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Background: Late follicular phase progesterone elevation (LFPE) during ovarian stimulation is associated with reduced live birth rates (LBRs) after cleavage-stage embryo transfer. However, due to better synchronization with a stimulated endometrium, prior studies shown that LFPE had no effect on transferring embryos at blastocyst stage. The study aim to exam whether the developmental stage of embryos and serum progesterone levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration jointly affect the odds of live birth in fresh fresh IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.  METHODS: The single-center retrospective cohort study included a total of 4,471 fresh embryo transfer cycles with 2,342 at cleavage stage versus 2,129 at blastocyst stage. Patients underwent IVF/ICSI with ovarian stimulation in gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol. The serum progesterone level was examined both as a continuous variable and as a categorical variable by quartiles. Analysis was performed using the generalized estimating equations framework and multivariate regression models., Results: LBRs were inversely associated with progesterone as a continuous variable on the day of hCG in both the cleavage-stage (crude OR 0.87, 95%CI 0.73-1.03; adjusted OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.65-0.98) and the blastocyst-stage (crude OR 0.66, 95%CI 0.56-0,78; adjusted OR 0.61, 95%CI 0.50-0.73) groups. The interaction testing was highly significant (P = 0.018) indicating an effect modifying role of stage of embryos transferred on the association of pregesterone values with the LBRs in fresh cycles. A similar pattern for a greater reduction in ORs for live birth in cycles with blastocysts transfer was also observed when progesterone was analyzed by interquartile ranges. The findings remained unchanged in subgroup analysis stratified by types of ovarian response., Conclusions: In fresh cycles, detrimental effect of late follicular phase progesterone elevation on live birth was more prominent in blastocyst-stage group compared with that in clevaged-stage group., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Day 5 (D5) blastocysts are generally given priority to transfer than day 6 (D6) blastocysts; however, which one should be prioritized to transfer when only low-grade D5 and high-grade D6 blastocysts are available?, Methods: A large retrospective cohort study was carried out to evaluate the live birth rate (LBR) following D5 and D6 blastocysts in single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer (FBT) during January 2014 and December 2018. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the combined impact of expansion day (D5 and D6) and blastocyst quality (high grade/low grade) on LBR, accounting for the potential confounding factors. The biopsied blastocysts from a consecutive PGT-A case series during February 2013 to December 2021 were analyzed in a supplementary study., Results: The LBR achieved in high-grade D6 blastocyst transfer was significantly higher than that in low-grade D5 blastocyst transfer (50.43% vs. 40.70%, aOR 1.54, 95% CI 1.05-2.26, p = 0.027). There were no significant differences in preterm birth rate, very preterm birth rate, mean live birth weight, and birth weight <1,500 g and >4,000 g between the two cohorts. As for aneuploidy analysis in PGT, there were 54.55% of euploid blastocysts (30/55) among high-grade D6 blastocysts, significantly higher than the 41.39% of euploid blastocysts (565/1,365) among low-grade D5 blastocysts ( p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Our data suggest that D6 blastocysts with high morphology grading are preferred than D5 blastocysts with low morphology grading when selecting blastocyst transfer to shorten the time of conception., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Shi, Zhou, Chen, Xue and Shi.)

Background: A number of studies have compared the clinical outcomes between the two endometrial preparation methods: natural cycles (NCs) and hormone replacement treatment (HRT) before frozen embryo transfer, but the results were conflicting. In order to mitigate the potential effect of embryos per se, several researchers have worked on this subject for euploid blastocyst transfer, but the results were still inconsistent. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes between HRT and NC for autologous single vitrified-warmed euploid blastocyst transfer based on our data., Methods: A total of 598 frozen-thawed single euploid blastocyst transfer cycles in the assisted reproductive center of Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital from January 2014 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Women were stratified into the NC (n = 125) or HRT (n = 473) group according to the patient's preference and the physician's guidance. Multivariate regression models and subgroup analysis were constructed to analyze the association between endometrial preparation and live birth., Results: Women in the NC group had a higher live birth rate (68.80% versus 58.35%, P = 0.034) and a lower risk of total pregnancy loss (8.51% versus 21.14%, P = 0.005) when compared with women in the HRT group. The biochemical pregnancy rate (75.20% versus 74.00%, P = 0.784) and clinical pregnancy rate (74.40% versus 69.98%, P = 0.334) were similar between the two groups (NC versus HRT). NC was associated with an increased odds of live birth compared with HRT by different multivariable analysis models (Model 1: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57, 0.36 - 0.90; Model 2: aOR, 95%CI: 0.57, 0.35 - 0.92). In addition, the increased chance of live birth in the NC group was found in all subgroups. No major obstetrical complications and two malformation livebirths were reported., Conclusions: In women undergoing single euploid frozen blastocyst transfers, the NC group was associated with a lower pregnancy loss rate and an ultimately higher live birth rate than the HRT group. Although HRT is convenient for both clinicians and patients, the lower live birth rate should be taken into account and NC might be the first choice of endometrial preparation method., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Li, Gao, Shi, Shi and Bai.)

