• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.189-196
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• 2007

목 적: 본 연구의 목적은 난소기능이 저하된 불임 환자에서 체외수정시술 시 그 결과의 예측인자로서 환자의 연령과 혈중 FSH 수치의 중요성 및 그 임상적인 의미를 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 2000년 1월부터 2004년 12월까지 본원 불임센터에서 체외수정시술을 시행받은 환자 중 이전 체외수정시술주기에서 획득된 난자 수가 5개 이하이며 FSH 농도가 15 mIU/ml 이상 25 mIU/ml 이하로 그 연령이 42세 이하인 난소기능이 저하된 불임 환자 85명의 85 체외수정시술 주기를 연구대상으로 하였다. 남성요인의 불임이나 착상 전 유전진단인 경우는 제외시켰다. 과배란유도의 방법은 단기요법 (flare-up protocol)을 사용한 경우로 제한하였다. 결 과: 대상군을 환자의 나이에 따라 분류하여 분석하였을 때 환자의 연령이 낮은 군 (age < 35, n=35)에서 고령환자 군 (age $\geq$ 35, n=50)에 비해 통계적으로 의미 있게 높은 착상률 (19.0% versus 4.0%, p<0.05)과 높은 지속임신율(100% versus 14.3%, p<0.05)을 보였으며, 연구대상 군을 기저 혈중 FSH농도에 의해 두 군으로 비교하였을 때 낮은 기저 혈중 FSH를 가진 군 (basal serum FSH < 20 mIU/ml, n=58)에서 기저혈중 FSH가 높았던 군 (basal serum FSH $geq$ 20 mIU/ml, n=27)에 비해 획득된 난자 숫자는 통계적으로 의미 있게 높은 반면 (4.6$\pm$0.7 versus 2.2$\pm$0.5, p<0.05)주기 취소율은 의미 있게 낮은 (19.0% versus 55.6%, p<0.05) 결과를 보였다. 결 론: 난소반응이 저하된 불임 환자의 체외수정시술 시 그 예후에 관련된 인자로서 환자의 연령은 해당 주기의 임신성공 및 임신 지속여부에 대한 예후를 예측할 수 있는 인자로서 의미가 있는 반면 기저 혈중 FSH농도는 해당 주기에서의 난소의 반응에 대한 예측인자로써 활용이 가능 할 것으로 사료된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.237-243
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• 2006

목 적: 동결-융해 배아이식은 보조생식술에서 환자들에게 보다 많은 임신의 기회를 제공해줄 수 있는 방법으로 이용되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 예후가 좋지 않은 환자들에서 동결-융해 배아이식의 효용성을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 나이가 많은 고령 환자군 (38~44세)과 신선주기 배아이식에서 임신 실패군을 연구대상으로 하였다. 과배란 유도를 통해 채취한 난자를 일반적인 체외수정 또는 세포질내 정자주입술을 시행하여 수정을 유도하고, 잉여의 전핵 또는 난할 시기의 배아를 완만동결법으로 동결하였다. 동결보관 배아는 급속융해법으로 융해하여 호르몬요법을 시행한 환자의 자궁에 이식하였다. 신선 배아이식과 동결-융해 배아이식 과정에서의 배아 상태, 임신율, 착상률 등을 통계적인 방법으로 분석하였다. 결 과: 나이가 많은 고령군에서 신선 배아이식을 시행한 환자들과 동결-융해 배아이식을 시행한 환자들의 평균 연령은 $40.0{\pm}1.8$세 (n=206)와 $39.9{\pm}1.9$세 (n=69)로 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었으나, 임상적인 임신율과 착상률은 동결-융해 배아이식에서 29.0%와 11.2%로 신선 배아이식의 16.5%와 7.0%에 비해 통계적으로 유의하게 높게 나타났다. (p<0.05). 첫 번째 신선 배아이식에서 임신 실패군의 연속되는 신선 배아이식 환자군 ($31.2{\pm}2.3$, n=40)과 동결-융해 배아이식 환자군 ($31.9{\pm}3.1$, n=119)에서의 평균 연령은 차이가 없었으며, 임상적 임신율 (42.5% vs 40.3%)과 착상률 (22.6% vs 18.8%)도 유사하였다. 결 론: 본 연구에서는 동결-융해 배아이식이 고령 환자들에서 효과적으로 임신율과 착상률을 높일 수 있음을 보여주고 있다. 이러한 결과는 과배란 유도에 따른 자궁의 착상 환경 변화가 고령 환자들에서 임신율과 착상률을 저하시키는 것과 관련이 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권19호
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• pp.8489-8493
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• 2014

