Does bacterial colonization during embryo transfer have an impact on pregnancy rate in ICSI? : Tunisian preliminary results.

INTRODUCTION: Embryos' transfer into the uterine cavity remains a limiting factor in the success of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of cervico-vaginal colonization on ICSI outcomes. MATERIEL AND METHODS: Longitudinal, prospective and analytical study, conducted from February 1 st to October 31 st, 2017. On the day of embryos' transfer, patients with the following criteria were included: Age ≤ 40, normal uterine ultrasound and hysteroscopy, first or second attempt of ICSI, use of fresh semen and transfer of at least one good quality embryo. Three samples were done for microbiological analysis: vaginal secretions, cervical mucus and the tip of the transfer catheter. RESULTS: The study included 40 patients. Pregnancy rate was 52.5 %. Catheter contamination occurred in nine cases (22.5 %). The most frequently isolated bacteria were Streptococcus anginosus (37 % of cases), Gardnerella vaginalis (27 % of cases) and Streptococcus agalactiae (18 % of cases). In all cases of contamination, the same bacteria were found also in the vagina and cervical mucus. In cases of contamination with Gardnerella vaginalis, the study of vaginal flora showed bacterial vaginosis. No pregnancy was obtained when contamination of the transfer catheter occurred. In the absence of contamination, pregnancy rate was 61.2 % (ρ = 0.003). Both populations (patients with catheter contamination and patients without catheter contamination) were comparable regarding epidemiological characteristics and ICSI attempt data. CONCLUSION: Contamination of the transfer catheter by cervical-vaginal bacteria appears to affect IVF results. Systematic antibiotic prophylaxis could be proposed to reduce this negative impact.

Accuracy of preoperative real-time dynamic transvaginal ultrasound sliding sign in prediction of pelvic adhesions in women with previous abdominopelvic surgery: prospective, multicenter, double-blind study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of the transvaginal sonographic (TVS) sliding sign in predicting pelvic adhesions in women with previous abdominopelvic surgery. METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective, interventional, double-blind study of patients with a history of abdominopelvic surgery who were undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy during the 6-month period from March to August 2016 in one of three academic obstetrics and gynecology departments. Prior to surgery, patients were examined by TVS to assess the vesicouterine pouch, uterus, ovaries and pouch of Douglas, using the TVS pelvic sliding sign. Ultrasound findings and medical and surgical data were recorded. We assessed the accuracy of the preoperative TVS sliding sign in the prediction of pelvic adhesions overall and in each compartment separately. RESULTS: During the study period, complete TVS sliding sign and laparoscopic or laparotomic data were available for 107 women. Their mean age was 44.0 (95% CI, 41.6-46.4; range, 20-79) years. Their mean parity was 2.0 (95% CI, 1.7-2.3; range, 0-9) and the mean number of previous abdominal surgical procedures per patient was 1.3 (95% CI, 1.2-1.5; range, 1-4). Adhesions were noted in 27/107 (25.2%) patients. The TVS sliding sign had a sensitivity of 96.3% and specificity of 92.6% in predicting pelvic adhesions. There was a significant relationship between adhesions in each compartment and the TVS sliding sign (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The TVS sliding sign is an effective means to detect preoperatively pelvic adhesions in patients with previous abdominopelvic surgery. Use of such a non-invasive and well-tolerated technique could help in the planning of laparoscopy or laparotomy and counseling of these patients. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[The usefulness of elastase measurement in the sperm for the diagnosis of urogenital male inflammation and infection]. / Intérêt du dosage de l'élastase dans le liquide séminal pour le diagnostic de l'inflammation et de l'infection du tractus urogénital masculin.

