Live births from in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer following the administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist without gonadotropins:Two case reports

BACKGROUND The prevalence of female infertility between the ages of 25 and 44 is 3.5%to 16.7%in developed countries and 6.9%to 9.3%in developing countries.This means that infertility affects one in six couples and is recognized by the World Health Organization as the fifth most serious global disability.The International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technology reported that the global total of babies born as a result of assisted reproductive technology procedures and other advanced fertility treatments is more than 8 million.Advancements in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation procedures led to crucial accomplishments in human fertility treatments.The European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology guideline on ovarian stimulation gave us valuable evidence-based recommendations to optimize ovarian stimulation in assisted reproductive technology.Conventional ovarian stimulation protocols for in vitro fertilization(IVF)–embryo transfer are based upon the administration of gonadotropins combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH)analogues,either GnRH agonists(GnRHa)or antagonists.The development of ovarian cysts requires the combination of GnRHa and gonadotropins for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.However,in rare cases patients may develop an ovarian hyper response after administration of GnRHa alone.CASE SUMMARY Here,two case studies were conducted.In the first case,a 33-year-old female diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome presented for her first IVF cycle at our reproductive center.Fourteen days after triptorelin acetate was administrated(day 18 of her menstrual cycle),bilateral ovaries presented polycystic manifestations.The patient was given 5000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin.Twenty-two oocytes were obtained,and eight embryos formed.Two blastospheres were transferred in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle,and the patient was impregnated.In the second case,a 37-year-old woman presented to the reproductive center for her first donor IVF cycle.Fourteen days after GnRHa administration,the transvaginal ultrasound revealed six follicles measuring 17-26 mm in the bilateral ovaries.The patient was given 10000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin.Three oocytes were obtained,and three embryos formed.Two high-grade embryos were transferred in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle,and the patient was impregnated.CONCLUSION These two special cases provide valuable knowledge through our experience.We hypothesize that oocyte retrieval can be an alternative to cycle cancellation in these conditions.Considering the high progesterone level in most cases of this situation,we advocate freezing embryos after oocyte retrieval rather than fresh embryo transfer.

Cumulative Live Birth Rate after Three Ovarian Stimulation IVF Cycles for Poor Ovarian Responders According to the Bologna Criteria

Summary： This study explored the cumulative live birth rate after three ovarian stimulation in vitro fer- tilization （IVF） cycles for poor ovarian responders according to the Bologna criteria. In this retrospec- tive cohort study, 479 poor ovarian responders according to the Bologna criteria in the first ovarian stimulation IVF cycle between July 2006 and January 2012 in our IVF centre were included. The cu- mulative live birth rate was calculated by optimistic and pessimistic methods. The cumulative live birth rate after three ovarian stimulation IVF cycles for poor ovarian responders according to the Bologna criteria was 12.7%-20.5%. The three-cycle cumulative live birth rate was 18.5%--24.5%, 13.2%-27.4% and 8.6%-14.9% for poor responders aged ≤35 years, 36-39 years and 〉40 years, re- spectively. In conclusion, poor responders according to the Bologna criteria can receive an acceptable cumulative live birth, rate after three ovarian stimulation IVF cycles, especially poor responders aged 〈40 years.

Does Lower Dose of Long-acting Triptorelin Maintain Pituitary Suppression and Produce Good Live Birth Rate in Long Down-regulation Protocol for In-vitro Fertilization?

