Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Covid-19 and their relationship with Covid-19 booster vaccination status among women with infertility

Objective:To elucidate the relationship among knowledge,attitudes,and practices regarding Covid-19 and their relationship with booster vaccination status among women with infertility.Methods:This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was performed online and offline among women with infertility who visited an infertility clinic in Jakarta,Indonesia.We assessed the patient’s knowledge,attitudes,and practices regarding Covid-19 and their relationship with booster vaccination status and sociodemographic profile.Results:A total of 178 subjects participated in this study,and most participants(92.6%)had received booster Covid-19 vaccines.From the questionnaire,74.2%had good knowledge,and 99.4%had good attitudes regarding Covid-19;however,only 57.9%of patients had good practices.A weak positive correlation existed between knowledge and attitudes(r=0.11,P=0.13)and a moderate negative correlation between attitudes and practices(r=-0.44,P=0.56).Participants’knowledge about vaccines and infertility was correlated with booster vaccination status(P=0.04).Academic background(P=0.01)and attitudes(P=0.01)were also correlated with booster vaccination status.The significant determinants of hesitance of receiving Covid-19 booster vaccines were high school education or below(OR=0.08,95%CI 0.02-0.36)and poor practices(OR=0.21,95%CI 0.05-0.95).Conclusions:The majority of the participants had received the Covid-19 booster vaccine and had good knowledge and attitudes but poor practices regarding Covid-19.Most participants had poor knowledge about the relationship between infertility and the Covid-19 vaccine.The general population should be more informed and reminded about practices to prevent Covid-19 and the relationship between vaccination and fertility to increase the number of people who receive Covid-19 booster vaccines.

Feasibility of acupuncture as an adjunct intervention for ovulatory disorder infertility:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Acupuncture(AT)is widely used in treatment of ovulatory disorder infertility(ODI),but the safety and efficacy of AT for ODI still lack an evidence-based basis.AIM To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of AT as an adjunct intervention for ODI.METHODS The Cochrane Library,Embase,PubMed,VIP,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,WanFang Data,and Chinese biomedical literature databases were searched from inception to January 20,2024.Two reviewers independently selected studies,collected data,and evaluated methodological quality through the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.Revman 5.4 was used for meta-analysis,and the Grade system was performed to evaluate the level of evidence for the outcomes of the meta-analysis.RESULTS A total of 20 randomized controlled trials with 1677 ODI patients were included.Compared with the clomiphene citrate(CC)group,the AT plus CC group exhibited significant improvement of the pregnancy rate[relative risk(RR)=1.68,95%confidence interval(CI):1.45-1.95,P<0.00001,I^(2)=23%],ovulation rate(RR=1.34,95%CI:1.22-1.47,P<0.00001,I^(2)=32%),serum E2 level[mean difference(MD)=31.36,95%CI:21.83-40.88,P<0.00001,I^(2)=97%],thickness of endometrium(MD=1.76,95%CI:0.71-2.81,P=0.001,I^(2)=98%)and decreasing miscarriage rate(RR=0.25,95%CI:0.09-0.65,P=0.005,I^(2)=0%),serum follicle-stimulating hormone level(MD=-2.10,95%CI:-3.27 to-0.94,P=0.0004,I^(2)=99%),serum luteinizing hormone level(MD=-6.94,95%CI:-9.89 to-4.00,P<0.00001,I^(2)=100%),and serum progesterone level(MD=-1.66,95%CI:-2.98 to-0.34,P=0.01,I^(2)=96%).The AT group had a more favorable effect than CC group for improving pregnancy rate(RR=1.52,95%CI:1.33-1.73,P<0.00001,I^(2)=0%),thickness of endometrium(MD=2.48,95%CI:2.15-2.81,P<0.00001,I^(2)=0%)and reducing miscarriage rate(RR=0.23,95%CI:0.13-0.44,P<0.00001,I^(2)=0%),serum follicle-stimulating hormone level(MD=-0.55,95%CI:-0.86 to-0.24,P=0.0005,I^(2)=0%),and serum progesterone level(MD=-0.24,95%CI:-0.28 to-0.20,P<0.00001).However,the level of evidence was predominantly assessed as very low to moderate.CONCLUSION AT can improve the pregnancy outcomes and sex hormone levels for patients with ODI.However,further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Spermotrend Improves Semen Quality and Infertility in Men with Varicocele —Spermotrend and Male Infertility

