Objective:To investigate whether malignant tumors affect the laboratory outcomes of patients in their first controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycle.Methods:This study was a retrospective case-control study that analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of patients who underwent fertility preservation before chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to malignant tumors, as well as patients with infertility caused by tubal factors who first underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to May 2024. Patients who underwent fertility preservation were designated as the research group, while patients who underwent assisted reproduction due to tubal factors during the same period were designated as control group. After 1∶3 propensity score matching (PSM), 40 patients were included in the research group and 118 patients were included in control group. The ovarian response, oocyte retrieval outcomes, and embryonic development after fertilization in the first COH cycle were compared between the two groups. Results:After PSM, the research group and control group showed statistically significant differences in the gonadotropin (Gn) starting dosage [225.00 (162.50, 300.00) U vs. 193.75 (150.00, 225.00) U, P=0.002], duration of Gn used [10.00 (8.00, 11.00) d vs. 12.00 (10.00, 13.00) d, P<0.001], and average estradiol levels on human chorionic gonadotropin trigger day [2 487.00 (1 461.25, 4 090.25) pmol/L vs. 10 738.50 (8 400.00, 16 507.25) pmol/L, P<0.001]. However, no statistically significant difference was found in the total dosages of Gn used between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of metaphase Ⅱ oocytes, two pronuclei (2PN) rate, 2PN cleavage rate, available embryo rate, high-quality embryo rate, blastocyst formation rate, and available blastocyst formation rate (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with infertility patients with tubal factors, there is no significant difference in the laboratory outcomes of malignant tumor patients undergoing COH for fertility preservation prior to chemotherapy and radiation.

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.

Objective:To investigate the mediating role of serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels on the relationship between embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes following single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer 14 d post-transfer.Methods:This retrospective cohort study collected data from patients who underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between August 2017 and June 2021. Patients were grouped according to embryo quality into good-quality blastocyst group ( n=3 191) and available blastocyst group ( n=2 027). Differences in serum β-hCG levels and pregnancy outcomes at 14 d post-transfer were compared between the two groups. Mediation analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to explore the mediating effect of β-hCG levels on the relationship between embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes and to evaluate the differences in the incidence of placental-related diseases between the two groups. Results:The good-quality blastocyst group had significantly higher serum β-hCG levels [1 177.0 (1.8, 2 278.5) U/L], clinical pregnancy rate [65.62% (2 094/3 191)], and live birth rate [52.55% (1 667/3 191)] compared with the available blastocyst group [54.4 (0.1, 1 453.5) U/L, P<0.001; 46.13% (935/2 027), P<0.001; 34.19% (693/2 027), P<0.001]. The early miscarriage rate in the good-quality group [13.47% (282/2 094)] was lower than that in the available blastocyst group [19.14% (179/935), P<0.001]. Serum β-hCG levels at 14 d post-transfer showed significant mediating effects on clinical pregnancy rate ( r=-0.126), live birth rate ( r=-0.122), and early miscarriage rate ( r=0.028) in both groups (all P<0.001). The cut-off values for β-hCG to predict live birth in the available and good-quality blastocyst groups were 366.9 U/L and 485.5 U/L, with positive predictive values of 76.28% (672/881) and 82.84% (1 628/1 965), respectively, and negative predictive values of 98.15% (1 114/1 135) and 96.14% (1 170/1 217). The cut-off values for predicting clinical pregnancy were 118.8 U/L and 226.5 U/L, with positive predictive values of 95.43% (919/963) and 98.45% (2 037/2 069), and negative predictive values of 99.72% (1 050/1 053) and 94.89% (1 059/1 116). The cut-off values for predicting early miscarriage were 1 337.0 U/L and 1 162.6 U/L, with positive predictive values of 32.75% (130/397) and 30.18% (150/497), and negative predictive values of 90.89% (489/538) and 91.73% (1 465/1 597). No differences were found in the incidence of placental-related diseases between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:This study indicates that both embryo quality and serum β-hCG levels at 14 d post-transfer significantly affect pregnancy outcomes. β-hCG levels play an important mediating role between embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes. ROC analysis demonstrates the good predictive efficacy of serum β-hCG levels for pregnancy outcomes, providing scientific evidence for optimizing embryo selection.

