• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.239-249
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• 1999

The role of amino acids in culture media for IVF-ET was examined in a total of 76 cycles. Patients received clomiphene citrate (CC) followed by hMG or GnRH-a combined with gonadotropins (FSH/hMG) for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Severe male (<$4{\times}10^6$ motile sperm) or age factor (>39 y) patients were excluded in this study. Pregnancy was classified as clinical if a gestational sac or fetal cardiac activity was seen on ultrasound. No significant differences were found in age, duration of infertility, follicle size, the level of $E_2$ on the day of hCG injection, the mean number of oocytes retrieved, total motile sperm count, fertilization rate and the mean number of embryos transferred between bHTF (without amino acids) and mHTF (with amino acids) groups. However, total ampules of gonadotropins were higher (p<0.01) in mHTF group than bHTF group. Significantly (p<0.05) more clinical pregnancies were recorded in mHTF group (13/30) compared with bHTF group (9/46). The multiple pregnancy rates were 11.1% in bHTF group and 7.7% in mHTF group. There were one ectopic pregnancy in mHTF group and one heterotopic pregnancy in bHTF group. Abortion rates were 22.2% in bHTF group and 7.7% in mHTF, respectively. The ongoing pregnancy or livebirth rate was significantly (p<0.05) higher in mHTF group (12/30) than bHTF group (7/46). These results suggest that the addition of amino acids in culture media is essential for culture of zygotes in vitro and adjustment of energy substrates in phosphate-free culture media appears to be beneficial for human IVF-ET procedure.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.419-432
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• 1999

Objective: To establish the evaluation system of the quality of oocytes on the basis of the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis, to investigate the relationships beween the incidence of cumulus cells and the outcomes of IVF-ET. Method: Thirth-four cycles undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF-ET with tubal infertility (23 cycles) or unexplained infertility (11 cycles) were included in this study. Cumulus cell masses surrounding mature oocyte and co-culture of embryos with autologous cumulus cells during IVF-ET process. The incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells was assessed by apoptosis detection kit fluorescein. The effect of co-culture using cumulus cells and the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis. Results: The results were as follows: 1. The incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells markedly increased in patients aged 40 or over, while the fertilization rate was greatly decreased in those age group. 2. Apoptosis in cumulus cells was found in both the fertilized oocytes and unfertilized oocytes, but the incidence of apoptosis was higher in unfertilized oocytes. 3. There is no clear correlation between apoptosis in cumulus cells and the number of oocytes retrieved. However, the incidence of apoptosis was increased when the number of oocytes retrieved was 5 and fewer in comparison with $6{\sim}10$. 4. Embryo grade was significantly affected by the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells. 5. Pregnancy rate of IVF-ET per cycle was 29.4%, and the pregnant group had the higher fertilization rate and a significantly lower incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells compared with the nonpregnant group. 6. When cumulus cells were used as helper cells in the co-culture of the embryo, in vitro activity of cumulus cells based on morphological change and proliferation did not influence the quality of embryo, but was closely associated with the implantation rate and pregnancy rate, which was enhanced when morphological changes and proliferation of cumulus cells was more active. 7. This difference in the outcome of IVF-ET according to in vitro activity of cumulus cells used for co-cultue was not associated with the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells; but rather had likely relations with the different secretion pattern of protein, which may be an embryo trophic factor by cumulus cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells can be used in predicting oocyte qualities and the outcomes of IVF-ET. And the effect of co-culture largely depends on the in vitro activity of cumulus cells as well.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.355-362
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• 1999

