Conventional stimulation protocol failed to produce mature oocytes : rescue ivm resulted in six pregnancies after invitro fertilization and embryo transfer

When conventional stimulation protocol in IVF cycle fails to produce mature oocytes, many a times, the cycle is cancelled and the patient is disappointed.  Now that in-vitro maturation of oocyte is possible in view of commercial availability of media, perhaps it may be mandatory to retrieve immature oocytes and mature them in-vitro, freeze them if necessary and fertilize, develop embryos for transfer in order to help couples to achieve pregnancy.  Thus maturation in-vitro of GVs has become an important adjuvant for treating PCOS and in particular poor responders to gonadotrophin stimulation.  Our study is interesting because in spite of conventional stimulation protocol, we failed to recover any mature oocytes in eleven women when the average follicles size being 17mm at the time of hCG.  However, maturing these oocytes in-vitro, as a rescue measure, resulted in 50% of these women becoming pregnant after embryo transfer

Relationship of sperm morphology assessed by strict criteria and outcome of artificial [intrauterine] insemination

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between sperm morphology assessed by strict criteria and the outcome of artificial insemination.Methods: 495 consecutive intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles done for 417 couples in a 1-year period in Gunasheela IVF Center were studied. In all cases controlled ovarian stimulation and hCG timed IUI were performed. In all cases the inseminating motile sperm count after sperm preparation (at least one sample) was 20 million/ml and motility was 90% Grade A. Sperm morphology was assessed by strict criteria.Results: Overall the pregnancy rates were significantly higher in cases with ≥14% normal morphology (23%) and in cases with 10-13% normal morphology (14%). This was in contrast to the pregnancy rates in cases with <10% normal morphology group (8%). Further follow up of the outcome of pregnancies between the ≥10% normal morphology and <10% normal morphology groups did not show any increased loss of pregnancies/anomalies in the <10% normal morphology group but this was not statistically significant as the number of pregnancies in the <10% normal morphology group was very less (8 out of 87).Conclusions: These results emphasize the significance of sperm morphology as a predictor of pregnancy outcome (esp. pregnancy rates) in the IUI outcome

Outcomes of transvaginal multifetal pregnancy reduction without injecting potassium chloride

Background: Assisted reproductive technologies and the use of fertility drugs have significantly increased the prevalence of multiple pregnancy in last three decades. Various techniques and routes have been studied so far regarding fetal reduction to achieve healthy viable pregnancy. The current study aims to study different outcomes of multifetal pregnancy reduction without injecting potassium chloride.Methods: Total 57 patients were studied from October 2011 to November 2012 at our centre. 28 were higher order pregnancies who consented for fetal reduction and 29 were nonreduced twins as control group. It was a prospective comparative study. Fetal reduction was done transvaginally between 8-12 weeks by intracardiac puncture followed by manual aspiration of embryonic parts till asystole. Use of KCl was avoided. The most easily accessible sac was chosen for reduction. All were reduced to twins. Reduction to singleton and selective reduction of anomalous fetus were removed from the study as it could have created a bias in the comparison. The primary outcomes like miscarriage, post procedure complications, mean gestational age at delivery, preterm delivery, mean birth weight were studied. The outcomes of reduced twins were compared with that of nonreduced twins. The various secondary outcomes like IUGR, take home baby rate, neonatal morbidity, mortality, maternal morbidity and mortality, associated obstetric complications were studied.Results: Both groups were comparable with respect to age and parity. The average gestation of fetal reduction was 9.46 weeks. Abortion rate was 17.9% (n=5) in reduced group which was statistically significant. 4 patients were lost to follow up. There were no statistically significant differences with regard to cesarean section rate, preterm delivery, mean birth weight, mean gestational delivery between two groups. No incidence of IUGR in the series. One baby died in the control group, none in reduced group. Take home baby rate 79.1%. Overall the antenatal and post-operative complications were higher in control group than in reduced but it was not statistically significant.Conclusions: Fetal reduction is a feasible option for triplets and higher orders multiple pregnancies. Use of KCl is not mandatory for multifetal pregnancy reduction. It is best avoided as there are increased rates of preterm labour and PPROM. There is increase in abortion rate after multifetal pregnancy reduction in comparison to nonreduced twins. So couple should be counseled about the probability of losing the entire pregnancy. The obstetric and neonatal outcomes of reduced and nonreduced twins are comparable, thus fetal reduction as a procedure is not adding any extra risk on pregnancy outcome

The development of an international oncofertility competency framework: a model to increase oncofertility implementation

© AlphaMed Press 2019 Background: Despite international evidence about fertility preservation (FP), several barriers still prevent the implementation of equitable FP practice. Currently, oncofertility competencies do not exist. The aim of this study was to develop an oncofertility competency framework that defines the key components of oncofertility care, develops a model for prioritizing service development, and defines the roles that health care professionals (HCPs) play. Materials and Method: A quantitative modified Delphi methodology was used to conduct two rounds of an electronic survey, querying and synthesizing opinions about statements regarding oncofertility care with HCPs and patient and family advocacy groups (PFAs) from 16 countries (12 high and 4 middle income). Statements included the roles of HCPs and priorities for service development care across ten domains (communication, oncofertility decision aids, age-appropriate care, referral pathways, documentation, oncofertility training, reproductive survivorship care and fertility-related psychosocial support, supportive care, and ethical frameworks) that represent 33 different elements of care. Results: The first questionnaire was completed by 457 participants (332 HCPs and 125 PFAs). One hundred and thirty-eight participants completed the second questionnaire (122 HCPs and 16 PFAs). Consensus was agreed on 108 oncofertility competencies and the roles HCPs should play in oncofertility care. A three-tier service development model is proposed, with gradual implementation of different components of care. A total of 92.8% of the 108 agreed competencies also had agreement between high and middle income participants. Conclusion: FP guidelines establish best practice but do not consider the skills and requirements to implement these guidelines. The competency framework gives HCPs and services a structure for the training of HCPs and implementation of care, as well as defining a model for prioritizing oncofertility service development. Implications for Practice: Despite international evidence about fertility preservation (FP), several barriers still prevent the implementation of equitable FP practice. The competency framework gives 108 competencies that will allow health care professionals (HCPs) and services a structure for the development of oncofertility care, as well as define the role HCPs play to provide care and support. The framework also proposes a three-tier oncofertility service development model which prioritizes the development of components of oncofertility care into essential, enhanced, and expert services, giving clear recommendations for service development. The competency framework will enhance the implementation of FP guidelines, improving the equitable access to medical and psychological oncofertility care

