Dose accuracy of the follitropin alfa pen injector 2.0, the follitropin alfa:lutropin alfa 2:1 combination pen injector 2.0 and the choriogonadotropin alfa pen injector 1.0 used for fertility treatment.

Background: This study aimed to confirm that the incremental dose/clicks system dispenses accurate doses for the Merck family of fertility pen injectors.

Research Design And Methods: Set doses (V) for three dose dial settings (minimum dose [V], midpoint dose [V] and maximum dose [V] for the follitropin alfa, choriogonadotropin alfa [D2 classification: single use/variable dose], and follitropin alfa:lutropin-alfa 2:1 combination pen injectors) or a single V for the choriogonadotropin alfa (D1 classification: single use/single dose) were assessed. Last dose administered by the multi-dose device was assessed for the 900 IU, 450 IU, 300 IU and 150 IU follitropin alfa, and the 900:450 IU, 450:225 IU and 300:150 IU follitropin alfa:lutropin-alfa 2:1 combination pen presentations.

Fertility technologies and how to optimize laboratory performance to support the shortening of time to birth of a healthy singleton: a Delphi consensus.

Purpose: To explore how the assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories can be optimized and standardized to enhance embryo culture and selection, to bridge the gap between standard practice and the new concept of shortening time to healthy singleton birth.

Methods: A Delphi consensus was conducted (January to July 2018) to assess how the ART laboratory could be optimized, in conjunction with existing guidelines, to reduce the time to a healthy singleton birth. Eight experts plus the coordinator discussed and refined statements proposed by the coordinator.

Is there an association between oocyte number and embryo quality? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis determined the association between aspirated after ovarian stimulation and top/good quality embryos obtained in women undergoing ovarian stimulation for IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL and Web of Science were searched for English-language publications on top/good-quality embryos at cleavage (day 2/3) and/or blastocyst (day 5/6) developmental stages, up to 18 November 2017. Twenty-eight studies (three prospective and 25 retrospective) reporting data on 291,752 assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles were considered eligible.

Personalized ovarian stimulation for assisted reproductive technology: study design considerations to move from hype to added value for patients.

Although most medical treatments are designed for the average patient with a one-size-fits-all-approach, they may not benefit all. Better understanding of the function of genes, proteins, and metabolite, and of personal and environmental factors has led to a call for personalized medicine. Personalized reproductive medicine is still in its infancy, without clear guidance on treatment aspects that could be personalized and on trial design to evaluate personalized treatment effect and benefit-harm balance.

(1)H NMR based metabolic profiling of day 2 spent embryo media correlates with implantation potential.

Morphological assessment is currently the primary technique for selection of viable embryos for uterine transfer during assisted reproductive techniques, however this method has limited predictive power. The objective of this study was to employ NMR based metabolic profiling analysis of spent embryo culture media to identify novel biomarkers of embryo viability and provide insight into the metabolism of a viable embryo. A total of 37 patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment were recruited and 58 media samples were collected from embryos that were transferred back to the uterus.