Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy: A Review.

Importance: Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) has undergone many technical developments over recent years, including changes in biopsy timings, methodology, and genetic analysis techniques. The evidence surrounding the efficaciousness of PGT-A is sporadic and inconsistent; as such, significant doubt and concern remain regarding its widespread implementation.

Objective: This review seeks to describe the historical development of PGT-A and to analyze and summarize the current published literature.

When only one embryo is available, is it better to transfer on Day 3 or to grow on?

Research Question: In patients with only one embryo on Day 3 post-IVF treatment, does transferring the embryo into the uterine environment achieve a higher pregnancy rate than growing the embryo on with a plan to transfer at Day 4-6?

Design: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in patients with only one viable embryo on Day 3 post-IVF treatment. Data were extracted from a standardized IVF database and included 1384 women who fulfilled this study's selection criteria. Outcomes of these embryos were followed up and stratified into two groups: embryos transferred on Day 3 and those grown on to Day 4-6.

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone-Agonist Triggering and a Freeze-All Approach: The Final Step in Eliminating Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome?

Importance: In vitro fertilization (IVF) has evolved dramatically in recent decades; however, clinical practices have been slow to adopt these advancements, particularly regarding final oocyte maturation and the timing of embryo transfer. Concerns still exist over the ability of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and elective embryo cryopreservation to reduce the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) without compromising pregnancy outcomes.

Objective: This review investigates IVF outcomes associated with GnRH-agonist triggering and elective embryo cryopreservation.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: A case control study investigating risk factors.

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a complication of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Aims: To assess the severity of OHSS in patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia, and identify risk factors for the condition.

Material And Methods: The files of patients admitted with OHSS over a five-year period between 2008 and 2013 were reviewed.

Management of non-tubal ectopic pregnancies at a large tertiary hospital.

There are limited data on the management of non-tubal ectopic pregnancies (NTEP). We reviewed the management of these cases at a tertiary centre with a dedicated institutional protocol. All cases of confirmed NTEP were retrospectively identified from 2006 to 2014.

Cryopreserved oocytes: update on clinical applications and success rates.

Importance: Over the past 3 decades, oocyte cryopreservation procedures have improved rapidly. However, there is limited research reviewing the efficacy of different cooling protocols and inadequate data comparing in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes from fresh oocytes with cryopreserved oocytes.

Objective: The present review was performed to investigate advances in oocyte cryopreservation technologies and identify areas for further research, to determine whether results from IVF using cryopreserved oocytes are comparable to IVF using fresh oocytes, and to identify the patient populations requiring access to oocyte cryopreservation.

Female obesity and infertility.

Infertility affects one in seven couples, and its rate is on the increase. Ovulatory defects and unexplained causes account for >50% of infertile aetiologies. It is postulated that a significant proportion of these cases are either directly or indirectly related to obesity.

Defining the relationship between fetal Doppler indices, abdominal circumference and growth rate in severe fetal growth restriction using functional linear discriminant analysis.

The relationship between Doppler measurements, size and growth rate in fetal growth restriction has not been defined. We used functional linear discriminant analysis (FLDA) to investigate these parameters taking account of the difficulties inherent in exploring relationships between repeated observations from a small number of cases. In 40 fetuses with severe growth restriction, serial abdominal circumference (AC), umbilical, middle cerebral artery (MCA) and ductus venosus Doppler pulsatility index measurements were recorded.

Corifollitropin alfa for female infertility.

Introduction: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is essential for the development of ovarian follicles. Urinary-derived and recombinant FSH (rFSH) preparations are widely used in infertility treatment but have to be administered daily to achieve steady-state serum levels. Corifollitropin alfa is a hybrid molecule with a prolonged half-life.

Do women with ovaries of polycystic morphology without any other features of PCOS benefit from short-term metformin co-treatment during IVF? A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.

Background: Women with ovaries of polycystic morphology (PCO), without any other features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), respond similarly to women with PCOS when stimulated with exogenous gonadotrophins, and both groups share various endocrinological disturbances underlying their pathology. In women with PCOS, metformin co-treatment during IVF has been shown to increase pregnancy rates and reduce the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The aim of this study was to investigate whether metformin co-treatment before and during IVF can also increase the live birth rate (LBR) and lower severe OHSS rates for women with PCO, but no other manifestations of PCOS.