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Elevated serum Chlamydia trachomatis IgG antibodies. Association with decreased implantation rates in GIFT.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of elevated Chlamydia IgG antibody (Ab) titers on the outcome of gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) cycles. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively evaluated all the GIFT cycles in a five-year period performed at our center. One hundred one women under 40 years of age undergoing a total of 112 consecutive GIFT cycles were included. RESULTS: Twenty-six cycles (23.2%) were in women with elevated serum Chlamydia IgG Ab, and 86 (76.8%) were in women with negative titers. There were no significant differences in mean age, number of mature oocytes obtained or number of oocytes transferred between the two groups. Patients with elevated IgG Ab had clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates (PR) of 34.6% and 23.1%, respectively, and an implantation rate (IR) of 7.1% (13/184) as compared to a clinical and ongoing PR of 47.7% and 40.7%, respectively, and an IR of 16.5% (61/369) in the negative Ab group, respectively (P = NS for clinical and ongoing PR, P = .003 for IR). No ectopic pregnancies were noted in either group. The incidence of early pregnancy loss was 33.3% (3/9) and 14.6% (6/41) in the positive and negative Ab groups, respectively (P = .40). CONCLUSION: The presence of elevated serum Chlamydia IgG Ab was associated with a significantly lower implantation rate, a trend toward a lower PR and a trend toward a higher early pregnancy loss rate as compared to women with negative Ab titers. This group may represent a subset of assisted reproductive technology patients who are less likely to benefit from GIFT.

Adult↗

Value of sperm characteristics and the result of in-vitro fertilization for predicting the outcome of assisted reproduction.

The outcome of procedures for assisted reproduction, namely in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) were used as end-points to assess the capacity of particular sperm characteristics to predict the fertilizing potential of semen. In addition, the result of IVF performed with spare oocytes from the GIFT procedure, was used to predict the pregnancy outcome of GIFT. The power of sperm characteristics to predict the outcome of assisted reproduction procedures was poor. With regard to the outcome of IVF, sperm morphology was the best discriminant. The threshold value of 16% normal sperm morphology could be used as a good predictor of successful IVF, but could not be applied as a criterion to reject an IVF trial. For the latter purpose, the limit of 5% sperm with normal morphology should be used. The proportion of sperm with grade A motility in native semen provided the best discrimination between GIFT-fertile and GIFT-infertile cases. A negative result from IVF performed with spare oocytes was 93% accurate in predicting unsuccessful outcome of GIFT. Hence, diagnostic IVF is the most sensitive assay for male fertility. The occurrence of oocyte fertilization during IVF predicts a successful outcome of GIFT in only 50% of cases. Hence, a negative result in IVF indicates that semen is almost certainly infertile, but a positive result does not guarantee the successful outcome of GIFT.

Adult↗

GnRH analogs in reproductive medicine.

The uses of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs in in vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) or related assisted reproductive technologies has advanced rapidly since initial efforts in the early 1980's. By making selective amino acid substitutions, often including the 6 and 10 position, the peptide chemists designed the compounds that we call the GnRH agonists of today. GnRH antagonists possess amino substitutions usually involving positions 1,2,3, 6 and 10, although others may be used. Moreover, recent versions are chemically very sophisticated, often having up to 5 D-amino acids (only L-amino acids occur naturally) and a variety of blocking groups that confer metabolic stability and reduced allergic side-effects. The first available formulation of a GnRH agonist product in the USA was an aqueous preparation for sc injection (usually once or twice daily). It has been studied for several years both in the treatment of prostatic carcinoma and for treatment of children presenting with true precocious puberty. More recently, a depo (monthly) preparation, which microencapulates the GnRH agonist in biodegradable microspheres, received registry approval for treatment of prostatic carcinoma. Also, an implant formulation aimed at chronic treatment indications, as well as nasal delivery products (usually applied multiple times daily) are in development. I will leave specific predictions of the future to those bearing higher powers, except to anticipate that when a safe and effective GnRH antagonist product is developed, it is likely to offer special advantages for IVF/GIFT treatment because of three apparent advantages over GnRH agonist products.

