A 10-year experience in testicular tissue cryopreservation for boys under 18 years of age: What can be learned from 350 cases?

BACKGROUND: A growing number of centers worldwide are preserving testicular tissue (TT) of young boys at risk of fertility loss to preserve their fertility. Data in this regard are scarce and experience sharing is essential to the optimization of the process. OBJECTIVES: This report of our 10-year activity of pediatric fertility preservation (FP) has the objective to (1) improve knowledge regarding the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and potential usefulness of the procedure; (2) analyze the impact of chemotherapy on spermatogonia in the cryopreserved TT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this retrospective study of data prospectively recorded, we included all boys under 18 years of age referred to the FP consultation of our academic network between October 2009 and December 2019. Characteristics of patients and cryopreservation of testicular tissue (CTT) were extracted from the clinical database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess factors associated with the risk of absence of spermatogonia in the TT. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty-nine patients (7.2 years; 0.5-17.0) were referred to the FP consultation for malignant (70%) or non-malignant (30%) disease, of whom 88% were candidates for CTT, after a previous chemotherapy exposure (78%). The rate of recorded immediate adverse events was 3.5%, with painful episodes dominating. Spermatogonia were detected in the majority of TTs: 91.1% of those exposed to chemotherapy and 92.3% of those not exposed (p = 0.962). In multivariate analysis, the risk of absence of spermatogonia was almost three-fold higher in boys > 10 years of age ([OR] 2.74, 95% CI 1.09-7.26, p = 0.035) and four-fold higher in boys exposed to alkylating agents prior to CTT ([OR] 4.09, 95% CI 1.32-17.94, p = 0.028). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This large series of pediatric FP shows that this procedure is well accepted, feasible, and safe in the short term, strengthening its place in the clinical care pathway of young patients requiring a highly gonadotoxic treatment. Our results demonstrate that CTT post-chemotherapy does not impair the chance to preserve spermatogonia in the TT except when the treatment includes alkylating agents. More data on post-CTT follow-up are still required to ensure the long-term safety and usefulness of the procedure.

Post-treatment sperm cryopreservation practices in childhood and young adult cancer survivors.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What are current practices of post-treatment fertility preservation in male childhood cancer survivors (CCS) who have not benefitted from pre-therapeutic fertility preservation in France and other European countries? DESIGN: A survey was conducted of all fertility preservation centres in France (n = 30) and European fertility specialists (n = 9) in five European countries. Eight clinical cases and 40 questions were included to assess the effect of age at diagnosis, type of treatment (alkylating-agents, orchidectomy, testicular radiotherapy) and sperm parameters on the probability of a post-treatment fertility preservation proposal. Demographic characteristics of the responding practitioner were also collected. RESULTS: Post-treatment sperm cryopreservation was proposed by 100% of fertility specialists in cases of severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, 77-88% in cases of moderate oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and in 65-77% in cases of sperm motility and vitality impairment. In cases of normal sperm parameters, 27-54% of fertility specialists would propose post-treatment sperm cryopreservation. These results did not differ significantly according to the type of treatment received or to responder-related factors. Practices of European specialists were also guided by sperm parameter results; 44-67% of specialists responding that they would propose sperm cryopreservation in cases of moderate to severe sperm parameter alterations. CONCLUSION: Post-treatment semen analysis could be widely proposed to CCS who have not benefitted from pre-therapeutic fertility preservation. Post-treatment fertility preservation could be proposed in cases of persistent moderate to severe sperm parameter alterations. Guidelines would be important to homogenize practices and to encourage oncologists to refer CCS for fertility assessments.

Efficient pathway for men fertility preservation in testicular cancer or lymphoma: a cross-sectional study of national 2018 data.

