Belinda J. Yauger

Human sperm bind to the N-terminal domain of ZP2 in humanized zonae pellucidae in transgenic mice

Use of transgenic mouse eggs expressing human zona pellucida proteins identifies an N-terminal domain of ZP2 that is essential for human sperm–egg binding.

Blastocyst development rate impacts outcome in cryopreserved blastocyst transfer cycles

OBJECTIVE To assess cycle outcome among day 5 and day 6 cryopreserved frozen-thawed blastocyst embryo transfers (FBET). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Military-based assisted reproduction technology (ART) center. PATIENT(S) One hundred seventy-two nondonor, programmed cryopreserved embryo cycles. INTERVENTION(S) Fully expanded blastocysts on day 5 were cryopreserved on day 5, and those achieving this state on day 6 were cryopreserved on day 6. Leuprolide acetate was given for ovulation inhibition, and endometrial supplementation was by oral and vaginal estradiol. Progesterone in oil was administered, and blastocyst transfer occurred in the morning of the sixth day of progesterone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Implantation, pregnancy, and live-birth rates. RESULT(S) Fresh and frozen cycle characteristics were similar between groups. Day-5 FBET had statistically significantly higher implantation rates (32.2% vs. 19.2%), which remained significant even when adjusting for covariates (odds ratio: 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.00, 3.67). Live-birth rates trended toward improvement after adjusting for covariates (odds ratio: 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.61, 2.30). CONCLUSION(S) Cryopreserved day-5 blastocysts have higher implantation rates and trend toward improved pregnancy outcomes compared with cryopreserved day-6 blastocysts. This suggests that embryo development rate may, in part, predict implantation and subsequent FBET outcomes, although embryos not achieving the blastocyst stage until day 6 still demonstrate acceptable outcomes.

Cost analysis model of outpatient management of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome with paracentesis: “Tap early and often” versus hospitalization

OBJECTIVE To compare the cost of two treatment regimens for moderate to severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): conservative inpatient versus outpatient management with paracentesis. DESIGN A decision-tree mathematical model comparing conservative inpatient versus outpatient management of moderate to severe OHSS was created. The common final pathway of either management was resolution of OHSS. Sensitivity analyses were performed over the range of variables. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Total management cost of OHSS. RESULT(S) The cost of conservative therapy including first-tier complications was

Human ZP4 is not sufficient for taxon-specific sperm recognition of the zona pellucida in transgenic mice

10,099 (range

Intrauterine adhesion prevention after hysteroscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

9,655-

Are intracytoplasmic sperm injection and high serum estradiol compounding risk factors for adverse obstetric outcomes in assisted reproductive technology

15,044). The cost of outpatient management with paracentesis was

Balloon fluoroscopy as treatment for intrauterine adhesions: a novel approach

1954 (range

Does the Presence of Blood in the Catheter or the Degree of Difficulty of Embryo Transfer Affect Live Birth

788-

Proficiency in oocyte retrieval: how many procedures are necessary for training?

12,041). This resulted in an estimated cost savings of

Pre-cycle saline infusion sonography minimizes assisted reproductive technologies cycle cancellation due to endometrial polyps

8145 with outpatient management with paracentesis. One-way sensitivity analyses were performed. Varying the probability of admission after outpatient treatment still indicated that outpatient treatment was the most cost-effective (probability = 1.0, cost =