The sympathetic neural hyperalgesia/edema syndrome, a common cause of female pelvic pain, manifesting as a pseudopheochromocytoma with marked clinical improvement with sympathomimetic amines.

Purpose: To show that a common but not well-known disorder of the sympathetic nervous system can present with symptoms suggesting a pheochromocytoma.

Materials And Methods: The standard treatment of this disorder (which is characterized by an abnormal water load test), i.e.

The use of sympathomimetic amines for the treatment of severe constipation refractory to conventional therapy--case report.

Purpose: Sympathetic nervous system hypofunction has been found to be associated with motility disorders of the bowel, including gastroparesis, pseudointestinal obstruction, and esophageal motility disorders. These disorders respond to sympathomimetic amine therapy. The purpose of this study was to see if this therapy could be effective in treating pathological constipation.

Defective oocytes are not a common cause of unexplained infertility as determined by evaluation of sharing oocytes between infertile donors and recipients.

Purpose: To determine if defective oocytes or sperm may be a common etiologic factor in unexplained infertility.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective comparison of fertilization rates and pregnancy rates from infertile donors with unexplained infertility trying to conceive with in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and their respective recipients, who shared the other half of the oocytes with the recipient's male partner for financial compensation was performed. Pregnancy rates from donors and recipients were also compared to other donor recipient pairs sharing oocytes from infertile donors with tubal or male factor or financially-compensated donors providing oocytes to two recipients.

Prevention of first-trimester miscarriage with dextroamphetamine sulfate treatment in women with recurrent miscarriage following embryo transfer -- case report.

Purpose: To present a novel approach to prevent miscarriage by treatment with sympathomimetic amines.

Materials And Methods: Two women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) with a history of recurrent miscarriage even in IVF-ET cycles were treated with dextroamphetamine sulfate prior to their next IVF-ET cycles.

Results: Both women successfully completed their first trimester.

Pregnancy outcome following fresh vs frozen embryo transfer into gestational carriers using a simplified slow freeze protocol.

Purpose: To compare pregnancy rates following fresh vs frozen embryo transfer into gestational carriers.

Methods: Choice of deferring fresh embryo transfer and cryopreserving the embryos vs fresh transfers was not randomized but based on circumstances. The cryopreservation protocol used a simplified slow cool technique avoiding the planar programmable freezer and using a one-step removal of the cryoprotectant.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection completely negates the implantation problem associated with conventional fertilization with sperm with low hypo-osmotic swelling test scores as evidenced by evaluating donor-recipient pairs.

Purpose: To corroborate or refute the claim that intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can overcome the problem found after conventional insemination of oocytes with sperm with low hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) tests of forming embryos with low implantation potential.

Methods: Matched couple pairs sharing one pool of oocytes were identified where one of the male partners had a low HOS test score and the other one with a normal one. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was always used in those with low HOS test scores (i.

Effect of serum progesterone level on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin injection on outcome following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer in women using gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists.

Purpose: To determine if there is any association of serum progesterone (P) level at the time of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection and pregnancy outcome in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles using gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of IVF cycles over a six and a half-year period where either cetrorelix or ganirelix was used with COH and at least two embryos were transferred. Female partners were < or = 35.

A case whose outcome is consistent with the possibility that if slow embryo cleavage is related to a male factor the prognosis is far greater than if it was related to an egg factor.

Purpose: To determine if the male partner's sperm can be the cause of embryos with slow cleavage.

Methods: Retrospective evaluation of shared donor oocyte pairs where two women shared one pool of oocytes from an oocyte donor.

Results: Only one woman formed embryos that were all < 6 blastomeres in 376 paired cycles (total 752).

Hypofunction of the sympathetic nervous system is an etiologic factor for a wide variety of chronic treatment-refractory pathologic disorders which all respond to therapy with sympathomimetic amines.

The hypothesis set forth is that the basis for a great many chronic debilitating conditions that involve almost all of the physiologic systems of the body may have as the underlying cause and a common link between them, i.e., hypofunction of the sympathetic nervous system.

Comparison of pregnancy outcome following frozen embryo transfer (ET) in a gestational carrier program according to source of the oocytes.

Purpose: To determine any differences in pregnancy rates if frozen-thawed embryos are transferred to a gestational carrier if the source of oocytes came from infertile women trying to conceive vs a paid egg donor.

Methods: Gestational carriers were used because of uterine problems or health issues. If there was adequate ovarian egg reserve, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation followed by oocyte retrieval was performed on the infertile woman.

A comparison of pregnancy rates following fresh and frozen embryo transfer according to the use of leuprolide acetate vs ganirelix vs cetrorelix.

Purpose: To determine if controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) regimens using the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist leuprolide acetate result in higher pregnancy and implantation rates than COH regimens using the GnRH antagonists cetrorelix or ganirelix following fresh and frozen embryo transfer.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed evaluating the pregnancy rates with the first fresh and first frozen embryo transfer cycles according to which protocol was used. A haphazard decision was made on which protocol to use.

A novel method to assess the effect of uterine senescence by comparing pregnancy outcome in younger donors vs older recipients who are sharing a common pool of oocytes.

