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BMC Endocr Disord 2020 Jul 8;20(1):101. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China.

Background: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is now considered the best serum biomarker of ovarian reserve, while basal sex hormones are classic markers used for assessing ovarian reserve. The interaction between AMH and sex hormones are complicated and not sufficiently addressed. In this study, we took diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) as two extremes of ovarian reserve (deficient and excessive respectively) to investigate the role of AMH and sex hormones in follicular growth. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2020 Jun 27;21(13). Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Medical University of Lodz, Department of Comparative Endocrinology, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland.

In addition to the classic, endocrine renin-angiotensin system, local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been documented in many tissues and organs, including the ovaries. The localization and functional activity of the two opposing axes of the system, viz. ACE1/Ang II/AT1 and ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/MAS1, differs between animal species and varied according to the stage of follicle development. Read More

PLoS One 2020 26;15(6):e0234481. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF Center, Bahceci Health Group, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: Is freeze-all strategy effective in terms of cumulative live birth rates (CLBRs) in all patients?

Methods: This retrospective single-center study analyzed the CLBRs of 2523 patients undergoing fresh or electively frozen blastocyst transfer cycles. In 1047, cycles, the fresh embryo transfer (ET) strategy was applied for the 1st ET, whereas electively frozen ET (e-FET) was performed in 1476 cycles. Female age ≤ 37 and blastocysts frozen via vitrification were included. Read More

Life (Basel) 2020 Jun 21;10(6). Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201, Shih-Pai Road Section 2, Taipei 112, Taiwan.

Our previous study showed a satisfactory reproductive outcome resulting from the patient-friendly ovarian stimulation protocol using long-acting follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) plus oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). The present retrospective study aims to compare the efficacy of the patient-friendly ovarian stimulation protocol with that of the antagonist protocol on normal and high responders aged between 24 and 39 years in a tertiary fertility center in Taiwan. To prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, oral MPA was given to patients in group 1 ( = 57), whereas antagonist protocol was applied to group 2 ( = 53). Read More

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2020 Jun 17:101815. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Salus Pueri, Padua, Italy.

Aim of this report is to alert clinicians about the potential significant sequelae of administering depot gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) shortly after oocytes cryopreservation. In our case report, a 28-year-old nulligravid Caucasian woman diagnosed with breast cancer underwent controlled ovarian stimulation-oocyte cryopreservation before chemotherapy. The oocyte retrieval was performed without complications and the woman was discharged after five hours. Read More

Hum Reprod Open 2020 6;2020(3):hoaa013. Epub 2020 Jun 6.

Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Study Question: Can the grade of ascites, haematocrit (Ht), white blood cell (WBC) count and maximal ovarian diameter (MOD) measured on Day 3 be used to construct a decision-making algorithm for performing or cancelling embryo transfer in patients at high risk for severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) after an hCG trigger?

Summary Answer: Using cut-offs of ascites grade>2, Ht>39.2%, WBC>12 900/mm and MOD>85 mm on Day 3, a decision-making algorithm was constructed that could predict subsequent development of severe OHSS on Day 5 with an AUC of 0.93, a sensitivity of 88. Read More

JBRA Assist Reprod 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, Mexico City, Mexico.

Objective: Ovarian response from a conventional ovarian stimulation protocol is a crucial step in IVF/ICSI treatments. This ovarian response encompasses a wide range of outcomes at the extremes, leading to either excessive responses with the risk of life-threatening conditions like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), or poor ovarian response (POR) with poor outcomes. This study aims to integrate biochemical, ultrasonographic and demographic parameters into a mathematical formula able to predict ovarian response to stimulation in IVF/ICSI in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocols. Read More

JBRA Assist Reprod 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

3rd Department Ob-Gyn, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.

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. Read More

Hum Reprod 2020 Jun;35(6):1306-1318

Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China.

Study Question: Do cumulative live birth rates (CLBRs) after one complete ART cycle differ between the three commonly used controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols (GnRH antagonist, depot GnRHa (GnRH agonist) and long GnRHa) in normal responders undergoing IVF/ICSI?

