Peritoneal metastasis of advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: A retrospective international multicentric data analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of our study was to evaluate outcome data after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients with peritoneal metastasis originating from advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma (PMOC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective international multi-institutional registry was established through collaborative efforts of participating units affiliated with the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred and ninety-one patients from 11 specialized units underwent CRS and HIPEC that of those 326 (21.9%) upfront surgeries, 504 (33.8%) interval surgery, and 661(44.3%) recurrent cases. Complete Cytoreduction(CC0/1) was achieved in 1213 patients (81.3%). Treatment -related mortality was 0.8%, major operative complications (Grades 3-5) was 25.1%. Factors associated with major operative complications include prior surgical score (PSS for recurrent cases; RC) PSS>2,p = 0.000), PCI(≤15, >15 cut-off level; p ≤ 0.000), completeness of cytoreduction (CC, p=0.000), high CA125 levels (>25 mg/dl), presence of ascites, high CRP (>5 mg/dl) levels and low albumin levels (below to 2.5 mg/dl) (p ≤ 0.05). The median survival was 58 months in upfront surgery(UFS), 60 months in interval surgery(IS), and 42 months in RC. The overall survival for five years was 45% for UFS, 37% for IS, 28% for RC cases. CCscore (p = 0.000), CA125, CRP and albumin levels (p ≤ 0.05) were predictors for progression free survival. PCI(p ≤ 0.000), major postoperative complications (p = 0.004), incomplete CRS(CC2/3)(p < 0.001), prior chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 3-8; p < 0.001) and PSS>2 for RC were independent predictors of poor overall survival. CONCLUSION: The combined treatment strategy for PMOC may be performed safely with acceptable morbidity and mortality in the specialized units.

Is there a relationship between infertility and fertilin β protein distribution? / ¿Existe relación entre la infertilidad y la distribución de la proteína fertilin β?

Introduction: Fertilin β is a sperm surface protein that can mediate sperm-egg membrane interaction. This study was conducted to determine whether the expression of fertilin β after intrauterine insemination (IUI) in donors with normal parameters after standard semen analysis is related to low success rate or failure of fertilization. Methods: We examined the sperm of 30 male donors who have normal as controls, oligozoospermia, and unexplained infertility as the clinically indication for IUI. Fertilin β has been labeled with the ADAM2 antibody by indirect immunofluorescence (IF) assay. To evaluate the reproducibility of the test, we selected four sperm samples scale of 0 to +++ according to the distribution of fluorescence label. Results: The results were highly correlated with the corrected total cell fluorescence (CTCF) (Rp=0.9972, P<0.05). We suggest that the relationship between infertility and fertilin β may be due to the distribution of this protein on the sperm surface. Male partners of couples with unexplained infertility showed a low distribution of fertilin β by a decrease of the fluorescence signal in the IF labeling (scale of +++ by 7.4±10.32%, P<0.0001, ±SD). Discussion: Abnormal fertilin β function may be a potential mechanism that could lead to fertilization failure. (AU)

Introducción: La fertilinβ es una proteína de la superficie del esperma que puede mediar entre la interacción del espermatozoide y la membrana del óvulo. Este estudio se realizó para determinar si la expresión de fertilinβ después de la inseminación intrauterina (IIU) en donantes con parámetros normales después del análisis estándar de semen está relacionada con una baja tasa de éxito o fracaso de la fertilización. Métodos: Examinamos los espermatozoides de 30 donantes masculinos que tenían controles normales, oligozoospermia e infertilidad inexplicable como indicación clínica de IIU. La fertilinβ ha sido etiquetada con el anticuerpo ADAM2 mediante un ensayo de inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IF). Para evaluar la reproducibilidad de la prueba, seleccionamos cuatro muestras de esperma en una escala de 0 a +++ según la distribución de la etiqueta de fluorescencia. Resultados: Los resultados estuvieron altamente correlacionados con la fluorescencia celular total corregida (Rp=0,9972, p<0,05). Sugerimos que la relación entre la infertilidad y la fertilinβ puede deberse a la distribución de esta proteína en la superficie del esperma. Los compañeros masculinos de parejas con infertilidad inexplicable mostraron una baja distribución de fertilinβ por una disminución de la señal de fluorescencia en el etiquetado IF (escala de +++ en 7,4 ±10,32%, p<0,0001, ±DE). Conclusión: La función anormal de la fertilinβ puede ser un mecanismo potencial que podría conducir al fracaso de la fertilización. (AU)

