Basal serum luteinizing hormone, total testosterone, and free testosterone levels do not impact IVF outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To assess the influence of basal serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone (TT), and free testosterone (FT) on in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Material And Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of PCOS patients who underwent freeze-all, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist IVF protocols from January 2013 to December 2019. Patients were grouped based on median basal serum levels of LH, TT, and FT to compare their IVF outcomes.

In vitro maturation (IVM) of human immature oocytes: is it still relevant?

In vitro maturation (IVM) of human immature oocytes has been shown to be a viable option for patients at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), those seeking urgent fertility preservation and in circumstances where controlled ovarian stimulation is not feasible. Moreover, IVM techniques can be combined with ovarian tissue cryobanking to increase the chances of conception in cancer survivors. The clinical applications of IVM in the field of reproductive medicine are rapidly expanding and the technique is now classified as non-experimental.

Relationship between the follicular distribution pattern of polycystic ovaries and the degree of menstrual disturbance and serum sex steroid levels.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the associations between follicular distribution pattern (FDP) in polycystic ovaries and menstrual disturbances in women with infertility.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of patients was performed (n=73). Ultrasound images from cycle day 2-5 of a spontaneous or progestin induced menstrual cycle were reviewed.

Among high responders, is oocyte development potential different in Rotterdam consensus PCOS vs non-PCOS patients undergoing IVF?

Purpose: To evaluate the oocyte potential to develop to blastocyst in Rotterdam consensus PCOS in women with hyper-responses requiring freeze-all embryos.

Methods: Retrospective, single-academic center, cohort study of 205 patients who underwent freeze-all antagonist IVF cycles for OHSS risk between 2013 and 2019. Women in the PCOS group (n = 88) were diagnosed per the 2003 Rotterdam criteria.

How long can oocytes be frozen with vitrification and still produce competent embryos? A series of six cases.

Cryopreservation of oocytes is a relatively new and valuable option for fertility preservation. The duration since vitrification of embryos may be associated with a lower likelihood of success. We do not know how long the oocytes can be vitrified to produce viable pregnancies.

Is There an Association Between Sperm Parameters and Sexual Orientation? A Cross Sectional Study.

Objective: To evaluate whether sexual orientation affects sperm parameters.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using existing data from an academic reproductive centre for the period of April 01, 2009, to March 31, 2021. We compared the results of sperm analysis from male patients who were in same-sex relationships (study group) with those of men in heterosexual relationships who did not have male-factor infertility (control group).

MYO10 promotes transzonal projection-dependent germ line-somatic contact during mammalian folliculogenesis†.

Granulosa cells of growing ovarian follicles elaborate filopodia-like structures termed transzonal projections (TZPs) that supply the enclosed oocyte with factors essential for its development. Little is known, however, of the mechanisms underlying the generation of TZPs. We show in mouse and human that filopodia, defined by an actin backbone, emerge from granulosa cells in early stage primary follicles and that actin-rich TZPs become detectable as soon as a space corresponding to the zona pellucida appears.

Hope for male fecundity: clinically insignificant changes in semen parameters over 10 years at a single clinic while assessing an infertility population.

Purpose: What is the trend in sperm parameters in a group of men attending a single reproductive center, over a 10-year period?

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 12,188 semen samples obtained from unique individuals who attended a university reproductive clinic from 2009 to 2018, inclusively. Semen analysis was done using computer-assisted sperm analysis and verified by an andrologist. Analysis was done after dividing the dataset into two groups: above WHO 2010 lower reference limits (ARL) (N = 6325) and below the reference limits (BRL) (N = 5521).

Influence of Maternal Age and Ovarian Reserve on the Decision to Continue or to Cancel IVF Cycles in Patients with One or Two Large Follicles: a Dual Effect.

This study aimed to study whether IVF stimulation that results in one or two mature follicles should proceed to oocyte retrieval. This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at McGill University Health Center on 459 patients who underwent IVF treatment between 2011 and 2014, undergoing hormonal stimulation and monitoring of their ovarian response. The primary outcomes were pregnancy and live birth rates.

Effect of double embryo transfer derived from autologous frozen oocytes on multiple pregnancy rates and presentation of success rates stratified by age at retrieval.

Objective: To compare outcomes transferring one or two embryos in autologous frozen oocyte cycles.

Material And Methods: A retrospective cohort study conducted at an academic fertility center between January 2012 and December 2018. One-hundred and fourteen patients underwent frozen oocyte transfers; 67 single embryo transfer (SET) and 47 double embryo transfer (DET).

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Human Follicular Fluid Dysregulate Mural and Cumulus Granulosa Cell Gene Expression.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a major class of flame retardants incorporated into numerous consumer products, leach out into dust resulting in widespread exposure. There is evidence from in vitro and in vivo animal studies that PBDEs affect ovarian granulosa cell function and follicular development, yet human studies of their association with female infertility are inconclusive. Here, we tested the hypothesis that exposure to the PBDEs in follicular fluid is associated with dysregulation of gene expression in the mural and cumulus granulosa cells collected from women undergoing in vitro fertilization by intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Blastocyst morphology has no relationship with serum β-hCG levels and live birth rates once pregnant.

Objective: What is the role of blastocyst morphology on day16 β-hCG serum levels and pregnancy outcomes among patients who conceived through IVF cycles with single fresh Gardner's scored blastocyst transfers.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study conducted at a single academic fertility center between January 2013 and December 2017. A total of 643 pregnancies were included in the study.

