Norah Spears
YOU?
Author Swipe
View article: The impact of <i>in utero</i> exposure to cancer treatments on foetal reproductive development and future fertility: a systematic review
The impact of <i>in utero</i> exposure to cancer treatments on foetal reproductive development and future fertility: a systematic review Open
STUDY QUESTION Does cancer treatment during pregnancy affect gonadal development in the exposed foetus? SUMMARY ANSWER Our systematic review revealed that exposure in utero to many cancer therapies does negatively impact gonadal developmen…
View article: Can we manipulate the ovary’s own metabolism to protect it from chemotherapy-induced damage?
Can we manipulate the ovary’s own metabolism to protect it from chemotherapy-induced damage? Open
Some chemotherapy treatments induce female infertility through accelerated ovarian ageing, including due to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) depletion. Using various mouse models, Ho et al (2024) demonstrate that exposure to two suc…
View article: Spermatogonial quantity in prepubertal boys undergoing fertility preservation is comparable between haematological and non-haematological cancers
Spermatogonial quantity in prepubertal boys undergoing fertility preservation is comparable between haematological and non-haematological cancers Open
Fertility restoration potential of immature testicular tissue (ITT) depends on the number of spermatogonial cells in the retrieved tissue prior to cryopreservation in oncofertility programme. There are limited data on the association betwe…
View article: Anti-Mullerian hormone attenuates both cyclophosphamide-induced damage and PI3K signalling activation, while rapamycin attenuates only PI3K signalling activation, in human ovarian cortex <i>in vitro</i>
Anti-Mullerian hormone attenuates both cyclophosphamide-induced damage and PI3K signalling activation, while rapamycin attenuates only PI3K signalling activation, in human ovarian cortex <i>in vitro</i> Open
STUDY QUESTION What are the effects of cyclophosphamide exposure on the human ovary and can anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and rapamycin protect against these? SUMMARY ANSWER Exposure to cyclophosphamide compromises the health of primordial …
View article: Recent advances in the understanding of tubal ectopic pregnancy
Recent advances in the understanding of tubal ectopic pregnancy Open
Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is described as the implantation of an embryo outside the normal uterine cavity. It most commonly occurs in the fallopian tube, hence termed a tubal ectopic pregnancy (tEP). It is a gynaecological emergency and remai…
View article: Oncofertility awareness among primary care physicians in India
Oncofertility awareness among primary care physicians in India Open
Background: Primary care physicians not only coordinate referrals to oncology services but can play a crucial role in successful fertility preservation referrals in cancer-diagnosed patients. Hence, it is important to assess their knowledg…
View article: In vitro exposure to benzo[a]pyrene damages the developing mouse ovary
In vitro exposure to benzo[a]pyrene damages the developing mouse ovary Open
Females are born with a finite number of oocytes, collectively termed the ovarian reserve, established within the developing fetal ovary. Consequently, maternal exposure to reproductive toxicants can have harmful effects on the future fert…
View article: Oncofertility awareness among primary care physicians in India
Oncofertility awareness among primary care physicians in India Open
Background: Primary care physicians not only coordinate referrals to oncology services but can play a crucial role in successful fertility preservation referrals in cancer-diagnosed patients. Hence, it is important to assess their knowledg…
View article: Investigation of potential gender bias in the peer review system at <i>Reproduction</i>
Investigation of potential gender bias in the peer review system at <i>Reproduction</i> Open
This study examined whether publication outcome was affected by the gender of author, handling associate editor (AE), or reviewer, and whether there was gender bias in reviewer selection, in the journal Reproduction . Analyses were carried…
View article: The impact of vincristine on testicular development and function in childhood cancer
The impact of vincristine on testicular development and function in childhood cancer Open
BACKGROUND Increasing childhood cancer survival rates in recent decades have led to an increased focus on fertility as a long-term complication of cancer treatment. Male childhood cancer survivors often face compromised testicular function…
View article: Cisplatin Effects on the Human Fetal Testis – Establishing the Sensitive Period for (Pre)Spermatogonial Loss and Relevance for Fertility Preservation in Pre-Pubertal Boys
Cisplatin Effects on the Human Fetal Testis – Establishing the Sensitive Period for (Pre)Spermatogonial Loss and Relevance for Fertility Preservation in Pre-Pubertal Boys Open
Background Exposure to chemotherapy during childhood can impair future fertility. Studies using in vitro culture have shown exposure to platinum-based alkylating-like chemotherapy reduces the germ cell number in the human fetal testicular …
View article: Maintenance of Sertoli Cell Number and Function in Immature Human Testicular Tissues Exposed to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy—Implications for Fertility Restoration
Maintenance of Sertoli Cell Number and Function in Immature Human Testicular Tissues Exposed to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy—Implications for Fertility Restoration Open
Background: Retrospective studies in adult survivors of childhood cancer show long-term impacts of exposure to alkylating chemotherapy on future fertility. We recently demonstrated germ cell loss in immature human testicular tissues follow…
View article: Chemotherapy induced damage to spermatogonial stem cells in prepubertal mouse in vitro impairs long-term spermatogenesis
Chemotherapy induced damage to spermatogonial stem cells in prepubertal mouse in vitro impairs long-term spermatogenesis Open
Chemotherapy can affect testis development of young boys with cancer, reducing the chances of fatherhood in adulthood. Studies using experimental models are needed to determine the damage caused by individual chemotherapy drugs in order to…
View article: Ectopic pregnancy and epithelial to mesenchymal transition: is there a link?
