Factors Affecting Artificial Insemination Pregnancy Outcome

Genome-wide association study identifies genomic regions associated with key reproductive traits in Korean Hanwoo cows

BACKGROUND

Conducting genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for reproductive traits in Hanwoo cattle, including age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), gestation length (GL), and number of artificial inseminations per conception (NAIPC), is of paramount significance. These analyses provided a thorough exploration of the genetic basis of these traits, facilitating the identification of key markers for targeted trait improvement. Breeders can optimize their selection strategies, leading to more efficient and sustainable breeding programs, by incorporating genetic insights. This impact extends beyond individual traits and contributes to the overall productivity and profitability of the Hanwoo beef cattle industry. Ultimately, GWAS is essential in ensuring the long-term genetic resilience and adaptability of Hanwoo cattle populations. The primary goal of this study was to identify significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the studied reproductive traits and subsequently map the underlying genes that hold promise for trait improvement.

RESULTS

A genome-wide association study of reproductive traits identified 68 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed across 29 Bos taurus autosomes (BTA). Among them, BTA14 exhibited the highest number of identified SNPs (25), whereas BTA6, BTA7, BTA8, BTA10, BTA13, BTA17, and BTA20 exhibited 8, 5, 5, 3, 8, 2, and 12 significant SNPs, respectively. Annotation of candidate genes within a 500 kb region surrounding the significant SNPs led to the identification of ten candidate genes relevant to age at first calving. These genes were: FANCG, UNC13B, TESK1, TLN1, and CREB3 on BTA8; FAM110B, UBXN2B, SDCBP, and TOX on BTA14; and MAP3K1 on BTA20. Additionally, APBA3, TCF12, and ZFR2, located on BTA7 and BTA10, were associated with the calving interval; PAX1, SGCD, and HAND1, located on BTA7 and BTA13, were linked to gestation length; and RBM47, UBE2K, and GPX8, located on BTA6 and BTA20, were linked to the number of artificial inseminations per conception in Hanwoo cows.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study enhance our knowledge of the genetic factors that influence reproductive traits in Hanwoo cattle populations and provide a foundation for future breeding strategies focused on improving desirable traits in beef cattle. This research offers new evidence and insights into the genetic variants and genome regions associated with reproductive traits and contributes valuable information to guide future efforts in cattle breeding.

Low Estradiol Level and Endometrial Thickness on the Day of Endometrial Transformation Influence Clinical Pregnancy After Intrauterine Insemination

Background

The causes of pregnancy failure after intrauterine insemination (IUI) are controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influencing factors on clinical pregnancy after IUI.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed 1464 cycles of IUI performed at the Meizhou People's Hospital between March 2014 and June 2023. The χ2 test and logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the associations between the some factors (maternal age, paternal age, cycle type (natural cycle or ovulation induction cycle), hormone level on the day of endometrial transformation (estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), and progesterone (P)), endometrial thickness on the day of endometrial transformation, and forward motile sperm concentration after treatment) and pregnancy failure.

Results

Among the 1464 IUI cycles in this study, 268 cycles of assisted reproduction resulted in clinical pregnancy, with a clinical pregnancy rate of 18.3%. During the cycles with clinical pregnancy, there were 25 (12.9%) preterm births and 169 (87.1%) full-term births. The E2 level on the day of endometrial transformation in clinical pregnancy group was higher than that in the pregnancy failure group (658.79±656.02 vs 561.21±558.83 pg/mL)(P=0.025). The clinical pregnancy group had a higher percentage of endometrial thickness between 8 and 13mm on the day of endometrial transformation than the pregnancy failure group (83.2% vs 75.0%)(P=0.002). The results of regressions analysis showed that low E2 level on the day of endometrial transformation (<238.3 pg/mL vs ≥238.3 pg/mL: OR 1.493, 95% CI: 1.086-2.052, P=0.014), and endometrial thickness <8mm on the day of endometrial transformation (<8mm vs 8-13mm: OR 1.886, 95% CI: 1.284-2.771, P=0.001) may increase risk of pregnancy failure performed IUI.

Conclusion

Low estradiol level, and endometrial thickness on the day of endometrial transformation may increase risk of pregnancy failure performed intrauterine insemination.

Is There Any Effect of Change in Pre-Wash and Post-Wash Semen Parameters on the Success of Intrauterine Insemination?

