In vitro fertilization outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta-analysis

Proteomic Analysis of Follicular Fluid in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Insights into Protein Composition and Metabolic Pathway Alterations

This study explores the proteomic composition of follicular fluid (FF) from women undergoing oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilisation (IVF), with a focus on the effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). FF samples were collected from 74 patients, including 34 with PCOS and 40 oocyte donors. Proteomic profiling using machine learning identified significant differences in protein abundance between the PCOS and control groups. Of the 484 quantified proteins, 20 showed significantly altered levels in the PCOS group. Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis pointed to the involvement of protease inhibitors and immune-related proteins in the pathophysiology of PCOS, suggesting that inflammation and immune dysregulation may play a key role. Additionally, HDL assembly was identified as a significant pathway, with apolipoprotein-AI (APOA1) and alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) as the major proteins involved. Notably, myosin light polypeptide 6 was the most downregulated protein, showing the highest absolute fold change, and may serve as a novel independent biomarker for PCOS.

Recent developments in drug treatment strategies for infertility in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Infertility related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents a significant challenge for women of reproductive age. Over the last few years, evidence-based medicine has driven new approaches for treating infertility in patients with PCOS, changing rapidly and deeply the clinical practice.

AREAS COVERED

The authors provide an in-depth examination of recent developments in drug treatment strategies that have impacted the clinical practice and changed the previous approach to infertility in patients with PCOS.

EXPERT OPINION

The authors identify four primary areas of interest that have impacted clinical practice in the last few years. Specifically, they discuss the current role of metformin administration in women with PCOS and infertility, the choice for using clomiphene citrate or letrozole as first-line treatment for ovulation induction, the use of new gonadotropin formulations for in vitro fertilization (IVF) program, and the elective embryo transfer in IVF cycles as golden standard treatment for patients with PCOS at high-risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Pregnancy rate and time to pregnancy after recurrent implantation failure (RIF)-a prospective cohort follow-up study

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to determine ongoing pregnancy rate, time to pregnancy and embryo transfers to pregnancy within a cohort of patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF).

METHODS

IVF patients with RIF were included after referral to the RIF outpatient clinic. They received a questionnaire 1 year after inclusion. If data was missing, medical files were examined to determine pregnancy outcomes and conception methods. The ability of the RIF outpatient clinic to improve pregnancy chance or increase the number of patients who elected to continue treatment was beyond the scope of this study.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of ongoing pregnancy in IVF patients with RIF (n = 79) after 1 year of follow-up was 40.5% (95% confidence interval = 30.4-51.5%). Median time to pregnancy was 4 months. Pregnancy incidence increased gradually up to 5 embryo transfers (mostly single embryo transfers). The average embryo transfers to pregnancy were 7.3 transfers.

CONCLUSION

In IVF patients with RIF, up until the 5th embryo transfer, each transfer represents a good opportunity for ongoing pregnancy. This data can be used to counsel patients that regular treatment continuation seems to be well justified even when IVF patients fulfil the RIF criteria.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CCMO: NL66835.068.18. METC 18-040. OMON: NL-OMON24778.

Gap junctions in polycystic ovary syndrome: Implications for follicular arrest

Gap junctions are specialized intercellular conduits that provide a direct pathway between neighboring cells, which are involved in numerous physiological processes, such as cellular differentiation, cell growth, and metabolic coordination. The effect of gap junctional hemichannels in folliculogenesis is particularly obvious, and the down-regulation of connexins is related to abnormal follicle growth. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a ubiquitous endocrine disorder of the reproductive system, affecting the fertility of adult women due to anovulation. Exciting evidence shows that gap junction is involved in the pathological process related to PCOS and affects the development of follicles in women with PCOS. In this review, we examine the expression of connexins in follicular cells of PCOS and figure out whether such communication could have consequences for PCOS women. While along with results from clinical and related animal studies, we summarize the mechanism of connexins involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Predictive model of IVF outcomes for polycystic ovarian morphology and polycystic ovary syndrome in GnRH antagonist protocol using AMH-MoM and ovarian sensitivity index

AIM

To evaluate the relationship between AMH and ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women with PCOM and PCOS.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on 559 patients who underwent the IVF-ET cycle between January 2018 and December 2022 at Gangnam Cha Hospital. Patients were divided into 3 groups matched for age and BMI: the PCOS group (n = 54), based on the new 2023 PCOS guideline; the PCOM group (n = 53); and the control group (n = 452) with normal ovaries. Serum AMH levels were converted to multiples of the median (MoM) for each corresponding age. The ovarian sensitivity index (OSI) was calculated as the number of retrieved oocytes divided by the total dose of recombinant FSH administered (per 1000 IU).

