Maternal exposure to ambient particulate matter on the growth of twin fetuses after in vitro fertilization.

BACKGROUND: While ambient air pollution has been associated with fetal growth in singletons, its correlation among twins is not well-established due to limited research in this area. METHODS: The effects of exposure to PM2.5 particulate matter and its main components during pregnancy on birth weight and the incidence of large for gestational age (LGA) were investigated in 6177 twins born after in vitro fertilization at the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital (Shanghai, China) between 2007 and 2021. Other birth weight-related outcomes included macrosomia, low birth weight, very low birth weight, and small for gestational age (SGA). The associations of PM2.5 exposure with birth weight outcomes were analyzed using linear mixed-effect models and random-effect logistic regression models. Distributed lag models were incorporated to estimate the time-varying associations. RESULTS: The findings revealed that an interquartile range (IQR) increase (18 µg/m3) in PM2.5 exposure over the entire pregnancy was associated with a significant increase (57.06 g, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 30.91, 83.22) in the total birth weight of twins. The effect was more pronounced in larger fetuses (34.93 g, 95 % CI: 21.13, 48.72) compared to smaller fetuses (21.77 g, 95 % CI: 6.94, 36.60) within twin pregnancies. Additionally, an IQR increase in PM2.5 exposure over the entire pregnancy was associated with a 34 % increase in the risk of LGA (95 % CI: 11 %, 63 %). Furthermore, specific chemical components of PM2.5, such as sulfate (SO42-), exhibited effect estimates comparable to the PM2.5 total mass. CONCLUSION: Overall, the findings indicate that exposures to PM2.5 and its specific components are associated with fetal overgrowth in twins.

Identification of a novel splicing variant of thyroid hormone receptor interaction protein 13 (TRIP13) in female infertility characterized by oocyte maturation arrest.

PURPOSE: As a cause of primary female infertility, oocyte maturation arrest (OMA) is characterized by failure to obtain mature oocytes due to abnormal meiosis. We aimed to identify pathogenic variants in two sisters with OMA phenotype from a non-consanguineous family. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were conducted to identify and validate the disease-causing gene variant. Additionally, we performed a minigene assay, quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and Western blotting to assess the effects of the variant. RESULTS: We identified a novel homozygous splicing variant (c.1021-11T>C) in TRIP13, which followed a recessive inheritance pattern. Minigene assay showed that the variant could disrupt the integrity of TRIP13 mRNA, as evidenced by the production of an alternative transcript with intron10 intermediate retention of 79 bp. Compared to normal controls, the expression of TRIP13 mRNA and abundance of TRIP13 protein were also significantly decreased in Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized lymphoblastoid cells derived from affected individuals. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm the contribution of genetic factors to OMA and expand the mutation spectrum of TRIP13 in female infertility.

Associations of urinary heavy metals with age at menarche, age at menopause, and reproductive lifespan: A cross-sectional study in U.S. women.

Female reproductive timing and lifespan, with a close relation to long-term health outcomes, have been altered in U.S. women over the past decades. However, epidemiologic evidence of the potential causes was lacking. On the basis of 1981 naturally postmenopausal women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2020, this study aimed to investigate the associations of urinary heavy metals with age at menarche, age at menopause, and reproductive lifespan. Multivariate generalized linear regression and addictive models were used for single metal exposure analysis, and weighted quantile sum (WQS) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were employed for mixed exposures. In the fully adjusted model, higher urinary antimony concentration was associated with earlier age at menarche of 0.137 years, while higher concentrations of cadmium, cesium, lead, antimony, and thallium were associated with delayed age at menopause of 0.396-0.687 years. Additionally, urinary barium, cesium, lead, antimony, and thallium levels were associated with longer reproductive lifespan ranging between 0.277 and 0.713 years. Both WQS and BKMR models showed significantly positive associations of metal mixtures with age at menopause (ß: 0.667, 95 % CI: 0.120-1.213) and reproductive lifespan (ß: 0.686, 95 % CI: 0.092-1.280), with cadmium and lead identified as principal contributors. In conclusion, heavy metal exposures were associated with reproductive timing and lifespan of U.S. women, highlighting the need for further prevention and intervention strategies.

