Subcutaneous progesterone administration provides a similar ongoing pregnancy rate compared with intramuscular progesterone administration in hormone replacement therapy frozen embryo transfer cycles.

Objective: To compare the ongoing pregnancy rates (OPRs) for subcutaneous progesterone (SC-P) to intramuscular progesterone (IM-P) in hormone replacement therapy used in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Design: Prospective nonrandomized cohort study. Setting: Private fertility clinic. Patients: The study enrolled 224 patients scheduled for hormone replacement therapy (HRT)-FET cycles with SC-P (n = 133) or IM-P (n = 91). The route of P administration was decided according to the patient's preference and accessibility to the hospital. In the first FET cycle of a freeze-all cycle using single blastocyst transfers, a woman aged ≤35 was included. Main Outcomes: Ongoing pregnancy (OP). Results: The demographic, cycle, and embryologic characteristics were similar between groups. The clinical pregnancy rates (86/133[64.7%] vs. 57/91[62.6%]); miscarriage rates (21/86 [24.4%] vs. 10/57 [17.5%]), and OPR (65/133 [48.9%] vs. 47/91 [51.6%]) were comparable between the SC-P and IM-P groups. Binary logistic regression for OP as the dependent factor revealed that blastocyst morphology was found to be a significant independent prognosticator (for poor quality embryos adjusted odds ratio, 0.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.029-0.427) and progesterone route (SC-P vs. IM-P) was an insignificant prognosticator (adjusted odds ratio, 0.694; 95% confidence interval, 0.354-1.358). Conclusions: The OPR for SC-P administration was similar to that for IM-P in HRT-FET cycles. The effect of ET-day P levels may vary regarding the administration route. Randomized controlled trials comparing different P administration routes are needed, and large-scale prospective trials are warranted to evaluate the ET-day P levels on pregnancy outcome.

Euploidy rates of embryos in young patients with good and low prognosis according to the POSEIDON criteria.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does an association exist between ovarian reserve, ovarian response and embryonic euploidy in female patients under age 35 years? DESIGN: This was a retrospective analysis of intracytoplasmic sperm injection and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies cycles among patients enrolled at Bahceci Fulya IVF Center between January 2016 and August 2019. A total of 133 patients in POSEIDON group 1 (suboptimal responder; female age <35 years, antral follicle count [AFC] ≥5, number of oocytes retrieved <10) (group A), 133 patients in POSEIDON group 3 (expected low responder; female age <35 years, AFC <5) (group B) and 323 in the non-low-prognosis group (female age <35 years, AFC ≥5 and number of oocytes retrieved >9) (group C) were included. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in euploidy rate per embryo among the three groups (61.7% [145/235] for group A versus 53.5% [68/127] for group B versus 62% [625/1008] for group C; P = 0.13). The cancellation rate in cycles without a euploid blastocyst was significantly lower in group C than groups A and B (8.4% versus 12.8% and 16.5%; P = 0.034). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that the ovarian response group did not significantly affect the probability of obtaining a euploid embryo. Trophectoderm score 'C' (odds ratio 0.520, P = 0.007) and inner cell mass score 'C' (odds ratio 0.480, P < 0.001) were associated with a decreased probability of obtaining a euploid embryo. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that POSEIDON group 1 and group 3 and non-low-prognosis patients have different probabilities of euploid embryos being obtained per cycle. However, euploidy rates per embryo are not affected by the patient's ovarian reserve and response.

