The presence of blood in the transfer catheter negatively influences outcome at embryo transfer.

BACKGROUND: Embryo transfer (ET) influences pregnancy rates in patients undergoing assisted reproduction. Data are conflicting as to which variables affect ET success. This study examines variables that may affect outcome after ET in assisted reproductive technology patients who had high-quality embryos transferred. METHODS: Over a 23 month period, 669 consecutive cycles were examined. Only patients having grade I and grade II embryos, or blastocyst transfers, were included in this retrospective analysis. A total of 584 consecutive cycles met study criteria. At the time of ET, the following variables were recorded: aborted first attempt at ET; presence of blood and/or mucus in or on the transfer catheter after ET; ease of ET as judged by provider; need for mock embryo transfer immediately before the actual transfer and retention of embryos in the transfer catheter. These variables were retrospectively analysed for their impact on implantation rate (IR) and clinical pregnancy rate (CPR). RESULTS: There were 290 gestations (49.7% CPR). Multiple attempts at ET, subjective difficulty of ET, performance of a sham pass immediately prior to embryo transfer, and presence of mucus on or in the catheter did not affect the CPR or IR. No difference was noted in the mean age of patients having or lacking any of these factors. There was a significant association between the presence of blood on or in the catheter and decreased IR (P = 0.015) and CPR (P = 0.004). Retained embryos also decreased IR (P = 0.03). Multivariable analysis confirmed that the presence of blood on the transfer catheter was the most important of these transfer characteristics in predicting IR (P = 0.042) and CPR (P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that when only high-grade embryos or blastocysts are transferred, the presence of blood on the catheter is associated with decreased IR and CPR in assisted reproduction.

Endometrial cavity fluid is associated with poor ovarian response and increased cancellation rates in ART cycles.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial cavity fluid (ECF) is occasionally observed during assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles. However, few reports have described its prevalence or significance. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the relationships between ECF, clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), tubal factor infertility and ultrasound-visible (USV) hydrosalpinges. In 843 ART cycles involving 721 patients, ECF was observed during stimulation in 57 cycles and after human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration in 12 cycles, with an overall incidence of 8.2% (69/843). When ECF was observed during stimulation, the cancellation rate due to poor ovarian response was significantly higher (29.8 versus 16.9%, P <0.05) and the CPR per started cycle was significantly lower (26.3 versus 42.4%, P <0.05) than cycles without ECF. When ECF developed after HCG administration, the CPR was similar compared with that of the group for which ECF was not observed. In the 327 cycles involving tubal factor infertility patients, USV hydrosalpinges were noted in 71 cycles (71/327; 21.7%), and ECF developed in five of those cycles (5/71; 7.0%). A total of 27 cycles during which ECF developed (27/57, 47.4%) involved non-tubal factor patients. CONCLUSIONS: ECF during stimulation was associated with increased cancellation rates and lower CPRs per started cycle, and was not associated with USV hydrosalpinges. Furthermore, ECF observed after HCG administration did not impact CPR and may represent a different clinical entity.

Human chorionic gonadotropin levels after blastocyst transfer are highly predictive of pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive value(s) of beta-hCG serum levels for pregnancy outcome following blastocyst transfer. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: University-based assisted reproductive technology (ART) program. PATIENTS: All ART patients enrolled from January 1998 to December 1999. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Beta-hCG serum levels and pregnancy outcomes. RESULT(S): Of the 836 ART cycles initiated, 608 embryo transfers met study criteria and were assigned to one of two groups: 248 day 5 blastocyst transfers or 360 day 3 embryo transfers. In the day 5 blastocyst group, 147 pregnancies occurred (59.2%), and day 3 transfers resulted in 165 pregnancies (45.8%). For day 3 and day 5 transfers, mean values of beta-hCG on day 16 post-retrieval of spontaneous abortions were lower than ongoing pregnancies (P< .05). A beta-hCG value on day 16 of >300 mIU/mL predicted an ongoing pregnancy for day 5 transfer group in 97% of pregnancies compared with 92% for day 3 embryo transfers. A multiple gestation was observed in 70% of pregnancies with a beta-hCG level >400 mIU/mL in the day 5 group compared with 63% for the day 3 group. The incidence of higher-order multiple gestations was significantly lower in the day 5 blastocyst group (P< .05). CONCLUSION(S): Beta-hCG serum levels on day 16 post-retrieval were highly predictive of pregnancy outcome after a blastocyst transfer.

Training of providers in embryo transfer: what is the minimum number of transfers required for proficiency?

