scholarly journals Is there a critical LH level for hCG trigger after the detection of LH surge in modified natural frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer cycles?

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 3025-3031
Author(s):  
Semra Kahraman ◽  
Yucel Sahin

Abstract Purpose There is no consensus yet in the literature on an optimal luteinizing hormone (LH) level for human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) trigger timing in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) with modified natural cycles (mNC). The objective of our study was to compare the clinical results of hCG trigger at different LH levels in mNC-FET cases. Methods This retrospective study was conducted in Istanbul Memorial Hospital ART and Genetics Center. A total of 1076 cases with 1163 mNC-FET cycles were evaluated. LH levels between the start of LH rise (15 IU/L) and LH peak level (> 40 IU/L) were evaluated. Cycles were analyzed in four groups: group A (n = 287) LH level on the day prior to the day of hCG; groups B, C and D, LH levels on the day of hCG: group B (n = 245) LH 15–24.9; group C (n = 253), LH 25–39.9; group D (n = 383) LH ≥ 40. Cycle outcomes in the four groups were compared. Results Subgroup analyses of mNC-FET groups showed that implantation, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates, and pregnancy losses were not significantly different in patients with different LH levels on the day of hCG trigger. Conclusion Our study suggests that hCG can be administered at any time between the start of LH rise (≥ 15 IU/L) and LH peak level (≥ 40 IU/L) without a detrimental effect on clinical outcome.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1729-1729
Author(s):  
Adi Gidron ◽  
John Eklund ◽  
Brenda Martone ◽  
Alfred W. Rademaker ◽  
Charles Goolsby ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: CD4+CD25+hi T cells (Treg) play a suppressive role in immune regulation. DD is an IL-2 receptor specific cytotoxin. We postulated depletion of Treg with DD may enhance immune effector cell populations after HDIL-2 treatment, including rebound lymphocytosis and also eosinophilia which has been reported to be involved in immune response to neoplasm (Mattes J Exp Med 197: 387, 2003). Methods: In this pilot study, 12 pts (8 male, median age 58 yrs) with MRCC were tx with HDIL-2 and DD in different schedules to determine safety and effect on immune response as manifested by changes in Treg, peak lymphocyte, and eosinophil counts. Pts were treated with IL-2 600,000 IU/kg Q8H on days (d) 1–5 and 15–19. Three (group A) and 4 (group B) pts were given 6 and 9ug/kg daily on d8–10 respectively, while 5 (group C) pts received 9ug/kg of DD on d −4 to −2. Nine (group D) pts with metastatic melanoma who received HDIL-2 as above but without DD were included as controls. Flow cytometry was done on days −4, 1,8,10,15,22 for group C and on days 1,8,10,15,22 for groups B, and D. CBC was obtained concurrent or within 24 hours of flow cytometry. Group A pts were evaluated for safety only and were excluded from analysis. Results: Prior to enrollment, all pts had undergone nephrectomy and four patients received interferon-alpha. One pt from group B withdrew from study and was not included in analysis. Administration of DD resulted in a median decline of 25% in Treg number (not significant). DD given before HDIL-2 was associated with a greater increase in Treg post HDIL-2. In Group C there was an increase of rebound median Treg count of 0.88k/ul compared with 0.060k/ul in group B (p=0.025). Absolute lymphocytosis was higher in the combined group getting DD compared to control (median maximal increase of 7.6 vs 4.7 k/ul, respectively) although the difference did not reach statistical significance. However, group C pts had a greater increase in absolute lymphocytosis than did group B pts in which absolute lymphocytosis actually decreased (median increase 10.6 vs. median decrease 0.4 k/ul, p=0.025). A higher peak level of eosinophilia was noted in groups B and C compared with group D (mean increase of 10.5 vs. 4.0 k/ul p=0.2). Group C had a greater peak eosinophilia than group B (11.2 vs 2.2 k/ul p=0.053) Toxicity was manageable and consistent with those seen with HDIL-2. Median HDIL-2 dose given was 21 (range, 14–28). No clinical responses were observed. Of 11 pts included in the analysis 1 pt from group A expired 68 weeks after enrollment. All remaining patients are alive. Survival from enrollment ranges from 11 to 93 weeks. Conclusion: Overall, the combination of DD and HDIL-2 results in a stimulatory effect as manifested by increased rebound lymphocytosis and eosinophilia compared to HDIL-2 alone. Administration of DD in conjunction with HDIL-2 was associated with a rebound in Treg that may be schedule and dose dependent. The results suggest an enhanced immune stimulatory effect as manifested by lymphocytosis and peak eosinophilia in group C. However, this stimulatory effect also extends to Treg that may prove detrimental clinically. Further exploration of these effects in immunotherapy naïve patients would be beneficial.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junwei Zhang ◽  
Mingze Du ◽  
Yanli Wu ◽  
Yiwen Xiong ◽  
Yunxia Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract The effects of supraphysiological estradiol (E2) on neonatal outcomes and the significance of specific E2 concentrations remain unclear. The purpose of this study was investigate whether supraphysiological E2 levels on the hCG trigger day are associated with small size for gestational age (SGA) in singletons born from fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles. Patients with singleton pregnancies with delivered after transfer of fresh embryos, during the period of July 2012 to December 2017 at our center were included. We excluded cycles involving a vanishing twin, maternal age >35 years, basal FSH ≥10 mIU/ml, AMH ≤1 ng/ml or incomplete records. We then divided all cycles into 5 groups by E2 level on the day of hCG trigger: group A, <2000 pg/ml (reference group); group B, 2000 pg/ml≤E2<2999 pg/ml; group C, 3000 pg/ml≤E2<3999 pg/ml; group D, 4000 pg/ml≤E2<4999 pg/ml; and group E, ≥5000 pg/ml. The prevalence of SGA among singletons from fresh ET was the primary outcome. The SGA rate significantly increased when the E2 level was ≥4000 pg/ml, as observed by comparing groups D (odds ratio [OR]: 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16–2.76, P=0.01) and E (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.10–2.56, P=0.02) with the reference group. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that a serum E2 level of at least 4000 pg/ml on the hCG trigger day was associated with increased SGA and with significant differences for groups D (adjusted OR [AOR]: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.05–2.59, P=0.03) and E (AOR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.03–2.53, P=0.04) relative to the reference group. In conclusion,for fresh ET cycles, supraphysiological E2 ≥4000 pg/ml on the hCG trigger day increases the risk of singleton SGA.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Jiang ◽  
Zhuo-Ye Luo ◽  
Gui-Min Hao ◽  
Bu-Lang Gao

