Summary:With delayed childbearing in women,preservation of fertility is an important issue for reproductive-age patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma(EOC).Fertility-sparing surgery(FSS)can be considered in patien...Summary:With delayed childbearing in women,preservation of fertility is an important issue for reproductive-age patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma(EOC).Fertility-sparing surgery(FSS)can be considered in patients with early-stage disease in order to preserve fertility and improve quality of life.In order to evaluate oncological safety,attitudes toward childbearing and reproductive outcomes in women with EOC who underwent FSS,this multicenter retrospective study was conducted.Between January 2005 and December 2014,total of 87 young women with FIGO stage I EOC were included,with their clinicopathologic parameters in relation to disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)assessed.Attitudes toward childbearing,ovarian function and fertility were studied in women undergoing FSS(n=36).As a result,in contrast to radical sur ery,FSS did not affect prognosis by Kaplan-Meier curves(log-rank test;DFS:P=0.484;OS:P=0.125).However,two of the three recurrence cases and both death cases were in FSS group stage IC.All women undergoing FSS resumed regular menstrual periods after chemotherapy.Only 16(44.44%)had tried to conceive,and 17 pregnancies occurred in 15(93.75%)women.Among 20 women who did not attempt conception,the most common reason was not being married(70%),followed by already having children(15%).In summary,FSS is considered safe in young women with stage IA EOC.Regular menstruation and good obstetric outcomes can be achieved.This study also provides some insight into the attitudes and social factors regarding fertility in EOC patients.展开更多
At the end of 2022,the adjustment of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic control policy in China resulted in alarge-scale increase in public infection.To compare the fertility parameters of male patients be...At the end of 2022,the adjustment of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic control policy in China resulted in alarge-scale increase in public infection.To compare the fertility parameters of male patients before and after the adjustments ofthe COVID-19 pandemic control policy in China,we collected data on patients’medical histories and laboratory examinations ontheir first visits between June 2022 and March 2023 in five different hospitals.Data were divided into five groups according tothe timeline of the policy adjustment.The data we collected from male patients included semen quality and serum reproductivehormone levels,and intergroup comparisons were made using the Mann–Whitney U and Chi-square tests.In total,16784 casesunderwent regular semen analysis,11180 had sperm morphology assessments,and 7200 had reproductive hormone analyses.Thedata showed declining trends in semen volume,sperm motility,and the progressive sperm motility rate after the policy adjustment.Subgroup comparison revealed an initial decrease and gradual recovery in progressive motility rate.Sperm morphology analysisshowed increased neck and tail abnormalities after the policy adjustment.No significant change in hormone levels was observed.Following the adjustment of the COVID-19 prevention policy in China,a decline in sperm motility and morphology was observed.This trend may gradually recover over 2 months.After the policy adjustment,reproductive hormone levels were relatively stablethroughout,except for an increase in luteinizing hormone(LH).These changes in semen parameters suggest that the policyadjustment had a short-to medium-term impact on male reproductive function.展开更多
Objective To explore and quantify the association of hot night exposure during the sperm development period(0–90 lag days) with semen quality.Methods A total of 6,640 male sperm donors from 6 human sperm banks in Chi...Objective To explore and quantify the association of hot night exposure during the sperm development period(0–90 lag days) with semen quality.Methods A total of 6,640 male sperm donors from 6 human sperm banks in China during 2014–2020were recruited in this multicenter study.Two indices(i.e.,hot night excess [HNE] and hot night duration[HND]) were used to estimate the heat intensity and duration during nighttime.Linear mixed models were used to examine the association between hot nights and semen quality parameters.Results The exposure-response relationship revealed that HNE and HND during 0–90 days before semen collection had a significantly inverse association with sperm motility.Specifically,a 1 ℃ increase in HNE was associated with decreased sperm progressive motility of 0.0090(95% confidence interval[CI]:–0.0147,–0.0033) and decreased total motility of 0.0094(95% CI:–0.0160,–0.0029).HND was significantly associated with reduced sperm progressive motility and total motility of 0.0021(95% CI:–0.0040,–0.0003) and 0.0023(95% CI:–0.0043,–0.0002),respectively.Consistent results were observed at different temperature thresholds on hot nights.Conclusion Our findings highlight the need to mitigate nocturnal heat exposure during spermatogenesis to maintain optimal semen quality.展开更多
Background:The National Chest Pain Center Program(NCPCP)is a nationwide,quality enhancement program aimed at raising the standard of care for patients experiencing acute chest pain in China.The benefits of chest pain ...Background:The National Chest Pain Center Program(NCPCP)is a nationwide,quality enhancement program aimed at raising the standard of care for patients experiencing acute chest pain in China.The benefits of chest pain center(CPC)accreditation on acute coronary syndrome have been demonstrated.However,there is no evidence to indicate whether CPC accreditation improves outcomes for patients with acute aortic dissection(AAD).Methods:We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with AAD from 1671 hospitals in China,using data from the NCPCP spanning the period from January 1,2016 to December 31,2022.The patients were divided into 2 groups:pre-accreditation and post-accreditation admissions.The outcomes examined included in-hospital mortality,misdiagnosis,and Stanford type A AAD surgery.Multivariate logistic regression was employed to explore the relationship between CPC accreditation and in-hospital outcomes.Furthermore,we stratified the hospitals based on their geographical location(Eastern/Central/Western regions)or administrative status(provincial/non-provincial capital areas)to assess the impact of CPC accreditation on AAD patients across various regions.Results:The analysis encompassed a total of 40,848 patients diagnosed with AAD.The post-accreditation group exhibited significantly lower rates of in-hospital mortality and misdiagnosis(12.1%vs.16.3%,P<0.001 and 2.9%vs.5.4%,P<0.001,respectively)as well as a notably higher rate of Stanford type A AAD surgery(61.1%vs.42.1%,P<0.001)compared with the pre-accreditation group.After adjusting for potential covariates,CPC accreditation was associated with substantially reduced risks of in-hospital mortality(adjusted OR=0.644,95%CI 0.599-0.693)and misdiagnosis(adjusted OR=0.554,95%CI 0.493-0.624),along with an increase in the proportion of patients undergoing Stanford type A AAD surgery(adjusted OR=1.973,95%CI 1.797-2.165).Following CPC accreditation,there were significant reductions in in-hospital mortality across various regions,particularly in Western regions(from 21.5%to 14.1%).Moreover,CPC accreditation demonstrated a more pronounced impact on in-hospital mortality in non-provincial cities compared to provincial cities(adjusted OR:0.607 vs.0.713).Conclusion:CPC accreditation is correlated with improved management and in-hospital outcomes for patients with AAD.展开更多
Varicocele(VC)is widely recognized as a prevalent and clinically significant cause of male infertility.However,the comprehensive pathogenic mechanisms underlying VC development and progression remain incompletely unde...Varicocele(VC)is widely recognized as a prevalent and clinically significant cause of male infertility.However,the comprehensive pathogenic mechanisms underlying VC development and progression remain incompletely understood,creating an important knowledge gap in the field of andrology.This review establishes that VC pathogenesis centers on abnormal vascular remodeling and integrates multiple contributing elements,including anatomical abnormalities,biochemical disturbances,genetic factors,low body mass index(BMI),age,and specific sports habits,while secondary varicoceles are primarily induced by compressive pathologies.Through a systematic synthesis of current evidence and recent advances,this review aims to elucidate the complex pathogenic network of VC and provide valuable insights to guide future research directions and inform the development of targeted clinical applications.展开更多
