GPR54 inactivation does not impede neuroendocrine onset of puberty; rather, it delays and slows down pubertal maturation of the gonadotropic axis. The L102P loss of function mutation in GPR54 results in a more quantitative than qualitative defect of gonadotropic axis activation.

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The aim of this study was to find the factors explaining the probability of success of in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer and its different stages: stimulation, fertilization and implantation. The sample came from a retrospective cohort followed in the IVF-embryo transfer centre of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire of Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France; the data from 471 couples giving rise to 923 IVF-embryo transfer cycles were recorded. Four logistic regression models were specified for global process, stimulation, fertilization and implantation stages. Random effect models were used for taking into account the correlations of the different cycles for the same woman. The main outcome measures were: ongoing pregnancy, number of oocytes, number of embryos. A total of 135 ongoing pregnancies was observed. The significant explanatory variables were for global process: age [> or = 38 years: odds ratio (OR) = 0.28], donor sperm IVF-embryo transfer (OR = 2.1), number of ampoules (OR = 0.98), previous IVF-embryo transfer livebirth (OR = 2.36); for stimulation: age (> or = 35 years: OR = 0.38) and number of days of treatment > 13 days (OR = 0.20); for fertilization: accident during previous IVF-embryo transfer gestation (OR = 0.39), absolute tubal infertility (OR = 1.38) and the number of ampoules of human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) per day (OR = 0.85); for implantation: age (age > or = 38 years: OR = 0.34), donor sperm IVF-embryo transfer (OR = 4.58), number of ampoules (OR = 0.98), number and quality of the embryos. Estimates of the probabilities of success are also given for the global process.

HCV associated with unfertilized oocytes surrounded by their intact zona pellucida from anti-HCV antibody-positive and viraemic women undergoing ART raises questions concerning the safe management of medically assisted procreation for these women and good practice of oocyte/embryo cryopreservation and donation.

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Microsurgical re-anastomosis or IVF offer ways of reversing previous tubal sterilization. This retrospective study analysed 56 attempts of IVF in 37 couples after impossible or failed surgical sterilization reversal. Efficacy of IVF in this group (TL) was compared with that of a tubal pathology control group (TP) at all stages of IVF (stimulation, fertilization and implantation). Depending on patient age, significantly fewer oocytes were produced after ovarian stimulation in the TL group than in the control (TP) group (P = 0.023 for all TL patients; P = 0.02 when patients aged >38 years were excluded). The total number of embryos available for transfer was significantly lower in the TL group (P = 0.0042), but this was age-related, since when women aged >38 years were excluded there was no significant difference between the two groups. The ongoing pregnancy rate was similar in both groups, the probability of ongoing pregnancy appearing to depend on patient age rather than on previous fertility.

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