Editor's Choice
vansteirteghema{at}humanreproduction.co.uk
Once again, I have selected a number of articles in the current issue of Human Reproduction that I consider warrant mention in this issue's Editor's Choice. This is only the second of what I hope will be a tradition for the Journal. I invite all authors and readers to let me know what you think about this initiative. We can also communicate about this at the next Annual Meeting of ESHRE in Barcelona (6–9th July, 2008) where there will be ample opportunity to meet the Editorial Team of Human Reproduction and our sister Journals. One of the pre-congress courses of this year's Annual Meeting is being organized by the Editorial Teams of the ESHRE Journals. The course is designed to provide authors with an understanding of the requirements of writing what we consider to be a ‘good’ paper. Full information on this course is available at http://www.eshre.com/emc.asp?pageId=823.
Previously, I mentioned my intention to introduce more ‘comment’ on some of the papers published in these pages. In this issue, Chris Barratt provides a commentary on a recently published article on the sperm proteome and its role in the development of new biomarkers in diagnostic andrology (Martinez-Heredia et al., Hum Reprod 2008; 23:783–791). The knowledge of the proteome of the human ejaculate (sperm and seminal fluid) will increase our knowledge on a functionally mature gamete, a better understanding of the capacitation process, a reliable comparison between a normal and abnormal spermatozoon and ultimately the development of novel therapeutic agents that will enhance sperm function (p. 1240).
At the initiative of ESHRE's Special Interest Group on Embryology, the Guidelines for Good Practice in IVF Laboratories were updated (p. 1253). These laboratory guidelines are part of a global quality management system of all ART procedures. The revised guidelines include the requirements issued by the 2004 Tissue and Cell Directive from the European Parliament (2004/23/EC). This Directive is being introduced by national laws in all Member States of the European Union.
To date, there is no clear insight into the functional significance of the chromosome encoded Deleted in Azoospermia (DAZ) gene family in spermatogenesis. Expression experiments of the four DAZ genes in human testes and tissue culture cells indicated that in adult human testes DAZ protein expression is restricted to the spermatogonia, which suggests that DAZ has a pre-meiotic role (p. 1280).
More and more couples resort to infertility treatment and the number of children per family has declined in most developed countries. An epidemiological study involving a birth cohort of 100 000 French women indicated that important declines in fecundability as well as a postponement of attempting pregnancy by 2.5 years had only a limited effect on fertility but a strong influence on the proportion of couples with five years involuntary infertility, as well as the proportion of couples eligible for ART (p. 1312).
The role of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) for the prediction of ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in routine IVF was investigated in a prospective study of over 300 patients. Low concentrations of AMH predict reduced ovarian response which should be complemented with antral follicle count. AMH is not useful to predict IVF success (p. 1359).
Luteal phase support in ART is widely practiced, poorly understood and the optimal regime is still a matter of debate. A systematic review and meta-analysis suggests the addition of estrogen to progesterone for luteal phase support in cycles stimulated with GnRH analogues and gonadotrophins does not increase the probability of pregnancy in IVF (p. 1346).
WHO Group II anovulatory patients who fail to ovulate or conceive on clomiphene citrate are usually treated by FSH. Predictors for the FSH threshold dose (when hCG can be administered) were searched systematically in 151 such patients. Three variables, easily determined in clinical practice can be used as predictors for this FSH threshold dose: menstrual cycle history, mean ovarian volume and BMI. This allowed a nomogram to be constructed for the FSH dosage (p. 1424).
Finally, hypospadias, a congenital condition usually of unclear etiology, are considered a complex disorder having both genetic and environmental causes. A case–control study from Japan assessed the polymorphisms in estrogen receptor genes and their association with hypospadias. G allele variants in estrogen receptors 1 and 2 may decrease the risk, whereas C-A haplotype in estrogen receptor 1 may increase the risk (p. 1466).
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||