Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Aium Practice Guideline For The Performance Of Pelvic Ultrasound Examinations., Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

No abstract provided.

Aium Practice Guideline For Ultrasonography In Reproductive Medicine., Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

No abstract provided.

Obesity And Insulin Resistance But Not Hyperandrogenism Mediates Vascular Dysfunction In Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome., Anuja Dokras, Dinesh Jagasia, Michelle Maifeld, Christine Sinkey, Bradley Van Voorhis, William Haynes

Bradley J Van Voorhis

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with biochemical evidence of early atherosclerosis; however, data regarding vascular function are controversial. We hypothesized that resistance vessel function (mediated by the endothelium or smooth muscle) would be impaired in women with PCOS and aimed to determine the contribution of hyperandrogenism, obesity, or insulin resistance to vascular dysfunction.

DESIGN: Prospective study.

SETTING: University practice.

PATIENT(S): Women with PCOS (n = 24) and age/weight-matched controls (n = 22).

INTERVENTION(S): Vascular function was assessed by measuring forearm vasodilatation in response to both endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine/bradykinin) and endothelium-independent dilators (nitroprusside/verapamil).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Resistance vessel function.

RESULT(S): …

Obstetric Outcomes After In Vitro Fertilization In Obese And Morbidly Obese Women., Anuja Dokras, Lindsey Baredziak, Jill Blaine, Craig Syrop, Bradley Van Voorhis, Amy Sparks

Bradley J Van Voorhis

OBJECTIVE: In addition to numerous health detriments caused by obesity, fertility and pregnancy success may also be compromised. The aims of this study were to compare the effects of obesity and morbid obesity on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. We also investigated the effects of obesity on obstetric outcomes after IVF treatment. METHODS: Retrospective study of women less than 38 years of age during their first fresh IVF cycle (January 1995 to April 2005). RESULTS: A total of 1,293 women were included in the study, with 236 obese women (body mass index [BMI] = 30-39.9) and 79 morbidly obese women …

The Cost Of Infertility Evaluation And Therapy: Findings Of A Self-Insured University Healthcare Plan., D. Stovall, B. Allen, Amy Sparks, Craig Syrop, R. Saunders, Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

OBJECTIVE: To assess the total costs of infertility coverage, determine the proportion of healthcare costs related to infertility, compare infertility costs to those of other diseases, and calculate a per member per month cost of an infertility benefit. DESIGN: Historical prospective analysis. SETTING: A university-based, self-insured, fee-for-service healthcare plan. PATIENT(S): Healthcare policy members from January 1993 through December 1995. INTERVENTION(S): General and infertility-specific healthcare that included diagnostic tests for infertility, induction of ovulation, artificial insemination, donor gametes, in vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian transfer, zygote intrafallopian transfer, microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration, embryo cryopreservation, and frozen embryo transfer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Healthcare …

Role, Epidemiology, And Natural History Of Benign Uterine Mass Lesions., Ginny Ryan, Craig Syrop, Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

No abstract provided.

Ultrasound Is The Optimal Choice For Guidance In Difficult Hysteroscopy., J. Kresowik, Craig Syrop, Bradley Van Voorhis, Ginny Ryan

Bradley J Van Voorhis

OBJECTIVES: To compare costs and complications associated with ultrasound-guided hysteroscopy vs laparoscopy-guided hysteroscopy vs hysteroscopy alone for the surgical repair of intrauterine septa and synechiae. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Charts of all patients undergoing reparative surgery for intrauterine synechiae or uterine septa at our academic institution between 2000 and 2008 were reviewed. A total of 159 procedures were included in the study, categorized into concurrent laparoscopic guidance (n = 69), ultrasound guidance (n = 52) or no guidance (n = 38). Data regarding billing, surgical case logs and complications were collected for these procedures. Using these data, …

