OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between the percentage of polypronuclear zygotes and clinical pregnancy following IVF.

METHODSWe collected the data of 954 IVF cycles, and according the percentage of polypronuclear zygotes in the IVF cycles, allocated them to Groups A (without polypronuclear zygotes) , B (with < 30% polypronuclear zygotes) and C (with > or = 30% polypronuclear zygotes). Then we analyzed the relationship between the percentage of polypronuclear zygotes and the rate of clinical pregnancy.

RESULTSCompared with Group A, Group C showed a significantly lower rate of clinical pregnancy (43.2% vs 28. 1%, P < 0.05), while Group B exhibited a markedly higher rate (43.2% vs 52.36%, P < 0.05) and obviously decreased polypronuclear zygote formation with the increase of age (35.6% vs 24.1%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe percentage of polypronuclear zygotes in IVF cycles may serve as a prognostic indicator of the clinical outcome.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Humans ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Zygote

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of luteal phase down-regulation with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocol and GnRH antagonist protocol in patients undergoing repeated in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI) cycles.

METHODSA retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes and costs was conducted among 198 patients undergoing repeated IVF-ICSI cycles, including 109 receiving luteal phase down-regulation with GnRH agonist protocol (group A) and 89 receiving GnRH antagonist protocol (group B). The numbers of oocytes retrieved and good embryos, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, the live birth rate, mean total cost, and the cost-effective ratio were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSIn patients undergoing repeated IVF-ICSI cycles, the two protocols produced no significant differences in the number of good embryos, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, or twin pregnancy rate. Compared with group B, group A had better clinical outcomes though this difference was not statistically significant. The number of retrieved oocytes was significantly greater and live birth rate significantly higher in group A than in group B (9.13=4.98 vs 7.11=4.74, and 20.2% vs 9.0%, respectively). Compared with group B, group A had higher mean total cost per cycle but lower costs for each oocyte retrieved (2729.11 vs 3038.60 RMB yuan), each good embryo (8867.19 vs 9644.85 RMB yuan), each clinical pregnancy (77598.06 vs 96139.85 RMB yuan).

CONCLUSIONFor patients undergoing repeated IVF/ICSI cycle, luteal phase down-regulation with GnRH agonist protocol produces good clinical outcomes with also good cost-effectiveness in spite an unsatisfactory ovarian reserve.

Adult ; Costs and Cost Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Ovulation Induction ; economics ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies

The study examined the effect of DS147, the bioactive component of the traditional herbal recipe Bangdeyun, on pregnancy in mice with embryo implantation dysfunction induced by controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), and the underlying mechanisms. Female mice were superovulated by intraperitoneal injection of 7.5 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) followed by an additional injection of 7.5 IU hCG 48 h later to establish embryo implantation dysfunction (EID) model. Pregnant mice were randomly divided into normal control group, COS group and DS147-treated groups. The pregnancy rate and the average implantation site were obtained on pregnancy day 8 (PD8). The side effect of 200 mg/kg of DS147 on naturally pregnant mice was also observed. Further, the uterine and ovarian tissue samples were collected on PD5 for measuring their weights, observing the development of the endometrium and ovary, and detecting the endometrial expression of MMP-2, TIMP-2, CD34 and angiogenin (ANG). The female mice treated with DS147 at doses of 100 to 800 mg/kg showed a higher pregnancy rate than those in COS group, and the highest pregnancy rate of 83.3% occurred in the 200 mg/kg DS147-treated group. Moreover, no obvious side effect was found in mice treated with 200 mg/kg DS147 on PD8 and PD16. The ovarian and uterine weights, and the expression levels of MMP-2, ANG and CD34 were significantly increased in DS147-treated groups when compared with COS group. The TIMP-2 expression level was much lower in DS147-treated mice than in COS mice and the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2 was much higher in DS147-treated group than in COS group, and even higher than normal control group. In all, these findings suggest that DS147 may improve pregnancy in mice with COS-induced EID by promoting matrix degradation and angiogenesis, and improving the development of corpus luteum and endometrial decidualization around the implantation window.
Animals ; Biological Factors ; pharmacology ; Embryo Implantation ; drug effects ; Female ; Mice ; Ovulation Induction ; methods ; Plants, Medicinal ; Pregnancy

