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A Raziel

Publications and source records attributed to A Raziel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Morphology assessment and fluorescence in situ hybridization of the same spermatozoon using a computerized cell-scanning system.

BACKGROUND: Poor sperm morphology is statistically associated with an increase in the incidence of chromosome abnormalities. Our aim was to examine the possible correlation between chromosomal aberrations and sperm morphology in the same cell. METHODS: 12349 spermatozoa from 7 teratozoospermic and one globozoospermic patients, and from 3 fertile donors were analyzed using a system which scans for cell morphology and chromosomal ploidy in the same cell using digital technology. RESULTS: Chromosomal aberrations were detected in 5.3% of teratozoospermic cases and in 6.7% in the globozoospermic patient compared with 1.6% in donors (P < 0.0001). Chromosomal aberrations were more common in abnormally formed sperm compared with normal spermatozoa: 4.5% vs 1.3% in the teratozoospermic group and 2.0% vs 0.3% in the control group (NS), especially frequent among sperm with two heads or two tails (52.1-77.2%) or extreme head deformations (10.6-11.1%) irrespective of grouping, and in mild amorphous heads in the globozoospermic patients (20.2%). The frequency of chromosomal aberrations in morphologically normal sperm was comparable whether derived from teratozoospermic or normospermic patients. CONCLUSIONS: The computerized cell-scanning system demonstrated the relationship between chromosomal aberrations and sperm morphology in the same spermatozoon. The incidence of chromosomal aberrations was positively linked to abnormal sperm morphology, the more severe the abnormality, the higher the incidence of aneuploidy.

Aneuploidy↗

PGE2 up-regulates EGF-like growth factor biosynthesis in human granulosa cells: new insights into the coordination between PGE2 and LH in ovulation.

LH and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) share many similar effects on the pre-ovulatory follicle. They can induce independently cumulus expansion, the resumption of meiosis and progesterone production. However, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors were found to hinder most of the LH-induced effects. Recently, EGF-like growth factors amphiregulin (Ar) and epiregulin (Ep) were found to be produced in response to LH stimulation and to induce cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation. We aimed at evaluating whether PGE(2) induces Ar and Ep syntheses in human granulosa cells and whether the inhibition of PGE(2) production by selective COX-2 inhibitor, nimesulide, affects LH-induced Ar and Ep biosynthesis. Ar and Ep mRNA levels increased following PGE(2) stimulation, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which resembled those of LH. The blockade of protein kinase A (PKA) (by H89) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (by UO126) reduced the expression of PGE(2)-induced Ar and Ep biosynthesis. Although the stimulation of the cells with LH in the presence of nimesulide did not change the progesterone levels, it resulted in a significant reduction of Ar and Ep biosynthesis. In conclusion, PGE(2) may mimic LH action, at least in part, by the induction of Ar and Ep biosynthesis, which involves cAMP/PKA and MAPK pathways. The negative effect of nimesulide on the ovulatory process may be due to the reduction of Ar and Ep biosynthesis, which implies a possible collaborative role between PGE(2) and LH on their induction.

Adult↗

Recurrent heterotopic pregnancy after bilateral salpingectomy in an IVF patient: case report.

PURPOSE: To report a rare clinical case of recurrent heterotopic pregnancy in the same patient following bilateral salpingectomy and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. METHODS: A 35 year-old woman, suffering from mechanical infertility, was treated by IVF, resulting in two episodes of heterotopic pregnancies within 2 years. The first episode ended in bilateral salpingectomy due to unilateral tubal pregnancy and contralateral severely damaged tube. The intrauterine pregnancy ended in early missed abortion. The second heterotopic pregnancy presented as bleeding cornual pregnancy, managed by laparoscopic resection of the tubal stump, and ended in a term singleton delivery. CONCLUSION: The possibility of cornual heterotopic pregnancy following bilateral salpingectomy, though very rare, should be considered by every gynecologist treating IVF patient.

Adult↗

Meiotic arrest in vitro by phosphodiesterase 3-inhibitor enhances maturation capacity of human oocytes and allows subsequent embryonic development.

