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Reproductive surgery vs assisted reproductive technologies: selecting the correct alternative.

Many innovations have been made in advanced reproductive technologies (ART) over the past several years. These procedures now yield pregnancy rates of over 20% per cycle, rates that compare favorably to many types of reproductive surgery. Therefore, ART now represents a viable alternative for many patients suffering from infertility. As these pregnancy rates continue to rise, gynecologists will have to choose between ART and reproductive surgery for a larger number of patients. This article reviews the commonly performed reproductive surgical procedures and compares expected postoperative pregnancy rates to those of ART in order to help the gynecologist make this decision.

Female↗

Society for assisted reproductive technology position statement on donor suitability of recipients of smallpox vaccine (vaccinia virus).

Although there is presently no definitive evidence linking vaccinia virus transmission through reproductive cells, SART/ASRM accordingly recommends that assisted reproductive technology (ART) practitioners consider deferring donors who have recently received smallpox vaccine or contracted symptomatic vaccinia virus infection through close contact with a vaccine recipient (until after the vaccine or infectious scab has spontaneously separated). Good donor practice further suggests that donors who are not in good health, including those with recent complications from smallpox vaccine, should be similarly deferred.

Humans↗

Ethical aspects of advanced reproductive technologies.

The progress achieved during the last 25 years in the assisted reproductive technology field has been phenomenal. Many countries currently practice genetic material donation, human embryo cryopreservation, selective embryo reduction, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and surrogacy. While embryo research and therapeutic cloning are carried out only in a few centers, thus far human cloning has been universally condemned. Nonetheless, the rapid evolution and progress of these various techniques of assisted reproduction has opened a Pandora's box of ethical issues that must be urgently addressed.

Adult↗

[Cost of assisted reproduction technology in a public hospital].

OBJECTIVES: Most studies on the costs of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) identify the total cost of the procedure with the direct cost, without considering important items such as overhead or intermediate costs. The objective of this study was to determine the cost per ART procedure in a public hospital in 2003 and to compare the results with those in the same hospital in 1998. METHODS: Data from the Human Reproduction Unit of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada (Spain) from 1998 and 2003 were analyzed. Since the total costs of the unit were known, the cost of the distinct ART procedures performed in the hospital was calculated by means of a methodology for cost distribution. RESULTS: Between 1998 and 2003, the activity and costs of the Human Reproduction Unit analyzed evolved differently. Analysis of activity showed that some techniques, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection, were consolidated while others, such as stimulation without assisted reproduction or intracervical insemination were abandoned. In all procedures, unit costs per cycle and per delivery decreased in the period analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Important changes took place in the structure of costs of ART in the Human Reproduction Unit of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital between 1998 and 2003. Some techniques were discontinued, while others gained importance. Technological advances and structural innovations, together with a "learning effect," modified the structure of ART-related costs.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

Society for assisted reproductive technology position statement on donor suitability of recipients of smallpox vaccine (vaccinia virus).

Although there is presently no definitive evidence linking vaccinia virus transmission through reproductive cells, SART/ASRM accordingly recommends that assisted reproductive technology (ART) practitioners consider deferring donors who have recently received smallpox vaccine or contracted symptomatic vaccinia virus infection through close contact with a vaccine recipient (until after the vaccine or infectious scab has spontaneously separated). Good donor practice further suggests that donors who are not in good health, including those with recent complications from smallpox vaccine, should be similarly deferred.

Female↗

Molecular medical approaches for alleviating infertility and understanding assisted reproductive technologies.

Fertilization is a precisely orchestrated cascade of events that results in the union of paternal and maternal genomes and in the establishment of mitotic potential of the zygote. To initiate embryonic development, the structures of the fertilizing sperm have to be disassembled and transformed into zygotic components by interactions with the cytoplasm of the egg. These interactions include the decondensation of the sperm nucleus into male pronucleus, the assembly of the zygotic centrosome, and the gathering of centrosomal proteins and sperm aster microtubules around the sperm centriole. Both the formation of the male pronucleus and the assembly of the zygotic centrosome are crucial steps required for pronuclear apposition and genomic union. The discovery of previously undetected fertilization failures that are due to defects in the assembly of the zygotic centrosome, abnormal pronuclear development, and compromised cytoskeletal dynamics enforces the development of new diagnostic strategies. Moreover, the introduction of new methods of infertility treatments, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection and round spermatid nucleus injection into assisted human reproductive technology programs, emphasizes our lack of understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of human fertilization and evokes the need for additional experimentation. These efforts, however, are compromised by the sensitive nature of human embryo research and thus are severely restricted. Animal models that are reliable and cost-effective and that feature the characteristics of human fertilization have therefore been sought. Rodents such as the rat, mouse, and hamster are poor models owing to their maternal inheritance of the zygotic centrosome that is in strong contrast with the biparentally contributed assembly of the human zygotic centrosome during fertilization. Although rabbits are similar to humans from the standpoint of mitotic potential inheritance, information on postfertilization events in rabbits are lacking. Nonhuman primates represented by the rhesus monkey proved to be a reliable model for human in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection, an advantage that is further emphasized by phyllogenetic similarity. In situations in which the high cost of primate research does not allow for large-scale experimentation (i.e., when large numbers of oocytes and embryos are needed), ruminants would be an ideal solution. Represented by the cow and sheep, domestic ruminants feature a fertilization strategy similar to that of the human. In addition, large numbers of gametes can be obtained wherever farms and slaughterhouses are accessible. Moreover, the detailed information on ruminant fertilization is strengthened by years of research and well-defined reproductive technology aimed at increasing the productivity of farm animals. Ruminants and rhesus monkeys have been extensively studied, and the data from these studies have been extrapolated in order to propose new strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of human infertility.

