Assessing the efficacy of a novel sperm-washing medium enriched with serotonin, L-carnitine, and coenzyme Q10: an observational cohort study.

ABSTRACT: This observational cohort study investigated the potential of a novel sperm-washing medium (SWM) enriched with serotonin (5-HT), L-carnitine (L-C), and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to enhance sperm motility and reduce DNA damage. It compared this innovative medium (5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM) with two widely used commercial media (SWM 1 and SWM 2). Ninety-eight volunteers from an infertility clinic provided semen samples, which were divided into three aliquots for analysis in different SWMs: group 1, SWM was composed of hydroxyethyl piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES), sodium bicarbonate, human serum albumin (HSA), taurine, and gentamicin sulfate (SWM 1); group 2, SWM was composed of HEPES, sodium bicarbonate, and HSA (SWM 2); and group 3, SWM was composed of HEPES-buffered human tubal fluid supplemented with 5-HT, L-C, and CoQ10 (5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM). Sperm motility was categorized as progressive, nonprogressive, or immotile. Apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and DNA fragmentation were also assessed. There were no significant differences in total or progressive sperm motility among the groups. Spermatozoa in group 3 exhibited reduced apoptosis, necrosis, and ROS levels and increased viability. No significant differences were observed in the DNA fragmentation index among groups. The 5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM reduced sperm oxidative stress and apoptosis compared with those of the two commercially available SWMs, suggesting that 5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM could be useful for enhancing in vitro fertilization success rates.

Pre-delivery fibrinogen level is a predictor for severity of placental abruption.

Objective: To determine pre-delivery fibrinogen levels in predicting adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes in patients with placental abruption. Materials and method: We conducted a retrospective study of all women admitted for placental abruption between January 2012 and May 2018. Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), massive blood transfusion and hospitalization in intensive care unit parameters were evaluated for maternal outcomes. For the neonatal outcomes, the 5th minute APGAR score, umbilical artery pH and stillbirth were evaluated. Results: The mean predelivery fibrinogen levels were 221.3 ± 111.6 mg/dL. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, fibrinogen level was determined as an independent indicator for PPH, red cell concentrate (RCC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion. When fibrinogen levels decreased below 130 mg/dL, the risk of PPH increased and when fibrinogen levels decreased below 100 mg/dL, the risk of overt DIC and also the risk of red cell concentrate and fresh frozen plasma transfusion increased. In terms of the fetal results, there may be adverse neonatal outcomes when fibrinogen levels are below 250 mg/dL. Conclusion: Predelivery fibrinogen levels are good indicators for predicting adverse maternal outcomes in placental abruption cases. In addition, fibrinogen levels might be a guide for management of placental abruption cases.

Serial progesterone levels more accurately predict the time of ovulation in subfertile women: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To predict ovulation in subfertile women using serial follicular growth (FG) and serum hormone measures (estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), and progesterone (P) levels) in mathematical models. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of 116 subfertile women aged between 18 and 40 years. FG was assessed by serial transvaginal ultrasonography starting from cycle days 8-12, depending on cycle length. Once the dominant follicle reached 15-16 mm, hormone levels were assessed daily. The primary outcome measure was ovulation (Ov), with a serum LH level ≥15 IU/l defining the start of the LH surge (the day prior to ovulation) and a serum P level >1 µg/ml concurrent with a drop in serum E2 levels indicating Ov. To determine Ov, mathematical models were generated using FG, LH, E2, and P measurements. RESULTS: A mathematical model was constructed using exponential regression to relate days until and after ovulation with P levels. The Ov(P) model was found to be superior to the Ov(LH) model in the prediction of Ov, with high R2 and low RMSE values of 0.9983 and 0.2454, respectively. In the range of [-2, 2] days, the net accuracy of the Ov(P) model was 63.0%, while with an allowed one-day error, the accuracy was 99.6%. CONCLUSION: Serum P levels display a highly predictable linear curve in natural cycles, which enables the prediction of ovulation. The Ov(P) model can be independently used to schedule embryo transfer in natural frozen-thaw cycles and could therefore replace the Ov(LH) model in clinical practice.

Oocyte vitrification for oncological and social reasons.

