Significant Difference In Pregnancy Rate Research Articles

Intramuscular versus vaginal progesterone in assisted reproduction

Objective: A luteal phase defect has been demonstrated in IVF cycles using a gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a). Progesterone appears to be necessary for implantation and maintenance of an early intrauterine pregnancy. To determine the effectiveness of two routes of progesterone supplementation by intramuscolar vs. vaginal administration, for luteal phase support of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. Materials and Methods: 224 patients were randomly allocated to two groups in order to compare two treatment protocols: group A natural progesterone 50 mg/day i.m. (Prontogest, AMSA, Italy,); group B: micronized progesterone 200 mg/day vaginal (Esolut, Angelini, Italy). Pregnancy rate per embryo transfer and endometrial thickness in mid luteal phase were compared. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in pregnancy rate between the two groups. The pregnancy rate per transfer for i.m. progesterone groups was 24.1% and for vaginal group was 26.7%. The endometrial thickness was not statistically differences between the two group. (Group A: 12mm; Group B: 11 mm. ). Conclusion: The route of post-transfer progesterone administration does not appear to affect the pregnancy rate in IVF cycles. Comparable results can be achieved with both intramuscolar and vaginal therapy. However the last route may be preferable due to better patients compliance and lower side effects.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of heparin and aspirin for women with in vitro fertilization implantation failure and antiphospholipid or antinuclear antibodies

Objective To investigate whether heparin and low-dose aspirin increase the pregnancy rate in antiphospholipid antibody or antinuclear antibody–seropositive women with IVF implantation failure. Design A double-blind, randomized, transfer-by-transfer of fresh or cryopreserved embryos, crossover trial. Setting A hospital infertility clinic and associated IVF service. Patient(s) Women seropositive for at least one antiphospholipid (APA), antinuclear (ANA), or β 2 glycoprotein I autoantibody and ≥10 embryos transferred without achieving pregnancy (n = 143). Intervention(s) Subcutaneous unfractionated heparin (5,000 IU b.i.d.) and aspirin (100 mg daily) (158 transfers of 296 embryos) or placebo (142 transfers of 259 embryos) from the day of embryo transfer. Main outcome measure(s) Fetal heart per embryo transferred (implantation rate). Result(s) There was no significant difference in pregnancy rates or implantation rates between treated and placebo cycles; for example, fetal hearts per embryo transferred implantation rates were 6.8% (20/296) and 8.5% (22/259), respectively, and the generalized estimating equation covariate adjusted relative pregnancy rate was 0.65 (95% confidence interval, 0.33–1.28). The implantation rate for seropositive trial participants (42/555, 7.6%) compared favorably with that for IVF implantation-failure patients continuing treatment outside the trial (147/3237, 4.5%). Conclusion(s) Heparin and aspirin did not improve pregnancy or implantation rates for APA-positive or ANA-positive patients with IVF implantation failure.

Three Differing Emergency Contraceptive Regimens Are Equally Effective

Three regimens of emergency contraception--a single 10 mg dose of mifepristone a single 1.5 mg dose of levonorgestrel and two 0.75 mg doses of levonorgestrel taken 12 hours apart-- appear to be equally effective. According to results of a randomized double-blind trial among 4071 women in 10 developed and developing countries who sought emergency contraception within five days of unprotected coitus1 there was no significant difference in pregnancy rates by emergency contraceptive method. Only 1.5-1.8% of the women became pregnant and 77-82% of expected pregnancies were averted with no significant difference by type of treatment. There was no significant difference by regimen in most side effects except for the timing of expected menses after treatment; users of mifepristone experienced delays of at least seven days significantly more often than did users of levonogestrel. (excerpt)

Effect on fertility of uterine lavage performed immediately prior to insemination in mares.

To determine the effect on fertility of large-volume uterine lavage with lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) performed immediately prior to insemination in mares. Prospective randomized controlled study. 20 mares. Control mares (n = 10) were inseminated with 1 billion (estimated before cooling) progressively motile spermatozoa that had been cooled in a passive cooling unit for 24 hours. Mares (n = 10) in the treatment group were inseminated with 1 billion progressively motile spermatozoa (cooled as described for control mares) immediately after uterine lavage with 4 L of sterile LRS. There were no significant differences in pregnancy rates or size of the embryonic vesicle on days 12, 13, and 14 after ovulation between control and treated mares. Results indicate that uterine lavage with LRS can be performed immediately prior to insemination without adversely affecting fertility in mares. This is clinically important, because insemination may be necessary when a mare has inflammation-associated fluid (detectable ultrasonographically) in the uterus; removal of the fluid is desirable, because it adversely affects spermatozoal motility and fertility. This situation typically arises when mares require rebreeding after they have developed persistent mating-induced endometritis or are inseminated multiple times in a 24-hour period (during the period of physiologic mating-induced inflammation), which is a common practice when using cooled or frozen-thawed semen.