Measuring the serum progesterone level on the day of transfer can be an additional tool to maximize ongoing pregnancies in single euploid frozen blastocyst transfers.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial preparation with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the preferred regimen for clinicians due to the opportunity to schedule the day of embryo transfer and for patients due to the requirement of fewer visits for frozen-warmed embryo transfers (FET). The increasing number of FETs raises the question of the serum P levels required to optimize the pregnancy outcome on the embryo transfer day. METHODS: This prospective cohort study includes patients who underwent single euploid FET. All patients received HRT with oestradiol valerate (EV) and 100 mg of intramuscular (IM) progesterone (P). FET was scheduled 117-120 h after the first IM administration of 100 mg P. The serum P level was analyzed 1 h before the embryo transfer (ET). In all cycles, only embryos that were biopsied on day 5 were utilized for FET. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was used for comprehensive chromosomal analysis. RESULTS: Overall, the ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) was 58.9% (99/168). Data were then categorized according to the presence (Group I; n = 99) or the absence (Group II; n = 69) of an ongoing pregnancy. No significant differences regarding, female age, body mass index (BMI), number of previous miscarriages, number of previous live birth, sperm concentration, number of oocytes retrieved, number of mature oocytes (MII), rate of fertilized oocytes with two pronuclei (2PN), trophectoderm score, inner cell mass (ICM) score, endometrial thickness (mm), oestrodiol (E2) and P levels prior to IM P administration were found between two groups. The P levels on the day of ET (ng/ml) were significantly higher in Group I (28 (5.6-76.4) vs 16.4 (7.4-60) p = 0.039). The P level on the day of ET was a predictor of a higher OPR (p < 0.001 OR: 1.033 95%CI [1.009-1.056]) after multivariate analysis. The ROC curve showed a significant predictive value of serum P levels on the day of ET for OPR, with an AUC (95%CI) = 0.716 (0.637-0.795). The optimal cut-off value for prediction of the OPR was a P level of 20.6 ng/ml (71.7% sensitivity, 56.5% specificity). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests a minimum threshold of the serum P value on the day of ET that needs to be reached in HRT cycles to optimize the clinical outcome. Individualization of the P dosage should be evaluated in further studies.

Value of Post-transfer Day-12 Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Levels for Pregnancy Outcome Prediction of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Cycles.

BACKGROUND: Several markers were studied previously in order to predict the pregnancy outcome of assisted reproductive techniques; however, serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin was found to be the most predictive marker. AIMS: To evaluate the value of serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels in discriminating biochemical and clinical pregnancies 12 days after embryo transfer, while determining the factors predicting ongoing pregnancy was established as the secondary aim. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 445 pregnant cycles were retrospectively analysed in 2359 embryo transfer cycles. Patients were divided into two groups according to the outcome of pregnancy: biochemical and clinical. RESULTS: The cut-off value of beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels on day 12 in predicting clinical pregnancies was 86.8 IU/mL with 65.1% sensitivity and 74.7% specificity [CI: 0.76 (0.71-0.81). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed different cut-off values for embryo transfer days (57 mIU/mL for day 3 embryo transfer CI: 0.59-0.79 and 87 mIU/mL for day 5 embryo transfer, CI: 0.74-0.86). Subgroup analysis of clinical pregnancies revealed a significant difference between ongoing pregnancies and early fetal losses regarding duration of infertility (81.3±54.4 vs. 100.2±62.2 months), serum oestradiol on hCG day (2667.4±1276.4 vs. 2094.6±1260.5 pg/mL), number of transferred embryos (1.9±0.8 vs. 1.5±0.7) and the prevalence of diminished ovarian reserve as an indication (2.3% vs 12.2%). CONCLUSION: Beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels on day 12 following embryo transfer provide an important parameter for the prediction of clinical pregnancy; however, other stimulation parameters are indicated in the prediction of ongoing pregnancies.

Does pituitary suppression affect live birth rate in women with congenital hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism undergoing intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection? A multicenter cohort study.

In this retrospective multicenter cohort study, women with congenital hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (CHH) (n = 57) who underwent intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection in-between 2010-2014 were compared to age-matched controls with tubal factor infertility (n = 114) to assess ovarian stimulation cycle and pregnancy outcomes. Live birth rates (LBRs) per started cycle were 31.6 and 24.6% in CHH and controls groups, respectively (p = 0.36). Comparable success rates were also confirmed with the logistic regression analysis (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.78-2.67, p = 0.24). Of the 57 women with CHH, 19 were stimulated with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol, 13 with the long-GnRH-agonist protocol. Pituitary suppression (PS) was not employed in the remaining 25 cases. Compared to women with PS, women without PS had significantly higher embryo implantation rates (21.6 versus 52.6%, p = 0.03). Although there was a trend favoring no PS, LBRs (25.0 versus 40.0%, p = 0.26) per cycle were short of statistical significance. LBRs per cycle (57.1 versus 31.2%, p = 0.11) and miscarriage rates (11.1 versus 16.7%, p = 0.75) were similar between CHH women who were given estrogen + progesterone and progesterone alone to support the luteal phase. In conclusion, the optimal stimulation protocol appears to be exogenous gonadotropin stimulation alone, without PS, and progesterone-only luteal phase support in CHH patients.

