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Zauner G, Girardi G. Potential causes of male and female infertility in Qatar. J Reprod Immunol 2020; 141:103173. [PMID: 32652349 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2020.103173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A steady decline in the fertility rate has been observed in Qatar during the past fifty years. Therefore, infertility is considered a national priority in Qatar, a pronatalist society. This review article summarises the potential causes of infertility that are particularly prevalent in the Qatari population. The high rate of consanguinity leading to genetic abnormalities, the high incidence of metabolic disease, environmental contamination due to the rapid urbanization and oil and natural gas extraction procedures are discussed. In addition, the particular lifestyle of the Qatari population and the influence of religion and culture on sexual and reproductive behavior in an Arab/Islamic society are considered. The active response of the state of Qatar in implementing ways to mitigate the effects of these factors to protect fertility are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhild Zauner
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Guillermina Girardi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Abstract
Stress plays an important role in reproductive health and likely is one of the psychological factors affecting ART success. This study was designed to examine the relationship between the stress level as inferred from the amount of the enzyme alpha-amylase secreted in saliva (SAA) and pregnancy outcome in infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation (IVF-ET). A prospective cohort study was conducted in the Reproductive Medicine Centre of Zhengzhou University Hospital in Henan, China. Four hundred fifty-seven infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation (IVF-ET) for the first time participated in the study. Couples collected saliva samples the morning before the start of their first treatment cycle for the measurement of SAA. We found that the level of SAA (and hence, the amount of stress) in female partners, male partners, and couples analyzed together significantly affected IVF-ET outcome. Cutoff levels of SAA that predicted pregnancy failure were 136 μmol/L, 149 μmol/L, and 288 μmol/L in female partners, male partners, and couples, respectively. Female partners, male partners, and couples with high SAA levels had increased risk of pregnancy failure compared to those with low SAA levels. The SAA level directly correlated with the follicle-stimulating hormone level and was inversely proportional to the anti-Müllerian hormone level and endometrial thickness. Some semen parameters of male partners, such as density, survival rate, sperm rapid progressive motility (A%), and progressive motility [(A + B)%], were significantly lower in the high-SAA than in the low-SAA group. Furthermore, couples in the high SAA group had fewer transferable and high-quality embryos. We concluded that a high SAA level, known to be an objective indicator of high stress, increases the risk of pregnancy failure in infertile couples undergoing IVF-ET. Lay summary To explore the relationship between stress, as measured by the levels of the stress biomarker salivary alpha-amylase (SAA), and pregnancy outcome in infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization, a prospective cohort study was conducted in the Reproductive Medicine Centre of Zhengzhou University Hospital in Henan, China. Four hundred fifty-seven infertile couples undergoing IVF-ET collected saliva samples the morning before the start of their first treatment cycle for the measurement of SAA. Results of this study demonstrated that a high SAA level, known to be an objective indicator of high stress, increases the risk of pregnancy failure in infertile couples undergoing IVF-ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Jing Zhou
- a Reproductive Medicine Centre , The First Affiliated Hospital of the Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Yan-Na Cai
- a Reproductive Medicine Centre , The First Affiliated Hospital of the Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Yue-Zhi Dong
- a Reproductive Medicine Centre , The First Affiliated Hospital of the Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
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Raftogianni A, Roth LC, García-González D, Bus T, Kühne C, Monyer H, Spergel DJ, Deussing JM, Grinevich V. Deciphering the Contributions of CRH Receptors in the Brain and Pituitary to Stress-Induced Inhibition of the Reproductive Axis. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:305. [PMID: 30214395 PMCID: PMC6125327 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on pharmacological studies, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its receptors play a leading role in the inhibition of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis during acute stress. To further study the effects of CRH receptor signaling on the HPG axis, we generated and/or employed male mice lacking CRH receptor type 1 (CRHR1) or type 2 (CRHR2) in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons, GABAergic neurons, or in all central neurons and glia. The deletion of CRHRs revealed a preserved decrease of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) in response to either psychophysical or immunological stress. However, under basal conditions, central infusion of CRH into mice lacking CRHR1 in all central neurons and glia, or application of CRH to pituitary cultures from mice lacking CRHR2, failed to suppress LH release, unlike in controls. Our results, taken together with those of the earlier pharmacological studies, suggest that inhibition of the male HPG axis during acute stress is mediated by other factors along with CRH, and that CRH suppresses the HPG axis at the central and pituitary levels via CRHR1 and CRHR2, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Androniki Raftogianni
- Schaller Group on Neuropeptides, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg - Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lena C Roth
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Diego García-González
- Department of Clinical Neurobiology, Medical Faculty of Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg - German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Bus
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany.,Max Planck Research Group at the Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Kühne
- Molecular Neurogenetics Research Group, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Hannah Monyer
- Department of Clinical Neurobiology, Medical Faculty of Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg - German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel J Spergel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jan M Deussing
- Molecular Neurogenetics Research Group, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Schaller Group on Neuropeptides, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg - Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
