JRI 
Vol. 20, Issue 4, / October-December 2019
(Mini-Review Article, pages 201-208)
PMID: 31897386 (PubMed) - PMCID: PMC6928401

Zaki Sleiman
- Lebanese American University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beirut, Lebanon
Erbil Karaman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey
Milan Terzic
1- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Research Center of Mother and Child Health, University Medical Center, Astana, Turkey
2- Department of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, School of Medicine, Astana, Kazakhstan
3- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Sanja Terzic
- Department of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, School of Medicine, Astana, Kazakhstan
Giovanni Falzone Corresponding Author
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Umberto I Hospital, Enna, Italy
Simone Garzon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Filippo Del Ponte Hospital, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy

Received: 3/26/2019 Accepted: 7/17/2019 - Publisher : Avicenna Research Institute

Related Articles

 

Other Format

 


Abstract

Although fertility preservation is a growing topic in the management of oncological diseases, different benign gynecological pathologies are able to compromise the ovarian reserve due to mechanisms related to the pathology itself or secondary to the performed treatments. Endometriosis, benign ovarian tumors, adnexal torsion, familiarity and genetic syndromes are all benign conditions that can compromise the ovarian reserve. Endometriosis and particularly endometriomas provide a direct damage to ovarian reserve, with different mechanisms, and an indirect damage related to surgery. Similarly, benign ovarian tumors can provide a detrimental effect on ovarian reserve for the surgical treatment, especially for bilateral or recurrent tumors, and in case of secondary adnexal torsion with late diagnosis. Different fertility preservation options are available and should be considered particularly in cases with bilateral or recurrent pathology and/or surgery. In general, the identification of patients at risk of early ovarian failure, for benign gynecological disease or based on known genetic causes or familiarity, is of paramount importance in order to apply fertility preservation techniques before the complete depletion of ovarian reserve.



Keywords: Benign ovarian tumors, Counseling, Endometriosis, Fertility preservation


To cite this article:


