Reproductive Techniques Research Articles

Preliminary steps for fabrication of microfluidic systems for swine sperm sorting: Materials, perfusing systems and flow

The success rate of assisted reproductive techniques in the livestock production can be optimized by improving the quality of the semen sample by selecting only the good quality sperm from the ejaculate. Microfluidic technology has been studied for sperm sorting mainly in human ejaculates but has not been studied for boar sperm. Spermatozoa have been proven to be highly sensitive to different microplastics, but the potential toxic effects of the materials used to set up microfluidic systems have not been studied. The main goal of this study was to assess the possible toxic effect on boar sperm of materials commonly used for a microfluidic system and to evaluate the effect of different flow control systems (peristaltic pump, syringe pump and a microfluidic flow controller) at different flow rates (10 μl*min-1, 100 μl*min-1 and 1 ml*min-1) on sperm quality, as preliminary information for the development of a swine sperm sorting microfluidic system. Results showed no negative effect of the different materials at different concentrations. The control reached the highest curvilinear velocity compared to the peristaltic pump and the pressure-based flow control system. In the flow rates, 10 μm*min-1 showed the poorest results and no significant differences were observed between control and 1 mlmin-1 flow in any of the parameters. In conclusion, all materials that were studied for microfluidic fabrications were suitable for sperm sorting, any of the pumps would be suitable for sperm selection and 1 ml*min-1 flow rate would be the flow rate of choice for sperm pumping.

Exploring MAR perceptions in Kosovo – disparities in knowledge about MAR among young people

Research on knowledge and perception about (in)fertility and Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) techniques among young people in Kosovo is lacking. Part of the European Project’s B²-InF’s team conducted a qualitative study in Kosovo with young adults (18–30) in 2021 assessing perceptions and views related to MAR and information provided by the MAR clinics in Kosovo. Main objective of this study is to explore perceptions about motherhood/fatherhood and to understand (in)fertility issues among young people in Kosovo. It is focused to delve more into MAR knowledge and techniques of young people in Kosovo and in general. Fifteen interviews with young people living in Kosovo between June and July 2021 were conducted. A total of 3 themes emerged during the qualitative analysis and were grouped in three main theme levels. The first level, perceptions about motherhood and fatherhood among young people in Kosovo is about different views of young people in Kosovo, desires about becoming parents, what is their personal attitude towards parenting. The second, relevance/importance of fertility in Kosovo context is looking at importance of (in)fertility within the young people from gender perspective. The third, MAR perceptions and new techniques that are prevailing in the global sense as different access opportunities are present. The findings from our interviews demonstrated that parenthood is still gender related. Male (in)fertility is often considered a taboo among the young people in Kosovo. A substantial amount of lack of knowledge was found in relation to MAR techniques, highlighting the importance of detailed information about the whole process of MAR treatments.

The Clinical Use of Myo-Inositol in IVF-ET: A Position Statement from the Experts Group on Inositol in Basic and Clinical Research and on PCOS (EGOI-PCOS), the Polish Society of Andrology, and the International Scientific Association for the Support and Development of Medical Technologies.

Background: Myo-inositol plays a vital role in human health, functioning as a second messenger of FSH and facilitating the transport of glucose into the cell. Consequently, myo-inositol is regularly utilized in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), wherein it acts upon metabolic factors, improving insulin sensitivity and reducing total androgen levels. Patients with PCOS frequently suffer from infertility; thus, the use of myo-inositol has been explored in improving assistive reproductive technique (ART) procedures. This is by no means limited to patients with PCOS, as inositol has found applications in non-PCOS patient groups in addition to in male factor infertility. This joint statement from the Experts Group on Inositol in Basic and Clinical Research and on PCOS (EGOI-PCOS), the Polish Society of Andrology, and the International Scientific Association for the Support and Development of Medical Technologies discusses the latest evidence on this topic, with the aim of interrogating whether myo-inositol could be implemented in everyday ART patient care. Methods: The authors conducted a narrative review performed via an independent literature search between July and August 2024, using the search platforms PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Results: In both non-PCOS and PCOS populations seeking IVF care, MI supplementation prior to ovarian stimulation may positively affect gonadotropin use and duration, oocyte and embryo quality, fertilization, and clinical pregnancy rates. Conclusions: This position statement recommends that myo-inositol be considered as a potential pretreatment strategy prior to ovarian hyperstimulation with gonadotropins.

Fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and disease activity during pregnancy in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a descriptive study

To investigate the fertility status, pregnancy outcomes, and disease activity during and after pregnancy in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) currently being followed up at an adult rheumatology clinic. This study included 141 adult patients diagnosed with according to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology criteria, who are now monitored at an adult rheumatology clinic. Data on demographics, disease characteristics, medication history, fertility status, and pregnancy outcomes were collected through medical records and patient interviews. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test to compare categorical variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Out of 141 patients (65 male, 76 female), 19 female and 6 male patients attempted to have children. Six male patients fathered ten children without assisted reproductive techniques (ART), while 16 female patients had 19 children. Only one patient couldn’t conceive. The observed pregnancy complications included miscarriage (17.4%), preeclampsia (4.3%), preterm birth (4.3%), and gestational diabetes (4.3%). Flares during or within the first month after labor in 32.2% of pregnancies. There was no statistically significant association between medication use and pregnancy complications or disease activity during pregnancy. JIA does not significantly impact fertility or increase the risk of pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Disease activity during pregnancy and postpartum flares are manageable without the need for additional precautions. Patients with JIA can pursue pregnancy without significant concerns related to their condition.Key Points• JIA does not significantly impact fertility in both male and female patients.• JIA does not increase risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes or complications.• JIA disease activity remains stable and manageable during pregnancy and postpartum.

Maternal and Fetal Complications in Pregnant Women with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Literature Review and Two Case Reports.

Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder arising de novo or with an autosomal dominant transmission that typically presents either at birth or in early childhood, manifesting through distinctive clinical features such as multiple café-au-lait spots, benign tumors in the skin, bone enlargement, and deformities. This literature review aims to resume the spectrum of maternal and fetal complications encountered in pregnant women with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Thorough research was conducted on databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Wiley Online Library. This review includes 48 case reports, original studies, and reviews on NF1 in pregnancy. The research on the interlink between NF1 and fertility and its influence on human-assisted reproduction techniques is limited. Preimplantation testing (by in vitro fertilization) and prenatal diagnosis (by chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis) are available to detect affected fetuses. However, genotype-phenotype correlation is difficult to predict. Preconceptional planning and targeted investigations are crucial in understanding the extent of maternal disease. Although in some cases lesions can evolve rapidly during pregnancy, most pregnancies and births in NF1 go well with careful planning. There is a higher incidence of pheochromocytomas and pre-eclampsia, vascular rupture, and cardio-respiratory issues. Anesthesia at birth is a challenge in most cases, and before offering spinal anesthesia, imaging tests should be performed to characterize spinal lesions. General anesthesia may also be challenging when the disease affects the face, neck, upper spine, or airways. Birth-related difficulties may arise because of large neurofibromas located at the level of skin incision or birth canal; uterine atony may be expected if there are uterine lesions. Some complications can develop in postpartum, and affected women should be carefully followed even after pregnancy. Fetal risks include preterm birth (spontaneous or iatrogenic), growth restriction and developmental issues, birth complications, cardiovascular risk, and fetal/neonatal demise. Pregnancies in women with NF1 should be regarded as high-risk and followed in a multidisciplinary fashion. Careful assessment of lesions is of utmost importance before and during pregnancy for anticipating potential maternal risks and before birth to plan anesthesia and delivery.

Методика обучения знакообразованию в контексте овладения навыками устной речи на примере школьного обучения

The article deals with the methodology of teaching sign formation in the context of mastering oral speech skills using the example of school education. A decisive role in the proper organization of sign formation training is played by a preliminary careful selection of structures to be mastered and their location in a certain scientifically based order. In the course of school education, only the absolutely necessary minimum of structures should be selected for activation, without which it is impossible to do in the practice of oral communication. The new structure should be introduced mainly based on the material of already mastered ready-made signs of the language. The structure being introduced may include lower-order structures that have already been mastered; for example, the new sentence structure will include previously worked-out types of syntagmas. The introduction, activation and re-consolidation of structures should be strictly planned. The efficiency of work on mastering the technique of physical reproduction of signs of the sound language increases many times with the rational use of sound recording and cinema tools. A word can appear in two functions: either as a component of a ready-made or typical senior sign, memorized as a whole, or as a wildcard element of a productive structure. Hence, it is clear that for the learner, the word should not exist as a unit of vocabulary or dictionary and not as a caption to a drawing. By memorizing ready-made and typical senior signs of the language, rather than isolated words, we benefit in at least three ways: first, senior signs, as we already know, are those "blocks" that make up language communication; Secondly, it is only together with the older signs of the language and through them that productive grammatical structures are assimilated and consolidated; thirdly, it is only through the use of a word in a syntagma or sentence that its exact meaning is revealed.

