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K Sterzik

Publications and source records attributed to K Sterzik.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Effect of follicle-stimulating hormone on sperm quality and pregnancy rate.

AIM: To evaluate the possible links between ultrastructural sperm quality and the clinical pregnancy rate in infertile males treated with FSH before intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS: Forty-four infertile males with idiopathic oligo-asthenozoospermia were randomly allocated to the treated (n=24) and non-treated (control, n=20) groups. Semen analysis was carried out by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before and 12 weeks after FSH therapy. ICSI was performed in all couples. RESULTS: TEM revealed a significant improvement in sperm quality after FSH treatment, particularly in men with their partners achieving clinical pregnancy. The pregnancy rate was 33 % in the treated group and 20 % in the control. CONCLUSION: RESULTS highlight a positive role of FSH therapy in infertile males before ICSI, which was correlated with an increased pregnancy rate in treated couples. We believe that improved sperm ultrastructure after FSH therapy could positively influence the quality and early stage of embryo development, thereby increasing the probability of embryo implantation.

Acrosome↗
PubMed2002

Influence of acupuncture on idiopathic male infertility in assisted reproductive technology.

The clinical effects of acupuncture on idiopathic male infertility in sperm parameter and on therapeutic results in assisted reproductive technology were investigated. 22 patients failed in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with idiopathic male infertility were treated with acupuncture twice weekly for 8 weeks, followed by ICSI treatment again. The sperm concentration, motility, morphology, fertilization rates and embryo quality were observed. Quick sperm motility after acupuncture (18.3% +/- 9.6%) was significantly improved as compared with that before treatment (11.0% +/- 7.5%, P < 0.01). The normal sperm ratio was increased after acupuncture (21.1% +/- 10.4% vs 16.2% +/- 8.2%, P < 0.05). The fertilization rates after acupuncture (66.2%) were obviously higher than that before treatment (40.2%, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in sperm concentration and general sperm motility between before and after acupuncture. The embryo quality after acupuncture was improved, but the difference between them was not significant (P > 0.05). Acupuncture can improve sperm quality and fertilization rates in assisted reproductive technology.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed2001

Impact of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone and human menopausal gonadotropins on in vitro fertilization outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible differences between using recombinant FSH (rFSH) and hMG for ovarian stimulation in IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. DESIGN: Parallel group design. Prospective, randomized clinical study. SETTING: A tertiary care infertility clinic. PATIENT(S): A total of 578 patients of our IVF/ICSI routine were recruited. INTERVENTION(S): Treatment with hMG was used for 282 patients (282 cycles), whereas 296 patients (296 cycles) were treated with rFSH. The number of cycles leading to an embryo transfer were 248 and 259, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary: clinical pregnancy rate. Secondary: treatment days, total dose of gonadotropin administered, number of oocytes retrieved, number of mature oocytes, and embryo quality. RESULT(S): Of the cycles with embryo transfer, the pregnancy rates were 30.1% and 32.3% in the rFSH and the hMG groups, respectively. This difference is not statistically significant (P=0.798). Treatment with rFSH resulted in a significantly higher number of recovered oocytes compared with the hMG group but was also associated with a higher number of ampoules needed to reach the criterion for hCG administration. No significant differences were found with regard to the number of mature oocytes, the number of treatment days, and the embryo quality. CONCLUSION(S): In terms of the clinical pregnancy rate, no significant differences between the two stimulation regimens can be stated.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[The implantation receptive luteal phase of the endometrium. On the current status of molecular and cell biology research].

The biological aim of the differentiation and maturation of endometrial tissue compartments during any menstrual cycle is the achievement of suitable conditions for blastocyst implantation and the establishment of pregnancy. Infertility and early embryonic loss are frequently caused by insufficient endometrial differentiation. Even any incomplete receptivity stage of the luteal phase endometrium will prevent attachment and implantation. We have studied the physiological changes throughout an endometrial cycle to elucidate causes of endometrial insufficiency leading to subfertility or infertility. Up to now, the histological changes described by Noyes et al. are understood as classical diagnostic approaches. However, evidence is accumulating that molecular deficits of endometrial differentiation are by no means detectable histologically, and consequently ask for the research on new diagnostic methods and parameters. There are histochemical localizations of specific protein molecules, adhesion molecules and cytokines, which permit by far more detailed and significant molecular analyses than any classical morphological means could yield. Moreover, there are convincing arguments to use further biochemical assessments on proteins of the uterine secretions as specific diagnostic parameters. The electrophoretical resolution presents typical protein patterns, which in turn can be interpreted as characteristic reflexions of the functional phases of the endometrial cycle. What is demonstrated as the so-called adequate luteal phase protein pattern clearly is the product of the receptive endometrium, reflecting the "implantation window". This is established already two days after ovulation and persists usually eight further days, if the endometrial cycle is undisturbed (15th to 24th day of the cycle).

