The Effect of Baseline Ovarian Cyst on Pregnancy Outcomes in Ovulation Induction/Intrauterine Insemination Cycles.

Objective: To determine the effects of a baseline ovarian cyst on ovulation induction/intrauterine insemination (OI/IUI) cycle outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of 270 patients and 461 OI/IUI cycles performed between 2011 and 2021 was performed. The exposure variable was a simple appearing ovarian cyst diagnosed at baseline ultrasound measuring ≥10 mm with an estradiol level <75 ng/mL. The primary outcome analyzed was an ultrasound-confirmed intrauterine pregnancy. Secondary outcomes included positive pregnancy test and live birth. Summary data were presented with percentages, mean (standard deviation), or median (interquartile range). Comparisons of dichotomous variables were performed with the chi-square test, and continuous variables were compared using t-test. Regression analysis was performed using a general linear model. p-Values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The clinical pregnancy rate was nominally higher in the group without a cyst present at baseline ultrasound compared with those cycles with a simple cyst present, but the difference was not statistically significant (45/300 [15%] vs. 15/161 [9.3%], risk ratio [RR] 0.63 [0.36, 1.1]). After adjusting for BMI ≥30 and age ≥35, there remained no significant difference in clinical pregnancy rate (adjusted RR 0.65 [0.37, 1.1]). Conclusion: Given the present data, it is reasonable to proceed with IUI in the case of a baseline simple ovarian cyst. However, this finding may have an impact on clinical pregnancy outcomes in OI/IUI, and further research on the topic is warranted. Although this study was underpowered with fewer cycles than needed to demonstrate a significant difference, the point estimate suggests that the difference in clinical pregnancy rate could be ∼35%.

Spatiotemporal regulation of human IFN-ε and innate immunity in the female reproductive tract.

Although published studies have demonstrated that IFN-ε has a crucial role in regulating protective immunity in the mouse female reproductive tract, expression and regulation of IFN-ε in the human female reproductive tract (hFRT) have not been characterized to our knowledge. We obtained hFRT samples from a well-characterized cohort of women to enable us to comprehensively assess ex vivo IFN-ε expression in the hFRT at various stages of the menstrual cycle. We found that among the various types of IFNs, IFN-ε was uniquely, selectively, and constitutively expressed in the hFRT epithelium. It had distinct expression patterns in the surface and glandular epithelia of the upper hFRT compared with basal layers of the stratified squamous epithelia of the lower hFRT. There was cyclical variation of IFN-ε expression in the endometrial epithelium of the upper hFRT and not in the distal FRT, consistent with selective endometrial expression of the progesterone receptor and regulation of the IFNE promoter by progesterone. Because we showed IFN-ε stimulated important protective IFN-regulated genes in FRT epithelium, this characterization is a key element in understanding the mechanisms of hormonal control of mucosal immunity.

Young Adult Males' Perspectives of Male Hormonal Contraception.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the willingness of young adult males to use male hormonal contraception and to determine the most desirable formulation. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved survey measuring the willingness to use MHC was dispersed to two distinct populations: University of Cincinnati postgraduate programs and Cincinnati Health Department clinics. Questions on the survey allowed for the collection of demographic characteristics, as well as the preferred method of MHC, and concerns regarding potential adverse effects. This survey was directed at young adult males; therefore, only male participants who were 18 to 35 years old were included for analysis. Results were reported as frequencies in each group and χ2 analyses were performed to compare groups, with a P < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Of 162 total survey participants, 45% would use MHC, whereas 30.9% were unsure and 23.5% would not use MHC. Overall, the University of Cincinnati survey population was more likely to be interested in using MHC than the Cincinnati Health Department population (P < 0.05). In both populations, most were interested in using the injectable form. Cited concerns deterring participants from using MHC were different between these two populations, with University of Cincinnati participants more frequently expressing concerns about possible failure of the contraceptive method, whereas Cincinnati Health Department participants had concerns about potential adverse effects (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is significant interest among young adult males in using various forms of MHC, especially in injectable form. Differences in views of MHC were seen in two distinct male populations. Specifically, males who achieved a higher level of education, were employed, or in a relationship were found to more frequently be willing to use MHC. With further research and funding, MHC may serve as a significant way to decrease unintended pregnancies in the future.

