Association between estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) polymorphisms can help in the prediction of recurrent implantation failure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate an association between polymorphisms related to the implantation process that together could help in the prediction of recurrent implantation failure (RIF). DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Private fertility center and reproductive genetics laboratory. PATIENT(S): Forty-four women presenting RIF, who were included in study group (RIF group), and two control groups, one with 63 women who were attended at our service and became pregnant after the first IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection attempt (control group I) and other with 65 fertile women who had at least two children without any treatment and no history of miscarriage (control group II). INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Genotyping was performed in the intron region of TP63, VEGFA, MMP2, ESR1, and ESR2 genes and in the 3' untranslated region of the LIF gene on genomic DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULT(S): The presence of ESR1/AA (rs12199722) and LIF/GT (rs929271) genotypes was more frequent in the RIF group, leading to a 7.9-fold increase in the chance of women presenting with RIF when compared with women who became pregnant on their first cycle of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and a 2.8-fold increase when compared with women who became pregnant without treatment. CONCLUSION(S): The association between ESR1 and LIF polymorphisms can help in the prediction of RIF.

The TP73 gene polymorphism (rs4648551, A>G) is associated with diminished ovarian reserve.

It's known that the members of the TP53 family are involved in the regulation of female reproduction. Studies in mice showed that the TP73 gene (member of this family) plays a role in the size of follicular pool, ovulation rate and maintenance of genomic stability. In the present study we analyzed data from 605 patients with ≤ 37 years attending their first intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The association between the TP73 polymorphism (rs4648551, A>G) and the following parameters related to ovarian reserve, like age, antral follicular count (AFC), anti-Mullerian hormone levels (AMH) and ovarian response prediction index (ORPI) was evaluated. Our results showed an association of the AA genotype with diminished ovarian reserve (AMH <1, AFC ≤9). Women presenting the AA genotype had a 2.0-fold increased risk for having AMH <1 and AFC ≤9 (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.23-3.31, P = 0.005). Patients presenting AA genotype had the lowest levels of AMH (P = 0.02), the lowest number of antral follicles (P = 0.01) and the lowest ORPI (P = 0.007). Analyzing the alleles, we can see an enrichment of the A allele in the group of diminished ovarian reserve (OR 1.4, 95%CI 1.02-1.83, P = 0.04). To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to analyze this polymorphism in humans for assessing the numbers of ovarian follicles and AMH levels and, therefore, the ovarian reserve. Our findings can contribute to the use of this polymorphism as a potential marker of diminished ovarian reserve.

Correlation between semen analysis by motile sperm organelle morphology examination and sperm DNA damage.

Regression analysis of 538 semen samples demonstrated that percentages of normal nuclear sperm and all spermatozoa with abnormalities of nuclear form at high magnification had significant negative correlation with percentages of DNA fragmentation. On the other hand, there was a positive correlation between percentages of spermatozoa with nuclear vacuoles and those with DNA fragmentation.

Recombinant luteinizing hormone supplementation to recombinant follicle-stimulation hormone during induced ovarian stimulation in the GnRH-agonist protocol: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: to compare the efficacy of recombinant LH supplementation for controlled ovarian stimulation in recombinant FSH and GnRH-agonist protocol. METHODS: Search strategies included on-line surveys of databases. The fixed effects model was used for odds ratio and effect size (weighted mean difference). Four trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: a fewer days of stimulation (p<0.0001), a fewer total amount of r-FSH administered (p<0.0001) and a higher serum estradiol levels on the day of hCG administration (p<0.0001) were observed for the r-LH supplementation protocol. However, differences were not observed in number of oocyte retrieved, number of mature oocytes, clinical pregnancy per oocyte retrieval, implantation and miscarriage rates. CONCLUSIONS: more randomized controlled trials are necessary before evidence-based recommendations regarding exogenous LH supplementation in ovarian stimulation protocols with FSH and GnRH-agonist for assisted reproduction treatment can be provided.

Laser-assisted hatching of cryopreserved-thawed embryos by thinning one quarter of the zona.