BACKGROUND: In 15-49 years-old men, the main cancers are testicular cancer (TC) and lymphomas (L): freezing of ejaculated sperm is primarily used for male fertility preservation (FP) before cancer treatment. Our objective was to analyze the French FP rate in 15-49 years-old men diagnosed with TC or L in 2018. We designed a national descriptive cross-sectional study of sperm banking rate in men with a diagnosis of TC, Hodgkin L (HL) or non-Hodgkin L (NHL). From the French National Cancer Institute (INCa) 2018 data, we extracted the estimated incidence of TC and L in metropolitan France. From the 2018 activity report of CECOS network (Centers for Study and Banking of Eggs and Sperm), we extracted the number of men with TC or L who banked ejaculated sperm. We estimated the proportion of 15-49 years-old men diagnosed with TC or L who banked sperm. RESULTS: Among 15-49 years-old men, INCa estimated 38,048 new cancer diagnoses in metropolitan France in 2018: 2,630 TC and 3,913 L (943 HL and 2,970 NHL). The CECOS network provided data from 26/27 metropolitan centers (96% response rate): 1,079 sperm banking for men with TC, 375 for HL and 211 for NHL. We estimated that the 2018 sperm banking rate in France was 41% for TC, 40% for HL, and 7% for NHL. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, our paper is the first cross-sectional study with multicenter and national data analyzing FP rate in cancer men: it suggests an efficient pathway for men to FP before cancer treatment, compared to previously published studies. Although sperm banking rate in 15-49 years-old men could definitely be improved, further studies should evaluate the information given to patients before gonadotoxic treatments, the factors associated with the absence of sperm banking and whether this lack of referral induces a loss of chance for these men.

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: Chez les hommes de 15 à 49 ans, les principaux cancers sont le cancer du testicule (CT) et les lymhomes (L): la congélation de spermatozoïdes éjaculés est utilisée en première intention pour leur préservation de fertilité (PF) avant traitement du cancer. Notre objectif était d'analyser le taux de PF chez les hommes de 15 à 49 ans diagnostiqués avec un CT ou un L en 2018 en France. Nous avons réalisé une étude nationale transversale descriptive du taux de congelation de spermatozoïdes chez les hommes âgés de 15 à 49 ans diagnostiqués avec un CT, un L de Hodgkin (LH) ou un L non-Hodgkinien (LNH). A partir des données de l'Institut National du Cancer (INCa) de 2018, nous avons extrait l'incidence estimée de CT et de L en France métropolitaine. A partir des données du bilan d'activité 2018 de la Federation Française des CECOS (Centre d'Etude et de Conservation des Oeufs et du Sperme), nous avons extrait le nombre d'hommes avec un CT ou un L qui ont congelé leurs spermatozoïdes. Nous avons enfin estimé la proportion d'hommes de 15 à 49 ans diagnostiqués avec un CT ou un L qui ont congelé leurs spermatozoïdes. RéSULTATS: Chez les hommes de 15 à 49 ans, l'INCa a estimé en 2018 38 048 nouveaux cas de cancers diagnostiqués en France métropolitaine en 2018: 2 630 CT et 3 913 L (943 LH et 2 970 LNH). Le réseau des CECOS a produit les résultats issus de 26/27 centres métropolitains (taux de réponse de 96%): 1 079 congélations de sperme pour des hommes atteints de CT, 375 pour LH et 211 pour LNH. Nous avons estimé que le taux de congelation de spermatozoïdes de 2018 en France était de 41% pour le CT, 40% pour le LH et 7% pour le LNH. CONCLUSIONS: A notre connaissance, notre travail est la première étude transversale multicentrique de données nationales analysant le taux de PF chez les hommes atteints de cancer: il suggère un parcours patient efficace pour la PF des hommes avant traitement d'un cancer, par rapport aux études précédemment publiées. Bien que le taux de PF chez les hommes puisse certainemen être amélioré, des études futures devraient évaluer l'information donnée aux patients avant traitement gonadotoxique, les facteurs associés à l'absence de PF et si le défaut d'adressage au CECOS induit un perte de chance pour ces hommes. MOTS-CLéS: Chimiothérapie, Radiothérapie, Oncofertiité, Azoospermia, Paternité.

