Dataset Information

Reduced live birth rates in frozen versus fresh single cleavage stage embryo transfer cycles: A cross -sectional study.

ABSTRACT: Background:Studies have suggested that embryo-endometrial developmental asynchrony caused by slow-growing embryos can be corrected by freezing the embryo and transferring it back in a subsequent cycle. Therefore, we hypothesized that live birth rates (LBR) would be higher in frozen embryo transfer (FET) compared with fresh embryo transfers. Objective:To compare LBR between fresh and FET cycles. Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional analysis of 10,744 single autologous embryo transfer cycles that used a single cleavage stage embryo was performed. Multivariate analysis was performed to compare LBR between FET and fresh cycles, after correcting for various confounding factors. Sub-analysis was also performed in cycles using slow embryos. Results:Both LBR (19.13% vs 14.13%) and clinical pregnancy (22.48% vs 16.25%) rates (CPR) were higher in the fresh cycle group (p < 0.00). Multivariate analysis for confounding factors also confirmed that women receiving a frozen-thawed embryo had a significantly lower LBR rate compared to those receiving a fresh embryo (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.68-0.86, p < 0.00). In the sub-analysis of 1,154 cycles using slow embryos, there was no statistical difference in LBR (6.40% vs 6.26%, p = 0.92) or CPR (8.10% vs 7.22%, p = 0.58) between the two groups. Conclusion:This study shows a lower LBR in FET cycles when compared to fresh cycles. Our results suggest that any potential gains in LBR due to improved embryo-endometrial synchrony following FET are lost, presumably due to freeze-thaw process-related embryo damage.

SUBMITTER: Tinn Teh W

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7385911 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Reduced live birth rates in frozen versus fresh single cleavage stage embryo transfer cycles: A cross -sectional study.

Tinn Teh Wan W Polyakov Alex A Garrett Claire C Edgar David D Mcbain John J Adrian Walton Rogers Peter P

International journal of reproductive biomedicine 20200722 7

<h4>Background</h4>Studies have suggested that embryo-endometrial developmental asynchrony caused by slow-growing embryos can be corrected by freezing the embryo and transferring it back in a subsequent cycle. Therefore, we hypothesized that live birth rates (LBR) would be higher in frozen embryo transfer (FET) compared with fresh embryo transfers.<h4>Objective</h4>To compare LBR between fresh and FET cycles.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>A cross-sectional analysis of 10,744 single autologous emb ...[more]

PMID: 32803114

Similar Datasets

Project description:BACKGROUND:It is not known whether segmentation of an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle, with freezing of all embryos prior to transfer, increases the chance of a live birth after all embryos are transferred. METHODS:In a prospective study of UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority data, we investigated the impact of segmentation, compared with initial fresh embryo followed by frozen embryo transfers, on live birth rate and perinatal outcomes. We used generalised linear models to assess the effect of segmentation in the whole cohort, with additional analyses within women who had experienced both segmentation and non-segmentation. We compared rates of live birth, low birthweight (LBW <?2.5?kg), preterm birth (<?37?weeks), macrosomia (>?4?kg), small for gestational age (SGA <?10th centile), and large for gestational age (LGA >?90th centile) for a given ovarian stimulation cycle accounting for all embryo transfers. RESULTS:We assessed 202,968 women undergoing 337,148 ovarian stimulation cycles and 399,896 embryo transfer procedures. Live birth rates were similar in unadjusted analyses for segmented and non-segmented cycles (rate ratio 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.08) but lower in segmented cycles when adjusted for age, cycle number, cause of infertility, and ovarian response (rate ratio 0.80, 95% CI 0.78-0.83). Segmented cycles were associated with increased risk of macrosomia (adjusted risk ratio 1.72, 95% CI 1.55-1.92) and LGA (1.51, 1.38-1.66) but lower risk of LBW (0.71, 0.65-0.78) and SGA (0.64, 0.56-0.72). With adjustment for blastocyst/cleavage-stage embryo transfer in those with data on this (329,621?cycles), results were not notably changed. Similar results were observed comparing segmented to non-segmented within 3261 women who had both and when analyses were repeated excluding multiple embryo cycles and multiple pregnancies. When analyses were restricted to women with a single embryo transfer, the transfer of a frozen-thawed embryo in a segmented cycles was no longer associated with a lower risk of LBW (0.97, 0.71-1.33) or SGA (0.84, 0.61-1.15), but the risk of macrosomia (1.74, 1.39-2.20) and LGA (1.49, 1.20-1.86) persisted. When the analyses for perinatal outcomes were further restricted to solely frozen embryo transfers, there was no strong statistical evidence for associations. CONCLUSIONS:Widespread application of segmentation and freezing of all embryos to unselected patient populations may be associated with lower cumulative live birth rates and should be restricted to those with a clinical indication.