Abstract This study was to investigate effects of progesterone vaginal sustained-release gel and intramuscular injection of progesterone on frozen-thawed embryos transfer in 3013 patients receiving vaginal progesterone sustained-release gel and progesterone injection in artificial cycle for frozen-thawed embryo transfer. All patients were divided into two groups: group A with progesterone intramuscular injection (60 mg/d) plus dydrogesterone (10 mg tid) and group B with progesterone vaginal sustained-release gel of progesterone (90 mg/d) plus dydrogesterone (10 mg tid). There were 1988 women in group A treated with progesterone injection and 1025 women in group B with progesterone vaginal sustained-release gel. There were no statistically (P > 0.05) significant difference between the two groups in age, years of infertility, body mass index, endometrial thickness at transfer time, the average numbers of embryo transferred, cause of infertility, number of cycles, pregnancy rate and ectopic pregnancy rate. No significant (P > 0.05) differences existed in the clinical pregnancy (52.5% vs. 56.0%) and ectopic pregnancy (2.2% vs. 3.0%) rate between groups A and B. However, group B with vaginal progesterone supplementation had significantly (P < 0.05) greater implantation (37.0% vs 34.4%), delivery (45.1% vs. 41.0%) and live birth (45.0% vs. 40.8%) rate than group A with intramuscular progesterone injection, whereas group A had significantly (P < 0.05) greater early abortion rate (19.4% vs. 15.3%) than group B. This study showed that vaginal gel progesterone supplementation has good effects on frozen-thawed embryo transfer and can significantly increase the rate of implantation, delivery and live birth but decrease the abortion rate compared with intramuscular progesterone injection.


