Search Results (1,630)

Ovarian function relies on a network of well-coordinated molecular mechanisms that regulate follicular development, oocyte maturation, ovulation, and corpus luteum function. When these processes are disrupted, infertility can result. Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling represents a central regulatory component in these processes and is essential for follicle rupture and oocyte release. This mechanism involves metalloproteinases (MMPs), mainly MMP-2 and MMP-9, which degrade the ECM and allow the necessary structural changes. Other ECM-modulating proteases, such as ADAM and ADAMTS families, also contribute to this process. Their activity is tightly regulated by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), ensuring that tissue remodeling occurs in a controlled manner. Disruption of the balance between MMPs and TIMPs increases the risk of infertility-related conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, luteinizing hormone (LH) deficiency syndrome, and ovarian aging. In addition to the ECM, other factors, including intracellular signaling pathways, oxidative stress (OS), and mitochondrial function, contribute to ovarian physiology and directly affect oocyte quality and viability. This narrative review focuses on the molecular mechanisms governing ovarian function, with particular emphasis on the remodeling of the ECM by MMPs during ovulation, and examines how their disorders contribute to infertility. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms may lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets and the improvement of assisted reproduction outcomes. Full article

Due to its high efficiency and safety, oocyte vitrification finds broad application in many fields of life sciences, such as clinical assisted reproduction and conservation of animal genetic resources. However, vitrification may cause cellular damage and reduce the quality of oocytes and their cumulus cells (CCs), which could be closely related to disorders in lipid metabolism. At present, the impact of vitrification upon the lipid profile of oocytes and CCs has not been systematically elucidated. In this study, we used porcine germinal vesicle cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) as a model to analyze their lipid characteristics after vitrification and in vitro maturation (IVM), utilizing untargeted lipid metabolomics. Our results showed that an overall count of 37 down-regulated and 8 up-regulated differential lipids was identified in the vitrified oocytes. Pathway analysis confirmed the enrichment in glycerophospholipid metabolism and fat digestion and absorption, etc. Combined with transcriptomic analysis, three enriched pathways were revealed, including the AMPK signaling pathway, metabolic pathways, and fatty acid elongation. On the other hand, a total of four down-regulated and eight up-regulated differential lipids were detected in the vitrified CCs. Pathway enrichment implicated autophagy, glycerophospholipid metabolism, etc. A joint analysis of metabolomic and transcriptomic data revealed four enrichment pathways, including cholesterol metabolism, fat digestion and absorption, regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, and metabolic pathways. Notably, the supplementation of lysophosphatidylcholine during IVM attenuated oxidative stress, enhanced mitochondrial activity, and enhanced the viability and embryonic development of cryopreserved porcine oocytes. The results indicate that vitrification alters lipids in oocytes and CCs, and the supplementation of lipids plays a role in improving the quality of vitrified oocytes. Full article

Sociotechnical imaginaries are collectively held and institutionally stabilised visions of desirable futures that link scientific and technological development with social and political order. Developed within Science and Technology Studies, the concept highlights the co-production of knowledge, technology, and governance, showing how ideas of progress are embedded in cultural values, moral assumptions, and political priorities. These imaginaries function as normative horizons that orient innovation, legitimise policy, shape regulation, and guide clinical practice. In health and biomedicine, sociotechnical imaginaries are particularly salient, as medical innovations directly affect life, death, and embodiment. Within medical sociology, the concept has been used to analyse how technologies such as assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), genomics, regenerative medicine, and digital health are framed through narratives of hope, responsibility, risk, and transformation. These imaginaries shape what counts as legitimate knowledge, who accesses treatment, and how ethical debates are structured, from autonomy in ARTs to individualised care in precision medicine. Imaginaries are also shaped by national and institutional contexts. Comparative research shows that the United States, Europe, and East Asia produce distinct biomedical futures, reflecting different political traditions and governance models. As an analytical lens, sociotechnical imaginaries reveal health and biomedicine as domains where futures are imagined, contested, and enacted. Full article