What to advise to patients with only one good quality blastocyst, PGT-A or not? Outcomes of 2064 cycles.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is beneficial for patients who have only one blastocyst available for biopsy or transfer. METHODS: This retrospective study was based on 1126 single blastocyst PGT-A and 938 non-PGT-A cycles, a total of 2064 ART cycles which resulted in a single good quality blastocyst in women between 20 and 45 years old. The PGT-A group had 225 single euploid embryo transfer cycles and the non-PGT-A group had 938 single blastocyst embryo transfer cycles. RESULTS: In the generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), female age and PGT-A variables were found to be significant variables on pregnancy outcomes. In the PGT-A cases, regardless of the effect of other variables, the probabilities of clinical pregnancy and live birth were found to be 3.907 and 3.448 fold higher respectively than in the non-PGT-A cases (p < 0.001). In non PGT-A cases, the probability of a total pregnancy loss was found to be 1.943 fold higher (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: PGT-A in the presence of a single blastocyst significantly increases clinical pregnancy and live birth rates and decreases total pregnancy losses regardless of age. In addition, aneuploid embryo transfer cancelations prevent ineffective and potentially risky transfers.

Is there a relationship between infertility and fertilin ß protein distribution?

INTRODUCTION: Fertilin ß is a sperm surface protein that can mediate sperm-egg membrane interaction. This study was conducted to determine whether the expression of fertilin ß after intrauterine insemination (IUI) in donors with normal parameters after standard semen analysis is related to low success rate or failure of fertilization. METHODS: We examined the sperm of 30 male donors who have normal as controls, oligozoospermia, and unexplained infertility as the clinically indication for IUI. Fertilin ß has been labeled with the ADAM2 antibody by indirect immunofluorescence (IF) assay. To evaluate the reproducibility of the test, we selected four sperm samples scale of 0 to +++ according to the distribution of fluorescence label. RESULTS: The results were highly correlated with the corrected total cell fluorescence (CTCF) (Rp=0.9972, P<0.05). We suggest that the relationship between infertility and fertilin ß may be due to the distribution of this protein on the sperm surface. Male partners of couples with unexplained infertility showed a low distribution of fertilin ß by a decrease of the fluorescence signal in the IF labeling (scale of +++ by 7.4±10.32%, P<0.0001, ±SD). DISCUSSION: Abnormal fertilin ß function may be a potential mechanism that could lead to fertilization failure.

How does sperm apoptosis affect the outcome of intrauterine insemination and intracytoplasmic sperm injection?

Up to 20% of male infertility is caused by abnormal DNA organization of the sperm and anomalies of the sperm apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the sperm DNA apoptosis and viability in patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In the second part of the analysis, sperm DNA apoptosis and viability were investigated in patients with oligozoospermia and normospermia respectively. A total of 45 IUI and 38 ICSI patients were included in this study. Annexin V analysis was performed to investigate the sperm viability, and TUNEL assay was used to evaluate the sperm DNA apoptosis. Further investigations using 12 oligozoospermia and 11 control samples for sperm viability and sperm DNA apoptosis at different incubation periods and temperatures were performed. The results of this study showed a negative correlation between the sperm DNA apoptosis in IUI patients, but no relationship was observed for the ICSI patients. The second part of this study showed that incubation of semen samples at 37°C for 3 h has detrimental effects on the sperm DNA integrity. In conclusion, the incubation of semen at high temperatures affects the sperm quality. The results of this study showed that these tests can be beneficial for the infertile couples to achieve pregnancy.

The Association Between Follicular Fluid Sialic Acid Levels, Oocyte Quality, and Pregnancy Rates.

