A successful healthy live birth from a female patient with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and oocytes with unusually large cytoplasmic inclusions.

This study aimed to report the case of a successful live birth from a woman having oocytes with abnormally large cytoplasmic inclusions. The patient described in this case is a 28 year-old woman with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) with a history of two previous unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts offered an antagonist protocol. Stimulation was performed with human menopausal gonadotropin 300 IU/day. The intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedure was performed 4-6 hours after oocyte aspiration for all mature oocytes. Six oocytes were retrieved, five of which mature (MII). All oocytes had abnormal cytoplasmic structures. Two were fertilized after ICSI and two top quality embryos were transferred on Day 2. Our case report suggests that HH patients with refractile bodies/lipofuscin in their oocytes may not have their pregnancies negatively affected. While there have been several reports of successful births from dysmorphic oocytes, no cases of successful pregnancies followed by live births from young women with HH and oocytes with large cytoplasmic inclusions had been reported to date.

Electrocardiographic P-Wave Duration, QT Interval, T Peak to End Interval and Tp-e/QT Ratio in Pregnancy with Respect to Trimesters.

BACKGROUND: P-wave duration helps to determine the risk of atrial arrhythmia, especially atrial fibrillation. QT interval, T peak to end interval (Tp-e), and Tp-e/QT ratio are electrocardiographic indices related to ventricular repolarization which are used to determine the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. We search for any alterations in electrocardiographic indices of arrhythmia in the pregnancy period with respect to trimesters. METHODS: We enrolled 154 pregnant and 62 nonpregnant, healthy women into this cross-sectional study. Maximum and minimum P-wave durations (Pmax, Pmin), and QT intervals (QTmax, QTmin) were measured from 12 leads. QT measurements were corrected using Fridericia (QTc-Fr) and Bazett's (QTc-Bz) correction. Tp-e interval was obtained from the difference between QT interval, and QT peak interval (QTp) measured from the beginning of the QRS until the peak of the T wave. Tp-e/QT ratio was calculated using these measurements. RESULTS: Pmax were 93.0 ± 9.1, 93.9 ± 8.9, 97.9 ± 5.6, 99.0 ± 6.1 in nonpregnant women, first, second, third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively (P = 0.001); whereas Pmin values were not significantly different. QTc-Fr max were 407.4 ± 14.2, 408.5 ± 16.1, 410.1 ± 13.1, 415.1 ± 10.1 (P = 0.007); Tp-e were 72.7 ± 6.2, 73.2 ± 6.5, 77.2 ± 8.9, 87.2 ± 9.6 (P < 0.001); and Tp-e/QT were 0.17 (0.14-0.20), 0.17 (0.14-0.20), 0.18 (0.15-0.23), 0.20 (0.16-0.25) in nonpregnant women, first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy respectively (P < 0.001). None of the participants experienced any arrhythmic event. CONCLUSIONS: P-wave duration is prolonged in the second trimester, and resumes a plateau thereafter. Maximum QTc interval, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are increased in the late pregnancy. Although these indices are altered during the course of pregnancy, they all remain in the normal ranges.

Can hyaluronan binding assay predict the outcome of intrauterine insemination in couples with unexplained or mild male factor infertility?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic effect of Hyaluronan Binding Assay (HBA) which has been used as a method of sperm selection for intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedure, on the outcome of intrauterine insemination (IUI) in couples with unexplained or mild male factor infertility. METHODS: 77 infertile couples were enrolled in our study. On the day of IUI procedure, HBA test was performed by using fresh semen samples, and the rates of sperm binding to HBA were calculated. HBA values and semen parameters were compared. Fisher exact test was used to evaluate the relationship between HBA ratio and pregnancy status. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare quantitative variables between pregnant and non-pregnant groups. The p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In this study, HBA ratio was 69(29.25%) and pregnancy rate was 14.29%. A significant positive correlation between HBA and total motile sperm count, inseminating sperm count, progressive motility, morphology, and sperm concentration (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p:0.007, p < 0.003, p:0.003 respectively) was observed. Although HBA values in pregnant group were higher than those in non-pregnant group, this result did not reach the statistically significant level (HBA: 67(20%) for non-pregnant group, 80.5(21.3%) for pregnant group). Also, no relationship between HBA values and pregnancy status was found. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between pregnancy status and HBA ratios based on the suggested cut-off value of 60 in literature (p = 0.425). CONCLUSION: HBA does not predict the IUI outcome in couples with unexplained infertility or mild male factor infertility, but it can be used together with semen parameters to verify sperm quality.

