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This study aimed to determine sexual dysfunction (SD) and erectile disorder (ED) prevalence and analyze risk factors in older men of infertile couples. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on male partners in infertile couples who were aged between 40–60 years. The study took place at the Hue Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Hue University Hospital, Viet Nam from January 2022 to August 2023. All participants were examinated and were privately asked to answer the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-15 questionaires vietnamese-language version to diagnose sexual dysfunction and erectile disorder. The study sample consisted of 81 qualified men. The prevalence of SD was 51.9% (N = 42), of which the rate of ED accounted for 46.9% (N = 38). Among the 42 cases of SD, 37 were mild cases (45.8%), 1 was moderate (1.2%) and 4 were severe (4.9%). In all five sexual domains, it was found that the severity of SD was associated with lower scores (p < 0.001). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) was associated with severity of SD (p = 0.044). The decrease in scores of sexual desire and satisfaction could significantly affect sperm vitality and DNA fragmentation index. Age, number of living children and economic income were statistically correlated to SD domains (p < 0.05). Sexual dysfunction is a comprehensive disorder that affects each of the four phases of the sexual response cycle in older infertile men. It is a common disorder that could affect semen quality, leading to total sexual dysfunction and erectile disorder. Factors such as age, term births history, number of living children, geography and economic income are demography-sociology risk factors. Additionally, CVD with vascular endothelial damage mechanism has a statistically significant relationship with the severity of sexual dysfunction.

Abstract Background: Vitrification is a recently introduced yet widely applied assisted reproduction technique. So far, the effects of the chemicals and devices in vitrification on sperm motility and DNA integrity are still unclear. Objective: This study aimed to examine sperm quality, as determined by semen analysis and sperm DNA integrity when vitrified with or without cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) using pulled-glass capillaries. Materials and Methods: Between February and June 2020, 50 infertile men from the Hue Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam, were enrolled. Sperm samples, prepared using the swim-up technique, were divided into 2 groups: vitrification with CPAs (group 1) and without CPAs (group 2). Vitrified sperm samples were preserved in 10 µL pulled-glass capillaries. Motility, sperm membrane integrity, and the DNA fragmentation index were tested. Results: Sperm motility in vitrified media with CPAs (54.4 ± 11%) was statistically higher than in media without CPAs (51.14 ± 10.6%, p < 0.05). CPAs did not affect sperm membrane integrity or large halo ratio (71.34 ± 8.47 vs. 70.38 ± 8.11 and 50.84 ± 18.92 vs. 51.98 ± 19.44, respectively). Group 2 exhibited a lower DNA fragmentation index than group 1 after vitrification (14.2 ± 8.47 vs. 12.60 ± 9.03, p = 0.021). Conclusion: Using a pulled-glass capillary for sperm vitrification, the presence of CPAs in the vitrification medium resulted in higher progressive motility and lower DNA fragmentation index than the medium without CPAs.

Candida nivariensis is emerging as a highly resistant species of the Candida glabrata complex causing invasive and mucocutaneous infections. In this study, three cases of vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by C. nivariensis are described and identified by Internal Transcribed Spacer 1–2 sequencing. All isolates were susceptible in vitro to anidulafungin, micafungin, caspofungin, 5-flucytosine, posaconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B, and showed dose-dependent susceptibility to fluconazole. In two patients, three doses of oral fluconazole were effective, while one patient developed clinical fluconazole resistance with a new relapse after 6 months. Increasing the weekly dose of fluconazole showed to be effective in this patient.

