Impact of chronic endometritis in infertility: a SWOT analysis.

Chronic endometritis is a pathology often associated with reproductive failure, but there are still no clear recommendations on whether its inclusion in the initial study of infertile couples is necessary. In this discussion paper, based on a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis, the different aspects of the repercussions of chronic endometritis in fertility are evaluated. To avoid possible subjectivity in the analysis and results of this study, the researchers followed the Oxford criteria for the evaluation of evidence. The results from the evaluation of the reviewed literature seem to indicate that, pending new evidence, it would be advisable not to include chronic endometritis in the initial baseline study before assisted reproduction in order not to delay other assisted reproduction treatments. However, it would be advisable in cases of repetitive implantation failure and pregnancy loss after having undergone IVF with viable embryos and before continuing with costly reproductive processes, since results could be improved. The development of randomized studies assessing the impact of antibiotic treatment as a possible therapeutic option in infertile women with chronic endometritis, as well as the possible impact on endometrial microbiota and receptivity/implantation, would allow for the establishment of more precise clinical guidelines in this regard.

Second-generation preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy in assisted reproduction: a SWOT analysis.

Second-generation preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A 2.0) in patients with an unfavourable reproductive and IVF prognosis is becoming common practice, with the aim of improving reproductive outcomes. However, there is still no clear evidence on the possible advantages and drawbacks with regard to this procedure. In this discussion paper, based on a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis, the different aspects of this strategy are evaluated. Current evidence suggests that PGT-A 2.0 should not at present have an indiscriminate application, but it might be indicated in cases in which the risk of aneuploidy is increased.

Conservative medical treatment of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a single center series and cost analysis study.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of a large series of patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome treated with a conservative medical approach and to compare the cost of this treatment with outpatient management with paracentesis according to published data. DESIGN: Retrospective case series and cost analysis study using a decision-tree model. SETTING: University hospital. POPULATION: 496 consecutive patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome treated in our center from 1991 to 2010. METHODS: All patients were treated with a conservative medical approach: (a) conservative outpatient approach: bed rest and a low-sodium diet or (b) hospitalized patients: bed rest, low-sodium diet, 20% albumin (60 g/day) and furosemide (20 mg/8 h). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentage of admissions, length of hospital stay and readmissions. Total cost of each therapeutic approach. RESULTS: (a) Conservative outpatient approach (n = 377): all cases solved without admission. (b) Hospitalized patients with conservative medical treatment (n = 119): 2.8 days of mean hospital stay, no patient required paracentesis or admission to intensive care unit. Readmissions: Five patients (4.2%) resolved on restarting medical treatment. (c) Cost-analysis comparison: Cost of the outpatient approach with paracentesis: US$980 (range US$519-3557). Cost of conservative medical treatment: US$570 (range US$232-1640). CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can be safely managed with a conservative medical approach, which was not found to be more expensive than outpatient management with paracentesis.

Outcome from consecutive ICSI cycles in patients treated with recombinant human LH and those supplemented with urinary hCG-based LH activity during controlled ovarian stimulation in the long GnRH-agonist protocol.

Clinical results were compared in a well-established, assisted reproduction program during the cross-over from highly purified (HP)-human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) to rhFSH/rhLH. We included the last 33 patients treated with HP-hMG and the first 33 patients receiving rhFSH/rhLH for ovarian stimulation in their first intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle. Patient baseline characteristics were almost identical in the two groups. Ovarian stimulation characteristics (days of stimulation, total amount of FSH administered using a modest initial loading dose of 150 IU/d, patients with oocyte retrieval) were similar for the two groups. However, the number of total and leading follicles and E2 serum levels on the human chorionic gonadotropin injection day were significantly higher in the rhFSH/rhLH group. The oocyte yield was significantly higher in the rhFSH/rhLH group as well as the number of metaphase II oocytes, difference almost reaching the statistical significance. The number of oocytes fertilized was also higher in patients receiving rhFSH/rhLH treatment. Implantation and clinical pregnancy rates were similar in both the study groups. It is concluded that in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation under pituitary suppression for ART, the recombinant combined product containing FSH and LH in a fixed 2:1 ratio is more effective than HP-hMG in terms of follicle development, oocyte yield and quality, and fertilization rates.

