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Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2019 Apr 19. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.

Objective: To determine whether polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) prevalence is increased among metabolically healthy obese (MHO) women.

Methods: A national epidemiologic survey in 10 provinces and municipalities of China between October 2007 and September 2011. Women were stratified into four groups according to metabolic health (Assessment by Adult Treatment Panel III) and obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥28): metabolically healthy nonobese (MHNO), metabolically unhealthy nonobese (MUNO), MHO, and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). Read More

Ugeskr Laeger 2019 Apr;181(15)

Since 2004, the Rotterdam criteria have been used in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), requiring the presence of two of the following three criteria: oligo-/anovulation, hyperandrogenism or polycystic ovaries. Reports of high prevalences of polycystic ovaries in younger women have caused concerns about overdiagnosis. Recently, the international guideline for PCOS has recommended raising the follicle threshold for polycystic ovaries and avoiding ultrasound in adolescents. Read More

Clin Epigenetics 2019 Apr 11;11(1):61. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of Molecular Endocrinology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, J.M. Street, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400012, India.

Background: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) manifest a host of ovarian defects like impaired folliculogenesis, anovulation, and poor oocyte quality, which grossly affect their reproductive health. Addressing the putative epigenetic anomalies that tightly regulate these events is of foremost importance in this disorder. We therefore aimed to carry out DNA methylome profiling of cumulus granulosa cells and assess the methylation and transcript expression profiles of a few differentially methylated genes contributing to ovarian defects in PCOS. Read More

Angiology 2019 Apr 10:3319719840091. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

1 First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age. The criteria required for the diagnosis identify various phenotypes, with different reproductive, metabolic, and cardiovascular (CV) risk characteristics. Emerging evidence links adipocyte-secreted hormones as candidates in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in PCOS, independently of additional risk factors. Read More

JBRA Assist Reprod 2019 Apr 10. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Iran.

Objective: The relation between excessive prolactin and endometriosis-related infertility is debatable. Anovulation or defective luteal phase occurs frequently due to hyperprolactinemia in subfertile women. In this investigation, we evaluated the association between serum prolactin levels and the severity of endometriosis. Read More

Integr Med (Encinitas) 2018 Apr;17(2):8-11

While much of the decrease in fertility worldwide is by choice, an increasing number of couples, especially in industrialized countries, are finding conception more difficult and damaged babies more common. The research is quite clear that metals and chemicals in air, water, food, and health-and-beauty aids are damaging fertility in many ways. These toxicants are causing men to experience relentlessly decreasing sperm count and function while women are suffering progressively worse anovulation, impaired implantation, and loss of fetal viability. Read More

Georgian Med News 2019 Feb(287):26-29

I. Horbachevsky Ternopil State Medical University, Ukraine.

Currently, lots of young couples are facing infertility. One of the relatively rare causes of female infertility is prolactinoma - hormonally active pituitary tumor that secretes excessive quantity of prolactin. Excessive prolactin production is leading to anovulation and women infertility. Read More

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2019 Mar 29. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medipol University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (OI + IUI) in female patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), and to compare the outcomes of different stimulation protocols and cycle characteristics.

Material And Methods: The outcomes of OI + IUI treatments in patients with HH diagnosed between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Cycles using recombinant (rec) luteinizing hormone (LH) or human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) as LH sources were compared with each other. Read More

Endocrinology 2019 Mar 29. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting approximately 10-15% of reproductive-aged women worldwide. Diagnosis requires two of the following: hyperandrogenism, oligo/anovulation and polycystic ovaries. In addition to reproductive dysfunction, many women with PCOS display metabolic abnormalities associated with hyperandrogenism. Read More

J Family Med Prim Care 2019 Jan;8(1):256-260

Department of Surgery, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Shillong, Meghalaya, India.

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most important endocrinal diseases in reproductive age group, clinically manifested by hyperandrogenism and anovulation and different other metabolic disturbances that may have important implications for long-term health.

Aim And Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of abnormal luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone (LH/FSH) ratio in women with polycystic ovary and to assess the influence of prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the elevated LH/FSH ratio.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Read More

J Photochem Photobiol B 2019 Mar 12;194:6-13. Epub 2019 Mar 12.

