bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
O-104 Providing accurate information – impact of ancestry testing
Authors: Kirkman-Brown J , Calhaz-Jorge C , Dancet E , Lundin K , Martins M , Tilleman K , Thorn P , Vermeulen N , Frith L 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Providing information to patients and, or donors at the ART clinic is essential but challenging, especially in the case of reproductive donation.
Recent developments in direct-to-consumer genetic testing combined with social media have increased the degree of difficulty. Concepts such as donor anonymity, secrecy and disclosure have to be revisited and totally re-thought as the anonymity of donors, their relatives and also of the children born through donation is no longer guaranteed.
This potentially has significant effects on everyone involved: to donors who donated under the assumption that their donation was completely anonymous, to recipients who were under the impression that they could keep donor conception a secret and to donor offspring who were unaware of their donor-assisted conception. It is also effectively retrospective affecting everyone who has, is or might participate.
Providing the correct information to donors, ART couples and donor-conceived offspring is the key, and advise for such information provision will be presented in line with the recently published ESHRE good practice recommendations for information provision for those involved in reproductive donation.
Trial registration number
O-110 Endometrial preparation for FET: HRT vs. Natural cycle
Authors: Polyzos N.P 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles have increased dramatically over the past decade, mainly due to the introduction of vitrification as a more efficient method of cryopreservation, and the increase of the freeze-all strategy in order to reduce the risk of OHSS.
Planning of FET cycles is a key step for the implantation of the frozen-thawed embryos since it allows the synchronization of the endometrium with the developmental stage of the embryo.
Endometrial preparation can be achieved either through hormonal replacement treatment (HRT) by an artificial cycle using exogenous estrogen administration for the development of the endometrium and subsequent administration of exogenous progesterone for its secretory transformation (AC-FET) or via a natural cycle, following the detection of LH surge (NC-FET), or the trigger of ovulation with human chorionic gonadotrophin (mNC-FET).
The scope of the current presentation is to provide an overview of the different methods of endometrial preparation for FET cycles, their advantages, and disadvantages, and the evidence regarding clinical but also adverse obstetrical and perinatal outcomes, following each different protocol.

Trial registration number
O-171 Quality improvement in endometriosis fertility care
Authors: Van der Houwen L 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Women with endometriosis often present with abdominal pain, dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia and infertility. As a definitive cure for endometriosis is lacking, women with endometriosis are usually in need of long-term treatment which may be recurring if periods of non-treatment are employed. Women with endometriosis often report the feeling of not being heard, not taken seriously and having had different advices from different health care providers. Around half of women with endometriosis are dissatisfied with their medical support. Clear and consistent counselling is one of the important aspects of care that women with endometriosis report to be poor.
Infertile women with endometriosis need to consider different aspects before being able to conceive: i) each natural cycle no pregnancy is achieved, endometriosis complaints might recur or aggravate, ii) hormonal treatment of endometriosis is contraceptive and prevents pregnancy, iii) surgical treatment might increase natural chances or make ART possible but could cause ovarian damage, and iv) ART might shorten time to pregnancy and increase chances, but does not allow for natural conception. Advice on fertility care, including ART and surgery, is often based on moderate to poor quality evidence and experts’ opinions.
It is important to be able to counsel women with endometriosis adequately, especially when multiple treatments are available and there is no one perfect treatment. Therefore, good quality of care and insights in patient preferences are key. It is important to understand current patient-centeredness of endometriosis care. What can be improved? How can we best support women with endometriosis? What do they need? What are their experiences and how should we change our care in the future?
O-180 Body mass index (BMI) is not associated with ovarian response to gonadotropin during IVF/ICSI treatment: An evaluation of 4499 IVF/ICSI cycles
Authors: Petersen C.G , Massaro F.C , Petersen B , Vagnini L , Nicoletti A , Ricci J , Zamara C , Oliani A.H , Oliveira J.B.A , Dieamant F , Franco J.G. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Study question
Is there an association between body mass index (BMI) and ovarian response in IVF/ICSI treatment?

Summary answer
BMI does not seem to be associated with the ovarian response to gonadotropin.

What is known already
Obesity is becoming an increasingly widespread health problem. Elevated BMI in patients who undergo assisted reproduction technology has been associated with higher doses of gonadotropins, higher risks of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, increased cancellation rates, and lower oocyte recovery compared to women with normal BMI. In addition, overweight and obese women submitted to IVF may present reduced rates of clinical pregnancy and live births and an increased miscarriage rate. However, population differences should be considered.

