Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'In vitro fertilisation'
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Ng, Hung-yu Ernest, and 吳鴻裕. "Excessive ovarian response during in-vitro fertilisation treatment." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2004. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B29636218.
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Müller, Christina Heike. "Klinische Relevanz unterschiedlicher Spermatozoenparameter für die Fertilisation in vitro." [S.l.] : [s.n.], 1999. http://deposit.ddb.de/cgi-bin/dokserv?idn=958028710.
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Wachter, Katja Ria. "In-vitro-Fertilisation vom Therapiemittel bei Fertilitätsstörungen zur Lebensplanungshilfe." Hamburg Kovač, 2006. http://www.verlagdrkovac.de/978-3-8300-2713-3.htm.
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Hofheinz, Marco. "Gezeugt, nicht gemacht In-vitro-Fertilisation in theologischer Perspektive." Wien Zürich Berlin Münster Lit, 2007. http://d-nb.info/987902113/04.
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Wachter, Katja Ria. "In-vitro-Fertilisation : vom Therapiemittel bei Fertilitätsstörungen zur Lebensplanungshilfe /." Hamburg : Kovač, 2007. http://www.verlagdrkovac.de/978-3-8300-2713-3.htm.
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Dhillon, Rima Kaur. "Risk stratification for women undergoing in-vitro fertilisation treatment." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2016. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/6752/.
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The aim of this thesis was to explore three factors that are easily available and contribute important information for women before commencing in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment: ethnicity, body-mass index (BMI) and thyroid disease. Results of the systematic review, cohort study and meta-analysis investigating ethnicity and IVF outcome showed South Asian and Black women have lower adjusted live-birth (LB) rates, after fresh cycle treatment, compared with White women. The relationship between BMI and IVF outcome was explored in a prediction model estimating chances of LB following first cycle. The model found BMI has reduced effect on IVF outcome when adjusting for other confounders such as age. The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) was examined across the UK in >7000 women of reproductive age, and a cohort study investigating the effect of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) on IVF outcome was also performed. The prevalence of overt thyroid disease was 0.38% and subclinical disease 3.45%. Using an upper limit cut off for thyroid-stimulating hormone of 2.5mU/L the prevalence of SCH was 19.64%. The overall prevalence of TPOAb was 9.11%; this was 7.98% in euthyroid women. Finally, there were no significant differences in LB between euthyroid women and women with SCH.
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Sunkara, Sesh. "Interventions for poor responders undergoing in vitro fertilisation treatment." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 2013. https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/interventions-for-poor-responders-undergoing-in-vitro-fertilisation-treatment(63a0ad08-f73f-406e-93db-7aa226d4c160).html.
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This thesis examines the various interventions proposed for the management of poor responders undergoing IVF treatment. I began by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the ideal controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) regimen for women with poor ovarian response undergoing IVF. The systematic review found the evidence to be inconsistent and inconclusive. The poor responders intervention trial (PRINT) was thus conceived. PRINT is an RCT comparing the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist long versus the GnRH agonist short versus the GnRH antagonist regimens for poor responders undergoing IVF. Results of PRINT showed the GnRH agonist long regimen to be efficacious. The relationship between egg numbers and live birth following IVF is poorly understood. I set out to investigate this by examining a large cohort of IVF cycles. I was able to demonstrate a strong association between egg numbers and live birth following IVF and justify the use of egg numbers as a primary outcome for PRINT. A frequent scenario faced in the management of women who have a poor response is whether to continue with their current IVF cycle or to cancel and start again on the assumption that there could be intercycle variability. I examined this hypothesis by comparing two consecutive IVF cycles with identical COH regimens. There was no significant intercycle variability in poor responders suggesting that the more cost effective option would be to continue with the IVF cycle Over the last decade a number of studies have been published on the use of androgen supplementation in poor responders. I conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis which demonstrated potential benefit from androgen supplementation but highlighted the shortcomings in the existing evidence. Finally, I conclude my thesis by examining the evidence behind some common clinical practices in the management of poor responders with suggestions for future research.
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Hofheinz, Marco. "Gezeugt, nicht gemacht : In-vitro-Fertilisation in theologischer Perspektive /." Zürich ; Berlin : LIT, 2008. http://swbplus.bsz-bw.de/bsz274010038inh.htm.
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Henderson, Janet Katharine. "Investigations of human embryonic implantation in vitro." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.341905.
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Fleming, Charlotte F. "Possible mechanisms of subfertility : epidemiological studies of in vitro fertilisation." Thesis, University of Bristol, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.390337.
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Fattore, Giovanni. "A cost benefit analysis of in-vitro-fertilisation in Italy." Thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), 2008. http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/2746/.
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This thesis presents a full cost-benefit analysis of In-Vitro-Fertilisation (IVF) from a societal perspective. It is based on a contingent valuation survey administered through internet to a sample of the Italian population. A referendum format and a payment scale were used to elicit willingness-to-pay (WTP) for a publicly funded program providing IVF to infertile couples. WTP was also elicited for a hypothetical situation in which the respondent was asked to imagine being infertile and willing to have a baby. Overall, results show the feasibility of using this new method of administration of contingent valuation questionnaires. Responses reveal consistent patterns and the number of inconsistent answers is limited. WTP for private use (in case of infertility) and for a public program are positively associated with income, education, being within the fertility age range and being informed about infertility and IVF. The take-it-or-leave-it format and a variant of the payment scale method result in different mean WTP estimates, but simulated and actual referendum WTP are very similar. There is evidence of an anchoring effect since the values presented in the take-it-or-leave-it question had an impact on the answers to the modified payment card questions that followed. Mean WTP estimated from the different questions are consistently above the mean cost of providing IVF, as estimated on the basis of a full costing methodology. The IVF program shows net welfare benefits under several assumptions. The study shows that the societal benefits of an IVF program mainly derives from the high WTP of a minority of citizens who tend to be the most affluent, educated and familiar with infertility and IVF.
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Papaligoura, Zaira. "The effects of in-vitro fertilisation on parent-infant communication." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/22541.
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Precise analytical techniques using video are effective in the evaluation of emotional processes in mother infant communication, and these methods have been successfully applied to demonstrate important effects of maternal emotional disorders, such as post-natal depression. The present thesis proposes that this approach is useful in understanding parent-infant communication when IVF is employed. Communication between parents and IVF infants appears to develop along the "normal" path. When differences were observed, these occurred in both the IVF and INF groups, which indicates that IVF as such does not, in general, affect either parents or their infants, and any effect is due to the infertility experience common to both these groups. The finding that parental 'Caretaking' in both the IVF and INF groups continues in a considerable amount even at infant's age of 21 weeks, when the mothers in the NIP group have almost abandoned this behaviour, could indicate enhanced maternal empathy as a result of the infertility experience, in agreement with Golombok et al. (1996) who found that mothers who conceived through assisted reproduction show more emotional involvement than those with a naturally conceived child. However, this maternal behaviour may not be adaptive. Infants during the first two months of life have emotional sensitivity and can express an intimate personal response. Their engagement in this early period is often interrupted by expressions of need. In the next 2 months, however, together with a decline in the mother's salience as partner for communication and an increase in interest in the surroundings and in objects, there is also a decline in expressions of need. These changes, which originate within the infant, lead the mother to adapt unconsciously. Increased caretaking by mothers in the IVF and INF groups could be viewed as an indication of maternal overprotection, possibly due to prolonged anticipation of pregnancy as a result of infertility.
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He, J. "A study of the morphological characteristics of rat ovarian granulosa cells during maturation of the oocyte." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 1993. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.239005.
