• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제48권1호
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2021

In Korean women, a westernized lifestyle is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Fertility preservation has become an increasingly important issue for women with breast cancer, in accordance with substantial improvements in survival rate after cancer treatment. The methods of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for fertility preservation in breast cancer patients have been modified to include aromatase inhibitors to reduce the potential harm associated with increased estradiol levels. Random-start COH and dual ovarian stimulation are feasible options to reduce the total duration of fertility preservation treatment and to efficiently collect oocytes or embryos. Using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist as a trigger may improve cycle outcomes in breast cancer patients undergoing COH for fertility preservation. In young breast cancer patients with BRCA mutations, especially BRCA1 mutations, the possibility of diminished ovarian reserve may be considered, although further studies are necessary. Herein, we review the current literature on the practical issues surrounding COH for fertility preservation in women with breast cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제26권2호
• /
• pp.179-183
• /
• 1999

This study was performed to determine the significance of a baseline ovarian cyst on the response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and the outcome of IVF-ET. One hundred one patients who underwent IVF-ET were enrolled in this study. The outcome of 31 patients, who had an ovarian cyst of >10mm detected at ultrasound examination performed on day 3, was compared with that of 70 patients who underwent a similar protocol and did not have an ovarian cyst. E2 level on the day of hCG administration, the number of follicles, the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of embryo transferred and the pregnancy rate were evaulated. The E2 level on the day of hCG adminstration and the number of mature oocytes retrieved were lower in the group with a baseline cyst. The pregnancy rate also was significantly lower in the group with a cyst (21% versus 38%). Therefore a baseline ovarian cyst on cycle day 3 was associated with a poorer outcome after IVF-ET.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 대한불임학회 2003년도 제45차 추계학술대회
• /
• pp.93.2-94
• /
• 2003

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제42권4호
• /
• pp.131-135
• /
• 2015

The thyroid hormones act on nearly every cell in the body. Moreover, the thyroid gland continuously interacts with the ovaries, and the thyroid hormones are involved in almost all phases of reproduction. Thyroid dysfunctions are relatively common among women of reproductive age, and can affect fertility in various ways, resulting in anovulatory cycles, high prolactin levels, and sex hormone imbalances. Undiagnosed and untreated thyroid disease can be a cause of subfertility. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), also known as mild thyroid failure, is diagnosed when peripheral thyroid hormone levels are within the normal reference laboratory range, but serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels are mildly elevated. Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) is characterized by the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies, which include anti-thyroperoxidase and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. SCH and TAI may remain latent, asymptomatic, or even undiagnosed for an extended period. It has also been demonstrated that controlled ovarian hyperstimulation has a significant impact on thyroid function, particularly in women with TAI. In the current review, we describe the interactions between thyroid dysfunctions and subfertility, as well as the proper work-up and management of thyroid dysfunctions in subfertile women.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
• /
• 제28권1호
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2024

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a critical hormone produced in the hypothalamus, is essential for regulating reproductive processes. It has also been demonstrated the presence of GnRH and its receptors (GnRHR) in ovarian and uterine tissues, but little was known about the regulation mechanism of their expression in these organs and ovarian aging. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of GnRHR in the ovary and uterus of mice, particularly after high-dose gonadotropin treatments and in relation to aging. Quantitative real-time-PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that pituitary gland had the highest GnRHR expression in both young and aged mice. In addition, liver expression was higher in young mice, whereas thymus expression was higher in aged mice. GnRHR mRNA was present in the ovaries of both young and aged mice but nearly undetectable in the uterus of aged mice. We next examined the expression of GnRHR in the ovary and uterus in response to high-dose administration of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). After PMSG administration, GnRH mRNA levels were significantly decreased in the ovary but increased in the uterus. The expression of GnRH mRNA in these organs showed opposite trends to that of GnRHR expression. These results suggest the involvement of GnRH in age-related reproductive decline and the potential effects of high-dose gonadotropin treatments on reproductive organ function.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제17권2호
• /
• pp.173-184
• /
• 1990

At infertility clinic, department of Obstetrics and Gynegology, Kyung Hee Medical Hospital, 80 patients who underwent IVF-ET from January to July, 1989 were evaluated for the prediction of endogenous LH Surge and its effects on outcome of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) were compared among LH Surge group without hCG given (N=18), with hCG given (N=5), and no-LH Surge group with hCG given (N=57). LH Surge were occurred in 23(28.7%) out of 80 patients studied. Serum E2 levels on Day-1, Day 0, Day+1, were no significant different among three groups. When basal serum LH/FSH ratio is above 1.0, the possibility of endogenous LH Surge is much higher (56.3% in LH Surge group without hCG given). Serum P4 levels on Day 0 were significantly increased in LH Surge group without hCG given. Cycles which serum P4 level is higher than l.0ng/ml were 70.6% of LH Surge group without hCG given. But there was no significant interrelationship between endogenous LH Surge and serum P4 rising rate as an efficient predictor of the occurrence of endogenous LH Surge in COH for IVF. There was no significant differences in number of follicles, follicular size on Day-1, Day 0, Day+1, and number of oocyte collected per cycle. The oocyte fertilization rate of No-LH surge group with hCG given was significantly higher than LH Surge group without hCG given. There was no significant difference in oocyte cleavage rate among three groups.

