Sonography of the endometrium during conception and nonconception cycles of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

The thickness of the endometrium was compared in 15 patients who conceived and 15 who did not with an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) protocol after ovulation induction with human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin (hMG/hCG). There was no statistically significant difference (P = 1.0) in the endometrial thickness in the conception versus the nonconception group. Average estradiol (E2) values and number of mature follicles were also not statistically different in the two groups (P = 0.78, P = 0.81). There was a slightly significant difference in the number of embryos transferred in the conception versus nonconception groups (2.5 versus 1.9, P = 0.005). However, the most significant difference between the conception and nonconception groups was the total number of oocytes retrieved (4.4 versus 2.8, P = 0.005). These findings indicate that there are no sonographically detectable differences in the endometrial thickness in patients who achieve pregnancy versus those that do not when given a similar ovulation induction regimen of hMG/hCG for IVF-ET.     

Ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, human menopausal gonadotropin versus pure human follicle stimulating hormone: a randomized prospective study

A randomized, prospective study was conducted to compare ovarian stimulation with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and human follicle-stimulating hormone (hFSH) in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program. Minimal inclusion criteria included age less than or equal to 37, tubal infertility, regular menstrual cycles before IVF, and a normal semen analysis. Equivalent doses (225 IU/day) of either hMG (N = 20) or hFSH (N = 20) were administered, and the patients followed by serum estradiol (E2) levels and pelvic ultrasound. Parameters related to the ovarian response to therapy, the number and quality of ova recovered, and the cycle outcome were compared in the two groups using the Student's t-test and chi-square analysis. No difference was detected between the groups in peak E2 levels (828 +/- 78 versus 819 +/- 79 in the hMG and hFSH groups, respectively), day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration (9.3 +/- 0.3 versus 9.7 +/- 1.01), occurrence of spontaneous luteinizing hormone (LH) surge (44% versus 27%, P greater than 0.05, chi square analysis), average number of ova recovered (5.0 +/- 0.7 versus 5.6 +/- 1), ova maturation (7.5% versus 12.7% rate of immature ova), rate of normal and abnormal fertilization (9.2% versus 8.1% polyspermic fertilization), cleavage stage at transfer (3.6 +/- 0.4 versus 3.4 +/- 0.7 cells per embryos), the number of embryos transferred (2.5 +/- 0.3 versus 2.6 +/- 0.3), or the occurrence of pregnancy (1 in the hMG group and 2 in the hFSH group).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Laparoscopic and transvaginal ova recovery: the effect on ova quality

Transvaginal follicle aspiration guided by transvaginal ultrasound for ova recovery is rapidly gaining popularity in many centers practicing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Cycle outcome following this new method has not been directly compared to the traditional, laparoscopic recovery technique. To this end, the authors evaluated multiple parameters in 66 laparoscopic (group A), and 44 transvaginal ova recovery procedures (group B) in patients undergoing IVF-ET. No statistically significant differences could be demonstrated between the groups in all but the rate of ova fertilization. The rate of fertilization was higher in the ova recovered by transvaginal follicle aspiration (59.6 versus 69.2%; P less than 0.01). No difference could be demonstrated between the groups in the other parameters examined, which included the number of ova recovered (5.7 +/- 0.4 versus 6.0 +/- 0.7), ova maturity (87 versus 84% intermediate ova), rate of polyspermic fertilization (3.9 versus 5%), rate of cleavage (88 versus 91%), cleavage stage at transfer (3.7 +/- 0.8 versus 3.5 +/- 0.4 cells per embryo), number of embryos transferred per patient (2.7 +/- 0.1 versus 3.3 +/- 0.2), and pregnancy rates. The potential detrimental effects of general anesthesia and CO2 pneumoperitoneum present during laparoscopy but not ultrasound guided recovery on ova quality may underlie the observed difference in fertilization between the groups.     

The outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in women with polycystic ovary syndrome failing to conceive after ovulation induction with exogenous gonadotropins.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in women with refractory polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Retrospective case series with an age-matched control group. SETTING: Ovulation induction and IVF programs in a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Nine patients with PCOS who failed standard ovulation induction treatment (clomiphene citrate plus greater than or equal to 6 ovulatory human menopausal gonadotropin [hMG] cycles) underwent 19 cycles of IVF-ET. Forty age-matched tubal factor patients who completed 40 cycles of IVF-ET served as a control group. OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic features and IVF-ET cycle characteristics were compared using Student's t-test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Cycles of IVF-ET in patients with PCOS were associated with higher estradiol levels (5,222 versus 4,009 pmol/L), lower hMG requirements (15.8 versus 19.6 vials), greater numbers of oocytes (7.6 versus 5.6), and lower fertilization rates (56% versus 75%) compared with tubal factor cycles (P less than 0.05). However, the number of embryos transferred (3.9 versus 4.0) and the clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer (24% versus 25%) did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that conception failure after six or more ovulatory hMG cycles in patients with PCOS does not adversely affect subsequent IVF performance.     