Objective: This study was performed to compare the clinical response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) according to the size of baseline ovarian cyst. Method: From February 1992 to March 1999, a retrospective analysis was done of 272 cases who underwent COH using mid-luteal phase long protocol of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) for IVF-ET. These cases were divided into four group; group 1 (n=63) had cysts with mean diameters between 20.0 and 29.0 mm on their baseline ultrasound on cycle day 3, group 2 (n=57, $30.0{\sim}49.0mm$), group 3 (n=68, >50.0 mm) and control group (n=84). Cases were excluded according to the following criteria; pure male factor infertility, the presence of only one ovary, high CA-125 level and previous endometriosis. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between cases with baseline ovarian cyst <50.0 mm in diameter and control group in any of the parameters. However, cases with baseline ovarian cyst>50.0 mm in mean diameter needed more amount of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), showed significantly lower estradiol ($E_2$) level, the number of follicle >15.0 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration, the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of mature oocytes, and pregnancy rate compared with control group. Conclusion: This study suggests that cases with baseline ovarian cyst <50.0 mm in diameter do not adversely impact on IVF-ET outcome. However, cases with baseline ovarian cyst >50.0 mm in diameter had adverse effects on various parameters. Therefore, to improve the outcome of IVF-ET in these cases, ovarian cyst aspiration prior to initiating COH may be required.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.339-344
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• 1999

Objective: To evaluate incidence of microbial growth from the tip of the embryo transfer catheter after embryo transfer in relation to clinical pregnancy rate following in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Method: This study was performed prospectively at the time of transcervical embryo transfer following conventional in-vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedures. Sixty three patients were enrolled in this study. Microbiological cultures were performed on endocervical swabs and embryo transfer catheter tips. Results: Positive microbial growths were observed from endocervical swabs in 45 (71.4%) women and from catheter tips in 30 (47.6%) women. There was no statistically significant difference seen in the mean number of oocytes fertilized or number and grade of embryos transferred between the group of patients without growth and the group of patients with positive microbial growth from catheter tips. The clinical pregnancy rate were 30.3% in the group of patients without growth and 13.3% in the group with positive microbial growth from catheter tips. This difference in clinical pregnancy rates was statistically significant. Conclusion: Our finding is that microbial contamination at embryo transfer may influence implantation rates. The major questions arising from our finding are whether eradication of endocervical micro-organisms is possible and whether their eradication will improve implantation rates.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.125-132
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• 2010

목 적: 착상전 유전진단(preimplantation genetic diagnosis, PGD)은 유전질환을 가진 부부들을 대상으로 체외수정을 통해 획득한 배아에서 유전진단을 하는 방법이다. 다양한 유전질환을 가진 부부에게 그 질환에 맞는 PGD의 설계가 진행되어야 하기 때문에 PGD 시행 전유전상담을 시행하는 것은 PGD 설계에 있어서 매우 중요하다. 이에, PGD 시행 시 필요한 유전상담의 내용에 대해 환자 및 가족과 전문가의 구체적인 의견을 수렴하고 분석하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 본 연구는 PGD에 있어서 유전상담의 필요성과 중요성에 대한 의견을 알아보고자, 2010년 2월 3일부터 4월 30일까지 PGD를 실시 또는 실시 예정인 부부들과 PGD 관련 전문가들을 대상으로 이메일과 직접 설문지를 배포하여 설문조사를 실시하였다. 결 과: 환자 60명과 전문가 31명을 포함하여 총 91명이 설문조사에 응답하였으며, 환자들은 염색체 이상 질환 49명(81.7%)과 단일유전자 이상 질환 11명(18.3%) 이었다. 설문에 응답한 환자와 전문가 모두 유전상담이 PGD의 의료서비스 일환으로 반드시 필요하다고 답하였다. 환자의 충분한 이해를 위하여 필요한 유전상담의 시간에 대해 환자와 가족 그리고 전문가 의견을 수렴한 결과, 각각 45명(75.0%)과 23명(74.2%)이 적정한 유전상담시간을 30분 이상이라고 응답하였다. 하지만, 현 의료시스템에서는 짧은 진료시간 내 진료와 유전상담을 동시에 진행함으로써 환자에게 완벽한 정보제공이 이루어지지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 한편, 전문가 그룹에서는 진료시간의 부족과 유전질환의 정보 부족이 유전상담의 어려운 점이라고 답하였으며, 이에 비 의사(non-MD) 전문유전상담사가 필요하다는 의견이 30명(96.7%)으로 높게 나타났다. 환자와 가족들은 PGD 시술 시 예기치 못한 결과의 가능성, 환자가 가진 유전질환의 위험을 예방할 수 있는 선택사항, 환자가 가지고 있는 유전질환의 위험도 평가, 유전자 검사 시 검사의 목적 설명 및 검사기술의 한계점과 오진률의 설명, PGD 시술 전반에 관한 기술적인 정보 등에 대하여 관심을 가지고 있으며 더 자세한 설명을 필요로 하는 것으로 나타났다. 이에 대한 전문가 의견 역시 환자 및 가족이 관심 있고 자세한 설명을 원하는 정보와 대부분 일치하였다. 이에 따라 환자의 요구와 의견으로 나타난 위의 결과들을 향후 PGD를 위한 유전상담의 지침(guide-line) 구축 시 반영하여야 할 것으로 사료된다. 결 론: 본 연구에서 유전진단과 생식의학 기술의 발전과 더불어 PGD의 적용과 효율성 등에 대한인식이 높아짐에 따라, PGD를 시행함에 있어서 구체적이고 체계적인 유전상담이 필요하다는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 본 연구의 설문조사 결과가 향후 PGD를 위한 유전상담 지침서(guideline)에 반영되어 적절한 PGD의 설계, 실시, 사후관리에 큰 도움이 되기를 기대한다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.321-327
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• 2010