Smoking Status in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Analysis in Northern Greece.

Background and Objectives: Smoking has adverse effects on both maternal and fetal health and its incidence varies among different countries. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy and to identify factors associated with smoking. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at the Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, during an 11-year period (2013-2023). All women receiving antenatal care in our unit were eligible to participate when they attended the prenatal unit for the first trimester nuchal translucency scan (11+0-13+6 weeks). Results: Of the 12,074 pregnant women included in the study, 5005 (41.5%) reported themselves as smokers before pregnancy; the smoking cessation rate due to pregnancy was 70.2% (3516/5005) and the prevalence of smoking in pregnancy was 12.3% (1489/12,074). Multiparity was associated with less odds of smoking before pregnancy (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.73-0.85), whereas advanced maternal age (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.07-1.27) and obesity (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.29-1.6) were associated with higher odds of smoking before pregnancy. Smoking prevalence in pregnancy was lower in women that conceived via assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.38-0.70) and higher in cases of multiparity (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.008-1.26) and maternal obesity (OR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.20-2.00). Conception via ARTs was associated with higher odds of smoking cessation (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.38-2.69), whereas multiparous (OR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.62-0.8) and obese women (OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.61-0.85) were less likely to quit smoking. Conclusions: Pregnancy is a strong motivator for women to quit smoking, especially in primiparous women and those undergoing ARTs. Our findings highlight the need for more consistent smoking prevention and health promotion strategies in Greece as a very high proportion of women smoke before pregnancy and a substantial proportion continue in pregnancy.

On the ratio of interests of parents and other persons living with them, in the exercise of parental rights

Relevance. The subjects of the modern family in practice are increasingly recognised not only by parents and children, but also by other persons living both together and separately from the parents (one of them), thereby raising the problems of their participation in upbringing a child. So we can distinguish several significant legal gaps of this topic as: the absence of appropriate terminology; the absence of due procedure for applying legal family liability measures for improper education of a child; the lack of legal grounds for the termination of parental relations between the relevant parent and the child, as well as between the parents, when one of the spouses undergoes sex reassignment. The study of these problems and the ratio of interests of various participants in parental legal relations will help to identify and eliminate potential conflicts, providing the protection of the rights and interests of children.The purpose of the study is to determine the ratio of the interests of parents and other persons living with them in the exercise of parental rights.The objectives of the study: determination of the subject composition of persons involved in parental legal relations; determination of the range of other persons participating in the upbringing of the child and living both with their parents and separately from them; justification of the need for legal consolidation of the status of such persons.Methodology. The article is based on analysis, description, deduction, generalization and formal-legal metds.Results. The conducted study establishes the marriage between the parents of the child, de facto marriage of one of the parents, the use of assisted reproductive techniques and some other factors affect the formation of a special parent’s subject within the parental relationship.Conclusion. Other persons, living together with the child and one of his parents, often actually exercise parental rights without holding any parental duties and can’t be held liable for inadequate exercise of parental rights.

A recurrent loss-of-function variant in DRC1 causes non-syndromic severe asthenozoospermia with favorable intracytoplasmic sperm injection and pregnancy outcomes.

