Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Aiym Kaiyrlykyzy, Faina Linkov, Faye Foster, Gauri Bapayeva, Talshyn Ukybassova, Gulzhanat Aimagambetova, Kamila Kenbayeva, Bakytkali Ibrayimov, Alla Lyasova, Milan Terzic
Summary: This study found that patients who experienced severe pain during Pipelle endometrial biopsy tended to be more anxious during the procedure and required more sampling attempts. Pain level was higher among patients sampled by junior OB/GYN specialists, but there were no differences in biopsy success rates in relation to baseline, during and postprocedural pain and anxiety scores. Anxiety during the procedure was significantly associated with severe pain but did not impact the success of the biopsy.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
N. E. van Hoogenhuijze, F. Mol, J. S. E. Laven, E. R. Groenewoud, M. A. F. Traas, C. A. H. Janssen, G. Teklenburg, J. P. de Bruin, R. H. F. van Oppenraaij, J. W. M. Maas, E. Moll, K. Fleischer, M. H. A. van Hooff, C. H. de Koning, A. E. P. Cantineau, C. B. Lambalk, M. Verberg, A. M. van Heusden, A. P. Manger, M. M. E. van Rumste, L. F. van der Voet, Q. D. Pieterse, J. Visser, E. A. Brinkhuis, J. E. den Hartog, M. W. Glas, N. F. Klijn, S. van der meer, M. L. Bandell, J. C. Boxmeer, J. van Disseldorp, J. Smeenk, M. van Wely, M. J. C. Eijkemans, H. L. Torrance, F. J. M. Broekmans
Summary: The study found that endometrial scratching in women with one failed IVF/ICSI treatment resulted in 4.6% more live births in the scratch group compared to the control group, with a likely certainty range between -0.7% and +9.9%. Larger studies are needed to further assess the efficacy and clinical implications of endometrial scratching.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Edgardo Somigliana, Andrea Busnelli, Erkan Kalafat, Paola Vigano, Baris Ata
Summary: Most proposed definitions of recurrent implantation failure (RIF) are not statistically based. Recently, statistical approaches have been proposed, but their effectiveness relies on endorsement from the scientific community.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2022)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Nienke E. van Hoogenhuijze, Gemma Lahoz Casarramona, Sarah Lensen, Cindy Farquhar, Mohan S. Kamath, Aleyamma T. Kunjummen, Nick Raine-Fenning, Sine Berntsen, Anja Pinborg, Shari Mackens, Zeynep Ozturk Inal, Ernest H. Y. Ng, Jennifer S. M. Mak, Sachin A. Narvekar, Wellington P. Martins, Mia Steengaard Olesen, Helen L. Torrance, Ben W. Mol, Marinus J. C. Eijkemans, Rui Wang, Frank J. M. Broekmans
Summary: This meta-analysis based on individual participant data suggests that endometrial scratching may improve live birth rates in women undergoing IVF/ICSI. However, the effectiveness of scratching may vary in different subgroups, and the timing of the procedure may also play a role. Therefore, the use of endometrial scratching in clinical practice should be done cautiously and patients should be informed about the level of evidence and uncertainties.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION UPDATE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Norhayati Liaqat Ali Khan, Tamer Nafee, Tingting Shao, Amber Rose Hart, Sarah Elliott, Bolarinde Ola, Paul Roy Heath, Alireza Fazeli
Summary: In this study, the nature of biological malfunction and related pathways of differentially expressed genes in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent early pregnancy loss (REPL) were investigated. The findings revealed significant alterations in gene expression in the endometrium of RIF and REPL patients, particularly in ribosome and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. These dysregulated genes and pathways play a crucial role in understanding the molecular pathology of RIF and REPL, as well as in addressing diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment issues.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Paul Pirtea, Marcelle I. Cedars, Kate Devine, Baris Ata, Jason Franasiak, Catherine Racowsky, Jim Toner, Richard T. Scott, Dominique de Ziegler, Kurt T. Barnhart
Summary: To date, there is no clear definition and function impairment of recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Therefore, the term RIF is currently used somewhat haphazardly based on clinicians' judgment. International experts in reproductive medicine met in Lugano, Switzerland, in July 2022 to review RIF and determine its diagnosis and management. Rating: 8/10
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fangfang Li, Wenxin Gao, Yanmei Li, Yiqing Wang, Lin Liu, Xuehong Zhang