Controlling nuclear maturation during oocyte culture might improve nuclear-cytoplasmic maturation synchrony. We aimed to evaluate the quality of in vitro-matured, germinal vesicle (GV)-stage human oocytes following a prematuration culture (PMC) with a meiotic arrester, phosphodiesterase 3-inhibitor (PDE3-I). Follicles (diameter, 6-12 mm) were retrieved 34-36 h post-hCG administration from informed, consenting patients who had undergone controlled ovarian stimulation. Cumulus-enclosed oocytes (CEOs) presenting moderate expansion or full compaction were placed in PMC with the PDE3-I, Org9935, for 24 or 48 h. Subsequently, oocytes were removed from PMC, denuded of cumulus cells, matured in vitro, and fertilized, and the resulting embryos were cultured. In the presence of PDE3-I, approximately 98% of the oocytes were arrested at the GV stage. Following PDE3-I removal, oocytes acquired a higher maturation rate than oocytes that were immediately denuded of cumulus cells after retrieval and in vitro matured (67% vs. 46%, P = 0.01). In controls, immature CEOs retrieved with moderate expansion reached higher maturation rates compared to fully compacted CEOs, but in PMC groups, high values of maturation were achieved for both morphological classes of CEOs. No effect of PMC on fertilization was observed. A 24-h PMC period proved to be the most effective in preserving embryonic integrity. Similar proportions of nuclear abnormalities were observed in embryos of all in vitro groups. In summary, PMC with the specific PDE3-I had a beneficial effect on human CEOs by enhancing maturation, benefiting mainly the fully compacted CEOs. This resulted in an increased yield of mature oocytes available for insemination without compromising embryonic development. These results suggest that applying an inhibitor to control the rate of nuclear maturity by regulating intraoocyte PDE3 activity may allow the synchronization of nuclear and ooplasmic maturation.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Flow cytometry of human semen: a preliminary study of a non-invasive method for the detection of spermatogenetic defects.

BACKGROUND: The pathway of spermatogenesis involves the conversion of diploid stem cells (spermatogonia) to tetraploid primary spermatocytes, followed by meiosis and two cell divisions, first forming diploid secondary spermatocytes and then haploid round spermatids. Differentiation of round spermatids results in spermatozoa containing condensed chromatin. It has long been known that semen from patients with non-obstructive azoospermia or oligospermia contains small numbers of immature germinal cells. In this article, a flow cytometric procedure is described for assessing defects in spermatogenesis by identifying the ploidy of those immature cells. METHODS: Cells in semen samples from 44 infertile patients and 14 controls were stained with propidium iodide, which displays red fluorescence when intercalated between bases in double-stranded DNA. The resulting cell suspension was examined by quantitative flow cytometry, with excitation by laser light (488 nm) and red fluorescence recorded on a logarithmic scale to allow easy differentiation between intensities of tetraploid, diploid and haploid round spermatids, and spermatozoa containing condensed chromatin. RESULTS: The flow cytometric method differentiated between cases of 'Sertoli cell-only' syndrome (complete absence of tetraploid and haploid cells) and cases where spermatogenesis was blocked in meiosis or in spermiogenesis. Flow cytometric histograms from semen samples from normozoospermic, oligozoospermic and azoospermic patients fell into patterns that correlated well with the results obtained from testis histology findings. CONCLUSIONS: The method described may serve as a simple, non-invasive and reliable assay to help clinicians counsel patients with severe male infertility before referring them for testicular surgery to locate spermatozoa for ICSI.

Biopsy↗

The outcome of ICSI of immature MI oocytes and rescued in vitro matured MII oocytes.