Abstract Background Spermatogenesis and sperm quality may be negatively impacted by an increase in reactive oxygen species. This study investigates the efficacy of combined antioxidant therapy for treating male infertility, as measured by semen analyses and the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Infertile men with a high sperm DNA fragmentation index were instructed to take two oral micronutrient capsules daily for three months. Each antioxidant formulation contained 60 mg vitamin E, 400 µg folic acid, 30 mg selenium, 125 mg L-arginine, 220 mg L-carnitine, 7.5 mg coenzyme Q10, 40 mg L-glutathione, and 20 mg zinc citrate. At entry and post-treatment, the general characteristics, semen analysis, and sperm chromatin dispersion assays were recorded and compared. Results After three months of treatment with antioxidant compounds, the quality of spermatozoa improved significantly, as indicated by a decrease in the mean DNA fragmentation index from 45.6 ± 17.2% to 34.8 ± 20.3%; an increase in sperm concentration from 29.7 × 106/mL to 35.7 × 106/mL (p

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of inositol and metformin on the clinical characteristics, and endocrine and metabolic profiles of infertile polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women from Vietnam. Methods: From June 2018 to August 2022, a randomized trial was undertaken at the Hue Center for Endocrinology and Reproduction on infertile women aged 18 to 40 years with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The clinical, endocrine, and metabolic features of these individuals were assessed before and after 3 months of treatment with 2 g of inositol or 1700 mg of metformin per day. Natural pregnancy rates, adverse effects, and tolerance of inositol were recorded. Results: The study included 171 infertile PCOS women who were eligible to participate and took part in the baseline assessment, of whom 132 women participated in data analysis after 3 months. After metformin treatment, 42.1% of women with oligomenorrhea experienced regular menstruation. Metformin significantly lowered body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and testosterone levels, but had no effect on other clinical characteristics, endocrine profiles, or metabolic profiles. 29.2% Of women reported experiencing side effects. 21% Of them attained pregnancy, which resulted in 17.1% of live births. In the inositol group, the rate of regular cycle increased by 18.2% and the total testosterone concentration significantly decreased. In overweight/obese women with PCOS, inositol significantly decreased weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences (P

Objectives This study aimed to determine the relationship between oxidative stress (OS) measured by the oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) and the results of semen analysis among men from infertile couples. Methods This cross-sectional study included 166 men from infertile couples, determined according to the World Health Organization guidelines. The general characteristics, semen analysis, sperm chromatin dispersion assay, and ORP of all subjects were evaluated and analyzed statistically. Results Among 166 men from infertile couples, individuals with OS had a significantly higher DNA fragmentation index (DFI) than men without OS (22.37% ± 11.67% vs. 17.98% ± 8.98%). The sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility rate, and normal morphology were negatively correlated, while and an abnormal head and neck–tail were positively correlated with ORP. There was also a positive association between the DFI and OS level. The optimal ORP threshold for determining sperm quality was 0.77 mV/10 6 sperm/mL (sensitivity, 50.4%; specificity, 93.5%; positive predictive value, 52.9%; negative predictive value, 32.3%). Conclusions Determining the ORP suggests that OS has an adverse effect on the total sperm count, sperm motility, sperm concentration, morphology, vitality, and DNA fragmentation index.

Abstract Background: Ureaplasma urealyticum (U. urealyticum) and Mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium) may colonize the male genital tract. However, the negative effects of these bacteria on overall sperm quality, including semen pH, sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and total sperm count remain unclear. Objective: This study aimed to determine the presence of genital U. urealyticum and M. genitalium in semen and evaluate the effect of these organisms on sperm quality. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 380 men from infertile couples at a tertiary university hospital from July 2017 to June 2018. Semen quality was analyzed according to the World Health Organization 2010 standard, and U. urealyticum and M. genitalium were detected in the semen samples using polymerase chain reaction. Results: 338 men (88.9%) presented with at least one abnormal semen parameter. The detection rates of U. urealyticum and M. genitalium were 16.05% and 0.79%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the Ureaplasma-positive group and the Ureaplasma-negative group in terms of sperm characteristics. Sperm motility and sperm vitality in the Mycoplasma-positive group were much lower than those in the Mycoplasma-negative group (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The presence of U. urealyticum in the semen of infertile men did not affect the sperm characteristics. Although the positive rate of M. genitalium was low, colonization by these bacteria was more likely to negatively affect sperm quality.