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Reproductive outcome of 32 patients with primary or secondary infertility and uterine pathology.

We did a retrospective study on 102 patients who had a laparoscopy and a hysteroscopy during investigations for primary or secondary infertility. 32 of the 102 patients had uterine pathology. Seven of them had septate uteri, eight had uterine synechiae, another six had uterine fibroids, four had a bicornuated uterus, while the remaining had either a combination of all or other uterine anomalies. After surgical treatment of these conditions ten women conceived and five pregnancies including one twin pregnancy resulted in term deliveries.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Predicting the histologic dating of an endometrial biopsy specimen with the use of Doppler ultrasonography and hormone measurements in patients undergoing spontaneous ovulatory cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between uterine blood flow and endometrial thickness on transvaginal Doppler ultrasonography, serum E2 and progesterone levels, and the histologic dating of an endometrial biopsy specimen obtained in the midluteal phase of a spontaneous cycle. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: A tertiary care infertility center. PATIENT(S): One hundred fifty-nine patients with normal menstrual cycles. INTERVENTION(S): Transvaginal Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of uterine blood flow and endometrial thickness, determination of serum concentrations of E2 and progesterone, and endometrial biopsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Resistance index, pulsatility index, serum E2 and progesterone levels, endometrial thickness, and histologic dating of the endometrium. RESULT(S): One hundred thirteen (71%) of the endometrial biopsy specimens showed complete secretory transformation and thus were classified as "in phase," and 46 (29%) of the specimens lacked some or all of the criteria for secretory transformation and thus were classified as "out of phase." There was no statistically significant difference between the in phase and out of phase groups with regard to patient age, endometrial thickness, serum hormone levels, or resistance index. The pulsatility index was significantly higher in the in phase group. The overall predictive value of the studied parameters was only 64% (sensitivity, 57%; specificity, 66%). CONCLUSION(S): Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of uterine blood flow and measurement of hormone concentrations cannot be used to predict the histologic dating of an endometrial biopsy specimen obtained in the midluteal phase of a spontaneous cycle.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Are there any advantages in immediate assisted fertilization compared with differed fertilization?].

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate a difference between the two assisted fertilization procedures. Can either of these procedures be preferred on the basis of preoperative parameters or criteria? A protocol was created to facilitate the patient's decision, as the results of IAF are better that those of DAF. METHODS: We have performed 39 in vitro fertilizations after testicular or epididymal sperm extraction since December 1995. We performed deferred assisted fertilization (DAF) in 19 patients with normal hormone assessment and normal testicular volume or after vasectomy and immediate assisted fertilization (IAF) for 20 patients with an abnormal assessment. RESULTS: The two groups, IAF and DAF, were homogeneous and did not present any differences in terms of age, aetiology of sterility, risk factors or preoperative hormonal parameters. Direct examination of sperm samples, the site of sampling and histological examination did not demonstrate any significant difference between the two groups. ICSI (IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection) was performed for 16 couples by IAF and for 14 couples by DAF. We obtained 6 pregnancies (37.5%) in the IAF group and 2 pregnancies (14.3%) in the DAF group. The two groups were identical in terms of the number of oocytes taken and embryos transferred. CONCLUSION: No significant difference was observed between the immediate and deferred fertilization techniques in terms of predictive factors, histology and quality of the direct examination, but the pregnancy rate was higher for IAF. We therefore think that this method should be preferred as the first-line procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Influence of ovarian stimulation on the detection of human papillomavirus DNA in cervical scrapes obtained from patients undergoing assisted reproductive techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether gonadotropin stimulation influences the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in cervical scrapes. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled study. SETTING: Tertiary care infertility clinic. PATIENT(S): Two hundred ninety-four patients enrolled in an IVF or IUI program. Two thousand two hundred sixty-two women from an ongoing screening study who were of similar age served as a control group. INTERVENTION(S): Cervical scrapes were obtained with a cytobrush before and after ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Human papillomavirus status was assessed with a general primer (GP) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the GP5+/GP6+ system. In GP-PCR-positive samples, high-risk HPV types were identified with a cocktail of digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotides. Viral load was evaluated by semiquantitative analysis of the PCR products. RESULT(S): The prevalence of high-risk HPVs was 7.8% before stimulation and 6.8% after stimulation and, thus, was similar to the prevalence in controls (8.4%). Twenty-nine patients were positive for high-risk HPVs: 14 were positive before and after stimulation, 6 were negative before and positive after stimulation, and 9 were positive before and negative after stimulation. Positivity for high-risk HPVs and viral load did not correlate directly with serum estrogen levels. CONCLUSION(S): Ovarian stimulation has no significant effect on the prevalence of HPV DNA in cervical scrapes obtained from patients undergoing assisted reproductive techniques.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Expression of uteroglobin in the human endometrium.