The aim of this review is to present information related to oocyte cryopreservation, and particularly oocyte vitrification, performed to preserve fertility in oncologic and social indications. The success rates of oocyte cryopreservation have increased with the widespread use of the vitrification technique and are currently similar to those of in vitro fertilization performed with fresh oocytes. Vitrification is the most successful technique for oocyte cryopreservation. The most important factors that influence the success rate are the patient's age at the time of vitrification and the number of mature oocytes frozen. Thus, live birth rates differ for each age depending on the number of oocytes thawed and the freezing method. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine and the American Society of Clinical Oncology recommend presenting the option of oocyte cryopreservation for fertility preservation in cancer patients. Besides cancer patients, use of oocyte vitrification is increasing in women who wish to postpone pregnancy age and to have reproductive freedom with the development of the cryopreservation technique and the achievement of pregnancy rates similar to the use of fresh oocytes. Patients are provided consultancy service in terms of indication, the success rates by age, and the total number of oocytes frozen. It should be emphasized that this procedure is not a type of insurance policy for fertility, especially in elective oocyte cryopreservation.

Comparing the success rate of natural cycle and modified natural cycle protocols for frozen-thawed embryo transfer.

Objective: The aim of the present study is to compare the effects of Natural Cycle and modified Natural Cycle protocols for frozen-thawed embryo transfer on clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate. Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial comprised 145 patients scheduled for frozen-thawed embryo transfer and was conducted at a university hospital between 2019 and 2021. The Natural Cycle protocol was administered to 73 patients and the modified Natural Cycle protocol to 72 patients and the clinical outcome was compared between the groups. The main outcome measure was live birth rate. Results: Baseline characteristics and cycle parameters were similar in both groups. There was no difference in clinical pregnancy rate (58.9% and 54.2%, respectively; p = .565) and live birth rate between the Natural Cycle and modified Natural Cycle groups (49.3% and 48.6% respectively; p = .932). Conclusion: This study established that clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were not affected by natural cycle ovulation being spontaneous or hCG-triggered among patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer. Thus, the protocol for natural cycle frozen-thawed embryo transfers should be chosen according to the priorities of the patient and the physician.

Spinal epidural cavernous hemangioma: case report.

Pure epidural cavernous hemangiomas are quite rare. In this paper, a case of lumbar epidural cavernous hemangioma presenting as a lumbar radiculopathy is presented. The magnetic resonance imaging findings, differential diagnosis and therapy options of this rare case are discussed.

Long-term effect of systemic isotretinoin on female fertility.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Acne vulgaris is one of the most common diseases of the youth. Systemic isotretinoin is the only drug which acts on all of the etiopathogenic mechanisms of acne. Isotretinoin has some well-known side effects. Besides these, there is a suspicion whether it affects fertility or not. Previously, we conducted a study about isotretinoin's effect on ovarian reserve which showed deteriorative reserve. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of systemic isotretinoin on female fertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 82 female patients who were enrolled in the first study, 79 patients were included in this study. Twelve months after the end of systemic isotretinoin treatment, patients were reevaluated by using the same parameters which include anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), ovarian volume (OV), antral follicle count (AFC), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, free testosterone and total testosterone. RESULTS: The changes in the mean AMH, OV and AFC were statistically significant between the sixth and eighteenth months (the end of systemic isotretinoin treatment and 12 months treatment free). The mean AMH, OV and AFC values at the beginning and at the 18th month were statistically similar. CONCLUSION: The deteriorative effects of systemic isotretinoin treatment on ovarian reserve, which can be accepted as an indicator of female fertility, diminish in time.

The relationship between expectation, experience and perception of labour pain: an observational study.

The present study was aimed to assess the relationship between pain expectation before labour, labour pain and pain perception after the labour. Pregnant women were asked to rate their pain level on a standard continuous visual analogue scale at various time points. Pain expectancy (PE), labour pain (LP) and postpartum pain perception (PPP) scores were calculated. The final study group was composed of 230 pregnant women after exclusions. Mean age of pregnant women was 26.2 ± 5.79. The mean PE, LP, and PPP scores were 70.11 ± 18.82, 75.72 ± 19.2 and 65.84 ± 19.56, respectively. The difference among pain scores was statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between PE and LP or PE and PPP scores (p = 0.27 and p = 0.21). The correlations were statistically significant (p = 0.01 or p = 0.01). In addition, there was a positive correlation between LP and PPP scores (p = 0.87) and the correlation was statistically significant (p = 0.01). This study showed that, if pregnant women had lower expectations of pain before the labour, they indeed experienced lower amount of pain during the labour.