Sialic acid residues perform important roles in both physiological and pathologic processes. Our aim was to measure the levels of sialic acid in the follicular fluid of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to assess correlations between IVF parameters and sialic acid levels. All women meeting the inclusion criteria underwent gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment and during oocyte retrieval, follicular fluids of mature follicles were collected and pooled for each patient. Correlation analysis was made between sialic acid levels and oocyte quality. Eighty-seven patients meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled. In terms of oocyte quality and sialic acid, follicular fluid total sialic acid (FF-TSA) levels positively correlated with germinal vesicle oocytes and metaphase I oocytes. In terms of clinical parameters, no correlation between sialic acid levels and body mass index, serum levels of hormones, duration of infertility, and the total dose of gonadotropins was observed. The mean FF-TSA was 86.1±35.19 mg/dl in the clinical pregnancy positive group and was 73.64±22.15 mg/dl in the clinical pregnancy negative group. FF-TSA levels positively correlated with immature oocytes. This can be either as part of the normal oocyte maturation or as a compensatory mechanism against reactive oxygen species during the oocyte maturation process.

SARS-CoV-2 infection and human semen: possible modes of contamination and transmission.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has turned into a global pandemic with multitudinous health impacts. MAIN BODY: In light of the higher vulnerability of men to COVID-19 than women, there is rising concerns on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on male fertility and possibilities of seminal contamination and transmission. The pandemic has attributed to the brief suspension of many fertility clinics and pathology laboratories, though many remained functional. Few reports reflect that SARS-CoV-2 can contaminate the semen of COVID-19 patients as well as that of recovering patients. The viral invasion into the testis may be due to the disrupted anatomical barriers of the testis by the inflammatory responses, and the persistence of the virus in the semen may be facilitated by the testicular immune privilege. Since SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped RNA virus, it is also theoretically possible that this virus can remain viable in the semen samples even after cryopreservation with liquid nitrogen. CONCLUSION: The present review emphasizes the possibilities of seminal dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 and thereby the chances of its sexual transmission. These perceptions and predictions are to facilitate immediate necessary actions to improvise the standard precautionary procedures for laboratory practices, including semen analysis or processing the semen sample for fertility treatments.

Evaluation of citrinin-induced toxic effects on mouse Sertoli cells.

Penicillium citrinum-derived mycotoxin citrinin (CTN) is known to be a toxic agent for humans and animals. Previous studies have shown that CTN leads to toxicity in many biological systems; however, a limited number of studies have been performed to demonstrate the harmful effects of CTN on the male reproductive system. In the present study, the effects of CTN on cytotoxicity and apoptosis were examined in Sertoli cells as a model. Sertoli cells were treated with eight different CTN concentrations (from 0 up to 200 µM, for 6-72 h). Toxic potential of CTN was estimated by measuring metabolic activity (MTT test), DNA synthesis (BrdU test), and cell membrane damage (LDH test) as well as apoptosis and necrosis (via staining with propidium iodide and Hoechst 33342). The results showed that CTN significantly decreased the cell viability and cell proliferation, increased cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and necrosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, CTN showed cytotoxicity in Sertoli cells with an IC50 value of 116.5 µM for 24 h. In conclusion, these findings clearly showed that, CTN affects Sertoli cells even at low concentrations. Thus, as a result of the damage of CTN shown in Sertoli cells, it can be deduced that CTN may also have detrimental effects on the testes.

Effects of different pulp-capping materials on cell death signaling pathways of lipoteichoic acid-stimulated human dental pulp stem cells.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the response of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) cultured with and without lipoteichoic acid (LTA) to different pulp-capping materials. METHODS: The cells were cultured and seeded in 6-well plates and exposed to 1% LTA solution. Dycal, ProRoot MTA and Biodentine materials were applied on cells and all groups were evaluated by cell proliferation, viability, cell cycle and cell death signaling pathways for 24 and 72 h. RESULTS: LTA + Dycal treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of DPSCs and increased the apoptosis rate of cells more than the other groups at 72 h. Compared to other groups, LTA + Dycal treatment significantly increased the levels of Caspase-3 and AKT and decreased the levels of p-AKT. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealed that all tested materials caused apoptosis in DPSCs via an extrinsic apoptotic pathway. The DPSCs showed an early apoptosis response to the Dycal and a late apoptosis response to the ProRoot MTA and Biodentine treatments. LTA led autophagy and inhibited the proliferation of DPSCs. ProRoot MTA and Biodentin eliminated the LTA's bioactivity with higher efficiency than Dycal.