Female↗

Steroidogenesis of cultured granulosa cells in women at risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if cultured human granulosa cells (GCs) obtained from women at risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) possess altered steroidogenic capacity. DESIGN: Prospective analysis of 28 consecutive in vitro fertilization-gamete intrafallopian transfer (IVF-GIFT) cycles. SETTING: In Vitro Fertilization Program at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. PATIENTS: Eighteen patients (group I) with serum estradiol (E2) levels > 7,342 pmol/L on the day of exogenous human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration (day 0) with > 10 ovarian follicles present (high risk for OHSS); 10 patients (group II) with E2 < or = 7,342 pmol/L on day 0 and < or = 10 follicles. INTERVENTIONS: Human GCs obtained during gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist-pretreated IVF-GIFT cycles were cultured in the absence (control) or presence (hCG) of hCG, 1 IU/mL, and/or androstenedione (A) 10(-7) M. Granulosa cells obtained from follicles < or = 15 mm diameter were cultured separately from those obtained from follicles > 15 mm diameter. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Estradiol (E2) and progesterone were measured in tissue-culture medium by a solid-phase direct radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: In vitro E2 production by cultured GCs was significantly increased in follicles < or = 15 mm diameter from women considered at risk of developing OHSS (group I). Estradiol response to hCG and/or A appeared enhanced in all follicles in group I. Progesterone production in the basal and hCG challenged state was greater in cells obtained from large follicles in group I than in group II. CONCLUSION: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome appears to be a function of an increased number of follicles that express an enhanced steroidogenic capacity.

Cells, Cultured↗

IVF and related technology. The present and the future.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the current status of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and related technologies, including: the indications for the procedures and the problems associated with the use of stimulated cycles; the use of frozen embryos and donor eggs; and the newer procedures of gamete micromanipulation for male infertility, immature egg collection as a possible alternative to the stimulated cycle, and preimplantation genetic diagnosis. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: The clinical experience and research at Monash IVF and the Centre for Early Human Development, Monash University, were reviewed in association with key original or review articles in the world literature. DATA SYNTHESIS: Cumulative pregnancy rates for IVF and the gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) procedure at Monash IVF demonstrate that 29% of IVF patients and 55% of GIFT patients will have a live baby, the average number of treatments pursued being 3.4. Analogues of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) have improved pregnancy rates, reduced blood sampling, and prevented natural ovulation. Disadvantages of stimulated cycles include a higher risk of multiple pregnancy, a higher risk of hyperstimulation, and behavioural changes due to the effects of drugs. Natural cycles or immature egg collection at incidental laparoscopy may become alternatives to the use of the stimulated cycle. In Australia the GIFT procedure is more successful than IVF and is nearly always used if the fallopian tubes are normal. Multiple pregnancies may be reduced, particularly triplets, by reducing the number of eggs or embryos transferred to two when egg or embryo quality is high. Embryo freezing has made a small but important contribution to overall pregnancy rates by enabling patients to use excess eggs and embryos. The social and legal concerns resulting from the use of frozen embryos have required new ethical and legal considerations. Donor eggs have made a small contribution to achieving pregnancy in women with absent or inappropriate eggs and increased the chance of conception in women over the age of 40. Micromanipulation of sperm and eggs has enabled fertilisation and conception when sperm are defective in quantity or quality. Sampling of cells in early embryos enables genetic diagnosis and may be used in selecting chromosomally normal embryos in IVF procedures or in couples at risk of recessive genetic disease. CONCLUSION: Assisted reproductive technology has developed over a decade to become useful for couples with infertility which cannot be cured by simpler treatments. The birth rates are comparable to natural conception and the incidence of congenital malformation is not increased. The costs and complexity of treatment have been reduced to in turn reduce the stress and social inconvenience of therapy. Problems related to the high risk of multiple pregnancy and the use of the stimulated cycle are being reduced and new techniques for severe male infertility and the detection of genetic abnormalities in the embryo are being introduced.

