STUDY QUESTION
Does the presence of ultrasound diagnosed adenomyosis interfere with successful implantation in patients undergoing IVF treatment with GnRH antagonist ovarian stimulation?
SUMMARY ...ANSWER
The presence of ultrasound diagnosed adenomyosis was associated with a significant reduction in successful implantation of good quality embryos in patients undergoing GnRH antagonist stimulation for IVF treatment (viable clinical pregnancy rate 23.6% versus 44.6%, P= 0.017).
WHAT IS KNOWN AND WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS
There is currently no consensus regarding the impact of adenomyosis on implantation potential. Although some studies have identified alterations in the endometrial milieu in adenomyosis patients that may impact implantation, several papers have reported no associated reproductive deficit. However, these pregnancy outcome studies have primarily investigated patients undergoing long down-regulation IVF protocols, where low levels of serum estrogen (before commencing the ovarian stimulation) may inactivate the adenomyosis and potentially negate its effect on implantation. Given that the majority of fertility clinics are now moving towards the more ‘patient-friendly’ antagonist protocol, where patients are not placed in a hypo-estrogen state before commencing ovarian stimulation, the question of whether adenomyosis has an impact on IVF success rates in GnRH antagonist-stimulated IVF treatment needs to be examined.
DESIGN
This is a retrospective cohort study of 748 patients who, between April 2010 and March 2012, underwent a screening transvaginal ultrasound to identify possible pelvic pathology before commencing their IVF treatment. From this screening group, 213 patients were eligible to be included in the study as they had no obvious underlying uterine or embryonic factors that could have interfered with successful implantation (aged ≤39 years, good quality Day 4/5 embryo for single-embryo transfer, no uterine fibroids/hydrosalpinx or endometrial polyps).
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING
There were 213 patients in a private IVF unit eligible to be included in the study, with 38 patients (17.84%) having ultrasound diagnosed adenomyosis and 175 patients having no adenomyosis on the scan. Only the first treatment cycle for each patient was included.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
The adenomyosis group had a viable clinical pregnancy rate of 23.6% compared with 44.6% in the non-adenomyosis group (P =0.017). However, the median maternal age and duration of infertility of the adenomyosis group was 2 years older and 4 months greater, respectively, than that of the non-adenomyosis group. A logistic regression analysis was performed to account for these differences between the two groups, with the adjusted results still showing a statistically significant decline in viable pregnancy rate in the adenomyosis group (OR = 0.408, CI = 0.181–0.922, P =0.031 when adjusting for maternal age; OR = 0.417, CI = 0.175–0.989, P =0.047 when adjusting for duration of infertility)
BIAS, CONFOUNDING AND OTHER REASONS FOR CAUTION
Given the retrospective nature of this study, there is risk of bias. This risk was minimized by having subjective variables such as embryo quality assessed by individuals not involved in the study, while strictly applying the pre-determined inclusion/exclusion criteria to all study participants. Furthermore, it is acknowledged that ultrasound is
not a perfect test for the diagnosis of adenomyosis and, therefore, may underestimate the incidence of adenomyosis by misclassifying some patients with mild adenomyosis as not affected.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
The results of this study should be representative of outcomes for any patient undergoing a GnRH antagonist ovarian stimulation cycle for IVF since standard IVF treatment protocols were used.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST
MSD Australia have provided us with a small amount of funding to cover our costs (including a travel grant for Dr Thalluri to present this work at a conference).
BACKGROUND
The traditional hCG ‘trigger’ for initiating final oocyte maturation exacerbates ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in patients with an excessive follicular response because of its ...sustained stimulatory effect on the corpora lutea. However, a GnRH agonist trigger can produce a short duration endogenous LH surge which is adequate to initiate oocyte maturation, but allows the corpora lutea to regress, reducing the severity of OHSS. This approach produces an excellent embryology outcome, but generally results in low pregnancy rates even with the early initiation of estrogen and progesterone luteal support. The purpose of this study was to determine if a low dose of hCG (1500 IU) support on the day of oocyte retrieval can maintain good pregnancy rates, while not abolishing the protective effect of an agonist trigger on the development of severe OHSS.
METHODS
This retrospective study included 71 women who were at high risk of severe OHSS (≥14 follicles ≥12 mm) and who received an agonist trigger for final oocyte maturation.
