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OBJECTIVE: Elevated progesterone levels surpassing exact treshold values impede endometrial receptivity and decrease clinical pregnancy rates in different responder patients during assisted reproductive techniques. A progesterone (P): estradiol (E2) ratio of > 1 on the day of hCG administration has also been suggested to be a manifestation of low ovarian reserve. The clinical significance of P/E2 ratio on the day of hCG administration was investigated among poor responder patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on the ESHRE Bologna consensus criteria related to poor ovarian response diagnosis, 48 poor responder patients were treated with the microdose flare-up regimen and 34 patients were treated with the multiple-dose GnRH antagonist protocol. All patients were destined to perform a ICSI-ET procedure at the end of the stimulation protocols. Progesterone levels and P/E2 ratios have been detected during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. R RE ES SU UL LT TS S: : In the microdose flare-up group; the duration of stimulation, total gonadotropin dose used and hCG day E2 levels were significantly higher than the multiple dose antagonist group. However, the mean hCG day P/E2 rate in the microdose flare-up group was less than that in the multiple-dose antagonist group. The clinical pregnancy rates were non significantly higher in the multiple dose antagonist protocol group than in microdose flare-up group. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired endometrial receptivity caused by elevated P levels results with lower pregnancy rates. Regardless of the selected stimulation protocol, poor responder patients are not prone to exhibit high P and E2 secretion. Increased P/E2 ratio of > 1 on hCG day has limited value to predict cycle outcomes in poor responder patients because of ovarian follicle depletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The underlying inflammation of endometrium may impede normal implantation of placenta during pregnancy. Our objective is to show cervical colonization of ureaplasma and/or mycoplasma as a marker of endometritis in pregnancies complicated with placenta previa that can be a risk factor for placenta accreta and peripartum hemorrhage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cervical cultures for ureaplasma urealyticum and mycoplasma genitalium have been taken from the endocervical region of the cervix of the patients. Subsequent uterine lower segment bleeding suggesting placenta implantation defects have been evaluated during cesarean section. RESULTS: Of 25 patients; ten (40%) had negative cervical cultures for cervical mycoplasma and/or ureaplasma, 9 (36%) were found to be culture positive for cervical ureaplasma, 1 (4%) was found to be culture positive for cervical mycoplasma. Half of the 10 patients with positive cervical cultures for ureaplasma or mycoplasma and 6 of (40%) 15 patients with negative results had experienced lower uterine segment bleeding during cesarean section. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial colonization of cervix in particular with ureaplasma and/or mycoplasma is found to be strongly associated with placenta previa. Before a planned pregnancy, treatment of this infection with appropriate antibiotics is necessary to prevent underlying uterine endometritis that increases the risk for abnormal implantation of placenta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The treatment of patients with peripartum hemorrhage is unfortunately characterized by inadequate treatment that does not adhere to standard therapeutic measures. AIM: Assessment of different management strategies among patients with severe hemorrhage, particularly the ones with "near-miss" maternal morbidity and mortality to establish clinically useful guidelines for the prevention and management of peripartum hemorrhage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, the medical records of 458 patients who have experienced peripartum hemorrhage between March 2009 and March 2012 in a tertiary perinatal center were retrospectively reviewed. Specific surgical treatment modalities utilized to 61 patients with severe peripartum hemorrhage with respect to the procedure timing and effectivity were compared according to the outcomes and efficiency. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients who have been diagnosed as severe peripartum hemorrhage have been included to the study. Six (75%) of the 8 patients who were treated with B-Lynch brace suture for uterine atony and 9 (60%) of the 15 patients who were treated with the Bakri balloon tamponade system for uterine atony or placenta accreta required hysterectomy following the initial therapeutic measures. The patients who have been treated with bilateral hypogastric artery ligation and B-Lynch brace suture or Bakri balloon uterine tamponade system were less likely to need a complementary hysterectomy for definitive treatment of peripartum hemorrhage when compared with patients treated with either B-Lynch brace suture or Bakri uterine tamponade balloon system alone. CONCLUSIONS: The efficiency of B-Lynch compression brace sutures and the Bakri balloon uterine tamponade system is unpredictable in terms of the need for hysterectomy for peripartum hemorrhage patients diagnosed as either uterine atony or placenta previa. Regardless of the initial diagnosis, these modalities seem to be more effective in alleviating peripartum hemorrhage when accompanied by hypogastric artery ligation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thin endometrium, described as endometrial thickness below 7 mm on embryo transfer day in assisted reproduction cycles, is associated with decreased pregnancy rates. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and oestrogen (E) are two medications used for treatment., Aim: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effect of combined G-CSF+E treatment on thin endometrium in a rat model., Settings and Design: Gazi University Laboratory Animals Breeding and Experimental Researchers Center provided the veterinary care., Materials and Methods: Forty-eight female rats were divided into 8 groups (6 rats/group). Groups were named as group 1: control, group 2: control that received G-CSF, group 3: control that received E, group 4: control that received G-CSF+E, group 5: thin endometrium model, group 6: thin endometrium model that received G-CSF, group 7: thin endometrium model that received E and group 8: thin endometrium model that received G-CSF+E. Twelve days after the establishment of thin endometrium model, G-CSF and/or E treatment was started and continued for 5 days according to the groups. Tissue specimens were collected at the end of the treatment period. Proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis were evaluated., Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance and Tamhane post hoc test., Results: Significant increase in uterine wall and endometrial thickness was detected in the thin endometrium + G-CSF group when compared to the thin endometrium group. G-CSF was demonstrated to cause an extensive proliferative response and induction of angiogenesis in thin endometrium without restoration of endometrial glands. E alone restored thin endometrium to almost normal histology. Morphological changes representing the dominant effects of G-CSF were observed in thin endometrium model receiving G-CSF+E., Conclusion: G-CSF+E is not an effective treatment modality in thin endometrium rat model., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences.)

