Special Interview with Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) Author Dr. José María Murcia Lora: Exploring P-Type Crystallization and New Horizons in Restorative Reproductive Medicine
16 December 2025
Recently, our journal Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) published a prospective study on the assessment of the fertile window in subfertile patients using P-type crystallization in cervical secretions, titled "Assessment of the Fertile Window in Subfertile Patients Using the P-Type Crystallization Biomarker in Liquid Endocervical Biopsy: A Prospective Study." (Volume 52, Issue 9)
We are delighted to invite the corresponding author, Dr. José María Murcia Lora, to share insights into the significance, methodological innovation, and clinical value of this research.
1. Could type P crystallization contribute to a study of patients with subfertility? Or rather: Could type P crystallization be useful in the study of patients who have difficulty getting pregnant?
Yes, it is of great significance. Our study adopted an innovative approach: collecting endocervical liquid biopsies during the most fertile days of the fertile window, based on patients' wet sensation and the assessment of elasticity and transparency of cervical secretions. For the first time, the study integrated mucus analysis with P-type crystallization detection, combined with multidisciplinary assessments such as hormone level monitoring and ultrasound ovarian evaluation, enhancing the reliability of the research. Among the randomly selected subgroup of 6 subfertile patients, 5 successfully conceived and gave birth to healthy infants, with a success rate of 83%. These results indicate that combining cervical mucus quality assessment with P-type crystallization visualization can provide a new way to track the most fertile days for subfertile patients, and this method can also be extended to healthy people planning pregnancy.
2. Why do you think identifying the presence of P-type cervical mucus can help patients conceive? And why is it important to you?
P-type cervical mucus performs several critical functions in the upper cervix: it facilitates rapid sperm transport through the cervix to the uterus and fallopian tubes; contains a liquefaction factor that dissolves thicker mucus strands, releasing sperm stored in crypts to continue their journey toward the egg; and plays a crucial role in sperm selection, ensuring only the most viable and motile sperm reach the egg at the optimal time. These characteristics of P-type secretions make it a concept worthy of deeper investigation.
Personally, I work with many patients facing conception difficulties and am passionate about reproductive science that doesn't rely on assisted reproductive technologies like IVF or IUI. The NaProTechnology and Restorative Reproductive Medicine approaches used in this study exemplify this ethical philosophy of reproductive medicine. We are currently developing a prototype device for evaluating the biophysical properties of cervical secretions, which is in the patent application phase. We have three additional patented developments currently in the innovation phase.
Of course, the main limitations include the small sample size and the inability to follow up with all selected patients. Nevertheless, the future looks promising.
3. Why did you choose to submit your research to CEOG? What features of the journal appealed to you?
There are three main reasons: first, we have published two previous studies in CEOG and have gained strong cooperative experience; second, the experimental nature of our research is highly consistent with the journal's positioning; third, the journal's review and revision process is professional and efficient, with smooth communication. In addition, CEOG's open access model facilitates the dissemination of research results, and this submission coincides with the journal's 50th anniversary special issue, making us honored to participate. Notably, this study is preliminary data of our biotechnology project, and CEOG, as a journal focusing on experimental research, is an ideal platform to showcase this achievement.
4. How do you find the manuscript reviewing and publishing process of the CEOG journal? During the peer review process, were the reviewers' suggestions helpful to enhance the quality of your manuscript?
The entire review and publishing process has been excellent—this is our third paper in this journal. We are deeply impressed by the editorial team's attention to detail, the accuracy and timeliness of reviewer comments, and the excellent communication. The reviewers' suggestions significantly improved the manuscript quality, resulting in a clearer structure, clarified key points, and ultimately a well-executed work with high scientific rigor. Notably, we received a letter from authoritative scholar Professor René Ecochard, who stated: "Dear José: Thank you very much for this article. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to carry out such a study. I hope the article will be read by many people." Such feedback is truly an honor.
Thank you again to Dr. José María Murcia Lora for his wonderful sharing. This study provides new ideas and evidence for the fertility assessment of subfertile patients through an innovative biomarker detection method, and also demonstrates CEOG's core value in promoting clinical innovation in the field of reproductive medicine. We look forward to more breakthroughs from Dr. Lora's team in this direction, bringing new hope to families planning pregnancy around the world. We also welcome more researchers to submit their cutting-edge achievements in obstetrics and gynecology to CEOG.
Article details: Assessment of the Fertile Window in Subfertile Patients Using the P-Type Crystallization Biomarker in Liquid Endocervical Biopsy: A Prospective Study
Journal homepage: Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology