Sonographer-guided frozen embryo transfer vs ultrasound-assisted frozen embryo transfer - A randomised controlled study.

Background: The use of ultrasound to guide placement of the embryo during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is important, but there are times where a good image cannot be obtained. Having a trained sonographer perform the ultrasound may therefore improve the success of embryo transfer.

Aim: To determine whether the routine use of a sonographer to guide embryo transfer is superior to standard care.

The safety and efficacy of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for fertility preservation in women with early breast cancer: a systematic review.

Study Question: Can controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for fertility preservation be effectively conducted in women with breast cancer without worsening their prognosis?

Summary Answer: COH with co-administration of letrozole suppresses oestradiol levels without significantly impacting oocyte yield or decreasing disease-free survival rates.

What Is Known Already: Oestradiol has the capacity to stimulate the proliferation of breast cancer cells. COH can cause oestradiol levels to rise by an order of magnitude above physiological levels.

Live birth resulting from a conjoined oocyte confirmed as euploid using array CGH: a case report.

The significance of conjoined oocytes in the clinical IVF laboratory setting has been of question due to the extremely limited data available. The most reliable criterion for true binovularity is the inclusion of two oocytes within a common zona pellucida or their fusion in the zonal region. This is a relatively rare event and owing to the limited number of embryo transfers performed and information on their outcomes, it is highly probable that these oocytes would be discarded without attempts at fertilization and subsequent embryo culture.

GnRH agonist trigger and a freeze-all strategy to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a retrospective study of OHSS risk and pregnancy rates.

Aims: To analyse the data from all controlled ovarian hyperstimulation antagonist cycles that used an agonist trigger and a freeze-all strategy to quantify the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and subsequent pregnancy rates.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study of all women attending fertility clinics at IVF Australia, Sydney, undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) using an antagonist protocol that had a subsequent gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist trigger and freezing of all oocytes or embryos. The primary outcome measure was to determine the rate of OHSS.

GnRH agonist triggers and their use in assisted reproductive technology: the past, the present and the future.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist triggers are very effective in eliminating early-onset ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However, in most studies they result in inferior pregnancy rates compared to hCG triggers in fresh autologous transfers. This is not due to an effect on embryo quality but rather due to inadequate corpus luteum formation and a defective luteal phase causing poor implantation.

Ovarian stimulation protocols for onco-fertility patients.

Purpose: To review options for ovarian stimulation before oocyte collection for fertility preservation for women with cancer or related diseases who require potentially sterilizing chemo- or radiotherapy.

Methods: Narrative review of current practice.

Results: Vitrification of oocytes and embryos has improved chances of pregnancy for this group of patients in recent years, increasing the uptake of fertility preservation before cancer treatment substantially.

Endometriosis and infertility - a consensus statement from ACCEPT (Australasian CREI Consensus Expert Panel on Trial evidence).

Endometriosis is common in women with infertility but its management is controversial and varied. This article summarises the consensus developed by a group of Australasian subspecialists in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (the Australasian CREI Consensus Expert Panel on Trial evidence group) on the evidence concerning the management of endometriosis in infertility. Endometriosis impairs fertility by causing a local inflammatory state, inducing progesterone resistance, impairing oocyte release and reducing sperm and embryo transport.

Twice-frozen embryos are no detriment to pregnancy success: a retrospective comparative study.

Objective: To compare the pregnancy rates (PR) and live birth rates in once- versus twice-frozen ET treatment cycles in the same cohort of women.

Design: A retrospective study.

Setting: Fertility clinics, IVF Australia, New South Wales.

Basic surgical skills training: does it work?

Background And Aim: We assessed the RANZCOG Basic Surgical Skills Workshop (BSSW) with regards to trainees' basic knowledge and skill using a laparoscopic pelvi-trainer.

Methods: First-year trainees answered a multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ) and performed timed simulated laparoscopic exercises with a pelvi-trainer before completing a 2-day workshop. Assessment was repeated following the workshop, at 6 months and 5 years.