Comparison of two different suction curettage methods in cesarean scar pregnancy treatment.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP), the incidence of which is increasing, can lead to life-threatening consequences. In this study, it was aimed to compare the results of two different ultrasound-assisted suction curettage (SC) approaches that we applied to endogenous type CSPs in different time periods. METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with CSP and treated with SC in the early pregnancy service between January 2012 and March 2019 were included in the study. While classical SC was applied until December 2016, patients were treated with SC modified by us after this date. Demographic characteristics, preoperative clinical findings, intraoperative characteristics and postoperative short-term follow-up of these two groups of patients belonging to different time periods were compared. RESULTS: 34 patients were treated with classic SC (Group 1) and 32 patients with modified SC (Group 2). The amount of decrease in Hemoglobin values measured at the sixth hour postoperatively compared to the preoperative period was found to be less in group 2 (1.01 ± 0.67 g/dl) than in group 1 (1.39 ± 0.85 g/dl) (p = 0.042). The treatment failure rate was found to be lower in group 2 (p = 0.028). According to the results of multiple logistic regression analysis of significant factors associated with treatment outcome, myometrial thickness measurement and the largest gestational diameter measurement were found to be significant independent factors. CONCLUSION: In CSP cases, SC procedure with abdominal ultrasonography is an effective and reliable approach. At the beginning of this surgical procedure, if the gestational sac is removed from the uterine wall with the curettage cannula before suction, the success of the procedure will increase even more.

Non-tubal ectopic pregnancy treatment experiences of a tertiary care center.

AIM: To evaluate the incidence, the risk factors, and the treatment outcomes of Non-tubal ectopic pregnancies (NTEP) treated in a tertiary care center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 110 NTEP cases treated between 2014 and 2019 were included in the retrospective study. The study cohort was divided into 6 groups according to the pregnancy localization: 87 cesarean scar pregnancies (CSPs), 7 ovarian pregnancies, 6 interstitial pregnancies, 4 rudimentary horn pregnancies, 4 abdominal pregnancies, and 2 cervical pregnancies. One woman rejected all treatment modalities. Demographic characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes of each group were evaluated. RESULTS: In the study cohort, expectant management was performed in one (0.9%) woman. The methotrexate (MTX) treatment was administered in 29 (26.3%) women. Seventeen (15.4%) women underwent surgery, and 63 (57.2%) women underwent manual vacuum aspiration (MVA). A woman rejected all treatment modalities. Although 70.1% (n = 61) of CSPs were cured with MVA, 24.1% (n = 21) of them were treated with a single-dose MTX regimen in addition to MVA. The higher mean gestational sac size (33,9 ± 12,96 mm vs. 17,34 ± 9,87 mm), the higher mean gestational week (8,43 ± 1,16w vs. 6,66 ± 1,49w), the presence of fetal heartbeat (FHB) (90.5% vs. 26,2%) and the history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) (38.1% vs. 6,6%) were found in the CSPs with MVA treatment failure (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The management of NTEPs should be individualized according to the clinical and ultrasonographic findings. The size of the ectopic pregnancy mass, the gestational week, the presence of FHB, and the PID history were the predictive factors for the failure of MVA in CSP cases.

Do the change in ß-hCG values between the 0th and 4th days in tubal ectopic pregnancy treatment with a single-dose methotrexate (MTX) protocol predict the need for a second dose of MTX?

AIM: The single-dose methotrexate (MTX) regimen is effective and minimizes side effects but an additional second dose is needed in case of failure in an ectopic pregnancy (EP). We aimed to predict the additional MTX dose by evaluating the change in ß-hCG values between day 0 and day 4 in EPs with administered single-dose MTX regimen. METHOD: A total of 454 tubal EPs between 2013 and 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Cases cured with a single dose of MTX without an additional dose were accepted as the control group, and cases under a single-dose regimen were cured by applying a second dose of MTX on the 7th day were accepted as the study group. Obstetric and demographic characteristics and the change in ß-hCG values compared in both groups. RESULTS: Age, body mass index (BMI), gravida, smoking, abdominal surgery, presence of IUDs, initial ß-hCG levels (0th day), and EP size were similar in both groups, but the presence of previous EP history was significantly higher in the study group. The change of ß-hCG from days 0 and 4 determined that a 20% increase predicts the need for a second dose of MTX with 72.4% sensitivity, and 87.8% negative predictive value (NPV). CONCLUSION: The single-dose MTX protocol is successful in 83.3% of convenient cases (as the control group), but an increase of 20% in ß-hCG between days 0 and 4 predicts the patients who need to be administered second-dose MTX, and thus, a double-dose MTX protocol will be achieved early.

