Misoprostol treatment for early pregnancy loss: an international survey.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the global variability in misoprostol treatment for the management of early pregnancy loss (EPL)? DESIGN: An international web-based survey of fertility specialists and obstetrics and gynaecology clinicians was conducted between August and November 2020. The survey consisted of 16 questions addressing several aspects of misoprostol treatment for EPL. RESULTS: Overall, 309 clinicians from 80 countries participated in the survey, of whom 67.3% were fertility specialists. Nearly one-half (47.9%) of the respondents let the patient choose the first line of treatment (expectant management, misoprostol treatment or surgical aspiration) according to her own preference. The 248 respondents who administer misoprostol in their daily practice were asked further questions; 59.7% of them advise patients to take the medication at home. The most common dose and route of administration is 800 µg administered vaginally. Only 28.6% of participants use mifepristone pretreatment. Variation in the timing of the first follow-up visit after misoprostol administration was wide, ranging from 24 h to 1 week in most clinics. In case of incomplete expulsion, only 42.3% of the respondents routinely administer a second dose. The timing of the final visit and the definition of successful treatment also differed greatly among respondents. CONCLUSIONS: There is large variability in the use of misoprostol for the management of EPL. High-quality research is necessary to examine several aspects of the treatment. Particularly, the timing and effectiveness of a second dose administration and the criteria to decide on treatment failure or success deserve more research in the future.

Cultural competence in fertility care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people: a systematic review of patient and provider perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the patient and provider perspectives on cultural competence in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) fertility care. DESIGN: Systematic review. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): LGBTQ+ patients and their partners treated for fertility-related care; fertility providers who treat LGBTQ+ patients. INTERVENTION(S): We conducted a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines of six databases: Medline-OVID, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.Gov, and PsycInfo. Citations of full-text articles were hand-searched using the Scopus database. Eligible studies were assessed using the Risk of Bias Instrument for Cross-Sectional Surveys of Attitudes and Practices, as well as the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. All screening, extraction, and appraisal were completed in duplicate with two independent reviewers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Patient-reported or provider-reported views on LGBTQ+ cultural competence in fertility care, including barriers and facilitators to inclusive care. RESULT(S): Of the 1,747 original database citations, we included 25 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Of the 21 studies that evaluated patient perspectives, 13 studies targeted same-sex cisgender couples while the remainder targeted transgender and gender-nonconforming participants (n = 6) or any individual who identified as a sexual or gender minority (n = 2). Key barriers for LGBTQ+ participants included gender dysphoria, heteronormativity, stigmatization, and psychological distress. The lack of tailored information for LGBTQ+ populations was repeatedly highlighted as a concern. Promising solutions included tailored information, psychosocial interventions, gender-neutral language, and inclusive intake processes. CONCLUSION(S): LGBTQ+ individuals face unique barriers in fertility care, as described by both patients and providers. This review describes a number of implementable solutions for equitable care, which should be given priority for both research and hospital interventions.

Tunisian Recommendations for resumption of Reproductive Medicine activity in the Covid-19 pandemic.

The activity of the Reproductive Medicine poses a dilemma in this pandemic Covid-19. In fact, this is a theoretically non-emergency activity except for fertility preservation with oncological reasons. The majority of fertility societies in the world such as the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) recommended stopping the inclusion of new patients and continuing only the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycles that have already been initiated by promoting Freeze-all as much as possible. Initilaly, the "Société Tunisienne de Gynécologie Obstétrique" (STGO) issued national recommendations that echo the international recommendations. These recommendations were followed by the majority of IVF center in Tunisia. However, a number of new data are prompting us to update these recommendations.

Academic pursuits in board-certified reproductive endocrinologists.