Objective: The International ovarian tumor analysis (IOTA)-Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa (ADNEX) model and the ovarian-adnexal reporting and data system (O-RADS) were developed to improve the diagnostic accuracy of adnexal masses in the preoperative period. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive values of both models in patients who underwent surgery for an adnexal mass at our hospital, based on the final pathological results., Methods: This study included patients who underwent surgery for adnexal masses at our hospital between 2019 and 2021 and met the inclusion criteria. The IOTA ADNEX model and O-RADS scores were calculated preoperatively., Results: Of the 413 patients, 295 were diagnosed with benign tumors and 118 were diagnosed with malignant tumors. The mean cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) levels for patients diagnosed with benign and malignant were 15.2 unit/mL and 72.5 unit/mL, respectively. According to the receiver operator characteristic analysis for serum CA-125 in postmenopausal and premenopausal patients, the cutoff value of 34.8 unit/mL had a sensitivity of 70.8% and specificity of 83.8% and 180.5 unit/mL had a sensitivity of 32.1% and a specificity of 92.7%, respectively (P<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity values of the IOTA ADNEX model and O-RADS were found as 78.8-48.3% and 97.9-93.5% respectively (P<0.001). There was moderate agreement between the IOTA ADNEX model and O-RADS (Kappa=0.53)., Conclusion: The IOTA ADNEX model has a similar specificity to the O-RADS in malignancy risk assessment, but the sensitivity of the IOTA ADNEX model is higher than that of the O-RADS. The IOTA-ADNEX model can help avoid unnecessary surgeries.

Background: Previous studies have revealed menstrual changes following coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) disease. The potential impact of COVID-19 on female reproductive organs, ovary in particular, has not been investigated thoroughly., Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and oestradiol (E2) following COVID-19 disease as a surrogate for the detection of ovarian vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection., Settings and Design: In this retrospective study, hospital records of unexplained infertile women between 21 and 40 years old who have attended our institution's reproductive medicine unit for evaluation and/or treatment of infertility have been evaluated., Materials and Methods: Menstrual cycle day 2-5 serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and E2 levels of 28 infertile women have been studied both before and after the COVID-19 disease to evaluate ovarian reserve before the ovulation induction treatment cycle., Statistical Analysis Used: The demographic characteristics and hormonal results of these 28 unexplained infertile women have been compared. The Shapiro-Wilk test has been used to evaluate the normal distribution of variables. Comparison of ovarian reserve markers which were established before and after COVID-19 infection has been performed using paired samples t -test., Results: All patients except one have shown mild COVID-19 symptoms and their infection courses have resulted in uneventful recovery. Serum FSH, LH and E2 levels of 24 (85%) and serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels of 4 (15%) patients have been evaluated before and after COVID-19 disease is statistically similar., Conclusion: COVID-19 disease or inflammatory response of the infection itself does not seem to affect pituitary gonadotropins and ovarian hormones in infertile women based on menstrual cycle day 2-5 serum FSH, LH, E2 and AMH levels. Further studies including higher patient numbers are urgently needed to clarify the potential effects of COVID-19 disease on the gonadal function of women., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences.)

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoon parasite which causes toxoplasmosis both in human and warm-blooded animals. Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide disease and largely threats human and animal health consequently causing economic losses. Also, it affects the visceral organs in different severity degrees according to the strain of parasite and the host. In this study, experimental toxoplasmosis was performed via intra-peritoneal route in 12 gerbils by administrating 5.00 × 10 3 tachyzoites of T. gondii RH strain. The gerbils were sacrificed 7 days after inoculation. All systemic organs were obtained via necropsy and examined by immunohistochemical and histopathological methods. Lesions infected with T. gondii mostly observed in the serosa of abdominal cavity organs including stomach, liver, spleen, intestines, and kidneys. The lesions were most severe in liver. The parasite showed an affinity for the hepatic tissue. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental study of acute T. gondii infection in gerbil evaluating macroscopic, microscopic and immunohistochemical findings. It is concluded that Mongolian gerbils can be used as experimental animals to investigate toxoplasmosis. Also, these animals are very suitable hosts to study liver pathology and pathobiology of T. gondii -related hepatitis., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest to be declared., (© 2022 Urmia University.)

