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Biomedical subjects

J Farhi

Publications and source records attributed to J Farhi.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effect of laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery on ovarian response and outcome of treatment with gonadotropins in clomiphene citrate-resistant patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ovarian electrocautery on the ovarian response to gonadotropic stimulation and pregnancy rate (PR) in clomiphene citrate (CC)-resistant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and high basal serum LH levels. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Outpatient infertility clinic in a tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS: Twenty-two women with PCOS, high basal serum LH concentrations, and CC resistance who underwent laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery. Treatment with gonadotropin was scheduled after failure to ovulate spontaneously or conceive after electrocautery. Data from gonadotropin-stimulated cycles were compared with data from treatment cycles in the same patients before ovarian electrocautery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of ampules, duration of induction phase, daily effective dose, PR, and pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: Markedly reduced basal serum LH concentrations and normal menstrual cyclicity in 41% of patients were recorded after laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery. Comparison of gonadotropin-stimulated cycles before and after electrocautery revealed significantly higher rates of ovulation and pregnancy after electrocautery as well as significant reduction in the number of ampules, daily effective dose, and duration of the induction phase with hMG and in daily effective dose with FSH. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate an increased ovarian sensitivity to gonadotropins after laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery. A preference for laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery over medical treatment in all or selected groups of CC-resistant PCOS patients is suggested.

Adult↗

In-vitro cervical mucus-sperm penetration tests and outcome of infertility treatments in couples with repeatedly negative post-coital tests.

The results of in-vitro cervical mucus-sperm penetration tests and cross-hostility tests in 178 couples with repeatedly negative post-coital tests were recorded. Using a protocol of three cycles with intra-uterine inseminations (IUI) followed by three cycles with ovulation induction + IUI, the association between the cause of infertility, results of the in-vitro tests and the outcome of infertility treatment was investigated. We found that repeatedly negative post-coital tests are a good indicator of a cervical mucus-sperm penetration problem. The cross-hostility test clearly differentiates the abnormal factor in this interaction, and a good performance of the donors' spermatozoa in the cervical mucus correlates with increased pregnancy rate. In male factor infertility, failure of the husbands' spermatozoa to penetrate cervical mucus was not indicative of a deficient fertilization potential in vivo. In these patients a serious attempt should therefore be made to reverse the infertility by treatment with IUI or ovulation induction + IUI before attempting assisted reproduction. Women with polycystic ovaries and repeatedly negative post-coital tests should be investigated for sperm receptivity of the cervical mucus. Low receptivity of the cervical mucus may imply that endometrial receptivity and oocyte quality are also low. Ovulation induction and not IUI alone should therefore be used as the preferred mode of treatment to improve pregnancy rate.

Cervix Mucus↗

Effect of uterine leiomyomata on the results of in-vitro fertilization treatment.

The effect of uterine leiomyoma on infertility is subject to controversy. Two main mechanisms associating leiomyomata and infertility have been suggested: the obstruction of gamete transport and impaired implantation. In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is a unique setting for examining the effect of leiomyomata on the implantation rate. This study was designed to determine the impact of uterine leiomyomata on the results of IVF. In a retrospective analysis of IVF cycles, 46 women with documented uterine leiomyoma were compared with a control group with mechanical infertility. The implantation rate and pregnancy outcome in relation to the leiomyoma were observed. Implantation (22.1%/transfer, 6.8%/embryo) and abortion rates (36%) in the study group were similar to the results in the control group with pure mechanical factor. An analysis of IVF results according to the hysteroscopic pretreatment findings revealed that impaired implantation is associated with leiomyoma only where uterine intracavitary abnormalities co-exist. We conclude that implantation rate and pregnancy outcome are impaired in women with uterine leiomyomata only when they cause deformation of the uterine cavity. In patients with leiomyomata associated with an abnormal uterine cavity, surgical treatment should be considered prior to IVF because of the reduced implantation rate.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Growth hormone and reproduction.