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Holthaus, Eva. "Darstellung der In-Vitro-Fertilisation und verwandter Verfahren in deutschen Printmedien." [S.l.] : [s.n.], 2001. http://deposit.ddb.de/cgi-bin/dokserv?idn=969860013.
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Joels, Lisa Anne. "The predictive value of sperm assessment prior to in vitro fertilisation." Thesis, University of Bristol, 2000. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.310655.
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Schreiber, Christine. "Natürlich künstliche Befruchtung? : eine Geschichte der In-vitro-Fertilisation von 1878 bis 1950." Göttingen Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2007. http://bvbr.bib-bvb.de:8991/F?func=service&docl̲ibrary=BVB01&docn̲umber=015792143&linen̲umber=0001&funcc̲ode=DBR̲ECORDS&servicet̲ype=MEDIA.
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Peters, Kathleen, and k. peters@uws edu au. "Misguided hope: a narrative analysis of couples' stories of childlessness despite treatment with assisted reproductive technology." Flinders University. School of Nursing and Midwifery, 2006. http://catalogue.flinders.edu.au./local/adt/public/adt-SFU20061011.123633.
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Societal expectations for procreation often result in infertile couples accessing assisted reproductive technology (ART). In the current state of this technology, the successful outcome of the birth of a child does not always occur. This study contributes to nurses' understanding of what it is like for couples to remain involuntarily and permanently childless after infertility treatment has ended, and aims to bring about change in attitudes and practice towards this group. Literature that acknowledges individuality as well as shared experience for couples who remain childless after infertility treatment is scarce. Health professionals may therefore encounter difficulties in providing this group with appropriate support.
This research used a qualitative approach informed by feminist perspectives to gather stories of five couples' experiences of childlessness after accessing ART. Individual conversations with both members of the marital partnership were recorded, transcribed and analysed.
The study found that due to the societal expectation of procreation, and the falsely elevated 'success rates' of ART, couples often delayed decisions about whether they should persevere with treatment, hence reducing the possibility of exploring alternative methods of parenting. As well as highlighting the ambiguity of the term 'success', the study suggests that the hope that technology brings childless couples prolongs decision making and simultaneously serves to compound the sense of failure experienced by these couples. The couples' engagement with ART, as well as their inability to conform to the normative family of parents and their biological children, also contributed to periods of isolation. Following the decision to remain childless, the participants found that setting achievable and challenging goals assisted in re-building their self-esteem, and enhanced the process of adapting to their life without children. Although participant couples expressed obvious grief at remaining childless, they also showed resilience by managing attached difficulties and stigmatisation, and by creating positive future outcomes. For these childless couples, the strength of their relationships was seen as critical in the process of overcoming adversity. This study suggests ART clinics should provide more realistic information to individual couples regarding the likelihood of taking home a baby. Further to this, independent counselling support is recommended for couples prior to and during ART treatment, and when this treatment is ceased.
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Taylor, Alison Sandra. "Human parthenogenesis : an investigation to determine whether human parthenogentic embryos can be used as an alternative model for embryo research." Thesis, Imperial College London, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.244020.
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Sharma, Vinay. "Endocrine and non-endocrine factors affecting the outcome of assisted conception." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.244126.
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González, López Wendy Ángela. "Reproductive behaviour, dominance and in vitro fertilisation in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/670547.
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El llenguado senegalès (Solea senegalensis) és una espècie aqüícola emergent a Europa. No obstant això, el llenguado senegalès presenta una falla reproductiva, que es tradueix en la manca de reproducció fèrtil dels reproductors que van ser eclosionados i criats en captivitat. Tot i que els reproductors conreats produeixen gàmetes viables, la disfunció provoca la pèrdua de comportament reproductiu i de festeig en mascles cultivats i, per tant, els ous alliberats per les femelles no són fecundats. Actualment, la producció d'ous viables obté de criadors salvatges en captivitat, però la producció exclusiva d'ous de criadors salvatges no és sostenible a llarg termini. A més, l'anàlisi parental de les larves eclosionades dels criadors salvatges ha determinat que pocs criadors salvatges participen en la cria, el que va provocar una pèrdua de variabilitat genètica en les generacions posteriors. Per solucionar aquest problema hi ha dos enfocaments: aconseguir la cria espontània natural a criadors de cultiu com una solució a la disfunció comportamental en els mascles de cultiu o l'ús de fecundació artificial per evitar la disfunció conductual. Per tant, la present tesi s'ha centrat en: a) experiments per resoldre la disfunció en el comportament reproductiu dels criadors conreats, b) la influència de l'comportament de dominància en l'èxit reproductiu, c) mètodes per preservar la qualitat de l'esperma necessària per assolir l'èxit in vitro en els procediments de fecundació de l'llenguado senegalès i el peix llop clapejat (Anarhichas minor) id) determinar la proporció esperma-òvuls necessària per a la fecundació in vitro en llenguado senegalès.El lenguado senegalés (Solea senegalensis) es una especie acuícola emergente en Europa. Sin embargo, el lenguado senegalés presenta una falla reproductiva, que se traduce en la falta de reproducción fértil de los reproductores que fueron eclosionados y criados en cautividad. Aunque los reproductores cultivados producen gametos viables, la disfunción provoca la pérdida de comportamiento reproductivo y de cortejo en machos cultivados y, por tanto, los huevos liberados por las hembras no son fecundados. Actualmente, la producción de huevos viables se obtiene de criadores salvajes en cautividad, pero la producción exclusiva de huevos de criadores salvajes no es sostenible a largo plazo. Además, el análisis parental de las larvas eclosionadas de los criadores salvajes ha determinado que pocos criadores salvajes participan en la cría, lo que provocó una pérdida de variabilidad genética en las generaciones posteriores. Para solucionar este problema hay dos enfoques: conseguir la cría espontánea natural a criadores de cultivo como una solución a la disfunción comportamental en los machos de cultivo o el uso de fecundación artificial para evitar la disfunción conductual. Por tanto, la presente tesis se ha centrado en: a) experimentos para resolver la disfunción en el comportamiento reproductivo de los criadores cultivados, b) la influencia del comportamiento de dominancia en el éxito reproductivo, c) métodos para preservar la calidad del esperma necesaria para alcanzar el éxito in vitro en los procedimientos de fecundación del lenguado senegalés y el pez lobo moteado (Anarhichas minor) y d) determinar la proporción esperma-óvulos necesaria para la fecundación in vitro en lenguado senegalés.
The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is an emerging aquaculture species in Europe. However, in captivity Senegalese sole present a reproductive failure, which results in the lack of fertile spawning from cultured breeders that were hatched and reared in captivity. Although the cultured breeders produce viable gametes, the dysfunction causes the loss of reproductive behaviour or courtship in cultured males and, therefore, the eggs released by females are not fertilized. However, viable egg production is obtained from wild breeders held in captivity, but the exclusive production of eggs from wild breeders is not sustainable in the long term. In addition, parental analysis of hatched larvae from wild breeders has determined that few wild breeders participate in spawning, which resulted in a loss of genetic variability in subsequent generations. Two approaches exist to solve this bottleneck: achieving natural spontaneous spawning in cultured breeders with a solution to the behavioural dysfunction in cultured males or the use of artificial fertilization to bypass the behavioural dysfunction. Therefore, the present thesis has been focused on: a) experiments to solve the dysfunction in the reproductive behaviour of cultured breeders, b) the influence of dominance behaviour on reproductive success, c) methods to preserve the sperm quality needed to achieve successful in vitro fertilisation procedures in Senegalese sole and Spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) and d) determine the sperm to egg ratio require for in vitro fertilisation in Senegalese sole.
