The role of frozen–thawed embryo replacement cycles in assisted conception

This chapter covers issues related to fertility and subfertility. It starts with lifestyle assessments that should be done as part of preconceptual care, and explains the psychological effects and counselling for subfertility alongside both male and female factors that affect difficulties in conceiving. Tests and investigations are covered for both partners, and the role of the fertility nurse specialist is defined. Ovulation induction, assisted conception, inter-uterine insemination, and IVF are all described. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis is given a brief overview, and the chapter also explores adoption and surrogacy. Fertility preservation and the role of the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority are covered.

Download Full-text

Clinical biochemistry of assisted conception

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry International Journal of Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.1258/acb.2009.008243 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 197-204

Author(s):

Rajeev Srivastava ◽

Vanessa Kay

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Clinical Biochemistry ◽

Intrauterine Insemination ◽

Test Tube ◽

Fertility Treatment ◽

Assisted Conception ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Vitro Fertilization

Assisted reproductive technology has shown rapid advancement since the birth of the first ‘test-tube’ baby in Oldham, UK, in 1978. Since April 2005, women between the ages of 23 and 39, who meet the described eligibility criteria, are able to get one free in vitro fertilization cycle funded by the National Health Service. Private treatment costs anything from £4000 to £8000 for a single cycle of treatment. Almost 15% of the couples in UK are affected by fertility problems and undergo detailed investigations before being offered assisted conception. Assisted reproduction is the collective name for treatments designed to lead to conception by means other than sexual intercourse. These include intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and gamete donation. This review is intended to summarize the principles of assisted conception and examine the role of the biochemistry laboratory in: (A) the diagnosis and subsequent management of ovulatory disorders; (B) assessing ovarian reserve before initiating fertility treatment and (C) monitoring fertility treatment. It touches on the screening of potential gamete donors and follow-up of children born after assisted conception. This article was prepared at the invitation of the Clinical Sciences Reviews Committee of the Association of Clinical Biochemistry.

Download Full-text

The potential role of heparin in assisted conception

Human Reproduction Update ◽

10.1093/humupd/dmn031 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 623-645 ◽

Cited By ~ 91

Author(s):

S. M. Nelson ◽

I. A. Greer

Keyword(s):

Potential Role ◽

Assisted Conception

Download Full-text

The role of ultrasound in early pregnancy after assisted conception

Pregnancy After Assisted Reproductive Technology ◽

10.1017/cbo9780511902604.003 ◽

2012 ◽

pp. 14-35

Author(s):

Andrea Day ◽

Davor Jurkovic

Keyword(s):

Early Pregnancy ◽

Assisted Conception

Download Full-text

The Role of Assisted Conception in Male Infertility

Male Infertility ◽

10.1007/978-1-4471-1029-3_20 ◽

1994 ◽

pp. 411-426

Author(s):

P. C. Wong ◽

A. Kamal

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Assisted Conception

Download Full-text

Cryopreserved embryo replacement is associated with higher birthweight compared with fresh embryo: multicentric sibling embryo cohort study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-49708-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Margaux Anav ◽

Simon Phillips ◽

Alice Ferrieres-Hoa ◽

Anna Gala ◽

Alice Fournier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Embryo Transfer ◽

Frozen Embryo Transfer ◽

University Hospital ◽

Fresh Embryo Transfer ◽

Embryo Replacement ◽

The Mean ◽

Thawing Procedure ◽

Supernumerary Embryos

Abstract Birth weight (BW) is higher after frozen embryo transfer (FET) than after fresh embryo replacement. No study has compared the BW of siblings conceived using the same oocyte/embryo cohort. The aim of this study was to determine whether the freezing-thawing procedure is involved in such difference. Multicenter study at Montpellier University Hospital, Clinique Ovo, Canada and Grenoble-Alpes University Hospital. The first cohort (Fresh/FET) included in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles where the older was born after fresh embryo transfer (n = 158) and the younger after transfer of frozen supernumerary embryos (n = 158). The second cohort (FET/FET) included IVF cycles where older and younger were born after FET of embryos from the same cohort. The mean adjusted BW of the FET group was higher than that of the fresh group (3508.9 ± 452.4 g vs 3237.7 ± 463.3 g; p < 0.01). In the FET/FET cohort, the mean adjusted BW was higher for the younger by 93.1 g but this difference is not significant (3430.2 ± 347.6 g vs 3337.1 ± 391.9 g; p = 0.3789). Our results strongly suggest that cryopreservation is directly involved in the BW variation. Comparing BW difference between Fresh/FET cohort and FET/FET one, it suggests that parity is not the only responsible, increasing the role of cryopreservation step in BW variation.

Download Full-text

The role of assisted conception techniques in male infertility

Current Obstetrics and Gynaecology ◽

10.1016/s0957-5847(96)80034-5 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 18-23

Author(s):

Simon Thornton ◽

Simon Fishel

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Assisted Conception

Download Full-text

Role of Low-dose Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Follicular Phase for Thin Endometrium in Frozen Embryo Replacement Cycles in in vitro Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Patients: A Pilot Study

International Journal of Infertility & Fetal Medicine ◽

10.5005/jp-journals-10016-1157 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 101-105

Author(s):

Kundavi Shankar ◽

Shipra Nigam ◽

Thankam R Varma

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽

Hormone Replacement ◽

Follicular Phase ◽

Thin Endometrium ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Embryo Replacement

ABSTRACT Introduction One of the most challenging problems in in vitro fertilization (IVF) is patient with thin endometrium. The objective of the study was to ascertain whether daily human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for 7 days with estrogen in hormone replacement frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles during follicular phase can increase the endometrial thickness (ET) and reduce the cancellation of cycles. Materials and methods Twenty-five infertile patients with resistant thin endometrium who had antagonist protocol and planned for frozen embryo replacement were recruited. These patients had prior attempts to thicken their endometrium which had failed. All the patients received estrogen daily from D2/3 of cycle. On day 8 or 9 of estrogen administration, 200 IU of hCG was given daily for 7 days. After 7 days on hCG priming (D14/15), ET was measured and progesterone was started accordingly. Identification of an intrauterine gestational sac with fetal heart beat by transvaginal ultrasonography constituted clinical pregnancy. Results Mean ET increased significantly from 5.84 to 7.61 mm (p < 0.01). About 72% of patients had more than 20% improvement in their ET after hCG priming. About 76% achieved an ET more than 7 mm. Overall, 50% became pregnant. The ongoing pregnancy rate was 40%. Conclusion A total of 200 IU hCG endometrial priming for 7 days in the proliferative phase of hormone replacement cycles for FET is a highly promising approach to thicken thin endometrium with failed prior attempts. How to cite this article Nigam S, Shankar K, Varma TR. Role of Low-dose Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Follicular Phase for Thin Endometrium in Frozen Embryo Replacement Cycles in in vitro Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Patients: A Pilot Study. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2017;8(3):101-105.

Download Full-text