Endometrial microvessel density for assessing endometrial receptivity during the peri-implantation period / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the value of endometrial microvessel density (MVD) in assessing the endometrial receptivity during the peri-implantation period.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 104 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment were analyzed retrospectively. The subjects were divided into clinical pregnancy group (50 cases) and nonpregnant group (54 cases) according to the IVF-ET outcome. Endometrial tissues were collected 7 days after the natural ovulation prior to IVF-ET for measurement of the endometrial MVD using electron microscopy, which was analyzed in relation to the clinical outcome of the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The endometrial MVD was significantly higher in the clinical pregnancy group than in the nonpregnant group [(4.12∓1.84)% vs (3.46∓1.26)%, t=-2.127, P=0.036). ROC curve analysis showed that the MVD had an area under the curve slightly over 0.5 (0.598) for predicting clinical pregnancy, suggesting a poor specificity in predicting the clinical outcome of the treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In IVF-ET cycles, the endometrial MVD during the peri-implantation period is helpful for assessing the endometrial receptivity, but the specificity remains low.</p>

Frozen embryo transfer combined with intrauterine administration of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells for repeated implantation failure: report of 3 cases / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the efficacy of frozen-thawed embryo transfer combined with intrauterine administration of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in the treatment of repeated implantation failure (RIF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PBMCs obtained from 3 patients with RIF on the day of follicle rupture (natural cycle) or when the endometrial thickness reached 8 mm (hormone replacement cycle) were cultured in the presence of HCG for 48 h. The cultured PBMCs, along with freshly isolated PBMCs, were administered into the uterine cavity of the patients. Vitrified cleavage-stage embryos or blastocysts transfer was performed on day 3 or 5, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Vitrified embryo or blastocyst transfer resulted in pregnancy and healthy live births in all the 3 patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Frozen-thawed embryo transfer combined with intrauterine administration of autologous PBMCs may be an effective and safe approach to the treatment of RIF and may improve the outcomes of assisted reproduction.</p>

Value of serum estradiol concentration in predicting the clinical outcome of IVF-ET in patients receiving long protocol of GnRHa / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the value of serum estradiol increment and serum estradiol/follicles on the day of hCG administration in predicting the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis of the IVF-ET data was conducted involving 121 patients who received a long gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) protocol. According to the increment of serum estradiol on the day of hCG administration (relative to the level on the day before hCG administration), the patients were divided into 3 groups (A1, A2 and A3) with a increment ratio below 30%, between 30% and 50%, and over 50%, respectively. In addition, according to the ratio of serum estradiol level on hCG day to mature follicle (diameter ≥ 14 mm) number, these patients were divided into three groups (B1, B2 and B3) with the ratio below 250 pg/ml, between 250 and 350 gp/ml, and over 350 pg/ml, respectively. The hormonal characteristics and clinical outcomes of the IVF-ET cycles were analyzed comparatively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both the clinical pregnancy rate (71.05%) and embryo implantation rate (52.63%) were significantly higher in group A3 than in groups A1 and A2 (P<0.05). The best clinical pregnancy rate (67.86%) and embryo implantation rate (49.14%) were significantly higher in group B2 than in groups B1 and B3 (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The variation of serum estradiol shows an important impact on the clinical outcomes of IVF-ET in patients receiving long GnRH-a protocol. Favorable outcomes can be expected with a hCG day serum estradiol increment ratio above 50% and E(2)/follicle ratio between 250 and 350 pg/ml.</p>

Association between cell apoptosis and the quality of early mouse embryos / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between cell apoptosis and the quality of early mouse embryos, understand the significance of apoptosis-regulatory genes in early embryonic development, and explore a new approach to improving the embryo quality.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The levels of cell apoptosis and proliferation in early mouse embryos in different developmental status (morphologically normal embryos, arrested embryos and fragmented embryos) were analyzed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), caspase in situ fluorescence and Bcl-2 immunofluorescence, and immunofluorescent detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cells in arrested embryos and embryonic fragments showed positive results in TUNEL assay with enhanced caspase activity and lowered expressions of Bcl-2 and PCNA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cell apoptosis in early mouse embryos may be closely related to embryonic arrest and fragmentation.</p>

Analysis of the clinical outcomes of 160 patients undergoing repeated IVF/ICSI-ET treatment / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical factors affecting the outcomes of repeated assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis of the clinical data and outcomes was conducted among 160 patients undergoing repeated IVF/ICSI-ET treatment between January 2006 and April 2009.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients with successful clinical pregnancy after two ART cycles (group A) had a younger age and shorter duration of infertility, and had more antral follicles (AFC), more eggs and good-quality embryos with more transferred embryos available and higher good-quality embryo rate (P<0.05) than those who failed to have pregnancy after the cycles (group B). In the second cycle, the patients in group A had higher doses of short-acting GnRHa, r-HCG and HMG and at the same time more good eggs and embryos than in the first cycle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Female age is one of the most important factors affecting the pregnancy rate after repeated ART cycles. The clinical pregnancy rate can be enhanced by administering short-acting GnRHa, HMG, oral contraceptives and adjusting the dose of Gn as well as changing the culture medium of embryos.</p>

Clinical application of prefilled pen and conventional syringe during controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy, convenience and costs of recombinant follitropin alpha administered by a prefilled pen device and conventional syringe in Chinese women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 184 patients undergoing IVF treatment were enrolled in this study. According to a long-term recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) protocol, ovarian stimulation was performed with the prefilled pen and conventional syringe at random in these subjects, and the dose of follitropin, number of oocytes and embryo parameters and IVF-ET outcome were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total rFSH dose, cost, and frequency of hospital visits were significantly lower in the pen protocol group, but the residual rFSH amount was higher. Compared with conventional injections, the prefilled pen was associated with significantly lowered rate of local redness, high rate of local bruise, more frequent follitropin dose modulation and lower serum oestradiol levels on HCG day. No significant difference was found in the endometrial thickness, numbers of oocytes retrieved, MII oocytes, transferred embryo, or the clinical pregnancy rates between the two groups. The ratio of MII oocytes, good quality embryo rates and implantation rates was significantly higher in the pen group with lower incidences of moderate and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prefilled pen provides an easy, safe, effective and more patient-friendly means for controlled ovarian stimulation procedure in Chinese women, but more attention should be given to protocol optimization and patient education.</p>

Clinical study of Osaka formula and improved multiparameter ultrasonic measurement for fetal weight estimation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the factors affecting the accuracy of Osaka formula multiparameter ultrasound-based fetal mass estimation, thereby establishing new formulas to improve the accuracy of the estimation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective review was conducted among 519 healthy women with singleton pregnancy. Three days before the delivery (between 37 and 42 weeks' gestation), ultrasonic measurement of the fetal weight and other indices of the fetus was routinely performed. Correlation and multiple linear stepwise regression analysis were used to correct the 3 equations, which, along with Osaka University formula, were used to predict another 219 fetuses' birth weight. The coincidence rate of the predicted value and with the actual birth weight, and the absolute error and relative error were compared between the equations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The fetal abdominal area (AA) and abdominal circumference (AC) showed the most conspicuous influence on the estimated fetal birth weight, and fetal humerus length (HL) was more sensitive than femur length (FL) for the estimation. Three new regression equations were established, among which the equation 2 (fetal birth weight=1082.859+4.116xAAxHL) showed the best accuracy in clinical prediction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AA,AC and HL are more sensitive indices for estimation of the fetal birth weight, and the equation 2 established in this study still awaits further verification for its clinical value.</p>