The application of genetic testing technologies in assisted reproduction, such as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and carrier screening for monogenic diseases, has provided infertile couples with more reproductive options and played a crucial role in the prevention of genetic disorders, significantly improving reproductive health. However, the widespread use of these technologies has also raised various ethical challenges, including the uncertainty of mosaic embryo transfer and its implications for reproductive rights, the cost-effectiveness debate surrounding PGT for structural rearrangement for chromosomal inversion carriers, the predictive accuracy and ethical boundaries of polygenic embryo screening, and the ethical concerns related to extensive carrier screening, such as information overload, restricted informed choice, disputes over screening scope, and disparities in healthcare access. The reproductive medicine ethics committee plays a central role in addressing these challenges by overseeing ethical reviews of technological applications, ensuring patients' informed consent, balancing technological innovation with ethical responsibility, and promoting social equity. This article explores the ethical challenges brought by the application of technologies such as PGT and carrier screening in assisted reproduction, and proposes corresponding suggestions based on ethical principles framework, in order to promote the standardized application of genetic testing technology in reproductive medicine.

The application of genetic testing technologies in assisted reproduction, such as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and carrier screening for monogenic diseases, has provided infertile couples with more reproductive options and played a crucial role in the prevention of genetic disorders, significantly improving reproductive health. However, the widespread use of these technologies has also raised various ethical challenges, including the uncertainty of mosaic embryo transfer and its implications for reproductive rights, the cost-effectiveness debate surrounding PGT for structural rearrangement for chromosomal inversion carriers, the predictive accuracy and ethical boundaries of polygenic embryo screening, and the ethical concerns related to extensive carrier screening, such as information overload, restricted informed choice, disputes over screening scope, and disparities in healthcare access. The reproductive medicine ethics committee plays a central role in addressing these challenges by overseeing ethical reviews of technological applications, ensuring patients' informed consent, balancing technological innovation with ethical responsibility, and promoting social equity. This article explores the ethical challenges brought by the application of technologies such as PGT and carrier screening in assisted reproduction, and proposes corresponding suggestions based on ethical principles framework, in order to promote the standardized application of genetic testing technology in reproductive medicine.

Objective:To follow-up the previous phase Ⅲ clinical trial of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (Follitrope ?), and to evaluate the cumulative pregnancy rate, the cumulative live birth rate, and the neonatal outcomes of subjects. Methods:The phase Ⅲ clinical study of Follitrope ? in China (CTR20150341/CTR20150341, May 15, 2015—June 27, 2016) was followed up until December 31, 2022. Patients were divided into Follitrope ? group and Gonal-F ? group. According to the age, patients were divided into three subgroups: 20-30 years old subgroup, 31-35 years old subgroup and 36-39 years old subgroup. Cumulative pregnancy rate, cumulative live birth rate, number of embryos transferred per cycle, live births per embryo transfer cycle, live births per oocyte retrieved, and neonatal characteristics were analyzed. Results:A total of 446 patients were included in the analysis, of which 336 (75.3%) were in the Follitrope ? group and 110 (24.7%) in the Gonal-F ? group, with a follow-up period of 6.5 years. There were no statistically significant differences between the Follitrope ? group and the Gonal-F ? group in terms of cumulative pregnancy rate and cumulative live birth rate (all P>0.05). Similar cumulative pregnancy rates and cumulative live birth rates were observed between the two groups within each age subgroup (all P>0.05). In the 36-39 years old subgroup, the Follitrope ? group showed a trend towards higher cumulative pregnancy rate [60.0% (12/20)] and cumulative live birth rate [55.0% (11/20)] compared with the Gonal-F ? group [28.6% (2/7), 14.3% (1/7)], however, none of the differences were statistically significant (all P>0.05). Twin pregnancy rates, live births per embryo, live birth per oocyte, newborn gender, birth weight, and birth defect rates were similar between the Follitrope ? group and the Gonal-F ? group without statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The safety and effectiveness of Follitrope ? in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation are similar to those of Gonal-F ?. Compared with Gonal-F ?, there is a trend toward higher cumulative pregnancy rates and cumulative live birth rates in elderly patients with Follitrope ?, although there is no statistical difference.

