To the Editor:
Jee et al. (1) report that in their hands a prematuration culture using a phosphodiesterase type 3 (PDE3) inhibitor does not improve developmental competence of immature oocytes. We and others previously reported a beneficial effect of this system (2-6). Fundamental differences in experimental design between their work and ours may explain this discrepancy. Read the rest of this entry »
To the Editor:
In a recent article by Schubert et al. (1), human ovarian cortical samples obtained from benign ovarian cysts were xenografted into SCID mice subcutaneously as either fresh or frozen-thawed pieces . Follicle counts in the grafts and their E2 production as a measure of endocrine function were assessed. While recognizing their valuable work and previous contributions to the field, there are certain points in their study that need to be clarified to the readers. Read the rest of this entry »
To the Editor:
We would like to thank Dr. Cohen-Bacrie et al for their fine article (1). In this study, they found that sperm DNA damage was correlated with patient age and some sperm parameters, such as total motile sperm count, rapid progression, vitality, and percentage of atypical forms, abnormal necks and coiled tails. However, there was no correlation between sperm DNA damage and number of motile and atypical spermatozoa per ejaculate, progressive motility after 1 hour and amplitude of lateral head displacement, number of spermatozoa with abnormal basal piece or circular flagella, semen volume and sperm concentration, semen pH, morphology of head, acrosome, and intermediate piece, variation of sperm agglutination factors, presence of leukocytes and polynuclear cells in the ejaculated sperm. Read the rest of this entry »
To the Editor:
We have read with great interest the well-designed study by Lindholm et al. (1) and we would like to comment on the potential relationship between weight reduction and insulin resistance (IR) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated with sibutramine. Read the rest of this entry »
To the Editor:
The paper by Brahma and Kallen (1) about ovarian stimulation after a short course of oral contraceptives in a woman with premature ovarian failure is one of many anecdotal observations that report pregnancies under similar conditions. In my practice I have observed several such cases. Read the rest of this entry »
To the Editor:
We read with interest the recent paper by Pal et al. (1), in which they conclude that their data and accruing literature suggest adverse influences of “excess” gonadotropin use on IVF outcomes. While we applaud their attempt at tackling a potentially very important question, we disagree with interpretation of data and conclusions in the manuscript. Read the rest of this entry »
To the Editor:
Sauer et al. (1) reported, in a recent Fertility and Sterility issue, 10 years’ experience of an ICSI program in 181 HIV-serodiscordant couples. One hundred three deliveries were reported. It’s noteworthy that the multiple pregnancy (MP) rate was 41%, and 43% of infants were born preterm. Twenty-one infants weighed less than 1500 grams. No female HIV-seroconversions occurred. Read the rest of this entry »
To the Editor:
We were disheartened to read the low success rates reported by Vitner, Machtinger, et al. in “High failure rates of medical termination of pregnancy after introduction to a large teaching hospital” (1). Medical abortion is among the most effective and safe medical interventions available. Reported rates of ongoing pregnancy in the literature vary from 0.2% to 1% (2, 3), and transfusion rates from 0 to 0.2% (4-6). For example, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the largest provider of mifepristone abortion in the United States, had a complication rate of just 2.2 per 1000 for the 95,163 women its affiliates treated over a 3¼ year period (7). The disparity between the authors’ findings and the literature to date is alarming. Read the rest of this entry »