Uteroglobin is a progesterone binding protein, a member of the antiflammin gene family and possibly a novel cytokine. Initially, uteroglobin was identified as the major protein of rabbit uterine secretion during the phase of preimplantation. Counterparts of the rabbit uteroglobin or its gene are described in rat, mouse, hamster, hare, pig, horse and human. While uteroglobin appears as one of the most extensively studied proteins, particularly its physico-chemical properties, including its crystal structure and its gene, the true physiological role of this protein still remains to be unravelled. Essential to understanding the significance of human uteroglobin in reproductive organs, particularly in the endometrium, is a knowledge of the spatial and chronological expression of this secretory protein. Our studies on 115 volunteers combined reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and quantitative assessment by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for uteroglobin. The expression, localization and release of uteroglobulin in the human endometrium are presented. Secretory uteroglobin is found in endometrial tissue homogenates in highest levels of expression during the early luteal phase (days 15-19, 340 pg/mg total protein). In turn, uteroglobin is released into the uterine lumen in peak amounts during the receptive phase of the menstrual cycle (mid-luteal phase, days 20-23, secretion level 833.4 pg/mg total protein). Our immunohistochemical studies match with these results, as uteroglobin is located during the early and mid-luteal phase in the apical compartments of endometrial gland cells. These observations strongly suggest an involvement of uteroglobin in endometrial preparations for implantation.

Endometrium↗
PubMed1998

Detrimental effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone on the ultrastructure of spermatozoa (Notulae seminologicae 13).

The effect of in-vitro treatment by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on the ultrastructure of human spermatozoa has been tested previously with the statistical analysis of B. Baccetti et al. (1995, J. Androl., 16, 356-371). PVP had a primary detrimental action on the plasma membrane, as well as on acrosomal and mitochondrial membranes. Furthermore, membrane damage induces deterioration of the chromatin, axonemal tubules, fibrous sheath, and accessory fibres.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1998

Glass wool filtration leads to a higher percentage of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes: an ultrastructural analysis.

We investigated the possibility of ultrastructural damage to human spermatozoa induced by different sperm preparation techniques. Ejaculates from 20 normozoospermic men were divided into equal aliquots and processed by glass wool filtration, Percoll density gradient centrifugation, and a simple two-step centrifugation procedure which served as a control. The evaluation of 60 spermatozoa from each of 20 test subjects (in all, n = 1200) ensured that a sufficiently large number of spermatozoa were investigated. Ultrastructural damage was assessed by scanning electron microscopy. We investigated the state of the acrosome after sperm preparation and measured the percentage of intact spermatozoal structures compared with that of the control. Compared with Percoll density gradient centrifugation, glass wool filtration yielded a significantly increased proportion of intact acrosomes. However, both preparations gave significantly better results than the control. In conclusion, both glass wool filtration and Percoll centrifugation are efficient techniques for the accumulation of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes. Because of the significantly higher percentage of intact acrosomes, glass wool filtration appears to be the more appropriate method. The significance of the conspicuous bending of sperm tails after Percoll centrifugation is not yet known.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1998

Chromosomal analysis of multipronuclear zygotes obtained after partial zona dissection of the oocytes.

We have attempted to analyse the chromosome constitution of multipronuclear 1-cell zygotes obtained after partial zona dissection (PZD) of the oocytes. Six cells with three pronuclei could not be evaluated whereas another one was characterized by the presence of a normal haploid and two uninterpretable metaphases. Complete karyotypes were established for 21 tripronuclear cells, taking the varying arrangement of the chromosome sets into consideration. Of the zygotes, 10 showed three separated haploid metaphases (distribution pattern n/n/n), eight zygotes had one haploid and one diploid chromosome set (n/2n) and in three cells the individual sets were not distinguishable (3n). The sex chromosome ratio XXX:XXY:XYY was 7:9:5. Chromosome abnormalities were found in eight of the completely or partially analysable tripronuclear zygotes (36.4%) and included numerical (4 cells), structural (2 cells) as well as combinations of numerical and structural alterations (2 cells). Three out of 11 zygotes with four pronuclei could not be evaluated at all. In three cases, only two chromosome sets were analysable and another cell displayed one uninterpretable set. Three out of eight completely or partially analysable zygotes with four pronuclei (37.5%) had chromosomal abnormalities. Excluding the four cells with one or two uninterpretable metaphases, the sex chromosome distribution XXXX:XXXY:XXYY:XYYY in the zygotes with four pronuclei was 0:1:1:2. Compared with previously analysed multipronuclear zygotes obtained after conventional in-vitro fertilization (IVF), the rate of aberrant zygotes as well as the incidence of aberrant (male + female) chromosome sets were not significantly changed after PZD.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Obesity--significance in adolescence and for reproduction].

