Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

W Feichtinger

Publications and source records attributed to W Feichtinger.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

[Vaginal ultrasonographic observation of uterine contractions in embryo transfer and its relevance to treatment success].

441 patients were treated by in-vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer (ET) from January 1989 to May 1990. Transvaginal ultrasound allowed pre-transfer assessment of the uterine architecture and confirmation of successful transfer after the procedure. The length and direction of the cervical and uterine cavity were noted. The real-time image was observed for one minute to see, if uterine contractions occurred. These can be clearly seen as pulsatile movements, which can be distinguished from breathing motions. We also recognised the localisation and the movement of the transferred air bubble. A "double bubble sign" occurs as a result of the two air bubbles being seen in sagittal transvaginal ultrasound. The embryos are sandwiched between the two visible bubbles. As far as the subjective methods used permit a definitive statement, there is no connection between contractions, localisation and movement of the air bubble with the success or failure of the E.T.

Embryo Transfer↗
PubMed1991

Clinical experience with ultra-rapid freezing of embryos.

A modified ultra-rapid freezing technique was introduced in January 1989 in our clinical in-vitro fertilization freezing programme. Thus, we wish to report our 1 1/2 year experience with ultra-rapid freezing as a simple and inexpensive method of routine cryopreservation. Of 181 frozen-thawed embryos, 110 (61%) survived with 50-100% blastomeres intact, and were used in 91 embryo replacements. Nine clinical pregnancies were established including two sets of twins. There was one miscarriage and one ectopic pregnancy. So far, five patients have delivered six normal, healthy infants and two other pregnancies are normally ongoing, including another twin pregnancy. These results were similar to those obtained by the conventional slow freezing method using propanediol. There is no doubt that there is a marked advantage of ultra-rapid freezing when compared to previous methods in terms of cost and time. We therefore believe that more clinical attention should be given to ultra-rapid freezing and it should become increasingly the method of choice for human embryo freezing in IVF programmes.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1991

Environmental factors and fertility.

This review deals with the decrease of male and female fertility during the last few decades which might to due to harmful environmental influences, stress and pollutants. Particular attention is drawn to the extent to which alcohol, coffee drinking, cigarette smoking and environmental pollutants may influence human fertility. Possible influences of increased radiation exposure after the nuclear accident of Chernobyl and possible hazards of electromagnetic fields are also discussed. Continuing research on the effects of environmental pollution on reproduction should be intensified and supported.

Environment↗
PubMed1991

[Side effects of oral contraceptives in the first treatment cycle].

In order to compare the secondary effects of oral contraceptive pills during the first cycle of application, 308 women between the age of 25 and 45 were interrogated by questionnaires about their subjective complaints. The patients received a contraceptive within an In-vitro-Fertilization-program (IVF-program) in preparation for a stimulation treatment to follow. The study consisted of two parts: at the beginning a pilot study was carried out in which retrospectively a pill containing 0.150 mg Desogestrel and 0.030 mg Ethinylestradiol and a contraceptive containing 0.075 mg Gestoden and 0.030 mg Ethinylestradiol were compared. In a following prospective randomized examination a product, new on the market, containing 0.250 mg Norgestimat and 0.035 mg Ethinylestradiol, was included. The most common secondary effects, occurring in 34% of our patients, were spottings and break through bleedings. Regarding the secondary effects--during the first cycle of application--no significant difference between the contraceptives could be established.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Ultrasound monitoring of follicle growth in IVF].

Vaginal sonography is a well-established method to monitor follicular growth and to detect the optimum time for induction of ovulation with hCG. In this study we found significantly less and smaller follicles in the left ovary compared to the right. However, during the procedure of oocyte retrieval we found an equal number of follicles and oocytes in both ovaries. We assume therefore that the used sonographic method is less valid for the left ovary compared to the right. The reason could be that on the left side the ovary is often hidden behind the sigma which makes visualization by ultrasound more difficult. Vaginal sonography should therefore be performed on a gynecological chair where it is easier to bring the probe closer to the left ovary. On the basis of follicular fluid volume measurements at the puncture the sizes of the follicles on day hCG were calculated and resulted in a range of 14.7-20.7 mm for the average of all follicles.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1990

Ultrarapid freezing (URF) of mouse and human preembryos: a modified approach.