RESULTS
The transfer of a solitary embryo produced a biochemical pregnancy rate of 60.6% and a clinical ongoing pregnancy rate of 52.1%. Only one patient was hospitalized with severe OHSS (1.4%), despite the average patient producing nearly 17 oocytes per cycle.
CONCLUSIONS
Oocyte maturation employing a GnRH agonist (protocol) in combination with low-dose hCG luteal support produces excellent clinical pregnancy rates, while not compromising the ability of GnRH agonist to prevent severe OHSS.
Summary
Male obesity has been linked with a reduction in sperm concentration and motility, an increase in sperm DNA damage and changes in reproductive hormones. Recent large observational studies ...have linked male obesity with a reduced chance of becoming a father. One of the potential underlying pathological mechanisms behind diminished reproductive performance in obese men is sperm oxidative stress. The primary aim of this study was to determine if sperm oxidative stress was more common in obese/overweight men. A total of 81 men had their body mass index (BMI) correlated with seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (Nitro Blue Tetrazolium assay), sperm DNA damage (TUNEL), markers of semen inflammation (CD45, seminal plasma PMN elastase and neopterin concentration) and routine sperm parameters, together with reproductive hormones. The principal finding from this study was that oxidative stress did increase with an increase in BMI, primarily due to an increase in seminal macrophage activation. However, the magnitude of this increase was small and only of minor clinical significance as there was no associated decline in sperm DNA integrity or sperm motility with increasing ROS production. Increased BMI was also found to be significantly linked with a fall in sperm concentration and serum testosterone, and an increase in serum oestradiol.
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION
Does maternal exposure to first trimester corticosteroids in IVF/ICSI treatment result in an increased risk of congenital anomalies?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Children born with the aid ...of IVF/ICSI whose mothers were treated with adjuvant corticosteroids during the first trimester had an increased risk of cryptorchidism, hypospadias and talipes.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Maternal exposure to corticosteroids may increase the risk of congenital anomalies such as cleft palate and neural tube defects. However, the existing studies have conflicting outcomes, are underpowered, and do not study a population undergoing IVF/ICSI, a group known to be at increased risk of abnormalities.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
This retrospective cohort analysis covering Monash IVF fertility clinics in Melbourne, Australia assessed the outcomes of 12 426 live births from both fresh and frozen embryo transfers between 2010 and 2016.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
There were 618 live births included in our study group of mothers exposed to corticosteroids (oral prednisolone or dexamethasone) during their IVF/ICSI treatment, with the remainder of births not exposed to steroids (control, n = 11 808). The primary outcome measured was the presence of congenital anomalies and secondary outcomes were birth weight and gestation length. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to assess the independent effects of corticosteroid exposure and the freezing of embryos, with adjustment for maternal age at oocyte retrieval, smoking status, number of cycles taken, BMI, etiology of the infertility and the use of ICSI. Results are presented as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% CIs.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Amongst 12 426 live births, and 597 birth defects, multivariate logistic regression demonstrated there was an increased incidence in talipes equinovarus (1.33% vs 0.32%, adjusted IRR = 4.30, 95% CI = 1.93, 9.58; P < 0.001), hypospadias (0.66% vs 0.18%, adjusted IRR = 5.90, 95% CI = 2.09, 16.69; P = 0.001) and cryptorchidism (0.83% vs 0.19%, adjusted IRR = 5.53, 95% CI = 1.91, 15.42; P = 0.001) in the offspring of mothers exposed to corticosteroids compared to those who were unexposed. The incidence of neither neural tube defects nor cleft palate were significantly increased in babies exposed to corticosteroids. The sex ratio of infants exposed to corticosteroids during a fresh embryo transfer cycle significantly favored males but reverted to the normal sex ratio in infants conceived in frozen embryo transfer cycles.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
This was a retrospective observational cohort study using administrative datasets with the potential for measurement error and unobserved confounding. Missing outcome data were obtained from patients using self-report leading to possible ascertainment bias. Given the rare incidence of some of the anomalies assessed, the study was underpowered to identify differences in abnormality rates for some specific anomalies.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
The findings of this study, the largest of its kind, suggest that caution should be heeded when prescribing corticosteroids to women undergoing IVF/ICSI, given that this study has now identified three previously unassociated serious neonatal complications (talipes, hypospadias and cryptorchidism), plus a potential alteration in sex ratio. Physicians should be careful in using corticosteroids in the critical first trimester and should counsel patients regarding the potential risks of this treatment
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
There was no funding sought or obtained for this study. K.T., V.T., B.V. and D.Z.-F. are employees or contractors to Monash IVF and hold a minority stock position in Monash IVF. R.J.W. reports no conflict of interest.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
N/A.