Summary Answer: There were similar CLBRs between the GnRH antagonist, depot GnRHa and long GnRHa protocols.

What Is Known Already: There is no consensus on which COS protocol is the most optimal in women with normal ovarian response. The CLBR provides the final success rate after one complete ART cycle, including the fresh and all subsequent frozen-thawed embryo transfer (ET) cycles. Read More

Mol Hum Reprod 2020 May 28. Epub 2020 May 28.

Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME) - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Although advances in the prediction and management of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) have been introduced, complete prevention is not yet possible. Previously, we and other authors have shown that vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietins (ANGPTs) and sphingosine-1-phosphate are involved in OHSS etiology. In addition, we have demonstrated that ovarian protein levels of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) ligands -B and -D decrease in an OHSS rat model, whilst PDGFR-β and ANGPT2 remain unchanged. Read More

Reprod Biomed Online 2020 Jul 30;41(1):29-36. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Dexeus University Hospital, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Barcelona, Aarhus 08028, 8000, Spain, Denmark. Electronic address:

Research Question: What is the performance of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as measured by the Elecsys® AMH assay in predicting ovarian response in women treated with 150 µg corifollitropin alfa (CFA)?

Design: Multicentre, prospective study conducted between December 2015 and April 2018. Women were aged 18-43 years, had regular menstrual bleeding, a body mass index of 17-35 kg/m and weighed 60 kg or over.

Exclusion Criteria: previous oophorectomy, history of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a previous IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle producing over 30 follicles measuring 11 mm or wider, basal antral follicle count (AFC) over 20 or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Read More

Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2020 May 26;18(1):54. Epub 2020 May 26.

Kinderwunsch & Hormonzentrum Frankfurt - Am Palmengarten, Private Practice, Gräfstraße 97, 60487, Frankfurt, Germany.

Background: The use of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) in ovarian stimulation protocols for infertility treatment in assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinical practice is well established. More recent advancements include the availability of biosimilar r-hFSH products, which expand the choices available to healthcare practitioners and patients. Better understanding of how such a product contributes to routine clinical practice is valuable to help prescribers make informed treatment choices. Read More

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020 May 20;20(1):313. Epub 2020 May 20.

Department of Reproductive Medicine, Jinhua People's Hospital, Jinhua, 321000, Zhejiang, China.

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an iatrogenic complication of ovarian stimulation. Prevention and early recognition of OHSS are important to ensure patient safety.

Case Presentation: In this case, we reported a patient who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Read More

Reproduction 2020 Aug;160(2):239-245

Departments of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a common complication of ovarian stimulation associated with the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during assisted reproduction. We have determined the expression of luteinizing hormone receptor (Lhcgr) mRNA, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and its transcription factor, HIF1α, during the periovulatory period in a rodent model of OHSS and compared these results with normal ovulatory periods. These results showed that the downregulation of Lhcgr mRNA in response to conditions that mimic preovulatory LH surge was significantly impaired in the OHSS group compared to the complete downregulation seen in the control group. Read More

Mil Med 2020 May 18. Epub 2020 May 18.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, San Antonio, TX 78234.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is a well-known entity in assisted reproductive technology. However, it is unusual for this entity to occur without any medications that stimulate follicle stimulating hormone. Herein, we describe a case where a partial molar pregnancy with high human chorionic gonadotropin promiscuously activated follicle stimulating hormone receptors has resulted in spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Read More

Fertil Steril 2020 May 13. Epub 2020 May 13.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Parsippany, New Jersey. Electronic address:

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of highly purified human menotropin (HP-hMG) and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) for controlled ovarian stimulation in a population of patients predicted to be high responders.

Design: Randomized, open-label, assessor-blinded, parallel-group, noninferiority trial.

Setting: Fertility centers. Read More

Hum Reprod 2020 May;35(5):1054-1060

Center for Fertility Research and Education, Extend Fertility, 200 West 57th Street, Suite 1101 New York, NY 10019, USA.

Study Question: Does GnRH-agonist trigger offer similar maturity rate (MR) in low and normal responders compared to high responders in women undergoing planned oocyte cryopreservation, for whom even a small risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) may not be acceptable?