Comparison of lidocaine spray and paracervical block application for pain relief during first-trimester surgical abortion: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Surgical abortion is one of the most frequently performed gynaecological procedures and its associated pain has always been a problem in gynaecology. Here we studied the analgesic efficacy of lidocaine spray and paracervical block (PCB) in patients undergoing first-trimester surgical abortion. A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted on 108 women requesting pregnancy termination. The subjects were randomly assigned into four groups: Group 1 (PCB plus lidocaine spray) (n=27), Group 2 (PCB) (n=27), Group 3 (lidocaine spray) (n=27) and Group 4 (placebo) (n=27). Intra-procedural and post-procedural pain scores were measured with a standard visual analogue scale (VAS). The median VAS scores during procedure in placebo, lidocaine spray, PCB plus lidocaine spray and PCB groups were 8 (7-9), 5 (4-8), 4 (3-4) and 5 (3-5), respectively. The most effective method of pain relief during first-trimester abortion can be achieved through a combined use of PCB plus lidocaine spray. Therefore, lidocaine spray is a non-invasive complementary anaesthetic method versus traditional PCB for first-trimester surgical abortion.

Successful laparoscopic management of a rare complication after embryo transfer: ovarian pregnancy. A case report and up-to-date literature review.

Ovarian pregnancy (OP) after embryo transfer is very rare. Due to the rarity and the asymptomatic nature, there are still difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. The traditional operative treatment for OP has been oophorectomy. However, the desire to maintain reproductive capability and improvements in laparoscopy have more recently led to conservative laparoscopic techniques. This rare complication could be diagnosed early and managed by a conservative laparoscopic approach. Here we present a survey of the literature and a case of successful laparoscopic management of ovarian pregnancy after intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer. The current case is the first case in the literature in which ovarian pregnancy occurred after a single embryo transfer. We also summarize the literature about management of ovarian pregnancy after embryo transfer.

Fetal anterior abdominal wall thickness may be an early ultrasonographic sign of gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate standard biometric measurements, such as biparietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL), abdominal circumference (AC), estimated fetal weight (EFW) and anterior abdomen wall thickness (AAWT) in fetuses complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at the time of GDM screening, and to compare the results with healthy pregnant controls. METHODS: A total of 124 pregnant women between 26 and 28 weeks' gestation were included in the study. These patients were divided into two groups based on their 75-g oral glucose tolerance test results. The study group consisted of 55 pregnant women with GDM, and 69 healthy pregnant women constituted our control group. RESULTS: The study groups did not differ with respect to the mean BPD, FL, AC and EFW; however, the mean AAWT was significantly higher in the GDM group, 4.07 ± 0.46 mm versus 3.28 ± 0.37 mm in the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The only fetal sonographic measurement found to significantly differ between the study groups was the AAWT in 26 weeks at the time of gestational diabetes screening, suggesting that measuring the AAWT may have a role in the evaluation of fetal growth in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes.

The effect of systemic isotretinoin on male fertility.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Acne vulgaris is one of the most common diseases of the youth. Systemic isotretinoin is the only drug which acts on all of the etiopathogenic mechanisms of acne. Isotretinoin has some well-known side effects. Besides these, there is a suspicion whether it causes infertility or not. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of systemic isotretinoin on male fertility. METHODS: Eighty one male patients, who were older than 18 years of age, and had severe or refractory acne vulgaris were included in the study. They were given a total dose of 120 mg/kg of systemic isotretinoin over a period of six months. Before and after the study, the spermiogram parameters of the patients were evaluated to show any possible effect on male fertility. The patients' total testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels were also evaluated. RESULTS: All of the spermiogram parameters changed positively (p < 0.05). There was no significant change in the hormone levels. CONCLUSION: Systemic isotretinoin has a positive effect on male fertility. Since the hormone levels did not change significantly, this positive effect of isotretinoin is not via the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis but can be due to its regenerative and proliferative effects on the testes.

Azoospermia Type Does Not Affect Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Results When Microdissection Testicular Sperm Extraction Is Performed.