Female↗

Births in Great Britain resulting from assisted conception, 1978-87. MRC Working Party on Children Conceived by In Vitro Fertilisation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics at birth of children conceived by in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or by gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and to assess whether they differ from those of children conceived naturally. DESIGN: Survey of children resulting from IVF or GIFT and comparison of their characteristics at birth with national statistics. SETTING: England, Scotland, and Wales from 1978 to 1987. SUBJECTS: 1267 Pregnancies conceived by IVF or GIFT, which resulted in 1581 liveborn or stillborn children. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sex ratio, multiplicity, gestational age at birth, birth weight, stillbirth rate, perinatal and infant mortality, and prevalence of congenital malformations. RESULTS: The ratio of male to female births was 1.07:1; 23% (249/1092) of the deliveries were multiple births compared with 1% for natural conceptions; 24% (278) of 1015 deliveries were preterm compared with 6% in England and Wales; 32% (406) of 1269 babies weighed less than 2500 g compared with 7% in England and Wales. The high percentage of preterm deliveries and of low birthweight babies was largely, but not entirely, due to the high frequency of multiple births. The rate of stillbirth, perinatal mortality, and infant mortality were twice the national average, these excesses being due to the high frequency of multiple births. One or more major congenital malformations were detected during the first week of life in 35 (2.2%) of 1581 babies. This figure is comparable with population based estimates of the prevalence of congenital malformations. The types of malformations reported varied, and the number of each specific type was small. The health of the children was not evaluated beyond the perinatal period. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple pregnancies often result from assisted conception and are the main determinant of the outcome of the pregnancies and of the health of the children at the time of birth. Congenital malformations are comparatively rare, so larger numbers of children need to be studied before firm conclusions can be drawn. The pooling of data from different countries is recommended.

Birth Weight↗

Assessment of separate contributions to perinatal mortality of infertility history and treatment: a case-control analysis.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have described the perinatal risks associated with infertility, other than for infertility treated by in-vitro fertilisation or gamete intrafallopian transfer. The aim of this analysis was to estimate the risks of perinatal death associated with treated and untreated infertility. METHODS: A population-based case-control study of perinatal deaths was carried out in Leicestershire Health District over the period 1990-94, during which 60,922 babies were delivered. Of these, 567 perinatal deaths were associated with 542 women. 972 mothers were randomly selected as controls. Medical, obstetric, and social data were collected for cases and controls from the medical notes and interviews with the women. The relative risks of perinatal death associated with treated and untreated infertility before the index pregnancy were estimated as odds ratios by means of unconditional logistic regression analysis. FINDINGS: 65 (10%) of cases and 34 (3.5%) of the controls had infertility before the index pregnancy. History of infertility in the index pregnancy, irrespective of treatment, increased the risk of perinatal death (odds ratio 2.9 [95% CI 1.8-4.5]). The population attributable risk fraction for perinatal death related to infertility was 6.2% (3.4-9.0). 45 (54%) of the deaths, even in the untreated group, were associated with immaturity. Compared with women without infertility, women with untreated infertility were at increased risk of perinatal death (3.3 [1.6-6.8]). The risk of perinatal death associated with multiple births did not explain this finding. Similarly, treated infertility also increased the risk of perinatal death (2.7 [1.5-4.7]); the risks associated with multiple births explained some, but not all, of this excess. In Leicestershire, the overall underlying risk of a mother experiencing at least one perinatal death over the study was 9.0 per 1000 women. For women who experience infertility, this risk increases by about 18 per 1000 (6-30). INTERPRETATION: Counselling for women before any form of infertility treatment should include discussion of the risks of perinatal death. Our results would benefit from confirmation. However, we advocate that at antenatal booking a history of infertility, irrespective of treatment, should be sought, because these women have a significantly increased risk of perinatal death, particularly associated with prematurity.

