Cancer complicates roughly 1 in 1000 pregnancies with roughly 18% of these cases represented by the hematologic malignancies. These can range from an indolent lymphoma requiring only close monitoring to acute, life-threatening, processes requiring emergent therapy, and evaluation for potential termination of the pregnancy. Management of a pregnant woman with ...

Cancer diagnosed during pregnancy is a rare occurrence with an incidence of 0.1% of all pregnancies. However, its management can be challenging at times as one balances maternal benefit to fetal risk. Various treatment modalities are used in this context including surgical intervention, chemotherapy, and radiologic therapy. This review seeks ...

The incidence of haematological malignancies in pregnancy ranges from 1 in 1000 to 1 in 10,000. International prospective epidemiology, management and outcome data are important to gain further knowledge of haematological malignancies in pregnancy. The management of haematological malignancies in pregnancy is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. The clinician ...

PURPOSE: Cancer in pregnancy is a rare circumstance. However, the coincidence of pregnancy and malignancy is supposed to increase due to a general tendency of postponing childbearing to older age. To date, clinical guidelines are scarce and experience regarding therapeutic management is limited to case reports. METHODS: This review focuses ...

PURPOSE: In case of non-gynecological solid tumors and hematological malignancies diagnosed during pregnancy, individual diagnostic and treatment options must be established by an interdisciplinary team. METHODS: In part II of the present review we report on diagnostic and therapeutic principles in distinct entities of solid and hematological malignancies. RESULTS: On ...

Gaucher disease (GD), characterized by deficient acid β-glucosidase activity, is the most common lysosomal storage disorder. The disease is progressive with manifestations that include anemia, thrombocytopenia, organomegaly and bone disease. Pregnancy has the potential to exacerbate these manifestations, compounding the risk of complications during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. Enzyme replacement ...

To compare the risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in pregnancies conceived through standard in vitro fertilization (IVF) using autologous oocytes with pregnancies conceived using donated oocytes. We conducted a retrospective, matched cohort study of women undergoing IVF using autologous compared with donor oocytes between 1998 and 2005. Women with ...

In this observational trial, we compared the impact on two different strategies, egg vitrification (n = 152) obtained after triggering final oocyte maturation with GnRH agonists and transferring the embryos at a later stage, with classical coasting (n = 96) to avoid OHSS in patients at risk due to high ...

The only reliable way to eliminate the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is complete avoidance of gonadotropin ovarian stimulation. It could be argued that in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes represents the most effective strategy to prevent OHSS. IVM has been an established treatment option in many centers worldwide ...

To identify reliable genomic biomarkers expressed in cumulus cells that accurately and non-invasively predict the oocyte developmental competence and reinforce the already used morphological criteria. Eight consenting patients were selected for ovarian stimulation and ICSI procedures. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were transvaginally punctured and individually selected based on both good morphological criteria ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of long-term vapor-phase nitrogen storage of vitrified human oocytes as a strategy for preventing the risk of cross-contamination due to direct contact with the liquid nitrogen (LN). DESIGN: Prospective randomized study. SETTING: Private infertility center, IVI, Valencia. PATIENT(S): Oocyte donors (n = 44) and recipients ...

To report a birth of a healthy boy after long-term cryopreservation of oocytes by vitrification. Clinical application. IVF Center. A 17 year-old female with secondary pulmonary hypertension caused by transposition of great vessels visited our center in 2002, and she wished oocytes cryopreservation to avoid possible sterility after the following ...

Oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) reduces the need for gonadotrophin-induced ovarian hyperstimulation and its associated health risks but the unacceptably low conception/pregnancy rates have limited its clinical uptake. We report the development of a novel in vitro simulated physiological oocyte maturation (SPOM) system. Bovine or mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were ...

To investigate the distribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoforms and soluble form of VEGF receptor 1 (sFlt-1) in the follicular fluid (FF) of in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients in relationship to age, body mass index (BMI), diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and their correlation with IVF outcomes. ...

To compare GnRH agonists and antagonists in oocyte-donation IVF treatment cycles by a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCT). Systematic literature searches were conducted, and all randomized trials that compared GnRH agonists with antagonists in oocyte-donation IVF treatment cycles were included. ...

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differences in placental perfusion in pregnancies following oocyte donation compared to spontaneous pregnancies. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A total of 33 patients who became pregnant after oocyte donation are studied and compared to 42 spontaneously pregnant participants. A 3-dimensional Power Doppler is used to obtain 3 placental ...

To investigate an association between the presence of a giant oocyte and outcome for the cohort in in vitro fertilization (IVF). Retrospective study. Hospital-based academic medical center. IVF and IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles having at least one giant oocyte (study group; n = 105), matched with cycles without a ...

