The Fischer protocol for assisted reproductive technology treatment: Real-world data experience comparing elective single versus double embryo transfer with or without comprehensive chromosome screening.

High rates of multiple implantation after assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment represent one of the major problems for both mothers and their fetuses. Given the availability of techniques intended to identify embryos with the highest chance for development to term, such as comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS) and blastocyst transfer, the decision on the number of embryos to transfer deserves careful consideration. This report presents real-life data from two clinics using the Fischer protocol for cycle programming in patients undergoing ART.

Ovarian response to stimulation and suboptimal endometrial development are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles.

Objective: To study which factors affect perinatal outcomes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.

Methods: Data was obtained from 402 live births born to 307 patients undergoing ICSI cycles in a private university-affiliated IVF center between Jan/2014 and Dec/2015. The influences of the cycles' characteristics on the number of gestational weeks to livebirth (GW), baby birth weight (BW), and baby birth length (BL) were evaluated by linear regression models, adjusted for maternal age and body mass index, number of transferred embryos, number of gestational sacs, and number of born infants.

Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic diseases: a Brazilian IVF centre experience.

Objective: To describe the cases of preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic diseases (PGT-M) in fertile couples who had undergone intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles in a Brazilian fertilisation (IVF) centre and determine whether these cases were different from those reported from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).

Methods: This retrospective collection included data obtained from ICSI-PGT-M cycles between 2011 and 2016. The disease indication, number of biopsied embryos, biopsy stage, diagnosed and affected embryos, and cycles with embryo to transfer as well as implantation, pregnancy and miscarriage rates were analysed and compared to cycles without genetic diagnosis (PGT) and with ESHRE PGD Consortium collection XIV-XV.

Blastomere nucleation: Predictive factors and influence of blastomere with no apparent nuclei on blastocyst development and implantation.

Objective: To investigate whether embryos presenting blastomere(s) with no apparent nucleus (BNAN) on days 2 and 3 are more likely to fail to develop into blastocysts, hatch and implant.

Methods: A total of 5705 zygotes obtained from 743 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles were analyzed. The presence and incidence of BNAN on days 2 and 3 of embryo development were recorded and then associated with ICSI outcomes.

Oocytes with smooth endoplasmic reticulum clusters originate blastocysts with impaired implantation potential.

Objective: To study whether embryos derived from oocytes presenting a smooth endoplasmic reticulum cluster (SERC) are less likely to develop into blastocysts and implant.

Design: Transversal study.

Setting: Private university-affiliated in vitro fertilization (IVF) center.

Protein expression in human cumulus cells as an indicator of blastocyst formation and pregnancy success.

Purpose: The goal for the present study was to implement a technique for protein extraction and identification in human cumulus cells (CCs).

Methods: Forty samples of CCs were collected after ovum pick-up from patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Samples were split into the blastocyst group (n = 10), including patients in which all embryos converted into blastocysts, and the non-blastocyst group (n = 10), including patients in which none of the embryos reached the blastocyst stage or the positive-pregnancy (n = 10) and negative-pregnancy group (n = 10).

Freeze-all, oocyte vitrification, or fresh embryo transfer? Lessons from an egg-sharing donation program.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of ETs using cryopreserved embryos, cryopreserved oocytes, or fresh embryos.

Design: Observational, cohort study.

Setting: Private university-affiliated fertility center.

Strategies for the management of OHSS: Results from freezing-all cycles.

Objective: To compare the use of GnRH agonist (GnRHa) or hCG trigger in potential OHSS patients undergoing freeze-all programs. We also compared the clinical outcomes when fresh versus freeze-thawed embryo transfers were performed in cycles with a high number of retrieved oocytes.

Methods: The study included potential OHSS patients who received GnRHa (n=74) or hCG (n=49) trigger.

The impact of food intake and social habits on embryo quality and the likelihood of blastocyst formation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of patients' lifestyle factors and eating habits on embryo development. A total of 2659 embryos recovered from 269 patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles were included. The frequency of intake of food items and social habits were registered and its influences on embryo development evaluated.

Poor-responder patients do not benefit from intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection.

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of ICSI and IMSI in women presenting with poor ovarian response.

Methods: Data of IMSI cycles performed from January 2011 to December 2013 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups: normoresponder patients (NR group; patients with > 4 oocytes retrieved) and poor-responder patients (PR group; patients with ≤ 4 oocytes retrieved).

Endometriosis Affects Oocyte Morphology in Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Cycles?

