SARS-CoV-2 and the reproductive system: assessment of risk and recommendations for infection control in reproductive departments.

The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak of the coronavirus disease COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, a pandemic. This novel infectious disease has rapidly become a global health threat. Currently, there are limited data on the extent of reproductive system damage caused by COVID-19.

STAT3 signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of miscarriage.

Introduction: The STAT3 signaling pathway plays an important role in the migration and invasion of villous trophoblast cells. In early miscarriage, the activation of STAT3 has been confirmed to decline, but its effect in early pregnancy has not received much attention.

Methods: The number of trophoblast cells were detected by HE staining in 30 cases of earlymiscarriage, 20 cases of recurrent miscarriage and 30 cases of control group.

circ-ZUFSP regulates trophoblasts migration and invasion through sponging miR-203 to regulate STOX1 expression.

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), defined as two or more consecutive pregnancy losses before 12 weeks of gestation with or without previous live births. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of endogenous noncoding RNAs that play important roles in gene expression regulation and trophoblasts function during embryo development. This study aimed to evaluate the function mechanism of circRNAs regulating trophoblasts function in the occurrence and progression RSA.

Bi-allelic Loss-of-function Variants in CFAP58 Cause Flagellar Axoneme and Mitochondrial Sheath Defects and Asthenoteratozoospermia in Humans and Mice.

Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) is a severe form of asthenoteratozoospermia. Although recent studies have revealed several MMAF-associated genes and demonstrated MMAF to be a genetically heterogeneous disease, at least one-third of the cases are still not well understood for their etiology. Here, we identified bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in CFAP58 by using whole-exome sequencing in five (5.

Immune disorder in endometrial cancer: Immunosuppressive microenvironment, mechanisms of immune evasion and immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy is an emerging clinical approach that has gained traction over the past decade as a novel treatment option for lung cancer and melanoma. Notably, researchers have made marked improvements in the treatment of endometrial cancer (EC), and potential immune responses have been identified in patients with EC, thereby offering the possibility of exploring immunotherapy for EC. Nevertheless, various needs remain unmet, and immunotherapy applications in EC have yielded limited success, as only a minority of patients exhibited a clinical response.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Partner Relationships and Sexual and Reproductive Health: Cross-Sectional, Online Survey Study.

Background: In the past few months, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused extensive economic and social damage.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19-related measures on partner relationships and sexual and reproductive health in China.

Methods: From May 1 to 5, 2020, 3500 young Chinese individuals were recruited through WeChat or Weibo to participate in a survey to obtain information on sexual and reproductive health (eg, sexual desire, frequency of sexual intercourse, sexual satisfaction, etc).

A microfluidic approach for synchronous and nondestructive study of the permeability of multiple oocytes.

Investigation of oocyte membrane permeability plays a crucial role in fertility preservation, reproductive medicine, and reproductive pharmacology. However, the commonly used methods have disadvantages such as high time consumption, low efficiency, and cumbersome data processing. In addition, the developmental potential of oocytes after measurement has not been fully validated in previous studies.

Association between mild stimulated IVF/M cycle and early embryo arrest in sub fertile women with/without PCOS.

Background: The in vitro maturation (IVM) technique has physical and financial benefits, but a lower efficiency and outcome that is still unclear whether it is related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) itself or the IVM procedure. In this study, we analyzed the clinical and laboratory outcomes of an optimized IVM protocol in patients with and without PCOS. We also discussed the possible reasons for early embryo arrest in the IVM cycle.

Bi-allelic DNAH8 Variants Lead to Multiple Morphological Abnormalities of the Sperm Flagella and Primary Male Infertility.

Sperm malformation is a direct factor for male infertility. Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF), a severe form of asthenoteratozoospermia, are characterized by immotile spermatozoa with malformed and/or absent flagella in the ejaculate. Previous studies indicated genetic heterogeneity in MMAF.

Repeated triplets complicated by monochorionic diamniotic twins following assisted reproduction: a case report and literature review.

Background: Monochorionic twinning involves numerous maternal and fetal complications, triplets complicated by a monochorionic pair are at further increased risk. Here, we report a case of repeated triplets complicated by monochorionic diamniotic twins with successful pregnancy outcomes in a woman using autologous oocytes.

Case Presentation: A 30-year-old female undergoing embryo transfer with fresh and frozen embryo cycles with autologous oocytes.

Association between mitochondrial DNA D-loop region polymorphisms and endometriosis in a Chinese population.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between endometriosis and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotype, as well as the predictive power of certain SNPs in reproductive outcomes in a Chinese Han population.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted in which 125 endometriosis patients and 124 controls were recruited from an academic fertility center. The entire 1124-bp D-loop region of mtDNA of whole blood samples from all subjects was amplified, sequenced, and compared with the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS) to identify SNPs and haplotypes.

A novel homozygous nonsense ZP1 variant causes human female infertility associated with empty follicle syndrome (EFS).

Background: Empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is a rare but severe condition in which no oocyte is recovered in female patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) after sufficient ovarian response to hormonal trigger. Accumulating evidence highlights the genetic basis of EFS occurrence.

