Reproductive Considerations in the Transgender and Gender Diverse Population: A Review.

Many transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals will be considering gender-affirming treatments during their reproductive lifespan. These medically necessary treatments have a negative impact on reproductive potential. All TGD individuals should be counseled regarding fertility.

Ammonia Detection by Electronic Noses for a Safer Work Environment.

Providing employees with proper work conditions should be one of the main concerns of any employer. Even so, in many cases, work shifts chronically expose the workers to a wide range of potentially harmful compounds, such as ammonia. Ammonia has been present in the composition of products commonly used in a wide range of industries, namely production in lines, and also laboratories, schools, hospitals, and others.

Sperm Chromatin Dispersion Test Detects Sperm DNA Fragmentation Mainly Associated with Unviable Spermatozoa and Underestimates the Values with Respect to TUNEL Assay.

Several clinical laboratories assess sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) in addition to semen analysis in male infertility diagnosis. Among tests evaluating sDF, TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) and SCD (Sperm Chromatin Dispersion) are widely used. Our lab developed a modified version of TUNEL (TUNEL/PI) able to distinguish two sperm populations (PI Brighter and PI Dimmer) differently associated with sperm viability and reproductive outcomes.

Graphene Oxide, Carbon Nanotubes, and Polyelectrolytes-Based Impedanciometric E-Tongue for Estrogen Detection in Complex Matrices.

Currently, it is necessary to maintain the quality of aquifers and water bodies, which means the need for sensors that detect molecules as emerging pollutants (EPs) at low concentrations in aqueous complex solutions. In this work, an electronic tongue (e-tongue) prototype was developed to detect 17β-estradiol in tap water. To achieve such a prototype, an array of sensors was prepared.

Severe sperm DNA fragmentation may persist for up to 3 years after cytotoxic therapy in patients affected by Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Study Question: Does sperm DNA recover from damage in all men after 2 years from the end of cytotoxic treatments?

Summary Answer: The current indication of 2 years waiting time for seeking natural pregnancy after cytotoxic treatment may not be adequate for all men, since severe sperm DNA damage is present in a proportion of subjects even after this timeframe.

What Is Known Already: Data in the literature on sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in lymphoma patients after cytotoxic treatments are scarce. The largest longitudinal study evaluated paired pre- and post-therapy (up to 24 months) semen samples from 34 patients while one study performed a longer follow-up (36 months) in 10 patients.

Experiences and intentions of patients undergoing medically indicated oocyte or embryo cryopreservation: a qualitative study.

Study Question: What structural (logistical) and psychological challenges do patients who cryopreserve oocytes or embryos for medical reasons face, including possible barriers to using their frozen materials?

Summary Answer: The majority of women who underwent oocyte or embryo cryopreservation for medical reasons reported a desire to use their frozen oocytes or embryos but had been impeded by ongoing medical issues, the need for a gestational carrier, or the lack of a partner.

What Is Known Already: Current data suggest that many women who have frozen oocytes or embryos for medical indications are concerned about the prospect of infertility and have unique emotional and financial needs that differ from patients with infertility. Further, most patients have not returned to use their cryopreserved materials.

Semen Cryopreservation for Men Banking for Oligozoospermia, Cancers, and Other Conditions: 24 Years' Experience of an Italian Bank.

Background: Sperm cryopreservation is recommended to preserve male fertility for cancer patients or other medical conditions at risk of sperm decline. Whether motility and viability recovery rates vary depending on the medical conditions requiring cryopreservation is poorly known. We report here on the 24-year experience of our semen bank.

Fertility-Sparing Treatment and Assisted Reproductive Technology in Patients with Endometrial Carcinoma and Endometrial Hyperplasia: Pregnancy Outcomes after Embryo Transfer.

The goal of fertility-sparing treatment (FST) for patients desiring future fertility with EMCA, and its precursor EH, is to clear the affected tissue and revert to normal endometrial function. Approximately 15% of patients treated with FST will have a live birth without the need for assisted reproductive technology (ART). Despite this low number, little information exists on the pregnancy outcomes of patients who utilize ART.

Long-term effect of cytotoxic treatments on sperm DNA fragmentation in patients affected by testicular germ cell tumor.

Introduction: Testicular germ cell tumor is the most frequent neoplasia in men of reproductive age, with a 5-year survival rate of 95%. Antineoplastic treatments induce sperm DNA fragmentation, especially within the first year post-therapy. Data in the literature are heterogeneous concerning longer follow-up periods, and the large majority is limited to 2 years.

Decrease of air pollution during lockdown in Tuscany (Italy): An effect on sperm DNA fragmentation?

In March 2020, the Italian government imposed a national lockdown which was almost completely removed in June 2020. Due to the abrupt stop of human activities, emissions of air pollutants decreased. Air pollution is an environmental risk factor for noncommunicable disease and mortality.

Fertility Preservation for Adolescent and Young Adult Transmen: A Case Series and Insights on Oocyte Cryopreservation.

Background: The opportunity for fertility preservation in adolescent and young adult (AYA) transmen is growing. Many AYA transmen desire future biologic children and are interested in ways to preserve fertility through oocyte cryopreservation prior to full gender affirmation, yet utilization of oocyte cryopreservation remains low. Additionally, standard practice guidelines currently do not exist for the provision of oocyte cryopreservation to AYA transmen.

Fifteen years of autologous oocyte thaw outcomes from a large university-based fertility center.

Objective: To review the outcomes of patients who underwent autologous oocyte thaw after planned oocyte cryopreservation.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Large urban university-affiliated fertility center.

The use of oocyte cryopreservation for fertility preservation in patients with sex chromosome disorders: a case series describing outcomes.

Purpose: Characterize outcomes among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with sex chromosome disorders (SCDs) after oocyte cryopreservation (OC) consultation.

