Live birth and clinical outcome of vitrification-warming donor oocyte programme: an experience of a single IVF unit

Zygote ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Romualdo Sciorio ◽  
Elena Antonini ◽  
Bruno Engl

Summary Medically assisted reproductive (MAR) treatments using donated oocytes are commonly applied in several countries to treat women who cannot conceive with their own gametes. Historically, in Italy, gamete donation has been prohibited but, in 2014, the law changed and gamete donation became allowed for couples undergoing MAR treatments. Consequently, in the last decade, there has been an increase in application of the oocyte donation programme. This study reports an egg-donation programme’s clinical efficacy, based on importing donated vitrified oocytes from cryo-banks located in a foreign country. For this, we conducted a retrospective analysis of data from a single reproductive unit located in Italy (Donna Salus Women’s Health and Fertility, Bozen). The study group consisted of 681 vitrified oocytes, which were warmed and culture to be replaced in 100 recipients. The survival rate after warming was 79.1% (n = 539/681), whereas the fertilization and blastulation rates were 90.2% (n = 486/539) and 47.9% (n = 233/486), respectively. Positive pregnancy test, clinical pregnancy rates, and live-birth rates per embryo transfer were 37.8%, 31.1% and 28.4%, respectively. The multiple pregnancy rate was 0.7%. This study is one of the first to report on the efficacy of a donor oocyte programme in Italy using imported vitrified oocytes. The above data may reassure women who are undertaking donation programmes using vitrified oocytes imported from commercial egg banks.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxia He ◽  
Shiping Chen ◽  
Jianqiao Liu ◽  
Xiangjin Kang ◽  
Haiying Liu

Abstract Background High-quality single blastocyst transfer (SBT) is increasingly recommended to patients because of its acceptable pregnancy outcomes and significantly reduced multiple pregnancy rate compared to double blastocyst transfer (DBT). However, there is no consensus on whether this transfer strategy is also suitable for poor-quality blastocysts. Moreover, the effect of the development speed of poor-quality blastocysts on pregnancy outcomes has been controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects of blastocyst development speed and morphology on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes during the frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle of poor-quality blastocysts and to ultimately provide references for clinical transfer strategies. Methods A total of 2,038 FET cycles of poor-quality blastocysts from patients 40 years old or less were included from January 2014 to December 2019 and divided based on the blastocyst development speed and number of embryos transferred: the D5-SBT (n = 476), D5-DBT (n = 365), D6-SBT (n = 730), and D6-DBT (n = 467) groups. The SBT group was further divided based on embryo morphology: D5-AC/BC (n = 407), D5-CA/CB (n = 69), D6-AC/BC (n = 580), and D6-CA /CB (n = 150). Results When blastocysts reach the same development speed, the live birth and multiple pregnancy rates of DBT were significantly higher than those of SBT. Moreover, there was no statistical difference in the rates of early miscarriage and live birth between the AC/BC and CA/CB groups. When patients in the SBT group were stratified by blastocyst development speed, the rates of clinical pregnancy (42.44 % vs. 20.82 %) and live birth (32.35 % vs. 14.25 %) of D5-SBT group were significantly higher than those of D6-SBT group. Furthermore, for blastocysts in the same morphology group (AC/BC or CA/CA group), the rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth in the D5 group were also significantly higher than those of D6 group. Conclusions For poor-quality D5 blastocysts, SBT can be recommended to patients because of acceptable pregnancy outcomes and significantly reduced multiple pregnancy rate compared with DBT. For poor-quality D6, the DBT strategy is recommended to patients to improve pregnancy outcomes. When blastocysts reach the same development speed, the transfer strategy of selecting blastocyst with inner cell mass “C” or blastocyst with trophectoderm “C” does not affect the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Le Hoang ◽  
Le Duc Thang ◽  
Nguyen Thi Lien Huong ◽  
Nguyen Minh Thuy ◽  
Vu Thi Mai Anh ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims of the study were to describe main outcomes (clinical, ongoing single and multiple pregnancy and live birth rates) following frozen blastocyst transfer performed for the first time among women aged less than 35 years old and analyzed according to both quantity and quality of the embryos. A descriptive cross-sectional study was applied to collect and analyze available data of 505 patients who performed transfer of frozen blastocysts for the first time between June, 2018 and September, 2019 at the Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre of Tam Anh General Hospital. One good quality embryo was transferred for 121 patients (Group 1), 2 good quality embryos for 214 patients (Group 2), 1 good and 1 poor quality embryo for 112 patients (Group 3), 1 good and 2 poor quality embryos for 25 patients (Group 4) and 1 or 2 poor quality embryos for 33 patients (Group 5). Main results showed that the pregnancy rate was 71.9%, 74.8%, 69.4%, 84.0% and 39.4% in Group 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. The rate of multiple pregnancy was 36.9%, 16.9%, and 32.0% in Group 2, 3, and 4, respectively, higher than in Group 1 (4.9%). Meanwhile, the live birth rate was 55.6%, 50.9%, and 60.0% in Group 2, 3 and 4, respectively, but not significantly different from the live birth rate in Group 1 (47.9%). In conclusion, pregnancy and live birth rates were not significantly different following transfer of 1 or 2 good quality blastocysts while the rate of multiple pregnancy was significantly increased following the transfer of 2 good quality ones. Transfer of 1 or 2 poor quality embryos in addition to 1 good embryo did not significantly improve the pregnancy rate.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Torra ◽  
M Tutusaus ◽  
D Garcia ◽  
R Vassena ◽  
A Rodríguez

