Intraovarian platelet-rich plasma injection in poor responders.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if it possible to improve ovarian reserve parameters and oocyte retrieval in poor responders who undergo intraovarian injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). METHODS: Prospective cohort study. We included 148 poor responders who underwent PRP injection between October 2021 and December 2022 in our institution, comparing pre and post PRP ovarian function. In addition, the IVF outcomes of a subgroup of patients was studied after the intervention in contrast with the previous treatment. RESULTS: An improvement in ovarian reserve was observed in relation to previous values: FSH (13.57 vs. 11.32, p=0.11), AMH (0.39 vs. 0.48, p=0.06), antral follicle count (3.98 vs. 5.75, p<0.001); as well as a higher number of oocytes retrieved (2.63 vs. 3.65, p=0.01) and produced embryos (1.64 vs. 2.22, p=0.03); without a great impact on pregnancy rates. CONCLUSIONS: Although experimental, intraovarian PRP could restore ovarian function and be postulated as an alternative to oocyte donation in patients with low ovarian reserve who do not accept this treatment. There is a lack of randomized controlled trials to support these findings.

Comparison of obstetric and perinatal complications in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with autologous oocytes and donated oocytes

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the obstetric and perinatal complications in women who became pregnant with autologous oocytes and those who received donated oocytes (DO) in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles (ICSI). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out by collecting data from medical records between 2019 and 2022. Only patients who underwent ICSI in an induced cycle using their own or freshly DO, with male infertility factor and tubal factor, were included. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were assessed, comprising 51 cases utilizing their own oocytes (control group) and 69 cases employing DO (study group). Patients receiving DO (n=69) exhibited a significantly higher mean age compared to those utilizing their own oocytes (n=51) (41.96±2.16 vs 38.54±1.42 years, p<0.001). There was no significant association between the source of oocytes and gestational age at delivery (p=0.296), birth weight (p=0.836), admission to neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) (p=0.120), or maternal admission to adult ICU (p=0.767). Additionally, the origin of oocytes did not demonstrate any significant association with the risk of pre-eclampsia (p=0.357), gestational diabetes mellitus (p=0.187), premature rupture of membranes (p=0.996), uterine atony (p=0.996), placenta previa (p=0.393), oligohydramnios (p=0.393), or gestational hypertension (p=0.393)." CONCLUSION: An increase in obstetric and perinatal complications was not observed in pregnancies with DO compared to pregnancies with autologous oocytes in women undergoing ICSI without prior comorbidities. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to validate our findings.

The Child's Right to Know Versus the Parents' Right Not to Tell: The Attitudes of Couples Undergoing Fertility Treatments Towards Identity-Release Gamete Donation.

Background: In Brazil, donor anonymity is mandatory; however, the tendency of Brazilians towards the practice is unknown. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate whether couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) have a different perception of anonymous versus identity-release gamete donation than a target population in Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed from September 1, 2020 to December 15, 2020. For that purpose, surveys through online platforms were conducted, including either patients undergoing ART (ART-group, n=400) or subjects interested in the theme (interested-group, n=100) randomized by age at a 1:4 ratio. The survey collected information on the participants' attitudes towards anonymity of gamete donors, and answers were compared between the groups. Results: Most participants stated that the relationship between children and their parents would be affected by the child's knowledge of the origin of its conception. Most participants in the ART-group believed that the gamete donor's identity should not be revealed to the child, while only half of the interested-group stated the same. Most of the participants stated that "the donor's identity should be revealed if the child questions its biological origin". "From birth" was the second most common response, while "when the child turns 18 years old" and "sometime during teenage years" were less common answers. Conclusion: The attitudes of ART patients about anonymity are conservative, with most participants believing that family relationships may be affected if the child is aware of the origin of his/her conception. These patients also believe that the identity of the gamete donor should not be revealed to the child.

