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Biomedical subjects

A Delvigne

Publications and source records attributed to A Delvigne.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

ART outcome in HIV-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: To assess assisted reproductive technique (ART) outcome in couples affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). METHODS: Intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF and ICSI were performed in 85 couples affected by HIV between January 2000 and June 2005. RESULTS: In 33 of the 85 couples, women were HIV positive-the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and cancellation rate (CR) after 34 IUI cycles were, respectively, 25 and 18%. The CPR after 26 IVF and 30 ICSI cycles were, respectively, 37.5 and 18.8% with CRs of 38.5 and 46.7%, respectively. In 38 couples, men were infected-the CPR and CR after 85 IUI cycles were, respectively, 14.7 and 20%; 62 ICSI cycles were performed leading to CPR of 23.4% with a CR of 25%. In 14 couples, the two partners were infected: none of the four IUI cycles carried out was successful (CR, 20%); the CPR and CR after 35 ICSI cycles were, respectively, 12.5% with 31%. All children born had a negative HIV test. CONCLUSION: In couples affected by HIV, an acceptable pregnancy rate was obtained. The worst results were obtained when both partners were infected. The CR was elevated among HIV-infected couples.

Adult↗

Is coasting effective for preventing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in patients receiving a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist during an in vitro fertilization cycle?

OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of coasting during receipt of GnRH antagonists. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): One 27-year-old and one 28-year-old woman, both with risk factors for the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). INTERVENTION(S): Two IVF treatments during which hMG treatment was stopped until E2 decreased to a safer level during receipt of GnRH antagonist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Development of OHSS and pregnancy. RESULT(S): Embryos were transferred in both women. Neither woman developed OHSS and one ongoing pregnancy was obtained. CONCLUSION(S): Coasting is feasible when a GnRH antagonist is used during IVF. Further studies are needed to evaluate its preventive role in OHSS.

Adult↗

Preventive attitude of physicians to avoid OHSS in IVF patients.

The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a dramatic iatrogenic complication of fertility treatment. There is no consensus about its prevention strategies. We assessed whether physicians modify their preventive attitude in relation to clinical risk factors and to the oestradiol response chart. Three case scenarios with three levels of risk factors for OHSS were constructed. For each case scenario, four different charts of the oestradiol curve were described (peak serum oestradiol of 3590 or 6590 pg/ml obtained after a shorter or longer period). At random, we sent three out of the 12 artificially constructed case scenarios to 573 physicians who are members of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). They were asked whether they would cancel the cycle, take preventive measures or proceed to a regular IVF. A total of 389 cases from 130 different physicians was analysed. Globally, in 23% of the cases the physicians would proceed to a regular IVF. This decision varied significantly according to the risk level (between 38% in low risk to 8% in high risk cases; P < 0.01) and in relation to the oestradiol curve (P < 0.01). In 11% of the cases they would cancel the cycle and in 66% take some preventive measures. Among the selected preventive measures, coasting was by far the most popular choice (60%), followed by the use of i.v. albumin or hydroxyaethyl starch solution (36%) and cryo-preservation of all embryos (33%). In view of the sparse data as to whether coasting is really an effective method, and on how it should be carried out, we suggest that there is an urgent need to evaluate coasting as a preventive method in a large randomized trial in order to properly assess its efficiency and to provide precise guidelines for its use.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Acne neonatorum and familial hyperandrogenism.

We report a case of acne neonatorum developed in a boy since birth. His mother and his aunt had different signs of hyperandrogenism including acne and hirsutism. This case illustrates the correlation between acne neonatorum and familial hyperandrogenism. It shows the importance of the family history and the eventual clinical and serological presence of hyperandrogenism in the mother when confronted with acne neonatorum.

Acne Vulgaris↗

Continuation rates with a levonorgestrel-releasing contraceptive implant (Norplant). A prospective study in Belgium.

Contraceptive protection offered by a method depends on its duration of use, which reflects costs, side effects, and relatives' opinions. This study investigated in Norplant implants users the continuation rates, some of their determinants, and the motives for removals. Since 1988, 612 Norplant implants sets, designed to protect for 5 years, have been inserted. Observing 13,907 months of use, we determined over time the continuation rates and how age, parity, circumstances at insertion (postpartum, postabortum, others), and patronymic origins (surrogate for sociocultural factors) influenced them. Statistics included Kaplan-Meier's method and log rank tests, and uni- and multivariate Cox models. Continuation increased with age and depended on sociocultural factors. Parity exerted influence only in younger women. Median duration of use was 3 years 11 months. Removals before 5 years related almost equally to irregular bleeding, other side effects, and pregnancy wish. The cumulative 5-year failure rate was 1.5%. Unsatisfied users returned earlier, distorting the first results. A literature search showed that implants yield, in the mean, slightly better continuation figures than do intrauterine devices, and clearly higher than those obtained with pills and injectables. To optimize costs and counseling, warnings about the risk of short duration of use in young nullipara, especially if negative sociocultural influences prevail, are recommended. In no category are the implants absolutely to be avoided. Individual and programmatic contraceptive choice should take into account the expected continuation of use.

