Module 14 - Subfertility Flashcards
Sperm analysis. What is normal semen volume?
Semen volume: Greater than or equal to 1.5 ml
Sperm analysis. What is normal pH?
pH: Greater than or equal to 7.2
Sperm analysis. What is normal sperm concentration?
Sperm concentration: Greater than or equal to 15 million spermatozoa per ml
Sperm analysis. What is normal sperm number?
Total sperm number: 39 million spermatozoa per ejaculate or more
Sperm analysis. What is normal motility?
total motility (% of progressive motility and non-progressive motility): 40% or more motile or 32% or more with progressive motility
Sperm analysis. What is normal vitality?
Vitality: 58% or more live spermatozoa
Sperm analysis. What is normal morphology?
Sperm morphology (percentage of normal forms): 4% or more
When do you repeat sperm analysis if it is abnormal?
If sperm count abnormal repeat in 3 months - to allow time for another cycle of spermatozoa to form
OR
Repeat sperm analysis ASAP if azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia i.e. <5 million sperm/ml detected
Which OHSS can receive outpatient care? How often do they need to be reviewed?
Mild OHSS
Moderate OHSS
Severe OHSS - in selective cases. They will need LMWH
They need to receive appropriate counselling and information regarding fluid monitoring
Review the patient every 2-3 days
What are the criteria for hospital admission of OHSS?
1) Unable to control PAIN
2) Unable to maintain adequate fluid intake, due to nausea/vomiting
3) Worsening OHSS, despite outpatient management
4) Critical OHSS
5) Unable to attend for regular outpatient follow-up
Critical OHSS = ICU input
Can you use diuretics in OHSS?
Only use diuretics if OLIGURIC - despite adequate fluid replacement and ascitic drainage
Get input from the MDT, i.e. ICU
Which fluids should be given to women with OHSS who had had large volumes of ascitic fluid drained by paracentesis?
i.v. colloids
Human Albumin Solution 25% (HAS) - used as a plasma volume expander. Doses of 50-100g given over 4 hours every 4-12 hours
Which increased risks do pregnancies with OHSS have?
Increased risks of:
1) Pre-eclampsia
2) Pre-term delivery
What is the pathophysiology of OHSS? Which features are caused?
Exposure of hyperstimulated ovaries to hCG leads to over-expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, i.e. VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) and other cytokines
Causes:
1) Increased vascular permeability (intravascular fluid depletion, ascites, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion)
2) Increased pro-thrombosis (PE, DVT)
3) Decreased serum osmolality
4) Hyponatraemia
What is the incidence of OHSS?
Mild OHSS - 1/3 of IVF cycles
Moderate - Severe OHSS - 3-8%
Difficult to know the true incidence of OHSS as there is no mandatory reporting of mild and moderate cases and there is no internationally agreed classification system
OHSS is rare following ovarian stimulation with Clomifene (SERM)
OHSS can very rarely occur with spontaneous conception
What are the risk factors for OHSS?
1) Previous OHSS
2) PCOS
3) Increased AFC (Antral Follicle Count)
4) Increased AMH
What are the definitions of early and late OHSS?
Early OHSS - <7 days from the hCG trigger injection used to promote final follicular maturation prior to egg retrieval
The ovarian response is exaggerated - women have excessive abdominal pain and distension
Late OHSS - ≥10 days from the hCG trigger injection
Usually the result of endogenous hCG from an early pregnancy
Trigger injection response is usually unremarkable
Usually more prolonged and severe than early OHSS
What diagnostic features are characteristic of OHSS?
Increased haematocrit + Decreased serum osmolality + Hyponatraemia = OHSS
What are the differential diagnoses of OHSS?
- Appendicitis
- Ovarian cyst accident
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Bowel perforation
- PID
- Pelvic abscess
What are the categories of OHSS?
Mild OHSS:
- Abdominal bloating
- Mild abdominal pain
- Ovary size <8cm
Moderate OHSS:
- Moderate abdominal pain
- US evidence of ascites
- Nausea +/- vomiting
- Ovary size 8-12cm
Severe OHSS:
- Clinical ascites +/- hydrothorax
- Na+ <135
- K+ >5
- Oliguria (UO <300ml/day or <30ml/hr)
- Hypo-osmolality <282
- Haematocrit >0.45
- Decreased album <35
- Ovary size >12cm
Critical OHSS:
- Tense ascites/large hydrothorax
- ARDS
- VTE
- Haematocrit >0.55
- Oliguria/anuria
- WCC >25
What are the life-threatening complications of OHSS?
1) Renal failure
2) ARDS
3) VTE
4) Haemorrhage from ovarian rupture
What is the recovery period like for OHSS?
In most women OHSS is self-limiting and resolves over 7-10 days
If the woman becomes pregnant then the endogenous hCG usually makes it worse
If she doesn’t become pregnant then recovery occurs by the time she has a withdrawal bleed
What do you need to assess during a woman with OHSS daily review?
1) Abdominal girth - ensure it’s not increasing
2) Body weight - ensure it’s not increasing
3) Fluid monitoring - ensure she’s not oliguric and passing >300ml/day or >30ml/hr
4) Bloods - FBC, U&Es, LFTs, osmolality, CRP
5) LMWH
When do you need to seek help from ICU/MDT in OHSS?
If persistent haemoconcentration and oliguria despite adequate fluid hydration
They may prescribe diuretics to improve urine output