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Biomedical subjects

J A Vanrell

Publications and source records attributed to J A Vanrell.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Monoclonal enzyme immunoassay measurement of estradiol and progesterone receptors in in vitro fertilization and spontaneous cycles.

So far, the few studies performed on endometrial steroid receptors in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles have been carried out by the dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) method. Despite widespread efforts to standardize the DCC assay method, assay results still vary and thus, data obtained in IVF cycles are controversial. In the present article, late luteal estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) receptor (R) levels were measured by a new monoclonal enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method in endometrial samples obtained from 21 patients in an IVF program who received no embryo transfer (ET) after ovarian stimulation with follicle-stimulating hormone/human menopausal gonadotrophin/human chorionic gonadotrophin under pituitary suppression with buserelin. Plasma levels of E2, P and prolactin (PRL) were measured in three blood samples collected in the midluteal phase. Results were compared with those obtained in a control group of 21 spontaneous cycles. E2, P and PRL were significantly higher in stimulated than in spontaneous cycles. The level of E2R was decreased in endometrium in IVF stimulated cycles, but PR remained unchanged.

Adult

The comparison of two gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in an in vitro fertilization program.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH-a), buserelin acetate and leuprolide acetate [LA], used in combination with gonadotropins in ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF). DESIGN: Randomized prospective study. SETTING: Assisted Reproduction Unit of the Hospital Clínic i Provincial in Barcelona. PATIENTS: Thirty-five pairs of IVF patients who were matched on age, indication, and number of attempts. These women were randomized to receive either buserelin acetate plus gonadotropins (group B) or LA plus gonadotropins (group L). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Luteolysis, ovarian response, and IVF outcome. RESULTS: The mean time for total ovarian arrest and the total dose of gonadotropins and estradiol levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration were similar in the two groups of patients. The number of follicles punctured, the number of oocytes retrieved, and the percentage of mature oocytes in group L were significantly higher. The number of embryos suitable for replacement and cryopreservation was higher in group L compared with group B approaching statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Our results warrant further studies to compare different GnRH-a as therapeutic tools in IVF.

Adult

Transvaginal intratubal insemination, ectopic pregnancy and treatment by single-dose parenteral methotrexate.

We report a case of a woman with ectopic pregnancy with fetal cardiac activity after ovulation induction and transvaginal intratubal insemination by tactile sensation. The patient was successfully treated by single-dose methotrexate (MTX) (77 mg or 50 mg/m2 given intramuscularly). Control hysterosalpingograms showed no tubal patency on the involved side. Potential advantages and hazards of transvaginal intratubal insemination and single-dose MTX for ectopic pregnancy are discussed.

Adult

Results of routine syphilitic and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serology in infertility.

While it has been accepted practice to screen women undergoing infertility evaluation for syphilis, there are few data in the literature regarding the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in infertile patients despite the increasing number of HIV-positive women. In the present study, six out of 2137 infertility patients were seropositive for syphilis (0.28%) and four out of 791 were HIV positive (0.5%). All four women with HIV antibodies had negative tests for syphilis and none of them related any risk factor for HIV infection on their initial visit. The 0.5% sero-positivity rate found in our study warrants routine HIV testing in infertile patients.

Adult

The usefulness of endometrial biopsy for luteal phase evaluation in infertility.

To assess the usefulness of the late luteal phase endometrial biopsy in infertility, we evaluated a total of 1492 biopsies performed in 1055 patients. Of these women, 699 underwent one biopsy during spontaneous ovulatory cycles, 288 had two, 57 had three, nine had four, and five biopsies were done in two patients. As controls we included 45 fertile women who were requesting contraception. We analysed histological dating of the endometrium and its abnormality rates in first and successive biopsy specimens, as well as the association of the pregnancy outcome with the endometrial patterns and treatment for luteal phase deficiency (LPD). Our results show firstly that diagnosis of LPD in both infertile and fertile women represents only a chance event; secondly, histological endometrial adequacy or inadequacy in the cycle of conception or in previous cycles is not related to the outcome of pregnancy in infertile patients. Finally, treatment of LPD does not improve pregnancy outcome in infertile women. Thus, luteal phase evaluation by histological dating of the endometrium is not worthwhile.

Adolescent

Pituitary-ovarian suppression by the standard and half-doses of D-Trp-6-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone depot.

