Nicola Dean

McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

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Publications (4)16.65 Total impact

  • Article: Anti-sperm antibody levels are not related to fertilization or pregnancy rates after IVF or IVF/ICSI.
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    ABSTRACT: Seminal antisperm antibodies (ASAs) have been associated with male infertility and a reduced probability of achieving a spontaneous pregnancy. However, the impact of ASAs on reproductive outcomes after assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) remains controversial. We sought to further examine the relationship between ASAs and reproductive outcomes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) or IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive IVF and IVF/ICSI cycles where the male partner had had direct ASA testing in the six months preceding the ART cycle. We examined the relationship between semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility, strict morphology, ASA levels [by direct mixed agglutination reaction and expressed as the percentage of spermatozoa with IgG or IgA antibodies]) and reproductive outcomes (fertilization and clinical pregnancy rate) after IVF and IVF/ICSI. There was no significant relationship between direct ASA levels and reproductive outcomes after IVF and IVF/ICSI. Similarly, we found no significant relationships between sperm parameters (concentration, motility, strict morphology) and reproductive outcomes after IVF and IVF/ICSI. Clinical pregnancy rates were not significantly different in ASA-positive (>50% of sperm coated with ASAs) compared with ASA-negative samples (42% vs. 52% respectively, odds ratio: 1.45 (95% CI 0.63, 3.30, P>0.05). The data indicate that ASAs in semen are not associated with reproductive outcomes (fertilization and clinical pregnancy rate) after IVF or IVF/ICSI.
    Journal of Reproductive Immunology 01/2011; 88(1):80-4. · 2.97 Impact Factor
  • Article: Selection of the optimal day for oocyte retrieval based on the diameter of the dominant follicle in hCG-primed in vitro maturation cycles.
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    ABSTRACT: The efficiency of in vitro maturation (IVM) techniques is suboptimal compared with controlled ovarian stimulation combined with IVF cycles, and studies are needed to identify factors that predispose IVM cycles to success or failure. We compared the outcome of IVM cycles with different dominant follicle (DF) size at oocyte retrieval following hCG priming. IVM was performed in 160 patients with polycystic ovaries (171 cycles). We administered 10,000 IU hCG s.c. 35-38 h before oocyte collection when endometrial thickness reached at least 6 mm. IVM cycles were retrospectively analyzed according to DF diameter as follows; Group 1: DF diameter <or=10 mm, Group 2: between 10 and 14 mm, Group 3: >14 mm. RESULTS A positive correlation was observed between DF size and number of in vivo matured oocytes collected (Group 1, 2 and 3 = 6.9, 10.6 and 15.1%, respectively). The rates of IVM, fertilization and embryo development were similar among the sibling immature oocytes collected from the three groups. However, clinical pregnancy rate in Group 2 (40.3%) was higher than Group 3 (17.1%) (P < 0.05). Moreover, implantation rates in Groups 1 (13.6%) and 2 (14.3%) were higher than Group 3 (4.9%) (P < 0.01). Our results suggest that oocyte collection in IVM cycles should be performed when the DF is 14 mm diameter or less. Sibling immature oocytes may be affected detrimentally if a DF >14 mm is present at oocyte collection.
    Human Reproduction 09/2008; 23(12):2680-5. · 4.47 Impact Factor
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    Article: A 38 h interval between hCG priming and oocyte retrieval increases in vivo and in vitro oocyte maturation rate in programmed IVM cycles.
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    ABSTRACT: Our aim was to evaluate whether extending the interval between human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) priming and immature oocyte retrieval increases the oocyte maturation rate following in vitro maturation (IVM). This study was performed retrospectively. IVM was performed on 113 polycystic ovary syndrome patients (n = 120 cycles). Oocyte collection was performed either 35 h (Group 1; n = 76) or 38 h (Group 2; n = 44) after 10,000 IU of hCG priming. Following oocyte retrieval, oocyte maturity was assessed and the remaining immature oocytes were cultured in IVM medium up to Day 2. The number of in vivo matured oocytes collected was significantly higher in Group 2 (13.6%, 114/840 versus 7.3%, 96/1312 in Group 1) (P < 0.01); the oocyte maturation rate after Day 1 was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in Group 2 (46.3 versus 36.0% in Group 1); and clinical pregnancy (40.9 versus 25%) and implantation rates (15.6 versus 9.6%) were better in Group 2 than those in Group 1. The results suggest that extending the period of hCG priming time from 35 to 38 h for immature oocyte retrieval promotes oocyte maturation in vivo and increases the IVM rate of immature oocytes. Therefore, oocyte retrieval after 38 h of hCG priming may improve subsequent pregnancy outcome in cycles programmed for IVM treatment.
    Human Reproduction 06/2008; 23(9):2010-6. · 4.47 Impact Factor
  • Article: Obstetric outcomes and congenital abnormalities after in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
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    ABSTRACT: To compare obstetric outcome and congenital abnormalities in pregnancies conceived after in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with those in spontaneously conceived controls. Data were collected from the McGill Obstetrics and Neonatal Database (MOND). All children were examined and classified in a standard manner. Final data were reviewed 12 months after delivery. Pregnancies by IVM, IVF, and ICSI were compared with those of age- and parity-matched controls. Congenital abnormality, gestational age, birth weight, Apgar scores, cord pH, growth restriction, pregnancy complications, mode of delivery, and multiple pregnancy were compared. A total of 432 children were born from 344 pregnancies after assisted reproductive technology (ART) during the study period (IVM 55, IVF 217, ICSI 160). The observed odds ratios (ORs) for any congenital abnormality were 1.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-3.91) for IVM, 1.21 (95% CI 0.63-2.62) for IVF, and 1.69 (95% CI 0.88-3.26) for ICSI. Twin pregnancy (IVM 21%, IVF 20%, ICSI 17%) and triplet pregnancy (IVM 5%, IVF 3%, ICSI 3%) were higher than those in controls (1.7% twins and 0% triplets) (P<.001). Cesarean delivery rates were higher after ART, even in singleton pregnancies (IVM 39%, IVF 36%, ICSI 36%; controls: 26.3%) (P<.05). Apgar scores, cord pH, growth restriction, and pregnancy complications were comparable in all groups. All ART pregnancies are associated with an increased risk of multiple pregnancy, cesarean delivery, and congenital abnormality. Compared with IVF and ICSI, IVM is not associated with any additional risk.
    Obstetrics and Gynecology 11/2007; 110(4):885-91. · 4.73 Impact Factor