Sequential use of letrozole and gonadotrophin in women with poor ovarian reserve: a randomized controlled trial.

Sequential use of letrozole and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) was compared with HMG only in poor ovarian responders undergoing IVF. Patients (n=53) with less than four oocytes retrieved in previous IVF cycles or less than five antral follicles were randomized to either letrozole for 5days followed by HMG or HMG alone. The letrozole group had lower dosage of HMG (P<0.

Changes in endometrial and subendometrial blood flow in IVF.

A good blood supply to the endometrium is usually considered as an essential requirement for implantation. Endometrial and subendometrial blood flow was evaluated on the days of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration and embryo transfer and the percentage change in endometrial and subendometrial blood flow between these 2 days was assessed as a predictor of pregnancy during IVF treatment. A three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound examination with power Doppler was performed in 293 patients undergoing the first IVF cycle to determine endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, vascularization index, flow index and vascularization flow index of endometrial and subendometrial regions on the days of HCG and embryo transfer.

Ovarian stromal blood flow following clomiphene citrate challenge test in infertile women.

Purpose: To compare ovarian stromal blood flow indices in the follicular phase and after clomiphene citrate (CC) in infertile women.

Methods: Pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and peak systolic blood flow velocity (PSV) of ovarian stromal vessels were determined by spectral Doppler analysis in the early follicular phase and on day 10 after CC. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol concentrations were determined.

The role of endometrial blood flow measured by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in the prediction of pregnancy during in vitro fertilization treatment.

Ultrasound examination of the endometrium is a commonly used non-invasive method to assess endometrial receptivity during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. A good blood supply towards the endometrium is usually considered to be an essential requirement for implantation and therefore assessment of endometrial blood flow in IVF treatment has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. Doppler study of uterine arteries does not reflect the actual blood flow to the endometrium.

Comparison of 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, and vascular ultrasonographic parameters for endometrial receptivity between 2 consecutive stimulated in vitro fertilization cycles.

Objective: We compared the ultrasonographic parameters for endometrial receptivity between 2 consecutive in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles in the same patients.

Methods: Patients who had undergone 2 in vitro fertilization cycles between November 2002 and December 2004 were recruited. A 3-dimensional ultrasonographic examination with power Doppler imaging was performed on the day of oocyte retrieval to determine the endometrial thickness, endometrial pattern, pulsatility and resistive indices of uterine vessels, endometrial volume, vascularization index, flow index, and vascularization flow index of endometrial and subendometrial regions.

Endometrial and subendometrial vascularity is higher in pregnant patients with livebirth following ART than in those who suffer a miscarriage.

Background: Blood flow towards the peri-implantation endometrium may have effects on miscarriage and live birth following assisted reproduction treatment, in addition to its role in implantation.

Methods: Three-dimensional ultrasound examination with power Doppler was performed on the day of oocyte retrieval in stimulated IVF cycles and on LH + 1 day in frozen thawed-embryo transfer (FET) cycles to measure endometrial thickness, endometrial pattern, uterine artery Doppler flow indices, endometrial volume, vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), vascularization flow index (VFI) of endometrial and subendometrial regions.

Results: In stimulated IVF cycles, 45 (28.

A randomized comparison of side effects and patient convenience between Cyclogest suppositories and Endometrin tablets used for luteal phase support in IVF treatment.

Objective: This study compared side effects and patient convenience of vaginal progesterone suppositories (Cyclogest) and vaginal progesterone tablets (Endometrin) used for luteal phase support in in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET) cycles using pituitary downregulation.

Study Design: One hundred and thirty-two infertile patients were randomized on the day of ET by a computer-generated randomization list in sealed envelopes to receive either Cyclogest 400mg or Endometrin 100mg twice daily for 14 days. On days 6 and 16 after ET, they rated side effects and patient convenience into four grades: none, mild, moderate and severe by completing a questionnaire.

Endometrial, subendometrial, and ovarian stromal blood flow in patients treated with two different doses of recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin.

