Serum Oestradiol Pattern during Coasting is Different in Antagonist Cycles Compared with Long Agonist Cycles in In Vitro Fertilisation.

Background: GnRH agonists and antagonists have different mechanism of action, and therefore serum estradiol levels might differ during coasting in IVF.

Aims: To compare the change in serum oestradiol levels after withholding the gonadotropins for coasting between long agonist and antagonist cycles.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Psychosomatic aspects of vulvodynia. Comparison with the chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Objective: To examine psychosomatic aspects of vulvodynia (VD) in comparison with the chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).

Study Design: Sixty-seven VD patients and 97 CPPS patients were examined with psychological tests (Freiburg Personality Inventory, Giessen Test) and compared with a control group of 34 healthy women. Sociodemographic data and psychoanalytic diagnoses were collected for 36 VD patients and 106 CPPS patients (inpatients).

Epidermal growth factor and leukemia inhibitory factor levels in follicular fluid. Association with in vitro fertilization outcome.

Objective: To determine the levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in follicular fluid, if any, and to assess the association of these cytokines with the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Study Design: EGF and LIF levels determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 60 preovulatory follicular fluids were compared with 25 IVF outcomes.

Results: Immunoreactive EGF and LIF could be detected in human follicular fluid.

Increased recovery of viable spermatozoa through oscillating centrifugation.

Objective: To compare the number and quality of spermatozoa recovered following the standard centrifugation method with those recovered following oscillation of the relative centrifugal field during the centrifugation method.

Design: Prospectively controlled in vitro study.

Setting: Private andrology laboratory.

Interferon-gamma production by the human preimplantation embryo.

Problem: This study demonstrated that the human embryo produces interferon-gamma (IFNgamma). It is important to know whether IFNgamma can be produced before implantation. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of IFNgamma production between days 2 and 5 after in vitro fertilization.