ART in Latin America: the Latin American Registry, 2020.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What was the utilization, effectiveness and safety of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Latin America during 2020? DESIGN: Retrospective collection of multinational data on ART performed by 188 institutions in 16 countries. RESULTS: Overall, 87,732 initiated cycles resulted in 12,778 deliveries and 14,582 births. The major contributors were Brazil (46.0%), Mexico (17.0%) and Argentina (16.8%). However, the highest utilization (cycles/million inhabitants) was Uruguay with 558, followed by Argentina with 490 and Panama with 425 cycles/million. Globally, women aged ≥40 years increased to 34% while women ≤34 dropped to 24.7%. After removing freeze-all cycles, the delivery rate per oocyte retrieval was 14.8% for intracytoplasmic sperm injection and 15.6% for IVF. Single-embryo transfer (SET) represented 38.3% of all fresh transfers, with delivery rate per transfer of 20.0%; this increased to 32.4% for elective SET (eSET) and 34.2% for blastocyst eSET, compared with blastocyst elective double embryo transfer (eDET) of 37.9%. However, multiple births increased from 1% in eSET to 30.5% in eDET. Perinatal mortality increased from 7.7‰ in singletons to 24.4‰ in twins and 64.0‰ in triplets. Frozen embryo transfer (FET) represented 66.6% of all transfers, with a delivery rate/transfer of 29.0%, significantly higher than 23.9% after fresh transfers at all ages (p<0.0001). Preimplantation genetic testing, reported in 8920 cycles, significantly improved delivery rate and decreased miscarriage rates at all ages (p≤0.041), including oocyte donation (p=0.002). Endometriosis was diagnosed in 28.3% of cases. The delivery rate in 5779 women after removal of peritoneal endometriosis was significantly better than tubal and endocrine factors in women aged 35-39 (p=0.0004) and women aged ≥40 (p=0.0353). CONCLUSIONS: Systematic collection and analysis of big data in a south-south cooperation model allow regional growth by implementing evidence-based reproductive decisions.

Fertilización asistida con óvulos donados: indicaciones y resultados

Las mujeres retrasan cada vez más la maternidad por diferentes motivos, lo que les ocasiona recurrir a tratamientos de fertilización in vitro (FIV) con óvulos propios u óvulos donados para conseguir embarazo. En los tratamientos de FIV con óvulos donados se realiza una selección estricta de las donantes, quienes son sometidas a estimulación ovárica con posterior aspiración de los folículos. La edad recomendada para donar es entre 21 y 34 años. Se recomienda un máximo de 6 donaciones por donante. La receptora es la persona a quien se le realizará la transferencia del embrión y llevará el embarazo. Las tasas de embarazo con esta técnica de reproducción asistida son altas y las indicaciones más frecuentes son edad materna avanzada y falla ovárica precoz.

Women are increasingly delaying childbearing for different reasons, which causes them to resort to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments with their own oocytes or donated oocytes to achieve pregnancy. In IVF treatments with donated oocytes, donors are strictly selected and undergo ovarian stimulation with subsequent follicle aspiration. The recommended age to donate is between 21-34 years old. A maximum of 6 donations per donor is recommended. The recipient is the person to whom the embryo transfer will be performed and who will carry the pregnancy. Pregnancy rates with this assisted reproduction technique are high and the most frequent indications are advanced maternal age and early ovarian failure.

A sharing oocyte donation program: a 15-year cohort stud.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and laboratory outcomes of oocyte donation cycles and compare the results from donors and recipients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a reproductive medicine center. A 586 first fresh oocyte donation cycles, performed from 01/2002 to 12/2017 were included. The outcomes of 290 cycles from donors and 296 from recipients, resulting in 473 fresh embryo transfers, were analyzed. The oocyte division was equally made, whereas, at an odd amount, the donor always had a preference. The data were collected from an electronic database, and analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U-test or Student t-test depending on the data distribution, and multivariate logistic regression, considering p<0.05. RESULTS: The main results comparing donor and recipient, were, respectively: fertilization rate (72.0±21.4 vs. 74.6±24.2, p<0.001), implantation rate (46.2% vs. 48.5%, p=0.67); clinical pregnancy rate (41.9% vs. 37.7%, p=0.39), live birth rates by transfer (33.3 vs. 37.7, p=0.54). CONCLUSIONS: Oocyte donation is often the way donors can access in vitro fertilization, and for recipients seems to be a good option for pregnancy. Demographic and clinical characteristics have a secondary role in oocyte donors under 35 years and patient without comorbidities under 50 years and were not associated with pregnancy outcomes, emphasizing the power of oocyte quality on the success of intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment. An oocyte-sharing program that offers good and comparable results is fair and worth being encouraged.

Exploring self-detection of the endogenous LH surge using a urine test as a tool to predict a suboptimal response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist trigger during in vitro fertilization cycles.

