Delineating the heterogeneity of embryo preimplantation development using automated and accurate morphokinetic annotation.

Purpose: Our objective was to design an automated deep learning model that extracts the morphokinetic events of embryos that were recorded by time-lapse incubators. Using automated annotation, we set out to characterize the temporal heterogeneity of preimplantation development across a large number of embryos.

Methods: To perform a retrospective study, we used a dataset of video files of 67,707 embryos from four IVF clinics.

Embryo classification beyond pregnancy: early prediction of first trimester miscarriage using machine learning.

Purpose: First trimester miscarriage is a major concern in IVF-ET treatments, accounting for one out of nine clinical pregnancies and for up to one out of three recognized pregnancies. To develop a machine learning classifier for predicting the risk of cleavage-stage embryos to undergo first trimester miscarriage based on time-lapse images of preimplantation development.

Methods: Retrospective study of a 4-year multi-center cohort of 391 women undergoing intra-cytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI) and fresh single or double embryo transfers.

The effect of hyaluronic acid in embryo transfer media in donor oocyte cycles and autologous oocyte cycles: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study Question: Does the addition of hyaluronic acid (HA) to embryo transfer medium improve pregnancy outcomes in both autologous and oocyte donation IVF cycles?

Summary Answer: The best available evidence indicates that the addition of HA to embryo transfer medium is clinically beneficial in cycles with autologous oocytes.

What Is Known Already: There is a known clinical benefit of HA addition to embryo transfer media but it is not known if HA affects donor and autologous oocyte cycles differently.

Study Design, Size, Duration: A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed.

Spontaneous in vitro hatching of the human blastocyst: the proteomics of initially hatching cells.

Spontaneous in vitro hatching of human blastocysts starts with the formation of a tunnel through the zona pellucida (ZP) by cellular projections of trophoblast cells. Our aim was to identify the proteins that are upregulated in these initially hatching cells as compared to trophectoderm (TE) cells from blastocysts that had not yet hatched. Forty seven women that underwent assisted reproduction treatment donated their ICSI-derived polyploid blastocysts for the study.

Hyaluronic acid in embryo transfer media for assisted reproductive technologies.

Background: This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in the Cochrane Library (2010, Issue 7). To increase the success rate of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), adherence compounds such as hyaluronic acid (HA) have been introduced into subfertility management. Adherence compounds are added to the embryo transfer medium to increase the likelihood of embryo implantation, with the potential for higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.

Is there a pre-retrieval serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) threshold level for prediction of subsequent retrieval outcomes and pregnancy in fresh ICSI cycles?

Modern ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) cycles' outcomes are difficult to predict. Whether human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) or luteinizing hormone (LH) serum levels 24 h prior to oocyte retrieval are correlated with retrieval and subsequent cycle results is unclear. An observational historic cohort study of 645 fresh ICSI cycles was conducted.

Worldwide live births following the transfer of chromosomally "Abnormal" embryos after PGT/A: results of a worldwide web-based survey.

Purpose: Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) has become increasingly controversial since normal euploid births have been reported following transfer of embryos diagnosed as "abnormal." There is an increasing trend in transferring "abnormal" embryos; but it is still unknown how many IVF centers transfer "abnormal" embryos and with what efficiency.

Methods: We performed a worldwide web-survey of IVF centers to elucidate PGT-A related practice patterns including transfer of human embryos found "abnormal" by PGT-A.

Fertility preservation from the point of view of hematopoietic cell transplant specialists-a worldwide-web-based survey analysis.

With the increase in cancer survival, men and women have a chance to conceive children post-recovery. This study aims to better understand hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) specialist practices and opinions related to fertility preservation for hematological malignancy patients. Survey requests were emailed to 586 European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) members.

Oncofertility: insights from IVF specialists-a worldwide web-based survey analysis.

Purpose: This research sought to understand IVF-physicians' knowledge of, experience with, and attitudes toward fertility preservation for cancer patients.

Methods: A 35-question, self-report survey request was emailed to IVF providers who were registered on the IVF-Worldwide.com network (3826 clinics).

Preimplantation genetic screening: results of a worldwide web-based survey.

Our objective was to evaluate and characterize the extent and patterns of worldwide usage of preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) among the assisted reproductive technique community. A prospective, web-based questionnaire with questions relating to practices of, and views on, PGS was directed to users and non-users of PGS. A total of 386 IVF units from 70 countries conducting 342,600 IVF cycles annually responded to the survey.

Use of various gonadotropin and biosimilar formulations for in vitro fertilization cycles: results of a worldwide Web-based survey.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify trends in gonadotropin therapy in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment worldwide.

Methods: Retrospective evaluation utilizing the results of a Web-based survey, IVF-Worldwide ( www.IVF-worldwide.

Chromosomal mosaicism detected during preimplantation genetic screening: results of a worldwide Web-based survey.