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

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제40권1호
• /
• pp.7-11
• /
• 2013

Objective: We evaluated the fertilization potential of immature oocytes obtained from controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles of patients undergoing ICSI. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 463 ICSI cycles containing at least one immature oocyte at oocyte denudation. ICSI was performed on mature oocytes at oocyte denudation (metaphase-II [MII] oocytes) and the oocytes that extruded the first polar body between oocyte denudation and ICSI (MI-MII oocytes). Fertilization and early embryonic development were compared between MII and MI-MII oocytes. To investigate the pregnancy potential of MI-MII oocytes, the pregnancy outcome was analyzed in 24 ICSI cycles containing only immature oocytes at retrieval. Results: The fertilization rate of MI-MII oocytes (37.0%) was significantly lower than that of MII oocytes (72.3%). The rates of delayed embryos and damaged embryos did not significantly differ. Eighty-one immature oocytes were retrieved in 24 cycles that retrieved only immature oocytes and 61 (75.3%) of them were in the MI stage. ICSI was performed on 36 oocytes (59.0%) that extruded the first polar body before ICSI and nine MI-MII oocytes (25.0%) were fertilized. Embryo transfers were performed in five cycles. Pregnancy was observed in one cycle, but it ended in biochemical pregnancy. Conclusion: In ICSI cycles, oocytes that extruded the first polar body between denudation and ICSI can be used as a source of oocytes for sperm injection. However, their fertilization and pregnancy potential are lower than that of mature oocytes. Therefore, ovarian stimulation should be performed carefully for mature oocytes obtained at retrieval, especially in cycles with a small number of retrieved oocytes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제35권4호
• /
• pp.309-317
• /
• 2008

목 적: 체외수정을 위한 과배란유도 시 난소 반응성의 예측 인자로서 항뮬러리안 호르몬 (AMH)의 효용성을 FSH와 비교하여 알아보고, 체외수정 결과와의 관계도 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 2007년 1월부터 2007년 8월까지 단기 요법이나 GnRH antagonist 요법을 이용하여 체외수정을 시행하는 111명을 대상으로, 생리주기 3일째 혈중 AMH 및 FSH를 전향적으로 측정하였다. 과배란유도 후 채취된 난자 개수와 AMH 또는 FSH의 상관관계를 분석하였고, 채취된 난자 수 및 AMH 수치에 따라 과배란유도 결과와 체외수정 결과를 비교하였다. 저반응군 및 과반응군의 예측을 위한 AMH의 임계치를 알아보기 위해 ROC curve 분석을 시행하였다. 결 과: AMH는 채취된 성숙 난자 수와 밀접한 양의 상관관계를 나타냈으며 (r=0.792, p<0.001), FSH (r=-0.477, p<0.001) 보다 더 높은 상관관계를 보였다. 난소 반응성에 따라 저반응군 (성숙난자수 ${\leq}2$), 정상반응군 ($3{\sim}16$), 과반응군 (${\geq}17$)으로 나누어 AMH와 FSH 수치는 유의한 차이를 보였으며, 저반응군 (채취된 성숙 난자 수${\leq}2$) 및 과반응군 (채취된 성숙 난자 수${\geq}17$)을 예측하는데 ROC curve 상 AMH의 임계치는 각각 <0.50 ng/ml (sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 89.5%), 및 ${\geq}2.60\;ng/ml$ ((sensitivity 85.7%, specificity 87.0%)였다. AMH level에 따라 low AMH group (${\leq}0.60\;ng/ml$), normal AMH group ($0.60{\sim}2.60\;ng/ml$), high AMH group으로 구분하여, 각 군간 채취된 성숙 난자 수와 ($2.7{\pm}2.2$, $8.1{\pm}4.8$, $16.5{\pm}5.7$, p<0.001), 투여된 성선자극호르몬제의 용량에 ($3530.5{\pm}1251.0$, $2957.1{\pm}1057.6$, $2219.2{\pm}751.9\;IU$, p<0.001) 유의한 차이를 보였다. 성숙 난자의 비율과 수정율에 유의한 차이는 없었으며 임신율도 23.8%, 34.0%, 37.5%로 각 군간 유의한 차이는 없었다. 결 론: 혈중 기저 AMH는 과배란유도 시 채취되는 성숙 난자 수와 높은 상관관계가 있어 난소 반응성의 예측 인자로서 유용할 것으로 생각된다. AMH 수치에 따라 체외수정 결과에는 차이가 없었으나, 저반응군 및 과반응군의 예측에 유용하여 체외수정 시 주기의 취소나, 환자별 적정 용량의 결정 및 난소과자극 증후군의 위험을 감소시키는데 도움이 될 것으로 사료된다.