Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PRS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Minimal stimulation achieves pregnancy rates comparable to human menopausal gonadotropins in the treatment of infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of a novel clomiphene citrate (CC) and hMG combination protocol ("minimal stimulation") for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Minimal stimulation consists of administering 100 mg/d CC for 5 days followed by a single dose of 150 IU hMG. The results of this analysis are compared with those of an hMG-alone protocol. In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer and donor insemination patients are excluded from this analysis. DESIGN: Retrospective review of minimal stimulation and hMG cycles from January 1, 1989 to December 31, 1992. SETTING: Tertiary care center reproductive endocrinology and infertility clinic. PATIENTS: Two hundred thirty-two women who underwent 549 treatment cycles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and multiple pregnancy rates (PRs) and medication costs. RESULTS: Sixty-one women received 106 cycles of minimal stimulation and 183 received 443 cycles of hMG. Although subject groups were not assigned randomly, multivariate analysis detected no significant differences between the treatment groups. The total ampules of hMG required differed significantly (2.0 for minimal stimulation versus 16.8 +/- 8.5 [mean +/- SD] for hMG). Pregnancy rates and multiple gestation rates were similar. Medication expense of minimal stimulation is 21% that of the hMG protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal stimulation is as effective as hMG in the population examined. The comparable PRs and decreased medication costs of minimal stimulation justifies further evaluation of its role in the treatment of infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Luteal support with both estradiol and progesterone after clomiphene citrate stimulation for in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if pregnancy rates (PRs) for clomiphene citrate (CC)-stimulated IVF-ET can be increased by luteal support with E2 and P. DESIGN: Prospective randomized crossover clinical study. SETTING: Infertile women volunteers in an academic research environment. PATIENTS: Ninety-three infertile women underwent a total of 143 IVF-ET cycle using CC for ovulation induction. INTERVENTIONS: Each woman received either no luteal support (control group) or luteal support with both oral E2 (2 mg three times daily) starting on the day of retrieval and vaginal P suppositories (100 mg twice daily) starting on the day of ET. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Clinical PR. RESULTS: In 79 of 143 (55%) of the cycles, at least one embryo was transferred. Compared with the control group (n = 35 cycles), the luteal support group (n = 44 cycles) had a significantly higher PR per retrieval (control: 2% versus luteal support: 16%) and were older (control: 33 +/- 4 versus luteal support: 35 +/- 4 years; mean +/- SEM). They did not differ in terms of E2 or P levels, endometrial thickness on the day of hCG, number of follicles > 16 mm in diameter, mature oocytes retrieved, or embryos transferred. CONCLUSIONS: Luteal support with both E2 and P significantly increase the clinical PRs for CC-stimulated IVF-ET.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Premature luteinization during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer has no impact on pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if elevated serum P concentration on the day of hCG administration or P area under the curve (AUC) impacts on pregnancy rates (PRs) in IVF-ET cycles. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PATIENT(S): One hundred thirty-three couples underwent IVF-ET using luteal GnRH-agonist suppression followed by hyperstimulation with gonadotropins. Patient cycles were controlled for female age, ovarian reserve, male factor with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), endometrial thickness and pattern, number of embryos, and number of high-quality embryos transferred, and cell stage at transfer. Pregnancy was defined as an ongoing pregnancy > 20 weeks. RESULT(S): Patients and cycle parameters did not differ significantly based on the control parameters. Similar numbers of severe male factors treated by ICSI were in each group with similar PRs. Pregnancy rates and implantation rates did not differ based on P levels < or = 0.9, < or = 1.1, and < or = 1.4 ng/mL (conversion factor to SI unit, 3.18). Serum P concentrations per total eggs retrieved or per mature egg retrieved did not influence pregnancy outcome. Efficiency curves for serum P levels and P AUC did not demonstrate any differences in PR. At very high serum P (P > 2.0 ng/mL) samples size limits the ability of these data to rule out a negative effect. CONCLUSION(S): Serum P levels (and P AUC) commonly encountered during cycles of IVF-ET have no impact on pregnancy outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The predictive value of uterine artery blood flow measurements for uterine receptivity in an intracytoplasmic sperm injection program.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether uterine artery blood flow impedance, measured as the pulsatility index on the day of ET in patients undergoing IVF-ET with microinjection, can predict the likelihood of pregnancy. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: A tertiary referral center for assisted reproduction. PATIENT(S): Seventy patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for andrologic indications. INTERVENTION(S): Transvaginal color Doppler examination performed on the day of ET. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Mean (+/- SD) pulsatility index value of the left and right uterine arteries, serum E2 levels, implantation rates, and ongoing pregnancy rates (PRs). RESULT(S): The patients were divided into pregnant and nonpregnant groups and were separated according to whether the pulsatility index was low (1.00-1.99), medium (2.00-2.99), or high (> or = 3.00). The pulsatility index values did not change statistically in the pregnant and nonpregnant groups. The implantation rates were 19.5%, 15.4%, and 25% for the low-, medium-, and high-pulsatility index groups, respectively. The ongoing PRs for the same groups were 35.3%, 26.7%, and 37.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION(S): The study suggests that blood flow, measured as the pulsatility index on the day of ET, cannot predict the likelihood of pregnancy in stimulated cycles of ICSI.

