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Background: Despite the growing use of social egg freezing (SEF), research focusing on its psychological aspects is lacking. This study aimed to investigate possible psychological predictors, reasons, and outcomes of SEF in German-speaking countries. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 1,131 women (average age 31 years) who had never used medical egg freezing. The participants were at different stages of SEF decision-making: women who cannot imagine using SEF (SEF-non-use), women who can imagine using SEF (SEF-possible-use), women who plan to use SEF (SEF-planned-use), women who have used SEF (SEF-use), and women who have used their oocytes frozen during SEF for assisted reproduction (SEF + ART-use). Data on sociodemographic and psychological characteristics, attitudes towards motherhood, well-being, and reasons for SEF were assessed. We used multinomial logistic regression to identify predictors of SEF decision-making stages, principal components analysis to examine motives for SEF, and multiple linear regression to analyze associations between motives and psychological variables. Results: The probability of belonging to the SEF-use group rather than SEF-non-use was higher among childless single women with tertiary education, high levels of employment, and high importance placed on the genetic relationship to the child, and rose with increasing age and importance of motherhood. The probability of belonging to the SEF-use group rather than SEF-planned-use was higher among childless women with a high importance placed on the genetic relationship to the child, and increased with age. The probability of belonging to the SEF + ART-use group rather than SEF-use depended mainly on the presence of infertility. The women froze eggs mainly to gain time to fulfill their desire for conventional parenthood (59%), including finding the right partner and enabling a genetic relationship to the child. Using SEF to actively shape one's life and family planning was rather associated with positive psychological outcomes, whereas relying on SEF in the hope of personal and societal changes (e.g. improving fertility) was associated with negative outcomes. Conclusion: SEF users might be characterized as mainly single, career-oriented, and greatly valuing genetic motherhood. As the motives for SEF, rather than its use per se, might be linked to psychological variables, these should be considered when counseling and supporting women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study cycle outcomes of women who choose to pursue oocyte cryopreservation, using published age-specific oocyte recommendations. Retrospective cohort. Clinic. A total of 5,915 patients seeking planned oocyte cryopreservation, 3,504 ultimately underwent ovarian stimulation with oocyte retrieval and cryopreservation, 425 of this cohort subsequently thawed with intent to use embryo transfer. Planned oocyte cryopreservation. Planned oocyte cryopreservation consultation, fertility preservation cycle(s) and ovarian stimulation outcomes. A total of 5,915 women were seen in the initial consultation for planned fertility preservation (2012–2022). Ethnicity and the highest level of education were significant in predicting who would move forward with oocyte stimulation for fertility preservation. Women who reported working within the law and public policy and in the fields of health and medicine were statistically more likely to proceed with a cycle than those who listed other occupations. Of 3,504 women in the study cohort who underwent ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval, 1,331 (38.0%) achieved the age-based recommended number of oocytes to freeze. Only 57 (4.3%) of these women who met their age-based oocyte goal did so after their initial cryopreservation cycle. There was a significant association between ethnicity and number of cryopreservation cycles, specifically showing that Black or African American women were less likely to complete two or more cycles. Patients whose education background included graduate or professional degrees were more likely to have completed more than one cycle. Self-identified ethnicity was significantly associated with the odds of moving forward with oocyte stimulation for fertility preservation and egg retrieval after initial consultation with ethnic minorities significantly less likely to continue treatment. Of those who undergo egg freezing, most women pursue more than one stimulation and cryopreservation cycle, yet the majority never meet their recommended number to freeze. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a valuable assisted reproduction technology in clinical practice, especially when semen availability is limited. Since the number of sperm required per ICSI cycle is much less than the number of sperm available in a standard straw of frozen semen, refreezing semen at lower sperm concentrations could yield multiple straws for ICSI use. However, there is little data on the effect of sperm refreezing on ICSI outcomes, especially on the effect of extender used for refreezing. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of refreezing extender on stallion sperm quality and embryo production after ICSI. Semen was frozen in a low egg yolk/glycerol/amide extender (Extender 1), then thawed, re-extended, and refrozen in each of three extenders. When sperm were refrozen in Extender 1, the cleavage rate was lower (P < 0.05) and the blastocyst development rate tended to be lower (P = 0.06) than for the once-frozen sperm. In contrast, when sperm were refrozen in high egg yolk/glycerol (Extender 2) or low egg yolk/milk/glycerol (Extender 3) extenders, cleavage and blastocyst development rates did not differ significantly from those for the once-frozen semen. Notably, sperm refrozen in Extender 1, which yielded the lowest ICSI outcomes, showed the highest sperm motility and viability, demonstrating that traditional measures of sperm quality were inadequate to assess the suitability of refrozen sperm for ICSI. In a follow-up experiment conducted to evaluate the effects of Extenders 1 and 3 when used for once-frozen semen, cleavage and blastocyst rates did not differ between extenders. In conclusion, the extender used to initially freeze stallion sperm may not significantly affect ICSI outcomes; however, the extender used for refreezing can significantly affect embryo production. Refrozen stallion semen can be effectively used for ICSI when low egg yolk/milk/glycerol extender is used for refreezing. Until further research is available, use of extenders without amides is recommended when refreezing stallion semen for ICSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, a prominent case exists wherein a medically fit woman filed a lawsuit against a hospital for denying her request to undergo oocyte cryopreservation. She contended the hospital had infringed upon her rights. This paper focuses on medicalization and gender equality to discuss whether or not a hospital can infringe upon a woman's rights. We believe elective oocyte cryopreservation is not a medical treatment and it may lead to an overwhelming utilization of extensive medical resources. Reproductive medicine may face the risk of resource commercialization due to the practice of selective egg freezing. There are physiological disparities between males and females. The ability of men to cryopreserve sperm does not necessarily extend to a woman's capacity for oocyte cryopreservation. We contend that the application of this technology should continue to adhere to the principle of prudence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent decades have seen an increasing gap occurring between the 'desired' and 'actual' family size of middle-class and professional women. This situation of 'unrealised fertility' and 'incomplete families' carries implications at a population, but also couple and individual level. This paper explores how middle-class professional women make decisions about partnering and parenthood and how these are shaped by a contemporary neoliberal feminist discourse which articulates the possibility of 'having it all' through engagement in careful life planning, appropriate self-investment, and by drawing on new technologies of reproductive biomedicine. Informed by semi-structured interviews with UK and US women conducted at two different points in time, it explores how they approach and experience the process of relationship formation in the face of age-related fertility decline. It also examines how the use of social egg freezing shape their romantic and family building expectations but also their interactions with (potential) partners. In doing so, it explores how gendered cultural dating scripts and unequal gender power relations shape the formation and progression of intimate relationships in a manner which can disempower women as they age. It therefore questions whether egg freezing may be the 'great equaliser' that some have hoped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The special issue of BioSocieties delves into the politics of cryopreservation practices, exploring how they impact concepts of life, death, health, and biodiversity in various societal domains. Cryopreservation creates a liminal space where biological material is suspended between life and death, raising questions about governance, ethics, and the future. Scholars in science and technology studies, anthropology, and sociology have examined the social, cultural, and ethical dimensions of cryopreservation, highlighting the concept of cryopolitics and the implications of suspending life in ice. The articles in this issue offer diverse perspectives on cryopreservation, from seed preservation to medical biobanking, shedding light on the complexities, contradictions, and risks associated with the politics of suspension. [Extracted from the article]

