Transcriptomic profiling of the oocyte-cumulus-granulosa cell complex from estrogen receptor β knockout mice.

Objective: To study the role of estrogen receptor β in follicle development and maturation and the response to gonadotropin stimulation aiming at superovulation.

Design: Experimental study and transcriptomic analysis.

Setting: Karolinka Institutet, medical university.

Comparison of obstetric and perinatal complications in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with autologous oocytes and donated oocytes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the obstetric and perinatal complications in women who became pregnant with autologous oocytes and those who received donated oocytes (DO) in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles (ICSI).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out by collecting data from medical records between 2019 and 2022. Only patients who underwent ICSI in an induced cycle using their own or freshly DO, with male infertility factor and tubal factor, were included.

Granulosa cells provide transcriptomic information on ovarian follicle dynamics in southern white rhinoceros.

Much remains unknown about the reproductive physiology of southern white rhinoceros (SWR) and the effect of ovarian stimulation prior to ovum pickup (OPU) have not been fully elucidated. Granulosa cells (GC) provide valuable insight into follicle growth and oocyte maturation status. The goals of this study were to evaluate transcriptomic changes in GC from three stages of follicle development and to identify biomarkers possibly associated with follicular growth and maturation as a result of ovarian stimulation.

Comparison of fixed and flexible progestin-primed ovarian stimulation in women classified in patient-oriented strategies encompassing individualized oocyte number (POSEIDON) group 4.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the fixed and flexible protocols for progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) in poor ovarian responders.

Methods: This retrospective study included 95 poor ovarian responders classified using the Patient-Oriented Strategies Encompassing Individualized Oocyte Number group 4 criteria. Treatment involved assisted reproductive medicine using fixed and flexible PPOS protocols at Shiga University of Medical Science between July 2019 and August 2023.

Patient experience of social and medical fertility preservation fully reimbursed in France.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to review patient experience with social fertility preservation (sFP), as compared to medical fertility preservation (mFP), in a context where sFP is fully reimbursed.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving patients who underwent oocyte cryopreservation for mFP between 2017 and 2023 and sFP between 2022 and 2023 at a large ART single center. Additionally, we surveyed patients undergoing sFP and mFP, regarding their experiences, intentions, awareness, and financial consideration.

Pathways to motherhood: A single-center retrospective study on fertility preservation and reproductive outcomes in patients with breast cancer.

Background: Breast cancer treatments often have negative effects on fertility, which pose challenges among patients who want to be parents in the future. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of oocyte cryopreservation, embryo cryopreservation, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: This retrospective review evaluated 42 patients with breast cancer who underwent fertility preservation at our center from January 2012 to December 2022.

3D culture of ovarian follicles in granular and nanofibrillar hydrogels.

3D culture of ovarian follicles in hydrogel matrices is an important emerging tool for basic scientific studies as well as clinical applications such as fertility preservation. For optimizing and scaling 3D culture of preantral follicles, there is a need for identifying biomaterial matrices that simplifies and improves the current culture procedures. At present, microencapsulation of follicles in alginate beads is the most commonly used approach.

Culture of the Intact Postnatal Naked Mole-Rat Ovary: From Meiotic Prophase to Single-Cell RNASeq.

Recently, we reported that, in the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) ovary, there is mitotic expansion of the primordial germ cells (PGCs), and the initiation of the meiotic program occurs postnatally. This is opposite to almost all other mammals, including humans and mice, whose reproductive cycle begins very early in development. In both mouse and human, the ovaries become populated with PGCs in utero; these PGCs will later generate the oogonia.

Analysis of Meiotic Progression by Ex Vivo Culture of Mouse Embryonic Ovaries.

Oogenesis is the central process required to produce viable oocytes in female mammals. It is initiated during embryonic development, and it involves the specification of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and progresses through the activation of the meiotic program, reaching a crucial phase in prophase I before pausing at diplotene around the time of birth. The significance of meiosis, particularly the prophase I stage, cannot be overstated, as it plays a pivotal role in ensuring the formation of healthy gametes, a prerequisite for successful reproduction.