A Mandatory Single Blastocyst Transfer Policy With Educational Campaign In A United States Ivf Program Reduces Multiple Gestation Rates Without Sacrificing Pregnancy Rates, Ginny Ryan, Amy Sparks, C. Sipe, Craig Syrop, A. Dokras, Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

OBJECTIVE: To reduce the twin rate in our IVF program. DESIGN: A prospective educational study of infertile couples; a retrospective review of IVF outcomes before vs. after mandatory single embryo transfer (mSBT) policy change. SETTING: University-based infertility center. PATIENT(S): One hundred ten of 120 consecutive new infertile couples completed the educational study. Outcomes of all embryo transfers (n = 693) performed 17 months before and 17 months after mSBT were evaluated. INTERVENTION(S): A 1-page educational summary of comparative risks of twins vs. singletons to maternal and child health. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Knowledge of twin risks and desired number of embryos …

Early Diagnosis Of Ovarian Torsion By Color Doppler Ultrasonography, Bradley Van Voorhis, J. Schwaiger, Craig Syrop, F. Chapler

Bradley J Van Voorhis

Ovarian torsion is often difficult to diagnose because of the nonspecific nature of the clinical findings. We report on the use of color Doppler ultrasonography in diagnosing early ovarian torsion. This technique provides a highly specific finding, the absence of blood flow to the ovary, that greatly facilitates the diagnosis of ovarian torsion.

Ethical Obligation For Restricting The Number Of Embryos Transferred To Women: Combating The Multiple-Birth Epidemic From In Vitro Fertilization, Bradley Van Voorhis, Ginny Ryan

Bradley J Van Voorhis

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an increasingly effective and popular means of achieving pregnancy for infertile women, but contributes to a growing incidence of risky twin pregnancies. Despite studies demonstrating cost-effective means to achieve IVF pregnancy while strictly limiting the number of embryos transferred, multiple-embryo transfer remains the most common practice in the United States, and twin pregnancies continue to increase. IVF providers resist restricting these practices, arguing that this is counter to principles of procreative liberty, patient and professional autonomy, and free-market economics. We counter that physicians have a professional fiduciary responsibility to weigh issues of nonmaleficence to patients …

An Unusual Cause Of Adolescent Dysmenorrhea, Ginny Ryan, A. Stolpen, Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

No abstract provided.

In Vitro Fertilization Patients Support A Single Blastocyst Transfer Policy, S. Martini, Bradley Van Voorhis, B. Stegmann, Amy Sparks, T. Shochet, M. Zimmerman, Ginny Ryan

Bradley J Van Voorhis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients support a mandatory single blastocyst transfer (mSBT) policy in IVF. DESIGN: Prospective survey study. SETTING: Academic hospital-based infertility center. PATIENT(S): Two hundred sixty-two female patients presenting for fresh or cryopreserved/thawed ET after IVF. INTERVENTION(S): Internet-based in-clinic survey after ET. Follow-up at-home survey after pregnancy test results. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Patient support for an mSBT policy and attitudes regarding patient input into IVF treatment. Logistic regression analyses tested associations among main outcome measures, patient characteristics, and treatment results. RESULT(S): Ninety-four percent of patients endorsed support for our mSBT policy; 95% and 87% felt they had the …

The Desire Of Infertile Patients For Multiple Births, Ginny Ryan, S. Zhang, A. Dokras, Craig Syrop, Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of infertile women who prefer a multiple birth over a singleton, patient characteristics associated with this desire, and patient knowledge about the risks of multiple births. DESIGN: Prospective analysis. SETTING: Academic university hospital-based infertility center and private general gynecology clinic. PATIENT(S): Four hundred sixty-four female patients with infertility who presented for their initial visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Demographic characteristics, infertility history, desire regarding multiple births, knowledge of the risks of multiple births, and goals of infertility evaluation and treatment were determined by using a 41-question survey. Univariate analysis was performed to assess patient characteristics associated …

Detection Of Enlarged Yolk Sac On Early Ultrasound Is Associated With Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, D. Berdahl, J. Blaine, Bradley Van Voorhis, A. Dokras

Bradley J Van Voorhis

Pregnancies with mean yolk sac diameter>or=5 mm on early ultrasound require monitoring and counseling about a threefold increased risk for first-trimester loss independent of maternal risk factors such as age, body mass index, polycystic ovary syndrome, smoking, and diabetes. In addition, our study shows for the first time that enlarged yolk sac diameter may be associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery.