RESULTS

There were significant differences in AMH-MoM value among women with PCOS [2.7 ± 1.3 (95% CI 2.3-3.0)], those with PCOM [2.0 ± 1.0 (95% CI 1.7-2.3)], and controls [0.8 ± 0.7 (95% CI 0.8-0.9)] (p < 0.001). The abortion rates in the normoovulatory, PCOM, and PCOS groups were 18.2%, 21.1%, and 25.0%, respectively. OSI and live birth rate were positively correlated with the AMH-MoM value in normoovulatory women (r = 0.389, p < 0.05, r = 0.122, p < 0.05), while no such correlation was observed in women with PCOM and PCOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Ovarian response and live birth rate are possibly correlated with the AMH-MoM value in normoovulatory women, but not in women with PCOM and PCOS.

Factors affecting biochemical pregnancy loss (BPL) in preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) cycles: machine learning-assisted identification

PURPOSE

To determine the factors influencing the likelihood of biochemical pregnancy loss (BPL) after transfer of a euploid embryo from preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) cycles.

METHODS

The study employed an observational, retrospective cohort design, encompassing 6020 embryos from 2879 PGT-A cycles conducted between February 2013 and September 2021. Trophectoderm biopsies in day 5 (D5) or day 6 (D6) blastocysts were analyzed by next generation sequencing (NGS). Only single embryo transfers (SET) were considered, totaling 1161 transfers. Of these, 49.9% resulted in positive pregnancy tests, with 18.3% experiencing BPL. To establish a predictive model for BPL, both classical statistical methods and five different supervised classification machine learning algorithms were used. A total of forty-seven factors were incorporated as predictor variables in the machine learning models.

RESULTS

Throughout the optimization process for each model, various performance metrics were computed. Random Forest model emerged as the best model, boasting the highest area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of 0.913, alongside an accuracy of 0.830, positive predictive value of 0.857, and negative predictive value of 0.807. For the selected model, SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values were determined for each of the variables to establish which had the best predictive ability. Notably, variables pertaining to embryo biopsy demonstrated the greatest predictive capacity, followed by factors associated with ovarian stimulation (COS), maternal age, and paternal age.

CONCLUSIONS

The Random Forest model had a higher predictive power for identifying BPL occurrences in PGT-A cycles. Specifically, variables associated with the embryo biopsy procedure (biopsy day, number of biopsied embryos, and number of biopsied cells) and ovarian stimulation (number of oocytes retrieved and duration of stimulation), exhibited the strongest predictive power.

Impact of insulin resistance on IVF/ICSI outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of insulin resistance (IR) on in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

STUDY DESIGN

PubMed, Google Scholar,Web of Science, Embase, Scopus and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify relevant studies. A total of 6,137 PCOS women undergoing IVF/ICSI with or without IR were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis.

RESULTS

The systematic review and meta-analysis included twelve observational studies that were free from inherent bias. When comparing PCOS women undergoing IVF/ICSI, the IR and non-IR groups did not show significant differences in oocytes retrieved (WMD = -0.63, 95 % CI: -2.37 to 1.12, P = 0. 483), fertilization rate (WMD = 1.01, 95 % CI: -0.66 to 2.67, P = 0.236; OR = 0.97, 95 % CI: 0.79 to 1.19, P = 0.783), and live birth rate (OR = 1.02, 95 % CI: 0.78 to 1.33, P = 0.892). However, the group with IR had a lower number of MII oocytes (WMD = -1.07, 95 % CI: -1.54 to -0.59, P < 0.001), total embryos (WMD = -1.37, 95 % CI: -1. 78 to -0.95, P < 0.001), and clinical pregnancy rate (OR = 0.77, 95 % CI: 0.59 to 0.99, P = 0.042), as well as a higher miscarriage rate (OR = 1.11, 95 % CI: 1.02 to 1.22, P = 0.017) compared to the non-IR group.

