Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Columbia University Medical Center, 5 Columbus Circle, PH, New York, NY 10019.

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a potentially life-threatening clinical condition.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate risk factors for life-threatening complications for patients with severe OHSS in a United States nationwide sample.

Materials And Methods: OHSS admissions from 2002-2011 from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) were included in this study. Read More

Case Rep Womens Health 2019 Jan 23;21:e00096. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Genesis Fertility, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at Maimonides Medical Center, 6010 Bay Pkwy., Brooklyn, New York, USA.

Objective: To present a case of abnormally trending hCG levels due to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and to portray the obscurities of this commonly used method for tracking early pregnancies.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Outpatient ART facility. Read More

Arch Gynecol Obstet 2019 Feb 6. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Center for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, RenJi Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200135, China.

Purpose: Melatonin is an important factor in regulating numerous processes in human female reproduction. The aim of the present study was to compare melatonin levels in the follicular fluid (FF) of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) women with those of non-OHSS women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer and to evaluate the relationship between FF melatonin levels and IVF outcomes in these women.

Methods: We determined FF melatonin levels in 20 OHSS women and 23 non-OHSS women on oocyte retrieval day. Read More

Biomed Rep 2019 Feb 29;10(2):113-118. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276003, P.R. China.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist compared with a GnRH agonist on fertilization (IVF) cycle outcome in reproductive women. The characteristics of treatment and outcomes of pregnancy were retrospectively compared between the antagonist (GnRH-A, antagonist group) and agonist (GnRH-a, agonist group) regimens. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was also used to evaluate whether the endometrial thickness (cm), progesterone (P) level (ng/ml) and estradiol (E) level (pg/ml) on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration (hCG day) had the ideal sensitivity and specificity for predicting clinical pregnancy. Read More

Hum Fertil (Camb) 2019 Feb 4:1-7. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

d Department of Immunology , Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences , Yazd , Iran.

This study determined the association between the levels of interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 in follicular fluid (FF), as well as their mRNA levels in cumulus cells from infertile women at risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). In this case-controlled study, the control group (n = 40) was infertile women whose partners had male factor infertility, whereas the case group (n = 40) was infertile women at risk of OHSS. IL-17 and IL-23 concentrations in FF were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, whereas the mRNA expression levels of IL-17 and IL-23 of cumulus cells were determined using RT-PCR. Read More

Reprod Biomed Online 2018 Dec 23. Epub 2018 Dec 23.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals, US Development, Parsippany, NJ 07054, USA.

Research Question: Is individualization of dosing with follitropin delta in sequential ovarian stimulation cycles an effective preventive strategy for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome risk? If so, for which patients does an individualized strategy provide the greatest OHSS risk reduction and/or the need for additional preventive interventions?

Design: A secondary analysis of three ovarian stimulation cycles in IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients included in one randomized, assessor-blinded trial comparing two recombinant FSH preparations (ESTHER-1, NCT01956110), and a second trial in women undergoing up to two additional cycles (ESTHER-2, NCT01956123). Of 1326 women (aged 18-40 years) randomized and treated with follitropin delta or alfa in cycle 1, 513 continued to cycle 2 and 188 to cycle 3. Follitropin delta and alfa doses were maintained/adjusted according to ovarian response in the previous cycle. Read More

Hum Reprod 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School, Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Study Question: Does the outcome of the comparison of live birth rates between the first frozen embryo transfer (ET) (in a freeze-only cycles strategy, i.e. frozen ET group) and a fresh embryo transfer (fresh ET group) differ considering the type of ovarian response?

Summary Answer: Α significantly higher probability of live birth is present in high, but not normal, responders, after the first frozen ET in a freeze-only cycle strategy as compared to a fresh ET. Read More

Reproduction 2019 Jan 1. Epub 2019 Jan 1.

F Martinez, Reproductive Medicine Service, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain.