Objective:To compare the training effect between the laparoscopic simulated uterine model (LSUM) with multi-angle suture and the traditional surgical model and to identify a laparoscopic model more suitable for gynecological resident training.Methods:Forty-eight residents who were trained in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine from February 2021 to February 2023 were selected. They were trained in batches, with each batch randomly divided into two groups of the same size. The observation group was trained with the traditional surgical model and general surgical videos, while the experimental group was trained with a self-developed LSUM with multi-angle suture and corresponding surgical videos. Finally, the two groups were compared for the assessment results, and a questionnaire survey was conducted in the experimental group. The statistical software SPSS 20.0 was used for t-test or chi-square test of the results. Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, gender distribution, education level, and clinical experience. In theoretical assessment results, no significant difference was shown between the experimental group and the observation group [(82.63±3.93) vs. (85.00±6.15), P>0.05]. In skill assessment results, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the anterior wall assessment [(83.08±4.47) vs. (82.79±3.58), P=0.804]. However, in the assessment of the lateral and posterior walls, the proficiency, accuracy, and degree of coordination between two hands of the experimental group were better than those of the observation group, with the total score being significantly different [(64.13±3.34) vs. (46.75±3.50), (62.25±4.41) vs. (45.00±2.89), P<0.001]. In the questionnaire survey, the experimental group had a high degree of satisfaction with the LSUM and thought that the highly simulated model was beneficial to their training. Conclusions:Compared with the traditional surgical model, the LSUM with multi-angle suture can effectively improve the operation level of residents, which provides a new idea for the laparoscopic simulation training of gynecological residents in the future.

Objective:To investigate the factors influencing the decision to delivery interval (DDI) in emergency cesarean section in Guangzhou and the impact of DDI on maternal-infant outcomes.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on clinical data of pregnant women who underwent emergency cesarean section at municipal and district maternal and child health hospitals in Guangzhou city in 2021. Per the classification method of emergency cesarean section and recommendations for DDI provided by National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines, these subjects were classified into Category Ⅰ and Category Ⅱ cesarean sections. Each category was further divided into two subgroups based on DDI: the Category Ⅰ group into >30 min and ≤30 min subgroups, and the Category Ⅱ group into >75 min and ≤75 min subgroups. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, two independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regression were used to analyze the potential factors influencing DDI and the impact of DDI on maternal-infant outcomes. Results:(1) Totally 502 women underwent urgent cesarean section, including 304 (60.6%) Category Ⅰ and 198 (39.4%) Category Ⅱ, were analyzed. Among the Category Ⅰ group, 30.3% (92/304) achieved a DDI of ≤30 min, while 37.4% (74/198) of Category Ⅱ cases had a DDI of ≤75 min. (2) For the Category Ⅰ cases, multivariate logistic regression showed that more patients under intravertebral anesthesia, than those under general anesthesia, had a DDI >30 min ( OR=14.04, 95% CI: 6.14-32.10) as well as more with ward-based emergencies than those with delivery room emergencies ( OR=3.21, 95% CI: 1.72-6.00, both P=0.001). Among the Category Ⅱ cases, logistic regression revealed that cesarean section during routine working hours was more likely to achieve DDI >75 min than that during resting hours ( OR=3.93, 95% CI: 2.03-7.63, P=0.001). The risk of DDI >75 min was higher in tertiary maternal and child health hospitals compared with secondary maternal and child health hospitals ( OR=2.45, 95% CI: 1.06-5.70, P=0.037). (3) Among the Category Ⅰ cases, compared with the DDI ≤30 min group, the DDI >30 min group had a lower risk of neonatal Apgar score ≤7 at 1 min ( OR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.14-0.69, P=0.004), but there was no significant difference in the risk of neonatal Apgar score ≤7 at 5 min ( OR=0.21, 95% CI: 0.04-1.17) or neonatal asphyxia ( OR=0.32, 95% CI: 0.07-1.44) between the two subgroups. In cases of Category Ⅱ cesarean sections, there was no significant difference in any maternal-infant outcomes between DDI ≤75 min and DDI >75 min subgroups. Conclusions:The location of emergency and types of anesthesia are the influencing factors of DDI for Category Ⅰ cesarean sections, while the operation time and level of maternal and child health hospital are the influencing factors of DDI for Category Ⅱ cesarean sections. We did not find any impact of DDI on maternal or infant outcome.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine Jianpi Antai formula in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET).Methods:A total of 300 infertile women who underwent 2 frozen embryo transfer procedures at the Reproductive Medicine Center,Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital were included in the study.The participants were randomly divided into study group and control group.The study group received routine medication plus the Jianpi Antai formula during the period of embryo transfer,while the control group received routine medication only.The general condition,embryo implantation rate,clinical pregnancy rate,live birth rate,and the blood routine and liver and kidney function were evaluated and compared between two groups.Results:There were 277 cases who completed the study,including 134 in the study group and 143 in the control group.The embryo implantation rate(68.7%vs.55.9%),the clinical pregnancy rate(56.7%vs.44.8%)and the live birth rate(50.7%vs.37.8%)in the study group were all higher than those in the control group(all P＜0.05).Subgroup analysis revealed that in patients of advanced age(≥35 years)and those with decreased ovarian reserve function(anti-Müllerian hormone＜1.68 ng/mL),the embryo implantation rate,clinical pregnancy rate,and live birth rate in the study group were all higher than those in the control group(all P＜0.05).During the follow-up period,there were no abnormalities in the basic vital signs of both groups,and no adverse events were reported.Conclusion:Jianpi Antai formula can safely improve the embryo implantation rate in infertile women undergoing IVF-ET,reduce the embryo miscarriage rate,increase the live birth rate as well as improve the clinical outcomes.

