TUNEL labeling with BrdUTP/anti-BrdUTP greatly underestimates the level of sperm DNA fragmentation in semen evaluation.

Many studies have now confirmed that sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is associated with a poorer outcome of some forms of assisted reproduction technology. For this reason, SDF is an important parameter to evaluate in male fertility assessment. TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) assay coupled to flow cytometry is one of the most promising methods for SDF quantification.

Endometrial thickness influences neonatal birth weight in pregnancies with obstetric complications achieved after fresh IVF-ICSI cycles.

Purpose: Pregnancy-associated complications, duration of gestation and parity are well-known predictors of neonatal birth weight. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) affects neonatal birth weight as well. Endometrial thickness as measured on the day of HCG triggering may therefore impact on the neonatal birth weight.

Isolation of spermatozoa with low levels of fragmented DNA with the use of flow cytometry and sorting.

Objective: To develop a method to select spermatozoa with low DNA fragmentation rates for assisted reproduction technologies (ART).

Design: Multistep prospective cohort study.

Setting: University hospital.

First successful pregnancy in Switzerland after prospective sex determination of the embryo through the separation of X-chromosome bearing spermatozoa.

Question Under Study: The feasibility and the potential advantages of separating X-chromosome bearing spermatozoa for the prevention of a severe X-chromosome linked disorder with the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection are presented.

Method: A carrier of muscular dystrophy type Becker was treated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, using spermatozoa previously stained with the Hoechst dye 33342 and sorted with flow cytometry.

Results: After transfer of one single blastocyst, an intrauterine pregnancy arose.

[Present-day reproductive medicine and future possibilities].

Despite the controversial discussions, which have accompanied it since its first introduction of into clinical medicine particularly in Switzerland, assisted reproductive medicine has come to acquire a firm standing in present-day society. This broad acceptance is the logical consequence of the availability of efficient methods of family planning which started with the introduction of oral contraception in the early sixties. Over time assisted reproductive medicine has grown with a considerable degree of efficacy due to improvements in the culture conditions in the embryology laboratory and due to sophisticated ovarian hyperstimulation.

The multipotency of luteinizing granulosa cells collected from mature ovarian follicles.

Graafian ovarian follicles consist of follicular fluid, one single mature oocyte, and several hundred thousands of granulosa cells (GCs). Until now, luteinizing GCs have been considered to be terminally differentiated, destined to undergo death after ovulation. Present concepts of luteal function, endocrine regulation of early pregnancy, and the recruitment of new ovarian follicles are all based on the cyclical renewal of the entire population of GCs.

First delivery of healthy offspring after freezing and thawing of oocytes in Switzerland.

The interest in long-term storage of uninseminated oocytes through cryopreservation has seen a recent upsurge, because it provides the potential to assist young women to postpone childbirth after having overcome a malignant disease or delaying childbirth until after management of a professional career. The low fertilisation rate of frozen/thawed oocytes in earlier feasibility trials can now be improved by using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for assisting the penetration of the spermatozoon through the oocyte's hardened zona pellucida. Another reason for the reported low success rates of oocyte cryopreservation in earlier studies may have been the low developmental potential of spare oocytes, which were available for experimental cryopreservation.

Elaboration of a working model for the involvement of inhibin A as a mediator of the preovulatory rise of progesterone levels.

During the final days of follicular development, exogenously administered follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) produces a rise in serum progesterone level. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible source and regulation of this preovulatory progesterone surge. Four sets of matching treatments with gonadotropins for in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection were selected from a cohort of 953 treatments in 244 couples.

Apoptosis and differentiation induced by staurosporine in granulosa tumor cells is coupled with activation of JNK and suppression of p38 MAPK.

We report here that staurosporine can induce apoptosis or differentiation of granulosa tumor cells depending on its dosage. In presence of staurosporine concentrations > 50 nM, apoptosis was triggered in human granulosa cell tumor cells COV434. In the presence of concentrations < 50 nM, the shape of the otherwise globular granulosa cells differentiated into a flattened epithelioid-like appearance.

Progesterone serum levels during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle originate from the crosstalk between the ovaries and the adrenal cortex.

Background: The preovulatory rise of progesterone is important for ovulation, but both its regulation and its origin are controversial. Three experiments were performed to determine whether follicular phase progesterone arises from the ovary, the adrenal cortex or both.

Methods: The first study was performed in patients scheduled for assisted reproduction, who received a long-acting GnRH agonist either during intake of an oral contraceptive or during the luteal phase of an otherwise untreated menstrual cycle.