poorly understood disease, despite its high prevalence and debilitating symptoms. The overlap in symptoms and the increased risk of multiple other traits in women with endometriosis is becoming increasingly apparent through epidemiological data. Genetic studies offer a method of investigating these comorbid relationships through the assessment of causal relationships
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Advances in non-hormonal male contraception targeting sperm motility Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-05-04 Noemia A P Mariani, Joana V Silva, Margarida Fardilha, Erick J R Silva
BACKGROUND The high rates of unintended pregnancy and the ever-growing world population impose health, economic, social, and environmental threats to countries. Expanding contraceptive options, including male methods, are urgently needed to tackle these global challenges. Male contraception is limited to condoms and vasectomy, which are unsuitable for many couples. Thus, novel male contraceptive methods
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Total fertilization failure after ICSI: insights into pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management through artificial oocyte activation Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-03-29 Gerard Campos, Romualdo Sciorio, Sandro C Esteves
BACKGROUND Total fertilization failure (TFF) is the failure of all metaphase II oocytes to fertilize in ART cycles. The phenomenon represents a known cause of infertility, affecting 1–3% of ICSI cycles. Oocyte activation deficiency (OAD) is the leading cause of fertilization failure, attributed to sperm- or oocyte-related issues, although until recently little attention has been given to oocyte-related
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Contribution of semen to early embryo development: fertilization and beyond Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-03-08 Montserrat Vallet-Buisan, Rajwa Mecca, Celine Jones, Kevin Coward, Marc Yeste
BACKGROUND It has long been thought that the factors affecting embryo and foetal development were exclusively maternally derived; hence, if issues regarding fertility and embryo development were to arise, the blame has traditionally been placed solely on the mother. An escalating interest in how paternal factors influence embryo development, however, has begun to prove otherwise. Evidence suggests
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Beyond apoptosis: evidence of other regulated cell death pathways in the ovary throughout development and life Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-03-01 Jessica M Stringer, Lauren R Alesi, Amy L Winship, Karla J Hutt
BACKGROUND Regulated cell death is a fundamental component of numerous physiological processes; spanning from organogenesis in utero, to normal cell turnover during adulthood, as well as the elimination of infected or damaged cells throughout life. Quality control through regulation of cell death pathways is particularly important in the germline, which is responsible for the generation of offspring
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Angiogenesis in abnormal uterine bleeding: a narrative review. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-07-05 Mei-An Middelkoop,Emma E Don,Wouter J K Hehenkamp,Nicole J Polman,Arjan W Griffioen,Judith A F Huirne
BACKGROUND Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) has a significant socioeconomic impact since it considerably impacts quality of life. Therapeutic options are frequently based on trial and error and do not target disease aetiology. Pathophysiological insight in this disease is required for the development of novel treatment options. If no underlying cause is found for the AUB (e.g. fibroids, adenomyosis
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Reproductive ability in survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult Hodgkin lymphoma: a review Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-02-13 Katja C E Drechsel, Maxime C F Pilon, Francis Stoutjesdijk, Salena Meivis, Linda J Schoonmade, William Hamish B Wallace, Eline van Dulmen-den Broeder, Auke Beishuizen, Gertjan J L Kaspers, Simone L Broer, Margreet A Veening
BACKGROUND Owing to a growing number of young and adolescent Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors, awareness of (long-term) adverse effects of anticancer treatment increases. The risk of impaired reproductive ability is of great concern given its impact on quality of life. There is currently no review available on fertility after childhood HL treatment. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The aim of this narrative
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The impact of primary ciliary dyskinesia on female and male fertility: a narrative review Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-02-01 Lydia Newman, Jagrati Chopra, Claire Dossett, Elizabeth Shepherd, Amelia Bercusson, Mary Carroll, Woolf Walker, Jane S Lucas, Ying Cheong
BACKGROUND Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetic condition affecting the structure and function of sperm flagellum and motile cilia including those in the male and female reproductive tracts. Infertility is a commonly reported feature of PCD, but there is uncertainty as to how best to counsel patients on their fertility prognosis. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review aimed to summarize the prevalence