Ultrarapid freezing (URF) employs a short one-step exposure of preembryos to cryoprotectant followed by immersion into liquid nitrogen. Higher concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) have been associated with improved embryo survival. We compared two different concentrations (3.5 and 4.5 M) of DMSO for freezing of mouse preembryos. The postthaw survival for mouse preembryos was 88% (3.5 M DMSO) and 93% (4.5 M DMSO), respectively (ns). Blastocyst formation occurred in 88% of the surviving URF preembryos. We also used URF to freeze a small series of human preembryos. Four of the thirty-eight patients became pregnant following transfer of URF preembryos. Two were term pregnancies and two are ongoing. URF is simpler and less expensive than other methods and its use with human preembryos warrants further evaluation.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The use of two-component fibrin sealant for embryo transfer.

This is a report of our preliminary experience using fibrin sealant with a series of 38 patients undergoing IVF and ET. We used a two-component fibrin sealant to create a fibrin plug in the uterine cavity at the time of ET to decrease the possibility of embryo expulsion and also ectopic pregnancy. Our preliminary report proves that it is possible to obtain 26% pregnancies using this two-component biological glue instead of serum or culture medium for uterine embryo replacement. A prospective randomized study will be undertaken to evaluate whether the use of fibrin sealant could significantly improve IVF and ET results.

Culture Media↗
PubMed1990

[Comparison of various methods of cryopreservation of human pre-embryos].

A human egg and embryo freezing program for non-fertilized eggs and spare embryos has been established in our in vitro fertilization clinic. In the following we report on our first experience with different methods of human pre-embryo cryopreservation. In a simple evaluation we have compared different conventional freezing techniques using cryoprotectant substances such as glycerol, DMSO and 1.2 propanediol and an "ultrarapid" technique. So far we have achieved 6 normal ongoing and 2 biochemical pregnancies out of a total number of 61 embryo transfers. This equals 9.8% pregnancy rate per embryo transfer. Two methods seem preferable, i.e. sucrose and 1.2 propandiol which has the highest success rate and the ultrarapid method which gives a good rate of embryo survival on the one hand and a simple handling on the other.

Embryo Transfer↗
PubMed1989

[Pathologic oocytes within the scope of in vitro fertilization].

Data of 67 patients, in whom 114 inseminated oocytes with morphological abnormalities were registered by means of light microscopy, were compared with those of a control group consisting of 69 patients where in vitro fertilization (IVF) proved successful. Significant correlations were found between certain parameters of the IVF attempt and the appearance of the described pathological changes in the oocytes. A significantly higher incidence of oocyte pathology was found with elevated progesterone and also LH values during the follicular phase. With a great number of follicles and in the case of small-sized follicles there were significantly more pathological ova--both degenerated and pathologically fertilized. A good oestrogen increase after ovulation induction with human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was associated with fewer morphological abnormalities of the inseminated oocytes. When spermatozoa with lower total motility (less than or equal to 40%) or an increased percentage of pathological forms (greater than 60%) were used for IVF, significantly more pathological oocytes appeared. A pathological spermiogram was noticeably correlated with an increased occurrence of a solitary decayed nuclear structure of the mature ovum. The significance of these connections and a hypothesis of the development of the described nuclear structure are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Increased frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges at common fragile sites (1)(q42) and (19)(q13).

Human lymphocyte cultures were treated with 5-azadeoxycytidine for the induction of the common fragile sites at 1q42 and 19q13 and with 5-bromodeoxyuridine for differential sister chromatid staining. A remarkably high frequency of sister chromatid exchanges was observed directly at the gaps of both fragile sites. In addition, the rate of sister chromatid exchanges occurring at the region corresponding to 1q42 without a concurrent visible gap was also increased. This confirms previous data on increased intrachromosomal recombination in common and rare fragile sites of various categories.

Azacitidine↗
PubMed1989

Treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancy by needling of sac and injection of methotrexate or PG E2 under transvaginal sonography control. Report of 10 cases.

We report transvaginal puncture of ectopic pregnancy and instillation therapy under sonographic control in 10 cases. Only patients with rising beta-hCG levels were selected for treatment. In 9 cases we instilled methotrexate and in 1 case prostaglandin E2. A successful outcome was obtained in 8 patients, 7 had been treated with methotrexate and 1 with PG E2. Conservative treatment failed in two patients. However, these patients were already in the 10th and 8th week of pregnancy, respectively. There were no side effects after methotrexate; the patient given PG E2 experienced severe discomfort, vomiting and cramps.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗
PubMed1989

Prolongation of pregnancy and survival of twin B after loss of twin A at 21 weeks' gestation.