Embryonic mosaicism, the presence of more than one distinct cell line within an embryo, has recently become the focus of growing attention and controversy in the context of preimplantation genetic screening (PGS). To evaluate the extent of mosaic aneuploidy in clinical practice and to gain insight on the practices and views regarding this issue, we conducted a survey using a prospective, 20-item Web-based questionnaire with questions related to practices and views regarding mosaicism in PGS. A total of 102 in vitro fertilization (IVF) units from 32 countries that performed 108,900 IVF cycles annually responded to the survey.

Does the addition of salpingectomy or fimbriectomy to hysterectomy in premenopausal patients compromise ovarian reserve? A prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate changes in ovarian reserve in patients following hysterectomy, with or without bilateral salpingectomy or fimbriectomy.

Study Design: Open-label, prospective cohort trial of patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign uterine indications. Levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and ultrasonic measures of peak systolic flow velocity/diastolic velocity (S/D) ratio and resistance index (RI) in the ovarian artery were taken from patients before and 6 weeks after hysterectomy, hysterectomy+salpingectomy or hysterectomy+fimbriectomy.

Ratio between inner cell mass diameter and blastocyst diameter is correlated with successful pregnancy outcomes of single blastocyst transfers.

Objective: To evaluate the ability to predict pregnancy outcomes of single-blastocyst transfers by measuring the ratio of inner cell mass (ICM) diameter to blastocyst diameter using time-lapse images.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: University-affiliated medical center.

Minimizing the Risk of Infection and Bleeding at Trans-Vaginal Ultrasound-Guided Ovum Pick-up: Results of a Prospective Web-Based World-Wide Survey.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify clinical practices worldwide, which would help in recognizing women at risk of excessive bleeding or of developing pelvic infection following trans-vaginal ovum pick-up (TV-OPU), measures taken to minimize risks and their management.

Method: A prospective, web-based questionnaire with distinct questions related to the practice of TV-OPU.

Results: A total of 155 units from 55 countries performing 97,200 IVF cycles annually responded to this web-based survey.

Irregular cleavage of early preimplantation human embryos: characteristics of patients and pregnancy outcomes.

Purpose: This is a retrospective analysis of the morphokinetics, prevalence, and implantation potential of embryos with irregular first and second cleavages as identified by time-lapse microscopy.

Methods: The study included 253 women who underwent 387 assisted reproduction treatments with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Each patient was assigned to one of three groups based on embryo cleavage results.

Use of anti-mullerian hormone for testing ovarian reserve: a survey of 796 infertility clinics worldwide.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess how anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) is used worldwide to test ovarian reserve and guide in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle management.

Methods: An internet-based survey was sent electronically to registered IVF providers within the IVF-Worldwide.com network.

Measurement of antral follicle count in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment: results of a worldwide web-based survey.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to identify trends in the therapeutic approaches used to measure antral follicle count (AFC) in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment worldwide.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation utilizing the results of a web-based survey, IVF-Worldwide ( www.IVF-Worldwide.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate is an effective oral alternative for preventing premature luteinizing hormone surges in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To investigate the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) to prevent LH surge during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and to compare cycle characteristics and pregnancy outcomes in subsequently frozen-thawed ET (FET) cycles.

Design: A prospective controlled study.

Setting: Tertiary-care academic medical center.

How to define, diagnose and treat poor responders? Responses from a worldwide survey of IVF clinics.

Poor responders represent a significant percentage of couples treated in IVF units (10-24%), but the standard definition of poor responders remains uncertain and consequently optimal treatment options remain subjective and not evidence-based. In an attempt to provide uniformity on the definition, diagnosis and treatment of poor responders, a worldwide survey was conducted asking IVF professionals a set of questions on this complex topic. The survey was posted on www.

Comparison of live-birth defects after luteal-phase ovarian stimulation vs. conventional ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization and vitrified embryo transfer cycles.

Objective: To assess live-birth defects after a luteal-phase ovarian-stimulation regimen (LPS) for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and vitrified embryo transfer (ET) cycles.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary-care academic medical center.

Metformin use in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment: results of a worldwide web-based survey.

Purpose: To identify trends regarding therapeutic approaches to metformin administration in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment worldwide.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation utilizing the results of a web-based survey, IVFWorldwide ( www.IVF-worldwide.

Double stimulations during the follicular and luteal phases of poor responders in IVF/ICSI programmes (Shanghai protocol).

Previous studies have shown that existing antral follicles in the luteal phase enable ovarian stimulation. In a pilot study, the efficacy of double stimulations during the follicular and luteal phases in women with poor ovarian response was explored (defined according to the Bologna criteria). Thirty-eight women began with mild ovarian stimulation.

Embryo catheter loading and embryo culture techniques: results of a worldwide Web-based survey.

Purpose: To identify trends in embryo catheter loading and embryo culture techniques performed worldwide.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation using the results of a web-based survey, (IVF Worldwide ( www.IVF-worldwide.