BACKGROUND: The use of immature oocytes is limited to cases where these are the only available oocytes, and they are usually only microinjected with sperm after having undergone maturation in vitro. This study compares the outcome of injection of sperm into metaphase I oocytes immediately after their denudation (MI) performed 2 h after their retrieval, with the outcome of injection of sperm into rescued in vitro matured metaphase II (IVM MII) oocytes after their short incubation in routine laboratory conditions. METHODS: ICSI was performed on MI oocytes, rescued IVM MII oocytes and on MI oocytes that were incubated but failed to extrude their first polar body (arrested IVM MI). Fertilization and cleavage rates were compared with those achieved in mature metaphase II oocytes (MII). RESULTS: ICSI of MI oocytes showed impaired performance compared with ICSI of rescued IVM MII oocytes and MII oocytes, in terms of oocyte degeneration rate (11 versus 6 versus 4%; P < 0.0001), fertilization rate (28 versus 44 versus 68%; P < 0.0001) and multipronucleated fertilization (10 versus 4 versus 4%; P < 0.01). The cleavage rate was lower in rescued IVM MII oocytes compared with MII oocytes (86 versus 95%; P < 0.01). Arrested IVM MI oocytes showed similar results to those of MI oocytes but had a lower cleavage rate (72 versus 96%; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The injection of rescued IVM MII oocytes is preferred to the injection of MI oocytes.

Adult↗

Coasting-what is the best formula?

Coasting is a method to decrease the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which involves withdrawing exogenous gonadotrophins until the serum estradiol (E(2)) level decreases. The application of this strategy, as it appears in the literature, has been variable, with heterogeneous criteria for initiating and ending the coasting process and as a result, reports of efficacy are inconsistent. In attempt to establish a recommended protocol for coasting we reviewed and analysed 10 relevant studies, found by a Medline search. Based on the data collected, coasting should be initiated when the serum E(2) concentration exceeds 3000 pg/ml, but not unless the leading follicles reach a diameter of 15-18 mm. Its duration should be limited to <4 days, thus, preventing the decrease in implantation and pregnancy rates that occur after longer periods of coasting. Administration of hCG should be withheld until serum E(2) falls below 3000 pg/ml. Based on the published data, these suggested guidelines result in an acceptably low incidence of severe OHSS (<2%) and provide satisfactory fertilization and pregnancy rates (55-71% and 36.5-63% respectively). A multicentre randomized prospective study would help to confirm the effectiveness of this approach.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗

Factors influencing the outcome of ICSI in patients with obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Factors influencing success of sperm retrieval in azoospermic patients and outcome of ICSI were evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Uni- and multifactorial analysis were performed using logistic and stepwise analysis, following surgical sperm retrieval by percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (55 cycles) or testicular sperm extraction (142 cycles) in 52 and 123 patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) respectively. ICSI cycles using fresh or cryopreserved-thawed sperm were included. Sperm were retrieved to allow ICSI in 100 and 41% of OA and NOA patients, with no significant correlation with patients' age or FSH level. Occurrence of pregnancy was significantly correlated with female age (90th quantile: 38 years), number of oocytes retrieved (10th quantile: five oocytes) and number of oocytes injected (10th quantile: four oocytes). Sperm origin (epididymal versus testicular), status (fresh or thawed), male partner's age, and serum FSH had no significant effect upon implantation rate, pregnancy rate per embryo transfer or spontaneous miscarriage rate. CONCLUSIONS: In OA patients ICSI should be planned in conjunction with surgical sperm retrieval. In contrast, the lack of efficient non-invasive parameters to predict sperm retrieval in NOA suggests that elective surgical sperm retrieval may be offered to these patients prior to ovarian stimulation of their partners, especially when donor back-up is not an alternative. Female factors such as age and ovarian reserve have significant impact upon clinical success rates.

Adult↗

Outcome of first and repeated testicular sperm extraction and ICSI in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether or not testicular sperm extraction (TESE) should be repeated for patients in whom no sperm were found during their first TESE attempt. METHODS AND RESULTS: The outcome of repeated TESE was evaluated in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) after failing to obtain sperm in their first extraction attempt, or having used all available cryopreserved testicular tissue. Out of 83 patients with NOA, patients repeated TESE two (n = 22), three (n = 8), four (n = 6) and five (n = 3) times. Distribution of main testicular histology included germ cell aplasia (55%), maturation arrest (29%) and germ cell hypoplasia (16%). The first TESE yielded mature sperm for ICSI in 39% of patients (sp+), and failed in the remaining 61% (sp-). A second TESE yielded mature sperm in 1/4 from the sp- group and in 16/18 from the sp+ group. At the third, fourth and fifth trials, 8/8, 5/6 and 3/3 of the original sp+ patients were sp+ again respectively. Compared with the outcome of the first trial, all further trials did not differ statistically in the rate of fertilization (54 versus 49%), implantation (9.5 versus 5.4%), or clinical pregnancy/cycle (19 versus 15%). No pregnancies were achieved among the three patients after their fifth TESE. Pregnancies occurred in all histological groups, except maturation arrest. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of repeated TESE cycles, up to the fourth trial, justifies the procedure.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic repair of poststernotomy subxiphoid epigastric hernia.