The effects of pituitary suppression with one-third depot of long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone（Gn RH） agonist in Gn RH agonist long protocol for in vitro fertilization（IVF）/intracytoplasmic sperm injection（ICSI） were investigated. A retrospective cohort study was performed on 3186 cycles undergoing IVF/ICSI with Gn RH agonist long protocol in a university-affiliated infertility center. The pituitary was suppressed with depot triptorelin of 1.25 mg or 1.875 mg. There was no significant difference in live birth rate between 1.25 mg triptorelin group and 1.875 mg triptorelin group（41.2% vs. 43.7%）. The mean luteinizing hormone（LH） level on follicle-stimulating hormone（FSH） starting day was significantly higher in 1.25 mg triptorelin group. The mean LH level on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin（h CG） administration was slightly but statistically higher in 1.25 mg triptorelin group. There was no significant difference in the total FSH dose between the two groups. The number of retrieved oocytes was slightly but statistically less in 1.25 mg triptorelin group than in 1.875 mg triptorelin group（12.90±5.82 vs. 13.52±6.97）. There was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy rate between the two groups（50.5% vs. 54.5%）. It was suggested that one-third depot triptorelin can achieve satisfactory pituitary suppression and produce good live birth rates in a long protocol for IVF/ICSI.

Cumulative live birth rates of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection after multiple complete cycles in China

There were few studies of cumulative live birth rates(CLBRs) based on multicenter reproductive clinical data from the general Chinese population.Here we report a retrospective cohort study,including 14 311 women with17 315 cycles,in three reproductive centers to evaluate two estimated parameters of CLBRs with multiple transfer cycles of in vitro fertilization(IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI) in a Chinese population.We found that CLBRs were related to female age and endometrial thickness.By the fourth transfer cycle,the conservative and optimal estimates of CLBRs were 52.95% and 77.30% in women under 30 years of age,and 18.17% and26.51% in those 37 years of age or older,respectively.The two estimates were 44.70% and 63.15% in women with endometrial thickness more than 7 mm,and 32.05% and 46.18% in those with less than 7 mm,respectively.In addition,body mass index(BMI),duration of infertility,and infertility diagnoses may also be related to CLBRs on certain conditions.The findings from this study on CLBRs after multiple transfer cycles of IVF/ICSI treatment on different conditions in the Chinese population should be beneficial to both infertile couples and clinicians.

Successful live birth following hysteroscopic adhesiolysis under laparoscopic observation for Asherman’s syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND Asherman’s syndrome is characterized by reduced menstrual volume and adhesions within the uterine cavity and cervix,resulting in inability to carry a pregnancy to term,placental malformation,or infertility.We present the case of a 40-year-old woman diagnosed with Asherman’s syndrome who successfully gave birth to a live full-term neonate after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis under laparoscopic observation,intrauterine device insertion,and Kaufmann therapy.CASE SUMMARY A 40-year-old woman(Gravida 3,Para 0)arrived at our hospital for specialist care to carry her pregnancy to term.She had previously undergone six sessions of dilation and curettage owing to a hydatidiform mole and persistent trophoblastic disease,followed by chemotherapy.She subsequently became pregnant twice,but both pregnancies resulted in spontaneous miscarriages during the first trimester.Her menstrual periods were very light and of short duration.Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis with concurrent laparoscopy was performed,and Asherman’s syndrome was diagnosed.The uterine adhesions covered the area from the internal cervical os to the uterine fundus.Postoperative Kaufmann therapy was administered,and endometrial regeneration was confirmed using hysteroscopy.She became pregnant 9 mo postoperatively and delivered through elective cesarean section at 37 wk of gestation.The postpartum course was uneventful,and she was discharged on postoperative day 7.CONCLUSION Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis with concurrent laparoscopy enables identification and resection of the affected area and safe and accurate surgery,without complications.

