The expression of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) in human blastocoel fluid-conditioned media: a proof of concept study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), typically measured in maternal serum and a potential predictor of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes such as spontaneous miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, and stillbirth, is expressed in blastocoel fluid-conditioned media (BFCM) at the embryonic blastocyst stage.

Design: This is an in vitro study.

Methods: BFCM samples from trophectoderm-tested euploid blastocysts (n = 80) from in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) patients were analyzed for PAPP-A mRNA.

The effects of hysteroscopic morcellation of endometrial polyps on frozen embryo transfer outcomes.

Objective(s): To determine if hysteroscopic removal of endometrial polyps, specifically via morcellation of polyps, affects implantation rate (IR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), spontaneous abortion (SAB) rate, and live birth rate (LBR) in first frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review, with data abstracted from the charts of all first autologous oocyte frozen embryo transfer (FET) cases (n = 135) at a single fertility center from January 2018 through June 2020. Subjects were grouped into (A) hysteroscopic polypectomy prior to first FET (n = 25) or (B) no hysteroscopic polypectomy prior to first FET (n = 110).

FSH levels and testicular volumes are associated with the severity of testicular histopathology in men with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess a potential association between FSH levels and testicular volumes with the severity of testicular histopathology on testicular biopsy in men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) undergoing microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE).

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed from the electronic health records of men who underwent microTESE with NOA.

Results: Eighty-six men with NOA underwent microTESE with concomitant testicular biopsy for permanent section to assess the testicular cellular architecture.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Forgotten Uterus.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder that affects various facets of fertility. Although the ovarian and metabolic aspects of the disease is well studied, its role in uterine dysfunction is not well understood. Our objective was to review the features of endometrial and uterine aberrations in women with PCOS.

Embryos from polycystic ovary syndrome patients with hyperandrogenemia reach morula stage faster than controls.

Objective: To investigate if patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have altered embryo morphokinetics when compared with controls.

Design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting: Single academic fertility clinic in a tertiary hospital setting.

Fetal programming of polycystic ovary syndrome: Effects of androgen exposure on prenatal ovarian development.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common form of anovulatory infertility with a strong hereditary component but no candidate genes have been found. The inheritance pattern may be due to in utero androgen programming on gene expression and mitochondria. Mitochondria are maternally inherited and alterations to mitochondria after fetal androgen exposure may explain one of the mechanisms of fetal programming in PCOS.

Converting Men From Clomiphene Citrate to Natesto for Hypogonadism Improves Libido, Maintains Semen Parameters, and Reduces Estradiol.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes including libido, semen parameters, testosterone, estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone when converting men with low libido on Clomiphene Citrate (CC) to Natesto.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed. Baseline hormones prior to treatment, and again on CC and Natesto, as well as semen parameters on CC and on Natesto were assessed.

Embryo cryopreservation and preeclampsia risk.

Objective: To determine whether assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles involving cryopreserved-warmed embryos are associated with the development of preeclampsia.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: IVF clinics and hospitals.

Are perinatal outcomes affected by blastocyst vitrification and warming?

Background: Transfer of cryopreserved-warmed embryos into an appropriately prepared uterus unaffected by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is common in the practice of in vitro fertilization. There is limited information on the effect of blastocyst vitrification and warming on perinatal outcomes.

Objective: We sought to determine if perinatal outcomes are affected after the transfer of vitrified-warmed blastocysts compared to the transfer of fresh blastocysts, by comparing preeclampsia rate, birthweight, percentage of low birthweight, and preterm delivery rate between embryo transfer types.

Pulsed dye laser for the treatment of macular amyloidosis: a case report.

Macular amyloidosis causes an eruption of brown pigment in the skin when keratin is altered. The resulting hyperpigmentation, which often leads to patient distress, generally has unsatisfactory treatment options. Among the treatment modalities that have been used for amyloidosis, the pulsed dye laser (PDL) has shown success in the treatment of nodular amyloidosis, and the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser has reduced the appearance of amyloid plaques in macular amyloidosis.

The role of preoperative positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with high-risk melanoma.

Background: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning is commonly used for the preoperative staging of patients with at least intermediate thickness (>1 mm) melanomas. Its role in staging at initial diagnosis for clinically asymptomatic patients is not yet established.

Methods: We examined records of all patients receiving an operation for at least an intermediate thickness melanoma from June 2005 to June 2011.