High pregnancy rates and reproductive health indicators among female injection-drug users in Vancouver, Canada

Objective: To determine the incidence of pregnancy among active injection-drug users and to identify factors associated with becoming pregnant.Methods: The Vancouver Injection Drug UserStudy (VIDUS) is a prospective cohort study that began in 1996. Women who had completed a baseline and at least one follow-up questionnaire between June 1996 and January 2002 were included in the study.Parametric and non-parametric methods were used to compare characteristics of women who reported pregnancy over the study period with those who did not over the same time period.Results: A totalof 104 women reported a primary pregnancy over the study period. The incidence of pregnancy over the follow-up period was 6.46 (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.24-7.87) per 100 person-years. The averageage of women who reported pregnancy was younger than that of women who did not report pregnancy (27 vs. 32 years, p < 0.001). Women of Aboriginal ethnicity were more likely to report pregnancy(odds ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.5). Comparison of drug use showed no significant differences in pregnancy rate with respect to the use of heroin, cocaine or crack (p > 0.05). In examining sexualbehavior, women who reported having had a regular partner in the previous 6 months were three times more likely to have reported pregnancy. Despite the fact that 67% of women in this study reported usingsome form of contraception, the use of reliable birth control was low. Only 5% of women in our study reported the use of hormonal contraceptives.Conclusion: There were a high number of pregnanciesamong high-risk women in this cohort. This corresponded with very low uptake of reliable contraception. Innovative strategies to provide reproductive health services to at-risk women who are injecting drugsis a public health priority.

Japanese Society for Animal Reproduction: award for outstanding research 2002. The development and prevalence of the transfer technique for frozen-thawed embryos of Japanese black beef cattle in Tochigi Prefecture.

The conditions of embryo transfer by the stepwise method, in which frozen-thawed embryos are transferred on day 7 (day 0=onset of estrus), were investigated with the aim of increasing pregnancy rates in frozen-thawed embryo transfer. The use of a vaginal speculum to prevent bacterial infection when passing an embryo transfer gun through the vagina yielded a pregnancy rate equal to or higher than that with application of a sheath cover to the transfer gun. Administration of a sedative, xylazine, to recipient cattle for preventing movement at the time of embryo transfer improved the pregnancy rate. The influence of the time from thawing of frozen embryos to transfer and of the transportation of the recipient by truck upon pregnancy rate was investigated. Embryo transfer within 60 minutes after aspiration into a straw or transportation of the bovine recipient, 1.5 hours each way before and after transfer, had no influence on pregnancy rate. Relations of the embryonic developmental stage and morphological quality after thawing of frozen embryos to pregnancy rate were investigated in recipients of nulliparous Holstein heifers. The pregnancy rate increased as the embryonic developmental stage advanced from compacted morula, early blastocyst, and blastocyst in that order. The pregnancy rate obtained with blastocyst stage embryos was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that with compacted morula stage embryos, and there was no significant difference in pregnancy rates between excellent morphological quality and good morphological quality for compacted morula stage embryos. When correlation of luteal function and pregnancy rate was investigated in bovine recipients, pregnancy rate showed a tendency to increase with increasing blood progesterone (P) concentration on the day before (on day 6 after estrus) and the day of embryo transfer. The pregnancy rate in bovine recipients, which showed a blood P concentration of > or =2.5 ng/ml on the day before embryo transfer, was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that in those with a blood P concentration of <2.5 ng/ml. Pregnancy rate showed a tendency to increase with decreasing blood estradiol-17beta (E2) concentration on the day of embryo transfer. Activation of luteal function by administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in cycling cattle was investigated for its effect on increasing pregnancy rate in bovine recipients. A follicle coexisting with cyclic CL ovulated and induced CL formed after injection of hCG 1,500 IU 5 days after ovulation. The blood P concentration was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the administration group than in the control group, and the blood E2 concentration rapidly decreased, showing a lower concentration than in the control group. These results suggest the possibility that the pregnancy rate could be improved by administration of hCG. Pregnancy rate following intramuscular injection hCG 1,500 IU was comparatively investigated in parous Japanese Black beef cattle receiving frozen-thawed embryos 7 days after estrus. Pregnancy rate was 67.5% in the group in which hCG was administered on day 6 after estrus, and was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that in the control group (45.0%) and the group in which hCG was administered on day 1 after estrus (42.5%), revealing that hCG administration facilitated pregnancy. Transfer of frozen-thawed embryos in the blastocyst stage within 60 minutes after the aspiration into a straw, with a vaginal speculum after administration of xylazine is suggested as a way of improving pregnancy rate in bovine recipients with favorable luteal function and in those with luteal function activated by administration of hCG on the day before embryo transfer.

