Impact of corpus luteum number on maternal pregnancy and birth outcomes: the Rotterdam Periconception Cohort.

Objective: To investigate associations between assisted reproductive technology (ART) -induced alterations in corpus luteum (CL) number during implantation, and maternal pregnancy and birth outcomes. Pregnancies conceived through ART are associated with increased risks of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes, with discrepancies in outcomes between different ART treatment protocols. We hypothesize this is due to the periconceptional hormonal environment regulated by the CL.

Developing an effective and simple digital screening tool to identify inadequate calcium intake in pregnant women: A prediction model in the Rotterdam periconception cohort.

Objectives: An inadequate intake of calcium in pregnancy is associated with higher risks of maternal hypertensive pregnancy disorders, premature birth and intrauterine growth restriction. An evidence based and clinically applicable tool to efficiently estimate the adequacy of calcium intake in pregnant women currently does not exist. The aim of this study is to develop an effective and simple digital screening tool for calcium intake in pregnancy.

Periconceptional maternal intake of ultra-processed foods, energy and macronutrients the impact on imaging markers of early utero-placental vascular development: The rotterdam periconception cohort.

Background & Aims: The quantity and quality of maternal nutrition in the periconception period is an important determinant for embryonic and foetal development and subsequent pregnancy course and outcome. The intake of ultra-processed foods (UPF) has increased worldwide and adverse health outcomes have been reported. However, the impact of UPF intake on the placenta, essential for prenatal nourishment, is unknown.

Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice Affects the Maternal Gut Microbiota and Immune Response in Mid-Pregnancy.

Maternal obesity during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This might be due to undesired obesity-induced changes in the maternal gut microbiota and related changes in the maternal immune adaptations during pregnancy. The current study examines how obesity affects gut microbiota and immunity in pregnant obese and lean mice during mid-pregnancy (gestational day 12 (GD12)).

Maternal serum PlGF associates with 3D power doppler ultrasound markers of utero-placental vascular development in the first trimester: the rotterdam periconception cohort.

Objective (s): Circulating angiogenic factors are used for prediction of placenta-related complications, but their associations with first-trimester placental development is unknown. This study investigates associations between maternal angiogenic factors and utero-placental vascular volume (uPVV) and utero-placental vascular skeleton (uPVS) as novel imaging markers of volumetric and morphologic (branching) development of the first-trimester utero-placental vasculature.

Methods: In 185 ongoing pregnancies from the VIRTUAL Placenta study, a subcohort of the ongoing prospective Rotterdam Periconception cohort, three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasounds of the placenta were obtained at 7-9-11 weeks gestational age (GA).

The one-carbon metabolism as an underlying pathway for placental DNA methylation - a systematic review.

Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, are proposed mechanisms explaining the impact of parental exposures to foetal development and lifelong health. Micronutrients including folate, choline, and vitamin B provide methyl groups for the one-carbon metabolism and subsequent DNA methylation processes. Placental DNA methylation changes in response to one-carbon moieties hold potential targets to improve obstetrical care.

The intake of ultra-processed foods and homocysteine levels in women with(out) overweight and obesity: The Rotterdam Periconceptional Cohort.

Purpose: Today's diet consists of a substantial proportion of ultra-processed foods (UPF), especially in women with overweight and obesity in the reproductive period. High UPF intake results in an inadequate and unbalanced diet leading to derangements of several metabolic pathways detrimental to pregnancy and birth outcomes. Therefore, we aim to investigate whether UPF intake in the periconceptional period affects total homocysteine plasma levels (tHcy).

First-trimester 3D power Doppler imaging markers of utero-placental vascular development are associated with placental weight and diameter at birth: The Rotterdam Periconception Cohort.

Introduction: Early utero-placental vascular development impacts placental development and function throughout pregnancy. We investigated whether impaired first-trimester utero-placental vascular development is associated with pathologic features of the postpartum placenta.

Methods: In this prospective observational study of 65 ongoing pregnancies, we obtained three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasounds of the placenta at 7, 9 and 11 weeks of gestation.