Objectives: Studies have established a relationship between proinflammatory factors and implantation failure in IVF/ICSI cycles. Likewise, low-grade chronic inflammation is generally blamed for predisposing infertility. In the present study, we aimed to find a relationship between serum IL-6 and hs-CRP levels and IVF/ICSI cycle outcomes., Methods: A total of 129 patients who consented to participate and attended the IVF unit of our department for the treatment of infertility have been enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Serum levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein and interleukin 6 have been detected at the beginning of the IVF/ICSI ovulation induction cycle. Cycle outcomes have been compared between patients with and without clinical pregnancy achievement following ART treatments. IVF/ICSI cycle outcomes of these two groups were also comparable except the number of >14 mm follicles, retrieved oocytes, metaphase II oocytes, and fertilized oocytes (2 pronuclei) which were in favor of the clinical pregnancy group., Results: Mean serum hs-CRP levels were 3.08 mg/L (0.12-35.04) and 2.28 mg/L (0.09-22.52) patients with and without clinical pregnancy respectively. Mean serum IL-6 levels were 2 pg/mL (1-10.2) and 2 pg/mL (1-76.9) patients with and without clinical pregnancy respectively. Both tests were found to be statistically insignificant in predicting the success of the ART cycle in terms of implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth., Conclusions: In the present study, we have not found any significant effect of hs-CRP and IL-6 levels in the IVF cycle. However, in the light of this and previous studies, large-scale research may prove the exact influence of these markers on IVF success., (© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.)

In this study, we aimed to analyse the clinical features of the third-trimester pregnant women, with echogenic amniotic fluid and to compare their obstetric and neonatal outcomes with pregnant women with normal amniotic fluid echogenicity. This case-control study was conducted in a tertiary antenatal care centre. A total of 560 term (37-42 weeks of gestation) singleton women; 280 with echogenic particles in amniotic fluid and 280 with clear amniotic fluid, who delivered within 24 h after the ultrasound scan were evaluated. The women in the two groups were similar in terms of age, parity, body mass index, foetal birth weight, and gestational age. More patients in the particulate amnion group had lower Apgar scores (<7) in 1st and 5th minutes than controls ( p  = .006, p  = .031 respectively) however the rate of admission to neonatal intensive care was similar. Vernix stained amniotic fluid was more common in the study group (48.8%, p  = .031), the rate of meconium-stained amniotic fluid was similar in the study and control groups (9.6-9.2%, p  = .881). The primary caesarean section rate was higher in women with particulate amnion (18.4%, p  = .037). Echogenic particles in the amniotic fluid in the third trimester could not be attributed to meconium, however, higher rates of primary caesarean section may require further attention.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Previous studies showed that high-density intra-amniotic particles were possibly related to vernix caseosa, intra-amniotic bleeding, and meconium. The number of study groups in these studies was also limited. What do the results of this study add? Additional to other previous studies, we found an increased rate of intra-amniotic echogenic particles in male foetuses. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The presence of echogenic particles on ultrasound was not related to increased risk for the presence of meconium. Significantly more neonates born to mothers with intra-amniotic echogenic particles tended to have lower Apgar scores (<7), however, this significant difference did not affect the need for NICU admission. The presence of echogenic particles in the amniotic fluid of the third-trimester pregnant women could not be attributed to meconium and adverse perinatal outcomes, however, the higher rates of primary caesarean section may require further attention.

Objective: We compared markers of oxidative stress (OS) in mothers with and without fetal neural tube defects (NTDs). Methods: Pregnant mothers in the second trimester with NTD-affected fetuses and age, gestational age, and body mass index-matched control mothers with unaffected fetuses were included. Maternal serum thiol-disulfide homeostasis parameters and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) were measured. Results: In 30 affected mothers compared to 31 controls, disulfide levels, disulfide/native thiol, and disulfide/total thiol ratios were higher; native and total thiol levels and native thiol/total thiol ratios were lower ( p  < 0.001). Mothers with NTD-affected fetuses had higher levels of IMA than controls ( p  = 0.025). Conclusion: The thiol-disulfide homeostasis balance was shifted in favor of disulfide, suggesting increased thiol oxidation and OS in the second trimester of NTD-affected pregnancies. Maternal levels of IMA, an oxidatively altered form of albumin, thus a measure of OS, were higher in NTD-affected second trimester pregnancies compared to controls.

Selective autophagy of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), namely ER-phagy, is mediated by ER-localized receptors, which are recognized and sequestered by GABARAP/LC3B-decorated phagophores and transferred to lysosomes for degradation. Being one such receptor, FAM134B plays critical roles in cellular processes such as protein quality control and neuronal survival. FAM134B has also been associated with different cancers, although its exact role remains elusive. We report here that the FAM134B gene encodes not one but at least two different protein isoforms: the full-length and the NH 2 terminally truncated forms. Their relative expression shows extreme variation, both within normal tissues and among cancer types. Expression of full-length FAM134B is restricted to the brain, testis, spleen, and prostate. In contrast, NH 2 terminally truncated FAM134B is dominant in the heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, pancreas, and liver. We compared wild-type and knockout mice to study the role of the Fam134b gene in starvation. NH 2 terminally truncated FAM134B-2 was induced in the liver, skeletal muscle, and heart but not in the pancreas and stomach following starvation. Upon starvation, Fam134b -/- mice differed from wild-type mice by less weight loss and less hyperaminoacidemic and hypocalcemic response but increased levels of serum albumin, total serum proteins, and α-amylase. Interestingly, either NH 2 terminally truncated FAM134B or both isoforms were downregulated in liver, lung, and colon cancers. In contrast, upregulation was observed in stomach and chromophobe kidney cancers. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We reported tissues expressing FAM134B-2 such as the kidney, muscle, heart, and pancreas, some of which exhibit stimulated expression upon nutrient starvation. We also demonstrated the effect of Fam134b deletion during ad libitum and starvation conditions. Resistance to weight loss and hypocalcemia, accompanied by an increase in serum albumin and α-amylase levels, indicate critical roles of Fam134b in physiology. Furthermore, the differential expression of FAM134B isoforms was shown to be significantly dysregulated in human cancers.

