Photodynamic Therapy for Pseudophakic Eyes Compared to Eyes With Cataract.

Background And Objective: Verteporfin photodynamic therapy (vPDT) plays a role in the treatment of chorioretinal conditions. The purpose of this study was to compare vPDT outcomes between cataractous and pseudophakic eyes.

Patients And Methods: In this prospective study of consecutive patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with vPDT, cataract and pseudophakic eyes were compared for number and timing of vPDT treatments, duration of follow-up, angiographic features, and changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Embryo quality in controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization in young poor responders.

This retrospective matched case control study was conducted to evaluate the effects of poor ovarian response in a group of young women (20-30 years) on embryos quality in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization. Thirty-nine young patients with poor ovarian response (≤5 oocytes on retrieval) were enrolled and compared to age- and date-matched controls. Maximal Estradiol levels, number of oocytes aspirated, number of M2 oocytes and number of fertilized oocytes were significantly lower in the study group compared to controls.

Serum amyloid A: expression throughout human ovarian folliculogenesis and levels in follicular fluid of women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation.

Background: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute phase protein expressed primarily in the liver in response to various injuries and inflammatory stimuli and is recognized as a modulator of inflammation. Ovarian reproductive functions including folliculogenesis and ovulation use inflammatory processes; thus, studying SAA in this context is of interest.

Objectives: We investigated the expression and localization of SAA in ovarian developing follicles and its levels in follicular fluids.

The clinical significance of small endometrial polyps.

Objective: Small endometrial polyps are relatively common in asymptomatic women and may regress spontaneously. In symptomatic women, the finding of a small polyp (<1cm diameter) raises the question of the clinical pertinence and necessity of excision. Sparse data are available on the effectiveness of hysteroscopic excision of small polyps to manage abnormal uterine bleeding.

Is the quality of donated semen deteriorating? Findings from a 15 year longitudinal analysis of weekly sperm samples.

Background: Studies suggest that global semen quality is declining, but the debate remains open owing to geographic variation.

Objectives: To evaluate temporal trends of sperm parameters - namely concentration, motility and total motile sperm count - in sperm donated during the period 1995-2009.

Methods: In a retrospective longitudinal cohort study we analyzed the sperm count and motility of 2182 semen samples provided on a weekly basis by 58 young, healthy, fertile, university-educated, paid donors.