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Obstetric, neonatal, and child health outcomes following embryo biopsy for preimplantation genetic testing Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-01-19 Alessandra Alteri, Greta Chiara Cermisoni, Mirko Pozzoni, Gerarda Gaeta, Paolo Ivo Cavoretto, Paola Viganò
BACKGROUND Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) of embryos developed in vitro requires a biopsy for obtaining cellular samples for the analysis. Signs of cell injury have been described in association with this procedure. Thus, the consequences of the biopsy on obstetric and neonatal outcomes have been the subject of some quantitative analyses, although the reliability of data pooling may be limited
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Anti-Müllerian hormone for the diagnosis and prediction of menopause: a systematic review. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-05-02 Scott M Nelson,Susan R Davis,Sophia Kalantaridou,Mary Ann Lumsden,Nick Panay,Richard A Anderson
BACKGROUND The early onset of menopause is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. As a woman's circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration reflects the number of follicles remaining in the ovary and declines towards the menopause, serum AMH may be of value in the early diagnosis and prediction of age at menopause. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This systematic
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Offspring physiology following the use of IVM, IVF and ICSI: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-05-02 Kiri H Beilby,Ezra Kneebone,Tessa J Roseboom,Indah M van Marrewijk,Jeremy G Thompson,Robert J Norman,Rebecca L Robker,Ben Willem J Mol,Rui Wang
BACKGROUND Since the birth of the first baby using IVF technology in 1978, over 10 million children have been conceived via ART. Although most aspects of ARTs were developed in animal models, the introduction of these technologies into clinical practice was performed without comprehensive assessment of their long-term safety. The monitoring of these technologies over time has revealed differences in
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What is the optimal GnRH antagonist protocol for ovarian stimulation during ART treatment? A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-05-02 C A Venetis,A Storr,S J Chua,B W Mol,S Longobardi,X Yin,T D'Hooghe
BACKGROUND Several GnRH antagonist protocols are currently used during COS in the context of ART treatments; however, questions remain regarding whether these protocols are comparable in terms of efficacy and safety. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE A systematic review followed by a pairwise and network meta-analyses were performed. The systematic review and pairwise meta-analysis of direct comparative data
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A systematic review and evidence assessment of monogenic gene–disease relationships in human female infertility and differences in sex development Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-12-26 Annelore Van Der Kelen, Özlem Okutman, Elodie Javey, Münevver Serdarogullari, Charlotte Janssens, Manjusha S Ghosh, Bart J H Dequeker, Florence Perold, Claire Kastner, Emmanuelle Kieffer, Ingrid Segers, Alexander Gheldof, Frederik J Hes, Karen Sermon, Willem Verpoest, Stéphane Viville
BACKGROUND As in other domains of medicine, high-throughput sequencing methods have led to the identification of an ever-increasing number of gene variants in the fields of both male and female infertility. The increasing number of recently identified genes allows an accurate diagnosis for previously idiopathic cases of female infertility and more appropriate patient care. However, robust evidence
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Epigenetic clocks provide clues to the mystery of uterine ageing. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-05-02 Pavel I Deryabin,Aleksandra V Borodkina
BACKGROUND Rising maternal ages and age-related fertility decline are a global challenge for modern reproductive medicine. Clinicians and researchers pay specific attention to ovarian ageing and hormonal insufficiency in this regard. However, uterine ageing is often left out of the picture, with the majority of reproductive clinicians being close to unanimous on the absence of age-related functional
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The hypergonadotropic hypogonadism conundrum of classic galactosemia Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-12-13 Britt Derks, Greysha Rivera-Cruz, Synneva Hagen-Lillevik, E Naomi Vos, Didem Demirbas, Kent Lai, Eileen P Treacy, Harvey L Levy, Louise E Wilkins-Haug, M Estela Rubio-Gozalbo, Gerard T Berry
BACKGROUND Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism is a burdensome complication of classic galactosemia (CG), an inborn error of galactose metabolism that invariably affects female patients. Since its recognition in 1979, data have become available regarding the clinical spectrum, and the impact on fertility. Many women have been counseled for infertility and the majority never try to conceive, yet spontaneous
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The impact of vincristine on testicular development and function in childhood cancer. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-03-01 Ioanna Clark,Mark F H Brougham,Norah Spears,Rod T Mitchell