Sibling embryo blastocyst development correlates with the in vitro fertilization day 3 embryo transfer pregnancy rate in patients under age 40

OBJECTIVE: To examine the IVF day 3-ET pregnancy rate in patients under 40 with sibling embryo blastocyst development, compared with similar patients without blastocyst formation. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Academic infertility center. PATIENT(S): One hundred twenty-five IVF day 3-ET patients under 40 with sibling embryos for extended culture. INTERVENTION(S): Extended culture of nontransferred sibling embryos for blastocyst development. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy and multiple gestation rates, number of oocytes, embryos formed, and embryos transferred. RESULT(S): Thirty-eight percent of patients became pregnant. Forty-eight percent of patients had sibling embryos develop to blastocyst. The blastocyst group had more oocytes retrieved (17.4+/-6.6 versus 14.4+/-5.6), more embryos formed (11.2+/-4.2 versus 8.8+/-3.2), and a higher clinical pregnancy rate (60% versus 18%) than the group without blastocyst development. CONCLUSION(S): Blastocyst transfer has been shown to improve implantation rates and reduce the risk of multiple gestations from assisted reproductive technology. Sibling embryo blastocyst development may reflect superior embryo quality, as manifested by increased IVF-ET pregnancy rates. In addition to predicting pregnancy in the current cycle, sibling embryo blastocyst development may provide information about the potential for fresh blastocyst transfer in subsequent cycles and help to identify patients at risk for multiple gestations.     

The effect of cycle length on the outcome of in vitro fertilization

In order to study the effect of cycle length on the pregnancy rate in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program, 173 consecutive patients were divided into short menstrual cycle (mode 26 days or less) and normal cycle (mode 27 days or more) groups. Patients were randomly allocated to one of two treatments, commencing ovarian stimulation with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) on either day 2 or day 4 of their cycle. The number of oocytes retrieved and embryos transferred did not differ significantly. The amount of hMG used and day of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration both differed significantly (P less than 0.01) between regimens but was independent of cycle length. Both the clinical pregnancy rate (30.2% versus 9.4%, P less than 0.05) and the number of cleaved embryos giving rise to gestation sacs (16% versus 3.4%, P less than 0.02) was significantly higher in patients with a normal cycle length. Mode cycle length has a significant bearing on the outcome of IVF-ET cycles.     

Good results of milder form of ovarian stimulation in an in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection program.

In a prospective study, we compared two protocols of ovulation stimulation, the clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) versus D-triptorelin, a long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and hMG in 324 couples having their first in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) program, in terms of pregnancy rates and cost-effectiveness of drugs used. The GnRH agonist/hMG group was characterized by a greater mean number of ampoules of hMG used (31.7 versus 10.2), a larger number of oocytes collected (10.4 versus 4.2), and a larger number of embryos obtained (5.8 versus 2.9). With the policy of transferring only two of the best quality embryos, the mean number of embryos replaced were comparable (1.8 in clomiphene citrate/hMG and 1.9 in GnRH agonist/hMG group). The percentage of patients reaching embryo transfer was lower in the clomiphene citrate/hMG than in the GnRH agonist/hMG group (84.1% versus 93.1%, respectively). However, the combined results of the IVF and ICSI procedure in terms of pregnancy rate, both per patient and per embryo transfer were better, though not significantly in the clomiphene citrate/hMG than in GnRH agonist/hMG group (25.0% and 29.7% versus 23.7% and 25.5%, respectively). Similarly, the implantation rate was better (19.0% versus 13.5%, respectively). With the use of clomiphene citrate/hMG, a fivefold less costly drug regimen, we obtained pregnancy rates equivalent to those gained using GnRH agonist/hMG in our IVF/ICSI program.     

