Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2008. / "Graduate Program in Political Science." Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-167).

Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Ill., 1997. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 165-173).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-03-01Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:39:22Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 cota_amm_me_botfm.pdf: 542817 bytes, checksum: 25407ae609f35711de3e74eccfa2d0a3 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Na reprodução assistida, a seleção de gametas com o objetivo de alcançar melhores resultados clínicos é uma tarefa crucial dos embriologistas. A qualidade do oócito é um fator chave na fertilidade feminina, refletindo o potencial intrínseco de desenvolvimento do gameta, além de ter um papel crucial não só na fecundação, mas também no desenvolvimento embrionário subsequente. Após a desnudação, consegue-se definir a maturidade oocitária, com a identificação do primeiro corpúsculo polar, além de permitir a avaliação da morfologia oocitária, analisando as características da zona pelúcida, do espaço perivitelino e do citoplasma. Os dismorfismos oocitários são classificados em 2 tipos: citoplasmáticos, que incluem a presença de granulações e/ou de inclusões citoplasmáticas (vacúolos, corpos refrativos, agregados do retículo endoplasmático) e extracitoplasmáticos (alterações na forma do oócito, alterações na zona pelúcida, no espaço perivitelino e alterações do corpúsculo polar). Essas variações na morfologia oocitária podem ocorrer devido a fatores como idade da mulher, problemas genéticos e alterações no ambiente hormonal a que o oócito é exposto com a hiperestimulação ovariana. A classificação da morfologia oocitária, bem como sua correlação com o desenvolvimento embrionário e taxa de gravidez são bastante controversas na literatura. Vários estudos não demonstram nenhuma associação entre os dismorfismos oocitários e os resultados da fertilização in vitro, enquanto outros relatam uma associação entre a morfologia oocitária e desenvolvimento embrionário. Essas diferenças nos resultados podem ser explicadas devido a utilização de diferentes critérios morfológicos e devido... / The selection of developmentally competent human gametes may increase the efficiency of assisted reproduction. Spermatozoa and oocytes are usually assessed according to morphologic criteria. Oocyte morphology can be affected by the age of the female, genetic aspects, and factors related to controlled ovarian stimulation. However, there is a lack of evidence in the literature concerning the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues, either agonists or antagonists, on oocyte morphology. The aim of this randomized study was to investigate if the prevalence of oocyte dysmorphism is influenced by the type of pituitary suppression used in ovarian stimulation. A total of 64 patients at the first intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle, were prospectively randomized to receive treatment with either a GnRH agonist with a long-term protocol (n: 32) or a GnRH antagonist with a multi-dose protocol (n: 32). Before being subjected to ICSI, the oocytes at metaphase II from both groups were morphologically analyzed under an inverted light microscope at a 400x magnification. The oocytes were classified as follows: normal or with cytoplasmic dysmorphism, extracytoplasmic dysmorphism, or both. The resulting measure was the detection of dysmorphic oocytes among the total number of oocytes analyzed. Out of a total of 681 oocytes, 189 (27.8%) were morphologically normal, 220 (32.3%) showed cytoplasmic dysmorphism, 124 (18.2%) showed extracytoplasmic alterations, and 148 (21.7%) exhibited both types of dysmorphisms. No significant difference was observed in oocyte dysmorphisms between the agonist- and antagonisttreated groups (P>0.05). Analysis for each dysmorphism revealed that the most common conditions were alterations in polar body shape (31.3%) and presence of diffuse cytoplasmic granulations (22.8%), refractile bodies (18.5%) and central cytoplasmic... (Complete abstract click access electronic below)

Orientador: Joao Batista Alcantara Oliveira / Coorientador: Claudia Guilhermino Petersen / Banca: Mario Cavagna / Banca: Anice Maria Vieira de Camargo Martins / Resumo: Na reprodução assistida, a seleção de gametas com o objetivo de alcançar melhores resultados clínicos é uma tarefa crucial dos embriologistas. A qualidade do oócito é um fator chave na fertilidade feminina, refletindo o potencial intrínseco de desenvolvimento do gameta, além de ter um papel crucial não só na fecundação, mas também no desenvolvimento embrionário subsequente. Após a desnudação, consegue-se definir a maturidade oocitária, com a identificação do primeiro corpúsculo polar, além de permitir a avaliação da morfologia oocitária, analisando as características da zona pelúcida, do espaço perivitelino e do citoplasma. Os dismorfismos oocitários são classificados em 2 tipos: citoplasmáticos, que incluem a presença de granulações e/ou de inclusões citoplasmáticas (vacúolos, corpos refrativos, agregados do retículo endoplasmático) e extracitoplasmáticos (alterações na forma do oócito, alterações na zona pelúcida, no espaço perivitelino e alterações do corpúsculo polar). Essas variações na morfologia oocitária podem ocorrer devido a fatores como idade da mulher, problemas genéticos e alterações no ambiente hormonal a que o oócito é exposto com a hiperestimulação ovariana. A classificação da morfologia oocitária, bem como sua correlação com o desenvolvimento embrionário e taxa de gravidez são bastante controversas na literatura. Vários estudos não demonstram nenhuma associação entre os dismorfismos oocitários e os resultados da fertilização in vitro, enquanto outros relatam uma associação entre a morfologia oocitária e desenvolvimento embrionário. Essas diferenças nos resultados podem ser explicadas devido a utilização de diferentes critérios morfológicos e devido... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The selection of developmentally competent human gametes may increase the efficiency of assisted reproduction. Spermatozoa and oocytes are usually assessed according to morphologic criteria. Oocyte morphology can be affected by the age of the female, genetic aspects, and factors related to controlled ovarian stimulation. However, there is a lack of evidence in the literature concerning the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues, either agonists or antagonists, on oocyte morphology. The aim of this randomized study was to investigate if the prevalence of oocyte dysmorphism is influenced by the type of pituitary suppression used in ovarian stimulation. A total of 64 patients at the first intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle, were prospectively randomized to receive treatment with either a GnRH agonist with a long-term protocol (n: 32) or a GnRH antagonist with a multi-dose protocol (n: 32). Before being subjected to ICSI, the oocytes at metaphase II from both groups were morphologically analyzed under an inverted light microscope at a 400x magnification. The oocytes were classified as follows: normal or with cytoplasmic dysmorphism, extracytoplasmic dysmorphism, or both. The resulting measure was the detection of dysmorphic oocytes among the total number of oocytes analyzed. Out of a total of 681 oocytes, 189 (27.8%) were morphologically normal, 220 (32.3%) showed cytoplasmic dysmorphism, 124 (18.2%) showed extracytoplasmic alterations, and 148 (21.7%) exhibited both types of dysmorphisms. No significant difference was observed in oocyte dysmorphisms between the agonist- and antagonisttreated groups (P>0.05). Analysis for each dysmorphism revealed that the most common conditions were alterations in polar body shape (31.3%) and presence of diffuse cytoplasmic granulations (22.8%), refractile bodies (18.5%) and central cytoplasmic... (Complete abstract click access electronic below) / Mestre

This study details the Medically Assisted Procreation regulations in thirty-five nation-states, and explores the influence of national identity, social cultural and demographic differences on these regulations. Detailed data were gathered from ministries of health, offices of prime ministers, embassy staff, and others on regulations for each nation. These data were used to categorize the nations in regard to MAP legislation status and regulatory policy regarding marital or age restrictions; posthumous conception; sperm, ovum, or embryo donation, surrogacy; and policy on handling donors. Possible associations between national identity, social cultural, and demographic data for each nation and their regulations were explained. The thirty-five nations were treated as a population with common geographical and political ties. PRE methods, and eta coefficients were used to assess the associations. Sixteen nations have adopted MAP legislation, eight nations have either alternative regulatory guidelines or partial structures, four nations have legislation pending and possibly some laws, and seven nations are unregulated. Based upon statistical analysis, language group emerges as an important indicator for differences in MAP regulations. For example knowing a nation's language group enabled percent improved prediction of that nation's regulatory handling of embryo donation. The percent GDP spent on health care was found to have a substantial or moderate association with most regulations. The findings of this study indicate that the cultural roots associated with national identity as well as economic circumstances such as health care budgets impact the policy making process responsible for the regulation of MAP in Europe. Among other mediating circumstances, MAP related family law cases brought to the European Court of Human Rights create an accumulation of judge-made law, which help create a common European standard. This study of the European region provides a baseline for further research and a reference for cross cultural comparisons.

No description available.

