Biomedical subjects

M Camus

Publications and source records attributed to M Camus.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Analysis of 76 total fertilization failure cycles out of 2732 intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles.

From October 1992 to December 1994, 2732 cycles of treatment by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were carried out in couples mainly with severe male-factor infertility. The overall fertilization rate in these 2732 cycles was 71% of intact oocytes. However, in 76 (72 couples) of these cycles, none of the injected oocytes became fertilized, so the total fertilization failure rate was 3% (76/2732 cycles). Details of these 76 cycles were analysed. The results show that total fertilization failure after ICSI may be explained by different factors related to (i) semen characteristics (only immotile or round-headed spermatozoa for ICSI) or (ii) the oocytes (number, abnormal morphology, damage after ICSI). Of 26 couples, 22 achieved fertilization in their subsequent ICSI cycles. In conclusion, total fertilization failure after ICSI for the treatment of severe male-factor infertility was mainly caused by the poor viability of the spermatozoa used for injection; it was also associated with a low number and poor quality of oocytes. Repeated ICSI treatment may be useful or necessary in couples with total fertilization failure.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Indications for and results of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

In this report the indications for, and the results of, 1275 consecutive ICSI cycles carried out between October 1991 and December 1993 are described. Failure of fertilization in at least one previous IVF cycle, semen parameters below the threshold for standard IVF treatment and successful MESA or TESE procedure performed in patients with obstructive or non-obstructive azoospermia, respectively, were the indications in these ICSI cycles. In 1194 cycles, ejaculated spermatozoa were used, whereas 59 and 17 cycles were performed with epididymal and testicular spermatozoa, respectively. The normal fertilization rate was significantly higher with ejaculated spermatozoa than with epididymal or testicular spermatozoa, but no differences were observed with regard to embryo quality, the percentages of transfer after ICSI and the clinical pregnancy rates in the three groups of patients.

Embryo Transfer↗

PubMed1994

Assisted fertilization by subzonal insemination and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

The results of 600 consecutive treatment cycles of subzonal insemination (SUZI) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are described in couples with failed fertilization after standard IVF or insufficient spermatozoa in the ejaculate for IVF. More oocytes were damaged by ICSI (16.3%) than by SUZI (8.5%) and the normal fertilization rate was substantially higher after ICSI (49.1% v. 16.6%). Subsequent development of two-pronuclear oocytes in vitro was 80% after SUZI and 73.9% after ICSI. Significantly more triple embryo replacements were carried out after ICSI than after SUZI. Embryo transfers were possible in 421 of the 600 cycles. There were 63 pregnancies after ICSI (215 transfers) and 23 after SUZI (156 transfers); 10 additional pregnancies were achieved after 50 transfers of a mixture of SUZI and ICSI embryos. The results of fetal karyotypes and follow-up of the children do not indicate an increase in congenital malformations.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Human endometrial maturation is markedly improved after luteal supplementation of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue/human menopausal gonadotrophin stimulated cycles.

In human cycles stimulated for ovulation with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG), a luteal phase defect has been described. To evaluate the influence on the endometrium, endometrial development in GnRH agonist/HMG stimulated cycles was assessed in cycles with and without luteal phase supplementation. Endometrial histological maturation, ultrastructure and oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status were analysed in the mid-luteal phase. Serum concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone were measured daily from days 1-5 of the luteal phase. Supplementation of the luteal phase was achieved with either human chorionic gonadotrophin or natural progesterone, administered intramuscularly or intravaginally. In non-supplemented cycles all endometrial features were consistent with an impaired progesterone bioavailability. After supplementation of the luteal phase, fewer signs of luteal phase deficiency were visible, especially with the intravaginal route of progesterone administration. We concluded that the endometrial parameters confirm the need for luteal support in GnRH agonist/HMG stimulated cycles.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

The evolution and outcome of pregnancies from oocyte donation.