OBJECTIVE: To determine research interests of reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) physicians and assess their academic productivity. DESIGN: A questionnaire composed by the Society for REI (SREI) board members was e-mailed to members. PubMed was queried to quantify peer-reviewed publications. SETTING: An internal SREI questionnaire to members and online publication search. PATIENT(S): Not applicable. INTERVENTION(S): Questions involving research being performed, funding, relevance to fellow thesis, and important areas of future research. Publications were ascertained in the past 3 years, past 10 years, and total publications for SREI members. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Question responses and number of peer-reviewed publications. RESULT(S): Most respondents currently conduct research, which was predominantly clinical. One-third have current research funding and two-thirds were ever funded. One-third had a National Institutes of Health grant and about half were principal investigators. Two-thirds had a basic science fellow thesis and 44% of respondents perform research related to their fellowship thesis. Important research areas included infertility outcomes, implantation, preimplantation genetic testing, and genetics. In the past 3 years, SREI members published 3,408 peer-reviewed articles (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 4.4 ± 9.0). In the past 10 years, SREI members had 10,162 peer-reviewed publications (mean±SD, 13.0 ± 24.3). When all publications were considered, SREI members published 24,088 peer-reviewed articles (mean±SD, 30.9 ± 53.0). CONCLUSION(S): The REI fellows have learned to construct scientific articles, which will help them to better interpret the literature in the care of patients. The SREI members continue to pursue scientific investigation, commonly related to their fellowship thesis. Respondents support SREI funding research; the success of which should be judged by publications. Overall, SREI members have demonstrated significant academic productivity and published about 1,000 articles/year for the past 10 years, affirming the importance of research training.

Discordant anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) among women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF): which one is the better predictor for live birth?

BACKGROUND: This study sought to clarify the roles of Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in predicting live birth, especially in patients with discordant AMH and FSH. A large IVF data set provided by eIVF®, consisting of 13,964 cycles with AMH, FSH, age, BMI, and birth outcomes were evaluated. Patients were categorized into four groups: Good prognosis group (AMH ≥1 ng/ml; FSH < 10 mIU/ml), Poor prognosis group (AMH < 1 ng/ml; FSH ≥10 mIU/ml), Reassuring AMH group (AMH ≥1 ng/ml; FSH ≥10 mIU/ml), and Reassuring FSH group (AMH < 1 ng/ml; FSH < 10 mIU/ml). The interaction between AMH, FSH, and their impact on live birth rate among these four groups was evaluated using Generalized Additive Mixed Modeling (GAMM). RESULTS: Analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship of AMH and FSH with live birth rate among all ages. Among the four groups, the good prognosis group had the highest live birth rate while the poor prognosis group had the lowest live birth rate (29.3% vs 13.1%, p < 0.005). In the discordant groups, the live birth rate of the reassuring AMH group was significantly higher than the reassuring FSH group (22.8% vs 15.6%, p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Although both FSH and AMH are widely use to assess the ovarian reserve in women undergoing evaluation for infertility, AMH appears to be superior to FSH among all age groups. This is particularly important for patients with discordant AMH and FSH where reassuring AMH is a better clinical predictor of cycle success.

Percepciones y creencias sobre criopreservación embrionaria en mujeres y hombres que se realizan técnicas de reproducción asistida en Santiago, Chile / Perceptions and beliefs about embryo cryopreservation in women and men who have assisted reproductive techniques in Santiago, Chile

RESUMEN Introducción y objetivos: Aunque la criopreservación embrionaria es frecuentemente utilizada como parte de las técnicas de reproducción asistida, no existe información cuantitativa de cómo las parejas infértiles viven la experiencia de tener embriones criopreservados en Chile. El objetivo del estudio fue examinar las percepciones y creencias que tienen mujeres y hombres respecto de sus embriones criopreservados, sus perspectivas respecto de la donación reproductiva y destino de los embriones remanentes. Metodología: 153 mujeres y hombres con embriones criopreservados provenientes de un hospital público, Instituto de Investigaciones Materno Infantil y un centro privado, Clínica Las Condes, en Santiago, Chile, respondieron durante mayo 2015 a mayo 2016 un cuestionario en línea, anónimo, respecto de sus percepciones y creencias sobre criopreservación embrionaria. Resultados: Los encuestados reconocen a sus embriones criopreservados como un hijo (53.2%) o un proyecto de hijo (40.7%). Sólo 8% los considera un grupo organizado de células; sobre el 60% rechaza la opción de descartarlos o usarlos para investigación. Los participantes del hospital público tenían mayor disposición a donar sus embriones remanentes a otras parejas que aquellos del privado (61% vs 40%; P=0.016). Un 34% de las personas encuestadas estuvo de acuerdo con donar embriones a parejas de un mismo sexo. Conclusión: Este estudio muestra que las personas chilenas tienen un vínculo emocional con sus embriones criopreservados y no consideran descartarlos. Los resultados de este estudio pueden servir para dar adecuada consejería a las personas que se realizan técnicas de reproducción asistida, de tal modo de tomar decisiones informadas respecto de la criopreservación.

