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• We examined the effect of aromatherapy with/without music during pregnancy. • Anxiety impacts upon the accuracy of fetal non-stress test (NST) results. • Lavender oil aromatherapy with/without music reduces anxiety/improves NST results. • Aromatherapy with/without music increases fetal heart rate accelerations/movements. • Lavender oil aromatherapy with/without music should be considered during pregnancy. The non-stress test (NST) is commonly recommended for assessing fetal wellbeing. Anxiety in pregnancy can affect NST results and thus rates of false-positive results can increase. This study aimed to explore whether lavender oil inhalation administered in conjunction with music therapy is more effective in reducing anxiety and NST results during pregnancy than the use of lavender oil alone. This randomized clinical trial included 195 primiparous participants who were randomly assigned either to a control group, or one of two intervention groups receiving 1) lavender oil inhalation, 2) lavender oil inhalation and music therapy. Twenty minutes prior undertaking the NST, participants in the intervention groups inhaled four drops of 10% lavender oil. In the lavender/aromatherapy-music group, nature sounds were also played through earphones. Prior to the intervention and 20-minutes following the NST, state anxiety was measured as the primary outcome using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). NST results were assessed as secondary outcomes. For blinding, data was gathered by people unaware of the intervention. The mean number of fetal heart rate accelerations, fetal movements, and the number of reactive NST results were more statistically significant in the two intervention groups than in the control group (p < 0.001). After adjusting baseline variation, when compared to control group, the mean score of state anxiety was significantly lower in the lavender/aromatherapy group (β = − 7.03 , 95 % confidence interval (CI) : − 8.83 , − 5.24) and lavender/aromatherapy-music group (β = − 9.27 , 95 % CI : − 11.1 , − 7.49) than in the control group. Moreover, when compared to control group, the severity of state anxiety was significantly lower in the lavender/aromatherapy group (β = − 3.84 , 95 % CI : − 5.58 , − 2.10) and the lavender/aromatherapy-music group (β = − 5.01 , 95 % CI : − 7.05 , − 2.97) than in the control group. No adverse events were observed. The effects of using aromatherapy with lavender oil in conjunction with music therapy on state anxiety and NST results during pregnancy were similar to those resulting from the use of aromatherapy with lavender oil alone. Overall, the application of lavender oil as aromatherapy with or without music therapy is effective in reducing state anxiety during pregnancy and enhancing NST results. This trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials 22/12/2020 with code IRCT20090810002324N17. URL of registry: https://fa.irct.ir/trial/51378. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective:: To compare the effect of HMG and rhFSH on oocyte quality in ICSI cycle. Setting:: Vali-e-Asr university teaching hospital. Method:: Prospective single-blind randomized clinical trial. Subjects:: Sixty women undergoing ovarian stimulation for ICSI were randomized to receive a standard protocol of either HMG or rhFSH in down-regulation cycles. Interventions:: Prior to microinjection, each oocyte was assessed regarding the nuclear maturity, morphology of zona plucida, cytoplasmic appearance and polar body morphology. Fertilization rate was followed. Main outcome:: The percentage of metaphase II oocytes in HMG and rhFSH groups. Statistical analysis:: Statistical analyses were carried out by the Mann–Whitney, Fisher''s exact, χ 2 tests and Student''s t-test. Results:: No significant differences were found between two groups in regard to the demographic data, the ovarian response and pregnancy/implantation rates (P >0.05). The percentage of metaphase II oocytes in HMG and rhFSH groups were 81.3% versus 80.6%, respectively. Conclusions:: There were no significant differences between parameters such as, oocyte quality and percentage of metaphase II oocytes between these two groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effect of vaginal progesterone as luteal phase support on pregnancy rates in controlled ovarian stimulation and intrauterine insemination cycles in couples with unexplained or mild male factor infertility. Study design: 290 Patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in a prospective randomized controlled trial. All patients underwent controlled ovarian stimulation and intrauterine insemination: 148 patients were randomized to start with a supported cycle and 142 patients with an unsupported cycle. In supported cycles, patients received vaginal progesterone once daily from the day after insemination until 12 weeks of pregnancy or, in non-pregnant women, for 14 days. No progesterone was given during unsupported cycles. The main outcome measures were clinical pregnancy rates per cycle. Results: In total, 148 cycles with luteal phase support and 142 cycles without luteal phase support were performed. The clinical pregnancy rates per cycle were higher for cycles with luteal phase support than for the unsupported cycles (24.3% vs. 14.1% respectively, p =0.027). Conclusion: The use of vaginal suppositories as luteal phase support significantly improved clinical pregnancy rates in controlled ovarian stimulation and intrauterine insemination in patients with unexplained or mild male factor infertility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]