The Blastulation Rate Is Negatively Associated With Euploid Rate.

OBJECTIVES: To study the association between the blastulation rate, the presence of 1 pronucleus (1PN) zygotes, and the ploidy of the cohort of blastocysts. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using the existing databases of 2 university fertility centres in Canada. We included 345 cycles from 235 couples who underwent next-generation sequencing preimplantation genetic testing for the detection of aneuploidy in the study. RESULTS: A total of 1456 blastocysts were biopsied. In multivariate analysis, only female age and the number of 1PN/2PN embryos showed a negative association with euploid ratio. Surprisingly, when the analysis was limited to cycles with no delayed blastulation, the blastulation rate was also negatively associated with the euploid ratio. CONCLUSIONS: This study sheds some light on the stages of early embryo development. Further study on the mechanisms governing embryo development and the different cell cycle checkpoints in embryo development is warranted.

Endometriosis, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression: A retrospective study among 12 million women.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of information regarding the impact of the physical symptoms associated with endometriosis and chronic pain on the mental health and well-being of affected women. Thus, our study aimed to evaluate the relationship between endometriosis, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to evaluate the relationship between endometriosis, chronic pain, and mental health disorders among women registered in a large database until 2014. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective population-based study involving 12,904,324 hospitalized women from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) database between 2007 and 2014. We calculated the prevalence of chronic pain, endometriosis, anxiety, and depression during the study period. We used multivariate logistic regression to examine the relationship between these variables. RESULTS: An upward pattern was noted in the prevalence of chronic pain, while an opposite trend was seen for endometriosis during the study period. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities, including depression, the highest odds ratio of experiencing anxiety appeared in the group with both chronic pain and endometriosis (OR = 2.719, 95 % CI 2.481-2.979). LIMITATIONS: HCUP is a cross-sectional administrative database that does not link patients' records over the years. Thus, we could not establish any temporal association between endometriosis, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. CONCLUSION: Potential associations were identified between endometriosis, with and without chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. We recommended that clinicians provide proper medical management of endometriosis-related pain through symptom management and adequate counseling for those suffering from anxiety and depression.

Homocysteine serum levels correlate with the number of failed IVF cycles even when within normal range.

INTRODUCTION: Repeated implantation failure is a common challenge in daily practice. Homocysteine and vitamin B12 have been associated with reproductive processes among patients undergoing in vitro fertilization; however, their involvement in repeated implantation failure has not been assessed. We explored possible associations of serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 with repeated implantation failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 127 women who underwent ≥ 3 unsuccessful embryo transfers during 2005-2016, at the Fertility and In Vitro Fertilization Unit at Carmel Medical Center. After at least 3 IVF failures serum levels of homocysteine and vitamin B12 were measured. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 33.5 ± 5.2 years. The mean number of embryo transfers was 4.6 ± 1.5. The mean total cumulative number of embryos transferred was 10.4 ± 5.2. Mean serum levels of homocysteine were 8.6 ± 3.7 µM/L, and of vitamin B12 were 302.5 ± 155.3 pg/ml. Homocysteine levels were within the normal range (< 14 µM/L) in 95.8% of the patients. Yet, the levels of homocysteine correlated with both the number of failed embryo transfers (r = 0.34, p = 0.004) and the total cumulative number of transferred embryos (r = 0.36, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest an association between serum homocysteine levels and the occurrence of repeated implantation failure, even when homocystein levels were within the normal range. It should be studied whether nutritional supplementation to modulate serum homocysteine levels may improve treatment outcome.

The HERA (Hyper-response Risk Assessment) Delphi consensus definition of hyper-responders for in-vitro fertilization.

