Publications by authors named "Elisabetta Micelli"

We present data from three Caucasian men with Zinner syndrome who attended our center for the treatment of primary couple's infertility. Each patient was scheduled for conventional testicular sperm extraction (cTESE) and cryopreservation. Sperm analysis confirmed absolute azoospermia.

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The last two decades have seen a growing number of pregnancies in women who needed the donation of oocytes. With oocyte donation pregnancies, studies on obstetric outcomes among these women revealed an increased incidence of pre-eclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Furthermore, several studies have found a higher incidence of low birth weight, preterm birth, and delivery by cesarean section in oocyte donation rather than in women subjected to assisted reproduction techniques (ART) with autologous oocytes.

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Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of a transnational gamete donation (TGD) programme based on the shipping of vitrified donor oocytes.

Methods: A retro-prospective observational study was conducted in the Assisted Reproductive Technology Center of the University Hospital of Florence, Italy. The study population included 622 consecutive donor oocyte cycles.

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Study Objective: To show feasibility of using indocyanine green (ICG) in endometriosis surgery, especially bowel endometriosis shaving, and to discuss its potential benefits.

Design: Stepwise demonstration of this technique with narrated video footage.

Setting: Endometriosis is a common benign chronic disorder, characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.

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Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate how individual and couple's sexuality had changed during the COVID-19 pandemic-related quarantine.

Methods: A quantitative correlational research study was conducted, using a web-based survey.

Results: About 1576 participants were involved: 1018 women (64.

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Objective: To evaluate the impact of sperm morphology (SM) on laboratory and pregnancy outcomes in conventional intracytoplasmic sperm injection (c-ICSI) cycles, using the egg donation model to minimize female confounding variables.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively collected data of oocyte donation cycles from October 2016 to February 2020. Median seminal parameters, total (1-2-3PN) fertilization rate (FR), 2PN FR, cleavage rate (CR), implantation rate (IR), pregnancy rate (PR), miscarriage rate (MR), and live birth rate (LBR) were collected.

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Our objective was to investigate whether the chronic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can affect semen parameters in men with couple infertility and to assess the impact of male CMV infection on the reproductive outcomes of CMV-seronegative women suffering from tubal factor. Group 1 included CMV IgG-seropositive men, Group 2 CMV IgG-seronegative patients. Seminal parameters, two-pronuclear (2PN) fertilization rate (FR), 1-2-3PN FR, cleavage rate (CR), miscarriage rate (MR), pregnancy rate (PR) and live birth rate (LBR) were collected.

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Background: Recently, alterations in miRNAs expression profile in semen have been linked to damaged spermatogenesis, suggesting miRNAs could be used as potential infertility biomarkers. In previous animal studies, miR-20a-5p was found to be down-expressed in low motile spermatozoa, implying its potential target of genes associated with cell apoptosis.

Objective: To investigate miR-20a-5p expression in blood plasma of patients suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), compared to normozoospermic controls.

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To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lifestyle change on couples of reproductive age and on their desire for parenthood. A quantitative correlational research study, based on a web survey, was conducted among Italian men and women in heterosexual stable relationships, aged between 18 and 46 years. The self-administered Italian version questionnaire was created using Google Forms and posted on chats and social networks.

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Insulin resistance (IR) plays a central role in the onset of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Insulin so insulin-sensitizing like inositols have been proposed as first line therapy. Among them d-chiro-inositol (DCI) seems to improve glucose metabolism and to increase ovulation frequency.

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Purpose: To evaluate the influence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in men of serodiscordant couples on the reproductive outcomes.

Materials And Methods: A total of 134 infertile couples were included in this retrospective single-center cohort study. Sixty-six couples had hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-seropositive men and seronegative partners, while 68 couples were controls with both seronegative men and women.

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Over the last twenty years, robotic surgery has become an increasingly important form of surgical intervention. However, it can have complications. Trocar site hernia (TSH), also known as port site hernia (PSH), is an uncommon complication, but in the case of bowel incarceration or strangulation it can cause significant morbidity.

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To date, the key role of vitamin D in male reproductive system has been suggested, since the expression of vitamin D receptors and metabolizing enzymes was demonstrated in the testis and spermatozoa. Nevertheless, a general consensus about the role of vitamin D in male fertility is still debated. The aim of this review is to provide an updated systematic revision of the current available literature, discussing the experimental and clinical evidence on the role of vitamin D in the regulation of testis hormone production, seminal parameters and male fertility.

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Background: The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of paternal age on the oocyte-donation outcomes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.

Methods: Two hundred and seventy-eight infertile couples were retrospectively involved. Inclusion criteria were: infertility from almost 1 year, normal or sub-fertile seminal parameters, overall oocyte survival rate greater than 85%.

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Introduction: Infertility may depend up to 27% of couples on both partners. In patients with obstructive azoospermia, testicular fine-needle aspiration represents a good option to retrieve spermatozoa, in order to perform an assisted reproductive treatment. In vitro maturation of testicular spermatozoa could be the better choice of treatment in view of the increased motility, improving fertilization and pregnancy rates.

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Introduction: Umbilical cord milking is a procedure in which clamped or unclamped umbilical cord is grasped, and blood is pushed ("stripped") two to four times towards the newborn, in a rapid time frame, usually within 20 seconds. The target of umbilical cord milking is to provide infants with their whole potential blood volume-of which they are deprived when early cord clamping is carried out-completing placental transfusion in a shorter time than delayed cord clamping. The aim of this narrative review is to analyse the literature regarding umbilical cord milking in term and late-preterm infants and to assess all possible benefits and limits of this procedure in clinical practice, especially in comparison to immediate and delayed cord clamping.

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Purpose: The relationship between male systemic inflammation and fertility seems intriguing, but no data about its impact on the assisted reproductive technology outcomes has been reported. Here, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of male systemic inflammatory parameters in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes prediction, in couples undergoing an ovum donation program.

Materials And Methods: From January 2016 to December 2017, one hundred-ten couples were considered for this cross-sectional study.

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Introduction: The aim of our research was to establish the relevance of testicular histopathology on sperm retrieval after testicular sperm extraction in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and in patients with obstructive azoospermia, who already underwent a previous failure testicular fine needle aspiration.

Methods: We evaluated a total of 82 azoospermic men, underwent testicular sperm extraction, referring to the Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre of the University of Florence, Italy between January 2008 and March 2017. A general and genital physical examination, scrotal and trans-rectal ultrasound, semen analysis, hormone measurements, including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and total testosterone, were collected.

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