Résumé Contexte Une association directe entre le syndrome métabolique (MetS) et la production/fonction des spermatozoïdes a été proposée. Dans cette étude transversale, nous avons cherché à déterminer l’impact du MetS sur le taux de survie des spermatozoïdes (TSS). Des hommes issus de couples inféconds traités à l’hôpital universitaire de Hue, au Vietnam, ont été inclus dans cette étude qui s’est. étendue sur la période d’octobre 2018 à octobre 2020. Les caractéristiques générales des patients, y compris l’indice de masse corporelle (IMC), le rapport taille-hanche, les niveaux de différents paramètres biochimiques et les paramètres de sperme ont été déterminés, ainsi que les taux de survie des spermatozoïdes (TSS). Le panel modifié du traitement des adultes (ATP III) du Programme National d’Education sur le Cholestérol (NCEP) pour la population asiatique a été utilisé pour le diagnostic de MetS. Résultats Les hommes avec un tour de taille anormal (≥ 90 cm) ont montré un taux plus élevé de résultats anormaux de SST (30,1% versus 16,7%, p = 0,012). La fréquence de résultats anormaux de TSS chez les patients avec MetS (72.3%) était significativement plus élevée que celle des individus sans MetS (53,4%) (p = 0,02). En outre, le pourcentage de résultats anormaux de TSS chez les patients avec MetS et avec un BMI ≥ 23 était significativement plus élevé que celui des individus sans MetS (77,1% versus 55,2%, p = 0,03). On a également observé de faibles corrélations négatives entre l’âge des patients et les résultats du TSS. Conclusion La viabilité des spermatozoïdes était plus faible chez les hommes atteints de MetS. Nous avons également observé que l’âge et l’IMC étaient des facteurs indépendants associés à un TSS anormal.

Abstract Background Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is one of the leading causes of early neonatal morbidity and mortality in late preterm infants (LPIs) worldwide. This matched cohort study aimed to assess how the antenatal dexamethasone use affect the respiratory distress (RD) proportion in preterm newborns between 34 0/7 weeks and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation. Methods This was a prospective cohort study on 78 women with singleton pregnancy who were in threatened preterm birth and had not received prior dexamethasone, who were admitted between 34 0/7 weeks and 36 6/7 weeks at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from June 2018 to May 2020. The matched control group without dexamethasone use included 78 pregnant women diagnosed with threatened late preterm births who were at similar gestational ages and estimated fetal weights as the treatment group. The treatment group received 6 mg intramuscular dexamethasone every 12 h for a total of 4 doses or until delivery. Primary outcome was the rate of neonatal RD. Secondary neonatal outcomes included the need for respiratory support, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, hypoglycemia, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, and neonatal death. Statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS software, version 26.0. Results The proportion of RD in LPI was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the matched control group (10.3% vs. 23.1%, respectively), adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10 – 0.83 and p = 0.021. Neonatal hypoglycemia was more common in the dexamethasone group than in the matched group (25.6% vs. 12.8%, respectively; aOR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.06 – 6.33; p = 0.037). There were no significant between-groups differences in the incidence of respiratory support, NICU admission or length of hospital stay. Conclusions Administration of antenatal dexamethasone to women at risk for late preterm birth could help to lower the proportion of respiratory distress in late preterm infants.

Abstract Purpose This study compared the therapeutic effects of transdermal testosterone gel (TTG) application at 4 and 6 weeks before controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in women with poor ovarian response (POR). Methods In this randomized control trial, infertile women with POR who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) were recruited and randomly classified into 4 week (n = 42) and 6 week (n = 38) TTG treatment groups and control group (n = 42). The primary outcome was total number of retrieved mature oocytes. The secondary outcomes were the biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and ongoing pregnancy rate. Results No significant differences were observed in the number of oocytes retrieved, mature oocytes and embryos between all groups. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) positive, clinical, and ongoing pregnancy rates were significantly higher in the TTG pretreatment groups than in the control group but no differences were observed between the 4‐ and 6 week groups. Conclusions Applying TTG in infertile women with POR may ameliorate the outcomes of IVF. The extended application of TTG to 6 weeks did not improve the response to ovarian stimulation regarding the number of retrieved oocytes nor pregnancy outcomes compared to the 4 week pretreatment.