BACKGROUND Increasing childhood cancer survival rates in recent decades have led to an increased focus on fertility as a long-term complication of cancer treatment. Male childhood cancer survivors often face compromised testicular function as a late effect of chemotherapy exposure, with no well-established options to prevent such damage and subsequent infertility. Despite vincristine being considered
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Contraceptives and cancer risks in BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant carriers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-03-01 Majke H D van Bommel,Joanna IntHout,Guus Veldmate,C Marleen Kets,Joanne A de Hullu,Anne M van Altena,Marline G Harmsen
BACKGROUND Increasing numbers of BReast CAncer (BRCA) 1 or 2 pathogenic variant (PV) carriers, who have an inherited predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer, are being identified. Among these women, data regarding the effects of contraception on cancer risks are unclear and various guidelines provide various recommendations. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE We aim to optimize counselling regarding contraception
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Temporal trends in sperm count: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of samples collected globally in the 20th and 21st centuries Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-11-15 Hagai Levine, Niels Jørgensen, Anderson Martino-Andrade, Jaime Mendiola, Dan Weksler-Derri, Maya Jolles, Rachel Pinotti, Shanna H Swan
BACKGROUND Numerous studies have reported declines in semen quality and other markers of male reproductive health. Our previous meta-analysis reported a significant decrease in sperm concentration (SC) and total sperm count (TSC) among men from North America–Europe–Australia (NEA) based on studies published during 1981–2013. At that time, there were too few studies with data from South/Central America–Asia–Africa
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Efficacy of psychological interventions for mental health and pregnancy rates among individuals with infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-01-05 Loveness Dube,Katherine Bright,K Alix Hayden,Jennifer L Gordon
BACKGROUND Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among individuals struggling with infertility. Thus, numerous psychological interventions have been adapted to infertility, with the aim of relieving distress as well as increasing pregnancy rates. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of
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Defensins: defenders of human reproductive health. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2023-01-05 Yu-Jia Zhai,Ying Feng,Xue Ma,Fang Ma
BACKGROUND Reproductive tract infection is an important factor leading to male and female infertility. Among female infertility factors, microbial and viral infections are the main factors affecting female reproductive health and causing tubal infertility, ectopic tubal pregnancy and premature delivery. Among male infertility factors, 13-15% of male infertility is related to infection. Defensins are
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Age-associated epigenetic changes in mammalian sperm: implications for offspring health and development Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-09-06 Vasily Ashapkin, Alexander Suvorov, J Richard Pilsner, Stephen A Krawetz, Oleg Sergeyev
BACKGROUND Modern reproductive behavior in most developed countries is characterized by delayed parenthood. Older gametes are generally less fertile, accumulating and compounding the effects of varied environmental exposures that are modified by lifestyle factors. Clinicians are primarily concerned with advanced maternal age, while the influence of paternal age on fertility, early development and offspring
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Sexual dysfunction and disorders as a consequence of infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-07-28 Brigitte Leeners, Sibil Tschudin, Tewes Wischmann, Dimitrios Rafail Kalaitzopoulos
BACKGROUND Sexuality has a key impact on quality of life and on reproductive health. Infertility often results in sexual dysfunction. Despite this close association, addressing sexuality is not a standard component of infertility counselling, especially since in most countries sexual medicine is not a core element of specialist training. Even today, many doctors and patients consider discussing sexuality
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Indoor and outdoor air pollution and couple fecundability: a systematic review Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-07-27 Eva L Siegel, Akhgar Ghassabian, Alison E Hipwell, Pam Factor-Litvak, Yeyi Zhu, Hannah G Steinthal, Carolina Focella, Lindsey Battaglia, Christina A Porucznik, Scott C Collingwood, Michele Klein-Fedyshin, Linda G Kahn
BACKGROUND Air pollution is both a sensory blight and a threat to human health. Inhaled environmental pollutants can be naturally occurring or human-made, and include traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), ozone, particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds, among other substances, including those from secondhand smoking. Studies of air pollution on reproductive and endocrine systems have
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Biomechanical forces and signals operating in the ovary during folliculogenesis and their dysregulation: implications for fertility Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-07-20 Giulia Fiorentino, Danilo Cimadomo, Federica Innocenti, Daria Soscia, Alberto Vaiarelli, Filippo Maria Ubaldi, Gianluca Gennarelli, Silvia Garagna, Laura Rienzi, Maurizio Zuccotti