A total of 199 patients participated in the oocyte donation programme in 336 replacement cycles in whom 69 clinical pregnancies were achieved, of which 53 reached term and delivery. Data concerning the evolution and outcome of pregnancies were retrieved in 52 cases, which involved 39 women with ovarian failure and 18 with functional ovaries. The most frequent complications of pregnancy were uterine bleeding in the first trimester in 18 cases (34.6%), hypertension in 17 (32.7%) and intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR: 11.5%). These complications were more prominent in twin pregnancies. The Caesarean section rate was 63.5% and a high percentage of elective sections (54.5%) was observed. Of singleton pregnancies, 54.6% had a birth weight of > 3000 g at full term (> 37 weeks), while 62.5% of twins weighed between 2000 and 3000 g. One intra-uterine death occurred, so that the perinatal mortality was 1.7% and one newborn was operated on for stenosis of the pulmonary artery, while the incidence of premature labour was low (1.9%). A comparison of complications between pregnancies associated with ovarian failure and with functional ovaries revealed a higher frequency of bleeding in the first trimester (38.2% and 27.8% respectively) and of hypertension (38.2% and 22.2% respectively) in those with ovarian failure, although the differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, women who become pregnant after oocyte donation and especially those with ovarian failure should be considered as high-risk obstetric patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

An indiscriminate use of pentoxifylline does not improve in-vitro fertilization in poor fertilizers.

In order to enhance fertilization in vitro, pentoxifylline (PTX) was used in couples showing low fertilization rates in previous in-vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts for the treatment of male-factor infertility. Sibling oocytes were inseminated at random with spermatozoa prepared with or without PTX. After selection by Percoll gradient, sperm samples were divided into two equal aliquots. One aliquot was incubated in Earle's medium containing approximately 3.6 mM PTX (treatment group), the other aliquot was incubated with PTX-free Earle's medium (control group). After 30 min, both suspensions were washed twice. Sperm parameters after preparation did not differ between treatment and control samples, and nor did the mean fertilization rates, which were 49.3 and 42.6% respectively. Cleavage characteristics and morphological quality of the embryos were not significantly different between the treatment and control groups. The results of this study demonstrate that indiscriminate use of PTX in an IVF programme increases neither fertilization rate nor embryo transfer rate in poor fertilizers. More prospective research is needed to evaluate the role of PTX in IVF in couples selected according to the effect of the compound on sperm function, e.g. hyperactivation and acrosome reaction.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Cryopreservation of supernumerary multicellular human embryos obtained after intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pregnancy rate of frozen-thawed human supernumerary multicellular embryos that were cryopreserved after intracytoplasmic sperm injection or IVF. DESIGN: A clinical study. SETTING: Consenting patients in an academic research environment. PATIENTS: Couples with severe male infertility, indicated by failed or sporadic fertilization after IVF or subzonal insemination or by < 500,000 progressively motile spermatozoa in the entire ejaculate, and couples for IVF during the same period. INTERVENTIONS: After microinjection or IVF, the three best-quality embryos were transferred, and 1,171 embryos from intracytoplasmic sperm injection compared with 2,495 embryos from IVF were frozen with dimethyl sulphoxide. Of these, 413 and 969 embryos were thawed, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The survival rate, the total and clinical pregnancy rates, the delivery rate, and the preclinical abortion rate were calculated. RESULTS: Fifty-three percent of the thawed intracytoplasmic sperm injection embryos survived. Twenty-two pregnancies have been established in 101 transfers, corresponding to a total pregnancy rate of 21.8% per transfer. The clinical pregnancy rate was 12.9% per transfer and the delivery rate was 5.9% per transfer. Of the IVF embryos, 51% survived and 37 pregnancies have been established in 253 transfers. The total and clinical pregnancy rates and the delivery rate were 14.6%, 10.7%, and 7.1%, respectively. The preclinical abortion rate was 40.9% for cryopreserved intracytoplasmic sperm injection embryos and 27.0% for IVF embryos. CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of preclinical abortions after transfer of human embryos cryopreserved after intracytoplasmic sperm injection requires extension of the series.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1993