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation is the only way to preserve fertility for female cancer patients in prepubertal ages and those who cannot delay radiotherapy or chemotherapy.However,the success rate of cryopreservation and transplantation of ovarian tissue is still low at present due to the risk of ischemia and hypoxia of the grafted tissues.Abnormal activation of primordial follicles and ischemia-reperfusion injury after blood supply recovery also cause massive loss of follicles in grafted ovarian tissues.Various studies have explored the use of different drugs to reduce the damage of follicles during freezing and transplantation as well as to extend the duration of endocrine and reproductive function in patients with ovarian transplantation.For example,melatonin,N-acetylcysteine,erythropoietin or other antioxidants have been used to reduce oxidative stress;mesenchymal stem cells derived from different tissues,basic fibroblast growth factor,vascular endothelial growth factor,angiopoietin 2 and gonadotropin have been used to promote revascularization;anti-Müllerian hormone and rapamycin have been used to reduce abnormal activation of primordial follicles.This article reviews the research progress on the main mechanisms of follicle loss after ovarian tissue transplantation,including hypoxia,ischemia-reperfusion injury and associated cell death,and abnormal activation of follicles.The methods for reducing follicle loss in grafted ovarian tissues are further explored to provide a reference for improving the efficiency of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation.

Objective:To compare the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET)with fresh or frozen embryos in spouses of patients with severely low sperm concentration and motility.Methods:A total of 2300 patients whose spouses have severely low sperm concentration and motility underwent IVT-ET in the Reproduction Medicine Center,Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital from April 2018 to April 2022.After applying the propensity score matching(PSM),473 fresh embryo transferred cycles and 473 frozen embryo transferred cycles were selected for the study,and the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results:There were no significant differences in pregnancy outcomes and neonatal outcomes between fresh and frozen embryo groups(all P＞0.05).In the stratification analysis,the number of retrieved oocytes in the fresh good-quality embryo transfer group was significantly increased compared with the fresh poor-quality embryo group(P＜0.05),but the very early pregnancy loss rates were similar between the two groups(P＞0.05),while the rate in fresh good-quality embryo transfer group was significantly higher than that in the frozen good-quality embryo transfer group(P＜0.05).Among different age groups of women,the number of retrieved oocytes and the level of estrogen in the fresh embryo transfer group was significantly higher in the 20 to＜30 years old group than that in the 30 to＜35 years old group(both P＜0.05),but the clinical pregnancy rate was lower in the 20 to＜30 years old group than that in the 30 to＜35 years old group(P＞0.05).Additionally,the very early pregnancy loss was significantly increased in the fresh embryo group compared with the frozen embryo group in the 20 to＜30 years age group(P＜0.05).Conclusions:There were no significant differences in pregnancy and neonatal outcomes between fresh and frozen embryo transfer in spouses of patients with severely low sperm concentration and motility undergoing IVF-ET.Due to the shorter transfer times,less embryo freezing damage and reduced costs,fresh embryo transfer can be considered as the first choice.However,it is not necessary to pursue fresh embryo transfer if maternal oestrogen levels are too high and there is a tendency of overstimulation.

