scholarly journals Incidence of multiple births in relation to current regulations in Turkey regarding embryo transfer

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Semra Kahraman ◽  
Ipek Nur Balin Duzguner ◽  
Soner Duzguner ◽  
Yucel Sahin ◽  
Cihat Sen

Abstract Background Before 2010, there were no regulations in Turkey regarding the number of embryos to be transferred in one cycle. In March 2010, regulations restricting this number were implemented by the Turkish Ministry of Health. These specify the transfer of a maximum of one embryo in the first and second cycles and a maximum of two embryos in subsequent cycles in women aged < 35, and a maximum of two embryos in women aged ≥35 in any one cycle. Our study evaluates the effect of these regulations. Methods This large retrospective single center study first evaluates the incidence of multiple pregnancies before and after the implementation of the 2010 regulations. Secondly, it compares the clinical outcomes of double blastocyst transfer (DBT) and single blastocyst transfer (SBT) performed in compliance with these regulations from 2014 onwards. Results After the introduction of the 2010 regulations, the multiple pregnancy rate decreased significantly from 37.9 to 15.7%. The singleton live birth rate increased significantly, whereas multıiple live birth rates significantly decreased (p = < 0.001). When the clinical outcomes of SBT and DBT performed in compliance with regulations from 2014 onwards were evaluated, in patients < 35 years, the multiple pregnancy rate decreased from 47.2% in the DBT group to 1.7% in the SBT group (p = < 0.001). In patients ≥35 years, in the DBT group, the twin birth rate was again high at 28.4%, whereas in the SBT group, it was only 1.8% (p = < 0.001). Importantly, there was no statistically significant difference in clinical pregnancy rates between these two groups. Conclusion Turkish regulations have led to an encouragement of double embryo transfer (DET) as a routine practice, with many patients understanding it as an absolute right to have two embryos transferred. The results of our study suggest that, especially in the light of the success of blastocyst transfer, the Turkish regulations should be amended to limit the use of DET and encourage the use of single embryo transfer except in exceptional cases and particularly in women under 35 years old.

Author(s):  
Amol Borkar ◽  
Amit Shah ◽  
Anil Gudi ◽  
Roy Homburg

Background: There is a lack of agreement among fertility specialists with regard to the routine use of mock embryo transfer (MET) before each in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment cycle. While MET may be beneficial with previous difficult embryo transfer cases, its routine use before first IVF cycle has not been evaluated. Objective: To find out the effect of MET before the first IVF cycle on clinical pregnancy rate. Materials and Methods: This is a single-centre randomized controlled trial with a balanced randomization (1:1), carried out between November 2015 and October 2017, with 200 subjects at Homerton university hospital, London, randomized into either MET or control. The primary outcome was clinical pregnancy rate (detection of heart activity on the ultrasound scan), the secondary outcome measures were live birth rate, miscarriage and multiple pregnancy rates, difficult ETs, rate of blood or mucus on the catheter tip. Results: No significant differences were observed in the baseline or cycle characteristics between the two groups. The clinical pregnancy rate was similar between the MET and control groups based on both intension to treat and per protocol analyses (p = 0.98, p = 0.92, respectively). Additionally, no significant difference was seen in the live birth rate in both groups on intension to treat and per protocol analyses (p = 0.67, p = 0.47), respectively. Conclusion: Our study concludes that MET prior to first IVF cycle may not improve the success rate in young women without risk factors for a difficult embryo transfer. Key words: IVF, Mock embryo transfer, Pregnancy outcomes, Live birth.


Author(s):  
Yuhu Li ◽  
Xuexiang Cai ◽  
Bo Ma ◽  
Ning LI ◽  
liuguang zhang

Objective To evaluate the effects of different post-thawed culture periods on the clinical outcomes Design A retrospective study. Setting Two IVF centers. Population Women undergoing first cleavage-stage embryo transfer in frozen-thawed cycles. Methods 9832 FET cycles were divided into three groups according to female age: < 35, 35-39 and > 39 years, and two groups depending on post-thawed culture period: short and long culture groups. The long culture group divided into three groups depending on blastomere growth number: ≤ 2, one ≤ 2 and the other > 2, and > 2 groups. Main Outcome Measures Implantation rate (IR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), multiple pregnancy rate (MPR), live birth rate (LBR) and neonatal characteristics. Results Long post-thawed culture caused a significant increase in the IR, CPR, MPR and LBR (P/CI = 0.002/1.034-1.162, 0.027/1.011-1.194, 0.028/1.014-1.255 and 0.001/1.054-1.245 respectively), and blastomere growth number had a significant effect on IR, CPR, MPR and LBR (P = 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.000 respectively). No significant differences were present in neonatal characteristics between the two post-thawed culture groups. Singleton group had a higher average gestational age and birthweight as well as a lower cesarean section rate, preterm labor rate and low birthweight rate. Conclusions Long post-thawed culture was associated with higher IR, CPR, MPR and LBR, and transferring a well-developed embryo after long post-thawed culture might be a viable embryo transfer strategy to decrease MPR while maintaining CPR and LBR. Funding None Keywords Post-thawed culture, blastomere growth, neonatal characteristics, live birth rate.