Objective: To verify the basic preoperative evaluation in the discrimination between benign and malignant adnexal masses in our clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Data were collected on the records of 636 women with adnexal masses who had undergone surgery either by open or endoscopic approaches. Those with obvious signs of malignancy, any history of cancer, emergency surgeries without basic evaluation were excluded. The preoperative features by age, ultrasound and serum Ca125 level were compared with final histopathological diagnosis at the four departments of the institution. These are the general gynecology (Group 1: exploratory laparotomy), the gynecologic endoscopy (Group 2: laparoscopy and adnexectomy), the gynecological oncology (Group 3: staging laparotomy) and the gynecologic endocrinology and infertility (Group 4: laparoscopy and cystectomy). Results: There were simple and complex cyst rates of 22.3% and 77.2%, respectively. There were 86.3% benign, 4.1% (n:20) borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) and 6.4% (n:48) malignant lesions. There were 3 BOT and 9 ovarian cancers in Group 1 and one BOT and two ovarian cancer in the Group 2. During the surgery, 15 BOT (75%) and 37 ovarian cancer (77%) were detected in the Group 3, only one BOT was encountered in the Group 4. The risk of rate of unsuspected borderline or focally invasive ovarian cancer significantly increased by age, size, complex morphology and Ca125 (95% CI, OR=2.72, OR=6.60, OR=6.66 and OR=4.69, respectively). Conclusions: Basic preoperative evaluation by comprehensive ultrasound imaging combined with age and Ca125 level has proved highly accurate for prediction of unexpected malignancies. Neither novel markers nor new imaging techniques provide better information that allow clinicians to assess the feasibility of the planned surgery; consequently, the risk of inadvertent cyst rupture during laparoscopy may be significantly decreased in selected cases.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.176-181
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• 2012

Objective: In 2009 anti-M$\ddot{u}$llerian hormone (AMH) assay was approved for clinical use in Korea. This study was performed to determine the reference values of AMH for predicting ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) using the clinical assay data. Methods: One hundred sixty-two women who underwent COH cycles were included in this study. We collected data on age, basal AMH and FSH levels, total dose of gonadotropins, stimulation duration, and numbers of oocytes retrieved and fertilized. Blood samples were obtained on cycle day 3 before gonadotropin administration started. Serum AMH levels were measured at a centralized clinical laboratory center. The correlation between the AMH level and COH outcomes and cut-off values for poor and high response after COH was analyzed. Results: Concentration of AMH was significantly correlated with the number of oocytes retrieved (OPU; r=0.700, p<0.001). The mean${\pm}$SE serum AMH levels for poor ($OPU{\leq}3$), normal ($4{\leq}OPU{\leq}19$), and high ($OPU{\geq}20$) response were $0.94{\pm}0.15$ ng/mL, $2.79{\pm}0.21$ ng/mL, and $6.94{\pm}0.90$ ng/mL, respectively. The cut-off level, sensitivity and specificity for poor and high response were 1.08 ng/mL, 85.8%, and 78.6%; and 3.57 ng/mL, 94.4%, and 83.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Our data present clinical reference values of the serum AMH level for ovarian response in Korean women. The serum AMH level could be a clinically useful predictor of ovarian response to COH.