BACKGROUND: Genital tract inflammation is a frequent cause of infertility among men, usually clinically silent with only leukocytospermia defined as the presence of white blood cells (WBC)>1.106/ml in semen. During the inflammation process, granulocytes discharge large amounts of proteases such as elastase. The elastase linked to its inhibitor in the form of a complex the elastase α1-protease inhibitor in semen is suggested as a potential marker of genital tract inflammation. AIM: To assess the measurement of elastase as a biomarker of genital tract inflammation by comparing this technique with the detection of leukocytospermia according to the WHO guidelines. METHODS: This study interested 83 infertile men attending the andrology center for semen analysis. Leukocytospermia was assessed by a peroxydase test and elastase concentration by immunoassay in the seminal plasma. RESULTS: An elevated elastase was found in 38% of men. A similarity was found between leukocytospermia and elastase in 79% of cases, kappa coefficient concordance with leukocytospermia is good (0.78). The sensitivity of the elastase is 100%, the specificity= 75%. The positive predictive value is 47%, the negative predictive value is 100% with a Youden index=0.75. All patients with leukocytospermia>1.106/ml had an elastase>250ng/ml, 73% of them a concentration>1000 ng/ml. In the group of patients with no leucocytospermia, 75% had elastase<250ng/ml, 21% had concentration between 250 and 1000ng/ml and 4% (3 patients) a concentration>1000ng/ml. CONCLUSION: Seminal elastase is a more sensitive marker than leucocytospermia in the diagnosis of male urogenital inflammation and infection.

[Morphometric analysis of the human endometrium during the implantation window. Light and transmission electron microscopy study]. / Analyse morphométrique de l'endomètre humain en période d'implantation. Étude en microscopie optique et en microscopie électronique à transmission.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a morphometric and ultrastructural analysis of the various cellular components that constitutes the endometrial epithelium during the implantation window. METHODS: Endometrial biopsies of six patients in ageing to procreate were realized during the implantation window and analyzed using light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: During the implantation window, four endometrial cell types are identified in distinct proportions: microvilli-rich cells, pinopode cells, ciliated cells and others without apical differentiation. We highlighted important differences between surface and glandular epitheliums. Pinopode cells are present in all biopsies; they are more frequent in glands than surface. Their maximum expression in the glandular epithelium is at the day 20 and in the surface epithelium at the day 22. The pinopodes are present since day 19, they appeared fully developed with a maximum at day 22. Using TEM for ultrastructural analysis, we showed images of endocytosis and numerous secretory vesicles in epithelial cells of the endometrium. Their plasmic membrane present apical differentiations in the form of microvilli covered with a very developed cell coat indicating a high activity of exchange with the extracellular compartment. The endometrial cells exhibit extensive signs of communication between neighboring cells appeared to be preserved. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest each cell type and each cell structure as a very precise function in order to prepare the endometrium to be receptive.

[Oocyte and embryo quality and outcome of ICSI cycles in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) versus normo-ovulatory]. / Qualité ovocytaire et embryonnaire et issue des cycles d'ICSI chez les patientes porteuses d'un syndrome des ovaires polykystiques (SOPK) versus normo-ovulantes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the oocyte and embryo quality and outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and normo-ovulatory women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied retrospectively 100 controlled ovarian stimulation cycles for ICSI in women with PCOS and 200 cycles in normo-ovulatory women. Every PCOS woman was paired according to age with two normo-ovulatory woman undergoing ICSI during the same study period. A long protocol of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GNRH) agonist was carried out in all patients. The main outcome measures evaluated were: cancellation of the cycles, number of aspirated follicles, oocyte maturity, fertilization rate, embryo quality pregnancy and implantation rates, clinical abortion rate, multiple pregnancy rate and the "take-home baby" rate. Khi(2) test and Student t test were used for differences between normo-ovulatory and PCOS patients and the limit of significance was set at p<0,05. RESULTS: ICSI was performed for male infertility in most cases (79% in PCOS group vs 79,5%; NS). There was no significant difference in term of cancellation rate (5,5% in PCOS group vs 5%; NS). The mean number of follicles was higher in patients with PCOS (18,1+/-8,5 vs 9,4+/-5,5; p<0,001). Oocyte mature rate (67% vs 52%; p<0,001), fertilization rate (75% vs 63,7%; p<0,001) and grade 1 embryo rate (69% vs 53%; p<0,001) were significantly higher in PCOS group. The mean number of transferred embryos was similar in the two groups (2,46+/-0,5 vs 2,54+/-1,01; NS). Implantation rate (16,6% vs 12,1%; NS), clinical pregnancy rate per transfer (31,5% vs 24%; NS) and Live birth rate (22% vs 20%; NS) did not differ statistically in the two groups. Twin and triplet pregnancies rates were similar in the two groups (20% vs 16,7%; NS and 6,6% vs 7,1% ; NS respectively). Miscarriage rate was higher in PCOS group but this did not reach the statistical significance (26,6% vs 16,6%; NS). CONCLUSION: PCOS patients showed better global oocyte and embryo quality. However, pregnancy and live birth rates were similar in the two groups when number and quality of transferred embryos are equivalent.