Population aging is one of the common challenges in the current world.As people age,the body’s tissues including cells,and molecules inevitably degrade,and their functions gradually decline,causing various age-relate...Population aging is one of the common challenges in the current world.As people age,the body’s tissues including cells,and molecules inevitably degrade,and their functions gradually decline,causing various age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s disease,osteoporosis,low immunity,glucose and lipid metabolism disorders,and cardiovascular diseases.With the continuous increase of the elderly population,the pressure on the medical industry is increasing.To lower the burden on the medical industry and increase the average age of the elderly,it is vital to explore effective anti-aging materials.Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma(Renshen),as a traditional and precious Chinese medicinal herb,is known as the“king of all herbs”.It is famous for its effects of“tonifying Qi,restoring pulse”(helping with the generation of Qi(the fundamental,vital energy that continuously flows within the body)and the circulation of blood)and strengthening the body,nourishing the spleen and lungs,generating fluids and nourishing blood,calming the mind and improving intelligence.Recently,its anti-aging effect has received increasing attention from modern scientific research.This study summarizes the pharmacological effects of the main active ingredients of Renshen(ginsenosides,polysaccharides,etc.)on resisting aging,including preventing neuroaging,suppressing skin aging,mitigating ovarian aging,inhibiting osteoporosis and arthritis,enhancing the immune system of the elderly,protecting the cardiovascular system,resisting aging-induced fatigue and exerting the anti-tumor effects.Through network pharmacology and molecular docking,the anti-aging active ingredients of Renshen were screened,and the key targets and pathways of anti-aging active ingredients in Renshen were determined.Using network pharmacology,totally 106 drug targets and 3,479 disease targets were screened,and 79 common targets between aging and Renshen were identified.Three core targets were identified in the PPI network,including TNF,AKT1,and IL-1β.Molecular docking was used to obtain further verification.This study emphasizes the potential of Renshen as a source of anti-aging activity,which can be developed into a novel drug for the treatment of age-related diseases.展开更多
Optical tweezers technology has the characteristics of noncontact manipulation in three dimensions and steerable separation in solutions,and could be applied to obtain a separated sperm with high quality for intracyto...Optical tweezers technology has the characteristics of noncontact manipulation in three dimensions and steerable separation in solutions,and could be applied to obtain a separated sperm with high quality for intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI).However,the effects of optical tweezers on sperm motility are still unclear.To elucidate the effects on sperm motility for optical tweezers,we systematically investigated the correlation between motility parameters and the parameters of optical tweezers(wavelength,power,trapping duration,and trapping orientation).Under three systems of optical tweezers with different laser wavelengths(1064,850,and 785 nm),the nine motility parameters of free swimming were mainly affected by trapping orientation(vertical/horizontal)and trapping duration.When 850 nm laser and 1064 nm laser are used,vertical trapping significantly reduces sperm free-swimming capability with prolonged exposure time,whereas horizontal trapping exhibits relatively minor interference on sperm motility.Notably,the 785 nm laser does not induce statistically significant changes in key parameters of sperm motility under any experimental conditions(trapping orientation and duration).For the rolling frequency of trapped sperm,horizontal trapping for three wavelengths has a negligible effect compared with vertical trapping,especially for the 785 nm laser.In conclusion,horizontal trapping can preserve sperm motility under low power(below 140mW at 1064 nm,below 100mW at 850nm,below 60mW at 785 nm)and short duration(below 4 min).This trapping duration is suffcient for the separation procedure of single live sperm in ICSI.This study provides critical parameter optimization guidelines for the safe application of optical tweezers technology in reproductive medicine.展开更多
As the aging population continues to grow,age-related health issues are becoming increasingly prominent,attracting widespread attention and concern from society.While research on the mechanisms of aging is relatively ...As the aging population continues to grow,age-related health issues are becoming increasingly prominent,attracting widespread attention and concern from society.While research on the mechanisms of aging is relatively extensive,studies on the association between aging and related diseases remain limited.G.lucidum,a traditional medicinal fungus,has garnered significant attention due to its diverse bioactive properties.Recent studies have revealed that G.lucidum and its active components exhibit significant potential in anti-aging and regulating dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolism.However,a comprehensive and detailed review of recent research findings has yet to be thoroughly explored.This paper summarizes and elucidates the latest advances in the pathological mechanisms of aging-related glucose and lipid metabolism disorders by retrieving data from databases such as X-mol and PubMed,provides a detailed account of the regulatory effects of G.lucidum’s primary active components on aging and lipid metabolism,and explores their potential mechanisms.Additionally,it discusses the application prospects of G.lucidum in the fields of anti-aging and metabolic regulation,aiming to provide a reference for research on aging-mediated lipid metabolism disorders and to lay a theoretical foundation for the further development and application of G.lucidum.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Heyan Kuntai capsule(HYKT) in treating women with infertility caused by diminished ovarian reserve(DOR).METHODS: One hundred eight eligible patientsfrom three...OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Heyan Kuntai capsule(HYKT) in treating women with infertility caused by diminished ovarian reserve(DOR).METHODS: One hundred eight eligible patientsfrom three Chinese hospitals were randomly divided into an HYKT treatment group(n = 55) or a dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA) treatment group(n =53). Patients in the HYKT group were treated orally with four 0.5 g HYKT three times a day; patients in the DHEA group were treated with one 25.0 mg DHEA capsule three times a day. All patients were treated for 3 months and followed up over a3-month period.RESULTS: Of 108 patients, 12 dropped out: six from the HYKT group, and six from the DHEA group. Eleven patients got pregnant during the treatment. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels and antral follicle counts increased significantly in both groups after treatment(P < 0.05) especially in the HYKT group(P < 0.05). Serum follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) levels and FSH/luteinizing hormone ratios decreased(P < 0.05) with no significant difference between the two groups. Estradiol levels in the HYKT group and DHEA-sulfate levels in the DHEA group both increased(P < 0.05). The spontaneous pregnancy rates were 12% and 11% in the HYKT and DHEA groups, respectively(not significant). During the follow-up period, 16 patients in the HYKT group underwent in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET) and the number of retrieved oocytes was(5.1 ± 1.8). In DHEA group, 20 patients underwent IVF-ET and the number of retrieved oocyte was(4.2 ± 1.9)(not significant); clinical pregnancy rates were 38% in the HYKT group and 20%in DHEA group(not significant). No significant adverse reactions were observed.CONCLUSION: HYKT can improve the ovarian re-serve and hormone levels in patients with infertility caused by DOR. Pregnancy rates after HYKT treatment were similar to those of DHEA treatment.HYKT might be an alternative to the treatment of infertility caused by DOR.展开更多
