Follicular Fluid Components in Reduced Ovarian Reserve, Endometriosis, and Idiopathic Infertility.

Follicular fluid (FF) molecules, and their increase or decrease, can contribute to appropriate follicular growth and oocyte maturation, thus being related to female infertility conditions. In this paper, we studied the changes and the relationships of some biochemical components, hormones, antioxidant enzymes, F2-Isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs), and resolvin (Rv) D1 in the FF of infertile women with different reproductive conditions such as endometriosis, reduced ovarian reserve, and idiopathic infertility during assisted reproductive techniques (ART). In the whole population, positive correlations between albumin (ALB)/iron (Fe), ALB/beta-2-microglobulin (B2MG), and F2-IsoPs/RvD1 were detected in the FF. In FF from aged women, increased levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and reduced anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were associated with a worse oocyte quality. The negative ART outcome was influenced by patient age and AMH, B2MG, and FSH levels. Moreover, the reduced ovarian reserve condition was characterised by a significant decrease in oocyte number and quality, AMH amount, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, as well as by an increase in age and FSH levels. In the presence of endometriosis, high levels of MDA and RvD1 were detected in FF, with a decrease in luteinising hormone (LH). Finally, among the molecules examined, none characterised the condition of idiopathic infertility. These data could support the identification of new FF markers in different reproductive disorders, suggesting the need for personalised therapeutic approaches and optimised ART outcomes. In particular, the evaluation of resolvins and lipid mediators in FF could be a promising field of investigation with which to understand the entity of oxidative stress and inflammation in some female infertility conditions.

Transvaginal native-tissue repair of vaginal vault prolapse.

BACKGROUND: Posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse repair is a challenge for pelvic floor surgeons. Native-tissue repair procedures imply lower costs and reduced morbidity. Our study aims to evaluate operative data, complications, objective, subjective and functional outcomes of transvaginal native-tissue repair for posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. We also investigated differences among available techniques. METHODS: Retrospective study including patients with symptomatic vaginal vault prolapse (≥stage 2), previously treated with transvaginal vault suspension through native-tissue repair. Objective recurrence was defined as the descent of at least one compartment ≥II stage according to Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system or need of reoperation. Subjective recurrence was defined as the presence of bulging symptoms. Patients satisfaction was evaluated with PGI-I Score. RESULTS: The study included 111 patients. Apical suspension was achieved either by uterosacral ligament suspension (16), levator myorrhaphy (17), iliococcygeus fascia fixation (65) or sacrospinous ligament fixation (13). No intraoperative complications were observed. Perioperative/postoperative complications occurred in 8 patients (7.2%). Mean follow-up was 24.5±12.1 months. Objective recurrence was observed in 28 patients (25.2%). Reintervention was required by 3 patients (2.7%). Subjective recurrence was referred by 6 patients (5.4%). Mean satisfaction evaluated with PGI-I Score was 1.2±0.6. No differences in terms of operative data, overall complications, objective, subjective cure rate and perceived satisfaction were found among different techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal repair with native-tissue procedures is safe and effective in correcting posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse and represents a valid alternative to prosthetic procedures for vaginal vault prolapse treatment.

GnRH antagonist does not prevent premature luteinization and ovulation in stimulated cycles with gonadotropins for IVF: two case reports.

The use of GnRH antagonists (GnRHant) is increasing in the ovarian stimulation protocol. Among several other benefits, GnRHant should prevent a premature luteinization and premature ovulation, the first described either as a 'reassuringly rare event' or 'frequent event', while the second as occurring more frequently in women with decreased ovarian reserve, advanced age and poor ovarian response. Two cases of associated premature luteinization and premature ovulation, during treatment with gonadotropins and GnRHant in IVF cycles, are here reported. In both cases, premature luteinization occurred and ovulation took place during ovarian stimulation protocols with exogenous gonadotropins and GnRHant, before reaching the criteria of hCG administration, regardless of the age of the patients and their ovarian reserve. Ovulation was documented by the disappearance of most of the developing follicles, by the transformation of endometrium from a triple line picture into a uniform hyper-echogenic image, by the presence of fluid in the pouch of Douglas, by the increase of progesterone plasma levels and the simultaneous reduction of estradiol plasma levels. This evidence can be important for a correct counseling with infertile patients in preparation for an IVF cycle.

Pelvic floor evaluation with transperineal ultrasound: a new approach.

