First PGT-A using human in vivo blastocysts recovered by uterine lavage: comparison with matched IVF embryo controls†.

Study Question: After controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and IUI, is it clinically feasible to recover in vivo conceived and matured human blastocysts by uterine lavage from fertile women for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) and compare their PGT-A and Gardner scale morphology scores with paired blastocysts from IVF control cycles?

Summary Answer: In a consecutive series of 134 COS cycles using gonadotrophin stimulation followed by IUI, uterine lavage recovered 136 embryos in 42% (56/134) of study cycles, with comparable in vivo and in vitro euploidy rates but better morphology in in vivo embryos.

What Is Known Already: In vivo developed embryos studied in animal models possess different characteristics compared to in vitro developed embryos of similar species. Such comparative studies between in vivo and in vitro human embryos have not been reported owing to lack of a reliable method to recover human embryos.

Super cool X-1000 and Super cool Z-1000, two ice blockers, and their effect on vitrification/warming of mouse embryos.

Objective: To evaluate the survival and blastocyst formation rates of mouse embryos after vitrification/thaw process with different ice blocker media. We used X-1000 and Z-1000 separately and mixed using V-Kim, a closed vitrification system.

Study Design: Mouse embryos were vitrified using ethylene glycol based medium supplemented with Super cool X-1000 and/or Super cool Z-1000.

The utility of a midcycle follicle-stimulating hormone boost in addition to human chorionic gonadotropin for timing of follicle aspiration in unstimulated in vitro fertilization cycles.

Purpose: To analyze the effects and potential benefits of a single midcycle dose of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) prior to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration during unstimulated in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.

Methods: Twenty-five cycles from 20 patients receiving 150 IU of FSH 42-44 h and 10,000 IU of hCG 34-36 h prior to follicle aspiration were compared to 110 cycles triggered with hCG alone.

Results: Serum E2 levels were significantly lower on the day of hCG treatment in the FSH-treated group (266 vs.

The significance of elevated early follicular-phase follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels: observations in unstimulated in vitro fertilization cycles.

Objective: Our objective was to determine the effect of elevated early follicular-phase serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on follicle growth and oocyte maturity in unstimulated in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.

Study Design: We compared cycles with elevated day 3 FSH levels (> 20 mIU/ml) to subsequent cycles in the same patients when day 3 FSH returned to normal and to cycles among women with normal day 3 FSH levels.

Patients: Seven cycles in seven patients had an elevated day 3 FSH (high-FSH group).

Preimplantation adoption: establishing pregnancy using donated oocytes and spermatozoa.

The experience of transferring embryos produced through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) utilizing donated oocytes and spermatozoa is described. Recipients (n = 28; aged 38-59 years) received oral micronized oestradiol and i.m.

A new long shelf life formulation of modified Ham's F-10 medium: biochemical and clinical evaluation.

Purpose: To evaluate biochemically and clinically a new formulation of modified Ham's F-10 medium made without the inclusion of hypoxanthine. The medium was formulated for long-term storage and use by separately preparing a stable liquid ("basal") portion and a freeze-dried "supplement" containing the labile medium components.

Results: Following 18 months of storage the basal medium was biochemically analyzed for its amino acid (aa's) and vitamin content.

Factors affecting pregnancy success of human in-vitro fertilization in unstimulated cycles.

Successful pregnancies have recently been reported in cycles of unstimulated in-vitro fertilization (IVF) which is a simplification of the standard IVF approach utilizing ovarian stimulation. The purpose of this study was to analyse retrospectively the results of the first 3 years of unstimulated IVF cycles at our institution in order to identify factors which predispose these cycles to success or failure. All patients (n = 57) underwent serial monitoring with transvaginal ultrasound and serum oestradiol determinations.

A prospective controlled evaluation of TEST-yolk buffer in the preparation of sperm for human in vitro fertilization in suspected cases of male infertility.

Objective: To evaluate sperm preincubation in tes and tris (TEST)-yolk buffer as a potential enhancing agent of fertilizing capacity of sperm during human in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Design: Oocytes obtained during IVF were divided into two groups: one group fertilized with TEST-yolk buffer-treated sperm and the other group with standard-prepared sperm.

Setting: The University of Southern California IVF Program.

Embryotoxicity of three commercially available powderless surgical gloves.

The one-cell mouse embryo bioassay was utilized to test the embryotoxicity of three brands of powerless surgical gloves; Pristine, Ansell, and BioGel. The Pristine gloves demonstrated no significant embryotoxicity, while the other two brands demonstrated a consistent inhibition of blastocyst development of one-cell mouse embryos.

In vitro fertilization in unstimulated cycles: the University of Southern California experience.

Objective: To describe the clinical experience of our center with in vitro fertilization (IVF) in unstimulated cycles and to provide a comparison to stimulated cycles.