Animals↗

Progesterone for the luteal support of assisted reproductive technologies: clinical options.

The role of progesterone in luteal support in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) is reviewed. There is insufficient data in ART treatment without gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues, to prove the necessity for luteal phase support using progesterone. Prospective studies have shown that ART cycles using GnRH analogues need to be supplemented. GnRH antagonists could have some adverse effects on the luteal phase. So far, no prospective randomized comparative study has been performed to investigate the necessity for luteal phase support when antagonists are used in ART cycles. Clinical outcome data (pregnancy and abortion rates) show similar success rates for human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) or progesterone supplementation. A major disadvantage of using HCG is the risk of maintaining or enhancing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Of the several routes of administration of progesterone, the vaginal route is preferred because of its ease of use, reduced side-effects and, most importantly, the first uterine pass effect.

Biological Availability↗

New developments reproductive technologies in deer.

In vitro embryo production is the platform for advanced reproductive technologies, such as cloning. The in vitro embryo production system developed for farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) evolved along similar lines to that pioneered by other domestic species researchers. However, applying existing in vitro embryo production methods from these other species resulted in limited success and has necessitated developing a species-specific methodology for red deer based on the their physiology. Analysis of oviduct fluid led to the development of a semi-defined fertilization and culture media system, Deer Synthetic Oviduct Fluid (DSOF), which resulted in successful culture of red deer embryos to the blastocyst stage. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovarian examination and ovum pickup has enabled the study of seasonality constraint and propagation from selected female genetics, respectively. During the 4-month breeding season (April-July), 15% of cleaved oocytes developed to blastocysts, whereas no blastocysts developed from oocytes collected after July. The process of developing an in vitro embryo production system for farmed red deer may serve as a beneficial model for the propagation of endangered cervine species.

Animals↗

Religious belief, perceptions of human suffering, and support for reproductive genetic technology.

Reproductive genetic technologies are becoming more controversial as they become more ubiquitous. The opponents of these technologies are largely religious groups, a fact that leads to the question of why religious groups would be more opposed to these technologies than others. Since all of these technologies are justified by their ability to relieve suffering of some kind, it is hypothesized that the actively religious have a notion of suffering different from that of advocates for these technologies, and this different notion of suffering leads to opposition to the technologies. In this article I report on a qualitative interview study of the religiously active in the United States. I find that the religiously active do have views of suffering that are distinct from the medical consensus, and these views are related to people's conclusions about the advisability of reproductive genetic technologies.

Genetic Testing↗

Legal and ethical considerations of assisted reproductive technology and surrogate motherhood in AOFOG countries.

With increasing use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and its related issues, the Ethics Committee of the Asia-Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AOFOG), after discussion at its council meeting, took up the mission to understand the current legal and ethical aspects of this special subject in Asia-Oceania area before making proper recommendations. This Committee drafted a questionnaire to all 22 country member societies in 1995, and again conducted the same survey in 2000 to track changes in each country/region's laws and regulations. The results show that the current attitude and status of country member societies vary in a wide range and do not have formal legal codes in majority regulating the ethical aspects of ART. The use of ART and surrogacy is obviously affected by local traditions, popularity in the use of such techniques and cultural/religious concerns. The changes in 5 years are not major. Three countries do not as yet practice such techniques. However, liberalization of surrogate motherhood has become a trend. Five countries, compared with two only in 1995, are now available for surrogate motherhood, though regulated by strict criteria. Based on the data collected and issues discussed, a detailed guideline may not be generally applicable as each region has its own rules, reflecting differences in the management of ART, especially in the surrogate motherhood. This Committee therefore recommends that ART must be performed by a board certified gynecologist in a certification laboratory and surrogate motherhood must be used only for medical reasons and not be commercialized. The patients of this special group must be treated individually, based on this recommendation and the regulations of their own country/region.

