The role of maternal age in the assisted reproductive technologies

Age is perhaps the most important single variable influencing outcome in the assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The effect of advancing age on clinical ART outcome is manifested not only in the pattern of ovarian response to stimulation regimens, but also in reduced implantation efficiency and an increased spontaneous abortion rate. The clinical importance of these factors is compounded by the fact that increasing numbers of older women are presenting for ART treatment. Delayed childbearing is becoming increasingly common in the western world. The availability of methods of birth control, educational and career priorities for women, and the increased rates of divorce and remarriage are some of the factors contributing to this phenomenon.

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Seasonal Dynamic of Cholecalciferol (D3) And Anti-Muellerian Hormone (AMH) With Impact On Ovarian Response And IVF/ICSI

10.21203/rs.3.rs-629299/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nina Rogenhofer ◽

Udo Jeschke ◽

Viktoria von Schönfeldt ◽

Sven Mahner ◽

Christian J. Thaler

Keyword(s):

Serum Concentration ◽

Seasonal Changes ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Ovarian Response ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Serum Concentrations ◽

Menstrual Cycles ◽

Art Outcome ◽

The Impact ◽

Pronounced Peak

Abstract Objective:Recent studies revealed intriguing associations between cholecalciferol (D3) and reproductive functions. Seasonal changes of D3 concentrations are well known, however they are not always considered in the context of reproductive functions. In this study, we analysed D3 serum concentration in IVF/ICSI patients with respect to seasonal 3-month quartiles and anti-Muellerian hormone (AMH) referring to the impact on Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) outcome. Materials and Research Methods:We studied 497 female patients, presenting between 2012 and 2018 for ART treatment in our fertility center. D3 as well as the AMH serum concentrations were measured at the beginning of the follicle stimulation (d 3-5 of menstrual cycles). Results were evaluated with respect to seasonal quartiles and outcome of the ART cycles. Results:D3 concentrations showed significant fluctuations within annual quartiles with a pronounced peak in August-October and a minimum in February-April (27.7mg/dl vs. 20.9mg/dl; p<0.0001). Similar seasonal dynamics were found for AMH (3.19ng/ml vs. 2.24ng/ml; p=0.013) and these were associated with significantly shorter stimulation periods during August-October (11.36d vs. 12.01d; p=0.044), higher number of fertilized oocytes between August-October (6.21 vs. 5.21; p=0.05) along with a trend towards higher numbers of Cumulus-Oocyte-complexes. However, no such differences were found for the numbers of MII-oocytes or pregnancy rates.Conclusion: Our data indicate, seasonal 3-month quartile variations of AMH concentrations and characteristics of ART, such as days of ovarian stimulation and number of fertilised oocytes. Highest AMH concentrations were found between August and October and this quartile was associated with highest D3 concentrations.

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Pannexins and Connexins: Their Relevance for Oocyte Developmental Competence

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22115918 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (11) ◽

pp. 5918

Author(s):

Paweł Kordowitzki ◽

Gabriela Sokołowska ◽

Marta Wasielak-Politowska ◽

Agnieszka Skowronska ◽

Mariusz T. Skowronski

Keyword(s):

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Atp Release ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

High Energy ◽

Developmental Competence ◽

Physiological Processes ◽

Protein Group ◽

Multicellular Organisms

The oocyte is the major determinant of embryo developmental competence in all mammalian species. Although fundamental advances have been generated in the field of reproductive medicine and assisted reproductive technologies in the past three decades, researchers and clinicians are still trying to elucidate molecular factors and pathways, which could be pivotal for the oocyte’s developmental competence. The cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix communications are crucial not only for oocytes but also for multicellular organisms in general. This latter mentioned communication is among others possibly due to the Connexin and Pannexin families of large-pore forming channels. Pannexins belong to a protein group of ATP-release channels, therefore of high importance for the oocyte due to its requirements of high energy supply. An increasing body of studies on Pannexins provided evidence that these channels not only play a role during physiological processes of an oocyte but also during pathological circumstances which could lead to the development of diseases or infertility. Connexins are proteins that form membrane channels and gap-junctions, and more precisely, these proteins enable the exchange of some ions and molecules, and therefore they do play a fundamental role in the communication between the oocyte and accompanying cells. Herein, the role of Pannexins and Connexins for the processes of oogenesis, folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation and fertilization will be discussed and, at the end of this review, Pannexin and Connexin related pathologies and their impact on the developmental competence of oocytes will be provided.

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Genetic polymorphisms of reproductive hormones and their receptors in assisted reproduction technology for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Drug Metabolism and Personalized Therapy ◽

10.1515/dmpt-2021-0123 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Yulia A. Koloda ◽

Yulia V. Denisova ◽

Natalia M. Podzolkova

Keyword(s):

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Polycystic Ovary ◽

Ovarian Response ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Reproductive Hormones ◽

Current Data ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Ovary Syndrome ◽

Art Programs

Abstract Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies in women of childbearing, which is defined by the accumulation of multiple, small fluid-filled ovarian cysts without the selection of a single dominant follicle. Most PCOS phenotypes are characterized by the absence of spontaneous ovulation, resistance toward ovulation inductors, the production of a large immature oocytes number, and the high prevalence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, resulting in reduced assisted reproductive technologies (ART) programs effectiveness. The review analyses current data about the relationship between polymorphism genotypes of KISS genes, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and their receptors genes, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), estrogen, and progesterone receptors genes, the PCOS risk and the features of ovarian response to stimulation during ART cycles. The use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as prognostic markers of ART programs outcomes would provide a personalized approach to the drugs and doses choice for ovarian stimulation and significantly increase the chance of pregnancy.

