• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.203-210
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• 2021

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether intralipid administration improved the outcomes of in vitro fertilization. Online databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Embase) were searched until March 2020. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the role of intralipid administration during in vitro fertilization were considered. We analyzed the rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included the rates of chemical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and missed abortion. We reviewed and assessed the eligibility of 180 studies. Five RCTs including 840 patients (3 RCTs: women with repeated implantation failure, 1 RCT: women with recurrent spontaneous abortion, 1 RCT: women who had experienced implantation failure more than once) met the selection criteria. When compared with the control group, intralipid administration significantly improved the clinical pregnancy rate (risk ratio [RR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-1.79), ongoing pregnancy rate (RR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.31-2.53), and live birth rate (RR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.44-2.38). However, intralipid administration had no beneficial effect on the miscarriage rate (RR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.48-1.17). A funnel plot analysis revealed no publication bias. Our findings suggest that intralipid administration may benefit women undergoing in vitro fertilization, especially those who have experienced repeated implantation failure or recurrent spontaneous abortion. However, larger, well-designed studies are needed to confirm these findings.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.277-284
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• 2023

Objective: In this retrospective study, we analyzed factors influencing the ongoing pregnancy rate (PR) in women with repeated implantation failure (RIF) undergoing embryo transfer with endometrial receptivity array (ERA). Methods: Eighty-three consecutive personalized embryo transfers (pETs) with ERA, from 54 women with RIF, were selected from June 2020 to April 2022. Vitrified blastocyst transfer was timed based on ERA results. Results: The ongoing PR per pET was 33.7%. Using ERA, the endometrium was identified as pre-receptive in 26 cycles, early receptive in 25 cycles, receptive in 31 cycles, and late receptive in one cycle. With cycles categorized into three receptivity phases (pre-receptive, early receptive, or receptive), no significant differences were found in the clinical PR (27.3%, 55.6%, and 40%, respectively) or ongoing PR (9.1%, 55.6%, and 40%, respectively) after a single blastocyst transfer. Similarly, no significant differences were observed in the clinical PR or ongoing PR after the transfer of two or more blastocysts. Among women with ongoing pregnancy relative to those without, age at first pET was significantly lower (35 years vs. 39 years, p=0.001), while blastocyst score (23 vs. 18, p=0.012) and the proportion of blastocyst scores >18 (71.4% vs. 38.9%, p=0.005) were significantly higher. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the woman's age (odds ratio [OR], 0.814; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.706 to 0.940; p=0.005) and blastocyst score >18 (OR, 3.052; 95% CI, 1.075 to 8.665; p=0.036) were identified as significant factors influencing ongoing pregnancy. Conclusion: In pET with ERA, ongoing pregnancy was closely associated with woman's age and blastocyst quality.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.165-171
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• 2016

Objectives : The objective of this study is to report a treated case with elderly gravida who suffered from two-times of traffic accidents during pregnancy. Methods : The patient, 39-year-old, was hospitalized to care pain and symptoms caused by traffic accidents during pregnancy. The patient was treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy and physical treatment during the admission period. We investigated the clinical management of Korean obstetrics and gynecology in an elderly gravida during pregnancy. Results & Conclusions : Despite of hard conditions such as elderly gravida and two-times of traffic accidents, pregnancy was well maintained through medical treatment. It is suggested that medical treatment of Korean medicine is effective to manage pregnancy of symptoms after accident.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.143-150
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the Pregnancy and delivery in habitual abortion with ectopic pregnancy and loop electrosurgical excision procedure after Korean Traditional Medicine Treatment. Methods: The patient was diagnosed as habitual abortion that had missed abortion three times. She was treated by moxibustion, cupping, acupuncture, Gungguijohyeol-eum-gamibang, and Gwisin-hwan-gamibang for 6 months. The effect of dysmenorrhea was evaluated through the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Results: After the treatment, dysmenorrhrea was improved. She was pregnant during the treatment and delivered a child. Conclusions: The case report shows that Korean medical treatment can be helpful for habitual abortion.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.221-227
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of maternal age on fertilization, embryo quality, and clinical pregnancy in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using testicular sperm from partners with azoospermia. Methods: A total of 416 ICSI cycles using testicular spermatozoa from partners with obstructive azoospermia (OA, n = 301) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA, n = 115) were analyzed. Female patients were divided into the following age groups: 27 to 31 years, 32 to 36 years, and 37 to 41 years. The rates of fertilization, high-quality embryos, clinical pregnancy, and delivery were compared across maternal age groups between the OA and NOA groups. Results: The rates of fertilization and high-quality embryos were not significantly different among the maternal age groups. Similarly, the clinical pregnancy and delivery rates were not significantly different. The fertilization rate was significantly higher in the OA group than in the NOA group (p< 0.05). Age-group analysis revealed that the fertilization and high-quality embryo rates were significantly different between the OA and NOA groups in patients aged 27 to 31 years old, but not for the other age groups. Although the clinical pregnancy and delivery rates differed between the OA and NOA groups across all age groups, significant differences were not observed. Conclusion: In couples using testicular sperm from male partners with azoospermia, pregnancy and delivery outcomes were not affected by maternal age. However, women older than 37 years using testicular sperm from partners with azoospermia should be advised of the increased incidence of pregnancy failure.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.118-125
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• 2015

