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.

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.

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.

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).

Correlation between semen analysis by motile sperm organelle morphology examination and sperm DNA damage.

Regression analysis of 538 semen samples demonstrated that percentages of normal nuclear sperm and all spermatozoa with abnormalities of nuclear form at high magnification had significant negative correlation with percentages of DNA fragmentation. On the other hand, there was a positive correlation between percentages of spermatozoa with nuclear vacuoles and those with DNA fragmentation.

Laser-assisted hatching of cryopreserved-thawed embryos by thinning one quarter of the zona.

Laser-assisted hatching is little documented in the literature regarding its efficacy in cryopreserved-thawed (CT) embryo transfer cycles. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in a randomized manner the efficacy of thinning one quarter of the zona pellucida of CT embryos to a depth of 50-80% of the original thickness, via laser treatment (the qLZT-AH procedure), in improving implantation and pregnancy rates. Two populations were studied: population I, patients who had all their supernumerary embryos cryopreserved, regardless of their morphology, and population II, patients at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome who had all their embryos cryopreserved.

Accuracy of fetal gender determination in maternal plasma at 5 and 6 weeks of pregnancy.

Objective: To assess the viability of the early diagnosis of fetal gender in maternal plasma before 7 weeks of pregnancy by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), starting at 5 weeks of pregnancy.

Method: Peripheral blood was collected from pregnant women, starting at 5 weeks of gestation. After centrifugation, plasma was separated for fetal DNA extraction.

Effects of vaginal progesterone administration starting on the day of oocyte retrieval on pregnancy rates.

Purpose: Vaginal progesterone administration starting on the day of oocyte retrieval induced a decrease in uterine contraction frequency on the day of embryo transfer (ET) as compared with preovulatory values. Uterine relaxation before ET is likely to improve outcome by avoiding displacement of the embryo from the uterine cavity (Fanchin, Righini, de Ziegler, Oliviennes, Ledée, Frydman: Fertil Steril 2001;75:1136-1140). The objective of the present study was to determine whether the early use of vaginal progesterone on the day of oocyte retrieval may alter the embryo implantation and pregnancy rates.

Psychological evaluation test after the use of assisted reproduction techniques.

Purpose: The emotional changes provoked by the use of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) may trigger important psychological reactions. The objective of the present study was to develop a psychological evaluation test (PET-ART) in order to identify the occurrence of psychological problems and to facilitate their treatment.

Methods: A total of 128 women were submitted to PET-ART of the Center for Human Reproduction, "Sinhá Junqueira" Maternity Foundation, after application of IVF/ICSI program at least once.