Antiovary antibodies, repeated attempts, and outcome of in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To determine whether the microtrauma induced by repeated puncture of ovarian follicles could result in the production of autoantibodies in women submitted to in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Design: Antiovarian antibodies were assayed in serum samples obtained from women engaged in IVF and in serum samples from healthy controls.

Setting: Blood samples were obtained after oocyte collection in the local hospital's IVF unit.

Systematic semen culture and its influence on IVF management.

Semen specimens from 519 men were cultured for organisms 2 weeks before oocyte recovery for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The cultures from 72 men contained more than 5000 bacteria/ml and the IVF attempt was postponed. The IVF outcome was assessed in 382 couples in relation to the semen culture result.