This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between the CHA2DS2-VASc score and no-reflow (NR) phenomena in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). A total number of 428 consecutive patients with NSTEMI were assessed for this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups, those with NR, NR(+) (n=84), and those without NR, NR(-) (n=307), according to their post-PCI, no-reflow status. The CHA2DS2-VASc score was significantly higher in the NR(+) group compared to the NR(-) (3.48 ± 1.19 vs 1.81 ± 0.82, P < 0.001). After a multivariate regression analysis, a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score (OR: 6.52, 95% CI: 3.51-12.14, P < 0.001), hs-Troponin (OR: 1.077, 95% CI: 1.056-1.099, P< 0.001) and TTG (OR: 1.563, 95% CI: 1.134-2.154, P=0.006) were independent predictors of NR. CHA2DS2-VASc score is associated with higher risk of no-reflow in patients with NSTEMI undergoing PCI.

Background: Fragmented QRS (fQRS) complex is an electrocardiographic pattern which reflects myocardial scarring. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence of fragmented QRS (fQRS) on electrocardiogram (ECG) and plasma galectin-3 levels in patients with heart failure (HF) and severely decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤ 35%)., Methods: We prospectively enrolled 125 symptomatic HF patients (NYHA class II-III) with severely reduced LVEF (≤35%). fQRS was identified in ECG. Galectin-3 and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were measured. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence (n = 40) or absence (n = 85) of a fQRS on ECG., Results: Majority of patients were male (87.70%), and mean age was 65.1 ± 11.6. Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP levels were found to be significantly higher in the fQRS (+) group compared with the fQRS (-) group (NT-proBNP 5,362 ± 701 pg/ml vs. 4,452 ± 698 pg/ml; p < 0.001, galectin-3 607 ± 89.8 pg/ml vs. 509.4 ± 63.5 pg/ml; p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed galectin-3 and NT-proBNP levels are the presence of fQRS on ECG (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The area under the curve using the galectin-3 level for fQRS was 0.819., Conclusions: fQRS and serum galectin-3 levels are associated with myocardial fibrosis and are associated with poor prognosis in heart failure. In our study, a positive correlation was found between serum galectin-3 levels and fQRS on ECG., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a commonly used procedure to increase the infertile couples' chance of pregnancy. Single or double insemination and different timing choices are modifications of this intervention. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of the IUI procedure on clinical pregnancy rates when performed at 24 hours or 36 hours after ovulation triggered by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) following ovulation induction with gonadotropins., Methods: One hundred and thirteen women diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (as per Rotterdam's criteria) or unexplained infertility, who were treated using gonadotropins for ovulation induction and IUI for increasing fertilization potential, were recruited from the medical records of the infertility clinic. Demographic features, cycle outcomes, and clinical pregnancy rates of the patients were compared based on two different timing strategies of IUI (24 hours and 36 hours) following ovulation trigger using hCG., Results: Clinical pregnancy rates per cycle were 22.9% in the PCOS group and 26.9% in the unexplained group. The clinical pregnancy rates according to the timing of IUI were found to be similar for PCOS patients, unlike patients with unexplained infertility whose clinical pregnancy rates were significantly better when the IUI procedure was performed 24 hours following the hCG trigger. The cycle day of hCG trigger was also found to be significantly related to clinical pregnancy rate as utilizing a later hCG trigger day appeared to positively affect the odds of clinical pregnancy establishment., Conclusion: IUI performed at either 24 hours or 36 hours after ovulation triggered by hCG injection does not change clinical pregnancy rates for PCOS patients. Patients with unexplained infertility seem to benefit from earlier IUI procedures, which increases their fertility potential during ovulation induction with gonadotropins. Avoiding earlier than physiologically needed artificial-hCG triggering before IUI procedures results with better pregnancy rates., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.)

Background: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is the most frequently used diagnostic measure for simultaneously determining uterine abnormalities and tubal status among subfertile women. Despite several broader advantages such as availability and increased experience, the subjectivity involved during administration of the HSG procedure itself, and necessary imaging review, decreases the reliability and accuracy of HSG. In this study, we evaluated the time intervals between X-ray imaging during HSG procedure to establish the presence of distal tubal occlusion., Methods: Our study evaluated the HSG records of 89 women who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy for infertility work-up. Patients who were diagnosed with distal tubal occlusion upon receiving HSG and patients who demonstrated tubal patency on HSG were included in the study, to compare the time intervals in seconds from the tubal visualization view to the last fluoroscopic X-ray shot during the HSG procedure with tubal patency on diagnostic laparoscopy., Results: A statistically significant correlation regarding tubal patency between HSG procedures and diagnostic laparoscopy chromopertubation procedures was demonstrated. Although nearly statistically significant, the interval in seconds between the first HSG imaging and distal tubal filling was shorter for patients with patent tubes on diagnostic laparoscopy than patients with bilateral tubal occlusion (8.4±31.9 and 12.0±19.7, respectively; p=0.057). Time period intervals between the first and the last HSG, and between distal tubal filling to the last HSG of patients with patent tubes on diagnostic laparoscopy and patients with bilateral distal tubal occlusion were found to be statistically similar., Conclusion: Although a trend exists towards shorter time period intervals between the first uterine visualization and distal tubal filling graphy among patients with tubal patency, rather than patients with distal tubal occlusion confirmed by diagnostic laparoscopy, clinically reliable objective time period intervals for finalizing the HSG procedure and proceeding with diagnostic laparoscopy due to distal tubal occlusion diagnosis on HSG could not be detected., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.)