Objective:To follow-up the previous phase Ⅲ clinical trial of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (Follitrope ?), and to evaluate the cumulative pregnancy rate, the cumulative live birth rate, and the neonatal outcomes of subjects. Methods:The phase Ⅲ clinical study of Follitrope ? in China (CTR20150341/CTR20150341, May 15, 2015—June 27, 2016) was followed up until December 31, 2022. Patients were divided into Follitrope ? group and Gonal-F ? group. According to the age, patients were divided into three subgroups: 20-30 years old subgroup, 31-35 years old subgroup and 36-39 years old subgroup. Cumulative pregnancy rate, cumulative live birth rate, number of embryos transferred per cycle, live births per embryo transfer cycle, live births per oocyte retrieved, and neonatal characteristics were analyzed. Results:A total of 446 patients were included in the analysis, of which 336 (75.3%) were in the Follitrope ? group and 110 (24.7%) in the Gonal-F ? group, with a follow-up period of 6.5 years. There were no statistically significant differences between the Follitrope ? group and the Gonal-F ? group in terms of cumulative pregnancy rate and cumulative live birth rate (all P>0.05). Similar cumulative pregnancy rates and cumulative live birth rates were observed between the two groups within each age subgroup (all P>0.05). In the 36-39 years old subgroup, the Follitrope ? group showed a trend towards higher cumulative pregnancy rate [60.0% (12/20)] and cumulative live birth rate [55.0% (11/20)] compared with the Gonal-F ? group [28.6% (2/7), 14.3% (1/7)], however, none of the differences were statistically significant (all P>0.05). Twin pregnancy rates, live births per embryo, live birth per oocyte, newborn gender, birth weight, and birth defect rates were similar between the Follitrope ? group and the Gonal-F ? group without statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The safety and effectiveness of Follitrope ? in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation are similar to those of Gonal-F ?. Compared with Gonal-F ?, there is a trend toward higher cumulative pregnancy rates and cumulative live birth rates in elderly patients with Follitrope ?, although there is no statistical difference.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of sequential embryo transfer on improving clinical pregnancy outcomes during the frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was performed in patients who underwent frozen-thawed embryo transfer from January 2019 to September 2021 in the Center of Reproductive Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, including 842 patients with RIF. According to the embryo transfer plan, the patients were divided into four groups, including the cleavage embryo transfer group ( n=316), two blastocysts transfer group ( n=212), sequential embryo transfer group ( n=236) and single blastocyst transfer group ( n=78). The pregnancy outcome was compared among the four groups. Results:The clinical pregnancy rate of cleavage embryo transfer group [39.6% (125/316)] was significantly lower than that of two blastocysts group [61.8% (131/212), P<0.001] and sequential embryo transfer group [53.0% (125/236), P<0.001], and there was no significant difference between two blastocysts group and sequential embryo transfer group ( P>0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate was similar in cleavage embryo transfer group and single blastocyst transfer group [37.2% (29/78)]. The implantation rate of cleavage embryo transfer group [23.9% (151/632)] was significantly lower than that of two blastocysts transfer group [43.4% (184/424)], sequential embryo transfer group [33.7% (159/472)] and single blastocyst transfer group [35.9% (28/78)], and there were significant differences among the four groups (all P<0.001). The multiple births rate in two blastocysts transfer group [39.7% (52/131)] was significantly higher than that in cleavage embryo transfer group [23.2% (29/125), P<0.001], sequential embryo transfer group [26.4% (33/125), P<0.001] and single blastocyst transfer group [0% (0/33), P<0.001], and there was a significant difference between cleavage embryo transfer group and two blastocysts transfer group ( P<0.001). Conclusion:For patients with RIF, sequential embryo transfer can improve the clinical pregnancy rate compared with cleavage embryo transfer and single blastocyst transfer, and reduce the multiple pregnancy rate compared with double blastocysts transfer.