• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.137-141
• /
• 2007

Antioxidants were well known to be essential supplements in the complex media and serve as a reservoir of oxygen. In this study, Hanwoo COCs (cumulus oocytes complexes) were matured and developed in L-cysteine-TCM199 and analyzed metaphase chromosome. Maturation rate of Hanwoo COCs were 73.4%, 94.6% in 0.1% PVA, 0.1 mM L-cysteine, respectively and showed significantly different between the treatments (p<0.05). Blastocyst formation were revealed 20.3%, 10.0% in 5% FBS+TCM199, 0.1 mM L-cysteine+1% BSA, respectively. There were no significant difference among treatment groups. Metaphase chromosome were showed 18.3%, 12.0% in 5% FBS-TCM199, 0.1 mM L-cysteine, respectively and analyzable chromosome were 6.1%, 4.0% and had no differences between the treated groups. In the case of in vitro developmental stages, metaphase chromosome were showed 18.3%, 12.0% in $4{\sim}16$ cells stage, 43.1%, 13.0% in morulae stage and 94.8%, 100.0% in blastocyst stage. These results suggested L-cysteine has beneficial role for in virto maturation and development in Hanwoo COCs.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.127-132
• /
• 2014

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of tissue inhibitor of matalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), Activin A and Heparin binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) on in vitro production of bovine embryos. In experiment 1, presumptive zygotes were cultured in the medium supplemented with TIMP-1 ($0.5{\mu}g/ml$), Activin A (100 ng/ml), or HB-EGF (100 ng/ml) at $39^{\circ}C$ in a humidified atmosphere of 5% (v/v) $CO_2$, 5% (v/v) $O_2$ and 90% (v/v) $N_2$. In experiment 2, TIMP-1 + HB-EGF or Activin A + HB-EGF combinations were supplemented in the culture medium. The developmental rate to blastocysts, hatching rate and total cell numbers of the blastocysts were evaluated in both experiments. The embryos cultured in medium without growth factor supplementation was used as control group. In experiment 1, the embryos cultured in medium supplemented with TIMP-1 and Activin A showed significantly higher developmental rate to blastocysts than those cultured with HB-EGF and control (36.9%, 34.1%, 21.2% and 23.1%, respectively) (P<0.0001). However, the hatching rate of blastocyst was significantly higher in embryos with HB-EGF than those with TIMP-1, Actvin A and Control groups (84.4%, 58.8%, 51.4% and 49.3%, respectively) (P<0.001). Total cell number per blastocyst was also significantly higher in embryos with HB-EGF group ($174.3{\pm}2.5$) than those with TIMP-1, Activin A (149.7 and 150.0, respectively) (P<0.05) and Control (119.0) (P<0.001). In experiment 2, embryos cultured with combined treatment of Activin A and HB-EGF resulted in significantly higher rates of blastocysts formation (48.0%), hatching rate (89.7%) and total cell number in blastocyst ($182.3{\pm}2.1$) than those with TIMP-1 and HB-EGF combination group (32.0%, P<0.001; 76.6%, P<0.05; $165.7{\pm}4.2$, P<0.001, respectively). Our data demonstrate that in vitro production of bovine embryos could be improved by combined supplementation of Activin A and HB-EGF in culture medium.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.307-315
• /
• 2001

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and influencing factors of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in patients with failed pregnancy after microsurgical reversal of tubal sterilization. Materials and Methods : From January, 1997 to December, 2000, IVF-ET was performed in two groups; the study TR (tubal reanastomosis) group consisted of 147 cycles in 66 patients with failed microsurgical reversal of tubal sterilization, and the control group of 115 cycles in 67 patients with bilateral tubal occlusion (BTO). The two groups were evaluated and compared for clinical characteristics, clinical pregnancy rates, and factors influencing the outcomes of IVF-ET. Results: Compared with the control BTO group, age and the previous parity were significantly higher ($36.3{\pm}2.7$ vs. $33.6{\pm}2.0$ years, p<0.05; $1.6{\pm}0.7$ vs. $0.2{\pm}0.4$, p<0.05), and the clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was significantly lower (23.8% (35/147) vs. 29.3% (34/115), p<0.05) in the TR group. Difference in the clinical pregnancy rates was age-related, since there was no significant difference between the two groups, except for the previous parity ($1.6{\pm}0.7$ vs. $0.1{\pm}0.3$, p<0.05), when the patients aged 37 years or older were excluded. No difference was found in terms of the following: the proportion of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycles with GnRH agonist ultrashort protocol, the duration of COH, the dosage of gonadotropins used, and the numbers of oocytes retrieved and of embryos transferred, irrespective of age correction. Conclusions: The outcomes of IVF-ET following the failed microsurgical reversal of tubal sterilization depend upon patient age. The previous fertility of patients does not seem to be a factor of better IVF-ET prognosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.129-136
• /
• 2009