OBJECTIVE: Is self-detection of the endogenous LH surge using a urine testing a reliable method to confirm a successful gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) trigger in IVF cycles? METHODS: Prospective observational study including a total of 103 oocyte donation cycles between November 2019 and January 2020. Urine LH testing (Akralab SL, Spain, cut-of value 30 mIU/mL) was performed at home in samples from the first micturition in the morning after the GnRHa trigger and a picture of the result was sent to the nurse coordinator; this information was concealed and only disclosed after oocyte aspiration. RESULTS: From the total group, two cycles were excluded. A total of 101 oocyte donors performed the LH urine testing, all proceeded to oocyte aspiration and were included in final analysis. A total of 85 (84.2%) had a positive LH test and an uneventful oocyte retrieval with good retrieval rates (false positive rate: 0%). A total of 16 had a negative LH test (15.8%) and had a good oocyte retrieval rates (false negative rate: 15.8%). There were no cases of empty follicle syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Due to a high false negative rate, self-testing of endogenous LH release using a LH urine test when performed approximately 12-hours after triggering does not seem to be a reliable method to predict a suboptimal response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Psycho-emotional acceptance in couple and single women who choose to undergo IVF treatment with donor eggs.

New family configurations are emerging concurrently with improved assisted reproduction techniques, including the use of donated gametes. Most indications for treatment when using donated eggs are caused by an age-related decrease in reproductive capacity. We evaluated the emotional state regarding accepting egg donation in participants who chose this option for in vitro fertilization cycles. This is a retrospective, Brazilian cohort study, based on data collected from sixty psychological counseling sessions with participants that opted to be enrolled in an egg donation program. A single professional conducted semi-structured psychological counselling sessions. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis as the qualitative methodology. Two years after the psychological counseling sessions, participants were contacted to obtain information about their outcomes. Of 60 sessions, 19 (32%) were classified as involving participants with positive emotional state (group 1), 14 (23%) with unfavorable emotional state (group 2), and 27 (45%) without evident classification (group 3). Three couples did not undergo treatment until two years after the psychological counselling session and the other couples underwent treatment in a period ranging from 1-8 months after the session. This is the first study in the Brazilian population regarding the acceptance of egg donation. The process of acceptance of infertility and the impossibility to have a biological child is fundamental to gradually accepting a new way of becoming a parent. Psychological counseling can contribute to reflecting on the use of donated eggs, exploring its emotional implications and identifying the need for psychotherapeutic work to address conflict and suffering.

Sudden death of an egg donor during oocyte retrieval due to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is uncommon among oocyte donors during in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure and is rarely associated with death. We report a case of a 23-year-old oocyte donor who suddenly died on the operation table during oocyte retrieval. She had no risk factors in her menstrual history, laboratory, or clinical parameters. The antagonist cycle, triggered with the GnRH agonist protocol, was carried out. The cause of death at autopsy was attributed to respiratory failure due to acute massive pulmonary edema, which developed due to the complication of OHSS. Only a few autopsy cases associated with OHSS have been published, but, as far as we know, no clinical or autopsy cases of sudden death caused by OHSS have been reported.

Sudden death of an egg donor during oocyte retrieval due to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

ABSTRACT Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is uncommon among oocyte donors during in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure and is rarely associated with death. We report a case of a 23-year-old oocyte donor who suddenly died on the operation table during oocyte retrieval. She had no risk factors in her menstrual history, laboratory, or clinical parameters. The antagonist cycle, triggered with the GnRH agonist protocol, was carried out. The cause of death at autopsy was attributed to respiratory failure due to acute massive pulmonary edema, which developed due to the complication of OHSS. Only a few autopsy cases associated with OHSS have been published, but, as far as we know, no clinical or autopsy cases of sudden death caused by OHSS have been reported.

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies does not increase success rates in fresh oocyte donation cycles: a paired cohort study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether in vitro fertilization cycles using fresh oocyte donations benefit from preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies. METHODS: A paired cohort study compared 44 fresh oocyte donation cycles with or without preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). The sibling oocyte study analyzed fertilized oocytes, blastocyst development, and euploidy rate. Only frozen embryo transfers were performed. Pregnancy, implantation, biochemical pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, live birth, and twin pregnancy rates were analyzed between groups. RESULTS: Fresh oocyte donation cycles between PGT-A and non-PGT-A groups were similar in all laboratory and clinical outcomes. A euploidy rate of 74.2% was observed in the PGT-A group. Although a slight trend was observed for implantation rate in the PGT-A group, it was not statistically significant. No difference was observed for live birth between groups. CONCLUSION: PGT-A associated with fresh oocyte donation cycles does not improve clinical outcomes and can be seen as over-treatment for patients.