Evaluation of the effect of a nurse navigation program developed for postpartum mothers on maternal health: A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effects of a nurse navigation program on the capability for self-care, quality of life, risk of anxiety and depression, and severity of the physical symptoms of postpartum mothers. METHODS: This prospective, parallel-group, randomized controlled study included 64 primiparous pregnant women (32 women each in the intervention and control groups) at ≥36 gestational weeks admitted to the pregnancy outpatient clinic of a public hospital in Turkey. The intervention group received navigation program-based nursing care comprising three home visits, four phone calls, and five text messages aside from the standard hospital care during delivery and the postpartum period. Meanwhile, the control group received only the standard hospital care during delivery and the postpartum period. Data were collected using a sociodemographic data form, the Self-Care Power Scale, the Maternal Postpartum Quality of Life Instrument (MPQoL-I), the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Postpartum Physical Symptom Severity Scale. RESULTS: Mean scores for the capability for self-care and quality of life were higher, while those for the risk of depression and anxiety were lower for the intervention group than the control group (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Navigation program-based care provided to primiparous mothers improved maternal health.

Do First-Trimester Subchorionic Hematomas Affect Pregnancy Outcomes?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between first trimester subchorionic hematomas and pregnancy outcomes in women with singleton pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2018 and January 2019, patients who had a single pregnancy between the 6th and 14th weeks of their pregnancy and were hospitalized with the diagnosis of abortus imminens in the early pregnancy service were included in the study. According to the ultrasonographic examination, those with subchorionic hematoma and those with no hematoma were compared in terms of demographic data, pregnancy outcomes and pregnancy complications. RESULTS: 400 abortus immines cases with subchorionic hematoma and 400 abortus imminens cases without subchorionic hematoma were compared. Preterm delivery percentages were similar in both groups, however abortus percentage was significantly higher in the hematoma group (34.2 vs. 24.7%; p=0.007). In addition, it was revealed that the presence of subchorionic hematoma before the 20th gestational week increased the risk of miscarriage 1.58 times. However, no data could be found in the study that could correlate the size of the hematoma with pregnancy loss. CONCLUSION: The presence of subchorionic hematoma increases abortion rates in abortus imminens cases. And the presence of subchorionic hematoma in cases with ongoing pregnancy does not increase the complications of delivery.

Histopathological examination of the curettage material in nonviable pregnancies and evaluation of the frequency of hydatidiform mole.

AIM: The study aimed to determine the frequency of possible missed diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease in nonviable pregnancies and to evaluate the importance of histopathological examination. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the results of the histopathological assessment of patients undergoing uterine surgery with a diagnosis of nonviable pregnancy were analyzed before 14 weeks of gestation. Nonviable pregnancy was defined as anembryonic pregnancy and intrauterine exitus (IU-ex) based on ultrasound findings. The frequency and sonographic characteristics of molar pregnancy in nonviable pregnancy were analyzed. RESULTS: Molar pregnancy was detected in 24 (1.62%) of 1481 patients diagnosed with nonviable pregnancy on ultrasound. One thousand one hundred and twenty-one of the cases were IU-ex (75.69%) and the remaining were anembryonic pregnancy (24.31%). The mean crown-rump length of pregnancies in the IU-ex group was 16.7 mm and the mean gestational age was 8 weeks. The average gestational sac diameter was found to be 26 mm in anembryonic pregnancy patients. The hydatidiform mole ratio was significantly higher in anembryonic pregnancy patients (3.06%) than in IU-ex patients (1.16%) (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The appearance of early molar pregnancy on ultrasound evaluation may mimic anembryonic pregnancies. Therefore, histopathological examination of anembryonic pregnancies may be useful in early diagnosis and for the treatment of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

The effect of medical and social conditions on the mode of delivery: a prospective questionnaire-based study applied to 404 Turkish obstetricians.

