Fibrinogen Structural Changes and Their Potential Role in Endometriosis-Related Thrombosis.

Endometriosis (EM), a chronic inflammatory condition predominantly affecting women of reproductive age, has been linked to an elevated risk of thrombosis, though its underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this case-control study, involving 71 EM patients and 71 matched controls, we explored the structural and functional changes in fibrinogen and their potential role in thrombosis. Key oxidative stress markers, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in blood lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes, along with plasma lipid peroxidation markers and total antioxidant capacity, were measured.

Mediterranean Diet and Oxidative Stress: A Relationship with Pain Perception in Endometriosis.

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic and inflammatory disease associated with pelvic pain. Dietary changes may be therapeutic for chronic inflammatory processes, reducing visceral input. The aim was to evaluate the role of dietary changes according to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) on pain perception in endometriosis and their relationship with oxidative stress.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Women's Health and Obstetric Outcomes after Assisted Reproduction: A Survey from an Italian Fertility Center.

Background: the restrictive measures that were adopted during three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on both the emotional state and lifestyle of the general population. We evaluated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyles and emotional states of women planning assisted reproductive technology (ART), and whether these changes affected ART outcomes.

Methods: quantitative research, using a web-based survey, was performed on 289 Caucasian women.

Atherosclerosis and Endometriosis: The Role of Diet and Oxidative Stress in a Gender-Specific Disorder.

: Accelerated atherosclerosis in patients with endometriosis has been hypothesised, and lifestyle improvement might control cardiovascular risk. We explored cardiometabolic markers and oxidative stress and evaluated the effects of the Mediterranean Diet (MD) in modulating these markers. : In this prospective study, we included 35 women with endometriosis.

Blood Leukocyte ROS Production Reflects Seminal Fluid Oxidative Stress and Spermatozoa Dysfunction in Idiopathic Infertile Men.

A large proportion of infertile men do not receive a clear diagnosis, being considered as idiopathic or unexplained cases due to infertility diagnosis based on standard semen parameters. Particularly in unexplained cases, the search for new indicators seems mandatory to provide specific information. In the etiopathogenesis of male infertility oxidative stress displays important roles by negatively affecting sperm quality and function.

External Validation of the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS) Lexicon and the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis 2-Step Strategy to Stratify Ovarian Tumors Into O-RADS Risk Groups.

Importance: Correct diagnosis of ovarian cancer results in better prognosis. Adnexal lesions can be stratified into the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS) risk of malignancy categories with either the O-RADS lexicon, proposed by the American College of Radiology, or the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) 2-step strategy.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic performance of the O-RADS lexicon and the IOTA 2-step strategy.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on the Outcome of Medically Assisted Reproduction Pregnancies.

Background: The impact of the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on pregnancy is not well-understood. During the outbreak, the initial approach suggested by the major societies was to postpone all non-urgent assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments. Nevertheless, the Italian Society of Fertility and Sterility and Reproductive Medicine considered ethically correct to proceed with ART treatments, as the infertility rate is increasing over time, with a consistent decline in the live birth rate.

Monozygotic twin rate among ART centers: a multicenter analysis of data from 18 Italian units.

Purpose: The risk of monozygotic twins (MZTs) is increased in couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments. Several systematic reviews have investigated the possible determinants linked to ART, but results obtained have not been conclusive. The study aims to investigate whether the incidence of MZT differed among ART centers.

Parenthood in Infertile Couples Attending Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) Centers: What Has Changed During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to impact the lifestyle of couples of reproductive age and, in particular, their desire for parenthood. The purpose of this study was to carry out an evaluation on the potential changes of desire for parenthood among infertile couples waiting for assisted reproduction during the pandemic.

Methods: In this multicenter cross-sectional study, the quality of sexual life in Italian infertile couples was assessed and their well-being was evaluated before the pandemic and during the quarantine.

Preconception period in women and men undergoing Assisted Reproduction: A gender approach for reproductive health.

Objective: To evaluate lifestyle and risk factors playing a role in increasing the burden of cardiovascular diseases and to increase attention of clinicians who should envision a broader preconception approach in ART, not only in women but also in men.

Study Design: In this cross-sectional study we investigated 90 Caucasian couples, referred to the Internal Medicine Clinic at the Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, in order to better define in preconceptional period their cardiovascular risk profile, based on metabolic parameters and lifestyle behaviours.

Results: We observed two-fold increase of overweight in men in comparison to women (p = 0.

Endometriosis and Infertility: A Long-Life Approach to Preserve Reproductive Integrity.

Laparoscopic surgery was originally considered the gold standard in the treatment of endometriosis-related infertility. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) was indicated as second-line treatment or in the case of male factor. The combined approach of surgery followed by ART proved to offer higher chances of pregnancy in infertile women with endometriosis.

COVID-19 Vaccination Does Not Affect Reproductive Health Parameters in Men.

With the implementation of COVID-19 vaccine up-take, doubts regarding the impact of immunization on future fertility have begun to emerge. We have examined vaccine safety on male reproductive health. We set up a multicentre (three infertility centers), retrospective study in order to assess semen parameters and fertilization rate of one hundred-six men in a pairwise comparison between the first and second assisted reproduction technology (ART) attempt, performed respectively before and after COVID-19 vaccination.

Fertility-Related Quality of Life in Men Undergoing Medically Assisted Reproduction During the Pandemic: Perfectionism and Thought Control Beliefs Moderate the Effects of the Type of Treatment.