Adult↗

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist versus agonist administration in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: cycle performance and in vitro steroidogenesis of granulosa-lutein cells.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the effectiveness of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist compared with an agonist in suppressing a spontaneous luteinizing hormone surge in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization and gamete intrafallopian transfer and to examine whether in vivo administration of these analogs effects granulosa-lutein cells steroidogenesis in vitro. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective case-control study included 30 healthy women undergoing ovarian hyperstimulation with human menopausal gonadotropins. Fifteen women received the Nal-Glu antagonist, 5 mg intramuscularly daily, when the lead follicle was > or = 15 mm or serum estradiol level was > or = 500 pg/ml. The control group included 15 women who underwent oocyte retrieval on the same day as the study subjects and were given the agonist leuprolide acetate, 250 micrograms subcutaneously daily, starting on cycle day 1. Granulosa-lutein cells were purified from follicular aspirates from six subjects and six controls and cultured in parallel, evaluating basal progesterone production, progesterone response to follicle-stimulating hormone or luteinizing hormone and aromatase activity. RESULTS: No difference was demonstrated in the total amount of gonadotropins received by the two groups. Overall, the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist was given for only 2.5 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SEM) days before human chorionic gonadotropin administration. The antagonist group showed significantly lower levels of serum luteinizing hormone than did the agonist group, 1.0 +/- 0.2 versus 4.2 +/- 0.5 mIU/ml (p = 0.0001) on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration. Serum estradiol levels were significantly lower in the antagonist than the agonist group, 820 +/- 120 versus 1361 +/- 110 pg/ml (p = 0.003) on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration. There was no difference in the number of retrieved oocytes, but the antagonist group had a higher proportion of mature oocytes, 82% +/- 4% versus 62.4% (p = 0.02), and a higher proportion of embryos of good quality, 69.8% +/- 9.8% versus 44.3% +/- 7.2% (p = 0.03) in the agonist group. Granulosa-lutein cells from antagonist-treated women showed significantly lower aromatase activity the first 6 hours after retrieval, 17.6 +/- 1.6 versus 31.3 +/- 7.4 ng/ml per 6 hours estradiol (p = 0.03), whereas basal and gonadotropin-stimulated with progesterone responses were similar. CONCLUSION: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist administration during the late follicular phase resulted in lower serum luteinizing hormone and estradiol levels and more mature oocytes and embryos of better quality compared with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist administration. These results suggest that gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist administration in ovarian hyperstimulation has practical advantages over the agonist regimen. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs may have direct action on ovarian function with differential effects on granulosa-lutein cell aromatase activity. This could explain the lower serum estradiol levels routinely observed in women given gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist.

Adult↗

In vitro fertilisation for unexplained subfertility.

BACKGROUND: In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is now a widely accepted treatment for unexplained infertility (RCOG 1998). However, with estimated livebirth rates per cycle varying between 13% and 28%, it's effectiveness has not been rigorously evaluated in comparison with other treatments. With increasing awareness of the role of expectant management and less invasive procedures such as intrauterine insemination, concerns about multiple complications and costs associated with IVF, it is extremely important to evaluate the effectiveness of IVF against other treatment options in couples with unexplained infertility. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review is to determine, in the context of unexplained infertility, whether IVF improves the probability of livebirth compared with 1. expectant management 2. clomiphene citrate (CC) 3. intra uterine insemination (IUI) alone 4. IUI with controlled ovarian stimulation and 5. Gamete IntraFallopian Transfer (GIFT). SEARCH STRATEGY: RCTs were identified using the search strategies developed for the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group. See Review group for more information. SELECTION CRITERIA: Only randomised controlled trials were included. Livebirth rate per woman was the primary outcome of interest. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility and quality of trials. MAIN RESULTS: Nine randomised controlled trials were identified. In two we could not extract data separately for unexplained infertility cases, two were non-randomised, one reported no valid rates (included in the review and not in the meta-analysis), leaving four trials for analysis. One trial compared two different interventions (IVF versus IUI with or without ovarian stimulation) and one study compared three interventions (IVF versus IUI with ovarian stimulation and GIFT). The number of trials assessing the effectiveness of IVF with the other treatments were as follows: IVF versus expectant management (one), IVF versus IUI (one), IVF versus IUI with ovarian stimulation (two) and IVF versus GIFT (three). Livebirth rate per woman was reported in two studies and three studies determined clinical pregnancy rate per woman. Multiple pregnancy rate was reported in three trials. Two studies reported ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) as an outcome measure. There were no comparative data for clomiphene citrate, and no comparative data on livebirth rates for expectant management or GIFT. There was no evidence of a difference in livebirth rates between IVF and IUI either without (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.1) or with (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.8) ovarian stimulation. There was no evidence of a difference in clinical pregnancy rates between IVF and expectant management. There was no significant difference in the clinical pregnancy rates between IVF and GIFT (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.92). There was no evidence of a difference in the multiple pregnancy rates between IVF and either IUI with ovarian stimulation (OR 1.59, 95% CI 0.68 to 3.70) or GIFT (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.58). Clinical heterogeneity was present among the studies included. However, there was no evidence of statistical heterogeneity, which allowed the studies to be combined for statistical analysis. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Any effect of IVF relative to expectant management, clomiphene citrate, IUI with or without ovarian stimulation and GIFT in terms of livebirth rates for couples with unexplained subfertility remains unknown. The studies included are limited by their small sample size, so that even large differences might be hidden. Livebirth rates are seldom reported. Adverse effects such as multiple pregnancies and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome have also not been reported in most studies. Larger trials with adequate power are warranted to establish the effectiveness of IVF in these women. Future trials should not only report rates per woman /couple but also include adverse effects and costs of the treatments compared as outcomes. Factors that have a major effect on these outcomes such as fertility treatment, female partner's age, duration of infertility and previous pregnancy history should also be considered.

