[Analysis of the zona pellucida in human oocytes and embryos in an assisted reproduction program]. / Analýza zona pellucida lidských oocytu a embryí v programu asistované reprodukce.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to design simple method for quantitative evaluation of oocyte and embryo morphology in in vitro fertilization (IVF) programme efforting of embryo implantation prediction to be able to set the optimal number of embryos for transfer for given specific case. This study deals with zona pellucida (ZP)--the one interesting and for oocyte unique structure. The work is the part of comprehensive research of oocyte, zygote and embryo morphology. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Center of Assisted Reproduction, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty of Charles University, Pilsen. METHODS: The study includes analysis of 66 microphotography pictures of oocytes, zygotes and embryos of patients who were treated by IVF on our department between September and December 2000. The microphotographs were taken by digital microphotographic system. Analysis of zona pellucida parameters was conducted by image analysis software called AnalySIS, Soft Imaging System GmbH. RESULTS: It was found out the average width of the zona pellucida 18.4 microns +/- 2.1 microns, the minimum width was 12.3 microns a maximum 23.1 microns. CONCLUSION: There was found significant narrower zona pellucida in women who conceived in this IVF cycle then in the women who did not.

[Monitoring immunity factors in serum and peritoneal fluid after laparoscopy in women. II. Sperm and zona pellucida antibodies]. / Sledování nekterých faktoru imunity v séru a v peritoneální tekutine u laparoskopovaných zen--II. Protilátky proti spermiím a proti zona pellucida.

A team of authors investigated antibody levels against spermatozoa and against the zona pellucida in sera and peritoneal fluids in infertile women where diagnostic laparoscopy was indicated. The immunological cause of infertility was diagnosed in some women with a normal laparoscopic finding on the inner genital, as well as in patients with endometriosis and in women with adhesions. A minimal antibody response to antigens of gametes was recorded in women with the diagnosis of uterus myomatosus, uterus hypoplasticus and polycystic ovary. The authors present detailed findings on antibodies in different groups of patients.

[Immunologic factors in the serum and peritoneal fluid in women after laparoscopy. I. Nonspecific factors]. / Sledování nekterých faktoru imunity v séru a v peritoneální tekutine u laparoskopovaných zen. I. Nespecifické faktory.

The authors examined by diagnostic laparoscopy and immunologically 180 patients in 1993-1995. They assessed in serum and peritoneal fluid IgG, IgA, IgM, haptoglobulin, A2-macroglobulin, A1-antitrypsin, transferrin, C4- and C3-complement, orosomucoid, A2AP-glycoprotein, albumin, prealbumin and hemopexin. The authors found that some individual pathological results as regards non-specific immunity supplement the clinical diagnosis, in particular in endomeriosis, multiple adhesions, polycystic ovaries and chronic anovulation.

[Fructose and glucose in follicular fluid and serum of women undergoing stimulation in an in vitro fertilization program]. / Fruktóza a glukóza ve folikulární tekutine a séru stimulovaných zen v programu IVF.

OBJECTIVE: To find out if there is some amount of fructose in the follicular fluid of IVF stimulated patients. If so then to compare fructose and glucose levels with IVF outcome, type of stimulation and infertility factors. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Charles University, the Czech Republic. METHODS: 202 women undergoing IVF treatment since 11/1999 till 02/2001 were evaluated. We measured a level of fructose and glucose in a sample of serum and follicular fluid (FF) obtained at ovum pick-up. Then the results were compared with the IVF outcome, the length of stimulation and infertility factors. The control group consists of 23 women with a pure andrologic factor of infertility. RESULTS: At the day of pick-up the serum concentration of glucose and fructose taken on an empty stomach is on average 5.43 +/- 1.35 mmol/l and 25.05 +/- 9.26 micrograms/ml compared to 5.26 +/- 1.00 mmol/l and 23.69 +/- micrograms/ml in control group. The concentration of both glucose and fructose in FF correlates with their serum level. The FF concentration of glucose is on average 3.75 +/- 1.32 mmol/l (70% of serum concentration) and fructose 11.34 +/- 5.29 micrograms/ml (48% of serum concentration) by comparison with 3.78 +/- 0.91 mmol/l (73%) and 12.37 +/- 7.06 micrograms/ml (53%) in control group. CONCLUSION: There is a possible influence of follicular fluid saccharides like glucose and fructose in process of fertilization. We derived this hypothesis from studies evaluating the role of saccharides in endometrial secretion, cervical mucous and seminal plasma. We assumed that patients with a successful IVF cycle have a lower fructose concentration in FF. The clinical pregnancy is really mildly lower but this difference is not statistically significant. We confirmed FF fructose is in close correlation with its serum concentration. But we did not confirm the FF glucose and FF fructose concentration is related to the IVF outcome.