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Social elective egg freezing (EEF) is now widely used globally but in many countries is unaffordable to many women because of high costs and lacking insurance coverage. Efforts to reduce costs, therefore, are of importance. Surprisingly, a simple, well-defined and practical approach ensuring optimal outcomes for EEF has, however, so-far not been published. We, therefore, conducted a narrative review of the literature for relevant articles regarding the different steps of ovarian stimulation (OS) in the EEF process, in order to define such a standard protocol. This review revealed that in order to maximize oocyte yields with minimal number of OS cycles - while ensuring patient safety - a multiple-dose GnRH antagonist protocol with a daily gonadotropin dose of 300 IU appears best, unless patients demonstrate a polycystic ovarian phenotype, suggestive of likely high responses. The initial gonadotropin should be recFSH, while LH supplementation should be co-administered with the addition of GnRH antagonist. Final follicular maturation should be triggered by GnRH agonist trigger, with a dual trigger (1000–1500 IU hCG) considered for suboptimal responders to GnRH agonist trigger, optionally with Cabergoline to mitigate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in high responders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently, there is no consensus on the optimal management of women with low prognosis in ART. In this Delphi consensus, a panel of international experts provided real-world clinical perspectives on a series of literature-supported consensus statements regarding the overall relevance of the POSEIDON criteria for women with low prognosis in ART. Methods: Using a Delphi-consensus framework, twelve experts plus two Scientific Coordinators discussed and amended statements and supporting references proposed by the Scientific Coordinators (Round 1). Statements were distributed via an online survey to an extended panel of 53 experts, of whom 36 who voted anonymously on their level of agreement or disagreement with each statement using a six-point Likert-type scale (1 = Absolutely agree; 2 = More than agree; 3 = Agree; 4 = Disagree; 5 = More than disagree; 6 = Absolutely disagree) (Round 2). Consensus was reached if > 66% of participants agreed or disagreed. Results: The extended panel voted on seventeen statements and subcategorized them according to relevance. All but one statement reached consensus during the first round; the remaining statement reached consensus after rewording. Statements were categorized according to impact, low-prognosis validation, outcomes and patient management. The POSEIDON criteria are timely and clinically sound. The preferred success measure is cumulative live birth and key management strategies include the use of recombinant FSH preparations, supplementation with r-hLH, dose increases and oocyte/embryo accumulation through vitrification. Tools such as the ART Calculator and Follicle-to-Oocyte Index may be considered. Validation data from large, prospective studies in each POSEIDON group are now needed to corroborate existing retrospective data. Conclusions: This Delphi consensus provides an overview of expert opinion on the clinical implications of the POSEIDON criteria for women with low prognosis to ovarian stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the adequate ovarian follicular development and oocyte recovery between ovarian potential (antral follicle count [AFC]) before the start of ovarian stimulation (OS) and oocyte quantity and quality at oocyte retrieval. A holistic overview of the current key performance indicators (KPIs) was applied to identify the complementary strengths and identify where the current repertoire can be expanded., Design: Expert opinion., Subjects: Not applicable., Intervention: None., Main Outcome Measures: To formulate a proposal for a refined and expanded repertoire of KPIs for individualized OS for Assisted Reproductive Technology., Results: The performance and outcomes of OS on ovarian follicular development can be evaluated through the application of defined KPIs. Current KPIs for OS are the ovarian sensitivity index (OSI), the follicular output rate (FORT), the oocyte retrieval rate (ORR), and the follicle to oocyte index (FOI). Notably, there are no specific KPIs dedicated to the assessment of follicular development (i.e., recruitment, selection, growth and dominance). In light of this, we recommend expanding the current KPIs for OS to include "Early FORT" (accounting for the number of follicles measuring ≥10-11 mm on Day 5/6 of OS relative to AFC) and "Modified FORT" (the ratio between the number of follicles measuring ≥12 mm at the time of oocyte maturation triggering and AFC); the extension of ORR to include two discrete categories at oocyte retrieval: follicles ≥12 mm and follicles ≥16 mm, to ensure all responsive follicles are accounted for; and FOI to be measured at oocyte maturation triggering and oocyte retrieval ("Advanced FOI")., Conclusions: Once validated and adopted in clinical practice, we envisage that the proposed expanded KPIs measuring the effect of OS on follicular development (recruitment, selection, growth and dominance) will increase the understanding of the relationship between ovarian reserve measured by AFC and oocyte quantity and quality at oocyte retrieval. This understanding will enable physicians to better evaluate the direct effect of different gonadotropins and doses on ovarian response, leading to a more personalized approach to OS in the context of ART treatment., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to estimate the time to pregnancy and live birth and evaluate the effect of weight regain in women with a history of bariatric surgery (BS) who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments., Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. All patients with previous BS who underwent IVF treatment in a tertiary university-affiliated hospital between 2013 and 2022 were included. Time to pregnancy and live birth were compared between patients who regained less than or greater than three points of body mass index (BMI) from the nadir weight after BS. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to compare groups., Results: A total of 78 patients were included in this study. The positive β-hCG, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates following BS were 89.4%, 78.9%, and 50.8%, respectively. The median time from the beginning of IVF treatments to a positive β-hCG test was 2.97 months (95% CI: 1.04-4.89 months), to a clinical pregnancy was 7.1 months (95% CI: 3.56-10.91), and to a live birth was 20.2 months. Women who maintained their nadir BMI following BS had nearly twice the chance of achieving a clinical pregnancy (HR 1.967, 95% CI: 1.026-3.771, p = 0.042) and were approximately three times more likely to achieve a live birth (2.864, 95% CI: 1.196-6.859, p = 0.018) than those who regained at least three points of BMI., Conclusion: Weight regain after BS is associated with a lower rate of live births and prolonged time to achieve clinical pregnancy and live birth., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)