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is highly associated with an ovulatory infertility, features of the metabolic syndrome, including obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Serum concentrations of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were significantly higher in obese than in non-obese PCOS patients at baseline, suggesting a relationship between elevated hs-CRP levels and obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether cycle day 3 hs-CRP levels before clomiphene citrate (CC) treatment would predict cycle outcomes in women with PCOS., Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 84 infertile women with PCOS who were treated with CC at Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, between January 2014 and January 2015. Based on the exclusion criteria, cycle outcomes of remaining 66 infertile women with PCOS treated with CC were analyzed. The hs-CRP levels and insulin resistance indexes were evaluated on day 3 of the CC treatment cycle. The primary outcome measures were number of preovulatory follicles measuring≥17 mm and pregnancy rates., Results: The mean ± SD age of the patients was 24.0 ± 3.8 years (range 18-36). The mean ± SD body mass index (BMI) of the patients was 25.7 ± 4.9 (range 17-43). Fifty patients developed dominant follicle (75%) and 5 patients established clinical pregnancy during the study (clinical pregnancy rate: 7%). The mean ± SD baseline hs-CRP, fasting insulin and Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) values of the patients with and without dominant follicle generation during treatment cycle were 6.42 ± 7.05 and 4.41 ± 2.95 (P=0.27), 11.61 ± 6.94 and 10.95 ± 5.65 (P=0.73), 2.68 ± 1.79 and 2.41 ± 1.30 (P=0.58), respectively. The mean ± SD baseline hs-CRP, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR values of the patients with and without clinical pregnancy establishment following treatment cycle were 6.30 ± 2.56 and 5.90 ± 6.57 (P=0.89), 11.60 ± 7.54 and 11.44 ± 6.61 (P=0.95), 2.42 ± 1.51 and 2.63 ± 1.70 (P=0.79), respectively., Conclusion: In this study, we did not observe a predictive value of cycle day 3 hs-CRP levels on preovulatory follicle development and pregnancy rates among infertile PCOS patients treated with CC. Also, no relationship between HOMA-IR values and dominant follicle generation or clinical pregnancy establishment was demonstrated in our study, confirming the previous studies emphasizing the neutral effect of metformin utilization before and/or during ovulation induction to pregnancy rates.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of intrauterine insemination timing performed 24 or 36 h later following ovulation trigger on clinical pregnancy rate during ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate among infertile women was the objective of this study., Methods: The medical records of 280 infertile patients who have underwent ovulation induction by using clomiphene citrate have been evaluated and cycle outcomes of the patients have been investigated specifically based on the timing of intrauterine insemination during the treatment cycle., Results: The clinical pregnancy rate of the study group based on the timing of intrauterine insemination (24 vs. 36 h following hCG trigger) was found to be similar regardless of infertility type. The cycle day of which hCG trigger has been performed was found to be significantly longer for patients who have achieved clinical pregnancy than patients who have not got pregnant following the treatment cycle. Dominant follicle diameter has not been found to affect clinical pregnancy rate during treatment cycles with clomiphene citrate., Conclusions: In this study, intrauterine insemination timing did not affect the cycle outcomes whether the procedure has been performed 24 or 36 h later following ovulation trigger with exogenous hCG utilization. The longer period of treatment cycle during ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate resulted with higher clinical pregnancy rate. Intrauterine insemination can be done successfully at either 24 or 36 h after hCG in clomiphene citrate stimulated cycles. This will allow more flexibility and convenience for both physicians and patients, especially during weekends.

We aimed to investigate the value of fourth day serum estradiol levels in predicting cycle outcome in poor responders. The medical records of 426 patients with low oocyte yield following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) treatment for a procedure in our institution's center for ART between 2008 and 2013 were evaluated. Eighty-eight patients exhibiting poor ovarian response (POR) were included in the study. The clinical outcomes of IVF/ICSI were compared based on the basal hormone profile, clinical, and laboratory parameters. Cycle day 4 E2 levels below 110 pg/ml had an odds ratio of 6.05 (95% CI 2.33-15.7; p < 0.001) for embryo transfer. The early follicular response to ovarian stimulation can be anticipated with the cycle day 4 estradiol levels during COH. When a low day 4 serum estradiol level is encountered, abandoning the current COH and proceeding with agents that increase ovarian response to ovarian stimulation before the next treatment cycle can be a realistic approach.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive outcome and assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes of patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) and to compare the results with male factor (MF) infertility patients. The reproductive outcome of 33 HH patients was evaluated retrospectively and compared with results of 47 patients with mild male factor infertility. For ovulation induction, human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) was used in HH patients and recFSH was used in MF infertility patients. HH patients were divided into subgroups according to retrieved oocyte numbers and the groups were compared with each other. The main outcome measures were total gonadotropin dose used, duration of stimulation, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) day estradiol level and endometrial thickness, oocyte number retrieved, and rate of clinical pregnancy. ART outcomes and cycle characteristics of 33 HH patients were compared with 47 MF infertility patients. There was no difference in age and body mass index (BMI) between the groups, but mean follicle stimulating hormone FSH and luteinizing hormone LH levels were significantly lower in the HH group (p < 0.001). Duration of stimulation was 12.5 ± 2.06 days in the HH patients and 10.08 ± 1.62 days in the MF infertility patients and the difference was significant (p < 0.001). Total gonadotropin dose used was higher in the HH group than the MF infertility group (p < 0.001). However, there were no differences in hCG day estradiol levels, endometrial thickness on hCG day, total oocyte number retrieved, MII oocyte number, and pregnancy rate. In the HH subgroups, patient ages were significantly lower in the >15 oocyte retrieved group. Although patients with HH have a long-term estrogen deficiency, their response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation treatment is similar to normal women. However, the HH group is heterogeneous and estimating the ovarian reserve before treatment is not always possible in this group.

