To compare clinical outcomes after fresh embryo transfer on laser-assisted zona pellucida opening (LAO) versus thinning (LAT) according to maternal age in patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF). A retrospective study of 509 (n = 458 patients) in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles was investigated from January 2013 to July 2017. We compared whether LAT and LAO affect the clinical outcomes in young maternal age (YMA, <38 years) and old maternal age (OMA, ≥38 years) patient groups with ≥2 of RIF. The cycles with an oocyte donation, oocyte activation, genetic diagnosis, and that used surrogate mothers were excluded. Participants were divided into 4 groups according to maternal age and the two types of laser-assisted hatching (YMA: LAT, n = 119 vs. LAO, n = 179 and OMA: LAT, n = 72 vs. LAO, n = 139). LAO was opened using 3-4 laser shot in the zona pellucida. The laser thinning was performed by making 3-4 holes without reaching the inner membrane at a depth of 60%-80% of the zona pellucida thickness. Laser-assisted hatching was performed 2 hours before the embryo transfer. The characteristics of patients did not differ significantly among the groups (p > 0.05), with the exception of mixed factor infertility, which was more common in the LAT group than in the LAO group among patients <38 years of age (10.1% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.008). We also observed similar rates of clinical pregnancy (27.7% vs. 24.6%, p = 0.543; 16.7% vs. 18.7, p = 0.715), ongoing pregnancy (22.7% vs. 21.8%, p = 0.854; 8.3% vs. 15.1, p = 0.163), abortion (18.2% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.397; 50.0% vs. 19.2, p = 0.052), implantation (17.2% vs. 16.5%, p = 0.811; 11.1% vs. 11.2, p = 0.990), and twin pregnancy (5.0% vs. 5.6%, p = 0.498; 0.0% vs. 2.2, p = 0.553) between LAT and LAO in the YMA or the OMA group. Clinical outcomes were similar between LAT and LAO in the YMA or the OMA group. However, the OMA group who underwent LAO tended to have a lower abortion rate. Further study is necessary to confirm these results in a larger population.

To evaluate the influence of overcome semen viscosity (SV) on clinical outcomes according to two types of insemination method (i.e., conventional in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection) in fresh embryo transfer cycles. Retrospective cohort study of 681 IVF/ICSI cycles from January 2013 to October 2017. Cycles were divided into 4 groups according to the presence of SV and the types of insemination method (IVF: SV, n = 51 vs. no SV, n = 77 and ICSI: SV, n = 255 vs. no SV, n = 298). Cycles with poor responder, advanced maternal age (≥38 years), frozen sperm, and surgically retrieved sperm were excluded. Semen parameters were evaluated according to the WHO 2010. SV (length of ≥2 cm) was checked by gentle aspiration of liquefied semen into a 5-mL serological pipette and then allowing the semen to drop by gravity and observing the length of any thread. To overcome semen viscosity, a sterile 5-mL syringe fitted with a sterile 18G needle was used. The semen was gently drawn into the syringe and expelled slowly back into the tube and repeated. Semen was treated by swim-up method. Patients' characteristics between SV and no SV in the IVF or the ICSI group were not statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). We observed similar rates of fertilization and good-quality embryos on day 3 between SV and no SV in IVF or the ICSI group, respectively. Moreover, the rates of biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, and implantation per cycle also did not significantly differ between SV and no SV in the IVF or the ICSI group (p > 0.05).Tabled 1Table 1. Clinical outcomes in SV versus no SV according to insemination methodIVF-SVIVF-no SVp-valueICSI-SVICSI-no SVp-valueCycles (n)5177255298Oocytes fertilized rate (%)84.7 (533/629)83.1 (726/874)0.38673.7 (2238/3037)73.6 (2503/3401)0.931Good quality embryos rate (%)18.6 (99/533)21.8 (158/726)0.16514.3 (319/2238)15.8 (396/2503)0.132Biochemical pregnancy rate (%)60.8 (31/51)50.6 (39/77)0.25949.8 (127/255)48.3 (144/298)0.728Clinical pregnancy (%)51.0 (26/51)36.4 (28/77)0.10139.6 (101/255)37.2 (111/298)0.569Ongoing pregnancy (%)41.2 (21/51)33.8 (26/77)0.39532.9 (84/255)34.2 (102/298)0.749Abortion (%)19.2 (5/26)7.1 (2/28)0.24316.8 (17/101)8.1 (9/102)0.053Implantation (%)36.2 (38/105)25.5 (41/161)0.06123.7 (129/544)21.3 (132/621)0.316 Open table in a new tab When SV was overcome, it did not affect the clinical outcomes of fresh embryo transfer cycles regardless of insemination methods.

