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The influence of transient hyperprolactinemia on hormonal parameters, oocyte recovery, and fertilization rates in in vitro fertilization.

A detrimental effect of transient elevation of plasma prolactin (PRL) during in vitro fertilization (IVF) has not been proven; however, treatment with a dopamine agonist has been suggested. The present study was undertaken to determine if transient, midcycle hyperprolactinemia exerted a deleterious effect on the number of oocytes retrieved or on fertilization of oocytes in vitro. Fifty-three infertile patients with midcycle hyperprolactinemia (PRL greater than 20 micrograms/liter) during ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF were compared with 53 matched controls who remained normoprolactinemic. Mean (+/- SE) serum PRL levels on the day after hCG were significantly higher in the study group (29.5 +/- 1 micrograms/liter) than in the control (13.1 +/- 0.5 microgram/liter) (P less than 0.0005), whereas the mean estradiol (E2) concentrations on the same day were not significantly different (4822 +/- 287 and 4492 +/- 269 pmol/liters, respectively). Fertilization rates (72 +/- 4 and 70 +/- 4%, respectively) and the mean number of oocytes recovered (4.2 +/- 0.3 and 3.7 +/- 0.3, respectively) did not differ between the two groups. No correlation was observed between serum PRL and E2 levels, fertilization rates, or the number of oocytes retrieved in either group. Eleven patients with elevated PRL levels as a result of ovarian hyperstimulation were treated with 2.5 mg bromocriptine daily during the next IVF cycle. Serum PRL levels were significantly lower in the treated (5.6 +/- 1.8 micrograms/liter) than in the untreated cycles (35.6 +/- 3.1 micrograms/liter) (P less than 0.0005), whereas serum E2 concentrations did not differ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bromocriptine↗

Successful fertilization, embryo development, and pregnancy in human in vitro fertilization (IVF) using a chemically defined culture medium containing no protein.

A randomized control trial involving the fertilization and culture of human embryos in culture medium (T6) containing either 10% maternal serum or no protein or amino acid supplement was carried out to assess the effect of deletion from culture of all fixed nitrogen on fertilization, embryo development, and embryo viability. There was no difference in fertilization rates (68 vs 69%), development of apparently normal embryos (96 vs 97%), pregnancy rate (18 vs 14%), or birth rate (13 vs 11%) between protein-containing and protein-free media. Deletion of protein from the culture medium may enable the constitution of more appropriate and defined culture media for human in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Culture Media↗

Hormonal stimulation for in vitro fertilization: a comparison of fertilization rates and cytogenetic findings in unfertilized oocytes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare fertilization and aneuploidy rates after two stimulation protocols in an IVF program. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. SETTING: The study took place in the IVF laboratory of an Infertility Department. METHODS: In 349 treatment cycles, clomiphene citrate (CC) and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) were used in one group (N = 233) and hMG after treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) in two other groups (long protocol): goserelin (N = 73) and buserelin (N = 43). Cytogenetic analysis was performed on all unfertilized oocytes in both groups. RESULTS: Fertilization rates were significantly higher in the GnRHa/hMG group than in the CC/hMG group, but cleavage rates and embryo quality were not different. Of 736 oocytes prepared for cytogenetic analysis, 256 were karyotyped: 172 were found to be euploid and 84 aneuploid. More oocytes were aneuploid in the GnRHa/hMG group than in the CC/hMG group and this difference was statistically different after analysis of the data using a specially designed mathematical model. CONCLUSION: If no selection against chromosomally abnormal oocytes takes place at the time of fertilization, more abnormal oocytes are harvested with GnRHa/hMG protocols than with CC/hMG. If, on the other hand, there is a selection against oocytes with some chromosomal imbalance, there is no intrinsic effect of GnRH agonists on the chromosomal complement of the oocyte, and the real aneuploidy frequency in all oocytes, fertilized and unfertilized, is the same in the GnRHa/hMG and in the CC/hMG group.

Aneuploidy↗

Cigarette smoking at time of in vitro fertilization cycle initiation has negative effect on in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer success rate.

