The effect of individual oocyte matched follicular fluid oxidant, antioxidant status, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines on IVF outcomes of patients with diminished ovarian reserve.

Oocyte matched follicular fluid oxidant, antioxidant status, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels were assessed to reveal a possible effect of local-intrafollicular levels of these markers on the individual oocyte with its quality, ability to achieve fertilization, further embryo development, and pregnancy. A cross-sectional study of infertile women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing antagonist protocol in vitro fertilization (IVF); in the form of ICSI, and fresh single embryo transfer were included. When follicular fluid was collected, each ovarian follicle was aspirated independently, and each follicular fluid was collected into a separate test tube to match it with a single cumulus-oocyte complex obtained from the same follicle. Oocyte matched follicular fluid samples and blood specimens were taken from the participants. Relationships of total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, total thiol, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 levels of each follicle with oocyte grade, grade of transferred embryos, and pregnancy rate of a given follicle were assessed. A total of 23 infertile women with diminished ovarian reserve and 79 individual follicles of these women were assessed. Serum total oxidant status level of metaphase II (MII) group was significantly lower than non-MII group (P < .001). Follicular fluid IL-6 level of MII group was significantly lower than non-MII group (P = .005). Follicular fluid IL-8 value was significantly low with positive pregnancy results (P < .001). Serum oxidative stress status and follicular fluid pro-inflammatory cytokines were associated with IVF outcomes. This unique study might guide IVF practice with the aim of developing and establishing more effective therapeutic strategies and choosing embryos with more potential for success.

Etanercept protects ovarian reserve against ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model.

INTRODUCTION: Etanercept has been widely used in autoimmune diseases for blocking tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), which is an inflammatory cytokine. The anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of etanercept against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury have been shown for several tissues in rat studies, but to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports on its protective effects following similar injury in ovarian tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate whether etanercept has beneficial effects on ovarian I/R injury, as well as on ovarian reserve. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6/group): sham (laparotomy only); sham + etanercept; I/R; and I/R + etanercept. Ischemia was induced for 3 h by twisting the ovary, and 24 h after detorsion the ovarian tissues were collected to evaluate histopathologic changes, glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations for oxidative stress, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) for DNA damage, caspase-3 activity for apoptosis and ovarian follicle counts. To measure anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), serum samples were drawn before and after surgery. RESULTS: Tissue GSH and SOD levels were significantly higher, while MDA and MPO levels were significantly lower in the I/R + etanercept group than in the I/R group (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). Tissue 8-OHdG and caspase-3 activity were significantly lower in the I/R+etanercept group than in the I/R group (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). Preoperative and postoperative AMH levels were compared and there was a significant reduction in the I/R and I/R + etanercept groups (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). The reduction of AMH in the I/R + etanercept group was significantly lower than in the I/R group. The primordial, preantral and small antral follicle numbers were also significantly higher in the I/R + etanercept group compared to the I/R group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Etanercept attenuated inflammation and related oxidative stress and also helped to preserve ovarian reserve following ovarian I/R damage.

Antral Follicle Diameter Variance Within Each Ovary May Be A Predictor For Poor Response In Cases With Normal Ovarian Reserve.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the predictive value of antral follicle diameter variance within each ovary for ovarian response in cases with normal ovarian reserve tests. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study. One hundred and thirty nine infertile women who underwent ART in IVF-ICSI unit of Zeynep Kamil women and children's Health Training and research hospital between January 2017 to June 2017 were recruited. Blood samples were collected on day 2/day 3 for assessment of serum FSH and estradiol. Trans-vaginal sonography was done for antral follicle count. During antral follicle count, in order to determine antral follicle diameter variance, diameters of the largest and smallest follicles were recorded. Variance was calculated by subtracting the smallest diameter from the largest one. Following ovarian stimulation with antagonist protocol, poor response was determined in cases with total oocyte number≤3. Ovarian reserve tests and antral follicle diameter variance were utilized to predict cases with poor response in women with normal ovarian reserve. RESULTS: Antral follicle diameter variance both in right (AUC=0.737, P<0.001) and left (AUC=0.651, P<0.05) ovaries significantly predicted poor ovarian response. Variance>3.5 mm was found to have 75% sensitivity to predict poor response. Basal serum FSH with estradiol levels and AFC failed to predict poor response (P>0.05). Other significant predictors for poor response were day 5 estradiol level and estradiol level at trigger day (P<0.05). In multivariate regression analysis, both AFC and antral follicle diameter variance in the right ovary were found to be significantly associated with clinical pregnancy, on the other hand peak estradiol concentration and antral follicle diameter variance in the right ovary were significantly associated with poor response. CONCLUSION: Antral follicle diameter variance may be utilized to predict poor ovarian response in cases with normal ovarian reserve.

