Title: ADVANCES IN REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
1ADVANCES IN REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
- DR. CHRIS O. AIMAKHU (MBBS,FWACS,FMCOG)
- CONSULTANT OBSTETRICIAN AND
- GYNAECOLOGIST,
- CATHOLIC HOSPITAL, OLUYORO, IBADAN.
2REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
- ---Provides comprehensive care for a wide range
of reproductive problems. - ---Common problems evaluated and treated
include- - Infertility (primary and secondary)
- Pregnancy loss
- General female hormonal disorders
- Hirsutism (excessive hair growth)
- Menopausal symptoms
- Endometriosis
3REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
- Menstrual disorders/problems
- Osteoporosis
- Pelvic pain
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Premenstrual Syndrome
- Uterine abnormalities
- Sexual dysfunction
4WHO IS A REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGIST?
- A reproductive endocrinologist is a sub
specialist physician who has received training (a
residency) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and
advanced training (a fellowship) in the treatment
of INFERTILITY, RECURRENT MISCARRIAGES and
HORMONAL DISORDERS in women.
5WHAT TREATMENT DO REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGISTS
OFFER?
- Reproductive endocrinologist can perform a wide
variety of treatments for infertility. - A variety of fertility tests are run in order to
determine the cause of infertility. - Reproductive endocrinologists are trained in
advanced procedures that can increase a couples
chances of conceiving such as - ---Infertility Surgeries,
- ---Procedures to reverse tubal ligation,
- ---Use of fertility drugs (e.g. Clomid,Pergonal,
Follistim, Repronox) and - ---Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART).
6ADVANCES IN REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
- Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART).
- Minimal invasive surgeries.
- Cloning.
- Embryonic stem cells.
7A) ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNIQUES (ART)
- Any procedure where the gamete is manipulated or
removed from the body and returned either as an
oocyte or as an embryo. - The aim is to approximate the eggs and sperms at
the same time whether within or outside the body.
8A) ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNIQUES (ART)(CONTD)
- Reproductive technologies have undergone a rapid
evolution from simple procedures like the first
insemination of fresh donor semen almost half a
century ago to a position where we now have the
ability to collect epididymal sperm for micro
injection into oocytes freeze, thaw, and
transfer donor gametes and embryos, create
pregnancies in menopausal women, and in the near
future may be able to harvest and store eggs from
ovarian biopsies.
9INDICATIONS FOR ART
- ART is indicated for the management of
infertility for which conventional care is
INAPPROPRIATE or has FAILED. - These include
- ---Tubal damage
- ---Oligospermia --- lt 20 million sperms/ml.
- ---Azoospermia
- ---Unexplained infertility
10INDICATIONS FOR ART(CONTD)
- Most recently, ART has made possible the
- Preimplantation diagnosis of genetic disease.
- Removal and subsequent chromosomal analysis of a
single blastomere allows, prior to implantation,
for the diagnosis of certain disorders e.g.
Homozygous sickle cell disease and Duchene
muscular dystrophy. - It is appropriate that ART is increasingly
attracting the attention of doctors ,nurses,
scientists and the general public,but it must be
realized that high-tech ART are only necessary
when other simpler and cheaper measures have been
tried without success. - It is therefore necessary to fully
investigate both the male and female partners and
to take into account all available options.
11FACTS ABOUT INFERTILITY
- Accounts for 50 of cases in the gynaecological
clinics in developing countries. - Numbers of consultations have risen
significantly. - It affects 1 in 10 couples.
12DEFINITIONS IN INFERTILITY
- INFERTILITY Inability of a couple to achieve
pregnancy (conception) after 12 months (1 year)
of unprotected regular sexual intercourse
(Involuntary failure to conceive). - There are 2 types of Infertility
- PRIMARY INFERTILITY - No previous pregnancy.
- SECONDARY INFERTILITY- Previous pregnancy
(irrespective of the outcome).
13DEFINITIONS IN INFERTILITY(CONTD)
- INFECUNDABILITY- Inability of a couple to achieve
a live birth after 12 months of regular
unprotected intercourse. - VOLUNTARY INFERTILITY- has never tried for a
pregnancy and has taken contraception to avoid
pregnancy. - FERCUNDITY- is the capacity to participate in the
production of a child. - FECUNDABILITY- is the likelihood of pregnancy per
month of exposure.
14DEFINITIONS IN INFERTILITY(CONTD)
- STERILITY- An intrinsic inability to achieve
pregnancy. (Total inability to get pregnant).