Medicinal Chemistry and Regenerative Medicine Group, QUIMMERA - UNIARA, Araraquara, SP, Brazil; Department of Biological Science and Health - Medicine, University of Araraquara - UNIARA, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. Electronic address:

Follicular cystic ovary disease is a common reproductive disorder in women and females of domestic animals, characterized by anovulation and the persistence of follicle is a common cause of reproductive failure in mammalian. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism (HA), chronic anovulation and polycystic ovaries, and it is a common reproductive endocrine disease with clinical manifestations including hirsutism, acne, infertility and obesity that can affect 5-20% of women in their reproductive age. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been investigated and used in clinical practice, related to biomodulatory influences on cellular functions in animals and humans, both in vivo and in vitro. Read More

Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2019 Mar 16;17(1):33. Epub 2019 Mar 16.

School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia.

Background: The fibrinolytic system and its inhibitors play a number of roles, apart from their function in blood haemostasis and thrombosis, namely in ovarian folliculogenesis and in ovulation. Plasminogen is converted to active plasmin at the time of follicular rupture through a decrease in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and an increase in plasminogen activators. Oligo-/anovulation and follicle arrest are key characteristics of PCOS, but studies evaluating fibrinolytic/proteolytic markers within human or animal PCOS ovaries are lacking. Read More

BMC Microbiol 2019 Mar 12;19(1):57. Epub 2019 Mar 12.

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.

Background: A majority of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have metabolic dysfunction that results in an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. We previously developed a pubertal mouse model using the aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, which recapitulates many of the reproductive and metabolic features of PCOS. To further our understanding of the effects of androgen excess, we compared the effects of letrozole treatment initiated in puberty versus adulthood on reproductive and metabolic phenotypes as well as on the gut microbiome. Read More

Reprod Sci 2019 Mar 4:1933719119833487. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

6 Fertility Center of CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea.

Purpose:: Subfertility associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mainly originates from oligoovulation/anovulation. Although insulin resistance and androgen excess are known to cause PCOS-associated implantation failure, the consequences of PCOS on endometrial homeostasis and pathophysiology have not been comprehensively understood. In this study, we examined whether the pathophysiologic milieu of PCOS intrinsically affects expression profiles of genes related to insulin signaling and facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs) in the human endometrium and/or during in vitro decidualization. Read More

J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc 2019 Mar 1. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

Former, Scientist G & Director-in-Charge NIOH (ICMR), Ahmedabad, India

PCOS is a multifaceted disease in women with infertility that have diverse etiological factors. Some women may have only a few PCOS linked symptoms or mild symptoms while some of the women will have severe or all PCOS linked symptoms. Therefore, the PCOS symptoms can differ among the woman. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019 12;10:23. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest endocrine abnormality in women of reproductive age typically presenting with chronic oligo- or anovulation, clinical, or biochemical hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM). Restoring mono-ovulation is the ultimate goal of ovulation induction and most women do respond to ovulation inducing agents causing their Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels to rise. Familial clustering and the results from twin studies strongly support an underlying genetic basis for PCOS. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019 Feb 23. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD. Electronic address:

Background: Most studies of folate metabolism and reproduction have been conducted after pregnancy and in folate-deficient populations. However, measurement of maternal folate status preconceptionally may be most relevant to certain folate-linked early processes preceding a successful pregnancy, and there has been a major increase in folate concentrations in women of childbearing age in high resource settings.

Objective: To examine associations between preconceptional biomarkers of maternal folate status (folate and homocysteine) and reproductive outcomes in folate-replete women. Read More

J Hum Reprod Sci 2018 Oct-Dec;11(4):348-352

Southend Fertility and IVF Centre, New Delhi, India.

Context: Increased circulating insulin levels contribute to hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) which causes a derangement in folliculogenesis, thus contributing to polycystic morphogenesis of the ovaries and a higher than normal anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). A high AMH is an indicator of either stubborn anovulation or a predictor of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Hence, it is postulated that the use of insulin sensitizers will reduce insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and subsequently serum AMH levels and will convert anovulatory cycles to ovulatory. Read More

J Therm Biol 2019 Feb 4;80:158-163. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Division of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar 304501, Rajasthan, India.

