Purpose: The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) implemented an assisted reproductive technology (ART) registry system in 1986. Here are reported the characteristics and treatment outcomes of ART cycles that were registered in 2015.Methods: JSOG has requested all participating ART facilities to register cycle‐specific information for all ART cycles since 2007. A descriptive analysis was performed by using the registry database for 2015.Results: In total, 424 151 cycles and 51 001 neonates (1 in 19.7 neonates born in Japan) were registered in 2015. The patients’ mean age was 38.2 years (standard deviation = 4.5). Among the fresh cycles, 94 158 of 244 718 (38.5%) egg retrieval cycles were cycles with freeze‐all embryos or oocytes, while fresh embryo transfer (ET) was performed in 70 254 cycles, signaling a decrease from 2014. There were 169 898 frozen‐thawed ET cycles, resulting in 56 355 pregnancies and 40 599 neonates. Single ET was performed at a rate of 79.7% for fresh and 81.8% for frozen cycles and the singleton pregnancy/live birth rates were 96.9%/96.5% and 96.8%/96.4% for the respective cycles.Conclusion: The total ART cycles and live births resulting from ART has been increasing in Japan. Single ET was performed at a rate of almost 80% and ET cycles have shifted from fresh to frozen cycles.

Purpose The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology started an online cycle‐based assisted reproductive technology (ART) registry system in 2007. This report presents the characteristics and treatment outcomes of ART registered for the cycles practiced during 2016. Methods Cycle‐specific information for all ART cycles implemented in participating ART facilities were collected. A descriptive analysis was conducted for the registry database of 2016. Results In total, 447 790 treatment cycles and 54 110 neonates (one in 18.1 neonates born in Japan) were reported in 2016. The mean patients’ age was 38.1 years (SD = 4.5). Among the egg retrieval cycles, 104 575 of 251 399 (41.6%) were freeze‐all cycles without fresh embryo transfers (ET), while fresh ET was performed in 64 497 cycles (58.4%). A total of 187 132 frozen‐thawed ET cycles were reported, resulting in 62 432 pregnancies and 44 484 neonates born. Single ET was selected for 81.0% of fresh transfers and 82.7% of frozen cycles, resulting in singleton pregnancy/live birth rates of 97.0%/96.4% and 96.7%/96.4%, respectively. Conclusion The total ART cycles and subsequent live births continued to increase in 2016. Single ET was performed more than 80%, and ET has shifted from using fresh embryos to frozen ones.

Purpose: Fertility preservation is an important issue for young cancer patients. Random‐start controlled ovarian stimulation and double ovarian stimulation have been proposed for efficient oocyte retrieval within the limited time before cancer therapy. We aimed to clarify the efficacy of these new protocols within the Japanese population.Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study at a multicenter from February 2012 to August 2017. The study entailed 50 cycles with 34 patients who underwent fertility preservation due to breast cancer. Follicular phase or luteal phase ovarian stimulation with aromatase inhibitor was performed. A second ovarian stimulation was started with or without waiting until the next menstruation. We measured the number of retrieved oocytes and cryopreserved oocytes/embryos, the ratio of mature oocytes, and the fertilization rate.Results: The numbers of retrieved oocytes and frozen oocytes/embryos were not significantly different between follicular phase and luteal phase ovarian stimulation. The number of retrieved oocytes was not reduced at the second ovum pick up compared to the first ovum pick up in the double ovarian stimulation.Conclusions: Random‐start controlled ovarian stimulation and double ovarian stimulation with aromatase inhibitor for breast cancer patients were effective protocols for retrieving a greater number of oocytes within the limited time.

Androgen receptor (AR) is reported to be expressed in human uterine endometrium, but not much information is available on the role of androgens in human endometrium. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of androgens in the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, which is one of the important MMPs for menstruation and embryo implantation in human endometrium. Human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were obtained from human endometrium by enzymatic dissociation method. Purified HESCs were incubated with 17β-estradiol (E2), testosterone, or E2 + testosterone. Progestins (natural progesterone or medroxyprogesterone acetate) or vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide) were also added to the media instead of testosterone. Furthermore, hydroxyflutamide (FLU),a specific AR antagonist, was also supplemented to cultured media. The amounts of MMP-1 in cultured media and in HESC lysates were examined by ELISA measurements and western blotting analysis respectively. The expression of ARmRNA in HESCs RNA was analyzed by RT-PCR. Testosterone significantly inhibited MMP-1 in both cultured media and cell lysates in a dose-dependent manner. Progestins also inhibited MMP-1. Furthermore, FLU completely recovered the decrease of MMP-1 induced by testosterone. ARmRNA was detected in all HESCs RNA. The present study demonstrated that the secretion and production of MMP-1 in HESCs in vitro were inhibited by testosterone through androgen receptors in a manner similar to that seen for progesterone. These findings indicate that androgen may play an important role in morphological and functional changes of human endometrium. Abstract Androgen receptor (AR) is reported to be expressed in human uterine endometrium, but not much information is available on the role of androgens in human endometrium. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of androgens in the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, which is one of the important MMPs for menstruation and embryo implantation in human endometrium. Human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were obtained from human endometrium by enzymatic dissociation method. Purified HESCs were incubated with 17β-estradiol (E2), testosterone, or E2 + testosterone. Progestins (natural progesterone or medroxyprogesterone acetate) or vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide) were also added to the media instead of testosterone. Furthermore, hydroxyflutamide (FLU),a specific AR antagonist, was also supplemented to cultured media. The amounts of MMP-1 in cultured media and in HESC lysates were examined by ELISA measurements and western blotting analysis respectively. The expression of ARmRNA in HESCs RNA was analyzed by RT-PCR. Testosterone significantly inhibited MMP-1 in both cultured media and cell lysates in a dose-dependent manner. Progestins also inhibited MMP-1. Furthermore, FLU completely recovered the decrease of MMP-1 induced by testosterone. ARmRNA was detected in all HESCs RNA. The present study demonstrated that the secretion and production of MMP-1 in HESCs in vitro were inhibited by testosterone through androgen receptors in a manner similar to that seen for progesterone. These findings indicate that androgen may play an important role in morphological and functional changes of human endometrium.