PURPOSE: To assess cigarette smoking of female patients prior to starting in vitro fertilization cycle and possible affect on subsequent in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer outcome. METHODS: Retrospective study involving 340 consecutive patient questionnaires filled out at time of in vitro fertilization program entry. Only cycles resulting in embryo transfer after transvaginal ultrasound directed ovum retrieval (n = 253) were considered. The three patient pregnancy outcomes of not pregnant, spontaneous abortion, and live birth, were cross-referenced with smoking and nonsmoking patients. RESULTS: No significant difference found in overall pregnancy rate per embryo transfer for smokers (35%) vs nonsmokers (31%). However, the abortion rate was significantly higher for the smokers (73%) vs nonsmokers (24%) with a P value < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest preentry in vitro fertilization cycle cigarette smoking has adverse affect on potential pregnancy outcome by increasing spontaneous abortion. Preconception health consultation concerning adverse cigarette smoking effects should be implemented prior to program entry.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in unexplained and stage I endometriosis-associated infertility after fertilization failure with in vitro fertilization (IVF).

PURPOSE: To investigate possible differences between unexplained and stage I endometriosis-associated infertility in ICSI cycles conducted after low fertilization (<20%) in preceding IVF cycles with normal semen parameters. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study consisting of patients with unexplained (n=48) and stage I endometriosis-associated infertility (n=43) with a minimum of one IVF cycle with <20% fertilized oocytes and normal semen quality, treated with ICSI from January 1997 to January 2006. Age matched male factor infertility patients (n=91) were used as controls. RESULTS: Diploid fertilization rate was significantly lower in the stage I endometriosis-associated infertility group compared to the unexplained infertility group. Score of the transferred embryos, implantation rate, pregnancy rate and outcome were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: ICSI appears to be an efficient treatment option after fertilization failure with IVF in unexplained and stage I endometriosis-associated infertility.

Adult↗

Correlation of reactive oxygen species levels with the fertilization rate after in vitro fertilization: a qualified meta-analysis.

Our meta-analysis analyzed the relationship between levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and fertilization rate after in vitro fertilization (IVF), and showed a statistically significant correlation between the ROS levels and the IVF fertilization rate (estimated overall correlation -0.374 [95% CI, -0.520, -0.205]). We conclude that ROS has a statistically significant effect on the fertilization rate after IVF, and that the measurement of ROS levels in semen specimens before IVF may be useful in predicting the IVF outcome and in counseling patients.

Confidence Intervals↗

Soluble Fas concentrations in the follicular fluid and oocyte-cumulus complex culture medium from women undergoing in vitro fertilization: association with oocyte maturity, fertilization, and embryo quality.

OBJECTIVE: Because soluble Fas (sFas) inhibits Fas-mediated apoptosis by preventing death signal transduction, we determined sFas concentrations in the follicular fluid (FF) and oocyte-cumulus complex culture medium (CM) from women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) in order to associate its concentrations with oocyte maturity, fertilization, and embryo quality. METHODS: We studied 82 follicles from 11 healthy women (mean age, 35.4 +/- 3.8 years) using a long protocol for IVF treatment. Individual FF and matched CM samples were immediately centrifuged at 4C and sFas concentrations were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: sFas concentrations were significantly higher in FF than in CM (P <.0001) and when oocytes were mature rather than immature (P <.002). Of 70 mature and 12 immature oocytes, 56 (80%) and two (16.6%), respectively, were fertilized. sFas concentrations in CM were significantly lower when mature oocytes were fertilized versus nonfertilized (P <.005). sFas concentrations in FF and CM were significantly related in an inverse manner to embryo quality (P = .004 and P = .0002, respectively). CONCLUSION: FF and CM from women undergoing IVF contain sFas. The latter has anti-apoptotic properties and levels are higher: in FF when oocytes are mature and in CM when oocytes are nonfertilized. Furthermore, FF and CM sFas concentrations are negatively correlated with embryo quality.

Adult↗

Use of the total motile sperm count to predict total fertilization failure in in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the capacity of baseline characteristics and total motile sperm count (TMC) to predict total fertilization failure (TFF) in patients undergoing IVF. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Eight hundred ninety-two couples with a total of 1,569 consecutive IVF cycles. INTERVENTION(S): Prewash and postwash TMC during fertility workup and at the time of ovum pickup (OPU). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Analysis of logistic regression and the receiver operating characteristic curve were used to determine which variables could be used to predict TFF. RESULT(S): The area under the curve (AUC) for prewash TMC during fertility workup was 0.72, similar to a combination of pre- and postwash TMC. At the time of OPU, both pre- and postwash TMC had an AUC of 0.73. A model based on selected baseline characteristics (male age, number of IVF cycles, indication for IVF, and prewash TMC during fertility workup) had an AUC of 0.75. A model at the time of OPU, including the number of oocytes, had an AUC of 0.80. CONCLUSION(S): The use of both models, one before start of the IVF cycle and one at the time of OPU, allows an accurate prediction of the chance of TFF and is useful in counseling patients on whether to opt for IVF or ICSI.

Adult↗

Detection of immunoglobulin A anticardiolipin antibodies in cervical mucus from in vitro fertilization patients and fertile women.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and quantify antiphospholipid autoantibodies of the immunoglobulin (Ig) A isotype in cervical mucus obtained from IVF patients and fertile controls. DESIGN: The study was performed prospectively. Blood and cervical mucus samples were obtained from patients undergoing IVF treatment (n = 27) at the time of expected E2 peak, before administering hCG. Control samples were taken from fertile women (n = 16) around the time of ovulation during a spontaneous nonstimulated menstrual cycle. Anticardiolipin activity was tested using ELISA. SETTING: Infertility and IVF unit of an academic tertiary referral medical center and university-based basic research laboratory. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent (13/27) of the IVF patients and 43.8% (7/16) of the fertile controls exhibited anticardiolipin IgA activity in aspirated cervical mucus. The mean activity measured for the positive cases was similar in both groups. This activity was higher than that measured in peripheral blood of the women studied. No difference was noted between infertile patients undergoing IVF treatment and fertile women in this respect. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary work, we demonstrated for the first time anticardiolipin IgA activity in human cervical mucus. These observations have to be substantiated by larger scaled studies to assess their possible clinical significance.

Adult↗

Fertilizing ability of sperm with unexplained in vitro fertilization failures, as assessed by the zona-free hamster egg penetration assay: its prognostic value for sperm-oolemma interaction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the fertilizing ability of sperm with previous unexplained IVF failure using the zona-free hamster egg penetration assay. DESIGN: Three hundred ninety-six tests were performed after multiple IVF failures. In a subsequent prospective study, 38 IVF attempts using the microdrop insemination technique and 81 subzonal inseminations (SUZI) were performed. One hundred thirty-two tests with donor sperm were carried out as controls. PATIENTS: Three hundred fifty-two patients who had a minimum of two unexplained IVF failures including at least 10 metaphase II oocytes were included in the study. RESULTS: The ability of the patient sperm to bind to hamster oocytes was lower than that of controls. The largest differences were the percentage of oocytes with swollen sperm heads and the mean number of decondensed sperm heads per penetrated oocyte: both were much lower for patients than controls. Patients with a test result nil did not fertilize any oocytes during the SUZI cycles (n = 7; 50 oocytes), and the post-SUZI fertilization rate for patients with a test value < 10% was significantly lower than that of others (5.4 +/- 10.3 versus 23.8 +/- 8.4, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The defect of sperm involved in IVF failures is mainly a reduction of their fusiogenic ability and not their ability to recognize and bind to the oolemma. Patients with a test result < 10% had a significantly reduced post-SUZI fertilization rate. A test score of zero indicates a major and permanent impairment of the sperm fusiogenic ability.

Animals↗

Improved sperm concentration, motility, and fertilization rates following Ficoll treatment of sperm in a human in vitro fertilization program.

Duplicate sperm samples from the spouses of 54 patients admitted to an in vitro fertilization program were prepared by the swim-up and a simplified procedure using Ficoll. Cellsoft (CRYO Resources, New York, NY) sperm curvilinear velocities (microns/sec) and mean amplitude of lateral head displacement values (microns) equivalent to grade 1 and 2 visual sperm motility were significantly higher for Ficoll as compared with swim-up samples (P less than 0.01). Fertilization rates were significantly higher in the Ficoll as compared with the swim-up group for poor semen samples (grade less than 2: 58% versus 24%; P less than 0.01) and normal semen samples (grade greater than or equal to 2: 85% versus 78%; P less than 0.05). Ficoll sperm separation appears to be an excellent method of yielding increased fertilization rates in in vitro fertilization programs.

Female↗

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is not associated with poor outcome in couples with normal semen parameters and previous idiopathic fertilization failure in conventional in vitro fertilization.

In this study, we compared the results of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in patients with normal semen parameters and a history of failed fertilization with conventional IVF (study group) and in patients with male factor infertility (control group). Patient and cycle characteristics were similar in both groups. The mean number of retrieved and metaphase II oocytes, fertilized oocytes, embryos developed, embryos transferred and the number of cycles with fertilization failure also did not differ between groups. Although differences were not statistically significant, pregnancy rate (56.3% vs. 31.5%), implantation rate (14.2% vs. 12%) and ongoing pregnancy rate (37.5% vs. 17.7%) per embryo transfer were higher in the study group than the ones in the control group. We concluded that previous idiopathic fertilization failure with conventional IVF is not associated with poor outcome in subsequent ICSI treatment.

Embryo Implantation↗

Studies on fertilization in the teleost IV. Effects of aphidicolin and camptothecin on chromosome formation in fertilized medaka eggs.

To clarify the mechanisms of fish fertilization, the effects of inhibitors of DNA polymerase-alpha and DNA topoisomerases on nuclear behavior before and after fertilization were examined in eggs of the medaka, Oryzias latipes. Eggs underwent the fertilization process from sperm penetration to karyogamy of pronuclei, even when inseminated and incubated in the continuous presence of aphidicolin (DNA polymerase alpha inhibitor), camptothecin (DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor), etoposide, or beta-lapachone (DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor). However, continuous treatment with aphidicolin or camptothecin during fertilization inhibited the formation of sister chromosomes that were normally separated into blastomeres at the time of the subsequent cleavage. Sister chromosome formation appeared concomitantly with an increase in histone H1 kinase activity at the end of DNA synthesis, 30 min post insemination. However, non-activated eggs that were inseminated in saline containing anesthetic MS222 and aphidicolin had high levels of histone H1 kinase and MAP kinase activities, and transformation of the penetrated sperm nucleus to metaphase chromosomes occurred even in the presence of aphidicolin or camptothecin. The male chromosomes were normally separated into two anaphase chromosome masses upon egg activation. These results suggest that DNA polymerase alpha or DNA topoisomerase I, but not DNA topoisomerase II, may be required for the process by which the mitotic interphase nucleus transforms to separable metaphase chromosomes while the activity of MAP kinase is low, unlike the situation in meiotic division, during which MAP kinase activity is high and DNA replication is not required.

Animals↗

No evidence for a decreased fertilizing potential after in-vitro fertilization using spermatozoa from polyzoospermic men.

Polyzoospermia is generally recognized as a male factor contributing to infertility and/or recurrent abortion. Although a reduced spermatozoal fertilizing capacity is assumed to be involved, so far there is no conclusive explanation for the assumed reduced reproductive performance in these patients, and data on the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa from polyzoospermic men are lacking. The present study therefore aimed at analysing the outcome after in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer in polyzoospermic patients. Retrospective analysis showed that only 0.5% out of 7863 IVF cycles were performed with spermatozoa from polyzoospermic men. The outcome of these IVF cycles shows neither a reduction in spermatozoal fertilizing capacity nor an increase in pregnancy wastage in cycles in which a pregnancy was obtained. These results may suggest a normal reproductive potential in polyzoospermic patients and therefore the question may be raised whether polyzoospermia represents a real pathological entity leading to infertility.

Embryo Transfer↗

The chromosomal constitution of embryos developing from abnormally fertilized oocytes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection and conventional in-vitro fertilization.

The aim of this study was to analyse the chromosomal constitution of embryos developing from mono- (1PN) and tripronuclear (3PN) oocytes, after in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) into oocytes, by means of the fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) technique with specific probes for the chromosomes X, Y and 18. FISH analysis was carried out on embryos from 3PN oocytes: 106 after ICSI and 71 after conventional IVF. In the 3PN embryos after ICSI, equal ratios of XXX and XXY were observed and no XYY embryos were present. This shows the digynic origin of such 3PN embryos. On the other hand, after conventional IVF, the XYY status indicative of dispermic fertilization was observed in some embryos. After IVF, only 12.7% of the 3PN oocytes developed into embryos with uniformly triploid blastomeres, compared with 55.7% after ICSI (P < 0.001). On the other hand, after ICSI only 16.0% of the embryos developing from 3PN oocytes were mosaic, compared with 42.3% after conventional IVF (P < 0.001). FISH was also carried out on embryos from 1PN oocytes: 61 after ICSI and 115 after conventional IVF. In 35.6% of IVF embryos developing from 1PN oocytes Y-specific hybridization signals were observed. This indicates that in 70-75% of such cases a spermatozoon had penetrated the oocyte and that only 25-30% of them were parthenogenetic. A significantly higher proportion (P < 0.001) of embryos developing from 1PN oocytes were diploid after IVF (48.7%) than after ICSI (27.9%); equal ratios of XX and XY embryos were observed in the two groups. Formation of a single pronucleus in an embryo subsequently shown to be diploid indicates that normal fertilization was followed by asynchronous formation of pronuclei. A significantly (P < 0.001) higher proportion of 1PN oocytes developed into haploid embryos after ICSI (31.2%) than after conventional IVF (13.1%). In both groups most of the haploid embryos were X-bearing (IVF, 93.3%; ICSI, 84.2%) and only a few were Y-bearing (IVF, 6.7%; ICSI, 15.8%). A contribution of normal fertilization and androgenetic activation thus led to 1PN oocytes. Gynogenetic and/or parthenogenetic activation, both leading to indistinguishable chromosomal distributions, also contributed to the formation of 1PN oocytes after ICSI and IVF.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Modelling of the probability of success of the stages of in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: stimulation, fertilization and implantation.

The aim of this study was to find the factors explaining the probability of success of in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer and its different stages: stimulation, fertilization and implantation. The sample came from a retrospective cohort followed in the IVF-embryo transfer centre of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire of Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France; the data from 471 couples giving rise to 923 IVF-embryo transfer cycles were recorded. Four logistic regression models were specified for global process, stimulation, fertilization and implantation stages. Random effect models were used for taking into account the correlations of the different cycles for the same woman. The main outcome measures were: ongoing pregnancy, number of oocytes, number of embryos. A total of 135 ongoing pregnancies was observed. The significant explanatory variables were for global process: age [> or = 38 years: odds ratio (OR) = 0.28], donor sperm IVF-embryo transfer (OR = 2.1), number of ampoules (OR = 0.98), previous IVF-embryo transfer livebirth (OR = 2.36); for stimulation: age (> or = 35 years: OR = 0.38) and number of days of treatment > 13 days (OR = 0.20); for fertilization: accident during previous IVF-embryo transfer gestation (OR = 0.39), absolute tubal infertility (OR = 1.38) and the number of ampoules of human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) per day (OR = 0.85); for implantation: age (age > or = 38 years: OR = 0.34), donor sperm IVF-embryo transfer (OR = 4.58), number of ampoules (OR = 0.98), number and quality of the embryos. Estimates of the probabilities of success are also given for the global process.

Adult↗

The effect of pneumoperitoneum gases on fertilization, cleavage and pregnancy in human in-vitro fertilization and gamete intra-fallopian transfer.

A prospective, randomized study was carried out, creating a pneumoperitoneum with 100% CO2 or with 5% CO2 in air and evaluating the effect(s) of these gas phases on fertilization, cleavage and pregnancy outcome in this in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer programme. There was no significant difference in the fertilization rate when either 100% CO2 or 5% CO2 in air was used for insufflation during laparoscopy. Further, embryonic development and pregnancy rates also indicated no significant differences between the two groups. Similarly, the oocytes which were retrieved and replaced with spermatozoa in the gamete intra-Fallopian transfer programme using either 100% or 5% CO2, gave similar pregnancy rates. Furthermore, the fertilization and cleavage rates of the supernumerary oocytes were not significantly different in both groups.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Significance of cumulus oophorus in in-vitro fertilization and oocyte viability and fertility.

Fertilization and cleavage rates of human cumulus-intact oocytes incubated in vitro for 36-48 h with normal spermatozoa tended to be higher than those which were cumulus-denuded (73 versus 68%; 68 versus 56%, respectively); however, the difference was not significant. Nor were these differences significant when using sperm samples of various qualities (normozoospermic samples: 75 versus 70% fertilized oocytes; asthenozoospermic: 66 versus 64%; oligozoospermic: 64 versus 56%; oligoasthenozoospermic: 35 versus 33%). The beneficial effect of the human cumulus oophorus on the binding of human spermatozoa to denuded hamster oocytes and on head decondensation of human spermatozoa observed after 2 h of incubation (9.3 versus 7.0 bound spermatozoa per oocyte, P less than 0.05; 0.5 versus 0.3 decondensed sperm heads per oocyte, P less than 0.02) disappeared after 6 h. A protective effect of the cumulus oophorus on hamster oocytes preincubated in medium containing 50% human preovulatory follicular fluid was observed in the sperm penetration assay (fertilization rate of cumulus-intact: cumulus-denuded oocytes, 26 versus 13%, P less than 0.05) and confirmed using fluorescein diacetate stain (cumulus-intact oocytes: 86 versus 100% vitality, non-significant; cumulus-denuded oocytes: 64 versus 100%, P less than 0.01). These data suggest the accelerating effect of the human cumulus oophorus on fertilization in its early stages. Furthermore, the cumulus plays an important part in protecting the oocyte against adverse environmental influences.

Animals↗