Ectopic pregnancy and epithelial to mesenchymal transition: is there a link? Open
Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is defined as the implantation of an embryo outside of the uterus and is a leading cause of first trimester maternal mortality and morbidity. This article discusses a possible role for epithelial to mesenchymal trans…
View article: Cisplatin and carboplatin result in similar gonadotoxicity in immature human testis with implications for fertility preservation in childhood cancer
Cisplatin and carboplatin result in similar gonadotoxicity in immature human testis with implications for fertility preservation in childhood cancer Open
Background Clinical studies indicate chemotherapy agents used in childhood cancer treatment regimens may impact future fertility. However, effects of individual agents on prepubertal human testis, necessary to identify later risk, have not…
View article: Oncofertility: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Barriers Among Indian Oncologists and Gynecologists
Oncofertility: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Barriers Among Indian Oncologists and Gynecologists Open
Purpose: Recommendations from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) emphasize the critical need to understand current trends in fertility preservation (FP) among the two sets of primary health care providers involved in oncofert…
View article: Single and combined effects of cisplatin and doxorubicin on the human and mouse ovary in vitro
Single and combined effects of cisplatin and doxorubicin on the human and mouse ovary in vitro Open
Chemotherapy drugs are administered to patients using combination regimens, and as such the possibility of multiplicative effects between drugs need to be investigated. This study examines the individual and combined effects of the chemoth…
View article: Comparative gonadotoxicity of the chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and carboplatin on prepubertal mouse gonads
Comparative gonadotoxicity of the chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and carboplatin on prepubertal mouse gonads Open
The treatment of childhood cancer with chemotherapy drugs can result in infertility in adulthood. Newer generations of drugs are developed to replace parent drugs, with the potential benefits of less toxic side effects. For platinum alkyla…
View article: Ovarian damage from chemotherapy and current approaches to its protection
Ovarian damage from chemotherapy and current approaches to its protection Open
Background Anti-cancer therapy is often a cause of premature ovarian insufficiency and infertility since the ovarian follicle reserve is extremely sensitive to the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. While oocyte, embryo and ovarian …
View article: How does chemotherapy treatment damage the prepubertal testis?
How does chemotherapy treatment damage the prepubertal testis? Open
Chemotherapy treatment is a mainstay of anticancer regimens, significantly contributing to the recent increase in childhood cancer survival rates. Conventional cancer therapy targets not only malignant but also healthy cells resulting in s…
View article: Irinotecan metabolite SN38 results in germ cell loss in the testis but not in the ovary of prepubertal mice
Irinotecan metabolite SN38 results in germ cell loss in the testis but not in the ovary of prepubertal mice Open
Work supported by Medical Research Grant (MRC) grant G1002118 and Children with Cancer UK grant 15-198. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could prejudice the impartiality of the present research.
View article: Etoposide damages female germ cells in the developing ovary
Etoposide damages female germ cells in the developing ovary Open
Exposure of pre-follicular ovaries, in which topoisomerase IIα expression was germ cell-specific, resulted in a near-complete elimination of germ cells prior to follicle formation, with the remaining germ cells going on to form unhealthy f…
View article: Additional file 2: of Etoposide damages female germ cells in the developing ovary
Additional file 2: of Etoposide damages female germ cells in the developing ovary Open
Full data set for Figures 2-7. (XLSX 35 kb)