Given livestock’s crucial role in global food security and economic stability, the alarming threat of climate change calls for the implementation of effective mitigation strategies for climate-resilient livestock production. Management and nutritional strategies offer temporary relief, whereas genetic approaches represent a permanent solution. The role of genetic tools in enabling the development of climate-resilient livestock breeds is widely recognized. Genetic tools like microarrays, RNA-seq, omics, and GWAS can improve the understanding of livestock’s climate adaptability at a molecular level. These tools facilitate the identification of biomarkers for thermo-tolerance, bordering on climate-resilient livestock breeding. Among them, studies employing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have increased in recent years. GWAS have the potential to improve the genetic basis of thermo-tolerance in heat-stressed livestock populations. GWAS have been used to identify candidate genes for complex and economically important traits in livestock. These include growth, reproduction, disease resistance, milk, meat, and wool production traits under heat stress conditions. This makes GWAS a useful tool for identifying biomarkers that can be incorporated in breeding programs through marker-assisted selection (MAS). The integration of these potential biomarkers into selection and breeding programs would allow GWAS to substantially refine breeding strategies, thereby advancing the climate-resilient potential and sustainability of the livestock sector. Furthermore, GWAS, when utilized along with emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) for genomic prediction, can predict genetic aspects of livestock adaptation more efficiently and precisely. Thus, future studies should focus on integrated modeling approaches for improving the climate resilience of livestock without jeopardizing their production potential. Such an effort will contribute to sustainable livestock production as well as ensure food security for the growing human population amid changing climate conditions. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to identify distinct dyadic coping profiles among infertile couples undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) and to examine the associations between these coping profiles, depressive symptoms, and fertility quality of life (FertiQOL). Methods: A total of 271 infertile couples undergoing ARTs were recruited from a reproductive medicine center in Zhengzhou, China, and completed standardized self-report measures. Latent profile analysis was conducted to identify distinct dyadic coping profiles at the couple level. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine sociodemographic and infertility-related predictors of profile membership. Differences in depressive symptoms and FertiQoL across profiles were analyzed using the Bolck–Croon–Hagenaars method. Results: Four dyadic coping profiles were identified: high-coping wife and low-coping husband (15.4%), low dyadic coping (20.1%), medium dyadic coping (31.5%), and high dyadic coping (33.0%). Couples in the high dyadic coping profile reported the lowest levels of depression and the highest level of FertiQoL. Women in the low dyadic coping profile reported the highest depressive symptoms, while men in the high-coping wife and low-coping husband profile demonstrated the highest depression among male partners. Sociodemographic factors (household registration, family income) and infertility characteristics (type of infertility, infertility duration) were significant predictors of profile membership. Conclusions: Dyadic coping among infertile couples undergoing ARTs is heterogeneous and differentially associated with depression and FertiQoL. Low and asymmetric dyadic coping represent high-risk profiles linked to poorer outcomes in both partners. These findings suggest that dyadic coping may serve as a protective resource for infertile couples to improve their psychological well-being and quality of life, highlighting the importance of incorporating dyadic coping assessment into routine care and providing couple-centered psychosocial interventions in fertility care practice. Full article

Non-invasive assessment of oocyte quality remains a challenge in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Through their bidirectional communication with the gamete, cumulus cells (CCs) act as a functional mirror of oocyte competence; however, the specific angiogenic signature within this microenvironment is still poorly understood. In the present study, we performed RNA-seq on CCs from healthy oocyte donors and infertile patients, utilizing a multi-pipeline bioinformatic approach (STAR-Cufflinks, TopHat-HTSeq, and HISAT2-StringTie) to establish a high-confidence, exploratory transcriptomic profile. A set of 234 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) consistently identified across pipelines was obtained, with functional enrichment highlighting blood vessel morphogenesis and angiogenesis as primary drivers of transcriptomic divergence between groups. RT-qPCR validation in individual samples confirmed statistically significant differences for ANKRD22 (upregulated) and E2F7 (downregulated) in infertile patients, while other angiogenesis-related genes, including ANGPT1, ANGPT2 and THBS1, showed consistent but non-significant expression trends, suggesting alterations in angiogenesis-related processes within the follicular microenvironment. These findings support the presence of coordinated angiogenesis-related alterations in cumulus cells and provide a basis for future studies exploring their potential relevance in oocyte competence and ART outcomes. Full article

