Relaxin in sera during the luteal phase of in-vitro fertilization cycles

Article Abstract:

Relaxin is a hormone released from the corpus luteum, the structure that develops in the ovary after each ovulation and during early pregnancy. The role of relaxin during pregnancy is not clearly understood, but it has been suggested that it may help accommodate the growing fetus and play a role in delivery. Recently, relaxin has been implicated in causing early pregnancy failures. In-vitro fertilization is a method used to achieve pregnancy. The technique involves stimulating the ovaries to develop egg follicles, retrieving mature eggs, fertilizing the eggs outside the body and reintroducing a few fertilized embryos back into the uterus for implantation. The role of relaxin was studied in 20 women trying to achieve pregnancy through in-vitro fertilization techniques. The earliest point at which relaxin can be measured in the blood, and the way in which it relates to other hormones of pregnancy were studied. Blood samples were obtained from the women up to two weeks after unfertilized eggs were retrieved from the ovaries. Pregnancy was not achieved in 16 women. Relaxin was first detected on days 6 to 12 in eight of the nonpregnant women, while they had no detectable levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone produced by the developing embryo. In the eight women with detectable relaxin, estrogen and progesterone levels were higher while luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were lower than in the remaining eight women without detectable relaxin. Pregnancy was achieved in three women with relaxin and hCG both detected for the first time on the same day (day 10 to 12). One woman had hCG measured on day 12 and 14 but did not develop clinical signs of pregnancy. The reason for secretion of relaxin in women during in-vitro fertilization cycles is not understood. In this study, relaxin appeared in the blood of nonpregnant women earlier than in pregnant women. Pregnancy results when the embryo, the lining of the uterus and the corpus luteum are coordinated in their functions. The early presence of relaxin may indicate that something is asynchronous. Since both relaxin and hCG increased at the same rate in women who became pregnant, the hypothesis that hCG stimulates the secretion of relaxin is supported. It is possible that another mechanism may be stimulating relaxin in the women who did not become pregnant; they had measurable amounts of relaxin in the absence of detectable hCG. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Physiological aspects, Relaxin, Luteal phase

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Oocyte donation: a review

Article Abstract:

Infertility can be overcome by using a variety of techniques, including oocyte donation in which eggs from one woman's ovary are removed, fertilized and transplanted to an infertile woman's uterus in order to produce a successful pregnancy. Women having no ovaries, dysfunctioning ovaries, egg retrieval failure, or potential genetic disease transmission can benefit from egg donation. Prior to egg donation procedures, women having no menstrual cycles require artificial hormonal stimulation to create a receptive uterine environment. Due to the difficulties in coordinating donor and recipient cycles, frozen eggs can be used or hormonal medications may be manipulated to lengthen a portion of the recipient's cycle. The rate of pregnancy per fertilized egg transfer is 20 to 30 percent using this method. In the Monash-Epworth study the oocyte donation method used resulted in 22 pregnancies, and, to date, 13 healthy infants have been born. From this research the hormonal requirements of the uterus can be studied to further evaluate the requirements for successful oocyte implantation.

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Establishment of 22 pregnancies after oocyte and embryo donation

Article Abstract:

Infertility caused by the lack of female egg (ovum) production can be overcome by the donation of fertilized or unfertilized ovum. A study of 49 infertile couples between 1984-1987 who chose to use a donated embryo for pregnancy was conducted to analyze the procedure and results. Research results indicate that there were 95 opportunities for embryo transfer in 28 women with no available ovum and 21 with ovarian function. Pregnancy was achieved in 22 women; 13 fresh embryos and nine frozen embryos were transferred. From this group 9 used their partner's sperm (and donated ovum) and 13 received donated embryos (sperm and ovum donated). Five of the women subsequently miscarried and, to date, 15 healthy infants have been born.

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