Asthenozoospermia, characterized by reduced sperm motility, is a common cause of male infertility. Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) represent a severe and genetically heterogeneous form of asthenozoospermia. Over 50 genes have been associated, but approximately half of MMAF cases remain unexplained. DRC1, a gene involved in the nexin-dynein regulatory complex (N-DRC), has been linked to MMAF and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), often with significant variability in clinical presentation. His study aimed to identify novel pathogenic DRC1 variants in MMAF patients, assess their impact on sperm flagellar structure, and evaluate intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and pregnancy outcomes. A cohort of 196 non-syndromic MMAF patients was analyzed using whole exome sequencing (WES). Functional validation of candidate variants included immunofluorescence to assess protein expression and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to identify ultrastructural abnormalities. Assisted reproductive therapy outcomes were also evaluated. WES identified a recurrent homozygous frameshift variant in DRC1 NM_145038.5: c.109dup; p.(Gln37ProfsTer30) in four patients (2%), all of North African origin, none of whom suffer from PCD-related symptoms. The variant caused a complete absence of DRC1 protein in spermatozoa. TEM showed flagellar abnormalities, with 10% of axonemal sections revealing peripheral doublet dissociation, suggesting N-DRC instability. ICSI resulted in a 68.5% fertilization rate, with three out of four couples successfully delivering healthy children. The identification of a novel and recurrent pathogenic DRC1 variant broadens the mutation spectrum associated with MMAF. The absence of systemic PCD symptoms suggests that DRC1 deficiency may primarily affect spermatogenesis. Notably, the phenotypic spectrum might be influenced by the genetic background, varying across populations. Favorable ICSI outcomes, with a 68.5% fertilization rate and successful pregnancies in three out of four couples, highlight the effectiveness of assisted reproductive techniques for patients with this genetic defect.

Complications of twin pregnancy by assisted reproductive techniques compared with spontaneous.

Twin pregnancy through assisted reproduction techniques is increasing, as are the associated complications. Compare maternal and perinatal complications associated with spontaneous twin pregnancy and through assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Retrospective comparative and controlled study. It included 208 patients treated at the UMAE HGO 4 of the IMSS, divided into two groups according to the method of conception (spontaneous vs ART), comparing maternal and perinatal complications. Quantitative variables were compared with the student's T or Mann Whitney U test and qualitative variables with the chi-square test. The probability ratio was calculated with a 95 % confidence interval, with statistical significance p < 0.05. 208 patients with twin pregnancies were included; 104 (50%) conceived spontaneously and 104 (50%) by assisted reproductive techniques (ART). Maternal complications were higher in the ART group: preterm delivery (84.6 vs 60.5%), hypertensive disease (43.2 vs 19.2%), gestational diabetes (38.1 vs 24.8%), and obstetric hemorrhage (41.9 vs 25.7%). Prematurity and respiratory distress syndrome were significantly higher in the ART group. Twin pregnancy due to ART increases the risk of maternal and perinatal complications, which forces us to improve prenatal control with a risk approach.

Neurological Sequelae in Children Born After Assisted Conception Techniques in a Tertiary University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background Assisted conception (AC) methods, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), have transformed reproductive medicine by offering solutions to infertility. However, their long-term health implications, particularly on neurological outcomes in children, require further investigations, especially in the Middle East. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the neurological complications among children conceived through assisted reproductive techniques at King Khalid University Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A descriptive retrospective review was conducted on the records of pediatric patients born via assisted conception between January 2017 and December 2022. Eligible children aged 18 months and older were included. Data on demographic characteristics, antenatal and postnatal complications, and neurological assessments were collected and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Out of 303 patients, 283 children met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 4.1 ± 1.7 years. Most deliveries were via cesarean section (CS) (194, 68.6%). Premature births accounted for 129 (45.6%), with antenatal complications reported in 58 (45.0%). The primary neurological sequela identified was speech disorder, affecting 18 children (6.4%), with a smaller proportion experiencing behavioral issues (eight, 2.8%) and motor delays (five, 1.8%). Significant associations were found between neurological complications and factors such as very preterm status, low birth weight (LBW), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and associated complications during NICU stays. Conclusion Although the majority of children conceived through assisted reproductive techniques exhibitno significant complications, those born prematurely appear to have a higher risk of neurological issues. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring for children born through assisted conception, particularly those with identified risk factors. Future prospective studies are necessary to further elucidate these associations and improve clinical outcomes for this population.

Testicular cryopreservation: From technical aspects to practical applications.

