Uterus Transplantation as Infertility Treatment in Gynecological Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review.

Background: The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the evidence regarding the acceptance of uterine transplantation as infertility treatment among gynecological cancer survivors, surgical and pregnancy outcomes post-transplantation for gynecological cancer survivors, as well as relevant adverse events. Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched for records published since 2000, and extensive reference screening was performed. Results: Out of 1901 unique records identified, 7 are included in this review; 4 examined the proportion of gynecological cancer survivors among applicants for uterine transplantation, 2 examined rejection rates, pregnancy rates, and outcomes after uterine transplantation among gynecological cancer survivors, and 2 reported the frequency of relevant adverse events. Among the applicants, 60/701 (8.6%) were gynecological cancer survivors, only 1 transplanted patient was a cervical cancer survivor and achieved two live births after eight embryo transfers, and 2/27 (7.4%) of uterus transplantation recipients were diagnosed with CIN post-transplantation. Conclusions: Uterus transplantation can be regarded as an infertility treatment for absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI), although only one gynecological cancer survivor has received a uterus transplantation. The efficacy, safety, and ethical considerations for gynecological cancer survivors need to be addressed for uterine transplantation to become an infertility treatment option for AUFI among gynecological cancer survivors.

The association of assisted reproductive technology with fetal malpresentation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Since its introduction, assisted reproductive technology (ART) has developed into a common clinical practice around the world; yet it still raises a lot of questions. Throughout time, many researchers have investigated its association with several obstetric incidences and its consequences on perinatal outcomes. The aim of the current meta-analysis was to estimate the correlation between ART procedures and malpresentation of the fetus in singleton pregnancies. METHODS: The study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and prospectively registered under the PROSPERO database (CRD42023458084). Five databases (Embase, MEDLINE®, APA PsycInfo, Global Health, Health Management Information Consortium (HMIC)) and two additional sources were searched from inception to 31 May 2023. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the ROBINS-1 scale, whilst quality of evidence by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Summative and subgroup data as well as heterogeneity were generated by the Cochrane platform RevMan Web. RESULTS: Overall, 11 studies were included in the study with a total of 3,360,134 deliveries. Results indicate a higher risk of malpresentation at delivery in fetuses conceived through ART than those conceived naturally (RR: 1.50, (95% confidence interval (CI):1.30, 1.73)). This risk decreased when adjustments for potential confounders were applied (RR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.02, 1.23). CONCLUSIONS: Based on observational studies, this meta-analysis indicated that singleton pregnancies conceived through ART are associated with higher risk of malpresentation than those conceived naturally, albeit the difference was lower when potential confounders were examined. Thus, future large studies are required to better understand possible reversible and irreversible factors of this relationship.

Infertility Improvement after Medical Weight Loss in Women and Men: A Review of the Literature.

Infertility is a modern health problem. Obesity is another expanding health issue associated with chronic diseases among which infertility is also included. This review will focus on the effects of weight loss by medical therapy on fertility regarding reproductive hormonal profile, ovulation rates, time to pregnancy, implantation rates, pregnancy rates, normal embryo development, and live birth rates. We comprised medicine already used for weight loss, such as orlistat and metformin, and emerging medical treatments, such as Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA). Their use is not recommended during a planned pregnancy, and they should be discontinued in such cases. The main outcomes of this literature review are the following: modest weight loss after medication and the duration of the treatment are important factors for fertility improvement. The fecundity outcomes upon which medical-induced weight loss provides significant results are the female reproductive hormonal profile, menstrual cyclicity, ovulation and conception rates, and pregnancy rates. Regarding the male reproductive system, the fertility outcomes that feature significant alterations after medically induced weight loss are as follows: the male reproductive hormonal profile, sperm motility, movement and morphology, weight of reproductive organs, and sexual function. The newer promising GLP-1 RAs show expectations regarding fertility improvement, as they have evidenced encouraging effects on improving ovulation rates and regulating the menstrual cycle. However, more human studies are needed to confirm this. Future research should aim to provide answers about whether medical weight loss therapies affect fertility indirectly through weight loss or by a possible direct action on the reproductive system.

