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Purpose: We sought to compare the efficacy of the letrozole (LTZ) stair-step protocol with clomiphene citrate (CC) stair-step protocol in the management of 150 mg dose of CC-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients., Methods: We retrospectively compared a total of 61 patients diagnosed as being resistant to the traditional CC protocol who were subsequently managed using the LTZ stair-step protocol with CC-resistant 56 patients who were treated with CC stair-step protocol. The number of follicles ≥18 mm, endometrial thickness, time to ovulation, clinical pregnancy rates, multiple pregnancy rates, spontaneous abortion rates, live birth rates, and systemic side effects in patients were evaluated., Results: The mean time to ovulation was significantly shorter in the LTZ stair-step group than the CC stair-step group (17.3 ± 7.7 and 22.4 ± 8.1 days, respectively, p < 0.001). The ovulation rate was significantly higher in patients treated with LTZ stair-step protocol than those treated with the CC stair-step protocol (83.6% and 64.2%, respectively, p = 0.007). The clinical pregnancy rate was higher in the LTZ stair-step than the CC stair-step group (32.7% and 17.8%, respectively, p = 0.015). LTZ stair-step group had a significantly higher live birth rate than that of the CC stair-step group (27.8% and 14.2%, respectively, p = 0.012)., Conclusion: The LTZ stair-step protocol revealed higher ovulation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates with a shorter time to achieve ovulation than the CC stair-step protocol. Increment of the dose in the same cycle in both protocols did not cause any additional severe side effects., (© 2021 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Objective: This study was aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of ovulation induction (OI) by timed intercourse with letrozole (LTZ) and clomiphene citrate (CC)., Methods: Three hundred and twenty-three patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who underwent OI with LTZ or CC between February 2017 and November 2018 were included in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into two groups as the CC group (n=148) and the LTZ group (n=175). Endometrial thickness, follicular development, ovulation, clinical pregnancy, abortion, and live birth rates of the groups were analyzed., Results: The mean endometrium thickness of the CC group was 7.1±1.7 mm, and the LTZ group was 8.6±1.8 mm (p<0.001). The ovulation rate per cycle was higher in the LTZ group (93.1%) in comparison with the CC group (83.8%) (p=0.013). Clinical pregnancy rates were 52% in the LTZ group, and 41.2% in the CC group (p=0.047). LTZ with 44% of live birth rate was superior to CC with a 33% live birth rate (p=0.029)., Conclusions: LTZ is an effective OI agent in PCOS patients. LTZ is superior to CC in terms of pregnancy rates and live birth rates. As a result, we recommend that LTZ should be the first-line treatment agent in patients with PCOS., (Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.)

To evaluate the role of ovarian reserve markers in the prediction of clinical pregnancy and embryo transfer accomplishment among poor responder IVF applicants. 304 female poor responder IVF applicants were included in this prospective cohort study conducted at the IVF-unit. Antral follicle count, FSH, LH, E2, AMH and IVF outcomes were compared in pregnant and non-pregnant groups as well as in ET vs. non-ET groups. The number of retrieved oocytes was significantly correlated positively with AMH and AFC, and negatively with FSH and age. Quartiles of FSH and AFC were similar to the rate of pregnancy. Quartiles of AMH (<25%/25-75% and <25%/>75%) were statistically significant. Mean serum levels for AMH were significantly lower in the non-ET group. Our findings seem to indicate that day 3 AMH values can predict ET accomplishment with a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 35%. Quartiles of AMH <25% (< 0.21 ng/mL) can predict the IVF results among poor responder IVF applicants. Impact statement Various cut-off values have been determined for day 3 serum AMH values. These values help to determine the groups that are expected to give normal, high or low response to stimulation and decide the treatment options. In contrast to other groups of patients, poor responders cannot reach the embryo transfer stage for several reasons. These are; absence of a mature oocyte after oocyte pick-up, fertilisation failure without male factor or poor embryo quality. In the present study; a cut-off value of 0.33 ng/mL for the prediction of ET accomplishment in poor responder patients was determined with a sensitivity of 96%. Additionally, clinical pregnancy could not be achieved under the value of 0.21 ng/mL day 3 AMH values. It is important to clarify the embryo transfer success of poor responder patients prior to expected treatment success. Pre-treatment counselling for these patients would lessen the disappointment that may develop after treatment. The cost-effectiveness of treatments below these AMH values can be determined by further studies.

