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PubMed2004

Differential susceptibility to chromatid breaks induced by bleomycin in sub-fertile and fertile bovines.

The rate of chromatid breaks was studied in cows with a history of sub-fertility by means of a test based on measurement of the average of breaks induced in lymphocytes of peripheral blood cultures. Fourteen female specimens were divided into two groups: fertile and sub-fertile. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured and prepared for cytogenetic analysis. Two types of culture were established for each animal to evaluate the response of peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures to the genotoxic effects of bleomycin. The first culture did not receive bleomycin treatment (spontaneous chromosome aberrations). Our results showed that median breaks per cell (b/c) (+/-semirange) for spontaneous culture of the fertile and sub-fertile animals and bleomycin sensitivity assay for fertile and sub-fertile animals were 0.00+/-0.06, 0.02+/-0.03, 0.08+/-0.05 and 0.22+/-0.09, respectively. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the chromosomal breakage in lymphocytes not exposed to bleomycin; however, in comparing the number of chromatid breaks per cell in cultures treated with bleomycin, the sub-fertile group showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) level than the fertile group. These findings have implications both for identifying cattle with less than optimum fertility as well as for providing potential avenues to study the origins of sub-fertility.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The use of rat in vitro fertilization to detect reductions in the fertility of spermatozoa from males exposed to ethylene glycol monomethyl ether.

An in vitro fertilization (IVF) assay sensitive enough to detect changes in the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa would be a useful tool with which to investigate the action of testicular toxicants. A known testicular toxicant, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME), was used to induce specific lesions in the germinal epithelium so that the ability of a rat IVF system to detect changes in fertility could be tested. Male rats were given single, oral doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg EGME/kg. Spermatozoa were recovered from the cauda epididymides of these males at intervals after treatment; their fertility was assessed using IVF, and the testes were processed for histologic examination. The fertility of the control males was consistently greater than 65%. Spermatozoa from males treated with EGME had reduced fertility at specific times after dosing. Thus, after 50 mg EGME/kg there was reduced fertility at 5 weeks; after 100 mg EGME/kg there was reduced fertility at 3.5, 4.5, 5, 6, and 6.5 weeks, and after 200 mg EGME/kg there was reduced fertility at 2 and 3 weeks, between 4.5 and 6 weeks, and at 7 weeks. This corresponded to damage to the elongated spermatids (2, 3, and 3.5 weeks), pachytene spermatocytes (4.5 to 6 weeks), and leptotene and preleptotene spermatocytes (7 weeks). This accords well with the data from serial breeding trials and reports of histologic damage after exposure to EGME. Therefore, using IVF it was possible to detect EGME-induced changes in fertilizing capacity which correlated closely with observations of testicular damage. It was also possible to demonstrate a clear dose response to EGME.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Intracytoplasmic sperm injection can improve the fertilization limitation following in vitro fertilization during previous cycles].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether or not intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can improve previous fertilization limitation on conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six completed cycles in 113 patients with ICSI treatment were grouped. Group 1 was 106 cycles perform ICSI because of male factor, and group 2 was other 30 cycles with the history of fertilization failure and fertilization rate < 20% on conventional IVF, also assembling the cycles in group 2 according to the fertilization rate. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two groups in the rates of normal fertilization(70.49% vs 72.02%), good quality embryos (38.28% vs 38.81%), and clinical pregnancy (40.57% vs 40.00%) (P > 0.05). The fertilization rate of a majority of cycles (70.00%, 21/30) in group 2 was higher than 50%, and the mean of fertilization rates was 79.79%. CONCLUSION: ICSI can improve the fertilization limitation following IVF during previous cycles, and the fertilization rates was similar to those treated ICSI because of male factor.

Female↗
PubMed2005

Sperm binding, in vitro fertilization, and in vitro embryonic development of bovine oocytes fertilized with spermatozoa incubated with norepinephrine.

