Comparison of the Clinical Outcomes of Fresh Embryo Transfer with GnRH Agonist Long Protocol Versus GnRH Antagonist Protocol in Different Age Groups and Different Responders / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective]To compare the clinical outcomes of fresh embryo transfer of the in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer(IVF/ICSI-ET)in different age groups as well as in different responders using gonadotropin-re-leasing hormone agonist(GnRH-a)long protocol or GnRH antagonist(GnRH-ant)protocol.[Methods]A retrospective analysis was performed on 737 IVF/ICSI cycles,including 386 cycles of GnRH-a long protocol(group A)and 351 cycles of GnRH-ant protocol (group B),from August 28,2015 to December 31,2016. Then all the cycles were divided into sub-groups by ages and retrieved oo-cyte numbers:group a1(15). The basic information of patients and clinical outcomes were compared.[Results](1)Comparable results were obtained from group A and group B in these following variables such as fertilization rate,normal fertilization rate,biochemical pregnancy rate and miscarriage rage. But the stimulation period,the total gonadotropin(Gn)dosage,estradiol(E2)level and endometrial thickness on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG)administration,number of oocytes retrieved and mature oocytes,ovarian hyperstimulation syn-drome(OHSS)rate,implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were significantly higher in group A than group B(P<0.05),and significantly higher cancellation rate of fresh embryo transfer was observed in group B(P<0.001).(2)When divided by ages,no mat-ter in sub-group a1 or sub-group a2,the implantation rate was slightly lower in GnRH-ant protocol than in GnRH-a long protocol, although they failed to reach significant difference(sub-group a1:32.6%vs 39.8%,P=0.067;sub-group a2:9.7%vs 17.9%,P=0.066). The clinical pregnancy rate was comparable using these two protocols in sub-group a1(54.8%vs 50.4%,P=0.429),but it was significantly lower by using GnRH-ant protocol than GnRH-a long protocol in sub-group a2(19.6%vs 39.1%,P=0.021).(3) When divided by numbers of oocytes retrieved,the implantation rate was significantly lower when using GnRH-ant protocol in sub-group b1(13.1%vs 26.0%,P=0.026),but we failed to observe significant differences in other two sub-groups. The clinical preg-nancy rates were comparable in all sub-groups ,whereas differed considerably in sub-group b1 (36.6% vs 19.3%,P = 0.056).[Conclusion]Overall,the implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were higher in GnRH-a long protocol than those in GnRH-ant protocol. Nevertheless,GnRH-ant protocol could reduce the dosage of Gn,shorten the treatment duration,and effectively reduce the occurrence of OHSS. There were similar pregnancy outcomes in two protocols for normal responders and high responders ,while for advanced patients or other poor responders,the implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were higher in GnRH-a protocol.

Sero prevalence of Hepatitis B virus among infertile women recruited for Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART)

Aim: Sexually transmissible diseases such as Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes or induces incurable often fatal infections have been transmitted through Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART). This study is to determine the seroprevalence of HBV among infertile women recruited for intrauterine insemination (I.U.I). Methodology and Results: A 5mL of blood was collected and serum aspirated. The detection of HBV was carried out using global one-step rapid test kit relative sensitivity of 99% and specific of 97%. Age range of infertile women was 20 – 49 years. Approximately 30 (5.9%) out of the 512 recruited women were seropositive for HBV with increase in prevalence rate among age group of (25 – 29 years) and (30 – 34 years). The rate of infection of HBV was found to be insignificant in this study using chi-square statistical analysis (p > 0.0001). Conclusion, Significance and Impact of Study: Though the rate of the virus infection were statistically insignificant but the screening should be a continuous exercise and be carried out by all fertility center.

Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology in Developing Countries / 国際保健医療

 Infertility in developing countries is important but neglected, while the issues of population growth control have been paid much attention. Female infertility rates in African countries were about 30 percent, which were three times higher than those of industrialized countries. It was reported that the most common cause of infertility was tubal dysfunction due to sexually transmitted infections, unhygienic delivery management, and unsafe abortion. The second common causes were male factors, which had been underestimated in developing countries. Thus, women were always blamed and often abused by their husbands and in-laws. Furthermore, infertile couples suffered from social discrimination and economic disadvantages. <br> Infertilities were often treated without appropriate examinations of both husbands and wives. Inexpensive treatments were commonly applied: e.g., treatment of sexually transmitted infections, encouraging timing intercourse, hormonal therapies. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) would be effective in developing countries where main causes of infertility were tubal dysfunction and male factors. ART has been performed in urban areas in some developing countries. However, it is difficult to promote ART in developing countries, because of high costs and lack of sufficient technical and ethical regulations. To decrease the burden of infertility in developing countries, first, both developing and industrialized countries have to recognize the significance of the issue. Then, it is needed to evaluate accurate rates of infertility, causes of infertility, and effectiveness of current treatment, so that the countries could develop prioritized strategies and interventions. <br> Infertility rates could be decreased with relatively low cost through building a system of proper diagnosis and treatment. International assistance might be required to negotiate the drug prices and to establish technical and ethical review mechanisms, which are the prerequisites of promoting ART. It is also important to provide people with knowledge and information regarding infertility, their causes and treatment.

A Case of Two Sets of Monozygotic Twins after ICSI and Blastocyst Transfer / 대한산부인과학회지

One of the most important complications in assisted reproductive technology (ART) is multiple pregnancy, which is associated with an increased risk of maternal and perinatal complications. There have been several attempts to achieve the highest pregnancy rates while minimizing multiple pregnancy rates in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). One approach for this purpose is extended embryo culture and transfer of fewer (one or two) blastocysts. However, there are emerging concerns about the increase of the risk for embryo splitting and subsequent monozygotic multiple pregnancy with this approach. Recently, there have been several reports on the possible increased risk of monozygotic twinning after extended embryo culture and blastocyst transfer. We have experienced a case of two sets of monozygotic twins after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and transfer of two blastocysts. We report the first case of pregnancy of monozygotic twins after blastocysts transfer with a brief review of literature in Korea.

Pregnancy Outcomes after Transvaginal Selective Fetal Reduction in Multifetal Pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes after transvaginal selective fetal reduction(SFR) in multifetal pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transvaginal SFR using fetal intracardiac puncture with KCl injection and aspiration of amniotic fluid was performed in 58 multifetal pregnancies achieved after assisted reproductive technology(ART). After transvaginal SFR, 55 twin and 3 singleton pregnancies were evaluated and analyzed retrospectively with the medical records of mothers and babies. RESULTS: Of 58 cases, abortion within 4 weeks after SFR occurred in 1 case(1.7%). Miscarriage of all fetuses occurred in 8 cases(13.8%) from 4 weeks after SFR until 24 weeks of gestation. Perinatal death occurred in 8 newborns from 5 mothers due to extreme prematurity in 7 cases and anencephaly in 1 case. Take-home baby rate, that is, discharge with at least 1 healthy baby, was 77.6%(45/58). CONCLUSION: Transvaginal SFR is an acceptable and effective management option in the cases of excessive multifetal pregnancy after infertility treatment. The ultimate successful outcomes of reduced multifetal pregnancy may be enhanced by more extensive experience with SFR.

An Ethical Reflection on Agential Maternity and Its Realistic Value / 中国医学伦理学

Concerning the dilemma between legal and ethical issues in the evolution and development of agential maternity for infertile women,this paper focuses on related ethical issues,including moral conflicts,rights and obligations,and moral evaluation,etc.The realistic value of agential maternity is also explored.