A recent retrospective analysis, the findings of which were published in the journal, Human Reproduction, reports that performing additional rounds of hybridization during fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) improves the accuracy of the technique in preimplantation genetic aneuploidy screening (PGS), thereby increasing the number of competent embryos available for transfer. Continue Reading

Follicular rupture may usually occur between 22 to 47 hours following hCG administration in patients undergoing IUI. Due to this wide interval, the underlying principle for double IUI is the creation of a longer fertilization period. A recent single-centered randomized trial reiterated that there is no statistically significant difference in the rates of live births between single and double IUI in ovarian hyperstimulation cycles with multi-follicular development. Claimed to be the first randomized trial comparing single versus double IUI, the study findings have been published in the journal, Human Reproduction. Continue Reading

Numerous studies have documented apoptotic markers to be one of the major contributors to ART failure. Now, a study reports that the application of magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) for sperm preparation could reduce spermatozoa-associated apoptotic marker levels, and enhance acrosome reaction and fertilization potential in unexplained infertility (UI) and multiple intrauterine insemination (IUI) failure patients. The findings of the study are published in the recent issue of the journal, Human Reproduction. Continue Reading

There are contradicting reports about the usefulness of hydrotubation prior to intrauterine insemination (IUI), a technique which is supposed to aid in removing luminal debris and decreasing reocclusion of the fallopian tube, and thereby improve chances of pregnancy in infertility patients. Now, a prospective randomized study highlights that hydrotubation done before intrauterine insemination (IUI), does not increase pregnancy rates in patients with unexplained infertility. The study findings have been published in the latest online issue of Reproductive BioMedicine Online. Continue Reading

A considerable variation in pregnancy rates has been observed among patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) along with controlled ovarian stimulation. Also, several researchers have reported difficulties in evaluating IUI results due to the patient heterogeneity and the diverse stimulation protocols adopted. Now, a recent retrospective study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility defines the characteristics of couples that would determine the higher chances of pregnancy through IUI. Continue Reading

Blastogenesis denotes the development that occurs in the first 28 days after conception, wherein the basic body plan, gene expression domains, and the embryo’s developmental fate are established. The defects or malformations arising at this stage are generally severe and lethal, owing to several reasons such as the embryo’s small size, interdependent nature of its development, and proximity of the organ rudiments. Now, a recent study published in the journal, Human Reproduction highlights the link between IVF/ICSI procedures and blastogenesis birth defects, with the probability of the specific risk being lower with frozen-thawed embryo transfer. Continue Reading

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is routinely adopted by many couples, despite the advances in IVF and emergence of other infertility therapies, due to minimal drug use during treatment, low cost, and occurrence of fertilization in the fallopian tube similar to natural conception. A new multicenter randomized clinical trial published in the British Medical Journal recommends 15 minutes of immobilization after the standard IUI procedure as it can improve the ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates. Continue Reading

With the ongoing debate on the right timing for intrauterine insemination (IUI), the use of double IUI is hypothesized to overcome this problem since it is performed at different time intervals in the same cycle. The strategy thus holds a potential advantage in increasing the chances of in vivo fertilization. However, studies comparing the efficacy of double versus single IUI have reported contradictory findings with respect to the clinical pregnancy rates. A recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials reports the lack of statistically significant variation in the clinical pregnancy rates with double and single IUI in couples with unexplained infertility. The findings of the study are published in the online edition of the journal, Fertility and Sterility. Continue Reading