Evaluation of fragmented embryos implantation potential using time-lapse technology.

Aim: To examine the implantation potential of fragmented embryos that underwent morphokinetic evaluation in a time-lapse incubator.

Methods: A retrospective study analyzing 4210 Day 5 embryos which were incubated in a time-lapse incubator, between 2013 and 2019. Embryos with more than 5% fragmentation (379 embryos) were included in the study.

Improving embryo selection by the development of a laboratory-adapted time-lapse model.

Objective: To study whether a powerful, in-house, embryo-selection model can be developed for a specific in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory where embryos were already selected for transfer using general models.

Design: In total, 12,944 fertilized oocytes were incubated in an EmbryoScope (Vitrolife, Göteborg, Sweden) at our laboratory. Embryos were selected for transfer or freezing using general models.

Comparison of day 2 and overnight day 3 frozen embryo transfers: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

In certain patients cleavage stage embryos may be preferred. The relationship between an additional day in culture and pregnancy outcomes is not well established. We aimed to compare outcomes of day 2 versus overnight day 3 frozen embryo transfer (FET).

The impact of endometrial injury on reproductive outcomes: results of an updated meta-analysis.

Background: It is still unclear whether endometrial injury (EI) has a beneficial effect on reproductive outcomes, and if so, the optimal procedure characteristics are not clear. All previous papers concluded that more research is needed, and as additional studies were recently published, the insights on EI have changed significantly.

Methods: Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, to identify randomized controlled trials examining the EI effect on IVF outcomes in women at least one previous failed cycle.

Quality of life and fertility preservation counseling for women with gynecological cancer: an integrated psychological and clinical perspective.

Relational and sexual problems are frequent in patients with a diagnosis of gynecological cancer, because this disease has a strong negative impact on female identity and sexuality. Psychological and sexual functioning is affected by inauspicious diagnosis. Furthermore, therapies may compromise reproductive function.

Patient-centered elective egg freezing: a binational qualitative study of best practices for women's quality of care.

Purpose: How can elective egg freezing (EEF) be made patient centered? This study asked women to reflect on their experiences of EEF, which included their insights and recommendations on the optimal delivery of patient-centered care.

Methods: In this binational, qualitative study, 150 women (114 in the USA, 36 in Israel) who had completed at least one cycle of EEF were recruited from four American IVF clinics (two academic, two private) and three in Israel (one academic, two private) over a two-year period (June 2014-August 2016). Women who volunteered for the study were interviewed by two medical anthropologists.

The impact of intentional endometrial injury on reproductive outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Endometrial injury is an intentional damage made to the endometrium, usually produced by a Pipelle catheter. Over the last two decades, endometrial injury has been studied to improve implantation rates and decrease the incidence of implantation failure in invitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Recently, additional studies of endometrial injury, performed not only in patients with implantation failure but also in intrauterine insemination cycles, have been conducted, and the endometrial injury made by hysteroscopy has been researched.

Live Birth from the Transfer of a Severely Fragmented Embryo Observed by Morphokinetics.

We report a live birth from a heavily fragmented embryo which continued cleavage to a fully expanded blastocyst. A 32-year-old patient underwent 2 IVF cycles without achieving pregnancy. In the first cycle, 2 embryos with fragmentation were transferred; in the second, all embryos were fragmented and no embryo transfer was performed.

Ten pathways to elective egg freezing: a binational analysis.

Purpose: What are the specific pathways that lead women to freeze their eggs? In this binational study, women were asked directly about the life circumstances that led them on the path to elective egg freezing (EEF).

Methods: From June 2014 to August 2016, 150 women (114 in the USA, 36 in Israel) who had completed at least 1 cycle of EEF were interviewed by two medical anthropologists. Study participants were recruited through four American IVF clinics (two academic, two private) and three in Israel (one academic, two private).

Elective egg freezing and its underlying socio-demography: a binational analysis with global implications.

Background: What are the underlying socio-demographic factors that lead healthy women to preserve their fertility through elective egg freezing (EEF)? Many recent reviews suggest that women are intentionally postponing fertility through EEF to pursue careers and achieve reproductive autonomy. However, emerging empirical evidence suggests that women may be resorting to EEF for other reasons, primarily the lack of a partner with whom to pursue childbearing. The aim of this study is thus to understand what socio-demographic factors may underlie women's use of EEF.

Medical egg freezing: How cost and lack of insurance cover impact women and their families.

Medical egg freezing (MEF) is being recommended increasingly for women at risk of losing their reproductive ability due to cancer chemotherapy or other fertility-threatening medical conditions. This first, binational, ethnographic study of women who had undergone MEF sought to explore women's experiences under two different funding systems: (i) the USA, where the cost of MEF is rarely covered by private or state health insurance; and (ii) Israel, where the cost of MEF is covered by national health insurance. Women were recruited from four American and two Israeli in-vitro fertilization clinics where MEF is offered.