The effects of two different doses of recombinant hCG on blood flow to the uterus and ovary on the day of oocyte retrieval were studied by three-dimensional Doppler ultrasonography in 60 women during IVF treatment. There were no differences in all the indices of endometrial, subendometrial, and ovarian stromal blood flow in women who had received 250 microg or 500 microg of recombinant hCG for final oocyte maturation.

Comparison of endometrial and subendometrial blood flows among patients with and without hydrosalpinx shown on scanning during in vitro fertilization treatment.

Objective: To compare endometrial and subendometrial blood flows among patients with and without hydrosalpinx (HSP) during in vitro fertilization treatment as measured by a three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound.

Design: A prospective observational study.

Setting: A tertiary assisted-reproduction unit.

Ovarian stromal vascularity is not predictive of ovarian response and pregnancy.

The role of ovarian stromal vascularity in the prediction of the ovarian response and pregnancy in infertile women was evaluated by comparing age of women, body mass index (BMI), basal FSH concentration, antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian stromal vascularity indices measured by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound. A total of 111 women in their first IVF cycle were analysed. They were aged <40 years with basal FSH concentration <10 IU/l on recruitment for IVF treatment.

The role of endometrial and subendometrial vascularity measured by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in the prediction of pregnancy during frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles.

Background: A good blood supply to the endometrium is usually considered as an essential requirement for implantation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of endometrial and subendometrial vascularity in the prediction of pregnancy during frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles.

Methods: Women undergoing FET in natural or clomiphene-induced cycles after the first stimulated IVF treatment were recruited.

Factors affecting endometrial and subendometrial blood flow measured by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound during IVF treatment.

Background: No information exists in the literature regarding the factors affecting the blood flow towards the endometrial and subendometrial regions during IVF treatment.

Methods: We examined the effect of women's age, their smoking habits, their type of infertility (i.e.

The role of endometrial and subendometrial blood flows measured by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in the prediction of pregnancy during IVF treatment.

Background: A good blood supply towards the endometrium is usually considered to be an essential requirement for implantation. We aimed to evaluate the role of endometrial and subendometrial blood flows in the prediction of pregnancy during IVF treatment.

Methods: Patients undergoing the first IVF cycle were recruited.

Ovarian stromal blood flow in the prediction of ovarian response during in vitro fertilization treatment.

Background: This study evaluated the role of ovarian stromal blood flow in the prediction of the ovarian response of infertile women by comparing age of women, body mass index (BMI), basal FSH concentration, antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian stromal blood flow indices measured by power Doppler in two-dimensional ultrasound. Patients were aged <40 years with basal FSH <10 IU/l on recruitment for IVF treatment.

Methods: All received a standard regimen of ovarian stimulation in their first IVF cycle.

Comparison of ovarian stromal blood flow between fertile women with normal ovaries and infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: Conflicting information exists in the literature with respect to ovarian stromal blood flow in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We compared the ovarian stromal blood flow and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration between fertile women with normal ovaries and infertile women with PCOS.

Methods: In the second to fourth day of the menstrual period, they underwent transvaginal scanning with three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler to determine total antral follicle count (AFC), total ovarian volume, total ovarian vascularization index (VI), flow index (VFI) and vascularization flow index (VFI).

Antral follicle count and FSH concentration after clomiphene citrate challenge test in the prediction of ovarian response during IVF treatment.

Background: We compared: (i) antral follicle count (AFC) in the early follicular phase, after the clomiphene citrate challenge test (CCCT) and before ovarian stimulation following pituitary down-regulation; and (ii) age of women, body mass index, basal and stimulated serum FSH concentrations and AFC in predicting the ovarian response of infertile women aged <40 years with basal FSH <10 IU/l on recruitment in their first IVF cycle.

Methods: Two months prior to the treatment cycle, AFC and basal FSH concentration were determined on day 2-3 of a spontaneous period and on day 10 after CCCT. All women received a standard stimulation regimen.