Objective: Placental growth factor (PlGF) is an angiogenetic factor and inducts the development of preeclampsia in a hypoxic environment. In this study, we examined maternal blood PlGF levels in a pregnant population between 16 and 19 weeks of gestation for determining the prospective value for early diagnosis of preeclampsia as a screening test., Materials and Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 114 nulliparous normotensive pregnant women were selected for the control group and 34 patients who have chronic hypertension or had a medical history of hypertensive disorders in previous pregnancies were selected for the study group., Results: In the study group, the risk of preeclampsia increased 3.2 times when compared with the control with a confidence interval of 95 %. The cut-off value for PlGF for discriminating preeclamptic and non-preeclamptic patients was found to be 62.5 pg/ml., Conclusion: Patients with a medical history of hypertensive disorders and low PIGF levels in early second trimester have an increased risk for preeclampsia.

Objective: Increased neonatal morbidity and mortality rates resulting from preterm delivery (PTD) remain as a problem despite increasing evidence about the physiology of uterine contractility process. More predictive signs of preterm labor detected on prenatal ultrasonography like the presence of cervical gland area (CGA) on transvaginal ultrasonography can be a reassuring finding among patients with threatened labor risk., Methods: In this prospective study, 85 pregnant patients at 24-34 weeks of gestation who attended to our high risk pregnancy clinic for threatened labor between March 2011 and March 2012 have been examined by transvaginal ultrasonography to evaluate CGA located around the endocervical canal. Following discharge, the gestational week at birth, birth weight and birth route of patients have been recorded., Results: Among patients with a cervical length (CL) <30 mm and ≥30 mm measured by transvaginal ultrasonography on admission, 82.4% of the patients with a short cervix exhibiting echolucent endocervical glandular area and 42.3% of the patients with short cervix exhibiting echogen endocervical glandular area on sonography delivered at term (p = 0.013)., Conclusion: The presence of CGA detected on transvaginal ultrasonography especially when combined with the evaluation of CL during the management of patients with threatened labor can be a reassuring sign for actual probability of PTD.

Objective: Prenatal cytogenetic diagnostic methods for the diagnosis of fetal chromosomal anomalies have been used reliably over the last 40 years. Advanced maternal age has become a basic indication for amniocentesis., Methods: We examined the results of the chromosome analyses of 3485 women that had amniocentesis for any reason during their antenatal care in our perinatology clinic in 2007-2009. Amniocentesis was performed for advanced maternal age in 1456 women (41.8%) and for other reasons in the remaining 2029 women (58.2%). Chromosomal anomalies were examined numerically and structurally., Results: When the amniocentesis results of the patients were reviewed as numerically normal or abnormal; 40 (2.7%) of 1456 amniocentesis procedures performed for advanced maternal age, 5 (0.9%) of 531 procedures performed for an increased double-test risk and 14 (1.3%) of 1095 procedures performed for an increased triple test risk were found to have chromosomal aneuploidy., Conclusions: Maternal age is still the most prevalent indication for genetic amniocentesis other than positive prenatal screening tests. Among women with advanced maternal age, prenatal ultrasonography for soft markers of chromosomal aneuploidy accompanied with maternal serum biochemical screening tests should be evaluated during the decision making process of genetic amniocentesis.

Female adnexial tumors of probable Wolffian origin (FATWO) are rare tumors derived from the remnants of the mesonephric duct. These tumors generally exhibit a low malignant potential, but recurrence and or metastasis is possible during the course of the disease according to the tumors' possible malignant potential. We report a case of FATWO without estrogen and progesterone receptors and with negative immunostaining for Ki-67 (a proliferation marker) as a probable low-malignant-potential tumor. A 55-year-old woman presented with a complaint of heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain. Pre-operative ultrasonographic evaluation revealed an intramural uterine leiomyoma of 4 cm in diameter and a right adnexial solid mass measuring 5 cm in diameter. Following total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, immunostaining based on the labeled streptavidin-biotin method was performed on sections from representative blocks of paraffin-embedded tissues sampled from the mass, revealing a low mitotic index with negative Ki-67 immunostaining. Immunohistochemical staining with promising new markers and pathological investigation of the entire tumor are needed to determine the malignant behavior of an individual FATWO. Ki-67 is a helpful marker for determining Wolffian duct tumors' potential malignant behavior.

