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Raad G, Tanios J, Serdarogullari M, Bazzi M, Mourad Y, Azoury J, Yarkiner Z, Liperis G, Fakih F, Fakih C. Mature oocyte dysmorphisms may be associated with progesterone levels, mitochondrial DNA content, and vitality in luteal granulosa cells. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:795-813. [PMID: 38363455 PMCID: PMC10957819 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03053-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify whether follicular environment parameters are associated with mature oocyte quality, embryological and clinical outcomes. METHODS This retrospective study examined 303 mature oocytes from 51 infertile women undergoing ICSI cycles between May 2018 and June 2021. Exclusion criteria consisted of advanced maternal age (> 36 years old), premature ovarian failure, obesity in women, or use of frozen gametes. Luteal granulosa cells (LGCs) were analyzed for mitochondrial DNA/genomic (g) DNA ratio and vitality. The relationships between hormone levels in the follicular fluid and oocyte features were assessed. Quantitative morphometric measurements of mature oocytes were assessed, and the association of LGC parameters and oocyte features on live birth rate after single embryo transfer was examined. RESULTS Results indicated an inverse correlation between the mtDNA/gDNA ratio of LGCs and the size of polar body I (PBI). A 4.0% decrease in PBI size was observed with each one-unit increase in the ratio (p = 0.04). Furthermore, a 1% increase in LGC vitality was linked to a 1.3% decrease in fragmented PBI (p = 0.03), and a 1 ng/mL increase in progesterone levels was associated with a 0.1% rise in oocytes with small inclusions (p = 0.015). Associations were drawn among LGC characteristics, perivitelline space (PVS) debris, cytoplasmic inclusions, PBI integrity, and progesterone levels. Certain dysmorphisms in mature oocytes were associated with embryo morphokinetics; however, live birth rates were not associated with follicular parameters and oocyte quality characteristics. CONCLUSION Follicular markers may be associated with mature oocyte quality features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georges Raad
- Al Hadi Laboratory and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon
| | | | - Munevver Serdarogullari
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Cyprus International University, Northern Cyprus Via Mersin 10, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Marwa Bazzi
- Al Hadi Laboratory and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Youmna Mourad
- Al Hadi Laboratory and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Joseph Azoury
- Azoury IVF Clinic, ObGyn and Infertility, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zalihe Yarkiner
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences-Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Cyprus International University, Northern Cyprus Via Mersin 10, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Georgios Liperis
- Westmead Fertility Centre, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
| | - Fadi Fakih
- Al Hadi Laboratory and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Chadi Fakih
- Al Hadi Laboratory and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
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Cimadomo D, Forman EJ, Morbeck DE, Liperis G, Miller K, Zaninovic N, Sturmey R, Rienzi L. Day7 and low-quality blastocysts: opt in or opt out? A dilemma with important clinical implications. Fertil Steril 2023; 120:1151-1159. [PMID: 38008467 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric J Forman
- Columbia University Fertility Center, New York, New York
| | - Dean E Morbeck
- Morbeck Consulting Ltd., Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Georgios Liperis
- Westmead Fertility Centre, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Nikica Zaninovic
- The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Roger Sturmey
- Biomedical Institute for Multimorbidity, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Rienzi
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Rome, Italy; Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy.
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Liperis G, Ibrahim H, Crittenden J, Atkinson M, Sjoblom C. P-164 COVID-19 vaccination does not impair fertilisation outcomes in IVF or ICSI cycles. A retrospective cohort study of patients’ cycle outcomes before and after vaccination. Hum Reprod 2022. [PMCID: PMC9384414 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac107.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Study question
Does vaccination against Covid-19 affect fertilisation outcomes for patients returning for further IVF/ICSI cycle following vaccination?
Summary answer
Fertilisation outcome and selection of fertilisation method based on semen parameters are not altered after COVID-19 vaccination of both partners.
What is known already
There has been much speculation regarding the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine on fertility in both men and women. While vaccine hesitancy has been high amongst people of reproductive age, there is no current evidence that COVID-19 vaccines impact fertility. However, infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause severe complications in pregnancy. Fertility may also be impacted as suggested by observation of decreased sperm count in some men, presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the testicles as well as invasion of SARS-CoV-2 in ovaries, uterus, vagina and placenta.
Study design, size, duration
The study included 89 returning, consenting couples undergoing IVF/ICSI in 2021 at Westmead Fertility Centre soon after receiving their COVID-19 vaccine. The fertilisation method and outcomes were compared to their most recent cycle preceding vaccination (2017-2021).
Participants/materials, setting, methods
Fertilisation method was decided based on semen parameters. Semen ejaculates on the day of oocyte retrieval were assessed according to WHO criteria (5th edition). Conventional IVF was performed for patients with normozoospermic samples above lower reference limits for concentration and motility and ICSI was done in patients falling below these criteria. Fertilisation method and outcomes for IVF and ICSI were compared to the most recent cycle performed prior to either partner receiving their COVID-19 vaccine.