[Transobturator subvesical mesh: Tolerance and mild-term results. A prospective study]. / La prothèse sous-vésicale transobturatrice: tolérance et résultats à moyen terme Etude prospective à propos de 45cas.

AIM: To evaluate midterm results, tolerance and efficiency of interposition of a transobturator subvesical mesh for the repair of cystoceles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report the results of a total of 45 consecutive transobturator mesh fixation between March 1, 2005 and March 1, 2007. We used a transvaginal polypropylen tension-free mesh (Prolène, Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson, France) fixed through the obturator foramen. RESULTS: Before surgery, all patients had cystocele of more or equal than grade II, according to Baden and Walker classification. Five had grade II cystocele (11%), 36 had grade III (80%) and four grade IV (9%). Thirty-nine women had associated median and/or posterior prolapse (86%). Eleven women had urinary incontinence (24%). The procedure was performed in all cases. Duration of a cystocele cure procedure was 25minutes+/-3.2 (12-32). Mean follow-up was 18 months+/-4.2 (13-29). Vaginal erosion ratio was 6%. There was no mesh infection. The objective success rate was 93%. The satisfaction index was 70%. CONCLUSION: Transobturator mesh is a safe and efficient method for anterior segment prolapse repair. This procedure is simple, mini-invasive, reproducible and efficient with low morbidity and good tolerance.

Y chromosome microdeletions in Tunisian infertile males.

AIM: To determine frequency of Y microdeletions in azoospermic and oligospermic Tunisian infertile males. METHODS: A Sample of 146 Tunisian infertile males with a low sperm count (<5 x 10(6) sperms per mililiter) and normal karyotype was screened for Y chromosome microdeletions. 76 men were azoospermic and 70 men were oligospermic. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood and multiplex PCR was carried out with a set of 20 AZFa, AZFb and AZFc STS markers to detect the microdeletions as recommended by the European Academy of Andrology. RESULTS: In 10/146 (6.85%) subjects AZF deletions were observed. Of these ten males with microdeletions, 9/10 subjects were azoospermic (90%), 1/10 was oligospermic (10%). Frequency of microdeletions in azoospermic men was 9/76 (11.84%). None of the patients showed isolated microdeletion in the AZFa region, but one azoospermic man had deletion in the AZFb region. Eight azoospermic patients and one oligospremic man have AZFc microdeletions. AZFc and AZFb were deleted in three azoospermic patients. AZFc, AZFb and AZFa were deleted in three azoospermic patients We estimate the sensitivity of the test comprising six STS in our sample to be 90%. CONCLUSION: The incidence of Yq microdeletions in the study population of infertile Tunisian men falls within the range published in other countries. We suggest to analyze 9STS in the first step to detect efficiently Y microdeletions in our population.

[Management of severe thrombopenia in pregnancies and labor. Report of 14 cases and review of the literature]. / La prise en charge des thrombopénies sévères au cours de la grossesse et de l'accouchement. A propos de 14 cas et une revue de la littérature.

