A randomized controlled trial of laser-assisted ICSI.

Study Question: Does the use of a laser to open the zona pellucida during ICSI (laser assisted or LA-ICSI) improve oocyte survival, embryo development and clinical outcomes?

Summary Answer: Compared to conventional ICSI, LA-ICSI increased rates of oocyte survival and some aspects of embryo development but it did not alter the ongoing pregnancy rate; after adjusting for oocyte survival, there was no beneficial effect of LA-ICSI on embryo development and utilization.

What Is Known Already: Oocyte degeneration occurs in a 10th of mature oocytes after ICSI. Pilot studies suggest that LA-ICSI may improve oocyte survivability.

Cytokines hold promise for human embryo culture in vitro: results of a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of cytokine enrichment of culture medium on embryological and clinical outcomes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Design: A randomized clinical trial.

Setting: In vitro fertilization centers.

Frequency and types of uterine anomalies during caesarean section.

In this study all women undergoing caesarean section were included regardless of the indication. After the foetus and placenta were delivered, the uterus was examined for the presence or absence of congenital malformation through digital palpation of uterine cavity and direct inspection of the fundus. Of the 653 caesarean sections included, uterine anomalies were diagnosed in 31 women (4.

Can myocardial remodeling be a useful surrogate predictor of myocardial iron load? A 3D echocardiographic multicentric study.

The relationship between myocardial iron load and eccentric myocardial remodeling remains an under-investigated area; it was thought that remodeling is rather linked to fibrosis. This study aims to determine whether or not measures of remodeling can be used as predictors of myocardial iron. For this purpose, 60 patients with thalassemia were studied with 3D echocardiography and myocardial relaxometry (T2*) by Cardiac MRI.

Clinical, Hormonal, and Metabolic Parameters in Women with Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in reproductive age women, yet its clinical presentation shares similarities with several other endocrine disorders such as thyroid disease. Hence, the objective of this study was to further evaluate this association by investigating the clinical, hormonal, and metabolic parameters between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and PCOS.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care clinic at Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Impact of 3.5% O culture on embryo development and clinical outcomes: a comparative study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of culturing human embryos in vitro in 3.5% oxygen (O) concentration.

Design: Comparative study.

Humid versus dry incubator: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a dry versus humidified incubator on human embryo development ex vivo.

Design: Prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: Private fertility centers.

Integrating insulin into single-step culture medium regulates human embryo development in vitro.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of supplementing single-step embryo culture medium with insulin on human embryo development.

Design: Comparative study.

Setting: Two private centers.

Polycystic ovary syndrome and diabetes screening: a survey of gynecologists and reproductive endocrinologists.

Objectives: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to assess self-reported methods used by specialists in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) and in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) to screen for type 2 diabetes in women with PCOS.

Study Design: We analyzed responses to a web-based survey of from 123 OB/GYN and 223 REI physician members of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Hypospadias in Sudan, clinical and surgical review.

Background: Hypospadias is one of the commonest penile abnormalities in new born males, and occurs as a result of a birth defect resulting in a urethral opening anywhere from the glans penis along the ventral aspect of the shaft of the penis up to the scrotum or the perineum in extreme cases. The condition has a huge impact on the patient's psychological, emotional and sexual well being. This study aimed to evaluate the current trend in the treatment of hypospadias in Sudan.

Comparison of diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance screening methods for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To compare screening strategies for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), impaired glucose tolerance (pre-DM), and insulin resistance (IR) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Academic reproductive endocrinology practice.