• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 2004

Purpose: A Phenomenological study was conducted to investigate the experiences of infertile women who had an unsuccessful in vitro fertilization(IVF) attempt and the structure of these experiences was identified in a socio-cultural context. Method: In-depth interviews were done with five participants from Nov. 1997 to Feb. 1998. Data was recorded and analyzed by Colazzi's method. Result: Significant statements were extracted from the data resulting in 4 themes and 11 concepts. The concepts were: 'lack of information', 'unable to anticipate the outcome', 'reaffirmation of need', 'financial strain', 'emotional suppression', 'change of social relationships', 'physical fatigue', 'blaming oneself or God', 'trying different ways', 'famous place shopping', and 'praying to God'. The significant themes of the participants' experiences with IVF emerged as: "uncertainty", "burden", "blaming" and "vigorous desire". Conclusion: The results indicate that the care of infertile women with an unsuccessful IVF attempt should be based on a deep understanding of their personal experiences. Also, information on alternative choices should be offered and supported.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2005

Objective: Although several genetic factors have been associated with defects in human spermatogenesis, the unambiguous causative genes have not been elucidated. The male infertility by haploinsufficiency of PRM1 or PRM2 has been reported in mouse model. The aim of this study was to identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PRM1 and PRM2, related to the genotype of Korean infertile men. Methods: Genomic DNAs were extracted from peripheral bloods of infertile men with oligozoospermia or azoospermia, and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. We carried out the direct sequencing analysis of amplified fragments in PRM1 (557 nucleotides from -42 to 515) and PRM2 (599 nucleotides from 49 to 648) genes, respectively. Results: Three SNPs of coding region in the PRM1 gene was found in the analysis of 130 infertile men. However, the SNPs at a133g (aa 96.9%, ag 3.1% and gg 0.0%), c160a (cc 99.2%, ca 0.8% and aa 0.0%) and c321a (cc 56.9%, ca 35.4% and aa 7.7%) coded the same amino acids, in terms of silence phenotypes. On the other hand, as results of the PRM2 gene sequencing in 164 infertile men, only two SNPs, g398c (gg 62.2%, gc 31.1% and ga 6.7%) and a473c (aa 63.4%, ac 29.9% and cc 6.7%), were identified in the intron of the PRM2 gene. Conclusions: There was no mutation and significant SNPs on PRM1 and PRM2 gene in Korean infertile men. These results suggest that the PRM1 and PRM2 genes are highly conserved and essential for normal fertility of men.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.303-310
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• 2002

Objective s: To estimate the frequency of Y chromosome microdeletions in the Korean population of infertile men and to evaluate the relationship between microdeletion on the Y chromosome and clinical phenotypes of infertile men with idiopathic azoospermia and oligozoospermia. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples collected from 330 infertile men attending the Infertility Clinic at Samsung Cheil Hospital, Korea. Six sequence tagged sites (STSs) spanning the azoospermia factor (AZF) regions of the Y chromosome were amplified by polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). Results: Microdeletions on Y chromosome were detected in 35 (10.6%) of the 330 infertile men. Most of the microdeletions (91.4%) involved AZFb or AZFc. The high incidence of microdeletions were found in AZFc region (57.1%), but the low in AZFa (8.6%) and AZFb (5.7%). Larger microdeletions involving two or three AZF regions were detected in 28.6% of cases. All patients (6 patients) with deletion of AZFa region showed no germ cell phenotypes, Sertoli cell only syndrome or Leydig cell hyperplasia in histopathologic examinations. Conclusion: Microdeletions on the Y chromosome, especially, at AZFc/DAZ regions may be the major cause of azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. We suggest that idiopathic infertile men have genetic counselling and microdeletion analysis on the Y chromosome before IVF-ET and ART program.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.353-361
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• 2020

Objectives: An inadequate understanding of infertility can affect individuals' self-efficacy and ability to perform self-care; thus, reproductive health education is an important part of infertility treatment. The present qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences and educational needs of infertile women with regard to reproductive health. Methods: In this qualitative study, we utilized a content analysis approach. Purposive sampling was performed to ensure maximum diversity. In total, 23 individual interviews were conducted with 20 Iranian women with infertility and 3 key informants between July 2018 and February 2019 in northern Iran. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using a conventional content analysis approach. Results: Reproductive health education needs were identified by analyzing interview data from 4 main categories: familiarity with the fertility process and preparation for pregnancy, recognition of infertility and expectations around seeking treatment, recognition of preventive actions associated with reproductive health, and correction of false beliefs. Recognizing the causes of infertility and understanding the different approaches to infertility treatment are among the most important educational needs of infertile women. The potential for neglect of health-related issues due to concerns about fertility and the maternal experience necessitates education about preventive measures for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and sexually transmitted infections. Correcting misconceptions, including those related to contraceptives and traditional medicine, can also help promote reproductive health. Conclusions: In infertile women, the educational needs associated with reproductive health are multifaceted. Satisfying these needs can help achieve optimal treatment results and promote reproductive health.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 1993