Objective:To investigate whether malignant tumors affect the laboratory outcomes of patients in their first controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycle.Methods:This study was a retrospective case-control study that analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of patients who underwent fertility preservation before chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to malignant tumors, as well as patients with infertility caused by tubal factors who first underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to May 2024. Patients who underwent fertility preservation were designated as the research group, while patients who underwent assisted reproduction due to tubal factors during the same period were designated as control group. After 1∶3 propensity score matching (PSM), 40 patients were included in the research group and 118 patients were included in control group. The ovarian response, oocyte retrieval outcomes, and embryonic development after fertilization in the first COH cycle were compared between the two groups. Results:After PSM, the research group and control group showed statistically significant differences in the gonadotropin (Gn) starting dosage [225.00 (162.50, 300.00) U vs. 193.75 (150.00, 225.00) U, P=0.002], duration of Gn used [10.00 (8.00, 11.00) d vs. 12.00 (10.00, 13.00) d, P<0.001], and average estradiol levels on human chorionic gonadotropin trigger day [2 487.00 (1 461.25, 4 090.25) pmol/L vs. 10 738.50 (8 400.00, 16 507.25) pmol/L, P<0.001]. However, no statistically significant difference was found in the total dosages of Gn used between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of metaphase Ⅱ oocytes, two pronuclei (2PN) rate, 2PN cleavage rate, available embryo rate, high-quality embryo rate, blastocyst formation rate, and available blastocyst formation rate (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with infertility patients with tubal factors, there is no significant difference in the laboratory outcomes of malignant tumor patients undergoing COH for fertility preservation prior to chemotherapy and radiation.

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.

Objective:To investigate the mediating role of serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels on the relationship between embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes following single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer 14 d post-transfer.Methods:This retrospective cohort study collected data from patients who underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between August 2017 and June 2021. Patients were grouped according to embryo quality into good-quality blastocyst group ( n=3 191) and available blastocyst group ( n=2 027). Differences in serum β-hCG levels and pregnancy outcomes at 14 d post-transfer were compared between the two groups. Mediation analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to explore the mediating effect of β-hCG levels on the relationship between embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes and to evaluate the differences in the incidence of placental-related diseases between the two groups. Results:The good-quality blastocyst group had significantly higher serum β-hCG levels [1 177.0 (1.8, 2 278.5) U/L], clinical pregnancy rate [65.62% (2 094/3 191)], and live birth rate [52.55% (1 667/3 191)] compared with the available blastocyst group [54.4 (0.1, 1 453.5) U/L, P<0.001; 46.13% (935/2 027), P<0.001; 34.19% (693/2 027), P<0.001]. The early miscarriage rate in the good-quality group [13.47% (282/2 094)] was lower than that in the available blastocyst group [19.14% (179/935), P<0.001]. Serum β-hCG levels at 14 d post-transfer showed significant mediating effects on clinical pregnancy rate ( r=-0.126), live birth rate ( r=-0.122), and early miscarriage rate ( r=0.028) in both groups (all P<0.001). The cut-off values for β-hCG to predict live birth in the available and good-quality blastocyst groups were 366.9 U/L and 485.5 U/L, with positive predictive values of 76.28% (672/881) and 82.84% (1 628/1 965), respectively, and negative predictive values of 98.15% (1 114/1 135) and 96.14% (1 170/1 217). The cut-off values for predicting clinical pregnancy were 118.8 U/L and 226.5 U/L, with positive predictive values of 95.43% (919/963) and 98.45% (2 037/2 069), and negative predictive values of 99.72% (1 050/1 053) and 94.89% (1 059/1 116). The cut-off values for predicting early miscarriage were 1 337.0 U/L and 1 162.6 U/L, with positive predictive values of 32.75% (130/397) and 30.18% (150/497), and negative predictive values of 90.89% (489/538) and 91.73% (1 465/1 597). No differences were found in the incidence of placental-related diseases between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:This study indicates that both embryo quality and serum β-hCG levels at 14 d post-transfer significantly affect pregnancy outcomes. β-hCG levels play an important mediating role between embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes. ROC analysis demonstrates the good predictive efficacy of serum β-hCG levels for pregnancy outcomes, providing scientific evidence for optimizing embryo selection.

