Role of Assisted Reproduction Techniques in the Management of Unexplained Male Infertility

The assisted reproduction has been considered a viable solution for the infertility of humankind for more than four decades. In-Vitro-Fertilization (IVF) is one of the most successful assisted reproduction techniques, where the reproductive cell of the female partner is fertilized outside of her body. Initially, the IVF process has been conducted manually by an experienced embryologist. However, even with a highly experienced individual, the operation had extremely lower success rates due to the limited control in environmental conditions and the requirement of precise movements. Therefore, to address this technological deficit, the feasibility of the mechatronics devices for IVF procedures has been investigated. Among the different mechatronics concepts, micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) technologies have been gradually attracted to the IVF process and improved its capabilities. The purpose of this paper is to present a brief overview of the role of MEMS technologies in IVF. The article classifies the MEMS technologies in IVF based on their application in order to emphasize its contribution. In addition, the article extensively discusses the state-of-the-art mechatronic techniques utilized in Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), one of the most popular techniques used in IVF. This review article expects to become extremely beneficial for the engineering researchers new to this field who seek critical information on IVF in simple terms with highlights on the possible advancements and challenges that may emerge in the future.

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Role of Assisted Reproduction in Male Infertility

Male Reproductive Dysfunction ◽

10.5005/jp/books/10450_13 ◽

2005 ◽

pp. 257-257

Author(s):

SC Basu

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Assisted Reproduction

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Why Has Metabolomics So Far Not Managed to Efficiently Contribute to the Improvement of Assisted Reproduction Outcomes? The Answer through a Review of the Best Available Current Evidence

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11091602 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 1602

Author(s):

Charalampos Siristatidis ◽

Konstantinos Dafopoulos ◽

Michail Papapanou ◽

Sofoklis Stavros ◽

Abraham Pouliakis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Assisted Reproduction ◽

Current Status ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Computing Power ◽

Assisted Reproduction Techniques ◽

Great Heterogeneity ◽

Nutritional Environment ◽

The Difference ◽

And Function

Metabolomics emerged to give clinicians the necessary information on the competence, in terms of physiology and function, of gametes, embryos, and the endometrium towards a targeted infertility treatment, namely, assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Our minireview aims to investigate the current status of the use of metabolomics in assisted reproduction, the potential flaws in its use, and to propose specific solutions towards the improvement of ART outcomes through the use of the intervention. We used published reports assessing the role of metabolomic investigation of the endometrium, oocytes, and embryos in improving clinical outcomes in women undergoing ART. We initially found that there is no evidence to support that fertility outcomes can be improved through metabolomics profiling. In contrast, it may be helpful for understanding and appraising the nutritional environment of oocytes and embryos. The causes include the different infertility populations, the difference between animals and humans, technical limitations, and the great heterogeneity in the variables employed. Suggested steps include the standardization of variables of the method itself, the universal creation of a panel where all biomarkers are stored concerning specific infertile populations with different phenotypes or etiologies, specific bioinformatics contribution, significant computing power for data processing, and importantly, properly conducted trials.

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The Neglected Luteal Phase after Natural Conception: Rescue by Early Progesterone Supplementation

Current Opinion in Gynecology and Obstetrics ◽

10.18314/cogo.v2i1.1722 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 216-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tesarik J ◽

Mendoza N ◽

Mendoza-Tesarik R

Keyword(s):

Assisted Reproduction ◽

Ovarian Stimulation ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Serum Progesterone ◽

Assisted Reproduction Techniques ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Female Partners ◽

Progesterone Supplementation

Background: Luteal phase deficiency (LPD) was recognized as a potential cause of infertility well before the first attempts at ovarian stimulation and in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, in the subsequent IVF era, the fact that LPD is particularly frequent in the context of ovarian stimulation has driven the attention to LPD almost exclusively to stimulated cycles. Here we re-assess the role of LPD as the primary cause of infertility and suggest a possible solution.Patients and methods: This study involves 12 young couples with unexplained infertility who attended our clinic for an assisted reproduction attempt. All of the female partners had low serum progesterone concentrations on day 21 of their menstrual cycle, in spite of the presence on an apparently functional corpus luteum. The female patients underwent repeated ultrasound scans during three subsequent cycles to determine the day of spontaneous ovulation. They were counselled to have frequent sexual intercourse when the dominant follicle reached the size of >17 mm, and progesterone was administered daily, by vaginal route, in all of them beginning with the day on which ovulation had been confirmed.Results: Out of the 12 women included in this study, six became pregnant naturally during one of the three progesterone-supplemented cycles. Progesterone supplementation was discontinued progressively, based on repeated serum progesterone determinations during the early pregnancy. All of the pregnancies were singleton. One of them ended in a miscarriage, while the others went to term, resulting in the birth of five normal children.Conclusions: Our data suggest that LPD during natural ovulatory cycles may be more frequent than believed. In the present study, no other apparent causes of infertility were detected. In such cases, assisted reproduction techniques can be avoided and replaced by individualized progesterone supplementation during the early luteal phase.

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