Uterine torsion is an extremely rare pregnancy-related complication. Its diagnosis is often difficult due to unspecific clinical symptoms, which can be mistaken for other conditions such as placental abruption. A 23-year-old pregnant woman with gestational age of 25 weeks presented with acute abdominal pain and hypertonic uterus. Vaginal examination revealed a septated vagina, double cervix, and double uterus. Bedside sonography revealed absence of fetal cardiac activity and signs of placental abruption. The patient was emergently operated with a preliminary diagnosis of severe placental abruption in the uterus didelphys. During surgery, we noted a double uterus and the fetus had implanted in the right uterus, which was twisted 180 degrees to the left. After detorsion, a low transverse hysterotomy was performed to extract the dead fetus. However, subsequently, the patient developed uterine atony. Subtotal hysterectomy and right adnexectomy were inevitable due to failure of conservative treatment with B-lynch suture. The patient’s postoperative condition was stable, and she was discharged after 5 days.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the role of presurgical markers in the prediction of sperm retrieval by conventional Multiple Testicular Sperm Extraction in infertile Vietnamese men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Patients and Methods: Retrospective descriptive analysis of 136 infertile men with azoospermia, examined from August 2014 to July 2018. Patients underwent stepwise surgical sperm retrieval via percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration, testicular sperm aspiration, then conventional multiple testicular sperm extraction in up to three locations, and procedures stopped as soon as sperm were detected. Factors were analyzed to determine the prediction of the likelihood of successful sperm retrieval, in men with NOA. Results: The overall success rate of sperm retrieval in men with azoospermia was 49.3%, but it was only 18.4% in NOA group. The difference in testicular volume between men with successful sperm retrieval and unsuccessful sperm retrieval was not statistically significant in NOA group (5.68 ± 2.37 vs. 4.46 ± 2.83, p = 0.138). The differences in the endocrine tests between the two groups were also not significant in terms of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone (p > 0.05). Multivariable analysis of predictive factors of sperm retrieval in NOA groups found no significant difference, except testicular density (p = 0.015). Conclusions: In infertile men with NOA, neither an endocrine test nor testicular volume should be used for predicting the results of surgical sperm retrieval by conventional multiple testicular sperm extraction.

Objective This study was performed to determine the effect of swim-up (SU) and density gradient centrifugation (DGC) on sperm survival and DNA fragmentation. Methods Individual semen samples were analyzed before each was divided into two aliquots (half for SU and half for DGC) for calculation of sperm survival and the DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Sperm DNA fragmentation was determined using the sperm chromatin dispersion test. Results The DFI of the 63 semen samples processed using both procedures was lower than that of the fresh semen samples. The DFI was significantly lower for samples processed using the SU than DGC method. In the sperm survival test, the SU technique was associated with increased sperm motility and vitality following preparation. After 24 hours, however, the concentration and percentage of surviving sperm were significantly lower in the SU than DGC group. Conclusions Both semen preparation techniques help to minimize sperm DNA fragmentation; however, when the DFI is

Objective: To determine the relationship between a Chlamydia trachomatis PCR positive diagnosis from cervical canal swabs and the presence of tubal diseases among infertile women in Vietnam. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, women who sought infertility treatment at the Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Hue University Hospital, Vietnam, from June 2016 to June 2017 were enrolled. All study participants were interviewed, and PCR tests were then performed to diagnose Chlamydia from cervical canal swabs. Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) was carried out to examine the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes. Results: Among 568 women whose mean age was 32.0 ± 5.1 years, the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection as detected by PCR was 5.8%. Eighty-one percent (460/568) of infertile women had normal HSG results, and abnormal HSG results were more frequent in women over 35 years old, in women with secondary infertility, and in those with a history of miscarriage or genital tract infection. However, there was no relationship between C. trachomatis PCR positivity and HSG results in infertile women. Conclusions: The diagnosis of C. trachomatis infection using the cervical swabs is the useful but not an effective method for routine practice for predicting tubal obstruction in infertile women.

