Placenta previa in fertilization and unassisted pregnancies-is there a difference in perinatal outcomes and placental histology?

Introduction: -fertilization (IVF) is an independent risk factor for placenta previa (PP). Our aim was to study this link by comparing the clinical characteristics and placental histology of pregnancies complicated by PP in IVF versus unassisted pregnancies.

Methods: A retrospective-cohort study of deliveries with PP between 2008 and 2021.

Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes following Ovulation Induction and Unassisted Pregnancies in the Same Mother.

Objective: We aimed to assess whether ovulation induction treatments affect obstetric and neonatal outcomes.

Study Design: This was a historic cohort study of deliveries in a single university-affiliated medical center between November 2008 and January 2020. We included women who had one pregnancy following ovulation induction and one unassisted pregnancy.

The effect of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination on AMH concentrations in infertile women.

Research Question: Does SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination affect the ovarian reserve of infertile women undergoing IVF?

Design: This was a prospective observational study at a single university-affiliated IVF unit that included infertile women aged 18-44 years who were undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection between November 2020 and September 2021, had received two doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination and had undergone measurement of baseline anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration within the 12 months preceding their recruitment. AMH concentrations before and after vaccination were evaluated and compared.

Results: Overall, 31 women were included in the study.

Obstetric outcomes following ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in IVF - a comparison with uncomplicated fresh and frozen transfer cycles.

Background: We aimed to assess the correlation between ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in the early course of in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies and obstetric outcomes.

Methods: We identified records of patients admitted due to OHSS following IVF treatment at our institution between 2008 and 2020. Cases were included if pregnancy resulted in a live singleton delivery (OHSS group).

Can endocrine characteristics of early pregnancy following natural cycle cryopreserved embryo transfer predict live birth?

Research Question: Can serial measurements of serum oestradiol, progesterone and β-human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) concentrations, starting from the day of the first positive pregnancy test, predict live birth after natural cycle frozen-thawed embryo transfer (NC-FET)?

Design: This was a historical cohort study of women with a positive pregnancy test following NC-FET, between March 2009 and January 2020. Serum β-HCG, oestradiol and progesterone concentrations were measured on the day of the first pregnancy test and 48 and 96 h later. Pregnancies resulting in a live birth were compared with non-viable pregnancies.

Prediction, assessment, and management of suboptimal GnRH agonist trigger: a systematic review.

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to identify baseline patient demographic and controlled ovarian stimulation characteristics associated with a suboptimal response to GnRHa triggering, and available options for prevention and management of suboptimal response.

Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, and the Cochrane Library were searched for keywords related to GnRHa triggering, and peer-reviewed articles from January 2000 to September 2021 included.

Results: Thirty-seven studies were included in the review.

Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes of Pregnancies Resulting from Fresh Versus Frozen Embryo Transfer-a Sibling Cohort.

We aimed to compare obstetric and perinatal outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies following fresh and frozen embryo transfer (FET). This was a historic cohort of deliveries between November 2008 and January 2020 at a single university hospital, in which each fresh transfer IVF pregnancy was matched to a FET pregnancy by the same woman (1:1 ratio). We included live singleton deliveries (> 24 weeks of gestation) and excluded pregnancies following egg donation.

Gestational diabetes mellitus in in-vitro fertilization pregnancies - Clinical and placental histological characteristics.

Introduction: We aimed to investigate obstetric and neonatal outcomes and placental histological findings in in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as compared to unassisted pregnancies.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort of deliveries at a single university affiliated center between 12/2008 and 01/2020. Included were singleton pregnancies complicated by GDM, for which placental histopathological examination was performed.

Should women receive luteal support following natural cycle frozen embryo transfer? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Spontaneous ovulation during a natural menstrual cycle is frequently used for timing frozen embryo transfer (FET). Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether or not women should receive luteal phase support (LPS) following natural cycle frozen embryo transfer (NC-FET).

Objective And Rationale: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to study whether the administration of LPS improves the reproductive outcome following NC-FET.

Misoprostol treatment for early pregnancy loss: an international survey.

Research Question: What is the global variability in misoprostol treatment for the management of early pregnancy loss (EPL)?

Design: An international web-based survey of fertility specialists and obstetrics and gynaecology clinicians was conducted between August and November 2020. The survey consisted of 16 questions addressing several aspects of misoprostol treatment for EPL.

Results: Overall, 309 clinicians from 80 countries participated in the survey, of whom 67.

Placental disorders of pregnancy in subsequent IVF pregnancies - a sibling cohort.

Research Question: To assess whether the incidence of placental disorders of pregnancy decreases with increasing parity in repeat IVF pregnancies, in the same way as natural pregnancies.

Design: This was a retrospective cohort of deliveries between November 2008 and January 2020, in a single university-affiliated medical centre. The study included women with only IVF-attained singleton pregnancies (no natural conception) with at least two deliveries, and compared the obstetric and perinatal outcomes between first, second and third deliveries.

A randomized controlled trial of vaginal progesterone for luteal phase support in modified natural cycle - frozen embryo transfer.

Objective: Our aim was to study whether luteal phase support (LPS) increases the live-birth rate (LBR) in women undergoing modified natural cycle (mNC) frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET).

Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, conducted at a university-affiliated tertiary medical center, a total of 59 patients aged 18-45 years, underwent mNC-FET. FET was performed in mNC following ovulation triggering by hCG.

When Can We Safely Stop Luteal Phase Support in Fresh IVF Cycles? A Literature Review.

There is no consensus on the optimal duration of luteal phase support (LPS) in fresh IVF cycles. Although some clinicians withdraw LPS on the day of a positive pregnancy test, most clinicians continue its administration at least up to the 8th week of gestation. In this literature review, we included several randomized clinical trials comparing early and late cessation of LPS.

Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of in vitro fertilization and natural pregnancies in the same mother.

Objective: To compare obstetric and perinatal outcomes between pregnancies conceived using in vitro fertilization (IVF) and natural pregnancies of the same women.

Design: This was a case-control study of deliveries between November 2008 and January 2020 in which each IVF pregnancy was matched to a natural pregnancy of the same woman (1:1 ratio).

Setting: University hospital.

Complications of the third stage of labor in in vitro fertilization pregnancies: an additional expression of abnormal placentation?

Objective: To assess the correlation between in vitro fertilization (IVF) and complications of the third stage of labor.

Design: Retrospective cohort of vaginal deliveries from November 2008 to January 2020. Maternal and obstetric outcomes of singleton deliveries were compared between IVF and non-IVF pregnancies.

Does the interval between the last GnRH antagonist dose and the GnRH agonist trigger affect oocyte recovery and maturation rates?

Research Question: Does the time interval between the last gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist dose and the GnRH agonist trigger affect the efficacy of the trigger in IVF treatments?

Design: This retrospective cohort study involved 53 normogonadotrophic patients undergoing GnRH antagonist-based IVF cycles, in a single academic centre between June 2019 and February 2020, in whom a GnRH agonist was used for final ovulation triggering.

Results: The mean time interval between the last GnRH antagonist dose and GnRH agonist triggering was 4.6 ± 2.

Reproductive outcome after early pregnancy loss treated with misoprostol versus surgical aspiration.

Research Question: Does long-term reproductive outcome after early pregnancy loss (EPL) differ between women who are treated with misoprostol and surgical aspiration.

Design: A historic cohort study of all women who were diagnosed with early pregnancy loss (≤12 weeks), in a single medical centre, between September 2016 and August 2017, was conducted. The women were treated with either misoprostol or surgical aspiration according to their own preferences.

Placental-related disorders of pregnancy and IVF: does placental histological examination explain the excess risk?

Research Question: What are the clinical characteristics of pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR) and preeclampsia in patients who have undergone IVF, and what is the correlation between these complications and histopathological placental findings in such pregnancies.

Design: A retrospective cohort of patients who had delivered their babies at our institution who had been diagnosed with preeclampsia, whose babies had been diagnosed with FGR, or both. Deliveries in which the placenta was sent for histopathological examination were included.

Placental histopathology in IVF pregnancies resulting from the transfer of frozen-thawed embryos compared with fresh embryos.

Purpose: To study whether placentas of singleton pregnancies conceived after fresh embryo transfer (ET) contain more histopathological lesions compared with placentas of singleton pregnancies conceived after frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET).

Methods: A prospective cohort study of placental histopathology in 131 women with singleton IVF pregnancies who delivered at a single medical center, between December 2017 and May 2019. The prevalence of different placental histopathology lesions was compared between women who conceived after fresh ET and FET.

Ovarian stimulation for freeze-all IVF cycles: a systematic review.

Background: Freeze-all IVF cycles are becoming increasingly prevalent for a variety of clinical indications. However, the actual treatment objectives and preferred treatment regimens for freeze-all cycles have not been clearly established.

Objective And Rationale: We aimed to conduct a systematic review of all aspects of ovarian stimulation for freeze-all cycles.

Modified natural-cycle cryopreserved embryo transfer: is a washout period needed after a failed fresh cycle?

Research Question: Are the characteristics of the natural cycle or modified natural cycle (mNC), or live birth rates (LBR), affected by delaying frozen embryo transfer (FET) after a failed fresh IVF cycle?

Design: In a retrospective study, conducted at a university-affiliated tertiary centre, 198 women aged 18-45 years undergoing their first FET cycle after a failed fresh embryo transfer attempt using an mNC were evaluated. Cycles were divided according to the time interval between oocyte retrieval and the start of the FET cycle into the immediate FET group (<22 days) and the delayed FET group (≥22 days). The main outcome measures were ovulation day and LBR.

Should ICSI be implemented during IVF to all advanced-age patients with non-male factor subfertility?

Backgroud: In order to maximize In vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates in advanced- age patients, it has been suggested to favor the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) over conventional insemination (CI), with the notion that ICSI would serve as a tool to overcome interference in sperm oocyte interaction and sperm oocyte penetration issues that can be related to maternal age and are not due to sperm abnormalities. We therefore aim to evaluate the role of ICSI in the treatment of non-male factor infertile patients aged ≥35 in terms of fertilization and top-quality embryo rates.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, data were collected and analyzed for all patients with non-male factor infertility, aged ≥35 treated, undergoing their first IVF cycle attempt with 6 or more oocytes yield, in whom a 50% ICSI-CI division was performed.

The Impact of Salpingectomy on Anti-Mullerian Hormone Levels and Ovarian Response of In Vitro Fertilization Patients.

Background: Laparoscopic salpingectomy is strongly related to successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.

Objectives: To compare the ovarian reserve, including anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, in patients who underwent salpingectomy before IVF to IVF patients who had not been salpingectomized.

Methods: In this retrospective study, medical records of women who were treated by the IVF unit at our institute were reviewed.

Human chorionic gonadotropin serum levels following ovulation triggering and IVF cycle outcome.

Purpose: The clinical significance of serum hCG levels after ovulation triggering was studied previously with conflicting results. Our aim was to study the correlation of hCG levels on the day after ovulation triggering using recombinant hCG (r-hCG) with treatment outcome.

Methods: A prospective observational study of all fresh IVF/ICSI cycles in a single medical center, between January 2015 and June 2016, was performed.