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1.
J Assist Reprod Genet ; 41(7): 1703-1711, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38850329

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the abortion views and reproductive concerns of current in vitro fertilization patients after the US Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which overturned the Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing abortion access. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey of English-speaking patients undergoing in vitro fertilization from January to November 2022 at a large academic institution in a state with restricted abortion care. Participants completed a 43-question electronic survey which measured feelings about abortion, future fertility treatments, and embryo disposition both quantitatively and qualitatively. RESULTS: Of 543 eligible patients, 267 (49%) consented to participate when called and were sent the survey. Of those, 180 (67%) completed it, resulting in a total completion rate of 33%. The majority believe abortion should be legal in the case of birth defects (90.8%) or rape or incest (90.3%). A significant proportion (91.4%) expressed concerns about abortion being illegal in the state that they receive infertility care. They reported some concern about making embryos (89.6%), controlling what happens to them (95.4%), and discarding them (94.4%). Patients wrote about their concerns with pursuing fertility treatments, fear of not having access to needed medical care, and the desire to remain close to states with less restrictive abortion laws. CONCLUSIONS: The evolving political landscape surrounding access to reproductive care has created significant concerns regarding legal regulation of these treatments and the disposition of embryos. By understanding patients' concerns, health care providers can more effectively advocate for the protection of fertility treatments and patients' autonomy in embryo disposition.


Subject(s)
Abortion, Induced , Fertilization in Vitro , Humans , Female , Adult , Fertilization in Vitro/psychology , Fertilization in Vitro/legislation & jurisprudence , Pregnancy , Abortion, Induced/legislation & jurisprudence , Abortion, Induced/psychology , United States , Cross-Sectional Studies , Embryo Disposition/psychology , Reproductive Techniques, Assisted/psychology , Reproductive Techniques, Assisted/legislation & jurisprudence , Surveys and Questionnaires , Infertility/therapy , Infertility/psychology , Male
2.
J Assist Reprod Genet ; 39(7): 1571-1576, 2022 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35713749

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To study patient satisfaction with new patient telehealth visits in a reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) office. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in a university-based fertility clinic was completed including all new patients seen via telehealth between March 1, 2021, and August 19, 2021. Primary outcomes were perceived patient satisfaction, access, and preferences to telehealth visits. RESULTS: A total of 351 participants were contacted, 61.8% (n = 217) agreed to participate in the study, and 28.8% (n = 101) completed the survey. There were no significant differences in age, BMI, distance from clinic, or length of infertility with response to survey. Ninety-three percent of responders would use telehealth services again and were satisfied with the telehealth system. Telehealth improved access to healthcare for 88% and travel time for 96%. The median distance from clinic was 24 miles, and there was no significance difference in preference for telehealth visits over in person visits (p = 0.696). CONCLUSIONS: In the era of COVID-19, healthcare implementation has dramatically changed with a drastic increase in telehealth services. Based on our survey, majority of patients were satisfied with telehealth visits and believed it saved travel time while improving access to REI care. Despite no differences in patient preference for in person versus telehealth depending on their distance from clinic, this is reassuring because patients are satisfied with telehealth for reasons other than distance from clinic.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Infertility , Telemedicine , COVID-19/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Patient Satisfaction , Personal Satisfaction
3.
Dev Dyn ; 250(7): 922-931, 2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33442887

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Male infertility is a prevalent clinical presentation for which there is likely a strong genetic component due to the thousands of genes required for spermatogenesis. Within this study we investigated the role of the gene Scrn1 in male fertility. Scrn1 is preferentially expressed in XY gonads during the period of sex determination and in adult Sertoli cells based on single cell RNA sequencing. We investigated the expression of Scrn1 in juvenile and adult tissues and generated a knockout mouse model to test its role in male fertility. RESULTS: Scrn1 was expressed at all ages examined in the post-natal testis; however, its expression peaked at postnatal days 7-14 and SCRN1 protein was clearly localized to Sertoli cells. Scrn1 deletion was achieved via removal of exon 3, and its loss had no effect on male fertility or sex determination. Knockout mice were capable of siring litters of equal size to wild type counterparts and generated equal numbers of sperm with comparable motility and morphology characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Scrn1 was found to be dispensable for male fertility, but this study identifies SCRN1 as a novel marker of the Sertoli cell cytoplasm.