Does ultrasonographic measurement of uterine embryo transfer material predict clinical pregnancy?

Objective: The trans-cervical transfer of embryos, culture media, and air at the time of uterine transfer creates a point of increased reflection of ultrasound waves. This echogenic complex can be seen to shift within the endometrial cavity shortly after transfer. The purpose of this study is to determine if movement of the echogenic material seen on ultrasound following uterine embryo transfer is useful as a predictor of pregnancy rate.Design: Prospective analysis.Materials/Methods: Ninety-eight patients undergoing uterine transfer between November, 2001 and March, 2002 were evaluated. Transfers included day 3 embryos, day 5 blastocysts, fresh cycles, frozen cycles, donor eggs, and gestational surrogacy cycles. Transabdominal ultrasound was performed at the time of transfer, and repeated 10–20 minutes later. The bladders of patients remained full during transfer and until the second ultrasound. The echogenic point created at time of transfer was measured as a linear distance from the cephalad extent of the endometrial lining.Results: Eighty-four echocomplexes (85.7%) drifted cephalad. One each remained motionless and dispersed, and 12 (12.2%) moved caudad. The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 64/98 (65.3%). 56 of 84 (66.7%) of cephalad complexes implanted, whereas 6 of 12 (50%) of caudad complexes were able to implant. There was no statistically significant difference in pregnancy rate for echocomplexes moving cephalad (phi=0.488) or caudad (phi=0.234). There was no difference in pregnancy rate for magnitude of drift encountered. Echocomplexes were seen even in the four embryo transfers that were done without using the air-transfer method as described elsewhere. The patients that had dispersed or stationary echocomplexes both have ongoing pregnancies.Conclusions: Although the nature of the physical interactions between embryos, media, and air bubbles may not be well known, the presence, direction, and magnitude of drifting transfer material do not appear to correlate with pregnancy rate, even as indirect indicators. The echogenic focus is not entirely dependent on the presence of air in the transfer catheter, and its disappearance does not necessarily imply that the embryos have been expelled from the uterus. Since pregnancies were generated following uterine transfer, persistence of the echogenic transfer material appears consistent with short-term retention of the embryos within the uterus following transfer.Supported by: None. Objective: The trans-cervical transfer of embryos, culture media, and air at the time of uterine transfer creates a point of increased reflection of ultrasound waves. This echogenic complex can be seen to shift within the endometrial cavity shortly after transfer. The purpose of this study is to determine if movement of the echogenic material seen on ultrasound following uterine embryo transfer is useful as a predictor of pregnancy rate. Design: Prospective analysis. Materials/Methods: Ninety-eight patients undergoing uterine transfer between November, 2001 and March, 2002 were evaluated. Transfers included day 3 embryos, day 5 blastocysts, fresh cycles, frozen cycles, donor eggs, and gestational surrogacy cycles. Transabdominal ultrasound was performed at the time of transfer, and repeated 10–20 minutes later. The bladders of patients remained full during transfer and until the second ultrasound. The echogenic point created at time of transfer was measured as a linear distance from the cephalad extent of the endometrial lining. Results: Eighty-four echocomplexes (85.7%) drifted cephalad. One each remained motionless and dispersed, and 12 (12.2%) moved caudad. The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 64/98 (65.3%). 56 of 84 (66.7%) of cephalad complexes implanted, whereas 6 of 12 (50%) of caudad complexes were able to implant. There was no statistically significant difference in pregnancy rate for echocomplexes moving cephalad (phi=0.488) or caudad (phi=0.234). There was no difference in pregnancy rate for magnitude of drift encountered. Echocomplexes were seen even in the four embryo transfers that were done without using the air-transfer method as described elsewhere. The patients that had dispersed or stationary echocomplexes both have ongoing pregnancies. Conclusions: Although the nature of the physical interactions between embryos, media, and air bubbles may not be well known, the presence, direction, and magnitude of drifting transfer material do not appear to correlate with pregnancy rate, even as indirect indicators. The echogenic focus is not entirely dependent on the presence of air in the transfer catheter, and its disappearance does not necessarily imply that the embryos have been expelled from the uterus. Since pregnancies were generated following uterine transfer, persistence of the echogenic transfer material appears consistent with short-term retention of the embryos within the uterus following transfer. Supported by: None.

