• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.231-237
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• 2010

목 적: 반복적 유산 또는 반복적 착상실패 환자의 T 림프구의 Th1 면역반응 정도를 알아보고, T 림프구 활성 정도를 분석하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 반복적 유산 및 반복적 착상실패를 경험한 37명의 환자를 연구군으로 설정하고, 유산이나 불임의 병력이 없이 정상분만의 경력이 있는 11명의 가임 여성을 대조군으로 모집하였다. 유세포분석기를 이용하여, 이들의 말초혈액 중 T helper 세포 내 TNF-$\alpha$와 INF-$\gamma$ 및 IL-10의 발현도를 측정하고 Th1/Th2 세포 비율 (TNF-$\alpha$/IL-10 및 INF-$gamma$/IL-10 발현도)을 계산하여 Th1 면역반응의 우세 정도 및 T 림프구의 활성도를 분석하였으며, 활성 표지자인 CD154와 CD69 발현 정도를 비교하였다. 결 과: 연구군의 평균연령은 $35.3{\pm}4.3$세였으며, 이들에서 T helper cell 내 TNF-$\alpha$/IL-10의 발현 비율이 대조군에 비해 유의하게 높았고 ($42.1{\pm}2.3$ vs. $28.7{\pm}2.7$, p=0.002), CD154와 CD69의 발현율 또한 대조군에 비해 전반적으로 높았다. CD154의 경우, T helper cell ($1.7{\pm}0.5$ vs. $0.3{\pm}0.2$, p=0.038)과 T suppressor cell ($0.6{\pm}0.2$ vs. $0.1{\pm}0.0$, p=0.024) 모두에서 유의하게 높은 발현을 보인 반면, CD69의 경우, 전체 T 림프구 ($5.6{\pm}1.9$ vs. $1.3{\pm}5.4$, p=0.046)와 T suppressor cell ($4.8{\pm}1.3$ vs. $1.8{\pm}0.2$, p=0.035)에서 통계적으로 높은 발현을 확인할 수 있었다. 결 론: 반복적 유산 및 반복적 착상실패를 보이는 여성에서 T 림프구의 활성도와 Th1 면역반응이 증가하였으며 이는, 이들 여성에서 활성화된 T 림프구가 Th1 면역반응을 유도하여 초기 임신의 유지와 착상에 좋지 않은 영향을 미치기 때문으로 생각된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.181-184
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• 2016

The aim was to report a healthy live birth using re-vitrified-warmed cleavage-stage embryos derived from supernumerary warmed embryos after frozen embryo transfer (ET) in a patient with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). The case was a 39-year-old female with a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome and adenomyosis, along with RIF. After ovarian hyperstimulation, 33 cumulus-oocyte complexes were retrieved and fertilized with conventional in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Because of the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, 16 grade B and C embryos were vitrified. After 3 and 6 months, 3 and 4 B-C warmed embryos were transferred to the uterus, respectively. However, implantation did not take place. Ten months later, four embryos were warmed, two grade B 8-cell embryos were transferred, and two embryos were re-vitrified. One year later, the two re-vitrified cleavage-stage embryos were warmed, which resulted in a successful live birth. This finding showed that following first warming, it is feasible to refreeze supernumerary warmed embryos for subsequent ET in patients with a history of RIF.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.38-41
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• 2013

Liver damage induced by ovarian stimulation has been demonstrated in some cases reported in the literature. However, there has never been a fruitful debate on this topic. The present manuscript tried to fill this gap. We reported a case of a 35-year-old nulliparous woman admitted to our obstetric emergency room for severe pre-eclampsia. She had been subjected to four cycles of controlled ovarian stimulation for intrauterine insemination. At 32 weeks of gestation, she developed severe pre-eclampsia, which led to HELLP syndrome complicated by fatal liver failure. The etiological link between ovarian stimulation and HELLP syndrome is intriguing. Further investigations are needed to understand whether repeated ovarian stimulation may represent a risk factor in pre-eclamptic patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.185-192
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• 2016

Chronic endometritis (CE) is a condition involving the breakdown of the peaceful co-existence between microorganisms and the host immune system in the endometrium. A majority of CE cases produce no noticeable signs or mild symptoms, and the prevalence rate of CE has been found to be approximately 10%. Gynecologists and pathologists often do not focus much clinical attention on CE due to the time-consuming microscopic examinations necessary to diagnose CE, its mild clinical manifestations, and the benign nature of the disease. However, the relationship between CE and infertility-related conditions such as repeated implantation failure and recurrent miscarriage has recently emerged as an area of inquiry. In this study, we reviewed the literature on the pathophysiology of CE and how it may be associated with infertility, as well as the literature regarding the diagnosis and treatment of CE. In addition, we discuss the value of hysteroscopic procedures in the diagnosis and treatment of CE.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.27-32
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• 1976