Summary Answer: GnRH-agonist is an appropriate choice for final maturation of oocytes in planned oocyte cryopreservation, regardless of response to stimulation or risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

What Is Known Already: Numerous studies have demonstrated the utility of GnRH-agonist trigger for the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation in high-responder in vitro fertilization cycles. Limited data exist supporting its use in normal or low responders, or in non-infertile women undergoing planned oocyte cryopreservation. Read More

Hum Reprod Open 2020 1;2020(2):hoaa009. Epub 2020 May 1.

Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Study Question: What is the recommended management of ovarian stimulation, based on the best available evidence in the literature?

Summary Answer: The guideline development group formulated 84 recommendations answering 18 key questions on ovarian stimulation.

What Is Known Already: Ovarian stimulation for IVF/ICSI has been discussed briefly in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline on fertility problems, and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist has published a statement on ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction. There are, to our knowledge, no evidence-based guidelines dedicated to the process of ovarian stimulation. Read More

Fertil Steril 2020 May 5. Epub 2020 May 5.

Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Objective: To report the first successful oocyte cryopreservation in a prepubertal girl.

Design: Case report and review of the literature.

Setting: Tertiary medical center. Read More

Hum Reprod 2020 Jun;35(6):1411-1420

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Reproductive Medicine Centre, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Study Question: Does an artificially induced FSH surge at the time of hCG trigger improve IVF/ICSI outcomes?

Summary Answer: An additional FSH bolus administered at the time of hCG trigger has no effect on clinical pregnancy rate, embryo quality, fertilization rate, implantation rate and live birth rate in women undergoing the long GnRH agonist (GnRHa) protocol for IVF/ICSI.

What Is Known Already: Normal ovulation is preceded by a surge in both LH and FSH. Few randomized clinical trials have specifically investigated the role of the FSH surge. Read More

Arch Gynecol Obstet 2020 06 5;301(6):1569-1578. Epub 2020 May 5.

Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 2, PO Box 140, 00290, Helsinki, Finland.

Purpose: Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a locally secreted, quicker responsive pro-inflammatory protein than C-reactive protein (CRP). We evaluated the value of PTX3 in the prediction of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a severe complication of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Methods: This two-year prospective follow-up study included 27 women with uncomplicated IVF-cycles (IVF group) and 31 patients diagnosed with moderate or severe early OHSS (OHSS group). Read More

Ups J Med Sci 2020 May 4;125(2):131-137. Epub 2020 May 4.

Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.

The introduction of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) trigger greatly impacted modern IVF treatment. Patients at low risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) development, undergoing fresh embryo transfer and GnRHa trigger can be offered a virtually OHSS-free treatment with non-inferior reproductive outcomes by using a modified luteal phase support in terms of small boluses of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), daily recombinant luteinizing hormone LH (rLH) or GnRHa. In the OHSS risk patient, GnRHa trigger can safely be performed, followed by a 'freeze-all' policy with a minimal risk of OHSS development and high live birth rates in the subsequent frozen embryo transfer cycle. Read More

Turk J Obstet Gynecol 2020 Mar 6;17(1):65-72. Epub 2020 Apr 6.

Hacettepe Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Kadın Hastalıkları ve Doğum Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye.

Although hydrothorax may accompany abdominal ascites in women with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), there are few cases reported with isolated pleural effusion. Herein, we report two patients with isolated hydrothorax without any significant abdominal fluid following infertility treatment, along with a systematic review of the literature to describe risk factors for this rare entity. Two women with isolated pleural effusion without significant abdominal ascites were reported. Read More

Ir Med J 2020 Jan 16;113(1):11. Epub 2020 Jan 16.

Emergency Department, Sligo University Hospital, The Mall, Sligo, Ireland.

Presentation A 32year old woman, presented with a 5-day history of non-productive cough, chest pain, shortness of breath andabdominal bloating. She had undergone Embryo Transfer Treatment 6 days previously. Diagnosis A point of care ultrasound (POCUS) exam was performed as part of her initial investigations which showed right pleuraleffusion, ascites and cystic ovaries. Read More

BMJ Open 2020 Apr 14;10(4):e035334. Epub 2020 Apr 14.