Testicular cryopreservation has been highlighted as a promising alternative for preserving male fertility and can be applied to restore spermatogenesis in prepubertal individuals or cancer patients, preserve biologically valuable genotypes, and in studies on reproductive physiology or toxicity of various substances. This review presents an analysis of the technical aspects and applications of testicular cryopreservation, examining the contributions of important studies in this area and discussing the different factors that can impact the efficiency of the technique. Testicular fragments can be obtained from living or dead individuals, at any age and reproductive stage, through orchiectomy or biopsy. Among the methods used for processing, slow freezing and vitrification in open or closed systems stand out. However, factors such as species, age, medium used, cryoprotectants, and cryopreservation method can influence the viability of the testis after heating. To obtain sperm, the testes can be cultured in vitro or in vivo and the recovered gametes applied in assisted reproduction techniques. However, in some species, mainly wild animals and humans, this is still a limitation to be overcome.

Results of implementation of new genomics in spanish national health system

In Spain, Inherited Retinal Dystrophies (IRD) gene diagnosis has been implemented from several decades ago (from 90's of last century), throughout the collaborative and multidisciplinary work of six teams located around the country (EsRetNet https://www.esretnet.org/, and others).Along this time, we have developed guidelines to extend and improve gene testing for IRD in Spain (Ministry of Health, 2019 (https://portal.guiasalud.es/gpc/distrofias-hereditarias-retina/), and different molecular approaches have been implemented to increase the rate of molecular characterization of the patients, rising next generation sequencing (NGS) for routine, in 2013.In January 2024, the pipeline for Gene testing in Spanish National Health System (NHS) was released, including ophthalmological genetic disorders (https://cgen.sanidad.gob.es/#/). This pipeline defines the conditions to be studied, using ICD 10 and ORPHA codification, the reasons to refer, and the molecular procedures to apply, among others.Moreover, during the last 4 years the Spanish Program: Impact genomics has provided WGS for more than 2,000 Rare Diseases patients, including some with IRD, to explore the feasibility to implement WGS in NHS.In the Department of Clinical Genetics of Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, Madrid, we have integrated in these national programs, as well as have introduced through research projects, the use of long reads WGS for IRD characterization.As a result, we show the results of the cases studied in our centre. By March 2024, 6,025 unrelated affected IRD families had been recorded, 5,123 of them could be genetically studied, comprising around 8,000 cases. The families were distributed into 3 categories: Non syndromic Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) (2,597 families; 60% characterized), Syndromic RP (651 families; 69% characterized), and NonRP (Macular Dystrophies, Cone Dystrophies, Cone Rod Dystrophies, etc) (1,875 families; 63% characterized)In our cohort, the largest in the world from one single centre, 192 different genes were found as responsible for IRD, and about of 2,000 different causative variants were identified, half of them present in only one family. Despite this huge genetic heterogeneity, one fourth of the characterised families showed involvement of only seven genes (ABCA4, USH2A, RPGR, CRB1, RS1, PRPH2, and BEST1). RPE65 gene biallelic pathogenic variants were present in 30 families (around 50 affected cases).This approach has allowed to implement not only the molecular characterization, but also to offer authorized treatment (Luxturna) for more than 30 Spanish cases in 6 centres and access to reproductive counselling and techniques, as PGT for severe IRD conditions.

The interplay between mitochondrial DNA genotypes, female infertility, ovarian response, and mutagenesis in oocytes.