A narrative review of the management of controlled ovarian stimulation in patients undergoing preimplantation genetic testing is presented. An electronic search was performed to identify research publications that addressed ovarian stimulation and preimplantation genetic testing published until December 2017. Studies were classified in decreasing categories: randomized controlled trials, prospective controlled trials, prospective non-controlled trials, retrospective studies, and experimental studies. Read More

J Ovarian Res 2019 Jan 26;12(1). Epub 2019 Jan 26.

Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome remains a serious complication during in vitro fertilization cycles if high dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is used to trigger ovulation in high responder patients. Though much of this risk is mitigated with trigger using gonadotropin releasing-hormone (GnRH) agonist alone, it may result in lower birth rates. GnRH-agonist trigger and adjuvant low dose hCG has been proposed to improve birth rates, but timing of this hCG support to corpus luteum function has never been fully described. Read More

Panminerva Med 2019 Mar;61(1):42-51

The Fertility Clinic Skive Regional Hospital, Skive, Denmark.

Ovulation trigger (OT) strategy is a cornerstone in modern patient-tailored in-vitro fertilization treatment, securing the optimal number of mature oocytes retrieved without compromising fertilization, embryo development and euploidy rates. Moreover, the OT strategy is taken into consideration before selecting fresh or frozen embryo transfer (freeze-all) to obtain optimal reproductive outcomes while maintaining a low risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Several OT agents have been proposed, however, the most common agents used in modern IVF are human chorionic gonadotropin and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist. Read More

Endocrinology 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

School of Women's & Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of infertility. Hyperandrogenism is both a major symptom and key diagnostic trait of PCOS; however, the direct impact of this androgen excess on ovarian dynamics is unclear. By combining a DHT-induced PCOS mouse model with an ex vivo follicle culture system, we investigated the impact of hyperandrogenism on ovarian function. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019 01 16;1:CD010290. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Free Medical University, De Boelelaan 1105, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1081 HV.

Background: Ovulation induction with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a second-line treatment in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who do not ovulate or conceive on clomiphene citrate.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness and safety of gonadotrophins as a second-line treatment for ovulation induction in women with clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and women who do not ovulate or conceive after clomiphene citrate.

Search Methods: In January 2018, we searched the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group Specialised Register of Controlled Trials, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, the World Health Organisation clinical trials register, Clinicaltrials. Read More

Int J Fertil Steril 2019 Apr 6;13(1):38-44. Epub 2019 Jan 6.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.

Background: In vitro maturation (IVM) is an artificial reproductive technology in which immature oocytes are harvested from the ovaries and subsequently will be matured in vitro. IVM does not require ovarian hyperstimulation (OH) and thus the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is avoided. In this study, we assessed the live birth rate per initiated IVM cycle in women eligible for in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ ICSI) and at risk for OHSS. Read More

Emerg Radiol 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Radiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA.

Over the past 40 years since the first in vitro fertilization was performed, both the role of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in establishing viable pregnancy as well as the available treatment options have expanded enormously. Annually in the USA, nearly 2% of pregnancies now employ some form of ART assistance, with in vitro fertilization (IVF) being the most commonly utilized methodology. Both maternal and fetal risks are elevated in ART pregnancies, the latter including adverse outcome due to both increased gestational number as well as advanced maternal age. Read More

Gynecol Endocrinol 2019 Jan 7:1-2. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

a Infertility and IVF Unit , Barzilai University Medical Center , Ashkelon , Israel.

This study aims to report a case of early, severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) following GnRH agonist trigger for final oocyte maturation despite luteal support with a GnRH agonist. Contrary to the claim that luteal support using a GnRH agonist eliminates the risk for OHSS in high-risk patients, this report alerts practitioners to the risk of severe OHSS development despite GnRH agonist luteal support in patients receiving GnRH antagonist protocol with GnRH agonist triggering and cautions the practitioners to consider other measures of OHSS prevention. Read More

Gynecol Endocrinol 2019 Jan 7:1-4. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi , India.

