Tamar Alkon

• Eastern Virginia Medical School

To determine whether the embryonic euploidy rate and live birth outcomes following single, euploid embryo transfer (SEET) differ among women of self-reported racial and ethnic backgrounds. This retrospective cohort study included all infertile patients of different self-reported racial backgrounds who underwent In vitro fertilization (IVF) with pre...

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of embryo mosaicism does not seem to be determined by the same rules that govern embryo aneuploidy, as it is neither associated with meiotic errors nor maternal age. Recent publications found higher mosaicism rates in patients with severe male factor infertility, although the underlying biological mechanism remains unknown...

Study question Does hysteroscopic endometrial peeling improve reproductive outcomes in women with implantation failure (IF) undergoing a single euploid embryo transfer (SEET)? Summary answer Women with IF may benefit from intraoperative endometrial peeling prior to a SEET. What is known already Preimplantation genetic testing for embryonic aneupl...

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the rate of embryonic euploidy in blastocysts derived from testicular versus ejaculated sperm in cryptozoospermic patients. Design Retrospective cohort analysis. Material and methods The study included couples who suffer from Cryptozoospermia and underwent an autologous in vitro fertilization (IVF) wit...

Study question: Do infertile couples who recently utilized clomiphene citrate (CC) for ovulation induction or ovarian stimulation (<90 days previously) followed by a single euploid embryo transfer (SEET) have lower implantation potential compared with patients who were not exposed to CC within 90 days before embryo transfer (ET)? Summary answer:...

Objective To evaluate the utility of follicular flushing increase the number of oocytes retrieved in women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and serum progesterone of ≤ 5.0 ng/ml the day after final oocyte maturation induction.DesignRetrospective study.SubjectsWomen <4O years, with DOR, underwent controlled ovarian stimulation for an invitro fe...

Study question Can implantation failure (IF) and pregnancy loss be predicted in serum prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF)? Summary answer Tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) and milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG-E8) levels may serve as serum markers to predict IF and pregnancy loss. What is known already In a normal pregnancy, mediators...

Study question Do progesterone (P) levels the day after trigger for oocyte maturation impact the oocyte recovery rate? Summary answer A progesterone cutoff value of ≤ 5.0 ng/ml the day after trigger for oocyte maturation is associated with a lower oocyte recovery rate. What is known already Oocyte maturation and embryo development are controlled...

Objective To analyze the correlation between TE grading and initial β-hCG serum level after single euploid embryo transfer. Secondarily, to explore the association between TE grading with subsequent IVF outcomes. Design Retrospective cohort analysis. Setting Single, academic, private infertility and assisted reproductive care institute. Patients...

Study Objective To present the case of a patient undergoing fertility treatment, who required a Laparoscopic Abdominal Cerclage to improve fertility outcome. Design Descriptive video of Laparoscopic placement of Benson Cerclage. Setting Patient was in lithotomy position during surgery. One umbilical 5 mm port was used for the camera. Two 5 mm acc...

Study question Does the use of double dose of GnRH antagonists during COH in women with risk of premature LH surge alter luteinization after final oocyte maturation induction? Summary answer The use of double dose of GnRH antagonist in women with risk of premature luteinizing hormone surge dosent affect luteinization after final oocyte maturation...

Study question Does hysteroscopic endometrial peeling improve reproductive outcomes in women with implantation failure? Design In this case series, 66 women underwent an hysteroscopic endometrial peeling and subsequently, a single frozen embryo transfer. Results After the exclusion of patients with intraoperative incidental findings, pregnancy wa...

Background Rates of cesarean section continue to increase worldwide. Previous work suggests an association between prior cesarean section and reduced fertility in natural and in vitro fertilization treatment cycles. To our knowledge, there is no published research exploring the relationship between a prior cesarean section and clinical outcomes aft...

Objective: Although chromosomal heteromorphisms are commonly found in the general population, some researchers have suggested a correlation with higher rates of embryo aneuploidy. This study aimed to assess the rates of embryo aneuploidy in couples who carry a chromosome heteromorphism. Methods: The study included couples who had G-banding karyo...

Objective Elevation of progesterone (P) during day 3 of a menstrual cycle is an uncommon phenomenon during ovarian stimulation cycles. Incomplete luteolysis, endogenous P production by the adrenals and ovarian aging have been described as potential causes of baseline progesterone elevation (BPE). Some authors have postulated that BPE predicts decre...

Objective Rates of cesarean section (CS) continue to increase worldwide[1]. Although a CS is often a necessary intervention, it presents increased risk for short and long-term sequelae in mother and infant[2]. Previous work suggests an association between prior CS and reduced fertility in both natural and ART cycles [3-5]. To our knowledge, there i...

