Infertility has emerged as a significant public health concern, with assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a last-resort treatment option. However, ART's efficacy is limited by significant financial cost and physical discomfort. The aim of this study is to build Machine learning (ML) decision-support models to predict the optimal range of embryo numbers to transfer, using data from infertile couples identified through literature reviews. Binary classification models were developed to classify cases into two groups: those transferring two or fewer embryos and those transferring three or four. Four popular ML algorithms were used, including random forest (RF), logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and artificial neural network (ANN), considering seven criteria: the woman's age, sperm origin, the developmental qualities of four potential embryos, infertility duration, assessment of the woman, morphological qualities of the four best embryos on the day of transfer, and number of oocytes extracted. The stratified 3-fold cross-validation results show that the SVM model obtained the highest average accuracy (95.83%) and demonstrated the best overall performance, closely followed by the ANN and LR models with an average accuracy equal to 91.67%. The RF model achieved a slightly lower average accuracy (88.89%), which demonstrated the lowest variability. Testing on a new dataset revealed all models performed well, with ANN and SVM models classified all test set instances correctly, while the RF and LR models achieved 91.68% accuracy. These results highlight the superior generalization and effectiveness of the ANN and SVM models in guiding ART decisions.

• Klíčová slova
• Artificial neural network, assisted reproductive technology, embryo transfer, infertility, multi-criteria decision aiding, number of embryos,
• MeSH
• asistovaná reprodukce MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• infertilita terapie   diagnóza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neuronové sítě MeSH
• přenos embrya * metody   MeSH
• strojové učení * MeSH
• support vector machine MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Uterine NK (uNK) cells, a specialized subpopulation of natural killer (NK) lymphocytes located in the endometrium, play a crucial role in regulating the immune response and in the process of embryo implantation. This study aims to retrospectively analyze the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in a cohort of women who underwent uNK cell immunophenotyping with subsequent immunomodulatory therapy applied based on the results. METHODS: The study included 122 patients who underwent uNK cell immunophenotyping between April and December 2023. Immunophenotyping was performed using flow cytometry. Patients were categorized into four groups according to their uNK cell phenotypes: normal findings, low absolute and relative numbers of uNK cells (LOW-IMMUNE profile), low numbers of uNK cells combined with the shift towards the cytotoxic uNKc dim immunophenotype (MIXED-IMMUNE profile), and normal numbers of uNK cells, but an undesirable shift in the ratio of cytotoxic to regulatory uNK cells towards the cytotoxic uNK dim phenotype (OVER-IMMUNE profile). Embryo transfer outcomes and the occurrence of miscarriages up to the 12th week of pregnancy were evaluated in each group. RESULTS: The highest clinical pregnancy rate was observed in the treated OVER-IMMUNE group (70%), fol lowed by the MIXED-IMMUNE group (60%). The LOW-IMMUNE group did not differ significantly from the untreated NORMAL group (P = 0.205). Insufficient immune activation (LOW-IMMUNE profile) was significantly associated with first-trimester pregnancy loss (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study provides new insights into the potential benefits of uNK cell immunophenotyping and subsequent immunomodulatory therapy in treating fertility disorders. While the results indicate possible clinical advantages, further research is necessary to confirm these findings and elucidate the mechanisms leading to improved outcomes in assisted reproductive techniques.

• Klíčová slova
• In vitro fertilization, habitual miscarriage, immunomodulatory therapy, in vitro fertilization, lymphocyte immunophenotyping, recurrent implantation failure, uterine NK cells,
• MeSH
• buňky NK * imunologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fertilizace in vitro * MeSH
• imunofenotypizace * MeSH
• klinická relevance MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• úhrn těhotenství na počet žen v reprodukčním věku MeSH
• uterus imunologie   patologie   MeSH
• ženská infertilita imunologie   terapie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

AIM: To describe coping strategies and infertility stress in men and women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. To determine whether there are differences in coping strategies between men and women and to identify adaptive and non-adaptive coping strategies for infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A correlational study, where 162 patients (99 women and 63 men) with primary infertility undergoing IVF treatment at Sanus Pardubice completed the Fertility Problem Inventory and COPE Inventory psychological questionnaires. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between women and men in experiencing infertility stress. The coping strategies used most frequently by both men and women were Positive Reinterpretation, Planning, and Acceptance; men used the strategies Restraint, Suppression, and Planning significantly more frequently than women; and women used the strategies Using Emotional Social Support and Religious Coping significantly more frequently than men. For both women and men, level of Global infertility stress significantly correlated with Denial in the positive direction and with Positive Reinterpretation and Acceptance in the negative direction. CONCLUSION: Involuntarily childless women and men in IVF treatment experience similar infertility stress, but use slightly different coping strategies. For both men and women, Positive Reinterpretation and Acceptance emerged as adaptive strategies, while Denial emerged as non-adaptive.