Background: Early pregnancy loss, defined as the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation or when the fetus weighs less than 500 g, remains a common obstetric complication, affecting up to 15% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Chromosomal abnormalities, particularly aneuploidies such as trisomies and monosomy X, account for 50–60% of first-trimester losses, with incidence increasing alongside maternal age. Additional risk factors include maternal medical conditions, uterine anomalies, infections, and modifiable lifestyle factors. Pregnancies conceived through assisted reproductive technologies also carry a slightly higher risk of miscarriage, often influenced by maternal age and embryo quality. Methods: Two pathologists, blinded to each other’s assessments, analyzed abortive material from patients who experienced spontaneous first-trimester abortion between January 2012 and January 2025 at Agostino Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy. Inclusion criteria were defined independently of patient demographics. No restrictions were applied regarding maternal age. With respect to gestational age, only first-trimester miscarriages (≤12 weeks of gestation) were considered. In cases of discordance, the case was reviewed and re-evaluated to reach a final diagnosis. Results: The findings of this study are presented as a proposed histopathological classification and diagnostic framework for first-trimester miscarriages. Specifically, a total of 1168 cases were categorized into eight distinct groups of miscarriage etiology based exclusively on the histomorphological features of chorionic villi and maternal decidua. Conclusions: Histopathological examination of products of conception is essential for confirming intrauterine pregnancy, identifying underlying maternal or fetal causes, and guiding future reproductive management, particularly in recurrent pregnancy loss. This study evaluates histopathological features of first-trimester losses, classifies findings by etiology, and proposes a practical diagnostic guide to support clinical decision-making and improve outcomes in subsequent pregnancies. Full article

Background: Assisted reproductive technology has been linked to an increased risk of pregnancy-related cardiovascular complications, but the long-term cardiovascular outcome is poorly understood. This study aimed to assess whether women who use ART have an elevated long-term risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the association between ART and long-term cardiovascular outcomes after pregnancy. We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for studies published by January 2026. We evaluated the methodological quality of included studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We used random effects models to calculate pooled adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of ART with cardiovascular outcomes. Results: We included thirteen studies comprising 553,331 patients who used ART and 37,826,591 patients who conceived spontaneously. All women achieved a live birth. Mean duration of follow-up after delivery was 8.4 ± 8.3 years. In models adjusted for age, parity, and comorbidity, ART was associated with a small increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease compared with spontaneous conception (aRR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03–1.35), but the association was attenuated when studies that had only 42 days of follow-up were excluded (aRR 1.13, 95% CI 0.99–1.29). ART was not associated with cardiac complications (aRR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82–1.08), stroke (aRR 1.20; 95% CI 0.93–1.55), hypertension (aRR 1.02; 95% CI 0.72–1.44), or venous thrombosis (aRR 1.27, 95% CI 0.97–1.67). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that women who achieve a live birth following ART do not appear to have an increased long-term risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. These results provide reassuring evidence for patient counseling regarding the long-term cardiovascular safety of ART among women with successful pregnancies. Further research that includes women who do not achieve a live birth is warranted to more fully characterize the potential long-term cardiovascular effects of ART across the entire spectrum of treatment outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Osteoarthritis has been increasingly described as associated with systemic inflammation, raising the question of how it would affect fertility in young women with or without reproductive hormone administration. We studied oogenesis in mice with collagenase-induced osteoarthritis (CIOA) as a model system with fewer ethical limitations after estradiol (E2) or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) treatment. Methods: Oocytes have been isolated from mice subjected to various treatment regimens. The meiotic spindle, the chromatin, and the actin cap were fluorescently labeled and analyzed. Results: In addition to reduced maturation rates, specific oocyte abnormalities were registered when CIOA, FSH, or E2 were applied in isolation. Combined treatments showed that the spindle, chromatin, and actin cytoskeleton parameters were differently affected in oocytes from groups with CIOA treated by estradiol and those treated with FSH. Enlarged spindles, ooplasmic tubulin asters, aligned metaphases, and predominantly normal actin caps, often with an actin halo, were typical for groups with CIOA combined with estradiol. The groups with CIOA and FSH had slightly enlarged spindles, unaligned metaphases with degenerated chromatin surrounded by a cloud of depolymerized tubulin, and small actin caps. Conclusions: Our results show that experimental osteoarthritis with or without exogenous reproductive hormones negatively affects oogenesis, presumably due to systemic inflammatory factors making the ovarian microenvironment less capable of supporting oocyte maturation. Estradiol supplementation does not benefit oogenesis. FSH treatment induced cytoskeletal and chromatin abnormalities that presumably disturb the fertilization and development potential of affected oocytes. These data can have implications for assisted reproduction in cases of patients with osteoarthritis. Full article