The present study was planned to evaluate the benefit of synergetic effect of Metformin plus Myo-inositol versus Metformin alone in infertile polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women undergoing ovulation induction. One hundred and twenty infertile PCOS women were randomized: Group I (n = 60) received Metformin (500 mg) plus Myoinositol(600 mg) three times a day; Group II received Metformin 500 mg three times a day. Subjects were advised to try for spontaneous conception. Read More

Am J Kidney Dis 2018 Dec 29. Epub 2018 Dec 29.

Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Kidney Research Centre, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a complication of assisted reproductive treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). The pathophysiology of severe OHSS includes a humorally mediated capillary leak syndrome that is predominantly centered on the intra-abdominal space. Severe OHSS is frequently complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI), which can be due to any of a variety of mechanisms, each requiring a different management strategy. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2018 Dec 27. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

University of Florida, Jacksonville College of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, 655 West 8th Street, C506, Jacksonville, FL 32209, United States of America.. Electronic address:

Fertil Steril 2018 Dec 28. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Objective: To study the safety and efficacy of ovarian stimulation and oocyte cryopreservation as a method of fertility preservation in women with Turner syndrome (TS).

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Reproductive medicine clinic. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2018 Dec 28;24:9424-9428. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Reproductive Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of specific in vitro fertilization (IVF) protocols for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and therefore, analyze the first-rank intention IVF protocol. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, 408 PCOS patients (464 treatment cycles) were enrolled and assigned to one of 3 groups: group 1 [oral contraceptive long-term regimen group (OC-L protocol group, n=91)], group 2 (GnRH antagonist protocol, n=80), and group 3 [follicular phase long-term regimen group, C₁-L protocol group n=293]. The endpoints are the number of eggs, oocyte maturation rate, high-quality embryo rate and clinical pregnancy rate after fresh embryos transfer, the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and abortion rate. Read More

Gynecol Obstet Fertil Senol 2019 01 18;47(1):44-53. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Département de médecine de la reproduction, CHRU de Lille, 2, avenue Oscar-Lambret, 59000 Lille, France.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to describe the ovulation rate in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, treated with ovulation induction/intra-uterine insemination and follitropin alfa by gonadotrophins at a second attempt.

Methods: An observational, national and multicentre study was carried out: 51 French physicians (endocrinologists, gynaecologists) participated. Eligible patients were followed according to the usual clinical practices. Read More

Gynecol Endocrinol 2018 Dec 18:1-3. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

b IVF Center , Medicana International Hospital , Samsun , Turkey.

Objective: Spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (SOHSS) is an extremely rare complication that deserves a multidisciplinary approach together with a thorough investigation for the correct diagnosis of the underlying pathology. The aim of this study was to present a case of severe SOHSS resistant to all interventions and to discuss the available interventions to overcome such a rare and serious clinical situation.

Case Report: We report a case of severe, life-threatening spontaneous OHSS with a normal nine weeks singleton pregnancy in a 25-year-old nulliparous woman, which resulted with pregnancy termination and continuation of disease progression until the dose of cabergoline was increased to 1. Read More

J Emerg Med 2019 Feb 14;56(2):217-221. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Experimental Dentistry, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a common complication of an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure, which is usually clinically insignificant. However, without monitoring, it can progress into a life-threatening condition. With the increasing popularity of IVF technology, patients with OHSS may begin visiting emergency departments (EDs) more frequently. Read More

Hum Reprod 2019 Jan;34(1):171-180

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Kettegård Allé 26, Hvidovre, Denmark.

Study Question: Is the number of aspirated oocytes in the first ART cycle associated with the cumulative live birthrates (CLBR) in subsequent cycles?

Summary Answer: The number of aspirated oocytes in the first cycle was associated with CLBR in subsequent cycles. Previous treatment response predicts outcome in future cycles.

What Is Known Already: Previous reports have shown a positive association between the number of retrieved oocytes and live birthrate per fresh treatment cycle. Read More

Clin Exp Reprod Med 2018 Dec 30;45(4):183-188. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the appropriateness of various follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) starting doses in expected normal responders based on the nomogram developed by La Marca et al.