In recent years, explosive increase in population has been damaging mankind in terms of deprivation of natural resources and more of economical demands. Therefore, we have thought about problems as to counter-balance the increasing population, and reached a resolution of artificial methods of controlling birth. In the past, though now used in some of contraceptive methods, extravaginal ejaculation, condom were commonly used. But recently, pills, IUD and several kinds of operative procedures are quite popular. Though the recent methods are known to be effective compared with the traditional methods, a certain unwanted side effects as well as limited value of usages now must be discussed. On this aspect, we are trying to research for a ideal methods such as symptom free, more of natural way of family planning and try to zero the failure rate. And also it has been suggested that only if those scientific methods of controlling birth can be base on religious concepts of moral being, it will be enlightened. At the Happy Family Planning Clinic of St. Mary's Hospital, we apply Billing's ovulation method to out-patients who want contraception and usually advise them to use it on a self-care basis. For a retrospective study of the presurvey data analysis and use-effectiveness of the ovulation method from April 1, 1975 to Nov., 30, 1975, we have dealt with a total of 1,383 women (urban areas 465, rural areas 918). The results of preliminary survey were as follows; 1) Among 465 women in Seoul areas, the failure rate was 10.3, which signified unplanned pregnancies of 32 women. 27 of the 32 women were pregnant due to the users own failure and the remaing 5 due to the failure of the method. Therefore, the failure of the method accounted for 1.6. 2) Among 918 women in rural areas, the failure rate was 15.2 signifing unplanned pregnancies in 93 women. The cause of the failure in 81 of the 93 women was attributable to the user's own mistake and that in the remaing 12 to the default of the method. Therefore, the failure attributable to the method accounted for 2.0.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.305-312
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• 2007

목 적: 본 연구에서는 일반적인 체외수정과 세포질내 정자주입술을 병행하여 시행하는 분할 수정법의 효용성을 정상적인 정자 소견을 나타내는 비남성요인 불임 환자의 체외수정 및 배아이식술에서 살펴보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 제일병원 아이소망센터에서 정자 소견상 결함이 없는 비남성요인 불임 환자에게 분할 수정법을 이용한 505주기의 임상 결과를 후향적으로 분석하였다. 획득된 난자는 무작위로 나누어 일반적인 체외수정이나 세포질내 정자주입술을 이용하여 수정을 시켰다. 수정란은 이식할 때까지 2$\sim$5일간 배양하였고, 잉여의 수정란과 배아는 동결보관하여 동결-융해 이식에 사용하였다. 수정 방법에 따른 임상 결과를 통계학적인 방법으로 비교하였다. 결 과: 획득된 난자의 수정율은 분할 수정법을 시행하였을 때 일반적인 체외수정보다 세포질내 정자주입술에서 통계적으로 유의하게 높게 나타났다 (52.9$\pm$28.0% vs 62.5$\pm$22.3%, p<0.01). 전체적인 수정의 실패는 분할 수정법을 시행한 505주기 중에서 단지 2주기에서만 (0.4%) 나타났으며, 수정 실패와 0$\sim$30% 이하의 수정률을 나타내는 빈도는 세포질내 정자주입술에서 일반적인 체외수정보다 통계적으로 유의하게 낮았다 (1.1% and 7.5% vs 8.5% and 22.0%, p<0.01). 분할 수정주기에서의 신선 배아와 동결-융해 배아이식 후 분만율은 각각 40.0% (185/462)와 35.0% (55/157)였으며, 일반적인 체외수정이나 세포질내 정 자주입술로 얻어진 배아의 착상률과 분만율은 유의적인 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 결 론: 결론적으로 비남성요인 불임 환자의 보조생식술에서 분할 수정법이 수정 실패와 낮은 수정율을 방지하고 성공적인 임상 결과를 제공할 수 있는 효과적인 방법으로 사료된다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제51권5호
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• pp.225-229
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• 2018

In humans, hormonal regulation is crucial for the preparation of uterine environment leading to either successful implantation or menstrual cycle. Estrogen is a pivotal female steroid hormone that regulates the uterine dynamics along with progesterone in the estrous and menstrual cycles in humans. Estrogen signals act via nuclear estrogen receptor or membrane-bound receptor. The membrane-bound estrogen receptor plays a crucial role in the rapid response of estrogen in the uterine epithelium. Recently, RASD1 has received attention as a novel signal transducer of estrogen in various systems including female reproductive organs. In this review, we discuss the regulation of estrogen and RASD1 signaling in the uterus and also provide insights into RAS as a novel signaling molecule in repeated implantation failure.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.7-9
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• 1996

Here, A forty year old patient is presented, showing azoospermia following vasovasostomy. The bilateral testicular biopsies were performed to confirm whether ductal obstruction due to vasovasostomy or testicular failure existed. The finding of biopsy was spermatogenic arrest. After completion of medical testicular stimulation with clomiphene citrate and pentoxifilline for 3 months, repeat vasovasostomy was performed. Semenanaylsis revealed normal sperm parameters after operation. Necessity of testicular biopsy before deciding repeat vasovasostomy, accuracy of testicular biopsy, efficacy of testicular stimulation in the patient with spermatogenic arrest and effect of testicular biopsy on testicular fuction are discussed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.35-39
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• 1988

In these past 2 decades, dramatic improvement in technology have greatly expanded the scope of female and male surgical sterilization in Korea. Female and male surgical sterilization are readily accepted because those are simple, in expensive, effective and apparently without serious postoperative complications and the failure rates are very low. In 1986, 92,000 cases of vassectoncy and 312,000 tubal sterilization were taken by the financial support of government in Korea. In this important appraisal the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs provided the guideline for the physicians on the medicoethical problems of surgical sterilization for men and women. The various medicoethical consideration that may give arise to the physicians as well as family planning workers in connection with surgical sterilization are also reviewed and discussed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권4호
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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.