PURPOSE: To provide an agreed upon definition of hyper-response for women undergoing ovarian stimulation (OS)? METHODS: A literature search was performed regarding hyper-response to ovarian stimulation for assisted reproductive technology. A scientific committee consisting of 5 experts discussed, amended, and selected the final statements in the questionnaire for the first round of the Delphi consensus. The questionnaire was distributed to 31 experts, 22 of whom responded (with representation selected for global coverage), each anonymous to the others. A priori, it was decided that consensus would be reached when ≥ 66% of the participants agreed and ≤ 3 rounds would be used to obtain this consensus. RESULTS: 17/18 statements reached consensus. The most relevant are summarized here. (I) Definition of a hyper-response: Collection of ≥ 15 oocytes is characterized as a hyper-response (72.7% agreement). OHSS is not relevant for the definition of hyper-response if the number of collected oocytes is above a threshold (≥ 15) (77.3% agreement). The most important factor in defining a hyper-response during stimulation is the number of follicles ≥ 10 mm in mean diameter (86.4% agreement). (II) Risk factors for hyper-response: AMH values (95.5% agreement), AFC (95.5% agreement), patient's age (77.3% agreement) but not ovarian volume (72.7% agreement). In a patient without previous ovarian stimulation, the most important risk factor for a hyper-response is the antral follicular count (AFC) (68.2% agreement). In a patient without previous ovarian stimulation, when AMH and AFC are discordant, one suggesting a hyper-response and the other not, AFC is the more reliable marker (68.2% agreement). The lowest serum AMH value that would place one at risk for a hyper-response is ≥ 2 ng/ml (14.3 pmol/L) (72.7% agreement). The lowest AFC that would place one at risk for a hyper-response is ≥ 18 (81.8% agreement). Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) as per Rotterdam criteria are at a higher risk of hyper-response than women without PCOS with equivalent follicle counts and gonadotropin doses during ovarian stimulation for IVF (86.4% agreement). No consensus was reached regarding the number of growing follicles ≥ 10 mm that would define a hyper-response. CONCLUSION: The definition of hyper-response and its risk factors can be useful for harmonizing research, improving understanding of the subject, and tailoring patient care.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with anorexia nervosa: a population-based study and analysis of a matched cohort.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What implications does anorexia nervosa have on pregnancy outcomes in a US population? DESIGN: A retrospective, population-based study using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample. A dataset of all deliveries between 2004 and 2014 inclusively was created. The population was divided into women with anorexia nervosa (n = 214) and women without anorexia nervosa (n = 9,096,574), and a cohort matched 1:4 with anorexia nervosa for age, race, medical insurance type and income quartile. Delivery and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two matched groups and with the control group of deliveries. A multivariable logistic regression analysis, controlling for statistically significant baseline characteristics, explored associations between anorexia nervosa and delivery, and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: Compared with the entire group, women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa were more likely to be white, smokers, of higher income or diagnosed with another psychiatric disorder. In the unmatched comparison, women with anorexia nervosa had a higher frequency of preterm delivery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.98 CI 1.86 to 4.76, P < 0.001), placental abruption (aOR 3.41 CI 1.38 to 8.40, P = 0.008) and small for gestational age (SGA) neonates (aOR 5.32 CI 3.12 to 9.09, P < 0.001). In the matched comparison, preterm delivery (aOR 5.31, CI 3.02 to 9.32, P < 0.001) and SGA neonates were significantly higher in the anorexia nervosa group (aOR 4.69 CI 2.6 to 8.41, P < 0.001), providing results similar to the unmatched comparison. CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers, specifically fertility specialists, should be aware of the magnitude of adverse outcomes related to pregnancy in women with anorexia nervosa.

The relationship of smoking with gestational diabetes: a large population-based study and a matched comparison.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Is smoking associated with an increased risk for gestational diabetes (GDM)? DESIGN: A retrospective population-based study using data from the United States Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample. A dataset of all deliveries that took place between 2004 and 2014 (inclusive) was created. The population was divided into two groups according to smoking status and matched 1:1 for age, obesity, race, insurance type, thyroid disease, drug use and chronic hypertension. Delivery outcomes were compared between the two matched groups and the control group of non-smokers as a whole. A multivariate logistic analysis was performed adjusting for any statistically significant confounding baseline effects not matched for. RESULTS: The study identified 9,096,788 births between 2004 and 2014, of which 443,590 (4.9%) were maternal smokers. When compared with the entire group of non-smokers as controls, there was an increased risk of GDM, adjusted odd ratio (aOR) 1.10 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.14, P < 0.001). This relationship was of a mild nature and there were many confounding variables that differed between the groups. As such a matched control group was developed to compare the risk of GDM in the smokers and non-smokers. An increased risk for GDM among smokers remained, with an aOR of 1.07 (95% CI 1.05-1.10, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The current data suggest that smoking is a small but significant risk factor for GDM with an aOR of 1.07.

