Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Sperm Retrieval”

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 1,207 records · Page 67Linked to original sources

Effect of repeated assisted reproductive technology on ovarian response.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Based on current rates of success, many infertile couples who desire pregnancy have to undergo repeated cycles of assisted reproductive technology. Concern has been raised that repeated cycles of assisted reproductive technology may have a detrimental effect on future ovarian response and function, as well as pregnancy. This review summarizes current knowledge of the effects of repeated assisted reproductive technology, highlighting recent publications. RECENT FINDINGS: The available published evidence so far indicates that the follicular response and the number of oocytes retrieved appears to be maintained with repeated treatment and the only significant decline in ovarian response is because of an increase in female age. Similarly pregnancy and live birth rates decline to a small degree only up to cycle 3 or 4, with increasing female age again being the prime determinant. Encouraging patients to undertake repeated treatment without undue delay leads to improved cumulative rates of pregnancy and live birth. Current evidence does not indicate that ovarian stimulation leads to an increased risk of ovarian malignancy. SUMMARY: Couples should be counselled from the outset that assisted reproductive technology treatment is a continuum and a number of treatment cycles may be necessary. At present, there is little indication that repeated cycles have a detrimental effect on ovarian function, although the outcome of further research is awaited.

Female↗

Intracytoplasmic injection of spermatids retrieved from testicular tissue: influence of testicular pathology, type of selected spermatids and oocyte activation.

Spermatid microinjection into oocytes has proven to be a successful assisted reproduction procedure in the animal model and in the human species, since in the latter a few full-term pregnancies were actually obtained. Patients entering our spermatid injection study included those with a total absence of spermatozoa in the testicular tissue notwithstanding previous positive biopsies (n = 29): an obstructive problem (n = 3), secretory azoospermia (n = 26), and those with total arrest at the spermatogenesis level in previous explorative biopsies (n = 15). In the latter group, absence of spermatids was recorded in four cases. Mature, elongated, elongating and round spermatids (ROS) were injected in respectively 3, 2, 3, and 32 attempts. A total of 260 metaphase II oocytes were injected with ROS, 36 oocytes with spermatids at other stages of maturity. The rates of oocytes showing two pronuclei (2PN) and two polar bodies reached 22% and 64% respectively after injection of round or elongated-mature spermatids. The fertilization rate after ROS injection was influenced by the percentage of spermatozoa observed in a previous biopsy. Patients with a positive preliminary biopsy had significantly more 2PN (33%) when compared to those with a severe spermatogenic dysfunction and in whom no spermatozoa were found (only 11%) (P < 0.05). Incubation of oocytes in calcium ionophore after ROS injection had a positive effect on the rate of 2PN formation (36 versus 16%). Ninety per cent of all the normally fertilized oocytes cleaved. The percentage of grade A and B embryos depended on the type of injected cells: 12% after ROS and 30% with the other types of haploid cells. A total of 39 transfers resulted in five pregnancies: three full term with healthy babies delivered (one after ROS injection, and two after injection of an elongating and a mature spermatid), one 4 months ongoing (after elongating spermatid injection) and one miscarriage at 4 weeks (after elongated cell injection). Compared to our conventional intracytoplasmic sperm injection-testicular sperm extraction (ICSI-TESE) programme, the implantation rate after ROS injection was very low (5.5 versus 10.5%).

Animals↗

Comparison, characterization, and identification of proteases and protease inhibitors in epididymal fluids of domestic mammals. Matrix metalloproteinases are major fluid gelatinases.

The testicular and epididymal fluids of ram, boar, and stallion were analyzed by means of one-dimensional and two-dimensional gelatin gel zymography. Five main gelatinolytic bands were revealed in the ram and at least seven were observed in the boar and stallion. These proteolytic bands showed regionalized distribution throughout the organs. The two main proteolytic activities at around 54-66 kDa retrieved in all three species were inhibited by EDTA and phenanthroline, indicating that they were metallo-dependent enzymes. The activity of some of the low-molecular-weight gelatinases was also decreased by EDTA, whereas others were inhibited by serine protease inhibitors. One of the main proteases at 60-62 kDa from the caput fluid of the stallion and the ram was N-terminal sequenced; in both cases, high sequence homology was found with the N-terminal of the matrix-metalloproteinase-2 pro-form (pro-MMP-2). Antibodies against MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9 gelatinases confirmed the regional distribution in the fluids of pre -, pro-, active, or degraded forms of these metalloproteases in all three species. We also observed the presence of acrosin in epididymal fluids, which was probably released by dead spermatozoa, but this enzyme did not explain all the serine protease activity. Moreover, the majority of this enzyme is bound to the protease inhibitor alpha(2)-macroglobulin, which is present in the fluids of all three species. TIMP-2, a potent inhibitor of MMPs, was present in the fluid of the caput regions in the ram and boar, and in the caput and caudal fluids of the stallion. This study demonstrated that similar types of proteases and inhibitors are regionally distributed in the epididymal fluids of three domestic species, suggesting an identical role in the sperm maturation process, the plasticity of this organ, or both.

