• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 1993

The condition of the endometrium is an important factor which may influence the success or failure in IVF-ET. This study was undertaken for evaluation of the value of endometrial growth as an early predictor for the success of IVF. Ultrasonographic endometrial measurement were performed in 43 IVF cycles that conceived, 101 cycles that did not with an IVF-ET There was no significant difference in the endometrial thickness and the serum concentration of estradiol in the pregnant versus nonpregnant group(10.4 vs. 9.9 mm: 2348 vs. 2017 pg/ml no hCG administration day). No correlation was found between the ultrasound image and serum estradiol levels around the time of hCG administration(r=0.54, p=0.13 no Day 2; r=0.45, p=0.14 no Day 1). The duration of gonadotropin treatment, number of follicles, number of oocytes retrieved, and fertilization rate were not statistically different in the two groups, however, there was a significant difference in the number of embryos in the pregnant versus nonpregnant group)p< 0.05). A higher pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate occured with an endometrial thickness over 11 mm compared with below 7mm(p< 0.05, p< 0.005). however, no significant differences were noted in the implantation rate and abortion rate among the groups that classified according to their endmetrial thickness. The endometrial growth(${\Delta}$) from hCG administration day(DO) to D6 was greater in the women who achieved pregnancy than in the nonpregnant group(p< 0.01). There were no significant differences in serum estradiol levels, implantation rate, pregnancy rate, and abortion rate among the groups that classified according to the pattern of echogenesity of endometrium, however, significantly higher ongoing pregnancy rate was noted in group A, B compared with group C.(p< 0.0001, p< 0.001) These results suggest that there were no ultrasonographically detectable differences in the patterns of endometrial growth and development around the time of hCG administration in patients who conceive versus those that do not in IVF-ET.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.29-31
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• 1974

The total serum protein, protein fractions by paper electrophoresis and A/G ratio in pregnant rabbits were observed. The results obtained in this work were sumrnerized as follows: 1. Total serum protein and the fraction of serum albumin revealed a decrease with the advancing of gestation, especially total serum protein was decreased significantly on 3 weeks of pregnancy. There was a tendency to return tward control level on one week after delivery. 2. The fraction of ${\alpha}_1$, and ${\alpha}_2$-globulin showed little changes during the period of gestation. 3. The fraction of ${\beta}$-globulin was increased more or less during the period of gestation, and on one week after delivery showed considerable increase but the increase was statistically insignificant. 4. The fraction of ${\gamma}$-globulin revealed a variable changes during pregnancy but there was no significant differences. 5. A/G ratio was significantly decreased at 3 weeks of pregnancy and the ratio was near control level on one week after delivery.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.210-214
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• 2004

This study was carried out to predict the value of serum ${\beta}$ subunit of humans chorionic gonadotropin(${\beta}$- hCG) in early pregnancy viability. This was performed among 85 women in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET). The serum ${\beta}$-hCG levels were established for 30 normal singleton pregnancies, 10 twin and triplet pregnancies, 10 preclinical abortions, 10 clinical abortions, 20 biochemical abortions and 5 ectopic pregnancies. In comparison to normal singleton pregnancies, multiple pregnancies showed higher ${\beta}$-hCG. But clinical abortions, preclinical abortions and ectopic pregnancies showed lower ${\beta}$-hCG levels than singleton pregnancies. In conclusion, if we predict the value of serum ${\beta}$-hCG of variable early pregnancies and analyze it, we could predict the dilution protocol. Also, it can be useful in other ways.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2001

