Alice Albu

By Alice Ioana Albu and Dragos Albu

The increasing age seems to have a negative impact on reproductive functions not only in women but also in men. Therefore, our aim was to review the data available in the literature regarding the impact of advancing age on fertility and the mechanisms underlying this association in both genders. The available data suggest that the effects of age on ovarian function cause a decrease in fertility starting 13 years before menopause. Statistics show that 10% of women will have a decreased fertility starting with the age of 30. The impact of age on ovary is due to both decreased number and quality of the oocytes, resulting in a high rate of chromosomal aneuploidy in the embryo and mitochondria dysfunction. Assisted reproductive technologies aiming to identify competent embryo were created but for the moment the results are unsatisfactory. On the other hand, in men, the semen quality and testicular function were found to gradually decrease with age and most of the studies also describe a negative impact on fertility. The mechanisms underlying decreased fertility are mainly genetic and epigenetics changes. However, if the effects of age on male fertility in men can be overcome by assisted reproductive technologies is not clear yet as the results of the studies are inconsistent.

Part of the book: Testes and Ovaries

By Alice Ioana Albu and Dragos Albu

Beta thalassemia is the most frequent hemoglobinopathy worldwide. In patients with beta thalassemia major (BTM), the consequence of long-term life-saving transfusions is iron overload in liver, heart and endocrine glands. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is the most frequent endocrine complication. Recent progresses in the treatment of BTM dramatically improved life expectancy and quality of life of these patients, making the concern for fertility and pregnancy to gain importance. Therefore, we performed a review of the available data regarding hypogonadism in female patients with BTM. We found that hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is still frequently found in female patients with BTM. Pituitary iron overload seems to be the main factor contributing to hypogonadism occurrence, although iron-related damage of the ovaries and the genital tract cannot be excluded. The increased oxidative stress observed in BTM patients was hypothesized as a contributor to pituitary-gonadal dysfunction. Hypogonadism has significant consequences on quality of life, final height, bone health and fertility of the patients. Estro-progestative administration is essential in order to minimize consequences, although the best treatment regimen should be carefully weighted in each patient. Although spontaneous fertility is reduced by the presence of hypogonadism, it seems that ovulation-induction treatment with gonadotropins is effective in achieving pregnancies in majority of patients.

Part of the book: Thalassemia and Other Hemolytic Anemias

By Alice Albu and Dragoș Albu

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent disorder affecting women of reproductive age characterized by infertility. Affected endometrial receptivity seems to contribute to decreased fertility of these patients as suggested by several studies. Understanding the mechanism behind this reduced endometrial receptivity could contribute to discovery of new therapeutic targets for infertility of PCOS. The aim of the paper is to review the current data regarding endometrial receptivity in PCOS patients, the potential mechanisms involved with particular focus on recent findings as the impact of gut microbiota on endometrium, the relationship between vitamin D and endometrial receptivity and the different impact of letrozole and clomiphene citrate on endometrial receptivity in infertile PCOS women.

Part of the book: Infertility and Assisted Reproduction

By Dragoș Albu and Alice Albu

Endometriosis, a frequent condition in reproductive age women, is also associated with infertility by mechanisms incompletely clarified. The effectiveness of endometriosis treatment for infertility is debated, being possible that in vitro fertilization (IVF) offers a better alternative. The response to controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) is an important predictor of live birth, but it might be affected in endometriosis possibly through a decrease of ovarian reserve. Moreover, the predictive value of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) for the response to COS could be altered by factors disrupting the AMH production in endometriosis. Therefore, we aim to review the literature regarding the response to COS and the AMH production and their predictive value for COS response in patients with endometriosis.

Part of the book: Endometriosis