scholarly journals A comprehensive review of the impact of COVID-19 on human reproductive biology, assisted reproduction care and pregnancy: a Canadian perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitko Madjunkov ◽  
Michal Dviri ◽  
Clifford Librach
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Human Reproduction ◽  
System Capacity ◽  
Canadian Perspective ◽  
The Impact

AbstractCurrently, the world is in the seventh month of the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, infections with novel SARS-CoV-2 virus are continuously rising with mounting numbers of deaths. International and local public health responses, almost in synchrony, imposed restrictions to minimize spread of the virus, overload of health system capacity, and deficit of personal protective equipment (PPE). Although in most cases the symptoms are mild or absent, SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to serious acute respiratory disease and multisystem failure. The research community responded to this new disease with a high level of transparency and data sharing; with the aim to better understand the origin, pathophysiology, epidemiology and clinical manifestations. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop vaccines for prevention, mitigation strategies, as well as potential therapeutics.The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge regarding the novel SARS CoV-2, including its pathophysiology and epidemiology, as well as, what is known about the potential impact of COVID-19 on reproduction, fertility care, pregnancy and neonatal outcome. This summary also evaluates the effects of this pandemic on reproductive care and research, from Canadian perspective, and discusses future implications.In summary, reported data on pregnant women is limited, suggesting that COVID-19 symptoms and severity of the disease during pregnancy are similar to those in non-pregnant women, with pregnancy outcomes closely related to severity of maternal disease. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 effects on gametes is limited. Human reproduction societies have issued guidelines for practice during COVID-19 pandemic that include implementation of mitigation practices and infection control protocols in fertility care units. In Canada, imposed restrictions at the beginning of the pandemic were successful in containing spread of the infection, allowing for eventual resumption of assisted reproductive treatments under new guidelines for practice. Canada dedicated funds to support COVID-19 research including a surveillance study to monitor outcomes of COVID-19 during pregnancy and assisted reproduction. Continuous evaluation of new evidence must be in place to carefully adjust recommendations on patient management during assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and in pregnancy.

scholarly journals Inositol and vitamin D may naturally protect human reproduction and women undergoing assisted reproduction from COVID-19 risk

2021 ◽  
pp. 113-117
Author(s):  
M.S. Bezerra Espinola ◽  
M. Bertelli ◽  
M. Bizzarri
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Phosphatidyl Inositol ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Human Reproduction ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Virus Species

In late 2019, the new Coronavirus has been identified in the city of Wuhan (China) then COVID-19 spreads like wildfire in the rest of the world. Pregnant women represent a risk category for increased abortion rates and vertical transmission with adverse events on the newborns has been recently confirmed. The scientific world is struggling for finding an effective cure for counteracting symptomatology. Today, there are many therapeutic proposes but none of them can effectively counteract the infection. Moreover, many of these compounds show important side effects not justifying their use. Scientific literature reports an immune system over-reaction through interleukins- 6 activation. In this regard, the possibility to control the immune system represents a possible strategy for counteracting the onset of COVID-19 symptomatology. Vitamin D deficiency shows increased susceptibility to acute viral respiratory infections. Moreover, Vitamin D seems involved in host protection from different virus species by modulating activation and release of cytokines. Myo-inositol down-regulates the expression of IL-6 by phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase pathway. Furthermore, myo-inositol is the precursor of phospholipids in the surfactant and it is applied for inducing surfactant synthesis in infants for treating respiratory distress syndrome. This review aims to summarize the evidence about COVID-19 infection in pregnant women and to encourage the scientific community to investigate the use of Vitamin D and Myo-inositol which could represent a possible preventive treatment for pregnant women or women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies.

scholarly journals The Impact of Third Party Reproduction on Family and Kinship

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zohreh Behjati Ardakani ◽  
Mehrdad Navabakhsh ◽  
Soraya Tremayne ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi ◽  
Fahimeh Ranjbar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Human Reproduction ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Impact

The development of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the UK, in 1978, proved a major breakthrough in the process of human reproduction, which had remained constant in human history. The impact of IVF and the ensuing assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) has not been limited in revolutionizing the "natural" practice of biological reproduction, but has reached out to and affected almost every institution in society. Family and kinship, as the social expression of reproduction and the institutions which are the most transparently structured realm of human life are those most profoundly affected by ARTs. Although literature on the implications of ARTs is in general abundant, this article presents new insights on their impact on family and kinship in Iran, which remains a unique case in the Muslim world. It explores the particular way ARTs, especially third-party donation, have been endorsed and practiced in Iran, and their consequences for the family, the infertile individuals, and their position vis-à-vis their kin and social group. The conclusion points to the lack of clarity concerning the initial rulings by the Islamic jurists, who allowed the practice of ARTs, and which has led to a number of unintended consequences regarding the legal, religious, cultural, and ethical issues, affecting the family, its structure and the relationship between the kin group. These consequences range, inter alia, from the question of the anonymity of third-party donor, to the permissibility of gamete donation between blood relatives, and to the absence of enforceable legislation.