Abstract Study question Does sperm cryopreservation influence the reproductive outcomes of normozoospermic patients undergoing elective ICSI? Summary answer After controlling for confounders, the use of cryopreserved semen from normozoospermic patients does not affect pregnancy and live birth rates after ICSI. What is known already Sperm cryopreservation with slow freezing is a common practice in ART. While frozen-thawed semen typically presents reduced motility and vitality, its use for ICSI is generally considered adequate in terms of reproductive outcomes. Nevertheless, most studies comparing reproductive outcomes between fresh versus cryopreserved sperm include patients with oligo- and/or asthenozoospermia, where the altered quality of the sample can partially mask the full effect of freezing/thawing. The objective of this study is to ascertain whether ICSI using fresh or cryopreserved semen from normozoospermic patients results in similar fertilization rates and reproductive outcomes. Study design, size, duration Retrospective cohort of 6,594 couples undergoing their first elective ICSI cycle between January 2011 and December 2019, using normozoospermic partner semen (fresh or cryopreserved). All cycles involved a fresh embryo transfer, either at cleavage or blastocyst stage. Cycles were divided in 4 groups: fresh semen with partner’s oocytes (FSPO, n = 1.878), cryopreserved semen with partner’s oocytes (CSPO, n = 142), fresh semen with donor oocytes (FSDO, n = 2.413), and cryopreserved semen with donor oocytes (CSDO, n = 2.161). Participants/materials, setting, methods A slow freezing protocol using GM501 SpermStore medium (Gynemed, Lensahn) was used for all sperm cryopreservation. Sperm washing, capacitation, and selection prior to ICSI were performed equally for fresh and frozen-thawed samples, using pellet swim-up in IVF® medium (Vitrolife, Göteborg). Fertilization rate (FR), pregnancy (biochemical, clinical, and ongoing) and live birth (LB) rates were compared among study groups using Pearson’s Chi square and Student’s t-test. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Main results and the role of chance Male and female age, sperm concentration and motility after ejaculation, and number of oocytes inseminated were similar between study groups compared (FSPO vs. CSPO, FSDO vs. CSDO). As expected, oocyte donation cycles resulted in higher LB rate than cycles in which partner’s oocytes were used (30.04% vs 18.17%, p < 0.001). In cycles using partner’s oocytes, no significant differences were observed between fresh and cryopreserved sperm in FR, pregnancy and LB rates (p > 0.05 for all outcomes). However, in oocyte donation, the mean FR after ICSI using cryopreserved semen (73.6 ± 19.6) was lower than the FR obtained with fresh semen (75.1 ± 19.2), p = 0.010. Similarly, in oocyte donation cycles, the biochemical pregnancy rate was significantly lower when using cryopreserved semen (48.5% in CSDO vs. 52.3% in FSDO, p = 0.009), while clinical, ongoing pregnancy and LB rates were similar between both semen status (p > 0.05). In oocyte donation, a subgroup analysis including only the ICSI cycles with embryo transfer at blastocyst stage (n = 1.187 for FSDO, n = 337 for CSDO) confirmed that the LB rate was comparable between fresh and cryopreserved semen groups (34.7% vs 35.6% respectively, p = 0.76), without significant differences in pregnancy rates neither (p > 0.05 for all outcomes). Limitations, reasons for caution Caution should be exerted when extrapolating these results to different protocols for sperm cryopreservation and selection, or to IVM and classical IVF cycles, which were excluded from analysis. Due to the retrospective nature of the study, some uncontrolled for variables may affect the results. Wider implications of the findings: Sperm cryopreservation does not affect pregnancy and live birth rates in normozoospermic patients, although it may lower slightly fertilization rates. In line with previous studies including patients with an apparent male factor detected after routine semen analysis, sperm cryopreservation is a safe and convenient technique. Trial registration number Not applicable


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pujol ◽  
O Cairó ◽  
T Mukan ◽  
V Pérez ◽  
D García ◽  
...  