Background: Infertility affects 8% - 12% of couples globally, with approximately half of the cases reported in males. Oxidative stress is a common factor increased in the varicocele condition and particularly affects spermatozoa, due to their sensitivity to oxidative signals and testicular hypotrophy. The objective of this clinical trial is to study the effectiveness of Spermotrend in the improvement of sperm parameters in male infertility. Methods: A total of 170 males aged > 18 years with a diagnosis of infertility and varicocele were consecutively enrolled in a Phase II, open-label clinical trial. Spermotrend was administered 1 capsule (450 mg) orally every 8 hours for 6 months and was evaluated through semen analysis at 4 and 6 months of follow-up. Results: The trial results show a significant improvement following the administration of Spermotrend over 6 months in sperm concentration (44.1% at baseline vs. 64.1% at 6 months), sperm survival (28.2% with sperm survival ≥ 2 hours vs.56.5%), normalization of sperm morphology (31.2% vs. 72.9%). Varicocele condition decreased in all patients and, by the end of the study, 55.3% of patients had normal venous flow and dilation. Only 5.9% of the patients showed grade 2 varicocele at the end of the study, while 38.8% showed grade 1 varicocele, with no patients showing grade 3 varicocele. Regarding testicular hypotrophy, 90.6% of the patients completed the study with normalized testicular volume by recovering normal venous flow. Conclusion: A short-term course of Spermotrend may significantly improve sperm parameters associated with male infertility. Clinical Trial Registration: The clinical trial protocol was registered in the international clinical trial registry, ClinicalTrials.gov, with the code: NCT05222841 on 15/06/2021.

Female Infertility and Obesity across the United States—A Geographic Cross-Sectional Analysis

This cross-sectional study investigates a connection between female infertility and obesity across various regions of the United States, utilizing data from the NIH’s “All of Us” Researcher Workbench. Analysis suggested that the Southern region exhibited the highest percentage of concurrently infertile and obese females at 32.3%, in contrast to the lowest in the Western region at 28.7%. The findings underscore the significant regional disparities in obesity-related infertility, particularly in medically underserved areas where healthcare access is limited. The study highlights the urgent need for targeted public health interventions, particularly in the Southern United States, to address the rising prevalence of obesity and its impact on infertility. Further, these results advocate for enhanced public health education and policies aimed at improving healthcare accessibility, with the goal of mitigating the adverse effects of obesity on reproductive health.

Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Male Infertility in Patients Consulting at the Urology Department of the Yaounde Central Hospital

Introduction: About 10 to 15% of couples in the world and 20 to 30% in Cameroon consult for infertility problems. Infertility is of male origin in 40% of cases. Our objective was to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical aspects of male infertility in our setting. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study, with retrospective data collection from the files of patients received for male infertility, over 5 years and 6 months (from January 1st, 2016 to April 30th, 2021) at the Urology Department of the Yaounde Central Hospital. Phone calls were made to patients with incomplete records for completion following a verbal consent. Data reported on data collection forms were entered into a data entry form designed on CSPro software version 7.2. The database was later exported for descriptive statistics using the IBM SPSS software version 23. Qualitative variables were summarized in frequencies and percentages while quantitative variables were summarized in means with their standard deviations for normally distributed data, or medians and interquartile ranges otherwise. Results: Out of 110 patients whose records were analyzed, the median age was 37.0 years, with an interquartile range of 8.3, with 55.5% in the age group 30 to 39 years. Of these 95 (86.4%) were married, 58 (52.7%) were from the West region, 76 (69.1%) were employed. Past history was dominated by mumps 40 (36.4%), varicocele surgery 25 (22.7%), alcoholism 87 (79.1%) and smoking 15 (13.6%). A disorder of spermatogenesis was found in all our patients: 37 (33.6%) azoospermia, 27 (24.6%) asthenospermia and 26 (23.7%) oligospermia patients. Paraclinical evidence of chlamydia and gonococcal infections were found respectively in 38 (34.5%) and 14 (12.7%) patients, varicocele and testicular dystrophy respectively in 95 (86.4%) and 38 (34.5%) patients. Infertility was primary in 67 (60.9%) patients. Conclusion: Most patients with infertility were in their thirties, had risky social habits and comorbidities. An early start of health promotion activities, comorbidities prevention and early detection of spermogram abnormalities would make it possible to reduce the frequency of male infertility.

