Comparison of fresh testicular sperm aspiration and use of either thawed pre-frozen sperm or oocyte freezing: impact on cumulative live birth rates for couples experiencing ejaculation failure.

Study Question: Is there a difference in the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) after fresh testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) compared with the use of either pre-frozen sperm or oocyte freezing for couples experiencing ejaculation failure on the day of oocyte retrieval?

Summary Answer: After adjusting for confounding factors, the use of pre-frozen sperm or the freezing and thawing of oocytes appeared to be as effective as TESA in achieving CLBRs for couples experiencing temporary ejaculation failure.

What Is Known Already: Male patients may be concerned about experiencing temporary ejaculation failure on the day of their partner's oocyte retrieval, in which case they may choose surgical sperm retrieval, oocyte freezing on the day, or have their sperm frozen in advance. However, the clinical efficacy of these three options has not yet been evaluated.

Vitrification preservation of good-quality blastocysts for more than 5 years reduces implantation and live birth rates.

Study Question: Does vitrification cryopreservation of embryos for more than 5 years affect the pregnancy outcomes after frozen embryo transfer (FET)?

Summary Answer: Vitrification cryopreservation of good-quality blastocysts for more than 5 years is associated with a decrease in the implantation rate (IR) and live birth rate (LBR).

What Is Known Already: Previous studies have predominantly focused on embryos cryopreserved for relatively short durations (less than 5 years), yet the impact of extended cryopreservation duration on pregnancy outcomes remains a controversial issue. There is a relative scarcity of data regarding the efficacy and safety of storing embryos for 5 years or longer.

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on embryological outcomes in assisted reproductive technology during the Omicron epidemic.

Background: The influence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on assisted reproductive technology (ART) has received increasing attention. It has been reported that the SARS-CoV-2 RiboNucleic Acid (RNA) cannot be detected in follicular fluid and granulosa cells. However, the detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in immature oocytes and blastocysts has still unknown.

Embryo development and live birth resulted from artificial oocyte activation after microdissection testicular sperm extraction with ICSI in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Introduction: The application of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) to retrieve the sperm of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) has greatly increased. Patients with NOA often have poor quality sperm. Unfortunately, there are few studies on artificial oocyte activation (AOA) performed on patients who successfully retrieved motile and immotile sperm by micro-TESE after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Clinical application of noninvasive chromosomal screening for elective single-blastocyst transfer in frozen-thawed cycles.

Background: The objective of this study was to explore the clinical application of noninvasive chromosomal screening (NICS) for elective single-blastocyst transfer (eSBT) in frozen-thawed cycles.

Methods: This study retrospectively analysed the data of 212 frozen-thawed single-blastocyst transfers performed in our centre from January 2019 to July 2019. The frozen embryos were selected based on morphological grades and placed in preincubation for 6 h after warming.

Live birth rate and neonatal outcomes of different quantities and qualities of frozen transferred blastocyst in patients requiring whole embryo freezing stratified by age.

Background: Multiple pregnancies are associated with significant complications and health risks for both mothers and infants. Single blastocyst transfer (SBT) is a logical and effective measure to reduce the incidence of multiple pregnancy with assisted reproductive technology (ART). Whether it is suitable for everyone undergoing SBT was inconclusive, in view of the consideration of embryo quality and patients' age.

Haplotyping by linked-read sequencing (HLRS) of the genetic disease carriers for preimplantation genetic testing without a proband or relatives.

Background: In order to mitigate the risk of allele dropout (ADO) and ensure the accuracy of preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disease (PGT-M), it is necessary to construct parental haplotypes. Typically, haplotype resolution is obtained by genotyping multiple polymorphic markers in both parents and a proband or a relative. Sometimes, single sperm typing, or tests on the polar bodies may also be useful.

Delayed frozen embryo transfer failed to improve live birth rate and neonatal outcomes in patients requiring whole embryo freezing.

Background: Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) has a negative effect on the endometrial receptivity compared with natural menstrual cycle. Whether it's necessary to postpone the first frozen embryo transfer (FET) following a freeze-all strategy in order to avoid any residual effect on endometrial receptivity consequent to COS was inconclusive.

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to explore whether the delayed FET improve the live birth rate and neonatal outcomes stratified by COS protocols after a freeze-all strategy.

Effect of the time for embryo transfer from oocyte retrieval on clinical outcomes in freeze-all cycles: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: To identify the optimal time for the frozen embryo transfer (FET) after oocyte retrieval in freeze-all cycles.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 977 patients was performed. Implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were analyzed.

Perinatal outcomes of singletons following vitrification versus slow-freezing of embryos: a multicenter cohort study using propensity score analysis.

Study Question: Is embryo vitrification associated with a higher risk of adverse perinatal outcomes than slow-freezing?

Summary Answer: Embryo vitrification was not associated with increased risks of adverse perinatal outcomes of pre-term birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA) and macrosomia, as compared to slow-freezing.

What Is Known Already: Vitrification is becoming a widely adopted technology for embryo cryopreservation with higher embryo survival rate and live birth rate than the slow-freezing technique. However, limited data are currently available on risks of adverse perinatal outcomes following vitrification as compared to that of slow-freezing.

Elevated incidence of monozygotic twinning is associated with extended embryo culture, but not with zona pellucida manipulation or freeze-thaw procedure.

