The Ala307Thr polymorphism of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene is associated with the dose of recombinant FSH received during IVF/ICSI treatment.

Objective: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is essential for folliculogenesis, acting through the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) that is present on the membrane of granulosa cells. Polymorphisms in the FSHR gene may lead to an altered pattern of receptor expression on the cell surface or to changes in affinity for FSH. The aim of this prospective study was to detect any association between the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene Ala307Thr polymorphism (rs6165) and ovarian reserve, ovarian response or clinical results in IVF/ICSI treatment.

Correlation of TP53 (rs1625895), TP73 (rs3765730), MMP9 (rs17576), and MTHFR (rs868014) polymorphisms with low ovarian reserve.

Objective: To investigate the influence of the Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) TP53 rs1625895, TP73 rs3765730, MMP9 rs17576, and MTHFR rs868014 on ovarian reserve (OR) in infertile patients.

Study Design: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in 145 infertile women. The patients were divided into two groups according to ovarian reserve, characterized by association between AMH levels and AFC:After patient distribution, both groups were compared (LOR X NOR) regarding the genotypes of the SNPs TP53 T/C rs1625895, TP73 G/A rs3765730, MMP9 Gln/Arg rs17576, and MTHFR A/G rs868014.

Impact of Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection (IMSI) on Birth Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: It is generally accepted that the incidence of birth defects in spontaneously conceived children ranges between 2.0-4.0%.

Noninvasive Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (niPGT-A): The first Brazilian baby.

Recently, a new technology known as the Noninvasive Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (niPGT-A) emerged, using cell-free DNA present in the spent culture media of human blastocysts. Unlike PGT-A, in which only trophectoderm cells are used, niPGT-A reflects the ploidy state of these cells and internal cell mass, suggesting that this new technology may be less prone to error, being more reliable than the invasive test. The aim of the present study was to report the first occurrence of childbirth following niPGT-A in Brazil.

Relationship between age and blastocyst chromosomal ploidy analyzed by noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (niPGT-A).

Objective: To assess the relationship between human blastocyst chromosomal ploidy established by niPGT-A and increasing age.

Methods: This is a prospective multicenter study carried out by ten assisted reproduction centers after their embryologists acquired training and validated their results with the previous use of niPGT-A. A total of 94 couples with indication for niPGT-A due to increase maternal age, male factor, repeated implantation failures, recurrent abortion or because they requested niPGT-A were included in this study.

New therapeutic protocol for improvement of endometrial receptivity (PRIMER) for patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) - A pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate whether or not one should use a new Protocol for Endometrial Receptivity Improvement (PRIMER) based on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and granulocyte colony-stimulation factor (G-CSF) to enhance ongoing pregnancy rates in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF).

Methods: Women undergoing IVF/ICSI were prospectively divided into two groups: - PRIMER/RIF group (n:33): patients with RIF (defined as ≥2embryo transfers (ETs) and at least 5 morphologically good embryos transferred) in which intrauterine PRP injection and subcutaneous G-CSF-injection were performed. - Control group (n:33): patients in their first IVF/ICSI attempt/cycle (without PRP or G-CSF injection).

Association between estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) polymorphisms can help in the prediction of recurrent implantation failure.

Objective: To investigate an association between polymorphisms related to the implantation process that together could help in the prediction of recurrent implantation failure (RIF).

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Private fertility center and reproductive genetics laboratory.

Randomized comparison of two commercial culture media (Cook and Vitrolife) for embryo culture after IMSI.

Objective: A variety of studies randomizing women/cycles or oocytes/embryos has been carried out to compare different culture media for culturing embryos up to cleavage or blastocyst stages showing controversial results. A recent systematic review suggested that data in the literature are insufficient to conclude the best culture medium for embryo quality, pregnancy and implantation. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether there is any difference between two commercial culture media regarding clinical outcomes after IMSI cycles.

The effects of male age on sperm DNA damage: an evaluation of 2,178 semen samples.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of male age on sperm DNA damage.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included semen samples collected from 2,178 men seen at an infertility clinic. For DNA integrity analysis, the proportions of spermatozoa showing DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay), abnormal chromatin packaging/underprotamination (chromomycin A), abnormal mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP/MitoTracker Green), and apoptosis (annexin V) were recorded.

Semen parameters in men with varicocele: DNA fragmentation, chromatin packaging, mitochondrial membrane potential, and apoptosis.

Objective: To evaluate varicocele effects on conventional semen parameters: sperm DNA fragmentation, chromatin packaging, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and sperm apoptosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with semen samples from 2,399 men of couples who attended an infertility clinic. A total of 16.

Influence of the abstinence period on human sperm quality: analysis of 2,458 semen samples.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different periods of abstinence on conventional semen parameters as well as functional parameters in human semen, including mitochondrial function, chromatin packing and sperm DNA fragmentation.

Methods: We recruited a cohort of 2,458 men undergoing infertility investigation. Semen analyses were performed according to WHO guidelines/morphology-motile sperm organelle morphology examination/MSOME.

Fresh embryos versus freeze-all embryos - transfer strategies: Nuances of a meta-analysis.

Objective: The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether the freeze-all strategy (Freeze/All-ET) could bring about improvements in the clinical assisted reproductive technique (ART) outcomes when compared with the fresh embryo transfer strategy (Fresh-ET) in patients undergoing an ART cycle in accordance with the mean number of oocytes collected.

Methods: A systematic review based on electronic searches in databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) was carried out to identify randomized controlled trails (RCTs) comparing ART outcomes between fresh-embryo transfers versus elective frozen-embryo transfers up to February of 2017. Four reviewers independently evaluated abstracts, validity assessment and data extraction.