BACKGROUND The use of GnRH antagonists in IVF treatment has many advantages over agonist long down-regulation, yet its uptake has been hampered by an inability to program the start date for ...gonadotrophin stimulation so as to minimize weekend oocyte retrievals (ORs). In this study, we retrospectively analyzed whether conducting a strict Monday to Friday OR program impacts on IVF outcomes. METHODS A total of 1642 non-programmed IVF antagonist cycles were analyzed to determine if advancing or delaying the OR by 1 day from ‘ideal’ to avoid Saturday or Sunday OR, respectively, had any impact on IVF outcomes. The IVF outcomes of Tuesday to Thursday served as a control as no modification in OR timing was required on these days. RESULTS Advancing the OR by 1 day from the ideal resulted in a small but significant decrease in the number of oocytes collected and embryos created. Delaying the OR by 1 day from ideal resulted in a small increase in the number of oocytes collected and embryos created. However, deviation from the ideal day of OR had no significant effect on live birth rates. CONCLUSIONS It is possible to safely avoid weekend ORs during GnRH antagonist cycles by simply advancing an ideal Saturday OR to Friday, and delaying an ideal Sunday OR to Monday, without adversely impacting on IVF live birth outcomes.
BACKGROUND The global obesity epidemic has paralleled a decrease in semen quality. Yet, the association between obesity and sperm parameters remains controversial. The purpose of this report was to ...update the evidence on the association between BMI and sperm count through a systematic review with meta-analysis. METHODS A systematic review of available literature (with no language restriction) was performed to investigate the impact of BMI on sperm count. Relevant studies published until June 2012 were identified from a Pubmed and EMBASE search. We also included unpublished data (n = 717 men) obtained from the Infertility Center of Bondy, France. Abstracts of relevant articles were examined and studies that could be included in this review were retrieved. Authors of relevant studies for the meta-analysis were contacted by email and asked to provide standardized data. RESULTS A total of 21 studies were included in the meta-analysis, resulting in a sample of 13 077 men from the general population and attending fertility clinics. Data were stratified according to the total sperm count as normozoospermia, oligozoospermia and azoospermia. Standardized weighted mean differences in sperm concentration did not differ significantly across BMI categories. There was a J-shaped relationship between BMI categories and risk of oligozoospermia or azoospermia. Compared with men of normal weight, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for oligozoospermia or azoospermia was 1.15 (0.93-1.43) for underweight, 1.11 (1.01-1.21) for overweight, 1.28 (1.06-1.55) for obese and 2.04 (1.59-2.62) for morbidly obese men. CONCLUSIONS Overweight and obesity were associated with an increased prevalence of azoospermia or oligozoospermia. The main limitation of this report is that studied populations varied, with men recruited from both the general population and infertile couples. Whether weight normalization could improve sperm parameters should be evaluated further.
STUDY QUESTION
How does insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) concentration in blood vary across the menstrual cycle in women?
SUMMARY ANSWER
INSL3 is secreted by the theca interna cells of growing antral ...follicles and is phasic in its expression.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
The relaxin-like hormone INSL3 is known to be expressed in follicles of several mammal species, and was recently shown in cows to be specifically secreted into the bloodstream by growing antral follicles, corresponding to follicular waves. In males INSL3 is known to be acutely independent of the hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, suggesting that in women INSL3 might be a novel biomarker for antral follicle recruitment and development.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
Two cohorts of women were studied. First, 18 healthy women of reproductive age were followed longitudinally for one and a half cycles, with blood sampling and hormone measurement every 2–3 days. A second cohort comprised a cross-sectional study of 909 women attending an infertility clinic, with a single blood sample taken at entry, together with other clinical and hormonal parameters.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Blood samples from both retrospective cohorts were analyzed for INSL3 using a highly sensitive time-resolved fluorescent immunoassay, and data were analyzed in comparison with other clinical and hormonal parameters.