ABSTRACT Background and objetive: Although embryo cryopreservation is frequently used as part of assisted reproductive technology, quantitave information addressing how infertile couples live the experience of having cryopreserved embryos is lacking in Chile. The aim of this study is to examine men and women's perception and beliefs regarding their cryopreserved embryos, as well as their perspective on embryo donation and disposition. Methods: 153 women and men with frozen embryos from a public hospital, Instituto de Investigactiones Materno Infantil, and a private clinic, Clínica Las Condes, in Santiago, Chile, responded between May 2015 and May 2016 to an anonymous online survey addressing their perceptions and beliefs concerning their cryopreserved embryos. Results: Respondents considered their frozen embryos to be equivalent to a child (53.2%) or a potential child (40.7%). Only 8% regard them as an organized group of cells. Over 60% of respondents disagree with destroying surplus embryos or using them for research. Participants from the public hospital are more willing to donate their embryos to another couple than those from the private center (61% vs 40%; P=0.016); 34% of respondents agreed to donate surplus embryos to same sex couples. Conclusion: This study reveals that Chilean couples are emotionally bound to their frozen embryos, and that discarding them is not an option. The results from this survey will help strengthen counseling for couples to enable them to make informed decisions regarding their surplus embryos.

Human embryo research in Belgium: an overview.

OBJECTIVE: To present an overview of the numbers and types of human embryos used in research projects in Belgium from 2007 to 2015. DESIGN: Analysis of all research proposals approved by the Federal Commission for Medical and Scientific Research on Embryos In Vitro. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Number of embryos used for research, number of embryos created for research, and areas of embryo research. RESULT(S): Since 2007, 15,811 embryos were used for 36 research projects. In total, 10,492 (66%) fresh supernumerary embryos (unfit for transfer or freezing) were used, 4,083 (26%) frozen supernumerary embryos (donated by parents whose child wish was completed or abandoned), and 1,236 (8%) embryos created for research. Most projects focused on research into embryo development. Fresh supernumerary embryos were mainly used for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research. Frozen supernumerary embryos were almost exclusively used for research into embryo development and for hESC research. Embryos created for research were used for research into embryo development, oocyte research, research into cryopreservation of oocytes, and hESC research. CONCLUSION(S): Having concrete data on embryo research is crucial for an informed debate. Moreover, these data are necessary to find out trends in research such as the numbers of embryos needed and the areas of research. Data collection requires a sufficiently clear definition of "research" and "embryo." These conceptual questions frequently reveal lack of clarity in legislation.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender content on reproductive endocrinology and infertility clinic websites.

OBJECTIVE: To assess geographical distribution and practice characteristics of fertility clinics inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): None. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Prevalence and geographical distribution of fertility clinic websites with LGBT-specific content, indicated by keywords and home page cues specific to the LGBT patient population. Assessment of relationship between LGBT-specific content and clinic characteristics, including U.S. region, clinic size, private versus academic setting, and state-mandated fertility insurance coverage. RESULT(S): Of 379 websites analyzed, 201 (53%) contained LGBT content. Clinics with the highest proportion of LGBT website content were in the Northeast (59/82, 72%) and West (63/96, 66%), while the lowest proportion was in the Midwest (29/74, 39%) and South (50/127, 39%). Most frequently used terms included lesbian (72%), LGBT/LGBTQ (69%), and gay (68%), while less used terms included trans/transgender (32%) and bisexual (15%). Larger clinic size was associated with LGBT-specific website content (odds ratio, 4.42; 95% confidence interval, 2.07-9.67). Practice type and state-mandated fertility insurance coverage were not associated with a clinic website having LGBT content. CONCLUSION(S): Over half of Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology member fertility clinics included LGBT content on their websites, yet those in the Midwest and South were significantly less likely to do so. Predictive factors for having LGBT website content included location in northeastern and western regions and increasing clinic size. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether inclusion of LGBT content on clinic websites impacts use of reproductive services by the LGBT patient population.

[Sexual medicine in daily practice : Germany-wide questionnaire of urologists]. / Sexualmedizin im ärztlichen Alltag : Bundesweite Umfrage unter Ärzten in der Urologie.