Oocyte donation outcomes in endometriosis patients with multiple IVF failures.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the reproductive outcomes and the prognostic factors of live birth rates in patients with endometriosis referred to oocyte donation after multiple IVF failures? DESIGN: Observational cohort study including all women with endometriosis-related infertility and two or more failed IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles referred to oocyte donation between January 2013 and June 2022. Endometriosis was diagnosed based on published imaging criteria, and was confirmed histologically in women who had a history of surgery for endometriosis. The main outcome measured was the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR). The characteristics of women who had a live birth were compared with those who did not using univariate and multivariate analysis to identify determinant factors of fertility outcome. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients underwent 90 oocyte donation cycles after 244 failed autologous IVF cycles. The mean ± SD age of the population was 36.8 ± 3.3 years, with a mean duration of infertility of 3.6 ± 2.2 years, and a mean number of autologous IVF/ICSI cycles of 4.4 ± 2.3 cycles per patient. Three patients (5.3%) had superficial peritoneal endometriosis, two patients (3.5%) had ovarian endometriomas, and 52 patients (91.2%) had deep infiltrating endometriosis, among which 30 patients (57.7%) had bowel lesions. Thirty patients (52.6%) had associated adenomyosis. Overall, CLBR per patient was 36/57 (63.2%). After multivariate analysis, only being nulligravida (P=0.002) remained an independent negative predictive factor of the live birth rate. Previous surgery did not impact reproductive outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that oocyte donation appears to be a viable option to optimize the live birth rate in women with endometriosis-related infertility and recurrent IVF failures.

Prospective analysis over time of semen parameters in spinal cord-injured patients: Results of a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury often results in erectile dysfunction and an ejaculation along with impaired semen parameters. Fertility is a major concern in spinal cord injury adult males and some fear that the delay post-spinal cord injury may negatively affect sperm quality. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to (i) assess semen parameters over time in SCI patients according to age at spinal cord injury, time post-spinal cord injury, and the spinal cord injury level and completeness and (ii) measure markers in semen for inflammation and marker of oxidative stress to investigate their impact on sperm parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is a prospective, longitudinal, pilot study over 18 months. Thirty-five men with spinal cord injury from 18 to 60 years of age were enrolled. Their mean age was 29.4 ± 6.4 years. Semen retrieval was scheduled every 6 months, allowing analysis of four ejaculates, in association with measurement of granulocyte and seminal plasma elastase concentrations to assess markers in semen for inflammation and spermatozoa DNA fragmentation to assess oxidative stress. RESULTS: Based on reference limits, a normal total sperm number, decreased motility and vitality of the spermatozoa, and increased morphological abnormalities were found. Mean round cell and granulocyte concentrations were elevated in the semen. Markers in semen for inflammation and marker of oxidative stress were elevated in several semen samples, compared to reference limits. However, neither the presence of markers in semen for inflammation or oxidative stress, the completeness or the level of the spinal cord lesion, the age or the time post-spinal cord injury had a negative impact on the semen quality over time. DISCUSSION: There was no significant decline in semen quality in spinal cord injury patients over time within the limitations of this pilot study. Moreover, a chronic genital inflammatory status was not associated with impairment of semen quality. CONCLUSION: The present findings are reassuring for men with spinal cord injury and could guide the management of their reproductive ability. According to these preliminary data, not all spinal cord injury patients who are able to ejaculate require systematic freezing of their spermatozoa.

Characteristics and intentions of heterosexual couples comprising a transgender man awaiting sperm donation to conceive a child.