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Sutcliffe, Alastair Gordon. "A study of children born after novel types of in vitro fertilisation." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.406494.
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Jones, Christopher A. "Economic evaluation of alternative embryo transfer policies in in vitro fertilisation (IVF)." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.426399.
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Wilkinson, Jack. "Measuring and modelling multistage treatment outcomes : method development for in vitro fertilisation." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2018. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/measuring-and-modelling-multistage-treatment-outcomes-method-development-for-in-vitro-fertilisation(a5ab58d3-6a54-436e-b66d-af385b118349).html.
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In vitro fertilisation (IVF) comprises a sequence of interventions delivered to the treated woman and her embryos. Typically, IVF begins with a period of stimulation, where a patient's ovaries will be stimulated with drugs. This encourages the growth of follicles, which contain eggs. When the follicles are sufficiently developed, a trigger is given which causes eggs to be released. These are collected in a clinical procedure, and are fertilised with sperm, to produce embryos. The embryos are graded on the basis of morphological features, and an embryologist will select the best to be transferred to the patient's uterus. Once embryos are transferred, the hope is that the patient will have a successful pregnancy, culminating in the birth of one or more children. The multistage treatment structure complicates measurement and modelling of IVF data. First, since patient responses to each of these interventions can be measured, outcome reporting is complicated by the sheer variety of outcome measures on offer. Second, since each intervention influences not only the immediate patient response, but also responses to interventions delivered subsequently, it is difficult to untangle the causal web underlying the IVF process. This in turn obfuscates the mechanisms by which IVF interventions ultimately influence the birth outcome, representing a barrier to the design of new treatment strategies. Routine statistical models are not capable of addressing this challenge. Bespoke approaches are required. Our aims were to address methodological issues relating to the measurement and modelling of multistage IVF data. After reviewing the existing literature, we investigated outcome reporting practices on IVF clinic websites and randomised controlled trials (RCTs). This highlighted the multiplicity of measures in use. We identified 815 distinct outcomes in use in IVF RCTs and 51 on clinic websites. In relation to trials, this represents a barrier to both data synthesis and comparison between treatments. In relation to clinic websites, there is a concern that prospective patients will struggle to interpret the different measures, rendering truly informed decision-making impossible. Selective reporting is another inevitable consequence of outcome heterogeneity, common to both research and advertising of IVF. While recognising that different measures are suitable for different purposes, we argue for greater standardisation of outcome reporting. National reporting schemes offer one route to clear and consistent reporting for consumers. Next, we adapted and extended joint modelling approaches used in econometrics, education, and toxicity research, to develop methods for the joint analysis of multistage outcomes. These methods can accommodate mixed response types (eg: count, ordinal, binary) measured at different levels of a multilevel data structure (eg: women and their embryos). We represented each response variable by a standard regression submodel, and linked these by specifying an underlying multivariate latent structure. Finding that this did not yield useful estimates of effects of upstream events on downstream responses, we extended the approach by introducing response variables as covariates in downstream submodels. Throughout, we emphasise real datasets and research questions. We conclude by building a model to estimate the effects of ovarian stimulation on uterine receptivity, which is complicated by the fact that stimulation also contributes to the pool of embryos available for transfer. Our results suggest deleterious effects of stimulation on embryo implantation and live birth.
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Cunningham, Thomas K. "The effect of environmental, physical, and nutritional factors on in vitro fertilisation." Thesis, University of Hull, 2016. http://hydra.hull.ac.uk/resources/hull:14051.
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Folliculogenesis, fertilisation and implantation of a human embryo requires unity of many different pathways. The literature review discusses folliculogensis, implantation and the potential affect that endocrine disrupting agents (EDAs) and Vitamin D can have on infertility and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Can physical and immune-modulating treatments such as Endometrial scratching (ES) and intralipid aid in the treatment of recurrent implantation failure (RIF)? EDAs were detected in the PCOS and controls, only the polyfluoroalkyl-agent (PFAA) perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) had a significantly higher concentration in the PCOS group, (4.11±1.62 ng/ml vs. 3.11±1.05ng/ml, p=0.03). Whole group analysis showed PFAAs demonstrated significant positive correlations with testosterone. PFAAs, Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p-DDE) demonstrated significant positive correlations with cleavage rates (p=0.01 to 0.04), thus these chemicals may disrupt cell division in early embryo development. There was no correlation between EDAs and pregnancy in either group. A pilot study was designed to see what effects Vitamin D levels had on IVF outcomes in PCOS and control subjects. A linear trend was observed between Vitamin D levels and fertilisation rates in the PCOS group suggesting a possible relationship between Vitamin D and oocyte maturation in this distinct population of women. An observational study was designed to assess the effect of ES on women undergoing IVF. No increase in clinical pregnancy rates (p=0.54) was demonstrated in women with RIF, however clinical pregnancy rates were significantly reduced (p=0.04) in women undergoing their second cycle of IVF. These findings suggest that this treatment is not effective in the treatment of RIF. The effect of intralipid to aid implantation in women with RIF has been postulated but not confirmed. A pilot study was designed to observe the effect of intralipid on NK-cell populations of women with RIF and controls undergoing IVF. The findings demonstrated no effect of intralipid on NK-cell populations in women with RIF.
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Pelzer, Elise Sarah. "Microbial colonisation of human follicular fluid and adverse in vitro fertilisation outcomes." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2011. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/49122/1/Elise_Pelzer_Thesis.pdf.
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This study, investigating 263 women undergoing trans-vaginal oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) found that microorganisms colonising follicular fluid contributed to adverse IVF (pre-implantation) and pregnancy (post-implantation) outcomes including poor quality embryos, failed pregnancy and early pregnancy loss (< 37 weeks gestation). Some microorganisms also showed in vitro growth patterns in liquid media that appeared to be enhanced by the hormonal stimulation protocol used for oocyte retrieval. Elaborated cytokines within follicular fluid were also associated with adverse IVF outcomes.
This study is imperative because infertility affects 16% of the human population and the numbers of couples needing assistance continues to increase. Despite significant improvements in the technical aspects of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), the live birth rate has not increased proportionally. Overt genital tract infection has been associated with both infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes (including miscarriage and preterm birth) as a direct result of the infection or the host response to it. Importantly, once inflammation had become established, medical treatment often failed to prevent these significant adverse outcomes. Current evaluations of fertility focus on the ovary as a site of steroid hormone production and ovulation. However, infertility as a result of subclinical colonisation of the ovary has not been reported. Furthermore, identification of the microorganisms present in follicular fluid and the local cytokine profile may provide clinicians with an early indication of the prognosis for IVF treatment in infertile couples, thus allowing antimicrobial treatment and/or counselling about possible IVF failure. During an IVF cycle, multiple oocytes undergo maturation in vivo in response to hormonal hyperstimulation. Oocytes for in vitro insemination are collected trans-vaginally. The follicular fluid that bathes the maturing oocyte in vivo, usually is discarded as part of the IVF procedure, but provides a unique opportunity to investigate microbial causes of adverse IVF outcomes. Some previous studies have identified follicular fluid markers that predict IVF pregnancy outcomes. However, there have not been any detailed microbiological studies of follicular fluid.