CLINICAL CASE OF SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF INFERTILITY IN A PATIENT WITH FAILURE IVF RESULTS IN ANAMNESIS

2020 ◽  
pp. 61-67
Author(s):  
Kalinkina O.B. ◽  
Tezikov Yu.V. ◽  
Lipatov I.S. ◽  
Aravina O.R.
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding ◽  
Clinical Situation ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Number Of Publications

Genital endometriosis is a disease of women of reproductive age, accompanied by infertility in 50% [1]. Adenomyosis can be considered as an endometriosis of the uterus. Histologically, this process is represented by ectopic, non-tumor endometrial glands, and stroma surrounded by hypertrophic and hyperplastic myometrium [2]. Adenomyosis is accompanied by pelvic pain of varying intensity as well as menstrual disorders [1]. The disease is accompanied by significant violations of reproductive function (infertility, unsuccessful attempts at pregnancy and miscarriage, abnormal uterine bleeding). Adenomyosis can be accompanied by a violation of the function of adjacent organs (such as the bladder, rectum). Often, one of the clinical manifestations of adenomyosis is the development of sideropenic syndrome, which is also caused by the development of chronic post-hemorrhagic iron deficiency anemia. This is accompanied by a deterioration in the general condition of patients, a decrease in their ability to work. Despite a large number of publications in Russian and foreign scientific sources devoted to this problem, reproductive doctors and obstetricians-gynecologists often underestimate the role of adenomyosis in pregnancy planning using assisted reproductive technologies. Without interpreting the anamnesis data obtained through an active survey, doctors do not prescribe additional methods for diagnosing this pathology, which is not complex and expensive. To confirm the diagnosis, a transvaginal ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs during the premenstrual period is sufficient. In cases that are difficult to diagnose, the MRI method of the corresponding anatomical area can be used. Underestimation of the clinical picture and under-examination of the patient did not allow prescribing timely correction of the pathology and led to unsuccessful attempts to implement the generative function using assisted reproductive technologies. The conducted examination with clarification of the cause of IVF failures and the prescribed reasonable treatment made it possible to achieve regression of endometriosis foci in this clinical situation, followed by the patient's ability to realize generative function.

scholarly journals Alteration of Genomic Imprinting after Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Long-Term Health

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 728
Author(s):  
Eguzkine Ochoa
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Genomic Imprinting ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Early Embryonic Development ◽  
Global Methylation ◽  
The Impact

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are the treatment of choice for some infertile couples and even though these procedures are generally considered safe, children conceived by ART have shown higher reported risks of some perinatal and postnatal complications such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and childhood cancer. In addition, the frequency of some congenital imprinting disorders, like Beckwith–Wiedemann Syndrome and Silver–Russell Syndrome, is higher than expected in the general population after ART. Experimental evidence from animal studies suggests that ART can induce stress in the embryo and influence gene expression and DNA methylation. Human epigenome studies have generally revealed an enrichment of alterations in imprinted regions in children conceived by ART, but no global methylation alterations. ART procedures occur simultaneously with the establishment and maintenance of imprinting during embryonic development, so this may underlie the apparent sensitivity of imprinted regions to ART. The impact in adulthood of imprinting alterations that occurred during early embryonic development is still unclear, but some experimental evidence in mice showed higher risk to obesity and cardiovascular disease after the restriction of some imprinted genes in early embryonic development. This supports the hypothesis that imprinting alterations in early development might induce epigenetic programming of metabolism and affect long-term health. Given the growing use of ART, it is important to determine the impact of ART in genomic imprinting and long-term health.

