Influence of seasonal variation on in vitro fertilization success.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the influence of seasonal variation on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome in a large cohort population. METHODS & MATERIALS:A total of 5,765 IVF cycles conducted in Sheba medical center between 2013 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The treatment cycles included 4214 ovarian stimulation and ovum pick up (OPU) cycles of which 3020 resulted in fresh embryo transfer and 1551 vitrified- warmed cycles of which1400 resulted in warmed embryo transfer. Cycles were assigned to seasons according to the date of OPU for fresh embryo transfer cycles or according to the date of embryo warming for vitrified warmed embryo transfer cycles. RESULTS:There were no statistically significant differences between the calendar months or seasons concerning the number of oocytes retrieved or fertilization rate in the fresh cycles. Throughout the 4 years of the study, the monthly clinical pregnancy rate fluctuated between 18.2% and 27.9% per fresh embryo transfer (mean 23.3%) and between 17.7% and 29.4% per vitrified warmed embryo transfer (mean 23%). These fluctuations did not follow any specific seasonal pattern. CONCLUSIONS:Our study did not demonstrate any significant influence of the calendar months or seasons on the clinical pregnancy rates of fresh or vitrified warmed embryo transfers. It might be speculated that the complete pharmaceutical control of the ovarian and endometrial function, as well as the homogeneous treatments, procedures and laboratory equipment used during the study period have lowered the influence of seasonal effect on IVF treatment outcome

Distribution of treatment cycles and pregnancy rates per embryo transfer.

<p>Distribution of treatment cycles and pregnancy rates per embryo transfer.</p

Pregnancy rate by calendar month for the four consecutive years (2013–2016).

<p>Pregnancy rate by calendar month for the four consecutive years (2013–2016).</p

A false-carrier state for the c.579G>A mutation in the NCF1 gene in Ashkenazi Jews

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the NCF1 gene that encodes p47phox, a subunit of the NADPH oxidase complex, cause chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). In Kavkazi Jews, a c.579G>A (p.Trp193Ter) mutation in NCF1 is frequently found, leading to CGD. The same mutation is found in about 1% of Ashkenazi Jews, although Ashkenazi CGD patients with this mutation have never been described. METHODS: We used Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), gene scan analysis and Ion Torrent Next Generation Sequencing for genetic analysis, and measured NADPH oxidase activity and p47phox expression. RESULTS: In an Ashkenazi couple expecting a baby, both parents were found to be heterozygotes for this mutation, as was the fetus. However, segregation analysis in the extended family was consistent with the fetus inheriting both carrier alleles from the parents. MLPA indicated four complete NCF1 genes in the fetus and three in each parent. Gene sequencing confirmed these results. Analysis of fetal leucocytes obtained by cordocentesis revealed substantial oxidase activity with three different assays, which was confirmed after birth. In six additional Ashkenazi carriers of the NCF1 c.579G>A mutation, we found five individuals with three complete NCF1 genes of which one was mutated (like the parents), and one individual with in addition a fusion gene of NCF1 with a pseudogene. CONCLUSION: These results point to the existence of a 'false-carrier' state in Ashkenazi Jews and have wide implications regarding pre-pregnancy screening in this and other population groups