Arteries↗
PubMed1997

Immunohistochemical analysis of proliferative activity and steroid receptor expression in peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the proliferative activity of eutopic and ectopic endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle and its correlation to steroid receptor content. DESIGN: The immunohistochemical use of Ki 67 was applied to investigate the proliferation index. A recently advanced stereographic computer technology was used to investigate steroid receptors. SETTING: University hospital department of gynecology. PATIENT(S): Biopsies of eutopic endometrium, black and red peritoneal endometriotic lesions, and ovarian endometriomas were taken from infertile patients and classified according to the phase of the cycle. RESULT(S): In normal endometrium, the glandular proliferation index was highest during the proliferative phase and was statistically significantly reduced during the secretory phase. No proliferative activity was observed in the late secretory phase. No statistically significant differences were found between ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium except during the late secretory phase, when proliferative activity was still present in endometriotic tissue. The stromal proliferation index was similar in red lesions, ovarian endometriomas, and eutopic endometrium during the secretory phase. In normal endometrium, the highest concentrations of estrogen receptors (ERs) and P receptors (PRs) occurred in the epithelial and stromal cells during the late proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Estrogen receptor and PR content declined throughout the secretory phase. In ectopic endometrium, PR persisted in the glandular epithelium during the late secretory phase. Estrogen receptors persisted in the glandular epithelium and stroma of red peritoneal lesions and ovarian endometriomas during the late secretory phase. CONCLUSION(S): The high proliferative activity and the persistence of ERs and PRs in the stroma of red lesions and ovarian endometriomas emphasize the primordial role of the stroma in the development of endometriosis and suggest different mechanisms of proliferation control from those observed in eutopic endometrium.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Culture and transfer of human blastocysts increases implantation rates and reduces the need for multiple embryo transfers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the transfer of blastocysts on day 5, developed in sequential culture media, resulted in an increase in implantation rate compared with embryos transferred on day 3. DESIGN: Comparative study of embryo culture regimes. SETTING: Private practice assisted reproductive technology center. PATIENT(S): Twenty-three patients undergoing routine IVF cycles. INTERVENTION(S): Culture of embryos to day 3 in either standard culture conditions or a serum-free chemically defined medium. One hundred one embryos were subsequently cultured from day 3 to day 5 in a second serum-free medium specifically designed to support development of the blastocyst. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Embryo cell number and quality on day 3. Blastocyst development on day 5. Implantation rate (determined by fetal heart) and ongoing pregnancy rate (PR). RESULT(S): Implantation rates for embryos transferred at the blastocyst stage of development were twice that observed for embryos transferred on day 3, around the eight-cell stage. Significantly more embryos were required for transfer on day 3, compared with day 5, to establish similar PRs. CONCLUSION(S): Viable human blastocysts can be obtained in sequential culture media in the absence of coculture and serum. Transfer of blastocysts in IVF will facilitate high PRs while limiting the number of embryos transferred and therefore minimizes the risk of multiple gestation.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of intrauterine insemination with timed intercourse in superovulated cycles with gonadotropins: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare timed intercourse and IUI with the husband's sperm in patients with unexplained infertility who are undergoing superovulation with gonadotropins. DESIGN: Meta-analysis. All published reports of randomized, prospective studies with an English-language abstract extracted from MEDLINE were analyzed. A crossover search was done from the papers obtained. SETTING: Academic center. PATIENT(S): Couples with unexplained infertility. INTERVENTION(S): Meta-analysis of studies evaluating patients superovulated with gonadotropins and randomized for timed intercourse or IUI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy rates (PRs) were obtained. The common odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. RESULT(S): There were 49 pregnancies in 431 cycles of timed intercourse (11.37%), whereas there were 110 pregnancies in 549 cycles of IUI (20.04%). The PRs for IUI were significantly increased compared with those for timed intercourse in superovulation cycles (common OR = 1.84; 95% CI = 1.30-2.62). CONCLUSION(S): On the basis of the meta-analysis of 980 cycles in randomized and prospective studies, a patient's chances of becoming pregnant are greater with IUI with her husband's sperm than with timed intercourse in cycles superovulated with gonadotropins.