It is inconclusive nowadays for which type of congenital malformations(CMs) is increased in singleton pregnancies following after in vitro fertilization(IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI) compared with those after spontaneous conception; furthermore, a complete overview is missing. We conducted a meta-analysis of cohort studies to assess the risk of specific CMs associated with IVF/ICS...

BACKGROUND Although the increased risk for perinatal morbidity and mortality of babies born after ART is largely attributed to a higher rate of multiple gestations, a significantly worse perinatal outcome for singleton pregnancies following ART compared to pregnancies after natural conception has been reported as well. Most studies only include IVF/ICSI pregnancies; studies describing the perin...

BACKGROUND Previous studies have indicated that the risk of stillbirth is increased in singleton pregnancies achieved after assisted reproduction technology (ART). However, no previous study fully accounted for factors with potential influence on the risk of stillbirth. Further, whether fertility treatment, the possible reproductive pathology of the infertile couples or other characteristics re...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy of IVF-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in patients who cryobanked semen before cancer treatment. DESIGN Retrospective consecutive study. SETTING University-based IVF unit. PATIENT(S) One hundred eighteen couples undergoing IVF-ICSI using pretreatment frozen sperm. INTERVENTION(S) Treatment follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Semen parameter...

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of luteal-phase acupuncture on the outcome of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). DESIGN Randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study. SETTING University IVF center. PATIENT(S) Two hundred twenty-five infertile patients undergoing IVF/ICSI. INTERVENTION(S) In group I, 116 patients received luteal-phase acupuncture according to the princip...

The purpose of this study was to compare the psychological reactions of men undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (n=18) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF) (n=22). Men monitored their psychological reactions daily for one complete treatment cycle from the first day of down-regulation until the outcome of treatment was known (approximately 52 days). The results showed that ICSI patient...

BACKGROUND Prenatal screening and diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities especially Down's syndrome in IVF pregnancies are complicated by higher maternal age, a high multiple pregnancy rate, a high risk of a vanishing twin and an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities, particularly in pregnancies after ICSI. The aim of the present systematic review was to evaluate the findings of first tri...

Background In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are two important subsets of the assisted reproductive techniques, used for the treatment of infertility. Predicting implantation outcome of IVF/ICSI or the chance of pregnancy is essential for infertile couples, since these treatments are complex and expensive with a low probability of conception. MATERIALS A...

BACKGROUND Earlier reviews have suggested that IVF/ICSI pregnancies are associated with higher risks. However, there have been recent advances in the way IVF/ICSI is done, leading to some controversy as to whether IVF/ICSI singletons are associated with higher perinatal risks. The objective of this systematic review was to provide an up-to-date comparison of obstetric and perinatal outcomes of ...

BACKGROUND Success rates of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are approximately 30%, with the most important limiting factor being embryo implantation. Mechanical endometrial injury, also called 'scratching', has been proposed to positively affect the chance of implantation after embryo transfer, but the currently available evidence is not yet conclusive. The primary aim of this study is t...