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the pregnancy potential of immature (metaphase I or germinal vesicle stage) oocytes retrieved in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Methods: A total of 1,871 couples with infertility underwent 2,984 ICSI cycles. Cycles in which three or fewer oocytes were retrieved were included in this study in order to evaluate the pregnancy potential of immature oocytes. Cycles were divided into five groups (group I-V), according to the maturation status of the oocytes at the time of cumulus cell removal and ICSI. The fertilization and pregnancy rates after ICSI were analyzed and compared among the study groups based on the maturation status of the retrieved oocytes. Results: The retrieval of only immature oocytes was associated with a significant decrease in the fertilization rate ($76.1%{\pm}37.3%$ vs. $49.0%{\pm}49.1%$, $66.7%{\pm}48.7%$; group I vs. group II, group III, respectively) and the average number of transferred embryos ($1.5{\pm}0.7$ vs. $1.1{\pm}0.4$, $1.1{\pm}0.6$). The cycle cancellation rate was significantly higher when only immature oocytes were retrieved. The clinical pregnancy rate decreased significantly when the transferred embryos had originated from immature oocytes (16.9% vs. 10.3%, 1.2%). Conclusion: In ICSI cycles, the fertilization potential and pregnancy potential of the immature oocytes retrieved in ICSI cycles were inferior to those of mature oocytes. Therefore, increasing the number of injectable oocytes and transferrable embryos by using immature oocytes after their spontaneous in vitro maturation does not necessarily improve pregnancy outcomes.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.25-40
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was performed to assess whether herbal medicine and acupuncture before in vitro fertilizationembryo transfer (IVF-ET) is effective on clinical pregnancy. Methods: From May 2010 to January 2011, a prospective analysis study was performed in 38 patients planning to undergo IVF-ET after taking herb medicine and acupuncture treatment. This study investigated the pregnancy rate and analyzed the change of dysmenorrhea by visual analog scale (VAS), body heat and condition of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), vaginal discharge and menstruation status. Results: 1. During herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment, five patients (13.16%) naturally became pregnant and six patients (15.79%) withdrew. After treatment, 15 patients (39.47%) received IVF-ET, 12 patients (31.58%) did not. 2. The biochemical pregnancy rate was 26.67%, the clinical pregnancy rate 26.67%, miscarriage rate 25% and ectopic pregnancy rate was 0%. 3. After treatment, PMS, dysmenorrhea and dysmenorrhea VAS was significantly decreased and the overall menstrual status improved. 4. After treatment, temperature difference of CV17-CV12 and CV4-CV12 increased, but it was not a statistically significant difference. 5. After treatment, decrease of hemoglobin and protein and increase of total bilirubin and creatinine were statistically significant. All the blood test results were within normal levels which proves safety of treatment. Conclusions: This study suggests that herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment before IVF-ET shows similar pregnancy rates with existing rates, but contributes to increasing the possibility of natural pregnancy.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.207-217
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• 2005

Purpose : With the development of society, traffic accident(TA) rate is increasing accordingly. And the number of women in pregnancy who are damaged by TA is increasing as more women are involved in economical and social activities. TA victim in pregnancy cannot get proper treatment(Tx) in western medicine. Oriental medicine Tx is noted as alternative in treating TA victims recently. The main purpose of this clinical study is to make a survey of effective way of the oriental gynecological Tx about TA victim in pregnancy. Methods : The patient in this case, 28-year-old, was admitted for 14days(27th/May/2004 - 9th/June/2004) to cure severe neck pain and limitaion of cervical ROM(range of motion) occured from TA on the 4th week of pregnancy. This patient was treated with the acupunture, herbal medicine and physical treatment. Result and Conclusion : The symptoms of patient in this case are remarkable alleviated. And we think that the TA victims in pregnancy can be managed effectively by oriental gynecological Tx due to consider preservation of fetus and pregnant woman. After this, further study, approach and case will be needed about oriental gynecological Tx of TA victims in pregnancy.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.68-72
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• 2012

Objective: To investigate the value of stimulated intrauterine insemination (IUI) in women with unilateral tubal occlusion. Methods: Superovulation and IUI was performed during 2003-2010 and the medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Thirty-seven infertile women (52 cycles) with unilateral tubal occlusion diagnosed by hysterosalpingography and without other causes of infertility were selected. One-hundred fourteen patients with unexplained infertility served as a control group (182 cycles). The main outcome was the clinical pregnancy rate per cycle. Results: The pregnancy rate per cycle was similar, 17.3% for the unilateral tubal occlusion group and 16.5% for the unexplained infertility group. The rate of miscarriage (11.1% vs. 23.3%) and ectopic pregnancy (11.1% vs. 6.7%) was similar between the two groups. The pregnancy rate was higher in patients with proximal occlusion (25.0%) compared with distal occlusion (13.9%) or unexplained infertility, but not statistically significant. Conclusion: Stimulated IUI can be suggested as the initial treatment option in women with unilateral proximal or distal tubal occlusion.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.725-732
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• 2008

From old times, we think it is very important to become pregnancy with child and to give birth healthy, as the human gives not just body but also spirit. When we judge pregnancy, we usually check lady's menstrual cycle. But it is too difficult to diagnosis as pregnancy only check that. Therefore feeling pulse has been made use of knowing pregnancy or not, monthly pregnancy states and childbirth. "Haung-di-nei-jing" mentions pregnancy-pulse, for example, "Yin beats and Yang distinguishes", "Shou-shao-yin-mai moves severely", "Lady has some symptoms, but no Xie-mai". Since then, there are many opinions of schools about that. For the period of pregnancy, pulse shows special features, according as the symptoms differ from month to month. When pregnant woman is just about to bear, her pulse changes unusually. In oriental medicine, it is called as Li-jing-mai. Pregnancy-pulse is worth refering to pursue a clinical examination.