Sun Hwa Cha

Serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels as a predictor of the ovarian response and IVF outcomes

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate whether anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels could be predict ovarian poor/hyper response and IVF cycle outcome. Methods Between May 2010 and January 2011, serum AMH levels were evaluated with retrospective analysis. Three hundred seventy infertile women undergoing 461 IVF cycles between the ages of 20 and 42 were studied. We defined the poor response as the number of oocytes retrieved was equal or less than 3, and the hyper response as more than 25 oocytes retrieved. Serum AMH was measured by commercial enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results The number of oocytes retrieved was more correlated with the serum AMH level (r=0.781, p<0.01) than serum FSH (r=-0.412, p<0.01). The cut-off value of serum AMH levels for poor response was 1.05 ng/mL (receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curves/area under the curve [AUC], ROCAUC=0.85, sensitivity 74%, specificity 87%). Hyper response cut-off value was 3.55 ng/mL (ROCAUC=0.91, sensitivity 94%, specificity 81%). When the study group was divided according to the serum AMH levels (low: <1.05 ng/mL, middle: 1.05 ng/mL - 3.55 ng/mL, high: >3.55 ng/mL), the groups showed no statistical differences in mature oocyte rates (71.6% vs. 76.5% vs. 74.8%) or fertilization rates (76.9% vs. 76.6% vs. 73.8%), but showed significant differences in clinical pregnancy rates (21.7% vs. 24.1% vs. 40.8%, p=0.017). Conclusion The serum AMH level can be used to predict the number of oocytes retrieved in patients, distinguishing poor and high responders.

Comparison of assisted reproductive technology outcomes in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome: In vitro maturation, GnRH agonist, and GnRH antagonist cycles

Objective We compared the assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes among infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated with IVM, conventional IVF, GnRH agonist, and GnRH antagonist cycles. Methods The prospective study included a total of 67 cycles in 61 infertile women with PCOS. The women with PCOS were randomized into three IVF protocols: IVM/IVF with FSH and hCG priming with immature oocyte retrieval 38 hours later (group A, 14 cycles), GnRH agonist long protocol (group B, 14 cycles), and GnRH antagonist multi-dose flexible protocol (group C, 39 cycles). IVF outcomes, such as clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), implantation rate (IR), miscarriage rate (MR), and live birth rate (LBR), were compared among the three groups. Results Age, BMI, and basal FSH and LH levels did not differ among the three groups. The number of retrieved oocytes and 2 pronucleus embryos was significantly lower in group A compared with groups B and C. The CPR, IR, MR, and LBR per embryo transfer showed no differences among the three groups. There was no incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in group A. Conclusion The IR, MR, and LBR in the IVM cycles were comparable to those of the GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist cycles. The IVM protocol, FSH and hCG priming with oocyte retrieval 38 hours later, is an effective ART option that is comparable with conventional IVF for infertile women with PCOS.

Predictive value of sperm motility characteristics assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis in intrauterine insemination with superovulation in couples with unexplained infertility.

Objective To determine whether characteristics of sperm motility obtained by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) could predict pregnancy after intrauterine insemination (IUI) in couples with unexplained infertility. Methods Three hundred eighty-three cycles of intrauterine insemination with superovulation were retrospectively analyzed. Semen analysis was performed with CASA before and after swim-up and the parameters were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Results The pregnancy rate per cycle was 14.1%. Pregnant and non-pregnant women were comparable in terms of age, infertility duration, the number of dominant follicles. While sperm concentration, motility, and parameters such as average path velocity (VAP) and percentage rapid (RAPID) before semen preparation were significantly different between the pregnancy and non-pregnancy groups, there were no differences in sperm parameters when comparing the two groups after preparation. Using a receiver operating characteristic curve to measure sensitivity and specificity, the optimal threshold value for the predictors of pregnancy was revealed to be a concentration of ≥111×106/mL, a motility of ≥51.4%, and RAPID ≥30.1% before preparation for IUI. Conclusion Sperm parameters including concentration, motility, and RAPID before sperm preparation could have predictive value for pregnancy outcome after intrauterine insemination with superovulation in couples with unexplained infertility, and would be helpful when counseling patients before they make the decision to proceed with IVF/ICSI-ET.

Can high serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels predict the phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and metabolic disturbances in PCOS patients?

