Blandine Courbiere

Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France

Are you Blandine Courbiere?

Claim your profile

Publications (20)59.47 Total impact

  • Article: Reply: Mouse euthanasia by isoflurane inhalation: a controversial method for the animal welfare and a negative impact on oocyte quality.
    Audrey Roustan, Jeanne Perrin, Blandine Courbiere
    Laboratory Animals 10/2012; 46(4):360. · 1.21 Impact Factor
  • Article: Respiratory distress syndrome after elective caesarean section in near term infants: a five year cohort study.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Abstract Objective: to assess the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in late preterm (34(0/7)-36(6/7)) and just term (37(0/7)-37(6/7)) infants born via elective caesarean section (CS) in a tertiary care maternity facility. Methods: retrospective cohort study between 2005 and 2009. 188 near term infants, divided in 2 groups: groupe A: 125 late preterm (340/7to 366/7) and group B: 63 just term (370/7to 376/7), from elective CS (except CS after premature rupture of membranes and foetuses presenting congenital malformation), were included. Results: In group A the overall incidence of RDS (RDS at or shortly after birth, requiring respiratory support or oxygen therapy) was 44% (n=55) vs 15.9% (n=10) in group B (p<0.01). The incidence of SRDS (requiring admission in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)) in group A was 13.6% (n=17) and 3.2% (n=2) group B (p<0.01). The risk decreased significantly as gestational age increased: for RDS, 50.9% at 34 WG, 52.5% at 35 WG, 21.5% at 36 WG, and 15.9% at 37 WG; for admission, 30.2% at 34 WG, 25% at 35 WG, 9.4% at 36 WG, and 6.3% at 37 WG. Among late preterm infants with RDS, 30.9% (n=17) developed Severe RDS. Conclusions: Late preterm infants born via elective CS are at high risk for RDS and NICU admission. The risk is influenced by each additional week spent in utero. As the incidence of CS is increasing within this population, new preventative strategies must be sought.
    The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine: the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians 09/2012; · 1.36 Impact Factor
  • Article: Uterine-sparing surgical management of postpartum hemorrhage: is it always effective?
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: PurposeTo further study the efficacy of uterine-sparing procedures based on triple uterine artery ligation (TUAL) possibly complemented with hemostatic multiple square suturing (HMSS) for the management of post-partum hemorrhage (PPH). MethodsCases of PPH occurring during cesarean section and treated, according to our institution guidelines, by TUAL possibly complemented with HMSS between 2000 and 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsFifty-six patients were included; 13 (23.2%) had TUAL only, while 43 (76.8%) had additional HMSS performed. Surgical conservative management of PPH was effective in 51 (91.1%) cases. PPH due to placenta accreta, either unanticipated or after failure of conservative management, showed an independent and significant impact on the risk of failure of the procedure (AOR 15.07, 95% CI 1.12–201.9, p=0.041). ConclusionObstetricians should be aware that a higher risk of failure of the procedure is to be expected in cases of PPH due to placenta accreta. In such situation, to avoid any useless delay in management, our findings suggest that peripartum hysterectomy should be immediately considered. KeywordsPostpartum hemorrhage–Surgery–Placenta accreta–Cesarean section
    Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 04/2012; 285(4):925-930. · 1.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Evaluating methods of mouse euthanasia on the oocyte quality: cervical dislocation versus isoflurane inhalation.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Cervical dislocation is a commonly used method of mouse euthanasia. Euthanasia by isoflurane inhalation is an alternative method which allows the sacrifice of several mice at the same time with an anaesthesia, in the aim to decrease pain and animal distress. The objective of our study was to assess the impact of these two methods of euthanasia on the quality of mouse oocytes. By administering gonadotropins, we induced a superovulation in CD1 female mice. Mice were randomly assigned to euthanasia with cervical dislocation and isoflurane inhalation. Oviducts were collected and excised to retrieve metaphase II oocytes. After microscopic examination, oocytes were classified into three groups: intact, fragmented/cleaved and atretic. Intact metaphase II oocytes were employed for biomedical research. A total of 1442 oocytes in the cervical dislocation group were compared with 1230 oocytes in the isoflurane group. In the cervical dislocation group, 93.1% of the oocytes were intact, versus 65.8% in the isoflurane group (P ≤ 0.001). In light of these results, we conclude that cervical dislocation is the best method of mouse euthanasia for obtaining intact oocytes for biomedical research.