Patterns of Infertility and Abortion in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Infertility and abortion are significant reproductive health concerns globally, impacting individuals' well-being and healthcare systems. In Saudi Arabia, cultural, social, and religious factors influence perceptions and management of these issues, necessitating research to understand the patterns and associated factors. Study Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the patterns of infertility and abortion among 458 women in Saudi Arabia, focusing on demographic profiles, reproductive histories, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors. Methodology: Participants were recruited from healthcare facilities, and data on age, BMI, reproductive history, medical conditions, assisted reproduction methods, and lifestyle behaviors were collected. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were conducted to examine associations between variables. Results: The majority of participants were aged 30 - 39 years (47.4%), with 76.9% experiencing secondary infertility. Among those with offspring (76.9%), 31% reported using assisted reproduction methods, primarily ovarian stimulators (54.2%). Abortion history was reported by 39.5% of participants. Significant associations were found between age and infertility type (X2 = 5.8, p = 0.054), having offspring and infertility type (X2 = 458.0, p = 0.001), menstrual irregularity and infertility type (X2 = 11.4, p = 0.001), and abortion history and delayed fertility (X2 = 10.4, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Our study reveals significant associations between demographic, medical, and lifestyle factors with infertility patterns and abortion history among Saudi women. These findings emphasize the need for tailored interventions addressing medical conditions, age-related factors, and access to reproductive healthcare services.

Spatio-Temporal Trend and Geographic Disparity of Infertility Prevalence in Burkina Faso, 2011 to 2020

Background: Infertility affected 10% to 25% of couples globally, and about half of the infertility cases were reported in sub-Saharan Africa. Infertility poses significant social, cultural, and health challenges, particularly for women who often face stigmatization. However, comprehensive and nationally representative data, including prevalence, temporal trends, and risk factors, are lacking, prompting a study in Burkina Faso to address the need for informed policies and programs in infertility care and management. Objectives: This study aims to better understand the spatiotemporal trend of infertility prevalence in Burkina Faso. Methodology: This is a retrospective population-based study of women infertility from healthcare facilities in Burkina Faso, during January 2011 to December 2020. We calculated the prevalence rates of infertility and two disparity measures, and examined the spatiotemporal trend of infertility. Results: Over the 10-year period (2011 to 2020), 143,421 infertility cases were recorded in Burkina Faso healthcare facilities, resulting of a mean prevalence rate of 3.61‰ among childbearing age women and 17.87‰ among women who consulted healthcare facilities for reproductive issues (except contraception). The findings revealed a significant increase of infertility, with the prevalence rate varied from 2.75‰ in 2011 to 4.62‰ in 2020 among childbearing age women and from 13.38‰ in 2011 to 26.28‰ in 2020 among women who consulted healthcare facilities for reproductive issues, corresponding to an estimate annual percentage change of 8.31% and 9.80% respectively. There were significant temporal and geographic variations in the prevalence of infertility. While relative geographic disparity decreased, absolute geographic disparity showed an increasing trend over time. Conclusion: The study highlights an increasing trend of infertility prevalence and significant geographic variation in Burkina Faso, underscoring the urgent necessity for etiologic research on risk factors, psychosocial implications, and economic consequences to inform effective interventions and mitigate the socioeconomic impact of infertility.

Clinical Application of Sex Hormone in Different Physiological Periods in the Diagnosis of Infertility Patients

Background: Infertility is characterized by the inability to conceive after a year of regular unprotected intercourse. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of sex hormone levels during different physiological periods in the diagnosis of infertility patients. Methods: From December 2019 to May 2021, a total of 93 infertility patients were admitted and selected as the observation group. Among them, 31 cases were in the follicular stage, 31 cases in the ovulation stage, and 31 cases in the luteal stage. Ninety-three healthy women for fertility evaluation due to male infertility were selected as the control group. The control group included 31 women in the follicular phase, 31 women in the ovulatory phase, and 31 women in the luteal phase. The levels of sex hormones (prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), and progesterone (P)) during different physiological phases were compared between the observation and control groups. Results: The follicular phase showed no significant difference in LH levels between the observation group and the control group. The observation group showed higher levels of PRL and P compared to the control group, while the levels of FSH, E2, and T were lower in the observation group compared to the control group. The ovulation phase showed no significant difference in PRL levels between the two groups. The observation group showed lower levels of LH, FSH, E2, T, and P compared to the control group. The luteal phase showed no statistical difference in E2 levels between the two groups. The observation group showed higher levels of PRL, LH, and FSH compared to the control group, while the levels of T and P were lower in the observation group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Infertile women show variations in hormone levels compared to the normal levels during the follicular phase, ovulatory phase, and luteal phase.

Causes of Infertility of Couples Residing in Libreville

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, globally one in six people experience infertility in their lifetime. Infertility is considered as a major and global public health issue. In most cases, women bear the burden of infertility to protect the male ego. Although men and women are equally likely to have fertility problems. The aim of this study was to identify the causes of infertility of couples residing in Libreville. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study performed over 2 years, from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2022. Data was obtained from 162 couples attending the assisted reproduction department of the mother and child hospitals in Libreville. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 software. Results: During the study period, 28.5% of couples could afford IVF treatment. The average for woman age was 39.1 ± 4.06 while the average age for male patients was 41.53 ± 7.08 years with minimum and maximum age of 34 et 66 years. More than half (58.6%) of female partners were employed in the public sector. Half of the male partners (50%) were employed in the private sector. The median duration of infertility was 6 years. Approximately 49.4% of couples were diagnosed with primary infertility. The most common causes of infertility in female patients were Fallopian tubes obstruction (53.2%), uterine factors (24.2%) and hormonal problems (19.6%). With regards to male factors infertility, testicular causes were predominant (53.6%). Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia were the major semen abnormalities (55.7%) found after semen evaluation. Both male and female partners were sub-fertile in 47.5% of cases. Unexplained infertility was found in 11% of couples. Conclusion: This study showed that the diagnostic of infertility faced by couples residing in Libreville should involve both male and female partner.

Psychosocial Aspects of Male Infertility at the Service of Urology-Andrology of the Hospital of the Sino-Guinean Friendship

Objective: Describe the psychosocial aspects of male infertility at the hospital of the Sino-Guinean Friendship. Patients and method: It is a prospective study of a descriptive type covering a period of 6 months. The study covered 17 patients, all received for a desire to conceive after at least one year of regular sexual intercourse without contraception. The data were collected from patient interviews using a pre-established questionnaire. Results: The average age of the patients was 32.07 years with extremes of 23 years and 42 years. During this study, 64.70% of patients were no longer participating in community ceremonies. The patients’ relationships with their spouse and family deteriorated in 52.94% and 47.06%, respectively. Conversely, relations with the family of origin remained unchanged in 70.59 percent of cases. The reduction in economic activity was by 13 patients (76.48%). Conclusion: Male infertility causes a real psychic earthquake in men with its corollaries of negative feelings. The rather complex moral repercussions of male infertility affect not only the individual, his/her partner, and family, but also economic activity.