Acrosin↗

Does pretreatment with progestogen or oral contraceptive pills in low responders followed by the GnRHa flare protocol improve the outcome of IVF-ET?

PURPOSE: Women undergoing in vitro fertilization with low ovarian reserve and poor response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) present a management dilemma. In a retrospective observational study, we compared the pretreatment use of the gestogen medroxyprogesterone acetate (10 mg twice daily from day 15 of the cycle for a minimum of 2 weeks) with an oral contraceptive pill (one tablet daily from day 4 of the cycle for a minimum of 3 weeks). METHODS: The criteria for inclusion in the study included one or more of the following: abandoned cycles due to poor response, fewer than four oocytes retrieved following a standard COH protocol, age > 39 years, and elevated basal serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Thirty-eight women received pretreatment with gestogen, and a similar number of women received pretreatment with the pill. The flare protocol was used in all treatment cycles combined with an individualized dose of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) (4-8 ampoules/day of 75 units FSH/ampoule) depending on previous response, age, and early follicular serum FSH level. Both groups were similar in mean age, duration of infertility, early follicular FSH levels, and the distribution of various aetiologies. RESULTS: Twenty-nine cycles were abandoned before oocyte retrieval, 15 (39.5%) in the pill group and 14 (36.8%) in the gestogen group, because of an inadequate ovarian response. The mean (+/- SD) number of ampoules (75 IU FSH/ampoule) of hMG used per cycle was similar in the pill and gestogen groups (59.7 +/- 19.3 vs. 70.2 +/- 29.4, respectively). There also was no difference seen in the numbers of oocytes retrieved (4.4 +/- 2.3 vs. 4.2 +/- 2.5), total number of embryos (2.5 +/- 2.4 vs. 2.2 +/- 1.1), or the number of embryos transferred (1.8 +/- 1.2 vs. 2.1 +/- 1.0) in the pill and gestogen groups, respectively. One pregnancy in each group resulted following embryo transfer in 22 women in the pill group and in 24 women in the gestogen group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that pre-IVF treatment with oral contraceptive pill or gestogen combined with the flare protocol in women at high risk of or with a history of poor ovarian response, as defined in this study, did not appear to result in an improvement in outcome of IVF-embryo transfer.

Adult↗

Ovarian response and pregnancy outcome related to mid-follicular LH levels in women undergoing assisted reproduction with GnRH agonist down-regulation and recombinant FSH stimulation.

BACKGROUND: The effect of LH levels on stimulation day 8 on ovarian response and pregnancy outcome were evaluated in women receiving pituitary down-regulation with GnRH agonists (0.8 mg Suprefact) s.c. daily until pituitary down-regulation and 0.4 mg/day during ovarian stimulation) and ovarian stimulation with recombinant FSH. METHODS: Blood samples were prospectively collected from a total of 207 normal women undergoing assisted reproduction and analysed retrospectively. Based on LH levels on stimulation day 8 patients were divided into four groups: <0.5, 0.51-1.0, 1.01-1.5, >1.51 IU/l. RESULTS: Estradiol levels on day 8 and estradiol per oocyte retrieved showed a highly significant correlation with LH concentrations on day 8. The total consumption of exogenous FSH and duration of gonadotrophin stimulation was inversely related to LH levels on day 8 (P < 0.002). The frequencies of fertilization and clinical pregnancies were superior in the two middle groups. Only 12% of the patients showed LH levels <0.5 IU/l, which, however, may be explained by the particular mode and doses of GnRH agonist used. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating levels of LH on day 8 have a significant impact on ovarian response and pregnancy outcome. LH should neither be too high nor too low. The mode of administration and the dose of the GnRH agonist used may determine the number of women who experience LH levels below 0.5 IU/l.

Adult↗

Encouraging results despite complexity of multidisciplinary care of HIV-infected women using assisted reproduction techniques.

BACKGROUND: Assisted reproduction technologies can treat infertility for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive women. We assessed the efficacy of these techniques in the results and difficulties encountered while conducting our assisted reproduction programme for 49 couples in which at least the woman had HIV infection that was currently under control. METHODS: Treatments included intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF and ICSI, with ovarian stimulation. Embryos were transferred on day 3 after oocyte retrieval. An elective single transfer was performed, except for patients aged > or = 40 years. RESULTS: The median age of the women was 36 years. Ten IUI, nine IVF, 53 ICSI and 10 frozen-thawed embryo transfers have been performed. No pregnancy occurred following the IUI trials but for the couples with IVF and ICSI attempts the clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was 23.9%. Eight babies have been born leading to a 22.2% take home baby rate per treated couple. Contamination was not observed in any newborn. CONCLUSIONS: Assisted reproduction technologies and particularly ICSI can provide HIV seropositive women with a safe means of mothering children. Results are encouraging when considering the age of the patients and a preferential single embryo transfer.

Adult↗

A relative reduction in mid-follicular LH concentrations during GnRH agonist IVF/ICSI cycles leads to lower live birth rates.

BACKGROUND: The effect of early- and mid-follicular LH concentrations on the ovarian response and pregnancy outcomes was evaluated in women receiving pituitary down-regulation with a GnRH agonist and ovarian stimulation with recombinant FSH (rFSH) during IVF/ICSI treatment. METHODS: Blood samples were collected prospectively from 701 cycles (560 patients) of assisted reproduction and analysed retrospectively. On the basis of LH concentrations on stimulation day 7/8, the patients were divided into two groups: LH<1.2 IU/l (n=179) and LH>or=1.2 IU/l (n=522). Cycle outcomes were also compared on the basis of a ratio of mid- to early-follicular LH concentrations ( 0.5, n=491). RESULTS: Patients with low LH concentrations were found to have a significant reduction in the late-follicular estradiol concentrations (P<0.001), the number of oocytes retrieved (P<0.01) and the number of usable embryos (P<0.01), and they required significantly more rFSH (430 IU difference, P<0.01). These differences did not translate into a significant change in live birth rates. Conversely, a ratio of or=50%) was associated with a significant reduction in live birth rates per embryo transfer and per cycle started (27.3 versus 19.0%, P<0.05 and 22.2 versus 15.8%, P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Low mid-follicular levels of LH have a significant impact on ovarian response but not on live birth rates. A fall in LH level of >or=50% from the early- to mid-follicular phase resulted in a lower live birth rate.

Adult↗

A controlled trial of natural cycle versus microdose gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog flare cycles in poor responders undergoing in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of natural-cycle IVF compared with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in poor responders. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Private center for assisted reproduction. PATIENT(S): One hundred twenty-nine women who were poor responders in a previous IVF cycle. INTERVENTION(S): Fifty-nine women underwent 114 attempts of natural-cycle IVF, and 70 women underwent 101 attempts of IVF with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with microdose GnRH analog flare. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Number of oocytes retrieved, pregnancy rate (PR) per cycle, PR per transfer, and implantation rate. RESULT(S): The poor responders treated with natural-cycle IVF and those treated with micro-GnRH analog flare showed similar PRs per cycle and per transfer. The women treated with natural-cycle IVF showed a statistically significant higher implantation rate (14.9%) compared with controls (5.5%). When subdivided into three groups according to age ( or=36-39 years, >or=40 years), younger patients had a better PR than the other two groups. CONCLUSION(S): In poor responders, natural-cycle IVF is at least as effective as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, especially in younger patients, with a better implantation rate.

Adult↗

Is the subzonal-insemination procedure an efficient technique in the treatment of extreme oligoasthenoteratozoospermia?

OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluates the usefulness of the sub-zonal insemination (SUZI) for patients with previous IVF failures or affected by severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and the necessity of pre-treatment semen analysis. DESIGN: Twenty-five patients underwent 43 cycles of either SUZI or alternate SUZI/IVF procedures according to semen characteristics. RESULTS: Among the 571 retrieved oocytes, 398 were microinjected and 173 were treated by IVF. Among the microinjected oocytes, 19% fertilized (12% 2PN: 7% 3PN) and 96% of the 2PN oocytes developed into embryos. Thirty-one embryo transfers were performed, 8 pregnancies were obtained and 7 embryos were cryopreserved. The 2 PN rates in SUZI and IVF procedures in the same cycle were not significantly different. The analysis of the different semen samples obtained before and during the treatment reveals that the semen quality varies in such a way that the decision of the adequate microinjection strategy to follow should only be taken according to the semen quality at the day of treatment. CONCLUSION: SUZI is not a satisfactory technique for treatment neither in case of previous IVF failures nor for severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.

Adult↗

Young age does not protect against the adverse effects of reduced ovarian reserve--an eight year study.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian reserve significantly influences IVF outcome. Low response to ovarian stimulation due to reduction of ovarian reserve is occasionally encountered in young women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of IVF treatment in young patients with reduced ovarian reserve. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between January 1993-2001, 762 consecutive patients satisfied the definition of reduced ovarian reserve (raised early follicular phase FSH or gonadotrophin stimulation cycles where three or fewer oocytes were retrieved after routine FSH stimulation) and were included in the study. They were classified into three age groups: young (< or = 30 years), intermediate (31-38 years) and older (>38 years). The three age groups were similar with respect to basal (day 3) serum FSH and estradiol concentrations, cause of infertility and number of previous treatment cycles. Implantation (13, 9.6 and 9.8%), clinical pregnancy (11.8, 10.2 and 10%) and live birth (7.4, 7.3 and 6.8%) rates were not significantly different in the three age groups respectively (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that younger patients with reduced ovarian reserve have a poor outcome of IVF treatment similar to their older counterparts. Such information may be helpful in counselling these patients who otherwise might anticipate an outcome related to their chronological age.

Adult↗

Outcome for donors and recipients in two egg-sharing policies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of two different donation policies on results of egg-sharing. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENT(S): One hundred five donor-recipient pairs participating in an egg-sharing program between 1998 and 2001. INTERVENTION(S): Egg-sharing was performed according to policy A (retrieval of at least 12 oocytes, with more oocytes allocated to the donor) or policy B (retrieval of at least 8 oocytes, with equal distribution of oocytes between donors and recipients). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Delivery rate and cycle cancellation rate. RESULT(S): Policy B resulted in a decreased cycle cancellation rate in the recipient group compared with policy A (9.7% vs. 29.7%, respectively; P<or=.01). No significant difference in delivery rate per fresh transfer was observed between policy A and policy B in donors (30.2% vs. 27.8%, respectively) or recipients (28.2% vs. 25.7%, respectively). CONCLUSION(S): Decreasing the number of oocytes required to perform egg sharing from 12 to 8 and dividing the oocytes equally between donors and recipients significantly reduces the cycle cancellation rate while it does not appear to affect adversely the probability of delivery.

Adult↗

Improved implantation rate after chemical removal of the zona pellucida.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the implantation rate achieved after chemical removal of the zona pellucida from day 5 human in vitro-derived embryos. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: A tertiary care infertility clinic. PATIENT(S): Two hundred fifty-seven patients undergoing IVF with transfer of morulas or blastocysts on day 5 after oocyte retrieval. All patients had had at least two previous implantation failures. INTERVENTION(S): Chemical removal of zona pellucida by using acidic Tyrode's solution vs. no removal (controls). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate per transfer. RESULT(S): Embryos without zona pellucida implanted at nearly twice the rate of control embryos (15.7% vs. 27.5%). The pregnancy rate was also significantly higher in the zona pellucida-free group than the control group (31.0% vs. 46.1%). Removal of zona pellucida was most effective in embryos with delayed development, which reached the morula or early cavitating stage on day 5 of in vitro culture (implantation rate, 12.1% vs. 25.7%). CONCLUSION(S): Chemical removal of zona pellucida from day 5 in vitro cultured human embryos is an effective and safe method of significantly improving the implantation rate, especially of embryos with delayed development.

Blastocyst↗

Successful delivery following cryopreservation of zygotes produced by in vitro matured oocytes retrieved from a woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome-like disease: a case report.