The purpose of this study is to report successful pregnancies and deliveries from embryos derived from vitrified-warmed oocytes injected with frozen-thawed testicular sperm. After the vitrification-warming procedure, surviving oocytes from 11 patients were microinjected with thawed testicular spermatozoa, and subsequent viable cleaving embryos were transferred, resulting in four clinical pregnancies.

To quantify the effect of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) on reproductive outcome by evaluating the most statistically significant bias factors using logistic regression. Prospective blind observational cohort study. University affiliated private IVF unit. Two hundred ten male partners of couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or first intracytoplasmic sperm injection ...

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic dysfunction and heterogeneous endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Although patients with PCOS are typically characterized by increased numbers of oocytes retrieved during IVF, they are often of poor quality, leading to lower fertilization, cleavage and implantation rates, and a ...

This prospective study was designed to evaluate and clarify further whether the position of the polar body (PB) in relation to injection site during intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI) has an impact on fertilization and developmental rates and consequently clinical pregnancy outcome. The study included 264 patients undergoing 306 ICSI cycles ...

We retrospectively assessed outcomes of in vitro fertilisation in groups of women with asymptomatic incidentally discovered hyperprolactinaemia (AIH) undergoing ovarian stimulation and ICSI-ET relative to the types of dopamine agonist and gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue used. Of 5840 women who underwent COH and ICSI-ET, 239 were included in the study; ...

Our aim was to assess the influence of ratios of oestradiol (E2) to either number of follicles ≥14 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration (E2/fol) or the number of oocytes retrieved (E2/o) during oocyte pick up and total serum E2 levels on the day of embryo transfer (ETE2) on ...

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment with myo-inositol plus folic acid plus melatonin compared with myo-inositol plus folic acid alone on oocyte quality in women underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. DESIGN: A prospective, clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Starting on the ...

To report a successful pregnancy after transfer of embryos derived from oocytes after calcium ionophore correction of the pronuclei localization after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Case report. University hospital. A 30-year-old patient and her 30-year-old husband, diagnosed with asthenoteratozoopermia, underwent ICSI because of three unsuccessful IUI attempts. Thirteen metaphase II ...

This paper reports on oocyte cryopreservation efficacy in Italy with respect to successful IVF from 2005 to 2007, presenting data from 193 centres collected by the Italian National Register. Post-thawing survival rates, number of transferred embryos, implantation rates and clinical pregnancy rates per transfer with respect to frozen/vitrified oocytes (FVO) ...

This study reports two clinical pregnancies and one live birth following the transfer of vitrified blastocysts developed from oocytes with neither zona pellucida nor corona cells. Two zona-free oocytes obtained from two patients of advanced maternal age undergoing minimal stimulation were normally fertilized after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. In case 1, ...

OBJECTIVE: To review the experience with and clinical outcomes for recipients of embryos from oocytes donated under different regulatory standards in China. Initially, the oocytes were provided by one of the patient's consanguineous sisters. Then, the oocytes were obtained from another patient treated with assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Presently, oocytes ...

It is well established that ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is more frequent in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome. In-vitro maturation (IVM) of immature oocytes presents a potential alternative for the fertility treatment and prevention of OHSS for these patients. This report describes the case of a 26-year old woman with ...

The conventional ovarian stimulation protocols currently applied have several drawbacks arising from the intense ovarian stimulation and from the high financial cost. Recently, new concepts such as mild stimulation and friendly in vitro fertilisation have rapidly acquired great popularity among infertile patients although the medical world is still reluctant to ...

To investigate the oocyte-to-baby rate when controlled ovarian stimulation was performed on a highly successful donor population and to evaluate whether they produce a higher proportion of reproductively competent oocytes compared with standard donors. Retrospective analysis of clinical and embryological database. University center. A total of 191 oocyte donation cycles ...

In a randomized study comparing purified urinary FSH with recombinant FSH for IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, there was no significant difference between the mean total dose of FSH used, duration of stimulation, number of retrieved oocytes, number of mature oocytes, number of embryos transferred, or ...

To report our oocyte cryopreservation (OC) outcomes including meiotic spindle (MS) evaluation of metaphase II (MII) oocytes destined for OC and thaw. Retrospective. University-based infertility center. Women attempting pregnancy using cryopreserved oocytes. OC, MS evaluation. Survival, two pronuclear (2PN) fertilization, achieving embryo quality suitable for transfer or refreezing, blastocyst formation. ...

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to compare the gestational results obtained with vitrified/thawed oocytes by a novel vitrification method (Vitri-ingá) to results obtained with fresh oocytes. METHODS: A total of 125 IVF-ET procedures carried out over 2008 were analysed, in which 79 patients received embryos from fresh oocytes ...

BACKGROUND: Recent advancement of minimum volume vitrification methods has resulted in a dramatic increase in the efficiency of the process. The aim of this study was to estimate the cumulative reproductive outcome of a cohort of infertile couples undergoing ICSI and oocyte vitrification in restrictive legal conditions, where only a ...

To compare cryopreservation of mature human oocytes with slow-rate freezing and vitrification and determine which is most efficient at establishing a pregnancy. Prospective randomized. Academically affiliated, private fertility center. Consenting patients with concerns about embryo cryopreservation and more than nine mature oocytes at retrieval were randomized to slow-rate freezing or ...

BACKGROUND: The prevention of multiple pregnancies remains a major challenge in patients treated with ovarian stimulation prior to intrauterine insemination (IUI). The pilot study presented here investigates whether multiple pregnancies can be minimized by a microscopically confirmed aspiration of oocytes from supernumerary follicles immediately before intrauterine insemination and evaluates the ...

This review summarizes current knowledge of the effect of folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism and related genetic variants on female fertility and pregnancy viability. Insufficient folate status disrupts DNA methylation and integrity and increases blood homocysteine levels. Elevated levels of follicular fluid homocysteine correlate with oocyte immaturity and poor early embryo quality, ...

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effects of oral contraceptives and metformin on the outcome of in vitro maturation (IVM) in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: This is a retrospective study of 108 women with PCOS, subject to 152 cycles of IVM treatment. The study was held at ...

OBJECTIVE: To report the use of previously cryopreserved oocytes for the treatment of secondary infertility. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University-based IVF program. PATIENT(S): A 41-year-old woman with 18 months of secondary infertility and a previous history (age 38) of elective oocyte cryopreservation. INTERVENTION(S): Previously cryopreserved oocytes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Fertilization, ...

To determine if differences exist in ovarian response and pregnancy rates between Asian and Caucasian donors. Retrospective cohort study. University-based clinic. Anonymous oocyte donors of self-reported Asian (n=63) or Caucasian (n=156) ethnicity who began ovarian stimulation between February 2000 and March 2008 and their matched recipients. None. Recipient pregnancy rates ...

Ninety-four women undergoing IVF with peak E2 level>4000 pg/mL received leuprolide acetate (LA) trigger (LA trigger group) or had gonadotropins withheld for one or more days (coasting group) followed by hCG trigger, unless cycle cancellation occurred. There were no cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in either group, and the LA ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of oocyte cryopreservation by a single slow-cooling protocol involving sucrose (0.2 mol/L) in the freezing solution. DESIGN: Observational comparison of the clinical outcome in fresh and frozen thawed cycles. SETTING: Public and private IVF centers. PATIENT(S): Infertile couples undergoing IVF treatment. INTERVENTION(S): Use of a ...

BACKGROUND: If a fresh embryo, assisted reproductive technology procedure cycle is unsuccessful and there are frozen embryos available, a frozen-thawed embryo transfer is performed. In some specific cases women may undergo oocyte donation treatment. In both situations the endometrium is primed by the administration of estrogen and progesterone. To prevent ...

We report a case of right adnexal torsion during pregnancy after an oocyte in vitro maturation and intracitoplasmic sperm injection cycle in patient with polycystic ovary syndrome. A 31-year-old woman with a typical clinical disorder of polycystic ovarian syndrome was included in an oocyte in vitro maturation program. Right adnexal ...

The modern domestic sow exhibits a period of impaired reproductive performance during the late summer and early autumn months, known as 'seasonal infertility'. A reduction in farrowing rate due to pregnancy loss is the most economically important manifestation of seasonal infertility. The aim of the present study was to determine ...

We report the first twin pregnancy and birth in India after the transfer of embryos generated from vitrified and thawed oocytes to a 41-year-old woman who was in a donor program. Embryos were generated from the microinjection of pre-prepared sperms into vitrified oocytes. Twin male babies weighing 750 and 860 ...

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound guided transvaginal aspiration of oocytes has replaced other methods of oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, there is controversy over whether flushing yields a larger number of oocytes and a higher potential for pregnancy than aspiration only. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether ...

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate whether IV albumin infusion around the time of oocyte retrieval prevents ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and affects the pregnancy rate. METHODS: A meta-analysis of data from 9 randomized controlled trials including 1,613 women at high risk for developing OHSS in in ...

Fertilisation failures occur in 2-3% of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles and are mostly caused by failure of oocyte activation. Assisted oocyte activation (AOA) may be an efficient treatment option to overcome oocyte activation failure. To evaluate the effectiveness of ICSI combined with AOA by strontium, six couples with complete ...