BACKGROUND: More than half of transgender (TG) men wish to have children. Until recently, TG people in France were rarely offered gamete donation, mainly because the Bioethics Law allows the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) only in infertile couples. The only option currently available for heterosexual couples with a TG man is ART with sperm donation. The Center for Study and Preservation of Eggs and Sperm (CECOS) of the Cochin Hospital is the first French center to propose sperm donation to such couples, and has done so since 1999. OBJECTIVES: To determine the main characteristics and intentions of 43 couples, including a TG man and his cisgender female partner awaiting sperm donation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on the records from October 2010 to December 2019, of 43 couples with a TG man who applied for sperm donation at the CECOS of the Cochin Hospital (Paris, France). RESULTS: The mean age of TG men and cisgender women was 32 ± 6.6 and 29.7 ± 4.6 years, respectively. In 77% of cases, the couple met before the man's transition. Eighty-one percent of the couples were in a stable relationship for at least 3 years, and 94% wished to have a child for no more than 5 years. Almost all of the couples (95%) intended to inform their child of their conception by sperm donation and the father's transidentity (92%). DISCUSSION: Due to restrictive French legislation, the profile of our couples probably does not reflect that of all couples consisting of a TG man and a cisgender woman. The study took place over a long period of time and the characteristics of the couples could probably change over time. CONCLUSION: The couples often met before the man's transition, cohabited for several years, intended to inform their child of sperm donation and the father's transidentity.

Ovulation induction is associated with altered growth but with preservation of normal metabolic function in murine offspring.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of ovulation induction on mouse postnatal health, with a focus on growth pattern and glucose tolerance. To study the effect of ovulation induction on DNA methylation, we took advantage of the agouti viable yellow (Avy) mouse. DESIGN: Animal study. SETTING: University Setting. ANIMALS: Agouti viable yellow (Avy) mice on a C57BL/6 background. INTERVENTION(S): Avy female mice were either allowed to mate spontaneously (control group, C) or after superovulation with 5 IU of PMSG and hCG (ovulation induction group, OI). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Birth parameters and postnatal growth of the offspring were followed up to 29 weeks of age. Body composition analysis was performed by EchoMRI; fasting insulin, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by beta cells were assessed to study glucose metabolism. RESULT(S): Mice born to superovulated dams had lower survival rates, shorter anogenital distances, and shorter crown-rump lengths. Female mice generated by OI weighed less at birth, whereas male mice generated by OI had lower weight gain and had reduced lean mass. Glucose parameters, including islet functions, did not differ between the groups. No difference in agouti coat color was noted between the groups. CONCLUSION(S): Ovulation induction resulted in mice having increased morphometric differences at birth and male mice showing reduced weight gain but no difference in glucose tolerance or agouti coat color.

[AFU and SALF recommendations for the evaluation of male infertility]. / Recommandations de l'AFU et de la SALF concernant l'évaluation de l'homme infertile.

BACKGROUND: The aim of these Association Française d'Urologie (AFU) and Société d'Andrologie de Langue Française (SALF) common recommendations are to provide practice guidelines for the French Urological and Andrological community regarding the evaluation of infertile men. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature search in PubMed using the keywords "male infertility", "diagnosis", "management" and "evaluation" limited to clinical articles in English and French prior to 1/01/2020. To inform the level of evidence, the HAS grading system (2013) was applied. RESULTS: Concerning the evaluation of infertile men, the AFU and the SALF recommend : (1) a systematic interview exploring the family history, the fertility history of the man outside the couple, the patient's personal history that may have an impact on his fertility, lifestyle habits, treatments, symptoms and possible sexual difficulties of the couple; (2) a general physical examination to assess signs of hypogonadism and secondary sexual characters; (3) a scrotal physical examination performed by an urologist or andrologist to assess (i) the testes for volume and consistency, (ii) vas deferens and epididymes for total or partial absence or nodules, and (iii) presence of varicoceles; (4) Performing two semen analyses, according to World Health Organization guidelines, if the first one has at least one abnormaly; (5) a scrotal ultrasound as part of routine investigation, that can be completed with an endorectal pelvic ultrasound according to the clinic; (6) an endocrine evaluation with at least a Testosterone and FSH serum determination; (7) Karyotype analysis in infertile men with a sperm concentration ≤10 106/mL; (8) assessment of Yq microdeletions in infertile men with a sperm concentration ≤1 106/mL; (9) Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene evaluation in case of suspicion for bilateral or unilateral congenital agenesis of vas deferens and seminal vesicles. The interest of tests analyzing DNA fragmentation (TUNEL, SCSA) is still under investigation. CONCLUSION: These guidelines can be applied in routine clinical practice in all infertile men.

