Outcome of isolated fetal choroid plexus cyst detected in prenatal sonography among infertile patients referred to Royan Institute: a 3-year study

Several studies have assessed the correlation of fetal choroid plexus cyst [CPC] and the risk of congenital anomalies, but few ones have discussed isolated CPC [with no other abnormal sonographic finding]. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of isolated fetal choroid plexus cyst and to specify its clinical significance. This cross sectional study was carried out at Royan Institute in Tehran, Iran, between April 2009 and December 2012. All prenatal sonographies in this period of time were assessed using a computerized database and fetuses who had isolated CPC were recruited in the study. Sonography reports, mother serum screening test results, fetal echocardiography and amniocentesis were evaluated until birth. A follow-up phone call was made to all individuals to learn about the neonatal outcomes. Overall, 6240 prenatal sonographies were performed in this setting during this period. Isolated CPC was detected in 64 fetuses. The results of double test [N=30], triple test [N=5] and fetal echocardiography [N =24] were normal. Quadruple test result showed 3 abnormal out of 29 cases that all had normal karyotypes. Four samples were dropped out due to premature rupture of membranes [N=3] and intrauterine fetal death [N=1]. It was found that the outcomes of all remaining fetuses [N=60] were normal and no anomaly ones were seen until birth. Isolated CPC is a benign regressive condition with no clinical significance

Application of 3D ultrasonography in detection of uterine abnormalities

Structural pathologies in the uterine cavity such as m_llerian duct anomalies [MDAs] and intrauterine lesions [fibroids, polyps, synechiae] may have important roles in subinfertility, implantation failure and pregnancy outcome. Various imaging modalities such as hysterosalpingography [HSG], sonography, laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are used in the evaluation of MDAs and intrauterine lesions. Recently, three-dimensional ultrasound [3DUS] has been introduced as a non-invasive, outpatient diagnostic modality. With increased spatial awareness, it is superior to other techniques used for the same purpose

Effect of ovarian cyclic status on in vitro embryo production in cattle

The relationship between cyclic status of cattle ovaries on in vitro embryo development up to the blastocyst stage was investigated. Cattle ovaries were collected immediately after slaughter and divided into three categories based on their cyclic status, which included: 1. the presence of a large follicle [LF], 2. the presence of a corpus luteum [CL] and 3. ovaries without LF or CL [WLCF]. Oocytes of these ovaries were obtained and used for in vitro maturation and fertilization. Presumptive zygotes were then cultured up to the blastocyst stage in synthetic oviductal fluid culture medium. There were no significant differences between cleavage rates of the three groups. The rate of embryos in the compact morula stage for the CL group was 48.2% which was significantly higher than the related rate of the LF group [36.6%], but non-significantly higher than that of the ST group [45.7%]. The highest blastocyst rate belonged to the CL group [54.6%] which was significantly greater than the WLCF group [32.9%] and non-significantly higher than the LF group [52.4%]. There was no significant difference in blastocyst rates in the CL and LF groups. Preselection of oocyte donor ovaries containing a CL or LF can be used as a feasible and noninvasive criterion to obtain the most competent oocytes capable of development to the blastocyst stage

relationship between occupation and semen quality

Infertility can be a major concern for couples trying to conceive, and occupational hazards may constitute a main cause of infertility in men. Studies conducted throughout the world indicate that physical and chemical hazards in the workplace can have a negative impact on male fertility. The main objective of this study was to determine the frequency of occupational categories of men who attended an infertility clinic, and to evaluate the differences in the semen quality parameters among occupational categories. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1164 males who were referred to the Infertility Research Center in Tehran for treatment of infertility in order to evaluate the effects of certain occupations on infertility. The participants were divided into several categories according to their occupations and evaluated by means of a questionnaire for duration of infertility, BMI, sperm count, percentage of normal sperm morphology and percentages of sperm with class A and class B motilities. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and correlations were conducted using SPSS 16.0 for Windows. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean sperm count or sperm morphology between occupational categories. Assessment of the differences in the frequency of sperm motility classes between occupational categories revealed a significant difference only in the frequency of sperm with class B motility. The lowest mean percentages of sperm with class B motility were seen in those involved in the transportation industry, a finding in agreement with a number of other researches. Our findings revealed an association between occupation and sperm motility. Since our study population was relatively small and in many cases exposures to work hazards were brief, a larger study group must be evaluated in order to support the preliminary results of this study

[Effect of ultrasound on parthenogenic activation of mouse oocyte]

Artificial stimulation of mouse oocyte, in the absence of sperm contribution, can induce its parthenogenic activation of oocyte. Ultrasound is one of the newest methods for artificial activation of mammal oocytes, and its successful utilization in pig oocyte activation has been recently reported. Our objective was to assess the effect of ultrasound on mouse oocyte activation. Our groups included1 control group, 3 experimental groups consisting of 1, 2 and 3 repetitions of ultrasound exposure, and 3 sham groups handled similar to experimental groups but ultrasound system was off during treatments. In experimental groups, adult female NMRI mice at the interval between pregnant mare serum gonadotropin [PMSG] and human corionic gonadotropin [hCG] injections, were exposed to continuous ultrasound with 3.28 MHz frequency and peak intensity [I pk]=355 mW/cm2. Sixteen hours after injection of hCG, the mice were euthanized and their oocytes were collected; thereafter, parthenogenic oocytes were counted. Data analysis using the ANOVA test shows a significant increase in the number of parthenogenic oocytes in mice with 3 overall exposures to ovarian ultrasound [p<0.05]. A significant decrease in the number of metaphase II [MII] oocytes numbers was also seen in mice treated with ultrasound [p<0.05]. Ultrasound is thought to induce pores generation in oocyte membranes and provides an easier inward transport of Ca++ into oocytes. This phenomenon can induce meiosis resumption in immature oocytes. With increased exposure repetitions from 1 to 3 times and greater Ca++ arrival, oocytes can be parthenogenetically activated

Correlation between endometrial parameters in doppler sonography and success rate of implantation in assisted reproductive programs

A good blood supply towards the endometrium is usually considered to be an essential requirement for implantation. Evaluating the role of endometrial and sub-endometrial blood flows detected by color Doppler sonography at the day of embryo transfer, as a predictor of pregnancy rate during IVF/ICSI programs was our main goal in this study. Seventy three infertile patients aged <38 years with basal serum FSH level<12 mIU/ml who had less than two failed attempts of ART cycles were prospectively evaluated. The cases with more than two failed IVF cycle and uterine disorders were excluded. All procedures were performed by one expert and two good quality embryos were transferred. Vaginal power color Doppler sonography was performed at the day of embryo transfer and endometrial characteristics including endometrial vascularization, area of vascularization distribution and pulsatility index were registered. Then pregnant and non-pregnant groups were compared for ultrasonographic parameters of endometrium Pregnancy occurred in 28 patients. Mean age, duration and etiology of infertility, baseline mean FSH and estradiol level at the day of Human chorionic gonadotropin [HCG] injection, amount of drug administered, number of retrieved oocytes and embryos, also number and quality of transferred embryos in the pregnant and non-pregnant groups showed no statistically significant difference. On the other hand, none of the sonographic parameters reported in two groups indicated a statistically significant difference. Doppler ultrasonographic indices at the day of embryo transfer are not considered appropriate criteria for prediction of success rate or failure of embryo implantation