Purpose: To evaluate uterine senescence by comparing pregnancy rates in older recipients vs their younger donors who were actually trying to conceive themselves.

Methods: A retrospective analysis comparing clinical and delivered pregnancy rates in all infertile donors < or = age 35 sharing their eggs with a recipient age > or = 40 over a 6-year time span. These parameters were also evaluated in the first frozen embryo transfer from these couples (if they had one).

Pregnancy rates per embryo transfer (ET) may be improved by conventional oocyte insemination for male factor rather than intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Purpose: To determine if intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for mild male factor may create embryos less likely to implant.

Method: A retrospective analysis of pregnancy outcome following oocyte fertilization with ICSI vs conventional egg insemination was performed.

Results: Though there were many less cases using conventional oocyte insemination compared to ICSI so that a meaningful comparison of outcome could not be made, the data could suggest the fertilization by ICSI might result in embryos less likely to implant.

Donor-recipient pairs to evaluate the effect of day 3 embryos having at least six blastomeres on pregnancy outcome.

Purpose: To determine if having all embryos transferred with at least six blastomeres improves pregnancy rates compared to women having an embryo transfer with at least one embryo with less than six cells.

Methods: Donor-recipient pairs were used to help remove the confounding effect of egg quality. Four donor-recipient pair types were evaluated: (1) both donor and recipient had all embryos with at least six cells, (2) neither donor nor recipient had all embryos with > or =6 cells, (3) donor but not recipient had all > or = six cell embryos, (4) recipient but not donor had all embryos with > or = six cells.

A case report supporting the concept that some women have a predisposition for maternal meiosis errors resulting in digyny.

Purpose: To determine if a primary aborter with recurrent miscarriage times three with her only two fetal products that were evaluated with chromosome analysis demonstrating triploidy in both fetuses could have a predisposition for maternal meiosis errors.

Methods: In vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed. Embryo biopsy was performed on 3-day old embryos and a single blastomere was evaluated by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).

The effect of length of the follicular phase on pregnancy outcome following single embryo transfer (ET) in hypergonadotropic women.

Objective: To evaluate whether a short follicular phase adversely affects pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer in women with diminished egg reserve similarly to women with short follicular phases and normal egg reserve.

Methods: A retrospective review of women with day 3 serum FSH > 12 mIU/ml having only a single embryo transfer. Pregnancy rates were determined according to length of follicular phase, i.

Secondary amenorrhea with normal ovulatory cycles in a young virgin with normal follicle stimulating hormone levels--a case report.

Purpose: To determine if normal ovulation is possible despite amenorrhea in the absence of any obvious uterine abnormalities or adhesions.

Methods: The study was conducted on a 17-year-old virgin with normal sexual development and normal secondary sexual characteristics whose menarche was at age 12 but whose menses ceased after two menstruations. She was first treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg x ten days and then a cycle of oral contraceptives.

Ovulation induction and pregnancy in a woman with premature menopause following gonadotropin suppression with the gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist, cetrorelix--a case report.

Objective: To determine if ovulation and pregnancy could be achieved in a case of amenorrhea, estrogen deficiency, and markedly elevated serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) through reduction of the serum FSH by a gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist.

Methods: A 37-year-old woman with hypergonadotropic secondary amenorrhea related to two courses of chemotherapy with alkylating agents and abdominal radiation therapy (Hodgkin's disease and breast cancer) was treated with cetrorelix in an attempt to induce ovulation by lowering elevated serum FSH and hopefully restore sensitivity of the few remaining follicles by restoring down-regulated FSH receptors. She was monitored with serum estradiol (E2), FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P) levels and sonography.

Pregnancy outcome following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in women of more advanced reproductive age with elevated serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels.

Purpose: To present data on the chances of pregnancy following in vitro fertilization embryo transfer, according to day 3 serum FSH and age groups in women > or = age 36.

Materials And Methods: Data were analyzed according to three age groups (36-39, 40-42, > or = 43) and five serum FSH ranges (< or = 10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, > or = 17).

Results: No live pregnancies were found in women aged > or = 40 with serum FSH > or = 15 mlU/ml but they were seen in women aged 36-39.

Episcleritis as a possible complication of lymphocyte immunotherapy--case report.

Introduction: Recurrent episceleritis is uncommon. Lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT) is frequently useful in establishing successful pregnancies in women with previously failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.

Methods: A woman with recurrent episcleritis and previous splenectomy was carefully questioned to see if there was any association with having had the LIT procedure.

Subsequent therapeutic options and outcome in couples who fail to fertilize despite in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Purpose: Failed fertilization with ICSI in women having at least five mature oocytes retrieved is uncommon. The present study evaluated 19 such patients to determine--based on this outcome--what option they would choose next and what the outcome would be.

Methods: The study requirements included females age < or = 43 and use of ejaculated sperm.

Fertilization by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) does not impair subsequent pregnancy outcome following frozen embryo transfer (ET) as determined by a large retrospective analysis.

Purpose: To determine if fertilization by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) adversely affects pregnancy outcome following frozen embryo transfer (ET).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of frozen ETs where the oocytes were fertilized by conventional insemination vs ICSI was carried out.

Results: No difference in pregnancy outcome was found in women up to age 42.