The impact of disturbances in natural conception cycles.

Purpose: Many physicians and other healthcare professionals are often asked questions on interfering factors for conception by couples with a desire for children. Such possible disturbances include, for example, the very common minor diseases, stress and also sexual intercourse during the suspected implantation period. Non-scientifically based statements about disturbances in conception cycles, as found in many layman publications and on the internet, can strongly unsettle couples with a desire for children and force them into corset of rules of conduct.

Luteinising hormone profiles in conception and non-conception natural cycles.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether luteinising hormone (LH) surge characteristics influenced the likelihood of conceiving naturally.

Methods: This was a single-cycle, home-based, observational, case-controlled study. Volunteers collected daily urine samples for one menstrual cycle.

Relationship between anti-Müllerian hormone and antral follicle count across the menstrual cycle using the Beckman Coulter Access assay in comparison with Gen II manual assay.

Background: The study aim was to validate Beckman Coulter's fully automated Access Immunoassay System (BC Access assay) for anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and compare it with Beckman Coulter's Modified Manual Generation II assay (BC Mod Gen II), with regard to cycle AMH fluctuations and antral follicle counts.

Methods: During one complete menstrual cycle, transvaginal ultrasound was performed on regularly menstruating women (n=39; 18-40years) every 2 days until the dominant ovarian follicle reached 16mm, then daily until observed ovulation; blood samples were collected throughout the cycle. Number and size of antral follicles was determined and AMH levels measured using both assays.

Determinants of cumulative ART live-birth rates in a single-center study: age, fertilization modality, and first-cycle outcome.

Purpose: To analyze cumulative and single-cycle success rates of IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) separately in relation to female age, fertilization modality, and first-cycle outcome.

Methods: The study involved 2997 patients and couples, respectively, who underwent 5339 fresh and 3006 cryo cycles using pronuclear-stage oocytes. Fertilization was achieved by the conventional IVF or ICSI.

Antimüllerian hormone levels and numbers and sizes of antral follicles in regularly menstruating women of reproductive age referenced to true ovulation day.

Objective: To assess menstrual cycle antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels in reproductive age women and which/how many follicles substantially produce AMH.

Design: Prospective study of menstruating women using mixed-effects models to analyze AMH variability and correlation of follicle counts/size classes to AMH levels.

Setting: Clinic.

Monitoring the menstrual cycle: Comparison of urinary and serum reproductive hormones referenced to true ovulation.

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine relationships and interindividual variations in urinary and serum reproductive hormone levels relative to ultrasound-observed ovulation in menstrual cycles of apparently normally menstruating women.

Methods: This was a prospective study of normally menstruating women (no known subfertility), aged 18-40 years (n = 40), who collected daily urine samples and attended the study centre for blood samples and transvaginal ultrasound during one complete menstrual cycle. Serum luteinising hormone (LH), progesterone, estradiol, urinary LH, pregnanediol-3- glucuronide (P3G) and estrone-3-glucuronide were measured.

Comparison between the different methods developed for determining the onset of the LH surge in urine during the human menstrual cycle.

Purpose: To determine whether an optimal method exists for the detection of the luteinising hormone (LH) surge onset in research datasets of urinary hormonal profiles of menstrual cycles.

Methods: The scientific literature was searched to compare published methodologies for detection of the LH surge onset in urine. Their performance was tested using complete hormonal profiles from 254 ovulatory cycles from 227 women attempting pregnancy (normal regular menstrual cycles; no known infertility).

Development of the first urinary reproductive hormone ranges referenced to independently determined ovulation day.

Background: Urinary hormone level analysis provides valuable fertility status information; however, previous studies have not referenced levels to the ovulation day, or have used outdated methods. This study aimed to produce reproductive hormone ranges referenced to ovulation day determined by ultrasound.

Methods: Women aged 18-40 years (no reported infertility) collected daily urine samples for one complete menstrual cycle.

Impact of sperm cell source on the results of intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Purpose: There is an ongoing debate whether the source of sperm cells, the etiology or the extent of male factor infertility has influence on the outcome of ICSI cycles.

Methods: The results of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) according to the source of spermatozoa in patients with severe male factor infertility were compared in a retrospective study: 249 couples underwent a total of 337 fresh ICSI cycles with the use of fresh motile testicular or fresh motile ejaculated spermatozoa.

Results: For all variables, there were no statistically significant differences in the ICSI results between both groups.

Age-related normograms of serum antimüllerian hormone levels in a population of infertile women: a multicenter study.

Objective: To produce age-related normograms for serum antimüllerian hormone (AMH) level in infertile women without polycystic ovaries (non-PCO).

Design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting: Fifteen academic reproductive centers.

Impact of female and male obesity on IVF/ICSI: results of 700,000 ART-cycles in Germany.

To our knowledge, this is the first analysis in which male and female weights have been combined. The registry dataset covering a 12-year period was analysed for all treatment cycles where an embryo transfer was reported. In all, 706,360 cycles were analysed.

Mucus observations in the fertile window: a better predictor of conception than timing of intercourse.

Background: Intercourse results in a pregnancy essentially only if it occurs during the 6-day fertile interval ending on the day of ovulation. The strong association between timing of intercourse within this interval and the probability of conception typically is attributed to limited sperm and egg life times.

Methods: A total of 782 women recruited from natural family planning centres in Europe contributed prospective data on 7288 menstrual cycles.

Persistent ascites after ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and administration of mifepristone (RU 486) for the termination of pregnancy.

Unlabelled: We describe two cases with persistent ascites after ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Mifepristone (RU 486), an anti-progestin was administered to terminate pregnancy in both cases.

Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first such report and we discuss the implications.

Opinion: natural family planning and the management of infertility.

Reproductive behaviour in modern western society has changed dramatically in the last two decades. Parenthood is now well planned. If planned pregnancies do not occur as expected, early infertility care is often demanded with the risk of over-treatment.