Prevalence and risk factors for obstetric haemorrhage in 6730 singleton births after assisted reproductive technology in Victoria Australia.

Background: Obstetric haemorrhages have been reported to be increased after assisted reproduction technologies (ART) but the mechanisms involved are unclear.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study compared the prevalence of antepartum haemorrhage (APH), placenta praevia (PP), placental abruption (PA) and primary post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) in women with singleton births between 1991 and 2004 in Victoria Australia: 6730 after IVF/ICSI, 24 619 from the general population, 779 after gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and 2167 non-ART conceptions in infertile patients. Risk factors for haemorrhages in the IVF/ICSI group were examined by logistic regression.

Factors affecting low birthweight after assisted reproduction technology: difference between transfer of fresh and cryopreserved embryos suggests an adverse effect of oocyte collection.

Background: Data show that differences exist in the birthweight of singletons after frozen embryo transfer (FET) compared with fresh transfer or gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT). Factors associated with low birthweight (LBW) after assisted reproduction technology (ART) were studied.

Methods: Birthweight, distribution of birthweight, z-score, LBW (<2500 g), gestation and percentage preterm (<37 weeks) for singleton births >19 weeks gestation, conceived by ART or non-ART treatments (ovulation induction and artificial insemination) between 1978 and 2005 were analysed for one large Australian clinic.

Automated semen analysis: 'zona pellucida preferred' sperm morphometry and straight-line velocity are related to pregnancy rate in subfertile couples.

Background: Standard semen analysis has low objectivity and reproducibility and is not closely related to fertility. We assess the prognostic value of automated measurements of sperm motility and morphology.

Methods: During 1997-1999, 1191 infertile couples with no known absolute barrier to conception were assessed by conventional semen analysis, and automated measurements of average straight-line velocity (VSL) and the percentage of sperm with characteristics that conform to those of sperm which bind to the zona pellucida of the human oocyte (%Z).

Efficacy and acceptability of testosterone implants, alone or in combination with a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, for male hormonal contraception.

Testosterone (T) treatment suppresses serum gonadotropins and reduces sperm output sufficiently for contraceptive efficacy in approximately 70% of Caucasian men. In the remaining 30% of men, an increase in 5alpha-reductase activity may maintain testicular androgen activity, thus accounting for the failure of sperm suppression. The form of T therapy is a major consideration in the safety and acceptability of T-based contraception.

Efficacy and safety of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (Gonal-F) with urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin for induction of spermatogenesis and fertility in gonadotrophin-deficient men.

In order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) in combination with urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) to induce spermatogenesis and fertility in gonadotrophin-deficient men, we conducted a prospective, open, non-comparative multicentre study in two Australian academic medical centres. Ten men with gonadotrophin deficiency requiring induction of spermatogenesis and fertility were treated with HCG for 3-6 months followed by the s.c.