Objective:Analyzing the influence of morphological evaluation parameters of blastocysts, including days of blastocyst development [day 5 (D5) and day 6 (D6)], degree of blastocyst expansion (4, 5, 6), inner cell mass and trophectoderm grade, on the occurrence of chromosomal karyotype abnormalities of chorionic villi in missed abortion after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment and fresh/frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer. Methods:The clinical data of patients with missed abortion after IVF/ICSI treatment and fresh/frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer from February 2015 to February 2023 in the Reproductive Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were included. Using a case-control study, the data were divided into two groups according to the detection results of chromosomal copy number variations (CNVs) in chorionic villi of missed abortion abnormal karyotype group ( n=139) and normal karyotype group ( n=82). The baseline data between the two groups were compared. Univariate logistic regression was used to investigate the effect of blastocyst morphological rating parameters on the occurrence of chromosomal karyotype abnormalities of chorionic villi in aborted tissues, and multivariate logistic regression was also used to adjust confounding factors. Results:Male age [(34.12±6.49) years], sperm morphology rate [5.00 (4.00,6.00)%] and female age [33.00 (30.00, 37.00) years] in abnormal karyotype group were higher than those in the normal karyotype group [(32.38±4.69) years, 4.00 (2.00,5.00)% and 31.50 (29.00,34.00) years], and the differences were statistically significant ( P=0.022, P=0.020, P=0.009). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that days of blastocyst development, degree of blastocyst expansion, inner cell mass and trophectoderm grade did not increase the risk of chromosomal karyotype abnormalities of chorionic villi (all P>0.05). Conclusion:There is no significant correlation between blastocyst morphological evaluation parameters and chromosomal karyotype abnormalities in chorionic villi of missed abortion after fresh/frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer with IVF/ICSI treatment.

Objective:Analyzing the influence of morphological evaluation parameters of blastocysts, including days of blastocyst development [day 5 (D5) and day 6 (D6)], degree of blastocyst expansion (4, 5, 6), inner cell mass and trophectoderm grade, on the occurrence of chromosomal karyotype abnormalities of chorionic villi in missed abortion after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment and fresh/frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer. Methods:The clinical data of patients with missed abortion after IVF/ICSI treatment and fresh/frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer from February 2015 to February 2023 in the Reproductive Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were included. Using a case-control study, the data were divided into two groups according to the detection results of chromosomal copy number variations (CNVs) in chorionic villi of missed abortion abnormal karyotype group ( n=139) and normal karyotype group ( n=82). The baseline data between the two groups were compared. Univariate logistic regression was used to investigate the effect of blastocyst morphological rating parameters on the occurrence of chromosomal karyotype abnormalities of chorionic villi in aborted tissues, and multivariate logistic regression was also used to adjust confounding factors. Results:Male age [(34.12±6.49) years], sperm morphology rate [5.00 (4.00,6.00)%] and female age [33.00 (30.00, 37.00) years] in abnormal karyotype group were higher than those in the normal karyotype group [(32.38±4.69) years, 4.00 (2.00,5.00)% and 31.50 (29.00,34.00) years], and the differences were statistically significant ( P=0.022, P=0.020, P=0.009). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that days of blastocyst development, degree of blastocyst expansion, inner cell mass and trophectoderm grade did not increase the risk of chromosomal karyotype abnormalities of chorionic villi (all P>0.05). Conclusion:There is no significant correlation between blastocyst morphological evaluation parameters and chromosomal karyotype abnormalities in chorionic villi of missed abortion after fresh/frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer with IVF/ICSI treatment.

