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This article discusses a study which examined the role of in vitro maturation (IVM) as a strategy for fertility preservation. It provides a brief overview of IVM of human oocytes and an exploration of the role of IVM in fertility preservation for patients with medical conditions such as cancer and for social fertility preservation. It also analyzes the obstetric outcomes of pregnancies after assisted reproductive treatment (ART).

The article presents a case report discussing the treatment of uterocutaneous fistula in a pregnant woman with Pfannenstiel incision. It cites the case of a 25 year old woman who reported bloody discharge from her abdominal cesarean scar during menstrual cycle. A discussion is presented on the type of treatment administered to the patient. Further, the case report demonstrates that gonadotropin-releasiong hormones agonist is an effective treatment for uterocutaneous fistula.

Purpose of Review: To give an overview of the economic aspects of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and assess the implications of economic factors for utilization and practice of ART., Recent Findings: The out-of-pocket expenses for the couple seem to be the key determinant of ART utilization. Countries with reimbursement plans, which minimize out-of-pocket expenses, achieve the highest ART utilization rates. The economic burden of ART on national healthcare expenditure is modest even for countries offering the most generous reimbursement policies. Downstream costs of ART arise from multiple pregnancies and associated prematurity-related complications. These costs can outweigh the cost of ART itself. Public reimbursement plans accompanied by strict regulations for number of embryos to be transferred seem to increase not only ART utilization rates but also the uptake of single embryo transfers., Summary: Although ART is expensive for individuals, it is affordable for the society, at least in the industrialized world. Public reimbursement relieves the pressure on both the physicians and the patients for achievement of pregnancy with the minimum number of treatment attempts, consequently leading to a decrease in the number of embryos transferred and in multiple pregnancies.

Purpose of Review: To give an overview of the current status and future directions of blastocyst transfer and outcome with particular focus on markers of blastocyst quality and their relationship with implantation., Recent Findings: In addition to morphological markers, future embryo grading systems, in general, and blastocyst grading systems, in particular, will be based upon metabolic, genetic and epigenetic markers that will increase their efficiency. Metabolic markers such as soluble human leukocyte antigen-G, analysis of specific gene mutations in the trophectoderm by real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction and analysis by microarray of differential gene expression will be operational in the near future for accurate blastocyst grading and selection., Summary: Gamete and embryo quality as well as culture conditions affect blastocyst formation and quality. Characteristics of the zygote and the cleavage-stage embryo determine the developmental potential of the embryo up to the blastocyst stage. There appears to be a strong relationship between blastocyst quality and implantation. Accurate grading is important for selection of the most implantation-competent blastocyst. Similar to grading systems used in the cleavage-stage embryo, current blastocyst grading systems are mainly based upon morphological characteristics. Incorporation of metabolic, genetic and epigenetic markers will undoubtedly improve the selection process, making it possible to transfer a single blastocyst yielding high pregnancy rates.