Initiation and outcomes of women pursuing planned fertility preservation.

Objective: To study cycle outcomes of women who choose to pursue oocyte cryopreservation, using published age-specific oocyte recommendations.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Clinic.

Factors associated with oocyte recovery rates during in-vitro fertilization among Nigerian women.

Introduction: the availability of oocytes is fundamental to in vitro fertilization (IVF). The factors associated with optimal or suboptimal oocyte recovery rates (ORR) in low-resource settings are not well known. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with ORR by comparing demographic and IVF cycle data of women undergoing IVF in our Centre.

Factors associated with successful intraoperative oocyte retrieval for fertility preservation during open pelvic surgery for gynecologic indications.

Objective: The study investigated factors associated with successful intra-operative oocyte retrieval for fertility preservation during transabdominal gynecologic surgery.

Study Design: A total of 29 patients who underwent intraoperative oocyte retrieval during staging surgery at a single academic hospital from May 2014 to August 2022 were enrolled in this study, and their outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Among 29 patients who underwent intra-operative oocyte retrieval during staging surgery, oocytes were obtained in 24 patients, representing 82.

Effectiveness of Myo-Inositol on Oocyte and Embryo Quality in Assisted Reproduction: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Introduction: We sought to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to evaluate the impact of myo-inositol on oocyte and embryo quality in women undergoing assisted reproduction.

Methods: The systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 checklist (registration number: CRD42023433328). Studies were identified by searching PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Scopus, Embase, and ClinicalTrials databases.

Conditional loss of Brca1 in oocytes causes reduced litter size, ovarian reserve depletion and impaired oocyte in vitro maturation with advanced reproductive age in mice.

Background: An estimated 1 in 350 women carry germline BRCA1/2 mutations, which confer an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, and may also contribute to subfertility. All mature, sex steroid-producing ovarian follicles are drawn from the pool of non-renewable primordial follicles, termed the 'ovarian reserve'. The clinical implications of early ovarian reserve exhaustion extend beyond infertility, to include the long-term adverse health consequences of loss of endocrine function and premature menopause.

Counseling and cryopreservation: evaluation of patient-reported counseling and choice on method of cancer-related fertility preservation.

Purpose: Prior to cancer treatment, patients make decisions on whether to undergo fertility preservation (FP) and the method of FP. We sought to learn more about counseling and decision-making on the method of cancer-related FP.

Methods: A cross-sectional 26-item online survey was administered to patients with ovaries who underwent cancer-related FP.

Zygotic spindle orientation defines cleavage pattern and nuclear status of human embryos.

The first embryonic division represents a starting point for the development of a new individual. In many species, tight control over the first embryonic division ensures its accuracy. However, the first division in humans is often erroneous and can impair embryo development.

Melatonin partially rescues defects induced by tranexamic acid exposure during oocyte maturation in mice.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used among young women because of its ability to whiten skin and treat menorrhagia. Nevertheless, its potential effects on oocyte maturation and quality have not yet been clearly clarified. Melatonin (MT) is an endogenous hormone released by the pineal gland and believed to protect cells from oxidative stress injury.

KIT in oocytes: a key factor for oocyte survival and reproductive lifespan.

Background: The KITL-KIT interaction is known as an important initiator in oocyte activation through the downstream pathway of PI3K-AKT-FOXO3 signalling. Previous studies utilising germ cell-specific Kit mutant knockin and kinase domain knockout models with Vasa-Cre suggested the crucial role of KIT in oocyte activation at the primordial follicle stage.

Methods: We utilised mice with complete postnatal deletion of KIT expression in oocytes via Gdf9-iCre and conducted analyses on ovarian follicle development, specific markers, hormone assays, and fertility outcomes.

Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Improves Ovarian Function and Oocyte Quality in Aged Mice.

Background/aim: Age-related decline in the number of ovulations and ovum quality are major causes of female infertility, and stem cells have been reported to be effective in tissue regeneration. However, current therapeutic modalities are inadequate. This study investigated the effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) on ovarian functions in aged mice.