Various researches have reported on the relationship between homocysteine levels and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Researchers are increasingly focusing on the impact of homocysteine on female reproductive health and figuring out the potential positive effects of lowering homocysteine levels on women fertility. Our review aims to systematically summarize the possible roles of homocysteine in female reproductive disorders based on relevant studies from the past 15 years and therapeutic prospects targeting homocysteine to improve the reproductive health of women.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the population of China has turned into a stage of negative growth, the fertility rate gradually declined, and the infertility rate gradually increased. The most effective treatment for infertility is assisted reproductive technology (ART), which has brought hope for fertility to many patients. However, the current promotion of the utilization of ART is still fraught with many obstacles. In this context, focusing on the realistic challenges of ART on its development in China, we will take a problem-oriented approach, utilize the relevant policies of ART in foreign countries as references, and put forward policy recommendations for the further implementation of ART, such as coordinating the balanced distribution of ART resources in the region, strengthening policy safeguards for ART, enhancing the institutional functioning of professional associations in medical ethics, and standardizing the application of ART treatments.

Objective:To investigate the effects of male body mass index (BMI) on semen parameters and perinatal outcomes following artificial insemination by husband (AIH) treatment.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 5 053 patients underwent AIH treatment at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, from January 2017 to February 2024. The study focused on factors such as male semen parameter abnormalities, male sexual dysfunction, female cervical factors, reproductive tract malformations, and unexplained infertility. Patients were classified into three groups based on male BMI: normal weight group (18.5-23.9 kg/m2, n=1 673), overweight group (24.0-27.9 kg/m2, n=2 078), and obese group (BMI≥28.0 kg/m2, n=1 302). The primary objective was to assess the differences in semen parameters and perinatal outcomes among the three groups. Multivariable logistic regression and linear regression analyses were applied to adjust for potential confounders that could influence semen parameters and perinatal outcomes. Results:Semen volume in the normal weight group and overweight group [4.00 (3.00, 5.50) mL, 4.00 (3.00, 5.50) mL] was higher than that in the obese group [4.00 (3.00, 5.00) mL], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P<0.001, a P<0.001). The total sperm count in the normal group and overweight group [207.60 (121.90, 341.75)×10 6, 211.80 (119.88, 334.83)×10 6] was higher than that in the obese group [188.40 (110.96, 323.41)×10 6], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P=0.007, a P<0.001). The total progressive sperm motility count in the normal group [88.18 (43.63, 163.80)×10 6] was higher than that in the obese group [75.30 (40.29, 147.86)×10 6], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P=0.001, a P<0.001). The percentage of forward motile sperm in the normal group [(45.37±17.16)%] was higher than that in the overweight group [(44.03±17.36)%] and the obese group [(43.80±17.21)%], with a significant difference compared among the three groups ( P=0.020, a P=0.016]. In terms of perinatal outcomes, after multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the overweight and obese groups had higher newborn birth weights [(3 389.53±472.65) g, (3 408.57±507.90) g] compared with the normal group [(3 271.32±532.02) g], with a significant difference among the three groups ( P=0.010, a P=0.009). Conclusion:Higher male BMI is associated with decreased semen quality and may increase newborn birth weight following AIH treatment.

In recent years, the incidence of infertility has been steadily increasing. Obesity, recognized as a chronic inflammatory condition, can not only lead to various chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, but also adversely affects female reproductive health,including rare ovulation, anovulation, menstrual irregularities, and even infertility. The reproductive outcomes of overweight/obese women are not optimistic even among people undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART).However, the mechanisms of overweight and obesity on ART outcomes remain poorly understood. This review aims to summarize current evidence on the impact of overweight and obesity on ART outcomes in women and explore the potential mechanisms.

In recent years, as societal perceptions have evolved and women's social standing has improved, the average age of childbearing for women in China has generally increased. This shift has contributed to a notable decline in fertility rates among Chinese women. The introduction of the "three-child" policy and the inclusion of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in medical insurance coverage across many regions have further fueled the rapid rise in demand for ART among older women. However, numerous high-level evidence-based medical studies have confirmed that age remains a critical factor influencing the success rates of ART treatments. Many older women seeking pregnancy assistance, particularly than aged 43 years and above, continue to experience unsatisfactory outcomes despite multiple attempts at ART. Therefore, considering the principles of beneficence, protection of offspring, and social welfare, and in light of relevant domestic and international guidelines, consensus, policies, regulations, and research data, should there be an age limit for high-aged patients undergoing ART treatments? This issue warrants a thorough ethical examination.

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is a crucial technique currently used to improve embryo implantation rate, reduce miscarriage rate, and shorten the time to pregnancy for patients who are of advanced maternal age (≥35 years), have experienced repeated implantation failures, or have a history of recurrent miscarriages. Conventional PGT-A necessitates an invasive embryo biopsy, which may pose potential risks to subsequent embryo development and long-term health outcomes. Consequently, there is a growing interest among reproductive medicine professionals in developing non-invasive, safe, accurate, and effective methods for assessing embryo chromosomal status and quality. This paper provides an overview of recent advancements in the use of next-generation sequencing for detecting cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (niPGT-A). The review highlights both the potential of this approach and its existing limitations. Additionally, the paper proposes a novel hypothesis regarding the application of single-molecule nanopore technology for cfDNA detection in niPGT-A, offering new insights and serving as a reference for future research in this field.

