Occurrence and treatment effect assessment of organophosphorus flame retardants in source and drinking water, Jinan, China.

The occurrence and removal efficiencies of organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) by traditional treatment processes (pre-flocculation, sand filtration, and post-chlorination processes) and advanced treatment processes (i.e., ozone and granular activated carbon (GAC), ultraviolet/hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2), GAC alone, ultrafiltration membrane, nanofiltration membrane) were examined in two municipal plants and a pilot plant in Jinan, China. The concentrations of six OPFRs in raw waters were at levels of 16.8-100.0 ng/L, and three OPFRs were below the detection limits. The traditional treatment processes could not effectively remove the OPFRs (the removal efficiency was - 12.0-15.4%). The advanced oxidation with ozone and GAC (the removal efficiency was 35.6-60.3%) or UV/H2O2 and GAC processes (the removal efficiency was 68.0-86.7%) were more effective than the traditional water treatment processes. The removal efficiencies of ultrafiltration process for the OPFRs was 11.2-69.8% which were positively correlated with the logKow values of OPFRs. The nanofiltration membrane process with ultrafiltration membrane process as the pretreatment was the most effective process (the removal efficiencies were almost to 100%). These results imply that the combination of ultrafiltration membrane and nanofiltration membrane is an effective measure in the treatment of OPFRs in municipal drinking water plants.

Ultraviolet-mediated peroxymonosulfate diminution of earthy and musty compound trichloroanisole in water.

Taste and odor (T&O) problem in water is one of the main obstacles to improve the quality of drinking water, and efficient water treatment processes are urgently needed to control T&O compounds. Ultraviolet-mediated peroxymonosulfate (UV/PMS) diminution of trichloroanisole (TCA) in water was investigated in this paper. The treatment of 2,3,6-trichloroanisole (2,3,6-TCA) by three advanced oxidation processes (UV, UV/H2O2 and UV/PMS) was compared, and UV/PMS stood out. SO4•- and HO• were produced in the UV/PMS, and their specific contributions to 2,3,6-TCA oxidation were investigated. The competitive kinetic model was applied to determine the second-order reaction rate between 2,3,6-TCA and SO4•- or HO•. The products of 2,3,6-TCA generated in UV/PMS were analyzed with gas chromatography/high resolution-mass spectrometry (GC/HR-MS), and the degradation mechanism was proposed. The effects of water matrices (chloride, bicarbonate and humic acid) on UV/PMS performance were studied, and the decontamination of 2,3,6-TCA in real water was carried out. The disinfection byproducts (DBPs) alteration from 2,3,6-TCA by UV/PMS - chlorination treatment was explored. Overall, UV/PMS can effectively deal with the T&O pollution of TCA in water.

Occurrence and removal of 10 odorous compounds in drinking water by different treatment processes.

This study investigated the prevalence of ten odorous compounds (2-methylisoborneol, trans-1,10-dimethyl-trans-9-decalol, isophorone, 2,4,6-trichloroanisole, 2,3,6-trichloroanisole, 2,3,4-trichloroanisole, ß-cyclocitral, ß-ionone, 2-isobutyl-3-methyoxypyrazine, and 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine) in raw drinking water, as well as their removal by traditional processes, advanced oxidation processes, ultrafiltration, and nanofiltration processes, with the use of an ultrahigh-resolution Orbitrap. The most abundant odorous compounds referred to 2-methylisoborneol and trans-1,10-dimethyl-trans-9-decalol with maximal concentrations of 1.6 ng/L and 0.09 ng/L after treatment by traditional processes respectively, and their maximal concentration was 2.05 ng/L and lower than the detection limit after treatment by advanced oxidation processes, while the raw drinking water of the mentioned two processes was different. The high concentration of isophorone in water treated by traditional process, advanced oxidation process, and membrane process was also ascertained. On the whole, the removal rate of membrane process is the maximal for all odorous compounds except for 2,3,6-trichloroanisole, followed by the advanced oxidation process as well as the traditional process. Eight odorous compounds identified in raw water were preserved after traditional treatment, while five compounds were preserved after the advanced oxidation treatment. The combined ultrafiltration and nanofiltration with pre-flocculation was more effective than either the advanced oxidation process or the traditional treating process in removing odorous compounds, and over 90% of all the odorous compounds were removed. Further investigation is required to facilitate the removal of odorous compounds from drinking water by the incorporation of ultrafiltration and nanofiltration units based on current drinking water treatments.