To determine the effect of the characteristics of the corpus luteum (CL) and serum metabolites on pregnancy rate following embryo transfer in Hanwoo cow, recipients were synchronized the estrus with CIDR. in vivo or in vitro produced bovine embryos were transferred to synchronized recipients. The characteristics of the CL were checked by rectal palpation and ultrasound. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein at Day 7 and analysed progesterone and serum metabolites. The results obtained from this study were as follows; 1. Total 397 embryos were transferred to recipient and 121 heads out of them were pregnant. The pregnancy rate was 30.5% and slightly differences between farms. 2. There was not significantly different the pregnancy rates between the size of CL and the cavity CL. In the recipients which had more than 2ng/$m\ell$ of serum progesterone level, the pregnancy rates was in higher than others (46.6% vs. 24.4%, 15.0%). 3. The highest pregnancy rate was obtained at 90 to 110mg/㎗ in serum total cholesterol, 14 to 16mg/㎗ in BUN, and 70 to 80mg/㎗ in serum glucose, respectively, and these metabolites in blood could be used as the criteria in the selection of recipient at embryo transfer.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.120-131
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Low early pregnancy serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) levels can increase gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk, although inconsistent findings related to that association have been reported. This study examined the association of serum vitamin D with GDM and the possible influencers on this association. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 259 pregnant women within the Seremban Cohort Study (SECOST). Blood samples at < 14 weeks of gestation were drawn to determine serum 25(OH)D levels. GDM diagnosis was made at 24 to 32 weeks of gestation using a standard procedure. Association between serum vitamin D and GDM was tested using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Nearly all women (90%) had mild (68.3%) or severe (32.2%) vitamin D deficiency (VDD). Non-GDM women with mild VDD had a significantly higher mean vitamin D intake than GDM women with mild VDD (t = 2.04, p < 0.05). Women with higher early pregnancy serum vitamin D levels had a greater risk of GDM. However, this significant association was only identified among those with a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and in women with a body mass index indicating overweight or obese status. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of VDD in this sample of pregnant women underscores the need for effective preventive public health strategies. Further investigation of this unexpected association between serum vitamin D level and GDM risk in predominantly VDD pregnant women and the potential effects of adiposity and family history of T2DM on that association is warranted.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.76-86
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• 2022

Ovarian cystectomy is the preferred technique for the surgical management of ovarian endometrioma. However, other techniques such as ablation or sclerotherapy are also commonly used. The aim of this review is to summarize information regarding the efficacy of ablation and sclerotherapy compared to cystectomy in terms of ovarian reserve, the recurrence rate, and the pregnancy rate. Several studies comparing ablation versus cystectomy or sclerotherapy versus cystectomy in terms of the serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) decrement, endometrioma recurrence, or the pregnancy rate were identified and summarized. Both ablation and cystectomy have a negative impact on ovarian reserve, but ablation results in a smaller serum AMH decrement than cystectomy. Nonetheless, the recurrence rate is higher after ablation than after cystectomy. More studies are needed to demonstrate whether the pregnancy rate is different according to whether patients undergo ablation or cystectomy. The evidence remains inconclusive regarding whether sclerotherapy is better than cystectomy in terms of ovarian reserve. The recurrence rates appear to be similar between sclerotherapy and cystectomy. There is not yet concrete evidence that sclerotherapy helps to improve the pregnancy rate via in vitro fertilization in comparison to cystectomy or no sclerotherapy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.33-37
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• 1974

Changes in the concentration of total protein, albumin, ${\alpha}_1-,{\alpha}_2-,{\beta}-,$ and ${\gamma}-globulin$ in Serum from 138 healthy, normal pregnant woman were studied by the method of cellulose-acetate electrophoresis. 1. The concentration of total serum protein decreased gradually during the first 7 month, and showed a tendency to increase thereafter. 2. The concentration of serum albumin showed a steady continuous fall untill term. 3. During pregnancy,${\alpha}_1$ and ${\beta}-globulin$ value rose, ${\gamma}-globulin$ value fell and ${\alpha}_2-globulin$ value showed no significant change.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.183-189
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• 2020

