February 2012

Testing the water before swimming: satisfying the need for clinical trials of devices, media, and instruments before their use in assisted reproduction laboratories

We describe the scientific rigor required for the introduction of new devices and protocols in assisted reproductive technology.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Contemporary aspects of male gamete (dys)function: aiming towards optimizing the treatment of fertilization disorders

We describe the early steps that brought about the establishment of assisted fertilization techniques culminating in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) along with presentations of current diagnostic screening methods for spermatozoal (dys)function.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Development and current applications of assisted fertilization

We describe the early steps that brought forth the development of intracytoplasmic sperm injection and its role in assisted reproduction techniques.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Semen analysis: looking for an upgrade in class

Present-day semen analysis is better than it has ever been. However, alone, it does not meet modern day clinical diagnostic needs.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Epigenetics of the male gamete

The epigenome of human sperm demonstrates a historical record of spermatogenesis as well as a poising of key developmental genes that may be functional in embryogenesis.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Human spermatozoal RNAs

A focused review is presented of the scientific literature pertaining to spermatozoal RNA.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Increased maternal cardiovascular mortality associated with pregnancy in women with Turner syndrome

This revised Committee Opinion outlines reproductive issues relevant to women with Turner syndrome, including associated maternal morbidity and mortality, oocyte donation, prenatal testing and care, and alternatives to infertility treatment, such as surrogacy or adoption.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Genome-wide sperm deoxyribonucleic acid methylation is altered in some men with abnormal chromatin packaging or poor in vitro fertilization embryogenesis

Genome-wide sperm DNA methylation patterns were evaluated in abnormal protamine 1/protamine 2 ratio, abnormal IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection embryogenesis, and normozoospermic, fertile control men. Broadly aberrant methylation was observed in three patients.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Superoxide dismutase content in sperm correlates with motility recovery after thawing of cryopreserved human spermatozoa

The SOD content in mature sperm is a good predictor of post-thaw motility recovery of cryopreserved human spermatozoa.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

The utility and cost of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae screening of a male infertility population

Extremely low prevalence rates of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection were found in Canadian infertile men.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

The management of retrograde ejaculation: a systematic review and update

This up-to-date systematic review demonstrates that several treatments for retrograde ejaculation exist but further research is needed to allow comparison between treatment methods.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Normal live birth after testicular sperm extraction and intracytoplasmic sperm injection in variant primary ciliary dyskinesia with completely immotile sperm and structurally abnormal sperm tails

We present a case of variant primary ciliary dyskinesia with complete asthenozoospermia and reduced respiratory function. Testicular sperm extraction was used to retrieve improved-quality sperm, and a healthy child was achieved with the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Presence of spermatogonia in 47,XXY men with no spermatozoa recovered after testicular sperm extraction

Although their testes showed severe fibrosis and hyalinization, spermatogonia were observed in 4 of 22 Klinefelter syndrome patients with no sperm recovered after TESE.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Elective single embryo transfer and perinatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

In this meta-analysis, infants conceived after elective single embryo transfer have decreased risks of low birth weight and prematurity than after double embryo transfer but higher risks of prematurity than spontaneous conceptions.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Selection of high-potential embryos by culture in poly(dimethylsiloxane) microwells and time-lapse imaging

Individual human embryos with the potential to develop to high-scoring blastocysts could be selected at 2–3 days of culture using this system by examining the times required to complete the second and third mitotic divisions.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Developmental potential of embryos from intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles containing fragmented oocytes

Fragmented oocytes occur rarely in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles, but their presence is associated with reduced developmental potential of sibling oocytes and lower implantation and pregnancy rates.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Vaginal (Crinone 8%) gel vs. intramuscular progesterone in oil for luteal phase support in in vitro fertilization: a large prospective trial

In younger patients undergoing IVF, luteal phase support with vaginal P produces significantly higher pregnancy rates than does IMP. Vaginal P is equally effective as IM in older patients.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Effect of maternal height and weight on risk of preterm birth in singleton and twin births resulting from in vitro fertilization: a retrospective cohort study using the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System

Overweight significantly increases the risk of very early preterm and very preterm births in twins conceived by IVF.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

A cost-effectiveness analysis of surgical versus medical management of early pregnancy loss

Surgical or medical management of early pregnancy failure can be cost effective, depending on the specific circumstances.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Antitrophoblast antibodies are associated with recurrent miscarriages

We investigated patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss for expression of antitrophoblast antibodies using choriocarcinoma cell line JEG-3 because these cells retain many characteristics of normal pregnancy-derived trophoblasts.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Deep infiltrating endometriosis is a determinant factor of cumulative pregnancy rate after intracytoplasmic sperm injection/in vitro fertilization cycles in patients with endometriomas