Pentoxifylline is not useful in enhancing sperm function in cases with previous in vitro fertilization failure.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficiency of the addition of pentoxifylline to spermatozoa for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in cases with previous fertilization failure. DESIGN: After retrieval, oocytes were divided at random and inseminated with spermatozoa prepared with or without pentoxifylline. SETTING: In vitro fertilization program of the Centre for Reproductive Medicine of the Dutch-speaking Brussels Free University, Belgium, a tertiary referral institution. PATIENTS: Couples in this study were undergoing a second or third IVF attempt for the treatment of male factor infertility. INTERVENTIONS: Sperm samples were divided into two equal parts. The first part was prepared with 3.6 mM pentoxifylline (treatment group) and the other part without pentoxifylline (control group). After swim-up, oocytes were randomly inseminated with spermatozoa from either treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fertilization and cleavage rates after IVF. RESULTS: Overall a fertilization rate of 8.8% was achieved with no significant differences between treatment and control groups. Cleavage rate was 81.5% and was not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates no therapeutic advantage of using pentoxifylline in IVF for male factor infertility in cases with previous fertilization failure.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Sperm characteristics and outcome of human assisted fertilization by subzonal insemination and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of sperm characteristics on the treatment by subzonal insemination (SUZI) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection of couples with severe male infertility. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of 300 consecutive cycles of assisted fertilization concerning 202 infertile couples was performed. One hundred fifty-three couples underwent 362 unsuccessful IVF cycles, whereas on 49 couples IVF was not performed because of poor sperm characteristics. SETTING: Procedures were performed in an institutional research environment. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Couples in which the male partner was the presumed cause of repeated failure to achieve conception by IVF or in which seminal parameters were unacceptable for IVF. INTERVENTIONS: Three hundred transvaginal oocyte retrievals were performed after superovulation by GnRH agonist and gonadotropins. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: After SUZI and intracytoplasmic sperm injection the following parameters were evaluated: fertilization, cleavage, pregnancy, and implantation rates in relation to the sperm parameters and the proportion of acrosome-free spermatozoa after different treatments. RESULTS: Normal fertilization occurred in 18% of the oocytes treated by SUZI and in 44% after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Only the treatment by electroporation showed a positive correlation with the fertilization rate. Fourteen pregnancies were obtained after SUZI, 8 pregnancies after intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and 8 pregnancies after a combination of the two procedures. A score calculated from the sperm parameters after selection correlated with the fertilization obtained after SUZI, whereas a score calculated from the parameters before sperm selection correlated with the pregnancy rate. Sperm morphology influenced the implantation rate of the embryos obtained with these two procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection and SUZI can successfully treat couples who fail IVF or who cannot benefit from IVF. Different treatments can be applied to semen samples to increase the number of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. The few significant relations found between sperm characteristics and the outcome of assisted fertilization cannot predict the outcome.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Embryo reduction in triplet pregnancies after assisted procreation: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate pregnancy outcome after selective embryo reduction by transcervical aspiration or transvaginal puncture and intrathoracal injection with potassium chloride (KCl) in triplet pregnancies occurring after assisted procreation and to compare this outcome with that for triplets not undergoing embryo reduction. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: In vitro fertilization program of the Centre for Reproductive Medicine of the Dutch-speaking Brussels Free University, Belgium, which is a tertiary referral institution. PATIENTS: Seventy-two patients presenting a triplet pregnancy after assisted procreation. INTERVENTION: Transcervical aspiration embryo reduction at 8 to 9 weeks of pregnancy or transvaginal puncture and intrathoracal injection of KCl at 9 to 10 weeks of pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of spontaneous embryo reduction, complications relating to the procedure, pregnancy, and neonatal outcome. RESULTS: The rate of spontaneous reduction was 18%. Among the 14 patients undergoing transcervical aspiration, 3 aborted and 4 lost an additional fetus. The transvaginal puncture technique had a lower complication rate (2/19). Neonatal outcome was improved in pregnancies after selective embryo reduction. After transvaginal puncture, the outcome was comparable with that for twin pregnancies after assisted procreation. CONCLUSIONS: Triplet pregnancies after assisted procreation had a poor neonatal outcome. The outcome was improved after spontaneous reduction. Transcervical aspiration should not be used because of its high rate of early and late complications. Transvaginal puncture had less early complications, but the technique might be associated with prematurity and third trimester fetal death. In triplet pregnancies, embryo reduction decreases the number of babies going home per patient, but the quality of life of the remaining babies is improved.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed1993