Subject(s)
Fertility/genetics , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Sertoli Cells/metabolism , Animals , Embryo, Mammalian , Female , Infertility, Male/genetics , Infertility, Male/metabolism , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics , Pregnancy , Sertoli Cells/physiology , Spermatogenesis/genetics , Testis/metabolism
4.
J Assist Reprod Genet ; 36(2): 299-305, 2019 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30397897

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Implantation failure is a major limiting factor of successful in vitro fertilization (IVF). The objective of this study was to determine if endometrial mechanical stimulation (EMS) by endometrial biopsy in the luteal phase of the cycle prior to embryo transfer (ET) improves clinical outcomes in an unselected subfertile population. METHODS: Double-blind, randomized controlled trial of EMS versus sham biopsy and odds of clinical pregnancy after IVF and embryo transfer. Secondary outcomes included spontaneous miscarriage and live birth. RESULTS: One hundred women enrolled and were randomized from 2013 to 2017. Enrollment was terminated after futility analysis showed no difference in clinical pregnancy between EMS versus control, 47.2% vs 61.7% (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.25-1.23, p = 0.15). There were no significant differences between women who underwent EMS and those who did not in terms of positive pregnancy test 54.7% vs 63.8% (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.31-1.53, p = 0.36), miscarriage 7.5% vs 2.1% (OR 3.76 95% CI 0.41-34.85, p = 0.22), or live birth 43.4% vs 61.7% (OR 0.48 95% CI 0.21-1.06, p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: EMS in the luteal phase of the cycle preceding embryo transfer does not improve clinical outcomes in an unselected subfertile population and may result in a lower live birth rate. We caution the routine use of EMS in an unselected population.


Subject(s)
Abortion, Spontaneous/epidemiology , Embryo Transfer/methods , Endometrium/physiology , Fertilization in Vitro , Abortion, Spontaneous/physiopathology , Adult , Birth Rate , Double-Blind Method , Embryo Implantation/physiology , Female , Humans , Live Birth , Medical Futility , Ovulation Induction/methods , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome , Pregnancy Rate
7.
Am J Obstet Gynecol ; 219(6): 602.e1-602.e7, 2018 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30278174

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The growing use of preimplantation genetic testing with in vitro fertilization has provided clinicians with more information about the genetics of embryos. Embryos, however, sometimes result with a mixed composition of both aneuploid and euploid cells, called mosaic embryos. The interpretation of these results has varied, leading some clinicians to transfer mosaic embryos and some opt not to. In addition, laboratories providing preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy have differing thresholds for determining an embryo aneuploid, mosaic, or euploid. Overall practice patterns for mosaic embryo transfer practices in the United States are unknown. OBJECTIVE(S): The objectives of the study were to characterize national mosaic embryo transfer practices, including the use of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, prior history of transferring mosaic embryos, thresholds for determining mosaicism, and willingness to transfer mosaic embryos among assisted reproductive technology clinics in the United States. STUDY DESIGN: A 14 question online survey assessing current use of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, thresholds for determining mosaicism, and clinic experience and willingness to transfer mosaic embryos was e-mailed to 405 assisted reproductive technology clinics across the United States. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze survey responses and identify clinical factors associated with reporting having ever transferred a mosaic embryo. RESULTS: Of the 405 US assisted reproductive technology clinics contacted, 252 (62.2%) completed a survey, including 157 private (62.3%), 55 academic (21.8%), and 40 hybrid (15.9%) clinics. Most clinics (168, 66.7%) reported conducting preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy on less than 50% of all in vitro fertilization cycles. The most common type of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy technology used was next-generation sequencing at 88.9%. Ninety-one clinics (36.1%) receive mosaicism data on their preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy report; the most common thresholds for determining embryo aneuploidy and euploidy by clinics' primary genetics laboratories were <20% normal (36.3%) and >80% normal (46.2%), respectively. Thirty-nine (42.9%) of the 91 have transferred and 57 (62.6%) would transfer a mosaic embryo. Nearly 40% of clinics were unsure about their thresholds for mosaic transfer and one fourth of clinics reported they had no threshold. Private (odds ratio, 1.0, 95% confidence interval, 0.5-1.8) and hybrid (odds ratio, 0.9, 95% confidence interval, 0.4-2.1) clinics were just as likely as academic clinics to report having transferred a mosaic embryo. Clinics in the northeastern United States were more likely to have transferred a mosaic embryo than clinics in other regions (odds ratio, 1.5, 95% confidence interval, 0.9-2.7). Most clinics (72.6%) report they do not have a unique consent for transfer of mosaic embryos. CONCLUSION: There is uncertainty and variability in the transfer practices of mosaic embryos and classification of mosaicism among US assisted reproductive technology clinics. These findings provide an opportunity to establish mosaicism thresholds and create standardized guidelines for transferring mosaic embryos.


Subject(s)
Embryo Transfer , Genetic Testing/statistics & numerical data , Mosaicism , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States
8.
J Assist Reprod Genet ; 35(7): 1259-1263, 2018 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29766400

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To elicit patient preferences for social media utilization and content in the infertility clinic. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey study conducted in three US fertility practices. Women presenting to the infertility clinic for an initial or return visit were offered an anonymous voluntary social media survey. The survey elicited patient perception of whether social media use in the infertility clinic is beneficial, and preferences regarding topics of interest. RESULTS: A total of 244 surveys were collected during the study period, of which 54.5% were complete. Instagram is a more popular platform than Twitter across all age groups. Use of both platforms varies by age, with patients ≥ 40 less likely to be active users. The majority of respondents felt that social media provided benefit to the patient experience in the infertility clinic (79.9%). "Education regarding infertility testing and treatment" and "Myths and Facts about infertility" were the most popular topics for potential posts, with 93.4 and 92.0% of patients endorsing interest respectively. The least popular topic was "Newborn photos and birth announcements," with only 47.4% endorsing interest. A little over half of respondents (56.3%) would feel comfortable with the clinic posting a picture of their infant. The vast majority of patients (96.2%) feel comfortable communicating electronically with their infertility clinic. CONCLUSION: Patients are interested in the use of social media as a forum for patient education and support in the infertility clinic. Patient preferences regarding post topics should be carefully considered.


Subject(s)
Infertility/epidemiology , Patients/psychology , Reproductive Medicine/trends , Social Media , Adult , Female , Fertilization in Vitro/psychology , Fertilization in Vitro/trends , Humans , Infertility/psychology , Male , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States/epidemiology , Young Adult
9.
Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol ; 27(4): 271-5, 2015 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26107784

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To take inventory of the past and present and project the future direction of our field to help train the next generation of providers. RECENT FINDINGS: Review the history of the subspecialty and factors contributing to its evolution. SUMMARY: Reproductive endocrinology and infertility's in-vitro fertilization future is shaping the intellectual priorities and surgical skill requirements of the next generation.


Subject(s)
Endocrinology/education , Fellowships and Scholarships , Infertility/therapy , Reproductive Medicine/education , Endocrinology/standards , Endocrinology/trends , Female , Humans , Internship and Residency , Pregnancy , Reproductive Medicine/standards , Reproductive Medicine/trends
10.
J Reprod Med ; 60(9-10): 371-7, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26592060

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine practice patterns for insulin resistance (IR) evaluation and management in women with polycystic: ovary syndrome (PCOS) among physician members of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey using a web-based questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 205 members responded. Respondents were board-certified (94%), or board-eligible (6%), in obstetrics and gynecology. Sixty-four percent of the respondents use the Rotterdam 2003 Criteria for a diagnosis of PCOS. Two-thirds (68%) screenfor IR in women with PCOS. Respondents who screen for IR were more likely to also screen for diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (OR 3.37, 95% CI 1.48-7.21). The 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test with glucose and insulin concentrations was the most common IR screening test used (45%). Metformin therapy was used by 33% of respondents for, "all women with PCOS who have IR." The majority (68%) responded that there is a need for a committee opinion from ASRM on IR testing in PCOS. CONCLUSION: Two-thirds of ASRM physician members surveyed screen women with PCOS for IR in spite of the lack of general consensus on the need for such screening from endocrine societies.


Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Diabetes Mellitus/diagnosis , Glucose Intolerance/diagnosis , Insulin Resistance , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/diagnosis , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Reproductive Medicine , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Ethnicity , Female , Glucose Tolerance Test , Humans , Insulin , Male , Mass Screening , Middle Aged , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/metabolism , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States
11.
Reprod Biomed Online ; 29(1): 131-5, 2014 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24813751

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine whether practice in states with infertility insurance mandates is associated with physician-reported practice patterns regarding hydrosalpinx management in assisted reproduction clinics. A cross-sectional, internet-based survey of 442 members of Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility or Society of Reproductive Surgeons was performed. Physicians practising in states without infertility insurance mandates were more likely to report performing diagnostic surgery after an inconclusive hysterosalpingogram than physicians practising in states with mandates (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.3, P < 0.01). Additionally, respondents in states without mandates were more likely to report that, due to lack of infertility insurance coverage, they did not perform salpingectomy (SPX) or proximal tubal occlusion (PTO) before assisted reproduction treatment (RR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8, P = 0.01). Finally, respondents in states without mandates were less likely to report that the presence of assisted reproduction treatment coverage determined the urgency with which they pursued SPX or PTO before treatment (RR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-1.0, NS). These results persisted after controlling for physician years in practice, age and clinic volume. In conclusion, self-reported physician practice interventions for hydrosalpinges before assisted reproduction treatment may be associated with state-mandated infertility insurance. Fallopian tube dysfunction is a known cause of infertility and severe dysfunction is manifested by dilation and occlusion, known as hydrosalpinx. Outcomes with assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are lower when hydrosalpinges are present and while there are several theories for this, reproductive specialist recommend "neutralizing" the tube either by occlusion or removal in order to enhance pregnancy rates. In the United States, coverage for infertility services is not uniform with only 15 states having some legislation requiring infertility benefits. Some states where ART is covered liberally, physicians might have different practice patterns related to the neutralization of hydrosalpinges compared to those who are in non -mandated states. We utilized a survey of over 400 providers in the United States to examine their practice patterns as it relates to hydrosalpinges based on which state they practice in and whether or not that state has mandated coverage of not.


Subject(s)
Fallopian Tube Diseases/therapy , Insurance Coverage , National Health Programs/trends , Reproductive Medicine/trends , Sterilization, Tubal/statistics & numerical data , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Fertilization in Vitro , Humans , Reproductive Techniques, Assisted/economics , Sterilization, Tubal/economics , United States
12.
Hum Reprod ; 28(11): 2981-9, 2013 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23887073

ABSTRACT

STUDY QUESTION: Does a luteal estradiol (LE) stimulation protocol improve outcomes in poor responders to IVF? SUMMARY ANSWER: LE priming is associated with decreased cycle cancellation and increased chance of clinical pregnancy in poor responders WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Poor responders to IVF are one of the most challenging patient populations to treat. Many standard protocols currently exist for stimulating these patients but all have failed to improve outcomes. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Systematic review and meta-analysis including eight published studies comparing assisted reproduction technology (ART) outcomes in poor responders exposed to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with and without LE priming. A search of the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and PUBMED was carried out for studies in the English language published up to January 2012. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Studies evaluating women defined as poor responders to ART were evaluated. These studies were identified following a systematic review of the literature and data were analyzed using the DerSimonian-Laird random effects model. The main outcomes of interest were cycle cancellation rate and clinical pregnancy. Although the definition of clinical pregnancy varied between studies, the principal definition included fetal cardiac activity as assessed by transvaginal ultrasonography after 5 weeks of gestation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: A total of 2249 publications were identified from the initial search, and the bibliographies, abstracts and other sources yielded 11 more. After excluding duplications, 1227 studies remained and 8 ultimately met the inclusion criteria. Compared with women undergoing non-LE primed protocols (n = 621), women exposed to LE priming (n = 468) had a lower risk of cycle cancellation [relative risk (RR): 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.45-0.78] and an improved chance of clinical pregnancy (RR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02-1.72). There was no significant improvement in the number of mature oocytes obtained or number of zygotes obtained per cycle. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: These findings are limited by the body of literature currently available. As the poor responder lacks a concrete definition, there is some heterogeneity to these results, which merits caution when applying our findings to individual patients. Furthermore, the increased clinical pregnancy rate demonstrated when using the LE protocol may be principally related to the decreased cycle cancellation rate. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The LE protocol may be of some utility in the poor responder to IVF and may increase clinical pregnancy rates in this population by improving stimulation and thereby decreasing cycle cancellation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: NIH K12 HD063086 (ESJ, MGT), NIH T32 HD0040135-11 (KAR), F32 HD040135-10 NIH (KRO), 5K12HD000849-25 (PTJ). No competing interests.


Subject(s)
Estradiol/therapeutic use , Luteal Phase/drug effects , Adult , Female , Fertilization in Vitro/methods , Humans , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Rate
14.
Clin Obstet Gynecol ; 56(3): 463-70, 2013 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23722919

ABSTRACT

Industries are quick to adopt online applications that consumers are using to attract attention to products or services. The adoption of social media among medical professionals, although slow, is an inexorable reality particularly in reproductive health, where patients typically use online resources to pursue their health concerns. On the basis of the literature and personal experience with social media in infertility care, we provide guidance for reproductive health practitioners on how to use social media effectively.


Subject(s)
Reproductive Medicine/methods , Social Media , Health Education/methods , Humans , Marketing of Health Services/methods
15.
Res Sq ; 2023 Feb 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36824765

ABSTRACT

Purpose Fertility preservation is an increasingly important topic in adolescent and young adult cancer survivorship, yet treatments remain under-utilized, possibly due to lack of awareness and understanding. The internet is widely used by adolescents and young adults and has been proposed to fill knowledge gaps and advance high-quality, more equitable care. As a first step, this study analyzed the quality of current fertility preservation resources online and identified opportunities for improvement. Methods We conducted a systematic analysis of 500 websites to assess the quality, readability, and desirability of website features, and the inclusion of clinically relevant topics. Results The majority of the 68 eligible websites were low quality, written at college reading levels, and included few features that younger patients find desirable. Websites mentioned more common fertility preservation treatments than promising experimental treatments, and could be improved with cost information, socioemotional impacts, and other equity-related fertility topics. Conclusions Currently, the majority of fertility preservation websites are about, but not for, adolescent and young adult patients. High-quality educational websites are needed that address outcomes that matter to teens and young adults, with a priority on solutions that prioritize equity. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Adolescent and young adult survivors have limited access to high-quality fertility preservation websites that are designed for their needs. There is a need for the development of fertility preservation websites that are clinically comprehensive, written at appropriate reading levels, inclusive, and desirable. We include specific recommendations that future researchers can use to develop websites that could better address AYA populations and improve the fertility preservation decision making process.

16.
J Cancer Surviv ; 2023 May 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37145331

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Fertility preservation is an increasingly important topic in adolescent and young adult cancer survivorship, yet treatments remain under-utilized, possibly due to lack of awareness and understanding. The internet is widely used by adolescents and young adults and has been proposed to fill knowledge gaps and advance high-quality, more equitable care. As a first step, this study analyzed the quality of current fertility preservation resources online and identified opportunities for improvement. METHODS: We conducted a systematic analysis of 500 websites to assess the quality, readability, and desirability of website features, and the inclusion of clinically relevant topics. RESULTS: The majority of the 68 eligible websites were low quality, written at college reading levels, and included few features that younger patients find desirable. Websites mentioned more common fertility preservation treatments than promising experimental treatments, and could be improved with cost information, socioemotional impacts, and other equity-related fertility topics. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, the majority of fertility preservation websites are about, but not for, adolescent and young adult patients. High-quality educational websites are needed that address outcomes that matter to teens and young adults, with a priority on solutions that prioritize equity. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Adolescent and young adult survivors have limited access to high-quality fertility preservation websites that are designed for their needs. There is a need for the development of fertility preservation websites that are clinically comprehensive, written at appropriate reading levels, inclusive, and desirable. We include specific recommendations that future researchers can use to develop websites that could better address AYA populations and improve the fertility preservation decision making process.

17.
J Educ Health Promot ; 12: 421, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38333164

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In medical school and residency, clinical experiences influence trainee's decisions on what medical specialty they choose. Most trainees have limited access to opportunities to engage in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdown of away electives, exposure to REI was especially limited. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a live Q and A webinar on improving trainees' access to mentorship and knowledge of the path to becoming a reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) physician. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a prospective paired cohort study. Medical students and OBGYN residents participated in a global Q and A webinar featuring REI physicians and fellows. 70 pre- and post-webinar surveys were included in the analysis. Paired nonparametric tests (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) were performed to assess whether post-webinar knowledge was significantly different from pre-webinar knowledge. RESULTS: Of the 268 registrants, 162 (60%) attended the live webinar. A majority of the respondents who completed both surveys were female (90%) and allopathic medical students (80%). Seventy-seven percent reported receiving only minimal advice about an REI career from their medical school or residency program, while 22% reported receiving some advice, and 1% extensive advice. Thirty-four percent had previously shadowed an REI physician and 23% had rotated in an REI office. Post-webinar significantly more trainees had a better understanding of the REI field, the path required to become an REI physician, opportunities to find mentors in the field, opportunities that are conducive to learning more about REI, and applying for rotations in the REI field (p = <.00001). Eighty-two percent agreed that their interest in REI increased due to this webinar. CONCLUSIONS: A webinar featuring REI physicians and fellows was effective in providing mentorship and career advisement for prospective REI trainees who otherwise expressed having limited access to the field.