Transmyometrial oocyte retrieval and pregnancy rates

Objective: To determine whether transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval performed through the myometrium has a negative impact on in-vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy rates. Design: Retrospective case-control study. Materials/Methods: All 5,115 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) cycles in the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Center for Assisted Reproduction database performed between the years 1998 and 2001 were evaluated. In 85 of these cycles (1.7%) the oocyte retrieval needle passed through the myometrium due to ovarian position at the time of retrieval, despite attempts to avoid this approach. Each of these cases was matched to a control cycle (in which the retrieval needle was not passed through the myometrium) by age, attempt number, and date of retrieval (within one week in most cases). One case was an egg donor and was excluded from further analysis. Three transmyometrial cases and 2 control cycles were cancelled. In 3 cases and 1 control cycle all embryos were cryopreserved for medical indications; therefore, these were not included in pregnancy rate calculations. Data were analyzed by the chi square and the Student’s t test for unpaired data, as appropriate. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in pregnancy rates between the cases who underwent transmyometrial oocyte retrieval and the controls (p = 0.12). Transmyometrial cases were more likely than controls to have underlying tubal disease and adhesions as the primary cause of their infertility (p = 0.02 for all diagnoses). The groups did not differ significantly in terms of age, attempt number, estradiol level, number of follicles, number of days stimulated, ampules of gonadotropins administered, number of eggs, number of embryos, or quality of embryos (Table). TableCycle characteristics and pregnancy outcomes between transmyometrial oocyte retrievals (cases) and controlsCases, n = 81Controls, n = 83p valueAge [mean ± SEM]35.8 ± 0.535.8 ± 0.50.97Attempt number [mean ± SEM]2.0 ± 0.22.0 ± 0.20.95Estradiol level on day of hcg (pg/mL) [mean ± SEM]1977 ± 1091778 ± 900.16Number of follicles on day of hcg [mean ± SEM]13.1 ± 0.813.4 ± 0.70.81Total amps of gonadotropins [mean ± SEM]52.5 ± 2.653.9 ± 2.90.72Total number of eggs [mean ± SEM]14.1 ± 0.914.7 ± 0.90.64Number of embryos transferred [mean ± SEM]3.4 ± 0.23.5 ± 0.20.76Clinical pregnancies [n(%)]23 (28.4)33 (39.8)0.12Miscarriages∗Miscarriages and chemical pregnancies combined for statistical analysis.[n(%)]9 (11)3 (3.6)0.18Chemical pregnancies∗Miscarriages and chemical pregnancies combined for statistical analysis.[n(%)]1 (1.3)3 (3.6)∗ Miscarriages and chemical pregnancies combined for statistical analysis. Open table in a new tab Conclusions: Transmyometrial oocyte retrieval is an uncommon event that does not seem to be associated with poor IVF outcome. Moreover, oocyte yield is not reduced when transmyometrial oocyte retrieval is performed. The clinician and patient may be reassured that transmyometrial oocyte retrieval does not appear to decrease IVF success rates. Supported by: N/A.