Oocyte competency is a crucial determinant of fertilisation success and the initial development of embryos in assisted reproductive technologies. The metabolic and biochemical environment of the ovarian follicle is crucial for determining oocyte developmental potential, alongside genetic integrity. The follicular microenvironment includes a complex network of signalling chemicals that regulate mitochondrial activity, steroidogenesis, oxidative balance, and cellular energy metabolism. Recently, metabolic hormones originating from adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, namely, adipokines and myokines, have received considerable focus as crucial regulators of ovarian physiology. Adiponectin, irisin, and the recently identified hormone asprosin have emerged as crucial metabolic regulators influencing granulosa cell activity, mitochondrial bioenergetics, insulin signalling pathways, and redox homeostasis inside the follicular niche. Adiponectin mostly provides metabolic protection by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and improving insulin sensitivity, which in turn enhances mitochondrial efficiency and steroidogenic function in granulosa cells. Irisin, derived from the breakdown of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5), aids the developing oocyte by facilitating mitochondrial biogenesis, augmenting oxidative phosphorylation, and altering cellular defence mechanisms against oxidative stress. Conversely, asprosin has been associated with glucogenic signalling, metabolic stress, and probable mitochondrial malfunction, suggesting a possible relationship between systemic metabolic problems and negative reproductive consequences. Clinical and experimental research indicate that the levels of these metabolic regulators in follicular fluid may correlate with ovarian response, oocyte quality, fertilisation rates, and embryo development during in vitro fertilisation cycles. This review consolidates current molecular, cellular, and clinical information, clarifying the pathways by which adipokines and myokines influence follicular metabolism and impact oocyte competency. Understanding the metabolic connections between systemic endocrine signals and the follicular milieu may provide novel indicators for reproductive prognosis and provide new treatment targets to improve assisted reproduction outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Wolfram syndrome type 1 (WS1) is a rare, progressive, multisystem neurodegenerative disorder characterized by diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, diabetes insipidus, and sensorineural hearing loss. As survival has improved, an increasing number of affected women are reaching reproductive age. However, evidence on pregnancy and peripartum management in WS1 remains scarce, and practical guidance is limited. This case report describes the multidisciplinary management of pregnancy and delivery in a woman with genetically confirmed WS1 and highlights key considerations for peripartum care. Case Presentation: A woman with genetically confirmed WS1 and long-standing multisystem involvement, including diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, neurogenic bladder requiring frequent self-catheterization, progressive neurologic manifestations, and severe sensory impairment, achieved pregnancy through assisted reproduction with oocyte donation and was closely monitored by a multidisciplinary team. Due to persistent breech presentation, a planned external cephalic version was performed at 37 + 5 weeks’ gestation with immediate availability for cesarean delivery. After unsuccessful attempts, cesarean delivery was performed under combined spinal–epidural anesthesia. Peripartum management focused on strict glycemic control, careful monitoring of fluid balance and urine output, neuraxial anesthesia with proactive hemodynamic management, precautions related to the cochlear implant, and tailored communication strategies. Postpartum recovery was favorable, although anemia on postoperative day 1 required transfusion of one unit of packed red blood cells and intravenous iron therapy. Discussion and Conclusions: Pregnancy in WS1 represents a high-risk clinical scenario because of the coexistence of endocrine, urologic, and neurologic comorbidities, while published evidence on peripartum management remains limited. This case supports an individualized, multidisciplinary approach to obstetric and anesthetic planning and the use of a practical framework to optimize peripartum management and enhance maternal–fetal safety in this rare condition. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) represents a significant global public health challenge that is associated with cognitive deficits, immune dysfunction, and increased susceptibility to different comorbidities. Recent evidence suggests that neuroimmune signalling, particularly microglial activation and cytokine-mediated pathways, plays a critical role in the development, persistence, and relapse vulnerability of AUD. This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on the role of cytokines and interleukins (ILs) in AUD, emphasizing their modulation during alcohol exposure, withdrawal, and abstinence. Methods: A comprehensive narrative review methodology was employed, including a search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using relevant keywords. Peer-reviewed studies published in English that examined cytokine and interleukin profiles in adults with AUD were included. The main findings were synthesized into thematic domains to identify recurring patterns, inconsistencies, and research gaps. Results: AUD is associated with significant alterations in cytokine profiles. Pro-inflammatory markers such as IL-1β, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-8, and IL-18 are elevated during active alcohol use and early abstinence, while anti-inflammatory markers like IL-10 show fluctuations. These immune changes are linked to systemic inflammation, neurotoxicity, and AUD severity. Cytokine levels tend to normalize with sustained abstinence, although severe AUD may lead to prolonged immune dysregulation. Associations between inflammatory markers and psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety and depression, were also observed. Conclusions: Immune dysregulation plays a central role in AUD pathophysiology, with cytokines serving as potential biomarkers for disease progression and treatment response. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, diverse patient populations, and mechanistic investigations to refine biomarker utility and develop targeted immunomodulatory therapies. Addressing inflammation and neuroplasticity may enhance clinical outcomes in AUD management. Full article

