Intracytoplasmic sperm injection vs. in-vitro fertilization in couples in whom the male partners had a semen analysis within normal reference ranges: An open debate.

During recent decades, the application of intracytoplasmic sperm injection has increased considerably worldwide, especially in couples with non-male factor infertility. However, several studies analyzing the broad use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection, even in cases with a normal semen analysis, have collectively demonstrated no benefits compared to conventional in-vitro fertilization. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to support the intracytoplasmic sperm injection technique vs.

Normal live births after intracytoplasmic sperm injection in a man with the rare condition of Eagle-Barrett syndrome (prune-belly syndrome).

Objective: To report the first live births of male infants resulting from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using spermatozoa from a man with Eagle-Barrett syndrome (EBS).

Design: Case report.

Setting: Assisted conception unit within a private hospital.

Immunohistochemical study of the ubiquitin-nuclear factor-kB pathway in the endometrium of the baboon (Papio anubis) with and without endometriosis.

The aim of the present study was to conduct a semiquantitative immunohistochemical investigation into the levels of intermediary proteins within the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB pathway throughout the menstrual cycle in a non-human primate, namely the baboon (Papio anubis), with and without endometriosis. Formalin-fixed eutopic (n = 2-4) and ectopic (n = 6-7) endometrial tissues from baboons at the mid-luteal phase were embedded in paraffin and examined for NF-kappaB pathway components (i.e.

The effect of repeated freezing and thawing on human sperm DNA fragmentation.

Objective: To investigate the effects of repeated freezing and thawing on human sperm motility, vitality, and DNA integrity.

Design: A prospective clinical study.

Setting: Tertiary care fertility clinic.

The DNA integrity of cryopreserved spermatozoa separated for use in assisted reproductive technology is unaffected by the type of cryoprotectant used but is related to the DNA integrity of the fresh separated preparation.

Objective: To investigate and compare seven different commercially available cryoprotectant media in terms of the DNA integrity of spermatozoa recovered after cryopreservation and separation using density gradient centrifugation (DGC).

Design: A prospective clinical study.

Setting: Tertiary care fertility clinic.

Differential regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 and -2 by insulin in the baboon (Papio anubis) endometrium.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of insulin on expression and synthesis of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 in the baboon endometrium in vitro.

Methods: Baboon endometrial explants collected from cycling, ovariectomized, steroid-treated, simulated-pregnant and pregnant animals were cultured for 48 h in the presence or absence of insulin, with or without estradiol, progesterone and hCG.

Results: Insulin clearly inhibited IGFBP-1 production and mRNA expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner, whereas IGFBP-2 synthesis was not significantly affected.

Ubiquitin is associated with the survival of ectopic stromal cells in endometriosis.

Background: Endometriosis is a condition that affects women of reproductive age, where the glandular and/or stromal tissues from the eutopic endometrium implant in ectopic locations. It is well established that the survival of ectopic implants is due to lower levels of apoptosis, but no consensus exists as to which pathway/s this is mediated by. The ubiquitin protein shares a similar sequence homology to an anti-apoptotic protein called BAG-1 and is expressed in the normal endometrium.

Embryonic platelet-activating factor: temporal expression of the ligand and receptor.

Purpose: Preimplantation embryos synthesize platelet-activating factor (PAF) and this embryo-derived PAF is required for development. PAF's signal transduction is receptor-mediated and PAF-receptor mRNA is present in early embryos. The study objective was to determine the relationship between PAF production and PAF-receptor mRNA expression levels in mouse preimplantation embryos.