Is there evidence to support serum antinuclear antibodies testing in women with recurrent implantation failure undergoing in vitro fertilization?

One of the most challenging aspects of reproductive medicine is the management of recurrent implantation failure. Various investigations, including antinuclear antibodies testing, are performed to seek an explanation and guide treatment. However, is there sufficient evidence or available therapeutic options to support antinuclear antibodies testing? We present a short review on the current literature and an attempt at a systematic review evaluating the association between antinuclear antibodies and recurrent implantation failure to address this question.

What exactly do we mean by 'recurrent implantation failure'? A systematic review and opinion.

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is an iatrogenic condition, being the result of repetitive unsuccessful cycles of IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. The aim of this review was to assess the definitions of RIF used in literature as well as suggest a uniform definition of this condition. A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library was conducted.

Assessment of endometrial and subendometrial blood flow in women undergoing frozen embryo transfer cycles.

This study evaluated whether 3D power Doppler (3DPD) indices from endometrium and subendometrium can identify increases in endometrial volume/vascularity induced by exogenous oestradiol and subsequent introduction of progestogens in women undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). Oral oestradiol was administered at increasing doses after down-regulation to prepare the endometrium and progestogens were used for luteal support. 3DPD data sets were acquired at down-regulation, on days 5, 10 and 15 of oestradiol administration and at the time of FET.

Influence of gain adjustment on 3-dimensional power Doppler indices and on spatiotemporal image correlation volumetric pulsatility indices using a flow phantom.

Spatiotemporal image correlation can be used to acquire 3-dimensional power Doppler information across a single cardiac cycle. Assessment and comparison of the systolic and diastolic components of the data sets allow measurement of the recently introduced "volumetric pulsatility index" (vPI) through algorithms comparable with those used in 2-dimensional Doppler waveform analysis. The vPI could potentially overcome the dependency on certain machine settings, such as power, color gain, pulse repetition frequency, and attenuation, since these factors would affect the power Doppler signal equally throughout the cardiac cycle.

Difficult embryo transfers or blood on catheter and assisted reproductive outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine whether a difficult embryo transfer or the presence of blood on the transfer catheter affects assisted reproduction outcomes. We searched the following databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS). We aimed to determine the risk ratio (RR) associated with difficult embryo transfer or the presence of blood on the transfer catheter for the following outcomes: live birth, clinical pregnancy, and miscarriage.

The "volumetric" pulsatility index as evaluated by spatiotemporal imaging correlation (STIC): a preliminary description of a novel technique, its application to the endometrium and an evaluation of its reproducibility.

We propose new volumetric indices derived from three-dimensional (3-D) power Doppler (PD) using spatiotemporal imaging correlation (STIC) to overcome the influence of machine settings and attenuation. In this study, we describe these indices and evaluate their interobserver reliability: two static-3-D and two STIC PD datasets were acquired from 60 women and two observers (blinded analysis) evaluated vascularization index (VI), the flow index (FI) and the vascularization flow index (VFI) of standardized spherical samples of endometrium. Three new indices were determined based on maximum, minimum and mean values (vPI, vRI(max-min), vS/D(max-min)) and two indices from frames subjectively defined as systole and diastole (vRI(sys-dia), vS/D(sys-dia)).

The interovarian variation in three-dimensional ultrasound markers of ovarian reserve in women undergoing baseline investigation for subfertility.

Objective: To evaluate differences in the three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound markers of ovarian reserve between the ovaries within an individual undergoing investigation for subfertility.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: University-based assisted conception unit.

A novel technique for the semi-automated measurement of embryo volume: an intraobserver reliability study.

The aim was to assess intraobserver reliability of a new semi-automated technique of embryo volumetry. Power calculations suggested 46 subjects with viable, singleton pregnancies were required for reliability analysis. Crown rump length (CRL) of each embryo was analyzed using 2-D and a 3-D dataset acquired using transvaginal ultrasound.

The management of miscarriage.

Women diagnosed with incomplete and delayed miscarriage are faced with three options for their subsequent management: expectant, medical or surgical. Health-care practitioners must empower patients to make educated decisions about their own management by providing them with sufficient information in a readily understandable format. This can be difficult both for the patient and the staff in what is often an understandably, highly emotional situation.

Defining endometrial growth during the menstrual cycle with three-dimensional ultrasound.

Objective: To define the changes in endometrial morphometry that occur during the normal menstrual cycle and to examine the discriminatory power of volumetric analysis over conventional two-dimensional measurements in quantifying the effect of compounding factors on endometrial growth.

Design: The design was that of a longitudinal observational study. Subjects were seen on an alternate-day basis until ovulation and then every four days until the next menstrual period.

Skin aging and menopause : implications for treatment.

The skin is one of the largest organs of the body, which is significantly affected by the aging process and menopause. The significant changes sustained by the skin during the menopause are due to the effect sustained on the skin's individual components. The estrogen receptor has been detected on the cellular components of the skin.