    Laboratory Animals 04/2012; 46(2):167-9. · 1.21 Impact Factor
  • Article: Uterine-sparing surgical management of postpartum hemorrhage: is it always effective?
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: To further study the efficacy of uterine-sparing procedures based on triple uterine artery ligation (TUAL) possibly complemented with hemostatic multiple square suturing (HMSS) for the management of post-partum hemorrhage (PPH). Cases of PPH occurring during cesarean section and treated, according to our institution guidelines, by TUAL possibly complemented with HMSS between 2000 and 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty-six patients were included; 13 (23.2%) had TUAL only, while 43 (76.8%) had additional HMSS performed. Surgical conservative management of PPH was effective in 51 (91.1%) cases. PPH due to placenta accreta, either unanticipated or after failure of conservative management, showed an independent and significant impact on the risk of failure of the procedure (AOR 15.07, 95% CI 1.12-201.9, p = 0.041). Obstetricians should be aware that a higher risk of failure of the procedure is to be expected in cases of PPH due to placenta accreta. In such situation, to avoid any useless delay in management, our findings suggest that peripartum hysterectomy should be immediately considered.
    Archives of Gynecology 09/2011; 285(4):925-30. · 0.91 Impact Factor
  • Article: Assessment of 1,2-propanediol (PrOH) genotoxicity on mouse oocytes by comet assay.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: To assess the genotoxicity of 1,2-propanediol (PrOH) on mouse oocytes by comet assay. In vitro assay using murine model. Biogenotoxicology research laboratory. CD1 female mice. Three 40-oocyte groups were exposed to different PrOH concentrations (5%, 7.5%, and 15%). Each concentration was tested during both long and short exposures (1-2 hours and 1-5 minutes) in comparison with control groups. DNA damage was evaluated by a single-cell gel electrophoresis assay, also called "comet assay," and analyzed with Komet software. DNA damage was quantified as Olive tail moment (OTM). Interpretation was done on OTM with the use of χ(2). High PrOH concentrations (7.5% and 15%) induced significant DNA damage on mouse oocytes. The OTM χ(2) values were 4.16 ± 0.40 and 6.80 ± 0.4 with 7.5% PrOH at 1 and 2 hours, respectively, 24.35 ± 1.60 with 15% at 1 hour, and for 2h at 15% the DNA damage was too drastic to calculate OTM χ(2). After 1 and 5 minutes, the OTM χ(2) values were, respectively, 5.19 ± 0.26 and 6.06 ± 0.42 with 7.5%, and 7.53 ± 0.33 and 16.81 ± 0.67 with 15%. High concentrations of PrOH (7.5% and 15%) induced significant DNA damage on mouse oocytes, whatever the exposure duration. These results should be interpreted with caution, because additional data are needed to evaluate PrOH genotoxicity and DNA oocyte reparation after exposure to high PrOH concentrations.
    Fertility and sterility 09/2011; 96(4):1002-7. · 3.97 Impact Factor
  • Article: Cornual resection for interstitial pregnancy by laparoendoscopic single-site surgery.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: To present two cases of interstitial pregnancy treated successfully by use of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS). Case series. Department of obstetrics and gynecology at a tertiary health care facility. Two women with interstitial pregnancy requiring surgical treatment. Laparoscopy by use of LESS with the single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) system. Feasibility of LESS with the SILS system. Two patients were treated successfully by use of LESS with the SILS system. After laparoscopic confirmation of the interstitial pregnancy, a cornual resection was performed with bipolar forceps and scissors for the first patient and with an automatic stapler for the second. Laparoscopic treatment of interstitial pregnancy by use of LESS seems feasible. Larger series are necessary to confirm these findings.
    Fertility and sterility 06/2011; 95(7):2432.e5-8. · 3.97 Impact Factor
  • Article: Reply of the authors.
    Fertility and sterility 05/2011; · 3.97 Impact Factor
  • Article: Reply of the Authors.