Objective: To investigate the effect of azoospermia type on fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates when microdissection testicular sperm extraction (TESE) is performed for sperm retrieval in nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Study Design: STUDY DESIGN: Patients who underwent microdissection TESE for NOA and conventional TESE for obstructive azoospermia (OA) were included in the study. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) results were compared between groups. Results: The mean ages in the 2 groups were similar. FSH and LH levels in the NOA group were significantly higher than those of the OA group. Between groups there was no statistically significant difference in testosterone levels. The sperm retrieval rate was 58.56% in NOA. Fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates were similar for patients with NOA and OA. Conclusion: In patients with NOA, microdissection TESE accurately determines active spermatogenesis areas via the high identification power of the operative microscope. From these areas surgeons can collect healthier spermatozoa, which can result in better ICSI outcomes, the results of which are similar to those with OA.

Successful use of laparoscopic myomectomy to remove a giant uterine myoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign neoplasms of the female reproductive tract. Myomectomy is the preferred surgical treatment in reproductive-aged women who desire to retain their fertility. The use of a laparoscopic approach for large myomas is still controversial, although there are several compelling reasons for its use. The laparoscopic removal of giant uterine myomas is rare, and only a few cases have been published in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 33-year-old white woman who was referred to our clinic with progressive abdominal distension. An ultrasonic examination revealed a markedly enlarged uterus containing a 17 cm uterine myoma. Laparoscopic myomectomy was selected as the treatment option. The laparoscopy confirmed the 17 cm fundal intramural myoma. The myoma was totally enucleated and removed without disturbing her endometrial cavity. The myometrial defect was repaired with a continuous suture using the V-loc suture in two layers. The entire myoma was removed using a tissue morcellator. The total weight of the myoma removed was 2005g, and the operation lasted for 140 minutes. Her postoperative course was unremarkable. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic myomectomy offers many advantages compared with abdominal myomectomy. Although the use of a laparoscopic approach to treat very large myomas is controversial and technically demanding, we successfully performed a laparoscopic myomectomy in a patient with a giant myoma. This case confirms the efficiency, reliability, and safety of a minimally invasive surgical approach to treating a giant uterine myoma. Laparoscopic myomectomy can be performed by experienced surgeons regardless of the size of the myoma.

Blood loss in elective cesarean section: is there a difference related to the type of anesthesia? A randomized prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the effect of general and spinal anesthesia on maternal blood loss in elective cesarean section (CS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective randomized study and included 418 healthy pregnant women with a term uncomplicated singleton pregnancy between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation. The study participants were randomly divided into two groups: the general anesthesia group and spinal anesthesia group. CSs were all performed using the same surgical technique, and within the groups, the same anesthetic procedures were used (either general or spinal). The primary outcome for this study was operative blood loss. Hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were similar in the both groups (p=0.08 and p=0.239, respectively). Significantly lower operative blood loss was achieved using spinal anesthesia versus general anesthesia during elective CS. The differences between preoperative and postoperative blood values for both the study groups were statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that spinal anesthesia is associated with a lower risk of operative blood loss than general anesthesia in low risk patients undergoing elective CS.

Influence of maternal body mass index on sonographic fetal weight estimation prior to scheduled delivery.

AIM: To investigate the possible effect of maternal obesity on the accuracy of sonographically estimated fetal weight in the third-trimester shortly before induction of labor and to compare the accuracy of the estimation between normal weight, overweight, and class I, class II and class III obese groups. METHODS: This was a prospective study of singleton pregnancies with sonographic fetal weight estimation prior to scheduled delivery. Women were classified according to current body mass index (BMI) into five categories: normal (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2), n = 41), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m(2), n = 44), obese class I (BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/m(2), n = 40), obese class II (BMI, 35.0-39.9 kg/m(2), n = 38) and obese class III (BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m(2), n = 35). The estimated fetal weight was compared with the actual birthweight, and the difference between them was recorded as the error. RESULTS: Mean absolute error of sonographic fetal weight estimation was 106.97 ± 80.83 g, 198.88 ± 124.32 g, 248.82 ± 122.75 g, 308.31 ± 138.97 g and 446.00 ± 151.46 g in the normal, overweight, obese class I, obese class II, and obese class III groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The corresponding mean absolute percentage errors were 3.51 ± 2.76, 6.37 ± 3.91, 7.93 ± 4.81, 9.87 ± 4.32 and 14.06 ± 5.83 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal obesity decreases the accuracy of sonographic fetal weight estimation. Clinicians should be aware of the limitations of sonographic fetal weight estimation, especially in obese patients.

Depression levels in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum: a prospective case-control study.

