Microbial colonization of the female upper genital tract even in the absence of symptomatic infection has been well documented in previous trials. A recent study demonstrates that the presence of microbes in the follicular fluid collected at the time of transvaginal oocyte retrieval adversely affects the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy.
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A recent retrospective study demonstrates that use of oral contraceptives with high androgenic progestin suppresses functional ovarian reserve and oocyte yields in young oocyte donors. Accordingly, researchers highlight the need for reevaluating the routine practice of using oral contraceptives prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.
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Previous studies indicate that autoimmune antibodies may have an impact on implantation failure in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. A recent observational, case-controlled clinical trial highlights that high circulating anti-placenta-specific 1 (PLAC1) antibody levels could be associated with an increased likelihood of repeated IVF-ET implantation failure.
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Recurrent implantation failure post in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy has been attributed to numerous maternal and embryonic factors. A recent study, published in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, indicates that fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) may play a crucial role as a maternal factor influencing implantation.
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A recent study highlights that a nomogram based on age, antral follicle count (AFC), and serum day-3 follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels may enable individualization of daily FSH starting dose in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy. The researchers report that AFC and serum day-3 FSH are the most significant predictors of ovarian reserve and sensitivity.
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A recent retrospective study reports that the in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy outcomes achieved post ultrasound-guided hydrosalpinx fluid aspiration and sclerotherapy are comparable to that attained after laparoscopic salpingectomy, in patients with hydrosalpinx. The researchers also highlighted that ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is a less invasive and effective alternative to laparoscopic salpingectomy.
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A recent study, touted to be the first to compare the outcomes of IVM protocol involving FSH and hCG priming with oocyte retrieval after 38 hours and conventional IVF procedure (GnRH agonist or antagonist cycle) in infertile women with PCOS, reports that the IVM protocol is an effective alternative that is akin to the IVF.
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A recent prospective study, published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, indicates that basal antral follicular size could serve as a predictor of ovarian response in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, and a size of 6 to 7 mm is likely associated with improved treatment outcomes.

Qiaohong Lai and coworkers from The Center for Biomedical Research, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, determined the ovarian response predictive ability of antral follicle size in women undergoing IVF and embryo transfer (ET) cycles. The study included 214 women being treated for infertility due to endometriosis, male factor, unexplained causes, tubal or mixed factors. Continue Reading

Antral follicular number, basal serum follicle stimulating hormone level, and serum anti-Mullerian hormone levels are among the various ultrasound and hormonal markers that have been developed to enable selection of patients prone to poor ovarian response, prior to ovulation induction. Despite these developments, an optimal and consistent in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome predictor for poor ovarian responders is still lacking. Now, a retrospective study, published in the journal Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, indicates that the follicular level of bone morphogenic protein-15 (BMP-15) along with maternal age may serve as a valuable marker of IVF outcomes in poor ovarian responders.
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Dopamine agonists have emerged as a new treatment strategy to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and reduce its severity. A recent randomized controlled trial reports that the incidence of OHSS in high-risk patients undergoing assisted reproduction can be reduced with the use of cabergoline (a dopamine agonist) at a low dose.

Amani AM Shaltout and coworkers from the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Cairo University, Egypt, evaluated the potential of cabergoline at a dose of 0.25 mg to reduce the incidence of OHSS in 200 participants. Women in the study group were administered cabergoline for 8 days starting from the day of hCG administration, while the controls received no treatment.
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