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.

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).

Sperm morphological normality under high magnification predicts laboratory and clinical outcomes in couples undergoing ICSI.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether 'motile sperm organelle morphology examination' (MSOME) is correlated with the outcome of ICSI. A total of 14400 spermatozoa from 72 couples undergoing ICSI were analysed by MSOME (x6600) and graded into four groups: grade I, normal form and no vacuoles; grade II, normal form and lesser than or equal to 2 small vacuoles; grade III, normal form greater than 2 small vacuoles or at least one large vacuole and grade IV, large vacuole and abnormal head shapes or other abnormalities. The correlations between the proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa (grade I + II) and ICSI outcomes were assessed.

The prevalence of sperm with large nuclear vacuoles is a prognostic tool in the prediction of ICSI success.

Purpose: To investigate if there is a correlation between the prevalence of sperm with large nuclear vacuoles (LNV) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes.

Methods: Two hundred male patients undergoing ICSI had their sperm morphology evaluated through motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) and the percentage of LNV sperm was recorded and correlated to the ICSI outcomes.

Results: The percentage of sperm with LNV negatively influenced the blastocyst formation (S: 16.

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).

Do weekend oocyte retrievals have an impact on the intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles outcome?

Introduction: Despite the fact that ovarian stimulation is controlled, it is not always predictable. Because the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) injection depends mainly on the patient's ovarian response to gonadotrophins, the day of oocyte retrieval cannot be determined in advance. As a result, oocyte retrievals are often scheduled to occur on weekends, a fact that entails at least one extra working day for the staff, and could lead to physical and psychological stress, especially in embryologists.

The effect of GnRH analogues for pituitary suppression on ovarian response in repeated ovarian stimulation cycles.

Introduction: Ovarian stimulation is employed in assisted reproduction techniques in order to obtain as many oocytes as possible. The early rise in oestradiol levels may lead to the premature end of the respective cycle. In order to avoid such an effect, pituitary suppression has been employed.

Decreased fertility in poor responder women is not related to oocyte morphological status.

Introduction: In women showing impaired fertility, a decreased response to ovarian stimulation is a major problem, limiting the number of oocytes to be used for assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Despite the several definitions of poor response, it is still a matter of debate whether young poor responder patients also show a decrease in oocyte quality. The objective in this study was to investigate whether poor ovarian response to the superstimulation protocol is accompanied by impaired oocyte quality.

Are poor responders patients at higher risk for producing aneuploid embryos in vitro?

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that aged women with poor ovarian response express an increase on embryo chromosomal alterations when compared to aged women who presented normal response.

Methods: Couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with preimplantation genetic screening, were subdivided into two groups: Poor Responder group (n = 34), patients who produced ≤4 oocytes; and Normoresponder group (n = 50), patients who produced ≥5 oocytes. Groups were compared regarding cycles' outcomes and aneuploidy frequency.

Blastomere multinucleation: Contributing factors and effects on embryo development and clinical outcome.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to discover which intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle parameters could influence the presence of multinucleated blastomeres (MNBs) and how ICSI outcomes are influenced by this event.

Material And Methods: Embryos derived from normally fertilised oocytes were divided into two groups: embryos that had only mononucleated blastomeres (NBs group n = 2818) and embryos that had at least one multinucleated blastomere (MNB group, n = 404). The effects of ICSI cycle factors on multinucleation were investigated and embryo development was compared between the groups.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome versus intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection outcome: a meta-analysis.

The development of a modified intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), called intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI), demonstrated that a profound morphological investigation of the spermatozoon, under the magnification of 6600 x, enables outcome improvement. The aim of this study was to compare ICSI outcome with IMSI outcome. The meta-analysis results demonstrated no significant difference in fertilization rate between ICSI and IMSI groups.

Development of secondary palate requires strict regulation of ECM remodeling: sequential distribution of RECK, MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9.

We have evaluated RECK (reversion-inducing-cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs), MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase-2), MMP-3, and MMP-9 involvement during palate development in mice by using various techniques. Immunohistochemical features revealed the distribution of RECK, MMP-2, and MMP-3 in the mesenchymal tissue and in the midline epithelial seam at embryonic day 13 (E13), MMPs-2, -3, and -9 being particularly expressed at E14 and E14.5.

Zona pellucida birefringence in in vivo and in vitro matured oocytes.

Objective: To evaluate zona pellucida birefringence (ZPB) in immature and mature oocytes collected after controlled ovarian stimulation and to assess the influence of ZPB on oocyte development.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting(s): Private assisted reproduction centre.

Zona pellucida birefringence score and meiotic spindle visualization in relation to embryo development and ICSI outcomes.

The meiotic spindle and the zona pellucida exhibit molecular order when imaged with polarized optics. This study aimed to investigate possible factors contributing to the zona pellucida birefringence score and meiotic spindle visualization, and to evaluate whether these structures may predict intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes. Oocytes were divided into groups according to zona pellucida birefringence and meiotic spindle visualization.

A comparison of post-thaw results between embryos arising from intracytoplasmic sperm injection using surgically retrieved or ejaculated spermatozoa.

Objective: To study the effect of freeze-thaw on embryos derived from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using surgically retrieved and ejaculated spermatozoa.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Private IVF center.