Effect of Dual Trigger In Vitro Fertilization and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection During the Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone-Antagonist Cycle on Final Oocyte Maturation and Cumulative Live Birth Rate in Women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve

Objective It is well known that a dual trigger treatment can improve clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization(IVF)in high or normal ovarian responders.However,it is not clear whether dual triggering also benefits patients with diminished ovarian reserve(DOR).The aim of this study was to investigate whether a dual trigger treatment of gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH)agonist combined with human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG)for final follicular maturation improves the cumulative live birth rate(CLBR)during the GnRH-antagonist cycle in patients with DOR.Methods This retrospective study included patients with DOR who received a GnRH-antagonist protocol during IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection(IVF-ICSI)cycles at Peking University People’s Hospital from January 1,2017 through December 31,2017.Oocyte maturation was triggered by GnRH combined with hCG(n=110)or hCG alone(n=71).Embryos were transferred on the third day after oocyte retrieval or during a subsequent freeze-thaw cycle.Patients were followed up for 3 years.Results The dual trigger treatment did not affect CLBR,which is an overall determinant of the success rate of assisted reproductive technology(ART).Women in the dual trigger group had significantly higher rates of fertilization than those in the hCG group(90.1%vs.83.9%,P=0.040).Conclusion Dual trigger with GnRH agonist and hCG did not improve CLBR in patients with DOR,but did slightly improve fertilization rate,oocyte count,and embryo quality.

Predicting a live birth by artificial intelligence incorporating both the blastocyst image and conventional embryo evaluation parameters

BACKGROUND The achievement of live birth is the goal of assisted reproductive technology in reproductive medicine.When the selected blastocyst is transferred to the uterus,the degree of implantation of the blastocyst is evaluated by microscopic inspection,and the result is only about 30%-40%,and the method of predicting live birth from the blastocyst image is unknown.Live births correlate with several clinical conventional embryo evaluation parameters(CEE),such as maternal age.Therefore,it is necessary to develop artificial intelligence(AI)that combines blastocyst images and CEE to predict live births.AIM To develop an AI classifier for blastocyst images and CEE to predict the probability of achieving a live birth.METHODS A total of 5691 images of blastocysts on the fifth day after oocyte retrieval obtained from consecutive patients from January 2009 to April 2017 with fully deidentified data were retrospectively enrolled with explanations to patients and a website containing additional information with an opt-out option.We have developed a system in which the original architecture of the deep learning neural network is used to predict the probability of live birth from a blastocyst image and CEE.RESULTS The live birth rate was 0.387(=1587/4104 cases).The number of independent clinical information for predicting live birth is 10,which significantly avoids multicollinearity.A single AI classifier is composed of ten layers of convolutional neural networks,and each elementwise layer of ten factors is developed and obtained with 42792 as the number of training data points and 0.001 as the L2 regularization value.The accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,negative predictive value,positive predictive value,Youden J index,and area under the curve values for predicting live birth are 0.743,0.638,0.789,0.831,0.573,0.427,and 0.740,respectively.The optimal cut-off point of the receiver operator characteristic curve is 0.207.CONCLUSION AI classifiers have the potential of predicting live births that humans cannot predict.Artificial intelligence may make progress in assisted reproductive technology.

Evolution and Risk Factors of Maternal Mortality in Cameroon: A Case Control Study

Background: Maternal mortality is still high in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Cameroon where more efforts to reduce maternal mortality and provide universal access to reproductive health should be made. This study aims to see the evolution of maternal mortality and identify associated risk factors in Laquintinie hospital in Cameroon. Methods: A manual review of records for 166 maternal deaths (cases) and 322 controls was undertaken using a standard audit form. The sample included pregnant women aged 16 - 46 years admitted at the maternity of Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon from January 2017 to December 2022. Software SSPS 3 and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze data. Results: One hundred and sixty-six (166) maternal deaths were identified during the study period for 14,114 live births, representing a maternal mortality ratio of 1176/100,000 live births. Factors significantly associated with maternal mortality included: young age (15 - 24 years) (aOR 0.11, 95% CI 0.00 - 0.76, p = 0.037), Alcohol intake (aOR 22.79, 95% CI 1.04 - 501.3, p = 0.047), Abortion or ectopic pregnancy (aOR 61.53, 95% CI 1.29 - 2927.3, p = 0.037), having no antenatal visits (aOR 388.3 95% CI 5.6 - 2675.9, p = 0.006), being admitted with hemorrhage (aOR 343.7, 95% CI 16.2 - 7276.0, p ,713.0, 95% CI 128.2 - 5,989,223.3, p CI 0.00 - 0.18, p = 0.016). Conclusion: Despite slight decrease in maternal mortality, early diagnosis of pregnancy and good Antenatal care associated with maternal health education are important factors for reducing maternal mortality. Young women were the most affected. Singles, alcoholics, women with a no or only primary education level, and referred women represented the majority of deceased cases.

