Effectiveness of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates applied before and after embryo transfer (ET) among women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).Materials and methodsIn this randomized controlled trial, 72 infertile women undergoing IVF were randomized to acupuncture (AG; n = 36) and control group (CG; n = 36). Three sessions of acupuncture were applied to AG, the first was one week before ET, the second was 30 min before ET, and the third was 30 min after ET. CG received no acupuncture. The primary outcome was pregnancy success rate (Beta-HCG level, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, live birth). Secondary outcome was anxiety level (STAI-1 state anxiety scale). Beta-HCG levels were assessed for conception 12 days after ET. Additionally, STAI-1 state anxiety scale was administered 30 min before and after ET to measure anxiety levels in both groups.ResultsThe mean age was 30.9 ± 3.7 years. Positive Beta HCG was detected in 63.9% (n = 23) of the AG and 33.3% (n = 12) of CG (p = 0.009). Clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and live birth rates were higher in AG (p < 0.05). There was no difference between the groups concerning anxiety scores before ET (p > 0.05). The mean STAI-1 score was decreasing from 57.3 ± 9.8 to 28.8 ± 3.3 in AG, while it was decreasing from 57.0 ± 8.0 to 41,1 ± 6,8 in CG after ET (p < 0.000).ConclusionsIt was observed that three sessions of acupuncture before and after ET significantly increased the pregnancy rates in women with unexplained infertility. It was also found that acupuncture significantly reduced anxiety levels that occurred before ET.     

Length of ovarian stimulation does not impact live birth rate in fresh donor oocyte cycles: a SART CORS study

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation length and total gonadotropin (GN) dose on recipient live birth rate (LBR) in fresh donor oocyte cycles.MethodsData was obtained from SART CORS on all fresh donor oocyte GnRH antagonist cycles (n = 1049) between 2014 and 2015 which resulted in a single embryo transferred. Donor and recipient demographic information and cycle characteristics were extracted. Binomial regression was used to estimate LBR with respect to days of stimulation (DOS) and total GN dose. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate these relationships after controlling for confounders.ResultsOverall LBR in fresh donor oocyte cycles was 57%. Average stimulation length was 14.3 ± 4.9 days, and total GN dose was 2464 ± 1062 IU. On univariate analysis, neither days of stimulation (p = 0.5) nor total GN dose (p = 0.57) was independently correlated with LBR. However, in prolonged stimulations (> 15 days) with high total GN dose (> 3000 IU), as both the cycle length and total GN dose increased, LBR significantly decreased from 63.81 to 48.15% (p = 0.02) and from 67.61 to 48.15% (p = 0.01), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed no significant effect of either DOS or total GN dose on LBR.ConclusionsLBR is significantly decreased in fresh donor oocyte cycles when cycles are prolonged with high total GN dose. However, after controlling for confounders neither DOS nor total GN dose significantly affects LBR.     

High granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell levels in the peripheral blood predict a better IVF treatment outcome

Objective: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been described as important immunosuppressive cells for maternal immune tolerance. The aim of this study was to detect whether there was any association between the peripheral blood MDSCs level and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment outcomes.

Methods: This prospective observational study randomly recruited 85 women who underwent IVF treatment from May 2016 to June 2016. The levels of peripheral blood granulocytic MDSC (G-MDSC), monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC) and their relations to IVF treatment outcomes were analyzed.

Results: The circulating G-MDSC level was significantly increased in the clinical pregnant group when compared to that in the nonclinical pregnant group (p?=?.014), while M-MDSC had no significant difference. The G-MDSC level was an independent predictive factor for clinical pregnancy with odds ratios 12.7 (95% CI: 1.53–105.4, p?=?.018) when using multiple logistic regression analysis. A receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under curve =?0.634) found the clinical pregnancy rate in women with G-MDSC >2.38% was higher than that in women below this level (96 versus 66.7%, p?=?.004). The high G-MDSC level in the peripheral blood was associated with clinical pregnancy, with a sensitivity of 37.5%, specificity of 95.2%.

Conclusion: High circulating G-MDSC level was associated with elevated clinical pregnancy rate. G-MDSC might be a new therapeutic target for better IVF treatment outcome.     

Oocyte maturation arrest produced by TUBB8 mutations: impact of genetic disorders in infertility treatment

Abstract

Oocyte maturation defect is a challenging situation in the management of infertility, the etiology may be related to endocrine causes, protocols used in ovarian stimulation, oocyte intrinsic defects or procedures in embryology laboratory. We report three Mexican females in treatment for primary infertility with non-mature oocytes after ovary stimulation and oocyte capture in whom a genetic diagnosis of TUBB8-oocyte maturation defect was revealed by exome sequencing. Two couples achieved pregnancies though oocyte donation after establishing the genetic etiology. Our results expand the role of TUBB8-disorders in patients of non-Asian ethnicity. Oocyte maturation defects of monogenic origin are a growing group of disorders that endocrinologists and reproductive medicine specialists should be aware in order to provide referral to genetics for establish a correct and opportune diagnosis.     