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Anovulation ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; therapy ; Ovulation Induction

OBJECTIVE: To compare laboratory and clinical outcomes of fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in patients with endometriosis using antagonist protocol, long agonist protocol or prolonged agonist protocol. METHODS: Totally 313 patients with endometriosis were recruited in Reproductive Centers of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine,Jiaxing Women and Children's Hospital,and Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital from April 2017 to October 2018, including 81 patients treated with antagonist protocol (antagonist group), 148 treated with long agonist protocol (long agonist group) and 84 treated with prolonged agonist protocol (prolonged agonist group). The clinical and laboratory data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed to investigate the effect of ovarian stimulation protocols on the IVF-ET outcomes of patients with endometriosis. RESULTS: The average age in the antagonist group patients was significantly higher than those in the other two groups (all <0.05),and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) level and antral follicle numbers were significantly lower than those in the other two groups (all <0.01). The numbers of average retrieved oocyte, fertilized oocyte and available embryo in the antagonist group were significantly lower than those in the long agonist group (all <0.05), but were similar with those in the prolonged agonist group (all >0.05). Fertilization rate and available embryo rate were comparable among the three groups (all >0.05). Considering analysis per cycle with embryo transfer, the human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) positive rate, clinical pregnancy rate and total implantation rate showed no significant difference among the three groups (all >0.05). The implantation rate after fresh embryo transfer in the antagonist group was lower than that in the long agonist group (<0.05), but was similar with that in the prolonged agonist group (>0.05). While the implantation rate of freeze-thaw embryo transfer showed a higher trend in the antagonist group, but there was no significant difference (>0.05). The patients were further divided into diminished and normal ovarian reserve subgroups, the per cycle with embryo transfer, the HCG positive rate, clinical pregnancy rate and total implantation rate still showed no significant difference between two subgroups (all >0.05), no matter in which ovarian stimulation protocol groups. Besides, in women with diminished ovarian reserve, the available embryo rate in antagonist group was significantly higher than that in the long agonist group (<0.05). The amount and duration of Gn application in antagonist group were significantly lower than those in long and prolonged agonist groups (all <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Patients with endometriosis who used the antagonist protocol in IVF procedure could reduce the cost and time of Gn treatment, when combined with frozen-embryo transfer strategy the antagonist protocol has comparable clinical pregnancy outcome with long or prolonged agonist protocol, especially in those with diminished ovarian reserve, the higher available embryo rate can be achieved.
Embryo Transfer ; Endometriosis ; therapy ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Ovulation Induction ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies

Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Ovary ; drug effects ; Ovulation Induction ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate

OBJECTIVETo determine the optimal fertilization method for primary infertility patients without definite causes undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryos transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODSA total of 321 IVF-ET cycles for primary infertility without definite causes were divided into two groups, namely group A with infertility period ≥ 5 years (165 cycles) and group B with infertility period <5 years (156 cycles). Each group was further divided into IVF, ICSI, and partial ICSI subgroups. The fertilization rate, incidence of low fertilization rate and clinical pregnancy rate were analyzed.

RESULTSThe fertilization rate of IVF in group A was 67.5%, significantly lower than that of ICSI and partial ICSI in the same group (82.0% and 77.7% respectively) and that in IVF control group (76.3%, P<0.05). The incidence of low fertilization rate of IVF in group A was 33.3%, significantly lower than that of ICSI and partial ICSI (8.3% and 15.8%, P<0.05); in group B, the incidence of low fertilization rate of IVF was 12.3%, significantly lower than that of IVF in group A but showed no significant differences from that of ICSI and partial ICSI in group B (P>0.05). In group A, IVF resulted in a significantly lower clinical pregnancy rate (21.1%) than ICSI (43.3%, P<0.05), half ICSI (40.0%, P<0.05), IVF in the control group (48%, P<0.05), and IVF in group B (50.0%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONICSI treatment can increase the fertilization rate in IVF-ET cycles in patients with primary infertility for unknown causes, and may improve the clinical outcome of patients with long infertility period.