18.
Acad Med ; 97(7): 1009-1011, 2022 07 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35171121

ABSTRACT

PROBLEM: Physicians' voices are valued in society and should be present in mainstream social media where they can provide valuable public health messaging and patient education as well as increase opportunities for medical education, mentoring, and collaboration. However, lack of formal education on effective use of social media prevents many physicians from using it. APPROACH: The authors developed a physician-led social media training program to address the need for formal instruction on social media use. The program was presented to medical students, trainees, and faculty at an academic medical institution in August and September 2020. The virtual format included 5 hour-long sessions with presentations by peer experts in social media. Peer physicians with experience using social media presented on a range of topics, including introductions to platforms, how to reach and grow audiences, and use of social media to advance patient education, medical education, and advocacy. OUTCOMES: There were 425 cumulative registrations for the 5 sessions of the Social Media Summit. The number of registrants increased for each session, suggesting that interest increased over time. Qualitative and quantitative participant feedback was collected via a brief, voluntary survey. All of the participants who completed the survey (n = 24) reported they were "very satisfied" (58.3%) or "somewhat satisfied" (41.7%) with the Summit. NEXT STEPS: Physician involvement in social media presents opportunities for public health knowledge, medical education, scientific collaboration, and career advancement. Physicians who have been successful in using social media for these purposes are excellent peer educators and can fill the medical education void in social media training. Future plans include building sustainability of the program, collecting additional quantitative and qualitative feedback to guide improvement, and encouraging reproducibility.


Subject(s)
Mentoring , Physicians , Social Media , Humans , Mentors , Reproducibility of Results
19.
Nat Commun ; 13(1): 7953, 2022 12 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36572685

ABSTRACT

Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most severe form of male infertility and typically incurable. Defining the genetic basis of NOA has proven challenging, and the most advanced classification of NOA subforms is not based on genetics, but simple description of testis histology. In this study, we exome-sequenced over 1000 clinically diagnosed NOA cases and identified a plausible recessive Mendelian cause in 20%. We find further support for 21 genes in a 2-stage burden test with 2072 cases and 11,587 fertile controls. The disrupted genes are primarily on the autosomes, enriched for undescribed human "knockouts", and, for the most part, have yet to be linked to a Mendelian trait. Integration with single-cell RNA sequencing data shows that azoospermia genes can be grouped into molecular subforms with synchronized expression patterns, and analogs of these subforms exist in mice. This analysis framework identifies groups of genes with known roles in spermatogenesis but also reveals unrecognized subforms, such as a set of genes expressed across mitotic divisions of differentiating spermatogonia. Our findings highlight NOA as an understudied Mendelian disorder and provide a conceptual structure for organizing the complex genetics of male infertility, which may provide a rational basis for disease classification.


Subject(s)
Azoospermia , Infertility, Male , Humans , Male , Animals , Mice , Azoospermia/genetics , Azoospermia/pathology , Testis/pathology , Infertility, Male/genetics , Infertility, Male/pathology , Spermatogenesis/genetics
20.
Fertil Steril ; 116(2): 522-527, 2021 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33795140

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To report a successful case of ovarian hyperstimulation and oocyte cryopreservation in a transgender male adolescent after suppression with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist while using the aromatase inhibitor letrozole to maintain low serum estradiol. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri. PATIENT(S): A 15-year-old Tanner II transgender male adolescent with a GnRH agonist implant. INTERVENTION(S): The GnRH agonist implant was removed. The patient was given letrozole (5 mg daily) while undergoing ovarian stimulation with an antagonist protocol. After oocyte retrieval, the patient began taking testosterone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Successful oocyte cryopreservation with minimal changes in breast budding. RESULT(S): The patient's peak serum estradiol concentration was 510 pg/mL. Twenty-two mature oocytes were cryopreserved. Small increases in breast budding occurred between baseline and the time of oocyte retrieval. CONCLUSION(S): We successfully used letrozole to maintain low serum estradiol in a transgender male adolescent during ovarian stimulation. Maintaining low estradiol to minimize pubertal development and possibly prevent gender dysphoria symptoms may make oocyte cryopreservation more desirable for transgender male adolescents.


Subject(s)
Cryopreservation , Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/agonists , Letrozole/pharmacology , Oocyte Retrieval , Ovulation Induction/methods , Transgender Persons , Adolescent , Estradiol/blood , Humans , Male
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