This piece analyzes the way in which women that froze, are considering freezing or are freezing their eggs in Spain think critically about broader reproductive politics in Spain and about assisted reproduction. Drawing partially on previous studies around egg freezing, Thomas Lemke has suggested that cryopreservation practices represent a "politics of suspension" characterized by both reversibility and disposition, and concomitant with broader political inaction (Lemke in Sci Technol Hum Values 48(4):1–27, 2021). Drawing on feminist literature, and on how some of these women think about motherhood, it is relevant to emphasize this 'suspension of politics' that takes place along with a "politics of suspension," meaning that certain matters (such as reproduction and its postponement) are only to be dealt with privately and individually, through marketized fertility preservation programs in this case. Some of the women interviewed describe these programs as useful tools within a problematic context: technologies that give time in a context that leaves them on their own to figure out motherhood (or its absence) in the midst of uncertainty and loneliness. This paper shows their critical views on these matters, while reflecting on how their experiences and desires become increasingly imbricated with the fertility industry in the making of their reproductive biographies (Perler and Schurr in Body Soc 27(3): 3–27, 2021). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egg sausages, an essential component of traditional Chinese hot pot cuisine, have specific storage requirements and are predominantly distributed through refrigerated channels. A significant consideration in the freezing of egg sausages pertains to syneresis and textural modifications that manifest in the protein gel structure upon thawing. This research investigated the efficacy of incorporating whey protein isolate, soy protein isolate (at concentrations of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%), and modified cassava starch (at concentrations of 1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0%) to enhance the textural integrity and mitigate syneresis in frozen egg sausage gels. The research demonstrated that syneresis in frozen egg sausages could be significantly minimized from 9.01% to 1.16% through the incorporation of 3% modified cassava starch and 2% whey protein isolate, to 2.01% with 1.0% soy protein isolate, and to 3.05% with 1.0% whey protein isolate. Furthermore, the combination of modified cassava starch (3%) and whey protein isolate (2%) demonstrated enhanced textural characteristics in frozen egg sausages with 20% additional water content following a 15-day storage period. Notably, egg sausages formulated with 0.5% whey protein isolate exhibited superior sensory attributes, including springiness, texture, and overall acceptability, compared to other formulations. The incorporation of whey protein isolate yielded markedly improved sensory characteristics relative to soy protein isolate additions. The findings indicate that the incorporation of whey protein isolate (0.5–1.0%) in conjunction with modified cassava starch (3%) effectively improves textural properties while reducing syneresis in thawed egg sausages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundMethodResultsConclusionSocial egg freezing (SEF) is a technology that enables women to preserve and store healthy, unfertilised eggs for non-medical reasons, for use later on in life. Despite the growing number of women using this technology, very little research has explored the perceptions of SEF among women from ethnically minoritised backgrounds.The main aim of this study was to advance understandings of perceptions of reproductive timing within British South Asian communities, and in part, focus on women’s perceptions of assisted reproductive technologies in shaping the timing of motherhood. Data collection took place over two qualitative phases: four focus groups (n = 31) and individual interviews (n = 28) and data were analysed using interpretative thematic analysis.The findings in this study demonstrate existence of varied and contrasting perceptions concerning reproductive timing and SEF amongst participants. The analysis developed two overarching themes: (1) Perceptions of SEF as a means of ‘achieving’ motherhood and (2) SEF as challenging normative expectations of reproduction.These findings provide novel insights into how perceptions of SEF are mediated by women’s familial, religious and cultural contexts, shaped by perceptions about the ‘right time’ to have children and normative expectations of how women pursue motherhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify factors associated with three decision outcomes along the planned oocyte cryopreservation (POC) pathway: fertility assessment completion, POC uptake, and multiple POC cycles uptake. Methods: A single-site retrospective cohort study of 425 patients who sought POC consultation from 2018–2022 before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The mean age of patients at consultation was 35.2 ± 4.0. 73% (n = 310) of the new consultations occurred since the COVID-19 pandemic. 335 patients completed fertility assessment following consultation. Of the 335 patients (78.8%) completing fertility assessment, 139 (32.7%) underwent at least one cycle. The odds of completing fertility assessment were 3.65 times greater for patients being seen pre-pandemic than for those being seen during the pandemic (p < 0.001). Not having a committed partner (OR 2.61, p < 0.001) and not having a prior pregnancy history (OR 1.99, p = 0.03) positively predicted POC uptake. Each additional number of cryopreserved MII oocytes in the first cycle reduced the odds of undergoing more cycles by 0.74 times (p < 0.001). Of the 196 patients with no POC uptake despite having a fertility consultation, 10 decided to do nothing, 16 decided to get pregnant with or without a partner, and the other 170 had not yet indicated their decision. Conclusion: Our centre experienced a surge of patients seeking POC consultation since the COVID-19 outbreak. Approximately one-third of these patients progressed to the POC stage. Our findings validate the complexity of POC decision-making and the value of providing ongoing decision support to patients along the POC pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The outcome of planned oocyte cryopreservation (POC) is inversely related to the age at the time of oocyte cryopreservation commencing in the mid-30 s. We sought to evaluate whether the age of women undergoing POC has changed over the last decade. Methods: The study employed a retrospective, observational multicenter design. It included all women who had at least one POC cycle in two large private IVF units belonging to the same medical organization in Israel. The main outcome measure was age at the first cycle. Data on the total number of women each year and their age at the first cycle were recorded. Results: Between 2011 and the end of 2023, 4488 women underwent POC. The average age at the first retrieval was 36.2 years (± 2.4). In 2011, the average age was 38.3 years (± 2.6), which decreased to 35.4 years (± 2.5) in 2023. The trendline indicates a decline in the average age of 3.0 months per year (β = − 0.252, F = 301.8, p < 0.001). The proportion of women aged < 36 at their first POC cycle increased from 14% in 2011 to 54% in 2023. Conclusions: The age at the time of POC has significantly declined over the past decade. This trend may potentially lead to higher overall birth rates from POC, though further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the effects of age, mature oocyte number, and cycle number on cumulative live birth rates after planned oocyte cryopreservation (OC), with the goal of developing a patient counselling tool. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients with ≥ 1 autologous oocyte thaw at our university-affiliated fertility center before 12/31/2023. Patients were included if they (1) had a live birth or ongoing pregnancy > 12 weeks from OC, or (2) used all oocytes and euploid/untested embryos from OC. Primary outcome was cumulative live birth / ongoing pregnancy rate (CLBR). Results: 527 patients with 1 OC cycle, 149 patients with 2 OC cycles, and 55 patients with ≥ 3 OC cycles were included. Overall CLBR was 43%. CLBR was > 70% among patients who thawed ≥ 20 mature oocytes that were cryopreserved at age < 38 years. Multiple logistic regression showed that age at first OC and total number of mature oocytes thawed independently predicted CLBR, but number of OC cycles did not. Conclusion: Patients must be counselled that younger age at OC and more mature oocytes improve CLBR. However, additional OC cycles do not independently improve CLBR. Our results can help patients decide whether to pursue additional OC cycles to obtain more oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oocyte preservation for planned fertility delay, also referred to as social oocyte preservation or colloquially as "egg freezing," has become increasingly popular in the last few decades. Previous literature has suggested that there are gaps in counseling and expectations regarding the expected thaw rates and outcomes of preserved oocytes. To characterize the literature on social oocyte preservation, specifically the return rates, thaw rates, clinical pregnancy rates, and live birth rates. We conducted a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of 7 databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Emcare, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science: Core Collection, and Scopus) until January 1, 2024. The Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tool was used for critical