Is there an association between different mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genotypes and female infertility or ovarian response, and is the appearance of variants in the oocytes favored by medically assisted reproduction (MAR) techniques? Ovarian response was negatively associated with global non-synonymous protein-coding homoplasmic variants but positively associated with haplogroup K; the number of oocytes retrieved in a cycle correlates with the number of heteroplasmic variants in the oocytes, principally with variants located in the hypervariable (HV) region and rRNA loci, as well as non-synonymous protein-coding variants. Several genes have been shown to be positively associated with infertility, and there is growing concern that MAR may facilitate the transmission of these harmful variants to offspring, thereby passing on infertility. The potential role of mtDNA variants in these two perspectives remains poorly understood. This cohort study included 261 oocytes from 132 women (mean age: 32 ± 4 years) undergoing ovarian stimulation between 2019 and 2020 at an academic center. The oocyte mtDNA genotypes were examined for associations with the women's fertility characteristics. The mtDNA of the oocytes underwent deep sequencing, and the mtDNA genotypes were compared between infertile and fertile groups using Fisher's exact test. The impact of the mtDNA genotype on anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and the number of (mature) oocytes retrieved was assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test for univariate analysis and logistic regression for multivariate analysis. Additionally, we examined the associations of oocyte maturation stage, infertility status, number of ovarian stimulation units, and number of oocytes retrieved with the type and load of heteroplasmic variants using univariate analysis and Poisson or linear regression analysis. Neither homoplasmic mtDNA variants nor haplogroups in the oocytes were associated with infertility status or with AMH levels. Conversely, when the relationship between the number of oocytes retrieved and different mtDNA genotypes was examined, a positive association was observed between the number of metaphase (MII) oocytes (P = 0.005) and haplogroup K. Furthermore, the presence of global non-synonymous homoplasmic variants in the protein-coding region was significantly associated with a reduced number of total oocytes and MII oocytes retrieved (P < 0.001 for both). Regarding the type and load of heteroplasmic variants in the different regions, there were no significant associations according to maturation stage of the oocyte or to fertility status; however, the number of oocytes retrieved correlated positively with the total number of heteroplasmic variants, and specifically with non-synonymous protein-coding, HV and rRNA variants (P < 0.001 for all). The current work is constrained by its retrospective design and single-center approach, potentially limiting the generalizability of our findings. The small sample size for specific types of infertility restricts this aspect of the findings. This work suggests that mitochondrial genetics may have an impact on ovarian response and corroborates previous findings indicating that the size of the oocyte cohort after stimulation correlates with the presence of potentially deleterious variants in the oocyte. Future epidemiological and functional studies based on the results of the current study will provide valuable insights to address gaps in knowledge to assess any prospective risks for MAR-conceived offspring. This work was supported by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Grant numbers 1506617N and 1506717N to C.S.), by the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Fonds, Willy Gepts Research Foundation of Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (Grant numbers WFWG14-15, WFWG16-43, and WFWG19-19 to C.S.), and by the Methusalem Grant of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (to K.S.). M.R. and E.C.d.D. were supported predoctoral fellowships by the FWO, Grant numbers 1133622N and 1S73521N, respectively. The authors declare no conflict of interests. N/A.

Influencing Factor Analysis and Prediction Model of Emergency Caesarean Delivery for Advanced-Age Nulliparous Women at the Time of Hospitalization

Objective: In Japan, the number of nulliparous pregnant women of advanced age, defined as 35 years or older, has increased, and the age range has lengthened towards older age with the increased use of infertility treatments. Given this trend, adverse labour outcomes, such as emergency caesarean delivery (ECD), are expected to increase. Therefore, by focusing mainly on maternal age and infertility treatment history, we aimed to establish a new prediction model for the likelihood of ECD after identifying the influencing factors related to maternal and labour-related characteristics. Materials and methods: The medical records of 1,521 pregnant women who were nulliparous between 2017/4/1 and 2024/3/31 at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. First, for the 675 women who were aged 30 years old or more, we calculated the rates of ECD in 8 groups classified according to maternal age, infertility treatment, and other variables. Next, we performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess the effect of each representative factor and established a prediction model based on the number of factors that were significant in the multivariate analysis. Results: Simple comparisons classified by maternal age revealed a constant increase in the rate of ECD with increasing maternal age, and multivariate analysis revealed 7 significant factors, namely, advanced maternal age, history of using assisted reproductive techniques (ART), small height, high Body mass index (BMI), low Bishop score, late-term delivery, and large infant. In the prediction model constructed with these 7 factors, the rate of ECD increased as the number of these factors increased. Conclusion: The negative impact of advanced maternal age, namely, 40 years or older, and ART history, on labour outcome is clear. A new prediction model has the potential to identify patients with an extremely high probability of needing an ECD. These results may indicate that the management of the labour process will become more difficult in the future.

Automatic scent creation by cheminformatics method

The sense of smell is fundamental for various aspects of human existence including the flavor perception, environmental awareness, and emotional impact. However, unlike other senses, it has not been digitized. Its digitalization faces challenges such as the lack of reliable odor sensing technology or the precise scent delivery through olfactory displays. Its subjective nature and context dependence add complexity to the process. Moreover, the method of converting odors to digital information remains unclear. This work focuses on one of the most challenging aspects of digital olfaction: automatic scent creation. We propose a method that automatically creates a desired odor profile with the addition of one specific odor descriptor. It is based on a deep neural network that predicts odor descriptors from the multidimensional sensing data, such as mass spectra and an odor reproduction technique using odor components. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can successfully create a scent with the desired odor profile and that its performance depends on the accuracy of the underlying odor predicting method. This opens up the possibility of automatic scent creation, allowing for the presentation of scents with specific odor profiles with an olfactory display.

