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A pilot investigation of couple-level phthalates exposure and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.

ABSTRACT: Phthalates are reproductive toxicants in experimental animal studies and exposure has been associated with infertility in human populations, although the results have been inconsistent. To help to address the data gap, we conducted a hypothesis-generating investigation of associations between urinary phthalate metabolites and reproductive outcomes among women (n = 56) and their male partners (n = 43) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Urine was collected from participants on the day of oocyte retrieval. Samples were analyzed for a series of phthalates, MEP, MBP, MPP, MHxP, MEHP, MEHHP, MECPP, MiNP, MiDP, MCHP, and MBzP, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We employed Poisson regression with robust variance estimation to estimate associations between urinary phthalate levels and biochemical pregnancy and live birth, adjusted for partner's concentration and confounding factors. Doublings in women's MBP (relative risk (RR) = 0.32, 95 % CI: 0.13, 0.78), and men's MEHP (RR = 0.28, 95 % CI: 0.09, 0.83), were associated with a lower likelihood for pregnancy. Doublings in women's (RR = 0.08, 95 % CI: 0.01, 0.67) and men's (RR = 0.13, 95 % CI: 0.02, 0.92) MHxP were associated with a lower likelihood of live birth. Our results suggest that phthalate exposure may impact IVF outcomes, and underscore the importance of including male partners when investigating the impact of phthalate exposure on IVF. These results also suggest that clinical recommendations should include male partners for limiting phthalate exposure. Still, a larger and more comprehensive investigation is necessary to more definitively assess the risks.

SUBMITTER: Begum TF

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7897280 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundInfertility affects up to 15% of couples. In vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment has modest success rates and some factors associated with infertility and poor treatment outcomes are not modifiable. Several studies have assessed the association between female dietary patterns, a modifiable factor, and IVF outcomes with conflicting results. We performed a systematic literature review to identify female dietary patterns associated with IVF outcomes, evaluate the body of evidence for potential sources of heterogeneity and methodological challenges, and offer suggestions to minimize heterogeneity and bias in future studies.MethodsWe performed systematic literature searches in EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies with a publication date up to March 2020. We excluded studies limited to women who were overweight or diagnosed with PCOS. We included studies that evaluated the outcome of pregnancy or live birth. We conducted an initial bias assessment using the SIGN 50 Methodology Checklist 3.ResultsWe reviewed 3280 titles and/or titles and abstracts. Seven prospective cohort studies investigating nine dietary patterns fit the inclusion criteria. Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet, a 'profertility' diet, or a Dutch 'preconception' diet was associated with pregnancy or live birth after IVF treatment in at least one study. However, causation cannot be assumed. Studies were potentially hindered by methodological challenges (misclassification of the exposure, left truncation, and lack of comprehensive control for confounding) with an associated risk of bias. Studies of the Mediterranean diet were highly heterogenous in findings, study population, and methods. Remaining dietary patterns have only been examined in single and relatively small studies.ConclusionsFuture studies with rigorous and more uniform methodologies are needed to assess the association between female dietary patterns and IVF outcomes. At the clinical level, findings from this review do not support recommending any single dietary pattern for the purpose of improving pregnancy or live birth rates in women undergoing IVF treatment.

Project description:To explore the association between uterine volume and in vitro fertilization (IVF) reproductive outcomes of infertile patients with adenomyosis, we performed a retrospective cohort study of infertile patients with adenomyosis who underwent IVF from January 2009 to December 2019 in our clinical center. Patients were divided into five groups according to the uterine volume before the IVF cycle. A line graph was drawn to demonstrate the linear trend of IVF reproductive outcomes with uterine volume. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore the association between uterine volume of adenomyosis patients and IVF reproductive outcomes in first fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycle, first frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycle, and per ET cycle. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression were conducted to evaluate the association between uterine volume and cumulative live birth. A total of 1155 infertile patients with adenomyosis were included. Clinical pregnancy rate showed no significant correlation with uterine volume in first fresh ET cycle, first FET cycle, and per ET cycle; miscarriage rate showed an upward trend with uterine volume increasement, in which the uterine volume turning point was 8 weeks of gestation; live birth rate showed a downward trend with turning point of 10 weeks of gestation. Subsequently, patients were divided into two groups (uterine volume ≤ 8 weeks of gestation vs. uterine volume > 8 weeks of gestation). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that patients with a uterus larger than 8 weeks of gestation had a higher miscarriage rate and a lower live birth rate in all ET cycles. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression demonstrated lower cumulative live birth rate in patients with a uterine volume larger than 8 weeks of gestation. IVF reproductive outcome gets worse as uterine volume increases in infertile patients with adenomyosis. Adenomyosis patients with a uterus larger than 8 weeks of gestation had a higher miscarriage rate and a lower live birth rate.