Summary: This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers, explore relevant signaling pathways, and analyze the contribution of immune cell infiltration in recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Ten hub genes were found to predict RIF with high specificity and sensitivity. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed close interactions between the hub genes and the endometrial receptivity array. Functional enrichment analyses indicated significant downregulation of immune pathways and upregulation of lipid metabolism pathways in RIF. Immune cell infiltration, including various types of cells, was significantly reduced in RIF compared with controls. This study may provide new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of RIF.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Stefano Palomba, Domenico Carone, Amerigo Vitagliano, Flavia Costanzi, Alice Fracassi, Tiziana Russo, Serena Del Negro, Altiero Biello, Aldo Di Filippo, Antonio Mangiacasale, Antonio Monaco, Antonio Ranieri, Beatrice Ermini, Bruno Francesco Barba, Claudio Castello, Federica Di Guardo, Francesco Pastorella, Elena Bernasconi, Ezio Michele Tricarico, Francesca Filippi, Francesco Polsinelli, Giuseppe Lo M. Monte, Loredana Sosa Fernandez, Marco Galletta, Paolo Giardina, Pasquale Totaro, Roberto Laganara, Roberto Liguori, Matteo Buccheri, Mario Montanino Oliva, Rosita Piscopo, Assunta Iuliano, Nicola Innantuoni, Irene Romanello, Francesco Sinatra, Annalisa Liprino, Roberto Thiella, Alessandra Tiezzi, Tiziana Bartolotti, Alessandra Tomasi, Valeria Finocchiaro, Mario Thiella, Giuseppa Fuggetta, Sebastiano Messineo, Francesco Isabella, Marcello Tripodi, Stefania Iaccarino, Giovanni Battista La Sala, Enrico Papaleo, Donatella Caserta, Roberto Marci, Edgardo Somigliana, Antonino Guglielmino, talian Soc Human Reprod SIRU
Summary: This study aimed to assess the views and behaviors towards endometrial scratching (ES) among fertility specialists in Italy and the relationship between these views and the attitudes towards the use of ES as an add-on in their commercial setting. The results showed that ES is still performed by fertility specialists in Italy to improve the implantation rate in IVF patients, but they have a poor attitude towards proposing ES as an add-on in the commercial setting.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irem Gulfem Albayrak, Fatemeh Azhari, Ezgi Nur Colak, Burcin Karamustafaoglu Balci, Ege Ulgen, Ugur Sezerman, Ercan Bastu, Tuba Gunel
Summary: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is diagnosed when good-quality embryos repeatedly fail to implant after transfer, potentially due to dysregulated gene expression. This study focused on identifying significantly dysregulated genes related to implantation between healthy fertile women and RIF patients. The study found up-regulated expression of MME and WWC1 genes, and down-regulated expression of TNC gene in RIF samples compared to controls, suggesting potential mechanisms underlying RIF.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alexandra Izquierdo, Laura de la Fuente, Katharina Spies, David Lora, Alberto Galindo
Summary: This study analyzed the results of 352 patients undergoing egg-donor IVF cycles and found that patients with at least two previous failed implantations showed improved pregnancy rates after ES. However, there was no statistically significant difference in clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates among different groups, leading to the conclusion that there is no evidence to recommend ES in egg-donor IVF cycles regardless of the number of previous failed cycles.
Article
Immunology
Peigen Chen, Panyu Chen, Yingchun Guo, Cong Fang, Tingting Li
Summary: Investigating the interaction between chronic endometritis (CE) induced endometrial microbiota disorder and endometrial immune environment change in recurrent implantation failure (RIF), it was found that CD4 T cells and macrophages exhibited significant differences in abundance between CE and non-CE patients. The endometrial microorganisms in CE patients, particularly Phyllobacterium and Sphingomonas, played a role in regulating immune cells by interfering with carbohydrate and/or fat metabolism. The microbial disorders in CE endometrium led to increased synthesis of lipopolysaccharide, potentially affecting Th17 and Th1/Th17 ratio.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Jiaxing Li, Jia Qi, Guangxin Yao, Qinling Zhu, Xinyu Li, Rui Xu, Zhenyi Zhu, Hanting Zhao, Yuan Wang, Ying Ding, Yun Sun
Summary: SIRT1 plays a crucial role in regulating differentiation and maintaining ROS homeostasis of human ESCs during decidualization. Decreased expression of SIRT1 in RIF patients disrupts ROS balance, leading to inhibition of decidualization and reduced expression of decidual markers.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manizha Shekibi, Sophea Heng, Guiying Nie
Summary: The development of endometrial receptivity is crucial for successful embryo implantation and pregnancy initiation. Recent studies have focused on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the regulation of endometrial receptivity. This review provides an up-to-date knowledge of the miRNAs identified in humans and mice that may play a functional role in the establishment of receptivity. The findings suggest that miRNAs could be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for improving endometrial receptivity in human fertility treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
N. E. van Hoogenhuijze, R. van Eekelen, F. Mol, I Schipper, E. R. Groenewoud, M. A. F. Traas, C. A. H. Janssen, G. Teklenburg, J. P. de Bruin, R. H. F. van Oppenraaij, J. W. M. Maas, E. Moll, K. Fleischer, M. H. A. van Hooff, C. H. de Koning, A. E. P. Cantineau, C. B. Lambalk, M. Verberg, A. M. van Heusden, A. P. Manger, M. M. E. van Rumste, L. F. van der Voet, Q. D. Pieterse, J. Visser, E. A. Brinkhuis, J. E. den Hartog, M. W. Glas, N. F. Klijn, M. van der Zanden, M. L. Bandell, J. C. Boxmeer, J. van Disseldorp, J. Smeenk, M. van Wely, M. J. C. Eijkemans, H. L. Torrance, F. J. M. Broekmans