Adolescent↗

Relationship of human follicular diameter with oocyte fertilization and development after in-vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the relationship between follicular size at the time of oocyte retrieval, and the subsequent oocyte competence to be fertilized and to develop in vitro. All the obtained oocytes were classified according to the corresponding volume of aspirated follicular fluid. Aspirated volume of follicular fluid <2 ml corresponded to a follicular diameter <16 mm and constituted the small size group. Volume of follicular fluid from 2 to 6 ml corresponded to a diameter from 16 to 23 mm and constituted the medium size group. The large size group contained follicles with diameter >23 mm and corresponded to an aspirated volume of follicular fluid of >6 ml. A progressive and significant increase in the rates of oocytes with a first polar body was observed from the small size group to the other groups and from the medium to the large size group: 75.3, 85.9 and 95.3% respectively. After classical in-vitro fertilization (IVF), significantly better rates of fertilization and development were obtained in the medium size group compared to the two other groups. Moreover, a positive relationship was observed between follicular diameter and rates of embryos scored as 'good' when oocytes were fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). These results demonstrated that follicular size is positively related to the oocyte ability to be fertilized and to develop. Although oocytes from small follicles gave lower percentages of development probably due to partial oocyte incompetence, they allowed an increase in the total number of embryos scored as 'good'.

Cell Size↗

[Continuity of utilization of a levonorgestrel releasing contraceptive implant: prospective study in Belgium].

Since 1988 we inserted 760 sets of a subcutaneous hormonal contraceptive releasing levonorgestrel active for 5 years. The aim of the study was to investigate the continuation rates. We considered our first 612 insertions. The 5-year cumulative pregnancy rate was 3.7%. The continuation rates were high (50% of the implants remained in situ after 3 1/2 years). These rates increased with age, and were better with European than with non-European subjects (mainly Moroccan and Turkish women). Parity didn't influence. The rates increased over time, because more unhappy women soon came back compared to satisfied users. Removals were related to pregnancy wish, irregular blood loss, end of action, and various side effects. In a few cases untrained physicians removed the implants.

Adult↗

Hydrosalpinges in in-vitro fertilization: an unfavourable prognostic feature.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of a hydrosalpinx influences in-vitro fertilization (IVF) prognosis. Comparisons were made between 69 IVF cycles in 37 patients carrying hydrosalpinges (hydrosalpinx group) and 67 IVF cycles in 41 patients without tubes or surgically sterilized (control group). Twenty-two patients carrying hydrosalpinges underwent salpingectomy or salpingoplasty (operated group); they then underwent 42 IVF trials which were compared with the two former groups. In the hydrosalpinx group, pregnancy rates by oocyte retrieval were 10.1% for clinical and ongoing pregnancies. In the control group, the corresponding pregnancy rates were 23.0 and 21.3% respectively. The implantation rate per embryo was 4.2% for clinical and ongoing pregnancies in the hydrosalpinx group and 11.0 and 10.4% respectively in the control group. The operated group had pregnancy rates of 38.1% for clinical pregnancies and 31.0% for ongoing pregnancies, with implantation rates of 17.4 (clinical) and 14.8% (ongoing) respectively. Pregnancy and implantation rates were statistically lower in the hydrosalpinx group as compared with controls and with the operated group. The differences between control and operated groups were not significant. In conclusion, the presence of a hydrosalpinx is thus associated with poor prognosis in IVF treatment. Surgical correction of such lesions appears to restore high success rates.

Adult↗

The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in in-vitro fertilization: a Belgian multicentric study. I. Clinical and biological features.

The multicentric study regroups 128 cases of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and 256 selected controls. Values of serum oestradiol obtained from different laboratories were found to be normally distributed after logarithmic transformation. Comparative study of clinical and biological characteristics indicates that among OHSS patients (i) mean age was lower; (ii) tubal indications for IVF were less frequent; (iii) polycystic ovary-like conditions (i.e. hyperandrogenism, anovulation, luteinizing hormone/follicle stimulating hormone ratio > 2) were more frequent. OHSS patients displayed ovarian hypersensitivity reflected by higher oestradiol peak concentrations in response to lower dosage of human menopausal gonadotrophin and by a steeper slope of oestradiol increment during stimulation. In these patients, the collection of greater numbers of fertilizable oocytes allowed replacement of more embryos with a good vitality score. Ongoing pregnancy rate was found to be higher among the OHSS patients. The following complications were recorded among OHSS cases: abdominal fluid at echographic examination or clinical ascites (86.7 and 71.1%, respectively); pleural and pericardial effusion (21 and 3%, respectively); haemoconcentration (71.1%); electrolytic disorders (6.2%). Although significantly different between groups, clinical and biological parameters under study showed considerable overlap of their distributions in control and OHSS cases. Therefore, these data must be submitted to discriminant analysis in order to derive a formula predictive of the risk of OHSS.