ObjectiveIt is recommended that thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of early pregnant women is maintained below than 2.5 mIU/L. However, the reference value of the preconception TSH has not been established. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the preconception TSH level is affecting the pregnancy outcome in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).DesignRetrospective study.Materials and MethodsSix hundred sixty-three infertile patients with normal range TSH level who underwent IVF for the first time were studied from June 2012 to December 2014. The study subjects were categorized in two groups according to their preconception TSH level; one with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and the other with TSH ≥ 2.5 mIU/L. We compared the clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, chemical abortion rates and miscarriage rates in two group.ResultsFour hundred sixty patients of the study subjects had serum TSH level < 2.5 mIU/L and 203 patients ≥ 2.5 mIU/L. There were no statistically significant differences in age, periods of infertility, BMI, the number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes at ovum pick-up day, the number of transferred embryos and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) level of patients between the study groups. The clinical pregnancy rate in the group of patients with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and those with ≥ 2.5 mIU/L were 40.90% and 42.90% respectively (p value= 0.632). The live birth rates in the group of patients with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and those with ≥ 2.5 mIU/L were 33.5% and 35% respectively (p value= 0.707). The chemical abortion rates in the group of patients with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and those with ≥ 2.5 mIU/L were 11.1% and 8.4% respectively (p value= 0.289). The miscarriage rates in the group of patients with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and those with ≥ 2.5 mIU/L were 18.1% and 18.4 % respectively (p value= 0.951).ConclusionsThere was no significant difference between the IVF outcomes of the normal-TSH-level groups of <2.5 mIU/L and ≥ 2.5 mIU/L. ObjectiveIt is recommended that thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of early pregnant women is maintained below than 2.5 mIU/L. However, the reference value of the preconception TSH has not been established. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the preconception TSH level is affecting the pregnancy outcome in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). It is recommended that thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of early pregnant women is maintained below than 2.5 mIU/L. However, the reference value of the preconception TSH has not been established. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the preconception TSH level is affecting the pregnancy outcome in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). DesignRetrospective study. Retrospective study. Materials and MethodsSix hundred sixty-three infertile patients with normal range TSH level who underwent IVF for the first time were studied from June 2012 to December 2014. The study subjects were categorized in two groups according to their preconception TSH level; one with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and the other with TSH ≥ 2.5 mIU/L. We compared the clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, chemical abortion rates and miscarriage rates in two group. Six hundred sixty-three infertile patients with normal range TSH level who underwent IVF for the first time were studied from June 2012 to December 2014. The study subjects were categorized in two groups according to their preconception TSH level; one with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and the other with TSH ≥ 2.5 mIU/L. We compared the clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, chemical abortion rates and miscarriage rates in two group. ResultsFour hundred sixty patients of the study subjects had serum TSH level < 2.5 mIU/L and 203 patients ≥ 2.5 mIU/L. There were no statistically significant differences in age, periods of infertility, BMI, the number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes at ovum pick-up day, the number of transferred embryos and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) level of patients between the study groups. The clinical pregnancy rate in the group of patients with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and those with ≥ 2.5 mIU/L were 40.90% and 42.90% respectively (p value= 0.632). The live birth rates in the group of patients with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and those with ≥ 2.5 mIU/L were 33.5% and 35% respectively (p value= 0.707). The chemical abortion rates in the group of patients with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and those with ≥ 2.5 mIU/L were 11.1% and 8.4% respectively (p value= 0.289). The miscarriage rates in the group of patients with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and those with ≥ 2.5 mIU/L were 18.1% and 18.4 % respectively (p value= 0.951). Four hundred sixty patients of the study subjects had serum TSH level < 2.5 mIU/L and 203 patients ≥ 2.5 mIU/L. There were no statistically significant differences in age, periods of infertility, BMI, the number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes at ovum pick-up day, the number of transferred embryos and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) level of patients between the study groups. The clinical pregnancy rate in the group of patients with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and those with ≥ 2.5 mIU/L were 40.90% and 42.90% respectively (p value= 0.632). The live birth rates in the group of patients with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and those with ≥ 2.5 mIU/L were 33.5% and 35% respectively (p value= 0.707). The chemical abortion rates in the group of patients with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and those with ≥ 2.5 mIU/L were 11.1% and 8.4% respectively (p value= 0.289). The miscarriage rates in the group of patients with TSH < 2.5 mIU/L and those with ≥ 2.5 mIU/L were 18.1% and 18.4 % respectively (p value= 0.951). ConclusionsThere was no significant difference between the IVF outcomes of the normal-TSH-level groups of <2.5 mIU/L and ≥ 2.5 mIU/L. There was no significant difference between the IVF outcomes of the normal-TSH-level groups of <2.5 mIU/L and ≥ 2.5 mIU/L.