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 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Reignier ◽  
J Joly ◽  
M Rosselot ◽  
T Goronflot ◽  
P Barrière ◽  
...  

Abstract Study question Does the prolonged duration of oestrogen treatment prior to frozen-blastocyst transfer (FET) affect live birth rate? Summary answer Variation in the duration of estrogen treatment prior to frozen-blastocyst transfer does not impact live birth rate. What is known already With improvements in cryopreservation techniques and fertility preservation, single embryo transfer policy and the increase in freeze-all cycles, frozen blastocyst transfer (FET) has strongly risen over the last years. Artificial endometrial preparation (AEP) is often used prior to FET. The endometrium is prepared by a sequentially treatment of estrogen and progesterone in order to synchronize endometrium and the embryo development. Whether the duration of progesterone administration before FET is well established, the optimal estrogen treatment duration remains controversial. Study design, size, duration All consecutive frozen thawed autologous blastocyst transfer cycles conducted between January 1, 2012 and July 1, 2019 in our University IVF center were included in this retrospective cohort study. We included 2235 single blastocyst FET cycles prepared with hormonal replacement therapy using oral E2 and vaginal progesterone administration in 1376 patients aged from 18 to 43 years. Participants/materials, setting, methods Patient’s characteristics, stimulation characteristics, FET cycles characteristics and cycles outcomes were anonymously recorded and analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. At first, each FET cycle was analyzed individually and secondly taking into account that some of the patients had undergone several FET, the model considered the number of implanting attempts for each woman. Main results and the role of chance We found no significant difference in the mean duration of estradiol administration before frozen embryo transfer between the group live birth versus non-live birth (27.0 ± 5.4 days versus 26.6 ± 5.0 days ; p=0.11). Endometrial thickness was not significantly different between the 2 groups (8.3 ± 1.7 mm versus 8,2 ± 1,7 mm ; p = 0.21). When the duration of estradiol exposure was analyzed in weeks, we observed no difference for the £ 21 days group (OR = 0.97 ; IC 0.64–1.47 ; p = 0.88), 29–35 days group (OR = 0.89 ; IC 0.68–1.16 ; p = 0.37) and &gt; 35 days group (OR = 0.75 ; IC 0.50–1.15 ; p = 0.10) compared to the reference group (22–28 days). After multivariate analysis, the duration of estradiol treatment before frozen embryo transfer did not affect live birth. Limitations, reasons for caution The relatively limited numbers of cycles with more than 35 days or less than 21 days as well as the retrospective design of the study are significant limitations. Wider implications of the findings: Variation in the duration of estradiol supplementation before progesterone initiation does not impact FET outcomes. We therefore can be reassuring with our patients when E2 treatments need to be extended, allowing flexibility in scheduling the day of transfer. Trial registration number Not applicable


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Lanes ◽  
DB Fell ◽  
M Teitelbaum ◽  
AE Sprague ◽  
M Johnson ◽  
...  