Adult↗

The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in in-vitro fertilization: a Belgian multicentric study. II. Multiple discriminant analysis for risk prediction.

The considerable overlap of distributions of values for different parameters between control and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) populations makes any single variable inefficient for risk prediction. Combinations of variables were studied in a discriminant function in order to increase predictivity and decrease the false negative rate. Such analyses were performed on two groups of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) patients: all OHSS cases (n = 128) (group A) and only severe OHSS cases (n = 92) (group B). Progressive introduction and automated stepwise selection of variables were applied to both groups. The best prediction (78.5%) was obtained in group A under post-oocyte retrieval conditions using log oestradiol, slope of log oestradiol increment, human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) dosage, number of oocytes retrieved and ratio of luteinizing hormone/follicle stimulating hormone (LH/FSH), in the formula. The corresponding false negative rate was 18.1%. However, effective prevention of OHSS implies the ability to withhold human chorionic gonadotrophin injection. Therefore a formula for pre-oocyte retrieval conditions was established yielding a prediction rate of 76.1% with a false negative rate of 18.1%. To be validated, such formulae have to be applied to another population of IVF cases used as a 'testing-set'.

Belgium↗

[Biological and parasitic variations in horses infested and reinfested by Trichinella spiralis].

Seven mares were infected with 20,000 Trichinella spiralis larvae; 2 of them were reinfected 22 wk later with the same amount of larvae. The course of infection in horses was assessed by serology (ELISA), biochemistry (aldolase activity), parasitology and histopathology. In each animal, infection was followed by a significant rise in specific antibody titers culminating at 5-10 wk post-infection (pi) and decreasing thereafter. Reinfection was followed by a slight rise in antibody levels. Aldolase activity increased during the first infection, but was not modified by reinfection. The parasite burden was maximum 20 wk pi (24-145 larvae/g according to localisation) and was very low at 52 wk pi (0.4-5 larvae/g). Compared to mares infected only once, the number of parasites in the reinfected animals was similar 28 wk pi but much lower 40 wk pi. Moreover, 6 wk post-reinfection, the larvae were surrounded by a large inflammatory granuloma which could have been caused by larvae from the reinfection batch. These experiments confirm the susceptibility of horses to Trichinella spiralis and the rapid disappearance of specific antibodies which prevents usual serological methods from being used in the diagnosis of infected animals. Reinfection could help the horse to eliminate the larvae more rapidly.

Animals↗

Are there predictive criteria of complicated ovarian hyperstimulation in IVF?

Among 599 trials of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, complicated ovarian hyperstimulation (OHSS) was diagnosed in 14 cases (2.5%) on the basis of heavy abdominal discomfort and echographic findings (ascites, ovarian enlargement with cysts). Among eight hospitalized patients, four presented with a haemoconcentration and/or electrolytic disturbances. OHSS cases were compared with two control groups for a series of criteria: age, aetiology of infertility, total dose of human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG), day of oocyte collection, oestradiol (E2) peak level, rate of E2 increase, number of oocytes, number of embryos transferred and embryonic vitality scores. Comparison with a random group of normal IVF trials showed a significant difference for the following parameters: E2 peak level and rate of increase, E2/dose of HMG, E2/day of egg collection and number of oocytes. When OHSS cases were compared to another control group consisting only of high E2 responders (peak E2 greater than 2700 pg/ml), no significant difference was found for any of the above-mentioned criteria. In view of this lack of predictive power of individual criteria, stepwise discriminant analysis was applied, showing that this method might provide a predictive mathematical function for evaluating the risk of OHSS before human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration. Such a formula, however, should be validated by a multicentric study in which a greater number of OHSS cases would be tested.

Adult↗

Predictive value of classical and automated sperm analysis for in-vitro fertilization.

The fertilization rates observed in 122 attempts at in-vitro fertilization were examined in relation to sperm characteristics assessed by visual and automated screening. Using linear regression analysis, a significant correlation was found between the fertilization rate and (i) evaluations in fresh semen sperm concentration, percentages of sperm motility, vitality and normal morphology and velocity, (ii) measurements in swim-up preparations of percentages of sperm motility, vitality and morphology, velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement. No significant correlation was found between the fertilization rate and any of the parameters studied in 24-h-old swim-up suspensions. Analysis by multiple variable stepwise linear regression showed an optimal correlation (R6 = 0.62) between the observed fertilization rate and theoretical calculation obtained from the following predictive function: fertilization rate = -0.3 + (0.008 x swim-up motility) + (0.004 x normal sperm morphology in fresh semen). Introduction of kinematic characteristics studied by automated screening improved the multiple correlation between the calculated and observed fertilization rate in cases of normal or mildly defective semen. Because of the limited availability of motile spermatozoa, automated analysis could not supersede classical sperm analysis in cases of more severe sperm defects.