To identify the most viable embryo is the main goal for embryo selection. However, it still remains a challenge despite the numerous scoring methods currently in use. This study was performed to determine whether the sequential embryo assessment on day 2 and day 3 could be a simple and non-invasive method for embryo selection. A retrospective cohort study was conducted between June 2012 and May 2015. A total of 416 cycles (younger than 36 years) which underwent GnRH agonist or antagonist protocol with fresh embryo transfer were analyzed. Cycles with oocyte/sperm donation, surrogacy, preimplantation genetic screening, severe male factor, surgically retrieved sperm, or frozen sperm were excluded. The sequential embryo assessment (SEA, n=202) was performed on day 2 and day 3, four-cell stage embryos were selected and cultured separately from non-4-cell stage at 40-42 hours after insemination and then 8-cell stage embryos with good morphology derived from pre-selected 4-cell stage were sequentially selected at 64-66 hours after insemination. The morphological assessment only (MAO, n=214) was performed on day 3, eight-cell stage embryos with good morphology were selected at 64-66 hours after insemination without pre-selection. There were no differences between SEA and MAO regarding female age (32.7 ± 2.3 vs. 32.4 ± 2.3, p=0.128), number of previous IVF failure (0.5 ± 0.8 vs. 0.6 ± 1.0, p=0.060), number of retrieved oocytes (13.1 ± 5.8 vs. 12.4 ± 6.1, p=0.259), maturation rate (93.2% vs. 93.6%, p=0.332), fertilization rate (76.8% vs. 80.1%, p=0.952), 4-cell stage embryo formation rate (42.2% vs. 40.9%, p=0.559), and number of transferred embryos (2.0 ± 0.2 vs. 1.9 ± 0.2, p=0.765). However, SEA achieved significantly higher rates of biochemical pregnancy (71.3% vs. 55.1%, p=0.001), clinical pregnancy (60.9% vs. 46.3%, p=0.003), ongoing pregnancy (54.5% vs. 41.6%, p=0.009), and implantation (43.4% vs. 32.0%, p=0.001) than those of MAO. Although the rate of 4-cell stage embryo formation was similar in the two groups, transfer of sequentially assessed embryos results in significantly higher rates of biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and implantation. Therefore the sequential embryo assessment on day 2 and day 3 could be a simple and non-invasive method for embryo selection in human IVF.