Partial Sperm beta1 Integrin Subunit Deletion Proves its Involvement in Mouse Gamete Adhesion/Fusion.

We have previously shown, using antibodies, that the sperm alpha6beta1 integrin is involved in mouse gamete fusion in vitro. Here we report the conditional knockdown of the sperm Itgb1 gene. It induced a drastic failure of sperm fusogenic ability with sperm accumulation in the perivitelline space of in vitro inseminated oocytes deleted or not for the Itgb1 gene. These data demonstrate that sperm, but not oocyte, beta1 integrin subunit is involved in gamete adhesion/fusion. Curiously, knockdown males were fertile in vivo probably because of the incomplete Cre-mediated deletion of the sperm Itgb1 floxed gene. Indeed, this was shown by Western blot analysis and confirmed by both the viability and litter size of pups obtained by mating partially sperm Itgb1 deleted males with females producing completely deleted Itgb1 oocytes. Because of the total peri-implantation lethality of Itgb1 deletion in mice, we assume that sperm that escaped the Itgb1 excision seemed to be preferentially used to fertilize in vivo. Here, we showed for the first time that the deletion, even partial, of the sperm Itgb1 gene makes the sperm unable to normally fertilize oocytes. However, to elucidate the question of the essentiality of its role during fertilization, further investigations using a mouse expressing a recombinase more effective in male germ cells are necessary.

A case of germline mosaicism for a 7q32.1q33 deletion in a sperm donor: consequences on pregnancy follow-up and recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Germline mosaicism is considered to be a rare event. However, its occurrence is underestimated due to the limited availability of germ cells. The genomic variations that underlie this phenomenon comprise single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs), copy number variations (CNVs) and aneuploidies. In the case of CNVs, deletions are more frequent in the paternal germline while duplications are more commonly maternal in origin. Germline mosaicism increases with paternal age as the risk of SNPs increase with the number of germ cell divisions. We here report a case of germline mosaicism in the spermatozoa of a donor that resulted in one pathological pregnancy. RESULTS: Straws from the same sperm donor were provided to seven recipient couples, resulting in four pregnancies. Second trimester ultrasound analysis revealed bilateral talipes equinovarus associated with growth retardation in one of these pregnancies. Array-comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) carried out after amniocentesis revealed a 4 Mb deletion in the 7q32.1q33 region. The blood karyotypes and array-CGHs were normal in the mother, as well as in the donor. However, the microsatellite profile indicated a paternal origin. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of the donor's spermatozoa revealed the same chromosomal rearrangements in 12% of the spermatozoa population. Due to the documented risk of mental retardation associated with genomic rearrangements in the same region, the couple decided to terminate the pregnancy. Amniocentesis was performed in the other couples, which yielded normal FISH analysis results. CONCLUSIONS: Several cases of germline mosaicism have been reported to date, but their frequency is probably underestimated. Moreover, it is important to note that germline mosaicism cannot be ruled out by conventional cytogenetic screening of blood cells. This case highlights the need for close follow-up of every pregnancy obtained through gamete donation, given that the occurrence of germline mosaicism may have major consequences when multiple pregnancies are obtained concomitantly.