Multivariate analysis of oocyte donor and recipient factors affecting cumulative live birth rate in oocyte donor IVF (OD-IVF) cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To study donor and recipient factors affecting cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) in oocyte donor IVF (OD- IVF) cycles. METHODS: The present retrospective study was conducted at the ART center of a tertiary care referral hospital after ethical approval, and included all OD-IVF cycles done between January 2014 - October 2019. Donor parameters included age, body mass index (BMI), ovarian reserve markers, serum estradiol (E2) on trigger day, and number of total/grade 1 oocytes; recipient parameters included age and BMI. The primary outcome was CLBR resulting from one complete donor-recipient (D-R) cycle through fresh/frozen embryo transfer. Secondary outcomes included number of total and grade 1 oocytes, fertilization rate, cleavage rate and clinical pregnancy rate (CPR). RESULTS: We analyzed 262 D-R cycles for donor characteristics and 260 cycles for CLBR. The mean age of the recipients was 35.20±4.05, and for donors it was 25.29±2.03 years. The CPR and CLBR per started cycle was 60% and 55.7%, respectively. Recipient BMI and grade 1 oocytes were found to be independent predictors of CLBR in multivariate analysis. As the number of grade 1 oocytes increased, the likelihood of live births increased by 10% (95% CI, 1.04 - 1.32, p=0.008). Recipient BMI ≥25kg/m2 reduced the chances of CLBR by 50% (95% CI, 0.27 - 0.81, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Number of grade 1 oocytes and recipient BMI significantly affect CLBR in OD-IVF cycles. Recipients with BMI ≥25kg/m² may be advised to lose weight and improve CLBR likelihood.

Four consecutive minimal ovarian stimulation (TetraStim) is a feasible alternative to increase the number of oocytes and improve live birth rates in poor responders who do not accept oocyte donation.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience using four consecutive minimal COS (TetraStim) followed by oocyte retrieval and vitrification to increase the number of oocytes in patients with POR for whom oocyte donation is not an option. METHODS: We performed an observational study evaluating 128 poor responders submitted to TetraStim instead of oocyte donation cycles. Patients were submitted to four consecutive minimal COS started at luteal phase, oocyte retrieval, oocyte vitrification/warming, ICSI, endometrial priming and embryo transfer. We evaluated the number of vitrified oocytes, survival rate after warming, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, number of embryos transferred, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and live birth rate. RESULTS: The mean age was 38.1 ± 3.1 years. A total of 791 oocytes were recovered (6.1 ± 2.7/patient), 682 (86.2%) Metaphase II (5.3 ± 2.4/patient) were vitrified, 95.3% survived warming (5.1 ± 2.3/patient), 82% showed normal fertilization after ICSI (4.2 ± 2/patient), 79.2% reached cleavage stage (3.3 ± 1.6/patient), 313 cleavage stage embryos were transferred to 115 patients (2.7 ± 0.7/patient) and 14.7% of the patients had surplus embryos that were vitrified. Clinical pregnancy rate per patient was 31.3% and live birth rate per patient was 22.6%. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this is the first study that demonstrates that TetraStim can be an effective alternative for patients with POR with an indication to perform IVF with donated oocytes, but do not agree to use. TetraStim is a feasible alternative to increase the number of oocytes and embryos and improve pregnancy rates with no dropouts and very low cycle cancelation rate. However, randomized controlled studies must be performed to compare TetraStim with other treatments.