BACKGROUND: Sexual-related problems are very prevalent. Physicians of different disciplines are frequently contacted by men with those problems. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the situation of sexual medicine in daily practice and to evaluate German urologists' need for further training in this field with a focus on gender-specific differences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A five-page questionnaire included questions about sexual medicine in daily practice. A focus was set on physicians dealing with sexual medicine in daily practice and their need for further training in this field. In April/Mai 2015, questionnaires were sent per mail to 5955 urologists, urology residents and andrologists throughout Germany. The questionnaire was developed based on previously published studies and a pretest was performed to evaluate comprehensibility. A χ2 test was performed to determine significant gender-specific differences; for this propose response options were dichotomised. P values ≤0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The response rate was 16.0%, representing 955 questionnaires. A total of 50 questionnaires from non-urologists were excluded, so 905 questionnaires were analysed. The mean age was 47.7 ± 10.4 years, 78.9% were male, 97.0% had studied in Germany, 86.7% were specialists and 37.7% had further qualification in andrology. CONCLUSION: Our results emphasize the need for further training in sexual medicine, especially for female physicians. This study underlines the demand for advanced qualification in sexual medicine.

Retirement Age Ranges from Clinical Practice of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Physicians.

Objectives Retirement of "baby boomer" physicians is a matter of growing concern in light of the shortage of certain physician groups. The objectives of this investigation were to define what constitutes a customary retirement age range of maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) physicians and examine how that compares with other obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn) specialists. Study Design This descriptive study was based on American Medical Association Masterfile survey data from 2010 to 2014. Data from the National Provider Identifier were used to correct for upward bias in reporting retirement ages. Only physicians engaged in direct patient care between ages 55 and 80 years were included. Primary outcomes involved comparisons of retirement ages of male and female physicians with other ob-gyn specialties. Results Interquartile ranges of retirement ages were similar between specialists in MFM (64.1-71.1), gynecologic oncology (62.1-68.9), reproductive endocrinology and infertility (64.1-71.7), and general ob-gyn (61.5-67.9). In every specialty, women retired earlier, while males in MFM were most likely to retire at the oldest age (median 70.0). Conclusion MFM physicians usually retired from clinical practice between ages 64 and 71 years, which is similar to other ob-gyn specialists. Females retired earlier, however, which may impact the overall supply as more females pursue MFM careers.

Cross-border reproductive care in North America: a pilot study testing a prospective data collection program for in vitro fertilization clinics in Canada and the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and test a nonidentifying prospective data collection system for cross-border reproductive care (CBRC) in Canada and the United States (U.S.). DESIGN: Survey and cross-sectional study. SETTING: Fertility clinics. PATIENT(S): Women traveling to and from Canada and the U.S. for reproductive care. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Patients' home country, reason for crossing borders, and type of care received. RESULT(S): Of 32 Canadian and 440 U.S. clinics contacted, seven and 46, respectively, responded to the initial questionnaire. Three out of seven Canadian and 44 out of 46 U.S. clinics reported providing CBRC. Seventy five percent agreed that nonidentifying data on country of origin and reason for travel should be collected. However, only one of seven Canadian and none of 46 U.S. clinics that expressed initial interest actually collected data, despite multiple communications. CONCLUSION(S): Although CBRC is a major component of assisted reproductive technology in North America (3%-10% of IVF cycles are provided to out-of-country patients in Canada and the U.S.), clinicians are not motivated to collect the simplest of data regarding CBRC patients. Despite this, reliable data are needed to help better understand the reasons for and impact of CBRC.

Analysis of semen parameters in male referrals: impact of reference limits, stratification by fertility categories, predictors of change, and comparison of normal semen parameters in subfertile couples.

OBJECTIVE: To [1] determine the impact of semen reference limits on referrals for male fertility evaluations, [2] analyze the stratification of subjects based on published "normal" thresholds, [3] analyze the odds of changing fertility categories during serial tests and thereby the potential impact of inherent variability of semen parameters on referrals, and [4] determine variable(s) predictive of change. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Academic referral center for male fertility. PATIENT(S): New encounters in a male fertility clinic over a 5-year period that straddles the publication of World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 reference values. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Demographic and clinical variables, semen values, and fertility categories as follows: BE (below WHO 2010 criteria), BTWN (above WHO 2010 but below WHO 1999 criteria), and N (above WHO 1999 criteria). RESULT(S): A total of 82.3% of initial semen tests were categorized as BE, and the predominance of this category was unchanged by publication of the WHO 2010 criteria. Men with initial semen analysis categorized as BTWN or N represented 16.2% and 1.5% of the referral population, respectively. Subjects initially categorized as BTWN were more likely to change fertility categories, and overwhelmingly this migration was downward. Analysis of normal individual semen parameters revealed statistically worse mean concentration and motility when at least one other parameter fell below the WHO 2010 criteria. CONCLUSION(S): Men with semen results above reference criteria are underrepresented, indicating that reference limits influence referral patterns for male fertility evaluations. Normal mean concentration and motility were lower in men with at least one other individual semen parameter below the 2010 criteria, suggesting global dysfunction in spermatogenesis.