(1) Background: We aimed to investigate the effect of change in pre-wash and post-wash semen parameters on intrauterine insemination (IUI) success in a homogenous study group. (2) Methods: IUI cycles conducted at an infertility clinic were included in this study. Patient records were examined retrospectively. Δ sperm count (per mL) was calculated as [pre-wash sperm count (per mL)-post-wash sperm count (per mL)]. Δ Total progressive motile sperm count (TPMSC) was also calculated as (post-wash TPMSC-pre-wash TPMSC). (3) Results: No statistically significant difference was detected in terms of Δ sperm count (p = 0.38), and Δ TPMSC (p = 0.76) regarding the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR). There was no statistically significant difference between CPR (+) and CPR (-) groups in terms of post-wash sperm count, TPMSC, TPMSC ≥ 10 × 10⁶, TPMSC ≥ 5 × 10⁶ (p = 0.65, p = 0.79, p = 0.49, p = 0.49, respectively). The live birth rate (LBR) showed no statistically significant differences except for a pre-wash TPMSC ≥ 10 × 10⁶ (p = 0.02). Through the performed ROC analysis, no statistically significant cutoff value could be set for the pre-wash TPMSC. (4) Conclusions: There is only a pre-wash TPMSC ≥ 10 × 10⁶ that showed a significant role in the success of IUI, even when considering all other pre-wash and post-wash semen parameters. Δ sperm count and Δ are not useful markers for IUI success.

Effects of sperm separation methods before intrauterine insemination on pregnancy outcomes and live birth rates: Differences between the swim-up and microfluidic chip techniques

Various sperm preparation techniques have been developed to obtain functionally, genetically and morphologically high-quality competent spermatozoa for use in assisted reproductive technologies, which may affect treatment options and thus pregnancy outcomes and live birth rates. We aimed to compare swim-up washing procedure (SWP) and microfluidics sperm sorting (MSS) with regard to sperm separation, pregnancy outcomes and live birth rates in infertile couples receiving intrauterine insemination. A total of 326 couples with unexplained infertility who underwent intrauterine insemination were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study and were divided into 2 groups according to sperm preparation technique. The MSS and SWP methods were used to prepare sperm in 178 and 148 patients, respectively. The median sperm concentration reduced significantly from 51 (30-100) million/mL to 20 (10-40) million/mL in the MSS group, and from 45 (26-80) million/mL to 25 (11-48) million/mL in the SWP group (both P < .001). Median motility increased significantly from 30.43 ± 17.79 to 57.48 ± 20.24 in the MSS, and from 32.89 ± 13.92 to 43.91 ± 20.11 in SWP (both P < .001). There was a difference between groups after preparation regarding sperm concentration (better with SWP) and motility (better with MSS) (P = .018 and P < .001, respectively). A total of 86 (26.4%) pregnancies were observed in participants and the clinical pregnancy rate was 23% in the MSS group and 30.4% in the SWP group (P = .133). Fifty-one infants were born alive and a great majority (n = 47) were delivered at term. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher duration of infertility was independently associated with lower live birth success (odds ratio: 0.811, 95% confidence interval: 0.662-0.996; P = .045). Other variables, including female age, type and reason of infertility, number of cycles, and sperm motility and concentration, were found to be nonsignificant (P > .05). We observed nonsignificant worse reproductive results using microfluid sperm selection in comparison to the pellet swim-up technique (live birth rate = 12% vs 20%). Our evidence is of limited quality due to the retrospective design of this study and sufficiently powered RCTs are needed to evaluate whether sperm selection based using a microfluidic chip is better, similar, or worse than the pellet swim-up technique.

Factors Influencing the Pregnancy Outcome of Intrauterine Insemination and Follow-up Treatment

Background

Many factors were reported associated with the pregnancy rate of intrauterine insemination (IUI), which played key role is still debated.

Aims

The aim of this study was to explore related clinical pregnancy outcome factor in IUI cycles of non-male factor.

Settings and Design

The clinical data of 1232 IUI cycles in 690 couples experiencing infertility who attended the Reproductive Center of Jinling Hospital between July 2015 and November 2021 were retrospectively analysed.

Materials and Methods

Female and male age, body mass index (BMI), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), male semen parameters before and after wash, endometrial thickness (EMT), artificial insemination timing and ovarian stimulation (OS) protocols were compared between the pregnant group and the non-pregnant group in order to explore any correlation.

Statistical Analysis Used

Continuous variables were analysed using independent-samples t-test, and Chi-square test was used for comparison of measurement data between the two groups. P <0.05 was considered statistical significance.