A prospective randomized study on oestradiol valerate supplementation in addition to intravaginal micronized progesterone in buserelin and HMG induced superovulation.

A prospective randomized study was conducted to evaluate the use of adding oestradiol valerate 6 mg per os daily to intravaginal micronized progesterone (600 mg daily) as luteal supplements. The study comprised 378 infertile women superovulated with a gonadotrophin releasing-hormone agonist (GnRHa) and human menopausal gonadotrophins (HMG) for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or zygote intra-Fallopian transfer (ZIFT). The clinical pregnancy rate was similar (29%) whether or not oestradiol valerate was added to intravaginal progesterone. Eighteen out of twenty-two endometrial biopsies were in phase, and morphological evaluations of the two luteal supplementation groups were not different. Serum hormone profiles in singleton pregnancies showed a similar day of appearance of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in both protocols but significantly lower oestradiol concentrations arose in the group without oestradiol valerate. In 32% of the singleton pregnancies, the first appearance of HCG occurred later than day 12 after HCG injection; in those ongoing pregnancies, corpus luteum rescue--as measured by significantly lower serum oestradiol and progesterone concentrations--was compromised. This study provided no evidence of any benefit of routinely supplementing GnRHa/HMG cycles with oestradiol valerate in addition to intravaginal micronized progesterone.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

PubMed1993

Loa loa microfilariae aspirated during oocyte retrieval.

Loa loa is a filarial parasite which is mainly confined to West and Central Africa. Although considered as mildly pathogenic for people living in endemic areas, its appearance in other places might be a cause for concern. We report here the unusual finding of Loa loa microfilariae in the follicular aspirate of a 35-year-old black women during oocyte retrieval for in-vitro fertilization. Most likely these microfilariae were aspirated, along with follicular fluid, from the small blood vessels around the ovarian follicles, which are frequently lacerated during ovarian puncture. Despite the spectacular microscopic view of vigorous moving worms trapped on the cumulus cells, the presence of Loa loa microfilariae does not seem to prevent fertilization and cleavage completely.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Comparison of two local anaesthetics in transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval.

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval is an accepted procedure in most in-vitro fertilization programmes. In order to simplify the anaesthetic procedure into a minimally invasive one, we perform the oocyte retrieval under a modified para-cervical block combined with a standard pre-medication. In order to maximize the patient's comfort we evaluated two different local anaesthetics and their side-effects. Patients were allocated at random to receive a modified para-cervical block with mepivacaine 1% (n = 46) or with prilocaine 1% (n = 54). The patients were asked to fill in a visual analogue scale (VAS) including assessment of anxiety, pain and comfort concerning the procedure. The two local anaesthetics were both effective in reducing pain during transvaginal oocyte retrieval. The mean VAS scores were acceptable and were efficient as indicators of patient's comfort during the procedure. Mepivacaine was selected for routine use since prilocaine induced methaemoglobinaemia.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Analysis of the risk factors with regard to the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy after medically assisted procreation.

