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D Kreiner

Publications and source records attributed to D Kreiner.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Gonadotropin stimulation for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in insulin-dependent diabetics: follicular response, oocyte quality, embryo development, and follicular environment.

Two IDD patients were stimulated with gonadotropins for IVF and ET. Both patients had high E2 response and greater than or equal to 5 preovulatory oocytes retrieved, normal fertilization and cleavage rates, and transfer; neither conceived. Follicular fluid showed levels of E2, P, A, hCG, and PRL similar to non-IDD. Epidermal growth factor could not be detected in FF. Insulin-dependent diabetes patients can undergo gonadotropin stimulation for IVF with customary responses. Their follicular milieu resembles that of non-IDD patients except for a lack of EGF.

Adult

Comparison between laparoscopically and ultrasonographically guided transvaginal follicular aspiration methods in an in vitro fertilization program in the same patients using the same stimulation protocol.

Oocyte recovery from 43 patients undergoing ultrasound-guided transvaginal oocyte retrieval was compared to a previous laparoscopic oocyte retrieval cycle from the same patient. Gonadotropin stimulation in both cycles was performed using the same protocol. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean day of oocyte retrieval or the mean daily estradiol level up to the day of oocyte retrieval between laparoscopic and transvaginal cycles. The total number of follicles aspirated per cycle, preovulatory oocytes aspirated per cycle, and number of concepti of preovulatory origin transferred per cycle were not statistically different. The number of immature oocytes aspirated per cycle was statistically decreased in transvaginal retrieval cycles, which resulted in an increased total number of concepti transferred per transfer in laparoscopic retrieval cycles. Twelve pregnancies resulted from the transvaginal retrieval cycles (27.9%), seven of which are ongoing or delivered. Ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicular aspiration yields results comparable to laparoscopic retrieval in the same patients and should be the method of choice for oocyte pickup because of its many advantages.

Female

Estradiol and progesterone replacement regimens for the induction of endometrial receptivity.

Initiation of pregnancy in premature ovarian failure patients by use of donated oocytes fertilized in vitro requires establishment of a normal endometrial environment. We compared administration of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) by polysiloxane vaginal rings versus oral micronized E2 and P vaginal suppositories in 10 such patients. Serum E2 levels were similar between groups and similar to normally-cycling controls. With vaginal administration of E2, a burst effect was noted, with marked elevation 1 hour after insertion. The pattern with oral administration was more consistent, although marked conversion to estrone occurred. The P cylinder and suppositories delivered similar levels, with diminution of P in some patients with the cylinder. Despite apparent limitations, endometrial histology was normal after each cycle; both groups achieved pregnancies. Administration of E2 and P by polysiloxane vaginal rings achieved hormonal levels similar to oral micronized E2 and P vaginal suppositories. Endometrial biopsies after the stimulated cycle were appropriately mature.

Absorption

Serum follicle-stimulating hormone inhibition is a marker for preovulatory oocytes in in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

A retrospective analysis was performed on 64 cycles stimulated with human menopausal gonadotrophin and/or pure follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestrogen (E2) levels. The increase in serum E2 on the day of HCG administration did not correlate (r = 0.05) with the number of preovulatory oocytes (preovs) or with an increase or decrease in serum FSH (r = 0.31). However, the change in serum FSH showed a significant correlation with the number of preovs (r = -0.95, P = 0.013). The probability of obtaining two or more preovs was relatively greater (1.47x) than that of other IVF patients, when there was a drop in FSH of 5% on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration.

Chorionic Gonadotropin

Hormonal manipulation of endometrial maturation.

