IVF is performed with oocytes collected in natural and stimulated cycles. Different approaches to ovarian stimulation have been employed worldwide. Following the introduction of GnRH antagonists and strategies to reduce multiple births such as single embryo transfer, there is a genuine scientific interest in the revival of natural cycle and mild approaches to ovarian stimulation in IVF. Recent ...

Background Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of clomiphene citrate (CC) vs. letrozole (L) plus human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol in poor prognosis women with previous failed ovarian stimulation undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). MaterialsAndMethods This retrospective cohort study included cycles with C...

STUDY HYPOTHESIS Maternal ageing and ovarian stimulation result in the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions and heteroplasmy in individual oocytes from a novel bovine model for human assisted reproductive technology (ART). STUDY FINDING The levels of mtDNA deletions detected in oocytes increased with ovarian ageing. Low levels of mtDNA heteroplasmy were apparent across oocytes ...

The conventional ovarian stimulation protocols currently applied have several drawbacks arising from the intense ovarian stimulation and from the high financial cost. Recently, new concepts such as mild stimulation and friendly in vitro fertilisation have rapidly acquired great popularity among infertile patients although the medical world is still reluctant to apply these protocols generally. ...

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess a novel protocol designed to improve poor ovarian response through intra-ovarian androgenization. The endpoints were: number of oocytes and mature oocytes retrieved, fertilization, cancellation and pregnancy rates. METHODS This prospective crossover study enrolled poor responders from previous ovarian stimulation cycles submitted to a novel protocol called...

Ovarian volume measurements have been recently shown to be predictive of response to ovarian stimulation. Women with small ovarian volumes, i.e. <3 cm(3), have a higher incidence of cycle cancellation, together with a lower peak oestradiol concentration, lower number of retrieved oocytes, and lower pregnancy rates, compared with women with larger ovarian volumes. We prospectively investigated w...

Background: With the recent development of recombinant gonadotropins (FSH and LH), it has become possible to further adjust the stimulation protocol according to the expected needs of the patient. In this respect, the possible beneficial role of exogenous LH activity supplementation for stimulated ART cycles has received increasing attention. According to the two-cell, two- gonadotropin theory,...

Ovarian stimulation to achieve multiple follicle development has been an integral part of IVF treatment. In the context of improved laboratory performance, the need for a large number of oocytes as an integral part of a successful IVF programme may be questioned. The aim of the current debate is to summarize the studies performed during the last decade to develop the concept of mild stimulation...

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is the most serious complication of ovarian stimulation. This novel study aimed to describe an outpatient treatment protocol for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) that results in rapid normalization of symptoms with minimal side effects. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was undertaken at Infertility department of Shariati Hospital a...