IVF and tubal pathology — not all bad news

In light of evidence that hydrosalpinges compromise the chance of success of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), the aim of this study was to analyse the results of IVF treatment at our clinic in relation to the cause for infertility and to make inferences concerning the impact of mild tubal disease on IVF outcome. Retrospective observational study. SETTING Tertiary fertility clinic in New Zealand. Nine hundred and six consecutive cycles among 639 couples receiving IVF treatment in the six-year period 1995-2000 inclusive. Data extraction from the clinic database. The clinical pregnancy rate of 17.5% per ovarian stimulation cycle and 23.9% per embryo transfer for the cycles of couples with tubal disease as the only cause for infertility was not significantly different from the clinical pregnancy rate of 15.4% per ovarian stimulation cycle and 24.1% per embryo transfer for all other couples undergoing IVF. In the cycles of women with tubal disease, the clinical pregnancy rate of 6.6% per ovarian stimulation cycle where other causes for infertility were also present, was significantly lower than the clinical pregnancy rate of 17.5% where tubal factor alone was present. In the cycles of couples with multiple causes for infertility, where the overall pregnancy rate was 10.9% per ovarian stimulation cycle, there was no significant difference in pregnancy rate between those whose multiple causes included tubal disease (6.6% per ovarian stimulation cycle) and those whose multiple causes did not include tubal disease (17.5% per ovarian stimulation cycle). The overall population of women with tubal disease as the sole cause for infertility (including women with hydrosalpinges and those with non-hydrosalpinx tubal disease) does not have an overall reduced likelihood of success at IVF. This suggests that non-hydrosalpinx tubal disease does not compromise the chance of success from IVF. Surgical treatment prior to IVF for the milder forms of tubal disease is not warranted.

Pregnancy rates after transfer of frozen bovine embryos: a field trial

An efficient and practical technique for bovine embryo cryopreservation is a fundamental issue in the widespread use of embryo transfer. The present study shows results obtained in field experiments. In the first experiment, two slow-freezing methods using glycerol and a one-step method using ethylene glycol were compared: glycerol added in two steps (5 and then 10%), glycerol added in one step (10%) and 1.5 M ethylene glycol with direct transfer. The three methods were equally effective; pregnancy rates of 40.4, 39.1 and 45.4%, respectively were achieved. In the second experiment, using 1.5 M ethylene glycol with direct transfer, 20 and 5 min of equilibration of the cryoprotectant were tested. There were no observed significant differences in pregnancy rates. In the third experiment, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol were combined with three sucrose concentrations (0, 0.1 or 0.3 M) in a one-step method. It was observed that ethylene glycol and 0.1 M sucrose yielded the highest pregnancy rate, not differing from fresh controls. Similar pregnancy rates were noted after using multiple-step or one-step methods, but the one-step method is preferable due to its simplicity and applicability to field conditions.

Influence of Pelvic Endometriosis and Ovarian Endometrioma on Fertility

We investigated the influence of pelvic endometriosis and ovarian endometrioma on pregnancy outcome in women associated with infertility. A total of 237 women with endometriosis were reviewed, and their fertility rate was assessed by both r-AFS staging and TOP classification as previously proposed by our group. There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate among r-AFS stages. However, the pregnancy rate was mostly affected by the tubal condition according to the TOP classification as follows: no adhesive lesion (T₀), 53% (69/129); unilateral lesion (T₁), 46% (18/39); bilateral lesion with at least one tube patent, (T₂), 37% (10/27); bilateral tubal occlusion (T₃), 0% (0/8) (p < 0.05, Mantel-Extension test). The absence (O₀–O₁) or co-existence (O₂–O₃) of ovarian endometrioma and different gradings of cul-de-sac obliteration (P₂–P₃) showed no significant differences in pregnancy rate. The resulting conception rate was also not affected by the size or location of ovarian endometrioma. In addition, the higher adhesion score of ovarian endometrioma involving the fallopian tube and as described in r-AFS classification had a significant detrimental effect on fertility. These observations suggest that our TOP classification describing individual tubal condition has a clinically predictive value in assessing the reproductive outcome of women with endometriosis.

Return to fertility in nulliparous and parous women after removal of the GyneFix® intrauterine contraceptive system

Objective: To evaluate the return to fertility following removal of the GyneFix® intrauterine implant system in women wishing to conceive.Study design: A retrospectivestudy was performed on a sample of healthy, sexually active nulligravid/nulliparous and parous women. The participants were 18-41 years of age, with no apparent infertility problem, living in a stable relationshipand planning to become pregnant. Women who changed their mind and did not wish to become pregnant immediately after intrauterine device (IUD) removal were excluded from the study. Women were evaluated interms of rates of conception and fertility outcome. A total of 128 women were evaluated.Results: The study shows that 119 out of 128 (93%) past users of GyneFix have conceived, accounting fora net cumulative pregnancy rate of 88% at 12 months and 99% after 2 years' observation. No statistical differences in pregnancy rates were found for age and duration of use of the IUD. A strong significantdifference in pregnancy rate was shown (p = 0.007) between parous and nulligravid/nulliparous women.Seventy-seven women (66.9%) gave birth to a term infant. There were no stillbirths. Twenty-fivewomen (21.8%) are pregnant at the time of writing. Five (4.4%) spontaneous abortions occurred and in eight women (6.9%) the pregnancy was terminated. There were no ectopic pregnancies.Conclusion:The results obtained compare favorably with those obtained in previous studies conducted following the removal of copper IUDs. The use of the frameless IUD does not affect future fertility in nulligravid/nulliparousand parous women wishing to become pregnant following removal of the device. Nulliparous women conceive significantly earlier than parous women.

