Search Results (1,496)

Background/Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) models are increasingly applied across the assisted reproductive technology (ART) workflow, including male-factor assessment, ovarian stimulation, endometrial receptivity evaluation, embryo selection and prediction of pregnancy outcomes. However, many systems remain difficult to interpret, raising concerns regarding transparency, clinical integration and patient communication. Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) aims to address these limitations by making model behavior more accessible to clinicians and embryologists. This review aimed to provide a narrative, concept-driven synthesis of how XAI has been implemented in ART, to critically examine methodological quality and clinical relevance and to outline priorities for responsible translation into practice. Methods: A structured narrative review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE as the primary database, supplemented by targeted reference-list screening of key primary studies and recent cross-disciplinary reviews relevant to AI in ART. Studies were curated and classified according to stage of the ART workflow, data modality, model family, explanation technique and validation strategy. Methodological features, performance reporting and implementation considerations were qualitatively appraised. Results: Most XAI applications in ART fall into two dominant categories: (i) feature-attribution methods such as SHAP and LIME applied to tabular clinical and laboratory data and (ii) saliency-based approaches, including Grad-CAM and related techniques, applied to embryo and ultrasound imaging. These methods can improve transparency and support counselling by clarifying which variables or image regions influence predictions. However, the majority of studies are retrospective and single centre, with limited external validation and heterogeneous outcome definitions, often prioritising clinical pregnancy over live birth. Calibration, decision-analytic evaluation and prospective assessment remain uncommon. XAI outputs are frequently interpreted as biologically causal despite being derived from observational data, highlighting the need for cautious clinical framing. Conclusions: XAI in ART has progressed from proof-of-concept demonstrations to early clinically oriented tools, but robust validation, standardised reporting and thoughtful workflow integration are still needed. Explanations can enhance auditability and communication, yet they do not compensate for methodological weakness. Future progress will depend on higher-quality multi-centre data, evaluation beyond discrimination metrics and governance frameworks that ensure transparency, fairness and sustained performance in real-world practice. Full article

Trans,trans-2,4-decadienal (tt-DDE), the primary aldehyde component found in cooking oil fumes, is a prevalent environmental pollutant. However, its potential adverse effects on ocular development remain largely unexplored. This study evaluated its toxicity on ocular development and angiogenesis in zebrafish larvae, as well as on human retinal vascular endothelial cells (HRECs). Zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae at 48 h post-fertilization were microinjected intraocularly with various doses of tt-DDE (65.87–521.3 mM) for 24 h. We observed dose-dependent impairments in ocular development following tt-DDE exposure. It significantly reduced eye size and inhibited the intraocular vascular area at concentrations of 128.9 mM and above. Histopathological analysis revealed retinal structural disorganization, eye shrinkage, and a clear dose-dependent increase in acridine orange (AO) fluorescence intensity. Apoptosis assays confirmed a significant escalation in ocular cell death at higher exposure doses. Additionally, our results demonstrated that tt-DDE (5–100 μM) significantly reduced the viability of HRECs in vitro. These findings suggest that early-life exposure to tt-DDE impairs ocular development in zebrafish by inducing histopathological damage, inhibiting angiogenesis, and promoting apoptosis, and also exerts direct cytotoxicity to human retinal cells. This study underscores the potential risk of tt-DDE exposure as an environmental factor contributing to ocular developmental toxicity. Full article