Abstract Study question Is it possible to define a personalized ET model to maximize the chance of live birth (LB) while minimizing the risk of twin pregnancy? Summary answer A model including age and embryo morphological score can inform a personalized ET strategy to maximize LB while minimizing the risk of twin pregnancy. What is known already The morphological score of the transferred embryos affects pregnancy (PR) and LB rates in IVF cycles. Although SET is mainly recommended to avoid multiple pregnancies, DET is still being performed extensively, especially in patients with poor prognosis, with the aim to improve PR per transfer and shorten time to pregnancy. While twin pregnancies are associated with an increased risk of maternal and fetal complications, very low PR may increase patient drop-off, extend time to pregnancy, and increase the cost per successful transfer. A personalized transfer strategy balancing high LB per transfer with low twin pregnancy rates should be defined. Study design, size, duration Retrospective study including 2,470 fresh and frozen embryo transfers (ET) of either one or two embryos at D3 from January 2016 to August 2019 in a single IVF clinic. Biochemical, clinical, multiple pregnancy and live birth rates after SET and DET were analyzed according to the morphological score of the embryos transferred. ETs were divided into 9 groups according to the combinations of their embryo morphological scores. Participants/materials, setting, methods Embryos were assessed on D3 following a national recommended morphological scale. Morphology was categorized as High (H) if A or B+, medium (M) if B or C+, and Low (L) if C or D. The likelihood of biochemical, clinical pregnancy and live birth, and the risk of multiple pregnancy, after SET and DET of embryos of different scores was analyzed. A logistic regression analysis adjusted by age of the woman was ran for each outcome. Main results and the role of chance The distribution of ETs among the 9 groups for SET was: 510 H, 715 M, 346 L; for DET: 142 HH, 148 HM, 29 HL, 268 MM, 164 ML, 148 LL. Mean woman age was similar among groups: 38.7±4.01. Live birth and twin rates increased with embryo score. Considering a SET of category M as reference, the OR of live birth in DET were: 2.76 [1.82, 4.19 95%CI] for HH, and 2.32 [1.51, 3.55 95%CI] for HM, and 1.69 [1.19, 2.40 95%CI] for MM, and in SET: 1.52 [1.12, 2.04 95%CI] for H. Considering a DET of category MM as reference, the OR of twin birth in DET were: 2.8 [1.14, 6.99 95%CI] for HH, 2.5 [0.98, 6.46 95%CI] for HM, and 0.92 [0.11, 7.84 95%CI] for HL. According to this model, a 38y.o. woman with a SET of category M would have a 16% chance of live birth, and no twins. The addition of an M (DET: MM) increases her chance of live birth to 24% with a 2.9% risk of twins. The addition of a H (DET:MH) would increase further her chance of live birth to 30.8%, however, the increase would be due almost exclusively to twins (7%). Limitations, reasons for caution The limitations of this study are its retrospective nature and the small size of some categories. Embryos were classified using a national morphological scale; other morphological classifications could influence the results. The development and validation of site-specific models, using local patients’ data, is recommended before their use in clinical practice. Wider implications of the findings: A personalized assessment of embryo quality and woman age, at a minimum, are necessary to identify the best ET strategy for each patient; this strategy allows to maximize live birth rates while keeping the risk of twin birth as low as possibl. Trial registration number Not applicable


Author(s):  
Adhwaa Khudhari ◽  
Chamile Sylvestre ◽  
Simon Phillips

Background: Most studies conclude that the cumulative pregnancy rate depends on embryo quality and quantity, which is directly related to patient’s age. In the best-case scenario, the cumulative pregnancy rate reaches 79% when the number of embryos reaches 15. Other studies reported 75% probability of live birth after 6 cycles of controlled ovarian stimulation and IVF.Methods: Retrospective cohort study comparing IVF cycles between January 2008 to December 2009 (before governmental coverage), and between January 2012 to December 2013. University-affiliated private IVF clinic. 298 good prognosis IVF patients from 2008-2009 and 610 patients from 2012-2013 were included. The cumulative LBR per IVF cycle was the main outcome measure; the secondary outcome measures were the type of protocol used, percentage of ICSI cycles, fertilization rate, proportion of day 3 versus (vs) day 5 embryo transfers, average number of embryos transferred, average number of frozen embryos, the clinical pregnancy rate and the multiple pregnancy.Results: no statistically significant difference in the cumulative LBR; it was 44.8% in 2008-2009 but 40.3% in 2012-2013. p: 0.134. The long agonist protocol was used the most 2008-2009 (75.5% of the cycles) compared to antagonist protocol in 2012-2013 (77.2%) p <0.01. There was no difference in the use of ICSI, but the fertilization rate in 2012-2013 (60.9% vs 65.9%, p=0.001). The proportion of day 3 embryos transferred in 2008-2009 (82.2%) and 2012-2013 (43.9%), p=0.005, and the proportion of day 5 embryos transferred is 3.7% in 2008-2009 but 54.9% in 2012-2013, p<0.001. The average number of embryos transferred in 2008-2009 was 1.96 vs 1.08 in 2012-2013. The average number of frozen embryos per cycle was not significantly different. The clinical pregnancy rate was not significantly different (56.8% vs 54.3%). The multiple pregnancy rate is 19.4% in 2008-2009 and 0.5% in 2012-2013.Conclusions: In good prognosis IVF patients, the cumulative LBR per cycle started was not significantly different after IVF provincial coverage and the move towards eSET on day 3 or day 5. No advantage of transferring multiple embryos in this group of patients, and that transferring one at a time reduces significantly the multiple pregnancy rate and its complications.


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