Female↗

In vitro fertilisation for unexplained subfertility.

BACKGROUND: In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is now a widely accepted treatment for unexplained infertility (RCOG 1998). However, with estimated live-birth rates per cycle varying between 13% and 28%, its effectiveness has not been rigorously evaluated in comparison with other treatments. With increasing awareness of the role of expectant management and less invasive procedures such as intrauterine insemination, concerns about multiple complications and costs associated with IVF, it is extremely important to evaluate the effectiveness of IVF against other treatment options in couples with unexplained infertility. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review is to determine, in the context of unexplained infertility, whether IVF improves the probability of live-birth compared with (1) expectant management, (2) clomiphene citrate (CC), (3) intrauterine insemination (IUI) alone, (4) IUI with controlled ovarian stimulation, and (5) gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT). SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group Trials Register (searched 23 March 2004), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2004), MEDLINE (1970 to August 2004), EMBASE (1985 to August 2004) and reference lists of articles. We also handsearched relevant conference proceedings and contacted researchers in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Only randomised controlled trials were included. Live-birth rate per woman was the primary outcome of interest. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility and quality of trials. MAIN RESULTS: Ten randomised controlled trials were identified. In two we could not extract data separately for unexplained infertility cases, two were non-randomised, one did not report valid rates (included in the review but not in the meta-analysis); leaving four trials for analysis. One trial compared two different interventions (IVF versus IUI with or without ovarian stimulation) and one study compared three interventions (IVF versus IUI with ovarian stimulation and GIFT). The numbers of trials assessing the effectiveness of IVF with the other treatments were as follows: IVF versus expectant management (two), IVF versus IUI (one), IVF versus IUI with ovarian stimulation (two) and IVF versus GIFT (three). Live-birth rate per woman was reported in three studies and three studies determined clinical pregnancy rate per woman. Multiple pregnancy rate was reported in three trials. Two studies reported ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) as an outcome measure. There were no comparative data for clomiphene citrate and no comparative data on live-birth rates for GIFT. There was no evidence of a difference in live-birth rates between IVF and IUI either without (OR 1.96; 95% CI 0.88 to 4.4) or with (OR 1.15; 95% CI 0.55 to 2.4) ovarian stimulation. There were significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates with IVF in comparison to expectant management (OR 3.24; 95% CI 1.07 to 9.80). There was no significant difference between IVF and GIFT for the one RCT that reported live-birth rates (OR 2.57; 95% CI 0.93 to 7.08). However, there was a significant difference in the clinical pregnancy rates between IVF and GIFT, with pregnancy rates greater for IVF (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.08 to 4.2). There was no evidence of a difference in the multiple pregnancy rates between IVF and IUI with ovarian stimulation (OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.27 to 1.5), however, IVF had a higher rate than GIFT (OR 6.3; 95% CI 1.7 to 23). Clinical heterogeneity was present among the studies included. However, there was no evidence of statistical heterogeneity, which allowed the studies to be combined for statistical analysis. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Any effect of IVF relative to expectant management, clomiphene citrate, IUI with or without ovarian stimulation and GIFT in terms of live-birth rates for couples with unexplained subfertility remains unknown. The studies included are limited by their small sample size so that even large differences might be hidden. Live-birth rates are seldom reported. Periods of follow up are inadequate and unequal. Adverse effects such as multiple pregnancies and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome have also not been reported in most studies. Larger trials with adequate power are warranted to establish the effectiveness of IVF in these women. Future trials should not only report rates per woman/couple but also include adverse effects and costs of the treatments as outcomes. Factors that have a major effect on these outcomes such as fertility treatment, female partner's age, duration of infertility and previous pregnancy history should also be considered.

