Is pregnancy rate following transfer of high quality blastocysts vitrified at day 6 comparable to that of blastocysts vitrified at day 5?

Background The influence of anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) on induced ovulation was controversial, and the effect of prednisone plus hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) treatment on frozen embryo transfer outcomes of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for ANA-positive women was unclear. Methods Fifty ANA-positive women and one-hundred ANA-negative women matched for age and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) were included from a Reproductive Medical Central of a University Hospital. Sixty-one oocytes pick-up (OPU) cycles in ANA+ group and one-hundred OPU cycles in ANA− group were compared; 30 frozen embryo transfer cycles without treatment and 66 with prednisone plus HCQ treatment among ANA-positive women were compared. Results There was no statistical difference in number of retrieved oocytes (13.66 ± 7.71 vs 13.72 ± 7.23, p = .445), available embryos (5.23 ± 3.37 vs 5.47 ± 3.26, p = .347), high-quality embryos (3.64 ± 3.25 vs 3.70 ± 3.52, p = .832), and proportion of high-quality embryos (26.5% vs. 26.7%, p = .940). Biochemical pregnancy rate (33.3% vs. 68.2%, p < .05), clinical pregnancy rate (20.0% vs. 50.1%, p < .05), and implantation rate (5.6% vs. 31.8%, p < .05) were lower, and pregnancy loss rate (83.3% vs. 23.1%, p < .05) was higher in patients with treatment than no treatment. Conclusion The influence of ANA on number of retrieved oocytes, available embryos, high-quality embryos, and proration of high-quality embryos was not found. The treatment of prednisone plus HCQ may improve implantation rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, and clinical pregnancy rate, and reduce pregnancy loss rate in frozen embryo transfer outcomes for ANA-positive women.

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Does the additional use of clomiphene citrate or letrozole for in vitro fertilization deserve more attention?

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-021-03668-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ying Liang ◽

Qing Guo ◽

Xiao-Hua Wu ◽

Li-Nan Zhang ◽

Jun Ge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Clomiphene Citrate ◽

Clinical Pregnancy ◽

Poor Responders ◽

High Quality ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Oral Medications ◽

High Responders

Abstract Background Adding clomiphene citrate (CC) and/or letrozole (LE) to in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles for mild ovarian stimulation is a general approach. Although lots of researches have demonstrated partial benefits of the strategy, all-around effects of oral medications remained deficient. This paper aims to assess whether an addition of oral medication will result in considerable outcomes on T-Gn (total dose of gonadotropin), Gn days, total retrieved ova, high quality embryos, blastocyst number, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rate, clinical pregnancy rate and cumulative pregnancy rate, even if it was not conventional mild/minimal stimulations. Results Participants were categorized to three diverse populations as high responders, normal responders and poor responders according to basal antral follicle count. T-Gn in patients treated with CC/LE distinctly decreased from 2496.96 IU/d to 1827.68 IU/d, from 2860.28 IU/d to 2119.99 IU/d, and from 3182.15 IU/d to 1802.84 IU/d, respectively. For high ovary responders and normal responders, the OHSS incidence rate also declined from 29.2 to 4.3% (P < 0.001) and from 1.1 to 0.0% (P = 0.090). Other, there was no statistical difference with respect to the T-retrieved ova (total retrieved ova), high quality embryos, cultured blastocyst and blastocyst number in high responders. For normal responders and poor ovary responders, T-Gn, Gn days, T-retrieved ova, high quality embryos, cultured blastocyst and blastocysts number in oral medications group all apparently decreased. Clinical pregnancy rate per fresh cycle of poor responders with prior oral medications was significantly decreased (25.7% vs. 50.8%, P = 0.005), and no significant differences in high responders and normal responders were expressed (52.5% vs. 44.2%, P = 0.310; 51.9% vs. 42.4%, P = 0.163) between two groups of participants. The numbers of cumulative pregnancy rates were lower in the conventional group compared to the add group for high (75.90% versus 81.03%, P = 0.279), normal (62.69% versus 71.36%, P = 0.016) and poor (39.74% versus 68.21%, P < 0.001) responders. Conclusions The addition of CC/LE to the ovulation induction during IVF has certain efficacy in terms of low cost, low OHSS incidence. CC/LE deserves more recommendations as a responsible strategy in high responders due to advantageous pregnancy outcomes. For normal responders, the strategy needs to be considered with more comprehensive factors.