Summary: Endometrial scratch prior to the second fresh IVF/ICSI treatment may increase live birth rate, but comes with higher costs and uncertainty in effectiveness.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Karolina Piekarska, Pawel Radwan, Agnieszka Tarnowska, Andrzej Wisniewski, Michal Radwan, Jacek R. Wilczynski, Andrzej Malinowski, Izabela Nowak
Summary: During early pregnancy, maternal uterine natural killer (NK) cells play a key role in regulating the immune response, with ERAP1 and ERAP2 influencing the HLA class I immunopeptidome formation. This study explores the associations between ERAP1 and ERAP2 polymorphisms, KIR, and HLA-C genes in recurrent implantation failure (RIF), revealing potential impacts of certain ERAP polymorphisms on RIF susceptibility in HLA-C2-positive patients. Moreover, differences in ERAP secretion levels between fertile women and those experiencing IVF procedures suggest potential implications of ERAP1 and ERAP2 in reproductive processes.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Cynthia M. Farquhar, Marian G. Showell, Emily A. E. Showell, Penny Beetham, Nora Baak, Selma Mourad, Vanessa M. B. Jordan
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2017)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Helena Trollope, Joyce Pui Yee Leung, Michelle Wise, Cynthia Farquhar, Lynn Sadler
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Z. Li, A. Y. Wang, M. Bowman, K. Hammarberg, C. Farquhar, L. Johnson, N. Safi, E. A. Sullivan
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2018)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
J. Wilkinson, D. R. Brison, J. M. N. Duffy, C. M. Farquhar, S. Lensen, S. Mastenbroek, M. van Wely, A. Vail
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2019)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Alex Wang, Fekede Asefa Kumsa, Iain Kaan, Zhuoyang Li, Elizabeth Sullivan, Cynthia M. Farquhar
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Lucy Kate Goodman, Lucy Rebecca Prentice, Rebecca Chanati, Cynthia Farquhar
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Elizabeth Joan Glanville, Christos Venetis, Clare Anne Boothroyd, Cynthia Farquhar, Mary Louise Hull
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sarah Lensen, Sheng Chen, Lucy Goodman, Luk Rombauts, Cindy Farquhar, Karin Hammarberg
Summary: The study found widespread advertising of IVF add-ons on clinic websites in Australasia, with most claims of benefit not quantified and lacking scientific publications support. None of the add-ons were supported by high-quality evidence for improving pregnancy or live birth rates.
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Emily Aspasia Karanges, Conrad Nangla, Lisa Parker, Alice Fabbri, Cynthia Farquhar, Lisa Bero
Summary: The study investigated pharmaceutical industry payments related to fertility and assisted reproduction in Australia, revealing that pharmaceutical companies sponsored a range of fertility clinicians and organizations, potentially contributing to the overuse of fertility services.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marian Showell, Cynthia M. Farquhar, Grace Greenwood, Vanessa M. B. Jordan
Summary: This study evaluated the reporting of results from projects and programmes funded by the Health Research Council (HRC) New Zealand. It found that 13% of the projects from 2006 to 2014 did not publish or report any research output.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sarah C. Armstrong, Emily Vaughan, Sarah Lensen, Lucy Caughey, Cynthia M. Farquhar, Allan Pacey, Adam H. Balen, Michelle Peate, Elaine Wainwright
Summary: This study investigates the decision-making process and concerns surrounding IVF add-ons. Patients often prioritize hope over safety, efficacy, and cost, while professionals prioritize patient outcomes and avoiding wasteful spending. Applying available evidence to individual circumstances is challenging for both groups.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sarah C. Armstrong, Sarah Lensen, Emily Vaughan, Elaine Wainwright, Michelle Peate, Adam H. Balen, Cynthia M. Farquhar, Allan Pacey
Summary: This study aims to investigate the types and costs of add-ons offered by IVF clinics in the UK, explore the opinions and beliefs of patients, clinicians, and embryologists on add-ons through qualitative interviews, and review the interpretation of the HFEA traffic light system to improve decision-making information for IVF stakeholders.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Lucy Prentice, Lynn Sadler, Sarah Lensen, Melissa Vercoe, Jack Wilkinson, Richard Edlin, Georgina M. Chambers, Cynthia M. Farquhar
HUMAN REPRODUCTION OPEN
(2020)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Cynthia Farquhar
BMJ EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE
(2019)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Cynthia M. Farquhar, Paolo Vercellini, Jane Marjoribanks
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2017)