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Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2019 Jan 31:1-13. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

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 2018 ;83(3):232-235

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

Design: Review.

Setting: Reprogenesis International, Brno. Read More

Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2008 May;3(3):349-359

a Professor, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Internal Medicine (Endocrinology), University of Texas Medical School - Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Suite 3604, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

The management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) usually spans a woman's reproductive years. While the treatment of symptoms is a primary concern, given its long-term nature, the benefits and potential risks need to be assessed and balanced. The variability of presentation coupled with the phenotypic diversity of this patient population, requires the individualization of treatment to each patient. Read More

Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2006 Nov;1(6):743-752

a Professor, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michaelisstr. 16, 24105 Kiel, Germany.

In patients with cystic ovarian pathology, such as endometriomas, polycystic ovary syndrome, teratomas or benign tumors, there is a tendency towards abnormal ovarian function. Anovulation and sterility may occur. This review will summarize the normal physiology of the female gonad and the development of oogenesis from initial reproductive age to the menopause. 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 Jan 28. 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 2019 ;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 Jan 9. 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 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

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

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 Dec;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 Oct;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 Nov;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

J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2018 Sep 14. Epub 2018 Sep 14.

9 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, Missouri.

Objective: To compare etiologies of prolonged amenorrhea in a cohort of HIV-infected women with a cohort of similar uninfected at-risk women.

Materials And Methods: Women from the Women's Interagency HIV Study were seen every 6 months, and completed surveys including questions about their menstruation. Those who reported no vaginal bleeding for at least 1 year ("prolonged amenorrhea") with subsequent resumption of bleeding were compared with women in whom bleeding had stopped permanently ("menopause"). Read More

J Menopausal Med 2018 Aug 31;24(2):100-107. Epub 2018 Aug 31.

Division of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Objectives: This study explored the association between a history of oligomenorrhea and onset of menopause and metabolic parameters.

Methods: The study population was 605 postmenopausal women who were patients at the Menopause Clinic, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand between February 2015 and December 2015. A questionnaire was used to ask all women about their history of oligomenorrhea. Read More

J Dairy Sci 2018 Nov 7;101(11):10505-10525. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824. Electronic address:

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of high versus low progesterone (P4) during the pre-dominance or dominance phase (or both) of ovulatory follicle development on follicular dynamics and fertility of lactating dairy cows. Progesterone (P4) was manipulated to reach high (H) or low (L) serum concentrations during the pre-dominance phase (d 0 to 4 of the wave) and dominance phase (d 5 to 7 of the wave) of a second follicular wave ovulatory follicle, creating 4 treatments: H/H, H/L, L/H, and L/L. Luteolysis was induced with PGF on d 7 of the wave and ovulation was induced with GnRH 56 h after PGF. Read More

Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2018 Sep 7;16(1):86. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Biology of Reproduction Research Unit, Physiology of Reproduction Laboratory, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, UNAM AP 9-020, CP 15000, México, DF, Mexico.

Background: The injection of estradiol valerate in female rats induces polycystic ovary syndrome, which is characterized by polycystic ovaries, anovulation, and hyperandrogenism. These characteristics have been associated with an increase in the ovarian concentration of norepinephrine, which occurs before establishing the polycystic ovary syndrome. The bilateral section of the superior ovarian nerve restores ovarian functions in animals with polycystic ovary syndrome. Read More

Biol Reprod 2018 Sep 3. Epub 2018 Sep 3.

Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. In addition to anovulation, endometrial dysfunction can reduce fertility in PCOS. The cyclical changes of endometrium are controlled by estrogen and progesterone via modulating Wnt/B-catenin pathway. Read More

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2018 Aug;57(4):499-506

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.

Objective: Recently, there was a new recommendation of ultrasonographic criteria to diagnosis polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In addition, serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was proposed as a surrogate marker for diagnosis of PCOS, but AMH cut-off level for diagnosis of PCOS is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of serum AMH and evaluate new ultrasonographic criteria, follicle number per ovary (FNPO) threshold ≥ 25 follicles and ovarian volume (OV) > 10 mL, for diagnosis of PCOS. Read More

Am J Primatol 2018 Aug 14:e22905. Epub 2018 Aug 14.

University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin.

Estrogen depletion leads to bone loss in almost all mammals with frequent regular ovarian cycles. However, subordinate adult female common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) undergo socially induced anovulation and hypoestrogenism without clinically apparent adverse skeletal consequences. Thus, we speculated that this non human primate might have evolved a mechanism to avoid estrogen-depletion bone loss. Read More

J Dairy Sci 2018 Oct 9;101(10):9016-9027. Epub 2018 Aug 9.

Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 Canada. Electronic address:

The objectives were to determine the effects of a rumen-protected blend of B vitamins and choline (RPBC) on the incidence of health disorders, milk yield, and reproduction in early lactation and the effects on gene expression and liver fat infiltration. A randomized controlled trial in 3 commercial dairy herds (n = 1,346 cows with group as the experimental unit; experiment 1) and a university research herd (n = 50 cows with cow as the experimental unit; experiment 2) evaluated the use of 100 g/cow per d of commercially available proprietary RPBC supplement (Transition VB, Jefo, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada), or a placebo, fed 3 wk before to 3 wk after calving. Read More

J Dairy Sci 2018 Oct 9;101(10):9521-9526. Epub 2018 Aug 9.