Prevalence and risk factors of infertility in a Mongolian population

Objective:To investigate and analyze the prevalence and risk factors of infertility in a Mongolian population.Methods:We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study between September 2016 and November 2021.Our study population of 1919 participants consisted of residents of Ulaanbaatar city and four regions of Mongolia.A pretested standardized and structured questionnaire was used to gather data from the participants.Our questionnaire comprised categories influencing infertility,such as socioeconomic status,lifestyle factors,health,reproductive history,present status,and sexual function.In addition,trained staff conducted face-to-face interviews with the participants.Results:Our study showed an infertility incidence of 8.2%,with primary infertility at 2.76%and secondary infertility at 5.47%.Compared with the urban area of Ulaanbaatar,the prevalence of infertility was significantly higher amongst the rural population(P<0.001).Risk factors of infertility included advanced age(35-39 years,OR 1.8,95%CI 1.99-6.55;>40 years,OR 2.1,95%CI 2.62-8.55),living rural region(aOR 2.4,95%CI 1.62-3.69),alcohol consumption(aOR 1.6,95%CI 1.11-2.44),chronic diseases(aOR 1.6,95%CI 1.20-2.38),reproductive disease(aOR 2.6,95%CI 1.86-3.88),gynecological operative history(aOR 2.1,95%CI 1.38-3.21),ovarian cyst(aOR 4.2,95%CI 2.70-6.40),gonorrhea(aOR 2.4,95%CI 1.01-6.16),non-malignant uterine cancer(aOR 2.9,95%CI 1.40-6.70),and endometriosis(aOR 4.7,95%CI 1.41-15.62).Conclusions:In Mongolia,the average infertility rate is 8.2%,similar to the average worldwide and is significantly higher in rural communities.Our study shows the most significant risk factors for infertility are age,alcohol consumption,and rural living.In addition,an unfavorable gynecological history and some diseases also pose a risk to fertility.

Types of Infertility and Its Risk Factors among Infertile Women: A Prospective Study in Dhaka City

Background: Infertility is a global health issue, and it is a multidimensional problem with social, economic, and cultural influences. Objectives: The study aimed to determine types of infertility and their contributing factors among the respondent infertile women. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among infertile women visiting Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka. From January to December 2020, 111 infertile women were included and evaluated for infertility types and their contributing factors. Data were collected by face-to-face interviewing, and data were analyzed statistically. Results: Primary infertility was found among 90 (81%) and secondary infertility among 21 (18.9%). Among the direct risk factors of female infertility, ovulation failure was the majority of the cases, 74 (35.1%), and its mainly observed in primarily infertile women 58 (33.9%). These observations were statistically significant. Conclusions: Infertility should be treated as a public health problem, government and non-government organizations should develop a basic policy to create effective fertility centers.

Impact of chronological ageing on semen parameters in southern Indian men visiting infertility centre:A retrospective study

Objective:To investigate the association between age and semen parameters among male partners of subfertile couples.Methods:This retrospective study analyzed the semen of 1523 infertile men aged 26 to 50 years.Data were extracted from GarbhaGudi IVF Centre database from January 2019 to September 2020.The basic semen parameters were interpreted according to the WHO manual 2021,6th edition.Semen parameters in different age groups were compared.Results:Total and progressive motile sperms were significantly higher in the age group of 26-30 years compared to other age groups(P<0.05).Normal sperm count was significantly higher in the age group of 26-30 years compared to the age groups of 41-45 years and>46 years(P=0.001).However,sperm head defects,neck and midpiece defects,tail defects,and cytoplasmic droplets showed statistically insignificant difference in all the age groups(P>0.05).Semen viscosity showed no statistical difference in all the age groups compared to the reference age group of 26 to 30 years.Conclusions:Higher age can lead to a significant decrease in normal sperms and motility in subfertile men.Hence,male partner age should be considered as one of the major determining factors for reproductive outcomes.

The role of small non-coding RNAs(sncRNAs)in male infertility:A scoping review

Objective:To give a brief overview of the field of epigenetics and the potential predictive power that small non-coding RNA(sncRNA)may hold in relation to improving the treatment and diagnosis of male infertility.Methods:PRISMA-ScR was used as the scoping review guideline for this investigation.All article data here have been accessed from MEDLINE–PubMed,Science Direct,EBSCO,Scopus,Sage Journals,and Google Scholar.The terms"small non coding RNA,male,infertility,miRNA,sperm"were used in the search between 2015 and 2023.Results:The study comprised 35 publications in total.Several sncRNAs,miR-155,miR-16,miR-196,miR-525-3p,miR-891 were found to be effective in regulating the mechanism of spermatozoa processing in the infertility of men.sncRNA can be used as a biomarker of male infertility.Conclusions:sncRNAs can act as biomarkers for the diagnosis of reproductive diseases.Actually,by recognizing sncRNAs and their mechanisms,a new way to treat infertile men would be paved.The functional annotation of sncRNAs in spermatogenesis is still in its infancy but has enormous potential.This is despite the fact that many potential sncRNAs have been found to date with the use of cutting-edge technology and publicly accessible sncRNA annotation tools.

Research Progress on Acupuncture Therapy in Infertility: A Bibliometric Analysis from 2000 to 2021

Objective: To investigate the research progress and new trend of acupuncture in the treatment of infertility from 2000 to 2021. Methods: The literature review was conducted on acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of infertility from 2000 to 2021 from the Web of Science core collection and PubMed. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to analyze the annual number of articles, countries, institutions, authors, journals, references and keywords. Statistical Analysis Toolkit for Informetrics 3.2 (SATI) and IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 were employed to draw the maps of core acupoints and acupuncture approaches. Results: A total of 316 articles were included. From 2000 to 2021 the number of publications has been ever increased with certain fluctuations. The United States was the most productive country. Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine was the most active institution. Stener-Victorin E was the highest cited author. Fertility and Sterility was the most prolific journal. Paulus We, 2002 was the highest co-citation literature. SP6 (Sanyinjiao) was the most commonly used acupoint. Manual acupuncture was the most commonly used method. Conclusions: The study of acupuncture in the treatment of infertility is characterized by multinational, multi-institutional participation and close regional cooperation. Acupuncture is a potentially effective therapy for infertility. Due to a lack of research quality and difficulties in performing double-blind, high-quality clinical evidence is urgently required. A complete acupuncture therapy system for infertility should be gradually constructed.

Infertility,pregnancy and breastfeeding in kidney transplantation recipients:Key issues

Chronic kidney disease(CKD),especially in advanced stages,is an important cause of infertility.In CKD patients,infertility has been linked to multiple factors.The pathophysiology of infertility related to CKD is complex and forked.Correction of modifiable factors can improve fertility in both genders.In males as well as females,successful kidney transplantation offers good chances of restoration of reproductive function.In female renal allograft recipients,recovery of reproductive functions in the post-transplant period will manifest as restoration of normal menses and ovulation.Owing to this improvement,there is a significant risk of unplanned pregnancy,hence the need to discuss methods of contraception before transplantation.In kidney transplant recipients,different contraceptive options for pregnancy planning,have been used.The selection of one contraception over another is based on preference and tolerability.Pregnancy,in renal transplanted females,is associated with physiologic changes that occur in pregnant women with native kidneys.Immunosuppressive medications during pregnancy,in a recipient with a single functioning kidney,expose the mother and fetus to unwanted complications.Some immunosuppressive drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy.Immunosuppressive medications should be discussed with renal transplant recipients who are planning to breastfeed their babies.In addition to antirejection drugs,other medications should be managed accordingly,whenever pregnancy is planned.

