Association of Thyroid Function and Autoimmunity with Ovarian Reserve in Women Seeking Infertility Care

The association of thyroid autoimmunity with ovarian reserve in women with type 1 diabetes with and without polycystic ovary syndrome

The aim of the study was to investigate the relation between thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), reflected as the presence of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), and parameters of ovarian reserve in women with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We studied 83 euthyroid women with T1DM (age - 26 ± 5 years, BMI - 24 ± 3 kg/m2) - 12 with PCOS and positive TPOAb (PCOS + TPOAb), 29 with PCOS with negative TPOAb (PCOS + noTPOAb), 18 without PCOS with positive TPOAb (noPCOS + TPOAb), 24 without PCOS with negative TPOAb (noPCOS + noTPOAb). Serum concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), sex hormones, TSH, thyroid hormones and TPOAb were assessed. The prevalence of TAI was comparable between PCOS and noPCOS. We did not observe differences in hormonal profile or AMH concentration between two PCOS groups-PCOS + TPOAb and PCOS + noTPOAb (p > 0.05). Women with PCOS + TPOAb had lower FSH concentration and higher LH/FSH index than noPCOS + noTPOAb (p = 0.027; p = 0.019, respectively). Moreover, PCOS + TPOAb had lower oestradiol level than noPCOS + TPOAb (p = 0.041). AMH concentration was higher in both groups with PCOS, independent of TPOAb presence, than in noPCOS + noTPOAb (both p < 0.001). The presence of positive TPOAb titre was not related to the studied parameters of ovarian reserve - AMH and ovarian follicle number. In multiple linear regression analysis, the only significant predictor of AMH in the whole studied group with T1DM was total daily insulin dose U/kg (β = - 0.264; p = 0.022). The presence of TAI did not affect the hormonal profile or ovarian reserve in women with T1DM with and without PCOS.

Association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure and thyroid function biomarkers among females attending a fertility clinic

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure was associated with changes in thyroid function in pregnant mothers and the general population. Limited such evidence exists in other susceptible populations such as females with fertility problems. This cross-sectional study included 287 females seeking medically assisted reproduction at a fertility clinic in Massachusetts, United States, between 2005 and 2019. Six long-alkyl chain PFAS, thyroid hormones, and autoimmune antibodies were quantified in baseline serum samples. We used generalized linear models and quantile g-computation to evaluate associations of individual PFAS and their total mixture with thyroid biomarkers. Most females were White individuals (82.7%), had graduate degrees (57.8%), and nearly half had unexplained subfertility (45.9%). Serum concentrations of all examined PFAS and their mixture were significantly associated with 2.6%-5.6% lower total triiodothyronine (TT3) concentrations. Serum concentrations of perfluorononanoate (PFNA), perfluorodecanoate (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA), and of the total mixture were associated with higher ratios of free thyroxine (FT4) to free triiodothyronine (FT3). No associations were found for PFAS and TSH or autoimmune antibodies. Our findings support the thyroid-disrupting effect of long alkyl-chain PFAS among a vulnerable population of subfertile females.

Health needs, treatment decisions and experience of traditional complementary and integrative medicine use by women with diminished ovarian reserve: A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) have fewer eggs than would be expected at their age. It is estimated that 10% of women seeking fertility treatment are diagnosed with DOR. However, the success rate of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) is significantly lower in women with DOR, thus many seek additional approaches.

AIM

To explore the health needs of women with DOR, treatment options and experience of treatment including traditional complementary integrative medicine (TCIM).

METHODS

Anyone with a diagnosis of DOR, living in Australia or New Zealand, aged over 18 were invited to complete an online survey distributed via fertility support networks and social media platforms from April to December 2021.

RESULTS

Data from 67 respondents were included. The main aspects of health that were impacted by DOR were fertility (91.0%) and mental health (52.2%). The main treatment recommended was MAR with most women either currently using MAR (38.8%) or having previously used MAR (37.3%). TCIM was widely used with 88.1% of women utilising supplements, 74.6% consulting with TCIM practitioners, and 65.7% adopting self-care practices. The main reasons for using TCIM were to improve fertility or support pregnancy, and to support general health and well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with DOR have additional health needs apart from infertility, most notably mental health support. The main form of treatment utilised is MAR, despite DOR being challenging for fertility clinicians. TCIM was widely used, and respondents perceived benefits related to improving fertility, supporting pregnancy, or improving well-being through use of acupuncture, meditation, naturopathy, massage, yoga.

Is thyroid function associated with polycystic ovary syndrome? A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

OBJECTIVE

Some observational studies have suggested the association between thyroid function and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, it remains to be determined whether these associations are causal or not. The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying causal association between different thyroid function status and PCOS.

METHODS

Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to explore the impact of different thyroid function statuses on PCOS. The study included 10,074 individuals with PCOS and 103,164 controls for the primary analysis, with validation analysis repeated in the FinnGen R9 and EstBB PCOS cohorts. Female-specific thyroid function GWAS data were obtained from European population, including Hyperthyroidism (22,383 cases and 54,288 controls) and Hypothyroidism (27,383 cases and 54,288 controls) from the UK Biobank, and TSH (54,288 cases and 72,167 controls) and FT4 (49,269 cases and 72,167 controls) within the reference range from the ThyroidOmics Consortium. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) was chosen as the principal method, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to test for the presence of horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity.

RESULTS

The IVW analysis indicated nominal significance between normal TSH levels and PCOS after adjusted for age and BMI [OR (95% CI) = 0.78(0.62,0.97), P = 0.029], suggesting that maintaining normal TSH levels might act as a protective factor against the pathogenesis of PCOS. Besides, in order to increase the statistical power, we pooled PCOS GWAS above together by meta-analysis and found PCOS contributed to the occurrence of hyperthyroidism [OR(95%CI) = 1.37(0.73,2.57), P = 0.012]. However, no causal relationship was found after Bonferroni correction (P-value < 0.0031).

CONCLUSION

Although the MR analysis didn't indicate genetic causal association between thyroid function and PCOS after Bonferroni correction. Further efforts are needed to interpret the potential causal relationship between thyroid function and PCOS in different age and BMI subgroup.

Thyroid hormones and ovarian reserve: a comprehensive study of women seeking infertility care

BACKGROUND

Ovarian reserve is the number of oocytes remaining in the ovary and is one of the most important aspects of a woman's reproductive potential. Research on the association between thyroid dysfunction and ovarian reserve has yielded controversial results. In our study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and ovarian reserve markers.

METHODS

From 1443 women seeking infertility care, the data of 1396 women aged between 20-45 years old who had a body mass index between 18-30 kg/m2 were recruited for this retrospective study. The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and TSH relationship was analyzed with generalized linear and polynomial regression.

RESULTS

Median age, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), AMH, and TSH levels were 36.79 years, 9.55 IU/L, 3.57 pmol/L, and 1.80 mIU/L, respectively. Differences between TSH groups were statistically significant in terms of AMH level, antral follicle count (AFC), and age (p = 0.007 and p = 0.038, respectively). A generalized linear regression model could not explain age-matched TSH levels concerning AMH levels (p > 0.05). TSH levels were utilized in polynomial regression models of AMH, and the 2nd degree was found to have the best fit. The inflection point of the model was 2.88 mIU/L.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows a correlation between TSH and AMH values in a population of infertile women. Our results are as follows: a TSH value of 2.88 mIU/L yields the highest AMH result. It was also found that AMH and AFC were positively correlated, while AMH and FSH were negatively correlated.