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Apfel RJ, Keylor RG. Psychoanalysis and infertility myths and realities. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOANALYSIS 2017. [DOI: 10.1516/4089-jbcw-ynt8-qtcm] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Dong YZ, Zhou FJ, Sun YP. Psychological stress is related to a decrease of serum anti-müllerian hormone level in infertile women. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2017; 15:51. [PMID: 28693593 PMCID: PMC5504612 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-017-0271-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress exposure has been proved to be linked to reproductive failure. The reproductive potential of women depends on the ovarian reserve. Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) has been proved a reliable clinical marker of ovarian reserve. However, the correlation between psychological stress and AMH level is not clear. METHODS A cross-sectional study including 576 women was conducted. AMH concentration was tested to reflect the ovarian reserve. Salivary alpha-amylase (SAA) level was measured to assess the stress of patients objectively. RESULTS The SAA level was significantly, and negatively correlated with AMH levels in infertile women (r = -0.315, P = 0.000; adjusted for age, r = -0.336, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION Higher psychological stress was related to a decreased AMH level in infertile women and psychological stress may affect ovarian reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-zhi Dong
- grid.412633.1Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 1 Jianshedong Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052 China
| | - Fei-jing Zhou
- grid.412633.1Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 1 Jianshedong Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052 China
| | - Ying-pu Sun
- grid.412633.1Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 1 Jianshedong Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052 China
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Maalhagh M, Jahromi AS, Yusefi A, Razeghi A, Zabetiyan H, Karami MY, Madani AH. Effects of Prepubertal Acute Immobilization Stress on Serum Kisspeptin Level and Testis Histology in Rats. Pak J Biol Sci 2016; 19:43-48. [PMID: 26930799 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2016.43.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Stress has inhibitory effect on HPG axis through increasing cortisol serum level. In this study, the effect of acute prepubertal stress on kisspeptin, which plays essential role in puberty achievement is assessed. To do this experimental study thirty immature healthy male wistar rats of 4 weeks old and without any symptoms of puberty were selected randomly. These rats were divided into three groups, randomly. Two groups were chosen as control and pretest and one as stress (test) group. Immobilization stress was applied for 10 days and serum level of cortisol, testosterone and kisspeptin were measured. Primary and secondary spermatocyte and sertoli cell evaluated and compared among groups. Mean serum level of kisspeptin in pretest group, control group and stress (test) group were 0.0381 ± 0.0079, 91.0500 ± 4.87430 and 15.2156 ± 3.88135 pg mL(-1) respectively. Serum level of kisspeptin had significant differences between three groups (p < 0.001). Acute prepubertal immobilization stress led to decrease in serum level of kisspeptin and testosterone in stress (test) group compared to control groups. Also stress caused a significant decrease in the numbers of secondary spermatocytes of the test group.
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Duong A, Steinmaus C, McHale CM, Vaughan CP, Zhang L. Reproductive and developmental toxicity of formaldehyde: a systematic review. Mutat Res 2011; 728:118-38. [PMID: 21787879 PMCID: PMC3203331 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2011.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2011] [Revised: 07/09/2011] [Accepted: 07/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Formaldehyde, the recently classified carcinogen and ubiquitous environmental contaminant, has long been suspected of causing adverse reproductive and developmental effects, but previous reviews were inconclusive, due in part, to limitations in the design of many of the human population studies. In the current review, we systematically evaluated evidence of an association between formaldehyde exposure and adverse reproductive and developmental effects, in human populations and in vivo animal studies, in the peer-reviewed literature. The mostly retrospective human studies provided evidence of an association of maternal exposure with adverse reproductive and developmental effects. Further assessment of this association by meta-analysis revealed an increased risk of spontaneous abortion (1.76, 95% CI 1.20-2.59, p=0.002) and of all adverse pregnancy outcomes combined (1.54, 95% CI 1.27-1.88, p<0.001), in formaldehyde-exposed women, although differential recall, selection bias, or confounding cannot be ruled out. Evaluation of the animal studies including all routes of exposure, doses and dosing regimens studied, suggested positive associations between formaldehyde exposure and reproductive toxicity, mostly in males. Potential mechanisms underlying formaldehyde-induced reproductive and developmental toxicities, including chromosome and DNA damage (genotoxicity), oxidative stress, altered level and/or function of enzymes, hormones and proteins, apoptosis, toxicogenomic and epigenomic effects (such as DNA methylation), were identified. To clarify these associations, well-designed molecular epidemiologic studies, that include quantitative exposure assessment and diminish confounding factors, should examine both reproductive and developmental outcomes associated with exposure in males and females. Together with mechanistic and animal studies, this will allow us to better understand the systemic effect of formaldehyde exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Duong
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Craig Steinmaus
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency; Oakland, CA 94612
| | - Cliona M. McHale
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Charles P. Vaughan
- Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Luoping Zhang
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