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Relative Position of the Meiotic Spindle and Polar Body as a Marker of Oocyte Maturation Improves the Utilization and Pregnancy Rates

10.21203/rs.3.rs-284509/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Olga Tepla ◽

Zinovij Topurko ◽

Jaromir Masata ◽

Simona Jirsová ◽

Martina Moosova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Oocyte Maturation ◽

Polar Body ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Meiotic Spindle ◽

Utilization Rate ◽

Mutual Position ◽

Control Group ◽

High Quality ◽

First Polar Body

Abstract This research demonstrates how a mutual position of the human oocytes meiotic spindle (MS) and the first polar body (PB) correlates with the probability of obtaining high-quality embryos (utilization rates) and high pregnancy rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The quality of optically birefringent MS and the angle (α) between MS and PB (evaluated using polarizing microscopy), were used to indicate oocyte maturation and appropriate time for fertilization. In this study, 124 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) whose oocytes were evaluated by MS visualization had a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate (38% vs 26%) and utilization rate (54% vs 38%) when compared to the control group, using one standard IVF cycle without MS visualization. Significantly, in group of 79 patients > 35 years old, 34% became pregnant when α was evaluated and ICSI time adjusted to achieve the full oocyte maturation, compared to only 18% in the control group. The number of high-quality embryos in the MS visualized group was significantly higher compared to the control group, increasing the probability of pregnancy. Based on this research, we propose to incorporate monitoring the mutual position of MS and PB as a valid marker of embryo quality which can significantly improve pregnancy rate.

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Direct swim-up without centrifugation is a more recommended technique for sperm preparation in conventional IVF cycles

10.21203/rs.2.19255/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Fang-Ting Lu ◽

Ren-Tao Jin ◽

Bo Xu ◽

Li-Min Wu ◽

Na-Ru Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Gradient Centrifugation ◽

Implantation Rate ◽

Fertilization Rate ◽

Abortion Rate ◽

Clinical Pregnancy ◽

Clinical Pregnancy Rate ◽

High Quality ◽

Sperm Preparation ◽

Fragmentation Index

Abstract Backgroud: The aim of this study is to investigate the most effective and maneuverable technique for sperm preparation in conventional IVF cycles. Method: A retrospective and laboratory-based study was conducted in patients who underwent their first cycle of IVF from January to December in 2016 to compare two sperm preparation techniques: direct swim-up without centrifugation (DSU) technique and density-gradient centrifugation followed by swim-up (DGC-SU) technique. A series of experiments in this study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of these two techniques which include: (i) assessment of quality and quantity of spermatozoa by comparing motility, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), acrosomal reaction (AR) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of DSU-separated sperm to DGC-SU-separated sperm, (ii) evaluation of safety of DSU technique by assessing the risks of bacterial contamination, (iii) analysis of feasibility of replacing DGC-SU with DSU technique by reviewing ART outcomes including fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, take-home baby rate and abortion rate. Results: Although there were no significant differences in DFI, AR and MMP between DSU-separated sperm and DGC-SU-separated sperm, significantly higher percentage of progressive motility in DSU-separated sperm were found than that in DGC-SU-separated sperm. Moreover, there were no significant differences between DSU and DGC-SU groups on ART outcomes based on data of fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, baby delivery rate and abortion rate. In addition, no bacterial contaminations were found in culture medium samples of simulating fertilization from DSU group. However, it is noticeable that DSU technique required less time and labor for sperm preparation compared with DGC-SU.