Elimination of trichloroanisoles by UV/H2O2: Kinetics, degradation mechanism, water matrix effects and toxicity assessment.

The elimination of 2,3,6-trichloroanisole (2,3,6-TCA), which produces a musty-earthy off-odor in water, by an ultraviolet (UV)/H2O2 process was assessed. The removal of 88.1% of 2,3,6-TCA in ultrapure water (UPW) was achieved using an initial 2,3,6-TCA concentration of 1 µg L-1 (4.73 nM), a H2O2 concentration of 20 mg L-1 (0.588 mM), a UV intensity of 1.44 mW cm-2 and a pH of 8.2. The reaction was found to be pseudo first order with a rate constant (kobs) of 0.0340 min-1. Both the removal efficiency and kobs increased significantly upon increasing the H2O2 concentration from 10 to 50 mg L-1. The second order rate constant (kHO·,2,3,6-TCA) in competition kinetic trials was determined to be 8.17 × 107 M-1s-1. Degradation products generated during both the UV photolysis and UV/H2O2 treatment of 2,3,6-TCA solutions were analyzed using ultrahigh resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and the degradation mechanism was proposed. The toxicities of water solutions during both processes were assessed via a luminescence method in conjunction with Vibrio fischeri. The pH and Cl-, HCO3- and natural organic matter concentrations of the aqueous medium were all found to significantly affect the removal of 2,3,6-TCA. The degradation rates of trichloroanisoles (TCAs) in real-world water samples demonstrated that UV/H2O2 has significant potential with regard to controlling TCAs as pollutants in water.

Cumulus oophorus complexes favor physiologic selection of spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of cumulus oophorus complexes (COCs) in the physiologic selection of spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). DESIGN: A prospective sibling oocytes study. SETTING: Center of reproductive medicine. PATIENT(S): Couples undergoing ICSI during 2016, females aged ≤38 years, and at least six metaphase II (MII) oocytes retrieved. Sixty patients were included in the study. Of 857 MII oocytes, 429 were allocated to the study group and were injected with the sperm selected via COCs; 428 MII oocytes were allocated as controls (C) and fertilized by conventional ICSI. INTERVENTION(S): In the study group, ICSI was performed with spermatozoa that traversed the COCs in vitro. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE(S): Blastocyst/top blastocyst formation rate, fertilization rate, and oocyte utilization rate. RESULT(S): Oocytes injected with COC-selected spermatozoa had a significantly higher fertilization rate than the conventional ICSI group (85.31% vs. 74.77%). There were no statistically differences in cleavage and top embryo rate on day 3 between the COC-ICSI and C-ICSI groups. However, with day 5 or 6 embryos, compared with conventional ICSI, COC-ICSI significantly improved blastocyst formation rate (64.90% vs. 53.50%), blastocyst formation rate at day 5 (46.52% vs. 38.85%), top blastocyst rate (38.72% vs. 24.20%), and the usable blastocysts formation rate (62.12% vs. 46.82%). The oocyte utilization rate was improved greatly in the COC-ICSI group compared with the C-ICSI group (51.98% vs. 34.35%). Furthermore, the fertilization rate, top embryo rate on day 3, usable blastocyst rate, top blastocyst rate, and day 5 usable blastocysts rate were similar between the conventional IVF and COC-ICSI groups. Single-blastocyst transfer was performed in 82 cycles, including 44 fresh cycles and 38 frozen-thawed cycles. The cumulative embryo implantation rate in the COC-ICSI group was 64.29%, slightly higher than in the C-ICSI group (53.85%), but there was no statistical difference. CONCLUSION(S): The use of COCs to select spermatozoa for ICSI appears to be effective and led to a statistically significant improvement in blastocyst development and quality.

A new insight into male fertility preservation for patients with completely immotile spermatozoa.