In a retrospective study (1985-1989) based on data from the Centre for Reproductive Medicine in Brussels, a total of 23 ectopic pregnancies (2.24%) occurred after 3800 embryo, zygote or gamete transfers. This number was low compared with the data published elsewhere. Tubal damage was a major risk factor towards developing an ectopic pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The number of ectopic pregnancies after the association of clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) was significantly higher in patients with tubal (7.8%) and non-tubal indications (2.1%) compared with those stimulated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and HMG (2.18% and 0.84%, respectively). The number of replaced embryos was not associated with the rate of ectopic pregnancy and neither did transfer technique (intra-uterine or intra-Fallopian transfer) influence the ectopic pregnancy rate.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Zygote intrafallopian transfer or in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer for the treatment of male-factor infertility: a prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) as treatments of male-factor infertility. DESIGN: Patients were prospectively randomized to ZIFT or IVF-ET. SETTING: In vitro fertilization program of the Centre for Reproductive Medicine of the Dutch-speaking Brussels Free University, Belgium, which is a tertiary referral institution. PATIENTS: One hundred fifty-seven couples were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria allowed only first trials of couples with long-standing infertility caused by a male factor. Female factors were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: In ZIFT, up to three fertilized oocytes were transferred into one single patient fallopian tube by means of laparoscopy 18 hours after insemination. In IVF-ET, cleaving embryos were replaced into the uterine cavity about 48 hours after insemination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fertilization and transfer rates, implantation and pregnancy rates, pregnancy outcome, and cost per procedure were evaluated. RESULTS: Implantation rates of 12.3% and 10% per replaced conceptus were achieved for ZIFT and IVF-ET, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates no therapeutic advantage of ZIFT over IVF-ET in male-factor infertility in terms of reproductive outcome or economic benefit.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Cryopreservation of human embryos.

This chapter describes general cryobiological principles and the different methods for cryopreservation of supernumerary human embryos obtained after several procedures for medically assisted procreation. Different factors that influence the performance of freezing and thawing of human embryos are reviewed: the data from international and national surveys of results, the cryopreservation procedures, the stages of embryonic development, the morphological appearance of the cryopreserved embryos, the numbers of embryos transferred, the storage times of embryos in liquid nitrogen, the ovarian stimulation protocols in the IVF cycle and the replacement cycles of cryopreserved embryos. Cryopreservation of embryos circumvents the difficult problem of synchrony between the ovarian cycles of donor and acceptor patients in an oocyte donation programme.

Blastocyst↗

PubMed1992

Laparoscopic removal of benign mature teratoma.

Laparoscopic removal of benign mature teratoma is safe and effective in pre-menopausal patients. Fourteen patients underwent laparoscopic removal of such tumours. There were no operative complications. Post-operative hospitalization was short (average: 2 days). All patients undergoing a second-look laparoscopy had mild adhesions around the operated ovary. Two spontaneous and one in-vitro fertilization pregnancy occurred. If a teratoma is diagnosed during laparoscopy or oocyte retrieval, it should be promptly removed as malignant transformation is not excluded. In this case, the embryos should be frozen for later transfer.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

A prospective randomized comparison of intramuscular or intravaginal natural progesterone as a luteal phase and early pregnancy supplement.

A luteal phase defect has been demonstrated in cycles stimulated using a protocol including a gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa). We have conducted a randomized prospective study of luteal and early pregnancy supplementation in 262 women selected for in-vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) or zygote intra-Fallopian transfer (ZIFT). Either intramuscular progesterone in oil (50 mg/day) or intravaginal micronized progesterone (600 mg/day) was used as luteal supplement. In association with oestradiol valerate, progesterone administration was initiated from the day before oocyte retrieval until the 12th week of pregnancy. The implantation rate just failed to reach statistical significance (P = 0.07) in favour of the group receiving intravaginal progesterone. In the latter group, we observed a higher clinical pregnancy rate (33.6 versus 26.7%, not significant). Despite lower plasma progesterone levels, a lower first trimester abortion rate (P less than 0.05) was found in the intravaginally treated group. Intravaginal micronized progesterone was well tolerated by all patients and appeared more effective than intramuscular progesterone in improving the implantation rate, and in decreasing the incidence of abortions in stimulated cycles including GnRHa.

Administration, Intravaginal↗