Background. Vertical transmission of several viruses during pregnancy has been shown to cause adverse fetal outcomes. The question about the possibility of a similar outcome in association with SARS-CoV-2 has been raised in recently published articles. Indeed, the rate of transmission through the placenta to the fetus reported in women with COVID-19 has been shown to form a minority. The aim of this study was to explore the possible histopathological changes in the placenta of pregnant women with COVID-19 after delivery and those changes in the umbilical cord. Methods. A case-control study including a total of 50 full-term pregnant women with COVID-19 and 60 control pregnant females. Histopathological evaluation of placental tissues and umbilical cords were reported. Results. The main findings in the umbilical cord were increased thickness of vessels, thrombus formation, endothelins, and narrow lumen; except for the increased thickness of blood vessels, these findings were more frequently seen in women with COVID-19, in comparison with control women in a significant manner ( p < 0.05 ). Increased thickness of blood vessels was more significantly observed in the control group compared to the COVID-19 group ( p < 0.01 ). Findings of the placenta included avascular villi, fibrin, thrombosis, and meconium macrophage in various combinations. Except for fibrin as the sole findings, all other findings including combinations were more frequently encountered in the study group in comparison to the control group ( p < 0.05 ). Conclusion. Pregnant women with COVID-19 have significant pathological alterations in the placenta and umbilical cord. These findings reflect the capability of SARS-CoV-2 in causing immunological reactions to the placenta, either directly or indirectly, and these pathologies may be linked to the higher rate of adverse neonatal outcomes and maternal admission to the intensive care unit.

Background: Viral infections during pregnancy are associated with adverse maternal as well as fetal outcomes such as higher rates of miscarriage, perinatal mortality, restriction of fetal growth and preterm delivery. Aim of the study: to explore maternal outcomes and hematological alterations in a sample of Iraqi pregnant women. Patients and methods: The current cross sectional study was carried out in Obstetric department in Al Imamain Al-Kadhimain Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq,  including a total of 55 full term pregnant women who were grouped into 25 women with SARS-Cov-2 and 30 control pregnant women, starting from January 2021 through December 2021. Results: Fever was the most common symptom, which was reported in 12 cases (48.0 %), and it was followed by cough that was seen in 9 cases (36.0 %). Gastrointestinal symptoms in the form of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were seen in 2 cases (8.0 %). Leaking liquor was seen in a single case of COVID-19 women. Pregnancy induced hypertension, antepartum hemorrhage and diabetes mellitus were seen in 2 cases of COVID-19 women for each event; with no significant difference between groups. The rate of cesarean section was higher in COVID-19 group in comparison with control group, 19 (76.0 %) versus 13 (43.3 %), respectively and the difference was significant (p = 0.014). Conclusion: COVID-19 at time of pregnancy is accompanied by higher rate of cesarean section because of fetal distress with no significant increase in fetal or maternal mortality rates and the main hematological changes are leukopenia and lymphopenia.

Beginning in October 2020 and ending in April 2021, researchers from Al-Nahrain University's High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies compared the success rates of two different methods of diagnosing and treating infertility. The major purpose of the research was to assess the impact of a combined trigger (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] and human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG]) on endometrial receptivity (endometrial thickness, endometrial pattern, sub-endometrial blood flow). A total of 100 females took part in the study. All patients gave their informed written consent, and the study was approved by the Al-Nahrain University Ethics Committee. Procedure Time To confirm ovulation, measure and analyze the endometrial pattern, and examine the sub-endometrial blood flow, a vaginal ultrasound was done 36 to 48 hours following trigger ovulation. All four hormones (FSH, LH, Progesterone, and E2) were tested in the blood at the same time to determine whether a couple was fertile, a complete medical history, and physical examination whereas performed on each member of the pair. An ultrasound vaginal probe was used to do the transvaginal examination. Patients were placed in the dorsal lithotomy position with an empty bladder for early follicular US (CD 2-3) to assess the number of antral follicles, measure endometrial thickness, and rule out ovarian cysts or other pathology. A second ultrasound was performed during the middle of the cycle (CD9-14) to determine whether a mature follicle had been found. A multiplanar image of the uterus was acquired after an ultrasound scan was swept across the mid-sagittal plane. Endometrial thickness in the median longitudinal plane of the uterus was calculated as the largest distance from one basal endometrial interface via the endometrial canal to the opposite endometrial-myometrial interface of the anterior-posterior uterine wall. A statistically significant difference was found between Group A's average E2 concentration of 69.62 pg/mL and Groups B and C's concentrations of 53.32 and 36.65 pg/mL. (P 0.001). In group C, there was a statistically significant difference in E2 levels on the day of the trigger and the day of the IUI (P = 0.036). On the day of IUI compared to the day of trigger, no statistically significant differences were seen between the study groups for any of the other hormonal indicators (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in any of the baseline clinical measures between the research groups. All clinical indicators were comparable across groups (P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) between the research groups on any other clinical indicators. When comparing groups, A, B, and C on the decline in RI between the trigger and IUI days, group A significantly outperformed the others (P = 0.003). There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in any of the other clinical parameters between the IUI and trigger groups on the day of IUI.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) stands for highly prevalent female endocrine pathology. Females suffering from PCOS have a significantly higher number of inflammatory markers. The IL-1 family members enormously affect the innate immune system. Objectives: Study the changes in the levels of Interleukin- 1ß and Interleukin- 27 in the stimulated and non-stimulated cycle (by gonadotrophin) in polycystic ovarian syndrome women. Methods: Fifty-eight infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been included in this research article. Twenty-nine of them did not undergo ovulation induction (OI) protocols, while the other twenty-nine were under ovulation induction (OI) therapy. Interleukin-1ß and Interleukin -27 measured in both groups, in the stimulated cycle just prior to administration of HCG and on the second day of the menstrual cycle in the non-stimulated females. Results: Both interleukins have been significantly more significant in the ovulation stimulated group than the non-stimulated one, with P-value of (0.04) for Interleukin -1ß and (0.02) for interleukin-27. Conclusion: The ovulation processes involve an increase in the inflammatory process, as demonstrated by the rise in these interleukins' levels. This increase is more prominent in the process of ovulation induction.