Study design, size, duration
This prospective cohort study included 4499 women who underwent IVF/ICSI cycles. Only one cycle per couple was considered. Inclusion criteria included normal karyotype, presence of two ovaries as observed by ultrasound examination, and no history of ovarian surgery, endometriosis, hydrosalpinx, infection, or endocrine disorders. Patients were stratified into four groups by BMI: &lt;18.5 kg/m2 (underweight); 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 (normal weight); 25-29.9 kg/m2 (overweight); and ≥30 kg/m2 (obesity).

Participants/materials, setting, methods
The BMI values were associated with age, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, antral follicle counts (AFC), total dose of FSH and LH, number of follicles and number of retrieved oocytes (total and metaphase II) of IVF/ICSI cycles. The statistical analyses for group comparisons were performed using t test, Mann–Whitney test and the Kruskal–Wallis test.

Main results and the role of chance
No statistically significant differences were observed between BMI groups regarding age, AMH levels, AFC, dose of gonadotropin used (FSH and LH), days of stimulation, number of follicles and number of retrieved eggs (total and metaphase II). Table 1 summarizes the results.

Limitations, reasons for caution
A possible limitation is the cross-sectional nature of the data. Differences in sample size between BMI groups may have influenced the results.

Wider implications of the findings
Against common sense in the literature, the results did not reveal a relationship between BMI and the ovarian response to gonadotropins. BMI as an additional tool in the individualization of ovarian stimulation protocols should be reviewed.

Trial registration number
Not applicable.
O-214 New Study of 529 Donor-Conceived Adults
Authors: Kramer W 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Study question
Does how and when a donor-conceived person (DCP) learns about their conception significantly affect their experiences and choices, including whether they’d consider using a donor or donating their own gametes?

Summary answer
DCP are more likely to have neutral/positive feelings if told at a very young age about their donor origins by a family member.

What is known already
DCP have reported that knowing about the methodology of their conception from an early age is optimal.

Study design, size, duration
A cross-sectional survey of adult DCP was disseminated to registered users of the Donor Sibling Registry (DSR) in 2021. The survey consisted of 31 items including whether experience as DCP was positive or negative, the willingness to use donor gametes if spontaneous conception was not an option, and included questions regarding donating gametes.

Participants/materials, setting, methods
529 people (81.7% female) completed the survey. The median age was 28 years (range 18-77 years) and 94.7% were conceived via donor sperm.

Main results and the role of chance
Most felt “neutral” (31.6%), “positive” (26.3%) or “very positive” (20.8%) about being a DCP regardless of donor type (sperm vs. oocyte vs. embryo). While most found out about being a DCP after age 18 (63.4%), those with a positive experience were more likely to “have always known” (40.7%).
Those with a positive experience were not more likely to consider the donor a relative (46.4%) or have an ongoing relationship with one or more half-siblings from the same donor (24.5%). A negative experience being a DCP was associated with having medical complications due to a lack of a complete health history (30.0%).
Willingness to utilize donor gametes if unable to conceive spontaneously was low (31.9%) and few had considered or used donor gametes in the past (12.1%). However, DCP who rated their overall experience as neutral/positive were significantly more likely to be willing to consider using donors themselves if needed (39.8%).
Only 1.9% (10) DCP had donated sperm, oocytes, or embryos. DCPs who were donors tended to be less likely to have an ongoing relationship with their own donor (50%) but were no more likely to have an ongoing relationship with a half-sibling(s) from the same donor (85.7%)

Limitations, reasons for caution
Because it is not known how many donor-conceived people exist, we don't know what percentage of them have responded to this survey.

Wider implications of the findings
People conceived by donor-assisted reproduction are more likely to have neutral to positive overall feelings surrounding their conception if they are told at a very young age about their donor-conceived origins by a family member. Early disclosure should therefore be an integral part of any prospective parent counseling.

Trial registration number
Not applicable
O-317 Panel discussion: Refugee Embryos: Abandon or Rescue? what policies should nations with third party reproduction programs consider to repatriate the gametes of foreign couples
Authors: Everingham S 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Ukraine's large population, low salaries and medical expertise along with being one of just a handful of countries with laws regulating surrogacy for foreigners meant that following South-east Asian governments closure of unregulated surrogacy programs, Ukraine emerged in 2016 as the European hub for affordable surrogacy and Donor IVF programs for heterosexual married couples from around the globe. Thousands of infertile couples utilised Ukraine surrogacy programs over the following six years. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 it is estimated that over 30,000 embryos and gametes belonging to foreigners were in Ukraine storage facilities. Some of these have been temporarily re-located to safer cities or neighbouring countries. This session discusses the difficulties patients face in finding a new home' for these embryos, given the very limited number of countries with capacity and laws which support surrogacy programs. This discussion also considers the differences in individual countries own laws around the ability to accept embryos where anonymous donors were used and what national regulatory bodies could do to ensure these refugee embryos find safe harbour.

Trial registration number
P-016 Effects of the different partial deletions in the AZFc locus of Y-chromosome on the ICSI outcome of severe oligospermia patients
Authors: Guo H , Xia Y 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Study question
To investigate the effects of different partial deletions in AZFc locus of Y-chromosome on the clinical outcome of severe oligospermia patients by intracytoplasmic single sperm injection (ICSI)

Summary answer
B2/b3 and b2/b4 deletion in the AZFc locus of Y chromosome have no significant effect on pregnancy outcome in patients with severe oligospermia undergoing ICSI.

What is known already
Thanks to the development of high-throughput sequencing for Y chromosome microdeletion, AZFc deletions can be accurately divided into b2/b4, gr/gr, b2/b3 and b1/b3 types. However, there is no relevant research on the effect of different partial deletion types of AZFc on the outcome of assisted reproduction.

Study design, size, duration
According to whether carrying AZFc microdeletions or not, the patients were divided into AZFc-deletion group and control group. And AZFc-deletion group was divided into 3 subgroups by the types of partial deletion.

Participants/materials, setting, methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients undergoing high-throughput sequencing for Y chromosome microdeletion screening and ICSI treatment in our hospital from December 2017 to February 2019.

Main results and the role of chance
The AZFc b2/b3 deletion group had no significant difference in D3 availability, high-quality embryo rate, blastocyst formation rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate, and the control group (P &gt; 0.05). The rate of high-quality embryos in patients with the b2/b4 deletion was lower than that of the control group (23.2% vs. 34.3%, P = 0.004), but there was no statistical difference in other indicators.

Limitations, reasons for caution
In this study, we included only patients who underwent ICSI with ejaculate sperm for analysis, but not patients who had successfully obtained sperm through surgery.

Wider implications of the findings
This study helps clinicians provide more detailed and comprehensive infertility risk answers during consultations with such patients to reduce the mental stress of patients.

Trial registration number
not applicable
P-034 Rate of testicular histology failure in predicting successful testicular sperm extraction in Non-Obstructive Azoospermia
Authors: Tondo F , Albani E , Arruzzolo L , Castellano S , Cesana A , Smeraldi A , Levi Setti P.E 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Study question
Does testicular histology predict successful or unsuccessful TEsticular Sperm Extraction (TESE) in Non-Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) patients?

Summary answer
Testicular histology failed to predict successful TESE in 1 of 3 NOA patients.

What is known already
The management of patients with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) involves TEsticular Sperm Extraction (TESE) combined with IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Sperm retrieval is successful in up to 50% of men with NOA; however, there is no single clinical finding or investigation that can accurately predict a positive outcome. Previous studies have concluded that testicular histology is the best predictor of a successful or unsuccessful TESE.

Study design, size, duration
This is a retrospective study of 525 patients who underwent TESE between January 2018 and December 2020 in Humanitas Fertility Center.

Participants/materials, setting, methods
The cohort was dived in five groups: 287 NOA, 95 necrozoospermia, 18 anejaculation, 1 testicular trauma and 124 Obstructive Azoospermia (OA) patients.

Main results and the role of chance
Sperm was retrieved and cryopreserved in 218/287 patients with NOA (75,95%), 55/95 in necrozoospermia (57,89%), 18/18 anejaculation (100%), 1/1 testicular trauma (100%) and 120/124 in OA patients (96,77%). Interesting that, when we compare sperm recovery data through TESE with the histological assessment (HA) of corresponding testicular biopsy, we found discordance against HA. In particular we retrieved spermatozoa in 218 NOA patients but in 74 of them HA failed to detect them (33,94%). Moreover HA failed to detect spermatozoa in 8/55 (14,54%) in case of necrozoospermia, 1/18 (5,55%) in anejaculation and 10/120 (8,33%) in OA patients.

Limitations, reasons for caution
Testis's heterogeneity is a limitation of the study.

Wider implications of the findings
We found a discordance when HA is compared with sperm recovery data of corresponding testicular biopsy. This data suggest that in case of testicular diagnostics histology in 33,94% of NOA cases there is a wrong diagnosis and 1 of 3 patients it doesn’t retrieve and cryopreserve spermatozoa when it could.

Trial registration number
N A
P-162 GDF9 concentration in embryo culture medium is linked to human embryo quality and viability
Authors: Li C , Jingyu L , Guoning H 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Study question
Is the GDF9 concentration in Day 3 human embryo culture medium linked to embryo quality and clinical outcome?

Summary answer
The embryo quality and clinical outcome appears to be linked to the GDF9 concentration in Day 3 culture medium.