목적: 불임을 주소로 내원한 환자들을 대상으로 자궁 난관 조영술을 이용한 난관 불임 선별검사에서 난관 막힘의 소견을 보인 경우 선택적 난관 조영술을 시행 후 실패 시 난관 개통술을 시행하여 난관 불임치료에 있어 난관 개통술의 효용성을 알아보고 난관 막힘 부위 및 형태에 따른 난관 개통률을 비교하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 난관 불임 선별검사로서 자궁 난관 조영술을 시행하였으며 자궁 난관 조영술 상 난관 막힘 소견을 보인 215명의 342개의 난관을 대상으로 후향적 연구를 진행하였다. 결과: 난관 개통술을 시행하여 342개의 난관 가운데 248개의 난관이 개통되어 72.5%의 난관 개통률을 보였다. 막힘 부위에 따른 난관 개통률은 근위부 83.8% (197/235예), 협부 45.6% (47/103예), 원위부 100% (4/4예)를 보여 자궁-난관 접합부에 가까운 막힘 일수록 높은 개통률을 보였다. 막힘 형태에 따른 개통률은 점진형은 92.3% (157/170예), 오목형은 80.2% (69/86예), 볼록형은 25.5% (22/86예)의 난관 개통률을 보였다. 난관 막힘 부위와 형태를 종합하여 볼때 난관 근위부 점진형 막힘의 경우 91.6% (143/156예)의 높은 개통률을 보인 반면 난관 협부 볼록형 막힘의 경우에는 개통률이 11.3% (6/53예)에 불과하였다. 난관 개통에 성공한 156명 가운데 98명에서 임신에 성공하여 62.7%의 임신율을 보였다. 결론: 난관 개통술은 자궁 경부를 통한 시술로 수술적 방법이나 체외수정시술의 난자 채취에 비해 덜 침습적인 방법으로 입원치료가 필요하지 않으며 비교적 적은 비용으로 불임의 원인을 극복할 수 있는 장점이 있어 난관 원인에 의한 불임 환자에서 우선적으로 시행해 볼 수 있는 효과적인 치료 방법이라 할 수 있다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.353-362
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• 2009