The role of thrombophilias in reproduction: A swot analysis.

Thrombophilia is a group of inherited or acquired coagulation disorders that have been associated with reproductive failure. However, there are still no clear recommendations on whether its inclusion in the initial study of the infertile couple or patients with recurrent implantation failure is necessary. In this discussion paper, based on a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis, the different aspects of the repercussions of thrombophilia screening and treatment in reproduction are evaluated. To avoid possible subjectivity in the analysis and results of this study, researchers followed Oxford criteria for the evaluation of evidence. The results from the evaluation of the reviewed bibliography seem to indicate that, pending new evidence, it would be advisable not to include thrombophilia screening in the initial baseline study of the infertile couple. There is no evidence to support a clear association between thrombophilia and implantation failure or infertility. Thrombophilia testing in this setting may increase cost, with minimal potential benefit and lead to inappropriate use of anticoagulants with possible deleterious adverse effects. Future well-designed studies are needed to assess the possible benefit of anticoagulant therapy in infertile thrombophilic patients with implantation failure.

Endometrial receptivity tests in reproduction: a SWOT analysis.

Endometrial receptivity and its management in assisted reproduction is now a significant focus of research interest. Endometrial receptivity tests, which analyze different panels of gene expression, are usually offered in fertility clinics to determine the women's individual 'window of implantation', providing a personalized timing for embryo transfer. However, there are still no definite indications on whether its inclusion in the study of the infertile couple or the study of patients with repeated implantation failure is essential.

Human chorionic gonadotrophin stimulation test as a predictor of ovarian response and pregnancy in IVF cycles stimulated with GnRH agonist gonadotrophin treatment: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence supports a specific and broad role of androgen produced by theca cells in reproductive physiology. This pilot study evaluated the usefulness of hCG theca stimulation test in predicting ovarian response and pregnancy. METHODS: Prospective cohort study including 80 infertile women treated with IVF/ICSI. On Day 3 of the menstrual cycle preceding, the first IVF/ICSI cycle a blood sample was drawn to evaluate baseline FSH, estradiol (E(2)), 17-hydroxy-progesterone, androstenedione and testosterone levels. All women then received 250 µg recombinant hCG s.c. and underwent a second blood sampling 24 h after hCG injection to measurement steroid serum levels. RESULTS: Percentage increment of E(2) but not its precursors was significantly higher in normo-responders and pregnancy cycles than in poor responders and non-pregnancy cycles (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively) diagnostic accuracy being 67 and 75%, respectively. The percentage increase in E(2) thus still fails in as many as 33 and 25% of patients in predicting ovarian response and pregnancy, respectively. In addition, E(2) concentrations are poorly reproducible and a wide range of variation in all serum steroids investigated-including E(2)-after hCG injection was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The predictive power of the hCG test is based on E(2) but not androgen response to hCG injection. This test cannot be recommended in routine clinical practice because it is too laborious for screening purposes, shows great variability in the response obtained and its overall accuracy is not better than that reported for other available markers of ovarian reserve. The use of the currently available markers, antral follicle count and anti-Müllerian hormone, is therefore recommended.

Expression pattern of osteopontin and αvß3 integrin during the implantation window in infertile patients with early stages of endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: To study endometrial receptivity in terms of osteopontin (OPN) and αvß3 integrin expression and co-expression in infertile women with early stages of endometriosis. METHODS: We investigated the immunohistochemical expression and co-expression of OPN and αvß3 integrin in the endometrium of 20 infertile patients with Stage I or II endometriosis as the only detectable cause of infertility, 20 infertile patients with unexplained infertility and 20 fertile women undergoing tubal sterilization. Two endometrial biopsies were performed during a single menstrual cycle (postovulatory Day +7 to +8 and 4 days later) in each subject. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences regarding OPN and αvß3 integrin expression were found between infertile patients with endometriosis and the two control groups. There was no significant correlation between OPN and αvß3 integrin staining intensity in the mid-luteal phase biopsies in any of the groups studied. CONCLUSIONS: Endometrial OPN and αvß3 integrin expression or co-expression is not impaired during the window of implantation in patients with Stage I-II endometriosis. Further studies are needed to determine whether these results imply normal endometrial receptivity in such patients or add to the increasing uncertainty about the clinical value of assessing the endometrium with these markers of implantation.

