Should embryos developing to blastocysts on day 7 be cryopreserved and transferred: an analysis of pregnancy and implantation rates.

Objective: To compare pregnancy rates (PRs) using blastocysts cryopreserved on day 7 with those cryopreserved on days 5 and 6.

Design: Retrospective observational cohort study.

Setting: Infertility center performing IVF.

Ovarian activity and safety of a novel levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol continuous oral contraceptive regimen.

Background: A continuous regimen of oral levonorgestrel (LNG) 90 mcg/ethinyl estradiol (EE) 20 mcg was evaluated for inhibition of ovulation, time to return to ovulation after stopping treatment and safety.

Study Design: This open-label study was conducted in healthy women aged 18-35 years. Ovulation was documented before treatment, and then participants received oral tablets containing LNG 90 mcg/EE 20 mcg to be taken continuously for three 28-day intervals.

Is factor V Leiden mutation a cause of in vitro fertilization failure?

This prospective cohort study tested whether the most common hereditary thrombophilia, factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation, is associated with nonpregnancy after IVF. Factor V Leiden mutation prevalence was very low (1.6%) and had a preliminarily positive association with pregnancy, suggesting that routine testing in a general IVF population for FVL mutation as a cause of IVF failure and infertility is not indicated.

Effects of doxycycline on serum and endometrial levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in women using a levonorgestrel-releasing subcutaneous implant.

Background: Endometrial spotting and/or bleeding (ESB) occurs in levonorgestrel subcutaneous implant (LNG SI) users. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may play a role in ESB.

Study Design: Women between 18 and 40 years with regular menstrual cycles had a baseline evaluation followed by LNG SI insertion and randomization to doxycycline (DOX; 20 mg) or placebo (PL) twice a day.

Levonorgestrel effects on serum androgens, sex hormone-binding globulin levels, hair shaft diameter, and sexual function.

Objective: To determine the effects of levonorgestrel (LNG) on serum androgens, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), hair shaft diameter, and sexual function in women.

Design: Substudy of a prospective randomized double-blind study in women using an LNG SC implant (LNG-SI), who were treated with doxycycline or placebo.

Setting: Medical school department of obstetrics and gynecology.

A randomized six-day safety study of an antiretroviral microbicide candidate UC781, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.

Goal: This study evaluated the effect of a single dose and 5 additional consecutive daily doses of UC781 gel at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.25%, 1.

Rate of blastocyst development from excess embryos remaining in culture after day 3 embryo transfer.

Objective: To assess the rate of blastocyst development (BDR) from embryos remaining in culture after day-3 embryo transfer (ET), and its relationship to cause of infertility.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study in tertiary-care IVF Center. Blastocyst development rate (BDR) after day-3 ET was assessed in 126 women who underwent either conventional IVF or ICSI.

High rates of embryo wastage with use of assisted reproductive technology: a look at the trends between 1995 and 2001 in the United States.

Objective: To determine what percentage of embryos achieved through assisted reproductive technology (ART) do not result in a live birth and to examine the relationships among the number of embryos transferred, infants delivered, and embryos wasted.

Design: Retrospective correlational study of the U.S.

Female sexual dysfunction and use of hormone therapy in postmenopausal women.

Sexual dysfunction is a common problem for women of all ages and remains an important aspect of women's health following menopause. For postmenopausal women, the evaluation and management of sexual dysfunction differs from that of younger women because the etiology is often linked to the diminished levels of sex hormones. Female sexual function is highly complex and deeply influenced by nonhormonal factors such as emotional intimacy and culture.

Evaluation of the association between hereditary thrombophilias and recurrent pregnancy loss: a meta-analysis.

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a significant clinical problem. Recently, thrombophilias have been implicated as a possible cause. Factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin gene (G20210A) mutations are the most common types of hereditary thrombophilias, but are usually undiagnosed because most carriers are asymptomatic.