No abstract

The endometrial pattern and thickness were analysed by ultrasonography in 139 cycles stimulated for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) on the day of administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). A semi-programmed schedule based on the pill + clomiphene citrate + human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) was used in all cycles. On the day of HCG administration, endometrial pattern and thickness were assessed with an Ultramark 4 (ATL) ultrasound equipped with a 5 MHz vaginal probe. Endometrial pattern I (a 'triple-line' multilayer) was observed in a total of 105 cycles (76%), and pattern II (fully homogeneous and hyperechogenic in relation to myometrial tissue) in 34 (24%). The incidence of clinical pregnancy did not differ (P = 0.52) between the groups with endometrial patterns I (23.8%) and II (29.4%). Endometrial thickness on the day of HCG administration in the group with pattern I (8.4 +/- 1.9 mm) was similar (P = 0.96) to that observed in the group with pattern II (8.4 +/- 2.0 mm). In addition, the endometrial thickness of the patients who became pregnant (8.0 +/- 1.7 mm) did not differ (P = 0.15) from that of women who did not achieve pregnancy (8.6 +/- 2.0 mm). The conclusion from the present data is that ultrasonographic analysis of endometrial thickness and refringency on the day of HCG administration had no predictive value for conception in IVF cycles.

BackgroundAlthough the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) was developed only as a selection criterion, its application as a method for classifying sperm morphology may represent an improvement in evaluation of semen quality, with potential clinical repercussions. The present study aimed to evaluate individual variations in the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) analysis after a time interval.MethodsTwo semen samples were obtained from 240 men from an unselected group of couples undergoing infertility investigation and treatment. Mean time interval between the two semen evaluations was 119 +/- 102 days. No clinical or surgical treatment was realized between the two observations. Spermatozoa were analyzed at greater than or equal to 8400× magnification by inverted microscope equipped with DIC/Nomarski differential interference contrast optics. At least 200 motile spermatozoa per semen sample were evaluated and percentages of normal spermatozoa and spermatozoa with large nuclear vacuoles (LNV/one or more vacuoles occupying >50% of the sperm nuclear area) were determined. A spermatozoon was classified as morphologically normal when it exhibited a normal nucleus (smooth, symmetric and oval nucleus, width 3.28 +/- 0.20 μm, length 4.75 +/- 0.20 μm/absence of vacuoles occupying >4% of nuclear area) as well as acrosome, post-acrosomal lamina, neck and tail, besides not presenting cytoplasm around the head. One examiner, blinded to subject identity, performed the entire study.ResultsMean percentages of morphologically normal and LNV spermatozoa were identical in the two MSOME analyses (1.6 +/- 2.2% vs. 1.6 +/- 2.1% P = 0.83 and 25.2 +/- 19.2% vs. 26.1 +/- 19.0% P = 0.31, respectively). Regression analysis between the two samples revealed significant positive correlation for morphologically normal and for LNV spermatozoa (r = 0.57 95% CI:0.47-0.65 P < 0.0001 and r = 0.50 95% CI:0.38-0.58 P < 0.0001, respectively).ConclusionsThe significant positive correlation and absence of differences between two sperm samples evaluated after a time interval with respect to normal morphology and LNV spermatozoa indicated that MSOME seems reliable (at least for these two specific sperm forms) for analyzing semen. The present result supports the future use of MSOME as a routine method for semen analysis.

Genes on the X chromosome are known to be responsible for more than 200 hereditary diseases. After IVF, the simple selection of embryo sex before uterine transfer can prevent the occurrence of affected offspring among couples at risk for these genetic disorders. The aim of this investigation was to develop a rapid method of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the sexing of human embryos, and to compare it to the fluorescence in-situ hybridization technique, considered to be the gold standard. After biopsies were obtained from 40 surplus non-viable embryos for transfer, a total of 98 blastomeres were analysed. It was possible to analyse 24 embryos (60%) by both techniques, generating a total of 70 blastomeres (35 per technique), while 28 blastomeres from 16 embryos (40%) were analysed only by real-time PCR. A rapid and safe method was developed in the present study for the sexual diagnosis of a single human cell (blastomere and buccal cell) using the emerging technology of real-time PCR.