Quality of reporting in infertility journals.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether fertility and top gynecology journals indexed in PubMed require the use of reporting guidelines and to identify the percentage of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in 2013 that were written following CONSORT guidelines in the top four fertility journals (by their highest impact factor). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study evaluating instructions for authors and RCTs published in fertility journals. SETTING: Academic institution. PATIENT(S): None. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Proportion of instruction-for-authors documents that suggested or required the use of reporting guidelines, and proportion of RCTs published in 2013 that accomplished the CONSORT checklist. RESULT(S): In 47% (16/34) of the journals one or more reporting guidelines were mentioned in the instructions for authors' documents. PRISMA and CONSORT were the most commonly mentioned reporting guidelines. None of the analyzed RCTs completed the 25 items of CONSORT guideline. Sequence generation or allocation concealment was not described in 69% of the studies. One-third of the journals did not publish a flowchart, 72% did not show relative and absolute size-effect measures, and 42% did not use measures of imprecision. In the summaries, 42% did not discuss the limitations of the study and 78% did not mention the generalizability of the results. CONCLUSION(S): Less than half of the analyzed peer-reviewed journals request the authors to use reporting guidelines. Nevertheless, among the top fertility and gynecology journals, reporting guidelines are widely mentioned. Overall, accomplishment of CONSORT items was suboptimal. Editorial boards, reviewers, and authors should join efforts to improve the quality of reporting.

Spanish language content on reproductive endocrinology and infertility practice websites.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the use of Spanish language translation on the websites of reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) practices in the context of evidence of underuse of infertility services by minority populations. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of websites from REI practices. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): None. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Assessment of the relationship between having a Spanish-translated website and REI practice characteristics. Variables included concurrent use of social media, size of the practice, Spanish-speaking practitioner in the practice, being a private or a university-based practice, being in a mandated insurance state, and being in an area with different levels of percentage of Hispanic population, adjusted for annual income levels of the population. RESULT(S): Of the 376 REI practice websites analyzed, 101 (27%) offered at least some information in Spanish. We identified 97 Spanish-speaking practitioners at 71 REI practices. Having a Spanish-translated website was significantly associated with the practice's use of social media, having an international/out-of-town web page, and having a Spanish-speaking physician in the practice. The size of the practice, as measured in number of cycles reported per year, was not associated with having a translated website. In practices located in the top 60 metropolitan areas by Hispanic population, the odds of having a Spanish-translated website were only related to the percentage of Hispanic population after adjusting for state-mandated insurance and average annual income level of the Hispanic population. Sixty-six of the websites with Spanish-translated content had been automatically translated. An additional eight websites were partially translated automatically. CONCLUSION(S): REI practices in metropolitan areas with a higher percentage of Hispanics were more likely to reach out to this minority population by translating their website content into Spanish. These practices were also more likely to use social media. Future studies are needed to determine whether the availability of Spanish language content on REI websites is associated with increased use of reproductive services by this minority population.

[Assisted reproductive medicine in Poland, 2011--SPiN PTG report]. / Medycyna wspomaganego rozrodu w Polsce--raport za rok 2011 Sekcji Plodnosci i Nieplodnosci Polskiego Towarzystwa Ginekologicznego (SPiN PTG).

AIM: The aim of this report is to present data concerning results and complications related to infertility treatment using assisted reproductive technology (ART) and insemination (IUI) in Poland in 2011. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The report was prepared by the Fertility and Sterility Special Interest Group of the Polish Gynaecological Society (SPiN PTG), based on individual data provided by fertility clinics in Poland. Reporting was voluntary and the provided data was not subject to external control. The report presents the availability and the structure of infertility treatment services, the number of procedures performed, their effectiveness and the most common complications. MAIN RESULTS: In 2013, 33 Polish fertility clinics provided information to the SPiN PTG report, presenting data from the year 2011. The total number of reported treatment cycles using ART was 15,340 (incl. 10,011 IVF/ICSI procedures) and 15,627 IUI procedures. The rate of clinical pregnancies in terms of a cycle was 34.2% in case of IVF/ ICSI procedures and 13.4% in case of IUI. The prevalence of multiple births was 20.2% and 8.3% respectively in case of IVF/ICSI and IUI methods. The most frequent complication in the course of treatment using ART was ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). CONCLUSION: The SPiN PTG report allows to find out the average effectiveness and safety of assisted reproduction technologies and is currently the only proof of responsibility and due diligence of fertility centres in Poland. However due to the lack of a central register of fertility clinics, facultative participation in the report as well as incomplete information on pregnancy and delivery the collected data does not reflect the full spectrum of the Polish reproductive medicine.