Autoanalysis↗

[Prevention of complications of ovarian stimulation in in-vitro fertilization].

The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome which is the most severe iatrogenic complication of ovulation induction, may range from mere abdominal discomfort to lethal thromboembolism. It is therefore, mandatory to be able to evaluate the risk of such complications. In in vitro fertilization treatment, maximal level and growth rate of oestradiol and also the number of oocytes retrieved, are significantly higher among patients who will develop an hyperstimulation syndrome than in a group of healthy controls. However, due to the large distribution of individual values, none of these variables can be predictive by itself. Only multiple discriminant analysis effected within the frame of a multicentric study might be able to define a specific and sensitive predictive function.

Adult↗

Use of buserelin acetate in an in vitro fertilization program: a comparison with classical clomiphene citrate-human menopausal gonadotropin treatment.

A comparison has been established retrospectively between clomiphene citrate-human menopausal gonadotropin (CC-hMG) and buserelin acetate-hMG treatments in in vitro fertilization trials performed over a 3-year period. The analysis of 466 CC-hMG and 319 buserelin acetate-hMG trials shows that buserelin acetate-hMG stimulation generates a greater ovarian response resulting in higher numbers of oocytes being retrieved (6.2 + 3.8 versus 9.3 + 5.2) and fertilized (2.8 + 2.7 versus 4.3 + 3.8). More embryos are thus obtained, allowing a wider choice for intrauterine replacement and cryopreservation. Mean embryonic vitality scores do not differ (4.33 + 1.51 versus 4.44 + 1.54), implying that the embryonic quality remains similar in both treatments. A premature demise of the corpus luteum occurs in a large proportion of buserelin acetate-hMG cycles. However, when suppletive progesterone treatment is given, there is a trend toward a better implantation rate per embryo, and a significantly higher ongoing pregnancy rate is observed in relation to buserelin acetate-hMG treatment (20%) as compared with CC-hMG cycles (14%).

Adult↗

Fertilization failure in IVF: why and what next?

Among 297 couples who underwent 587 oocyte collection procedures, 95 (16%) total fertilization failures (FF) were observed. This frequency is similar in couples with either normal or only mildly deficient spermatozoa (16.2 and 13.7% respectively) but is almost doubled in cases of moderately and severely defective sperm (26.5%). However, this latter group accounts for only 19% of FF events. The fertilization rate per oocyte (FR) follows an inverse trend. FR was correlated with the final (i.e. after swim-up) sperm count and with initial and final motility of the sperm sample. If the final count and motility were less than 2 x 10(6)/ml and 40% respectively, the FF frequency in the group with partner's spermatozoa was significantly higher and FR significantly lower. FR was inversely correlated with the number of oocytes recovered but FF was found significantly more frequently only when fewer than three eggs were retrieved. No correlation was found between FF and either female causes of infertility, age or dosage of stimulation treatment. However, in the group with donor spermatozoa the FR was significantly lower amongst tubal, endocrinopathic and endometriotic patients (67.6, 67.2 and 56.6 respectively versus 79.7% in harvests from idiopathic cases). FR was decreased and FF increased when ovulation induction resulted from a spontaneous LH peak supplemented with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), as compared to induction by HCG alone. In the group using normal or mildly defective spermatozoa, if FF occurs at the first attempt, the frequency of recurrence in further trials is high (29%) and the probability of pregnancy after completed trials is low (12.5%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗

[AIDS: is it an indication for artificial insemination with anonymous donor sperm?].

Such demands raise difficulties, as the physician has to consider (and has to be the defender of) the coming child. A thorough psychological investigation must be conducted, as the couple's motives and those of each partner considered separately are not necessarily in agreement. Most important for the couple are the persistence of common projects and the strengthening of the bonds. The husband wants to survive through a child, to give an ultimate present and to increase the chance of keeping his partner. The wife shows her faithfulness and diminishes her partner's guilt feelings. She is, anyway, in a difficult situation if trying not to become pregnant, especially if she had already expressed a wish for maternity in normal circumstances. Unconscious mechanisms can intervene, such as fantasmatic adultery (through IAD) which reequilibrates the couple: the husband who brought the HIV has to be forgiven, or punished. Also, and most importantly, one has to analyze the prospects for the child, who is at risk of loosing his father, and also his mother: a later transmission of the virus to her cannot be excluded. The child will be confronted by illness and death of his father, and by heavy family secrets. The attitude of the medical team remains problematic: no clearcut attitude prevails.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