Effect of a novel copper chloride gel on endometrial growth and function in healthy volunteers.

Research Question: Does the application of a micro-dose of copper chloride gel increase endometrial production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) without compromising endometrial function or producing embryo toxicity?

Design: An estimate of optimal dose was made based on cell culture studies. Ten healthy participants received an initial uterine application of placebo gel, followed by copper chloride gel (37.5 μM, 75 μM, or 150 μM dose) in a later hormone replacement cycle.

Intralipid infusion therapy as an adjunct treatment in women experiencing adenomyosis-related infertility.

Background: Currently, there is some evidence that adenomyosis patients using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist long downregulation (LDR) prior to embryo transfer may improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rate, but not to the baseline expected success where there is no adenomyosis. Given the association between adenomyosis and an aberrant endometrial immune environment, many physicians also use prednisolone or Intralipid adjuvant treatments in combination with GnRH agonist therapy, despite neither being of proven benefit.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the addition of prednisolone or Intralipid immune therapy to GnRH agonist LDR improves fertility outcomes in patients with adenomyosis.

The cost-effectiveness of using a prognosis-tailored strategy model to triage couples with idiopathic infertility for assisted reproduction technology.

Objectives: To evaluate whether a prognosis-tailored triage of ART for couples with idiopathic infertility by using the Hunault prognostic model can decrease the cost of treatment without compromising the chance of live birth.

Study Design: This is a retrospective study conducted in an Australian fertility clinic. Couples seeking infertility consultation who were subsequently found to have idiopathic infertility after evaluation were included.

An audit of clinical outcomes following ovarian administration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in women with severe diminished ovarian reserve.

Background: Infertility caused by poor oocyte quality is one of the most difficult areas to manage. While oocyte donation is an effective treatment, for most women it is a treatment of last resort. Ovarian platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment is a relatively new adjunct therapy which has been reported to possibly improve oocyte quality and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment outcomes in women with severe diminished ovarian reserve.

Plasma Metabolic and Lipidomic Fingerprinting of Individuals with Increased Intestinal Permeability.

The dual-sugar intestinal permeability test is a commonly used test to assess changes in gut barrier function. However, it does not identify functional changes and the exact mechanism of damage caused by the increased intestinal permeability. This study aims to explore the application of untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics to identify markers of increased intestinal permeability.

Anti-Müllerian hormone is a predictor of medium-term cumulative live birth following in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection: A retrospective study.

Objectives: This study aims to examine the capacity of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) to predict cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) following IVF/ICSI within 36 months since start of treatment.

Study Design: This is a cohort study of women seeking IVF/ICSI fertility treatment in a private Australian IVF clinic in a single calendar year. Live births were monitored over three years following start date of IVF/ICSI.

The predictive value of anti-Müllerian hormone for natural conception leading to live birth in subfertile couples.

Research Question: What is the predictive value of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level for natural conception and its clinical effect on subfertile couples?

Design: A retrospective cohort of ovulatory women seeking fertility consultation in a private fertility clinic. Couples who had an immediate indication for IVF were excluded. All natural conceptions leading to live birth before the start of assisted reproductive technology were followed within 12 months of the initial consultation.

Antisperm Antibody Testing: A Comprehensive Review of Its Role in the Management of Immunological Male Infertility and Results of a Global Survey of Clinical Practices.

Antisperm antibodies (ASA), as a cause of male infertility, have been detected in infertile males as early as 1954. Multiple causes of ASA production have been identified, and they are due to an abnormal exposure of mature germ cells to the immune system. ASA testing (with mixed anti-globulin reaction, and immunobead binding test) was described in the WHO manual 5th edition and is most recently listed among the extended semen tests in the WHO manual 6th edition.

Effect of Intralipid infusion on peripheral blood T cells and plasma cytokines in women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment.

Objectives: Intravenous infusion of Intralipid is an adjunct therapy in assisted reproduction treatment (ART) when immune-associated infertility is suspected. Here, we evaluated the effect of Intralipid infusion on regulatory T cells (Treg cells), effector T cells and plasma cytokines in peripheral blood of women undertaking IVF.

Methods: This prospective, observational pilot study assessed Intralipid infusion in 14 women exhibiting recurrent implantation failure, a clinical sign of immune-associated infertility.

Posthumous Reproduction and the Law: Tissue Transplantation, Property Rights and the Reproductive Relational Autonomy.