BACKGROUND: Sperm cryopreservation is the most effective method to preserve male fertility but this is normally used for motile spermatozoa. Thus, only motile spermatozoa are used for cryopreservation in most reproductive medicine centers worldwide. The immotile spermatozoa from some problematic patients are usually discarded, resulting in a missed opportunity of sterility cryopreservation for future assisted reproductive treatments. Many studies have shown that successful fertilization can be obtained after selection of viable sperm from the completely immotile spermatozoa before ICSI. Whether the completely immotile spermatozoa are worth of freezing has not been realized The aim of this study is to explore the clinical value of cryopreservation of immotile spermatozoa. METHODS: Completely immotile spermatozoa were collected and frozen, and subsequently viable but immotile frozen-thawed spermatozoa were selected by laser plus for ICSI. Main outcomes included spermatozoa survival index, fertilization rate and good quality embryo rate. RESULTS: After identification by laser, the fresh samples of spermatozoa presented with a mean survival rate of 54.86% and 26.05%, and this was reduced to 44.13% and 18.13% in frozen-thawed spermatozoa samples, which showed a frozen-thawed spermatozoa survival index of 0.80 and 0.70 in the testicular and ejaculate sperm, respectively. There were no statistically differences in fertilization rate (80% vs80.51%, 75.00% vs 81.48%), cleavage rate (95.45% vs 98.95%, 100.00% vs 95.45%) and good quality embryo rate (40.48% vs 52.13%, 33.33%vs38.10%) between the frozen-thawed immotile spermatozoa group and the routine fresh immotile spermatozoa ICSI group in both testicular and ejaculate sperm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study show that completely immotile spermatozoa can be frozen in order to preserve male fertility as long as viable spermatozoa are present. This procedure provides a further possibility for fertility preservation for patients with completely immotile spermatozoa.

Influence of the insemination method on the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of the insemination method on the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture performed between January 2011 and December 2014. RESULTS: There were 2,003 cycles of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and 336 cycles of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), including 25,652 and 4,164 embryos that underwent sequential blastocyst culture, respectively. No significant differences were found in the female patients' age, basal follicle-stimulating hormone level, basal luteinizing hormone level, body mass index, number of oocytes, maturity rate, fertilization rate, or good-quality embryo rate. However, the blastocyst formation rate and embryo utilization rate were significantly higher in the conventional IVF group than in the ICSI group (54.70% vs. 50.94% and 51.09% vs. 47.65%, respectively, p<0.05). The implantation/pregnancy rate (IVF, 50.93%; ICSI, 55.10%), miscarriage rate (IVF, 12.57%; ICSI, 16.29%), and live birth rate (IVF, 42.12%; ICSI, 44.08%) were similar (p>0.05). No cycles were canceled due to the formation of no usable blastocysts. CONCLUSION: Although the fertilization method had no effect on clinical outcomes, the blastocyst formation rate and embryo utilization rate in the ICSI group were significantly lower than those observed in the conventional IVF group. Therefore, more care should be taken when choosing to perform blastocyst culture in ICSI patients.

Effect of different artificial shrinkage methods, when applied before blastocyst vitrification, on perinatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, single blastocyst transfer combined with vitrification has been applied widely, which can maximize the cumulative pregnancy rate in per oocyte retrieval cycles and minimize the multiple pregnancy rate. Thus, the guarantee for these is the effectiveness of vitrified blastocyst. Studies has shown that AS of the blastocoel cavity prior to vitrification can reduce injuries, increase the thawed blastocyst survival rate and implantation rate. Several AS methods have been established. However, only a few studies have compared the effectiveness and safety of these AS methods. In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and neonatal outcomes in FET cycles with single blastocyst that were artificially shrunk before vitrification by either LAS or MNAS method. METHODS: A retrospective comparative study of FET cycles in infertile patients which were at our clinic between January 2013 and December 2014. These FET cycles were divided into two groups by the shrinking methods used before vitrification and the clinical and neonatal outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: There were no statistically differences in blastocyst survival rates (95.40% vs 94.05%, P > 0.05) between the LAS and MNAS groups. However, compared with MNAS, LAS improved the warmed blastocyst implantation/clinical pregnancy rate (60.82% vs 54.37%, P < 0.05), live birth rate (50.43% vs 45.22%, P < 0.05) and also increased the monozygotic twin rate (4.07% vs 1.73%, P < 0.05). There were no differences in the average gestational weeks (38.83 ± 1.57 vs 38.74 ± 1.75), premature birth rate (0.30% vs 0.49%), average birth weight (3217.89 ± 489.98 g vs 3150.88 ± 524.03 g), low birth weight rate (5.60% vs 8.63%) and malformation rate (0.59% vs 0.48%) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences in neonatal outcomes were observed, while in clinical outcomes, LAS improved the warmed blastocyst implantation/clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate markedly, there was also an increased risk of monozygotic twin pregnancies.

A successful pregnancy using completely immotile but viable frozen-thawed spermatozoa selected by laser.