Author(s):  
Xin Li ◽  
Yan Su ◽  
Qijun Xie ◽  
Ting Luan ◽  
Mianqiu Zhang ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The recent studies have shown that sildenafil citrate can enhance estrogen-induced proliferation of the endometrium in infertile women. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study was aimed to investigate whether sildenafil citrate could affect pregnancy outcomes in infertile women receiving frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) after resection of intrauterine adhesions (IUAs). <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> A total of 310 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were recruited and divided into the control group (group A) and the sildenafil citrate group (or the SC group, group B). The 2 groups were, respectively, divided into 2 subgroups based on the severity of reformed adhesions: (1) group A1 (with mild IUAs) and group A2 (with moderate to severe IUAs) and (2) group B1 (with mild IUAs) and group B2 (with moderate to severe IUAs). Therapeutic effects of sildenafil citrate on the cases were evaluated after resection of IUAs during FET cycles. Endometrial thickness, endometrial pattern, and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated and compared between the 2 groups. <b><i>Results:</i></b> There was no significant difference in the number of embryos transferred between the 2 groups. The endometrial thickness in group B (0.80 [0.68–0.90] cm) was significantly higher than that in group A (0.73 [0.35–0.80] cm). Besides, the biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate (LBR) were 71.60, 50.83, and 39.17% in group B, which were significantly higher than those in group A, namely, 57.36, 34.73, and 23.68%, respectively (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). The univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression showed that the LBR in either subgroups of group B after vaginal sildenafil treatment was significantly higher than that in the corresponding control group (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> It was observed that the administration of sildenafil citrate during FET could effectively improve the poor endometrial conditions after FET following the resection of IUAs.


Author(s):  
Junwei Zhang ◽  
Mingze Du ◽  
Lijun Sun

Abstract The effects of supraphysiological estradiol (E2) on neonatal outcomes and the significance of specific E2 concentrations remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether supraphysiological E2 levels on the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger day are associated with small size for gestational age (SGA) in singletons born from fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles. Patients with singleton pregnancies who delivered after the transfer of fresh embryos, during the period from July 2012 to December 2017, at our center were included. We excluded cycles involving a vanishing twin, maternal age >35 years, basal follicle-stimulating hormone ≥10 mIU/ml, or anti-Müllerian hormone ≤1 ng/ml. We then divided all cycles into five groups by E2 level on trigger day: group A, <2000 pg/ml (reference group); group B, 2000 pg/ml≤E2<2999 pg/ml; group C, 3000 pg/ml≤E2<3999 pg/ml; group D, 4000 pg/ml≤E2<4999 pg/ml; and group E, ≥5000 pg/ml. The prevalence of SGA among singletons from fresh ET was the primary outcome. The SGA rate significantly increased when the E2 level was ≥4000 pg/ml, as observed by comparing groups D (odds ratio [OR]: 1·79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1·16–2·76, P = 0·01) and E (OR: 1·68, 95% CI: 1·10–2·56, P = 0·02) with the reference group. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that a serum E2 level of at least 4000 pg/ml on the hCG trigger day was associated with increased SGA and with significant differences for groups D (adjusted OR [AOR]: 1·65, 95% CI: 1·05–2·59, P = 0·03) and E (AOR: 1·60, 95% CI: 1·03–2·53, P = 0·04) relative to the reference group. In conclusion, in fresh ET cycles, the supraphysiological E2 ≥4000 pg/ml on the hCG trigger day increases the risk of SGA.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanhong Wu ◽  
Chang Liu ◽  
Chaochao Sheng ◽  
Haitao Xi ◽  
Yanghua Fu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background:Previous studies have shown that in young women, single blastocyst transfer can achieve satisfactory pregnancy results, but there are few studies on the difference between fresh and frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer. In this retrospective analysis, the purpose of this study was to compare the pregnancy outcomes of young patients who received fresh or frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer, so as to provide further clinical strategies for single blastocyst transfer.Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients aged ≤35 years old undergoing single blastocyst transfer was performed from January 2018 to December 2018 in the reproductive center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. A total of 901 patients were involved and were divided into two groups according to the type of transfer cycle, 693 of which were in the fresh embryo transfer cycle (group A) and 208 of which were in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle (group B). The laboratory and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the groups. Results:The number of oocytes retrieved in group B was significantly more than in group A ( P<0.05). The early miscarriage rate in group B was higher than in group A, with significant difference(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in other basic conditions and obstetric pregnancy outcomes between the two groups.Conclusions:Favorable pregnancy outcomes could be obtained in both fresh and frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer in young patients without increasing the birth defect rate. For patients with risk factors of OHSS such as more oocyte retrieval, ovarian hyper-response, or risk factors of ectopic pregnancy such tubal infertility and the history of ectopic pregnancy, frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer could be highly recommended in clinical practice. However, since the early miscarriage rate is higher in frozen-thawed embryo transfer group, further research is needed to figure out the cause and possible solutions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuliang Dai ◽  
Tingting Gao ◽  
Xiyang Xia ◽  
Fang Cao ◽  
Chunmei Yu ◽  
...  

