Uterine pathology and microbiome among patients with endometrial polyps and fibroids.

Objective: To evaluate the uterine microbiome among women with endometrial polyps and submucosal fibroids and to compare results between endometrial sampling techniques.

Design: Patients with polyps or fibroids were prospectively recruited prior to hysteroscopy, while patients undergoing retrieval for planned oocyte cryopreservation were recruited prospectively as controls. Three specimen types obtained for each patient were the distal 5 mm of an embryo catheter passed to the uterine fundus (C), endometrial tissue from an endometrial biopsy (T), and formalin fixed paraffin embedded endometrial tissue from the same endometrial biopsy (FFPE).

Natural Cycle Frozen Embryo Transfer: Evaluating Optimal Protocols for Preparation and Timing.

Background: While natural cycle frozen embryo transfer (NC-FET) is becoming increasingly common, significant practice variation exists in the use of ovulation induction medications, administration of ovulation trigger, and timing of embryo transfer without consensus as to the optimal protocol.

Aims: The objective of this study is to evaluate the association of key aspects of the NC-FET protocol with implantation, pregnancy and live birth.

Settings And Design: This was a retrospective cohort study of blastocyst stage NC-FET cycles from October 2019 to July 2021 at a single academic fertility centre.

Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and antimüllerian hormone levels in a cohort of African-American women.

Objective: To examine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and ovarian reserve as measured using antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Detroit, Michigan area.

Associations of reproductive and breastfeeding history with anti-Müllerian hormone concentration among African-American women of reproductive age.

Research Question: Are gravidity, parity and breastfeeding history associated with anti-Müllerian hormone concentration among African-American women of reproductive age?

Design: This study included baseline data from the Study of the Environment, Lifestyle and Fibroids, a 5-year longitudinal study of African-American women. Within this community cohort, data from 1392 women aged 25-35 years were analysed. The primary outcome was serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentration measured using the Ansh Labs picoAMH assay, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Chronic endometritis: screening, treatment, and pregnancy outcomes in an academic fertility center.

Purpose: To identify the prevalence of chronic endometritis (CE), compare the efficacy of antibiotic regimens for CE, and examine pregnancy outcomes after treatment for CE among patients in an academic fertility clinic.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, data from patients who underwent endometrial sampling (ES) for CE evaluation at a single academic institution from 2014 to 2020 were collected and analyzed. Rates of CE were compared by indication for ES including recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), implantation failure (IF), and recent first-trimester pregnancy loss.

Anxiety, attitudes, and education about fertility among medical students in the United States.

Background: As delayed family building is common among physicians, the goal of this study was to evaluate childbearing plans, anxiety related to future fertility, and interest in fertility education among medical students.

Methods: Using convenience and snowball sampling methods, an electronic REDCap survey was distributed via social media and group messaging applications to medical students enrolled in medical schools across the United States. Answers were collected, and analysis of the descriptive statistics was performed.

Early β-hCG levels predict live birth after single embryo transfer.

Purpose: Specific serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) parameters that can predict live birth after an embryo transfer have yet to be defined.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 1,028 patients with a detectable β-hCG who underwent a single embryo transfer between 2002 and 2019 at a large academic center. Two β-hCG parameters were examined in relation to live birth: 1) "doubling" defined as β-hCG doubling over 48 h and 2) "reaching 100" defined as a β-hCG ≥ 100 mIU/mL by 15 days after oocyte retrieval (AOR).

Retained pregnancy tissue after miscarriage is associated with high rate of chronic endometritis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate prevalence of chronic endometritis in a cohort of patients with retained pregnancy tissue (RPT) following miscarriage, with and without a history of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). In a cohort of our single academic fertility centre, we evaluated women with unexplained RPL (two or more losses) without evidence of RPT and women undergoing hysteroscopic resection of RPT following miscarriage. Endometrial samples underwent staining with H and E and CD138.

Oral Hygiene in Adolescence: A Questionnaire-Based Study.

Oral health is fundamental to our well-being, especially in adolescence. The aim of this study is to investigate oral hygiene knowledge through a questionnaire in a sample of adolescents, paying particular attention to those wearing orthodontic braces. The study was designed as a descriptive report of a local survey.

Association between uterine fibroids and antimüllerian hormone concentrations among African American women.

Objective: To evaluate the extent to which uterine fibroids are associated with antimüllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Baseline data from the Study of the Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids, which is a 5-year longitudinal study of African American women.

Planned oocyte cryopreservation in women with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome: a case series.

Objective: To describe the experiences of three women with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) who desired to pursue planned oocyte cryopreservation.

Design: Case series.

Setting: An academic institution and a private clinic.

Knowledge gaps in the understanding of fertility among non-medical graduate students.

Objective: To assess knowledge of female and male fertility among students enrolled in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

Design: Web-based cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Academic setting.

The association of euploid miscarriage with obesity.

Objective: To determine whether the frequency of euploid miscarriage is increased in obese women with early pregnancy loss.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Duration, recency, and type of hormonal contraceptive use and antimüllerian hormone levels.

Objective: To assess whether the duration, recency, or type of hormonal contraceptive used is associated with antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels, given that the existing literature regarding the association between hormonal contraceptive use and AMH levels is inconsistent.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Baseline data from the Study of the Environment, Lifestyle and Fibroids Study, a 5-year longitudinal study of African American women.

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.

Endometriosis.

Pelvic endometriosis is a complex syndrome characterized by an estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory process that affects primarily pelvic tissues, including the ovaries. It is caused when shed endometrial tissue travels retrograde into the lower abdominal cavity. Endometriosis is the most common cause of chronic pelvic pain in women and is associated with infertility.

Treatment of endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain with Ulipristal Acetate and associated endometrial changes.

Background: Aberrant progesterone signaling has been demonstrated in mechanistic studies to be a shared common pathway in fibroids and endometriosis. Progesterone receptor modulation with the selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) ulipristal may decrease pain associated with endometriosis.

Case: A 25-year-old nulligravidae with endometriosis-related pelvic pain refractory to medical and surgical intervention was administered 15mg ulipristal every other day for 3 months.

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.

Relationship between obesity and anti-Müllerian hormone in reproductive-aged African American women.

Objective: To determine whether there is an association between obesity and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) among reproductive-aged African American women (AAW).

Methods: From the women participating in an ongoing National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences study, 1,654 AAW aged 23 to 35 were included in this study. Anthropometric measurements, personal health information, and serum AMH and adipokine levels were analyzed.