Evaluation of the morphokinetic parameters and development of pre-implantation embryos obtained by testicular, epididymal and ejaculate spermatozoa using time-lapse imaging system.

Low sperm quality has negative effects on fertilisation and embryo development. The males with azoospermia apply for testicular sperm extraction (TESE) or microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) in order to retrieve sperm. To date, there have not been any reports investigating morphokinetic parameters of pre-implantation embryos using testicular and epididymal spermatozoa. Therefore, we aimed to correlate embryo development and assess morphogenetic parameters in embryos obtained by TESE and MESA using time-lapse imaging. A total of 60 patients undergoing IVF treatments were included in this study. Twenty men with normal semen parameters were selected as control group. Twenty men undergoing TESE and 20 men undergoing MESA were also included in this study. The morphokinetic parameters of time intervals between the second polar body (PB2) extrusion, pronuclei formation and disappearance and cleavage divisions showed significant variations in TESE, MESA and control groups. Furthermore, the pregnancy rates (positive beta-hCG) were shown to be similar in both TESE and the control group (55% in each group), whereas for the MESA group, this rate was significantly lower (39%, p = 0.049). Further extrapolation of these results may implicate that the obstructive azoospermia patients should undergo TESE instead of MESA for better blastocyst development and higher pregnancy rates.

The use of aniline blue chromatin condensation test on prediction of pregnancy in mild male factor and unexplained male infertility.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using sperm function tests (hypoosmotic swelling test [HOS], aniline blue [AB] staining test, and sperm chromatin dispersion [SCD]) to predict intrauterine insemination [IUI] success rate. A total of 243 couples with mild male factor or unexplained male infertility who underwent IUI were evaluated prospectively. The results of basic sperm analysis and sperm function tests were compared between pregnant or nonpregnant groups. The HOS (11.9 ± 9.6% vs. 10.1 ± 8.5%, p = 0.35) and SCD tests (32.9 ± 21.0% vs. 29.9 ± 19.0%, p = 0.48) were not significantly different between pregnant (n = 22) and nonpregnant (n = 221) groups. However, the AB staining negativity rate was significantly higher in the pregnant group compared to the nonpregnant group (35.2 ± 20.8% and 24.4 ± 18.0%, p = 0.008). On ROC analysis, a cut-off value of 24% for AB negativity showed a sensitivity and a specificity value of 82.35% and 51.38% (AUC) = 0.653; 95% confidence interval: 0.571-0.72 P (Area = 0.5) = 0.0267, respectively, for prediction of pregnancy. Our study showed that the sperm chromatin maturity, assessed by AB stain, may predict the pregnancy in couples with unexplained female infertility plus mild male factor or unexplained male infertility. The HOS and SCD failed to predict the pregnancy in this group of couples.

Comparison of antagonist mild and long agonist protocols in terms of follicular fluid total antioxidant capacity.