BACKGROUND Folliculogenesis occurs in the highly dynamic environment of the ovary. Follicle cyclic recruitment, neo-angiogenesis, spatial displacement, follicle atresia and ovulation stand out as major events resulting from the interplay between mechanical forces and molecular signals. Morphological and functional changes to the growing follicle and to the surrounding tissue are required to produce
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Bioengineering trends in female reproduction: a systematic review. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-11-02 Emilio Francés-Herrero,Rosalba Lopez,Mats Hellström,Lucía de Miguel-Gómez,Sonia Herraiz,Mats Brännström,Antonio Pellicer,Irene Cervelló
BACKGROUND To provide the optimal milieu for implantation and fetal development, the female reproductive system must orchestrate uterine dynamics with the appropriate hormones produced by the ovaries. Mature oocytes may be fertilized in the fallopian tubes, and the resulting zygote is transported toward the uterus, where it can implant and continue developing. The cervix acts as a physical barrier
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Administration of growth hormone improves endometrial function in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-06-01 Yujie Shang, Minghua Wu, Ruohan He, Yuanyuan Ye, Xiumei Sun
BACKGROUND The positive effects of growth hormone (GH) on IVF are often attributed to improvements in oocyte and embryo quality. While emerging evidence emphasizes GH-induced improvements in the endometrium, these results are controversial. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether GH administration improved endometrial function and reproductive outcomes during IVF cycles
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BCL6, a key oncogene, in the placenta, pre-eclampsia and endometriosis Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-06-01 Frank Louwen, Nina-Naomi Kreis, Andreas Ritter, Alexandra Friemel, Christine Solbach, Juping Yuan
BACKGROUND The key oncogene B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) drives malignant progression by promoting proliferation, overriding DNA damage checkpoints and blocking cell terminal differentiation. However, its functions in the placenta and the endometrium remain to be defined. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Recent studies provide evidence that BCL6 may play various roles in the human placenta and the endometrium.
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Lipid metabolism and endometrial receptivity Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-05-31 Tianli Yang, Jing Zhao, Feng Liu, Yanping Li
BACKGROUND Obesity has now been recognized as a high-risk factor for reproductive health. Although remarkable advancements have been made in ART, a considerable number of infertile obese women still suffer from serial implantation failure, despite the high quality of embryos transferred. Although obesity has long been known to exert various deleterious effects on female fertility, the underlying mechanisms
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Comparison of dietary and physical activity behaviors in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 39 471 women. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-11-02 Maryam Kazemi,Joy Y Kim,Cynthia Wan,Julia D Xiong,Julia Michalak,Isabella B Xavier,Kiran Ganga,Chau Thien Tay,Jessica A Grieger,Stephen A Parry,Lisa J Moran,Marla E Lujan
BACKGROUND Lifestyle (dietary and/or physical activity [PA]) modification is recommended as first-line therapy to manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Current recommendations are based on healthy lifestyle practices for the general public since evidence for unique lifestyle approaches in PCOS is limited and low quality. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE We aimed to synthesize evidence on dietary and PA behaviors
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Meiotic recombination: insights into its mechanisms and its role in human reproduction with a special focus on non-obstructive azoospermia. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-11-02 Chunbo Xie,Weili Wang,Chaofeng Tu,Lanlan Meng,Guangxiu Lu,Ge Lin,Lin-Yu Lu,Yue-Qiu Tan
BACKGROUND Meiosis is an essential stage in the life cycle of sexually reproducing species, underlying formation of haploid gametes and serving as the basis of genetic diversity. A central mechanism of meiosis is recombination between homologous chromosomes, during which programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are sequentially repaired to form the crossovers essential for faithful chromosomal segregation
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Morphological and morphokinetic associations with aneuploidy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-08-25 Thomas Bamford,Amy Barrie,Sue Montgomery,Rima Dhillon-Smith,Alison Campbell,Christina Easter,Arri Coomarasamy
BACKGROUND A time lapse system (TLS) is utilized in some fertility clinics with the aim of predicting embryo viability and chance of live birth during IVF. It has been hypothesized that aneuploid embryos display altered morphokinetics as a consequence of their abnormal chromosome complement. Since aneuploidy is one of the fundamental reasons for IVF failure and miscarriage, attention has focused on
