Iron status may influence the outcome of infertile women under the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The aim of this study is to evaluate iron status and ceruloplasmin ferroxidase activity in the follicular fluid (FF) and their association with IVF outcomes. The study enrolled fertile women with male cause infertility (n=25), infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS; n=21), infertile women with low AMH level (n=26), and women with unexplained infertility (UI; n=27), all undergoing IVF/ICSI. On the day of oocyte suction, the selection of FF samples was accomplished. Iron, ferritin, and transferrin levels, as well as ceruloplasmin (CP) ferroxidase activity, were measured

Clinical index is needed to predict the outcome of pregnancy after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) for infertile patients. Growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), also known as myostatin, is one of transforming growth factor-â superfamily localized in antral follicles in normal and PCOS ovaries but its function in female reproductive system is still unknown. Aim of the study is to assess the correlation between levels of GDF8 in follicular fluid (FF) with outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF/ICSI) in women with and without PCOS. A prospective case control study was performed enrolling (40) patients with PCOS and (40) non-PCOS women (male infertility) undergoing IVF/ICSI. The collect

Background: Vitamin D has been linked to fertility since its receptors were found in reproductive organs. Nevertheless, its exact role in fertility is yet to be cleared.

Objectives: To analyze follicular fluid (FF) vitamin D in females doing Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), to compare its level between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and non-PCOS females, and to explore whether vitamin D correlates with oocytes number, percentage of oocyte maturity, fertilization rate and percentage of high quality embryos.

Patients and methods: This comparative observational study was done, from January to October 2018, at Al Amal IVF Center, Jenin hospital, Baghdad. The study w

     Oxidative stress (OS) may affect in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). The aim of this study is to explore the possible relationships between OS parameters in serum and follicular fluid (FF) from infertile women with male cause infertility (n=40), women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (n=40), and women with unexplained infertility (UI)(n=45) undergoing IVF/ICSI. The collection of blood and FF samples was done at the day of oocyte aspiration. Total peroxide (TPX) level, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were measured in serum and FF; whereas, glutathione-s-transf

vitrofertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) for infertile patients. Insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF1), Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and Total Testosterone (TT) may have a role on follicle growth, oocyte quality, embryo quality and subsequent pregnancy in patients undergoing IVF cycles. To explore the possibility of using DHEAS, TT and IGF1 as predictive indicator for successful pregnancy in patients undergoing (IVF/ICSI-ET). A prospective study was performed enrolling (12) non pregnant control group,(7) pregnant control group,(18) non-pregnant PCOS group and (12) pregnant PCOS group. The collection of blood and follicular fluid (FF) samples was done at the day of oocyte aspiration. Electroch

Background: Oocytes are susceptible to alterations in the various fatty acid contents of follicular fluid (FF), which may influence maturation and embryogenesis. Different fatty acids exert various effects on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which needs further studies to uncover the involved mechanisms. Objectives: To assess FF fatty acids in women undergoing ICSI and to correlate them with ICSI parameters, namely the total count of aspirated oocytes, oocyte maturation rate, fertilization rate and percentage of good-quality embryos. Methods: Fifty women undergoing ICSI were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. FF samples were collected during oocyte retrieval and were analyzed for fatty acids using gas chromatography. Fa

Background: Oocytes are susceptible to alterations in the various fatty acid contents of follicular fluid (FF), which may influence maturation and embryogenesis. Different fatty acids exert various effects on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which needs further studies to uncover the involved mechanisms. Objectives: To assess FF fatty acids in women undergoing ICSI and to correlate them with ICSI parameters, namely the total count of aspirated oocytes, oocyte maturation rate, fertilization rate and percentage of good-quality embryos. Methods: Fifty women undergoing ICSI were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. FF samples were collected during oocyte retrieval and were analyzed for fatty acids using gas chromatography. Fa

Background: Since declaring coronavirus disease 19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, a great concern was directed toward pregnant women and their fetuses. Despite the substantial impact of COVID-19 disease on pregnancy, there is a scarcity of national researches discussing this important issue.          

Objectives: To study the relationship between peripheral blood abnormalities and COVID-19 in pregnant women.

Patients and methods: A case control study was conducted in the labour wards of Baghdad Teaching Hospital in the Medical complex / Baghdad /Iraq during the period from 1^st of February till 31^st of July, 2021. Fifty pregna