Main results and the role of chance
89 couples returned for an IVF/ICSI cycle following vaccination against Covid-19. Fertilisation outcomes were not significantly different following COVID-19 vaccination (NS, p > 0.05, c2). Average fertilisation rate (2PN/MII oocyte) per couple undergoing conventional IVF post-vaccination was 71.9±1.1% compared to 68.1±1.1% in the previous cycle (NS), while average fertilisation rate per couple undergoing ICSI post-vaccination was 51.7±1.2% compared to 47.6±1.2% pre-vaccination (NS). The average age of women/men at the time of OPU post-vaccination was 36.1±0.6/38.3±0.7 years, compared to 35.3±0.6/37.5±0.7 years in the treatment prior vaccination. In the post-vaccination cycle, 55 patients had normozoospermic samples on the day and underwent conventional IVF (61.8%), while 34 patients underwent ICSI (38.2%). Vaccination against COVID-19 did not affect fertilisation method selection with 82/89 (92.1%) of couples having the same method in pre- and post-vaccination cycles. Fertilisation method was different for seven couples (7.9%), with two choosing ICSI post-vaccination, and five being driven by change in semen parameters. Four couples had ICSI in the pre-vaccination cycle and IVF in the post-vaccination cycle, while one couple had IVF in the pre-vaccination cycle and ICSI in the post-vaccination cycle, all resulting in a non-significantly different fertilisation rate per couple (70.5±3.8% post-vaccination compared to 66.7±3.6% in the pre-vaccination cycle, NS).
Limitations, reasons for caution
The results represent the experience gained from current practice and not of a prospective controlled study. The developmental potential of embryos generated and clinical outcomes were not explored.
Wider implications of the findings
IVF/ICSI fertilisation outcomes are likely not affected by both partners being vaccinated against COVID-19 when considering fertilisation rates, semen characteristics and fertilisation method. This information may assist vaccine hesitant couples of reproductive age in making their choice regarding vaccination.
Trial registration number
2101-08 QA
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Affiliation(s)
- G Liperis
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine- University of Sydney, Westmead Fertility Centre , Sydney, Australia
| | - H Ibrahim
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine- University of Sydney, Westmead Fertility Centre , Sydney, Australia
| | - J Crittenden
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine- University of Sydney, Westmead Fertility Centre , Sydney, Australia
| | - M Atkinson
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine- University of Sydney, Westmead Fertility Centre , Sydney, Australia
| | - C Sjoblom
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine- University of Sydney, Westmead Fertility Centre , Sydney, Australia
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Massarotti C, Kohlhepp F, Liperis G, Ammar OF, Mincheva MN, Ali ZE, Amorim CA, Anderson R, Fraire-Zamora JJ. #ESHREjc report: Is OTO-IVM the future fertility preservation alternative for urgent cancer patients? Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2631-2633. [PMID: 34352101 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Massarotti
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Florian Kohlhepp
- Global Medical Affairs Fertility, Research and Development, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Georgios Liperis
- Westmead Fertility Centre, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Omar Farhan Ammar
- Ar-Razi Hospital, Assisted Conception and Genetics Unit, Ramadi, Iraq
| | - Mina N Mincheva
- Centre for Tumor Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | - Christiani A Amorim
- Pôle de Recherche en Gynécologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Richard Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Duong HQ, Tang VKH, Liperis G, Khoa LD. Orchidopexy Results in the Recovery of Sperm in the Ejaculate of a Non-obstructive Azoospermic Adult with Bilateral Cryptorchidism — A Case Report. FandR 2019. [DOI: 10.1142/s2661318219500014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptorchidism or undescended testis is one of the most common pediatric disorders of the male endocrine glands and the most typical congenital abnormality identified at birth. Bilateral cryptorchidism is frequently associated with azoospermia and male infertility. The standard therapy is the surgical repositioning of the testes (orchidopexy) within the scrotal sac after the age of six months to eighteen months. Current findings suggest that no sperm is recovered in the ejaculate, for patients with bilateral cryptorchidism, when the mean age at the time of orchidopexy is around 16 years and above. Here we report an unusual case of an adult patient with bilateral cryptorchidism and non-obstructive azoospermia for which orchidopexy resulted in the recovery of sperm in the ejaculate, improving his options for future fertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huy Quang Duong
- Department of Andrology, Au Co Hospital, Bien Hoa City, Vietnam
| | | | - Georgios Liperis
- Westmead Fertility Centre, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Le Dang Khoa
- IVFMD, My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Swearman H, Liperis G, Crittenden J, Sjoblom C. Fertilization by ICSI results in significantly higher aneuploidy rates compared to IVF, in embryos analysed by next generation sequencing (NGS) or comparative genome hybridization (CGH) array. Fertil Steril 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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