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Nakamura K, Sheps S, Arck PC. Stress and reproductive failure: past notions, present insights and future directions. J Assist Reprod Genet 2008; 25:47-62. [PMID: 18274890 PMCID: PMC2582116 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-008-9206-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2008] [Accepted: 01/25/2008] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Maternal stress perception is frequently alleged as a cause of infertility, miscarriages, late pregnancy complications or impaired fetal development. The purpose of the present review is to critically assess the biological and epidemiological evidence that considers the plausibility of a stress link to human reproductive failure. METHODS All epidemiological studies published between 1980 and 2007 that tested the link between stress exposure and impaired reproductive success in humans were identified. Study outcomes were evaluated on the basis of how associations were predicted, tested and integrated with theories of etiology arising from recent scientific developments in the basic sciences. Further, published evidence arising from basic science research has been assessed in order to provide a mechanistic concept and biological evidence for the link between stress perception and reproductive success. RESULTS Biological evidence points to an immune-endocrine disequilibrium in response to stress and describes a hierarchy of biological mediators involved in a stress trigger to reproductive failure. Epidemiological evidence presents positive correlations between various pregnancy failure outcomes with pre-conception negative life events and elevated daily urinary cortisol. Strikingly, a relatively new conceptual approach integrating the two strands of evidence suggests the programming of stress susceptibility in mother and fetus via a so-called pregnancy stress syndrome. CONCLUSIONS An increasing specificity of knowledge is available about the types and impact of biological and social pathways involved in maternal stress responses. The present evidence is sufficient to warrant a reconsideration of conventional views on the etiology of reproductive failure. Physicians and patients will benefit from the adaptation of this integrated evidence to daily clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Nakamura
- Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, 6201 Cecil Green Park Road, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada.
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Lord S, Robertson N. The role of patient appraisal and coping in predicting distress in IVF. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2005. [DOI: 10.1080/02646830500273566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Salvatore P, Gariboldi S, Offidani A, Coppola F, Amore M, Maggini C. Psychopathology, personality, and marital relationship in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization procedures. Fertil Steril 2001; 75:1119-25. [PMID: 11384636 DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(01)01775-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the psychopathology, personality features, and marital relationships of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) with those of control patients, and to compare IVF inductees with program veterans. DESIGN Cross-sectional clinical study. SETTING A university hospital. PATIENT(S) One hundred and one women undergoing IVF treatment. INTERVENTION(S) Psychometric tests were administered at first visit (baseline) of index treatment cycle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Achievement of pregnancy. RESULT(S) Women undergoing IVF show higher levels of anxiety and emotional tension than do controls. Although the infertile women showed no abnormal personality dimensions, the IVF group did have a particular psychological profile and a different marital relationship pattern when compared with the control participants. Between IVF veterans and inductees, there are significant differences with respect to psychopathology, psychological dimensions, and couple dynamics. The achievement of pregnancy is not associated with any special psychopathological, personality, or marital characteristics among the IVF women. CONCLUSION(S) The most crucial period in IVF procedures may immediately follow the end of the first cycle because of the high risk of patients dropping out of the program. To determine the most effective supporting therapies for women undergoing fertilization procedures it could be useful to consider the psychological and relational differences between veterans and inductees.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Salvatore
- Instituto di Clinica Psichiatrica, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Abstract
A critical review is provided of the literature of psychosomatic infertility, including research on the relation of psychological distress and infertility, interventional studies in which efforts to treat underlying psychopathology are related to success or failure in conceiving, and proposed neurophysiological mechanisms that relate psychological status and fertility. Directions for future research to address the issue of psychological distress and infertility are also outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Brkovich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
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Netter P, Hennig J, Huwe S, Daume E. Disturbed behavioural adaptability as related to reproductive hormones and emotional states during the menstrual cycle. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY 1998. [DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-0984(199807/08)12:4<287::aid-per311>3.0.co;2-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Shively
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1040
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Collins A, Freeman EW, Boxer AS, Tureck R. Perceptions of infertility and treatment stress in females as compared with males entering in vitro fertilization treatment. Fertil Steril 1992; 57:350-6. [PMID: 1735487 DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)54844-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine gender similarities and differences in perceptions of infertility and anticipated treatment stress in couples enrolling for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. DESIGN Both partners were evaluated at enrollment of IVF treatment. The evaluation was part of the screening procedure. SETTING The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a teaching hospital. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS Two hundred consecutive couples who entered an IVF treatment program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-report questionnaire included items on the duration of infertility, degree of social support, effect of infertility on sexual relationship, expected likelihood of achieving pregnancy, anticipation of stress during treatment, and a self-rating scale of emotional reactions to infertility. RESULTS The women anticipated more stress in IVF treatment but also rated greater degree of social support than the men. Both partners overestimated their chances of a successful treatment outcome. Factor analysis of the Infertility Scale produced three factors that were similar for both sexes. The first factor represented the desire to have a child as a major focus of life with inadequacy of the male role, social functioning and work efficiency, and pressure to have a child following. CONCLUSIONS Women reported more stress, but the factors affecting stress of infertility were very similar for both partners. The intense focus on having a child was the predominant factor in anticipated stress of IVF treatment for both males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Collins
- Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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