Impact of Chlamydia trachomatis in the reproductive setting: British Fertility Society Guidelines for practice

Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the genital tract is the most common sexually transmitted infection and has a world-wide distribution. The consequences of infection have an adverse effect on the reproductive health of women and are a common cause of infertility. Recent evidence also suggests an adverse effect on male reproduction. There is a need to standardise the approach in managing the impact of C. trachomatis infection on reproductive health. We have surveyed current UK practice towards screening and management of Chlamydia infections in the fertility setting. We found that at least 90% of clinicians surveyed offered screening. The literature on this topic was examined and revealed a paucity of solid evidence for estimating the risks of long-term reproductive sequelae following lower genital tract infection with C. trachomatis. The mechanism for the damage that occurs after Chlamydial infections is uncertain. However, instrumentation of the uterus in women with C. trachomatis infection is associated with a high risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, which can be prevented by appropriate antibiotic treatment and may prevent infected women from being at increased risk of the adverse sequelae, such as ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility. Recommendations for practice have been proposed and the need for further studies is identified

Discrepancies between Antimullerian Hormone and Follicle Stimulating Hormone in Assisted Reproduction

Data from 107 women undergoing their first IVF/ICSI were analyzed. Relationships between antimullerian hormone (AMH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were analyzed after dividing patients into four groups according to AMH/FSH levels. Concordance was noted in 57% of women (both AMH/FSH either normal or abnormal) while 43%of women had discordant values (AMH/FSH one hormone normal and the other abnormal). Group 1 (AMH and FSH in normal range) and group 2 (normal AMH and high FSH) were younger compared to group 3 (low AMH and normal FSH) and group 4 (both AMH/FSH abnormal). Group 1 showing the best oocyte yield was compared to the remaining three groups. Groups 3 and 4 required higher dose of gonadotrophins for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation showing their low ovarian reserve. There was no difference in cycle cancellation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth/ongoing pregnancy rate in all groups. These tests are useful to predict ovarian response but whether AMH is a substantially better predictor is not yet established

Effect of varying ethanol and water compositions on the acetone sensing properties of WO3 for application in diabetes mellitus monitoring

Tungsten oxide based gas sensors have attracted a lot of attention in breath acetone analysis due to their potential in clinical diagnosis of diabetes. The major problem with this material in sensor application has been remarkable response to all gases but low selectivity to specific gases. Herein, we report the gas sensing performance ofWO3 materials which were synthesized by varying water and ethanol ratios using a facile solvothermal method for acetone detection. The gas sensing properties of as-preparedWO3 were tested on acetoneC7H8,NO2, NH3,H2S andCH4 under relative humidity. X-ray diffraction patterns show that as-preparedWO3 samples are mainly composed of monoclinic WO3, a phase having relatively high selectivity to acetone. The as-preparedWO3 sensors produced using 51:49 ratio of water: ethanol show an increase in acetone response as the acetone concentration increases and a decrease in acetone response as the relative humidity increases. The sensor responded to a very low acetone concentration ranging from 0.5 to 4.5 ppm which is normally found in human breath. Furthermore, the sensor exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity to low ppm of acetone at 100 °C. On contrary, the sensor showed significantly lower response to other gases tested.CSIR-DSThttp://iopscience.iop.org/journal/2053-1591am2021BiochemistryGeneticsMicrobiology and Plant Patholog

The practical implications of a raised serum FSH and age on the risk of IVF treatment cancellation due to a poor ovarian response

Purpose: Chronological age, or biological age as indicated by elevated FSH levels, are related to ovarian reserve. This study addresses the likelihood of cancellation of IVF treatment due to a poor ovarian response utilising both basal serum FSH and woman's age. Methods: A prospective cohort of 536 infertile but ovulating women were studied in their first cycle of IVF treatment. Standardised methods of pituitary desensitisation and ovarian stimulation prior to IVF treatment were employed. Treatment cycles cancelled due to a poor ovarian response to gonadotrophins were studied. A series of logistic regression models were used to explore the probabilities of cancellation in relation to age and FSH. Results: Both age and basal serum FSH levels were independently associated with the risk of treatment cancellation. A low risk of treatment cancellation was observed in women under the age of 35 irrespective of serum FSH, however in older women the risk of treatment cancellation was most likely in women with a high FSH. Conclusions: In combination both age and FSH may serve as a valuable indicator of poor ovarian response leading to treatment cancellation. However, among older women FSH has particular importance, while less so in younger women with regular menstrual cycles