At 21 weeks' gestation premature rupture of the membranes led to unavoidable delivery of an immature first twin (390 gm) who died shortly after birth. The placenta was left undisturbed. Twin B was confirmed to be alive within an intact second sac. Directly after delivery of twin A tocolysis was begun and cervical cerclage was undertaken. Pregnancy was successfully prolonged, which enabled the second fetus to remain in utero and grow for another 12 weeks. Onset of active labor resulted in delivery of a healthy 1750 gm female infant at the beginning of 33 weeks' gestation. The neonatal care was benign and the infant left the hospital in excellent condition after 4 weeks. The case is presented in detail and discussed with respect to the aggressive approach undertaken to prolong gestation.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Experience with a new fixed-stimulation protocol without hormone determinations for programmed oocyte retrieval for in-vitro fertilization.

A new fixed schedule of ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) was developed that is not only simpler and easier to handle for the patients but also gives a better fertilization and pregnancy rate. The period and the start of stimulation is shifted by means of a contraceptive pill in such a way that stimulation is generally started on a Sunday. The patient takes clomiphene, (100 mg) for 5 days and prednisolone (7.5 mg) for 30 days to suppress possible exaggerated adrenal androgens, and receives 150 IU human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) i.m. every other day from her doctor at home. From the 8th day of stimulation onwards follicular growth is registered by daily ultrasound at the IVF centre. A dose of 5000 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) is given when the dominant follicle exceeds 18 mm diameter. Blood sampling for hormone estimations is not necessary and only one sample of urine is needed for the luteinizing hormone (LH) estimation before HCG. In comparison to clomiphene only, clomiphene plus HMG/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and HMG/FSH only, this protocol resulted in a significantly higher fertilization and pregnancy rate per follicular puncture. The rate of abortions and extrauterine pregnancies, on the other hand, was decreased. When comparing repetitive IVF cycles with the first IVF cycle, a significant reduction of oocytes in repetitions was found, while there was no difference found in the number of fertilized eggs. The pregnancy rate, on the other hand, was increased in the repeat-cycles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clomiphene↗
PubMed1989

Berenil-induced undercondensation in human heterochromatin.

The aromatic diamidine berenil specifically inhibits the condensation of a subset of constitutive heterochromatin in human lymphocyte cultures. In the normal male chromosome complement, only the quinacrine-brilliant Y heterochromatin exhibits distinct undercondensation. The optimal culture conditions for inhibiting heterochromatin condensation are achieved when berenil is added at a final concentration of 150 micrograms/ml 24 h before cell harvest. Various examples of the use of berenil in the analysis of chromosome rearrangements involving quinacrine-brilliant heterochromatin are presented. A variant, giant-satellited chromosome 22 was found to respond to berenil treatment, although its enlarged and quinacrine-bright short-arm region did not contain Y heterochromatin. Southern blot analysis and chromosome in situ hybridization suggested that most chromosome 22 variants do not stem from Y; acrocentric translocations. The experimentally undercondensed Y heterochromatin is characterized by moderate C-band labeling, bright quinacrine fluorescence, and specific silver staining. At the ultrastructural level, undercondensation is associated with loosely packed, mutliply folded chromatin fibers with a diameter of approximately 250 A and organized probably as loops.

Amidines↗
PubMed1988

Membrane potential measurements in human oocytes.

Both maturation and fertilization of oocytes involve changes within the cell membrane as also in other cell structures. One method of documenting this phenomenon is the electrophysiological measurement of membrane potential (MP). Changes of MPs occurring coincidentally with the development of oocytes have been published previously for intervertebrates and vertebrates. In the present investigation MPs were measured in human oocytes at different stages of development. This was to prove whether the data published for animal models are also relevant in man. MPs were obtained from oocytes recovered for in vitro fertilization (IVF). This procedure produces not only the desired normal fertilized oocytes, but also immature cells, oocytes with failure of fertilization and pathologically fertilized oocytes. The results obtained show a good correlation of MP-changes during development and after fertilization with data published previously from a variety of species. In mouse and human oocytes, even absolute MP-values show a good correlation.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1988

[Transvaginal Doppler sonography for measuring blood flow in the pelvis].

This is a report on our first experience with transvaginal Doppler sonography. In this way we can measure the different blood flow parameters in the internal iliac, ovarian and uterine arteries during the menstrual cycle. The detection of the particular vessels and their typical waves of flow are described in detail. In 279 measurements taken from 107 patients in the stimulated cycle we could show that the systolic blood flow after induction of ovulation or before ovulation increases significantly both in the internal iliac and in the ovarian artery. This experience made in the stimulated cycle could also be confirmed in the natural cycle where a preovulatory increase of systolic blood flow in the uterine artery was also noticed. During administration of a contraceptive pill only slight uncoordinated increases of blood flow could be registered. Any possible connections between the above mentioned changes with factors depending on the blood flow or on organic resistance on one hand or on endocrine parameters on the other, and possible practical applications, are discussed.

Arteries↗