Sheep reared in hot semi-arid environments are generally exposed to heat and nutritional stress in some seasons of the year, which affects both production and reproduction. To assess the effect of high ambient temperature and feed scarcity on superovulation, 16 adult Malpura ewes were randomly divided into two groups of 8 animals each. G1 (control) was kept under a shed and offered a maintenance diet, and G2 (combined stress) was subjected to both nutritional (30% less of maintenance diet) and heat (38-44 °C for 6 h/day) stress. Read More

Reprod Biomed Online 2019 Apr 22;38(4):570-578. Epub 2018 Dec 22.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University Graduate School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, -Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.

Research Question: Do gut microbiota associate with the ovulatory cycle in women showing normogonadotrophic anovulation? In humans, the gut microbiota affects diverse physiological functions and dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) may lead to pathological syndromes. However, there is comparatively little information on the relevance of gut microbiota to reproductive functions in women. Here, a group of women with idiopathic chronic anovulation were examined, who do not exhibit any apparent endocrinological disorder, as they are suitable for investigating the relationship between intestinal bacteria and ovulatory disorders. Read More

J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Pediatric Neuroendocrinology Group, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 TW Alexander Drive, MD A2-03, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Electronic address:

Irregular menstrual cycles due to anovulation are well-described in the first few years after menarche, but the normal developmental trajectory from anovulatory to mature ovulatory cycles during adolescence remains undefined. This paper presents our very limited understanding of this final stage of female reproductive axis development and why additional research in this area is critical to the health of women. Read More

Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2019 03 15;14(2):131-143. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Wisconsin , Madison , WI , USA.

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis comprises combinations of female hyperandrogenism, menstrual irregularity and polycystic ovaries. While it is a familial and highly prevalent endocrine disorder, progress towards a cure is hindered by absence of a definitive pathogenic mechanism and lack of an animal model of naturally occurring PCOS.

Areas Covered: These include an overview of PCOS and its potential etiology, and an examination of insights gained into its pathogenic origins. Read More

Ceska Gynekol Winter 2018;83(3):232-235

Aim: Physiology and pathology of prolactin production, clinical consequences.

Design: Review.

Setting: Reprogenesis International, Brno. Read More

J Endocrinol Invest 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.

Background: Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) is a form of chronic anovulation not due to identifiable organic causes and with adverse health consequences. The identification of women with this disorder or the precocious identification of women at risk is based on the knowledge of lifestyle risk factors or behaviors such as stress, weight loss, and excessive physical exercise that are known to negatively impact gonadal axis activity.

Methods: In this overview, we described the most common forms of FHA, in particular stress-induced amenorrhea and overtraining-induced amenorrhea. Read More

Mol Biol Rep 2019 Apr 28;46(2):2533-2540. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

School of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Calicut, Kerala, 673 601, India.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Gemin 5, Cpeb, Xrn1, and Stau1 expression in rodent ovaries and uterine tissues is dependent on gonadotropins, steroid hormones, and leptin in the superovulation and ovariectomized mouse models of menopause. Treatment of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin-primed rats with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) significantly induced Stau1 and Gemin 5 messenger RNA expression in rat ovaries. Gemin 5 expression in ovaries was sustained at relatively high levels at 12 h and 24 h post hCG treatment compared to Stau1, suggesting its role in follicle development, ovulation, and luteogenesis in rat ovaries. Read More

Int J Gynecol Pathol 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas (P.D.M., P.V., A.N.).

Microscopic granulosa cell proliferations are rare incidental findings in ovarian and extraovarian tissue, and can simulate granulosa cell tumors. We report a case of a 22-yr-old nulliparous woman with incidental microscopic granulosa cell proliferation in the wall of an endometriotic cyst. Excision of the cyst revealed extensive endometriosis and incidental microscopic nests and cords of granulosa cells measuring 1. Read More

J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019 Feb 27;186:176-184. Epub 2018 Oct 27.