Effects of transdermal testosterone in poor responders undergoing IVF: systematic review and meta-analysis.

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of transdermal testosterone preceding ovarian stimulation in women with poor ovarian response undergoing IVF. Studies comparing pretreatment with transdermal testosterone versus standard ovarian stimulation among poor responders were included. The main outcome assessed was live birth. Three trials were included (113 women in the testosterone group, 112 in the control group). Testosterone-treated women achieved significantly higher live birth rate (risk ratio, RR, 1.91, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.63), clinical pregnancy rate (RR 2.07, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.78) and required significantly lower doses of FSH (RR -461.96, 95% CI -611.82 to -312.09). However, differences observed in clinical pregnancy per embryo transferred were not statistically significant (RR 1.72, 95% CI 0.91 to 3.26). No differences were observed regarding number and quality of the oocytes retrieved. In conclusion, transdermal testosterone significantly increases live birth and reduces the doses of FSH required. These findings support the theoretical synergistic role of androgens and FSH on folliculogenesis. The present data should be interpreted with caution because of the small number of trials and clinical heterogeneity. The identification of poor responders that could especially benefit from testosterone treatment should be addressed in further studies. The poor response to ovarian stimulation among women undergoing IVF is of great concern in reproductive medicine. Certain modalities have been tested to improve this response to gonadotrophin stimulation, although results from some studies have shown conflicting results. Hence, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in order to evaluate the effect of transdermal testosterone prior to ovarian stimulation among these women with poor ovarian response. The main outcome assessed was live birth rate. In all, three trials were included, which comprehended 113 women in the testosterone group and 112 in the control group. Women that were pretreated with transdermal testosterone achieved significantly higher live birth rate and clinical pregnancy rate and required significantly lower doses of exogenous FSH as compared with controls. However, when clinical pregnancy rate was adjusted per embryo transferred differences observed were not statistically significant. No differences were observed in the number and quality of the oocytes retrieved. In conclusion, transdermal testosterone prior to ovarian stimulation significantly increases live birth and reduces the doses of FSH required among poor responders. In addition, the identification of poor responders that could especially benefit from testosterone treatment should be addressed in further studies.

The effect of different hormone therapies on anti-müllerian hormone serum levels in anovulatory women of reproductive age.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of oral contraceptives (OC), metformin and ovulation induction with gonadotropins on circulating anti-müllerian hormone (AMH). DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. PATIENTS: Thirty patients with PCOS (Group 1), 15 normogonadotropic anovulatory infertile women (WHO 2) (Group 2) and 15 normoovulatory control women (Group 3). Patients in Group 1 received OC (n = 12), metformin (n = 11) or no-treatment (n = 7) for 6 months. Ovulation induction with FSH or hMG was used in Group 2. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total follicle number (TFN) and hormonal (fasting insulin and glucose, testosterone, SHBG, LH, androstenedione and AMH) measurements at baseline and during therapy. RESULTS: Basal AMH and TFN were higher in Groups 1 and 2 than in controls. Only TFN was significantly related to AMH level in Groups 1 and 2. AMH level was significantly reduced during OC treatment, and there was a trend for AMH decrease during metformin therapy. No significant changes in AMH level were observed during ovulation induction. TFN was the only parameter showing a significant positive correlation with circulating AMH over the 6-month treatment period in patients in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: AMH is an accurate marker of the antral follicle pool in WHO-2/PCOS women but the measurement of AMH is not likely to be helpful in the management of those patients.

Osteopontin and alphavbeta3 integrin as markers of endometrial receptivity: the effect of different hormone therapies.

