Doppler velocimetry of the ovarian artery as a tool to detect LH surge in stimulated cycles.

Our aim was to assess the velocimetric pattern of the ovarian artery as a possible marker of LH surge in stimulated cycles. A total of 130 women undergoing ovarian stimulation for intrauterine insemination were randomized in two groups. Each woman was stimulated with 75 IU of recombinant FSH starting from the third day of the cycle.

The risk factors for failure of labor induction: a cohort study.

Purpose: To assess how some factors may influence the failure of labor induction.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study from January 2009 to December 2011 with 248 patients who were admitted to the Obstetrics Unit of Ferrara University for labor induction. We selected only patients with unfavorable characteristics such as nulliparity, maternal and gestational age, and Bishop score and specific obstetric conditions such as mild preeclampsia, isolated oligohydramnios, premature rupture membrane, gestational diabetes, and hypertension for the success of labor induction.

Vaginal lactoferrin administration before genetic amniocentesis decreases amniotic interleukin-6 levels.

Aim: To verify the eventual efficacy of lactoferrin (LF), an iron-binding glycoprotein, to decrease the amniotic concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 60 Caucasian patients at the 16th week of their singleton physiological gestation. A vaginal compound containing 300 mg of LF was administered randomly 4 or 12 h prior to amniocentesis, as to obtain 3 groups: A, 20 untreated patients; B, 20 treated 4 h before amniocentesis; C, 20 treated 12 h before amniocentesis.

Can Doppler study of the ovarian artery predict the fertility outcome of intrauterine insemination?

Background: To test the velocimetric pattern of the ovarian artery as a routine ovarian reserve test.

Methods: We enrolled 317 consecutive patients from January 2011 to June 2012. At the second day of the menstrual cycle, a transvaginal ultrasound was performed to evaluate the antral follicle count and ovarian volume, and Doppler of both ovarian arteries was also performed.

Ovarian stimulation and liver dysfunction: Is a clinical relationship possible? A case of hepatic failure after repeated cycles of ovarian stimulation.

Liver damage induced by ovarian stimulation has been demonstrated in some cases reported in the literature. However, there has never been a fruitful debate on this topic. The present manuscript tried to fill this gap.

The adjuvant use of N-palmitoylethanolamine and transpolydatin in the treatment of endometriotic pain.

Objective: To test the adjuvant use of the combination of N-palmitoylethanolamine and transpolydatin in the medical treatment of endometriotic pain.

Study Design: We enrolled 47 patients admitted to the Outpatient Endometriosis Care Unit of Ferrara University from January 2011 to December 2011. They were divided into two groups according to the endometriosis site (group A: recto-vaginal septum; group B: ovary).

Hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography: is possible to quantify the therapeutic effect of a diagnostic test?

Objective: To evaluate the effect of hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) on natural conception in the infertile patient.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study recruiting 180 patients admitted to Infertility Center of Ferrara University from January 2010 to February 2012. The essential inclusion criteria was the couple's desire to perform only diagnostic evaluation on infertility causes and to wait for natural conception before proceeding with further management.