Department of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Gdańsk, Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland. Electronic address:

In addition to chronic anovulation and clinical signs of hyperandrogenism women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are insulin resistant and therefore, develop central obesity with its long term consequences such as dyslipidaemia, hypertension, atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which all lead to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Due to the polysymptomatic nature of this syndrome and lack of consensus on its diagnostic criteria there is a strong need of finding a reliable biochemical or molecular marker, which would facilitate making the accurate diagnosis of PCOS. Therefore, the aim of our study was to perform a metabolomics analysis with the use of two complementary techniques: gas chromatography and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, of the serum samples from women with PCOS (n = 30) and to compare them with healthy age and BMI matched controls (n = 30). Read More

Cas Lek Cesk 2018 Dec;157(7):343-349

The first menstrual bleeding, referred to as menarche, albeit an important point in a woman's life, does not yet mean her full sexual maturity. The hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis is fragile during this period and depends on many factors. Their mutual interplay occurs individually and gradually over the next few years, therefore menstrual irregularities of the menstrual cycle occur physiologically, and not all of them need to be regulated. Read More

Eur J Epidemiol 2019 May 9;34(5):499-507. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Box 281, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.

Some studies have suggested that infertility is a risk factor for endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer. The study aimed to create a comprehensive picture of the association between infertility and the risk of ovarian, endometrial and breast cancer, and whether any association could be explained by ovulatory disturbances, endometriosis or nulliparity. In a population-based cohort of 2,882,847 women, cox regression analysis was used to investigate cancer incidence among infertile women. Read More

JBRA Assist Reprod 2019 Jan 31;23(1):2-6. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Reference Center for Radioactivity - SES - GO.

Objective: Obesity is one of the extra hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis factors that can influence ovulation. The isolated impact of obesity on ovulation without other comorbidities needs to be further studied. Our goal is to evaluate the association between the anovulation in the ultrasonographic monitoring of the ovulation cycle and the body mass increase of infertile patients without polycystic ovaries of a university service. Read More

Hum Reprod 2019 Feb;34(2):276-284

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Study Question: Are six cycles of ovulation induction with gonadotrophins more cost-effective than six cycles of ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate (CC) with or without IUI in normogonadotropic anovulatory women not pregnant after six ovulatory cycles with CC?

Summary Answer: Both gonadotrophins and IUI are more expensive when compared with CC and intercourse, and gonadotrophins are more effective than CC.

What Is Known Already: In women with normogonadotropic anovulation who ovulate but do not conceive after six cycles with CC, medication is usually switched to gonadotrophins, with or without IUI. The cost-effectiveness of these changes in policy is unknown. Read More

Scand J Med Sci Sports 2019 Apr 22;29(4):544-553. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Kinesiology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.

In estrogen-deficient post-menopausal women, osteoporosis shares a common link with cardiovascular disease risk, including endothelial dysfunction. The current study sought to examine associations between bone mineral density (BMD) and endothelial function in estrogen-deficient premenopausal women with exercise-associated menstrual disturbances. Recreationally trained women (24. Read More

Psychiatr Hung 2018;33(4):331-339

Semmelweis Egyetem, Magatartástudomanyi Intezet, Budapest, Hungary, E-mail:

Common gynecological complications of various eating disorders include infertility, unwanted pregnancy, miscarriage, sexual dysfunction and complications in the treatment of gynecological cancers. Women with eating disorders typically see their gynecologists because of menstrual and other endocrine disorders or unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, and often report on psychological symptoms (anxiety, depression or decreased libido). In spite of anovulation, menstruation may occur and ovulation without menstruation may be possible, which may lead to an increased incidence of unwanted pregnancies in case of prior or current eating disorders. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2018 Nov 6;53:20-29. Epub 2018 Oct 6.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Unexplained infertility is defined as the absence of conception despite 12 months of unprotected intercourse, not explained by anovulation, poor sperm quality, tubal pathology or any known cause of infertility. The two most applied treatments for unexplained infertility are intra-uterine insemination and in vitro fertilisation. As these treatments do not target a specific mechanism but rather increase the probability of conception as compared to natural conception chances, they should be weighed against the prognosis of natural conception. Read More