Laser-assisted hatching is little documented in the literature regarding its efficacy in cryopreserved-thawed (CT) embryo transfer cycles. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in a randomized manner the efficacy of thinning one quarter of the zona pellucida of CT embryos to a depth of 50-80% of the original thickness, via laser treatment (the qLZT-AH procedure), in improving implantation and pregnancy rates. Two populations were studied: population I, patients who had all their supernumerary embryos cryopreserved, regardless of their morphology, and population II, patients at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome who had all their embryos cryopreserved. Artificial and natural protocols were used for the embryo transfers. A total of 350 laser-thinned CT embryos were compared with 352 intact zona embryos. No difference in implantation or pregnancy rate was found after using qLZT-AH in either population. These findings suggest that qLZT-AH should not be routinely performed in cryopreserved embryo programmes.

Critérios para definir o número de embriões a serem transferidos em fertilização in vitro / Criteria to determine the number of embryos to be transferred in in vitro fertilization

Os autores fazem revisão sobre o impacto das técnicas de reprodução assistida na incidência de gravidez múltipla, relacionando seu impacto médico-social. Baseado na experiência pessoal no Centro de Reprodução Humana "Sinhá Junqueira" e na revisão da bibliografia atual, são feitas considerações sobre o número de embriões a serem transferidos em ciclos de FIV

Day 2 vs. day 3 embryo transfer after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. A prospective, randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare, in a prospective, randomized study, implantation and pregnancy rates between day 2 and day 3 embryo transfer intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). STUDY DESIGN: A total of 106 patients undergoing ICSI cycles who had at least 1 embryo suitable for cryopreservation were prospectively randomized into 2 groups: group I, embryo transfer performed on day 2; group II, embryo transfer performed on day 3. RESULTS: Patient ages did not differ (P = .58) between groups I (33.1 +/- 4.5) and II (32.7 +/- 4.4). The number of oocytes retrieved from group I (13.7 +/- 5.2) was similar (P = .82) to that retrieved from group II (13.7 +/- 5.4). In addition, there was no difference (P = .30) in the number of oocytes retrieved at metaphase II between groups I (10.6 +/- 4.4) and II (9.7 +/- 4.2). Fertilization and cleavage rates were also similar (P = .58 and P = .50, respectively) between groups I (78.2 +/- 14.0% and 98.7 +/- 4.3%) and II (76.2 +/- 14.8% and 99.8 +/- 1.24%, respectively). The total number of embryos and of embryos transferred were similar (P = .22 and P = .36; respectively) for groups I (8.0 +/- 3.0, 2.8 +/- 0.7) and II (7.16 +/- 3.2, 2.6 +/- 0.8). Pregnancy rates per transfer, implantation rates and abortion rates were also similar for groups I (43.4%, 20.8% and 8.7%, respectively) and II (41.5%, 24.1% and 23%, respectively) (P = 1.0, P = .57 and P = .24, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that extending the embryo culture period from 2 to 3 days for patients who had at least 1 embryo left for cryopreservation had no effect on implantation, pregnancy or abortion rates in an ICSI program.

Effects of vaginal progesterone administration starting on the day of oocyte retrieval on pregnancy rates.

PURPOSE: Vaginal progesterone administration starting on the day of oocyte retrieval induced a decrease in uterine contraction frequency on the day of embryo transfer (ET) as compared with preovulatory values. Uterine relaxation before ET is likely to improve outcome by avoiding displacement of the embryo from the uterine cavity (Fanchin, Righini, de Ziegler, Oliviennes, Ledée, Frydman: Fertil Steril 2001;75:1136-1140). The objective of the present study was to determine whether the early use of vaginal progesterone on the day of oocyte retrieval may alter the embryo implantation and pregnancy rates. METHODS: A total of 103 patients were submitted for ovarian stimulation with GnRH-a and recombinant FSH (Puregon, Organon) for the application of invasive assisted reproduction techniques (ICSI). The patients were divided into two groups in a prospective and randomized manner: Group A (n = 51) where application of vaginal progesterone started (Utrogestan, Besins International) at the dose of 400 mg from the evening of the day of oocyte retrieval, and Group B (n = 52) started to apply vaginal progesterone at the same dose but from the evening of embryo transfer (2nd day). RESULTS: The age of Group A patients (34.2 +/- 4.6) was similar (p = 0.50) to that of Group B patients (34.8 +/- 4.9). The number of oocytes retrieved and at metaphase II from Group A patients (10.6 +/- 6.9 and 7.8 +/- 6.0; respectively) did not differ significantly (p = 0.84 and p = 0.49, respectively) from the number of oocytes retrieved and metaphase II from Group B patients (10 +/- 5.6 and 6.7 +/- 4.7, respectively). Also, there was no difference (p = 0.48) in number of embryos transferred to Group A patients (2.7 +/- 0.8) versus Group B patients (2.7 +/- 0.9). Embryo implantation and pregnancy rates for Group A patients (12.6 and 27.4%, respectively) were equal (p = 0.98 and p = 1.0, respectively) to those for Group B patients (13.4 and 28.8%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Vaginal progesterone at the dose of 400 mg started on the day of oocyte retrieval did not increase implantation or pregnancy rates when compared to the same dose started on the day of embryo transfer.