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Effect of melatonin on the clinical outcome of patients with repeated cycles after failed cycles of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection

10.21203/rs.3.rs-507380/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Qi Zhu ◽

Kaijuan Wang ◽

Chao Zhang ◽

Beili Chen ◽

Huijuan Zou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Clinical Outcome ◽

Embryonic Development ◽

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection ◽

Clinical Pregnancy ◽

High Quality ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Embryo Cultures

Abstract Background: Melatonin (MT), a powerful antioxidant, can effectively ameliorate the in vitro development of animal embryos, but few studies have been performed on human embryos. Therefore, we investigated whether the application of MT in embryo cultures can improve embryonic development and clinical outcomes of patients with repeated cycles after failed in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles.Methods: Human immature oocytes from controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles were collected for in vitro maturation culture and ICSI fertilization. The obtained embryos were cultured in vitro in medium containing 0, 10-11, 10-9, 10-7 or 10-5 M MT, and 10-9 M was determined to be the optimal concentration. Subsequently, 140 patients who experienced failed IVF/ICSI cycles underwent 140 cycles of embryo culture in vitro with medium containing 10-9 M MT. High-quality blastocysts were collected and cryopreserved for three months before vitrified-warmed embryo transfer. These culture cycles served as the experimental (10-9 M) group. The control (0 M) group comprised previous failed cycles. The patients were further divided into subgroups of 1, 2 or ≥3 failed cycles. The fertilization and embryo development statuses were compared.Results: The fertilization, cleavage, high-quality embryo, blastocyst, and high-quality blastocyst rates of the 10-9 M group were significantly higher than those of the 0 M group (87.7% vs. 83.6%, p <0.01; 94.1% vs. 90.5%, p <0.01; 58.3% vs. 43.8%, 51.1% vs. 41.8%, 43.4% vs. 22.9%, all p <0.0001). To date, a total of 50 vitrified-warmed cycle transfers were performed in the 10-9 M group and the implantation rate, biochemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate were significantly higher than those in the 0 M group (65.6% vs. 9.7%, p <0.0001; 64.0% vs. 12.5%, p <0.0001; 40.0% vs. 11.7%, p <0.0001). Two healthy infants were delivered successfully and the other 18 women who achieved clinical pregnancy also had good examination indexes.Conclusion: The application of MT to embryo cultures in vitro improved embryonic development in patients with repeated cycles after failed IVF/ICSI cycles and had good clinical outcomes. The optimal concentration of MT was 10-9 M.Trial registration: Name in the registry: Effect of melatonin on the clinical outcome of patients with repeated cycles after failed cycles of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection; registration number: ChiCTR2100045552; date of registration: April 19, 2021(retrospectively registered); URL of trial registry record: www.medresman.org.cn.

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Some problems of objective-prism spectra classification

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0074180900053183 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 24 ◽

pp. 51-52

Author(s):

E. K. Kharadze ◽

R. A. Bartaya

Keyword(s):

Short Wave ◽

High Quality ◽

Stellar Spectra ◽

Objective Prism

The unique 70-cm meniscus-type telescope of the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory supplied with two objective prisms and the seeing conditions characteristic at Mount Kanobili (Abastumani) permit us to obtain stellar spectra of a high quality. No additional design to improve the “climate” immediately around the telescope itself is being applied. The dispersions and photographic magnitude limits are 160 and 660Å/mm, and 12–13, respectively. The short-wave end of spectra reaches 3500–3400Å.

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A non-cyanide method of electropolishing silver

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100107873 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 146-147

Author(s):

