Combs A, Kimes MJ, Jaslow CR, Hayes H, O’Leary LB, Levy MJ, Kutteh WH. Perception of pain and the oocyte donor experience: a retrospective analysis of commercial US donors. Reprod Biomed Online. 2022 Jun 22:S1472-6483(22)00421-7. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.06.013. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36058796.

A survey that queried pain during egg donation was emailed to women who had undergone egg donation. Results from the survey allowed the study team to conclude that this group of women had been made aware of the risk of pain they would experience beforehand, and that those who had reported being informed of the risk of pain were less likely to report higher levels of pain. They also found that unexpected levels of pain were related to low donor satisfaction.

Taylor H, Li HJ, Carson S, Flores V, Pal L, Robbins J, Santoro NF, Segars JH, Seifer D, Huang H, Young S, Zhang H. Pre-IVF treatment with a GnRH antagonist in women with endometriosis (PREGNANT): study protocol for a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2022 Jun 17;12(6):e052043. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052043. PMID: 35715184; PMCID: PMC9207753.

Women diagnosed with endometriosis-associated infertility are often successfully treated with IVF. The PREGnant study utilizes an oral GnRH antagonist to treat endometriosis prior to IVF start; the efficacy of the treatment will be assessed using live birth rates. This publication further explains the study protocol.

Hickey M, Hunter MS, Santoro N, Ussher J. Normalising menopause. BMJ. 2022 Jun 15;377:e069369. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2021-069369. PMID: 35705221.

Topics included in this review include: there is no universal menopause experience, poor support during menopauses exacerbates the negativity that surrounds menopause, the current medical field fuels negative expectations regarding menopause, and how to create a positive menopause experience.

Jesam J, Jeria F, Nunez D, Pardo L, Varel S, Mondion M, Pi JE. Técnicas de reproducción asistida en personas del mismo sexo y solas por opción: realidad en Chile 2021; Assisted reproduction techniques in people of the same sex and alone by option: Reality in Chile 2021. Rev Chil Obstet Ginecol. 2022 Jun 04; 87(1):62-67. doi: 10.24875/RECHOG.21000028.

This manuscript discusses the changing makeup of households and families in Chile as sexual and gender diversity continue to grow and their access to assisted reproduction techniques. Legislation and policies have continued to evolve to allow this diversification, but further policies and legislation are still needed to ensure all people have access to assisted reproduction technologies.

Ramadan H, Pakrashi T, Thurman AR, Pomeroy KO, Celia G Jr. Cryopreservation Does Not Affect the Clinical Pregnancy Rate of Blastocysts Derived from Vitrified Oocytes. Sci Rep. 2022 May 27;12(1):8970. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-12992-x. PMID: 35624188; PMCID: PMC9142575.

In recent years, multiple studies have assessed the effect of freezing and thawing of embryos on pregnancy and birth rates, but have reached mixed conclusions. This study compared pregnancy rates in freshly transferred embryos to embryos that were vitrified (frozen) twice, once as an egg and once as an embryo. There was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy rate between the fresh and twice vitrified embryos, however, there was a downward trend (38.63% to 32.46%) of clinical pregnancy rate in the twice vitrified group compared to freshly transferred embryos.

McDonald R, Kuhn K, Nguyen TB, Tannous A, Schauer I, Santoro N, Bradford AP. A randomized clinical trial demonstrating cell type specific effects of hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia on pituitary function. PLoS One. 2022 May 11;17(5):e0268323. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268323. PMID: 35544473; PMCID: PMC9094557.

This study was performed as a secondary analysis of samples and gathered data on the effect of lipid and insulin infusions on reproductive hormonal output. These data suggest that diet and metabolism play a role in modulation of pituitary trophic hormones, and these pathways may be a target for future therapeutics.

Verdiesen RMG, van der Schouw YT, van Gils CH, Verschuren WMM, Broekmans FJM, Borges MC, Gonçalves Soares AL, Lawlor DA, Eliassen AH, Kraft P, Sandler DP, Harlow SD, Smith JA, Santoro N, Schoemaker MJ, Swerdlow AJ, Murray A, Ruth KS, Onland-Moret NC. Genome-wide association study meta-analysis identifies three novel loci for circulating anti-Müllerian hormone levels in women. Hum Reprod. 2022 May 3;37(5):1069-1082. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deac028. PMID: 35274129; PMCID: PMC9071229.

Results from a genome-wide association study suggest three new loci associated with circulating anti-Mullerian hormone levels in pre-menopausal women, as well as confirmed one previously reported loci. This information provides more detail about the genetic variation and mechanisms of AMH expression and may be used to further study diseases associated with AMH levels.

Smith KS, Bakkensen JB, Hutchinson AP, Cheung EO, Thomas J, Grote V, Moreno PI, Goldman KN, Jordan N, Feinberg EC. Knowledge of Fertility and Perspectives About Family Planning Among Female Physicians. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 May 2;5(5):e2213337. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.13337. PMID: 35583866; PMCID: PMC9118076

A group of female physicians were interviewed to develop a survey to characterize the fertility needs and family planning concerns of women in medicine. The interviews revealed that this group of women felt generally that they had inadequate formal training in fertility, that their knowledge of fertility was based on informal education, and that they desired a more formal medical education in fertility. Of the female physicians who completed the pilot survey: a notable percentage of respondents reported declining opportunities for career advancement (29%), choosing a different specialty (21%), or changing their work setting from academic to private practice (17%), to accommodate having children.

Santoro NF, Coons HL, El Khoudary SR, Epperson CN, Holt-Lunstad J, Joffe H, Lindsey SH, Marlatt KL, Montella P, Richard-Davis G, Rockette-Wagner B, Salive ME, Stuenkel C, Thurston RC, Woods N, Wyatt H. NAMS 2021 Utian Translational Science SymposiumSeptember 2021, Washington, DCCharting the path to health in midlife and beyond: the biology and practice of wellness. Menopause. 2022 May 1;29(5):504-513. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001995. PMID: 35486944; PMCID: PMC9248978.

This symposium synopsis discusses maintaining health and wellness throughout a lifetime, particularly for women in midlife. The synopsis touches on topics such as understanding age, the mind-body connection and the impact of mental health, using food as medicine, the accessibility of wellness to all people, and implementing science during the midlife to address menopause.

Clain E, Johnson J, Roeca C.Fertil Steril. 2022 Apr;117(4):781-782. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.01.039. Epub 2022 Mar 8.PMID: 35277260 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

This article discusses recent studies that were unable to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the reproductive tracts of women who were newly diagnosed with COVID-19 and had mild symptoms or were asymptomatic. This editorial concludes that it may be feasible for patients who have been newly diagnosed with COVID-19 with mild symptoms or are asymptomatic to proceed with egg retrievals. One study reports that acute COVID-19 infection did not influence fertilization or embryo development, and other studies suggest that COVID-19 may influence embryo generation or embryo quality.

Loewke K, Cho JH, Brumar CD, Maeder-York P, Barash O, Malmsten JE, Zaninovic N, Sakkas D, Miller KA, Levy M, VerMilyea MD.Fertil Steril. 2022 Mar;117(3):528-535. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.11.022. Epub 2022 Jan 5.PMID: 34998577 Free article.

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the benefit of characterizing an artificial intelligence model to rank blastocyst-stage embryos and identify limitations that may affect the methods clinical usage. This artificial intelligence model was able to successfully categorize embryos according to the development of the trophectoderm and inner cell mass and showed improved predictions of clinical pregnancy.

Santoro N. Whither cryopreservation? The landscape gets colder. Fertil Steril. 2022 Mar;117(3):467-468. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.01.017. PMID: 35219470.

In this review, Dr. Nanette Santoro discusses the contrasting viewpoints of medical providers and patients in how they view their storaged embryos. Dr. Santoro goes on to outline the heightened responsibility that medical staff face with advancing frozen embryo storage technology and longer storage times.

Kracht CL, Romain JS, Hardee JC, Santoro N, Redman LM, Marlatt KL. “It just seems like people are talking about menopause, but nobody has a solution”: A qualitative exploration of menopause experiences and preferences for weight management among Black women. Maturitas. 2022 Mar;157:16-26. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.11.005. Epub 2021 Nov 7. PMID: 35120668; PMCID: PMC8969889.

Results of this study, conducted to characterize the experiences of Black women going through menopause and identify barriers for participating in a lifestyle program, suggested that women were interested to learn more about improving their overall health during menopause and were willing to participate in a lifestyle program. The study team also found that a program that allows other women to associate with other women creates a more sustainable lifestyle program.

Cebert-Gaitors M, Shannon-Baker PA, Silva SG, Hart RE, Jahandideh S, Gonzalez-Guarda R, Stevenson EL. Psychobiological, clinical, and sociocultural factors that influence Black women seeking treatment for infertility: a mixed-methods study. F S Rep. 2022 Feb 22;3(2 Suppl):29-39. doi: 10.1016/j.xfre.2022.02.004. PMID: 35937441; PMCID: PMC9349229.

To address the largely undocumented experiences of Black women seeking fertility treatment, this study gathered data on the sociocultural, clinical, and psychobiological barriers and facilitators Black women faced when seeking fertility treatment. These women saw barriers to treatment such as inadequate knowledge of resources, poor clinical management at the primary care level, and limited social support. The study identified psychological distress, complex gynecological medical history, and culturally competent providers as facilitators to care.