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Ovarian stimulation strategies for intrauterine insemination in couples with unexplained infertility: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-08-25 J A Wessel,N A Danhof,R van Eekelen,M P Diamond,R S Legro,K Peeraer,T M D'Hooghe,M Erdem,T Dankert,B J Cohlen,C Thyagaraju,B W J Mol,M Showell,M van Wely,M H Mochtar,R Wang
BACKGROUND Intrauterine insemination with ovarian stimulation (IUI-OS) is a first-line treatment for unexplained infertility. Gonadotrophins, letrozole and clomiphene citrate (CC) are commonly used agents during IUI-OS and have been compared in multiple aggregate data meta-analyses, with substantial heterogeneity and no analysis on time-to-event outcomes. Individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA)
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Does hormonal therapy improve sperm retrieval rates in men with non-obstructive azoospermia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-08-25 Tharu Tharakan,Giovanni Corona,Daniel Foran,Andrea Salonia,Nikolaos Sofikitis,Aleksander Giwercman,Csilla Krausz,Tet Yap,Channa N Jayasena,Suks Minhas
BACKGROUND The beneficial effects of hormonal therapy in stimulating spermatogenesis in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and either normal gonadotrophins or hypergonadotropic hypogonadism prior to surgical sperm retrieval (SSR) is controversial. Although the European Association of Urology guidelines state that hormone stimulation is not recommended in routine clinical practice, a significant
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Reply: Immunotherapies to optimize pregnancy outcomes in subfertile women. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-06-30 Ashleigh Holt-Kentwell,Rima Dhillon-Smith
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Immunotherapies to optimize pregnancy outcomes in subfertile women. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-06-30 Marcelo Borges Cavalcante,Manoel Sarno,Ricardo Barini
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Navigating parent-child disagreement about fertility preservation in minors: scoping review and ethical considerations. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-08-25 Michelle Bayefsky,Dorice Vieira,Arthur Caplan,Gwendolyn Quinn
BACKGROUND Offering fertility preservation (FP) prior to gonadotoxic therapy, including cancer care and gender-affirming treatment, is now considered standard of care. Periodically, parents and children disagree about whether to pursue FP. However, it is unknown how often this occurs and how disagreement is handled when it arises. Moreover, there is no clear guidance on how to resolve these difficult
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Prenatal and postnatal exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals and timing of pubertal onset in girls and boys: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-08-25 C S Uldbjerg,T Koch,Y-H Lim,L S Gregersen,C S Olesen,A-M Andersson,H Frederiksen,B A Coull,R Hauser,A Juul,E V Bräuner
BACKGROUND Globally, the ages at pubertal onset for girls and boys have been decreasing during recent decades, partly attributed to excess body fat accumulation. However, a growing body of literature has recognized that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may play an important role in this global trend, but the association has not yet been fully established. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE EDCs can interfere
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Interventions to optimize embryo transfer in women undergoing assisted conception: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analyses. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-06-30 Bede Tyler,Hugo Walford,Jennifer Tamblyn,Stephen D Keay,Dimitrios Mavrelos,Ephia Yasmin,Bassel H Al Wattar
BACKGROUND Several interventions and techniques are suggested to improve the outcome of embryo transfer (ET) in assisted conception. However, there remains no consensus on the optimal practice, with high variations among fertility specialists. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aiming to identify effective
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Transcriptional control of human gametogenesis Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-03-17 Fang Fang,Phillip J Iaquinta,Ninuo Xia,Lei Liu,Lei Diao,Renee A Reijo Pera
ABSTRACT The pathways of gametogenesis encompass elaborate cellular specialization accompanied by precise partitioning of the genome content in order to produce fully matured spermatozoa and oocytes. Transcription factors are an important class of molecules that function in gametogenesis to regulate intrinsic gene expression programs, play essential roles in specifying (or determining) germ cell fate
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Correction to: Fresh and cryopreserved ovarian tissue transplantation for preserving reproductive and endocrine function: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-03-14 Hajra Khattak,Rosamund Malhas,Laurentiu Craciunas,Yousri Afifi,Christiani A Amorim,Simon Fishel,Sherman Silber,Debra Gook,Isabelle Demeestere,Olga Bystrova,Alla Lisyanskaya,Georgy Manikhas,Laura Lotz,Ralf Dittrich,Lotte Berdiin Colmorn,Kirsten Tryde Macklon,Ina Marie Dueholm Hjorth,Stine Gry Kristensen,Ioannis Gallos,Arri Coomarasamy
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Number and function of uterine natural killer cells in recurrent miscarriage and implantation failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-06-30 Ee Von Woon,Orene Greer,Nishel Shah,Dimitrios Nikolaou,Mark Johnson,Victoria Male
