O-099 TEAD4 regulates trophectoderm differentiation upstream of CDX2 in human preimplantation embryos
AbstractStudy questionWhat is the main pathway regulating trophectoderm (TE) differentiation during pre-implantation development in mouse versus human embryos?Summary answerTEAD4 is acting upstream ofCDX2 and is involved in TE differentiation, as TEAD4-null human embryos exhibit compromised TE lineage differentiation.What is known alreadyTEAD4 is the earliest transcription factor during early embryo development, required for the expression of TE-associated genes leading to successful TE differentiation and subsequent blastocoel formation in mouse. Functional knock-out studies in mouse, inactivatingTead4 by site-specific re...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

P-549 What trophectoderm cells from mosaic embryos tell us about embryonic competence at the transcriptional level
AbstractStudy questionDoes transcriptome of remaining trophectoderm (TE) reflect the developmental potential of mosaic blastocysts after preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A)?Summary answerTE from low-degree mosaic (Low-mos) and high-degree mosaic (High-mos) blastocysts are transcriptionally equivalent, standing between euploid and aneuploid categories and displaying key deregulated developmental processes.What is known alreadyBlastocysts classified as mosaic by PGT-A are associated with lower implantation and higher miscarriage rates than those classified as euploid, yet they still lead to healthy babies....
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

P-536 Pre-selected for an award: Validation of a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflow integrating simultaneous analysis of ploidy, microdeletions and de novo monogenic diseases for expanded preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)
This study demonstrates that the integration of genotyping and chromosomal analyses can be efficiently achieved in the same NGS workflow. This approach can be employed to expand PGT diagnostic scope to conditions undetectable in parents due to theirde novo onset, or that are below the standard PGT-A resolution.Trial registration numberN/A (Source: Human Reproduction)
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

O-098 Embryo selection using Artificial Intelligence (AI): Epistemic and ethical considerations
AbstractStudy questionWhat are the epistemic and ethical considerations of clinically implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms in embryo selection?Summary answerAI embryo selection algorithms used to date are “black-box” models with significant epistemic and ethical issues, and there are no trials assessing their clinical effectiveness.What is known alreadyThe innovation of time-lapse imaging offers the potential to generate vast quantities of data for embryo assessment. Computer Vision allows image data to be analysed using algorithms developed via machine learning which learn and adapt as they are exposed...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

O-097 The presentation of medical risks and incentives in egg donation: an analysis of Belgian, Spanish and UK fertility clinic websites
This study is part of the EDNA-project, a multi-phased comparative study (2017-2021), that aims to explore the social, political, economic and moral configuration of egg donation in the United Kingdom, Belgium and Spain. In this study, we only focused on the medical risks of egg donation and incentives presented on the fertility clinics ’ websites of the three countries.Participants/materials, setting, methodsWe analysed the websites of all Belgian fertility clinics (n  = 18), and a maximum variation sample in the UK (n = 21) and Spain (n = 23). The sampling was based on the geographical location of the clini...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

O-094 Utilization of ultrastructural analysis and genomics of spermatozoa to better characterize subtle forms of male factor infertility
AbstractStudy questionCan sequencing the sperm genome provide insight into the various forms of male factor infertility caused by sperm organelle ultrastructural defects?Summary answerA comprehensive genomic assessment of spermatozoal DNA is able to identify genetic causes of ultrastructural defects visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).What is known alreadyTo evaluate a man ’s reproductive potential, a conventional semen analysis through the assessment of concentration, motility, and morphology can indicate the proficiency of male gametes. Among those, conventional morphology assay can only provide indire...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

O-084 Computer vision can distinguish between euploid and aneuploid embryos. A novel artificial intelligence (AI) approach to measure cell division activity associated with chromosomal status
AbstractStudy questionCan we distinguish between top-grade euploid and aneuploid embryos by AI measurement of cell edges in time-lapse videos?Summary answerAneuploid embryos can be distinguished from euploid embryos by AI determination of a longer time to blastulation and higher cell activity.What is known alreadyContinuous monitoring of the embryo development has brought out morphokinetic parameters that are used to predict pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) results. Previous publications showed that euploid embryos reach blastulation earlier than non-euploid embryos. However, time-lapse data are currently under-utili...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