Singapore Med J 2018 Nov;59(11):567-571

Department of Endocrinology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) presents with a spectrum of conditions resulting from androgen excess, anovulation and metabolic syndrome. Patients with PCOS may see their primary care physicians for various presentations, including hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularities, infertility, obesity, and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. Management of these patients should include screening for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. Read More

J Rheumatol 2018 Nov 15. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

From the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center; Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA. Pfizer Inc. provided the funding for this project through its ASPIRE award program for investigator-initiated studies. It had no say on the design or conduct of the research, and did not alter the manuscript. M.E. Clowse is a consultant for UCB regarding issues surrounding the use of certolizumab for RA in pregnancy. This work does not involve issues of infertility or AMH. A.M. Eudy, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center; G. McDaniel, PA-C, Clinical Research Coordinator, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center; W.W. Hurd, MD, MSc, MPH, Professor and Director, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center; M.E. Clowse, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center. Address correspondence to A.M. Eudy, Duke University Medical Center, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, DUMC 3490, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. E-mail: Accepted for publication August 10, 2018.

Objective: We sought to identify causes for infertility in women with and without rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Women with RA were matched to healthy controls. Differences in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and anovulation were analyzed. Read More

Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 2018 Dec 25;45(4):599-611. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health of the University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA. Electronic address:

Increased variability in menstrual cycle length marks the onset of the menopausal transition, with the likelihood of long cycles increasing as women approach menopause. This article describes the STRAW+10 bleeding criteria for recognizing onset of the early and late menopausal transition, as well as the specific bleeding changes a woman may experience during this life stage, including how women's bleeding experiences differ. The high probability of episodes of excessive and prolonged bleeding as women approach their final menstrual period is documented, as is the continuing probability of ovulation as women reach their final menstrual period. Read More

Hum Reprod 2019 Jan;34(1):84-91

Department of Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Study Question: Does starting IUI with ovarian stimulation (IUI-OS) within 1.5 years after completion of the fertility workup increase ongoing pregnancy rates compared to expectant management in couples with unexplained subfertility?

Summary Answer: IUI-OS is associated with higher chances of ongoing pregnancy compared to expectant management in unexplained subfertile couples, specifically those with poor prognoses of natural conception, i.e. Read More

Sci Rep 2018 Nov 1;8(1):16170. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada.

Ovulation is triggered by gonadotropin surge-induced signaling cascades. To study the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in bovine ovulation, we administered the pharmacological inhibitor, PD0325901, into the preovulatory dominant follicle by intrafollicular injection. Four of five cows treated with 50 µM PD0325901 failed to ovulate. Read More

Anim Reprod Sci 2018 Dec 25;199:40-44. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Caprina (CIRCA), Programa de Posgrado en Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico. Electronic address:

Most goats exposed to males in confined conditions have short ovulatory cycles. The frequency of these cycles can be reduced with a progesterone treatment prior to the introduction of males. The objective of this study was to determine whether extensive management conditions modify the frequency of short ovulatory cycles in progesterone-treated does exposed to photostimulated males. Read More

BMJ Open 2018 Oct 27;8(10):e021860. Epub 2018 Oct 27.

Faculty of Sciences, El-Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder affecting approximately one in seven women who experience androgen excess, menstrual cycle irregularities, frequent anovulation and a tendency for central obesity and insulin resistance. Chronic subclinical inflammation is now recognised as being common in the context of PCOS, which led to the postulation that PCOS may fundamentally be an inflammatory process. This study aimed to: (1) evaluate serum C reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio as a potential predictive biomarker for PCOS; (2) compare the relationship between CRP/albumin and PCOS to variables classically associated with the syndrome. Read More

Hum Reprod 2018 12;33(12):2268-2275

Medical Statistics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Leiden University Medical Centre, Einthovenweg 20, Leiden, the Netherlands.

Study Question: How well does a previously developed dynamic prediction model perform in an external, geographical validation in terms of predicting the chances of natural conception at various points in time?

Summary Answer: The dynamic prediction model performs well in an external validation on a Scottish cohort.

