Von Willebrand factor infollicular fluid in women undergoing IVF/ICSI: a “ghost” associated with oocyte and embryo quality

George A. Partsinevelos, Despina Mavrogianni, Evagelia Dimitroulia,  Vasiliki Dinopoulou, Dimitris Loutradis, Peter Drakakis

Introduction: The purpose of the present study to determine the presence of Von Willebrand factor (vWF) in the follicular fluid of women undergoing IVF/ICSI and to investigate the association of its concentration with oocyte and embryo quality…

The role of epigenetic factors in descendants from Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART)

Vasilios Pergialiotis, Anastasia Prodromidou, Evangelia Dimitroulia, Dimitrios Loutradis

Altogether, Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) are likely to cause some epigenetic changes in the offspring, which might consist the molecular basis of complex characteristics and diseases. The present review contributes a large biochemical dataset of a well-defined group of pre- pubertal in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) conceived children in order to detect the potential effect in the offspring’s health …

Live birth after polar body biopsy and preimplantation genetic screening of aneuploidy by DNA-microarray comparative genomic hybridisation

Economou K, Christopikou D, Tsorva E, Handyside A, Cazlaris H, Davies S, Mastrominas M

Α patient with a history of recurrent IVF failures was subjected to preimplantation genetic screening of aneuploidies by DNA microarray comparative genomic hybridisation (a-CGH). Oocytes that had been screened and found chromosomally euploid after biopsy of the first and second polar bodies were used, thereby avoiding the use of donated oocytes. A twin clinical pregnancy was achieved …

Advantages of GnRH antagonists over the agonists in IVF

Dafopoulos KC, Messinis IE

GnRH antagonists were introduced in IVF in the late 1990s. They are effective in reliable prevention of premature LH surge and luteinization during superovulation and their safety is well documented. Two different antagonist protocols have been developed: the multiple dose protocol and the single dose protocol. GnRH antagonists have many advantages compared to agonists …

GnRH agonists or antagonists in ovarian stimulation

Loutradis D, Stefanidis K, Antsaklis A, Michalas S

Ovarian stimulation is an important step in the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) allowing multiple follicular growth and oocytes retrieval, and, consequently, more embryos. Blockade of pituitary gonadotrophin secretion occurs upon desensitization when a continuous GnRH stimulus is provided by means of an agonist or when pituitary receptors are occupied with a competitive …