The development of surgical sperm extraction and new challenges to improve the outcome
AbstractSurgical sperm extraction with intracytoplasmic sperm injection has become widespread worldwide and is regarded as the sole option for patients with azoospermia. However, the sperm retrieval rate remains unsatisfactorily low, particularly for men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Therefore, the technical challenges associated with improving the sperm retrieval rate for men with NOA are being addressed. The most successful method developed to date is microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE), which is rapidly becoming recognized as a useful technique due to its relatively high sperm retrieval ra...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - July 1, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

Testicular function among testicular cancer survivors treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy
ConclusionsThese findings help to predict whether spermatogenesis will recover and its timing. They may also help clinicians identify and manage TC patients at a higher risk of prolonged azoospermia after chemotherapy. (Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - July 1, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

Anti-M üllerian hormone as a marker of ovarian reserve: What have we learned, and what should we know?
< h3 class= " a-plus-plus " > Abstract < /h3 > < p class= " a-plus-plus " > Ovarian reserve reflects the quality and quantity of available oocytes. This reserve has become indispensable for the better understanding of reproductive potential. Measurement of the serum anti-M üllerian hormone (AMH) level allows quantitative evaluation of ovarian reserve. It has been applied to a wide range of clinical conditions, and it is well established that the measurement of serum AMH levels is more useful than qualitative evaluation based on the menstrual cycle. AMH levels are mon itored during infertility treatments; in patients under...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - June 30, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

Twin pregnancy in a 51-year-old woman who underwent autologous cryopreservation at the age of 36  years: case report
We report a case of a successful dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy achieved using autologous fertilized cryopreserved oocytes in a climacteric woman. A 51-year-old woman became pregnant using autologous fertilized oocytes that had been frozen for 15  years. On her first visit, multiple leiomyoma of the uterus and gestational diabetes mellitus were diagnosed, and proteinuria began to appear at 30 weeks. In spite of our concerns these complications did not exacerbate and the clinical course for both mother and neonates was favorable. This is th e first report of a live twin birth achieved using autologous cryopreserved...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - June 30, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

A case of gradually manifesting McCune –Albright syndrome with a 10-year follow-up
< h3 class= " a-plus-plus " > Abstract < /h3 > < p class= " a-plus-plus " > McCune –Albright syndrome (MAS) is characterized by fibrous dysplasia (FD) of bone, café-au-lait skin pigmentation, and precocious puberty. Here we report a case of a 12-year-old girl with MAS presenting sexual precocity as initial signs, followed by FD of bone with her growth. She was referred to our h ospital because of breast budding and abnormal genital bleeding at the age of 2.8 years. On physical examination, her height and weight were greater than two standard deviations of the mean ranges. Hormonal analysis revealed an elevated serum es...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - April 14, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

A case of gradually manifesting McCune–Albright syndrome with a 10-year follow-up
Abstract McCune–Albright syndrome (MAS) is characterized by fibrous dysplasia (FD) of bone, café-au-lait skin pigmentation, and precocious puberty. Here we report a case of a 12-year-old girl with MAS presenting sexual precocity as initial signs, followed by FD of bone with her growth. She was referred to our hospital because of breast budding and abnormal genital bleeding at the age of 2.8 years. On physical examination, her height and weight were greater than two standard deviations of the mean ranges. Hormonal analysis revealed an elevated serum estradiol and suppressed luteinizing hormone and foll...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - April 14, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

The impact of elevated thyroid stimulating hormone on female subfertility
ConclusionsWe found an association between elevated TSH and the decreased rate of clinical pregnancy. This might be related to an ovulatory disorder and pathophysiology of unexplained infertility. These results may reinforce the usefulness of TSH screening in infertility population. (Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - April 1, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

An evaluation of the Gifu Model in a trial for a new regional oncofertility network in Japan, focusing on its necessity and effects
ConclusionsThe GPOFS as the first regional oncofertility network in Japan has just started and may be working to help both AYA cancer patients and their oncologists. The nationwide establishment of the regional oncofertility network model could help both AYA cancer patients and oncologists. (Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - April 1, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

Epigenetics of sex determination in mammals
AbstractEpigenetics is the study of changes in gene function that cannot be explained by changes in DNA sequence. A mammalian body contains more than two hundred types of cells. Since all of them are derived from a single fertilized egg, their genotypes are identical. However, the gene expression patterns are different between the cell types, indicating that each cell type has unique own “epigenotype”. Epigenetic gene regulation mechanisms essentially contribute to various processes of mammalian development. The essence of epigenetic regulation is the structural change of chromatin to modulate gene activity in a spatio...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - April 1, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

Announcement
(Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - April 1, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

Predicting suitable timing for artificial reproductive technology treatment in aged infertile women
Abstract It has been widely accepted that the age of women plays a fundamental role in fecundity, and age-related fertility decline has one of the most significant and detrimental effects on the success rate of infertility treatment. Therefore, treatment cycles of non-in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment for infertile women of advanced aged have been limited due to their lack of efficacy, and they are often optimized, compared to IVF/ICSI treatment. Recent trends in infertility treatment apparently indicate that IVF/ICSI treatment, including egg donation, is f...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - March 28, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

Fertility preservation through gonadal cryopreservation
Abstract Fertility preservation is an area of immense interest in today's society. The most effective and established means of fertility preservation is cryopreservation of gametes (sperm and oocytes) and embryos. Gonadal cryopreservation is yet another means for fertility preservation, especially if the gonadal function is threatened by premature menopause, gonadotoxic cancer treatment, surgical castration, or diseases. It can also aid in the preservation of germplasm of animals that die before attaining sexual maturity. This is especially of significance for valuable, rare, and endangered animals whose ...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - March 11, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

Vitrification of embryos and oocytes for fertility preservation in cancer patients
Abstract As survival rates and the life expectancy of those with malignancy have increased, more women in their reproductive years are referred for fertility preservation. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can severely affect ovarian function, and the effect is irreversible. Therefore, it is optimal to attempt fertility preservation before chemotherapy and radiotherapy are initiated. Oocyte and embryo cryopreservation is the most common option for fertility preservation in women. Several reports have proven that embryo and oocyte cryopreservation can achieve a successful pregnancy. This review discusses the i...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - February 29, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

Clinical management of endometriosis-associated infertility
Abstract Endometriosis is a common chronic benign disease that affects reproductive age women and causes chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Despite its prevalence, the exact mechanisms of the pathogenesis of endometriosis-associated infertility are unknown, and precise standards of management have not yet been established. Medical and surgical treatments for endometriosis have different effects on the chance of conception, either spontaneously or via assisted reproductive technologies (ART). In this manuscript, we review the literature from years 1979 to 2015 to report on the proposed mechanism of endom...
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - February 17, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

Announcement
(Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology)
Source: Reproductive Medicine and Biology - February 17, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research