    Fertility and sterility 04/2011; · 3.97 Impact Factor
  • Article: Is uterine-sparing surgical management of persistent postpartum hemorrhage truly a fertility-sparing technique?
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Among 23 women who underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy after triple uterine artery ligation with or without hemostatic multiple square suturing for the management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), five had abnormal findings. Endometritis was statistically significantly associated with abnormal diagnostic hysteroscopy findings. Twelve patients developed subsequent pregnancies, and four had abnormal obstetric outcomes: one placenta percreta, one placenta accreta, one recurrent postpartum hemorrhage, and one intrauterine growth retardation.
    Fertility and sterility 02/2011; 95(8):2503-6. · 3.97 Impact Factor
  • Article: Plasma creatine phosphokinase level may predict successful treatment after a single injection of methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Our finding that creatine phosphokinase level was significantly higher in women successfully treated for ectopic pregnancy with only a single injection of methotrexate suggests that this indicator predicts this outcome.
    Fertility and sterility 01/2011; 95(6):2131-3. · 3.97 Impact Factor
  • Article: Obstetric outcome of women with in vitro fertilization pregnancies hospitalized for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a case-control study.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: To evaluate the obstetric outcome of women with IVF pregnancies hospitalized for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). A case-control study. Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine. All IVF patients hospitalized for OHSS with a positive pregnancy test matched to an IVF pregnancy control group who did not develop OHSS. Retrospective study of all clinical and laboratory data. OHSS morbidity, early pregnancy outcome, and obstetric complications. The incidence of OHSS requiring hospitalization was 1.14% among 3,504 IVF cycles. Forty patients (31 singletons, 8 twins, and 1 triplet) hospitalized for severe OHSS with a mean duration of hospitalization of 10.2 ± 7.2 days were compared with a control group of 80 IVF pregnancies (48 singletons, 15 twins, and 2 triplets). Early OHSS occurred in 22.5% of patients, and late OHSS in the remaining 77.5% patients. In the OHSS group, 10% had thromboembolic complications. The miscarriage rate was similar for the OHSS group and the control IVF group (17.5% vs. 16%). Concerning ongoing clinical pregnancies, pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and preterm labor were significantly higher in the OHSS group (respectively, 21.2% vs. 9.2% and 36% vs. 10.7%). In the subgroup of singletons, PIH was significantly higher for OHSS pregnancies than for controls. Pregnancies after IVF and OHSS are associated with a greater risk of adverse obstetric outcome.
    Fertility and sterility 01/2011; 95(5):1629-32. · 3.97 Impact Factor
  • Article: Comet assay on mouse oocytes: an improved technique to evaluate genotoxic risk on female germ cells.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: To develop and validate an efficient comet assay on mouse oocytes without depellucidation. In vitro experiments using a murine model. Biogenotoxicology research laboratory in Aix-Marseille II University, France. CD1 prepubescent female mice. DNA lesions in oocytes were evaluated by the alkaline comet assay. After oocyte retrieval, we first studied the effect of zona pellucida (ZP) on comet morphology. For this study, we applied the comet assay to mature oocytes with and without ZP after exposure to simulated sunlight irradiation (SSI) compared with negative controls. Next, nondepellucidated mouse oocytes were exposed to three well-known genotoxic agents (SSI, methylmethanesulfonate [MMS], and hydrogen peroxide [H(2)O(2)]) and compared with negative controls. Images of oocytes were analyzed with Komet software. DNA damages were quantified and expressed as olive tail moment (OTM), defined as the product of the tail length and the fraction of total DNA in the tail. OTMχ(2) were calculated from OTM; they corresponded to the degrees of freedom (n) of each OTM distribution obtained from at least 50 oocytes. OTMχ(2) is an indicator of DNA lesions. The test was considered positive and statistically significant when OTMχ(2) increased in oocytes compared with the medium-only control cells. There was no difference in comet aspect between oocyte groups with and without ZP. The three genotoxic agents significantly increased DNA damages as compared with the control groups. The OTMχ(2) values were (mean ± SD): 2.1 ± 0.07, 7.73 ± 0.35, 3.35 ± 0.15, and 12.4 ± 0.51 in control, SSI, MMS, and H(2)O(2) groups, respectively. Comet assay on non depellucidated mouse oocytes is a rapid and easy test. This assay would be useful to assess the genotoxicity on female germ cells of chemicals, drugs, or environmental pollutants and the efficiency of antioxidant molecules.