Thyroid dysfunction and female infertility. A comprehensive review

INTRODUCTION

Female infertility is defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy following one year of consistent, unprotected sexual intercourse. Among the various endocrine factors contributing to this complex issue, thyroid dysfunction assumes a pivotal and noteworthy role.

METHODS

A narrative review, encompassing 134 articles up to 2023, was conducted utilizing the PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Scielo databases. The primary focus of this review was to investigate the effects of thyroid dysfunction on female infertility.

RESULTS

Thyroid disorders exert a significant influence on folliculogenesis, fertilization, and implantation processes. Thyroid autoimmunity, although associated with diminished ovarian reserve, does not typically necessitate levothyroxine therapy. On the other hand, both subclinical and overt hypothyroidism often require levothyroxine treatment to enhance fertility and optimize obstetric outcomes. Hyperthyroidism warrants prompt intervention due to its heightened risk of miscarriage. Furthermore, thyroid dysfunction exerts notable effects on assisted reproductive technologies, underscoring the importance of achieving euthyroidism prior to ovarian stimulation.

CONCLUSION

Women presenting with thyroid dysfunction must undergo meticulous and individualized assessments since fertility outcomes, whether achieved through natural conception or assisted reproductive technologies, can be significantly influenced by thyroid-related factors.

Mendelian randomization study of thyroid function and anti-Müllerian hormone levels

Objective

Although previous studies have reported an association between thyroid function and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, which is considered a reliable marker of ovarian reserve, the causal relationship between them remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate whether thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), hypo- and hyperthyroidism are causally linked to AMH levels.

Methods

We obtained summary statistics from three sources: the ThyroidOmics Consortium (N = 54,288), HUNT + MGI + ThyroidOmics meta-analysis (N = 119,715), and the most recent AMH genome-wide association meta-analysis (N = 7,049). Two-sample MR analyses were conducted using instrumental variables representing TSH and fT4 levels within the normal range. Additionally, we conducted secondary analyses to explore the effects of hypo- and hyperthyroidism. Subgroup analyses for TSH were also performed.

Results

MR analyses did not show any causality relationship between thyroid function and AMH levels, using normal range TSH, normal range fT4, subclinical hypothyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism and overt hypothyroidism as exposure, respectively. In addition, neither full range TSH nor TSH with individuals <50 years old was causally associated with AMH levels. MR sensitivity analyses guaranteed the robustness of all MR results, except for the association between fT4 and AMH in the no-DIO1+DIO2 group.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that there was no causal association between genetically predicted thyroid function and AMH levels in the European population.

Infertility and cortisol: a systematic review

Introduction

Stress and infertility form a complex relationship. In line with this, various stress-related biological markers have been investigated in infertility.

Methods

This systematic review was performed using PRISMA guidelines (i) to report whether cortisol is highly present in infertile patients compared to fertile control; (ii) to report whether there is any significant difference in the cortisol level in infertile subjects that conceive and those that didn't at the end of assisted reproduction treatments. Original articles involving human (male and female) as subjects were extracted from four electronic databases, including the list of references from the published papers. Sixteen original full-length articles involving male (4), female (11), and both genders (1) were included.

Results

Findings from studies that compared the cortisol level between infertile and fertile subjects indicate that (i) Male: three studies reported elevated cortisol level in infertile patients and one found no significant difference; (ii) Female: four studies reported increased cortisol level in infertile subjects and three studies found no significant difference. Findings from studies that measured the cortisol level from infertile patients that conceived and those that didn't indicate that (i) Male: one study reported no significant difference; (ii) Female: one study reported elevated cortisol in infertile patients that conceived, whereas two studies reported increased cortisol in infertile patients that was unable to conceive. Five studies found no significant difference between the groups.

Discussion

In the present review we only included the cortisol value that was measured prior to stimulation or IVF treatment or during natural or spontaneous cycles, despite this, there are still variations in the sampling period, assessment techniques and patients' characteristics. Hence, at present, we are still unable to conclude that cortisol is significantly elevated in infertile patients. We warrant future studies to standardize the time of biological sample collection and other limitations that were addressed in the review to negate the unwanted influencing factors.

Associations of Maternal Urinary Concentrations of Phenols, Individually and as a Mixture, with Serum Biomarkers of Thyroid Function and Autoimmunity: Results from the EARTH Study

The associations between urinary phenol concentrations and markers of thyroid function and autoimmunity among potentially susceptible subgroups, such as subfertile women, have been understudied, especially when considering chemical mixtures. We evaluated cross-sectional associations of urinary phenol concentrations, individually and as a mixture, with serum markers of thyroid function and autoimmunity. We included 339 women attending a fertility center who provided one spot urine and one blood sample at enrollment (2009-2015). We quantified four phenols in urine using isotope dilution high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and biomarkers of thyroid function (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free and total thyroxine (fT4, TT4), and triiodothyronine (fT3, TT3)), and autoimmunity (thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies (Ab)) in serum using electrochemoluminescence assays. We fit linear and additive models to investigate the association between urinary phenols-both individually and as a mixture-and serum thyroid function and autoimmunity, adjusted for confounders. As a sensitivity analysis, we also applied Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) to investigate non-linear and non-additive interactions. Urinary bisphenol A was associated with thyroid function, in particular, fT3 (mean difference for a 1 log unit increase in concentration: -0.088; 95% CI [-0.151, -0.025]) and TT3 (-0.066; 95% CI [-0.112, -0.020]). Urinary methylparaben and triclosan were also associated with several thyroid hormones. The overall mixture was negatively associated with serum fT3 concentrations (mean difference comparing all four mixture components at their 75th vs. 25th percentiles: -0.19, 95% CI [-0.35, -0.03]). We found no evidence of non-linearity or interactions. These results add to the current literature on phenol exposures and thyroid function in women, suggesting that some phenols may alter the thyroid system.

The Thyroid Hormone Axis and Female Reproduction

Thyroid function affects multiple sites of the female hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis. Disruption of thyroid function has been linked to reproductive dysfunction in women and is associated with menstrual irregularity, infertility, poor pregnancy outcomes, and gynecological conditions such as premature ovarian insufficiency and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Thus, the complex molecular interplay between hormones involved in thyroid and reproductive functions is further compounded by the association of certain common autoimmune states with disorders of the thyroid and the HPG axes. Furthermore, in prepartum and intrapartum states, even relatively minor disruptions have been shown to adversely impact maternal and fetal outcomes, with some differences of opinion in the management of these conditions. In this review, we provide readers with a foundational understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of thyroid hormone interactions with the female HPG axis. We also share clinical insights into the management of thyroid dysfunction in reproductive-aged women.

Relationship between thyroid antibody levels and ovarian reserve function in infertile chinese women with normal thyroid-stimulating hormone

BACKGROUND

To analyze the relationship of thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroid globulin antibody levels with ovarian reserve function in infertile women.

