Comparison of pregnancy rates following fresh and frozen embryo transfer in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques

Freezing embryos is the best way to increase fertility for women with ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome and women at risk for ovarian dysfunction. Due to the importance of freezing and pregnancy embryos, the present study was conducted to compare the fertility rate and the affecting factors following fresh embryos and frozen embryos in women treated with assisted reproductive techniques. In this study, 250 infertile women and IVF/ICSI candidates were studied. Embryos were used in fresh or frozen groups for transfer to the uterus. The expression of the caspase-3 gene was also examined for further evaluation. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 16 software, Chi-square, independent t-test, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Out of 250 infertile women, 96 (38.4%) became pregnant, of which 54 were in the fresh embryo group and 42 were in the frozen embryo group, which was not statistically significant (P=0.32). Infertility causes, number of embryonic cells and grading of transferred embryos, delivery complications, embryo implantation methods, number of produced embryos after delivery, and endometrial thickness were not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.53). The difference between the mean number of transferred embryos in the two groups was significant (P<0.05), which was no longer significant after excluding non-pregnant women, and in comparing with only pregnant women (P=0.36). The result of caspase-3 gene expression showed that there was significant differences between fresh embryos, healthy thawed frozen embryos, and destroyed thawed frozen embryos. But these results were totally different from the results of the Pregnancy rate section. Therefore, it is inferred that although caspase-3 genes are expressed in frozen embryos after thawing and are ready to destroy the embryo, there are probably a number of involved factors that prevent the activity of caspase-3 and do not allow the apoptotic process to occur. What these factors are and how they prevent this process needs further study.

Who's bringing up baby: Developing a framework for the transfer of legal parenthood in surrogacy arrangements

<p>Surrogacy arrangements defy traditional definitions of parenthood and pose challenges in determining who should be recognised as legal parents. This is exacerbated by the use of assisted reproductive techniques which allow for the separation of genetic, gestational and intentional parenthood, creating questions about the comparative value of these contributions. This paper identifies that New Zealand legislation dealing with parentage in surrogacy, primarily the Adoption Act 1955 and the Status of Children Act 1969, never contemplated surrogacy arrangements and requires strained interpretation to avoid perverse results. The paper critiques two proposals for reform: the Law Commission’s recommendations in the 2005 New Issues in Legal Parenthood Report, and the framework suggested in the Care of Children (Adoption and Surrogacy Law Reform) Amendment Bill. This paper concludes that the proposed Amendment Bill shows promise, however should incorporate the Law Commission’s 2005 recommendations to provide a truly comprehensive framework. This framework should focus on giving effect to the intentions of parties to a surrogacy arrangement, while ensuring the interests of the surrogate are protected and the arrangement is carried out in accordance with recognised ethical principles. It is additionally important that children have an opportunity to know their genetic and/or biological background.</p>

Who's bringing up baby: Developing a framework for the transfer of legal parenthood in surrogacy arrangements

<p>Surrogacy arrangements defy traditional definitions of parenthood and pose challenges in determining who should be recognised as legal parents. This is exacerbated by the use of assisted reproductive techniques which allow for the separation of genetic, gestational and intentional parenthood, creating questions about the comparative value of these contributions. This paper identifies that New Zealand legislation dealing with parentage in surrogacy, primarily the Adoption Act 1955 and the Status of Children Act 1969, never contemplated surrogacy arrangements and requires strained interpretation to avoid perverse results. The paper critiques two proposals for reform: the Law Commission’s recommendations in the 2005 New Issues in Legal Parenthood Report, and the framework suggested in the Care of Children (Adoption and Surrogacy Law Reform) Amendment Bill. This paper concludes that the proposed Amendment Bill shows promise, however should incorporate the Law Commission’s 2005 recommendations to provide a truly comprehensive framework. This framework should focus on giving effect to the intentions of parties to a surrogacy arrangement, while ensuring the interests of the surrogate are protected and the arrangement is carried out in accordance with recognised ethical principles. It is additionally important that children have an opportunity to know their genetic and/or biological background.</p>

Effect of Hepatitis B Virus Infection on Sperm Quality and Outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Techniques in Infertile Males

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the health problems and has adverse effects on public health. However, the consequences of male HBV carriers for assisted reproductive techniques (ART) remain unclear.Objective: To examine whether men with HBV would impact sperm quality and the intrauterine insemination (IUI)/ in vitro fertilization (IVF)/ intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 681 infertile couples for IUI/IVF/ICSI fresh cycle outcomes. Case group was 176 infertile couples with male HBV infection undergoing embryo transfer in our center (99 for IVF and 77 for ICSI) and 51 infertile couples for IUI. Negative control was 454 non-infected infertility couples, matched for female age, BMI and infertility duration (102 for IUI and 198 for IVF and 154 for ICSI).Results: Sperm viability among infertile men with HBV infection was significantly lower than control group (74.1 ± 13.7 vs. 77.0 ± 12.8, P &lt; 0.01). Sperm motility was significantly decreased in HBV positive men in comparison to the control group (32.5 ± 14.6 vs. 35.5 ± 12.9, P &lt; 0.05). In IVF/ICSI cycles, two groups had similar results in two pronuclear (2PN) fertilization rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnant rate and abortion rate (P &gt; 0.05). There was also no difference in the clinical pregnant rate and abortion rate in IUI cycles (P &gt; 0.05).Conclusion: Men with HBV infection will affect their sperm quality, but not affect the outcomes of ART.

Effects of human chorionic gonadotropin intrauterine injection on oocyte retrieval day on assisted reproductive techniques outcomes: An RCT

Background: Several mediators play an important role in implantation. One of these mediators is human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Objective: To evaluate the effects of HCG intrauterine injection on the day of oocyte retrieval on the result of assisted reproductive techniques (ART). Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 126 women who were referred to Afzalipour Infertility Center between December 2018 to December 2019 undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles were enrolled and assigned to two groups of: a case (n = 62) and a control group (n = 64). The protocols for both groups were the same; except that the case group was injected with the protocols for both groups were the same, except that the case group was injected with 1000 IU of HCG into uterine cavity following the oocyte puncture, while no medication was administered to the control group. The implantation rate, chemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and abortion rates were compared between the two groups. Results: Positive chemical pregnancy was seen in 15 (27.3%) cases of the case group and 14 (25.5%) of the control group. No significant difference was seen in the chemical and clinical pregnancy rates between the groups. The abortion rate was higher in the control group but that was not significant. Conclusion: A 1000 IU of HCG intrauterine injection after oocyte retrieval does not improve implantation, chemical or clinical pregnancy rates in ART cycles. Further studies are needed to clearly understand the role of HCG intrauterine injection in the day of oocyte retrieval in ART outcomes. Key words: Oocyte retrieval, Chorionic gonadotropin, Pregnancy, Assisted reproductive techniques.