Objective way to support embryo transfer: a probabilistic decision.

Study Question: Is it feasible to identify factors that significantly affect the clinical outcome of IVF-ICSI cycles and use them to reliably design a predictor of implantation?

Summary Answer: The Bayesian network (BN) identified top-history embryos, female age and the insemination technique as the most relevant factors for predicting the occurrence of pregnancy (AUC, area under curve, of 0.72). In addition, it could discriminate between no implantation and single or twin implantations in a prognostic model that can be used prospectively.

Five chromosome segregation in polar bodies and the corresponding oocyte.

For a comprehensive picture of the meiotic process and to follow up its products, five chromosomes were tested by fluorescent in-situ hybridization in both polar bodies (PB) and corresponding 145 oocytes. Results were obtained in 143 sets and the prediction of euploidy or aneuploidy based on PB analysis was confirmed by direct analysis in 140 oocytes (98%). Concordance for all chromosomes was found in 132 oocytes, while in the remaining eight, at least one chromosome did not reflect the prediction made by the corresponding PB.

Surgical treatment of varicocele by a subinguinal approach combined with antegrade intraoperative sclerotherapy of venous vessels.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, in terms of recurrences, complications and operative duration, of a new technique for treating varicocele.

Patients And Methods: Between September 1999 and December 2002 we evaluated 307 men aged 17-51 years with varicocele. In all of the men the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasonography.

[Male contraception].

The only safe method of male contraception is vasectomy, with high reversibility secured by microsurgery. Italy, however, suffers from a lack of regulations on this subject. Hormonal treatment (testosterone plus progestational hormones) is far from providing reliability and safety, while some perspectives, theoretical only for the time being, are offered by studies on functional infertility induced by either speeding up (ganglioplegic, sympathomimetic, parasympatholytic, oxytocin, endothelin, angiotensin) or inhibiting (sympatholytic) the sperm transport through the epididymis, or altering the epididymal environment (alpha-chloridin, chlorodeoxyglucose).

Semen cryopreservation from oncological patients: the Italian experience.

The aim of the study is to summarize official data on semen cryopreservation for oncological patients in Italy. The first private semen bank for oncological patients in Italy was founded by Colpi in 1983 in Milan. In 1987, the first public semen bank was established in "Macedonio Melloni" Hospital (Milan) by Ragni.