Revitalizing liver function in mice with liver failure through transplantation of 3D-bioprinted liver with expanded primary hepatocytes.

The utilization of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology to create a transplantable bioartificial liver emerges as a promising remedy for the scarcity of liver donors. This study outlines our strategy for constructing a 3D-bioprinted liver, using in vitro-expanded primary hepatocytes recognized for their safety and enhanced functional robustness as hepatic cell sources for bioartificial liver construction. In addition, we have developed bioink biomaterials with mechanical and rheological properties, as well as printing capabilities, tailored for 3D bioprinting. Upon heterotopic transplantation into the mesentery of tyrosinemia or 90% hepatectomy mice, our 3D-bioprinted liver effectively restored lost liver functions, consequently extending the life span of mice afflicted with liver injuries. Notably, the inclusion of an artificial blood vessel in our 3D-bioprinted liver allowed for biomolecule exchange with host blood vessels, demonstrating, in principle, the rapid integration of the bioartificial liver into the host vascular system. This model underscores the therapeutic potential of transplantation for the treatment of liver failure diseases.

Causal associations between Helicobacter pylori infection and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Observational studies have reported that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with a series of pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. However, the results have been inconsistent, and the causal effect is unknown. Methods: A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed using summary-level statistics for anti-H. pylori IgG levels from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children Cohort. Outcome data for pregnancy (miscarriage, preeclampsia-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, placental abruption, premature rupture of membranes, postpartum hemorrhage) and neonates (birthweight, gestational age, and preterm birth) were sourced from genome-wide association meta-analysis as well as the FinnGen and Early Growth Genetics Consortium. Causal estimates were calculated by five methods including inverse variance weighted (IVW). The heterogeneity of instrumental variables was quantified by Cochran's Q test, while sensitivity analyses were performed via MR-Egger, MR-PRESSO, and leave-one-out tests. Results: IVW estimates suggested that genetically predicted anti-H. pylori IgG levels were significantly associated with increased risks of preeclampsia-eclampsia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.24, P = 0.026) and premature rupture of membranes (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.05-1.30, P = 0.004). Similar results were obtained for preeclampsia-eclampsia from the MR-Egger method (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.06-1.64, P = 0.027) and for premature rupture of membranes from the weighted median method (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.06-1.41, P = 0.006). No significant causal effects were found for other outcomes. There was no obvious heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy across the MR analysis. Conclusion: Our two-sample MR study demonstrated a causal relationship of H. pylori infection with preeclampsia-eclampsia and premature rupture of membranes. The findings confirm the epidemiological evidence on the adverse impact of H. pylori in pregnancy. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms and assess the effectiveness of pre-pregnancy screening and preventive eradication.

