Association between Myometrial Thickness and Assisted Reproductive Technologies Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Myometrial thickness has been expected to be a prognosticator for lower uterine segment function. An abnormal function of the uterine muscle layer can cause common and important reproductive problems. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between baseline myometrial thickness and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 453 infertile women undergoing ART cycles without any obvious uterine pathology, participated in this prospective cohort study from February 2013 to May 2015. In order to measure the myometrial thickness in the anterior and posterior of the uterine, trans-vaginal ultrasounds were conducted on days 2-4 of the cycle (menstrual phase) preceding ovarian stimulation and the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection. We defined three groups based on the baseline myometrial thickness in the anterior and posterior, including (A) <25 mm, (B) 25-29.9 mm and (C) ≥30 mm. Ovarian stimulation, oocyte retrieval and luteal phase support were performed in accordance with the standard long protocol. Two weeks after embryo transfer, the patients underwent a pregnancy test by checking their serum ß-hCG levels. The primary outcome measure was clinical pregnancy rate. Secondary outcome measures were, implantation rate, abortion rate and live birth rate. RESULTS: The clinical pregnancy (P=0.013) and implantation (P=0.003) rates were significantly lower in group A than in two other groups. Although the live birth rate was lower in group A than two other groups, this decrease was not statistically significant (P=0.058). CONCLUSION: The findings may be a way for clinicians to draw focus on providing therapeutic strategies and a specific supportive care for women with a baseline myometrial thickness <25 mm in order to improve the reproductive outcome of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI).

Evaluation of the relationship between ovarian reserve with congenital anomalies and intramural uterine leiomyoma among infertile women: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian reserve is a crucial indicator of a woman's fertility potential, which is determined by the quality and quantity of antral follicles and oocytes. However, certain factors such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, myoma, and the natural process of aging can lead to a poor ovarian response to stimulation, reducing a woman's chances of conceiving. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of uterus congenital anomalies and uterine leiomyoma are associated on ovarian reserve. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was performed on 321 infertile women in three groups consisted of 97 infertile women with intramural uterine leiomyoma and 81 infertile women with uterine anomalies and 143 infertile women without uterine anomalies and uterine leiomyoma during 2017-2019 in Royan Center. Sampling method was continuous and available. Data collection tool in this study was a questionnaire which was in two parts of individual variables and the second part was related to ultrasound results (number of antral follicles and ovarian volume) and laboratory tests (Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH)). Ovarian reserve parameters were measured in three groups on the third day of the cycle in both groups. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 21. Quantitative variables were analyzed using t-test, qualitative variables were analyzed using chi-square test. RESULTS: The results of in laboratory parameters showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in FSH (2.35 ± 1.55, 2.07 ± 1.81, 2.31 ± 1.93) and AMH (6.84 ± 2.75,7.52 ± 3.14,6.93 ± 3.04), respectively (P > 0.05). The results of sonographic variables also showed that the variables include number of antral follicles in right ovarian, number of antral follicles in left ovarian have statistically significant between the three groups (5.73 ± 2.69,4.84 ± 3.14,6.66 ± 3.13), respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that uterine abnormalities and uterine leiomyoma with different mechanisms such as reduce of antral follicle numbers and the effect on uterine and ovarian blood flow lead to a decrease in ovarian reserve and infertility. Therefore, treatment and surgery can reduce these effects and improve the fertility of the affected women.