Thesis (MScMedSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: CHAPTER 1 A review of the application of traditional semen parameters for the investigation and diagnosis of male infertility and the role of predictive values in assisted reproductive techniques (ART) is presented. The importance of sperm morphology, with special emphasis on sperm morphology evaluation, is discussed. Also presented is an overview of the physiology of sperm DNA, the process of spermatogenesis, as well as the contribution of the spermatozoon to the embryo. The different causes of sperm DNA damage and techniques to determine DNA damage in spermatozoa are described. A survey is presented of the correlation of sperm DNA with sperm morphology. CHAPTER 2 All the materials and methods applicable to this study are described. Sperm morphology assessment and two different sperm DNA tests, the chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining test and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay, are discussed in detail. CHAPTER 3 Results obtained in this study are presented. Results include the prevalence of abnormal sperm DNA and association with sperm morphology, specifically in the p-pattern and g-pattern morphology groups. Further results include the correlation of sperm morphology and sperm DNA with fertilization in vitro, embryo quality and pregnancy outcome. The percentage CMA3 positive spermatozoa (abnormal DNA) and percentage TUNEL positive spermatozoa (abnormal DNA) had a significant negative association with normal sperm morphology. P-pattern and g-pattern morphology groups differed significantly from each other for both CMA3 and TUNEL. A significant positive association between CMA3 and TUNEL was observed. No association between the percentage normal sperm morphology, percentage CMA3 positive spermatozoa and percentage TUNEL positive spermatozoa and IUI pregnancy outcome was observed. A significant negative association between the percentage TUNEL positive spermatozoa and IVF/ICSI pregnancy outcome was established. The percentage CMA3 positive spermatozoa had a significant positive (unexpected) association with IVF/ICSI pregnancy outcome. There was no association between the three variables and IVF/ICSI fertilization rates. A significant positive association between the percentage normal sperm morphology and IVF/ICSI embryo quality was found. There was a significant positive association between the percentage CMA3 positive spermatozoa and IVF/ICSI embryo quality (unexpected). The percentage TUNEL positive spermatozoa and IVF/ICSI embryo quality was negatively associated. CHAPTER 4 Interpretation of the results and future perspectives are discussed. The CMA3 staining test and TUNEL assay has a limited ability to distinguish between the p-pattern and g-pattern morphology groups. P-pattern spermatozoa are more likely to possess poor chromatin packaging and show increased levels of DNA fragmentation, but some p-pattern patients also may have normal DNA and g-pattern patients abnormal DNA. It is recommended that a sperm DNA test should be implemented routinely in andrology laboratories for the clinical diagnosis of sperm DNA damage in patients. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: HOOFSTUK 1 'n Samevatting wat handel oor die toepassing van tradisionele semen parameters vir die evaluasie en diagnose van manlike infertiliteit, asook die rol van voorspellingswaardes in kunsmatige voortplantingstegnieke word voorgelê. Die belangrikheid van sperm morfologie, met die klem op sperm morfologie evaluering, word ook bespreek. 'n Oorsig van sperm DNS fisiologie, die proses van spermatogenese, sowel as die sperm se bydrae tot die embrio word hier aangebied. Die verskillende oorsake van sperm DNS skade en die tegnieke om sperm DNS skade vas te stel, asook die die korrelasie tussen sperm DNS en sperm morfologie word ook bespreek. HOOFSTUK 2 Alle materiale en metodes wat van toepassing is op hierdie studie word beskryf. Sperm morfologie evaluering en twee verskillende sperm DNS toetse, die chromomycin A3 (CMA3) kleuringstoets en die “terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end labelling (TUNEL)" toets, word ook in meer besonderhede aangebied. HOOFSTUK 3 Resultate wat verkry is tydens hierdie studie word hier uiteengesit. Resultate behels die voorkomsyfer van abnormale DNS en die assosiasie met sperm morfologie, spesifiek in die p-patroon en g-patroon. Verdere resultate sluit die korrelasie van sperm morfologie en sperm DNS met bevrugting in vitro, embriokwaliteit en swangerskap uitkomste in. Die persentasie CMA3 positiewe sperme (abnormale DNS) en persentasie TUNEL positiewe sperme (abnormale DNS) het 'n betekenisvolle negatiewe assosiasie met normale sperm morfologie getoon. P-patroon en g-patroon morfologie groepe het betekenisvol van mekaar verskil vir beide CMA3 en TUNEL. 