Objective: After a diagnosis of infertility, an increasing number of couples turns to the Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) to achieve a pregnancy. A diagnosis of infertility has a negative impact on the individual's well-being and it can increase the risk of anxious-depressive symptoms, stress, and low self-esteem. Data associated with infertility-related Quality of Life (QoL) are lacking in men.

The Impact of Oxidative Stress in Male Infertility.

At present infertility is affecting about 15% of couples and male factor is responsible for almost 50% of infertility cases. Oxidative stress, due to enhanced Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production and/or decreased antioxidants, has been repeatedly suggested as a new emerging causative factor of this condition. However, the central roles exerted by ROS in sperm physiology cannot be neglected.

5-Methyltetrahydrofolate and Vitamin B12 Supplementation Is Associated with Clinical Pregnancy and Live Birth in Women Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology.

The homocysteine pathway in the preconception period should be evaluated to highlight micronutrient deficiencies and warrants optimal multivitamin supplementation, before Assisted Reproduction, as preconception care. We conducted a retrospective study aimed at investigating the role of vitamin B complex (5-methyltetrahydrofolate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6) supplement use compared with the role of only folic acid supplement use, in relation to clinical pregnancy and live birth in infertile women undergoing homologous ART. We investigated 269 Caucasian women referred to the Centre for Assisted Reproductive Technology for homologous ART.

Ectopic Fat Depots and Cardiometabolic Burden: A Possible Dangerous Liaison in Women Planning Assisted Reproduction.

We evaluated cardiometabolic burden in women planning assisted reproduction in order to identify subgroups at higher risk of pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease. In this cross-sectional study we investigated 60 infertile women with BMI≥25 kg/m referred to the Center for Assisted Reproduction. All women underwent metabolic, anthropometric parameters and ultrasound evaluation of ectopic fat depots.

Impact of cardiovascular burden on coagulation pathway in apparently healthy women planning oocyte donation.

Background: Hormonal fertility treatments are associated with increased coagulation factors inducing procoagulant milieu and possibly thrombotic risk.

Objective: To assess coagulation by ROTEM and coagulation tests in apparently healthy infertile women before oocyte donation procedure.

Methods: We enrolled 51 women (Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Florence).

Homocysteine, vitamin B status and MTHFR polymorphisms in Italian infertile women.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the vitamin B status related to the homocysteine pathway and the prevalence of polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene in infertile women programming homologous or heterologous ART.

Study Design: We investigated 393 consecutive Caucasian women, referred to the Internal Medicine Clinic at the Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology, in order to be framed for their vascular risk before starting homologous or heterologous (oocyte donation) procedures. Total homocysteine, Vitamin B12, folate and vitamin B6 were measured.

Fertilization rate as a novel indicator for cumulative live birth rate: a multicenter retrospective cohort study of 9,394 complete in vitro fertilization cycles.

Objective: To appraise the fertilization rate as a predictive factor for cumulative live birth rate (CLBR).

Design: Multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Ten in vitro fertilization clinics, whose data were collected and processed by the assisted reproductive technology (ART) Italian National Registry.

Role of endometriosis in defining cardiovascular risk: a gender medicine approach for women's health.

The relationship between endometriosis and subclinical atherosclerosis represents an emerging topic in women's health, as women with endometriosis are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. We investigated metabolic parameters and indirect endothelial markers related to atherosclerosis, in women suffering from stage III/IV of endometriosis compared with women without endometriosis. The study population comprised 643 women: 92 women (14.

Lifestyle and Comorbidities: Do We Take Enough Care of Preconception Health in Assisted Reproduction?

The preconception period is largely neglected, whereas it represents an opportunity to identify and modify clinical and behavioral risks, particularly in infertile women characterized by an unfavorable vascular burden. The present study was performed to strengthen previous findings and to increase the awareness of clinicians who should envision a broader preconception approach in infertile women, beyond their reproductive health. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated 1003 Caucasian women, referred to the Internal Medicine Clinic at the Assisted Reproductive Technologies Center, Florence.

Effects of Hydrosalpinx on Endometrial Implantation Failures: Evaluating Salpingectomy in Women Undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Hydrosalpinx is a disease characterized by the obstruction of the salpinx, with progressive accumulation in the shape of a fluid-filled sac at the distal part of the tuba uterina, and closed to the ovary. Women with hydrosalpinges have lower implantation and pregnancy rates due to a combination of mechanical and chemical factors thought to disrupt the endometrial environment. Evidence suggests that the presence of hydrosalpinx reduces the rate of pregnancy with assisted reproductive technology.

Spontaneous pregnancy versus assisted reproductive technologies: implications on maternal mental health.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major depressive disorder that affects women during the perinatal period. Our study aimed to evaluate the onset of psychological effects in spontaneous pregnancies in contrast with pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization (IVF). We carried out a prospective cohort study using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to evaluate postpartum depression.

The effects of COVID-19 lockdown on lifestyle and emotional state in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology: Results of an Italian survey.

Purpose: On March 8, 2020, the Italian Government implemented extraordinary measures to limit viral transmission of COV-19/SARS-CoV-2. We evaluated the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on lifestyle and emotional state in women planning infertility treatments.

Basic Procedures: We performed a quantitative research study using a web-based survey, in 140 women referred to Assisted Reproductive Technologies Center.