Insulin-like growth factor-1 isoform mRNA expression in women with endometriosis: eutopic endometrium versus endometriotic cyst.

Pathogenesis of endometriosis involves growth factors, which are synthesized locally. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) prevents apoptosis and has mitogenic action on endometrial cells. The IGF-1 gene undergoes alternative splicing and results in three isoforms (IGF-1Ea, IGF-1Eb, and IGF-1Ec or MGF).

FSH receptor gene polymorphisms have a role for different ovarian response to stimulation in patients entering IVF/ICSI-ET programs.

Purpose: To examine the frequency distribution of the Ser680Asn polymorphism of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene in ovarian dysfunction (OD) infertile women, "poor responders" (PR) and "good responders" (GR).

Methods: The hormonal profiles and treatment of all patients were analyzed and FSHR polymorphism was examined by PCR and RFLP. Women from all groups were classified as Asn/Asn, Asn/Ser, and Ser/Ser genotypes.

Laparoscopic evaluation of infertile patients with chronic pelvic pain.

In this study over a 10-year period, 1584 patients complaining of infertility of more than 1 year duration were evaluated for their laparoscopic findings in relation to the presence or not of chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Infertility was the only complaint in 1215 cases (group 1), whereas 369 patients complained of infertility and CPP (group 2). All cases underwent routine infertility investigation and pelvic ultrasonography, followed by diagnostic laparoscopy, with infertility-only cases acting as a control group.

EGF and IGF-I as predictors of ICSI outcome in human preimplantation embryo cultures.

Purpose Of Investigation: Detection of EGF and IGF-I in human embryo cultures and their effect on ICSI outcome.

Methods: Collection of culture medium from embryos of 50 women under ICSI program. EGF and IGF-I were measured via enzyme immunoassay.

Urethral retro-resistance pressure and urodynamic diagnoses in women with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Objective: This study determines whether the retrograde urethral retro-resistance pressure (URP) measurement discriminates between urodynamic diagnoses in a group of women.

Design: A prospective observational study.

Setting: Urogynaecology units of three tertiary referral teaching hospitals.