Thrombocytopenia occured in 14 of 5557 pregnant women (0.25%) in our hospital over 4-year interval. The patients with thrombocytopenia could be devided into two groups: healthy women: 2 patients (14.28%). hypertensive patients and patients with immune thrombocytopenia: 12 patients (85.72%). Cesarian section rate for delivery was 35.7%. Six foetal loss were observed. Foetal morbidity is represented by prematurity and low weight at delivery (3 cases) and in one case cerebral bleeding was observed.

[Laparoscopic surgery of an intraperitoneal intrauterine device]. / Traitement coelio-chirurgical du stérilet intrapéritonéal.

This study involved 13 cases of patients fitted with intra-uterine contraceptive devices which migrated in the abdominal cavity. Laparoscopy enabled localization of the IUCD and full lesion assessment. It was removed by celio-surgery in all 13 cases. Difficulties encountered were due to parietoepiploic adhesions and IUCD impacted in the wall of the rectum.

[Predictive factors of macrosomia in diabetic pregnancies]. / Facteurs prédictifs de macrosomie dans la grossesse diabétique.

The authors carried out a retrospective analysis of 105 cases of pregnant diabetic patients in order to identify the women facing a high risk of a macrosomal birth. This group, which included 84 cases of diabetes of pregnancy and 21 cases of diabetes present before pregnancy, had an incidence of macrosomia of 46.6%. The patients were divided into 2 sub-groups: PM, which consisted of 49 diabetic patients with a macrosomal foetus and PN, consisting of 56 patients who delivered a foetus of normal weight. There was a significant correlation between the equilibrium of diabetes and the birth weight. However, there was a macrosomal rate of 35% in well-equilibrated patients. Comparison of the maternal characteristics did not reveal any significant difference between the two groups with regard to age, parity, history of macrosomia or weight gain during pregnancy. In contrast, the incidence of maternal obesity was significantly higher in the PM group. In addition, the induced hyperglycaemia values by oral route were higher in the mothers of macrosomal foetuses. The authors therefore think that obesity in diabetic pregnancy and orally-induced hyperglycaemia in diabetes of pregnancy provide an early test for macrosomia and make it possible to envisage prophylactic treatment.

[Maternal hydrocephaly and pregnancy. A new case report and review of the literature]. / Hydrocéphalie maternelle et grossesse. A propos d'une nouvelle observation et revue de la littérature.

The authors describe a fresh case combining hydrocephalus and pregnancy. The improved quality of the shunt used and neurosurgical methods available have transformed the prognosis for non-tumoral hydrocephalus. The ventriculo-peritoneal shunt malfunctioned during pregnancy in 50% of cases. In the absence of acute neurological complications at term due to distal malfunction of the shunt, vaginal delivery is to be preferred.

[Maffucci syndrome and ovarian tumor]. / Syndrome de Maffucci et tumeur ovarienne.

Maffucci's syndrome was first described in 1881 and results of a mesodermic dysembryoplasia, congenital but not hereditary. Pathogenic hypothesis are multiple. This syndrome is characterized by the occurrence of multiple haemangiomas in the soft tissue, and multiple enchondromas of the bones. The association of ovary tumor is however exceptional. Four cases are reported in the literature; we report the fifth case.

[Hysteroscopy and hysterosalpingography. Which examination to chose?]. / Hystéroscopie et hystérosalpingographie. Quel examen choisir?

The authors report 58 patients undergoing hysterosalpingography (HSG) then hysteroscopy (HC) for investigation of the uterine cavity. Comparison of HSG and HC findings revealed the following: In 26.9 per cent of cases HC disproved or rectified the result of HSG. Results of the two investigations were in agreement in 74.1 per cent of cases. In the light of our results, and after a review of the literature, HSG is indicated as the first line investigation for exploration of the uterine cavity and/or the tuboperitoneal level. HC alone is sufficient for exploration of the cervical canal and of the uterine cavity.