BackgroundTo determine whether the embryo developmental stage affects biochemical or clinical pregnancy loss in young women undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) and to investigate the underlying mechanism.MethodsThis was a retrospective study including a total of 18,34 β-HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)-positive FET cycles. According to the morphological appearance (MA) of transferred blastocysts, FET cycles with blastocysts were divided into two groups: Group A: morphologically good (MG) blastocysts only, and Group B: at least one morphologically non-good (MNG) blastocyst. FET cycles with day 3 cleavage embryos were assigned as Group C. Biochemical and clinical pregnancy loss were the main outcome measures.Result(s)We predicted 78% in vivo-formed MG and 53.9% in vivo-formed day 5 blastocysts in Group C. (a) Including cases in Group A and Group B for binary logistic regression, we showed that Group B and day 6 blastocysts had significantly higher rates of BPL and CPL than Group A and day 5 blastocysts, respectively. (b) Including cases in Group A, Group B, and Group C for binary logistic regression, we showed that Group C had a significantly higher rate of BPL than Group A and day 5 blastocysts and a similar rate of BPL as Group B and day 6 blastocysts. Group C had a higher rate of CPL than Group A (p=0.071) and day 5 blastocysts (p=0.039), and a lower rate of CPL than Group B (p=0.199) and day 6 blastocysts (p=0.234).Conclusion(s)(1) MA and days of usable blastocysts could serve as independent factors affecting the occurrence of BPL and CPL. (2) Transfer of day 3 cleavage embryos may produce “unusable blastocysts” in vivo, which significantly increased the rate of BPL. (3) The rate of CPL resulting from the transfer of day 3 embryos may depend on the rate of in vivo-formed MG or day 5 blastocysts. Our study indicated that the difference in the BPL or CPL between transfer of blastocysts and day 3 cleavage embryos may largely depend on the quality of embryos transferred.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Garcia-Faura ◽  
B Marques ◽  
V Montalvo ◽  
F Garcia ◽  
M Lopez-Teijon

Abstract Study question Looking at time-lapse images of own embryos during the five days of culture, as a patient’s active behaviour, may help to increase pregnancy rates? Summary answer The number of visual connections to live blastocyst development images of own embryos positively correlates to patient’s pregnancy rates after fresh single blastocyst transfer. What is known already In human reproduction, despite the evidence that infertility itself and reproductive treatments can produce anxiety and stress, the impact of emotions on pregnancy outcomes is unknown and probably underestimated. The interaction between psyche, nervous, immune and endocrine systems (PNIE) is well known and has been applied to understand and treat different pathological conditions. Patient’s active behaviour during IVF treatments appears to be a positive strategy to decrease women’s anxiety and stress, thus to increase fertility quality of life and pregnancy outcomes. Study design, size, duration Retrospective comparative study of 934 patients undergoing fresh IVF cycles during three years. To avoid any bias related to oocyte and embryo factors, we only included egg donation cycles in the study, and ≥3BB (Gardner score) single embryo transfers. All embryo cultures were performed in time-lapse incubator and patients could connect on-line to their embryo’s images before single blastocyst transfer. We evaluated the impact of visual connections to live embryo images on pregnancy rates. Participants/materials, setting, methods On day one of embryo culture, consenting patients received an individualized and secure link allowing them to connect on-line to images of their own embryos any time during the five days of culture. Patients were divided in five groups depending on the number of on-line visualisations (A = 0; B = 1–10; C = 11–20; D = 21–30; E &gt; 30). Pregnancy and clinical pregnancy rates were compared between the five groups. Chi-square test for a large contingency table was performed to compare all groups Main results and the role of chance The distribution of patients in the five groups, based on number of visualizations, resulted as follows: 287 in group A; 328 in group B; 156 in group C; 80 in group D; 83 in group E. The five groups were homogeneous and there were no statistically significant differences in recipient’s ages (A 42.8±3.9 years; B 41.9±3.9 years; C 41.8±4.5 years; D 42.8±4.1 years; E 41.9±4.4 years) and in donor’s ages (A 25.5±4.3 years; B 26.9±4.4 years; C 27.1±4.2 years; D 26.4±4.5 years; E 26.5±4.1 years) among the five groups. We observed a progressive positive trend between the number of on-line visualisations and pregnancy rates, reaching statistical significance for group E (&gt;30 visualizations) compared to the others groups. In group E, pregnancy rates and clinical pregnancy rates per fresh single blastocyst transfer were respectively 72.3% and 65.1%, significantly higher when compared to the others groups (p &lt; 0.01, p &lt; 0.001): group A 61% and 50.9%, group B 63.1% and 56.1%, group C 64.1% and 55.1%, group D 65% and 53.8%. Limitations, reasons for caution Time-lapse incubator is needed as well as a strong informatics setting to ensure secure and personalised on-line connection to each patient at any time during the five days of culture. Endocrine and endometrial biomarkers should be proposed and evaluated in further clinical trials to better understand these results. Wider implications of the findings: Repeated on-line visualization of own embryos images before fresh blastocyst transfer enhances pregnancy rates in IVF cycles. We propose that repeated visual stimuli of images produces a positive emotional connection between patients and their own developing embryos, thus reducing anxiety and enhancing recipient’s endometrial receptivity. Trial registration number Not applicable