• Klíčová slova
• IVF treatment, coping strategies, gender differences, stress,
• MeSH
• adaptace psychologická * MeSH
• copingové dovednosti MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fertilizace in vitro * psychologie   MeSH
• infertilita * psychologie   terapie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužská infertilita psychologie   terapie   MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• psychický stres * psychologie   MeSH
• ženská infertilita psychologie   terapie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregates (SERa) are a type of dysmorphism in oocytes derived from controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). The effect of SERa on assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcomes is debatable. Based on some evidence, SERa-positive (SERa+) oocytes cause complications including newborn demise, and compromise the outcome of the unaffected oocytes of the same cycle. While other reports demonstrated equal developmental competence between SERa + and SERa-negative (SERa-) oocytes/cycles. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study on 315 women candidates for ART and compared the outcome among SERa+ (N = 73) and SERa- cycles (N = 217). Furthermore, for the first time, we investigated the prevalence of SERa + cycles in women with various infertility etiologies. Our results indicated that SERa + patients presented higher levels of Estradiol on the day of ovulation triggering (p = 0.02). Regarding the ART outcome, there were no differences in the number of retrieved oocytes, oocyte maturation and fertilization rates among the groups. However, the quality of the unaffected oocytes (p = 0.03), the rates of day-3 top-quality embryos (p = 0.01, and p = 0.03 for grades A and B, respectively), and clinical pregnancy (p = 0.05) in SERa + group were significantly reduced. Moreover, the prevalence of SERa + cycles gradually increased among endometriosis, POI/POR, PCOS, normal women, tubal factor, and idiopathic groups. Our study suggests that suboptimal situations such as elevated levels of Estradiol can increase the occurrence of SERa + oocytes. This suboptimal phenomenon can negatively influence the outcome of the cycle. Thus, optimization of COS, particularly in vulnerable groups such as women with idiopathic infertility may lower the SERa + cycle occurrence, improving the ART outcome.

• Klíčová slova
• ART outcome., Assisted reproductive techniques, Infertility, Oocyte, Smooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregates,
• MeSH
• asistovaná reprodukce škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hladké endoplazmatické retikulum * metabolismus   MeSH
• indukce ovulace * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• oocyty * MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• úhrn těhotenství na počet žen v reprodukčním věku MeSH
• ženská infertilita * patologie   etiologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

In patients with testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT), sperm cryopreservation prior to anti-cancer treatment represents the main fertility preservation approach. However, it is associated with a low sperm recovery rate after thawing. Since sperm is a high-energy demanding cell, which is supplied by glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), mitochondrial dysfunctionality can directly result in sperm anomalies. In this study, we investigated the bioenergetic pattern of cryopreserved sperm of TGCT patients in comparison with normozoospermic samples using two state-of-the-art methods: the Extracellular Flux Analyzer (XF Analyzer) and two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (2P-FLIM), in order to assess the contributions of OXPHOS and glycolysis to energy provision. A novel protocol for the combined measurement of OXPHOS (oxygen consumption rate: OCR) and glycolysis (extracellular acidification rate: ECAR) using the XF Analyzer was developed together with a unique customized AI-based approach for semiautomated processing of 2P-FLIM images. Our study delivers optimized low-HEPES modified human tubal fluid media (mHTF) for sperm handling during pre-analytical and analytical phases, to maintain sperm physiological parameters and optimal OCR, equivalent to OXPHOS. The negative effect of cryopreservation was signified by the deterioration of both bioenergetic pathways represented by modified OCR and ECAR curves and the derived parameters. This was true for normozoospermic as well as samples from TGCT patients, which showed even stronger damage within the respiratory chain compared to the level of glycolytic activity impairment. The impact of cryopreservation and pathology are supported by 2P-FLIM analysis, showing a significant decrease in bound NADH in contrast to unbound NAD(P)H, which reflects decreased metabolic activity in samples from TGCT patients. Our study provides novel insights into the impact of TGCT on sperm bioenergetics and delivers a verified protocol to be used for the assessment of human sperm metabolic activity, which can be a valuable tool for further research and clinical andrology.