Introduction: The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is regarded as a self-administered screening questionnaire for assessing the presence of any type of sexual dysfunction. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Vietnamese translation version of the Female Sexual Function Index (VN-FSFI) in a sample of infertile Vietnamese women. Methods: An existing Vietnamese translated-FSFI version was used as a first-step approach to back-translate into English. Based on the comparison of the original English version and the back-translation script, a modified version of the FSFI was revised. This version was evaluated for “content validity” by a panel of 3 experts and for “face validity” by a pilot study that was based on its results to refine to reach the last Vietnamese FSFI version (VN-FSFI version). A cross-sectional survey to investigate psychometric reliability and validity of the last VN-FSFI version was conducted with 271 infertile Vietnamese women from January 2017 through February 2018, at a hospital located in a central region of Vietnam. Construct validity was evaluated by principal component analysis using varimax rotation and factor analysis. Reliability studies on internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, domain inter-correlations, and domain-total correlations) and on test-retest (Intraclass correlation coefficient). Main Outcome Measure: Construct validity and the reliability of the VN-FSFI version. Results: Based on principal component analysis, a 5-factor model was established, consisting of arousal/orgasm, satisfaction, pain, lubrication, and desire that explained 72.32% of the total variance. The factorial structure supported to 6 retrieved domains that corresponded to the original version. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were 0.92 for the total scale and 0.72−0.89 for the domains. Domain inter-correlations ranged from 0.36−0.73 and domain-total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.67−0.84. Test-retest correlation coefficients over 2−4 weeks were 0.97 (P < .001) for the total scale and 0.84−0.96 for the domains. Conclusion: With good psychometric properties, which are almost similar to the original English version, this Vietnamese translation version of the Female Sexual Function Index (VN-FSFI version) was proved to be a valid and reliable instrument to measure multidimensional aspects of sexual function in infertile Vietnamese women.Ho TTT, Le MT, Truong QV, et al. Validation of the Vietnamese Translation Version of the Female Sexual Function Index in Infertile Patients. Sex Med 2019;8:57–64. Key Words: Infertility, Vietnamese Version, Female Sexual Function Index

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between sperm quality assessed by routine semen analysis and sperm DNA integrity assay. Methods In our cross‐sectional study, a total of 318 men from the infertile couples were enrolled from December 2017 to March 2019 at the Hue Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Vietnam. General characteristics and semen parameters were detected. The sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was estimated by the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) assay. A threshold of DFI 30% was applied to classify normal (DFI