2009 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aydiner Kalaci ◽  
Hüsamettin Çakici ◽  
Onur Hapa ◽  
Ahmet Nedim Yanat ◽  
Yunus Dogramaci ◽  
...  

Background: To determine the effectiveness of four different local injection modalities in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Methods: In a prospective randomized multicenter study of plantar fasciitis, 100 patients were divided into four equal groups and were treated using four different methods of local injection: group A was treated with 2 mL of autologous blood alone; group B, an anesthetic (2 mL of lidocaine) combined with peppering; group C, a corticosteroid (2 mL of triamcinolone) alone; and group D, a corticosteroid (2 mL of triamcinolone) combined with peppering. The outcome was defined by using a 10-cm visual analog scale and modified criteria of the Roles and Maudsley score 3 weeks and 6 months after the injection and compared with the pretreatment condition. Results: The successful results in all of the groups after injections were higher than those in the pretreatment condition (P = .000). In groups C and D, in which local corticosteroid injections were used, excellent results were obtained, with superior effect in the group in which peppering was used (P &lt; .05). Conclusions: In the treatment of plantar fasciitis, combined corticosteroid injections and peppering is effective and produces better clinical results. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 99(2): 108–113, 2009)


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 536-551
Author(s):  
Heidi Amezcua Hempel ◽  
María Salud Rubio Lozano ◽  
Eliseo Manuel Hernández Baumgarten ◽  
Pablo Correa Girón † ◽  
Oscar Torres Ángeles ◽  
...  

The study was to determine the presence of Classical Swine Fever virus (CSFv), in the meat of vaccinated pigs with the PAV-250 strain and then challenged using the same strain. Five treatment groups were established (each with four pigs). Group A: Pigs thatwere fed with processed hams from negative animals; Group B: Pigs that were fed with processed hams from commercial pigs inoculated with the ALD (reference strain) (titre of 104.0/ml); Group C: Pigs fed with processed hams from pigs infected with the virulent ALD strain (titre of 102.5/ml); Group D: Pigs fed with processed hams from pigs vaccinated with the PAV-250 strain and challenged with the ALD strain (titre of 101.1/ml); and Group E: Pigs fed with processed hams from pigs vaccinated with two doses of the PAV-250 strain and challenged with the ALD strain (negative). Blood samples were taken at d 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 for biometric analysis. Groups B, C and D manifested clinical signs of CSFv: 40 °C temperature, anorexia, paralysis, vomiting, diarrhea, tremor, hirsute hair and cyanosis. Pigs were slaughtered and necropsies performed to identify lesions in tissues. Results of direct immunofluorescence testing of tissues were positive and the virus was recovered. Under these study conditions, it was found that CSFv resisted the cooking method at 68 °C for 40 min in hams from unvaccinated pigs, and that the virus was able to transmit the disease to healthy unvaccinated pigs, whereas the hams from the vaccinated animals did not transmit the virus.


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