Ploidy of spermatogenic cells of men with non-mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome as measured by a computerized cell scanning system.

Purpose: This study aims to characterize the origin of testicular post-meiotic cells in non-mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome (KS).

Methods: The study included testicular tissue specimens from 11 non-mosaic KS patients, with (6 positive) and without (5 negative) spermatozoa presence. The obtained testicular cells were affixed and stained for morphology followed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for centromeric probes X, Y, and 18.

The effect of two distinct levels of oxygen concentration on embryo development in a sibling oocyte study.

Purpose: This prospective randomized study used sibling oocytes of 258 women with ≥8 oocytes to compare the effect of 5 % O(2) versus 20 % O(2) concentrations on embryo development and clinical outcome.

Methods: Oocytes of each case were divided between incubators with either 5 % or 20 % O(2) concentration. Outcome measures were fertilization, cleavage, embryo quality, blastocyst formation, and implantation, pregnancy and live birth rates.

Computerized cell-scanning system for evaluating human spermatogenesis in non-obstructive azoospermic patients.

There may be incompatibility between testicular histopathological evaluation and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) outcome. Assessment for sperm presence and different pathological disturbances of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) remains challenging. An assay for maximal sampling and accurate identification of testicular cells from NOA patients undergoing TESE and autopsied fertile controls was developed.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for SHOX-related haploinsufficiency in conjunction with trisomy 21 detection by molecular analysis.

Purpose: Development of a molecular PGD protocol for a male with an X-linked deletion in the SHOX gene region, located in the pseudoautosomal region of the X/Y chromosomes. Due to excessive recombination in this region, the deletion can be found in male offspring.

Methods: We developed a 13 marker multiplex fluorescent PCR protocol: 3 markers within the deleted SHOX region, 5 flanking markers, 3 informative markers on chromosome 21 (advanced maternal age) and 2 markers for sex determination.

Can pregnancy rate be improved in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist cycles by administering GnRH agonist before oocyte retrieval? A prospective, randomized study.

Objective: To examine whether the addition of one dose of preovulatory GnRH agonist could improve implantation and pregnancy rates in GnRH antagonist IVF cycles.

Design: Prospective, randomized clinical trial.

Setting: University-affiliated IVF and infertility unit.

Favorable influence of local injury to the endometrium in intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients with high-order implantation failure.

Local injury to the endometrium prior to controlled ovarian stimulation may considerably improve implantation rates and pregnancy outcomes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients with high-order implantation failure (> or =4 IVF trials and > or =12 transferred embryos).

Birth of healthy twins resulting from donated oocytes and posthumous use of frozen-thawed spermatozoa obtained prior to chemotherapy.

The improvement in life expectancy, following better cancer therapy combined with new options in treating male infertility have increased the use of sperm freezing. We describe a rare case of twin pregnancy of a childless widow, using donated oocytes after ICSI with her deceased husband's banked frozen spermatozoa. Sperm was frozen before chemotherapy treatment and a written consent for future thawing and injection to donor oocytes was given.

Insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with elevated plasma homocysteine.

Background: Elevated levels of plasma homocysteine have recently been implicated as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, pre-eclampsia, and recurrent pregnancy loss, and have been found to be associated with insulin resistance in a number of clinical situations. We examined the relationship between plasma homocysteine and insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: A total of 155 infertile patients with PCOS as defined by clinical, biochemical and ultrasound criteria were screened for insulin resistance utilizing single-sample fasting insulin and glucose measurement, calculated by glucose:insulin ratio or homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index.