International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Volume:21 Issue: 1, Jan 2023

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) is the leading cause of the new deadly pneumonia named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This pathogen has different co-receptors on various tissues, resulting in vast pathophysiological circumstances. Here, we present a comprehensive narrative review focusing on the impact of SARS-CoV2 on human reproduction. Evidence-based literature revealed inconsistent results for this virus in the reproductive organs of patients with COVID-19, even in the critical phase. Conversely, numerous satisfactory data represented those different reproductive activities, from gametogenesis to pregnancy, can be targeted by SARS-CoV2. The severity of COVID-19 depends on the differential expression of the host cellular components required to enter SARS-CoV2. The cytokine storm and oxidative stress coming out during COVID19 are associated with complications in reproductive endocrinopathies. Men are naturally more susceptible to COVID-19, especially accompanied by orchitis and varicocele. Synergistically the interaction of SARS-CoV2 and female reproductive failures (polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis) increases the susceptibility to COVID-19. Thus, pharmaceutical interventions that ameliorate the complications in individuals with reproductive disorders can be helpful to achieve good outcomes in assisted reproductive techniques. Soon, an increase in the infertility rate will likely be an overall impact of SARS-CoV2 in patients who recovered from COVID-19.

The identification and characterization of relevant targets are necessary for developing nonhormonal male contraceptives. The molecules must demonstrate that they are necessary for reproduction. As a result, a sophisticated technique is required to identify the molecular targets for nonhormonal male contraceptives. Genetic modification (GM) techniques are one method that can be applied. This technique has been widely used to study gene function that effected male fertility and has resulted in the discovery of numerous nonhormonal male contraceptive target molecules. We examined GM techniques and approaches used to investigate genes involved in male fertility as potential targets for nonhormonal contraceptives. The discovery of nonhormonal contraceptive candidate molecules was increased by using GM techniques, especially the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/Cas9 method. The discovery of candidate nonhormonal contraceptive molecules can be a wide-open research for the development of nonhormonal male contraceptives. Therefore, we are believing that one day nonhormonal male contraceptives will be released.

A large proportion of cases of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) are associated with immunological factors.

This study investigated the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein (CTLA)-4 gene in women with a history of RPL compared to healthy women.

A case-control study was performed on 2 groups consisting of 120 healthy women with no history of abortion and at least one delivery (control) and 120 women with a history of 2 or more primary RPLs (case). In addition, 5 mL of peripheral blood sample was taken from all subjects. The frequencies of CTLA-4 rs3087243 and rs231775 polymorphisms were assayed by restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction and rs5742909 using the high-resolution melting real-time polymerase chain reactionmethod.

The mean age of the women in the control and RPL groups were 30.03 ± 4.23 (range 21-37), and 28.64 ± 3.61 yr (range 20-35), respectively. Pregnancy loss numbers ranged between 2-6 in women with a history of RPL, and between 1 and 4 in the successful pregnancy group. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the genotypes of GG and AG in the 2 groups in rs3087243 polymorphism (OR 1.00 for GG genotype and OR 2.87 for AG genotype, p = 0.0043). No significant difference was observed in the genotype frequencies of rs231775 and rs5742909 polymorphisms, of the 2 groups (p = 0.37, and p = 0.095), respectively.

Our findings indicated that CTLA-4 polymorphism, rs3087243, might be associated with a risk of RPL in Iranian women.

The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may lead to couples not being physically and mentally ready to assume a parenting role.

Given the changes in reproductive behaviors and the lack of accurate information about childbearing factors during the Coronavirus pandemic, this study was conducted to investigates the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iranian couples’ childbearing intentions based on the theory of planned behavior model.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 married Iranian women from July to October 2020 using official online popular social networks. Data were collected using a demographic checklist and the researcher-made questionnaire, which was designed based on the main constructs of the planned behavior model.

Testing the indirect relationships of the mediation model effect showed a positive relationship between knowledge (β = 0.226, p < 0.001) and subjective norms (β = 0.155, p = 0.001) about COVID-19. Anxiety about COVID-19 mediated the relationship of knowledge (β = 0.105, p = 0.009), attitude (β = -0.125, p = 0.002), subjective norms (β = 0.238, p < 0.001), and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.513, p < 0.001) about COVID-19 with childbearing intentions.

The results showed that COVID-19-induced anxiety can affect the relationship between the components of the theory of planned behavior model and childbearing intentions. Therefore, it is suggested that by designing appropriate interventions through anxiety-reducing and relaxation techniques, a fundamental step can be taken in increasing childbearing desires.

 Several studies have been conducted worldwide to evaluate the prevalence and relative risks of congenital anomalies associated with assisted reproductive technology cycles; however, there is limited data in Iran.

 To investigate male genital anomalies among live births from assisted reproductive technology.

 This cross-sectional study was conducted on children born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at Royan Institute, Tehran, Iran from April 2013-December 2015. The prevalence of male genitalia disorders that included hypospadias, epispadias, cryptorchidism, micropenis, and vanishing testis were reported. The relationship between the cause of infertility and type of embryo transfer (fresh or frozen), gestational age at birth (term or preterm), and birth weight with these male genitalia anomalies were evaluated.