OBJECTIVE: A high dose of prolonged gonadotropins can yield higher numbers of oocytes and embryos. The high dose or prolonged regimens can be associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), multiple gestations, emotional stress, economical burden and treatment dropout. In mild stimulation lower doses and shorter duration times of gonadotropin are used in contrast to the conventional long stimulation protocol in IVF. It has been proposed that supraphysiologic levels of hormones may adversely affect endometrium and oocyte/embryo. Also it has been proposed that oxidative stress (OS) may alter ovarian hormone dynamics and could be further affected by additional exogenous hormonal stimulation. Therefore our aim was to compare follicular fluid total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in antagonist mild and long agonist stimulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients received antagonist mild stimulation, starting on the 5th day of their cycle and forty patients received long agonist treatment. Seventy-five patients undergoing their first IVF cycle were included in the final analysis. Follicular fluid (FF) samples were analyzed for estradiol (E2), antimullerian hormone (AMH) and TAC. RESULTS: FF-Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were higher in the long agonist group as opposed to the antagonist group [1.07 ± 0.04 mmol Trolox equivalent/L vs 1 ± 0.13 mmol Trolox equivalent/L] (Fig. 1). Pregnancy rates were not significantly different between the two treatments. The FF-TAC levels were not different among infertility etiologies (Fig. 3). FF-TAC levels did not have a direct correlation with pregnancy but a positive correlation with the total gonadotropin dose was observed. CONCLUSION: Patients with good ovarian reserves and under the age of 35 effectively responded to mild stimulation treatment. Using lower amounts of gonadotropin, yielded less FF-TAC levels in patients who underwent antagonist mild protocol. In patients under the age of 35, antagonist mild stimulation is a patient friendly and effective procedure when undergoing their first IVF cycle.

Notch signaling pathway in cumulus cells can be a novel marker to identify poor and normal responder IVF patients.

PURPOSE: To identify expression of Notch signaling proteins and its ligands in human cumulus cells which were obtained by follicle aspiration and to compare the differences of this protein expression between the normal and poor responder patients. METHODS: 47 patients who applied to the assisted reproductive treatments with various infertility problems were included to the study. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was performed by using GnRH agonist and gonadotropins. Serum hormon levels were measured by using Chemilluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay method for each patient. After ultrasonographic ovarian follicle screening, oocytes were retrievaled. Cumulus cells obtained from the follicles were cultured for 72 h and immunuhistochemistry were performed for Notch1, Notch2, Notch3, Notch4, Jagged1 and Jagged2 proteins. Histological score (HSCORE) were applied to all of the samples. The association between Notch and its ligands protein expressions and the oocyte-embryo quality and fertilization rates were investigated. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between the mean values of age, AMH and FSH in the 2 groups, respectively (p < 0.05). However, the mean female infertility duration and total gonadotropin dose did not differ significantly between normal and poor responder groups. All the patients cumulus cells expressed Notch1, Notch2, Notch3, Notch4, Jagged1 and Jagged2. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) only for Notch2 between the 2 groups and a positive correlation between Notch2 and Notch3 (r = 547, p = 0.00) expressions were noted. Furthermore, no correlations were observed between the following: Notch1, Notch2, Notch3, Notch4, Jagged1, and Jagged2 expression; mature oocyte number; fertilization rates, and embryo quality percentage in both of the groups. CONCLUSION: Notch signalling proteins can be an indicator for understanding the ovarian response in ovulation induction.

Anti-Müllerian hormone and polycystic ovary syndrome: assessment of the clinical pregnancy rates in in vitro fertilization patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and antral follicle count (AFC) for the prediction of clinical pregnancy rates (CPR) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing IVF treatment. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred and fifty consecutive women with PCOS. INTERVENTIONS: All women underwent controlled ovarian stimulation with long agonist protocol followed by IVF procedure. Outcomes of pregnant and non-pregnant groups were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: CPR; AMH, FSH and AFC means and percentiles. RESULTS: Fifty-one (34%) clinical pregnancies were observed in 150 women. Mean AMH was 6.7 ± 2.8 and 7.1 ± 4.3 ng/mL in pregnant and non-pregnant women, respectively (p = 0.594). The CPR were 27.8%, 35.0% and 37.8% in <25%, 25%-75% and >75% AMH percentiles, respectively (p = 0.656). There were also no significant difference in mean FSH and AFC between pregnant and non-pregnant women (p = 0.484 and p = 0.165, respectively). CONCLUSION: AMH, FSH and AFC are not predictive for CPR in women with PCOS undergoing IVF treatment. Mean AMH values were not significantly different between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Although CRP increased in parallel with the raise in AMH percentiles, this remained insignificant.

Evaluation of subgroups of the human sperm hypoosmotic swelling test in normozoospermic male cases with recurrent fertilization failure: a prospective case-controlled study.

PURPOSE: To compare subgroups of the human sperm hypoosmotic swelling test subgroups in both recurrent fertilization negative infertile cases with normal semen analysis and fertilization positive controls. METHODS: This was a prospective case-controlled study performed with normospermic 33 previously fertile male (secondary infertility) and 41 infertile men who had undergone two or three unsuccessful in vitro fertilization attempts. HOS test was investigated in 4 subgroups including HOS 1, HOS 2, HOS 3, and HOS 4 according to the degree of sperm tail swelling and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Four subgroups were compared and statistical significance was demonstrated in HOS 1, HOS 3 and HOS 4 tests (p < 0.001) in fertile and infertile men. Highest HOS 1 and lowest HOS 4 grades were determined in Group A. However, no statistical significance was determined between two groups in HOS 2 test which was minimal swelling in sperm tails. CONCLUSIONS: HOS 1, HOS 3 and HOS 4 subgroups of HOS test are reliable and useful methods providing important information regarding the sperm function. A high HOS test 1 grade plus a low HOS test 4 grade should suggest a fertility problem, despite a normal semen analysis. HOS test subgroups provide additional information in normospermic cases with unexplained infertility.

Serum anti-müllerian hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and antral follicle count measurement cannot predict pregnancy rates in IVF/ICSI cycles.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether serum anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), or antral follicle count (AFC) are predictive for clinical pregnancy in in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients. METHODS: Serum AMH, inhibin B, FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), prolactin, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and AFC of 189 women under 40 years of age were investigated. Pregnant and non-pregnant women were compared. RESULTS: Forty-seven (24.8 %) clinical pregnancies were observed in 189 women. There was no significant difference in terms of mean age, duration of infertility, body mass index, AMH, LH, FSH, E2, TSH, Inhibin B, AFC and total oocyte number between women who did and who did not become pregnant. Additionally, there was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy rates between the quartiles of AMH, FSH and AFC. (P values were 0.668, 0.071, and 0.252, respectively.) CONCLUSION: Serum AMH and FSH, and AFC cannot predict clinical pregnancy in IVF patients under 40; the pregnancy rate tends to increase as AMH increases, although this remains non-significant.

The association between homocysteine in the follicular fluid with embryo quality and pregnancy rate in assisted reproductive techniques.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between follicular fluid homocysteine levels and embryo quality and pregnancy rates in patients undergoing assisted reproduction. METHODS: Fifty infertile women who were admitted to our clinic were enrolled in the study. Ovulation induction was performed by using GnRH agonist and gonadotropins. For each patient, homocysteine level in the follicular fluid was measured by using nephelometric method after the oocyte pick-up. The association between the homocysteine concentration in the follicular fluid and the oocyte-embryo quality, pregnancy rates and hormone levels were investigated. RESULTS: Mean ± SD Hcy was 9.6 ± 2.02 µmol/L and 14.9 ± 2.93 µmol/L in pregnant and non-pregnant women, respectively (p < 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women in mean age, duration of infertility, body mass index, the oocyte-embryo quality parameters, and hormone levels. Homocystein did not have any correlation with M2, late M2, and total number of oocytes, number of fertilized oocytes and transferred embryos, and embryo quality grade. Area under curve (AUC) of hcy for prediction of pregnancy failure was 0.922 (p = 0.0001, 95% Confidence interval 0.85-0.99). A threshold of 11.9 µmol/L of hcy had a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 91.6% for prediction of pregnancy failure. The subgroup analysis in male factor infertility group (n = 28), showed that mean homocystein was 9.9 ± 2.44 µmol/L and 14.1 ± 2.72 µmol/L in pregnant and non-pregnant women, respectively (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Low follicular fluid homocysteine level is associated with a better chance of clinical pregnancy.