The aim of this study was to report a successful pregnancy using completely immotile frozen-thawed spermatozoa selected by laser. A single laser shot was used to detect the presence of viable immotile spermatozoa in fresh and frozen-thawed testicular spermatozoa. The viability rate was 55.8% after the laser detection, and cryopreservation was carried out immediately. The thawing test was performed on the day of oocyte pick-up, and no motile sperm were observed after extending the culture for another 4 hours, while a survival rate of 39.8% was detected using the laser. In all, five mature oocytes were injected, resulting in four cases of normal fertilization (80%) on day 1. Further, two high-quality day 3 embryos were transferred, which resulted in a singleton pregnancy. Our study demonstrates that completely immotile spermatozoa are worth cryopreserving for further intracytoplasmic sperm injection, which provides a new insight into male fertility preservation in cases of completely immotile spermatozoa.

Blastocoele re-expansion time in vitrified-warmed cycles is a strong predictor of clinical pregnancy outcome.

AIM: To assess the predictive value of blastocoele re-expansion time in clinical pregnancy outcome in vitrified-warmed cycles. METHODS: Data on 468 single vitrified-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles (in patients aged <38 years) carried out from January 2012 through December 2012, at the Reproductive Medicine Center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, were analyzed. Vitrified-warmed blastocysts were divided into three groups according to blastocoele re-expansion time: group A, <1 h; group B, 1-2 h; and group C, >2 h, and the clinical pregnancy outcomes (i.e. live birth rate, miscarriage rate and occurrence of singleton pregnancies) compared between the groups. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the implantation/clinical pregnancy rate between groups A, B and C (70.10%, 51.76% and 28.74%, respectively, P < 0.01). There was a significant linear decline in this rate with increasing blastocyst re-expansion time. The rate of miscarriage also tended to increase with increasing blastocyst re-expansion time, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Of the pregnant patients, no significant difference was observed in the rates of monozygotic twins and ectopic pregnancy between the three groups. For the newborns, similar live birth, low-birthweight and premature delivery rates were observed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Timing of blastocoele re-expansion in vitrified-warmed cycles is a strong predictor of clinical pregnancy outcome. The faster the re-expansion of the blastocoele, the higher the developmental potential of the blastocysts.

Im10A, a short conopeptide isolated from Conus imperialis and possesses two highly concentrated disulfide bridges and analgesic activity.

In the present study, we isolated, synthesized and NMR structurally characterized a novel conopeptide Im10A consisting of 11 amino acids (NTICCEGCMCY-NH2) from Conus imperialis. Unlike other conopeptides with four cysteine residues, Im10A had only two residues in loop 1 and one residue in loop 2 (CC-loop1-C-loop2-C), which formed a stable disulfide connectivity "I-IV, II- III" (framework X) with a type I ß-turn. Interestingly, Im10A exhibited 50.7% analgesic activity on rat partial sciatic nerve ligation (PNL) at 2h after Im10A administration. However, 10µM Im10A exhibited no apparent effect on neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and it did not target DRG voltage-dependent sodium, potassium and calcium ion channels and opioid receptor. To our knowledge, Im10A had the most concentrated disulfide bridges among conopeptides with four cysteine residues. This finding provided a new motif for the future development of biomimetic compounds.

[Successful pregnancy following laser-assisted selection of viable but immotile spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic sperm injection: A report of 2 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and clinical application value of selecting viable spermatozoa by noncontact diode laser. METHODS: We obtained immotile spermatozoa from 2 infertile men with obstructive azoospermia or severe asthenospermia and selected viable spermatozoa using a single laser shot at the sperm tail. Those that responded to the laser shot by a curling reaction of the tail were regarded as presumably viable and used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). RESULTS: The mean fertilization rate was 88.89% after ICSI with the laser-selected viable spermatozoa. Both of the embryo transfers resulted in a single pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Noncontact diode laser is a useful alternative for the assessment of sperm viability, which may help to achieve successful pregnancy.

[Effects of IVF versus ICSI on the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of different fertilization methods on the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture for 1 153 cycles of IVF and 205 cycles of ICSI performed between january 2009 and December 2012. RESULTS: A total number of 14 748 embryos in the IVF group and 2 655 embryos in the ICSI group underwent sequential blastocyst culture, with 7 871 blastocysts formed in the former and 1 210 in the latter. No cycles were canceled for no blastocyst formation in either of the two groups. The rates of quality embryos, blastocyst formation and embryo utilization were significantly higher in the IVF than in the ICSI group (64.77 vs 58.72%, 53.37 vs 45.57%, and 60.06 vs 52.17%, all P < 0.05), but the rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy and abortion showed no significant differences between the two groups (48.94 vs 51.43%, 49.03 vs 52.02%, and 11.69% vs 15.56, all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: With the same inclusion criteria of selective blastocyst culture, IVF has a lower risk of cycle cancellation due to no blastocyst formation and therefore may effect higher rates of blastocyst formation and embryo utilization than ICSI. Our study suggested that appropriate inclusion criteria of selective blastocyst culture should be laid down according to different fertilization methods.