The incidence of ectopic pregnancy is increased since in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) has started. And because of the possibility of combined pregnancy after IVF-ET, bilateral adnexal area and other portion of pelvis should be examined carefully by transvaginal ultrasonography during follow-up period. The rate of combined pregnancy after IVF is estimated to be as high as 0.2~1%. Since the incidence of combined pregnancies is markedly higher with IVF, special attention to this possibility after ET is warranted. According to a recent report, the occurrence of interstitial pregnancy is estimated to be 1:3600 for all pregnancies achieved with IVF. The prevalence of interstitial pregnancies is 2~4% of ectopic pregnancies. Interstitial pregnancies tend to be diagnosed later than most other ectopic pregnancies, and if uterine rupture occurs, the resulting hemorrhage can be severe. Currently, about 2% to 3% of interstitial pregnancies are thought to carry a maternal death, which is twice that of other tubal gestations. We report a case of simultaneous left tubal and right interstitial pregnancies after IVF-ET with a brief review of literature.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.249-254
• /
• 2003

Ectopic pregnancy is a common medical problem that is difficult to diagnose and potentially may lead to significant mortality or morbidity. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy is definitely increasing ue to the rise in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), pelvic surgery, intrauterine device (IUD), and assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Combined ectopic gestations are much rare and their true incidence is unknown. Multiple ectopic gestations may occur in a variety of locations. The majority involve one or both fallopian tubes. We report a case of combined tubal and cervical pregnancies, and discuss their management.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.210-214
• /
• 2004

This study was carried out to predict the value of serum ${\beta}$ subunit of humans chorionic gonadotropin(${\beta}$- hCG) in early pregnancy viability. This was performed among 85 women in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET). The serum ${\beta}$-hCG levels were established for 30 normal singleton pregnancies, 10 twin and triplet pregnancies, 10 preclinical abortions, 10 clinical abortions, 20 biochemical abortions and 5 ectopic pregnancies. In comparison to normal singleton pregnancies, multiple pregnancies showed higher ${\beta}$-hCG. But clinical abortions, preclinical abortions and ectopic pregnancies showed lower ${\beta}$-hCG levels than singleton pregnancies. In conclusion, if we predict the value of serum ${\beta}$-hCG of variable early pregnancies and analyze it, we could predict the dilution protocol. Also, it can be useful in other ways.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.45-56
• /
• 2002

Objectives: Recently, recombinant FSH (rFSH) has been manufactured using a Chinese hamster ovary cell line transfected with the gene encoding human FSH. Both rFSH and urinary gonadotropin (uFSH) could be used for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). However, uFSH implies a number of disadvantages, such as batch-to-batch inconsistency, no absolute source control, dependence on large amounts of urine, low specific activity, and low purity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of rFSH in human IVF-ET program. Materials and Methods: A total of 508 infertile women was enrolled in this study. They are classified into rFSH group (n=177) or uFSH group (n=331), and all of them were matched by age and cause of infertility in same period. The $Puregon^{(R)}$ (Organon, Holland) was used as rFSH, and the Metrodin-$HP^{(R)}$ (Serono, Switzeland) and $Humegon^{(R)}$ (Organon, Holland) was used as uFSH. We subdivided the patients into three age groups. The outcomes of IVF-ET program were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Results: There was no significant differences in the level of estradiol on hCG injection day, the numbers of retrieved oocytes, matured oocytes, fertilized oocytes, transferred embryos, frozen embryos between the two groups. The total dose (IU) of gonadotropin for COH was significantly lower in the rFSH group compared to uFSH group ($1339{\pm}5491.1$ vs $2527.8{\pm}1075.2$ IU, p<0.001). Clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer in the rFSH group showed increasing tendency, compared to the uFSH group, but there was no statistical significance (35.2% vs 29.3%). Our results demonstrated that the relative efficiency of rFSH compared with uFSH is higher in older patients. Conclusions: The ovarian stimulatory effect and clinical outcome of recombinant FSH was similar to that of the urinary gonadotropin. The IVF-ET cycles with significantly lower dose of gonadotropin in rFSH group showed comparable results. Therefore, we suggest that recombinant FSH is more potent and effective than urinary gonadotropin.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.273-277
• /
• 2004