GnRH는 국부적으로 난소에서 합성되며, 난소내 과립 및 황체세포에 직접적으로 작용하여 난소의 기능을 조절하는 것으로 알려져 있으며, 특히, GnRH는 난소내 과립-황체화 세포의 세포자연사를 유도하는 것으로 보고하고 있다. 그러나 GnRH에 의한 세포자연사가 FSH에 의해 회복될 수 있는지는 명확히 밝혀져 있지 않다. 따라서 본 실험에서 난자 채취시 획득한 사람 과립-황체화 세포를 배양한 후 5, 50, 100 ng/$m\ell$ GnRH와 1 IU/$m\ell$ FSH를 처리하고 세포의 세포자연사 여부와 분비된 progesterone$(P_4)$과 estradiol$(E_2)$ 양의 변화를 조사하였다. DNA 분절화 분석과 TUNEL 방법으로 세포자연사를 평가한 결과, GnRH는 농도 의존적으로 과립-황체화 세포의 세포자연사를 증가시켰고, 특히 100 ng/$m\ell$ GnRH을 처리한 군에서 유의한 차이를 보이며 세포자연사 비율이 증가하였다. 또한 GnRH에 의한 세포자연사의 증가는 FSH에 의해 억제되는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 화학발광면역 측정법을 이용하여 배양내 $P_4$와 $E_2$의 양을 측정한 결과, GnRH을 처리한 후 $E_2$의 양은 변화가 없었던 반면 $P_4$의 양은 감소하였다. 이러한 GnRH의 $P_4$ 합성 억제 효과는 세포자연사 결과 마찬가지로 FSH에 의해 회복되는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이상의 결과는 체외수정 및 배아이식 시술시 사용되고 있는 GnRH 작용제가 난소의 기능을 억제시킬 수 있을 것으로 보이나, 다량으로 투여되는 FSH에 의해 회복될 수 있음을 보여주고 있다. 이러한 실험 결과는 난소에 대한 GnRH의 생리적 기전을 이해하고 향후 새로운 과배란 유도 방법을 개발하는데 필요한 기초 자료로 사용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.107-115
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• 2007

목 적: ISO 9001:2000 품질경영시스템은 국제적인 인중 기준에 의해 제품 및 서비스의 품질을 적절하게 판정하고 이를 향상시키기 위해 시행되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 품질경영시스템을 보조생식술 센터에 성공적으로 도입하고 적용하는 과정에서 확인된 효용성에 대해 기술하고자 한다. 연구방법: 제일병원 아이소망센터는 2004년 1월부터 ISO 9001:2000 인증을 위한 활동을 시작하였으며, 고객만족도조사와 주기적인 내부심사와 사후심사를 실시하였다. 심사과정에서 확인된 부적합 사항에 대한 시정 및 예방 조치와 이에 따른 효과성을 검증하였으며, 고객불만사항에 대한 지속적인 관리와 개선을 위한 프로젝트를 진행하였다. 결 과: 본 센터는 초일류 불임센터로 성장하고 최적의 품질경영시스템을 확립하기 위한 품질방침을 설정하여, 2004년 6월에 한국품질재단 (Korean Foundation for Quality)으로부터 "체외수정 및 배아이식 시술에 관련된 연구"에 대하여 ISO 9001:2000 인증을 받았다. 이러한 품질방침을 실현하기 위해 품질경영시스템에 적합한 품질매뉴얼, 프로세스, 절차서, 지침서 등에 대한 문서화를 완료하였다. 삼 년 동안의 내부심사와 사후심사에서 각각 140건과 7건의 부적합이 확인되었으며, 이에 대한 시정조치를 실시하였다. 결 론: 본 센터에서는 ISO 품질경영시스템의 도입과 운영을 통해 고객만족도의 향상, 체계적인 문서화를 통해 업무의 투명화와 효율화가 가능하였다. 보조생식술 센터에서의 ISO 품질경영시스템은 보조생식술에 대한 국가적인 관리시스템을 효율적으로 운영하기 위한 기본적인 기관별 경영시스템으로서 활용이 가능할 것으로 생각된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.83-93
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• 1997