Three experimental protocols were devised to induce endometrial maturation in 12 women with ovarian failure. Each was planned to serve a dual purpose: to resolve a particular clinical situation related to synchronization between ovum donor and recipient and to answer a specific question about endometrial physiology. A fourth protocol of sequential estrace (2-6 mg/day) and progesterone (P4; 25-50 mg/day, im) simulating the 28-day natural cycle, served as a control protocol (18 cycles). A short follicular phase protocol consisted of only 6 days of estrogen (E) administration before addition of P4 (13 cycles). In the long follicular phase protocol (5 cycles), estrace was given for 3-5 weeks, and P4 administration was accordingly postponed. In 6 accelerated secretory transformation cycles, 150 mg/day P4 were administered, im, from day 15 onward. The adequacy of the induced endometrial cycles was evaluated by hormonal, morphological, and histochemical criteria relevant to endometrial normalcy and receptivity. Serum estradiol levels and the areas under the estradiol curves for the long and short follicular phase protocols differed significantly from those during the control cycles (P less than 0.005). Areas under the estradiol curves in the accelerated secretory transformation protocol yielded significantly higher P4 values than those in all other protocols (P less than 0.05). All biopsies in the 3 experimental protocols compared favorably with those of the control protocol. Glycocalyx intensity (periodic acid-Schiff) and the amount of galactose residues in the glycocalyx (Ricinus communis-I agglutinin) were greatest during the periimplantation interval. We conclude that a very short exposure of the human endometrium to E or, conversely, prolonged E stimulation will allow normal endometrial maturation with the addition of P4. Supraphysiological doses of P4 in the accelerated secretory transformation protocol significantly enhanced endometrial maturational processes.

Adult

Monitoring gonadotropin-stimulated cycles for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

One hundred fifty-one cycles stimulated with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and/or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were analyzed retrospectively to determine the relationship of the monitoring parameters used: serum estradiol (E2), transvaginal sonographic follicular size, and peripheral biologic estrogen response, with harvests and pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Mean +/- SE serum E2 levels were higher on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration in the miscarriage group (689.4 +/- 27.5 pg/ml) than in the nonpregnant group (527.7 +/- 25.8 pg/ml) (P = 0.018) and highest in the ongoing pregnancy group (734.6 +/- 66.5 pg/ml) (P = 0.003). When two or more preovulatory oocytes (preovs) were retrieved, the mean E2 levels were higher (622.3 +/- 27.3 pg/ml) than if zero or one preov was retrieved (378.4 +/- 43.5 pg/ml) (P = 0.001). The mean diameter of the two largest follicles at the time of hCG administration was significantly greater (14.7 mm) in the group with two or more preovs retrieved than in the group with zero or one preov (13.3 mm) (P = 0.001). The relative probability of achieving a pregnancy was best predicted by the presence of two follicles greater than or equal to 16 mm in diameter on transvaginal ultrasound examination and was 1.63 times greater than that of all patients in this series.

Embryo Transfer

In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET): an established and successful therapy for endometriosis.

The purpose of this report is to present a 6-year experience in the management of endometriosis with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET). We divided 136 patients who underwent 280 cycles into three groups: (1) previous history of endometriosis but normal pelvis at the time of oocyte retrieval, (2) stages I-II endometriosis (revised AFS classification), and (3) stages III-IV endometriosis. The stimulation protocols, estradiol (E2) responses, and distribution of terminal E2 patterns were similar in all groups. Group 3 had significantly fewer preovulatory and immature oocytes retrieved and fewer embryos transferred. The fertilization rate and the per cycle/per transfer pregnancy rates were similar in all groups. The miscarriage rate was higher in group 3, and the ongoing pregnancy rate per cycle was lower. Luteal phase E2 and progesterone levels were comparable in all groups. No differences were found when groups 2 and 3 were analyzed for the presence of one or two ovaries or the presence/absence of ovarian endometriosis. The overall fertilization rate, the per cycle/per transfer pregnancy rates, and the miscarriage rate were similar to those of tubal factor patients. We underscore the excellent outcome of patients with minimal or mild endometriosis in IVF/ET. We conclude that patients with moderate or severe endometriosis have a compromised reproductive potential, probably because of a reduced oocyte recovery rate and poor embryo quality.

Abortion, Spontaneous

Spontaneous luteinizing hormone (LH) surges are associated with more rapidly increasing estradiol (E2) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

In a retrospective analysis of 64 patients stimulated with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and/or pure follicle stimulating hormone (FSH); 35 cycles with spontaneous luteinizing hormone (LH) surges were compared with 29 control cycles with respect to serum FSH and estradiol (E2) levels drawn on the day prior to and the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), approximately 16 hr after gonadotropin stimulation. FSH decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) in control cycles where two or more preovulatory oocytes (preovs) were obtained, in contrast to cycles with a spontaneous LH surge, where FSH increased irrespective of the number of preovs. The E2 increase in the LH surge cycles was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than in the control cycles. However, the increase in E2 did not correlate with the change in FSH levels or with the number of preovs.