The final stages of sperm maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development occur within the oviduct and are essential for successful reproduction in mammals. Norepinephrine was previously identified in native bovine oviductal fluid and its in vitro effects on bull sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction have been determined. It was unknown how physiological concentrations of norepinephrine influence sperm binding, fertilization, and embryo development. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if pre-incubating bovine spermatozoa with physiological concentrations of norepinephrine prior to insemination of bovine oocytes would improve sperm-oocyte binding, fertilization, and embryonic development in vitro. Norepinephrine, in concentrations representing those measured in bovine oviductal fluid, was used to treat bovine spermatozoa prior to insemination. Spermatozoa incubated in norepinephrine were used to inseminate bovine oocytes matured in vitro, and oocytes were evaluated for sperm binding and fertilization. Additional experiments were conducted to evaluate how early in the co-incubation period oocytes were fertilized by spermatozoa pre-incubated with norepinephrine, and to test the developmental competence of those oocytes fertilized with norepinephrine-treated sperm. Sperm binding to the zona pellucida was reduced by pre-incubation with norepinephrine. Rates of fertilization and embryo development did not increase as a result of pre-incubating spermatozoa with norepinephrine, but as early as 4h after insemination, spermatozoa treated with 20 ng/ml norepinephrine fertilized more oocytes than spermatozoa incubated in medium alone. Interestingly, this concentration of norepinephrine was found to capacitate spermatozoa in previous studies. These data suggest that oocytes fertilized by spermatozoa incubated in 20 ng/ml norepinephrine fertilize earlier in vitro than sperm pre-incubated in medium alone, and provide additional support for the role of norepinephrine in sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection overcomes previous fertilization failure with conventional in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in patients with previous idiopathic fertilization failure (< or =20% fertilization rate) after conventional IVF. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: IVF program at a university medical center. PATIENT(S): Twenty-five patients who underwent 38 ICSI cycles after experiencing unexplained fertilization failure with conventional IVF (group A) and 87 patients who underwent 118 ICSI cycles for male factor indications during the same period (group B). INTERVENTION(S): Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed in a subsequent cycle after fertilization failure with conventional IVF. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Outcomes of IVF were compared between groups A and B. RESULT(S): Fertilization was achieved with ICSI in all patients with previous fertilization failure. The mean (+/- SD) fertilization rate (68%+/-21% vs. 64%+/-22%), implantation rate per embryo (22.6% vs. 20%), and delivery rate per cycle (47.3% vs. 49.1%) did not differ significantly between groups A and B. Overall, 72% of patients with previous unexplained fertilization failure had a successful pregnancy after ICSI. CONCLUSION(S): Intracytoplasmic sperm injection can overcome unexplained fertilization failure caused by a potentially occult gamete abnormality, with the same fertilization, implantation, and pregnancy rates as are seen in patients with abnormal sperm parameters.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cryopreservation of human oocytes and fertilization by two techniques: in-vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Human oocyte cryopreservation results in poor survival and subsequent fertilization rates. It has been suggested that freeze-thaw-induced changes in the zona pellucida may impair sperm penetration or attachment. The aim of this study was to compare fertilization and cleavage rates in cryopreserved oocytes inseminated by conventional in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). A total of 220 oocytes, obtained from volunteers who had undergone ovarian stimulation, were cryopreserved using a slow freeze-rapid thaw protocol with 1.5 M propanediol as the cryoprotectant. Surviving oocytes (n = 74, 34.4%) were randomly allocated for fertilization by conventional IVF (group 1) or ICSI (group 2) using cryopreserved spermatozoa from a single donor of proven fertility. Fertilization was achieved in five (13.5%) of the oocytes in group 1 and 17 (45.9%) in group 2 (P < 0.005), with only one oocyte in group 1 exhibiting normal fertilization as opposed to 16 (43.2%) in group 2 (P < 0.001). Similarly, one oocyte fertilized by IVF cleaved, while all fertilized with ICSI cleaved (P < 0.001). We conclude that although the survival of oocytes is poor following cryopreservation, fertilization and cleavage rates can be enhanced significantly using ICSI. These data also suggest that the method of cryopreservation used in this study affected the zona pellucida, such that normal sperm attachment or penetration was impaired.

Cleavage Stage, Ovum↗
PubMed1994

Experience with assisted fertilization in severe male factor infertility and unexplained failed fertilization in vitro.