Abstract STUDY QUESTION What is the status of fertility treatment and birth outcomes documented over the first 6 years of the Canadian Assisted Reproductive Technologies Register (CARTR) Plus registry? SUMMARY ANSWER The CARTR Plus registry is a robust database containing comprehensive Canadian fertility treatment data to assist with providing evidence-based rationale for clinical practice change. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The rate of infertility is increasing globally and having data on fertility treatment cycles and outcomes at a population level is important for accurately documenting and effecting changes in clinical practice. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This is a descriptive manuscript of 183 739 fertility treatment cycles from 36 Canadian clinics over 6 years from the CARTR Plus registry. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Canadian ART treatment cycles from 2013 through 2018 were included. This manuscript described trends in type of fertility treatment cycles, pregnancy rates, multiple pregnancy rates, primary transfer rates and birth outcomes. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Over the 6 years of the CARTR Plus registry, the number of treatment cycles performed ranged from less than 200 to greater than 1000 per clinic. Patient age and the underlying cause of infertility were two of the most variable characteristics across clinics. Similar clinical pregnancy rates were found among IVF and frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles with own oocytes (38.9 and 39.7% per embryo transfer cycle, respectively). Fertility treatment cycles that used donor oocytes had a higher clinical pregnancy rate among IVF cycles compared with FET cycles (54.9 and 39.8% per embryo transfer cycle, respectively). The multiple pregnancy rate was 7.4% per ongoing clinical pregnancy in 2018, which reflected a decreasing trend across the study period. Between 2013 and 2017, there were 31 811 pregnancies that had live births from all ART treatment cycles, which corresponded to a live birth rate of 21.4% per cycle start and 89.1% of these pregnancies were singleton live births. The low multiple pregnancy rate and high singleton birth rate are associated with the increase in single embryo transfers. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION There is potential for misclassification of data, which is present in all administrative health databases. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The CARTR Plus registry is a robust resource for ART data in Canada. It provides easily accessible aggregated data for Canadian fertility clinics, and it contains data that are internationally comparable. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) There was no funding provided for this study. The authors have no competing interests to declare.


Zygote ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 662-668
Author(s):  
Daniela Paes de Almeida Ferreira Braga ◽  
Amanda S. Setti ◽  
Rita de Cássia S. Figueira ◽  
Assumpto Iaconelli ◽  
Edson Borges

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to determine the chance of pregnancy and the risk of multiple pregnancies taking into account the number and quality of transferred embryos in patients >36 years old or ≤36 years old. For this study, 1497 patients undergoing intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles in a private assisted reproduction centre were split into groups according to the number and quality of the transferred embryos on the third or fifth day of development. The pregnancy rate and multiple pregnancy rate were compared between the embryo quality groups in patients <36 years old or ≥36 years old. In patients <36 years old, for the day 3 embryo transfer, no significant difference was noted in the pregnancy rate when the groups were compared. However the multiple pregnancy rate was increased by the transfer of an extra low-quality embryo (17.1 versus 28.2%, P = 0.020). For day 5 embryo transfer, the transfer of an extra blastocyst significantly increased the pregnancy rate (36.0 versus 42.4%, P < 0.001) and the multiple pregnancy rate (4.4 versus 16.9%, P < 0.001). In older patients, no significant difference was noted in the pregnancy rate when the groups were compared. However, when an extra low-quality embryo was transferred, a significantly increased rate of multiple pregnancies was observed for day 3 (18.2 versus 26.4%, P = 0.049) and day 5 embryo transfers (5.2 versus 16.1%, P < 0.001). In conclusion, the transfer of an extra low-quality embryo may increase the risk of a multiple pregnancy. In younger patients, the transfer of an extra low-quality blastocyst may also increase the chance of pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
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 were analyzed 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. Conclusion: 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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Weijue Su ◽  
Jialing Xu ◽  
Samuel Kofi Arhin ◽  
Chang Liu ◽  
Junzhao Zhao ◽  
...  

Objective. To investigate the feasibility and clinical outcome of the all-blastocyst-culture and single blastocyst transfer strategy in women aged ≥35 years. Methods. A retrospective analysis of patients aged ≥35 years undergoing IVF/ICSI was performed from January 2017 to April 2019 in the reproductive center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. A total of 155 cases treated with ovarian hyperstimulation by prolonged protocol and implemented single (84 cases) or double (71 cases) blastocyst transfer were collected. Then, patients were further divided into <38 yr. group and ≥38 yr. group, and the laboratory and clinical outcomes were compared between the groups. Results. The double-blastocyst-transfer (DBT) group showed higher clinical pregnancy rate and multiple pregnancy rate and lower neonatal birth weight than those in the single-blastocyst-transfer (SBT) group (P<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in the embryo implantation rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, preterm delivery rate, and term birth rate. For patients<38 yr., SBT significantly reduced the multiple pregnancy rate and increased the neonate birth weight without significant reduction in the clinical pregnancy rate. While in the ≥38 yr. group, there are no differences in pregnancy outcomes between SBT and DBT. Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of MII oocytes was positively correlated with the live birth rate (OR=1.18) and negatively correlated with the miscarriage rate (OR=0.844), suggesting that elderly patients with relatively normal ovarian reserve would obtain better prospect in pregnancy. The number of fetal heart beat in pregnancy was negatively correlated with the live birth rate (OR=0.322) and positively correlated with the preterm birth rate (OR=7.16). Conclusion. The strategy of all-blastocyst-culture and single blastocyst transfer is feasible, safe, and effective for elderly patients with normal ovarian reserve, which would reduce the multiple pregnancy rate.


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