'n Betekenisvolle positiewe assosiasie is tussen CMA3 en TUNEL waargeneem. Geen assosiasie is tussen die persentasie normale sperm morfologie, persentasie CMA3 positiewe sperme en persentasie TUNEL positiewe sperme en IUI swangerskap uitkomste waargeneem nie. 'n Betekenisvolle negatiewe assosiasie is tussen die persentasie TUNEL positiewe sperme en IVB/ICSI swangerskap uitkomste vasgestel. Die persentasie CMA3 positiewe sperme het 'n betekenisvolle positiewe (onverwags) assosiasie met IVB/ICSI swangeskap uitkomste opgewys. Daar was geen assosiasie tussen die drie veranderlikes en IVB/ICSI bevrugting nie. 'n Betekenisvolle positiewe assosiasie is tussen die persentasie normale sperm morfologie en IVB/ICSI embryo kwaliteit waargeneem. Daar was 'n betekenisvolle positiewe assosiasie tussen die persentasie CMA3 positiewe sperme en IVB/ICSI embrio kwaliteit (onverwags). Die persentasie TUNEL positiewe sperme het 'n negatiewe assosiasie met IVB/ICSI embrio kwaliteit getoon. HOOFSTUK 4 Interpretasie van die resultate en toekomstige vooruitsigte is bespreek. Die CMA3 kleuringstoets en TUNEL toets het 'n beperkte vermoë om tussen die p-patroon en g-patroon morfologie groepe te onderskei. P-patroon spermatozoa sal heel waarskynlik oor swakker chromatien verpakking en meer DNS fragmentasie beskik. Sommige p-patroon pasiënte mag egter normale DNS toon, terwyl g-patroon pasiënte abnormale DNS het. Die implementering van 'n sperm DNS toets in andrologie laboratoriums, vir die kliniese diagnose van sperm DNS skade in pasiënte, word aanbeveel.

Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Male fertility has for many years been defined in vitro as the ability of sperm to fertilize oocytes and to obtain early cleavage-stage embryos. Spermatozoa comprise of an extraordinary high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids in their plasma membrane. Due to an extremely low content of cytoplasm, sperm cells have a particularly low potential to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), and are therefore highly sensitive to oxidative processes, which lead to sperm nucleus DNA damage/fragmentation. Normally, DNA fragmentation occurs in every ejaculate and can be induced by an excessive ROS production of active leukocytes or the spermatozoa themselves. Under distressed conditions, DNA fragmentation may also occur in the testis as a result of oxidative processes in the apoptotic cascade. These DNA fragmentations can be regarded as late signs of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Clinically, DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa results in significantly decreased implantation and pregnancy rates especially in patients with oligo- and/or teratozoospermia. The p-pattern normal sperm morphology has been shown to give poorer fertilization rates in vitro than the g- and n-patterns. In this study there is reported on the significant correlation found between the p-pattern normal sperm morphology and sperm DNA fragmentation as measured with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUDP-biotin end labeling (TUNEL) assay. This finding further explains the lower fertility potential of patients presenting with p-pattern normal sperm morphology. In addition, this study explores the intricate relations between ROS in the semen, DNA fragmentation of the spermatozoa, as measured with the TUNEL assay and the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA ), spermatozoa apoptotic status and sperm parameters as measured with a standard semen analysis. Positive correlations were found between ROS and the apoptotic status of the sperm, as well as between sperm with non-fragmented DNA and sperm concentration and percentage motility. The results emphasize the importance of sperm selection especially when the treatment of choice is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). An early sign of programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis, is the externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) from the inner membrane leaflet to the outer leaflet. PS shows a high affinity to Annexin V. Apoptotic spermatozoa are able to fertilize oocytes, but embryo senescence may occur at the time when the paternal genes are activated. In this study there is reported on a novel method whereby spermatozoa can be separated on the basis of their apoptotic status through flow cytometry. Results showed that the normal sperm morphology, according to strict criteria, of