Zika Virus Infection, Reproductive Organ Targeting, and Semen Transmission in the Male Olive Baboon.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in pregnant women is a serious threat to the development and viability of the fetus. The primary mode of ZIKV transmission to humans is through mosquito bites, but sexual transmission has also been well documented in humans. However, little is known of the short- and long-term effects of ZIKV infection on the human male reproductive system.

Decreased very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in sperm correlates with sperm quantity and quality.

Purpose: To determine if levels of very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFA; ≥ 28 carbons;4-6 double bonds) in human sperm correlate with sperm quantity and quality as determined by a complete semen analysis.

Methods: Ejaculates from 70 men underwent a complete semen analysis, which included volume, count, motility, progression, agglutination, viscosity, morphology, and pH. For lipid analysis, sperm were pelleted to remove the semen.

In high responding patients undergoing an initial IVF cycle, elevated estradiol on the day of hCG has no effect on live birth rate.

Background: The impact of elevated estradiol on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes has been debated for over 25 years. Some investigators have shown a positive effect, others a negative effect; while most have shown no effect. Few studies have expressed their findings based on live birth.

Validation of the power model of ovarian nongrowing follicle depletion associated with aging in women.

Objective: To validate recently proposed models of ovarian nongrowing follicle (NGF) decay associated with aging within the context of an independent data set.

Design: Prospective investigation.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Ovarian primordial and nongrowing follicle counts according to the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW) staging system.

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the ovarian primordial and nongrowing follicle number according to the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW) staging system as defined by menstrual cycle characteristics.

Methods: Normal ovaries were collected from 63 women (age 26-52 y) undergoing oophorectomy for benign indications. Before surgical operation, each participant completed a detailed questionnaire collecting information regarding menstrual cycle characteristics and was classified by bleeding patterns into STRAW stages -4, -3, -2, and -1.