Limitations of a time-lapse blastocyst prediction model: a large multicentre outcome analysis.

The goal of embryo selection models is to select embryos with the highest reproductive potential, whilst minimizing the rejection of viable embryos. Ultimately, any embryo selection model must be tested on clinical outcome. We therefore retrospectively tested a published blastocyst prediction model on a large combined set of transferred embryos with known clinical outcome.

History of cryptorchidism and ejaculate volume as simple predictors for the presence of testicular sperm.

Testicular volume, hormones, and growth factors are used as predictors of finding motile testicular sperm in azoospermic men. In this study, the possible predictive value of very simple parameters such as systematic history, clinical examination, and determination of ejaculate volume have been evaluated. Two-hundred and sixty-two consecutive non-vasectomized men with azoospermia/aspermia were evaluated by systematic history, clinical examination, ultrasonography of the scrotal content, and hormonal and genetic analyses.

Culture of human oocytes with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor has no effect on embryonic chromosomal constitution.

The effect on ploidy rate in donated human oocytes after in-vitro culture with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF; 2 ng/ml) from fertilization until day 3 was examined in a multicentre, prospective placebo-controlled and double-blinded study including 73 women donating 86 oocytes. The primary endpoint was to investigate the chromosomal constitution of human embryos (fluorescence in-situ hybridization analysis for chromosomes 13, 16, 18, 21, 22, X and Y) cultured with or without GM-CSF. The secondary endpoints were number of top-quality embryos (TQE) and number of normally developed embryos evaluated morphologically on day 3.

Nuclei size in relation to nuclear status and aneuploidy rate for 13 chromosomes in donated four cells embryos.

Purpose: The aim was to elucidate if the nuclear size and number are indicative of aberrant chromosome content in human blastomeres and embryos.

Methods: The number of nuclei and the nucleus and blastomere size were measured by a computer controlled system for multilevel analysis. Then the nuclei were enumerated for 13 chromosomes by a combination of PNA and DNA probes.

Resumption of mitosis in frozen-thawed embryos is not related to the chromosomal constitution.

Objective: To study the relation between the resumption of mitosis after thaw and chromosomal constitution in frozen-thawed embryos. In addition, to evaluate the correlation among the three parameters of resumption of mitosis after thaw, postthaw blastomere loss, and multinucleation.

Design: Frozen-thawed embryos were morphologically evaluated at thaw and after 24 hours of culture.

Malformation rate and sex ratio in 412 children conceived with epididymal or testicular sperm.

Background: Follow-up studies of children conceived after ICSI using epididymal or testicular sperm are important due to a still more extensive use of immature male germ cells for ICSI. It is, however, difficult to evaluate the potential risks of malformations of children born after ICSI, overcoming the natural fertilization processes, due to methodological limitations.

Methods: Follow-up study including all children born in Denmark and Norway following ICSI in Denmark, using epididymal or testicular sperm, was done.

Sequential FISH analysis using competitive displacement of labelled peptide nucleic acid probes for eight chromosomes in human blastomeres.

Background: The aim was to introduce a new strategy based on peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes and competitive displacement for using fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on human blastomeres.

Methods: Sequential FISH analysis with PNA probes and competitive displacement was performed using three different probe sets. The first set consisted of labelled probe only.

Etiology of azoospermia in 100 consecutive nonvasectomized men.

History was taken systematically for 100 azoospermic, nonvasectomized men referred consecutively to a Danish fertility clinic. The men were examined by ultrasound, and their blood samples were analyzed for karyotype, Y microdeletions, and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene mutations. In 29% of patients, the condition could be explained by genetic abnormalities; in 22%, by diseases or external influence; and in 27%, by former cryptorchidism.

Mycoplasma genitalium attaches to human spermatozoa.

Background: Mycoplasma genitalium causes urogenital diseases in men and women and is presumed to be sexually transmitted. We wanted to investigate whether spermatozoa could serve as vectors for M.genitalium in order to cause upper genital diseases in women.