Ovarian stimulation with human and recombinant gonadotropin - comparison of in vitro fertilization efficiency with use of time-lapse monitoring

Interactions of Cortisol and Prolactin with Other Selected Menstrual Cycle Hormones Affecting the Chances of Conception in Infertile Women

One of the major problems of success in infertility treatment could depend on the understanding how the potential factors may affect the conception. The aim of this study was to evaluate present understanding of such factors or hormonal causes that may induce infertility. We studied the interactions between the two menstrual cycle hormones i.e., cortisol (COR) and prolactin (PRL), along with the ultrasonographic ovulation parameters in a group of N = 205 women with diagnosed infertility. The control group consisted of N = 100 women with confirmed fertility. In both groups, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), PRL, COR were examined on the third day of the cycle, and estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), and COR were examined during ovulation and 7-days afterwards. In the infertile group, higher levels of PRL and COR were observed than that of in the control group. Cortisol levels at all phases of the menstrual cycle and PRL negatively correlated with E2 secretion during and after ovulation, thus contributed to the attenuation of the ovulatory LH surge. Infertile women who conceived presented with higher levels of E2 during and after ovulation, higher P after ovulation, and thicker endometrium than that of the women who failed to conceive. In conclusion, elevated secretion of COR and PRL in infertile women impairs the menstrual cycle by decreasing the pre-ovulatory LH peak and E2 and postovulatory E2 levels that affect the endometrial growth, and consequently reduce the chances to conceive.

Gene expression profiles of human granulosa cells treated with bioequivalent doses of corifollitropin alfa (CFA) or recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (recFSH)

Using recombinant DNA technologies, a chimeric gene containing the coding sequences of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) β-subunit and C-terminal peptide of the human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) β-subunit have been designed to generate a new gonadotrophin named corifollitropin alfa (CFA). CFA has longer elimination half-life and slower rate of absorption compared with FSH, which makes CFA a long-acting hormone employed as a substitute of the recombinant FSH (recFSH) in the controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). The purpose of this study is to compare the gene expression profiles elicited by bioequivalent doses of CFA or recFSH in primary cultures of human granulosa cells (hGCs). Gonadotrophins exert their functions by binding FSH receptors (FSHRs), activating signaling pathways that increase the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) intracellular content. Bioequivalence has been defined as the dose/duration of gonadotrophin treatment able to promote the same amount of intracellular cAMP. hGCs were treated with different doses of either gonadotrophin and the cAMP was measured after different incubation times to establish the bioequivalence. Results obtained by comparing the bioequivalent treatments, showed that CFA is more effective than recFSH in inducing aromatase gene expression after 6 and 24 h from the initial stimulation in agreement with its long-acting characteristic.

Post-laparoscopy predictive factors of achieving pregnancy in patients treated for infertility

Introduction

Laparoscopy is a long-established diagnostic and therapeutic method for treating women suffering from infertility. The application of this method of treatment can help achieve pregnancy only if there is correct classification of patients and evaluation of their partner’s reproductive capacity. The main predictors of achieving pregnancy in a couple treated for infertility are the woman’s age, her ovarian reserve, tubal patency, the presence of endometriosis and quality of sperm parameters.

Aim

To evaluate the effect of endometriosis, ovarian reserve and selected parameters of semen on the effect of achieving pregnancy in patients undergoing laparoscopy.

Material and methods

The most significant predictor of pregnancy in patients undergoing laparoscopy due to infertility was found to be anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level after laparoscopy, and the main parameters of semen partners were density, motility and morphology. The number of achieved pregnancies after the laparoscopic treatment of infertility was lower in patients diagnosed with endometriosis, and depended on the severity of the condition.

Results

As a result of laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis, we found a decrease in ovarian reserve measured by means of AMH.

Conclusions

The most important predictors of pregnancy in patients who underwent laparoscopy due to infertility are post-laparoscopy AMH levels and the main parameters of the partner’s semen: density, motility and morphology. The number of pregnancies after laparoscopic treatment is lower in patients diagnosed with endometriosis, and depends on the severity of the conditio.