the resultant nonapoptotic sperm fraction is significantly higher than that of the apoptotic counterpart. With refinement of this technique, it will be possible in future to use these separated non-apoptotic sperm cells during ICSI for fertilization. From the above it is apparent that the spermatozoon has to play a vital role in the development of the embryo from fertilization to implantation and pregnancy. It is, however, important to note that besides the gametes, there are other critical factors which contribute to a successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, among these are the in vitro culture conditions. In this regard, this study compared two sequential embryo culture systems. It was found that the more complex medium resulted in better day three embryo quality and a better blastocyst formation rate and pregnancy rate. These findings highlight the importance of a holistic perspective towards the complexity of the factors involved in affecting embryo quality and pregnancy outcome. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Manlike fertiliteit is vir baie jare gedefinieer as die in vitro vermoë van ‘n spermsel om ‘n eiersel te bevrug om sodoende embrios te verkry. Die spermsel se plasmamembraan bestaan uit ‘n hoë persentasie poli-onversadigde vetsure. As gevolg van die klein hoeveelhede sitoplasma van die spermsel het dit ‘n beperkte weerstand teen reaktiewe suurstof spesies (ROS) en is gevolglik baie sensitief vir oksidasie. Oksidasie lei tot DNS skade/fragmentasie. DNS fragmentasie kom in spermselle van alle ejakulate voor en is gewoonlik die gevolg van ROS produksie deur die leukosiete in die semen of vanaf die spermselle self. Onder sekere omstandighede kan DNS fragmentasie ook voorkom in die testis waar dit deel vorm van apoptose. Hierdie tipe DNS skade word gesien as laat tekens van geprogrammeerde seldood (apoptose). In oligo- en/of teratozoospermiese mans lei DNS fragmentasie tot verlaagde implantasie- en swangerskapssyfers. Die p-patroon normale sperm morfologie groep gee laer in vitro bevrugting en swangerskapsyfers as die g- en n-patrone. In hierdie studie doen ons verslag oor die statisties betekenisvolle korrelasie wat gevind is tussen die p-patroon normale sperm morfologie en DNS fragmentasie soos gemeet met die ‘terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUDP-biotin end labeling’ of te wel TUNEL toets. Hierdie bevinding is ‘n verdere verklaring vir die laer fertiliteits potensiaal van pasiënte wat voordoen met p-patroon sperm morfologie. ‘n Verdere doel van die studie was om die moontlike verband tussen ROS in die semen, spermatozoa DNS fragmentasie, apoptotiese status van die sperms en die motiliteits parameters van die spermatozoa te bepaal. ‘n Positiewe korrelasie is gevind tussen ROS en sperm apoptotiese status. Sperms met ongeframenteerde DNS is ook positief gekorreleer met sperm konsentrasie en motiliteit. Die resultate beklemtoon die belangrikheid van spermseleksie veral in pasiënte waar die keuse van behandeling intrasitoplasmiese sperm inspuiting (ICSI) is. ‘n Vroeë teken van apoptose is die eksternalisering van ‘phosphatidylserine’ (PS) vanaf die interne oppervlakte van die plasmamembraan na die eksterne oppervlak. PS het ‘n hoë affiniteit vir Annexin V. Apoptotiese sperms het die vermoë om ‘n oösiet te bevrug, maar kan lei tot die staking van embrio deling wanneer die vaderlike gene ‘n rol begin speel in embrio ontwikkeling. In hierdie studie het ons ‘n nuwe metode ontwikkel waarvolgens die spermatozoa in die ejakulaat op grond van hul apoptotiese status geskei kan word in apoptotiese en nie-apoptotiese fraksies. Die normale sperm morfologie van die nie-apoptotiese fraksie is betekenisvol beter as dié van die apoptotiese fraksie. Verdere verfyning van die tegniek kan daartoe lei dat dit in die toekoms toegepas kan word om vir nie-apoptotiese sperms te selekteer veral voor die uitvoering van ICSI. Uit die bogenoemde is dit duidelik dat die spermsel ‘n baie belangrike rol in die ontwikkeling van ‘n embrio, vanaf bevrugting tot implantasie en swangerskap, speel. Dit is egter ook belangrik om in gedagte te hou dat daar ander bydraende faktore tot ‘n suksesvolle in vitro swangerskap is, soos laboratorium toestande en embrio kultuursisteem. Om hierdie rede is daar ook twee kultuurmedia in hierdie studie vergelyk. Daar is bevind dat die meer komplekse medium beter kwaliteit embrios op dag drie lewer, asook meer blastosiste en ‘n hoër swangerskapsyfer. Dit is dus duidelik dat dit uiters belangrik is om ‘n holistiese perspektief te hê op die komplekse faktore wat ‘n invloed mag hê op bevrugting, embrio kwaliteit asook die swangerskapsyfer.

