Until less than a decade ago, most women undergoing IVF would have
their embryos transferred to the uterus in the same cycle that the egg
retrieval was performed (“Fresh” Embryo Transfer). This was
because embryo cryopreservation (freezing)
[/path-to-parenthood/egg-freezing/]was a hazardous undertaking. In
fact it resulted in about 30% not surviving the freezing process and
those that did, having about one half the pot…

About a decade ago, we, (Sher, and Keskintepe, L; et al) introduced
full chromosomal karyotyping for preimplantation genetic sampling –
(PGS) to assess egg/embryo “competency”
[/blog/human-growth-hormone-administration-in-ivf-does-it-enhance-eggembryo-quality-and-outcome/]
for IVF. We performed and reported on 3 separate studies that served
to herald transformation in the fi…

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a condition where inflammation of
pelvic structures occurs, as a result of one of the following: sexual
transmission via the vagina and cervix, contamination from other
inflamed structures in the abdominal cavity (appendix, gallbladder,
kidneys, etc.), a foreign body inside the uterus (i.e., the
intrauterine device – IUD), contamination of retained products of
conception following abortion or child birth, or, rarely, as a result
of blood-born bact…

The precise mechanism by which ovarian endometrioma causes infertility
is unknown. In women with ovarian endometriomas, infertility is
potentially associated with a decreased oocyte retrieval rate, reduced
oocyte quality and reduced embryo quality. I personally believe that
it is local irritation caused by the cystic space occupying lesion
within the ovary that irritates surrounding connective tissue
increasing ovarian testosterone production which in turn…

The Sampson Theory for the pathogenesis of endometriosis
[/blog/endometriosis-and-ivf/] is the oldest, but remains the most
widely popular and accepted hypothesis. It is based on observations
made as early as in 1938, that that endometriotic implants in the
pelvis arise from retrograde (reversed) menstruation of endometrial
tissue through the fallopian tubes. The finding that women with
endometriosis have larger volumes of retrograde material…

In 1 to 2 percent of cases, male infertility [/blog/male-infertility/]
is the result of problems in an area of the brain (the hypothalamus)
and or in a small gland situated just below the base of the brain
known as the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland produces two
gonadotropin hormones: The first is FSH that controls production of
sperm (spermatogenesis) by Sertoli cells…

Older women [/blog/old-old-ivf/], as well as those who (regardless of
age) have diminished ovarian reserve (DOR)
[/blog/diagnosing-and-treating-infertility-due-to-diminished-ovarian-reserve-dor/],
tend to produce fewer and

Ovulation occurs within 38-42 hours of initiation of the spontaneous
luteinizing hormone (LH) surge (which can be detected in the blood or
urine prior to this event) and/or hCG administered
following controlled ovarian stimulation (COS)…

 Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), is steroid hormone produced by the
adrenal glands and ovary. It is involved in producing the male
hormones, androstenedione testosterone and also estrogen. DHEA blood
levels tend to decline naturally with age. Under the effect of
luteinizing hormone (LH), DHEA is metabolized to testosterone in
ovarian connective tissue (theca/stroma). Thereupon the testosterone
is transported to the granulosa cells that form the innermost layer of
the ova…

Antisperm antibodies (ASA) are immunoglobulins that attach to sperm.
They are most commonly encountered in semen, blood, cervical mucous
and follicular fluid. Not all ASA bind to sperm; however, those that
do so can inhibit fertilization. The current methods of detecting
the presence of SAs in blood, in the seminal plasma of the ejaculate
or in the cervical mucus only measure those immunoglobulins that bind
to sperm components. ASAs are related to the …