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB)-based inoculants represent a promising alternative to mineral fertilizers. However, their application may be limited by constraints associated with the use of living microorganisms, particularly under field conditions. The objective of this study was to select a bacterial strain and a suitable carrier for the inoculation of rice cv. Selección 1. The effect of inoculation with 3 Rhizobium spp. strains on rice growth was evaluated under greenhouse conditions, enabling selection of the most promising strain. This strain was further characterized based on its motility, production of indolic compounds in the presence of tryptophan, and antagonistic activity against 3 rice phytopathogenic fungi. In addition, the effects of culture media based on aqueous extracts of soybean and rice seeds on bacterial growth and chemotactic response were evaluated, along with the shelf-life stability of the resulting inoculant formulations. Rhizobium sp. strain 5P1 significantly increased plant height (33%), root length (21%), shoot dry weight (30%), and root dry weight (17%) of rice cultivar Selección 1 under greenhouse conditions. The strain exhibited motility predominantly via swarming and twitching, produced indolic compounds (23.9 ± 0.8 µg mL⁻¹), and showed antagonistic activity against Magnaporthe oryzae (32.5% radial growth inhibition at 16 days), Curvularia oryzae (20.0%), and Bipolaris oryzae (6.6%) under in vitro conditions. Culture media based on molasses and soybean or rice seed extracts did not enhance bacterial growth relative to the conventional medium; however, they elicited a stronger chemotactic response. Formulations supplemented with sodium alginate and carboxymethylcellulose maintained cell viability above 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹ after 105 days of storage at 4 °C. These findings propose Rhizobium sp. strain 5P1 and a molasses-based carrier formulation as strong candidates for the development of an effective bioinoculant for rice in Ferric Gleysol soils. Full article

Age-related decline in oocyte quality is closely associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative imbalance, which disrupt redox-sensitive meiotic signaling and compromise embryo developmental competence. Rescue in vitro maturation (r-IVM) enables the utilization of immature oocytes retrieved during conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. However, the developmental potential of r-IVM oocytes remains limited, particularly in women of advanced maternal age. This study evaluated whether transient caffeine supplementation during r-IVM improves the developmental competence of immature human oocytes in clinical assisted reproduction technology cycles. Immature oocytes obtained during conventional IVF were cultured with or without short-term caffeine exposure during r-IVM prior to standard culture conditions. After maturation, metaphase II oocytes underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and embryonic development was assessed by fertilization rate, day 3 good-quality embryo formation, and blastocyst development. Although caffeine supplementation did not significantly affect nuclear maturation rates, it significantly increased fertilization efficiency and the proportion of good-quality embryos compared with controls. These effects were most pronounced in women aged ≥ 37 years. Time-lapse morphokinetic analysis further revealed more synchronized developmental kinetics in embryos derived from caffeine-treated oocytes, resembling those derived from in vivo-matured oocytes. Collectively, these findings suggest that transient caffeine exposure during r-IVM enhances post-fertilization developmental competence. The underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated, and future studies are required to determine whether redox-sensitive meiotic pathways and mitochondrial function are involved. Full article

Background/Objectives: Infertility affects about 17.5% of people globally, with higher rates in women. Despite advances in assisted reproductive technologies, success remains limited. Endometrial scratching (ES) is proposed to enhance implantation by altering cytokines and gene expression, but evidence is conflicting. Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), with ES performed in the luteal phase of the cycle preceding IVF or ICSI, were included. Results: The meta-analysis included 3210 patients and 1445 clinical pregnancies (754 in the ES group and 691 in the control group). In the ES group, a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01–1.18, p = 0.02) was revealed. Pooled data from six studies reporting live birth rates (1268 births) showed a significant increase in the LBR after ES (RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03–1.22, p = 0.01). The ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) was also statistically significant in the ES group (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.01–1.26, p = 0.03). Conclusions: This meta-analysis shows a small but statistically significant and consistent positive effect of ES on the LBR, CPR, and OPR in women undergoing IVF or ICSI, with a modest but measurable absolute benefit of approximately 4–5 additional events per 100 individuals. This procedure may particularly benefit patients with impaired endometrial receptivity, potentially enhancing reproductive outcomes while reducing the time and cost required to achieve a successful pregnancy. Further research is warranted to optimize its use and identify patients most likely to benefit. Full article