Effectiveness of progesterone rescue in women presenting low circulating progesterone levels around the day of embryo transfer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

IMPORTANCE: Over the last decade, frozen embryo transfer (FET) has been increasingly used in contemporary fertility units. Despite the rapid increase in FET, there is still insufficient evidence to recommend an optimized protocol for endometrial preparation especially in patients with lower progesterone (P4) levels. Previous studies have concluded that P4 levels <10 ng/mL are associated with poorer pregnancy outcomes than those reported with high levels of circulating P4. OBJECTIVE: To identify whether rescue P4 dosing in patients with low P4 can salvage adverse outcomes associated with low P4 levels, resulting in outcomes comparable to patients with adequate progesterone. DATA SOURCES: The study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines and prospectively registered under the PROSPERO database (CRD42022357125). Six databases (Embase, MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, Global Health, HMIC Health Management Information Consortium, and Google Scholar) and 2 additional sources were searched from inception to August 29, 2022. STUDY SELECTION AND SYNTHESIS: Prospective and retrospective cohort studies, reporting the association between rescue progesterone and one or more pregnancy outcomes, were included. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), while the quality of evidence by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Summative and subgroup data as well as heterogeneity were generated by the Cochrane platform RevMan (V. 5.4). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): To compare ongoing pregnancy rate as primary outcome and clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, and live birth rate as secondary outcomes between patients with low (<10 ng/mL) receiving rescue progesterone vs. those with adequate levels of P4 (≥10 ng/mL). RESULT(S): Overall, 7 observational studies were included in the analysis, with a total of 5927 patients of median age 34 (interquartile range [IQR]: 31.55, 37.13). Overall, patient group comparison, namely those with low P4 that received a rescue dose and those with adequate P4 levels, did not yield significant differences for either the primary or secondary outcomes. For ongoing clinical pregnancy, patients with low P4 receiving the rescue dose vs. those with adequate P4 levels was odds ratio (OR) 0.98 (95% CI: 0.78, 1.24; P = .86, I2: 41%), whereas for miscarriage events, OR was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.81, 1.17; P = .80, I2: 0). Equally, for clinical pregnancy, OR was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.78, 1.06; P = .24; I2: 33%), and for live birth, OR was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.77, 1.09; P = .33; I2: 43%). Subgroup analysis on the basis or rescue administration route successfully explained summative heterogeneity. CONCLUSION(S): Rescue P4 dosing in patients with low P4 results in ongoing pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were comparable to those of patients with adequate P4 levels. However, robust randomized controlled trials assessing rescue treatment in women with low P4 are needed to confirm these findings. Rescue P4 in patients with low circulating P4 around embryo transfer day may result in reproductive outcomes comparable to those with adequate P4 levels. STUDY REGISTRATION: CRD42022357125 (PROSPERO).

Surgical management of abdominal wall sheath and rectus abdominis muscle endometriosis: a case report and literature review.

Introduction: Endometriosis, defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity, mainly affects the pelvic viscera and peritoneum. Endometriosis can also occur at sites of surgical incisions on the abdominal wall, mainly in women with a history of cesarean section (CS). The incidence of abdominal wall endometriosis after CS reaches 1%. Clinical suspicion, along with imaging, plays a crucial role in diagnosis. The preferred treatment involves extensive surgical excision with clear margins, ensuring a definitive diagnosis through histopathology examination. Case presentation: This case report is of a 44-year-old woman with a history of two CS procedures who developed pain and pigmentation at the incisional site one year after the last CS. Thirteen years after the surgical excision of an abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) mass, followed by hormone therapy, she presented in our hospital with worsening pain for further management. Pelvic MRI findings were consistent with AWE. During surgery, the abdominal wall endometriosis foci were removed, and the defect in the aponeurosis was repaired using a dual-sided mesh in a tension-free procedure. Conclusion: Although AWE is a rare condition, we foresee an increase in cases because of the ever-increasing CS rates and the important association between AWE and CS. Healthcare practitioners should remain vigilant for this condition in women of reproductive age who exhibit cyclic pain, a palpable mass in the abdomen, and a background of previous uterine surgeries.

Bisphenol-A and Female Fertility: An Update of Existing Epidemiological Studies.