Psychological evaluation test for infertile couples.

PURPOSE: The infertility can lead to various emotional changes (anxiety, depression, somatization, aggressiveness, etc.). The objective of the present study was to develop a psychological evaluation test (PET) in an attempt to identify couples requiring psychological support when they face the problem of infertility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 251 infertile couples were submitted to the PET of the Center for Human Reproduction, "Sinhá Junqueira" Maternity Foundation. The causes of infertility were male-related in 45% of cases, female-related in 48%, and both male- and female-related in 7%. Infertility was primary in 74% of cases and secondary in 26%. The mean age of the women was 34 +/- 4.2 years and the mean age of the men was 36.8 +/- 6.5 years. The PET of the infertile couples was evaluated using a questionnaire with 15 questions selected in order to detect emotional reactions. The responses were assigned four grades with respect to frequency (1 = never or rarely; 2 = sometimes; 3 = many times, and 4 = always). The sum of the responses corresponded to a PET score ranging from 15 to 60 points. A PET score of >30 points was defined as cut-off point for necessity of specialized psychological evaluation. Data were analyzed statistically by the Student's t test and the Mann-Whitney and Fisher tests, with the level of significance set at 5%. The reliability of the questionnaires was determined on the basis of the alpha coefficient of Cronbach. RESULTS: The mean PET score for women (27 +/- 8) was significantly higher (p < 0.01, Mann-Whitney test) than the PET score for men (22 +/- 7). The alpha coefficient of Cronbach was 0.88, and was identical for the female and male questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrate that one of the characteristics of Brazilian infertile couples is that women are habitually more affected by the situation of infertility than men. The PET is a simple and efficient tool for the identification of women and/or men requiring psychological support due to infertility. The team of the Center for Human Reproduction (employees, biologists, nurses, doctors etc.) has started to use the information provided by the PET in the daily routine, and all patients are informed and counseled about the factors generating emotional changes in infertility. Advice is provided (practicing sports, traveling, activating personal projects etc.) in order to help combat distress. A specialized psychological evaluation was indicated in selected cases (PET score >30 points).

Psychological evaluation test after the use of assisted reproduction techniques.

PURPOSE: The emotional changes provoked by the use of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) may trigger important psychological reactions. The objective of the present study was to develop a psychological evaluation test (PET-ART) in order to identify the occurrence of psychological problems and to facilitate their treatment. METHODS: A total of 128 women were submitted to PET-ART of the Center for Human Reproduction, "Sinhá Junqueira" Maternity Foundation, after application of IVF/ICSI program at least once. The causes of infertility were male-related in 45% of cases, female-related in 48%, and both male- and female-related in 7%. Infertility was primary in 79% of cases and secondary in 21%. The mean age of the women was 34.5 +/- 5.2 years and the mean age of the men was 37.9 +/- 6.8 years. The PET-ART was evaluated using a questionnaire with 15 questions selected in order to detect emotional reactions caused by infertility. The responses were assigned four grades with respect to intensity (1 = mild intensity; 2 = medium intensity; 3 = high intensity; and 4 = maximum or unbearable intensity). The sum of the responses corresponded to PET-ART score ranging from 15 to 60 points. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated by the alpha coefficient of Cronbach. RESULTS: The PET-ART identified five questions receiving 50% or more responses of the high/maximum intensity type (sum of the percentages of responses with a score of 3 and 4). The questions were the following: 1--The waiting time before being submitted to a pregnancy test (82.8% of the patients); 2--A negative result of the pregnancy test (77.3% of the patients); 3--The degree of anxiety in a new attempt to obtain pregnancy (76.5% of the patients); 4--Finding the money necessary for the repetition of the IVF/ICSI techniques (66.4% of the patients); 5--The possibility of collecting few eggs, or of forming or not an embryo in the laboratory is an expectation that makes me anxious (57.8% of the patients). The mean PET-ART was 33 +/- 6. The alpha coefficient of Cronbach was 0.757. CONCLUSIONS: The PET-ART was an efficient tool for the identification of women with emotional changes provoked by the application of ART and for the planning of their treatment. However, a general psychological approach was developed for each emotional factor regardless of PET-ART.

