Reproductive BioMedicine Online

The receptive phase of the endometrium seems to occur in close association with the appearance of pinopodes and endometrial integrins that may be activated by the interleukin-1 system (IL-1). Embryo attachment is the result of adhesion prot…

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a role in the modulation of gamete quality and gamete interaction. Generation of ROS is inherent in spermatozoa and contaminating leukocytes. ROS influence spermatozoa, oocytes, embryos and their environme…

Recurrent implantation failure is a distressing phenomenon, both for the infertile couple and for the physician responsible for their treatment. Aetiology is often not clear and treatment options are vague. Particularly when transferred emb…

The current case report describes the development and medical treatment of an aggressive pelvic endometrioma in a post-menopausal patient, who had undergone abdominal hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy a decade earlier. The patient was …

Implantation in humans is a complex, closely regulated, highly selective and relatively poorly understood process. Humans have the highest rate of miscarriage in mammals and various pharmacological manipulations have been used to minimize p…

To date, limited data exist concerning the relation between endometrial thickness on the day of human chorionic gonadotrohin (HCG) administration and ongoing pregnancy achievement in cycles stimulated with clomiphene citrate for intrauterin…

Aylamine-N-acetyl transferase is a phase II detoxification enzyme encoded by the gene NAT2. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) changes from the wild type NAT2 *4 allele result in allelic variants *5, *6 and *7. Homozygotes for the NAT2 *4…

Infertility is a common problem experienced by many couples. Numerous treatments are available for female infertility. However, in some cases, the treatment is empirical in nature because the aetiology of infertility is not fully understood…

According to the transplantation theory, endometriosis develops from endometrial fragments that are retrogradely menstruated into the peritoneal cavity. In order to develop into endometriotic lesions, they have to connect to the vascular sy…

Endometriosis is inherited in polygenic/multifactorial fashion, with recurrence risks of 5-7% for first-degree relatives. The current task is to determine the number and location of causative genes. This review initially supports the basis …

A low-dose levonorgestrel (LNG)-releasing intrauterine system (IUS) (FibroPlant) has been clinically developed since 1997 for endometrial suppression during hormone replacement therapy in peri- and postmenopausal women, for the treatment of…

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 50-80 x 10(6) couples in the world are infertile, i.e. 7-15% of all couples of reproductive age (15-45 years old). The term infertility refers to couples who have been unable to conceive ch…

Endometriosis affects 2-50% of women at reproductive age. Surgery is an option for treatment, but there is no convincing evidence that it promotes a significant improvement in fertility. Also, the removal of ovarian endometrioma might lead …

Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) allows the inspection of the tubo-ovarian structures in their natural position without supplementary manipulation. Saline is used at 37 degrees C as distension medium, which keeps the organs afloat. Using…

The transvaginal approach to tubo-ovarian surgery allows easy and direct access to the tubo-ovarian structures and the fossa ovarica without additional manipulation. In the absence of a panoramic view, the proximity of the tubo-ovarian stru…

Classically, invasive and non-invasive tests are performed to evaluate the causes of infertility. Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) allows the exploration of the pelvic structures with a mini-endoscope, using a vaginal needle-guided troca…

The classical concept of endometriosis as a cause of infertility is challenged. Traditionally, both surgical and medical therapy of endometriosis-associated infertility has focused on eliminating or reducing the visible implants. The classi…

Endometriosis is an oestrogen-dependent disease that is treatable by oestrogen withdrawal, a therapy that has been effectively provided by the use of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. Complete oestrogen withdrawal results in…

Unlike other smooth muscle organs, the uterine muscle was regarded to be normally functional for only a brief period, following a lengthy gestation. However, recently it has been shown that uterine peristalsis constitutes one of the fundame…

While GnRH agonists have become well-established tools for preoperative treatment of uterine fibroids or postoperative treatment in endometriosis for 3-6 months, GnRH antagonists seem to offer important advantages due to their specific phar…

Along with improved survival, methods to preserve or restore the fertility potential of young women and children treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy or pelvic radiotherapy have been developed or are in the offing. Surgery, radiotherapy and …

Administration of GnRH analogues (agonists as well as antagonists) produces suppression of the pituitary---gonadal axis, thus inhibiting the secretion of LH, FSH and sexual steroids. For this reason, analogs are indicated in all those clini…