Oral Ovulation Induction Agents Combined With Low-Dose Gonadotropin Injections And Intrauterine Insemination: Cost- And Clinical Effectiveness, Ginny Ryan, V. Moss, W. Davis, Amy Sparks, A. Dokras, Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of different induction protocols involving gonadotropins with intrauterine insemination (IUI). STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective chart review of 648 IUI cycles. Some patients had gonadotropin injections alone before human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and IUI (human menopausal gonadotropin protocol); others were given oral medications, then gonadotropins before hCG and IUI (combination protocol). Outcomes included pregnancy rates, multiple birth rates, endometrial thickness, number of ovarian follicles, injection days, ampules of gonadotropins and cost. RESULTS: The combination protocol was more cost-effective. In first cycles, pregnancy rates, multiple birth rates, number of large follicles produced and …

Cost-Effectiveness Of Infertility Treatments: A Cohort Study, Bradley Van Voorhis, Amy Sparks, B. Allen, D. Stovall, Craig Syrop, F. Chapler

Bradley J Van Voorhis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost-effectiveness of infertility treatments. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Academic medical center infertility practice. PATIENT(S): All patients treated for infertility in a 1-year time span. INTERVENTION(S): Intrauterine inseminations, clomiphene citrate and IUI (CC-IUI), hMG and IUI (hMG-IUI), assisted reproductive techniques (ART), and neosalpingostomy by laparotomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): All medical charges and pregnancy outcomes associated with the treatments were obtained. Cost-effectiveness ratios defined as cost per delivery were determined for each procedure. The effects of a woman's age and the number of spermatozoa inseminated on cost-effectiveness of the procedures was also determined. RESULT(S): Intrauterine inseminations, CC-IUI, …

Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration, J. Sandlow, J. Donovan, Amy Sparks, Craig Syrop, Bradley Van Voorhis, D. Stovall

Bradley J Van Voorhis

No abstract provided.

Expression And Localization Of Inducible And Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase In The Rat Ovary. Effects Of Gonadotropin Stimulation In Vivo, Bradley Van Voorhis, K. Moore, P. Strijbos, S. Nelson, S. Baylis, D. Grzybicki, C. Weiner

Bradley J Van Voorhis

Nitric oxide is reportedly involved in the regulation of several ovarian processes, yet the isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expressed in the ovary are unknown. Our purpose was to identify and localize NOS isoenzymes in the rat ovary and to examine++ if mRNA expression of NOS isoenzymes change after gonadotropin stimulation. Using reverse transcriptase-PCR, we demonstrated that inducible (iNOS) and endothelial (eNOS), but not neuronal, NOS mRNAs are expressed in the ovary. In a gonadotropin-stimulated rat model, unstimulated ovaries had the highest levels of iNOS mRNA as quantified by ribonuclease protection assay. After gonadotropin injection, iNOS mRNA declined to …

Autoantibodies And Infertility: A Review Of The Literature, Bradley Van Voorhis, D. Stovall

Bradley J Van Voorhis

The role that autoantibodies play in infertility remains uncertain. There are conflicting data regarding the prevalence of autoantibodies in women with endometriosis. Certainly no one has demonstrated an association between the presence of antibodies in women with endometriosis and infertility. Despite intensive study, there is also no consensus on a role of autoantibodies to the zona pellucida as a cause of infertility. Recently, much attention has been focused on autoantibodies and infertility particularly with regards to phospholipid antibodies and their effect on IVF success rates. The literature suggests that women with infertility have an increased prevalence of phospholipid antibodies compared …