appraisal. All original human research that reported data for individuals who underwent autologous oocyte preservation for planned fertility delay (i.e., not for medical indications such as chemotherapy) was included for analysis. A meta-analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and pooled prevalence rates. Title and abstract screening and data extraction were conducted in duplicate by 2 independent reviewers for all studies until full agreement on eligibility was achieved through consensus-based discussion. Return rate among those who froze oocytes for planned fertility delay, as well as live birth rate and clinical pregnancy rate among these patients. After screening 1,540 references, a total of 27 studies encompassing 13,724 patients were included. Follow-up ranged from 4 to 19 years, with a median follow-up time of 7 years. A total of 17,418 oocyte retrieval cycles for planned fertility delay were reported, with most individuals undergoing a single cryopreservation cycle. Overall, 10.8% of individuals returned to thaw their eggs, with an aggregate oocyte survival rate of 81.4%. The implantation rate was 44.4% and clinical pregnancy rate was 34.2%. A live birth was reported for 28.9% of individuals across all age groups who returned to thaw eggs. Individuals should be counseled regarding the low return rates after oocyte preservation for planned fertility delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social elective egg freezing (EEF) is now widely used globally but in many countries is unaffordable to many women because of high costs and lacking insurance coverage. Efforts to reduce costs, therefore, are of importance. Surprisingly, a simple, well-defined and practical approach ensuring optimal outcomes for EEF has, however, so-far not been published. We, therefore, conducted a narrative review of the literature for relevant articles regarding the different steps of ovarian stimulation (OS) in the EEF process, in order to define such a standard protocol. This review revealed that in order to maximize oocyte yields with minimal number of OS cycles - while ensuring patient safety - a multiple-dose GnRH antagonist protocol with a daily gonadotropin dose of 300 IU appears best, unless patients demonstrate a polycystic ovarian phenotype, suggestive of likely high responses. The initial gonadotropin should be recFSH, while LH supplementation should be co-administered with the addition of GnRH antagonist. Final follicular maturation should be triggered by GnRH agonist trigger, with a dual trigger (1000–1500 IU hCG) considered for suboptimal responders to GnRH agonist trigger, optionally with Cabergoline to mitigate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in high responders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: As women increasingly delay childbearing for educational and career pursuits, understanding the age-related decline in ovarian reserve becomes crucial to avoid infertility. Egg freezing offers a solution, extending the window for achieving pregnancy with a biological child. However, awareness and acceptance of age-related fertility decline and elective egg freezing vary across countries and social groups. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study investigates fertility awareness, childbearing intentions, and attitudes toward elective egg freezing among 138 undergraduate female students at a private university in Kumasi, Ghana. Data were collected via a Google App-based questionnaire. Results: The majority of respondents were below 28 years old (76.3%), Christians (79.26%), and single (57. 78%). Many respondents overestimated their knowledge of age-related fertility decline, with almost half (48.89%) incorrectly believing it occurs after age 40. Primary sources of fertility education included health professionals, the Internet, and television. While most (62.96%) considered childbearing necessary, they would not have a child without a partner. Acceptance of donor egg in vitro fertilisation (IVF) varied based on circumstances, and a significant portion was open to donating their eggs (41.48%). Awareness of elective egg freezing was low, but nearly half (48.89%) expressed interest in it, primarily to retain the option for a biological child. The cost of elective egg freezing was a significant deterrent. Conclusions: The study revealed a significant lack of awareness regarding age-related fertility decline and elective egg freezing among female university students in Kumasi. Most prefer having a biological child only with a partner. While few were open to donating their eggs or accepting the same to achieve a pregnancy, interest in elective egg freezing was notable, albeit hindered by cost. The study recommends enhanced education by health professionals using social media and television to address these gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to review patient experience with social fertility preservation (sFP), as compared to medical fertility preservation (mFP), in a context where sFP is fully reimbursed. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving patients who underwent oocyte cryopreservation for mFP between 2017 and 2023 and sFP between 2022 and 2023 at a large ART single center. Additionally, we surveyed patients undergoing sFP and mFP, regarding their experiences, intentions, awareness, and financial consideration. Results: A total of 97 oocyte retrievals were performed for sFP in 75 women, and 155 were performed in mFP (127 women). Median ages were 36.4 years for sFP and 28.9 years for mFP. Median oocytes retrieved per session were 10 for sFP and 8 for mFP. Ninety-seven percent of of mFP participants were informed by healthcare professionals, while half of sFP participants learned through personal acquaintances. The primary motivation for sFP was a desire for pregnancy while being single. Most respondents in both groups knew that 15–20 oocytes are typically needed for a successful birth. None were aware of the "DuoStim" option, but interest was expressed by most women. Surprisingly, despite full reimbursement for sFP in France, 78% expressed willingness to pay if necessary. Conclusion: Many women choose sFP due to concerns about declining fertility, often informed by non-medical sources. Free access to sFP can help mitigate the global decline in natality by allowing women to anticipate age-related fertility decline. This study should be considered by other countries as they may increasingly cover sFP costs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulation of assisted reproduction technologies (ART) in China exhibits fragmentation, obsolescence, and a lower normative standing. Amid China's demographic challenges, discernible indications suggest a possible shift in stance towards the stringent regulation of ART. The present study furnishes an elucidation of extant ART regulations, delineates the developmental trajectory of reproductive rights within the Chinese legal framework, scrutinizes societal perspectives endorsing emancipated reproductive autonomy for women, and culminates by underscoring the necessity to acknowledge and uphold autonomous and substantive reproductive rights throughout the process of reform. By comprehending and anticipating Chinese ART regulations, this article seeks to cultivate public discourse and enrich judicious decision-making among pertinent stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The field monitoring of parasitic wasps attacking the eggs of stink bug pests is usually performed using sentinel eggs, i.e., stink bug eggs reared in a laboratory, placing them temporarily in the field. Sentinel eggs must be retrieved before the eggs hatch to avoid releasing the stink bug pest in the monitored area. In this study, X-ray irradiation was used to sterilize eggs of the bagrada bug, an invasive stinkbug pest of cole crops (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, etc.) in the United States. Two parasitic wasps are known to attack bagrada bug eggs in California. Both wasps were able to parasitize irradiated eggs. Our results showed that X-ray irradiation is a suitable method to produce safe and reliable sentinel eggs to monitor the egg parasitism of the bagrada bug and possibly other species. Sentinel eggs used to monitor field parasitism of stink bug pests (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) can only be deployed for a few days to avoid releasing the pest in the monitored area. Using sterile eggs removes the risk of accidental pest introduction and extends deployment time. Freezing the eggs before deployment is one common method of sterilizing sentinel eggs. However, some egg parasitoid species have low or no parasitism on frozen eggs. In this study, X-ray irradiation was used to sterilize Bagrada hilaris sentinel eggs intended for monitoring parasitism by Gryon aetherium (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), the most promising biological control candidate. In this case, freezing sentinel eggs is not recommended because G. aetherium has low levels of parasitism on frozen eggs. Doses as low as 10 Gy induced 100% sterility. Irradiated eggs successfully sustained the development of G. aetherium and Ooencyrtus californicus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), another egg parasitoid attacking B. hilaris, and parasitism levels were comparable to that of fresh eggs up to seven days old. In addition, G. aetherium showed no preference for fresh non-irradiated eggs over seven-day-old irradiated eggs. Our results indicate that X-ray irradiation is a suitable alternative to produce safe and reliable sentinel eggs to monitor the egg parasitism of B. hilaris and possibly other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planned oocyte cryopreservation (OC) has the potential to address the burden of the biological