Objective:To investigate the pregnancy outcomes and cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) in patients with high basal follicle-stimulating hormone (bFSH) levels. Methods:This retrospective cohort study included clinical data from patients who underwent IVF/ICSI-ET treatment at the Reproductive Medical Center of Peking University Third Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022. Patients were divided into three groups based on the highest bFSH level during all cycles of treatment: group A (15 U/L≤bFSH<25 U/L), group B (25 U/L≤bFSH<40 U/L), and group C (bFSH≥40 U/L). After propensity score matching (PSM) based on the female body mass index, the baseline data, embryology laboratory outcomes, and assisted reproductive outcomes such as clinical pregnancy rate among the three groups of patients were compared. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to explore the impact of various factors on live birth, and the trend of CLBR across multiple cycles was also studied.Results:After PSM, 340 cycles were included in group A, 340 cycles were included in group B, 127 cycles were included in group C. There were statistically significant differences among the three groups in antral follicle count, bFSH, basal progesterone, basal luteinizing hormone, and anti-Müllerian hormone levels ( P=0.004, P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001). In the analysis of controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols, groups A and B mainly used conventional COS protocol, while group C primarily used mild stimulation protocol. The duration and dosage of gonadotropin used were the highest in group A [10 (7, 12) d, 2 728 (1 650, 3 725) U], with statistically significant differences among the three groups (all P<0.001). On the day of human chorionic gonadotropin injection, there were statistically significant differences in estradiol and progesterone levels among the three groups ( P=0.022 and P=0.048, respectively). The cancellation rate of cycles did not differ significantly among the three groups ( P>0.05), while the number of oocytes retrieved ( P<0.001) and the rate of cycles with no transferable embryos ( P=0.034) showed statistically significant differences. The type of embryos transferred in all three groups was mainly cleavage-stage embryos, and there were statistically significant differences in the rate of two pronuclei and high-quality embryos among the groups ( P=0.003 and P=0.006, respectively). The rate of high-quality embryos decreased with increasing bFSH levels, and comparisons between group A and group B, as well as group A and group C, showed statistically significant differences (all P<0.016 7). The biochemical pregnancy rate and the clinical pregnancy rate in fresh cycles differed significantly among the three groups ( P=0.025 and P=0.010, respectively), while the live birth rate per initiated cycle showed marginal significance ( P=0.058). However, the miscarriage rate and the live birth rate per transfer cycle did not differ significantly among the groups (all P>0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that bFSH ( OR=0.955, 95% CI: 0.912-1.000, P=0.050) and the number of oocytes retrieved ( OR=1.104, 95% CI: 1.009-1.207, P=0.031) were independent predictors of live birth. Analysis of CLBR curves across multiple oocyte retrieval cycles showed that CLBR gradually increased with the number of oocyte retrievals and stabilized at 14.32% after the fifth retrieval. Conclusion:High bFSH levels reduce the live birth rate per initiated cycle but do not affect the live birth rate per transfer cycle. Increasing age and a low number of oocytes retrieved can both decrease the live birth rate. Multiple oocyte retrieval and transfer cycles can improve CLBR in patients with high bFSH level to some extent, but it tends to stabilize after the fifth cycle.

This study presents a case of a male carrier with a cryptic complex chromosomalrearrangement (CCR) incidentally identified by next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), along with a literature review. The couple underwent PGT because of the male partner's known balanced translocation karyotype [46,XY,t(8;14)(p21;q13)]. Embryonic copy number variation (CNV) analysis unexpectedly revealed two distinct breakpoints on chromosome 8 in the male partner, suggesting additional structural abnormalities beyond the documented translocation. Modified high-resolution G-banding analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes confirmed these findings. The male partner's high-resolution karyotype was ultimately characterized as 46,XY,der(8)inv(8)(p22q12.2)t(8;14)(p22;q21.3),der(14)t(8;14). The modified high-resolution G-banding technique demonstrated enhanced detection of cryptic CCRs, reducing diagnostic oversight. This case demonstrates that PGT analysis of abnormal embryonic CNV results can uncover previously undetected chromosomal abnormalities, thereby improving genetic counseling and reproductive decision-making.

Reproduction and offspring health are important for people's livelihood. Most of the male infertility can be attributed to the sperm quality decline. Sperm, the carrier of genetic information, can affect the whole life cycle and offspring health from different aspects. This article focused on the relationship between sperm quality and offspring health and the underlying mechanisms. Sperm can have a profound impact on the health of the offspring from genetic or epigenetic aspects. Sperm defects caused by the physical and mental health of the father can lead to offspring health problems such as chromosome numerical abnormalities, metabolic diseases or mental diseases. In the future, more attention should be paid to the offspring health caused by the paternal genetic or epigenetic defects. The establishment of an early screening and detection system and its clinical application are of great significance to improve reproductive health and prenatal and postnatal care.

Human embryo is regarded as the middle body between subject and object, which is the main cognition of the ethical status of embryo. It is considered that personhood of an embryo is gradually acquired in the process of its development. From an ethical point of view, when the primitive streak of an embryo is generated at 2 weeks after fertilization, the "human" property is considered to be generated, and this time limit should be followed in scientific research. It is unacceptable that in vitro research uses embryos which have "human" property. Research for the purpose of obtaining offspring must be in accordance with the ethical guidelines of assisted reproductive technology. Reproductive gene editing and reproductive cloning are forbidden. Construction of chimeric embryos between individuals and species violates the principle of respect for human beings. Embryos should not be cultured in vitro for more than 2 weeks of embryo age. Ethical supervision is an important way to ensure the observance of ethical norms in embryology research, including self-supervision, supervision by public opinions, ethical review and supervision of ethics committee, regulation and system supervision This article reviews the ethical considerations and supervision of the use of human gametes and in vitro embryos for scientific research.