Psycho-emotional acceptance in couple and single women who choose to undergo IVF treatment with donor eggs.

New family configurations are emerging concurrently with improved assisted reproduction techniques, including the use of donated gametes. Most indications for treatment when using donated eggs are caused by an age-related decrease in reproductive capacity. We evaluated the emotional state regarding accepting egg donation in participants who chose this option for in vitro fertilization cycles. This is a retrospective, Brazilian cohort study, based on data collected from sixty psychological counseling sessions with participants that opted to be enrolled in an egg donation program. A single professional conducted semi-structured psychological counselling sessions. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis as the qualitative methodology. Two years after the psychological counseling sessions, participants were contacted to obtain information about their outcomes. Of 60 sessions, 19 (32%) were classified as involving participants with positive emotional state (group 1), 14 (23%) with unfavorable emotional state (group 2), and 27 (45%) without evident classification (group 3). Three couples did not undergo treatment until two years after the psychological counselling session and the other couples underwent treatment in a period ranging from 1-8 months after the session. This is the first study in the Brazilian population regarding the acceptance of egg donation. The process of acceptance of infertility and the impossibility to have a biological child is fundamental to gradually accepting a new way of becoming a parent. Psychological counseling can contribute to reflecting on the use of donated eggs, exploring its emotional implications and identifying the need for psychotherapeutic work to address conflict and suffering.

Expressed proteins and activated pathways in conditioned embryo culture media from IVF patients are diverse according to infertility factors.

OBJECTIVE: Given that the embryo culture medium secretome reflects the embryo development, we hypothesize that protein profiles are affected according to infertility factors, which can be responsible for detrimental embryonic developmental competence. The aim of this study was to screen the protein profile of conditioned embryo culture media in patients presenting deep infiltrating endometriosis (ENDO) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) undergoing IVF, by proteomics approaches. The control group was constituted by tubal factor patients. METHODS: Patients underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment as routine and oocytes were fertilized by ICSI. The embryos were group cultured until day 3 of development, and after transfer the culture media were collected. For the proteomics analysis, two pools of samples were prepared for groups CONTROL and PCOS, and 4 pools of samples for group DIE. Samples were prepared to deplete high abundant proteins and followed evaluated by high throughput proteomics approach. RESULTS: The embryonic organ and tissue development were physiological functions activated, based on proteins identified in the 3 study groups of samples. The samples coming from DIE patients presented a high calcium activity and on the other hand, embryos coming from PCOS patients showed a decreased calcium action. Other pathways as grow factors through the EGF signaling pathway overexpressed in ENDO culture medium and protein kinase A in PCOS were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Proteomic embryonic secretome will advance our knowledge of early embryogenesis and additionally could lead to improved selection of embryos for transfer warrants further investigation.

Proteomic profile of follicular fluid from patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) submitted to in vitro fertilization (IVF) compared to oocyte donors.

OBJECTIVE: The follicular fluid (FF) of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) seems to exhibit a profile different from that of fertile women, which may be related to folliculogenesis disruption in PCOS patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differentially expressed proteins in the FF of women with PCOS compared to oocyte donors (ODs). METHODS: This screening study included thirteen (13) women who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles: seven (7) ODs and six (6) PCOS patients. The patients underwent standard ovarian stimulation, and the FF was analysed using ion trap and time-of-flight liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS-IT-TOF). RESULTS: The FF of the patients was matched to 229 proteins, with 61 proteins exclusive to the PCOS group, 123 proteins exclusive to the ODs, and 45 proteins found in both groups. We highlight fetuin-A and vitamin D ligand protein, which were exclusively expressed in the PCOS group; Complement C3 overexpressed in the PCOS group; and 26S protease only expressed in the OD group. The canonical pathways LXR/RXR activation, FXR/RXR activation, prothrombin activation are directly related to the disrupted metabolism and increased inflammatory status found in PCOS patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the differentially expressed proteins and matched pathways are associated with folliculogenesis, indicating it relevance to oocyte quality.

Proteomic profile of follicular fluid from patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) submitted to in vitro fertilization (IVF) compared to oocyte donors.

OBJECTIVE: The follicular fluid (FF) of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) seems to exhibit a profile different from that of fertile women, which may be related to folliculogenesis disruption in PCOS patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differentially expressed proteins in the FF of women with PCOS compared to oocyte donors (ODs). METHODS: This screening study included thirteen (13) women who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles: seven (7) ODs and six (6) PCOS patients. The patients underwent standard ovarian stimulation, and the FF was analysed using ion trap and time-of-flight liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS-IT-TOF). RESULTS: The FF of the patients was matched to 229 proteins, with 61 proteins exclusive to the PCOS group, 123 proteins exclusive to the ODs, and 45 proteins found in both groups. We highlight fetuin-A and vitamin D ligand protein, which were exclusively expressed in the PCOS group; Complement C3 overexpressed in the PCOS group; and 26S protease only expressed in the OD group. The canonical pathways LXR/RXR activation, FXR/RXR activation, prothrombin activation are directly related to the disrupted metabolism and increased inflammatory status found in PCOS patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the differentially expressed proteins and matched pathways are associated with folliculogenesis, indicating it relevance to oocyte quality.