Computational Models For Prediction Of Ivf/Icsi Outcomes With Surgically Retrieved Spermatozoa, M. Wald, Amy Sparks, J. Sandlow, Bradley Van Voorhis, Craig Syrop, C. Niederberger

Bradley J Van Voorhis

IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using surgically retrieved spermatozoa (SRS) is a key option in the treatment of severe male infertility. It was aimed to develop a computational model for the prediction of this modality's outcome. A dataset of 113 exemplars, derived from patients who underwent IVF/ICSI with SRS, was retrospectively analysed. The dataset, containing input features maternal age, sperm retrieval technique, type of spermatozoa used, type of male factor and output intrauterine pregnancy, was randomized into a modelling ('training') set of 83 and cross-validation ('test') set of 30. neUROn++, a set of C++ programs, was used to model the dataset …

Achievement Test Performance In Children Conceived By Ivf, L. Mains, M. Zimmerman, J. Blaine, B. Stegmann, Amy Sparks, T. Ansley, Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

BACKGROUND: Long-term follow-up studies of children conceived by IVF are limited. We examine academic performance on standardized tests [Iowa Tests of Basic Skills/Educational Development (ITBS/ITED)] of children conceived by IVF. METHODS: Parents of children 8-17 years of age at the onset of the study (March 2008) who were conceived by IVF at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and living in the state of Iowa were contacted by mail. Parents completed questionnaires on their child's health and education and parental education. ITBS/ITED scores from school grades 3-12 were obtained on IVF children and a group of anonymous children matched …

Outcomes From Assisted Reproductive Technology, Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

The use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) for treating the infertile couple is increasing in the United States. The purpose of this paper is to review the short-term outcomes after ART. Pregnancy rates after ART have shown nearly continuous improvement in the years since its inception. A number of factors affect the pregnancy rate, with the most important being a woman's age. Certain clinical diagnoses are associated with a poorer outcome from ART, including the presence of hydrosalpinges, uterine leiomyomata that distort the endometrial cavity, and decreased ovarian reserve. Multiple gestations are the major complication after ART. New laboratory techniques, …

Colon Carcinoma Complicating Pregnancy. A Report Of Two Cases, Bradley Van Voorhis, D. Cruikshank

Bradley J Van Voorhis

Two cases occurred of colon carcinoma complicating pregnancy. Both patients presented with occult blood in the stool and iron deficiency anemia; that makes their cases different from the 20 previously reported ones of colon carcinoma above the peritoneal reflection associated with pregnancy. These cases illustrate the importance of a rectal examination and stool guiaic test in evaluating iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy.

Immunohistochemical Localization Of Prostaglandin H Synthase In The Female Reproductive Tract And Endometriosis, Bradley Van Voorhis, P. Huettner, M. Clark, J. Hill

Bradley J Van Voorhis

Prostaglandin H synthase, also known as cyclooxygenase, is an essential enzyme in prostaglandin synthesis. Using a monoclonal antibody and immunohistochemical techniques, we studied the localization of this enzyme in the female reproductive tract and in endometriosis. In the uterus, prostaglandin H synthase was primarily localized to endometrial epithelium with surface epithelium containing more immunoreactive prostaglandin H synthase than glandular epithelium. Fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells also contained prostaglandin H synthase while ciliated epithelial cells did not. Cervical epithelium and myometrial cells did not contain prostaglandin H synthase. A higher percentage of glands in endometriosis and adenomyosis, as compared with eutopic …