Combined effects of age and endometriosis on ovarian reserve in women with infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the combined effects of age and endometriosis on ovarian reserve in women with infertility. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using an institutional database. Women with sonographic, laparoscopic, or histologic evidence of endometriosis were defined as the study group and the remaining women served as a control group. We evaluated demographic and clinical characteristics of the groups as a whole and stratified the patients into those aged 35 years or older and those younger than 35 years at the time of ovarian reserve testing. RESULTS: Of a total of 656 women included in the final analysis, 71 women had a diagnosis of endometriosis. When compared with women without endometriosis, the median anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicular count (AFC) values were significantly lower in the group of women with endometriosis-median 2.1 ng/ml (interquartile range [IQR] 1.1-3.9) versus 1.2 ng/ml (IQR 0.6-2.4; P < 0.001) for AMH and 14 follicles (IQR 8-23) versus 7 follicles (IQR 5-14; P < 0.001) for AFC. When stratified into two age groups the association between a lower AFC and endometriosis remained significant for both age groups whereas the association between a lower AMH and endometriosis was significant only for the group of women aged 35 years oor older. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights a detrimental effect by endometriosis and an age enhancement effect of endometriosis on ovarian reserve.

A Comparative Study of Colpocleisis vs. Vaginal Hysterectomy for the Treatment of Advanced Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal hysterectomy (VH) and colpocleisis are both used for the treatment of advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP). OBJECTIVES: To compare short- and long-term outcomes of vaginal hysterectomy vs. colpocleisis for advanced POP. METHODS: Hospital and outpatient charts of patients who underwent VH or colpocleisis at our institution between January 2006 and December 2015 were reviewed. Clinical data were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: In this study, 188 patients underwent VH and 32 patients underwent colpocleisis. The colpocleisis group was significantly older than the VH group (79.5 ± 4.5 vs. 69 ± 6.1 years respectively, P < 0.0001) and presented with significantly higher co-morbidity rates and a higher degree of POP. Perioperative blood loss was significantly lower (250 ± 7.6 ml vs. 300 ± 115 ml, P < 0.0001) and postoperative hospitalization was significantly shorter (2 ± 2.7 vs. 3 ± 2.2 days, P = 0.015) among the colpocleisis group. None of the patients from the colpocleisis group required an indwelling urethral catheter after discharge, compared to 27.5% of the patients from the VH group (P = 0.001). Total postoperative complication rate was significantly lower among the colpocleisis group (25% vs. 31% P < 0.0001). Objective recurrence of POP was significantly more common among the VH group (7% vs. 0% and 21% vs. 0% for the anterior and posterior compartments, respectively, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Colpocleisis is associated with faster recovery, lower perioperative morbidity, and higher success rates than VH and should be considered for frail and elderly patients.

Estimation of follicular growth-widely used, seldom studied.

We assessed whether estimation of follicular growth, rather than actual measurement of follicular size on the day of hCG trigger, affected pregnancy rates in intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles. Patient and cycle characteristics were extracted from an existing database. Comparisons were made between the pregnant (defined as a positive beta hCG) and non-pregnant groups for the following variables: patient's age, number of previous IUI cycles, type of ovarian stimulation, endometrial thickness, number of follicles measuring 14 mm and above, pre and post wash sperm parameters, cycle day when IUI was done and number of days between last ultrasound scan and ovulation trigger. A total of 7302 cycles were included in the final analysis. In 4055 cycles (55.5%) the hCG trigger was on the day of the last ultrasound, in 2285 cycles (31.3%) the hCG trigger was 1 day after the last ultrasound, in 850 (11.6%) it was 2 days after the last ultrasound and in 112 (1.5%) it was 3 or more days after the last ultrasound. Sperm parameters, younger maternal age, and the number of follicles above 14 mm were all associated with pregnancy. No association was found between positive pregnancy test rates and the time from last ultrasound to hCG trigger. Planning IUI based on the estimation of follicular growth 1-4 days before trigger, does not affect pregnancy rates.

Geographic variation in semen parameters from data used for the World Health Organization semen analysis reference ranges.