The impact of unilateral salpingectomy on antral follicle count and ovarian response in ICSI cycles: comparison of contralateral side.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of salpingectomy on the ovarian reserve. Comparisons are made with the contralateral side in patients with unilateral salpingectomy undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. STUDY DESIGN: Patients under 40 with unilateral salpingectomy and without history of ovarian surgery were selected for the multicentre retrospective study. Women with bilateral salpingectomy and history of endometriosis were excluded from the study. Antral follicle count, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) parameters and number of collected oocytes were the main outcome measures of the study. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients were eligible for this study. The mean age of the patients was 31.6 ± 4.7 years. The reasons for the salpingectomy were hydrosalpinx (39.3%, n = 22) and ruptured ectopic pregnancy (60.7%, n = 34). The ongoing pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was 30.6%. There was no statistically significant difference between the operated and non-operated sides in antral follicle count (AFC), follicles ≥ 17 mm and 10-17 mm on day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), or number of aspirated oocytes. In the subgroup analysis, AFC, number of growing follicles on day of hCG and number of collected oocytes were comparable between the ectopic pregnancy group and hydrosalpinx group. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that salpingectomy is not associated with detrimental effects on AFC and ovarian response.

Progesterone change in the late follicular phase affects pregnancy rates both agonist and antagonist protocols in normoresponders: a case-controlled study in ICSI cycles.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the presented study is to investigate the impact of progesterone change in the late follicular phase on the pregnancy rates of both agonist and antagonist protocols in normoresponders. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 201 normoresponder patients, who underwent embryo transfer were consecutively selected. 118 patients were stimulated using a long luteal GnRH agonist protocol and 83 using a flexible antagonist protocol. The level of change in late follicular phase progesterone was calculated according to the progesterone levels on the hCG day and pre-hCG day (1 or 2 days prior to hCG day) measurement. RESULTS: Clinical pregnancy rates were comparable between long luteal and antagonist group (35.6 and 41%, respectively). The incidence of progesterone elevation on the hCG day was 11% in long luteal and 18% in antagonist group (p = 0.16). In pregnant cycles, p levels both on the hCG day and pre-hCG day measurement were significantly higher in antagonist than agonist cycles (p = 0.029, p = 0.038, respectively). The change of p level was statistically significant in non-pregnant cycles both for the agonist (-0.17 ± 0.07; 95% CI: -0.29 to -0.37) and antagonist groups (-0.18 ± 0.07; 95%CI: -0.31 to -0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Late follicular phase progesterone levels were stable during the cycles of pregnant patients irrespective of the protocols and were shown to be higher in pregnant patients in antagonist cycles when compared to agonist cycles.

Endometriosis and ovarian reserve.

Endometriosis is characterized by development of the endometrial tissue outside the uterus like ovary, pelvic peritoneum, pelvic organs, and affects 6-10% of reproductive-aged women. The prevalence of endometrioma is 17-44% of women with endometriosis. Since endometriosis is mainly a disease for the women at their reproductive ages, it is important to consider ovarian reserve when managing the cases with ovarian endometriosis. There has been a long debate whether the endometrioma per se decreases the ovarian reserve and/or surgery for endometrioma - either by laparoscopy or by laparotomy - decreases it. Although the dispute for these questions is not totally settled down, in this article, we would like to give some clues for the answers in view of the literature.

Estimating the chance of success in IVF treatment using a ranking algorithm.

In medicine, estimating the chance of success for treatment is important in deciding whether to begin the treatment or not. This paper focuses on the domain of in vitro fertilization (IVF), where estimating the outcome of a treatment is very crucial in the decision to proceed with treatment for both the clinicians and the infertile couples. IVF treatment is a stressful and costly process. It is very stressful for couples who want to have a baby. If an initial evaluation indicates a low pregnancy rate, decision of the couple may change not to start the IVF treatment. The aim of this study is twofold, firstly, to develop a technique that can be used to estimate the chance of success for a couple who wants to have a baby and secondly, to determine the attributes and their particular values affecting the outcome in IVF treatment. We propose a new technique, called success estimation using a ranking algorithm (SERA), for estimating the success of a treatment using a ranking-based algorithm. The particular ranking algorithm used here is RIMARC. The performance of the new algorithm is compared with two well-known algorithms that assign class probabilities to query instances. The algorithms used in the comparison are Naïve Bayes Classifier and Random Forest. The comparison is done in terms of area under the ROC curve, accuracy and execution time, using tenfold stratified cross-validation. The results indicate that the proposed SERA algorithm has a potential to be used successfully to estimate the probability of success in medical treatment.