CONCLUSION

In women with PCOS, IR had a negative impact on IVF/ICSI outcomes. To obtain more favourable empirical support, larger studies are necessary.

Effect of oral glucose tolerance test-based insulin resistance on embryo quality in women with/without polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective

To explore the effects of insulin resistance (IR) on embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes in women with or without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study concerning patients with/without PCOS who received gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-antagonist protocol for IVF/ICSI from January 2019 to July 2022 was conducted. All the patients included underwent oral glucose tolerance test plus the assessment of insulin release within 6 months before the controlled ovarian stimulation. The Matsuda Index was calculated to diagnose IR. Two populations (PCOS and non-PCOS) were included and each was divided into IR and non-IR groups and analyzed respectively. The primary outcome was the high-quality day 3 embryo rate.

Results

A total of 895 patients were included (751 with PCOS and 144 without PCOS). For patients with PCOS, the IR group had a lower high-quality day 3 embryo rate (36.8% vs. 39.7%, p=0.005) and available day 3 embryo rate (67.2% vs. 70.6%, p<0.001). For patients without PCOS, there was no significant difference between the IR and non-IR groups in high-quality day 3 embryo rate (p=0.414) and available day 3 embryo rate (p=0.560). There was no significant difference in blastocyst outcomes and pregnancy outcomes for both populations.

Conclusion

Based on the diagnosis by the Matsuda Index, IR may adversely affect the day 3 embryo quality in patients with PCOS but not pregnancy outcomes. In women without PCOS, IR alone seems to have less significant adverse effects on embryo quality than in patients with PCOS. Better-designed studies are still needed to compare the differences statistically between PCOS and non-PCOS populations.

The identification and functional analysis of CircRNAs in endometrial receptivity of mice with polycystic ovary

The disorders of endometrial receptivity and ovulatory dysfunction are both significant causes of infertility in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this study, we investigated the expression profile and functional implications of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the endometrial receptivity of PCOS-affected mice. Twenty-four female C57BL/6 mice were divided into PCOS and normal control groups. The PCOS group received subcutaneous DHEA treatment, while the control group remained untreated. Gene chip technology was utilized to analyze circRNA expression in endometrial tissues on the fourth day of gestation with subsequent bioinformatics analyses into circRNA functions. Furthermore, endometrial epithelial cells were used to determine represented circRNA functions. Results showed that the PCOS group exhibited 205 differentially expressed circRNAs, with 147 upregulated and 58 downregulated ones. qRT-PCR confirmed differential expression of circRNAs, including circRNA_38548, circRNA_001686, circRNA_38550, and circRNA_27938. Predicted target genes and a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network were constructed. Additionally, four circRNAs (circRNA_38548, circRNA_38550, and circRNA_001686) were identified to contribute to abnormal endometrial receptivity by regulating genes such as Lifr, FOXK1, FOXO1, HOXA10, through interactions with miRNAs. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involving these circRNAs.

Overweight and obesity determined by body mass index criteria for Asian populations adversely affect assisted reproductive outcomes among Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a common feature in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and is associated with multiple adverse reproductive outcomes. However, the impact of overweight and obesity on reproductive outcomes of women with PCOS who underwent in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is currently controversial and appropriate body mass index (BMI) levels differ across ethnic groups.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study including 1066 women with PCOS receiving IVF treatment at our institution between January 2018 and June 2021, among whom 960 underwent their first fresh or frozen embryo transfer. Participants were categorized according to BMI cut-off values proposed by the World Health Organization for Asian populations: normal weight (BMI < 23 kg/m2), overweight (BMI: 23-24.9 kg/m2), and obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). The effect of BMI on clinical and embryological outcomes was evaluated by descriptive statistics and logistic regression models with confounders adjusted. The dose-response relationship between BMI as a continuous variable and IVF outcomes is also explored.