Does amniotic fluid sludge result in preterm labor in pregnancies after assisted reproduction technology? A nested Case - Control study.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the relationship between the Amniotic fluid Sludge exposure during pregnancy and the Preterm Labor (PTL) in pregnant women who had undergone Assisted Reproductive Technology procedures (ART) in Royan institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a nested case-control study that was conducted on 110 eligible pregnant women who had undergone IVF procedure in Royan institute, Tehran, Iran. The final sample size was 63 subjects with Amniotic fluid Sludge and 67 subjects with normal Amniotic fluid. Delivery before 37 of gestation was considered as PTL.The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Royan institute and the written consent form was filled by participants. Data was entered to the SPSS (version 21, SPSS, Inc.). The baseline characteristics of the participants were described as absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies for the covariates. Man Whitney and T-Test were used to compare the mean of covariates and the P-value lower than 0.05 was considered significant. The prevalence of the PTL was compared between two groups. RESULTS: The mean Gestational Age at delivery in case and control group were 36.46 ± 3.45 and 38.03 ± 1.61, respectively which was significant (p = .01). The prevalence of PTL in case and control group were 23.8% and 10.4% respectively which was significant (p = .04). The percentage of cases with cervical length less than 30 (mm) in case and control group were 28.6% and 10.4%, respectively (p = .008) and the percentage of cerclage in case and control group were 33.3% and 7.5% respectively, (p = .00) which were significant statistically. CONCLUSION: The amniotic fluid sludge has a direct effect on the cervical length of pregnancies after ART. In such cases, PTB will be probable in the presence of sludge in spite of preventive treatments such as cerclage.

Outcome of isolated fetal choroid plexus cyst detected in prenatal sonography among infertile patients referred to Royan Institute: A 3-year study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have assessed the correlation of fetal choroid plexus cyst (CPC) and the risk of congenital anomalies, but few ones have discussed isolated CPC (with no other abnormal sonographic finding). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of isolated fetal choroid plexus cyst and to specify its clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross sectional study was carried out at Royan Institute in Tehran, Iran, between April 2009 and December 2012. All prenatal sonographies in this period of time were assessed using a computerized database and fetuses who had isolated CPC were recruited in the study. Sonography reports, mother serum screening test results, fetal echocardiography and amniocentesis were evaluated until birth. A follow-up phone call was made to all individuals to learn about the neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 6240 prenatal sonographies were performed in this setting during this period. Isolated CPC was detected in 64 fetuses. The results of double test (N=30), triple test (N=5) and fetal echocardiography (N =24) were normal. Quadruple test result showed 3 abnormal out of 29 cases that all had normal karyotypes. Four samples were dropped out due to premature rupture of membranes (N=3) and intrauterine fetal death (N=1). It was found that the outcomes of all remaining fetuses (N=60) were normal and no anomaly ones were seen until birth. CONCLUSION: Isolated CPC is a benign regressive condition with no clinical significance.

The Effect of Flutamide on Ovulation Induction in PCOS Patients.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder that affects various body organs and requires comprehensive long term evaluation and management. The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of Flutamide on ovulation induction in PCOS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study applied triple blind method, a simple convenience sampling method, to induce ovulations of the ninety six PCOS patients. Patients were divided into two groups; group A included 53 subjects (received Flutamide + Clomiphene Citrate) and group B included 43 subjects (received placebo + Clomiphene Citrate). Ultrasound was carried to determine the size of follicles and growth rate of them during follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Also, progesterone levels were measured on days 19 and 21 of the menstrual cycle. RESULTS: In this study, ninety six PCOS patients, in two treatment and control groups, were evaluated regarding to body mass index (BMI), cycle irregularity, age and number of dominant follicles, duration of stimulation, endocrine profile and score of hirsutism. The obtained results revealed no significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSION: Flutamide does not affect ovulation improvement in PCOS patients undergoing induction (Registration Number: IRCT 201105081141N10).

Cervical Ectopic Pregnancy following Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Case Report.

Cervical ectopic pregnancy (EP) is an infrequent, life-threatening form of ectopic gestation pregnancy that implants within the endocervical canal. With the increase in use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) worldwide and more liberal use of transvaginal sonography (TVS) during early pregnancy, more cases of cervical ectopic pregnancy are being diagnosed. Early diagnosis of this condition by using ultrasound imaging allows for prevention of maternal morbidity due to hemorrhage and leads to conservative management of this condition.We present the case of a 38-year old woman (gravida 1, para 0) who was found to have acervical ectopic pregnancy at six weeks of gestation.