Effect of Waiting Period on Initial Adverse Vaginal Microbiome Composition in IVF-ICSI Patients.

: In this observational prospective cohort study, conducted at the Fertility Centre of the University Hospital, Duesseldorf Germany, the spontaneous reversal capacity and the effect of waiting time on an adverse vaginal microbiome profile in subfertile patients were investigated. : Vaginal swabs of 76 patients were obtained before starting a fertility treatment using a commercially available test to perform a microbiome analysis. Patients with a favorable microbiome profile ("medium" or "high profile") according to the manufacturer's algorithm proceeded with the fertility treatment.

Effectiveness of recombinant human FSH: recombinant human LH combination treatment versus recombinant human FSH alone for assisted reproductive technology in women aged 35-40 years.

Research Question: According to real-world data, is recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH) combined with recombinant human LH (r-hLH) or r-hFSH alone more effective for women of advanced maternal age (AMA) in terms of live birth?

Design: Non-interventional study comparing the effectiveness of r-hFSH and recombinant r-hLH (2:1 ratio) versus r-hFSH alone for ovarian stimulation during ART treatment in women aged 35-40 years, using real-world data from the Deutsches IVF-Register.

Results: Overall clinical pregnancy (29.8%, 95% CI 28.

Progesterone-induced progesterone receptor membrane component 1 rise-to-decline changes are essential for decidualization.

Background: Decidualization of endometrial cells is the prerequisite for embryo implantation and subsequent placenta formation and is induced by rising progesterone levels following ovulation. One of the hormone receptors contributing to endometrial homeostasis is Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 (PGRMC1), a non-classical membrane-bound progesterone receptor with yet unclear function. In this study, we aimed to investigate how PGRMC1 contributes to human decidualization.

Closer to the Reality-Proteome Changes Evoked by Endometrial Scratching in Fertile Females.

Endometrial scratching (ES) has been widely used in assisted reproductive technology to possibly improve pregnancy rates, but its exact mechanism is still not understood or investigated, and its benefits are controversially discussed. Hypothetically, ES may trigger a local immune response, leading to an improved endometrial receptivity. So far, it has been shown that ES affects the gene expression of cytokines, growth factors, and adhesive proteins, potentially modulating inflammatory pathways and adhesion molecule expression.

Fear of fertility side effects is a major cause for COVID-19 vaccine hesitance in infertile patients.

Introduction: This study aims to investigate the acceptance, hesitance and attitudes of infertile female patients toward the COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 28th of January to 10th of August 2022. The questionnaire consisted of 35 questions on demographics, COVID-19 vaccination status, prior concerns of the vaccinated participants and reasons for not vaccinating among unvaccinated participants, and factors influencing the decision not to vaccinate.

Mild COVID-19 has no detrimental effect on semen quality.

Background: As of today, the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on male fertility remains unclear. Studies published so far have partly contradictory results, likely due to very small sample sizes and heterogeneous populations. To gain a deeper understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on male fertility, we performed a prospective case-control study, in which we examined the ejaculate of 37 subjects, including 25 subjects in the acute phase of mild COVID-19 and 12 subjects who did not suffer from COVID-19.

Setup of a cryobank for ovarian tissue in a university-based setting.

Establishing and maintaining a newly set-up cryobank for ovarian tissue in a university setting requires at least 1 year's notice to start financial, spatial, lab equipment, and employee acquisition planning. Right before and after the start of the cryobank, the newly founded team should introduce itself to the hospitals and local and national health systems mail, print flyers, and symposia in order to share the possibilities and the knowledge. Potential referrers should be provided with standard operating procedures and advice on getting used to the new system.

One center experience with a personalized frozen-thawed embryo transfer in patients with recurrent implantation failure.

Purpose: Displaced endometrial receptivity has been discussed as a possible cause of recurrent implantation failure in patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology. The aim of this study was to document our experience with the endometrial receptivity analysis in patients with recurrent implantation failure.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study, conducted at the Fertility Centre of the University Hospital, Duesseldorf Germany, presents the results of the endometrial receptivity analysis in 67 patients with recurrent implantation failure and compares the clinical outcome between these 67 patients who underwent a personalized frozen-thawed embryo transfer guided by the results of the endometrial receptivity analysis and 32 patients with recurrent implantation failure who performed a standardized frozen-thawed embryo transfer.

Forskolin versus cAMP-Induced Decidualization and Survival of Endometrial Stromal Cells of Endometriosis Patients.

Impairment of decidualization of eutopic human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) may cause an increase in cell survival of endometrial tissue in the peritoneal cavity constituting a precondition for endometriosis development. Decidualization is a physiological process involving progesterone action and cAMP signaling. We here evaluated the effect of 8-Br-cAMP, the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin and of the progestin progesterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) alone and in combination on decidualization induction using prolactin ELISA, and on cell size, cell granularity, and cell survival via flow cytometry in hESCs of patients with and without endometriosis.

Fertility preservation in the pediatric population-experience from a German Cryobank for ovarian tissue.

Counseling children on the possibility of fertility preservation prior to a gonadotoxic treatment supports the decision-making process, taking into account that the patients are in a very vulnerable and mentally exhausting situation following the diagnosis. Referral to specialists can be optimized on-site by routing slips with contact addresses, phone numbers, and mail contacts; available time slots for consultation; possibly offers for cost coverage; and an easy-to-understand information leaflet about the different options available. Some of the options for fertility preservation in the prepubertal population especially are still experimental.

An eight centre, retrospective, clinical practice data analysis of algorithm-based treatment with follitropin delta.

Research Question: Can efficacy and success rates of the first recombinant FSH expressed in a human cell line with an individualized dosing algorithm based on body weight and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as shown in the ESTHER-1 trial be confirmed in routine clinical practice?

Design: In eight reproductive medicine centres in Germany, observational data of 360 women who underwent ovarian stimulation with follitropin delta were evaluated as part of the quality control from January 2018 to June 2019. The data were analysed retrospectively.

Results: Mean age of patients was 33.

Eutopic endometrial immune profile of infertility-patients with and without endometriosis.

There is growing evidence that changes in the eutopic endometrial immune profile are a cause of endometriosis-associated infertility. Women affected by endometriosis experience a 2-fold increased risk of infertility compared to healthy controls. In our study we aimed to map out endometrial expressions of uterine natural killer cells, plasma cells, macrophages and the chemokine CXC-motif ligand 1 (CXCL1) as well as its main receptors CXC-motif receptor 2 (CXCR2) and Syndecan-1 in infertility-patients with endometriosis.

Can TSH level and premenstrual spotting constitute a non-invasive marker for the diagnosis of endometriosis?

Background: To date, there is no reliable non-invasive marker for the early detection and diagnosis of endometriosis available possibly resulting in a delayed diagnosis and consequently an unnecessary long ordeal for the individual woman. Therefore, the primary objective of the current study was to evaluate whether the combination of a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level > 2.5 µlU/ml and premenstrual spotting could serve as non-invasive markers of endometriosis.

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in human semen-a cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the presence of viral RNA in human semen of patients with severe acute-respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to evaluate its presence and relevance in semen parameters.

Design: Pilot cohort study.

Setting: University hospital.

Diagnosis and Treatment Before Assisted Reproductive Treatments. Guideline of the DGGG, OEGGG and SGGG (S2k Level, AWMF Register Number 015-085, February 2019) - Part 2, Hemostaseology, Andrology, Genetics and History of Malignant Disease.

Supporting and counselling couples with fertility issues prior to starting ART is a multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The first German-language interdisciplinary S2k guideline on "Diagnosis and Therapy Before Assisted Reproductive Treatments (ART)" was published in February 2019. The guideline was developed in the context of the guidelines program of the German Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) in cooperation with the Swiss Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SGGG) and the Austrian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (OEGGG).

Diagnosis and Therapy Before Assisted Reproductive Treatments. Guideline of the DGGG, OEGGG and SGGG (S2k Level, AWMF Register Number 015-085, February 2019) - Part 1, Basic Assessment of the Woman.

Supporting and counselling couples with fertility issues prior to starting ART is a multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The first German/Austrian/Swiss interdisciplinary S2k guideline on "Diagnosis and Therapy Before Assisted Reproductive Treatments (ART)" was published in February 2019. This guideline was developed in the context of the guidelines program of the German Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) in cooperation with the Swiss Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SGGG) and the Austrian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (OEGGG).

Metabolic and behavioral parameters of mice with reduced expression of Syndecan-1.

Energy balance is essential for all species. Ligand-receptor interactions mediate processes that regulate body activities like reproduction and metabolism based on the energy status. Such receptors are the heparan sulfate proteoglycans and specifically the family of syndecans.

Physiological and anatomical aspects of the reproduction of mice with reduced Syndecan-1 expression.

Background: Syndecan-1 is a heparan sulfate proteoglycan acting as a co-receptor for cytokines and growth factors mediating developmental, immunological and angiogenic processes. In human, the uteroplacental localization of Syndecan-1 and its reduced expression in pregnancy-associated pathologies, such as the intrauterine growth restriction, suggests an influence of Syndecan-1 in embryo-maternal interactions. The aim of the present study was to identify the effect of a reduced expression of Syndecan-1 on the reproductive phenotype of mice and their progenies.

A Proteome Approach Reveals Differences between Fertile Women and Patients with Repeated Implantation Failure on Endometrial Level⁻Does hCG Render the Endometrium of RIF Patients?

Background: The molecular signature of endometrial receptivity still remains barely understood, especially when focused on the possible benefit of therapeutical interventions and implantation-related pathologies. Therefore, the protein composition of tissue and isolated primary cells (endometrial stromal cells, ESCs) from endometrial scratchings of ART (Assisted Reproductive Techniques) patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) was compared to volunteers with proven fertility during the time of embryo implantation (LH + 7). Furthermore, an analysis of the endometrial tissue of fertile women infused with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was conducted.

Biological age of the endometrium using DNA methylation.

Age has a detrimental effect on reproduction and as an increasing number of women postpone motherhood, it is imperative to assess biological age in terms of fertility prognosis and optimizing fertility treatment individually. Horvath's epigenetic clock is a mathematical algorithm that calculates the biological age of human cells, tissues or organs based on DNA methylation levels. The clock, however, was previously shown to be highly inaccurate for the human endometrium, most likely because of the hormonal responsive nature of this tissue.

Syndecan-1 Acts as an Important Regulator of CXCL1 Expression and Cellular Interaction of Human Endometrial Stromal and Trophoblast Cells.

Successful implantation of the embryo into the human receptive endometrium is substantial for the establishment of a healthy pregnancy. This study focusses on the role of Syndecan-1 at the embryo-maternal interface, the multitasking coreceptor influencing ligand concentration, release and receptor presentation, and cellular morphology. CXC motif ligand 1, being involved in chemotaxis and angiogenesis during implantation, is of special interest as a ligand of Syndecan-1.