Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42342842›Full record

Observational studyJournal of human genetics2026

The importance of integrating genetic testing into reproductive medicine: a retrospective observational study investigating the monogenic causes of human infertility in couples considering ICSI.

Sara H El-Dessouky, Wessam E Sharaf-Eldin, Islam F Soliman, Mona M Aboulghar, Ahmed Abou El-Serour, Ashraf Ali, Sameh Senousy, Lova Matsa, Mohamed Maher, Dalia S Zolfokar and 5 more

Abstract readObservational Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in Journal of human genetics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Sara H El-DessoukyPrenatal Diagnosis & Fetal Medicine Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
Wessam E Sharaf-EldinMedical Molecular Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4728-9089
Islam F SolimanDepartment of Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Mona M AboulgharDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Ahmed Abou El-SerourDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Ashraf AliDepartment of Reproductive Health and Family Planning, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
Sameh SenousyPrenatal Diagnosis & Fetal Medicine Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
Lova MatsaGenomic Precision Diagnostic Department, Igenomix, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Mohamed MaherDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Dalia S ZolfokarDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Mohamed A YoussefDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Hatem A MousaMaternal and Fetal Medicine Unit, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK.
Maha M EidHuman Cytogenetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
Maha S ZakiClinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7840-0002
Ebtesam M AbdallaHuman Genetics Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. ebtesam.nasr@alexu.edu.eg.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2486-8782

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The genetic landscape of human infertility is complex with diverse etiologies. Identifying the underlying etiology is crucial for guiding reproductive decisions and improving management for infertile couples. Here, we aim to report on the molecular spectrum of monogenic genetic causes of reproductive failure. Over a 3-year period, we recruited all infertile couples considering assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for whom the underlying genetic cause had been identified, in either partner, using exome sequencing (ES). Clinical data of all participants along with their hormonal profiles, sonographic findings and spermograms were recorded. The study included 50 couples with primary infertility. Clinically, male factor infertility was documented in 26 patients, female factor infertility in 10, while reproductive failure was unexplained in the remaining 14 couples. All participating couples had potentially disease-causing variants in infertility genes. ES identified variants related to male infertility in 26 men, while variants in female infertility-related genes were detected in the remaining couples (n = 24). According to ACMG classification criteria, 78% (39/50) of couples harbored pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants, whereas 22% (11/50) carried variants of uncertain significance (VUS). In view of the identified genetic etiologies, the cohort was stratified into two groups based on the predicted reproductive outcome: (1) couples with significantly impaired reproductive potential, and (2) couples who can have biological children using appropriate medical interventions. However, classifications involving VUS were interpreted cautiously and considered exploratory. This study provides further evidence for the molecular heterogeneity of human infertility and highlights the usefulness of genetic testing for infertile couples pursuing ARTs.

Indexed as

Genetic TestingInfertilityInfertility, FemaleInfertility, MaleSperm Injections, IntracytoplasmicAdultExome SequencingFemaleHumansMaleRetrospective Studies

Identifiers

PMID42342842

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.