Journal of Infertility and Reproductive Biology

Characteristics of Sub-Saharan African Women Seeking Assisted Reproductive Technique (ART) and Outcomes

Opheelia makoyo komba — 2023-03-20

To describe the features of women seeking assisted reproductive technique (ART) in the Gabonese Republic (sub-Saharan Africa) and investigate In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) success in this sub-Saharan setting. In this retrospective study, we analyzed data of women on their first IVF round from January 1^st, 2019, to December 31^st, 2020. The Analyzed data included antimullerian hormone (AMH) levels, antral follicle count (AFC), number of mature oocytes collected, myomas, tubal obstruction, partner abnormality in the spermogram, and history of urogenital infection and pelvic surgery. Women seeking assisted reproductive techniques were characterized by a high prevalence of tubal obstructions (73.4%), myomas (39%), and a history of urogenital infection (35.5%). We retrieved a total of 1662 oocytes of which 1439 mature oocytes. The average serum AMH concentration was 2.33(+/-2.71) ng/ml while the average AFC WAS 14.63 (5+/-11.37). In up to 50% of infertile couples, a male factor plays a role. The rate of IVF procedures leading to live birth was 31%. Women who had gynecologic surgery had better odds of giving live birth (2.7 odds; p-value = 0.01). Our study showed that a high and combined burden of fallopian tubal obstructions, urogenital infection, and myomas characterize IVF candidates in Gabonese Republic. Also, the IVF success rate in this setting is close to what is observed globally.

The Effect of Age, Sperm Freezing, and Washing on Intrauterine Insemination Outcome: a Retrospective Analysis

Moungala Lionel Wildy — 2023-03-20

Age and semen quality can significantly affect the outcome of intrauterine insemination treatment. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of age, semen cryopreservation, and washing on intrauterine insemination outcomes. The current study evaluates the effects of woman age and semen donor age, semen processing, and freezing on intrauterine insemination outcomes. Significant negative correlations were found between semen donors’ age and sperm concentration, progressive motility, and normal morphology. Donors aged less than or equal to 30 years had better semen quality compared to those aged above 30 years. Significant higher semen viscosity, semen volume, total sperm count, progressive motility, total progressively motile count, normal morphology, and total normal sperm count were observed in fresh semen samples of donors who had positive pregnancies after intrauterine insemination. Furthermore, significantly higher post-wash progressive motility was obtained in donors who had positive pregnancies after intrauterine insemination. The results of this study provide insight into the eligibility in terms of age and semen characteristics of patients seeking intrauterine insemination.

Association of Serum Kisspeptin Levels and Pregnancy Outcomes in Assisted Reproductive Technology

Elaine Roland Phillips — 2023-03-20

Kisspeptin, a neuropeptide produced by syncytiotrophoblast cells, has been hypothesized to regulate successful placental formation. Several studies have shown a positive correlation between maternal serum kisspeptin levels and successful pregnancy outcomes in second and third-trimester pregnancy, but trends in early pregnancy have not been well-established. In this prospective case-control study, we examine whether kisspeptin levels correlate with serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (bhCG), progesterone, or pregnancy outcomes at the time of pregnancy testing in cis-gendered females (n= undergoing assisted reproductive technology. Pregnancy testing occurred at an average of 33 days after the last menstrual period for non-IVF protocols and an average of 12 days after blastocyst transfer for IVF protocols. Outcome groups included: viable first-trimester pregnancy (n=18), early miscarriage (n=12), ectopic pregnancy (n=5), biochemical pregnancy (n=16), and not pregnant (n=12). Descriptive statistics including Chi-squared or Fisher’s Exact, ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were utilized. Kisspeptin values did not show a significant difference between outcome groups. A weak positive correlation was demonstrated between kisspeptin and bhcg in biochemical and viable pregnancy but not for other outcomes. In contrast, a significant correlation between kisspeptin and measured progesterone value or exogenous progesterone, regardless of administration route, was not observed. In this study population, a single serum measurement of kisspeptin very early in pregnancy was not significantly different between pregnancy outcomes. The utility of kisspeptin as a pregnancy biomarker in the first trimester remains unclear. Additional studies are needed to further investigate the relationship between viable intrauterine pregnancy and serum kisspeptin concentration in the early first trimester and the current findings suggest that it may prove useful in combination with bHCG.

Fertility Assessment of Male Wistar Rats Orally Exposed to Chloroform Stem Extract of Portulaca Oleracea Linn. (Purslane)– An Experimental Study

Victoria Chinenye Obinna — 2023-03-20

Portulaca oleracea Linn. has a history of extensive use as a medicinal plant and is frequently used by traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria. Different parts of P. oleracea L. have been studied for their effect on the reproductive physiology of animals but there is a paucity of information on the stem as it relates to male fertility. This study, therefore, investigated the sub-chronic effect of oral administration of P.oleracea stem extract on male fertility indices (semen analysis, testosterone concentration, and testicular histology) in Wistar rats. Twenty animals were randomly divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each. Group A(Control) received 0.5 ml of olive oil(vehicle) while Groups B, C & D received 125, 250 & 500 mg/kg of extract respectively for 21 days by oral gavage. In the end, the animals were anesthetized and blood samples were collected for testosterone assay, caudal epididymis for semen analysis, and testes for histology. P.oleracea stem extract had no significant (p>0.05) effect on serum testosterone concentration, testicular histoarchitecture, and sperm viability, morphology & motility relative to control. However, there was a significant (p=0.014) reduction in the sperm cell count of rats exposed to the highest dose (500mg/kg) in relation to the control. Oral administration of P.oleracea stem extract as used in this study may harm male fertility; thus further study is recommended to ascertain if prolonged exposure will validate this finding.