According to the actual knowledge obesity is a serious, nutrition-dependent pathology with a high number of consequences. Endocrine sequence of obesity such as PCO-HAIR-syndrome (polycystic ovarian syndrome, hyperandrogenemia-insulin-resistance) with its cycle disorders and sterility are beginning already in adolescent and women of young reproductive age. With ageing more serious risks such as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), arteriosclerosis followed by coronary disease, stroke and hypertension, metabolic syndrome and a higher prevalence of malignant diseases will appear. Based on these five risks obesity should be treated early when therapeutic strategies are more successful than in older ages. The definition of a diagnosis and the beginning of a weight reduction programme combined with intense motivating treatment as well as medical and psychotherapeutic guidance is an important preventive contribution.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Lack of correlation between ultrasonography and histologic staging of the endometrium in in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients.

In 53 patients of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program with unsuccessful fertilization of oocytes, an endometrial biopsy was carried out on the day of the intended embryo transfer. The results were compared with the thickness (assessed on the very same day by means of ultrasonography) and the echo pattern of the endometrium, which was classified into four grades (A to D). We found grade A in 16 cases (30%), grade B in 22 cases (41.5%) and grade C in 15 cases (28.5%); no endometrium was assessed as grade D. The distribution of histologic findings was not significantly skewed within the respective grading categories (only 37.5% of grade A endometria, 63.5% of grade B endometria and 66.5% of grade C endometria were in phase with the menses). The in-phase and out-of-phase endometria did not display significant differences in endometrial thickness (8.8 +/- 0.29 mm vs. 9.13 +/- 0.4mm). Neither the sonographically measured endometrial thickness nor the echo pattern correlated with the histologic findings, suggesting that ultrasonography is inadequate for drawing reliable conclusions about endometrial receptivity in an IVF program.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1997

The chromosomal constitution of multipronuclear zygotes resulting from in-vitro fertilization.

We have attempted to analyse the chromosome constitution of 77 multipronuclear uncleaved zygotes obtained from our in-vitro fertilization programme. Complete karyotypes could be established for 51 tripronuclear cells and eight zygotes with four pronuclei. When compiling the results, the varying arrangement of the chromosome sets was taken into consideration. Eighteen tripronuclear zygotes showed three separate haploid metaphases (distribution pattern n/n/n), 16 cells had one haploid and one diploid chromosome set (n/2n), and in 15 zygotes the individual sets were not distinguishable (3n). Two zygotes were in fact tetraploid, the distribution of metaphases on the slide being n/3n and n/n/2n, respectively. In tripronuclear zygotes the sex chromosome ratio XXX:XXY:XYY was 14:16:18, excluding the two tetraploid cells and one zygote with a 23,X/23,X/22,-C or -Y karyotype. Chromosome abnormalities were found in 16 zygotes (31.4%) and included numerical (six cells), structural (four cells) as well as combinations of numerical and structural alterations (six cells). Four of the zygotes with four pronuclei (50%) had numerical and/or structural chromosome aberrations. Excluding two cells with one uninterpretable metaphase and a 22,-C or -Y karyotype, respectively, the sex chromosome distribution XXXX:XXXY:XXYY:XYYY was 1:1:2:1 in zygotes with four pronuclei. Another zygote was found to be pentaploid after fixation. These results suggest that analysis of multipronuclear zygotes yields valuable information about cytogenetic abnormalities occurring at the earliest stage of conception.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Triploidy caused by endoreduplication in a human zygote obtained after in-vitro fertilization.

Cytogenetic analysis of a presumably tripronuclear zygote revealed that triploidy was caused by an endoreduplicated 46,XX complement. The remaining chromosomes yielded a hyperhaploid karyotype of 28,Y, +2, +3C, +D. The origin of this chromosomal composition is obscure. Besides endoreduplication in a normal 23,X oocyte pronucleus and fertilization by a normal 23,Y spermatozoon, an additional female pronucleus might have been formed due to an irregular chromosome distribution during second meiotic division. On the other hand, penetration by a hyperhaploid spermatozoon cannot be excluded with certainty.

Adult↗