Bye-bye chiro-inositol - myo-inositol: true progress in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome and ovulation induction.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial syndrome affecting 10% of women in reproductive age. Insulin sensitizer agents are the best therapeutic option for PCOS patients; among which there is Inositol. Inositol is a polyalcohol existing as nine different stereoisomers, two of which have been shown to be insulin mediators: myo-inositol (MI) and D-chiro-inositol (DCI). So far only MI have been show to be present in the follicular fluid and in a direct comparison between MI and DCI only MI was able to improve oocyte and embryo quality. Therefore, Could we say "bye-bye D-chiro-Inositol" in the practice of clinical gynecology and reproductive medicine?

Improvement in sperm quality and function with French maritime pine tree bark extract.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of Pycnogenol (French maritime pine tree bark extract) on sperm parameters and function in subfertile men. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, clinical study in a private infertility practice. Nineteen subfertile men were given 200 mg Pycnogenol daily orally for 90 days. Semen samples were analyzed before and after treatment for sperm count, motility score and strict morphology before and after capacitation, and mannose receptor binding. RESULTS: The mean sperm morphology following Ham's F-10 capacitation increased by 38% following Pycnogenol treatment, and the mannose receptor binding assay scores improved by 19%. CONCLUSION: Pycnogenol therapy resulted in improved capacitated sperm morphology and mannose receptor binding. The increase in morphologically and functionally normal sperm may allow couples diagnosed with teratozoospermia to forgo in vitro fertilization and either experience improved natural fertility or undergo less invasive and less expensive fertility-promoting procedures, such as intrauterine insemination.