Cytomorphometric analysis of vaginal cells during normal cycle, under oral contraceptive therapy or in-vitro fertilization stimulation protocol

A cytomorphometric analysis of superficial vaginal cells inwomen in three groups of different types of hormonal concentrationwas made. There were 15 women in each group. Group I was studiedduring a natural cycle, group II under oral contraceptive therapyand group III during an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) stimulationprotocol. Morphometric parameters were measured on an imageanalyser. The area, perimeter and several form factors weremeasured separately for nuclei and cytoplasm. The nucleus:cytoplasmicratio was also determined. The cytoplasmic area was significantlyreduced in group II and was associated with a statisticallysignificant reduction of the nuclear area. The nucleus:cytoplasmicratio appeared significantly increased in group II and reducedin group III. Low oestradiol impregnation obtained with an oralminidosed contraceptive interfered with vaginal cell maturation.High oestradiol concentrations obtained during IVF protocolsinduced marked nuclear pycnosis but did not induce supra-physiologicalcell enlargement. Maximal cell size is genetically regulatedaccording to Driesch's law of volume invariance and hormonalover-stimulation has no effect on cell size. The nucleus:cytoplasmicratio appears to be a powerful parameter reflecting the oppositeeffects of hormones on cell compartments.     

优选前后精子顶体酶活性与IVF受精率相关性的研究

目的探讨优选处理前和处理后精子顶体酶活性的变化,及与体外受精(IVF)受精率的相关性。方法采用分光光度比色法,对接受IVF治疗的53例不育夫妇男方精液,分别测定优选处理前和处理后精子顶体酶活性,分析其与IVF受精率的相关性。结果优选处理后精子顶体酶活性与优选前比较有显著性差异(P<0.05);达到常规IVF标准并选择常规IVF治疗者,优选后的精子顶体酶活性与IVF受精率有相关性,精子顶体酶活性降低与IVF受精率降低有关。结论精子顶体酶活性与IVF受精率有相关性,并且通过精子顶体酶活性可以预测IVF受精率。     

Granulosa cell metabolism and the assessment of oocyte quality in IVF

The progesterone production of the granulosa cells of the cumulus– oocyte complex correlates very well with the cleavagepotential of embryos in an IVF system. The method is simpleand can be easily performed by any laboratory associated withIVF. Furthermore, high intratubal progesterone levels in theimmediate post-ovulatory period are probably important in prolongingthe intra-ampullary residence of the oocyte or embryo untilthe uterine endometnum is optimal for implantation.     

Selective drop-out in successive in-vitro fertilization attempts: the pendulum danger.

Success rates from in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in the long term are dependent on selection procedures with regard to continuation into further IVF episodes. Publications on success rates in successive episodes will give incentives to adapt selection criteria, but if these publications do not deal explicitly with patient selection, the adaptations might change their direction every time: the pendulum danger.     

IVF周期中性激素水平的改变与临床妊娠率的相关性

目的探讨超排卵周期中血清雌、孕激素水平的变化及其与临床妊娠率的关系。方法56例不孕患者经普通IVF-ET(包括ICSI)过程,于注射FSH或HMG(启动日)、启动后4～7天、注射HCG日测定血清雌、孕激素、FSH、LH水平,于停经后6～8周行腹部B超检查示宫腔内孕囊存在并伴HCG上升则确认为临床妊娠。将临床妊娠组(23例)及非临床妊娠组(33例)的上述3日雌、孕激素、FSH、LH水平作一回顾性的分析对比。结果雌、孕激素、FSH水平随周期天数增加而增加,LH水平随周期天数增加而减少;临床妊娠组比非临床妊娠组雌、孕激素、FSH、LH水平略低,以HCG日较为明显,但两组雌、孕激素、FSH、LH水平间没有明显差异(P>0.05)。结论在IVF周期中, 临床妊娠率可能与多种因素有关,雌,孕激素的水平对胚胎着床的影响将有待我们提高样本量进一步探讨。     

Prospective randomized study of D-Trp6-LHRH versus buserelin in long desensitization protocols for medically assisted conception cycles

In a prospective, controlled, randomized study where two differentagonists were used, we compared three different long desensitizationprotocols for induction of multiple follicular growth in medicallyassisted conception cycles. In protocol A, 30 patients wereinjected with buserelin twice a day for 15 days prior to ovarianstimulation until human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration.In protocol B, 30 patients were injected with a single doseof long acting Triptorelin (3.75mg) 15 days before the ovarianstimulation onset. In protocol C, 30 patients were injectedwith the long acting Triptorelin 4 weeks before ovarian stimulationfollowed by daily administration of 0.1 mg of the same agonistuntil HCG injection. There was no difference in the ovarianresponse to exogenous gonadotrophin stimulation, except forthe presence of premature luteinization in two patients in groupB. A significantly higher number of mature oocytes was collectedfrom patients with protocol A; however, the fertilization andcleavage rate demonstrated no significant difference among thethree groups of patients. The ongoing pregnancy rate and theimplanation rate per treatment cycle were very similar in thethree study groups. When the convenience, cost and side-effectsfor the patient are being considered, protocol B should be selectedas the first choice when the agonist is utilized for the purposeof inducing pituitary desensitization before and during ovarianstimulation.     