Clomiphene↗

Effect of sperm preincubation time on GIFT pregnancy outcome.

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of human sperm preincubation time on the pregnancy outcome in gamete intrafallopian tube transfers. This was determined in a retrospective study on gamete intrafallopian transfer patients (ideopathic infertility) using logistic regression with the covariates, preincubation time (< or = 60 and > 60 min) and age (< or = 35 and > 35 years). The study included 485 consecutive gamete intrafallopian transfer cycles in which 3 metaphase II oocytes were transferred. Pregnancy outcome was evaluated by beta hCG levels on days 12 and 16 and was confirmed by the presence of a fetal heart 8 weeks after the procedure by means of sonography. The wife's age and sperm preincubation time were significant covariates in the prediction of ongoing pregnancy. The odds ratio for age (< or = 35 years) was 2.2 in the prediction of ongoing pregnancy, while the age-adjusted odds ratios for preincubation time (< or = 60 min) was 1.9. There was a critical relationship between sperm preincubation time and GIFT success, which confirms the effect of the wife's age on pregnancy. Close coordination is of importance between the clinical scientist and the physician to restrict the preincubation time to 1 h. The sperm preincubation time is a significant factor that has to be considered in the prediction of ongoing pregnancy in GIFT patients.

Adult↗

Experience with peritoneal oocyte and sperm transfer as an outpatient-based treatment for infertility.

Fifty-nine patients underwent 74 peritoneal oocyte and sperm transfer procedures. Forty-nine had previously failed treatment with inseminated frozen donor sperm and 10 had unexplained infertility. All procedures were carried out under ultrasound direction on an outpatient basis without general anesthetic by the transabdominal or vaginal route. Eighteen (24%) procedures resulted in pregnancy. Of these patients, 16 have delivered live infants (1 set of triplets, 2 twins, and 13 singletons) and 2 miscarried. Peritoneal oocyte and sperm transfer offers an outpatient-based alternative to gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) for in vivo conception. It can also be used in patients scheduled for intrauterine insemination where stimulation is excessive because the number of oocytes replaced can be limited.

Adult↗

The relative chance of pregnancy following tubal or uterine transfer procedures.

In a 7-month study period, a total of 113 pregnancies were generated in 380 women (30%) undergoing transfers in one of four assisted conception procedures: gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), pronuclear stage tubal transfer (PROST), tubal embryo stage transfer (TEST), and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). It was shown that both the pregnancy rate per transfer procedure and the number of pregnancy sacs arising per embryo transferred were significantly higher among the groups having tubal transfer (P less than 0.001). There were no significant differences in the pregnancy or implantation rates among the three groups having tubal transfer procedures when the GIFT results were adjusted for a 72% fertilization rate noted in the combined IVF-ET and PROST groups. Early pregnancy wastage showed a similar pattern among the four groups and, overall, 67% of pregnancies advanced beyond 20 weeks.

Adult↗

Gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT): a new technique for the treatment of unexplained infertility.

The Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT) was carried out in 12 couples with unexplained infertility, in 2 cases with infertility associated with mild endometriosis, in 1 case of hostile mucus and 3 cases in which phymosis of the ampulla and/or periadnexal adhesions were previously identified. In 7 couples GIFT was carried out after several AID cycles for husband azoospermia or severe oligospermia. Three different protocols were used for the controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. In all cases an adequate follicular growth was obtained and mature oocytes were recovered. At first attempt 12 ongoing pregnancies (1 triplet, 1 twin) were obtained with a present pregnancy rate of 48%.

Adult↗

[Pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and intratubal embryo transfer].