(Infertility is Relative). - CHILDLESSNESS- No child at the end of
reproductive life. - The chances of conception should be expressed
in terms of fertility of the couple rather than
the individual partner. - Infertility is associated with emotional and
social distress. - The longer the couple have been trying to
conceive without success, the greater the
decline in conception rate.
15CONTRIBUTION OF THE PARTNERS TO INFERTILITY
- Male ---- 30 - 40
- Female ---- 30 - 40
- Both ---- 15
- Unexplained ---- 5 -10
16CHANCES OF PREGNANCY
- 60 of couples conceive ----- 6 months.
- 80-85 conceive ----- 1yr.
- 90 conceive ----2yrs
- 10-15 ----Infertile
17WHAT IS THE MAGNITUDE OF INFERTILITY IN NIGERIA
- It is estimated that 15-20 of couples are facing
this problem at any given time. - In Nigeria, this translates to 2 million couples
(i.e. 4 million individuals) that are
experiencing infertility at any given time.
18PROBLEMS OF INFERTILITY IN OUR ENVIROMENT
- Social Stigma.
- Marital instability and social neglect.
- Exploitation and economic deprivation of female
partners. - Emotional stress / frustration / strained
relationships/ guilt feelings/ unhappiness and
unfulfilled lives / Psychological consequences. - Male ego.
- Divorce.
19FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCREASED DEMAND OF
TREATMENT
- Increased numbers of women in the reproductive
age group. - A trend towards a later age of child bearing,
with more years of exposure to infections or
toxins as well as age- specific reduction in
fertility. - Greater public awareness of the availability and
scope of such services. - Availability of new technology and drugs for
treatment of previously hopeless cases.
20COMMON CAUSES OF INFERTILITY IN OUR ENVIRONMENT
- Male Infertility ------Infections -----
Gonococcal -
------Chlamydia - Female Infertility -------Tubo Peritoneal
factors - (Bilateral
blockage/pelvic- - adhesions are
the commonest) - --------S T I
- --------Post
abortal sepsis -
--------Puerperal sepsis -
21WHEN TO INVESTIGATE INFERTILE COUPLES
- When conception does not occur within 1 year of
unprotected regular coitus. - This period could be shortened in certain
individuals. - It is good to complete investigations within 1
menstrual cycle at least the initial evaluation.
22PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT
- Deal with the infertile couple together.
- No one is at fault or to blame
- Carry out investigations and treatment
consistently in proper sequence.
23HISTORICAL DEVELOPMNTS OF ART
- 1970s -----Experiments in ovum
retrieval IVF ET. - 1978 -----1st IVF ET baby born at
-
Oldham,Manchester,U.K---- Steptoe and - Edwards who were
the IVF pioneers. - (Louise Brown
born on 25th July, 1978 and is - presently
expecting her first baby which was - conceived by
natural means). - (The Worlds first
Test tube baby). - 1983 -----1st Successful human
pregnancy following - cryopreservation.
- 1984 ----- 1st live birth via GIFT.
24HISTORICAL DEVELOPMNTS OF ART(CONTD)
- 1984 ------ 1st live birth via GIFT.
- 1988 ------1st human pregnancy via PZD.
- ------1st pregnancy via SUZI.
- 1992 ----- 1st pregnancy and birth following
- ICSI.
- 1997 till date ----Experimentation and reports on
mammalian and human cloning. - 1997 till date ----Stem cell research.
25TYPES OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNIQUES
- Many procedures and many acronyms which are
rapidly changing. - Variations of the same standard techniques.
- 1). Timed Intercourse (T.I.)
- 2). Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI)
-
- 3). In - Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer
(IVF - ET) - 4). Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT)
- 5). Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer (ZIFT)
- 6).Subzonal Insemination (SUZI)
26TYPES OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNIQUES(CONTD)
- 7). Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
- 8). Direct Oocyte Sperm Transfer (DOST)
- 9). Sperm Aspiration Techniques.
- TESA --- Testicular Sperm Aspiration
- PESA --- Percutaneous Sperm Aspiration
- MESA --- Micro Epididymal Sperm Aspirations.
- 10). Embryo Freezing.
- 11).Third Party ART(Donor Eggs, Donor Sperms or
Surrogacy).
27SOME ART PROCEDURES
- 1).TIMED INTERCOURSE
- Medications are administered to promote
ovulation. - Treatment monitored by ultrasound scanning to
determine the precise timing of the egg release. - The couples are then advised on the best timing
of intercourse.
28ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- 2). INTRA UTERINE INSEMINATION
- Treatment and monitoring is like in timed
intercourse. - The sperms are specially prepared and introduced
into the uterine cavity via a catheter. - This can help to overcome cervical mucus
hostility.
29ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- 3).IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION AND EMBRYO TRANSFER
(IVF- ET) - A)---- Unlike the standard ovulation induction
regimes, most IVF programs follow the super
ovulation regime as this ensures a greater number
of harvestable eggs. - ---- This consists of an initial pituitary down
regulation (desensitization of the pituitary)
with a resultant complete suppression of ovarian
activity. - Drugs used include the subcutaneous or intranasal
GnRH(Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone)
analogues(Buserelin,Naferelin,Triptorelin) from
Day - 1 to 14 of the menstrual cycle.
30ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- This is followed by the standard Human chorionic
gonadotrophin (FSH, LH) and Human menopausal
gonadotrophin regime (LH). - B) -----HCG is given when there are at least 3
follicles 17-20 mm in diameter. - C) -----Laparoscopic or preferably transvaginal
ultrasound guided follicular aspiration
approximately 36 hours after HCG injection. - D) -----Incubation of aspirated eggs (under
strict temperature, gas and aseptic control) for
4-6hrs.This allows development to stage two
metaphase. This is followed by addition of about
200,000 capacitated sperms per egg.
31ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- E) ----- Regular stereoscopic microscopic
evaluation is done to determine progress of
fertilization etc - F) ----- Usually after 48 - 72hrs, the resultant
embryos (2-8 cell stage) are aspirated into a
small catheter and transcervically placed in the
uterine cavity. Usually two are placed while the
remaining may be cryopreserved for future use or
donated. - G) ----Luteal support is provided by the
administration of low dose hCG or progesterone.
32ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- IVF RESULTS
- The realistic pregnancy rate per ET in IVF is
20-30 overall but this is influenced by age and
the number of embryos transferred. - Younger women lt 35 years have at least a 33
success rate.
33ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- COMPLICATIONS OF IVF
- i) Multiple pregnancies
- 1 in 5 IVF pregnancies are multiple if
transferring 3 embryos or less. - Transferring more than 3 embryos(where available)
results in multiple pregnancies in about 40 of
IVF babies.
34ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- ii) Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome(OHSS)
- Excess response to ovarian stimulants can lead to
ovarian enlargement, abdominal distension and
pains in up to 7 of IVF patients. - However, serious OHSS involving gross ascites
affects less than 2 of all patients. - The prevention of OHSS is the identification of
women at risk (polycystic ovaries, high
responders) and either reduced hMG doses or
electively cryopreserving all embryos to avoid
pregnancy until the danger has been averted.
35ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- iii) Pelvic infection
- Serious infection is rare in IVF.
- Prophylactic antibiotics are advised.
- iv) Haemorrhage
- This can occur during egg collection.
- Usually there is a bleeding point, but this stops
when pressure is applied for a short while.
36ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- v) Ectopic pregnancy
- vi) Anembryonic pregnancy (Blighted ovum)
- vii) Spontaneous abortion
- viii) Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
- ix) Preterm delivery
37ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- 4).GAMETE INTRAFALLOPIAN TRANSFER (GIFT)
- Indicated in patients with at least one normal
tube. - Super ovulation is as above (in IVF-ET) followed
by a laparoscopic follicular aspiration. - Capacitated sperms and eggs are mixed and placed
in the catheter. - Both are then transferred into the fallopian
tubes. - In this case fertilization occurs naturally
within the body. - GIFT is not recommended if the fallopian tubes
are blocked or the sperm quality is far below
average.
38ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- 5). ZYGOTE INTRA FALLOPAIN TRANSFER (ZIFT)
- Similar to GIFT except that the sperms and eggs
are incubated first and transferred after
fertilization.
39ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- 6). INTRA CYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI)
- Indicated in patients with
- i) Severe oligospermia lt 5million/ml,
- ii) Significant sperm immotility,
- iii) Multiple sperm factors,
- iv) Failed IVF ET or
- v) Inability of the sperms to penetrate the egg
as confirmed from the ZONA PELUCIDA PENETRATION
TEST.
40ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- Steps involved are similar to IVF ET except
that after aspiration of the eggs, (under an
inverted microscope) the eggs and sperm are held
by a system of two hyallically - controlled
micropipettes. - An egg is held in place by a micropipette while
another micropipette picks up a single live
sperm. The egg cell membrane is then pierced and
the sperm injected into the cytoplasm with the
resultant fertilization of the egg.
41ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- 7).SPERM ASPIRTION PROCEDURES
- Indicated in severe oligospermia.
- This may consist of
- I) Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA)
- II) Percutaneous Sperm Aspiration (PESA),
- III) Micro Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA).
42ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- 8).THIRD PARTY ART
- I) Donor Sperms
- Absence of sperms in the man especially due to
testicular failure has traditionally been treated
with donor sperms for several decades. - In these days, it is possible to extract directly
from the testes in obstructive azoospermia and
the sperms directly injected into the eggs. - Where this procedure of sperm extraction
(PESA/TESA) fails, the only recourse is to use
donor sperms if the couple desires a pregnancy.
43ART PROCEDURES (CONTD)
- II) Donor eggs
- In menopausal or perimenopausal women desiring
pregnancy, eggs can be obtained from willing
donors (that may be known or unknown to the
recipient), fertilized with the husbands sperms
and the embryos transferred into the uterus of
the older woman. - III) Surrogacy
- Couples desiring their own genetic children, but
where the woman has had a hysterectomy or severe
damage to her uterus or endometrium, can opt for
the use of a surrogate mothers uterus to receive
embryos generated from the eggs and sperms of the
genetic parents.
44PRE CONCEPTION DIAGNOSIS
- SEX SELECTION --- Sex-gene probes have been
available for several years for embryo sexing,
especially where there are concerns about sex
linked diseases. Social sex selection has ethical
implications. -
- SICKLE CELL DISEASE PREVENTION --- Embryos
selection based on the absence of genetic
diseases (sickle cell disease is the most common
in our environment) is more acceptable in most
cultures or religions than selective pregnancy
termination after antenatal diagnosis. - Pre-conception diagnosis can be applied to just
about any chromosomal disease, sex-linked
disorders or inborn errors of metabolism for
which appropriate probes have been developed.
45ISSUES IN ASSISTED REPRODUCTION
- Cost effectiveness
- Ethical / moral / legal considerations
- Emotional issues
46B)MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL OPTIONS IN
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLGY
- Developments of new surgical techniques and
advances in surgical equipments allow us to
perform more and more surgical procedures using
LAPAROSCOPY and HYSTEROSCOPY. - These novel procedures have revolutionized the
approach to the majority of gynecological
disorders. - We can now perform the majority of surgeries
without the need for larger incisions in the
abdominal wall and therefore, most often patients
can go home on the day of surgery and recover to
full activity in approximately two weeks after
surgery.
47MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL OPTIONS IN
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLGY(CONTD)
- 1) LAPAROSCOPY
- This refers to the transabdominal visualization
of the peritoneal cavity usually after
insuflation with gas. - Indications for laparoscopy could be diagnostic
or therapeutic.
48MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL OPTIONS IN
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLGY(CONTD)
- Diagnostic Indications for Laparoscopy
- Include the evaluation of amongst others
- Chronic and acute pelvic pain of indeterminate
origin e.g. endometriosis, acute PID, leaking
ectopic gestation, ovarian cysts/accidents - Causes of infertily
- Second look evaluation following treatment for
cancer of the ovary - Suspected endometriosis
- Uterine perforation
- Follicular growth monitoring
49MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL OPTIONS IN
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLGY(CONTD)
- Therapeutic Indications for Laparoscopy
- Include
- Tubal sterilization either by electrical or
insertion of bands, rings etc - Pelvic adhesiolysis
- Retrieval of lost IUCDs
- Aspiration of ovarian cysts including ovarian
cystectomy, wedge resection of the ovary and
ovarian biopsy. - Laparoscopic myomectomy
50MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL OPTIONS IN
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLGY(CONTD)
- Metroplasty
- Laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy,LAVH
- Laparoscopic tubal surgery, which may include
salpingectomy, salpingostomy, tubal
re-implantation - Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, colposuspension
- As part of the assisted fertilization procedures
ova collection, gamete transfer
51MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL OPTIONS IN
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLGY(CONTD)
- 2) HYSTEROSCOPY
- Is the endoscopic evaluation of the uterine
cavity using the Hysteroscope. - The Hysteroscope is very much like an operating
Laparoscope with an added channel for the
introduction of fluids used for the distension of
the uterine cavity. - Distending media include high molecular weight
dextran with normal saline,glycine, and 5
dextrose in water or carbon dioxide.
52MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL OPTIONS IN
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLGY(CONTD)
- With the use of the liquid media, the uterine
pressure should not exceed 150mmHg, and with the
use of Co2 the flow rate should also not exceed
100ml/mixture. - Hysterosopic evaluations may be performed either
under local or general - aneasthesia.
53MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL OPTIONS IN
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLGY(CONTD)
- Diagnostic and therapeutic indications for
- Hysteroscopy
- Include
- Focal biopsy for evaluation of patients with
abnormal uterine bleeding. - Evaluation of patients with infertility
- Hysteroscopic endometrial laser coagulation
instead of hysterectomy in patients with
endometrial hyperplasia or dysfunctional uterine
bleeding - Hysteroscopic submucous myomectomy or metroplasty
- Diagnosis and management of Ashermans syndrome
54MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL OPTIONS IN
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLGY(CONTD)
- Identification and retrieval of lost IUCDs
- Excision of polyps
- Sterilization
55C)CLONING
- The first mammal cloned from the cell of an
adult, DOLLY THE SHEEP, - generated considerable interest worldwide.
- It stimulated much discussion about the ethics of
cloning and also, in particular, the potential
for human reproductive cloning.
56CLONING(CONTD)
- Dolly was derived from the udder( an organ shaped
like a bag that produces milk and hangs beneath
the body) of a six-year old FINN DORSET EWE that
was cultured in the laboratory. The cultured
cells were then fused with unfertilized eggs,
from which the nuclei had been removed. The
variable reconstituted eggs were then implanted
into the SURROGATE BLACK EWE. One implanted egg
resulted in the birth of DOLLY. - An ewe is a female sheep.
57CLONING(CONTD)
- The production of DOLLY demonstrated for the
first time that a NUCLEUS taken from an adult
cell could be REPROGRAMMED to permit the full
range of GENE EXPRESSIONS needed to produce a
COMPLETE ANIMAL. - A clear distinction should be drawn between
REPRODUCTIVE CLONING and THERAPEUTIC (NON
REPRODUCTIVE) CLONING.
58CLONING(CONTD)
- REPRODUCTIVE CLONING --- by either embryo
splitting or nucleus replacement, is aimed at
birth of genetically identical individuals. - There are no ethical objections to
- genetically identical individuals per se,
- but there are serious ethical questions
- about instrumentation of human beings.
59CLONING(CONTD)
- THERAPEUTIC (NON- REPRODUCTIVE) CLONING --- is a
term used to describe the use of cloning that
does not involve the production of genetically
identical individuals, has SCIENTIFIC and
THERAPEUTIC applications including potential
therapy for mitochondrial disease and research on
EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS, which could lead to the
development of tissue and possibly organs without
the risk of immune rejection.
60CLONING(CONTD)
- Such cell-based therapies might be used to
treat Parkinsons and Huntingtons disease (nerve
cells), muscular dystrophy (striated muscle
cells) and leukaemia(white blood cells).
61D) EMBYONIC STEM CELLS
- Researchers have been making embryonic stem cells
from mice, hamsters and other animals for several
years. - They have been described as the ultimate spare
part. - Embryonic stem cells are found in early stages of
the embryo, after the egg is fertilized and has
begun dividing, but before the mass of cells
attach itself to the wall of the uterus. - Eventually they differentiate into the various
cell types in the body, and disappear.
62EMBYONIC STEM CELLS(CONTD)
- Researchers have been able to capture these cells
in their undifferentiated state and keep them in
that state in a culture. - They are presently working on how to direct these
cells to become specific types of cells which
would allow scientists to grow an unlimited
supply of cells for transplant and other aspects
of medicine and biology.
63EMBYONIC STEM CELLS(CONTD)
- Much of the excitement surrounding embryonic stem
cell research focuses on their potential for
transplantation to repair diseased organs. - With their unique ability to differentiate into
all cells of the body, stem cells may be used to
treat a variety of disorders, ranging from
diabetes to Parkinsons disease and spinal cord
injuries.
64CONCLUSION
- The introduction of these advances has provided
not only hope and treatment for the infertile
couple but also stimulated continuing research in
the field of reproduction. - Reproductive advances will make more COUPLES
happier.
65WOMEN MUST BE HAPPY AND HAVE CHILDREN
66 THANK YOU