Pregnancy Outcomes for Day 5 Versus Day 6 Single Frozen-thawed Blastocyst Transfer with Different Qualities of Embryos: A Large Matched-cohort Study

Objective This study aimed to determine whether the day of blastocyst expansion affects pregnancy outcomes in frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer(FBT)cycles.Methods A retrospective match-cohort study was conducted.Patients who underwent blastocyst transfer in frozen-thawed cycles at day 5 or 6 were matched for potential confounding factors.A total of 2207 matched pairs of FBT cycles were included from January 2016 to December 2019 in our Reproductive Medicine Center.Results The clinical pregnancy rate(CPR)and live birth rate(LBR)were significantly increased in day 5 blastocyst transfers when compared to day 6 blastocyst transfers,in terms of the same embryo quality.For FBT cycles with good-quality embryo,the CPR at day 5 and 6 was 61.30%and 57.56%,respectively(P=0.045),and the LBR was 44.79%and 36.16%,respectively(P<0.001).For FBT cycles with poor-quality embryo,the CPR at day 5 and 6 was 48.61%and 40.89%,respectively(P=0.006),and the LBR was 31.71%and 25.74%,respectively(P=0.019).The CPR for FBT cycles with good-quality embryo was statistically higher at day 6 than that at day 5 with poor-quality embryo transferred(57.56%vs.48.61%,P=0.001).Maternal age,anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH),endometrial thickness,embryo quality,and the day of blastocyst expansion were independently correlated with the CPR and LBR.The FBT cycles at day 5 had significantly higher CPR(adjusted odds ratio[OR]=1.246,95%confidence intervals[CI]:1.097–1.415,P=0.001)and LBR(adjusted OR=1.435,95%CI:1.258–1.637,P<0.001)than those at day 6.Conclusion The embryo quality is the primary indicator for FBT cycles.Day 5 blastocysts should be preferred when the quality of embryo at day 5 is the same as that at day 6.

Pregnancy outcomes following supplementation of single dose GnRH agonist to sustain the luteal phase in antagonist fresh embryo transfer cycles:A multicentric prospective cohort study

Objective:To determine whether a single dose of gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH)agonist administered subcutaneously in addition to the regular progesterone supplementation could provide a better luteal support in antagonist protocol fresh embryo transfer cycles.Methods:This prospective,multicentric,cohort study included total 140 women,70 in each group.Controlled ovarian stimulation was carried out as per fixed GnRH antagonist protocol.The trigger was given with hCG.In vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(IVF/ICSI)was performed and day-3 embryos were transferred.Patients were divided into groups 1 and 2 based on computer generated randomization sheet.Six days following oocyte retrieval,group 1 received 0.2 mg decapeptyl subcutaneously in addition to regular progesterone support while group 2 received progesterone only.Luteal support was given for 14 days to both groups;if pregnancy was confirmed luteal support was continued till 12 weeks of gestation.The clinical pregnancy rate was the primary outcome.The implantation rate,miscarriage rate,live birth delivery rate,and multiple pregnancy rates were the secondary outcomes.Results:A total of 140 patients were analysed,70 in each group.Clinical pregnancy rates(47.1%vs.35.7%;P=0.17),implantation rates(23.4%vs.18.1%,P=0.24),live birth delivery rates(41.4%vs.27.1%,P=0.08),and multiple pregnancy rates(21.2%vs.16.0%,P=0.74)were higher in group 1 than in group 2.Group 1 had a lower miscarriage rate than group 2(5.7%vs.8.6%;P=0.75).However,these differences were not statistically significant between the two groups.Conclusions:Administration of a single dose of GnRH agonist in addition to regular natural micronized vaginal progesterone as luteal support in GnRH antagonist protocol cycles marginally improves implantation rates,clinical pregnancy rates,and live birth delivery rates.However,more studies with higher sample sizes are needed before any conclusive statements about GnRH agonist as luteal phase support can be made.

