Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Human Reproduction: A Changing Perspective.

Since the outbreak of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the coronavirus disease 2019 has had a wide range of effects on human health. This paper summarizes the data related to the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection on human reproduction. Both the male and female reproductive tract express high levels of receptors and proteins needed for viral cell entry. There is presently no evidence that gametes are affected by the infection. Male fertility may be temporarily reduced due to inflammatory responses following infection. The endometrium is highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 cell entry; however, it remains unclear whether this could alter receptivity and embryo implantation. Menstrual cycle changes were reported in women who experienced severe infection; however, they tended to be reversible. For couples undergoing assisted reproduction treatment, the pandemic led to a significant psychological burden, with changes in lifestyle that could directly affect the success of the treatment. Human reproduction societies recommend screening all patients prior to cycle initiation and avoiding treatment of women with severe comorbidities until the pandemic is under control. Finally, for pregnant women, it is expected that the infection is more severe in women in the third trimester and in those with comorbidities. Those who are symptomatic for SARS-CoV-2 are more likely to have increased rates of prematurity and intrapartum fetal distress than those who are asymptomatic. Vertical transmission cannot be completely ruled out, but neonatal infection rates are low. Vaccination appears to be safe and is indicated for use in pregnant and lactating women because the benefits outweigh the risks.

Delivering embryos following 10 years of cryopreservation, using unpaired freeze/thaw techniques: A case report.

Although frozen embryo transfer is a widely established route for assisted reproduction, successful frozen embryo transfer using embryos that have undergone long term cryopreservation remains relatively unexplored, and its efficacy remains a matter of some debate. This case report describes two successful frozen embryo transfer conceptions in the same patient, one after 3 months of cryopreservation and the second 10 years after cryopreservation. These embryos were cryopreserved using the slow freezing technique and were thawed using an unpaired technique (ultra-rapid warming) after 10 years of storage.

Coronavirus disease 2019 and human reproduction: a changing perspective

Since the outbreak of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the coronavirus disease 2019 has had a wide range of effects on human health. This paper summarizes the data related to the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection on human reproduction. Both the male and female reproductive tract express high levels of receptors and proteins needed for viral cell entry. There is presently no evidence that gametes are affected by the infection. Male fertility may be temporarily reduced due to inflammatory responses following infection. The endometrium is highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 cell entry; however, it remains unclear whether this could alter receptivity and embryo implantation. Menstrual cycle changes were reported in women who experienced severe infection; however, they tended to be reversible. For couples undergoing assisted reproduction treatment, the pandemic led to a significant psychological burden, with changes in lifestyle that could directly affect the success of the treatment. Human reproduction societies recommend screening all patients prior to cycle initiation and avoiding treatment of women with severe comorbidities until the pandemic is under control. Finally, for pregnant women, it is expected that the infection is more severe in women in the third trimester and in those with comorbidities. Those who are symptomatic for SARS-CoV-2 are more likely to have increased rates of prematurity and intrapartum fetal distress than those who are asymptomatic. Vertical transmission cannot be completely ruled out, but neonatal infection rates are low. Vaccination appears to be safe and is indicated for use in pregnant and lactating women because the benefits outweigh the risks.

A review of initial data on pregnancy during the COVID-19 outbreak: implications for assisted reproductive treatments

The current outbreak of the novel 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) started in China in December 2019 and has since spread to several other countries. On March 25, 2020, a total of 375,498 cases had been confirmed globally with 2,201 cases in Brazil, showing the urgency of reacting to this international public health emergency. While in most cases, mild symptoms are observed, in some cases the infection leads to serious pulmonary disease. As a result, the possible consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak for pregnant women and its potential effects on the management of assisted reproductive treatments, demand attention. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress related to COVID-19 epidemiology and the reported data of pregnant women, and discuss the current evidence of COVID-19 infections during pregnancy and its potential consequences for assisted reproductive treatments. Reported data suggest that symptoms in pregnant women are similar to those in other people, and that there is no evidence for higher maternal or fetal risks. However, considering the initial data and lack of comprehensive knowledge on the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy, human reproduction societies have recommended postponing the embryo transfers and do not initiate new treatment cycles. New evidence must be considered carefully in order to adjust these recommendations accordingly at any time and to guide assisted reproductive treatments.(AU)