Asia↗

Assisted reproductive technology and pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is associated with an increase in chromosomal abnormalities, fetal malformations, or adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: A prospective database from a large multicenter investigation of singleton pregnancies, the First And Second Trimester Evaluation of Risk trial, was examined. Subjects were divided into 3 groups: no ART use, use of ovulation induction (with or without intrauterine insemination), and use of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess association between ART and adverse pregnancy outcomes (significance of differences was accepted at P < .05). RESULTS: A total of 36,062 pregnancies were analyzed: 34,286 (95.1%) were spontaneously conceived, 1,222 (3.4%) used ovulation induction, and 554 (1.5%) used IVF. There was no association between ART and fetal growth restriction, aneuploidy, or fetal anomalies after adjustment for age, race, marital status, years of education, prior preterm delivery, prior fetal anomaly, body mass index, smoking history, and bleeding in the current pregnancy. Ovulation induction was associated with a statistically significant increase in placental abruption, fetal loss after 24 weeks, and gestational diabetes after adjustment. Use of IVF was associated with a statistically significant increase in preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, placental abruption, placenta previa, and risk of cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: Patients who undergo IVF are at increased risk for several adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although many of these risks are not seen in patients undergoing ovulation induction, several adverse pregnancy outcomes are still increased in this group. There was no increased incidence of fetal chromosomal or structural abnormalities in the women who used any type of ART compared with the women who conceived spontaneously. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.

Adult↗

From biopolitics to bioethics: church, state, medicine and assisted reproductive technology in Ireland.

This paper examines the emerging bioethical debate on assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Ireland, which is shaped by the long-standing contentious issue of abortion and the constitutional protection afforded to the 'unborn'. The focus of the paper is on the way in which the terms of this debate are shaped and constrained by the historical relations of power between church, state and medicine. Since the representation of Ireland as a post-Catholic, plural republic is becoming increasingly mainstream to cultural and political discourse, we pay particular attention to how the Catholic Church embraces bioethics as a meta frame or code for refocusing questions of values, beliefs and meanings to sustain the ideal of Ireland as a 'pro-life' and essentially Catholic nation. The Catholic Church is not simply asserting its voice of dissent in the context of public debate as one voice amongst a plurality of other voices, but to shape the emerging debate as a powerful, institutional actor. The opportunity to do so is afforded by the lack of public debate on bioethical issues and the exceedingly slow pace at which bioethics is moving towards an institutionalised framework in Ireland. These events can be explained by the legacy of the social power of the Catholic Church in Ireland and the direct and indirect influence it has long exercised over public policy vis-à-vis the state and its institutions, including medicine. There are two interconnected threads to the contextual analysis presented in our case study: first, the legacy of the social power wielded by the Catholic Church, and its slow and incremental demise reflected in the pace of secularisation in Ireland and the privatisation of morality; second, the emergence of a bioethical regulatory debate on ART, which is mired in the abortion controversy. Our analysis focuses on a number of key contradictions and tensions in the way in which the key institutions of church, state and medicine navigate their own positions vis-à-vis a bioethics debate, and how this constrains public participation.

Bioethics↗

[Assisted reproductive technology; IVF-ET].

To summarize the procedures and outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Novel and updated ART for the practical management of infertile couples are presented and compared with conventional modalities. The outcomes measured included clinical pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, abortion, still birth and delivery. Of ART treatments, 19,319 cycles initiated was IVF with 12.7% clinical pregnancy per retrieval in the world in 1991. In Japan, pregnancy rate of 9,667 cycles with IVF was 12.7% in 1991. 300 cycles initiated was IVF with 20% pregnancy rate at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Asahikawa Medical College in 1994. In 1995, there will be more program offering more treatments cycles of ART. Improvements in stimulation, the culture system for fertilization and embryo growth, cryopreservation and microinsemination are expected to enhance the rates of clinical pregnancy.

Adult↗

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) in humans: facts and uncertainties.

Since the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) in human, the number of patients using Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) has increased tremendously. ART technologies have increased in number and their spectrum has also widened. The first IVF babies are now more than 20 years old. All the retrospective analyses have demonstrated that the obstetrical and pediatrical impact has not really affected single births. The main problems observed occur with multiple pregnancies, including high costs for the couples and for society. The decrease in the number of embryos transferred has improved the situation and moreover does not impair the final results. IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a more debatable and questionable technique with a real negative genetic impact. The main problem is chromosome abnormalities more specifically related to the sex chromosomes. The question of a systematic genetic work-up on the patients entering ICSI programs is discussed. No negative impact of cryopreservation has been demonstrated even though some controversy arises from time to time. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is now a interesting tool for patients carrying genetic defects. Blastocyst biopsy now has a future role in reproductive medicine. Gender selection through sperm sorting is also now a reality. As with the other developing bio-technologies related to reproduction, there are ethical questions. The decisions concerning these technologies do not belong solely to scientists but are rather a matter for society to decide.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Understanding the fundamentals of embryology in assisted reproductive technology.

This paper emphasises the need to understand the fundamentals of embryology in relation to in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and associated assisted reproductive technologies (ART). It introduces the reproductive technologist and others involved in such programmes to the events that occur during early embryogenesis, which have led to recent developments in IVF/ART. It also covers some of the contributions made by IVF/ART in understanding early events of development, particularly during the first week of human life. The reader is referred to some of the widely used embryology texts and audio-visual aids and also to selected reviews and papers published recently that would help toward a better understanding of early development and ART.

Embryonic and Fetal Development↗