Chorionic Gonadotropin

The value of in vitro fertilization for the treatment of unexplained infertility.

In 54 patients referred with the diagnosis of unexplained infertility (UI), the diagnosis was confirmed in 26 (strict UI) (48%). Minimal abnormalities (MA) were found in 19 (35%); 9 (17%) had gross abnormalities and were excluded from analysis. Fifty patients with tubal infertility were randomly assigned to form a control group. Mean age and type of stimulation did not differ in the two groups. Peak follicular estradiol (E2) and terminal follicular E2 patterns were comparable. There was no difference in the mean number of oocytes retrieved per cycle. However, the control group had significantly more preovulatory oocytes: 3.6 +/- 2.0 standard deviations versus 2.8 +/- 2.1 in the overall UI group (strict UI + MA groups) and 2.7 +/- 2.2 in the strict UI group. Significantly more fertilized oocytes per cycle were obtained in the control group (P less than 0.05). The per-cycle and per-embryo transfer (ET) pregnancy rates were 32.4 and 37.3% in the overall UI group and 24 and 24.5% in the control group. The miscarriage rate was 12% in the strict UI group, 22% in the overall UI group, and 25% in the control group. It is concluded that patients with UI constitute a favorable group for in vitro fertilization and ET.

Chorionic Gonadotropin

Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin as a monitor of pregnancy outcome in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer patients.

Serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was studied to test its predictability of pregnancy outcome in in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients. The mean +/- standard deviation of serum hCG concentration related to the day complete clearance of exogenous hCG was derived from 47 single term pregnancies as a normal range. This range can be used to predict spontaneous abortion (77%), multiple pregnancy (60%), and abortion in multiple-sac pregnancies terminating in the birth of fewer infants than the initial number of sacs (80%). The results also showed that our stimulation protocol did not affect the clearance rate and doubling time of endogenous hCG or implantation time as suggested by the time of endogenous hCG detection and that spontaneous abortion may be due to late implantation.

Chorionic Gonadotropin

Timing of oocyte retrieval in cycles with a spontaneous luteinizing hormone surge in a large in vitro fertilization program.

Forty-four cycles with a spontaneous luteinizing hormone (LH) surge among 377 in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients were studied for outcome with different timing of oocyte retrieval. Mean number of preovulatory oocytes per retrieval and per transfer was significantly less in these cycles than in controls. Mean number of preovulatory oocytes per retrieval and per transfer was significantly higher when the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-retrieval interval was greater than 35 hours, compared with less than 24 hours. In cycles with an hCG-retrieval interval of less than 24 hours, percentage of preovulatory oocytes was higher when serum estradiol (E2) decreased by greater than 15% on the morning after hCG administration compared with a plateau or an increase in serum E2. Timing oocyte retrieval after spontaneous LH surge should consider the hCG-retrieval interval and changes in E2 levels after hCG administration; this may avoid cancellation for many patients.

Adult

Transdermal estrogen replacement in ovarian failure for ovum donation.

This study examined the efficacy of transdermal estradiol (TE2) replacement versus oral estradiol (OE2) through evaluation of peripheral steroid levels, endometrial morphology, and clinical outcome in six patients with ovarian failure. Patients were begun on sequential E2 and progesterone replacement with transdermal E2 patches. Endometrial biopsies were done on day 21 of the first replacement cycle and day 26 of the second cycle. Controls were 28 cycles on a regular 28-day micronized OE2 protocol. No significant difference was found between E2 levels throughout the cycle of the two respective stimulation protocols, except for days 12 to 14, when the OE2 protocol produced significantly lower E2 than did the TE2 protocol (P less than 0.01). A positive, highly significant correlation was found between estrone (E1) and E2 values in the OE2 group (r = 0.92) (P less than 0.003). During OE2 administration, E1 was significantly higher than E2 (P less than 0.01). E1 was not found to be higher than E2 in the TE2 group, resulting in a significant difference in the E2/E1 ratio of 1.59 +/- 1.6 for TE2 compared with 0.13 +/- .04 for OE2 (P less than 0.05). Early biopsies in patients on TE2 revealed glandular components that were dated as day 18.2 +/- 1.7, while the stroma was dated as day 21.8 +/- 0.8, a statistically significant disparity (P less than 0.01). In patients on OE2, the same significant 3-day glandular/stromal disparity was observed (P less than 0.05). Morphologic evaluation of late biopsy specimens revealed day 25.0 +/- 0.8 and 24.5 +/- 1.5 for TE2 and OE2 groups, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Cutaneous

Spontaneous and pharmacologically induced remissions in patients with premature ovarian failure.