BACKGROUND: The repair of a subxyphoid hernia is a difficult procedure that nonetheless results in a high rate of recurrence. The laparoscopic approach is a promising new technique for more efficacious treatment of this condition. This is the first report in the English-language literature to describe the use of this approach for the correction of poststernotomy subxiphoideal hernia. METHODS: Information was retrieved from the patients' hospitalization and outpatient clinic files. Of 984 patients who had a median sternotomy, 10 developed a substernal subxiphoid epigastric hernia. These patients had all been treated laparoscopically using Gore-Tex mesh. RESULTS: Nine patients were admitted electively and one urgently. The fascial defect sizes were 4-15 cm (mean, 8.5) in length. Intraabdominal content was adherent to the hernia in six patients; in the other four cases, the defect was adhesion free. In four patients, an incidental surgical procedure was performed (three cholecystectomies and one inguinal hernia repair using the trans abdominal preperitoneal [TAPP] technique). The operations lasted 25-120 min (average, 55). No death occurred as a result of the operations, and none of the operations was converted to an open procedure. Three patients had minor postoperative complications. During 20-42 months of follow-up, one patient suffered a recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic repair of a poststernotomy subxiphoideal epigastric hernia is feasible and has a low rate of minor complications. Our review of the literature indicates that this technique produces a better outcome than the conventional open repair.

Aged↗

Influence of a short or long abstinence period on semen parameters in the ejaculate of patients with nonobstructive azoospermia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of a short (4 days) or a long (14 days) abstinence period on sperm retrieval by extended sperm preparation in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia scheduled for testicular biopsy and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). DESIGN: A prospective case control study. SETTING: Male infertility clinic in a university hospital. PATIENT(S): Fifty male patients with nonobstructive azoospermia, scheduled for testicular biopsy for ICSI. INTERVENTION(S): Diagnosis of nonobstructive azoospermia and a thorough microscopic search for sperm cells (extended sperm preparation). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The number of sperm cells collected, sperm motility, and total motile sperm count after short and long abstinence periods. RESULT(S): There was a significant difference between long and short abstinence with an increase in sperm count (log-to-log transformed analysis of variance P<.025) and total motile sperm (P<.025 analysis of variance, P<.02 paired Student's t-test) in the former group, but no significant change in sperm motility (Wilcoxon and paired Student's t-test). In 18 patients, sperm concentration and sperm motility were similar in a second collection, done after the same abstinence period, compared with the same parameters in the first sample. When at least 10 motile sperm were defined as the cutoff number, allowing ICSI without testicular biopsy, no significant differences were found between the two abstinence periods. No clinical or laboratory male characteristic could predict the detection of 10 motile sperm by extended sperm preparation either after a short or a long abstinence period. CONCLUSION(S): Sperm count and total motile sperm were increased after a long abstinence period, with no change in sperm motility. No additional advantages were conferred by long abstinence as opposed to short abstinence when 10 motile sperm were defined as the cutoff number for ICSI. The recommended period of abstinence for extended sperm preparation and ICSI, whether short or long, should be individualized for each patient.