Methods: Retrospective case series of all AYA (< 25 years) patients with SCDs seen for OC consultation from 2011 to 2019 at a large, urban, academic fertility center. All AYA patients with an SCD seen for OC consult in the study time period were reviewed and included.

Safety issues in semen banks during the COVID-19 pandemic: data from a European survey.

Purpose: We performed a survey among European semen banks enquiring safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. We report the experience from a center searching SARS-CoV-2 mRNA in semen of patients undergoing cryopreservation from May 2020 to January 2021.

Methods: A questionnaire was submitted to accredited semen banks of the European Academy of Andrology (EAA) and the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS).

A multicenter retrospective study on 4480 implanted PICC-ports: A GAVeCeLT project.

Background: PICC-ports may be defined as totally implantable central venous devices inserted in the upper limb using the current state-of-the-art techniques of PICC insertion (ultrasound-guided venipuncture of deep veins of the arm, micro-puncture kits, proper location of the tip preferably by intracavitary ECG), with placement of the reservoir at the middle third of the arm. A previous report on breast cancer patients demonstrated the safety and efficacy of these devices, with a very low failure rate.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter cohort study-developed by GAVeCeLT (the Italian Group of Long-Term Venous Access Devices)-investigated the outcomes of PICC-ports in a large cohort of unselected patients.

Equal opportunity for all? An analysis of race and ethnicity in fertility preservation in New York City.

Purpose: To compare the racial and ethnic make-up of patients who accessed medically indicated fertility preservation services (MIFP) against the overall racial diversity (including Hispanic origin) across women of reproductive age diagnosed with cancer in New York City (NYC).

Methods: All patients who completed at least one MIFP between January 2017 and December 2018 were reviewed. Race was self-reported.

Correction: gr/gr deletion predisposes to testicular germ cell tumour independently from altered spermatogenesis: results from the largest European study.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

PICC-PORT: Valid indication to placement in patient with results of extensive skin burns of the neck and chest in oncology. The first case in the scientific literature.

Introduction: The management of patients with advanced gastric cancer requires a stable venous access required at different stages of disease (treatment phase, palliative phase). Totally implantable central venous access in the arm, named PICC-PORT, is used in a patient with results of extensive skin burns of the neck, chest and right arm and surgical outcomes of multiple skin grafts of chest. The described clinical case is the first event in the scientific literature.

A Discussion of Options, Outcomes, and Future Recommendations for Fertility Preservation for Transmasculine Individuals.

The process of gender affirmation may have an impact on fertility. Counseling on the impact of affirmation and opportunities for fertility, future family building, and reproductive health is an important first step in the affirmation process. This article discusses the options for fertility preservation for transmen.

Experiences and psychological outcomes of the oocyte donor: a survey of donors post-donation from one center.

Purpose: To assess the experiences and psychological outcomes of oocyte donors from one fertility center.

Methods: An anonymous survey was distributed via a secure email to 161 donors who underwent oocyte donation-anonymous, directed/known, and recruited agency-between January 2008 and January 2019 at the NYU Langone Fertility Center.

Results: Thirty-six donors completed the survey with the majority between 2 and 10 years since donation.

gr/gr deletion predisposes to testicular germ cell tumour independently from altered spermatogenesis: results from the largest European study.

The association between impaired spermatogenesis and TGCT has stimulated research on shared genetic factors. Y chromosome-linked partial AZFc deletions predispose to oligozoospermia and were also studied in TGCT patients with controversial results. In the largest study reporting the association between gr/gr deletion and TGCT, sperm parameters were unknown.

A Comparison of Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Donor Egg Single Embryo Transfers With and Without Preimplantation Genetic Testing.

Two of the many milestone developments in the field of assisted reproduction have been oocyte donation and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). Because it has been demonstrated that even young women produce a meaningful proportion of aneuploid embryos, screening out such abnormalities could potentially increase the efficacy of donor egg (DE) cycles. In this retrospective cohort study, we investigated the effect of PGT-A on DE cycle outcomes, including implantation rate (IR), spontaneous abortion rate (SABR), and ongoing pregnancy/live birth rate.

Evaluation of sperm DNA quality in men presenting with testicular cancer and lymphoma using alkaline and neutral Comet assays.

Despite more cancers in young men over the past two decades, improvements in therapies give a greater chance to live full lives following treatment. Sperm genomic quality is variable following cancer diagnosis, so its assessment is important if sperm cryopreservation is being considered. Here, we evaluated DNA damage using two DNA damage assays: an alkaline and for the first time, a neutral Comet assays in men presenting with testicular cancer (n = 19 for alkaline and 13 for neutral group) and lymphoma (n = 13 for alkaline and 09 for neutral group) compared with fertile donors (n = 20 for alkaline and 14 for neutral group).

Short-term FSH treatment and sperm maturation: a prospective study in idiopathic infertile men.

The standard FSH treatment is based on a 3 months period, after which both quantitative/qualitative improvement of sperm parameters and increased pregnancy rate were reported. In this prospective clinical trial, for the first time, we studied (i) Sperm hyaluronic acid binding capacity after highly purified FSH (hpFSH) treatment; (ii) the effect after short-term and standard treatment on this functional parameter. As secondary objective, we analyzed three SNPs on FSHβ and FSHR genes to define their potential predictive value for responsiveness.

Interactive case-based learning improves resident knowledge and confidence in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

Resident physicians' scores on the REI section of the CREOG exam are traditionally low, and nearly 40% of house staff nation-wide perceive their REI knowledge to be poor. We aimed to assess whether an interactive case-based group-learning curriculum would narrow the REI knowledge gap by improving understanding and retention of core REI concepts under the time constraints affecting residents. A three-hour case-based workshop was developed to address four primary CREOG objectives.