Humans interfere with a variety of endocrine disruptors on a daily basis, which may result in adverse health effects. Among them, Bisphenol-A (BPA) is the most debated endocrine disruptor, despite being widely studied, regarding its effects on fertility. The aim of this review was to investigate the interrelation of BPA and female fertility. PubMed (Medline) was searched from 2013 until 2022 to identify epidemiological studies that report the association of BPA with fertility parameters, in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. Regarding general fertility, most studies report an inverse association between BPA and ovarian reserve markers, namely antral follicle count (AFC) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). The BPA and estradiol (E2) levels did not correlate significantly in the majority of studies. No definite conclusions can be reached regarding BPA and IVF endpoints or endometriosis. Lastly, most studies report higher prevalence of PCOS in women with higher BPA concentrations, although no casualty has been proven. Although most studies fail to reach definite conclusion regarding the impact of BPA on fertility, there is accumulating evidence suggesting a negative role of BPA in female reproductive health.

Commercially Available Molecular Approaches to Evaluate Endometrial Receptivity: A Systematic Review and Critical Analysis of the Literature.

Despite the advances in the field of reproductive medicine, implantation failure represents a challenging condition affecting 10-30% of patients subjected to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Research has focused on the identification of molecules playing crucial roles in endometrial receptivity, with the aim of designing predictive tools for efficient detection of the implantation window. To that end, novel molecular genomic and transcriptomic approaches have been introduced as promising tools to enable personalized approaches with the aim of optimizing embryo transfer dating. However, the clinical value of these approaches remains unclear. The aim of this study is to provide a systematic review and critical analysis of the existing evidence regarding the employment of commercially available novel approaches to evaluate endometrial receptivity. An Embase and PubMed/Medline search was performed on 1 February 2022. From the 475 articles yielded, only 27 were included and analyzed. The considerable heterogeneity of the included articles indicates the uniqueness of the implantation window, showcasing that the optimal time for embryo transfer varies significantly between women. Moreover, this study provides information regarding the technical aspects of these advanced molecular tools, as well as an analysis of novel possible biomarkers for endometrial receptivity, providing a basis for future research in the field.

Current Approaches to the Management of Patients with Endometrial Cancer.

The incidence of endometrial cancer (EC) is rising and healthcare professionals need to be informed about the latest data on the constant developments in the field of its management. With particular interest in the classification and management of EC, we surveyed current literature, national and international data, and guidelines, as well as the latest studies to present the most recent data regarding the management of EC. It became evident that despite the consensus on low-risk EC, there are still controversies surrounding the management of high-risk EC, especially regarding the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Our aim is to present the old and new perspectives in the management of EC, the different available surgical routes, the possible desire for fertility preservation, the role of adjuvant therapies and the focus on the advantages and the limitations of the implementation of SLNB in therapeutic strategies. It became evident throughout our search and based on literature data that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) leads to satisfying outcomes, thus becoming gradually the preferred route of surgery, while SLNB could provide essential information and guidance about the overall management needed in cases of both low-risk and high-risk EC.

Daughters of polycystic ovary syndrome pregnancies and androgen levels in puberty: a Meta-analysis.

Purpose: To provide an overview and critical analysis of the literature related to the circulating androgen levels of daughters of PCOS mothers during prepubertal and pubertal stage who have not yet been diagnosed with PCOS or precocious puberty. Methods: We critically considered and meta-analyzed observational studies comparing androgens concentration in daughters of PCOS mothers compared to daughters of mothers without PCOS. A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Scopus and other sources from 01/09/2021 until 01/12/2021. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The primary outcome included total testosterone levels whereas the secondary outcomes included 17a-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), androstenedione (Δ4Α) and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels respectively. Results: Our search yielded 1073 studies, 9 of which were included in our analysis. The results are presented differently according to pubertal stage. Pubertal daughters of PCOS mothers exhibited significantly higher total testosterone (pooled mean difference 14.95 (95%CI: 6.98 to 22.93), higher 17-OHP (pooled mean difference 0.11 (95%CI: 0.02 to 0.20) and lower SHBG levels (pooled mean difference -10.48 (95%CI: -16.46 to -4.61). Instead, prepubertal daughters of PCOS mothers presented greater SHBG levels (pooled mean difference 7.79 (95%CI: 0.03 to 15.54) compared to controls. No difference was found in Δ4Α levels in both groups. Conclusion: The onset of puberty is a critical point in the development of the disease and an early intervention may be imperative.

Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation in Children and Adolescents.

Cancer during childhood and adolescence remains a major public health issue, affecting a significant portion of this age group. Although newer anti-cancer treatments have improved survival rates, this comes at a cost in terms of gonadotoxic effects. As a result, the preservation of fertility is important. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation, one of the newest methods, has some advantages, especially for prepubertal patients: no need for ovarian stimulation, thus, no further risk for estrogen-sensitive cancer types, and preservation of more and better-quality primordial follicles of the ovarian cortex. The most frequent indications include treatment with alkylating agents, ovarian-focused radiotherapy, leukemias, lymphomas, brain and neurological tumors, as well as Turner syndrome and benign hemoglobinopathies. An expected survival exceeding 5 years, the absence of systematic disease and an overall risk of premature ovarian insufficiency over 50% are among the criteria that need to be fulfilled in order for a patient to undertake this method. Orthotopic transplantation is more frequently used, since it can allow both live birth and the recovery of endocrine function. Reimplantation of malignant cells is always a major risk and should always be taken into consideration. Histological analysis, as well as immunohistochemical and molecular methods, are needed in order to improve the search for malignant cells before transplantation. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation appears to be a method with specific benefits, indications and risks which can be an important tool in terms of preserving fertility in younger women.

Road to conception and successful delivery for a facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy patient.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is a muscular dystrophy affecting all ages, primarily people in the second decade. The disease is initially presented with face, shoulder girdle, and upper arm involvement, followed by lower extremity muscle weakness. Disease progression is usually slow, although about one-fifth of patients will require a wheelchair to accommodate mobility. Women with this muscular dystrophy could rarely have poor birth outcomes, with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy symptom deterioration post-partum. In this study, we present a case of a woman with a genetically confirmed facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy 1 who underwent cesarean section with epidural anesthesia with favorable outcomes following the procedure. Eight months post cesarean section, the patient reported no facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy symptom deterioration. We reviewed the literature with emphasis on large studies concerning facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and birth outcomes and concluded that the hereby presented approach is important for the comprehensive obstetric care and future risk assessment and management in such patients.

Time to full effect, following treatment with combined oral contraceptives (cyclic versus continuous administration) in patients with endometriosis after laparoscopic surgery: a prospective cohort study.

The risk of recurrence after surgery is a major problem in women who are suffering from endometriosis. The prescription oral contraceptives (OCs) in the treatment of endometriosis-related pain, in women who do not desire fertility, is still controversial. The aim of this prospective cohort study is to evaluate the time until the reduction in the mean intensity of dysmenorrhoea and deep dyspareunia takes effect, for patients who use combined OCs in the accepted cyclic manner, versus in the continuous fashion as after the laparoscopic excision of endometriosis. A total of 28 patients diagnosed with endometriosis who underwent surgical treatment were offered at least a 12 months course of oral contraceptives. The intensity of both symptoms was reduced at the end of observational period in both groups. The use of continuous OCs (11 patients) was associated with a more pronounced reduction in the mean intensity of dyspareunia and dysmenorrhoea at 9 (p = 0.004) and 6 (p = 0.003) months respectively as compared to the cyclic group (17 patients).

The Current Evidence Regarding COVID-19 and Pregnancy: Where Are We Now and Where Should We Head to Next?

Despite the volume of publications dedicated to unraveling the biological characteristics and clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2, available data on pregnant patients are limited. In the current review of literature, we present an overview on the developmental course, complications, and adverse effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy. A comprehensive review of the literature was performed in PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases up to June 2021. This article collectively presents what has been so far reported on the identified critical aspects, namely complications during pregnancy, delivery challenges, neonatal health care, potential routes of viral transmission, including vertical transmission or breastfeeding, along with the risks involved in the vaccination strategy during pregnancy. Despite the fact that we are still largely navigating uncharted territory, the observed publication explosion in the field is unprecedented. The overwhelming need for data is undoubtable, and this serves as the driver for the plethora of publications witnessed. Nonetheless, the quality of data sourced is variable. In the midst of the frenzy for reporting on SARS-CoV-2 data, monitoring this informational overload is where we should head to next, considering that poor quality research may in fact hamper our attempts to prevail against this unparalleled pandemic outbreak.