Objective: Adhesion formation frequently occurs after abdominopelvic surgery and can cause significant morbidity for patients. Meticulous hemostasis, minimal access surgery and utilization of surgical adjuvants intraoperatively are clinically useful measures to minimize adhesion formation. We investigated the clinical efficiency of oral Ricinus oil treatment for 8 days postoperatively to decrease adhesion formation in this case-control study in a rat model., Study Design: Following computer-generated randomization, 24 female Wistar-albino rats were operated on, with 10 standard cautery lesions on the right uterine horn and two simple suture lesions on left uterine horn generated with absorbable material. Half (n=12) the rats received 0.13 g (0.2 ml) Ricinus oil emulsion (40 g/60 ml) via the oral route during the first 8 days postoperatively, and the remaining rats (n=11) were considered as controls. The extent, severity, degree, total adhesion scores and histopathological features of the adhesions were the main outcome measures., Results: The degree and total adhesion formation scores in the Ricinus oil group and control group revealed significant differences in adhesion extent and severity. The total adhesion scores of the Ricinus oil and control groups were 3.00 ± 2.21 and 5.18 ± 2.78 respectively (P<0.05). Differences in type of inflammation, extent of inflammation and vascularization were statistically insignificant for suture and cautery lesions individually (P>0.05)., Conclusions: Ricinus oil treatment following abdominopelvic surgery for the 8-day period that covers the completion of tissue healing process may be a promising, cheap and cost-effective treatment strategy for patients., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: In this study, the Ki-67 proliferative indices among the stages of the endometriosis were compared to clarify whether the proliferation was increased with increasing disease stage., Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight patients who underwent surgery either by laparotomy or by laparoscopy with the diagnosis of endometriosis and 21 patients, as controls, who underwent hysterectomy with the diagnosis of myoma uteri and without any endometrial pathology at our hospital between 2005 and 2007 were studied. Biopsy specimens of endometriotic foci and endometriomas in study group, and eutopic endometrium of hysterectomy specimens of control group were studied., Results: Fifty-nine patients were divided into Group 1 (21 patients in control), Group 2 (19 patients in stage I and II of endometriosis), and Group 3 (19 patients in stage III and IV). A moderate correlation between the stage of endometriosis and the degree of Ki-67 staining was found. When Ki-67 immunohistochemical staining was considered according to the threshold value for CA-125 (35 U/mL), Ki-67 positivity was increased with the increase in CA-125 value, but this increase was not statistically significant., Conclusion: Endometriosis shows some characteristics of tumors such as high rate of invasion, getting autonomy, and proliferation as the disease progresses with subsequent damage to target organs. When the stage of the disease increases, environment becomes more suitable for increased proliferation and invasion. In this study, the increase in proliferative activity as the severity increases is shown by the increase in Ki-67 index. As more studies are being conducted in this field, pathogenesis will be clarified, which could help in the development of new treatment modalities., (Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: Early diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is important for both maternal and fetal health. The literature has varying recommendations about one-step and two-step tests for GDM screening and diagnosis. The present study aimed to investigate the difference in the cost and duration of hospital stay of a one-step procedure compared to a two-step procedure, which is routinely performed in our hospital., Materials and Methods: The two-step procedure was performed in 2,724 pregnant women, and the one-step procedure was performed in 185 pregnant women. The one-step and two-step screening procedures for gestational diabetes were compared with respect to the duration of hospital stay and cost., Results: The test cost per woman was 0.75 TL less in the one-step procedure; however, the duration of the one-step test was 18.6 min longer, and the number of blood sampling procedures was 1.08 times higher., Conclusion: The one-step method may be preferred over the two-step (or glucose challenge) test due to its diagnostic value and lower cost.

Aim: To assess a maternal serum level of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a useful clinical parameter in prediction of pre-eclampsia severity and, to evaluate the correlation between hs-CRP and body mass index (BMI)., Material & Methods: Using cross-sectional study design, CRP was measured by a high sensitive immunoturbidimetric method between 24 and 40 weeks of gestation in normotensive controls (n = 115), in mild (n = 63) and severe (n = 34) pre-eclamptic patients. The receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to estimate the optimal threshold score of hs-CRP., Results: For disease severity evaluation, a hs-CRP concentration of 9.66 mg/L was determined as cut-off point with 88% sensitivity, 81% specificity, 71% positive predictive value and 92% negative predictive value. When all three groups of patients were adjusted for gestational age [24(°/7) -27,(6/7) 28(°/7) -33,(6/7) 34(°/7) -40(6/7) ] and BMI, hs-CRP levels of severe pre-eclamptic patients were significantly higher than mild ones and controls in the study group with BMI < 25 kg/m(2) (P < 0.001). In the study group with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2), only severe pre-eclamptic patients between 28(°/7) and 33(6/7) weeks of gestation had significantly higher hs-CRP levels when compared with control and mild pre-eclamptic group (P < 0.001). When the patients were subgrouped as high (≥ 9.66 mg/L) and low hs-CRP group (< 9.66 mg/L), adverse outcomes for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome and intrauterine growth-restricted baby were statistically significant higher in high hs-CRP group (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001, respectively)., Conclusion: Elevated level of hs-CRP is a useful parameter in the severity of clinical risk of pre-eclampsia in patients with BMI < 25 kg/m(2) at third trimester., (© 2010 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2010 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Introduction: A pregnant patient, with term intrauterine fetal demise, who developed cardiopulmonary arrest during labor, followed by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) secondary to amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) that was treated with Recombinant Factor VIIa, is presented., Case Report: A 22-year-old Turkish woman was admitted to our antenatal clinic at 39 weeks 6 days of gestation with a complaint of decreased fetal movements for the previous 3 days. Shortly after presentation, she was noted to have circumoral cyanosis with shortness of breath and sudden loss of consciousness. After a 3,220 g macerated male fetus was delivered, persistent bleeding occurred in the mother and was managed with Recombinant Factor VIIa at a dose of 90 mcg/kg. She died 8 days after the admission due to multiple organ failure., Conclusion: Recombinant Factor VIIa may be a treatment option for hemorrhage in patients with DIC related to AFE.

