WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen

http://www.britishfibroidtrust.org.uk/journals/bft_Pritts.pdf

Fibroids and infertility: an updated systematic review of the evidence

Computer assisted semen analyzers in andrology research and veterinary practice

BACKGROUND
The prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies in high-risk women is unclear, as several different diagnostic approaches have been applied to different groups of patients. This review aims to evaluate the prevalence of such anomalies in unselected populations and in women with infertility, including those undergoing IVF treatment, women with a history of miscarriage, women with infertility and recurrent miscarriage combined, and women with a history of preterm delivery.

The prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies in unselected and high-risk populations: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies in women with reproductive failure remains unclear, largely due to methodological bias The aim of this review is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of different methodologies and estimate the prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies in women with infertility and recurrent miscarriage (RM) METHODS: Studies from 1950 to 2007 were identified through a MEDLINE search; all relevant references were further reviewed RESULTS: The most accurate diagnostic procedures are combined hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, sonohysterography (SHG) and possibly three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) Two-dimensional ultrasound (2D US) and hysterosalpingography (HSG) are less accurate and are thus inadequate for diagnostic purposes Preliminary studies (n= 24) suggest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a relatively sensitive tool A critical analysis of studies suggests that the prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies is 67% [95% confidence interval (CI), 60‐74] in the general population, 73% (95% CI, 67‐79) in the infertile population and 167% (95% CI, 148‐186) in the RM population The arcuate uterus is the commonest anomaly in the general and RM population In contrast, the septate uterus is the commonest anomaly in the infertile population, suggesting a possible association CONCLUSIONS: Women with RM have a high prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies and should be thoroughly investigated HSG and/or 2D US can be used as an initial screening tool Combined hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, SHG and 3D US can be used for a definitive diagnosis The accuracy and practicality of MRI remains unclear

/pdf/prevalence-and-diagnosis-of-congenital-uterine-anomalies-in-17vgk19og8.pdf

Prevalence and diagnosis of congenital uterine anomalies in women with reproductive failure: a critical appraisal

Spermatozoal autoantibodies have been associated with reduced fertilization by natural coital methods. Nine subfertile men were evaluated who repeatedly tested positive for spermatozoal autoantibodies as characterized by direct immunobead test. Using the hemizona assay, we determined whether tight binding of spermatozoa to the zona pellucida was reduced in these test males as compared to a fertile male whose semen had been cryopreserved and thawed immediately prior to testing. The average number of spermatozoa tightly bound to the zona pellucida from the subfertile male was significantly reduced compared to the fertile male (mean +/- SD, P less than or equal to 0.01) 19.5 +/- 8 versus 77.1 +/- 49. Seven of the nine couples eventually had successful fertilization using intrauterine insemination or gamete intrafallopian tube transfer and one couple conceived with natural coital insemination. Our findings, albeit limited, suggest that greater caution should be used in implicating associations of spermatozoal autoantibodies with absolute infertility, because novel assisted reproductive technologies often may obviate conventional encumbrances on opportunities for pregnancy.

Assisted reproductive technologies may obviate apparent immunologic infertility

Pregnancy outcomes among women with endometriosis and fibroids: registry linkage study in Massachusetts.

Summary. Characterized antihuman sperm monoclonal antibodies from mice were evaluated using the hemizona assay (HZA) to determine whether sperm: zona binding was effected. The seven monoclonal antibodies were characterized using human sperm in agglutination, immobilization, and penetration assays. Semen was provided by four fertile men and used in the HZA to determine if the presence of a monoclonal antibody would affect tight binding of the sperm to the zona pellucida. Pre-incubation of MA-14 for 1 h with the sperm induced a 33–54% reduction of the number of tightly bound sperm. This antibody reacts to an antigen located on the acrosome and midpiece. Experiments in which there was no pre-incubation of the antibody with sperm, resulted in no significant reduction in the number of sperm bound in the HZA. These findings suggest that an anti-human sperm antibody produced in mice can modulate sperm: zona binding. Reduction in zona binding could indicate a cause of immune-related infertility and this test may be useful in selecting an antigen for contraceptive vaccine development.

Hemizona assay (HZA) demonstrates effects of characterized mouse antihuman sperm antibodies on sperm zona binding.

Approximately 40 to 60% of men who undergo a successful vasovasostomy have “functional failure” or failure to conceive even though active sperm are present. Factors of this functional failure include sperm abnormalities (oligoasthenoteratospermia) and antisperm antibodies. Nine male patients 32 to 43 years of age who underwent vasovasostomy were included in the study group. These patients demonstrated ductal patency 3 to 6 months after surgery. After attempts at fertility with their spouses failed, the couples underwent urological and gynecological evaluation. Semen parameters were recorded and further evaluation was performed using immobilizing and agglutination antibodies as well as direct immunobead test and the hemizona assay (HZA). Semen parameters presented varying levels of sperm concentration, percent motility, and morphology (strict). Antisperm antibodies were present in 4 of the 9 patients. Three of 4 patients with antibodies and 4 of 5 patients without antibodies benefitted from hemizona assay ...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.3109/01485019708987891

Hemizona Assay: Evaluation of Fertility Potential in Patients with Vasectomy Reversal

Since there has been no reported use of the YAG laser to micromanipulate oocytes, our purpose was to study whether (1) a YAG laser could be used to open the zona pellucida of hamster oocytes; (2) human sperm could reach the ooplasm and (3) under sperm penetration assay conditions, sperm would bind and penetrate the ooplasm.

Charles C. Coddington

Papers

Assisted reproductive technologies may obviate apparent immunologic infertility

Pregnancy outcomes among women with endometriosis and fibroids: registry linkage study in Massachusetts.

Hemizona assay (HZA) demonstrates effects of characterized mouse antihuman sperm antibodies on sperm zona binding.

Hemizona Assay: Evaluation of Fertility Potential in Patients with Vasectomy Reversal

The YAG laser used in micromanipulation to transect the zona pellucida of hamster oocytes.