The increased life expectancy, the importance of the prevention in younger age and the role of the pelvic floor dysfunction not only in the disease of the third age, but also in the childbearing age, as the influence on the type of delivery, underline the importance of the evaluation of the pelvic floor. The evaluation of pelvic floor is generally clinical, but in the last 2 decades, the use of ultrasound has become a mainstream diagnostic tool in the investigation of female pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence and defecation disorders, providing an immediate objective confirmation of findings obtained on clinical examination and filling some of the gaps of the urogynecological exam. The use of transabdominal ultrasound was the first developed, while the use of translabial, transrectal and transvaginal techniques started later. This review will focus on the use of transperineal ultrasound, including two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D) and 4D imaging, as a valuable and objective method in the urogynecological evaluation, allowing the assessment of the pelvic floor anatomy and its functions and dysfunctions, the choice of the right type of treatment and the analysis of the changes after surgical treatment and its complications. The ultrasound approach has become an important instrument for the prevention, but also for the analysis of the disease, and to understand the importance of the pelvic floor function in different period of life of a woman.

Relationship between cervical dilation and time to delivery in women with preterm labor.

BACKGROUND: Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of preterm labor (PTL) is important in order to establish treatment. Our aim was to determine the relation between cervical dilatation and time interval from admission to delivery in women with preterm labor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 83 singleton gestations admitted for preterm labor between 24 weeks and 34 weeks, who subsequently delivered preterm. Women were categorized into three groups of cervical dilatation (0-2 cm, 3-6 cm, >6 cm) and the time interval from admission to delivery was compared. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the association between cervical dilatation and time interval from admission to delivery. The other variables examined were gestational age (GA) at admission and length of the cervix, when performed. RESULTS: The time interval from admission to delivery was significantly shorter in women with higher dilatation of the cervix (p < 0.02) and in those admitted at a more advanced gestational age (p < 0.05). Forty-eight percent of women with cervical dilatation 0-2 cm delivered in the first 48 h compared to 85% of the women with a dilatation of 3-6 cm. No significant association was found between the length of the cervix and the time interval to delivery. CONCLUSION: Dilatation of the cervix and gestational age at admission are associated with the time interval to delivery in women with preterm labor. The assessment of the length of the cervix is unlikely to add clinical information in women with an already dilated cervix.

Prevalence and prenatal ultrasound detection of clubfoot in a non-selected population: an analysis of 549, 931 births in Tuscany.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and prenatal ultrasound detection of clubfoot in Tuscany during a period of 20 years. METHODS: This is a descriptive analysis on data from the Tuscan register of congenital defects, covering a 20-year period from 1992 to 2011. The Tuscan registry of congenital defects is a population-based register for the epidemiologic surveillance of congenital anomalies. The study included all cases of pre- or postnatally diagnosed clubfoot (isolated clubfoot and cases associated with other congenital defects). Overall prevalence and pre-natal detection rates were calculated. RESULTS: Among the 549,931 deliveries recorded in Tuscany between 1992 and 2011, 858 cases of clubfoot were registered, with a prevalence of 1.56/1000. Seventy-eight percent of cases were isolated. The detection rate was higher when the defect was associated with other anomalies compared to isolated forms. Over the study period, there was a substantial improvement in the prenatal detection of clubfoot (from 11 to 31% overall). For isolated forms, detection rate improved from 4 to 16%, and for cases associated with other congenital defects, it increased from 43 to 73%. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of clubfoot in Tuscany is 1.56 per 1000 births, in agreement with the incidence reported in epidemiological studies in Europe. Prenatal detection of clubfoot improved over time. The detection rate was higher in cases associated with other anomalies.

Histologic chorioamnionitis: different histologic features at different gestational ages.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of the different histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) grade in relation to the gestational age in term and preterm delivery. METHODS: Three hundred and ninety-two women with singleton pregnancy with spontaneous onset of labor either prematurely or at term, with histologic diagnosis of HCA, were enrolled. Placentas were classified as: deciduitis and/or histologic chorioamnionitis within the membranes (HCA1); amnionitis or inflammation of the chorionic plate without funisitis (HCA2); and histologic chorioamnionitis with funisitis (HCA3). Microbiological culture was performed on both placental and fetal membrane samples. RESULTS: HCA1 was more frequent in women delivering at term than in preterm (p < 0.001). HCA2 was more represented in women delivering between 32 and 36 weeks (p < 0.001) and HCA3 occurred more frequently in those delivering within 32 weeks (p < 0.001). The positive bacterial culture was higher (p = 0.008) in presence of HCA3 in comparison with HCA1 and HCA2. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a significantly different distribution of HCA grades in relation to gestational age at delivery. HCA may represent the expression of different subtending etiologies and may also reflect specific immune competence of gestational tissues at different gestational ages, strengthening as pregnancy advances.

