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Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin, which exerts an important role in the development and function of the central and peripheral nervous system. There is limited information regarding the levels of NGF during pregnancy and its role in fetal development. We have earlier reported increased oxidative stress in pregnancy complications. The present study examines the levels of NGF in maternal and cord samples in preterm deliveries and its association with oxidative stress marker. A total number of 96 women delivering preterm (<37 weeks gestation) and 94 women delivering at term (control group) (≥37 weeks gestation) were recruited. Plasma NGF levels were measured in both mother and cord plasma using the Emax Immuno Assay System Promega kit. Maternal and cord plasma NGF levels were significantly reduced (p<0.05 for both) in women delivering preterm as compared to term. There was a positive association between maternal and cord plasma NGF levels (p=0.022). Maternal NGF levels were negatively (p=0.017) associated with maternal malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Reduced cord NGF levels may affect fetal growth in preterm deliveries which may have implications for the neurodevelopmental pathologies in later life. Circulating maternal NGF levels in preterm pregnancies may be a useful marker to predict NGF levels in the neonate.

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Background: With rising trends of infertility in India, it is no longer just a medical concern, but is rapidly becoming a public health issue due to its social and interpersonal ramifications. Limited data is available regarding quality of life of the infertile couples. Aim: The aim of this study was to understand the quality of life (QOL) of Indian infertile couples using the fertility QOL (FertiQoL) tool and to find the correlation between the values of the core and treatment FertiQoL and various sociodemographic and clinical factors. Study Setting and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted at fertility clinic at an urban tertiary care center. Materials and Methods: Over a period of 12 months, 274 completed questionnaires obtained from 137 couples were selected for the analysis. Demographic and clinical characteristics of all the patients were recorded. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 25:0. IBM Chicago, USA. Results: Women had worse QOL than their male partners. They scored lower than men on emotional and mind body subscales. Women showed positive and uniform trend in mean scores of all core FertiQoL subscales with age and education. Rural population had poorer QOL. Patients with primary infertility had poorer QOL except in the relational domain. Couples, in whom both partners had some pathology, had the worse QOL compared to female factor, male factor or unexplained infertility. Conclusion: Our study is a step in the direction to establish the baseline QOL objectively in Indian couples with infertility.

Background: Diagnosis and treatment of infertility is an elaborate process. The goal of treating clinician is to decide upon the plan of management best suited to the couple by selecting relevant investigations and procedures from available options. Objective was to determine the role of hysterolaparoscopy in the management of infertility.  Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary canter (Department of reproductive medicine and surgery) over a period of 12 months-January 2019 to December 2019. Women aged 20-40 years with primary or secondary infertility, except male factor infertility, undergoing hysterolaparoscopy were included. Results: Out of 41 cases, 71.84% patients had primary infertility. Common laparoscopic abnormalities were adhesions (36.5%) and endometriosis (17.07%) Hysteroscopy revealed polyps (9.7%) and intrauterine synechia (4.8%) as common pathologies. The diagnosed pathologies were dealt surgically in the same sitting. Plan of infertility treatment could be outlined in all patients based on intraoperative findings. Conclusion: Hysterolaparoscopy serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purpose. Various pelvic, peritoneal, tubal, endometrial and uterine factors can be diagnosed and treated at the same time. The clinician has to be well versed and skilled in selecting and performing the appropriate surgery. Clinical information gained from hysterolaparoscopy helps in decision making and designing individualized, evidence-based treatment plan can for the patients.