BACKGROUND: Embryo transfer represents one of the most critical procedures in the practice of assisted reproduction. The objective of this study was to identify retrospectively the minimum number of embryo transfers required to train providers properly in this skill. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study group consisted of 204 patients who received embryo transfers between January 1996 and March 2000 in a university-based programme of assisted reproduction. The main outcome measure was clinical pregnancies per embryo transfer. Five Fellow trainees performed a total of 204 embryo transfers for an overall pregnancy rate of 45.5% per embryo transfer (93/204). In comparison, the programme pregnancy rate per transfer for experienced providers was 47.3% (560/1179). A chronological graph of each individual trainee's experience for the first 50 embryo transfers performed suggested a lower initial pregnancy rate for three of the five trainees. To determine whether a learning curve might exist, results of the first 25 transfers were compared as a subgroup with the second 25 transfers. Pregnancy rates were lower for the 1-25 transfer subgroup than in the 26-50 subgroup for three of the five Fellow trainees, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Clinical pregnancy rates of Fellows-in-training were indistinguishable statistically from those of experienced staff by 50 transfers.

Effects of estradiol and progesterone administration on human serotonin 2A receptor binding: a PET study.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies demonstrate that 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) increases serotonin-2A receptor (5-HT(2A)R) density in rat frontal cortex. METHODS: We investigated the impact of hormone replacement therapy on 5-HT(2A)R binding potential (BP) using positron emission tomography and [(18)F]altanserin in five postmenopausal women. Subjects were imaged at baseline, following 8 to 14 weeks of transdermal E(2), 0.1 mg/d, and following 2 to 6 weeks of E(2) plus micronized progesterone (P) 100 mg per os twice daily. Regional BPs in the anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and lateral orbitofrontal cortex were calculated by Logan analysis. RESULTS: There was a main effect of time (p = .017) for 5-HT(2A)R BP, which increased 21.2%+/-2.6% following combined E(2) and P administration relative to baseline. This effect was evident in all cerebral cortex regions examined. CONCLUSIONS: 5-HT(2A)R BP increased in widespread areas of the cerebral cortex following combined E(2) + P administration.

The morphology of human pronuclear embryos is positively related to blastocyst development and implantation.

Human embryos are selected for transfer using morphology at the cleaving and blastocyst stages. Zygote morphology has been related to implantation and pregnancy. The aim of this study was to relate pronuclear morphology to blastocyst development. Zygotes were scored according to distribution and size of nucleoli within each nucleus. Zygotes displaying equality between the nuclei had 49.5% blastocyst formation and those with unequal sizes, numbers or distribution of nucleoli had 28% blastocyst formation. Cleaving embryos that were selected initially by zygote morphology and secondarily by morphology on day 3 had increased implantation (IR) and pregnancy rates (PR; 31 and 57%), compared with those selected by morphology alone (19 and 33% respectively; P: < 0.01). There was a significant difference between zygote-scored and non-scored cycles on day 3 (PR: 57 versus 33%; IR: 31 versus 19%) and on day 5 (PR: 73 versus 58%; IR; 52 versus 39%). Zygote scoring can maintain pregnancy rates for both day 3 and day 5 transfers, increase implantation rates and reduce the numbers of embryos required to achieve a pregnancy.

Triplets: outcomes of expectant management versus multifetal reduction for 127 pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare outcomes of women with triplet gestations conceived via assisted reproductive technology who chose expectant management or multifetal pregnancy reduction. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective review of all women who initiated assisted reproductive technology cycles from August 1995 through July 1997 with ultrasonographic documentation of triplets exhibiting fetal heart tones at 9 weeks of gestation (N = 127). Patients were then uniformly referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and to 3 centers offering multifetal pregnancy reduction. RESULTS: Thirty-six percent of patients (46/127) chose multifetal pregnancy reduction with 95% undergoing reduction to twins. In the expectant management group, 13.6% of pregnancies were reduced spontaneously after 9 weeks of gestation. The "take home" infant per delivery rates for the multifetal pregnancy reduction and expectant management groups were 87% and 90.1%, respectively (P =.66). The mean gestational ages at delivery (+/-SE) for the multifetal pregnancy reduction and expectant management groups were 33.25 +/- 1. 03 weeks and 32.04 +/- 0.58 weeks (P =.23), and the mean birth weights of infants delivered at >24 weeks of gestation were 2226 +/- 79 and 1796 +/- 44, respectively (P <.0001). There were no significant differences in perinatal mortality, gestational age at delivery, or "take home" infant per delivery rates between these groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that multifetal pregnancy reduction does not have a significant impact on the probability of live birth or on gestational age at delivery for women with triplets conceived with assisted reproductive technology.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection increases embryo fragmentation without affecting clinical outcome.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on embryo fragmentation and implantation rates in those embryos chosen for transfer compared to conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS: We compared 253 infertility patients (71 ICSI and 182 IVF) with respect to age, semen analysis, number of embryos transferred, embryo fragmentation, implantation rate, and pregnancy rate. Embryo fragmentation was determined by one observer at the same laboratory over the entire study period. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed in mean embryo grade between IVF (2.2 +/- 0.84) and ICSI (2.5 +/- 0.77), P = 0.01. Additionally, the IVF patients had significantly more nonfragmented (grade I) embryos compared to the ICSI group, P < 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that ICSI, irrespective of semen parameters, may increase embryo fragmentation and produce fewer nonfragmented grade I embryos while maintaining implantation and pregnancy rates similar to conventional IVF.