Recent research indicates that the human infertility rate is increasing. Although various reasons have been hypothesized for the growing infertility rate, environmental contaminants are potentially important causal ag...Recent research indicates that the human infertility rate is increasing. Although various reasons have been hypothesized for the growing infertility rate, environmental contaminants are potentially important causal agents associated with this change.Chemical contaminants are widespread throughout our environment and human exposure is virtually unavoidable. The overall contribution of environmental exposure to infertility is unknown, but studies involving occupational exposure, together with results from animal experiments, suggest that environmental contaminants may adversely affect fertility. We reviewed the adverse effects of environmental exposure on fertility and related reproductive outcomes. Environmental contaminants covered in this review include heavy metals, organic solvents, pesticides and endocrine disrupting chemicals. It is hoped that this review will highlight the need for further research in this area.展开更多
The impact of prior cesarean section(CS) on the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET) was investigated. A retrospective analysis was performed on 144 patients with p...The impact of prior cesarean section(CS) on the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET) was investigated. A retrospective analysis was performed on 144 patients with prior CS between January 2013 and December 2015. The pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal outcomes of patients who had previous CS delivery and received IVF-ET were analyzed. The control group comprised 166 patients who had only previous vaginal delivery(VD) and received IVF-ET during the same period. The results showed that the basal follicle stimulating hormone level, estradiol level on human chorionic gonadotropin(h CG) day, gonadotrophin dosage, duration of stimulation, retrieved oocytes, fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, multiple birth rate, abortion rate and ectopic pregnancy rate had no significant difference between the two groups(P〉0.05). The pregnancy rate(40.28% vs. 54.22%) and implantation rate(24.01% vs. 34.67%) were significantly lower(P〈0.05), and the ratio of embryo difficulty transfer(9/144 vs. 0/166) was significantly higher in CS group than in VD group. The risk of pernicious placenta previa and postpartum hemorrhage in twin deliveries was significantly increased in CS group as compared with that in VD group(P〈0.05), and gestational age and neonatal birth weight were significantly reduced in twin deliveries as compared with singleton deliveries in both groups(P〈0.05). It was suggested that the existence of CS scar may impact embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy outcome, and increase the difficulty of ET. We should limit the number of transfer embryos to avoid multiple pregnancies and strengthen gestational supervision in patients with cesarean scar.展开更多
The clinical effects of acupuncture on idio pathic male infertility in sperm parameter and on therapeutic results in assiste d reproductive technology were investigated. 22 patients failed in intracytoplas mic sperm i...The clinical effects of acupuncture on idio pathic male infertility in sperm parameter and on therapeutic results in assiste d reproductive technology were investigated. 22 patients failed in intracytoplas mic sperm injection (ICSI) with idiopathic male infertility were treated with ac upuncture twice weekly for 8 weeks, followed by ICSI treatment again. The sperm concentration, motility, morphology, fertilization rates and embryo quality were observed. Quick sperm motility after acupuncture(18.3 %±9.6 %) was significa ntly improved as compared with that before treatment (11.0 %±7.5 %, P <0.01) . The normal sperm ratio was increased after acupuncture (21.1 %±10.4 % vs 16.2 %± 8.2 %, P <0.05). The fertilization rates after acupuncture (66.2 %) were obviously higher than that before treatment (40.2 %, P <0.01). There was no significant difference in sperm concentration and general sperm motility between before and after acupuncture. The embryo quality after acupuncture was improved , but the difference between them was not significant ( P >0.05). Acupuncture can improve sperm quality and fertilization rates in assisted reproductive techn ology.展开更多
The expression of Attractin mRNA and protein in testis and semen of human and male mice was investigated. Human testis and semen samples were all collected from Reproductive Center of Reumin Hospital, Wuhan University...The expression of Attractin mRNA and protein in testis and semen of human and male mice was investigated. Human testis and semen samples were all collected from Reproductive Center of Reumin Hospital, Wuhan University in December, 2012. Testis samples were collected from 7 cases of obstructive azoospermias when they were subjected to diagnosed testis biopsy, and 30 nor- mal human semen samples were obtained from those cases of semen analysis. Adult mice testis tis- sues were obtained from 10 2-month-old male BALB/c mice, and 60 male mice at different ages were classified into 10 groups (day 1, 5, 10, 15, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56, and 120 respectively, n=6 each). The expression of Attractin mRNA and protein in testis was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting re- spectively. Human semen samples were centrifuged into sperm plasma (SP) and sperm extract (SE), and mice sperm samples were collected from the epididymis of 10 adult male BALB/c mice. Western blotting was used to determine the Attractin protein expression level. Attractin mRNA and protein were expressed in the testis of both patients with obstructive azoospermias and adult Bcl/B mice. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that no Attractin mRNA was detectable in day 1 male BALB/c mice group. The Attractin mRNA and protein levels were low on the day 10, and increased with age until day 56. On the day 120, the expression levels of Attractin were decreased. As for human semen sam- pies, Attractin protein was expressed in both SP and SE, but didn't exist in samples from the epidi- dymis of male BALB/c mice. It was suggested that Attractin acted as a novel active substance and was involved in male reproduction in both human and BALB/c mice, but it exerted a different ex- pression profile in different mammal species.展开更多
Melatonin,as a ubiquitous indoleamine hormone,is synthesized primarily by the pineal gland.It has diverse biological effects through quite complex mechanisms.More recently,studies have focused on the mechanism of mela...Melatonin,as a ubiquitous indoleamine hormone,is synthesized primarily by the pineal gland.It has diverse biological effects through quite complex mechanisms.More recently,studies have focused on the mechanism of melatonin in anti-reproductive toxicity/damage.Since melatonin possesses strong antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties,researchers have examined its potential role in protecting against male reproductive toxicity/damage,which may be induced by chemotherapy or environmental toxicants and can lead to male infertility.In this article,recent progress regarding the protective effects of melatonin on male reproductive toxicity/damage is reviewed.展开更多
Advanced paternal age has been overlooked,and its effect on fertility remains controversial.Previous studies have focused mainly on intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)cycles in men with oligozoospermia.However,few ...Advanced paternal age has been overlooked,and its effect on fertility remains controversial.Previous studies have focused mainly on intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)cycles in men with oligozoospermia.However,few studies have reported on men with semen parameters within reference ranges.Therefore,we conducted a retrospective cohort study analyzing the reproductive outcomes of couples with non-male-factor infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization(IVF)cycles.In total,381 cycles included were subgrouped according to paternal age(<35-year-old,35–39-year-old,or≥40-year-old),and maternal age was limited to under 35 years.Data on embryo quality and clinical outcomes were analyzed.The results showed that fertilization and high-quality embryo rates were not significantly different(all P>0.05).The pregnancy rate was not significantly different in the 35–39-year-old group(42.0%;P>0.05),but was significantly lower in the≥40-year-old group(26.1%;P<0.05)than that in the<35-year-old group(40.3%).Similarly,the implantation rate significantly decreased in the≥40-year-old group(18.8%)compared with that in the<35-year-old group(31.1%)and 35–39-year-old group(30.0%)(both P<0.05).The live birth rate(30.6%,21.7%,and 19.6%)was not significantly different across the paternal age subgroups(<35-year-old,35–39-year-old,and≥40-year-old,respectively;all P>0.05),but showed a declining trend.The miscarriage rate significantly increased in the 35–39-year-old group(44.8%)compared with that in the<35-year-old group(21.0%;P<0.05).No abnormality in newborn birth weight was found.The results indicated that paternal age over 40 years is a key risk factor that influences the assisted reproductive technology success rate even with good semen parameters,although it has no impact on embryo development.展开更多