For this current study, paired follicular fluid and vaginal secretion samples were collected from women undergoing IVF cycles to determine whether microorganisms in follicular fluid were associated with adverse IVF outcomes. Microorganisms in follicular fluid were regarded as either "colonisers" or "contaminants"; colonisers, if they were unique to the follicular fluid sample, and contaminants if the same microorganisms were detected in the vaginal and follicular fluid samples indicating that the follicular fluid was merely contaminated during the oocyte retrieval process. Quite unexpectedly, by these criteria, we found that follicular fluid from approximately 30% of all subjects was colonised with bacteria. Fertile and infertile women with colonised follicular fluid had decreased embryo transfer rates and decreased pregnancy rates compared to women with contaminated follicular fluids. The observation that follicular fluid was not always sterile, but contained a diverse range of microorganisms, is novel. Many of the microorganisms we detected in follicular fluid are known opportunistic pathogens that have been detected in upper genital tract infections and are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Bacteria were able to survive for at least 28 weeks in vitro, in cultures of follicular fluid. Within 10 days of establishing these in vitro cultures, several species (Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Propionibacterium spp., Streptococcus spp. and Salmonella entericus) had formed biofilms. Biofilms play a major role in microbial pathogenicity and persistence. The propensity of microbial species to form biofilms in follicular fluid suggests that successful treatment of these infections with antimicrobials may be difficult.
Bifidobacterium spp. grew, in liquid media, only if concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone were similar to those achieved in vivo during an IVF cycle. In contrast, the growth of Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli was inhibited or abolished by the addition of these hormones to culture medium. These data suggest that the likelihood of microorganisms colonising follicular fluid and the species of bacteria involved is influenced by the stage of the menstrual cycle and, in the case of IVF, the nature and dose of steroid hormones administered for the maturation of multiple oocytes in vivo. Our findings indicate that the elevated levels of steroid hormones during an IVF cycle may influence the microbial growth within follicular fluid, suggesting that the treatment itself will impact on the microflora present in the female upper genital tract during pre-conception and early post-conception phases of the cycle.
The effect of the host immune response on colonising bacteria and on the outcomes of IVF also was investigated. White blood cells reportedly compose between 5% and 15% of the cell population in follicular fluid. The follicular membrane is semi-permeable and cells are actively recruited as part of the normal menstrual cycle and in response to microorganisms. A previous study investigated follicular fluid cytokines from infertile women and fertile oocyte donors undergoing IVF, and concluded that there were no significant differences in the cytokine concentrations between the two groups. However, other studies have reported differences in the follicular fluid cytokine levels associated with infertile women with endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome. In this study, elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-1 á, IL-1 â and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vaginal fluid were associated with successful fertilisation, which may be useful marker for successful fertilisation outcomes for women trying to conceive naturally or prior to oocyte retrieval for IVF. Elevated levels of IL-6, IL-12p40, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) and interferon-gamma (IFN ã) in follicular fluid were associated with successful embryo transfer.
Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory IL-18 and decreased levels of anti-inflammatory IL-10 were identified in follicular fluid from women with idiopathic infertility. Successful fertilisation and implantation is dependent on a controlled pro-inflammatory environment, involving active recruitment of pro-inflammatory mediators to the genital tract as part of the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy. However, ongoing pregnancy requires an enhanced anti-inflammatory environment to ensure that the maternal immune system does not reject the semi-allergenic foetus. The pro-inflammatory skew in the follicular fluid of women with idiopathic infertility, correlates with normal rates of fertilisation, embryo discard and embryo transfer, observed for this cohort, which were similar to the outcomes observed for fertile women. However, their pregnancy rate was reduced compared to fertile women. An altered local immune response in follicular fluid may provide a means of explaining infertility in this cohort, previously defined as 'idiopathic'.
This study has found that microorganisms colonising follicular fluid may have contributed to adverse IVF and pregnancy outcomes. Follicular fluid bathes the cumulus oocyte complex during the in vivo maturation process, and microorganisms in the fluid, their metabolic products or the local immune response to these microorganisms may result in damage to the oocytes, degradation of the cumulus or contamination of the IVF culture system. Previous studies that have discounted bacterial contamination of follicular fluid as a cause of adverse IVF outcomes failed to distinguish between bacteria that were introduced into the follicular fluid at the time of trans-vaginal oocyte retrieval and those that colonised the follicular fluid. Those bacteria that had colonised the fluid may have had time to form biofilms and to elicit a local immune response. Failure to draw this distinction has previously prevented consideration of bacterial colonisation of follicular fluid as a cause of adverse IVF outcomes.
Several observations arising from this study are of significance to IVF programs. Follicular fluid is not always sterile and colonisation of follicular fluid is a cause of adverse IVF and pregnancy outcomes. Hormonal stimulation associated with IVF may influence whether follicular fluid is colonised and enhance the growth of specific species of bacteria within follicular fluid. Bacteria in follicular fluid may form biofilms and literature has reported that this may influence their susceptibility to antibiotics. Monitoring the levels of selected cytokines within vaginal secretions may inform fertilisation outcomes. This study has identified novel factors contributing to adverse IVF outcomes and that are most likely to affect also natural conception outcomes. Early intervention, possibly using antimicrobial or immunological therapies may reduce the need for ART and improve reproductive health outcomes for all women.
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Hewitt, Denise Ann. "Oocyte maturation and fertilisation in the bitch : the use of in vitro culture." Thesis, Royal Veterinary College (University of London), 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.522575.
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Sinclair, Calum Gordon. "Molecular cytogenetic investigations into fertility, recurrent in vitro fertilisation failure and multiple miscarriage." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.300501.
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Liversedge, Neil Harvey. "The influence of genital tract bacteria on in vitro fertilisation and subsequent outcome." Thesis, University of Bristol, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.390098.
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Jenkins, Julian Michael. "The development and influence of functional ovarian cysts during in vitro fertilisation cycles." Thesis, University of Southampton, 1992. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/421964/.
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Smith, Michael Paul. "The cellular composition of human follicular aspirates." Thesis, University of Bristol, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.367670.
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Stranek, Wera. "Individuelle Unterschiede zwischen Bullen bei der in vitro Kapazitation und in vitro Fertilisation und deren Beziehung zur Non-Return-Rate." Diss., lmu, 2004. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:19-25554.
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Schmid, Gertrud Barbara. "Untersuchungen zur In vitro Maturation und Fertilisation im Hinblick auf die Vitrifikation von maturierten Katzenoozyten." Diss., lmu, 2005. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:19-48256.
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Burfoot, Annette Jane. "The politics of innovation : the discovery, disseminination and regulation of in vitro fertilisation in Britain." Thesis, University of Sussex, 1989. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.409941.
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Peters, Catherine Jane. "A prospective comparative study of 5 year old children (and their families) born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection, conventional in vitro fertilisation or natural conception, and other studies of child/family outcome after in-vitro fertilisation techniques." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2005. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1445928/.
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Objectives: To assess the extent to which exposure to Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is associated with significant health, developmental and psychosocial adjustment outcomes. To investigate the incidence of assisted conception in children with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.;Methods: A population case-control study of 510 school age children (and their families) born after ICSI (n=189), conventional in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) (n=158) or natural conception (n=163). Outcome measures included: A full physical examination of the child which included enumeration of physical abnormalities and an assessment of general health. An assessment of childhood IQ using the Weschler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI). An assessment of gross and fine motor skills using the WPPSI and McCarthy Motor Skills tests. Questionnaires to assess of parent-child relationships. A survey of parental attitudes towards disclosing the method of conception to their IVF children. A survey of 160 members of the Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS) support group enquiring about conception.;Results: There was no difference between conception groups for overall physical health or fine/gross motor difficulties. There was evidence of an increase in congenital abnormalities in the assisted reproduction groups. Parent-child relationships were similar between groups. The majority of ICSI / IVF parents wish to disclose the method of conception to their child. There is an increased likelihood of children with BWS being conceived after IVF compared to the general population.;Conclusion: The studies in this thesis are reassuring, in terms of physical and neurodevelopmental health of ICSI children aged 4-5 years and their family relationships. The increase in congenital abnormalities after IVF/ICSI requires further study. Families of assisted conception children wish to disclose conception method to their child but require more support. There is evidence of an increased risk of BWS in children conceived after assisted reproduction.