Objective:To investigate the perinatal outcome of selective fetal reduction of dizygotic twins pregnancies after double embryo transferred assisted by in vitro fertilization/ intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). Methods:The clinical data of patients with single birth who underwent IVF/ICSI after double embryo transferred from September 1, 2005 to July 31, 2020 in Reproductive Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups according to the occurrence of fetal reduction: 80 cases of dizygotic twins to singleton by selective fetal reduction (group A), 832 cases of dizygotic twins to singleton by spontaneous fetal reduction (group B), and 6 178 cases of singleton (group C). Using group A as the reference, after approximately propensity score matching (PSM) with 1∶4 ratio, 289 cases in group B and 271 cases in group C were obtained. The differences in baseline data and perinatal outcomes between group A and group B or group C were analyzed.Results:1) Before PSM, there were statistically significant differences in patients' age, previous fertility history, type of infertility, and stage of embryo transferred between group A and group B or group C (all P<0.05); after PSM, there were no statistically significant differences in baseline data between group A and group B or group C (all P>0.05). 2) After PSM, the premature birth rate was higher in group A than in group B [17.5% (14/80) vs. 8.7% (25/289), P=0.023] and the gestational weeks [(38.18±1.98) weeks vs. (38.64±1.83) weeks, P=0.034] were lower; group A had higher incidence rates of premature birth [17.5% (14/80) vs. 7.7% (21/271), P=0.011] and premature rupture of membranes [5.0% (4/80) vs. 0.4% (1/271), P=0.002] than those in group C, but gestational weeks [(38.18±1.98) weeks vs. (38.85±1.47) weeks, P=0.002] and birth weight [(3 253.07±475.73) g vs. (3 384.89±479.54) g, P=0.029] were lower. Conclusion:Perinatal outcomes of selective fetal reduction of dizygotic twins pregnancies after assisted by IVF/ICSI were poor. Selective fetal reduction in multiple pregnancies is not the best remedy. The strategy of selective single embryo transfer should be adopted to effectively reduce the rate of multiple pregnancies and improve maternal and infant outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the perinatal outcome of selective fetal reduction of dizygotic twins pregnancies after double embryo transferred assisted by in vitro fertilization/ intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). Methods:The clinical data of patients with single birth who underwent IVF/ICSI after double embryo transferred from September 1, 2005 to July 31, 2020 in Reproductive Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups according to the occurrence of fetal reduction: 80 cases of dizygotic twins to singleton by selective fetal reduction (group A), 832 cases of dizygotic twins to singleton by spontaneous fetal reduction (group B), and 6 178 cases of singleton (group C). Using group A as the reference, after approximately propensity score matching (PSM) with 1∶4 ratio, 289 cases in group B and 271 cases in group C were obtained. The differences in baseline data and perinatal outcomes between group A and group B or group C were analyzed.Results:1) Before PSM, there were statistically significant differences in patients' age, previous fertility history, type of infertility, and stage of embryo transferred between group A and group B or group C (all P<0.05); after PSM, there were no statistically significant differences in baseline data between group A and group B or group C (all P>0.05). 2) After PSM, the premature birth rate was higher in group A than in group B [17.5% (14/80) vs. 8.7% (25/289), P=0.023] and the gestational weeks [(38.18±1.98) weeks vs. (38.64±1.83) weeks, P=0.034] were lower; group A had higher incidence rates of premature birth [17.5% (14/80) vs. 7.7% (21/271), P=0.011] and premature rupture of membranes [5.0% (4/80) vs. 0.4% (1/271), P=0.002] than those in group C, but gestational weeks [(38.18±1.98) weeks vs. (38.85±1.47) weeks, P=0.002] and birth weight [(3 253.07±475.73) g vs. (3 384.89±479.54) g, P=0.029] were lower. Conclusion:Perinatal outcomes of selective fetal reduction of dizygotic twins pregnancies after assisted by IVF/ICSI were poor. Selective fetal reduction in multiple pregnancies is not the best remedy. The strategy of selective single embryo transfer should be adopted to effectively reduce the rate of multiple pregnancies and improve maternal and infant outcomes.