Yeast strains were isolated from healthy women(36 isolates), infertile women(15 isolates) and women suffering from local morbidity(82 isolates). On the basis of 37 different physiological and morphological characteristics, the isolated 133 yeast strains were assigned to 10 species belonging to 5 genera. Four pathogenic species were identified. They were Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis and Trichosporon beigelii. Candida albicans was the dominant species, whereas Saccharomyces cerevisiae prevailed among the saprophytic species. The percentage occurrence as well as the pattern of yeast species differed in the diagnostic groups. It was higher in the women suffering from local morbidity than in the healthy and infertile women. Moreover, a wider spectrum of species was isolated from this group. Women with intrauterine contraceptive devices showed the highest percentage of yeast occurrence which reached 50% of those tested. Five different antifungal agents were tested fro their effects on the growth of the isolated yeast species in vitro. Nystatin was the most effective against the isolated yeast species, followed by pyrithion zink and ciclopiroxolamine, whereas micronazole and clotrimazole, showed a lesser effect.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.166-171
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• 2012

Objective: We compared the assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes among infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated with IVM, conventional IVF, GnRH agonist, and GnRH antagonist cycles. Methods: The prospective study included a total of 67 cycles in 61 infertile women with PCOS. The women with PCOS were randomized into three IVF protocols: IVM/IVF with FSH and hCG priming with immature oocyte retrieval 38 hours later (group A, 14 cycles), GnRH agonist long protocol (group B, 14 cycles), and GnRH antagonist multi-dose flexible protocol (group C, 39 cycles). IVF outcomes, such as clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), implantation rate (IR), miscarriage rate (MR), and live birth rate (LBR), were compared among the three groups. Results: Age, BMI, and basal FSH and LH levels did not differ among the three groups. The number of retrieved oocytes and 2 pronucleus embryos was significantly lower in group A compared with groups B and C. The CPR, IR, MR, and LBR per embryo transfer showed no differences among the three groups. There was no incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in group A. Conclusion: The IR, MR, and LBR in the IVM cycles were comparable to those of the GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist cycles. The IVM protocol, FSH and hCG priming with oocyte retrieval 38 hours later, is an effective ART option that is comparable with conventional IVF for infertile women with PCOS.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2022

Objective: Y chromosome microdeletions are the second most common genetic cause of male infertility after Klinefelter syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of Y chromosome microdeletions among infertile Mongolian men. Methods: A descriptive study was performed on 75 infertile men from February 2017 to December 2018. Y chromosome microdeletions were identified by polymerase chain reaction. Semen parameters, hormonal levels, and testis biopsy samples were examined. Results: Among 75 infertile men, two cases of Y chromosome microdeletions were identified. The first case had an AZFa complete deletion and the other had an AZFc partial deletion. This study found that the proportion of Y chromosome microdeletions among infertile Mongolian men was 2.66%. Conclusion: The findings can be applied to in vitro fertilization and assisted reproductive technology, and our results will help clinicians improve treatment management for infertile Mongolian couples.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.205-217
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to analyze the characteristics and effectiveness of online-based intervention for infertile women. Methods: We established the PICO (Participant-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome) strategy and conducted a systematic review of 7 literatures retrieved from 3 electronic databases of Ovid-Medline, Ovid-Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Two investigators independently extracted the data and assessed the quality of included studies using Cochrane risk of bias. Results: The pregnancy outcome showed that higher total risk scores (TRS) about lifestyle behavior was significantly associated with lower chance of pregnancy (aHR 0.79, 95% CI 0.72~0.85). Stress was significantly decreased in experimental groups receiving online-based interventions (p<.05). Depression score was significantly lower in groups receiving additional interventions besides on-line interventions than those who used online-based intervention only. The other outcomes, including anxiety, self-efficacy, helpfulness of intervention, perceived social support, and knowledge scores were not significantly different within and between groups in overall. Characteristics of the interventions were heterogeneous. Conclusion: There is evidence that online-based intervention in infertile women enhances the pregnancy and reduces stress levels.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.513-517
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• 2000

Enterohepatic recycling of estrogen after oral administration of 1 mg non-radioactive estriol was studied in fourteen women selected as the control subjects and ten infertile women in whom the infertility was appearing to be of endocrine origin. The extent of enterohepatic recycling of estriol ($E_3$) during the early follicular phase of menstrual cycle was assessed by monitoring during 48 h the urinary excretion of its two major metabolites i.e; estriol 16 $\alpha$-glucuronide ($E_3-16$$\alpha-G$) and estriol-3 glucuronide ($E_3$-3-G). The change in urinary level of $E_3$-3-G with respect to ($E_3-16$$\alpha-G$G was considered to reflect the extent of enterohepatic recycling of estriol. Lower values of urinary output of both metabolites in the infertile women as compared with the control subjects and the urinary excretion profile of both metabolites during 48 h after estriol ingestion reveal that the reduced extent of enterohepatic recycling could possibly be one of the factors which contribute towards the incidence of infertility in women.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.158-166
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to report the spontaneous pregnancy of Jokyung-san-gagam treatments on two infertile patients who were failed to in intrauterine insemination (IUI) by three times. Methods: Two patients, in this case, were who failed three times IUI were treated with Jokyung-san-gagam, acupuncture and moxibustion. Results: The two infertile women achieved spontaneous pregnancy after taking Jokyung-san-gagam without assisted reproductive technology. Conclusions: These cases suggest that Jokyung-san-gagam is effective in treating infertile female after failure in IUI and can be an effective option for patients who were failed in IUI. For further study, the clinical approach on infertile patients that is based on Korean medicine treatment including Jokyung-san-gagam would be sustained.