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Persson, Marie, Christina Ekerfelt, Barbara Jablonowska, Yvonne Jonsson, Jan Ernerudh, Maria C. Jenmalm, and Göran Berg. "Immunological status in patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation : responses to hormone treatment and relationship to outcome." Linköpings universitet, Institutionen för klinisk och experimentell medicin, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-85640.
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We aimed to prospectively investigate the paternal antigen-induced cytokine secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to hormone treatment in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and to examine the predictive value of the cytokine secretion profile in the outcome of IVF treatment, in a pilot study. Twenty-five women were included and IVF treatment was successful for six and unsuccessful for 19 women. Blood samples were collected before IVF treatment, on four occasions during IVF and four weeks after embryo transfer. The numbers of Th1-, Th2- and Th17-associated cytokine-secreting cells and cytokine levels in cell supernatants were analysed by enzyme-linked immunospot-forming (ELISpot), enzyme-linked immune-sorbent (ELISA) or Luminex assay. None of the cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, TNF and GM-CSF) had any predictive value regarding IVF outcome. The majority of the cytokines reached their peak levels at ovum pick-up, suggesting an enhancing influence of the hormonal stimulation. Pregnancy was associated with a high number of IL-4-, IL-5- and IL-13-secreting cells four weeks after ET. In conclusion, the results do not support our hypothesis of a more pronounced peripheral Th1 and Th17 deviation towards paternal antigens in infertile women with an unsuccessful IVF outcome, although this is based on a small number of observations. A larger study is required to confirm this conclusion. Higher numbers of Th2-associated cytokine-secreting cells in pregnant women four weeks after ET do corroborate the hypothesis of a Th2 deviation during pregnancy.
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Cook, Rachel Elaine. "Psychological functioning in couples undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or donor insemination (DI) treatment for infertility." Thesis, City University London, 1990. http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/7671/.
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This study was designed to investigate the emotional, marital and sexual functioning of female infertility patients and their male partners, to examine factors influencing psychological functioning, and to assess ways that patients cope with their infertility. Patients attending one of two London clinics for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or donor insemination (DI) treatment were assessed prior to treatment and approximately 9 months later. At initial assessment, fifty-nine women were interviewed and completed self-report questionnaires assessing state and trait anxiety, depression, sex role, marital and sexual functioning and strategies used to cope with infertility. Thirty-four of their partners also completed questionnaires. Prior to treatment, participants experienced high levels of anxiety, but not depression. They did not have significant levels of marital or sexual problems. High levels of avoidance coping were associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression, but coping strategies were not related to marital or sexual functioning. More female participants were classified as having feminine sex roles in comparison with the general population. High levels of masculinity were associated with lower anxiety but not depression for both men and women. Female IVF patients had higher trait anxiety than female DI patients, but there were no other differences in psychological functioning between the treatment groups. In terms of factors influencing emotional functioning, avoidance coping was a consistent predictor of anxiety and depression in both women and men. The response to follow up was poor: only 46% of female participants completed assessments. For most participants, treatment was unsuccessful. There was a strong relationship between functioning at initial and follow up assessment for these patients. Couples who undergo IVF and DI are a select group of patients: although anxious prior to treatment their emotional functioning is generally good. Reasons for these findings are discussed and proposals for interventions to reduce anxiety and enable appropriate coping strategies are made.
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Keay, Stephen David. "The relationship between poor ovarian response to gonadotrophin stimulation and the outcome of in vitro fertilisation." Thesis, University of Bristol, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.285813.
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Rockliff, Helen Elizabeth. "Exploring stress and emotion during in vitro fertilisation treatment, with a view to developing psychological interventions." Thesis, University of Bristol, 2014. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.658197.
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This thesis explores the hypothesis that stress, which is commonly experienced by patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, has a negative effect on. the process of conception and pregnancy. In attempting to explore possible mechanisms underpinning any such effects, several studies were conducted. A systematic review of literature exploring which psychosocial factors are associated with distress in IVF patients revealed two groups of variables, one protective against distress (which included optimism, social support, acceptance, secure attachment style, caring spouse) and the other conferring a higher risk of emotional problems (which included neuroticism, self-criticism, escapist coping strategies, controlling spouse, and insecure attachment styles). This is followed by a study exploring whether natural variance in positive and negative affect either before commencing IVF treatment or on the day of embryo transfer could predict pregnancy odds. This revealed that both male and female depression scores were associated with reduced pregnancy odds. The effects of positive emotion however were dependent on gender. Active positive emotions (in females but not males) predicted increased pregnancy odds. Relaxed positive emotion (in males but not females) predicted reduced pregnancy rates. A randomised controlled trial was also undertaken to compare the effects of two different psychological techniques for managing stress and emoti~n. Unfortunately recruitment rates were lower than expected, resulting in too small a sample size to test these intervention effects. However, the baseline data from this study were explored for relationships between implicit and explicit stress measures. This revealed two groups of interrelated variables, one that was associated with higher distress levels, and another that was associated with better emotional outcomes. These two groups of variable fit well with the findings of the systematic review. Collectively the results presented in this thesis suggest a major role of attachment style in orchestrating multiple other coping related processes, including autonomic, attentional and behavioural strategies. Several complimentary theoretical frameworks are discussed in relation to these data. Finally an intervention approach focused on reducing distress via activation of affiliative affect systems is suggested as a possible approach for IVF patients to improve psychological health.
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Aljahdali, Anan Rajeh. "Effect of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and embryo culture duration on mouse development and postnatal health." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2016. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/413958/.