• 대한한방체열의학회지
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.39-47
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• 2010

Purpose : Most pregnant women avoid laking medicine and acupuncture treatment because of its affect on the unborn baby. However, for a healthy pregnancy, appropriate treatments are needed. Until now, there hasn't been much research about acupuncture therapy on pregnant women in Korea. so we decided to review the kinds of research that have been done in the recent 10 years. Methods : We researched for papers associated with pregnancy and acupuncture. Type of research was limited to randomized controlled trials in the recent 10 years. Results : 58 papers were found. Researches associated with pregnancy and acupuncture could be divided into symptoms of pregnancy, childbirth, and infertility. General acupuncture treatment, acupressure band, and finger pressure therapy was used for morning sickness. General acupuncture treatment was most commonly used for pregnancy-related back pain. Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment were used for breech presentation. Conclusion : Further research needed for more acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in pregnant women.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.163-173
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to characterize a validated model for predicting oocyte retrieval in controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and to construct model-based nomograms for assistance in clinical decision-making regarding the gonadotropin protocol and dose. Methods: This observational, retrospective, cohort study included 636 women with primary unexplained infertility and a normal menstrual cycle who were attempting assisted reproductive therapy for the first time. The enrolled women were split into an index group (n=497) for model building and a validation group (n=139). The primary outcome was absolute oocyte count. The dose-response relationship was tested using modified Poisson, negative binomial, hybrid Poisson-E_max, and linear models. The validation group was similarly analyzed, and its results were compared to that of the index group. Results: The Poisson model with the log-link function demonstrated superior predictive performance and precision (Akaike information criterion, 2,704; λ=8.27; relative standard error (λ)=2.02%). The covariate analysis included women's age (p<0.001), antral follicle count (p<0.001), basal follicle-stimulating hormone level (p<0.001), gonadotropin dose (p=0.042), and protocol type (p=0.002 and p<0.001 for short and antagonist protocols, respectively). The estimates from 500 bootstrap samples were close to those of the original model. The validation group showed model assessment metrics comparable to the index model. Based on the fitted model, a static nomogram was built to improve visualization. In addition, a dynamic electronic tool was created for convenience of use. Conclusion: Based on our validated model, nomograms were constructed to help clinicians individualize the stimulation protocol and gonadotropin doses in COS cycles.

• 한국수정란이식학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국수정란이식학회 2002년도 국제심포지엄
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• pp.112-112
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• 2002

Under normal conditions, women produce a single dominant follicle that participates in a single ovuation each menstrual cycle. But Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) conditions, folliculogenesis does not proceed normally. This condition leads to the accumlation of large numbers of small graffian follicles in which the theca interstitial cells (TIC) produce abnormally large amounts of androgen. PCOS is probably the most common endocrine disorder, affecting women of reprodutive age with 5-10% prevalence estimate. Chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism, hirsutism, obesity, infertility and polycystic ovaries are clinical hallmarks of women with PCOS. Its etiology remains unknown. To investigate the gene expression pattern of ovary in PCO-induced rat, we used cDNA expression analysis. Total RNA was extracted from the ovary of PCO-induced rat and reverse-transcribed in the presence of［$\alpha$$^{32}$P］-dATP Which were hybridized to Atlas$^{TM}$ Rat Toxicology 1.2 array (Clontech) representing approximately 1176 rat genes. We compared gene expression between ovary of pco-induced immature female rats and control. Differential gene expression profiles were revealed (LIFR-alpha, ADRA1A, Heat shock 90-kDa protein A, PDGFRA). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was used to validate the relative expression pattern obtained by the cDNA array. The precise relationship between the altered expression of genes and PCO is a matter of further investigation. This study was supported by Korea Science and Engineering Foundation(KOSEF)