What Are the Live Birth and Multiple Pregnancy Rates When 1 Versus 2 Low-Quality Blastocysts Are Transferred in a Cryopreserved Cycle? a Retrospective Cohort Study, Stratified for Age, Embryo Quality, and Oocyte Donor Cycles.

Outcomes among women who transferred only Gardner's grade BB or lower quality frozen embryos transferred (FET) are not well known. Our objective is to study whether transferring 2 versus 1 frozen low-quality blastocysts will increase the live birth rate (LBR) and the multiple pregnancy rate (MPR). This is a retrospective cohort study including 1104 FET cycles.

An age-based sperm nomogram: the McGill reference guide.

Study Question: How does age affect various semen parameters?

Summary Answer: For most semen parameters, the nomogram of the entire population was biphasic, peaking around the fourth decade of life.

What Is Known Already: In clinical practice, semen quality is examined by using the WHO 2010 reference limits but these limits do not account for male age. A percentile-based, large-scale nomogram describing how different semen parameters change throughout reproductive life has been lacking.

The biochemical pregnancy loss rate remains stable up irrespective of age and differs in pattern from clinical miscarriages.

Introduction: As women age, the increasing rate of aneuploidy lead to an augmentation in the incidence of clinical miscarriages. It was anticipated that biochemical pregnancy rates would also rise with maternal age. However, no study has previously evaluated the effect of maternal age on biochemical pregnancy rates.

Does fresh single embryo transfer outcome predict the result of a subsequent vitrified-warmed blastocyst of the same cohort?

Reflecting the current trends, the utilization of frozen-thawed transfer cycles has been steadily increasing worldwide; outcome predictors of these cycles are therefore a major research goal. Our aim was to investigate whether the outcome of a fresh single blastocyst transfer (SBT) can serve as a prognostic factor for the subsequent vitrified-warmed SBT originating from the same cohort. A retrospective cohort study was performed at a single unit.

A comparison of IVF outcomes transferring a single ideal blastocyst in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and normal ovulatory controls.

Purpose: To assess the effects PCOS on live birth rates when transferring a single fresh ideal blastocyst.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study performed at the university-affiliated reproductive center. Women with PCOS and a control group of normal ovulatory women who underwent their first fresh embryo transfer with single ideal grade blastocyst were included in the study.

Added Benefit of Immature Oocyte Maturation for Fertility Preservation in Women with Malignancy.

To assess the added value of maturing immature oocytes collected during fertility preservation treatments in women with malignancy. A retrospective case-control study analyzing the results of 327 cancer patients undergoing fertility preservation treatments. Oocyte maturation rates and cycle parameters were compared between 3 types of fertility preservation treatments: (1) stimulated IVF cycle (n = 143), (2) non-stimulated IVM cycle (n = 158), (3) follicle aspiration and oocyte collection from ovarian tissue prepared for ovarian tissue cryopreservation followed by in vitro maturation of the immature oocytes (n = 48).

Outcomes of Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Single Gene Defects in a Privately Funded Period and Publicly Funded Period: A North-American Single Center Experience.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess whether the outcomes from IVF-preimplantation genetic testing (IVF-PGT) cycles for single gene defects (SGD) (PGT-M) differ between a privately funded period (PRP) and publicly funded period (PUP).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a North-American single tertiary center. The PRP (March 1998 to July 2010) comprised 56 PGT-M cycles from 58 IVF cycles in 38 couples, and the PUP (August 2010 to May 2015) comprised 59 PGT-M cycles from 87 IVF cycles in 38 couples.

Human oocytes harboring damaged DNA can complete meiosis I.

Objective: To determine whether human oocytes possess a checkpoint to prevent completion of meiosis I when DNA is damaged.

Design: DNA damage is considered a major threat to the establishment of healthy eggs and embryos. Recent studies found that mouse oocytes with damaged DNA can resume meiosis and undergo germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), but then arrest in metaphase of meiosis I in a process involving spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) signaling.

Impact of extent and biochemical parameters of lymphoma on fertility preservation outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of lymphoma aggressiveness on ovarian response during fertility preservation treatment.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: University-affiliated tertiary hospital.

Influence of stage and grade of breast cancer on fertility preservation outcome in reproductive-aged women.

Research Question: Does breast cancer spread and aggressiveness affect fertility-preservation results?

Design: Retrospective cohort study of women with breast cancer undergoing fertility-preservation treatment.

Inclusion Criteria: age 18-38 years and use of gonadotrophin releasing hormone antagonist protocol; exclusion criteria: recurrent cancer, previous oncological treatment, previous ovarian surgery and known ovarian pathology. Stimulation cycle outcomes of women with low-stage breast cancer were compared with those with high-stage disease.

When to do intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a prospective comparison.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the fertilization rate and embryo development in sibling human oocytes after split insemination in patients with and without isolated teratozoospermia.

Methods: A prospective cohort study at a university affiliated reproduction center was performed. Hundred and three patients during the time periods 01-2013 to 12-2015 had split insemination ordered for their first IVF cycle.

Revisiting serum β-hCG cut-off levels and pregnancy outcomes using single embryo transfer.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to identify the pregnancy outcomes based on day-16 β-hCG level assessed with modern assays, in fresh single embryo transfers.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study at a single academic center between 2013 and 2017. A total of 1076 pregnancies were included.