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The role of ALK5 in the profile of early reproductive losses in the use of assisted reproductive technologies

Hirurg (Surgeon) ◽

10.33920/med-15-2102-09 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 70-76

Author(s):

Abuduwaili Ruziguli ◽

Nikolai Nikolaevich Rukhliada ◽

Anna Nikolaevna Taits ◽

Tatyana Ivanovna Prohorovich ◽

Tatyana Aleksandrovna Libova

Keyword(s):

Natural Killer Cells ◽

Natural Killer ◽

Embryo Transfer ◽

Spontaneous Abortion ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Immunohistochemical Study ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Decidual Tissue ◽

Reproductive Losses

This article is devoted to the assessment of the role of ALK5 in the profile of early reproductive losses in the use of assisted reproductive technologies, in particular, by using immunohistochemical study in the group of patients with early spontaneous abortion after the procedure of embryo transfer, a lower level of ALK5 expression in the decidual tissue was revealed (in comparison with control), which may be related to the occurrence of early reproductive losses caused by the imbalance in Th1 / Th2 and its effect on the increase in the concentration of natural killer cells.

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Use of GnRH for Synchronization of the Follicular Wave in Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Sheep: A Preliminary Study

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10071208 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1208

Author(s):

Aina Año-Perello ◽

Zurisaday Santos-Jimenez ◽

Teresa Encinas ◽

Paula Martinez-Ros ◽

Antonio Gonzalez-Bulnes

Keyword(s):

Luteinizing Hormone ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Ovarian Response ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Estrus Synchronization ◽

Short Term ◽

Follicular Wave ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

Cost Efficient ◽

Set Up

The present study aimed to set up a short-term protocol for synchronization of follicular wave emergence in sheep, concomitant with estrus synchronization, which would improve ovarian response in assisted reproductive technologies. Administration of a single GnRH dose, concomitant with the insertion of a progesterone-loaded CIDR device, caused regression of gonadotrophin-dependent follicles ≥4 mm in all the GnRH-treated sheep and in around 80% of the controls treated only with CIDR (p < 0.05). Similar percentages of ewes lost all follicles (around 70%) or only the largest one (around 30%) in both groups. Hence, 54.1% and 70% of the sheep lost all large follicles and initiated a new follicular wave in the control and GnRH groups, respectively (p < 0.05). The remaining sheep showed follicles that were still not dependent of luteinizing hormone (LH). So, in fact, all the sheep had non-dominant follicles after treatment. In conclusion, a treatment including GnRH at CIDR insertion would offer a time- and cost-efficient protocol for inducing follicular turnover and synchronizing a new follicular wave at any stage of the estrous cycle.

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The role of sex selection techniques in an assisted reproductive technologies program

A Textbook of In Vitro Fertilization and Assisted Reproduction ◽

10.1201/b14680-29 ◽

2005 ◽

pp. 463-474

Author(s):

Zaid Kilani ◽

Mohammed Shaban ◽

Lamia Hassan

Keyword(s):

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Sex Selection

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The role of diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy in assisted reproductive technologies

Fertility and Sterility ◽

10.1016/s0015-0282(98)00147-2 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. 378-380 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Giovanni B La Sala ◽

Rossella Montanari ◽

Luisella Dessanti ◽

Corrado Cigarini ◽

Fabrizio Sartori

Keyword(s):

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Endometrial Biopsy ◽

Diagnostic Hysteroscopy

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Microbiota and Human Reproduction: The Case of Female Infertility

High-Throughput ◽

10.3390/ht9020012 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 12 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rossella Tomaiuolo ◽

Iolanda Veneruso ◽

Federica Cariati ◽

Valeria D’Argenio

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Tract ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Embryo Implantation ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Human Reproduction ◽

Microbial Dysbiosis ◽

Technical Issues ◽

Almost All ◽

Generation Sequencing

During the last decade, the availability of next-generation sequencing-based approaches has revealed the presence of microbial communities in almost all the human body, including the reproductive tract. As for other body sites, this resident microbiota has been involved in the maintenance of a healthy status. As a consequence, alterations due to internal or external factors may lead to microbial dysbiosis and to the development of pathologies. Female reproductive microbiota has also been suggested to affect infertility, and it may play a key role in the success of assisted reproductive technologies, such as embryo implantation and pregnancy care. While the vaginal microbiota is well described, the uterine microbiota is underexplored. This could be due to technical issues, as the uterus is a low biomass environment. Here, we review the state of the art regarding the role of the female reproductive system microbiota in women’s health and human reproduction, highlighting its contribution to infertility.

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