OBJECTIVE: To study geographic variations in sperm parameters using data from the trials that defined the reference ranges of the World Health Organization 2021 manual. DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of the data used to define the World Health Organization reference ranges. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): Data from 11 studies, including 3,484 participants across 5 continents. INTERVENTION(S): The data were divided according to geographic locations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Differences in sperm parameters. RESULT(S): The semen volume was significantly lower in samples from Asia and Africa than in other regions. The sperm concentration was the lowest in Africa and highest in Australia. The total motile sperm count (TMSC) and total motile progressive sperm count (TMPS) were significantly lower in Africa than in other regions. The TMSC and TMPS in Asia and the United States were significantly lower than in Europe and Australia. The 5th percentile of the sperm concentration was lowest in the United States (12.5 × 106/mL). The 5th percentile for the normal sperm morphology was lowest in the United States (3%) and highest in Asia (5%). The 5th percentile for the TMSC and TMPS were lowest in Africa (TMSC, 15.08 million; TMPS, 12.06 million) and the United States (TMSC, 18.05 million; TMPS, 16.86 million) and highest in Australia (TMSC, 29.61 million; TMPS, 25.80 million). CONCLUSION(S): Significant geographic differences in sperm parameters exist, and regional fertility societies should consider adding their own reference ranges on the basis of local experience and treatment outcomes.

Effect of Malignancy on Semen Parameters.

Purpose: We aimed to examine how various types of cancer, classified histologically, affect semen quality. Methods: The study group included 313 patients who were diagnosed with cancer and reached for a sperm cryopreservation before a gonadotoxic treatment (PG-Tx group). Their semen parameters were compared to those of two control groups: (a) individuals who attended a fertility investigation and were found to be above the limit of the lower reference value of the WHO 2010 manual (ARL group), and (b) fertile men, whose semen parameters were obtained from the dataset of the WHO 2020 manual. Results: Semen quality was significantly poorer in the PG-Tx group than in the ARL group. Differences included a 65.6% decrease in concentration, a 12.1% decrease in volume, a 72.7% decrease in total count, and a 33.0%, 22.2%, and 24.7% decrease in total motility, rapid motility, and progressive motility, respectively. Linear regression models comparing the PG-Tx and ARL groups revealed that the maximum reduction in total motility and concentration was in men with germ-cell tumors, whereas the minimum reduction was in hematological tumors. Similarly, all sperm quality parameters were significantly lower in the PG-Tx group than in the fertile-men group (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: While the effect of malignancy on semen parameters is debatable, we found that all examined types of cancer significantly impaired sperm quality parameters. Although the median of most semen parameters of patients with cancer were still in the normal WHO range, their fifth percentile, represents men with a delayed time to pregnancy.

A comparison of frozen-thawed embryo transfer protocols in 2920 single-blastocyst transfers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) protocol on live-birth rate (LBR) and clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), in single-vitrified-blastocyst transfer MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study with FET of a single-blastocyst embryos (n = 2920 cycles) thawed 2013-2018. FET protocols were natural cycles (NC-FET) (n = 147), artificial hormone replacement treatment cycles (HRT-FET) (n = 2645), and modified NC (mNC) with hCG triggering (n = 128). Primary outcome was LBR. Adjustment for age, embryo grade, year of freezing\thawing, infertility cause, and endometrial thickness was performed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to female age, embryo grade, and endometrial thickness. LBR was higher in the mNC compared to HRT-FET cycles (38.3% vs. 20.9% P < 0.0001), and in the NC compared to HRT-FET cycles (34.7% vs. 20.9%, P = 0.0002). CPR was higher in the mNC compared to HRT-FET cycles (46.1% vs. 33.3% P = 0.0003), and in the NC compared to HRT-FET cycles (45.9% vs. 33.3%, P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in LBR or CPR between NC-FET and mNC-FET. Higher LBR with NC-FET and mNC-FET remained significant after adjusting for confounders (aOR 2.42, 95%CI 1.53-3.66, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The use of the convenient artificial HRT-FET cycles must be cautiously reconsidered in light of the potential negative effect on LBR when compared with natural cycle FET.