Obesity: Impact and Outcome on Infertility—A Literature Review

Background: The health risks of obesity are a forever growing concern for societies worldwide. With the advent of Assisted reproductive technology more couples can achieve fertility which includes overweight and obese men and women. The review intends to explore the impact of overweight and obesity on human reproductive potential and explores ways of optimising outcome and minimising risk through development of sound recommendations. Aim: To determine the impact of obesity on infertility in men and women and recommendations to optimise reproductive outcome. Method: Relevant published reviews on the subject were searched on the PubMed, Google scholar, Medline, and Cochrane library within the past 10 years, from 2011 to 2021. Results: Thirty-six articles met the criteria. Twenty-six of these were qualitative studies and ten were quantitative. The main themes were increasing prevalence and burden of disease, impact on male and female obesity and assisted reproductive outcomes. Conclusion: Overall, it is evident that overweight and obesity negatively effects reproductive health of both men and women. It has numerous sequalae in men and women of reproductive age group with lasting impact on following progeny. These risks are minimised both in short and long term by weight loss strategies and there is need for more literature on the subject.

Gestational Diabetes and Infertility

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common pregnancy complications which affect the mother and offspring. In addition to adverse perinatal outcomes, it may lead to permanent health problems for the mother, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), while increasing the risk of future obesity, CVD, T2DM and GDM in the child. Approximately 15% of women seek fertility treatment. Over the last decade, it has come to attention that patients with an infertility history are more prone to having GDM during their pregnancies, and this review examines the relationship between GDM and infertility. The elevated estrogen, progesterone, leptin, placental lactogen and growth hormone are the main reasons for increased insulin resistance during pregnancy. Despite some confounding factors in the mechanism of GDM in patients with an infertility history, infertility treatment increases the risk, according to numerous studies. The obesity epidemic and associated disorders have become a significant public health concern worldwide. Lifestyle modification for weight loss before pregnancy is encouraged, but there is no strong evidence for improvement in perinatal results. GDM, infertility and infertility treatment have a potential risk of alteration in the embryo’s environment and cause epigenetic reprogramming, which may be inherited to the next generation. The fertility treatment impacts the patient’s and offspring’s health. Patients should be informed about the risks so that they consent and get involved in the decision. Infertility treatment may be accepted as a reason for high-risk pregnancy, and patients can be screened for GDM in early pregnancy.

Aetiological Diagnosis of Infertility at Conakry University Hospital: Role of Hysterosalpingography and Pelvic Ultrasound

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the etiologies of infertility and to determine the contribution of hysterosalpingography coupled with ultrasound in the exploration of female infertility at Donka University Hospital. Methodology: This was a prospective descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in the Radiology Department of Donka National Hospital over a period of ten (10) months. It involved 78 women who came to the department for hysterosalpingography and/or pelvic ultrasound examinations, as part of the exploration of infertility. Data collection involved the use of pre-established survey forms to gather information on the parameters studied. Sociodemographic parameters, ultrasound and hysterosalpingography results were studied. A correlation was made between age at marriage and infertility to determine whether early marriage has an impact on primary infertility, with a statically significant result for p value greater than 0.05. Results: The mean age of our patients was 33.7 ± 5.6 years, with extremes of 18 and 35 years. The 18-35 age group was the most represented, with a frequency of 80.7%. The 34% of our patients were married before the age of 18, with a marriage duration ranging from 6 months to 15 years. The indication for investigations was dominated by secondary infertility, with a frequency of 65%, followed by primary infertility (35%). All our women underwent ultrasound-hysterosalpingography, i.e. 100%, in search of the cause of infertility. Ultrasound was pathological in 35.8%. The most common ultrasound lesions were myomas and ovarian dystrophies, with 12.8% each. However, hysterosalpingography was pathological in 35%. Tubal obstructions affected almost a third of our women (29.5%), followed by phimosis and tubo-peritoneal adhesions. Conclusion: Diagnostic evaluation of infertility requires a multidisciplinary approach, including collaboration between infertility gynecologists, radiologists and other infertility specialists. Medical imaging remains indispensable in the evaluation of female infertility.

Effect of Prostate Inflammation on Ejaculate Indicators in Men of Various Ages from Infertility Couples

The question of the impact of chronic prostatitis on male fertility remains debatable. In our study, we proved that inflammation of the prostate affects the characteristics of a man’s ejaculate. The inflammatory process negatively affects the reproductive characteristics of men of all ages, however, in the older age group, its clinical and laboratory manifestations are most pronounced.