Increased levels of villus-derived exosomal miR-29a-3p in normal pregnancy than uRPL patients suppresses decidual NK cell production of interferon-γ and exerts a therapeutic effect in abortion-prone mice.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) patients have higher absolute numbers of decidual natural killer (dNK) cells with elevated intracellular IFN-γ levels leading to a pro-inflammatory cytokine milieu, which contributes to RPL pathogenesis. The main objective of this study was twofold: first to explore the regulatory effects and mechanisms of villus-derived exosomes (vEXOs) from induced abortion patients or RPL patients at the level of intracellular IFN-γ in dNK cells; second to determine the validity of application of vEXOs in the treatment of unexplained RPL (uRPL) through in vitro experiments and mouse models. METHODS: Exosomes were isolated from villus explants by ultracentrifugation, co-cultured with dNK cells, and purified by enzymatic digestion and magnetically activated cell sorting. Flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and RT-qPCR were used to determine IFN-γ levels. Comparative miRNA analysis of vEXOs from induced abortion (IA) and uRPL patients was used to screen potential candidates involved in dNK regulation, which was further confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. IA-vEXOs were electroporated with therapeutic miRNAs and encapsulated in a China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA)-approved hyaluronate gel (HA-Gel), which has been used as a clinical biomaterial in cell therapy for > 30 years. In vivo tracking was performed using 1,1-dioctadecyl-3,3,3,3-tetramethylindotricarbocyaine iodide (DiR) labelling. Tail-vein and uterine horn injections were used to evaluate therapeutic effects of the engineered exosomes in an abortion-prone mouse model (CBA/J × DBA/2 J). Placental growth was evaluated based on placental weight. IFN-γ mRNA levels in mouse placentas were measured by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: IFN-γ levels were significantly higher in dNK cells of uRPL patients than in IA patients. Both uRPL-vEXOs and IA-vEXOs could be efficiently internalized by dNK cells, whereas uRPL-vEXOs could not reduce the expression of IFN-γ by dNK cells as much as IA-vEXOs. Mechanistically, miR-29a-3p was delivered by vEXOs to inhibit IFN-γ production by binding to the 3' UTR of IFN-γ mRNA in dNK cells. For in vivo treatment, application of the HA-Gel effectively prolonged the residence time of vEXOs in the uterine cavity via sustained release. Engineered vEXOs loaded with miR-29a-3p reduced the embryo resorption rate in RPL mice with no signs of systemic toxicity. CONCLUSION: Our study provides the first evidence that villi can regulate dNK cell production of IFN-γ via exosome-mediated transfer of miR-29a-3p, which deepens our understanding of maternal-fetal immune tolerance for pregnancy maintenance. Based on this, we developed a new strategy to mix engineered vEXOs with HA-Gel, which exhibited good therapeutic effects in mice with uRPL and could be used for potential clinical applications in uRPL treatment.

Rapid Self-Assembly Mini-Livers Protect Mice Against Severe Hepatectomy-Induced Liver Failure.

The construction of bioartificial livers, such as liver organoids, offers significant promise for disease modeling, drug development, and regenerative medicine. However, existing methods for generating liver organoids have limitations, including lengthy and complex processes (taking 6-8 weeks or longer), safety concerns associated with pluripotency, limited functionality of pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes, and small, highly variable sizes (typically ≈50-500 µm in diameter). Prolonged culture also leads to the formation of necrotic cores, further restricting size and function. In this study, a straightforward and time-efficient approach is developed for creating rapid self-assembly mini-livers (RSALs) within 12 h. Additionally, primary hepatocytes are significantly expanded in vitro for use as seeding cells. RSALs exhibit consistent larger sizes (5.5 mm in diameter), improved cell viability (99%), and enhanced liver functionality. Notably, RSALs are functionally vascularized within 2 weeks post-transplantation into the mesentery of mice. These authentic hepatocyte-based RSALs effectively protect mice from 90%-hepatectomy-induced liver failure, demonstrating the potential of bioartificial liver-based therapy.

Association between proliferative-to-secretory endometrial compaction and pregnancy outcomes after embryo transfer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

