About this Research Topic
Human reproduction has relied on assisted reproduction technologies (ART) to fulfill the reproductive desire of infertile couples. Despite the advancements in ART success that have increased the success rates and reduced the number of transferred embryos, in some cases, initiated cycles lead to implantation failures or pregnancy loss.
Both sperm and oocyte quality are responsible for the future embryo quality; therefore, the improvement of gamete quality is important to achieve embryos with proper fertilization potential, not only in humans, but also in other model animals. Since many affectations are known to potentially cause a reduction of gamete quality, nowadays there is still a lack of useful biomarkers that help in improving gamete quality and ART outcomes.
Gamete quality may be measured from a high variety of approaches, focusing not only on physiological aspects, but also in nuclear and cellular structure or molecular biomarkers. Despite multiple studies having suggested biomarkers for differentiating fertile and infertile/subfertile individuals, little data is available showing the relation of specific biomarkers to ART outcomes.
Bearing this in mind, new data showing these relations are key to understand the underlying affected mechanisms leading ART failure, and to develop further therapies to compensate them and increase reproductive results in infertile couples.
This research topic is focused in determining gamete quality biomarkers and their relation to ART outcomes. We welcome articles focused on, but not limited to:
• Studies revealing novel biomarkers relating sperm and oocyte quality to ART outcomes
• Studies addressing the effects of treatments to improve gamete quality
• Studies revealing the underlying mechanisms that relate gamete quality to embryo quality
Both sperm and oocyte quality are responsible for the future embryo quality; therefore, the improvement of gamete quality is important to achieve embryos with proper fertilization potential, not only in humans, but also in other model animals. Since many affectations are known to potentially cause a reduction of gamete quality, nowadays there is still a lack of useful biomarkers that help in improving gamete quality and ART outcomes.
Gamete quality may be measured from a high variety of approaches, focusing not only on physiological aspects, but also in nuclear and cellular structure or molecular biomarkers. Despite multiple studies having suggested biomarkers for differentiating fertile and infertile/subfertile individuals, little data is available showing the relation of specific biomarkers to ART outcomes.
Bearing this in mind, new data showing these relations are key to understand the underlying affected mechanisms leading ART failure, and to develop further therapies to compensate them and increase reproductive results in infertile couples.
This research topic is focused in determining gamete quality biomarkers and their relation to ART outcomes. We welcome articles focused on, but not limited to:
• Studies revealing novel biomarkers relating sperm and oocyte quality to ART outcomes
• Studies addressing the effects of treatments to improve gamete quality
• Studies revealing the underlying mechanisms that relate gamete quality to embryo quality
Keywords: gametes, assisted reproductive technology, infertility, IVF, implantation failure, pregnancy loss
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
