C. Fang

Comparison of IVF outcomes using conventional insemination and ICSI in ovarian cycles in which only one or two oocytes are obtained.

OBJECTIVE Compare outcomes of patients in whom only one or two oocytes were retrieved who underwent conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients who received IVF and only one to two oocytes were obtained on the day of oocyte retrieval. Fertilization rate, good-quality embryo rate, pregnancy Demographic data and clinical characteristics were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS Of 194 patients, 118 received conventional IVF and 76 ICSI. There were no significant differences in age (mean age, 36 years in both groups), infertility parameters, and number of oocytes retrieved between the groups. ICSI patients had a higher fertilization rate (82.7% vs. 67.0%) and 2PN fertilization rate (78.8% vs. 59.7%); however, no difference in good-quality embryo rate or PR was noted. For women less than 35 years of age, there was no significant difference in these outcome parameters between the groups. For patients greater or equal to 35 years of age ICSI was associated with a higher fertilization rate (83.1% vs. 62.4%) and 2PN fertilization rate (80.3% vs. 55.0%); however, there was no difference in PR. CONCLUSIONS ICSI did not improve the good-quality embryo rate or clinical PR rate compared to conventional IVF using semen with normal parameters in women with poor ovarian reserve.

Pregnancy outcome in preimplantation genetic diagnosis cycle by blastomere biopsy is related to both quality and quantity of embryos on day 3

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of day 3 embryo quality and quantity on subsequent embryonic development and pregnancy outcome following embryo biopsy. The findings demonstrate that a significantly lower proportion of poor/fair-quality embryos develop further after biopsy, and that patients with <4 good embryos on day 3 may have poor outcome. Therefore, appropriate counseling needs to be given to them before therapy is initiated.

Effects of M II stage oocytes zona pellucida birefringence on pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of different M II stage oocytes zona pellucida birefringence on pregnancy outcome. METHODS A total of 46 couples with infertile which induced by single cause received in-vitro fertilization treatment were analyzed retrospectively, and randomly divided into the high zona birefringence (HZB)/HZB group, HZB/low zona birefringence (LZB) group and LZB/LZB group according to different oocytes zona pellucida birefringence. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome was analyzed and compared. RESULTS The proportion of HZB oocytes, implantation rate and the pregnancy rate were decreased in three groups (HZB/HZB group>HZB/LZB group>LZB/LZB group) (P<0.05). But there was no significantly different between the number of oocytes and fertilization rate of these groups (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that factors affect M II stage oocytes zona pellucida birefringence were age, basal FSH level and the LH level on the day of HCG injection. Age and FSH levels were negatively correlated with the single oocyte zona pellucida birefringence; While the LH level on the day of hCG injection was positively correlated with the single oocyte zona pellucida birefringence. CONCLUSIONS The primary influence factors on M II stage oocytes zona pellucida are age, basal FSH level and the LH level on the day of hCG injection. The birefringence value of zona pellucida can affect the pregnancy outcome.