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Current Concepts.

A potential consequence of chemotherapy is the destruction of oocytes, resulting in primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) in young patients; this often results in secondary amenorrhea and necessitates hormone replacement therapy. Regardless of the etiology of POI, the chance of pregnancy is low in this patient population. Given the extent to which oocyte depletion or dysfunction is variable, there is the possibility of spontaneous ovulation on hormone replacement therapy and subsequent pregnancy, however. If pregnancy is not desired, contraception always should be discussed. In most patients, the etiology of POI will not be known, but the treatment for all patients includes estrogen and progesterone therapy, which ensures the development of secondary sex characteristics, acquisition of peak bone mass, and promotion of uterine growth and maturation. Early diagnosis, patient education, and emotional support are important to mitigate long-term sequelae.

Role of nuclear progesterone receptor isoforms in uterine pathophysiology.

BACKGROUND: Progesterone is a key hormonal regulator of the female reproductive system. It plays a major role to prepare the uterus for implantation and in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Actions of progesterone on the uterine tissues (endometrium, myometrium and cervix) are mediated by the combined effects of two progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms, designated PR-A and PR-B. Both receptors function primarily as ligand-activated transcription factors. Progesterone action on the uterine tissues is qualitatively and quantitatively determined by the relative levels and transcriptional activities of PR-A and PR-B. The transcriptional activity of the PR isoforms is affected by specific transcriptional coregulators and by PR post-translational modifications that affect gene promoter targeting. In this context, appropriate temporal and cell-specific expression and function of PR-A and PR-B are critical for normal uterine function. METHODS: Relevant studies describing the role of PRs in uterine physiology and pathology (endometriosis, uterine leiomyoma, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer and recurrent pregnancy loss) were comprehensively searched using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar and critically reviewed. RESULTS: Progesterone, acting through PR-A and PR-B, regulates the development and function of the endometrium and induces changes in cells essential for implantation and the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. During pregnancy, progesterone via the PRs promotes myometrial relaxation and cervical closure. Withdrawal of PR-mediated progesterone signaling triggers menstruation and parturition. PR-mediated progesterone signaling is anti-mitogenic in endometrial epithelial cells, and as such, mitigates the tropic effects of estrogen on eutopic normal endometrium, and on ectopic implants in endometriosis. Similarly, ligand-activated PRs function as tumor suppressors in endometrial cancer cells through inhibition of key cellular signaling pathways required for growth. In contrast, progesterone via PR activation appears to increase leiomyoma growth. The exact role of PRs in cervical cancer is unclear. PRs regulate implantation and therefore aberrant PR function may be implicated in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). PRs likely regulate key immunogenic factors involved in RPL. However, the exact role of PRs in the pathophysiology of RPL and the use of progesterone for therapeutic benefit remains uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: PRs are key mediators of progesterone action in uterine tissues and are essential for normal uterine function. Aberrant PR function (due to abnormal expression and/or function) is a major cause of uterine pathophysiology. Further investigation of the underlying mechanisms of PR isoform action in the uterus is required, as this knowledge will afford the opportunity to create progestin/PR-based therapeutics to treat various uterine pathologies.

Recurrent ovarian torsion due to paratubal cysts in an adolescent female.

BACKGROUND: Though paratubal and paraovarian cysts are rare in adolescent females, the influence of post-menarchal hormonal stimulation on these tubal derivates can produce large and clinically significant adnexal pathology. Ovarian torsion secondary to paratubal cysts is rare due to the cyst's location and ipsilateral recurrence is uncommon. CASE: We report a case of an 11-year-old female with a large right paratubal cyst causing ovarian torsion on two separate occasions within one year and our approach to surgical management. CONCLUSION: Excision of a paratubal or paraovarian cyst that causes ovarian torsion is necessary to decrease the risk of cyst recurrence and ovarian torsion in the future. Timely diagnosis and treatment of ovarian torsion enables preservation of ovarian function and patient fertility.