Prenatal counseling of an isolated fetal small head circumference during the second trimester expert ultrasound examination.

Objective: To evaluate perinatal and postnatal outcomes of fetuses with an isolated small head circumference (HC) on expert ultrasound examination in the second trimester for further recommendations in prenatal care.

Study Design: In a retrospective cohort we included singleton-pregnancies with a fetal HC > -3.0 SD and ≤ -1.

The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and hyperprolactinemia in women with PCOS.

Introduction: Ovulatory dysfunction is usually caused by an endocrine disorder, of which polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause. PCOS is usually associated with estrogen levels within the normal range and can be characterized by oligo-/anovulation resulting in decreased progesterone levels. It is suggested that decreased progesterone levels may lead to more autoimmune diseases in women with PCOS.

Preconception maternal gastric bypass surgery and the impact on fetal growth parameters.

Background: Bariatric surgery is increasingly performed in women of reproductive age. As bariatric surgery will result in postoperative rapid catabolic weight loss which potentially leads to fetal malnutrition and directly related impaired intra-uterine growth, it is advised to postpone pregnancy for at least 12-18 months after surgery.

Objectives: To investigate the consequences of preconception gastric bypass surgery (pGB) on fetal growth parameters and maternal pregnancy outcome.

Stimulating the Uptake of Preconception Care by Women With a Vulnerable Health Status Through mHealth App-Based Nudging (Pregnant Faster): Cocreation Design and Protocol for a Cohort Study.

Background: Women with a low socioeconomic status often have a vulnerable health status due to an accumulation of health-deteriorating factors such as poor lifestyle behaviors, including inadequate nutrition, mental stressors, and impaired health literacy and agency, which puts them at an unnecessary high risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Adequately preparing for pregnancy through preconception care (PCC) uptake and lifestyle improvement can improve these outcomes. We hypothesize that nudging is a successful way of encouraging engagement in PCC.

Human oocyte area is associated with preimplantation embryo usage and early embryo development: the Rotterdam Periconception Cohort.

Purpose: To investigate the association between oocyte area and fertilization rate, embryo usage, and preimplantation embryo development in order to establish if oocyte area can be a marker for optimal early embryo development.

Methods: From 2017 to 2020, 378 couples with an indication for IVF (n = 124) or ICSI (n = 254) were included preconceptionally in the Rotterdam Periconception Cohort. Resulting oocytes (n = 2810) were fertilized and submitted to time-lapse embryo culture.

Using the embryo-uterus statistical model to predict pregnancy chances by using cleavage stage morphokinetics and female age: two centre-specific prediction models and mutual validation.

Background: The predictive capability of time-lapse monitoring (TLM) selection algorithms is influenced by patient characteristics, type and quality of data included in the analysis and the used statistical methods. Previous studies excluded DET cycles of which only one embryo implanted, introducing bias into the data. Therefore, we wanted to develop a TLM prediction model that is able to predict pregnancy chances after both single- and double embryo transfer (SET and DET).

Computational methods for the analysis of early-pregnancy brain ultrasonography: a systematic review.

Background: Early screening of the brain is becoming routine clinical practice. Currently, this screening is performed by manual measurements and visual analysis, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. Computational methods may support this screening.

Circulating maternal prorenin and oocyte and preimplantation embryo development: the Rotterdam Periconception Cohort.

Study Question: Could circulating maternal prorenin serve as a proxy for oocyte and preimplantation embryo development, assessed by time-lapse parameters and clinical treatment outcomes?

Summary Answer: High circulating maternal prorenin concentrations after ovarian stimulation associate with a larger oocyte area, faster cleavage divisions from the five-cell stage onwards and increased chance of successful implantation.

What Is Known Already: After ovarian stimulation, circulating prorenin (renin's precursor), is largely ovary-derived. Prorenin may contribute to ovarian angiotensin synthesis, which is relevant in reproduction given its role in follicular development and oocyte maturation.