Obstetric anal sphincter injury events prior and after Episcissors-60 implementation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Episcissors-60 upon obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) reduction in nulliparous women. STUDY DESIGN: Independent literature search for relevant studies was performed up to 30th May 2021 on five databases: Embase (OVID), MEDLINE (R) (OVID), CAB Abstracts (OVID), ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar. The primary outcome was to assess OASIS events prior and after Epi-60 implementation in clinical practice in natural births (NB), whilst secondary outcomes included overall operative vaginal delivery (OVD) %/spontaneous vaginal deliveries (SVD) % deliveries, episiotomy rates and operator satisfaction. All included studies (retrospective, prospective and time-series) examined the effect of Episcissors-60 implementation upon observed OASIS %. RESULTS: A total of 14,027 nulliparous females were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, study heterogeneity was high at I2: 79% with collectively fair quality of studies, as assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Overall, this analysis highlights significant differences of OASIS events that might suggest their implementation as standard practice [RD -0.02, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.00; P = 0.03]. CONCLUSION: The present analysis highlights significant differences of OASIS events pre- and post- Epi-60, that may suggest Episcissors-60 implementation as standard practice. Nonetheless, to ensure data integrity, well reported observational studies and robust randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are required prior to introduction of Epi-60 as standard episiotomy technique in clinical practice.

Getting to Know Endometriosis-Related Infertility Better: A Review on How Endometriosis Affects Oocyte Quality and Embryo Development.

Endometriosis-related infertility describes a case of deteriorated fecundity when endometriosis is diagnosed. Numerous mechanisms have been proposed in an effort to delineate the multifaceted pathophysiology that induces impairment of reproductive dynamics in patients with endometriosis. In this critical analysis, authors present the plethora of molecular events that are entailed and elaborate on how they potentially impair the oocyte's and embryo's competence in patients with endometriosis. Reactive oxygen species, dysregulation of the immune system and cellular architectural disruption constitute the crucial mechanisms that detrimentally affect oocyte and embryo developmental potential. The molecular level impairment of the reproductive tissue is discussed, since differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis constitute focal regulatory cellular functions that appear severely compromised in cases of endometriosis. Mapping the precise molecular mechanisms entailed in endometriosis-related infertility may help delineate the complex nature of the disorder and bring us a step closer to a more personalized approach in understanding, diagnosing and managing endometriosis-related infertility.

Delineation of an unknown significance FANCA genetic variant in a recurrent breast cancer patient.

Fanconi anaemia is a heterogeneous condition associated with mutations in the Fanconi anaemia complementation group (FANC). The FANC group has also been extensively associated with tumourigenesis due to its intricate association with the cellular repair mechanism. In this case report, we are drawing initial associations between a previously unreported FANC-A gene point mutation (P1222L) and familial breast cancer, by examining the presentation and management of a 65-year-old female patient with history of bilateral breast cancer of two different histological categories (ductal and in situ lobular). Here, we present a further genetic analysis beyond the common clinical practice to understand the patient's genetic predisposition and improve their long-term management.

Subinvolution of the placental site as the cause of hysterectomy in young woman.

Subinvolution of placental sites (SPSs) is a rare but severe cause of secondary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). SPS is characterised by the abnormal persistence of large, dilated, superficially modified spiral arteries in the absence of retained products of conception. It is an important cause of morbidity and mortality of young women. In this study, we present a case of secondary PPH in a young woman after uncomplicated caesarean delivery who was deemed clinically unstable, and finally, underwent emergent total abdominal hysterectomy. We reviewed the literature with an emphasis on the pathophysiology of this situation. Treatment of patients with SPS includes conservative medical therapy, hysterectomy and fertility-sparing percutaneous embolotherapy.

The addition of clomiphene citrate to ovarian stimulation protocols for poor responders.