clock, giving women and individuals with ovaries more autonomy in choosing when to have children and with whom. In the United States, the annual number of OC cycles has grown significantly, yet many questions remain regarding planned OC. The field is starting to gather data on the clinical practice and social perspectives around planned oocyte cryopreservation, including the optimal age range at which to offer planned OC, what factors are most predictive of a successful outcome, and the optimal number of oocytes and ovarian stimulation cycles to achieve a live birth. There is a clear need for setting realistic expectations about the chance of success with OC; however, most patients have yet to return to thaw their oocytes, and outcomes data are limited. Clinical models have been developed to predict OC success based on surrogate markers such as age, number of oocytes retrieved, and anti-Müllerian hormone level. Patient education should emphasize the age-related decline in fertility, that eggs do not equal embryos, and that more than one cycle may be needed to obtain sufficient oocytes to have a reasonable chance of future success. While planned OC is not quite an insurance policy against future reproductive challenges, it provides the best option to date for expanding the reproductive window and maximizing reproductive options while navigating individual life circumstances in the context of family building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor sperm quality in cooled-shipped semen has been related to subpar fertility in horses. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the ability of post-cooling sperm processing to improve sperm parameters of cooled-stored stallion semen for artificial insemination. For all experiments, ejaculates were collected, processed, and diluted in skimmed milk-based (SM) medium and stored at 5 °C/24h. In all experiments an aliquot of unprocessed cooled semen was used as a control. In the first experiment (Exp 1.), cooled-stored semen from 16 stallions (n = 32) was processed by SpermFilter or centrifugation (600× g /10min) and resuspended in an egg yolk-based freezing medium containing permeating cryoprotectants (EY-C) for cryopreservation. Sperm recovery and motility parameters were immediately assessed after sperm resuspension in both groups and compared with unprocessed (Unp) samples. In Exp 2., cooled semen samples from six stallions (n = 18) were processed using SpermFilter and resuspended in SM or EY-C. Motility parameters and plasma membrane integrity were assessed in all groups (Unp, SM, and EY-C). In Exp 3, cooled semen from four stallions (n = 20) was processed by SpermFilter, resuspended in SM, EY-C, or egg yolk-based medium without cryoprotectants (EY-nC); and submitted to a thermoresistance test (37 °C/3h). Motility parameters, plasma membrane integrity and stability, mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial superoxide generation, and DNA fragmentation index were evaluated in all groups. Finally, in Exp 4, 39 estrous cycles of 11 mares were inseminated with unprocessed (n = 6) cooled-stored semen or semen cooled at 5 °C/24h and then processed by SpermFilter and resuspended in SM (n = 5), EY-C (n = 11), EY-nC (n = 11), or centrifuged and resuspended in EY-C (n = 6). Overall, semen processing and resuspension in EY mediums (EY-C and EY-nC) improved sperm parameters compared with those of unprocessed semen (P < 0.05). Centrifugation (91 ± 5 %) recovered more sperm than SpermFilter (84 ± 9 %; P < 0.05). Sperm resuspended in EY-nC maintained better sperm parameters throughout the thermoresistance test than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). The fertility rates were similar between all groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, processing and resuspension in EY medium can improve sperm parameters in post-cooled-stored stallion semen. • Extender exchange may enhance sperm quality of cooled-transported stallion semen. • SpermFilter and centrifugation yield similar sperm parameters of cooled-shipped processed semen. • Cryoprotectants are detrimental for long-term sperm parameters of cooled-shipped stallion semen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research question: The study examines the ethical, legal, and social implications of fertility preservation, highlighting its importance across oncofertility, elective egg freezing, and posthumous assisted reproduction, as well as its impact on transgender individuals undergoing gender-affirming surgeries. Design: A comprehensive analysis of 600 articles, focusing on a diverse range of disciplines, including bioethics, psychology, and sociology, to explore public and healthcare professionals' knowledge, patient experiences, and regulatory constraints. Results: The body of literature is growing, indicating increasing recognition of FP's significance. Key themes included the centrality of counseling and informed decision-making, especially in oncofertility and EEF, and ethical debates surrounding informed consent and the autonomy of involved individuals. The analysis underscored a western-centric bias in current research, emphasizing the need for more inclusive and culturally sensitive studies. Conclusions: The study calls for a nuanced understanding of FP, advocating for policies that consider ethical, cultural, and social dimensions. It suggests the necessity for interdisciplinary research to address identified gaps, particularly in understanding non-Western perspectives and ensuring equitable access to FP services globally. Moreover, the review emphasizes the importance of integrating patient-centric approaches and ethical frameworks to guide FP practices and policies, ensuring they respect diverse values and meet individuals' needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The conflicting findings regarding the impact of equilibration time on post-thawed sperm quality underscore the need for further research to evaluate the impact of equilibration time and cooling rate on post-thaw sperm quality of ram semen. Aims: The current study aimed to assess the combined impact of cooling rates and pre-freezing equilibration times on post-thaw sperm quality in Kail ram semen (n = 5). Methods: Semen collection was performed using an artificial vagina at 42°C. The pooled semen was divided into equal aliquots and subjected to either slow cooling (SC, −0.27°C/min) or moderate cooling (MC, −0.36°C/min) rates, transitioning from 37°C to 4°C. Equilibration times of 0, 4, 8, and 12 h were employed before freezing. Key results: Semen samples undergoing the SC rate and equilibrated for 4 h exhibited higher (P < 0.05) percentages of progressive motile (PM), rapid progressive (RP), and medium progressive (MP) sperm compared with the MC rate. However, total motility remained unaffected by the cooling rate (P < 0.05). Semen equilibrated for 4 h demonstrated higher (P < 0.05) percentages of PM and RP sperm, as well as improved kinematics (curvilinear velocity, average path velocity, and straight-line velocity) compared with other equilibration times. Nevertheless, equilibration time had no (P > 0.05) impact on the amplitude of the lateral head displacement for semen samples subjected to the MC rate. Notably, the cooling rate did not affect post-thaw sperm kinematics, plasma membrane integrity, or live-sperm percentage (P > 0.05). Semen samples equilibrated for 4, 8, and 12 h exhibited a higher (P < 0.05) percentage of sperm with intact plasma membrane and viability than did those equilibrated for 0 h. Conclusions: In conclusion, slow cooling rate and a 4 h equilibration period were shown to be optimal for preserving post-thaw sperm quality in Kail rams. Implications: The findings highlighted the combined effect of cooling rate and equilibration time on post-thaw sperm quality for optimising sperm cryopreservation protocols in the context of ram semen. The conflicting results regarding the impact of equilibration time on sperm quality warrant further research to improve the post-thaw sperm quality of ram semen. The findings of the present study indicated that slow cooling and equilibration time of 4 h better-preserved sperm quality. The optimisation of sperm-freezing protocol will be beneficial for the widespread use of artificial insemination in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Awareness of the age-related decline in fertility potential has increased the popularity of planned oocyte cryopreservation (POC). However, data regarding outcomes of POC, including rates of women returning to thaw oocytes, as well as pregnancy and live birth rates, are scarce and based mostly on small case series. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE POC was defined as cryopreservation exclusively for prevention of future age-related fertility loss. The primary outcome was live birth rate per patient. The secondary outcomes included the return to thaw rate and laboratory outcomes. A meta-regression analysis examining the association between live birth and age above 40 or below 35 was conducted. SEARCH METHODS We conducted a systematic database search from inception to August 2022. The search included PubMed (MEDLINE) and EMBASE. Our search strategies employed a combination of index terms (Mesh) and free text words to compile relevant concepts. The systematic review and meta-regression were undertaken following registration of systematic review (PROSPERO registration number CRD42022361791) and were reported following guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses 2020 (PRISMA 2020). OUTCOMES The database search yielded 3847 records. After the selection process, 10 studies, conducted from 1999 to 2020, were included. Overall, 8750 women underwent POC, with a mean cryopreservation age of 37.2 (±0.8). Of those, 1517 women returned to use their oocytes with a return rate of 11.1% (± 4.7%). The mean age at the time of cryopreservation for women who returned to use their oocytes was 38.1 (±0.4), with an average of 12.6 (±3.6) cryopreserved oocytes per woman. In a meta-analysis, the oocyte survival rate was 78.5% with a 95% CI of 0.74–0.83 (I 2 = 93%). The live birth rate per patient was 28% with a 95% CI of 0.24–0.33 (I 2 = 92%). Overall, 447 live births were reported. In a sub-group analysis, women who underwent cryopreservation at age ≥40 achieved a live birth rate per patient of 19% (95% CI 0.13–0.29, I 2 = 6%), while women aged ≤35 years old or younger had a higher live birth rate per patient of 52% (95% CI 0.41–0.63, I 2 = 7%). WIDER IMPLICATIONS POC emerges as a feasible option for women aiming to improve their chances of conceiving at a later reproductive age. Nonetheless, it must be acknowledged that the overall success rates of POC are limited and that the likelihood of successful live birth declines as the age at cryopreservation rises. With increasing interest in POC, the collation of comprehensive and high-quality data is imperative to clearly define the outcomes for various age groups. REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42022361791. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assisted reproductive technology is a complex medical intervention with many potential social sensitivities. Within this domain, oocyte cryopreservation has emerged as an important research area for preserving female fertility. Against the backdrop of the hotly debated first legal case in China of a single woman wishing to freeze her eggs, and the implementation of the 'three‐child policy' in China, there is an urgent need to evaluate policies and address ethical considerations surrounding oocyte cryopreservation for non‐medical reasons. This review examines current policies, explores China's practices and research, and examines the latest ethical challenges surrounding non‐medical oocyte cryopreservation. It develops strategies and recommendations that will be relevant in China and other developing countries seeking to navigate this complex landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Hu sheep is a renowned breed known for its high reproductive rate. It is in estrus all year round, and its breeding population is gradually expanding. However, the current techniques for cryopreserving semen have limited effectiveness, which hinders the continuous development of this species. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of different penetrating cryoprotectants (CPAs) and egg yolk (EY) concentrations on the cryopreservation of Hu ram semen to determine the most effective combination. Methods: In this study, the effects of glycerol (GLY), ethylene glycol (EG), dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, different proportions of GLY and EG, EY on sperm quality after thawing were investigated by detecting sperm total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM), straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, average path velocity, amplitude of lateral head displacement, wobble movement coefficient, average motion degree, functional integrity (plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Results: When GLY and EG were added together, compared to other concentration groups, 6% GLY significantly (p<0.05) increased TM, PM, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity of thawed sperm. Additionally, it significantly (p<0.05) decreased the ROS level of sperm. In this study, the TM, PM, and membrane integrity of the 6% EG were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of the control, 1% GLY+5% EG and 6% GLY+6% EG groups. Compared to other concentration groups, 20% EY significantly (p<0.05) improved the TM, PM, and plasma membrane integrity of thawed sperm. However, the integrity of the acrosome increased with the higher concentration of EY. Conclusion: In conclusion, the post-thawed Hu ram semen diluted with a diluent containing 6% GLY and 20% EY exhibited higher quality compared to the other groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of vitrification techniques has increased the use of donor ova by allowing for their cryopreservation, storage, and international transportation. However, the implications of egg banking for the valuation of eggs remain little studied. Building on ethnographic fieldwork in a Ukrainian egg bank, in this article I examine different mechanisms and calculations that allow the bank to transform vitrified ova—products with volatile outcomes—into valuable but uncertain commodities. This article reveals how the bank staff can never completely secure their profits because of the variability of the egg quality assessment and unpredictability of their expenses. I demonstrate how the dilemmas that arise when the egg banking industry tries to turn oocytes into commodities trigger certain efforts to develop quality control in vitrification techniques and donor selection, as well as classification and accounting schemes related to oocyte quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the use of future imaginaries in medical markets, examining the framing of egg freezing on fertility clinic websites. Egg freezing is a recent example of what medical sociologists term anticipatory medicalization. It primarily promises a measure against the anticipated risk of female infertility due to reproductive aging. Economic sociologists, on the other hand, see a focus on a future full of risks and opportunities as a significant characteristic of capitalism. Accordingly, marketing activities aim to shape consumer imaginaries and expectations of the future to increase demand. Through a thematic analysis of all available textual data on egg freezing from fertility clinic websites in Turkey, I show how these websites depict the social context of egg freezing and its implications for the future. The websites define potential service users, their life circumstances, goals, and ethical concerns, portraying egg freezing as a strategy for time and risk management. By doing so, the websites can stir women's hopes and dreams of future relationships and childbearing, as well as their fears of future infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The reproductive service of egg freezing is marketed as a means to achieve desirable imagined futures or to prevent undesirable ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's regulatory framework on assisted reproductive technologies (henceforth ARTs) has remained unchanged and unchallenged for over two decades, prohibiting unmarried women from accessing any form of ARTs. Section 1 Article 4(1) of the Ethical Principles for Human Reproductive Technologies and Human Sperm Banks explicitly stipulates that 'couples who do not comply with national population and family planning laws and regulations and single women' are prohibited from accessing ARTs. However, unmarried men are allowed to freeze sperm regardless of their marital status, constituting direct discrimination against women. Furthermore, significant legislative conflicts exist between local regulations and departmental rules in this area, hindering the consistent application of ART norms in China and substantially limiting the reproductive rights of Chinese women. Zaozao Xu's case is the first case in China directly challenging the current prohibitive regulations on egg freezing and may signify a crucial turning point in China's reform of ARTs legislation. This commentary provides an overview of the case and examines various issues associated with the existing regulatory framework, including the vagueness of the legislation and regulation, legislative conflicts in the current framework, deeply rooted discrimination against women, and the regulator's problematic conception of ARTs. This commentary emphasises the urgent need for China to re-evaluate and reform its ARTs regulatory framework to allow unmarried women to access ARTs, or at least egg-freezing services as the first step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the tolerance of resting eggs of Eurytemora pacifica to storage under low temperatures, which is of particular interest in light of the recent use of nauplii as living food in aquaculture, other than conditions experienced also in the wild during winter cold events in the Northern Hemisphere. Sediment samples collected in August 2020 were used to store the resting eggs at two different freezing temperatures (−5 and −20 °C) for five different durations (1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months). The mean hatching success rates of the resting eggs after one month of storage were 85.3 ± 1.5% (−5 °C) and 85.0 ± 3.6% (−20 °C), with no significant difference between freezing temperatures. However, significant differences emerged over time, with the mean hatching success rate remaining at 85.0 ± 3.6% at −5 °C after three months, while it dropped sharply to 1.7 ± 2.1% at −20 °C. For the non-freezing conditions, the hatching success at 10 °C increased gradually over the one-month incubation period, ultimately reaching 71.0%. These findings demonstrate the remarkable cold tolerance of E. pacifica but also indicate a limit to this tolerance at longer durations. These results underscore the importance of considering the adoption of storage freezing for resting eggs to be used for aquaculture and also suggest the possibility of the species better surviving the extreme weather events in comparison with other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, the production of eggs has increased tremendously, with an estimated global egg production of 9.7 billion by 2050. Further processing of shell eggs to egg products has gained growing popularity. Liquid egg yolks, an innovative form of egg replacement, still suffer