Project description:Study questionDoes supplementation with vaginal tablets of progesterone after frozen-thawed embryo transfer in natural cycles improve the live birth rate?Summary answerSupplementation with vaginal tablets of progesterone after frozen-thawed embryo transfer in natural cycles significantly improves the number of live births.What is known alreadyProgesterone supplementation during luteal phase and early pregnancy may improve the number of live births after frozen-thawed embryo transfer. However, due to the limited number of previous studies, being mainly retrospective, evidence is still limited.Study design, size, durationThis is a prospective randomized controlled trial, performed at two university clinics. In total, 500 subjects were randomized with a 1:1 allocation into two groups, during the period February 2013 to March 2018. Randomization was performed after a frozen embryo transfer in a natural cycle by use of opaque sealed envelopes. The primary outcome was live birth rate; secondary outcomes were pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy and miscarriage rate, and if there was a possible association between the serum progesterone concentration on the day of embryo transfer and live birth rate.Participants/materials, setting, methodsWomen, receiving embryo transfer in natural cycles participated in the study. The embryos were frozen on Day 2, 3, 5 or 6. In total, 672 women having regular menstrual cycles were invited to participate in the study; of those, 500 agreed to participate and 488 were finally included in the study. Half of the study subjects received progesterone supplementation with progesterone vaginal tablets, 100 mg twice daily, starting from the day of embryo transfer. The other half of the subjects were not given any treatment. Blood samples for serum progesterone measurements were collected from all subjects on the day of embryo transfer.Main results and the role of chanceThere were no differences in background characteristics between the study groups. In the progesterone supplemented group, 83 of 243 patients (34.2%) had a live birth, compared to 59 of 245 patients (24.1%) in the control group (odds ratio 1.635, 95% CI 1.102-2.428, P = 0.017*). The number of pregnancies was 104 of 243 (42.8%) and 83 of 245 (33.9%), respectively (odds ratio 1.465, 95% CI 1.012-2.108, P = 0.049*) and the number of clinical pregnancies was 91 of 243 (37.4%) and 70 of 245 (28.6%), respectively (odds ratio 1.497, 95% CI 1.024-2.188, P = 0.043*). There were no significant differences in biochemical pregnancy rate or miscarriage rate. There was no correlation between outcome and serum progesterone concentration.Limitations, reasons for cautionThe study was not blinded because placebo tablets were not available. Supplementation started on embryo transfer day, regardless of the age of the embryos, which resulted in a shorter supplementation time for Day 5/6 embryos compared to Day 2/3 embryos.Wider implications of the findingsSupplementation with progesterone in natural cycles improved the number of live births after frozen-thawed embryo transfer and should therefore be considered for introduction in clinical routine.Study funding/competing interest(s)The study was funded by Uppsala University, the Uppsala-Family Planning Foundation, and Ferring Pharmaceuticals AB, Malmö, Sweden. The authors have no personal conflicting interests to declare.Trial registration numberNL4152.Trial registration date5 December 2013.Date of first patient’s enrolment18 February 2013.

Project description:BackgroundWhether pretreatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) can improve the pregnancy outcomes in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles is controversial. The inconsistencies in the results of different studies would be related to the characteristics of the included patients and the protocol of GnRHa use. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of pretreatment with a long-acting GnRH agonist in the early follicular phase of FET cycles and determined which population was suitable for the protocol.ResultsWe retrospectively included 630 and 1141 patients in the GnRHa FET and hormone replacement treatment (HRT) FET without GnRHa groups respectively, between October 2017 and March 2019 at a university-affiliated in vitro fertilization center. On the second or third day of menstruation, 3.75 mg of leuprorelin was administered. After 14 days, HRT was initiated for endometrial preparation. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of patient characteristics. However, the GnRHa FET group showed a higher percentage of endometrium with a triple line pattern (94.8% vs 89.6%, p < 0.001) on the day of progesterone administration, with increased implantation (35.6% vs 29.8%, p = 0.005), clinical pregnancy (49.8% vs 43.3%, p = 0.008), and live birth rate (39.4% vs 33.7%, p = 0.016), than the HRT FET cycles with similar endometrial thickness, ectopic pregnancy and early miscarriage rates. Binary logistic regression analysis showed the GnRHa FET group to be associated with an increased chance of clinical pregnancy (P=0.028, odds ratio [OR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.70) and live birth (P=0.013, odds ratio [OR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.70) compared to the HRT FET without GnRHa group. After subgroup analysis, we found that the GnRHa FET group showed a significantly higher live birth rate in the subgroups of age < 40 years, primary infertility, with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and irregular menstruation.ConclusionsPretreatment with a long-acting GnRHa during the early follicular phase improved the live birth rate in FET cycles. Age < 40 years, primary infertility, PCOS, and irregular menstruation are effective indications for endometrial preparation with GnRHa pretreatment in FET cycles. However, further randomized controlled trials are required to verify these results.