Pretzel S, Kuhn K, Pal L, Polotsky A, Taylor HS, Zhang H, Robins J, Young SL, Santoro N. Willingness of Women with Endometriosis Planning to Undergo IVF to Participate in a Randomized Clinical Trial and the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Potential Participation. Reprod Sci. 2022 Feb;29(2):620-626. doi: 10.1007/s43032-021-00705-0. Epub 2021 Aug 6. PMID: 34363198; PMCID: PMC8345905.

A brief survey was sent to women who were diagnosed with endometriosis, undergoing fertility treatment, and were within the University of Colorado healthcare system: the survey gathered information on whether these women would consider being apart of a clinical trial and whether their experiences with delays in IVF treatments due to COVID-19 would influence their consideration of a 8-week treatment prior to their IVF cycle. This survey was distributed to gather information about women who may quality for the PREGnant study for women diagnosed with endometriosis who may be randomized to an experimental group that undergoes a 60-day treatment with an GnRH antagonist prior to IVF start. Results from the survey suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic would influence the decisions of some women to delay IVF treatment to participate in a trial.

Souter I, Sun F, Zhang H, Diamond MP, Legro RS, Wild RA, Hansen KR, Santoro N; Eunice Kennedy Schriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Reproductive Medicine Network. A personalized medicine approach to ovulation induction/ovarian stimulation: development of a predictive model and online calculator from level-I evidence. Fertil Steril. 2022 Feb;117(2):408-418. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.10.024. PMID: 35125179; PMCID: PMC8985501.

The probability of pregnancy and the risk of a multiple pregnancy was able to be predicted in this predictive model of retrospective data of patients undergoing treatment with gonadotropins, letrozole, and clomiphene citrate for ovarian induction/ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination. This study was able to successfully create an easy-to-use formula to predict chances of pregnancy and a multiple pregnancy based on the characteristics of the patient for commonly used fertility treatments.

Marlatt KL, Pitynski-Miller DR, Gavin KM, Moreau KL, Melanson EL, Santoro N, Kohrt WM. Body composition and cardiometabolic health across the menopause transition. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2022 Jan;30(1):14-27. doi: 10.1002/oby.23289. PMID: 34932890; PMCID: PMC8972960.

Women in stages of menopause are at increased cardiometabolic risk due to fluctuations in circulating estrogens and increased fat mass, and thus, a woman’s transition into menopause imposes a significant health burden. This review discusses menopause’s stages, the changes in a women’s body and cardiometabolic health throughout menopause, and lifestyle interventions women may use to improve their health during menopause.

Peters BA, Xue X, Sheira LA, Qi Q, Sharma A, Santoro N, Alcaide ML, Ofotokun I, Adimora AA, McKay HS, Tien PC, Michel KG, Gustafson D, Turan B, Landay AL, Kaplan RC, Weiser SD. Menopause Is Associated With Immune Activation in Women With HIV. J Infect Dis. 2022 Jan 18;225(2):295-305. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiab341. PMID: 34174074; PMCID: PMC8763955.

This study found that postmenopausal women had higher innate immune activation, measured using plasma sCD14 and sCD163, compared to premenopausal women, and the elevation in the immune response occurs during the transition into menopause. Interestingly, a relationship could not be made with menopause and biomarkers of systemic inflammation, even though inflammation is normally a consequence of immune activation.

Legro RS, Hansen KR, Diamond MP, Steiner AZ, Coutifaris C, Cedars MI, Hoeger KM, Usadi R, Johnstone EB, Haisenleder DJ, Wild RA, Barnhart KT, Mersereau J, Trussell JC, Krawetz SA, Kris-Etherton PM, Sarwer DB, Santoro N, Eisenberg E, Huang H, Zhang H; Reproductive Medicine Network. Effects of preconception lifestyle intervention in infertile women with obesity: The FIT-PLESE randomized controlled trial. PLoS Med. 2022 Jan 18;19(1):e1003883. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003883. PMID: 35041662; PMCID: PMC8765626.

Presented here are the outcomes and discussion of the FIT-PLESE clinical trial for women with infertility and obesity. Protocol involved all participants to increase their physical activity, and half were randomized to an intensive group treated with open-label anti-obesity medication (Orlistat), nutritional counseling, and meal replacement products for 16 weeks. This study showed that an average of 7% weight loss did not improve the rate of having any live birth or a healthy live birth but did improve participants’ cardiometabolic health.

Harris BS, Jahandideh S, Devine K.Fertil Steril. 2022 Jan;117(1):104-105. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.11.023. Epub 2021 Dec 3.PMID: 34865849 No abstract available.

The rationale and data surrounding differing routes of administration for progesterone supplementation, progesterone in oil (PIO) vs. vaginal, as luteal phase support during FET cycles is discussed in this editorial. Data suggests that when using vaginal progesterone, monitoring of progesterone levels may be necessary, while PIO may render monitoring unnecessary. A recent study has shown that patients have no clear preference to route of administration of progesterone when routes have similar efficacy.