from short shelf‐life issues, and freezing has been applied to maintain freshness. An undesirable phenomenon called "gelation" was found during the production of frozen egg yolks, which has attracted numerous scholars to study its mechanism and quality control methods. Therefore, we comprehensively reviewed the history of the studies on frozen egg yolks, including the production procedure, the fundamentals of freezing, the gelation mechanism, the factors affecting gelation behaviors, and the techniques to control the gelation behaviors of frozen egg yolks. Reporting the production procedure and freezing fundamentals of frozen egg yolks will give readers a better understanding of the science and technological aspects of frozen egg yolks. Furthermore, a comprehensive summary of the mechanism of egg yolk gel formation induced by freeze–thawing and relevant control techniques will provide insights to researchers and manufacturers in the field of frozen egg processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis article examines the framing of choice, risk and pronatalism in Singapore’s debate on elective egg freezing, beginning from the government’s review of the ban in 2012 and ending in 2023 when the procedure was legalised. It demonstrates the possibility of reconciling liberal discourses on reproductive choice with technocritical discourses on egg freezing as a risky and oppressive pronatalist technology. While medical complications, false hope and commercial abuse were longstanding concerns in Singapore, these risks were perceived as reconcilable with choice through an age limit, mandatory counselling and comparative frames from the national and international regulatory context. Additionally, low fertility rates and efforts to advance gender equality enabled the reconciliation of choice and pronatalism as policy justifications, while the construction of female candidates’ heteronormative reproductive desire framed pronatalism in women-centric ways. Such reconciliation was facilitated by Singapore’s strong interventionist culture which normalises paternalism and pronatalism. Within this context and through actors’ articulation of policy ideas, elective egg freezing was reinterpreted as a technology with manageable risks, and a hope technology for women and nation. A moral Singapore State which permits elective egg freezing while supporting the interests of women and society was thus co-produced by politicians, journalists and doctors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female fertility preservation is a rapidly growing field in medicine. Oocyte cryopreservation and assisted reproductive technique with vitrified-warmed oocytes have been successful with in vivo matured oocytes after conventional ovarian stimulation protocols. The use of in vitro matured oocytes after vitrification and warming has been limited. Capacitation in vitro maturation (CAPA-IVM) represents the latest refinement of IVM protocols and provides in vitro matured oocytes with improved competence. This case report describes the first successful live birth following oocyte vitrification from a CAPA-IVM cycle. This milestone achievement holds a significant promise to expand fertility preservation options and improve accessibility for women wishing to cryopreserve their eggs for future use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Our aim was to evaluate if maternal age at transfer following autologous oocyte cryopreservation is associated with live birth rate (LBR). Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients who thawed autologous oocytes and then underwent a single frozen euploid embryo transfer between 2011 and 2021 at a large urban university-affiliated fertility center. Each oocyte thaw patient was matched 2:1 to in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients who underwent single embryo transfer < 1 year after retrieval. Primary outcome was LBR. Secondary outcomes included implantation rates (IR) and spontaneous abortion rates (SABR). Results: A total of 169 oocyte thaw patients were matched to 338 IVF patients. As expected, oocyte thaw patients were older (median age 42.5 vs. 37.6 years, p < 0.001) and waited longer between retrieval and transfer than in vitro fertilization patients (median time 59 vs. 1 month, p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, implantation and LBR differed among oocyte thaw and IVF patients (p < 0.05), but SABR did not (p = 0.57). Transfer outcomes in oocyte thaw patients did not differ based on transfer age group (IR: p = 0.18; SABR: p = 0.12; LBR: p = 0.24). In a multiple logistic regression model, age at transfer was not predictive of live birth when controlling for age at retrieval, embryo morphology, and day of blastulation. Conclusions: Maternal age at transfer after oocyte cryopreservation is not predictive of LBR; this suggests that "an aging womb" does not impair LBR after oocyte thaw and empowers patients to return for transfer when ready for childbearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY QUESTION Does a purpose-designed Decision Aid for women considering elective egg freezing (EEF) impact decisional conflict and other decision-related outcomes? SUMMARY ANSWER The Decision Aid reduces decisional conflict, prepares women for decision-making, and does not cause distress. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN Elective egg-freezing decisions are complex, with 78% of women reporting high decisional conflict. Decision Aids are used to support complex health decisions. We developed an online Decision Aid for women considering EEF and demonstrated that it was acceptable and useful in Phase 1 testing. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A single-blind, two-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial was carried out. Target sample size was 286 participants. Randomization was 1:1 to the control (existing website information) or intervention (Decision Aid plus existing website information) group and stratified by Australian state/territory and prior IVF specialist consultation. Participants were recruited between September 2020 and March 2021 with outcomes recorded over 12 months. Data were collected using online surveys and data collection was completed in March 2022. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Females aged ≥18 years, living in Australia, considering EEF, proficient in English, and with internet access were recruited using multiple methods including social media posts, Google advertising, newsletter/noticeboard posts, and fertility clinic promotion. After completing the baseline survey, participants were emailed their allocated website link(s). Follow-up surveys were sent at 6 and 12 months. Primary outcome was decisional conflict (Decisional Conflict Scale). Other outcomes included distress (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale), knowledge about egg freezing and female age-related infertility (study-specific measure), whether a decision was made, preparedness to decide about egg freezing (Preparation for Decision-Making Scale), informed choice (Multi-Dimensional Measure of Informed Choice), and decision regret (Decision Regret Scale). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Overall, 306 participants (mean age 30 years; SD: 5.2) were randomized (intervention n = 150, control n = 156). Decisional Conflict Scale scores were significantly lower at 12 months (mean score difference: −6.99 [95% CI: −12.96, −1.02], P  = 0.022) for the intervention versus control group after adjusting for baseline decisional conflict. At 6 months, the intervention group felt significantly more prepared to decide about EEF than the control (mean score difference: 9.22 [95% CI: 2.35, 16.08], P  = 0.009). At 12 months, no group differences were observed in distress (mean score difference: 0.61 [95% CI: −3.72, 4.93], P  = 0.783), knowledge (mean score difference: 0.23 [95% CI: −0.21, 0.66], P  = 0.309), or whether a decision was made (relative risk: 1.21 [95% CI: 0.90, 1.64], P  = 0.212). No group differences were found in informed choice (relative risk: 1.00 [95% CI: 0.81, 1.25], P  = 0.983) or decision regret (median score difference: −5.00 [95% CI: −15.30, 5.30], P  = 0.337) amongst participants who had decided about EEF by 12 months (intervention n = 48, control n = 45). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Unknown participant uptake and potential sampling bias due to the recruitment methods used and restrictions caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Some outcomes had small sample sizes limiting the inferences made. The use of study-specific or adapted validated measures may impact the reliability of some results. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate a Decision Aid for EEF. The Decision Aid reduced decisional conflict and improved women's preparation for decision making. The tool will be made publicly available and can be tailored for international use. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The Decision Aid was developed with funding from the Royal Women's Hospital Foundation and McBain Family Trust. The study was funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Project Grant APP1163202, awarded to M. Hickey, M. Peate, R.J. Norman, and R. Hart (2019–2021). S.S. M.P. D.K. and S.B. were supported by the NHMRC Project Grant APP1163202 to perform this work. R.H. is Medical Director of Fertility Specialists of Western Australia and National Medical Director of City Fertility. He has received grants from MSD, Merck-Serono, and Ferring Pharmaceuticals unrelated to this study and is a shareholder of CHA-SMG. R.L. is Director of Women's Health Melbourne (Medical Practice), ANZSREI Executive Secretary (Honorary), RANZCOG CREI Subspecialty Committee Member (Honorary), and a Fertility Specialist at Life Fertility Clinic Melbourne and Royal Women's Hospital Public Fertility Service. R.A.A. has received grants from Ferring Pharmaceuticals unrelated to this study. M.H. K.H. and R.J.N. have no conflicts to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ACTRN12620001032943 TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE 11 August 2020 DATE OF FIRST PATIENT'S ENROLMENT 29 September 2020 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to better understand the knowledge and attitudes of men and women internationally towards oocyte cryopreservation (OC). Methods: An online 25-question survey was distributed internationally via email and social media. Knowledge and attitudes towards OC among different regions and genders were assessed. The study population consisted of adults from North America (NA, 15.7%), Southeastern and Eastern Europe (SE, 34.7%), Central and Western Europe (CWE, 12.7%), Asia (12.7%), and Middle East (ME, 8.9%). Results: A total of 496 respondents initiated the survey and the completion rate was 80.2%. The mean (SD) age was 35.2 (12.1) years. Over 70% were aware of OC, but only 4.8% had previously undergone the procedure. Most considered ages 26–31 as optimal for OC and correctly identified conditions that could impact the chance of spontaneous conception. Significant differences were observed regarding etiologies that would render OC acceptable. Only in NA and ME did solid majorities strongly agree that it is acceptable to proceed with OC to allow more time to find the right partner or for professional opportunities. More similar opinions were observed between genders. When medical conditions existed, large majorities across all nationalities and genders strongly agreed that OC is acceptable. In NA, SE, and ME most respondents would consider or recommend OC for any reason, whereas most respondents in CWE and Asia would do that only for certain social reasons or medical necessity. Conclusion: A good understanding of OC was observed. Nationality appeared to impact opinions on appropriate indications for this procedure, though overall positive attitudes were documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Oocyte cryopreservation (OC) is a medical intervention for reproductive-aged women, a demographic that uses social media heavily. This study characterizes the top TikTok videos and Instagram reels on OC. Methods: Five hashtags pertaining to OC were selected: #oocytepreservation, #oocytecryopreservation, #eggfreezing, #oocytefreezing, and #fertilitypreservation. Top videos for each hashtag were evaluated for source, content, impact, and quality on both platforms. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to analyze differences between laypeople and medical professionals. Results: From March to April 2023, 332 posts were reviewed. The most popular hashtags on TikTok and Instagram were #eggfreezing (n = 5.6 million views, n = 68,500 + posts) and #fertilitypreservation (n = 9 million views, n = 20,700 + posts). Laypeople dominated as sources (57.8%, 35.2%), followed by physicians (17.0%, 32.4%). No professional societies videos were found. Educational information (53.1%, 48.6%) was most frequently shared on both platforms respectively, followed by personal experiences (36.1%, 21.6%). Laypersons' posts were dominated by personal experiences (62.0%) with educational content second (33.3%). Educational content by medical professionals was more accurate on both TikTok and Instagram than patients (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). #Eggfreezing had the greatest impact for both patients and medical professionals based on shares (n = 9653, n = 3093), likes (n = 713,263, n = 120,700), and comments (n = 35,453, n = 1478). Notably, laypersons had a larger follower count than medical professionals (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The majority of available videos are from laypeople, focus on education topics, and are less accurate in comparison to those from medical professionals. Professional societies have an opportunity to enhance their social media presence for better availability and accuracy of OC information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, unmarried women are prohibited from egg freezing despite high demand and declining fertility rates. Within such a context, this article aims to examine public attitudes toward reproduction and egg-freezing on social media, with particular attention paid to how these discussions reflect the multi-level determinants influencing decision-making regarding egg-freezing practices. Within the context of Chinese gender ideology, we conducted a critical discourse analysis of 1,437 Weibo posts discussing egg-freezing. Our analysis identified four significant themes: reconstructing romantic relationships and family structures, conspiracy theories and distrust surrounding assisted reproduction, exposing and challenging reproductive policies within a patriarchal framework, and interconnections and stratification among women. Accentuated by the egg-freezing discourse, we argue that current Chinese women’s bodily autonomy is entangled with traditional norms and state control, underscoring the intricate interplay between individual choice and societal dynamics, as well as the ideological contradictions at the intersection of Western technological influence and Chinese societal structures. Furthermore, we illuminate the challenging landscape faced by online feminist movements within such a complex context. Our findings set the stage for shaping future initiatives focused on advancing reproductive justice and empowering fertility choices among Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Ovarian stimulation (OS) with high daily gonadotropin doses are commonly offered to patients attempting social/elective egg freezing. However, the optimal daily gonadotropin dose that would allow a higher oocyte yield in the successive IVF cycle attempt was not settled and should be determined. Patients and methods: Data from all women admitted to our IVF unit for social/EEF, who underwent two consecutive IVF cycle attempts, with only those who used in the first attempt a starting daily gonadotropin dose of 300IU were analyzed. Patients characteristics and OS variables were used in an attempt to build a logistic model, helping in determining the daily gonadotropin dose that should be offered to patient during their second EEF attempt, aiming to further increase their oocyte yield. Results: Three hundred and thirteen consecutive women undergoing two successive IVF cycle attempts were evaluated. Using logistic regression model, two equations were developed using individual patient-level data that determine the daily gonadotropin dose needed aiming to increase the oocyte yield in the successive cycle. (a): X=-0.514 + 2.87*A1 + 1.733*A2–0.194* (E2/1000) and (b): P = EXP(X) / [1 + EXP(X)]. Conclusions: Using the aforementioned equations succeeded in determining the daily gonadotropin dose that might result in increasing oocyte yield, with an AUC of 0.85. Any additional oocyte retrieved to these EEF patients might get them closer to fulfil their desire to parenthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 2010 and 2016, elective oocyte cryopreservation (OC) increased in use by 880% in the United States; however, there have been increasing reports of regret among patients after elective OC. There is a growing need for individualized counseling on the timing and number of oocytes to cryopreserve for patients to make informed choices and set realistic expectations, but currently available tools seem to be insufficient. The purpose of this review is to describe the OC calculators currently available online, identify sources of regret, and illustrate the need for unified counseling tools for improved patient care and education. OC calculators were identified via Google search. Only calculators that cite scientific literature were included in the review. Calculators for in vitro fertilization or embryo transfer were excluded. Thirteen OC calculators were found; however, only six cited literature supporting the calculator's design. When entering the same hypothetical patient parameters for age and number of oocytes cryopreserved, the calculators provided drastically different probabilities of live births. The lack of cohesive online educational materials creates confusion and stress for patients considering OC, leading to unrealistic expectations and increased feelings of regret thereafter. Physicians need tools to provide comprehensive guidance to patients seeking to cryopreserve oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This work focuses on the diet and feeding ecology of the South Polar Skua, a large gull-like seabird that breeds around Antarctica and winters in the Indian Ocean and Northern Hemisphere. This study presents information from the Haswell Islands off the Antarctic coast in the Davis Sea, where skuas breed near colonies of other seabird species. The composition of the diet of South Polar Skuas included animal (vertebrate and invertebrate organisms), plant, mineral, and anthropogenic components. The diet during the pre-breeding and breeding periods was based on eggs and chicks found in Emperor and Adélie penguin colonies. During the post-breeding period, skuas have been observed feeding at sea. In general, they obtained food by scavenging, but they could also prey on the eggs and chicks of Adélie Penguins and other seabirds. In recent decades, kitchen waste became an additional food resource that supported the skua population. It was found that South Polar Skuas did not influence the breeding success of Emperor Penguins but could potentially influence the breeding success of Adélie Penguins and other seabirds. The diet and feeding behavior of South Polar Skuas (Stercorarius