Microdose follicular phase gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) compared with luteal phase GnRH-a for ovarian stimulation at in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To compare an ovarian stimulation protocol using microdose follicular phase GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) and oral contraceptive (OC) pills to a luteal phase GnRH-a protocol. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: University affiliated IVF program. PATIENT(S): One hundred seventy patients who underwent IVF and ET in 1996. INTERVENTION(S): Patients were assigned to either a midluteal start of leuprolide acetate (LA) 1 mg/d, reduced to 0.5 mg/d after addition of gonadotropins (LUT), or OC pills until cycle day 0 followed by 20 microg of LA every 12 hours on cycle day 3 with addition of gonadotropins on cycle day 5 (MICRO). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Number of FSH ampules, days of stimulation, peak E2, and number of oocytes retrieved. RESULT(S): There were no statistically significant differences in the main outcome measures between the two groups using an age-matched ANOVA. Clinical pregnancy rate per cycle start was not statistically different (LUT = 54%, and MICRO = 37%). The cancellation rate was significantly higher in the MICRO group (22.5% vs. 8.2%). CONCLUSION(S): Given the higher cancellation rate in the microdose group, a randomized clinical trial is required to determine the possible benefit of a lower dose of GnRH-a in patients with normal ovarian function.

The human prolactin receptor gene structure and alternative promoter utilization: the generic promoter hPIII and a novel human promoter hP(N).

The 5'-untranslated region of the human prolactin receptor (hPRLR) gene contains two alternative first exons, hE1(3), the human counterpart of the rat and mouse E1(3) and a novel human type of alternative first exon termed hE1N, also a common non-coding exon 2 and a third exon containing the translation initiation codon. hE1(3) was localized approximately 800 bp 5' from the hE1N in the genome. The two distinct first exons hE1(3) and hE1N are expressed in human breast tissue, breast cancer cells, gonads and liver. Overall, the transcript containing hE1(3) is prevalent in most tissues. The coding region of the gene comprises eight exons (exon 3-10), in which exon 10 encodes most of the intracellular domain. hE1(3) and hE1N are transcribed from alternative promoters hPIII and hP(N), respectively. The hPIII, containing identical Sp1 and C/EBP elements as in the rodent promoters, shares 81% similarity in the region -480/-106 to both the rat and mouse. The novel promoter hP(N) contains putative binding sites for ETS-family proteins and a half-site for nuclear receptors. Therefore, both promoters likely utilize distinct mechanisms in controlling the hPRLR gene transcription. The different promoter utilization of the hPRLR gene in diverse tissues may confer differential prolactin response through activation of different promoters.

Role of GnRH drive in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome may result from multiple mechanisms, but full expression of the PCO syndrome with hyperandrogenic anovulation depends upon sustained LH drive and relative FSH deficiency. We have described possible intrinsic and extrinsic factors capable of modifying the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Available evidence suggests the presence of an intrinsic alteration in GnRH-LH drive. The long-term natural history of HAA is variable and depends on several factors including obesity, aberrations in insulin action, intrinsic ovarian function, and end-organ responsiveness to androgens. Figure 1 presents a conceptualization of the pathogenesis of PCOS diagramming the multiple modulators of its expression. Long-term suppression of androgens when fertility is not desired should modify the full expression of the PCO syndrome. It is important to appreciate that therapy with oral contraceptive agents has few drawbacks and many immediate and potential long-term benefits for women with HAA. This therapy may be of greatest benefit when started in adolescence prior to the progression of obesity, hirsutism, and thecal-stromal hyperplasia. Women with HAA represent a large subgroup of patients who require individualization of their health care with sensitivity to issues surrounding anovulation, obesity, hirsutism, and infertility.

A pilot study of cyclosporine for the prevention of postsurgical adhesion formation in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of cyclosporine in preventing primary postsurgical adhesions in the rat model. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats underwent unilateral uterine horn injury with a combination of unipolar and bipolar cautery. Sixteen of the rats were randomized to the treatment group and received preoperative and daily cyclosporine dosing (10 mg/kg) by gavage for 14 days. At the end of the study all animals were killed, and a standard adhesion scoring system was applied by a blinded examiner. RESULTS: Adhesions were present in 75% of rats in both groups. Treatment did not affect the total adhesion score. CONCLUSION: Cyclosporine does not appear promising as a means to decrease postsurgical adhesion formation.