Objective: To explore the association between endometrial thickness (EMT) and adverse neonatal outcomes in frozen in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) cycles., Methods: This retrospective study involved a total of 8,235 women under the age of 35 years who underwent IVF/ICSI cycles and received frozen embryo transfer (FET) at a tertiary-care academic medical from January 2015 to December 2019, resulting in a live singleton newborn. Patients were categorized into three groups depending on EMT: ≤7.5 mm, 7.5-12 mm and >12 mm. The primary outcome was low birthweight (LBW). The secondary outcomes were preterm birth (PTB), small-for-gestational age (SGA), large-for-gestational age (LGA) and high birthweight (HBW)., Results: Compared with EMT >7.5-12 mm group, the risk of being born LBW was statistically significantly increased in the EMT ≤7.5 mm group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.179; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.305-3.640; P=.003), while dramatically decreased in the EMT >12 mm group (aOR 0.584; 95% CI, 0.403-0.844; P=.004). Moreover, newborn gender and pregnancy complications were all independent predictors for LBW. Furthermore, a significant decrease in birthweight was found in the EMT ≤7.5 mm group as compared with EMT >7.5-12 mm group and EMT >12 mm group (3,239 ± 612 vs. 3,357 ± 512 and 3,374 ± 479 g, respectively), and similar result was found in term of gestational age (38.41 ± 2.19 vs. 39.01 ± 1.68 and 39.09 ± 1.5 weeks, respectively)., Conclusions: After frozen IVF/ICSI-ET, EMT ≤7.5 mm is independently associated with increased risk of LBW among women with singleton newborns. Therefore, we suggest that women with EMT ≤7.5 mm after achieving pregnancy by IVF/ICSI-ET treatment should warrant more attention to reduce the risk of delivering a LBW newborn., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 He, Li, Li, Meng, Xue and Shi.)

Introduction: Natural cycle (NC) and hormone replacement treatment (HT) are frequently used endometrial preparation protocols prior to frozen-thawed embryo transfer in ovulatory women. It is not clear which protocol results in a higher live birth rate. It has been suggested that there is an increased risk in maternal and perinatal morbidity following HT protocol due to the lack of corpus luteum. The objective of this trial is to compare the clinical outcomes of NC and HT protocols in frozen embryo transfer., Methods and Analysis: COMPETE is an open-label, single-centre, randomised controlled trial targeting to recruit 888 women, with 444 women each in two arms (1:1 treatment ratio). Women undergoing in vitro fertilisation scheduled for a frozen embryo transfer and have a regular menstrual cycle are eligible. Exclusion criteria include ovulation disorders and intrauterine adhesions. The primary outcome is live birth resulting from the first frozen embryo transfer after randomisation. Secondary outcomes include biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, endometrial thickness, cycle cancellation, gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, antepartum haemorrhage, preterm birth, birth weight, large for gestational age, congenital anomaly and perinatal mortality. The data analysis will be following the intention-to-treat principle., Ethics and Dissemination: This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Northwest women's and children's hospital (2020008). Written informed consent will be obtained from each participant before randomisation. The results of the trial will be presented via publications., Trial Registration Number: ChiCTR2000040640., Competing Interests: Competing interests: BWM is supported by a NHMRC Investigatorgrant (GNT1176437). BWM reports consultancy for ObsEva. BMW has received research funding from Ferring and Merck. The other authors have none to declare., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Research Question: How to prevent the transfer of a mutation causing osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) to offspring in a couple with recurrent adverse pregnancy outcomes, when the male partner is a gonosomal mosaic carrier. Design: High-throughput sequencing and first-generation DNA sequencing were performed using the tissues from an aborted fetus and its parents. Regions 2 Mb upstream and downstream of the COL1A1 gene were subjected to multiplex PCR to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and family haplotypes associated with the disease-causing mutation. Single-cell whole-genome amplification and sequencing were performed on trophoblasts cultured in vitro for 5-6 days to construct embryonic SNP haplotypes, and first-generation sequencing was used for pathogenic locus verification and aneuploidy screening. Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) was also performed. Results: The aborted fetus was heterozygous for the COL1A1 mutation c.1454G>A (chr17-48272089, p.Gly485Asp) suspected to cause OI. The variant was also detected in the peripheral blood cells and sperm of the male partner, who appeared to be a gonosomal mosaic carrier of the mutation. Three morphologically usable blastocysts were obtained in vitro and successfully expanded after a trophectoderm biopsy. Two blastocysts were unusable owing to aneuploidy; however, one was euploid and did not carry the paternal mutation. Post-transfer gestation was confirmed by systematic B-scan ultrasound, and amniocentesis findings were consistent with the PGT-M results. Conclusion: Parental gonadal mosaicism was the cause of recurrent terminated pregnancies due to fetal skeletal dysplasia. Using PGT-M to select embryos without the paternal pathogenic mutation prevented the vertical transmission of OI in this family, and a successful pregnancy was achieved., Competing Interests: Author RW was employed by Yikon Genomics Company, Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Bai, Li, Liu, Shi, He, Wei and Shi.)