Methods: In this study, we report a patient with primary infertility showing the characteristics of EFS from a consanguineous family.

Rare homozygous mutation in TUBB8 associated with oocyte maturation defect-2 in a consanguineous mating family.

Purpose: Variations in many genes may lead to the occurrence of oocyte maturation defects. To investigate the genetic basis of oocyte maturation defects, we performed clinical and genetic analysis of a pedigree.

Methods: The proband with oocyte maturation defect-2 receiving ovulation induction therapy and her parents were selected for clinical detection, whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing.

A novel hemizygous loss-of-function mutation in ADGRG2 causes male infertility with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens.

Purpose: Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and adhesion G protein-coupled receptor G2 (ADGRG2) have been identified as the main pathogenic genes in congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), which is an important cause of obstructive azoospermia. This study aimed to identify the disease-causing gene in two brothers with CBAVD from a Chinese consanguineous family and reveal the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes in these patients.

Methods: Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were used to identify the candidate pathogenic genes.

Combination therapy with ropivacaine-loaded liposomes and nutrient deprivation for simultaneous cancer therapy and cancer pain relief.

Autophagy allows cancer cells to respond changes in nutrient status by degrading and recycling non-essential intracellular contents. Inhibition of autophagy combined with nutrient deprivation is an effective strategy to treat cancer. Pain is a primary determinant of poor quality of life in advanced cancer patients, but there is currently no satisfactory treatment.

Aberrant DNA methylation in the PAX2 promoter is associated with Müllerian duct anomalies.

Purpose: Abnormalities during Müllerian duct and female reproductive tract formation during embryonic development result in Müllerian duct anomalies (MDA). Previous studies have identified a role for mutations in related genes and DNA copy number variation (CNV). However, the correlation between gene methylation and MDA remains to be understood.

Artificial oocyte activation to improve reproductive outcomes in couples with various causes of infertility: a retrospective cohort study.

Research Question: Does calcium ionophore treatment of oocytes improve fertilization rate, embryo development and outcomes in specific groups of infertile couples?

Design: This retrospective cohort study involved 796 couples undergoing oocyte activation with calcium ionophore (A23187) after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) between 2016 and 2018. All metaphase II oocytes were exposed to 5 μmol/l ionophore for 15 min immediately after ICSI, cultured in vitro to the blastocyst stage, and transferred to the uteri of recipients on day 5 or cryopreserved for transfer in the next cycle. The previous cycles of the same patients formed the control group.

Destruction in maternal-fetal interface of URSA patients via the increase of the HMGB1-RAGE/TLR2/TLR4-NF-κB signaling pathway.

Aims: HMGB1 has been reported to play a crucial role in the physiological and pathophysiological responses during pregnancy. However, it is still unknown whether excessively expressed HMGB1 at the maternal-fetal interface related to Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion (URSA). This study was designed to investigate the local capability of HMGB1 in the pathology of URSA, determined the distributions and characteristics of HMGB1, its receptors (RAGE/TLR2/TLR4) and important signaling molecule NF-κB p65 expression at the maternal-fetal interface，as well as compared the differences of HMGB1 expression between the URSA group, control group and aspirin treatment group.

Body Mass Index and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A 2-Sample Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: Observational studies have shown a link between elevated body mass index (BMI) and the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). While Mendelian randomization (MR) studies in Europeans have suggested a causal role of increased BMI in PCOS, whether the same role is suggested in Asians has yet to be investigated. We used MR studies to infer causal effects using genetic data from East Asian populations.

A homozygous nonsense mutation of PLCZ1 cause male infertility with oocyte activation deficiency.

Purpose: To identify the pathogenic PLCZ1 mutation involved in male infertility and fertilization failure.

Methods: All coding regions of PLCZ1 were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. The expression and localization of PLCZ1 in sperm was determined by Western blotting and immunofluorescence.

Reduction of myeloid derived suppressor cells by inhibiting Notch pathway prevents the progression of endometriosis in mice model.

Growing evidence suggested that immune dysregulation is one of the crucial drivers to the development of endometriosis (EMS). Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) represent a heterogeneous subset of immature myeloid cells, and have been reported to promote the onset and progression of EMS. Notch signaling pathway played a major role in immunological reactions.

Patients with severe asthenoteratospermia carrying SPAG6 or RSPH3 mutations have a positive pregnancy outcome following intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Purpose: To investigate the relation between mutations in ciliopathy-related SPAG6 and RSPH3 and male infertility with severe asthenoteratospermia characterized by multiple flagellar malformations and reveal the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes of those primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) patients.

Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was applied to identify the pathogenic genes for the five PCD patients. The ICSI outcomes of those patients were compared with eight DNAH1-mutated patients and 215 oligo-asthenospermia (OAT) patients.

Homozygous mutations in can induce asthenoteratospermia with severe MMAF.

Background: Asthenoteratospermia, one of the most common causes for male infertility, often presents with defective sperm heads and/or flagella. Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) is one of the common clinical manifestations of asthenoteratospermia. Variants in several genes including , , and are involved in the genetic pathogenesis of asthenoteratospermia.