Normalization of endometrial histopathology and endometrial NK cells concentration predict successful pregnancy in repeated implantation failure.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to establish the endometrial predictors of clinical pregnancy in a population of repeated implantation failure with oocyte donation after specific endometrial treatment. The secondary one was to evaluate reproduction outcomes in terms of Implantation rate (IR), Clinical pregnancy (CP), Live birth delivery rate (LBDR) and Prematurity, in relation to normalization or no-normalization of the predictors. METHODS: 66 patients were assigned to the study. We ran a Pipelle endometrial biopsy to investigate the endometrium lymphocyte population by Flow Cytometry and abnormal/normal patterns by histopathology in pre/post-treatment. We employed the binary logistic regression model to identify the predictors for CP. For the secondary objective, we assessed the clinical outcomes in function to the normalization or no normalization in post-treatment. RESULTS: Endometrial histopathology and endometrial NK cell counts resulted in CP predictors (Wald chi2 test (p=0.044 and 0.001)), respectively. We had a higher IR, CP and LBDR when both predictors were normalized in comparison with no normalization (p<0.001). There was a high percentage of prematurity in both normalized vs. non-normalized groups (34.4% (11/32) and 71.43% (5/7), respectively) without significant differences. CONCLUSION: Endometrial histopathology and endometrial NK cell counts showed that they are valid predictors of pregnancy outcome in repeated implantation failure after treatment. In post-treatment, the pregnancy outcomes were significantly higher in the presence of both normalized predictors. Pregnancy rates were zero in the no-normalization of both predictors. There was a high percentage of prematurity in both groups.

Técnicas de substituição de DNA mitocondrial para reduzir a transmissão da Síndrome de Leigh / Mitochondrial DNA replacement techniques to reduce Leigh syndrome transmission

A Síndrome de Leigh (SL) é uma doença neuro-metabólica congênita, que faz parte do grupo das encefalopatias fatais, com progressão e morte dentro de 2 anos, em média. A SL é causada por mutações no DNA que causam alterações na geração de ATP celular pelas mitocôndrias. As mitocôndrias contêm seu próprio DNA (mtDNA) e, ao contrário do DNA nuclear, o mtDNA é herdado somente da mãe. Mulheres portadores de mutações causadoras da SL podem vivenciar experiências muito tristes ao tentarem realizar o sonho da maternidade. As técnicas de substituição de mtDNA mutado com mtDNA saudável de doadora, oferecem a essas mulheres a possibilidade de terem uma criança geneticamente relacionada sem a SL. O desenvolvimento e a aplicação clínica de terapias de substituição de mtDNA já são uma realidade, tendo o primeiro bebê gerado a partir da técnica nascido em 2016. Mas será que essas técnicas são seguras? Neste trabalho, revisamos a SL e algumas técnicas de substituição de mtDNA já aplicadas em humanos, que envolvem a transferência de pronúcleos de zigotos ou de fuso acromático de oócitos. Concluímos que, apesar dos resultados promissores, ainda é cedo para assegurar a aplicabilidade clínica de técnicas de substituição de mtDNA em seres humanos. (AU)

Leigh syndrome (SL) is a congenital neurometabolic disease included in the group of fatal encephalopathies, with progression and death within 2 years on average. SL is caused by mutations in the DNA that cause changes in the generation of cellular ATP by mitochondria. Mitochondria contain their own DNA (mtDNA) and, unlike nuclear DNA, mtDNA is inherited only from the mother. Women with SL mutations may experience mournful situations when attempting to fulfill the dream of motherhood. Techniques for replacing mutant mtDNA with healthy donor mtDNA provide these women with the possibility of having a genetically related child without SL. The development and clinical application of mtDNA replacement therapies is a reality, and the first baby generated using the technique was born in 2016. However, are these techniques safe? In this article, we review SL and some mtDNA replacement techniques that have been used in humans, which involve zygote pronuclear transfer or oocyte spindle transfer. We conclude that, despite the promising results, it is too early to ensure that mtDNA replacement techniques are clinically applicable to humans. (AU)