Cabergoline influences ovarian stimulation in hyperprolactinaemic patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by abnormal gonadotrophin secretion, in particular an elevated serum concentration of LH, depressed FSH, and an LH/FSH ratio of >or =2. Mild, transient hyperprolactinaemia is frequently associated with PCOS (30% of patients); furthermore, it can be observed during the late follicular and luteal phases of both natural and stimulated cycles. It is suggested that a reduction of the dopamine inhibitory effect might raise both prolactin (PRL) and LH. We compared ovarian stimulation in two groups of hyperprolactinaemic (hyperPRL)-PCOS patients; one group was treated with cabergoline, reducing PRL plasma concentrations to the range normally observed during ovulation induction. In the untreated hyperPRL-PCOS group, we noted a reduced total number of ampoules of recombinant FSH (P < 0.04), fewer days to reach HCG administration (P < 0.04), and significantly higher peak oestrogen plasma concentrations (P < 0.03) compared with the treated group. By ultrasound examination the same group showed significantly higher ovarian volume and an increased total number of follicles of every size. In untreated hyperPRL-PCOS patients, four cycles out of 65 were cancelled due to mild ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) that occurred during ovulation induction. Only one cycle out of 42 in the patients treated with cabergoline was cancelled. No significant differences in pregnancy rate nor in multiple pregnancy were found. Our data suggest a dopaminergic control of LH release and support the use of cabergoline in the management of such patients, in order to provide better clinical control of ovarian response and consequently a reduction of the risk of OHSS, with no decrease in pregnancy rate.

Intrauterine insemination in male factor subfertility: significance of sperm motility and morphology assessed by strict criteria.

The study was conducted to evaluate the results of IUI treatment in a homogenous group with male factor infertility, and to assess the correlation of sperm variables, including sperm morphology by strict criteria, with pregnancy achievement after IUI. A total of 108 couples with no apparent female aetiology for infertility underwent 264 intrauterine insemination treatment cycles. A comparison was made between the sperm variables in two groups in which the achievement of pregnancy differed. The percentage of motile spermatozoa, degree of motility and normal morphology (by strict criteria) were significantly higher in the pregnant group compared with that of the nonpregnant group. A significant difference in pregnancy rates per couple after intrauterine insemination was demonstrated among three groups according to the percentage of sperm morphology, i.e. poor (< 4%), fair (4-14%) or good (> 14%) (11.1%; 36.1% and 50.0%, respectively). Intrauterine insemination is a valid mode of treatment in cases with male infertility, provided that normal morphology by strict criteria is higher than 4%.

Synchronization of oestrus in goats: dose effect of progestagen

A trial was conducted to test the efficiency of different doses of intravaginal progestagen in the synchronization of different goat breeds, in the breeding season. Sixty Multiparous Boer and 60 Indigenous feral does were allocated to three treatment groups. The groups consisted of a control group (natural oestrus) ( n=20/breed); 60 mg MAP sponge groups inserted for 14 days plus 300 IU PMSG at sponge withdrawal ( n=20/breed) and halved 60 mg MAP (±30 mg) sponges inserted for 14 days plus 300 IU PMSG at withdrawal ( n=20/breed). The time from sponge withdrawal to oestrus was not significantly different in the treatment groups (whole and halved sponges), irrespective of breed. The duration of the oestrous period was significantly ( p<0.01) shorter in the control group (29.3±14.9 h versus 28.0±15.7 h for the Indigenous and Boer goats, respectively), compared to the induced period for the 60 mg (31.1±14.7 and 31.5±15.9 h) or 30 mg (40.0±22.0 h versus 34.3±21.7 h) for the Boer and Indigenous goats, respectively. No significant difference in pregnancy rate following AI was recorded (mean 74.2%). The mean serum progesterone concentration for the observation period varied between 0.01 and 6.19 ng/ml for Indigenous and 0.01 and 9.05 ng/ml for Boer goat does. No significant correlation was recorded between the does pregnant and serum progesterone levels. Mean serum LH concentration of the 60 mg MAP groups (0.59±0.22 ng/ml) was significantly ( p<0.05) lower than the control (0.84±0.66 ng/ml) and the halved sponge (1.9±0.49 ng/ml) groups. Dose of progestagen played no role in the efficiency of synchronization, regardless of the breed. The mean pregnancy rate achieved, is acceptable following fixed-time AI in both breeds and at both doses progestagen.