Medical egg freezing: the importance of a patient-centered approach to fertility preservation.

Purpose: This binational qualitative study of medical egg freezing (MEF) examined women's motivations and experiences, including their perceived needs for patient-centered care in the midst of fertility- and life-threatening diagnoses.

Methods: Forty-five women who had undertaken MEF were interviewed in the USA (33 women) and in Israel (12 women) between June 2014 and August 2016. Interviews lasted approximately 1 h and were conducted by two senior medical anthropologists, one in each country.

Pregnancy outcomes in oocyte recipients with fibroids not impinging uterine cavity.

Objective: To examine the effects of fibroid uterus on pregnancy outcomes and endometrial features in ovum donation recipients.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 744 ovum donation cycles was conducted in two private IVF centers between 2005 and 2012. All the recipients underwent transvaginal ultrasound examination, including endometrial thickness and grade measurements.

The Effect of Paternal Age on Oocyte Donation Outcomes.

Importance: In recent decades, a trend toward delayed childbearing is noted in developed countries. Whereas the effects of maternal age on fertility, pregnancy complications, and postnatal outcomes have been thoroughly explored, consequences of advanced paternal age are less well known. Oocyte donation cycles can be used as an optimal model to analyze the association between male ageing and reproductive outcomes with minimal confounding.

Oxidative markers in cryopreservation medium from frozen-thawed embryos: a possible tool for improved embryo selection in in vitro fertilization?

Purpose: The present study evaluated the association between oxidative parameters in embryo cryopreservation medium and laboratory and clinical outcomes.

Methods: This prospective laboratory study was conducted in an IVF unit in a university-affiliated hospital with 91 IVF patients undergoing a frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle. Following thawing, 50 μL of embryo cryopreservation medium was retrieved from each cryotube and tested by the thermochemiluminescence (TCL) assay.

p27 and its ubiquitin ligase Skp2 expression in endometrium of IVF patients with repeated hormonal stimulation.

This preliminary study examined a possible effect of long duration repeated hormonal stimulation on the endometrium using a molecular tool. The expression of the hormone stimulated, cell cycle regulators, p27 and its ligase S-phase kinase-interacting protein2 (Skp2), were assessed in 46 endometrial samples of patients who underwent repeated IVF cycles (3-21). Skp2 protein is usually undetectable in normal tissue and can be demonstrated only in rapidly dividing cells.

[CHALLENGING THE OPTIMAL NUMBER OF RETRIEVED OOCYTES AND ITS IMPACT ON PREGNANCY AND LIVE BIRTH RATES IN IVF/ICSI CYCLES].

Introduction: Large numbers of retrieved oocytes are associated with higher chances of having cryopreservation of embryos. However, the process entailed exposes women to increased risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Furthermore, mild ovary stimulation protocols are more patient-friendly and with less adverse effects.

Effect of paternal age on reproductive outcomes in oocyte donation model: a systematic review.

Objective: To perform a meta-analysis of the literature examining the influence of paternal age on oocyte donation outcomes.

Design: Systematic review of the literature with no language or time restrictions.

Setting: Not applicable.

Habits of cell phone usage and sperm quality - does it warrant attention?

Male infertility constitutes 30-40% of all infertility cases. Some studies have shown a continuous decline in semen quality since the beginning of the 20th century. One postulated contributing factor is radio frequency electromagnetic radiation emitted from cell phones.

Effect of local endometrial injury on pregnancy outcomes in ovum donation cycles.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of local endometrial injury (LEI) on clinical outcomes in ovum donation recipients.

Design: Retrospective cohort analysis of ovum donation cycles conducted from 2005 to 2012.

Setting: Two private IVF centers.

Thin endometrium in donor oocyte recipients: enigma or obstacle for implantation?

Objective: To evaluate the combined effect of endometrial thickness and anatomic uterine factors on clinical outcome in oocyte donation recipients.

Design: Retrospective analysis of oocyte donation cycles conducted between 2005 and 2010.

Setting: Two private IVF centers.

Effects of treatment of ectopic pregnancy with methotrexate or salpingectomy in the subsequent IVF cycle.

Ectopic pregnancy is a known risk for patients treated with IVF. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of methotrexate (MTX) and laparoscopic salpingectomy as treatments of ectopic pregnancy on ovarian response during IVF cycles. Data of all women treated for ectopic pregnancy as a result of IVF treatment were evaluated; the study included women who had an unruptured ectopic pregnancy after IVF treatment that was treated with either MTX or laparoscopic salpingectomy and underwent a subsequent IVF cycle.

Advanced paternal age and reproductive outcome.

Women have been increasingly delaying the start of motherhood in recent decades. The same trend is seen also for men. The influence of maternal age on fertility, chromosomal anomalies, pregnancy complications, and impaired perinatal and post-natal outcome of offspring, has been thoroughly investigated, and these aspects are clinically applied during fertility and pregestational counseling.