A randomized double-blind controlled study of the efficacy of laser-assisted hatching on implantation and pregnancy rates of frozen-thawed embryo transfer at the cleavage stage.

Background: Assisted hatching (AH) in fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles increases the implantation and pregnancy rates, especially in women with a poor prognosis, repeated implantation failures and in older women. Little information exists in the literature regarding the role of AH in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles.

Methods: Embryos were cryopreserved at the cleavage stage.

Endometrial and subendometrial blood flow measured by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in patients with small intramural uterine fibroids during IVF treatment.

Background: The impact of intramural fibroids on the success of IVF treatment is controversial and the mechanisms leading to poor treatment outcomes remain unknown. We compared endometrial and subendometrial blood flow between women with and without intramural fibroids during IVF treatment.

Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound examination with power Doppler was performed on the day of oocyte retrieval in 50 patients with intramural fibroids not distorting the uterine cavity and in 50 matched controls to measure endometrial thickness, uterine pulsatility index (PI)/resistance index (RI), endometrial volume and vascularization index (VI)/flow index (FI)/vascularization flow index (VFI) of endometrial and subendometrial regions.

Effect of pituitary downregulation on antral follicle count, ovarian volume and stromal blood flow measured by three-dimensional ultrasound with power Doppler prior to ovarian stimulation.

Background: Despite the extensive use of gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists (GnRH ag) for pituitary downregulation, the literature regarding their effect on ultrasound parameters for predicting ovarian responses are few and conflicting. The aim of this prospective study was to compare antral follicle count (AFC), ovarian volume and ovarian stromal blood flow measured by three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound before and after pituitary downregulation.

Methods: All patients received a long protocol of intranasal Buserelin from the mid-luteal phase of the cycle.

A prospective randomised comparison of sublingual and vaginal misoprostol in second trimester termination of pregnancy.

Objective: To compare the efficacy, side effects and acceptability of sublingual and vaginal misoprostol for second trimester medical abortion.

Design: Prospective randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Tertiary referral unit and a teaching hospital.

Comparison of endometrial and subendometrial blood flow measured by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound between stimulated and natural cycles in the same patients.

Background: Low implantation rates in stimulated IVF cycles may be related to suboptimal endometrial perfusion. Endometrial and subendometrial blood flow was compared between stimulated and natural cycles in the same patients undergoing IVF.

Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound examination with power Doppler was performed in stimulated and natural cycles of 67 consecutive patients to measure endometrial thickness, uterine artery pulsatility index/resistance index, endometrial volume, vascularization index (VI)/flow index (FI)/vascularization flow index (VFI) of endometrial and subendometrial regions.

Effect of age on ovarian stromal flow measured by three-dimensional ultrasound with power Doppler in Chinese women with proven fertility.

Background: Increasing age is associated with reduced ovarian stromal blood flow detected by three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound in infertile patients. However, little information exists in the literature regarding the effect of age on the ovarian stromal blood flow in fertile women.

Methods: On the second to fourth day of their menstrual cycle, fertile Chinese women who had regular monthly cycles and no history of tubal and ovarian surgery underwent a transvaginal scan with 3D power Doppler to determine total antral follicle count (AFC), total ovarian volume, total ovarian vascularization index (VI)/flow index (FI)/vascularization flow index (VFI).

Endometrial and subendometrial blood flow measured during early luteal phase by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in excessive ovarian responders.

Background: Impaired implantation in assisted reproduction cycles with high serum estradiol (E(2)) concentrations may be related to suboptimal endometrial perfusion. Endometrial and subendometrial blood flow were compared between excessive responders (serum E(2) on the day of HCG >20 000 pmol/l) and moderate responders (E(2) < or =20 000 pmol/l).

Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound examination with power Doppler was performed 2, 4 and 7 days after HCG in 32 patients who did not have embryo transfer in order to measure endometrial thickness, pulsatility index (PI)/resistance index (RI) of uterine vessels, and endometrial volume, vascularization index (VI)/flow index (FI)/vascularization flow index (VFI) of endometrial and subendometrial regions.