This dissertation consists of two separately published articles and one book chapter linked together by their investigation of the legal regulation of reproductive and genetic technologies. In "Fragmenting the Body" I explore how law is to understand the relationship between the person and the body, and the body and its parts in the context of the instrumental uses to which reproductive and genetic material can be put. Drawing on feminist and postmodernist theories, the article critiques the liberal legal conception of personhood and argues in favour of an embodied account of personhood as central to the legal metaphors and categories we should use in analyzing novel social and material arrangements. "Public Bodies, Private Parts: Genetics in a Post-Keynesian Era" analyzes the use of the new genetics and the role of geneticization in the privatization orientation of the Canadian state from 1990-2002. The chapter defines and explores the relationships among genetics, geneticization and privatization, and demonstrates how a new discourse of health is central to the privatization agenda. The chapter examines three policy/legal initiatives of the Canadian government regulating the new genetics and demonstrates how law operates to further the values and objectives of privatization. Finally, the chapter addresses the gendered impact of the relationship between the new genetics and privatization. In "Beyond Conception: Legal Determinations of Filiation in the Context of Assisted Reproductive Technologies" I argue that legal determinations of filiation are normative ideological constructions about how societal relations between children and parents should be ordered. They are based on particular understandings of the relationship between social and biological facts and operate to create asymmetrical relationships between the categories of maternity and paternity. I suggest that developments in reproductive and genetic filiation offer the potential for an expanded understanding of relatedness which does not take the two-parent -one of each sex--model of the family as its normative form.

Orientador: Anaglória Pontes / Coorientador: Maria Teresinha de Oliveira Cardoso. / Banca: Paulo Sérgio França / Banca: Adriano Bueno Tavares / Resumo: A histerossonografia (HSN) foi descrita pela primeira vez há três décadas. A infusão de solução salina na cavidade uterina favorece sua exploração e proporciona excelente visualização da anatomia e do interior da cavidade do útero melhor do que com ultrassonografia transvaginal convencional (USG). Para verificar o papel atual da HSN na avaliação da cavidade uterina de mulheres com sangramento uterino anormal (SUA) e assintomática, foi realizado revisão bibliográfica de estudos que compararam a HSN com a USG ou histeroscopia diagnóstica ambulatorial (HTDx). Para isso, pesquisou-se estudos relevantes em bases de dados eletrônicas Medline/PubMed, SciELO/LILACS. A HSN é procedimento ambulatorial, "não invasivo", de melhor custo-benefício, com melhor sensibilidade e especificidade na identificação de anomalias uterinas, causando desconforto mínimo e com baixo índice de complicações. Foi objeto de revisões, não existindo mais dúvidas quanto a sua acurácia. Pode-se concluir que a HSN é ferramenta útil na propedêutica de avaliação da cavidade uterina de mulheres sintomáticas com SUA, infertilidade e perdas gestacionais repetidas, falhas de implantação embrionária em programas com técnicas de reprodução assistida (TRA) / fertilização in vitro (FIV) e naquelas com qualquer alteração uterina intra ou extracavitária na USG. Portanto, está indicada como método de avaliação inicial da cavidade uterina antes de indicar HTDx / Abstract: Sonohysterography (HSN) was firstly described three decades ago. The saline solution infusion into the uterine cavity favors its use and provides excellent visualization of the anatomy and the inner cavity of the uterus better than the conventional transvaginal sonography (USG). To check the current role of HSN in the uterine cavity assessment in women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and asymptomatic, a literature review comparing HSN with USG and/or ambulatory diagnostic hysteroscopy (HTDx) was carried out. To this end, relevant studies were researched in electronic databases Medline/PubMed, SciELO/LILACS. The HSN is an ambulatory procedure, non-invasive, better cost-benefit, better sensitivity and specificity to identify uterine abnormalities, causing minimal discomfort and low complications rate. It was subject to revision which there is no more doubt about its accuracy. It can be concluded that the HSN is a useful tool in the propedeutics to assess uterine cavity of symptomatic patients with SUA, infertility, recurrent miscarriages, and embryonic implantation failures in assisted reproduction treatment (ART) / in vitro fertilization (FIV) and in any other intra and extra uterine cavity alteration. Hence, USG is indicated as an initial method of assessment of the uterine cavity previously to HTDx / Mestre