Associated deep infiltrating endometriosis has a negative impact on assisted reproduction results in patients with endometriomas.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Endometriosis-associated nerve fibers, peritoneal fluid cytokine concentrations, and pain in endometriotic lesions from different locations

The relationship between endometriosis-associated nerves and both pain and PF cytokine concentrations depends on the location of the lesion.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Female cancer survivors are low responders and have reduced success compared with other patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies

Female cancer survivors who have received systemic therapy have lower pregnancy and live birth rates and a relatively high risk for cycle cancellation in ART compared with other infertility patients.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Live birth after ovarian tissue autotransplantation following overnight transportation before cryopreservation

Overnight transportation of ovarian tissue before cryopreservation is possible, as shown by this report of a live birth; however, further research is needed before the procedure can be used in clinical practice.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Variants of the WNT7A gene in Chinese patients with müllerian duct abnormalities

One novel synonymous variant and three known single-nucleotide polymorphisms in WNT7A were identified in 191 Chinese patients with m€ullerian duct abnormalities.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Origins and rates of aneuploidy in human blastomeres

Characterization of ploidy errors in 274 blastomeres using a novel informatics-based technique revealed aneuploidy profiles with unprecedented detail, including identifying parental origin of aneuploidy and differentiating mitotic from meiotic errors.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Should TSPYL1 mutation screening be included in routine diagnostics of male idiopathic infertility?

TSPYL1 variants are not clearly associated with idiopathic male infertility. Mutation screening of the TSPYL1 gene can currently not be recommended in diagnostics of idiopathic male infertility.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Knowledge and attitudes regarding expanded genetic carrier screening among women’s healthcare providers

A survey of professional meeting attendees demonstrates good knowledge and positive attitudes about genetic disorders and expanded genetic screening. Future education is needed to address specific educational deficiencies and misperceptions.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Sex-related differences in association of oxidative stress status with coronary artery disease

Oxidative stress status, a powerful predictor of coronary artery disease in women, has important implications for the differences between sexes in ischemic disease physiopathology.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Childless women’s knowledge of fertility and assisted human reproduction: identifying the gaps

An online questionnaire to assess the fertility and assisted human reproduction knowledge of 3,345 childless women found significant knowledge gaps that may undermine informed childbearing decision making.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Informing egg donors of the potential for embryonic research: a survey of consent forms from U.S. in vitro fertilization clinics

We analyzed 66 in vitro fertilization clinics’ egg donor consent forms for information related to potential research on resultant embryos and found that most forms lack such information.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Male fertility: psychiatric considerations

Male infertility may be influenced by psychologic stress and psychotropic agents. Available literature is heterogeneous, and further studies are needed to demonstrate the relationship between stress, antidepressants, and male fertility.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Impact of infertility regimens on breast cancer cells: follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone lack a direct effect on breast cell proliferation in vitro

Treatment of cultured normal and malignant breast cells with follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and human chorionic gonadotropin did not result in cell proliferation or growth.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Immunization of male mice with B-cell epitopes in transmembrane domains of CatSper1 inhibits fertility

Two B-cell epitopes in transmembrane domains of CatSper1 show immunocontraceptive potential in male mice, and induce high titer of specific antibody, which impairs sperm function and causes sperm agglutination.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Fertilization outcome could be regulated by binding of oviductal plasminogen to oocytes and by releasing of plasminogen activators during interplay between gametes

Plasminogen is present in the oviductal fluid. Plasminogen and plasminogen activators are present in oolemma and zona pellucida of matured oocytes. After IVF, the immunoreactivity for plasminogen and its activators in oocytes decreases. Presence of plasminogen in the IVF medium decreases polyspermy rates.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Arteriolar insulin resistance in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome

In dihydrotestosterone-treated female rats, decrease of insulin-induced relaxation of arterioles was observed in addition to metabolically proven insulin resistance; both were improved by parallel vitamin D treatment.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Androstenedione induces abnormalities in morphology and function of developing oocytes, which impairs oocyte meiotic competence

Ovarian follicles were cultured individually in vitro with androstenedione. The results demonstrate that excess androgen induces abnormalities in the morphology and function of developing oocytes.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Dienogest inhibits aromatase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 production in human endometriotic stromal cells in spheroid culture

Dienogest inhibits aromatase expression and PGE2 production by inhibiting COX-2 expression in spheroid cultures of endometriotic cells. These features might contribute to a therapeutic effect of dienogest upon endometriosis.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Estriol administration modulates luteinizing hormone secretion in women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea

Estriol administration modulates the hypothalamuspituitary unit and promotes the recovery of luteinizing hormone synthesis and secretion in functional hypothalamic amenorrhea.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012

February 2012

Effects of transdermal testosterone on natriuretic peptide levels in women: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study

This randomized placebo-controlled study demonstrated that low-dose testosterone administration decreases natriuretic peptide levels in women.

Fertility and Sterility

Feb 01, 2012