To estimate the efficacy of growth hormone (GH) co-treatment within an antagonist protocol in IVF/ICSI cycles in poor responders. A prospective observational study involving 50 patients underwent a standard antagonist protocol with or without GH co-treatment. GH was administered by a daily subcutaneous injection of 1,33 mg (equivalent to 4 IU) starting from day 1 of ovarian stimulation until the day of 10,000 human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) triggering . Concentrations of GH, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in serum and follicular fluid were the subject matter of analysis. The GH co-treatment significantly lowered the effective dose of gonadotropins, duration of stimulation, IGFBP-3 level in serum and follicular fluid on the day of oocyte retrieval. The total number of oocytes as well as the number of metaphase II stage (MII) oocytes, two pronucleus (2 pn) zygotes, good-quality transferred embryos was significantly higher in the GH þ group. Pregnancy was achieved in patients GH þ group only. Positive correlation was found between IGF-I level in follicular fluid, dynamics of IGFBP-3 level changes during stimulation protocol and the number of good-quality transferred embryos in the GH þ group. GH administration in IVF/ICSI cycles for poor responders raises ovarian sensitivity to the gonadotropin exogenous influence, increasing number of high-quality embryos and the probability of pregnancy. ARTICLE HISTORY

We report three cases of effective management of infertility in women with a history of repeated unsuccessful IVF attempts, who have developed antibodies to hCG. A novel approach to conservative treatment of immunologic reproductive failure, suggested for selected patients, included membrane plasmapheresis, combined prednisolone, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. No adverse side effects were observed; all cases resulted in pregnancy and subsequent life births. In order to be given an adequate efficient treatment, women with recurrent implantation failure should be suspected for autoimmune factor of infertility and its possible association with anti-hCG autoimmunity.

Цель исследования-изучение эффективности протоколов ЭКО у больных с тяжелой степенью эндометриоза при использовании различных вариантов неоадъювантной терапии. Материал и методы. Исследование посвящено сравнению эффективности протоколов ЭКО у 99 больных с генитальным эндометриозом III-IV степени тяжести при гормональной неоадъювантной терапии и без таковой. Результаты. Частота имплантации незначительно отличалась среди исследуемых групп. Частота наступления клинической беременности при использовании в качестве гормональной терапии диеногеста в 2 раза превышает таковую у больных без гормональной терапии (50 и 23,3% соответственно; p<0,05). Выводы. Результат проведенного исследования позволяет считать диеногест эффективным средством гормональной терапии тяжелых форм генитального эндометриоза перед протоколом ЭКО.

Viral pandemics have shown that infected pregnant women are at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Current evidence suggests that a pregnant woman’s immune system undergoes a transformation necessary to maintain pregnancy and fetal growth. The prevalence of human papillomavirus (PVI) is high, and its role in adverse pregnancy outcomes and reproductive loss is highly controversial. About 90% of cases of persistent human papillomavirus infection (PVI) are eliminated within one to two years. The role of the immune system in the elimination and persistence of PVI has been proven; however, there is no clear understanding of the mechanisms whereby PVI infected cells escape immune surveillance up to the present day. In addition, the immune mechanisms underlying the PVI persistence constitute a pathogenetic basis for the development of mechanisms of infertility, miscarriage and pregnancy pathology. Genetic polymorphism of the mother and the developing fetus, persistent PVI types and microbial landscape are modulating factors with an unexplained contribution in the transformation of quantity of introduced influences into the qualitative change in the biological state. The foreign and Russian research results analysed by the authors show that timely and adequate therapy of PVI may contribute to the preservation of reproductive potential and prevention of obstetric losses. The modern approach to the treatment of persistent PVI suggests the use of antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. Due to its immunomodulatory and antiviral properties, inosine pranobex is used to treat viral diseases such as PVI, herpes simplex viruses, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and influenza.

Aim. To study a stress-protective efficacy of micronized progesterone (MP) in pregnant women with anxiety disorders after in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Materials and methods. We conducted a prospective, comparative open-label randomized trial in two IVF-clinics. A total of 98 pregnant women after IVF with anxiety disorders were recruited at the 9th week of pregnancy. Progesterone supplementation after IVF for luteal phase support was administered out until 9 weeks gestation. Then, after randomization, group 1 (n=35) received 400 mg per day of MP vaginally, group 2 (n=33) received 400 mg of MP orally, group 3 (n=30) was comparative for the other groups. The duration of progesterone treatment was 12 weeks. The Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Montgomerysberg depression rating scale (MADRS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Epworth Sleepiness Questionnaires (ESQ) were used to compare maternal mood at 9 weeks (day of randomization) after delivery and at 283, 565, 847 days after randomization. Results. The mean STAI sumscore in MP-groups was significantly lower than in group 3 starting from day 565 and continued until the end of the study. There were no significant differences between vaginal and oral administration of progesterone. There were no significant differences between the mean sumscores when questioning on the HADS, MADRS and ESQ. Conclusion. Prolonged use of MP in pregnant women with anxiety disorders led to the prevention of manifestations of an increase in anxiety and depression. The stress-protective and neuromodulating properties of MP can determine additional indications for its prolonged administration in women with anxiety disorders and/or premorbid history.