A uterine ultrasonographic scoring system as a method for the prognosis of embryo implantation.

PURPOSE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate an ultrasonographic uterine scoring system as a method for the prognosis of embryo implantation in patients submitted to ICSI. METHODS: A total of 562 patients submitted to an ICSI program were prospectively evaluated on the day of hCG administration in terms of the following ultrasonographic uterine parameters: A. Endometrial thickness (< 7.0 mm = 0; 7 a 14 mm = 3; > 14 mm = ); B. Endometrial layering (three lines = 2; absence of three lines = 0); C. Myometrial contractions in 2 min (< 3 = 0; > or = 3 = 3); D. Uterine artery Doppler flow (> 3 = 0; 2.2 a 3 = 22; > or = 2 .19 = 3); E. Endometrial power Doppler (The endometrium was divided into four equal quadrants and classified as grade I = 1; II = 2; III = 3; IV = 4, according to the visualization of the power Doppler in the quadrants). The colour Doppler signal was considered to be positive when it reached at least the basal layer of the endometrium; F. Myometrial power Doppler (absent = 0 weakly present 2; strongly present = 3); G. Myometrial echogenicity (homogeneous = 2; inhomogeneous = 0). The patients were divided into 4 groups according to total score: Group I, score < 10: Group II, score 10-14, Group III, score 15-17 and Group IV, score 18-20. RESULTS: The uterine parameters using an ultrasonographic scoring system are inversely correlated with patient age (p < 0.0001). The number of days of stimulation with FSH did not differ (p = 0.10) between groups. The number of follicles measuring >16 mm was different (p = 0.01) between groups. The number of metaphase II oocytes also did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.45). The fertilization rate was also similar (p = 0.10) for all groups. The number of transferred embryos was different between groups (p = 0.02). The rate of embryo implantation did not differ (p = 0.60) between groups. Finally, the pregnancy rates did not differ significantly (p = 0.93) between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasonographic evaluation of uterine parameters on the day of hCG administration using a scoring system is inversely correlated with patient age. In the present study, the use of this ultrasonographic score method could not identify a population with greater uterine receptivity.

Tratamento do fator masculino grave em infertilidade pela injeçäo intracitoplasmática de espermatozóides (ICSI): primeiras gestaçöes obtidas com a coleta de espermatozóides do testículo / Treatment of severe male factor infertility by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): first pregnancies obtained with sperm collection from testicle

Esse trabalho analisou o emprego da injeçao intracitoplasmática de espermatozóides (ICSI) no tratamento da infertilidade masculina grave. Um total de 51 casos foram submetidos ao método da ICSI. A idade média das esposas foi de 31.4 ñ 46.1 anos, realizou-se um total de 51 ciclos de punçao ovariana. Os óvulos colhidos por ultra-som vaginal tiveram o complexo cumulus-corona removido por hialuronidase (80 Ul/ml) diluída no meio Denu-50 (Scandinavian IVF Science, Sweden). Somente os oócitos em metáfase II foram microinjetados. A injeçao foi realizada num microscópio invertido Olympus IMT-2 equipado com um sistema de lentes Hoffman, acoplado com manipulador automático MM-88. O controle das micropipetas de injeçao dos espermatozóides foi realizado por um micromanipulador hidráulico MO 202 (Narishige, Japan). A fixaçao dos oócitos foi executada por um manipulador MN-155 (Narishige, Japan). Uma soluçao de polivinilpirrolidina (PVP, Scandinavian IVF, Sweden) na concentraçao de 10 por cento em IVF-50 (Scandinavian IVF Science, Sweden) foi usada para imobilizaçao dos espermatozóides. O esperma coletado foi preparado com gradientes de Percoll (40 por cento, 90 por cento). Um total de 51 ciclos foram realizados, sendo colhidos 469 oócitos, com uma média de 9.20 ñ 5.63 oócitos por punçao. Além disso, 379 oócitos estavam em metáfase II (80 por cento). A taxa média de fertilizaçao foi de 53.6 por cento, com uma média de embrioes transferidos de 3.16 ñ 1.84. O índice de gestaçao por punçao foi de 31,3 por cento e por transferência de embrioes, 34,7 por cento. A taxa de implantaçao foi 16,1 por cento. Em cinco casos, onde os espermatozóides foram retirados do testículo, obteve-se após a ICSI uma taxa de fertilizaçao dos oócitos de 45 por cento, sendo a taxa de gravidez clínica por punçao de 60 por cento (três gestaçoes) e a taxa de implantaçao de 40 por cento. Concluindo, a injeçao intracitoplasmática de espermatozóides (ICSI) é um excelente método para o tratamento do fator masculino grave em infertilidade.