METHODS

The data of 721 infertile patients who visited the hospital from January 2019 to September 2022 and whose thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were in the normal range, were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into two sets of three groups-the negative group, the 2.6 IU/ml ~ 100 IU/ml group and the TPOAb > 100 IU/ml group according to the TPOAb (thyroid peroxidase antibody) level, or the TgAb (anti-thyroglobulin antibody) negative group, the 14.58 IU/ml ~ 100 IU/ml group and the TgAb > 100 IU/ml group according to the TgAb level. They were compared for differences in ovarian reserve function index and thyroid hormone levels and analyzed for the relationship among thyroid antibody levels, ovarian reserve function, and thyroid hormone levels.

RESULTS

When TSH > 2.5 mIU/L, the bFSH (basal follicle stimulating hormone) level in the TPOAb > 100 IU/ml group (9.10 ± 1.16 IU/L) was significantly higher than that in the TPOAb negative group (8.12 ± 1.97 IU/L) and the 2.6 IU/ml ~ 100 IU/ml group (7.90 ± 1.48 IU/L) (P < 0.05); when TSH ≤ 2.5 mIU/L, there were no statistically significant differences in the bFSH and AFC (antral follicle count) number at different TPOAb levels. Whether TSH ≤ 2.5 mIU/L or TSH > 2.5 mIU/L, there were no statistically significant differences in the bFSH and AFC number at different TgAb levels (P > 0.05). FT3/FT4 ratio in the TPOAb 2.6 IU/ml ~ 100 IU/ml group and the > 100 IU/ml group was significantly lower than in the negative group. FT3/FT4 ratio in the TgAb 14.58 ~ 100 IU/ml group and the > 100 IU/ml group was also significantly lower than in the TgAb negative group (P < 0.05). TSH level in the TPOAb > 100 IU/ml group was significantly higher than in the 2.6 ~ 100 IU/ml group and the TPOAb negative group, but there were no statistically significant differences among different TgAb groups.

CONCLUSIONS

When TPOAb > 100 IU/ml and TSH > 2.5 mIU/L, it may affect the ovarian reserve function in infertile patients, and the mechanism may be associated with increased TSH and the imbalance of FT3/FT4 ratio caused by the increase of TPOAb.

The role of thyroid function in female and male infertility: a narrative review

PURPOSE

We herein aimed to review the new insights into the impact of impaired thyroid function on male and female fertility, spacing from spontaneous pregnancy to ART, with the objective of providing an updated narrative revision of the literature.

METHODS

This narrative review was performed for all available prospective, retrospective and review articles, published up to 2021 in PubMed. Data were extracted from the text and from the tables of the manuscript.

RESULTS

Thyroid dysfunction is frequently associated with female infertility, whereas its link with male infertility is debated. Female wise, impaired function is detrimental to obstetric and fetal outcomes both in spontaneous pregnancies and in those achieved thanks to assisted reproduction technologies (ART). Furthermore, the reference range of TSH in natural pregnancy and ART procedures has recently become a matter of debate following recent reports in this field. On the other hand, the impact of thyroid function on the male reproductive system is less clear, although a possible role is suggested via modulation of Sertoli and Leydig cells function and spermatogenesis.

CONCLUSION

Thyroid function should be carefully monitored in both male and female, in couples seeking spontaneous pregnancy as well as ART, as treatment is generally immediate and likely to improve chances of success.

A review of autoimmunity and immune profiles in patients with primary ovarian insufficiency

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a complicated clinical syndrome characterized by progressive deterioration of ovarian function. Autoimmunity is one of the main pathogenic factors affecting approximately 10% to 55% of POI cases. This review mainly focuses on the role of autoimmunity in the pathophysiology of POI and the potential therapies for autoimmunity-related POI. This review concluded that various markers of ovarian reserve, principally anti-Müllerian hormone, could be negatively affected by autoimmune diseases. The presence of lymphocytic oophoritis, anti-ovarian autoantibodies, and concurrent autoimmune diseases, are the main characteristics of autoimmune POI. T lymphocytes play the most important role in the immune pathogenesis of POI, followed by disorders of other immune cells and the imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. A comprehensive understanding of immune characteristics of patients with autoimmune POI and the underlying mechanisms is essential for novel approaches of treatment and intervention for autoimmune POI.

Impact of Thyroid Autoimmunity on Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes and Ovarian Reserve Markers: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) has a high prevalence among women of reproductive age. Investigating its possible impact on ovarian function and fertility is, thus, of utmost relevance. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to elucidate the effect of TAI on both assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes and ovarian reserve. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was restricted to two groups of research articles investigating the association between TAI and: (1) autologous ART outcomes (i.e., fertilization rate [FR], implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate [CPR], miscarriage rate, and live birth rate), (2) markers of ovarian reserve (i.e., anti-Müllerian hormone, basal follicle stimulating hormone, antral follicle count, and number of oocytes retrieved). Studies including women affected by overt hypo/hyperthyroidism were excluded. Relevant studies were identified by a systematic search in PubMed, MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Embase, and Scopus, from database inception to May 1, 2022. Results: From a total of 432 identified publications, 22 studies were included in Group 1 and 26 studies in Group 2. The presence of TAI was associated with a higher risk of miscarriage (7606 participants, odds ratio [OR] 1.52, confidence interval [CI 1.14-2.01], p = 0.004, I² = 53%), lower chance of embryo implantation (7118 participants, OR 0.72, [CI 0.59-0.88], p = 0.001, I² = 36%), and live birth (11417 participants, OR 0.73, [CI 0.56-0.94], p = 0.02, I² = 71%). These associations were no longer observed in a subgroup analysis of patients who exclusively underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The FR and CPR as well as the mean values of surrogate markers of oocyte quantity appeared not to be affected by TAI. Conclusions: This data synthesis suggest a higher risk of adverse ART outcomes in women with positive TAI. However, the reliability of these findings is hampered by the relatively low quality of the evidence and significant heterogeneity in many of the meta-analyses. The possible protective effect of ICSI is promising but should be confirmed in controlled prospective clinical trials. PROSPERO Registration ID: CRD42021236529.

The Impact of Moderately High Preconception Thyrotropin Levels on Ovarian Reserve Among Euthyroid Infertile Women Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is prevalent in reproductive-age women and has been identified as a risk factor for female infertility. However, it remains largely unclear whether subtle thyroid dysfunction, as estimated by moderately high thyrotropin (TSH) levels within the normal range, is associated with ovarian reserve in infertile women before assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 3501 euthyroid infertile women, including 2189 women with TSH levels ≤2.5 μIU/mL and 1312 women with high-normal TSH levels (2.51-4.20 μIU/mL). Ovarian reserve markers were compared between women with low- and high-normal TSH levels. Correlation analysis and regression models were used to estimate the association of TSH levels with ovarian reserve. In addition, the association of subtle thyroid dysfunction with ovarian reserve was further evaluated after stratification for different infertility diagnoses and statuses of thyroid autoimmunity (TAI). Results: In the total population, women with high-normal TSH levels had significantly decreased anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations (p < 0.001), a lower bilateral antral follicle count (AFC) (p < 0.001), and a higher prevalence of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) (p = 0.018) than women with low-normal TSH levels. The TSH levels showed a negative association with both AMH levels (r = -0.050, p = 0.003) and bilateral AFC (r = -0.071, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the association of high-normal TSH levels with decreased AMH and AFC was more prominent in infertile women with ovulation dysfunction (p = 0.002, p = 0.002), unexplained infertility (p = 0.020, p = 0.028), or negative TAI (both p < 0.001). Conclusions: These data suggested that subtle thyroid dysfunction was associated with DOR in infertile women before ART treatment, which will add evidence that strengthens the systematic screening of TSH levels/TAI in infertile women and will contribute to the discussion of specific TSH cutoff values in predicting ovarian reserve.