maccormicki) are well studied within the species' breeding range but are poorly understood on the Haswell Islands. The aim of this study was to determine how South Polar Skuas use available resources during the pre-breeding and breeding periods at the Haswell Archipelago (66°31′ S, 93°01′ E, Davis Sea, Southern Ocean) under conditions of prolonged human activity. I studied pellets, spontaneous regurgitation, and stomach contents of feathered birds to study the diet of skuas and used direct observations of their feeding behavior. South Polar Skuas at the Haswell Islands fed primarily on the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) colony and on terrestrial resources in the Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) and fulmarine petrel colonies. The dominant prey of skuas were breeding Antarctic penguins. Emperor Penguins and Adélie Penguins make up the bulk of the skuas' diet in the pre-breeding and breeding periods. Surface feeding at sea was observed in the post-breeding period. In recent decades, kitchen waste supported the skua population. Scavenging (placenta and feces of Weddell seals [Leptonychotes weddellii], frozen eggs, chicks and adults of breeding bird species, kitchen refuse) is the dominant strategy for obtaining food. Adélie Penguin eggs and chicks were the main food items of the South Polar Skuas in the Haswell Archipelago. Skua predation could potentially influence the breeding success of Adélie Penguins and fulmarine petrels, but the extent of the impact is unknown. The impact of the South Polar Skua on Emperor Penguins is negligible because skuas feed mainly on frozen chicks and eggs of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was conducted to determine the optimum concentration of egg yolk in extender for diluting Pantja buck semen and its effect on post-thaw semen quality. Tris-citric acid-fructose-egg yolk-glycerol (TCF-EY) extender containing 4 different levels (5, 10, 15 and 20%) of egg-yolk was used for cryopreservation. Thirty-two (32) ejaculates were collected from four (04) bucks (eight ejaculates from each buck). Semen ejaculates after collection were pooled (4 ejaculates = 1 pooled ejaculate) on daily basis and this pooled ejaculate was divided and diluted into four groups as D1[Neat semen + tris-fructose-citric acid-egg yolk (@5%)-glycerol], D2[Neat semen + tris-fructose-citric acid-egg yolk (@10%)-glycerol], D3[Neat semen + tris-fructose-citric acid-egg yolk (@15%)-glycerol] and D4[Neat semen + tris-fructose-citric acid-egg yolk (@20%)-glycerol], and evaluated for physico-morphological parameters (sperm motility, live spermatozoa count, abnormal spermatozoa percent, plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal integrity) at post-dilution, post-equilibration and post-thaw stages. Biochemical parameters {Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (GOT), Glutamic Pyruvate Transaminase (GPT) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px)}were also estimated before dilution and at post-thaw stages of semen freezing. Significant difference (P< 0.05) was observed for all the physico-morphological and biochemical parameters at various stage of semen freezing in various diluters. All seminal parameters except total sperm abnormality showed higher values in D2 (10% EY) group at post-dilution, post-equilibration and post-thaw stages compared to other groups. Likewise, significantly lower values for MDA, GOT, GPT and higher value for GSH-Px were observed in D2 group at post-thaw stage of semen freezing. It was therefore, concluded that 10% egg yolk level (V/V) supplementation in Tris-citric acid-fructose-egg yolk -glycerol extender provides comparatively better post-thaw semen quality of Pantja buck semen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last 20 years have seen substantial improvements in fertility and hormone preservation and restoration technologies for a growing number of cancer survivors. However, further advancements are required to fill the gaps for those who cannot use current technologies or to improve the efficacy and longevity of current fertility and hormone restoration technologies. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) followed by ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT) offers those unable to undergo ovarian stimulation for egg retrieval and cryopreservation an option that restores both fertility and hormone function. However, those with metastatic disease in their ovaries are unable to transplant this tissue. Therefore, new technologies to produce good-quality eggs and restore long-term cyclic ovarian function are being investigated and developed to expand options for a variety of patients. This mini-review describes current and near future technologies including in vitro maturation, in vitro follicle growth and maturation, bioprosthetic ovaries, and stem cell applications in fertility restoration research by their proximity to clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses so-called social egg freezing among women in Norway. The women, single and in their thirties, link the desire to freeze their eggs to challenges with heterosexual partnering and the lingering threat of becoming 'desperate' due to presumed declining fertility. I show that 'desperation' stands for impulses, desires, priorities and strategies, which are in conflict with an ideal feminine subjectivity – the 'strong independent woman' – who is gender equal, autonomous, rational and self-regulating. At the same time, normative coupledom based on 'true love' remains at the heart of the women's idea of an optimal way of life. Drawing on feminist sociologist Eva Ilouz' theorisation of the effects of late capitalism on heterosexual dynamics and relationships, I show how egg freezing is pursued in order to retain and improve one's ability for what Illouz calls 'unlove': to avoid and escape substandard relationships and prioritise autonomy and self-empowerment over a desire for attachment. I contend that, although in some cases (and/or for some time) experienced as empowering and an enhancement of gender equality, egg freezing remains an individualised, and largely ineffective, response to conflicts and dilemmas stemming from gendered paradoxes of late capitalist intimate normativity, where norms of 'true love' coupledom come into conflict with an ideal subjectivity of radical autonomy. 'Freezing for unlove', thus, also highlights the ambiguous effects of an individualist neoliberal feminism, which fails to adequately address material gender differences, and to problematise adjustment to a male norm as a strategy for gender equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Oocytes on-call – a surgical trainees guide to oocyte cryopreservation" discusses the feasibility and logistics of oocyte cryopreservation for female surgeons during training. It highlights the decline of ovarian reserve with age, the importance of antimüllerian hormone levels in assessing ovarian reserve, and the recommended age range for oocyte preservation. The article also covers costs, the process of oocyte cryopreservation, and considerations for female surgeons balancing work and fertility planning. It emphasizes the need for early consultation with a fertility expert and provides insights from colleagues who have undergone the procedure. [Extracted from the article]

The September 2024 issue of Medical Law International features articles on various topics. Ruthie Jeanneret et al. discuss the role of patients and caregivers as "regulatory actors" in healthcare systems, using assisted dying as a case study. Andrea Martani et al. examine the challenges for legislation enabling egg donation in Switzerland, focusing on age limits for recipients and regulation of egg procurement. Yuxin Li and Jingchen Zhang analyze Zaozao Xu's case, challenging Chinese prohibitions on egg freezing for unmarried women. Additionally, reviews of books on health service reform, medical law, and biotechnology regulation are included in this issue. [Extracted from the article]

Childhood cancer incidence, especially in high-income countries, has led to a focus on preserving fertility in this vulnerable population. The common treatments, such as radiation and certain chemotherapeutic agents, though effective, pose a risk to fertility. For adult women, established techniques like embryo and egg freezing are standard, requiring ovarian stimulation. However, for prepubescent girls, ovarian tissue freezing has become the primary option, eliminating the need for hormonal preparation. This review describes the beginning, evolution, and current situation of the fertility preservation options for this young population. A total of 75 studies were included, covering the steps in the current fertility preservation protocols: (i) ovarian tissue extraction, (ii) the freezing method, and (iii) thawing and transplantation. Cryopreservation and the subsequent transplantation of ovarian tissue have resulted in successful fertility restoration, with over 200 recorded live births, including cases involving ovarian tissue cryopreserved from prepubescent girls. Despite promising results, challenges persist, such as follicular loss during transplantation, which is attributed to ischemic and oxidative damage. Optimizing ovarian tissue-freezing processes and exploring alternatives to transplantation, like in vitro systems for follicles to establish maturation, are essential to mitigating associated risks. Further research is required in fertility preservation techniques to enhance clinical outcomes in the future. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation appears to be a method with specific benefits, indications, and risks, which can be an important tool in terms of preserving fertility in younger women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]