[Predictive value of sperm morphology according to WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (5th Ed) on the outcomes of IVF-ET].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive value of sperm morphology based on the criteria of the 5th edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (WHO5) on the outcomes and neonatal status following IVF-ET. METHODS: According to the strict criteria of WHO5, we obtained semen samples from 789 subjects and allocated them to a normal group (morphologically normal sperm > or = 4%, 754 cycles) and a teratozoospermia group (morphologically normal sperm < 4%, 35 cycles). We made comparisons between the two groups in the rates of normal fertilization, cleavage, quality embryo, implantation, clinical pregnancy and miscarriage as well as the status of the neonates. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the couples' age, mean number of oocytes, and mean stature and body mass index of the women between the two groups (P > 0.05). The teratozoospermia group showed slightly lower rates of fertilization, cleavage, quality embryo, embryo cryopreservation, implantation and pregnancy, but a higher rate of miscarriage than the normal group (P > 0.05). Apart from 141 on-going pregnancies (140 in the normal and 1 in the teratozoospermia group), 228 healthy infants were born following 789 transfer cycles, 213 (141 singletons and 36 twins) in the former and 15 (9 singletons and 3 twins) in the latter group. Congenital defects were found in none of the neonates, and there were no significant differences in the gestation period, premature birth rate and low body weight between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sperm morphology according to the criteria of WHO5 has but a limited value in predicting the outcomes and neonatal status following IVF-ET.

Co-culture embedded in cumulus clumps promotes maturation of denuded oocytes and reconstructs gap junctions between oocytes and cumulus cells.

The present study was undertaken to establish an effective method for in vitro maturation (IVM) of denuded oocytes (DOs) by simulating the ovarian three-dimensional status in vivo using buffalo ovarian tissues or cumulus cells, so as to provide a model for investigating the mechanisms of oocyte maturation. Buffalo cumulus-oocyte complexes from ovaries taken at slaughter were denuded by pipetting, and then allocated randomly into four groups for IVM by direct culture in maturation medium (M1, control group), co-culture with a monolayer of cumulus cells (M2), embedded in cumulus cell clumps (M3) and ovarian tissue (M4) for 24 h. The nuclear maturation of DOs was assessed by the extrusion of the first polar body and the cytoplasmic maturation was evaluated by subsequently developmental capacity after parthenogenetic activation. More DOs matured to MII (56.89%) and developed to blastocysts (25.75%) when they were matured in vitro with M3 in comparison with DOs matured in vitro with M1 (45.14 and 15.97%) and M4 (40.48 and 13.49%). Further detection of gap junctions by injecting Lucifer yellow directly into cytoplasm of matured DOs with adherent cumulus cells and scanning with confocal microscope showed that Lucifer yellow were found in nine out of 11 the adherent cumulus cells in M3, indicating that the gap junctions between oocytes and cumulus cells was reconstructed in vitro. These results indicate that co-culture of DOs embedded in cumulus cell clumps can improve their nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of DOs, possibly through the reconstruction of gap junctions in vitro.

Comparable clinical outcomes and live births after single vitrified-warmed and fresh blastocyst transfer.

Selective single-blastocyst transfer (SBT) in fresh cycles has been effective in reducing multiple pregnancies. However, we do not know whether this successful strategy of fresh transfer cycles is suitable for cryopreserved cycles. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility and value of SBT in vitrified-warmed cycles. Clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) was similar with vitrified and fresh SBT (46.61% versus 52.15% respectively). Of the pregnant patients, monozygotic twin, miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy rates were similar with vitrified and fresh SBT. For the newborns, no significant difference was observed in live birth, low birthweight, premature delivery and birth defects rates between vitrified and fresh SBT. With respect to the quality of transferred blastocysts (from BB to AA), a similar CPR and miscarriage rate was obtained for both vitrified and fresh SBT when a similar blastocyst cohort graded ≥ 3BB was transferred. The data show that vitrified SBT is an effective means of reducing multiple pregnancy and that comparable clinical outcomes and live births are achieved if single blastocysts graded ≥ 3BB are transferred for both vitrified and fresh SBT. These data should encourage clinics to evaluate their embryo transfer policy and adopt vitrified SBT as everyday practice. Selective single-blastocyst transfer in fresh cycles has been an effective method to reduce the multiple pregnancies. However, due to a lack of adequate studies, we do not know whether this successful strategy in fresh transfer cycles is suitable in cryopreserved cycles. The present study was undertaken to explore the feasibility and value of single-blastocyst transfer in vitrified-warmed cycles. We found that single-blastocyst transfer in vitrified-warmed cycles is an effective means of reducing multiple pregnancy, and comparable clinical outcomes and live births were achieved if single blastocysts graded ≥ 3BB were transferred for both vitrified-warmed and fresh blastocyst transfer. These data should encourage clinics to evaluate their embryo transfer policy and adopt single-blastocyst transfer in cryopreserved cycles as their everyday practice.

