Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the best protocol to prepare endometrium for frozen embryo replacement (FER) cycles. Methods This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis. Following PubMed and OvidSP search, a total of 1166 studies published after 1990 were identified following removal of duplicates. Following exclusion of studies not matching our inclusion criteria, a total of 33 studies were analyzed. Primary outcome measure was live birth. The following protocols, including true natural cycle (tNC), modified natural cycle (mNC), artificial cycle (AC) with or without suppression, and mild ovarian stimulation (OS) with gonadotropin (Gn) or aromatase inhibitor (AI), were compared. Results No statistically significant difference for both clinical pregnancy and live birth was noted between tNC and mNC groups. When tNC and AC without suppression groups are compared, there was a statistically significant difference in clinical pregnancy rate in favor of tNC, whereas it failed to reach statistical significance for live birth. When tNC and AC with suppression groups are compared, there was a statistically significant difference in live birth rate favoring the latter. Similar pregnancy outcome was noted among mNC versus AC with or without suppression groups. Similarly, no difference in clinical pregnancy and live birth was noted when ACs with or without suppression groups are compared. Conclusions There is no consistent superiority of any endometrial preparation for FER. However, mNC has several advantages (being patient-friendly; yielding at least equivalent or better pregnancy rates when compared with tNC and AC with or without suppression; may not require LPS). Mild OS with Gn or AI may be promising.

Five TLM parameters, all related to timing of blastocyst development, have limited ability to predict euploidy when patient- and ovarian stimulation-related factors are taken into account.

The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology published Bologna criteria to generate a definition of poor ovarian responders (PORs). However, there are few data on whether PORs are homogenous for ovarian response or live birth rates (LBRs). In this retrospective study, 821 patients fulfilling Bologna criteria and undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection were stratified into four groups: Group A: female age ≥40 with a previous poor response (cycle cancelled or ≤3 oocytes) (105 patients, 123 cycles); Group B: female age ≥40 with an antral follicle count (AFC) < 7 (159 patients, 253 cycles); Group C: AFC <7 with a previous poor response (350 patients, 575 cycles); and Group D: female age ≥40 with an AFC <7 and previous poor response (207 patients, 306 cycles). Cluster data analysis was performed. Although median number of oocytes was higher in Group B (P < 0.001), higher implantation (P = 0.024) and LBR per embryo transfer (P < 0.001) or cycle (P = 0.001) were noted in Group C. We conclude that, once a patient fulfils Bologna criteria, prognosis is poor, with fewer than 10% recorded LBRs per cycle. However, the LBRs are not homogenous and 'young proven' PORs have the most favourable pregnancy outcome.

Background/Aims: To analyze whether the presence of endometriosis per se is associated with inferior pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: Between July 2005 and November 2012, a total of 485 patients with endometriosis under the age of 38 years undergoing their first IVF attempt at our center were included; 72 patients had minimal-mild disease and the remaining 413 patients had moderate-severe disease. 131 patients with laparoscopically confirmed tubal factor infertility not harboring endometriosis and hydrosalpinx under the age of 38 years undergoing their first IVF attempt at our center served as the control group. Results: The bilateral antral follicle count and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation response were diminished in the moderate-severe group. However, the implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and live birth rates were comparable among the three groups. The recurrence of endometrioma following pre-IVF cystectomy was not associated with inferior pregnancy rates. Female age, bilateral antral follicle count and number of embryos transferred were noted to be significant independent predictors of live birth. Conclusion: We conclude that neither the presence nor the extent of endometriosis have any detrimental effect on IVF pregnancy rates.

Bilateral tubal ectopic pregnancy is a rare clinical condition with an estimated prevalence of 1/200 000 spontaneous pregnancies. There is paucity of data on the prevalence of this rare condition following intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (ICSI-ET) cycles. We report two patients with bilateral tubal ectopic pregnancy following ICSI-ET. Both patients had normal, reassuring β-human chorionic gonadotropin dynamics during follow-up; the diagnosis was performed when no gestational sac was noted at the first planned antenatal visit. Of the two patients, one was treated medically and the other surgically with laparoscopic salpingotomy and salpingectomy for the right and left sides, respectively. Both patients thereafter conceived and delivered healthy infants following subsequent ICSI-ET attempts.