Selenium Supplementation in Pregnant Women with Autoimmune Thyroiditis: A Practical Approach

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and a pivotal role in thyroid metabolism. Ensuring a sufficient Se supply is possible via a balanced, wholesome diet; however, Se content in foods may be different throughout geographical areas. Se supplementation is expected to improve inflammatory status in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, especially in those with high activity, and has been demonstrated as effective in reducing the thyroid peroxidase antibodies titer. Se status seems to affect thyroid function in pregnancy, which prompts the potential role of Se supplementation in such patients. Few clinical trials have investigated the effectiveness of Se supplementation in pregnant women with thyroiditis, and their results suggest the safety and effectiveness of this element in reducing autoantibody levels and preventing postpartum thyroiditis development, although limited. Hence, more robust evidence is needed to confirm these data. The current study aims to summarize published data on the relationship between Se and thyroid status in pregnant women with thyroiditis and the potential use of Se. Moreover, an algorithm for Se supplementation is proposed for pregnant women with thyroiditis to help endocrinologists in daily clinical practice to consider Se status.

Subclinical hypothyroidism in women's health: from pre- to post-menopause

OBJECTIVE

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a quite frequent condition among women, affecting 3-12% of the general population. Its consequences on women's health in reproductive age, pregnancy and menopause have been extensively investigated but data about the effective impact of treatment with levothyroxine (LT4) remain conflicting.

METHODS

This is a narrative review and analysis of the most relevant data until June 2021.

RESULTS

SCH may affect reproduction. Evidence suggests that women with SCH undergoing assisted reproductive technique (ART) may benefit from LT4 therapy whereas there are no conclusive data regarding women attempting natural conception. SCH may be associated with several negative pregnancy outcomes, that is to say recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), preterm delivery, preeclampsia and neurocognitive disturbances of offspring. However, the protective role of LT4 treatment has been established in selected cases, for instance in thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) -positive women with TSH greater than the pregnancy specific reference range and/or in TPOAb-negative women with TSH >10.0 mIU/L. In menopause, SCH can worsen the negative cardio-metabolic effects of hormonal loss and/or aging, by exacerbating dyslipidaemia and hypertension. Nevertheless, robust data about the benefits of LT4 therapy are still lacking and treatment should be encouraged with caution.

CONCLUSIONS

SCH represents a challenging condition during pre- and post- menopause. An aware knowledge of its possible principal consequences could help all clinicians who are involved in women's health to manage more properly it, preventing its sequelae.

Thyroid Autoimmunity in Female Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcome

The regulation of the female reproductive system is one of the most relevant actions of thyroid hormones. Adequate thyroid hormones production is essential for normal menstrual function and fertility as well as for the successful maintenance of pregnancy. The relationship between reproductive failure and thyroid disorders is particularly relevant and attracts attention worldwide. Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), defined by the presence of circulating antithyroid antibodies targeting thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin (TgAb), is prevalent among women of reproductive age and is the most frequent cause of thyroid dysfunction. Several studies addressed the association between TAI, thyroid function, and fertility as well as pregnancy outcome after spontaneous or assisted conception. Infertility, miscarriages, and fetal-maternal complications are described in overt autoimmune hypothyroidism. More debatable is the role of mild thyroid dysfunction, mainly subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), and TAI in the absence of thyroid dysfunction in infertility and reproductive outcome. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has become an integral element of care for infertility. Women with TAI undergoing ART are of particular interest since they carry a higher risk of developing hypothyroidism after the ovarian stimulation but whether TAI, in absence of thyroid dysfunction, adversely affects ART outcome is still controversial. Likewise, the role of levothyroxine (LT4) in improving fertility and the success of ART in euthyroid women with TAI is unclear. This review discusses the role of TAI, in the absence of thyroid dysfunction, in infertility and in ART outcome.

Prediction models constructed for Hashimoto's thyroiditis risk based on clinical and laboratory factors

BACKGROUND

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) frequently occurs among autoimmune diseases and may simultaneously appear with thyroid cancer. However, it is difficult to diagnose HT at an early stage just by clinical symptoms. Thus, it is urgent to integrate multiple clinical and laboratory factors for the early diagnosis and risk prediction of HT.

METHODS

We recruited 1,303 participants, including 866 non-HT controls and 437 diagnosed HT patients. 44 HT patients also had thyroid cancer. Firstly, we compared the difference in thyroid goiter degrees between controls and patients. Secondly, we collected 15 factors and analyzed their significant differences between controls and HT patients, including age, body mass index, gender, history of diabetes, degrees of thyroid goiter, UIC, 25-(OH)D, FT3, FT4, TSH, TAG, TC, FPG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Thirdly, logistic regression analysis demonstrated the risk factors for HT. For machine learning modeling of HT and thyroid cancer, we conducted the establishment and evaluation of six models in training and test sets.

RESULTS

The degrees of thyroid goiter were significantly different among controls, HT patients without cancer (HT-C), and HT patients with thyroid cancer (HT+C). Most factors had significant differences between controls and patients. Logistic regression analysis confirmed diabetes, UIC, FT3, and TSH as important risk factors for HT. The AUC scores of XGBoost, LR, SVM, and MLP models indicated appropriate predictive power for HT. The features were arranged by their importance, among which, 25-(OH)D, FT4, and TSH were the top three high-ranking factors.

CONCLUSIONS

We firstly analyzed comprehensive factors of HT patients. The proposed machine learning modeling, combined with multiple factors, are efficient for thyroid diagnosis. These discoveries will extensively promote precise diagnosis, personalized therapies, and reduce unnecessary cost for thyroid diseases.

The Role of Cell and Gene Therapies in the Treatment of Infertility in Patients with Thyroid Autoimmunity

There is a rising incidence of infertility worldwide, and many couples experience difficulties conceiving nowadays. Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) is recognized as one of the major female infertility causes related to a diminished ovarian reserve and potentially impaired oocyte maturation and embryo development, causing adverse pregnancy outcomes. Growing evidence has highlighted its impact on spontaneously achieved pregnancy and pregnancy achieved by in vitro fertilization. Despite the influence of thyroid hormones on the male reproductive system, there is insufficient data on the association between TAI and male infertility. In past years, significant progress has been achieved in cell and gene therapies as emerging treatment options for infertility. Cell therapies utilize living cells to restore healthy tissue microenvironment and homeostasis and usually involve platelet-rich plasma and various stem cells. Using stem cells as therapeutic agents has many advantages, including simple sampling, abundant sources, poor immunogenicity, and elimination of ethical concerns. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) represent a heterogeneous fraction of self-renewal, multipotent non-hematopoietic stem cells that display profound immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive features and promising therapeutic effects. Infertility has a genetic component in about half of all cases, although most of its genetic causes are still unknown. Hence, it is essential to identify genes involved in meiosis, DNA repair, ovarian development, steroidogenesis, and folliculogenesis, as well as those involved in spermatogenesis in order to develop potential gene therapies for infertility. Despite advances in therapy approaches such as biological agents, autoimmune disorders remain impossible to cure. Recent research demonstrates the remarkable therapeutic effectiveness of MSCs in a wide array of autoimmune diseases. TAI is one of many autoimmune disorders that can benefit from the use of MSCs, which can be derived from bone marrow and adipose tissue. Cell and gene therapies hold great potential for treating autoimmune conditions, although further research is still needed.

