The right to an heir in the era of assisted reproduction

The latest remarkable technological advances in assisted reproduction, which enable cryopreservation of spermatozoa, embryos and ovarian tissue, raise difficult and debatable legal, social, ethical and moral issues concerning the right to posthumous reproduction. Furthermore, reports on the attitudes of the general public and of centres licensed for infertility treatment in the United Kingdom found that the majority of women and centres support the idea of posthumous reproduction. In this paper we review the data published on this issue, and after considering the various aspects, we conclude that each case should be discussed and authorized by a multidisciplinary committee that includes physicians, clergy, psychiatrists, psychologists, sociologists and other appropriate parties. In our opinion, the main principles that should guide this committee would allow posthumous reproduction in the context of marriage when a prior consent exists. For unmarried persons, post-mortem donation of gametes should be done only anonymously, if they are in agreement with existing laws concerning infertility treatments in every country and after appropriate consent and proper counselling. Moreover, any case which involves consanguinity or a possibility of incest should be forbidden, both for ethical and genetic reasons. In a case of pre-existing siblings, they should be consulted and their informed consent should be granted in advance so as to avoid legal problems in the inheritance of property.      

Is there really a decrease in sperm parameters among healthy young men? A survey of sperm donations during 15 years

Purpose: Our purpose was to measure changes in semen quality and quantity in young healthy sperm donors in Jerusalem over time. Methods: A retrospective analysis of semen parameters over 15 years using linear regression analysis, in a single sperm bank in a tertiary university center. Study population consisted of 188 young, healthy medical students, aged 20 to 30 years, who donated sperm samples for Artificial insemination between 1980 and 1995. Results: There were no statistically significant changes in semen concentration and motility during the study period. The mean semen volume increased by 0.1 ml (5.1%) per year (P < 0.0001), with a concomitant mean rise of 5.8 × 10⁶ (7.7%) per year in total motile sperm count. The percentage normal morphology decreased by a mean of 1.04% per year during the entire period (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: During the past 15 years, there has been an increase in total motile sperm count, secondary to an increase in semen volume, and a decline in normal morphology that are independent of the age and the duration of abstinence in fertile men.     

Tamoxifen effects on menopause--associated risk factors and symptoms

This study reviewed the available data on the influence of prolonged tamoxifen treatment on postmenopausal women. Tamoxifen might induce or increase vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flushes and night sweats, and occasionally cause vaginal discharge, irritation, and bleeding. Long-term use of tamoxifen by premenopausal women lowers total serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, with a resultant reduction in cardiovascular mortality. In postmenopausal women, tamoxifen has a similar effect on serum lipids, but its cardioprotective effect has not yet been substantiated. Tamoxifen has a beneficial effect on bone density presumably through its estrogen agonistic effects. It has an antiresorptive action primarily on trabecular bone and to a lesser extent on cortical bone, thus preserving bone mass. Its long-term effect on the risk of osteoporotic fractures has yet to be proven. The authors conclude that prolonged tamoxifen treatment of postmenopausal women is associated with beneficial effects on serum lipid profiles and bone density; however, its effects on the morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis and how it compares with the benefits of estrogen therapy remain to be determined by long-term comparative studies. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this article, the reader will be able to be aware of the new indications for tamoxifen use prophylactically. To understand the various effects of tamoxifen on post-menopausal women and how they differ from the effects on premenopausal women.     

Endometrial adenocarcinoma in young patients: evaluation and fertility-preserving treatment

Carcinoma of the endometrium is the most common female pelvic malignancy in the US. Although it is primarily a disease of the postmenopausal female, 25% of patients are premenopausal, with 3-5% in women 40 years old or younger. The younger group of women with endometrial carcinoma are frequently nulligravid with a history of infertility, and a strong desire to preserve fertility. This may pose a therapeutic dilemma for both patients and treating physicians. Medical treatment for young patients with grade 1 endometrial carcinoma who wish to preserve fertility is a reasonable and appealing option. A comprehensive evaluation prior to counseling the patient should include. A complete history and physical examination. A formal D&C with review of histology with an experienced gyn-onc pathologist. Evaluation of the pelvic and abdomen preferably with contrast-enhanced MRI or transvaginal ultrasound. In patients found to have a clinical stage I grade 1 tumor and who want to preserve fertility, thorough counseling including risks and benefits, and explanation that the data is partial and incomplete due to the lack of appropriate controlled studies is mandatory. In patients considered for medical treatment, a high dose progestin regimen should be started with endometrial sampling every 3 months until complete regression of the tumor is documented. For patients willing to conceive at this stage, treatment options should be discussed. In women who do not want pregnancy at this stage, a maintenance treatment with oral contraceptive agent or Depo-provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate 150 mg i.m. q 12 weeks) should be recommended, with periodic ultrasound evaluation of the endometrium. When the patient finishes her fertility plans, the option of hysterectomy should be considered. Although most responses are long standing, there is a small risk of progression during or after cessation of progestin therapy.     