Background and Objectives: Although conventional semen analysis remains central in male infertility evaluation, the biological relationship between sperm morphology and genomic integrity remains incompletely defined. Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has emerged as a clinically relevant marker of genomic instability; however, its relationship with composite morphological indices of spermatogenic dysfunction remains debated. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation assessed in the post-swim-up fraction and composite sperm morphological indices derived from raw semen, using a multivariable analytical framework that accounts for conventional semen parameters. Materials and Methods: This observational study included 183 semen samples from men undergoing fertility evaluation. SDF was assessed using a sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD)-based assay in the post-swim-up fraction. Sperm morphology was evaluated in raw semen according to World Health Organization criteria, and composite morphological indices, namely the Teratozoospermia Index (TZI), Sperm Deformity Index (SDI), and Multiple Anomalies Index (MAI), were calculated. Associations were examined using Spearman correlation and multivariable linear regression models adjusted for sperm concentration and progressive motility. Exploratory distributional analyses were performed across clinically defined SDF categories. Results: Bivariate analyses demonstrated weak, non-significant positive correlations between SDF and all composite morphological indices. None of the morphological indices independently predicted SDF after adjustment for sperm concentration and progressive motility in multivariable regression models. In contrast, sperm concentration showed a consistent inverse association with SDF. Distributional analyses revealed substantial overlap between morphological severity and SDF categories, indicating heterogeneity in the co-occurrence of structural abnormalities and DNA fragmentation at the individual sample level. Conclusions: Composite sperm morphological indices were not independently associated with sperm DNA fragmentation after adjusting for quantitative semen parameters in the present analytical framework. These findings suggest that structural abnormalities and genomic instability may capture complementary aspects of male infertility rather than representing interchangeable markers. SDF assessment may therefore provide complementary diagnostic information beyond morphology-based evaluation, particularly in assisted reproductive contexts. Full article

