[Delphi consensus on the monitoring tools of main individual risk factors for chronic diseases by the company doctor].

Background: Data on individual risk factors for chronic diseases (smoking, physical activity, body mass) are collected by company physicians in heterogeneous ways. This makes comparisons, researches and evaluations difficult.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to find a consensus on evaluation tools for chronic diseases risk factors and for health promotion programs in workplaces that could be performed by company physicians during their clinical activity.

Ovulation induction and luteal support with GnRH agonist in patients at high risk for hyperstimulation syndrome.

The aim of this study was to compare GnRHa trigger and luteal addition of triptorelin to hCG trigger for final oocyte maturation in women at high risk for OHSS undergoing IVF. A total of 423 patients were divided in two groups both stimulated using antagonist short protocol. Gonadotropins 75-150 UI/day were started on day 2-5, GnRH antagonist was added when the lead follicle was >14 mm and the final trigger was obtained with hCG 250 µg or triptorelin 0.

Ovarian and adrenal androgens may be useful markers to predict oocyte competence and embryo development in older women.

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the association between serum levels of various hormones and in vitro fertilization (IVF) parameters in poor responder patients. Serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione and testosterone were measured before the start of IVF treatment cycle. We found that serum AMH and DHEAS levels were positively correlated with the number of mature oocytes, fertilized oocytes and developed embryos, both in pregnant and in non-pregnant patients.

DHEA supplementation positively affects spontaneous pregnancies in women with diminished ovarian function.

The aim of this article is to describe unexpected spontaneous pregnancies in poor responder patients with long-term infertility, when treated with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Our evaluation was carried out in two groups of women. The first group included 39 young women with <40 years, all treated with DHEA because of a previous poor response.

The clomiphene citrate challenge test (CCCT) in women with elevated basal FSH: biological significance and predictive value.

Objective: The rationale of the clomiphene citrate challenge test (CCCT) is that day 10 serum FSH is influenced by the quality of the recruited oocytes. Biological evidence supporting this assumption is, however, lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between results from the CCCT and the quantity and the quality of the recruited oocytes.

IVF-ICSI outcome in women operated on for bilateral endometriomas.

Background: The influence of previous conservative surgery for endometriomas on IVF-ICSI outcome is debated. Conflicting information emerging from the literature may be consequent to the fact that endometriomas are mostly monolateral. The contralateral intact ovary may adequately supply for the reduced function of the affected one.

The presence of ovarian endometriomas is associated with a reduced responsiveness to gonadotropins.

Objective: To clarify whether the presence of ovarian endometriomas is associated with a reduced responsiveness to ovarian hyperstimulation.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Does laparoscopic removal of nonendometriotic benign ovarian cysts affect ovarian reserve?

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate whether laparoscopic excision of nonendometriotic benign ovarian cysts is associated with a significant injury to ovarian reserve.

Methods: Women selected for IVF-ICSI cycles who previously underwent laparoscopic excision of a monolateral nonendometriotic benign ovarian cyst were retrospectively identified. The operated ovary and the contralateral intact gonad of the same patient were compared in term of basal ovarian volume before initiating ovarian stimulation and number of dominant follicles at the time of human chorionic gonadotropin administration.

Preventing high-order multiple pregnancies during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination: 3 years' experience using low-dose recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists.

Objective: To employ protocols of mild ovarian stimulation to prevent an excessively elevated rate of high-order multiple pregnancies.

Design: Case series.

Setting: University hospital.

Reproductive prognosis in male patients with azoospermia at the time of cancer diagnosis.

Objective: Fertility status evaluation in patients found azoospermic at the time of malignancy diagnosis.

Design: Case series follow-up.

Setting: University Hospital Sperm Banking service.

Effectiveness of sonohysterography in infertile patient work-up: a comparison with transvaginal ultrasonography and hysteroscopy.

Objective: The aim of this comparative study was to evaluate the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVU), sonohysterography (SHG) with sterile saline solution compared to hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of intrauterine pathology in a population of infertile patients before an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program.

Patients/methods: 98 infertile patients with a mean age of 33.9 years (range 27-41) underwent TVU assessment and SHG with sterile saline solution immediately followed by hysteroscopy.

Sperm banking and rate of assisted reproduction treatment: insights from a 15-year cryopreservation program for male cancer patients.

Background: Semen cryostorage remains the only proven method to preserve fertility in men with cancer. However, the necessity and the justification of banking spermatozoa have been questioned because it has been reported that only a small percentage of patients are referred for assisted reproductive technologies using frozen semen.

Methods: A 15-year cryopreservation program involving 776 men with malignant diseases who were referred to the study institution for semen cryopreservation before proceeding with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy was reviewed.