A total of 20 women with regular menstrual cycles normal ovulatory function were randomized to receive 3.75 mg or 1.87 mg of D-Trp-6-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in microcapsules either in the early follicular phase (day 2) or during the mid-luteal phase (day 21) of the menstrual cycle. Pituitary--ovarian function was studied by sequential plasma measurements of oestradiol, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and progesterone. Our results show that the full, standard dose (3.75 mg) of D-Trp-6-LHRH depot and the half-dose (1.87 mg) were equally effective in their desensitizing action, and that desensitization occurs more rapidly with early follicular phase administration of the analogue.

Adult

Infertility factors and pregnancy outcome in women above age 35.

Infertility factors and pregnancy outcome were investigated in 65 infertile couples in which the female partner was over 35 years of age (Group 1). The results were compared with those obtained in a control group of couples of which the woman was aged less than 35 years (Group 2). A complete infertility evaluation, including laparoscopy, was performed in all couples. In Group 1, the commonest was tubal factor (35.4%), significantly lower than in Group 2 (20%) (p less than 0.05). Ovulatory factor was present in 6.1% of women in Group 1 and in 15.4% of patients in Group 2 (p less than 0.02). The overall pregnancy rates in Groups 1 and 2 were 37% and 45%, respectively (p = 0.37). There was a significantly higher incidence of first-trimester abortion in Group 1 (33.5%) than in Group 2 (10.3%) (p less than 0.05%).

Adult

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus in an infertile population.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody in infertility. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional blind study. SETTING: An infertility clinic in Barcelona. PATIENTS: Three hundred thirty-five consecutive patients (308 infertile women and 27 spontaneous recurrent aborters) were seen between January 1989 and May 1990. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Human immunodeficiency virus serostatus. RESULTS: The rate of seropositivity in the group of patients studied was 0.3% (95% confidence interval 0% to 0.9%). CONCLUSION: Further studies are desirable to establish the value of routine HIV testing in infertility patients as a population of women actively seeking pregnancy.

Adult

Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: role of peripheral vasodilation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathogenesis of the systemic hemodynamic disturbance and the renal production of vasodilator prostaglandins (PGs) in the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. SETTING: Assisted Reproduction Unit of the Hospital Clínic i Provincial in Barcelona. PATIENTS: Five in vitro fertilization patients with ascites because of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurement during the syndrome and 4 weeks after recovery of the following: cardiac output, arterial pressure, estimated peripheral vascular resistances, hematocrit, standard renal function tests, plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone, norepinephrine and antidiuretic hormone concentrations, and urinary excretion of PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. RESULTS: During the syndrome, all patients showed arterial hypotension (74.2 +/- 3.8 versus 85.8 +/- 1.0 mm Hg), tachycardia, increased cardiac output (6.4 +/- 0.2 versus 4.4 +/- 0.1 L/min), low peripheral vascular resistance (929 +/- 52 versus 1,568 +/- 51 dyn/sec per cm-5), high plasma levels of renin (72 +/- 25 versus 0.5 +/- 0.1 ng/mL per h-1), norepinephrine (639 +/- 141 versus 203 +/- 21 pg/mL) and antidiuretic hormone (6.1 +/- 1.6 versus 1.5 +/- 0.1 pg/mL), and increased urinary excretion of PGE2 (551 +/- 152 versus 106 +/- 44 pg/min) and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (470 +/- 76 versus 99 +/- 11 pg/min). No evidence of hemoconcentration, as assessed by hematocrit, was observed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is related to marked arteriolar vasodilation that leads to underfilling of the arterial vascular compartment and stimulation of endogenous vasoconstrictor systems and (2) the increased urinary excretion of PGs probably represents a homeostatic response to antagonize the renal effects of these systems.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha

Diethylstilbestrol-induced müllerian abnormalities, septate uterus, genital tuberculosis and twin pregnancy with term delivery after in-vitro fertilization.

We report a case of a twin pregnancy at term obtained after five multiple embryo transfers in a patient who presented diethylstilbestrol (DES)-associated cervical and uterine structural abnormalities, a septate uterus and bilateral tuberculous salpingitis. The suitability of in-vitro fertilization/embryo transfer in DES-exposed women is discussed.

Adult

Hormonal and histological evaluation of the luteal phase after combined GnRH-agonist/gonadotrophin treatment for superovulation and luteal phase support in in-vitro fertilization.

A hormonal and histological study of the luteal phase was performed in 21 stimulated in-vitro fertilization (IVF) patients not undergoing embryo transfer. Ovarian stimulation was carried out with gonadotrophins [follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) + human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG)] under pituitary suppression with buserelin. Ovulation was induced with 5000 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and additional doses of 5000, 2500 and 2500 IU were given on the day of follicular aspiration, and 2 and 5 days later respectively, to support the luteal phase. Supraphysiological levels of oestradiol (E2) and progesterone in plasma were found in the midluteal phase of all women, while prolactin was in the normal range. An endometrial biopsy taken in the late luteal phase was normal in 90.5% (19/21) of patients, most of them (15/19, 79%) having E2 greater than 1500 pg/ml on the day of HCG. Conversely, both patients with defective endometrial biopsies had E2 levels less than 1500 pg/ml.