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is an important treatment for infertile people of reproductive age and is also known as fertility treatment. The processes of ART involves the isolation, handling and culture o...Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is an important treatment for infertile people of reproductive age and is also known as fertility treatment. The processes of ART involves the isolation, handling and culture of early embryos, which may result in alterations in genomic methylation at specific loci and influence the proper establishment and maintenance of genomic imprints. Recent studies have identified an increased incidence of imprinting disorders via ART. In this article, we reviewed that the ART may be prone to induction of imprinting methylation errors during embryonic development. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the safety of ART in this field.展开更多
BACKGROUND Heterotopic pregnancy(HP)is a rare condition in which both ectopic and intrauterine pregnancies occur.HP is uncommon after natural conception but has recently received more attention due to the widespread u...BACKGROUND Heterotopic pregnancy(HP)is a rare condition in which both ectopic and intrauterine pregnancies occur.HP is uncommon after natural conception but has recently received more attention due to the widespread use of assisted reproductive techniques(ART)such as ovulation promotion therapy.CASE SUMMARY Here,we describe a case of HP that occurred after ART with concurrent tubal and intrauterine singleton pregnancies.This was treated successfully with surgery to preserve the intrauterine pregnancy,resulting in the birth of a low-weight premature infant.This case report aims to increase awareness of the possibility of HP during routine first-trimester ultrasound examinations,especially in pregnancies resulting from ART and even if multiple intrauterine pregnancies are present.CONCLUSION This case alerts us to the importance of comprehensive data collection during regular consultations.It is important for us to remind ourselves of the possibility of HP in all patients presenting after ART,especially in women with an established and stable intrauterine pregnancy that complain of constant abdominal discomfort and also in women with an unusually raised human chorionic gonadotropin level compared with simplex intrauterine pregnancy.This will allow symptomatic and timeous treatment of patients with better results.展开更多
This pilot study evaluated effectiveness and acceptance of a new hospital-based reproductive endocrinology curriculum among Iranian medical students. A voluntary, anonymous questionnaire was used to compare two teachi...This pilot study evaluated effectiveness and acceptance of a new hospital-based reproductive endocrinology curriculum among Iranian medical students. A voluntary, anonymous questionnaire was used to compare two teaching methods as applied to junior medical students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Students were randomly assigned to one of two clinical teaching settings;no student experienced both modules. Coursework for the pilot (experimental) group (n = 19) utilized a teaching approach comprising lectures, genetics laboratory, pelvic ultrasound, small group sessions, and opportunities to observe advanced reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization, ICSI, and embryo transfer. A control group (n = 34) received reproductive endocrinology instruction by the ‘traditional curriculum’, consisting mainly of lectures. Students were sampled at baseline and again atthe conclusion of their reproductive endocrinology session. Pre- and post-test data were analyzed for both groups;post-test differences between groups were also compared. No significant differences in mean age or gender mix were identified between the two study groups. Overall, the ques- tionnaire did not identify any significant intergroup differences for any parameter investigated. Although student acceptance rate appeared similar for both educational modules, the ratio of students having a “favorable regard” for reproductive medicine declined only among students randomized to the control group (41.2% vs. 32.3%). This report offers the first data on teaching reproductive endocrinology to medical students in Iran. Both traditional and innovative approaches to teaching reproductive endocrinology were well-accepted by students, although negative post-test responses were more common among students in the control group. While periodic quality assessments for existing clinical teaching methods are necessary, introduction of alternative teaching approaches is also important. Additional studies are planned to evaluate the impact this initiative may have on results on standardized tests measuring reproductive endocrinology knowledge, as well as election of further specialization in training.展开更多
Anxiety is a common reaction of men undergoing assisted reproductive treatment.Our study aims to explore the risk factors of anxiety among men receiving assisted reproductive treatment.We found that the men who have p...Anxiety is a common reaction of men undergoing assisted reproductive treatment.Our study aims to explore the risk factors of anxiety among men receiving assisted reproductive treatment.We found that the men who have primary school education were more anxious than those who have higher level education including junior middle school(X^2=13.01,P<0.01),senior middle school(X^2=5.63,P=0.02),junior college(X^2=6.94,P=0.01)and higher education(X^2=13.78,P<0.01).Moreover,the men who have severe financial burden were more anxious than the men who have mild(X^2=9.54,P<0.01)or moderate(X^2=6.30,P=0.01)burden.For trait anxiety,the independent risk factor was financial burden of treatment.Therefore,we suggest that for men who prepare to receive assisted reproductive treatment,especially for men who had financial burden for treatment or only received primary education,pre-treatment counseling or psychological intervention should be provided.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the incidence of neonatal birth defects in assisted reproductive technology(ART)by in vitro fertilization(IVF)and intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI).Methods:The clinical data of 4229 cases...Objective:To investigate the incidence of neonatal birth defects in assisted reproductive technology(ART)by in vitro fertilization(IVF)and intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI).Methods:The clinical data of 4229 cases of singleton deliver by infertile patients under 35 years old who received IVF/ICSI-ET in our center were analyzed.According to different fertilization methods,they were divided into IVF group(2967 cases)and ICSI group(1262 cases).The general situation of birth,birth defects and the location of defects were compared between the two groups.Results:a total of 38 cases of neonatal birth defects were found,the incidence of birth defects was 0.89%,including 30 cases(1.01%)in IVF group and 8 cases(0.64%)in ICSI group.There was no significant difference in the incidence of birth defects between the two groups(P>0.05).There was also no significant difference in birth weight,gestational age and gender ratio between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Different fertilization methods in assisted reproductive technology do not increase the incidence of neonatal birth defects.展开更多
基金This work was supported by National Key Technology Research and Development Program of China(No.2019YFC1005200,No.2019YFC1005202 and No.2018YFC1002103)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81802896)Hubei Province Health and Family Planning Scientific Research Project(No.WJ2019M127).