O-075 The association between high birth weight and long-term outcomes-implications for Assisted Reproductive Technologies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
AbstractStudy questionDo high birth weight or large for gestational age (LGS) increase the risk of serious disease later in life?Summary answerHigh birth weight and/or LGA were associated with elevated risks for certain child malignancies, breast cancer, psychiatric disorders, childhood hypertension and diabetes type 1.What is known alreadyPrevious studies have shown that children born after frozen embryo transfer (FET) have an increased risk of being born LGA or having a high birth weight. In recent years the practice of FET in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has increased rapidly. The perinatal risks of being born...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

P –114 Correlation of GSTM1 polymorphism and oxidative stress with male infertility
This study shows that in the control group the presence of polymorphism was associated with a reduced number of immobile sperm cells (p  = 0,035) while it appears to affect the normal morphology of the sperm(p = 0,042). In the infertility group the presence of the gene was significantly correlated with age(p = 0.046). No statistically significant difference was observed for the presence of the polymorphism between the 2 groups.In addition, we investigated the effect of oxidative potential with the MiOXSYS system and its relationship with sperm parameters. It was found that the two groups differed significantly ...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

P –113 α-tubulin and tyrosine phosphorylation immunolocalization on human sperm from a globozoospermic patient with proper embryo development after ICSI
AbstractStudy questionCan novel sperm biomarkers, such as α-tubulin and tyrosine phosphorylation, help to predict the fertilizing potential osf a globozoospermic sample?Summary answerThe characterization of α-tubulin and tyrosine phosphorylation provide additional information that could be useful to determine the fertilizing capacity of the globozoospermic samples.What is known alreadyGlobozoospermia is a severe disorder characterized by the acrosome absence and other sperm alterations such as tail structural disorders and chromatin condensation abnormalities. This set of defects makes globozoospermia correlates with pri...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

P –112 Association between dietary total antioxidant capacity and semen quality parameters in male partners of couples attempting fertility
AbstractStudy questionIs there any association between dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and semen quality parameters in male partners of couples attempting fertility?Summary answerGreater adherence to diets high in TAC was significantly associated with higher total sperm count, sperm concentration, and sperm motility.What is known alreadyAmong multiple factors that affect the etiology of poor semen quality and male infertility, dietary factors have an important contribution. Also, chronic oxidative stress negatively effects semen quality. Whether adherence to the diet rich in antioxidants is associated with better ...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

P –111 Development of a flow cytometric assay for membrane lipid oxidation in human sperm
AbstractStudy questionIs a commercially available lipid peroxidation assay sensitive enough to detect sperm lipid membrane damage and thus provide a novel indicator of male fertility status?Summary answerProvisional results demonstrate the novelty of creating a protocol to identify and quantify sperm lipid membrane damage and indicate possible insight into individual male fertility.What is known alreadyCytotoxic lipid aldehydes such as 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) created by the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been studied extensively in sperm, as an indicator of male fertility. This is due to their conne...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

P –110 Does the Body Mass Index affect sperm quality?
In this study, sperm quality is negatively affected by BMI, with impairment since 29  kg/m² for progressive and 31 kg/m² for total motility. Our data support the potential deleterious role of obesity on semen parameters, reinforcing the importance of weight control in infertility prevention.Trial registration numberNot applicable (Source: Human Reproduction)
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

P –045 A retrospective study on Hyaluronic acid binding sperm selection in ICSI cycles
This study included all ICSI cycle and both frozen and fresh embryo transfer data. Surgical retrieved sperm was excluded from this study.Participants/materials, setting, methodsA 1.5ul of treated spermatozoa suspension was connected with a pipette tip to a 5ul droplet of fresh holding medium (Cook Gamete Buffer). Simultaneously, a 5ul droplet of HA medium (Origio SpermSlow) was connected to the 5ulL droplet of holding medium in a ICSI dish (Sparmed Oosafe) covered with oil (Vitrolife Ovoil). Sperm which were ‘slowed’ in the Sperm slow droplets with normal morphology according to WHO 2010 guideline were selected for ICS...
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research

P –044 A non-classical splice site variant in ANOS1 gene leading to Kallmann syndrome
This study shows that mutations in non-classical splicing regions are also pathogenic. Therefore, it is recommended that the detection and analysis of this gene should pay attention to the non-classical splice site variant.Trial registration numberNot applicable (Source: Human Reproduction)
Source: Human Reproduction - August 6, 2021 Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research