Adult

Early follicular phase follicle-stimulating hormone treatment of endometrial luteal phase deficiency.

Fifteen infertile women with inadequate luteal phase, histologically documented in at least two separate cycles, and normal midluteal plasma levels of progesterone (greater than or equal to 10 ng/mL), estradiol (70 to 300 pg/mL), and prolactin (less than 20 ng/mL) received "pure" follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH), 150 IU intramuscularly, for 4 days (days 1 to 4 of the cycle). The endometrial defect was corrected in 7 of the 15 (46.7%) patients during the first treated cycle. Hormonal levels were similar in control and treatment cycles. Two of 5 patients with no additional infertility factors except luteal phase deficiency (LPD) became pregnant and carried to term singleton pregnancies. In 5 additional infertile patients with normal luteal function as assessed by endometrial histological study (2 cycles) and hormone measurements (first study cycle), a third biopsy was performed in a consecutive cycle under pFSH administration. In no case was the normal secretory pattern impaired. It is concluded that (1) some forms of LPD may be successfully treated by early follicular pFSH therapy and (2) pFSH does not alter the normal endometrial secretory pattern.

Adult

Antiphospholipid antibodies in unselected patients with repeated abortion.

We have studied, prospectively, the incidence of several antiphospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, anti-phosphatidylserine, anti-phosphatidic acid, anti-phosphatidylinositol and anti-thromboplastin antibodies) in 65 consecutive patients with two or more (range 2-8, mean 3.1) abortions. Lupus anticoagulant activity was detected in seven (10.7%) patients and all of them exhibited other antiphospholipid antibodies. Of the previous pregnancies in these seven women, 88% had ended in spontaneous abortion. Four of them achieved pregnancy after low-dose aspirin therapy was started, and carried successfully to term. It is concluded that antiphospholipid antibodies, namely lupus anticoagulant, should be routinely screened in the recurrent spontaneous aborter.

Abortion, Habitual

Further data against HLA sharing in couples with recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Class I human leucocyte antigens (HLA-A, -B) and class II (HLA-DR) antigens were determined in 57 couples with primary recurrent abortions of unknown origin and in 57 normal fertile couples. No difference between abortion and control fertile couples was observed regarding HLA sharing. Analysis of 10 series in the literature, including our own results, is against the concept that compatibility in determinants of the major histocompatibility complex has a major role in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA).

Abortion, Habitual

Human in vitro fertilization in couples with unexplained infertility and a poor postcoital test.

The results of in vitro fertilization (IVF) with the husband's semen were compared in 3 groups of fully investigated infertile couples. In those with tubal infertility (n = 43) 194 out of 273 (71.1%) oocytes were fertilized, at least 1 oocyte being fertilized in 42 of the 43 couples (97%). In couples with unexplained infertility and a 'good' postcoital test (PCT) (n = 9), 39 out of 64 (61.5%) oocytes were fertilized in 8 of the 9 (88%) couples. In couples with unexplained infertility and a 'poor positive' PCT despite normal semen analysis, 16 out of 44 (36.3%) oocytes were fertilized in 5 of the 6 (83%) couples. These results show a good correlation between in vivo sperm penetration of cervical mucus and human IVF in couples with unexplained infertility.

Female

Lack of endometriosis in patients with repeated abortion.

Laparoscopy was performed in 25 consecutive patients with two or more (range 2-6, mean 2.8) histologically documented first-trimester abortions in whom the well-established causes for recurrent miscarriages had been excluded. Endometriosis could not be diagnosed in any of the 25 women. Thus our results are against endometriosis as a cause of repeated abortion and do not support the routine inclusion of laparoscopy in the evaluation of the patient with recurrent abortions.

Abortion, Habitual

Bilateral femoral neuropathy after microsurgical reversal of tubal sterilization: case report and analysis of contributing factors.

A case of bilateral femoral neuropathy after microsurgical tuboplasty for reversal of sterilization is reported. Although the prognosis is favourable and full recovery is usually observed, the disabling effect of the neuropathy may last for several months. This report is an attempt to alert fertility surgeons to the possible occurrence of such a complication disturbing to both patient and physician, by analysing the mechanisms of injury and possible ways of its prevention.

Adult