Comparison of human menopausal gonadotropin, clomiphene citrate, and combined human menopausal gonadotropin-clomiphene citrate stimulation protocols for in vitro fertilization

Human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) and clomiphene citrate (CC), either alone or in combination, are frequently used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in an attempt to maximize the number of oocytes recovered and the number of embryos transferred. However, direct comparison of the relative efficacy of these protocols in the same institution has been limited. To evaluate this question, the authors examined the outcome of 304 consecutive women attempting IVF. One hundred eighty-one women received hMG, 42 received CC, and 81 received combination hMG/CC. The percentages of women undergoing laparoscopy were not different among the groups (69%, 71%, and 74%, respectively), nor were the rates of oocyte recovery (94%, 100%, and 100%). However, the percentage of women achieving oocyte fertilization (77%, 83%, and 93%) and embryo transfer (73%, 83%, and 90%) were significantly greater among those who had received hMG/CC stimulation. A comparison of hMG/CC with hMG and CC cycles revealed a statistically significant increase in the total number of developing follicles (4.5 +/- 0.3, 3.3 +/- 0.2, and 3.1 +/- 0.3, respectively; P = 0.0137), total oocytes recovered (4.1 +/- 0.3, 3.2 +/- 0.2, and 2.5 +/- 0.2; P = 0.0011), and embryos transferred (2.2 +/- 0.2, 1.4 +/- 0.2, and 1.4 +/- 0.2; P = 0.0013). However, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of ongoing pregnancies. Thus, in terms of the per-patient number of follicles, oocytes, and embryo transfers, combined hMG/CC stimulation appears to be superior to either hMG or CC alone. However, to date the combined regimen has not improved pregnancy rates.     

Combination clomiphene citrate/human menopausal gonadotropin stimulation protocols for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer

Various protocols have been utilized for stimulation of multiple ovarian follicles in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Previous studies have suggested that the combination of clomiphene citrate (CC) and human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) is superior to either CC or hMG alone in terms of follicular development, oocyte recovery, and embryo transfer. However, no significant increase in viable pregnancy rates has been reported with any of the protocols. This report examines five different CC/hMG protocols. While differences were seen in terms of serum estradiol response and fertilization rates of mature oocytes among the various protocols, no significant differences were found in terms of follicular development, oocyte recovery, embryo transfer, or pregnancy. The pregnancy rate in IVF-ET appears unaffected by variations in the dose and timing of CC and hMG in a combination protocol.     

Efficacy of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone in improving oocyte quality in assisted reproductive techniques

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the efficacy of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) versus highly purified urinary human FSH (uFSH) in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). STUDY DESIGN: This prospective, randomized, quality of retrieved double-blind study compared uFSH with rFSH in IVF-ET rFSh cycles. A total of 254 cycles from 241 patients who attended the infertility clinic at Samsung Cheil Hospital from January to August 2001 were included in the study. With pituitary desensitization using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and a short protocol, rFSH was administered in 131 cycles; uFSH was administered in 123 cycles. We analyzed ovarian response, oocyte quality, fertilization rate, embryo quality, pregnancy rate and live birth rate in the uFSH and rFSH groups. RESULTS: Total FSH dosage (1322.3 +/- 526.2 vs. 2124.4 +/- 881.9 i.u.) and dosage per retrieved oocyte (90.6 +/- 36.0 vs. 138.0 +/- 57.2 i.u.) were significantly lower in the rFSH group than those in the uFSH group (P < .001). The proportion of good-quality oocytes (grade 1 and 2) was higher in the rFSH group (68.2% vs. 64.8%, P = .024). Moreover, the proportion of atretic oocytes (grade 5) was lower in the rFSH group (7.5% vs. 10.3%, P = .002). The fertilization rate, quality of transferred embryos, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were not significantly differ between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: In women undergoing COH, rFSH revealed more efficient ovarian response and better quality of oocytes than did uFSH.     