Who will conceive with IVF?

When considering the chances of establishing a healthy ongoing pregnancy after in vitro fertilization (IVF), the cause of infertility plays a relatively minor role. In recent years, there has been a shift from determining the diagnosis to the individual prognosis for a given patient. A number of prognostic factors were identified, which enabled clinicians to appropriately counsel patients. Patient-determined factors are of crucial importance and some are amenable to intervention such as lifestyle and nutritional advice. However, the attention of clinicians remains on seeking adjuvant therapeutic interventions designed to improve the outcomes of IVF treatment. In this article, the patient-determined factors underlying the individual chance of conceiving and the more commonly prescribed empirical medical therapies prescribed to enhance outcomes are reviewed. It is concluded that greater attention to optimizing the health of the couple before starting IVF treatment may be more beneficial than adjuvant medical therapies during treatment.     

精子形态变化对体外受精率的影响

目的:通过对ICSI和IVF受精率的统计,比较精子形态中的精子正常形态率、头部畸形率、畸形精子指数(TZI)和精子畸形指数(SDI)对受精结果的影响。方法:用Krger's严格标准法分别计算每组样本的精子正常形态率、头部畸形率、TZI和SDI值,与受精率进行比较。结果:①IVF组和ICSI组的受精率,与精子正常形态率、头部畸形率、TZI、SDI均无相关性。②IVF组和ICSI组中SDI>1.6和SDI<1.6的受精率、优质胚胎率和临床妊娠率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。③IVF组和ICSI组中精子正常形态率≤15%与精子正常形态率>15%的二组间受精率、优质胚胎率和临床妊娠率的差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:精子形态在体外受精时对受精率无影响,不能用精子形态来直接评价体外受精的结果。     

Incidence of cancer in children born after in-vitro fertilization

Evaluation of the long-term health of children born using in-vitro fertilization (IVF) provides important information to clinicians and consumers. Until very recently, there have been no published data on the incidence of cancer in children conceived as a result of IVF, despite a number of case reports of neuroblastoma in children conceived using fertility drugs. This study used a record-linkage cohort design to investigate the incidence of cancer in children born after IVF. The study included all conceptions using assisted reproductive technologies between 1979 and 1995 at two clinics in Victoria, Australia that resulted in a live birth. Data on births were linked with a population-based cancer registry to determine the number of cases of cancer that occurred. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was calculated by comparing the observed number of cases to the expected number of cases. The final cohort included 5249 births. The median length of follow-up was 3 years, 9 months (range 0-15 years). In all, 4.33 cases of cancer were expected and six were observed, giving a SIR of 1.39 (95% CI 0.62-3.09). This study found that children conceived using IVF and related procedures did not have a significantly increased incidence of cancer in comparison to the general population.     

Relationships between the serum levels of soluble leptin receptor and free and bound leptin in non-pregnant women of reproductive age and women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the serum levels of soluble leptin receptor (SLEPR), and total, free and bound leptin, and the change in the serum SLEPR level during an IVF cycle. METHODS: Serum concentrations of leptin and SLEPR were measured in 50 Japanese women of reproductive age, and 20 patients participating in an IVF programme. The total leptin was fractionated into free and bound portions by gel filtration chromatography. RESULTS: The SLEPR level was negatively correlated with the body mass index (BMI) (r = -0.548, P < 0.0001), total leptin (r = -0.433, P < 0.0001), the percentage of free leptin (r = -0.732, P < 0.0001) and the absolute free leptin concentration (r = -0.506, P < 0.0001). The SLEPR level was positively correlated with the percentage of bound leptin (r = 0.730, P < 0.0001), whereas there was little variation in the absolute bound leptin concentration, regardless of the BMI or SLEPR concentration. During the IVF cycle, total and free leptin elevated during maximal ovarian stimulation, whereas there was no significant difference in the SLEPR concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate a skillful mechanism where a change in the serum SLEPR level regulates, in part, the biological activity of leptin in the circulation.