Prognostic factors for pregnancy after intrauterine insemination.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prognostic factors for pregnancy after intrauterine insemination (IUI). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted among couples who underwent IUI at Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil, between January 31, 2008, and April 30, 2016. The main outcome was a positive ß human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) test result after IUI. Univariate analyses were used to determine predictors of pregnancy. Selected numerical variables were categorized to maximize the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Logistic regression was performed using the backward method. The quality of the model was evaluated using the R2 (Nagelkerke) and Hosmer-Lemeshow tests. RESULTS: Of 355 insemination cycles, 56 (15.8%) resulted in a positive ß-hCG test result. The predictors and cutoff values that maximized the area under the ROC curve were as follows: follicle-stimulating hormone (<7.7 mIU/mL; P<0.001); duration of infertility (<62 menses; P<0.001); number of follicles greater than or equal to 14 mm (>1 follicle; P<0.001); baseline spermatozoa concentration (>52.0 million/mL; P=0.007); total ejaculate (>123.7 million; P=0.003); and grade B motility (>35%; P=0.013). These factors were able to predict 50.4% of the positive test results (R2 ). CONCLUSION: Prognostic factors for pregnancy identified approximately half of all successful outcomes after IUI.

The impact of balanced reciprocal translocation - 46,XX,t(7;17) (p13;q24) probably involving the SOX9 gene in the in vitro fertilization with own oocytes evaluated by preimplantation genetic testing or donated oocytes.

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for in vitro fertilization (IVF) - also known as PGT for Structural Rearrangements (PGT-SR) - has emerged as an option for at-risk couples carrying balanced translocations. The female in the couple featured in this case report is a carrier of a balanced reciprocal translocation who underwent IVF. PGT showed all her embryos were aneuploid. She subsequently had two cycles using donor oocytes, which ended in miscarriages.

Transfer of 2 Embryos Using a Double-Embryo Transfer Protocol Versus 2 Sequential Single-Embryo Transfers: The Impact on Multiple Pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are associated with potential risks, mainly related to multiple pregnancies, which are around 20% to 25%. Iatrogenic multiple pregnancies due to ovarian stimulation with multiples embryos transferred can be avoided by the elective single-embryo transfer (eSET), a growing practice worldwide. Adequately applied eSET, which impact on the incidence of complications without compromising treatment success, is still a challenge. The aim of this study was to compare the cumulative success rates of elective transfer of 2 embryos when transferred one by one (eSET), versus the success rates of elective double-embryo transfer (DET) in a single procedure, in a good prognosis population. METHODS: This study evaluated 610 good prognosis infertile couples undergoing ART, split into 2 groups: eSET group which included those receiving first eSET (n = 237) and for those who did not become pregnant, they could receive a second frozen-thawed SET; and eDET group (n = 373) who received elective transfer of 2 good quality embryos in the first transfer. RESULTS: Clinical pregnancy outcomes after a transfer of 2 embryos were similar between the groups (DET: 46.6% vs accumulated SET: 45.9%; P = .898). Multiple pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the group receiving transfer of 2 embryos, one by one, compared to DET (DET: 32.2% vs accumulated SET: 6.7%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The eSET policy should be stimulated for good prognosis couples, as it maintains the accumulated clinical pregnancy rates, avoids multiples pregnancies, and consequently the maternal and neonate complication and indirect costs of treatment when considering spending on the obstetrics are reduced.

Positive rheotaxis extended drop: a one-step procedure to select and recover sperm with mature chromatin for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a novel one-step ICSI approach to select sperm with better chromatin maturity than the conventional method. METHODS: This was a pilot diagnostic study, which prospectively recruited men during a 6-month period in a University-affiliated infertility centre. Forty consecutive semen samples were provided for analysis. The positive rheotaxis extended drop (PRED) was set up creating a pressure and viscosity gradient. Each semen sample was divided into four aliquots: one aliquot for density gradient centrifugation (DGC), two aliquots for PRED (fresh semen (PRED-FS) and processed semen (PRED-DGC)), and one aliquot as the control (FS). In PRED, a mean of 200 spermatozoa were collected consecutively without selection from the outlet reservoir. The aniline blue assay was used to assess chromatin immaturity. RESULTS: The mean channel length, measured from inlet to outlet, was 32.55 ± 0.86 mm, with a mean width of 1.04 ± 0.21 mm. In 82.5% of cases (33/40), at least 50 spermatozoa were captured between 15 and 30 min. Improved chromatin maturity after the DGC preparation and the PRED approach was observed in all samples. This was reflected by a mean reduction from 28.65 ± 8.97% uncondensed chromatin in the native ejaculates to 17.29 ± 7.72% in DGC and 0.89 ± 1.31% in the PRED approach (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The PRED method may improve the current ICSI technique by providing it with its own sperm selection process. ICSI would probably become an even more complete technique comprising selection, capture and injection of the male gamete.