INTERVENTIONS

no RESULTS: Increasing BMI was associated with significantly lower numbers of total oocytes retrieved, metaphase II oocytes, two pronuclear (2PN) zygotes, and good-quality embryos among women with PCOS. Patients with PCOS with a BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 had significantly lower live birth rates (41.9% vs. 49.1%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-0.97) and implantation rates (35.8% vs. 43.9%; aOR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.61-0.93) than those with normal BMI. Moreover, BMI showed a non-linear relationship (p for nonlinearity <0.001) with the number of 2PN zygotes with the curve becoming steeper as BMI surpassed 22.4 kg/m2.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with PCOS with a BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 have lower live birth rates than those with a BMI < 23 kg/m2. Defining obesity and overweight with ethnicity-specific BMI cut-offs may help to improve IVF outcomes among PCOS patients.

Chronic endometritis incidence in infertile women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome: a propensity score matched study

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is known to be associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and endometrial dysfunction. Chronic endometritis (CE) is a type of local inflammation that can contribute to endometrial dysfunction in infertile women. Some clinicians recommend screening for CE in women at high risk, such as those with endometrial polyps. However, it is still uncertain whether there is a relationship between PCOS and CE, as well as whether women with PCOS require enhanced screening for CE. This study was to assess the incidence of CE among infertile women with PCOS by hysteroscopy combined with histopathology CD138 immunohistochemical staining of endometrium.

METHODS

A total of 205 patients in the PCOS group and 4021 patients in the non-PCOS group from July 2017 to August 2022 were included in this retrospective study. After nearest-neighbor 1:4 propensity score matching (PSM), 189 PCOS patients were matched with 697 non-PCOS patients. Basic information was recorded. The CE incidence was compared. The risk factors affecting CE incidence were also analyzed.

RESULTS

No significantly higher CE incidence in infertile women with PCOS were found either in total analysis or after PSM (P = 0.969; P = 0.697; respectively). Similar results were discovered in the subgroup of Body Mass Index (BMI) (P = 0.301; P = 0.671; P = 0.427; respectively) as well as the four PCOS phenotypes (P = 0.157). Intriguingly, the incidence of CE increased as BMI increased in the PCOS group, even though no significant differences were found (P = 0.263). Multivariate logistic regression showed that age, infertility duration, infertility type, PCOS, and obesity were not the independent risk factors affecting CE incidence.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of CE in PCOS patients did not significantly increase compared to non-PCOS patients. Similarly, no significant differences in the incidence of CE were observed among different PCOS phenotypes. The current evidence does not substantiate the need for widespread CE screening among PCOS women, potentially mitigating the undue financial and emotional strain associated with such screenings.

Polycystic ovary syndrome and thyroid disorder: a comprehensive narrative review of the literature

Background

Published data on the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid dysfunction are sparse and confusing.

Objective

To comprehensively review data available in the literature regarding the relationship between PCOS and the thyroid function, and its abnormalities.

Methods

Nine main areas of interest were identified and analyzed according to the available evidence: 1) Evaluation of thyroid function for PCOS diagnosis; 2) Epidemiology data on thyroid function/disorders in patients with PCOS, and vice versa; 3) Experimental data supporting the relationship between thyroid function/disorders and PCOS; 4) Effects of thyroid function/disorders on PCOS features, and vice versa; 5) Effect of thyroid alterations on the cardiometabolic risk in women with PCOS; 6) Effect of thyroid abnormalities on reproductive outcomes in women with PCOS; 7) Relationship between thyroid function/abnormalities in patients with PCOS who are undergoing fertility treatment; 8) Effect of treatments for thyroid diseases on PCOS; and 9) Effect of treatments for PCOS on thyroid function. An extensive literature search for specific keywords was performed for articles published from 1970 to March 2023 using PubMed and Web of Science. Data were reported in a narrative fashion.