To investigate an influence of abstinence period on clinical outcomes in fresh embryo transfer after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). A retrospective cohort study of 122 women who underwent 131 ICSI cycles from January 2013 to February 2015. All women who underwent long or antagonist protocol with fresh embryo transfer after ICSI were analyzed. Cycles were divided into two groups; 2-4 days of abstinence (Group 1, n=67) and 5-7 days of abstinence (Group 2, n=64). Cycles with poor responder, advanced maternal age (≥38 years), frozen sperm, and surgically retrieved sperm were excluded. Day3 top-quality embryos were defined as those having even blastomeres and no fragments. We compared the rates of day3 top-quality embryos, implantation, chemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and ongoing pregnancy between group 1 and group 2. There were no significant differences between group 1 and group 2 regarding mean maternal age (32.6 ± 2.9 vs. 32.8 ± 2.6, p=0.590), mean paternal age (35.2 ± 3.5 vs. 34.7 ± 4.0, p=0.509), mean number of previous IVF cycles (0.3 ± 0.5 vs. 0.2 ± 0.4, p=0.105), mean number of retrieved oocytes (13.1 ± 4.2 vs.14.4 ± 6.5, p=0.170), maturation rate (90.4% vs. 88.1%, p=0.084), fertilization rate (77.5% vs. 72.9%, p=0.102), and mean number of transferred embryos (2.2 ± 0.5 vs. 2.3 ± 0.6, p=0.223). We also observed similar rates of day3 top-quality embryos (11.4% vs. 7.3%, p=0.121), implantation (28.3% vs. 22.6%, p=0.266), chemical pregnancy (49.3% vs. 48.4%, p=0.926), clinical pregnancy (44.8% vs. 43.8%, p=0.906), and ongoing pregnancy (41.8% vs. 35.9%, p=0.492) in group 1 and group 2. Our data showed that 2-7 days of abstinence recommended by the WHO did not influence on the rates of day3 top-quality embryos, and clinical outcomes in fresh embryo transfer after ICSI.

A bacterial strain HJ-14 was isolated as a producer of antioxidants from the coast of Jinhae in Korea. The isolate showed 43.4 mol% of G+C content, and contained dihydrogenated ubiquinone with Q8 as a major quinone. Chemotaxonomic analysis as well as phylogenetic analysis, based on the 16S rDNA sequence, identified the isolate as a member of Alteromonas macleodii. For antioxidant production, the optimum medium composition was determined to be 3% dextrin, 0.5% ammonium Sulfate, and 2-6% sodium chloride. Optimum culture conditions for production of antioxidant materials with strain HJ-14 were at pH 6.0-8.0 and 25-37 degrees C. The chloroform extract of strain HJ-14 broth showed 1.96-17.5-fold higher antioxidant activity than other organic solvents in term of electron donating ability.

The 16S-23S internally transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences were analysed to clarify inter- and intraspecific relationships among strains of the genus Nocardioides and the relationship between two Aeromicrobium species. The 16S-23S ITS regions from 33 Nocardioides strains, two Aeromicrobium species and Terrabacter tumescens were sequenced directly after polymerase chain reaction (PCR0 amplification and gamma exonuclease treatment. The genomes of some Nocardioides strains included two types of 16S-23S ITS sequences. The sizes of the 16S-23S ITS sequences of Nocardioides strains ranged from 328 to 539 bp. The 16S-23S ITS sequences of Aeromicrobium erythreum NSP37T, Aeromicrobium fastidiosum NSP38T and T. tumescens NSP39T were 349, 355 and 386 bp long, respectively. Nucleotide similarity among 16S-23S ITS sequences of Nocardioides albus strains and of Nocardioides simplex strains was 84.1-100% and 97.7-100%, respectively. The 16S-23S ITS sequence of Nocardioides luteus was identical to that of 'Nocardioides fulvus' NSP32T and was only 1 bp different from that of 'Nocardioides flavus' strains. However, the 16S-23S ITS sequences of 'N. fulvus' NSP33 showed only a low degree of similarity to 'N. fulvus' NSP32T (54.8%). The degree of 16S-23S ITS similarity between N. luteus NSP20T and N. ablus strains ranged from 85 to 93%. The mean nucleotide similarity values between the type strains of validly described Nocardioides species were highly divergent at 68:1 +/- 16.8%. The two Aeromicrobium species showed a level of 16S-23S ITS similarity of 71.2%. In this study, 16S-23S ITS sequences of the members of the genera Nocardioides and Aeromicrobium were useful for inferring the relationships between closely related strains and species. However, they were not found to be appropriate for elucidating the phylogenetic relationships between distantly related organisms at the genus level.