Effects of fetal cardiac anomalies on ductus venosus and aortic isthmus doppler profiles.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the blood flow profiles of fetuses with cardiac anomalies at the level of Ductus venosus (DV) and Aortic isthmus (AI) to evaluate the effects of fetal cardiac anomalies on these profiles, and how these profile changes contribute to cardiac anomaly screening studies as a marker. METHODS: DV and AI doppler studies were applied to 64 singleton pregnant women with fetal cardiac anomalies and 74 pregnant women with healthy fetuses. DV-PVIV (peak velocity index for veins) for DV and IFI (isthmic flow index) for AI were used. RESULTS: DV doppler studies in fetuses with cardiac anomalies and healthy fetuses did not show statistically significant difference. But the results of the AI doppler studies had statistically significant difference in the fetal cardiac anomaly group with the exception of cases with dilatation and regurgitation. When right-sided heart anomaly and the remaining cases were compared with the control groups, AI doppler results also showed lower IFI values. CONCLUSIONS: DV doppler studies in the second or third trimester may not be suitable as a screening test for congenital heart disease, but AI doppler studies might be considered as a supporting parameter. But further studies are needed for routine clinical use.

The role of transvaginal power Doppler ultrasound in the differential diagnosis of benign intrauterine focal lesions.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the role of power Doppler imaging in the differential diagnosis of benign intrauterine focal lesions such as endometrial polyps and submucous myomas using the characteristics of power Doppler flow mapping. METHODS: A total of 480 premenopausal patients with abnormal uterine bleeding were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) searching for intrauterine pathology. Sixty-four patients with a suspicious focal endometrial lesion received saline infusion sonography (SIS) after TVS. Fifty-eight patients with focal endometrial lesions underwent power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS). Three different vascular flow patterns were defined: Single vessel pattern, multiple vessel pattern, and circular flow pattern. Finally, hysteroscopic resection was performed in all cases, and Doppler flow characteristics were then compared with the final histopathological findings. RESULTS: Histopathological results were as follows: endometrial polyp: 40 (69 %), submucous myoma: 18 (31 %). Of the cases with endometrial polyps, 80 % demonstrated a single vessel pattern, 7.5 % a multiple vessel pattern, and 0 % a circular pattern. Vascularization was not observed in 12.5 % of patients with polyps. Of the cases with submucousal myomas, 72.2 % demonstrated a circular flow pattern, 27.8 % a multiple vessel pattern, and none of them showed a single vessel pattern. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the single vessel pattern in diagnosing endometrial polyps were 80, 100, 100, and 69.2 %, respectively; and for the circular pattern in diagnosing submucous myoma, these were 72.2, 100, 100, and 88.9 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: Power Doppler blood flow mapping is a useful, practical, and noninvasive diagnostic method for the differential diagnosis of benign intrauterine focal lesions. Especially in cases of recurrent abnormal uterine bleeding, recurrent abortion, and infertility, PDUS can be preferred as a first-line diagnostic method.

Does aggressive and expectant management of severe preeclampsia affect the neurologic development of the infant?

OBJECTIVE: To compare and evaluate the influences of expectant and aggressive management of severe preeclampsia on the first year neurologic development of the infants in pregnancies between 27 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. METHODS: Seventy women with severe preeclampsia between 27 and 34 weeks of gestation were included in the study. 37 patients were managed aggressively (Group 1) and 33 patients were managed expectantly (Group 2). Glucocorticoids, magnesium sulfate infusion and antihypertensive drugs were administered to each group. After glucocorticoid administration was completed Group 1 was delivered either by cesarean section or vaginal delivery. In Group 2 magnesium sulfate infusion was stopped after glucocorticoid administration was completed. Antihypertensive drugs were given, bed rest and intensive fetal monitorization were continued in this group. RESULTS: The average weeks of gestation, one minute and five minute apgar scores and hospitalization time in intensive care unit were similar in both groups (P > 0.05). Three neonatal complications in Group 2 and five in Group 1 were detected according to the Denver Developmental Screening Test-II and one pathologic case was detected in both groups following neurologic examination. Neonatal mortality was seen in seven patients in Group 1 and one in Group 2. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of neonatal mortality and morbidity and maternal morbidity (P > 0.05). The average latency period was 3.45 ± 5.48 days in Group 2 and none in Group 1. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the first year neurological development of infants whose mothers underwent either expectant and aggressive management for severe preeclampsia.

Chronic urinary retention after surgery for a rare case of adult presacral teratoma.

BACKGROUND: Presacral teratomas are usually observed in the first two decades of life and have a 50-67% incidence of malignant transformation. Surgery is the treatment of choice. CASE REPORT: Here, we report the case of 24-year-old female with chronic urinary retention after surgery for a presacral teratoma. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneal pelvic surgery may cause pelvic plexus and nerve injury, leading to permanent bladder dysfunction and urinary retention.