Duration of luteal support after IVF is important, so why is there no consistency in practice? The results of a dynamic survey of practice in the United Kingdom.

Luteal support is considered as an essential component of IVF treatment following ovarian stimulation and embryo transfer. Several studies have consistently demonstrated a benefit of luteal support compared with no treatment and whilst a number of preparations are available, no product has been demonstrated as superior. There is an emerging body of evidence which suggests that extension of luteal support beyond biochemical pregnancy does not confer a benefit in terms of successful pregnancy outcome.

Duration of luteal support (DOLS) with progesterone pessaries to improve the success rates in assisted conception: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Luteal support with progesterone is necessary for successful implantation of the embryo following egg collection and embryo transfer in an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Progesterone has been used for as little as 2 weeks and for as long as 12 weeks of gestation. The optimal length of treatment is unresolved at present and it remains unclear how long to treat women receiving luteal supplementation.

Antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis in serum and peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis.

The specifics of inflammation created by infection with Chlamydia trachomatis could be favourable to the genesis of endometriosis. To investigate this hypothesis, we studied the association between Chlamydia trachomatis specific IgG and IgA antibodies in serum and the peritoneal fluid of 51 women undergoing laparoscopic surgery. There was no significant difference between women with and without endometriosis with respect to the incidence of IgG and IgA in serum or the peritoneal fluid.

A randomized controlled clinical trial of 2295 ultrasound-guided embryo transfers.

Background: We wanted to test the hypothesis that using abdominal ultrasound at the time of embryo transfer to guide replacement, improved pregnancy rates by at least 5%.

Methods: An RCT in a large assisted conception unit. A pilot study and power calculation suggested that at least 2000 embryo transfers were required to demonstrate a difference of 5%, for a test with 80% power and Type 1 error 0.

Follicular fluid expression of alpha-defensins and their role in ovulation.

Introduction: Defensins are cytotoxic peptides and have a well-defined role in host defense. Human alpha defensins 1-3 (HNP1-3) are primarily produced by peripheral neutrophils and constitute about 50% of the azurphil granule protein. Studies have suggested that peripheral neutrophils and the resident neutrophils in the ovary enhance the release of IL-8 and TNF-alpha that play a role in ovulation and influence fertilisation rate and IVF outcome.