How Can We Improve Oncofertility Care for Patients? A Systematic Scoping Review of Current International Practice and Models of Care

© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. BACKGROUND: Fertility preservation (FP) is an important quality of life issue for cancer survivors of reproductive age. Despite the existence of broad international guidelines, the delivery of oncofertility care, particularly amongst paediatric, adolescent and young adult patients, remains a challenge for healthcare professionals (HCPs). The quality of oncofertility care is variable and the uptake and utilization of FP remains low. Available guidelines fall short in providing adequate detail on how oncofertility models of care (MOC) allow for the real-world application of guidelines by HCPs. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the components of oncofertility care as defined by patient and clinician representatives, and identify the barriers, facilitators and challenges, so as to improve the implementation of oncofertility services. SEARCH METHODS: A systematic scoping review was conducted on oncofertility MOC literature published in English between 2007 and 2016, relating to 10 domains of care identified through consumer research: communication, oncofertility decision aids, age-appropriate care, referral pathways, documentation, training, supportive care during treatment, reproductive care after cancer treatment, psychosocial support and ethical practice of oncofertility care. A wide range of electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, AEIPT, Education Research Complete, ProQuest and VOCED) were searched in order to synthesize the evidence around delivery of oncofertility care. Related citations and reference lists were searched. The review was undertaken following registration (International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) registration number CRD42017055837) and guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). OUTCOMES: A total of 846 potentially relevant studies were identified after the removal of duplicates. All titles and abstracts were screened by a single reviewer and the final 147 papers were screened by two reviewers. Ten papers on established MOC were identified amongst the included papers. Data were extracted from each paper and quality scores were then summarized in the oncofertility MOC summary matrix. The results identified a number of themes for improving MOC in each domain, which included: the importance of patients receiving communication that is of a higher quality and in different formats on their fertility risk and FP options; improving provision of oncofertility care in a timely manner; improving access to age-appropriate care; defining the role and scope of practice of all HCPs; and improving communication between different HCPs. Different forms of decision aids were found useful for assisting patients to understand FP options and weigh up choices. WIDER IMPLICATIONS: This analysis identifies core components for delivery of oncofertility MOC. The provision of oncofertility services requires planning to ensure services have safe and reliable referral pathways and that they are age-appropriate and include medical and psychological oncofertility care into the survivorship period. In order for this to happen, collaboration needs to occur between clinicians, allied HCPs and executives within paediatric and adult hospitals, as well as fertility clinics across both public and private services. Training of both cancer and non-cancer HCPs is needed to improve the knowledge of HCPs, the quality of care provided and the confidence of HCPs with these consultations

Outcomes of transvaginal multifetal pregnancy reduction without injecting potassium chloride

Background: Assisted reproductive technologies and the use of fertility drugs have significantly increased the prevalence of multiple pregnancy in last three decades. Various techniques and routes have been studied so far regarding fetal reduction to achieve healthy viable pregnancy. The current study aims to study different outcomes of multifetal pregnancy reduction without injecting potassium chloride.Methods: Total 57 patients were studied from October 2011 to November 2012 at our centre. 28 were higher order pregnancies who consented for fetal reduction and 29 were nonreduced twins as control group. It was a prospective comparative study. Fetal reduction was done transvaginally between 8-12 weeks by intracardiac puncture followed by manual aspiration of embryonic parts till asystole. Use of KCl was avoided. The most easily accessible sac was chosen for reduction. All were reduced to twins. Reduction to singleton and selective reduction of anomalous fetus were removed from the study as it could have created a bias in the comparison. The primary outcomes like miscarriage, post procedure complications, mean gestational age at delivery, preterm delivery, mean birth weight were studied. The outcomes of reduced twins were compared with that of nonreduced twins. The various secondary outcomes like IUGR, take home baby rate, neonatal morbidity, mortality, maternal morbidity and mortality, associated obstetric complications were studied.Results: Both groups were comparable with respect to age and parity. The average gestation of fetal reduction was 9.46 weeks. Abortion rate was 17.9% (n=5) in reduced group which was statistically significant. 4 patients were lost to follow up. There were no statistically significant differences with regard to cesarean section rate, preterm delivery, mean birth weight, mean gestational delivery between two groups. No incidence of IUGR in the series. One baby died in the control group, none in reduced group. Take home baby rate 79.1%. Overall the antenatal and post-operative complications were higher in control group than in reduced but it was not statistically significant.Conclusions: Fetal reduction is a feasible option for triplets and higher orders multiple pregnancies. Use of KCl is not mandatory for multifetal pregnancy reduction. It is best avoided as there are increased rates of preterm labour and PPROM. There is increase in abortion rate after multifetal pregnancy reduction in comparison to nonreduced twins. So couple should be counseled about the probability of losing the entire pregnancy. The obstetric and neonatal outcomes of reduced and nonreduced twins are comparable, thus fetal reduction as a procedure is not adding any extra risk on pregnancy outcome