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Since the advent of IVF (in vitro fertilisation) and assisted reproductive technologies (ART), several million babies have been born worldwide. However, reports link in vitro techniques with adverse short and long-term health outcomes. Using a mouse model, we have investigated the effect of IVF and culture on blastocyst development and cell number and on postnatal health of offspring. To explore the effect of different durations of embryo culture after IVF (as used commonly in clinical practice) and to evaluate the effect of embryo transfer itself plus the need for different controls, five treatment groups were generated as follow, each comprising 8-13 litters. NM (natural mating control, no ART treatment, non-superovulated); IV-ET-2Cell (2-cell embryos derived in vivo from superovulated (SO) mothers and immediately transferred (ET) to pseudo-pregnant recipients); IV-ET-BL (blastocysts derived in vivo from SO mothers and immediate ET); IVF-ET-2cell (2-cell embryos generated by IVF from SO mothers, short culture and ET); IVF-ET-BL (blastocysts generated by IVF from SO mothers, long culture and ET). Offspring were weighed weekly, systolic blood pressure (SBP) taken at weeks 9, 15, 21 and LIFE (average), and glucose tolerance test (GTT) carried out prior to culling for organ collection at week 27. Serum glucose, insulin concentration and the G:I ratio were calculated, with serum and lung angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) levels determined after collection and storage of serum and lungs following culling; with random effects regression statistical analysis used to assess independence of litter size and maternal origin. IVF blastocysts after prolonged culture developed slower and comprised reduced trophectoderm and ICM cell numbers compared with in vivo generated blastocysts (P < 0.05; n= 50-87 per treatment; differential nuclear labelling). Offspring from IV-ET-2Cell (n= 57), IV-ET-BL (n= 47), IVF-ET-2Cell (n= 75) and IVF-ET-BL (n= 42) groups compared with NM controls (n=80), showed increased body weight, increased SBP, impaired GGT and abnormal organ:body weight ratios in both sexes (P < 0.05), independent of litter size. At weeks 15, 21 and LIFE, SBP for IVF-ET-BL males was increased compared with IV-ET-BL males (P= 0.003, 0.014 and 0.001, respectively). At weeks 15, 21 and LIFE, IVF-ET-BL males had increased SBP compared with IVF-ET-2Cell males (P=0.032, 0.034 and 0.017, respectively). In addition, offspring from the IVF-ET-BL group had a significant increase in serum and lung ACE activity compared with the NM group (P= 0.034), (P= 0.019) respectively. Offspring from IVF-ET-BL group also had a significant increase in lung ACE activity compared with IV-ET-BL group (P=0.042), although, serum ACE activity tended to be higher than IV-ET-BL, but this did not reach statistical significance (ʈ =0.070). Selected correlations show that SBP at 21 weeks in male offspring from IVF-ET-BL were positively correlated with body weight at 9 weeks (ʈ =0.051), at 15 weeks (P=0.018) and at 21 weeks (P=0.016) with R2 values of 0.046, 0.09 and 0.09 respectively. SBP at 21 weeks and LIFE were also positively correlated with lung ACE activity 0.002 and 0.009 respectively. However, glucoseconcentration 2 hours after glucose injection and the AUC (area under curve) in the male IVF-ET-BL group was reduced compared with IVF-ET-2Cell males (P= 0.03, 0.003, respectively). In males, IV-ET-2Cell, IVF-ET-2Cell and IV-ET-BL offspring all demonstrate low G:I ratios in comparison to NM mice (P=0.005, P=0.001 and P=0.038; respectively). Selected correlations demonstrate that there is a relationship between weight and AUC, in which weight is positively correlated with AUC measurements in NM (P=0.001), IV-ET-2Cell (P=0.000), IVF-ET-2Cell (P=0.046), IV-ET-BL (P=0.013) and IVF-ET-BL offspring (P=0.002), with R2 values of 0.2, 0.29, 0.13, 0.26 and 0.2, respectively. Male IVF-ET-BL heart:body weight ratio was increased and liver:body weight ratio reduced compared with IVF-ET-2Cell males (P=0.019, 0.023, respectively). No differences were evident between the four treatments groups for females. Our results suggest that reproductive treatments affect the development and potential of preimplantation embryos, influencing postnatal development and physiology compared with undisturbed reproduction. In particular, prolonged embryo culture (from 2-Cell to blastocyst), with normalised SO, IVF and ET, may adversely affect male offspring cardiovascular health, but improve the metabolic profile, compared with short culture (ET at 2-cell stage). However, female health is less sensitive.
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Heinze, Susanne. "Triptorelinazetat 2,1 mg versus Triptorelinazetat 4,12 mg zur ovariellen Suppression im Rahmen der In-vitro-Fertilisation." Doctoral thesis, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Medizinische Fakultät - Universitätsklinikum Charité, 2002. http://dx.doi.org/10.18452/14756.
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Die GnRH-Agonisten-Applikation zur Downregulation vor IvF ist "gold standard", überwiegend im sogenannten langen Protokoll. Die Behandlung soll den vorzeitigen LH-Anstieg mit vorzeitiger Ovulation verhindern. Die unerwünschten Wirkungen sind dosisabhängig und rechtfertigen die Suche nach der optimal niedrigen Dosis des GnRH-Agonisten. Mit dieser Fragestellung wurde eine prospektive randomisierte Dosisfindungsstudie durchgeführt. 200 sterile Frauen zwischen 18 und 38 Jahren erhielten vor der IvF-Behandlung im langen Protokoll die Standarddosis von 4,12 mg Triptorelinazetat-Depot (1 Amp. i.m. = Gruppe B: n = 100) versus 2,1 mg Triptorelinazetat Depot (1/2 Amp. i.m = Gruppe A. n = 100) zur Downregulation. Folgende Parameter wurden bestimmt: E2, LH, Progesteron. Die Behandlungsergebnisse wurden korreliert mittels der Anzahl der gewonnenen Oocyten, der fertilisierten Oocyten, der transferierten Embryonen und der Schwangerschaftsraten pro Embryotransfer. Abgebrochene IvF-Zyklen wurden einzeln analysiert. Bezüglich der Hormonwerte waren beide Gruppen ohne signifikanten Unterschied. In der Gruppe der Patientinnen mit der halbierten Dosis (A) kam es nur in einem Fall zu einer vorzeitigen Luteinisierung, in der Standartdosisgruppe (B) in keinem Fall. Wegen low response wurde in Gruppe A in 5 Fällen die Therapie abgebrochen, versus 3 Fälle in Gruppe B (ns). Ebenfalls vergleichbar war das IvF-outcome, nur die ET-Rate pro begonnener Stimulation zeigte einen signifikanten Unterschied: 88 % (A) versus 96 % (B), pThe GnRH agonist application for the downregulation prior to IVF is 'gold standard', mainly in the so-called long protocol. This should avoid premature ovulations. The dose-dependent, undesired effects justify the search for the optimal low dose of the GnRH agonist. A prospective randomised dose-finding study was carried out in this respect. Among 200 sterile women (18 and 38 years) for the planned IVF and/or IVF / ICSI treatment in the long protocol, n = 100 in group A received 2.1 mg Triptorelinacetate depot (1/2 amp., i.m.) and n = 100 in group B the standard dose of 4.12 mg (1 amp., i.m.) for the downregulation. The hormone values E2, LH, progesterone were determined. The treatment results were compared by means of the number and quality of the oocoytes, the embryo transfers and the pregnancy rates. Cancelled IVF cycles were analysed. With respect to the hormone values, neither of the two groups showed significant differences. A premature luteinization occurred in group A (reduced dose) in only one case; in the standard dose of group B, none occurred. Due to the low response, the therapy was cancelled in 5 cases in group A, in comparison to 3 cases in group B (ns). The IVF outcome showed a comparable result. The only significant difference was the ET rate per started stimulation (p
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Hollinshead, Fiona Kate. "FLOW-CYTOMETRIC SORTING OF RAM SPERMATOZOA: PRODUCTION OF LAMBS OF A PRE-DETERMINED SEX USING IN VIVO AND IN VITRO FERTILISATION." University of Sydney, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/566.