PURPOSE: To estimate frozen zygotes, which developed from in vitro matured oocytes retrieved from polycystic ovarian syndrome-like disease. METHODS: Oocyte retrieval was performed on Day 15 following withdrawal bleeding. The oocytes were incubated for 24 h in TCM-199 maturation medium supplemented with follicle fluid, E2, FSH, and hCG. RESULTS: A total of 12 immature oocytes were collected. Seven of the 12 oocytes (58.3%) developed to the metaphase-II stage, and subsequently, all seven fertilized oocytes were frozen at the pronuclear stage. The remaining five oocytes failed to develop to the metaphase-II stage after an additional 24 h of incubation. Three of seven cryopreserved oocytes were thawed and developed to 2-8-cell cleaved stage embryos. The first pregnancy failed. However, the second frozen-thawed embryo transfer resulted in the delivery of healthy twins. CONCLUSIONS: Successful delivery using frozen zygotes from an anovulatory woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome-like disease.

Adult↗

Cetrotide confirmatory trial of cetrorelix/0.25 mg in 26 women undergoing ovarian stimulation with recombinant follicle stimulating hormones for IVF, ICSI and embryo transfer (ET).

BACKGROUND: There have been numerous double-blind, randomised, dose-finding studies of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) antagonist Ganirelix (Org 37462) and the Gn-RH antagonist Cetrorelix. METHODS: We performed a clinical trial with 26 patients undergoing ovarian stimulation with the recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) by applying rec. FSH in a flexible daily dose, depending on the estradiol levels of the patient, from day 3 of the cycle onwards in a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) protocol. A single dose of 0.25 mg was injected daily subcutaneously from day 7 of the cycle onwards until the day of HCG application. The recombinant FSH dose was adjusted according to ovarian response. Fifteen patients were treated for IVF and nine for ICSI. In two patients egg retrieval was not performed. Estradiol and LH levels were measured on the day of HCG application. RESULTS: The mean number of recovered oocytes in the 24 patients was 5.5. A fertilisation rate of 64% was achieved in the IVF group and 69% in the ICSI group. In Germany a maximum of three embryos per patient is permitted to be transferred. Pregnancy occurred in ten patients: 5 IVF patients and 5 ICSI patients. In this small group of IVF patients a 33% pregnancy rate per follicular puncture and a 50% pregnancy rate per embryo transfer resulted. The ICSI group showed a 55% pregnancy rate per follicular puncture and a 62% pregnancy rate per embryo transfer. CONCLUSION: Within an IVF/ET, ICSI programme the Gn-RH-antagonist Cetrorelix in combination with rec. FSH gave optimal pregnancy results.

Adult↗

Outcome from consecutive assisted reproduction cycles in patients treated with recombinant follitropin alfa filled-by-bioassay and those treated with recombinant follitropin alfa filled-by-mass.

Recent advances in manufacturing procedures for r-hFSH have resulted in a preparation (follitropin alfa) that is highly consistent in both isoform profile and glycan species distribution. As a result, follitropin alfa can be reliably quantified and vials can be filled by mass. This study compared the clinical results in a well-established assisted reproduction programme during the crossover from standard follitropin alfa filled-by-bioassay (FSH-bio) to follitropin alfa filled-by-mass (FSH-mass). The study included the last 125 patients treated with FSH-bio and the first 125 patients receiving FSH-mass for ovarian stimulation in their first assisted reproduction treatment cycle. Patient baseline characteristics were almost identical in the two groups. The duration of ovarian stimulation was significantly shorter in the FSH-mass group. The number of patients receiving the HCG injection and undergoing oocyte retrieval, follicular development and the serum concentration of oestradiol on the day of HCG injection were similar for the two treatment groups. The oocyte yield and the fertilization rates were similar in both groups of patients. However, embryo quality and implantation rates were significantly higher in the FSH-mass group. Accordingly, in spite of the mean number of embryos transferred being significantly lower in the FSH-mass group, there was a trend for higher clinical pregnancy rates in this group of patients. It is concluded that the new formulation of FSH-mass is more effective than the standard FSH-bio in terms of embryo quality, implantation rates, and number of days of stimulation.