Determinants and Clinical Implications of Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies in Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals: The Rotterdam Study

Background: Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Abs) play an important role in autoimmune thyroid disease, but are also prevalent in healthy individuals. However, it is unclear what determinants may influence the occurrence of TPO-Abs in healthy individuals and how TPO-Abs may affect health outcomes in these individuals. We aimed to identify determinants of TPO-Abs in a large, prospective population-based cohort of middle-aged and elderly individuals and to subsequently assess the association between TPO-Abs and risk of overall and cause-specific mortality. Methods: We performed binomial and multinomial logistic regression analyses to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals [95% CIs] for the association of potential determinants based on previous literature with TPO-Ab positivity (>35 kU/L), TPO-Ab detectability (>5 kU/L), and TPO-Ab categories. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to obtain hazard ratios (HRs) and CIs for the association between TPO-Abs and mortality risk. Results: In 9685 participants (57% women, median baseline age 63.3 years, median follow-up time 10.1 years), we identified female sex (OR = 2.47 [CI 2.13-2.86]) and current smoking (OR = 3.10 [CI 2.66-3.62]) as determinants of TPO-Ab positivity and TPO-Ab detectability, respectively. Higher age (OR = 0.98 [CI 0.97-0.98]) and all categories of alcohol consumption (ORs ranging from 0.71-0.78) were associated with lower odds of TPO-Ab detectability. TPO-Ab detectability was associated with a higher risk of overall (HR = 1.09 [CI 1.01-1.17]), cancer-related (HR = 1.18 [CI 1.01-1.38]), and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.21 [CI 1.01-1.45]). Interestingly, this was more prominent in men compared with women (HR for cardiovascular mortality 1.50 vs. 0.99, respectively). Conclusions: In community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly individuals, female sex and current smoking are the most important determinants associated with TPO-Ab levels in the detectable and positive range, whereas alcohol consumption is associated with lower odds of TPO-Abs. The clinical importance of detectable TPO-Ab levels is illustrated by the association with an increased mortality risk, mainly in men. Our results warrant further exploration of the clinical applicability of detectable TPO-Ab levels, potentially as a marker for low-grade inflammation. The Rotterdam Study has been entered into the Netherlands National Trial Register (NTR; www.trialregister.nl) and into the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP; www.who.int/ictrp/network/primary/en/) under shared catalogue number NTR6831.

The relationship between thyroid function and ovarian reserve: a prospective cross-sectional study

Background

Thyroid dysfunction can affect fertility and miscarriage risk by affecting the process of follicular growth, embryo development, implantation, and placental formation. It has been suggested that thyroid disorders are associated with ovarian reserve by affecting the follicular process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between thyroid hormone levels and ovarian reserve.

Methods

Three hundred fourteen women with infertility due to various etiologies were enrolled in this study (172 individuals with Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level ≥ 1.1 ng/ml and 142 individuals with AMH < 1.1 ng/ml). Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2) on day 2–4 of menstrual cycles, AMH, Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroxine (free T4) were evaluated.

Results

In participants with age over 35 years, median TSH level in women with AMH < 1.1 ng/ml was significantly higher than those with AMH ≥1.1 ng/ml (P-value =0.037). There was no significant difference in body mass index (BMI) in patients with age older than 35 years and younger than 35 years sub-groups based on AMH level (P-value = 0.102, and P-value = 0.909 respectively). With one unit increase in TSH level, the odds of having AMH < 1.1 ng/ml increases by 1.25 times or by 25% (P-value =0.017). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed a TSH cut-off point of 1.465 mIU/L in participants over 35 years in identifying decreased AMH level.

Conclusion

Our study supports the relationship between TSH level and ovarian reserve so that with an increase in TSH from a certain level is associated with a decrease in ovarian function.

The Efficacy of Assisted Reproduction in Women with a Wide Spectrum of Chronic Diseases - A Review

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments in women with underlying chronic diseases have become increasingly frequent. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the literature examining the chance of having a live born child after ART in women with chronic diseases, compared to other women receiving ART. We focused on some of the most prevalent chronic diseases in women during their reproductive years, ie ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus. Secondly, we studied the chance of successful implantation. The literature search was performed in the database Pubmed.gov. including all studies published before October 2020. Title and abstracts of 58 papers were reviewed, 37 papers were excluded and other 8 studies were excluded after full-text evaluation. Only 13 papers were eligible for review. Results indicate that women with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes mellitus type 2 might have problems with low implantation rate or early embryo development during ART. On the contrary, the few studies on women with hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus type 1, and epilepsy suggest an equivalent chance of a live birth compared to other women undergoing ART. A possible explanation behind these differences could reside in the disease-specific dysregulation of the innate or adaptive immune system. To our knowledge, this is the first review on ART in women with chronic diseases, and it has disclosed that the evidence in this area is indeed sparse. We encourage others to examine live birth after ART in women with chronic diseases.

Impact of COVID-19 on female fertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

INTRODUCTION

The increased social and economic burden caused by the novel COVID-19 outbreak is gradually becoming a worrisome issue for the health sector. The novel coronavirus invades the target cell by binding to ACE2, which is widely expressed in the ovaries, uterus, vagina and placenta. Significantly, the SARS-CoV-2 is said to interrupt female fertility through regulating ACE2. Thus, it is essential to investigate if the novel COVID-19 hampers female fertility, given that there is no systematic and comprehensive evidence on the association of COVID-19 with female fertility.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will systematically search cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, case-control studies and self-controlled case series designs in the following databases: Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Ovid, EBSCO, WHO COVID-19 Database, Chinese Biomedical Databases, China National Knowledge Internet, VIP and WanFang Database. Medical Subject Headings and free-text terms for "COVID-19" AND "female" AND "fertility" will be performed. Eligibility criteria are as follows: population (female patients aged 13-49 years); exposure (infection with SARS-CoV-2); comparison (population without SARS-CoV-2 infections or latent SARS-CoV-2 infections); and outcome (female fertility, such as ovarian reserve function, uterine receptivity, oviducts status and menstruation status). Article screening and data extraction will be undertaken independently by two reviewers, and discrepancies will be resolved through discussion. We will use the I² statistics to assess the heterogeneity and perform a meta-analysis when sufficiently homogeneous studies are provided. Otherwise, a narrative synthesis will be performed. We will explore the potential sources of heterogeneity using subgroup analyses and meta-regression.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Formal ethical approval is not required, and findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020189856.