Design: Spontaneous ovulatory cycles were triggered with human chorionic gonadotropin in the midcycle, and 78 aspirations for IVF were performed, with the remainder of the IVF cycle proceeding in a standard manner.

Setting: The IVF program of the University of Southern California and the California Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.

Preovulatory follicular fluid steroid levels in stimulated and unstimulated cycles triggered with human chorionic gonadotropin.

The purpose of this study was to analyze follicular fluid (FF) samples for steroid levels from stimulated and unstimulated cycles triggered with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and to assess the influence of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and luteinizing hormone/hCG on these levels. Spontaneous ovulatory cycles were monitored with serial ultrasound examinations, and hCG 10,000 IU was given when the lead follicle was mature. Fourteen FF samples yielding fertilizable oocytes were compared with 13 FF samples from controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles.

Oocyte and pre-embryo donation to women with ovarian failure: an extended clinical trial.

The outcome of a series of pre-embryo transfers to 31 women with ovarian failure is described. Twenty six fertile women functioned as nonanonymous donors, providing oocytes for in vitro fertilization after undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and transvaginal ultrasound directed oocyte aspiration. Recipients, 24 to 44 years of age, received hormone replacement therapy before pre-embryo transfer (ET).

In vitro fertilization in unstimulated cycles: a clinical trial using hCG for timing of follicle aspiration.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed in normally ovulatory women after the follicular phase of an unstimulated cycle. Twenty patients initiated 36 cycles of unstimulated IVF, with serial ultrasound examinations and hCG 10,000 IU given when the follicle was mature. Thirty aspirations were carried out under intravenous sedation with transvaginal ultrasound guidance.

Establishment of a nonanonymous donor oocyte program: preliminary experience at the University of Southern California.

Transvaginal ultrasound-directed oocyte retrieval was performed on eight women functioning exclusively as gamete donors for 10 patients with ovarian failure. Donors included sisters, personal friends, and compensated participants selected by the recipient couple. Oocyte donors underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and transvaginal oocyte aspiration.

Pregnancy following nonsurgical donor ovum transfer to a functionally agonadal woman.

We report this country's first nonsurgical donor ovum transfer pregnancy in a functionally agonadal woman who had received chemotherapy and radiation for Hodgkin's lymphoma. For women with ovarian failure, nonsurgical uterine lavage and ovum transfer may provide an opportunity for motherhood that was not possible previously.

Involvement of developing sympathetic nervous system in thyroxine-mediated submandibular gland nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor responses.

Thyroxine (T4) administration in mice during the 2nd wk of postnatal life elicits a precocious increase in submandibular gland-nerve growth factor (SMG-NGF) and epidermal growth factor (SMG-EGF) levels, but the mechanism(s) of T4 action has not been studied. The present report examines the role of the developing sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in the SMG-NGF and EGF responses to T4. For this purpose newborn mice were injected with T4 and/or 6-hydroxydopamine, a toxic congener of norephinephrine which causes selective destruction of sympathetic nerve terminals.

Acquisition of urine, kidney and submandibular gland epidermal growth factor responsiveness to thyroxine administration in neonatal mice.

Thyroxine (T4) administration to newborn mice on days 0-6 produced no measurable changes of submandibular gland (SMG) or kidney epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations on day 7, compared with vehicle-treated control pups. By contrast, this regimen caused a large increase in urine EGF levels. The effects of three T4 injection regimens (on days 0-6, 7-14 and 0-14) were then studied on day 15.

Epidermal growth factor measurements in mouse plasma: method, ontogeny, and sex difference.

A highly sensitive mouse plasma (serum) epidermal growth factor (EGF) radioimmunoassay was utilized to determine EGF levels in mouse plasma and submandibular gland (SMG) at different ages. Plasma and serum levels were not different. Inferior vena caval blood was used because even at the age of 12 days EGF levels were markedly higher in neck blood.

Growth hormone increases neonatal mouse urine epidermal growth factor.

The effects of bovine growth hormone (bGH) and triiodothyronine (T3), alone and in combination, were studied on urinary-EGF (U-EGF) in newborn mice. All three treatments significantly augmented the concentration of U-EGF. The effect was far greater for T3 than for bGH.

Acquisition of submandibular gland nerve growth factor (SMG-NGF) responsiveness to thyroxine administration in neonatal mice.

The growth of the submandibular gland (SMG) was studied in newborn mice from birth to 15 days of age. Progressive changes in wet weight were observed to accompany changes in biochemical constituents such as RNA, protein, and lipid. Thyroxine (T4) administration from days 0-6 produced changes in SMG growth and SMG accumulation of RNA, protein, and lipid components relative to control pups treated with a similar volume of vehicle.