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the first common cause of anovulatory infertility. Currently, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is recommended when conventional attempts have failed. In vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocytes is an emerging treatment option in infertile women with PCOS. Read More

Aging (Albany NY) 2020 Apr 15;12(8):6981-6989. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.

Older patients or patients with a reduced ovarian response have a low number of embryos, which limits the opportunity for embryo selection. However, for young patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (ET), it remains unclear whether embryo stage affects pregnancy outcomes. In the present study, a total of 2952 patients undergoing their first frozen-thawed ET were divided into two groups: patients who had experienced one failed fresh ET (Group A) and patients who had not received fresh ET because of the high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) (Group B). Read More

Ups J Med Sci 2020 May 14;125(2):104-111. Epub 2020 Apr 14.

Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Valencia, Spain.

The 'freeze-all' practice refers to the cryopreservation of all mature oocytes or viable embryos after ovarian stimulation. The development of the vitrification technique has been crucial to make this approach a reality, since it increases the post-thaw survival rates and permits comparable implantation rates with fresh embryos. Nonetheless, as implantation probabilities are comparable to fresh embryo transfer in normo-responder patients, the freeze- all strategy has demonstrated no benefits overall. Read More

Reproduction 2020 Jul;160(1):11-19

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of female infertility. Growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) is expressed in the ovary and can be detected in human follicular fluid which provides an important microenvironment for maintaining physiological functions of the ovarian follicle. To date, the relationship between GDF-8 levels in follicular fluid and the risk of PCOS is completely unknown. Read More

Gynecol Obstet Invest 2020 8;85(3):252-258. Epub 2020 Apr 8.

Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea,

Background/objectives: Mechanical micro-vibration remains insufficient for improving embryo culture conditions in human immature oocytes. This study compared the clinical outcomes and embryo development between germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes with the micro-vibration culture (MVC) system in in vitro maturation (IVM) cycles and in vivo-matured oocytes in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycles in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients.

Methods: This study investigated 152 PCOS patients who underwent 159 fresh embryo transfer cycles, including IVM cycles with embryos derived from GV oocytes and the COH cycles with embryos derived from in vivo-matured oocytes. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2020 06;55(6):879-885

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020 20;11:129. Epub 2020 Mar 20.

Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai Jiao Tong University China Hospital Development Institute, Shanghai, China.

Is it possible to use different progestins cotreatment with human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) in women with advanced endometriosis but normal ovulation during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) fertilization (IVF)? Whether different progestins treatments can be an alternative choice for women with severe endometriosis in considering IVF/ICSI treatment remains unknown? Non-inferiority randomized clinical trial. Tertiary-care academic medical center. Four hundred and fifty infertile patients with severe endometriosis undergoing IVF/ICSI between May 2016 and March 2017. Read More

Ups J Med Sci 2020 May 25;125(2):138-143. Epub 2020 Mar 25.

Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.

In this review the advantages of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) trigger are discussed beyond those immediately associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) prevention. The GnRHa trigger concept has sparked the development of novel protocols, enriching the assisted reproductive technology (ART) armamentarium for the benefit of present and future patients. Thus, GnRHa trigger already has a pivotal role, not only for the standard fertilisation (IVF) patient, but also for patient groups like oocyte donors, cancer patients, patients with poor ovarian reserve, and patients with immature oocyte syndrome and empty follicle syndrome. Read More

Probl Endokrinol (Mosk) 2019 12 25;65(4):278-288. Epub 2019 Dec 25.

Endocrinology Research Centre.

From 14 to 54% of all pituitary adenomas are nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NPAs), their prevalence is estimated as 7.041.3 cases per 100 000 population. Read More

Vasc Med 2020 Mar 18:1358863X20902842. Epub 2020 Mar 18.

Department of Internal Medicine, CHU Lille, Lille, France.