Clinical Predictors Of Human Blastocyst Formation And Pregnancy After Extended Embryo Culture And Transfer, M. Thomas, Amy Sparks, Ginny Ryan, Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical factors associated with blastocyst development and pregnancy. DESIGN: Evaluation of a prospectively collected IVF database. SETTING: An academic IVF practice. PATIENT(S): Couples (n = 529) undergoing their first IVF cycle who qualified for extended embryo culture (more than six zygotes) over the past 5 years. INTERVENTION(S): Seven or eight zygotes were cultured for 5 days, assessed for quality, and then transferred with excess zygotes cryopreserved at the pronuclear stage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical predictors of blastocyst development and pregnancy. RESULT(S): The mean blastocyst development rate was 49.8%, with a median number of total and good-quality …

Clinical Practice. In Vitro Fertilization, Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

No abstract provided.

Ultrasound-Assisted Repair Of A Unique Case Of Distal Vaginal Agenesis, J. Kresowik, Ginny Ryan, J. Austin, Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

OBJECTIVE: To describe a unique vaginal outlet obstruction and its ultrasound-assisted surgical correction. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: An academic medical center. PATIENT(S): A 12-year-old girl was seen with cyclic abdominal pain, nausea, and an abdominal mass. External genital examination revealed no vaginal opening or dimple. Transabdominal ultrasound revealed a large hematometrocolpos 5 cm proximal to the perineum, with an otherwise normal-appearing uterus and ovaries. INTERVENTION(S): Surgical treatment included perineal incision, creation of a 5-cm passage through connective tissue, drainage of the hematometrocolpos, and mobilization of the proximal vagina, allowing for pull-through vaginoplasty. Ultrasound guidance was used throughout the surgery and …

Nitric Oxide: An Autocrine Regulator Of Human Granulosa-Luteal Cell Steroidogenesis, Bradley Van Voorhis, M. Dunn, G. Snyder, C. Weiner

Bradley J Van Voorhis

We investigated the presence of nitric oxide (NO) synthase in ovarian follicular cells obtained from women undergoing in vitro fertilization procedures. Endothelial NO synthase messenger RNA was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction amplification of reverse transcribed RNA. NO synthase was localized to granulosa-luteal cells by immunocytochemistry, using a monoclonal antibody. Ovarian follicular cell NO synthase enzyme activity was confirmed by measuring the conversion of L-arginine to citrulline. To investigate the effect of NO on granulosa-luteal cell steroidogenesis, NO synthase inhibitors and NO donors were added to cell cultures. NG-Monomethyl-L-arginine and N-nitro-arginase methyl ester, selective inhibitors of NO synthase, significantly increased …

Semantic And Spatial Components Of Selective Attention, V. Dark, K. Vochatzer, Bradley Van Voorhis

Bradley J Van Voorhis

Semantic and spatial effects on selective processing were examined. A prime presented 250 ms or 1,000 ms before a pair of masked words was related to 1 of the words on 1/3 of the trials. Although Experiments 1 and 2 required report of both words, processing was selective; typically, just 1 word could be reported. In Experiment 1, reported words were more often top words, showing spatial selectivity, and more often words related to the prime, showing semantic selectivity. Experiment 2 included to-be-ignored peripheral cues 50 ms before the pair. Related words were reported more often at both delays, and …

The Effects Of Smoking On Ovarian Function And Fertility During Assisted Reproduction Cycles, Bradley Van Voorhis, J. Dawson, D. Stovall, Amy Sparks, Craig Syrop

Bradley J Van Voorhis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of cigarette smoking on ovarian function and fertility in women undergoing assisted reproduction cycles. METHODS: We assessed the effects of smoking on ovarian function and fertility in a cohort of 499 women. Questionnaires were designed to quantify past smoking exposure and to determine whether the woman was smoking during the treatment cycle. Ovarian function characteristics and pregnancy rates were compared among current smokers, past smokers, and nonsmokers. RESULTS: Compared with nonsmokers, both current and past smokers have reduced gonadotropin-stimulated ovarian function. A history of increasing tobacco exposure was associated with decreasing serum estradiol concentrations, numbers …