Increased heat levels can affect follicle development, oocyte maturation, and bovine fertility by disrupting amino acid (AA) metabolism and oocyte competence. This study aimed to explore the effect of heat shock on AA metabolism in bovine cumulus cells (CCs) or denuded oocytes (DOs). CCs and DOs were separately cultured for 24 h in vitro at 38.5 °C (control group), 39.5 °C (moderate heat shock-CC, MHS-CC group), or 40.5 °C (high heat shock-CC, HHS-CC group). AA levels were analyzed in 24-h in vitro maturation media using high-performance liquid chromatography. The findings indicated that the HHS-CC group consumed more AAs than the control (p = 0.04) or MHS-CC group (p = 0.03). Compared with the control and HHS-CC groups, the MHS-CC group exhibited elevated alanine levels (p = 0.02). The MHS-CC (p = 0.03) and HHS-CC (p = 0.03) groups exhibited significantly greater glutamine depletion than the control group. The HHS-DO group exhibited significant lysine depletion (p < 0.01) but produced more tryptophan than the control and MHS-DO groups (p = 0.02). In contrast to the control and MHS-DO groups, the HHS-DO group displayed a notably elevated level of appearance (p = 0.005) and net balance (p = 0.005) for all AAs. The findings imply that heat shock may alter the metabolism of certain AAs in CCs and DOs, thereby affecting the developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Full article

Novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), including 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE), are emerging endocrine-disrupting chemicals, though their direct effects on female gamete maturation remain insufficiently characterized. In this study, we used a refined zebrafish oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) model integrating germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) assessment with real-time, image-based oocyte diameter quantification. The workflow incorporated donor-condition optimization and diameter-based quality control during sorting. Oocytes from donors 4 to 5 months post-fertilization (mpf) showed more consistent diameter dynamics at the dish level than those from donors 3 to 4 mpf. Mixed-sex co-housing was associated with higher GVBD and larger Δdiameter than separated housing, although this comparison should be considered preliminary. Under DHP induction, BTBPE (1–1000 nM) consistently suppressed GVBD and attenuated maturation-associated diameter increases, with a non-monotonic-like response pattern. These findings indicate that BTBPE impairs oocyte maturation competence in vitro and supports real-time morphometric tracking as a practical QC component for zebrafish IVM workflows. Full article

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is the primary fertility preservation strategy for prepubertal girls and patients requiring urgent gonadotoxic therapy. However, the risk of reintroducing malignant cells has prompted the development of safer alternatives, including follicle isolation followed by three-dimensional scaffold encapsulation for transplantation. Fibrin is a promising biomaterial for bioengineered ovary construction, although its ability to support early human follicle maintenance remains unclear. Follicles isolated from cryopreserved ovarian tissues of six patients were encapsulated within fibrin scaffolds of graded concentrations (high, medium, low). After 7 days of in vitro culture, follicle survival and diameter change were quantified. A total of 282 follicles (45.4 ± 10.1 µm) were embedded into fibrin scaffolds. After culture, 237 viable follicles were detected, yielding an overall survival of 84%. Follicle diameter increased to 58.8 ± 12.0 µm. Follicle survival rates were comparable across groups, while mean follicle diameter was 56.3 ± 12.5 µm (high), 61.9 ± 13.4 µm (medium), and 57.4 ± 9.3 µm (low). Follicles cultured in medium-concentration fibrin demonstrated significantly larger diameters compared with both high and low groups (p < 0.05), with no difference between high and low groups. Fibrin-based bioprosthetic ovary scaffolds support short-term in vitro maintenance of isolated human follicles, preserving spherical morphology and granulosa cell layer integrity. Medium-concentration fibrin was associated with greater follicle diameter expansion compared with higher and lower concentrations, indicating that scaffold composition influences early morphometric changes during in vitro follicle culture. Full article

BisphenolA (BPA) is a common endocrine disruptor that impairs male fertility through oxidative stress and alterations in membrane lipids. This study evaluated the protective effects of Myrtus communis L. essential oil (EOMC) on BPA-induced sperm toxicity in Wistar rats in vitro. BPA significantly decreased sperm motility and viability. It also increased lipid peroxidation, depleted thiols, and reduced the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT-like and GPx-like). Concomitant treatment with low and intermediate doses of EOMC (0.5–1 µL/mL) restored sperm function, reduced oxidative stress, and preserved membrane phospholipids. However, the highest dose (5 µL/mL) further impaired sperm function and disrupted membrane phospholipids. BPA also altered amino acid profiles and accumulated intracellularly, effects partially reversed by EOMC, which redistributed free BPA into the culture medium. Bioavailability analysis revealed selective absorption of α-pinene, while d-limonene and 1,8-cineole were undetectable. Molecular modeling indicated strong binding of BPA to antioxidant enzymes, potentially disrupting their structure and activity. Overall, these results show that EOMC protects sperm from BPA-induced damage in a dose-dependent manner through antioxidant, membrane-stabilizing, and redistribution mechanisms. This highlights its potential application in phytotherapy for male reproductive health. Full article