Adult↗

Improvement of IVF outcome in poor responders by discontinuation of GnRH analogue during the gonadotropin stimulation phase--a function of improved embryo quality.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of a protocol involving the discontinuation of the GnRH analogue at the mid-phase of ovarian stimulation for IVF in patients with a previous poor response. METHODS: Prospective case-control evaluation compared with same patient's previous performance. Thirty-six patients enrolled in an IVF program were treated in two consecutive cycles. The first with a standardized protocol utilizing midluteal administration of Nafarelin (N) 600 mcg/d continued throughout the stimulation phase with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) until follicles of 20 mm were identified by transvaginal ultrasound (Standard group). Patients with a poor response in the Standard cycle were treated in the subsequent cycle with N and hMG initially in a similar manner, then N was stopped after 5 days of hMG stimulation (N-stop group). All clinical and laboratory aspects of treatment were done in a similar fashion in both cycles, each patient acting as her own control. RESULTS: Results were analyzed by paired t test. The change in each parameter in the N-stop cycle was expressed as the percent change as compared with the standard protocol cycle for each patient. Peak estradiol (E2) and number of aspirated oocytes were increased in the N-stop cycle (+16.9% and +28%, respectively), but insignificantly so. The percent of cleaving embryos was significantly increased by 27.9% (p = 0.03) in the N-stop cycle, as embryo morphology was improved by 22% (p = 0.02). The efficacy of gonadotropin treatment was enhanced in the N-stop cycle, as expressed by a 32.5% increase in oocytes retrieved per hMG ampoule administered (p = 0.04). Three cycles of 36 were cancelled during the N-stop cycle, whereas only one was cancelled in the standard protocol cycle. Of the 36 patients, 7 conceived in the N-stop protocol and 5 are ongoing pregnancies. CONCLUSION: Discontinuation of GnRH-a during ovarian stimulation for IVF has a beneficial, but not statistically significant, effect on both E2 and oocyte production. Embryo cleavage rates and morphology were significantly improved, this may be due to improved oocyte quality, which may have been responsible for achieving pregnancies. The efficacy of gonadotropin treatment was enhanced when GnRH-a was discontinued. These results hint that GnRH-a may have a direct negative effect on folliculogenesis and oocytes, which is apparent especially in poor responder patients.

Adult↗

Outcome of ICSI using fresh and cryopreserved-thawed testicular spermatozoa in patients with non-mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Recently, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) of testicular spermatozoa retrieved surgically from patients with non-mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome resulted in several deliveries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of ICSI using fresh and cryopreserved-thawed testicular spermatozoa in these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Following informed consent regarding the genetic risks of their potential offspring, mature testicular spermatozoa were found in five out of 12 (42%) patients who underwent testicular sperm extraction, and ICSI was performed while excess tissue was cryopreserved. The mean age of the patients was 28.7 +/- 3.6 (range 23-36 years). Their baseline FSH was elevated (mean 38.3 +/- 11.4; range 22-58 mIU/ml). All patients had small testicles of 2-4 ml in volume. The outcome of ICSI using fresh or cryopreserved-thawed testicular spermatozoa during five cycles in each group, was compared. No statistical significant difference was found in the two pronuclear fertilization rate (66 versus 58%), embryo cleavage rate (98 versus 90%) and embryo implantation rate (33.3 versus 21.4%) for fresh or cryopreserved sperm accordingly. The clinical outcome after using fresh testicular sperm included two singleton pregnancies (one delivered and one ongoing) and a triplet pregnancy resulting in a twin delivery (after reduction of an 47,XXY embryo). After using cryopreserved-thawed testicular spermatozoa, two pregnancies were obtained resulting in one delivery of twins and one early spontaneous abortion. CONCLUSIONS: Outcome of ICSI using cryopreserved-thawed testicular spermatozoa of patients with non-mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome is comparable with that following the use of fresh spermatozoa. The genetic implications for the future offspring should be explained to the patients.

Adult↗

Monozygotic twinning after assisted reproductive techniques: a phenomenon independent of micromanipulation.

A 3 year retrospective analysis was conducted of pregnancies achieved after various assisted reproductive treatment modalities in our infertility practice, to calculate and compare the rates of monozygotic twinning (MZT). A total of 731 pregnancies achieved after various assisted reproduction treatments were reviewed. Gonadotrophin therapy for induction of ovulation and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) yielded 129 clinical pregnancies. Conventional IVF yielded 139 pregnancies. IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with or without assisted hatching (AH) yielded 463 pregnancies, all during the same time period. The rates of multiple pregnancy (monozygotic and dizygotic) twins and triplets were recorded. MZT was found in 1.5% of ovulation induction or COH pregnancies (2/129). The incidence of MZT after conventional IVF was 0.72% (1/139). After IVF-ICSI/AH, MZT was found in 0.86% (4/463). The overall rate of MZT was 0.95% (7/731). Five cases were dizygotic triplets and two cases were monozygotic twins. We found the rate of MZT after assisted reproduction treatment increased more than two-fold over the background rate in the general population. Dizygotic triplets were found more often than monozygotic twins. The rate of MZT was consistently increased, irrespective of treatment modality or micromanipulation. This may signify that the aetiology of increased MZT after assisted reproduction is the gonadotrophin treatment rather than in-vitro conditions, micromanipulation, or multiple embryo transfer.

