Fertility and sterility
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One hundred men with proven fertility who presented for vasectomy consultation were examined for testicular size and presence of a varicocele, including examination with the Doppler stethoscope for the presence of subclinical varicocele. A diagnosis of varicocele was established in 61%. ⋯ It is apparent that varicoceles, especially subclinical varicoceles, are an extremely common finding, even in a group of fertile men. The results suggest that subclinical varicoceles have no role in male infertility.
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Fertility and sterility · Aug 1987
Is there a role for Chlamydia trachomatis and genital mycoplasma in male infertility?
We believe that, without evidence of inflammation (greater than 5 WBC on VB1), there is no indication for routine culture or antibiotic treatment of infertile men. In the presence of active inflammation and positive cultures for chlamydia, treatment with antibiotics is appropriate. However, active inflammation and positive chlamydial cultures were rare findings in our population (2 of 52 and 1 of 52, respectively). Thus, we find no evidence for a role of current asymptomatic mycoplasma or chlamydial infection in male infertility.
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Fertility and sterility · May 1987
Comparative StudySimultaneous in vitro fertilization and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT).
During a 6-month period, a combination of gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) was offered to all couples beginning an IVF treatment cycle in whom the wife had anatomically normal fallopian tubes. It was recommended to these couples that sufficient oocytes be reserved for insemination in vitro to determine whether the husband's spermatozoa could fertilize the wife's oocytes. During this interval, 16 couples underwent the combined IVF-GIFT procedure. ⋯ More important, 50% (8/16) of the IVF-GIFT couples had no oocytes fertilized in vitro. With the information concerning lack of fertilization in vitro, appropriate recommendations concerning future fertility management can be made. If the same couples had undergone the GIFT procedure alone, without additional oocytes fertilized in vitro, this information would not have been obtained.
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There is a definite increase in the number of women bearing children in the 30- and 40-year-old age groups. The total number of women who are 35 to 40 years of age in the United States is projected to increase 42% and the percent births to this age group is projected to increase 37%. This is apparently because of a trend to postpone childbearing and first birth due to women's career priorities, advanced education, control over fertility, financial concerns, late and second marriages, and infertility. ⋯ Despite a clear association of decreased fecundity in older women due to multiple biologic and social influences, so long as the individual has regular cycles and essentially normal endocrine parameters, she should be a candidate for an expedited infertility workup and ovulation induction, if not more aggressive treatment. Her obstetric profile is much improved, except for an increase in congenital anomalies and chromosomal defects. Chorionic villus biopsy study or amniocentesis is advised in all cases, regardless of therapy.
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Fertility and sterility · Nov 1984
Tubal patency and pelvic adhesions at early second-look laparoscopy following intraabdominal use of the carbon dioxide laser: initial report of the intraabdominal laser study group.
It has been suggested that the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, by virtue of its hypothetical capabilities for precise incisions, minimization of tissue handling and bleeding, and shortened operating time, may improve the success rate of gynecologic infertility surgery. To assess this hypothesis, a multicenter prospective study was performed to assess tubal patency and adhesion formation at early second-look laparoscopy after intraabdominal laser surgery. Procedures performed included salpingoneostomy, fimbrioplasty, lysis of adhesions, vaporization of endometriosis, and ovarian wedge resection. ⋯ Adhesions present at the time of the second-look procedure were reduced from initial presentation at most sites; however, nonlaser infertility surgery appeared to have equal or greater efficacy in the prevention of adhesion formation at most sites. Thus, the CO2 laser does not appear to be a panacea for the treatment of tuboperitoneal causes of infertility. Pregnancy rates following intraabdominal use of the CO2 laser remain to be established.