Results

PCOS is a diagnosis of exclusion for which diagnosis is possible only after excluding disorders that mimic the PCOS phenotype, including thyroid dysfunctions. However, the tests and the cutoff values used for this are not specified. Many experimental and clinical data suggest a relationship between perturbations of the thyroid function and PCOS. Direct and unequivocal evidence on the effects of thyroid function/disorders on PCOS features are lacking. High thyroid-stimulating hormone levels and subclinical hypothyroidism may be associated with significant worsening of several intermediate endpoints of cardiometabolic risk in women with PCOS. Thyroid abnormalities may worsen reproductive outcomes, especially in patients undergoing fertility treatment. To date, there are no data demonstrating the efficacy of thyroid medications on fertility and cardiometabolic risk in women with PCOS. Lifestyle modification changes, metformin, and vitamin D seem to improve thyroid function in the general population.

Conclusion

PCOS and thyroid disorders are closely related, and their coexistence may identify patients with a higher reproductive and metabolic risk. Regular screening for thyroid function and thyroid-specific autoantibodies in women with PCOS, particularly before and during pregnancy, is highly recommended.

Interventions to prevent or reduce the incidence and severity of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a systematic umbrella review of the best clinical evidence

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a potentially life-threating iatrogenic complication of the early luteal phase and/or early pregnancy after in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The aim of the current study was to identify the most effective methods for preventing of and reducing the incidence and severity of OHSS in IVF patients. A systematic review of systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with meta-analysis was used to assess each potential intervention (PROSPERO website, CRD 268626) and only studies with the highest quality were included in the qualitative analysis. Primary outcomes included prevention and reduction of OHSS incidence and severity. Secondary outcomes were maternal death, incidence of hospital admission, days of hospitalization, and reproductive outcomes, such as incidence of live-births, clinical pregnancies, pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriages, and oocytes retrieved. A total of specific interventions related to OHSS were analyzed in 28 systematic reviews of RCTs with meta-analyses. The quality assessment of the included studies was high, moderate, and low for 23, 2, and 3 studies, respectively. The certainty of evidence (CoE) for interventions was reported for 37 specific situations/populations and resulted high, moderate, and low-to-very low for one, 5, and 26 cases, respectively, while it was not reported in 5 cases. Considering the effective interventions without deleterious reproductive effects, GnRH-ant co-treatment (36 RCTs; OR 0.61, 95% C 0.51 to 0.72, n = 7,944; I2 = 31%) and GnRH agonist triggering (8 RCTs; OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.47, n = 989; I2 = 42%) emerged as the most effective interventions for preventing OHSS with a moderate CoE, even though elective embryo cryopreservation exhibited a low CoE. Furthermore, the use of mild ovarian stimulation (9 RCTs; RR 0.26, CI 0.14 to 0.49, n = 1,925; I2 = 0%), and dopaminergic agonists (10 RCTs; OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.44, n = 1,202; I2 = 13%) coadministration proved effective and safe with a moderate CoE. In conclusion, the current study demonstrates that only a few interventions currently can be considered effective to reduce the incidence of OHSS and its severity with high/moderate CoE despite the numerous published studies on the topic. Further well-designed RCTs are needed, particularly for GnRH-a down-regulated IVF cycles.

The influence of polycystic ovary syndrome on abortion rate after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection fresh cycle pregnancy

There are many reports on clinical pregnancy outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients receiving vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), but little research about abortion has been done and there is a debate on whether the abortion risk increases in PCOS patients receiving IVF/ICSI. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigated the abortion in PCOS patients. Clinical data of 12055 IVF/ICSI fresh cycles performed in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 were collected. Based on the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria of PCOS and after propensity score matching (PSM) for baseline data of clinical pregnancy cycles, matched 599 PCOS (PCOS group) and Non-PCOS (non-PCOS group) cycles were obtained. Abortion and abortion-related outcomes were compared between the two groups. Risk factors for late abortion in twins were analyzed using binary Logistics regression. Post-PSM data showed that the late abortion rate was significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the non-PCOS group only in twin pregnancy (9.50% vs. 3.96%, OR: 2.55, 95%CI 1.10-5.89). There were no statistical differences in other pregnancy outcomes. The etiological distribution for late abortion were not statistically different between the two groups in both singletons and twins. Logistics regression indicated that PCOS and obesity [pregnancy-assisted body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28] were risk factors for late abortion in twin pregnancy. In twin pregnancy, PCOS and obese patients are more likely to have late abortion. In twin pregnancy, the late abortion risk significantly increased in the PCOS patients as compared with non-PCOS patients (OR: 2.59, 95%CI 1.11-6.03, P < 0.05), as well as in the patients with obesity (BMI ≥ 28) as compared with the patients with normal BMI (OR: 4.17, 95%CI 1.59-10.90, P < 0.05). PCOS does not significantly affect early and overall late abortion rates after IVF/ICSI fresh cycle pregnancy.

Predicting pregnancy chances leading to term live birth in oligo/anovulatory women diagnosed with PCOS

RESEARCH QUESTION

Which patient features predict the time to pregnancy (TTP) leading to term live birth in infertile women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

DESIGN

Prospective cohort follow-up study was completed, in which initial standardized phenotyping was conducted at two Dutch university medical centres from January 2004 to January 2014. Data were linked to the Netherlands Perinatal Registry to obtain pregnancy outcomes for each participant. All women underwent treatment according to a standardized protocol, starting with ovulation induction as first-line treatment. Predictors of pregnancies (leading to term live births) during the first year after PCOS diagnosis were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 1779 consecutive women diagnosed with PCOS between January 2004 and January 2014 were included. In the first year following screening, 659 (37%) women with PCOS attained a pregnancy leading to term birth (≥37 weeks of gestational age). A higher chance of pregnancy was associated with race, smoking, body mass index (BMI), insulin, total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations (c-statistic = 0.59).

CONCLUSIONS

Predictors of an increased chance of a live birth include White race, no current smoking, lower BMI, insulin and total testosterone concentrations, and higher SHBG concentrations. This study presents a nomogram to predict the chances of achieving a pregnancy (leading to a term live birth) within 1 year of treatment.

Altered Molecular Pathways and Biomarkers of Endometrial Receptivity in Infertile Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Anovulation is the most prominent cause of infertility in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. Although ovulation can be corrected pharmacologically, the number of pregnancies remains low. Even if excellent embryos are transferred by IVF, it does not change the high miscarriage rate of PCOS patients. These facts collectively indicate that there is a disorder of endometrial development and receptivity to the embryo in PCOS patients, including the decrease of receptive ability, inhibition of embryo adhesion, undersupply of energy, poor blood perfusion, and pro-inflammatory status in the endometrium. However, it has never received the same attention as ovulatory dysfunction. Here we list some alternations of endometrial receptivity in women with PCOS, discuss the underlying intricate mechanisms, and try to find out the possible therapeutic targets, which may bring new perspectives to those who are able to provide high-quality embryos.

Among high responders, is oocyte development potential different in Rotterdam consensus PCOS vs non-PCOS patients undergoing IVF?

PURPOSE

To evaluate the oocyte potential to develop to blastocyst in Rotterdam consensus PCOS in women with hyper-responses requiring freeze-all embryos.

METHODS

Retrospective, single-academic center, cohort study of 205 patients who underwent freeze-all antagonist IVF cycles for OHSS risk between 2013 and 2019. Women in the PCOS group (n = 88) were diagnosed per the 2003 Rotterdam criteria. Control patients (n = 122) had no evidence of hyperandrogenism or menstrual disturbance. Data was compared by t-tests, chi-squared tests, or multivariate logistic regression (SPSS). Frozen blastocysts were Gardner's grade BB or better.

RESULTS

There was no difference in terms of number of oocytes collected (PCOS vs non-PCOS 27.7 ± 9.4 vs 25.9 ± 8.2, p = 0.157), number of MII (20.7 ± 8.0 vs 19.1 ± 6.6, p = 0.130), number of 2PN fertilized (15.6 ± 7.4 vs 14.4 ± 5.9, p = 0.220), and number of frozen blastocysts (7.8 ± 4.9 vs 7.1 ± 3.8, p = 0.272). In addition, fertilization rates (74 ± 17% vs 75 ± 17%, p = 0.730), blastulation rates per 2PN (51 ± 25% vs 51 ± 25%, p = 0.869), and blastulation rates per mature oocytes (37 ± 18% vs 37 ± 15%, p = 0.984) were all comparable between PCOS and controls, respectively. Moreover, there was no difference when comparing PCOS and controls in pregnancy rates (45/81 vs 77/122, p = 0.28) and clinical pregnancy rates (34/81 vs 54/122, p = 0.75), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression controlling for confounders failed to alter these results.