Objective To evaluate correlations between serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, and metabolic parameters in patients with PCOS. Methods A total of 175 patients with PCOS were diagnosed according to the Rotterdam Consensus were included. Exclusion criteria were age over 40, FSH>25 mIU/mL, and 17a-OHP>1.5 ng/mL. The Phenotypes of PCOS were divided into a severe form (oligo-anovulation, ANOV/hyperandrogenism/polycystic ovary morphology [PCOM]; n=59) and a mild form without HA (ANOV/PCOM, n=105). The serum AMH levels were classified into 3 groups (<5 vs. 5-10 vs. >10 ng/mL). Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 (n=34). Results The mean age was 25.9±5.7 year and mean AMH level was 10.1±5.4 ng/mL. The BMI (kg/m2) was higher in group 1 (24.2±6.3) than in group 2 (21.9±4.3, p=0.046) or group 3 (21.6±3.3, p=0.019). There was no difference among the three groups in age, menstrual interval, antral follicle counts, androgens, or other metabolic parameters. The obesity group showed significantly lower AMH (7.7±3.9 ng/mL vs. 10.7±5.6 ng/mL), p=0.004) and low-density lipoprotein levels (93.1±21.2 mg/dL vs. 107.5±39.3 mg/dL, p=0.031), and showed higher total T (0.74±0.59 ng/mL vs. 0.47±0.36 ng/mL, p=0.001), free T (2.01±1.9 vs. 1.04±0.8 pg/mL, p=0.0001), and free androgen index (6.2±7.9 vs. 3.5±3.0, p=0.003). After controlling for age factors and BMI, the serum AMH levles did not show any significant correlations with other hormonal or metabolic parmeters. Conclusion For PCOS patients under the age 40, serum AMH is not negatively correlated with age. High serum AMH levels can not predict the phenotype of PCOS and metabolic disturbances in PCOS patients in the non-obese group. Further study might be needed to define the relation more clearly.

Serum anti-Müllerian hormone is a better predictor of ovarian response than FSH and age in IVF patients with endometriosis

Objective To evaluate the ability of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), FSH, and age to clinically predict ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in IVF patients with endometriosis. Methods We evaluated 91 COH cycles, including 43 cycles with endometriosis (group I) and 48 cycles with male factor infertility (group II) from January to December, 2010. Patients were classified into study groups based on their surgical history of endometriosis-group Ia (without surgical history, n=16), group Ib (with a surgical history, n=27). Results The mean age was not significantly different between group I and group II. However, AMH and FSH were significantly different between group I and group II (1.9±1.9 ng/mL vs. 4.1±2.9 ng/mL, p<0.01; 13.1±7.2 mIU/mL vs. 8.6±3.3 mIU/mL, p<0.01). Furthermore, the number of retrieved oocytes and the number of matured oocytes were significantly lower in group I than in group II. In group II, AMH and FSH as well as age were significant predictors of retrieved oocytes on univariate analysis. Only the serum AMH level was a significant predictor of poor ovarian response in women with endometriosis. Conclusion Serum AMH may be a better predictor of the ovarian response of COH in patients with endometriosis than basal FSH or age. AMH level can be considered a useful clinical predictor of poor ovarian response in endometriosis patients.

Resistance of uterine radial artery blood flow was correlated with peripheral blood NK cell fraction and improved with low molecular weight heparin therapy in women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss.

To investigate whether peripheral blood natural killer (pbNK) cell levels are associated with uterine blood flow, and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) treatment is effective to improve uterine blood flow in women with decreased uterine blood flow and unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

Laparoscopic management of early primary peritoneal pregnancy: a case report

Peritoneal pregnancy is an implantation in the peritoneal cavity exclusive of tubal, ovarian, or intra-ligamentary implantations. This is a rare obstetric complication with high maternal mortality and even higher perinatal mortality, and secondary type was most common. Risk factors for peritoneal pregnancy are previous history of extrauterine pregnancy or tubal surgery pelvic post-inflammatory status or presence of an intra-uterine device. As it is a life-threatening condition, expectant management carries a risk of sudden life-threatening intra-abdominal bleeding and a generally poor fetal prognosis. So, when it is recognized, immediate termination of pregnancy is usually recommended. Early diagnosis of peritoneal pregnancy is difficult, but is important by their life threatening progress course to patients. Recently, we experienced primary peritoneal pregnancy which meets both the original and modified criteria. In this paper, we reported the case of early diagnosed and successfully treated peritoneal pregnancy despite of their diagnosis was incidentally.