It has become apparent that the reproductive and somatotrophic axes may often be interlinked, and that the ovary may be a target for growth hormone action. Within the ovary, there exists a complex regulating system involving growth factors, which promote gonadotrophin action, and their binding proteins, which modulate these actions. The realization of the existence of this fine-tuning system has prompted clinical trials of cotreatment with growth hormone and gonadotrophins, mainly directed at the poor responder to gonadotrophin stimulation. The effect of this treatment is dependent on the hormonal status and 'ovarian age' of the patient. Studies have delineated a possible role for additional growth hormone in those with a lack of growth hormone but it has little place in a normal system. Although an improvement in pregnancy rate has not yet emerged, more research should be forthcoming on the effect of growth hormone and growth factors on the follicle, oocyte and endometrium and their possible role in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Laparoscopic unwinding of hyperstimulated ischaemic ovaries during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Successful unwinding of large, hyperstimulated, ischaemic-haemorrhagic adnexa by laparoscopy during the second trimester of pregnancy is described. Three women in their second trimester of pregnancy were treated by laparoscopy. In all cases, the ovaries were unwound and replaced in their anatomical position. Shortly after the procedure they became pink. Serial ultrasound examinations showed viable, intrauterine fetuses and ovaries with normal blood flow. Laparoscopic ovarian detorsion is a safe and easy procedure, and can be carried out in advanced gestation until approximately 20th week if special safety measures are adhered to.

Adult↗

Acute pelvic inflammatory disease after oocyte retrieval: adverse effects on the results of implantation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of pelvic inflammation on the results of IVF after oocyte retrieval. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of IVF cycles. SETTING: IVF Unit, Golda Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel. PATIENTS: Twenty-eight women with a diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) during IVF therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The pregnancy rate (PR) of IVF cycles complicated by PID after oocyte retrieval was compared with our ongoing IVF results. RESULTS: All 28 women with PID during IVF treatment did not conceive, despite the high number of oocytes retrieved, fertilized, and transferred. The PR over the same period was 23% to 31%. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic infection after IVF treatment might have a detrimental effect on the results of treatment. In an effort to maximize the chances for normal implantation, postponement of ET should be considered when pelvic infection or inflammation is diagnosed.

Acute Disease↗

Minidose gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist is the treatment of choice in poor responders with high follicle-stimulating hormone levels.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of minidose GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) + hMG in poor responders with elevated basal level FSH. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of IVF cycles. SETTING: IVF Unit, Golda Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel. PATIENTS: One hundred six patients who were defined as poor responders on two previous IVF attempts. Three treatment protocols of midluteal Decapeptyl (D-Trp6) were compared: [1] a single-dose of 3.75 mg; [2] 0.5 mg daily until menstruation, followed by 0.1 mg daily; and [3] 0.1 mg daily until menstruation, followed by 0.05 mg daily. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparisons were made among the three protocols regarding basal FSH levels, number of oocytes retrieved and fertilized, number of days of stimulation, follicular phase, P levels, and pregnancy and miscarriage rates. RESULTS: Treatment with minidose GnRH-a resulted in higher E2 levels and lower P levels on the day of hCG and lower cancellation rates. Furthermore, a higher number of oocytes recovered and fertilized and embryos transferred were recorded. The trend indicated improved pregnancy and implantation rates with a lower miscarriage rate. CONCLUSION: Minidose GnRH-a is a better choice than regular GnRH-a strategies in poor-responder patients undergoing IVF treatment.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗

[Pregnancy in Marfan's syndrome].

Marfan's syndrome is a hereditary disorder of connective tissue affecting mainly the bones, cardiovascular system and eyes. Women affected by this syndrome who are considering pregnancy are confronted with several problems: a 50% risk of inheritance of the syndrome by their offspring, shortened life expectancy as a parent, and the potential for cardiovascular complications, such as aortic aneurysm and dissection during pregnancy.

Adult↗

Induced regeneration of endometrium following curettage for abortion: a comparative study.

A significant increase in endometrial thickness and volume was observed in 30 patients given oestrogen and progestin supplementation following curettage for first trimester abortions, compared with 30 women who received no treatment. This indicates an enhanced regeneration of the endometrium following treatment. The ability to induce this response, creating a space between the intra-cavity surface area a short time after abortion, may theoretically be suggested as preventative treatment to reduce the risk of intrauterine adhesions.

Abortion, Induced↗

The choice of treatment for anovulation associated with polycystic ovary syndrome following failure to conceive with clomiphene.

The choice of treatment for clomiphene-resistant anovulation associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is presently arbitrary and selection criteria are not available. A total of 144 women with anovulatory infertility associated with PCOS who failed to conceive on clomiphene were treated with either pure follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (n = 29), or human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) (n = 60), or gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) and HMG (n = 55). Analysis of 306 treatment cycles and 53 pregnancies revealed a cumulative conception rate at 4 months of 23% with FSH, 47% with HMG and 69% with GnRHa + HMG. The miscarriage rate was highest in the HMG group (44%) and consequently the cumulative live birth rate was superior when GnRHa was used in combination with HMG. There were no significant differences in the basal clinical and endocrinological features of those who conceived compared with those who did not, either in the whole group, or in the individual treatment groups. Thus, the choice of treatment for clomiphene-resistant women with PCOS cannot be guided by the basal clinical or endocrinological features of this heterogeneous syndrome with the present state or knowledge.