PURPOSE: To identify the factors that influence provider's decisions on method of delivery in a country where national cesarean delivery rate (CDR) among all births increased steadily from 21 to 56% in a 16-year period. METHODS: We planned nine birth scenarios, in which both delivery modes were plausible, and we used self-administered questionnaire to ask obstetricians for their preferred mode of delivery in these scenarios. If the choice was cesarean delivery (CD), the provider was asked to state the reason for choosing this method. We grouped respondents according to number of years in their occupation, working sector (state, university or private hospital) and academic degree. RESULTS: Four hundred and four obstetricians completed the questionnaire. Preference for CD in all scenarios was comparable between male and female obstetricians (p = 0.334) and between specialists, associate professors and professors (p = 0.812). The most frequent reason for choice of CD in all nine scenarios was fear of fetal risk and/or fear of litigation. CONCLUSION: Fear of litigation was found to be the major factor influencing CD choice. This fear not only increases the CDR but also results in loss of training in breech delivery and operative vaginal delivery, forming a vicious cycle.

Metabolomic identification of novel diagnostic biomarkers in ectopic pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a potentially life-threatening condition and early diagnosis still remains a challenge, causing a delay in management leading to tubal rupture. OBJECTIVES: To identify putative plasma biomarkers for the detection of tubal EP and elucidate altered biochemical pathways in EP compared to intrauterine pregnancies. METHODS: This case-control study included prospective recruitment of 39 tubal EP cases and 89 early intrauterine pregnancy controls. Plasma samples were biochemically profiled using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). To avoid over-fitting, datasets were randomly divided into a discovery group (26 cases vs 60 controls) and a test group (13 cases and 29 controls). Logistic regression models were developed in the discovery group and validated in the independent test group. Area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC), 95% confidence interval (CI), sensitivity, and specificity values were calculated. RESULTS: In total 13 of 43 (30.3%) metabolite concentrations were significantly altered in EP plasma (p < 0.05). Metabolomic profiling yielded significant separation between EP and controls (p < 0.05). Independent validation of a two-metabolite model consisting of lactate and acetate, achieved an AUC (95% CI) = 0.935 (0.843-1.000) with a sensitivity of 92.3% and specificity of 96.6%. The second metabolite model (D-glucose, pyruvate, acetoacetate) performed well with an AUC (95% CI) = 0.822 (0.657-0.988) and a sensitivity of 84.6% and specificity of 86.2%. CONCLUSION: We report novel metabolomic biomarkers with a high accuracy for the detection of EP. Accurate biomarkers could potentially result in improved early diagnosis of tubal EP cases.

Levels of Glucagon-like Peptide 1 are Decreased in Macrosomic Neonates from Non-Diabetic Mothers.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a gut-derived peptide with insulin-like effects. Our aim was to analyze cord blood GLP-1 levels of macrosomic and appropriate-gestational-age (AGA) neonates from non-diabetic mothers. A case-control study was conducted with 22 term macrosomic neonates (birth weight≥4000 g) and 22 AGA (birth weight>10th percentile and<4000 g) pregnancies. Cord blood GLP-1 levels of neonates were measured. There were no significant differences in maternal age, gestational age and gravida between the 2 groups. Umbilical cord blood GLP-1 levels were significantly lower in macrosomic neonates (6.9±2.9 pg/mL) compared with control group (10.3±3.7 pg/mL) (p=0.002). Binary logistic regression analysis showed only the maternal BMI to be an independent statistically significant predictor of macrosomia (odds ratio=2.459; 95% CI, 1.170-5.170; P=0.018). The results of our study revealed decreased GLP-1 levels in macrosomic neonates, and maternal BMI was an independent predictor of macrosomia.

Effect of Prolonged Fasting Duration on 50 Gram Oral Glucose Challenge Test in the Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between fasting duration before screening with 50 g glucose challenge test (GCT) and the test outcome. For this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 508 low-risk pregnant women who underwent 50 g GCT between the 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. We excluded women with pregestational diabetes, multiple gestations or a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and macrosomia. We evaluated fasting durations, GCT results, and demographic features. A significant positive correlation was found between fasting duration and 50 g GCT values (r=0.122; p=0.006), and the best cut-off value was found to be 6.5 h, with 85.85% sensitivity and 38.61% specificity (relative risk, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.893-3.936; p<0.0001). Further, we divided the patients into two groups: study (fasting, <6.5 h; n=146) and control (fasting,>6.5 h; n=362) groups. Notably, the mean glucose levels, number of patients with GCT>140 mg/dl, and rates of unnecessary 100 g loadings were significantly higher in the study group. We found no significant differences between the groups in terms of the fasting plasma glucose levels and GDM prevalence. According to our findings, fasting duration of>6.5 h resulted in 2.7 times more unnecessary 100 g glucose tolerance tests (GTT). We recommend that patients having fasted for>6.5 h receive a one-step 75 g GTT after completing 8-h fasting.