IUD use and the risk of endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE: Although the intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the most widely used forms of contraception throughout the world, its potential long-term effects on the uterus have not been thoroughly evaluated. This paper reports the long-term results of IUD use on the incidence of endometrial cancer. STUDY DESIGN: The data is part of a nationwide case-control, pilot study that was undertaken in order to evaluate the possible influence of ovulation induction drugs on the risk of endometrial cancer. The study included 128 living women 35-64 years old, with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma. The controls were 255 women from the same dialing areas selected by random digit dialing. A multivariate logistic model, controlling for age, was used to assess the independent effects of factors found to be significantly associated with endometrial cancer on univariate analysis. RESULTS: The following parameters were found to be independently associated with endometrial cancer controlling for age: nulliparity OR=2.7 (95% CI 1.1-6.5, P=0.03); history of infertility OR=1.8 (95% CI 1.0-3.3, P=0.05); BMI>/=27 OR=2.3 (95% CI 1.4-3.8, P=0.001).The use of oral contraceptives and IUD were found to be protective; OR=0.29 and 0.37, respectively, (95% CI 0.14-0.61, P=0.001, 0.19-0.70, and 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: IUD use may have a protective effect on endometrial cancer risk. The protective effect of IUD may be either, through the intense inflammatory response that leads to other lisosomal and inflammatory actions, which may include cells responsible for early elimination of hyperplastic endometrial epithelial cells or, the more complete shedding of the endometrium associated with IUD use may decrease hyperplasia of the endometrium, a known risk factor for endometrial carcinoma.     

Legitimizing surrogacy in Israel

Recently the Israeli Parliament passed legislation regarding all aspects of assisted reproductive techniques, including surrogacy. The main points of this legislation are presented and discussed. The most important aspects are: (i) a public committee authorizes and supervises every single case; (ii) only full surrogacy is permitted; (iii) the agreement is not commercial, reasonable expenses can be paid to the surrogate mother under the supervision of the Approving Committee; (iv) the surrogate mother must be single or divorced; (v) under certain conditions the surrogate mother can withdraw from the agreement; (vi) the child is under the tutelage of a social worker, representing the state, from birth until the completion of the adoption procedure. The religious, social and legal status of surrogate pregnancies worldwide are discussed.      

Diagnosis of malignant mesenchymal uterine tumors by hysteroscopic excisional biopsy

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To emphasize the need for histologic evaluation of intrauterine lesions. Six cases of unexpected mesenchymal uterine tumors were diagnosed following pathologic review of specimens obtained during hysteroscopy to evaluate intrauterine lesions. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: Large tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: Four postmenopausal and two perimenopausal women with uterine mesenchymal tumors. INTERVENTION: Hysteroscopy and staging laparotomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 57.5 +/- 19.5 years (mean +/- 2SD). Four women (67%) were postmenopausal. Three patients had abnormal uterine bleeding, one had a cervical mass, and the other two were asymptomatic and referred for evaluation of thick endometrium detected by routine ultrasound, which had been preformed as part of their annual check-up. In all cases, the initial hysteroscopic diagnosis was endometrial polyp or submucous myoma. Following the pathologic review, all six women underwent complete staging laparotomy. In two women, there was no residual disease in the surgical specimen. None of the patients had extrauterine spread of the disease. At mean follow-up of 21.5 +/- 9.7 months (mean +/- 2SD), all women were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Intrauterine lesions erroneously considered to be benign endometrial polyps or myomas can turn out to be malignant mesenchymal uterine tumors. Hysteroscopic evaluation and biopsy might offer early diagnosis and treatment to these patients.