Multiplexed serum biomarkers to discriminate nonviable and ectopic pregnancy.

Objective: To evaluate combinations of candidate biomarkers to develop a multiplexed prediction model for identifying the viability and location of an early pregnancy. In this study, we assessed 24 biomarkers with multiple machine learning-based methodologies to assess if multiplexed biomarkers may improve the diagnosis of normal and abnormal early pregnancies.

Design: A nested case-control design evaluated the predictive ability and discrimination of biomarkers in patients at risk of early pregnancy failure in the first trimester to classify viability and location.

Evaluation of novel biomarkers for early pregnancy outcome prediction†.

Objective: To assess performance and discriminatory capacity of commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of biomarkers for predicting first trimester pregnancy outcome in a multi-center cohort.

Design: In a case-control study at three academic centers of women with pain and bleeding in early pregnancy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of biomarkers were screened for assay performance. Performance was assessed via functional sensitivity, assay reportable range, recovery/linearity, and intra-assay precision (%Coefficient of Variation).

Validation of a multiple marker test for early pregnancy outcome prediction.

Purpose: To validate the use of a multiple biomarker test panel for predicting first trimester pregnancy outcome in a multi-center cohort.

Methods: A case-control study of women presenting with pain and bleeding in early pregnancy at 5-10 weeks gestational age was performed at three academic centers. Sera from women with ectopic pregnancy (EP), viable intrauterine pregnancy (IUP), and miscarriage (SAB) were analyzed via immunoassay for Activin A (AA), Progesterone (P4), A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease-12 (ADAM12), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), glycodelin (Glyc), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Willingness of Women with Endometriosis Planning to Undergo IVF to Participate in a Randomized Clinical Trial and the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Potential Participation.

The Pre-IVF Treatment with a GnRH Antagonist in Women with Endometriosis (PREGnant) Trial (clinicaltrials.gov no. NCT04173169) was designed to test the hypothesis that 60-day pre-treatment with an oral GnRH antagonist in women with documented endometriosis and planning an IVF cycle will result in a superior live birth rate to placebo.

Economic evaluation of highly purified human menotropin or recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone for controlled ovarian stimulation in high-responder patients: analysis of the Menopur in Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Antagonist Single Embryo Transfer-High Responder (MEGASET-HR) trial.

Objective: To determine the cost of achieving a live birth after first transfer using highly purified human menotropin (HP-hMG) or recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) for controlled ovarian stimulation in predicted high-responder patients in the Menopur in Gonadotropin-releasing hormone Antagonist Single Embryo Transfer-High Responder (MEGASET-HR) trial.

Design: Cost minimization analysis of trial results.

Setting: Thirty-one fertility centers.

Can embryo morphokinetic parameters predict euploid pregnancy loss?

Objective: To use time-lapse imaging to compare embryo morphokinetic parameters between embryos resulting in euploid pregnancy loss and euploid embryos resulting in live birth.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Single academic fertility center.

Embryo transfer training in fellowship: national and institutional data.

Objective: To evaluate current national practices in embryo transfer (ET) training in United States reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) fellowship programs and live birth rates after ET performed by fellows versus attending physicians.

Design: Cross-sectional survey of U.S.

Effect of Folic Acid and Zinc Supplementation in Men on Semen Quality and Live Birth Among Couples Undergoing Infertility Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Dietary supplements marketed for male fertility commonly contain folic acid and zinc based on limited prior evidence for improving semen quality. However, no large-scale trial has examined the efficacy of this therapy for improving semen quality or live birth.

Objective: To determine the effect of daily folic acid and zinc supplementation on semen quality and live birth.

A Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Effects of Folic Acid and Zinc Supplementation on Male Fertility and Livebirth: Design and Baseline Characteristics.

The Folic Acid and Zinc Supplementation Trial (FAZST) was a multicenter, double-blind, block-randomized, placebo-controlled trial to determine whether folic acid and zinc supplementation in men improves semen quality and increases livebirth rate among couples seeking infertility treatment (2013-2017). Eligible men were aged 18 years or older with female partners aged 18-45 years, seeking infertility treatment. Men were randomized (1:1) to 5 mg folic acid and 30 mg elemental zinc daily or matching placebo for 6 months.