    Fertility and sterility 10/2010; 95(4):1452-7. · 3.97 Impact Factor
  • Article: Fertility and obstetric outcome after conservative management of placenta accreta.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: To determine the fertility and obstetric outcomes after conservative management of placenta accreta. A retrospective observational cohort study of all identified cases of placenta accreta from 1993 to 2007 in 2 tertiary university hospitals in France. For patients treated conservatively, maternal and fetal morbidity, reproductive function, fertility, and subsequent pregnancies were recorded. During the study period, 46 patients were treated by conservative management; 6 patients underwent a secondary hysterectomy. Of the remaining 40 patients, 35 were followed up for a median of 65 months (range 18-156 months). Patients resumed their menstrual cycles after a median of 130 days (range 48-176 days). Menses were irregular in 11 patients (31%), but none had amenorrhea. Twelve of the 14 patients desiring another pregnancy achieved a total of 15 pregnancies; 2 patients had recurrent placenta accreta. Five spontaneous abortions and 1 termination of pregnancy occurred during the first trimester. The median term at delivery was 37 weeks (range, 35-40 weeks). Four patients delivered prematurely. Conservative management of placenta accreta can preserve fertility, although the risk of recurrent placenta accreta appears to be high.
    International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 02/2010; 109(2):147-50. · 1.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Hemostatic multiple square suturing is an effective treatment for the surgical management of intractable obstetric hemorrhage.
    European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 07/2008; 138(2):244-6. · 1.97 Impact Factor
  • Article: Failure of conservative management in postpartum haemorrhage: uterine necrosis and hysterectomy after angiographic selective embolization with gelfoam.
    European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 07/2008; 140(2):291-3. · 1.97 Impact Factor
  • Article: Difficulties improving ovarian functional recovery by microvascular transplantation and whole ovary vitrification.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: To evaluate recovery of endocrine function and fertility after transplantation and vitrification of whole ovaries. Animal study. Lyon Veterinary School, France. Ewes. In group 1 (n = 5), the left ovary was removed with its vascular pedicle and was transplanted onto the contralateral pedicle. In group 2 (n = 5), the left ovary with its pedicle was cryopreserved after a vitrification procedure. After thawing, transplantation was performed by microvascular anastomosis to the contralateral ovarian pedicle. Median ischemia time, progesterone levels, histologic examination. Successful microsurgical transplantation was performed in both groups. The median ischemia time was statistically significantly longer in group 2 (287 minutes, range: 226 to 349] versus 129 minutes [range: 125 to 130]) in group 1. In group 1, four sheep recovered spontaneous ovarian endocrine function about 2.5 (range: 2.00 to 3.75) months after transplantation. Two ewes gave healthy live births at 12 and 25 months, respectively, after transplantation. In group 2, one ewe recovered ovarian endocrine function 6 months after transplantation. However, histologic evaluation showed a follicular survival rate of 6% in group 1, and total follicle loss in group 2. Autograft of whole sheep ovaries with microvascular anastomosis seems technically feasible but resulted in a very poor follicle survival rate (6%), in spite of endocrine function recovery and birth of two lambs. Attempts at cryopreservation with vitrification resulted in no follicle survival at all.
