Collagen-based materials in reproductive medicine and engineered reproductive tissues

Collagen, the main component of mammal skin, has been traditionally used in leather manufacturing for thousands of years due to its diverse physicochemical properties. Collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals and the main component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The properties of collagen also make it an ideal building block for the engineering of materials for a range of biomedical applications. Reproductive medicine, especially human fertility preservation strategies and reproductive organ regeneration, has attracted significant attention in recent years as it is key in resolving the growing social concern over aging populations worldwide. Collagen-based biomaterials such as collagen hydrogels, decellularized ECM (dECM), and bioengineering techniques including collagen-based 3D bioprinting have facilitated the engineering of reproductive tissues. This review summarizes the recent progress in applying collagen-based biomaterials in reproductive. Furthermore, we discuss the prospects of collagen-based materials for engineering artificial reproductive tissues, hormone replacement therapy, and reproductive organ reconstruction, aiming to inspire new thoughts and advancements in engineered reproductive tissues research. Graphical abstract

HEALTH ORIENTATION AND DISORDERED EATING ATTITUDE IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)

Reproductive medicine in the field of health psychology deals with the psychological aspects of the reproductive system and its consequences. Reproductive medicine provides an opportunity to understand the process of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, hormonal conditions and illnesses, sexual behaviour, menopause by not merely from a biological point of view but also in light of psychological and social processes. Aline to this view, the study explored health orientation and disordered eating attitude in women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The study captured the health-related behavior and attitude, which is a key component of the development of psychological distress in PCOS. It also examined the differences for the same in PCOS and Non-PCOS women. Total of eighty women, from the age group of 18-30 (young adults) were included in the study. The results highlighted, a significant difference among PCOS and Non-PCOS women on health image concern, health anxiety, health esteem and confidence, health expectations and health status. Finding also implied that there was a significant difference in disordered eating attitude of women diagnosed with PCOS and healthy women. These findings could have a significant implication for prevention, clinical practice and intervention in women with PCOS. The incorporation of medical and psychological actions to enhance their health-related quality of life may help these women.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing: A Review of Past and Current

The field of medical genetics has seen significant and incredible advances in technology for the past several decades. Genetic technologies, particularly in the reproductive medicine discipline, represent a fresh era in medicine that may develop significantly in the coming years. The purpose of Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) in the situation of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments with IVF (in vitro fertilization) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is particularly controversial as it is done before implantation [1]. However, despite the successful application of PGT in the field of IVF in overcoming infertility and genetic defects, the techniques pose various limitations, and concerns that need to be addressed to enhance their success rate [2]. This review will introduce PGT and summarize the molecular techniques used in its application as well as highlight the future advances in the field.

Semen and Spermatozoa Characteristics in Alcohol Users and Non-Users

Introduction: Increasing infertility rate worldwide raises research to investigate plausible reason health community. To find out the characteristics of semen and spermatozoa in alcohol users and compare these characteristics with that of non-users of alcohol. Methodology: The data on alcohol use and semen analysis were obtained from case records of patients reported to the Department of Andrology & Reproductive Medicine of a tertiary care hospital for a period of one year from January 2018 to December 2018. The semen volume, sperm concentration, motility and morphology in alcohol users were compared with non-users. Results: A total of 231 patients had reported to the Department of Andrology & Reproductive Medicine during the study period. Among them 81 (35.06%) were alcohol users and 150 (64.94%) alcohol non-users. Analysis of their semen reports revealed that the difference in semen volume and sperm morphology was not found to be statistically significant, but the sperm concentration and progressive motility of spermatozoa showed significant reduction in alcohol users compared to non – users (p<0.05). Conclusion: The semen volume and sperm quality were found to be low in alcohol users. Among the spermatozoa characteristics, sperm concentration and motility were significantly reduced in alcohol users.

Leadership and team building in clinical practice (according to the results of a case study)

The purpose of this paper is to study the distribution of the roles of medical staff in teams that provide medical care in a tertiary health care facility. Materials and methods. The study was conducted among medical workers of the Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Center for Endocrine Surgery, Transplantation of Endocrine Organs and Tissues of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine: Departments of Reproductive Medicine, Surgery and Consultative Clinic according to R. Belbin’s methodology for diagnosing team roles using BSPIQ uestionnaire (Belbin Self-Perception Inventory). The study involved 25 health workers from three structural units of the center: the Department of Reproductive Medicine (7 respondents), a consultative clinic of different specialties (11) and the Department of Endocrine Surgery (7). This study was conducted in several stages. In the first stage, respondents identified and assessed their role in the team based on self-assessment. Respondents answered «Yes» / «No» to 3 short questions concerning the knowledge about the distribution of team members according to the typology of roles proposed by R.M. Belbin (1); belief that the roles that employees perform in the department are identical to their positions or expectations; confidence in the definition of team roles by personality type (3). The following is the direct diagnosis and definition of team roles among the selected medical staff of this health care institution.The survey was conducted during COVID-19 pande­mic, so it has some sampling limitations and is a pilot study. Results and discussion. According to the survey, it was found that all respondents were not previously familiar with this methodology. Every second respondent does not believe in the identity of the roles that employees perform in these teams, their positions or descriptions. However, 84 % of respondents indicated the dependence of team roles on personality type. The results of respondents’ self-assessment of their own roles in teams and direct diagnosis of the distribution of roles using the BSPI-questionnaire coincided with only 5 % of respondents. According to the study, there was a statistically significant relationship between gender and team membership. In particular, only women work in team I (Department of Reproductive Medicine), and 91 % of men (p < 0.002) work in team III (Department of Endocrine Surgery). The situation is similar in terms of position and work in individual clinical teams studied (p < 0.001). The hypothesis of the existence of a relationship between the age of the respondent and the severity of his command role behavioral functions was not confirmed (p < 0.991).The teams differed statistically significantly in the filling of roles (p < 0.087). Separate regularities of distribution of roles in each of the studied commands are revealed. Conclusions. This study points to the importance of studying the distribution of roles in teams. According to its results, it was found that the team (behavioral) role (role) of a member of the studied teams depends on gender and position, but is not related to the age factor. Team roles in the studied clinical teams are distributed differently: the most pronounced role characteristics in all teams are a specialist (expert), a completer-finisher (controller); the absence of a coordinator role has been established. Roles such as monitor evaluator and resource investigator exist only in the team of doctors of the consulting clinic.