Experience with the elective transfer of two embryos under the conditions of the german embryo protection law: results of a retrospective data analysis of 2573 transfer cycles.

The German embryo protection law (Embryonenschutzgesetz, ESchG) does not allow embryo selection. Therefore, only as many oocytes at the pronuclear stage (PN), as are planned to be transferred, are allowed to be cultured. It is not known whether, under these conditions, it is possible to reduce the number of embryos for transfer without a corresponding reduction of the overall pregnancy rate (PR). We retrospectively analysed 2573 consecutive transfer cycles following either in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Out of these cycles, 234, 329 and 792 were performed with one, two, and three embryos respectively, because only that number was available (non-elective transfer). Another 123 and 1095 transfer cycles were performed with two and three embryos, respectively, which were selected from a higher number of PN oocytes (elective transfer). The clinical ongoing PR were 3.9, 9.1 and 17.7% respectively for the groups with non-elective transfer of 1, 2 and 3 embryos, and 22.0 and 22.5% for the groups with elective transfers with two and three embryos, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in PR between the two elective embryo transfer groups up to the age of 40 years. The multiple pregnancy rate was reduced by 7.9%. The reduction of the number of embryos transferred from three to two can be performed even under the conditions of the ESchG without an effect on the overall PR.

Non-surgical Porcine Embryo Transfer by a Balloon Catheter Producing Subsequent High Farrowing Rate

The aim of this study was to improve a non-surgical technique for porcine embryo transfer that would be more effective and could be operated as easy as artificial insemination in the pig farm. Embryos were collected surgically from 13 gilts at 5 to 7 days post insemination by flushing uterine horns. A total of 144 embryos were immediately transferred into 11 recipients, 1 sow and 10 gilts, by the transcervical method with 2 types of balloon catheters (FA 361 and FA 1466 catheter, Fujihira Industries, Ltd., Tokyo). The recipient pigs were anesthetized and their heads laid down on the slope fastening their legs securely. After cleaning the external genitalia, the balloon catheter was inserted into the cervix through the vaginal speculum and fixed in the cervical canal by swelling the balloon. The number of embryos ranging from 5 to 26 per pig (Average: 13±6.8), of which developmental stages were morulae to hatched blastocyst, were transferred into the uterine horn through a catheter with a small volume of sterile physiological saline. Nine of 11 recipients (81.8%) got pregnant, while 2 of 9 pregnant pigs had an abortion at early time of gestation. The remaining 7 pigs farrowed a total of 25 live piglets (3.6±1.5). The embryonic survival rate was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the recipients transferred embryos by the catheter FA 1466 than in those by the catheter FA 361, although there was no significant difference in pregnancy rate. Moreover, in the catheter FA 1466-group, the number of young correlated closely with the number of transferred embryos (r=0.99, P<0.01). The results showed that the balloon catheter could be used for non-surgical transfer of porcine embryos, but the embryonic survival rate was affected by the type of catheter.

Fertility after vaginal or uterine deposition of dog semen frozen in a tris extender with or without equex STM paste