Full Text

Introduction
Fertility preservation should be taken into account and proposed also to patients suffering from benign diseases which can lead to an early reduction of the ovarian reserve and consequent premature ovarian insufficiency (1, 2). The ovarian reserve is defined as the quantity and quality of the primordial follicle population that develops from 100 to 200 germ cells (3). These cells, starting from the first weeks of embryonic development, undergo a rapid proliferation reaching a peak of a few millions of primordial follicles around 18-22 weeks. 85% of this population is lost before birth with a decline that continues, with variable grade, throughout the reproductive life. From puberty to menopause, only about 450 follicles develop until ovulation. Therefore, the main mechanism that determines the physiological age-related decline of ovarian reserve is follicular atresia, with about 1500 primordial follicles available at menopause (4). Although fertility preservation is a growing topic in the management of oncological diseases (5-6), different benign gynecological pathologies are able to compromise the ovarian reserve due to mechanisms related to the pathology itself or secondary to the performed treatments. Endometriosis, benign ovarian tumors, adnexal torsion, familiarity and genetic syndromes are all benign conditions that can compromise the ovarian reserve. All of them require an estimation of the impact that they and any possible treatment have on the woman's reproductive window (1, 2).
The impact of endometriosis on the ovarian reserve and strategies to preserve it: Accumulating evidence suggests that infertility is often associated to endometriosis, and different possible mechanisms were proposed based on the location and extension of the disease (7, 8). Endometriosis consists in the presence of functional endometrial-like tissues (glands and stroma) outside the uterus. It is related to pelvic pain and subfertility in reproductive age, can severely compromise the quality of life of affected women (9-14) and may require extensive surgery (15-17). It is a chronic inflammatory estrogen-dependent pathology inducing chronic inflammatory response and damage-repair mechanisms with subsequent scar tissue and adhesions that are able to distort women’s pelvic anatomy (9, 10, 18, 19). Ovarian localization of endometriosis is the main factor influencing the ovarian reserve. From the earliest stages of endometrioma development, a reduction with focal loss of primordial follicles concomitant with a loss of the cortical stroma has been demonstrated (20). The ovarian cortex plays a fundamental role in the sustainment of ovarian reserve supplying the follicles with nourishment, mediators and somatic cells for follicular growth (21). The presence of endometrioma determines the establishment of a local inflammatory process that is involved in the destruction of the ovarian cortex with subsequent loss of cortical stroma due to fibrosis and neo-vascularization with, finally, a depletion of primordial follicles. Additionally, follicular depletion is related to a direct damage by inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress that causes apoptosis and necrosis of the follicles. This depletion determines a local reduction of AMH levels with subsequent increase of follicle recruitment and secondary local atresia. Moreover, the protracted dis-tension of ovarian cortex due to the presence of the cyst seems to play a further detrimental role (21-23). Endometriosis is a complex pathology with unclear etiopathogenesis and different involved mechanisms such as apoptosis, angiogenesis, inflammatory microenvironment, and oxidative stress that are not only a possible cause of ovarian reserve reduction but even a cause of reduced oocyte quality (24-31). Nevertheless, the potential impact of endometriosis on oocyte quality is debated in relation to the conflicting results between the reduction of fertilization, implantation and clinical pregnancy rate, compared to a lack of evidence on reduction of live birth rate (32). Although these clinical data are not completely consistent with laboratory data reporting a quantitative damage to ovarian reserve, the impact of endometriosis is in general considered deleterious (33).
The endometrioma does not respond to medical therapy. Therefore, laparoscopic surgical cystectomy is currently the treatment of choice that should be considered for endometriomas with a minimum diameter over 4 cm (34). Nevertheless, surgical treatment for endometriosis, and particularly for endometriomas, has been related to the damage of ovarian parenchyma and related ovarian reserve. Postoperative AMH levels were significantly reduced (35), ovarian function tests severely compromised 5-10% of patients who had underwent surgery (36), ovarian response to hyperstimulation for IVF appears to be halved (37), with a low but consistent risk of post-operative ovarian failure (38). Although a recent meta-analysis reported no difference in the antral follicle counts, the surgical procedure for ovarian endometrioma should be considered harmful for the ovarian reserve, because it alters other variables reflecting the ovarian function such as a lower level of AMH and a higher dose of gonadotropins needed for a subsequent ovarian stimulation (33, 39). Different surgical approaches have been proposed comparing laparoscopic and laparotomic approach, electrosurgical haemostasis and suture, stripping and drain-age with laser vaporization or a combination of them. Although some of them seem to be less harmful to the ovarian reserve, ovarian damage cannot be excluded (33, 40). In preservation of fertility in a patient affected by endometriosis, many factors should be considered; the potential damaging surgical treatment, the reduction of ovarian reserve secondary to the endometriosis itself, the chronicity, the tendency to relapse after surgery, and the incidence of pathology are the typical ones (33, 41, 42). Different techniques are available for the preservation of fertility (1, 33, 43). The cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos is the consolidated technique with the benefit of oocytes cryopreservation that provides autonomy to women in relation to the long-term preservation (44-45). With regard to these techniques, greater efficacy is demonstrated if preservation is performed before the age of 35 years. These data should be carefully generalized and are directly related to the experience of different centers (46). Cryopreservation of the ovarian tissue is the only available technique for prepubertal girls and women who cannot delay therapy. It should be considered, although currently experimental, for a possible future clinical implementation even for benign diseases (1, 47, 48). There is evidence that cryopreservation of ovarian tissue can also be indicated in patients with endometriosis because healthy tissue removed with the endometrioma can be isolated and cryopreserved (33, 43, 49). Based on currently available knowledge, the preservation of fertility should be considered in patients with endometriosis at high risk of bilateral ovarian damage, bilateral endometriomas, and recurrence of mono or bilateral endometriomas with previous surgery for bilateral or contralateral endometriomas. In these conditions, although the quality and quantity of recoverable oocytes vary, the probability of using them is very high. In the case of unilateral endometriomas or severe endometriosis not involving the ovaries, the role of preservation of fertility is more limited and debated (33). Moreover, the age of patients should also be considered.
When the first surgery is performed at a younger age, the recurrence rate has higher odds. In such cases, fertility preservation techniques are of utmost importance especially because another surgery may be eventually needed (33, 50, 51). In addition, other factors such as familiarity with early ovarian failure, BMI, smoking, alcohol, and ovarian reserve markers should be considered (52). Overall, although endometriosis could be considered an indication for fertility preservation, primarily by oocytes cryopreservation, additional clinical and cost-benefit data are needed before a routine application is implemented. Moreover, both assisted reproduction techniques and endometriosis are risk factors for ectopic pregnancies (53-54). Efficacy data related to fertility preservation techniques in endometriosis patients are limited, and a cost-benefit analysis is required in relation also to the high incidence of the disease. It is possible that the search for early offspring in patients with partner has a better cost-benefit ratio as com-pared with the postponement allowed by the preservation of fertility that requires the access to the techniques of assisted reproduction. Finally, the possible use of estrogen-progestin therapy after the first surgery reduces the risk of recurrence without reduction of pregnancy rate (33, 43, 55).
Benign non-endometriotic ovarian cysts and adnexal torsion: Benign ovarian tumors represent a frequent and heterogeneous gynecological pathology. The correlation between infertility and benign non-endometriotic ovarian cyst is debated. A possible effect is related to the mechanical distension of ovarian cortex for the endometrioma (23). Nevertheless, the ovarian damage is mainly due to surgery especially for bilateral or recurrent tumors and in case of secondary adnexal torsion with late diagnosis (56-57). Adnexal torsion is often associated with adnexal tumors but it may also occur in a normal ovary, probably due to excessive ligamentous laxity, tubal spasm or more frequent intra-abdominal pressure changes in prepubescent and neonatal age (58).
