Clinical Updates in Reproductive Endocrinology

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Obstetrics & Gynecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 March 2025 | Viewed by 8132

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Women’s Health, Institute of Rural Health in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Interests: endocrine gynecology; reproductive endocrinology; endocrine diseases in pregnancy; infertility; menopause; antiaging medicine
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Guest Editor
1. Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-826 Warsaw, Poland
2. Department of Demography, Institute of Statistics and Demography, Collegium of Economic Analyses, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, 02-554 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: public health; health promotion and biostatistics; infertility and endocrinology problems; mental health and quality of life
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Several problems in reproductive endocrinology still represent a challenge. This is mainly due to the continued search for better diagnostic and therapeutic methods that enable having healthy children. We have observed increasing problems with fertility, especially in highly developed countries. One of the reasons for this is that reproductive endocrinology is still not sufficiently researched. There are a number of endocrine disorders that make it difficult to get pregnant and complicate the course of pregnancy. Furthermore, an underestimated number of patients with endocrine disorders suffer from mental problems that affect their reproduction ability. An equally important issue is the improvement in the quality of life of people struggling with endocrine problems while trying to conceive and the late consequences (metabolic and psychological) of the treatment of endocrine disorders during the reproductive period. Despite international guidelines and consensus updates around the world, gaps in the literature persist in all the abovementioned areas. This Special Issue aims to present a comprehensive review of advances in the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive endocrine disorders, with a particular emphasis on the clinical application of the latest findings in the treatment of infertility and the subsequent consequences of endocrine diseases. Researchers in the field of reproductive endocrinology are encouraged to contribute their research findings in the form of original articles, meta-analyses or reviews to this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Iwona Bojar
Prof. Dr. Dorota Raczkiewicz
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • reproductive endocrinology
  • endocrine diseases in pregnancy
  • infertility
  • endocrine diagnostics in infertility
  • long-term consequences of endocrine disorders
  • therapy of endocrine disorders

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1150 KiB  
Article
Metabolic Risk in Patients with a Diminished Ovarian Reserve and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
by Ralitsa Robeva, Atanaska Elenkova, Georgi Kirilov and Sabina Zacharieva
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(17), 5105; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13175105 - 28 Aug 2024
Viewed by 525
Abstract
Objective: Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) represent conditions of different severity, characterized by an earlier-than-expected decrease in ovarian activity. The present study aims to compare metabolic disturbances between women with DOR and patients with POI from a different origin. [...] Read more.
Objective: Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) represent conditions of different severity, characterized by an earlier-than-expected decrease in ovarian activity. The present study aims to compare metabolic disturbances between women with DOR and patients with POI from a different origin. Materials and methods: A total of 226 women (28 healthy women; 77 individuals with DOR, and 121 patients with POI/36 with Turner syndrome [TS] and 85 with non-TS POI/) have been studied retrospectively. Data concerning anthropometric indices, and metabolic parameters were collected. Results: Patients with DOR, non-TS POI, and TS had increased blood pressure and liver enzymes, pronounced insulin resistance, and worse lipid profiles than controls (p < 0.008 for all). TS patients had significantly higher ASAT, GGT, and TSH levels compared to non-TS POI and DOR individuals. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes tended to be higher in TS women compared to other groups. The prevalence of previously diagnosed polycystic ovarian syndrome was lower in the non-TS POI patients than in the DOR patients (p = 0.005). Conclusions: patients with decreased ovarian function suffer from insulin resistance, abnormal lipid profile, and subtle hepatic disturbances, irrespective of the severity of the condition and the presence of chromosomal aberrations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Updates in Reproductive Endocrinology)
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11 pages, 1006 KiB  
Article
Incidence and Causes of Tubal Occlusion in Infertility: A Retrospective Cohort Study
by Daniel Mayrhofer, Iris Holzer, Judith Aschauer, Clara Selzer, John Preston Parry and Johannes Ott
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(13), 3961; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13133961 - 6 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: Fallopian tubal pathology is a primary risk factor for female infertility, with simple proximal disease and proximal disease extending more distally being more common than pure distal occlusion. Proximal tubal occlusion is often attributed to ascending events, such as [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Fallopian tubal pathology is a primary risk factor for female infertility, with simple proximal disease and proximal disease extending more distally being more common than pure distal occlusion. Proximal tubal occlusion is often attributed to ascending events, such as pelvic inflammatory disease. Conversely, while distal occlusion can also be attributable to ascending pelvic inflammatory disease, it can also have a pelvic origin, such as through endometriosis and ruptured appendicitis. The aim of this study was to identify certain causes of infertility and their association with tubal occlusion. The focus was on the location of tubal occlusion, uni- versus bilateral occlusion, and other causes of infertility, including male factors. Methods: In a retrospective study cohort study, 373 women aged between 18 and 40 years, treated from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2022, were included. Fallopian tube patency was tested using either hysterosalpingography, hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography, or laparoscopic chromopertubation. Results: In total, 95 of 373 women (25.5%) revealed at least one occluded tube, with unilateral occlusion being more common than bilateral occlusion (60/95, 63.2% vs. 35/95, 36.8%). The majority of tubal occlusions occurred proximally (86.2%). According to the adjusted multivariate regression models, the presence of hydrosalpinx (odds ratio, OR, 13.323, 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.679–66.253, p = 0.002), myomas (OR 2.108, 95%CI: 1.008–4.409; p = 0.048), and an abnormal sperm test result of the male partner (OR 2.105, 95%CI: 1.156–3.833; p = 0.015) were statistically significant associated factors for tubal occlusion. Conclusions: Fallopian tube patency testing is still of major relevance in fertility evaluation. The presence of uterine myomas, hydrosalpinges, and a male factor significantly increase the risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Updates in Reproductive Endocrinology)
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15 pages, 617 KiB  
Article
Aberrant HPO Axis Alterations and Autoimmune Abnormalities in PCOS Patients with DOR: A Retrospective Analysis
by Xueying Geng, Zhihong He, Zhouzhou Bao, Wen Di and Zhuowei Gu
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(16), 5212; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12165212 - 10 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1408
Abstract
Background: There is a group of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients in clinic who have diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) in combination. This study was designed to evaluate the differences in glucolipid metabolism, hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis-related parameters, and autoimmune antibodies in PCOS patients with [...] Read more.
Background: There is a group of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients in clinic who have diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) in combination. This study was designed to evaluate the differences in glucolipid metabolism, hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis-related parameters, and autoimmune antibodies in PCOS patients with and without DOR. Methods: A total of 2307 PCOS patients, including 1757 patients with PCOS alone and 550 patients who have both PCOS and DOR, were enrolled in this retrospective study. Parameters of glucolipid metabolism, HPO axis-related parameters, and autoimmune antibodies were measured and analyzed. Results: The prevalence of DOR among all patients with PCOS was 23.84%. Many HPO axis-related parameters, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and prolactin (PRL) were significantly different in PCOS with DOR compared with PCOS without DOR. The FSH levels were positively correlated with LH, testosterone (T), and androstenedione (AD) levels, but had no association with glucolipid metabolism after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). Moreover, anti-ovarian antibody (AOAb) and anti-21-OH antibody (21-OHAb) levels were significantly elevated in PCOS patients with DOR. Conclusions: PCOS patients with DOR showed more chaotic HPO axis hormone levels and elevated autoimmune antibodies, suggesting that autoimmune factors may be the cause of DOR in women with PCOS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Updates in Reproductive Endocrinology)
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Review

