In a homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)-positive group of women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro maturation (IVM), the maturation rate of immature oocytes was ...significantly lower compared with a HOMA-IR negative group of women (47% vs. 59%). The results of our study showed that IR and hyperinsulinemia have an adverse effect on the developmental potential of immature oocytes retrieved in the IVM procedure.
Objective To assess whether the embryo cultivation at different oxygen tensions had any effect on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome. Design Prospective randomized trial. Setting ...University clinical center. Patient(s) Women undergoing ICSI (n = 647). Intervention(s) Culturing of embryos, either at 6% CO2 , 5% O2 , 89% N2 , or at 6% CO2 in air. Main Outcome Measure(s) The primary outcome was ongoing pregnancy rates (PR). Secondary outcomes: cumulative PRs, implantation, and embryo quality, for both treatment groups and clinical outcomes for subgroups (optimal cycles, poor responders, older women). Result(s) Although low oxygen resulted in a higher proportion of good day 2 embryos (0.547 ± 0.021 vs. 0.39 ± 0.019) and optimal blastocysts (0.162 ± 0.199 vs. 0.083 ± 0.128), the ongoing PRs (31.6% vs. 27.1%) and implantation rates (28.8% vs. 25.2%) were similar in both oxygen groups. Low oxygen caused a higher cumulative PR (38% vs. 28.3%) in the main group and a higher PR in the poor responder subgroup (23% vs. 9.8%) with embryo transfers performed mostly on day 3. Conclusion(s) The use of reduced oxygen in IVF is reasonable, irrespective of the duration of embryo culture. It improves embryo development and cumulative PR and is also recommended in poor responding cycles.
Advances in genomic technology have generated possibilities for expanding newborn screening from traditional procedures to genomic newborn screening (gNBS). However, before the implementation of ...gNBS, it is crucial to address various aspects, including parental attitudes, at the national level. With this aim, we analyzed the attitudes and expectations of Slovenian peripartum mothers regarding gNBS and the acceptability of its implementation into the Slovenian health system. A questionnaire-based study was conducted on a convenience sample of 1136 peripartum mothers (a response rate of 84.1%) in a hospital setting in Slovenia. We measured participants' level of general genetic knowledge, motivation to undergo gNBS, attitude toward its benefits and drawbacks, willingness to participate financially, and factors that would influence their decision to undergo gNBS. Most participants exhibited a positive attitude (83.2%) and were motivated to undertake gNBS (63.4%). They were willing to share genetic data and also contribute to the testing costs. Mothers with better genetic literacy and higher education level, and those with the familial genetic testing experiences were more supportive of gNBS. However, several emotional and socio-ethical concerns were raised regarding how the genetic information would influence family and social life.
This study examines the effect of international collaboration of Slovenian authors and the status of journals where papers are published (as determined by their impact factors) on the impact of ...papers as measured by the number of citations papers receive. Research programme groups working in Slovenia in the 2004–2008 period in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, biotechnology, and medical science were used for analyses. The results of the analyses show that the effects of the two factors differ among the fields. We discuss possible reasons for this, including the possibility that differences are the result of Slovenia’s science policy.
To determine the attitudes of pregnant couples toward carrier screening genomic tests.AIMTo determine the attitudes of pregnant couples toward carrier screening genomic tests.A validated 22-item ...questionnaire was offered in person by medical staff to pregnant women ≥32 weeks' gestation and their partners attending prenatal classes from May to July 2014. The questionnaire inquired about demographic data, interest in various forms of genetic carrier screening tests, and genetic literacy.METHODSA validated 22-item questionnaire was offered in person by medical staff to pregnant women ≥32 weeks' gestation and their partners attending prenatal classes from May to July 2014. The questionnaire inquired about demographic data, interest in various forms of genetic carrier screening tests, and genetic literacy.Of 497 respondents, 69% expressed strong interest in carrier screening. The interested respondents exhibited substantial support for screening for common (82%) or all known genetic diseases (79%), as well as for treatable (79%) and untreatable diseases (85%). The majority of respondents believed that genetic test results could provide them with a sense of security but also provoke anxiety and fear. They were aware that these results could affect their perspective on life, work, and the atmosphere within their family, and acknowledged the potential effect on their relationship with their partner. However, none of these concerns diminished their desire to learn about their carrier status. Respondents with higher genetic literacy exhibited greater interest in screening tests (P=0.006). More non-religious respondents compared with practicing religious respondents (P=0.002), and more respondents with higher education compared with those with lower education, expressed interest in screening (P=0.003).RESULTSOf 497 respondents, 69% expressed strong interest in carrier screening. The interested respondents exhibited substantial support for screening for common (82%) or all known genetic diseases (79%), as well as for treatable (79%) and untreatable diseases (85%). The majority of respondents believed that genetic test results could provide them with a sense of security but also provoke anxiety and fear. They were aware that these results could affect their perspective on life, work, and the atmosphere within their family, and acknowledged the potential effect on their relationship with their partner. However, none of these concerns diminished their desire to learn about their carrier status. Respondents with higher genetic literacy exhibited greater interest in screening tests (P=0.006). More non-religious respondents compared with practicing religious respondents (P=0.002), and more respondents with higher education compared with those with lower education, expressed interest in screening (P=0.003).Most respondents expressed considerable interest in receiving information about their carrier status through genetic tests.CONCLUSIONMost respondents expressed considerable interest in receiving information about their carrier status through genetic tests.
In patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the proportion of optimal embryos—blastomere number and fragmentation rate—derived from in vitro-matured oocytes after the hCG priming protocol was ...higher (43.3%) than the proportion of optimal embryos derived from oocyte in vitro maturation with the FSH priming protocol (11.1%). The embryos derived from in vitro-matured oocytes after the hCG priming protocol also showed a lower incidence of multinucleated blastomeres. Pregnancies were recorded only in the hCG primed patients.
Introduction/Objective. The objective of this paper was to determine the connection between the socioeconomic status (SES) of the respondents and cigarette smoking and the use of alcohol and ...marijuana. Is there a connection between the SES respondents and their gender and place of residence? Methods. A total of 4188 primary and secondary school respondents from Brcko District of Bosna and Herzegovina participated in a cross-sectional study based on the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs questionnaire, adapted to this research. The data was collected using the questionnaire prepared for each respondent. Data on gender, marital status, occupation, and professional qualifications of parents were used to determine a family?s SES according to the Hollingshead methodology. Results. Alcohol and marijuana use are in relation to SES respondents (p < 0.001 or p = 0.008): respondents living in low-SES families use alcohol or marijuana at a lower percentage than respondents from middle-SES or high-SES families. Smoking habits are not in relation to SES respondents (p = 0.678). The place of residence is connected to SES respondents (p < 0.001): more respondents from low-SES families live in rural areas, while those from medium-SES and high-SES families predominantly live in urban areas. Conclusion. The SES of the respondents is in relation to their place of residence, alcohol and marijuana use, but it is not related to cigarette smoking.
This study aims to estimate age at onset of natural menopause in domicile and refugee women who lived in Tuzla Canton in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the war (1992-1995) and in the postwar period ...until the interview.
A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 331 postmenopausal women-264 (80%) domicile women and 67 (20%) refugee women-between June 2009 and February 2011.
The study encompassed 331 women with a mean age of 57.0 years (range, 39-75 y). The overall mean age at menopause was 49.1 years. The mean age at menopause was higher in domicile women (49.3 y) than in refugee women (48.0 y; unpaired t test, P = 0.023). After adjustment for age at menarche, education, marital status, living place, body mass index, number of abortions, use of contraceptives, and current smoking, only refugee status and parity remained as significant independent predictors of age at menopause (score test, P = 0.025). Refugee women had an increased probability of earlier onset of menopause compared with nonrefugee women (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.02-1.75; P = 0.039), whereas there was a decreased probability of experiencing menopause with increasing number of births (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.84-0.996; P = 0.04).
The age at onset of menopause in refugee women is lower than that in domicile women, indicating that war, independently of other factors, could influence the age when menopause occurs. On average, women who lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the war and postwar period entered menopause earlier than did women from Europe.
Background: In vitro maturation (IVM) is a relatively new method of assisted reproduction. The basis of this method is maturation of immature oocytes in conditions in vitro. The main advan- tage of ...this method over the conventional IVF/ICSI technique is that patients don’t need medications for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and that ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is avoided. The avoidance of OHSS is very important for patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which have increased risk for OHSS. The IVM method is suitable for those patients with PCOS who require treatment with assisted reproductive technology (ART). There are numerous factors which influence the maturation of human oocytes in vitro such as the nature of the patients, endogenous endocrine background, treatment with go- nadotrophins and ovarian steroids, cumulus cell and granulose cell function. In spite the fact that pregnancy rates have been improved in IVM patients last years, the implantation rates stay low (10–11 %). Reports on children born after IVM showed no increased risk for congenital malformations, however permanent follow-up of this children is needed. Conclusions: IVM is a promising method of ART and offers good results for PCOS patients. Further inves- tigations are needed to improve the success of IVM method.
Abstract Objective To evaluate the rate and type of aneuploidies of chromosomes 13, 16, 18, 21 and 22, with respect to the length of in vitro maturation (IVM) period, and to compare the results to ...previously published studies on aneuploidy rates of unfertilized, uninseminated mature oocytes and first polar bodies. Study design Two hundred and twelve immature germinal vesicle stage oocytes were assigned to two groups. After successful IVM, depending on their maturational period of 24 h (Group A) or 36 h (Group B), chromosomal analysis was performed by five color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In Groups A and B the rates of aneuploid oocytes were calculated and compared by chi-square test. Also the rates of hyperhaploidy, hypohaploidy, disomy and nullisomy were determined and compared by chi-square test. The difference was considered statistically significant at p -value of <0.05. Results The prolonged IVM did not significantly affect the aneuploidy rate compared to the shorter maturation period (48.1% and 45.0%, respectively). Regarding the unbalanced premature chromatid separation, no statistically significant difference was found between hyperhaploidy and hypohaploidy (14.8% versus 8.3%). For chromosome nondisjunction, higher frequency of disomy than nullisomy was observed (30.6% versus 14.8%; p < 0.05). The estimated global aneuploidy rate was between 42% and 63%. Conclusions The aneuploidy rate of IVM GV-oocytes is comparable to the aneuploidy rate of in vivo matured oocytes and first polar bodies, regardless of the length of maturation period. This suggests that the immature oocytes can be used in infertility treatment after they complete maturation.
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