2021 European Thyroid Association Guideline on Thyroid Disorders prior to and during Assisted Reproduction

Severe thyroid dysfunction may lead to menstrual disorders and subfertility. Fertility problems may persist even after restoring normal thyroid function, and then an assisted reproductive technology (ART) may be a solution. Prior to an ART treatment, ovarian stimulation is performed, leading to high oestradiol levels, which may lead to hypothyroidism in women with thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), necessitating levothyroxine (LT4) supplements before pregnancy. Moreover, women with the polycystic ovarian syndrome and idiopathic subfertility have a higher prevalence of TAI. Women with hypothyroidism treated with LT4 prior to ART should have a serum TSH level <2.5 mIU/L. Subfertile women with hyperthyroidism planning an ART procedure should be informed of the increased risk of maternal and foetal complications, and euthyroidism should be restored and maintained for several months prior to an ART treatment. Fertilisation rates and embryo quality may be impaired in women with TSH >4.0 mIU/L and improved with LT4 therapy. In meta-analyses that mainly included women with TSH levels >4.0 mIU/L, LT4 treatment increased live birth rates, but that was not the case in 2 recent interventional studies in euthyroid women with TAI. The importance of the increased use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection as a type of ART on pregnancy outcomes in women with TAI deserves more investigation. For all of the above reasons, women of subfertile couples should be screened routinely for the presence of thyroid disorders.

The application of the three-dimensional high-definition laparoscope in thyroid microcarcinoma

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the three-dimensional (3D) high-definition (HD) laparoscope via a chest-breast approach in thyroid microcarcinoma.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, ten patients with thyroid microcarcinoma who underwent laparoscopic thyroidectomy in the Department of General Surgery of Tangdu Hospital from May 2016 to October 2016 were included. Preoperative thyroid and neck ultrasound in these patients showed a thyroid nodule ≤1 cm, and no significantly enlarged cervical lymph nodes were observed. The patients' thyroid function showed no subclinical hyperthyroidism. Three trocars were used via the chest and breast during the surgery. The main outcome measures included the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay time, postoperative drainage volume, and the incidence of complications.

RESULTS

The ten patients were successfully treated using a 3D HD laparoscope. The mean operation time was 70-160 minutes, the average intraoperative blood loss was 10-30 mL, the mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.5 days, and the mean postoperative drainage volume was 10-20 mL. None of the patients needed to receive a traditional open thyroidectomy during the operation. No patient experienced hoarseness, numbness of limbs, or choking or coughing while drinking water.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3D endoscopic thyroidectomy operation via the chest-breast approach is a feasible and safe therapeutic method for the treatment of thyroid microcarcinoma.

Recent insights into the impact of immune dysfunction on reproduction in autoimmune thyroiditis

Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is a common organ-specific autoimmune disease with a high incidence among women of childbearing age. Recent studies have reported that women with AIT are more susceptible to infertility, miscarriage and preterm birth. It has been investigated that abnormal changes in maternal immune system and maternal-fetal interface can dampen the immune tolerance between mother and fetus, which underlie the pathogenesis of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Hence, we summarize the immunological changes related to adverse reproductive outcomes in AIT and highlight the respective contributions of both humoral and cellular immune dysfunctions to pregnancy failures. Moreover, the direct impacts of AIT on maternal-fetal immune activation and biological influences to trophoblasts are discussed as well. All these associations require confirmation in larger studies, and the pathogenic mechanisms need to be better understood, which might provide useful information for clinical diagnosis and therapy of AIT.

Correlation Analysis Between Ovarian Reserve and Thyroid Hormone Levels in Infertile Women of Reproductive Age

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the correlation between ovarian reserve and thyroid function in women with infertility.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of the data of 496 infertility patients who visited the clinic between January 2019 and December 2020. According to the TSH level, it is grouped into <2.5 mIU/L, 2.5~4.0mIU/L and ≥4.0 mIU/L or according to the positive/negative thyroid autoimmune antibody. The relationship was assessed through the ovarian reserve, thyroid function, and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in infertile patients. On the other hand, the patients are divided into groups according to age (≤29 years old, 30-34 years old and ≥35 years old), basic FSH (<10 IU/L and ≥10 IU/L), and AMH levels. The ovarian reserve was evaluated through the AMH and the antral follicle count (AFC).

RESULTS

The average age of the patients was 30.31 ± 4.50 years old, and the average AMH level was 5.13 ± 4.30 ng/mL. 3.63% (18/496) of patients had abnormal TSH levels (normal: 0.35-5.5 mIU/L), the positive rate of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) was 14.52% (72/496), the positive rate of anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) was 16.94% (84/496), and the positive rate of TPOAb and TgAb was 10.48% (52/496). After grouping according to TSH level or thyroid autoimmune antibody positive/negative grouping, the analysis found that there was no statistical significance in age, AMH level and basic FSH level among the groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the levels of TSH, FT3, and FT4 among different ages, AMH, and FSH levels (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

There is no significant correlation between ovarian reserve and thyroid function in infertile women.

Thyroid Disorders and In Vitro Outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technology: An Unfortunate Combination?

Background: The impact of thyroid disorders on in vitro outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART) remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate whether thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Abs)/thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) or thyroid function (serum thyrotropin [TSH])/subclinical hypothyroidism are associated with an altered number of oocyte retrieval (NOR), fertilization rate (FR), and embryo quality (EQ). Methods: Cross-sectional study in 279 women in a single center, comprising 297 cycles and 1168 embryos. In vitro data (NOR, FR, and EQ) were documented in two groups; one according to thyroid function in women without TAI (TSH ≤2.5 and >2.5 mIU/L) and one according to the presence/absence of TAI (determined by TPO-Abs). EQ was evaluated according to international criteria and classified as excellent/good and poor. Women treated with levothyroxine (LT4) were excluded. Furthermore, the impact of thyroid parameters on outcomes, normal NOR (>6 or 8) and high FR (>60%), was verified in a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: In women without TAI, 27% had TSH levels >2.5 mIU/L, the prevalence of TAI was 8%, and overall, 6% of women had TSH levels >4.2 mIU/L. NOR, FR, and EQ were comparable between study groups. In the regression analysis, women aged ≥30 years and receiving a high ovarian stimulation dosage (>2300 IU/cycle) had lower rates of normal NOR (odds ratio [OR] 0.18 [95% confidence interval, CI 0.04-0.72]; p = 0.016 and OR 0.17 [CI 0.06-0.48]; p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Our results do not suggest an impact of thyroid antibodies/autoimmunity and (dys)function on ART in vitro outcomes.

Urinary Concentrations of Phthalate Metabolite Mixtures in Relation to Serum Biomarkers of Thyroid Function and Autoimmunity among Women from a Fertility Center

BACKGROUND

Although previous epidemiological studies have explored associations of phthalate metabolites with thyroid function, no studies to date have assessed associations of mixtures with thyroid function and autoimmunity among potentially susceptible subgroups such as subfertile women.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore associations of mixtures of urinary phthalate metabolites with serum markers of thyroid function and autoimmunity.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 558 women attending a fertility center who provided one spot urine and one blood sample at enrollment (2005-2015). We quantified urinary concentrations of eight phthalate metabolites using mass spectrometry, and biomarkers of thyroid function [thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free and total thyroxine (fT4, TT4) and triiodothyronine (fT3, TT3), and autoimmunity [thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies (TPOAb and TgAb, respectively)] in serum using electrochemiluminescence assays. We applied principal component analysis (PCA) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to identify the main patterns of urinary phthalate metabolites. We used linear mixed models to assess the association between PCA-derived factor scores in quintiles and serum thyroid function and autoimmunity, adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), specific gravity (SG), and, for the PCA, other factor scores.