25-Hydroxy vitamin D levels in premenopausal Turkish women with uterine leiomyoma.

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels and the risk of uterine fibroids in premenopausal women in Turkish population in this prospective observational cross-sectional study. Sixty-eight women with at least one uterine leiomyoma ≥10 mm were compared with 56 healthy controls. Serum 25-(OH) vitamin D3 levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The groups were similar in terms of age, BMI, gravidity and parity numbers. The mean level of 25-(OH) D3 were 7.28 ± 4.94 ng/ml and 78% of patients (n = 97) had severe vitamin D deficiency ( < 10 ng/mL). Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in the study group (6.54 ± 4.66 ng/ml vs. 8.18 ± 5.16 ng/ml, respectively; p = .009). Vitamin D levels were not correlated with size, volume, localization and number of leiomyomas. Traditional covered clothing style, low education level and being housewife were risk factors for Vitamin D deficiency. This is the first study that investigates the vitamin D levels in women with leiomyomas in Turkish population. Influence of vitamin D on uterine leiomyoma formation to may lead to new preventive strategies in the future.

The impact of nuchal cord on umbilical cord blood gas analysis and ischaemia-modified albumin levels in elective C-section.

This study was designed to evaluate umbilical cord ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels and the cord blood gas parameters of foetuses with or without nuchal cords, at the time of elective C-section. The cross-sectional study population consisted of the patients who were admitted to the Tertiary Care Center between February and June 2015. Women with uncomplicated single term gestations between 37 and 40 completed weeks and scheduled for elective C-sections were included in the study. Fifty cases with a nuchal cord and 50 cases without a nuchal cord were recruited. Nuchal cord blood gas analysis and the IMA levels were evaluated. The IMA levels in umbilical artery of foetuses both in the study and control groups were similar (0.714 ± 0.150 vs. 0.689 ± 0.107 ABSU, p = .340, respectively). The umbilical artery pH values of the study group were significantly lower than that in the control group (7.31 ± 0.04 vs. 7.32 ± 0.03, p = .042; respectively). The results of the current study indicate that the nuchal cord has an impact on the foetal cord blood gas parameters to some extent before the initiation of labour. Fortunately, this impact does not end up with foetal tissue ischaemia, as confirmed by the IMA levels. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? The impact of nuchal cord on perinatal outcomes has been the subject of research for many years. Although the accumulated data has pointed out some unfavourable perinatal effects, the heterogeneity of the study groups both including a vaginal delivery and C-section and the inability to adjust the interfering factors ended up with some controversies. This is why there is not much known about the effects of the nuchal cord in women who are not in the labour process. What do the results of this study add? The current study aimed to exclude the interfering effects such as the active stage of labour. In this study, elective caesarean sections were selected as the study population to evaluate the effects of the nuchal cord on cord blood gas parameters and the IMA values. pH analysis in cord blood is used to detect hypoxia and the IMA is a new ischaemia marker. The results revealed that the in utero nuchal cord is associated with a significantly higher pCO2 and lower pH values and similar IMA values. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The final outcome supports that the nuchal cord causes alterations in cord blood gas analysis but this does not reach critical levels. Therefore, the results show that there is no need to change clinical practice when the nuchal cord is detected by ultrasound in a term gestation.

Perinatal outcomes and cost-effectivity of the assisted reproduction pregnancies with advanced age: A retrospective analysis.

We demonstrated the IVF-ICSI results, perinatal outcomes and cost-effectivity of the patients with advanced age at a tertiary centre. A total of 456 patients categorised into two groups according to age: group 1 (n = 158) (≥39years) and group 2 (n = 298) (<39years) were analysed retrospectively. In addition, subgroup analysis was performed according to the 40 years cut-off. Clinical pregnancy rate was significantly different between the groups (p< .001). Preterm delivery (< 37 gestational week) and low birth weight (< 2500 g) were significantly higher in advanced aged women than youngsters (p< .001). Mean expense per cycle for hormonal stimulation of IVF-ICSI was 1058.9 and 723.5 USD in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p< .001). Mean expense per pregnancy was 9294.7 and 1874.8 USD in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p< .001). Our study showed that perinatal outcomes and cost-effectivity might be adversely affected with increasing age.