文摘Summary:With delayed childbearing in women,preservation of fertility is an important issue for reproductive-age patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma(EOC).Fertility-sparing surgery(FSS)can be considered in patients with early-stage disease in order to preserve fertility and improve quality of life.In order to evaluate oncological safety,attitudes toward childbearing and reproductive outcomes in women with EOC who underwent FSS,this multicenter retrospective study was conducted.Between January 2005 and December 2014,total of 87 young women with FIGO stage I EOC were included,with their clinicopathologic parameters in relation to disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)assessed.Attitudes toward childbearing,ovarian function and fertility were studied in women undergoing FSS(n=36).As a result,in contrast to radical sur ery,FSS did not affect prognosis by Kaplan-Meier curves(log-rank test;DFS:P=0.484;OS:P=0.125).However,two of the three recurrence cases and both death cases were in FSS group stage IC.All women undergoing FSS resumed regular menstrual periods after chemotherapy.Only 16(44.44%)had tried to conceive,and 17 pregnancies occurred in 15(93.75%)women.Among 20 women who did not attempt conception,the most common reason was not being married(70%),followed by already having children(15%).In summary,FSS is considered safe in young women with stage IA EOC.Regular menstruation and good obstetric outcomes can be achieved.This study also provides some insight into the attitudes and social factors regarding fertility in EOC patients.
基金supported by a grant from the Beijing Municipal NaturalScience Foundation(No.7194332)the Shandong Province Natural ScienceFoundation(No.ZR2022ZD19).
文摘At the end of 2022,the adjustment of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic control policy in China resulted in alarge-scale increase in public infection.To compare the fertility parameters of male patients before and after the adjustments ofthe COVID-19 pandemic control policy in China,we collected data on patients’medical histories and laboratory examinations ontheir first visits between June 2022 and March 2023 in five different hospitals.Data were divided into five groups according tothe timeline of the policy adjustment.The data we collected from male patients included semen quality and serum reproductivehormone levels,and intergroup comparisons were made using the Mann–Whitney U and Chi-square tests.In total,16784 casesunderwent regular semen analysis,11180 had sperm morphology assessments,and 7200 had reproductive hormone analyses.Thedata showed declining trends in semen volume,sperm motility,and the progressive sperm motility rate after the policy adjustment.Subgroup comparison revealed an initial decrease and gradual recovery in progressive motility rate.Sperm morphology analysisshowed increased neck and tail abnormalities after the policy adjustment.No significant change in hormone levels was observed.Following the adjustment of the COVID-19 prevention policy in China,a decline in sperm motility and morphology was observed.This trend may gradually recover over 2 months.After the policy adjustment,reproductive hormone levels were relatively stablethroughout,except for an increase in luteinizing hormone(LH).These changes in semen parameters suggest that the policyadjustment had a short-to medium-term impact on male reproductive function.
基金funded by the Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(No.2022A1515011517).
文摘Objective To explore and quantify the association of hot night exposure during the sperm development period(0–90 lag days) with semen quality.Methods A total of 6,640 male sperm donors from 6 human sperm banks in China during 2014–2020were recruited in this multicenter study.Two indices(i.e.,hot night excess [HNE] and hot night duration[HND]) were used to estimate the heat intensity and duration during nighttime.Linear mixed models were used to examine the association between hot nights and semen quality parameters.Results The exposure-response relationship revealed that HNE and HND during 0–90 days before semen collection had a significantly inverse association with sperm motility.Specifically,a 1 ℃ increase in HNE was associated with decreased sperm progressive motility of 0.0090(95% confidence interval[CI]:–0.0147,–0.0033) and decreased total motility of 0.0094(95% CI:–0.0160,–0.0029).HND was significantly associated with reduced sperm progressive motility and total motility of 0.0021(95% CI:–0.0040,–0.0003) and 0.0023(95% CI:–0.0043,–0.0002),respectively.Consistent results were observed at different temperature thresholds on hot nights.Conclusion Our findings highlight the need to mitigate nocturnal heat exposure during spermatogenesis to maintain optimal semen quality.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFC2506500,2021YFC2500500)the Program of Shanghai Academic Research Leader(22XD1423300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(T2288101,82370357,82100470)。
文摘Background:The National Chest Pain Center Program(NCPCP)is a nationwide,quality enhancement program aimed at raising the standard of care for patients experiencing acute chest pain in China.The benefits of chest pain center(CPC)accreditation on acute coronary syndrome have been demonstrated.However,there is no evidence to indicate whether CPC accreditation improves outcomes for patients with acute aortic dissection(AAD).Methods:We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with AAD from 1671 hospitals in China,using data from the NCPCP spanning the period from January 1,2016 to December 31,2022.The patients were divided into 2 groups:pre-accreditation and post-accreditation admissions.The outcomes examined included in-hospital mortality,misdiagnosis,and Stanford type A AAD surgery.Multivariate logistic regression was employed to explore the relationship between CPC accreditation and in-hospital outcomes.Furthermore,we stratified the hospitals based on their geographical location(Eastern/Central/Western regions)or administrative status(provincial/non-provincial capital areas)to assess the impact of CPC accreditation on AAD patients across various regions.Results:The analysis encompassed a total of 40,848 patients diagnosed with AAD.The post-accreditation group exhibited significantly lower rates of in-hospital mortality and misdiagnosis(12.1%vs.16.3%,P<0.001 and 2.9%vs.5.4%,P<0.001,respectively)as well as a notably higher rate of Stanford type A AAD surgery(61.1%vs.42.1%,P<0.001)compared with the pre-accreditation group.After adjusting for potential covariates,CPC accreditation was associated with substantially reduced risks of in-hospital mortality(adjusted OR=0.644,95%CI 0.599-0.693)and misdiagnosis(adjusted OR=0.554,95%CI 0.493-0.624),along with an increase in the proportion of patients undergoing Stanford type A AAD surgery(adjusted OR=1.973,95%CI 1.797-2.165).Following CPC accreditation,there were significant reductions in in-hospital mortality across various regions,particularly in Western regions(from 21.5%to 14.1%).Moreover,CPC accreditation demonstrated a more pronounced impact on in-hospital mortality in non-provincial cities compared to provincial cities(adjusted OR:0.607 vs.0.713).Conclusion:CPC accreditation is correlated with improved management and in-hospital outcomes for patients with AAD.
基金funded by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant Number:2025M773939)NationalNatural Science Foundation of China(Grant Number:82205131)Sichuan Science and Technology Program(Grant Number:2025ZNSFSC1798).
