Impact of Reproductive Problems on Couples
InfertilityReproduction is in fact the most basic instinct of all living things. The fertility of a woman is both a biological fact and a determinant of gender role in society. Motherhood is still seen as the primary role for women in society. Infertility, which manifests itself as a sudden and unexpected life crisis, is an unexpected, perhaps unexplained, condition that spreads over a long period of time, creates extreme stress and forces adjustment mechanisms. Infertility can affect the quality of life by adversely affecting the physical, emotional, social and relational living spaces of people. The present study examines the effects of reproductive problems on the quality of life in women who receive infertility treatment, and in the direction of the results obtained, the treatment recipients of the health workers are planned to help develop a holistic perspective that takes into account not only reproductive problems but also other affected living areas.
The Effect of Periconceptional Phthalates Exposure on Couples' Reproductive Health
Environmental ExposureInfertilityThe study is a prospective cohort study, which is aiming to explore periconceptional phthalates exposure and its potential epigenetic effect on fertility, embryo development, and neonatal outcomes.
Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction and Anti-thyroid Antibodies in Infertile Women
InfertilityFemaleThe study population will be divided into three groups: Group (A) consisting of 40 infertile women with either unexplained or anovulatory infertility with/without associated male factor of infertility, Group (B) consisting of 40 infertile women with tubal (mechanical) factor of infertility with/without associated male factor of infertility, and Group (C) consisting of 40 women with exclusive male factor of infertility and will be used as a control group. . All women will be subjected to: Informed consent Full history taking, including age, duration of infertility and whether primary or secondary General and pelvix examination Trans-vaginal ultrasonography Determination of hormonal profile (FSH, LH, Estradiol, Prolactin) Determination of ovulatory status Determination of of tubal patency Determination of presence of male factor Determination of TSH and antithyroid antibodies (antithyroglobulin and antithyroid peroxidase) blood levels
Epigenetic and Genetic Effects in Cancer Patients: Analysis Pre and After Treatment
Male InfertilityCancer1 moreThe prognosis in cancer patients has improved over the years. Survivor rates have increased significantly, and paternity has become an important concern in more than 50% of young male survivors. Sperm cryopreservation before cancer treatment is highly recommendable in these patients, as a strategy to preserve their fertility due to is not possible to predict how the chemo or radiotherapy treatment will affect the spermatogenesis. The objective of this study is to evaluate if sperm after an antineoplastic treatment can be safely used. To determine the possible effects of oncological treatments in the spermatogenesis, three parameters will be analyzed, aneuploidy frequencies, DNA fragmentation in single and double-strand breaks and methylation levels to determine epigenetic changes before and after the therapy. If cancer treatment affect sperm genetic integrity, it would have a clinical impact in the offspring of these patients. Identify the different side effects of antineoplastic treatments in DNA sperm will provide a clinical improvement in order to select the best sperm sample in an IVF treatment and it will facilitate genetic counseling
The PIP Study - Pre- IVF Immune Profiling Study
Sub-fertilityRecurrent Implantation FailureMany IVF clinics offer testing for immune cells in the blood and endometrium as it has been suggested that abnormal levels of these cells can affect fertility or the chance of an IVF cycle working. However, routinely offering these tests remains highly controversial as the scientific evidence behind the tests is not of a high quality. The PIP Study aims to find out how a woman's blood and endometrial immune cells affect the likelihood of an IVF cycle working and whether or not they are different in women with subfertility and implantation failure. This feasibility study aims to find out if it is possible to enrol enough women into the research study. If this is successful, the investigators will then go on to recruit a larger group of women into the main PIP study to enable them to investigate the impact of immune profiling on IVF success in more detail.
Vitamin D and Human Sperm DNA Fragmentation
Infertility,MaleVitamin D DeficiencyThe purpose of this study will be to investigate if there is a correlation between Vitamin D levels and Sperm DNA Fragmentation. This is a prospective, cohort study. In this study male participants presenting with their partners because of inability to conceive will be recruited for this study. Participants will have a blood sample drawn which will be tested for Vitamin D level. The investigators will then compare sperm DNA fragmentation between normal Vitamin D levels, Vitamin D insufficiency, and Vitamin D deficiency. All infertile males who present to the investigators' infertility clinic have a Semen analysis and Sperm chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA). The research part of the study will be to obtain the Vitamin D level.
Hysterosalpingography and Hysteroscopy in ICSI
Infertilityunexplained infertility is a rising problem in clinical practice
Progesterone Levels and Endometrial Compaction in Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer Cycles
InfertilityFemale2 moreThis study is intended to determine whether there is a correlation between endometrial compaction and serum progesterone levels on the day of frozen embryo transfers by using transvaginal sonography for the endometrial assessment.
Female Subfertility: a Metabolic and Vascular Profile
Metabolic Syndrome XInfertilityIntroduction: Overall, 10 - 15% of couples seek specialist help once in their lives when a spontaneous pregnancy does not occur. These couples are defined subfertile when there is at least one year of unprotected intercourse without conceiving. Subfertility can have different causes which can be diagnosed with a basic fertility work-up. Unfortunately, the subfertility in 25% of the couples still remains unexplained. Hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that cardio-metabolic and hemodynamic abnormalities reducing cardiovascular reserves relate to circulatory redistribution at the expense of uterine perfusion and with it women's fertility. This could especially be important in the subgroups with an unexplained subfertility and a decreased ovarian reserve. Interventions to improve these abnormalities could lead to better results in fertility treatment, better obstetric outcome and reduced lifelong health risks. Objective: The investigators want to examine specific cardio-metabolic and cardiovascular parameters in women of subfertile couples. The investigators want to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in all women who are assessed for subfertility compared to healthy parous women. Furthermore in the women with an unexplained subfertility or with (signs of) a decreased ovarian reserve the cardiovascular profile will be studied consisting of the uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) as measure of uterine perfusion, the plasma volume as measure of venous reserve capacity, the intima media thickness of the carotid arteries as proxy of chronic strain and the endothelial function, measured by flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Study design: Cross-sectional Study population: The study group consists of subfertile women between 18 and 41 years who visit the fertility clinic in the Maastricht University Medical Centre with a primary or secondary subfertility. Women with an unexplained subfertility or with (signs of) a decreased ovarian reserve are evaluated for their cardiovascular profile. The control group consists of women with a history of an uneventful spontaneous pregnancy. Main study parameters: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in subfertile women The cardiovascular profile, in women with an unexplained subfertility or with (signs of) a decreased ovarian reserve, consisting of: The uterine artery pulsatility index The plasma volume The intima media thickness (IMT) The endothelial function of the vascular system (FMD)
Predicting Ovarian Response in Artificial Insemination With Low Stimulation
SubfertilityThis large prospective multi-center cohort study aims to identify patient's characteristics that significantly influence ovarian response to mild stimulation with a fixed dose of 75 IU recombinant FSH.