Internal jugular vein (IJV) thrombosis is mainly related to central venous catheter, malignancy, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. We report a case of IJV thrombosis possibly related to IJV compression between the styloid process and the first cervical vertebra (C1) transverse process. To support this hypothesis, we perform radiological assessment of the IJV and examine its relationship with the styloid process and C1 transverse process in 34 controls. Read More

Arch Gynecol Obstet 2020 04 17;301(4):913-922. Epub 2020 Mar 17.

Department of Reproduction and Infertility, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China.

Background: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) used to establish patient profiles and predict ovarian response to stimulation, its role in assisted reproductive technology techniques is crucial.

Purpose: To evaluate the evidence from published RCTs about the efficacy and safety of AMH-based ovarian stimulation versus conventional ovarian stimulation.

Method: Search strategy: electronic databases were searched using the following MeSH terms (Anti-Müllerian hormone OR AMH) AND (IVF OR ICSI) and (tailored OR based). Read More

Clin Epidemiol 2020 3;12:261-272. Epub 2020 Mar 3.

Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.

Purpose: To investigate whether progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) can be an alternative as gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) long protocol for infertile women with normal ovarian reserve during IVF/ICSI.

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) including 257 patients was conducted between 1 August 2017 to 1 January 2018. Computerized randomization was performed to assign participants into two treatment groups at a 1:1 ratio: PPOS (130 patients) or GnRHa long protocol (127 patients) followed by their first IVF/ICSI with fresh/frozen embryo transfer. Read More

BMJ Open 2020 03 16;10(3):e034566. Epub 2020 Mar 16.

EGA Institute for Womens Health, Faculty of Population Health Science, University College London, London, WC1E 6HX, UK.

Objective: To compare success rates, associated risks and cost-effectiveness between intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: The UK from 2012 to 2016. Read More

J Endocrinol 2020 May;245(2):291-300

Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), one of the most common female endocrine disorder, is a prevalent cause of infertility. Hyperandrogenism is a key feature in PCOS and is correlated with increased expression of VEGF and cytokines in the ovaries. We have previously shown that pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), an endogenous protein, presents potent anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory activities in the ovary and negates the effects of cytokines and VEGF. Read More

Gynecol Endocrinol 2020 Mar 11:1-5. Epub 2020 Mar 11.

Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

Insulin resistance (IR) plays a central role in the onset of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Insulin so insulin-sensitizing like inositols have been proposed as first line therapy. Among them d-chiro-inositol (DCI) seems to improve glucose metabolism and to increase ovulation frequency. Read More

JBRA Assist Reprod 2020 May 1;24(2):104-114. Epub 2020 May 1.

Novagen. Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Objective: To present the development of the first custom gene panel for the diagnosis of male and female infertility in Latin America.

Methods: We developed a next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel that assesses genes associated with infertility. The panel targeted exons and their flanking regions. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020 20;11:67. Epub 2020 Feb 20.

The Fertility Clinic, Skive Regional Hospital, Skive, Denmark.

Societal changes and the increasing desire and opportunity to preserve fertility have increased the demand for effective assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and have increased the range of scenarios in which ART is now used. In recent years, the "freeze-all" strategy of cryopreserving all oocytes or good quality embryos produced in an IVF cycle to transfer later-at a time that is more appropriate for reasons of medical need, efficacy, or desirability-has emerged as an accepted and valuable alternative to fresh embryo transfer. Indeed, improvements in cryopreservation techniques (vitrification) and the development of more efficient ovarian stimulation protocols have facilitated a dramatic increase in the practice of elective frozen embryo transfer (eFET). Read More

Exp Mol Med 2020 Mar 10;52(3):450-460. Epub 2020 Mar 10.

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is one of the most serious and iatrogenic complications that can occur during in vitro fertilization treatment. Although the pathogenesis of OHSS is not fully understood, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been recognized as an important mediator of the development of OHSS. Transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1) is known to regulate various ovarian functions. Read More

Hum Reprod 2020 Apr;35(4):847-858

Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 550 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA.

Study Question: How does ovarian stimulation in an oocyte donor affect the IVF cycle and obstetric outcomes in recipients?

