Sperm DNA fragmentation index does not correlate with blastocyst euploidy rate in egg donor cycles.

Sperm DNA fragmentation is a known etiology for male infertility. We evaluated the impact of sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) on blastocyst euploidy in IVF cycles with egg donors. This observational retrospective study, which was conducted in a university affiliated fertility clinic, included IVF-ICSI-pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) egg donor cycles in which DFI was tested prior to IVF, between January 1st, 2014 and July 31st, 2016. Twenty-seven cycles with DFI > 15% were included in the study group and compared with 18 cycles of DFI < 15% within control group. Research group participants had significantly lower sperm count and motility (55.4*106/ml and 37.4%, respectively) compared with controls (92.5*106/ml and 55.7%, respectively, p < .05). The groups were similar in terms of donors' demography (age, BMI), ovarian reserve (AMH, AFC) and response to hormonal stimulation (E2 level on triggering day and number of retrieved eggs). Embryo development (from 2PN through day 3 embryos to blastocysts) was similar as well. The number of biopsied blastocysts from study and control groups was 171 and 87, respectively. PGS with array comprehensive genomic hybridization revealed comparable euploidy rates of 69.3% and 67.3%, respectively (p > .05). DFI did not have an impact on the blastocyst euploidy rate in IVF cycles with egg donors.

Significant correlation between anti-müllerian hormone and embryo euploidy in a subpopulation of infertile patients.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a standard marker of ovarian reserve. Correlation between AMH and egg euploidy is controversial. We evaluated the association between AMH and blastocyst euploidy rate examined by pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS). This retrospective study was conducted at the CReATe Fertility Centre. We included single IVF cycles of 216 infertile couples, which resulted in 911 blastocysts subjected to array comparative genomic hybridization and evaluated IVF outcome after embryo transfer. The average age and median AMH of female patients were 37.2 (SD = 3.8) and 20 pmol/l, respectively, and the average euploidy rate was 38.3%. Using multivariate regression controlling for age, antral follicle count, body mass index and parity, there was a significant association between serum AMH and proportion of euploid embryos (P = 0.02), due to the dominant ≤36 age group in which significant correlation between AMH and euploidy rate (P = 0.02) was demonstrated. Clinical outcome was similar, including biochemical, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates as well as pregnancy loss. This study shows a correlation between AMH and aneuploidy rate, specifically among infertile patients younger than 37 years old. Study limitations are discussed.

Coagulopathy associated with dilation and evacuation for second-trimester abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical and laboratory features of coagulopathy following second-trimester surgical abortions. DESIGN. Retrospective study. SETTING: Gynecologic unit of a university-affiliated medical center. POPULATION: 1249 consecutive women underwent late second-trimester (16-24 weeks) surgical abortions between January 2002 and June 2010. Of those, 20 women (1.6%) were diagnosed with excessive bleeding accompanied by coagulopathy. METHODS: Women were divided into two groups based on whether the abortion was performed for fetal demise (n=14) or pregnancy termination (n=6). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gestational age, indication for abortion, blood clotting tests, number of blood products and coagulation factors administered. RESULTS: Women who had pregnancy termination began to bleed significantly earlier than those with fetal demise (p<0.05). A significantly higher number of women with fetal demise had a gradual deterioration of the clotting test, compared with women who had pregnancy termination (p<0.05). In women with fetal demise, early bleeding was associated with a more severe clinical presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Coagulopathy following surgical abortion manifests differentially in women who have fetal demise and those who have pregnancy termination, implying a different pathophysiology. Women with fetal demise suffering from excessive bleeding following surgical abortion accompanied with mild clotting test abnormalities should be carefully monitored to diagnose and treat an impending disseminated intravascular coagulation.