CONCLUSION

PCOS subjects do not seem to have altered oocyte potential as measured by number of MII oocytes collected, fertilization, and blastulation rates when compared to high-responder controls, with similar magnitude of stimulation.

Effect of TSH on oocyte maturation of PCOS patients with normal thyroid function in IVF

BACKGROUND

The serum TSH level of PCOS patients was higher than that of the general female population. For patients with thyroid dysfunction, the abnormal TSH level is negatively related to the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology, but for PCOS patients with normal thyroid function, the effect of TSH level on outcomes of in vitro fertilization has not been reported. In this study, PCOS patients with normal thyroid function were included in this study to evaluate the effect of TSH on the outcomes of IVF-ET.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 3190 patients who underwent IVF-ET in the Department of Human Reproductive Center of Renmin Hospital Hubei University of Medicine from January 2017 to July 2021, including 594 PCOS patients and 2595 non PCOS patients. The IVF-ET outcomes between the two groups were compared; Multi-factor linear regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the related variables and the oocyte maturation of PCOS patients; The ROC curve of the effect of TSH on oocyte maturation in PCOS patients was drawn. The PCOS patients were divided into TSH < 2.98 group (n = 454) and TSH ≥ 2.98 group (n = 141) according to ROC threshold TSH 2.98, and the outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

TSH level in PCOS group was significantly higher than that in non-PCOS group (2.42 ± 0.86 vs 2.00 ± 0.89 UU / ml, P < 0.01), and the oocyte maturation rate and 2PN fertilization rate in PCOS group were lower than those in non-PCOS group (90.9% vs 92.4%, P = 0.02) (84.57% vs 86.77%, P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in cleavage rate and high-quality embryo rate between the two groups (P > 0.05); There was no difference in clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, ectopic pregnancy rate and live birth rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). Multi-factor linear regression analysis showed that TSH was negatively correlated with oocyte maturation in PCOS patients [β = -0.124, P = 0.013,95%CI (-0.027 ~ -0.003)]; The oocyte maturation rate in TSH < 2.98 group was significantly higher than that in TSH ≥ 2.98 group (91.7% vs 88.2%, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The TSH level of PCOS patients with normal thyroid function is higher than that of normal people, and it is negatively correlated with the oocyte maturation in in-vitro fertilization. The ROC curve showed that when TSH > 2.98uIU/ml, the possibility of immature oocytes was higher (specificity 28.9%, sensitivity 83.0%).

Distinctions in PCOS Induced by Letrozole Vs Dehydroepiandrosterone With High-fat Diet in Mouse Model

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex health condition associated with metabolic disturbances and infertility. Recent data suggest that the prevalence of PCOS is increasing among women globally, although the etiology of these trends is undefined. Consequently, preclinical models that better reflect the biology of PCOS are urgently needed to facilitate research that can lead to the discovery of prevention strategies or improved management. The existing animal models have several limitations as they do not reflect all the PCOS features metabolically and/or phenotypically. Therefore, there is no clear consensus on the use of appropriate animal model and selection of the most appropriate PCOS-inducing agent. To that end, we have established a Swiss albino mouse model of PCOS based on 3 weeks of daily treatment with letrozole (50 μg/day; intraperitoneal) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, 6 mg/100 g body weight; subcutaneous) in 5-week-old female mice fed on normal or high-fat diet (HFD). Mice were regularly assessed for body weight, blood glucose, and estrous cycle. Three weeks after drug administration, mice were sacrificed and assessed for blood-based metabolic parameters as well as ovarian function. Our results indicate that DHEA combined with HFD produces changes mimicking those of clinical PCOS, including elevated serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone, dyslipidemia, poor ovarian microenvironment, and development of multiple ovarian cysts, recapitulating cardinal features of PCOS. In comparison, normal diet and/or letrozole produced fewer features of PCOS. The data from the experimental models presented here can improve our understanding of PCOS, a growing concern in women's health.