Egg donation brokers: an analysis of agency versus in vitro fertilization clinic websites.

OBJECTIVE: To compare websites of agencies that broker the services of women who provide human eggs for in vitro fertilization versus clinics that recruit egg providers. STUDY DESIGN: We examined 207 websites, of which 128 were egg provider agency 40%) or clinic (60%) websites that recruited providers online. We compared them regarding several variables related to adherence to American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) guidelines. RESULTS: According to their respective websites, agencies were more likely than clinics to mention ASRM guidelines, be located in the West/Pacific, indicate compensation, offer a fee range, set their minimum > $5,000, specify preferable traits, cap provider age at 31, require an education minimum, allow both parties to meet, discuss short-term risks, and not acknowledge a possible cancer risk. Only 25.5% of agencies and 19.5% of clinics mention psychological/emotional risks, and 11.8% and 5.2%, respectively, mention risk to future fertility. CONCLUSION: This research, the first to systematically compare several key aspects of egg provider agencies versus clinics, suggests it significant differences in adherence to guidelines, raising several concerns and suggesting needs for consideration of improved monitoring and regulation by ASRM or others.

An assessment of current clinical attitudes toward letrozole use in reproductive endocrinology practices.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical use and practice attitudes among Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) members regarding the use of letrozole for ovulation induction and infertility treatment. DESIGN: The SART clinic physicians were mailed a cover letter and consent form, a two-page survey, and return envelope. The surveys were returned and analyzed using descriptive statistics. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): None. INTERVENTION(S): A 13-question survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Reproductive endocrinology and infertility physicians use patterns and attitudes regarding letrozole. RESULT(S): A total of 77.9% of physician prescribe letrozole. Of those who do not, 32.4% cited concern about the US Food and Drug Administration warning, 35.1% cited satisfaction with current medications, 25.7% cited both reasons, and 6.8% cited no experience with letrozole. Physicians (11.5%) were unaware of the US Food and Drug Administration warning. Physicians (99.7%) were aware that ovulation induction is an off-label use of letrozole. The most common use was for ovulation induction in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Physicians (14.9%) prescribe letrozole as first-line ovulation therapy prior to clomid, 47.9% use for clomid failures, and 25.7% reported use in both situations. CONCLUSION(S): Most physicians surveyed use letrozole for ovulation induction despite the current US Food and Drug Administration warning. Even when accounting for nonrespondents, more than 25% of physicians indicated success with letrozole use. Questions regarding doses and clinical concerns about letrozole revealed no standardized manner of letrozole administration despite wide interest, therefore additional research is warranted.

Conceiving of change: a brief intervention increases young adults' knowledge of fertility and the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of an educational intervention in increasing knowledge of fertility and the effectiveness of IVF among university students in Australia. DESIGN: Two-group, pretest-posttest design. SETTING: A large metropolitan university in Queensland, Australia. PATIENT(S): One hundred thirty-seven male and female undergraduate students. INTERVENTION(S): Online information brochure on fertility (intervention group), or an online information brochure on home ownership (control group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Knowledge of fertility, knowledge of IVF effectiveness, and desired age at commencement and completion of childbearing, assessed immediately before and after exposure to the brochure. RESULT(S): Exposure to the brochure resulted in significant increases in knowledge of fertility and knowledge of IVF effectiveness in the intervention group and significant decreases in desired age at commencement and completion of childbearing. No changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSION(S): Educational intervention is a worthwhile endeavor that can increase knowledge of fertility and IVF effectiveness in the short-term. Further research is needed to evaluate whether increased knowledge persists and affects intentions in the longer-term. Because the determinants of timing of childbearing are highly multifactorial, fertility education should be paired with policies and practices that support men and women to make informed decisions about the timing of childbearing.