Background To evaluate factors affecting oocyte/embryo quality in PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patients undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) cycles. Methods This case-control retrospective study was performed on PCOS patients referred to the infertility department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz from October 2017 to September 2019. Demographic and reproductive characterizations including age, gender, abortion history and infertility type (primary and secondary infertility) were extracted from patient’s records. TSH, AMH, LH, FSH, prolactin, lipid profile and blood glucose was measured. Biochemistry pregnancy was checked by determination of serum βHCG level and then, clinical pregnancy was confirmed by observing of pregnancy sac and fetal heart rate using Transvaginal USS. Results One-hundred thirty-five patients include 45 PCOS and 90 Non-PCOS patients with mean age of 31.93 ± 5.04 and 30.8 ± 5.38 ( p = 0.24) were considered as case and control groups respectively. Retrieved oocyte numbers were significantly higher in PCOS patients ( p = 0.024), but there was no significant difference in number of oocyte subtypes (MI, MII and GV) between two groups. The embryo numbers and its subtypes did not differ significantly in both groups. The clinical pregnancy rate was insignificantly lower in PCOS patients ( p = 0.066) and there was a significant correlation between retrieved oocyte numbers with age( r = -0.2, p = 0.022) and AMH level ( r = 0.433, p < 0.0001) respectively. Cholesterol level had shown a positive significant correlation with number of MI oocytes ( r = 0.421, p = 0.026) and MII oocytes significantly affected by age ( r = -0.250, p = 0.004) and AMH level ( r = 0.480, p < 0.0001). Using Receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the cut-off value of total number of oocytes was > 10.5 with area under curve of 0.619±0.054(sensitivity 55.56% and specificity 69.66%) Conclusions The results of this study showed that although the number of oocytes in PCOS patients was significantly higher than non-PCOS patients, the quality of oocytes was not statistically different. The number and quality of embryos were not significantly different in both groups. Our results indicated a significant relationship between the level of AMH and the number of retrieved oocytes and embryos. We found there is a significant correlation between cholesterol level and number of MI oocytes.
Background Infertility affects 48.5 million couples globally. It is defined clinically as failure to conceive after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. The contribution of various aetiological factors to infertility differs per population. The causes of infertility have not been assessed in Zimbabwe. Our objectives were to determine the reproductive characteristics, causes and outcomes of women presenting for infertility care. Methods A retrospective and prospective study of women who had not conceived within a year of having unprotected intercourse presenting in private and public facilities in Harare was done. A diagnosis was made based on the history, examination and results whenever these were deemed sufficient. Data was analysed using STATA SE/15. A total of 216 women were recruited. Results Of the 216 women recruited, two thirds (144) of them had primary infertility. The overall period of infertility ranged from 1 to 21 years with an average of 5.6 ± 4.7 years whilst 98 (45.4%) of the couples had experienced 2–4 years of infertility and 94 (43.5%) had experience 5 or more years of infertility. About 1 in 5 of the women had irregular menstrual cycles with 10 of them having experienced amenorrhoea of at least 1 year. Almost half of the participants (49%) were overweight or obese. The most common cause for infertility was ‘unexplained’ in 22% of the women followed by tubal blockage in 20%, male factor in 19% and anovulation in 16%. Of the 49 (22.7%) women who conceived 21(9.7%) had a live birth while 23 (10.7%) had an ongoing pregnancy at the end of follow up. Thirty-seven (17.1%) had Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) in the form of Invitro-fertilisation/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (IVF/ICSI) or Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI). Assisted Reproduction was significantly associated with conception. Conclusion Most women present when chances of natural spontaneous conception are considerably reduced. This study shows an almost equal contribution between tubal blockage, male factor and unexplained infertility. Almost half of the causes are female factors constituted by tubal blockage, anovulation and a mixture of the two. Improved access to ART will result in improved pregnancy rates. Programs should target comprehensive assessment of both partners and offer ART.