Adult↗

[Laparoscopic hysterectomy].

Abdominal hysterectomy is one of the most common major operations in gynecology. However, it is associated with considerable morbidity and relatively slow recovery. We describe a laparoscopic procedure for removal of the uterus, with or without the adnexa, in women in whom abdominal hysterectomy would otherwise be indicated. Laparoscopy is performed with the 3-puncture technic and an additional incision for the electrocoagulation instrument. The infundibulopelvic and round ligaments are dissected and divided if oophorectomy is to be done. If not, the broad ligament lateral to the uterine body is similarly treated and finally the dissections are extended to the uterine vessels and the uterosacral and upper parts of the transverse cervical ligaments. Surgery is completed vaginally after deflation of the abdomen, as in vaginal hysterectomy. Laparoscopy is repeated when the vagina has been closed, to ensure hemostasis. We have successfully performed laparoscopic hysterectomy, with or without salpingo-oophorectomy, in 7 women, aged 39-57. The procedure lasted 90-160 minutes and postoperative discomfort was minimal. All patients returned to normal activity within 4 weeks and were delighted with the outcome as well as with the cosmetic results. This technique offers an attractive alternative to conventional approaches and has significant advantages. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary to evaluate the true efficacy of the procedure.

Adult↗

The value of repeat hysteroscopic evaluation in patients with failed in vitro fertilization transfer cycles.

One hundred ten women with normal initial hysteroscopy who failed to conceive during three or more IVF-ET cycles underwent repeat hysteroscopic evaluation. In 20 patients (18.2%), visualization revealed uterine abnormalities, mainly newly added endometrial lesions, i.e., hyperplasia, polyps, endometritis, and synechiae. Our results indicate that repeat hysteroscopic evaluation, in cases of recurrent IVF-ET failure, is an important adjunctive method for further evaluating and possibly optimizing the IVF-ET procedure.

Adult↗

Giant diverticulum of the bladder simulating ovarian cyst.

A patient was admitted for investigation of a giant ovarian cyst, confirmed by physical examination. At laparotomy the genital organs appeared normal. Ultrasonic reexamination affirmed the preliminary findings of a pelvic cystic mass. A urinary bladder diverticulum was suspected and confirmed by cystography and found to be nonobstructive in nature. Although extremely rare, bladder diverticulum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a cystic pelvic mass.

Adult↗

The impact of embryo quality on pregnancy outcome in elderly women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

Most IVF-ET units limit the procedure to women below age 38. Nevertheless, demands for infertility treatment, including IVF therapy, are more frequent nowadays. We compared 46 cycles for ovulation induction for IVF in 46 women aged 40 or more (Group I) to 51 induced cycles for this procedure in younger women of mean age 30.2 years (Group II). Cancellation rates due to early luteinization or ovulation were significantly higher in group I than in group II (28.2 and 17.6%, respectively) (P less than 0.001). Also, significantly higher abortion rates were observed in older women (62.5%), in comparison to the younger control group, (25%), (P less than 0.001). It is suggested that the high abortion rate considered to be due to genetic factors in older women, may possibly also be due to the aging uterine environment. Furthermore, while embryos with fragmentations may often produce clinical pregnancies in the young, the aging uterus in the elderly woman does not encourage the development of clinical pregnancies in such embryos. Consequently the higher abortion rate in the elderly woman.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

The use of fibrin sealant in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of fibrin sealant for embryo transfer (ET) and the effect of patient mobilization after ET on pregnancy rates. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled study. METHODS: Two hundred eleven patients who were admitted to the IVF Unit over a period of 6 months participated in the study. Patients who had three or more embryos were randomly divided into two groups: group 1 (study group), in which ET was performed using fibrin sealant, and group 2, who served as the controls. Ovulation induction was carried out using the long GnRH-a suppression protocol. RESULTS: Comparison of the results regarding the implantation and pregnancy rates and ectopic pregnancy rate revealed a nonsignificant difference between the two groups. However, analysis of the results according to the patients' age revealed a significant increase in pregnancy (P < .05) and implantation (P < .01) rate in elderly patients (aged 39-42) using fibrin sealant for ET as compared with controls. Furthermore, we found that bed rest has no advantage over patient mobilization after ET. CONCLUSION: The use of fibrin sealant for ET is advantageous in elderly women, but has no apparent effect on the success rate or ectopic pregnancy rate in younger patients. Immediate mobilization does not jeopardize the results of IVF-ET.

Adult↗