RESULTS

We observed two factors using PCA, one representing the di(2-ethylhexyl) (DEHP) and another non-DEHP metabolites. Compared to women in the lowest quintile of the DEHP factor scores, women in the highest quintile had significantly lower serum concentrations of fT4, TT4, fT3, and TT3 [absolute difference: -0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.12, -0.01; p=0.04; absolute difference: -8.31; 95% CI: -13.8, -2.85; p=0.003; absolute difference: -0.37; 95% CI: 0.54, -0.19; p<0.0001; and absolute difference: -0.21; 95% CI: -0.32, -0.10; p=0.003, respectively]. Using BKMR, we observed that mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) was the primary contributor to these negative associations. DEHP and non-DEHP factor scores were not associated with serum TSH, TgAb, or TPOAb.

CONCLUSIONS

Mixtures of urinary DEHP metabolites were inversely associated with serum biomarkers of thyroid function but not with autoimmunity, which were within normal ranges for healthy adult women. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6740.

Thyroid and Fertility: Recent Advances

Background: Thyroid disease is prevalent in women of reproductive age, while infertility is common in women with thyroid dysfunction. In this study, we review the recent advances in the field of thyroid and fertility since the publication of the 2017 American Thyroid Association pregnancy guidelines. Summary: Recent studies have confirmed associations of thyrotropin (TSH) elevation and/or thyroid autoimmunity with infertility and low ovarian reserve in subsets of women, and have led to a better understanding of the pathogenesis linking thyroid autoimmunity with infertility. Even though the benefit of treating patients with TSH >4 mIU/L has been confirmed in a large retrospective cohort study, two large randomized controlled trials have failed to show benefit of thyroid hormone on obstetrical outcomes in euthyroid women with thyroid autoimmunity. New data have emerged regarding the potential gonadal toxicity of radioactive iodine (RAI), based on its impact on ovarian reserve and sperm chromosomal abnormalities. Conclusions: There is continued evidence supporting an important role of thyroid hormone in regulation of reproductive tissues at many levels. Recent randomized trials have failed to identify a benefit of thyroid hormone in euthyroid women with thyroid autoimmunity. Further research in the field is needed to more completely delineate the relevant pathways and identify women who may benefit from levothyroxine treatment. The impact of RAI on fertility also merits further investigation.

Impact of Thyroid Autoimmunity on Ovarian Reserve, Pregnancy Outcomes, and Offspring Health in Euthyroid Women Following In Vitro Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Background: Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) is the most frequent autoimmune disease among reproductive-aged women. It has been related to premature ovarian insufficiency, but the mechanisms remain elusive, and its association with ovarian reserve in euthyroid women is debatable. Moreover, the impact of TAI on assisted reproduction is controversial: especially for women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), few studies are available. Therefore, the present study was aimed to look for an association between TAI and DOR, and to evaluate the effect of TAI on pregnancy outcomes and offspring health following assisted reproductive technology stratified by ovarian reserve. Methods: A total of 6213 euthyroid women from the Reproductive Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University between 2012 and 2017 were retrospectively included. The prevalence of DOR in women with negative or positive TAI was calculated, and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes after in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles were compared between the TAI-positive and TAI-negative groups both in women with DOR and in those with normal ovarian reserve (NOR). Longitudinal growth parameters and temperament type of the offspring were also observed in the TAI-positive and TAI-negative groups. Results: The prevalence of DOR in women with positive TAI and those with negative TAI was not significantly different (4.09% vs. 2.96%, p = 0.053), even after stratifying patients by age. In women with DOR, the live birth rate, pregnancy loss rate, neonatal complication rate, and offspring outcomes between the TAI-positive and TAI-negative groups were comparable (p > 0.05). In women with NOR, a higher rate of live births (44.94% vs. 40.34%, p = 0.027) and a higher prevalence of congenital anomalies (4.68% vs. 2.14%, p = 0.005) were observed in the TAI-positive group. Conclusions: TAI had no impact on ovarian reserve in euthyroid women and had no association with IVF/ICSI outcomes in women with DOR. Although an increased incidence of congenital anomalies in the TAI-positive group was observed in women with NOR, an association between neonatal anomalies and TAI cannot be demonstrated. Large cohort studies to evaluate the effects of TAI on offspring health are warranted, and further experimental studies are required to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Subclinical Hypothyroidism Is Associated with Lower Ovarian Reserve in Women Aged 35 Years or Older

Background: Overt thyroid diseases have been identified as risk factors for female infertility. However, it remains largely unclear whether subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), a very common thyroid disorder, is associated with female infertility. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between SCH and the ovarian reserve in women seeking infertility treatment. Methods: This retrospective study included 2568 women with normal thyroid function (n = 2279) or SCH (n = 289) who visited our clinic for infertility treatment. Ovarian reserve markers, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations on days 2-4, the antral follicle count (AFC), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration, were compared between euthyroid women and those with SCH. Multiple linear and Poisson regression analyses were used to estimate the associations of SCH with ovarian reserve markers. These analyses were repeated separately in women aged <35 (n = 1349) and ≥35 years (n = 1219). Results: In the total study population, women with SCH had significantly lower AMH concentrations (median: 2.05 vs. 2.51 ng/mL, p = 0.015) and AFCs (median: 10.0 vs. 11.0, p = 0.013), compared with euthyroid women. In linear and Poisson regression analyses, SCH was significantly associated with a higher basal FSH concentration (mean difference = 1.13 mIU/mL [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97 to 1.29 mIU/mL], p < 0.001), lower AMH concentration (mean difference = -0.27 ng/mL [CI -0.43 to -0.12 ng/mL], p = 0.001), and lower AFC (mean difference = -0.7 [CI -1.3 to -0.2], p = 0.005). In women aged ≥35 years, SCH was significantly associated with FSH (mean difference = 1.74 mIU/mL, p < 0.001) and AMH concentrations (mean difference = -0.40 mg/mL, p < 0.001) and AFC (mean difference = -0.8, p < 0.001). In women <35 years old, SCH was significantly associated with a higher FSH concentration (mean difference = 0.30 mIU/mL, p < 0.001), but not with AMH or AFC concentrations (p = 0.84 and 0.06, respectively). Thyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb) positivity was not associated with measures of ovarian reserve. Conclusions: The data suggest that SCH is associated with decreased ovarian reserve during later reproductive age. TPOAb positivity was not associated with ovarian reserve. Future research is necessary to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating the diminished ovarian reserve in women with SCH and to evaluate whether levothyroxine supplementation may improve the ovarian function of women with SCH.