Is the level of maternal serum prohepcidin associated with preeclampsia?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare pro-hepcidin, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct), C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and iron status parameters in preeclamptic (PE) and healthy pregnant women, and to examine the relationship between serum pro-hepcidin levels and iron parameters of preeclampsia (PE). METHODS: In a prospective controlled study, we collected serum from women with normal pregnancy (n = 37) and from women with PE (n = 30) at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Turgut Ozal University between February 2010 and January 2013. Pro-hepcidin, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct), CRP, IL-6 and iron status parameters were measured in all patients and compared between groups. RESULTS: Levels of serum prohepcidin in PE and control groups were similar and amount 69.4 ± 19.7 and 71.9 ± 22.1 ng/ml, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (p: 0.694). On the other hand, the study group had a statistically lower iron binding capacity (IBC), total iron binding capacity, transferin, total protein, albumin levels (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found among prohepcidin, Hb concentration, Hct, iron, ferritin, IL-6, urea and creatine in both the groups. CONCLUSION: In pregnancies complicated by PE with normal values of hemoglobin and hematocrit, serum prohepcidin concentrations are similar to those observed in healthy pregnant women. The analysis revealed no significant correlations between prohepcidin level and serum iron, serum ferritin or transferrin in the PE.

Relationship between oxidant and antioxidant activity in hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate oxidant and antioxidant activity in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) by using serum total antioxidant activity (TAO), total free sulfhydryl (-SH), ceruloplasmin and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional trial, blood samples were collected from patients with HG (n = 25) and healthy pregnant women (n = 25) as control group. Serum TAO activities, -SH levels and LOOH levels and ceruloplasmin levels were measured. RESULTS: Serum TAO activity was found to be significantly lower (p = 0.003) in patients with HG compared with controls. However, serum -SH levels, LOOH levels and ceruloplasmin levels did not change significantly in patients with HG compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Presence of oxidative stress in HG patients depends more on reduced antioxidant activities than increased oxidative stress.

Investigation of oxidative balance in patients with dysmenorrhea by multiple serum markers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of oxidative stress in patients with dysmenorrhea by multiple serum markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrotyrosine (3-NT), deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-eight women, aged between 20 and 34, who had had regular menses for at least six previous cycles, were involved. The women were divided into two groups. The study group consisted of 33 patients with primary dysmenorrhea, and the control group consisted of 25 healthy women. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics of patients were similar between the two groups. The serum MDA levels were 1.32±0.46 and 0.91±0.26 nmol/mL for the dysmenorrhea and control groups, respectively (p<0.001). The differences in plasma levels of 3-NT, SOD and serum 8-OhdG were similar in both groups (p>0.05). Also, no correlation was found between the severity of dysmenorrhea and the levels of oxidative markers. CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress is slightly aggravated in patients with dysmenorrhea.

Oxidant/antioxidant status in premenstrual syndrome.

PURPOSE: To investigate oxidant/antioxidant status in premenstrual syndrome (PMS). METHODS: Study group (n = 20) consisted of PMS and control group (n = 21) consisted of normal menstruating women. The serum oxidant status was assessed by the lipid hydroperoxide (LHP), malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC); the antioxidant status was assessed by the total thiol (T-SH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). RESULTS: The study and control groups revealed no statistical difference, in terms of day 3 LHP, MDA, PC, T-SH and TAC levels. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of day 21 MDA, PC and T-SH levels. However, day 21 LHP levels were increased and TAC levels were decreased in the study group compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Increased oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant capacity may occur in PMS. It can be speculated that the imbalance of oxidant/antioxidant systems may be a cause or the consequence of the various stress symptoms in PMS.

