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Investigates the effects of the changes in endogenous oestradiol and progesterone during in vitro fertilization treatment and subsequent pregnancy on a number of haesmostatic parameters that probe the activity of the protein C pathway. Determination of blood and plasma variables; Effects of early pregnancy on anticoagulant parameters; Correlations between hormone levels and coagulation parameters.

After resection and reanastomosis, ovum recovery and fertilization were studied in the rabbit oviduct. From these data the ovum and embryo loss was calculated. Loss was most pronounced in ampullary operated tubes and after a short recovery period. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two commonly used sterile ultrasound coupling gels were found to affect development in of 8-cell mouse embryos adversely. Suggestions made previously by other investigators to prevent these deleterious effects in percutaneous aspiration of human ovaries under ultrasound guidance, appeared not to be applicable in transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval, especially in nulliparous patients. We report a new method, developed in our IVF programme, which allows optimal visualization of the pelvic organs without the risk of impairing embryo development after ultrasound-guided vaginal oocyte retrieval. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The reasons for sub-fertility in patients with mild endo-metriosis remain unclear. Peritoneal fluid constituents may alter tubal transport and embryonic cleavage, with subsequent implantation disturbances. We used an animal model to study the influence of endometrial implants on early embryonic development. In 25 rabbits, endometrium from the right uterine horn was transplanted onto the peritoneum (Experimental group = Group E). In 25 rabbits, fat was transplanted (control group = Group C). After a recovery period of 12 weeks the does were mated, and killed 24 h later. In the experimental group the implants had changed into cysts of 5–15 mm in diameter. Histological examination revealed endometrial glands and stroma in every specimen. Periadnexal adhesions did not develop in any animal. No marked differences were found between Groups E and C in embryonic cleavage stage, 24 h after mating. Additional culturing of the embryos for 48 h in a suitable culture medium revealed normal further development of the embryos. Bearing in mind the restrictions of extrapolating a rabbit model to the human, it is suggested that the decreased fecundity in mild endometriosis is not caused by altered early embryonic cleavage rate. The results of this study offer indirect evidence for implantation disturbances as a cause of endometriosis-associated sub-fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Describes the adjustment and evaluation of an established survival motor neuron exon 7 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol at the single cell level and the preimplantation genetic diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy with this PCR protocol. Most common severe neuromuscular disease in children; Alternative for prenatal diagnosis for couples; Genotyping of single cells.

Background: Long-term effects of ovarian stimulation for IVF on the risk of ovarian malignancies are unknown.Methods: We identified a nationwide historic cohort of 19,146 women who received IVF treatment in the Netherlands between 1983 and 1995, and a comparison group of 6006 subfertile women not treated with IVF. In 1997-1999, data on reproductive risk factors were obtained from 65% of women and data on subfertility (treatment) were obtained from the medical records. The incidence of ovarian malignancies (including borderline ovarian tumours) through 2007 was assessed through linkage with disease registries. The risk of ovarian malignancies in the IVF group was compared with risks in the general population and the subfertile comparison group.Results: After a median follow-up of 14.7 years, the risk of borderline ovarian tumours was increased in the IVF group compared with the general population [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) = 1.76; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-2.56]. The overall SIR for invasive ovarian cancer was not significantly elevated, but increased with longer follow-up after first IVF (P = 0.02); the SIR was 3.54 (95% CI = 1.62-6.72) after 15 years. The risks of borderline ovarian tumours and of all ovarian malignancies combined in the IVF group were significantly increased compared with risks in the subfertile comparison group (hazard ratios = 4.23; 95% CI = 1.25-14.33 and 2.14; 95% CI = 1.07-4.25, respectively, adjusted for age, parity and subfertility cause).Conclusions: Ovarian stimulation for IVF may increase the risk of ovarian malignancies, especially borderline ovarian tumours. More large cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings and to examine the effect of IVF treatment characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]