BACKGROUND Uterine natural killer cells (uNK) are the most abundant lymphocytes found in the decidua during implantation and in first trimester pregnancy. They are important for early placental development, especially trophoblast invasion and transformation of the spiral arteries. However, inappropriate uNK function has been implicated in reproductive failure, such as recurrent miscarriage (RM) or
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The LH surge and ovulation re-visited: a systematic review and meta-analysis and implications for true natural cycle frozen thawed embryo transfer Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-02-14 Murat Erden, Sezcan Mumusoglu, Mehtap Polat, Irem Yarali Ozbek, Sandro C Esteves, Peter Humaidan, Hakan Yarali
BACKGROUND Efficient and safe embryo vitrification techniques have contributed to a marked worldwide increase in the use of elective frozen embryo transfer (FET). Pinpointing the day of ovulation, more commonly by documentation of the LH surge and less commonly by ultrasonography, is crucial for timing of FET in a true natural cycle (t-NC) to maximize the reproductive outcome. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
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Prevalence of PCOS and related hyperandrogenic traits in premenopausal women with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-02-14 Ane Bayona, Victoria Martínez-Vaello, Javier Zamora, Lía Nattero-Chávez, Manuel Luque-Ramírez, Héctor F Escobar-Morreale
BACKGROUND An increased prevalence of functional hyperandrogenism—including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—has been described in women with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, heterogeneity between studies is frequent, and prevalence rates vary according to different criteria used for the diagnosis of PCOS and the population studied. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE We aimed to perform a systematic review and
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DNA methylation profiles after ART during human lifespan: a systematic review and meta-analysis Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-02-11 Julie Barberet, Bastien Ducreux, Magali Guilleman, Emmanuel Simon, Céline Bruno, Patricia Fauque
BACKGROUND The many manipulations and processes used in ART coincide with the timing of epigenetic reprogramming and imprinting during female gametogenesis and pre-implantation embryo development, leading to concerns that the actual ART could negatively affect epigenetic reprogramming and imprinting in gametes and early embryos. A growing body of literature suggests that ART may affect epigenetic marks
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HLA Class Ib-receptor interactions during embryo implantation and early pregnancy Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-02-11 Line Lynge Nilsson, Thomas Vauvert F Hviid
BACKGROUND Although the immune system intuitively must have an important role in embryo implantation and in the achievement of a pregnancy, the molecular details have for long been controversial. The role of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system has been debated. The unique HLA expression profile of the HLA Class Ia molecule HLA-C and the HLA Class Ib molecules HLA-E, HLA-F and HLA-G at the feto–maternal
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Epigenomic and enhancer dysregulation in uterine leiomyomas Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-02-02 Oliwia W Mlodawska, Priyanka Saini, J Brandon Parker, Jian-Jun Wei, Serdar E Bulun, Melissa A Simon, Debabrata Chakravarti
BACKGROUND Uterine leiomyomas, also known as uterine fibroids or myomas, are the most common benign gynecological tumors and are found in women of reproductive and postmenopausal age. There is an exceptionally high prevalence of this tumor in women by the age of 50 years. Black women are particularly affected, with an increased incidence, earlier age of onset, larger and faster growing fibroids and
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Anti-Müllerian hormone as a marker of ovarian reserve and premature ovarian insufficiency in children and women with cancer: a systematic review Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-01-25 Richard A Anderson, David Cameron, Florian Clatot, Isabelle Demeestere, Matteo Lambertini, Scott M Nelson, Fedro Peccatori
BACKGROUND Female patients undergoing anticancer treatment are at elevated risk of adverse ovarian outcomes including infertility and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), which is associated with short- and long-term health risks. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a key biomarker of ovarian reserve, but its role prior to and after cancer treatment is less well understood. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE To
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Early programming of reproductive health and fertility: novel neuroendocrine mechanisms and implications in reproductive medicine Hum. Reprod. Update (IF 13.3) Pub Date : 2022-01-25 Miguel Angel Sánchez-Garrido, David García-Galiano, Manuel Tena-Sempere
BACKGROUND According to the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis, environmental changes taking place during early maturational periods may alter normal development and predispose to the occurrence of diverse pathologies later in life. Indeed, adverse conditions during these critical developmental windows of high plasticity have been reported to alter the offspring developmental