Publications by authors named "Ekaterina Shlush"

Introduction: To compare histopathological findings of placentas of dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), conceived after fresh embryo transfer (ET) and frozen-thawed ET.

Methods: This retrospective study compared dichorionic diamniotic twin IVF pregnancies that resulted in livebirths during 2010-2022. The placental findings were classified according to definitions curated by the 2016 Amsterdam Placental Workshop Group Consensus Statement.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigated the reliability of the sperm chromatin dispersion assay in predicting outcomes of assisted reproductive technology, focusing on its correlation with sperm DNA fragmentation levels.
  • Elevated sperm DNA fragmentation was linked to reduced fertilization and embryo cleavage rates, but did not significantly impact overall clinical pregnancy, implantation, miscarriage, or live birth rates.
  • A specific analysis of the intracytoplasmic sperm injection method indicated poorer reproductive outcomes compared to other methods, highlighting potential limitations of sperm DNA integrity in assisted reproductive contexts.
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Objectives: The limited data regarding obstetrical outcomes in multiple pregnancies following both fresh embryo transfer and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET), along with the association between multiple pregnancies and increased pregnancy complications compared to singleton pregnancies, highlight the need for research on this topic. Therefore, this study aimed to compare obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of twin pregnancies after fresh embryo transfer versus FET.

Design: This was a retrospective single-center study.

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Purpose: To compare morphokinetic parameters and quality of embryos derived from GnRH antagonist ICSI cycles triggered either with GnRH agonist or standard hCG between matched groups of patients.

Methods: Morphokinetic parameters of embryos derived from matched first GnRH antagonist ICSI cycles triggered by GnRH agonist or standard hCG between 2013 and 2016 were compared. Matching was performed for maternal age, peak estradiol levels, and number of oocytes retrieved.

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Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and dengue fever are difficult to distinguish given shared clinical and laboratory features. Failing to consider COVID-19 due to false-positive dengue serology can have serious implications. We aimed to assess this possible cross-reactivity.

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Research Question: What is the association of the entire range of trigger-day endometrial thickness (EMT) with live birth rate (LBR) after IVF and fresh embryo transfer? Although EMT is amenable to convenient non-invasive routine measurement, studies of the association between pre-trigger EMT and assisted reproductive technology outcome have yielded equivocal results.

Design: A cohort of IVF fresh day-3 embryo transfers in patients aged 42 years and younger in a single centre between 2009 and 2017. The LBR was calculated for all trigger-day EMT values, stratified into five groups overall and within subgroups of patient age and ovarian response.

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Background: First trimester (FTM) and term human umbilical cord-derived perivascular cells (HUCPVCs), which are rich sources of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), can give rise to Sertoli cell (SC)-like as well as haploid germ cell (GC)-like cells in vitro using culture conditions that recapitulate the testicular niche. Gamete-like cells have been produced ex vivo using pluripotent stem cells as well as MSCs. However, the production of functional gametes from human stem cells has yet to be achieved.

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The expansion of functional testicular biopsy-derived human spermatogonial stem cells (hSSC) ex-vivo may enable the restoration of fertility in pre-pubertal males having undergone gonadotoxic therapies or men with severe male factor infertility. Various somatic cells are known to regulate SSC homeostasis and spermatogenesis in the developing and adult testis. Prior attempts to recapitulate this niche demonstrated the requirement of feeder cells, such as endogenous testicular somatic cells, for germ cell expansion ex-vivo.

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Article Synopsis
  • Ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with gonadotropins varies significantly among patients and even within the same patient across different cycles.
  • High responders, who react strongly to gonadotropins, face increased risks for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), necessitating careful classification and management.
  • The article reviews literature on high responders, proposes a clinical model to identify sub-groups, and suggests tailored treatment protocols to improve reproductive outcomes while minimizing complications.
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  • A study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of minimum-dose (MS) versus high-dose (HS) stimulation protocols in improving clinical pregnancy rates for women with poor ovarian reserve (POR) undergoing IVF.
  • The MS protocol involved lower doses of medications (letrozole and gonadotropins) and yielded significantly higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates compared to the HS protocol, which used larger doses of gonadotropins.
  • The findings suggest that the MS protocol is not only more effective but also more cost-efficient for treating patients with poor ovarian reserve.
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Human umbilical cord-derived perivascular cells (PVCs) are a recently characterized source of mesenchymal stromal cells that has gained much interest in the field of cellular therapeutics. However, very little is known about the changes in fate potential and restrictions that these cells undergo during gestational development. This study is the first to examine the phenotypic, molecular, and functional properties of first trimester (FTM)-derived PVCs, outlining properties that are unique to this population when compared to term (TERM) counterparts.

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