Complications Related to Transcatheter Occlusion of Atrial Septal Defect with Amplatzer Septal Occluder in Children

Objectives To investigate the causes, theraputic and preventive methods of com- plications associated with transcatheter occlusion of at- rial septal defect ( ASD) using the Amplatzer septal oc- cluder (ASO) in children. Methods 289 cases un- derwent transcatheter closure of ASD with ASO. Com- plications occurred in 9 cases. The complications in procedure included systemic circulatory systemic air embolism in 2, pulmonary air embolism in 1, pericar- dial tamponade in 1, ASO malposition requiring emer- gency surgical removal in 1, transient atrial extrasysto- les in 1 and sizing balloon rupture in 1 case. 2 cases with postoperative complications were found in the fol- low-up studies. These included perforation of mitral valve and ASO partially dislodged. In this study, 5 children with intraoperative complication received e- mergency therapy including surgical intervention, and others needed only follow-up, as the complications were transient or asymptomatic. Results There were no children death in this study. The 5 cases who re- ceived treatment were completely healing, and the oth- ers with intra - procedure complications were also had no sequela existed. Cases with mitral valve and ASO partially dislodged were still in follow-up studies, as the 2 patients having no symptoms. Conclutions Air embolism were occurred easily in atrial septal defect cases who received ASO therapy. Complications mainly caused by inappropriate operative procedure and some complications needed emergency treatments. Follow-up studies were important to cases with transcatheter oc- clusion therapy.

Role of ICSI in Non-male Factor Cycles as the Number of Oocytes Retrieved Decreases from Four to One

This study aimed to investigate whether intracytoplasmic sperm injection（ICSI） shows an advantage over in vitro fertilization（IVF） in non-male factor cycles as the number of oocytes retrieved decreases from four to one.We undertook a retrospective analysis of 1305 IVF/ICSI cycles of non-male factor in which four or fewer oocytes were retrieved.Comparisons were made between conventional IVF（CI） and ICSI when one,two,three or four oocyte（s） were retrieved.Primary outcomes including normal fertilization rate,proportion of embryos per obtained oocyte,cycle cancellation rate,implantation rate,clinical pregnancy rate（PR）,live birth rate（LBR）,cumulative PR and cumulative LBR were evaluated.The results showed that the normal fertilization rate（72.5% vs.50.0%） and the proportion of embryos per obtained oocyte（72.5% vs.55.0%） were significantly increased in one oocyte retrieved cycles in ICSI group as compared with CI group.However,the proportion of embryos per obtained oocyte was markedly decreased in ICSI group when three（52.3% vs.61.3%） or four（56.9% vs.64.0%） oocytes were retrieved.The implantation rates,clinical PRs,LBRs,cumulative PRs and cumulative LBRs in CI group were comparable to those in ICSI group when one,two,three or four oocyte（s） were retrieved.In conclusion,ICSI doesn＇t show advantages over IVF in low oocyte yield cycles of non-male factors,even when only one oocyte was retrieved.Key words

Sperm DNA fragmentation does not affect the clinical outcomes in the cumulative transfers of an ICSI cycle along with blastocyst transfers in couples with normozoospermic male patients