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of corifollitropin alfa combined with GnRH agonist triggering in oocyte donation cycles. A prospective longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: In order to help make the dream of parenthood come true for oocyte acceptors, it is essential that the procedure is not dangerous or unpleasant for oocyte donors. The aim of this study was to identify differences in safety, efficacy and patient acceptability between a traditional stimulation antagonist protocol with recombinant-FSH (rFSH) with hCG-triggering, compared with an innovative antagonist protocol with corifollitropin alfa (Elonva®) plus GnRH agonist triggering in oocyte donors. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted at an in vitro fertilization center in Greece. The same eighty donors underwent two consecutive antagonist stimulation schemes. Primary outcomes were patient satisfaction (scored by a questionnaire) and delivery rate per donor. Secondary outcomes were mean number of cumulus-oocyte-complexes, metaphase II (MII) oocytes and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rate. RESULTS: Donors reported better adherence and less discomfort with the corifollitropin alpha + GnRH agonist-triggering protocol (p<0.001). No significant differences were identified in the clinical pregnancy rate per donor (p=0.13), the delivery rates, the number of oocytes (p=0.35), the number of MII oocytes (p=0.50) and the number of transferred embryos, between the two protocols. However, the luteal phase duration was significantly shorter (p<0.001) in the corifollitropin alpha + GnRH agonist-triggering protocol. Moreover, three cases of moderate OHSS (3.75%) were identified after hCG triggering, whereas no case of OHSS occurred after GnRH agonist ovulation induction (p=0.25). CONCLUSION: The use of corifollitropin alpha combined with a GnRH agonist for triggering is a safe, effective and acceptable protocol for oocyte donors.

What advice should we give our patients to preserve their fertility and avoid needing oocyte donation in the future? - A Social Fertility Preservation program.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our fertility preservation program focusing on the number of oocytes vitrified by age. METHODS: From January 2015 to December 2016, 686 oocyte vitrification cycles were performed in our units for the social fertility preservation program. In total, 288 were donors who donated their oocytes for our oocyte-banking program, and 398 were patients who underwent elective fertility preservation. RESULTS: The mean numbers of COCs retrieved and vitrified oocytes were similar among the donor cycles (women under 30 years). In those patients over 36 years of age the mean numbers of COCs retrieved and vitrified oocytes were significantly lower. We also estimated the association between age and cancelation rates. Odd ratios (OR) for total cancelation was calculated between patients of 31-35 years and 41-45 years; the OR was 5.17 (95% CI 1.89 - 14.17) and increased up to 25.67 (95% CI 5.01 - 131.42) between patients 31-35 y and those older than 45 years. No differences were found between patients of 31-35 years and 36-40 years. The OR for total cancellation increased 3.83 (95% CI 2.06 - 7.11) and 19.00 (95% CI 4.56 - 79.11) between women 36-40 years and 41-45 years, and those older than 45 years, respectively. Finally, the oocyte survival rate in patients under 36 years of age was similar to that of our donor program (94% vs. 95%). CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, we encouraged our patients under than 36 years of age to preserve their fertility for the future.

Frequency of the T307A, N680S, and -29G>A single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor in Mexican subjects of Hispanic ancestry.

BACKGROUND: FSHR SNPs may influence the ovarian sensitivity to endogenous and exogenous FSH stimulation. Given the paucity of data on the FSHR c.919A > G, c.2039A > G and - 29G > A SNPs in Hispanic population, we here analyzed their frequency distribution in Mexican mestizo women. METHODS: Samples from 224 Mexican mestizo women enrolled in an IVF program as well as a genotype database from 8182 Mexican mestizo subjects, were analyzed for FSHR SNPs at positions c.919, c.2039 and - 29G > A. Association between the genetic variants and reproductive outcomes was assessed. RESULTS: The c.919 and c.2039 SNPs were in strong linkage disequilibrium and their corresponding genotype frequencies in the IVF group were: AA 46.8%, AG 44.2%, and GG 8.9%, and AA 41.9%, AG 48.2% and GG 9.8%, respectively. For the -29G > A SNP, genotype frequencies were 27% (GG), 50% (GA) and 23% (AA). In normal oocyte donors with the c.2039 GG genotype, the number of oocytes recovered after ovarian stimulation (COS) were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than in those bearing other genotypes in this or the -29G > A SNP. Analysis of the large scale database revealed that both allelic and genotype frequencies for the three SNPs were very similar to those detected in the IVF cohort (p ≥ 0.38) and that female carriers of the c.2039 G allele tended to present lower number of pregnancies than women bearing the AA genotype; this trend was stronger when women with more Native American ancestry was separately analyzed (OR = 2.0, C.I. 95% 1.03-3.90, p = 0.04). There were no differences or trends in the number of pregnancies among the different genotypes of the -29G > A SNP. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of the GG/GG combination genotype for the c.919 and c.2039 SNPs in Mexican hispanics is among the lowest reported. The GG genotype is associated with decreased number of oocytes recovered in response to COS as well as to lower pregnancy rates in Hispanic women from the general population. The absence of any effect of the -29AA genotype on the response to COS, indicates that there is no need to perform this particular genotype testing in Hispanic women with the purpose of providing an individually-tailored COS protocol.

