• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.307-315
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• 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
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.299-304
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• 1998

Despite the rapid development of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in recent years, implantation rates after replacement of embryos into the uterine cavity remains low. Several techniques such as culture conditions based on formulations of human tubal fluid and various ART techniques as GIFT, ZIFT, TET have been adopted in recent years to improve embryo viability in vitro and implantation rates. Also, coculture of human IVF-derived embryos have been used in an effort to increase the number of viable embryos following IVF and to improve synchrony between the developing embryo and the uterine environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of co culture with autologous cumulus cells has a significant beneficial effect on the development of embryos in vitro and its relation to the pregnancy rates in 120 patients with previous failed IVF-ET from September, 1995 to January 1998. We obtained the results from which significant improvement in the quality of viable embryos were observed using a coculture system with autologous cumulus cells, but pregnancy rates in this group of patients did not differ from the rate in the standard IVF group during the same period. Our study shows that a simplified short-term coculture system with autologous cumulus cells may help rescue moderate quality embryos to cleave regularly.

• 대한의료기공학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.64-82
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• 2017

Objectives : This paper is to report a natural pregnancy of Whidam's Su-Gi therapy with korean medical treatment on a infertile patient who had a missed abortion and was repeatedly failed in IVF-ET. Methods : A patient who had infertility problem had a missed abortion, endometrial curettage and IVF-ET several times. In this study, the patient steadily took a Whidam's Su-Gi therapy with korean medical treatment such as herbal medication, acupuncture, and cupping therapy, and so forth. Results : Through taking Whidam's Su-Gi therapy without assisted reproduction techniques, the patient got pregnant naturally. Conclusions : This case suggest that Whidam's Su-Gi therapy with korean medical treatment is effective in treating infertile female after missed abortion and failure in IVF-ET and inducing natural pregnancy. Therefore, there needs to be more trial on infertile patients treated with Su-Gi therapy with korean medical treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.57-64
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• 2003

Objective : We investigate the effects of multiple attempts of embryo transfer because of retained embryos in the catheter and of contaminated mucus on the transferred catheter. Materials and Methods: We respectively analysed data between November 1998 and August 2002 from 305 patients of 369 cycles who underwent IVF-ET. Of these patients, 47 patients of 50 cycles (Group 2) were required multiple trial of embryo transfer. They were compared with an age-matched control groups (Group 1) with female factor infertility. Pearson's $?^2$ and Fisher's tests were used to compare proportions between discrete variables. Noncategorical data were compared using t-test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Embryos were significantly more likely to be retained when catheter was contaminated with mucus (Group 1: 22.4%; Group 2: 44.0%). The clinical pregnancy rates, however, for the contaminated mucus or not, were 46.8%, 43.5% respectively. There was no significant difference clinical pregnancy rate between those who had all their embryos transferred at the first attempt (45.4%) and those who required more than one attempt (48.0%). Conclusions: Contaminated mucus in the catheter is associated with failed embryo transferred at the first attempt. Embryo transfers, however, that are repeated attempts do not adversely affect pregnancy rates following IVF-ET.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.247-252
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• 2016

Objective: Heparin can modulate proteins, and influence processes involved in implantation and trophoblastic development. This study aimed to assess the improvement of clinical pregnancy and implantation rates after local intrauterine injection of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Methods: A randomised case/control design was followed in women scheduled for ICSI. The study arm was injected with intrauterine LMWH during mock embryo transfer immediately following the ovum pickup procedure, while the control arm was given an intrauterine injection with a similar volume of tissue culture media. Side effects, the clinical pregnancy rate, and the implantation rate were recorded. Results: The pregnancy rate was acceptable (33.9%) in the LMWH arm with no significant reported side effects, confirming the safety of the intervention. No statistically significant differences were found in the clinical pregnancy and implantation rates between both groups (p= 0.182 and p= 0.096, respectively). The odds ratio of being pregnant after intrauterine injection with LMWH compared to the control group was 0.572 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27-1.22), while the risk ratio was 0.717 (95% CI, 0.46-1.13; p= 0.146). No statistical significance was found between the two groups in other factors affecting implantation, such as day of transfer (p= 0.726), number of embryos transferred (p= 0.362), or embryo quality. Conclusion: Intrauterine injection of LMWH is a safe intervention, but the dose used in this study failed to improve the outcome of ICSI. Based on its safety, further research involving modification of the dosage and/or the timing of administration could result in improved ICSI success rates.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.121-127
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• 1986