The intratubar embryotransfer is a variation of the in vitro fertilization, where the procreated preimplantation-embryos are not transferred into the cavum uteri but the tube(s). The intracavitar embryotransfer is the only possibility to treat irreparable tubar sterility in contrary to sterility not caused by the tubes where the transfer can be effected directly into the tubes. Considering the gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) one can assume, that the tubes are the best physiological place for the very young embryo's evolution. In opposition to the GIFT-method the embryotransfer into the tubes will be done only if a fertilization was proved: thereby superfluous operations can be avoided and additional diagnostic hints can be gained. The valuable indications are the following ones: idiopathic sterility, certain cases of andrological subfertility and immunological sterility; probably for some kinds of the last indication from the intratubar embryotransfer there will result a special area of application. It is reported about a viable pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and intratubar embryotransfer. The new method is supposed to be called IVF/IT-ET (i.e. in vitro fertilization and intratubar embryotransfer).

Adult↗

Tubal embryo transfer for the treatment of infertility.

The outcome of treatment for male factor infertility with either gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) or in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET) has been unsatisfactory. A better approach may be tubal embryo transfer (TET). In our medical center, from November 1989 to December 1990, 80 couples (male factor, n = 35, non-male factor, n = 45) entered our program for TET. Superovulation was conducted with either human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a, buserelin)/hMG. Ovum retrieval (OR) was possible in 73 patients and successful fertilization after insemination occurred in 64 of them. TET was performed only when there was at least one grade III-V embryo. The mean number of embryos transferred was 3.92 +/- 0.13 (range 1-5). There were 35 pregnancies out of 55 TET (64% per TET, 48% per OR). In the group with male factor infertility, OR occurred in 32, and 24 achieved fertilization. Ten pregnancies were achieved after 19 TET (53% per TET, 31% per OR). In comparison, the group with non-male factor infertility had a higher pregnancy rate (69% per TET and 61% per OR). There have been 15 live births, 14 ongoing pregnancies (eight sets of twins and 21 singletons), five abortions and one ectopic pregnancy. Our results indicate that: 1) TET is a valuable treatment for non-tubal factor infertility; and 2) in the group with male factor infertility, it has the advantages of demonstrating fertilization in vitro and preventing unrewarding laparoscopies.

Embryo Transfer↗

The development and application of the modern reproductive technologies to horse breeding.

Although the horse was probably the first animal to experience and benefit from artificial insemination, it trailed the field somewhat with regard to the application of embryo transfer and other oocyte and embryo-related modern breeding technologies. But with a late run it is now back in mid-field and gaining fast on the other large domestic species in the application of the many technological advances of the past 20 years to sound breeding practice. Improvements in extenders and cryoprotectants have resulted in a veritable upsurge in the transport and insemination of cooled and frozen stallion semen, and parallel improvements in ovulation induction and synchrony, exogenous gonadotrophic stimulation of multiple fertile ovulations and simplified, more efficient methods for non-surgical transfer of embryos to recipient mares, coupled with relaxation of breed society registration restrictions, have together contributed to a similar upsurge in the application of embryo transfer to all breeds and athletic types of horses worldwide, with the continuing and notable exception of the Thoroughbred. Although conventional in vitro fertilization remains something of an unjumped fence in equids, other modern breeding technologies like hysteroscopic low-dose insemination, fluorescence-activated sex sorting of stallion spermatozoa, between-species embryo transfer, embryo freezing and bisection, transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte collection, intracytoplasmic sperm injection for fertilization (ICSI), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and now nuclear transfer (cloning), have all been applied to equids with encouraging success. Cloning, especially, holds enormous promise for the Sporthorse industry to re-create champion geldings in stallion form for breeding purposes.

Animals↗

In vitro fertilization/embryo transfer in the United States: 1985 and 1986 results from the National IVF/ET Registry. Medical Research International. The American Fertility Society Special Interest Group.

This is the first report of the United States Registry of in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET) and related practices. Summary data from 1985 and 1986, collected from retrospective reporting, are presented. There were 2389 and 2864 IVF cycles with embryos transferred in 1985 and 1986, respectively. In 1985 and 1986, 337 (14.1%) and 485 (16.9%) of the transfer cycles, respectively, resulted in clinical pregnancies. The number of cycles with frozen embryos transferred increased from 26 to 112 between 1985 and 1986. In 1986, there were 7 clinical pregnancies through frozen ET. In 1985, there were 56 gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) procedures, whereas in 1986 there were 466 such treatment cycles. The number of clinical pregnancies by GIFT increased from 3 to 108 between 1985 and 1986.

Data Collection↗