STUDY QUESTION: Does the change in endometrial thickness (EMT) from the end of the follicular/estrogen phase to the day of embryo transfer (ET) determine subsequent pregnancy outcomes? SUMMARY ANSWER: Endometrial compaction from the late-proliferative to secretory phase is not associated with live birth rate (LBR) and other pregnancy outcomes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Endometrial compaction has been suggested to be indicative of endometrial responsiveness to progesterone, and its association with ET outcome has been investigated but is controversial. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A systematic review with meta-analysis was carried out. PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant studies from inception to 18 November 2022. The reference lists of included studies were also manually screened for any additional publications. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Cohort studies comparing ET pregnancy outcomes between patients with and without endometrial compaction were included. A review of the studies for inclusion, data extraction, and quality assessment was performed by two independent reviewers. The effect size was synthesized as odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed by the I2 statistic and Egger's test, respectively. The primary outcome was LBR. Secondary outcomes included biochemical pregnancy rate (BPR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), miscarriage rate (MR), ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR), and ectopic pregnancy rate (EPR). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Seventeen cohort studies involving 18 973 ET cycles fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The pooled results revealed that there were no significant differences between endometrial compaction and non-compaction groups in LBR (crude OR (cOR) = 0.95, 95% CI 0.87-1.04; I2 = 0%; adjusted OR (aOR) = 1.02, 95% CI 0.87-1.19, I2 = 79%), BPR (cOR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.81-1.06; I2 = 0%; aOR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.75-1.03, I2 = 0%), CPR (cOR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.81-1.18; I2 = 70%; aOR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.72-1.02, I2 = 13%), MR (cOR = 1.09, 95% CI 0.90-1.32; I2 = 0%; aOR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.64-1.31; I2 = 0%), and EPR (cOR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.31-1.61; I2 = 61%). The OPR was marginally higher in crude analysis (cOR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.01-2.16; I2 = 81%) among women with compacted endometrium, but was not evident in adjusted results (aOR = 1.36, 95% CI 0.86-2.14; I2 = 84%). Consistently, the pooled estimate of LBR remained comparable in further subgroup and sensitivity analyses according to the degree of compaction (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20%), type of ET (fresh, frozen, or euploid only), and endometrial preparation protocol (natural or artificial). No publication bias was observed based on Egger's test. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Although the number of included studies is sufficient, data on certain measures, such as EPR, are limited. The inherent bias and residual confounding were also inevitable owing to the observational study design. Furthermore, inconsistent definitions of pregnancy outcomes may affect the accuracy of our pooled analysis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Given the lack of prognostic value, assessing endometrial compaction or repeated EMT measurement on the day of ET may not be necessary or warranted. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was supported by Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province (20224BAB216025), National Natural Science Foundation of China (82260315), and Central Funds Guiding the Local Science and Technology Development (20221ZDG020071). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022384539 (PROSPERO).

Transcriptomic responses of cumulus granulosa cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection during controlled ovarian stimulation.

Cumulus granulosa cells (CGCs) play a crucial role in follicular development, but so far, no research has explored the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on ovarian function from the perspective of CGCs. In the present study, we compared the cycle outcomes between infected and uninfected female patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation, performed bulk RNA-sequencing of collected CGCs, and used bioinformatic methods to explore transcriptomic changes. The results showed that women with SARS-CoV-2 infection during stimulation had significantly lower number of oocytes retrieved and follicle-oocyte index, while subsequent fertilization and embryo development were similar. CGCs were not directly infected by SARS-CoV-2, but exhibited dramatic differences in gene expression (156 up-regulated and 65 down-regulated). Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses demonstrated a high enrichment in antiviral, immune and inflammatory responses with necroptosis. In addition, the pathways related to telomere organization and double strand break repair were significantly affected by infection in gene set enrichment analysis. Further weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified a key module associated with ovarian response traits, which was mainly enriched as a decrease of leukocyte chemotaxis and migration in CGCs. For the first time, our study describes how SARS-CoV-2 infection indirectly affects CGCs at the transcriptional level, which may impair oocyte-CGC crosstalk and consequently lead to poor ovarian response during fertility treatment.

Maternal and perinatal risks for monozygotic twins conceived following frozen-thawed embryo transfer: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to explore the maternal and perinatal risks in cases of monozygotic twins (MZT) following frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). METHODS: All twin births that were conceived following FET from 2007 to 2021 at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital in Shanghai, China were retrospectively reviewed. The exposure variable was twin type (monozygotic and dizygotic). The primary outcome was the incidence of neonatal death while secondary outcomes included hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, placenta previa, placental abruption, preterm premature rupture of the membranes, Cesarean delivery, gestational age, birth weight, weight discordance, stillbirth, birth defects, pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, and neonatal jaundice. Analysis of the outcomes was performed using logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The causal mediation analysis was conducted. A doubly robust estimation model was used to validate the results. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival probability. The sensitivity analysis was performed with a propensity score-based patient-matching model. RESULTS: Of 6101 dizygotic twin (DZT) and 164 MZT births conceived by FET, MZT showed an increased risk of neonatal death based on the multivariate logistic regression models (partially adjusted OR: 4.19; 95% CI, 1.23-10.8; fully adjusted OR: 4.95; 95% CI, 1.41-13.2). Similar results were obtained with the doubly robust estimation. Comparing MZT with DZT, the neonatal survival probability was lower for MZT (P < 0.05). The results were robust in the sensitivity analysis. Females with MZT pregnancies exhibited an elevated risk of preterm premature rupture of the membranes (adjusted OR: 2.42; 95% CI, 1.54-3.70). MZT were also associated with higher odds of preterm birth (prior to 37 weeks) (adjusted OR: 2.31; 95% CI, 1.48-3.67), low birth weight (adjusted OR: 1.92; 95% CI, 1.27-2.93), and small for gestational age (adjusted OR: 2.18; 95% CI, 1.21-3.69) in the fully adjusted analyses. The effect of MZT on neonatal death was partially mediated by preterm birth and low birth weight (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that MZT conceived by FET are related to an increased risk of neonatal death, emphasizing a potential need for comprehensive antenatal surveillance in these at-risk pregnancies.

Dysregulation of ferroptosis-related genes in granulosa cells associates with impaired oocyte quality in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: Poor oocyte quality remains one of the major challenges for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Granulosa cells (GCs) in PCOS display altered functions and could cause an unfavorable microenvironment for oocyte growth and maturation. Ferroptosis is a new form of programmed cell death, but its role in PCOS has been largely unclarified. Methods: Ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of GCs in women with PCOS were identified by bioinformatic analyses of GSE155489 and GSE168404 datasets. Functional enrichment analyses were conducted using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Core ferroptosis-related genes were further screened by random forest, and evaluated for diagnostic value by receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Gene expression was validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction of collected GC samples, and analyzed for association with oocyte quality. In addition, gene regulatory network was constructed based on predicted RNA interactions and transcription factors, while potential therapeutic compounds were screened through molecular docking with crystallographic protein structures. Results: A total of 14 ferroptosis-related DEGs were identified. These DEGs were mainly enriched in reactive oxygen species metabolic process, mitochondrial outer membrane, antioxidant activity as well as ferroptosis and adipocytokine signaling pathways. Eight core ferroptosis-related genes (ATF3, BNIP3, DDIT4, LPIN1, NOS2, NQO1, SLC2A1 and SLC2A6) were further selected in random forest model, which showed high diagnostic performance for PCOS. Seven of them were validated in GC samples, and five were found to be significantly and positively correlated with one or more oocyte quality parameters in PCOS patients, including oocyte retrieval rate, mature oocyte rate, normal fertilization rate, and good-quality embryo rate. Gene regulatory network revealed JUN and HMGA1 as two important transcription factors, while dicoumarol and flavin adenine dinucleotide were predicted as small molecules with therapeutic potential. Conclusions: This is the first comprehensive report to study the differential expression of ferroptosis-related genes in GCs of PCOS and their clinical relevance with oocyte quality. Our findings could provide novel insights on the potential role of GC ferroptosis in PCOS pathogenesis, diagnosis, and targeted treatment.

Pregnancy outcomes after frozen-thawed embryo transfer in women with COVID-19 history: A prospective cohort study.

The clinical effect of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation remains unclear. Herein, we aim to investigate whether a COVID-19 history adversely affect female pregnancy outcomes after frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). This prospective cohort study enrolled 230 women who underwent FET cycles from December 2022 to April 2023 in an academic fertility center. Based on the history of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection before FET, women were divided into the infected group (n = 136) and the control group (n = 94). The primary outcome was the clinical pregnancy rate per cycle. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to adjust for potential confounders, while subgroup analysis and restricted cubic splines were used to depict the effect of postinfection time interval on FET. The results showed that the clinical pregnancy rate was 59.6% in the infected group and 63.9% in the control group (p = 0.513). Similarly, the two groups were comparable in the rates of biochemical pregnancy (69.1% vs. 76.6%; p = 0.214) and embryo implantation (51.7% vs. 54.5%; p = 0.628). After adjustment, the nonsignificant association remained between prior infection and clinical pregnancy (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.42-1.46). However, the odds for clinical pregnancy were significantly lower in the ≤30 days subgroup (OR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03-0.77), while no statistical significance was detected for 31-60 days and >60 days subgroups compared with the uninfected women. In conclusion, our findings suggested that SARS-CoV-2 infection in women had no significant effect on subsequent FET treatment overall, but pregnancy rates tended to be decreased if vitrified-thawed embryos were transferred within 30 days after infection. A 1-month postponement should be rationally recommended, while further studies with larger sample groups and longer follow-up periods are warranted for confirmation.

