Imbalance in seminal fluid MIF indicates male infertility.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a ubiquitous cytokine that functions in reproduction and plays an important role in sperm maturation and motility. Here we reveal a correlation between MIF levels in human seminal fluid and fertility status. We identify an abnormal biphasic profile of MIF in the seminal fluid of patients with impaired sperm parameters. Our findings may be of interest for the development of a diagnostic method for fertility status.

Blastocyst culture and transfer: a step toward improved in vitro fertilization outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of blastocyst culture and transfer in human in vitro fertilization (IVF) as compared to day 3 embryo transfer. DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. SETTING: Private assisted reproduction unit. PATIENT(S): A total of 162 IVF patients were included in the day 3 embryo transfer (n = 82) and blastocyst transfer (n = 80) groups. INTERVENTION(S): Embryo transfer on day 3 after culture in the standard culture media and blastocyst transfer on day 5 or 6 after culture in the sequential culture media. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Implantation and pregnancy rates, multiple gestation rate. RESULT(S): The implantation rate for embryos transferred at the blastocyst stage was significantly higher than that for embryos transferred on day 3 (26% vs. 13%). The viable pregnancy rate was similar in both groups (29% vs. 26%). Significantly fewer embryos were required for transfer at the blastocyst stage compared with day 3 embryo transfer (2.0 +/- 0.1 vs. 3.5 +/- 0.63). The high-order multiple gestation rate was significantly less with the blastocyst transfer than with the day 3 embryo transfer (4% vs. 19%). CONCLUSION(S): With the use of blastocyst culture, a few embryos can be transferred without decreasing the overall pregnancy rate. This may reduce multiple gestations and improve human IVF outcome.