Growth media for human cell culture were developed in the twentieth century, when the first immortal human cell lines were established. The nutrient compositions of these media arose not from a desire to reproduce the microenvironment of the cells in vivo, but rather to encourage continuous replicative growth. Armed with comprehensive datasets detailing the metabolomes of the various fluid compartments within which cells reside, cell culturists are now exploring the effects of media designed to reproduce the in vivo environment on cell biology. The early results of this research indicate the media composition has profound impacts on cell form and function. In parallel, taking care to maintain oxygen at the relatively low levels found in vivo also affects many cellular activities. The lessons learned from ‘physiological cell culture’ should be applied to the culture of human embryos in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic, where a critical stage of growth and development might be best supported by recreating, to the greatest extent possible, the environment of the oviduct and uterus. In this review, we translate recent advancements in physiological cell culture to emerging approaches in human embryo culture. Full article

Reproductive genetic carrier screening (RGCS) is recommended preconceptionally or early pregnancy to identify the risk of autosomal recessive (AR) disorders in healthy couples. Data on shared carrier status at the couple’s level remains limited in Eastern Europe. This study presents the first couple-based RGCS analysis in Western Romania. We retrospectively analyzed RGCS results from 247 couples with no known consanguinity at the time of evaluation (494 apparently unrelated individuals, aged 22–52 years), assessed at a single genetic center between 2020–2024. Next-generation sequencing was performed using an expanded panel targeting 302 genes, including 300 genes associated with AR onset disorders. This analysis was accompanied by both pre- and post-test genetic counseling. The prevalence of individual and shared carrier status and reproductive risk was assessed. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic (PLP) variants were identified in the study cohort, with an overall couple carrier frequency of 64.37%. Shared carrier status for PLP variants in the same gene was identified in 17.4%, including three couples carrying pathogenic variants in two shared genes. Additionally, 46.96% of couples carried pathogenic variants in different genes without overlapping. The most frequently shared genes with PLP variants were HFE, CFTR, SMN1, BTD, and COL7A1; 14 additional shared genes with PLP variants were associated with severe, early-onset disorders. Forty-three couples were deemed high risk for AR conditions. Their reproductive choices varied, including in vitro fertilization or proceeding with pregnancy with or without prenatal testing. Couple-based RGCS revealed a substantial burden of shared AR carrier status in Western Romania, supporting the implementation of population-level screening programs to improve reproductive risk assessment and informed decision-making. Full article

Background: In recent years, time-lapse incubators (TLs), which can maintain a stable culture environment, have been developed for use in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, data from 1200 women who visited the Creation and Love fertility center between April 2021 and October 2023 were reviewed. Among them, the electronic medical records of 400 women aged 22–45 years who underwent IVF treatment were selected and divided into two groups according to the type of incubator used: 100 in the TL group and 300 in the conventional incubator (CI) group, to evaluate differences in embryo development. Among these participants, pregnancy outcomes were assessed in 150 women who underwent day 3 (cleavage-stage) fresh embryo transfer. Controlled ovarian stimulation was performed using a standard antagonist protocol. The primary outcome was a good embryo rate, and the secondary outcomes were the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate. Results: The mean age of the study population was 34.6 ± 5.4 years. The groups had similar good embryo rates (67.7% vs. 65.5%, p = 0.84), clinical pregnancy rates (49.0% vs. 52.0%, p = 0.86), and live birth rates (35.0% vs. 42.0%, p = 0.76). Furthermore, subgroup analyses showed that the live birth rate in women aged ≥ 35 years was higher in the TL group than the CI group (38.0% vs. 23.4%, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Based on the comparative analysis of live birth rates between women cultured using TLs and those using the CI during day 3 fresh-embryo transfer cycles, our study demonstrated a statistically significant increase in live birth rates among women ≥ 35 years in the TL group. Full article