获卵数低多囊卵巢综合征患者再次促排卵的妊娠结局及影响因素分析#br#

Objective?To investigate the impact of different ovulation induction protocols on the clinical outcomes and analyze related factors when polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS) patients whose number of eggs obtained last time equal to or less than five received the ovarian hyperstimulation treatment again. Methods?The retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 242 PCOS patients whose number of eggs obtained last time was equal to or less than five in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF/ICSI) in the Reproductive Center of Peking University Third Hospital from January 2011 to December 2018 who received the ovulation induction treatment again. The amount of Gn used, the number of eggs obtained, and the pregnancy outcome of different ovulation induction protocols was compared. At the same time, the multi-factor linear regression analysis model was used to analyze the related factors affecting the accumulative live birth rate. Results?242 patients used the ultra-long protocol, long protocol, short protocol, and antagonist protocol for ovarian hyperstimulation. The number of eggs obtained was 12.46±2.66, 12.28±86, 10.64±1.77, 13.25±0.97, respectively. There was no statistical difference among different groups (P=0.780). The amount of Gn used and the number of days of use in the antagonist protocol group was significantly smaller than those of the ultra-long protocol and long protocol groups (P＜0.05). The amount of Gn used in the ultra-long protocol group was significantly bigger than that of the long protocol, short protocol, and antagonist protocol groups (P＜0.05). In 115 transplant cycles, the rate of embryo implantation, clinical pregnancy rate, and accumulative live birth rate of different ovulation induction protocols had no statistical difference (P＞0.05). The multi-factor regression analysis showed that the treatment method was the important affecting factor of the accumulative live birth rate (P＜0.05) and the number of eggs obtained was a mediating variable. Conclusion?For PCOS patients whose number of eggs obtained last time was not big, after another time of ovulation induction, the average number of eggs obtained maybe bigger than ten and an ideal reproduction assistance outcome could be achieved.     

An overview of the current and emerging platforms for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) in in vitro fertilization programs

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) and PGT for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) have currently been used widely, aiming to improve IVF outcomes. Although with many years of unsatisfactory results, PGT-A has been revived because new technologies have been adopted, such as platforms to examine all 24 types of chromosomes in blastocysts. This report compiles current knowledge regarding the available PGT platforms, including quantitative PCR, array CGH, and next-generation sequencing. The diagnostic capabilities of are compared and respective advantages/disadvantages outlined. We also address the limitations of current technologies, such as assignment of embryos with balanced translocation. We also discuss the emerging novel PGT technologies that likely will change our future practice, such as non-invasive PGT examining spent culture medium. Current literature suggest that most platforms can effectively reach concordant results regarding whole-chromosome ploidy status of all 24 types of chromosomes. However, different platforms have different resolutions and experimental complexities; leading to different turnaround time, throughput and differential capabilities of detecting mosaicism, segmental mutations, unbalanced translocations, concurrent PGT-A and PGT-M etc. Based on these information, IVF staff can more appropriately interpret PGT data and counsel patients, and select suitable platforms to meet personalized needs. The present report also concisely discusses some crucial clinical outcomes by PGT, which can clarify the role of applying PGT in daily IVF programs. Finally the up-to-date information about the novel use of current technologies and the newly emerging technologies will also help identify the focus areas for the design of new platforms for PGT in the future.     

Successful in vitro fertilization in women with Fontan physiology

PurposePatients with single ventricle anatomy palliated with Fontan operation are at risk for thromboembolism, arrhythmia, and heart failure rendering pregnancy high risk or even contraindicated. Infertility and high rates of first trimester miscarriage are not uncommon. In vitro fertilization (IVF) with or without gestational surrogacy can be an option, but poses risks during ovarian stimulation, oocyte retrieval, and the post-procedural period. We present six cases of women with complex congenital heart disease status post Fontan operation who underwent successful IVF.MethodsCase series from a single-center tertiary care setting.ResultsIndications for referral were cardiac or fertility concerns for pregnancy of the congenital cardiologist. One woman had mild volume overload after oocyte retrieval requiring furosemide and one experienced post-operative colitis. There were no thrombotic complications.ConclusionsA multidisciplinary team-based approach can result in successful oocyte retrieval and IVF in women with complex congenital heart disease and Fontan physiology.