Despite the fact that there is no uniform standard to assess the viability of the ovary and choose conservative surgery or radical surgery for patients with adnexal torsion, patients with ovary/ ovarian cyst torsion can attempt to preserve the ovaries without serious clinical complications such as abdominal infection or thrombotic diseases (59). In this regard, adnexal detorsion is safe and essential for the preservation of fertility due to the high recovery rate of ovarian function, especially in pediatric population (60). The detorsion must be associated with the immediate or subsequent removal of the tumor/cyst or with the ovaropexy in order to prevent recurrence (1, 58). Laparoscopic conservative surgery should be considered even in rare conditions, such as ovarian ectopic pregnancy (61, 62), which can occur in adolescence (63) and more often after IVF (62, 64).
Fertility preservation techniques for benign adnexal tumors and adnexal torsion should be considered in the case of bilateral ovarian surgery or adnexal torsion, bilateral or contralateral repeated torsion or ovarian surgery, unilateral adnexectomy with single residual ovary for suspected malignant tumor or necrotic adnexa secondary to protracted torsion (1, 2). Fertility preservation techniques available for the patient in fertile age are the cryopreservation of oocytes or embryos with the same consideration for endometriosis (44-45).
Of note, ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation in these patients, and in patients affected by endometriosis, requires attention, and is difficult to standardize.
It is important to evaluate whether these patients should be considered as poor responders due to the reduced ovarian reserve secondary to the pathology or the subsequent surgery. Therefore, a personalized approach is of paramount importance (65-67). Moreover, strategies aimed to improve the outcomes of ovarian stimulation could be suggested, particularly if concomitant pathologies are present, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (68-75). Although cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is the only technique for the prepubertal age, it can also be applied in the case of healthy ovarian tissue removed concomitantly with the removal of benign tumors in the woman of childbearing age (76).
Premature ovarian insufficiency and Turner syndrome: Premature ovarian insufficiency has a pre-valence of about 1% in the female population and is defined as the loss of ovarian function and contextual ovarian reserve before age 40 (77). There are numerous possible non-ovarian causes including autoimmune diseases, surgical therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Conversely, an intrinsic defect of ovarian and follicular function is found in genetic conditions including Turner syndrome, fragile X syndrome, other chromosome X depletion or mutations, different autosomal genes, and metabolic diseases such as galactosemia. Although the genetic causes are increasingly evident, the idiopathic cause is the most frequent (77, 78). Turner syndrome, characterized by the X chromosome monosomy, is one of the main causes of early ovarian failure. This syndrome with incidence of 1: 2500 female newborns is characterized by accelerated apoptosis of germ cells before puberty with depletion of the ovarian reserve before 10 years (79). A variable phenotype is often present also in relation to the ovarian function due to the possible mosaicism linked to the coexistence of a cellular population 45,X and 46,XX or other condition with variable X chromosome impairment (79). Of note, in Turner syndrome, it is of paramount importance to evaluate the general and cardiological condition of the patient to exclude any contraindication to pregnancy. 
In general, in patients with established ovarian failure, regardless of the etiology, fertility preservation techniques cannot be applied with the exception of egg donation (3, 7). Therefore, it is necessary to identify patients at risk of early ovarian failure, based on known genetic causes or familiarity, in order to apply fertility preservation techniques before the complete depletion of ovarian reserve (2, 77). The available techniques to preserve fertility have variable success and are closely linked to the pubertal state, to the residual ovarian reserve and to the psychological development. In women in fertile age, oocyte cryopreservation should be considered the first choice. Conversely, cryopreservation of ovarian tissue, which remains an experimental technique, is the only available method for the prepubertal patients, and it should be applied even at a very young age (1-2). In early ovarian insufficiencies in which there is a need to preserve pre-puberty, particularly Turner syndrome, it is important to emphasize that the preservation of ovarian tissue associated with reimplantation or in vitro oocytes maturation represents an experimental technique. Moreover, the risk of transmission of the genetic syndromes, the available preimplantation genetic testing, and the ethical implications remain to be discussed (79).

Conclusion
Even patients suffering from benign gynecological diseases can experience a failure of the ovarian reserve, that can be related to both the specific pathology or the available treatments. An adequate estimation of potential ovarian impairment is fundamental in order to consider and plan a strategy for fertility preservation (1, 2). Fertility preservation techniques available do not differ from the techniques used for cancer disease (1, 2). However, the evidence is still limited, and further investigations are required in order to clearly define the indications to implement fertility preservation techniques in the benign gynecological pathologies.

Acknowledgement
No specific funding was obtained for this study.

Conflict of Interest
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.



References

  1. Donnez J, Dolmans MM. Fertility preservation in women. N Engl J Med. 2017;378(4):400-1.   [PubMed]
  2. Yasmin E, Balachandren N, Davies MC, Jones GL, Lane S, Mathur R, et al. Fertility preservation for medical reasons in girls and women: British fertility society policy and practice guideline. Hum Fertil (Camb). 2018;21(1):3-26.   [PubMed]
  3. Practice committee of the american society for reproductive medicine. testing and interpreting measures of ovarian reserve: a committee opinion. Fertil Steril. 2015;103(3):e9-e17.   [PubMed]
  4. Wallace WH, Kelsey TW. Human ovarian reserve from conception to the menopause. PLoS One. 2010;5(1):e8772.   [PubMed]
  5. Chiofalo B, Palmara V, Laganà AS, Triolo O, Vitale SG, Conway F, et al. Fertility sparing strategies in patients affected by placental site trophoblastic tumor. Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2017;18(10):58.   [PubMed]
  6. Vitale SG, Rossetti D, Tropea A, Biondi A, Laganà AS. Fertility sparing surgery for stage IA type I and G2 endometrial cancer in reproductive-aged patients: evidence-based approach and future perspectives. Updates Surg. 2017;69(1):29-34.   [PubMed]
  7. de Ziegler D, Borghese B, Chapron C. Endometriosis and infertility: pathophysiology and management. Lancet. 2010;376(9742):730-8.   [PubMed]
  8. Maniglio P, Ricciardi E, Meli F, Vitale SG, Noventa M, Vitagliano A, et al. Catamenial pneumothorax caused by thoracic endometriosis. Radiol Case Rep. 2017;13(1):81-5.   [PubMed]
  9. Burney RO, Giudice LC. Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of endometriosis. Fertil Steril 2012;98 (3):511-9.   [PubMed]
  10. Laganà AS, Vitale SG, Salmeri FM, Triolo O, Ban Frangež H, Vrtačnik-Bokal E, et al. Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno: a novel, evidence-based, unifying theory for the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Med Hypotheses. 2017;103:10-20.   [PubMed]
  11. Laganà AS, La Rosa VL, Rapisarda AMC, Valenti G, Sapia F, Chiofalo B, et al. Anxiety and depression in patients with endometriosis: impact and management challenges. Int J Womens Health. 2017;9:323-30.   [PubMed]
  12. Pope CJ, Sharma V, Sharma S, Mazmanian D. A systematic review of the association between psychiatric disturbances and endometriosis. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2015;37(11):1006-15.   [PubMed]
  13. Chen LC, Hsu JW, Huang KL, Bai YM, Su TP, Li CT, et al. Risk of developing major depression and anxiety disorders among women with endometriosis: a longitudinal follow-up study. J Affect Disord. 2016;190:282-5.   [PubMed]
  14. Vitale SG, La Rosa VL, Rapisarda AMC, Laganà AS. Impact of endometriosis on quality of life and psychological well-being. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2017;38(4):317-9.   [PubMed]
  15. Duffy JM, Arambage K, Correa FJ, Olive D, Farquhar C, Garry R, et al. Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(4):CD011031.   [PubMed]
  16. Raffaelli R, Garzon S, Baggio S, Genna M, Pomini P, Laganà AS, et al. Mesenteric vascular and nerve sparing surgery in laparoscopic segmental intestinal resection for deep infiltrating endometriosis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2018; 231:214-9.   [PubMed]
  17. Laganà AS, Vitale SG, Trovato MA, Palmara VI, Rapisarda AMC, Granese R, et al. Full-thickness excision versus shaving by laparoscopy for intestinal deep infiltrating endometriosis: rationale and potential treatment options. Biomed Res Int. 2016;2016:3617179.   [PubMed]
  18. Laganà AS, Garzon S, Franchi M, Casarin J, Gullo G. Translational animal models for endometriosis research: a long and windy road. Ann Transl Med. 2018;6(22):431.   [PubMed]
  19. Laganà AS, Salmeri FM, Vitale SG, Triolo O, Götte M. Stem cell trafficking during endometriosis: may epigenetics play a pivotal role? Reprod Sci. 2018;25(7):978-9.   [PubMed]