三种促超排卵方案体外受精-胚胎移植临床妊娠率的分析

目的 :分析 3种促超排卵方案 (tropichyperovulationprogramme ,THOP)体外受精 -胚胎移植 (IVF -ET)的临床妊娠率。方法 :不孕症 136例分为 3组 :1组 5 1例 ,应用高纯促卵泡成熟激素 (HP -FSH ,商品名Metrodine -HP) ,递减给药促超排卵 ,应用促性腺激素释放激素兴奋剂 (GnRH -a ,商品名Buserelin)长方案降调节 ,从月经第 3天开始递减HP-FSH。 2组 5 0例 ,HP -FSH和人绝经期促性腺激素 (hMG)联合递减给药的促超排卵长方案降调节。 3组 35例 ,hMG递增给药促超排卵。分析 3种THOP的平均取卵数、受精后卵裂数、移植数、临床妊娠数及IVF -ET移植周期的临床妊娠率。结果 :(1) 1组 ,平均取卵数 10 .13± 4 .4 9,卵受精数 7.83± 4 .13,受精率 77.2 9% ,卵裂数 7.6 2± 4 .19,移植数3.88± 1.17及临床妊娠数 18,临床妊娠率 35 .2 9% ;(2 ) 2组 ,平均取卵数 9.16± 5 .4 9,卵受精数 6 .84± 4 .2 3,受精率 74 .6 7% ,卵裂数 6 .5± 4 .2 2 ,移植数 3.6 8± 0 .99及临床妊娠数15 ,临床妊娠率 30 .0 % ;(3) 3组 ,平均取卵数 11.31± 7.6 4 ,卵受精数 7.89± 5 .36 ,受精率 6 9.82 % ,卵裂数 7.75± 5 .94 ,移植数 3.6 8± 1.0 8及临床妊娠数 15 ,临床妊娠率4 2 .86 %。 1组与 2组用药安瓿比较 ,差异有高度显著性 (P     

The development of a successful non-university-based ambulatory in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer program: phase I

Most of the current in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) programs are university-based. The establishment of a successful ambulatory IVF program in association with a busy, two-man general obstetrics-gynecologic practice is described. Seventy-one infertile couples were screened between February 1 and October 15, 1983. Forty-three couples were judged eligible for IVF-ET. Forty-three women underwent a single attempt at ET. The first 13 of these women underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with 150 mg clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and the remaining 30 underwent COH with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and hCG. One of the 13 patients who underwent COH with clomiphene citrate conceived but subsequently miscarried early in the first trimester, for an 8% pregnancy rate. There were 12 pregnancies among the 30 patients who received hMG and hCG, for a 40% pregnancy rate. Only three of these pregnancies miscarried in the early first trimester, and three of the nine viable pregnancies are twin gestations. The possible factors responsible for the high pregnancy rate with IVF-ET, using COH with hMG and hCG, are discussed, and the feasibility of its performance in a well-controlled, non-university program is demonstrated.     

年龄及移植优质胚胎数对体外受精-胚胎移植患者多胎妊娠率的影响

目的 研究年龄及移植优质胚胎数对体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)患者多胎妊娠发生率的影响.方法 回顾性分析2004年1月至2006年11月,在中南大学中信湘雅生殖与遗传专科医院行新鲜胚胎移植的不孕症患者共4395个周期,按患者年龄分为年龄<35岁组(3442个周期)和年龄≥35岁组(共953个周期).每个周期常规移植2～3枚胚胎,仅有1枚可移植胚胎者移植1枚胚胎,年龄≥135岁或第2次移植且只有2枚胚胎者移植2枚胚胎.统计各组所有周期的临床妊娠及多胎妊娠率.结果 (1)年龄<35岁组移植1枚胚胎者的临床妊娠率[29.64%(166/560)]低于移植2、3枚者[分别为51.63%(1315/2547)、52.84%(177/335)],差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);移植2枚与3枚者比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).3者的多胎妊娠率分别为21.08%(35/166)、31.41%(413/1315)和42.37%(75/177),两两比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01).(2)年龄≥35岁组移植1枚胚胎者的临床妊娠率[19.07%(41/215)]低于移植2、3枚者[分别为33.70%(92/273)、39.14%(182/465)],差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);移植2枚与3枚者比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).移植1枚和2枚胚胎者的多胎妊娠率[分别为19.51%(8/41)和20.65%(19/92)]比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);2者均低于移植3枚胚胎者[40.66%(74/182)],差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).(3)年龄<35岁组的临床妊娠率[48.17%(1658/3442)]高于年龄≥35岁组[33.05%(315/953)],差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);年龄<35岁组移植1、2和3枚胚胎者的临床妊娠率分别与年龄≥35岁组移植相应胚胎数者比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01).两组的多胎妊娠率[分别为31.54%(523/1658)和32.06%(101/315)]比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 IVF-ET患者移植2枚优质胚胎与移植3枚优质胚胎的临床妊娠率相近,但多胎妊娠率降低.年龄对多胎妊娠率无影响.     