The pregnancy rate in indigenous ewes inseminated with frozen-thawed Suffolk semen following natural and synchronized estrus was determined. The serum Progesterone and Estrogen concentration and vaginal electrical resistance (VER) of ewes at the time of Artificial Insemination (AI) were observed as successful pregnancy determinants. 21 healthy ewes were selected for this experiment during January-April, 2017. 10 ewes were inseminated in natural estrus. Whereas, 11 ewes were inseminated after estrus synchronization using intravaginal sponges containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate. Trans-cervical Al (TCAI) was performed in all ewes within 12-16 hours of observed heat. Prostaglandin E₁ analogue impregnated vaginal sponge was used for cervical relaxation 6-8 hours before insemination. Pregnancy was diagnosed through trans-abdominal ultrasonography after 40 days of AI. The pregnancy rate of ewes in synchronized estrus was higher (54.5%) than in natural estrus (30%). Higher serum Progesterone level (0.90 ± 0.02 ng/mL) and significantly (p < 0.001) lower VER (257.78 ± 10.11 ohm) were observed at the time of AI in ewes becoming pregnant. Results suggest that higher Progesterone concentration and lower VER could be considered as pregnancy indicators. Oestrous synchronization could be implemented to increase the pregnancy rate in ewes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2014

Objective: To estimate the failure rate of medical treatment and to identify variables associated with treatment failure in patients with tubal pregnancy and an initial serum level of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) over 10,000 IU/L. Methods: The inclusion criteria were tubal pregnancy diagnosed using ultrasonography, primary treatment of intramuscular methotrexate injection at one of the four institutions between January 2003 and December 2011, a serum HCG level within two days before treatment >10,000 IU/L, and follow-up data to determine treatment success or failure. Exclusion criteria were other primary treatments besides intramuscular methotrexate injection. The clinicopathologic data of 36 patients were collected and analyzed. Results: Medical treatment failed and surgery was performed in 19 (53%) patients. In univariable analysis, age, parity, and size of the gestational sac were associated with treatment failure, but none of the variables were associated with treatment failure in multivariable analysis. The failure rate in the subgroup with age<33 years and size of gestational sac ${\geq}1.1cm$ was significantly higher than those of the other subgroups (82% vs. 41% [mean of the other subgroups], respectively). Conclusion: Patients with a serum HCG level >10,000 IU/L who received medical treatment had a high failure rate. Among them, patients aged<33 year and with a gestational sac ${\geq}1.1cm$ had an extremely high failure rate.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.273-280
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• 1990

This study was conducted to find out the changes of progesterone and 20$\alpha$-dihydroprogesterone(OHP) levels in the serum of female rats by progesterone-tube implantation during late pregnancy. One hundred and twenty rats, 10-13 weeks old, were offered for this experiment. Blood samples were taken from the rats on 18, 20, 21 and 22days of pregnancy. The rats were implanted with silicon tubes filled with pregesterone on day 15 of pregnancy. The progesterone and 20$\alpha$-OHP in serum were assayed by radioimmunoassay. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1. The progesterone levels in rats of control group showed 126.36$\pm$20.19ng/ml on 18days and gradually decreased to 69.3$\pm$11.9, 29.2$\pm$1.8ng/ml 20 and 21 days. 2. The progesterone levels after progesterone-tube implantation showed 120.1$\pm$8.5, 59.01$\pm$3.1, 85.33$\pm$17.9 and 62.9$\pm$6.1ng/ml on 18, 20, 21 and 22days of pregnancy, respectively. 3. The 20$\alpha$-OHP levels in rats of control group showed 68.5$\pm$8.0ng/ml on 18 days and gradually increased to 139.9$\pm$3.7 and 141.4$\pm$6.7ng/ml on 21 and 22days. 4. The 20$\alpha$-OHP levles after progesterone-tube implantation showed 108.5$\pm$32.7 and 106.4$\pm$10.6ng/ml on 18 and 20days and increased to reach the peak level at 21days(225.01$\pm$9.9ng/ml) and rapidly decreased on 22days(85.9$\pm$10.7ng/ml).