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 1997

It is well known that the zona pellucidae of mouse oocytes become "hardened" when they are allowed to mature in vitro in the absence of serum components. To see if oocytes already undergone meiotic resumption in vivo exhibit similar zona hardening, hardening of ZP of cumulus-enclosed oocytes(CEOs) was examined after culture in vitro since their release from follicles various hours after hCG injection. When CEOs matured in vivo for 3h or longer were subjected to culture in vitro for 14h with BSA alone, zona hardening was significantly reduced compared to those cultured in vitro from the begining of maturation. However, when CEOs matured in vivo for 5h were freed from cumulus cells and then cultured in vitro with BSA alone, little reduction of zona hardening was observed. Preincubation of CEOs for 5h with fetuin, one of the well known inhibitor of in vitro zone hardening, did not prevent zona hardening during its subsequent culture of CEOs for 14h without fetuin. However, when CEOs precultured with both fetuin and PMSG for 5h and then further cultured with BSA alone for 14h, zona hardening was dramatically reduced. Under these conditions, the expansion of cumulus cell was observed. In addition, CEOs cultured with both BSA and dbcAMP to prevent their meiotic resumption showed a significant increase of zona hardening. Whether the observed zona hardening was correlated with the conversion of ZP2 to $ZP2_{f}$ was examined. Zona pellucida, isolated from CEOs matured for 5h in vivo and then further cultured with BSA alone was subjected to SDS-PAGE. Most of ZP2 molecules from these CEOs did not undergo conversion from ZP2 to $ZP2_{f}$. From these results, it is concluded that CEOs undergone meiotic resumption in vivo do not exhibit zona hardening when they were subsequently cultured in vitro without serum components. It appears that cumulus cells play an important role in this phenomenon.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.67-76
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• 2002

Objective: To assess the difference of baseline hormonal status and pathophysio logy, and confirm the risk factors for long term complication according to Body Mass Index in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Materials and Methods: Serum level of LH, FSH, Estradiol, Prolactin, Testosterone, DHEA-S, fasting insulin were measured and 100 gm oral glucose tolerance test and endometrial biopsy were performed in total 75 chronic anovulation patients and 20 normal cycling infertility patients. 95 evaluated patients were divided into 3 groups including patients with chronic anovulation having BMI below 25, BMI beyond 25.1, normal cycling infertility patients, Group 1 (n=39), Group 2 (n=36), Group 3 (n=20), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed respect to relationship between BMI and measured hormone level, sum of glucose level during 100 gm OGTT, insulin resistance using t-test, ANOVA test, Post Hoc test, Mann-Whitney test. p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Serum LH level and LH/FSH ratio was significantly higher in Group 1, compared than Group 2 or 3 (p<0.05), BMI and LH, LH/FSH ratio was negatively correlated (r=-0.351, r=-0.318). There was no significant difference according to BMI in FSH, testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, DHEA-S level. Fasting insulin and sum of glucose level during 100 gm OGTT were significantly higher in Group 2 compared than Group 1 or Group 3 (p<0.05), there was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 3. Insulin resistance was more frequently identified in Group 2 compared than Group 1 (p=0.001). Conclusions: BMI and LH, LH/FSH ratio were negatively correlated, so clinical significance of LH, LH/FSH ratio in diagnosis of PCOS may be attenuated by increasing body weight. Overweight patients with chronic anovulation may be the risk group for developing insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, later type 2 DM. Hyperinsulinemia may operate mainly in overweight chronic anovulation patients in development of hyperandrogenism.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.221-227
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of maternal age on fertilization, embryo quality, and clinical pregnancy in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using testicular sperm from partners with azoospermia. Methods: A total of 416 ICSI cycles using testicular spermatozoa from partners with obstructive azoospermia (OA, n = 301) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA, n = 115) were analyzed. Female patients were divided into the following age groups: 27 to 31 years, 32 to 36 years, and 37 to 41 years. The rates of fertilization, high-quality embryos, clinical pregnancy, and delivery were compared across maternal age groups between the OA and NOA groups. Results: The rates of fertilization and high-quality embryos were not significantly different among the maternal age groups. Similarly, the clinical pregnancy and delivery rates were not significantly different. The fertilization rate was significantly higher in the OA group than in the NOA group (p< 0.05). Age-group analysis revealed that the fertilization and high-quality embryo rates were significantly different between the OA and NOA groups in patients aged 27 to 31 years old, but not for the other age groups. Although the clinical pregnancy and delivery rates differed between the OA and NOA groups across all age groups, significant differences were not observed. Conclusion: In couples using testicular sperm from male partners with azoospermia, pregnancy and delivery outcomes were not affected by maternal age. However, women older than 37 years using testicular sperm from partners with azoospermia should be advised of the increased incidence of pregnancy failure.