Project description:BackgroundConflicting evidence still prevails concerning the effect of preovulatory elevated progesterone (EP4) on reproductive outcomes in fresh embryo transfer (ET). However, few studies have analyzed the effect of EP4 on the likelihood of pregnancy using multivariate regression approach. The potential confounding factors tested in these studies were limited to either patient's characteristics or to stimulation related parameters. Yet, several studies have shown that postovulatory parameters such as midluteal progesterone (P4) level may be considered as a proxy variable of endometrial receptivity as well.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to estimate the independent effect of preovulatory P4 effect, if any, on the probability of live birth (LB) by considering the midluteal endocrine profile when controlling for the potential confounding factors.MethodsThis is a secondary data analysis of a cohort of fresh IVF/ICSI cycles triggered with GnRH agonist (n = 328) performed in a single IVF center during the period 2014-2016. Patients contributed only one cycle and were stratified into four groups according to preovulatory P4 quartiles. We assessed the association between preovulatory P4 and the odds of LB calculated by logistic regression analysis after controlling for the most clinically relevant confounders. The primary outcome measure: Live birth rates (LBR).ResultsBoth preovulatory and midluteal P4 were significantly correlated with the ovarian response. Logistic regression analysis showed that preovulatory serum P4 did not have a significant impact on LBR. In contrast, midluteal serum P4 level was an important independent factor associated with LBR. The optimal chance of LBR was achieved with midluteal serum P4 levels of 41-60 ng/ml, [OR: 2.73 (1.29-5.78); p< 0.008].ConclusionThe multivariate analysis suggests that the midluteal P4 level seems to impact LBR more than the preovulatory P4 level in women undergoing IVF treatment followed by fresh ET.

Project description:Background: The availability and use of frozen-thawed embryos after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for assisted reproduction have increased with improvements in vitrification techniques and the rise of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocols. Although evidence has shown that frozen-thawed embryo transfers (FETs) result in higher live birth rates than fresh embryo transfers, it is uncertain whether this association exists in cycles employing the GnRH antagonist protocol. Objective: To test the hypothesis that FETs are more likely to result in a live birth than fresh embryo transfers in a GnRH antagonist protocol cycle and to investigate whether frozen blastocyst transfer increases live birth rates compared to fresh blastocyst transfer. Design: A retrospective historical cohort study was conducted using data collected from the Department of Reproductive Medicine of Liuzhou Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital for 1,437 patients who underwent the GnRH antagonist protocol between 1 January 2015, and 31 December 2020. The primary outcome was the live birth rate, which was compared between fresh embryo transfer and FET, and the secondary outcomes were clinical pregnancy rate and miscarriage rate, which were compared between the two groups. Analyses were adjusted to account for the age of the patient, number of embryo transfers, day of embryo transfer, and type of infertility. Results: Fresh embryo transfers accounted for 1,026 (71.4%) of the 1,437 patients who underwent the GnRH antagonist protocol in our analysis, while FETs accounted for 411 (28.6%). Patients with fresh and frozen-thawed embryos had comparable median body mass index (body mass index; 22.3 [IQR, 24.6-20.0] vs. 22.0 [IQR, 24.5-19.9]). There was a significant difference in the median age of the fresh embryo transfer group (34.0 [IQR, 39.0-30.0]) and the Frozen-thawed embryo transfer group (32.0 [IQR, 37.0-29.0]). Blastocysts were transferred in 14.6% of the fresh embryo transfer cycles and 45.5% of the FET cycles, whereas they account for 10.4% and 13.0% of all patients, respectively. The mean number of embryos transferred was 2 (IQR, 2.0-1.0) for the fresh embryo transfer group and 1 (IQR, 2.0-1.0) for the FET group, with a significant difference in the mean number of embryos transferred. The live birth rate after fresh embryo transfer vs. FET was 28.7% vs. 34.5% (absolute difference, 5.9%; adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.15 [95% CI, 0.88-1.51]). The clinical pregnancy rates were 39.9% vs. 46.0%, respectively (absolute difference, 6.1%; aRR, 1.10 [95% CI, 0.85-1.43]). The miscarriage rates were 22.5% vs. 23.8%, respectively (absolute difference, 1.3%; aRR, 1.13 [95% CI, 0.75-1.70]). Conclusion: In this retrospective study of women who underwent assisted reproduction using GnRH antagonists, FETs resulted in a higher live birth rates and clinical pregnancy rates than fresh embryo transfers, which parts of these differences were attributable to embryo stage. However, the interpretation of the findings is limited by the possibility of selection and confounding biases.

Dataset Information

Reduced live birth rates in frozen versus fresh single cleavage stage embryo transfer cycles: A cross -sectional study.

Publications

Reduced live birth rates in frozen versus fresh single cleavage stage embryo transfer cycles: A cross -sectional study.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets