The place of ultrasonographical endometrial echo evaluation in the detection of luteal phase deficiency

WOS: A1997YD9760043

Accuracy of ovarian reserve tests

Several tests predict ovarian reserve in women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. However, the accuracy of these tests in assessing the number of the remaining follicles within the ovary (ovarian reserve) has not been previously validated. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of ovarian reserve tests, namely basal and clomiphene-stimulated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist stimulation test in predicting the number of the follicles within the ovaries. The ovaries of 22 parous women over 35 years of age who underwent oophorectomy were examined histologically for follicle number. Early follicular phase serum FSH, clomiphene citrate challenge tests (CCCT) and GnRH agonist stimulation test (GAST) were performed in the menstrual cycle prior to the surgery, The predictive value of these tests was then assessed. A positive correlation was detected between basal serum oestradiol concentrations and follicles per unit tissue but no significant correlation was detected between basal and clomiphene-stimulated FSH and follicles per unit tissue. The receiver operator characteristic curves indicated that the clomiphene citrate challenge test was the most accurate of the three tests assessed. In conclusion, none of the tests in this study accurately reflects ovarian reserve

Does fetal gender affect cytotrophoblast cell activity in the human term placenta? Correlation with maternal hCG levels

Background. Pregnant women with female fetuses have higher maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels than pregnant women with male fetuses. Ki-67, a cell proliferation and activity marker, is confined mostly in the nuclei of villous cytotrophoblasts of the human placenta. In this study, we examined the effect of fetal gender on the cytotrophoblast cell activity in human term placenta, with special regard to maternal serum and cord blood hCG levels

Hysterosalpingography prior to the gonadotropin stimulated intrauterine insemination improves clinical pregnancy rates in women with unexplained infertility

Purpose of investigation: Gonadotropin stimulated intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles performed following one month after hysterosalpingography (HSG) are associated with improvement in clinical pregnancy rates in unexplained infertile couples. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed between 2008 and 2014. A total of 92 unexplained infertile couples undergoing their first cycle IUI stimulated by gonadotropins were included in the analysis. Participants were classified into two groups according to IUI cycles performed one month (Group A, n = 25 cycles) or longer than one month (Group B, n = 67 cycles) after the HSG procedure. Result: The overall clinical pregnancy rate was found as 25% (23 clinical pregnancies/92 cycles). Clinical pregnancy rate was 44 % (11/25) for Group A and 17.9 % (12/67) for Group B. In Group A, there were significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates compared to Group B (OR: 3.6, 95% CI, 1.3-9.8;p = 0.012). Conclusions: It has been demonstrated that fertility improving effect of HSG was most prominent in the first six months after procedure. Likewise, in gonadotropin stimulated IUI cycles performed following one month after HSG, there seems to be an improvement in pregnancy rates in unexplained couples. In unexplained cases, it may be a reasonable approach to plan IUI cycles in the first month after HSG in clinical practice

IVM is an alternative for patients with PCO after failed conventional IVF attempt

To determine if IVM of oocytes from unstimulated cycle is a treatment option for patients who did not deliver after standard IVF-ET

Osteoporosis in Turner's syndrome and other forms of primary amenorrhoea

Objective: Osteopenia in Turner's syndrome is well recognized. This study is aimed to elucidate whether this is an intrinsic feature of the disorder, or is a non specific feature resulting from oestrogen deficiency. Design: Comparison of bone mineral density and fracture rate in Turner's patients and in 46,XX women with equivalent oestrogen deprivation from other causes. Subjects: One hundred and twenty women in the reproductive age range (16-45 years): 40 with Turner's syndrome, 40 with other forms of primary amenorrhoea, and 40 healthy controls matched to patients for duration of oestrogen usage. Measurements: Measurement of bone mineral density in the lumbar spine (and femoral neck in some subjects) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and reported history of fracture. Results: Vertebral bone mineral density was similar in women with Turner's syndrome (mean 0.84, SD 0.11 g/cm2) and those with other causes of primary amenorrhoea (mean 0.81, SD 0.11 g/cm2; P = 0.26). Both groups had severe osteopenia compared with healthy controls (mean 1.06, SD 0.09 g/cm2, P < 0.0005, confirmed after correction for height and weight). Fractures had been sustained by 45% (10/22) of Turner's patients for whom information was available, a high frequency compared with controls (P = 0.014); half of these were at 'osteoporotic' sites of fracture (wrist, vertebra, femoral neck). Conclusion: Osteopenia in Turner's syndrome is not an intrinsic feature specific to this disorder, but results from extreme oestrogen deprivation. Early treatment with oestrogen is therefore recommended