Methods: A total of 117 first fertilization cycles performed from 2011 to 2017 were selected. All women were expected normal responders and used a recombinant FSH and flexible gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol. Read More

Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep 2018 Dec 11;2018. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, UK.

Pituitary adenomas can be classified as functioning or non-functioning adenomas. Approximately 64% of clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas are found to be gonadotroph adenomas on immunohistochemistry. There are reported cases of gonadotroph adenomas causing clinical symptoms, but this is unusual. Read More

BMJ Open 2018 Dec 9;8(12):e023413. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Introduction: In vitro maturation (IVM) is a potential alternative to conventional in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to avoid ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This is particularly relevant in women with a high antral follicle count (AFC) and/or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), who are at increased risk for OHSS. However, no randomised controlled trials of IVM versus IVF in women with high AFC have reported both pregnancy and OHSS rates. Read More

Syst Biol Reprod Med 2019 Feb 10;65(1):54-60. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

a Department of Assisted Reproduction , Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital affiliated with JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.

This large retrospective study was conducted to compare the risk for birth defects among infants conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) with that among infants conceived by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and to explore the effect of frozen embryo transfer (FET) on the risk for birth defects among infants born by IVF and ICSI. All patients who received assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment and who underwent childbirth during the period January 2005-August 2017 were included in this study. There were 18,221 births after ART included in the analysis; of these births, 12,649 were conceived by IVF, and 5,572 were conceived by ICSI. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2019 Mar 5;120(3):4675-4686. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), known as a common endocrine disorder among females, plagues many PCOS patients. The current study aimed to explore the correlations of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) polymorphisms with the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in PCOS patients. PCOS patients who underwent IVF-ET and patients with non-PCOS-related infertility were selected in the study. Read More

J Assist Reprod Genet 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.

Purpose: We aim to investigate whether there is a genetic predisposition in women who developed ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) after GnRH antagonist protocol with GnRH agonist trigger and freeze-all approach.

Methods: Four patients with OHSS after GnRH agonist trigger and freeze-all approach were gathered from the worldwide patient population. These patients were analyzed through Whole Exome Sequencing. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018 11 15;11:CD006606. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Assisted Reproduction Unit, 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Rimini 1, Athens, Chaidari, Greece, 12462.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) occurs in 4% to 7% of all women of reproductive age and 50% of women presenting with subfertility. Subfertility affects 15% to 20% of couples trying to conceive. A significant proportion of these women ultimately need assisted reproductive technology (ART). Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018 Nov 3. Epub 2018 Nov 3.

Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, Brussels 1090, Belgium; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, Zagreb 10000, Croatia. Electronic address:

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has vastly improved over the last 40 years, from a frequently unsuccessful and complicated procedure requiring hospital admission and routine laparoscopy to a fairly simple outpatient technique with relatively high success rates. However, it is important to stress that ART is not without risk and medical complications may still occur. The incidence of most of these ART-related complications is associated with how women undergo ovarian stimulation. Read More

J Med Econ 2018 Nov 21:1-15. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

c IQVia , 17 bis Place des Reflets , 92319 La Défense , France.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness (CE) of the originator follitropin-α (Gonal-F) in patients undergoing a medically assisted reproduction (MAR) program in comparison to its biosimilars Bemfola and Ovaleap in a French context.

Methods: A CE model was developed for France with a National Health Service (NHS) perspective. Clinical, safety, and dosage data were derived from pivotal clinical trials that compared Gonal-F to Ovaleap and Bemfola. Read More

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2019 Feb 26;144(2):147-152. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

Objective: To explore assisted reproductive outcomes among women with different polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study included women with PCOS who were treated at Yazd Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd, Iran, using the GnRH antagonist protocol between April 1, 2015, and August 31, 2017. Clinical pregnancy was the primary outcome, and chemical pregnancy, implantation rate, fertilization rate, and spontaneous abortion rate, were the secondary outcomes that were evaluated among four defined phenotypes of women with PCOS. Read More

Case Rep Obstet Gynecol 2018 15;2018:9294650. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Atatürk University School of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.