Objective: To identify the incidence and risk factors associated with IVF-conceived monozygotic twinning (MZT).

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Academic hospital.

Parental genetic material and oxygen concentration affect hatch dynamics of mouse embryo in vitro.

Background: Hatching is crucial for mammalian embryo implantation, since difficulties during this process can lead to implantation failure, ectopic pregnancy and consequent infertility. Despite years of intensive researches, how internal and external factors affecting embryo hatch are still largely unclear.

Methods: The effects of parental genetic material and oxygen concentration on hatch process were examined.

Pregnancy outcomes of PCOS overweight/obese patients after controlled ovarian stimulation with the GnRH antagonist protocol and frozen embryo transfer.

Background: Overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk of subfertility and complications of pregnancy, compared with normal-weight women. To implement controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), the improved efficacy of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) protocol has been demonstrated, as well as frozen embryo transfer (FET).

Objective: This retrospective study evaluated the pregnancy outcomes after combined GnRH-ant protocol and FET in overweight/obese women with PCOS, with reference to that of normal-weight women with PCOS.

Outcome of Oocyte Vitrification Combined with Microdissection Testicular Sperm Extraction and Aspiration for Assisted Reproduction in Men.

BACKGROUND As a safety and efficacy protocol, oocyte vitrification has been widely used in IVF treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of ICSI-ET utilizing vitrified oocytes with sperm obtained from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients via micro-TESE. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 150 NOA patients underwent micro-TESE.

Ovarian response prediction in controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF using anti-Müllerian hormone in Chinese women: A retrospective cohort study.

The predictive value of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in Chinese women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment is data deficient. To determine the attributes of AMH in IVF, oocyte yield, cycle cancellation, and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. All patients initiating their first IVF cycle with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment in our center from October 2013 through December 2014 were included, except patients diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing in human zygotes using Cas9 protein.

Previous works using human tripronuclear zygotes suggested that the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 system could be a tool in correcting disease-causing mutations. However, whether this system was applicable in normal human (dual pronuclear, 2PN) zygotes was unclear. Here we demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9 is also effective as a gene-editing tool in human 2PN zygotes.

Non-invasive pre-implantation aneuploidy screening and diagnosis of beta thalassemia IVSII654 mutation using spent embryo culture medium.

Background: Cell-free nuclear DNA has been isolated from spent embryo culture medium. Whether this small amount of DNA can be amplified at the whole genome level and the concordance rate of karyotypes and specific alleles between biopsied cells and media has not been evaluated.

Methods: Seven couples were recruited, 88 donated embryos and their corresponding media were collected for whole genome amplification (WGA).

Polymorphisms and haplotypes of the TGF-β1 gene are associated with risk of polycystic ovary syndrome in Chinese Han women.

Objectives: Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) is one of the multifunctional cytokine families. It takes part in a series of physiological and pathological processes in the human body, including wound healing, tissue fibrosis and embryonic development. Recent studies have shown that TGF-β1 participates in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Rictor/mTORC2 pathway in oocytes regulates folliculogenesis, and its inactivation causes premature ovarian failure.

Molecular basis of ovarian folliculogenesis and etiopathogenesis of premature ovarian failure (POF), a common cause of infertility in women, are not fully understood. Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) is emerging as a central regulator of cell metabolism, proliferation, and survival. However, its role in folliculogenesis and POF has not been reported.

MiR-133b regulates the expression of the Actin protein TAGLN2 during oocyte growth and maturation: a potential target for infertility therapy.

Infertility is an area of increasing in life science research. Although follicular maturation disorders and anovulation are the primary causations of infertility, its molecular mechanism is not well understood. Recent research has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) might play an important role in the regulation of ovarian follicle development and maturation.

The effects of cigarette smoke extract on ovulation, oocyte morphology and ovarian gene expression in mice.

Cigarette smoking can harm fertility, but the existing research has targeted primarily on ovarian follicles, embryos or sex hormone. In this study, we tested cigarette smoke extract on ovulation, oocyte morphology and ovarian gene expression associated with inhibition of oxidative stress using C57BL/6 mice. Mice in the experimental group were administered a cigarette smoke extract (CSE) solution (2 mg/ml) orally daily, while the blank control group was given dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO).

Single-nucleotide polymorphism array coupled with multiple displacement amplification: accuracy and spatial resolution for analysis of chromosome copy numbers in few cells.

When coupled with multiple displacement amplification (MDA), microarray-based comparative genomic intensity allows detection of chromosome copy number aberrations even in single or few cells, but the actual performance of the system and their influencing factors have not been well defined. Here, using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, we analyzed copy number profiles from DNA amplified by MDA in 1-10 cells and estimated the accuracy and spatial resolution of the analysis. Based on the concordance of SNP copy numbers for DNA with and without MDA, the accuracy of the system can be significantly enhanced by using MDA-amplified DNA as reference and also by increasing the cell numbers.

[Effects of patient age, number and quality of embryo transferred on the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer].

Objective: To study the effect of patient age, the number and quality of embryo transferred on pregnancy outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ETs).

Methods: A retrospective study was performed in infertile women who underwent a total of 1800 cycles of IVF-ET and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The patients were divided into three age groups, namely<30 years group, 30-35 years group, and>or=35 years group.