Adult ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Humans ; Infertility ; therapy ; Male ; Ovulation Induction ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in patients with previous fertilization failure in conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.

METHODSBetween January 2007 and December 2007, 27 ICSI cycles following a previous fertilization failure in conventional IVF (group A) and 57 direct ICSI cycles using ejaculated spermatozoa (group B) were performed, and the clinical outcomes of the two groups were analyzed.

RESULTSThe fertilization rate per cycle of ICSI following a fertilization failure in conventional IVF was significantly higher than that of conventional IVF [(80.4-/+16.6)% vs (32.3-/+30.3)%, P<0.01]. The normal fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate per cycle in group A showed no significant differences from those in group B [(77.14-/+15.98)% vs (70.59-/+21.53)%, (28.68-/+23.86)% vs (27.18-/+23.97)%, and 48.1% vs 54.4%, respectively, P>0.05]. The cleavage rate and transferable embryos per cycle in group A were significantly higher than those in group B [(96.66-/+6.55)% vs (92.33-/+19.41)%, 2.67-/+0.56 vs 2.12-/+0.57, respectively, P<0.05].

CONCLUSIONICSI after a previous fertilization failure of conventional IVF may significantly improve the fertilization rate and clinical outcomes of a second IVF-ET cycle.

Adult ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; therapy ; Male ; Ovulation Induction ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Treatment Failure

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture on endometrium and pregnancy outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: Eighty-three patients were randomly assigned to observation group (40 cases) and control group (43 cases) according to the random numbers generated by SPSS software. The patients of the two groups received GnRH agonist long protocol as a routine treatment. In the observation group, acupuncture was given at two acupoint groups for 30 min once every other day. Group 1 included Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zhongji (CV 3), bilateral acupoints Zigong (EX-CA1). Group 2 included Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) and Ciliao (BL 32). The two groups of acupoints were used alternately. The whole needling process was performed at the time of ovulation induction until the transplantation day and consisted of 3 courses, while the control group did not receive acupuncture interventions. The Gn dosage and Gn stimulation time, endometrial thickness and type (A, B, and C), serum oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels on the day of injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), clinical pregnancy rate, as well as live birth rate were observed. Adverse reactions were also be recorded. All patients were followed up for the pregnant rate 14 days after IVF-ET and live birth rate after pregnancy. All adverse reactions (AEs) of acupuncture were recorded during the trial. RESULTS: The Gn dosage and Gn stimulation time in the observation group were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). The proportion of type A endometrium in the observation group were higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The serum E₂ and P levels on the day of hCG injection was lower and the clinical pregnancy rate was higher in the observation group compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no serious AEs during this trial. CONCLUSION Acupuncture can improve the proportion of type A endometrium, regulate the levels of serum E₂ and P on the day of hCG injection, and improve the pregnancy rate in patients with PCOS infertility undergoing IVF-ET.
Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Embryo Transfer ; Endometrium ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility ; Ovulation Induction ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/therapy* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of random-start controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in cancer patients for emergency fertility preservation. In this retrospective comparative study, 22 patients diagnosed with cancer and 44 infertile women undergoing conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) were included. In cancer patients, ovarian stimulation was started on the day of referral, irrespective of their menstrual cycle date. The control group was selected by age matching among women undergoing conventional IVF. COS outcomes were compared between groups. The number of total and mature oocytes retrieved and the oocyte maturity rate were higher in the random-start group than in the conventional-start group. However, duration of ovarian stimulation was longer in the random-start group (11.4 vs. 10.3 days, P = 0.004). The addition of letrozole to lower the estradiol level during COS did not adversely affect total oocytes retrieved. However, oocyte maturity rate was lower in cycles with letrozole than in cycles without letrozole (71.6% vs. 58.2%, P = 0.019). Our study confirms the feasibility and effectiveness of random-start COS in cancer patients.
Cryopreservation ; Estradiol/blood ; Female ; Fertility Preservation/*methods ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility, Female/surgery ; Neoplasms ; Nitriles/therapeutic use ; Oocyte Retrieval/*methods ; Ovulation Induction/*methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Triazoles/therapeutic use