Importance: There is a lack of information regarding the need to postpone conception after COVID-19 vaccination., Objective: To investigate the time interval between the first dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment as well as the rate of pregnancy after a fresh embryo transfer., Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study was conducted at a single public IVF center in China. Female patients aged 20 to 47 years and undergoing IVF treatment were consecutively registered from May 1 to December 22, 2021, with follow-up until March 31, 2022. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection before or during IVF treatment and those who underwent 2 or more IVF treatments, received the noninactivated or unknown COVID-19 vaccine, or did not have a fresh embryo transfer were excluded from this study., Exposures: The vaccinated group (subdivided into 4 subgroups of time interval from first vaccination to fertilization treatment: ≤30 days, 31-60 days, 61-90 days, and ≥91 days) and nonvaccinated group., Main Outcomes and Measures: Risk ratios (RRs) for the association between the time interval and ongoing pregnancy (pregnancy continued at least 12 weeks)., Results: A total of 3052 female patients (mean [SD] age, 31.45 [3.96] years) undergoing IVF treatment were analyzed in this study. There were 667 vaccinated patients receiving IVF (35 were vaccinated ≤30 days, 58 were vaccinated 31-60 days, 105 were vaccinated 61-90 days, and 469 were vaccinated ≥91 days before fertilization treatment), and 2385 unvaccinated patients receiving treatment. The ovarian stimulation and laboratory parameters were similar among all groups. Ongoing pregnancy was significantly lower in the 30 days or less subgroup (34.3% [12 of 35]; adjusted RR [aRR], 0.61; 95% CI, 0.33-0.91) and the 31 to 60 days' subgroup (36.2% [21 of 58]; aRR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.85). A slightly but not statistically lower rate was found in the 61 to 90 days' subgroup, and no reduced risk for ongoing pregnancy in the 91 days or more subgroup was observed (56.3% [264 of 469]; aRR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.88-1.04) compared with the unvaccinated group (60.3% [1439 of 2385], as reference)., Conclusions and Relevance: Findings of this study suggest that receipt of the first inactivated COVID-19 vaccine dose 60 days or less before fertilization treatment is associated with a reduced rate of pregnancy. In patients undergoing IVF treatment with a fresh embryo transfer, the procedure may need to be delayed until at least 61 days after COVID-19 vaccination.

Two-dimensional polarization imaging (2D POLIM) is an experimental method where correlations between fluorescence excitation- and fluorescence emission-polarization properties are measured. One way to analyze 2D POLIM data is to apply a so-called single funnel approximation (SFA). The SFA allows for quantitative assessment of energy transfer between chromophores with identical spectra [homo-FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer)]. In this paper, we run a series of computer experiments to investigate the applicability of the analysis based on the SFA to various systems ranging from single multichromophoric systems to isotropic ensembles. By setting various scenarios of energy transfer between individual chromophores within a single object, we were able to define the borders of the practical application of SFA. It allowed us to reach a more comprehensive interpretation of the experimental data in terms of uncovering the internal arrangement of chromophores in the system and energy transfer between them. We also found that the SFA can always formally explain the data for isotropic ensembles and derived a formula connecting the energy funneling efficiency parameter and traditional fluorescence anisotropy.