Proteomic profile of follicular fluid from patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) submitted to in vitro fertilization (IVF) compared to oocyte donors.

OBJECTIVE: The follicular fluid (FF) of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) seems to exhibit a profile different from that of fertile women, which may be related to folliculogenesis disruption in PCOS patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differentially expressed proteins in the FF of women with PCOS compared to oocyte donors (ODs). METHODS: This screening study included thirteen (13) women who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles: seven (7) ODs and six (6) PCOS patients. The patients underwent standard ovarian stimulation, and the FF was analysed using ion trap and time-of-flight liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS-IT-TOF). RESULTS: The FF of the patients was matched to 229 proteins, with 61 proteins exclusive to the PCOS group, 123 proteins exclusive to the ODs, and 45 proteins found in both groups. We highlight fetuin-A and vitamin D ligand protein, which were exclusively expressed in the PCOS group; Complement C3 overexpressed in the PCOS group; and 26S protease only expressed in the OD group. The canonical pathways LXR/RXR activation, FXR/RXR activation, prothrombin activation are directly related to the disrupted metabolism and increased inflammatory status found in PCOS patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the differentially expressed proteins and matched pathways are associated with folliculogenesis, indicating it relevance to oocyte quality.

Egg donation of vitrified oocytes bank produces similar pregnancy rates by blastocyst transfer when compared to fresh cycle.

PURPOSE: Advances in reproductive techniques, mainly the introduction of oocyte vitrification, have provided the opportunity to conceive from oocyte banks. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of fresh and vitrified oocytes in an egg donation program following blastocyst transfer. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 504 oocyte donation cycles. All donor women were younger than 30 years of age. The recipient cycles were divided into two groups: fresh oocytes (n = 78) or vitrified oocytes (n = 426). All oocytes were fertilized by ICSI using ejaculated sperm, followed by blastocyst transfer. Endometrium preparation was performed with estradiol valerate plus micronized progesterone according to standard protocols. RESULTS: Recipients were of similar age (fresh 42.0 ± 4.5 years vs vitrified 41.8 ± 4.8 years; p = 0.790). The fresh group received more mature oocytes for injection compared to the vitrified group (10.1 ± 2.8 vs 9.2 ± 2.2; p = 0.005). The two pronuclei (2PN) rate (74.5 vs 77.4%; p = 0.195) and blastocyst rate (48.8 vs 51.6%; 0.329) were similar between the fresh and vitrified groups, respectively. The rates of clinical pregnancy were 60.9% in the fresh and 59.0% in the vitrified groups (p = 0.771). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that vitrified oocytes result in similar pregnancy rates when compared to fresh oocytes with blastocyst transfer in an egg donation program. Moreover, vitrified oocytes may allow for a better cycle schedule, starting with a lower number of oocytes to be fertilized. Therefore, we hypothesize that egg banks with vitrified oocytes could be safely utilized in an egg donation program.

Tests for ovarian reserve: reliability and utility.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review discusses ovarian reserve tests for ovulation induction and their application in determining fertility capacity, and their current applications to assess risk of natural ovarian failure and to estimate ovarian function after cancer treatment. RECENT FINDINGS: The current arsenal of ovarian reserve tests comprises hormonal markers [basal follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol, inhibin-B, antimullerian hormone (AMH)] and ultrasonographic markers [ovarian volume, antral follicle counts (AFCs)]. These markers have limitations in terms of which test(s) should be used to reliably predict ovarian reserve with regard to accuracy, invasiveness, cost, convenience, and utility. Several studies have correlated sonographic AFCs with serum AMH levels for predicting the ovarian response to ovulation induction protocols during assisted reproduction treatments. SUMMARY: Serum AMH levels and AFC are reliable tests for predicting the ovarian response to ovulation induction. However, none of the currently employed tests of ovarian reserve can reliably predict pregnancy after assisted conception. Further, ovarian reserve tests cannot predict the onset of reproductive and hormonal menopause; thus, they should be used with caution for reproductive life-programming counseling. Moreover, there is no evidence to support the use of ovarian reserve tests to estimate the risk of ovarian sufficiency after cancer treatments.