Poor ovarian response (POR) is one of the most challenging problems in assisted reproduction. Several strategies have been used to improve pregnancy rates. The use of Clomiphene Citrate (CC) has been shown to improve ovarian stimulation outcomes and decrease gonadotropin requirements in women of advanced reproductive age. However, the combination of CC and gonadotropins to improve pregnancy rates after in IVF in poor responders is still unexplored due to the small number of trials with few participants. This is a prospective cohort trial involving 12 patients diagnosed with poor ovarian response who underwent ovarian stimulation during the period between June 2015 and September of 2017. All patients were treated with the maximum dose of gonadotropins (hMG, 300 IU/day, hMG group) according to a short gonadotropin/GnRH antagonist protocol. In a subsequent cycle those patients underwent the same stimulation protocol with the addition of 100 mg of CC from day 3 to day 7 (CC-hMG group). Supplementation with 100 mg of CC resulted in a statistically significant increase in estradiol levels, number of follicles and number of oocytes retrieved, as well as an increase in the number of total embryos available for transfer. Furthermore, a significant reduction was observed in cancellation rates in the CC-hMG group. Two clinical pregnancies, which resulted in two live births and 3 biochemical pregnancies were achieved in the CC/hMG group. Furthermore, by employing open-source, biological data we identified a common gene (Estrogen Receptor 1, ESR1) between genetic targets of clomiphene treatment and POR which could explain the benefits of clomiphene in this group of patients. In conclusion, the addition of CC 100 mg to the stimulation regimen in women diagnosed with POR and previous failed IVF cycles could improve stimulation results, but this study could not demonstrate any benefit in terms of clinical pregnancies and live births. The effectiveness of this treatment requires further investigation.

Combinational approach of retrospective clinical evidence and transcriptomics highlight AMH superiority to FSH, as successful ICSI outcome predictor.

OBJECTIVE: Combination of transcriptomic and retrospective clinical data, to assess anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) functionality at a cumulus cell level and evaluate AMH potential as a suitable marker for IVF outcomes (oocytes retrieved, number of day 3 embryos, gestation outcomes). DESIGN: Raw RNA-sequencing data of cumulus cells sourced from younger (n = 10) patient group (group A) (age 29 (1 year of age), baseline FSH 7.4 (0.5 mIU/ml), AMH 4.67 (1.56 ng/ml)) and older (n = 10) patient group (group B) (age 43 (± 0.55 years of age), baseline FSH 8 (0.8 mIU/ml), AMH 1.07 (0.44 ng/ml)) were employed to derive transcriptomic differences among high vs. low AMH groups. We collected retrospectively patient data from 80 infertile patients selected according to pre-specified inclusion criteria. SETTING: Publicly available raw RNA-sequencing data were retrieved from the SRA database of NCBI resource GEO Accession (GSM21575/35-44; GEO Accession: GSM21575/45-55). Retrospective data were collected from referrals to the Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Lito Hospital of Athens and the Institute of Life, Iaso Hospital of Athens, between the periods of March 2015 and April 2018. INTERVENTION(S): A fixed human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) antagonist protocol was used for all patients. All patients had serum AMH levels measured within a 3-month period prior to stimulation and serum levels of FSH and estradiol (day 2 of menstrual cycle; E2) (Clinical Trial code NV24042014). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The primary outcomes were identification of transcriptomic variations among high (group A) vs. low (group B) AMH patients. Retrospective data primary outcomes were number of oocytes retrieved, fertilized successfully (grades A and B, day 2 embryos), and total number of day 3 embryos. Secondary outcome was live birth rate. Finally, we compared primary outcomes with AMH and FSH level as well as their genetic pathways (interacting genes) to demonstrate the predictive accuracy. RESULTS: Essential players of the AMH signaling cascade, namely, SMAD1, SMAD4, SMAD5, ALK1, and LEF1, were significantly upregulated in group A (n 10) transcriptome. This biological clue was further supported by retrospective clinical data (n 80 participants), where AMH was positively correlated with both oocytes retrieved and fertilized as well as number of day 3 (grades A and B) embryos from patients undergoing IVF, in a statistically significant manner. AMH was further positive trend of association with successful pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study offers new insight on AMH effects upon cumulus cells and new aspects on how AMH might promote oocyte integrity and embryo viability at a biochemical level as well as add to the current body of evidence supporting AMH clinical potential as a more sensitive marker of IVF outcomes in comparison with FSH, regarding numbers of oocytes received and high-quality day 2 and day 3 embryos.