Variaçäo da concentraçäo espermática entre amostras obtidas após curto intervalo de tempo / Variation in the eperm concentration between samples obtained with brief time interval

A probabilidade de gestaçao com o uso das técnicas de reproduçao assistida está ligada com o número de espermatozóides móveis (EM) recuperados após o preparo do esperma. Em geral, aceita-se como ideal no programa de inseminaçao intra-uterina a obtençao de no mínimo 5.0 milhoes de EM/ml, e no programa de fertilizaçao in vitro convencional 1.5 milhoes de EM/ml. A obtençao de uma segunda amostra é sempre aconselhada quando se supoe que esses valores nao sejam atingidos. Este estudo compara a concentraçao de EM a fresco, após a utilizaçao de idêntica técnica de capacitaçao (gradiente de Percoll) entre duas amostras de esperma colhidas de 20 pacientes com intervalo de uma a três horas. A concentraçao de EM/ ml no sêmen a fresco na primeira amostra foi de 2.92 + 2.86 milhoes versus 11.78 + 13.05 milhoes na segunda amostra (p = O.001, Wilcoxon). Por outro lado, a concentraçao de EM/ml após o processo de capacitaçao na primeira amostra foi de 2.81 + 2.36 milhoes versus 5.16 + 4.60 milhoes na segunda amostra (p = O.021, Wilcoxon). Em conclusao, o número de EM obtidos no sêmen a fresco e a pós-capacitaçao numa segunda amostra (p = O.021 Wilcoxon). Em conclusao, o número de EM obtidos no sêmen a fresco e a pós-capacitaçao numa segunda amostra foi significativamente superior ao encontrado na primeira amostra, justificando a conduta de se obter uma nova amostra, caso a primeira seja insuficiente para a utilizaçao das técnicas de reproduçao assistida.

O valor preditivo de uma única determinaçäo de ß-hCG plasmático em gestaçöes obtidas por fertilizaçäo in vitro e transferência de embriöes / The predictive value of single plasma ß-hCG determination on pregnancies achieved by in vitro fertilization and embryos transfer

Neste estudo foi testada a hipótese de que a determinaçao do beta hCG plasmático no 14a. ou 15a. dia, após a transferência embrionária num programa de fertilizaçao in vitro (FIV), pode predizer o curso da gravidez. As amostras de sangue foram obtidas de 48 pacientes que engravidaram no programa de FIV. As determinaçoes de beta-hCG foram realizadas por enzimaimunoensaio (Serozyme, Serono). Em 23 casos de gestaçoes únicas que evoluíram até o nascimento, a média dos valores plasmáticos de beta-hCG (mu = 265 ñ 153 mUI/ml) foi significativamente maior (p < 0.05, teste de Mann-Whitney) do que naquelas observadas em 12 gestaçoes simples que abortaram (mu = 149 ñ 139 mUI/ml). Por outro lado, 13 gestaçoes múltiplas que evoluíram até o nascimento mostraram uma média dos valores plasmáticos de beta-hCG (mu = 435 ñ 130 mUI/ml) significativamente superior (p < 0.O1, teste de Mann-Whitney) às obtidas na populaçao com gestaçao única. Os resultados sugerem que a determinaçao dos níveis plasmáticos de beta-hCG no 14a. ou 15a. dia após a transferência de embrioes pode predizer dentro de certos limites as populaçoes com maior risco de abortamento e de gestaçoes múltiplas.