Features of psychoemotional condition and stress-assosiatate hormons bioproduction in pregnant women after application of assisted reproductive technologies

2018 ◽  
pp. 118-121
Author(s):  
L.M. Vygivska ◽  
◽  
I.A. Usevych ◽  
I.V. Maidannyk ◽  
V.F. Oleshko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Past History ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Main Group ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Perinatal Complications ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Level

The article represents the results of a prospective clinical and paraclinical examination of women with a history of infertility, pregnancy in which occurred as a result of the assisted reproductive technologies application. The objective: was to study the dynamics of pregnancy features of the psycho - emotional state and the concentration of stress-associated hormones in the serum of pregnant women after the application of assisted reproductive technologies in order to improve the tactics of antenatal care and prevention of obstetric and perinatal complications. Materials and methods. The main group consisted of 80 pregnant women with endocrine infertility, in which pregnancy occurred as a result of therapeutic cycles of ART, control – 50 first-pregnant women with spontaneous fertilization, taken in an arbitrary order of clinical, statistical and laboratory and instrumental studies. In pregnant women of the study groups, in order to determine the psycho emotional state in the screening mode, a clinical interview was conducted by filling out questionnaires that contained the Spilberger test questions in modification of Y.L. Hanina and «Test of relationof pregnant» by the method of I.V. Dobryakova. In the dynamics of pregnancy, the concentration of prolactin (PRL) and cortisol (K) was determined by the enzyme immunoassay on the Reader-MSR-1000 apparatus using test systems manufactured by Hema-Medicament (Russia). Results. Pregnant women with infertility in past history were characterized by a state of chronic stress. According to the results of the Spielberger test in modification Y .L. Hanina every second pregnant of main group had a high level of reactive and every fourth personal anxiety. Almost 90.0% of pregnant women after art are characterized by the presence of pathological PKGD, among which an alarming and depressive type was registered in every sixth and twelfth pregnant woman, respectively. The obtained data are confirmed by the results of the study of the level of K and PRL. For women with a history of infertility and pregnancy, which is the result of therapeutic cycles of ART, inherent in increasing concentrations of stress-associated hormones – cortisol and prolactin, which is one of the reasons for the complicated course of pregnancy and requires reasonable pathogenetic correction. Conclusion. For women who are pregnant as a result of the use of therapeutic cycles of art characterized by a high level of personal and reactive anxiety and PKGD, which confirm the presence of neuropsychiatric and afferent disorders. Increasing the concentration of stress-associated hormones is one of the causes of complicated pregnancy and requires a reasonable pathogenetic correction. Key words: pregnancy, infertility, assisted reproductive technologies, psychological status, cortisol, prolactin.

scholarly journals PROTECTION OF INHERITANCE RIGHTS OF A CHILD BORN WITH THE USE OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 39-41
Author(s):  
Ksenia A. Zhirikova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Surrogate Mother

The article deals with the problems of inheritance by children born with the help of assisted reproductive technologies, in particular, after a surrogate mother, after the death of one of the parents, etc. These problems are not regulated in Russian legislation. The article proposes directions for its improvement in order to protect a child born with the help of assisted reproduction.

scholarly journals Reproductive fluids, used for the in vitro production of pig embryos, result in healthy offspring and avoid aberrant placental expression of PEG3 and LUM.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelynne Paris-Oller ◽  
Sergio Navarro-Serna ◽  
Cristina Soriano-Úbeda ◽  
Jordana Sena Lopes ◽  
Carmen Matas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
In Vitro Production ◽  
Aberrant Expression ◽  
Low Efficiency ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: In vitro embryo production (IVP) and embryo transfer (ET) are two very common assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in human and cattle. However, in pig, the combination of either procedures, or even their use separately, is still considered suboptimal due to the low efficiency of IVP plus the difficulty of performing ET in the long and contorted uterus of the sow. In addition, the potential impact of these two ART on the health of the offspring is unknown. We investigated here if the use of a modified IVP system, with natural reproductive fluids (RF) as supplements to the culture media, combined with a minimally invasive surgery to perform ET, affects the output of the own IVP system as well as the reproductive performance of the mother and placental molecular traits.Results: The blastocyst rates obtained by both in vitro systems, conventional (C-IVP) and modified (RF-IVP), were similar. Pregnancy and farrowing rates were also similar. However, when compared to in vivo control (artificial insemination, AI), litter sizes of both IVP groups were lower, while placental efficiency was higher in AI than in RF-IVP. Gene expression studies revealed aberrant expression levels for PEG3 and LUM in placental tissue for C-IVP group when compared to AI, but not for RF-IVP group.Conclusions: The use of reproductive fluids as additives for the culture media in pig IVP does not improve reproductive performance of recipient mothers but could mitigate the impact of artificial procedures in the offspring.

scholarly journals Microbiota and Human Reproduction: The Case of Female Infertility

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
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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