Is There an Association Between Sperm Parameters and Sexual Orientation? A Cross Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether sexual orientation affects sperm parameters. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study using existing data from an academic reproductive centre for the period of April 01, 2009, to March 31, 2021. We compared the results of sperm analysis from male patients who were in same-sex relationships (study group) with those of men in heterosexual relationships who did not have male-factor infertility (control group). A subsequently comparison of both groups with World Health Organization (WHO) reference values was also performed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine samples from the study group were compared with 494 samples from the control group. All parameters, apart from morphology, were comparable. The median sperm concentrations were 64 (interquartile range [IQR] 32.1-102.9) million/mL and 50.1 (IQR 25.3-92.5) million/mL in the study and control groups, respectively (P = 0.252), whereas the median percentage of progressive motile sperm was 50% (IQR 34-65) in the study group and 52% (IQR 33-65) in the control group (P = 0.198). The median percentage of morphologically normal sperm was higher in the control group than in the study group (6% vs. 5%; P = 0.019). However, no significant difference was found when sperm morphology was dichotomized with the cut-off of ≥4% (74.1% and 74.4%, respectively; P = 0.966). When compared with the WHO reference group, the percentage of men with total motile sperm counts ≥10 million and the percentage of men with normal morphology were significantly lower in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that there is no relationship between sexual orientation and sperm parameters.

Effects of embryo retention during embryo transfer on IVF outcomes.

PROPOSE: To investigate embryo retention (ER) rate in embryo transfer (ET) cycles and its effects on reproductive outcomes in a large database. METHODS: A matched retrospective cohort study in a tertiary academic hospital-based reproductive center. A total of 15,321 ET cycles were performed from January 2008 to December 2018. Each woman was matched with three separate control subjects of the same age (± 1 year), embryo condition, main causes of infertility, and type of protocol used for fresh or frozen ET cycles. The main outcomes were ER rate, and implantation, clinical pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, and live birth rates. RESULTS: The overall incidence of ER was 1.4% (213/15,321). There was no difference in the rate of ER rate in fresh ET cycles compared with frozen transfer cycles (P = 0.54). We matched 188/213 (88%) of cases in the ER group to 564 non-ER cases. There were no cases of the blood in the catheter seen in the ER group. Pregnancy outcomes were similar between the ER and the non-ER cycles: clinical pregnancy rate (31.3% vs. 36.1%, P = 0.29), implantation rate (26.2% vs. 31.3%, P = 0.2), live birth rate (20.3% vs. 24%, P = 0.53), ectopic pregnancy rate (0.5% vs. 0.4%, P = 0.18), and miscarriage rate (10.7% vs. 11.3%, P = 0.53). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that ER rate does not affect the reproductive outcomes including clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, and live birth rate. Patients and physicians should not be concerned about the retention of embryos during transfer since there is no effect on pregnancy outcome.

Does increasing estrogen dose during frozen embryo transfer affect pregnancy rate?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of increasing estrogen doses during hormone therapy frozen embryo transfer (HT-FET) cycles on endometrial thickness and success rates compared to patients who received fixed estrogen dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study from a university-based fertility clinic during the years 2008-2021. We compared two groups: the fixed-dose group (i.e., received 6 mg estradiol dose daily until embryo transfer) and the increased-dose group (i.e., the initial estradiol dose was 6 mg daily, and was increased during the cycle). PRIMARY OUTCOME: clinical pregnancy rate. RESULTS: The study included 5452 cycles of HT-FET: 4774 cycles in the fixed-dose group and 678 cycles in the increased-dose group. Ultrasound scan on days 2-3 of the cycle showed endometrial thickness slightly different between the two groups (4.2 mm in the fixed-dose and 4.0 mm in the increased-dose group, P = 0.003). The total estrogen dose was higher, and the treatment duration was longer in the increased than the fixed-dose group (122 mg vs. 66 mg and 17 days vs. 11 days, respectively; P < 0.001). The last ultrasound scan done before the addition of progesterone showed that the endometrial thickness was significantly thicker in the fixed than the increased-dose group (9.5 mm vs. 8.3 mm; P < 0.001). The clinical pregnancy rates were 35.8% in the increased-group vs. 34.1% in the fixed-dose group; P = 0.401. CONCLUSIONS: The increased-dose group had thinner endometrium despite the higher doses of estrogen and longer treatment duration than the fixed-dose group. However, the pregnancy rates were similar between the two groups.

An evaluation of changes over time in the semen parameters data used for the World Health Organization semen analysis reference ranges.

