This prospective study demonstrates the feasibility and outcome of embryo transfer performed by nursing staff with medical cover available. Of 771 patients who had embryo transfer, 679 (88%) had their embryo transfer performed by a nurse. In 92 cases (12%) a doctor performed the embryo transfer, either as the first operator, or having been brought in to assist the nurse who experienced difficulty. The pregnancies per transfer for nurse transfer was 246/679 (36%) and where a doctor performed the transfer 20/68 (29%). These data show a high comparable success rate when a nurse performed the embryo transfer, and a low incidence of direct medical involvement.

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The effect of the strict classification of spermatozoal morphology on the outcome of in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer treatment cycles has been assessed in a retrospective analysis of 2144 consecutive cycles. The patients all had a standardized long protocol gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue cycle, with luteal phase start, to achieve down-regulation. All treatment cycles where the sperm density was abnormal (< 20 x 10(6)/ml), or where progressive motility was abnormal (< 40%), were excluded. The study excluded treatment cycles where the oocytes inseminated did not include at least one grade 1 or grade 2 oocyte. The percentage of couples achieving the normalized results of the clinic, including median fertilization rate per patient, insemination rates, numbers of embryos transferred, rates of 'spare embryo' blastocyst formation, cumulative pregnancy rates and pregnancy outcome, were calculated. No statistically significant difference arose between the two groups of patients with regard to the percentage of patients achieving the normalized median fertilization rate or higher (group 1 with > 14% normal forms, and group 2 with > or = 4%, < or = 14% normal forms). There was a statistically significantly lower chance of achieving this rate in patients of group 3 (< 4% normal forms) (P < 0.005), but 68.6% did achieve that fertilization rate or higher. There was no statistically significant difference in any of the other end points. In conclusion, a morphological classification may be appropriate as an indicator for counselling patients with regard to treatment expectations, but its use would be seem inappropriate as an index of fertilizing potential in clinical management.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Recent labour shortages and rapid increases in labour costs in Irish forestry have directed attention to mechanised, containerised tree planting systems as an alternative to the traditional manual planting of bare-rooted stock. The objective of this study was to compare mechanised planting with manual operations, on both reforestation and afforestation sites, using Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) plants in three container types (i.e. hard container, root trainer, fen container). The Bräcke tree planting machine was selected for the study, as it is capable of handling a wide range of site conditions and a variety of plant types and sizes. A qualitative analysis of the collected data showed that, in general, manual planting scored significantly higher than mechanised planting for plant position and planting quality. However, the quality of planting resulting from mechanised operations was well within acceptable operational requirements. On the reforestation site, plant growth after one growing season was investigated. No overall significant differences in height growth and root collar diameter increment were found in the first growing season between mechanised and manual planting operations. Plants grown in 'fen containers' had the highest relative increase in height growth and root collar diameter, irrespective of planting method. The results showed that the Bräcke planting machine was capable of planting a range of containerised plants to an acceptable standard on both reforestation and afforestation sites. Further research to optimise the combination of machine, plant size and container type should result in improvements in both the quality and productivity of the planting operations.