Programa de inseminaçäo artificial heteróloga com sêmen criopreservado / Heterologous artificial insemination program with cryopreserved semen

Existem poucos tratamentos efetivos na correçao da infertilidade masculina e a mais freqüente e efetiva terapia usada é a inseminaçao artificial com sêmen de doador. Atualmente é mandatório o uso de sêmen congelado, após um período de "quarentena", para reduzir a transmissao de doenças sexualmente transmissíveis. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a técnica de criopreservaçao e os resultados obtidos com inseminaçao heteróloga utilizando sêmen criopreservado. Foram realizados 11 ciclos de inseminaçao em sete pacientes cujos maridos eram azoospérmicos. A taxa média de sobrevida dos espermatozóides após o congelamento - descongelamento foi de 77,45 mais ou menos 11,08 por cento. O número de espermatozóides móveis inseminados variou de 1,35 a 18,45 x 10 (u = 6.13 mis ou menos 4.41 x 10) por aplicaçao. A taxa de gravidez/ciclo foi de 27,27 por cento (três gestaçoes, sendo uma gemelar e duas simples). A técnica de criopreservaçao de esperma utilizada mostrou-se eficaz, de manuseio simples e de baixo custo operacional. Na tentativa de atenuarmos o efeito deletério do processo de congelamento - descongelamento sobre as taxas de gravidez, algumas medidas poderiam ser seguidas: duas inseminaçoes por ciclo, uma poliovulaçao controlada, um adequado timing na inseminaçao e uma adequada técnica de capacitaçao, espermática.

Donation of oocytes as treatment for infertility in patients with premature ovarian failure. Awarded the "Nicolau de Moraes Barros" prize for gynecology

Um total de 7 ciclos de transferência de embriöes provenientes da doaçäo de oócitos foram realizados em 5 pacientes portadoreas de insuficiência ovariana precoce. As doadoras possuíam idade inferior a 35 anos, e as receptoras, apresentavam idade média de 38,6 anos. No esquema de sincronizaçäo entre doadora e receptora usou-se um ciclo semiprogramado com pílula, seguido de estimulaçäo da doadora com citrato de clomifeno e gonadotrofina menopausal humana. As receptoras foram facilmente acopladas com as doadoras através de um modelo flexível de doses crescentes de valerianato de estradiol. O número médio de oócitos doados foi de 3.14, a taxa de clivagem embrionária média de 80,2 por cento, sendo o número médio de embriöes transferidos de 2.57. A taxa de implantaçäo embrionária foi de 22,2 por cento. As gestaçöes clínicas ocorreram em 57,1 por cento dos ciclos. Provavelmente, essa série é a primeira apresentada na literatura nacional sobre a doaçäo de oócitos no tratamento da infertilidade em pacientes com insuficiência ovariana precoce

Taxas de gestaçäo após inseminaçäo tubo-uterina com espermatozóides capacitados em fluido folicular humano ou Menezo B2 / Pregnancy rates after tube-uterine insemination with capacited spermatozoa in human follicular fluid or Menezo B2

No presente trabalho, os autores avaliaram a eficiência da inseminaçao artificial homóloga utilizando espermatozóides no fluido folicular humano. Um total de 39 casais inférteis foram, de forma prospectiva e randomizada, submetidos a 54 ciclos de inseminaçoes tubo-uterinas com espermatozóides capacitados em fluido folicular humano e 29 ciclos no grupo do Menezo B2. A taxa de gravidez/ciclo foi de 8,0 por cento (2/25) quando se utilizou o fluido folicular humano versus 13,7 por cento (4/29) quando se utilizou o Menezo B2, nao havendo diferença significativa (p=0.51) entre os dois grupos. Em conclusao, a capacitaçao dos espermatozóides em fluido folicular nao mostrou vantagens sobre a executada com o meio de cultura Menezo B2.

Influência da qualidade dos embriöes na taxa de gravidez de um programa de fertilizaçäo in vitro / Influence of embryos quality on the pregnancy rate of a program for in vitro fertilization

Esse trabalho avalia a relaçao entre a qualidade dos embrioes transferidos e a taxa de gravidez num programa de fertilizaçao in vitro (FIV). Um total de 119 ciclos de FIV com transferência embrionária foi analisado. Os embrioes obtidos foram classificados em graus morfológicos segundo as características dos blastômeros (fragmentaçao, regularidade e número). Nas pacientes que engravidaram (n=34) o grau médio de qualidade dos embrioes transferidos (4,2.ñ 1,O) foi superior (P < O,01) ao obtido (3,8 ñ 1,1) para as nao-grávidas (n=85). Em conclusao, existe uma forte correlaçao entre a qualidade dos embrioes transferidos e a taxa de gravidez num programa de FIV.