Although IVF-ET is widely applied in the treatment of couples with male factor infertility, it may fail in many infertile couples with normal semen parameters, and certain couples cannot be accepted for standard IVF-ET due to unfertilization or extremely low fertilization rate of oocytes. Recently, several procedures of microassisted fertilization (MAF) using micromanipulation have been introduced, and pregnancies and births have been obtained after partial zona dissection (PZD), subzonal insertion (SUZI), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This clinical study was performed to develop and establish ICSI as an effective procedure of MAF in infertile couples who could not undergo standard IVF-ET repetitively because of failure in fertilization or extremely low fertilization rate of oocytes with the conventional fertilization technique in the previous IVF-ET cycles. From March, 1995 to May, 1996, 27 cycles of IVF-ET with ICSI in 19 infertile patients were included in study group, and the outcomes of ICSI were analyzed according to fertilization rate, cumulative embryo score (CES), and pregnancy rate. The number of oocytes retrieved after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) was $10.50{\pm}6.13$ in 30 previous cycles, and $10.57{\pm}5.53$ in 27 ICSI cycles. In ICSI cycles, the number of oocytes optimal for ICSI procedure was $7.89{\pm}4.30$, and the fertilization rate of $67.9{\pm}20.2%$ could be obtained after ICSI. The number of embryos transferred was $1.43{\pm}2.40$ in previous cycles, and $4.36{\pm}1.77$ with the mean CES of $41.8{\pm}27.4$ in ICSI cycles. In ICSI cycles, the overall pregnancy rate was 29.6% (8/27) per cycle and 42.1% (8/19) per patient with the clinical pregnancy rate of 22.2% (6/27) per cycle and 31.6% (6/19) per patient. In conclusion, MAF of human oocytes with ICSI is a promising fertilization method for IVF-ET patients, especially with the past history of failure in fertilization or low fertilization rate of oocytes in the previous IVF-ET cycles, and ICSI using micromanipulation procedures applied to human oocytes will provide a range of novel techniques which may dramatically improve the pregnancy rate in IVF-ET program and contribute much to effective management of infertile couples.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.315-324
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• 2005

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of GnRH antagonist multiple dose protocol (MDP) with that of GnRH agonist long protocol (LP) in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization in patients with high basal FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) level or old age, a retrospective analysis was done. Methods: Two hundred ninety four infertile women (328 cycles) who were older than 41 years of age or had elevated basal FSH level (> 8.5 mIU/mL) were enrolled in this study. The patients had undergone IVF-ET after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using GnRH antagonist multiple dose protocol (n=108, 118 cycles) or GnRH agonist long protocol (n=186, 210 cycles). The main outcome measurements were cycle cancellation rate, consumption of gonadotropins, the number of follicles recruited and total oocytes retrieved. The number of fertilized oocytes and transferred embryos, the clinical pregnancy rates, and the implantation rates were also reviewed. And enrolled patients were divided into three groups according to their age and basal FSH levels; Group A - those who were older than 41 years of age, Group B - those with elevated basal FSH level (> 8.5 mIU/mL) and Group C - those who were older than 41 years of age and with elevated basal FSH level (> 8.5 mIU/mL). Poor responders were classified as patients who had less than 4 retrieved oocytes, or those with $E_2$ level <500 pg/mL on the day of hCG injection or those who required more than 45 ampules of exogenous gonadotropin for stimulation. Results: The cancellation rate was lower in the GnRH antagonist group than in GnRH agonist group, but not statistically significant (6.8% vs. 9.5%, p=NS). The amount of used gonadotropins was significantly lower in GnRH antagonist group than in agonist group ($34.8{\pm}11.3$ ampules vs. $44.1{\pm}13.4$ ampules, p<0.001). The number of follicles > 14 mm in diameter was significantly higher in agonist group than in antagonist group ($6.7{\pm}4.6$ vs. $5.0{\pm}3.4$, p<0.01). But, there were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate (24.5% in antagonist group vs. 27.4% in agonist group, p=NS) and implantation rate (11.4% in antagonist group vs. 12.0% in agonist group, p=NS) between two groups. Mean number of retrieved oocytes was significantly higher in GnRH agonist LP group than in GnRH antagonist MDP group ($5.4{\pm}3.5$ vs. $6.6{\pm}5.0$, p<0.0001). But, the number of mature and fertilized oocytes, and the number of good quality (grade I and II) and transferred embryos were not different between two groups. In each group A, B, and C, the rate of poor response did not differ according to stimulation protocols. Conclusions: In conclusion, for infertile women expected poor ovarian response such as who are old age or has elevated basal FSH level, a protocol including a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using GnRH antagonist appears at least as effective as that using a GnRH agonist, and may offer the advantage of reducing gonadotropin consumption and treatment period. However, much work remains to be done in optimizing the GnRH antagonist protocols and individualizing these to different cycle characteristics.