Twenty-five bitches were artificially inseminated with semen that was frozen-thawed using an egg yolk-Tris-glucose-citrate extender containing 5% glycerol with, or without the addition of 0.5% Equex STM Paste. Semen was collected on 2 occasions from 11 dogs, pooled, and evaluated for sperm motility, morphology and plasma membrane integrity. Each pool was then divided in 2 parts, diluted with 1 of the 2 extenders, and frozen in 0.5-mL straws. In the bitches, plasma progesterone was assayed daily during late proestrus and estrus. Artificial insemination (AI) was performed twice on Days 3 and 5 after the estimated LH peak. For each insemination, 200×106 spermatozoa were used. Ten bitches were inseminated with semen frozen without Equex: In 5 females, semen was deposited transcervically into the uterus with the aid of a fiberoptic endoscope and a urethral catheter, while the remaining 5 bitches were inseminated in the cranial vagina using a Norwegian catheter. Fifteen bitches were inseminated with semen frozen-thawed with Equex: Two groups of 5 bitches were inseminated according to the techniques described above, while 5 bitches were inseminated vaginally using the Osiris catheter. Pregnancy was diagnosed and the number of fetuses counted by ultrasound examination. Post-thaw, spermatozoa frozen with Equex tended to have higher total and progressive motility and to survive longer in vitro than when the extender without Equex was used. Spermatozoal concentration, age of the bitches, duration of heat and estrus, and progesterone concentration at LH peak and at the first and second AI did not differ among the 5 groups. The overall pregnancy rate of 84% (21/25) was close to what can be expected from well controlled natural matings. For both freezing extenders tested, 5/5 bitches were pregnant after uterine deposition of semen and 4/5 were pregnant when semen was deposited in the anterior vagina using the Norwegian catheter. With the Osiris catheter, 3/5 inseminations resulted in a pregnancy. No significant differences in pregnancy rate or number of fetuses were found between groups, site of deposition or freezing extender.

Fertility after vaginal or uterine deposition of dog semen frozen in a tris extender with or without equex STM paste

Twenty-five bitches were artificially inseminated with semen that was frozen-thawed using an egg yolk-Tris-glucose-citrate extender containing 5% glycerol with, or without the addition of 0.5% Equex STM Paste. Semen was collected on 2 occasions from 11 dogs, pooled, and evaluated for sperm motility, morphology and plasma membrane integrity. Each pool was then divided in 2 parts, diluted with 1 of the 2 extenders, and frozen in 0.5-mL straws. In the bitches, plasma progesterone was assayed daily during late proestrus and estrus. Artificial insemination (AI) was performed twice on Days 3 and 5 after the estimated LH peak. For each insemination, 200×10 6 spermatozoa were used. Ten bitches were inseminated with semen frozen without Equex: In 5 females, semen was deposited transcervically into the uterus with the aid of a fiberoptic endoscope and a urethral catheter, while the remaining 5 bitches were inseminated in the cranial vagina using a Norwegian catheter. Fifteen bitches were inseminated with semen frozen-thawed with Equex: Two groups of 5 bitches were inseminated according to the techniques described above, while 5 bitches were inseminated vaginally using the Osiris catheter. Pregnancy was diagnosed and the number of fetuses counted by ultrasound examination. Post-thaw, spermatozoa frozen with Equex tended to have higher total and progressive motility and to survive longer in vitro than when the extender without Equex was used. Spermatozoal concentration, age of the bitches, duration of heat and estrus, and progesterone concentration at LH peak and at the first and second AI did not differ among the 5 groups. The overall pregnancy rate of 84% (21/25) was close to what can be expected from well controlled natural matings. For both freezing extenders tested, 5/5 bitches were pregnant after uterine deposition of semen and 4/5 were pregnant when semen was deposited in the anterior vagina using the Norwegian catheter. With the Osiris catheter, 3/5 inseminations resulted in a pregnancy. No significant differences in pregnancy rate or number of fetuses were found between groups, site of deposition or freezing extender.

Fertility and histological studies in a unilateral cryptorchid rat model during early and late adulthood.

To investigate the effect of age on fertility and testicular development in rats with untreated unilateral undescended testes. Newborn male Wistar King-A rats were divided into two groups. In group 1, a mechanical model of unilateral undescended testis was created by performing extra-abdominal fixation of the gubernaculum in the neonatal period, and in group 2, sham-operated rats were used as controls. At 90 days old (early adulthood), the fertility of both groups was assessed by mating the rats with mature virgin females for 2 weeks. Thereafter, some of the rats were killed and their testes examined histologically, while the remaining rats were allowed to develop further. At the age of 180 days (late adulthood), fertility was re-assessed in the same way. All the rats were then killed and their testes removed for histological examination. There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate of females mated with males from either group in early adulthood. However, in late adulthood there was a significant reduction in pregnancy rate in females coupled with cryptorchid rats compared with that of females coupled with control rats. There was a significant degeneration of the unilateral cryptorchid testes compared with control testes in both early and late adulthood. In contrast, there were no significant changes in histological development between the contralateral scrotal testes and the controls in early adulthood, although they were significantly different from the controls in late adulthood. These results suggest that fertility is affected by ageing in untreated unilateral cryptorchidism; this may be induced by extensive damage not only in the undescended testes, but also in the contralateral scrotal testis, in this mechanically induced model of unilateral cryptorchidism.