 In total, 4409 pregnant women were followed after their ICSI cycles to evaluate genitalia anomalies in their children. Out of 5608 live births, 2614 (46.61%) newborns were male, of which 14 cases (0.54%) had genital anomalies. The prevalence of various anomalies were cryptorchidism (0.34%), hypospadias (0.038%), micropenis (0.038%), vanishing testis (0.038%), and epispadias (0.077%). No relationship was found between the cause of infertility, type of embryo transfer (fresh or frozen), gestational age at birth (term or preterm), and male genital malformation (p = 0.33, p = 0.66, and p = 0.62, respectively).

 The prevalence of each male genital anomaly after the ICSI cycle was rare and less than 0.5%; however, no significant infertility-related factor was observed with these anomalies.

 Acrylamide (AA) is a carcinogenic compound that causes severe reproductive impairments and represents a high environmental risk factor. Thymoquinone (TQ) has a unique antioxidant activity and has been widely used as a protective agent against various types of toxicity.

 To evaluate the protective effects of TQ against AA-induced reproductive toxicity in female rats.

 In this experimental study, 40 female albino rats (120-150 gr, 8-10 wk) were sorted into 4 groups, (n = 10/each), vehicle group (received a daily oral administration of 0.5 ml saline [9%]); AA group (received a daily oral administration with freshly prepared AA, 20 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days which is less than the lethal dose LD50 of AA in rats (20 mg /kg body weight); AA+TQ group (received a daily oral administration of TQ, 10 mg/kg body weight) after AA intoxication for 21 days, and TQ group (received a daily oral administration of TQ only, 10 mg/kg body weight) for 21 consecutive days. Reproductive hormones, carcinogenic biomarkers, and oxidative stress markers were measured. The histological assessment showed the protective effect of TQ against AA-induced ovarian injury. Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking approach were carried out to determine the binding affinity of TQ with cyclooxygenase 2.

 TQ administration significantly enhanced the functional capacity of the ovary at hormones, oxidative biomarkers, and tumor markers at a significant level of p < 0.001. Besides, TQ protects the ovary of AA-treated rats from the severe degeneration effect.

 TQ showed a promising protective effect against AA-induced reproductive toxicity in female rats.

 Intrauterine endocrine abnormalities have profound effects on the development of physiological disorders.

 This study aimed to assess the effects of in utero exposure to letrozole (an aromatase inhibitor) and its late consequences on the reproductive and metabolic performance of an adult male offspring.

 15 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (8 wk, 155 gr) were randomly assigned into 5 experimental groups (n = 3/each) and orally received either letrozole at doses of 0.25, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 mg/kg body weight (BW) or vehicle (control) on the gestation days of 16, 17, and 18. Pregnancy outcome, sexual behaviors on postnatal day 60, serum biochemical features, and the histopathology of testes were assessed in male offspring.

 Compared to control group, delayed labor (21.83 vs. 24.25, p < 0.0001) and reduced litter size (n = 12.25 vs. n = 2, p < 0.0001) were recorded in 1.25 mg/kg BW group. A reduction in high-density lipoprotein level and the elevation of testes weight, BW gain, anogenital distance, as well as the serum concentrations of testosterone, triglycerides, cholesterol, and glucose were observed in 1.25 mg/kg BW (p < 0.0001) and 1.00 mg/kg BW (p < 0.0001) groups in comparison to control. A larger number of anogenital female sniffing, pursuit, and mounting behaviors were also observed in 1.25 mg/kg BW group in comparison to control (p < 0.0001). Severe testicular defects including necrosis and disruption of the epithelium of seminiferous tubules, sloughing of epithelial cells, and spermatogenesis arrest were observed in letrozole-treated groups, in a dose-dependent manner.

 Maternal exposure to letrozole can adversely affect the reproductive and metabolic performance of male offspring rats, suggesting an incomplete sex differentiation.

 Shereshevsky-Turner Syndrome is a chromosomal condition that affects females owing to full or partial missing of X-monosomy in all or part of the body's cells. Shereshevsky-Turner Syndrome is characterized by severe hormonal disorders and defects of the cardiovascular and urinary systems. With the advent of assisted reproductive technology (ART), pregnancy has become more accessible for this group of cases, often with donor eggs. In the available literature, it was not possible to find exact information during the time of selection of progestogen support, the duration of the appointment, and the term of withdrawal.

 This is the case of a 36-yr-old primigravid woman suffering from STs, mosaic karyotype comprising of 3 clones: 45X (69), 46XX (23), 47XXX (8), and 1000 interphase nuclei. In this case, we left high-maintenance doses of progesterone due to the application of ART and concomitant extragenital pathology, leading to a decrease in all functions of the placenta, including the endocrine. The woman was monitored before, during, and after the pregnancy. She was delivered at 37 wk and 6 days of gestation.

 ART increases the possibility of having a pregnancy and gestation in cases with a wide variety of genital and extragenital pathologies.

The authors have been informed of an error that occurred on page 657 in which the IRCT code has been entered incorrectly, which should be corrected as: "IRCT2012091310328N3". On behalf of the author, the publisher wishes to apologize for this error. The online version of article has been updated on 12 April 2021 and can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v17i12.5801