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effect of motile sperm count after swim-up on outcome of intrauterine insemination.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prognostic value of motile sperm count after swim-up in IUI with husband's sperm in a large group of subfertile couples. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Nine hundred two couples undergoing 3,037 treatment cycles. INTERVENTION(S): Intrauterine insemination with husband's sperm after swim-up was performed after mild ovarian stimulation with clomiphene citrate and hCG under hormonal and ultrasonographic control of follicle development. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy rate (PR) in correlation to motile sperm count after swim-up. RESULT(S): A nonlinear increase in PR per treatment cycle was observed with increasing numbers of motile sperm used for IUI. Insemination with < 0.8 x 10(6) motile sperm after swim-up resulted in a PR of < 1% per treatment cycle. When the motile sperm count was above this level, the PR per cycle reached a plateau of 6.9% to 10.2%, with a minor tendency for increase with higher sperm numbers. CONCLUSION(S): Strict analysis of motile sperm count after swim-up is a useful prognostic factor for PRs after IUI. There is a good chance for conception if > or = 0.8 x 10(6) motile sperm are available after appropriate selection methods. Intrauterine insemination performed with considerably higher numbers of motile sperm does not lead to a significant increase in PRs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Limited success using the "flare" protocol in poor responders in cycles with low basal follicle-stimulating hormone levels during in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To assess an alternate protocol for stimulating poor responders. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: University-affiliated infertility clinic. PATIENT(S): Eighty poor responders. INTERVENTION(S): Stimulation was withheld until patients fulfilled the following criteria: basal FSH < or = 12 mIU/mL (conversion factor to SI unit, 1.00) with concurrent E2 level < or = 100 pg/mL (conversion factor to SI unit, 3.671), and P level < or = 1.0 ng/mL (conversion factor to SI unit, 3.467). They then started leuprolide acetate on cycle day 2 and a high dose of gonadotropins on cycle day 3. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Stimulation response and pregnancy rates (PRs). RESULT(S): Nineteen cycles (23.8%) were canceled because of poor ovarian response. The mean E2 level on day of hCG was 2,578 +/- 1,339 pg/mL (9,464 +/- 4,915 pmol/L) (range, 789 to 5934 pg/mL [2,896 to 21,784 pmol/L]). The number of oocytes retrieved was 10 +/- 6.6 (range, 1 to 37). Nine patients did not have ET (failed fertilization [n = 5], no cleavage of preembryos [n = 3], freeze all [n = 1]). The number of pre-embryos transferred was 3.9 +/- 1.6 (range, 1 to 8). The clinical pregnancy rate was 7 of 61 (11.5%) per retrieval, and 7 of 52 (13.4%) per transfer with an implantation rate of 7 of 201 (3.5%). Three patients miscarried with an ongoing PR of 4 of 61 (6.5%) per retrieval and 4 of 52 (7.6%) per transfer. CONCLUSION(S): Poor responders undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with the "flare" protocol in cycles with low basal FSH will often show adequate ovarian response and reach oocyte retrieval and ET. The PRs, however, remain low.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sisters of women with premature ovarian failure may not be ideal ovum donors.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the sisters of women with premature ovarian failure (POF) showed a response to gonadotropin stimulation comparable to that of anonymous ovum donors. DESIGN: Historical cohort study. SETTING: Records of 228 consecutive ovum recipients in an academic assisted reproductive technology program. PATIENT(S): Criteria for inclusion were oocyte recipients age < or = 40 years, FSH > 18 mIU/mL (conversion factor to SI unit, 1.00), and/or failure to respond appropriately to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Seventy-nine recipients were classified on the basis of whether they received oocytes from anonymous donors (group I, n = 66) or sister donors (group II, n = 13). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation response, pregnancy rates (PRs), and implantation rates. RESULT(S): The ages of the donors to groups I and II were comparable (31.1 +/- 16.7 versus 29.8 +/- 7.2 years), but those in group II exhibited a higher baseline FSH level (12.8 +/- 2.1 versus 8.6 +/- 5.8 mIU/mL). Group II versus I had a relative risk of 5.1 for cancellation (4 of 13 [30.8%] versus 4 of 66 [6.1%], respectively). In completed cycles of groups I and II, respectively, there was no difference in serum E2 on the day of hCG administration (2,356 +/- 826 versus 1,847 +/- 843 pg/mL; conversion factor to SI unit, 3,671), number of oocytes retrieved (25 +/- 14 versus 22 +/- 13), number of embryos transferred (4.4 +/- 2.1 versus 4.0 +/- 1.0), spontaneous abortion rate (22.7% versus 25.0%), PR (35.5% versus 36.4%), and implantation rate (16.2% versus 16.4%). CONCLUSION(S): There is an increased cancellation rate and, consequently, an overall trend toward decreased ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation in the sisters of patients with POF. Despite these factors, the implantation rates and PRs of embryos derived from patients reaching retrieval were similar to those from anonymous donors. We recommend counseling women with POF that their sisters may not be ideal ovum donors.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Age-related decline in fertility: a link to degenerative oocytes?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the age-related decline in fertility is due to degenerative oocytes or to aneuploidy. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Fertility center of a public and tertiary institution. PATIENT(S): One hundred fifty-one women (ages 24 to 44 years) undergoing 158 cycles of conventional IVF or IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) between January 1993 and December 1995 were divided into three age groups (group 1, < or = 34 years; group 2, between 35 and 39 years; and group 3, > or = 40 years). They were selected on the basis of available oocytes that remained unfertilized after IVF and that had analyzable chromosomes. INTERVENTION(S): Standard pituitary down-regulation and ovarian stimulation with FSH and hMG were done for both IVF and ICSI patients. In addition, all patients were given luteal phase support with P, administered orally, via pessaries, or by IM injections from the day of transfer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Fertilization rates and pregnancy rates (PRs), and cytogenetic analyses of unfertilized oocytes. RESULT(S): Although fertilization rates were not different among women in groups 1, 2, and 3 (50.9%, 49.3%, and 37.9%, respectively), PRs were significantly lower between groups 1 and 3 (43.2% versus 14.3%). A total of 383 oocytes were examined, of which 287 (75%) could be karyotyped. Of these, 201 oocytes showed a normal 23,X karyotype (70%), 40 (13.9%) were aneuploid, 24 (8.4%) were diploid, 12 (4.2%) had structural aberrations, and 13 (4.5%) had single chromatids only. No increase in the aneuploidy rate was detected between groups 1 and 2 (14.8% versus 12.4%). However, highly significant differences in the rate of oocyte chromosome degeneration, characterized by chromosomes splitting into unassociated chromatids, were observed with increasing age (group 1, 23.7%; group 2, 52.0%; and group 3, 95.8%). CONCLUSION(S): It seems that the age-related decline in fertility may be due more to degenerative oocytes than to aneuploidy. A decline in the number of oocytes retrieved with age may be of less importance than the decline in oocyte quality. Women in the older age group have a higher chance of achieving pregnancy from ovum-donation programs than by persisting in using their own aged oocytes, which have a very poor prognosis for success.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The impact of an egg donor's age and her prior fertility on recipient pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of donor's age and her prior fertility on recipient pregnancy outcome in our donor egg program. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis. SETTING: Large academic infertility center. PATIENT(S): A total of 568 fresh ETs were analyzed for the effect of the egg donor's age on pregnancy outcome; a subset of these (n = 185) were analyzed for the effect of the egg donor's prior fertility on pregnancy outcome. INTERVENTION(S): Donors were paired with recipients independent of recipient's age and donor's prior fertility status. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Recipient clinical pregnancy rates (PRs) and delivery rates for different donor age groups and for nulligravid donors versus donors with proven fertility. RESULT(S): Donors > or = 33 years old were less likely than younger donors to produce clinical pregnancies and deliveries in their recipients (43.5% versus 26.6% and 35.1% versus 22.1%, respectively). However, there was no difference in clinical PRs or delivery rates between nulligravid donors and donors with proven fertility. CONCLUSION(S): Donors > or = 33 years of age could be excluded from egg donation because of the lower pregnancy potential of their eggs. However, lack of proven fertility in a donor seems to have no negative impact on pregnancy potential.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

OBJECTIVE: To report the fertilization rate and pregnancy results for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles using frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of consecutive ICSI cycles. SETTING: Tertiary referral center for infertility. PATIENT(S): Infertile couples in whom 39 patients (59 ICSI cycles) required the use of frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa. As no cycles were performed using fresh epididymal spermatozoa, outcomes were compared with those of 130 couples (170 ICSI cycles) using fresh ejaculated spermatozoa for severe oligoasthenozoospermia-teratozoospermia, in which < 200,000 motile spermatozoa were retrieved after Percoll density gradient centrifugation. INTERVENTION(S): Epididymal sperm aspiration during microsurgery, followed by ICSI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Fertilization, embryo cleavage, ET, and clinical pregnancy rates (PRs). RESULT(S): A total of 484 metaphase II oocytes were injected with frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa, resulting in a two-pronuclear fertilization rate per injected metaphase II oocyte of 47%, significantly lower than in cycles using fresh ejaculated spermatozoa (73%). Embryo implantation rates (12.0% versus 13.3%) and clinical PRs per transfer (18.4% versus 27.0%) were not different. When the prefreeze vitality was > 20%, compared with lower vitality, both the fertilization (56% versus 22%) and embryo cleavage (91% versus 57%) rates were significantly greater. CONCLUSION(S): The routine collection and cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa at microsurgery allows multiple ICSI treatment cycles with success rates similar to those of ejaculated spermatozoa. However, when the vitality of aspirated spermatozoa is < 20%, the poor fertilization rates indicate the need to consider an alternative source of viable spermatozoa.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The outcome of in vitro fertilization in unexplained habitual aborters concurrent with secondary infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the IVF-ET reproductive performance of unexplained habitual aborters with nonaborting women with similar characteristics also treated with IVF-ET. DESIGN: Controlled clinical study. SETTING: In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. PATIENT(S): Twenty patients with habitual abortions and secondary infertility were subjected to 42 IVF-ET cycles. Their reproductive performance in IVF-ET was compared with the performance of the next followed nonaborting patients, pulled from a database, based on similar age and IVF indications. INTERVENTION(S): Ovulation induction with IM Depo-triptorelin 3.75 mg and menotropins. Oocyte retrieval, embryo transfer, and luteal supplementation with hCG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Mean number of oocytes and fertilizations, mean number of embryos and their morphology. Pregnancy rates (PRs) and pregnancy outcome. RESULT(S): The mean number of oocytes, fertilizations, and embryos was higher in the aborters compared with the controls. Morphology of the transferred embryos was similar in both groups though in general better quality embryos developed in the aborters group. Pregnancy rates were similar in both groups (32% and 29% per cycle). Pregnancy outcome of the habitual aborting patients in IVF-ET remained unsuccessful, as before treatment: 50% abortions (7/14) compared with only an 8% abortion rate (1/12) in the controls. CONCLUSION(S): Habitual aborters' performance at early stages of IVF-ET is better compared with their controls. Despite similar PRs in IVF-ET cycles, their pregnancy outcome after IVF-ET is unsuccessful, as before IVF-ET.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed1998

Outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic injection of epididymal and testicular sperm extracted from patients with obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate IVF outcome after epididymal and testicular sperm retrieval in patients with obstructive or nonobstructive azoospermia. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical analysis. SETTING: Public university-affiliated IVF unit. PATIENT(S): One hundred twenty-three azoospermic patients (178 cycles). INTERVENTION(S): Sixty-three patients (103 cycles) with obstructive azoospermia (group 1) underwent either epididymal or testicular sperm retrieval, and 60 patients (75 cycles) with nonobstructive azoospermia (group 2) underwent testicular sperm retrieval combined with IVF treatment. Mature oocytes were fertilized using intracytoplasmic sperm injection. After sperm preparation, supernumerary spermatozoa were cryopreserved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Oocyte fertilization rate and clinical pregnancy rate (PR). RESULT(S): The oocyte fertilization rate was 48.4% (534/1,104) in group 1 and 41.5% (312/751) in group 2 (not significant [NS] difference). A total of 100 cycles (97.1%) and 62 cycles (82.7%) in the obstructive and nonobstructive groups, respectively, had embryos for replacement (NS difference). The clinical PRs per ET cycle were 24% (24/100) and 17.7% (11/62) in the two groups, respectively. Oocyte fertilization rates, when fresh (46.4%) or frozen-thawed (41.8%) spermatozoa were used, were not significantly different in the two groups. The PR when fresh sperm were used was 23.6% (30/127), versus 14.3% (5/35) when frozen sperm were used (NS difference). The PR for women aged < or = 35 years was similar to that for women >35 years of age (20.7% or 29/140 and 18.2% or 4/25, respectively). CONCLUSION(S): Epididymal and testicular sperm obtained in azoospermic patients can fertilize oocytes successfully and may lead to high fertilization rates and PRs. Freezing of these spermatozoa does not reduce the outcome of treatment significantly.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Coping style and depression level influence outcome in in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of depression levels and coping on IVF outcome in women, taking into account the cause of infertility. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: A university hospital. PATIENT(S): Ninety-eight women undergoing IVF treatment. INTERVENTION(S): Psychometric tests were administered at the first visit (day 3) of the investigated treatment cycle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Achievement of pregnancy. RESULTS: The nonpregnant group reported increased expression of negative emotions. In the subgroup with a female indication for IVF, increased depressive symptomatology (correlated with increased expression of negative emotions) was associated with lower pregnancy rates (PRs), whereas in the subgroup with a male indication for IVF, increased depressive symptomatology (correlated with decreased expression of negative emotions) was associated with higher PRs. CONCLUSION(S): Expression of negative emotions predicts depression levels and outcome in IVF. The cause of infertility should be taken into account when investigating the relation between psychologic functioning and outcome in IVF.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Influence of sperm surface antibodies on spontaneous pregnancy rates.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rates of spontaneous pregnancies among women whose infertile male partners had sperm surface antibodies. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Infertility clinic of a university referral center. PATIENT(S): One hundred fifty-seven infertile couples; the male partner had IgA and/or IgG sperm surface antibody concentrations of >10%. INTERVENTION: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Spontaneous pregnancy rates (PRs) over 6 years. RESULT(S): Spontaneous PRs correlated negatively with antibody concentrations. CONCLUSION(S): Although the chance of spontaneous pregnancy among women whose partners had sperm antibody concentrations of <50% was good, intracytoplasmic sperm injection should be recommended to patients with concentrations of >90%.

Female↗
PubMed1982

Nasopharyngeal airways in Pierre Robin Syndrome.

Nasopharyngeal airways have been assessed in the management of infants with severe Pierre Robin syndrome. In 12 such infants the positioning and subsequent maintenance of these tubes were found to be important in ensuring adequate relief of the airway obstruction. In five infants measurements of lung mechanics demonstrated the benefits of NP tube placement and confirmed the observed improvements in cyanotic episodes, heart failure, electrocardiograms, and arterial gas tensions. In a retrospective survey of 40 infants with PRS, failure to thrive was found to be significantly correlated with the severity of the airflow obstruction. This failure to thrive was reversed in the infants managed with NP tubes in comparison with an age-matched groups nursed while prone. The lack of significant complications with the NP airway and its acceptability to nursing staff, patients, and their parents suggest that this method deserves more widespread use in PRS and perhaps in other situations in which high upper respiratory tract obstruction is predominant.

Airway Obstruction↗