We present results of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles using assisted fertilization at our centre. Assisted fertilization was performed in those couples who had failed to fertilize oocytes with conventional IVF, or where this was predicted by the presence of severe male factor infertility. In 20 consecutive assisted fertilization cycles 223 oocytes were subjected exclusively to subzonal insemination (SUZI). Subsequently in 32 consecutive assisted fertilization cycles 418 oocytes were subjected to intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). More oocytes were damaged by ICSI (8.9%) than by SUZI (2.3%) (P = 0.03), but normal fertilization resulted more often after ICSI (56.9%) than SUZI (35.8%) (P = 0.004). Sperm parameters, other than sufficient numbers to perform the procedures, had no effect on fertilization or pregnancy rates. Every cycle led to the transfer of at least one embryo. Pregnancy resulted from eight of the SUZI cycles (40%) and nine of the ICSI cycles (28%). Implantation rates were calculated as 25 and 12% for SUZI and ICSI respectively. The presence of living spermatozoa is the only semen parameter limiting assisted fertilization. At present more centres are able to perform SUZI than ICSI and we feel it is premature to abandon SUZI altogether. Local conditions and success rates should be considered when decisions are made in assisted fertilization cycles.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Relationship of bull fertility with daughter fertility and production traits in Holstein dairy cattle.

The phenotypic and genetic correlations between fertility ratings of AI bulls for conception rate and their estimated breeding values for daughters' fertility and production traits were calculated. Genetic correlations between fertility ratings of bulls for conception and heifer fertility traits (age at first breeding, age at last breeding, and number of insemination per conception) were negative and ranged from -.04 to -.23, indicating daughters of bulls with high fertility ratings were younger at first breeding and required fewer services to conceive. In general, genetic correlations between fertility ratings of bulls for conception rate and cow fertility traits (days from calving to first breeding, days open, and number of inseminations per conception) and production traits (breed class average milk and fat and fat percentage) in the first two lactations were also moderate to high and in the favorable direction. Although heritability of both male and female fertility is low, these data indicate that heavy use of sires with high fertility ratings could have a mild positive effect on both male and female fertility. Evidence is also found to indicate that in this breed, selection for increased milk yield should not impair genetic ability of cows to reproduce.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of fertilization-to-planting and fertilization-to-harvest intervals for safe use of noncomposted bovine manure in Wisconsin vegetable production.

Fresh bovine manure was mechanically incorporated into loamy sand and silty clay loam Wisconsin soils in April 2004. At varying fertilization-to-planting intervals, radish, lettuce, and carrot seeds were planted; crops were harvested 90, 100, 110 or 111, and 120 days after manure application. As an indicator of potential contamination with fecal pathogens, levels of Escherichia coli in the manure-fertilized soil and presence of E. coli on harvested vegetables were monitored. From initial levels of 4.0 to 4.2 log CFU/g, E. coli levels in both manure-fertilized soils decreased by 2.4 to 2.5 log CFU/g during the first 7 weeks. However, E. coli was consistently detected from enriched soil samples through week 17, perhaps as a result of contamination by birds and other wildlife. In the higher clay silty clay loam soil, the fertilization-to-planting interval affected the prevalence of E. coli on lettuce but not on radishes and carrots. Root crop contamination was consistent across different fertilization-to-harvest intervals in silty clay loam, including the National Organic Program minimum fertilization-to-harvest interval of 120 days. However, lettuce contamination in silty clay loam was significantly (P < 0.10) affected by fertilization-to-harvest interval. Increasing the fertilization-to-planting interval in the lower clay loamy sand soil decreased the prevalence of E. coli on root crops. The fertilization-to-harvest interval had no clear effect on vegetable contamination in loamy sand. Overall, these results do not provide grounds for reducing the National Organic Program minimum fertilization-to-harvest interval from the current 120-day standard.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2004

[Influence of long-term fertilization on phosphorus fertility of calcareous soil II. Inorganic and organic phosphorus].

By the Jiang-Gu inorganic phosphorus fractionation method and the Bowman-Cole organic phosphorus fractionation method, this paper studied the forms and compositions of inorganic and organic phosphorus in 0-100 cm layer of calcareous soil after 23 years located experiment. The result showed that the content of inorganic phosphorus was in the order of treatment animal manure > fallow > chemical fertilizer > low rate straw > high rate straw > medium rate straw > no fertilizer. The IPi value of inorganic phosphorus forms in different fertilizer treatments had the following characteristics: a) it was relatively low for Ca2-P, Ca8-P and Al-P, but relatively high for Ca10-P, Fe-P and O-P; b) comparing with no fertilizer treatment, treatments animal manure and fallow had a notably high IPi value of Ca2-P, Ca8-P and Al-P and a low IPi value of Ca10-P, Fe-P and O-P; while treatment chemical fertilizer had a high IPi value of Ca2-P, Ca8-P, Al-P and O-P, but a low IPi value of Ca10-P and Fe-P; c) as for available phosphorus source (Ca2-P, Ca8-P and Al-P), their content was higher in treatment animal manure than in treatment chemical fertilizer, and higher in treatment chemical fertilizer than in treatments straws. A combined application of straw and chemical fertilizer could increase soil organic phosphorus content notably. Applying animal manure could increase the content of all organic phosphorus forms, while applying chemical fertilizer could promote the transformation of soil resistant organic phosphorus to labile and medium labile organic phosphorus. No fertilizer treatment had a relatively lower content of labile and medium labile organic phosphorus, but a relatively high content of resistant organic phosphorus. For treatment fallow, it had a relatively low content of soil organic matter and organic phosphorus, but a relatively high content of labile and medium resistant organic phosphorus.

Biomass↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hemizona index (HZI) demonstrates excellent predictability when evaluating sperm fertilizing capacity in in vitro fertilization patients.

The objective of this work was to assess the power of the hemizona assay to predict in vitro fertilization (IVF) results using receiving operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. In a tertiary medical center setting, 94 couples undergoing IVF were included in the study comparing their fertilization results to sperm function during the hemizona assay. Using ROC analysis, fertilization in IVF (mature oocytes only) was compared to performance of the sperm in the sperm-zona pellucida binding test as expressed by hemizona index (HZI; [number of test sperm bound/number of control sperm bound] x 100). The IVF results were as follows: 32 patients had no fertilization (0%), 55 patients fertilized all of the oocytes (100%), and 7 patients fertilized between 14% and 85% of the oocytes. Modified ROC analysis was used to determine the best threshold for fertilization success or failure, depending upon how the data are viewed. A HZI of 40-43 separated the 100% fertilization group from the other groups, with a true positive rate of 87% and a true negative of 83%. Conversely, a HZI of 4-5 separated the 0% fertilization versus partial or total fertilization, with a true positive rate of 100% and true negative rate of 71%. Sperm performance in the hemizona assay as measured by the HZI reflects performance in IVF and benefits couple evaluation and counseling.

Female↗
PubMed2000

Rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-salvaging in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles after total or near-total fertilization failure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of delayed oocyte reinsemination by ICSI (rescue ICSI) after total or near-total fertilization failure (</=25%) in IVF. DESIGN: A retrospective clinical study. SETTING: Non-hospital-based IVF program. PATIENT(S): Thirty IVF cycles with total fertilization failure and two cycles with </=25% initial fertilization. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Fertilization and pregnancy rates after rescue ICSI. INTERVENTION(S): Rescue ICSI 19-22 hours after initial oocyte insemination. RESULT(S): A fertilization rate of 60.2% was achieved with rescue ICSI (141 of 234 oocytes, 29 of 32 patients). Of 30 patients with total fertilization failure, 27 had fresh transfers with rescue ICSI embryos. Two additional patients with </=25% initial fertilization had subsequent replacement of frozen-thawed rescue ICSI embryos. Six pregnancies resulted, including three singleton, one twin, one missed abortion, and one ectopic pregnancy (20.7%). One of the singleton pregnancies resulted from replacement of four frozen-thawed embryos and is the first known pregnancy achieved from cryopreserved rescue ICSI embryos. CONCLUSION(S): Rescue ICSI should be considered in the presence of total or near-total fertilization failure in IVF. Early application of rescue ICSI (19-22 hours after insemination) may be critical for establishing fertilization within an optimal window and producing viable embryos and pregnancies.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Evaluation of a cut-off value for normal sperm morphology using strict criteria to predict fertilization after conventional in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in asthenozoospermia.

The predictive value of sperm morphology evaluation using strict criteria (MEUSC) on fertilization and pregnancy rates was evaluated in 60 couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer. In all, 47 of the male partners had a progressive sperm motility < 50% with a density > 20 x 10(6)/ml (asthenozoospermia) and 13 had normozoospermia. MEUSC was performed on the same semen sample that was used for IVF on at least 100 spermatozoa after Papanicolaou staining at x 1250 magnification. Defects in the head, mid-piece and tail were counted separately, borderline forms were classified as abnormal and the teratozoospermia index was calculated for each sample. Of the spermatozoa in the asthenozoospermic group, 13.0% were judged as normal on MEUSC versus 19.8% in normozoospermia (P = 0.0013). The number of normal spermatozoa on MEUSC correlated with the progressive motility in asthenozoospermia (rho = 0.41, P = 0.0043). Defects in the mid-piece (P = 0.0004) and tail (P = 0.025) were more common, and the teratozoospermia index (P = 0.015) was higher in asthenozoospermic than normozoospermic samples. The parameters of MEUSC did not correlate with the fertilization rate. In asthenozoospermia, differences in fertilization rates were calculated for each cut-off value between 4 and 10% normal spermatozoa on MEUSC. A cut-off value of 6% gave the best statistical power. If > 6% of spermatozoa were normal, a median of 66.7% of ova were fertilized, compared with a median fertilization rate of 35.4% if < or = 6% of spermatozoa were normal (P = 0.022). The highest cut-off value still giving significant discrimination was 8% (normal MEUSC > 8%, median fertilization rate 66.7%; < or = 8%, median fertilization rate 35.7%, P = 0.028), and this may be used as the critical value for normal morphology in asthenozoospermia. It is concluded that despite a significant linear relationship between morphology using strict criteria and progressive motility, MEUSC is still useful as a predictor for fertilization in asthenozoospermia. In cases of asthenozoospermia with < or = 8% normal spermatozoa on MEUSC, micromanipulation should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

In vitro fertilization of in vitro-matured equine oocytes: effect of maturation medium, duration of maturation, and sperm calcium ionophore treatment, and comparison with rates of fertilization in vivo after oviductal transfer.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of oocyte and sperm treatments on rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the horse and to determine the capacity of in vitro-matured horse oocytes to be fertilized in vivo. There was no effect of duration of oocyte maturation (24 vs. 42 h) or calcium ionophore concentration during sperm capacitation (3 microM vs. 7.14 microM) on in vitro fertilization rates. Oocytes matured in 100% follicular fluid had significantly higher fertilization (13% to 24%) than did oocytes matured in maturation medium or in 20% follicular fluid (0% to 12%; P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in fertilization rate among 3 sperm treatments utilizing 7.14 microM calcium ionophore (12% to 21%). Of in vitro-matured oocytes recovered 40-44 h after transfer to the oviducts of inseminated mares, 77% showed normal fertilization (2 pronuclei to normal cleavage). Cleavage to 2 or more cells was seen in 22% of oocytes matured in follicular fluid and 63% of oocytes matured in maturation medium; this difference was significant (P < 0.05). We conclude that in vitro-matured horse oocytes are capable of being fertilized at high rates in the appropriate environment and that in vitro maturation of oocytes in follicular fluid increases fertilization rate in vitro but reduces embryo development after fertilization in vivo. Further work is needed to determine the optimum environment for sperm capacitation and IVF in the horse.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Fertilization rate analysis as a predictive variable for an in-vitro fertilization program success].

OBJECTIVE: Determining if fertilization rates can be used as a predictive factor for pregnancy induction in ETIVF-ICSI programs. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective, observational and descriptive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six hundred and seventy nine cycles of the in vitro fertilization program, using long protocol hypophyseal suppression, stop, or antagonsits, were included. Ovarian stimulation was carried out with menotropines or recombinant FSH. Those patients whose cycle was stopped due to the lack of follicular development were excluded. Variables under study were: age, fertilization percentage, pregnancy rate, pre-ovulatory estradiol levels, number and quality of captured oocytes, transferred embrios and endometrial thickness on the day of transference and the presence of pregnancy. The Pearson P Test with a 95% confidence interval and the Student T Test used to establish differences with a 95% confidence interval statistical analyses were applied. RESULTS: Six hundred and seventy nine cycles were studied, 487 of which used the conventional fertilization method, and 192 used the ICSI method. Mean age among patients was 34 +/- 1.1 years old, with pre-ovulatory estradiol levels of 4,023 +/- 1,134 pg/mL, the average quantity of captured oocytes was 11.7 +/- 3.2 with a capture rate of 69.6%. Mean fertilization rates averaged 54% with a 20.7% pregnancy rates using the transference method. After analyzing the fertilization rate in each group, a statistically significant linear correlation was observed (P = 0.547, CI 95%) with the pregnancy rate. After assigning patients to two different groups: conventional IVF and ICSI, a higher positive correlation was observed (P = 0.827, CI 99%) in the first group. No significant differences were observed in the remaining parameters between both groups, excepting oocyte maturity, where greater prophase I and metaphase II percentages were observed in the ICSI group. When 50% fertilization was taken as the cutting point, a 78.19% negative predictive value was determined, with a 25% positive predictive value, 77.5% sensitivity, and 25.6% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: A fertilization percentage greater than 50% can be used as a pregnancy predicting factor in in vitro fertilization programs.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of human sperm fertility by interspecific (human spermatozoa-hamster oocytes) in vitro fertilization.