Influence of gum chewing on postoperative bowel activity after cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of gum chewing on postoperative bowel function after cesarean section. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Women who underwent cesarean section were randomized to either a gum-chewing group (n = 74) or a non-gum-chewing group (n = 76). The two groups were compared with respect to the return of bowel activity, postoperative analgesic and antiemetic drug requirement and postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: Bowel sounds appeared in a significantly shorter duration of time in the study group, the mean being 5.9 h as compared to 6.7 h in the control group (p < 0.01). The first passage of flatus postoperatively was 22.4 h in the gum-chewing group and 31 h in the control group (p < 0.001). The total length of hospital stay was shorter in the gum-chewing group (2.1 days) than in the control group (2.3 days), but it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Postoperative analgesic requirement in both groups was similar, but the postoperative antiemetic need in the gum-chewing group was lower than in the control group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: On the basis of the tolerability and results on bowel function, gum chewing provides a simple method for early recovery of bowel function after cesarean section.

Etonogestrel contraceptive implant (Implanon): analysis of patient compliance and adverse effects in the breastfeeding period.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the compliance of patients and side effects of Implanon® during breast feeding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study of 61 postpartum women who chose Implanon® for long term contraception between April 2007 and December 2009. Compliance, side effects and removals were recorded. RESULTS: Amenorrhoea, prolonged bleeding, frequent bleeding and infrequent bleeding were reported in 20 (32%), 13 (21%), 4 (6.5%) and 2 (3.2%) patients, respectively. Non-menstrual side effects experienced by participants included; weight gain reported by 10 patients (16%), anxiety by 6 (9.8%), breast tenderness by 4 (6.5%), headache by 4 (6.5%), pain at the insertion site by two (3.2%), hirstutism by two (3.2%), acne by 1 (1.6%), loss of libido by 1 (1.6%), weight gain and headache by two (3.2%), weight gain and anxiety by two (1.6%). The mean breastfeeding period was 16±7.4/months. During the follow up, Implanon® was removed from 24 patients (39%). CONCLUSION: If patients are well informed about its expected side effects before placement, Implanon® is well tolerated and i an acceptable choice for women who have recently experienced labor and are looking for long term reversible contraception.

Comparison of the ultrashort gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist-antagonist protocol with microdose flare -up protocol in poor responders: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential effect of the ultrashort gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist/GnRH antagonist protocol versus the microdose GnRH agonist protocol in poor responders undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients in the Agonist-Antagonist Group (n=41) were administered the ultrashort GnRH-agonist/ antagonist protocol, while the patients in the Microdose Group (n=41) were stimulated according to the microdose flare-up protocol. The mean number of mature oocytes retrieved was the primary outcome measure. Fertilization rate, implantation rate per embryo and clinical pregnancy rates were secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: There was no differenc between the mean number of mature oocytes retrieved in the two groups. There were also no statistical differences between the two groups in terms of peak serum E2 level, canceled cycles, endometrial thickness on hCG day, number of 2 pronucleus and number of embryos transferred. However, the total gonadotropin consumption and duration of stimulation were significantly higher with the Agonist-Antagonist Group compared with the Microdose Group. The implantation and clinical pregnancy rates were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Despite the high dose of gonadotropin consumption and longer duration of stimulation with the ultrashort GnRH agonist/ antagonist protocol, it seems that the Agonist-Antagonist Protocol is not inferior to the microdose protocol in poor responders undergoing ICSI.

Effect of genistein therapy on plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine in healthy postmenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pure genistein therapy on asymmetric dimethylarginine in healthy postmenopausal women. Healthy postmenopausal women received pure genistein (n=21) or placebo (n=17) for 6 months, and no statistically significant effects on plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine levels were found with pure genistein treatment.

A new radiological approach to cyclic mastalgia: venous doppler ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the venous system in cyclical mastalgia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 25 healthy women and 39 women with cyclic mastalgia underwent venous Doppler examination in both pre- and postmenstrual period. Upper-outer quadrant veins of breast were evaluated. The impedance indices of both groups were compared in both the premenstrual and postmenstrual period. RESULTS: During the premenstrual period, venous impedance indices were significantly higher in the patients with cyclic mastalgia (p=0.004) than in the control group. After the menstrual period, there was no difference in venous impedance indices between the groups. CONCLUSION: Excessive tissue oedema might be responsible for both a tension-mediated pain and a compression of the venous system thereby showing higher impedance than that in control group.

Familial mediterranean fever: a diagnostic challenge in pregnancy.