This paper examines the history of Australian superior court decisions on the retrieval of gametic material from deceased men. It examines the history of case law and legislation on the issue and then provides a summary of the current operative principles. The paper concludes with some reflections on the harms caused by posthumous retrieval of gametes, the role of property rights and the nature of reproductive autonomy.

PIEZO-ICSI increases fertilization rates compared with standard ICSI: a prospective cohort study.

Research Question: Is PIEZO-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) coupled with a new novel operational fluid (perfluoro-n-octane) superior to standard ICSI?

Design: A cohort of patients (n = 69) undertaking microinjection were recruited between January and November 2019 and were then prospectively case-matched. Patients required six or more mature oocytes for inclusion in the study. PIEZO-ICSI uses high-speed microinjection drilling to penetrate the zona and oolemma and deposit the spermatozoa into the cytoplasm, compared with the traditional 'cutting' action of ICSI.

Relevance of Leukocytospermia and Semen Culture and Its True Place in Diagnosing and Treating Male Infertility.

The current WHO 2010 manual for human semen analysis defines leukocytospermia as the presence of peroxidase-positive leukocytes at a concentration >1×10/mL of semen. Granular leukocytes when activated are capable of generating high levels of reactive oxygen species in semen resulting in oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been correlated with poor sperm quality, increased level of sperm DNA fragmentation and low fertility potential.

A Comprehensive Guide to Sperm Recovery in Infertile Men with Retrograde Ejaculation.

Retrograde ejaculation (RE) is a condition defined as the backward flow of the semen during ejaculation, and when present can result in male infertility. RE may be partial or complete, resulting in either low seminal volume or complete absence of the ejaculate (dry ejaculate). RE can result from anatomic, neurological or pharmacological conditions.

A Global Survey of Reproductive Specialists to Determine the Clinical Utility of Oxidative Stress Testing and Antioxidant Use in Male Infertility.

Purpose: The use of antioxidants is common practice in the management of infertile patients. However, there are no established guidelines by professional societies on antioxidant use for male infertility.

Materials And Methods: Using an online survey, this study aimed to evaluate the practice pattern of reproductive specialists to determine the clinical utility of oxidative stress (OS) testing and antioxidant prescriptions to treat male infertility.

Male seminal parameters are not associated with Leydig cell functional capacity in men.

Background: Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is a constitutive, secreted peptide produced in the male uniquely by the Leydig cells of the testes. It is a biomarker for Leydig cell functional capacity, which is a measure of the numbers and differentiation status of these steroidogenic cells and lacks the biological and technical variance of the steroid testosterone. This retrospective study was carried out to examine the relationship between seminal parameters and the Leydig cell compartment, and secondarily to assess other factors responsible for determining Leydig cell functional capacity.

Comparison of in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection on live birth rates in couples with non-male factor infertility and advanced maternal age.

Purpose: To determine if the use of ICSI in women of advanced maternal age with non-male factor infertility increases chances of live birth.

Methods: Retrospective data analysis of 10 years of cycle data from a single Australian IVF clinic (Repromed). First cycle patients only of an advanced maternal age (≥ 35 years) with non-male factor infertility utilising standard IVF or ICSI insemination and having at least three oocytes collected at egg pick up were assessed for live birth following transfer of single genetically unscreened blastocyst (N = 577).

Can the use of diagnostic and prognostic categorisation tailor the need for assisted reproductive technology in infertile couples?

Background: The complications associated with in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for both the offspring and mother, and its high cost make it essential to tailor the technology to those infertile couples who truly benefit from it.

Aims: To determine whether a simple prognostic algorithm could discriminate between couples who require immediate fertility treatments and couples in whom less invasive strategies should be offered first.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, couples were classified into six groups based on the medical necessity of IVF and their prognosis for natural conception: (i) tubal/severe semen factor mandating immediate IVF due to the very low chance of natural conception; (ii) pure anovulation infertility; (iii) female age ≥39 years; and (iv) unexplained/mild male infertility (no indication for immediate treatment) with (4A) good, (4B) moderate or (4C) poor prognosis of natural conception, as per an existing, validated prognostic model.

Use of a male antioxidant nutraceutical is associated with superior live birth rates during IVF treatment.

Oxidative stress is prevalent among infertile men and is a significant cause of sperm DNA damage. Since sperm DNA damage may reduce embryo quality and increase miscarriage rates, it is possible that untreated sperm oxidative stress may impair in vitro fertilization (IVF) live birth rates. Given that the antioxidant Menevit is reported to reduce sperm DNA damage, it was hypothesized that men's consumption of this supplement may alter IVF outcomes.