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been found to be associated with reproductive complications, including female infertility. This study was conducted to explore the link between MMPs in non-obese women with unexplained infertility (UI) in comparison to women with male factor infertility (MFI) as controls. Methods: This pilot exploratory study was carried out on 25 women, 11 with UI and 14 with MFI, undergoing IVF. Blood was drawn on day 21 of the luteal phase. Slow Off-rate Modified Aptamer (SOMA)-scan plasma protein measurement was undertaken for 12 matrix metalloproteinase proteins. Welch’s t-test and a permutation test were used to compare group means, and Pearson’s correlations to examine relationships with matrix metalloproteinases. Results: No significant differences were seen for baseline demographics and hormonal parameters between the groups, and parameters of the response following IVF did not differ. In the UI group, MMP-3 levels were lower (p = 0.045), while MMP-1 and MMP-17 levels were higher (p = 0.007 and p = 0.010, respectively) compared to the MFI group. In MFI alone, MMP-1 positively correlated with vitamin D₃ (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This exploratory study suggests altered circulating MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-17 profiles in women with unexplained infertility. These findings require confirmation in larger cohorts and in studies examining endometrial tissue expression and MMP functional activity. Full article

Sperm quality influences bovine in vitro embryo production (IVEP). Linear regression is a statistical tool that models the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. It can be used to predict outcomes, analyze trends, and understand the impact of variables. These models are useful for indicating which sperm variables most influence IVEP results, facilitating the selection of superior samples to enhance IVEP. Using early IVEP indicators, such as cleavage rate, can assist in scheduling recipient preparation. This work aimed to construct linear regression models to study the influence of a comprehensive set of sperm variables and cleavage rate on IVEP yields. A dataset comprising 51 semen batches from 23 Nellore bulls was compiled, including 26 sperm variables from computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and flow cytometry per batch, with 184 IVEP procedures. The most robust predictive model had a coefficient of determination of 0.6358; furthermore, the BULL variable was the most influential predictor, yielding an independent coefficient of determination of 0.5218. Models that were exclusively founded on sperm analysis yielded meager coefficients of determination (<0.04). However, to predict the best batch from a bull, individual models achieve coefficients of determination ranging from 0.58 to 0.99. Contributions, impacts, and positive or negative correlations of various sperm variables with in vitro performance were influenced by the bull. We conclude that the BULL variable was the dominant predictor of in vitro performance, with cleavage rates serving as an early estimator of blastocyst rates. The predictive utility of analyzed sperm traits remains limited. Nonetheless, individualized models offer a valuable tool for selecting optimal batches for preferred bulls within IVEP laboratories, culminating in heightened blastocyst rates. Full article

Background: Assisted reproductive technology has been linked to an increased risk of pregnancy-related cardiovascular complications, but the long-term cardiovascular outcome is poorly understood. This study aimed to assess whether women who use ART have an elevated long-term risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the association between ART and long-term cardiovascular outcomes after pregnancy. We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for studies published by January 2026. We evaluated the methodological quality of included studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We used random effects models to calculate pooled adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of ART with cardiovascular outcomes. Results: We included thirteen studies comprising 553,331 patients who used ART and 37,826,591 patients who conceived spontaneously. All women achieved a live birth. Mean duration of follow-up after delivery was 8.4 ± 8.3 years. In models adjusted for age, parity, and comorbidity, ART was associated with a small increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease compared with spontaneous conception (aRR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03–1.35), but the association was attenuated when studies that had only 42 days of follow-up were excluded (aRR 1.13, 95% CI 0.99–1.29). ART was not associated with cardiac complications (aRR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82–1.08), stroke (aRR 1.20; 95% CI 0.93–1.55), hypertension (aRR 1.02; 95% CI 0.72–1.44), or venous thrombosis (aRR 1.27, 95% CI 0.97–1.67). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that women who achieve a live birth following ART do not appear to have an increased long-term risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. These results provide reassuring evidence for patient counseling regarding the long-term cardiovascular safety of ART among women with successful pregnancies. Further research that includes women who do not achieve a live birth is warranted to more fully characterize the potential long-term cardiovascular effects of ART across the entire spectrum of treatment outcomes. Full article