Reduced PATL2 Impairs the Proliferation of Ovarian Granulosa Cells by Decreasing ADM2 Expression in Patients with PCOS.

It is recognized that PCOS patients are often accompanied with aberrant follicular development, which is an important factor leading to infertility in patients. However, the relevant regulatory mechanisms of abnormal follicular development are not well understood. In the present study, by collecting human ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) from PCOS patients who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF), we found that the proliferation ability of GCs in PCOS patients was significantly reduced. Surprisingly, PATL2 and adrenomedullin 2 (ADM2) were obviously decreased in the GCs of PCOS patients. To further explore the potential roles of PATL2 and ADM2 on GC, we transfected PATL2 siRNA into KGN cells to knock down the expression of PATL2. The results showed that the growth of GCs remarkably repressed after knocking down the PATL2, and ADM2 expression was also weakened. Subsequently, to study the relationship between PATL2 and ADM2, we constructed PATL2 mutant plasmid lacking the PAT construct and transfected it into KGN cells. The cells showed the normal PATL2 expression, but attenuated ADM2 expression and impaired proliferative ability of GCs. Finally, the rat PCOS model experiments further confirmed our findings in KGN cells. In conclusion, our study suggests that PATL2 promoted the proliferation of ovarian GCs by stabilizing the expression of ADM2 through "PAT" structure, which is beneficial to follicular development, whereas, in the ovary with polycystic lesions, reduction of PATL2 could result in the decreased expression of ADM2, subsequently weakened the proliferation ability of GCs and finally led to the occurrence of aberrant follicles.

Effect of prior female SARS-CoV-2 infection on IVF outcomes: a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: The clinical impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on human reproduction remains controversial. This prospective cohort study aimed to assess the effect of prior female SARS-CoV-2 infection on subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Materials and methods: A total of 451 women who underwent fresh IVF treatment between December 1, 2022 and April 30, 2023 were included from an academic fertility center. Participants were divided into the infected group if they had a prior COVID-19 history before cycle initiation (n = 252), while the control group were those uninfected (n = 199). The primary outcomes were the number of oocytes retrieved and clinical pregnancy rate after fresh embryo transfer. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to control for potential confounders. Results: The number of oocytes retrieved (11.4 ± 8.3 vs. 11.6 ± 7.7; P = 0.457) and clinical pregnancy rate (70.3% vs. 73.7%; P = 0.590) were similar between infected and uninfected groups, with a fully adjusted ß coefficient of 0 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.14-0.13) and odds ratio of 0.64 (95% CI: 0.20-2.07), respectively. Consistently, the two groups were comparable in cycle characteristics as well as other laboratory and pregnancy parameters. In both subgroup analyses and restricted cubic splines, different post-infection time intervals to IVF cycle initiation showed no significant associations with treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection in females had no adverse influence on subsequent IVF treatment, regardless of the time interval following infection. Our findings provide reassurance for infected women planning for assisted reproduction. Additional prospective cohort studies with larger datasets and longer follow-up are required to confirm the conclusion.

Dietary regulation of intestinal stem cells in health and disease.

Diet is a critical regulator for physiological metabolism and tissue homeostasis, with a close relation to health and disease. As an important organ for digestion and absorption, the intestine comes into direct contact with many dietary components. The rapid renewal of its mucosal epithelium depends on the continuous proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs). The function and metabolism of ISCs can be controlled by a variety of dietary patterns including calorie restriction, fasting, high-fat, ketogenic, and high-sugar diets, as well as different nutrients including vitamins, amino acids, dietary fibre, and probiotics. Therefore, dietary interventions targeting ISCs may make it possible to prevent and treat intestinal disorders such as colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and radiation enteritis. This review summarised recent research on the role and mechanism of diet in regulating ISCs, and discussed the potential of dietary modulation for intestinal diseases.