Single versus sequential culture medium: which is better at improving ongoing pregnancy rates? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aimed to evaluate if single medium is better than sequential medium at improving ongoing pregnancy rates in patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures. The data featured in this meta-analysis were extracted from four randomized controlled trials yielded from a systematic search carried out on electronic databases. The primary endpoint was ongoing pregnancy rate.

Social oocyte cryopreservation: a portrayal of Brazilian women.

Objective: This study aimed to determine what Brazilian childless women of reproductive age think about oocyte cryopreservation to postpone pregnancy and their reasons for performing or not performing this procedure.

Methods: Women of reproductive age were randomly selected from the general population using different e-mail lists and were invited to participate in the study by completing an online web survey regarding social oocyte cryopreservation. The survey was also distributed through social media to women of reproductive age.

Key performance indicators score (KPIs-score) based on clinical and laboratorial parameters can establish benchmarks for internal quality control in an ART program.

Objective: KPIs have been employed for internal quality control (IQC) in ART. However, clinical KPIs (C-KPIs) such as age, AMH and number of oocytes collected are never added to laboratory KPIs (L-KPIs), such as fertilization rate and morphological quality of the embryos for analysis, even though the final endpoint is the evaluation of clinical pregnancy rates. This paper analyzed if a KPIs-score strategy with clinical and laboratorial parameters could be used to establish benchmarks for IQC in ART cycles.

Association between leukaemia inhibitory factor gene polymorphism and pregnancy outcomes after assisted reproduction techniques.

Certain gene polymorphisms are associated with implantation failure and pregnancy loss. Studies of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) gene polymorphisms are scarce. The LIF single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) thymine (T)/guanine (G) (rs929271) was studied in women to determine whether an association existed with pregnancy outcomes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); 411 women who underwent ICSI were recruited.

The Relationship between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor 1154G/A Polymorphism and Recurrent Implantation Failure.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between herpesvirus-associated ubiquitin-specific protease (HAUSP A/G, rs1529916), tumor protein p53 (TP53 Arg/Pro, rs1042522), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF G/T, rs929271), glycoprotein 130 (gp130 A/T, rs1900173) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF G/A, rs1570360) polymorphisms and recurrent implantation failure (RIF) in Brazilian women.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 120 women with RIF (i.e.

The TP73 gene polymorphism (rs4648551, A>G) is associated with diminished ovarian reserve.

It's known that the members of the TP53 family are involved in the regulation of female reproduction. Studies in mice showed that the TP73 gene (member of this family) plays a role in the size of follicular pool, ovulation rate and maintenance of genomic stability. In the present study we analyzed data from 605 patients with ≤ 37 years attending their first intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Administration of progesterone on the day of oocyte retrieval to reverse accumulation of fluid in the endometrial cavity during assisted reproductive techniques.

Objective: To determine whether administration of progesterone on the day of oocyte retrieval may reverse accumulation of fluid in the endometrial cavity.

Methods: A total of 50 patients who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles with endometrial cavity fluid (ECF) observed by ultrasound at the time of oocyte retrieval were included. Upon the identification of ECF, vaginal administration of natural progesterone was started.

The effects of age on sperm quality: an evaluation of 1,500 semen samples.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aging on semen quality in a population of infertile couples.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of semen samples obtained from 1,500 men randomly selected from couples who attended an infertility clinic was conducted. The analyses were performed using Spearman's correlation and Mann-Whitney tests.

A new ovarian response prediction index (ORPI): implications for individualised controlled ovarian stimulation.

Background: The objective was to present a new ovarian response prediction index (ORPI), which was based on anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, antral follicle count (AFC) and age, and to verify whether it could be a reliable predictor of the ovarian stimulation response.

Methods: A total of 101 patients enrolled in the ICSI programme were included. The ORPI values were calculated by multiplying the AMH level (ng/ml) by the number of antral follicles (2-9 mm), and the result was divided by the age (years) of the patient (ORPI=(AMH x AFC)/Patient age).

GnRH agonist versus GnRH antagonist in IVF/ICSI cycles with recombinant LH supplementation: DNA fragmentation and apoptosis in granulosa cells.

Objective: To compare the level of apoptosis and DNA fragmentation in the human granulosa cell (GC) layer exposed to an agonist or antagonist of GnRH in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles supplemented with recombinant LH (rLH).

Study Design: Patients without ovulatory dysfunction, aged ≤37 years and in their first ICSI cycle were prospectively randomised to receive either a long GnRH agonist protocol or a multi-dose antagonist protocol. In both groups, recombinant FSH supplemented with rLH was used for ovarian stimulation, and the GCs were collected during oocyte denudation.

The influence of leukocytospermia on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology.

Background: It is not well established whether the increased number of leukocytes in the seminal fluid impairs the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). This investigation analysed the outcomes of the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) cycles in couples in which the male partner exhibited leukocytospermia.

Methods: A total of 100 cycles in 100 couples were included in this study.

GnRH agonist versus GnRH antagonist in assisted reproduction cycles: oocyte morphology.

Background: The selection of developmentally competent human gametes may increase the efficiency of assisted reproduction. Spermatozoa and oocytes are usually assessed according to morphological criteria. Oocyte morphology can be affected by the age, genetic characteristics, and factors related to controlled ovarian stimulation.

The effects of male age on sperm analysis by motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME).

Background: This study aimed to investigate the influence of age on sperm quality, as analysed by motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME).

Methods: Semen samples were collected from 975 men undergoing evaluation or treatment for infertility. Sperm cells were evaluated at 8400× magnification using an inverted microscope equipped with Nomarski (differential interference contrast) optics.