Objective:To know whether sperm DNA fragmentation(SDF)affects the clinical outcomes in the cumulative transfers of an intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)cycle along with blastocyst transfers in couples with normozoospermic males.Methods:The study included 252 couples who underwent their first ICSI cycles along with blastocyst transfer and whose male partner semen samples were normozoospermic according to the World Health Organization 2010 criteria.All the couples were classified into two groups based on the SDF:the low SDF group(SDF≤30%,n=162)and the high SDF group(SDF>30%,n=90).Clinical as well as laboratory outcomes were correlated between the two groups.Sperm DNA fragmentation was assessed on the post-wash semen samples by acridine orange test.The main outcome measures were the live birth rate and miscarriage rate.Results:A significant decrease in the live birth rates was observed in the high SDF group compared to the low SDF group in fresh embryo transfer cycles(P<0.05).However,no significant difference was observed in the clinical outcomes either in the frozen embryo transfer cycles or in the overall cumulative transfer cycles(P>0.05).No significant difference was observed in the laboratory outcomes between the two SDF groups.A remarkable decrease in sperm motility was observed in the high SDF group compared to the low SDF group(P<0.05).Conclusions:Sperm DNA fragmentation does not affect the clinical outcomes in the cumulative transfers of an ICSI cycle along with blastocyst transfers in couples with normozoospermic males.

A 12-month prospective survey of perinatal outcome of liveborn neonates in Julu County, China

Background Population based epidemiologic study on the main diseases and birth status of liveborn neonates remains scarce in China, especially in rural areas where a large number of neonates are born. The aim of this study was to establish an epidemiological basis of live births in Julu County, a representative of the northern and mid-western parts of China in terms of demography, disease pattern and women and children＇s health care infrastructure.Methods The perinatal data of all live births were prospectively collected in three participating county-level hospitals from September 1, 2007 to August 30, 2008.Results There were 5822 live births in these hospitals. Among all live births, 53.7% were male and 4.5% were bornprematurely. Mean （SD） birth weight （BW） was （3348±503） g. The low （〈2500 g） and very low BW （〈1500 g） infants accounted for 3.8% and 0.5% of the total births, with 6.5% as small for gestational age and 2.8% as multi-births.Cesarean section rate was 30.2%, of which 68.6% were elective. There were 745 infants （12.8% of the live births）admitted to local neonatal wards within 7 days of postnatal life, in which 48.3% and 19.3% were due to perinatal asphyxia and prematurity, respectively. The incidences of perinatal aspiration syndrome, transient tachypnea and respiratory distress syndrome were 4.9%, 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively. Neonatal mortality was 7.6%. （44/5822）, with 16 in delivery room and 28 in neonatal ward before discharge.Conclusions This study provided a population-based perinatal data of live births and neonatal mortality in a northern China county with limited resources. Neonatal disorders related to perinatal asphyxia remain a serious clinical problem,which calls for sustained education of advanced neonatal resuscitation and improvement in the quality of perinatal-neonatal care.

Analysis of related factors affecting cumulative live birth rates of the first ovarian hyperstimulation in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle: a population-based study from 17,978 women in China

Background:More and more scholars have called for the cumulative live birth rate(CLBR)of a complete ovarian stimulation cycle as a key indicator for assisted reproductive technology.This research aims to study the CLBR of the first ovarian hyperstimulation cycles and analyze the related prognosis factors that might affect the CLBR.Methods:Our retrospective study included first in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection(IVF/ICSI)cycles performed between January 2013 to December 2014.A total of 17,978 couples of first ovarian hyperstimulation IVF/ICSI cycles were included.The study was followed up for 4 years to observe the CLBR.The multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the prognosis factor,P value of<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The cumulative pregnancy rate was 58.14%(10,452/17,978),and the CLBR was 49.66%(8928/17,978).The female age was younger in the live birth group when compared with the non-live birth group(30.81±4.05 vs.33.09±5.13,P<0.001).The average duration of infertility was shorter than the non-live birth cohort(4.22±3.11 vs.5.06±4.08,P<0.001).The preliminary gonadotropin used and the total number of gonadotropin used were lower in the live birth group when compared with the non-live birth group(both P<0.001).Meanwhile,the number of oocytes retrieved and transferrable embryos were both significantly higher in the live birth group(15.35±7.98 vs.11.35±7.60,P<0.001;6.66±5.19 vs.3.62±3.51,P<0.001,respectively).Conclusions:The women's age,body mass index,duration of infertility years,infertility factors,controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocol,the number of acquired oocytes,and number of transferrable embryos are the prognosis factors that significantly affected the CLBR.