Project description:Phthalates are a class of chemicals found in a large variety of consumer products. Available experimental and limited human data show adverse effects of some phthalates on ovarian function, which has raised concerns regarding potential effects on fertility. The aim of the current study was to determine whether urinary concentrations of metabolites of phthalates and phthalate alternatives are associated with intermediate and clinical in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. We enrolled 136 women undergoing IVF in a Tertiary University Affiliated Hospital. Participants provided one to two urine samples per cycle during ovarian stimulation and before oocyte retrieval. IVF outcomes were abstracted from medical records. Concentrations of 17 phthalate metabolites and two metabolites of the phthalate alternative di(isononyl) cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) were measured. Multivariable Poisson regression models with log link were used to analyze associations between tertiles of specific gravity adjusted phthalate or DINCH metabolites and number of total oocytes, mature oocytes, fertilized oocytes, and top quality embryos. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the association between tertiles of specific gravity adjusted phthalate or DINCH metabolites and probability of live birth. Urinary concentrations of the sum of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate metabolites (∑DEHP) and the individual metabolites mono-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl phthalate, mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate, and mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate were negatively associated with the number of total oocytes, mature oocytes, fertilized oocytes, and top quality embryos. Of the low molecular weight phthalates, higher monoethyl phthalate and mono-n-butyl phthalate concentrations were associated with significantly fewer total, mature, and fertilized oocytes. None of the urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations were associated with a reduced probability implantation, clinical pregnancy or live birth. Metabolites of DINCH were not associated with intermediate or clinical IVF outcomes. Our results suggest that DEHP may impair early IVF outcomes, specifically oocyte parameters. Additional research is needed to elucidate the potential effect of DEHP on female fertility in the general population.

Project description:BackgroundInfertility is estimated to affect approximately 9-30% of reproductive-aged couples. Several conditions involving one or both partners may contribute to infertility. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of asymptomatic genital tract infections in the outcome of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in couples with infertility.MethodsA total of 285 infertile couples were enrolled in the study. Vaginal/endocervical swabs and semen samples were collected and subjected to microbiological analysis. Spermiograms were carried out on semen specimens, and lactobacilli were quantified in vaginal swabs. Data were associated with IVF results and analysed by using non parametric tests and multivariate analysis.ResultsMicrobiological analysis showed that 46.3% of couples presented with an asymptomatic genital tract infection. Spermiogram results showed a significantly diminished motility of sperm cells in samples positive to microbiological testing compared to negative specimens. Enterococcus faecalis was the most prevalent species (11.6%) in positive semen samples and was found to negatively affect both sperm morphology (p = 0.026) and motility (p = 0.003). Analysis of genital swabs from females showed that the presence of E. faecalis (p<0.0001), Escherichia coli (p = 0.0123), Streptococcus agalactiae (p<0.0001), and Gardnerella vaginalis (p = 0.0003) was significantly associated to reduced levels of vaginal lactobacilli. Association of microbiological data with IVF outcome showed that 85.7% of IVF+ couples was microbiologically negative, while IVF was successful in just 7.5% of couples infected with E. faecalis and/or U. urealyticum and/or M. hominis (p = 0.02).ConclusionsThe results show the negative impact of E. faecalis on sperm quality and the association of definite bacterial pathogens with reduced levels of vaginal lactobacilli. The presence of E. faecalis and/or U. urealyticum and/or M. hominis in genital samples of infertile couples is predictive for a negative outcome of IVF.

Project description:Human trophoblast invasion and differentiation are essential for successful pregnancy outcome. The molecular mechanisms, however, are poorly understood. Interleukin (IL)-11, a cytokine, regulates endometrial epithelial cell adhesion. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is one of the key cytokines in the embryo implantation regulation. The present study aimed to assess the levels of LIF, IL-11, and IL-11 ? receptor gene expression in the endometrium of women undergoing IVF and correlate their levels with the IVF pregnancy outcome. Also, the study aimed to detect any mutation in these three genes among IVF pregnant and non-pregnant women versus control menstrual blood of fertile women. Endometrial tissue biopsies were taken from 15 women undergoing IVF on the day of oocyte retrieval. The quantitative expression of IL-11, IL-11R?, and LIF genes was assessed by real-time PCR and PCR products were sequenced. Menstrual blood from 10 fertile women was used as control to compare the DNA sequence versus DNA sequence of the studied genes in endometrial biopsies. LH, FSH, and E2 were assessed for enrolled patients by ELISA. Endometrial thickness was also assessed by pelvic ultrasonography. No significant difference was detected between quantitative expression of the three studied genes and pregnancy IVF outcome. Although DNA sequence changes were found in IL-11 and LIF genes of women with negative pregnancy IVF outcome compared to women with positive pregnancy IVF outcome, no DNA sequence changes were detected for IL-11R?. Other studied parameters (e.g., age, LH, FSH, E2, and endometrial thickness) showed no significant differences or correlation of quantitative expression of the three studied involved genes. Data suggested that there were no significant differences between quantitative expression of IL-11, IL-11R?, and LIF genes and the IVF pregnancy outcome. The present study may reveal that changes in IL-11 and LIF genes sequence may contribute in pregnancy IVF outcome.

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A pilot investigation of couple-level phthalates exposure and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.

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