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Abstract Birth of offspring of a pre-determined sex using flow cytometrically sorted fresh spermatozoa was first achieved in rabbits by Johnson et al. (1989). Since then offspring have been produced using sex-sorted spermatozoa from several different species (reviewed by Johnson, 2000). Initially, efficiency of the sex-sorting technology was poor with only low numbers of spermatozoa sorted per hour. Thus, the offspring derived from flow cytometrically sorted spermatozoa were produced with the use of artificial reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and culture (IVC), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and deep artificial insemination (AI) which facilitated low dose insemination of potentially compromised spermatozoa. More recently, the development of high-speed sorters (Johnson and Welch, 1999) has facilitated the production of offspring using conventional AI techniques with low dose inseminates (Seidel et al., 1999) and successful cryopreservation of sorted spermatozoa (Schenk et al., 1999; Johnson et al., 2000; Lindsey et al., 2002; Schenk and DeGrofft, 2003). Increased efficiency of sorting bull spermatozoa has evolved through significant instrumentation and biological developments which have enabled the commercialization of the sperm sexing technology in the dairy industry, although conception rates in cows after low dose AI with sexed frozen-thawed spermatozoa are still lower than after standard frozen semen AI (Seidel et al., 1999). Subsequently, over 20 000 calves of pre-determined sex have been produced from commercially available sex-sorted frozen-thawed bull spermatozoa (Seidel, 2003). However, similar developments have not been made in the sheep industry and were examined in this thesis. In this study, successful cryopreservation of sex-sorted ram spermatozoa and production of offspring of the pre-determined sex (X: 94.4 %; Y: 100 %) was achieved after low dose (2-4 x 106 total) insemination using conventional laparoscopic intrauterine (IU) AI. However, the overall pregnancy rate for ewes inseminated with sex-sorted frozen-thawed spermatozoa was low (25 %) compared to ewes inseminated with a commercial dose (140 x 106 total) of non-sorted frozen-thawed spermatozoa (54 %). Cryopreservation has been found to not only reduce the proportion of motile spermatozoa, but cause the remaining spermatozoa to undergo changes that advance membrane maturation thereby shortening their lifespan, especially after in vivo fertilisation (Gillan and Maxwell, 1999). It was found that sorting prior to cryopreservation accelerated the maturation of sperm membranes and after co-incubation with oviducal cells in vitro, sorted frozen-thawed spermatozoa were released more rapidly than non-sorted (control) frozen-thawed spermatozoa. The potentially reduced lifespan of sorted frozen-thawed spermatozoa, and practical constraints on the number of spermatozoa that can be sorted for an insemination dose, makes insemination close to the site of fertilisation and time of ovulation critical for successful fertilisation. After treatment of ewes with GnRH to increase the precision of insemination in respect to the time of ovulation, there was no difference in pregnancy rate between ewes inseminated before, during or after the assumed time of ovulation. Furthermore, there was no difference in pregnancy rate after IU AI with similar doses of sorted frozen-thawed and non-sorted frozen-thawed spermatozoa in GnRH-treated ewes. The minimum dose of sorted frozen-thawed spermatozoa required for commercially acceptable pregnancy rates determined after IU AI was high (20 x 106 motile). Consequently, alternative methods for efficiently producing large numbers of offspring of a pre-determined sex using flow cytometrically sorted ram spermatozoa were investigated. Ram spermatozoa can be stored for short periods of time in a chilled state (liquid storage) or for an indefinite period of time in a frozen state (frozen storage; Salamon and Maxwell, 2000). The fixed location of the sperm sorter requires the need for transport of semen from the point of collection to the site of sorting and processing, but also from the sperm sorter site to the recipient females under artificial conditions. In this study, ram spermatozoa liquid stored for 24 h prior to sorting were efficiently sorted, frozen, thawed and after in vitro fertilisation and culture produced a high proportion of grade 1 blastocysts. Similarly, spermatozoa stored at reduced temperatures after sorting maintained high sperm quality for up to 6 days. Furthermore, frozen-thawed spermatozoa from rams and some non-human primates were successfully prepared for sorting and efficiently sorted producing spermatozoa with high quality in vitro parameters. The quality of frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa after sorting was such that successful re-cryopreservation after sorting was possible. Low numbers of frozen-thawed sorted and re-frozen and thawed spermatozoa were optimal for IVF and a high proportion of grade 1 in vitro embryos of a pre-determined sex were produced. These embryos were either transferred immediately or vitrified prior to transfer, extending the application of the sperm sexing technology further. The birth of lambs of pre-determined sex after transfer of both fresh and vitrified embryos derived from frozen-thawed sorted spermatozoa was achieved. The findings in this thesis suggest that sorted frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa may have more advanced membrane maturation state than non-sorted frozen-thawed spermatozoa, resulting in a decreased fertilizing lifespan in the female reproductive tract. Despite this, the use of sexed ram spermatozoa in a number of physiological states (fresh, liquid, frozen) with several different ARTs is possible in producing significant numbers of offspring of a pre-determined sex. Improved efficiency in both sperm sexing and associated reproductive technologies is required for commercialization to be achieved in the sheep industry.
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Ziegfeld, Sandra Verfasser], Arndt [Akademischer Betreuer] [Borkhardt, and Nikolas [Akademischer Betreuer] Stoecklein. "Maligne Erkrankungen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen nach in-vitro Fertilisation / Sandra Ziegfeld. Gutachter: Arndt Borkhardt ; Nikolas Stoecklein." Düsseldorf : Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 2012. http://d-nb.info/1026332559/34.
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Simonis, Chantal Dominique. "In vitro fertilisation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome : the impact of gonadotrophin stimulation on metabolic variables." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2010. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/205657/.
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Ziegfeld, Sandra [Verfasser], Arndt [Akademischer Betreuer] Borkhardt, and Nikolas [Akademischer Betreuer] Stoecklein. "Maligne Erkrankungen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen nach in-vitro Fertilisation / Sandra Ziegfeld. Gutachter: Arndt Borkhardt ; Nikolas Stoecklein." Düsseldorf : Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 2012. http://d-nb.info/1026332559/34.
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Russell, Richard. "The effect of prolongation of luteal support with progesterone following in-vitro fertilisation treatments on pregnancy outcome." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 2014. http://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/16493/.
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Over 5 million babies have been born as a result of IVF procedures. Worldwide, over 1 million cycles of IVF are performed annually. The IVF procedure involves ovarian stimulation with the purpose of developing multiple follicles and maximising the potential oocyte yield. As a consequence of high oestradiol levels produced during treatment and the use of GnRH agonists or antagonists, a luteal phase deficiency results. This phenomenon is associated with reduced implantation potential and suboptimal conditions for maintenance of early pregnancy. Luteal support in the form of progesterone or HCG has been demonstrated to improve pregnancy rates after IVF. A number of luteal support protocols have been investigated with progesterone the most commonly used drug. The optimum duration of luteal support has yet to be defined. With no agreement in clinical practice evident, the reported use of progesterone ranges from withdrawing luteal support at confirmation of biochemical pregnancy to continuation beyond 12 weeks gestation. Whilst luteal support is considered a very important aspect of IVF treatment, there is very little evidence to support an optimum duration of use. The DOLS trial is a prospective randomised double blind placebo controlled trial investigating the effect of additional luteal support beyond confirmation of pregnancy test after assisted conception. Four hundred and sixty seven patients were randomised after confirmation of biochemical pregnancy to receive a further 8 weeks of vaginal progesterone or 8 weeks of placebo. Summary results were to include a primary outcome defined as viable pregnancy at 12 weeks gestation, whilst secondary outcomes were to report on live birth rates, pregnancy associated complications, neonatal outcomes, effect on first trimester serum screening and effect on uterine artery Doppler velocity. The DOLS trial reported no difference in pregnancy outcome at 12 weeks gestation, with 167/228 (73.3%) women randomised to the extended luteal support treatment arm having a confirmed viable intrauterine pregnancy compared with 167/233 (71.7%) women randomised to the placebo arm of the trial; adjusted risk ratio 0.97 (95%CI 0.87 to 1.09). Similarly live birth rates were not different between the treatment groups; 71.1% versus 70.4% respectively. No effect of extending luteal support beyond positive pregnancy test was observed in reference to complications of pregnancy, neonatal outcome, uterine artery Doppler velocity or antenatal screening outcome. In conclusion, we have confirmed that continuing luteal support using progesterone beyond confirmation of biochemical pregnancy offers no benefit in terms of pregnancy outcomes. However the extended use of progesterone until 12 weeks gestation does not confer harm. We suggest that all clinics worldwide should consider offering luteal support no further than positive pregnancy test, at which point it can be safely withdrawn without compromising live birth rates and reducing treatment burden.
