Minimal residual disease detection by multicolor flow cytometry in cryopreserved ovarian tissue from leukemia patients.

Background: Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is a fertility-preservation option for women before gonadotoxic treatments. However, cryopreserved ovarian tissue transplantation must be performed with caution in women with malignancies that may metastasize to the ovaries. For this purpose, detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) in the ovarian cortex using sensitive methods is a crucial step.

Prospective assessment of follicular growth and the oocyte cohort after ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation in 90 cancer patients versus 180 matched controls.

A lower number of metaphase II oocytes eligible for vitrification after controlled stimulation in cancer patients has recently been reported, suggesting that cancer may impair the dynamics and quality of follicular growth. In this prospective, non-interventional study, the pattern of follicular growth and oocyte cohort after ovarian stimulation in cancer patients was analysed. Ninety cancer patients, recruited before starting chemotherapy, were compared with 180 time- and age-matched healthy controls undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

First intention IVF protocol for polycystic ovaries: does oral contraceptive pill pretreatment influence COH outcome?

Background: Morphological aspect of polycystic ovaries (PCO) is a very common finding in an IVF center population: this includes PCOS patients identified in 18-25% of the couples presenting with infertility and so called "sonographic PCO only" the prevalence of which has been estimated as high as 33% in asymptomatic patients. Finding the optimal first intention IVF protocol for polycystic ovaries patients is still challenging in order to improve the controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) outcome while avoiding ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). It has been suggested that women with PCO would benefit from a longer period of pituitary down-regulation.

Comparison of four fluorochromes for the detection of the inner mitochondrial membrane potential in human spermatozoa and their correlation with sperm motility.

Background: Sperm motility evaluation is associated with fertility in IVF programmes. The visual estimation of sperm motility is extremely subjective. Hence, alternative methods are required.