Background: The ideal protocols of endometrial preparation for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients are lacking and need further declaration. Our objective was to compare the clinical outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) with and without pretreatment gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) in PCOS patients., Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we used propensity score matching (PSM) to compare the live birth rate between patients who underwent FET with hormone replacement treatment (HRT) and patients with GnRHa pretreatment (GnRHa + HRT). Patients using GnRHa + HRT (n = 514) were matched with 514 patients using HRT., Results: The live birth rate was higher in the GnRHa + HRT group compared with the HRT group with no significant difference (60.12% vs 56.03%, p = 0.073). The clinical pregnancy rate (75.29% vs 70.62%), miscarriage rate (14.20% vs 13.81%) and ectopic pregnancy rate (0.39% vs 0.19%) were similar between the two groups. The preterm birth rate in GnRHa + HRT was higher than HRT (20.23% vs 13.04%). No difference was found in live birth between GnRHa +HRT and HRT before adjusting for covariates (crude OR 1.22, 95%CI, 0.99-1.51, p = 0.062) and after PSM (OR 1.47, 95%CI, 0.99-2.83, p = 0.068). In addition, there is a marginally difference after adjusting for covariates (aOR 1.56, 95%CI, 1.001-2.41, p = 0.048), this finding with p-value close to 0.05 represent insufficient empirical evidence. Similar results were obtained after propensity score matching in the entire cohort., Conclusions: GnRHa pretreatment could not improve the live birth rate in women with PCOS., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Purpose: To assess the association between maternal education level and live birth after in vitro fertilization (IVF)., Methods: We studied women who underwent the first cycle of fresh or frozen-thawed embryo transfer between 2014 and 2019. Women were divided into four educational categories according to the level of education received (elementary school graduate or less, middle school graduate, high school graduate, college graduate or higher). The live birth rate was compared between different education level groups. We used logistic regression to analyze the association between maternal education level and live birth after IVF., Results: We studied 41,546 women, who were grouped by maternal educational level: elementary school graduate or less (n = 1590), middle school graduate (n = 10,996), high school graduate (n = 8354), and college graduate or higher (n = 20,606). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, we did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between educational level and live birth in middle school graduate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-1.09), high school graduate (AOR 1.01; 95% CI, 0.87-1.14) or college graduate or higher (AOR 1.01; 95% CI, 0.88-1.14) patients, with elementary school graduate or less as the reference group., Conclusions: Maternal educational level was not associated with the likelihood of live birth in patients undergoing fresh or frozen embryo transfer., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background/objectives: To examine the effect of pre-pregnancy maternal body mass index (BMI) on neonatal weight outcomes of twin infants who were conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART)., Subjects/methods: A 10-year (2006-2015) Chinese sample of 3431 mothers and their twin infants conceived by ART from a retrospective cohort were included. The effects of pre-pregnancy maternal BMI on gestational age and birth weight were assessed by generalized linear model and generalized estimating equation model., Results: Compared with a normal weight group, pre-pregnancy maternal underweight was associated with lower birth weight and increased risk of small for gestational age (SGA) in twins conceived by ART (birth weight: difference -59.22 g, 95% CI -93.16 to -25.27 g; SGA: RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.43). Pre-pregnancy maternal obesity was associated with higher birth weight and increased risk of preterm birth (birth weight: difference 65.82 g, 95% CI 10.66 to 120.99 g; preterm birth: RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03-1.37). A nonlinear relationship between pre-pregnancy maternal BMI and SGA was observed. The risk of SGA decreased with the pre-pregnancy maternal BMI up to the turning point (BMI = 21) (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.86-0.95)., Conclusions: Among mothers undergoing ART, pre-pregnancy maternal obesity is associated with higher birth weight and higher risk of preterm birth for twin pregnancy, and pre-pregnancy maternal underweight is associated with lower birth weight and higher risk of SGA. Women preparing for ART should maintain a normal BMI to lower the chances of adverse neonatal outcomes., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: To determine whether maternal age has an impact on monozygotic twinning (MZT) rates in women undergoing single embryo transfer (SET)., Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study analyzed for the incidence of MZT of all clinical pregnancies after a single embryo transfer was carried out between 2014 and 2018. The effect of different assisted reproductive technology (ART) parameters on the incidence of MZT was evaluated., Results: There were a total of 8459 cycles resulting in pregnancy during the study period. Of these pregnancies, 8236 were singletons and 223 were MZT. The preterm birth rate, miscarriage rate, and cesarean section rate were higher in MZT. Birth weight and gestational age at delivery were lower and smaller. In the univariate analysis, the risk of MZT was decreased with frozen embryo transfer (ET). A nonlinear relationship was observed between maternal age and MZT. A negative relationship between maternal age and MZT was observed in the patients' age ≥ 36 years., Conclusion: Advanced maternal age was associated with a lower rate of MZT. A threshold female age of 36 years existed for lower MZT.