• Klíčová slova
• 2P-FLIM, TGCT, XF Analyzer, cancer, energetic metabolism, infertility, oxidative phosphorylation, sperm biochemistry, sperm function, spermatozoa,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• energetický metabolismus * MeSH
• germinální a embryonální nádory * metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• glykolýza * MeSH
• kryoprezervace * metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mitochondrie metabolismus   MeSH
• oxidativní fosforylace * MeSH
• spermie * metabolismus   MeSH
• spotřeba kyslíku fyziologie   MeSH
• testikulární nádory * metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• uchování spermatu metody   MeSH
• zachování plodnosti metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether there is an association between pre-pregnancy lipid parameters and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART), a group especially at risk for GDM, and if so, which parameter is associated the strongest. METHODS: Data was collected at the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital CITIC-Xiangya in Changsha, China from January 2017 to December 2018. The measured lipid parameters include LDL (low-density lipoprotein), HDL (high-density lipoprotein), TC (total cholesterol), and TG (triglycerides). RESULTS: 119 (15.5%) of the 767 patients developed GDM. On average, women who developed GDM were older, had a higher BMI, LDL, TC, and TG, and lower HDL. After adjusting for confounders, LDL and HDL showed a significant association with GDM (p < 0.05), but TC and TG did not. Binary LDL/HDL and TC/HDL ratios showed the strongest association with GDM incidence (OR 1.957 [95%CI 1.258-3.044] and 1.942 [1.243-3.034] respectively). Subgroup analysis showed that an elevated LDL/HDL ratio also increased GDM risk in subgroups with a typically lower prevalence of GDM, such as young women with a low BMI and low blood pressure. Both lipid ratios (LDL/HDL and TC/HD) show strong interactions with baseline age, fasting plasma glucose, and LH. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of Chinese women undergoing ART, pre-pregnancy LDL/HDL and TC/HDL were associated with GDM the strongest from the lipid parameters and could be useful to estimate GDM risk even before ART treatments and pregnancy. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT03503006 registered on the 21st of March 2018 (on clinicaltrials.gov). https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03503006?locStr=Changsha,%20Hunan,%20China&country=China&state=Hunan&city=Changsha&cond=ivf&rank=2 .

• Klíčová slova
• Assisted reproductive technologies, Dyslipidemia, Gestational diabetes mellitus, In vitro fertilization, Ldl hdl ratio,
• MeSH
• asistovaná reprodukce * MeSH
• cholesterol krev   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• gestační diabetes * krev   epidemiologie   diagnóza   MeSH
• HDL-cholesterol * krev   MeSH
• LDL-cholesterol krev   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• triglyceridy krev   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• pozorovací studie MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Čína epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cholesterol MeSH
• HDL-cholesterol * MeSH
• LDL-cholesterol MeSH
• triglyceridy MeSH

Genome Resources Banks (GRBs) represent vital repositories for the systematic collection, storage, and management of genetic material across various taxa, with a primary objective of safeguarding genetic diversity for research and practical applications. Alongside the development of assisted reproductive techniques (ART), GRBs have evolved into indispensable tools in conservation, offering opportunities for species preservation, mitigating inbreeding risks, and facilitating genetic management across fragmented populations. By preserving genetic information in a suspended state, GRBs serve as backups against population vulnerabilities, potentially aiding in the restoration of endangered species and extending their genetic lifespan. While evidence demonstrates the efficacy of GRBs, ethical considerations surrounding biobanking procedures for wildlife conservation remain largely unexplored. In this article, we will discuss possible ethical issues related to GRBs and the need to ethically monitor biobanking procedures in wildlife conservation. We will then propose a methodological tool, ETHAS, already in use for the ethical self-assessment of assisted reproduction techniques, to assess also biobanking procedures. ETHAS can make it possible to monitor a GRB from its design phase to its actual operation, helping to build biobanking procedures that meet high ethical standards.