R. L. Lyles ◽

S. J. Rothman ◽

W. Jäger

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Sulphuric Acid ◽

Methyl Alcohol ◽

Health Hazards ◽

Silver Alloy ◽

High Quality ◽

Silver Alloys ◽

Free Sample ◽

Specimen Quality ◽

Standard Techniques

Standard techniques of electropolishing silver and silver alloys for electron microscopy in most instances have relied on various CN recipes. These methods have been characteristically unsatisfactory due to difficulties in obtaining large electron transparent areas, reproducible results, adequate solution lifetimes, and contamination free sample surfaces. In addition, there are the inherent health hazards associated with the use of CN solutions. Various attempts to develop noncyanic methods of electropolishing specimens for electron microscopy have not been successful in that the specimen quality problems encountered with the CN solutions have also existed in the previously proposed non-cyanic methods.The technique we describe allows us to jet polish high quality silver and silver alloy microscope specimens with consistant reproducibility and without the use of CN salts.The solution is similar to that suggested by Myschoyaev et al. It consists, in order of mixing, 115ml glacial actic acid (CH3CO2H, specific wt 1.04 g/ml), 43ml sulphuric acid (H2SO4, specific wt. g/ml), 350 ml anhydrous methyl alcohol, and 77 g thiourea (NH2CSNH2).

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A High Resolution Scanning Microscope

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100101529 ◽

1968 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

pp. 356-357

Author(s):

A. V. Crewe ◽

J. Wall ◽

L. M. Welter

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Field Emission ◽

Spherical Aberration ◽

Focal Length ◽

Spot Size ◽

Emission Source ◽

Field Of View ◽

Scanning Microscope ◽

Magnetic Lens ◽

High Quality

A scanning microscope using a field emission source has been described elsewhere. This microscope has now been improved by replacing the single magnetic lens with a high quality lens of the type described by Ruska. This lens has a focal length of 1 mm and a spherical aberration coefficient of 0.5 mm. The final spot size, and therefore the microscope resolution, is limited by the aberration of this lens to about 6 Å.The lens has been constructed very carefully, maintaining a tolerance of + 1 μ on all critical surfaces. The gun is prealigned on the lens to form a compact unit. The only mechanical adjustments are those which control the specimen and the tip positions. The microscope can be used in two modes. With the lens off and the gun focused on the specimen, the resolution is 250 Å over an undistorted field of view of 2 mm. With the lens on,the resolution is 20 Å or better over a field of view of 40 microns. The magnification can be accurately varied by attenuating the raster current.

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Quantitative defect studies in semiconductor TEM samples prepared by low angle ion milling

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100138932 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 53 ◽

pp. 512-513

Author(s):

L. Mulestagno ◽

J.C. Holzer ◽

P. Fraundorf

Keyword(s):

Sample Preparation ◽

Milling Time ◽

High Density ◽

Low Density ◽

Ion Milling ◽

High Quality ◽

Variable Angle ◽

Major Disadvantage ◽

Induced Defects

Due to the wealth of information, both analytical and structural that can be obtained from it TEM always has been a favorite tool for the analysis of process-induced defects in semiconductor wafers. The only major disadvantage has always been, that the volume under study in the TEM is relatively small, making it difficult to locate low density defects, and sample preparation is a somewhat lengthy procedure. This problem has been somewhat alleviated by the availability of efficient low angle milling.Using a PIPS® variable angle ion -mill, manufactured by Gatan, we have been consistently obtaining planar specimens with a high quality thin area in excess of 5 × 104 μm2 in about half an hour (milling time), which has made it possible to locate defects at lower densities, or, for defects of relatively high density, obtain information which is statistically more significant (table 1).

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Structural changes in silicon-on-insulator material during post-implantation annealing

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100145054 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

pp. 736-737

Author(s):

C. O. Jung ◽

S. J. Krause ◽

S.R. Wilson

Keyword(s):

Integrated Circuits ◽

Oxide Layer ◽

High Speed ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Device Fabrication ◽

Silicon On Insulator ◽

High Quality ◽

Radiation Hardened ◽

Post Implantation ◽

Very High

Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structures have excellent potential for future use in radiation hardened and high speed integrated circuits. For device fabrication in SOI material a high quality superficial Si layer above a buried oxide layer is required. Recently, Celler et al. reported that post-implantation annealing of oxygen implanted SOI at very high temperatures would eliminate virtually all defects and precipiates in the superficial Si layer. In this work we are reporting on the effect of three different post implantation annealing cycles on the structure of oxygen implanted SOI samples which were implanted under the same conditions.

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