Biomedical subjects

Loredana Di Matteo

Publications and source records attributed to Loredana Di Matteo.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

The effect of extended culture of cumulus-oocyte complexes in follicular fluid during in vitro fertilisation cycles.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical and biological effect of the preincubation of oocytes in follicular fluid prior to IVF and ICSI cycles. METHODS: A series of patients were treated by the preincubation of oocytes in the patients' follicular fluid for 3 h after oocyte retrieval followed by processing with standard protocols. Control oocytes were preincubated in normal IVF culture medium. Fluorescence techniques were used to examine oocyte mitochondrial membrane potential. RESULTS: Fertilisation, pregnancy, and implantation rates were all significantly improved after the preincubation of oocytes in follicular fluid. Further tests suggested that differences in pH between follicular fluid and artificial culture medium may be critical to these differences. CONCLUSIONS: Preincubation of human oocytes in follicular fluid improves the results after IVF. This may be partly due to the use of a non-"physiological" pH in artificial culture media during in vitro fertilisation procedures.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

The maternal age effect: a hypothesis based on oxidative phosphorylation.

The 'maternal age effect' in human reproduction, characterized by a negative relationship between maternal age and reproductive efficiency, remains a poorly understood phenomenon. Current data suggest that oocyte physiology determines this relationship. In this review, we present a hypothesis of a mitochondrial role in the physiology of ageing in human oocytes. We suggest that the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation in the ageing human oocyte is degraded by free radical attack on the primordial oocytes residing in the ovary. Although deficiencies in oxidative phosphorylation can be accounted for in the short term by anaerobic respiration, we suggest that, in the long term, the level of oxidative phosphorylation strongly influences oocyte quality.

Female↗

PubMed2004

Secondary male factor infertility after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity: case report.

Surgical treatments such as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass operation result in the successful treatment of morbid obesity; however, this type of operation may cause long-term side effects due to the reduced absorption of nutrients. Here, we present data suggesting that this operation can result in secondary infertility in males. Six healthy, previously fertile male subjects presented in our centre for secondary infertility after a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass operation for morbid obesity. Reproductive function was assessed with a series of spermiograms, and by testicular biopsy. Secondary azoospermy with complete spermatogenic arrest was diagnosed. The results suggest that weight reduction surgery may cause reproductive dysfunction.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for the treatment of failed in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer and habitual abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To apply preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for the treatment of patients with a history of failed IVF-ET or habitual aborters. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: Tertiary center for assisted reproduction. PATIENT(S): Ninety-four couples with failed IVF-ET after >2 IVF cycles and 64 couples with >2 spontaneous abortions. INTERVENTION(S): Patients were prepared for oocyte retrieval using standard controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocols after standard laboratory techniques. Blastomeres from 6- to 8-cell embryos were analysed using fluorescence in situ hybridization with commercial chromosomal probes, and normoploid embryos were transferred on day 3 after fertilization. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy and implantation rates and live births. RESULT(S): Both 3- and 5-probe PGD resulted in a significantly higher outcome than controls for failed IVF-ET. Five-probe PGD appeared to be more suitable for habitual aborters. CONCLUSION(S): This pilot study suggests that 3-probe PGD is a valid option for failed IVF-ET patients. The use of five or more probes is indicated for habitual aborters.

Abortion, Habitual↗