Adult↗

GnRH agonist (buserelin) or hCG for ovulation induction in GnRH antagonist IVF/ICSI cycles: a prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the efficacy of ovarian hyperstimulation protocols employing a GnRH antagonist to prevent a premature LH rise allowing final oocyte maturation and ovulation to be induced by a single bolus of either a GnRH agonist or hCG. METHODS: A total of 122 normogonadotrophic patients following a flexible antagonist protocol was stimulated with recombinant human FSH and prospectively randomized (sealed envelopes) to ovulation induction with a single bolus of either 0.5 mg buserelin s.c. (n = 55) or 10,000 IU of hCG (n = 67). A maximum of two embryos was transferred. Luteal support consisted of micronized progesterone vaginally, 90 mg a day, and estradiol, 4 mg a day per os. RESULTS: Ovulation was induced with GnRH agonist in 55 patients and hCG in 67 patients. Significantly more metaphase II (MII) oocytes were retrieved in the GnRH agonist group (P < 0.02). Significantly higher levels of LH and FSH (P < 0.001) and significantly lower levels of progesterone and estradiol (P < 0.001) were seen in the GnRH agonist group during the luteal phase. The implantation rate, 33/97 versus 3/89 (P < 0.001), clinical pregnancy rate, 36 versus 6% (P = 0.002), and rate of early pregnancy loss, 4% versus 79% (P = 0.005), were significantly in favour of hCG. CONCLUSIONS: Ovulation induction with a GnRH agonist resulted in significantly more MII oocytes. However, a significantly lower implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate in addition to a significantly higher rate of early pregnancy loss was seen in the GnRH agonist group, most probably due to a luteal phase deficiency.

Adult↗

A prospective randomized clinical trial comparing an individual dose of recombinant FSH based on predictive factors versus a 'standard' dose of 150 IU/day in 'standard' patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment.

BACKGROUND: The study aim was to compare the use of individual rFSH doses between 100 and 250 IU/day (calculated using the rFSH dose normogram) with a standard dose of rFSH of 150 IU/day. METHODS: This prospective randomized dual-centre clinical trial included 267 first IVF/ICSI cycles using the long agonist protocol in 'standard' patients. Following down-regulation, 262 patients were randomized using computer-generated lists using 'clusters of 10' into the individual dose (study) group (n = 131) or the standard dose (control) group (n = 131). RESULTS: In the study group, 101 patients (77.1%) had an appropriate response (defined as 5-14 oocytes), compared with 86 (65.6%) in the control group (P < 0.05). Fewer than five oocytes were retrieved in two patients (1.5%) in the study group, compared with 14 patients (10.7%) in the control group (P < 0.05). By comparison, >14 oocytes were retrieved from 27 patients (20.6%) in the study group and from 26 (19.8%) control patients (P = NS). Eighty-six per cent of the individual dose patients did not require any dose adjustment on day 8, compared with 45% of the standard dose patients (P < 0.01). The ongoing pregnancy rate per initiated cycle was 36.6% in the study group and 24.4% in the control group (P < 0.01). One patient (0.8%) in the study group, and four patients (3.1%) in the control group, were hospitalized due to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: An individual dose regimen in a well-defined 'standard' patient population increased the proportion of appropriate ovarian responses and decreased the need for dose adjustments during controlled ovarian stimulation. A higher ongoing pregnancy rate was observed in the individual dose group.

Adult↗

A prediction model for selecting patients undergoing in vitro fertilization for elective single embryo transfer.

OBJECTIVE: Construction of a prediction model to enable the selection of patients for elective single ET. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Fertility center in a tertiary referral university hospital. PATIENT(S): Six hundred forty-two women undergoing their first IVF treatment cycle in which no more than two embryos were transferred. INTERVENTION(S): Database analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Ongoing pregnancy and multiple pregnancy. RESULT(S): In multivariate analysis, the best predictors for ongoing pregnancy were female age, the number of retrieved oocytes, the developmental stage score and the morphology score of the two best embryos available for transfer, and the day of transfer. Younger age and high quality of transferred embryos were the best predictors for increased risk of multiple pregnancy. The resulting model enables the calculation of probabilities of pregnancy and twin pregnancy. Depending on embryo quality, there is a threshold age under which the chance of singleton pregnancy is higher if one embryo is transferred compared with two embryos. CONCLUSION(S): Application of this model may enable a reduction in the chance of twin pregnancy without compromising singleton pregnancy rates in a subgroup of patients undergoing IVF.

Adult↗