Objective PGT-A with NGS is broadly utilized by reproductive specialists at modern ART treatment centers to improve embryo transfer selection. However, there are technical limitations to PGT which might prevent formal designation of the embryo as euploid or aneuploid. While re-biopsy of the embryo is possible, some studies suggesting that the selec...

OBJECTIVE: To compare obstetrical and neonatal outcomes following single embryo transfer (SET) versus (vs.) multiple embryo transfer (MET) from frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles (FET) of autologous pre-implan-tation genetic tested for aneuploidy (PGT-A) embryos. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study from the SART CORS national database. MATERIALS A...

(Abstracted from Hum Reprod 2020;35:1889–1899) Although the physiologic mechanism remains unclear, late follicular phase progesterone elevation (LFPE) commonly occurs during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for assisted-reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Late follicular phase progesterone elevation has been...

Los índices elevados de fragmentación del ADN espermático no se asocian con escasa blastulación o aumento de aneuploidía embrionaria en tratamientos de fertilización in vitro Resumen OBJETIVO: Analizar la relación entre el índice de fragmentación del ADN espermático y el desarrollo embrionario; además, las tasas de euploidía embrionaria en una pobl...

Study question: What is the impact of a late follicular phase progesterone elevation (LFPE) during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) on embryonic competence and reproductive potential in thaw cycles of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) screened embryos? Summary answer: Our study findings suggest that LFPE, utilizing...

Study question: Does hysteroscopic endometrial peeling improve reproductive outcomes in women with implantation failure? Summary answer: Women with implantation failure may benefit from intraoperative endometrial peeling prior to a frozen embryo transfer (FET). What is known already: Trials on endometrial scratching with pipelle and diagnostic h...

Study question: Does endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA) test offer clinical utility in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)? Summary answer: Women with RPL may benefit from a personalized adjustment in timing of frozen embryo transfer. What is known already: Successful embryo implantation requires an appropriate embryonic development...

Objective: Genetic carrier screening has the potential to identify couples at risk of having a child affected with an autosomal recessive or X-linked disorder. However, the current prevalence of carrier status for these conditions in developing countries is not well defined. This study assesses the prevalence of carrier status of selected genetic...

OBJETIVO: Revisar la bibliografía de la prevalencia, factores de riesgo, síntomas, diagnósticos y tratamiento de las pacientes con istmocele. MÉTODO: Búsqueda electrónica en las bases de datos: PubMed, EMBASE y Google Scholar. Se utilizaron los siguientes términos, palabras y sus combinaciones: “Cesarean section defect, uterine niche, isthmocele,...

Efecto del tabaquismo en la fertilidad femenina y masculina Resumen El tabaquismo tiene un efecto nocivo en la salud causando daño multisistémico y aumentando el riesgo de distintas enfermedades. La fertilidad es una de las funciones biológicas que puede verse afectada; sin embargo, los mecanismos subyacentes de este problema siguen sin estar claro...

Study question: Does endometrial biopsy (EMB) and chronic endometritis (CE) screening offer clinical utility in patients following euploid embryo implantation failure? Summary answer: Patients, regardless of endometrial biopsy findings, have similar IVF outcomes on a subsequent treatment cycle as compared with patients who do not undergo endometria...

INTRODUCTION Patients who undergo surgical excision of a dermoid-cyst prior to in vitro fertilization may be at risk of resection of healthy ovarian tissue. Our objective was to analyze ovarian reserve, response to stimulation, and IVF success rates in patients with a dermoid-cyst versus those who underwent a cyst removal prior to undergoing IVF....

Title: THE PRESENCE OF MTHFR GENE POLYMORPHISMS IT’S NOT ASSOCIATED WITH IMPAIRED CLINICAL IVF OUTCOMES AFTER A EUPLOID EMBRYO TRANSFER. Authors: Carlos Hernandez-Nieto, MD1, Tamar Alkon, MD1; Jeffrey Klein MD1; Enrique Cervantes, MD1; Martha Luna-Rojas MD1; Alan B. Copperman, MD1; Benjamin Sandler, MD1,2 Affiliations: 1. Reproductive Medicine As...

Objective Oral contraceptives pills (OCPs) have been a long-standing adjuvant used for multiple purposes during ART treatment. Despite a widespread adoption of OCPs in many clinical settings, some studies have suggested that OCP utilization might exhibit a deleterious effect on IVF outcomes. Opponents have proposed the progesterone compound of OCPs...