The preservation of rooster semen quality during short-term liquid storage remains a challenge in poultry reproductive biotechnology because sperm cells rapidly lose functional competence under ambient conditions. This deterioration is largely associated with oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation of sperm membranes, which are particularly vulnerable in avian species due to their high polyunsaturated fatty acid content and limited cytoplasmic antioxidant defenses. Selenium is an essential trace element involved in cellular antioxidant protection through its incorporation into several selenoproteins that regulate redox balance and protect cellular structures from oxidative injury. The present study evaluated the effects of selenium methionine supplementation on rooster semen quality during liquid storage at 25 °C. Semen was diluted using a standard poultry semen extender composed of sodium glutamate, glucose, potassium acetate, magnesium acetate, and potassium citrate. Selenium methionine was incorporated into the semen extender at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 2% (w/v) at the time of semen dilution prior to storage. Semen quality was assessed at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h of storage. Functional parameters, including total sperm motility, sperm viability, and dead sperm percentage, together with kinematic variables (VSL, VCL, VAP, ALH, LIN, and STR), were analyzed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Structural integrity was evaluated through acrosome and plasma membrane integrity tests, while sperm physiological status and apoptotic progression were assessed using Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide flow cytometry. Significant effects of storage time, selenium methionine concentration, and their interaction were observed for multiple semen quality parameters (p < 0.05). Among the tested concentrations, supplementation with 0.5% selenium methionine consistently produced the most favorable results, maintaining higher sperm motility, viability, and membrane integrity while reducing dead sperm percentage and apoptotic progression during storage, with protective effects particularly evident at 8, 12, and 24 h compared with the control and higher concentrations. Polynomial contrast analysis indicated predominantly non-linear dose–response relationships, with quadratic and cubic components providing the best model fit (R² = 0.90–0.99; p < 0.0001), suggesting a hormetic antioxidant effect. Overall, these findings indicate that selenium methionine supplementation in semen extender improves the stability of rooster semen during short-term liquid storage at ambient temperature, with 0.5% showing the most consistent protective effects among the concentrations evaluated. Full article

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren syndrome (SS) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are common autoimmune conditions in child-bearing aged women, but their influence on pregnancy and assisted reproductive outcomes remain controversial. We aimed to perform an umbrella review to summarize the current evidence to provide a reference for clinicians and future research. Methods: PubMed, Embase (Ovid) and Cochrane database were searched (inception to April 2025) for relevant publications. Study selection, data extraction, quality evaluation, evidence grading and data synthesis were completed independently by two authors. Odds ratio, relative risk or standardized mean difference with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: Fourteen articles (51 meta-analyses) were included, to report the associations of SLE, primary SS (pSS), antiphospholipud antibodies (aPLs), primary APS (pAPS) and 6 maternal/8 fetal/5 assisted reproductive outcomes. SLE and pAPS significantly increased the risks of spontaneous abortion, total fetal loss, pregnancy-induced hypertension, premature delivery, small for gestational age, neonatal death and neonatal intensive care unit. SLE also decreased anti-Müllerian hormone level and significantly increased the risks of pre-eclampsia (PE), stillbirth, low birth weight (LBW) and neonatal one minute Apgar < 7. pSS significantly increased spontaneous abortion and LBW risks. Positive aPLs significantly increased the risk of miscarriage rate in assisted reproductive techenology (ART) and were also associated with total fetal loss, PE, intrauterine growth retardation and placental abruption. Conclusions: This review offers a thorough overview of the current evidence linking SLE, SS and APS to pregnancy and assisted reproductive outcomes. It identifies existing gaps and proposes future research directions. Full article