Objective: The debate about the timing of diagnostic laparoscopy in unexplained infertile women has been investigated in this prospective study., Study Design: A total of 328 infertile women who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy for investigation of infertility at any stage of their infertility management from April 2001 to April 2003 were investigated. When the study group was resized according to the inclusion criteria 191 unexplained infertile patients were included. Preoperative and postoperative treatment strategies were compared. The correlation between hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy findings was identified. The results were evaluated using SPSS version 10.0 for Windows., Results: A total of 106 patients were primary and 85 were secondary infertile. The mean ages of primary and secondary infertile patients were 27 +/- 5 and 29 +/- 5, respectively. Sixty percent of primary and 69% of secondary infertile patients had pelvic pathologies. Treatment strategies of 29 (43%) primary infertile and 27 (49%) secondary infertile patients with infertility-related risk factors changed after diagnostic laparoscopy., Conclusion: Diagnostic laparoscopy in preparation for operative procedures (especially for secondary infertile women) should be performed initially in all unexplained infertile patients with or without risk factors related to pelvic pathologies.

Introduction: Neu-Laxova syndrome (NLS) is a very rare and extremely lethal syndrome almost always inherited by autosomal recessive pattern., Case Presentation: A 21-year-old G2 P1 L0 Turkish woman was first seen at 18 weeks of gestation in antenatal policlinic. On ultrasound examination performed at 20 weeks of gestation for excluding gross abnormalities showed no abnormality and biometry of the fetus was concordant with date of gestation. She stopped follow-up after then. The woman were presented to emergency unit with a complaint of absent fetal movements at 38 weeks of gestation. Multiple abnormalities consistent with NLS have been seen on sonography. Nonvisible gastric cavity was also seen on sonography. Postmortem examination by genetics specialists confirmed the diagnosis of NLS., Conclusion: Neu-Laxova syndrome must be monitored continuously from the beginning of gestation to third trimester via serial ultrasonographies that is focused on previously described features of syndrome especially for consanguineous couples with or without a previous affected fetus.

Background: XY gonadal dysgenesis is characterized by streak gonads in phenotypic females without somatic abnormalities. This case demonstrated a hypoplastic uterus, an unlikely finding for the syndrome, suggesting insufficient function of antimüllerian hormone prenatally., Case: A 20-year-old, female virgin was first seen 2 years earlier complaining of primary amenorrhea. She was 168 cm tall, and secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and pubic and axillary hair, were absent on physical examination. Chromosome analysis with fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed 46,XY, and a molecular investigation was undertaken to assess the possibility of a mutation in SRY through DNA sequencing. SRY mutations were absent. Bilateral laparoscopic removal of dysgenetic gonads was performed at another medical center immediately after genetic confirmation for an increased risk of malignancy. When the patient was seen 1 year later, we performed ultrasonography because of no menstrual outflow. Pelvic ultrasonography revealed a hypoplastic uterus (26 x 12 mm) with a rudimentary cervix., Conclusion: Clinical phenotypes of different mutations of the Y chromosome, particularly on SRY, may cause Swyer syndrome patients to have a uterus with fertility potential after oocyte donation.

Objective: Shock index (SI) and predictive score grading system including it for predicting medical treatment failure of tubal pregnancies have been studied., Study Design: Eighty-eight patients were diagnosed as nonruptured tubal pregnancies. Shock index was calculated as the ratio of heart rate to systolic arterial pressure. A predictive score was used based on four parameters including initial level of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (betahCG), aspect of the image on ultrasound, size of the ectopic mass and shock index value at admission., Results: Forty patients have undergone to surgery because of tubal gestational sac size > or =4 cm and/or presence of fetal heart activity. Nineteen patients were managed expectantly. Twenty-four patients received single dose methotrexate (MTX) and five patients received second dose MTX. Success rate for single dose MTX therapy was 72% (21/29). The cut-off shock index value for tubal rupture was 0.77 with 89% sensitivity and 61% specifity., Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that tubal pregnancy patients who were managed with nonsurgical measures at admission and who had SI values lower than 0.77 and predictive score grades greater and equal to 6.5 did not experience tubal rupture and did not need surgical intervention during nonsurgical management.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of a new regimen of 800 microg misoprostol administered intravaginally every 6 h up to a maximum of three doses in 24 h for second trimester pregnancy termination., Methods: A total of 66 women seeking termination of second trimester pregnancy (30 fetal structural anomaly, six chromosomal abnormality and 30 fetal death) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: (i) intravaginal misoprostol moistened with 3 ml of 5% acetic acid in group A (n = 33); or (ii) intravaginal misoprostol moistened with 3 ml of saline in group B (n = 33)., Results: The overall median (range) induction-abortion interval was 10 h (2-46) [10 h (4-35) in 36 live fetuses and 9 h (2-46) in 30 dead fetuses, P = 0.515]. All of the patients in both groups aborted within 48 h (100% success rate). The median (range) induction-abortion interval revealed a significantly faster delivery time (P < 0.001) in group A [8 h (2-24)] than in group B [14 h (3-46)]., Conclusions: This new regimen of 800 microg of vaginal misoprostol every 6 h for a maximum of three doses in 24 h was an effective alternative method for second trimester abortion. In addition, misoprostol moistened with acetic acid was significantly more effective than misoprostol moistened with saline.