Maternity After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: Can the Use of Biological Fertility Indicators Help? Our Own Experience and Literature-based Recommendations

Over the last 5 decades, the fulfillment of maternity wishes in solid organ transplanted women has become a reality. Despite pregnancy contraindication in transplanted women during the early post-transplant period, such a condition can be overcome after 12 months if patients show a good clinical evolution and do not present other general pre-conceptional findings. This article presents the case report of a young female liver transplanted patient that used symptothermal method as a reliable family planning method. After her gestational contraindication was lifted, observation of biological fertility indicators and fertility-guided sexual intercourse helped her fulfill her maternity wish and conceive and carry out a healthy offspring. Based on this case and on the available bibliographic evidence, this paper reviews the potential implications of the use of this kind of approach as a safe and effective alternative to assisted reproduction technology in the management of potential infertility problems in the young female transplanted population, a population which according to literature has higher rates of unsuccessful parenthood and might also be more vulnerable to iatrogenicity of ovarian hyperstimulation process and to multiple pregnancy.

Growth Hormone Cotreatment for Low-Prognosis Patients According to the POSEIDON Criteria

BackgroundPoor ovarian response (POR) remains one of the most challenging conditions in assisted reproduction technology. Previous studies seemed to indicate that growth hormone (GH) was a potential solution for the dilemma of POR; however, the role GH played on the low-prognosis patients diagnosed and stratified by the POSEIDON criteria remains indistinct.MethodsThis retrospective study was performed among women with POR according to the POSEIDON criteria who failed a previous in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle, and the subsequent cycle was under GH cotreatment and conducted within 12 months. These participants were stratified into four groups according to the POSEIDON criteria. The comparison was implemented between the failed cycle and the cycle treated with GH. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) multivariate regression was applied for data analysis.ResultsA total of 428 low-prognosis women were included in this study. GH supplementation improved the live birth rates (47.66%, 28.33%, 45.45%, and 24.07%; in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively) and the clinical pregnancy rates (OR 19.16, 95% CI 7.87–46.63, p < 0.001; OR 7.44, 95% CI 1.65–33.55, p = 0.009; OR 10.19, 95% CI 2.39–43.52, p = 0.002; OR 27.63, 95% CI 4.46–171.11, p < 0.001; in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively) in all four POSEIDON groups. The number of oocytes retrieved was significantly elevated in the subgroups with normal ovarian reserve (IRR 1.47, 95% CI 1.36–1.59, p < 0.001; IRR 1.31, 95% CI 1.15–1.49, p < 0.001; in groups 1 and 2, respectively). The number of day-3 good-quality embryos was significantly elevated in the subgroups with either normal ovarian reserve or aged young (IRR 2.13, 95% CI 1.78–2.56, p < 0.001; IRR 1.54, 95% CI 1.26–1.89, p < 0.001; IRR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10–1.98, p = 0.010; in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively).ConclusionGrowth hormone cotreatment could ameliorate the pregnancy outcome for women with POR under the POSEIDON criteria who failed a previous IVF/ICSI cycle. The application of growth hormone for low-prognosis women who experienced a failed cycle might be considered and further studied.

IVF laboratory management in COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Since the first report of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), widely known as COVID-19, in late December 2019, it has spread worldwide. The eventual return of new normal has started to happen in most countries where the COVID-19 curve has flattened, and Assisted reproduction technology (ART) services are eventually resuming. Well-organized ART (embryology/andrology) laboratories safeguard the wellbeing of all staff, patients, and their gametes/embryos. Main body: A well-organized pandemic management plan must be implemented in anticipation of possible subsequent COVID-19 waves. Apart from local and national guidelines, some mandatory changes need to be taken into considerations that will allow us to overcome the fear of this deadly pandemic, work smoothly and stop any possible transmission without comprising the quality control for successful treatment. These mandatory changes include conserving different supplies, reducing manpower needs, and various protective measures for non-clinical and clinical staff, patients, and gametes/embryos. Conclusion: The current pandemic of COVID-19 suggests a well-organized action-oriented emergency plan to assure the wellbeing of all stakeholders.