Development of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is very rare in a spontaneous ovulatory cycle and it is usually seen during pregnancy. In the etiology of OHSS, higher hCG (molar pregnancies or multiple pregnancies) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels have been accused. In recent years, some follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor (FSHR) gene mutations have been described in patients with OHSS in the first trimester with normal hCG levels. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2018 Nov 8;24:7996-8000. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of 2 GnRH agonists - triptorelin acetate and cetrorelix acetate - in assisted reproduction. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 182 females who received in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF+ET) from March 2014 to July 2014 were involved, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 91 patients received treatment with short-acting triptorelin (group A) and another 91 patients were treated with cetrorelix acetate (group B). Read More

Fertil Steril 2018 Nov;110(6):994-1002

Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad and Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Valencia University, Valencia, Spain.

Innovations in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have driven progress in the donor egg field since the birth of the first baby derived from a donor egg in 1983. Over time, donor oocytes have become an increasingly used option for patients unable to conceive with autologous oocytes. In donor egg, the unique separation of the oocyte source and recipient uterus has created a model that has propelled advances in ART. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2018 Nov 2. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Division of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shuhama, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Follicle-stimulating hormone-follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSH-FSHR) interaction is one of the most thoroughly studied signaling pathways primarily because of being implicated in sexual reproduction in mammals by way of maintaining gonadal function and sexual fertility. Despite material advances in understanding the role of point mutations, their mechanistic basis in FSH-FSHR signaling is still confined to mystically altered behavior of sTYS335 (sulfated tyrosine) yet lacking a substantial theory. To understand the structural basis of receptor modulation, we choose two behaviorally contradicting mutations, namely S128Y (activating) and D224Y (inactivating), found in FSH receptor responsible for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and ovarian dysgenesis, respectively. Read More

Hum Reprod Update 2019 Jan;25(1):2-14

Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark and the Fertility Clinic Skive, Skive Regional Hospital, Resenvej 25, Skive, Denmark.

Background: Elective freezing of all good quality embryos and transfer in subsequent cycles, i.e. elective frozen embryo transfer (eFET), has recently increased significantly with the introduction of the GnRH agonist trigger protocol and improvements in cryo-techniques. Read More

JBRA Assist Reprod 2019 Jan 31;23(1):72-74. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, El-Salama IVF/ICSI Centre, Assiut, Egypt.

The empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is defined as a failure to aspirate any oocyte (s) from the follicles after ovarian hyperstimulation in preparation for IVF/ICSI. It is a frustrating and vague syndrome; and a controversial one concerning its existence, causes and possible treatment. Recurrent EFS or the recovery of immature oocytes thereafter is a more challenging problem. Read More

Drug Saf 2018 Oct 19. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany.

Introduction: Recombinant human luteinizing hormone (r-hLH) is used in a fixed-ratio combination with recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) for the stimulation of follicular development.

Objective: The objective of this article was to conduct a review of safety data to evaluate the risks of r-hFSH/r-hLH treatment.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the Global Safety Database (Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) including reports from healthcare professionals, patients, health authorities, clinical trials, non-interventional studies, and the literature. Read More

J Ultrason 2018 ;18(73):140-147

3rd Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.

Introduction: Ascites is observed in cancer patients as well as in other non-neoplastic processes. In some patients, it may cause severe symptoms that can become directly life-threatening. The assessment of the degree of ascites seems useful in the determination of treatment effects as well as in the monitoring of fluid accumulation and early planning of decompression procedures. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018 Oct;52(4):556

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

Dis Mon 2018 Sep 28. Epub 2018 Sep 28.

Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. Electronic address:

Obstetric and gynecologic pleural effusions may occur in the setting of different diseases and conditions, early and appropriate recognition of the different etiologies of these effusions will aid in appropriate treatment management. In this paper we will give an overview of the different pleural effusion etiologies that may be encountered including catamenial hemothorax, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, the different Meigs' syndromes and benign peripartum pleural effusion. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2018 Mar;57(1):177-180

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia.

We report a unique case of undetectable serum levels of anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who developed ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during in vitro fertilization (IVF). A case is described of a 28-year-old woman with clinical symptoms of PCOS and AMH serum level below analytical sensitivity (<1.0 pmol/L). Read More

Hum Reprod 2018 10;33(10):1907-1914

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.

Study Question: Is a freeze-only strategy more cost-effective from a patient perspective than fresh embryo transfer (ET) after one completed In Vitro Fertilization/ Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (IVF/ICSI) cycle in women without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

Summary Answer: There is a low probability of the freeze-only strategy being cost-effective over the fresh ET strategy for non-PCOS women undergoing IVF/ICSI.

What Is Known Already: Conventionally, IVF embryos are transferred in the same cycle in which oocytes are collected, while any remaining embryos are frozen and stored. We recently evaluated the effectiveness of a freeze-only strategy compared with a fresh ET strategy in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Read More

Radiol Case Rep 2018 Dec 13;13(6):1154-1158. Epub 2018 Sep 13.

Department of Radiology, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, 50 Charlton Ave. E., Rm. T0733, L8N 4A6 ON, Canada.

Patients who get pregnant after being treated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) are at significantly increased risk of ovarian torsion compared to the general population and also in comparison to patients who get pregnant normally [1,2]. The risk is further increased in patients who develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome [1]. This possibility should be considered in this group of patients presenting with acute abdominal pain and immediate management should be commenced. Read More

J Assist Reprod Genet 2018 Dec 19;35(12):2187-2193. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Kettegård Alle 30, 2650, Hvidovre, Denmark.

Purpose: Investigating whether pre-ovulatory follicular fluid (FF) levels of selected proteins differ between women who do or do not develop severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and evaluate whether they potentially could guide a "freeze-all" strategy.

Methods: FF was collected during a randomized controlled trial comparing OHSS in antagonist versus agonist protocol including 1050 women in their first assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle during year 2009-2013. The present sub-study is a matched case-control study comparing FF levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), C-reactive protein, placental growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and angiopoietins 1 and 2 in OHSS cases (n = 25, severe OHSS, and ≥ 15 oocytes), high-risk controls (n = 25, no OHSS, and ≥ 15 oocytes), and low-risk controls (n = 25, no OHSS, and 5-8 oocytes). Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol 2019 Feb 19;39(2):212-217. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

a Antalya IVF , Antalya , Turkey.

Ovarian torsion (OT) in IVF is rare, however, the consequences are significant, which include ovariotomy. In the present study, it was aimed for the first time to compare the incidence of OT between hCG triggered cycles with ICSI and fresh transfer and GnRH-agonist triggered cycles with the ICSI-freeze-all and frozen embryo transfer (FET). In total, 15,577 ICSI cycles performed between 2001 and 2016 were categorised into two groups (Group 1, n: 9978): cycles with controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and hCG-triggered (Group 2, n: 5599) and COS, with GnRH-agonist only triggered and freeze-all. Read More

Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2018 Sep 14;16(1):89. Epub 2018 Sep 14.

Asl Bari, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Reproductive and IVF Unit, Conversano, BA, Italy.

Background: Letrozole is widely employed as ovulation induction agent in women with PCOS, but its use in mild stimulation (MS) protocols for IVF is limited. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of a MS protocol with letrozole plus hMG in non-obese PCOS women undergoing IVF after a metformin pre-treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 125 non-obese PCOS undergoing MS with letrozole plus hMG, 150 IU as starting dose, (group 1, N = 80) compared to those undergoing a conventional IVF stimulation protocols (CS) (group 2, N = 45) prior to IVF. Read More