Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Infertility in Females01:28

Infertility in Females

4.9K
Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse and affects about 10–15% of couples worldwide. The primary cause of female infertility is ovulatory disorders, which hinder the release of eggs. These disorders can be classified as hypothalamic amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemic anovulation disorders.
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
4.9K
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System01:24

Disorders of the Female Reproductive System

4.5K
The female reproductive system can be affected by several disorders, including Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), endometriosis, and various forms of cancer. PMS and PMDD are cyclical conditions that cause physical and emotional distress, with symptoms that include edema, mood swings, and food cravings. PMDD is a more severe form of PMS characterized by increased symptom severity that peaks during the luteal phase and tends to improve or resolve shortly after...
4.5K
Infertility in Males01:23

Infertility in Males

571
Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
571
The Thyroid Gland01:23

The Thyroid Gland

7.7K
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck and covers the anterior surface of the trachea. The gland has two lateral lobes connected by a thin tissue mass called the isthmus. Internally, each lobe comprises many small spherical structures known as thyroid follicles, surrounded by a network of blood vessels.
The follicles have a central cavity lined by simple cuboidal to squamous epithelial cells called follicular cells. These cells produce the glycoprotein...
7.7K
External Female Genitals01:15

External Female Genitals

33.8K
The vulva encompasses the external structures of the female reproductive system. At the forefront is the monpubis, a cushion of fatty tissue atop the pubic bone. Once puberty sets in, this area typically grows hair. Extending from just behind the mons pubis are the labia majora (labia = 'lips'; majora = 'larger'), which are larger skin fs olds coated with hair. Nestled within are the labia minora (labia = 'lips'; minora = 'smaller'), which are thinner, more...
33.8K
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins02:18

Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

19.5K
Intrinsically disordered proteins are a group of proteins that do not fold into specific three-dimensional structures. Their structural flexibility allows them to complement ordered proteins to perform functions that are inaccessible to rigid structures. They are more common in eukaryotes than prokaryotes and may either be exclusively intrinsically disordered or hybrid proteins, consisting of a mix of ordered and disordered regions. The absence of a rigid structure in these proteins can be...
19.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Thyroid Hormone Treatment for Hypercholesterolemia in Euthyroid Patients: Results From a European Survey of Thyroid Specialists.

Clinical endocrinology·2025
Same author

Policy for transitioning childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency from pediatric to adult endocrine care in Belgium.

Frontiers in endocrinology·2024
Same author

Thyroid hormones for euthyroid patients with simple goiter growing over time: a survey of European thyroid specialists.

Endocrine·2024
Same author

Treatment of Obesity with Thyroid hormones in Europe. Data from the THESIS* Collaboration.

Journal of endocrinological investigation·2024
Same author

Use of levothyroxine for euthyroid, thyroid antibody positive women with infertility: Analyses of aggregate data from a survey of European thyroid specialists (Treatment of Hypothyroidism in Europe by Specialists: An International Survey).

Clinical endocrinology·2024
Same author

Coexistence of Vitiligo and Hyperpigmentation: A Quiz.

Acta dermato-venereologica·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model
04:39

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Published on: March 17, 2023

2.5K

Thyroid disorders and female infertility.

David Unuane1, Brigitte Velkeniers1, Kris Gustave Poppe2

  • 1Department of Endocrinology, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels 1090, Belgium.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|February 3, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Thyroid disorders impact female fertility and assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. Current evidence on subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity treatment is debated, prompting individualized care for women

Keywords:
infertilitylevothyroxinereproductive endocrinologysubclinical hypothyroidismthyroid autoimmunitythyroid disorders

More Related Videos

A Multiple Integrated Social Stress Model for Psychiatric Disorders in Female C57BL/6J Mice
06:15

A Multiple Integrated Social Stress Model for Psychiatric Disorders in Female C57BL/6J Mice

Published on: July 15, 2025

1.3K
Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
05:39

Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Published on: February 3, 2023

2.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model
04:39

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Published on: March 17, 2023

2.5K
A Multiple Integrated Social Stress Model for Psychiatric Disorders in Female C57BL/6J Mice
06:15

A Multiple Integrated Social Stress Model for Psychiatric Disorders in Female C57BL/6J Mice

Published on: July 15, 2025

1.3K
Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
05:39

Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Published on: February 3, 2023

2.3K

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Endocrinology
  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Thyroid disorders are common in women of reproductive age, potentially affecting fertility via hormonal and immune pathways.
  • Overt thyroid dysfunction significantly impacts reproductive health, but the roles of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and euthyroid thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) are debated.
  • Levothyroxine (LT4) is frequently used for SCH, often initiated at TSH levels of 2.5 mIU/L, despite limited supporting evidence for improved fertility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current evidence on the effects of thyroid dysfunction and TAI on female fertility and ART outcomes.
  • To explore the underlying hormonal and immune mechanisms involved.
  • To discuss the controversies surrounding diagnosis and treatment thresholds for SCH and TAI in the preconception setting.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of existing literature on thyroid disorders, female fertility, and assisted reproductive technology (ART).
  • Analysis of hormonal and immune-mediated mechanisms linking thyroid status to reproductive outcomes.
  • Evaluation of current clinical practices and emerging data regarding treatment guidelines.

Main Results:

  • Overt hypothyroidism clearly impairs reproductive physiology.
  • The impact of subclinical hypothyroidism and euthyroid TAI on fertility remains controversial, with limited evidence supporting current treatment thresholds.
  • Thyroid status and autoimmunity may influence ART outcomes, including ovarian response, embryo quality, and pregnancy rates.

Conclusions:

  • Treatment decisions for thyroid dysfunction and TAI in women of reproductive age should be individualized, considering thyroid function, antibody status, and reproductive context.
  • Higher TSH cut-offs are increasingly considered for diagnosis and treatment in the preconception setting.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the role of SCH and TAI in fertility and ART, and to establish evidence-based treatment guidelines.