The fertilizing capacity of 1) Males with unproven fertility to be admitted to an IVF/RE programme; 2) Probably infertile subjects and of 3) Males with idiopathic infertility, has been evaluated using the humster (HUMan-hamSTER) test. Sixty-seven percent of normal sperms from the IVF-Re couples were capable of fertilizing hamster oocytes, with an average fertilization rate of 52%. In one of the suspect male infertility group sperms were able to fertilize hamster oocytes and in the idiopathic infertility group forty-eight percent of sperms fertilize, but the average fertilization rate is clearly lower. It is surprising that 26% of normal sperms have a negative humster test and fertilize the human oocytes at the same rates (86%) as those having a positive humster test. It means that if statistically and over large populations this test undoubtedly gives good results, when the individual cases are taken into consideration this test does not provide final proof of the patient's infertility. Nevertheless the authors stress that the test may provide a new criterion for determining sperm quality and in the future it might become a complementary examination of the spermogram and postcoital test and supply fundamental data on the mechanism of fertilization (capacitation, acrosome reaction, spermatozoa-oocyte fusion and pronuclei formation).

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The CUE Fertility Monitor compared to ultrasound and LH peak measurements for fertile time ovulation detection.

A prospective study of the reliability of the CUE Fertility Monitor to identify the fertile time of the menstrual cycle was conducted. The device provides a digital measurement of the electrical resistance of saliva (SER) and vaginal secretions (VL). The readings of the device were compared with the fertile time detected by ultrasonography of the growing follicle and estimation of the LH surge to detect ovulation. Thirteen women participated in the study. Sixteen cycles contained both signals (SER, VL) for the beginning and the end of the fertile period. In 2 cycles a CUE signal could not be found by the device. Using a computerized algorithm for evaluation of the CUE signals, the beginning of the fertile period was accurately detected in 14 cycles; in 2 cycles the signal was found less than five days prior to ovulation. The last day of fertility was identified correctly by the CUE Fertility Monitor in 10 cycles; in 6 it was incorrectly identified during the time when the woman was still fertile. This suggests that the CUE Fertility Monitor utilizing the algorithm on which it currently is based cannot be recommended for natural family planning. However, we think that the algorithm for evaluation should be improved as useful signals in the menstrual cycle are detected.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Complete failure of fertilization in couples with unexplained infertility: implications for subsequent in vitro fertilization cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether complete failure of fertilization of oocytes in couples with unexplained infertility persists during subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. DESIGN: A retrospective study of 120 cycles of IVF in 44 couples with unexplained infertility and complete failure of fertilization during their first IVF trial. SETTING: In vitro fertilization unit of the Sheba Medical Center. PATIENTS: Forty-four couples undergoing IVF for unexplained infertility. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Fertilization rate of retrieved oocytes and pregnancy rate. RESULTS: Of the initial 44 couples, 37 underwent additional IVF cycles and 30 (81.1%) achieved fertilization. Seven patients conceived during the study period as a result of IVF and two conceived spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Complete failure of fertilization does not necessarily persist during subsequent IVF cycles. Therefore, at least two more IVF cycles should be attempted before reverting to other therapeutic options. However, although fertilization can be achieved in most couples, the mean oocyte fertilization rate during subsequent cycles in this group is low. This suggests an underlying undiagnosed pathology of oocyte/sperm interaction in some of these patients.

Female↗