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Dorn, Katja. "Einflussfaktoren von Seiten des Mannes auf den Erfolg einer in-vitro-Fertilisation (IVF) mit intracytoplasmatischer Spermieninjektion (ICSI)." [S.l. : s.n.], 2007. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:289-vts-60917.
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Joesbury, Karen Ann. "The impact of lifestyle factors on the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilisation-embryo transfer (IVF) treatment." Thesis, Curtin University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1070.
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Objectives: To determine the effect of female and male cigarette smoking, caffeine and alcohol consumption, stress and indicators of dietary status on the clinical outcomes of NF treatment. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: PIVET Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia. Patients: Of 351 couples who commenced IVF treatment at PIVET Medical Centre between January 1997 and August 1998, 281 females and 247 males participated in this study, generating participation rates of 80.1% and 70.4%, respectively. Main Outcome Measures: Multivariate methods of data analyses were used to control for patient and treatment variables in the examination of the effect of lifestyle factors on the following clinical outcomes: 1) number of oocytes retrieved by transvaginal oocyte aspiration (oocyte production), 2) fertilisation, measured as the number of oocytes fertilised weighted by the number of oocytes inseminated, 3) B-hCG pregnancy, 16 days post-embryo transfer, and 4) <12 week pregnancy loss following confirmation of B-hCG pregnancy. As a measure of ovarian reserve, serum basal FSH levels were also investigated as a dependent variable. Lifestyle factors included years of cigarette smoking (smoke years), tobacco, alcohol, caffeine and fruit and vegetable consumption, and stress from daily living and NF treatment. Results: Daily stress, tobacco consumption and smoke years were the female lifestyle factors shown to have a significant effect on NF treatment. Oocyte production decreased with increasing levels of daily stress (P=0.039). However, female patients with high daily stress levels experienced higher than average rates of fertilisation in vitro (P=0.0059) and pregnancy (P--0.0207). Smoke years had an adverse effect on ovarian reserve (P=0.035), which in turn, compromised oocyte production.Female smoke years was negatively associated with rates of fertilisation (P<0.0001), and this effect was exacerbated by cigarette smoking at the time of treatment (P=0.0187). Of the male lifestyle factors, caffeine, alcohol and fruit and vegetable consumption and IVF stress affected fertilisation in vitro. Fertilisation increased with alcohol consumption (P<0.0001), and with fruit and vegetable consumption (P<0.0001). A significant interaction term between these two factors (P=0.0144) implied a threshold of benefit from the combined effect of the consumption of alcohol and fruit and vegetables. Caffeine consumption negated the beneficial effect of alcohol consumption, as shown by a significant interaction term between alcohol consumption and caffeine consumption (P=0.0007). Male stress from NF treatment had an adverse effect on rates of fertilisation in vitro (P<0.0001). Cigarette smoking by the male partner increased the likelihood of the female partner experiencing a <12 week pregnancy loss (P=0.0084). Conclusions: In meeting with its principal objective, this study has demonstrated that specific lifestyle factors impact on the clinical outcomes of IVF treatment. It confirms the findings from former studies, namely the adverse effect of female smoking on ovarian reserve, and daily stress on ovulation. Moreover, this study has identified numerous new and unexpected relationships. Of note, the positive effect of male alcohol consumption on fertilisation in vitro and the elevated risk of early pregnancy loss associated with male smoking. This study has paved the way for future research into the identification of specific mechanisms of effect, including those suggested.
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Joesbury, Karen Ann. "The impact of lifestyle factors on the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilisation-embryo transfer (IVF) treatment." Curtin University of Technology, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 2003. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=14401.
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Objectives: To determine the effect of female and male cigarette smoking, caffeine and alcohol consumption, stress and indicators of dietary status on the clinical outcomes of NF treatment. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: PIVET Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia. Patients: Of 351 couples who commenced IVF treatment at PIVET Medical Centre between January 1997 and August 1998, 281 females and 247 males participated in this study, generating participation rates of 80.1% and 70.4%, respectively. Main Outcome Measures: Multivariate methods of data analyses were used to control for patient and treatment variables in the examination of the effect of lifestyle factors on the following clinical outcomes: 1) number of oocytes retrieved by transvaginal oocyte aspiration (oocyte production), 2) fertilisation, measured as the number of oocytes fertilised weighted by the number of oocytes inseminated, 3) B-hCG pregnancy, 16 days post-embryo transfer, and 4) <12 week pregnancy loss following confirmation of B-hCG pregnancy. As a measure of ovarian reserve, serum basal FSH levels were also investigated as a dependent variable. Lifestyle factors included years of cigarette smoking (smoke years), tobacco, alcohol, caffeine and fruit and vegetable consumption, and stress from daily living and NF treatment. Results: Daily stress, tobacco consumption and smoke years were the female lifestyle factors shown to have a significant effect on NF treatment. Oocyte production decreased with increasing levels of daily stress (P=0.039). However, female patients with high daily stress levels experienced higher than average rates of fertilisation in vitro (P=0.0059) and pregnancy (P--0.0207). Smoke years had an adverse effect on ovarian reserve (P=0.035), which in turn, compromised oocyte production.Female smoke years was negatively associated with rates of fertilisation (P<0.0001), and this effect was exacerbated by cigarette smoking at the time of treatment (P=0.0187). Of the male lifestyle factors, caffeine, alcohol and fruit and vegetable consumption and IVF stress affected fertilisation in vitro. Fertilisation increased with alcohol consumption (P<0.0001), and with fruit and vegetable consumption (P<0.0001). A significant interaction term between these two factors (P=0.0144) implied a threshold of benefit from the combined effect of the consumption of alcohol and fruit and vegetables. Caffeine consumption negated the beneficial effect of alcohol consumption, as shown by a significant interaction term between alcohol consumption and caffeine consumption (P=0.0007). Male stress from NF treatment had an adverse effect on rates of fertilisation in vitro (P<0.0001). Cigarette smoking by the male partner increased the likelihood of the female partner experiencing a <12 week pregnancy loss (P=0.0084). Conclusions: In meeting with its principal objective, this study has demonstrated that specific lifestyle factors impact on the clinical outcomes of IVF treatment. It confirms the findings from former studies, namely the adverse effect of female smoking on ovarian reserve, and daily stress on ovulation. Moreover, this study has identified numerous new and unexpected relationships. Of note, the positive effect of male alcohol consumption on fertilisation in vitro and the elevated risk of early pregnancy loss associated with male smoking. This study has paved the way for future research into the identification of specific mechanisms of effect, including those suggested.
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Fucker, Ursel Adeltraud [Verfasser]. "Untersuchung zum Einfluss des Lipidgehaltes in Oozyten des Rindes auf die embryonale Entwicklungsfahigkeit nach In-vitro-Maturation und In-vitro- Fertilisation / Ursel Adeltraud Fucker." Berlin : Freie Universität Berlin, 2012. http://d-nb.info/1028497202/34.
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Thum, Meen-Yau. "The Role of Cellular and Molecular Markers on Implantation Rate and Pregnancy Outcome Following in-vitro Fertilisation Treatment." Thesis, St George's, University of London, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.498933.
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