  20. Kitajima M, Defrre S, Dolmans MM, Colette S, Squifflet J, Van Langendonckt A, et al. Endometriomas as a possible cause of reduced ovarian reserve in women with endometriosis. Fertil Steril. 2011;96(3):685-91.   [PubMed]
  21. Skinner MK. Regulation of primordial follicle assembly and development. Hum Reprod Update. 2005;11(5):461-71.   [PubMed]
  22. Kitajima M, Dolmans MM, Donnez O, Masuzaki H, Soares M, Donnez J. Enhanced follicular recruitment and atresia in cortex derived from ovaries with endometriomas. Fertil Steril. 2014;101 (4):1031-7.   [PubMed]
  23. David A, Van Langendonckt A, Gilliaux S, Dolmans MM, Donnez J, Amorim CA. Effect of cryopreservation and transplantation on the expression of kit ligand and anti-Mllerian hormone in human ovarian tissue. Hum Reprod. 2012;27(4):1088-95.   [PubMed]
  24. Bina F, Soleymani S, Toliat T, Hajimahmoodi M, Tabarrai M, Abdollahi M, et al. Plant-derived medicines for treatment of endometriosis: a comprehensive review of molecular mechanisms. Pharmacol Res. 2019;139:76-90.   [PubMed]
  25. Vetvicka V, Laganà AS, Salmeri FM, Triolo O, Palmara VI, Vitale SG, et al. Regulation of apoptotic pathways during endometriosis: from the molecular basis to the future perspectives. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2016;294(5):897-904.   [PubMed]
  26. Vitale SG, Laganà AS, Nigro A, La Rosa VL, Rossetti P, Rapisarda AM, et al. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor modulation during metabolic diseases and cancers: master and minions. PPAR Res. 2016;2016:6517313.   [PubMed]
  27. Laganà AS, Vitale SG, Nigro A, Sofo V, Salmeri FM, Rossetti P, et al. Pleiotropic actions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in dysregulated metabolic homeostasis, inflammation and cancer: current evidence and future perspectives. Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(7). pii: E999.   [PubMed]
  28. de Barros IBL, Malvezzi H, Gueuvoghlanian-Silva BY, Piccinato CA, Rizzo LV, Podgaec S. "What do we know about regulatory T cells and endometriosis? a systematic review". J Reprod Immunol. 2017;120:48-55.   [PubMed]
  29. Gogacz M, Bogusiewicz M, Putowski L, Adamiak A, Wertel I, Jakowicki JA, et al. [Expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on peritoneal fluid mononuclear cells in women with endometriosis]. Ginekol Pol. 2008;79(1):31-5.   [PubMed]
  30. Sturlese E, Salmeri FM, Retto G, Pizzo A, De Do-minici R, Ardita FV, et al. Dysregulation of the Fas/FasL system in mononuclear cells recovered from peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. J Reprod Immunol. 2011;92(1-2):74-81.   [PubMed]
  31. Vitale SG, Capriglione S, Peterlunger I, La Rosa VL, Vitagliano A, Noventa M, et al. The role of oxidative stress and membrane transport systems during endometriosis: a fresh look at a busy corner. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018;2018:7924021.   [PubMed]
  32. Hamdan M, Dunselman G, Li TC, Cheong Y. The impact of endometrioma on IVF/ICSI outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(6):809-25.   [PubMed]
  33. Somigliana E, Viganò P, Filippi F, Papaleo E, Be-naglia L, Candiani M, et al. Fertility preservation in women with endometriosis: For all, for some, for none? Hum Reprod. 2015;30(6):1280-6.   [PubMed]
  34. Dunselman GA, Vermeulen N, Becker C, Calhaz-Jorge C, D’Hooghe T, De Bie B, et al. ESHRE guideline: management of women with endometriosis. Hum Reprod. 2014;29(3):400-12.   [PubMed]
  35. Somigliana E, Berlanda N, Benaglia L, Viganò P, Vercellini P, Fedele L. Surgical excision of endometriomas and ovarian reserve: A systematic review on serum antimüllerian hormone level modifications. Fertil Steril. 2012;98(6):1531-8.   [PubMed]
  36. Benaglia L, Somigliana E, Vighi V, Ragni G, Vercellini P, Fedele L. Rate of severe ovarian damage following surgery for endometriomas. Hum Reprod. 2010;25(3):678-82.   [PubMed]
  37. Somigliana E, Benaglia L, Vigano P, Candiani M, Vercellini P, Fedele L. Surgical measures for endometriosis-related infertility: a plea for research. Placenta. 2011;32 Suppl 3:S238-42.   [PubMed]
  38. Coccia ME, Rizzello F, Mariani G, Bulletti C, Pa-lagiano A, Scarselli G. Ovarian surgery for bilateral endometriomas influences age at menopause. Hum Reprod. 2011;26(11):3000-7.   [PubMed]
  39. Muzii L, Di Tucci C, Di Feliciantonio M, Marchetti C, Perniola G, Panici PB. The effect of surgery for endometrioma on ovarian reserve evaluated by antral follicle count: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod. 2014;29(10):2190-8.   [PubMed]
  40. Ata B, Turkgeldi E, Seyhan A, Urman B. Effect of hemostatic method on ovarian reserve following laparoscopic endometrioma excision; comparison of suture, hemostatic sealant, and bipolar dessication. a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2015;22(3):363-72.   [PubMed]