PLIN2 Functions As a Novel Link Between Progesterone Signaling and Metabolism in Uterine Leiomyoma Cells.

Context: Uterine leiomyoma (fibroids) are the most common tumors in women. Recently, perilipin-2 (PLIN2) was identified as a critical target gene of the progesterone receptor; however, its function in the pathogenesis of fibroids is unknown.

Objective: To determine the function of PLIN2 in leiomyoma cells.

Validation of a Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism-Based Non-Invasive Prenatal Test in Twin Gestations: Determination of Zygosity, Individual Fetal Sex, and Fetal Aneuploidy.

We analyzed maternal plasma cell-free DNA samples from twin pregnancies in a prospective blinded study to validate a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) for zygosity, fetal sex, and aneuploidy. Zygosity was evaluated by looking for either one or two fetal genome complements, fetal sex was evaluated by evaluating Y-chromosome loci, and aneuploidy was assessed through SNP ratios. Zygosity was correctly predicted in 100% of cases (93/93; 95% confidence interval (CI) 96.

Sperm DNA fragmentation and recurrent pregnancy loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To investigate the rate of sperm DNA fragmentation in male partners of women with recurrent pregnancy loss and fertile control women.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting: Not applicable.

30 years of data: impact of the United States in vitro fertilization data registry on advancing fertility care.

Objective: To summarize and assess the impact of key research generated through the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART)-initiated United States IVF registry and annual reporting system.

Design: Review.

Setting: Eligible studies included those that analyzed data generated by the National IVF data collection program (through SART or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Optimal treatment for women with a persisting pregnancy of unknown location, a randomized controlled trial: The ACT-or-NOT trial.

Objective: Pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) is not a diagnosis but a transient state used to classify a woman when she has a positive pregnancy test without definitive evidence of an intra-uterine or extra-uterine pregnancy on transvaginal ultrasonography. Management of a persisting PUL varies substantially, including expectant or active management. Active management can include uterine cavity evacuation or systemic administration of methotrexate.

RANKL/RANK Pathway and Its Inhibitor RANK-Fc in Uterine Leiomyoma Growth.

Context: Uterine leiomyomas are the most common type of gynecologic tumor in women.

Objective: To determine the role of the cytokine receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-Β ligand (RANKL); its receptor, receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-Β (RANK); and the RANKL/RANK pathway inhibitor RANK-Fc in leiomyoma growth.

Design: Messenger RNA (mRNA) or protein levels of RANKL, RANK, and proliferation markers cyclin D1 and Ki67 were assessed in various leiomyoma tissues and cell populations.

The Essential Role of GATA6 in the Activation of Estrogen Synthesis in Endometriosis.

Endometriotic stromal cells synthesize estradiol via the steroidogenic pathway. Nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 1 (NR5A1) is critical, but alone not sufficient, in activating this cascade that involves at least 5 genes. To evaluate whether another transcription factor is required for the activation of this pathway, we examined whether GATA Binding Protein 6 (GATA6) can transform a normal endometrial stromal cell (NoEM) into an endometriotic-like cell by conferring an estrogen-producing phenotype.

Paracrine Pathways in Uterine Leiomyoma Stem Cells Involve Insulinlike Growth Factor 2 and Insulin Receptor A.

Context: Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are the most common benign tumors in women. Recently, three populations of leiomyoma cells were discovered on the basis of CD34 and CD49b expression, but molecular differences between these populations remain unknown.

Objective: To define differential gene expression and signaling pathways in leiomyoma cell populations.

Trophoblast Development in the Murine Preimplantation Embryo.

Trophoblast cells of the murine placenta are derived from the trophectoderm (TE) cells of the preimplantation embryo. Establishment of the TE cell lineage is the result of a cell segregation event early in blastomere division. Models of cell lineage segregation suggest it is driven by the internalization of spatial information which induce or inhibit specific signaling pathways.

Cellular Models of Trophoblast Differentiation.

Orchestrated trophoblast differentiation is necessary to establish and maintain a normal pregnancy, however the molecular mechanisms that guide this process remain largely unknown. Although early studies of cytotrophoblast differentiation relied on animal models, more recent trophoblast research has involved in vitro models of human tissue. These in vitro models have utilized cultured trophoblast cell lines, primary cell culture, and villous explant cultures-each with its advantages and disadvantages.