Grimes NP, Bertone-Johnson ER, Whitcomb BW, Sievert LL, Crawford SL, Gold EB, Avis NE, Greendale GA, Santoro N, Habel LA, Reeves KW. Anti-Müllerian hormone levels and breast cancer risk in the study of women’s health across the nation. Cancer Causes Control. 2022 Aug;33(8):1039-1046. doi: 10.1007/s10552-022-01596-5. Epub 2022 Jun 29. PMID: 35768642.

The presented study addresses the current lack of literature addressing the relationship between AMH levels with breast cancer in women who do not identify as non-Hispanic and white, and gathered information from Chinese, Japanese, Black, Hispanic, and white women. This SWAN study measured AMH level by ELISA, and breast cancer history was assessed during a series of interviews. AMH measurements were available for 1,529 SWAN participants, 84 of which reported an incident of a breast cancer diagnosis. Subgroup analysis revealed the hazard ratio for continuous AMH was 1.11 (95% CI 0.92–1.34) for White women, 1.04 (95% CI 0.86–1.27) for Black women and 1.07 (95% CI 0.85–1.33) for Asian women. This study was not able to accurately assess the hazard ratio for Hispanic women due to low incidence of breast cancer in this subgroup. A non-significant, positive association was observed between AMH level and risk of breast cancer in pre- and perimenopausal women.

Pal L, Morgan K, Santoro NF, Manson JE, Taylor HS, Miller VM, Brinton EA, Lobo R, Neal-Perry G, Cedars MI, Harman SM, James TT, Gleason CE. Cardiometabolic measures and cognition in early menopause – Analysis of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial. Maturitas. 2022 Aug;162:58-65. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.04.004. Epub 2022 Apr 29. PMID: 35617770.

Data from the KEEPS (Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study) clinical trial suggests that recently menopausal women with higher waist circumferences (over 88 cm) and waist-to-hip ratios (over 0.8) were associated with lower cognitive function, assessed by lower Modified Mini Mental Status scores.

Doyle N, Combs JC, Jahandideh S, Wilkinson V, Devine K, O’Brien JE. Live birth after transfer of a single euploid vitrified-warmed blastocyst according to standard timing vs. timing as recommended by endometrial receptivity analysis. Fertil Steril. 2022 Aug;118(2):314-321. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.05.013. Epub 2022 Jun 13. PMID: 35710597; PMCID: PMC9329263.

Endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA) is an add-on tool used in the fertility practice to find the optimal timing of egg implantation into the endometrium during the menstrual cycle. This study found that in a pool of patients with previously unsuccessful frozen embryo transfers, live birth outcomes did not differ when ERA results deemed the endometrium receptive or nonreceptive. Patients who used ERA and those who underwent standard protocol did not have differences in live birth outcomes.

Chung A, Romanski PA, Bortoletto P, Spandorfer SD. Live birth outcomes are not associated with household income and insurance disparities following ART treatment. Reprod Biomed Online. 2022 Aug;45(2):410-416. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.04.004. Epub 2022 Apr 20. PMID: 35610155.

Zanolli NC, Bishop KC, Kuller JA, Price TM, Harris BS. Fibroids and Fertility: A Comparison of Myomectomy and Uterine Artery Embolization on Fertility and Reproductive Outcomes. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2022 Aug;77(8):485-494. doi: 10.1097/OGX.0000000000001052. PMID: 35932289.

Mima M, Huang JB, Andriole GL, Freedland SJ, Ohlander SJ, Moreira DM. The impact of smoking on sexual function. BJU Int. 2022 Aug;130(2):186-192. doi: 10.1111/bju.15711. Epub 2022 Mar 3. PMID: 35166438.

Fanton M, Nutting V, Rothman A, Maeder-York P, Hariton E, Barash O, Weckstein L, Sakkas D, Copperman AB, Loewke K. An interpretable machine learning model for individualized gonadotrophin starting dose selection during ovarian stimulation. Reprod Biomed Online. 2022 Jul 28:S1472-6483(22)00498-9. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.07.010. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36096871.

A machine learning model was developed using de-identified, electronic medical record data from three IVF clinics to determine the best starting dose of FSH during ovarian stimulation per individual. This tool uses historical FSH dosing and clinical outcomes as a guideline for new patients starting ovarian stimulation and may help standardize care across fertility practices.

Santoro N. A call to action to reproductive endocrinologists: we cannot avoid the culture wars. Fertil Steril. 2022 Jul;118(1):54-55. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.04.021. Epub 2022 May 21. PMID: 35610092.

Dr. Nanette Santoro shares her story of being raised in a religious household and discusses the damage brought unto women from the culture wars of abortion and the pro-life movement. Dr. Santoro goes on to discuss the need to disassociate a woman’s reproductive potential to her worth and remove religious ties from public policy.

Devine K, Dolitsky S, Ludwin I, Ludwin A. Modern assessment of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes in the era of high-efficacy assisted reproductive technology. Fertil Steril. 2022 Jul;118(1):19-28. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.05.020. PMID: 35725118; PMCID: PMC9348809.

Prior to embryo transfer, assessment of the fallopian tubes and uterine cavity is vital to determining if a woman’s anatomy is compliant with pregnancy. This article discusses more patient-friendly alternatives to diagnostic imaging, in particular, various modalities of ultrasound, for women who are noninfertile and undergoing embryo transfer.

New EP, Semerci N, Ozmen A, Guo X, Jonnalagadda VA, Kim JW, Anderson ML, Guzeloglu-Kayisli O, Imudia AN, Lockwood CJ, Kayisli UA. FKBP51 Contributes to Uterine Leiomyoma Pathogenesis by Inducing Cell Proliferation and Extracellular Matrix Deposition. Reprod Sci. 2022 Jun;29(6):1939-1949. doi: 10.1007/s43032-022-00921-2. Epub 2022 Apr 14. PMID: 35426036; PMCID: PMC9009985.

This study was able to determine that uterine leiomyoma (fibroid) cells have increased expression of FKBP51 compared to normal myometrial cells. This binding protein may be used to further study fibroid pathogenesis.

Peters BA, Lin J, Qi Q, Usyk M, Isasi CR, Mossavar-Rahmani Y, Derby CA, Santoro N, Perreira KM, Daviglus ML, Kominiarek MA, Cai J, Knight R, Burk RD, Kaplan RC. Menopause Is Associated with an Altered Gut Microbiome and Estrobolome, with Implications for Adverse Cardiometabolic Risk in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. mSystems. 2022 Jun 28;7(3):e0027322. doi: 10.1128/msystems.00273-22. Epub 2022 Apr 13. PMID: 35675542; PMCID: PMC9239235.

Analysis of the gut microbiome of a large set of Hispanic/Latinos in the United States revealed that post-menopausal Hispanic/Latino women had a gut microbiome more similar to that of men, and changes in gut microbiome due to menopause were associated with adverse cardiometabolic risks. These data suggest that the gut microbiome contributes to cardiometabolic health during menopause.

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.