Intramural pregnancy is an unusual ectopic gestation located within the uterine wall, completely surrounded by myometrium and separate from the uterine cavity, fallopian tube, or round ligament. It is known to be difficult to diagnose, and associated with a high rate of uterine rupture. We report a case of intramural pregnancy in which early diagnosis was made and successful treatment was done by dilatation and curettage. Diagnostic laparoscopy confirmed the absence of uterine rupture during the procedure. Therefore, conservation of fertility can be possible with early diagnosis of intramural pregnancy. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of intramural pregnancy following IVF-ET in Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2014

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture as an adjunct treatment to increase the success rate of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Methods: A review of the English and Korean literature was conducted to identify studies on acupuncture as an adjunct treatment to IVF. The main outcome measures were the biochemical pregnancy rate (BPR), the implantation rate (IR), the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), the miscarriage rate (MR), the on-going pregnancy rate (OPR) and the live birth rate (LBR). Results: Nine meta-analyses of 11 systematic reviews (SRs) were included in this review. In four SRs, the overall IVF outcomes regardless of the procedural steps were documented; two of these SRs reported a significant effect on the CPR. One SR reported that acupuncture at the time of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation had a significant effect on the BPR. Seven SRs reported that acupuncture had no significant impact on transvaginal oocyte retrieval (TVOR). In eight SRs, significant impacts on the CPR, LIBR and OPR were reported when acupuncture was performed around the time of embryo transfer (ET). The results of repeated acupuncture after ET were included in two SRs, which included the same primary studies. The results of the SRs showed that acupuncture had a positive effect on the CPR. Conclusions: When the complete IVF procedure is analysed, there is conflicting evidence in that some reviews have found that acupuncture leads to an increased CPR but others have not. In addition, the reviews presented no evidence to suggest that acupuncture has any specific risks.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 1993

In 27 patients with the past history of poor response to the gonadotropin superovulation induction due to poor follicular growth or permature surge of endogenous luteinizing hormone, the effectiveness of pituitary supperssion with the gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist(GnRH-a) in in vitro fertilization(IVF) program was evaluated in 43 cycles using a combination regimen of D-Trp-6 LHRH(Decapeptyl, Ferring)and FSH/hMG from June, 1989 to August, 1990 at Korea University Hospital IVF Clinic. At midluteal phase of menstrual cycle, Decapeptyl-CR was administered by long-term protocol to minimize initial agonistic effect of endogenous gonadotropins. After the confirmation of pituitary suppression, about 2-3 weeks after GNRH-a administration, ovarian follicle growth was stimulated with FSH/hMG and followed by transvaginal ultrasonic measurement of follicle size and by monitoring of serm E2 and LH if necessary. When compared with the control group stimulated with gonadotropin regimen only, the cancellation rate and occurrence rate of premature LH surge during gonadotropin treatment were significantly lower in study group(11.6% and 2.4%, respectively). There is no significant differences in the mean number of aspirated oocytes, fertilization/cleavage rate, embryo transfer(ET) rate, and mean number of embryos transferred between the two groups. The pregnancy rate per treatment cycle, 16.3%, and per ET cycle, 23.3%, were significantly higher in the study group compared with those of control group. These data suggest that GnRH-a therapy is effective for previous poor responder In gonadotropin superovulation induction for IVF.