What is known already
Previous studies have demonstrated that the GDF9 level in follicular fluid and cumulus granulosa cells can be used as biomarker for predicting embryo quality.

Study design, size, duration
In study 1, a total of 280 embryos from 70 patients who obtained at least 4 embryos with 6-10 blastomeres (2 transferable and 2 non-transferable embryos) at Day 3 were enrolled. The corresponding GDF9 concentration in culture media were compared between transferable and un-transferable embryos and also compared among good, fair and poor quality embryos. In study 2, a total of 119 embryos from 61 patients (29 implanted and 32 non-implanted patients) were enrolled.

Participants/materials, setting, methods
The expression pattern of GDF9 in human embryos was investigated using Q-PCR and immunofuorescence. GDF9 concentration in embryo culture media was quantified by ELISA assay. Statistical analyses defined correlations between GDF9 concentration and embryo quality, in study 1, and implantation and live birth, in study 2.

Main results and the role of chance
GDF9 mRNA and protein were detected from human oocytes to eight-cell embryos and displayed a slow decreasing trend. In study 1, GDF9 concentration in culture medium is lower for transferable embryos compared with non-transferable embryos (331 pg/mL (quartiles: 442, 664 pg/mL) vs. 518 pg/mL (quartiles: 328, 1086 pg/mL), P &lt; 0.001), and increased commensurate with the diminution of the embryo quality (P &lt; 0.001). In study 2, signifcantly lower GDF9 concentration was detected for implanted embryos than non-implanted embryos (331 pg/mL (quartiles: 156, 665 pg/mL) vs. 518 pg/mL (quartiles: 328, 1086 pg/mL), P &lt; 0.001). The same trend was found between the embryos that led to live birth and those that failed.

Limitations, reasons for caution
Further randomized controlled trials are needed for exploring whether GDF9 assay of spent embryo culture medium can improve the clinical outcome in IVF.

Wider implications of the findings
GDF9 in culture medium has the potential to be a non-invasive biomarker for embryo selection.

Trial registration number
not applicable
P-204 Transcriptome analysis of cell-free RNAs in embryonic culture medium reveals their potentials on non-invasive testing
Authors: Zhou Q , Zhongzhen L , Tingyu Y , Wen-jing W 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Study question
Could cell-free RNA (cfRNA) in culture medium be non-invasive strategy to select in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos?

Summary answer
CfRNAs in culture medium could be potential markers correlated with embryo qualities.

What is known already
Infertility is a critical component of reproductive health and couples with infertility may choose assisted reproductive technology (ART) to increase their chances of conception. However, the effectiveness remains low. One way to improve the outcome is to screen the embryo prior to implantation. Noninvasive testing opens new perspectives in analyzing embryo qualities and current pending includes microscopy images coupled with artificial intelligence and omics analysis of the spent blastocyst medium (SBM). Cell-free DNA in SBM could be used to identify the embryo ploidy and metabolomic/proteomic markers could be correlated with embryo potential, while the research of cfRNA is lacking.

Study design, size, duration
We developed a new library method of polyadenylation ligation-mediated sequencing (PALM-Seq) to capture the low amount of cfRNA and collected twelve culture mediums of in vitro embryos on Day 3 and five samples of embryos on Day 5.

Participants/materials, setting, methods
We employed PALM-Seq on culture medium of embryos generated by IVF or Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Owing to the new method, we could comprehensively profile the cfRNAs, including miRNA, tRNA, piRNA, lncRNA and mRNA. The morphology and fragmentation of the recruited embryos were also recorded.

Main results and the role of chance
Generally, thousands of genes could be detected in all culture mediums and the number greatly increased in SBM. We identified several reported miRNA markers in our study, such as miR-21-5p and miR-92a-3p, while highly expressed miRNAs varied across samples and stages. We indeed found piRNA in mediums and several specific piRNAs had large amount of expression. In contrast, detected number and expression of tRNA were stable across samples. Besides of reported mRNA markers, we could profile the expression of all detected mRNAs and no differences were found between embryos with and without fragmentation. We found that the majority of mRNA fragments were shorter than 30 nucleotides. In addition, some granular-specific expressed mRNAs could be detected in medium on Day 3 and they decreased of medium on Day 5.

Limitations, reasons for caution
We have only conducted preliminary exploration in the culture medium of pre-implantation embryos and studies of larger sample size are needed.

Wider implications of the findings
Our research proved the feasibility of performing high-throughput sequencing of cfRNAs in SBM. It opens new perspectives on defining non-invasive markers and selection of embryos with the most potential. Our results also contribute a new insight on improving the treatment of infertility.

Trial registration number
2018YFC1004900