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Additional file 1. Table S1. Sociodemographic characteristics of participants who had reported current fertility problems according to the status of medical help-seeking. Table S2. Logistic regression analysis for factors associated with medical help-seeking among participants who had reported current fertility problems.

Table S1. ORs and 95% CIs of different thresholds for sperm concentrations for major birth defects among IVF cycles for which semen parameters were available (nâ =â 28,958â cycles). (DOCX 103 kb)

Table S5. ORs and 95% CIs of different thresholds for sperm motility for major birth defects among ICSI cycles for which semen parameters were available (nâ =â 24,010â cycles). (DOCX 131 kb)

Table S2. ORs and 95% CIs of different thresholds for sperm concentrations for major birth defects among ICSI cycles for which semen parameters were available (nâ =â 24,010â cycles). (DOCX 106 kb)

Table S4. ORs and 95% CIs of different thresholds for sperm motility for major birth defects among IVF cycles for which semen parameters were available (nâ =â 28,958â cycles). (DOCX 122 kb)

Table S3. ORs and 95% CIs for major birth defects among ICSI cycles with normal semen concentration and motility (nâ =â 34,839â cycles). (DOCX 109 kb)

Endometrial decidualization represents an essential step for the successful implantation of the embryo; however, the molecular mechanism behind this differentiation process remains unclear. This study aimed to identify novel microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the regulation of decidual gene expression in human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs). An in vitro analysis of primary undifferentiated and decidualizing HESCs was conducted. HESCs were isolated from hysterectomy specimens from normally cycling premenopausal women with uterine fibroids, who were not on hormonal treatment at the time of surgery. Primary HESCs were expanded in culture and decidualized with 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine monophosphate and medroxyprogesterone acetate. Microarray analysis identified six miRNAs differentially expressed in response to decidualization of HESCs. All but one miRNA were downregulated upon decidualization, including miR-542-3p. We demonstrated that miR-542-3p overexpression inhibits the induction of major decidual marker genes, including IGFBP1, WNT4 and PRL. In addition, miR-542-3p overexpression inhibited the morphological transformation of HESCs in response to deciduogenic cues. A luciferase reporter assay confirmed that the 3'-untranslated region of IGFBP1 mRNA is targeted by miR-542-3p. The results suggest that miR-542-3p plays an important role in endometrial decidualization by regulating the expression of major decidual marker genes.