CONTEXTE: La mise en évidence d'une mosaïque germinale est. un événement rare mais probablement sous-estimé du fait de l'accès limité aux cellules germinales. Les variations génomiques caractéristiques de ce phénomène peuvent être des single nucleotide polymorphismes (SNPs), des copy number variations (CNVs) ou des aneuploïdies. Dans le cas des CNVs, les délétions sont plus fréquentes dans la lignée germinale paternelle tandis que les duplications sont plus fréquemment d'origine maternelle. Le risque de mosaïcisme germinal augmente avec l'âge paternel de part une augmentation du risque de SNPs associée à la division constante des cellules germinales pendant toute la vie d'un homme. Nous rapportons ici un cas de mosaïque germinale chez un donneur de spermatozoïdes ayant entraîné la survenue d'une grossesse pathologique. RÉSULTATS: Les paillettes d'un même donneur de spermatozoïdes ont été attribuées à sept couples receveurs permettant l'obtention de quatre grossesses évolutives. Pour l'une d'entre elle, l'échographie du deuxième trimestre a permis d'identifier chez le fœtus des pieds bots associés à un retard de croissance intra utérin. L'analyse par hybridation génomique comparative (CGH)-array après amniocentèse a révélé une délétion de 4 MB dans la région 7q32.1q33. Les caryotypes sanguins et les analyses par CGH-array étaient normaux chez la mère et le donneur. Cependant les profils de microsatellites ont montré une origine paternelle du chromosome délété. Une analyse par fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) des spermatozoïdes du donneur a révélé la présence de la même délétion dans 12% des spermatozoïdes étudiés. Etant donné le risque de retard mental associé à des remaniements chromosomiques dans cette même région, le couple a préféré interrompre la grossesse. Une amniocentèse a été réalisée pour les autres grossesse en cours et n'a retrouvé aucune anomalie. CONCLUSIONS: Plusieurs cas de mosaïques germinales ont été rapportés mais leur fréquence réelle reste probablement sous-estimée. En effet, un mosaïcisme germinal ne peut être détecté par les techniques de cytogénétique conventionnelle sur sang. Ce cas illustre la nécessité d'un suivi en temps réel des grossesses obtenues par don de spermatozoïdes étant donné que la survenue d'une grossesse pathologique peut avoir un retentissement sur les autres grossesses issues du même donneur.

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation for fertility preservation in 418 girls and adolescents up to 15 years of age facing highly gonadotoxic treatment. Twenty years of experience at a single center.

INTRODUCTION: The preservation of fertility is an integral part of care of children requiring gonadotoxic treatments for cancer or non-malignant diseases. In France, the cryopreservation of ovarian tissue has been considered and has been offered as a clinical treatment since its inception. The aim of this study is to review 20 years of activity in fertility preservation by ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) for children and the feasibility of oocyte isolation and cryopreservation from the ovarian tissue at a single center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study including patients aged 15 years or younger who underwent OTC, combined for some with oocyte cryopreservation of isolated oocytes, before a highly gonadotoxic treatment for malignant or non-malignant disease was initiated. We describe the evolution of activities in our program for fertility preservation and patient characteristics at the time of OTC and follow up. RESULTS: From April 1998 to December 2018, 418 girls and adolescents younger than 15 years of age underwent OTC, representing 40.5% of all females who have had ovarian tissue cryopreserved at our center. In all, 313 patients had malignant diseases and 105 had benign conditions. Between November 2009 and July 2013, oocytes were isolated and also cryopreserved in 50 cases. The mean age of patients was 6.9 years (range 0.3-15). The most frequent diagnoses in this cohort included neuroblastoma, acute leukemia and hemoglobinopathies; neuroblastoma being the most common diagnosis in very young patients. During follow up, three patients requested the use of their cryopreserved ovarian tissue. All had undergone ovarian tissue transplantation, one for puberty induction and the two others for restoring fertility. So far, no pregnancies have been achieved. Eighty-four patients who had OTC died. CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is the only available technique for preserving fertility of girls. To our knowledge this is the largest series of girls and adolescents younger than 15 years so far reported on procedures of OTC before highly gonadotoxic treatment in a single center.