BACKGROUND: Previous meta-analyses concluded that there is a decline in sperm parameters over time. This conclusion might be incorrect due to inherent biases or focusing only on a single parameter - sperm concentration. OBJECTIVE: To study trends in sperm parameters over the past 20 years using data from the trials that defined the reference ranges of the World Health Organization manual. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of the data used to define the World Health Organization reference ranges. The data from 11 studies, including 3589 participants between 1996 and 2016, were divided into three period groups based on the decade of study. Differences in semen parameters' distribution were presented in boxplot. p-values were calculated by the Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test followed by Dunn post hoc test. Analyses were conducted using the R programming language. RESULTS: A small decrease was noted in mean sperm concentrations (88.1 million/ml, 87.6 million/ml, and 77.2 million/ml for the first, second, and third decades, respectively) (p < 0.01). However, the 5th percentile of sperm concentration for the third decade was higher than the first or second decades (18 million/ml versus 14.9 million/ml and 15 million/ml, respectively). No significant differences were noted in progressive motility over the years (p = 0.32). The percent of morphologically normal sperm decreased between the first (24.2%) and the second (12.6%) periods of the study (p < 0.001) and then increased in the third decade (14.2%) (p < 0.01). Total motile sperm count (TMC) declined between the second and third decades (189 million and 153.9 million, respectively, p < 0.001), at levels unlikely to decrease fertility. However, the 5th percentile of the TMC remained stable at 24.9, 20.8, and 20.6 million, for the first, second, and third decades respectively (p = 0.36). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Trends in sperm parameters over the last three decades do not seem to be clinically significant.

The relation between cigarette smoking with delivery outcomes. An evaluation of a database of more than nine million deliveries.

OBJECTIVES: Smoking in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (PTB), intrauterine growth restriction, placental abruption and perinatal death. The association between smoking and other delivery outcomes, such as chorioamnionitis, mode of delivery or postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), however, is insufficient as only few studies addressed these issues. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between prenatal smoking and delivery outcomes in a large database, while controlling for confounding effects. METHODS: A retrospective population-based study using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS). A dataset of all deliveries between 2004 and 2014 (inclusively) was created. Our control group included all pregnant women who did not smoke during pregnancy, which was compared to pregnant women who smoked. A multivariate logistic analysis was conducted, adjusting for any statistically significant confounding effects. RESULTS: Our study identified 9,096,788 births between 2004 and 2014. Of which, 443,590 (4.8%) had a documented diagnosis of smoking. A significantly higher risk was found for PTB (odds ratio 1.39, CI 1.35-1.43), preterm premature rupture of membranes (odds ratio 1.52, CI 1.43-1.62) and small for gestational age (SGA) neonates (odds ratio 2.27, CI 2.19-2.35). The risks of preeclampsia (odds ratio 0.82, CI 0.78-0.85), chorioamnionitis (odds ratio 0.88, CI 0.83-0.4), PPH (odds ratio 0.94 CI 0.9-0.98) and operative vaginal delivery (odds ratio 0.9, CI 0.87-0.94) were lower among smokers. CONCLUSIONS: This large database confirms the findings of previous smaller studies, according to which smoking decreases the risk of preeclampsia while increasing the risk of PTB and SGA neonates. The current study also revealed a decreased risk for PPH as well as for chorioamnionitis among pregnant smokers.

Hope for male fecundity: clinically insignificant changes in semen parameters over 10 years at a single clinic while assessing an infertility population.

PURPOSE: What is the trend in sperm parameters in a group of men attending a single reproductive center, over a 10-year period? METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 12,188 semen samples obtained from unique individuals who attended a university reproductive clinic from 2009 to 2018, inclusively. Semen analysis was done using computer-assisted sperm analysis and verified by an andrologist. Analysis was done after dividing the dataset into two groups: above WHO 2010 lower reference limits (ARL) (N = 6325) and below the reference limits (BRL) (N = 5521). RESULTS: Volume increased slightly (ARL, p = 0.049) before returning to baseline or was stable (BRL, p = 0.59). Sperm concentration and total count of the BRL and ARL group declined initially and then recovered slightly (p < 0.0001, in all cases). Although these changes were statistically significant, this was due to the large study population; clinically, these changes were quite mild and would not have been significant for fertility. Sperm total motility and progressive motility of both the BRL group and the ARL group increased slightly from 2009 until 2015 and then decreased back to baseline (p < 0.0001). This change offset the decrease in count seen in those years. A spurious change was observed with sperm morphology that declined after the first 2 years and remained stable thereafter (p < 0.0001, in both groups). However, this change was attributed to a contemporaneous change in the method of analyzing strict morphology which happened when the change occurred. CONCLUSION: While statistically significant changes were found, clinically, these changes were quite mild and would not have been significant for fertility.