  41. Vercellini P, Viganò P, Somigliana E, Fedele L. Endometriosis: pathogenesis and treatment. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2014;10(5):261-75.   [PubMed]
  42. Guo SW. Recurrence of endometriosis and its control. Hum Reprod Update. 2009;15(4):441-61.   [PubMed]
  43. Carrillo L, Seidman DS, Cittadini E, Meirow D. The role of fertility preservation in patients with endometriosis. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2016;33(3):317-23.   [PubMed]
  44. Rienzi L, Gracia C, Maggiulli R, LaBarbera AR, Kaser DJ, Ubaldi FM, et al. Oocyte, embryo and blastocyst cryopreservation in ART: systematic review and meta-analysis comparing slow-freezing versus vitrification to produce evidence for the development of global guidance. Hum Reprod Update. 2017;23(2):139-55.   [PubMed]
  45. Rienzi L, Ubaldi FM. Oocyte versus embryo cryopreservation for fertility preservation in cancer patients: guaranteeing a women’s autonomy. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2015;32(8):1195-6.   [PubMed]
  46. Stoop D. Oocyte vitrification for elective fertility preservation: Lessons for patient counseling. Fertil Steril. 2016;105(3):603-4.   [PubMed]
  47. Wallace WH, Smith AG, Kelsey TW, Edgar AE, Anderson RA. Fertility preservation for girls and young women with cancer: population-based validation of criteria for ovarian tissue cryopreservation. Lancet Oncol. 2014;15(10):1129-36.   [PubMed]
  48. Donnez J, Dolmans MM, Diaz C, Pellicer A. Ovarian cortex transplantation: Time to move on from experimental studies to open clinical application. Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1097-8.   [PubMed]
  49. Oktay K, Oktem O. Ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation for fertility preservation for medical indications: report of an ongoing experience. Fertil Steril. 2010;93(3):762-8.   [PubMed]
  50. Brosens I, Gordts S, Benagiano G. Endometriosis in adolescents is a hidden, progressive and severe disease that deserves attention, not just compassion. Hum Reprod. 2013;28(8):2026-31.   [PubMed]
  51. Nelson SM, Telfer EE, Anderson RA. The ageing ovary and uterus: New biological insights. Hum Reprod Update. 2013;19(1):67-83.   [PubMed]
  52. Hvidman HW, Petersen KB, Larsen EC, Macklon KT, Pinborg A, Andersen AN. Individual fertility assessment and pro-fertility counselling; Should this be offered to women and men of reproductive age? Hum Reprod. 2015;30(1):9-15.   [PubMed]
  53. Garzon S, Laganà AS, Pomini P, Raffaelli R, Ghe-zzi F, Franchi M. Laparoscopic reversible occlusion of uterine arteries and cornuostomy for advanced interstitial pregnancy. Minim Invasive Ther Allied Technol. 2018:1-4.   [PubMed]
  54. Garzon S, Raffaelli R, Montin U, Ghezzi F. Primary hepatic pregnancy: report of a case treated with laparoscopic approach and review of the literature. Fertil Steril. 2018;110(5):925-31.   [PubMed]
  55. Vercellini P, De Matteis S, Somigliana E, Buggio L, Frattaruolo MP, Fedele L. Long-term adjuvant therapy for the prevention of postoperative endometrioma recurrence: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2013;92 (1):8-16.   [PubMed]
  56. Frydman R. Introduction: Gynecology surgery and preservation of fertility. Fertil Steril. 2014;101(3):607.   [PubMed]
  57. Laganà AS, Sofo V, Salmeri FM, Palmara VI, Triolo O, Terzić MM, et al. Oxidative stress during ovarian torsion in pediatric and adolescent patients: changing the perspective of the disease. Int J Fertil Steril. 2016;9(4):416-23.   [PubMed]
  58. Nur Azurah AG, Zainol ZW, Zainuddin AA, Lim PS, Sulaiman AS, Ng BK. Update on the manage-ment of ovarian torsion in children and adolescents. World J Pediatr. 2014;11(1):35-40.   [PubMed]
  59. Wang Z, Zhang D, Zhang H, Guo X, Zheng J, Xie H. Characteristics of the patients with adnexal torsion and outcomes of different surgical procedures: a retrospective study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(5):e14321.   [PubMed]
  60. Bertozzi M, Esposito C, Vella C, Briganti V, Zam-pieri N, Codrich D, et al. Pediatric ovarian torsion and its recurrence: a multicenter study. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2017;30(3):413-17.   [PubMed]
  61. Kaur N, Reid F, Ma K. Ovarian ectopic pregnancy: laparoscopic excision and ovarian conservation. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2019;26(6):1006.   [PubMed]
  62. Melcer Y, Maymon R, Vaknin Z, Pansky M, Men-dlovic S, Barel O, et al. Primary Ovarian ectopic pregnancy: still a medical challenge. J Reprod Med. 2016;61(1-2):58-62.   [PubMed]
  63. Andrade AG, Rocha S, Marques CO, Simões M, Martins I, Biscaia I, et al. Ovarian ectopic pregnancy in adolescence. Clin Case Rep. 2015;3(11):912-5.   [PubMed]