• Klíčová slova
• Conservation ethics, Ethical self-assessment, Ethical tool, Ethics of biobanking, Genome resource bank, Research ethics,
• MeSH
• asistovaná reprodukce etika   MeSH
• banky biologického materiálu * etika   MeSH
• divoká zvířata * MeSH
• genom MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ohrožené druhy * MeSH
• zachování přírodních zdrojů * metody   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Cellular proteins and the mRNAs that encode them are key factors in oocyte and sperm development, and the mechanisms that regulate their translation and degradation play an important role during early embryogenesis. There is abundant evidence that expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is crucial for embryo development and are highly involved in regulating translation during oocyte and early embryo development. MiRNAs are a group of short (18-24 nucleotides) non-coding RNA molecules that regulate post-transcriptional gene silencing. The miRNAs are secreted outside the cell by embryos during preimplantation embryo development. Understanding regulatory mechanisms involving miRNAs during gametogenesis and embryogenesis will provide insights into molecular pathways active during gamete formation and early embryo development. This review summarizes recent findings regarding multiple roles of miRNAs in molecular signaling, plus their transport during gametogenesis and embryo preimplantation.

• Klíčová slova
• Embryogenesis, Gametogenesis, MicroRNA, Preimplantation,
• MeSH
• asistovaná reprodukce * MeSH
• embryonální vývoj * genetika   MeSH
• gametogeneze genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikro RNA * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• oocyty metabolismus   MeSH
• vývojová regulace genové exprese MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• mikro RNA * MeSH

Over recent decades, advancements in omics technologies, such as proteomics, genomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and microbiomics, have significantly enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying various physiological and pathological processes. Nonetheless, the analysis and interpretation of vast omics data concerning reproductive diseases are complicated by the cyclic regulation of hormones and multiple other factors, which, in conjunction with a genetic makeup of an individual, lead to diverse biological responses. Reproductomics investigates the interplay between a hormonal regulation of an individual, environmental factors, genetic predisposition (DNA composition and epigenome), health effects, and resulting biological outcomes. It is a rapidly emerging field that utilizes computational tools to analyze and interpret reproductive data, with the aim of improving reproductive health outcomes. It is time to explore the applications of reproductomics in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying infertility, identification of potential biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment, and in improving assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Reproductomics tools include machine learning algorithms for predicting fertility outcomes, gene editing technologies for correcting genetic abnormalities, and single cell sequencing techniques for analyzing gene expression patterns at the individual cell level. However, there are several challenges, limitations and ethical issues involved with the use of reproductomics, such as the applications of gene editing technologies and their potential impact on future generations are discussed. The review comprehensively covers the applications and advancements of reproductomics, highlighting its potential to improve reproductive health outcomes and deepen our understanding of reproductive molecular mechanisms.

• MeSH
• asistovaná reprodukce trendy   MeSH
• genomika MeSH
• infertilita genetika   terapie   diagnóza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• rozmnožování genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• strojové učení MeSH
• výpočetní biologie * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Fertility-sparing treatment (FST) for patients with cervical cancer intends to achieve oncologic outcomes comparable to those after radical treatment while maximizing reproductive outcomes, including the ability to conceive and minimizing the risk of prematurity. METHODOLOGY: International multicentre retrospective FERTISS study focused on patients treated with FST analysed timing of FST relative to pregnancy, conception attempts and methods, abortion rates, prophylactic procedures reducing the risk of severe prematurity, pregnancy duration, and delivery mode. RESULTS: Of the 733 patients treated at 44 centres in 13 countries, 49.7% attempted to conceive during median follow-up of 72 months and 22.6% (166/733) patients achieved a successful pregnancy. Success rate was significantly higher after non-radical surgery (63.2%; 122/193) compared to radical trachelectomy (25.7%; 44/171, p < 0.001). Available perinatological data shows that 89.5% (111/124) of the patients became pregnant naturally. There was no significant difference in the abortion rate in the first pregnancy nor delivery success rates between non-radical and radical procedures patients. Preterm delivery (<38 weeks gestation) occurred more frequently after radical than non-radical procedures (76.5% vs. 57.7%, p = 0.15). Almost all patients (97.3%; 73/75) who underwent regular ultrasound cervicometry in pregnancy with subsequent prophylactic procedures delivered a live fetus, compared to 30.6% (15/49) women without such management, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent non-radical surgery had significantly higher pregnancy rates. Most pregnancies resulted in a viable fetus, but radical trachelectomy led to a higher rate of preterm births in the severe prematurity range. Half of the patients did not attempt pregnancy after FST.

• Klíčová slova
• Cervical cancer, Conization, Fertility-sparing treatment, Pregnancy, Trachelectomy,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• nádory děložního čípku * chirurgie   MeSH
• předčasný porod prevence a kontrola   etiologie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• trachelektomie metody   MeSH
• výsledek těhotenství MeSH
• zachování plodnosti * metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH