Infertility Flashcards
Infertility
The inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected intercourse
• Infertility affects about 12% percent of the reproductive-age population
Female Factors causing infertility
40-50% of cases • Ovulatory dysfunction • Tubal factor • Endometriosis • Advanved maternal age • Polycyctic ovary syndrome (PCOS) • Luteal phase defect • Toxic insult (radiation, chemo) • Uterine abnormality • Genetic disorder (e.g., Turner syndrome) • Infection
Male Factors causing infertility
30-40% of cases • Testicular injury • Primary testicular failure • Varicocele (varicose vein that alters testicular temperature and sperm production) • Infection • Impotence • Spinal cord injury
Combined and Idiopathic factors causing infertility
Combined factors: 30% of cases
• Both partners have factors contributing to infertility
Idiopathic: 20% of cases
• Unexplained infertility
Day 3 Labs
• FSH measured on Day 3 of menstrual cycle
(LMP 3/9/14; Date collected 3/11/14)
Normal Adult Female Values:
Follicular: 2.5 – 10.2 mIU/mL
Midcycle: 3.4 – 33.4 mIU/mL
Luteal: 1.5 – 9.1 mIU/mL
Pregnant: 10 mIU/mL indicates poor prognosis
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
X-ray with contrast dye to determine whether tubes are open or blocked
Semen Analysis
Parameter Normal Range Volume > 2.0 mL Liquefaction < 60 minutes Viscosity Moderate to Low Concentration > 20 * 106 /mL Motility > 50% WHO Morphology > 15%
Treatment of Infertility
Most infertility cases (85% to 90%) are treated with conventional medial therapies such as dietary modification, exercise, medication, or surgery
• E.g., progesterone to treat luteal phase defect
• E.g., metformin and exercise for PCOS
• E.g., Fertility drugs for ovulation induction with intrauterine insemination (IUI)
• E.g., Surgical removal of uterine polyp (non-cancerous growth attached to endometrium extending into uterine cavity) or septum (wedge-like partition within uterine cavity)
In vitro fertilization (IVF) and related treatments account for less than 3% of infertility services
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) Steps
- May involve controlled ovarian stimulation
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- Trigger ovulation at the appropriate time
- Intrauterine insemination
May involve controlled ovarian stimulationPart 1: Clomiphene Citrate
• Increase body’s FSH&LH secretion during early to mid-follicular phase
• Stimulate follicle growth
• Permit more than one follicle to mature
a. Clomiphene citrate (Clomid)- Estrogen antagonist (a SERM)
• Blocks negative feedback by estradiol and thus stimulates FSH&LH secretion
• May change quality of cervical mucus and reduce endometrial proliferation
May involve controlled ovarian stimulation
Part 2: Letrozole
b. Letrozole (Femara)- Aromatase inhibitor
• Prevents ovarian and peripheral conversion of androgens to estrogens
• Lower estradiol permits more FSH&LH secretion
May involve controlled ovarian stimulation
Part 2: FSH
c. FSH
• Directly stimulates follicle development
• Low doses stimulate growth of 2-3 follicles
• Some brands are purified from urine of post-menopausal women (hMG)
• Other brands are recombinant hFSH
Transvaginal ultrasound
- Determine number and size of lead follicles
- Cancel cycle if there are too many follicles (to avoid multiple gestation)
Ideal Conditions for LH surge:
• Lead follicle will be about 15-18mm
• Endometrium will be about 6-10 mm think
• Developing follicles are down from cohort targeted for that month (# in cohort declines with age)
**Goal is 2-3 good follicles
Trigger ovulation at the appropriate time
Mimic LH surge to stimulate ovulation
• Human chorionic gonadotropins (hCG)
o Some brands are purified from urine of pregnant women
o Other brands are recombinant hCG
• Ovulation occurs approximately 36 h after hCG injection
. Intrauterine insemination
• Washed sperm are placed in uterus by catheter just prior to expected time of ovulation
(“Turkey baster” method)
**Washing sperms removes prostaglandins