Background: The pre-implantation embryo in a competent status and post-implantation fully differentiation of the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) are prerequisites of successful implantation. Type I embryonic epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) involves in these processes. A high level of the mir-let-7 family was found in the dormant mouse embryo of implantation failure in our previous study. Besides, its natural inhibitor lin28a was found to function in maintained stem cell pluripotency and involved in early embryo nucleolus construction. Until now, few studies got involved in the exact molecular mechanism that affects embryo implantation potential. In this study, the possible function of Wnt/β-catenin-lin28a/let-7 pathway in mouse embryo implantation was studied., Methods: ICR mouse, Lin28a/Let-7 g transgenic mice (Lin28a-TG/Let-7 g-TG), and implanting dormant mice models were used for the study., Results: Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential in embryo implantation, which promotes embryo implantation through directly trigger lin28a expression, thus represses the mir-let-7 family. Lin28a and mir-let-7 both participate in implantation via an inverse function. Lin28a and mir-let-7 participate in embryo implantation through embryonic EMT., Conclusions: Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes embryo implantation and accompanying embryonic EMT, which is mediated by directly activate lin28a/let-7 axis. Video abstract.

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that influence hepatitis B virus (HBV) expression and replication in the ovum., Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques were used to assay the distributions of HBcAg, HBV DNA, and HBV mRNA in ovarian tissues and the ovum in 50 patients with chronic HBV infection. HBeAg and HBV DNA in the serum were also detected. Comparisons of categorical data were performed using McNemar test., Results: The positive rates of HBcAg, HBV DNA, and HBV mRNA in ovum and ovarian tissues of high replication group were significantly higher than low replication group (χ2 = 15.04, P< 0.05; χ2 = 12.96, P<0.05; χ2 = 19.36, P< 0.05; respectively). High positive rates of HBcAg, HBV DNA, and HBV mRNA in ovum and ovarian tissues were found in women with HBeAg-positive than HBeAg-negative (χ2 = 113.14,P< 0.05; χ2 = 11.13, P< 0.05; χ2 = 17.39, P< 0.05; respectively)., Conclusion: HBV can infect and replicate in the ovary and ovum. Maternal HBeAg status and HBV DNA levels are important influencing factors.

Background Human reproduction depends on the fusion of a mature oocyte with a sperm cell to form a fertilized egg. The genetic events that lead to the arrest of human oocyte maturation are unknown. Methods We sequenced the exomes of five members of a four-generation family, three of whom had infertility due to oocyte meiosis I arrest. We performed Sanger sequencing of a candidate gene, TUBB8, in DNA samples from these members, additional family members, and members of 23 other affected families. The expression of TUBB8 and all other β-tubulin isotypes was assessed in human oocytes, early embryos, sperm cells, and several somatic tissues by means of a quantitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction assay. We evaluated the effect of the TUBB8 mutations on the assembly of the heterodimer consisting of one α-tubulin polypeptide and one β-tubulin polypeptide (α/β-tubulin heterodimer) in vitro, on microtubule architecture in HeLa cells, on microtubule dynamics in yeast cells, and on spindle assembly in mouse and human oocytes. Results We identified seven mutations in the primate-specific gene TUBB8 that were responsible for oocyte meiosis I arrest in 7 of the 24 families. TUBB8 expression is unique to oocytes and the early embryo, in which this gene accounts for almost all the expressed β-tubulin. The mutations affect chaperone-dependent folding and assembly of the α/β-tubulin heterodimer, disrupt microtubule behavior on expression in cultured cells, alter microtubule dynamics in vivo, and cause catastrophic spindle-assembly defects and maturation arrest on expression in mouse and human oocytes. Conclusions TUBB8 mutations have dominant-negative effects that disrupt microtubule behavior and oocyte meiotic spindle assembly and maturation, causing female infertility. (Funded by the National Basic Research Program of China and others.).