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a condition characterized by severe, intractable nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. It affects about 0.3-2% of all pregnancies and is thought that HG is a multifactorial disease resulting from the combination of various unrelated conditions such as genetic, hormonal and psychiatric. Although there are studies investigating the relationship between anxiety, depression and HG; however, none have sufficiently clarified this link. The aim of this prospective case-control study was to investigate the possible relationship between depression and HG and compare the prevalence of depression disorders in pregnant women with and without HG. A prospective case-control study was performed at our tertiary referral centre between December 2013 and July 2014. The study group consisted of 78 pregnant women with HG and the control group consisted of 82 healthy pregnant women who never had experienced any nausea and vomiting. No study participants had any pre-pregnancy history of any psychiatric disorder including depression. Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic (SCID-I) and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) was used to evaluate symptoms of depression. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered to patients during the psychiatric interview and was evaluated by the same psychiatrist. The mean BDI scores in HG study and healthy control groups were 18.97 ± 9.85 and 6.36 ± 5.61, respectively (p < 0.001). Among the 78 women in the HG study population, 42 (53.9%) of patients had moderate or severe depression disorder. Only 6.1% of patients in the control group had moderate or severe depression. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicated that psychological distress associated with HG was a direct consequence rather than a cause of HG. Therefore, patients with HG during pregnancy should be evaluated with respect to mood disorders as much as their medical conditions.

The effect of isotretinoin on ovarian reserve based on hormonal parameters, ovarian volume, and antral follicle count in women with acne.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUD/AIMS: Widely prescribed in routine practice, isotretinoin has an unknown impact on ovarian reserve. With a long history in acne treatment and numerous potential side effects, it is surprising that very few prospective studies have investigated its effect on ovarian reserve. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the impact of oral isotretinoin on ovarian reserve based on hormonal parameters, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), ovarian volume (OV), and antral follicle count (AFC) in women of reproductive age with acne. METHODS: Our study group consisted of 82 women of reproductive age with acne who were treated with oral isotretinoin. The patients were evaluated for ovarian reserve prior to therapy and reevaluated 6 months after isotretinoin treatment with regard to hormonal parameters, AMH, OV, and AFC. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the pre- and posttreatment period for AMH [2.20 ng/ml (25th-75th percentile 1.14-4.07) vs. 1.31 ng/ml (0.32-2.28)], total AFC [16 (14-18.25) vs. 12.5 (10-15)], and total OV [23 ml (18-29) vs. 15 ml (13-18); p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to analyze the levels of serum AMH, AFC, and OV together in patients treated with oral isotretinoin for acne. The results of our study demonstrated that oral isotretinoin had a significant negative effect on ovarian reserve.

Utilization of emergency service of obstetrics and gynecology: a cross-sectional analysis of a training hospital.

BACKGROUND: Overutilization and inappropriate use of emergency departments (EDs) by patients with non-urgent health problems has become a major concern worldwide. This study aims to describe the characteristics of obstetric and gynecologic patients admitted to the Department of Emergency Obstetric and Gynecology. METHODS: A retrospective and cross-sectional study was designed at our Emergency Service of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Kayseri Education and Research Hospital of Medicine between January 1 and December 31, 2013. A total of 30,853 patients applying to emergency service were retrospectively analyzed from the admission charts, patient files and hospital automation system. Patients were assessed in terms of demographic features, presentation times, complaints, admission type (with own facilities, with consultation or with ambulance), diagnoses (urgent or non-ergent), discharge rates, clinical admission, rejection rate of examination, and rejection rate of hospitalization. RESULTS: A total of 30,853 patients were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age of patients was 27.69 ± 8.44 years; 51% of patients were between 20 and 29 years old. The categories of patients in urgent and non-urgent were 69% and 31% respectively. Most common presentation time period was between 19:00 and 21:00. Labor pain, pain and bleeding during pregnency, routine antenatal control, pelvic pain and menstrual irregularity were the most common complaints. Labor pain with the rate of 21% was the most common cause of ED admission. All patients who presented with labor pain were hospitalized. Patients hospitalized for labor constituted 56% of all hospitalized patients. Among patients, 62% were treated on an outpatient basis and 38% were hospitalized. Of patients, 3.54% refused to hospitalization. The cases using the ambulance to admission constituted 1.07% of all ED patients. Of these patients who have used ambulance 3.65% refused to the patient examination. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the obstetric and gynecologic emergency medical care in Turkey, demographic properties and other characteristics of patients should be analyzed in detail. Detailed analysis of the data contributes to the further design and perspective of the EDs.