Culture media for in vitro fertilization

It seems that assisted reproduction technology does not increase the rate of chromosome abnormalities, and up to now, a few cases have been reported. The case we describe here is the first one of monosomy 4q31 in a full-term liveborn after a combined GIFT-IVF procedure. Once more, this case raises the question of whether pregnancies resulting from IVF should be monitored for chromosome abnormalities or not.     

Cumulative pregnancy rates for in vitro fertilization

Data on 575 couples undergoing 1057 consecutive cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF) were used to calculate cumulative pregnancy rates for repeated IVF cycles. Excluding preclinical abortions and couples in whom the male partner had poor semen parameters, calculated cumulative pregnancy rates for cycles 1 to 6 were 13.6%, 24.8%, 37.2%, 47.8%, 52.2%, and 59.6%, respectively. A parametric model used to fit these data yielded a strong correlation between observed and predicted pregnancy rates (r = 0.99, P less than 0.001). Predicted cumulative pregnancy rates after 9 and 12 cycles were 75% and 84%, respectively. Excluding preclinical abortions, the pregnancy rate per cycle was approximately constant, at approximately 15% over repeated cycles. As the cost of IVF declines and as treatment cycles become more easily tolerated, persistence in IVF can lead to successful pregnancy for a large proportion of couples.     

Reconstructive pelvic operations for in vitro fertilization

Lysis of adhesions, bilateral salpingectomy, and ovarian suspension were carried out in 54 normal ovulatory patients with long-standing infertility that was associated with severe pelvic adhesions after multiple laparotomies for reimplantation of the fallopian tubes, salpingostomy, lysis of adhesions, or severe endometriosis. Ovulation was induced in 39 patients after laparotomy for in vitro fertilization, with the use of human menopausal gonadotropin, pure follicle-stimulating hormone, and human chorionic gonadotropin. Oocyte retrieval by laparoscopy was accomplished in 37 patients, and embryo transfer was carried out in 36. Pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer occurred in 14 patients. Although severe adhesions recurred in four patients, a significant improvement was obtained after the procedure in the others.     

In vitro fertilization for male infertility

Rising attention has recently focussed on the possibility of using the in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer procedure (IVF) in the treatment of male infertility. In this paper the Authors describe this application of IVF therapy with particular emphasis on the criteria employed for patient selection and pharmacological enhancement of sperm function.     

In vitro fertilization

Problems with infertility will affect about one couple in seven. Of these, approximately half will end up undertaking some form of assisted conception treatment. In vitro fertilization can be viewed both as a test of reproductive potential, allowing detailed assessment of oocytes, oocyte sperm interaction and embryo quality, as well as an effective treatment for most forms of subfertility. The dramatic improvements in pregnancy rates seen with IVF treatment since its inception some 22 years ago have occurred due to close collaboration between biological scientists and clinicians with interests in the area. There have been several important landmarks, including the use of drugs for superovulation and pituitary downregulation, the introduction of transvaginal ultrasound for monitoring of follicle growth and oocyte collection, and embryological developments in embryo culture and, most recently, ICSI. Despite this progress, the majority of IVF cycles do not produce a viable pregnancy and the psychological stresses imposed upon couples by assisted conception treatment need to be managed carefully and sympathetically.     

Toxicity testing for human in vitro fertilization programs

Using a mouse embryo culture system, several procedures and materials associated with human in vitro fertilization protocols were tested for potential toxicity. Also, quality-control assays were performed for media prepared by nine different human in vitro fertilization programs. Detrimental effects upon embryo development were observed when culture media were exposed to the following substances: surgical instruments sterilized with Cidex or Cidex-7 or sterilized with ethylene oxide after packaging in Nest Protector Packs, various brands of surgical gloves, and various synthetic materials being evaluated as possible needle or catheter liners. Results from comparative testing of media and serum supplements prepared by different in vitro programs indicated a wide range in culture medium quality, as assayed by the ability of the reagents to support mouse embryo development. The importance of an animal model system available to all human in vitro programs for routine quality-control analysis and testing of novel uses of materials and innovative methods is discussed.     

Transurethral ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization

Thirty-nine follicular aspirations for in vitro fertilization were performed in 30 patients. Oocyte retrieval was performed by laparoscopy in 21 cases and ultrasound-guided transurethral aspiration in 18 cases. All procedures were performed by the same ovarian stimulation protocol and the same aspirating needle. In the laparoscopy group 150 oocytes were recovered from 177 follicles aspirated (85%). The fertilization rate was 69% (104/150) and cleavage rate, excluding triploidy, was 82% (85/104) for oocytes obtained by laparoscopy. Five clinical pregnancies occurred in the laparoscopy group for a pregnancy rate of 24% per cycle and 25% per transfer. In the transurethral ultrasound-guided group 77 oocytes were recovered from 103 follicles aspirated (75%). The fertilization rate was 79% (61/77) and cleavage rate, excluding triploidy, was 90% (55/61). Three pregnancies occurred for a pregnancy rate of 17% per cycle and 18% per transfer. None of these differences were statistically significant. Transurethral ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval is a feasible alternative to laparoscopy for in vitro fertilization.     

Risks of fertilization in vitro

The authors report the results of four IVF attempts, performed on the same couple, in 16 months, because of tubal problems. June 1985 (T1): spontaneous miscarriage after 8 weeks of amenorrhea; october 1985 (T2): negative tap; january 1986 (T3): extra-uterine pregnancy; october 1986 (T4): rejected because of "poor response" and spontaneous extra-uterine pregnancy during the same cycle.     

Mycoplasmas and in vitro fertilization

Semen samples taken from 135 patients attending an in vitro fertilization clinic were shown to be colonized, 53 with Ureaplasma urealyticum (39%) and 16 with Mycoplasma hominis (12%). An unidentified mycoplasma species was isolated from the sperm of two patients. M. hominis was recovered from all the washed sperm samples taken from colonized semen, whereas washing the sperm eradicated U. urealyticum from 71% of colonized semen. The presence of mycoplasmas in semen made no significant difference to the sperm count, sperm motility, sperm abnormalities, or fertilization of eggs.