The osteopontin: alphavbeta3 integrin complex has been proposed as a means of distinguishing receptive from non-receptive endometrium in clinical practice, thus offering new directions for the development of contraceptive approaches targeted to the endometrium as well as a better understanding of occult causes of infertility in women. Histological dating and immunohistochemical study were performed in control and study cycles in seven groups of women including 10 subjects per group and who received clomiphene citrate, ovarian stimulation for IVF, oral contraception, dehydrogesterone for endometrial luteal phase defect, two different regimens of hormone replacement therapy, or no treatment. Ten healthy fertile women served as a general control group. Osteopontin and alphavbeta3 integrin expression in the human endometrium was closely related to endometrial maturation and this was irrespective of the endometrium being in-phase or out-of-phase and the hormonal treatment (or no treatment) received. In conclusion, immunohistochemical assessment of the endometrium indicates that the use of osteopontin and alphavbeta3 integrin or the osteopontin: alphavbeta3 integrin complex as targets for the development of contraceptive approaches or the understanding of the pathogenesis of female infertility offer little benefit compared with simple histological dating.

Transdermal testosterone may improve ovarian response to gonadotrophins in low-responder IVF patients: a randomized, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Studies in macaques have indicated that androgens have some synergistic effects with FSH on folliculogenesis. This study investigated the usefulness of pretreatment with transdermal testosterone in low-responder IVF patients. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial including 62 infertile women who had a background of the first IVF treatment cycle cancelled because of poor follicular response. Patients were randomized in two treatment groups in their second IVF attempt. In patients in Group 1 (n = 31), transdermal application of testosterone preceding standard gonadotrophin ovarian stimulation under pituitary suppression was used. In Group 2 (n = 31 patients), ovarian stimulation was carried out with high-dose gonadotrophin in association with a minidose GnRH agonist protocol. The primary end-point was the incidence of low-responder patients. The main secondary outcome was the incidence of patients reaching ovum retrieval. RESULTS: The percentage of cycles with low response was significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (32.2 versus 71% 95% confidence interval for the difference, 15.7-61.6; P < 0.05). The number of patients with ovum retrieval tended to be higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (80.6 versus 58.1% P = 0.09), the difference reaching statistical significance (81.2 versus 41.1%; P < 0.05) when only patients having normal basal FSH levels (16 and 17 patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively) were considered. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with transdermal testosterone may improve the ovarian sensitivity to FSH and follicular response to gonadotrophin treatment in previous low-responder IVF patients. This approach leads to an increased follicular response compared with a high-dose gonadotrophin and minidose GnRH agonist protocol.

Combined laparoscopic surgery and pentoxifylline therapy for treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility: a preliminary trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment has modest efficacy for the treatment of infertility associated with early-stage endometriosis. Immunomodulation with pentoxifylline is considered as a new strategy potentially useful in treating endometriosis. Thus, this study investigated the usefulness of combined laparoscopic surgery and pentoxifylline therapy in the treatment of infertility associated with minimal to mild endometriosis. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, controlled blind trial was conducted. Patients entered the study immediately after laparoscopic surgery and were randomly assigned to the treatment with either oral pentoxifylline (800 mg/day) (pentoxifylline group, n = 51) or an oral placebo (placebo group, n = 53). Patients were then observed for pregnancy for 6 months. RESULTS: Among 98 patients finally considered in the evaluation of the results, the 6 month overall pregnancy rates were 28 and 14% in the pentoxifylline and placebo groups, respectively. Thus, an absolute difference of 14% (95% CI -2 to 30) (Chi-squared test, P = 0.1) in the cumulative probability of pregnancy in 6 months after laparoscopic surgery in patients receiving pentoxifylline versus placebo post-operatively was observed. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide preliminary clinical evidence to suggest the new experimental treatment approaches, toward endometriosis, that are based on immunomodulation deserve further attention. Well-designed multicenter trials are warranted to confirm or refute our results.

Osteopontin and alphavbeta3 integrin expression in the endometrium of infertile and fertile women.