What Is Known Already: Prediction models provide information that can aid evidence-based management of unexplained subfertile couples. We developed a dynamic prediction model for natural conception (van Eekelen model) that is able to update predictions of natural conception when couples return to their clinician after a period of unsuccessful expectant management. Read More

Fertil Steril 2018 10;110(5):941-948

Department of Gynaecology Obstetrics II and Reproductive Medicine, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Universitaire Paris Centre, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France. Electronic address:

Objective: To study the prevalence of oligo-anovulation in women suffering from endometriosis compared to that of women without endometriosis.

Design: A single-center, cross-sectional study.

Setting: University hospital-based research center. Read More

Adv Ther 2018 Nov 11;35(11):1805-1815. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 6-10% of women and could be considered one of the most common endocrine alterations in women of reproductive age. The syndrome is characterized by several hormonal and metabolic alterations, including insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism, which play a severe detrimental role in the patient's fertility. We aimed to offer an overview about drug metabolism in the PCOS population. Read More

Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2018 Dec;25(6):377-384

Service de Gynécologie Endocrinienne et de Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, CHRU, Lille, France.

Purpose Of Review: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism in young women and represents a true public health concern and an economic burden.

Recent Findings: The pathophysiology of PCOS is still not fully understood, but progresses have been made and the relationships between anti mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, E2 and androgens have been explored. The follicle excess plays a central role in the syndrome and AMH is definitively a major component of this phenomena. Read More

EBioMedicine 2018 Oct 3;36:539-552. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, China. Electronic address:

Background: The ovulatory dysfunction mechanisms underlying polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are not completely understood. And the roles of EPHA7 and EPHA7-regulated pathway factors in the pathogenesis of anovulation remain to be elucidated.

Methods: We used human granulosa cells (hGCs) of PCOS and non-PCOS patients to measure EPHA7 and other target gene expressions. Read More

Hum Reprod 2018 11;33(11):2096-2106

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R.China.

Study Question: Is overexpression of lysyl oxidase (LOX), an enzyme responsible for the cross-linking of collagens, a cause of anovulation in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

Summary Answer: LOX overexpression was present in PCOS ovaries, due at least in part to interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and inhibition of LOX activity with β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) ameliorated polycystic ovary morphology and anovulation.

What Is Known Already: Aberrant ovarian extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and inflammation may contribute to the development of PCOS. It remains unknown whether proinflammatory IL-1β is a contributing factor for LOX overexpression in PCOS ovaries and whether inhibition of LOX can improve PCOS conditions. Read More

Clin Drug Investig 2018 Nov;38(11):1077-1084

Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.

Menopur is a highly purified, urine-derived, human menopausal gonadotropin containing both follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) activity. It is an effective option for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in assisted reproductive technology protocols and for ovulation induction (OI) in anovulatory infertility, and is associated with a different endocrine profile from that of recombinant (r) FSH in these settings (in terms of serum levels of FSH, androgens and/or estradiol). When used for COS in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), Menopur was as good as rFSH in terms of pregnancy rates (despite being associated with a lower oocyte yield) and was found to improve some aspects of embryo quality in the IVF (but not ICSI) setting; using Menopur in combination with highly purified urinary FSH resulted in similar reproductive outcomes as Menopur alone. Read More

Indian J Ophthalmol 2018 Oct;66(10):1504-1505

Department of Ophthalmology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Yazd Province, Iran.

Clomiphene citrate is a common drug used for the treatment of chronic anovulation, especially in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. The drug potentially has systemic and ocular side effects. Here, we present ocular side effects in a PCOS patient and emphasize the need to pay attention to visual complaints during treatment course with clomiphene citrate. Read More

Endocrine 2019 01 20;63(1):157-163. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between serum Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level and body mass index (BMI) in infertile patients.

Methods: Medical records of patients with infertility evaluated between January 2013 and February 2018 in the Reproductive Medicine Department of a private hospital were reviewed. Patients with the following criteria were excluded from the study: polycystic ovary syndrome, primary ovarian insufficiency, AMH values > 10 ng/mL, current oral contraceptive users and previous ovarian surgery or endometriosis, and anovulation of other causes, except decreased ovarian reserve. Read More