A ultra-sonografia endometrial como fator preditivo de gravidez num programa de fertilizaçäo in vitro / Endometrial ultrasonography as a predictor of pregnancy in an in-vitro fertilization programme

A espessura e padräo endometrial foram analisados por ultrasonografia em 100 ciclos estimulados para fertilizaçäo "in vitro" no dia da administraçäo do hormônio gonadotrófico coriônico (hCG). Em 86 ciclos empregou-se para a estimulaçäo ovariana um esquema semiprogramado com pílula + citrato de clomifene + gonadotrofina menopausal humana (hCG), e nos 14 ciclos restantes usou-se um análogo do hormônio liberador de gonadotrofinas GnRH/leupro-lide) na forma de bloqueio de longa duraçäo seguido de hMG. No dia do hCG a espessura e o padräo endometrial foram avaliados por um ultrasom Ultramark 4 (ATL) com transdutor vaginal de 5 MHz. A espessura endometrial foi significativamente inferior (p = 0.03) nos ciclos semiprogramados (8.8 ñ 2.0 mm) do que a observada no grupo com análogo do GnRH (10.2 ñ 2.0mm). A distribuiçäo dos padröes I (multicamada ou "3 linhas") e II (inteiramente homogêneo, hiperecogênico em relaçäo ao tecido miometrial) em ambos os protocolos de estimulaçäo näo foram significamente diferentes (p = 0.91). A espessura endometrial no dia do hCG no grupo com padräo I (µ1 = 8.9 ñ 2.1 mm) foi similar (p = 0.76) a observada no padräo II (µ2 = 9.0 ñ 1.9 mm). Além disso, a espessura endometrial nas pacientes que engravidaram (µg = 8.5 ñ 2.2 m) näo diferiu (p = 0.22) das näo gravidas (µng = 9.0 ñ 1.9 mm). Näo houve diferença entre a incidência de gravidez nos grupos com padräo endometrial I e II (p = 0.42). Em conclusäo, os dados deste trabalho näo evidenciaram um valor preditivo de gravidez para a análise ultrasono-gráfica da espessura e refringência endometrial no dia do uso de hCG em ciclos de FIV

Qual o número ideal de embriöes a ser transferido para o útero após fertilizaçäo in vitro? / What the number of embryos to be transferred fot the utero after in vitro fertilization

Atualmente, está bem estabelecido que a transferência de diversos embriöes após fertilizaçäo "in vitro" (FIV) leva a uma maior taxa de gravidez do que quando se transfere apenas um único embriäo. Contudo, a transferência de um número elevado de embriöes acarreta o aumento da incidência de gestaçöes múltiplas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar as repercussöes do número de embriöes transferidos sobre as taxas de gravidez e de gestaçöes múltiplas num programa de FIV. Além disso, propor um número ideal de embriöes para ser transferido ao útero discutindo-se as soluçöes alternativas para os problemas decorrentes da formaçäo de um número excessivo de embriöes. Um total de 177 ciclos de FIV realizados em 138 casais foram analisados entre janeiro de 1991 e março de 1992. A taxa de gravidez por transferência de 1(n=29), 2(n=30), 3(n=20), 4(n=41), 5(n=20) embrioes foi respectivamente de 3.4 por cento (gestaçöes : 1), 30 por cento (gestaçöes + 9), 45 por cento (gestaçöes : 9), 39 por cento (gestaçöes : 16) e 35 por cento (gestaçöes : 7). Näo houve diferença significativa na taxa de gravidez (p=0.15), quando se transferiu e ou 4 embrioes. Por outro lado, a ocorrência de gestaçöes multifetais foi a seguinte: quando foram transferidos 2 ou 3 embriöes 22.2 por cento de Gêmeos, para 4 embriöes 25 por cento de Gêmeos e 6.25 por cento de trigêmeos, sendo que com 5 embriöes obserou-se 14.28 por cento de trigêmeos. Em conclusäo, a transferência de um número maior que 3 embriöes näo acarreta a subsequente elevaçäo das taxas de gestaçöes, apenas propicia o aumento da incidência de gestaçöes multifetais. Os embriöes excedentes devem ser criopreservados para uma posterio transferência, isto até que uma adequada tecnologia para criopreservaçäo de oócitos esteja estabelecida