Whole ovary transplantation.

Several strategies have been developed in an attempt to preserve fertility in these women, including ovarian transplantation. The current protocols of ovarian transplantation require transplanting fresh or cryopreserved-thawed ovarian cortical strips in an orthotopic or heterotopic location. The main limitation of this approach is the limited longevity of graft function because of the posttransplantation ischemic injury.

Three-dimensional in vitro follicle growth: overview of culture models, biomaterials, design parameters and future directions.

In vitro ovarian follicle culture is a new frontier in assisted reproductive technology with tremendous potential, especially for fertility preservation. Folliculogenesis within the ovary is a complex process requiring interaction between somatic cell components and the oocyte. Conventional two-dimensional culture on tissue culture substrata impedes spherical growth and preservation of the spatial arrangements between oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells.

Laparoendoscopic single-site and natural orifice surgery in gynecology.

Objective: To evaluate the current literature on the use of single port and natural orifice surgery in gynecology.

Design: Appraisal of articles published on the use of this technology in gynecology.

Result(s): Most reports on single port and natural orifice surgery are case reports or case series.

Mouse ovarian follicle cryopreservation using vitrification or slow programmed cooling: assessment of in vitro development, maturation, ultra-structure and meiotic spindle organization.

Aim: To compare different outcomes of vitrification and slow freezing of isolated pre-antral follicles and to evaluate different cryo-devices for vitrification of isolated follicles.

Methods: Pre-antral follicles were isolated from mouse ovaries and cryopreserved using vitrification and slow freezing. A preliminary experiment was carried out to select the optimal cryo-device for vitrification of isolated follicles.

Slow and ultrarapid cryopreservation of biopsied mouse blastocysts and its effect on DNA integrity index.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of slow and ultra-rapid freezing on biopsied blastocysts' DNA integrity.

Methods: Forty eight mouse blastocysts were biopsied of which 16 were cryopreserved by slowly freezing and 17 by vitrification. Fourteen intact blastocysts were slowly cryopreserved and 24 were vitrified.

Clinical pregnancy and live births after transfer of embryos vitrified on day 3.

Human embryo vitrification is a promising new technology but clinical outcome data is needed to gauge its effectiveness and safety. While pregnancy and live-birth data is available for blastocyst vitrification, such information is lacking for human embryo vitrification at the 6- to 8-cell stage. The current work presents clinical and obstetric outcomes from the transfer of embryos vitrified on day 3 at the cleavage stage.

A simple and efficient method for preparation of isolated ovarian follicles for transmission electron microscopy.

Objective: A simple method for preparation of isolated ovarian follicles for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using transwell inserts is described.

Materials And Methods: Pre-antral follicles were enzymatically isolated from mouse ovaries and cultured overnight on transwell insert polyester membranes. The following day, isolated ovarian follicles were processed for TEM by moving the transwell insert through successive wells containing the fixation and embedding reagents.

Relationship of reactive oxygen species levels in day 3 culture media to the outcome of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles.

Objective: To examine the relationship of early human embryonic development parameters to day 3 reactive oxygen species (D-3 ROS) levels in culture media.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Tertiary care hospital.

Slow freezing, vitrification and ultra-rapid freezing of human embryos: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Embryo cryopreservation is an important aspect of assisted reproduction. Many methods have been described, but they have been poorly investigated in randomized trials, highlighting the need for a systematic review of the literature. Meticulous electronic/hand searches were performed to locate randomized trials (RCT) comparing embryo cryopreservation methods.

Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery in patients with benign adnexal disease.

Objective: To present our initial experience in laparoscopic surgery for benign adnexal disease performed exclusively through an umbilical incision using a single three-channel port and flexible laparoscopic instrumentation.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Tertiary-care referral center.

Endometriosis-induced alterations in mouse metaphase II oocyte microtubules and chromosomal alignment: a possible cause of infertility.

Objective: To examine the effect of peritoneal fluid (PF) of patients with endometriosis on the cytoskeleton of metaphase II oocytes and correlate the results with the stage of endometriosis and the duration of infertility.

Design: Prospective-controlled study.

Setting: Center for reproductive medicine at a tertiary-care hospital.

Endometriosis: a critical appraisal of the advances and the controversies of a challenging health problem.

Endometriosis is an enigmatic disorder with obscure pathogenesis. The objective of this review was to critically appraise the recent advances in the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and clinical management of endometriosis. Several studies support the familial role in the initiation of the disease with key roles of endometriosis-associated polymorphisms in the genes that control fibrinolysis, angiogenesis, steroidogesis, aromatization of androgens, proliferation and cytokine production.

Effect of varying equilibration time in a two-step vitrification method on the post-warming DNA integrity of mouse blastocysts.

Objective: To assess the effect of equilibration time on the DNA integrity of vitrified-warmed mouse blastocysts.

Design: Prospective in vitro study.

Setting: Embryology research laboratory.

Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a leading cause of pelvic pain and infertility in women. Laparoscopy can both diagnose and treat this disease. The aim of this review was to examine current literature on treatments for endometriosis for both pain and infertility.

Robotic gynecologic surgery: past, present, and future.

Robotic techniques are increasingly being used to perform gynecologic surgical procedures including hysterectomies, performed for benign and malignant indications, myomectomies, tubal reanastomoses, and sacrocolpopexies. Robotic procedures seem to confer the same benefits as laparoscopic surgery without additional complications. It is unclear, however, whether robotic surgery imparts any additional benefits such as decreased operative times when compared with open or conventional laparoscopic techniques.

Robotic-assisted laparoendoscopic single-site surgery in gynecology: initial report and technique.

Robotic surgery has greatly improved surgeon dexterity and ergonomics but has substantially increased the number and size of ports required. The typical robotic surgical procedure will use three 8-mm ports and two 12-mm ports. Single-port laparoscopy, also known as Laparo-Endoscopic Single Site (LESS) surgery, is an attempt to further enhance cosmetic benefits and reduce morbidity of minimally invasive surgery.

Robotics in gynecologic surgery.

Robotic surgery has evolved from an investigational surgical approach to a clinically useful adjunct in multiple surgical specialties over the past decade. Advocates of robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery revere the system's wristed instrumentation, ergonomic positioning, and three-dimensional high-definition vision system as significant improvements over laparoscopic equipment's four degrees of freedom and two-dimensional laparoscope that demand the surgeon stand throughout a procedure. The cost, lack of haptic feedback, and the bulky size of the equipment make robotics less attractive to others.

The impact of peritoneal fluid from healthy women and from women with endometriosis on sperm DNA and its relationship to the sperm deformity index.

Objective: To study the effect of peritoneal fluid (PF) from healthy women and from women with endometriosis on sperm DNA and its relationship to sperm morphology as assessed by the sperm deformity index (SDI).

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: Research laboratory at an academic hospital.