Significant reduction in left testicular volume shown by ultrasonography in infertile patients with left-side grade 2-3 varicocele as compared to less than grade 2: An evidence for indication of varicocelectomy.

Purpose: Testicular volume (TV) is known to be one of the main parameters for testicular function (TF). This study was conducted to re-evaluate the indications of a varicocelectomy based on a survey of preoperative TV results in left-side varicocele patients considered to reflect the detrimental effects of a varicocele on TF.

Methods: TV results of infertile patients determined using ultrasonography by a single expert physician were retrospectively evaluated.

Dual Positive Regulation of Embryo Implantation by Endocrine and Immune Systems--Step-by-Step Maternal Recognition of the Developing Embryo.

In humans, HCG secreted from the implanting embryo stimulates progesterone production of the corpus luteum to maintain embryo implantation. Along with this endocrine system, current evidence suggests that the maternal immune system positively contributes to the embryo implantation. In mice, immune cells that have been sensitized with seminal fluid and then the developing embryo induce endometrial differentiation and promote embryo implantation.

Mitochondrial DNA copy number in cumulus cells is a strong predictor of obtaining good-quality embryos after IVF.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish a simple tool to predict good-quality embryos in in vitro fertilization (IVF) by using cumulus cells (CCs) or peripheral blood cells (PBCs).

Methods: Mitochondrial DNA was extracted from CCs and PBCs in patients undergoing IVF. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, mtDNA copy number in a single cell was calculated.

A theoretical model for single blastocyst transfer.

Objective: To elucidate the relationship between embryo grade and ART outcomes and determine how to decrease multiple pregnancy rates by assigning patients to single embryo transfer (SET) instead of dual embryo transfer (DET) according to embryo grade and/or availability.

Design: Retrospective medical record review.

Setting: IVF fertility center.