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease which is characterized by recurrent, self-limiting, short attacks of serositis while abdominal pain is the most common symptom. The underlying clinical and pathological picture is that of acute peritonitis. These abdominal signs are often so striking that they mimic an acute abdominal calamity suggesting several possible gastrointestinal, gynecologic or urologic diagnoses. Diagnosis of acute abdomen in pregnancy also remains one of the most challenging conditions as the physiological consequence of pregnancy and nonspecific laboratory parameters. A limited number of studies addressed FMF in pregnancy and none of them mentioned the diagnostic challenging of FMF during pregnancy because the patients had al been diagnosed previously. In this paper, we discussed a 20 year old, gravida 1, parity 0 patient whose twin pregnancy wash complicated by an acute abdominal condition after amniocentesis and the difficulties of making the diagnosis of FMF with the complications during this diagnostic period in pregnancy.

Oral contraceptive pretreatment does not improve outcome in microdose gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist protocol among poor responder intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients.

PURPOSE: To compare oral contraceptive (OC) pretreatment plus microdose GnRH-a in flare-up protocol and non-OC microdose GnRH-a in flare-up protocol among poor responder ICSI patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of poor responder ICSI patients. Patients were divided into two groups according to used microdose protocol. Precycle treatment with OC followed by follicular phase administration of 40 microg s.c. leuprolide acetate (LA) every 12 h beginning on after 2 day pill-free period and rFSH administration was begun on the third day of LA administration (OC-Group, n=26). Alternatively on day 2 after menses, patients were administered similar stimulation regime (non-OC Group, n=27). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in the number of oocytes, peak estradiol levels, endometrial thickness, fertilization rates and embryo quality. Implantations and pregnancy rates per embryo transfer were similar. CONCLUSION: OC pretreatment plus microdose GnRHa in flare-up protocol does not offer advantages over non-OC microdose GnRHa in flare-up protocol among poor responder ICSI patients.

Intrahepatic cholestasis and eclampsia: a case report.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is the most common liver disorder in pregnancy that adversely affects maternal well being and fetal outcome. We present a case of eclampsia that followed intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in a patient who has a sister with the same history in her two former pregnancies despite being treated with ursodeoxycholic acid. Intrahepatic cholestasis and pregnancy is briefly reviewed based on a unique case report presenting with intrahepatic cholestasis complicated by eclampsia.

Is single-dose fosfomycin trometamol a good alternative for asymptomatic bacteriuria in the second trimesterof pregnancy?

Untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria has been associated with acute pyelonephritis, which may have a role in many maternal and fetal complications. Acute pyelonephritis in pregnancy is related to anemia, septicemia, transient renal dysfunction, and pulmonary insufficiency. A randomized study was conducted to assess the clinical and microbiological efficacy of a single dose of fosfomycin trometamol for the treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in the second trimester of pregnancy compared with a 5-day regimen of cefuroxime axetyl. Forty-four women received fosfomycin trometamol and 40 women received cefuroxime axetyl. There were no statistically significant differences between both groups regarding the mean age and mean duration of pregnancy. Therapeutic success was achieved in 93.2% of the patients treated with fosfomycin trometamol vs 95% of those treated with cefuroxime axetyl. A single dose of fosfomycin trometamol is a safe and effective alternative in the treatment of asymptomatic urinary tract infections in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Does addition of low-dose aspirin and/or steroid as a standard treatment in nonselected intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles improve in vitro fertilization success? A randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of short-term low-dose aspirin and/or steroid use on implantation and pregnancy rates in nonselected intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. METHODS: Two-hundred patients undergoing ICSI for their first cycle were enrolled in this study. Participants were then randomized into four groups on the embryo transfer day. Aspirin (100 mg/day) in group A, prednisolone (10 mg/day) in group B, aspirin along with prednisolone in group C were given while placebo was administrated to group D. RESULT: There were no statistically significant differences recorded in the demographic, ovulation induction cycle characteristics between groups. Mean transferred embryo number and mean top quality embryo number were similar among study groups. There were no statistical differences in implantation and pregnancy rates between study groups. CONCLUSION: Administration of low-dose aspirin and prednisolone alone or concomitant as a standard treatment have no positive effects on implantation and/or pregnancy rates.