Shared oocyte donation: ideas and expectations in a bioethical context based on a qualitative survey of brazilian women / Doação compartilhada de oócitos: ideias e expectativas em um contexto bioético com base em um levantamento qualitativo de mulheres brasileiras

Abstract Objective Assisted reproduction combines innovative technologies and new forms of procreation through gamete donation; however, it also leads to moral and ethical issues and to the wide application of referential bioethics. The objective of the present study was to understand the bioethical context of shared oocyte donation. Methods The present qualitative study used the Collective Subject Discourse methodology to interview donors and recipients in Brazil. Results Donors suffer from infertility, and in vitro fertilization opens the possibility of having a child; however, the cost is high, and helping the recipient is more important than the financial cost. The recipients regret delaying motherhood; adopting a child is their last option, and they desire to feel the physical stages of pregnancy. The recipients find the rules unfair regarding the lack of an oocyte bank and the fact that the treatment must be performed in shared cycles; however, oocyte donation makes it possible to realize the common dream of motherhood. Conclusion The obtained data showed that the patients are suffering and frustrated due to infertility, and they realize that in vitro fertilization may be the treatment they need. These women believe that children are essential in the constitution of the family, and scientific advances bring about innovative technologies and new forms of family constitution, with repercussions in the social, economic, political, and family contexts that lead to bioethical questions in Postmodernity.

Resumo Objetivo A reprodução assistida agrega tecnologias inovadoras e novas formas de procriação pormeio da doação de gametas; no entanto, também leva a questões éticas e morais e à ampla aplicação da bioética referencial. O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender o contexto bioético da doação compartilhada de oócitos. Métodos Este estudo qualitativo utilizou a metodologia do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo para entrevistar doadoras e receptoras no Brasil. Resultados As doadoras sofrem de infertilidade, e a fertilização in vitro abre a possibilidade de ter um filho; no entanto, o custo é alto, e ajudar a receptora é mais importante do que o custo financeiro. As receptoras se arrependem de retardar a maternidade; adotar uma criança é sua última opção, e elas desejam sentir os estágios físicos da gravidez. As receptoras consideramas regras injustas emrelação à falta de um banco de oócitos e ao fato de que o tratamento deve ocorrer emciclos compartilhados; no entanto, a doação de oócitos possibilita a realização do sonho comum da maternidade. Conclusão Os dados obtidosmostraram que as pacientes estão sofrendo e frustradas devido à infertilidade, e percebem que a fertilização in vitro pode ser o tratamento de que necessitam. Essas mulheres acreditam que as crianças são essenciais na constituição da família, e os avanços científicos agregam tecnologias inovadoras e novas formas de constituição familiar com repercussões nos contextos sociais, econômicos, políticos e familiares que levam a questões bioéticas na Pós-modernidade.

Is the risk of preeclampsia higher in donor oocyte pregnancies? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Preeclampsia (PE) occurs in 4.6% of pregnancies worldwide. The social phenomenon of increasing maternal age has raised the demand for donor oocytes. Egg donation has allowed women with poor ovarian reserve, premature ovarian failure, genetic disorders or surgical menopause to get pregnant. Recipients provide a unique model of immune response because of the differences in the genetic makeup of mothers and fetuses. In PE, immune tolerance may be impaired as a result of having non-autologous eggs implanted. Egg donation is a highly successful assisted reproductive technology, despite the significant number of issues arising from the implantation of non-autologous eggs. This study aimed to determine whether there is an association between egg donation and preeclampsia. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature available in PubMed and Google Scholar was carried out from January of 1995 to August of 2016 using the terms 'oocyte donation, preeclampsia', 'oocyte donation, in vitro fertilization, preeclampsia', 'oocyte donation, preeclampsia, outcomes pregnancies', 'oocyte donation, obstetric outcome.' Only six retrospective cohort studies met the selection criteria. RESULTS: The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant association between egg donation and onset of preeclampsia (OR 4.50; 95% CI: 3.28-6.19; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Oocyte donation is associated with increased risk of preeclampsia in singleton pregnancies. Therefore, it is crucial to properly record and assess this finding when egg donation is the chosen assisted reproductive technology to attain pregnancy.