Meta-analysis of the embryo freezing transfer interval

Background

The decision of whether frozen embryo transfer (FET) should be performed in the cycle immediately after OPU or at least one cycle later is controversial. FET could improve pregnancy rates in IVF; however, how much time is needed for the endometrium to return to optimal receptivity after ovarian stimulation is not known.

Methods

Electronic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify studies providing data on the influence of the interval between embryo freezing (or OPU) and FET in FET cycles published between January 1, 2007, and February 1, 2020.

Main findings

Data analyzed indicated that in the immediate FET cycles, there was a trend to an increased biochemical pregnancy rate (RR = 1.08; CI = 1.00-1.18), whereas the clinical pregnancy rate was somewhat higher, but without reaching statistical significance (RR = 1.07; CI = 0.99-1.15). The live birth rate was similar in the two groups (RR = 1.05; CI = 0.95-1.15), as was the implantation rate (RR = 0.98; CI = 0.83-1.16). Stratifying by embryo stage or FET type (freeze-all or FET after failed fresh transfer) showed no differences.

Conclusion

Systematically delaying FET does not offer benefits to IVF outcomes. In addition, immediate transfer is associated with a nonsignificant trend to better clinical pregnancy rate and it also avoids the psychological effects of prolonging the stress on prospective parents.

     

Extended in vitro maturation of immature oocytes from stimulated cycles: an analysis of fertilization potential,embryo development,and reproductive outcomes

Purpose  

To investigate 24 h in vitro maturation (IVM) of cumulus-stripped immature oocytes from stimulated cycles.     

A case of postpartum cerebral angiitis and review of the literature

Purpose  

To better characterize postpartum cerebral angiitis (PPCA).     

Improved developmental potential of mouse vitrified-warmed oocytes achieved by culturing in recovery medium with glutathione ethyl ester (GSH-OEt)

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of glutathione ethyl ester (GSH-OEt) in the recovery medium on the developmental competence of mouse vitrified-warmed MII oocytes.

Methods

Vitrified-warmed oocytes were incubated for 1 h in recovery medium in the presence or absence of 0.5 mM GSH-OEt. The authors examined the effects of GSH-OEt, first on the levels of glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitrified-warmed oocytes, and second, on in vitro blastocyst development, division speed to blastocysts, and total cell numbers of blastocysts from vitrified-warmed oocytes fertilized by Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Results

Adding GSH-OEt to the recovery medium significantly (p < 0.05) increased GSH content and decreased ROS levels in vitrified-warmed oocytes. The blastocyst rate did not differ significantly between the two groups, but the speed of development to blastocysts in the GSH-OEt (+) group was significantly more rapid. In addition, the total blastocyst cell number was significantly higher in the GSH-OEt (+) group than in the GSH-OEt (−) group (92.8 ± 5.1 vs. 71.4 ± 3.5, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Adding GSH-OEt to the recovery medium of vitrified-warmed mouse oocytes enhances the development potential of oocytes and improves the quality of blastocysts.

     

Pilot study of the optimal protocol of low dose step‐up follicle stimulating hormone therapy for infertile women

Purpose

To evaluate the optimized protocol of low dose follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) therapy that has a starting dose of 50 IU/62.5 IU with a small increment dose (12.5 IU) for women with World Health Organization (WHO) II ovulatory disorder and unexplained infertility.

Methods

Anovulatory women with WHO group II ovulatory disorder (ovulation induction [OI] patients, n = 29), and with an unexplained infertility (ovarian stimulation [OS] patients, n = 21) were enrolled. The protocol of low dose step‐up FSH therapy was optimized for the starting dose as 50 IU (body mass index [BMI] < 20 group) and 62.5 IU (BMI ≥ 20 group) with the increment dose of 12.5 IU. Study outcomes were ovulation, monofollicular development and other variables.

Results

In the OIpatients, the ovulation rate was 100% (BMI < 20 group) and 90.9% (BMI ≥ 20 group). Monofollicular development was 80.0% (BMI < 20) and 77.3% (BMI ≥ 20). The pregnancy rate was 60% (3/5 BMI < 20) and 18.2% (4/22 BMI ≥ 20). There was no multiple pregnancy. In the OSpatients, the ovulation rate was 100%. Monofollicular development was 85.7% (BMI < 20) and 76.6% (BMI ≥ 20). No pregnancy was achieved in the OSpatients.

Conclusion

Optimized protocol of low dose FSH therapy setting a starting dose 50 IU/62.5 IU by BMI with an increment dose of 12.5 IU was safe and highly effective in WHO group II anovulatory patients. However, this protocol seemed uneffective for patients with unexplained infertility.     

Differential expression of fibulins in the uterosacral ligaments of women with uterine prolapse

Purpose  

To compare fibulin-3 (FIB-3) and fibulin-5 (FIB-5) expressions in uterosacral ligaments (USL) of women with and without uterine prolapse.     

Simultaneous administration of mifepristone and misoprostol for early termination of pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

Aim  

To compare the efficacy of different intervals of misoprostol administration (simultaneously vis-à-vis 24 h), after mifepristone, in women undergoing medical termination of pregnancy up to gestation of 49 days.     

The preoperative diagnosis of borderline ovarian tumors: a review of current literature

Purpose  

To evaluate the available information on the preoperative diagnosis of borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs).     

Risk factors and perinatal outcome of pregnancies complicated with cephalopelvic disproportion: a population-based study

Objectives  

To characterize risk factors and perinatal outcome following cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD).     

The psychosocial impact of vesico-vaginal fistula in Niger

Purpose  

To explore the psycho-social impact of vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) on women in Niger.     

Timing and risk factors of maternal complications of cesarean section

Objective  

To investigate the timing and risk factors of maternal complications of cesarean section (CS).     

Nomogram of amniotic fluid volume at 7 to 10 + 6 weeks of pregnancy by three-dimensional ultrasonography using the rotational method (VOCAL)

Purpose  

To establish normative data for amniotic fluid volume (AFV) between 7 and 10 + 6 weeks gestation using three-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS).     

The coexistence of anal incontinence in women with urinary incontinence

Purpose  

To investigate the coexistentence of anal incontinence (AI) in patients with urinary incontinence (UI).     

Detection and credibility of sentinel node in vulvar cancer: a single institutional study and short review of literature

Purpose  

To evaluate the detectability and credibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) in vulvar cancer.     

Investigation of the factors affecting the perinatal outcome of monochorionic diamniotic twins

Purpose  

To investigate the factors affecting the perinatal outcome in monochorionic diamniotic (MD) twins.     

Critical appraisal of case–control studies of risk factors or etiology of Hyperemesis gravidarum

Objective  

Critical appraisal of published case–control studies examining the etiology or risk factors of Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).     

Causes and consequences of 93 fetuses with cardiomegaly in a tertiary center in Thailand

Objectives  

To assess etiology, perinatal mortality and associated factors of fetal cardiomegaly (FC).     

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy versus abdominal myomectomy: a comparative analysis of surgical outcomes and costs

Objective  

To compare clinical and effectiveness outcomes between robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy (RALM) and abdominal myomectomy (AM).     

Comparison of cabergoline and intravenous albumin in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a randomized clinical trial

Purpose  

To compare the efficacy of cabergoline (Cb2) and intravenous human albumin (HA) in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.