We have reviewed 59 cases of patients amoung 65 cases who underwent IVF and ET with reasonable indications irom 1984 and the results as follows. 1. Major indications for IVF and ET were tubal factor (40.7%), unexplained infertility (25.4%), endometriosis (15.3%), failed AID and AIH (10.1 %), and sperm abnormality (8.5%). 2. For superovulation of human oocytes, l00mg of clomiphene citrate and 75 IU of HMG used. The monitoring of oocyte maturation was bone by ultrasound examination and serum 17-${\beta}$ estradiol, LH values. The peak $E_2$ value was 956.36${\pm}$702.13 pg/ml. 3. The oocytes were obtained by laparoscopy 24-36 hours after the injection of HCG. 4. The mean numbers of follicles at laparoscopy was 3.06 and the successful rate of laparoscopy was 79.7%. 5. And 165 follicles were aspirated from which 98 oocytes were recovered, 59.4% of all follicles had at least one oocyte aspirated. 21.4% of the eggs were mature, 52.0% were moderate, 26.5%. were immature. 6. 67.3% of oocytes were cleaved and were transferred at 4-6 cell stages. 7. Four pregnancies including one chemical pregnancy and one spontaneous abortion were established by ${\beta}$-subunit, u-hCG and ultrasound examinations.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.29-44
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• 1990

In 105 patients with the past history of poor response to the previous controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH) due to poor follicular growth or premature LH surge, the effectiveness of pituitary suppression with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist(GnRH agonist) in IVF/GIFT program was evaluated in 112 cycles of COH using a combination regimen of Leuprolide acetate (Lupron TAP Pharmaceuticals, USA) and FSH/hMG or pure FSH from May to December, 1989 at SNUH. Starting on day 21 of the menstrual cycle(MCD #21, Day 1), Lupron (1.0mg/day, subcutaneous) was administered once a day till next MCD #3(suppression phase). After the confirmation of pituitary suppression, ovarian follicular growth was stimulated with FSH/hMG or pure FSH from MCD #3(Day + 1), and Lupron was continued with hMG or FSH until hCG administration (D 0) (stimulation phase). After suppression phase, serum E2 level decreased from 183.7${\pm}$95.1(Day 1) to 17.4${\pm}$12.3pg/ml (Day +1), and serum progesterone level from 19.17${\pm}$8.67 to 0.12${\pm}$0.05ng/ml. But there was no decresas in serum LH and FSH levels; LH from 12.74${\pm}$6.21 to 15.49${\pm}$4.93mIU/ml,FSH from 7.60${\pm}$3.84 to 8.58${\pm}$3.15 rnlU/ml. There was no occurrence of premature LH surge during COH. Eleven cycles(9.8%) were cancelled due to poor follicular growth during stimulation phase, and 3 cycles (3.0%) failed in the transvaginal oocytes fretrieval. Serum E2 level was 1366.8${\pm}$642.4 on D 0 and 1492.3${\pm}$906.9pg/ml on D+1. 7.00${\pm}$3.32 follicles(FD${\geq}$12mm) were observed on D 0, and 6.11${\pm}$4.15 oocytes were retrieved, with the oocyte retrieval rate per follicle of 95.0%. 3.59${\pm}$2.57 oocytes were fertilized and cleaved with the oocyte cleavage rate of 55.7%. In 83 IVF patients, 4.08${\pm}$2.39 embryos were transferred, and 16 pregnancies were obtained with the pregnancy rate per ET 2.39 mebryos were transferred, and 16 pregnancies were obtained with the pregnancy rate per ET of 19.3%. In 6 GIFT patients, 7.83${\pm}$3.31 oocytes were retrieved and transferred with maximum number of 6, but no pregnancy was obtained. When compared with the previous 108 cycles of COH using FSH/hMG or pure FSH regimen, the cancellation rate during COH was significantly decreased, and all the parameters of the outcome of COH including the pregnancy rate were increased. These data suggest that GnRH agonist therapy for pituitary suppression is an effective adjunct to the current gonadotropin regimens for COH in IVF/GIFT and can increase the probability of oocytes retrieval and pregnancy, especially in the previous poor responders.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.159-166
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• 2007

목 적: 불임 부부에서 자궁강내 정자주입술 시행 후 연속하여 시행한 자궁강내 정자주입술 및 전환하여 시행한 체외수정시술이 정액검사소견에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 진단적 목적으로 컴퓨터정액분석기를 이용한 정액검사 (computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA))를 시행한 후 자궁강내 정자주입술을 시행하였으나 임신에 실패한 53예를 대상으로 하였다. 자궁강내 정자주입술 시행 후 38예의 환자에서는 두 번째 자궁강내 정자주입술을 시행하였고 (Group 1), 15예의 환자에서는 체외수정시술을 시행하였다 (Group 2). 이들에서 두 번째 불임시술을 위해 채취한 정액의 양 (volume), 정자의 농도 (concentration), 운동성 (motility), 총운동성정자수 (total motile sperm count) 등의 컴퓨터정액분석소견을 이전에 자궁강내 정자주입술 시 시행한 정액검사소견과 비교하였다 결 과: 대상 불임 부부간의 남편 연령, 첫 번째 시술과 두 번째 시술 사이의 시간 간격, 불임의 원인 등에는 유의한 차이가 없었다. Group 1에서 첫 번째 시행 시의 정액검사소견의 정상 여부와 관계없이, 정자의 운동성은 첫 번째 자궁강내 정자주입술 시행 시보다 두 번째 자궁강내 정자주입술 시행 시에 통계적으로 유의하게 감소하였다. Group 2에서는 첫 번째 자궁강내 정 자주입술 시보다 체외수정시술 시 정자의 농도, 정자의 운동성, 총운동성정자수에서 통계적으로 유의하게 감소하였다. Group 2의 하위그룹 분석에서는 자궁강내 정자주입술 시행 시 정상 정액소견을 보인 경우는 체외수정시술 시 정자의 농도와 총운동성정자수가 유의하게 감소하였으나, 자궁강내 정 자주입술 시행 시 비정상 정액소견을 보인 경우에는 체외수정시술 시 정자의 운동성이 유의하게 감소하였다. 결 론: 자궁강내 정자주입 술 시행 후 임신에 실패하여 체외수정시술을 시행하게 된 환자의 정액검사소견은 자궁강내 정 자주입술을 계속 시행 받은 환자군에 비해 더 악영향을 받는다. 그 이유를 설명하기 위해 심리적 스트레스에 대한 후속적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.329-338
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• 2010

