Effect of vaginal lubricants on natural fertility.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Vaginal lubricants are commonly utilized to facilitate more comfortable and enjoyable intercourse. The impact of these lubricants on fertility is unclear. The aim of this review is to summarize the current in-vitro and clinical data pertaining to lubricants' effect on natural conception. RECENT FINDINGS: In-vitro studies suggest lubricants can be toxic to sperm in the artificial laboratory environment. Lubricants formulated to be nontoxic to sperm have no effect on sperm motility or viability in vitro compared to controls. However, a recent longitudinal cohort study suggests lubricant use and choice has no effect of fecundity. SUMMARY: As a result of the conflicting in-vitro and clinical data, the effect of vaginal lubricants on fertility is still unresolved. A randomized controlled trial is needed to determine the effects of vaginal lubricants on fertility.

Progesterone and the luteal phase: a requisite to reproduction.

Progesterone production from the corpus luteum is critical for natural reproduction. Progesterone supplementation seems to be an important aspect of any assisted reproductive technology treatment. Luteal phase deficiency in natural cycles is a plausible cause of infertility and pregnancy loss, though there is no adequate diagnostic test. This article describes the normal luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, investigates the controversy surrounding luteal phase deficiency, and presents the current literature for progesterone supplementation during assisted reproductive technologies.

Optimal timing for elective egg freezing.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the optimal age to pursue elective oocyte cryopreservation. DESIGN: A decision-tree model was constructed to determine the success and cost-effectiveness of oocyte preservation versus no action when considered at ages 25-40 years, assuming an attempt at procreation 3, 5, or 7 years after initial decision. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): Hypothetical patients 25-40 years old presenting to discuss elective oocyte cryopreservation. INTERVENTION(S): Decision to cryopreserve oocytes from age 25 years to age 40 years versus taking no action. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE(S): Probability of live birth after initial decision whether or not to cryopreserve oocytes. RESULT(S): Oocyte cryopreservation provided the greatest improvement in probability of live birth compared with no action (51.6% vs. 21.9%) when performed at age 37 years. The highest probability of live birth was seen when oocyte cryopreservation was performed at ages <34 years (>74%), although little benefit over no action was seen at ages 25-30 years (2.6%-7.1% increase). Oocyte cryopreservation was most cost-effective at age 37 years, at $28,759 per each additional live birth in the oocyte cryopreservation group. When the probability of marriage was included, oocyte cryopreservation resulted in little improvement in live birth rates. CONCLUSION(S): Oocyte cryopreservation can be of great benefit to specific women and has the highest chance of success when performed at an earlier age. At age 37 years, oocyte cryopreservation has the largest benefit over no action and is most cost-effective.

The effect of ketorolac on pregnancy rates when used immediately after oocyte retrieval.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of ketorolac, a potent anti-inflammatory medication, on in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy outcomes when used at the time of oocyte retrieval. DESIGN: Retrospective review of 454 patients from 2003-2009. SETTING: Tertiary hospital-affiliated fertility center. PATIENT(S): Consecutive subfertile women undergoing their first IVF cycle. INTERVENTION(S): Ketorolac administration immediately after oocyte retrieval. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy, implantation, live-birth, and miscarriage rates, and postsurgical visual analog pain score. RESULT(S): Of the 454 patients undergoing their first IVF cycle for all indications, 103 received intravenous ketorolac immediately after oocyte retrieval, based on anesthesiologist preference. Patient and procedural characteristics were similar between both groups. The use of ketorolac had no effect on the rates of implantation, miscarriage, pregnancy, live birth, or multiple pregnancy. The patients receiving ketorolac experienced statistically significantly less pain. CONCLUSION(S): This study suggests ketorolac has no apparent detrimental effect on IVF pregnancy outcomes when administered immediately after oocyte retrieval. Ketorolac appears to be a safe and effective analgesic to use at the time of oocyte retrieval.

Subclinical elevations of thyroid-stimulating hormone and assisted reproductive technology outcomes.

The prevalence of moderately elevated TSH levels consistent with subclinical hypothyroidism (2.5-4.0 µIU/mL) was 23% in a cohort of 1,231 women pursuing assisted reproductive technologies. Preconception elevated levels of TSH were associated with diminished ovarian reserve but were not associated with adverse assisted reproductive technology or pregnancy outcomes.

The prevalence of genuine empty follicle syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of "genuine" empty follicle syndrome (EFS) and "false" EFS at assisted reproductive technology (ART). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Large private fertility center. PATIENT(S): A total of 12,359 patients who underwent ART between 2004 and 2009. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The failure to recover an oocyte during oocyte retrieval at ART, with and without a detectable serum ß-hCG on the day of retrieval. RESULT(S): Two cases of genuine EFS and nine cases of false EFS were identified in the cohort examined. The prevalence of genuine EFS was 0.016%, and the prevalence of false EFS was 0.072%. Only two out of 11 cases of EFS were considered genuine. CONCLUSION(S): Genuine EFS is a rare occurrence. Because this syndrome tends to recur with dismal pregnancy rates at ART, continued identification and further investigation of the syndrome are needed.