Understanding spontaneous preterm birth: from underlying mechanisms to predictive and preventive interventions.

Preterm birth is defined as birth before 37 weeks' gestational age. With an incidence of 7% to 11%, it is one of the major causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Preterm birth is considered a clinical syndrome, which arises from different pathological processes that activate prematurely one or more components of the mechanisms leading to parturition. The premature activation of labor may be caused by multiple pathological conditions; in particular a deregulation of the immune system and an exaggeration of inflammatory processes represent common central mechanisms. The complex pathogenesis, the main risk factors and the different therapeutic options will be described in the present review. Since its incidence is still increasing in the last decades, the goal is to improve the primary and secondary prevention.

Histologic chorioamnionitis at term: implications for the progress of labor and neonatal wellbeing.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate: i) the rate of histologic chorioamnionitis in relation to the onset of labor and mode of delivery; ii) influence of clinical parameters on the risk of histologic chorioamnionitis in laboring women; iii) neonatal outcome in relation to histologic chorioamnionitis. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted on 395 healthy women at term, with singleton uneventful pregnancy, of which 195 with spontaneous onset of labor and 200 with elective cesarean section. All placentas, collected after delivery, were examined for the diagnosis of histologic chorioamnionitis. Mode of delivery, presence of bacterial infection of placenta and membranes, maternal clinical parameters and neonatal outcome were recorded. RESULTS: The rate of histologic chorioamnionitis in women with spontaneous onset of labor was significantly higher than in those experiencing elective cesarean section (28.7% vs. 11.5%). Nulliparity and the duration of labor were independent variables associated with acute histologic chorioamnionitis. The presence of histologic chorioamnionitis did not affect neonatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed a highest rate of histological chorionamniositis in women delivering after spontaneous onset of term labor, although the mode of delivery either vaginally or by emergency cesarean section was not influenced by the presence of this pathological condition.

Fetal gender effects on induction of labor in postdate pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine delivery outcome in women undergoing induction of labor for postdate pregnancy in relation to fetal gender. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 365 nulliparous and 127 multiparous women carrying singleton postdate pregnancies with unfavorable cervix were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and delivery outcome were analyzed in relation to fetal gender. RESULTS: Women carrying male fetuses showed higher rate of caesarean section than those carrying females, in both nulliparous and multiparous women. Moreover, women carrying male fetuses presented more frequently with (i) interval between induction of labor and delivery >24 hours (P < .0002); (ii) augmentation of labor after cervical ripening (P < .0391); (iii) meconium-stained liquor (P< .0126); and (iv) higher neonatal weight (P < .0011) than those carrying females. CONCLUSION: Male fetuses are more likely to be associated with higher rates of cesarean section. In maternal fetal medicine, gender differences may add prognostic information on the delivery outcome in women induced for postdate pregnancy.

The obstetric syndromes: clinical relevance of placental hormones.

Preterm delivery, preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction are the major diseases of pregnancy. A key role in their pathogenesis is played by the placenta, which is the source of hormones and other important regulatory molecules providing the metabolic and endocrine homeostasis of the fetal-placental unit. Since obstetric syndromes are characterized by important maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, numerous efforts have been made over the years to prevent and treat them. Due to their complex pathogenesis, however, the therapy is poor and not very effective. Therefore, great emphasis is currently given to the prevention of these diseases through the identification of biochemical and biophysical markers, among which placental factors play a crucial role. The increasing knowledge of the role of placental molecules can indeed lead to the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic tools.

The identification of high risk pregnancy: a new challenge in obstetrics.

Preterm delivery (PTD) and pre-eclampsia (PE) represent the main "obstetric syndromes," caused by multiple conditions, and characterized by complex pathogenesis. Nonetheless, recent evidences attest that deregulation of the immune system and exaggeration of inflammatory processes, taking place in the feto-placental unit, represent common central mechanisms occurring in both diseases. Tertiary prevention represents the only intervention to prevent PTD, but its incidence is still increasing. Advances in secondary prevention, focusing on risk factors and possible markers, are necessary.