Altered three-dimensional organization of sperm genome in DPY19L2-deficient globozoospermic patients.

PURPOSE: To explore the three-dimensional (3D) organization of sperm genome in DPY19L2-deficient globozoospermic patients speculating a link between DPY19L2 and genome organization of sperm nucleus. METHODS: This is a study of chromatin organization in DPY19L2-deficient globozoospermic patients and healthy donors using three-dimensional fluorescence in situ hybridization (3D-FISH) combined with confocal laser scanning microscopy followed by 3D image analysis. The 3D structures of sperm nuclei, chromocenter, telomeric regions and chromosome territories (CTs), were reconstructed using IMARIS software, and the relative radial position for each individual signal was calculated. Statistical analysis used a non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was appropriate with significance at p < 0.05. RESULTS: DPY19L2-deficient globozoospermic patients display impaired sperm chromocenter organization resulting in an increased number of chromocenters (5.4 vs 3.5; p < 0.0001). Moreover, radial positions of telomeres are modified with a more central position in globozoospermic nuclei. 3D-FISH analysis of five chromosome territories (CTs) (X, Y, 7, 17, 18) showed that DPY19L2-deficient globozoospermic sperm nuclei display altered spatial organization of CT X, CT 7 and CT 18. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings strengthen the hypothesis that DPY19L2 might be considered as a LINC-like protein having a crucial role in the organization of nuclear chromatin in sperm nucleus through its interaction with nuclear lamina. Our results might also explain defective embryonic development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) performed with DPY19L2-deficient globozoospermic sperm.

Turner syndrome and pregnancy: clinical practice. Recommendations for the management of patients with Turner syndrome before and during pregnancy.

Following the death in France by acute aortic dissection of two women with Turner syndrome who were pregnant following oocyte donation, the Director of the French Biomedicine Agency (Agence de la biomédecine) sent a letter to the President of the French College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FCOG). He requested the College's expertise in reviewing point-by-point the cases and risk factors and in determining whether there are grounds to propose additional measures complementary to the recommendations made by the Haute autorité de santé or French National Authority for Health (HAS) in 2008 in terms of indication and monitoring of patients. A joint practice committee of the FCOG, the French Cardiologic Society, the French Chest and Cardiovascular Surgery Society, the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, the French Endocrine Society, the French study group for oocyte donation, and the Biomedicine Agency defined the exact questions to be put to the experts, chose these experts, followed them up and drafted the synthesis of recommendations resulting from their work. The questions concerned the check-up before pregnancy of Turner patients, contraindication and acceptance of pregnancy, information for the patients, and recommendations for antenatal care, delivery and postnatal follow-up.

From ultrastructural flagellar sperm defects to the health of babies conceived by ICSI.

The objective of this retrospective study was to describe a population of patients displaying impaired sperm motility due to ultrastructural flagellar defects and to analyse the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) results and neonatal outcomes in this population. The fertilization rate, embryo quality, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, birth rate and perinatal health of babies were determined. Patients (n = 20) were divided into seven categories according to ultrastructural flagellar abnormalities. The type of flagellar abnormality significantly affected the fertilization rate (P <0.025). Two types of flagellar abnormalities showed slower early embryo cleavage kinetics (P <0.001) when axonemal central structures and periaxonemmal columns were abnormal or absent. Of 53 ICSI attempts, 14 resulted in clinical pregnancies (26.4% per cycle) after fresh and frozen embryo transfer. Three (21.4%) of these pregnancies ended in miscarriages and, in the remaining, 12 infants were born (7.2% of transferred embryos). The outcomes differed according to the ultrastructural defect. This study demonstrates that a high proportion of patients could father a child (45.0%). However, flagellar abnormalities appear to influence ICSI results and fetal development.