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15 pages, 287 KiB  
Review
Environmental Factors as the Main Hormonal Disruptors of Male Fertility
by Natalia Wdowiak, Kamila Wójtowicz, Anita Wdowiak-Filip, Weronika Pucek, Andrzej Wróbel, Jan Wróbel and Artur Wdowiak
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(7), 1986; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13071986 - 29 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1880
Abstract
Introduction and objective: Many scientific reports confirm a systematic decline in male semen parameters over the last decades. This phenomenon has been observed in all parts of the world, and its occurrence is associated, among others, with the hazardous effects of some environmental [...] Read more.
Introduction and objective: Many scientific reports confirm a systematic decline in male semen parameters over the last decades. This phenomenon has been observed in all parts of the world, and its occurrence is associated, among others, with the hazardous effects of some environmental factors. The environmental factors for which the adverse effect on male fertility has been proven include water, air, and soil pollution, as well as electromagnetic fields and ionizing radiation. The aim of this article was the evaluation of the effect of selected environmental factors on male reproductive capacity based on an analysis of the current scientific reports. Review methods: A systematic literature review was carried out using three databases: PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. The search was limited to the period from 2015 until the end of December 2023. Brief description of the state of knowledge: Environmental factors, such as heavy metals, tobacco smoke, pesticides, dioxins, furans, phthalates, and bisphenols, are well-tested substances that exert an adverse effect on male fertility. A harmful effect of electromagnetic fields and water and air pollution on reproductive functions may be expected; however, this has not been fully proven. Summary: Results obtained by many researchers published to date should evoke great concern regarding the quality of the environment in which we live, as well as fears about the effect of environmental factors not only on male fertility, but also on all aspects of human health. The majority of environmental pollutants affect the male body by causing oxidative stress and through their effect on the endocrine system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Updates in Reproductive Endocrinology)

Other

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16 pages, 2308 KiB  
Systematic Review
Depression in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Paweł Dybciak, Dorota Raczkiewicz, Ewa Humeniuk, Tomasz Powrózek, Mariusz Gujski, Teresa Małecka-Massalska, Artur Wdowiak and Iwona Bojar
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(20), 6446; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12206446 - 10 Oct 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2686
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder with a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms. Some of the serious complications of PCOS are mental disorders including depression. Therefore, the aim of the meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence, mean level, standardized mean difference [...] Read more.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder with a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms. Some of the serious complications of PCOS are mental disorders including depression. Therefore, the aim of the meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence, mean level, standardized mean difference and probability of depression based on the research conducted with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A systematic literature search was performed using the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google for research published until January 2023. The meta-analysis was conducted on a group of 4002 patients obtained from 19 studies, which met the inclusion criteria (adult pre-menopausal women diagnosed with PCOS, papers on the prevalence of depression or the HADS scoring). According to the research performed, the mean prevalence of depression was 31% (I2 = 93%; p < 0.001), whereas the mean HADS depression score in patients with PCOS was 6.31 (I2 = 93%; p < 0.001). The standardized difference of mean depression scores was SMD = 0.421 (95% confidence interval = 0.17–0.68, I2 = 67%). The overall probability of depression in PCOS patients was more than 2.5-fold higher than in healthy women ((RR: 2.58), confidence interval [1.38–4.85]; I2 = 90%, p < 0.001). The research results imply an increased risk of depressive symptoms in women with PCOS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Updates in Reproductive Endocrinology)
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