文摘Varicocele(VC)is widely recognized as a prevalent and clinically significant cause of male infertility.However,the comprehensive pathogenic mechanisms underlying VC development and progression remain incompletely understood,creating an important knowledge gap in the field of andrology.This review establishes that VC pathogenesis centers on abnormal vascular remodeling and integrates multiple contributing elements,including anatomical abnormalities,biochemical disturbances,genetic factors,low body mass index(BMI),age,and specific sports habits,while secondary varicoceles are primarily induced by compressive pathologies.Through a systematic synthesis of current evidence and recent advances,this review aims to elucidate the complex pathogenic network of VC and provide valuable insights to guide future research directions and inform the development of targeted clinical applications.
基金supported by the Jilin Science and Technology Development Talent Special Project,Nos.20240601086RC,23JQ08(all to ZH)YDZJ202502CXJD077+1 种基金JLARS-2025-0802-09YDZJ202501ZYTS706.
文摘Population aging is one of the common challenges in the current world.As people age,the body’s tissues including cells,and molecules inevitably degrade,and their functions gradually decline,causing various age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s disease,osteoporosis,low immunity,glucose and lipid metabolism disorders,and cardiovascular diseases.With the continuous increase of the elderly population,the pressure on the medical industry is increasing.To lower the burden on the medical industry and increase the average age of the elderly,it is vital to explore effective anti-aging materials.Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma(Renshen),as a traditional and precious Chinese medicinal herb,is known as the“king of all herbs”.It is famous for its effects of“tonifying Qi,restoring pulse”(helping with the generation of Qi(the fundamental,vital energy that continuously flows within the body)and the circulation of blood)and strengthening the body,nourishing the spleen and lungs,generating fluids and nourishing blood,calming the mind and improving intelligence.Recently,its anti-aging effect has received increasing attention from modern scientific research.This study summarizes the pharmacological effects of the main active ingredients of Renshen(ginsenosides,polysaccharides,etc.)on resisting aging,including preventing neuroaging,suppressing skin aging,mitigating ovarian aging,inhibiting osteoporosis and arthritis,enhancing the immune system of the elderly,protecting the cardiovascular system,resisting aging-induced fatigue and exerting the anti-tumor effects.Through network pharmacology and molecular docking,the anti-aging active ingredients of Renshen were screened,and the key targets and pathways of anti-aging active ingredients in Renshen were determined.Using network pharmacology,totally 106 drug targets and 3,479 disease targets were screened,and 79 common targets between aging and Renshen were identified.Three core targets were identified in the PPI network,including TNF,AKT1,and IL-1β.Molecular docking was used to obtain further verification.This study emphasizes the potential of Renshen as a source of anti-aging activity,which can be developed into a novel drug for the treatment of age-related diseases.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province in China(2508085MF166)Research Fund of Anhui Institute of Translational Medicine(2024zh-03)+2 种基金Key Scientific Research Foundation of Education Department of Anhui Province(2023AH040083)National Natural Science Foundation of China(12404353)Cultivation Project of Training Young and Middle-aged Teachers in Universities of Anhui Province(DTR2023013).
文摘Optical tweezers technology has the characteristics of noncontact manipulation in three dimensions and steerable separation in solutions,and could be applied to obtain a separated sperm with high quality for intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI).However,the effects of optical tweezers on sperm motility are still unclear.To elucidate the effects on sperm motility for optical tweezers,we systematically investigated the correlation between motility parameters and the parameters of optical tweezers(wavelength,power,trapping duration,and trapping orientation).Under three systems of optical tweezers with different laser wavelengths(1064,850,and 785 nm),the nine motility parameters of free swimming were mainly affected by trapping orientation(vertical/horizontal)and trapping duration.When 850 nm laser and 1064 nm laser are used,vertical trapping significantly reduces sperm free-swimming capability with prolonged exposure time,whereas horizontal trapping exhibits relatively minor interference on sperm motility.Notably,the 785 nm laser does not induce statistically significant changes in key parameters of sperm motility under any experimental conditions(trapping orientation and duration).For the rolling frequency of trapped sperm,horizontal trapping for three wavelengths has a negligible effect compared with vertical trapping,especially for the 785 nm laser.In conclusion,horizontal trapping can preserve sperm motility under low power(below 140mW at 1064 nm,below 100mW at 850nm,below 60mW at 785 nm)and short duration(below 4 min).This trapping duration is suffcient for the separation procedure of single live sperm in ICSI.This study provides critical parameter optimization guidelines for the safe application of optical tweezers technology in reproductive medicine.
基金supported by grants from Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Province(No.23JQ08,No.YDZJ202502 CXJD077,No.JLARS-2025-0802-09 and No.YDZJ202501ZY TS706).
文摘As the aging population continues to grow,age-related health issues are becoming increasingly prominent,attracting widespread attention and concern from society.While research on the mechanisms of aging is relatively extensive,studies on the association between aging and related diseases remain limited.G.lucidum,a traditional medicinal fungus,has garnered significant attention due to its diverse bioactive properties.Recent studies have revealed that G.lucidum and its active components exhibit significant potential in anti-aging and regulating dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolism.However,a comprehensive and detailed review of recent research findings has yet to be thoroughly explored.This paper summarizes and elucidates the latest advances in the pathological mechanisms of aging-related glucose and lipid metabolism disorders by retrieving data from databases such as X-mol and PubMed,provides a detailed account of the regulatory effects of G.lucidum’s primary active components on aging and lipid metabolism,and explores their potential mechanisms.Additionally,it discusses the application prospects of G.lucidum in the fields of anti-aging and metabolic regulation,aiming to provide a reference for research on aging-mediated lipid metabolism disorders and to lay a theoretical foundation for the further development and application of G.lucidum.
基金Supported by The Scientific research project of Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Hebei Province:The Clinical Study of Kuntai Capsule in the Treatment of Infertility Women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve Diagnosed Liver-kidney Yin Deficiency and Heart-kidney Imbalance Syndrome(No.2016068)
文摘OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Heyan Kuntai capsule(HYKT) in treating women with infertility caused by diminished ovarian reserve(DOR).METHODS: One hundred eight eligible patientsfrom three Chinese hospitals were randomly divided into an HYKT treatment group(n = 55) or a dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA) treatment group(n =53). Patients in the HYKT group were treated orally with four 0.5 g HYKT three times a day; patients in the DHEA group were treated with one 25.0 mg DHEA capsule three times a day. All patients were treated for 3 months and followed up over a3-month period.RESULTS: Of 108 patients, 12 dropped out: six from the HYKT group, and six from the DHEA group. Eleven patients got pregnant during the treatment. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels and antral follicle counts increased significantly in both groups after treatment(P < 0.05) especially in the HYKT group(P < 0.05). Serum follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) levels and FSH/luteinizing hormone ratios decreased(P < 0.05) with no significant difference between the two groups. Estradiol levels in the HYKT group and DHEA-sulfate levels in the DHEA group both increased(P < 0.05). The spontaneous pregnancy rates were 12% and 11% in the HYKT and DHEA groups, respectively(not significant). During the follow-up period, 16 patients in the HYKT group underwent in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET) and the number of retrieved oocytes was(5.1 ± 1.8). In DHEA group, 20 patients underwent IVF-ET and the number of retrieved oocyte was(4.2 ± 1.9)(not significant); clinical pregnancy rates were 38% in the HYKT group and 20%in DHEA group(not significant). No significant adverse reactions were observed.CONCLUSION: HYKT can improve the ovarian re-serve and hormone levels in patients with infertility caused by DOR. Pregnancy rates after HYKT treatment were similar to those of DHEA treatment.HYKT might be an alternative to the treatment of infertility caused by DOR.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDB14010300)the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission(No.Z151100004015167)+1 种基金the Beijing Municipal Health Technology High-level Talent Project(No.2014-3-076)the Open fund of State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology(No.KF-2017-13)
文摘Recent research indicates that the human infertility rate is increasing. Although various reasons have been hypothesized for the growing infertility rate, environmental contaminants are potentially important causal agents associated with this change.Chemical contaminants are widespread throughout our environment and human exposure is virtually unavoidable. The overall contribution of environmental exposure to infertility is unknown, but studies involving occupational exposure, together with results from animal experiments, suggest that environmental contaminants may adversely affect fertility. We reviewed the adverse effects of environmental exposure on fertility and related reproductive outcomes. Environmental contaminants covered in this review include heavy metals, organic solvents, pesticides and endocrine disrupting chemicals. It is hoped that this review will highlight the need for further research in this area.
文摘The impact of prior cesarean section(CS) on the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET) was investigated. A retrospective analysis was performed on 144 patients with prior CS between January 2013 and December 2015. The pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal outcomes of patients who had previous CS delivery and received IVF-ET were analyzed. The control group comprised 166 patients who had only previous vaginal delivery(VD) and received IVF-ET during the same period. The results showed that the basal follicle stimulating hormone level, estradiol level on human chorionic gonadotropin(h CG) day, gonadotrophin dosage, duration of stimulation, retrieved oocytes, fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, multiple birth rate, abortion rate and ectopic pregnancy rate had no significant difference between the two groups(P〉0.05). The pregnancy rate(40.28% vs. 54.22%) and implantation rate(24.01% vs. 34.67%) were significantly lower(P〈0.05), and the ratio of embryo difficulty transfer(9/144 vs. 0/166) was significantly higher in CS group than in VD group. The risk of pernicious placenta previa and postpartum hemorrhage in twin deliveries was significantly increased in CS group as compared with that in VD group(P〈0.05), and gestational age and neonatal birth weight were significantly reduced in twin deliveries as compared with singleton deliveries in both groups(P〈0.05). It was suggested that the existence of CS scar may impact embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy outcome, and increase the difficulty of ET. We should limit the number of transfer embryos to avoid multiple pregnancies and strengthen gestational supervision in patients with cesarean scar.
文摘The clinical effects of acupuncture on idio pathic male infertility in sperm parameter and on therapeutic results in assiste d reproductive technology were investigated. 22 patients failed in intracytoplas mic sperm injection (ICSI) with idiopathic male infertility were treated with ac upuncture twice weekly for 8 weeks, followed by ICSI treatment again. The sperm concentration, motility, morphology, fertilization rates and embryo quality were observed. Quick sperm motility after acupuncture(18.3 %±9.6 %) was significa ntly improved as compared with that before treatment (11.0 %±7.5 %, P <0.01) . The normal sperm ratio was increased after acupuncture (21.1 %±10.4 % vs 16.2 %± 8.2 %, P <0.05). The fertilization rates after acupuncture (66.2 %) were obviously higher than that before treatment (40.2 %, P <0.01). There was no significant difference in sperm concentration and general sperm motility between before and after acupuncture. The embryo quality after acupuncture was improved , but the difference between them was not significant ( P >0.05). Acupuncture can improve sperm quality and fertilization rates in assisted reproductive techn ology.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.30570769)Funds of Health and Family Planning Commission of Hubei Province(No.JS2013009)the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities(No.2042014kf0120)
文摘The expression of Attractin mRNA and protein in testis and semen of human and male mice was investigated. Human testis and semen samples were all collected from Reproductive Center of Reumin Hospital, Wuhan University in December, 2012. Testis samples were collected from 7 cases of obstructive azoospermias when they were subjected to diagnosed testis biopsy, and 30 nor- mal human semen samples were obtained from those cases of semen analysis. Adult mice testis tis- sues were obtained from 10 2-month-old male BALB/c mice, and 60 male mice at different ages were classified into 10 groups (day 1, 5, 10, 15, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56, and 120 respectively, n=6 each). The expression of Attractin mRNA and protein in testis was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting re- spectively. Human semen samples were centrifuged into sperm plasma (SP) and sperm extract (SE), and mice sperm samples were collected from the epididymis of 10 adult male BALB/c mice. Western blotting was used to determine the Attractin protein expression level. Attractin mRNA and protein were expressed in the testis of both patients with obstructive azoospermias and adult Bcl/B mice. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that no Attractin mRNA was detectable in day 1 male BALB/c mice group. The Attractin mRNA and protein levels were low on the day 10, and increased with age until day 56. On the day 120, the expression levels of Attractin were decreased. As for human semen sam- pies, Attractin protein was expressed in both SP and SE, but didn't exist in samples from the epidi- dymis of male BALB/c mice. It was suggested that Attractin acted as a novel active substance and was involved in male reproduction in both human and BALB/c mice, but it exerted a different ex- pression profile in different mammal species.
基金from NHC Key Laboratory of Family Planning and Healthy/key laboratory of reproductive medicine of Hebei provincial(SZ-202006)Peking University International Hospital Research Funds(No.YN2019QN13).
文摘Melatonin,as a ubiquitous indoleamine hormone,is synthesized primarily by the pineal gland.It has diverse biological effects through quite complex mechanisms.More recently,studies have focused on the mechanism of melatonin in anti-reproductive toxicity/damage.Since melatonin possesses strong antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties,researchers have examined its potential role in protecting against male reproductive toxicity/damage,which may be induced by chemotherapy or environmental toxicants and can lead to male infertility.In this article,recent progress regarding the protective effects of melatonin on male reproductive toxicity/damage is reviewed.
基金This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2018YFC1005001)the Zhongshan Hospital Youth Fund(No.2019ZSQN57)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81971345).
文摘Advanced paternal age has been overlooked,and its effect on fertility remains controversial.Previous studies have focused mainly on intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)cycles in men with oligozoospermia.However,few studies have reported on men with semen parameters within reference ranges.Therefore,we conducted a retrospective cohort study analyzing the reproductive outcomes of couples with non-male-factor infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization(IVF)cycles.In total,381 cycles included were subgrouped according to paternal age(<35-year-old,35–39-year-old,or≥40-year-old),and maternal age was limited to under 35 years.Data on embryo quality and clinical outcomes were analyzed.The results showed that fertilization and high-quality embryo rates were not significantly different(all P>0.05).The pregnancy rate was not significantly different in the 35–39-year-old group(42.0%;P>0.05),but was significantly lower in the≥40-year-old group(26.1%;P<0.05)than that in the<35-year-old group(40.3%).Similarly,the implantation rate significantly decreased in the≥40-year-old group(18.8%)compared with that in the<35-year-old group(31.1%)and 35–39-year-old group(30.0%)(both P<0.05).The live birth rate(30.6%,21.7%,and 19.6%)was not significantly different across the paternal age subgroups(<35-year-old,35–39-year-old,and≥40-year-old,respectively;all P>0.05),but showed a declining trend.The miscarriage rate significantly increased in the 35–39-year-old group(44.8%)compared with that in the<35-year-old group(21.0%;P<0.05).No abnormality in newborn birth weight was found.The results indicated that paternal age over 40 years is a key risk factor that influences the assisted reproductive technology success rate even with good semen parameters,although it has no impact on embryo development.
基金supported by Cultivating Youth Training Programme Fund in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University(2015KJ03)Reserve talented person fund in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University(310100J001165)
文摘Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is an important treatment for infertile people of reproductive age and is also known as fertility treatment. The processes of ART involves the isolation, handling and culture of early embryos, which may result in alterations in genomic methylation at specific loci and influence the proper establishment and maintenance of genomic imprints. Recent studies have identified an increased incidence of imprinting disorders via ART. In this article, we reviewed that the ART may be prone to induction of imprinting methylation errors during embryonic development. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the safety of ART in this field.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Development Project of Jilin Province,No.YDZJ202201ZYTS060。
文摘BACKGROUND Heterotopic pregnancy(HP)is a rare condition in which both ectopic and intrauterine pregnancies occur.HP is uncommon after natural conception but has recently received more attention due to the widespread use of assisted reproductive techniques(ART)such as ovulation promotion therapy.CASE SUMMARY Here,we describe a case of HP that occurred after ART with concurrent tubal and intrauterine singleton pregnancies.This was treated successfully with surgery to preserve the intrauterine pregnancy,resulting in the birth of a low-weight premature infant.This case report aims to increase awareness of the possibility of HP during routine first-trimester ultrasound examinations,especially in pregnancies resulting from ART and even if multiple intrauterine pregnancies are present.CONCLUSION This case alerts us to the importance of comprehensive data collection during regular consultations.It is important for us to remind ourselves of the possibility of HP in all patients presenting after ART,especially in women with an established and stable intrauterine pregnancy that complain of constant abdominal discomfort and also in women with an unusually raised human chorionic gonadotropin level compared with simplex intrauterine pregnancy.This will allow symptomatic and timeous treatment of patients with better results.
文摘This pilot study evaluated effectiveness and acceptance of a new hospital-based reproductive endocrinology curriculum among Iranian medical students. A voluntary, anonymous questionnaire was used to compare two teaching methods as applied to junior medical students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Students were randomly assigned to one of two clinical teaching settings;no student experienced both modules. Coursework for the pilot (experimental) group (n = 19) utilized a teaching approach comprising lectures, genetics laboratory, pelvic ultrasound, small group sessions, and opportunities to observe advanced reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization, ICSI, and embryo transfer. A control group (n = 34) received reproductive endocrinology instruction by the ‘traditional curriculum’, consisting mainly of lectures. Students were sampled at baseline and again atthe conclusion of their reproductive endocrinology session. Pre- and post-test data were analyzed for both groups;post-test differences between groups were also compared. No significant differences in mean age or gender mix were identified between the two study groups. Overall, the ques- tionnaire did not identify any significant intergroup differences for any parameter investigated. Although student acceptance rate appeared similar for both educational modules, the ratio of students having a “favorable regard” for reproductive medicine declined only among students randomized to the control group (41.2% vs. 32.3%). This report offers the first data on teaching reproductive endocrinology to medical students in Iran. Both traditional and innovative approaches to teaching reproductive endocrinology were well-accepted by students, although negative post-test responses were more common among students in the control group. While periodic quality assessments for existing clinical teaching methods are necessary, introduction of alternative teaching approaches is also important. Additional studies are planned to evaluate the impact this initiative may have on results on standardized tests measuring reproductive endocrinology knowledge, as well as election of further specialization in training.
基金Hubei Provincial Health Research Fund(WJ2019Q048)Hubei Provincial Health and Family Planning Research Fund(WJ2018H0007)。
文摘Anxiety is a common reaction of men undergoing assisted reproductive treatment.Our study aims to explore the risk factors of anxiety among men receiving assisted reproductive treatment.We found that the men who have primary school education were more anxious than those who have higher level education including junior middle school(X^2=13.01,P<0.01),senior middle school(X^2=5.63,P=0.02),junior college(X^2=6.94,P=0.01)and higher education(X^2=13.78,P<0.01).Moreover,the men who have severe financial burden were more anxious than the men who have mild(X^2=9.54,P<0.01)or moderate(X^2=6.30,P=0.01)burden.For trait anxiety,the independent risk factor was financial burden of treatment.Therefore,we suggest that for men who prepare to receive assisted reproductive treatment,especially for men who had financial burden for treatment or only received primary education,pre-treatment counseling or psychological intervention should be provided.
基金Major Science and Technology Project of Hainan Province(No.ZDKJ2017007)Key Research and Development Project of Hainan Provincial Science and Technology Department(No.ZDYF2019158)Scientific Research Project of Health and Family Planning Industry in Hainan Province(No.19A200124)。
文摘Objective:To investigate the incidence of neonatal birth defects in assisted reproductive technology(ART)by in vitro fertilization(IVF)and intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI).Methods:The clinical data of 4229 cases of singleton deliver by infertile patients under 35 years old who received IVF/ICSI-ET in our center were analyzed.According to different fertilization methods,they were divided into IVF group(2967 cases)and ICSI group(1262 cases).The general situation of birth,birth defects and the location of defects were compared between the two groups.Results:a total of 38 cases of neonatal birth defects were found,the incidence of birth defects was 0.89%,including 30 cases(1.01%)in IVF group and 8 cases(0.64%)in ICSI group.There was no significant difference in the incidence of birth defects between the two groups(P>0.05).There was also no significant difference in birth weight,gestational age and gender ratio between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Different fertilization methods in assisted reproductive technology do not increase the incidence of neonatal birth defects.