[Intrafollicular levels of sexual steroids and their relation with the antioxidant enzymes on the oocyte quality in an in vitro fertilization program].

Objective: To establish a correlation between intrafollicular superoxide dismutase enzyme concentrations, activity with oestradiol levels, and the effects on oocyte quality and maturity.

Study: Prospective, descriptive and observational.

Material And Methods: Forty-one patients underwent IVF-ET program.

[Results' analysis of estradiol and progesterone supplementation in luteal phase vs progesterone alone in an assisted reproduction program].

Objective: To correlate estradiol and progesterone concentrations in luteal phase with pregnancy rates, and to determine the real value of estradiol administration during luteal phase support.

Patients And Methods: In a prospective and comparative study, 69 patients who underwent IVF-ET program were divided in two groups: group 1 (n = 32) received luteal phase support only with progesterone and group 2, (n = 37) luteal phase support with estradiol and progesterone. Ovarian stimulation was made with recombinant FSH and GnRH analogues (agonists or antagonists) and 24 hours after oocyte retrieval we began luteal phase support: group 1 progesterone (in oily solution) 100 mg/day IM, and group 2 same progesterone doses plus 2 mg of estradiol valerianate.

[Correlation between follicle levels of superoxide dismutase and oocyte quality, fertilization rates and embryo development].

Background: The intraovarian oxidative balance is important during oocyte development, and fertilization. It has been proposed that one of the most important enzymes in the follicle is the superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Objective: To correlate levels and percentage of SOD activity in follicular liquid with quality, fertilization and embryo development in a group of patients submitted to in vitro fertilization.

[Initial values of human chorionic gonadotropin as a prognostic variable of pregnancy evolution in assisted reproduction].

Introduction: In assisted reproduction programs, once a pregnancy has been achieved, the power of predicting its evolution is important for the medical team as well as for the patient. The determination of pregnanediol or of placental protein 14 levels has been postulated as a predictive factor, however, the determination of hCG is, seemingly, the most adequate parameter for the detection of early developmental alterations during pregnancy.

Objective: To determine those predictive values of hCG which establish a prognosis concerning the evolution of pregnancy through the analysis of the values of this hormone on post-transference days 14 and 16, as well as to determine hCG values for multiple pregnancies.