The effectiveness of earlier oocyte retrieval in the case of a premature luteinizing hormone surge on hCG day in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of earlier oocyte retrieval in IVF patients with a premature LH surge on hCG day. Methods One hundred forty IVF patients (164 cycles) with premature LH surge on hCG day were included, retrospectively. We divided them into 2 study groups: LH surge with timed ovum pick-up (OPU) 36 hours after hCG injection (group B, 129 premature cycles), and LH surge with earlier OPU within 36 hours after hCG injection (group C, 35 cycles). Control groups were tubal factor infertility without premature LH surge (group A, 143 cycles). Results The mean age (year) was statistically higher in group C than in groups A or B (38.2±5.4 vs. 36.2±4.2 vs. 36.8±4.9, respectively; p=0.012). The serum LH levels (mIU/mL) on hCG day were significantly higher in group B and C than in group A (22.7±14.9 vs. 30.3±15.9 vs. 3.2±2.9, respectively; p>0.001). Among groups A, B, and C, 4.9%, 31.7%, and 51.4% of the cycles, respectively, had no oocytes, and the overall rates of cycle cancellation (OPU cancellation, no oocyte, or no embryos transferrable) were 15.4%, 65.9%, and 74.3%, respectively. The fertilization rate (%) was significantly higher in group B than in group C (73.2±38.9 vs. 47.8±42.9, p=0.024). The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in group C than in groups A and B (44.4% vs. 27.3% vs. 9.1%, respectively, p=0.021). However, the miscarriage rate was also higher in group C than in group B (22% vs. 0%, respectively, p=0.026). Conclusion Earlier OPU may not be effective in reducing the risk of cycle cancellation in patients with premature LH surge on hCG day. A larger scale study will be required to reveal the effectiveness of earlier ovum retrieval with premature LH surge.

EFFICACY OF SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR SUCCESSFUL PREGNANCY IN INFERTILE PATIENTS WITH HYDROSALPINX

목적 저자들은 불임 환자에서의 난관수종의 수술적인 치료가 임신의 성공에 미치는 영향에 대해 연구해 보고자 하였다. 연구방법 2006년부터 2009년까지 본원에서 자궁난관조영술검사로 난관수종을 진단받은 불임 환자 106명 중 추적 관찰이 가능한 65명을 대상으로 의무기록을 후향적으로 분석하였다. 난관수종의 수술적인 치료를 받지 않은 군(n=27)과 수술적인 치료를 받은 군(n=38)으로 나누었고, 후자를 수술의 방법 즉, 난관신개구술을 받은 그룹(n=29)과 난관절제술을 받은 그룹(n=9)으로 분류하여 임신과 관련된 여러 요인을 비교 분석하였다. 결과 나이, 불임기간, 임신력, 동반불임요인 분석에서 각 군 간의 통계학적인 차이는 없었다. 특별한 수술적 치료를 시행하지 않은 군에서 체외 수정시술을 통해 임신성공한 경우는 34.8% (8/23)인 반면 난관절제술 후 체외수정시술을 통해 임신에 성공한 경우는 77.8% (7/9)의 결과를 보여 난관절제술을 시행한 군에서 통계적으로 의미 있게 높은 임신율을 보였다(P = 0.035). 체외수정시술을 주기당 분석한 결과에서도 수술적 치료를 받은 군이 받지 않은 군에 비해 높은 체외수정시술 성공률을 보였다(P = 0.028). 결론 난관 수종의 수술적 치료는 체외수정시술을 통한 임신의 성공에 도움이 될 것으로 생각된다.

In vitro suppression of natural killer cell cytolytic activities by prednisolone in patients with history of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion and elevated peripheral blood NK cell fraction

We aimed to evaluate the effect of prednisolone (PDS) on natural killer cell (NK cell) cytolytic activity in vitro. Methods Blood samples from 74 patients with history of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion who elevated peripheral blood NK cell fraction were collected prospectively. Peripheral blood monocytes which containing NK cells were isolated and separated to three different tubes which containing target (K562) cells by the 50:1 effector to target (E:T) ratio. PDS or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was additionally added to 2 tubes for evaluate their suppressive effect. The percentage killing of target cells was recorded numerically by using flow cytometer and the values between groups were statistically analyzed. Results The mean target cell killing percentage was 40.5% in co-culture tube which was not added PDS or IVIG. In culture experiments which was added IVIG, the killing percentage is reduced to 37.7% which showed no significant differences compared to that of co-cultured tube which was not added PDS or IVIG. But, in experiments with added PDS, the killing percent was reduced to 19.5% and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) compared to that of co-cultured tube which was not added PDS or IVIG. On comparing the reduction in killing percentage of target cells by PDS and IVIG, statistically significant reduction in the PDS coculture was noted ( P<0.005). Conclusion NK cell cytolytic activity is effectively down-regulated by using PDS in vitro. Moreover, the effect of PDS in down-regulation of NK cell cytolytic activity is seems to superior than that of IVIG. But, large scaled in vivo study is needed.