    Fertility and sterility 05/2008; 91(6):2697-706. · 3.97 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Cryopreservation of the ovary by vitrification as an alternative to slow-cooling protocols.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: To study the thermal properties of a cryoprotectant solution, called VS4, and of VS4-impregnated whole sheep ovaries with pedicle. Physical and experimental animal study. Academic research environment. Five- to 6-month-old ewes. Thermal properties on cooling of a cryoprotectant solution called VS4 were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. VS4 contains 2.75 mol/L dimethyl sulfoxide, 2.76 mol/L formamide, and 1.97 mol/L propylene glycol. Whole sheep ovaries were collected at the slaughterhouse and prepared for a vitrification procedure. Cortex and vessels underwent histologic examination before and after vitrification, and the thermal properties of VS4-impregnated ovarian cortex were then studied. Critical cooling rates (V(ccr)), vitreous transition temperature (Tg), end-of-melting temperature (Tm), follicle viability assessment by trypan blue test, and histologic examination of ovary and vessel structure. The critical cooling rate (V(ccr)) of VS4 solution was estimated to be 14.3 +/- 1.1 degrees C/min. Its vitreous transition temperature (Tg) was -125.2 +/- 0.2 degrees C, and its end-of-melting temperature (Tm) -34.3 +/- 0.1 degrees C. Following our vitrification procedure, immediate follicle viability was 61.4% +/- 2.2%. The percentage of normal primordial follicles remaining after vitrification was 48% +/- 3.8%. The V(ccr) of VS4-impregnated cortex could not be determined because of the quantity of ice forming as of the top programmed cooling rate (-300 degrees C/min). The mean ovarian cortex cooling rate actually attained experimentally during vitrification was -342.9 +/- 49.6 degrees C/min. Vitrification of entire organs, such as ovaries, is a great challenge in cryobiology and reproductive medicine. Physical studies seem indispensable for progress with this technique. Thus, our ovarian perfusion procedure needs improving to enhance ovarian cortex impregnation and bring down the V(ccr) rate in both tissue and VS4 solution.
    Fertility and sterility 11/2006; 86(4 Suppl):1243-51. · 3.97 Impact Factor
  • Article: Normal gestations and live births after orthotopic autograft of vitrified-warmed hemi-ovaries into ewes.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of autotransplantation of vitrified warmed hemi-ovaries into ewes. Six hemi-ovaries from six ewes aged 6 to 12 months were vitrified. After dissection of the medulla, the hemi-ovarian cortex was stored at -196 degrees C in liquid nitrogen. Four to six weeks after the first laparotomy, the left ovary was removed and the vitrified-warmed hemi-ovary was sutured. Plasma progesterone concentration increased in a regular manner in all ewes. Three pregnancies occurred, from which four lambs were born. The first delivery of a normal lamb occurred in February 2003. The second delivery of two normal lambs occurred in March 2003 (a 2.5 kg male and a 2.8 kg female). The last lamb had a normal delivery but had a malformation of the left leg and the oesophagus. This lamb died two months after delivery from pneumariae. Histological examination of the grafted vitrified ovaries showed few primordial and antral follicles. These three pregnancies in a ewe model may indicate that ovarian vitrification gives results as good as those from a slow cooling protocol in autograft. It is impossible to establish a link between the vitrification procedure and the malformation of the last lamb, and further studies are needed to evaluate the feasibility of ovarian vitrification.
    Human Reproduction 11/2005; 20(10):2745-8. · 4.47 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Follicular viability and histological assessment after cryopreservation of whole sheep ovaries with vascular pedicle by vitrification.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: To evaluate a cryopreservation technique by vitrification of whole ovaries with their vascular pedicle in sheep, by using two cryoprotectant solutions. Animal study. Fertility clinic in a university teaching hospital. Five to 6-month-old ewes. Whole sheep ovaries with their vascular pedicles were collected at the slaughterhouse and prepared for cryoprotectant toxicity tests and freezing procedures. Follicle viability assessment by trypan blue test and histological examination of ovary and vessel structure. No statistically significant difference in follicle viability or normal primordial follicle rates were observed between ovaries exposed or nonexposed to cryoprotectant solutions. Nor was any statistically significant difference observed before and after vitrification with the two cryoprotectant solutions. The decrease in the number of primordial follicles was smaller when frozen-thawed ovaries were treated with VS4 solution containing dimethyl sulfoxide, formamide, and propylene glycol. There were fewer nuclear anomalies and general follicular anomalies with the VS4 solution. Pedicle fractures occurred in most ovaries during thawing (11/15). Cryopreservation of whole ovary by vitrification appears a promising technique in reproductive medicine. The best histologic results were obtained with the VS4 cryoprotectant. Further studies are required to overcome vitrified ovarian vessel fracture.
    Fertility and sterility 11/2005; 84 Suppl 2:1065-71. · 3.97 Impact Factor