Background In the current context of a global pandemic it is imperative for fertility clinics to consider the necessity of individual tests and eliminate those that have limited utility and may impose unnecessary risk of exposure. The purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate a multi-modal quality improvement (QI) strategy to promote resource stewardship by reducing routine day 3 (d3) bloodwork and transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) for patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) and timed intercourse (IC) treatment cycles. Methods After literature review, clinic stakeholders at an academic fertility centre met to discuss d3 testing utility and factors contributing to d3 bloodwork/TVUS in IC/IUI treatment cycles. Consensus was reached that it was unnecessary in patients taking oral/no medications. The primary intervention changed the default setting on the electronic order set to exclude d3 testing for IC/IUI cycles with oral/no medications. Exceptions required active test selection. Protocols were updated and education sessions were held. The main outcome measure was the proportion of cycles receiving d3 bloodwork/TVUS during the 8-week post-intervention period compared with the 8-week pre-intervention period. Balancing measures included provider satisfaction, pregnancy rates, and incidence of cycle cancellation. Results A significant reduction in the proportion of cycles receiving d3 TVUS (57.2% vs 20.8%, p < 0.001) and ≥ 1 blood test (58.6% vs 22.8%, p < 0.001) was observed post-intervention. There was no significant difference in cycle cancellation or pregnancy rates pre- and post-intervention ( p = 0.86). Treatment with medications, cyst history, prescribing physician, and treatment centre were associated with receiving d3 bloodwork/TVUS. 74% of providers were satisfied with the intervention. Conclusion A significant reduction in IC/IUI treatment cycles that received d3 bloodwork/TVUS was achieved without measured negative treatment impacts. During a pandemic, eliminating routine d3 bloodwork/TVUS represents a safe way to reduce monitoring appointments and exposure.
Women of reproductive age undergoing chemotherapy face the risk of irreversible ovarian insufficiency. Current methods of ovarian reserve testing do not accurately predict future reproductive potential for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Genetic markers that more accurately predict the reproductive potential of each patient undergoing chemotherapy would be critical tools that would be useful for evidence-based fertility preservation counselling. To assess the possible approaches to take to develop personalized genetic testing for these patients, we review current literature regarding mechanisms of ovarian damage due to chemotherapy and genetic variants associated with both the damage mechanisms and primary ovarian insufficiency. The medical literature point to a number of genetic variants associated with mechanisms of ovarian damage and primary ovarian insufficiency. Those variants that appear at a higher frequency, with known pathways, may be considered as potential genetic markers for predictive ovarian reserve testing. We propose developing personalized testing of the potential for loss of ovarian function for patients with cancer, prior to chemotherapy treatment. There are advantages of using genetic markers complementary to the current ovarian reserve markers of AMH, antral follicle count and day 3 FSH as predictors of preservation of fertility after chemotherapy. Genetic markers will help identify upstream pathways leading to high risk of ovarian failure not detected by present clinical markers. Their predictive value is mechanism-based and will encourage research towards understanding the multiple pathways contributing to ovarian failure after chemotherapy.
Background A number of studies have looked at dual triggers with hCG and GnRH agonist (GnRHa) in varying doses, but the question remains: what is the optimal dose of hCG to minimize ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and still offer adequate pregnancy rates? The purpose of this study was to compare pregnancy and OHSS rates following dual trigger for oocyte maturation with GnRHa and a low-dose hCG versus hCG alone. A secondary objective was the assess pregnancy outcomes in subsequent frozen cycles for the same population. Methods A total of 963 women < 41 years old, with a BMI 18–40 kg/m 2 and an AMH > 2 ng/mL who underwent fresh autologous in vitro fertilization (IVF) with GnRH antagonist protocol at a University-based fertility center were included in this retrospective cohort study. Those who received a low dose dual trigger with hCG (1000u) and GnRHa (2 mg) were compared to those who received hCG alone (10,000u hCG/250-500 μg Ovidrel). Differences in implantation rates, pregnancy, live birth, and OHSS were investigated. Results The dual trigger group was younger (mean 33.6 vs 34.1 years), had a higher AMH (6.3 vs 4.9 ng/mL,) more oocytes retrieved (18.1 vs 14.9) and a higher fertilized oocyte rate (80% vs 77%) compared with the hCG only group. Yet, the dual trigger group had a lower probability of clinical pregnancy (gestational sac, 43.4% vs 52.8%) and live birth (33.4% vs 45.8%), all of which were statistically significant. There were 3 cases of OHSS, all in the hCG-only trigger group. In subsequent frozen cycles, pregnancy rates were comparable between the two groups. Conclusions The dual trigger group had a better prognosis based on age and AMH levels and had better stimulation outcomes, but significantly worse pregnancy outcomes, suggesting the low dose hCG (1000u) in the dual trigger may not have provided adequate luteal support, compared to an hCG-only trigger (10,000u hCG/250-500 μg Ovidrel). Interestingly, the pregnancy rates were comparable in subsequent frozen cycles, further supporting the hypothesis that the issue lies in inadequate luteal phase support, rather than embryo quality. Based on these findings, our program has changed the protocol to 1500u of hCG in a dual trigger.