[Effects of artificial shrinkage of blastocoeles before vitrification on pregnancy outcome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects on pregnancy outcome and neonate by artificial shrinkage by microsucting the fluid of expanded blastocysts before vitrification using glass micropipette (GMP). METHODS: From Jan. 2006 to Dec. 2009, 342 vitrified-thawed blastocyst cycles from patients that performed in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were enrolled in this study in Reproductive Medicine center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Three hundred and fourteen cycles of expanded blastocysts were artificially shranked by microsucting blastocoelic fluid with a micro-needle before vitrification as artificial shrinkage group, in the mean time, 28 cycles without artificial shrinkage were chosed as control group. The survival rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and transfer canceled rate were compared between artificial shrinkage group and control group. Among pregnant women, the miscarriage rate, live birth rate, congenital birth defect rate, neonatal weight and gestational age were compared with those of fresh embryo transfers in 520 cycles. RESULTS: The blastocyst survival rate, implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were 95.3% (403/423), 38.0% (153/403), 44.6% (140/314) in artificial shrinkage group and 64.3% (27/42), 7.4% (2/27), 7.1% (2/28) in control group, respectively, which reached statistical difference (P < 0.05). The transfer canceled rate was 0 in artificial shrinkage group and 25.0% (7/28) in control group, which also reached statistical difference (P < 0.05). Among pregnant patients, the miscarriage rate of 18.2% (10/55), live birth rate of 80.0% (44/55), gestational age of (38.2 ± 1.3) weeks, congenital birth defect rate of 2.1% (1/47), birth weight of newborns of (2989 ± 640) gram in artificial shrinkage group were not significantly different with 17.5% (91/520), 74.0% (385/520), (37.9 ± 2.3) weeks, 1.7% (8/479) and (2856 ± 640) gram in fresh embryo transfer group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Artificial shrinkage by microsucting blastocoelic fluid with a micro-needle before vitrification significantly improved the vitrification effects of expanded blastocyst and no distinct increasing rate of neonates congenital anomality were observed.

[Influence of sperm morphology on the outcomes and neonatal status in IVF-ET].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of sperm morphology on the outcomes and status of the neonates in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: Strictly based on the WHO criteria, we divided semen samples into a moderately abnormal group (sperm of normal morphology 5% - 10%), a mildly abnormal group (10% < sperm of normal morphology < 15%) and a normal group (sperm of normal morphology > or = 15%) , and compared the rates of fertilization, cleavage, quality embryos, implantation, clinical pregnancy and live births among the three groups. RESULTS: There were not significant differences in the patients' age among the three groups (P > 0.05). The fertilization rate was markedly lower in the moderately abnormal than in the mildly abnormal group (63.70% vs 73.74%, P < 0.05), but not significantly different from the normal group (63.70% vs 68.05%, P > 0.05). The rate of quality embryos of the normal group was the highest, significantly higher than that of the moderately abnormal group (44.83% vs 35.75%, P < 0.05), but no statistically significant differences were observed in the rates of cleavage, implantation and clinical pregnancy among the three groups (P > 0.05). A total of 125 babies were born from the 280 ET cycles, including 73 singletons and 26 twins, of whom none showed any congenital birth defects. No statistically significant differences were found in the rates of abortion, ectopic pregnancy and premature delivery, nor in the mean gestational period and average body weight of the neonates among the three groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Moderately abnormal sperm morphology did not affect the fertility rate of IVF, but significantly decreased the quality of embryos; mildly abnormal sperm morphology had no obvious influence on the rates of fertilization, cleavage, quality embryos, implantation, clinical pregnancy and live births; while normal sperm morphology played a limited role in predicting the outcomes and status of the neonates in IVF-ET.