Showing papers by "Anthony A. Luciano published in 1990"

Propanediol alters intracellular pH and developmental potential of mouse zygotes independently of volume change

Abstract: Prior to treatment, mouse zygotes were incubated with acridine orange (AO) a fluorescent dye which fluoresces within a physiological pH range. The zygotes were then perifused with 1,2-propanediol (PROH) at rates of 0.18 mol/min, 0.36 mol/min and 1.0 mol/min and zygote volume and intracellular pH monitored. Zygotes perifused with phosphate-buffered saline maintained their initial volume and AO fluorescence. All of the zygotes exposed to PROH at a rate of 1 mol/min decreased in volume and lost their AO fluorescence by 10 min. The volume of the zygotes perifused at less than or equal to 0.36 mol/min was not altered. However, only 25% of the zygotes perifused at 0.36 mol/min maintained their fluorescence at 10 min and all lost their fluorescence by 15 min. At 0.18 mol/min 95% of the zygotes maintained their fluorescence at 10 min and 49% at 15 min. All of the PROH-exposed zygotes lost their fluorescence by 20 min. Although 2-cell development was not affected by 3.0 M PROH for 2.5 min, blastocyst development was reduced compared with controls (P less than 0.05). Longer exposures resulted in a significant decrease in both 2-cell and blastocyst development. These data demonstrate that a 2-7-min exposure to greater than or equal to 2.5 M PROH alters both the intracellular pH and developmental potential. Since these detrimental effects are independent of volume changes and therefore intracellular PROH concentrations, it is postulated that PROH mediates its toxic action by directly altering the cell membrane.

Identification of follicles with fertilizable oocytes by sequential ultrasound measurements during follicular development

Abstract: Patients undergoing ovulation induction for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were monitored daily with serum estradiol-17β (E2) and ultrasound. The location of each individual follicle was established by taking ultrasound images through serial sections of the ovary. The diameter of each follicle and the volume of its follicular wall (FW) were determined from ultrasound images using a computer-controlled image analyzer. A total of 44 follicles from nine patients was studied, with an overall fertilization rate of 46%. In all patients, serum E2 levels increased prior to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Whereas changes in either the average diameter or the volume of the entire follicle did not identify follicles with fertilizable oocytes, FW volume measurements were predictive. Prior to hCG, FW volume increased 24±8%/day in follicles with fertilizable oocytes but decreased 3±6%/day in follicles with nonfertilizable oocytes (P<0.05). Three major patterns of follicular development were observed for follicles with nonfertilizable oocytes: slow growing (<20% increase in FW volume), nongrowing (no change in the FW volume), and “degenerating” (a decrease in the FW volume), suggesting that these follicles are “postmature.” These data demonstrate that FW volume measurements made from sequential ultrasound images provide an accurate method to identify those follicles that contain fertilizable oocytes.

Laser laparoscopy versus laparotomy in the treatment of infertility patients with severe endometriosis.

Abstract: The best pregnancy rates reported in the literature for infertility patients with severe pelvic endometriosis (stage IV) have been attributed to surgical management. In the last few years,...