减少移植胚胎数量对冻融胚胎移植结局的影响

目的 探讨年龄<35岁妇女,减少冻融胚胎移植数量对移植结局的影响.方法 77例年龄<35岁患者共进行冻融胚胎移植90个周期,采用慢速冷冻快速复苏法对胚胎进行冷冻及解冻,移植胚胎数量分别为2个胚胎(48个周期)和3个胚胎(42个周期),比较其移植结局,包括临床妊娠率、胚胎植入率和多胎妊娠率等.结果 移植2个胚胎患者的胚胎复苏存活率、优质胚胎率、临床妊娠率、胚胎植入率和多胎妊娠率分别为88.9%、89.6%、37.5%、26.0%、38.9%,移植3个胚胎患者分别为88.1%、81.0%、42.9%、18.3%、16.7%;两者间分别比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).但移植2个胚胎者中无三胎妊娠发生,而移植3个胚胎者中发生2次三胎妊娠.结论 冻融胚胎移植周期中,如果胚胎质量良好,年龄<35岁妇女移植胚胎数量从3个减少至2个,并不会明显降低临床妊娠率,同时可减少三胎妊娠的发生.

Abstract：

Objective To study the impact on pregnant outcome of reducing the number of embryos transferred from three to two in women at age less than 35 who received frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). Methods The analysis was performed on 90 FET cycles (77 infertile couples,less than 35 years old) with slow-freezing/rapid-thawing method, including 48 cycles with two embryos transferred and 42 cycles with three embryos transferred. The embryo survival rate, high quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate and multiple pregnancies rate were analyzed. Results No significant differences in embryo survival rate (88.9% versus 88.1%), high quality embryo rate (89.6% versus 81.0%), clinical pregnancy rate (37.5% versus 42.9%), implantation rate (26.0% versus 18.3%) and multiple pregnancy rate (38.9% versus 16.7%) were observed between two and three embryos transferred group (all P > 0.05). However, there were 2 triple pregnancies in three embryos transferred group while none in two embryos transferred group. Conclusion Reducing the number of high quality embryos transferred from three to two in women at age of less than 35 years old who received FET,could decrease the incidence of triple pregnancy and keep the similar clinical pregnancy rate.     

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation does not adversely affect endometrial receptivity in in vitro fertilization cycles

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether exposure of developing endometrium to supraphysiologic E2 levels during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in IVF cycles inhibits endometrial receptivity. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of IVF-ET and ovum donation data. SETTING: Tertiary-care teaching hospital. PATIENT(S): Four hundred ten patients <33 years of age undergoing IVF-ET and 181 anonymous ovum donors (<33 years of age) and their associated ovum recipients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Implantation, pregnancy, and delivery rates. RESULT(S): Ovarian response to COH (duration of stimulation, peak E2 level, area under the curve for E2 exposure, and number of oocytes retrieved) was similar for IVF-ET patients and ovum donors. Donors were younger than IVF-ET patients (mean age, 27.5 +/- 0.2 years vs. 30.4 +/- 0.1 years). A similar number of embryos with similar number of blastomeres were transferred in IVF-ET patients and ovum recipients. The fragmentation rate at time of transfer differed slightly between groups (5.2 +/- 0.2% vs. 4.3 +/- 0.3%). Implantation, pregnancy, and delivery rates did not differ between IVF-ET patients and recipients of donor oocytes. CONCLUSION(S): Exposure of the developing endometrium to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation during IVF cycles does not inhibit embryo implantation or affect pregnancy and delivery rates.     

Stress and marital satisfaction among women before and after their first cycle of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection

OBJECTIVE: To compare the value of 17 IVF variables, including a new mean score of transferred embryos (MSTE), in predicting pregnancy rate. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Private IVF unit. PATIENT(S): Women who underwent 10,000 embryo transfers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Duration of infertility, type of infertility, female age, rank of IVF attempt, type of ovarian treatment, progesterone level, sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, number of retrieved oocytes, number of mature oocytes, maturation rate, number of embryos obtained, fertilization rate, number of transferred embryos, cumulative embryo score (CES), mean score of transferred embryos (MSTE), and pregnancy rate. RESULT(S): Outcome of IVF-ET was significantly correlated with female age, type of infertility, number of retrieved oocytes, number of mature oocytes, maturation rate, embryos obtained, fertilization rate, transferred embryos, CES, and MSTE. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that MSTE was a better predictor of pregnancy than the number of transferred embryos and female age. CONCLUSION(S): Embryo quality is the best predictor of pregnancy. The embryo score described herein should be used in IVF-ET programs to choose the best embryos for transfer.     