To determine the fertility potential of patients with apparent ovarian failure, a retrospective analysis of 86 ovarian failure patients in the Norfolk oocyte donation program was performed. None of the 23 patients with primary ovarian failure ovulated. Seven of 63 (11.1%) with secondary ovarian failure did ovulate, and three of 63 (4.8%) conceived and delivered normal, healthy infants. Of patients whose etiology for ovarian failure was partial ovarian resection or chemotherapy, the ovulation rate and pregnancy rate were 30.8 and 15.4%, respectively, compared with 5.0 and 1.7%, respectively, for the other patients with secondary ovarian failure. Serum estradiol and FSH obtained during hormone replacement were not predictive of the resumption of normal reproductive functions. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with secondary ovarian failure, especially in the better-prognosis group, be treated with a trial of estradiol replacement and have close monitoring for ovulation before oocyte donation.

Adult

Abdominal pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Ectopic pregnancy continues to be a major complication of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer. We report the first abdominal pregnancy occurring after this therapeutic approach. The patient, a 35-year-old female, presented a frozen pelvis with a history of severe endometriosis and a left salpingectomy. After the transfer of four concepti in her second IVF/embryo transfer attempt, she became pregnant. Unfortunately, ultrasound evaluation five weeks later showed an ectopic pregnancy in the cul-de-sac. During laparotomy, it was noticed that implantation had taken place near the mesentery of the sigmoid and rectosigmoid. A right cornual tubal ligation was performed. Although the benefit of IVF/embryo transfer far outweighs the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, it is imperative that physicians who care for patients after IVF/embryo transfer be fully aware of the possibility of this complication in this high-risk population.

Adult

Follicular fluid estradiol and progesterone are markers of preovulatory oocyte quality.

Follicular fluid estradiol (FF E2) and progesterone (P) have previously been shown to vary with the maturation of the follicle. A profile of follicular fluid E2 and P was obtained from follicles of 19 preovulatory oocytes, which resulted in normal term pregnancies from single embryo transfers. A narrow band was defined around the linear regression line E2/P = 1.2 X 10(-2) + 1.57 X 10(-4) E2, r = 0.806, P less than 0.01, when E2/P was plotted versus E2 that included 84.2% of these oocytes. Eleven of the 19 pregnancies were clustered between an E2 of 240 to 460 ng/ml and an E2/P ratio of 0.044 to 0.084. Sixty-eight patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer were studied. A significantly greater number of preovulatory follicles from the fertilized, cleaved, and pregnant group (10 of 40) was found in the cluster than from the fertilized, cleaved, but not pregnant group (4 of 46; P = 0.04) and fertilized but not cleaved group (0 of 13; P = 0.04). Significantly more pregnant patients (14 of 20) had a preovulatory follicle within the band than nonpregnant patients (11 of 36) (P less than .02), as well as in the cluster (10 of 20), compared with 4 of 36, respectively (P less than 0.01). It may be concluded that a range of FF E2 and E2/P values define a stage of maturation that is compatible with successful pregnancies.

Estradiol

Endometrial immunofluorescence associated with endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Anti-immunoglobulin G (anti-IgG) staining in the endometrium by immunofluorescence has been associated with endometriosis. To investigate this phenomenon further, we took endometrial samples from 42 patients who underwent laparoscopy or laparotomy, which were tested for immunofluorescence. Fluorescein-labeled anti-IgG was incubated with tissue samples. Of 18 patients with documented endometriosis, 16 had positive immunofluorescence (89% sensitivity). Of 24 patients with no evidence of endometriosis, 9 had false-positive immunofluorescence and 15 had negative immunofluorescence. Of the 9 false-positive samples, 8 had evidence of old pelvic inflammatory disease. In the absence of this condition, there was only one false-positive study for immunofluorescence. The implications of these findings in terms of the pathophysiology of endometriosis-associated infertility is that it may be an immune-mediated process. With regard to diagnosis, the high predictive value of endometrial immunofluorescent IgG may be a useful tool in indicating early laparoscopic examination of the infertile period.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic