RESUMEN
CONTEXT: Massage therapy is increasingly used to relieve physical and mental discomfort and is suggested as a safe therapeutic modality, without any significant risks or any known side effects. Although a multitude of complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, are applied in reproductive medicine, no information is available with regard to the application of massage as an adjuvant therapy in assisted-reproduction techniques (ARTs). OBJECTIVES: This study was intended to assess the effectiveness of a deep relaxation (andullation) therapy based on oscillating vibrations when used prior to embryo transfer (ET) in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cryo-cycles. DESIGN: The research team designed a retrospective, observational study. Participants willing to undergo the massage treatment were allocated to the intervention (andullation) group. SETTING: The study was performed at the IVF Centers Prof. Zech-Bregenz in Bregenz, Austria. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 267 IVF patients, with a mean age of 36.3 y, participated in this single-center study. INTERVENTION: All patients receiving a transfer of vitrified and warmed blastocysts between January and December 2012 were included in the evaluation. Prior to ET, the andullation group received a standardized program of therapy-a 30-min, deep relaxation massage on an oscillating (vibrating) device, whereas the control group did not. OUTCOME MEASURES: To determine efficacy, the primary outcomes that the study measured were (1) pregnancy rates (PRs), by testing urine and obtaining a positive ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG); and (2) ongoing, pregnancies (oPR), by observation of fetal heartbeat and birth rates (BR) as well as miscarriage rates. The patients' medical histories and types of infertility as well as the quality of the embryo transfers (ETs) were evaluated. RESULTS: In patients using the massage therapy prior to ET, significantly higher PRs, oPRs, and BRs were observed compared with the control group-PR: 58.9% vs 41.7%, P<.05; oPR: 53.6% vs 33.2%, P<.01; and BR: 32.0% vs 20.3%, P<.05. No differences were detected among groups for patients' ages, hormonal substitution protocols, endometrium structures and buildups, quality of transferred embryos, or quality of transfers. No adverse effects were noted in the massage group. CONCLUSIONS: The research team's results suggested that andullation therapy prior to blastocyst transfer in a cryo-cycle improves embryo implantation, most likely due to a reduction in stress (ie, a relaxation effect on patients), a reduction in uterine contractions, and, probably, an enhancement of the blood flow in the abdominal region. These findings provide support for use of andullation as a complementary therapy for ART.
Asunto(s)
Transferencia de Embrión/estadística & datos numéricos , Fertilización In Vitro/estadística & datos numéricos , Masaje , Embarazo/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto , Gonadotropina Coriónica/sangre , Femenino , Frecuencia Cardíaca Fetal/fisiología , Humanos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Poor sperm quality can negatively affect embryonic development and IVF outcome. This study is aimed at investigating the influence of various lifestyle factors on semen quality according to MSOME (motile sperm organelle morphology examination) criteria. METHODS: 1683 male patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in our clinic were surveyed about their age, BMI (body mass index), ejaculation frequency, nutrition, sports, sleeping habits and social behavior. Semen samples were collected and evaluation of semen parameters according to MSOME and WHO criteria was performed. Results were grouped and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Although single parameters had minor effects on sperm parameter, the combination of age, BMI, coffee intake, ejaculatory frequency and duration of sexual abstinence were identified as factors having a negative effect on sperm motility. Additionally, we could demonstrate that MSOME quality was reduced. The negative impact of age, BMI and coffee intake on sperm quality could be compensated if patients had a high ejaculation frequency and shorter periods of sexual abstinence. CONCLUSIONS: Combinations of adverse lifestyle factors could have a detrimental impact on sperm, not only in terms of motility and sperm count but also in terms of sperm head vacuolization. This negative impact was shown to be compensated by higher ejaculation frequency and a shorter period of sexual abstinence. The compensation is most likely due to a shorter storage time in the male gonads, thus reducing the duration of sperms' exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Asunto(s)
Estilo de Vida , Análisis de Semen , Motilidad Espermática , Espermatozoides/fisiología , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Índice de Masa Corporal , Café , Eyaculación , Ejercicio Físico , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estado Nutricional , Estrés Oxidativo , Técnicas Reproductivas Asistidas , Abstinencia Sexual , Sueño , Conducta Social , Recuento de Espermatozoides , Cabeza del Espermatozoide/ultraestructura , Espermatozoides/ultraestructura , Factores de Tiempo , Vacuolas/ultraestructuraRESUMEN
The aim of this retrospective study is to investigate the frequency and severity of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and the pregnancy rate in a patient collective at risk who received bromocriptine treatment.