Employment of a Newly Defined In Vitro Fertilization Protocol to Determine the Cytoskeletal Machinery, DNA Damage, and Subsequent DNA Repair Resulting from Endocrine Disruption by Hexavalent Chromium in Rat Metaphase II Oocytes.

These protocols describe a detailed method to determine the DNA damage and F-actin and microtubule defects of metaphase II oocytes caused by hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). The protocol provides systematic steps to determine protein expression encoded by pluripotency proteins such as Oct4, Nanog, and Cdx2 during early embryonic development. Occupational or environmental exposure to EDCs has significantly increased infertility in both men and women.

Validation of the picoAMH assay on the Dynex DS2 platform.

Objectives: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is increasingly used as a biomarker of ovarian reserve in clinical practice, and is used both for management of fertility treatments and prediction of menopause. We sought to validate the newly FDA-approved Ansh Laboratories MenoCheck picoAMH ELISA on the Dynex-DS2 platform for clinical use in our obstetrics and gynecology center.

Design: Validation of the picoAMH ELISA on the Dynex-DS2 was performed according to CLSI guidelines.

A Novel Ultrasound-Guided Technique for Hysteroscopic Adhesiolysis in High-Risk Patients.

Hysteroscopy is a common gynecologic surgical procedure. Certain diagnoses, notably intrauterine adhesions and cervical stenosis, make hysteroscopy more complicated because of an increased likelihood of complications. Three patients, 1 with cervical stenosis and 2 with Asherman syndrome, underwent ultrasound (US)-guided adhesiolysis.

Accuracy of Two Progesterone Immunoassays for Monitoring In Vitro Fertilization.

Background: Progesterone concentrations are routinely monitored during in vitro fertilization cycles. Immunoassay-based platforms are used most often in this setting because they are simple to use and amenable to same-day sample collection and result-reporting. However, immunoassay methods are subject to variation in specificity between different assay manufacturers.

Whole genome prediction for preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

Background: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) enables profiling of embryos for genetic disorders prior to implantation. The majority of PGD testing is restricted in the scope of variants assayed or by the availability of extended family members. While recent advances in single cell sequencing show promise, they remain limited by bias in DNA amplification and the rapid turnaround time (<36 h) required for fresh embryo transfer.

A meta-analysis of the route of administration of luteal phase support in assisted reproductive technology: vaginal versus intramuscular progesterone.

Objective: To perform an analysis of data with consideration for the current clinically accepted vaginal progesterone (P) or intramuscular (IM) P dosing regimens and the clinically relevant randomized clinical trials published during the time frame 1992 to 2008.

Design: Meta-analysis of progesterone luteal support in IVF cycles using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Setting: Previously conducted randomized clinical trials meeting acceptance criteria.