Magnetic-activated cell sorting of nonapoptotic spermatozoa with a high DNA fragmentation index improves the live birth rate and decreases transfer cycles of IVF/ICSI

The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of magnetic-activated cell sorting(MACS)in sperm preparation for male subjects with a sperm DNA fragmentation index(DFI)≥30%.A total of 86 patients who had undergone their first long-term long protocol were selected.The protocol involved in vitro fertilization(IVF)and intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)cycles,and the patients were divided into the MACS or control groups.The MACS group included sperm samples analyzed with MACS that were combined with density gradient centrifugation(DGC)and the swim-up(SU)technique(n=39),and the control group included sperm samples prepared using standard techniques(DGC and SU;n=41).No differences were noted with regard to basic clinical characteristics,number of oocytes retrieved,normal fertilization rate,cleavage rate,or transplantable embryo rate between the two groups in IVF/ICSI.In addition,the clinical pregnancy and implantation rates of the first embryo transfer cycles indicated no significant differences between the two groups.However,there was a tendency to improve the live birth rate(LBR)of the first embryo transfer cycle(63.2%vs 53.9%)and the cumulative LBR(79.5%vs 70.7%)in the MACS group compared with the control group.Moreover,the number of transferred embryos(mean±standard deviation[s.d.]:1.7±0.7 vs 2.3±1.6)and the transfer number of each retrieved cycle(mean±s.d.:1.2±0.5 vs 1.6±0.8)were significantly lower in the MACS group than those in the control group.Thus,the selection of nonapoptotic spermatozoa by MACS for higher sperm DFI could improve assisted reproductive clinical outcomes.

Prediction of Cumulative Live Birth Rate in Women Aged 40 Years and Over Undergoing In vitro Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Objective:To investigate cumulative live birth rate (cLBR) per oocyte retrieval in infertile patients aged 40 years and over undergoing their first in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles and to identify the possible predictors.Methods:A total of 1,613 patients at a university hospital in China from January 2013 to May 2017 were enrolled in this retrospective study.All data for fresh and subsequent frozen-thawed cycles were analyzed.Multivariate logistic regression analysis with stepwise selection of possible predictors for cLBR was performed,and Loess curve was constructed to determine the association between cLBR and the number of oocytes retrieved.Results:cLBR significantly increased with the number of oocytes retrieved and reached up to 75% when > 20 oocytes were retrieved (P<0.001).Variables of antral follicle count (AFC) and the number of oocytes retrieved were selected using multiple logistic regression analysis with stepwise selection to predict the significance of cLBR.cLBR demonstrated an obvious upward trend as the number of oocytes retrieval increased in the Loess curve.Conclusions:For patients aged 40 years and over,AFC and the number of oocytes retrieved were two key predictors for cLBR and maximization of ovarian reserve exploitation was pivotal to increase the chance of live birth.