Impact of inactivated COVID-19 vaccination on female ovarian reserve: a propensity score-matched retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: To explore the impact of inactivated COVID-19 vaccination on ovarian reserve as assessed by serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration. Methods: A total of 3160 women were included in this single-center retrospective cohort study between June 2021 and October 2022. Vaccination information were collected from official immunization records available in personal mobile apps. Serum AMH was qualified by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and compared with previous measurement data within three years. Women were categorized to the vaccinated group if they received two doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines (Sinopharm or Sinovac) between AMH tests (n = 488), and to the control group if not vaccinated (n = 2672). Propensity score matching and multivariate linear regression were performed to control for potential confounders. The main outcome measures were the numeric AMH change and percentage AMH change between the two tests. Results: There were 474 women left in each group after matching all baseline characteristics. The mean interval from the first to second AMH measurement was 508.0 ± 250.2 and 507.5 ± 253.6 days for vaccinated and unvaccinated women, respectively (P = 0.680). Both groups had a significant AMH decrease in the second test compared with the first test (P = 0.001). However, the second AMH level remained comparable between groups (3.26 ± 2.80 vs. 3.24 ± 2.61 ng/mL, P = 0.757). Similarly, no significant differences were observed in numerical (-0.14 ± 1.32 vs. -0.20 ± 1.56 ng/mL, P = 0.945) and percentage (2.33 ± 58.65 vs. 0.35 ± 48.42%, P = 0.777) AMH changes. The results were consistent in sub-analyses for women aged <35 and ≥35 years. There were also no significant differences when vaccinated women were divided according to the time interval after vaccination: ≤30, 31-60, 61-90, and ≥91 days. Conclusion: Our study provides the first evidence that inactivated COVID-19 vaccination has no measurable detrimental effect on ovarian reserve, regardless of female age and vaccination interval. This reassuring finding adds to the safety evidence of COVID-19 vaccine in fertility, and should be useful to promote vaccine acceptance. Multicenter prospective cohort studies are needed to validate our conclusion.

Effect of endometrial thickness on obstetric and neonatal outcomes in assisted reproduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the relationship of endometrial thickness (EMT) with obstetric and neonatal outcomes in assisted reproductive cycles. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched for eligible studies through April 2023. Obstetric outcomes include placenta previa, placental abruption, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and cesarean section (CS). Neonatal outcomes include birthweight, low birth weight (LBW), gestational age (GA), preterm birth (PTB), small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA). The effect size was estimated as odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random-effects model. Inter-study heterogeneity was assessed by the chi-square homogeneity test. One-study removal method was used to determine the sensitivity of the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Nineteen studies involving 76,404 cycles were included. The pooled results revealed significant differences between the thin endometrium group and the normal group in placental abruption (OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.11-5.38, P = 0.03; I2 = 0%), HDP (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.44-2.05, P < 0.0001; I2 = 0%), CS (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.06-1.67, P = 0.01; I2 = 77%), GA (MD = -1.27 day, 95% CI: -2.41- -1.02, P = 0.03; I2 = 73%), PTB (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.34-1.81, P < 0.0001; I2 = 33%), birthweight (MD = -78.88 g, 95% CI: -115.79- -41.98, P < 0.0001; I2 = 48%), LBW (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.52-2.22, P < 0.00001; I2 = 3%) and SGA (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.17-1.70, P = 0.0003; I2 = 15%). No statistical differences were found in placenta previa, GDM, and LGA. CONCLUSION: Thin endometrium was associated with lower birthweight or GA and higher risks of placental abruption, HDP, CS, PTB, LBW and SGA. Therefore, these pregnancies need special attention and close follow-up by obstetricians. Due to the limited number of included studies, further studies are needed to confirm the results.