Department of Population Medicine, Ontario, N1G 2W1 Canada. Electronic address:

Udder edema (UE) is a common condition of cows around calving, but its effects are not well characterized. The objectives of this study were to determine the associations of UE with the incidence of health disorders and with milk yield and reproduction in dairy cows in early lactation. On 3 commercial farms, UE was scored weekly on 1,346 cows, on a scale of 0 to 3, from 1 wk before calving to 3 wk after calving. Read More

Nurs Clin North Am 2018 09 11;53(3):407-420. Epub 2018 Jul 11.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. Electronic address:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a commonly occurring endocrine disorder characterized by hirsutism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Often comorbid with insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and obesity, it also carries significant risk for the development of cardiovascular and metabolic sequelae, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Traditionally, the treatment of patients with PCOS has focused on relief of symptoms. Read More

Fertil Steril 2018 08;110(3):476-485.e1

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address:

Objective: To analyze whether telomere length, X-chromosome inactivation (XCI), and androgen receptor (AR) GAG polymorphism are related to idiopathic premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: University hospital. Read More

Pediatr Endocrinol Diabetes Metab 2018 ;24(1):40-44

Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) usually arises during puberty and is marked by insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperandrogenism. The principle is that the diagnosis of PCOS must be based on the presence of at least two of the following three criteria: chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism (clinical or biological), and polycystic ovaries. The diagnosis of PCOS in adolescents is particularly difficult due to developmental problems in this group. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol India 2018 Aug 12;68(4):242-252. Epub 2018 May 12.

3Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA USA.

The practice of ovulation induction often falls to the reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist. However, attitudes toward the evaluation and treatment of infertility has shifted among general obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYN). This review discusses the underlying scientific basis of anovulation and clinical guidelines regarding the use of different medications for the purpose of promoting follicular recruitment and ovulation for the general OB-GYN. Read More

Hum Reprod Update 2018 11;24(6):694-709

Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) prevalence estimates vary when different diagnostic criteria are applied. Lack of standardization of individual elements within these criteria may contribute to prevalence differences.

Objective And Rationale: A systematic review of studies reporting prevalence of PCOS, using at least one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rotterdam or Androgen Excess Society (AE-PCOS) criteria, was conducted. Read More

Gynecol Endocrinol 2018 Jul 25:1-4. Epub 2018 Jul 25.

a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Health Sciences University Ümraniye Medical and Research Hospital , İstanbul , Turkey.

Clomiphene citrate (CC) is the agent of first choice in polycystic ovarian syndrome; however, anovulation problem does not resolve in a quarter of them. Thus, we investigated the value of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in the prediction of ovarian response to CC in women with the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This prospective cohort study included 90 anovulatory women with PCOS who were given 50 mg/d CC. Read More

Hum Reprod 2018 09;33(9):1727-1734

Department of Endocrinology, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Republic of Ireland.

Study Question: What information does androgen profiling using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) provide in reproductive-age women with Type 1 diabetes (T1D)?

Summary Answer: In T1D women, androstenedione proved most useful of the measured androgens in differentiating subgroups based on clinical phenotypes of hyperandrogenism (HA) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

What Is Known Already: The prevalence of HA and PCOS are increased in women with T1D. These observations are based on measurement of serum androgens using immunoassays, to-date no studies using LC-MS/MS have been reported in reproductive-age women with T1D. Read More

J Reprod Infertil 2018 Apr-Jun;19(2):89-94

Department of Cellular Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and endocrine disorder which is characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation or oligomenorrhea and polycystic ovarian morphology. It is believed that modulation in metabolism of granulosa cells of PCOS patients may lead to infertility. One of the metabolic modulators is FNDC5 and its cleaved form, irisin. Read More

Obstet Gynecol 2018 Aug;132(2):321-336

Department of Health Policy, Management & Behavior, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York; the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, and the Pullias Center for Higher Education, Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent disorder, representing the single most common endocrine-metabolic disorder in reproductive-aged women. Currently there are four recognized phenotypes of PCOS: 1) hyperandrogenism+oligo-anovulation+polycystic ovarian morphology; 2) hyperandrogenism+oligo-anovulation; 3) hyperandrogenism+polycystic ovarian morphology; and 4) oligo-anovulation+polycystic ovarian morphology, each with different long-term health and metabolic implications. Clinicians should clearly denote a patient's phenotype when making the diagnosis of PCOS. Read More

Climacteric 2018 Aug 2;21(4):366-374. Epub 2018 Jul 2.

a Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , BC , Canada.

Estradiol (E2) is women's dominant 'bone hormone' since it is essential for development of adolescent peak bone mineral density (BMD) and physiological levels prevent the rapid (3-week) bone resorption that causes most adult BMD loss. However, deceasing E2 levels trigger bone resorption/loss. Progesterone (P4) is E2's physiological partner, collaborating with E2 in every cell/tissue; its bone 'job' is to increase P4-receptor-mediated, slow (3-4 months) osteoblastic new bone formation. Read More

Panminerva Med 2019 Mar 28;61(1):58-67. Epub 2018 Jun 28.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel -

As the global mean Body Mass Index (BMI) is on the rise, the importance of understanding exactly how female fertility is impacted by once outlier BMI values, becomes ever more important. Studies have implicated abnormal BMI on the female reproductive system by contributing to anovulation, irregular menses, adverse oocyte quality, endometrial alterations, and hormonal imbalances. These well ultimately result in female infertility, which could complicate natural conception efforts and request considering assisted reproductive technology (ART) in such couples. Read More