Use of a male antioxidant nutraceutical is associated with superior live birth rates during IVF treatment

Oxidative stress is prevalent among infertile men and is a significant cause of sperm DNA damage.Since sperm DNA damage may reduce embryo quality and increase miscarriage rates,it is possible that untreated sperm oxidative stress may impair in vitro fertilization(IVF)live birth rates.Given that the antioxidant Menevit is reported to reduce sperm DNA damage,it was hypothesized that men’s consumption of this supplement may alter IVF outcomes.Therefore,a retrospective cohort study was conducted analyzing outcomes for couples undergoing their first fresh embryo transfer.Men were classified as controls if they were taking no supplements,health conscious controls if taking“general health”supplements,or Menevit users.Men with karyotype abnormalities,or cycles using donated,frozen and surgically extracted sperm were excluded.Among the final study cohort of 657 men,live birth rates were significantly higher in Menevit users than controls(multivariate adjusted odds ratio[OR]:1.57,95%confidence interval[Cl]:1.01-2.45,P=0.046),but not between controls taking no supplements and those using general health supplements,thereby suggesting that potential health conscious behavior in supplement users is unlikely responsible for the superior outcomes in Menevit users.Interestingly,in a post hoc sensitivity analysis,live birth rates among Menevit users were statistically superior to controls for lean men(OR:2.73,95%Cl:1.18-6.28;P=0.019),not their overweight/obese counterparts(OR:1.29,95%Cl:0.75-2.22,P=0.37).The results of this large cohort study therefore support a positive association between men’s use of the Menevit antioxidant during IVF treatment and live birth rates,especially in lean individuals.

Development and Validation of a Nomogram for Predicting the Probability of Live Birth in Infertile Women

Objective:To develop a nomogram to predict the probability of live birth on the basis of the association of patient characteristics in subfertile individuals or couples.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted from January 2014 to December 2015.A nomogram was built from a training cohort and tested on an independent validation cohort.A total of 2,257 patients who had undergone their first nondonor cycle of in vitro fertilization(IVF)(including intracytoplasmic sperm injection)were randomly split 2:1 into training(n=1,527)and validation(n=730)cohorts.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in the patients’baseline and cycle characteristics between the training and validation cohorts.On multiple logistic regression analysis,female age,antral follicle count,tubal factor,anovulation,ethnicity,unexplained fertility,and male factor were significantly associated with live birth.The nomogram had a C-index of 0.700(95%confidence interval[CI]:0.698-0.701)in the training cohort and 0.684(95%CI:0.681-0.687)in the validation cohort.Conclusions:Our nomogram can predict the probability of live birth for infertile women and can be used to guide clinicians and couples to decide on an IVF treatment option.

Effects of changing the control ovarian stimulation protocol in patients without a transplantable embryo in the previous in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle

Objective:Some patients fail to obtain an embryo for transplantation during previousin vitro fertilization(IVF)or intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)cycles,and require multiple reproductive treatments.This study aimed to evaluate whether changing the control ovarian stimulation(COS)protocol during the subsequent stimulation cycle could improve laboratory and clinical outcomes in these patients.Methods:Patients without a transplantable embryo(TE)in the previous IVF/ICSI cycles were recruited during their second cycles.They were classified into two groups according to their first cycle protocol:Group A,patients treated with a gonadotropinreleasing hormone agonist(GnRH-a),and Group B,patients treated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist(GnRH-ant).The study group included patients whose stimulation protocols were changed,whereas the control group consisted of patients who used the same stimulation protocol in the second cycle.We then compared the numbers of oocytes collected(OC)and TE,the incidence of non-TE,the pregnancy rate(PR),and the live birth rate(LBR).Results:In Group A,the numbers of OC and TE were significantly lower(6.0±4.7vs.9.4±6.4,2.3±2.2vs.4.5±3.8,P<0.05)in the study group compared with those in the control group.In Group B,the numbers of OC and TE were higher(7.0±5.5vs.4.0±4.3,3.5±3.4vs.1.8±2.1,P<0.05)in the study group.There was a significant increase in the incidence of non-TE(adjusted odds ratio(AOR)=2.12,95%CI:1.04–4.69)of the study group in Group A but not in Group B.No significant differences in the PR or LBR were found between the study and control groups in either Group A or B.Conclusion:Changing the COS protocol from GnRH-ant to GnRH-a or continuing the GnRH-a protocol can improve laboratory outcomes in patients with no TE in the previous IVF/ICSI cycle.