Objectives: The frequency of, and relationship between, the various manifestations of male sexual dysfunction in infertile couples have been poorly investigated, especially in Vietnam. Our study aims to assess the prevalence of premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction in infertile couples using validated instruments, and the relationship between these disorders. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study, using validated questionnaires including the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) and the International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15), to measure the incidence of these problems in 255 male partners of infertile couples who were examined from January through December 2017, at the Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Hue University Hospital. Results: The prevalence of overt premature ejaculation was 4.7%, probable premature ejaculation was 7.1%, and erectile dysfunction was 26.3% (mild: 19.3%, mild-to-moderate: 3.9%, moderate: 2.7%, and severe: 0.4%). The PEDT total score was negatively correlated to IIEF-15-EFD and IIEF-15 total scores (r =−0.322 and r =−0.348, respectively). Conclusions:In light of the identified prevalence of premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction in the studied population, screening for these conditions should be included in the evaluation of infertile couples. These two disorders could negatively reciprocal effect on each other.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of prolonged post-thaw embryos culture on pregnancy outcome during frozen embryo transfer cycles. Methods: This prospective cohort study evaluated 324 thaw transfer cycles with 819 embryos from 269 patients at the Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility of Hue University Hospital in Vietnam. These frozen embryo transfer cycles were divided into two groups at the time of thawing: the short culture group (2-hour post-thaw culture) and the overnight culture group (overnight culture for 18 h) before the embryo was transferred into the uterus. The rates of embryo intact, grade A embryo at frozen and transfer time and continuing cleavage were recorded. The clinical outcomes including serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, clinical pregnancy and implantation rate were evaluated after 14 days, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, respectively, after embryo transfer. Results: Human chorionic gonadotropin positive occurred in 39.5% of patients in the short culture group compared to 25.9% in the overnight culture group with risk difference (RD)=13.6%, relative risk (RR)=1.343, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.085-1.663, P35 years) and women who received 3 embryos, pregnancy outcomes were found to be significantly (P

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome on sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in males from infertile couples. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed from September 2018 to September 2019 at the Hue Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (HUECREI), Vietnam. The study included men from couples with at least one year of infertility, who were subjected to semen analysis and SDF assay (Halosperm). We also performed a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test and measured lipidemia. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined based on the NHLBI/AHA-ATP III guidelines. Results: The mean age of the patients was 35.26 ± 5.87 years and 53.8% of them had a BMI ≥23.0 kg/m2. The DNA fragmentation index was significantly associated with overweight (p = 0.024). Men without MetS had a higher rate of big halos and a lower rate of small halos, no halos, and degraded semen compared to that in men with MetS, but the differences were not significant (p > 0.05). By performing multivariable analysis, we found that the SDF value was significantly different among the two groups with either overweight or normal weight. Conclusion: In males from infertile couples with a relatively young mean age, BMI can be an independent indicator for SDF. MetS thus has a significant role in the development of sperm DNA fragmentation, at least in overweight individuals; it should thus be assessed under the scope of BMI, for better/earlier detection of increased SDF.

Background: Pregnant women with cardiac diseases present a challenge for both obstetricians and cardiologists, especially in developing countries with limited medical resources. This study aimed to determine the clinical features and pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women with cardiac diseases in Vietnam. Methods: In this patient registry descriptive study, pregnant women with heart disease, admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hue Central Hospital, Vietnam, between January 2017 and December 2020, were recruited. Pregnant women were classified into the high-risk group if at least one of the following risk clinical features was present: (1) left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) II or cyanosis, or (3) left heart obstruction; patients without these risk conditions were categorized into the low-risk group. Results: A total of 134 pregnant women were included, with a mean age of 27.8 ± 4.8 years old; 32.1% had mitral valve disease, 23.9% had rhythm disorders, 15.7% had congenital heart disease, 9.0% had aortic valve disease, and 3.0% had both mitral and aortic valve disease. Maternal complications during pregnancy included heart failure (37.3%), irregular heart rhythm (35.8%), thrombosis (0.7%), and valve blockage (0.7%). A total of 66.7% of the high-risk patients underwent cesarean section, 22.2% with therapeutic abortion, and 11.1% with miscarriage. The frequency of gestational age over 35 weeks in the high-risk and low-risk groups were 55.6% and 92.8%, respectively (Odds ratios = 0.097, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.02–0.43, p < 0.05). The mean birth weight in the high-risk and low-risk groups was 2800.0 ± 438.2 and 2988.4 ± 390.6 g, p > 0.05, respectively. Conclusions: Cardiovascular disorders in pregnant women have a higher rate of complications that affect mother and fetus. Risk stratification plays an important role in management during pregnancy and is essential to improve the outcomes in developing countries with limited medical resources.

BackgroundPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies among reproductive-age women. Its metabolic features often overlap with those associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin resistance syndrome (IRS). The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of MS and IRS in infertile Vietnamese women with PCOS.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary fertility centre at Hue University Hospital from June 2016 to November 2017. A total of 441 infertile women diagnosed with PCOS based on the revised 2003 Rotterdam consensus criteria were enrolled. MS and IRS were defined based on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/American Heart Association Adult Treatment Panel III 2005 and American College of Endocrinology IRS 2003 criteria, respectively. Complete clinical and biochemical measurements of 318 women were available for analysis. Independent predictors of MS and IRS were identified using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsThe overall prevalence of MS and IRS in women with PCOS was 10.4% and 27.0%, respectively. We identified older age (>30 years) and obesity as independent predictors of MS and IRS. Elevated anti-Müllerian hormone levels increased the risk of IRS, but not that of MS.ConclusionMS and IRS are prevalent disorders among infertile Vietnamese women with PCOS. PCOS is not solely a reproductive problem. Screening and early intervention for MS and/or IRS based on anthropometric, metabolic, and reproductive hormone risk factors should be an integral part of fertility care.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether oocyte retrieval from PCOS patients affects the morphokinetics or the incidence of abnormalities in early embryonic development, using time-lapse imaging analysis. Methods: This was a prospective study in total of 39 PCOS patients and 67 women with normal ovarian function, underwent a GnRH antagonist protocol of controlled ovarian stimulation and fertilization by ICSI. 402 zygotes from the PCOS group and 449 zygotes from the control group were observed by time-lapse monitoring for 48 h following sperm injection. Results: Patients with PCOS showed a significantly higher number of retrieved oocytes, and a significantly higher number of metaphase II oocytes per cycle than that of the non-PCOS group (18.85 ± 9.41 vs. 11.48 ± 5.51 and 14.97 ± 7.43 vs. 9.51 ± 4.7, respectively). However, oocyte maturation rate and morphologically assessed embryo quality did not differ between two groups. After 48 h of the embryo culture using time-lapse video recording, most of the embryos in both groups had reached the 4-cell stage (353/449 vs. 314/402 embryos). There were no significant differences between the control and PCOS group regarding the time-points of the successive events in early embryonic development from the appearance of 2 polar bodies to the 6-cell stage. However, the percentage of t2 stages which fell in “optimal range” (>24 h and ≤28 h) was significantly lower in the PCOS group than in the control group (37.8% vs. 48.1%, P = 0.004). The proportion of embryos manifesting abnormal fertility, multinucleation, direct cleavage and reverse cleavage were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Our data indicated that PCOS does not affect the morphokinetics or incidence of abnormalities in early embryonic development. Keywords: PCOS, Time-lapse monitoring, Morphokinetics, Embryo cleavage, Early development

This study is aimed at comparing clinical pregnancy rates (CPRs) in patients who are administered either gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for ovulation trigger in intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles. A prospective randomized comparative study was conducted at Hue University Hospital in Vietnam. A total of 197 infertile women were randomly assigned to receive either GnRHa trigger (n=98 cycles) or hCG trigger (n=99 cycles) for ovulation trigger. Patients returned for ultrasound monitoring 24 hours after IUI to confirm ovulation. A clinical pregnancy was defined as the presence of gestational sac with fetal cardiac activity. There was no difference in ovulation rates in either group receiving GnRHa or hCG trigger for ovulation. Biochemical and CPR were higher in patients who received hCG (28.3% and 23.2%) versus GnRHa (14.3% and 13.3%) (p=0.023, OR 0.42, 95%CI=0.21−0.86 and p=0.096, OR 0.51, 95%CI=0.24−1.07, respectively). After adjusting for body mass index (BMI) and infertility duration, there was no difference in CPR between the two groups (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.27-1.25, p=0.163). In conclusion, the use of the GnRHa to trigger ovulation in patients undergoing ovulation induction may be considered in patients treated with IUI.