Impact of BMI on fertility in an otherwise healthy population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: An increased body mass index (BMI) can lead to subfertility; however, current literature fails to exclude the effect of other confounding medical conditions, raising questions regarding the direct link between increased BMI and fertility outcomes.

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to elucidate the effects of increased BMI on fertility outcomes in females with no other comorbidities.

Search Strategy: A comprehensive search was conducted using EMBASE, MEDLINE and the Cochrane library from January 2000 until July 2023.

Endometrial compaction to predict pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study Question: Does endometrial compaction (EC) help predict pregnancy outcomes in those undergoing ART?

Summary Answer: EC is associated with a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR), but this does not translate to live birth rate (LBR).

What Is Known Already: EC describes the progesterone-induced decrease in endometrial thickness, which may be observed following the end of the proliferative phase, prior to embryo transfer. EC is proposed as a non-invasive tool to help predict pregnancy outcome in those undergoing ART, however, published data is conflicting.

The Use of Expanded Carrier Screening in Reproductive Medicine: Scientific Impact Paper No. 74.

Expanded carrier screening (ECS) is a genetic screening test carried out by analysing a blood sample. This screen can be used to detect whether the individual unknowingly carries gene variants associated with common genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, that may be passed on to their children. It is typically performed in reproductive medicine for those who are considering having a family either naturally or via fertility treatment.

Use of artificial intelligence embryo selection based on static images to predict first-trimester pregnancy loss.

Research Question: Can an artificial intelligence embryo selection assistant predict the incidence of first-trimester spontaneous abortion using static images of IVF embryos?

Design: In a blind, retrospective study, a cohort of 172 blastocysts from IVF cases with single embryo transfer and a positive biochemical pregnancy test was ranked retrospectively by the artificial intelligence morphometric algorithm ERICA. Making use of static embryo images from a light microscope, each blastocyst was assigned to one of four possible groups (optimal, good, fair or poor), and linear regression was used to correlate the results with the presence or absence of a normal fetal heart beat as an indicator of ongoing pregnancy or spontaneous abortion, respectively. Additional analyses included modelling for recipient age and chromosomal status established by preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A).

Outpatient paracentesis for the management of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: study protocol for the STOP-OHSS randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is the most significant short-term complication of pharmacological ovarian stimulation. Symptoms range from mild abdominal discomfort to rare complications such as renal failure, thromboembolism and respiratory distress syndrome.Currently, clinical practice typically involves monitoring the patient until the condition becomes severe, at which point they are admitted to hospital, where drainage of ascitic fluid (paracentesis) may take place.