The oviduct: a key to unlocking reproductive science

Despite significant advances, assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) remain suboptimal due to challenges linked to embryo development and quality, often attributed to the epigenetic reprogramming process and environmental factors. The aim of this review is to summarize the function of the oviduct, the organ where fertilization takes place. This organ plays a crucial but often overlooked role in natural fertilization, where it selectively allows only a few sperm to reach the egg, contrary to what happens in in vitro conditions, where oocytes are exposed many sperm, without this always resulting in fertilization. The oviduct environment is vital for fertilization, since it creates a reservoir for sperm, extending their viability and readiness for fertilization. In addition, the environment provided by this organ is optimal for the early stages of embryo development. Interactions between embryos and oviduct cells affect gene expression, improving embryo quality. Mimicking the conditions of the oviduct, by using oviductal fluid in culture media, for example, or developing advanced 3D cultures and microfluidic systems, can improve ART outcomes and embryo quality. In conclusion, the oviduct is essential for creating the optimal environment for fertilization and embryo development. Replicating its conditions can enhance ART success and the health of the offspring, highlighting its importance in reproductive processes. KEY WORDS: Oviduct, ART, reproduction.

Editorial

Through basic research, it is possible to obtain information with important clinical and therapeutic implications. The application of assisted reproduction techniques has clearly benefited the treatment of infertility, but many aspects that regulate the biology of reproduction remain totally unknown or still little investigated. The most important characteristic of research in modern medicine is precisely its translational nature and its ability to discover molecular mechanisms and scientific approaches that can be used in fields other than those for which they were initially studied. A striking example is the birth, in virology, of m-RNA vaccines, whose use has paved the way for applications in the field of oncology.

Endometriosis - A Medical Challenge: Impact on Fertility and Treatment Method

Aim of study: The subject of this review is to highlight the complexity of the disease known as endometriosis. This disease affects 10% of women of reproductive age, causing a number of symptoms of various origins, and additionally affects women’s fertility, mental health and role in society. The work aims to systematize knowledge about endometriosis, the mechanism by which it affects fertility and possible therapies, including surgical methods and assisted reproductive technology (ART.). The issue of infertility associated with endometriosis is has not been fully explored yet. A personalized treatment plan including medication, surgical assisted reproductive techniques and psychological support should be developed to improve the quality of life of patients with endometriosis and enable them to become pregnant. Material and methods: A systematic review of scientific and medical literature from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases was conducted. Results: Currently, the most effective treatment for infertility is in vitro fertilization (IVF). Successful treatment of endometriosis-related infertility should be discussed in detail with each patient and the decision on the therapy plan should be individual and comprehensive. Keywords: endometriosis, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, gynecology, IVF, IVI

Cold temperature delays ovarian development of largemouth bass by inhibiting sex hormone release, angiogenesis, apoptosis and autophagy during out-of-season reproduction.

Cold temperature is an effective method of achieving out-of-season reproduction and obtaining fry in the autumn. This study investigated the effects of low-temperature (12-16 °C) environment on the out-of-season reproduction of largemouth bass, particularly the delayed effects on ovarian development. During the period of delayed out-of-season reproduction, there was a significant reduction in the levels of serum sex hormones (FSH and LH) and their respective receptors (FSHR and LHCGR). Exposure to cold temperature significantly reduced the expression of gonadal development genes (IGF-1, GDF9, and CDC2) (P<0.05) and diminished the vascular network on the ovarian membrane, as confirmed by angiogenesis-related analyses. In lipid metabolism, AMH mRNA levels decreased overall, while HSD3B, FABP1, APOA1, and APOC2 initially increased before declining. Serum VTG levels decreased gradually with a slight increase post-spawning. These findings suggested that cold temperature delay ovarian development in largemouth bass by impacting sex hormone synthesis, angiogenesis, and lipid deposition. This insight enhances our understanding of out-of-season reproduction and guides the development of more effective reproductive techniques.