MAIN RESULT AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
For young healthy women of reproductive age, we showed a phasic expression of INSL3 corresponding to antral follicle growth in both the follicular and luteal phases of the cycle, which was significantly (P < 0.05) elevated compared with that during menses. For women attending an infertility clinic, those with diagnosed polycystic ovarian syndrome indicated significantly (P < 0.0005) greater circulating INSL3 levels and those with low ovarian reserve showed significantly (P < 0.002) decreased INSL3 values.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
These were retrospective studies and the results were obtained from natural cycles only, with their inherent variability.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
We show for the first time that INSL3 in women does vary across the menstrual cycle, and appears to reflect the number of growing antral follicles recruited within both follicular and luteal phases.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
The present retrospective study was largely supported by departmental funds. There were no competing interests.
Does the rate of miscarriage increase in the setting of adenomyosis independent of other known risk factors for miscarriage such as maternal age, BMI, embryo genetic status?
Adenomyosis and high BMI ...both significantly increase miscarriage risk independent of each other, maternal age and embryo health. This study is the first to suggest that ultra-long down regulation GnRH agonist treatment may reduce the rate of early pregnancy loss in adenomyosis patients.
The presence of adenomyosis is known to be associated with lower rates of successful implantation and increased risk of early pregnancy loss. However, it is presently unclear whether this reproductive impairment is directly mediated by adenomyosis itself, or indirectly caused by adenomyosis association with known risk factors for miscarriage such as obesity and advancing maternal age/foetal aneuploidy.
A retrospective cohort study was undertaken in a private infertility (IVF) clinic examining the outcome for women (
= 345) undergoing the transfer of a genetically screened frozen-thawed embryo between 2012 and 2015.
A total of 171 women who successfully conceived (positive serum βhCG) following the transfer of a single euploid good morphology frozen-thawed embryo were included in analysis after meeting the inclusion criteria. Only the first conception cycle for each patient was included in the study. Patients with known pre-existing medical risk factors for miscarriage (e.g. thrombophilia, poorly controlled diabetes, coeliac disease, SLE, uterine septum, chromosomal abnormalities) and those women undergoing treatment using donated oocytes and surrogacy were excluded. Patients were then classified as having adenomyosis or not based on a high-quality pelvic ultrasound or MRI. The direct and indirect effects of adenomyosis and BMI on overall miscarriage rate by 12 weeks gestation was then assessed using multivariate logistic regression and mediation analysis. Furthermore, the data were also analysed to elucidate the influence of GnRH ultra-long down-regulation therapy on miscarriage rates.
Overall, the adjusted rate of miscarriage was higher in those patients with adenomyosis compared to those without (44.1 vs 15.3%,
< 0.0001), with most of these miscarriages occurring at the early biochemical stage. The rate of miscarriage was especially high in adenomyosis patients not receiving GnRH agonist pre-treatment (82.4%), compared to those patients who did receive GnRH pre-treatment (35.7%,
= 0.0089).
The study is mainly limited by its small sample size and retrospective design which carries inherent potential for bias (i.e. misclassification and errors due to inadequate clinical notes). The small sample size precluded analysis to distinguish how the extent of adenomyosis disease may modify miscarriage risk (i.e. focal or diffuse disease). Furthermore, the relatively low number of adenomyosis patients not receiving GnRH agonist treatment, plus the non-randomized nature of the decision not to offer such treatment, precludes definitive conclusions on the benefit of GnRH agonist therapy to reduce miscarriage risk.
Considering the significant emotional and financial impact of miscarriage, we suggest screening of all women undergoing IVF treatment for the presence of adenomyosis, with consideration given to ultra-long down regulation GnRH agonist treatment in any woman identified as having adenomyosis. Furthermore, given the persistent and often progressive nature of the disease, adenomyosis should also be considered as a potential uterine cause of recurrent miscarriage. Finally, we hope our study highlights the need for high-quality prospective RCT to be undertaken to provide superior evidence for the potential benefit of GnRH agonist pre-treatment.
K.T. is a practicing IVF gynaecologist and holds a minority stake in the publicly listed company Monash IVF. The other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. This study was financially supported by Flinders University Medical School.
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