Recurrent implantation failure is more frequently seen in female patients with poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the characteristics and results of patients who suffer from recurrent implantation failure (RIF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross sectional study, a total of 2183 cases who were evaluated retrospectively at the Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology, IVF unit between 2000-2007. According to the data gathered, we included 1822 cases in this study. We compared 185 patients with RIF to 1637 women without RIF. RESULTS: Pregnancy was achieved by 589 couples out of 1822 (32%). The implantation rate was 10%, which declined to 5.8% after the fourth attempt. In the RIF group, patients' mean age was higher and there were more overweight women, the duration of fertility was longer, day 3 follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) levels and the total gonadotropin dose administered were higher, mean level of Estradiol (E2) on the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) day was lower, and the mean level of progesterone on the hCG day was elevated compared to the non-RIF group. Although the comparison of MII oocyte number was not significant, the mean number of fertilized oocytes was found to be significant in favor of the non-RIF group. The endometrial thicknesses were found to be similar for both groups. Comparison of sperm motility and morphology were statistically significant in favor of the RIF group. CONCLUSION: In our study, we have found that the group with RIF were comprised of patients with poor prognosis who were older, overweight, had a longer infertility duration, a higher FSH level, and needed more gonadotropin doses in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Sperm motility and morphology were better in the RIF group compared to the non-RIF group, and multiple pregnancy rates were lower in RIF patients.

Serum anti-Müllerian hormone and antral follicle count as predictive markers of OHSS in ART cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate predictive role of day-3 serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and antral follicle count (AFC) in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in patients undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one women with moderate/severe OHSS and 41 age matched women without OHSS were compared to evaluate the predictive value of certain risk factors for OHSS. AFC, and E(2), FSH, LH, AMH, inhibin-B levels measured on day 3 of the menstrual cycle before controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. RESULTS: Mean FSH was significantly lower (p < 0.0001); and mean LH, AFC and AMH were significantly higher in women with OHSS compared to women without OHSS (p = 0.049, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). There was no significant difference in inhibin B (p = 0.112) and estradiol (p = 0.706) between the groups. The ROC area under curve (AUC) for AMH presented the largest AUC among the listed risk factors. AMH (AUC = 0.87) and AFC (AUC = 0.74) had moderate accuracy for predicting OHSS while Inhibin B (AUC = 0.58) and LH (AUC = 0.61) had low accuracy. The cut-off value for AMH 3.3 ng/mL provided the highest sensitivity (90%) and specificity (71%) for predicting OHSS. It's positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were 61% and 94%, respectively. The cut-off value for AFC was 8 with 78% sensitivity, 65% specificity, 52% PPV and 86% NPV. CONCLUSION: Measurement of basal serum AMH and AFC can be used to determine the women with high risk for OHSS.

Different serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations are associated with oocyte quality, embryo development parameters and IVF-ICSI outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between different basal serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and oocyte-embryo quality and IVF outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and nine infertile women who underwent in vitro fertilization treatment with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) between January 2009 and February 2011 were included in the study. Mean age, BMI, FSH, E(2), inhibin B, duration of infertility, total gonadotropin dose, antral follicle count, morphology of all oocytes, percentage of MII, early cleavage rate, the number of good quality embryos in transfer and ongoing pregnancy (>12 weeks) rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Six groups were formed according to the percentiles as <10% (≤0.89 ng/ml; n = 21), 10-25% (0.89-1.40 ng/ml; n = 31), 25-50% (1.40-2.89 ng/ml; n = 53), 50-75% (2.89-4.83 ng/ml; n = 28), 75-90% (4.83-8.06 ng/ml; n = 55), >90% (>8.06 ng/ml; n = 21). Central granulation, cytoplasmic granulation, oocyte postmaturity, percentage of embryos, early cleavage and percentage of transferred good quality embryos were significantly different in five groups (ANOVA test). Ongoing pregnancy rate (PR) was the lowest in <10% (9.5%), and the highest in 50-75% group (39.3%). (P = 0.040) CONCLUSION: Different AMH levels may predict the quality of oocytes, presence of postmaturity and nucleoli Z score, early cleavage and ICSI outcomes.