Objectives: To investigate whether 3PN incidence could lead to a worse pregnancy outcome of elective single blastocyst stage embryo transfer (eSBET)., Methods: This study included 706 eSBET cycles from January 2013 to March 2015. The patients were divided into two groups as follows: group 1 included 286 patients with no 3PN zygotes and group 2 included 420 patients with 3PN zygotes., Main Outcome Measure: female age, endometrial thickness, infertility duration, type of infertility, main etiology of infertility, clinical pregnancy and abortion rate., Results: We observed that there was no significant difference in female age, endometrial thickness, infertility duration and abortion rate between two groups. It's worth noting that the clinical pregnancy rate in 3PN > 0% group was significantly lower than 3PN = 0 group (P = 0.021)., Conclusions: 3PN incidence might make anegative effect on pregnancy outcomes in elective single blastocyst stage embryo transfer.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the main factors of 3PN incidence and determine whether the presence of 3PN could lead to a worse pregnancy outcome., Methods: This study included 508 IVF-D (in vitro fertilization with donor sperm) cycles from January 2013 to September 2014. The patients were divided into three groups as follows: group 1 included patients with no 3PN zygotes, group 2 included patients with 1%-25% 3PN zygotes and group 3 included patients with > 25% 3PN zygotes., Results: We observed that more retrieved oocytes and higher HCG day peak E2 value could result in 3PN incidence more easily. When the 3PN zygotes rate was > 25%, the percentages of normal fertilization (68.4% and 66.3% and 46.4%, P < 0.001), day 3 grade I+II embryos (41.2% and 38.6% and 25.8%, P < 0.001), day 3 grade I+II+III embryos (68.7% and 65.2% and 61.4%, P = 0.032) and implantation rates (52.1% and 50.8% and 45.4%, P = 0.026) were significantly lower than that in the other two groups respectively. The pregnancy rate was lower in 3PN > 25% group than that in the other two groups but there was no significant difference (65.2% and 66.7% and 55.6%, P = 0.266). The cleavage (98.3% and 97.2% and 98.2%, P = 0.063) and early abortion (7.1% and 8.0% and 8.6%, P = 0.930) rate were identical among three groups., Conclusions: More retrieved oocytes and higher HCG day peak E2 value could result in 3PN incidence more easily. Interestingly, normal fertilization rate, day-3 grade I+II embryos rate, day-3 grade I+II+III embryos rate and implantation rate were significantly lower in IVF-D cycles with a 3PN incidence of > 25%. The number of day-3 grade I+II embryos might be a key factor for pregnancy in IVF-D cycles with a 3PN incidence of > 25%.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of laser-assisted hatching (LAH) by comparing obstetric and neonatal outcomes between assisted hatching and control groups in cryopreserved embryo transfer cycles. A retrospective cohort analysis was carried out. A total of 699 women with 392 infants delivered were included. Laser- assisted hatching was carried out on D-3 thawed and warmed embryos before transfer in 480 cryopreserved embryos transfer cycles. Obstetric outcomes, neonatal outcomes, and congenital birth defects were recorded. A total of 815 cryopreserved embryo transfer cycles (480 in LAH group and 335 in control group) in 699 patients were analysed. Statistically significantly higher implantation (31.85% versus 16.95%), clinical pregnancy (53.96% versus 33.43%) and live delivery (44.58% versus 23.88%) rates were observed in the LAH group (all P < 0.001). For either singleton or multiple gestations, no statistically significant differences were found in mean gestational age, mean birth weight and mean Apgar score. Four major malformations occurred in the assisted hatching group and three malformations (one major and two minor) in the control group. This study did not identify any harmful effect of LAH on neonates, which suggested that LAH may be a safe treatment in cryopreserved embryo transfer cycles., (Copyright © 2014 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the expression of nicotinamide edenine dinucleotide (NADH) dehydrogenase gene in the placenta of patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and the role of NADH dehydrogenase in PIH pathogenesis., Methods: Using (32)P dATP labeled human NADH dehydrogenase cDNA probe, the expression of NADH dehydrogenase gene in placental tissues of 10 normal late pregnant (NLP) women and 10 PIH patients was detected by dot blot. Mean A of each hybridization dot was measured by image analysis system to compare NADH dehydrogenase mRNA level in PIH placentae with that in NLP placenta., Results: The NADH dehydrogenase gene values in patients with PIH and NLP were 21 +/- 6 and 56 +/- 16. The level of NADH dehydrogenase mRNA in PIH placenta was significantly higher than that in normal placenta (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Elevated expression of NADH dehydrogenase gene may play a role in PIH pathogenesis.