In Islamic religion, daytime fasting during the month called Ramadan is an annual practice. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting and maternal hypoalbuminaemia on neonatal growth parameters. A prospective case-control study was conducted in Diyarbakir and Istanbul, Turkey. The sample size of fasting group was 168 and that of non-fasting group was 170. Demographic characteristics, obstetrics ultrasonographic findings and laboratory parameters of the participants were recorded. Neonatal anthropometric parameters and placental weight were noted. The mean placental weight was significantly higher in the fasting group (p = 0.037). Also, in the fasting group, pregnant women with hypoalbuminaemia had significantly higher placental weight (p = 0.009). In conclusion, the mean placental weight in the fasting group was significantly higher. Also a significant correlation between placental weight and maternal serum albumin level was observed in the fasting group.

The objective of this prospective case-control study was to determine whether uterine corpus and cervical length measurements have a role in dysmenorrhoea aetiology in virgins. Patients with severe primary dysmenorrhoea with visual analog scale scores of ≥7 composed the dysmenorrhoea group (n = 51), while the control group (n = 51) was of women with painless menstrual cycles or with mild pain. Longitudinal and transverse axes of the uterine cervix and uterine corpus were measured. Correlation between severity of dysmenorrhoea and uterine cervix and corpus axes was calculated. Longitudinal and transverse axes of uterine cervix as well as uterine cervix volume were significantly higher in the dysmenorrhoea group compared to the controls. There was a significant positive correlation between severity of dysmenorrhoea and the length of cervical longitudinal and transverse axes and uterine cervical volume. Our findings reveal longer cervical length and greater cervical volume in young virgin patients with dysmenorrhoea and severe pain compared to those with no or less pain.

There is growing evidence that diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) may be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of the study was to investigate whether there was any relationship between antimullerian hormone (AMH) and CVD risk markers in the study. Ninety women with DOR and 90 women with normal ovarian reserve (NOR) attending the infertility unit at XXXX, were enrolled in the study. CVD risk markers such as insulin resistance [defined by the homeostasis model assessment ratio (HOMA-IR)], C-reactive protein (CRP), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) were assessed. HOMA-IR, CRP, TG, LDL levels were higher and HDL and AMH were lower among patients with DOR compared with controls (p < 0.05, for all). There were positive associations between low AMH and HOMA-IR, CRP, TG, LDL levels and a negative correlation with HDL (p < 0.05, for all). However, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HOMA-IR, CRP, TG and HDL were independent variables that were associated with low AMH. There was a close relationship between low AMH and CVD risk markers in the study. Further studies with larger groups are needed to investigate the nature of this link in these patients.

We aimed to evaluate the role of thyroid autoantibodies (TAA) on the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (ICSI-ET). A prospective case-control study was conducted in the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) centre of Suleymaniye Maternity Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey between July 2013 and March 2014. A total of 49 (19.52%) TAA-positive and 202 TAA-negative patients were enrolled. Demographic characteristics and laboratory parameters were recorded. All patients underwent ICSI-ET. Thirty-one TAA-positive patients (32 cycles) and 121 TAA-negative patients (126 cycles) completed the study. Mean female age, body mass index (BMI), type of infertility, duration of infertility, antral follicle count (AFC), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), basal follicle stimulating hormone (bFSH), luteinising hormone (bLH), and oestradiol (bE2), prolactin and thyroid hormone profiles, male age and aetiology of infertility of both groups were similar (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in terms of duration and dose of gonadotropin (Gn) therapy, day of human chorionic Gn (hCG) administration, serum E2 and progesterone levels, number of collected oocytes, ratio of fertilisation, number of available embryos, positive pregnancy test, biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, ratio of miscarriage and ongoing pregnancy (p > 0.05). In conclusion, we failed to demonstrate a significant role of TAA on the outcomes of ICSI-ET in euthyroid patients. Further studies with larger numbers of participants are required to clarify these data.

Objective: Pregnancy-induced hypertension is one of the most important cause of maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality. Pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders are usually associated with diminished nitric oxide (NO) levels. We aimed to evaluate the role of serum NO levels and eNOS gene G894T polymorphism on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy., Methods: Eighty patients with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, and 80 healthy pregnants were enrolled to analyze serum NO levels and G894T polymorphism of the eNOS gene. NO level was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The G894T polymorphism of the eNOS gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)., Results: There was no significant difference between groups in terms of G894T/eNOS genotype and allele frequencies (p > 0.05). Serum NO levels were significantly lower in the patients group. In the control group, subjects with thymine-thymine (TT) genotype had significantly lower NO levels when compared to subjects with guanine-guanine (GG) or guanine-thymine (GT) genotype (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: We failed to demonstrate an association between eNOS gene G894T polymorphism and serum NO levels in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders. We established a relation between pregnancy-induced hypertension and low NO levels.

Aims: In the Islamic religion, Ramadan is a month in the year that is passed by fasting. Healthy adult individuals are prohibited to eat, drink, and smoke from sunrise to sunset. In the present study, our aim was to assess the relation of Ramadan fasting with fetal development and maternal-fetal Doppler indices in pregnant women., Methods: This is a prospective case-control study carried out in the month of Ramadan in 2013 (9 July-7 August). One hundred and six pregnant women at the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were enrolled into the study. The sample size of the fasting group was 83 and the non-fasting group sample size was also 83. Fetal biometric measurements, such as biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, estimated fetal weight, amniotic fluid index, and Doppler indices of both uterine and umbilical arteries were evaluated by gray scala and color Doppler ultrasound at the beginning and end of Ramadan., Results: At the end of the Ramadan, increase in biparietal diameter, head circumference, and femur length showed a statistically significant difference from initial measurements (P<0.05). When fasting and non-fasting groups were compared separately, an increase in amniotic fluid index was statistically significant in the non-fasting group (P<0.05)., Conclusion: We demonstrated some adverse effects of Ramadan fasting on fetal development. In the Islamic religion, pregnant individuals have the privilege of not fasting; therefore, they should consider postponing fasting to the postpartum period, especially in the summer season. If they are willing to do so, an appropriate nutritional program should be recommended.

Background & Objectives: To investigate whether the operations of Type 1 hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy performed for benign reasons have any effect on sexual life and levels of depression., Method: This is a multi-center, comparative, prospective study. Healthy, sexual active patients aged between 40 and 60 were included into the study. Data was collected with the technique of face-to-face meeting held three months before and after the operation by using the demographic data form developed by the researchers i.e. the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Beck Depression Scale (BDS)., Results: In the post-operative third month, there was an improvement in dysuria in terms of symptomatology (34% and 17%, P<0.001), while in FSFI (41.47±25.46 to 34.20±26.67, P<0.001) and BDS (12.87±11.19 to 14.27±10.95, P=0.015) there was a deterioration. For FSFI, 50-60 age range, extended family structure; and for BDS, educational status, not working and extended family structure were statistically important confounding factors for increased risk in the post-operative period., Conclusion: While hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy performed for benign reasons brought about short-term improvement in urinary problems after the operation for sexually active and healthy women, they resulted in sexual dysfunction and increase in depression. The age, educational status, working condition and family structure is also important.

Aim: Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT), hyperhomocysteinemia, microalbuminuria, and nitric oxide reflect subclinical atherosclerosis and predict the risk of future cardiovascular events. We aimed to evaluate the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction in normotensive patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) noninvasively., Patients and Methods: We enrolled 41 normotensive patients with GDM and 44 healthy gravidae in the study. Serum homocysteine and nitric oxide levels, urinary albumin excretion (microalbuminuria), and CIMT were evaluated along with lipid parameters and anthropometric measurements., Results: Patients with GDM had significantly higher levels of serum homocysteine, urinary albumin excretion, and increased CIMT (p < 0.001, p=0.005, and p < 0.001, respectively). Nitric oxide levels were significantly reduced in the patient group (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference between groups in terms of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) but not of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride levels. A significant correlation was observed between CIMT and serum LDL, HDL, homocysteine, nitric oxide levels, and urinary albumin excretion. Microalbuminuria was significantly correlated with serum homocysteine levels (p=0.03) but not with nitric oxide., Conclusion: Independent of elevated blood pressure, subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction exist in normotensive patients with GDM. Further studies with a large number of participants are required to clarify these data.

Aim: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a glucose intolerant condition that affects 14% of all pregnancies. Diabetes mellitus (DM) occurs in 30 - 70% of patients with GDM after delivery. DM and GDM are associated with structural and functional deterioration of the renovascular system. Our aim is to investigate the association Glu- 298Asp polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene with serum nitric oxide levels and microalbuminuria in patients with GDM and healthy pregnancies., Material and Methods: Serum nitric oxide (NO) levels, urinary excretion of albumin and Glu298Asp polymorphism of the eNOS gene were analyzed in 68 patients with GDM and 73 healthy controls. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-Griess) method was used to analyze serum NO levels. Microalbuminuria was evaluated by rate nephelometry method. The Glu298Asp polymorphism of the eNOS gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)., Results: Nitric oxide, glucose, creatinine, and microalbuminuria were significantly different between the patients and the control subjects (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.002, and p = 0.005, respectively). There was a significant difference between groups in terms of the ratio of GG/GT+TT of eNOS gene Glu- 298Asp (p = 0.02). The patients with GT+TT genotype had significantly higher microalbuminuria levels and lower NO concentrations (22.16 vs. 9.51, p = 0.005, and 10.56 vs. 12.73, p = 0.021, respectively). The presence of T allele of eNOS gene is an independent predictor of microalbuminuria (OR: 2.346, 95% confidence interval: 1.247 - 5.238, p = 0.02) as well as serum glucose and NO concentration., Conclusion: The G894T polymorphism of eNOS gene and decreased NO concentration seem to be independent predictors of increased urinary excretion of albumin in patients with GDM. Determining the frequency of eNOS gene G894T polymorphism may help to identify pregnancies at increased risk of microalbuminuria.