  64. Feit H, Leibovitz Z, Kerner R, Keidar R, Sagiv R. Ovarian pregnancy following in vitro fertilization in a woman after bilateral salpingectomy: a case report and review of the literature. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2015;22(4):675-7.   [PubMed]
  65. Di Paola R, Garzon S, Giuliani S, Laganà AS, Noventa M, Parissone F, et al. Are we choosing the correct FSH starting dose during controlled ovarian stimulation for intrauterine insemination cycles? potential application of a nomogram based on woman’s age and markers of ovarian reserve. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2018;298(5):1029-35.   [PubMed]
  66. Vitale SG, Rossetti P, Corrado F, Rapisarda AM, La Vignera S, Condorelli RA, et al. How to achieve high-quality oocytes? the key role of myo-inositol and melatonin. Int J Endocrinol. 2016;2016:4987436.   [PubMed]
  67. Papaleo E, Zaffagnini S, Munaretto M, Vanni VS, Rebonato G, Grisendi V, et al. Clinical application of a nomogram based on age, serum FSH and AMH to select the FSH starting dose in IVF/ICSI cycles: a retrospective two-centres study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2016;207:94-9.   [PubMed]
  68. Artini PG, Di Berardino OM, Papini F, Genazzani AD, Simi G, Ruggiero M, et al. Endocrine and clinical effects of myo-inositol administration in polycystic ovary syndrome. a randomized study. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2013;29(4):375-9.   [PubMed]
  69. Laganà AS, Garzon S, Casarin J, Franchi M, Ghe-zzi F. Inositol in polycystic ovary syndrome: restoring fertility through a pathophysiology-based approach. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2018;29(11):768-80.   [PubMed]
  70. Sortino MA, Salomone S, Carruba MO, Drago F. Polycystic ovary syndrome: insights into the therapeutic approach with inositols. Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:341.   [PubMed]
  71. Cozzolino M, Vitagliano A, Di Giovanni MV, Laganà AS, Vitale SG, Blaganje M, et al. Ultrasound-guided embryo transfer: summary of the evidence and new perspectives. a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2018; 36(5):524-42.   [PubMed]
  72. Vitagliano A, Noventa M, Saccone G, Gizzo S, Vitale SG, Laganà AS, et al. Endometrial scratch injury before intrauterine insemination: is it time to re-evaluate its value? evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Fertil Steril. 2018;109(1):84-96.e4.   [PubMed]
  73. Nandi A, Sinha N, Ong E, Sonmez H, Poretsky L. Is there a role for vitamin D in human reproduction? Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig. 2016;25(1):15-28.   [PubMed]
  74. Laganà AS, Vitale SG, Ban Frangež H, Vrtačnik-Bokal E, D’Anna R. Vitamin D in human reproduction: the more, the better? An evidence-based critical appraisal. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2017;21(18):4243-51.   [PubMed]
  75. Reyes-Muñoz E, Sathyapalan T, Rossetti P, Shah M, Long M, Buscema M, et al. Polycystic ovary syndrome: implication for drug metabolism on assisted reproductive techniques-a literature review. Adv Ther. 2018;35(11):1805-15.   [PubMed]
  76. Donnez O, Roman H. Choosing the right surgical technique for deep endometriosis: shaving, disc excision, or bowel resection? Fertil Steril. 2017;108(6):931-42.   [PubMed]
  77. European society for human reproduction and embryology (ESHRE) guideline group on POI, Webber L, Davies M, Anderson R, Bartlett J, Braat D, et al. ESHRE guideline: management of women with premature ovarian insufficiency. Hum Reprod. 2016;31(5):926-37.   [PubMed]
  78. Qin Y, Jiao X, Simpson JL, Chen ZJ. Genetics of primary ovarian insufficiency: New developments and opportunities. Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(6):787-808.   [PubMed]
  79. Grynberg M, Bidet M, Benard J, Poulain M, Sonigo C, Cédrin-Durnerin I, et al. Fertility preservation in Turner syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2016;105(1):13-9.   [PubMed]

COPE
SID
NLM
AJMB
IJBMLE
IJBMLE

Home | About Us | Current Issue | Past Issues | Submit a Manuscript | Instructions for Authors | Subscribe | Search | Contact Us

"Journal of Reproduction & Infertility" is owned, published, and managed by Avicenna Research Institute .
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution –NonCommercial 4.0 International License which allows users to read, copy, distribute and make derivative works for non-commercial purposes from the material, as long as the author of the original work is cited properly.

Journal of Reproductoin and Infertility (JRI) is a member of COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS . Verify here .

©2024 - eISSN : 2251-676X, ISSN : 2228-5482, For any comments and questions please contact us.