The objective of this study was to investigate the predictive value of Kruger's criteria for sperm morphology on intrauterine insemination (IUI) outcome. A total of 209 infertile patients underwent 244 IUI treatment cycles. These include 75 couples (80 cycles) with teratozoospermia and 134 couples (164 cycles) with unexplained infertility. The pregnancy rates per IUI cycle were 3.8 (1/26), 18.5 (10/54) and 29.9% (49/164) in patients with sperm morphology with <4, 4-9 and >9% normal forms, respectively, according to Kruger's criteria. A statistical difference in outcome was seen between couples with <4 and >9% normal forms (p = 0.005). Although the difference in pregnancy rates between those with 4-9 and <4% normal forms was not statistically significant, the pregnancy rate for those with 4-9% normal forms was acceptable and still higher than in those with <4% normal forms. Therefore, we suggest that IUI is a reasonable first-line therapy for patients with sperm morphology >4% normal forms, while couples with <4% normal forms should be advised to use in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection instead of IUI.

Surgery for ovarian endometrioma may damage ovarian reserve. It potentially results in poor ovarian response to COH, compared to the response of the contralateral normal ovary in the same individual.

Purpose : To investigate follicle survival and developmental potential with IVF of cryopreserved, subcutaneously transplanted mouse ovarian tissue. Methods : Fresh and frozen mouse ovarian tissue was autologously transplanted into subcutaneous tissue. Two weeks after the transplantation, the morphology and histology of the fresh and frozen grafts were compared. Superovulation and IVF was performed to evaluate the fertility potential of the frozen ovarian graft. Results : Both fresh and frozen grafts of ovarian tissue survived in 14 of 16 mice (88%). Morphologically, both types of grafts resembled fresh ovarian tissue and contained follicles at all stages of folliculogenesis. A total of 73% of follicles in fresh grafts and 62% in frozen grafts survived after transplantation compared with fresh ovarian tissue. Sixteen ICR mice underwent superovulation. A total of 56 oocytes from antral follicles were recovered from the subcutaneously transplanted cryopreserved ovarian tissue. Fourteen (25%) oocytes were in metaphase II stage, 6 were fertilized by IVF, and 2 progressed to the blastocyst stage. Conclusions : Cryopreservation and subcutaneous transplantation of ovarian tissue provides a possible means of fertility preservation. The main loss of follicles occurred during grafting rather than during freezing and thawing.

Purpose To analyze the gap junction proteins connexin 37 (Cx37) and connexin 43 (Cx43) after subcutaneous transplantation of cryopreserved mouse ovarian tissue. Methods Expression of gap junction genes was assessed by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in transplanted cryopreserved ovarian tissue compared with that of normal ovarian tissue. Apoptosis of ovarian cells was evaluated by using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated deoxyuridine triphosphates nick end-labeling method.Results After subcutaneous transplantation, Cx37 and Cx43 mRNA and protein expression were significantly lower in cryopreserved than in normal ovarian tissue. Apoptosis was increased in granulosa cells from antral follicles of the cryopreserved tissue. Conclusion After cryopreservation and subcutaneous transplantation of ovarian tissue, proteins forming gap junctions between oocytes and granulosa cells are under-expressed compared with normal controls.

A high E2 level in the mid-follicular phase was predictive of patients with a high ovarian response. An E2 level on day 9 of menstrual cycle of > 800 pg/mL suggests an increased risk for ovarian hyperresponse, and appropriate management should be instituted to decrease the risk of OHSS.