Chromosomal heteromorphism is considered a variant of a normal karyotype, but it is more frequent in couples with repeated miscarriages. We investigated chromosomal heteromorphism in couples with repeated miscarriages in comparison with a control group. A total of 455 couples who applied to our genetic diagnosis laboratory in Diyarbakir, Turkey, were evaluated for chromosome heteromorphisms; 221 of these couples (the study group) had recurrent abortions and 234 of them (the control group) had no history of abortions and had at least one living child. The patient group of couples with recurrent abortions were found to have a significantly higher rate of chromosome heteromorphism (8.4%) in comparison with the control group (4.9%). When the patients were evaluated according to gender, males had a significantly higher rate of chromosome heteromorphism (11.3%) than females (5.4%). We conclude that since couples with recurrent abortion and males have higher rate of chromosome heteromorphism, cases of heteromorphism should not be disregarded in the etiological investigation of recurrent abortions. Further research should be done to investigate the phenotypic effects of chromosome heteromorphism.

Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA), a serious complication of pelvic inflammatory disease, unites the fallopian tube and ovary and, is rarely observed in sexually inactive adolescent girls. A pelvic mass, supposedly originating from the ovary, was detected in a 13-year-old sexually inactive girl suffering from abdominal pain and menstrual disorder. Pelvic ultrasonography pointed out a semisolid, hyperechogenic mass of 57x73 mm in the left adnexal area. Laparotomy revealed an unilateral TOA adhering to the bowel and omentum. Abscess drainage and adhesiolysis were performed and postoperative antibiotherapy was administered. TOA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of females with abdominal pain and adnexal mass whether sexual activity is present or not.

Objective: To investigate the indications of amniocentesis for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities among a sample of patients in Southeast Turkey., Material and Methods: Between 2004 and 2007, 1,068 second-trimester amniocentesis tests were performed in the Medical Biology and Genetics Department Laboratory at Dicle University. Amniotic fluids were cultured by using long-term tissue culture for prenatal diagnosis with cytogenetic analysis. The clinical and cytogenetic findings on 1,068 second-trimester amniocenteses were analyzed. The indications, the proportions of karyotypes according to indications and complications were summarized., Results: Among the 1,068 amniocentesis cases, the maternal age between 35 and 39 years was the most common age group (34.5%). Of the clinical indications abnormal maternal serum screening results were the most common indication for amniocentesis (37.6%). Of 52 cases (4.9%) with detected chromosomal aberrations, 39 were numeric (27 trisomies, 10 sex chromosome aberrations and two triploidies) and 13 were structural (2 reciprocal translocations, 2 Robertsonian translocations and 6 inversions). The highest detection rate of chromosome aberrations was in cases undergoing amniocentesis for abnormal maternal serum screening combined with abnormal ultrasound (US) findings (8.0%)., Conclusion: This study suggests that complementary measures, such as routine antenatal US and maternal serum screening, should be added to increase the efficiency of genetic amniocentesis. Therefore, the study could be used for the establishment of a database for genetic counseling.

Objective: To compare tuboperitoneal factors of infertile women by hysterosalpingography (HSG) and laparoscopy., Methods: In this cohort study, 82 infertile cases were evaluated retrospectively by laparoscopy, 3 months subsequent to HSG in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical School of Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey, between March 2004 and April 2006. The findings of HSG and laparoscopy were compared., Results: Out of the 82 infertile women, pathological findings were observed in 45.1% by HSG, and 54.9% had no pathological finding. On laparoscopic evaluation, however, pathological findings were observed in 65.85%, and 34.15% had no pathological findings. The pathological findings were detected by laparoscopy in 20 of the 45(44.4%) patients who had no pathological findings by HSG, and no pathological findings were detected by laparoscopy in 3 of the 37 (8.1%) patients who had pathological findings by HSG. Laparoscopy revealed no pathological findings in 6 of the 35 patients who had tubal pathology by HSG. The sensitivity of HSG was 63%, specificity was 89.3%, and the positive predictive value was 92%, with a 55% predictive value, and the accuracy ratio was 72%., Conclusion: Laparoscopy is a superior method for the research of tubal and pelvic pathologies in the evaluation of infertility. However, HSG is a more economical and elementary method suitable for evaluation of endometrial and tubal pathologies, and laparoscopy is an appropriate method for examining the external part of tubae, fimbriae, the relation of tuba and ovary, endometriosis, adhesions, tuberculosis, and other pathologies. Therefore, these 2 methods are not alternative, but complementary.