A comparative study of three ovulation induction protocols in polycystic ovarian disease patients in an in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer program

Purpose This study compares the results of three ovulation induction protocols in polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) patients undergoing an in vitro fertilizationembryo transfer (IVF-ET) program. A total of 85 cycles was studied. The patients were treated with clomiphene citrate (CC) plus human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) (CC/hMG group), with purified menofollitropin (pFSH) plus hMG (pFSH/hMG group), and with pFSH/hMG plus gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-a) (analogue group). In the analogue group the suppression of luteinizing hormone (LH) with GnRH-a decreased the number of follicles <12 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration and the number and percentage of immature oocytes retrieved and increased the percentage of mature oocytes retrieved.Results However, fertilization rates of oocytes, cleaved embryo rates, pregnancy rates following replacement, and pregnancy outcomes were not different.Conclusion Although the suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis with GnRH-a in PCOD patients improved follicular synchrony and oocyte maturity, none of the ovulation induction protocols was superior to the others with respect to pregnancy rates and pregnancy outcomes.     

Oocyte quality in patients with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Objective: To study the oocyte quality in patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: The Egyptian IVF-ET Center.

Patient(s): Forty-two patients who developed severe OHSS (group A) were studied for the mean number of oocytes retrieved, percentage of high-quality oocytes, embryo quality, and fertilization, implantation, and pregnancy rates; these patients were compared with an agematched control group who did not develop OHSS (group B; n = 183) after superstimulation for IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Intervention(s): In vitro fertilization and ICSI.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Fertilization and pregnancy rates.

Result(s): In group A, the mean number of oocytes retrieved was significantly higher, whereas the percentage of high-quality oocytes and the fertilization rate were significantly lower than that in group B. There were no statistically significant differences in the quality of embryos transferred or the implantation or pregnancy rate between the groups. The percentage of high-quality oocytes and the fertilization rate were significantly lower in patients with polycystic ovaries (PCO) in both groups.

Conclusion(s): The inferior quality and maturity of oocytes in OHSS reduced the fertilization rate but did not affect the quality or the number of embryos transferred or the pregnancy rate. The effect on oocyte quality could be due to the prevalence of PCO in this group of patients.     

A novel method to evaluate pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization to enable a better understanding of the true efficacy of the procedure

PURPOSE: To propose a new method of evaluating in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET) outcome so that statistics are not biased against IVF centers that have strong cryopreservation programs. METHODS: A retrospective review was made of all patients undergoing IVF-ET in a four and a half year time period having at least two embryos transferred. There were no other exclusions. All types of problems and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocols were used. Data were analyzed according to four age groups: < or =35, 36-39, 40-42, > or =43. Pregnancy rates were calculated according to a given oocyte harvest where a pregnancy was counted if the woman conceived on the fresh transfer or any succeeding frozen ET from embryos obtained from oocytes retrieved on that harvest. Also pregnancy rates per transfer and retrieval were evaluated. RESULTS: For women < or =35 to age 39 the new category of clinical pregnancy rate per oocyte harvest was significantly higher than the pregnancy rate per transfer. The pregnancy rate per transfer was significantly higher than the pregnancy rate per retrieval in women up to age 42. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that calculating pregnancy rate per harvest is the best method to evaluate the true efficacy of IVF-ET especially from programs with a strong emphasis on cryopreservation.     

Lack of correlation between oocyte-corona-cumulus complex morphology and nuclear maturity of oocytes collected in stimulated cycles for intracytoplasmic sperm injection

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of morphology grading of the oocyte-corona-cumulus complex (OCCC) as a marker of oocyte nuclear maturity, fertilizability, embryo cleavage, and likelihood of pregnancy. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Academic fertility center. PATIENT(S): Eighty-three infertile couples undergoing IVF-ET/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment. INTERVENTION(S): All patients underwent a long stimulation protocol of GnRH agonist therapy followed by hMG administration and transvaginal oocyte recovery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): All OCCCs, oocytes, and embryos were assessed. The relation among OCCC morphology and the nuclear maturity of denuded oocytes, the fertilization rate, and embryo development to the cleavage stage were analyzed. RESULT(S): Of 909 OCCCs collected from 92 cycles, 2.5%, 4.2%, 79.9%, and 13.4% were prophase I, metaphase I, metaphase II, and degenerating, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found in the percentage of intact metaphase II oocytes, the fertilization rate, or the cleavage rate among complexes with different morphologic grades. The morphologic grade of the OCCCs of transferred embryos in the pregnant group was not different from that in the nonpregnant group. CONCLUSION(S): Most oocytes were in metaphase II at the time of retrieval after ovarian stimulation. However, no relation was observed between the OCCC morphologic grade and oocyte nuclear maturity, the fertilization rate, or embryo cleavage. These observations suggest that OCCC morphology grading is a poor marker of oocyte quality.