Results

There were statistically significant differences in female AMH, EMT and duration of OS between the two groups. The AMH was higher in the pregnant group than in the non-pregnant group (P < 0.01), the stimulated days was significantly longer (P < 0.05) and EMT was significantly greater (P < 0.01) in the pregnant group than in the non-pregnant group. Further analysis showed that when patients with IUI had the following conditions: AMH > 4.5 ng/ml, EMT between 8 and 12 mm and letrozole + human menopausal gonadotropin stimulation with higher clinical pregnancy. However, there were no differences between the pregnant group and the non-pregnant group amongst the female and male age, BMI, hormones on baseline and day of human chorionic gonadotrophin, number of ovulated oocytes, sperm parameters before and after wash, treatment protocols and the timing of IUI (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there were 240 couples who not pregnant received one or more cycles of in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection/ pre-implantation genetic technology treatment, and another 182 couples forgo follow-up treatment.

Conclusion

The results of the present study demonstrate that the clinical IUI pregnancy rate is correlated with the factors of female AMH, EMT and OS protocol; more studies and samples are necessary to evaluate whether other factors affect pregnancy rate.

Effect of Blood Homocysteine on the Outcome of Artificial Insemination in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the major reason for women's low fertility and the most frequent endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age. Homocysteine is an amino acid that contains sulfur that has been negatively correlated with the reproductive outcome of polycystic women treated with IVF/ICSI. However, the impact of blood homocysteine levels on the outcome of artificial insemination in polycystic ovary syndrome women is unknown. The goal of this study is to examine the impact of serum homocysteine on the result of intrauterine insemination in females who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

96 infertile women (129 cycles) treated with artificial insemination were collected, including 66 cases (87 cycles) in the case group (PCOS group) and 30 cases (42 cycles) in the control group (male factor infertility). The differences in general data amongst two groups, such as BMI, Hcy, and age, were compared. The case group has been classified into two groups based on serum Hcy level: LHcy group (Hcy < 15) and HHcy group (Hcy ≥ 15). The relationship among pregnancy and serum Hcy level outcome in PCOS women was compared.

Results

The PCOS group had substantially increased serum homocysteine levels in comparison to the control group (P = 0.019). Among PCOS women, the clinical pregnancy rates of artificial insemination in the HHcy group and LHcy group were 14.29% and 37.88%. The difference among the two groups was substantial (P = 0.044). Artificial insemination frequency, ovulation induction, BMI, infertility years, AMH, serum testosterone, HOME IR, TSH, TPOAb, hCG, daily follicle size, intimal thickness, and other factors did not differ greatly between the two groups.

Conclusion

Serum homocysteine levels are increased in women having PCOS. Their levels above the threshold will lower the clinical pregnancy rate of intrauterine insemination in PCOS women.

Success rate of artificial insemination, reproductive performance and economic impact of failure of first service insemination: a retrospective study

Background

A retrospective cohort study using a 10 year artificial insemination (AI) and cow reproductive performance data was conducted to study the success rate of AI; associations between effectiveness of AI and breed, AI season and, number of service per conception, and economic impact of failure of FSC in Dessie town, Dessie zuria and Kutaber districts. A total of 3480 dairy cows’ AI and reproductive performance records which were performed between 2003 and 2013 in the three selected districts of South Wollo were used. The economic losses and costs for cows that failed to conceive at their first AI associated with the larger number of days open were estimated.

Result

The prevalence of conception has a statistically significant difference between breeds of cows (P = 0.019). The non-return rate for first service was 58.54%. The median days to first service (DFS), inter-service interval (ISI) and gestation length (GL) were 126, 30 and 278 days respectively. Whereas, the mean + SD days open, calving interval (CI), number of inseminations (NOI) and number of services per conception (NSPC) were 147.2 ± 60.26, 424.5 ± 60.55, 1.14 ± 0.38 and 1.15 ± 0.39 respectively. Based on AI season there was a significant difference in conception between winter and spring (P = 0.021). There is a 45.04 days extension in the mean calving to conception interval in cows that did not conceive at their first AI but conceived by 2nd and 3rd AI than in cows that did conceive at their first AI. A total of 21,665.3 ETB extra costs was spent on reproductive treatment and other management for cows that failed to conceive at their first AI but conceived by second and third service. In cows that did not conceive totally the owner losses on average 473.7 ETB per cow per day extra costs until the cows will be culled.

Conclusion

Therefore to increase the conception rate and decrease the economic loss the owners of the dairy cows should supervise the cows regularly and should be trained on how to identify cows on estrous, the AI technicians should be trained to conduct the AI service accurately.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-022-03325-1.