목적: 본 연구에서는 10개 이하의 2PN 접합자를 얻은 환자군에서 전핵 단계 배아의 동결보관이 누적 분만율을 증가시키는 지를 살펴보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 2003년 1월부터 2007년 12월까지 제일병원 아이소망센터를 내원하여 과배란 유도에 의해 체외수정 및 배아이식술을 시행한 주기를 후향적으로 비교 분석하였다. 본 연구에서는 일반적 체외수정법 또는 세포질내 정자주입술을 이용하여 수정을 시도한 후 20~22시간에 8개의 수정란을 확인하거나, 또는 전핵이 1개만 보이는 접합자와 발달지연 배아를 포함하여 수정란이 10개 미만인 138주기의 체외수정 및 배아이식 주기를 대상으로 분석하였다. 분석대상을 두 군으로 나누었으며 그룹 I (n=86)은 배아의 동결 없이 모든 수정란을 배양하여 3일째 이식한 군으로 하였으며, 그룹 II (n=52)는 전핵 시기에 일부 수정란을 동결하고 나머지를 배양하여 3일째 이식한 군으로 분류하였다. 두 군간 신선배아 이식주기와 그 다음 동결-해동 이식주기 후의 임상적 임신율과 누적 임신율을 각각 비교하였다. 결과: 비교 대상군 사이에 여성의 평균 나이, 획득 난자의 수 및 수정란의 수에서는 통계적 차이를 보이지 않았다. 배양된 배아의 수는 그룹 II ($5.2{\pm}0.5$)가 그룹 I $8.4{\pm}0.7$)에 비하여 유의하게 적었다 (p<0.01). 또한 이식한 배아의 수 역시 그룹 II ($3.3{\pm}0.6$)가 그룹 I ($3.6{\pm}0.6$)에 비하여 통계적으로 유의하게 적었다 (p<0.01). 신선주기 배아이식에서 ${\beta}$-hCG 양성을 보인 환자 수와 분만을 한 환자의 수는 그룹 I이 그룹 II에 비하여 약간 높은 양상을 보였다 (51.2 vs. 46.2% and 41.9 vs. 34.6%). 동결-해동 배아이식 후 누적 분만율을 비교하였을 때 그룹 I (48.8%)과 그룹 II (50.0%)에서 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 관찰할 수 없었다. 결론: 적은 수의 수정란을 얻은 환자군에서 일부 전핵 단계에서의 동결보관이 누적 분만율을 향상 시키는 효과를 확인할 수 없었다. 그러나 일부 수정란의 동결보관은 해당 신선주기에서 임신에 실패하였을 경우 환자에게 추가적인 배아이식 기회를 제공해 줄 수 있는 장점을 가지고 있는 것으로 생각된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.447-456
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• 1999

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using epididymal and testicular sperm in patients with azoospermia. Methods: From March, 1993 to May, 1999, a retrospective clinical analysis was done of a total of 140 cycles in 112 patients who underwent ICSI. Subjects were divided into three groups: ejaculated-ICSI group included 42 cycles in 34 patients with ejaculated sperm who underwent ICSI due to severe oligospermia and past history of failed or poor fertilization in the previous in vitro fertilization and embryo tranfer (IVF-ET) cycles, microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (MESA-ICSI) group included 50 cycles in 42 patients with congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD) or unreconstructable obstructive azoospermia and testicular sperm extraction and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (TESE-ICSI) group included 48 cycles in 36 patients with no spermatozoa which can be retrieved from epididymis or non-obstructive azoospermia. Results: Normal two-pronuclear fertilization rates were similar in three groups: 64.4% for ejaculated-ICSI group, 59.4% for MESA-ICSI group and 60.4% for TESE-ICSI group. The pregnancy rates were 26.2%, 26.0% and 25.0% respectively. There were no significant differences in the fertilization, cleavage, and clinical pregnancy rates among ICSI cycles using ejaculated, epididymal and testicular sperm. Conclusion: Epididymal and testicular sperm obtained in azoospermic patients can fertilize oocyte successfully and may lead to be similar fertilization rates and clinical pregnancy rates to ejaculated sperm.