Adult↗

Hypercoagulable thrombophilic defects and hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss.

PROBLEM: Placental perfusion may be compromised by increased thrombosis that leads to pregnancy complications and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Since heritable thrombophilic defects and hyperhomocysteinemia are associated with increased thrombosis, their prevalence was evaluated in RPL patients with special emphasis on combinations of the above pathologies. METHODS OF STUDY: Evaluation of the prevalence of heritable thrombophilic defects (protein S, protein C, anti-thrombin III deficiency, and the mutations for factor V Leiden, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR], and prothrombin gene), hyperhomocysteinemia. and combinations of these pathologies in 36 non-pregnant recurrent aborters compared with 40 parous women. RESULTS: We found a relatively high prevalence of deficiencies of plasma coagulation proteins in RPL patients compared with the controls. A non-significant different increase in factor V Leiden mutation was detected (6/36 [16%] compared with 2/40 [5%] in the control group, P = 0.14]. Hyperhomocysteinemia was found in 31% of the RPL patients. MTHFR mutation homozygosity was found in 6/36 (16%) of the aborting patients. Combinations of hyperhomocysteinemia and MTHFR mutation were found in three patients, with folate deficiency in two patients, and with B12 deficiency in three. CONCLUSIONS: Combinations of gene mutations, plasma protein deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia, which are associated with an increased thrombotic risk, are more common in RPL patients compared with controls. Large-scale prevalence studies are needed in order to draw conclusions as to the causative relation of such a condition and RPL.

Abortion, Habitual↗

Use of adjustable silicone gastric banding for revision of failed gastric bariatric operations.

BACKGROUND: Revision of gastric bariatric operations is sometimes technically difficult and may fail to achieve prolonged weight reduction. The use of the adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB) offers a new approach for these revisions. METHODS: ASGB was performed as a revisional procedure on 37 patients whose initial bariatric operations were as follows: silastic ring vertical gastroplasty (21), gastric bypass (12), horizontal gastroplasty (3) and vertical banded gastroplasty (1). RESULTS: The length of the procedure varied from 55 to 145 minutes (mean 83 minutes). Intraoperative complications included two fundic tears which were sutured without any postoperative sequelae. Five patients needed reoperation during the first postoperative year due to gastric volvulus (1), tubing tear (1) and development of postoperative ventral hernia (3). BMI fell from 44.8+/-SD 8.07 to 33.4+/-6.9 kg/m2 for patients operated with BMI higher than 35 kg/m2 and from 29.2+/-3.32 to 25.4+/-2.8 kg/m2 for patients operated with BMI lower than 35 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS: ASBG can be performed with revisions with an acceptable complication rate and postoperative weight reduction.

Adolescent↗

Successful pregnancy after 24 consecutive fetal losses: lessons learned from surrogacy.

OBJECTIVE: To offer surrogacy as a treatment option to patients in whom maternal rather than fetal factors are responsible for high-order unexplained habitual abortions. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): A 36-year-old woman with 24 consecutive abortions over 11 years. INTERVENTION(S): A regular IVF procedure in the aborting woman and transfer of two good-quality embryos to the surrogate mother, who had previously received hormones. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Ovarian response, oocytes, fertilization, and embryo quality in the aborting patient. Endometrial thickness, implantation, pregnancy, and delivery in the surrogate mother. RESULT(S): Transfer of two embryos to the surrogate mother led to a clinical pregnancy, which was uneventful until term. Cesarean section was performed for breech presentation, with delivery of a healthy male. CONCLUSION(S): Surrogacy can be offered as a treatment option to patients in whom maternal rather than fetal factors are responsible for high-order unexplained habitual abortions.

Abortion, Habitual↗