Osteopontin and its receptor alpha(v)beta(3) integrin have recently been proposed as a major complex to promote embryo attachment, and thus they would be useful as markers of endometrial receptivity. In the current study alpha(v)beta(3) integrin and osteopontin expression and co-expression in in-phase and out-of-phase endometrial biopsies from normal healthy women (n = 12) and infertile patients (n = 107) were investigated. Two endometrial biopsies (post-ovulatory day +6 to +8, and 4 days later) were performed during a single menstrual cycle in each subject. Oestradiol and progesterone serum concentrations were quantified on the same days as endometrial sampling. No statistically significant difference regarding alpha(v)beta(3) integrin and osteopontin expression and their coexpression was found between fertile controls and infertile patients irrespective of endometria being in-phase or out-of-phase, infertility factors detected or whether patients became spontaneously pregnant or not. Although a co-ordinate high concentration of both glycoproteins on post-ovulatory day 8 onwards was observed, there was an evident lack of temporal co-expression of these markers during the implantation window. It is concluded that the functional significance of the osteopontin:alpha(v)beta(3) integrin complex as a marker of endometrial receptivity and implantation potential in women seems to be untenable.

Transmyometrial embryo transfer as a useful method to overcome difficult embryo transfers - a single-center retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy after an embryo transfer depends largely on embryo quality, endometrial receptivity, and the technique used in the embryo transfer. Embryo transfers have been reported as inevitably traumatic and difficult for 5-7% of patients in assisted reproduction treatment. In these cases, transmyometrial embryo transfer should be considered as a suitable method to overcome difficult embryo transfers. The aim of this study was to report our experience with this technique and analyze its causes, results and complications. METHODS: Since 1993, 39 women (40 cycles of assisted reproductive technology treatment) were submitted to transmyometrial embryo transfers in our center. The procedures were carried out as described by the Towako group. RESULTS: The enrolled female patients had a mean age of 34 years and a mean baseline FSH level of 6.89 IU/mL. The median number of retrieved oocytes was 7.50 and a mean of 2.63 embryos were transferred. Implantation rate was 9.5%. With respect to clinical results, pregnancy and miscarriage rates were 25% and 30%, respectively. Since there were two twin pregnancies, the live birth rate was 22.5% (9/40). No major complications were reported. CONCLUSION: Transmyometrial embryo transfer can and should be an option in cases of difficult/impossible transcervical embryo transfer.

Age, independent from ovarian reserve status, is the main prognostic factor in natural cycle in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze natural cycle IVF (NC-IVF) results according to patient age, ovarian reserve status following the Bologna criteria, cause of infertility, and modification of the cycle with the use of GnRH antagonist. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary-care university hospital. PATIENT(S): Nine hundred forty-seven natural cycles carried out in 320 patients. INTERVENTION(S): Analysis of 947 NC-IVF outcomes performed in one single center between January 2010 and December 2014. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy rates per cycle started, per ET, and per patient, as well as ongoing pregnancy rate at a minimum of 12 weeks of gestation. RESULT(S): Among the three age groups analyzed (≤35 years, 36-39 years, and ≥40 years), pregnancy rates per cycle were significantly lower in the older group of patients (11.4% vs. 11.6% vs. 5.9%). In addition, miscarriage rate (7.7% vs. 34.4% vs. 50%) and ongoing pregnancy rate (10.6% vs. 7.6%vs. 3.0%) were negatively affected by patient age. However, no differences were observed according to patient ovarian reserve status, cause of infertility, or modification of the cycle with GnRH antagonist. The multivariate logistic regression confirmed that patient age was the only variable that could predict pregnancy in NC-IVF cycles (odds ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-0.98). CONCLUSION(S): NC-IVF is a feasible and "patient-friendly" option to be offered to young patients, independent of their ovarian reserve status.

Effect of halving the daily dose of triptorelin at the start of ovarian stimulation on hormone serum levels and the outcome of in vitro fertilization.

Halving the standard daily dose of triptorelin at the start of ovarian stimulation in down-regulated women stimulated with recombinant FSH is enough for pituitary suppression and was associated with higher LH serum concentrations in the follicular phase. However, this did not translate into higher serum concentrations of androstenedione and E2 and had no significant effect on ovarian response and the outcome of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Chronology of hemodynamic changes in asymptomatic in vitro fertilization patients and relationship with ovarian steroids and cytokines.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the chronology of hemodynamic changes in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles and its relationship with circulating ovarian steroids, cytokines, and their mediator nitric oxide. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENT(S): Eighty-eight IVF patients. INTERVENTION(S): Ovarian stimulation with FSH under pituitary suppression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Circulating levels of estradiol, progesterone, nitrite/nitrate, interleukin-6, vascular endothelial growth factor, tumor necrosis factor alpha, aldosterone, norepinephrine, as well as measurements of plasma renin activity and mean arterial pressure. RESULT(S): The maximal stimulation of the renin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems was seen 7 days after hCG administration, although values still remained elevated over normal control values on day of hCG + 11. Mean arterial pressure in IVF patients remained significantly reduced throughout the luteal phase. Changes in the stimulation of the renin-aldosterone system correlated temporally with progesterone but not estradiol levels. No significant changes were observed in circulating concentrations of cytokines investigated or nitric oxide. CONCLUSION(S): The circulatory changes and the homeostatic activation of the renin-aldosterone system and sympathetic nervous system that consistently develop in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF is a feature associated with the luteinization process. These hemodynamic changes occur in the absence of variations in the circulating levels of cytokines potentially involved in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Prevalence of thrombophilia in women with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and cost-effectiveness of screening.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of markers of thrombophilia in patients with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of screening for factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations in women entering an IVF program. DESIGN: Case-control study and cost-effectiveness analysis. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENT(S): Women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF complicated by severe OHSS (group 1, n = 20), women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF without development of severe OHSS (group 2, n = 40), and healthy control subjects (group 3, n = 100). INTERVENTION(S): Investigation of markers of thrombophilia. Estimate of number of IVF patients needed to detect a case of severe OHSS and thrombosis associated with thrombophilia genetic mutation was calculated from the available data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Blood samples were analyzed for inherited (resistance to activated protein C due to the factor V Leiden mutation; prothrombin G20210A mutation; deficiencies in antithrombin, protein C, and protein S) and acquired (presence of circulating lupus anticoagulants and/or anticardiolipin antibodies; deficiencies of antithrombin and protein S; acquired protein C resistance) markers of thrombophilia. The cost of preventing one thrombotic event in a patient developing severe OHSS after IVF and having factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A mutations was calculated. RESULT(S): None of the OHSS patients or controls had antithrombin, protein C, or free protein S deficiencies. All of them tested negative for antiphospholipid antibodies. No patient in group 1 had the factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A mutations. The prothrombin G20210A mutation was detected in 1 out of 40 patients (2.5%) in group 2. Both factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations were detected in two of the control subjects (2%) (group 3). The estimated cost of preventing one thrombotic event arising as a consequence of screening for factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutation is a minimum of 418,970 dollars and 2,430,000 dollars, respectively. CONCLUSION(S): The prevalence of thrombophilia is not increased in women with severe OHSS. Screening for V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutation in an IVF general population is not cost-effective.

Oocyte quality in patients with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a self-controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the oocyte quality in patients with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). DESIGN: Self-controlled clinical study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENT(S): Twenty-two patients from our assisted reproductive technology (ART) program who developed severe OHSS during their first controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (OHSS cycles) during a period of 10 years and had a second ART attempt performed in our center in which OHSS did not develop (control cycles). INTERVENTION(S): IVF and ICSI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Oocyte yield and quality, fertilization rate, embryo yield and quality, implantation rate, and pregnancy rate. RESULT(S): The total number of oocytes retrieved and the mean number of metaphase II oocytes were significantly higher in patients with OHSS than in control cycles. Fertilization rates were similar in both groups of ART cycles, and thus the number of viable embryos were significantly higher in OHSS cycles. Implantation and pregnancy rates were similar in OHSS and control cycles. Oocyte and embryo yield and quality were similar in early and late OHSS. Oocyte yield and quality, embryological outcome, and implantation and pregnancy rates were similar in patients with and without polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) both in cycles developing OHSS and control cycles. CONCLUSION(S): Oocyte quality is not compromised in severe OHSS cycles irrespective of whether patients had or did not have PCOS.