The standard overnight co-incubation of spermatozoa and oocytes has been compared with the brief co-incubation insemination protocol by numerous investigators in the past. However, it remains unclear whether reduction in the sperm-oocyte co-incubation time improves or negatively affects the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy. According to a recent Cochrane review, the brief gamete co-incubation insemination protocol may improve the rates of ongoing as well as clinical pregnancy in infertile women undergoing IVF therapy.
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Opinions vary on the importance of polar body morphology in predicting fertilization and embryo development. Most contemporary publications propose that fragmented polar body is not prognostic for oocyte fertilization or embryo development. However, a recent study demonstrates that the fertilization probability of an oocyte with fragmented polar bodies is far less compared to an oocyte with normal polar bodies.
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The prognosis of successful IVF outcomes in women with low ovarian response fulfilling the Bologna criteria is very poor. A recent retrospective pilot trial reports that corifollitropin alfa followed by highly purified human menopausal gonadotrophin (hp-HMG) in a GnRH antagonist protocol results in promising pregnancy rates in poor ovarian responders fulfilling the Bologna criteria. However, these results were seen only in poor ovarian responders <40 years of age.
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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 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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Various factors influence the success of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. A recent prospective observational study indicates that the depth of embryo transfer into the uterine cavity should be regarded as a vital factor that affects treatment success.
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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

Reduced endometrial receptivity has been implicated as one of the causes for repeated implantation failures in assisted reproduction technology (ART) cycles. Previous studies have indicated that the chances of implantation can be improved by an intentional endometrial injury, either in the form of a curettage or biopsy, before embryo transfer. A recent prospective randomized controlled trial, published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, further substantiates that a single endometrial biopsy regimen (S-EBR) performed during hysteroscopy significantly increases the rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth when compared to hysteroscopy, sans endometrial scraping. Continue Reading