The impact of thyroid diseases starting from birth on reproductive function

The aim of this review is to provide relevant information regarding the impact of thyroid disease, starting from birth and mainly concerning hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, on reproduction. Hyperthyroidism occurs much less commonly in children than hypothyroidism, with Graves' disease (GD) being the most common cause of thyrotoxicosis in children. Children born with neonatal GD have no defects in the reproductive system that could be related to hyperthyroidism. Current treatment options include antithyroid drugs (ATD), surgery, and radioactive iodine (RAI). In males, normal thyroid function seems important, at least in some parameters, for maintenance of semen quality via genomic or non-genomic mechanisms, either by locally acting on Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, or germ cells, or by affecting crosstalk between the HPT axis and the HPG axis. Sexual behavior may also be affected in thyroxic men, although many of these patients may have normal free testosterone levels. In women, menstrual irregularities are the most common reproduction-related symptoms in thyrotoxicosis, while this disorder is also associated with reduced fertility, although most women remain ovulatory. An increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and androgens, thyroid autoimmunity, and an impact on uterine oxidative stress are the main pathophysiological mechanisms which may influence female fertility. Thyroid hormones are responsible for normal growth and development during pre- and postnatal life, congenital hypothyroidism (CH) being the most common cause of neonatal thyroid disorders, affecting about one newborn infant in 3500. The reproductive tract appears to develop normally in cretins. Today, CH-screening programs allow for early identification and treatment, and, as a result, affected children now achieve normal or near-normal development. Hypothyroidism in males is associated with decreased libido or impotence. Although little is currently known about the effects of hypothyroidism on spermatogenesis and fertility, it has been established that sperm morphology and motility are mainly affected. In women of reproductive age, hypothyroidism results in changes in cycle length and amount of bleeding. Moreover, a negative effect on fertility and higher miscarriage rates has also been described.

Thyroid hormone levels associate with exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated biphenyls in adults exposed as children

BACKGROUND

Michigan residents were directly exposed to endocrine-disrupting compounds, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). A growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to certain endocrine-disrupting compounds may affect thyroid function, especially in people exposed as children, but there are conflicting observations. In this study, we extend previous work by examining age of exposure's effect on the relationship between PBB exposure and thyroid function in a large group of individuals exposed to PBB.

METHODS

Linear regression models were used to test the association between serum measures of thyroid function (total thyroxine (T4), total triiodothyronine (T3), free T4, free T3, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and free T3: free T4 ratio) and serum PBB and PCB levels in a cross-sectional analysis of 715 participants in the Michigan PBB Registry.

RESULTS

Higher PBB levels were associated with many thyroid hormones measures, including higher free T3 (p = 0.002), lower free T4 (p = 0.01), and higher free T3: free T4 ratio (p = 0.0001). Higher PCB levels were associated with higher free T4 (p = 0.0002), and higher free T3: free T4 ratio (p = 0.002). Importantly, the association between PBB and thyroid hormones was dependent on age at exposure. Among people exposed before age 16 (N = 446), higher PBB exposure was associated with higher total T3 (p = 0.01) and free T3 (p = 0.0003), lower free T4 (p = 0.04), and higher free T3: free T4 ratio (p = 0.0001). No significant associations were found among participants who were exposed after age 16. No significant associations were found between TSH and PBB or PCB in any of the analyses conducted.

CONCLUSIONS

This suggests that both PBB and PCB are associated with thyroid function, particularly among those who were exposed as children or prenatally.

The chance of a live birth after assisted reproduction in women with thyroid disorders

Purpose

Women with thyroid disorders may have increased infertility and poor reproductive outcomes, but it is unclear if assisted reproductive technology (ART) is effective in this population. The aim of this study was to examine the chance of a pregnancy (biochemical and clinical), and a live birth after ART, in women with thyroid disorders undergoing ART treatment, compared to women without thyroid disorders. Among live-born children, we assessed the risk of congenital malformations.

Patients and methods

In a nationwide cohort study of all women undergoing ART treatments in Denmark from 1 January 1994 throughout June 2017, we calculated the chance of a pregnancy and a live birth after embryo transfer. Women with thyroid disorders were stratified into two groups: those diagnosed with hypothyroid or hyperthyroid disorders. The adjusted OR (aOR) of a biochemical and a clinical pregnancy, a live born child and a congenital malformation was computed using multilevel logistic regression models.

Results

In total, 199,674 embryo transfers were included in 2,101 women with thyroid disorders and in 65,526 women without thyroid disorders. The chance of a biochemical pregnancy was significantly reduced in women with hyperthyroidism (aOR=0.80, 95% CI 0.69–0.93), and the aOR of a live birth was 0.86, 95% CI 0.76–0.98. The aOR for a live birth in women with hypothyroidism was 1.03 (95% CI 0.94–1.12). Children of women with hypothyroidism, who were conceived after ART treatment, had a significantly increased risk of any congenital malformation (aOR=1.46 [95% CI 1.07–2.00]).

Conclusion

Women with hyperthyroidism receiving ART treatment had a decreased chance of a live birth per embryo transfer compared to women without thyroid disorders. Women with hypothyroidism did not have a decreased chance of a live birth but their offspring had an increased risk of congenital malformation.

Prevalence of Thyroid Autoimmune Antibodies in Women Seeking Fertility Care in Damascus, Syria

Introduction

Thyroid autoimmune (TAI) disease with a prevalence varying between 5 and 15%, represents the most common endocrine disorder in women with reproductive age. Not only is TAI disease five to 10 folds more common in women than men but also TAI diseases is often undiagnosed because it may be present without overt thyroid dysfunction for several years. Studies found an increased prevalence of TAI in women referred to fertility clinics compared with normal population. In this analysis we aimed to study the prevalence of TAI among women seeking fertility care in Damascus, Syria in order to understand its clinical and public health importance in population.

Methods

This study is a retrospective cross-sectional study on women patients seeking fertility care at Orient Hospital, Damascus city, Syria from April 2011 to March 2018. A total of 2526 women, with available biochemical data of anti-thyroid antibodies (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (anti-TG) were included in our study. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) titers data were also included in the statistical analysis.

Results

TAI was found positive in 559 patients (22.1%) of our studies population. TAI was more prevalent in patients with abnormal TSH levels.

Conclusion

Thyroid autoimmunity prevalence in women seeking fertility care in Damascus, Syria was 22.1% which is significantly higher than normal population. Further studies are needed to assess the relation of these antibodies in thyroid, gynecological and other factors for the Syrian population.

Cross-sectional associations between urinary triclosan and serum thyroid function biomarker concentrations in women

INTRODUCTION

Exposure to the antimicrobial agent triclosan is ubiquitous. Research in animals shows that triclosan can cause decreases in thyroxine concentrations. However, the potential effects of triclosan on thyroid function in humans are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the association between urinary triclosan concentrations and serum thyroid function biomarkers in women seeking assisted reproduction treatment in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) Study.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 317 women enrolled in the EARTH Study, a prospective preconception cohort that recruits Boston area couples. Using samples collected at study entry, we quantified urinary triclosan and serum thyroid function biomarker concentrations, specifically free and total thyroxine and triiodothyronine, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroid antibodies. We estimated covariate-adjusted differences in thyroid function biomarkers per 10-fold increase in triclosan using linear regression models. We examined effect modification by body mass index (BMI) and infertility diagnosis.

RESULTS

The median urinary triclosan concentration was 7.8 μg/L (IQR: 3.0-59 μg/L). Each 10-fold increase in triclosan was inversely associated with free triidothyronine (T₃) (β: -0.06 pg/mL; 95% CI: -0.1, -0.01), thyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb) (-10%; 95% CI: -19, -0.4), and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) (-12%; 95% CI: -23,0.9) concentrations. BMI and infertility diagnosis modified the association of triclosan with free T₃ and TPOAb, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Urinary triclosan concentrations were inversely associated with specific serum thyroid function biomarkers in this cohort, suggesting that triclosan may affect thyroid homeostasis and autoimmunity.