Could 25-OH vitamin D deficiency be a reason for HPV infection persistence in cervical premalignant lesions?

Vitamin D is an essential precursor to the steroid hormone calcitriol which mainly regulates calcium homeostasis. Moreover anti- proliferative, pro- apoptotic, anti- angiogenic effects of Vitamin D support the ideas of preventive role in various cancer. This study aimed to determine if there is a relationship between HPVDNA infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and Vitamin D deficiency. As a result of the study the difference of 25-OH Vitamin D3 levels between HPVDNA positive group and the control group were statistically significant (p=0,009). According to results of our study, with the proven anti-inflammatory functions of Vitamin D, the deficiency of these molecule and its metabolites can be a possible reason for HPVDNA persistence and related cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Maternal hypoglycemia on 50 g glucose challenge test: outcomes are influenced by fetal gender.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with maternal hypoglycemia following a second trimester oral glucose challenge test (GCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective case control study consisted of 2091 pregnant women with hypoglycemia (glucose levels >88 mg/dL 1 h following a 50 g GCT in the second trimester of pregnancy) and a control group of 2091 pregnant women with a GCT result between 88 and 130 mg/dL. Perinatal and neonatal characteristics obtained from electronic medical records were compared between groups. RESULTS: The rates of pregnancy complications were similar in both groups, with the exception of a lower incidence of polyhydramnios and a higher rate of deliveries before the 34th week of gestation in patients with hypoglycemia (0.5% vs. 1.1%, P=0.016 vs. 2.6% vs. 1.7%, P=0.033); respectively. Neonates born to mothers with hypoglycemia had significantly less birth trauma (0.3% vs. 0.9%, P=0.027) and neonatal hypoglycemia. When the data for male and female infants were analyzed separately, male infants had a 1.5-fold (95% CI: 1.05-2.18) increased chance of being small for gestational age (SGA), whereas the risk for female infants did not increase (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.56-1.11). CONCLUSION: A low maternal plasma glucose level on the GCT is associated with favorable outcomes, such as decreased rates of birth trauma and neonatal hypoglycemia. In addition, male infants have a higher risk of being SGA than female infants when maternal GCT results were <88 mg/dL.

The prognostic value of first-trimester cystatin C levels for gestational complications.

AIMS: This study is designed to evaluate predictive value of first-trimester cystatin C levels for long-term pregnancy complications. METHODS: The cross-sectional study population consisted of patients who admitted to outpatient clinic of a Maternity Hospital between September 2013 and December 2014. Among the 203 participants who accepted to participate in the study, 174 subjects who continued antenatal follow-up in the same clinic were included in the final analyses. Cystatin C, blood urea nitrogen, Creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates were evaluated in the first-trimester routine antenatal visit. Mode of delivery and gestational complications were noted. RESULTS: First-trimester cystatin C levels were significantly higher in cases complicated with preterm delivery and premature rupture of membrane (PROM) compared to uncomplicated ones (0.58±0.07 vs. 0.55±0.07, P=0.041, and 0.58±0.07 vs. 0.55±0.07, P=0.036). With a cutoff value of 0.505 mg/L, sensitivity of cystatin C for preterm delivery and PROM was 91.9% and specificity was 27.7% with a negative predictive value of 92.3% and a positive predictive value of 26.6%. CONCLUSION: Detection of cystatin C levels in the first trimester of pregnancy for the prediction of preterm/PROM seems as a promising preliminary data. The relatively higher first-trimester cystatin C levels in complicated pregnancies are conspicuous. The results imply that in pregnancy cystatin C might be more than a marker for renal function.

Prognostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT for identifying high- and low-risk endometrial cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the usefulness of adding PET/CT as a preoperative test for determining the extent of endometrial cancer and discriminating low- and high-risk patients to identify candidates for surgical staging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 86 patients with pathologically proven endometrial cancer who had undergone preoperative ¹8F-FDG PET/CT. The prognostic relationships between PET/CT parameters and pathology reports were assessed. RESULTS: The SUVmax was significantly higher in patients with FIGO stage IB or higher compared with those with stage IA; for stage III-IV compared with stage I-II; and for patients with lymph node metastasis compared with those without lymph node metastasis. Using 6.70 as a cut-off for SUVmax, low-risk patients can be identified with a sensitivity of 92.9%. CONCLUSIONS: PET/CT imaging can be used not only for determining malignancy and lymph node involvement but also for determining candidates for surgical staging with high sensitivity.

Effect of Familial Mediterranean Fever on Ivf Outcome: A Retrospective Case Series.

Although the in vitro fertilization-intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI) has been utilized widely, the management in patients with an autoimmune disease is still a challenge. The aim of this study was to demonstrate IVF-ICSI outcomes in infertile women with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Patient data were collected from the cases registered from January 2006 until January 2014. A total of 6152 assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles were analyzed retrospectively in the Ankara Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital. Ten infertile women with FMF were included in the study. Baseline clinical and laboratory characteristics were collected and perinatal outcomes evaluated. T e mean age (years), duration of infertility (years) and body mass index (kg/m2) were 29.9±5.3, 5.7±5.3 and 27.9±5.7, respectively. The mean baseline follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; IU/L), estradiol (E2; pg/mL) and antral follicle count were 7.0±2.4, 48.1±15.8 and 7.9±2.9, respectively. The distribution of ovarian response was heterogeneous. Fourteen cycles in ten patients were evaluated. Embryo transfer could be achieved in only ten cycles. Three out of ten patients became pregnant. No adverse perinatal outcome was observed. Our findings indicate that FMF might have no impact on ART cycles.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor: A relation between serum and follicular fluid levels and in-vitro fertilization outcome in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Evidence is accumulating in the literature about the potential role of serum and follicular fluid (FF) granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) as a non-invasive biomarker of oocyte competence and embryo selection in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of serum and FF G-CSF levels on IVF outcome in non-hyperandrogenic, non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Twenty-two patients with PCOS (Group I), and 22 patients with the etiology of male factor infertility (Group II) undergoing IVF treatment were included. Demographic features, controlled ovarian stimulation parameters, neutrophil count (NC), neutrophil/leukocyte (N/L) ratio, serum and FF G-CSF levels of the two groups were compared. Serum E2 level on the day of hCG (2982.5±171.4 vs. 2279.0±207.2 pg/mL), total number of retrieved oocytes (14.7±0.9 vs. 11.5±1.3) and mature oocytes (11.6±0.8 vs. 9.1±1.1) were significantly higher in group I when compared to group II (p<0.05). On the day of oocyte retrieval, both the mean serum (54.8±1.7 vs. 48.1±0.9 pg/mL) and FF G-CSF levels (48.8±1.4 vs. 44.1±0.5 pg/mL), NC (4.4±0.2×10(3) vs. 3.6±0.3×10(3)/µL) and N/L ratio (63.6±1.4 vs. 56.1±1.7) in group I were found to be significantly higher than group II ((p<0.05). Despite the increased levels of G-CSF both in the serum and follicular microenvironment in patients with PCOS, a relation between G-CSF and good ovarian response or clinical pregnancy rates could not be demonstrated in this study.

The effect of serum and follicular fluid amyloid-associated protein levels on in vitro fertilization outcome in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to investigate serum and follicular fluid amyloid A protein levels in non-obese non-hyperandrogenic patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and IVF outcome. METHODS: A total of 81 patients undergoing IVF treatment, 41 patients diagnosed as PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria (group I) and 40 patients with the etiology of male factor infertility (group II), were included in the study. On the day of oocyte pickup, serum and follicular fluid samples were collected from all patients. RESULTS: Serum E2 level on the day of hCG (2849.93 ± 541.54 vs. 2494.28 ± 712.98) and total number of retrieved oocytes (13.73 ± 3.57 vs. 10.53 ± 4.07) were significantly higher in group I when compared to group II (p < 0.05). However, number of mature oocytes, fertilization rate, and clinical pregnancy rate did not differ (p > 0.05). No significant difference was found between two groups regarding the serum and follicular fluid amyloid A protein levels on the day of oocyte retrieval (p > 0.05).