Objective: To identify associations between presence of endometriosis and oocyte defects, embryo developmental potential, and cycle outcomes.

Methods: This study looked into the impact of endometriosis on oocyte and embryo quality, and blastocyst formation probability. Endometriosis was also correlated with cycle characteristics.

Intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection results in improved clinical outcomes in couples with previous ICSI failures or male factor infertility: a meta-analysis.

The objective of this study was to perform the first meta-analysis to compare conventional intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes and intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) outcomes in couples with previous ICSI failures (IF) or male factor infertility (MF). A systematic review was performed by searching Medline database to identify articles reporting on the comparison between ICSI and IMSI outcomes in couples with IF or MF. The main outcome measures were the implantation, pregnancy and miscarriage rates.

The importance of the cleavage stage morphology evaluation for blastocyst transfer in patients with good prognosis.

Purpose: To evaluate: (i) the influence of morphology at cleavage stage on blastocyst formation and implantation, and (ii) whether the transfer of low-quality embryos on day-three would be a better approach than the transfer at blastocyst stage.

Methods: This study included 8,444 embryos obtained from 1,125 patients undergoing ICSI cycles between January/2011 and September/2013. The influence of the quality of the embryo on days-two and -three on blastocyst formation and implantation success was evaluated.

The predictive value of high-magnification sperm morphology examination on ICSI outcomes in the presence of oocyte dysmorphisms.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between oocyte dysmorphisms and IMSI outcomes

Methods: Data of IMSI cycles performed in 332 patients were included in this study. Patients were included only if presented more than four and less than 30 oocytes upon oocyte retrieval. Patients who underwent IMSI were matched, concerning female age and sperm parameters, with patients who underwent ICSI in the same period (n = 332).

Gender incidence of intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection-derived embryos: a prospective randomized study.

The aim of this prospective randomized study was to determine if the use of intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) is associated with gender incidence. Couples who underwent IVF-preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) cycles, as a result of advanced maternal age, were randomly allocated into two groups: intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI; n=80) or intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI; n=80). The incidences of genders were compared between ICSI- and IMSI-derived embryos.

Relationship between oocyte abnormal morphology and intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes: a meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of the potential effects of oocyte morphological abnormalities on ICSI outcomes. Relevant original papers reporting on the relation between oocyte morphology and ICSI outcomes were identified by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. The main outcome measures were fertilisation rate and embryo quality.

Sperm organelle morphologic abnormalities: contributing factors and effects on intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles outcomes.

Objective: To (1) analyze possible relationships between motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) and sperm chromatin status, aneuploidy incidence, and patient's age; (2) determine the effects of sperm morphologic abnormalities on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes; and (3) identify the benefits of intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) in patients with high DNA fragmentation rate.

Methods: The study was performed in 50 patients undergoing ICSI cycles. The MSOME, sperm DNA fragmentation, and sperm aneuploidy incidence were performed in 200 sperm cells of each patient.

Prognostic value of triploid zygotes on intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic significance of triploidy incidence on the outcomes of embryos derived from normally fertilized oocytes from the same cohort.

Methods: This study included 1500 ICSI cycles. Logistic regression models were used to study the influence of abnormal fertilization on the development and clinical outcomes of embryos derived from normally fertilized oocytes from the same cohort

Results: We observed a negative influence of the percentages of triploid zygotes on fertilization (75.

Secretome of the preimplantation human embryo by bottom-up label-free proteomics.

A bottom-up label-free mass spectrometric proteomic strategy was used to analyse the protein profiles of the human embryonic secretome. Culture media samples used for embryonic culture of patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles were selected as a test case for this exploratory proof-of-principle study. The media were stored after embryo transfer and then pooled into positive (n = 8) and negative (n = 8) implantation groups.

Varicocelectomy does not impact pregnancy outcomes following intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedures.

There are many studies in the literature suggesting an acquired, apparently progressive infertility due to varicocele. In fact, varicocelectomy has become the most commonly performed male infertility surgery. Assisted reproductive technologies such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are also important for couples with male factor infertility associated with varicocele.

Correlation between MMPs and their inhibitors in breast cancer tumor tissue specimens and in cell lines with different metastatic potential.

Background: The metastatic disease rather than the primary tumor itself is responsible for death in most solid tumors, including breast cancer. The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) and Reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) in the metastatic process has previously been established. However, in all published studies only a limited number of MMPs/MMP inhibitors was analyzed in a limited number of cell lines.