Clomiphene citrate 'stair-step' protocol vs. traditional protocol in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the stair-step protocol using clomiphene citrate (CC) and to assess the uterine and systemic side effects in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: A total of 60 PCOS patients who failed to respond to 50 mg/day for 5 days of CC treatment within the cycle were randomly allocated to the control (traditional protocol) and study (stair-step protocol) groups. In the stair-step protocol,patients were treated with CC 50 mg/day for 5 days and then in nonresponsive patients, the dosage was increased to 100 mg/day for 5 days in the same cycle. Patients who failed the 50 mg/day CC treatment in the previous cycle were stimulated with 100 mg/day CC and were accepted as the control group. Ovulation and pregnancy rates, duration of treatment and uterine and systemic side effects were evaluated. RESULTS: Ovulation and pregnancy rates were similar between the stair-step and the control group (43.3 vs. 33.3 %, respectively) (16.7 vs. 10 %, respectively). The duration of treatment was significantly shorter in stair-step compared to traditional protocol (20.5 ± 2.0 vs. 48.6 ± 2.4 days, respectively). There were no significant differences in the systemic side effects between the groups. Uterine side effects were evaluated with endometrial thickness and uterine artery Doppler ultrasound; no significant differences were observed in stair-step compared to traditional protocol. CONCLUSIONS: The stair-step protocol was determined to have a significantly shorter treatment period without any detrimental effect on the ovulation and pregnancy rates.

Obesity is not associated with the poor pregnancy outcome following intracytoplasmic sperm injection in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if body mass index has an effect on the outcome of in vitro fertilization in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 337 cycles. Patients were stratified into the following 3 groups: normal weight, overweight, and obese. The primary outcome measures were response to ovarian hyperstimulation, the fertilization rate, the implantation rate, and the clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates. RESULTS: Total gonadotropin consumption increased, and the number of retrieved oocytes decreased as the body mass index increased. The implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were similar in all 3 groups. In response to the mid-luteal long protocol, the cycle cancellation rate was lower and the number of retrieved oocytes was higher in the overweight and obese groups, as compared to the antagonist protocol. CONCLUSION: The body mass index did not affect the outcome of in vitro fertilization in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Additional research is required to better understand the role of stimulation protocols on the cycle outcome.

Insulin resistance and its relationship with high molecular weight adiponectin in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome and a maternal history of polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the rate of insulin resistance (IR) and the relationship between IR and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin in normal weight adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and a maternal history of PCOS. DESIGN: Case-controlled study. SETTING: Adolescent clinic of a teaching and research hospital. PATIENT(S): Forty normal weight adolescents with PCOS and a maternal history of PCOS and 40 normo-ovulatory age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. INTERVENTION(S): A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed for each participant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Homeostasis model assessment of IR and HMW adiponectin. RESULT(S): There were no statistically significant differences between the PCOS and control groups in terms of fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and lipid parameters. Although total and free T were significantly higher, HMW adiponectin levels were significantly lower in the PCOS group compared with the control group. When the PCOS group was compared according to the IR, the HMW adiponectin level was significantly lower in the adolescents with PCOS and IR. The adolescents with PCOS and biochemical hyperandrogenemia had significantly lower HMW adiponectin levels and significantly higher homeostasis model assessment of IR score compared with the adolescents with PCOS and normoandrogenemia. CONCLUSION(S): The adolescents with PCOS had a significantly increased rate of IR without clinical findings of metabolic disorders or obesity. The HMW adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with IR.

Total fertilization failure: is it the end of the story?

PURPOSE: To study parameters that could predict in-vitro fertilization (IVF) success in patients who experienced total fertilization failure (TFF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in their previous cycles. METHODS: Cycle characteristics of patients with TFF (Group I, n = 136 cycles), cycles resulting in embryo transfer (ET) following TFF (Group II, n = 36 cycles) and recurrent TFF (Group III, n = 25 cycles) and were studied retrospectively. Demographic features, cycle characteristics of three groups were compared. RESULTS: Follicle count measuring 15-17 mm was significantly higher in group II when compared to group I (p = 0.02). Total number of retrieved oocytes and mature oocytes were significantly higher in group II when compared to groups I and III (p = 0.001). Estradiol level at oocyte pick up (OPU) day was significantly higher in group II when compared to group I (p = 0.02). When the characteristics of ET cycles and preceding TFF cycles of the same patient were compared, total number of retrieved oocytes (5.11 ± 0.72 (95% CI 3.69-6.52) vs. 11.44 ± 1.60 (95% CI 5.29-17.59)) and mature oocytes (3.26 ± 3.66 (95% CI 2.04-4.47) vs. 6.92 ± 5.61 (95% CI 5.09-8.75)) were found to be significantly lower in TFF cycles (p = 0.001). Five biochemical and 5 clinical pregnancies occurred while only 2 healthy babies were born, corresponding to a live birth rate 5.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the number of retrieved and mature oocytes may increase the success of fertilization in patients with a history of previous failed fertilization. However, live birth rate is still low in embryo transfer cycles.

The impact of adnexal torsion on antral follicle count when compared with contralateral ovary.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: In women with adnexal torsion, there is an absence of data whether ovarian reserve is affected when treated by detorsion and conservative surgery. We aimed to evaluate ovarian reserve by counting the antral follicles and estimating the ovarian volume in the operated side compared with the contralateral ovary. DESIGN: A case-control study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: In vitro fertilization center, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine and Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. PATIENTS: Patients who underwent conservative surgery because of adnexal torsion between January 2008 and August 2012 were retrospectively investigated from patient files and computer-based data. Eighteen patients were eligible for the study protocol and further evaluated for their ovarian reserve with ultrasonography. INTERVENTIONS: Comparing ovarian reserve in the torsioned and contralateral sides with ultrasonography by physicians who were blind to the previously operated side. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean age was 28.3 ± 5.8 years. The mean antral follicle count on the operated and contralateral ovaries were 12.3 ± 8.4 and 11.3 ± 7.4, respectively (p = .23). The respective figure for ovarian volume was 7.6 ± 4.2 and 9.1 ± 5.3 mL (p = .063). Among 3 patients seeking to become pregnant, 1 of them conceived spontaneously and one achieved pregnancy with clomiphene citrate use. CONCLUSION: The finding of the current study suggests that ovarian reserve reflected by the antral follicle count is not compromised in patients treated with detorsion of the twisted adnexa.

Estradiol supplementation in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with thin endometrium.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of estradiol supplementation starting on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in patients with thin endometrium in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. METHODS: A total of 117 consecutive patients with the endometrial thickness on the hCG day ≤ 8 mm were reviewed. Estradiol supplementation was given in 57 patients and the remaining 60 patients were accepted as control group. Estradiol supplemented (ES) group received estradiol hemihydrate 4 mg/day started on the day of hCG. Luteal phase was supported using the vaginal progesterone gel in both groups. Clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, miscarriage rate, endometrial thickness on the day of oocyte pick-up and on the day of embryo transferred were accepted as main outcome measures. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in terms of clinical pregnancy rate (28.1% vs. 23.3%), implantation rate (16% vs. 10.4%), miscarriage rate (21% vs. 31.6%), endometrial thickness on the oocyte pick-up day (8.5 ± 1.8 vs. 8.4 ± 1.4, mm) and embryo transferred day (9.6 ± 2.9 vs. 10.3 ± 2.4, mm) in the ES group vs. control group. CONCLUSION: Estradiol supplementation starting on the hCG day for the patients with thin endometrium does not provide any benefit on the pregnancy outcome in ICSI cycles.

Does empty zona pellucida indicate poor ovarian response on intra cytoplasmic sperm injection cycles?

The factors behind the empty zona pellucida (EZP) formation and its relationship with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes were analyzed. A total of 104 patients who underwent IVF treatment and collected oocytes including EZP were enrolled in this study. EZP index (EZPI = the ratio of number of EZP to number of cumulus-oocyte complex (COC)) was used for the statistical analysis. Patients were grouped as Group 1 when EZPI ≤ 0.17 (n = 57) and Group 2 when EZPI > 0.17 (n = 47). Type-2 EZP, a variation or an advanced type of oocyte degeneration, is tested. Woman age, basal hormone levels, and total gonadotropin dose were significantly higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1. Total antral follicle count was significantly low in Group 2. Total number of mature oocytes, oocyte quality index, the number of fertilized oocytes, and the numbers of Grade 1 embryos were significantly low in Group 2. On the linear regression analysis, using gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist protocol (B = 0.086, p = 0.030), the number of ≥17 mm follicle (B = 0.015, p = 0.047), peak serum level of estradiol (B = -3.625; p = 0.014), number of fertilized oocytes (B = -0.02, p = 0.0001) and the day-2 embryo score (B = -0,044, p = 0.001) significantly affected EZPI. An increment of the EZPI may be revealed decreased oocyte quality, and it is also related to the poor ovarian response.

Influence of family structure on sexual behavior of Turkish female adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the link between romantic relationship and/or sexual activity of adolescents, and family structure. METHODS: Medical records of 1087 adolescent girls were evaluated for age, statute (student, working, out-of-school), incidence of romantic relationship and sexual activity, and family structures. RESULTS: Teenager students had significantly less romantic relationships and experience of sexual intercourse than other groups. Parent-adolescent communication was negatively correlated with absence of romantic relationship and sexual intercourse. CONCLUSION: Adolescents who have left school and are working constitute a population having higher romantic relationships and sexual intercourse experiences compared with the student adolescents. Good relationships with parents were associated with less risky sexual behavior. Close relationships with school delay the onset of sexual activity.

Coexistence of endometriosis and uterine septum in patients with abortion or infertility.

AIM: To investigate the coexistence of endometriosis and uterine septum patients whose complaints are abortion and infertility. METHODS: Ninety-two patients with a uterine septum and 191 patients who had undergone diagnostic laparoscopy for infertility were reviewed. The incidence of endometriosis in patients with a uterine septum was compared with patients with a normal uterine cavity; then the incidence of endometriosis was compared in association with having a preoperative diagnosis of presumed unexplained infertility in women with a partial or complete uterine septum. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the patients who had a uterine septum and those with a normal cavity in terms of the incidence of endometriosis (P = 0.39). Also, the incidence of endometriosis was not significantly different in patients who had a complete or partial uterine septum (P = 0.49). Endometriosis was observed in 8.7% of the patients who were presumed to have unexplained infertility in the complete uterine septum group and in 18.8% of the patients in the partial uterine septum group; but the difference was not statistically significant when complete and partial uterine septum groups were compared according to the type of infertility (partial uterine septum group, P = 0.13; complete uterine septum group, P = 0.28). CONCLUSION: An increased incidence of endometriosis was not observed in patients with a septate uterus. The reason for infertility in women with a partial uterine septum may be related to endometriosis.

Does 75 IU difference improve the cycle performance in poor responders? Comparison of daily 375 versus 450 IU gonadotrophin doses.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy on the cycle performance of 375 versus 450 IU/day gonadotrophin on the microdose flare-up protocol in poor responders. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 91 poor responder patients who were treated with the microdose flare-up protocol were enrolled in this study. Group 1 (n = 40) was stimulated with 375 IU/day gonadotrophin. Group 2 (n = 51) was stimulated with 450 IU/day gonadotrophin. Main outcome measurements were accepted as the results of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics are similar between the two groups. Higher number of oocyte cumulus complexes and lower total gonadotrophin requirement were noted in Group 1 compared with Group 2. Number of metaphase II oocytes and implantation rates were similar between the groups. A trend toward higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rate was observed in Group 1 but these results did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Total gonadotrophin costs are lower using the 375 IU/day gonadotrophin compared to the 450 IU/day in poor responders. Additional 75 IU/day does not give any improvement neither embryology nor pregnancy outcomes.

Mediterranean climate is associated with early age at menopause and low high-density lipoprotein in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of three different climates on age at menopause and metabolic factors in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Study population consisted of 232 postmenopausal women with natural menopause who admitted to Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity and Women's Health Teaching and Research Hospital Menopause outpatient clinic for routine check up. Participants were divided into three groups according to climate where they had lived during reproductive span. Black Sea, Mediterranean, and continental climate effects on age at menopause and metabolic factors were investigated. RESULTS: Postmenopausal women living in three different climates were significantly different according to body mass index, gravidity, age at menopause, menarche, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (p < 0.05). The lowest mean age at menopause and HDL levels were observed in women living in Mediterranean climate. Adjusted mean age at menopause remained significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Mediterranean climate is associated with early menopause and low HDL levels.