Association between serum progesterone levels on the day of frozen-thawed embryo transfer and pregnancy outcomes after artificial endometrial preparation.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have examined that a range of optimal serum P level during the implantation period was associated with optimal live birth rates. However, those results obtained with vaginal or intramuscular route of progesterone administration for luteal phase support (LPS) alone. Is there a relationship between the serum progesterone (P) on the day of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) with the likelihood of a live birth (LB) in artificial cycles (AC) when using a combination of oral dydrogesterone and vaginal progesterone for LPS? METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 3659 FET cycles with artificial endometrial preparation in a Chinese tertiary-care academic medical centre from January 2015 to February 2017. Endometrial preparation was performed using estradiol (E2) valerate (Fematon-red tablets) 8 mg/d beginning on day 3 of the cycle, followed by administration of P both orally (8 mg/d Fematon-yellow tablets) and vaginally (400 mg/d; Utrogestan). The primary endpoint was live birth rate (LBR). The association between the serum P level on the embryo transfer day and pregnancy outcomes was evaluated by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The LBRs according to the serum P quartiles were as follows: Q1: 35.7%; Q2: 37.4%; Q3: 39.1% and Q4: 38.9%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of a LB were not significantly different between the low (P < 7.9 ng/mL) and high (P ≥ 7.9 ng/mL) progesterone groups before or after adjustment (crude OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.76-1.04; adjusted OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.75-1.04). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the serum P levels on the day of embryo transfer (ET) do not correlate with the likelihood of a LB in artificial cycles when using a combination of oral dydrogesterone and vaginal progesterone for luteal phase support.

Effect of female coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination on assisted reproductive outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

IMPORTANCE: The effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination on fertility warrants clarification in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment. OBJECTIVE: To study the association between female COVID-19 vaccination and outcomes of assisted reproductive treatment. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, the Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and medRxiv and bioRxiv were searched for eligible studies from December 1, 2019, to November 30, 2022, with no language restrictions. STUDY SELECTION AND SYNTHESIS: Observational studies comparing assisted reproductive outcomes between women with and without COVID-19 vaccination were included. The pooled estimates were calculated using the random-effects models as mean differences (MDs), standardized MDs, or odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic. MAIN OUTCOMES: The number of oocytes retrieved and clinical pregnancy rate. RESULTS: Twenty-one cohort studies involving a total of 19,687 treatment cycles were included. In a comparison of the vaccinated vs. unvaccinated groups, the pooled MD for oocyte number was -0.06 (95% CI, -0.51 to 0.39; I2 = 0), and the pooled odds ratio for clinical pregnancy was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.85-1.05; I2 = 0). Similarly, there were no statistically significant adverse effects identified in other outcomes determined a priori, including 4 cycle characteristics, 6 laboratory parameters, and 3 pregnancy indicators. Most results were consistently unchanged in subgroup and sensitivity analyses, with no evidence of publication bias according to Egger's test. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Our work did not find significant differences in assisted reproductive outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated women. However, more data are warranted to confirm the safety of COVID-19 vaccination for assisted reproductive treatment and in female fertility in general.

Effect of inactivated COVID-19 vaccination on pregnancy outcomes following frozen-thawed embryo transfer: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of inactivated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination on frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study enrolled 1,210 patients undergoing FET cycles in a single university-affiliated hospital between July 1, 2021, and May 1, 2022. Of them, 387 women with two full doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines (CoronaVac or BBIBP-CorV) after oocyte retrieval were assigned to the vaccinated group, while 823 were unvaccinated as controls. Propensity score matching and multiple regression analysis were applied to control for baseline and cycle characteristics (19 covariates in total). RESULTS: There were 265 patients in each group after matching. The rates of clinical pregnancy (58.5% vs. 60.8%; P = 0.595) and live birth (44.4% vs. 48.8%; P = 0.693) were similar between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients, with adjusted odds ratios of 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61-1.29) and 1.31 (95% CI 0.37-4.56), respectively. Consistently, no significant differences were found in serum human chorionic gonadotropin levels as well as biochemical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy loss, and embryo implantation rates. Based on the time interval from vaccination to FET, vaccinated patients were further subdivided into two categories of ≤2 months and >2 months, and the outcomes remained comparable. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that inactivated COVID-19 vaccination in women did not have measurable detrimental impact on implantation performance and live birth outcome during FET treatment cycles. This finding denies the impairment of endometrial receptivity and trophoblast function by vaccine-induced antibodies at the clinical level.