Summary Answer: Higher donor oocyte yields may affect the proportion of usable embryos but do not affect live birth delivery rate or obstetric outcomes in oocyte recipients.

What Is Known Already: In autologous oocyte fresh IVF cycles, the highest live birth delivery rates occur when ~15-25 oocytes are retrieved, with a decline thereafter, perhaps due to the hormone milieu, with super-physiologic estrogen levels. There are scant data in donor oocyte cycles, wherein the oocyte environment is separated from the uterine environment. Read More

J Ovarian Res 2020 Mar 5;13(1):25. Epub 2020 Mar 5.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pecs, School of Medicine, 17 Edesanyak Str., Pecs, Hungary.

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a rare, yet severe, iatrogenic complication of ovulation induction therapy during assisted reproductive procedures. Our group previously detected atypical cells in the ascitic fluid of OHSS patients, although no malignancy developed during follow up. Here, the aim was to perform a comparative analysis of the cytokines present in the abdominal fluid of patients affected by OHSS versus patients with advanced ovarian cancer, a benign adnexal mass, or ovarian endometriosis. Read More

Hum Reprod Open 2020 24;2020(2):hoz034. Epub 2020 Feb 24.

Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam.

Study Question: What are the preferences of women with an increased risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) for characteristics of IVF treatments?

Summary Answer: In women with increased risk of OHSS, the chance of OHSS is a strong attribute in determining women's preference for IVF treatment and women are willing to trade off burden (side effects), costs and chance of pregnancy for lower risks of OHSS.

What Is Known Already: OHSS is the most serious iatrogenic complication of ovarian stimulation. Polycystic ovaries, high antral follicle count (AFC) and previous OHSS increase the risk of developing OHSS. Read More

Ann Thorac Surg 2020 Feb 27. Epub 2020 Feb 27.

Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0005, Japan.

Adventitial cystic disease is an uncommon vascular anomaly known to occur in peripheral vessels but mediastinal appearances are extremely rare. Herein, we report the case of an adventitial cyst occurring in the right brachiocephalic vein which might have been associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Read More

Fertil Steril 2020 02;113(2):252-257

Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Lutherville, Maryland. Electronic address:

The use of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) has increased over the past decade with improvements in technology and increasing live birth rates. FET facilitates elective single-embryo transfer, reduces ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, optimizes endometrial receptivity, allows time for preimplantation genetics testing, and facilitates fertility preservation. FET cycles have been associated, however, with an increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy for reasons that are not clear. Read More

Drug Des Devel Ther 2019 31;13:4461-4470. Epub 2019 Dec 31.

Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China.

Purpose: Dydrogesterone (DYG) is an alternative progestin in progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocol with weaker pituitary suppression than medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in normal ovulatory women. However, the endocrinological characteristics, oocyte retrieval and pregnancy outcomes of DYG application in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) remain unclear.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 420 PCOS patients who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and DYG (n=105) or MPA (n=315) from January 2014 to December 2017. Read More

Endokrynol Pol 2020 25;71(2):134-145. Epub 2020 Feb 25.

China.

Background: This study aimed to determine the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction on energy metabolism of granulosa cells (GCs) and the competence of oocytes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Material And Methods: A total of 107 patients who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) were enrolled. The clinical outcomes of patients with and without PCOS under in vitro fertilisation-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were compared. Read More

J Assist Reprod Genet 2020 Apr 24;37(4):849-854. Epub 2020 Feb 24.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Infertility and IVF Unit, Chaim Sheba Medical Center (Tel-Hashomer), Ramat Gan, Israel.

Purpose: While FMR1 premutation carriers (CGG 55-200) were shown to have reduced success with IVF treatment (lower oocyte yield), studies reporting on the association between the number of CGG repeats and patients' response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) are inconsistent. In the present study, we aim to explore whether the number of CGG repeats in women with premutation in FMR1 gene, undergoing COH for IVF, correlates with COH variables and whether the number of AGG interruptions may function as a "protective factor" by improving the ovarian response to COH.

Methods: Retrospective study, in an academic IVF-PGD unit. Read More